Sister Pedersen

Last Letter From HOME!!!! (away from home) July 4, 2011

2011-07-05T00:45:00.001-03:00

Hello my beautiful family~

I can't express to you how grateful I am for my family. I have never felt so loved so supported. I love you with all my heart and yet I feel like I'm leaving a piece of it in Florida. It's like what it says in the other side of Heaven. "I'm coming home, funny though, it almost feels like I'm leaving home." My heart is here.

This week has been the hardest week of my mission, bar none. Honestly Satan was really getting to me. Putting thoughts of failure into my head, making me feel as if I was nothing and that I gave nothing and became nothing. It was almost as if I were Moses himself as he was tempted by Satan. I felt like I was the daughter of man. I found myself in this pit of sadness that I could not get out of. I prayed and fasted and centered myself on good things and positive thoughts and yet it continued. (Satan can be a real bully sometimes.) It wasn't until I got a blessing that I started to see the light, and when the light did come, it was as bright as the sun and it did chase all the darkness. It wasn't until today when I read Shanna's letter that I truly understood my purpose here among a lot of other things. In one moment the darkness was gone and again the Spirit taught me the truth. You are a daughter of God of the most high. How great is the gospel to know just the simple basics that can and will change your life. I know my Savior lives and that He loves me. I know that He sent me here to the Florida Jacksonville mission. This was His call. I know that it is from Him.

I now have two paths to follow. I can go back or I can continue forward. I however know I can never turn back. It would be like giving my mission back and I refuse! I am a disciple of Jesus Christ now and forever.

I love you family so much! I'm excited to see you and to apply the things I have leaned and move forward in this great work of the Lord!

Your forever sister Missionary~
~see you at 7:11~

I'm Trunky.....For My MISSION!!! June 27, 2011

2011-06-27T14:10:00.005-03:00

Ok Ok I finally admit it, I'm trunky...... but for my mission. If you ever go to the Atlanta airport and there is fingernail marks at terminal 8, you will know who they are from. Oh my goodness I was a mess this morning. I think it is slowly hitting me that I'm going home. Sure I'm excited to see the family and to start in this new journey of life but really I think Christopher has it better. A year left and so many amazing experiences to go. Life is life, but mission life is not like anything you can ever prep for or try to understand until you are here. And every mission is different. People keep asking me how I feel and I really don't know how to respond. How do you explain the best decision you have made in your life and all the blessings that have gone with it, not to mention all the people you have met and lives you've been able to help change and be a part of? How do you explain what has happened on your sacred mission, where sometimes it was just you and the Lord? How do you leave it? Well I don't know how. I can tell you that there will be nothing like it ever, for the rest of my life. I want to soak it in and drink every last drop and yet there still would be a pool left to drink from.

I explained it to someone this way. A mission is like going to Disney World for your first time but you only have 18 hours to experience the whole thing. You could watch movies and see pictures and you can try to prep for it but you know once you get there it's a whole different story. Where do you begin? Now before I know it I'm at the last minutes of my trip and I'm on this magical ride, only it's as real as anything I have ever dreamed of and far better than any vacation spot you could go to. I've been here only 18 months which has gone by as fast as 18 hours. I am grateful for the experience. I've seen a lot and done a lot but if only you had one more day, one more hour, yet at the same time you know you must go back to work and start your life. It's the feeling you know you need to go back home but you want to stay and keep drinking in the magic of this work. I hope that makes sense. It makes sense in my head; but who knows I might have been in the sun too long.

Anyway I can't believe Natasha got married, I didn't know that. I knew about Heidi though. That's exciting. And weird. Makes me feel old. Oh and I can't give you a zip drive because you have both of mine. My red and black one. So I'll have to send it to you through e-mail. Sorry~

So God answers prayers; Even if they are small. I don't know if I told you this. One day I thought to myself, "Heavenly Father it sure would be nice to be in a thunder storm before I leave, I really like the rain as you know and it doesn't rain anywhere else like it rains here. One thing I'm going to miss for sure, So if you could make it rain, that would be great. Thank you." and guess what! It happened two days in a row. Oh I was a happy Sister Missionary. My companion thought I was crazy but I didn't care. God be thanked for thunderstorms to calm the troubled heart of a Sister Missionary going home. God answers prayers, even the small ones we say when we may think no one is listening.

So I don't know if I told you this but Elder Holland is coming to speak here the beginning of August. This is part of the water I wish to drink from before I go home but I guess God has other plans. That would have been amazing to be at. How cool huh?

So this week was awesome! Colby got baptized and confirmed on Sunday, and then Kylie got baptized! It was really cool. They both were small baptisms for just their families but it is amazing to see the change that Colby has made in preparing for his baptism in a matter of a week. He went from being so closed down to completely changed, smiling and excited to change and be baptized. He kept praying about an answer but did not get one. He kept praying and still nothing. Every time we would come over he would have an attitude and not take anything seriously. Then as he was praying he got the impression that he needed to start taking things seriously and that he needed to really change. It was that prompting that lead to his answer and then to his baptism. Sometimes our answers are not what we expect. His answer was shape up and then you'll just know. Kylies answer came as her Father set the example of change, coming back to church after years of inactivity. He was able to baptize her on Sunday. It was a very special moment for them both. I love the Gospel and the Joy that it brings into people's lives! It was a really great weekend. Will and Aliyah moved back to Jacksonville so we are not working with them anymore but I have faith that as we work hard this week and as I push myself to the very end. Blessings will come. I know it. I'm so grateful for my mission. It has been one of the best gifts I have been given by my Father in Heaven.

I love you all and will see you soon!

xoxoxoxoxox~~~ I'm joyfully enduring to the End and will come home with honor with God's name and the name of my family!

Your forever Sister Missionary

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ... June 20, 2011

2011-06-20T17:53:00.000-03:00

Hello my beautiful wonderful family!

Happy birthday Shanna and Happy Fathers day daddy! I hope you both got my cards.

I'm sorry that these e-mails are getting shorter and shorter as I'm preparing to not freak out when I come home. I think it's because it's more and more real every time I write the family.

I saw the apartments and I am excited to move there. It will be fun. It looks just like colonial but I'm sure the ward is amazing! I'm excited. I trust the Lord knows what He is doing. And I know he works through you mommy cause I just can't focus enough to get it done out here. I truly believe that all good things start in the home and all eternity starts their too and never ends. Everything I do here on my mission is because I have first learned them in the home. I was thinking, why am I so positive. I wasn't always like this at home, in fact the opposite. (Sorry mom and dad) But it’s because I was taught too look at the bright side and never give up and try with all my heart and leave it up to the Lord. If I have had any success on my mission it is first because Of the Lord and then because of my parents, I just applied the things I have learned. I love my family!!! Sooooooo excited to hug and kiss you! But I am focused in making sure I go out with a bang! I refuse to let up. Five baptisms will happen before I go home. Please pray for me and them. (Kylie, Will, Alia, Colby, Roxanne and Eddie if his parents will let him)

I can't believe Danielle is getting married to someone that old! But I guess dad is right, what is age in eternity. But Italy! Really!!! Talk about perfection! Weird!

Oh So I'm hoping that the guy I have to talk to from BYU is because of school... Right Mom??? I know I can do school. It will be hard but If God wants this to be my major he will help me out. I know it! The week I come home is crazy! Good!! keep me busy so I don’t break down. Busy with family, not dates.. Ok mom and Shanna??? Don’t laugh, it's true and don’t even act like you don’t have anyone in mind either. Just family for a bit. I love you!!!!

Letter to President Barry~

I loved what you said about being obedient. I need to become! I know that I have not been stretching myself as much as I could. I do see a difference in myself and how I work but I know I can be better. Someone said something that I think will probably stick with me for life. a young man who is really struggling in our ward with his family problems and military issues said this, "It would be so easy just to stop and give up, but it is us who chooses to go through the temple and after that, we as latter-day saints don’t have the luxury of giving up, no matter how hard it gets, because we know." It is so true. I do not have the luxury to be disobedient and live below my potential and not give all that I have to give. I know to who I am committed and I cannot give up and I will not give up until my time is called at the very end of not just this mission life but life itself. "I am a disciple of Jesus Christ and when he comes to claim his own, he'll have no problem recognizing me." I love this gospel with all my heart. I have learned that to give my love and my heart I must give it to God first. Then it is he who expands it to fit all.

This week we are working on being positive, I'm working on being on time and together we will help the Lord in bringing his children to baptism. All five of them!

Till next week, Lots of love~

~Sister Pedersen~

I love you all~
Love your forever Sister Pedersen~

This mission is on Fire!!! June 13, 2011

2011-06-13T14:05:00.000-03:00

Hello my beautiful family~

The work this week has been amazing! We have been working hard and praying harder. I have really tried to focus on praying as if everything depends on God and then working as if everything depends on me, because it does. We have a lot of people that we are working with and I'm so grateful for that. I have truly seen Gods hand in this work this week. I have seen a huge difference in this work when I have centered the work on the Savior and follow every prompting that I get. We went to having one baptism date and no investigators, to four baptism dates (Colby, Kylie, & Will and Ailauna) and seven new investigators. Isn't that amazing! We are seeing miracles everywhere, here in our area, in our district and in our zone. The mission is on fire and I know that we can and will achieve our goal of 900 baptisms with 80% retention. It is so awesome! Most of our dates have come from Part member families and recent converts. I know that it is and will be through the members that we will reach our goal.

