From the 2016 Brussels Bombings to Kirtland, Ohio

Remember the bombing in Brussels on March 27, 2016? The sister missionary that was badly hurt in the bombing, was called to Kenya's exact mission, and she was on her way to the Provo MTC on that horrible day!

On October 24th, Kenya's letter said, "PS. I went on exchanges with Sister Clain, the French Sister that was in the Brussels bombing yesterday, and it was so fun! She is the cutest, littlest thing! She is really humble and just really funny about everything, including the accident! I actually get to work very closely with her so It's fun!"

What a small world, and what an honor for Kenya to be able to serve with such a brave, valiant, and powerful Sister Missionary! 

FULL-PROSELYTING TRANSFER (LETTER FROM NOVEMBER 15TH)

Hi mommy! 

I am so so so sad for Melanie and her family.. They are such incredible people for reacting the way that they are. But I feel like it's usually like that with people in the Gospel. Just so strong, courageous and hopeful. That is what Jesus Christ does for us. He is the Mighty Healer and Comforter. I'm sorry that you have had to watch this and cry for them, it's never easy. But she is lucky to have such a great friend like you! I am very excited for you to sing at his funeral, and you HAVE to send me the video of the entire song! You will do BEAUTIFULLY! Let them know that they are in my thoughts and prayers. The plan of Salvation is so real, and we understand it more when we experience it, I think.. 

Sooooo, new on transfers........ I am getting transferred to an area called... LORAIN!! I will be FULL-PROSELYTING!!!! At first, President called me on Sunday, released me as a Sister Training leader and told me that my new companion and I will be opening a new area in Toledo.. I was TERRIFIED all day yesterday! Toledo has a reputation of being a very, very different place. Its a counrty place, the wards are spread everywhere, and it's basically you and your companion for miles.. And I am not a "to yourself" kind of person. So I was kind of freaking out about it, on top of the fact of opening a new area.. And it's funny because my whole mission I have always said "I will go full-pro anywhere BUT Toledo!" and then it happened. But then my district leader called last night and told me I will be going to the Cleveland stake which I am SOOOO excited about! I have heard great things about this area so it will be good! Kind of nervous about having Thanksgiving and Christmas this transfer but it will be a great adventure! All I want is for my companion and I to get along well! 

I said lots of goodbyes last night and will say a lot more tonight! We were serving at sites so a family from the ward came by and said goodbye, the recent convert dad and daughter that I was talking about last week came by and and said hi. And some other people that we see a lot came by and we talked. So it was fun! Definitely felt the love.. I cried a little about leaving this ward. It has really felt like my home. All yesterday I felt like I was leaving home all over again! But I will only be gone for 2 transfers so I'll be back in February. So not long, and I'm really excited! I wish i could put it all into words everything about it! But I don't have that much time! But I am very nervous and excited about going full-pros, I will learn a lot! 

My next Preparation Day will be Thanksgiving Day. 

Group Email from Sister Berntsen from November 7th

Family and friends,

Thank you for all the love and support! I am doing well here in Kirtland. Miracles are happening and God is way too good to us. 

We have been keeping busy here and so many good things are happening. We had a Veterans day program this week, which reminded me of my sweet Grandpa Mike. The spirit was so strong giving our appreciation and thanks to all who have served our country. The song "If you're reading this" by Tim McGraw was played in my head a few times this week. 

Lately, my companion and I have been inviting a 15 year old recent convert in our ward to come with us when we serve at the Visitors' center on Sundays. Yesterday, she came with us to be on teaching center and take tours and it was great! She has such a difficult life and continues to struggle with family and friend situations. Her father is in his mid 60's, and has M.S. But is still a wonderful guy who joined the church with her this past March. We are so blessed by the people we surround ourselves with. We are blessed with the laws and ordinances of the gospel like the Word of Wisdom and Law of Chastity. They are God-given laws along with all the rest. 

