ONE WEEK!!!

Just let it all out mom!!! It’s okay you can finally do it! ha-ha I’m so excited too, whenever I think about home or being with the family I just get so gitty and excited inside that I can’t control myself!! I just got done doing my last grocery shopping spree and it’s crazy to think that everything I do this week will be the last here in Chile as a missionary. I have onces (dinners) planned out this week with a couple of families, I have family home evenings with certain families as well, I haven’t even talked to president Wright yet, but tomorrow I will see him because we have a get to know president meeting, then a zone leader meeting with him on Friday and I have my big farewell on Sunday!! I’m pretty stoked. Of course including the baptism of my investigator on Sunday with her two kids. We are praying too that she stops smoking. It’s awesome because the kids are young but we have been teaching them as a family now and we can totally see the desire growing in them to continue in this, we can see changes coming along and friends being made in the church so we are happy about their progress. I cannot believe that Johnathon is getting his call this week!!! That’s ridicules, I’m way excited for the call he will receive!

Question, so I won’t be speaking with Jordan or will I? That’s kind of lame if we don’t but if we can’t its whatever.
I’m not sure if this will be my last time writing to everyone but I think it will be because I will have to be at the office at like 2 or 3. I might be able to squeeze some time in their to write but we will see.

Also about the whole boating thing, I think I will want to do it but I don’t know, actually I say let’s do it! I’m down to do it; it would only be for a day right? It’s just that there is so much I want to do that I’m just not sure when to do it all or the best time. But yeah I would be fine to do it.

Also I know it’s random but I was talking about something with my companion and I realized something that I really wanted that sounded good to me. 7 layer bean dip and clam dip lol weird huh? But it just sounds so good to me ha-ha.

oh, I almost forgot to talk about it but the farewell of president Laycock and sister Laycock was so amazing and seriously the spirit was their so strong and president talked about love and it was so amazing. It was so sad cause in the end we all sang the mission song before they left and it was so hard not to cry just seeing them tear up. I will admit I teared up a bit but I think it was just a mix of the fact that it was all coming to an end and that it was the last time I would see them as my president and it was sad thinking that I was leaving the mission. It was such an emotional and spiritual farewell for them.

Well I don’t know if this will be my last time writing to you but I’m so excited to see you in a week!!      Wow it makes me want to scream with excitement!! But really my mission means everything to me and I’m so thankful for the help and support from family and friends through my time here, really your prayers have been felt every step of the way. This work it true, I have gained a great testimony on how important this work is. Always take advantage of every moment to teach the gospel.

Love you guys so much,
See you soon at the end of the terminal!

Con Amor,
Elder Pedersen

P.s. sorry dad for having to put more money in my account but

This last week almost all lunches fell through, I bought some souvenirs but

Also food to get me through recently. It’s more expensive here than you think.

Last tour of Santiago with President Laycock..2 WEEKS!

I'm so jealous of the fact that you all went to see Chanelle dance and go to Big Judd's! But its okay it gets me all the more excited to see you all and have fun like that. It's so weird when I hear all you have done in Idaho this past weekend, it's a reminder of how fast time has flown by. I totally remember when I went their right before I left on the mission and it sometimes feels like a dream with all that has happened in these past two years.

By the way there is really nothing trunkier or nothing said that puts it into perspective that you're going home soon than when your mom asks you what you want her to cook for you when you get home. Lol                

I think that I just truly miss a good steak and also just some good breakfast food with a cold glass of milk. Ha-ha weird huh? But that's really what sticks out to me in the little bit of food that I can remember from the states. Mom, I think just any food made by you will do and be loved.

By the way, thank you mom for signing me up for my classes cause I was kind of worried about that and so I hope that everything goes well. Thank you for the, I can't imagine the two annoying hours of talking on the phone to get my classes all figured out.

This week was when all the trunky things happened. I first made all my invitations and sent them off to people that I want to see before I leave, and on Friday I went with my group to take a tour of Santiago and it was pretty cool but since President is leaving and doesn't usually do them 2 weeks early like he did with our group, they tried not to make the trip or tour very trunky for us and so it was a little different but it was cool to be able to see some stuff that I hadn't seen before in Santiago. I think the coolest part was when we went through the temple for the last time with president (which yes means that Skyler and I won't be able to see each other before I leave because I didn't know it would happen so soon) and so at the end president gave us all a huge hug and just cried. But it was funny because they couldn't tell us yet that we were done and tell us that we had done a good job but he still cried like always. Ha-ha. The spirit was really strong there.
After that I had my last exit interview with President that I will tell more in detail when I get home. But it was a really spiritual experience where the spirit was so strong and I felt while he gave me the blessing, (that he gives to everyone) that God was really pleased with the decision that I have made to come on a mission and that he is as well pleased with what I have done and that my mission has become what the Lord wanted it to be for me. It was a really comforting blessing.

Tomorrow we have a family home evening with President and sister Laycock. It's going to, I think be an emotional rollercoaster for President and Sister Laycock as well for us missionaries, but I'm excited. It's basically all night.

Also I think we will be pushing the baptism of my investigators to my last Sunday because she has to stop smoking and it has become hard for her to do it. But I hope and pray that she will be able to stop so I can be here for her baptism.

Well I almost can't hold it in any more or contain myself about how excited I am to be able to see everybody. It's hard to do it though without making those I live with the same way. I'm kind of scared at the same time, I kind of have mixed feelings but I know that all I have learned here in the mission will be a crutch to lean on for me when I get home. I'm excited you can say for the real mission to start after the mission and to be able to put into practice all that I have learned. I now have direction in my life of where I want to go and how to be able to become the person I want to be.
I know the church is true and that we have the one and only authority in this church and that we have a living prophet that leads and guides us today who is called of God. Of this I have no doubt.

I love you all. Que Aferran a la barra de hierro siempre

Con Amor,
Su Eíder favorito,
Eíder Pedersen

This was an excerpt from Sister Laycock:

On July 9 and 10, these wonderful missionaries are scheduled to complete their mission service in the Chile, Santiago East Mission. President and Sister Laycock wanted to have a special day with them to celebrate their successful missions. We went to the Temple together. Then we had a wonderful meal of mashed potatoes, gravy, avacado salad, turkey, and flaun for dessert. It was wonderful in every way. We talked about what the Lord expects from these faithful men and women after they return home.

After lunch, we took a little tour to see the important land marks of Santiago. We ended at Los Dominicos, the church that is pictured on the 2 mil peso bill. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with these missionaries. Not just on this special day, but on every day in which they served with us in the Chile, Santiago Mission. We will always have a special place in our hearts for these fine young servants of our Heavenly Father. They really are remarkable in every way. We love them all so much.

Happy Father's Day and 27th Anniversary

HAPPY FATHERS DAY DAD! And happy 27th Anniversary!!


