Elder Peterson Week 62

 I am in the back of a very full car headed to Louisiana as I write this. So it might be a little short. 

     This past Monday-Tuesday I did an exchange with Elder Evans in his area. It was pretty fun, we got a nice dinner that night. The next day was my mom's birthday, and mine, so it was fun. I'm 20 now! Woo... Anyway. We did some service and the woman gave us some money for lunch (we tried declining but she insisted). So we went to Chipotle. We didn't have any lessons, but Tuesday night I got to interview a family for baptism. This was after exchanging back. I interviewed two kids and their parents. I love doing baptismal interviews because the spirit is so strong in them. Hearing their testimonies and their determination to serve God was so refreshing. They've loved taking the lessons and were so excited to get baptized last Sunday. 

     Also, the Harrises had Elder Dodge and I over for dinner to celebrate my birthday and it was awesome. They got me a card, a tie, and fun socks. And made suuuuper burgers.

     On Friday we had interviews with President Larkin and my last district council as district leader in Kingwood. It was really fun and Sister Larkin came in and taught us for the last 30 min. We talked about Alma chapter 5 and one thing that really stood out to me was the last part of verse 26: "...if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?" I was pondering this a lot and wondering what exactly the song of redeeming love is to me. Something interesting to study.

     So for the exchange I'm headed to an area called Moss Bluff, Louisiana. I got my wish and I'm companions with Elder Colt . We are also training (we are a trio), buuuut our trainee got stuck before he could get here because he got sick. So he has to wait at the Missionary Training Center for a week or so. We are excited because he's from Eagle, Idaho. So, not only are all 3 if us from Idaho, but we're all from the same school district . 

    I started writing this email at 2 and it is now 5:30. We've been doing a lot of traveling and weird carpooling, but Elder Colt and I are finally headed to our area. We are both super excited for this transfer. Thanksgiving and Christmas will be in this transfer, so it should be a good one. 

     I'm sorry there wasn't a ton to write about, it's been such a busy day. But I should have good stuff next week.

     Until then, have a great week!

-Elder Peterson

Where I'm sitting at the piano is Brother and Sister Thomas

The tall bald guy is Brother Harris and his wife. The picture with the happy birthday sign is also at their house.

And the two I've got my arms around are Brother and Sister Wood.

I loves these families and had to say goodbye to them. I also went and said goodbye to Linda, which was sad, but I'll see all these folks again someday.

Football vs Mountain View Veterans Day and State semi finals

Meridian played Mountain View in the state semi finals and we won 34-10 keeping our undefeated status and punching our ticket to the State Finals game which will be next week, so exciting!

Avynlea and Paige set up the banner that they hold for the football players to run through and then they along with Natalie got a picture under the banner.

This is the last time these senior cheerleaders will cheer on their football fiend and it is so awesome that they have had so many extra opportunities this season what with our winning every single game but it is a sad night knowing this is the last time. I have loved being a cheer Mom and going to Football games the past 9 years, including when Kenedy cheered, it is sad that that season is past but hopefully only bigger and better things to come for all of us.

It is Veteran's Day and one of the football Moms got a hold of enough flags for all the football players to carry one as they did their Warrior Walk onto the field. It es a really special moment and a really awesome sight to see.

Avynlea, Paige and Natalie ran the flags again for the game. I love that this was their job and that they have done it for every game, such fun memories for the three of them.

The theme was pajamas and our girls all had matching pajama bottoms to wear which was super cute, one of the cheer Moms also made them headband ear warmers and those were super cute as well. I am so glad we left McCall early to come watch the game, it was a really good one!

 

McCall Trip!

We left for McCall Wednesday night after Avynlea got done with Cheer practice. Natalie got permission to come with us which was a lot of fun. We were staying once again with Alison and Bob, we definitely like staying with them ad I think they like having us with them. The families that were there were Bob and Alison, Kefford and Elizabeth with Avynlea, Rylee and Natalie, Kelsey and Brit and their kids, Trevor and Michelle and their kids, Dustin and Whitney plus their kids, Kylie and Andrew plus their two girls and Trista and Jacob. We missed the ones that were not there but we had a lot of fun this trip. 