It was so amazing on Sunday to have that many people attend church. It was full. I think that is more people that I have had in one Sunday than I have had my whole mission. I know, sad. But the mission has come and grown so far and I feel as if I have done the same right along with it. We had the chance to teach Relief Society on Sunday about missionary work. It was so amazing. I really hoped it pumped up the sisters to help us out on trade offs and getting their own family missionary plan started. We showed a video about how the little things change lives and it showed testimonies of recent converts testimonies and how they got introduced to the church. Then after the video we has our recent convert of two weeks, sister Davis, bare her testimony on the simple invitation to have missionaries answer her questions that concluded with her whole family getting baptized. Then it turned to a testimony of converts to the church. We have so many converts in this ward and I know if they just open there mouth the work here will double and triple. I just feel it. This ward has so much fire and passion with no direction. This ward is going through a lot of changes in order to find that direction and a lot of people are meeting with us, but I know we can do better. I love this ward. It's amazing to be a part of the growth. The bishop here is just amazing. He is very young with a young family but willing and ready to serve. He's amazing and so is his wife. They help us so much and we do what we can to return the favor by working hard and serving them.

So I looked at my schedule for school and I think it will be good. Thank you so much for doing it. I got on line probably fifteen min. late and you were done and off. You’re quick. It seemed like a long day but I remember that dance classes were always late. Are they all the classes I need to take? I have worked with most of the teachers before so I think that it will be good. Good job mom. Thank you again. Honestly when it comes to living quarters, it would be nice to be close, unless I had a car ;) but since I know that's not happening, anything but colonial. I'm not too fond of them and I've lived there for three years. Time for a change. But my request would be somewhere close, nice in room and closet size and somewhere with air conditioning and heat. Other than that. We are good. Just do your best. I know it's slim pickins. But God will provide.
I'm sad I’m missing youth conference and girls camp. I would have loved to help out. I'll be praying that everything goes well and that the weather is nice and that people are healthy. I'm sorry the weather is so crazy. It is definitely summer here and all the glory of the humidity with it. I guess it's not that bad. August and September is worse. I'm glad I'm not here for two summers. I don’t know if I could do it. But I'm actually starting to love a little humidity. It reminds me of camping a bit.

So Skyler left? He is already doing so well. He is going to be an amazing missionary! I'm so excited for him! I bet Heidi is thrilled to know he is doing so well.

I don’t know how you two are going without sugar but I'm going to try to do it with you when I get home. I hope to get back to normal, size and eating habits. It's going to be good.

I love you all so much. Go out and share the gospel. Keep praying for opportunities to share the gospel and keep praying for people on your list that the missionaries made with you before. Those names are inspired. I love you!

Your forever sister Missionary!~

FISHERS OF MEN....

2011-06-10T15:37:00.003-03:00

Letter from her mission Pres., June 9, 2011

Sister Pedersen has been a delightful missionary. She has served in Kingsland, Whitehouse, Jacksonville, Orange Park, Gainesville, Hilliard and St. Mary's. She has won the hearts of many members and investigators who have been changed for the better because of her service. She returns to you with the wonderful skills of teaching the gospel. She will be a blessing to you and all of her family. She has become a disciple of Jesus Christ now and plans to remain that way forever.

Sister Barry and I deeply appreciate the loving sacrifice you have extended to prepare this choice young missionary for her exemplary service here.

Faithfully,

James W. Barry

Mission President

Love of God.... June 6, 2011

2011-06-07T18:20:00.000-03:00

It seems that your weeks have been jammed packed with so much spiritual knowledge. How amazing to have an apostle of the Lord there with all of you. It is just so amazing! I love the quotes that you gave me. I have been focusing a lot on love lately. It seems that Christopher has too. It really is the key to all that we do. Without it, we are nothing, and we will do nothing, because we love God we will keep his commandments and we will obey and love others. I have been centered on loving everyone around me and helping them to come to Christ because without judging, I see them and love them as God loves them. It's really does change the outcome. I find myself being a little more patient and understanding than before. And you know me, those are not some my best qualities, but I'm working on them.

I and my comp. were both sick this week so not a whole lot happened but we still have seen the progress of the ward go forward. I don't like being home but we did what we could. Our ward is seeing a lot of changes. New bishopric and all new auxiliaries, totally changed, No one is the same calling. God is prepping the ward for great things. It's amazing to see in how in 16 months what God can do to a ward. I feel that things will start to go up from here on out. I'm excited to be a part of it.

Good luck~ I'm kind of freaking out cause I want to make sure that everything is set before the deadlines and when I come home. Please let me know If you are working on that. I love you so much. Thank you!

I love you!!!!

Your Sister Pedersen

Eternal Bliss... May 30, 2011

2011-05-30T13:55:00.002-03:00

Family!!! This week was been so crazy!! So In my last district we had four areas. Fernandina, Hilliard, then St. Mary’s and Kingsland which are together but one is sisters and the other one is elders. So I was in Hilliard for six months and I have six weeks left and I got transferred to St. Mary’s. My last area is 20-30 mins away from here and I'm still in the same district and zone. And if you remember I served in this ward for my first area of my mission. I also have served around my new comp. sister Fitu for the last three months, so I know her very well. It was super strange to get transferred here. It was like nothing changed. I feel like I’m on a never ending trade off. It's weird. But my companion is awesome! She is Samoan and really ghetto. She is all tom boy and is in love with basketball. She’s from California but moved to Utah in the last couple of years, but doesn’t claim it, she is a gansta. lol her language is funny. Very unique. But it’s strange to be back in this area. I still get to see Sister Surtees all the time and that is nice. We have so much fun!

I'm so happy that McKenna's baptism went so well. Her dress is so cute!! And I'm glad that she chose Kenny. That is a super cute picture dad sent me of them two. I hope you have a lot more to send me. I didn’t know that Josh got baptized too. That is so awesome that he decided to be re-baptized. I bet it was nice to have the rest of the family there too.

This weekend was crazy. When I got here they already had three baptisms lined up. And I was so happy to meet them. The first was a daughter, Destiny and mother, Monica, who had taken the lessons with also a son, Cody, but Cody did not want to be baptized yet because he felt he was not ready and didn't know if he could believe in the miracles and answers to prayers. Cody is not much of a talker but when I got here and started asking him questions we realized that although quite and non-responsive, he was listening. He was so ready and prepared but we did not push and we continued to teach him mom and his sister with him listening to the lessons. Then we had another baptism set up for Kaymen and he is the sweetest black boy ever! He is amazing! He is almost finished with the Book of Mormon. He is awesome. He is 16 and is almost the last one to be baptized in his family. They have one more to go and his name is Colby. We just set a date with him. The spirit was so strong. I really feel like I’m in this area to baptize him. I cried my eyes out as I told him that God loved him and that his family is just waiting for him on the other side and that he was meant for great work. I know he will be baptized soon.
We went to church and the spirit was strong. We were all excited and couldn't wait for the baptism to begin. When it was finally time for destiny and Monica’s baptism there was not a dry eye in the room. The spirit was so strong and Monica was so excited she could hardly stand it. Her son Cody on the other hand was in tears and I wished so badly that he could join his family. When we took Monica and Destiny to the bathroom and font Cody came on the other side of the font in white. Elder graham had interviewed him just after all the talks and he was ready. He followed the spirit and was baptized along with his family. We were all balling are eyes out. It was an amazing baptism. Then two hours later, Kaman was baptized. He will be an amazing missionary. I just know he will.

They were all so bright and smiling, and just glowing. I have been here a week and have seen a change in all of them. In just one weeks time of preparing to be baptized I could see it. It is amazing to see what the Gospel of Christ does for those willing to act. I love this gospel with all my heart and am thrilled for their families. What a blessing to know that this is true. What a difference it has made in my life and in the life of my family and friends. There is nothing better than this. There is a phrase in the Book of Mormon that explains how I feel. It's called "Eternal Bliss." I love it. It's the pure joy and love of God. I may not know these families very well but I love them as if I've known them my whole life. I feel so blessed to be a part of this experience.
I love you all so very much! Oh and President Barry said that because I'm going to school so soon when I get home and my not have enough money, he is going to give me a small scholarship a semester. Isn't that awesome?! He said it will be about $200 a semester; enough to pay for books. But I need to apply for way more than that, as well as pell grants. How are the school classes going? Tell me if I need to help with anything. I got permission to go through all the school stuff with you on line, so let me know.

Sorry this is so short. We are at a member’s home because the library is closed for the holiday and they are as big as our family and are going through all the Saturday cleaning stuff, but the next one will be longer.

I love you and I'll talk to you soon~
Your forever sister Missionary~

Never to live below my privilages.... May 23, 2011

2011-05-24T00:58:00.003-03:00

Hello My Beautiful Family!!!!

This week had a lot of ups and downs. I'll start with the downs. Skyler didn't get baptized. It was a huge bummer. His dad said that 10 year old Skyler could not get baptized until he knew the doctrine of the church and could explain it to him. It was a poor excuse but hopefully by example he will change his dad's mind.

Another down this week was that my companion and I were both sick. I didn't start getting sick till this weekend but she was sick all week with stomach stuff. Not fun but funny. (I hope she doesn't kill me for posting this)..We decided to go out and work anyway, so one night we were at a door and this Russian woman came to the door, I had talked to her before, and we were commenting on how good her English is despite her thick accent that she seemed ashamed of. I don't know why but I loved it! But my stomach started to hurt really badly, so I was rocking back and forth to get rid of the pain and all of the sudden, "TOOT." Yep that's right. It was so embarrassing. I didn't dare look at Sister Surtees but I could not help but recognize that she must have heard it too. Thankfully I coughed afterwards to cover it up and it worked for the Russian lady, she had no idea why all of the sudden my companion burst into laughter. I tried to keep my composure as she talked to us about the war and all the Jews being killed and herself being in a camp but that sound rang in my ears and I lost it. I could not stop laughing. The kind of laughing that seems to happen when you're in the middle of a prayer and it's totally inappropriate, which makes it funnier. I should have faked crying and said we had to go but laughter? I felt so stupid by the time I left, that poor lady probably thought we were laughing at her, but nope just the result of a week of bubble guts. Not fun but super funny~

I'm also being transferred. After six months and only six weeks to go, God is moving me out. It is so weird. It's a mixed emotion. I'm sad to leave my home and yet I feel I have accomplished everything that I needed to do here and to stay would be a waste of the Lords time. I really do feel like I'm needed somewhere else. You will know by the next e-mail where and with whom. My next area will be my seventh area and my tenth companion. Can you believe it? That is crazy. But God knows best and I wouldn't want it any other way. I'm excited for what God has in store.

