Hey family!
So this week I dont have a ton of time so i will just relate a few things with you all.
Last transfer we would always see a girl, Isabel and talk to her. We always invited her to church but she always ran away from us on Sundays. We even taught her the first lesson and she told us that she wouldnt pray. Well we had an activity with less active memebers, recent converts, and investigators. We watched Charly. This movie literally shows a change of heart as one prepares for baptism. Not only in the thought process but the standard of dress, and the way we look at life. It also shows the importance of faith and how families can be together forever. As we were walking to the members house for this activity we saw her and invited her. She went. She watched and after she had a lot of questions. We went to her house and asked her if she had seen a Book of Mormon before, she had already gotten one when she went to church. She said she had prayed and already knew that the church and the Book of Morman are true. We taught the third lesson, the principles of the gospel. She accepted baptism. I know how important it was for us to keep trying with her. Everytime we saw her we invited her. Even after she said no time after time. But when she really had an understanding that our church is different and what we really believe it helped her to have a change of heart. It helped her to prepare. I love Charly.
We had conference this week. Man I love Presidente Beynon. He is one of the most loving and patient people that I know. He has over 130 missionaries to take care of and i dont have doubts that every single one of them could call him there second father. I was sufficiently reminded of the things that I need to improve and also learned a ton of stuff that I am putting in practice in my area.
Last night I ate dinner at a members house, she made dinner for an Elder who is leaving this week. His parents were there. The first Americans that arent missionaries that I have seen in a real real long time. They were really great people but I think I forgot a few things about our culture. It kind of scares me. The Elder, Elder Holmes was my very first district leader when i arrived. He was such a great leader for me. It is crazy to think that he is no longer a missionary here. I felt that sick panicked feeling that I get at every month marker and my brain feels the urgent, your time is running out. é ta pega está acabando!
But we have two baptisms this week, Isabel and Fernanda. It is going to be great. This may be my last week here in Soledade, I hope not but after three transfers it is very possible =(. Sorry My email is not super inspiring or interesting this week.
Just know that God loves us. This is His church. It is perfect. I study for AT LEAST 2 hours everyday, usually 3 and the more i study the more i feel the spirit telling me that THIS IS IT. That God has a plan and that it all has to do with that Perfect man that CHOSE to give it all for us. I know Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. I know it. I know that through His life and His works we also can be eternally Happy. We can overcome our weaknesses, our pains, and our sorrows. We can become like Him and our Father.
Proud to wear the tag,
Sister Peterson
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
biblebashing
I have already given a few descriptions of the Northeast and I am sure you have all had a picture of amazing people in an amazing place. Here is one more visual.
We were knocking doors last night. A man and his wife invited us in. We start talking to the man, Damion, and we learn that he pretty much has the Bible memorized. He says that he left his church because they dont believe in tithing and he knows it is a commandment. So we start teaching....and teaching turns into a biblebash. A lot of biblebashing. a biblebash that is a little more tranquil than most but yeah it was a biblebash. i know there is absolutely no point to biblebashing but it happened and dont worry, i have already repented. When we finally got through the first lesson his wife started to make dinner and we continued to talk about beliefs. I was born in the church so i really dont know how the minds of "crentes" or evangelicals work. Sister Campos is a convert and i always ask her why they believe this and this and this. Well i listened to Damion explain his interpretation. Man I am so grateful that we have modern revelation. At the end of all this they both insisted on feeding us dinner. Yeah what i am saying is here in the northeast you can biblebash and leave with dinner. I couldnt help but laugh. And i got a little bit better point of view of another religion.
Also we have been teaching Ingrid and Wagner. We went back to see if they prayed and got a response. When we got there Ingrid was a little closed with us and they said they couldnt go to church this sunday because they were going to baptize there 3 year old in the Catholic Church. SILENCE. The first thing that popped in my mind was Moroni 8. But i thought man I dont want to burn them. Sister Campos was trying to think of a scripture and again i couldnt think of anything else. Heavenly Father truly wanted me to use it. So i just went with it. I read what it said about infant baptism and I explained every detail. That literally children are alive in Christ. That His atonement covers them. They are not subject to sin. There countenances changed. Yes i was sitting there, literally calling them to repentance or at least a recognition of the sin in baptizing children, but it also gave us an excellent opportunity to explain HOW we know these things. Because literally we have a connection with God, a prophet, modern revelation. We dont have to rely on our limited visions and ideas of how the world works or should be-WE KNOW HOW IT WORKS AND HOW IT SHOULD BE.
