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!--
EBRANLEZ L'ENFER
Alma 48:17
-Elder Dusty Petersen
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
Oh family,
I don't really know what to say... the P-day after calls is always so wierd! I feel like it was a dream because it was so fast! It was so great to see all your faces and smiles! You are all beautiful people! But of course we all know that mother is the winner in the beautiful category! Mom you look wonderful, and I'm so happy you are doing so well! I'm so greatful there is a day every year we celebrate the fact that we have mothers! I think about you all the time mom, and I pray for you every day! I wasn't exaggerating when I said that I literally pray for you and Dad EVERY Prayer. If I didn't continually remember how much your love means to me, and thank the Lord for it, I don't know how else I could continue to do this work! I am so fortunate to have such a wonderful family.
When you receive the key I sent in the package, keep it safe. It isn't just a key, but represents that my love for you sacred, and my heart is locked. You are the only person who knows how to use this key mother! One day that will change, but it is now that I trust you to keep it safe ;) You mean everything to me, and I owe my life to you!
Our family rocks! We have all been blessed immensely! Haven't we? On the beautiful scale Dad, you are ....... we'll just say off the charts! ha ha, just kidding Pappa! I was good to joke around with you again, I miss that a lot! I can't believe you made me cry!!!! I was doing pretty well too, ha ha. I appreciate that you are always still so sensative to the spirit, and you are my example. I find it a great blessing to be sensitive to the spirit, It always pushes me to do more, and become stronger against the temptations of Satan. Thank you for all your love!
It was great to see all the girls, and their hubbys, and also grandpa! I really do miss seeing his red jacket and Cowboy hat! I feel super boosted from the phone call, and I couldn't be happier to be a MISSIONARY!!!
I'll just share a few experiences really quick!
Friday, we had a interesting surprise! Elder Bowen and I were at the church for our weekly meeting with our Ward Mission Leader Fr. Vital, and I had just gone to the bathroom. When I exited the bathroom, a man was standing there with a hiking backpack and speaking english! He was Romanian and for some reason had been on a very long trek on his way to find a colony of Romanions. He just happened to stop by the church and knock on the door! He even spoke ENGLISH! He turned out to be a ex convict that had just gotten out of prison, but was converted to the baptist church while in prison. It isn't everyday that somebody just walks into the church off the street and wants to talk about Christ! We sat down and talked for a good 30 minutes. He had some interesting ideas, but as we tried to begin teaching the Restoration, he told us he has already heard about us from a television program.... Doh! We tried to teach him about a living prophet, but when he had already expressed his ideas, he was ready to get going again! Like I said, Intersting!
We also went to find a passback in a neighborhood before we made our calls yesterday. We found the home, and the family was there, but they told us they weren't interested. However, as we were walking out of the neighborhood, we found a black, christian woman named Marie. She said she would like to talk to us, and we are going to see her Tomorrow!!
I love this work, and I wouldn't be anywhere else! I know the church is true and I have been called by God to declare it! Thank you for you love and your prayers! I love you and think about you CONSTANTLY!
--
EBRANLEZ L'ENFER
Alma 48:17
-Elder Dusty Petersen
Family,
Well the mission is great! Unfortunetly, we haven't taught Semesi, the rugby player, again since the first time, but we have seen him a couple times in the street. We seen our friend, Abou, again and invited him and Semesi to church, but they didn't come. :( Conchita is still in the hospital. It is kind of frustrating right now, because all of our really sweet people aren't progressing... but I guess that means we just need to work harder.
Big news this week, is that I ate at the Kersey (english family) home for the last time; they will be moving back to the United States this Saturday.... Yesterday at church, they bore their testimonies and I just cried. I love this family so much! I have eaten at their house every Wednesday for practically 13 weeks! We have had so many great and meaningful experiences together, I just am finding it hard to say goodbye. I was thinking a lot of you during sacrament yesterday Mom. I couldn't help but think that Sister Kersey has been my mission mom for the last 13 weeks and I love her so much! I feel like I have been a part of their family! During fast and testimony meeting they had so many great things to say about the opportunity they had to have the missionaries over each week and the blessing it was to have our influence on their children. I never realized the impact I had on the family, but I now I realize their children were like my brothers and sisters! Then the closing him came and we sang "Families can be together forever" and I lost control of my tear maker! I have already left my family once, and I feel as though my family is now leaving me! They have been such a blessing in my life, and I encourage you to contact them later!
I love you and I haven't much more time but I will bid you farewell and talk to you next week! I can't wait!!
I love you and Pray for you every day!
