June 18 - 2012

My president's letter :)

President,

  This last week was one of our better weeks together, and actually one of the hardest! Thank you for the wonderful opportunity I have to work with Elder Routhier, it is like a breath of fresh air! When you told me that he would be my  next colleague, I laughed because he made such a drastic move.... across the river haha. 

  Elder Coenen's attitude improved a lot this week, and I feel like he is going to do so well in Cannes! He is a interesting fellow! He complained about being here in the sun, and after he got the call, he was sad to leave! I have a lot of hope for him, and I pray he becomes a PMG missionary :)

   We were able to teach Anastasia again this week!!!!! She is home on medical leave for work; she fell down the stairs and tore a muscle in her knee. I consider it a tender mercy, because she is home for 5 weeks :) She knows that baptism is the important and that she needs to do it, but she is undecided for the moment. She still gets a hard time from her ex... we told her that she doesn't need to worry about his blind threats; they will mean nothing  before a judge. She came to church this week :) We are going to engage her to a date this week :) 

  We visited Denis Guirisima, a less active; he is doing well... just not coming to church!!!! 

  I always love new transfers, and new colleagues; it means a fresh start! I have so many new goals and plans for this transfer so that I can become a PMG missionary. I have really lost myself in the PMG challenge! I have seen so many things that I can do better, and I love applying what I learn! I feel so much growth! I remember studying Humility this week, and I realized that the only way that we will grow in this work is if we are humble. When we are humble, we submit to the Lord's will, and are willing to do anything he asks us. When humility ceases, so does growth.

   I did an exchange with Elder Stanford this week, and he is a great missionary! I don't feel like he is a missionary at the beginning of his mission; he is very mature and very strong in the knowledge of the Gospel. What I love is that he applies the principles of Preach my Gospel as well. 

   President, I'm really going to miss you! I have really enjoyed writing you each and every week! I feel like one day, I am going to see all these letters and I am going to be able to see what growth I made on my mission. Thank you for always taking the time to read and listen :) Thank you Sister Murdock for all your love!!!! I was so happy that I could give you hug at the Zone conference! You have no idea how much it means to me :) It's hard to not have the affection of your mother at the edge of your finger tips! I realized how blessed I am now! I wish you a great trip back to the U.S. and we'll see you in October!!

This week was a week full of finding ha ha. We tried to get our names on a list at a hospital as representatives for our church that talk with those in difficulty... yeah that didn't fly haha! They told us to talk with the administration another day. We ate at a member's home yesterday, she is crazy cool! She is Italian, but has lived in France forever. She is the head of the Genealogy at Toulouse.

We said goodbye to Elder Barton and Sister Fernanez this morning! They are finishing their missions. There were 10 that finished their missions this transfer; there will be 26 in my group!!! Holy cheese balls! 

Well, my studies of the Gospel have been getting more and more fruitful; we are reading Preach My Gospel all the through this month, and I'm seeing so much I didn't see before! It is fun to see new things and apply them. I feel like that is why the Gospel is so active, because you are constantly learning and applying what you learn... that is if you are humble. When humility ceases, growth goes with it! 

I can't believe that Carry is married... weird.  Be sure to congratulate her, as well as Johnny!!! I'm happy that Cami got my letter :) It will be sad not to see her for another year and a half!   I'm going to write her for sure. By the way  I LOVE YOU GRANDMA AND GRANDPA PETERSEN!!! I LOVE YOU GRANDPA ANDREASEN!!!

Hope you had a good father's day pappa :) You are such a great day, such a great example of selfless service and humility :) Thanks dad :) You look really good too, so skinny and you aren't losing your hair!! YOU ARE A STALLION!!

I am so blessed to have such a beautiful family as well, Rubee and Emma are such cuties! Alli is so darling, and Mason is a little stud!!!! Can't wait to see you all!!!!

Well that is all from me this week. Sorry I don't have much share, but know that I love you and after my mission I'll tell you but loads of stories!!

Love Elder Petersen

June 25 - 2012

My letter to President Murdock for the last time as my mission president :(

President,

  Thank you so much for all you have done!!! I am so blessed to have Elder Routhier as a companion! What a joy, he is so energetic and talks to everyone! I'M so darn tootin' happy! ha ha, we are getting a long very well! 

  Not only are we getting along but we are doing WORK! We engaged the parents of a part member family to baptism and they accepted the 28th of July!!! They have been investigators for 8 years! They held off marriage because the dad was in the middle of a lengthy divorce; it lasted 15 years!!! Aye yai yai!!!! It is a miracle! The way in which they accepted the date is a miracle too!

