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
Saturday, February 12, 2011
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
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Christmas and ano novo!
My amazing family,
Wow! what a week. Christmas was great. Talking to you all was AMAZING. I am just seeing how much the Lord is blessing me. How much he is blessing our family and how blessed i am to have such wonderful friends and family.
For Christmas a we and a few other missionaries sang christmas songs and brought toys for little kids at the hospital. I felt the pure love of Christ in every word I sang. I saw it enter into hearts of these families and men and women that are truly experiencing hard times. This was the best Christmas of my life I understand what Christmas means now. I think for the first time in my life. I served. I was more concerned about others than myself and what I was needing or what I was getting. I taught about what it means and I felt the Spirit testify that the small child who was born in a manger, the man that taught on the mount, and that same man who died on the cross truly is the Savior of the world. I felt it in every Christmas song I sang, in every prayer I offered, and in every testimony that I bore. Jesus truly is the Christ, Savior and Redeemer of the world.
I know that he lived a perfect life to show me the way. I know that through that example and his sacrifice I can be saved from all of the stupid little things (and big things) that keep me from becoming like my Father. I know that this is His work. I know that I have a perfect example of how to do this work through the scriptures. I know that the scriptures and words of living prophets are here to guide us in every situation. I love this work.
Sorry this is so short but i am happy and i love you all.
Happy new year this week!!
Proud to wear His name next to mine,
Sister Peterson
Wow! what a week. Christmas was great. Talking to you all was AMAZING. I am just seeing how much the Lord is blessing me. How much he is blessing our family and how blessed i am to have such wonderful friends and family.
For Christmas a we and a few other missionaries sang christmas songs and brought toys for little kids at the hospital. I felt the pure love of Christ in every word I sang. I saw it enter into hearts of these families and men and women that are truly experiencing hard times. This was the best Christmas of my life I understand what Christmas means now. I think for the first time in my life. I served. I was more concerned about others than myself and what I was needing or what I was getting. I taught about what it means and I felt the Spirit testify that the small child who was born in a manger, the man that taught on the mount, and that same man who died on the cross truly is the Savior of the world. I felt it in every Christmas song I sang, in every prayer I offered, and in every testimony that I bore. Jesus truly is the Christ, Savior and Redeemer of the world.
I know that he lived a perfect life to show me the way. I know that through that example and his sacrifice I can be saved from all of the stupid little things (and big things) that keep me from becoming like my Father. I know that this is His work. I know that I have a perfect example of how to do this work through the scriptures. I know that the scriptures and words of living prophets are here to guide us in every situation. I love this work.
Sorry this is so short but i am happy and i love you all.
Happy new year this week!!
Proud to wear His name next to mine,
Sister Peterson
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Paciencia
Dear Family.
I have even less time this week. but i just want to send my love to everyone.
This week monique and Maiara were baptized. Monique, after many years of waiting was finally baptized. her mother and children that are already members were so happy. Another family a little more complete.
Maiara is a young woman that we worked with since I got here. she is a very special young lady and teaching her was a blast.
This week was tough. Lots of walking and appointments falling through. But the Lord knows best and what we need. When i started to get a little down one of the most inspired men i know, Bispo Messias(Bishop) called us and said, "Thank you so much for what you are doing here in this ward. I visited Flavia and Cristiane (two of my recent converts) and my testimony has been strengthened." He excitingly told us of their progress and how our work is really making a difference. I want to be just like Bispo Messias when I grow up. Truly it was a wonderful encouragement not only from him but from the Lord. I know he is happy with our work. I am learning patience and faith. Reacting without complaining or questioning why. its hard sometimes. The sun is so hot and my legs hurt but the reward is so worth it. I really love working. I have never really appreciated the benefits of hard work but i am learning here.
This week we are working with flavias three kids. Paula (9), Fabiula (11) and Felipe (13). These kids are so special. I am so excited to teach them even more. Especially when they share their simple testimonies with me.
Yesterday i felt like a mom. Flavia brought all her kids and a neighbor kid and her nephew. 6 in all. so i sat on a pew with three rowdy boys 8 and under. Man i loved it. Her nephew Darlan has been coming to church every week for the past month. He wants so bad to be baptized....we will see. We have tried to get his mom to church but she always has something come up. But that little boy has a testimony like a rock. I heard him explaining to a five year old about the sacrament, "and right now we need to eat this bread and think about Jesus. Its Jesus Bread." Then the rowdy fiveyear old replied in a loud voice, "I want somemore Jesus Bread." haha. we are working hard to get his parents to go too!
welli loveyou all,
proud to wear thge tag,
Sister Peterson
I have even less time this week. but i just want to send my love to everyone.
This week monique and Maiara were baptized. Monique, after many years of waiting was finally baptized. her mother and children that are already members were so happy. Another family a little more complete.
Maiara is a young woman that we worked with since I got here. she is a very special young lady and teaching her was a blast.
This week was tough. Lots of walking and appointments falling through. But the Lord knows best and what we need. When i started to get a little down one of the most inspired men i know, Bispo Messias(Bishop) called us and said, "Thank you so much for what you are doing here in this ward. I visited Flavia and Cristiane (two of my recent converts) and my testimony has been strengthened." He excitingly told us of their progress and how our work is really making a difference. I want to be just like Bispo Messias when I grow up. Truly it was a wonderful encouragement not only from him but from the Lord. I know he is happy with our work. I am learning patience and faith. Reacting without complaining or questioning why. its hard sometimes. The sun is so hot and my legs hurt but the reward is so worth it. I really love working. I have never really appreciated the benefits of hard work but i am learning here.
This week we are working with flavias three kids. Paula (9), Fabiula (11) and Felipe (13). These kids are so special. I am so excited to teach them even more. Especially when they share their simple testimonies with me.
Yesterday i felt like a mom. Flavia brought all her kids and a neighbor kid and her nephew. 6 in all. so i sat on a pew with three rowdy boys 8 and under. Man i loved it. Her nephew Darlan has been coming to church every week for the past month. He wants so bad to be baptized....we will see. We have tried to get his mom to church but she always has something come up. But that little boy has a testimony like a rock. I heard him explaining to a five year old about the sacrament, "and right now we need to eat this bread and think about Jesus. Its Jesus Bread." Then the rowdy fiveyear old replied in a loud voice, "I want somemore Jesus Bread." haha. we are working hard to get his parents to go too!
welli loveyou all,
proud to wear thge tag,
Sister Peterson
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