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
Sunday, August 22, 2010
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
Monday, July 26, 2010
Gata garota
É ta pega minhas queridas.
Oh man i love you all. This week was great.
Transfers and Sister Souza was transferred back to Maceio and her daughter (the missionary she trained) came here with me. Let me tell you how crazy awesome this sister campos is. I absolutely adore that girl. I was a little stressed but that stress pretty much disappeared when she started talking. She is hilarious, crazy, and a spiritual energizer bunny. She likes to try and speak English. When she was in the CTM she was learning to pray in English it was like this: i tank tee for my family. i tank tee for my mission and i... and i... tank tee for lady gaga. HILARIOUS. she loves american music and is a super extrovert. we have so much in common it is crazy.
when i arrived i think i lost a little bit of myself as in i stopped being extroverted. the language learning process and the constant trying to be a perfectionist led me to be a lot more quiet than when i left the states. slowly i have been remembering jp but i know that sister campos will help me to remember more of myself and to apply it in my work. Ive got a feeling (wooooo oooo) that this transfer is going to be a good transfer. haha.
So Marcio continues to rock the world. Going to church. Stopeed smoking and drinking COMPLETELY and he loves us. he is always thanking us for helping him. he called us to ask if we liked chocolate so that he could buy some for us. one culture thing here that is still hard for me to adapt to is how people here show that they like you. through presents. People just give me stuff ALL THE TIME. i said that i liked a song on the street. Our LO gave me a DVD of the band. Someone offered me a lemon filled cookie oreo thing and i said i loved it. Everytime he makes visits with us he brings me those cookies. Enter a members house and boom food and juice. It is not just with me but with everybody. missionary or not. this is such a thoughtful culture... but it is still awkward for me to accept things but you cant say no or it offends people. I feel loved all the time. i think going home will be a culture shock.
We found caro. she is rad de mais. her husband is a little less commitment oriented but she always says things like,i dont know what he will do but I WILL... she went to church sunday and LOVED IT
One problem or blessing that I have is that when people tell me their problems I tend to personalize them. I feel a small part of the pain that they are feeling and my heart breaks almost every day here on the mission. Elder Eyring said to treat everyone as if they are in serious trouble and most of the time you will be right. I have learned the truthfulness of that statement. During sacrament i was reading in Mosiah 15 and it talked about Christ and how He was full of mercy and about His Atoning sacrifice. As I read and the idea came to my mind, He knew very well the pains of His people even before Getsemani. He did this same work for three years and I know He experienced there pains. The motive, love. He knows how to succor the weak and console the poor in spirit. Physically, Mentally, Emotionally, and Spiritually He knows how to cure us. I gained a tiny bit more of an understanding of the why in His acts. I feel so much for these people and sadness for the problems that are a result of poverty, lack of education, and the selfishness that exists in the world. but more than that i feel joy in the fact that the greatest superhero of all time already saved them. He truly is the Savior and Redeemer of mankind.
Proud to wear His name next to mine,
Sister Peterson
Oh man i love you all. This week was great.
Transfers and Sister Souza was transferred back to Maceio and her daughter (the missionary she trained) came here with me. Let me tell you how crazy awesome this sister campos is. I absolutely adore that girl. I was a little stressed but that stress pretty much disappeared when she started talking. She is hilarious, crazy, and a spiritual energizer bunny. She likes to try and speak English. When she was in the CTM she was learning to pray in English it was like this: i tank tee for my family. i tank tee for my mission and i... and i... tank tee for lady gaga. HILARIOUS. she loves american music and is a super extrovert. we have so much in common it is crazy.
when i arrived i think i lost a little bit of myself as in i stopped being extroverted. the language learning process and the constant trying to be a perfectionist led me to be a lot more quiet than when i left the states. slowly i have been remembering jp but i know that sister campos will help me to remember more of myself and to apply it in my work. Ive got a feeling (wooooo oooo) that this transfer is going to be a good transfer. haha.
So Marcio continues to rock the world. Going to church. Stopeed smoking and drinking COMPLETELY and he loves us. he is always thanking us for helping him. he called us to ask if we liked chocolate so that he could buy some for us. one culture thing here that is still hard for me to adapt to is how people here show that they like you. through presents. People just give me stuff ALL THE TIME. i said that i liked a song on the street. Our LO gave me a DVD of the band. Someone offered me a lemon filled cookie oreo thing and i said i loved it. Everytime he makes visits with us he brings me those cookies. Enter a members house and boom food and juice. It is not just with me but with everybody. missionary or not. this is such a thoughtful culture... but it is still awkward for me to accept things but you cant say no or it offends people. I feel loved all the time. i think going home will be a culture shock.
