Thank you dad for your e-mail. I needed that because sometimes I feel the spirit to do something or to talk to someone but I end up not doing it because my fear gets the best of me which I really have no reason to be scared. I guess it’s just a tool that Satan can use on me. But that is changing a lot, because I’m not anywhere near where I was when I started. I like what you said dad on how sometimes it’s just a test that God gives us even though the person may not even be ready. I have experienced that a lot on my mission, that when I actually do what the spirit prompts me to do, then the lord knows that he can trust me with those promptings. I have seen it a lot on my mission and I always want to be among the ones that the lord can count on like President Uchtdorf said.
This week has been a great one. We are helping the young girl that wants to get baptized on her way to baptism. She got scared when we asked her to be baptized her mom told us. But at the moment we are trying to resolve her doubts and make sure she is ready and committed. It’s also helping a lot to have her mom their as we teach her, because the mom is wanting to learn as much as she can because she can’t remember barely anything about the church.
Also this week we taught a recent convert about temples with her less active mom who got excommunicated from the church (which there is a lot of in this ward) and we invited the mom, the daughter and her little girl that wants to get baptized and we took them on a tour around the temple with the hermanas that do the tours. It was really spiritual for them and especially for the mom because I don’t think that she has felt something like how she felt at the temple in a long time and so she just kept going on and on about how much she just wants to stay and how gorgeous the temple is.We told her that what she felt was the spirit, and we could really tell that it was good for her and it gave her that desire to come back to church.
It has been so crazy up here. I have taken tons of pictures and I can’t send them because I can’t find my cable to plug into the computer. I’m bummed because I can’t send pictures until I find that. But yes my companion has loosened up a lot and we are having fun working together. It just took us some time to get to know each other a bit more. He is from Nashville Tennessee and it 21. His name is elder Tooley. He is a way good guy and we are learning a lot from each other. I really love to teach because we have a lot more companionship unity when we teach people. It’s also weird I’m living with the pentionists if that is even how you spell it, but they are the ones who fix pensiones around the mission. It’s been fun but they are crazy and they basically are not even missionaries because they are always fixing things around the mission. So if they have time then they will work in our sector with us. It’s cool cause they also have a car to take us around so that really nice. Also what I have noticed up here is that kids and adults don’t yell at us saying ¨hello! ¨ or cussing at us. It’s very different and I like it. lol
Also we had lunch in the president’s house for the first time last week cause the week before something happened, but we don’t actually eat with president because he is always doing stuff but I guess sometimes he will be in his house when we are there. But it’s really fun to look around his house and to see pictures and of what he studies with his family and for his personal study. lol I don’t know why it’s fun to me but yeah it’s cool to go over their every Thursday to eat. I feel special lol.
Well I’m glad that everybody at home is doing well and you all had fun this last week. It seems like dad had a pretty crazy week. I love hearing about the family since I don’t really hear about anybody unless mom or dad tells me. I can’t believe that I get to talk to the family again! I seriously felt like I just talked to you all. It’s crazy but I’m way excited. By the way I need to pick it up on the living Christ because I’m sad to say that I’m slacking on it a bit. But its hard cause I used to do it every night before bed but now the other elders always come in at night and want to talk so I have to pick it up a bit.
That so funny that McKenna said that to Shanna. I cannot wait to pick her up and give her and big hug. I love that little girl. I bet she is having a ball having Shanna and Adam there. It’s weird because I cannot even imagine a little child talking in English anymore. That will definitely sound weird for the first time. lol
Oh by the way thank you for the package that you sent me. I actually needed a pillowcase so it was perfect and I like the picture of Oregon because I need more pictures to show everyone because nobody knows what Oregon looks like but now I have at least 1 I can show them.
I love you all and thank you for everything. I miss every one of you. Stay safe
spiritually and physically.
Con Amor,
Elder Pedersen
Monday, April 18, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
First Transfer after 7 months
Congratulations ADAM!! I bet Adam and Shanna are super excited. By the looks of the video that you sent me I could tell. I was cracking up watching that video of Adam lol. That's totally Adam, I miss hanging out with him. I didn't even know that you all left for Idaho this weekend. Kenny looks older in the picture that you sent me, it's crazy.
