1-20-15

Hey Fam!

Yes, I did get the citrus and it made the bestest best lemonade ever! I was so pleased :P I'm DEFINITELY going to be taking that box with me to my new area!!

AND.... my new area is... (drum roll please :) ) The Lilburn First Ward! So I'm heading back to the big 'ole city! My new companion is Sister Summerhayes (I have no idea how to spell her name :P ) And in a word, I am Really excited :) I'm sad  that I'm leaving Dahlonega so soon, but I'm excited to go to Lilburn! And Sister Grayson is headed over to Kennesaw with actually a sister who she got trained with. Which is really cool. And Crazy news, tomorrow both Sister DeBry and Sister Hooker are going home! Crazy right? It's so weird how time flies. Then in the next transfer, Sister Madsen will be heading out! All of my companions are dropping off like flies! But it's so exciting too.

Anyways, what were some miracles that happened this week... hmmm.... Sister Grayson and I both survived, definitely a miracle :) We had our baptism on Saturday and confirmation as well which was SO wonderful :D A lot of people that we've been working with showed up at church on Sunday. And life is good. That is the biggest miracle of all. Life feels good :)

There were a couple of things that have really stuck out to me a lot from this transfer with Sister Grayson. One of them is the importance of humility. If I hadn't had been proud during all of this transfer, I believe things would have gone so much smoother. I had to be broken down a lot by the Lord and realize that I needed to make a lot of changes if I was going to make it this transfer. But that's okay, because it taught me SO much. God has never been so close before.

(Oh gosh, I could really list so many things that I learned from this transfer) One of the biggest things that I've been trying to learn about is charity. It's amazing to me what charity truly is and how HARD it is to have. Especially when you really don't want to have charity :P I wonder how difficult it must have been for the Savior to have loved everyone including those who rejected and crucified him. It amazes me that in the bible Jesus would call Judas Iscariot "Friend" even though he know that Judas would soon betray him. It always amazes me that no matter what, no matter how stressed we are, no matter how angry we get, no matter how afraid, no matter how much we abuse or ignore the Savior, He is always there. He's always right outside the door waiting for us to let Him in. That no matter what we do, He will always love us. He will always welcome us back. And that just Blows me away just how much He really does love us. That His love truly is pure and untainted. It's not motivated by selfishness. He's not expecting a reward. He usually doesn't get a reward. Most of the time He's just brushed aside. And yet, He's still there serving and giving even when we don't recognize it. All that He truly wants is for us to be happy. That's it. And He knows how to help us be happy which is why He asks us to do things for Him. Which is why He asks us to give Him our whole heart because that will make us happy. Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father are just so wonderful!!

I am really grateful for what this transfer has taught me. I really needed it. And I'm really grateful that Sister Grayson was my companion because I never would have learned these lessons with anyone else. I would never have gone through the refiner's fire if not for her. And I'm really grateful for that and for her :)

I hope that ya'll are having a wonderful week! I'm glad to hear that everyone is doing well especially Andrew!! Let me know if there's anything that I can do for ya'll! I will get that address sent to you as soon as I get it :) Love you!

Just Believe,

Sister Petersen

1-5-14

Hello hello!! I hope that all is going well!

Thank you so much for the birthday package!! I love it oh so very much :) I'm excited to read that story today (I've been saving it for when I actually have a few minutes to just not worry about anything). And I'm really really really excited to get more. Also, a fun little surprise, Sister Grayson ended up decorating the apartment for my birthday. She made this Huge sign of Happy Birthday Sister Petersen and then decorated around my desk too. And I'm pretty sure that she told the members that we were eating dinner with that night that it was my birthday too, so we ended up eating cake, and I got a vase of flowers and a blue forget me not book. It was so sweet of them!!