This week we had an activity/family home evening with recent converts and less active youth. We watched charly. Man i love that movie. As you watch the changes in that Girls life you see that living the gospel and keeping the commandments really is what leads us to happiness. Then you see the importance of living that way to lead you to the temple. That families CAN BE eternal. Death means nothing when you have made sacred covenants with God. A covenant is a promise we make with God. We promise to keep the commandments and do what he asks. He promises us an eternity of happiness. AMAZING.
This week all of these experiences have lead me to realize how INCREDIBLY gratefull I am for the plan of Salvation. For the gospel in my life. We also taught Fernanda, a 21 year old woman whowill be baptized this week, the plan of Salvation. The day before a good friend died. I saw how this knowledge opened her mind and consoled her heart. I was thinking, one day i will be a mãe. I cant imagine not being able to respond to my children when they ask: where do we come from? Or why are we here. or what happens after death. It kills me to think that so many people are looking for these answers but are lost because they dont know where to go to find the truth. I think a lot about one day i will be a mom. Really i will be so responsible to teach my kids about these things. I read in Alma 37 this week. That chapter is like my patriarchal blessing. I will use that so much as a standard of what and how i will teach my kids. Alma is myhero. He burns people with love and with urgency. what a gift.
Damion-the man we biblebashed with-tried to discredit my beliefs, the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. I told him that he could never say that they werent true because I had prayed and I received an answer. Who am I to lie against what God has given me? As Joseph Smith said, "who am I that I can withstand God... I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not edeny it." He then said, "I cannot say anything to that, if you received a response that you think is from God, I cant say anything else." The strongest weapon we have is our testimony. Beautiful and perfect.
Basically this week was great. I love sergipe i love my life. I love brasil and I cant believe that it is going by so fast. This is the only time in my life that i can do this amazing work and have this amazing authority. The gospel is true.
proud to wear the tag,
Sister Peterson
We were knocking doors last night. A man and his wife invited us in. We start talking to the man, Damion, and we learn that he pretty much has the Bible memorized. He says that he left his church because they dont believe in tithing and he knows it is a commandment. So we start teaching....and teaching turns into a biblebash. A lot of biblebashing. a biblebash that is a little more tranquil than most but yeah it was a biblebash. i know there is absolutely no point to biblebashing but it happened and dont worry, i have already repented. When we finally got through the first lesson his wife started to make dinner and we continued to talk about beliefs. I was born in the church so i really dont know how the minds of "crentes" or evangelicals work. Sister Campos is a convert and i always ask her why they believe this and this and this. Well i listened to Damion explain his interpretation. Man I am so grateful that we have modern revelation. At the end of all this they both insisted on feeding us dinner. Yeah what i am saying is here in the northeast you can biblebash and leave with dinner. I couldnt help but laugh. And i got a little bit better point of view of another religion.
Also we have been teaching Ingrid and Wagner. We went back to see if they prayed and got a response. When we got there Ingrid was a little closed with us and they said they couldnt go to church this sunday because they were going to baptize there 3 year old in the Catholic Church. SILENCE. The first thing that popped in my mind was Moroni 8. But i thought man I dont want to burn them. Sister Campos was trying to think of a scripture and again i couldnt think of anything else. Heavenly Father truly wanted me to use it. So i just went with it. I read what it said about infant baptism and I explained every detail. That literally children are alive in Christ. That His atonement covers them. They are not subject to sin. There countenances changed. Yes i was sitting there, literally calling them to repentance or at least a recognition of the sin in baptizing children, but it also gave us an excellent opportunity to explain HOW we know these things. Because literally we have a connection with God, a prophet, modern revelation. We dont have to rely on our limited visions and ideas of how the world works or should be-WE KNOW HOW IT WORKS AND HOW IT SHOULD BE.