The up this week is that Rose got baptized!!! It was so emotional and perfect. Her brother baptized her. It really was a miracle how we met her. She lives with a Less Active and we have always gone over there to see her and she would sit in the other room and listen. then her brother would talk to her from time to time but she wanted nothing to do with the Gospel until a couple weeks ago, when her preacher started teaching false things that made her look in the bible and ask questions that lead her to the church for the answers. After almost eight years of prep, she was ready for the gospel. We just happen to be there in the right time and moment. We took her hand to show her the way and she started running. I loved it! It was just perfect!

McKenna's baptism is going to be so cute! When I have given a talk on the Holy Ghost I talk about the rinsing of the dishes as baptism and the soap as the Holy Ghost. Your dishes aren't clean unless you use soap. But I guess I would use that analogy because I've done dishes since I was tall enough to reach over the counter but even then I think you gave me a stool to stand on. Whatever you say I'm sure will be perfect. Just give them something to remember there baptism. Like Kellin's key with the date of his baptism date on it. Because I have no idea when I was baptized. Sad huh? I hope you can make McKenna's dress. That would be perfect. It's tradition. It's a must. Just don't stress yourself out over it. Cause that's no fun. McKenna is already a little missionary. That story of having her friend come to church was so cute! She should invite her to the baptism. That would be awesome. I think her friend would come. She is so stinkin cute!!!!

Thank you mom for the quote on living below our privileges. It is so true. I think I'm going to use that. I always love the quotes and thoughts you and dad always give me and Christopher. It really inspires me to do better because I know what you expect of me and what Heavenly Father expects of me and it makes me push myself and become more and always be sure I'm not living below my privilege. So thank you!!!

I'm so glad that you had a blast in Portland. Those trips away are well needed. There are so many couples out here that don't take time to step outside of things and enjoy and get to know each other. I have a great testimony of doing that every single week. It really does strengthen a marriage. A marriage is about sharing your lives together. If you're not going on date nights then your just living two separate lifestyles under the same roof. It's important to share your life. I love my parents!

I can't believe Daniel went to his first dance. Yesterday I was trying to figure out how old he was and I thought, no way! He is not old enough to go to dances. Well you just answered my question. SO WEIRD. Daniel you stay away from those girls. There just trouble. ;)

When it comes to school. Umm I really don't know what is best. You know what I need. I'm going to pray that you know what I need and that you will follow the spirit and make good choices for me. Plus I can change them when I get there if it doesn't seem to work. My only request is that you don't make them too late in the night and not too early in the day. Like 8am and on is ok. No classes after four if you can help it. I just know I'm going to need lots of study time and sleep time because I'm going to be thrown off schedule. You know what is best for me and I trust you. Just let me know the final product. I also would like one day off or get out early so that I can go to the temple. They are always way too full on Saturdays and No one can get in on the sessions. Wow, this is weird but I feel really good about it. Please pray before you start to sign me up and look at the teacher's names. It's going to be very hard for me to get back into school so make sure they have good reviews. Wow I need to stop, I know you'll do all that, my parents have fought for me all my education, you know me.

I love you, thank you~
Love your forever Sister Missionary~

P.S. I have sent three packages to you so far. Two priorities and one flat rate. They should have already gotten there by now. Please tell me if you got them so I can stop freaking out about them. I also have sent two more priority today so they should get there in a couple of days. Please do not open them!!!! I will show you it all later. My packing skills have really improved. You won't believe what I fit in there. Lol I love you!

Time is Flying!! May 16, 2011

2011-05-22T23:34:00.000-03:00

Hello family!

Thank you dad for the videos. I couldn't watch them yet but I'll try to next week if I can. It was nice to see my box full of mail, even if it was full of talk videos. It was so fun to see Skyler on Skype before he takes off. He is probably so excited! I remember that day like it was 17 months ago haha. Really it does feel like yesterday. I can't believe how quickly it fly's. This year has flown by. School here gets out this weekend and I can't believe it has come and gone. Weird!

Thank you mom so very much for doing research on school for me.

I think I told you all of this but guess what!? One of my old companions is going to go back for school in the fall too, so we are going to be roommates! Well I hope it all works out that way. She is still deciding. Thank you so much for your quote from Elder Ballard. Totally made me cry! It is so true, I love my mission more than life itself and truly I have given up my life for it but when it is done, I need to step off the stage and move on. I know I'm not alone in this move and I 'm being prepared for something even greater, I just can't think of anything greater than a mission. Jk a family is definitely what I wanted most before I left my mission and I will seek for that when I get home at a later time.... Much later.... :) I'm excited for the experiences that will come my way and how I will incorporate my mission life into them. That, I think, Will be the most fun part! I need to "enjoy the future."

Mom I'm not dying and I promise I will share with you things that I have learned and studied. Remember, I'm always a missionary; the spiritual name tag never comes off.

I love you all so very much and am excited to see your faces. But in the mean time, I'll be seeding up a storm here in Hicksville, working my buns off and enjoying every second of it!
All my love~

Your forever Sister Missionary~

President Barry~
This week has been good. It has been a little bit slower due to the fact that my companion is getting sick but with a little extra sleep she is receiving more energy.

This week we had two dates in church. Rose and Skyler. Rose committed to being baptized on the 22nd of May along with her niece. It is so exciting to see her change and make the steps towards baptism. She has researched and studied on her own. It is a piece of cake teaching her because really she is teaching us. She says that if she wants to know something she will research and study it and then ask us if she studied is correct or if she can't find it then she will ask us. She is so cute! She lives with a Less-active, so she has had many people come over to the house from the church and her brother converted to the church over 8 years ago so she has also heard it from him. She said everything changed when she went to church and knew what they were teaching was wrong and then would hear us teach her roommate and remember what her brother has taught her and it all made sense to her. She said that was the moment she knew the church was true and that he needed to be baptized. We are still continuing to teach her and answer any questions that she has and make sure that she is not just reading but studying the scriptures.

Skyler is 10 years old and is part of a part member family. The mom is a member but dad is not. It has been a struggle in the family and has caused mom to go inactive but recently she has come back to church at the insistent begging of her son Skyler. Skyler is a very smart boy. I guess you could say he is a 30 year old in a 10 year old body which gets him in trouble sometimes at school. But since we have had the lessons with him his attitude has improved and is behavior and actions at school have changed. This is a huge blessing because dad is seeing the difference in his son and is recognizing that it's coming or changing because of the values and teachings of the Gospel. So we are praying that dad will let Skyler get baptized this weekend. Mom came to church on Sunday and felt inspired in what to say to him and how to bring it up so that he will let him. It would be so good for that family to have the priesthood in the home.

This week we have been centered on finding our investigators question of the soul and assigning them reading assignments to help them answer that question. I have loved doing this challenge. It has changed the way that I look at the Book of Mormon. I love it!

Till next week, Lots of love~
~Sister Pedersen

Mother's Day was AMAZING!! May 9, 2011

2011-05-09T16:20:00.000-03:00

Hello my wonderful parents. I have cut myself short on time today so I am writing you both together. Sorry, I DO love you independent and individually of each other, but I also adore you collectively ;)

This mother's day was so amazing! I loved seeing everyone and Adam was so funny. He was playing with the hoop and the dog and bouncing around. I don't think you noticed that but it made me feel even more how much Adam is truly just a part of the family. They are so cute together. Shanna looked good. So did everyone else. Kenny was more involved this time. It was so nice to see him. I hardly got to see Daniel and Kellin but there at that age I guess. I love him so much and I'm so excited to see everyone in person. And to see all of your faces in detail. I liked talking and seeing Christopher!!!!!! It was the highlight! Don't get me wrong I loved seeing everyone else too but I hadn't seen or heard from Christopher in almost a year and a half. I was crying or else I would have screamed just as much. Lol It was so nice to see him. You have no idea the relief that you feel when you know one of your siblings is out with you on a mission. It makes it that much more perfect, If that even makes sense. Oh I loved it. It was like for 30 min. I had all of my family back together. It was perfect. My companion was sitting next to me on the bed and she was looking at Skype and she said. "That is all your family right there, you could hold them in your hands." I thought about how crazy that is! That family is in Oregon, I'm in Hicksville Florida and Christopher is speaking Spanish with people that don't know English in Chile! How amazing is technology! Mom you are so smart to have done the group Skype. Just perfect. Oh my gosh I love my family!

That talk on Sunday seemed amazing! I've never thought about that before. I could have totally used that in my talked. I also talked about the unseen mothers of the world. The second mom's of the world. I have had many of those in my mission and how grateful I am for those for they have given me comfort and hugs when I needed my mommy. There is no way to take her place but it filled the void as much as it could. I have many second mothers in this branch, well more like second grandmothers. They are almost all over 60. But I love them so much!

So I have been praying and praying to know whether to go to school or not. I have been praying about it for about 2-3 weeks and I have really felt good about it. I felt like I've needed to go and that God would provide the way. After talking with you yesterday it made me question it again. I thought how I could go. I will have no money, no car, and no money for my next two semesters if I go for the fall and my classes are not even in that semester. I would not be home with Kenny to help him and who knows what I'm suppose to do there, this is going to take a miracle for this to even work. It seemed like everything is against me to go. But yet I felt like it was right. Recently we have centered on using the Book of Mormon to answer questions of the soul. So I decided to pick up a book of Mormon and start reading in the first place I come to. I opened up to Mormon 9: 17-21 it reads...

