June 13, 2011

Chère Famille,

All is going well here in Gap ! This first week was different…. Sometimes difficult, but the blessings have outweighed the difficulties! It went by stinking fast too! It

is difficult because there aren’t a whole lot of people here, and no body really wants to listen to us. However, we have some sweet investigators already and I have a lot of hope for the weeks to come! We have one investigator named Jerome who is trying to quite drinking coffee. He has a baptismal date for June 10^TH, so we are working with him A LOT to try to help him conquer his addiction. He has been putting forth a lot of efforts, and is making a lot of progress! He even talked with President Carter yesterday after church!

President Carter was there because it was branch conference yesterday, and it was also supposed to be the inaguration of our new chapel, but for some techinical reasons, we didn't do the inaguration. HOWEVER, something wonderful and amazing did happen yesterday..... Drum roll.................................................................................................. I BAPTISED SOMEONE!!!!!! When I got here in Gap, I told you that there was a engaged investigator for baptism... well she chose me to baptise her, and well, I GOT WET!!!! I have been so blessed, the Lord just continues to bless me with so many tender mercies. Her name is Cécile, and she is most definetly an elect of God. Elder Wilcox found her THREE weeks ago, and she knows the gospel better than I do!!! It is a MIRACLE! She has been prepared by the Lord, and my testimony of God preparing his Children in his own due time is stronger than ever! She will be confirmed and conferred the Gift of the Holy Ghost this next Sunday. Keep her in your prayers, she will need a lot of strength and faith to get through this week!

I don't have much more to say actually... I'm speechless, nothing else that happened during the week compares to the baptism! I was so stoked because President and Soeur Carter were there for the baptism as well!!!!! I'll will never forget that! Another little miracle is that we had 3 investigators at church and 2 at the baptism! I love serving the Lord, and I know there is more elect her in Gap, we just gotta find them!!!!!!!!! In fact, There are elect everywhere, we just need to look around us, and PLANT good seeds; That is your mission!!!!!! Plant those seeds fam! Serve the Lord in the capacity that you have and invite someone to church, or to a Family Home Evening! Give a Book of Mormon with your testimony written in the cover too!! You don't need to try to baptise them, just try to plant that seed so that when it grows you can call the missionaries ha ha!

I love you and pray for you constantly!

My address is.

Les Missionaires-Elder Petersen
40 Bd Georges Pompidou
05000 GAP
FRANCE



EBRANLEZ L'ENFER
Alma 48:17

-Elder Dusty Petersen

June 5, 2011

Oh ma famille!

It is so good to hear from you again! That is too bad that momma has got a cold, you are always in my prayers momma!!!! Pappa you are in my prayers too! You better not work too hard dad. I'm happy you have a lot of work to do now, but don't get stressed out, and don't forget you've gotta have fun! When is the last time you took momma on a date? GET-R-DUN! ha ha! I love you and pray for your success; I know the Lord will continue to pour out blessings upon you!

Well, the whole dog thing was just a freak accident, and our DMP has already given up his dog. We are happy because one of the members is moving back to Africa and she is taking Match (the dog) with her! So he won't have to be put down. It is so odd the whole thing, because the dog didn't continue to attack after the ear bite; he just sat there. I think there may have been bigger powers, on both sides, at work there than the eye could see. I still have never heard a dog growl like that when the accident happened.... and I can't believe that after receiving a kick to the face, that he just sat there and didn't fight back. Sounds like a battle of good and evil to me. Anyways.... We were protected and the Lord continues to bless us. Elder Bowen got the stitches out Wednesday and his ear looks actually really good! It healed well and his hair is growing out. In a month you may not even know something happened!