  Saturday, we visited them, but they taught us the Word of Wisdom! We had engaged them several weeks before :) They have a very strong testimony of the Word of Wisdom, and know that Joseph Smith was and is a true prophet. The spirit was there and edified us all.Towards the end of the lesson, the moment felt so right to invite them to baptism! I promised them that the blessings of the Gospel are so much greater once they are confirmed members of the church. The mother expressed that she has been receiving pressure from Heavenly Father to get baptized, and she feel now it is the time! They have many problems in their family right now, but they know that if they do it now, it is what God wants! THE SPIRIT WAS SO STRONG!  

   I learned that if we create an environment where the spirit can teach, our investigators will received the spiritual witnesses they need! I realize now that asking our investigators to teach us was what created that environment! 

   Their names are Danielle(not sure of her last name) , and Jean Devaux.  SAD NEWS, they just called me, and told me that because he is a foreigner, the marriage process will take longer than planned.... it won't be possible until September! Ahhh..... Paper work.... I guess it is necessary, but a pain sometimes. I was really excited to have a baptism the last week of my mission..... Well, too bad. There is a time for everything as the Lord says. Got to do things the right way, and the right order.

    I did study Moses 6, and I really enjoyed the promise that the Lord gave to Enoch. He promised him this, "wherefore all thy words will I justify" I know that the Lord makes that same promise with his servants today. I have experienced it many times on my mission, and it comforts me to know that the Lord always is there to back me up in what I say, and what blessings I promise :)

    Elder Routhier and I are working hard to find more people, and I know that there is so much more we can learn from Preach My Gospel to find new investigators!  Preach My Gospel is such a miracle, and I feel it is becoming, "my book"

   Well, I pray that your travel home will be quick and secure! May the Lord bless you and Keep you, and until the next time!

         With all my love,

                                   Elder Petersen

  Our week was so great! At first, believe it or not, it was hard to get used to a companion that is self reliant and self motivated! I felt a little unmotivated haha. Got over that fast :) We contacted so many people this week, and worked so hard to find new people! We have so many rendez-vous for this week :) I love Elder Routhier :) He is so much fun! 

  So I'm kind of bummed about the situation with our engaged family, now not engaged :( But what can ya do, not much, only pray and continue to work with them. We are going to pump them up for September too!!! 

  Hey happy late anniversary momma and pappa!!! Sorry I missed it. Happy birthday Colton!!! and HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAMI LOO HOO BOO !!! Sorry got carried away with that one ;) ha ha I love you all and can't wait to see you soon! 

  Give grandpa Clair and Grandpa JDell a big ol' hug for me, tell them they've got true grit ha ha! That's what I always think of my two grandpa's, true grit :) 

  Oh about David, I plan on just dragging him around with me everywhere in preparation for college haha. Don't worry, I'll keep him pre-occupied :) Even if I put him to work with me in the yard haha. That is disgusting that Dash was covered in Poop, BAD DOG!!! ha ha ha

Well I love you all, can't wait to hear from you again!! Thanks for your wonderful letters ;)

June 11 2012

Hello my family dearest!

I love you so much, sorry it won't be much this week! Had a great week, not seeing many " numbers" but we are seeing miracles! I'm so happy! Elder Coenen is doing better, but is struggling still. Just need to continue to encourage him! 

We had Zone conference this week; we saw President and Soeur Murdock for the Last time :( I got to hug Sr. Murdock :) TENDER MERCY!!! I got to see so many cool people from my past missionary experience as well! Elder Williamson gets an honorable mention! He told me that the Rubinos (David's mom and dad, the David that will stay with us) might get baptised in July!!!!! I'm going to write them a letter this week! There so many other familiar faces, but I don't have time to tell you them all ha ha! President Murdock said we will find a balcony and eat pizza on it after the mission ha ha. He will be having a mission reunion in October :) Can't wait! 

Hey my Zone leader, Elder Barton is dying this next week. He was also my Zone Leader in the MTC!!!! Cool beans! It is weird, the reality of the mission ending is setting in. It is certain, I will die on July 31st. I learned yesterday, that after August 1st, I can't present myself as a current missionary for the church either.... my time is up!!! I have to refer in past tense, that I was... weird! 

We had stake conference yesterday as well, it was a broadcast for the European region. President Eyring spoke and so did Elder Russel M. Nelson. It was very focused on teaching children how to walk the path of the Gospel! What a sacred responsibility, my hat is off to you my dear parents!!!

