Opening Eyes 💙

Hello lovely people! It's been a good week here in West Salem. The week started out warm and sunny, but slowly changed into gray and dismal. But thats OK because there is sunshine in my soul today!

West Salem is very hilly. We often do big laps around our area in attempts to find people to talk to. It's a great workout as well haha! 

One fun thing that happened this week was I got to see Sister Unferdorfer again!! She came here on exchanges with the STL's so it was a great happy MTC reunion. In case you don't remember, Sister Johnson and Sister Unferdorfer were the other sisters with me at the MTC who came to this mission, and I've been companions with them both! 

One of the best things about being a missionary is you get to see people's eyes truly open for the first time as you answer their long held questions and introduce to them the gospel of Jesus Christ! I have also frequently had experiences where my eyes are opened to my Savior's love, the beauty of this gospel, and just realizations about myself and the world. 

So last P-day we donated our apartment keys to Goodwill... not on purpose of course but after we noticed they were missing it was the only logical conclusion, that we accidentally dropped them into one of the bags we had donated earlier that day... woops! Goodwill is still looking for them but they are most likely lost in the vortex of discarded goods for eternity. 

With no key to our apartment and it being too late for the mission office to bring us a new key we ended up spending the night with the other sisters. Who says you can't have sleepovers on your mission?! 

This was actually one of those experiences that really opened my eyes to how much we take for granted. I rely so much on stuff! Whether that be a toothbrush, a change of clothing, a bed, a charger, my journal... and when I don't have my stuff I'm helpless relying totally on the hospitality of others. It's crazy how many many people don't ever have the comfort of having their own stuff. I am so grateful, and so humbled. It definitely puts perspective into "relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save." (2 Nephi 31:19) 

Another humbling, eye opening, and interesting situation was our surprise lesson with our investigator Bob. We actually had two surprise lessons with him this week. He is a brand new investigator and we had, up to this point, simply been trying to set up a time to meet. Well because it has gotten rainy again we asked if we could do a video chat or message lesson instead of meeting in person. Well he immediately called us and we were so unprepared! He is an interesting fellow... Part of his current religion is to smoke weed every day and he was just a little high at the moment.... So Ya... but he is very willing to listen and learn.

Later in the week we ran into each other on the street. He saw us walking and said "just the ladies I was looking for." He had come down from cloud nine and we were able to have a much better lesson. We walked with him and talked for a long time. I have the horrible habit of categorizing people, and honestly they become like a character in my weird life story. But as we walked and he talked about his life and the trials of when he was living on the streets he slowly became real to me, and my heart breaks at the reality of what he has experienced in his 19 years of life. 

He told us life is like falling down a hill, he has found different tools to help him hang on to the cliff but he says he is looking for that one tool. We introduced to him the Book of Mormon and explained that it is that tool he is looking for. He feels as if God doesn't care. He has asked God for help but feels as though he never answered. We shared Alma 7:11-12. He has many questions of the soul and is very humbled and prepared. It will be slow going with him but he definitely needs this gospel and is in a position to start receiving it. 

(Editor’s insert: Alma 7: 11-12 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.)

Our lesson ended abruptly because one of his friends needed help, and without a moment of hesitation he ran off to litterally chase down an ambulance. It was a very interesting lesson and experience. I will keep you updated on his progress. I know it's going to be slow and rocky but both Sister Johnson and I feel so strongly that there is something here. It's an amazing, and heart breaking experience when you are able to see someone in even the tiniest sliver of how Christ sees them. 

I am so grateful for my mission and how it has truly opened my eyes. I know there is still so much about the world and real life and so forth that I still don't know, but I am learning charity. Charity is the most important thing to learn, and it is the light in which all other learning should be done. (Moroni 7:45-48)

(Editor’s insert: Moroni 7:45-48 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail--But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.)

I hope you all have a wonderful week and don't forget we are all family ❤️

Love you bunches!!

-Sister Anna Peterson 

Picture time! (I will try to make sure they are attached this time...) 

1. Surprise Sleepover! 

2. I forgot to take a picture of my new CTR ring earlier... This is a birthday present from Chris in Vernonia. 

3. Time for a new spring profile picture!

4. MTC reunion, plus sister Schmoekel :) 

5. P-day selfie! 

Another Transfer, Another Show!