I sometimes take for granted the amazing people I have been surrounded by my whole life, and yesterday I realized just how blessed I really am. I love you all sooo much and am so grateful for the love and support! I pray for you all daily. Sorry I am the worst at sending group emails... I proabably won't get any better at it... 

November 9th - Random Text from Visiting Stranger

My favorite stranger texted me these two photos yesterday saying, "We have some cute sister tour guides today! You should be proud of them!" I love days like this!! ❤️❤️❤️

October 28, 2016 - A PERFECT DAY AT ISAAC MORLEY'S FARM

Sister Berntsen got a "shout out" from the amazing Brother Wynder!! Not to brag or make other descendants jealous, but Kenya's Morley bloodline comes through Issac Morley's youngest child, and ONLY son with his first wife Lucy. They named him Issac Morley, Jr.

Also, Lucy was his only wife through ALL of the persecution, fear and extermination orders from Kirtland to Nauvoo. She died before the call to go to Utah. She truly was the love of his life! ❤️❤️❤️

 .....Never mind that they were cousins....But they were married in Massachusetts wayyyyy before the"Mormons" got to them!

MORE PHOTOS OF THIS DAY ON ISSAC MORLEY'S FARM  

August 29th Group Email to the Berntsen Family

Picture on October 3, 2016, Kenya's Birthday, of her getting a hug and story from her Grandpa Berntsen!  H was so excited about her call to Ohio.

Three generation picture after Jack was ordained a Priest in July, 2016

Picture of Kenya's daddy with her Grandpa a few days before he passed away from Cancer

August 29, 2015 - Group Email to the Berntsen Family

Hello my sweet family,

Just wanted to send a quick email to you all. (don't have much of your emails though) I received the news of Grandpa's passing on Wednesday by my Visitors center director. It was hard news to take at such a stressful part of my mission, but I think I have been handling it well. This past week has been the hardest my whole mission, for multiple reasons and its just been tough not being able to be there with my family during this all. It breaks my heart to just sit back and imagine how you are all feeling, knowing that I can't be there for support or help.

I am truly going to miss my sweet Grandpa Mike. His slooow driving road trips, the pharmacy, his watery hot chocolate, and of course his love of out doors and his family. I remember one road trip to Moab, we took the trailer and had a fun weekend with some family. On our way home of course, Grandpa doesn't take any chances with his trailer so he went probably 45 on a 75 mile road and kept his hand out the window waving for EVERY car to pass him. Hard to believe I will actually miss that.

It breaks my heart that I can't be there for his funeral and be able to say goodbye to him one last time. But I know that this is where he wants me to be. I know that we may not all have the same beliefs on some things, but I do know with my whole heart that we will all see him, Grandma, Andy and Mac again. I have a firm testimony of eternal families. Even though we are all the craziest and some of the biggest pains in the butt, I am grateful for every one of you, and grateful to have you all as my eternal family.

I love you all and hope that you are all handling this tragic loss as best as you can. We have all dealt with it before. I just wanted to let you all know how much I love you and how much I miss you. I pray for everyone of you morning and night, I have felt prayers sent my way as well. I am grateful for the true gospel of Jesus Christ and grateful for you all. Give Grandpa one last kiss for me please.
#cancersucks #alzheimerssucks

Love, Sister Berntsen

August 1, 2016 - Group Email to the Mattson Family (Her last group email was July 11th)

August 25, 2016 - Kenya's cousin Porter Mattson came home from his mission to Guatemala

August 26, 2016 - Kenya's Aunt and Uncle Quinn and Gina Walker took out their Endowments in the Payson, Utah Temple

August 27, 2016 -  Kenya's Aunt and Uncle Gina and Quinn were sealed for Time and All Eternity in the Payson Temple (Payton and Daisy were able to enter the temple, Quade was 18 and too old to be able to go in)

This is a picture of all of Kenya's Mom's brothers and sisters and their spouses, Kirk, Gina, Angie, Joseph, Jacob, Camille and Candace.  And this was the first time that all of us were able to be together in the temple with our mom and dad, and our Aunt Joan!  

