2-24-14

Mom,

Oh my goodness I love getting mail. P.S. I can send emails to friends as well as family so if there is anyone out there that would be interested in writing me they are welcome to write me emails. And I don't have any addresses at the moment to give you (sorry) but I will definitely bring some next time. Also, I can get the mail at any time during the week pretty much, the mission home just sends it over to our apartments whenever, so I probably can get sent letters more frequently than emails. (Of course, I won't really be able to respond until Mondays, but still I love getting letters. It's good to hear from everyone) My P-Days are on Mondays. 

Okay! I'm in the city Alpharetta. I have no idea how close that is to our cousins. My ward is the Webb bridge ward. I LOVE my new companion/trainer. She is seriously the nicest person that I have ever met. Like seriously. She's so genuine and filled with so much concern for everyone and our investigators. I feel truly blessed that she is there for me and that I can trust her when things are hard.

It's hard to write everything in one letter but Day 1: definitely filled with some surprises and scariness. First one being SURPRISE come on a train and start sharing the gospel with complete strangers.... 0.0..... definitely a scary experience. But a good learning experience. We were in a group of about sixteen missionaries. So we went in three groups and got on different parts of the train and then separated ourselves into different parts of that train so that I was basically by myself sitting on the train with a bunch of strangers. Happy First Day in the Mission! Haha, but it was really good. It got me adjusted right quick into the mission. I was able to hand out a Book of Mormon and some pass along cards as well as a pamphlet. So that was a good experience. Also we were able to meet our mission president and his wife right in the airport as well as their assistants. They were the nicest people and really fired for the missionary work going on the in the South.

No we do not have I-Pads like in the Mesa Mission. But we do have a car :) And I have my bike which is a really nice one by the way. And we also have a cellphone. We have to go tracting every day door to door for two hours. I refuse to say whether I like it or not, but it is definitely a trial of faith going from door to door. Especially when you get the door slammed in your face every now and again. *Sigh*, but it's good it really is. I am learning sooooo much about the gospel and all of these experiences are really teaching more about myself and how to have confidence.

First Sunday was Awesome! We had an investigator named Carl come to church with us. It was SO Amazing! And I got to bear my testimony for the first time in front of a bunch of strangers... Whoo hoo!! Haha, nah, it was really awesome. :) Yes, I've gotten Dad's letters. The weather here is Beautiful! It got a lot warmer compared to last week and we've been enjoying the sun shine and a nice breeze. The night's are also pretty chilly, but I'm definitely warm enough. 

And since I'm a missionary you're going to be hearing all about missionary work from me :P Truly the best way to get more investigators and more people to participate in the gospel is by member missionaries. Tracting can only do so much. It's so much better when the members do their part and really go to work. One of the things that Sis DeBry and I have learned is that setting a date for having someone be interested in the gospel is one of the best ways to do this. Rather than praying for a new investigator, it's better to pray for a date that feels right so God will provide opportunities for you to share the gospel. Setting deadlines can help with feelings of procrastination and help us just go out there and do the work. So! Goal for everyone who reads this. Will you pray for a date to have someone become interested in the church? Will you pray for a date that you'll hand out a Book of Mormon? I can truly testify how freaking hard it is to open my mouth and share the gospel. But I can also testify that once I got over that first hurdle, it became a lot easier to open my mouth and share this wonderful gospel.

Anyways, I love you all! I hope that I was able to answer Most of the questions :P Sorry, I've only got so much time to write. Life is soo good. I love my companion. I love my ward. There is so much potential here. Thank you so much for the quotes mom. They really help me out so much. And Maloree you are the bestest best person ever!! Thank you so much for being willing to put up these emails. I am so grateful for your friendship and all that you have taught me. 

Love you family! I hope everything is going great! I miss you all and pray for you. Mom I hope that your eye feels better! Haha, have fun cleaning the house and getting everything organized. I love you!

Just Believe

Sister Petersen
juliet.petersen@myldsmail.net