The Devil Snake

Dumela!!

Its so great to hear from everyone again! I am so glad everyone has had a good week! My week has been very good and very very busy!!

All week we having been preparing for this past weekend. We have been visiting our 3 investigators mama E, Bro B, and Bro C. We have really been trying to make sure they know everything they need to and that they are comfortable and ready to go. We have also been working really hard on preparing Sis M, Mama S, and Bro S for baptism on February 23. (We are trying to do one baptism service a month to make it easier so the date got changed) So we have been running back and forth between these individuals and then spending lots of time tracting! 

On Friday we had our Zone Conference. Phuthaditjhaba, Bethlehem, and Welkom all got combined to make a new Welkom Zone. So we had our first conference. President Z focused a lot on teaching the first lesson of the Restoration. We talked about how most missionaries when we teach, we teach up until the apostasy and then we stop. Come back for the second lesson, teach until the Book of Mormon and then stop. Come back and teach the third lesson on the BoM. We talked about why we do that and how effective it was. A lot of religions believe the same things as us up until the apostasy. They know God loves us, the gospel blesses families, God chose prophets, and that the prophets were killed. What they don't know is about the Restoration. They don't know about the gospel being lost and the priesthood being taken from the earth. We talked about the power behind teaching the First Vision and Joseph Smith's story. We practiced it a lot and I can see how we need to use that as the main focus in our teaching. Especially in the first encounter. People need to see that there is something different about our church and how it is the true church on the earth today. So conference was very cool and very powerful! An Elder Armstrong from SLC, this was his last so he shared his testimony. He talked a lot to us 'greenies' and said that he was passing us the baton and it was our turn to show our Heavenly Father that we are thankful for what He does for us and we want to show Him by serving our hardest for 2 years. I wish I could remember everything he said because the spirit was so strong and most of us started crying. 

Saturday we had the open house at the church building here in PJ. We were there from 10:30 in the morning until about 6:30 at night. Tons and tons of people came in! Someone had a guest book that they had everyone sign and now we have dozens of new investigators to contact! We are looking forward to meeting with these people this week. We had some older investigators that we had dropped that showed up and said they are ready now to learn. We had a bunch of people we had met on the street and just said hi to that said they wanted to come see where we happy people come from. We had members of the Roman Catholic church that is down the street come up and walk through and say to us that this was a true church and that they wanted to attend here. Really so many people showed such great interest in the Church. The members were fantastic for giving tours and being friendly! I was so worried that it would be a disaster but everything went so so well! We even had a number of people say they wanted to be baptized then and there!! The only down side to the whole day, while all the other missionaries were talking with people, me and Elder C (couple missionary) were trying to set up projectors and speakers to show videos. We spent hours trying to hook up 3 movies. Africans and old people do not know how to use technology. But overall it was very successful and very good for this branch! Hopefully it will help the branch grow in number but also help the members grow in experience! 

Sunday we had a combined Phuthaditjhaba and Bethlehem Branch Conference. The members and missionaries from Beth came here for church. They had the Branch Presidents speak. I really cant recall anything they said other than Pres. T saying, "Dont worship your gold! Money is bad!" It was interesting... But 125 people came so that was pretty cool to see the chapel filled with people! All the adults went into a combined Sunday School class that Elder A (Couple missionary in Bethlehem) talked. We had another investigator that was really ditching us bad attend that class and tell him that she was going to be baptized that night! It was a powerful lesson on the history of the church and the investigators loved it! Afterwards, all the adults set up chairs in the hallway by the front door (the building has no air conditioning and the worst ventilation) and President Z talked about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was very powerful and kind of funny that everyone was just randomly sprawled around in the hall. 