I'm so glad that you both had a great Anniversary. I'm glad it went perfect. It seems like the activity of the stake went well, I got to hear a little part of the song that Daniel sang. It's so crazy how his voice has changed! It sounded awesome. It was kind of funny how they just randomly started swaying back and forth lol. It was good.
By the way Mom I didn't get your letter until this week because you didn't send it in time and so it was good to get two e-mails from mom in one week lol. And it was fun hanging out with Skyler and I didn't mention much cause we didn't do much than just sit and walk around and talk but it was way awesome to be able to see him, it was a lot of fun. He totally shaved his head and so it kind of caught me off guard when I saw him. We just exchanged stories and just talked about after the mission. It seemed like he didn't want to flat out say that he is a little trunky with me going home but I could tell that he was kind of sad that all his friends in his mission are going home and so am I here soon. And I was going to ask about the whole CD thing because I didn't understand that you wanted me to send a CD of something. I don't want o send anything cause I will get home before the package does. Also about my major, I wanted to go into exercise science because I hear from Elders that want to be orthodontists and they said that's what is recommended to take to get you prepared for the test to get into dental school. But just let me know how my classes are set up so I know what's going on and what my schedule is. I didn't get the pictures of last week either and so you should send them again.
Well this week was a good one. We didn't have many lessons but we have put baptismal dates on a family and so we are stoked and so excited for them. I have been teaching them for a long time and since the husband was in the states and had been baptized there we kind of have been teaching her with the thought that she with her kids would be baptized when her husband comes home and so we had been teaching and teaching her with her kids and recently we talked about the gospel of Jesus Christ and I felt I should talk to her about baptism even though she had already told us that she was going to be baptized when her husband comes home. So I mentioned something about baptism and she said that she was talking to her husband and that he told her to be baptized as soon as possible even though he's not here and so she had been told that but she just never told us until we mentioned it and so she got really excited and we asked her to be baptized the 1st of July and her two kids as well have expressed their desire to be baptized. So we are praying that everything goes right and that also she can stop smoking easily like she told us it would be.
Thank you mom and dad for your motivating letters that help and remind me to be better and bring home the fire. I keep thinking that this change will just keep going just like a regular change in the mission and that I will continue being a missionary for a while longer. This week it was wired cause I made invitations for my farewell when I leave my last Sunday in Chile for all those I want to see before I leave and I couldn't believe that I was actually doing it and that this week I will have the big tour with president and my last interview with him before he leaves. It still hasn't hit me yet but with the arrival of president and sister Wright and with my farewell I think it will hit me really hard but as for now I want to like you said bring the fire and take it home with me.
Well, while you're in Idaho give Chanelle hugs and kisses for me and take lots of pictures.
I love you all so much and I can't hide the excitement that I have to see you all. I'm so happy to see everyone progressing so much in the gospel. I feel like God blesses our family so much. I thank my Heavenly Father everyday for the family that I have. Thank you for your prayers and testimonies.
Con Amor,
Elder Pedersen

Trunky?

Querida familia,

Well right now Elder blue and I are sitting next to each other writing our fams, it's pretty awesome! We were super excited. I will send you all some pictures of us. It was funny cause you will see him with regular clothes on, we meant to both go in regular street clothes and so in the pictures it may makes him look bad ha-ha.

Well I'm totally stoked for coming home but it's like mixed feelings, but there's no doubt that I'm excited to see the family! The time is going by so fast and I can't believe it, I feel like sometimes it's a dream that it's all coming to a close, but I still can't imagine not being a missionary.

This week wasn't the best week for success. It's getting hard in this sector and it's even harder with the fact that there's a trunky missionary in it. Lol

We actually taught all of our investigators this week but they are all at a point where they either won't or cannot progress and be baptized before I get home. Its weird thinking that I have so little time left in the mission that even if I found someone golden they couldn't even be baptized before I leave even if they wanted to.

We taught our investigator this week and he goes to church and mutual every week and we put a baptismal date on him and we ended up talking to his mom about it and she is totally opposed to it and so its kind of hard. She doesn't want him to get baptized right now, because the husband doesn't want it at all cause he does not like our religion and so it's frustrating cause we were thinking of what to say to them but there was nothing cause it all comes down to the parents decision and so he said he will keep coming to church and participate but can't be baptized until he is 18.

I can't believe that Kenny is graduated! I and Skyler were talking about how crazy it is that they are all growing up and graduating! It seems like so long ago when that happened for us. I hope the party they had was awesome and that a lot of people went to support them. You have to send some pictures if you can.

This week I had another meeting with President Laycock and I love the fact that I get to work so close to him and learn from him and see how he leads and guides the mission.

He took my companion and I home in his car (new mission car for pres. Wright) and we talked about his son in the mission and about what they will be doing when returning home and we got talking about his big homecoming when he speaks in church and he said it's the 29th of July and he asked if I would be in town for it. So I'm wondering if we are doing anything during that time.

Well I love you all tons and I know this work of which I'm doing is true!

Que tangan una buena semana!

Con Amor,
Elder Pedersen

Happy Birthday Mom...

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!

I hope you were able to have a good birthday.

I'm not going to lie but it was disappointing to not receive any letter last week from anyone. It was I think the first time that that has happened in my mission but it's all good. After a couple of tears I was fine lol jk.

I cannot believe that Kenny is already graduating from high school. We can definitely say that he looks a lot older than I looked when I graduated ha-ha. I'm excited for him though and for his future and where he will go now.

By the way it has been way too long that I really have no idea where it is even if I thought really hard I wouldn't be able to tell you. Sorry.

Well this week wasn't that great of a week, my companion and I get along really well and we are having fun, we are not finding more people to teach or even having many lessons to teach but we are doing good and even though sometimes it can be very easy to get lazy, I realize that I'm leaving in a little bit and I want to look back with peace of mind knowing that I ended great.

This week we were able to have a meeting for all the Zone Leaders in the mission, but this time we had it at the Presidents house, and it was really awesome. He opened his heart to us and taught us the things that leaders do and taught us how to be persuasive. He also gave each one of us one of his favorite ties and he signed it saying con amor, he also said that the ties represented the love he has for each one of us and that there will always be a TIE between us.

By the way mom I always am writing things down for the most part, well at least better than the majority of the elders and so I consider myself doing well with that.

Well I love you all and I'm excited to see you all but for now I will be working hard so the blessings will be sent home. Pray for our investigators.

CON AMOR,

Elder Pedersen

Last Change

Today was change day and yes Mom your wish came true, My companion was transferred and I stayed, so we wont be leaving together, now you don't have to worry about me getting trunky. . I actually was happy that I stayed because I already know the ward and even though the sector isn't that great I believe that I will be able to see even more miracles than I have already seen here.