I could not believe what the whole family went through this past week with everybody puking their guts out. Lol but I was laughing, it was a good story to read. What a great week to be away from the family lol. I love the quote though I hope that's not true. (A family that pukes together, stays together) I would hate to get the flu or food poisoning; I would rather knock all day and get every door slammed on me than to go through that lol.
Well I'm glad you all had a great weekend with Shanna and Adam and the rest of the family. I miss Shanna and Adam and wish I could be there to have fun with them and the family.
It's been great being in this sector and by the way it's called Apoquindo and the zone is called las condes so that you know if you want to look at it on the map witch I'm pretty sure mom already has. Also there is hermanas in my zone which is way cool cause we have like the coolest ones in our district and I talked to the one from El Salvador, I totally thought of Chanelle because she goes home when Chanelle does. I like having sister missionaries in the zone, that is another cool thing.
But up here its seriously like a new world, there is a lot of rich people that live here with nice cars which is a total change from where I was for the past 7 months, it’s really different. The ward is so cool, I have met a bunch of people in the ward and they are way awesome. There are 3 seventeen year-old kids that are so amazing and they love the missionary work and love going with the missionaries, they are like my favorites because you don't see that a lot here in Chile; kid's like that don't usually want to go out with the missionaries.
So tell Kenny he better start going on splits with the missionaries. So yeah those three are my favorites along with some other adults who are way cool and love the missionaries. This ward is one of the best wards because they give so many referrals to the missionaries and are not scared to share the gospel with their friends.
This week we got a reference from a member because the members are awesome here, so we passed by the house and we started teaching her and she is interested, and when we were teaching her, her mom came in the room and talked with us and told us that she is a member but has been inactive for a long time and so she is glad that we passed by because she says she wants to go back to church but her husband doesn't want her to. So the only way that she will go to church is if she tells her husband that she needs to accompany her daughter to the church. So it's really cool because the mom sits down with us as we teach and we leave with a commitment to read and go to church and they accepted them both and the mom and daughter both read in the book of Mormon and learn together. The mom is great and is really helping the daughter get over her fear to be baptized. So the daughter will be baptized in a couple of weeks and the mom has been coming to church with her daughter. So it's been a great experience teaching them and helping them come closer to Christ. Its been cool too because I teach a lot more than I used to, as I am teaching a lot more I'm really coming to love teaching these people. It's so funny how much more I understand having a companion that has the same time out as me cause I know if we don't pay attention then we will be lost. So we are both always paying a lot of attention.
It's been good with my new companion but he is definitely different that my other companions. He is not weird at all and we really get along. The only thing is that he is a lot quieter. He just doesn't say a lot even though I love talking lol. We get along great but the only thing is that I will just have to get him to talk more.
This week I also forgot was my birthday. I didn't do anything. We were going to go to some restaurant with the four in our pension, but it didn't work out so instead we went to some nice restaurant on Saturday and that was about it. But it's all good cause I already threw a party in my last sector with 6 other missionaries before I left and thanks to the Coffman's we were able to put up decorations and make a cake lol. I love the Coffman's.
I love you all, no more throwing up ha-ha
I'm glad everybody is doing great, thank you for all the prayers, they are
Definitely felt everyday I'm here.
Con Amor,
Elder Pedersen
I could not believe what the whole family went through this past week with everybody puking their guts out. Lol but I was laughing, it was a good story to read. What a great week to be away from the family lol. I love the quote though I hope that's not true. (A family that pukes together, stays together) I would hate to get the flu or food poisoning; I would rather knock all day and get every door slammed on me than to go through that lol.
Well I'm glad you all had a great weekend with Shanna and Adam and the rest of the family. I miss Shanna and Adam and wish I could be there to have fun with them and the family.
It's been great being in this sector and by the way it's called Apoquindo and the zone is called las condes so that you know if you want to look at it on the map witch I'm pretty sure mom already has. Also there is hermanas in my zone which is way cool cause we have like the coolest ones in our district and I talked to the one from El Salvador, I totally thought of Chanelle because she goes home when Chanelle does. I like having sister missionaries in the zone, that is another cool thing.