Well, it's a new transfer...... I'm staying in Carcassonne with Elder Bowen! TWO TRANSFERS TOGETHER YA YA YA!!!!!!!
I'm very happy with the fact that we are staying her in Carcassonne. I felt like we were going to ;) I got your package and letter too momma! I just have been on a bit of a high ha ha ha! Thank you so much for thinking of me this Easter! I love the little tri-pod! It is sweet! I love that you sent me candy!!! I shared with Elder Bowen like you told me!
This last week was just a little bit slow again, but I survived! I feel like NOBODY wants to listen to us! At the end of the week we have talked to at least 20 people who give us their information because they are interested, but this week we only had 5! It was a really difficult week. However, we did have success!
Thursday was one of these successful days! I was on exchange with Elder Smith (Elder in my District, and was at the MTC with me). We were ditched by an investigator, and so we were on our way to contact in Centre-ville. I had the impression to go visit a passback I had received from Elder Sautron. His name was Abou. I remember telling Elder Smith right before we rang the doorbell, that if he wasn't there this time, I was going to drop him. Oh little did I know! Not only was he there, but he came down and opened the door to talk to us. We presented the Book Of Mormon, and asked if we could share our message. He agreed and we followed him up to his apartment!
The lesson was great! The spirit was there, and it directed the lesson. I was intense, I straight up asked him if he believed that Jesus Christ died for his sins. He said he did. I was so overwhelmed! He accepted to read the Book of Mormon and even told us he would read it cover to cover. He told us once he starts a book, he can't put it down until he has read all of it! Isn't that great! What a miracle!
Other news, it was Stake conference over here too! It is a little sad; the stake is in Toulouse, but is maybe the same size as our ward back in good ol' Thatcher. Mince! There needs to be so much work done! Another sad note, President and Sr Carter spoke for their last Stake Conference in the Toulouse stake. Their three years are about up, and they will be handing over the reigns to President Murdock(president of the Swiss Genieva Mission) at the end of June.... I'm sad. My mission call said President Carter, and now it is going to change! I told you that the Mission is changing with the departure of President Carter, right? The Swiss mission will no longer exist and our mission boundaries will cover it. The mission home will be located in Lyon, and thus as of July 2011 I will be no longer serving in the France Toulouse Mission, but the France Lyon Mission. ISN't that crazy! I'm kind of skeptical, and excited at the same time. It is just wierd because once again my Mission call said Toulouse, not Lyon ha ha!
One more neat fact, I will have three mission presidents! President Murdock will be finishing his service the end of June 2012. It is a unique circumstance if I might say!
Well I just want to end by saying I can't believe that Ryan is engaged, and he is going to get married without me there! Ask him if he can just have a LONG engagement and wait till next July! I was so happy when I heard the news, and I am so excited for him! Give him my best wishes!
I love you all, and I am so happy that you are all happy! Keep on keeping on and remember what it says in D&C 98:13 "And whoso layeth down his life in my cause, for my name’s sake, shall find it again, even life eternal."
I love you all!!!!!!!!
--
EBRANLEZ L'ENFER
Alma 48:17
-Elder Dusty Petersen
Oh my goodness!!! You have all been up to so much this week!!!!!
First of all, I AM SO HAPPY THAT YOU WENT ALL OUT FOR RELAY FOR LIFE! I'm an just flabbergasted with what you put into this cause. I had big plans and expectations for Colleges Against Cancer and Relay For Life, but never did I imagine that my family would be at the center of it all!!!! That is amazing that you raised that much money with so few people! Dad you are an emailing fool! Ha ha ha! Thank you for all of your examples... This means a lot to me, especially where I'm so far away and only got a taste of it last year! I really wish I could have been there, but I know you will do again the next year, and the next, and I will have be chance! Really you still don't understand how happy I am right now. I am so proud of my family!!!!!!!!! You are my hero, thanks for being the dad that every son would hope for. I love you so much!
Relay For Life is a cause that means a lot to me, but it looks like now you will be carrying it on and I will work on another for a little while!
The work was a little slow this week, I will not lie. However, we have seen a lot of tender mercies. For example, we met two amazing people the other day. One is a man named Donny and the Other Semesi. We met Donny on the street Thursday. He was walking his dog when we stopped him and told him about the Book of Mormon and a living prophet. He was very interested. We took his information and set up a Rendez-vous for the next morning. It was AMAZING! He is golden, and that is all I can say!