It was Grandma and Grandpa Mattson's best day ever, and I mean EVER!!

Sister Berntsen's Group Email to the Mattson Family on August 1, 2016:

Hi everyone!

Not much to the last few weeks! Sister Ewell and I have been keeping busy this summer! In the month of July Kirtland had over 14,000 visitors! Met some of the greatest people in that. But we have been doing a lot of finding as well! We stopped by a potential this week that I tracted into a few months ago. At the time I didn't see too much interest in him, but we just thought we would stop by and talk to him. And he opened right up to us. He has been going through a hard time and is interested in the church and finding happiness. That just shows that this is really God's work. Its not up to us for people to be ready for the gospel, its up to God. But he makes it possible for those who are searching for the Gospel to find it.

Our testimony is one of the greatest gifts God has given us. I have seen my testimony grow and continue to watch it grow, and it has helped me not only in my missionary work but it has helped me realize all the good that has taken place throughout my life. The testimony of my family and friends have got me far, but now I am given this chance to strengthen my own testimony.

I love this work and although it is the hardest thing I have ever done, it is the most rewarding and amazing experience that I have ever had. I know that this church is true and I know that God chose Joseph Smith to restore the Gospel. I know that God lives, and through sacred temples we get to live with Him and our families for eternity.

Which brings me to the main purpose of this email... To congratulate my aunt and uncle, Quinn and Gina for their decision to enter the temple this week!!!!! They are more than ready for this and I know that the greatest blessings will come to them because of this. There is nothing more special than being sealed as a family for eternity. I am grateful for my parents who made that decision and the blessings that have come to me and my family because of it. I know that similar blessings will come to the Walker family!

God knows my love for temples so he sent me to Kirtland, where the first one was build! But I want to share with you all before you go with Quinn and Gina to the temple just how special temples are. Not only was the temple constructed here in Kirtland, but temple priesthood keys were restored. A man named Elijah appeared inside the Kirtland temple and conferred the keys of the sealing power to Joseph Smith. That sealing power is the power to unite families for eternity with one another and with God. I know that that happened and I know that that same sealing power is still on the earth and the Walkers will get to experience that sealing power for themselves this week! And I could NOT be more excited for them!!

Also, only low key jealous that Porter gets home this week and gets to go with them. But I have LOVED being able to write my cousin the past 2 years. His service is a big reasoning behind my service as a missionary, and I am so grateful for that. I know that this crazy family of mine is sealed for eternity. And after some Christmas parities I wonder if I still want to be included in eternity. But I have grown up around the greatest people and I just can't wait for this special day this week for the Walkers!!

I know that families are forever and I am so grateful that you are MINE. My love and prayers are with you all! Send me LOTS AND LOTS of pictures of this very special day! Love you all!!! :)

Love, Sister Berntsen

July 18, 2016 - New Companion, Kenya's 3rd Companion is Sister Ewell

July 18, 2015 - Transfer One of the first pictures of Kenya and her 3rd Companion, Sister Ewell,
They just loved each other from the beginning!

2nd Companion, and 4th of July in The Ohio!!

This is a picture of the Sister's after Kenya's first transfer getting a new companion. Her first "baby", Sisters Langlois.  There have been here have been more transfers, but she's kept the same Companion until now.

Below is a picture of  them on the 4th of July with her second companion, Sister Langlois.

JULY 11, 2016 GROUP EMAIL!!!!

JULY 11, 2016 GROUP EMAIL!!!!

Hello Family,

I'm sorry that I am the worst at sending emails, don't blame my mom for my sins. But I love and miss you all and have been thinking of you a lot lately! 

These past few weeks have been really good!! Super busy and really good! I got to take my old seminary teacher and his family of tour last week and that was a really neat experience. His class changed everything for me and that is where my testimony really started so it was a nice refresher for my testimony. It meant a lot that Heavenly Father allowed it to happen so perfectly. 