You were right, yesterday was transfer day! I have been transferred to a smaller area in the Alps called Gap. It was a bitter sweet good bye, and I left a lot of love back in Carcassonne, but I know it is the will of the Lord. Carcassonne will always rest dear in my heart as well, and I have made so many wonderful friendships. Especially the friendship I made with Elder Bowen. I learned so much from him during our two transfers together, and they were truly the best two transfers I have had so far! (Besides the one and a half that I had with Elder Boehme, because honestly... He was my dad for cryin' out loud!) It was hard to say goodbye to somebody I have spent 12 weeks with.... after all I spent more time with him than I have any other colleage. He taught me how to laugh, have fun, how not to sweat the small stuff, and how to teach with love. I feel more confident after being with Elder Bowen as well, I feel empowered. I even had a sister missionary comment on how she could see a difference in my nature. I was happier, and more confident! I will never forget all the great memories and lessons learned in Carcassonne. One day I hope I can go back!

Good advice dad, I think I will do that next time, a 7 dollar pizza is not worth my life! Just so you know, Elder Bowen will be able to get his ear reconstruced after the mission. He has one year left. THey will take skin from behind his ear, attatch it to the ear, and leave if for a time so that there can a good blood flow created. After that they will cut it from his scalk, and take some carteledge from his rib to form a new top of his ear. Modern medecine is amazing! Keep him in your prayers, and if you would like, add him on facebook. His name is Matthew Clifton Bowen! Talk to his family as well! I would love it if you became best friends with my mission companions families! SPEAKING OF WHICH!

My new colleage is Elder Wilcox! He was Elder Park's colleage in the MTC! He is a really nice Elder, and I know we are going to have a blast! I'll send you a picture of us together. I'm now 1ST colleage! WOOP WOOP!!! I'm growing up so fast!!!! ha ha. I was nervous a little at first because of the new responsiblity, but I know it is going to an amazing experience. And now for Gap. Like I told you it is in the Alps, THE ALPS!!!! It is so BEAUTIFUL HERE!!!! I feel like I'm truly back home! I heard it was like being in Provo again and that is true! ha ha. Our apartment is pretty sweet too! The area has only been open for 5 transfers now, and we have a branch with a whopping 10 members! LOTS OF WORK TO DO ha ha. We actually have an investigator engaged for baptism this saturday, so I'm pumped!!!! President Carter will be there and eveything!We have the best apartment in the mission too! IT IS HUGE AND STINKIN' NICE! The missionary couple had it before, so that is why it is so nice! We have a balcony for crying out loud! I'm most grateful for the stand up shower however!!! TENDER MERCY!!! I don't have to crouch in my apartment either!!!! I'll send pictures!!!!


Well, I just want to close by saying that I know this church is true, and that it is the same church that Jesus Christ established on the Earth when he ministered among men. He restored it by the prophet Joseph Smith and we have a living prophet on the earth today named Thomas S.Monson! I know that sometimes we ask why we have trials, or why we have to endure so many hardships, but there is an answer! God loves us, and wants us to learn one of the greatest lessons that can be learned. That is to learn patience, and long-suffering.

Mosiah 23
21Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to ^achasten his people; yea, he trieth their ^bpatience and their faith.

22Nevertheless—whosoever putteth his ^atrust in him the same shall be ^blifted up at the last day. Yea, and thus it was with this people.

No matter our trials or sufferings, the Lord knows them. He himself showed us perfect patience, long-suffereing, and faith in fulfilling the demands of justice and accomplishing the Atonement. If we place our trust and faith in Him, that he may lift us up out of our afflictions, he will truly come to us saying as he did for Alma the elder, "Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage." (Mosiah 24:13)

And this the Lord also said to Alma and his brethren, in which he can tell us; "And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage." (Mosiah 24:16)

These principles have truly touched me, and I would invite you to read Mosiah 23 and 24 as well and feast for yourselves!

I love you and I can't wait for next time!

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EBRANLEZ L'ENFER
Alma 48:17

-Elder Dusty Petersen

May 30, 2011

Bonjour!

Well I would first like to say that I did see Uncle Allen. It was a fun experience, and I got to meet Traver and his wife for the first time! It is against the rules because it can make a missionary lose focus. I feel bad I didn't tell you that it wasn't against the rules the first time, but I just forgot by the end of the email...and like I said, I didn't think it was going to actually happen.

