Elder Peterson Week 20

This should be an interesting transfer... more on that later.

          Last Saturday Derrick took Elder Bowers and I out to lunch. We each got 3lbs of crawfish and boy was it good. He had to teach us how to eat them, but once we figured it out it was super good. The only unfortunate thing was how spicy they were. By the end of lunch my lips were numb and I couldn't taste much of anything. Still awesome though!

          Last week we also had social media training. It was very good and I actually learned a lot about every aspect of missionary work. We spoke with the social media specialists and they taught us a lot about chapel tours. I'm really excited to do some tours of the chapel, I feel like it will help our friends be less nervous about coming to church. They also talked to us about being "finishers," basically hard workers with no regrets. I liked their testimonies and there's a lot I can and will be improving on.

          I can't remember much else, but let's talk about today. I have a new comanion, Elder Child. What I'm excited about is that I'm training him! He's brand new and I have been trusted to begin his training. He is from American Fork, Utah and he seems like a hard worker, which is good. At the building where transfers takes place I saw all of my companions in one spot. I spoke with Elders Frogley, Paulsen, Webb, and Bowers at the same time with Elder Child next to me. It was pretty cool, I love seeing those guys. I will miss Elder Bowers, he's gonna be a good friend for a while, but he is also training somewhere north of here. Also, Elder Frogley is  a District Leader now, he's gonna do awesome, I'm excited for him. I can't really think of much else to say, maybe I should start writing these with my journal next to me.

          These are some people you guys should pray for:

-Ebony is meeting with us fairly frequently, but I'm not sure how well she understands everything. She wants to change her life for the better, so we are trying to get her to see how the Church will do that for her.

-Jean has been meeting with the missionaries for a while, he has a pretty traumatic past and he has some things he's struggling to accept (things like the after life, word of wisdom, etc.). 

-Marcus is kind of the same situation as Jean, he has a hard time accepting some of our beliefs, but he wants what is best for his life. He also smokes A LOT.

-Emanuel is finally reading (listening) to the Book of Mormon and he says he loves it. I just hope we'll be able to help him understand the importance of the restored church of Jesus Christ.

-Jannet is having an incredibly hard time right now. Her boyfriend is abusing her (she says) and the police apparently aren't helping her. She's trying to find a new place to live so she can get away from him, but no luck so far. She has a desire to learn more, but she's just having too hard of a time studying the scriptures and trusting our teachings.

          Those are the people I believe need the most prayer right now, so please try to add them to your prayers. As fellow children of God, they deserve all the blessings that come from membership in this church that we enjoy. All of them also live in poverty and have a hard time making a living, so every prayer counts. Thank you!

          The past transfer has taught me a lot about being a hard worker and a consecrated desciple of Christ. I know that as we show our love to God by serving and blessing His children (and our brothers and sisters) we will find just as many blessings, if not more. 

God lives, and He loves us. My testimony of this is unshakeable and firm. Every person deserves to know and understand this, which is why I am so grateful for my call. I love all of you guys and I pray for you constantly. Stay safe, stay strong.

-Elder Peterson

1) 3 lbs of crawfish

2) cake (my mom sent this on my birthday, I only just now made it. Happy birthday mom)

3) dog

4) Elder Bowers and I

5) Crawfish lunch (that's a potato in my mouth)

6) Elder Bowers "raddish"

7) I caught a duck at the park.

8) Cool Pic, I think

9) dog 2

10) Elder Bowers "packing" for transfers

11) Elder Bowers after kicking a chair.

Elder Peterson Week 19

This week had some pretty good lessons. We met a guy named Andrew who I believe was an online referral (clicked an ad). We taught him the Restoration and gave him the Book of Mormon to read. He said he's really excited to start because he loves learning. He also said he'd be blowing up our phones with questions, which would be great, but we haven't gotten any yet. 

          We also met with a guy named Daniel again. We've talked to him before, he just wasn't super ready for our message yet. But this time he was eating it up and asking great questions. We gave him a Book of Mormon and a couple pamphlets and invited him to read and pray. We should've met with him yesterday, but he keeps rescheduling. Hopefully we'll actually be able to meet him soon.

          Last Friday I joined Elder Gale in his area and Elder Fisher took my spot. Elder Gale and I ended up doing a lot of street contacting, though not a lot of people allowed us to speak to them. We talked to a couple good people but then had to finish the night off with finding old investigators by knocking on their doors. The next day we met at a breakfast place called the Feed Store and had a great breakfast. After ending our exchange Elder Bowers and I had no lessons, he and Elder Fisher stole them all. So we went out and tried to find new people to teach, with not much luck.