17Who shall say that it was not a miracle that by his ^aword the heaven and the earth should be; and by the power of his word man was ^bcreated of the ^cdust of the earth; and by the power of his word have miracles been wrought?

18And who shall say that Jesus Christ did not do many mighty ^amiracles? And there were many ^bmighty miracles wrought by the hands of the apostles.

19And if there were ^amiracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he ^bchangeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles.

20And the reason why he ceaseth to do ^amiracles among the children of men is because that they dwindle in unbelief, and depart from the right way, and know not the God in whom they should ^btrust.

21Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, ^awhatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this ^bpromise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth.

I felt like I have been really doubting the answer that God had given me. I know it's seems impossible and I have no idea why I need to go, I'm going to go to school. If you could maybe tell me what I need to do to get back into school and when I need to sign up for classes and all the info. I need. That would be sweet. Ok and also I think I might have an Idea in paying for school without hopefully taking out a loan. When do they offer up pale grants? Do you have to be 23 or 25? If it's 23 then I could have that money before school. If not there has to be some sort of scholarship for return missionaries. If you could maybe research that out and get back to me, which would be awesome. Sorry to make you do this all, but I can't and I'm really going to need your help if I'm going. Thank you!!!! Let me know.

I love you soo much!

Till next week~ Love your forever sister Missionary~

President Barry~

This week’s numbers seem pathetic but through all the meetings this week we have learned how we can improve. It was so nice to have a companion that took notes through her meeting so that we could go over them together and then set goals and make plans. I’m so excited for the challenge to more frequently testify, teach from and read the Book of Mormon. My testimony has grown as I’ve searched the scriptures with my question of the soul and have done so for my investigators. It is so true; The Book of Mormon can answer any questions that we have. I love reading from it. We have strived to use the Book of Mormon in every single lesson and make it the central focus of that lesson and then if they have a concern use the Book of Mormon to answers it right then for them and then assign then to read that chapter again. It has been awesome to see their view of the Book of Mormon change. I love it!

Another thing that we really have strived to keep in line is our obedience to the white hand book and mission rules. We are making sure that we are doing everything by the book and by the spirit. I also was reading in Alma 36 this week and it really hit me how disobedience even if not thought of that way at first really can lead us and others to destruction. My Mother would always say to me “be the best you.” It was so nice being able to talk to my family. They are such a strength to me in everything I do. They support and uplift me. They are always asking me what I want them to do to improve and ask me what I have learned. I bore my testimony to them about what the power of Christ like love has done for me since I’ve been on my mission. I never really understood what Christ like love meant but since I’ve been out here I think I understand a bit more about how God feels about all his children and the love Christ had to sacrifice for each and every one of us. It’s because of love that we have this great plan of happiness, why we have our families, and all the “real” precious things that God gives us, like the gospel. I was so grateful to my Heavenly Father for that great love that he has for me and for my family and that he has taught me that love as I have served and taught here on my mission. My heart may have gone through stretching and tearing and braking at times, but because of that my heart has a greater capacity to love. It’s almost like the Grinch stole Christmas when the Grinch’s heart grew two sizes. There is just so much love for this great gospel and everything that is made possible through it.

I’m excited for this week and the things that will come from our new outlook on teaching.

Till next week,

~lots of love, Sister Pedersen~

Lots of Love coming your way!!! May 2, 2011

2011-05-02T16:04:00.001-03:00

Oh my gosh!!!! I'm freaking out!!! Ok really I'm so excited to talk to you all. Even though I will talk to you all soon, it will be fun to see all of your faces and get the support to give the next two months all my devoted attention. Heavenly Father's timing is perfect. God knew that I would need to see my family just before I came home in order to forget them and give it my all. Oh goodness I'm excited.

Ok so lately school has been on my mind ever since you mentioned it and I really don't know what to do now. I'm really nervous to go to school so soon and if I go so early I won't have money to pay for any of it. So I've been praying about it and I've gone back and forth. I feel good about it and yet don't know but need to make up my mind if I'm going to sign up for classes. I mean I could take a few dance classes to get up to par for the team and work at the same time but then I would need a car. Wow. I didn't have to deal with any of this on my mission. Crazy! But please help me decide what to do. If I do go back to school. I'll be going back in September right? We'll talk about it on Skype. AhhhAhhh! lol so excited!

I love the family so much and pray for all of you every day. I know that Satan tries to find ways to overpower us but really he has no power at all! I was reading Elder Bednar's talk on "Things as they are." It was so good. It put a new viewpoint in my mind about what it means to use our bodies as they were intended, for the good of Gods work. They talked about technology and that we use it more than our minds, and we use texting more than our voices, and we use images of cyberspace instead of building and creating relationships. I realized how much time I've wasted with the things of the world instead of being involved with people. You can't build a relationship with a computer. Elder Bednar said something I love. When it comes to the end of our life and we are en-wrapped in the arms of our Saviors love, it will be a real experience not something you can duplicate through cyberspace." Ok so it wasn't word for word but something like that. I love it because we truly need to see things how they are and not how the world sees them.

Becky had her baby! Dad sent me pictures and they are so cute! Thank you dad! I can't wait to meet her. Is Becky ok? I hope so.

I'm so glad you liked wicked. I will definitely have to see it when I get home sometime.

Oh and the storm was ok here. They are calling members of the church to go out and help with the disaster but we just got rain here. I really enjoyed the thunder and lightning, but you know me. I really wanted to be in a big storm but that's ok, God knows best. But that is super sad that it hit that hard. Our bishop was saying that it was on the ground for six hours! That is insane! God is preparing the people and giving others a chance to serve and do God's work.

Ok so this is going to be super short because I'm going to talk to you on Sunday!!!!! So think of questions and write them down like last time so that we have something to talk about. What am I saying, I'm a Pedersen, and we always have something to talk about. I love you so very much and I'll talk to you soon!

Lots of prayer, kisses, hugs and love coming your way!
Love your forever Sister Missionary~

Happy Easter April 25, 2011

2011-04-25T18:06:00.001-03:00

Wow, I have a lot to say and not a lot of time to say it. I wrote a huge letter to dad so I guess I can add that on here as well. You’re seeing wicked!!!! What! I'm so jealous! But I know my day will come. Hopefully they will still be playing it by then. Oh well.

So I still love my companion and she is so amazing and no I’m not training. I can't believe I'm coming home soon. SO weird! I also get to talk to you all and I feel like I just did that. Time flies. I saw pictures from home and really they almost made me sick. I can't believe it but I was talking to my mission president about going home and he said just as the day you go out is inspired so is the day you come home. I know that I need to be home in July. I have prayed over and over and Home is where I need to be, well at least for a month or two. We'll see. Can't stay home for long and be lazy. Must get to work and work I must. lol
I can't believe Cooper is engaged and that Ryan is married. What the heck! That is so weird! I'm glad there was a lot of dancing and fun for their reception. Hope you took notes. That is how a reception should always be. Fun.
I'm so happy for Kenny! He is such a stud muffin! I'm so proud of him. He finally get's it! I think God knew How hard the teenage years would be so that's why He made sure at least one person would be on a mission while that happens, in order for blessings to flow and examples to shine. I'll always be praying for the family. It's true. We cannot put down the armor of God for a second. We must keep all of it on at all times.

So Dad wrote me about proving to God that we can follow him without a strong spiritual pull. I forgot to address it in the letter so I’ll address it now. Ok so my motto for the past couple of transfers has been, "prove me." There is a song that I love that I listen to all the time that is entitled "prove me." Well my search all started when I was reading Moroni's promise and it says "to ask if these things are not true." I always hated that. It never made sense to me why it would say that and yet I know it was important or else it would not have been said like that. I would never ask if it is not true, I would ask if it is. But through a roll play one day a sister explained it. It means to prove me. Test me and try it. I love that. Ever since I've been in Gainesville I have done that and I have learned so much. I once heard Glen beck say it this way. "To question with boldness!" I have realized more and more how God wants us to step forward in faith and try his word. Because when we do that, there is where we receive the witness and testimony of our faith. So I love that so much. Prove me~

So let me tell you a funny story to go along with these videos that I will be sending you. So one day we get a random call from Jacksonville from a doctor that says he has a patient that could use the gospel in her life right now but that she will not be back home for a few days. So he asks if we can do her a favor by feeding her cats with her permission in order to soften her heart to accept the gospel. So we think about it and feel good about doing it. We get the directions and we find out where the cat food is and we go. When we get there we find a surprise. There are two cats, and five goats all over the yard. So I think, it's no big deal, goats our nice. Nope. Not these ones. They also have not been fed in a couple days and they are mean. So I try to get into the house but so does the goats. I won’t let them in and I block them with my back but the goat decides to push me inside with her head and when that doesn't work she bit my butt. So naturally I jump inside and slam the door leaving my comp. outside with the mean goats. While my comp. is screaming we are trying to find a way to get her in and not the goats. Well the goats start running after something my comp. throws and she books it inside a second before they do. Man they run fast. So now we are stuck inside while the goats are ramming into the door to get inside. Meanwhile I'm laughing so hard I almost pee my pants. So my comp. has the idea to climb through the window and get the food dishes for the cats and fill them up. Finally are deed is done. We then distract the goats and run to our car fast and furious and we are out of there. Well we come back the next day to find no goats, yes! But we turn the corner and where we thought we had blocked them from the house they have found a way in. They now know how to unlock the gates and are on top of the hot tub eating the cat food and drinking there water. It was crazy. Then a goat rams into a fence when she sees us and breaks it down. We were screaming like crazy. My comp decided to jump on top of the car while I use the door for protection. The goat then starts to ram into the car while my comp. is screaming. So I take a stick and hit it in the butt to go away. Well that wasn’t good. We ended up locking ourselves in there stalls to get away from them. By now I'm sure God is even laughing. Well an hour later we get them all in their stalls and feed them and give them water. It was done! I felt so accomplished but I smelt like a goat and my shoes were covered in poop with hay all over them. I was so sweaty, hot and disgusting. But we did it and I got it all on tape. It was weird! But we have the neighbor doing it now. So no need to worry. We now spend our time chasing people, not goats. But sometimes they are one in the same. I love my mission!