But up here its seriously like a new world, there is a lot of rich people that live here with nice cars which is a total change from where I was for the past 7 months, it’s really different. The ward is so cool, I have met a bunch of people in the ward and they are way awesome. There are 3 seventeen year-old kids that are so amazing and they love the missionary work and love going with the missionaries, they are like my favorites because you don't see that a lot here in Chile; kid's like that don't usually want to go out with the missionaries.
So tell Kenny he better start going on splits with the missionaries. So yeah those three are my favorites along with some other adults who are way cool and love the missionaries. This ward is one of the best wards because they give so many referrals to the missionaries and are not scared to share the gospel with their friends.
This week we got a reference from a member because the members are awesome here, so we passed by the house and we started teaching her and she is interested, and when we were teaching her, her mom came in the room and talked with us and told us that she is a member but has been inactive for a long time and so she is glad that we passed by because she says she wants to go back to church but her husband doesn't want her to. So the only way that she will go to church is if she tells her husband that she needs to accompany her daughter to the church. So it's really cool because the mom sits down with us as we teach and we leave with a commitment to read and go to church and they accepted them both and the mom and daughter both read in the book of Mormon and learn together. The mom is great and is really helping the daughter get over her fear to be baptized. So the daughter will be baptized in a couple of weeks and the mom has been coming to church with her daughter. So it's been a great experience teaching them and helping them come closer to Christ. Its been cool too because I teach a lot more than I used to, as I am teaching a lot more I'm really coming to love teaching these people. It's so funny how much more I understand having a companion that has the same time out as me cause I know if we don't pay attention then we will be lost. So we are both always paying a lot of attention.
It's been good with my new companion but he is definitely different that my other companions. He is not weird at all and we really get along. The only thing is that he is a lot quieter. He just doesn't say a lot even though I love talking lol. We get along great but the only thing is that I will just have to get him to talk more.
This week I also forgot was my birthday. I didn't do anything. We were going to go to some restaurant with the four in our pension, but it didn't work out so instead we went to some nice restaurant on Saturday and that was about it. But it's all good cause I already threw a party in my last sector with 6 other missionaries before I left and thanks to the Coffman's we were able to put up decorations and make a cake lol. I love the Coffman's.
I love you all, no more throwing up ha-ha
I'm glad everybody is doing great, thank you for all the prayers, they are
Definitely felt everyday I'm here.
Con Amor,
Elder Pedersen
Monday, April 4, 2011
I LOVE GENERAL CONFERENCE!!!
Dear Family,
Wow a bunch has happened this week and thank you to all those who sent me a letter this week, every one of them has given me that extra strength to push myself even more. And sorry if I didn't get a chance to write some of you guys back.
This week seriously has been like Christmas. General conference was so amazing!! Gosh I got so much out of it. I'm always left a better person and with a greater desire to be so much better and as well I'm left with not knowing how people cannot believe that this church is true. It truly is the church of God with our Savior Jesus Christ at the head of it. And this entire week I have been with my companion trying to get through to people how important it is to go to general conference and nobody ended up going. It was really disappointing; I just wish it was as important to them as it is to me.
Priesthood session was so amazing! They talked about priesthood in a totally different way that I needed to hear. Every person truly gets something out of conference that others don't. Like I felt that they were talking a lot about the second coming and how we truly need to prepare because times will get worse and it's my responsibility to declare repentance and to prepare them others for the second coming. And I as well really loved the talk by christopherson about chastisement, and also Uchtdorf's talk was amazing.
I absolutely loved conference. I'm always filled with the spirit every time. Even though I wasn't there to eat crepes or go to priesthood and be with the family, I felt the love from the family and it made it so much better knowing everybody was watching it at the same time. I was also glad that they taught about marriage in conference because some of these families here really needed it.
By the way thank you for the video, lol I was actually surprised to receive one. It was basically my first time being able to see my family in action lol. I was laughing so hard watching Daniel and McKenna swing their arms up and down. They make me laugh so hard.