After church we had the baptismal service for Mama E, Bro B, and Bro C. We planned some powerful speakers and it really was a strong program. We went in and they were all so nervous! Mama E went first and was baptized by Pres. T. She is deathly afraid of water and was shaking when she went in but when she came out of the water, I have never seen her smile so big! After Bro B was baptized by Elder M. He has been waiting for over a month to be baptized. He had been taught here in Phutha but had moved home to Swaziland right before being baptized. The branch there wouldnt let him get baptized for some reason so after a month he moved back here and was finally able to do it. Bro C was the last to be baptized and I was able to baptize him. Bro C has been someone special to me. He was the first investigator that I had started teaching when I got here and have been with him every step of the way. In December he had some problems and no matter what we did we couldn't find him or get a hold of him. I thought we had lost him. But on the first week of the new year he showed up to church and told us everything. He has had some major challenges in life and has seen some awful things but I have personally seen the Atonement of Jesus Christ change his life. Never have I seen anyone that loves this Gospel or the Book of Mormon more than he does. Every day he reads and every time we see him he has something to share with us. He truly loves the Gospel and loves the Lord. I will never forget that baptism. It was such a wonderful day.

So now its random funny scary story time! So Sunday night we went to Ntate M's house for FHE. We were just talking and we told him that we wanted to climb the huge mountain. He instantly told us not to and said we would die! We all looked at him weird and he told us about how on top of the mountain there is a satanic snake that when you climb that mountain, it hypnotizes you, lures you into a pool, and then sucks all of the blood out of your body! I guess it is like a devil or something that lives there and kills people like crazy! He told us that there is a fence there that was placed there before he was born. No one knows who built it but if you cross it, then you instantly get taken by that snake. He also told us that planes don't fly over this mountain because as soon as they cross that fence, the plane falls out of the sky. The snake somehow drags it down..? Mostly it scared me to death and now I never want to climb that mountain! Africa is a crazy crazy place! Anyway, that was my interesting story of the week!

This week has been so so powerful and so wonderful. The Spirit has been so strong and I have learned so much! These were the highlights of my week. Other than this, we have just been busy tracting and visiting some of the other investigators we have. We have been trying to get some more that are progressing nicely but we don't have many that are super potential. Hopefully next week I will have more things and some new investigators to tell you about! I am so thankful for this time I have to be here on mission. It really is the hardest most awful time, but when you see your hard work pay off, and you see 3 people change their lives, everything seems so great! This Gospel is true. This church is true. The Book of Mormon is the word of God and it does have the ability to change lives. I have never taken reading seriously but now that I am here and I have actually spent time to read and search the scriptures, every answer to every problem, can be found in the Book of Mormon. I love you all so much and I am so thankful for all the support I have been getting from everyone, every way from prayers to packages. It means so much! Until next week! Love Elder Peterson

Hiding in the Closet of GoGo's Haunted House

Dumela!!

Hello Hello everyone!

 Its been a crazy but fantastic week this last week! We got a lot done and had some interesting experiences... So this last week was transfers and Elder R left here and Elder A was coming here. He was suppose to come on Tuesday at about 1 pm. We were to pick him up in Harrismith which is about an hour drive from Phuthaditjhaba. Well we drove there, got a call, he missed his bus. So his next bus was suppose to come in at 2 am. We drove back to Harrismith again, he missed that bus. So we drove home. Wednesday at 3 pm was the bus. We drove there, got a call, bus went to Durban instead. So for 3 days, this kid was lost in the wilderness of South Africa! While he was lost, we had quite the fun time! One day we went to a huge Soccer Stadium and snuck onto the field. We ran around and took tons of crazy photos, hopefully they will be in the mail soon, and had a blast! Another day, we went and saw zebras, antelope, gazelles, kudu, gemsbok, buffalo, and some other animals I don't even know! We got lots of cool pics and Elder M tried chasing some buffalo and about got killed! Missionaries are way too stupid! 

Finally on Thursday Elder A came. The Zone Leaders brought him to the boarding. All the Elders wanted to see Go Go's house. This place is like a legend among the mission and everyone wants to see it. They stayed for a while and we all just talked and swapped stories for a while. I love talking to the other missionaries and hearing about the crazy things in SA! 

Well they left and the real work began! Elder A started cleaning the house so I joined in. We seriously vacuumed everything, scrubbed everywhere, and threw out some nasty stuff! We were in the process of going to clean the bathrooms and the water got shut off to half of QwaQwa! We had to stop and decided to go to the area (where they are teaching). The only problem, none of us had showered yet! Luckily I had those baby wipes left from the plane ride so I had a nice 'shower' while the other elders tried to bath using buckets of water they found somewhere. It was a good time! 