          Nothing super interesting yet, right? Yeah, listen to this. Last night Elder Bowers and I went to knock on a woman's door. She had spoken with missionaries about 2 years ago, so we wanted to see if she'd be interested in meeting with us sometime. She answered the door and boy, she was a character. The tone of her voice as we spoke was extremely rude, but what she was saying was nice enough. She told us about how her roomate, Alan, had some kind of disease and she wanted us to pray for him. She brought him out and had him introduce himself. She then told to put our hands on him. "What are you waiting for!? Put your hands on him!!" I set down my bag and then as I was standing back up she went on, "Hug him!! HE NEEDS IT!!" Elder Bowers and I each put an arm around him and then I prayed for him. Afterwards she was a lot nicer and she was talking a lot less... rudely. We got out of there and kind of chuckled to ourselves, it was very strange.

          Lately I've noticed how easy it has been to love people I've never met. If you know anything about me, that's a strange development. Even people who are in a way hostile to us. I'm finding that as a missionary I can view people almost how the Lord does. I often imagine the people we teach in baptismal clothing and it reminds me that they are children of God. Sometimes it's hard to want to talk to people, but once a conversation starts, the spirit warms my heart and it becomes so much easier to converse. I'm grateful for this blessing and I really hope that it will stick with me for a long time. 

          Thanks for reading, hopefully next week is more interesting. Pray on!

-Elder Peterson

Not many good pictures this week, sorry folks.

1) My mother's street

2) Cool spiderweb I noticed while studying

3) Moon.

Kenedy goes through the Temple

Abby Larson was getting married and asked me if I would do her hair for her big day. I was pretty nervous about doing her hair for such a big occasion but she wanted it really simple and I felt I could handle it. She just wanted it curled and down with a jewel piece attached in the back. I was able to do it and she said she loved it and she looked beautiful. I didn't take any pictures at my house but I had her mom send me some that she had of her in her wedding dress. Abby is beautiful inside and out and I am so happy for her.

About half a year ago Kenedy mentioned that she has been thinking about going through the Temple to receive her endowment. We talked a little bit about it and I showed my support for whatever she chose to do. In October we were all watching General Conference and during President Nelson's talk entitled " The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation" he said this..

"If I could speak to each man or woman who longs for marriage but has not yet found his or her eternal companion, I would urge you not to wait until marriage to be endowed in the house of the Lord. Begin now to learn and experience what it means to be armed with priesthood power."

Almost immediately Kenedy sent a text saying she felt President Nelson was talking to her. A short time later, maybe about a month later, she let us know that she called the Temple and scheduled a time to go through, January 15.

Because of Covid restrictions she was only allowed to invite 16 people and she sent word out to my family to see who might be able to come and once she knew about how many she then started inviting some of Kefford's family. She also wanted to have some of her good friends to attend and invited some of them.

Joshua and Mallory and their kids and Emily were the only ones able to come from my family. Obviously for most of them the distance was to great which was expected. Andrew had wanted to come and had planned on coming but he got sick with Covid last minute and couldn't make it and Matt was stick not feeling great from his run in with covid so he did not come with Emily. Because her husband and kids didn't come Emily was able to stay until Tuesday which I loved. It was so fun to have her around a bit longer, we went on walks, we shopped and she came to my dance class with me and helped with my classes, I loved it. Tuesday morning she came to the Temple to do initiatories with me and that was really fun. I love being with family in the Temple!

Joshua and Mallory and their kids arrived about noon on Friday and Emily got to our house a couple of hours later. We were so excited to see everyone, especially Amos, Fredrick and Leona, since we were not able to see any of them in November. 

Amos and Fred reading stories with Rylee

We all thought Leona would want to have nothing to do with us, basically we were strangers to her, but she must have felt the family love because she was perfectly fine with us picking her up, playing with her and loving on her. She is a tiny little thing which made it fun for Kefford to carry her on his shoulders and put her on the mantle, what a cute decoration she is.

Screen time for Kenedy and Fred and Avynlea and Amos 

I love that I see hearts in so many places. Today I went out in the backyard with the boys so they could play on the trampoline and with the little snow we had left and I saw the melting snow made a heart, I for sure felt the love.

Saturday night was Kenedy's endowment and those that attended with her were...

Kefford and Elizabeth, Bob and Alison, Joshua and Mallory, Emily, Mikell, Kelsey and Brit, Dustin and Whitney, Taylee (Kenedy's roommate), McKoy and Logan (High School friends). 

I was Kenedy's escort which I was really excited about and we needed to be there early. Kefford came early with us and was able to do some initiatories while he waited. 

Kenedy went through and did her initiators and when she was done we met with the Tempe Matrons assisant. She was super sweet and talked to Kenedy about the Temple and about the Temple Endowment. She encouraged her to ask questions and even had her open her packet to try her ceremonial clothing on and get a little more familiar with the contents.