And why is everybody freaking out, I'm not 20 yet I still have a couple more days to be 19 even though I already celebrated it with my comp. and a couple other people from the zone with all the things that the Coffman's sent to me which I'm super grateful for. Don't worry I will get them a letter. I love them so much; they are so awesome to even think about me. And by the way no one needs to send me a package; I already know its super expensive sending a package here. And no I haven't got a package from the Grows and yes there is a letter on its way to Devin. Except I sent it before I knew he was going to go on a mission. Man when I heard he was going, I wanted to stand up and scream and cry. I'm so happy for him and I know the mission will seriously change his life. I know because it has mine.
Oh yeah the most important part. I got transferred to a different sector! I'm freaking out. That night when we were to get the call to go I was so scared to stay. I knew I needed a change even though it was sad leaving the sector where I have been my entire mission. But that night I seriously never thought that I would hear the words: Elder Pedersen, Se Va.
So I got to changes and our President spoke to us and then I received my comp. I was so scared to hear where I would be sent to because I have heard some scary things about a lot of sectors.
But I got called to a place called "Apoquindo" or "Las Condes" I think that how you spell it. I was freaking out because its one of the richest sectors and one of the best wards as well I found out that the Presidents house is in our sector! And we eat at his house every Thursday. I don't know maybe president wanted me super close to him. But I was so ecstatic and my companion came with me here to Chile even though I had never really talked with him before. But he seems cool and like a hard worker. His name is Elder Tooley. It's going to be a blast! Seriously this place is so much nicer than the south. The people and everything is different. It just stinks because everything is more expensive. Oh and I stay in a house with two other missionaries who are the people who have a car and go around fixing pensiones. And they are way cool. I'm excited for this change and I know I will grow a lot. It was sad saying goodbye to all the people since they are all I know since being in the mission. It was also crazy splitting me and my companion up since we have been together for so long. Me and Elder Fiscus really got along and had a good time together. Our personality's fit well together.
Wow a bunch has happened this week and thank you to all those who sent me a letter this week, every one of them has given me that extra strength to push myself even more. And sorry if I didn't get a chance to write some of you guys back.
This week seriously has been like Christmas. General conference was so amazing!! Gosh I got so much out of it. I'm always left a better person and with a greater desire to be so much better and as well I'm left with not knowing how people cannot believe that this church is true. It truly is the church of God with our Savior Jesus Christ at the head of it. And this entire week I have been with my companion trying to get through to people how important it is to go to general conference and nobody ended up going. It was really disappointing; I just wish it was as important to them as it is to me.
Priesthood session was so amazing! They talked about priesthood in a totally different way that I needed to hear. Every person truly gets something out of conference that others don't. Like I felt that they were talking a lot about the second coming and how we truly need to prepare because times will get worse and it's my responsibility to declare repentance and to prepare them others for the second coming. And I as well really loved the talk by christopherson about chastisement, and also Uchtdorf's talk was amazing.
I absolutely loved conference. I'm always filled with the spirit every time. Even though I wasn't there to eat crepes or go to priesthood and be with the family, I felt the love from the family and it made it so much better knowing everybody was watching it at the same time. I was also glad that they taught about marriage in conference because some of these families here really needed it.
By the way thank you for the video, lol I was actually surprised to receive one. It was basically my first time being able to see my family in action lol. I was laughing so hard watching Daniel and McKenna swing their arms up and down. They make me laugh so hard.
And why is everybody freaking out, I'm not 20 yet I still have a couple more days to be 19 even though I already celebrated it with my comp. and a couple other people from the zone with all the things that the Coffman's sent to me which I'm super grateful for. Don't worry I will get them a letter. I love them so much; they are so awesome to even think about me. And by the way no one needs to send me a package; I already know its super expensive sending a package here. And no I haven't got a package from the Grows and yes there is a letter on its way to Devin. Except I sent it before I knew he was going to go on a mission. Man when I heard he was going, I wanted to stand up and scream and cry. I'm so happy for him and I know the mission will seriously change his life. I know because it has mine.