Well my companions name is Elder Grillone and is from New Jersey, he is really cool and we are getting along great already. He's pretty excited to be able to kill me but holding back a little saying it because he knows that he will be pretty trunky by the time I leave because he only has two changes less than I do. I'm excited for this change as well because we will be able to give it full throttle because we both have sufficient time here in the mission that we don't have to train or tell each other how to do things and so we both are excited and I know it will be a great change. I'm kind of scared that it s coming so fast that I'm leaving and I don't think that I will even feel ready but at least I can try and do my best this last change.
Today pure sister missionaries went home and while listening to their testimonies made me want to cry just thinking that I will have to leave all those that I have taught and come to love here. But that's enough talking about my leaving home. Lol
This week has been a good week, not for numbers because it wasn't that great in that aspect. ha-ha This week we were teaching the kid that we had found that went to church and participated in everything, and we went over this week and his dad was there and he saw us and realized we were teaching his 15 year old and he told us that he didn't authorize that fact that we were there and so he told us to leave and the kid told his dad that he had already talked to his mom and that it was fine with her, but he insisted and so there was nothing we could do and so we left really disappointed and sad. But on Thursday we went to mutual and he was there with the rest of the young men and so we were shocked and he said that his mom I guess doesn't care that he listens to us and so we were really excited but we have to teach him now in the house of a young man. So we taught him and he had said that he had felt something different at the baptism that he attended and he also told us that he was in 2 Nephi 18! And we had only taught him like 3 times, so it was a miracle that he still came and that his dad somewhat let his son go to the church and mutual. So I'm hoping that we can see progress up to baptism there.
Well I'm not sure if you sent a letter to me because I didn't get anything from you or dad today. I'm pretty sure there is a reason why because you both usually write.
Well I love you all a tons and hope and pray that everybody is staying strong and choosing the best
Have a great week!
Con Amor,
Elder Pedersen
P.S. I have new pictures on shutterfly just in case that you're not looking

Last Zone Conference!! SAD

Thank you for the pictures and the scriptures and your favorite stories! And don't worry about the favorite scriptures of the kid's cause there are some things that I want to buy but its fine I can do without them.

I seriously cannot believe that McKenna has had another birthday again! I feel like it was not too long ago when she turned 8. That so insane, she's not allowed to grow up so fast! Ha-ha

Well I'm supper excited about the whole car thing! That's going to be awesome! But let me know what kind of car you're going to buy yourself ha-ha. I'm so stoked for college! Don't worry I'm not getting too trunky. Lol Me and my companion are still working hard.

Actually this week we have been so busy with other stuff that there was really not much time this week to be able to work in the sector much because we had temple, Zone conference and we had to do little things here and there as zone leaders.

Well this week you remember when I told you that we had found a kid who is totally legit and has real intention to know the truth but his grandparents don't like us and always come in the lesson to bash with us about things that don't really make sense? Problem not but he is really awesome! He came to mutual Thursday by himself in spite of not knowing anybody and when he got their they said that they were going to practice for a beauty and the beast play that they were going to do for a stake thing and he participated even though it was totally boring for him and he came to church on Sunday with his book of Mormon and stay all four hours until the baptismal service was over and he even sang with the young men in the musical number that they did for our investigator that got baptized! Awesome right? So we are excited for the progression of him.

SO yes we had a baptism and it went really good except for the fact that the gas ran out to heat up the water for the baptismal font and so it was pretty funny watching them enter into the font with freezing water. That's why electric heaters are better; you don't have to worry about any of that. the mom was also there as well and what is cool is that we had given her a book of Mormon and she told her husband that she wants to read it all before we leave home and so we are stoked, I not sure how far she will progress but she loves the book of Mormon and she had never read it before in spite that her husband had given her one before!

It was funny because in Zone Conference President told everyone about the Wrights and how dad works with him again and he said that the previous night you both had eaten dinner with them and so I'm guessing that president has been talking to President Wright.

During the conference as well he answered all the questions that we could think of about what's going to happen before the Wrights get here and so it was pretty cool to learn it all. They answered all the questions because that was the last zone conference that we would ever have with him. Sad huh? It's all coming so soon.

Well I love you all and hope you have a great week


Con Amor,

Elder Pedersen

Happy Mother's Day

It was an amazing day yesterday and I was so happy to be able to see you all. I'm glad you enjoyed it because I definitely did. I'm sorry for the fact that I wasn't able to talk to everybody personally like I would of loved to but that's what will happen in 8 more weeks.

I'm glad mom that you were able to get your traditional massage by every member of the family.haha you definitely can't pass a mother's day without doing that.

I can't believe that Adam wrote a song for you both, that's so studdly of him. I love that guy and glad that Shanna picked him, he is a stud.

And mom don't worry about me getting trunky because out of all the companionships in the mission that have the same time like my companion and I think we work the hardest, we really want to die in a good way if you know what I mean. my companion is a really hard worker and we have voiced our desires to not get too lazy before we end and how we want to squeeze the last amount of energy out until we end and I don't think that you have to worry anyway because we both would feel too bad if we got lazy or did anything stupid.

Also you might be impatient BUT I don't remember the name of the person that you wanted me to mention to president Laycock lol so let me know who it is again. You might have to talk slow and do sign language again so I understand. Ha-ha

Also I was going to ask dad who all are coming on the hike with us? Is it all the scouts or just the boys and some cousins?

Well this week was a really great one cause we were about to do a tour at the temple with the family that we were able to reactivate and they are way awesome and their kids love us and so we did that and the mom and dad went and the spirit was really strong and they both ended up saying that they felt the spirit more than they have ever before and the dad said that he wishes he could feel that always and also that it's a dream of his one day to walk in and it's a dream that he knows will be reality and so the goal is set for them and they have the great desire to do it so we are really excited for them.

Also after we got done with the phone calls we were on our way to some houses and suddenly we got a phone call from an Herman in the ward (whose wife and son who is 12 aren't members) Telling us that he has a new investigator for us and so we set up an appointment with them and then 10 minutes later he called back and said he wanted to pick us up and so we cancelled our appointments with members and the family told us that his son want to be baptized and wants to do it before we leave and so he said he also wanted to be baptized as soon as possible to be able to be part of the priesthood quorum and so he told us he wanted to receive the lessons all this week and be baptized this Sunday! And so we were stoked knowing that it was a total tender mercy of the lord and also the mom wouldn't let him be baptized before because she has listened to the missionaries before but with us she permits it and she is present as well during the lesson and I think we can get her in spite that she has heard the missionary so many times. As well our other investigator family is progressing as well too and everything is going great with them, we even did a family home evening with a member family and it went very well. The only thing is that her 13 year old son doesn't have many friends in the church and so it's kind of hard for him not to be board sometimes in the church but with time it will all work out.

We are really seeing miracles in our sector in this moment and we are totally excited to teach this gospel and to see these people progress!

Well I know this gospel is true and that we really can be triumphant in a world of wickedness because of the power of the atonement of which I'm so thankful for, he truly is my mediator between God applying both justice as well as mercy. And those that come to him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, will and can be healed and perfected. I love this gospel and know that all those who apply it will truly find the easier way through life and will find true happiness.

Mom in case I didn't tell you, I love you so much and for all you do as a mother and escpecially for me. I'm sure that not only me but all of the kids are so grateful for what you do, thank you so much for your uplifting and motivating words every week.

I love you all and pray you have a great week!

HAZ LO JUSTO

Con Amor,
Elder Pedersen

My Gosh little Ella is so adorable and I can't wait to hold and kiss her! That's so awesome that Shanna was able to do that photo shoot of her, my niece is so cute!

Well I'm glad that you all are super excited to be able to talk in six days because I am!
  We have been trying to find a place where the internet is fast and so hopefully we will be able to get that.

Yeah I figured you would love the pictures that I sent; Good idea huh? I'm not sure how to download them but I hear you can just drag them down and they can only be downloaded onto the computer but yeah you will have to just figure it out.

