Feb 20th 2011

Chère Famille,

It is weird that it is still snowing there. I haven't seen nothing but sunny days here in Carcassonne, with an exception to a few days of rain. This week we had Interviews with President Carter in Montpellier, and it was really good to see him again! We only have interviews every 1.5 transfers (that is 9 weeks) so it is good to see him again! We receive a weekly newsletter with words of instruction from him and Sr Carter but it isn't the same as the real thing!

I was on an exchange with one of our Zone Leaders Wednesday too. I was on an exchange with him because Elder Sautron is District Leader.

I had a really rough week, I'm happy, but it was rough! Our nightly planning session this last week weren't very efficient, and went a lot longer than they should have. And on top of that Elder Sautron is District Leader so he has his responsibilities to take care of. Sometimes it was just frustrating, but it is gettting better now. Elder Sautron is giving me more and more responsibility each day, and I'm learning a lot! He lets me do a lot of things and helps me understand how I can improve afterwards. Trial and error kind of deal. Frankly It is frustrating, but I know it's a good thing because in three weeks he could be transferred and I could be the head honcho of Carcassonne! If I don't know everything about my area before he leaves, it could be a mess.

Lately he has been calling me senior companion and looking to me for what to do because he wants me to be able to handle things. needless to say, I was served several slices of humble pie. It is hard for me to see that I'm growing when I'm making so many mistakes. After I make a mistake, sometimes I realize that I knew how to the task correctly but just forgot... Am I growing? I have been asking myself that question a lot.

Prayer has meant more for me in my life now, than ever, and it is by that sacred communication with my Heavenly Father that I have been able to persevere through the mist of doubt and fear. It is in when I am on my knees I feel at peace, and I feel that I am no longer bound to the demands of the world... peace floods my heart and I feel nothing but humility, joy, and love. As I have reflected on the the principle of prayer, I have realized how my relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ has grown. I may not be growing in ways I can see... but my heart is growing.

I am happy as ever! I felt so happy to talk with President Carter and look him in the eyes and feel nothing but joy for this work! Sure it has been rough, but I know that the Lord is molding me into the missionary I can be and one day I will not recognize myself because of how much I have grown! I especially like the parable that Rebecca sent me a while back, you should ask her to share it with you. It reminds me of what I can become!

I'm so happy all is going well for you all!! I'm so happy you received the package and you are reaping the benefits ha ha! It is good to hear that Ryan is home safe and sound. I sent him an email last monday that simply said Finish Strong! I didn't know his email, but I just guessed. I was very happy so see a reply in my inbox this morning!

I get my hair cut by a professional :) And Dad I would like to tell you that you look really good. You look thinner! Keep up the good work! When I get home I expect to see my twin ;) ha ha

I love you all, can't wait till next week!

Elder Petersen

Feb 14, 2011

Chère Famille,

Happy Valentines Day! Of course there is Valentines Day here, "Saint" Valentines Day, where do you think the Saint came from ;o)!

I will be sure to buy some chocolate and goodies, and I don't know how big of a spree I'll go on but I do need some new sport shoes. I went running the other morning and my foot was cramped... I think that might have been why I had problems with my toe! A member gave me a sweet coat, and I bought a 15 euro zip up sweat shirt deja ha ha. I'm cheap! It is good looking however! I have really learned how to be frugile while being here. I don't go without by all means, but I don't spend my money on things I don't need! Moving is a bugger too and I don't need anymore to shove into my bags!

Yes Dad, we have a Cd player and it plays American Cd's :) It is funny what we think of other countries sometimes. I thought that France had no deoderant....the first day I went grocerery shopping I slapped myself in the face because they have almost everything we do. Meanwhile I have 10 or more deodorant sticks in my bag!

That is terrible to hear about the tradgic incident with Spencer Bartholomew. I gasped when I read that. He and Mickelle were married in the temple however. Isn't it a blessing to have the knowledge of eternal families.

Dad I can't wait to see your beard. I'm so glad that you are still carrying on my work at the steak house, I'm sure everyone just loves to see you each week! Gives you a chance to mingle with people and I know you like that! RYAN COMES HOME THURSDAY!!! He better email me the day he gets home !! ha ha ha!! Just tell him he has been such a great example to me and I love him!!