Oh yeah the most important part. I got transferred to a different sector! I'm freaking out. That night when we were to get the call to go I was so scared to stay. I knew I needed a change even though it was sad leaving the sector where I have been my entire mission. But that night I seriously never thought that I would hear the words: Elder Pedersen, Se Va.
So I got to changes and our President spoke to us and then I received my comp. I was so scared to hear where I would be sent to because I have heard some scary things about a lot of sectors.
But I got called to a place called "Apoquindo" or "Las Condes" I think that how you spell it. I was freaking out because its one of the richest sectors and one of the best wards as well I found out that the Presidents house is in our sector! And we eat at his house every Thursday. I don't know maybe president wanted me super close to him. But I was so ecstatic and my companion came with me here to Chile even though I had never really talked with him before. But he seems cool and like a hard worker. His name is Elder Tooley. It's going to be a blast! Seriously this place is so much nicer than the south. The people and everything is different. It just stinks because everything is more expensive. Oh and I stay in a house with two other missionaries who are the people who have a car and go around fixing pensiones. And they are way cool. I'm excited for this change and I know I will grow a lot. It was sad saying goodbye to all the people since they are all I know since being in the mission. It was also crazy splitting me and my companion up since we have been together for so long. Me and Elder Fiscus really got along and had a good time together. Our personality's fit well together.
I really hope this ward likes me even though I heard that they are awesome. But its okay, my excitement in being here and for the work will make them like me. Oh also I'm close to a place to send letters now, so I will be able to send them more often.
I can't believe that BreAnne is getting married; it's kind of sad cause I really thought we would be able to hang out at BYU when I got back. Man I wish I could be there so bad for her wedding. I guess you will need to send a bunch of pictures.
Well I love you all and thank you for the happy birthday wishes and video. It made my week to see my family.
Love you all and thank you for your prayers.
This church is true!
Love,
Elder Pedersen
I can't believe that BreAnne is getting married; it's kind of sad cause I really thought we would be able to hang out at BYU when I got back. Man I wish I could be there so bad for her wedding. I guess you will need to send a bunch of pictures.
Well I love you all and thank you for the happy birthday wishes and video. It made my week to see my family.
Love you all and thank you for your prayers.
This church is true!
Love,
Elder Pedersen
Monday, March 28, 2011
To A Great Week!!!!
The picture of the one little kid totally looks like me I thought.
This week was way cool. I went on divisions for a day with an elder from a different sector and we went up in the mountains because it's in my sector; which I didn't realize before and so we went up there and went through the poorest area that I have ever seen. The houses look like the house in the picture that I was knocking at and their was trash everywhere! So I was kind of scared that someone would do something to us so we left their and went into the mountains and it was so awesome. The sight was awesome as well and I felt like a missionary in Africa or somthing.lol It was way cool and on the way up we talked with a bunch of people and actually taught the first lesson with a group of people and we said a prayer with them and I could really feel the spirit as we taught them and answered their questions that they had for us. It was cool because I had more time out in the mission than he did but we felt like the spirit guide us in what to say. It was way fun.
This week was way cool. I went on divisions for a day with an elder from a different sector and we went up in the mountains because it's in my sector; which I didn't realize before and so we went up there and went through the poorest area that I have ever seen. The houses look like the house in the picture that I was knocking at and their was trash everywhere! So I was kind of scared that someone would do something to us so we left their and went into the mountains and it was so awesome. The sight was awesome as well and I felt like a missionary in Africa or somthing.lol It was way cool and on the way up we talked with a bunch of people and actually taught the first lesson with a group of people and we said a prayer with them and I could really feel the spirit as we taught them and answered their questions that they had for us. It was cool because I had more time out in the mission than he did but we felt like the spirit guide us in what to say. It was way fun.
Thank you for the letters that I got. I loved them. It's so true what you said that Satan is all about addiction and that God is all about freedom. I see it here in families and all around the place. And they just tell themselves that they are happy and they don't need help but I see the members of the church and how happy they all are (true happiness) and it's hard to find that in a world like this.