Summer time is crazy and very busy at the Visitors Center! We give tours by ourselves most of the time because there are so many people coming through, but I love solo tours so much! I hope you're not too sick of me talking about the Visitors center, but it has been using a lot of my time lately. I just feel so blessed that I get to serve in a place where I get to meet so many amazing people throughout the world and help them strengthen their faith. Yesterday, my companion and I took a large family of about 25 and they were from Taiwan and a lot of them didn't speak English, but Heavenly Father gave us the gift of tongues!!.... Just kidding, one of the family members interpreted for us. Haha. But the grandpa bore his testimony in the Revelation room and the lady was translating for us and it was so powerful! It really strengthened my testimony a lot, just knowing that God speaks to ALL of His children, no matter where we are, who we are, what language we speak, sinners or not, He speaks to us all. 

Next to the School of the Prophets, my favorite part of the tour is the Revelation room where Joseph received the revelation of building the Kirtland temple. In that room I love to talk about that and the appearance in the Temple of Christ, Moses, Elias and Elijah. Elijah is the one who gave Joseph and Oliver the sealing power. Testifying of eternal families and the sealing power in a room where is started is so special. I just think of my crazy, wonderful family and extended family in that room every time. 

Our investigator, Joe is this SUPER awesome younger black man and he is just wonderful! He loves the church and has such a strong testimony all he has to do is get married to his atheist girlfriend.. So we are trying to convince her to have the wedding at the Visitors center! He came for a tour on Saturday and it was awesome! He had already been before but this time he finished the whole tour. We walked into the school of the prophets and it sits down and says "there's that feeling again." The spirit in that room in undeniable. I would invite you all to study on the school of the prophets but you can't find all the information on LDS.org. But the spirit in that room is life-changing. The experiences that I have been apart of in that room have been life-changing. 

So I am just finishing up training Sister Langlois and this week I will begin training a new missionary this week! So this last week I got to go with the other sisters who are training to the mission office in Cleveland and that is always super fun! I LOVE Cleveland. It's SO ghetto and everyone is just so weird and funny. Heavenly Father really knew me well to send me to a ghetto town but also have a normal area to serve. But I am very excited to train again and I know that this will be a humbling and strengthening experience for me. 

Not much else is up. I will try harder to send more group emails! I love and miss you all so much and pray for you everyday. I want you all to know how grateful I am for you all. I am grateful for my grandparents and my ancestors who accepted the gospel and started this path for the rest of us to be on. I know that families are eternal and I know that God is a just, yet merciful God who loves all of His children. There is no greater happiness than through the gospel, I know that the Book of Mormon is the true word of God and I know that Joseph Smith endured so much pain and heartache because of how true this gospel is. Have a great week everyone!! Love you all so much!!!! Email me updates and pictures!!

Love, Sister Berntsen

1. When you are still excited about the Cavs game that you didn't watch. 

2. The "This Is Kirtland" musical started this week and this is my 5th great-grandpa Isaac Morley! 

Monday, April 25th -- GROUP EMAIL

 Monday, April 25th

Hi family!

How is everyone doing? From what my family has said, everyone is doing great which is great to hear! I miss you all and think of you throughout the week.

Everything is going so great in Ohio! We got our new schedule for the summer. And for now we will be in Kirtland for 2 days in the week and at the Johnson farm for 1 or 2 days in the week as well. I have been trying to get the history down in the Johnson farm because I have never given a tour there. But it should all go great! I feel so blessed to serve at the Johnson farm in the summer time. Only 2 sets of sisters out of around 30 of us get to serve there in the summer, and I am one of those lucky sisters!

I was told last week that I would be training this next transfer so I prepared myself so that but got a call the day before transfers telling me that one of the sisters wouldn't be coming. It's sad but all okay! I got a different companion and shes great! The Lords timing is perfect and I know that everything happens for a reason! So I'm excited to see where this transfer will take us.