You are off pop!!! It's a miracle!!!!!!!! You stick to it dad, pop is no good! I haven't had but maybe a hand full of sodas while I have been here and I feel great! I can promise you that the Lord will bless you. He cares so much about our health that he gave us a commandment! If we do all we can to respect the bodies that we have been given, he will grant us the blessings of health! After all, our bodies aren't ours to medle with, one day we will have to report to our Heavenly Father how we kept care of them!

I'm so happy you got my packages!!! It well may be that the package I sent at Christmas time is (hopefully) sitting in some back room waiting to shipped out or the package doesn't exist anymore ha ha. Oh well! Learned my lesson!

I love you so much Momma, and I want you to know that you are in my prayers everyday!

I just have a few things to share with you today. I'll start with Sunday, because it was an interesting day. So, while I have been here in France I have seen that Only 1 person knows how to play the piano in the Ward and if he/she isn't there... they sucker a missionary into trying to play prelude... That's right I was up there trying to play "I am a child of God" for the prelude. The Bishop also called us up to pass the sacrament, that was a bit sudden. One of the speakers forget their talk and were already at the pulpit; but that didn't stop her. She just came right back down and dug through her bag to find it!

I didn't remark this, but last week we had an investigator leave church and buy food for the entire ward. It was fast Sunday! ha ha ha. There is a commandment we need to re-teach.... It is a bit crazy here in France, but the people are full of love!

Also yesterday I was contacting and we found an English couple. I stopped them and tried to talk, but I couldn't speak English! Everytime I tried to ask a question or testify; it came out in French. THAT IS A VERY GOOD THING!!! I'm forgetting English and thinking in French! We were rejected, but I walked away smiling :D

Well that is all for this week! I Love you and pray for you all continually! If you could do anything for me, that would be to go and assist the missionaries in your area! They always need help teaching a lesson believe me! I will write again next week and I can't wait to hear from you all too! I included a picture of the Chateau from my apartment. It is sweet!

God be with you all till we meet again!

Elder Petersen

Feb 7 2011

Ma Famille!

I love Carcassonne! You are right you found my apartment, it is right next to a flower shop! You were spot on about my apartment at Brive too! It makes me feel better that you know where I walk everyday ;o) I am so happy you shared what Joelle wrote you! I was very anxious Saturday, I wanted to know if it all went well! It is such a blessing that Maryline was able to taste the fruits of baptism after all the opposition she and her family had been through. I am very happy and thankful to the Lord for his hand in her salvation! I'm so thrilled that it all went well!!!

I heard about the super bowl !! We went and did a little shopping today and the member we went with told me. I can't believe it is already that time of the year.. I had no idea the super bowl still existed! My life is so much different now. I can't believe I am in France and serving a mission!!!!!!!!! Isn't it crazy!?!

Carcassone is wonderful! Like you said it is rich with history, and has a medievel castle! I haven't visited it yet, but I see it every day when we are tracting. Carcassonne has a ward, and has some sweet families! My first meal was with a recent convert couple, Odinete and Carlos, and it was wonderful! Odinete is Brazillian and Carlos is Portugeuse, but both speak french. They made us a delicious brazillian specialty; it looked like an enchilade but with PANCAKES for tortillas!!!! It was a great first impression of Carcassonne.

There is also an English family that is living here for the moment and feed the missionaries every week! The famille Kersey. They are here because of the father's work, but soon will return home to good Ol' UTAH! That's right, they live in Salt Lake! ha ha, small world! I love their accent ha ha, and I get to speak english at their house :) Elder Sautron gets to practice his English! They have lived here for one year now, and the kids speak almost fluent French! The parents.... not so much. In fact, the kids speak better than me! I didn't snap a photo of them, but I will for next week!

We have a sweet ward mission leader who feeds us too! Don't worry I'm not starving ;o)! I absolutely love the culture here, and the country side is beautiful! Many members live outside the ville, and everytime we drive to their houses it is like a fairy tale! The rolling hills, and even better here, there are Mountains. We are closer to the Pyreneese Mountain range, and I feel a little like I'm home! I can't help but look out and think How can people not see God's hand in this!? Simply breath taking! I'M IN FRANCE!!!

