Good morning all you lovely people!
I'll just jump right into it... We got transfer calls on Friday and I am staying in Vernonia! Sister Unferdorfer is leaving us for Monmouth and Sister Cornell will be my new companion! I've come to realize that change really is the only constant 😅haha! Thanks for the "interesanto" adventures and memories Sister Unferdorfer! Let's go make some new ones!
This week has been full of anticipation and then tearful goodbyes. Between the two we also saw many miracles and tender mercies.
It's funny how the people you think you are here to help, and the people who actually end up being touched can be so different. It really goes to show that God is in charge of His work and that despite our flaws and mistakes the work will go on!
Two of the people I have seen change the most, with honestly the least amount of effort on our part (because they made the decision to change on their own) have been Jeanette and Vicki. Really, as told us by an investigator, our job is to show up and let the spirit do the rest. Our job is to be there to guide people who are ready to receive, or re-receive, the gospel.
These two ladies have been inactive for over 20 years combined. It's just been in the last couple months due to a humbling fall and prayer for Jeanette, and moving in with a friend here in Vernonia for Vicki, that they rediscovered their testimonies and have come back to church.
I have been lucky enough to be here to see the change that has taken place in their countenances. To see the light that has reentered their eyes, and the new bright smiles on their faces. It really goes to show that knowing God's love for you is powerful!
We had exchanges this week so Friday through Saturday morning I was with Sister Nelson here in Vernonia. During this time we had some very different, but good, experiences.
We started talking with this man in his yard, whom we have talked to before, and actually his wife used to be a member of the church. Well he had some questions about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon so we explained where the Book of Mormon came from and we taught about the first vision. It was so cool to see him go from, uniterested to completely captivated as we talked about Joseph Smith. When we asked him if he would like a copy of the Book of Mormon he told us he would have to check with his wife. They invited us in and though we have differences and misunderstanding about what each other believes we were able to have a spirit filled discussion about what we really believe. Though in the end she still wasn’t open to having a Book of Mormon in the house. It was a testimony builder just seeing how simply and clearly the gospel can be explained. Everything just fits together perfectly when you know the truth.
We were walking down the street and saw a man, who has previously rejected us, in his yard. Literally all we said was "hello" and he replied "oh you don't want to talk to me, the real sinners are inside. Come in!"... Well as a missionary getting invited inside just like that doesn't happen that often. So after confirming that there was a woman inside we went in. The man goes and bangs on the bathroom door and tells his wife to get out of the shower because she had company, and tells his daughter to come out of her room. Then he tells us good luck and rushes out the door to go to work... At this point I am thinking "what did we get ourselves into!?" and that they are going to be super mean Bible bashers or crazy people or something like that.
Well turns out that they are the sweetest people! A little Mexican lady and her daughter who each offered us coffee or tea probably five times. The daughter had actually been friends with a member of the church here in town and has come to a bunch of church activities and stuff. The mom is very open and willing to learn. We taught the Restoration right there on the spot and the spirit was so strong. Of course though something always happens to mess up the first vision, this time right at the end, the cat starts throwing up! Well despite the adversary’s best efforts we still had a great lesson and we are going to continue to teach them!
On Saturday morning Sister Nelson and I went out to the pond to exercise. It was super icy and slippery. On the way I slipped down our front stairs! But I laughed all the way down because I had kind of been anticipating it. It's kind of a Vernonia tradition. Because Sister Unferdorfer and the Sister who was here before me have both fallen down a set of stair here in Vernonia! So it was kind of inevitable.
Well at the pond, though we couldn't really run because of all the ice, it was amazing! Seriously it felt like God was putting on a show for us! The pond was all still and glossy, there were pine trees lining the background and reflection, the fog across those and all of it tinted pink from the sunrise! Within our little walk around the pond a bald eagle flew low right over our heads then out into the fog, we saw otters swimming and playing with each other, and a crazy jumping fish!
There is also an old mill next to the pond which has been gutted and now has trees growing inside and graffiti throughout it. This old mill is used for weddings and classical music concerts. It was super cool! I love exploring! Sadly we didn't take a camera with us so no pictures :( but I am sure we will go back once it gets warmer!
Spiritual Thought🌱
"It doesn't matter who you are everyone has something to teach and something to learn." - Brother Barrie
This was something our branch mission leader said during Sunday School and I just had to write it down. It's so true and it's been something I've been trying to learn recently. There is something to learn from everyone and every experience and I also have something to share, something that only I can contribute. I'm excited for this opportunity to be in Vernonia to teach and to be taught.
I love you all and hope you never forget that you are where you are, in the circumstances you are in, for a reason. God is directing the details of our lives and you personally are a very important piece of the puzzle!
Hope you all have great adventures this week!
-Sister Peterson :)
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