Well, I think that is just fine for the trip. I'll see what I can do about leaving my luggage in Toulouse. No promises, but it is an EXCELLENT idea. No biggy about canne, don't really have a desire to go there anyways. But I did send you a letter you should receive this week. I want to pass by Bergerac, I had a revelation, and i feel like I really need to see my convert. It will explain in the letter. Don't get stressed, the letter will explain. 

Yes I got the cream, merci beaucoup!!!! Hey could you give me the address of Uncle Brian? and Uncle Brad? Thanks much :)))) Well, got to get back to work now! I love you so much, I can't wait to share all my missionary experiences with you!!!

Oh and I dad, thank you for your testimony. I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is on the earth again. I have a solid testimony of the book of Mormon, and I know it is the word of God, and the convincing proof that the Gospel has been restored! No man can become closer to God than when he is reading this book! I will study this book  of sacred truth for the rest of my days! Jesus is the Christ, and he has given us all the way to return back into God's presence, and live with our families forever!!!!

I love you, I think of you often, I pray for you!!!! 

P.S. HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

June 4 2012

Well, this week was so much better than others! There were alot of ups and downs, but Elder Coenen is making headway! He is coming around to the fact that he can't do it on his own anymore. Last night he asked for a blessing, and I feel like he is going to go up, up, and away for here! I'll admit, there were a few times that his attitude could have been a lot better, but like I said he is making giant steps! 
   He really enjoys singing, and so do I. I am going to try to incorporate music into our proselyting as much as possible to keep things up! I think that will be something that will boost his faith! He is contacting more people now as well. Still not a lot, but more :)
   This week was REALLY HOT, and it has COOLED down a lot ha ha. The weather is unpredictable!!! P.S. maybe that is because we don't watch the forecast haha. Elder Coenen's face is really sensitive to the sun, so we gotta be careful, but I'm doing great :D Never felt better! Just still not used to the humidity when it rains.... 
   This week was full of MIRACLES, as you can see from the photo that I attached :) We were able to find a new investigator, Samir,  and a half, Amine!I say half, because we haven't taught Amine yet, but he came to church! It is a miracle how we met them! I was on exchange with a Zone Leader(Elder Grossen), and we were walking down a random street to get to another street for a pass back. I contacted a man, and he simply gave us the code to entry into the building. He even said " I don't know if I can do this, but here it is. Pass by another time." Saturday, we passed someone that we forgot we already passed... but we were just next door to the man, Samir, who gave us his code for entry. So, we passed him. The code worked, he was home, he let us in, and he is now a new investigator! MIRACLE! 
  Other miracle, is Amine. This happened the same day of exchange that we met Samir. We were doing the street board, and I was contacting a strong opinioned man. He wouldn't leave.... anyways, Amine, a 20 year old man, comes up and just asks if he can listen. He listened for a while, but he finally left our conversation to speak with my colleage. After I broke away from the very obstinate man, I was able to join in with teaching Amine the plan of salvation, which was displayed on our storyboard(thank the sister missionaries :) He told us he liked it, and he wanted to come to church. He came to church, LOVED it, and even commented that he loved seeing so many people smile. He said that it was so good that it didn't even feel like it was three hours long! He is going to meet with us on Thursday, and he will be coming to church next week, :)
    Something that we learned in companionship study this week is that we need to help our investigators understand why we give them commitments every appointment! For example, "We give you these invitations to keep the commandments, because if you don't, there is no way you can be baptised. And if you aren't baptised by the proper authority, you cannot return to live with our Heavenly Father." It is frank, and direct, and may seem a little harsh, but that is because we understand that there salvation is on the line! 
    So, I bought a new tie :) It is red, Don't have many red ties. It was only 10 euros. Talked to a cool British guy that owns the store too. Also bought some new running shoes for a steal of 15 euros. My others are too small, I think my feet have grown. Well that is all for the financial front ha ha.
   So, I wouldn't mind staying in Carcassonne only one day, if that is what you want to do. We even could ask the missionaries to open up the church and we could leave our luggage their. We could contact a member too, but you'll need to add a plan to your cell phone so it won't be super expensive while in France... just FYI. I was thinking the same thing with Gap, we stay in gap one day, then the next day we pass through Sisteron, maybe visit some members, and then continue on through the country side to Aix en Provence, and maybe we would have to stay there for a night, then pick up our bags to go to Carcassonne the next morning... Just an idea. We have the extra day so, yeah.
     we could always go from Sisteron to Aix en Provence to Canne, and stay the night there... you decide. Just keep in mind that Elder Park will still be in Aix en Provence most likely... he called me the other day on accident!!!! It was so good to talk to him haha!!! You would have never thought we were in the same mission till now! Maybe that would be bad to meet up with him now that I think  about it...It might be against the rules...He finishes the week after we get home, he is finishing early for school. Did you know that? 
    
