I used to be a writer. It didn't stop all at once, or maybe it didn't really "stop" at all. The flow just changed. Subject matter. Purpose. Me. It all changed. Then português confused the wiring and once again the entire process changed.
For me.
Most of the ideas didn't even get past the fatty part of my upper arm. The really good ones at least "intended" to get past my elbow. Losing my voice was the equivalent to losing my pen.
Hopefully I'll find it again. Moving on.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
It is all in the plan...
My very first district all grown up and ready to serve the Lord with todo o coracao poder mente e forca! What a blessing it has been for me to learn from these great servants of the Lord. BOA SORTE ELDERES! PARABENS! Brasil is lucky to have them!
Did I tell you that I love my job?
next:
GENERAL CONFERENCE
beautiful, inspired and more than anything else JUST WHAT I NEED.
"It's always better to look up."-Thomas S. Monson
"You cannot make eternal decisions without eternal consequences." Randall K. Bennet
"[Christ] is in my Gethsemane and also in yours."
"We may not receive an answer all at once. Here a little and their a little. Perhaps because that is all we can handle or because it is ALL WE ARE WILLING TO DO." -Robert D. Hales
"Most of what we worry about is not of eternal significance, but if it is we can be certain that the Lord will help us."-Carl B. Cook
"A call to repentance, when guided by the spirit is an act of genuine charity." L. Todd Christofferson
Mostly what I got out of conference was a desire to be better and to try harder to study my scriptures with more thought and to fulfill my covenants better. I LOVE CONFERENCE.
Although President Monson has left us with these words before, I still continue to love them. "Each of us has a part to play. Let us be diligent and faithful in playing it well."
Being with my family was probably one of the best things ever. Connor showed off his wicked dance moves at The Pie Pizzaria and Kalena got over her stage fright to sing, "Hey Soul Sister", of course I had to hold her and sing with her but it was so dang cute. Why don't they live in Utah again???
A thought that I have had as I reflect on my blessings in life is that amidst the intense pain and sorrow that I experience, just as Alma stated, my joy is as exquisite as my pain. The Lord compensates us and if he hasn't yet, he will.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
2 years and explosions
Two years and 4 days ago I set off on my adventure. Sao Paulo then Maceio and Sergipe. My life changed. My brain changed. MOST OF ALL my heart changed.
I fell in love. I fell in love with people who couldn't have been more different-and as always I took my environment and internalized it. Bono said it well: "Every artist is a cannibal, every poet is a thief." I am okay with being a thief if it means I can take a bit of that culture with me.
I'm Brasicana. More than that I fell in love with the gospel of Jesus Christ and I see how it determines EVERYTHING I do. In 23 years of life--I've never been happier. I get it. FINALLY. I'm so glad the Lord was patient with me even through my "rebel without a cause" stage of life that lasted...well most of my life. What a blessing it was for me to serve a mission, I needed it. I am excited to keep "getting" more and more of the big picture.On top of all that I met some of the best people I know and some of the dearest friends and came to know the Savior personally.
So I should probably be sure to write on my blog and on our family website more often. Life is hectic, full of challenges, but I am happy and blessed.
I have the best job in the world at the MTC.
I am studying hard and I am pretty sure I get growing pains in my brain from it.
I am running a lot because it feels good and I love it.I am the mission prep teacher in my ward right now. If I could even get away from missionary work I wouldn't want to.
And yeah that is pretty much what I have been doing with my life. Work school running and THE GOSPEL.
"Not forgiving retards spiritual growth"
2 Nephi 28:32 aWo be unto the Gentiles, saith the Lord God of Hosts! For notwithstanding I shall lengthen out mine arm unto them from day to day, they will deny me; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and bcome unto me; for mine carm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts.
and
3 Nephi 9:14 Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.
It is amazing the mercy of the Lord. His arm is always extended to us, sometimes in anger, sometimes in mercy BUT ALWAYS IN LOVE. Repentance is such a blessing, we can all become whole through it. It is almost hard to believe such a great deal. All the Lord asks is for us to change our hearts and to TRY just TRY to do better. I truly hope that one day I can be so forgiving and loving. My mortal emotions are not so well tuned. It is hard, but man what a blessing that I can be forgiven and that I have Christ's example to remind me.
Any one want to go to Brasil with me?
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Love of the greatest philosopher of all time.
Dear family,
Not a lot has changed. Still here. In Provo. School. I punched a few tests in the face in the last few weeks. That means I did well. Man it feels good when you study. I realized how much the Lord is willing to help you ESPECIALLY when you have done your best to prepare. He literally fills in the rest. I feel like I am getting a much more spiritual insight into my scholastic study. As much as I loved USU, I feel like I was never who I wanted to be. I never gave it my all. I am in love with BYU and this experience. I feel like finally my work is accepted by the Lord. A GREAT FEELING!
I am working now at an assisted living center. I love old people. They make me feel like I'm in Brasil again. Just so loving and telling me how pretty and wonderful I am all the time. An adorable 80+ year old man came to me and put up his arm. He wanted me to feel his bicep. He looked at me and said, "I just got done exercising!" I loved it. Another gave me a nickname-PJ and took a picture with me. It is a positive environment and I am enjoying it.
Still think about Brasil everyday of my life. And miss it everyday of my life. Realizing a little bit more how beautiful and wonderful my mission experience was and just how much the Lord loves me. I am a broken record, yes, but I will never cease to be grateful for those 18 months.
My Book of Mormon class gives me amazing opportunities to continue to further my study of the gospel. Just a few things I have been reminded of and have seen them realized in my life.
THE LAW OF JUSTICE:
If you are wrong, you must repent so that Christ can make you right. If you have been wronged, trust in the fact that Christ has made retribution and WILL MAKE IT RIGHT.
-it is true. seen it in my life, and in the lives of many and hope to see it even more in the lives of those that I love.
Forgiveness:
"Failure to forgive retards spiritual growth." I see this and it hurts to see it. I am learning everyday to be more forgiving and I see how it sets me free. I am not tied down or held back as much as we are when we hold a grudge. It is a natural REACTION to being wronged...but that doesn't mean it is right.
We went over when Christ visits the nephites in the americas in 3 Nephi. When Christ died, there was great destruction for three days. Many died. Many suffered the loss of loved ones. More than that, the people realized that they had been wrong, and because of their lack of willingness to change, they had suffered the consequences.
I always thought that Christ appeared after those three days. It is much more probably that he appeared MONTHS and months later. It makes sense the setting. At the time of his arrival, the people were talking about him. They were MARVELING. Instead of mourning. What gets me here is that Christ truly gives us the opportunity to stop, reflect, repent, and then go about the changes WE NEED TO MAKE and prepare ourselves to have him come into our lives. Again, have seen this in my life and others lives.
These people were prepared spiritually for him. When he arrived he gave EVERY SINGLE person there the opportunity to feel for themselves the prints of his Atonement. Or rather, he gave each of them the opportunity to gain a testimony for themselves of WHO he really is. Being that close they could feel him, hear him, smell him, and they were able to literally get to know the Savior personally. Christ wants to do that with us to. He is more than willing to reveal himself to us, but we must prepare ourselves spiritually like these Nephites did.
We are spiritually needy because of our weaknesses, but he also gives us time to stop and to feel and to reflect and ultimately to repent and prepare ourselves. In the right state he will come to us. That is a huge thing that I miss about my mission. I felt it easier to feel his presence and learn about Christ there. Every day I was able to study his life and his teachings profoundly and I truly was able to understand more about him. I was in the frame of mind adequate to feel his presence. And I am not saying that I cant do that now, it just felt more frequently as I was his formal representative. WHAT A BLESSING. I cannot imagine the Lord's infinite patience and love for us. He gives us the benefit of the doubt. We just have to recognize what we need to change, and constantly, maybe slowly but continuously change those things and draw nearer to him.