This week we were trying to work on a mom of a recent convert because she loves us and really respects us so we tried to teach her, but in the end she told us that she feels that God has blessed her through the happiness that her son has found because of us and the gospel and that she feels that she has the love of god in her life enough that she doesn't feel the need to go. It made me upset when I heard that, I was so close to asking her if God needs to take away that happiness or have something significant happen for you to feel you need God and to go to church? It made me frustrated because too many people think that here. God is all about freedom, in the end it's a better path to take, and it always leads to happiness.
I was so excited to hear that Devin was starting his papers. Man I'm so excited for him to leave, he is really going to learn a lot and God will work miracles with him. I'm so excited to hear all of the people receiving their mission call.
I received the package that you sent me by the way for the living Christ. I'm on week 7; I'm not sure really what we are supposed to be on right now. I was cracking up when I got the letter from Kellin. Tell him thank you for the letter. He always makes me laugh.
We definitely are seeing miracles here even though they are not miracles such as someone running up to us saying they want to be baptized but we definitely see the hand of the lord in this work and in our safety. Sometimes I wonder how I and my companion are kept so safe, people yell at us and cuss at us and other stuff but I actually feel safe. It's truly a miracle walking around the streets here in Santiago.
And yes mom you hit it right on the dot, next week is transfers which is totally weird because I feel like I just started this change like a week ago. I'm pretty much leaving. I learned a lot from this change and now like Chanelle told me, I have a family to go back to now. Even though I was here for the last general conference, it's so weird to think about that. Time has flown and I'm excited for the experiences that lie ahead for me. I'm so stoked for general conference this next week. Seriously it's like Christmas for me. We teach lessons after lessons testifying that there is a prophet and apostles that lead and guide the church and now I get to here form them and receive revelation from their words. I can hardly wait and all I want to do this week is invite people to it because there is truly power to their words that carry the spirit into the hearts of those who hear.
And yes Mom I got the flu shot, I didn't pansy out lol.
Love you all; sorry this letter is kind of short. I also want to send some pictures.
Love Elder Pedersen
Monday, March 21, 2011
How blessed I am...
Sorry for the short E-mails that I have been sending. Skyler told me that you were upset that I don’t write more and then I checked my E-mail after I read that and didn’t have anything from you so I thought you were just trying to get me back. Lol But of course both of my parents write me every week.
Thank You Dad and Mom for your letters, which every week that I receive them is the perfect thing that I need to hear at that time. I know that there is always room for improvement and I know that there are times that are just super hard, but I have to always think of my Savior and do what he would do. I want to walk away from these sacred two years that I have set aside with gaining as much as I can by giving the Lord all of my strength, even in the hard times.
Wow I can't believe that everybody is gone doing something fun this week. I can just imagine how weird it is only being Kenny and McKenna in the house. Lol It must feel really peaceful. lol
Yeah I agree on the part when you said my mission president and his wife are amazing. We as missionaries talk to them more than you think. He is someone that I want to become. Some mission presidents don’t talk to their missionaries that much. But in this mission he is always doing interviews with us and always having meetings with us. For example this month he is doing capacitations (I am not sure if this is suppose to be a Spanish word he is using, so I do not know what this is.) every Thursday, and it really helps us get super excited for the work. He is truly a man of dedication and gives up everything for us missionaries. I could go on and on about him and amazing stories that he has told us. I’m so glad to have him and his wife as mission president and mother of our mission.
That is way awesome that Neal had already got his call to go on a mission to Brazil. I thought he would be too young to even go already. Wow time is flying.
No, I’m not training yet. You usually get to train here after the year mark cause that is when you know the language really well and have had a lot of experiences.
This week was kind of hard for us even though we were obedient and tried hard to teach. Sometimes it’s so hard walking in the sun and everybody is closing their doors on us and even sometimes our investigators don’t want to progress. When that happens, I try and think of what Chanelle said on how Satan hates us doing this work and doesn’t want god’s children to find the gospel and then it gives me that excitement on those hard days to want to push forward with all my might and even be bold with people. Something that I have learned here is that if you’re not persistent to get in their doors, then they won’t let you in. I have noticed that I have to be bold with people. Also what president wants us to focus on for right now is to flood Santiago with the book of Mormon as much as we can and always testify of it and get them to read. Because if they don’t read they will not gain a testimony. So that is what our focus is this week.
