August 22, 2011

 "Inspect what you expect." ...there's some food for thought. That has really put a new twist on life. A good twist! What do you expect when you go to school, church, even the store!  Think about it, it's kinda fun. For me it's what do I expect each day from my self. What do I expect to do today that will cheer up the sad or make someone feel glad. Lift burdens. That is what my mission is all about! It's about other people!!  It's a wonderful opportunity that everyone should take to forget about yourself for awhile and find a way to serve someone.



Love,
Elder Fagersten

August 15, 2011

Hi~

I have been having a lot of new experiences in this area. I have begun a quote journal. . .quotes that have helped me, ones that are helping me, ones that I think will help others.

"Desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions. The desires we act on determine our changing, our achieving and our becoming."
-Elder Oaks

This quote has really helped me put things in perspective and to know what is important and what should be put first.
 
Love
Elder Ben Fagersten

August 1, 2011

Hello all! Before I tell you where I am I have a story. Elder Brown and I were riding down the street to go to an appointment. And it so happened that the hospital was on this street. We were waved down by a lady and she said her husband was in the hospital and he wanted a blessing. We said ok we can come after our appointment and that was ok with her. We then went to the appointment and then went to the hospital. When we got there his hand was all wrapped up and there were leaches on his fingers! We came to find out that he had been lubing his motorcycle chain and the sock he was using to put the greace on got caught in the chain and then he grabbed the sock and his fingers went through also. His pointer and pinky fingers were taken off. His middle and ring fingers were mangled. I'll send the pictures next week because I forgot my camera.

I'm in Peoria! I live in Peoria but my area is in Glendale. I am now covering two wards. One is the Foot Hills ward and the other is Sunburst ward. I am now companions with Elder Vaughan. He is a baller from South Carolina, Charleston. I'm living in a house with four other missionaries and it is really fun. I'm now in a car! I'm the designated driver and the senior companion. Which doesn't really mean a whole lot. We both are accountable for the decisions made in the companionship but the senior kind of has more accountablility. If that makes sence. But The work is going to go forth boldly and nobly.

I got to see Elder Kyle Gerber at transfer meeting. It was great to see him! And we are going home at the same time! We could and better be on the same flight home...don't take this as being trunky, at all.

I love you all and thank you for the prayers!

Elder Fagersten

July 18, 2011

holas!
 
We had a baptism in the north mountain ward this week. Peggy Kurtzhals. It is great to see people embrace the gospel. I also went to my first spanish baptism.  It reminded me how much I love singing in spanish!

Love
Elder Fagersten

7-11-2011

Here is the sand storm that came through.

I got to go to the temple on saturday. The mesa temple is so beautiful! Every temple is so unique, yet for the same purpose. I got to ride home on my bike in the sand storm that came through. It was actually very cool temperatures as we rode. We met with President Taylor this week and He is going to be an awesome Mission President. It is a style change but it will be great.

Elder Fagersten

6-27-2011

Hello,

Another one of God's Children was baptized this weekend. Carl Blakey was baptized. He is in the last baptismal picture I sent you. I was privileged to confirm him a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It is such a great experience to see the change the gospel brings to someones life. Carl was the last of the family to be baptized. Now he's going to receive the priesthood and be the priesthood leader in the home. It's exciting to see people blessed. I love this work and I know that anyone can see this change in their friends when the gospel is shared.

Love Elder Fagersten

6-20-2011

Hello,

This week was terrific! I had a flat tire 4/7 days this week. I've used more tire patches on my bike since I've been out here than ever before. It's crazy! But, what would life be like if nothing went wrong. BORING. That's why missions are so grand. There are so many different experiences in one day. And I'm convinced that if we learn from each experience we become better people and we become so much more intelligent and well rounded individuals. Go to the Lord for answers before you go to others. It is cool to learn that way.

Love,
Elder Fagersten