Not a lot has changed. Still here. In Provo. School. I punched a few tests in the face in the last few weeks. That means I did well. Man it feels good when you study. I realized how much the Lord is willing to help you ESPECIALLY when you have done your best to prepare. He literally fills in the rest. I feel like I am getting a much more spiritual insight into my scholastic study. As much as I loved USU, I feel like I was never who I wanted to be. I never gave it my all. I am in love with BYU and this experience. I feel like finally my work is accepted by the Lord. A GREAT FEELING!
I am working now at an assisted living center. I love old people. They make me feel like I'm in Brasil again. Just so loving and telling me how pretty and wonderful I am all the time. An adorable 80+ year old man came to me and put up his arm. He wanted me to feel his bicep. He looked at me and said, "I just got done exercising!" I loved it. Another gave me a nickname-PJ and took a picture with me. It is a positive environment and I am enjoying it.
Still think about Brasil everyday of my life. And miss it everyday of my life. Realizing a little bit more how beautiful and wonderful my mission experience was and just how much the Lord loves me. I am a broken record, yes, but I will never cease to be grateful for those 18 months.
My Book of Mormon class gives me amazing opportunities to continue to further my study of the gospel. Just a few things I have been reminded of and have seen them realized in my life.
THE LAW OF JUSTICE:
If you are wrong, you must repent so that Christ can make you right. If you have been wronged, trust in the fact that Christ has made retribution and WILL MAKE IT RIGHT.
-it is true. seen it in my life, and in the lives of many and hope to see it even more in the lives of those that I love.
Forgiveness:
"Failure to forgive retards spiritual growth." I see this and it hurts to see it. I am learning everyday to be more forgiving and I see how it sets me free. I am not tied down or held back as much as we are when we hold a grudge. It is a natural REACTION to being wronged...but that doesn't mean it is right.
We went over when Christ visits the nephites in the americas in 3 Nephi. When Christ died, there was great destruction for three days. Many died. Many suffered the loss of loved ones. More than that, the people realized that they had been wrong, and because of their lack of willingness to change, they had suffered the consequences.
I always thought that Christ appeared after those three days. It is much more probably that he appeared MONTHS and months later. It makes sense the setting. At the time of his arrival, the people were talking about him. They were MARVELING. Instead of mourning. What gets me here is that Christ truly gives us the opportunity to stop, reflect, repent, and then go about the changes WE NEED TO MAKE and prepare ourselves to have him come into our lives. Again, have seen this in my life and others lives.
These people were prepared spiritually for him. When he arrived he gave EVERY SINGLE person there the opportunity to feel for themselves the prints of his Atonement. Or rather, he gave each of them the opportunity to gain a testimony for themselves of WHO he really is. Being that close they could feel him, hear him, smell him, and they were able to literally get to know the Savior personally. Christ wants to do that with us to. He is more than willing to reveal himself to us, but we must prepare ourselves spiritually like these Nephites did.
We are spiritually needy because of our weaknesses, but he also gives us time to stop and to feel and to reflect and ultimately to repent and prepare ourselves. In the right state he will come to us. That is a huge thing that I miss about my mission. I felt it easier to feel his presence and learn about Christ there. Every day I was able to study his life and his teachings profoundly and I truly was able to understand more about him. I was in the frame of mind adequate to feel his presence. And I am not saying that I cant do that now, it just felt more frequently as I was his formal representative. WHAT A BLESSING. I cannot imagine the Lord's infinite patience and love for us. He gives us the benefit of the doubt. We just have to recognize what we need to change, and constantly, maybe slowly but continuously change those things and draw nearer to him.
It is interesting as Christ says, "I sense that ye are weak and do not understand all that I have been commanded to speak to you..." he then gives the command to go to your HOMES (he did not say houses but homes) and ponder (my I interject with your families here?) and on the morrow he would return. Ponder pray seek. He then desires to give them more. As he says, "Your faith is sufficient that I may heal you."
Although they didnt understand everything, he gave them the opportunity, but even more he points out that the faith of these people was sufficient. And that is what I need. It is what we need if we are to grow closer to him. if we are to find TRUE HAPPINESS.
So that is just a few things I have been reflecting upon. So my challenge, Think about what is holding you back from being the best version of yourself. From being like Christ, and then make a list of what you need to change.
I love you ps.
JP
PS everyone should watch kid history on youtube. I LOVE IT.
Friday, May 13, 2011
life as I know it
Exactly one month since I set foot on my home soil. Why don't I feel like that is a true statement? That is rhetorical and you don't need to answer it.
So let me update those one or two people who actually read my blog/family posts.
I ended my missionary service March 22nd 2011. My mama, my brothers and my sister in law came to pick me up. Amazing opportunity to share a little bit of my experience with them. There was a miracle, ISABELLE. At the beginning of the transfer in Benedito we taught her but after a little couldnt get in touch. Well after we hadnt talked to her for a few weeks she told her member friends that she wished she would have been baptized on the date we had marked for her and that she truly had a desire to be baptized. Amazing. So we baptized her SUnday. Mama and Jerry got to see it. Jerry sang with me in the baptism. It was an amazing experience.
I was so happy to bring my family to meet my brasilian family. We visited a few other sites, but the best part of brasil is the northeast for this little galega.
So I am here in the states. It is different. And I miss Brasil. I miss those people that I love. It just feels like I've been on vacation or something... I do get sad when I think that I can't go back soon. Some days are better than others. But my mission changed my life it changed me. I am so incredibly grateful for that experience. IT WAS ESSENTIAL for my life, I am sure of it.
Vamos focus on the positive:
-I value much more my family members. I am absolutely in love with my neices and nephews. What a bummer they live so far away now...
-I started school at BYU this week...I still cant bring myself to say that I am a BYU student.
--Dear family, I have a confession. I tried, really I did...but I just cant bring myself to hate BYU.
--my classes for the spring term (its short) are Microbiology and The Book of Mormon.
I am a total nerd. I am LOVING microbiology.
-I am in love with the gospel more than ever before. I find myself talking about it in almost every setting possible. It is just something that moves me. Before it was a very strong belief. Now it is more of a fact a certainty. The gospel is written in my heart. It is more a part of my identity than just a part of my life. I am in love with it. Now I just need to be in love with someone who is just as in love with the gospel as I am.
Today in Relief Society we talked about service and a thought came to mind. When we serve other people we start to gain understanding and that understanding leads us to love. Understanding of the people we are serving comes as we strive to understand their perspective and their personal needs in order to serve them according to their needs. We develop compassion. We develop patience. And through this we come to understand God better. We are striving to be like him, therefore we have more contact with him. And then we understand just a tiny bit better the type of love that he has for those people we are serving. The type of love he has for us and for all of his children. And then we grow stronger in our faith and knowledge because we can FEEL the difference in our lives as we draw closer to him. Service is essential for our progression.
If you have any other ideas about it let me know.
Well folks I love you!
Proud to have worn the tag,
JP Peterson
So let me update those one or two people who actually read my blog/family posts.
I ended my missionary service March 22nd 2011. My mama, my brothers and my sister in law came to pick me up. Amazing opportunity to share a little bit of my experience with them. There was a miracle, ISABELLE. At the beginning of the transfer in Benedito we taught her but after a little couldnt get in touch. Well after we hadnt talked to her for a few weeks she told her member friends that she wished she would have been baptized on the date we had marked for her and that she truly had a desire to be baptized. Amazing. So we baptized her SUnday. Mama and Jerry got to see it. Jerry sang with me in the baptism. It was an amazing experience.
I was so happy to bring my family to meet my brasilian family. We visited a few other sites, but the best part of brasil is the northeast for this little galega.
So I am here in the states. It is different. And I miss Brasil. I miss those people that I love. It just feels like I've been on vacation or something... I do get sad when I think that I can't go back soon. Some days are better than others. But my mission changed my life it changed me. I am so incredibly grateful for that experience. IT WAS ESSENTIAL for my life, I am sure of it.
