Oh my famille et des amis!
It has been an AMAZING week! I had tons of great experiences, and have learned a lot! It all started off with Monday... the worst day of the week!
I was very discouraged monday, because contacting was tough that day. Nobody listened, and I was trying new approaches and a style for contacting that my district leader showed me on our exchange. As I became more discouraged, I felt like the people got meaner ha ha. We got called a sect several times, and I almost lost it! Didn't get to see any fireworks, but I thought of all of you!
The next morning, during my studies I studied Lehi's dream, and asked myself what I need to do to help others to taste the fruit of the Restored Gospel. My studies were amazing, and I received the answers to my prayers. I seen Lehi's vision in a perspective that I have never seen before, a missionary perspective. The verses 15, 33, 37, and 38 told me exactly what I needed to do.
15- Beckon others to come unto us, (waive them down), Call to them with a loud voice( confidence), and help them see that it is most desirable than any other fruit!
33 - ignore persecution
37- exhort people with LOVE
38- preach the gospel, invite others to learn and keep the commandments; after that, it is up to them.
This might seem simple, but it was HUGE for me, because it made me realize that I need to be MYSELF! I can improve my contacting, but I cant' change who I am to do it. Acting like something I'm not will not bring others into the church, only being myself will!
After studies Tuesday morning, we hit the streets on fire! We shook hell alright! We talked with EVERYONE and the Lord blessed us. The changed the whole week for me! Sure we still have persecution all the time, "You're a sect!" they say. One man said, "You should be in prison" ha ha, and after we told him "May God bless you", he said, "May God kill you." He was a poor confused man, we just laughed it off, laughter is ESSENTIAL in missionary work!
Despite all of the persecution, the work is moving along here in Gap! You have inquired much about Jérôme, and it is my pleasure to tell you that I had the priviledge of baptising Jérôme yesterday! He has made leaps and bounds in his preparation for the baptism, and oh what joy we had in finally helping him contract this wonderful alliance with Heavenly Father! ! Of course, that means he went without coffee for a whole week! After 5 months of work, he finally did it! And I know his conversion is beginning to become a true conversion. His efforts to better his life and please Heavenly Father is remarkable. For example, he is excersizing now, and prays NORMAL! His prayers are so sincere too; I see his heart has began to change COMPLETELY, and when he has the Gift of the Holy Ghost this next week, he will be IMMOVABLE in an ANCHORED in the faith! He is very excited to receive the Holy Ghost next Sunday, he just needs to endure this week! Keep him in your prayers!
Also keep Cécile in your prayers, she is having some difficulties right now, and we aren't sure what it is...
Found a less active this week too! The story is cool! We were on our way to pass Alexis when I contacted somebody just as they were crossing the street, and of course they ignored me and kept walking, and normally we would have kept to the side of the road we were on, but I was prompted to cross the street after the man. So, I did. We crossed to the other side, and walked straight ahead until the round about. Elder Wilcox said, " to the left, to the left" which lead to our path we normally take to get to Alexis. , but I told him today we were going to go straight . It was then we contacted a women, and she called us by "Elder" which nobody does, and then she told us she was a member! We talked for a while and took her information to set up a RDV later!...... MIRACLE!!! The Lord works in mysterious ways, we just need to follow the spirit to achieve his eternal designs!
This week we met an American women from New Jersey, that was cool. We also had an amazing FHE this week. Watched The Testaments, and the members and our Investigators loved it! Speaking of one of our investigators, Alexis ( Ethiopian man) told us that Snoop dog died of a heart attack! Wow, that was wierd to hear. It is sad, but proved our point when we said he needed to quit smoking weed.
Had some members from Brive accidentally call our phone this week too, ha ha, I got to talk to Francois Villan! It made my day!!!!!!
I didn't know whether to tell you this or not, but I just will. This morning, my bag got stolen. Don't worry, my wallet wasn't in there. However, my scriptures (french B of M and bible) and camera were :( Luckily, I have a colleage who has taken many pictures too, so I will just copy his :) I only lost pictures form this transfer. Should I buy another, or what? Let me know, sorry that this happened. I have really payed close attention till now, I promise, life just happens sometimes! The mission will reimburse my scriptures I 'm pretty sure. You never know, maybe my bag will turn up too, and this will all be a big joke ha ha. I love you and really am sorry.
I did get the movie, and memory card! THANKS! Oh and please tell Bishop I loved his Email! He is such a great man! I love you all, and i can't wait to hear from you all! The transfer is actually the 21st. sorry. HMMMM I think that's all!!! I love yOU!!!!!
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EBRANLEZ L'ENFER
Alma 48:17
-Elder Dusty Petersen
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