Classic Oregon.

Good afternoon everyone! 

Thanksgiving was so much fun! We got to hang out with the single ladies of the ward and eat food, play games, and laugh! That night we switched gears into Christmas and decorated our apartment! 

Marino came to church!! We are so excited to be teaching him. It always feels so fulfilling to be teaching someone who is ready to change their life around. Sometimes I feel like I take this gospel for granted, but your really feel its importance when you are teaching someone who has lived their life without it. 

We met some fun classic Oregonians the last couple of days. Here is how one of our conversations went (the abridged version). 

after introductions... 

Sister Alvey: What brings you joy? 

Him: weed. 

Me: (Not sure if I heard right) no, joy.

Him: growing weed. I love to smoke it, sell it, grow it, eat it, drink it, weed is my life! 

Me: We know that God has so much more in store for your life.

Him: That's cool! I'm glad God made weed. 

Sister Alvey: do you have faith in Jesus Christ?

Him: I like Muhammad. 

...Then the bus comes.

Its interactions like that that keep me going😂 If you aren't teaching prepared people the next best thing is crazy people! 

Ok abrupt change but it's time for a spiritual thought! This week in my Book of Mormon study I started the war chapters towards the end of the book of Alma. As I have been reading I keep thinking about President Nelsons words in his opening remarks this last conference.

"The Adversary is increasing attacks on faith and upon us and our families at an exponential rate. to surive spiritually we need counterstrategies and proactive plans." 

The world is becoming increasingly dark and increasingly confusing. I am so grateful to have a knowledge of the truth. I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon, which was written specifically for us in these confusing days. I am grateful for Russell M. Nelson, I know that he is a prophet of the Lord and I know that if we follow his council we will have no need to fear. 

God is good! Life is good! 

I love you all,

Sister Peterson. 

Pictures:

-taking our car into the shop🚗

-a cute member😊

-our thanksgiving party🦃

-our Christmas tree🎄

-art! 🌻🦋

November 22, 2018: Count Your Many Blessings

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! 

Thank you for all the support and the help you have each given me! I have been so blessed with so many wonderful people in my life! ❤️🙏

I am so grateful for priesthood blessings! I was strongly reminded this week that I need to take advantage of this restored gift and use it often as a resource for strength and comfort. 

I am so grateful to be a missioanry, and even more so to simply have a knowledge of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ! We have recently started teaching this guy and his girlfriend. His name is Marino. We found him in the areabook as someone who had given the missionaries his number but they had never been able to get in contact with him. We called him at the beginning of last week and have already had a church tour with him, taught him the restoration, and the plan of salvation! He is searching for answers and wants to turn his life around. I love being able to introduce people to God and help them learn truth. It is the most rewarding work in the world! 

Sister Runs Through and I recorded this song in September but I never sent it out (I'm pretty sure). But it's prefect for this Thanksgiving P-day! So here ya go! Now go stuff your face with stuffing! 😍

Listen Here: Count Your Blessings

November 12, 2018: Happy P-day🙃

Hello Everyone! 

MY BRAIN IS SUPER FRAZZLED TODAY! I'll try to put something informative and inspirational in this email...

Transfer calls came and we are both staying for another transfer in Forest Grove! Here is a good scripture.. Mosiah 5:8

“And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives.”

There ya go! 

-Sister Peterson 

Temple P-day :)

Hello everyone! 

Today Sister Alvey and I got to go to the Temple❤️ It is always such a powerfully peaceful experience to be in the house of the Lord. 

This week we had Zone Conference which was focused on the Book of Mormon. We also had exchanges with the Amity Sisters right after. I love being able to be a leader because it gives me the opportunity to stretch myself and also to learn from all the excellent missionaries whom with I have the pleasure of interacting. 

Christina and her family continue to progress! They are an example of difficult circumstances turning you to the Lord. I love them and know that God loves them and is guiding their family to where true happiness can be found.

Sadly a different family whom we have been teaching decided they didn't want to be taught anymore. I know God loves them just as much. Sometimes it is frustrating when people choose to go in a direction that you know is not the best. But then I'm reminded of the gift of agency and the fact that we all fought for this right. 

I recently reread a talk from this last conference on the subject of Agency and absolutely love it! I highly recommend reading or listening to it. https://www.lds.org/study/general-conference/2018/10/choose-you-this-day

Here is an quote that stood out to me... 

"Our Heavenly Father’s goal in parenting is not to have His children do what is right; it is to have His children choose to do what is right and ultimately become like Him." -Dale G. Renlund

Agency is such an essential part of God's plan, and a lot of people do not understand it. Without this key knowledge they wonder why bad things happen, or what's the purpose of life. I am grateful for the knowledge that I have, of Agency being a part of God's plan, because of the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

I love you all and hope you have a great week! 

Sister Peterson

Pictures:

-Zone Conference 

-Exchanges with Sister Bloxham

-HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

-x2

-x3

-Temple

-Also temple