Vamos focus on the positive:
-I value much more my family members. I am absolutely in love with my neices and nephews. What a bummer they live so far away now...-I started school at BYU this week...I still cant bring myself to say that I am a BYU student.
--Dear family, I have a confession. I tried, really I did...but I just cant bring myself to hate BYU.
--my classes for the spring term (its short) are Microbiology and The Book of Mormon.
I am a total nerd. I am LOVING microbiology.
-I am in love with the gospel more than ever before. I find myself talking about it in almost every setting possible. It is just something that moves me. Before it was a very strong belief. Now it is more of a fact a certainty. The gospel is written in my heart. It is more a part of my identity than just a part of my life. I am in love with it. Now I just need to be in love with someone who is just as in love with the gospel as I am.
Today in Relief Society we talked about service and a thought came to mind. When we serve other people we start to gain understanding and that understanding leads us to love. Understanding of the people we are serving comes as we strive to understand their perspective and their personal needs in order to serve them according to their needs. We develop compassion. We develop patience. And through this we come to understand God better. We are striving to be like him, therefore we have more contact with him. And then we understand just a tiny bit better the type of love that he has for those people we are serving. The type of love he has for us and for all of his children. And then we grow stronger in our faith and knowledge because we can FEEL the difference in our lives as we draw closer to him. Service is essential for our progression.
If you have any other ideas about it let me know.
Well folks I love you!
Proud to have worn the tag,
JP Peterson
Sunday, March 20, 2011
goodbye brasil, i love you.
You know that feeling that comes right before a big change? Where you feel excited, anxious, maybe even nauseous, happy, and depressed all at the same exact moment leaving the rest of your mind and body completely confused. Add exhausted and completely in love with your setting and you have what this 22 year old Sister missionary is feeling. Sister Peterson-only for a little more time.
This is it. 18 months is such a short time even though there are moments that feel like forever. It is my way of life and I am comfortable. Sorry for the word vomit but I guess I am still trying to decide how I feel. Grateful I guess would be almost good enough to spell out what is going on inside. How could the Lord be so patient so good to me as to give me this experience? How in the world would i be able to get along in the rest of my life without these 18 months? The best preparation for the rest of my life.
I thought that I knew pretty well the gospel. That I knew what it meant to love others. Repentance, Faith, Hope, forgiveness, patience, hard work, prayer and truth. In reality I knew nothing. In reality I still know little. I had a testimony of the church. But now I feel it in every part of me that Christ IS THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD and that he guides his people today through a living prophet with the real truth, not just some of it. I have felt what progress is and I have seen it in others but mostly in me. I have seen the gospel of Jesus Christ change my life and those around me. I never really deserved this, but my Heavenly Father knew that I needed it.
I guess I understand maybe a tiny bit better what Christ did when he was here. or maybe i just understand it in a different way. How did he love people so perfectly? He gave me so many experiences that led me to understand at least a little more. He has taught me how the first thing to do is pray and then how to pray. Patience is a way to show your love. Repentance is not just for our investigators. Hard work is what comes from being faithful. And forgiveness, how can i not forgive when the Lord is so very forgiving for my many weaknesses and imperfections. And faith...well I know much better what it is and what it is not and how to show it. How everything winds down to that simple and profound truth. The first lawof the gospel.
This week I have learned a little more about hope. How it is so intwined with faith. I dont have anxiety for the future anymore. I know how I want to live. I know how I WILL live. I know that all the blessings the Lord has promised me are completely dependent on my faithfulness to the covenants that I have made. Eter 12:4-Hope for a better world. A better life. I have seen how obedience and faith have changed the lives of my investigators and converts and in my life as well. There is always a choice to make- I will constantly choose the better part.
"To become who we desire to be, we have to be, constantly each day, the person who we desire to become...a righteous character is a manifestation of the person who you are becoming." -Richard G. Scott
In my job, school, family, marriage etc, I am not so insecure anymore, I know that the Lord will bless me as long as I am being obedient and doing my part. I guess that is a little more concrete or "written in my heart"-if you do your part, the Lord will do the rest. TENDER MERCIES.
I needed to come to Northeast Brasil to find these things out. My heart hurts to leave them but it is time. The only thing constant in life is that life is constantly changing. I guess Im off to a new adventure in life. I love these people. I love this culture. I love this language. I love the gospel and I love my mission.
Thank you, all of you who have supported me and helped me to be able to be here. Thank you to those who have written me and supported me. And mostly for those who have prayed for me. I have a certainty that it was your prayers that gave me the strength that I needed in the moments that I needed something more. I am eternally grateful to all of you and to the Lord for allowing me to be his servant here and to wear this tag that is ever so sacred and important to me. To represent the people that I love most, my family-I feel like i have never loved you all more than I do now, or maybe that before I wasnt as capable of loving as I am now- and my Lord Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ. I know that I am his representative here in Maceió and I know the importance of an example. "Let your light so shine before this people.." (3 Nephi 12:16). I am determined to live this for the rest of my life.
Sei que Cristo é meu Salvador e Redentor. Sei que essa é Sua obra e ela é essencial no plano de Deus. Sei que as famílias podem ser eternas. Temos as chaves do sacerdócio para fazer essas ordenanças TÃO sagradas. Sei que Cristo guia essa igreja por meio um propheta vivo, Thomas S. Monson. Sei que aquele rapaz Joseph Smith verdadeiramente viu Deus e Jesus Cristo. Aparte daquele momento, o mundo mudou. Tudo começou com uma simples oração. O Senhor ouvi essas orações de seus filhos. Ele nos ama. O Livro de Mórmon é a palavra de Deus assim como a Bíblia. É o livro mais correto no mundo. Tudo isso eu sei, é mais uma certeza do que uma crença agora. Acima de tudo, sei que Cristo vive e é o Filho de Deus que expiou por nossos pecados.
I only have a few more days to be Sister Peterson and i will take advantage of each minute.
Proud to wear this sacred tag,
Sister PETERSON
This is it. 18 months is such a short time even though there are moments that feel like forever. It is my way of life and I am comfortable. Sorry for the word vomit but I guess I am still trying to decide how I feel. Grateful I guess would be almost good enough to spell out what is going on inside. How could the Lord be so patient so good to me as to give me this experience? How in the world would i be able to get along in the rest of my life without these 18 months? The best preparation for the rest of my life.
I thought that I knew pretty well the gospel. That I knew what it meant to love others. Repentance, Faith, Hope, forgiveness, patience, hard work, prayer and truth. In reality I knew nothing. In reality I still know little. I had a testimony of the church. But now I feel it in every part of me that Christ IS THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD and that he guides his people today through a living prophet with the real truth, not just some of it. I have felt what progress is and I have seen it in others but mostly in me. I have seen the gospel of Jesus Christ change my life and those around me. I never really deserved this, but my Heavenly Father knew that I needed it.
I guess I understand maybe a tiny bit better what Christ did when he was here. or maybe i just understand it in a different way. How did he love people so perfectly? He gave me so many experiences that led me to understand at least a little more. He has taught me how the first thing to do is pray and then how to pray. Patience is a way to show your love. Repentance is not just for our investigators. Hard work is what comes from being faithful. And forgiveness, how can i not forgive when the Lord is so very forgiving for my many weaknesses and imperfections. And faith...well I know much better what it is and what it is not and how to show it. How everything winds down to that simple and profound truth. The first lawof the gospel.
This week I have learned a little more about hope. How it is so intwined with faith. I dont have anxiety for the future anymore. I know how I want to live. I know how I WILL live. I know that all the blessings the Lord has promised me are completely dependent on my faithfulness to the covenants that I have made. Eter 12:4-Hope for a better world. A better life. I have seen how obedience and faith have changed the lives of my investigators and converts and in my life as well. There is always a choice to make- I will constantly choose the better part.
"To become who we desire to be, we have to be, constantly each day, the person who we desire to become...a righteous character is a manifestation of the person who you are becoming." -Richard G. Scott
In my job, school, family, marriage etc, I am not so insecure anymore, I know that the Lord will bless me as long as I am being obedient and doing my part. I guess that is a little more concrete or "written in my heart"-if you do your part, the Lord will do the rest. TENDER MERCIES.