I just have to say, it is raining here, and I just heard THUNDER!!!! You never hear that here in the south of France unless you are by the Alps or some big mountain range! I miss that so much! I LOVE THUNDER!!!!!!! It has been pretty hot this last week, it's nice to have a cool down!
Dad, first of all, you are a stud! I'm glad that you are getting more hours at the Pie Dump! Heavenly Father just continues to bless our family so much! Have you heard about the government position yet? Mother, I can't believe you work like you do, you are a warrior Angel! ha ha. Continue to work hard and give what you can to the Lord so that He can bless us more! That's right I said US!
As you can tell from the mission news letter I sent you, we succeeded with our goal of 50 engaged investigaters with a date for baptism, 75 investigators at church, and 100 New Investigators! We had 50-82-134!!!! IT IS POSSIBLE! We are breaking mission records each week, and the Lord's work is progressing in France!

Speaking of this week.. There has been a lot that has happened! We had 3 new investigators this week, 2 of which are super sweet!!!! Madame Kinanche, and Madame Bordel. We have met with Madame Kinanche, and we will see her again Wednesday. I will keep you posted!!!! Claudine is still a ? We don't think she needs to be baptized for the moment. She isn't mentally quite there. We hope in the future, she can receive enough pschological and health care that she can be, but for right now we are at a stand still. A major factor is all of her family except her sister who is a member here in Carcassonne, is against the church. Claudine seems to be very easily influenced, and we don't want to baptise her just for her family to tell her to leave the church and break her convenants. It is a difficult situation.

Now for some interesting stories. First, I seen Uncle Allen and the family. Second..... On Thursday, something really scary happenend to my companion Elder Bowen. We were with Brother Vital for our weekly meal/meeting at the church. Lunch was GREAT!!! I enjoyed it, lots of meat! However, we didn't eat it all, and there was some leftovers. Elder Bowen wanted to feed Brother Vital's dog, Match, some scraps. I was putting away the table and chairs, while Elder Bowen headed over to the door to give Match the scraps. He stood in the door way of the church, so that I could see and hear him. As I was putting up the table, I had an impression that I needed to look up to the door. I could no longer see Elder Bowen, but could still hear him. Thoughts passed throught my mind that I needed to talk to him, but I just ignored them. I didn't see why I needed to. Only seconds later, I heard a monstrous, almost evil growl, and then I knew why.

"My ear, my ear, He bit off my hear!!!" Elder Bowen said. I thought he was kidding for a moment, and then he lifted his hand off his left ear and nothing could have prepared me for what I saw then. Half of his ear was mission. He was bleeding into a puddle on the ground. He gave me the phone and told me to call president, and yelled for a towel. The members (Br Vital and Bruno) joined me in a moment that I would explain as running around like a chicken with its head chopped off. As I searched for the number for President, I saw it. There layed my companion's ear on the ground. Instinctivley, I reached down to pick it up... but I hesitated as I realized I just touched his detached ear! That was freaky! As I made a second attempt, Match the dog, swept in and ATE THE EAR!!!!
Well to make the story shorter, we went to the Hospital with Bruno, while Fr Vital stayed back with Match at the Church. Elder Bowen got about 20 stitches, and they told him that he will be able to get a reconstruction after he goes home in a year. For now, he has received permission from higher authorities in the church to grow out his hair so it can cover his ear.... It is a bit to swallow isn't it? It felt so surreal, and I still can't believe it happened. The dog, in his 10 years of existence had never hurt a fly. He had all his tests, shots, and even a psycological test prooving that he was a domestic, nice dog. By the way he is a Rotwieller. We have played with him the last 12 weeks and he has never acted up. Apparantly we found out that, he was wounded and when dogs are wounded they do wierd things. Elder Bowen just had fed Match the meat, and after wards, Match acted like he wanted to be pet. Elder Bowen leaned down and pet him, but then Match must have felt vulnerable and in a hop skip and jump bit Elder Bowen's ear off.