Hello Everyone! 

Week one of a new transfer completed! I am settling into a new ward, new companionship, and new turf. In my last email I mentioned that I was going to be in a trio, after getting to West Salem I was informed that Sister Voorhies was actually going home because of medical problems so our trio was short lived, and she went home Wednesday morning. So now Sister Johnson and I are back together and better than ever. 

I'm curious as to why I keep getting placed back with my MTC companions, maybe it's a do over? I definitely learned a lot and grew from my experience back with Sister Unferdorfer, and I can't wait to learn from and grow with Sister Johnson! 

Sister Johnson Interview: 

Favorite Color - Pink

Favorite Food - Italian

Favorite Book - Harry Potter

She is the oldest of four sisters (each from a different Harry Potter house, which I thought was really cool) 

Oh and her 17 turning 18 year old sister’s name is Chloe!! 

She really loves Star Wars. 

She plays the violin. 

She is from Arizona and desperately misses the heat! 

It's strange being back in a city. We live in an apartment complex which is backed up right against the main road so we are never without the sound of cars passing. Thank goodness Sister Johnson is the designated driver because I am not ready to drive where there are real two lane roads and stoplights! 

It's also strange being back around another set of sisters. Sister Dayton and Sister Schmoekel are the STLs (Sister Training Leaders) and they are also in a car share with us. 

Our area in West Salem is partly poor, but mostly mansions! Our Ward is Chapman Hill Ward and it is full of doctors and dentists! Some of whom know the dentist / branch member from Vernonia so that was cool! It is a very kind and giving ward. We have being given great help already. 

We are doing a lot of walking and finding right now. We are teaching a couple people but there are always more to find!! 

There is a lady named Beatrice. She is a member who hasn't been to church in 20+ years! She recently got hit by a car, and broke her knee! She somehow got in contact with the sisters and mentioned that she wanted us to come over and help her. 

We went to see her and help her walk her dogs and make her a healthy smoothie. At first she was kind of reserved and only talked about life and weather and stuff, but after we made her a smoothie she completely opened up to us. She started to cry and told us that she feels Heavenly Father pulling her back to the gospel! It was a very spirit filled experience and it was so cool to see all the ways that God has been preparing her to come back to Him! 

One blessing of coming to a new area is you get to see how much you have grown. Not to sound dramatic but having everything you knew stripped away from you (ok that sounds really dramatic) really helps you realize who you are at your core. 

I am so grateful for this change because It has allowed me to see my growth, and realize I am doing a lot better than I thought I was. And not because of my strength but because of the way God has helped me to recognize my weakness and work with him to stretch and overcome. 

One very noticeable way I have changed is I am not afraid to talk to people! I can waltz up to anyone and start talking about the gospel! One of my first days in the mission field, with my Trainer Sister Quinton, I remember her going up and talking to this girl and she directed the conversation so naturally towards the gospel. I wrote in my journal, "I want to be able to do that one day!" And now I can! That doesn't mean it's easy or natural but I am no longer afraid to try, and that is the important part. 

There is a quote from Thomas S. Monson in our apartment that says (something to the effect of...); "True courage is saying, I will try again tomorrow..." 

This is going to be a good transfer. I can't wait to see how these 6 weeks will change this area, and how it will change me. 

I love you all and hope you all have an amazing week! 

Pictures:

-Our one day trio 

-The beautiful spring blossoms 

-Me and Sister Johnson 

-gotta have at least one selfie... 

Bonus Text Photos!

Some nice person texted us these photos with this message: “Sunshine inside and out. New companionship. Sister Voorhirs went home with a foot injury so three are now two.”

Isaiah 41:13 ❤️

Hello everyone! 🤗

This email is going to be a little sporadic so pardon my randomness...

Can you believe it's already been six weeks?!? Well another transfer has come and gone and my time in Vernonia is coming to a close. I am being transfered to West Salem! I'm going to be in a trio with Sister Voorhies and Sister Johnson (from the MTC!) 