This week we had an activity/family home evening with recent converts and less active youth. We watched charly. Man i love that movie. As you watch the changes in that Girls life you see that living the gospel and keeping the commandments really is what leads us to happiness. Then you see the importance of living that way to lead you to the temple. That families CAN BE eternal. Death means nothing when you have made sacred covenants with God. A covenant is a promise we make with God. We promise to keep the commandments and do what he asks. He promises us an eternity of happiness. AMAZING.
This week all of these experiences have lead me to realize how INCREDIBLY gratefull I am for the plan of Salvation. For the gospel in my life. We also taught Fernanda, a 21 year old woman whowill be baptized this week, the plan of Salvation. The day before a good friend died. I saw how this knowledge opened her mind and consoled her heart. I was thinking, one day i will be a mãe. I cant imagine not being able to respond to my children when they ask: where do we come from? Or why are we here. or what happens after death. It kills me to think that so many people are looking for these answers but are lost because they dont know where to go to find the truth. I think a lot about one day i will be a mom. Really i will be so responsible to teach my kids about these things. I read in Alma 37 this week. That chapter is like my patriarchal blessing. I will use that so much as a standard of what and how i will teach my kids. Alma is myhero. He burns people with love and with urgency. what a gift.
Damion-the man we biblebashed with-tried to discredit my beliefs, the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. I told him that he could never say that they werent true because I had prayed and I received an answer. Who am I to lie against what God has given me? As Joseph Smith said, "who am I that I can withstand God... I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not edeny it." He then said, "I cannot say anything to that, if you received a response that you think is from God, I cant say anything else." The strongest weapon we have is our testimony. Beautiful and perfect.
Basically this week was great. I love sergipe i love my life. I love brasil and I cant believe that it is going by so fast. This is the only time in my life that i can do this amazing work and have this amazing authority. The gospel is true.
proud to wear the tag,
Sister Peterson
Monday, August 9, 2010
another week....
First:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LINDSEY PAULINE and MEGAN CHRISTINE. two people that I dont remember life without. Man i love you girls, happy birthday!
also happy birhtday to one of the coolest kids i know, Zachary!
This week we worked a ton a ton a ton and... a lot of appointments fell through and fell through and fell through. I guess that is the work. sometimes its feast and other times it is famine. However, I have been partying with my brasy black sister and it has been an adventure let me tell you. I love sister Campos she reminds me so much of Lindsey all the time super pretty and stylish and hilarious. Also she is a rad missionary that i hope to be more like.
This week I got pretty tired pretty fast of all of our appointments falling through. I decided that maybe we need to change up our contacts. I met a crazy old man (crazy in a sense that he is really happy funny and talks a lot) Bonafacio. He told me that he already knew me, kind of, because he lives in the apartments in front of our house. He asked me where Souza went and for a second I was a little creeped out but I told him straight up that I was sent here to baptize him. He said absolutely and we marked an appointment. We went to his house last night and taught him his wife and his kids. He already has studied a lot about the bible and other religions but he said he learned a lot and that he really liked the lesson and that he would pray. Also when he receives an answer he will be baptized. His family is really amazing, receptive, and they were all very interested. They talked about how they always saw us from the window every day for the past 8 months or so and that we conduct ourselves in a good manner. I always knew people look at us different, authorized representatives of Christ, but in this case I am so grateful that we and the sisters before us left a good impression so this family can see who we really are.
We taught a bunch of power lessons this week. Yeah ten months of teaching the same thing very well COULD get old and repetative...but I have made it my goal to not let it. To let the Spirit speak through us and to listen with every thing i can so that i can adapt each lesson to each person. Plus i love my comp and we are a good team-the spirit flourishes in this type of environment.
