The Good Life: Joyful, Joyful Lord!

Hello!

It has been a week of all weeks, and we have been busier than ever! Most weeks feel like we are on one of those little moving sidewalks at the airport, moving faster than anyone around us... but this week the amount of things to do/stress level is bumped up to running on a treadmill! it has been crazy! but so, so good. Somehow i am able to get up every morning at 6:18 and have the energy to get through the day. I have no doubt that the Lord strengthens us as we do His work!

It is transfer week, which i have been trying not to think about because it means sister B and i will not be companions! We have already figured out a way to have us in a tri-companionship, ha but when we presented the idea to Elder Cleverly and President Weston they weren't sold. It really has been such a blessing to be able to serve together, and i know that i will survive without her... maybe. ha.. but please pray for us as we have so much to get done before then! I wish we could cut ourselves in half so we could be in two places at once. But i know that the Lord will make up for our weaknesses in order to help us accomplish "the things that he has commanded".

This week was so wonderful, i can't even begin to tell you all of the miracles that we saw! ah! it was so awesome! Here is a short preview:

1. I was on exchanges Tuesday with Sister Mahlstede, and we were trying a less active we had an appointment with. We were sad that she wasnt home, so we left her a note on the door. As we turned around to walk away from her house, a man in a scooter was just scooting down the street and so i called out to him to say hello. He instantly got a smile on his face, and long story short he told us that he is a member of the church! He hasnt had any contact with the church in years, but had been taught by sisters when he was baptized so it made him super happy to see us. we had a lesson right there on the street all about the word of wisdom, and the temple, and he is desperately wanting to get back to the temple. we have an appointment with him tomorrow! when things fall through, the Lord ALWAYS provides another person to see. without fail.

2. We had an incredible lesson with Chris this week - he is doing SO great! We brough Brother Piercy with us, who is a member of the bishopric. We talked about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and helped Chris feel the need to be baptized and also help him understand the sacredness of that ordinance. Brother Piercy is a convert, and bore such a powerful testimony of the blessings that have come into his life since being a member. Chris told us that since we had invited him to be baptized a few weeks ago, he has been praying about a date and keeps have August 8 come into his mind! We were able to invite him again to be baptized on that date, and he said yes :) He came to church this sunday as well, and we talked afterwards about the spirit. He said that ever since he has been meeting with us he feels this constant "good" feeling.. he explained it as his emotions being very leveled, with him not getting super angry any more, but having more peace in his life! we were able to testify to him of the Lord's constant desire to reach out to us through His spirit, and how He was telling Chris through those feelings that this is right! It was incredible. We are having FHE with the Portwoods in our ward and Chris tonight, so pray it goes well! It is such a joy to work with him.. he is making such amazing progress.

3. CHURCH: We had an incredible day at church.. so many people came! it was truly miraculous. I know that the Lord is blessing us greatly, and i feel humbled for the sacred responsibility He has given us to be His servants. here are all who came:

- Chris and Girly (3rd week in a row, and Girly, Chris's fiance, really opened up which was great)

- Lena and her granddaughter (investigator: she has been once before, but had a really weird experience so we were worried that she would never come back! When we invited her to come this week, she was more than willing to. It was such an answer to prayer!)

- Rochelle and Tamera (both recent converts - tamera has only been to church once since i have been in the area, so to see her there yesterday was such a miracle!)

- Sister Webster (less active member who we met this week! We taught her with Bishop and it went awesome. She is deaf, and so Sister Brough typed out all of church for her since we dont have an interpreter. She loved it.. first time to church in 4 years!)

- Sue, Mark, and Jon (less active/returning member and her not active son and his boyfriend)

4. We found an incredible new investigator this week named Ricky. We have already seen him 3 times, and he has so much potential. He is one of the least-assuming investigators i have ever taught: meaning that by looking at him, or even initially talking with him, you would NEVER think he would be interested in learning about the gospel. But the Lord has taught me so much this week, as i have realized the God truly loves ALL of His children. I have felt the Lord's love for Ricky more than anyone i have taught before. He is part of a gang, has been shot in the face, is paralyzed on his whole left side, is unemployed and basically just sits at home every day. Learning more about his life has humbled me so much, and i am so grateful for the gospel! He told us last night as we were visiting with him that he has been in and out of prison all of his life, and he has tried everything to change, accept for religion. When he saw us in his apartment complex, he heard something in his mind tell him that this was the the thing that would actually help him change. He has already started reading the book of mormon,praying ever day, and is committed to being baptized on July 26. i know he has a lot of bumps ahead to get over, but he has already seen changes in his life that are miraculous. He is experiencing the atonement.. and it is REAL. It makes me cry to even think about how much the savior loves us, and how willing He is to "succor us" and help us change. We are seriously so blessed.

5. The trail center has been so busy! Every aspect of my life has been crazy! haha but it keeps things exciting. I have been able to take some awesome tours this week - one in particular was really great, as i was able to take a girl who is preparing to go on a mission on a tour. it was just her and i, which was really great because we were able to really get to know each other. she is a convert of less than a year, went to BYU and is studying elementary education! we had a lot in common, and it was so cool to feel like i had a little impact on her motivation to serve. Being a missionary is the BEST!

I could literally keep going for 6 more hours.. ha. so much to say! But i am truly so thankful to be a missionary, to be serving the Lord every day. It is the greatest thing. I am in Alma right now in the Book of Mormon, and today read Alma 26. What an awesome chapter. I will add my testimony along with Ammon's as he said

"Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea and my joy is carried away even unto boasting in my God; for He has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.

Now if this is boasting, even so will i boast, for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo"

This is Christ's church, and we are so blessed!

love you!

Sister Peterson