Elder Dustin Petersen: Oct 11,2011

Mom, Dad, and Family,

So, I’m still here! Elder Workman was transferred to Toulouse, and I am now with an Elder Williamson. It was hard to say goodbye to Elder Workman, but it is the Lord’s will, and we are all on the Lord’s errand. His companion is French, and is a great missionary. He is extremely blessed. I love Elder Williamson too, he is funny, and he actually speaks French. He is on his 5^th transfer. He is from South Carolina, and his dad is works for the FBI! Cool n’est-ce pas?

Well, I guess I’ll tell you a bit about our week! This week was CRAZY ! We were all over the place! Elder Workman decided to make trips to some cities outside Gap, and we did a lot of travelling.

Monday we had some fun with taking photos. I always wanted a picture with this sweet apple display thing in the middle of a round –about so I got it ha ha. We also visited the Catholic cathedral, it was cool. I always feel really eerie inside though….. We had a crazy experience with our investigator Michel too. He read the whole weekend, and prayed, and received an answer. However, he doesn’t really recognize it was an answer, he just said he felt bizarre. He didn’t say it was bad, but he felt vulnerable and weak… he doesn’t like to feel that way, very headstrong. Well duh, when we pray, it’s because we are weak and need help! He is giving us a break for a while, but I am hopeful that he will progress J As he walked away from us after we talked, he turned back around and asked us “Why!?! Why do I feel so good after talking with you, every time!” I just said, “ Ponder well about that” He smiled, and walked off.

We also met with the Family Rubino, we had a great lesson directed by the spirit! I love our lessons with them, they are so intense!

Tuesday, we travelled to a city called Briançon about an hour by bus away from Gap. We got a referral in the mail, and needed to contact him ASAP. Unfortunately he wasn’t there, but we did a little door to door, and headed back to Gap. It was a beautiful trip, and I love the mountains! We finally saw this lake everyone is telling us about, it is BEAUTIFUL! When you come, we need to make a little tour in the Alps ha ha!! You would love it!

Wednesday, we travelled to Sisteron again for our lesson with Michel Mutôt ( miracle Michel) We had a good appointment with him and did a good door to door. Then right on back to Gap in the afternoon.

Thursday, we travelled to Aix for District meeting! It was great, I included a photo of my district! After the meeting I did an exchange with Elder Meservy in Avignon while Elder Nicholes, our district leader went to Gap with Elder Workman. Avignon is a nice city, but there aren’t any mountains, I don’t like that. I would have to say that is my favorite part of Gap haha. We had a great exchange, and re-exchanged Friday afternoon. Do you see why I said we did a ton of travelling?!

Friday we got the unexpected call from President Murdock, and that is when I found out I’m staying in Gap J From now on we will get the call on Friday and transfer on Monday. (Like before with President Carter)

Saturday we did service again for the Martin Family! I didn’t really drive the tractor, I just got the photo ha ha. It was fun, we stacked wood again, while Mr. Martin split logs. When we got back, Elder Workman started packing!

Sunday was a great day! The best! We had 4 investigators at church! The Rubinos, who actually participated in a fast with us ;) Mr Lissy, and Michel (on account that Elder Workman is leaving, he considers us his Mormon friends and he is proud of it) The talks were great too! Jean-Pierre, one of our members, gave a talk about trials and overcoming them. He didn’t learn how to walk and talk until he was 17 years old because of his handicaps…. Today you wouldn’t even guess it. He is in a wheelchair, but can get up occasionally and stand. He has a young boy, but is in the middle of a divorce. Things are hard for him, but his attitude is great and his testimony strong! He inspired us all!

We took the sacrament to Robert Chahinian, and then also dropped off some milk at Mr. Sebbars place. He left his milk in the elevator at his apartment on accident and it walked off… He wasn’t very happy, in fact he called us Sunday morning and told us not to call him back because every time we call he has problems… so we thought we would do the Christ like thing and give a couple cartons. We dropped them off anonymously, but he knew it was us. Later he apologized because he snapped. He was very stressed out, with his family situation and all. It gave me warm fuzzies to serve him -- ha ha

And later we came back to the apartment so that Elder Workman could finish up packing! We had one last weekly planning, and it was hard. I hate saying goodbye to companions, you get so attached. We spent 3 months together!!!! Can you believe it? Monday morning, I got him on the train with all his bags, and he left me. I waited for a while by myself for my next bus, then met my companion, Elder Williamson in Grenoble!

I have had a crazy week, and unfortunately I have to go!!

I love you all, God be with you till we meet again!