Jan 31 2011

Ma Famille,

Commet Ça va? Well, I did make the move! I was muted (transfered) to Carcassone, a city just south east of Toulouse. It was difficult to say goodbye to everyone in Brive, but change is good, and this is where the Lord wants me! My new colleage is Elder Sautron, and he is French. He doesn't speak any English!!! Isn't that crazy!? Believe it or not, it is the answer to my prayers. I have been praying for a French Elder, and now I have one! There is a picture attached!

We had a bit of a crazy week. Elder Nicholes had his toe operated on becuase of a ingrown toenail, and it wasn't pretty. I'M SO HAPPY I TOOK CARE OF MINE AT THE MTC! They don't numb anything here they just go at you with knives and clippers. It is even worse because Elder Nicholes actually took care of it months ago; it just hasn't healed. The pediatrist found a little tumor and more nail in the skin. Pray for Elder Nicholes! As you can see in the photo 02386 I had the opportunity to eat frog legs! They were tasty ha ha! I also included a photo of Maria Gaillarde :) (02396) She wants one of you mother, email her one. I can't tell you how happy she was to receive another letter! You are truly inspiring her with your words of encouragement! She bore her testimony in Sunday School just about me and you! It means a lot to her that she can share how she feels with someone else who has been through the same sufferings! She let me read the last letter you sent, you are not only my angel but hers as well momma!

I also attached a photo of the Family Créquit (02357) Maryline is the far left, then Marie-Ocean, and then Nicholas in the back. We had a rendez-vous Samedi night, and it was simply a testimony meeting. When it came time for Maryline to bear her testimony she told of us a dream she had. She had two in fact, but one I feel is sacred and I will not share. The one I will share began with a huge house. She and her family were there and so was Elder Nicholes. They entered the house and looked at all the rooms. Every room was elaborate and decorated. Every room was like this but one. She realized that each room belonged to a family and the one room that was different belonged to them. It was blank and was empty. She and Elder Nicholes exchanged words in the dream and she realized that they needed to do something with the room. Then If I remember right, she woke up. She told us she knows what the dream meant. The house was the house of God; and each room belonged to a family and God's house or Kingdom. However, her family's room was empty and blank, and yet needed work to be done. This was an answer to her prayers, and she decided she needed to be baptized. We received authorization from President Carter, who received authorization from the Quorum of the Seventy to baptize Maryline. We had relayed this message to her only days earlier. We engaged her right then and there for the following week. Long story short, she will be getting baptized next week!

I'm so excited for her!!! I helped teach the family from the beginning and even with a few speed bumps, the baptism of Maryline is going to happen!

Marie-Ocean will still have to wait till the divorce is settled and Maryline has custody, but she is patient and excited for her mom! Pray that all will go well and Satan will have no power to disrupt this ordinance!

I attached a photo of the relentless and infamous 'Mammy'! (02390) I will miss her love and all that food! She has a HUGE heart! Photo 02444 is of me and my new colleage Elder Sautron. He is trés chouette! I'm excited to work with him! Photo 02394 is of Olivier Plaisir, the 'Tulle Miracle'. He is an animal, he brought a friend to church last week and a different one this week! He really wants to serve a mission, but oh has he already began! Brive is going to explode!!!!! Photo 02418 is of a brigde in a 13th century village that one of our members lives in! The town is called Saillant. We ate at their house Sunday afternoon, here is a funny picture too (02407) This is the Allal Family. The man on the right is Brive's Branch President President Allal, and the left is his son Jéremy! We ate crapes for dessert so that is why we went crazy with the nutella and whip cream ha ha!

That is all that has happened! I want to send home my photo's soon, but I just need to find a means. I have tons of crazy cool photos you will love! Oh by the way, I just got word from President Carter, I can email anyone I want. Oh and about the Josh Groban, only the CD's on the list are approved but you can send me them and I can let Sr Carter listen to them to get approved. But yeah, believe it or not, music is the only thing that keeps us from going insane sometimes, it is a wonderful relaxation tool and feel free to send approved cd's or possibly could be approved.

So You know how you told me that missionary got shot and killed in Jamaica a few weeks back? You are going to not believe this! Elder Brough, an Elder in my district at the MTC, his brother was in the VAN when it happened! His companion was driving and he was sitting shotgun. The bullets passed by him and hit the Elder behind. Isn't that crazy? Elder Brough's brother is shook up, but okay!

I'm glad to hear Elder Shaffer is alright! So I heard that Jake Miller is going to play football for USU?!? Is that true? I haven't talked to him, have you? Tell him he needs to come back out!!!! ha ha I heard news about Elder Park too. He was first in Nice and now he is CANNE!!! Can you believe that!? We visited that ville together when we came for school! I haven't heard from him, but I'm sure you talk with Lisa Park! Send her my love!!!!!

Last thing, I love you and pray for your health continually! You all give me such strength and I know I can do hard things!!!

My new address is:

Les Missionaires/Elder Petersen

85 Boulevard Barbès

11000 Carcassonne

France

Be sure to put "Les Missionaires" and my name. I love you and hope everything continues to go well for you! Good luck with your treatments mom, I love you so much and think about you and dad everyday! In fact there isn't a night when I don't dream about you! It's cool I'm starting to dream in French now too!!!

Until next time,

Dieu soit avec Toi jusqu'au revoir! Elder Petersen!