The work is going well here in Carcassonne. I get along with Elder Sautron great, and we speak French 24/7! It is great, I feel like I can actually make some progress now, and I see that I already have! I can speak better, and comprehend better! I loved it when I called Brother Kersey to confirm our 'Mangez-Vous' and I couldn't speak english :o(. I kept switching back into French! Good signs! Our apartment is on the top floor and is pretty much a glorified attic. It is great, but has one flaw. Every day, I hit my head on the door frame because I don't hunch low enough! I may have brain damage after my stay her in Carcassonne! ;o)

Elder Sautron cooks and I wash dishes; can't complain :) We have this crazy land lord who comes to see us almost every day. His name is Dr. Christian... or that is what he told me to call him ha ha. He is a retired doctor and had to quite because of Arthiritus. He is an old investigator of the church, but never progressed, he just loves to have the missionaries pray with him each day. He is crazy fun, and keeps us on our toes! I have included a picture of him, we actually did service at his house. He is the man in the middle with the white hair!

We also did service for our Bishop this week. I have included pictures of that too!

Well I absolutely loved the pictures of all the little ones, I can't believe how much they have all grown! I miss all of them! Mason is such a little chubbers ha ha, I love it! Is it me or does Emma look like Lindsey and Cami at the same time!?! Dad I think that is awesome that you are doing the play! I can't wait to see you with a beard! I'm also happy to hear mom is done with her treatments. She is such a strong momma! I fasted for you mom, and I can see that the Lord is hearing my prayers and pouring out blessings upon you!

I'll prepare a package and send it home! I can play cd's here :) send them on over! Make sure you label them so I can get them approved! (unless they are already approved). I bought a suit case before I left Brive, so that is why there was a fluctuation on my account.

Oh pass the Happy Birthday on to Uncle Steve! I love him so much and respect him so much more after being here in France for 4 months ha ha!

I didn't know if you knew by the way but the First Presidency came out and said that in July after Presdent Carter leaves, the mission of Toulouse will no longer exist. It will become La Mission Française de Lyon and will encompass the mission of Suisse Geneve too! Our President is going to be President Murdock who is currently the President of the Suisse Geneve mission. That happend a couple weeks ago and just didn't have time to tell you!

I will try to write the little ones a letter soon, and also the Grandparents, let them know I love them so so much!!!!!! Let me know if you get my packages!

I love you all and can't wait till the next week!

Je t'aime à Jamais! Elder Petersen

Jan 31 2011

Ma Famille,

Commet Ça va? Well, I did make the move! I was muted (transfered) to Carcassone, a city just south east of Toulouse. It was difficult to say goodbye to everyone in Brive, but change is good, and this is where the Lord wants me! My new colleage is Elder Sautron, and he is French. He doesn't speak any English!!! Isn't that crazy!? Believe it or not, it is the answer to my prayers. I have been praying for a French Elder, and now I have one! There is a picture attached!

We had a bit of a crazy week. Elder Nicholes had his toe operated on becuase of a ingrown toenail, and it wasn't pretty. I'M SO HAPPY I TOOK CARE OF MINE AT THE MTC! They don't numb anything here they just go at you with knives and clippers. It is even worse because Elder Nicholes actually took care of it months ago; it just hasn't healed. The pediatrist found a little tumor and more nail in the skin. Pray for Elder Nicholes! As you can see in the photo 02386 I had the opportunity to eat frog legs! They were tasty ha ha! I also included a photo of Maria Gaillarde :) (02396) She wants one of you mother, email her one. I can't tell you how happy she was to receive another letter! You are truly inspiring her with your words of encouragement! She bore her testimony in Sunday School just about me and you! It means a lot to her that she can share how she feels with someone else who has been through the same sufferings! She let me read the last letter you sent, you are not only my angel but hers as well momma!

I also attached a photo of the Family Créquit (02357) Maryline is the far left, then Marie-Ocean, and then Nicholas in the back. We had a rendez-vous Samedi night, and it was simply a testimony meeting. When it came time for Maryline to bear her testimony she told of us a dream she had. She had two in fact, but one I feel is sacred and I will not share. The one I will share began with a huge house. She and her family were there and so was Elder Nicholes. They entered the house and looked at all the rooms. Every room was elaborate and decorated. Every room was like this but one. She realized that each room belonged to a family and the one room that was different belonged to them. It was blank and was empty. She and Elder Nicholes exchanged words in the dream and she realized that they needed to do something with the room. Then If I remember right, she woke up. She told us she knows what the dream meant. The house was the house of God; and each room belonged to a family and God's house or Kingdom. However, her family's room was empty and blank, and yet needed work to be done. This was an answer to her prayers, and she decided she needed to be baptized. We received authorization from President Carter, who received authorization from the Quorum of the Seventy to baptize Maryline. We had relayed this message to her only days earlier. We engaged her right then and there for the following week. Long story short, she will be getting baptized next week!