Once we were done we went into the endowment room to wait for everyone to arrive. It was a really good session, I can't describe how special it was to be in there with Kenedy, to be sitting next to my daughter in this sacred place feeling gratitude to be her Mother. She is beautiful and special and I love her with all my heart.

One not so great moment happened during the session. I had a bit of a cough that typically has been showing up at night right as I am trying to go to sleep. I had cough drops with me just in case and was actually sucking on one when I felt a cough. I coughed hoping that would be it but of course it wasn't. I started having a coughing fit and could not for the life of me stop. I was praying to Heavenly Father and sucking the life out of that darn cough drop feeling mortified. I was trying to suppress it but that was making me shake and tears were leaking out and snot was dripping, luckily I was wearing a mask so nobody could see that. Finally after what felt like forever but was maybe only a couple of minutes I was able to get myself under control. Not my finest moment and I was super embarrassed by the entire situation but it happened now lets move on. I guess it could have been worse.

After we were done we came out and got some pictures with those that didn't leave immediately basically my family and Taylee, lol.

Kenedy and Taylee

Kefford, Elizabeth, Kenedy, Emily, Mallory and Joshua                    Elizabeth Kenedy, Emily and Mallory

Sunday Kefford was playing with some molding clay stuff we have and made a face with it, pretty talented guy!

 

Rexburg Cheer Competition

January 8 Alison and I drove to Rexburg because Avynlea and her cheer team left that morning for a cheer competition. I had fun riding with Alison, we had some good conversation and it was much needed one on one time with my Mother-in-law whom I love. The competition wasn't until later in the day and we had time to stop in Idaho Falls to visit with Sara and Trista. They were coming to the competition and while we were there they were working on making Meridian Cheer sweatshirts supporting Avynlea.

After a couple of hours we headed over to Rexburg and stopped in to see Kenedy. From Kenedy's place we went over to Madison High School for the Cheer Competition. Sara and Trista were already there and then right after it started Kenedy came with her roommate Taylee.

I always love watching Avynlea cheer and she is a really good cheerleader! She did a great job and her team did the best they could but the results were pretty disappointing and almost demoralizing for the team. They competed in Sideline and Pom and did not place at all. To be fair they were competing against only Eastern Idaho schools and they are notoriously the best so it would have been really hard to beat them. I am glad they were able to compete and I am extra glad I was able to go and watch them.

Avynlea is in the left back corner being stunted holding the gold Poms.

Avynlea, Natalie and Paige

Sara and Avynlea                                  Trista and Avynlea

Cheer Aunts!!

I was having Natalie take pictures for me and she took it upon herself to take some pictures of her own.

Kenedy and Avynlea

Sara, Alison, Trista, Avynlea, Kenedy and Elizabeth

I love my girl!

Alison and Avynlea

Stinky Sneaker

On New Years Day Avynlea and Rylee went to Nyssa to go to the Nyssa Stake New Years dance with Ally. Kefford and I went to Nyssa after church on Sunday to eat lunch with Bob and Alison and the girls, visit a bit and then we came home. I don't like to go out there for meals empty handed and so I made a cake to take out there. I made it I the bundt pan and I used the cake mix and frosting that were given to us in the Christmas tote box. I think it turned out cute and tasted pretty good.

On January 4th Ryker sent us a message requesting his medical information. He went into the podiatrist because he had a bump on his foot that was causing him a lot of pain. The Dr removed it and he has been feeling much better and can go about his missionary work bump pain free.

Kefford sometimes like to photo shop pictures and this one of Avynlea he added to our family group chat.

Also on January 4th Kenedy had a visit with Danny Ricks and she sent our family a picture of the two of them. Kefford commented "Why isn't there a picture of me on the shelf?" and then about ten minutes later he sent the picture back and said "Oh, he does have a picture of me on his shelf.". The picture on the left is the one Kenedy sent and the picture on the right is the one Kefford sent back, you figure out the difference I the two.

January 7th was the annual Stinky Sneaker game. Last year no spectators were allowed and we were super excited that this year we could let things go back to normal and Stinky Sneaker was allowed to be normal again. It was a really fun game and a big Nairobis biter. Meridian trailed behind Mountain View for almost the entire game. In the last couple of seconds Meridian was able to just pull barely ahead and Mountain View got the ball to try to score but the guy lost control of the ball and Meridian won!! It was amazing and such a fun game and win! The overall Stinky Sneaker winner does not only depend on who won the game, the schools are also judged on spirit and good sportsmanship. I knew from the very beginning that Meridian had it in the bag. When Meridian players were announced Mountain View fans were booing and that alone does not show good sportsmanship. We out spirited them the entire game and when Meridian was announced s the Stinky Sneaker winner it was excited but not surprising! Way to go Meridian!

