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