Saturday we had our interviews for the baptism. Mama E, Bro B (old investigator that just moved back to PJ), and Bro C are all getting baptized Sunday! We got everything prepared and now we are ready to go! 

Yesterday was a good day! We had church and all was great. After Elder A and Elder M went in to talk to president T. They were giving him 'loving fire' about what the branch needed to succeed. Somewhere during, President T stopped them and said, "Elders, I know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem." They just started laughing! What does that have to do with anything??? I thought it was hilarious! After church we were at our appointments. As we were leaving our last appointment it was raining hard! We started walking home and it came down harder. We were just laughing and going along like little kids. Elder M told me that every time you walk in the rain your wife gets more beautiful, I don't know if my wife can get much more beautiful ;) When we got home we had beaten the other Elders home. They were pulling up and I got the bright idea to hide in their closet. As they came in and went to start planning, I jumped out and scared both of them and Elder M who knew I was in there! 

Elder A seriously screamed like a little girl and about punched me in fear! I still haven't stopped laughing about that!

 Overall this week has been filled with some fun and exciting moments but the spirit has been here non stop. Preparing these investigators for baptism is something that can't be described. All of your hard work is paying off and that's great, but you can actually see as the gospel, and the atonement of Jesus Christ, has changed these peoples lives. Some have had some serious trials in life, but now, they seem as if nothing could be better and they are the most blessed people on earth. I know that this gospel is true and that it does change lives. This is the word and work of the Lord. I am so thankful for this opportunity that I have and for the support I get from all of you. I love you all so much! Have a good week and I can't wait to hear from you again!

Love Elder Peterson

This is a letter written to us by one of the other elders in the boarding, dated 30 Dec 2013

Hello,

Peterson family let me hope you guys are great and everything is moving on right. It was kindly cool moment and time to see you guys on Skype when Elder Peterson was Skyping. It was nice ever to hear from you people. I hope you guys are the best ever, to be honest your son Peterson he is going to be the best and great missionary ever. After he left the MTC he came straight to his fir area and I and my companion picked him up to a small city called Bethlehem. It was nice and pretty to see him.

I haven't been with Elder Peterson for a long time but I feel he is a principled gentle missionary. His decision to come on a mission I feel it is the best ever and he is a friend and a person who cares, and courageous. He is ever with high standards and he is sociable with every one, am really excited for him and also am happy to know him and also to be his friend ever and ever.

What he really desired most here in Africa is to have a chance to see lion. One P-day we drove to Lion Camp--it is like 15-30 min drive. He took nice pictures and we enjoyed together with him as we watch the lions, he was really excited to see them because it was, I think, his first time to see the lions, the huge ones and the little ones.

In this area where we are is called Phuthaditjhaba. You know South Africa 50% is full of whites but where we live there is kindly a little but don't worry he is having fun and also enjoying his mission. I personally love him, he always tells me about his family. He feels that you guys are the best ever and he really loves you guys but he is doing great. He is a powerful missionary and strong in everything.

One of the most great things I have learnt from him is to be humble, meek and lowliness. He loves to be kind and he is teachable. I had explored (discovered?) this from him you know he likes studying, working, increase in his confidence and also to develop more spiritually. What I have explored from him is to love and to show respect and also having good communications, conduct. What can I say I love him and he also does because of his deeds and characters and caring he shows to me.

Am happy to write you this letter. He told me that if you guy write a letter to my parents I know they will be happy of you, and I also decided to do it as the holy Spirit guides. Am so excited to do and and I will always do it and maybe one day after my mission  may visit you to states basically in Utah to see you guys and to also speak to one another! I hope it will happen.

May the Lord bless you guys in what ever capacity you are in. I love you guys very much. Say it out from the bottom of my heart.     From Elder K

Happy New Year or Beans, My Old Enemy or White Man Hunting Season

Hello everyone!

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

First P-day Pics at the Golden Gate Game Reserve

I apologize for the sideways pics! When I get a bit more time I'll try to correct them. :)

Hanging in there with the Spirit, and just literally hanging on, perhaps to the roofs edge....