I am excited for this new experience, it's going to be an adventure! It's definitely time for change. I had just started catching myself at meals and during morning exercise saying "...didn't this just happen? didn't I just do this?" It's time for a change of routine. 

Even though a new adventure is much needed the thought of leaving little Vernonia makes my heart ache! I am going to miss Vernonia so much! This branch is just so full of love and I feel that I have gotten so close to each member in such a short amount of time that the thought of leaving feels like leaving family all over again! 

I just keep clinging to the saying "There is no growth in the comfort zone, and no comfort in the growth zone." There is no doubt this change is going to be hard, but there is also no doubt it is going to be worth it! 

Over the last couple weeks we have had a handful of different people recommend we try the local gas station chickenstrips dipped in nacho cheese. We decided we might as well give it a try... it was nasty! but now we can say we have had the famous Vernonia chicken strips and nacho cheese! 

It was raining super hard one morning and neither of us felt up to going running in the rain so we stayed in, pumped up the music, and had a 30 minute dance party! It was fun, though not so much fun on our calfs the next day. I guess we just party too hard. 

Let me just take a moment to introduce you, or reintroduce you to an inspiring, spiritual, stress releasing, funny, tear of both laughter and spirit inducing, also some of the only entertainment we get as missionaries, person that is Hank Smith! 

I have heard a couple of his speaches/firesides/talks before but thanks to an awesome member who let us borrow her CD collection we got to listen to so many more! We have a 45 minute drive to and from district meeting every Friday so we got to listen to these talks a lot! I highly recommend you all go listen to his talks as well! 

So we got a little distracted during companion study one day and it turned into snail Lehi, Sariah, and Jacob traveling in the wilderness... we were going to make a stop motion scripture story with snails but we ran out of time... 

There is an amazing, thrifty, spunky, old couple in our branch and we often have rather interesting food when we go to their home. This week we had stinging nettle bites. They were a mixture of steamed stinging nettle, cheese, egg, and flour baked into a little pattie. They weren't bad, once you got over the texture. 

Ross came to church again this week! He commented after sacrament meeting how nice everyone at this church was, and how they really seem to be focused on helping the one. Sometimes I take for granted the spirit that is present in our meetings. Sometimes we disregard the spiritual experiences we can be having because we are so used to it, or we are looking for something bigger or more grand. But to have Ross recognize immediately the difference between this church and the others he has been trying is a testimony to me in and of itself. 

Jared is still stuck in the deep doctrine. We have been trying to get to the root of what is holding him back, and we have discovered, or rather rediscovered that he simply doesn't understand Jesus Christ. We have been focusing too hard on hammering in the WHAT he should do that and we have been forgetting to teach him the WHY he should do it. That is because of a genuine love of Jesus Christ. 

I think it is too easy to slip from the WHY of the gospel. We are blessed with so much avaliable knowledge in this restored gospel that although it is all good and true sometimes we forget to strengthen our testimony where it is most important, in our faith in Jesus Christ. I think that is one reason why we take the sacrament every week, because we promise to always remember him and we as fallen humans need that opportunity to recommit to it every week. 

I am so grateful for this restored gospel! I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon, because through it I am learning more about my savior Jesus Christ! I am so grateful for this mission I have the privilege of serving, I have seen the blessings pouring out upon me and my family as I have made the decision to dedicate these 18 months to the Lord.

The best way to describe my feeling would have to be from the words of King Benjamin and Ammon from the Book of Mormon...

"And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.

And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?"

"I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.

   Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever."

I encourage you to take some time to read Mosiah 2:16-25, and Alma 26. I know the power that comes from reading the scriptures is real. Change is never easy and I am of course a little nervous about it but I know in the end it will be for my good and my growth. Most importantly I know that as I stay close to the Lord I can do all things!

I love you all so much and hope you have an amazing week!! 

-Sister Peterson 

*Editor’s note: Here is the scripture she referenced in her title: Isaiah 41:13 “For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.”

...something clever and inspirational... 😛

Good morning everyone❤️

How was your week? Mine was somewhat uneventful, we did a bunch of talking to people on the street and a lot of our lessons had to be rescheduled, but after digging through the last week's schedule, my journal, and Sister Cornell’s memory I have put together a small list of things to share! 

