Nov 28th 2010

Fam,

I know weeks are flying by! I did get your packages, and no tax :) President says it doesn't usually happen, just happened to get the every 'once and a while open up the box and check' ha ha! But the pringles weren't banged up too much, and I got the Christmas package!! The presents are nestled underneath our little tree of Christmas spirit!

That is sad to hear about President Jensen's son, I don't remember specifically

who he was, but it is always a disheartening day when a young man's life is cut short. I have been too close to that too many timesto not be sensitive; car wrecks touch a sensitive part of my memory.

Mother I got your letter. It was truly amazing, and what I needed, a answer to my prayers. I realized there have been days that I have wished away while I have had my short stay here in Brive, looking towards the day when I can return to you all. I have even created the moment when I will be slowly descending down those escalators, tired, and weary, full of joy to s

ee you all again. It has been difficult for me at times, but your letter is a blessing! Elder Boehme had just shared with me the very same inspirational quote you included in your letter, the day before; find joy in the journey! What a statement! I will not wish my mission away! I will cheerfully persevere and serve the Lord to the end!

This last week was truly a week full of blessings from the Lord. We found two new investigators, and they are sweet! It is kind of a bitter sweet moment however, because we were dropped by an investigator too. Started teaching here, and dropped us in the same week. We had

high hopes for her, but the adversary got to her first. She was polite, and very kind in her opinion, but I know why I'm out here, and the Lord knows, and I can't deny it. I love you all, but the world is full of our brothers and sisters, and it is a responsibility to bring this

message of the Restoration to them. They are family too! I wish I could have said that at the time. We as missionaries are fueled by love, how can we do this work without out that? It is impossible.

All is well however, we still have some cool amis, and have high hopes! Sunday we had branch conference in Bordeaux. That is like stake conference, but on a smaller level. It was great! I didn't really understand a whole lot, but I can understand bits and pieces... BUT, I can understand President Carter really well, he spoke. He spoke about consecrating our lives to the Lord; reiterating Elder Christoffersons talk in General Conference. He spoke about the Savior and his sacrafice for us, how he truly consecrated his life. Something that stood out to me however was the statement that when we consecrate our lives to the Lord, we will find joy. In the life of a missionary, it is really easy to get discouraged and find joy. The only joy I find sometimes is in the fact that I know what I know, and that I have you! Recently I read an article in the Ensign that explained how a missionary had been into his mission for a year and not had the joy others were having. In a zone conference, he recieved the answer to his prayers. No matter what, we can always have joy in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. When all else fails, He is there for us, because he paid the ulitmate price. I have a neat little story from a book Elder Boehme let me borrow; it is called 'footprints':

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that at times of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that these were the lowest and saddest times in his life. This bothered him, and he asked the Lord, "You said that once I decided to follow You, You'd walk with me all the way. But during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints; Why, when I needed You most, did You leave me?" The Lord replied, "My son, I love you and would never leave you. During those times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I was carrying you."

This touches my heart deeply, and I'm sure it will touch yours as well. It is hard work out here, I'm burdened with a constant nagging of temptation to give up. To take the easier path, but I cannot. I will not. It is at those times of greatest strife, that I know the Lord is carrying me. Mother we all know that you are a testimony of this principle. You couldn't have dones this on your own. NO MAN OR WOMEN CAN!

Just as I speak of the wonderful peace and calming assurances that your letter brough

t me, I know that you have endured much in your life, but more importantly you FIND JOY IN THE JOURNEY! I know you will continue as well, and you will be a living testimony to all your beautiful daughters, that life is meant to be lived, not endured!

I recieved many letters this weeks: one from Uncle Steve, one from Becca my cousin, you, Mindi, my childhood friend Elder Lewis, and my friend from college Elder Clark. I can't tell the joy I have felt, and the love He freely gives me. I can testify he knows each and every one of us, and he is just waiting for us to pray to Him so he can lighten our burdens. Each of these letters edified me in one way this week, and gave me hope!

Baby Mason is such a cutie, I can't believe how handsome he is! Mindi and Matt did a good job ha ha! Alli kitty, your drawing was beautiful! Thank you for your sweet little heart!

I haven't opened any presents yet, but I can't tell you I wont open them before Christmas! ha ha OH AND IT SNOWED THIS WEEK HERE IN BRIVE!!! It was only a little but it filled me with Christmas spirit!

I love you all, and love this Gospel. I know it us true with all my heart, and that we are members of the only true church on the earth today! Continue in faith, keep the faith, nurture your faith! Do not forget why we are here; to serve the Lord and prepare to meet him again!

I CAN DO HARD THINGS

Son, brother, and uncle,

Elder Dustin Shane Petersen