I hope everyone had a happy New Year! Im sure you had some fantastic New Year parties and celebrations! and enjoyed some wonderful FOOD! Ill be reading all about it today im sure. As for my week, its been interesting to say the least!
On Tuesday we had our DDM (District Meeting) as usual. It was nice and fine but we didn't get done until past 2. By the time we got everything ready and got the other Elders to their area it was past 3. We had 2 hours to see all of our people before the parties started! Somehow we managed to see everyone and started heading home when all the people started coming out. At the boarding we decided to just relax and tell stories. We decided that we were going to be crazy and stay up until 12 but by the crazy apostate time of 10:54 we were all finished! 6:30 am is a good time to see the New Year!
Wednesday. Happy New Year! Basically on New Year everyone gets wasted! Not American wasted, but African wasted! We tried going out but ended up just giving pamphlets to drunks so they wouldn't beat us! We came back to the boarding and just slept, played games, and swapped stories. Mama M. had us over for a nice lunch. In south Africa they eat beans like crazy! The worst part is they take a can of beans, mix it in mayo and serve it cold! I hate my life... But really i wouldn't even be mad if we had more days like this...
Thursday was a bad day at the Phuthaditjhaba boarding. The ceiling started leaking water like crazy. We got President T. to come look and the water pipes were just pouring water into the ceiling. After 3 hours and about 15 trips to the store, he finally fixed it. He is a plumber by the way. Our oven also broke so the mission office sent us a new one. It didn't work either. Pres T. tried fixing it but just left! so we couldn't cook anything. KFC here we come! I did send a nice package home today that has lots of letters and pictures for everyone!
Friday was another interesting day. We did our weekly planning while Pres T. fixed our oven. After we went house shopping. We got told about a super nice house we needed to see. We showed up to the scariest neighborhood in the middle of nowhere. The house was more of a shack and it had no bathroom. We just laughed and walked away. When we came home I decided to make chicken stir fry. Little did i know the new stove gets hot!! Well the oil caught fire and made quite the show! The others wanted to throw water on it but i knew not to luckily! GoGo's house would be burned down!
Saturday was quite the day as well. We started off by painting N. M.'s house. We were there for probably 3 hours. But he did make us some breakfast. We were eating our eggs and bread when i reached for some milk. I tipped it up to my mouth and knew something was wrong. As it slid down the glass into my mouth it had the consistency of yogurt! It was some nasty bad milk! But i guess it is a delicacy cause N wanted me to drink more! It was a bad deal.. After we went to Branch family home evening. Only 9 people came but we had a nice discussion on the book of mormon. After, Daddy G asked us about a scripture he found saying we shouldn't eat wheat...? I just laughed and walked out. He is the oldest craziest man on Earth! I walked outside and there was a huge mob with spears walking towards me. I about cried and ran inside! All of the "men" were coming back from the mountain and were celebrating. I thought I was going to be killed! Luckily white man season isn't until next month! ;)
Sunday was a very good day! Bro C came back to church! We have been praying for him every day since we lost him. He came right in to sacrament and went to every class! We even got to go see him after church and he was telling us that he needed to change. He had been having so many trials and problems and now he knew he needed the church. He shared scripture after scripture with us and was so ready to move on with his life. We talked to him and set a date for 26 January to be baptized. We are going to help him as much as we can! Prayer really is the most powerful thing. I never understood prayer or why i was really doing it until mission. Prayers really are answered.
This new year i have been looking at everything in my life and have been trying to see what i can do to be not only a better missionary, but a better Camden. Ive been reading Alma 24: 17-19 a lot lately. Its time for me to bury my weapons of rebellion and to give in to God's will for me. There are a lot of things i need to do to help me on my mission as well as prepare me for my future. I love you all so very much and i am so thankful for all the support i have gotten from you! I pray for you every day and i know you pray for me. I can feel those prayers when i am struggling. Enjoy the New Year and I will talk to you again next week!
Love Elder Peterson
A bit from his email to his Dad
Dear Dad
Im hoping my big email answers some of (your) questions. We are getting more investigators each week and we are planning on a huge baptism on January 26. This new year I read Alma 24 about the Anti-Nephi-Lehis and really decided to look at myself. It was funny because the talk you sent me made me think more about this. I need to personally make these changes for the better. If i become more of a disciple of Christ as a missionary and as Camden, a lot of my problems can be fixed. I have been in the habit of thinking everything i do is right and everyone else is wrong. I have been feeling that i know the church because i have grown up in it and so all these problems are just because of the pres or members. But they are sacrificing and doing all they can to help this church. I need to do the same.... I would just love any scriptures or talks that anyone in the family comes across and wants to share. I mark them so i know they come from the family and i would love more! But the packages of food are always a nice thing too. ;)
I dont have much more to share this week. I've been doing better and feeling better about mission but it is still rough. I still have all the doubts and everything but i am fighting through it. I love you dad and can't wait to hear from you again!
Love Elder P