We found caro. she is rad de mais. her husband is a little less commitment oriented but she always says things like,i dont know what he will do but I WILL... she went to church sunday and LOVED IT
One problem or blessing that I have is that when people tell me their problems I tend to personalize them. I feel a small part of the pain that they are feeling and my heart breaks almost every day here on the mission. Elder Eyring said to treat everyone as if they are in serious trouble and most of the time you will be right. I have learned the truthfulness of that statement. During sacrament i was reading in Mosiah 15 and it talked about Christ and how He was full of mercy and about His Atoning sacrifice. As I read and the idea came to my mind, He knew very well the pains of His people even before Getsemani. He did this same work for three years and I know He experienced there pains. The motive, love. He knows how to succor the weak and console the poor in spirit. Physically, Mentally, Emotionally, and Spiritually He knows how to cure us. I gained a tiny bit more of an understanding of the why in His acts. I feel so much for these people and sadness for the problems that are a result of poverty, lack of education, and the selfishness that exists in the world. but more than that i feel joy in the fact that the greatest superhero of all time already saved them. He truly is the Savior and Redeemer of mankind.
Proud to wear His name next to mine,
Sister Peterson
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Untitled
Hey family. Yesterday a man went to hug me and kiss me on the cheek (its a normal cultural thing) before i could stop him. I turned bright red and my whole body froze. If i wasnt already, i am totally a missionary. It was so awkard but the guy felt super awkward when he went to do it to my comp and she gave him the handshake and toldhim missionaries cant do that. bahahaha.
They had a festa Juninha or Julinha because it was in July to celebrate all those crazy holidays i already spoke about. Lots of corn products and people in ugly dresses of plaid that dont match and dancing. Brasil is Beautiful that way.
So this last week wasfull of awesome moments that i know i didnt deserve. For some reason we were in a strange funk and the work just wasnt coming. A week to look at and realize man i need to improve.
We are working with a woman that is so incredibly in tune with everything we are teaching, Clilda. We were talking about the chapel and my companion mentioned the temple. Right away Clilda said, I am going to go there. I will prepare and I am going. We then explained more about it how you have to have a recommendation etc. She got really excited and said that at one year of a member she is going to go. Then out of nowhere she asked, Do they do baptisms there? awesome.
Her daughter Luciene or Wyky was baptized Saturday. She is so rad. She is a little rocker with a powerhouse testimony and good brains. We taught a lesson with her, when she bore testimony wow all i can say is i am a little bit proud to say that she is one of my recent converts.
Marcio is rocking it. That man is so humble and so ready. He walked into church the first time and the first thing he said was WOW but in portuguese. One of my favorite parts of being a misisonary is when you see people feeling and seeing for the first time. Especially with Marcio, he has never felt anything like the gospel before. He loves us. He is always thanking us. We taught him sunday after church. He said that he hadnt prayed about the BOM so we recommitted him to read it. That night he called us at 930, he was so excited. He prayed. He received a response. He was so excited he had to tell us. His lifes story is sad, someone who had it all and then one day lost it all, but he says that it wasnt an accident that we talked to him on that park bench that day.
i feel very attached to this area, Soledade. next week we have transfers, I will go where the Lord wants me to but man i want to stay a little longer. So i have been reading D&C with the mission for the past few weeks. POWER. wanna know what personal revelation is in print. i love D&C i always had a hard time connecting with it like i do The Book of Mormon and the New Testament but man i love it. The next thing i will tackle- Theold testament....opah.
Yeah so life is good. I am happy. We had interviews with President. He told me of the confidence he has in me and what I am doing, i realize very much that i need to be better and work harder to be worthy of that trust that he and Heavenly Father have in me.
love you alllllllll.
proud to wear the tag,
Sister Peterson
PS Happy birthday to everyone that i missed your birthday! AKA all of Karas kids.
They had a festa Juninha or Julinha because it was in July to celebrate all those crazy holidays i already spoke about. Lots of corn products and people in ugly dresses of plaid that dont match and dancing. Brasil is Beautiful that way.
So this last week wasfull of awesome moments that i know i didnt deserve. For some reason we were in a strange funk and the work just wasnt coming. A week to look at and realize man i need to improve.
We are working with a woman that is so incredibly in tune with everything we are teaching, Clilda. We were talking about the chapel and my companion mentioned the temple. Right away Clilda said, I am going to go there. I will prepare and I am going. We then explained more about it how you have to have a recommendation etc. She got really excited and said that at one year of a member she is going to go. Then out of nowhere she asked, Do they do baptisms there? awesome.