We feel terrible, because Br Vital has to put Match down now, and he is Br Vital's best friends. However, Br Vital feels terrible too... It is all kind of a feel bad party. Elder Bowen received a call from his parents the other night as well. THey aren' mad either, they actually feel bad for Br Vital too. Although, His dad said he would have killed the dog with his bare hands if he would have been there! The insurance is going to take care of Elder Bowen's reconstruction when he get's home, and the church will help in any way possible too! What an experience! Keep Elder Bowen in your prayers! He is doing great, and his ear is healing well. He gets the stitches out Wednesday. He is really positive and cracks jokes. He does get a lot of wierd looks from people though! When his hair grows out, you won't even notice! He just will be the only missionary in the world with long hair ha ha! The mission doctor said he is the only missionary to have ever had his ear bitten off by a dog as well! BREAKING RECORDS ALL OVER THE PLACE
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EBRANLEZ L'ENFER
Alma 48:17

-Elder Dusty Petersen

May 23, 2011

Oh ma famille,

It is refreshing to hear from you again! I love your emails, and I look forward to them every week! That is sad to hear about Rod's dad, I will for sure send him a letter. I might have quit playing football, but he taught me lessons that I will always remember and have helped me here on the mission! That is wierd that it is raining so much over there. It is nothing but, SUN SUN SUN, HOT HOT HOT here ha ha. Don't worry I wear sunscreen! I can't wait to see our yard again! You don't see yards like we have back home, here in France it just isn't a priority I guess. The first thing I'll do is sprint across our grass and just roll ha ha.

THAT IS SWEET!!! I'm so happy you got your old Ford back! Now when I get home you can teach me how to drive the clutch like a champ ha ha! Dad I know you really wanted a truck again, and I smile because I know that the Lord knew you wanted one as well. People think that sometimes the Lord doesn't bless us with material things, but this is truly a blessing. I read this scripture this morning,

32He that spared not his own ^aSon, but ^bdelivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us ^call things?

-Romans 8:32

Our Heavenly Father is willingly give us all he has, but all He requires us all to do is to make sacrifices. I have been learning the real meaning of what sacrifice means lately. "To give up something of value that we care about, for something of greater value." You and mother have sacrificed much in your lives, and it has always been for something greater. We make these sacrifices because we love our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Often, I think about how you gave up your vacation days at work to help mother attend her treatments. I saw true love in your sacrifices. It might have not seemed like you were making sacrifices, but you were. I know you even gave up your previous truck to help your daughter have a great wedding day. She will remember that day for all eternity, and she will remember the sacrifices you made as well so that she could have it. You have truly sacrificed many things for us Dad, and I want you to know that you are an example to me. Your love for the Lord is manifest in your sacrifices and works :) I know you love me, and I know you have given much so that I could be here doing the Lord's work in His Vineyard. Thank you Dad!

-Your old ford is a tender mercy from the Lord for your sacrifices! Continue to find ways you can make sacrifices, for it is by sacrifice that we bring forth blessings of heaven!

Oh momma! I am doing fine! All is well. I sleep great, I eat great, and I don't hit my head anymore...okay maybe everyonce in a while! At the end of the day, I am happy to go home to our apartment, don't worry about that. It is homey, and I can RELAX there! Our apartment may be a little small, but it is better than some in the mission! I get a long just fine! The prince of Egypt film is approved in the mission as well, but don't feel as though you have to send it. However, I may need some more allergy pills soon. My allergies kill me sometimes. Elder Bowen has them worse than me too! My pills were chlorotabs. I haven't been super miserable, but yesterday I couldn't stop rubbing my eye, I had to keep it shut as we proselyted because it was killing me!!! But like you said, if I don't touch my eyes, I don't have problems!