Getting his feet under him, Suiting Up & Serving

hello everyone!

so because i want to email so many of you, i am going to just send everyone an email each week talking about what i did that week, what was good, bad, and awful. i am hoping this will make it easier to get to everyone. i will still talk to everyone individually to answer questions and stuff but most everything will be in this email.

so monday dec 9th was p-day. after emailing all of you we took off to a place called golden gate. it is a small animal reserve type park. i was hoping to see zebras but there werent any. i did get to see some cool deer things that i think were gemsbok. i also saw antelope, buffalo and flamingos. it was a nice little drive and i got some cool pictures.

tuesday we went on exchanges. my companion elder m went to bethlehem and the district leader elder w came to phuthaditjhaba with me. we did a baptism interview for bro c. after we stopped at a home where we got into a bible bash by some pastor. got to love em.

wednesday was a hectic day. elder r is another elder that stays in our boarding. he is companions with elder k and they are in the driving area. well elder r was taking elder w back to bethlehem while me and his companion stayed behind. he got pulled over and taken to prison for not having a valid drivers license. so the couple missionaries had to save the other elders and bail him out. they brought him back to phuthaditjhaba but he is banned from driving. which means now i get to drive! luckily they got an automatic car so i wont die. now i am driving on the left side of the road on some of the worst roads in south africa. its nice!

thursday we painted an investigators house. none of the other elders would climb the sketchy ladder to paint the walls so i had to. im the biggest guy in the group and this ladder is four sticks tied together at the top by some twine! it was a miracle i didnt die!

friday we did our weekly planning which took all morning. after we did tracting. we tracted around an area that has been untouched by missionaries. we actually got to talk to quite a few people and leave pamphlets. we went to one older couple. we showed up and just started talking just casually. we introduced ourselves and the church and they started looking around nervously. we asked what was wrong and they told us about some other guys who had come saying they were children of god trying to share a message but they needed money. those guys ended up robbing the couple. we assured them we weren't robbers and we told them more about ourselves. They really seemed to warm up to us and asked us to come back! hopefully something will happen with them.

Saturday was hectic. we lost bro c  to an alcohol problem the day before his baptism... i was suppose to baptize him on the 15th of Dec. we had 8 appointments and all fell through. we didnt meet a single one. my companion and i were just walking down the road silently when we both just stopped infront of a house. it was one we had gone to before but the people didn't seem interested. we went up just to say hi and they let us in. inside the two sons who were late/mid 30's were there visiting. we talked with them mostly and they were very interested in our message and were both very powerful. they were the exact kind of potential priesthood holders this branch needs. we took their contacts and are hoping to continue teaching them. Sunday everyone was so excited about the baptism but we had to tell everyone it was being postponed... i was just down all day. it was supposed to be such a fantastic day for bro c  but now its gone.... i taught the investigator class about the gifts of the spirit.   everything went well.   after church we went and visited some less active members. i couldnt understand it, they are all so powerful and knowledgeable!    but they dont come because of the branch president who doesnt know his keys or how to lead the church... it has caused many people to leave the church.   Seriously tons say they will come back only when he is released.   its a big problem.

But overall,  it has been a super crazy hectic week but all the chaos did make it go by so fast! its funny, i think back on the week and i remember all the good lessons we had but i didn't remember the bad until i looked at my planner.  There really is so much good and great things happening here. The gospel in africa is exploding!  They all love the message, its just a matter of breaking the bad habits and the cultural customs that is rough. The people are quite prideful about those things. But every day i keep pushing forward. I try my best to follow the mission rules and do everything i can to be the missionary the Lord needs me to be. The work is rough, the days are long, and i come home finished, but it must go on. I only have 23 months left to convert the whole of South Africa! I love you all and couldn't thank you enough for the support! like you always say, :Suit up and Serve!" Love Elder P

Other bits and pieces from individual emails:

I love you so much mom. I cant even describe how thankful i am to have a mother that cared and loved me all my life. Kids here have no parents. Mothers leave them all day and go to the taverns then come home with men and its just bad. So bad. I am so thankful for you and dad and the safe home you raised me in.