I had a sweet Sunday too. I wish I could have been there to hear dad sing. But I'll be there soon enough. Here is my letter to dad.

Thank you Daddy for your letter. It always inspires me to do better and to be better. You and mom have done a fantastic job of always sharing some gospel insight and I love it. I hope that doesn't stop when I get home.
It sounds like you have had a crazy week. What a fun trip though. Plus you got to see the temple. Was it just you or did you get to take someone with you? Easter looked so fun with the family. Thank you for all the pictures and of the video of all of you memorizing it together. I was saying it along with you. I still don’t have it down pat like I want but I'm going to keep doing it until I do have it down pat. I can't tell you how many times I’ve used it in my teaching and have been able to quote scripture from it. There are very key scriptures in there that have really helped me in lessons and help others understand that a restoration needed to come forth. It was amazing! Definitely inspired. I actually read a talk in the ensign about doing this memorization and I think it's the same one Mom read but it helped me to keep going and understand its importance. I have also found it easier to focus on the Savior from day to day because I have taken time to memorize it.

This Easter has been so great. We worked so hard this week and although we haven't seen the fruits of our labor yet I know I have done my best and I know the Lord with make up the difference in where I do lack. I'm so grateful for the atonement. Everything I give to the Lord he has already given me. I owe everything to him. I'm constantly in debt to my Heavenly Father and Without Jesus Christ I would have never been able to make up the difference.

I was able to read the story of the resurrection in the bible and then hear it again from my mission President and his wife who spoke at our small branch and then read it again from “Jesus the Christ”. It would have been so amazing to be there at that time. To see and be a part of that great miracle. How amazing is that! My companion and I were talking about Mary coming to see the tomb where Jesus lay and she was too sad to see that he was gone, that no angel could console her. She had seen two angels that told her almost the same thing and yet all she could hear is that he was gone, but would not hear that he is risen! Until she saw him for herself and heard his voice. She was the first to see the risen lord. But she was not the only woman to see him. Other women saw him as well and were permitted to touch his feet; Where Mary was not yet aloud to touch him. We talked about that for a while and through reading in “Jesus the Christ” We talked about how Mary was always there with him and saw him as her lord, her Savior, and her best friend. But when Jesus came to her he told her, "Touch me not," But in Joseph smith translation, it says "Hold me not." I thought, what would make the difference? Why did the other women get to touch his feet and not her? But I realized that she loved him with a closeness that could not be the same. That although he is back to testify of the physical and spiritual bands of death that he broke, it could not be the same because he is now and forever changed into something much more than he was. I was talking with my companion about that and we talked about how that is with all of us. Jesus Christ went through something none of us could have gone through and because he went through it, it saved and changed the world. It no longer could go back or be the same. So it is with us when we go through spiritual experiences, although nothing will compare to Jesus Christ, We come out changed and the things that we have learned cannot be taken from us, and we can never go back to who we were. In fact it is through the atonement that that happens. The atonement permits a circle of never ending change. It is much like my mission. The things I have learned here have changed me, inside and out. It was only through the atonement that it happened and I cannot go back. I can choose to be apostate and not become my true potential but It cannot be taken from me the things that I have learned, therefore I am forever changed and for me there is nothing to do but continue in the path that my Savior has made for me and gain my ultimate potential through my savior Jesus Christ. Honestly I'm afraid of the change that will happen when I get home but yet every move that I make and decision, I change. I cannot be afraid of change for that is what the atonement has offered me. The ability to change. Home will just be a new adventure to use the changed me and the things I have learned into a better ever changing me. There is so much strength in the atonement.

Wow I hope that makes sense. Anyways I have had a fantastic Easter and have learned so much! I love my mission. It just doesn’t feel like this anywhere else, except maybe the Temple and even that is different. Dad thank you for writing me and Opening your mouth to share the Gospel. God really tests us to become, and now he knows you’re ready.

President Barry~

We have done a lot better in accomplishing our goals this week. We made sure that we were focused and that we were reminding ourselves everyday of the goals that we set and then by doing so, we have gone out with the fire to find.

This week we have been inspired with some really good ideas to help us to find more people.

We live in a small town and all of our surrounding areas that we cover are small too. So we have decided to play off of that small town feel and get to know everyone. When we meet them we will ask for their stories and their names so that when we see them, we say hello and go and talk to them using their names and by doing so we will build trust. We want to become a part of the town in the process and get into their doors and show them who Latter-day saints really are.

We also had the inspiration to putting up flyers on the bulletin boards of all the small local businesses and put on them a catch phrase like, "Mormons love Shelly’s pizza too." with a picture of us holding a mormon.org sign, or something like that. We haven't worked it all out yet, but I’m excited to see where it will go.

Then when it comes to members getting involved we want to use preach my gospel as a main tool in their home. We will start by asking all members to purchase a Preach my Gospel for their home if not for every member. Our members here love missionary work and they love giving us referrals and having us come to teach them lessons or come out with us on tradeoffs but they won’t do it on their own. The small towns in which we live in and the ones surrounding seem to have a lot of hard feelings agents the church and members have a hard time telling their friends about it. The different churches around here take one Sunday a month to preach against the church and members find it hard to compete with that, but we are showing them that we are not competing but that we are showing and teaching by example and word. But first it's up to us to invite. When we go into member’s home and do a short Member lesson, we want to make sure that we are teaching from the lessons in Preach my gospel and that every member has a PMG to follow along. Then we will give out reading assignments from PMG in order to fit with whatever the member needs. We hope that this will bring the fire that they need to teach and help them to know how to use PMG, because PMG is for all of the members, not just missionaries.

We are really excited about these ideas. It's amazing what the Lord can do with an open mind for change in finding. I know the Lord answers my prayers and that he wants to help, but that I need to show him that I am working and asking for them in a specific way. I'm really excited about this transfer and all the miracles that I know will come from it as Sister Surtees and I continue to qualify ourselves for these amazing blessings.

Till next week.
Lots of love~

~Sister Pedersen

Hope that is enough reading for you! I love you all so much!
Love Sister Pedersen~

Time is going by WAY to FAST!! April 18, 2011

2011-04-18T14:11:00.000-03:00

Ok holy snot time is going by way too fast and I hate it! I can't believe its coming. Maybe if I sink into a dark hole when my two transfers are up they will forget I was here and then I can continue to be a missionary. I can't believe it. I felt like I just talked to you guys at Christmas and it seems as if two weeks have gone by and now we will talk again. Weird! I will only have two months left when I talk to you on the phone. Ok Ok this is enough freaking out for now. I'm excited to talk to the family though. McKenna is so stinkin cute! Because I'll still be in this area, I can still Skype you again. Would you want to do that?
I'm so excited for Christopher. It's hard to go from really poor neighborhoods to rich ones but I think it will be so good. He seems like he likes his comp. a lot and they will do well together. I can't believe Christopher said he is a talker. He has completely come out of his shell. I know he wasn't super quiet around the family but he would not be the first person to ask a stranger where the bathroom is either. I hope he sees how much he has changed. He is so amazing! I brag about him all the time to my comp. But he is a stud! Oh my gosh, I'm so excited that he gets to serve with sisters!!! He will love it. lol Sisters aren't always the best but most of the time they are. lol. jk sometimes we can be drama but I've talked to a lot of Elders and they said they like to have the mix of sisters and Elders together. It is so much fun! Plus sisters have a different way of looking at things than elders do and visa versa (ok I didn't spell that right but you know that I mean) Oh my gosh I LOVE my mission!

I can't believe Shanna and Adam are home! For some reason I feel like I should be home with them. Probably because they weren't going to get home till after me but because Adam is a stud they got it all done early. So where are they staying? That is so funny that Adam got a black eye. All he needs is some tattoos and he'd look like a scrapper. Perfect for the job. loll. I'm so excited to see them! BreAnne was telling me that they would be home for the break. I bet They loved it. Bronson is a little quiet but he is so funny once you get to know him and he is more of a water sport guy which is still perfect for BreAnne because she loves them too. I Think he can play sports, I just don’t think he thinks he's too good at them. But he played sports with us at school. I'm glad I know him. It would be weird if I didn't. I'm so excited to be there for her wedding! It's still weird’s me out. But I’m so excited for her! Wait so when is the family reunion? Is that in August too? oh my gosh I’m going to be 23! I'm so old. One of the elders here just turned 21 and I was making fun of him about his old age, and then he asked how old I will be this year and I about freaked. I realized I will be a part of the old crowd when I go to school. That is so weird. Most of my dance partners will be preemies.