I would love to watch that movie as soon as I get home! I actually think that I've seen part of it, and what I remember of it, it was really cute. AWE I'm SO jealous that you're going to the zoo!! Take lots of pictures please :D And that's so exciting that Andy got put on date dad!! Isn't the Spirit so wonderful?? I love it so much :)

Hahaha, I'm glad that you guys finally got the lights taken down. (Even though I actually liked turning them on every so often to give our house a little flare ;P) For New Years, we actually got to go on exchanges, so I went over to the Coal Mountain ward with Sister Childs which was so fun :) We got Wendy's to celebrate and then set our alarm to go off at midnight so we could welcome the New Year. And funnest of all, there were fireworks that went off right by our window which was Super fun!! When the alarm went off, I just said Happy New Year and then went right to bed :P I was way too tired.

Fun news! We have a girl on date for baptism on January 17th!! Which is so awesome! She's twelve years old and I guess the sisters have been working for her for awhile, but we've finally got her on date again and her family is okay for her to get baptized. It was so awesome! Also, another family that we've been working with actually came to church on Sunday!! It was SO great to see them :D The dad had been baptized a little while ago, but he had been so ill for the past few months that he hasn't been able to make it to church, but we've been visiting them just about every week. The rest of his family aren't members, but his two boys did end up showing up at church which was also a miracle! His wife was planning on coming, but ended up not being able to (if she had made it that would have been the biggest miracle of all) The missionaries have been working with this family for Years and years. So who knows what's going to happen in the next while :P

Anyways, things are going good. They're not perfect, but they're better than they have been :) I'll send you another letter in the mail that's more specific, but I am surviving and it truly is all thanks to the Lord. He has been blessing me so much with so many little miracles and I am so grateful for Him. I hope that ya'll have a fantastic week! I love you!

Just Believe,
Sister Petersen

12-22-14

Hello Hello!! MERRY CHRISTMAS :DDD I hope that everything is going well for you guys! I'm so glad that you guys are going to be kazooing tonight and watching the Christmas carol! Take lots of pictures for me please :D

On Christmas day we're going to be going over to a member's house around three o'clock so we probably won't email until around 3:15/ 3:30 ish? I can't remember what time that is in Arizona. I think we're two hours ahead? Anyways, that'll probably be the time that we can skype. I don't know if you have skype on your computer or not. If not, I'm sure that we'll be able to face time or do something else.

Anyways, things are going a lot better this week. I've got another letter coming in the mail that details things out a little bit better. I don't know when you'll get it due to the holidays, but it explains more. Things are getting much easier. The ward is becoming more familiar to me and I'm getting better at remembering people's names. We have a lot of work going on in this area as well which is also really helpful. Every day brings its unique challenges and mountains to climb, but I'm taking it slow and learning as I go. I know that God is making everything possible and I just have to keep letting it go and putting everything in His hands and I know that He will provide. Haha, "Let it Go!"

I'm excited to hear about Christmas from all ya'll!! I'm glad that the temple lights turned out to be great and that Lisa was able to go! I'm sorry to hear that Herb and Carol were sick, I hope that they can get to feeling better soon. And I hope that Renee can get to feeling better!! That's not good at all! I'll keep her in my prayers!

The Christmas party last week was SO fabulous!! I got to see so many of my old friends and be able to catch up with them. It was so good to see Sister DeBry, Sister Madsen, Sister Hooker, and my Sister District again :) We also of course performed in the choir and we got to go to the temple which was sooo wonderful!

It's been difficult, but God has been close by. He's been listening and He's answered many of my prayers. The biggest thing is that I just need to not be so hard on myself and just love my companion and this ward with everything that I've got. I'm here for a reason and I know that God is aware of my needs.

I love this gospel and I love that I'm back out into the field. I know that things will be a challenge, but it will be worth it in the end. The mission wouldn't be so wonderful if it wasn't so difficult :P The church is true and the book is blue. I'm so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ and for this time of the year. Everything is possible thanks to Him and I am so grateful that we can rely on Him and be truly changed because of Him. I know that everything will work out for the best and I'm hopeful for the future.