It rained a lot this week! Now it always rains a lot here but it is usually this light misting spit like rain but this week it poured! Vernonia has a history of flooding and Sister Cornell and I really want it to flood... OK we sound like horrible people but it would be so cool to see! We have been singing "the rains came down and the floods came up!..." as our rain chant all week! No flooding though and now it looks like the sun is coming out. 

As a result of the rain, and our stubborness with not using an umbrella, we have been wet more often than we have been dry this week. But that hasn't stopped us from waving at everyone! It's become an unspoken rule here in Vernonia that we will wave at every car that passes us. Its a good way to brighten people's day and test the friendliness of people but I didn't think it would have any significant impact. This week however we have been told by multiple people that they really appreciate our waving to everyone and it makes them feel special. Also as a result of talking to everyone we have been endearingly nicknamed "the girls" by random people in town. 

It’s the smallest acts of kindness that soften hearts and open doors! 

Jared really enjoys deep doctrine, it's very easy to slip into topics of speculation with him and it takes a lot of effort to stay with the basics. To help us stay on topic this week we decided to do a "faith in Jesus Christ week." We sacrificed some pamphlets for the greater good, and made the pictures inside a special week long lesson for him. Because everyone needs more pictures of Jesus! (picture below) 

In our minds this was going to be the most amazing thing ever that would totally change his life forever! In reality I think we talked about more deep topics this week than we ever had in the past. Jared did of course appreciate the pictures and he hung some up in his garage and in his room so that part worked! But our actual lessons turned into discussions about what our heavens look like and what is the purpose of eternity?! 

The best part about this though was that we originally planned to do seven days to make it a full week thing but as we went through the week we switched up some things and a couple pictures just didn't feel right to share so we ended up stopping on day five with the picture of Christ in the Garden on Gethsemane. When we told Jared this was the last day he said "Why did you stop on the number five?" in a very surprised, concerned, and serious tone. We told him no particular reason it just felt right, and he then told us that the number five to him is always connected with good things. So though it didn't work out in the way we thought it would it still did make an impact on him! 

This week we had Zone Conference! I love Zone Conference! It is always just what I need to pump me up again! Our focus in this Zone Conference was the Book of Mormon. We know from Preach My Gospel that the Book of Mormon along with the spirit is our most powerful tool in conversion. So with that in mind we have been encouraged to use the Book of Mormon even more in our teaching and finding. 

A new approach we have been taking as we talk to people on the street is sharing a scripture right off the bat, and it actually works! There is power in the Book of Mormon and I am just so grateful for it. 

We were also challenged to start over the Book of Mormon and mark these four things: Any reference to Jesus Christ by name, title, or pronoun (and I decided to expand that to references of Heavenly Father as well), His direct words (or "thus saith the Lord"), the attributes of Christ, and doctrine and principles found in the Book of Mormon.

When this challenge was introduced I was already half way through Alma in my personal reading. But now I am back in first Nephi and I am loving it! It did take a leap of faith to go back to the beginning but I know I will be greatly blessed as I take this challenge! 

One thing I've noticed so far in my scripture marking adventure is how constantly there are references to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ! The book of Mormon really is another Testament of Jesus Christ. It all leads back to coming closer to Him. 

Hope you all have a great week! Love you! 

-Sister Peterson 

📷Pictures

1- Making messy cake pops on my birthday! (OK so we got a little experimental and we used our resourses... We made oreo cream, reeses peices, and Cadbury egg flavored cake pops!) 

2- Birthday cake and a tub of baby chicks 🐥

3- Our (original) faith in Jesus Christ week

4- just thought I would share, this was me at my baptism! April 1, 2006❤️

5- watching conference at a kind member’s home!

6- a sample of my scripture marking. 

(April 3, 2018) I LOVE THIS CHURCH😍

Hello All! 

This week we have been seeing Vernonia bloom! (in more ways than one!) 