I had a seat right behind our teams players and I got a couple of pictures of Avynlea's longtime crush Max Gwilliam. 

Even though the side I sit on is technically Mountain Views side I like to sit there so I am able to see Avynlea cheering during the game. I was in the lower left corner and it was mostly Meridian parents so I felt ok about being there. I got a couple of pictures of Avynlea cheering, in the top picture she is right above number 11's arm and in the bottom picture she is right above number 11's leg.

Kefford had a Baker day that day but after he got home he changed and then came to watch the game with me.

It was a close game and the final score could not have been closer, way to pull out the win Warriors!

Avynlea's friends Natalie and Paige like to give Kefford a hard time and try to do things that they find funny and might make him feel awkward or uncomfortable, like giving him a hug when they see him. After this game they pulled him in and did a go team cheer with him. He participated but very halfheartedly. 

Paige, Avynlea and Natalie

Kefford thought it was funny to pose with a knee pop for this picture.

Avynlea gave her "Get Loud" sign to us to hold while she went to get in some pictures. I gave it to Kefford so I could take a picture of him with the sign showing his excitement.

Avynlea's teammate Allen wants a picture so we got one together.

 

Elder Peterson Week 17/18

Elder Bowers and I got a little bored, so we decided to grow some plants. We bought two pots and some starting soil and then seeds. I decided to buy some peppermint seeds because I've wanted my own little mint plant for a while, and It would be a fun project. Elder Bowers bought raddish seeds... He thinks he's hilarious, which I guess it is pretty funny, but I'm not so sure we have the right conditions to actuallly grow them. We only have pots and I don't know if they can fully develop in a small pot. But he doesn't care, so oh well.

     

          We got out of Quarentine last Wednesday which was a huge relief. We were able to actually start teaching people again. We were supposed to meet with Crystella, but she wasn't home! We set up the appointment and she was super excited, and then didn't show. We were pretty disappointed. We haven't even been in contact with her for a while, she hasn't been answering our calls. We had a lesson with Jean and it went super well. We answered a ton of questions he had about the spirit world and the Kingdoms of Glory. We answered them all (the best we could) and then invited him to pray about all of it and to read the Book of Mormon to see if he can find more answers. He's a really nice guy and I think he has great potential, I just pray he'll keep commitments. Then we also met with Janet a couple days ago. It went great and she accepted the story of the Restoration. We gave her a Book of Mormon (and the app) and invited her to read and pray. We had a good conversation about prayer as well and ended up giving her some scriptures to read about prayer. It was all good and dandy until she made a comment right before we left. She started talking about breaking out and for a moment I was confused. Then she said she'll give us some soap to help and I was so surprised. SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT MY ACNE!! It's not even that baaaad... I had a zit that day that was worse than usual and she thought it was bad enough to give me a bar of soap for it. Ugh. It was actually pretty nice of her, but come on...

          New Years was kinda lame, not gonna lie. We had to be back inside by 7 because President Larkin was worried about drunk drivers. So we just hungout with Elders Gale and Fisher and talked until they needed to leave. After that Elder Bowers and I pretty much just talked until midnight. We heard a ton of fireworks and I got super excited, I LOVE fireworks. But when we looked outside, we couldn't see any of them. There were too many trees and apartments in the way. I got super sad, because we heard BIG ones but couldn't see any. Then we stepped into the parking lot a little and were finally able to see some. It was the end of the firework show, but we got to see a couple good ones which made me very happy. The next day, January 1st, was FREEZING. 30 degrees all day with bitter wind. It was crazy cold, but we still went and street contacted for a while.

          This past week has been an interesting one. I've been disappointed over and over again with people not keeping their commitments. It's pretty hard to teach people when they don't learn. But obviously we can't give up, I've been praying and praying for these good people to be able to find out for themselves that the Book of Mormon is true. It's hard for me because it's actually really easy for people to do, read and pray. That's it. But no one will do either, even though they already read the Bible and pray every day. Man... I guess at the very least we're sharing the light of Christ. If in the end they still haven't accepted the Restored Gospel, at least we've planted a seed that will eventually sprout, whether in this life or the next. I'm glad I at least know that. Honestly, that's motivation enough for me, I'm doing the best I can, eventually they will find out the truth for themselves. 

          Pray for them guys, Crystella, Jean, Janet, Jimmy, Ashly, Lisa, Robert, and CJ. They are great people and I want so desperately for them to receive all the blessings that come from this Gospel.

Happy New Years!!!

Until next week,

-Elder Peterson

1) Elder Bowers Shaving

2) Happy New Years!

3) Bike

4) Elder Bowers is actually pretty strong, I'm a whole 140 pounds...

5) Cool tank

6) Creepy Bowers

7) Elder Fisher is actually pretty strong