Her daughter Luciene or Wyky was baptized Saturday. She is so rad. She is a little rocker with a powerhouse testimony and good brains. We taught a lesson with her, when she bore testimony wow all i can say is i am a little bit proud to say that she is one of my recent converts.
Marcio is rocking it. That man is so humble and so ready. He walked into church the first time and the first thing he said was WOW but in portuguese. One of my favorite parts of being a misisonary is when you see people feeling and seeing for the first time. Especially with Marcio, he has never felt anything like the gospel before. He loves us. He is always thanking us. We taught him sunday after church. He said that he hadnt prayed about the BOM so we recommitted him to read it. That night he called us at 930, he was so excited. He prayed. He received a response. He was so excited he had to tell us. His lifes story is sad, someone who had it all and then one day lost it all, but he says that it wasnt an accident that we talked to him on that park bench that day.
i feel very attached to this area, Soledade. next week we have transfers, I will go where the Lord wants me to but man i want to stay a little longer. So i have been reading D&C with the mission for the past few weeks. POWER. wanna know what personal revelation is in print. i love D&C i always had a hard time connecting with it like i do The Book of Mormon and the New Testament but man i love it. The next thing i will tackle- Theold testament....opah.
Yeah so life is good. I am happy. We had interviews with President. He told me of the confidence he has in me and what I am doing, i realize very much that i need to be better and work harder to be worthy of that trust that he and Heavenly Father have in me.
love you alllllllll.
proud to wear the tag,
Sister Peterson
PS Happy birthday to everyone that i missed your birthday! AKA all of Karas kids.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
I am a missionary
Wow what a week.
Probably one of the weeks with the most moments of stress and depression, but also some of the most blessings and moments that I could feel my Savior carrying me. I remember my first few weeks in the field, that were so HARD. I wrote that in those moments Christ was carrying me. In reality He never put me down. Just know God is blessing this missionary and making up for my weakness.
I was reading a few things that i kept in a binder, spiritual things really. I found a letter from all my young women leaders from 2004. Man i love and admire those women. Their simple testimonies are still strengthening mine. If they get a chance to read this letter, thank you for being the women you are and for your testimonies.
The week was hard for many reasons but amidst this we found some miracles. Pearls. Those people God has prepared for us.
One of them is Diana. Her baptism was Friday. She is one of those chosen spirits, incredibly sensitive to the Spirit. She knows so much better than other nine year olds what is right and wrong. The importance of God. What a privledge to teach such a chosen little girl.
Last week I made a contact with Marcio. I only remember that he seemed genuinely interested in going to church and our message. I didnt remember that he was smoking and drinking when i made the contact with him so when S Souza said we need to teach the word of wisdom so he could stop smoking soon i didnt understand how she knew that he smoked. It is strange because i almost always remember these things. Anyways, we taught him. It went well. When we returned he explained that he would go to other churches every so often but that from what he felt and understood, the doctrines of our church went a little deeper. He said that that it wasnt an accident that he met us at the praça that day. That we were different. He said the words "there was a brightness in your eyes and i could tell that you wanted to help me." He said that he had tried to change before but this time he feels like he really can. I have always heard those stories about how memebers of the church have a brightness in their eyes. i guess i always thought it was kind of a cliche thing but truly there is a difference.
One of our other investigators, Clilda, said that she had been stopped by so many different religions but never payed attention until she met us on the street. She said we were different. She will be baptized the 17th along with her daughter Luciene or Wyky. She prayed and received a response. Today she went to the boardwalk with us. She loves us. We are working a lot these days with youth, reactivating and teaching them. I have always related better with the youth. i love it.
Souza and I decided to have a scripture of the week, last week was Alma 5:14. Do you have His image in your countenance? I am trying to be like my Savior and I know that it is helping other people. I love being a missionary.
We are reading D&C as a mission. I have never really studied it like i should but let me tell you, i love it. I am receiving personal revelation everyday. Promptings during my study that are made manifest in my work. I love this time in my life. oh aunt Susan or Jeanne or someone who does geneology, the Fuller mentioned in D&C 55 or 56 is he related to us?
Man the family reunion seems so amazing! I wish i could have been there to see you all SEND ME PICTURES or at least post them to the family website. I havent received pictures from anyoen in a real long time. or Letter mail. i feel left out at zone meetings and interviews when i dont receive letters. SEND THEM! haha.
I know that i am forgetting something but i dont remember...