Well now I would just like to you give you some cool quotes that I have gathered :)

"I know what pleasure is, for I have done good work" -Robert Louis Stevenson

"When faith replaces doubt, when selfless service eliminates selfish striving, the power of God brings to pass His purposes." - President Monson

" To have faith isn't enough, to be faithful is what is asked of us." -Elder Buss

"When God judges our works, he isn't going to say, " So, how much faith did you get while on earth?" Rather he'll ask, "How faithful were you?" -Elder Buss

" A great indicator of one's personal conversion, is the desire to share the Gospel with others." Preach My Gospel

Well, I love you all, have a great day, and talk to you next time!!!
 
EBRANLEZ L'ENFER
                       Alma 48:17

May 28, 2012

This week was a great week! Found some new investigators and working hard on finding more!!! It's too bad that a lot of them don't progress right now, but we are going to work hard this week to get them into shape! We had so many little miracles happen this week, tender mercies I would say. One I would like to mention came when we got on the wrong metro and just went with it in hope that it was the Lord's will! As we made our way back to the center, we contacted an old investigator! He is really cool, and set up a Rdv with us!!!! Ya boy!!! Just gotta have faith and works! God does the rest ;) 

Also received a letter from Cécile Bouchaud, my convert who moved to Strasbourg!! I WAS SO HAPPY!!!! I haven't heard from her in ages! I hoped we would come in contact again. I sent here a few texts a while back and gave here my current address, and to my surprise she kept her word and wrote me! Now I have her address and I can right her! 

That isn't all, Cami Thompson wrote me a letter to tell me about her mission call, COOL! What a mission call, SINGAPORE! Shay Hatch wrote me a letter too :) It is great to receive letters, it's been a while. TENDER MERCIES!

Matt told me about his ear, sent me pictures too! Hope it turns out like he expects! Sam Nicholes wrote me an email too :) It's so good to hear from old companions!!! Speaking of which, keep mine in your prayers. Elder Coenen is struggling right now. Off and on depressing is a killer. I have to encourage him a lot! I have learned how to practice patience, and give good, constructive criticism, while helping him feel that I love him at the same time, and it is genuine!! The mission has changed so much about myself... I am not the same person who left July 28 2010. Oh and it is my 22 month mark ha ha!! COOL!

Thank you for your kind email Colton! I don't have a lot of time, but I'll send you another letter!!! I can't believe you will be a senior!! HOLY MOLEY  where did the time go!!!

I love you all, and cant' wait to hear from you soon!!

Elder Petersen

May 21 - 2012

Iaorana!

That is Hello in Tahitian :) How are you all doing!!! It was such a blessing to receive a phone call from the office Elders Saturday to hear that Rubee was born!!! I'm an uncle once again ;) She is such a CUTIE too! Congrats Cami and Caleb!!!  Loved the photo with the toddlers too, ha, they are cuties too! Can't wait to squeeze their cheeks!!

Well one week come and gone again! It was a week of FINDING. We did a lot of contacting, street board, and door to door! Elder Coenen was a bit discouraged there at the end of the week; but gratefully it's another new beginning!!! ha ha :) I'm very happy :) Well.... don't know what else to say, so I thought I would throw bits and pieces of my letter to president in the mix ;) I love you all, and I can't wait to see you all!! 

P.S. You said that Mckelle Ayotte could get me a job at Texas Roadhouse??? Let me know :) 

JE VOUS AIME!!!!!


President,

    What a week of FINDING! We did so much finding, I LOVE the street board :) I hadn't really had the opportunity to have the real experience of street boarding until now :) 

     The district meeting was a real success this week! I fasted for inspiration, and more spiritual force; boy did the Lord bless me. I felt inspire to discuss about perseverance. I have been focusing on that a lot lately, and it is something our district needs. There are 3 missionaries who will finish next transfer! I felt as though it would help my companion and I as well. We read through President Monson's General Conference address, "Worthy and Willing" I really enjoyed this talk about our Duty, and I highlighted many citations, but one of my favorites was " When faith  replaces doubt, when selfless service eliminates selfish striving, the power of God brings about His purposes." I do not want my selfish desires to get in the way of the Lord's purposes.... That is an important lesson I have learned on the Mission; putting the Lord first. We all want to do so many things, but place the Lord second in priority sometimes. We all need to become like our savior and give ourselves to the father, " I also noticed that you didn't list an engagement for the mission subject, so I invited the district to continue studying scriptures and reflecting on experiences they have had with the spirit in order to help their investigators understand!!!! 
  
