Oct 27, 2010 - Excerpts

Mom and Dad,

Bonjour! It is just morning for you, but it is all ready the afternoon here!! Sorry about Monday, we had a surprise zone meeting, and we had to take our Prep Day today! Dad it was very lovely to recieve your letter. It was just what I needed at the time! It is refreshing to hear your testimony, and your loving words. Each day is a new challenge for me. We deal with a lot of rejection, but the Lord blesses in our rejection. At the end of the day it isn't "Today we had no success" but "That was amazing how many people we shared the Gospel with!!!" We probably talk to well over 100 people a day. Yesterday was especially hard, because all of our appointments fell through, and our referals didn't exist or turned us down; yet we seen the blessings of the Lord follow. Just after we had been told by Renée, an older women, she didn't want to see us anymore, we met a man on the street who I believe was sent by God. It was an interesting contact on account that he was behind us, and you don't just turn around and walk back towards someone. I felt like we should talk to him, and whispered to Elder Boehme to slow down... but it wasn't enough... so I dropped my pen :) ha ha, as I picked it up he was right there!! He walked with a cane, and seemed very distressed. We flat out taught him the Apostasy and Restoration. It was a great discussion, and he then told us that he was a victim of malpractice and his leg is permantley shorter than the other. This message is what he feels he needs right now.!! Amazing or what!!?? We got his information and will be calling him today.

Earlier that day we contacted a young girl who said she has been looking for a church to go to, and would love to learn more!! That was a miracle and a blessing as well.

About the trip here, not much to tell hahaha. After I talked to you on the phone in Seattle, I sat next to a German man on the flight to Amsterdam. We talked a little, but not much. It was a very long flight, and my leg hurt a lot haha. But it is completely healed now ;) Anyways security was crazy in Amsterdam, I had to get my bag checked by the personalle, not sure why... crazy dutch haha, they kept asking me what my lint roller was for! But I made it through. My flight was delayed a bit, and I did try to call you but yeah didn't work.

I miss you all, and each day I think of you and what you mean to me. I loved your letter dad, I'll tell you again, it choked me up because I could feel your spirit. I still am being trained by the spirit, but I feel my saviors love and know I must walk by faith. My Faith is not unshakeable yet, but I know this life is a progression. Read a great passage from Jesus the Christ talking about the temptations of Christ. It put things into perspective for me. We don't know when He was tempted during his 40 days of fasting, or if it was all at once. It doesn't really matter. The important thing is that those weren't the only times He was tempted. If you recall, the Roman soldiers shouted "If thou be the son of God, save thyself." Even the other on the cross next to him said, "If thou be the son of God, save us all" Jesus Christ had that power, but would have never done that, or couldn't have. The lesson we learn is that Satan will not tempt or try to torment us only once in our lives and then all will be well and dandy. He will never stop, and niether can we stop fighting.

Mom I love you, your spirit is sweet and your words fill my spirit with joy. After talking with both of you, I was very choked up. I'm pleased to hear your health is prevailing, and praise the Lord for His blessings. You are the beneficiary of the love of Christ, and He will continue to carry your burdens in your Faithul service. I'm so happy to hear you are both studying more, and feasting on the words of Christ. Truly they are the words of life, and the only source of true happiness on Earth.

Thank Mariah for her efforts, and send her my best wishes. Tell her that I take no credit, for it wasn't MY cause alone. The chapter is where it is now because of the love it members poured into it. It is now her responsiblity to continue finding others who want to share their passion, and give them that chance to pour their hearts into something they love and care about! It is all about LOVE!

I love you all!!!!!

Avec L'amour toujours,

Elder Petersen