I needed to come to Northeast Brasil to find these things out. My heart hurts to leave them but it is time. The only thing constant in life is that life is constantly changing. I guess Im off to a new adventure in life. I love these people. I love this culture. I love this language. I love the gospel and I love my mission.
Thank you, all of you who have supported me and helped me to be able to be here. Thank you to those who have written me and supported me. And mostly for those who have prayed for me. I have a certainty that it was your prayers that gave me the strength that I needed in the moments that I needed something more. I am eternally grateful to all of you and to the Lord for allowing me to be his servant here and to wear this tag that is ever so sacred and important to me. To represent the people that I love most, my family-I feel like i have never loved you all more than I do now, or maybe that before I wasnt as capable of loving as I am now- and my Lord Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ. I know that I am his representative here in Maceió and I know the importance of an example. "Let your light so shine before this people.." (3 Nephi 12:16). I am determined to live this for the rest of my life.
Sei que Cristo é meu Salvador e Redentor. Sei que essa é Sua obra e ela é essencial no plano de Deus. Sei que as famílias podem ser eternas. Temos as chaves do sacerdócio para fazer essas ordenanças TÃO sagradas. Sei que Cristo guia essa igreja por meio um propheta vivo, Thomas S. Monson. Sei que aquele rapaz Joseph Smith verdadeiramente viu Deus e Jesus Cristo. Aparte daquele momento, o mundo mudou. Tudo começou com uma simples oração. O Senhor ouvi essas orações de seus filhos. Ele nos ama. O Livro de Mórmon é a palavra de Deus assim como a Bíblia. É o livro mais correto no mundo. Tudo isso eu sei, é mais uma certeza do que uma crença agora. Acima de tudo, sei que Cristo vive e é o Filho de Deus que expiou por nossos pecados.
I only have a few more days to be Sister Peterson and i will take advantage of each minute.
Proud to wear this sacred tag,
Sister PETERSON
Thursday, March 17, 2011
one more week...
Dear family.
I have so little time to write. just a few things.
Sunday after a lot of disappointment our trio entered the church with heavy hearts. every person who said they would go...didnt go. we had one more hope, Alisson (the ukileili guy) and his family...we looked in the relief society and she wasnt there. Alright so I am used to this...but i sat there thinking, the Lord knows what he is doing. Its gonna be alright. Soon after that I went to the principles of the gospel class. Alisson was there. his wife and kids were sick but he came alone! he then participated intensely in the class then started asking profound questions about the book of mormon he even mentioned the Urim and Thummim and how it is also mentioned in the Biblia...and I was impressed. He loved church he said its a lot different than what he is used to that the church is structured so well that the members literally understand the doctrine and each day can go deeper and deeper...exactly why I love the church.
it was a great feeling.
one thought i had. i remember my first transfer in bebedouro with murbaki i was making a contact in my horrible portuguese and said the words "you are invited to our church". After murbaki corrected me. "Sister, it is not OUR church but Christ's." I have always remembered that. It has stuck with me my whole mission. We are representatives of Christ's church. This work is not our work. It must be done in His WAY. That is why the church is so perfect, because it is his.
Proud to wear the tag,
Sister Peterson
I have so little time to write. just a few things.
Sunday after a lot of disappointment our trio entered the church with heavy hearts. every person who said they would go...didnt go. we had one more hope, Alisson (the ukileili guy) and his family...we looked in the relief society and she wasnt there. Alright so I am used to this...but i sat there thinking, the Lord knows what he is doing. Its gonna be alright. Soon after that I went to the principles of the gospel class. Alisson was there. his wife and kids were sick but he came alone! he then participated intensely in the class then started asking profound questions about the book of mormon he even mentioned the Urim and Thummim and how it is also mentioned in the Biblia...and I was impressed. He loved church he said its a lot different than what he is used to that the church is structured so well that the members literally understand the doctrine and each day can go deeper and deeper...exactly why I love the church.
it was a great feeling.
one thought i had. i remember my first transfer in bebedouro with murbaki i was making a contact in my horrible portuguese and said the words "you are invited to our church". After murbaki corrected me. "Sister, it is not OUR church but Christ's." I have always remembered that. It has stuck with me my whole mission. We are representatives of Christ's church. This work is not our work. It must be done in His WAY. That is why the church is so perfect, because it is his.
Proud to wear the tag,
Sister Peterson
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Biu-pronounced byew
Dearest Family,
Another week. Full of the Lord's tender mercies. I don't have time to really write much this week but I would like to write a few things.
-IZAILDA: an amazing investigator. She is paralyzed and is confined to a wheelchair but this is anything but confining to her. SHE DOES EVERYTHING. She was going to an assembly of God church just because it is infront of her house. But as we taught her she felt the truth. She went to church and she loved it. As she participated in the activities she shared her experience when she prayed to know if the church was true. She said, "I go to the assembly of God church-no i used to go to the assembly of God church..." It is amazing to see how she went from believing all the ridiculous things people believe about the church to getting excited to be baptized in only a few days.
-Benedito Bentes (biu) is a difficult area to baptize. It is mostly an area to strengthen the ward members. I thought i would be lost because my experience at aeroclube of learning the roads was rough...but here i feel so accostomed and i dont have any problem. The members are great and help a ton. We are helping a family Poliana and Hercules and their 4 beautiful children get back into church. We had a family home evening last night that was great.
-The Scriptures wow. I am reading the war chapters in Alma. They apply directly into my life. Symbols and connections that I never before recognized. They help me to be "armed" and ready always.
I am learning to be more like Christ this transfer. I literally am amazed by that man and all that He did. I now more than every dont understand how he could love so much that he did what he did. Amazing. I know that Christ is my Savior. I have always known it but on my mission I have learned to trust him and I have gotten to know him better. I know that he truly suffered for my sins and that he took upon himself my pains and weaknesses. He knows me. I know that the love he has for us is unconditional. I have felt that love. This week I have felt the Lord helping me to get through trials. The atonement is very real. I have felt it in my prayers in lessons in the hardest moments and in the better moments too. This is the Lords work I know it. I know that his restored gospel will bring peace and happiness into the lives of so many if they just let it and strive their best to live it.
Proud to wear this tag,
Sister Peterson
Another week. Full of the Lord's tender mercies. I don't have time to really write much this week but I would like to write a few things.
-IZAILDA: an amazing investigator. She is paralyzed and is confined to a wheelchair but this is anything but confining to her. SHE DOES EVERYTHING. She was going to an assembly of God church just because it is infront of her house. But as we taught her she felt the truth. She went to church and she loved it. As she participated in the activities she shared her experience when she prayed to know if the church was true. She said, "I go to the assembly of God church-no i used to go to the assembly of God church..." It is amazing to see how she went from believing all the ridiculous things people believe about the church to getting excited to be baptized in only a few days.
-Benedito Bentes (biu) is a difficult area to baptize. It is mostly an area to strengthen the ward members. I thought i would be lost because my experience at aeroclube of learning the roads was rough...but here i feel so accostomed and i dont have any problem. The members are great and help a ton. We are helping a family Poliana and Hercules and their 4 beautiful children get back into church. We had a family home evening last night that was great.
-The Scriptures wow. I am reading the war chapters in Alma. They apply directly into my life. Symbols and connections that I never before recognized. They help me to be "armed" and ready always.
I am learning to be more like Christ this transfer. I literally am amazed by that man and all that He did. I now more than every dont understand how he could love so much that he did what he did. Amazing. I know that Christ is my Savior. I have always known it but on my mission I have learned to trust him and I have gotten to know him better. I know that he truly suffered for my sins and that he took upon himself my pains and weaknesses. He knows me. I know that the love he has for us is unconditional. I have felt that love. This week I have felt the Lord helping me to get through trials. The atonement is very real. I have felt it in my prayers in lessons in the hardest moments and in the better moments too. This is the Lords work I know it. I know that his restored gospel will bring peace and happiness into the lives of so many if they just let it and strive their best to live it.