Oh the church is true. it just is. SO INCREDIBLY TRUE. and as S. Souza says: Ela é PERFEITA! There was a huge flood in Alagoas that destroyed a few cities, the elders serving there were fine. All the missionaries in Alagoas went to help. Yeah thats like 80+ missionaries. I love how much the church is always there to help. a mark of true discipleship. I was bummed i am here in Sergipe so i didnt get to go but still. amazing.
well i love you all.
proud to wear the tag.
Sister Peterson
Probably one of the weeks with the most moments of stress and depression, but also some of the most blessings and moments that I could feel my Savior carrying me. I remember my first few weeks in the field, that were so HARD. I wrote that in those moments Christ was carrying me. In reality He never put me down. Just know God is blessing this missionary and making up for my weakness.
I was reading a few things that i kept in a binder, spiritual things really. I found a letter from all my young women leaders from 2004. Man i love and admire those women. Their simple testimonies are still strengthening mine. If they get a chance to read this letter, thank you for being the women you are and for your testimonies.
The week was hard for many reasons but amidst this we found some miracles. Pearls. Those people God has prepared for us.
One of them is Diana. Her baptism was Friday. She is one of those chosen spirits, incredibly sensitive to the Spirit. She knows so much better than other nine year olds what is right and wrong. The importance of God. What a privledge to teach such a chosen little girl.
Last week I made a contact with Marcio. I only remember that he seemed genuinely interested in going to church and our message. I didnt remember that he was smoking and drinking when i made the contact with him so when S Souza said we need to teach the word of wisdom so he could stop smoking soon i didnt understand how she knew that he smoked. It is strange because i almost always remember these things. Anyways, we taught him. It went well. When we returned he explained that he would go to other churches every so often but that from what he felt and understood, the doctrines of our church went a little deeper. He said that that it wasnt an accident that he met us at the praça that day. That we were different. He said the words "there was a brightness in your eyes and i could tell that you wanted to help me." He said that he had tried to change before but this time he feels like he really can. I have always heard those stories about how memebers of the church have a brightness in their eyes. i guess i always thought it was kind of a cliche thing but truly there is a difference.
One of our other investigators, Clilda, said that she had been stopped by so many different religions but never payed attention until she met us on the street. She said we were different. She will be baptized the 17th along with her daughter Luciene or Wyky. She prayed and received a response. Today she went to the boardwalk with us. She loves us. We are working a lot these days with youth, reactivating and teaching them. I have always related better with the youth. i love it.
Souza and I decided to have a scripture of the week, last week was Alma 5:14. Do you have His image in your countenance? I am trying to be like my Savior and I know that it is helping other people. I love being a missionary.
We are reading D&C as a mission. I have never really studied it like i should but let me tell you, i love it. I am receiving personal revelation everyday. Promptings during my study that are made manifest in my work. I love this time in my life. oh aunt Susan or Jeanne or someone who does geneology, the Fuller mentioned in D&C 55 or 56 is he related to us?
Man the family reunion seems so amazing! I wish i could have been there to see you all SEND ME PICTURES or at least post them to the family website. I havent received pictures from anyoen in a real long time. or Letter mail. i feel left out at zone meetings and interviews when i dont receive letters. SEND THEM! haha.
I know that i am forgetting something but i dont remember...
Oh the church is true. it just is. SO INCREDIBLY TRUE. and as S. Souza says: Ela é PERFEITA! There was a huge flood in Alagoas that destroyed a few cities, the elders serving there were fine. All the missionaries in Alagoas went to help. Yeah thats like 80+ missionaries. I love how much the church is always there to help. a mark of true discipleship. I was bummed i am here in Sergipe so i didnt get to go but still. amazing.
well i love you all.
proud to wear the tag.
Sister Peterson
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
São Pedro
so apparently there are three holidays that have the campfires: São João, São Pedro, and Santo Antonio. And also Brazil continues to win so those things=staying at home and my hair STILL smells like smoke.
So i emailed a few days ago but my life is like a rollercoaster/energizer bunny keeps going and is crazy.
Sunday I was feeling a little down. I felt like I had been working a ton the last week but Sunday morning our family (Marta and Ailton) didnt go to church. My heart was broken. We didnt have any progressing investigators. Well Bishop found a less active member who had moved and she said, "Oh Bispo my daughter needs to be baptized." We went there and found Diana. A 9 year old girl. Truly a choice spirit of our Heavenly Father. When we were teaching she told us that her greatest wish was to go to church but her mom wouldnt take her. She loves learning about God and is so excited to be baptized. When we do our part God does the rest. I love this work.