We got to hold Leah, Michelles new baby, and she was super sweet and of course it's always fun to hold a new baby.

We stay in the same Condo every yea rand the deer must remember us because they were hanging outside our glass door every morning waiting to be fed. They were fed, potato wedges, pancakes, carrots and grapes and they loved it and came back every day for more. 

Avynlea decided she wanted to feed the deer a potato wedge Ala Lady and the Tramp. We got it on video and managed to take pictures of her doing it. 

My girls loved being able to have lots of cousins around to be with, I snapped this picture of Rylee and Garrett having some time together.

I also wanted a picture with Garrett, we are birthday buddies and we had to take our birthday picture together which was just a few days ago.

A bunch of us went ice skating Thursday afternoon and that was a lot of fun. It has been many years since I have been ice skating and I was a little timid when I first stepped out on the ice but the more I skated the more comfortable I got. 

back row: Asher, Kelsey, Brit, Kefford, Kylie, Qiana, Brielle, Rylee, Natalie and Avynlea

front row: Xander, Hazel, Elizabeth, Tayvia, Whitney, Amelia, Sadie and Madison

Kefford and I got in a picture with Madison and Sadie which I am sure they liked :)

I got a picture with Brit and then Hazel wanted a picture with me, as long as Kenedy isn't around we are best buddies which is just fine with me.

Natalie has never been ice skating or even regular skating before so she was really nervous and timid but Avynlea was good to stick with her and help her out.

Kefford did some fancy falls and slides o the ice. I think his "falls" made some people a little nervous but those of us who knew him knew they were not real.

After ice skating our car stopped at the thrift store/pet store so the girls could hold some kitties.

Once we got back Kylie invited all the kids over to do a turkey craft, my girls went and did their crafts and helped the littles with theirs also.

Kefford and Alison worked on a puzzle together..

and then Kefford got Dillon to like him by showing him videos on his phone.

Friday morning the deer were back nice and early looking for some breakfast.

We left later that afternoon so that Natalie and Avynlea could get back to cheer in the semi finals state game. We had a good trip to McCall and look forward to more time spent with family.

 

Happy Birthday Elizabeth and Elder Peterson

I started out my 44th Birthday by going with Kefford to the Polls and voting. 

I got a lot of fun messages and pictures wishing me a Happy Birthday on our family group chat, they were fun to see throughout the day.

Rylee and Avynlea made me a Happy Birthday sign which was super cute.

Avynlea had her Senior pictures scheduled for this day so I went with her to do that and then after we were done we me Rylee and Kefford at Tin Roof Tacos for dinner. I love Tin Roof and always get two number 4's and a chips and salsa.

After eating we came home to have cake and open presents. 

I got new dishes that are so pretty and are from the Pioneer Woman collection, I love her stuff!

Avynlea had Kenedy on the phone who was joining in and watching the present opening

Kefford bought me an electric hand warmer which will be nice to have at those cold football games.

I was surprised with some new Jordans, they are the prettiest yellow color and I was so excited to open the box and see them. At first I thought it was a prank and Kefford wrapped up my white Jordans to prank me so I was really excited to open the box and see the yellow ones.

Kenedy bought me a cute Shacket, jacket plus shirt=Shacket, and I love it a lot , it so so cute and cozy to wear.

Heather sent me The Princess Bride boardgames and I am really excited to play that game, she is going up in a few weeks so we will have to learn it and play it together.

Elder Peterson and his Companion were invited over to the Harrises for his Birthday dinner, they fed them amazing burgers and gave him a card, a tie and some fun socks. I am so grateful for kind members who took the time to help Ryker celebrate his special day.