Proud to wear this tag,
Sister Peterson
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
bye bye aeroclube
Dear family,
The Lord is giving me an opportunity to really practice what I preach. I teach about faith. everyday. how we must trust in the Lord and his timing and his plans. Isaiah 55:8-9. Well this week I was transfered from my home. Aeroclube. I was almost positive i would stay. this transfer is only five weeks. in fact, even though i am not one to ask for things from president, i wrote him saying, "If it is the Lords will, I would like to finish my mission here in aeroclube". apparently that isn't the Lord's will.
saturday night after we received the call lima and i sat in silence. we finished planning and i went directly to bed. i didnt want to murmur but my brain was going out of control. i prayed and the Lord comforted me. It is always hard to say goodbye to an area...but to your home its even harder. All my families, all my converts, and all my investigators. sunday we taught an amazing lesson with Luana and Kelvin. Kelvin went to church with us the afternoon. in fact, we had 7 investigators there. I truly feel like I left this amazing ward, that althought was always amazing, better than i found it. I know the Lord is happy with the work I have done there.
It was hard to leave lima, my filha. She cried, spontaneously for two days.
we had a family home evening monday at a members house, a majority of my recent converts and our progressing investigators were there. because i and elder cordeiro (he arrived in the area with me) are leaving they went around basically telling us how we influenced there lives-through tears-and thanking us. It was another tender mercy of the Lord letting me know that it is okay to feel sad to say goodbye, but not okay to complain. The love that I feel for all those people is uncomparable. it is true, i have learned how to truly love people.
so i arrived here yesterday in benedito bentes. i have five weeks to find my purpose here. i am actively seeking it. I am with sister feitosa and sister de souza all both have less than 5 months here. I am doing my best to establish a feeling of unity and happiness in a trio. Trios generally are a little rough but we are excited to make this the best transfer yet. i want to die dying-morrer morrendo. we have established goals and we are seeking the Lord's elect here. the members are excited and I am determined to act diligently to the end.
Each time i get sad, i pray and the Lord reminds me that He knows what is best. And I am sure of His love for me just as I am sure of His love for all of His children. it is because of this love that i am here
I know that this is the best mission in the world. I know that I was sent here for a purpose and this is exactly where I should be. I know that Christ leads this work through his chosen leaders and that He loves us. I know that He understands me and knows me and that he will give me every opportunity possible to grow and progress. I know that this gospel is the only true and full gospel. I know God lives and loves us.
proud to wear the tag,
sister Peterson
The Lord is giving me an opportunity to really practice what I preach. I teach about faith. everyday. how we must trust in the Lord and his timing and his plans. Isaiah 55:8-9. Well this week I was transfered from my home. Aeroclube. I was almost positive i would stay. this transfer is only five weeks. in fact, even though i am not one to ask for things from president, i wrote him saying, "If it is the Lords will, I would like to finish my mission here in aeroclube". apparently that isn't the Lord's will.
saturday night after we received the call lima and i sat in silence. we finished planning and i went directly to bed. i didnt want to murmur but my brain was going out of control. i prayed and the Lord comforted me. It is always hard to say goodbye to an area...but to your home its even harder. All my families, all my converts, and all my investigators. sunday we taught an amazing lesson with Luana and Kelvin. Kelvin went to church with us the afternoon. in fact, we had 7 investigators there. I truly feel like I left this amazing ward, that althought was always amazing, better than i found it. I know the Lord is happy with the work I have done there.
It was hard to leave lima, my filha. She cried, spontaneously for two days.
we had a family home evening monday at a members house, a majority of my recent converts and our progressing investigators were there. because i and elder cordeiro (he arrived in the area with me) are leaving they went around basically telling us how we influenced there lives-through tears-and thanking us. It was another tender mercy of the Lord letting me know that it is okay to feel sad to say goodbye, but not okay to complain. The love that I feel for all those people is uncomparable. it is true, i have learned how to truly love people.
so i arrived here yesterday in benedito bentes. i have five weeks to find my purpose here. i am actively seeking it. I am with sister feitosa and sister de souza all both have less than 5 months here. I am doing my best to establish a feeling of unity and happiness in a trio. Trios generally are a little rough but we are excited to make this the best transfer yet. i want to die dying-morrer morrendo. we have established goals and we are seeking the Lord's elect here. the members are excited and I am determined to act diligently to the end.
Each time i get sad, i pray and the Lord reminds me that He knows what is best. And I am sure of His love for me just as I am sure of His love for all of His children. it is because of this love that i am here
I know that this is the best mission in the world. I know that I was sent here for a purpose and this is exactly where I should be. I know that Christ leads this work through his chosen leaders and that He loves us. I know that He understands me and knows me and that he will give me every opportunity possible to grow and progress. I know that this gospel is the only true and full gospel. I know God lives and loves us.
proud to wear the tag,
sister Peterson
Saturday, February 12, 2011
i remember the transcendentalist in me
Another week flew by. how does that even happen.
Today we went to the countryside with Cinthia, who was baptized this week, the sister of Joalison, and their mom. It was beautiful and reminded me of home. instead of cars and pollution there were fields (granted instead of corn and hay it was sugar cane and macaxera) and open sky. We ate so many mangoes directly from the tree, Papaya and we knocked coconuts from the trees and drank directly from the coconut. i feel like it was a true northeast brazil experience. it was beautiful and i felt so happy to be in nature again...man i need to go camping this summer!
As i was riding in a van, returning to my area I talked with the driver. Even before the day began i remembered our new counsel to carry a Book of Mormon with us everywhere we go. It is PDAY but i decided to leave one in my bag. As i entered into the van i had an impression to take out my Book of Mormon. I ignored it but thought, why, should i talk to this driver? as he drove he started talking to me. he is A deacon in the Assembly of God church. We talked about my mission and how he also is a missionary in his church but most of all we talked of Christ and how important he is to us. it flowed perfectly and I had the opportunity to bring up that Christ ministered among the people here. i bore my testimony of the Book of Mormon how it helps me to get closer to my Savior daily. I asked him if i could give him the book. He was really excited and said yes. I wrote a dedication in the front for him and he said that his daughter could read english so i wrote in english. i felt the spirit super strong as i talked to this man about the thing that makes me most happy.
I have had a lot of great experiences this week in fact. I feel like a brand new missionary. Excited to talk to people. I made a contact with a young man after completing my goal for the day of contacts, and I felt the Spirit very strong as I talked to him. We will meet with him tomorrow, i dont know if it will go anywhere but it was a huge reminder that the Lord's elect are all around me and if I am not paying a attention they will pass me by.
As i said, Cinthia was baptized and also Fernanda. They are already super integrated into the ward. Cinthia is already working on personal progress each night and Joalison told his sister that he would like to serve a mission. WOW! Fernanda lives in the countryside during the week but stays with Flavia (my recent convert) on the weekends. she is going to bring a bunch of her friends to church on sunday that live in the countryside.
Sunday Katia (my recent convert) bore testimony the first time. She bore testimony of how the gospel has changed her life. how it is true. and the Spirit was SO STRONG. I then thought of Cristiane (another rc) who during the past weeks has told me how she falls in love with the gospel everyday and how even though it is difficult she pays her tithing FIRST. Then I think about Flavia who faces all sorts of comments from her family about the church but as soon as i told her that we dont buy things on sunday...she stopped. And then I hear her testimony to another member about keeping the Sabbath day holy. Then I look at her children and how even they have changed, more obedient and helpful. Excited everytime we walk by there house, holding my hand as we walk to an activity at church. Then I think of Beto and Joalison and oscar being sustained to receive the aaronic priesthood. I think of my recent converts in SErgipe that changed my life and of Martas family in Arapiraca-after almost one year the father was baptized and they are working on going to the temple. It could have been any other missionary, and for many it would have been any other missionary who got to teach these people...but i still have this feeling so amazingly strong each time i think of these people that I love so much and as i see them KEEPING their baptismal covenants. My joy is full.