Ok so mom when you were explaining the R.S. luncheon I almost about died laughing. You said that it was a pioneer theme. That is totally what we eat here for every meal and definitely for special occasions. lol so speaking of special food. We are going to have what we call a low country boil. You can look it up on line but let me tell you it's amazing! I have been waiting for one my whole mission and never got one. I would always be taken out of an area before they would have one. So I decided that I would just plan one so that I would have one for sure. We are inviting the whole ward and all who wants to come. It is going to be missionary based. We are going to give a 15-30 min. lesson and then we will eat and play games. It's going to be so fun. This branch hasn't had an activity in forever so we are doing one because it really brings a branch together plus it's more likely that Less actives will come to a party instead of church, which is sad but it's a start to fellowshipping in the right direction. Oh ok so the food it shrimp, crab, meats, and corn and potatoes all put in a pot with a special seasoning and they are put on a "low boil" all day until they are perfect. I'm so excited! I may be too hyper for this and it could be really bad but it's the south... how bad could it be.

Alright, I’m all over the place but I guess I’m just super excited for this transfer. My new companion is amazing! I love her so much already. She is a strong teacher and a talker like me. She is always smiling and when she's excited she screams. It is so stinkin cute. She is also very loud but in a fun way, not obnoxious. She is just so awesome! We get along every well and have the same idea about things. We agree that having open communication and zero drama by letting the little things go, are the way to a happy, fun, transfer. Oh her name is Sister Amy Surtees. She is from Indiana. Now that one I’ve never heard before. She said that this town is exactly like home and that it really freaks her out. She just came from serving in Gainesville and then came to Hicksville. Which is exactly what I did. It's a very hard adjustment but she is doing so well. I'm learning a lot from her and our studies together are great. I hope that I get to keep her for my last transfer. She would really help me not to get trunky I think. Not like I'm trunky to go home but it helps to have a really hard worker alongside you to do the work. This transfer is going to be sweet!

Thank you for the package ahead of time. I'll probably get it on Thursday. This work is so great! I have been praying a lot to know what I should be doing with this knowledge that the lord has given me, after my mission. and really just because the name tag comes off, doesn’t mean that the spiritual one comes off too. I may not be a messenger but I’m still a disciple that represents him because I still hold his name on my chest, close to my heart that will never leave. I love this work and it will always continue on.

Love you all so much! xoxoxoxox
Love your Sister Missionary~

Choose what you love; Love what you choose. April 11, 2011

2011-04-12T18:18:00.004-03:00

OK family, firsts things first, I didn't get transferred but my companion did! I am going to miss Sister Hafslund so much!!!!! She was so much fun! and a spiritual Giant! I'm so sad to see her leave and so are the members of this branch. She has been here six months and this was her first area so she has never moved. She is freaking out a bit and is way nervous but she will be perfectly fine. She is a good teacher and loves everyone she talks to. She has such a light about her and she really shows the joy of the gospel. I'm going to miss her loud singing, and laughing for no reason. Or when I ask her something and she forgets the moment that she remembers. We have so many good memories. She has become like my sister. We have had a blast and worked hard together and improved together. I really will miss her but she needs a new area and a change so she can grow even more. I would be lying to say I'm not nervous for a new companion. There really is no reason to be but the ward is so attached to sister Hafslund that they don't want anyone else. We have a LA family that said if they don't like the new girl than we can't come over as much. I would say that I was kidding about that but he was serious. I trust in the Lord. He knows what the people here need and I love all the sisters here so I'm not worried about me, Poor thing; I hope she knows when she comes that the people will give her a hard time for a bit just to test her and then they'll quit. I'm already praying for her, who ever she is.

Oh and Dad the talk on Marriage could still apply to me, I may not be married to my comps but I still have to live with them and still do a great work. We may not be bringing up children, but we certainly are bringing in children. Sister Hafslund was asking me about my areas and companions and which was my favorite or worst and I really couldn't pick. I have loved them all and if it was hard or if there were things I didn't like in a comp they were things I loved and missed about them when I was no longer with them or in the area. It so true, I do choose the things that I love and when it gets hard I need to continue to love what I have chosen. I chose to come on a mission because I loved God enough to give my will and obey him. Now that I'm here I need to love what I have chosen. If I don't I'm not really showing that I love my Father in Heaven. I know that's a funny way to think of it, but still true.

I applied everything to myself at conference. I'm sorry that this upcoming week will be so crazy but it looks like you have already had one. I'm sorry you all got so sick. That is so funny that you all had to take turns being sick in the bathroom. It reminds me of a story from my mission ;) (Yep, starting already) I probably already told you this story but oh well.

It was on my birthday and one of my comps. was sick and she did not want to tell me because she told me later that she thought it would have ruined my birthday, so instead she pretended everything was normal and ate out with us, and went tracting and did everything, when she should have been home sleeping. Well we ended up at a LA's home who had not been to church for 10 years and this was our first time meeting him. When we arrived my comp asked if she could use his bathroom. I was in a three sum at the time so we stepped outside with him and talked while she used the bathroom. In our lesson with him he began to be emotional and started to cry telling us he knew the church was true, at that same moment she walked out of the house white as a ghost and said we had to leave, so we left him sitting there explaining that we'd come back tomorrow. The moment we got in the car she said that she was sick and needed to go home. She said that she went to find his bathroom and was too sick to figure out where it was and opened every door of his house at an attempt to find it. Well she had held out too long and before she knew it the toilet was occupied and she was throwing up in his bathtub. She said she cleaned up as much as she could but didn't think about shutting the doors when she left. We laughed forever about that. So this poor man who we never had met before walks back inside (after being emotionally drained and realizing he needed to make changed in his life), To find every door open in his house, probably thinking he got robbed by these sisters, and come to find a half cleaned bathtub and a full trash can. Lol We felt so bad. We went back the next day and told him the story and fixed it. He did end up coming back to church, so I guess it was what needed to happen. So that is what I think of when I think of your weekend in Idaho.

I can't believe you all ate out after all that. Crazy. Craigos reminds me of Kurt. The parrashooting dentist. Adam is so funny. Thank you dad for the pic. and the video. I'm so excited for Adam. I bet he was excited to be done with school and back home. So where are they going to stay? Did they find a house yet or an apt? Or are they staying in the spare room? I can't believe Skyler is leaving so soon! I'll be just coming home when he goes into the mission field. I'm so proud of Devin! He is a stud! He will never regret going on a mission. Ever. That is awesome to hear. I'm so glad the Coffmans are doing so well. I like them so much! They write me every so often and tell me of all their blessings. Holy cow; there amazing! Did you know Heathers car got totaled? I pray for them often as I pray for all my family!

I can't wait to see all the new things at BYU-I. That will be fun. I was upset that I would never see it finished before I graduated, but God knew what I didn't. I get to experience the new dance rooms! WooHoo! I would go on the fast track when I get home but my major is only on the winter/summer track. I'll have to pray about it, but Thank you for letting me know. Something to think on.

This week has been really good. Not much has changed but I really have tried to look at everything with a grateful heart and I have found when I do so, I'm not only happier but I see God's hand in my life. I know that when I live righteously and follow God's commandments and repent daily, God will fill me with his love and with that love I can do anything; with that love I see people with my rose colored glasses and can't help but want to share this Gospel with everyone I see.

I love you all so much and I'll talk to you next week!

With so much love coming your way!
Love your Sister Missionary~

I LOVE GENERAL CONFERENCE!!! April 4, 2011

2011-04-04T16:44:00.002-03:00

O.k. I LOVE my family and I am almost way too excited and hyper to even write. Lol Oh my gosh I feel so blessed! I don't really have words to describe it but this conference has made my week! And will make the rest of my mission and life from the things that I learned from it. I really feel like crying. God has truly been so good to me when I don't deserve it. My mission has prepared me for the rest of my life. I did not see that when I first came out. When I first came out I thought "this is just a moment in time God wants me to serve and when it is done, it will be done and I'll go back." I can't go back! This mission has forever changed who I am as a daughter of God, and of my parents here on earth, as a sister, as friend, and as a future wife and mother and grandmother. I will use my mission the rest of my life because it is so ingrained in me. It is not only what I do but it's who I am. I loved that talk at conference. About do and be and how you need to have both in coming to know God and be a true disciple of Christ.

I loved general Conference. They talked about marriage a lot.... Umm sad to say, I'm so scared to date and get married but this conference has helped me to see that it is of God and when I get home it needs to be my number 1 priority. I know God will help me along the way. Thank heavens I don’t need to deal with it now. I have had my heart locked for so long that they're going to need a pry bar to open it. Lol. It was so amazing and as always I love Elder Holland and President Monson's along with so many others. I'm just so sad that it is all over. We were explaining this conference to an investigator and he started to get excited to come too. I love it! I was so excited to listen to conference that on Friday night I couldn't sleep. It felt like when we were little and we would keep giggling because we were so excited for Christmas we couldn't sleep. That's what I was doing. My companion would have thought I was weird if it weren't for the fact that she was giggling with me. Lol I love her so much! I'm going to miss my comp so much if she leaves me. I've had her for so long that I don't know what to do with myself if she leaves. We get our transfer calls on Saturday and leave by Tuesday so I'll let you know if I get transferred or not.

Speaking of marriage I can't believe BreAnne is getting married! What the heck! She did write and tell me before everyone else told me but how exciting! This was totally an answer to my prayer. Two things I didn't know if I could handle while on my mission; if someone died or if someone got married. I'm so excited to be there for it! God truly does answer my prayers. I know God is mindful of me.

I can't believe you already got my papers!!! What!!! That means I'm going to get mine soon. Oh that is way too weird. I'm just going to ignore that you said that. Lol man I have so many mixed emotions about coming home. I don't want to come home and yet I miss my family. If I could only come home for a month and then go back I would be ok with that. I feel like elder Holland does about his mission although I think he would beg to differ, but I love my mission so much. It means everything to me. I am not the same. Satan has tried to play a nasty trick on me the last couple of months in trying to make me feel like I'm the same person I was before my mission, but I realize in my heart and as an answer through conference, I have changed. I don't want the same things. I use to want what I wanted but I don't want that anymore. I want what God wants.