So I taught my first every agnostic person. Here is like Utah and being a member of the church. Everyone believes in Christ. Yes they have a TON of messed up doctrine and lack of understanding but if these people know one thing, they know that Christ lives. Well this man, Wellington, was raised catholic but feels that God is some force that doesnt have any hand in our lives. I made the contact with him and we taught the plan of salvation. He said it makes sense to him but it is hard for him to really believe it all. So i told him to do an expirament. To pray. I said that he had absolutely nothing to lose and that I had certeza that he would feel something, the love God has for His son. He accepted this expirament. we meet with him tonight to see how it goes. I kept thinking of Alma 32 comparing FAith to a seed
28 Now, we will compare the word unto a aseed. Now, if ye give place, that a bseed may be planted in your cheart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your dunbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to eenlighten my funderstanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.
that is all he needs to do. if he is ready and prepared he will now the truth. I know God's love for His children. I have felt it...i want so bad for everyone else to feel it too. He has an open mind and a good heart i know that it will work out. It always does.
So this week we had planned to baptize Marcio but some unexpected financial situations came up. Man i was so stressed out...but then he called and explained everything. I could literally feel the sincerity and sadness in his voice for not being able to be baptized. BUT this week we are there. Pray that nothing comes up and pray for Wellington and the family of Bonafacio!
well i love you all!
proud to wear the tag,
Siser peterson
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LINDSEY PAULINE and MEGAN CHRISTINE. two people that I dont remember life without. Man i love you girls, happy birthday!
also happy birhtday to one of the coolest kids i know, Zachary!
This week we worked a ton a ton a ton and... a lot of appointments fell through and fell through and fell through. I guess that is the work. sometimes its feast and other times it is famine. However, I have been partying with my brasy black sister and it has been an adventure let me tell you. I love sister Campos she reminds me so much of Lindsey all the time super pretty and stylish and hilarious. Also she is a rad missionary that i hope to be more like.
This week I got pretty tired pretty fast of all of our appointments falling through. I decided that maybe we need to change up our contacts. I met a crazy old man (crazy in a sense that he is really happy funny and talks a lot) Bonafacio. He told me that he already knew me, kind of, because he lives in the apartments in front of our house. He asked me where Souza went and for a second I was a little creeped out but I told him straight up that I was sent here to baptize him. He said absolutely and we marked an appointment. We went to his house last night and taught him his wife and his kids. He already has studied a lot about the bible and other religions but he said he learned a lot and that he really liked the lesson and that he would pray. Also when he receives an answer he will be baptized. His family is really amazing, receptive, and they were all very interested. They talked about how they always saw us from the window every day for the past 8 months or so and that we conduct ourselves in a good manner. I always knew people look at us different, authorized representatives of Christ, but in this case I am so grateful that we and the sisters before us left a good impression so this family can see who we really are.
We taught a bunch of power lessons this week. Yeah ten months of teaching the same thing very well COULD get old and repetative...but I have made it my goal to not let it. To let the Spirit speak through us and to listen with every thing i can so that i can adapt each lesson to each person. Plus i love my comp and we are a good team-the spirit flourishes in this type of environment.
So I taught my first every agnostic person. Here is like Utah and being a member of the church. Everyone believes in Christ. Yes they have a TON of messed up doctrine and lack of understanding but if these people know one thing, they know that Christ lives. Well this man, Wellington, was raised catholic but feels that God is some force that doesnt have any hand in our lives. I made the contact with him and we taught the plan of salvation. He said it makes sense to him but it is hard for him to really believe it all. So i told him to do an expirament. To pray. I said that he had absolutely nothing to lose and that I had certeza that he would feel something, the love God has for His son. He accepted this expirament. we meet with him tonight to see how it goes. I kept thinking of Alma 32 comparing FAith to a seed
28 Now, we will compare the word unto a aseed. Now, if ye give place, that a bseed may be planted in your cheart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your dunbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to eenlighten my funderstanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.
that is all he needs to do. if he is ready and prepared he will now the truth. I know God's love for His children. I have felt it...i want so bad for everyone else to feel it too. He has an open mind and a good heart i know that it will work out. It always does.
So this week we had planned to baptize Marcio but some unexpected financial situations came up. Man i was so stressed out...but then he called and explained everything. I could literally feel the sincerity and sadness in his voice for not being able to be baptized. BUT this week we are there. Pray that nothing comes up and pray for Wellington and the family of Bonafacio!
well i love you all!
proud to wear the tag,
Siser peterson
Monday, August 2, 2010
my comp=awesome
hello family!