Spring has almost sprung... we did have snow this morning.. but that is not stopping me from believing in spring!! It has just been a spirit filled week full of tender mercies and miracles! It started with a priesthood blessing. I don't know why I didn't take advantage of such a wonderful gift before coming out on my mission! Now they are at least an every other month event and they are so powerful! I truly felt my Heavenly Father’s love for me as our branch mission leader laid his hands on my head and blessed me with hope and healing. I could feel an immediate lifting of stress and an outpouring of confidence and enthusiasm, now of course it takes effort to maintain that feeling but there is no doubt in my mind of the lasting effects of trusting the Lord and going to him for help. We saw so much evidence of this throughout the entire week after that event. Starting with a less-active member messaging us about an anti-Mormon video... 

I know it doesn't sound like a good thing but the full story is his sister sent him it and he doesn't believe a word! He wants to be able to respond in a kind, yet articulate way so he came to us for help. Well we turned to our branch mission leader for help and together we went over the video and dissected his arguments and found it to be complete hogwash! 

We were going to go see the less-active member with our BML (branch mission leader), when the less-active member said he would be late we decided to go drop in on Jared. It was awesome, they are total bros! There was so much gun talk and "dudes" that sister Cornell and Mine's heads were just flipping back and forth between the two and we just started to crack up! We asked our BML to share a favorite scripture and he shared Alma 32:27 which was exactly what Christ needed. He said this is where he is at right now. Our BML was able to bear powerful testimony and it was altogether an amazing evening!!

(Editor’s note: Here is the scripture she mentioned: Alma 32:27 But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.)

Later in the week we sprung a crazy request at Jared and he took it. We asked him if we could do a lesson at his home with our new investigator Mark! Jared initially thought he was just hosting a place but when we asked him a question Jared jumped right into the teaching and testifying. Jared and us combined taught the whole Restoration. It was really cool to see Jared bear his testimony to Mark that he knew it was true and he knows that blessings come from keeping the commandments of God. 

It was really good after the lesson as well to help Jared realize that that is what he was doing. He is slowly realizing that he does have a testimony! 

Then we stayed and had a lesson with just Jared and got him back into the question asking mode. Well due to the question he asked we actually taught (in a very round about way) all three lessons!! Haha and we acedentlly introduced him to Kolob... Whoops. 

Through the week we also sang him different primary songs to pump him up! We sang “Scripture Power”, and “I Lived in Heaven.” It was fun, we are trying to get them stuck in his head! 

On Saturday we had the three back to back lessons, two of which were with new investigators! That is really something up here in our little Vernonia! One of the lessons was with Ross. He is a sweet older man who recently moved in and has been looking for a church to go to. He said he has heard different things about the Mormon religion but he wants to come to his own conclusions. When we taught him about Joseph Smith searching for the truth he said "Hey that's like me!" Throughout the whole lesson the spirit was screaming at me (ok the spirit doesn’t scream, but you know...) to invite him to be baptized. I usually don't think to invite people on the first lesson but I kept getting the prompting. Right when I was about to say it Sister Cornell voiced the same question. That was just a little confirmation to me that it truly was the spirit. He said yes! No date yet, no time to think of a date haha! but soon! 

One last thought because I am running out of time! GENERAL CONFERENCE IS AMAZING!! My plea to you is the same as our new beloved prophet... study the words that have been said, and the thoughts and impressions that have come to your mind!

 I am so grateful for the knowledge that my Savior lives, that he loves me, and that he guides and directs his church! I am so grateful for the Holy Ghost who witnesses to me over and over again of my Heavenly Father’s love! Sister Cornell and I have been sooooo pumped up for conference and after each session we would sigh and say only ____ more hours! We were hanging on every word! and I can't wait to read them again! There are challenging times ahead but I am convinced that the Lord is aware and is not leaving us unarmed in these times! Study the words of the prophet, for they are the words of the Lord for us in these last days! Arm yourself against the world! And the beautiful message of this conference was that we need to be unified and united and arm ourselves together!  

I love you all and hope you have an amazing week! 

-Sister Peterson

Sorry no pics this week :/ 

Editor’s Note: Anna didn’t send any pictures, but a nice family in Vernonia texted us some pictures.

Anna’s birthday!!! 20 Twix and Peachy-O’s

General Conference Weekend! 

P-Day after Easter 🐣