Our area is great! We do a lot of finding. My companion is from the Kirtland ward and isn't so used to it. Haha. We get the Johnson farm in this area but not too many investigators. So we are doing a lot of finding for the Lords elect.

On a fun note, I still got to go to the trainers meeting a little past Cleveland this week (before I found out I wouldn't be training.) And on our way home we took a wrong turn and we some how made it to downtown Cleveland! And you know I was singing to myself "Downtown" by Macklemore the whole time. (I sing too much "Babylon" on my mission) It was an adventure. But here's the best part. We were driving to find a gas station and we were at a stop light, and a nice young (African American) man pulled up next to us. So I just smiled and waved and we kept driving. When we came to the gas station in the heart of downtown Cleveland, one of the sisters is getting gas and this nice young man that I waved to pulled up, walked up to her and says "you're beautiful can I get your number?" So of course the first thing she says, being an awkward missionary, "hehe yeah, come meet my sisters." So we are talking with this guy and start talking about the Gospel and he tells us how much he loves God and that he has tattoos all over about God. So he lifts up his shirt and insists that we look at his tattoos and the 10 commandments that he has tattooed on his back. But moral of the story we gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon and got his phone number. It was the craziest and funniest thing ever. There is a reason that sisters aren't allowed to serve in Cleveland.

Thank you for the love and prayers. I miss you all so much and would love to hear about how you are all doing. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the greatest blessing in our lives. We are the only people who have the true power of the Atonement. He knows us better than we know ourselves. Hope you all had a great week! Love you! :)

Monday, April 14th - LETTER TO MOM

Monday, April 14^th

Hiiiii, I have like NO time because we went to the Columbus temple today and it was SOOOO awesome! It felt so good to go to the temple finally. A ton of missionaries were able to go and that was fun. All the senior couples gave us a ride. Its able 2 and a half hours away and we JUST got back and p day ends at 6. So I dont have much time. But the temple was amazing and I will be sending you pictures in a second.

BUT I have very very big news...

IM PREGNANT!!

That means that I will be training a brand new missionary this next transfer. It is a HUGE responsibility and I am very nervous, excited, scared, inadequate, and so happy all at once! But the Lord called me to be a trainer and I trust Him. When you get to the field you go through 12 weeks of training. So basically you are just learning how to do everything and in the morning you have an extra hour of study called "12 week." I JUST got done being trained and now I am called to train a brand new missionary. It is actually quite rare that you get called to train right after you get trained so I am very humbled that I have been trusted with this responsibility.

I got a call from President Brown on Tuesday morning and he told me the news and I was In SHOCK. I had NO idea I would be called to train. It is honestly one of the biggest responsibilities as a missionary. You set an example for this persons entire mission and you are responsible to help them become an obedient and hard working missionary. Its a little bit overwhelming but I am honestly SO excited! The relationship between your "mom and daughter" is very special and such a neat experience. So Sister Adame is my mom, her mom is my grandma, and so forth. So right now I am pregnant with my baby. Its kinda funny. But that is the big HUGE news for the week! And ALSO! My mom, sister adame has been called as a sister training leader!! We both got called to some big responsibilities ahead. I hope I can be as good of a trainer as sister adame was to me. Just pray for me to do my best and pray for my baby, whoever she is that we will get along and she will adapt well.

Email me back when you can!

I LOVE YOU

Monday, April 4^th

Hello everyone!

Easter in Historic Kirtland has been a blast this week! We got to help out with Easter Egg hunts, tours, chick hatching, tours, hay rides and more tours! The summer season is coming closer which means lots of people at the Visitors' Center! It's been too much fun though. I feel blessed every day to serve in a place where Jesus Christ and God the Father have been. Every time I step into the school of the prophets, I feel their spirit. And I will never take that for granted.