I love Sister Campos. I have found my Brasilian sister. I am almost positive that we were bestfriends in the pre mortal life. She is the best ever. This week has been a festa and we worked a ton! She is teaching me a bunch of idiomatic phrases and we are always dancing and singing. I have never been so joyful and me on the mission as i am now. Coolest brazy ever.
On pday we can watch disney cartoons. We sat there comparing the events in the movie to the gospel. One thing that i like to do is look at the simples things in life and then realize how EVERYTHING is a symbol. Literally to the degeneration of cells to a disney movie. Harry Potter and the book the little Prince. LOOK AT THE HUMAN BODY. how is everything so perfect and such a reminder of our purpose. Where we come from why we are here where are we going and how do we get there. The Atonement is in everything. I love the gospel it is my passion.
This week the man de poder that I have been talking about the last few weeks, Marcio, will be baptized this saturday! We vistited him saturday night and I asked him if we could do anything to help him out. He said that we had already done so much and then told us the story. For the past year or so His life has been very difficult. Before he had a family, a good job, a house and a car. Now he is living alone and just found work a few months ago. He said that the night before I made the contact with him he was praying to Heavnely Father to help him change his life. The next day he explained for S. Campos that he was sitting there drinking beer when imade the contact. He explained again how it wasnt by accident and that his life has already changed so much. I know God lead me to him, literally put Marcio in my path. He needed us. I love this work.
We taught him the plan of salvation. I love when people hear it and it clicks. oh yeah that makes sense. IT IS SOOOOOOOOOOOO PERFECT.
This week i was knocking doors and we starting talking to a man. I dont remember exactly what we talked about but somehow we marked a date to teach him and ended up with a cd she forro-a popular dance and music of the northeast. People love to give stuff. what a great culture.
sorrrry i dont have alot to tell this week but know that i love you all and i am happy as can be. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to elisa uncle brent and aunt jeane and everyone that i have forgot!
proud to wear the tag
Sister Peterson
I love Sister Campos. I have found my Brasilian sister. I am almost positive that we were bestfriends in the pre mortal life. She is the best ever. This week has been a festa and we worked a ton! She is teaching me a bunch of idiomatic phrases and we are always dancing and singing. I have never been so joyful and me on the mission as i am now. Coolest brazy ever.
On pday we can watch disney cartoons. We sat there comparing the events in the movie to the gospel. One thing that i like to do is look at the simples things in life and then realize how EVERYTHING is a symbol. Literally to the degeneration of cells to a disney movie. Harry Potter and the book the little Prince. LOOK AT THE HUMAN BODY. how is everything so perfect and such a reminder of our purpose. Where we come from why we are here where are we going and how do we get there. The Atonement is in everything. I love the gospel it is my passion.
This week the man de poder that I have been talking about the last few weeks, Marcio, will be baptized this saturday! We vistited him saturday night and I asked him if we could do anything to help him out. He said that we had already done so much and then told us the story. For the past year or so His life has been very difficult. Before he had a family, a good job, a house and a car. Now he is living alone and just found work a few months ago. He said that the night before I made the contact with him he was praying to Heavnely Father to help him change his life. The next day he explained for S. Campos that he was sitting there drinking beer when imade the contact. He explained again how it wasnt by accident and that his life has already changed so much. I know God lead me to him, literally put Marcio in my path. He needed us. I love this work.
We taught him the plan of salvation. I love when people hear it and it clicks. oh yeah that makes sense. IT IS SOOOOOOOOOOOO PERFECT.
This week i was knocking doors and we starting talking to a man. I dont remember exactly what we talked about but somehow we marked a date to teach him and ended up with a cd she forro-a popular dance and music of the northeast. People love to give stuff. what a great culture.
sorrrry i dont have alot to tell this week but know that i love you all and i am happy as can be. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to elisa uncle brent and aunt jeane and everyone that i have forgot!
proud to wear the tag
Sister Peterson
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