Before we found out about Diana we were walking around forever trying to find houses and it just wasnt happening. I hate days like that when it is walk walk walk and not teaching. I was getting so frustrated. I didnt want to do anything let alone contact people on the street but i got to the point that i realized i needed to force myself to make contacts. I found Cleilde. She is so rad. She really wants to go to church and LOVES us. Her daughter that is 15 was already some sort of nun for the catholic church, speaks english, and now plays guitar in a band. How rad, an ex-nun rocker. We are in the process of teaching them.
We also contacted Santana. He is a middleaged man who is so willing to learn. He says the word PUXA a lot and it makes me laugh. The first night we planned to visit him it was raining like crazy so we couldnt get out there. He waited all night for us. They have a telephone booth thing in front of his neighbors house and we said we would call. He was sleeping when we called but when he found out, he stayed by the phone booth for a long time. He has a baptismal date.
I have always loved working with youth. Right now we are reactivating a lot of families, they all start with youth. I dont know what it is about my personality that makes it so youth like me but it is pretty great to be able to use this gift God has given me.
Last night as we were walking home, i just felt happy. That inner sense of peace that people spend a lot of money on books and programs to find. I cant tell you that the mission is easy. In fact it is still very challenging, but i know that i am progressing. I look at the little girl i was 9 months ago, so insecure about the smallest things. Well like everyone else in the world i still have insecurities but it is easier to face them. Forcing myself to push past it all. I have learned so much about human nature. I can almost tell right away when someone is lying to me based on their body language. or when someone isnt interested. I have never been lied to so much in my life. One quote that i love says that everyone has three things: A greatest fear, a greatest insecurity, and someone that loves them. I see that a lot. A quote from Henry B Eyring is: When you meet someone regard them as someone who is in big trouble. Most of the time you will be right." i see that a lot too.
Well i love my life. i love my comp. I love God. He loves us. I cant imagine life without that knowledge that surety that God lives and He loves us.
Proud to wear the tag,
Sister Peterson
So i emailed a few days ago but my life is like a rollercoaster/energizer bunny keeps going and is crazy.
Sunday I was feeling a little down. I felt like I had been working a ton the last week but Sunday morning our family (Marta and Ailton) didnt go to church. My heart was broken. We didnt have any progressing investigators. Well Bishop found a less active member who had moved and she said, "Oh Bispo my daughter needs to be baptized." We went there and found Diana. A 9 year old girl. Truly a choice spirit of our Heavenly Father. When we were teaching she told us that her greatest wish was to go to church but her mom wouldnt take her. She loves learning about God and is so excited to be baptized. When we do our part God does the rest. I love this work.
Before we found out about Diana we were walking around forever trying to find houses and it just wasnt happening. I hate days like that when it is walk walk walk and not teaching. I was getting so frustrated. I didnt want to do anything let alone contact people on the street but i got to the point that i realized i needed to force myself to make contacts. I found Cleilde. She is so rad. She really wants to go to church and LOVES us. Her daughter that is 15 was already some sort of nun for the catholic church, speaks english, and now plays guitar in a band. How rad, an ex-nun rocker. We are in the process of teaching them.
We also contacted Santana. He is a middleaged man who is so willing to learn. He says the word PUXA a lot and it makes me laugh. The first night we planned to visit him it was raining like crazy so we couldnt get out there. He waited all night for us. They have a telephone booth thing in front of his neighbors house and we said we would call. He was sleeping when we called but when he found out, he stayed by the phone booth for a long time. He has a baptismal date.
I have always loved working with youth. Right now we are reactivating a lot of families, they all start with youth. I dont know what it is about my personality that makes it so youth like me but it is pretty great to be able to use this gift God has given me.
Last night as we were walking home, i just felt happy. That inner sense of peace that people spend a lot of money on books and programs to find. I cant tell you that the mission is easy. In fact it is still very challenging, but i know that i am progressing. I look at the little girl i was 9 months ago, so insecure about the smallest things. Well like everyone else in the world i still have insecurities but it is easier to face them. Forcing myself to push past it all. I have learned so much about human nature. I can almost tell right away when someone is lying to me based on their body language. or when someone isnt interested. I have never been lied to so much in my life. One quote that i love says that everyone has three things: A greatest fear, a greatest insecurity, and someone that loves them. I see that a lot. A quote from Henry B Eyring is: When you meet someone regard them as someone who is in big trouble. Most of the time you will be right." i see that a lot too.
Well i love my life. i love my comp. I love God. He loves us. I cant imagine life without that knowledge that surety that God lives and He loves us.
Proud to wear the tag,
Sister Peterson
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