I'm working very hard on memorizing Jesus the Christ and I love it. This will be so amazing to be able to say and I have used it in my teaching a lot because your memorize scriptures with it too. It truly was inspired, so thank you for sending it. The pictures have helped a lot!

One thought from what Christopher wrote about thinking that people don't need to come to church. That is so true here too. They think they have a relationship with God but they don't or else God would have told them to come to church. I have met so many people that may not be happy with their church but they continue to go because God commanded it. Those are the people I would like to find. But it's all in the desire of their hearts. I liked when they said in conference People think of God as a butler to answer all their demands or as a counselor to listen to all their whining and in return they feel that it is his job to make them feel good about their sorry sinful self.

It made me laugh because I found out a long time ago that if you're going to complain, God will give you something to complain about. He is there to council with and help us repent when needed. (Which is everyday?) I need to go to him more and ask him how I can improve. I know it's one of my weaknesses but it's how I will improve my life and make it a life he is proud of and be the person he wants on his team and can use.

I love my Heavenly Father so much! Oh my goodness I have so much to say about conference but you know. You were there and felt it. I miss you all like crazy but am sending my love to you.

Oh soon I'll be sending stuff home in packages, DO NOT OPEN THEM! They may be presents or things I want to show you later.

I love you all!!! xoxoxoxoxo
Love your forever Sister Missionary

Dear President Barry

This week has gone well. I absolutely loved conference. It was the one of the highlights of my week. I learned so much about what I personally need to do to become a more consecrated disciple of Jesus Christ and how I am to help others around me come unto Christ.

We have been struggling a lot with our recent convert who seems to forget why he was baptized. He has encountered a lot of challenges in the last couple of weeks but through constant prayer he has made an effort to come back. We saw this dedication when he attended all sessions of general conference. It was amazing! He felt the spirit and it reconfirmed to him why he became a member of the church. He struggles a lot with a multi personality disorder but is finding strength in the Lord and is overcoming a lot of different obstacles that come with that. I have seen a change in him that only the gospel can bring to those that want to change. It is truly amazing to see.

Alex continues to progress as we try to see him every day and teach him. I know that he can become a strong member and he is looking forward to being baptized. He was so excited when he found out that he had the possibility to be baptized before his probation. We had an amazing lesson the other day as we talked about the desires of our heart and what that meant. He came up with questions for conference and really thought about what he wants in his life. He became very emotional as he talked about his desire to have a family that is righteous and on the right path. He said he knows he did it all the wrong way and that his life was not in order with God but that he is really trying to change that. We sang "love is spoken here" at the end of the lesson and it was so powerful and the spirit was there. It was amazing to be able to testify of that spirit while it was present and help him to know that that is what it feels like for him. I pray for him every night that he will endure this waiting period and look at it as Gods time line of preparation and learning. He is amazing.

David is doing very well too. Although he will have to wait a year to be baptized, he lives with a member so it helps him to stay on track. He and his less-active wife and baby girl went to all sessions of general conference and David even went to the priesthood session. I was not sure what his true desire was until General Conference. I really see that he is trying to do what is right and follow the savior. He is also trying to quit smoking which seems to be a very hard thing for him. He has just come off from being a drug addict so the smoking is his substitute. But after a lesson on the word of wisdom he understood that they are all connected and that he needs to put a stop to all. It was a great lesson and spirit felt. Since then I have seen a great effort to try and quit even though his wife smokes and refuses to quit with him. I know that as he continues in faith that he will be blessed.

We don’t have as many investigators as I would like but I’m thankful for the ones that I get to work with now and hope that they let the spirit work with them and change them. Through conference I have received answers to my prayers and know that if I follow that spirit we will receive the direction we need to find many more of Gods children. I love this Gospel with all my heart and I'm thankful for this great opportunity to serve.

Till next week~
Sending lots of love,

Sister Pedersen~

Tender Mercies Through Fasting... March 27, 2011

2011-03-28T16:16:00.002-03:00

????

Spring has sprung!!!

Always Working...

OK so there is a reason why I didn't get your e-mails. I guess because they were perfect to get them this week too. I really needed to rely on the Lord.

This week was very good. Not so much that our teaching pool went up which I was a little upset about but really we can't make people come to church or keep their commitments but I had a good week because I love my mission! Satan cannot take that away from me. Even when it is tuff. I have realized the harder the transfer the more I look back and love it! The weather has been beautiful and spring is here! The flowers are out in perfect bloom but so are the bees and my companion is like you mom, runs when they are five feet away. It's funny to the on lookers when they see two sister missionaries running and one screaming about nothing. Lol is fun though. The humidity is here already and I can feel that this one is going to get worse than last year but God got me through the last one, so I can get through this one. Today has been nice. It's has been rainy and thunderstorms all day! I love it! this is what I have been looking forward to all winter long but it only comes in the summer, so I'm excited for it finally to be here. yehaw! For thunder storms!

Christopher has grown up so much I can hardly believe it! I mean he has always been the more mature one of his age and he's always been a spiritual stud but there is just a new level to him that I love! He is becoming the man in his patriarchal blessing. The man God has preordained him to be. I'm so excited for him! I can't believe he will hit a year in almost three months. He can't be out that long! I'm actually glad he has been in his area for so long. He will have a home to go back to when he visits. I do write him as much as I can but I e-mail him a note or two. I'll be better at that when I get home. Then he'll get letters and packages galore. Like Christopher I can't believe Neal is old enough to be going on a mission. He will do so great in Brazil! I love that family. They are so strong in the gospel. They are a family I definitely look up to.

Mom I can't believe you didn't think I would be a great letter writer. Have you no faith in me? Lol jk, I was shocked to find myself answering people back and sure I can't spell so that kept me a way for awhile but I love to write letters. I looked at Shanna and thought she is so good at that. I want to be able to write people cute little letter just to say hello, so I did it and then kept doing it. I find it relaxing at times. Plus if you write one, you'll get one in return so to insure people write you... write letters.

Oh my goodness, I got a cold sore the size of Texas the other day, and now I found a trick. Hydrocinperoxide? Ok so I can't spell it but hopefully you know what I'm saying. It works like a charm and is less than 2 dollars and is gone in 4 days. Man I wish I knew this before I spent $15 dollars on abreva. Plus my comp. got sick this week and has been without a vice but we are pushing through and having fun as she plays darth vater to our investigators.

I'm so glad everyone got to do something fun for the spring break. The two boys got spoiled! That's for sure but I'm glad you got to go to Portland. I told dad that sushi is the first stop on my list of places to eat when I get home. There aren't any good places here but that's ok. Oh and I still do my yummy food dance. I just can't help it, my taste buds and tummy are just so happy!

Thank you so much for your letters I love them so much. Dad talked about stepping up our work and following the spirit. I agree. I can always do better. We had a chance last week to go on a trade off with some sister missionaries close by and it was awesome to see the differences and the things we could do better to improve. It all starts with the morning studies. I know that to be true, along with prayer. Mighty prayer brings about the miracles of God. I've seen that as I have prayed and fasted. I have seen so many tender mercies of God this week, just for myself. God has answered my prayers. This is for me many prayers answered and a huge tender mercy for me this week.

I was reading in Alma 23-27 this morning. Now of course you have to read all of Alma to get the just of the trial and the tribulation that the sons of Mosiah went through but they had it rough. I can't imagine what horrible things they had to encounter and have happen to them because the people would not listen. They were put into jail and Ammon came and got them out and they start to preach again, this time they teach to the king as they followed the example of Ammon. Through trial and pushing through they found success, more than they ever had supposed. Then when the king was converted so was his house hold then he commanded all to listen to them whether they liked it or not and they became such a converted people, so much so that they gave their lives for God. Theses chapters make me cry every time! I just can't believe there conversion. Then afterward Ammon writes of how grateful they are to the Lord for all their blessings. I sat in my chair this morning with tears filling my eyes as I read. This is how I feel about my mission. All of chapter 26 was perfect!

26But behold, my beloved brethren, we came into the wilderness not with the intent to destroy our brethren, but with the intent that perhaps we might save some few of their souls.

27Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to aturn back, behold, the Lord bcomforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with cpatience thine dafflictions, and I will give unto you success.

28And now behold, we have come, and been forth amongst them; and we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have suffered every privation; yea, we have traveled from house to house, relying upon the mercies of the world—not upon the mercies of the world alone but upon the mercies of God.

29And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their asynagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been bstoned, and taken and bound with cstrong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again.

30And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our ajoy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.

31Now behold, we can look forth and see the afruits of our labors; and are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are bmany; yea, and we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love towards their brethren and also towards us.

32For behold, they had rather asacrifice their lives than even to take the life of their enemy; and they have bburied their weapons of war deep in the earth, because of their love towards their brethren.

33And now behold I say unto you, has there been so great love in all the land? Behold, I say unto you, Nay, there has not, even among the Nephites.

16Therefore, let us aglory, yea, we will bglory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his cmercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.

This is so true for me. I felt the spirit so strong as I read those chapters this morning. We may not see success at this moment but if we are steadfast and immovable and go forth in boldness bearing all things which the Lord sees fit to put upon us then we will see the blessings. I have already seen the blessings of my mission and of this transfer, and they don't always come in the form of a baptism, although that is the goal that I have in mind. Not just to bring some but many unto Christ. I know that God lives and loves me and knows me personally. I felt God's personal love for me at that moment as the scriptures spoke to me in plainness to my soul. I love my God with all my heart. I'm so grateful to be his missionary. This is my miracle in fasting. I had so many prayers answered in one moment and yet it didn't come in the day that I fasted but days later as I continued to do what was right. If I would not have studied this morning, I would not have had my prayers answered in this way that I needed it. It was so powerful! I love this Gospel with all my heart. It is a message of peace and good-will and with joy that over flows. My heart is so full!! I love the lord, I love the Gospel he has blessed me to know, I love him for sending me righteous parents to teach me, and for humble teachers all through my life that I have looked up to for guidance, especially my siblings and cousins that play such a key role in my life. There is no greater work than this, this I'm convinced and this I know because I live it. I'm not just doing it. God has given me a new life that I do not deserve and has allowed me to share it with others and the key to success and happiness that I feel. It is Jesus Christ, mine, yours and our Savior of the world. He is the difference. Without him nothing is possible not even our day to day. I love him. He heals my broken heart so that I can go from day to day. A mission is not easy but it is more than I could have ever hoped for. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for in him I can do all things.