I hope that ya'll have a Merry Christmas!! I'll see you soon :D

Just Believe,
Sister Petersen

10-13-14

Hello everyone!

 

Wasn't General conference incredible? Oh! It was such a blessing! And let me tell you, Sister Madsen and I have been making a lot of changes in order to be more obedient and follow the Lord. Haha, and let me tell you, it has not been easy! We've definitely faced some dragons the past couple of days but it has been so worth it. And the Lord has been blessing us immensely. Just the other day we got a referral about a girl who has been taught the first three lessons, is on date, and lives in our apartment complex. What a blessing! Also we went to a restaurant the other day and we ended up getting our waiter's information and said that we would get in contact with him shortly. (He also paid for our dessert which was so sweet of him!)

 

My back is just about the same, but I've been going to see the chiropractor every week and that's been helping a little bit. Haha, she's been having me fix my posture and change the way that I walk so that (hopefully) I won't be getting so many sprained ankles and so that my knees and my back will be able to feel better. She's also been giving me some stretches and exercises to help me improve. Also, I talked to President Bennion about it as well. He wanted me to go and see a doctor so I'll be seeing one on Wednesday and we'll be able to figure out what he has to say. But President said that if this keeps getting worse and that they can't get things figure out, they might have to send me home to take a break for a month and a half and then see how I feel afterwards. I hope that it doesn't come to that, but I don't really know. Hopefully, we'll be able to find a way for this to improve. But whether I stay out in the field or end up going home, I'm at peace with either decision. I know that whatever happens, it will be the will of the Lord and all that I can do is the best that I can. And it's okay :)

 

Let me tell you, this week has definitely been one that's been a trial of my faith and courage. But it has been so incredible. I have seen so many blessings from our efforts and I'm excited and hopeful for what the future will bring. Also, I am soooooooo grateful for the Atonement. I am so grateful for its healing, strengthening and lifting power. How grateful I am for my Savior Jesus Christ, who loves me no matter what I do. And I love that as long as we lean on His arm, keep the commandments, and have faith in Him, we are able to do all things. Life truly is wonderful and I am so grateful to be serving the Lord at this time. I love ya'll! Have a great day!

 

Just Believe,

Sister Petersen

10-6-14

Hello hello Family,

Well, this week has been a week of trials, but oh conference was so Wonderful. There were so many answered prayers in each session and they really helped to boost me up. So I saw the chiropractor on Tuesday and she ended up adjusting my back and giving me some exercises to do for my neck. It felt great a couple of days after, but last night I felt like I needed to stretch my back and that was NOT smart AT ALL. I'm in a lot of pain today if I twist and turn a certain. And with Sister Madsen's migraines we've had a really tough time getting out and working. But I got a priesthood blessing yesterday that really answered a lot of my prayers. The funny thing was a lot of it had to do with seeking my own personal revelation and getting the answer that God gives us trials that we can handle and that this too will be for my good and that I need to not run faster than I am able and be willing to rest when I need to. Sooooooo... apparently this trial won't be taken away soon :/ Haha, but that's okay. I know in the strength of the Lord all things are possible.

I loved Brother Lynn G. Robbins talk. That was such a good one and one that I really needed to hear. Rather than being afraid of man we need to focus on fearing the Lord and what He thinks. That one was probably my favorite as well as Jorg Klebingot?? (Spelling?) who talked about Spiritual confidence. Those were definitely answers to my prayers. And then President Uchtdorf's talk is always wonderful. All in all it was such a great conference and such a motivator for me :)

Sorry I don't have much of an update for this week. But things are going well. We're doing the best that we can to keep on keeping on. I know that God loves each and every one of us. I am so grateful for you all. I hope that you have a wonderful week! Take care!

Just Believe,

Sister Petersen

P.S. Thank you so much for sending that talk in the mail!! I really enjoyed learning more about your Aunt Nita! That was really interesting! I love you!