I'm so excited for her!!! I helped teach the family from the beginning and even with a few speed bumps, the baptism of Maryline is going to happen!

Marie-Ocean will still have to wait till the divorce is settled and Maryline has custody, but she is patient and excited for her mom! Pray that all will go well and Satan will have no power to disrupt this ordinance!

I attached a photo of the relentless and infamous 'Mammy'! (02390) I will miss her love and all that food! She has a HUGE heart! Photo 02444 is of me and my new colleage Elder Sautron. He is trés chouette! I'm excited to work with him! Photo 02394 is of Olivier Plaisir, the 'Tulle Miracle'. He is an animal, he brought a friend to church last week and a different one this week! He really wants to serve a mission, but oh has he already began! Brive is going to explode!!!!! Photo 02418 is of a brigde in a 13th century village that one of our members lives in! The town is called Saillant. We ate at their house Sunday afternoon, here is a funny picture too (02407) This is the Allal Family. The man on the right is Brive's Branch President President Allal, and the left is his son Jéremy! We ate crapes for dessert so that is why we went crazy with the nutella and whip cream ha ha!

That is all that has happened! I want to send home my photo's soon, but I just need to find a means. I have tons of crazy cool photos you will love! Oh by the way, I just got word from President Carter, I can email anyone I want. Oh and about the Josh Groban, only the CD's on the list are approved but you can send me them and I can let Sr Carter listen to them to get approved. But yeah, believe it or not, music is the only thing that keeps us from going insane sometimes, it is a wonderful relaxation tool and feel free to send approved cd's or possibly could be approved.

So You know how you told me that missionary got shot and killed in Jamaica a few weeks back? You are going to not believe this! Elder Brough, an Elder in my district at the MTC, his brother was in the VAN when it happened! His companion was driving and he was sitting shotgun. The bullets passed by him and hit the Elder behind. Isn't that crazy? Elder Brough's brother is shook up, but okay!

I'm glad to hear Elder Shaffer is alright! So I heard that Jake Miller is going to play football for USU?!? Is that true? I haven't talked to him, have you? Tell him he needs to come back out!!!! ha ha I heard news about Elder Park too. He was first in Nice and now he is CANNE!!! Can you believe that!? We visited that ville together when we came for school! I haven't heard from him, but I'm sure you talk with Lisa Park! Send her my love!!!!!

Last thing, I love you and pray for your health continually! You all give me such strength and I know I can do hard things!!!

My new address is:

Les Missionaires/Elder Petersen

85 Boulevard Barbès

11000 Carcassonne

France

Be sure to put "Les Missionaires" and my name. I love you and hope everything continues to go well for you! Good luck with your treatments mom, I love you so much and think about you and dad everyday! In fact there isn't a night when I don't dream about you! It's cool I'm starting to dream in French now too!!!

Until next time,

Dieu soit avec Toi jusqu'au revoir! Elder Petersen!

Dec 21 2010

Family,

Don't worry, I haven't left Brive! Elder Boehme however has, and is now in Marseille. It is a bit bizarre that you can be with someone for 9 weeks, then just be without them in one day! I will miss him, but my new colleage is super cool! Il S'appelle Elder Nicholes! He is from good ol' Orem Utah!!! The Lord loves me and knows my needs, that is all I can say! Ha ha.

The last week, the weather was actually pretty decent. Me and Elder Boehme seen many blessings this last week, and found 7 new amis!!!! That is two new families! I'll tell you about them!

The first family is the Famille Lecruse; do you remember me telling you about the women we found at the dry cleaning place? Well we finally taught her family!!! She has two little girls, one is 9 and the other 8! They absolutely love us, and it was heart warming to see one of the little girls treasure a picture of Jesus we gave her! They came to the Soirée Noel Saturday and brought the husband too! They loved it, and we were able to eat with them Sunday afternoon as well! We were iffy about the husband... you see we actually had knocked on the family's door before actually meeting Delphine, and the husband told us "ça m'intéresse pas" which means "I'm not interested". He is rather intimidating, reminds me of dad, But after talking with him, he is super sweet! He committed to read the Book Of Mormon! Lots of hope for this family!

Then we ate dinner with a member family who invited a non-member friend to the soirée noel and church, and then dinner! We talked briefly about the Book Of Mormon, but the mother and the kids are interested and want to continue visiting with us!!!

Then there is Iraj, the Iranian I told you about. We moved his baptismal date to the 8th of January, because of certain factors, but he loves to meet with us, and learn the Gospel. It is difficult to know if he completely understands the principles due to a language barrier he has, but we are working at it! We are going to try really hard to get his wife involved this week!