General conference weekend went by too fast, and was too good. All the talks were so inspired and uplifting. I am grateful for sweet Thomas S. Monson and his apostles. It was truly such a spiritual weekend. The call that I have to help others find Jesus Christ is the best calling in the world. 

I love you all!

Here's some fun pictures from this week! One of them is Elder Heward giving the Hay rides in 30 degree weather.  (Senior couple missionaries are my absolute favorite)

Love, Sister Berntsen

Monday, March 28th

Monday, March 28th

Hello friends and family!

This week was so great! We were at Kirtland Tuesday and Wednesday this week. It has been really busy with tours because of Spring Break so that has been fun! But the hard part of that is finding time to call and email our online investigators. 

A miracle that happened this week was that our investigator that we call at sites committed to FINALLY have missionaries come to her house and teach her! She's been embarrassed because of living conditions but she knows that what we teach her is true and she knows that she needs to be baptized. So she finally committed to them coming! She also told us that someone dialed the wrong phone number and called her, so she and this man started talking and she told him about the Gospel! She isn't even baptized and she is doing missionary work! She is the sweetest older lady ever.  

Easter was also so great! It is such a special holiday as a missionary. On Friday we had an Easter event at the Johnson Farm that we were able to help out with, and that was so much fun! There was a hay ride, homemade bread, a baby goat and a lot of other super fun things! 

I am so grateful for the knowledge that we have of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. That the most amazing miracle of all time is that Jesus Christ rose from the dead and that we all have the chance to do that as well, and live with Him and our families forever. I know that Jesus Christ knows us all and loves us more than we can comprehend. There is no greater happiness than through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

I hope you all had a great Easter and are looking forward to General Conference this week! Thank you for all the love and support! :)

Love, Sister Berntsen

March 14, 2016 -- Kenya's Group Email 

Hi everyone!

This week was great! On Wednesday and Thursday the Kirtland Visitors center directors wife put on an event that was a "Feast for the poor." It was the 180th anniversary of this event that Emma Smith and Ann Whitney started 180 years ago. They cooked for 3 days giving all the food away for whoever needed it in the Kirtland area. So Sister Wynder did something kind of like that this week. It was really neat because the LDS church, the Community of Christ (the church that owns the Kirtland temple) and the church of Christ' restoration branch all came together to help out with it, and it was a really good time! 

This week I took my first solo-tour, basically. I had to go on a last minute exchange with a brand new sister, while our companions went to the Hospital to see a sister who is there. She had only taken 1 tour and been out in the field for a week, so didn't know anything about the History. So we got called on tour and it was a realization point seeing how much I actually know and how much more I need to learn. But it ended up being such an awesome and spiritual tour! 

Other than that, we are doing a lot of service and trying out hardest to find more people to teach! The Lord is preparing the elect, all my job is, is to find them and teach them, and have the faith that we will find them. There are miracles everyday. 

Thank you for all the love and support! I love you all so much!

Love, Sister Berntsen

Ps. Shout out to Emily McGee who is opening her mission call tonight! She will be such an awesome missionary!!

Pps. The church came out with a new Easter video yesterday and it is AMAZING. Everyone needs to watch it! It is called Hallelujah

Caption of photo from Kenya:

"This is the only picture I can get to you this week. This was taken at the VC by the loudest and funniest Elder. In the email he sent he said "sister Berntsen looks hungry" probably true.. hahah"

Group Email from Kenya:

March 7, 21016

Hello family!

I made it through my first transfer! It has been a crazy/amazing 6 weeks. I have really learned so much about myself and the gospel and how truly important it is. But this week was great! One of the busiest and funnest weeks for sure! Sister Adame and I were at sites only 1 day this week which really scared me. I was used to having 2 full days at sites and was worried to be a normal missionary for 6/7 of the days this week. But the Lord knew the situation and really blessed us. 