It was cool this week too cause I got to stay long enough to see one of my converts go to the temple before I left. So I was way excited about that because that is the main goal. To get them through those doors.
Also this week we went with a member to go see a lady who had cancer who wasn’t a member or her family. And me and my trainer gave her a blessing my first change. It wasn’t the lords will that she be healed but we went over there and sang with her and read a scripture while her family was their crying because she was going to die soon. It was cool experience for me to think how blessed I am and how loving the lord is to let me know these truths and know they are true trough the Holy Ghost. Things like death really put life into perspective and makes you really think how short this time here on earth is but also how important it is as well.
I like what you said dad on how I shouldn’t look at people and judge them but instead look at them as brothers and sisters who made this choice to come down here as well.
I love this gospel and I’m always growing here as I put my confidence in the lord and try my hardest even when things get hard. Those are the times when we grow the most. The more trials we go through, the more we enjoy the other side.
I love you all and I’m thankfull for all your prayers
Love,
-Elder Pedersen
Thank You Dad and Mom for your letters, which every week that I receive them is the perfect thing that I need to hear at that time. I know that there is always room for improvement and I know that there are times that are just super hard, but I have to always think of my Savior and do what he would do. I want to walk away from these sacred two years that I have set aside with gaining as much as I can by giving the Lord all of my strength, even in the hard times.
Wow I can't believe that everybody is gone doing something fun this week. I can just imagine how weird it is only being Kenny and McKenna in the house. Lol It must feel really peaceful. lol
Yeah I agree on the part when you said my mission president and his wife are amazing. We as missionaries talk to them more than you think. He is someone that I want to become. Some mission presidents don’t talk to their missionaries that much. But in this mission he is always doing interviews with us and always having meetings with us. For example this month he is doing capacitations (I am not sure if this is suppose to be a Spanish word he is using, so I do not know what this is.) every Thursday, and it really helps us get super excited for the work. He is truly a man of dedication and gives up everything for us missionaries. I could go on and on about him and amazing stories that he has told us. I’m so glad to have him and his wife as mission president and mother of our mission.
That is way awesome that Neal had already got his call to go on a mission to Brazil. I thought he would be too young to even go already. Wow time is flying.
No, I’m not training yet. You usually get to train here after the year mark cause that is when you know the language really well and have had a lot of experiences.
This week was kind of hard for us even though we were obedient and tried hard to teach. Sometimes it’s so hard walking in the sun and everybody is closing their doors on us and even sometimes our investigators don’t want to progress. When that happens, I try and think of what Chanelle said on how Satan hates us doing this work and doesn’t want god’s children to find the gospel and then it gives me that excitement on those hard days to want to push forward with all my might and even be bold with people. Something that I have learned here is that if you’re not persistent to get in their doors, then they won’t let you in. I have noticed that I have to be bold with people. Also what president wants us to focus on for right now is to flood Santiago with the book of Mormon as much as we can and always testify of it and get them to read. Because if they don’t read they will not gain a testimony. So that is what our focus is this week.
It was cool this week too cause I got to stay long enough to see one of my converts go to the temple before I left. So I was way excited about that because that is the main goal. To get them through those doors.
Also this week we went with a member to go see a lady who had cancer who wasn’t a member or her family. And me and my trainer gave her a blessing my first change. It wasn’t the lords will that she be healed but we went over there and sang with her and read a scripture while her family was their crying because she was going to die soon. It was cool experience for me to think how blessed I am and how loving the lord is to let me know these truths and know they are true trough the Holy Ghost. Things like death really put life into perspective and makes you really think how short this time here on earth is but also how important it is as well.
I like what you said dad on how I shouldn’t look at people and judge them but instead look at them as brothers and sisters who made this choice to come down here as well.