Read Alma 24-30. I feel like Amon as he witnessed the Anti Nefi lehites literally sacrificing everything to keep their covenants with God. That they didnt even fear death because their faith and hope in the resurrection and Christ was SO STRONG. I feel that happiness that he talks about. I never really understood it. I always admired Amon and Alma but right now i can relate. Can their really be a greater feeling than this? I can only think of when I will see my children living up to their covenants because of their choice to keep them and walk rightly before the Lord.
Amon felt like this in Alma 26:
15Yea, they were encircled about with everlasting adarkness and destruction; but behold, he has brought them into his everlasting blight, yea, into everlasting salvation; and they are encircled about with the matchless bounty of his love; yea, and we have been instruments in his hands of doing this great and marvelous work.
16Therefore, let us aglory, yea, we will bglory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his cmercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.
Alma too felt this (Alma 28):
10 And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember awhat the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me.
1 O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the atrump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!
2Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and acome unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.
Want world peace? It is the gospel and I have seen it change the world or at least each one of these peoples worlds.
I know that this is the Lord's work. It is so very essential to bringing to pass his eternal purposes. If we dont do it, who will? I know that we are His chosen servants and that through the Spirit we can be tools in the Lord's hands to help these wonderful people accept the gospel. i know Christ lives and guides this church. I know God hears and answers our prayers. He is merciful and full of love. He wants to help us. But we, like the Anti Nefi leitas, MUST bury our arms of rebellion and strive to live what Christ taught us. These teachings are found through the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I know it is true. It just is.
I love the scriptures. read these chapters in alma this week!
Proud as ever to wear the tag,
Sister Peterson
Today we went to the countryside with Cinthia, who was baptized this week, the sister of Joalison, and their mom. It was beautiful and reminded me of home. instead of cars and pollution there were fields (granted instead of corn and hay it was sugar cane and macaxera) and open sky. We ate so many mangoes directly from the tree, Papaya and we knocked coconuts from the trees and drank directly from the coconut. i feel like it was a true northeast brazil experience. it was beautiful and i felt so happy to be in nature again...man i need to go camping this summer!
As i was riding in a van, returning to my area I talked with the driver. Even before the day began i remembered our new counsel to carry a Book of Mormon with us everywhere we go. It is PDAY but i decided to leave one in my bag. As i entered into the van i had an impression to take out my Book of Mormon. I ignored it but thought, why, should i talk to this driver? as he drove he started talking to me. he is A deacon in the Assembly of God church. We talked about my mission and how he also is a missionary in his church but most of all we talked of Christ and how important he is to us. it flowed perfectly and I had the opportunity to bring up that Christ ministered among the people here. i bore my testimony of the Book of Mormon how it helps me to get closer to my Savior daily. I asked him if i could give him the book. He was really excited and said yes. I wrote a dedication in the front for him and he said that his daughter could read english so i wrote in english. i felt the spirit super strong as i talked to this man about the thing that makes me most happy.
I have had a lot of great experiences this week in fact. I feel like a brand new missionary. Excited to talk to people. I made a contact with a young man after completing my goal for the day of contacts, and I felt the Spirit very strong as I talked to him. We will meet with him tomorrow, i dont know if it will go anywhere but it was a huge reminder that the Lord's elect are all around me and if I am not paying a attention they will pass me by.
As i said, Cinthia was baptized and also Fernanda. They are already super integrated into the ward. Cinthia is already working on personal progress each night and Joalison told his sister that he would like to serve a mission. WOW! Fernanda lives in the countryside during the week but stays with Flavia (my recent convert) on the weekends. she is going to bring a bunch of her friends to church on sunday that live in the countryside.
Sunday Katia (my recent convert) bore testimony the first time. She bore testimony of how the gospel has changed her life. how it is true. and the Spirit was SO STRONG. I then thought of Cristiane (another rc) who during the past weeks has told me how she falls in love with the gospel everyday and how even though it is difficult she pays her tithing FIRST. Then I think about Flavia who faces all sorts of comments from her family about the church but as soon as i told her that we dont buy things on sunday...she stopped. And then I hear her testimony to another member about keeping the Sabbath day holy. Then I look at her children and how even they have changed, more obedient and helpful. Excited everytime we walk by there house, holding my hand as we walk to an activity at church. Then I think of Beto and Joalison and oscar being sustained to receive the aaronic priesthood. I think of my recent converts in SErgipe that changed my life and of Martas family in Arapiraca-after almost one year the father was baptized and they are working on going to the temple. It could have been any other missionary, and for many it would have been any other missionary who got to teach these people...but i still have this feeling so amazingly strong each time i think of these people that I love so much and as i see them KEEPING their baptismal covenants. My joy is full.
Read Alma 24-30. I feel like Amon as he witnessed the Anti Nefi lehites literally sacrificing everything to keep their covenants with God. That they didnt even fear death because their faith and hope in the resurrection and Christ was SO STRONG. I feel that happiness that he talks about. I never really understood it. I always admired Amon and Alma but right now i can relate. Can their really be a greater feeling than this? I can only think of when I will see my children living up to their covenants because of their choice to keep them and walk rightly before the Lord.
Amon felt like this in Alma 26:
15Yea, they were encircled about with everlasting adarkness and destruction; but behold, he has brought them into his everlasting blight, yea, into everlasting salvation; and they are encircled about with the matchless bounty of his love; yea, and we have been instruments in his hands of doing this great and marvelous work.
16Therefore, let us aglory, yea, we will bglory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his cmercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.
Alma too felt this (Alma 28):
10 And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember awhat the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me.
1 O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the atrump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!
2Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and acome unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.
Want world peace? It is the gospel and I have seen it change the world or at least each one of these peoples worlds.
I know that this is the Lord's work. It is so very essential to bringing to pass his eternal purposes. If we dont do it, who will? I know that we are His chosen servants and that through the Spirit we can be tools in the Lord's hands to help these wonderful people accept the gospel. i know Christ lives and guides this church. I know God hears and answers our prayers. He is merciful and full of love. He wants to help us. But we, like the Anti Nefi leitas, MUST bury our arms of rebellion and strive to live what Christ taught us. These teachings are found through the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I know it is true. It just is.
I love the scriptures. read these chapters in alma this week!
Proud as ever to wear the tag,
Sister Peterson
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Another week
Another week has passed by! weird. I think I am finally getting a hang of this whole missionary work stuff. At least right now =). This week we had a lot more happiness and joy in the work. I dont know why but sometimes I get stressed or discouraged and then one thing builds on another and boom the adversary accomplished what he set out to do. This week wasnt so much like that. The discouraging moments werent all that discouraging, it is all about the reaction. Are we acting like disciples of Christ or are we reacting? As I was talking to a member that is a little "intense" or "hard" on other members I started thinking of Christ and how he would never ever make another person feel inadequate. Yes he corrects us. It will always be clear when we are doing what is right and when we are doing what is wrong...but that doesnt mean we need to purposely offend others or make them feel less than they are. I have learned a lot about humility and the importance of taking constructive criticism and also of giving this type of criticism in the most loving manner possible. i hope i never forget the importance of this type of communication.
We are working with Cinthia and Joalison. A brother and sister, 16 and 17. These are extraordinary individuals. For teenagers they have a lot more sense of direction than most. When we teach the commandments, word of wisdom the law of chastity they simply accept and explain why it is important and how the world would be different if people just kept the commandments.
Flavia's 15 year old sister is also preparing to be baptized. It is so interesting to see how happy this family is with the gospel. Fernanda is shy but is excited to be baptized.
We taught a lot of lessons this week that i felt like they were just really amazing conversations about life and God's plan for us. I love how the gospel can be such a natural part of my life that in my conversations it is the first topic i want to bring up. And how EVERYTHING relates back to the gospel. how cool is that.