Monday, we got done shopping and came outside to see that a sweet older lady had hit the back of our car a little. Long story short, she felt really bad but we set an appointment with her for this week! That was really awesome. Tuesday we were at sites, Wednesday was transfers. So everyone in the Kirtland stake who was getting transferred or was getting a new companion came to the Visitors center and did their transfers. Thursday, Friday, Saturday we had filled days with a lot of service and appointments with some less-actives, and the usual missionary stuff. 

Sunday evening we taught our investigators Holly and Thomas. They are 8 and 12 and their dad is a less-active that we are working with. They are great kids!! We are working with their dad to quit smoking so he can get the priesthood and baptize his kids. They are a great family!

Thank you for the love and support you all give me. I am so grateful for each one of you. Hope you all have a blessed week! 

Love, Sister Berntsen

ps. we only served at sites once last week, and this week we serve 3. #blessings

Kenya's Third Group Email

Monday, February 29, 2016

Hello friends and family!

This week I have finished my first transfer and been serving for 2 months! Not a lot, but its progress. The past few weeks have been great! I am learning more about myself and the Savior everyday. We are working a lot with the less actives in the ward and have seen a lot of progress in their reactivation in the church. And of, course some of our great investigators! 

At sites we take a lot of Spanish calls because my companion is the only person at Kirtland that knows Spanish. She lets me open up with some "Hola! Esta es Nohely y Kenya, como estas?" And then I am cut off from there because that's basically all I know.. But anyway, we have a few Hispanics that we teach from Mexico that are progressing really well and will hopefully have a baptismal date this week! It's crazy that I really have no idea what they are saying to each other but they spirit in their voices bring the spirit so strongly to me as well.

It is such a blessing being able to serve here and do the things that I get to do. I love serving at sites and in the Hiram area! I will start to give tours at the Johnson farm within the next 2 months which is super exciting! Life is great here in OHIO. Love you all!

Love, Sister Berntsen

Also, my companion and I gave up a habit this week to relate to a less active that is giving up smoking. So of course, I gave up drinking Coke. Capri sun was the next best thing apparently. 

Kenya's Second Group Email

Monday, February 15, 2016

Hi everyone!

Happy Valentines! Life has been going good (cold) here in Ohio! So the area that I am in right now is Hiram which is about 45 minutes away from Kirtland. Hiram is where the John Johnson farm is, it's right next to our church. We get to study there every Sunday which is amazing!! Us and the 2 other sisters that live with us drive to Kirtland on Wednesdays and are at sites all day Wednesdays and Thursdays. I have now given 5 tours which have all been so amazing and so spiritual! I still have SO much history to learn about Kirtland and about the Johnson farm! 

When we aren't on tour at the Visitors' center we are on computers taking chats and calls from Mormon.org. We also have our own investigators from around the world that we get to teach. It is such a wonderful calling. 

We have been doing a lot of finding this month in our areas and are finding a lot of success! 

I am still learning and growing everyday, but I know that my testimony has grown the most which is the most rewarding. I know that this is the Lords work and how grateful I am to serve Him everyday for 18 months. 

Thank you for all the love and support! I love you all and pray for you!

Love, Sister Berntsen

Also, I love my little Hispanic companion so much. Her name is Sister Adame from Salem, Oregon. She is teaching me tons of Spanish!

Kenya's First Group Email

Monday, February 1, 2016

Hello friends and family!

Life is going great in Kirtland! I love this place so much, there is such a special spirit here. I have learned so much about our church history in the last week, its crazy! Still don't even know half of what I will by the end. 

I love all the sisters here! Especially my companion Sister Adame! She has already taught me so much! Next to her, my favorites are the senior couples for sure. They're so cute.

I love Kirtland but I love my area as well! I feel so blessed to be able to serve in the Visitors' Center but also get serve in an area as well. Everything is going great here in oHIo. Thanks for all the emails and support the past few weeks, I have felt the prayers. I love you all so much! Have a blessed week.

Newel K. Whitney Store in Kirtland, OH

Historic Kirtland Visitor's Center

Kenya's "Bio" for the Visitor's Center