After the rendez-vous we went back to our apartment really quick, and it was then that I realized I forgot something at Donny's house that was of great importance. We sped back to his house and recovered that which I left. Then we realized we forgot our clothes for sports later that evening. We felt stupid and marched back to the apartment. We got our clothes and headed in the direction of the church again, when we met Semesi. He is a fijian Rugby player for the Carcassonne Rugby team. I don't know if you know this, but rugby is BIG here!!!!!! He speaks English, not really french ha ha. He seemed like a very religous man, and was interested in our message. We set up a rendez-vous for the next day. We were a bit sad because he wasn't there at the time we fixed on Saturday, but at the end of the day Elder Bowen felt impressed to call him, and we were able to meet with him that night. It was an amazing rendez-vous too! He believes what we are telling him is true, he said that himself! We can't wait to meet with him again! The rugby team comes to his house all the time, and his family lives in Fiji!!! Can you say REFERRAL!!!! I see so many blessings coming from just this one contact!
This experience is a testimony to me that the Lord uses the weak things of the world to bring about his work and glory. We both had made several mistakes, and because of our weaknesses that we met Semesi! We may have never met him otherwise! Our Heavenly Father is the ultimate planner, and he sees everything!!! He will prepare His children to receive his word!
I have so much I want to tell you, but I just don't have the time, I'm so sorry! Mother I haven't recieved your letter or package yet, but I will keep my eyes peeled! Oh and the transfer is coming to a close this Sunday. I will get the call Friday like usual, and I will know my fate. I feel like I'm going to stay in Carcassonne, but you never know till the call! My mission dad Elder Boehme dies this transfer. His name is Kevin Boehme, and he lives in Hyde Park, Logan! Find him on Facebook and add him!!! I'll be expecting you to tell him to email me ha ha! I learned a lot from him and he was a great example to me for my first months here in France!
I love you all and can't wait to talk to you soon! Less than a month now!!!!!!--
EBRANLEZ L'ENFER
Alma 48:17
-Elder Dusty Petersen
Oh family!!!
Another week come and gone.(I stole that from you!) It was a good week! The work is going well, and we are continuing to find lots of people!
Monday we went to the CASTLE!!! It was so cool! You would love it! It is so much bigger when you get up close. I would have to so that we only seen 1/8 of the castle ha ha. I took lots of photos so don't worry!
I had another exchange on Thursday and I spent the day with Elder Wilson, our Zone Leader in Montpellier! He is actually going to die in two weeks, that means in mission language, his is going to finish up his mission in two weeks. It is so nice being in a bigger city... you drive EVERYWHERE ha ha. I almost forgot what it felt like to walk after! We ate at Subway too, hmmmm I love subway!
During the exchange I actually did another exchange. Elder Wilson had to do a baptismal interview with an investigator to another companionship in Montpellier. It wasn't more than an hour and a half, but It was a good little 2nd exchange too. It was with Elder Herring. You will see that I have included a photo with Elder Herring in the back left, Elder Meservy in the Back right, Elder Wilson driving, and then of course me!
Oh and Wednesday was Frère Vital's birthday! We celebrated it with some of his amazing Vietmanise cooking. Hmmm egg rolls!! I'll include some photos!
I didn't remark this last week, but tell Louis congradulations! I'm so happy he is getting married in the temple! What a happy story :) Speaking of which, isn't Dillion's Birthday coming up? Can you tell him Happy birthday for me?
This week we have Zone Conference, I'm excited! It is Wednesday! We only have one Zone Conference in a transfer now, it is a little sad.
Few experiences and encounters while prosyliting:
A while back we met a lady that said, "I know the Mormons, I used to be married to one... GET AWAY FROM ME!" You can imagine our reaction, YIKES! It is a lot stronger in your native language. We met this Venezuelian guy the other day who speaks english. He believes in mystical powers and voodoo and what not. It was interesting. My companion actually was given a small slap to the face the other day by an old man. We have no idea what he was talking about, something about an activity for his own church, and then he gave my companion a nice grandpa smack to the cheek ha ha.
Aside from all the crazy people we meet, we meet some really great people as well! While walking home one day, we were offered a ride by a stranger into the city. STRANGER DANGER!!! We politely declined, and explained where we were going wasn't far. Afterwards my companion felt bad because the guy was really nice, and we could have shared the Gospel with him. Well, the next day we seen him in the city! He actually contacted us and told us he who he was! It was sweet! We got his information and thanked Heavenly Father for the Tender Mercy!
Frere Vital taught us a little karate too(not sure if I told you).... I was the test dummy however and he DID NOT hit lightly ha ha ha.
Oh and yes I listend to conference in English, No I haven't recieved your letter mom!
Well that is all this week! I love you and can't wait to hear from you again!--
TREMBLEZ L'ENFER
Alma 48:17
-Elder Dusty Petersen