SO you were able to sign me up to the Nauvoo house without any problems? I'm so stoked to be able to go to college! So when I get home you have to take advantage of me. Ha-ha I'm way stoked too that Chanelle's ward is also in part of the Nauvoo house!

I can't believe that grandpa had a little stroke, that's super scary. I hope that everyone is taking care of grandma and grandpa and visiting them. I'm glad that everything is going good now though, thank heavens.

Well here in the Chile Santiago East mission everything is being prepared for the coming of President Wright. It seems like president is doing a good job in getting everything together. ITs funny cause now whenever President sees me he always wants to know a little more about Pres. Wright and what I have heard and so thank you dad for the information that is given lol. But yeah that's something that I thought you already knew, the fact that Chile has many baptisms but a lot less actives and its kind of sad but the area presidency made a lesson plan for us missionaries to teach to all the less actives to help them have a desire to come back to church and it's a really good lesson but it was actually made when I first got here and that is helping a lot but what is cool is that my mission has the lowest amount of baptisms, but the retention rate is the highest in all of Chile and so we are doing great in that aspect. And also, yeah I know the elder who lost both his parents in the mission and its super sad but the elder has a great attitude about it all, he was in my zone for a while. I love the kid a lot; he definitely has the attribute of love. Its super powerful to think that in spite of what he has been through he stays, I really don't know what I would do in that situation but he is an absolute stud. I'm actually living with the elder who was his companion last change.

Well this Sunday I will be calling like I said about 1 your time so be ready with questions!
Will I get to see Chanelle?

Well I love you all tons and hope that the boys are all getting along and loving each other.

Que Sagan Fuertes en el evangelic,
Les Ammo machismo,

Elder Pedersen

P.S. Thank you dad for the money, I actually took it out today to
buy some stuff.

Best Baptism Ever!!!

Kenny looked super happy about prom and with taking getting the car. I was surprised but happy that Susan lent him the car. It totally reminded me of when I went to prom. Thank you for the pictures Dad!

By the way Mom, here in south America they just made it possible for men at the age of 18 to leave because here in south America the church loses a lot more men because they graduate from high school and right away go to college where they just start their life and get caught up in worldly stuff and so they try to catch them before they go but I'm not sure if they will make it like that in the states.

Well it has been really cold this past week and my companion and I both have been a little sick but fighting it by taking medicine, I'm glad I came to Chile with the box of Emergen-C, that helped a lot. All this cold weather has made me want to listen to Christmas music.

So this week has been a great one ending with a baptism. It was super amazing and the ward was their supporting us the whole time and so to begin we got to the chapel and we found our investigator family their sitting waiting for us and they actually got their an hour early because they forgot about the hour change (which was yesterday for us) and so that was super surprising and awesome to see them. I was nervous that we would have to lead and be at their side the whole time but all the members got up to say hi to them and to get to know them and one of her daughters has a friend there as well and also the mom found out that one of her friends is a member as well and so that was really comforting. They stayed for the whole four hours including the baptism, I think she really liked it all and her kids were taken away by the youth to their classes (which doesn't happen much here in Chile) and so that's why I love this ward, there is always support and so the kids were invited to activities and felt welcome. Also the bishop ended up talking with her and she will be getting help with food until her husband comes home in July. She still doesn't have that answer that she is looking for but she is doing all the things possible to receive one and so we are praying for her and her family that she does and that she can recognize it.

The baptism started and the girl getting baptized was super nervous but her parents had told me that before coming to church she went into her room to say a prayer to not be nervous. She's a cute little girl. Also in the baptism her family was able to be their even thought they weren't members and the stake president spoke and the spirit was very strong and after some sisters from the ward sang whenever I look for rainbows, I'm not sure if that what it called but it's a primary song and it's a powerful song and it was hard for me not to cry, it was funny though cause whenever someone sings a song she would get up and sing as well and us four elder sang a song too and she just sat in front of us to look and listen, she just wanted it all to herself. Ha-ha it was probably one of the best baptisms I have been to in Chile. Very good! I couldn't have asked for one better.

And so for the whole roommate thing, I don't know the full names of some of the people cause after all I only knew them as elders. But some of the names are Jason Mathews, Jordan Harris, Lyman McKnight and that is all I know. If you need more info. Just let me know because I'm not sure how it's all done but thank you mom for doing it all.

I'm super excited to talk to you all and can't wait to see you  live! Lol yes we will be doing Skype again but I can't remember my account number or password so if you could get that to me this next week that would be fantastic. But I will most likely call between 1:00 and 1:30 your time.

Also I have a little surprise for you all. Lol Well I set up an account with shutterfly and so I put almost all my pictures on the website. there you will have like 350 pictures uploaded, they aren't in the best quality but you have them now safe and sound. I know crazy huh? Ha-ha I have like 100 more pictures that I still haven't put on yet and you know that I had like 300 deleted but there you go. Tell me what you think.

Well love you all and hope and pray all goes well with the family this week!

Con Amor
-Elder Pedersen

Great Week!!

 HI FAMILY!

Well that was a big ear full of information received today. I love when I get mail enough that takes me up to 45 min to finish reading it all!

Thank you for the pictures which is something that I do not do (send pictures) but don't worry you will be able to see them all in a few months or at least the ones I didn't lose.

I'm jealous that you were all able to see Chanelle perform this last week but it's all good I will have all the time in the world to see her perform at BYU I when I'm there and cheer for her. I was surprised that it was dads first time seeing Chanelle perform; I could have sworn that he had seen her here at college. The wig and the costume of Chanelle were awesome! It seemed to have turned out amazing. It's insane how many times that you and Shanna have gone to go see Chanelle, man she's spoiled ha-ha but I guess she deserves it. But come on you sent her an Easter package when she was in college. By the way did Chanelle know that you all were going to see her when leaving Medford?

Well this week has been a great one for me and my companion, we are having a lot of fun which makes the weeks fly by and it kind of scares me but makes me excited. I just don't want to get to the end of the mission with any little bit of regrets about anything, of course a mission won't be perfect ever but I can at least try and try my best. This sector is a little hard but we are working hard as well not trying to get discouraged even though we both have the same time out on the mission, I am setting goals for the rest of my mission and they are being achieved which excites me into wanting to become better.

This week we have been teaching a couple of people and reactivating a bunch of people as well. For instance we received a reference from the church that a lady had contacted the church through mormon.org and so we went by and it was a family of 4 that had moved here form Argentina and the dad had left to the states to go take care of his mom cause she was dying and while he was their she passed away and so before she died she told him to investigate the Mormon church cause she was a member and so he ended up finding the church and receiving an answer and becoming baptized and now he is trying to help his wife get an answer and so now we are teaching her and she really wants to know if the church is true and we have been praying and so has she to know and the last time we passed by the house her husband was on Skype and so we got to know him and we taught her with him being there and it was kind of funny but cool. He is over in the states trying to pay off his moms bills and do a bunch of stuff which leaves them without money and without a dad here, so I feel bad for them but the gospel can really lighten up their life cause the mom really feels like she is in a black hole but I feel that with her husband she will come to know. The husband also told us that he had to stop smoking and it was super hard for him but he did it and has read many books of the church and so he has a strong testimony so we are excited to see their progress.