9-22-14

Dear Fam,

 

Hello hello! How is everyone doing? I'm so sorry to hear the news about London! That's so awful! I can't imagine that happening. I hope that her family is doing okay.

 

WHAT!??? Danielle is having twins!!??? Haha, oh my goodness that's going to be CRAZY!! But that's super exciting! Tell her congrats for me! And that's so exciting about Andrew and Amy!! Congratulations to them for their baby boy :D That's so much fun!

 

Well, we survived the transfer! Sister Madsen is staying for another six weeks! And the work is actually starting to improve more. (Which is such a nice change!) We've got a couple more people that we're teaching. The elders gave us a referral and she was a rockin first lesson! Her name is Kimberly and she's fourteen years old. When we met her she just told us that she was looking for a church and for a place that would answer her questions. The spirit was just soooooo powerful when we taught her the first lesson! She said that she would pray about it and read the Book of Mormon. It was so awesome! We've got another appointment with her this friday, so hopefully all will go well :)

 

I think I've mentioned this before, but something has really struck me the last couple of weeks in my studies and overall about missionary work and life. It's really about loving people. That's what this life is pretty much all about. Loving the people around you and helping them come closer to Christ. I mean you think about it, Jesus Christ and God are all about relationships. They want us to build a relationship with them and to build a relationship with our families, our spouses, our children, our friends, and just with everyone around us. Nothing else really matters. Wealth, fame, power, worldly pursuits... it really doesn't matter at all. The way that you gain confidence is by having a firm relationship with the Lord and knowing where you stand with Him. And I think that's so fascinating. When you are a righteous person, and you have charity towards all men, then your confidence can wax strong in the Lord. (I can't remember where that scripture is, but I'm pretty sure it's in the Doctrine and Covenants.)

 

I love that quote from Miguel de Cervantes. It's so true. Our greatest foes are ourselves. We make the choice to be happy no matter our circumstances. We choose to smile and have a positive attitude even in the face of discouragement. I love that quote :)

 

I hope that ya'll have a wonderful week! I love and miss you so much! Take care :)

 

Just Believe,

Sister Petersen

9-15-14

Hello hello!!

I hope that everyone has had a great week! Boy! It sounds like things have been getting exciting in Arizona! What with flooding and all! Good grief, I hope that this fills up the lakes a little bit at least! Haha :P

There's not much really to report for this week! We've got a couple of referrals that I'm really excited about! Hopefully it'll be able to pick things up around here. We're going to meet with them this week and see if they're really interested in what we have to say. You know, it's funny. You come into an area with a total mindset of how things are going to go. You expect that maybe you were sent there to help the area. That maybe you can make a difference there with the people and you're there to help your companion and whip them into shape. Hahahaha, that's not been the case for me here. I swear I haven't helped or changed this area, this place has changed me. And I'm so grateful for that.

Today was really fun! We had sisters p-day! We got up super early and went to Walmart to grab supplies with the Spanish sisters. Then we all went down to the church and made ourselves breakfast and had our personal studies and a ginormous comp study together. It was really fun being able to hear all of the sisters insights in their studies. And then after that we played the game Why Not Testify. We were each given a subject and then we testified of it to each other. It was awesome and really powerful. I had the topic The Book of Mormon. (Classic ;) ) And you know, the more that I read it, the more it amazes me how it truly was made for our day. It is the word of God, made specifically for us. And I love that!

Transfer calls are today! I don't know what's going to happen, but Sister Madsen could possibly be leaving! I hope not, but whatever does happen, it will be according to the Lord's will. But honestly, I'm excited :) I'm nervous for the future, but I'm also excited for what may come! I hope that everyone has a great week! Ya'll are so great! I'm glad to hear that the trip was so fun! (Except that you had your clutzy moments :( I'm sorry about that... you're turning into me :D ) I hope that you have a wonderful week!

Just Believe

Sister Petersen :)