Last week I went and visited Arapiraca with a few other missionaries. I spent five weeks there but I visited Marta's family, the first family that I baptized. This January her husband was finally baptized and they are working hard to go to the temple. amazing. It was so great to be in there home again. I was in there life for very small time but i feel so much love for that family.
I know that Christ is our Savior and each week here I am understanding better the gift of repentance and the miracle of forgiveness. Not only in my life but in the lives of those I teach. I see how Christ literally cures our broken hearts and helps us to change those horrible parts of us so that we can be more like him. I know this gospel is the way to perfection. I know that this work is essential. Out of the billions of people in the world that millions of problems, we have the solution. The gospel of Jesus Christ. It is amazing and it makes me me.
proud to wear the tag,
Sister Peterson
We are working with Cinthia and Joalison. A brother and sister, 16 and 17. These are extraordinary individuals. For teenagers they have a lot more sense of direction than most. When we teach the commandments, word of wisdom the law of chastity they simply accept and explain why it is important and how the world would be different if people just kept the commandments.
Flavia's 15 year old sister is also preparing to be baptized. It is so interesting to see how happy this family is with the gospel. Fernanda is shy but is excited to be baptized.
We taught a lot of lessons this week that i felt like they were just really amazing conversations about life and God's plan for us. I love how the gospel can be such a natural part of my life that in my conversations it is the first topic i want to bring up. And how EVERYTHING relates back to the gospel. how cool is that.
Last week I went and visited Arapiraca with a few other missionaries. I spent five weeks there but I visited Marta's family, the first family that I baptized. This January her husband was finally baptized and they are working hard to go to the temple. amazing. It was so great to be in there home again. I was in there life for very small time but i feel so much love for that family.
I know that Christ is our Savior and each week here I am understanding better the gift of repentance and the miracle of forgiveness. Not only in my life but in the lives of those I teach. I see how Christ literally cures our broken hearts and helps us to change those horrible parts of us so that we can be more like him. I know this gospel is the way to perfection. I know that this work is essential. Out of the billions of people in the world that millions of problems, we have the solution. The gospel of Jesus Christ. It is amazing and it makes me me.
proud to wear the tag,
Sister Peterson
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Deus é fiel
hey family!
So this week will be short again...sorry.
This week we worked so hard but unfortunately it was a lot of legwork and not a lot of teaching. appointments falling through and a lot of frustration...but it is interesting how the Lord tries your patience. i learned how to not be so stressed when nothing is going right. To find happiness and reasons to be excited even when you are tired and YOU doesnt want to do anything. I love how the Lord will literally try us in EVERYTHING (Abraham 3:25) We worked hard and yesterday we were incredibly blessed. 9 people visited church!
Lucimar and Cicero again were their with their grandson anderson. We are trying to ehlp them prepare for marriage and baptism. They want so bad to be baptized but the other part is a little more tricky. They love the church. Lucimar even made the sacrament bread. She told us taht she has always been looking for a church that she can be active and have a calling, she found the right place!
The Sisters in the other ward gave us a reference from there contacts. We tried to find it but couldnt. i knocked on a door and a young woman directed me to the contact. i invited her to church she accepted and i told her we'd pass on our way. I passed at 230ish before church and she was washing clothes, she said after she was done she would go. the thought crossed my mind, "yeah ive heard that one before" after relief society i look behind me and there she is, Cherlane. How amazing is that? She really liked the church adn we will teach her tuesday.
This week I was lovingly burned by the scriptures. Amazing how the Lord speaks directly to us and explains to us how we must be better throught the scriptures. So many examples I cannot begin to explain but if you wanna be a better person read Richard G Scotts conference talk on faith and character. it will blow your mind. It was exactly what i needed to get excited for the afternoon filled with appointments, distances to walk, and the ridiculously hot maceio sun. it got me through the week and filled myheart with desire to be better.
I see how, as i follow the spirit and what i am learning in the scripture, I am progressing, Weaknesses before now are not a problem. The gospel brings a change in us. a continuous change for the better. i see how living it breathing is loving it changes me. it is a lengthly list of constant choices that make me more like my Savior and more willing to do what He asks of me. When I arrived here i noted the slogan in everyplace, businesses, car repair shops, churches: Deus é fiel. God is true or faithful. I never really reflected on it that much but as I study the atonement of Christ I understand a little bit more about this phrase and how i too can be "fiel" as I strive to make thousands of tiny small choices. Man I am so glad I have a perfect example to look up to!
I love you family thats the truth.
Proud to wear the tag,
Sister Peterson
So this week will be short again...sorry.
This week we worked so hard but unfortunately it was a lot of legwork and not a lot of teaching. appointments falling through and a lot of frustration...but it is interesting how the Lord tries your patience. i learned how to not be so stressed when nothing is going right. To find happiness and reasons to be excited even when you are tired and YOU doesnt want to do anything. I love how the Lord will literally try us in EVERYTHING (Abraham 3:25) We worked hard and yesterday we were incredibly blessed. 9 people visited church!
Lucimar and Cicero again were their with their grandson anderson. We are trying to ehlp them prepare for marriage and baptism. They want so bad to be baptized but the other part is a little more tricky. They love the church. Lucimar even made the sacrament bread. She told us taht she has always been looking for a church that she can be active and have a calling, she found the right place!
The Sisters in the other ward gave us a reference from there contacts. We tried to find it but couldnt. i knocked on a door and a young woman directed me to the contact. i invited her to church she accepted and i told her we'd pass on our way. I passed at 230ish before church and she was washing clothes, she said after she was done she would go. the thought crossed my mind, "yeah ive heard that one before" after relief society i look behind me and there she is, Cherlane. How amazing is that? She really liked the church adn we will teach her tuesday.
This week I was lovingly burned by the scriptures. Amazing how the Lord speaks directly to us and explains to us how we must be better throught the scriptures. So many examples I cannot begin to explain but if you wanna be a better person read Richard G Scotts conference talk on faith and character. it will blow your mind. It was exactly what i needed to get excited for the afternoon filled with appointments, distances to walk, and the ridiculously hot maceio sun. it got me through the week and filled myheart with desire to be better.
I see how, as i follow the spirit and what i am learning in the scripture, I am progressing, Weaknesses before now are not a problem. The gospel brings a change in us. a continuous change for the better. i see how living it breathing is loving it changes me. it is a lengthly list of constant choices that make me more like my Savior and more willing to do what He asks of me. When I arrived here i noted the slogan in everyplace, businesses, car repair shops, churches: Deus é fiel. God is true or faithful. I never really reflected on it that much but as I study the atonement of Christ I understand a little bit more about this phrase and how i too can be "fiel" as I strive to make thousands of tiny small choices. Man I am so glad I have a perfect example to look up to!
I love you family thats the truth.
Proud to wear the tag,
Sister Peterson
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Nordeste, eu te amo
Minha amada família!
How is everyone? I got a lot of emails this week, if i dont have time to respond this week just wait for next week.
Another week flew by in the best mission in the world! WHOOOOOOEY. We are working so hard and we are focusing on using more the members here. Let me tell you it is a blast.
This week we found an amazing family. We were making visits with a member and she stopped to talk to one of the little boys she tutors. We took the chance to make a contact with his grandma Lucimar. She accepted our visit. We taught the first lesson to her and her 8 yr old Grandson, Anderson. She said that Sunday her and her husband were walking and wondering...of all these churches, which one is the true church? Tuesday they met us. She also told us about how she had a dream and saw one of the chapels with the plaque: A Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos Santos dos Últimos Dias a few months back. Even before she had heard or seen this church. She finally saw this exact chapel a few weeks ago, everywhere she walked and went she always tried to pay attention as not to miss it. Wow.