We also are teaching the same little girl and we actually set a baptismal date for her for this next week and so we are super excited. She is super cute and she goes to primary and tells the teacher all that she is learning from us and also she remembers a lot of what we teach her which is surprising for a 9 year old, it's still super weird to think that she is the same age as McKenna cause I cant imagine her that big yet. So I will tell you how the baptism goes.

Also this week my companion and I went to some random ladies house and she was renovating her house and so she had to take down the roof but she didn't want to pay anyone to do it for tons of money and so a kid in the ward told the lady that we could do it since we are always asking people to do service and so he volunteered us and so she asked us how much we charged we said nothing and so I think she took advantage of us but it was fun so we didn't care, I almost fell through the roof a couple time since the roof was so weak but luckily nobody got hurt. We actually told the lady that instead of paying us money she could listen to all the lessons that we have to share and so she agreed, so we will see how that goes!

There was also a baptism in the ward, well I didn't have one but the other elders were teaching them. It was a mom and a daughter. It went pretty well, I wouldn't say united states style but it was still good and me, my companion, another elder and a kid from the ward who was the main character in the 50 years of Chile celebration all sang Nearer my God to me and it went really good, better than I thought since we hadn't practiced at all.

I love this ward more and more since I know the members better now than before and the members love us as well and are too good to us, the members are always taking care of us.

Well about the whole rooming thing with mason, remember when I said last week that there are a couple of elders from my mission that are rooming together in BYU I? Well I got a E-mail from one saying that he wanted me to room with them, I know all except one but they all served here and so I told him to save me the one spot left in the apartment they were staying at which he told me was the Nauvoo house it's called. I'm not sure how much everything would cost, I have no idea but I think it would be a blast. Just let me know what you think yeah?

Well I love you all and you are all in my prayers. By the way Kenny's letter should get to him this week.

Con Amor,
 Elder Pedersen

Stake Youth Conference...

Well, yes I was kind of sad at the fact that I didn't get your letter last week, maybe thats why I didn't write too much. I was happy that at least Dad wrote me but mom is the one who gives the juicy information. Ha-ha Well thanks for the photo and yes I talked to Skyler and he told me that he had seen Scherstan or however you spell it and he said it was weird but cool at the same time.

Well this week was full of crazy stuff with first us having a missionary day with all the kids (jovenes) of the stake and us as zone leaders, members of the high counsel and president Laycock set it up and on Saturday we started off studying with all the kids with the appropriate age and we studied the new 12 week program for new missionaries and so that was fun, the kid who was with me was way awesome and he asked tons of questions and we talk about our experiences before the mission and I gave him advice and then we listened to the stake president and then ate lunch and then left to work in each sector. We worked hard and walked around a lot as well. He walked around for about 1 hour and he couldn't believe that we did that every day and he kept telling me how dedicating this all was, I think I'm just so used to it that I don't realize. We then came back and president Laycock spoke to us and he really got the young men motivated to serve a mission and he also gave them some things that they need to have a testimony of and he testified to humbly but powerfully and the spirit was really strong. We next heard from a member of the high counsel and I think he got intimidated by presidents talk cause he said when he first got up that he really set the bar high for him.lol That's my president

It was a great day and the joven that I went with really loved it and it all turned out great and he told me that he now had even more desired to serve a mission and then I gave him a copy of preach my gospel that he didn't have and he was excited to read it and prepare cause he had already started his papers.

We also have been teaching a less active family and the daughter is about 9 and supper smart as well, they have all came to the church many times and now are active and the daughter absolutely loves us and she always wants to give us hugs. We have taught her up to the gospel of Jesus Christ and I asked her to pray to know if this is all true so she can feel the spirit and have a surety and she said ¨but I already know Joseph smith is a prophet¨ it was supper cute. I love teaching her and she always invites her friends over too which they all pay a lot of attention.

Well we had changes last night and knew I was staying but I was scared who was going to be my companion or if I was going to be comps. with a zone leader or not and so we got the call and said my companion was leaving and that the other elder was staying and getting a new comp. and so basically they told us today that I'm comps with Elder Walker from Las Vegas who was the one that was already here with me and so I was super excited knowing that we both have experience and that we were in the same MTC group and so it will be a fun change.

Also president talked to us today to the entire mission and like always it was absolutely awesome! He shared with us the parable about the 10 virgins but made it the 10 missionaries teaching us how to fill our lamps up with oil and not be the 5 foolish elders and he told us 5 things to do to take as a guide the spirit and not be fools. He said if we fall we can get right back up and continue and win, it's all possible through Christ! There was much more but you catch my drift ha-ha. President and his wife then gave each person a vessel of oil that was taken directly from the olive trees in Gethsemane in Jerusalem witch was also consecrated there as well to let us always remember to get up if my fall and to fill out lamps up. Isn't that awesome! They had a friend help them do it.

Well I want pictures of Ella; I'm so glad that she is supper healthy and Shanna is happy.

Also I was talking to a couple of missionaries that are going to BYU-I and I they told me to live with them. They are living in the Nauvoo house and so try and get me their k? I'm not exactly sure what info you need to do that but let me know k?

Well I love you all and thank you for the letter and prayers and motivation, keep safe and tell Kenny that his letter that I sent him is on its way.

Con Amor,

Elder Pedersen

I'm An UNCLE!!!! Happy Easter...

I can't believe that Shanna had her baby 3 weeks early! I was in shock; I wish I could be there so bad to see her. She seems so cute and doesn't look like almost 8 pounds! I'm so excited for Adam and Shanna! I can't believe I'm an uncle now! I can't wait to hold her in my arms. Were you all super surprised that Shanna was going to have her 3 weeks early or was it kind of expected? That awesome that she was able to be born the day after my birthday. Well Thank you for the pictures, they made me feel at least little closer to home.

My birthday was awesome and so was Easter! Their was many families that invited us four over to their house to sing happy birthday to me and so I ate a bunch of cake, I wish I could send you pictures but I don't want another virus to get on my card.

We went to 3 houses to celebrate my birthday and so we had a lot of fun. They were super nice to me even though I haven't been here for that long.

This Easter was a good one; I actually made some Easter eggs. I and the other gringo that lives with me both made them Sunday night to celebrate and so it was exciting. And on Sunday in the morning as I was pondering I was reading about Christ in the bible and so many scriptures hit me differently while reading them, it's interesting to see how studying the scriptures with the spirit make you look at certain verses and you see it in a different way according to what God would have you know or understand.


We also had interviews with president this last week and they were awesome, President Laycock is so inspired by God and called to carry out his work here; he truly cares for the one. I always look forward to interviews with him and this one was our last official one together until the exit interview! Crazy huh? He challenged me to do certain things including writing down after and in mission goals.

Well sorry about the short letter but I'm so happy about the birth of baby Ella. I want more pictures too ha-ha

Love you all and hope you have a great wonderful week

General Conference!!!

