This week has been challenging for two reasons. One, we have been working very closely and delicately with Amanda who is going through some really hard things. We have had daily emotional phone calls and texts and met in person a couple days. It's left sister Quinton and I both so drained we just don't know how to handle it. But we have had so much support from the bishop, the family that found her, and even President Tateoka who came for interviews this week. Sometimes it's hard to realize that it's not up to us. It's her decision in the end and all we can do is give her love. So this comming week is going to be very telling. It's going to be her turning point for one way or another.
The second reason why this week has been challenging is because it turns out we are a walking area. So no more car! Though the sisters in the area next to us are very kind and give us rides sometimes. But we are now on foot. So my flabby legs are going to get buff (after a lot of soreness and feeling like an old lady). Even though it's been hard physically it's been great for our prosoliting! We have met so many more people just from being on the street longer.
So our area covers downtown Albany, the surrounding blocks, and the more wide spread hill country across the river. So for walking its pretty big. Thank goodness we have an awesome ward who is so willing to give us rides.
Quick story, one night we couldn't find a ride back into town from the hill country so we walked in the dark next to the creepy woods all the way back to the river where we couldn't cross the bridge so the other sisters picked us up from there, it was fun. Don't worry though thankfully we had flashlights because of a sweet lady we met one night who invited us into her house for cocoa. She gave us a flashlight and we got to share a video with her, it was great! There are so many sweet people!
Last night we got blessings from the elders. It was very needed and comforting. Don't hesitate to ask for a blessing when you need one!
We got to spend family home evening with our dinner appointment family last night. It was fun, they are a middle grade fiction reading, cartoon (like over the garden wall) watching, whovian, Hamilton loving family. It felt good to talk to my people ;)
Annnnd... I'm out of the temple! Super pretty, super renewing! The temple is always so good for refocusing your perspective. Six more months until I can go again!
It's raining now. We've been lucky to have the sun last this long into the fall, but I think that may have been it and now it's rain from here on out.
We have been helping this nice older, socially awkward, non-conformist, narcoleptic (but not in the sleepy way), viking, family history loving lady. She has been working on cleaning out her gutters so we have been helping her with that and putting on gutter covers and so forth but now that the rain is coming we are going to get her to come to the family history nights and take the lessons. Sneaky.
So I randomly ask sister Quinton "what am I thinking" and she guessed waffles! The other sisters were really confused and most of you are probably confused but some of you will know what we are talking about. Love my people!
OH so we got a new areabook app and it is awful!! BUT we are trying to be positive and just pray that they will fix it soon. I'm not sure if I said this in my last email or not but we are about to be an technology mission so we get Facebook and smart phones soon!! Yay no more dinosaur flip phone!!
OK spiritual thought of the day...
This week I've been re-reading some of my favorite talks from this last conference. I was reading Uchtdorfs talk from Saturday morning called A Yearning for Home and I loved this paragraph from it....
"I testify that when we embark upon or continue the incredible journey that leads to God, our lives will be better.
This does not mean that our lives will be free from sorrow. We all know of faithful followers of Christ who suffer tragedy and injustice—Jesus Christ Himself suffered more than anyone. Just as God makes the “sun to rise on the evil and on the good,” He also allows adversity to test the just and the unjust. In fact, sometimes it seems that our lives are more difficult because we are trying to live our faith.
No, following the Savior will not remove all of your trials. However, it will remove the barriers between you and the help your Heavenly Father wants to give you. God will be with you. He will direct your steps. He will walk beside you and even carry you when your need is greatest."
This is so important to remember! And it is something that our investors has been struggling with so hearing it talked about it conference and then finding it again after conference was a great blessing. I encourage you all to go back and read your favorite talks from conference. Don't wait! Renforce the things you learned while it's still fresh in your mind.
I love you all! Have a great week!
-Sister Peterson
Ps. Pics will be in a separate email.
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