Oh momma, you have made many sacrifices in your life for us (your children) as well. To mention them would talk a millenium! However, I will always remember you bringing me things I forgot. You were very patient with me and always put me first even in my stupidity. I will always remember you playing catch with me in the yard as well. You were a champion, and you never gave up on me. You never gave up on any of us kids in anything we did. I just wish I wouldn't have hit you in the shins so many times with the baseball!!! That means a lot to me mom. Don't ever forget it. It is a very strong Christ-like atttribute that you have mother. Your love and Charity gives you patience and hope. I seen that in so many instances growing up. Like I said you never gave up on us, just as the Savior will NEVER give up on any of us.

This week was a good week! Had a great P-day, and district meeting the next day! I had an exchange with Elder Law our Zone Leader too. We continue to have miracles each day, and I know that Lord loves His missionaries! We had several meaningful contacts this week, and I wish I could tell you about them in this email, but I do not have the time. This week is a big week for the mission; we are all striving to achieve our goal of 50 investigators engaged for baptism, 75 investigators at church, and 100 new investigators! Please keep continue to pray for our success, and know that the Lord's work here is MOVING FORWARD!!!


Also I just want to tell you all to study Romans chapter 8, It is a really great chapter, and it can bring peace of mind to the question of why there is so much suffering in the world!

I love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My trainer Elder Boehme wrote me back from an email I sent me, I thought I would tell you!! His name is Kevin Boehme, look him up on facebook!

-

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EBRANLEZ L'ENFER
Alma 48:17

-Elder Dusty Petersen

May 16, 2011

Oh my family!




Momma I'm so happy that you are doing well, and the Lord is continuing to bless you with wonderful health! That is super cool beans that Uncle Allen and the fam is going to be here in Carcassonne!!! I don't know how it will all work out, but if we run into each other I will most likely pee my pants! Did Traver serve in Carcassonne? Speaking of seeing members in Carcassonne.... I seen my first member/Canadian couple the other day! It made my day! First time to ever happen since I have been here! Elder Bowen says it will begin to happen more with the summer tourists. An American family also visited the ward Sunday from Seattle. The wife served here in Carcassonne 16 years ago! COOL BEANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope to see more in the weeks to come!

The weather is amazing here! Sunshine is bliss, however the wind gets on my nerves sometimes. The wind is crazy here! It is off and on with clouds and sun, but I am enjoying the weather here. I got a haircut wednesday by a WOMEN!!!!! AHHHHH:!!!! Ha ha. No but honestly it is such a tender mercy to get your haircut by someone who actually knows how, and for them to be of the opposite sex. They shampoo your head and everything! The best thing about it, is that it is completely LEGIT! No rules broken ha ha. I have taken on a sweet new hair style too! I like it a lot! Perfect cut for summer. Anyways....

So I'll tell you a little about what happened this week. Monday we did a bit more service for Dr. Belbahri, and had a BBQ at his house. We got pick fresh cherries from his trees too. Tuesday nothing special happened. Wednesday got my hair cut, woo woo! We prepared to have our English class too, but nobody showed up. We were a bit discouraged, but knew we had to contact to find new investigators. I'm getting a little sick of contacting here, I won't lie, but I had AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE that changed my perspective, and was truly a answer to my prayers!

We met a man named Peter Brunton, a man from Australia. He was an interesting man, and I wish I could explain in full everything we talked about, but I cant! He is a man on the search. He said he has studied many religions, but is leaning towards budhism. We did a lot of listening in this contact, and were truly guided by the spirit in our words. I simply testified of how Heavenly Father is there and I know he loves us. He asked me how I knew that. He literally was moved that I " talked about God like I knew Him." He even said "You talk as though you represent Him" I testified of how we know that Heavenly Father is an actual being with a body of flesh and bones. It was just amazing, he was just so astounded that we talked so passionatley about it, and as though we knew it was true. He had a hard time accepting it, but he told us he wanted to. He told us he had the Book of Mormon, but didn't really find anything in it of use. We gave him a recap of the book, and when we asked him "if God had a message, He wouldn't share his word with only a few of his children, but all of them right?" He just sat in amazement and said, "Yeah that makes sense, I can believe that." We told him that Christ appeared to the people in the book, and we just stood there and told us, " I guess I need to sit down with this book again."