So I guess you are all in Utah watching Chanelle if I'm not wrong, so I'm pretty jealous but in no time I will be able to see her. I love her too! But still there is not an excuse for not writing me, but it's all good she actually has written me a lot.
By the way thank you so much for the package! I got it on Thursday and so I was way excited. I loved the ties and the shirt was exactly what I needed because I only have four shirts and they are turning gray and yellow fast no matter how much I bleach them. Lol I loved all the letters and was especially thankful to finally receive a letter from Kenny, I don't know why but I was happy to hear from him and I have been thinking about him a lot lately. I love him and pray for his spiritual safety and hope everything is going great with him.
General conference as usual was so uplifting and moving making me walk away so much more energized spiritually and as well uplifted. I loved the talk by elder Uchtdorf; it was perfect for the Chile as well of course for the whole world. It's so true, so many times we judge others, we have to simply stop it and love and forgive everybody and gives them the same mercy that we ourselves desire.
Also I loved the talk by Elder Bednar about the priesthood! It was way inspiring and loves the story he shared.
Also I loved the first few talks in the first session and they were exactly what I needed escpecially the talk by Elder Eyring, he has gotten to such a high level of spirituality. And of course the talk by Holland, I love all of them but like you said I love the way he teaches! You should see my iPod, most of all the talks I have are from him lol.
Well this week was a bit slow just looking up to general conference but this week I have like dad says my batteries recharged lol. By listening to general conference I realize how important we need to look back and study the talks that are given because I listen but by going back over the in the months to come I get something totally different out if it and like elder Uchtdorf says I am able to get custom revelation.
So this next week I'm excited because we have family home evenings on Thursday and Friday even though I have only been here for short time the other missionaries say it's my birthday coming up this week and the members jump in to do something. I actually didn't know that I was going to the temple with Skyler this Monday. Lol I would love to but I don't think will be able to. We have been planning on doing something this next p-day but he is having a mission activity, lame huh but as soon as we can we will meet up at least three times before I leave!
I love being zone leader for the fact that I get to go to meetings with president and learn so much from him with the other leads of the mission. When I get back I will have to tell you stories and things he has taught us.
I'm so excited for the baby of Shanna and can't believe I will be gone for my first niece but at least I won't be gone too long to not see her as a baby. I heard you and dad are going all out on this baby and baby shower. We will be so spoiled. ha-ha
This next week I hope we all can take a moment to reflect on the death and the resurrection of Christ and what it means to us and make the fact the he really did bear our burdens and carry our sorrows help us to be able to make better decisions in our life. I realize that this life is so hard to always remember him with all the worldly distractions in our life and all the voices fighting for our attention but I know that if we really carry out the promise we make when taking the sacrament by remembering him always, it would make a dramatic changed in our lives for the good and we would slowly but surely become more like him thinking about every decision before we take it.
I love you all so much and bear testimony that Christ is real and that he loves us so much and will never leave us comfortless if we just turn to him. His love is so great that we can't even comprehend but its real for all and he is too.
I hope your questions were answered this conference and that we can continue to find them through reading and pondering the talks given.
Que Siguán Adelante en el Evangelio!
Les Amo a todos!
- Elder Pedersen

Testimony....

Thank you mom and dad so much for your testimonies. I love hearing the testimony of both you and dad. You make me want to do better and try harder. Your testimonies lead me to want to not only respect the name of the family that I carry around with me but also the name of the Savior that I took upon me and helps me and reminds me to push harder. There is no greater cause than this one and I only have a couple months left to be in it as a missionary. Thank you for reminding me and motivating me, I think it was the words I needed and will need later on.
Speaking of the spirit, I actually had to speak yesterday about the spirit, and how they do it here is they usually tend to tell you of the assignment the day before so the bishop gave me the opportunity to speak even though I've only had so little time in the ward and its funny cause I just spoke the week before I left my last ward and so do is giving me many opportunities to speak and to become better I think.
I spoke and it went really well, it probably wasn't the best talk but I gave it  following the spirit and the spirit really guided me. I was glad I talked on the spirit cause in these last few months of my mission I have really understood the importance of the spirit. I told the members that if we want to be successful in this life and progress, we need to fight for the spirit daily, and to do so and I explained that it easy to make wrong decisions in the world today and to become deceived by all the rumors and ideas which makes having the spirit even more important in our lives to fill us with joy and the desire to make right decisions. I as well explained the difference between the power of the Holy Ghost and the gift of the Holy Ghost.
I also said many other things, I think it was a good talk and people seemed to like it.
This sector is pretty hard and there is a lot of rejection, so I'm trying to look for that Spirit to keep my spirits  high.
SO right now we are basically looking and teaching less actives and so I'm hoping it all goes well in that area.

So how is Shanna coming along? I'm really excited for the baby, I can't wait! I want to see more pictures even though Shanna already sent me a bunch.

I'm super excited for General Conference you have no idea and I don't know why. Well I do know why, but I'm overly excited!!

Well I love you all and stay safe.

I hope all the boys are doing well, I've been praying for them all. 

Keep going forward. 

Shall we not go on in such great a cause?

Con Amor,
Elder Pedersen

Doing well in my new ward...

That’s way awesome that Jordan might be coming home early! That would be cool if it was the same week.
I seriously cant believe either how fast the time Is going by I cant believe it and part of me can’t wait to come home and see everyone, half of me is kind of ready but the other half of me is aware of the fact that I will get thrown into reality and I feel like I’m still not the perfect missionary yet but I know I will never be the perfect one but I’m shooting for it and that’s the most important part.
That funny that you mentioned that it was my birthday in 3 weeks cause I actually forgot about it, like I knew it was coming up but I was more focused on the fact that General Conference is coming up!
Well this week was a little slow but still a good one, it’s a lot more fun living with four missionaries and it seems like the time goes by super fast especially cause I’m living with an Elder that was in my same district in the MTC and so sometimes its fun to talk about home but at the same time it gets us a little trunky. lol
The work is super slow here and when we knock doors nobody wants to listen to us and so it’s kind of frustrating because it makes it hard to not say rude things to them and love them but we are trying and it’s still going and also the members help us a lot and there is a lot of cool kids in the ward that go with us! I like the ward already and so I’m getting to know a lot of cool people so far, it’s just the sector that is a little difficult.
The zone leader position is going well, it just feels really weird and I don’t really feel like I’m a leader but it helps me with reaching out to other people. Mom you know how I am, I’m more of a one on one person lol, but I think that I will get used to it after a little bit.
Well this is a short letter but I will try to send some pictures to make up for the lack. Ha-ha Pictures say it all anyway!
Love you and can’t wait to be an uncle!!
-Elder Pedersen

Zone Leader!

Sent from your IPad? Wow that’s nice. Lol

Well as you knows today we had changes and I left my sector after only being there for 7 weeks. But it’s all good, at least I got to get to know the ward pretty well in that last sector. I was kind of mad because I got there with nothing and we were preparing two people to get baptized, but like you said the Lord has the blue prints and knows what I am supposed to be. Also that idea helped me because today we all got our changes and President asked me to be the new Zone Leader. Crazy huh? I thought I would get through the mission without having to be Zone Leader. Well it just affirms the quote that says ¨God comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable¨. I don’t feel like I’m such an amazing missionary, but I guess I’m in this position to help others and for me to grow. But overall I’m excited because I’m zone leader with a Elder that I came with and he's pretty tight. The only thing that’s kind of lame is that I’m not companions with him. We live with four so he has his comp. and I have mine and mine is from Paraguay and is really quiet but I will get him to open up more, also the other one we live with is a bit quiet as well.

