Patience is a virtue...

Thank you for the picture! I love you all too!

I cannot believe that you all went to Utah, you must be having a blast. Why did you guys decide to go to Utah? Did Chanelle end up not giving her welcome home talk?

I’m not going to lie but I’m a little jealous, it seems like everybody has changed so much in the family. I feel like I don’t recognize some of you. Kellin and Kenny seem to have changed a lot. I know I’m bad at writing but tell them to write me, tell them to do it through my E-mail so it gets to me faster. Gosh I can’t believe how different it is going to be back at home. Even the weather it’s totally different. It’s freezing cold here and has been raining like crazy while it’s sunny and hot at home.

That is way awesome that dad just decided to go and do a marathon, my dad’s a stud. I hope it all goes well for him because that is a lot of miles.

Well this week was a little different, we have been having a little more success even though it’s going slow, we have also been working with the members a lot asking for references and just getting to know them. We are really getting to know them pretty well so on that part it’s going good but its a little slow because we have had to teach many less actives and also recent converts. We have been knocking a lot and we have appointments with all of them this week so I hope it all turns out really well cause I have been praying to find those that the Lord is preparing. Also this week we received a really big helping tool for missionary work, we were able to receive portable DVD players to be able to watch the district and learn how to teach better and also to help the new missionaries out to know how to teach more effectively. For me they have helped tons and in watching them I realized some things I could be better at and it also reminds me what things I should be looking for in each investigator and how to fit each lesson to their needs. This week I have kind of felt down about some things and it has been hard with my new companion. I have and am trying a lot of things but really it’s hard and I don’t want to go off and start talking about how hard it is. But I really feel the Lord’s help in having patience, biting my tongue and being able to have a good attitude towards the members and the people in spite of the difficulties or problems that may come up.

The mission work is hard but I realize that the spiritual moments that come push the hard and discouraging moments away and they become the least of worth and they roll off my back. I push strong and try and do my best because I love the Lord and this gospel, I wouldn’t try my hardest if I didn’t know this work and what I’m doing is true. I love this work and my Savior and the more I come to know Him my desire increases to share the gospel. Its weird how that works but it is true that when we draw closer to our Savior we want to share our testimonies with those around us. I love you all and I’m glad I have an eternal family. It almost made me cry seeing that picture of the family. It reminds me of why I’m here and what my goal is. You all just look so happy! And that is what the gospel does.

Con Mucho Amor,
Elder Pedersen

The ward was divided...

Wow, a lot seemed to happen this week; I can't believe the ward got split! And it took a lot of amazing families in the ward! That's insane, so what building does the second ward meet in now? That is so crazy but like you said it was inspired.

It's still so crazy to think that Chanelle is home now and I'm not going to lie but I love the fact that Chanelle is not going for the guys coming her way. lol Because that just gets me that much closer to being there for her wedding even though I know that she will probably get married before I get home.

So what have you all done this week with Dad being off work? So what are Chanelle's plans, is she going straight back to college?

It's so crazy to think that Skyler will be leaving in no time! And yeah we write each other every single week without fail, we always write each other, its way cool see two different missionaries' perspectives of the mission.

     Well this week was a hard one, we still don't have anybody being prepared to be baptized, and it is one super hard thing to be white washed into a sector. I'm trying to work through it and do my best but sometimes I get a little frustrated with myself because I feel like we are not making any progress because we don't have tons of investigators but I know I shouldn't feel like that because as long as I feel like I bringing people closer to Christ then I'm safe and I don't need to worry about having a lot of baptisms. I just feel overwhelmed sometimes because I feel like everything depends on me and it's hard when my companion doesn't know the language but I'm learning from this experience and I know the Lord wants me to learn being here or else I wouldn't be put in this situation. Also this week was hard because the Chile tournament was this week and it's seriously something sacred so it was hard to get into houses.

    I love you all and I'm thankful to have such a great family and support. Sorry this letter is kind of short. I'm glad to hear from you all every week to know that you all are doing great.

Con Amor,
Elder Pedersen

p.s. Some things that would be cool to have
In a package would be some foot souls, and maybe a v-neck sweater vest
and probably weird but, they got to be glued gel in the yellow bottle.
and I can't think of anything else but thank you!

Chanelle's Home!!!

 I was freaking out this entire week realizing that Chanelle is home, it's so insane and I can't even imagine being home so I can see why it's so hard for Chanelle to be away from her mission the first couple of weeks. Gosh I seriously can't believe that she is home, it has gone so fast and I loved the analogy that she gave about Disneyland and how it feels like she only had 18 hours. Part of me is jealous of Chanelle being able to see you all and the other part of me is scared to even go home because I have been living here so long. I won't know what to do with myself when it actually does happen; I guess you could say I'm Chilean now!

   So how was her talk in church? What time did she get home? What are here plans now?

    Well this week was a lot better even though we had a couple problems with the pension in which stopped us from working one day but still we got a lot done and we finally got to meet all the recent converts and more members to be able to build a relationship with them and so now we have gotten their confidence up in us so now it will be easier to invite them to be a part of this work.

    Well for my year mark it was great, and yes I burned a shirt. lol also we had to live in a pension with other missionaries for a couple days because we didn't have gas and so we got permission to do that and so we celebrated by buying pizza. I really can't believe that it has been going this fast and now it's crazy to think that I'm now on the decline to returning home.

   This week it has been a little less stressful training and your prayers have definitely been felt and have helped me a lot. This new training program is awesome because we have a lot more time to study which is absolutely crucial because we have been practicing a lot and I'm trying to push him hard to get this language and to realize that he will fail and screw up a lot of times before he is good and I know this last week it has been hard for him to speak and to teach and he gets frustrated sometimes and I know that I have to have patience with him because I was in his position at one point where I thought I wouldn't get the language. It's funny because I'm pretty sure he does not like the fact that I correct him or push him but it will be the best for him. Also what is cool is that we are actually going to be getting DVD players to be able to watch the district which will help us a lot on learning how to be better missionaries and teachers so we should be getting them soon.  
    By the way Chanelle looks awesome without even looking like she was scared to come home. And I didn't know that Scott and Tyler came as well to see her. It also seems that mom was more scared and excited and more full of emotions than anyone. Lol It's so awesome to be able to see Chanelle; I bet everything is so much different with her now being home.

 I loved seeing the videos so thanks dad for taking videos and pictures with the thought of me.

     I love you all and I hope this next week you have a blast, just make sure to think of me as you are. Lol

    Thank you for your prayers, it's going to be weird now getting all of the attention. Also mom don't worry those blessings from one child being on a mission are still the same as two being on a mission. I know the lord protects and blesses the family through me being on a mission.

   Pray as if it all depends on the Lord and work like it all depends on you!

  Con Mucho Amor,

 Elder Pedersen