I am a little bit nervous, and can see that this week and the weeks to come are going to require a lot of work. I have a new companion who doesn't know the ville or amis.. but that's life! Life is full of changes, change is good! Im' keeping a postivie attitude, and know I can always place my trust in our Heavenly Father; truly he does not change. He is the only constant thing in my life right now! I will strive to steadfastly look forward to Christ and persevere with joy! Coach Chournous and Coach Hawes always taught me to keep my eye on the ball, and when I did I was able to make things happen. However, after that you had to be smart when running the bases. Hitting the ball is one thing, but to make it home is another. If you aren't smart at the bases, and do not know what to do in certain situations, you will quckly find your spot right back the bench. Of course we all know I struggled a lot my senior year, and frankley just didn't keep my eye on the ball. My time at the plate was numbered, and the chance to redeem myself passed, but I can still keep my eye on the ball; that is to keep my eye on what I want most. Salvation and Exaltation. If I keep my eye fixed firmly on Christ, and his Gospel, I can make things happen, I can find what I want most. But like the game of baseball, once you have hit the ball, you have to run the bases! You have to run the bases with everything you have, and be smart about it! You can do so by I being obedient,having faith, and doing work! if we do these things, we will have the constant companion of the Holy Ghost and be smart as we run the bases of life and ultimatley make it to home base; eternal life!

It is like it is said in Helamen 5, if we build ourselves on a firm foundation, we cannot fall! That foundation is the Gospel of Jesus Christ! I know this Gospel is true! I know this work is true! I absolutley loved the picture story from the tabernacle fire because it speaks to my heart.

Matthew 24:35

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

When all other lights go out, the light of Christ will shine in darkness. No matter what should come to pass, Christ will forever be a beacon of Hope and Salvation!

I love you all, and can't wait to talk to you on Christmas!!!!!!!! I'll figure this situation out with the calling, you just be waiting ;)

Love à Jamais,

Elder Petersen

p.s

I included pics of the famille lecruse; some members; me, Elder Boehme, Elder Heywood and his companion Elder Magnan; and a picture of Iraj (picture with black man in it)

Dec 12th 2010

Family!!!

I don't have much time this week!!! Sorry I was late, we had our Christmas Zone Conference yesterday, it was so much fun!!! We got a tie for Christmas ha ha, I included a few pics too. Yes President Carter and His wife sing together! And the black family is Famille Hubert! The mutation will be ending Monday, and we will get word of our leaving or staying on Friday. I'm sure I'm staying, but I think Elder Boehme will be going. He has been in Brive for 4 mutations. I will miss him, but change is good, and the Lord knows best where to place his servants!

It is really disheartening to hear about Uncle Curt... I loved him very much, I felt like I had three grandpas. I did send him a letter, and simply shared my testimony of the great plan our Heavenly Father has for us. I didn't know how it would be recieved, but now I know it calmed his soul. In the great mercy of our Savior, I have no doubt he will find peace. It means a lot to me that he read, and studied my letter, I poured my heart into it. Tell Rita I love her, and apologize for not writing her, I think I will. I was sad that he didn't come to my farewell, but knowing that my letter touched him is even better. He knows I have a testimony of my Savior and Redeemer!

I'm so happy that you were able to go out and have fun for Mom's birthday! That's too bad Cami had to leave, but we still love her! ha ha ha I hope you had a great Birthday mother! You deserve it!!! The card was the least I could do, I mean after all you gave birth to me ha ha! I really wanted to show my love, and make something from the heart, but of course you will be receiving a package in the mail in a couple of weeks! There are some fun stuff in it!

I loved the Christmas presents, you are way too good to me! I feel really spoiled mom and dad, please know that I am grateful, especially for the gloves and scarf! Much needed ha ha!! I love the picture frame too, I can always see someone or something I love when I am at my desk!!!! You two are way too good to me!! I am saving the tape recorder for later, it is nestled under the tree :)

I have been sending Elder Lewis some emails, he has already had two baptisms! That is great! Just like every mission, it is tought though! He had to drop some investigators this last week too! I love seeing little message from him in my inbox, I just grin from ear to ear! Speaking of which, that picture of Emma is adorable!! I don't know how she managed that, but she is definitley a prodigy of her mother ha ha!!!! I can't believe how much she looks like Cami! And Alli she is just growing up so fast, she is a little lady! baby Mason is going to be a Captain Moroini, I know it!