I love this gospel and I’m always growing here as I put my confidence in the lord and try my hardest even when things get hard. Those are the times when we grow the most. The more trials we go through, the more we enjoy the other side.
I love you all and I’m thankfull for all your prayers
Love,
-Elder Pedersen
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Tsunami!!
That's so awesome that you were able to sing in the concert. I was able to hear the one that Dad sent me, it really sounded like it went well. I know my mom can do anything! Never gives up on anything!
This week was a pretty good one. We were able to find many people. I just really hope that things happen with them. We are really content with the work were are doing in this sector, but it just stinks cause none of them are progressing very much, but we are praying that the people we find now will progress more.
It's been so crazy because of the tsunami that happened in Japan. We have been hearing about it everywhere and when we go in someone's house, they turn on the TV so we can see it. So we know what has been going on. They also say that we are expecting a tsunami in the south of Chile. But thank heavens that I am in Santiago where I don't think anything would reach unless there was an earthquake. But it has been sad to hear about it. But actually it's been good for the people here because yesterday we went knocking as a sector. And we were able to find tons of people home because of all the things that are going on around in the world. It has really made them open themselves up to hear the gospel and give us a chance and listen to us.
I hope that everyone is doing great at home. McKenna seems like she is getting cuter and cuter. She's so funny. I love the picture that you sent me. I hope she is excited to be baptized!
I don't have much time today. But I'm glad everyone is doing great. How is school going for everyone? And where is the letter from Chanelle. Well I guess I could just look on her blog. lol I keep thinking about her. I bet she is so trunkey right now. I can't believe how close she is to going home.
I love you all!! Could you let me know how much is on my card and which account to take it out of?
Love you, Work hard!
Elder Pedersen
This week was a pretty good one. We were able to find many people. I just really hope that things happen with them. We are really content with the work were are doing in this sector, but it just stinks cause none of them are progressing very much, but we are praying that the people we find now will progress more.
It's been so crazy because of the tsunami that happened in Japan. We have been hearing about it everywhere and when we go in someone's house, they turn on the TV so we can see it. So we know what has been going on. They also say that we are expecting a tsunami in the south of Chile. But thank heavens that I am in Santiago where I don't think anything would reach unless there was an earthquake. But it has been sad to hear about it. But actually it's been good for the people here because yesterday we went knocking as a sector. And we were able to find tons of people home because of all the things that are going on around in the world. It has really made them open themselves up to hear the gospel and give us a chance and listen to us.
I hope that everyone is doing great at home. McKenna seems like she is getting cuter and cuter. She's so funny. I love the picture that you sent me. I hope she is excited to be baptized!
I don't have much time today. But I'm glad everyone is doing great. How is school going for everyone? And where is the letter from Chanelle. Well I guess I could just look on her blog. lol I keep thinking about her. I bet she is so trunkey right now. I can't believe how close she is to going home.
I love you all!! Could you let me know how much is on my card and which account to take it out of?
Love you, Work hard!
Elder Pedersen
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
What? Skyler is coming to Chile!!!!
And yes I am still trying to memorize the living Christ. How far are you all btw?
Man I still cannot stop thinking about skyler.lol It's so awesome because I can tell him all about Chile and about the weird language that they use. I love the language and yes I'm learning tons and it took a while, but I can understand it great now and are be able to communicate with people just fine, even though there will always be new things to learn, but it's definitely been a roller coaster trying to learn this language. And a lot of humbling experiences, but I love the fact that I can speak a second language and I know it all because of the Lord.
I can't believe that Kayla in engaged. Is she in Medford? Tell her or her mom that she needs to write me. Man that's crazy. It's insane to hear about all the stuff that goes on while I'm on the mission.
That's funny about Jordan thinking he is getting fat. It happens to most missionaries, but it is having the opposite affect on me, I'm losing my muscle and getting skinny. I definitely hate it. But the work is more important than worrying about working out all the time and how I will look when I get back. Lol. It's all good.
By the way. Can you give me Jordan's E-mail? I don't have it.
Sorry this is so short, but I have to go.
Love you all,
Elder Pedersen
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