I really hate reading these emails. I just start crying in the middle of this crazy internet cafe and everyone just looks at me weird but i dont even care! I really actually have been feeling so so good! Like there are so many disappointing moments, as you will read in my big email, but like my attitude has totally changed! I really just feel pretty great all the time and i enjoy going out and talking with people. Its crazy though because by the end of the day, i am straight finished! like i dont even want to eat! (But i do anyways because i love food) Mission really is so interesting. Its the greatest, its the worst, its the happiest, its the saddest, i dont understand it most the time! But really i feel much better about everything and all is well here in Phuthaditjhaba! But for reals look this place up on google to understand what im talking about here! or look up Qwa-Qwa. Its like the same place. But i really am looking forward to food that isnt rice!! We eat rice covered in hotdogs, onions, and tomatoes like every day. Or sometimes we sub out with some oxtail beef stuff. I was hoping there would be plentiful fruit everywhere but theres really not at all... Im sad... But the juice here is so nice so i kind of get the effect of fruit even though its just straight sugar! You really need to get your christmas up! I even put up my sign you sent me and set up a christmas tree! We play christmas music all the time too. You gotta step up your game... But ive been trying to send emails with pics but it really just doesnt work here! Everywhere i go they just dont work so i am sending home prints of the pics and ill just start sending the chip home. Tell dad i will prob use my card to buy 1 GB cards so i can just send them and not have to worry about losing all of my pics if one card gets lost or broken. Things here are weirdly cheap so hopefully it wont be too big of a deal. Thats about what i have for the moment but i sent that big email so hopefully that will help answer some questions! I love you so much! Tell brenner i love him and miss him as well. The letters are on their way somewhere! Love Elder P

Guys, proceed with caution--when he says "Funny thing" you won't find it funny...

Dad

I really feel like we had the exact same week just on opposite sides of the earth! Mine was crazy hectic and full of all sorts of disappointing and crazy moments but it really was such a quick week. I think i am starting to understand the whole losing yourself in the work and the time goes by quickly thing. I will be honest, the time still seems like it is going to take forever and i will be on mission for the rest of my life, but some days i get home and get ready for bed and it really feels like i just went to bed like 10 minutes earlier.   I hope that makes sense and i dont sound like some crazy guy... But honestly this week i have been feeling so much better about everything.   I was dying and so finished but this last week, i have had such a happy feeling like all week.   Theres been plenty of rough times dont get me wrong, but i still just have peace inside me.   I can tell that i have the spirit with me always.   I really dont think i knew what it felt like to have the spirit as a constant companion but now, being here, it is such a blessing!  I have peace all the time. The people still are racist towards me and there have been some sketchy moments that i will not tell you about until i am home but the whole time i just felt calm and secure.   sounds like all is well in Zion. thats cool you got to go with mom up to temple square and listen to motab and have a super cool date night!   I also hear you have avoided decorating for christmas somehow....? Never thought id see the day... But tell me about the whole job thing with Jacey? She said that she is doing the pretests now? Is this a part time thing? Are you trying to set up for 2 pretesters? I really am thankful that you are helping her out with this.   You will have to let me know what is happening. Overall ive had a pretty good week. The work is going slowly but surely. The food is still mostly just rice and hot dogs. I did see chicken heads and feet but i aint eating that yet! Funny thing though, so here everyone is Sutu. The young men around this time of year head up on top of this mountain and spend like 2 weeks up there. Its like a cultural initiation type thing where they prove they are a man. I guess they go up there and with sticks and rocks they circumcise themselves.... Weird. But my time is up for this week. I will let you know more next week. I love you and i am so thankful for the support you give me. 

Love Elder P

I'm glad all is well there! Tell emerson that uncle ham would love some pictures! i cant remember if i told you or not but i sent some pictures to emerson the other week so hopefully she will get them! Mostly the kids love me now! Like if i walk through a group of them i just get in a huge group hug and just stand there as they flock around me! its interesting with adults though. They will say hello but race is still a big problem here. They will listen when i talk but rarely make eye contact. Once i visit them a handful of times they will warm up to me but its still rough.     We cleaned a bunch, but (the apartment) still has a long way to go before i can shower in peace! The members feed us occasionally but its usually just rice and a small piece of chicken. It really is such a poor place and its so sad to me. 