I’m jealous that you were able to go see Chanelle dance. I can’t wait! Seriously I’m so stoked!! Also that you say its freezing there, that sounds soo good!

I can’t believe that you were able to see and talk to Elder Guarro. I thought you would have totally forgotten about that. It’s funny because I actually was reading in my journal that I brought with me before the mission and one entry was about the cool experience that I had with him. SO that’s funny and awesome to know that I will be able to see him at BYU.

Well yesterday we had stake conference with all of the Santiago Mission and Elder Perry, Andersen and Sister Beck spoke through satellite and it was pretty good. Of course it’s always better to hear them in English but it was cool because I got to hear them speak Spanish except Elder Perry because he couldn’t. But Elder Andersen spoke on tithing and Elder Perry on the importance of the Book of Mormon in our lives.

Also I’m glad that you were able to get the videos and the pictures. Did you get all the videos? They’re not as great as the ones that Chanelle took on her mission but whatever.

Also I wanted to ask you if you knew about the classes that I will be taking. And when I need to sign up for them?

Well sorry for the short letter but I love you all. Pray for me.

Con Amor,
Elder Pedersen

BYU here I come....

Congratulations to me!! Man I was worried about not getting accepted into BYU. I'm excited! I'm glad that's over.

The pictures of Chanelle and her roommates affirm the fact that guys over there are retarded. I was looking at the pictures wondering why she is not married or why a bunch of guys aren't all over her asking her on dates. It must be because she is intimidating or something. Maybe God is just making her wait until the right one comes to present himself. I'm just glad that I can go to BYU and protect her from stupid guys.

Well on to new stuff, this week was a good one full of great experiences. Elder Richards of the seventy did a mission tour and came to our mission and he and his wife taught us and they are way awesome.

We started the day off with all the leaders of the mission gathering early in the morning with him. And since I am a trainer I was invited We were with about 15 missionaries in the mission and he taught us about real understanding through the spirit speaking to our hearts of the truthfulness of the Gospel. That is when we actually learn. He asked us if we have ever read the same scripture over and over, but on the 5 time it makes sense to you and becomes meaningful to you personally? He said it's because we are learning by the spirit and that's when he speaks to our hearts and minds to teach us the things we need to learn.

Then when the meeting was ending President told me to come and talk to him and when I did he asked, "You know who the new mission president is right?¨ and I said yeah and he told Elder Richards ¨This is interesting, Elder Pedersen here has a dad that works with the new mission president¨ and so we started talking and his wife asked me questions about Oregon cause she had done a tour up there with the Relief Society presidency and so President asked me if I could share something or talk about him with the mission and so I told him I know him but I don't know a ton about him personally, but overall I said yes. And so at the end of the meeting president told me how thrilled he was about the new president and how anxious he was to talk to me today and so basically every time he saw me he was saying how excited he was. Lol



So we started the main meeting and the President introduced who the new Mission President would be and he asked me to come up and say something, and so I just said that he and his family are amazing and he has two kids serving missions and that he works with my Dad and my family and I grew up knowing he and his family. President Laycock went on to say that all his kids speak Spanish except one who served in Brazil and that his wife is trying to learn Spanish hard before she gets here. Then after that Elder Richards said, ¨now imagine the burden Elder Pedersen has now, he will have to act accordingly in all places. And I said well at least for 5 days till I leave ha-ha so they thought it was funny. But I actually realized that I will be with him for 10 days, so that's cool. Special treatment coming up lol jk. It's even cooler that I'm the only one in the mission that knows him and so they all keep asking me questions. So yeah President is so excited to meet them.

We then got taught a little more by Elder Richards and then he sat down to eat with we me at my table and we all started asking him questions about General Conference and the tours that he goes on and what not, I learned a lot. It was a really cool Wednesday.

You finally got the package that I sent like forever ago! There's not a bunch of pictures, but hopefully enough and I hope you like them. I wasn't able to get the videos on their but whatever. I guess you will have to wait 4 months to see some.

Also, Dad I thought I was coming home to rest a little bit? Lol! Wow, a 50 mile hike! I'm going to kill myself especially being out of shape like I am and everything. I remember the first 50 mile hike that we did and I felt like death after, I can't imagine how this one will be lol. But I'm willing if you want me to. After all I will be with all the boys. I just wasn't excepting that so soon. lol.
Also McKenna is so cute. Lol I loved the story that you told me that happened to her. Weird but God teaches in mysterious ways. That's a cool experience for her to always remember. God hears and answers prayers.

Also tell Steven card that I have not forgot about him even though I don't write him. It's just hard sometimes to write friends because I don't know the protocol (yeah I know it shouldn't be an excuse) but it's hard sometimes when I hear that everybody else can write other people other than their family and I can't. But whatever, I good with it.

Well I love you all and hope Mom and Shanna have a great time in Idaho with Chanelle. Think of me as your their! Thank you for your prayers and keep praying for me to accomplish goals and overcome any weaknesses in the time I have here left on my mission.

Love you all and I'm always thinking about you!

Con Amor,
Elder Pedersen

David Wright...New Mission Pres.?!!!

Sorry to tell you but yeah I'm getting skinny. Well whatever what can I do? lol I guess in four months you will be able to fatten me up?

I can't believe that David Wright will be my president for 5 days! Yeah, I bet everyone is going crazy their but I think he will be a great president, I wonder if my president knows? but I am writing to tell him.

Also cool huh that Skyler's Mission President gave him permission to go to the temple with me! But we will actually see each other before that time. Or I hope. Wouldn't that be cool it he trained David Archuleta!? Funny huh?

Well this week, like always was a hot one. It's crazy to think that it actually snowing there in Medford. SO this week was super hard cause everybody was on vacations and nobody has time but overall it ended good because we were walking around looking for less actives in a certain part of the sector and nobody was home and it was late so before going back home we wanted to pass a certain part of the sector to look for less actives and when we did we found a family that has been less active for a while, actually ever since their dad died 3 or 4 years ago and they said we arrived at the perfect time because they were going through a hard time and the missionaries hadn't passed by for like 3 years as well. We didn't have much time so we set a appointment up and taught the whole family on Saturday and the spirit was really strong and they even were there with note pads taking notes and at the end we invited them to the church and they went and they were so happy in coming back and they couldn't stop thanking us for passing by and also the wife is not sealed to her husband and so she thinks that our showing up was a sign to get on that. Also yesterday we passed by a guy who we taught the first lesson to about 5 weeks ago cause he left on vacation, so we went by and he said he had almost read the whole book of Mormon and so we set up an appointment to come back and we are praying that it all goes well with him this next week, it's definitely a miracle.