We taught her husband Cicero Sunday, he loved it and the whole family showed up to church, EARLY and by themselves. In sacrament S. Lima gave Anderson a notecard to draw on...sacrament was always difficult for me as a child...but instead of drawing he started to write. When he was done i read what that incredibly intelligent eight year old wrote. To sides of a notecard about the war in heaven and our relationship with God as his children and how Satan tried to take all the glory for himself and how Anderson wants to always be a child of God and not a bandito that follows satan. HE IS EIGHT YEARS OLD! The whole family loved it. Lucimar said that in all the churches she has visited, she has never felt such a peace. I am really excited to continue to work with this family! They are amazing!
This was an answer to a prayer. The Lord is merciful and loving with me. Even when I am not the perfect missionary that I must be, he lets me have these faith strengthening experiences.
Sunday Beto received the Aaronic Priesthood. Him and Katia are planning on going to do baptisms in the temple this weekend. A few weeks back 12 year old Oscar also received the Priesthood. It is such an amazing feeling to see the progress of my recent converts. Maybe I dont have much to do with that progress but I love seeing these miracles. Thayrone made a bunch of visits with us. He is amazing I hope to have half the faith that young man has someday. Cristiane is taking temple prep classes and Flavia and her whole family are going every week. I see a difference each week that the gospel brings to these families...I am one blessed missionary to be able to see these differences.
I read a lot about prayer this week. An opportunity to make our will the Lords will and how Nephi prayed continualmente for his people. I have been lovingly burned. I recognize that we must take advantage of that special time to pray each morning and night and make it a time where I really pour out my heart and change myself.
So My time is coming to an end here on the mission. I am aware of it, but it doesnt seem so real. I get excited to see you my beloved family, but my heart is very attached to this place, these people, and this culture. I love northeast brasil with all of my heart might mind and strength. i love my Heavenly Father for giving me this amazing opportunity to learn from them and to love them. I am a better person because of it. I love this opportunity to teach these people about the one thing that makes me a better person, the gospel of Christ, His life and His example.
Proud to wear the tag,
Sister Peterson
How is everyone? I got a lot of emails this week, if i dont have time to respond this week just wait for next week.
Another week flew by in the best mission in the world! WHOOOOOOEY. We are working so hard and we are focusing on using more the members here. Let me tell you it is a blast.
This week we found an amazing family. We were making visits with a member and she stopped to talk to one of the little boys she tutors. We took the chance to make a contact with his grandma Lucimar. She accepted our visit. We taught the first lesson to her and her 8 yr old Grandson, Anderson. She said that Sunday her and her husband were walking and wondering...of all these churches, which one is the true church? Tuesday they met us. She also told us about how she had a dream and saw one of the chapels with the plaque: A Igreja de Jesus Cristo dos Santos dos Últimos Dias a few months back. Even before she had heard or seen this church. She finally saw this exact chapel a few weeks ago, everywhere she walked and went she always tried to pay attention as not to miss it. Wow.
We taught her husband Cicero Sunday, he loved it and the whole family showed up to church, EARLY and by themselves. In sacrament S. Lima gave Anderson a notecard to draw on...sacrament was always difficult for me as a child...but instead of drawing he started to write. When he was done i read what that incredibly intelligent eight year old wrote. To sides of a notecard about the war in heaven and our relationship with God as his children and how Satan tried to take all the glory for himself and how Anderson wants to always be a child of God and not a bandito that follows satan. HE IS EIGHT YEARS OLD! The whole family loved it. Lucimar said that in all the churches she has visited, she has never felt such a peace. I am really excited to continue to work with this family! They are amazing!
This was an answer to a prayer. The Lord is merciful and loving with me. Even when I am not the perfect missionary that I must be, he lets me have these faith strengthening experiences.
Sunday Beto received the Aaronic Priesthood. Him and Katia are planning on going to do baptisms in the temple this weekend. A few weeks back 12 year old Oscar also received the Priesthood. It is such an amazing feeling to see the progress of my recent converts. Maybe I dont have much to do with that progress but I love seeing these miracles. Thayrone made a bunch of visits with us. He is amazing I hope to have half the faith that young man has someday. Cristiane is taking temple prep classes and Flavia and her whole family are going every week. I see a difference each week that the gospel brings to these families...I am one blessed missionary to be able to see these differences.
I read a lot about prayer this week. An opportunity to make our will the Lords will and how Nephi prayed continualmente for his people. I have been lovingly burned. I recognize that we must take advantage of that special time to pray each morning and night and make it a time where I really pour out my heart and change myself.
So My time is coming to an end here on the mission. I am aware of it, but it doesnt seem so real. I get excited to see you my beloved family, but my heart is very attached to this place, these people, and this culture. I love northeast brasil with all of my heart might mind and strength. i love my Heavenly Father for giving me this amazing opportunity to learn from them and to love them. I am a better person because of it. I love this opportunity to teach these people about the one thing that makes me a better person, the gospel of Christ, His life and His example.
Proud to wear the tag,
Sister Peterson
Monday, January 3, 2011
Happy NEW YEAR!
Hey family!
So I am staying here with lima at least six more weeks! whooey! I might even finish off my mission here...we'll see...
As I was making my goals for this year i took a look at what I had written for last year. I sat and reflected upon what 2010 means to me. It was a year of incredible growth. Many challenging experiences-the whole sink or swim feeling-that have lead me to re-realize that Heavenly Father knows EXACTLY what He is doing.
I had forgotten that one of my goals was to learn to love. First how to love God with everything I have and then my family and then other people. I dont know how it changed. I didnt realize it when it happened. I think I always had a loving personality/nature....but my mission sure taught me how much i needed to better myself. I feel that this past year I have learned what it means to love people. It is more than to have a kind feeling towards another person and it is more than saying "te amo". It is a continuous process that is shown through action. Yes saying it is important...but words last seconds and are good to express something momentary...but what sticks in my mind and my heart is an example that was given or an act that changed my thought process and made me want to be better. All of my leaders and all of the people that I most admire-here and at home-express a deep and profound love for others through their example and through who they are. This year I have felt a change of heart. I am still very imperfect but one thing that these brasys have taught me is how to love and how to show it. Truly our example can shine light into lives filled with darkness and difficulty. 3 Nephi 12:16 Let your light so shine...
I started making goals: Spiritual, physical, intellectual, and goals to better my character. My mission has taught me a lot about the importance of goal setting but even better how to plan and carry out them to reach these goals. I am excited about the future and all that it brings...goals strengthen my faith in God because I know when I do my part he will do the rest. Working during the holidays is rough here. But we found a family really amazing last night. Elizabete the wife was so welcoming to us. She loved the lesson and we felt the Spirit very strong. I was thinking of how much we teach. How often I teach the same principles and the same lessons...but it never is teh same. Every person has a different type of knowledge a different level of understanding. I love being able to meet someone and know exactly what I need to teach after talking to them for five minutes. Knowing which part of God's plan they are needing to understand in that moment. You would think that teaching the same thing over and over and over again would get old. And i must admit when I am not trying hard to listen to the Spirit...when its 90% me talking and not the Spirit it does get old...But I realize that there is something I can learn each time. Why do we go to church every sunday...the gospel doesn't change....but how is it that we can learn something new even after hearing the same lesson or reading the same scripture after the thousandth time? Because although the gospel does not change...we do. Thank goodness for that.
I am so grateful for the gift of repentance and for faith. For baptism and for the Spirit's active role in my life. I am grateful for a loving and PATIENT God that is their to help me Endure to the End. Who loves my rebellious spirit and knows exactly what experiences I need to change that about myself. I recognize that every difficult experience in the last year has brought me one step closer to God. I have learned that instead of wanting to call my sister or my bestfriend to talk about the challenges that im facing and my fears and my hopes and dreams, the first person I want to talk to is my Heavenly Father. I have learned to go to him first with all my desires and my disappointments and I have seen him lift me up and I have seen him chastise me and I have literally felt his love embrace me...I know God lives and that he loves me. He loves us.
Proud to be his servant, his daughter, and to wear this tag,
Sister Peterson
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)