Missionary Mom Christmas

While sitting in the temple this week, this is just what I was thinking about:

A Missionary Christmas (author unknown)

I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving. The thrill just wasn't there. No pictures taken with Santa Claus, My decorating has no flair. His presents are shoes, shirts, and ties, two suits and socks...no fun. I've bought him all white clothes because...

This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I've spent more time in the temple, my testimony stirred. I've reread November's Ensign, felt strength come from His words. Our family prays more frequently. My tears are quick to run. Abraham seems closer because,

This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I wonder how those Lamanite mothers, gave their sons to war? Or how the pioneers chose Zion , their sacrifice was so much more. My loss will be his presence, I'll miss his smile a ton For two years we will pray for him,

I'm giving Christ my son.

I stare at his face when he's not looking. I memorize his eyes, their shine. He's always hungered for the part of him that makes his soul divine. The stories and lessons he always heard, his choice and mine are one. I'll put my faith in God's hand. This year,

I'm giving Him my son.

Past gifts have lost their glitter. I think I finally understand: Christ's birth should be celebrated by giving Him a hand. It's because I know Christ lives and reigns that all his packing's done. My gift has taken years to make, This year...

I'm giving Christ my son.

I know there's One who understands the sacrifice I'm making. Who knows the gift I willingly give, the toll it will be taking. For He has done it all before-- greater love, there could be none. For years ago God gave to me,

His only begotten son.

The hands I washed, the hands I held, the hands I taught to pray; Now knock on doors to find the ones who will listen to what he'll say. Because I know Christ needs him, until all the gathering's done, My gift has taken years to make.

This year...I'm giving Christ my son.

Mold, Maggots, and Cockroaches, OH MY!

Excerpts from our emails this week 

That scripture really is one i look at all the time. 1 Nephi 3:7.

So I am in a place called Puthaditjhaba or Qwa Qwa. You should be able to google it and see. But it is interesting. I am the only white person so everyone either looks at me like a crazy person or they think i am the coolest thing since running water! (Running water just came about a year ago) It is very primitive here. I eat rice rice rice rice and more rice. They just eat it for everything because it is cheap. I found chicken heads and feet but i havent eaten any yet. The apartment is decent sized. About the same as your house now. But it is dirty and nasty and covered in mold! I think i have been getting poisoned just being in there... But i love teaching! i hate walking everywhere cause it takes an hour to walk to our area... but the teaching is awesome! I have already had one baptism and we have 5 lined up for the rest of the month! Everything is good here though. I was really homesick the last couple days and i wanted to come home but i did some praying and figured stuff out and i am all good again! 

So ya i can read music so i have been learning hymns! :) i can play called to serve, praise to the man, sweet hour of prayer, and a bunch of other ones i can play parts of! :)  

Mostly hand sanitizer doesn't exist here. I am going to die!! I sent pics of the lions in the mail and i am trying to email some so we will see what happens! I am sure you have heard and know that this last little bit has been hard.... Everything is going good for the most part. This branch is struggling bad but we are bringing in more potential priesthood holders so hopefully we can help turn it around! I really do feel that support from everyone. When i get down (which is a lot) i just start thinking of family, friends, neighbors, everyone and i remember why i am here. I am not here for myself. I am here for these people who need to experience the happiness that is in our little valley. People here have no hope in life and have no purpose.... Those we find really need and i mean they are looking for this gospel. they are looking for the hope and the guidance. I hope all is well and i cant wait to skype you on christmas! I will try to find out more when i can! I love you mom. Tell Brenner i love him and miss him. I also sent him some stuff in the mail so hopefully it comes sometime! Love Elder P 

 hahaha you dont judge me!!! It was the last elders that left it awful so we had to clean it and there were maggots and cockroaches all over! Nasty! But i made them clean it so i didnt die!! 

This has been a really rough week for Elder Peterson..Prayers on his behalf would certainly be appreciated, and an encouraging email would be great, as well! :)
dallis.peterson@myldsmail.net