This last week was CRAZY!!! We found a man named Iraj Soltani, he is Iranian. I speaks Persian nativley, but knows english, and very little french. It's ironic, his wife speaks a little english, but is French... who would have thunk!? He is a very humble man, and now I now why. His wife and son are both very low in health right now. The son is 17 and has epilepsy. Iraj is depressed because of their state of health, and is a stay at home dad to take care of them. He just wants to help his famiy. Our first rendez-vous we taught how the Gospel brings healing, and engaged him and his entire family to baptism. They all accepted! Iraj has accepted the 26th of this month! He told us that he read the Book of Mormon and prayed. He said when he reads, he feels happy, and peace; he feels like a burden is being lifted; he told us he knows it is true! He even told us he knows Joseph Smith was a Prophet! It is truly a miracle, and blessing from the Lord! He came to church Sunday, and Family Home Evening with a ward member yesterday! We even moved his baptism up the the 26th!

The Lord has his elect, and I can testify that this is His work! I feel very unworthy of this great and wonderful blessing, I don't feel I have worked hard enough to receive such a blessing, but yet here it is! We are meeting with him again today and many more times to come before the 26th.

This Saturday there is a baptismal service in Perigueux for two young boys in our ward, and he is going to come with us to watch! It is all so wonderful, and I just marvel at the blessings that are being poured down from heaven! I truly stand all amazed!

I just want you all to know, I love this work! It is hard, very hard, but I wouldn't be anywhere else! This truly is the only time in my life I will ever get to be a missionary, to have the authority and power to promise God's children blessings in his name! Is there a greater work than this? Than to bring souls unto Life eternal? No there is not!

I love you all, and pray for you all continually. Never forget the Lord in everything you do! Pray always, that you may be lay up store and act in faith that you may prepare a place for your kingdom on high!

Love à jamais!

Elder Petersen

Dec 6th 2010

Family,

Weeks fly right on by don't they! Don't worry I can share your excitment for Monday to roll around!!!! Ha ha, I pray you are feeling like a million bucks momma, and your smile never fades ;) I can't wait to see a picture of the house, I'm sure you did an amazing job dad!

The temple, oh how I miss the Temple ha ha! Lucky!!!!! ha ha ha. Wo wo wo

Christmas Spirit is hitting Brive smack dab in the face! ha ha. They really go all out for the season; with lights down every street, and Christmas classics ringing through out Centre-ville! They block off streets in Centre-ville and set up booths and trees and all sorts of things to celebrate the season! There is no way I couldn't be happy! And that is very valuable right now :) I remember home with all this Christmas spirit and I remember why it is so special for me. It is even in the word Christmas. I think of all He has given me, and His love that enfolds me every day. I think of you, my family. Heavenly Father gave you to me so I might have joy in this life! Christ, His son, gave His life that we may have joy together in the life after! Although I am grateful for the presents you sent me, it isn't the material in them that give me joy; the little tree in the midst of them is a monument of your love to me. I will treasure our memories together more than any pleasure a gift or present could bring! I am the son of Shane and Lori Petersen, my hero and my angel. We are all sons and daughters of a king! What joy there is in celebrating his life this Christmas season!

I appreciate all your prayers and I feel your love every day! This week was hard, but good! We had some upsets, but the blessings always out weight them. We had to let go of 4 of our investigators because they aren't progressing, and that was no easy decision. We prayed and both felt it was the Lord's will that we use our time more efficiently to find His elect who He is preparing! I will share an experience with you quickly before time runs out! Yesterday, we were in a dead end, and didn't know where to go or what to do. Our plans could only take us so far, but we needed help and guidance. I told Elder Boehme we should pray to know where to go. He asked me, do you really think that will work? I testified that it would, for I had had an amazing exchange with our district leader earlier in the week, and our prayers were truly answered. We prayed, and it was no sooner that I remembered a street I had seen that I felt I should have entered, but passed on by. That was where we needed to go. We back tracked till we found the street, did some door to door, but no luck. But in that dark lone street, we found a man, named Alex. He comes from a family of many religions, but he himself has not found one. We set up a rendez-vous, and got his information to share our message with him.

God is in control, and this is His work! If we truly desire to know His will, with faith and works, He will prepare his elect, and guides us to them.

I love you all! Keep the faith!

P.S. if you really want to give a gift this season, invite the missionaries over for dinner ;)

Elder Petersen!