    I held my exchange with Elder Russo! He is a very good missionary! Full of energy, has a great faith, and loves to work! It was such a joy to do this exchange. He even helped us find TWO new investigators :) In whole, we have a whopping 4 new investigators!!! Woop Woop! 
  
    Antonio( our Italian investigator) doesn't see the difference between our church and the Catholic... we will have to be more frank with him this week... Anthony is still very unstable :( But hope for our newbies!! Laticia, Pierre, Jimmy and Richard!
   
 My sister had her baby this week!! Her name is Rubee Anne Mendenhall, and he she was born Friday morning at about 3:00. I'm an Uncle again!!!! 
  
 My studies were rich this week; I found the 6 things from Alma 33 and  34 that will grow our faith! 1- Searching the scriptures(33: 2) 2-Prayer(33: 4,34:17-28) as well as service to our fellow man! 3- Follow the Prophet(33:17) 4- Place our trust in the Lord(33:22), and increase our understanding of the Atonement(34:8-10) 5- Be patient (34:3), and humble(34:19) 6- "tenter l'experience" by REPENTANCE! (34:4,30) Repentance has been something very valuable to me lately, I feel that the Lord is truly forgiving me, and my faith is growing in our Savior!
   
Thanks for all that you do President!!! -Elder Petersen

May 14, 2012

Bonjour à Tous!

It was so great to talk to you all yesterday! Sorry if I didn't have much to say!! I'm a dork sometimes. You are all so beautiful and healthy lookin'! I pray that the Lord will continue to bless you ;) I hope the pregnancy will go well Cami 

This week was a difficult week... I got to know Elder Coenen Pretty well, but the work was very slow. A lot of raté-vous, and contacting. However, it wasn't terrible, we had the opportunity to do street boarding for the first time this week since it stopped raining, and street boarding is so much fun! We just decided to make it simple and just stick a book of Mormon on the board with putty... it was great to be able to use it for reading scriptures with people! We took 'pop-out books' to a whole new level! We were able to take several people's information, and even fix some appointments! I now know why the assistants always talked it up so much!!
   This week was difficult as well because Elder Coenen is struggling... He is having a hard time focusing on the work because his fiancee sent him a dear John a couple weeks ago.Sad. I had to come down to his level of thinking for a week, but I feel like we can go back up together :) I understand his personality now, and I think that is something I haven't down very well during my mission... I have always stayed up at my level, and never moved. 
   We got into contact with Anthony again! He came to the Family Home Evening at the young adult center. We will be seeing him for an appointment today :) And boy did Antonio, our Italian investigator, feel the spirit this week. Saturday morning, we met with him to teach him about faith. We felt that was what he needed the night before. He began to tell us in our appointment that he was very tired and very stressed out. He sees that he has many weaknesses... it was his words that triggered a scripture to come into my head, Ether 12:27. We asked him to read it, and see why we have weaknesses. He read in Italian, so I didn't understand much, but he only read for a few lines and choked up.. he couldn't speak, and even began to cry. He didn't know why, and kept repeating out loud, "what is happening?" I felt like Ammon when he saw that the king Lamoni was being converted by the spirit; I had a smile from ear to ear and felt so much joy! I answered boldly, "That is the spirit" What a simple truth! We helped him understand that the answers to his prayers will be answered similarly. It was that experience that set the tone for the entire lesson! He told us he wants to continue, and that he needs this in his life. This week I have been studying how the Spirit influences us, and my testimony is now firm... the spirit is the true teacher! It is he who brings about such a great change with our investigators.. and even us!
   President Murdock asked us to read  2 Nephi 9 and find three elements :) .... A way to start out a contact, something I can do better, and something to share with our investigators. After reading 2nephi 9:4-7, I felt this would be a good way to start out a conversation, "What does death mean to you?"  I felt like 2nephi 9:51 applied to me; meaning that there is more that I can do to remember what is the MOST important right now, and not wasting time on things that are trivial. And then I thought that 2 nephi 9 :41 was a scripture I would share with some of our investigators to help them understand that there is only one path that leads to eternal life!
   This week, D&C 6:14-24 comforted me very well as well. I had some personal conflict  and doubts about certain things this week, but this scripture applied to me in a way that I cannot explain in words ;) This week I'm going to focus more outward and start working and serving selflessly. That's the only way! 

Well I love you all and can't wait to talk to you again.... see you in a couple months!

P.S.photos of the pool are from the members house where we did our calls. :)