However he had a really hard time believing what we were saying was true. He told us that honestly there are so many different flows of docterine that he just doesn't know anymore, and he is just tired of life. He is tired of being stressed and without a firm foundation. He told us he wanted to know like we knew. He began to cry. It was a very tender moment, and I began to cry as well. I have no idea why, but I couldn't help but feel the sorrow this man as feeling, and mourn with him. He thanked us for listening and gave us his email address. He will be here in Carcassonne for a month with his son-in-law. I'm going to send him an email today!

I sat in an interview with President Carter the next day, and told him this story. He told me that when we accept the covenants at baptism, we are willing to mourn with those who mourn. And he referred to Mosiah 18:9

Yea, and are ^awilling to mourn with those that ^bmourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as ^cwitnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the ^dfirst resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—

Oh what a testimony builder that is for me. I can directily apply this scripture to my experience. I also thought of how Alma felt when he told his son about his conversion story. (ALMA 36 21,24)

21 Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.

24Yea, and from that time even until now, I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto ^arepentance; that I might bring them to ^btaste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also be ^cborn of God, and be ^dfilled with the Holy Ghost.

I know how Alma felt, and I want others to have that same joy!

I also have some rather sad news. I called Sophie yesterday, (the daughter of Genevieve who is the old women we are teaching) and she told me that she passed away on Saturday morning..... I was shocked. I almost began to cry. I tried to comfort Sophie, and told her that she will be able to see her mother again. I didn't really know what else to say in a situation like that, because... well I'm 20 years old. After I hung up, I told Elder Bowen we should kneel in prayer and pray that she will receive the teachings well in the Spirit World and accept the Gospel. As I said the prayer, I began to cry, and I felt the same desire in my heart for Grandma Andreasen to be taught and receive the Gospel as well. I have been studying the Plan of Salvation quite a bit lately, and my understanding is expanding. After reading D&C 76 I know that Grandma is being taught, and will accept her temple ordinances, because I'm confident she would have in this life if circumstances would have been different. I know that we can be an eternal family, and that it is by our work in these latter days, that we will bring to pass the work that God set forth, " the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39)

Saturday we did service for the Red Cross here in Carcassonne too! We sat with cans and asked for donations ha ha. It was a fun experience and nice break from contacting! I had a great time with our team leader named Christine. She helped me with my French. I'll send pictures!!

Today has been an excellent day. This morning we taught Claudine (sister of Sr Talbic). She could tell us that whole plan of salvation!!!!! I am very excited for her, and me and Elder Bowen think she is ready. We have been skeptical because she has epillepsy and has had some major brain damage causing her to have learning difficulties. We haven't been sure if she really necessarily needs to be baptized, because we haven't been sure if she had the mentality of a 8 year old. However, my mind is made up. Baptism is the only thing she wants. She will be faithful. She will endure in this life. She literally sobbed in church Sunday because she wants to be baptized!!!! Tomorrow our Zone leader Elder Herring is going to exchange with Elder Bowen and see for himself if she is ready. I get to go to Montpellier :) I hope they engage her tomorrow!

Also today has been a most exceptional P day. The district came to Carcassonne! We went to the castle and had a good time. Dad you would have loved it, we sat in this sweet cathedral and just listened to a quintet sing! It was an experience I won't forget! I have a video so I can share the experience later ;) The sisters had to go back to Perpignan, but the Elders from Beziers(Elder Garlock and Elder Smedley) are still here, and they are going to spend the night because we have our district meeting tomorrow. We are going to have a blast!!! After this, we are going to play some basketball, and then watch the Best Two Years (thanks to you momma!!!!) It has been, and will always be a P day to remember!!!!

Well I Love you all, and I pray this email will make it with safety and without haste to your inboxes! SEND ME LETTERS FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!! ha ha ha love you!

EBRANLEZ L'ENFER
Alma 48:17

-Elder Dusty Petersen