Letter #52

Dear family and friends,

Well, staying in Lake Hamilton but getting a new companion! So we go to Tampa tomorrow to drop Elder Bennion off and get the new guy.

Overall, it's been a good week. Weren't able to get a lot done, but that's okay. Things are looking up for this week; we have a lot of work to get done in the next 6 weeks and maybe just enough time to do it.

The Acostas are doing really great still. They came to church again and really liked it. They're starting to learn a lot. Still not sure where they will be moving to, but it's looking possible that they might be able to stay in the area.

So, that's all I have to report this week. I'm just loving this work and so glad that I'm a missionary! The Lord blesses us so much when we follow His paths! Have a great week.

Elder Petersen

Letter #51

Dear family and friends,

First off, just a reminder that this is the last week of the transfer, so if you're going to mail something to me, do it today. Otherwise hold on to it until we find out what's happening with transfers. I have a feeling I'm leaving. The zone leaders have been hinting a lot this past week of big changes happening in our area that involve us and the Spanish missionaries we work with. So we'll see.

This week has actually been really great! We got a referral from some missionaries in Tampa telling us that a lady they had been teaching moved to our area. So we went and met her, and she is so awesome! She's already read a lot of the Book of Mormon and knows she needs to get baptized. And she's already been taught all the lessons. So we just need her to come to church. Which she wants to do, but it's been hard finding her a ride. But we talked to some people yesterday about it and we should be able to get that taken care of.

The Acostas are doing really well. But they're moving. Out of our area. Possibly to Tennessee. So we're kind of bummed out about that. But when they get to where they're going, I'm sure they'll pick back up with the missionaries wherever they are. The mom and daughter are really excited to come to church next week. They talk about it all the time. They're reading the Book of Mormon a lot now, which is a miracle in and of itself. That book really has the power to change lives. It's still changing mine every day as I study from it. I just recently started reading it again, this time looking specifically for everything it teaches me about Christ and His Atonement. Every page so far is almost entirely highlighted. I'm learning so much and I'm finding so much more joy and happiness in this life than I ever thought I could ever have.

I hope you all have a wonderful week! Love you all

Elder Petersen

Letter #50

Dear family and friends,

The work continues to move on here in Lake Hamilton, albeit very slowly. The Acosta family is doing really well. They came to church yesterday for the first time since I've been here! And the teenage daughter is begging her parents to come back next week because she liked young womens so much. It's so awesome! We love that family so much.

I'm really excited for this coming week. We have a lot of good stuff lined up. The members here are so fired up from everything we learned at General Conference and the encouragement to be a part of the hastening of the work. It's great to see the members getting involved in missionary work.

Even though this has been a slow, difficult time for me on my mission, it's been a great blessing as I've been given the opportunity to study every day and strive for the companionship of the Holy Ghost, which then allows me to be aware of and see the little things that the Lord does for me each day that reminds me that He's in control and He's aware of me. I have also taken the advice of President Monson: "It's better to look up." It's just so much easier and way less stressful if you're always noticing the positive side of things. This mortal life is already filled with so much pain and suffering. But when we become positive and notice the small and simple things that bless our lives, the Light of Christ within us grows, and that light spreads to others around us.

I hope you all have a wonderful week. Love ya!

Elder Petersen