Also mom did you get my pictures that I sent to you all on a cd? And also I didn't get the web page of BYU which reminds me that I need to know if I got accepted into BYU because it's freaking me out.lol

This week was cool cause a returned missionary came back the mission and talked and talked about the mission and its funny cause he seems like he is adapting easily to being home and it totally makes me think about how it will be when I get home! But don't worry I am still working hard and I'm focused but I'm excited to see the family I'm not going to lie but I'm loving the mission while it lasts.

And commenting on scripture study, I can say that scripture study is a process cause when I first got on the mission I didn't realize the importance of reading the scriptures like I do now, but I say that it's a process cause as we read the scriptures our testimonies grows one step at a time studying and reading them and as we read we find that we can find answers and comfort and that gives us motivation to want to read them every day. We have to also take notes or at least be ready to receive revelation while reading because the Lord will try to speak to us if we are listening but if we are reading just to read and not looking for revelation we won't receive revelation. I could say a lot on it but we have to have a study plan so we don't study randomly and we have to study wanting and being willing to apply whatever is learned into our lives.

Hope that helps. Well I got to go but I love you and thank you for your prayers,
They are a great source of strength for me here.

Con Amor,
Elder Pedersen

Happy Valentines Day!!!

Man I’m tired! We just came back from a long day hiking a big hill to get to Cerro san Cristobel and it was hot. Up their is the angel Mary and it was pretty cool. So besides the fact that this week was exhausting from walking around everywhere, we had to hike this mountain. It’s funny how p-days turn into a more exhausting day than usual. Lol Also I thought I would never say it but I actually felt really uncomfortable wearing regular clothes today. Lol I don’t know how I’m going to do it when I get back because I don’t feel comfortable at all wearing street clothes. We will see how it goes.

 Man I’m also getting pretty skinny and I hate it. I wish I could eat more sometimes. Don’t get me wrong, we get fed a bunch for lunch, but that's basically all we get all day cause in this sector we don’t get a lot of food, it's mostly all at lunch. I’ve been trying not to spend a lot of personal money but sometimes I have to, so I hope I have sufficient money in my savings account. Also I’m spending more money since my companion got here and because he is a big guy, he spent all his money within a week! Ha-ha Crazy huh? He eats like crazy, but I’m teaching him what he needs to do to save his money.

 Mom I’m not going to lie, I miss your food and I’m missing it more and more lol I was thinking about it, the missionaries in our ward get so spoiled, especially at our house. Something that I realized that they don’t do here is put almost all the food on their table and let us dig in like we do at home, so I kind of miss being able to eat what I want ha-ha.

Well this week has been pretty good but we have not found many investigators so we have been setting more time apart to look for less actives and that actually has been pretty successful and they actually come to church and we actually just found them that morning.

We actually have some investigators but some tend to progress very slowly but we have about two that are pretty promising. There is a lady who just got married and her husband isn’t a member and also another lady who has been investigating the church for like 5 weeks and she came up and asked us to teach her and I was actually surprised because we thought she was a member but I hope it all goes well there. We are trying to be as obedient as we can so the Lord can bless us in his timing, but I have realized that without the members nothing will happen in missionary work, so help the missionary’s lol.

That is so awesome that David Wright was called to be a mission president and can’t wait to know where he will serve. That’s exciting; I wonder how he will be? Let me know what happens.

Also what has happened so far with the pregnancy with Shanna? How is she doing? Is she healthy?

Have you heard anything about me being accepted to BYU? It shouldn’t take this long. Are you sure they got all the information they needed?

Well I love you all. Thank you for your prayers. Give my love to the ward and the fam.

Que tengan una buena semana!

Con Amor,
-Elder Pedersen

Love from Chile...

Man with that comment I feel like I have to write the family through your e-mail. Lol. Just so you know that I receive all the letters you send. And at least you can say that you beat Mom in writing me almost every Monday lol. You are actually pretty faithful in writing me dad especially because there are many missionaries who never get letters from their dads or if they do its only every other week and just a couple lines, so thank you for the letters. I can’t believe that you were pulled over last night! It reminded me how much more strict the police are in the states in comparison to the ones here in Chile; at least we have police that do stuff. Here people wiz passed cops that don’t do anything, so through all the disappointment of getting pulled over, their protecting us lol.

Well here it has been so hot!! and I’m actually tired of it ha-ha especially cause we are white washed and haven’t had much success cause we pass by the people’s houses and they are never their cause they are all on vacations and so that is the hard part. So all we can do in that situation is to keep walking. But it makes it all the better having a companion that supports me and has a good attitude and is willing to make changes. I think that the only thing that he needs to work on which is what happens to every new missionary is to leave some stuff behind, other than that he’s a stud and we are trying to pray and find the people in the sector waiting for us.

So I’m kind of nervous about the whole getting accepted into byu. How long does it generally take for one to know if they are accepted?

I’m excited for all the plans and vacations that we will do when I get back! I’m pretty excited but don’t worry it doesn’t stop me from working.

Since Steven talked about the food, I guess I will tell you one of my favorite foods that I love here, they have a lot of foods that are weird but one that I like is when they put chicken, olives, onions with brown sugar, and a little bit of egg and then on top they put smashed up corn mixed with milk and some other stuff and then they put it in the oven for a while and they then sprinkle some sugar on top if you want. It’s delicious even though it sounds really weird. It’s kind of like a Sheppard’s pie but with corn. It’s called pastel de choclo. I want to learn how to make some stuff and come home and make it! Also the bread is amazing!

Well keep praying for me as I am here serving the Lord. I am here carrying the name of the family wherever I go and hopefully bringing honor to it.

I love you all. Until next week -Elder Pedersen
p.s. I was talking to Skyler and we found out that now with my new sector
We are only about 10 miles away from each other! Crazy huh?

Don’t worry mom I got your letter, I don’t have much time but I couldn’t leave without reading your letter cause I know it always comes. Man I love getting yours and dads letters because they always inspire me to do better and of course always keeps me informed on what is going on at home. Lol Well I’m really glad that you are not worried about getting accepted into byu. That makes me feel better. That awesome to hear about my own family still doing family home evenings and having lessons and seeing how the Lord is pouring out blessings on the family. I love it! Enjoy the blessings as I am here out on the mission. Soak them in!

I feel really bad for Chanelle, I guess I should stop being excited whenever she turns a guy down. But that’s going to be fun and cool to be able to be at her side when we go to college together!

Also yes I know when I go home; actually everybody that came in my group got their what’s called ¨trunky papers¨ which tell us when we are going home. I’m going to be arriving in Medford on the 10th of July. So yeah I will be serving a 2 year and 3 day mission. I’m just an over achiever ha-ha

I love the whole principle of force and persuasion. I have never heard that before and really loved it and also about how we need to be in the safe zone and to do that we need to repent or else we have no promise. It’s so true but yet so simple. I’m glad I have parents who teach principles like that.

Its true I have actually gotten along with almost all my companions, I like it that way because it makes the work so much easier. With the kid I’m training now I have been just doing the normal stuff and teaching him stuff here and their but he tells me that he has already learned tons from me he says sometimes I may not notice it but he’s learning how to be a better missionary and how to do the things. What a blessing.

Well I got to go but thank you for everything. Sorry for the short e-mail
Con muchísimo Amor,
 Elder Pedersen