I love you all so very much! I want you to know that I'm working every day to make my Heavenly Father proud and in return when I come home off that airplane you may see the daughter, God has intended me to be.

Until next week I'm sending all my love~
~forever your Sister Missionary~

Looking for a miracle... March 21, 2011

2011-03-22T03:39:00.001-03:00

Hello Family!!!! Well no e-mails this week. I hope everything is ok. (Chanelle did not receive any of the e-mails we sent, huge bummer.)This week really hasn't had any changes. This is going to be really short. This has been a really hard week and It's not like i'm not use to hard things but this week is a little diffirent. We fasted and prayed a lot this past week and it has helped alot. I have gained such a strong testimony of finding added strength through fasting. I know that it works and that it is just one of the many ways God shows me that he loves me.

I love you family so much and I hope to hear from you soon. Everything is going great here. No need to worry and I promise that I will find a miracle and report back next week. I know they are out there.
I love you all~

Love your forever Sister Missionary~

Challenging but good week... March 15, 2011

2011-03-16T03:36:00.000-03:00

Thank you for that E-mail. I really needed it this week. It has been a tough week, but we are doing what we have set out to do. We are here to Baptize and prove to the Lord we can do his work and that he has entrusted the right sister Missionaries.

I Know God answers prayers. Maybe not always in the way that we might think; but he does. There is a family that we were teaching when I first got here but because of an abusive, alcoholic and drugs situation, we were not allowed to go over to their home without two priesthood holders and if the husband was there, not at all. Well the kids and the mother wanted to be baptized so badly but they couldn't because they as parents were not married and the father never wanted to be married. We finally dropped them or he dropped us after yelling at us over the phone. We prayed that somehow, someway, the mom and kids could be baptized and the boyfriend or "husband" would be taken out of the picture. Well we have not heard from them in over two months when we get a phone call early Monday morning saying that something was wrong in their home and that we needed to come and bless it. After a long period of time and refusal from priesthood leader to go to the home because of the husbands weird behavior, they ended up calling a preacher from a Baptist church and when he got there he saw how crazy the husband was acting and called the police and put him in the looney bin. Woohoo! I know that is not so awesome for him but he is not a good man and needs help. But hopefully he is out of the picture for good. The priesthood holders finally went over and blessed the home and gave blessings where needed. It was amazing! God works in his own ways, we just pray to know what way that is. I know God answers prayers. I know it because I see it every day!

Thank you so much for sharing your testimony with me. I love hearing it.
Sorry this is short but I don't have a lot of time today, I love you and the family with my whole heart!

Love your Sister Missionary~

Skyler is called to Chile!!! March 7, 2011

2011-03-07T14:23:00.001-04:00

Oh my gosh! I watched the video 3 times and cried and cried. I felt the spirit so strong. I felt like I just did that. I'm going to miss Skyler by a month. Bummer. But Man I'm going to miss him. He was like a ball of fun. lol I bet his whole family is freaking out. Another Spanish speaker. That whole family might as well learn it because they all practically speak it. It was so cute when he was like, "I can't read what it says." lol I thought that would be me. But thank heaven it wasn't. State side is easy to pronounce. It's so funny at the end of your mission you seem to always go back to the first part. I felt like I just got here. Crazy!!

Oh, Sister Mitchell, you know the cute red head. She is married. She sent me an invitation. So stinkin cute! She married her high school sweet heart. They came back from their missions around the same time. It was really fast. Kayla is engaged? To who? Is he a good return missionary that is going to take care of her? I hope so. She deserves that. I bet Christopher is weirded out. His first friend to be engaged. lol

Yes I got your package and I loved it! I have been memorizing like crazy and I think I have up to the fourth week memorized. I still have to think before I say it but soon it will just come. I'll be able to quote it to you for mother's day. Mother's day will be weird. I'll being seeing you in a month or so by then. Crazy huh?

We'll not much is going on this week. We had president interviews and that was amazing. We are learning to become master planners. I'm loving it and learning a lot. Our mission president is so efficient. He is amazing. I love him and Sister Barry so much. They have really changed the way I look at things and at myself. President Newman was to show me the fire of teaching powerfully and how hard I can work and how far I can push myself and now that I know that, comes how to do it with love and planning how to use that fire. Like burning leaves. Everyone does that down here. You can start setting leavings on fire no matter where you are and cause destruction if it's not controlled. Yes you have burned all the leaves but you also have destroyed your trees and your house. A Controlled fire allows you to care of your surroundings and add more leaves to the fire as necessary. Hope that makes sense. It does in my head. Anyways I love you so much and thank you for the video. Oh and for the letters. Tell the kids I love them and tell McKenna that she still owes me one. Did she get my letter in the mail?

I love you all~ Pray for you'll all the time

Love your Sister Missionary~

Some day I'm going to bring the whole family out here. It is just amazing and it would be so fun to introduce you to people. So awesome!

President Barry~

It seems that this week our teaching pool has gotten smaller. We are as of yet working with one person. Not from a lack of effort but we seemed to be dropped left and right or they are too busy to meet with us. It gets a little discouraging but we have been praying about how we can improve and felt that there are two main things that can be changed along with all the planning we are doing. Door approaches need to be more powerful and direct and we need to do more miracles with members by teaching the restoration. We started it when we first got here but it seemed that we were able to get into their homes to teach them but they weren't coming out with us, now they are coming out with us but we aren’t able to get into their homes. We are striving to find some sort of balance and I faith that it will work and we can find it. God is in control and I trust him. I know that if I go to him that he can show me what we can work on in order to improve the work and he has. I'm very grateful for that.

We had a dinner with the king family in our branch that we found out are moving. They have been one of our go to families in the branch if we need anything at all. They have been truly amazing and we will miss them. We were in the middle of dinner when their son Nathanial, who is in the MTC waiting on is visa to Brazil, called. He called to tell them that he was leaving on the next plain to go to Long beach California for the next few months while the waiting continues. I was touched as I watched his parents with smiles on the faces and tears in their eyes express how proud they were of their boy. It bought me back to my first flight out to the mission when I called home and talked to my family for the brief 5 minutes. They were both excited and nervous for me but they expressed their love as well. I think back at that moment and I feel like it was yesterday. It was only yesterday as I said goodbye to my family for 18 months and practically skipped to the airplane for this amazing adventure God had called me to do. It has been an experience I wouldn't trade for the world.

Brother King bore a very strong testimony on Sunday about God's love for us and how he showed that love by sending his son. Then he bore his testimony about the blessing of his son serving a mission and the blessings that have come to the family since he has been gone. The family moving is an answer to a long prayer of looking for a better job. He said that this is one of the many blessings that have come. I look at their family and think of my own and the struggle it must be to have both me and my brother out on a mission and yet the excitement that must come on their face as they talk about their children on their missions. You must wonder why I’m telling you all this but I think of all the things that Satan tries to put into my head of being a failure of a missionary and I think, Even if I’m not receiving a lot of success here at the moment, and I will soon. I see the blessing it has been to my family and I realize that a mission is an ongoing success here or at home. I realize more every day the blessings of a mission. They are innumerable. I'm so grateful to serve. I may still have a lot to change and things to work on and improve but the blessings have been forever flowing since I got here and I cannot be pulled down by Satan’s little lies.

We may not see a big teaching pool right now but we will and we will baptize because it is God's will that we do. That is his work and it is all for his Glory.How grateful I am for that knowledge. It keeps me safe and in the light.

Till next week. Lots of love-

~Sister Pedersen

I love my family and this Gospel!! February 28, 2011

2011-02-28T15:02:00.002-04:00

Hello my mommy. I love you so much and am excited that you are feeling so great. Well better. Man I am in such a great mood. I love my family. Let’s say it again. I LOVE MY FAMILY!!! I have to scream it from the roof tops. Oh man. Our family is so unique in every way and I realize that more and more that I’m on my mission. I'm so grateful for amazing parents that show me what it means to have Christlike love and great parenting. To have siblings that are like my twins and my cousins like my sisters or brothers. Where else is it like this. You are unlike anyone else I serve with; it's unique. I love it so much. I could talk about my family all day and sometimes do. That is one way that I share the Gospel. By sharing my family and the things that has brought us so knit together. I know it's only through the Gospel that we have become like that. I love it. I don’t have much time today but I'm again staying in this area. This will be my longest area and longest companion. Ok so my companion is my height but you know what I mean.haha! It has been a blast and we will continue to see success. I just know it! I love it here so much. The people are amazing! Well that’s it for today. I know its lame but the president’s letter is better. Our teaching pool has become small but will become big again. I know and have faith in that. It's after obedience and hard work, God makes up the difference and provides. I love you!

President Barry~

This has been a very good week but I think the best was this weekend. Eddie of course was confirmed despite how sick he was. He went home right after sacrament. He will be given the priesthood next week. He really seems to be improving. Even his look is changing. He seems neater and put together. Eddie was in a car accident where the result ended in some brain damage but In his blessing he was blessed to have a good memory and that his mind will develop and he will learn to have a deep understanding of the Gospel and I am seeing it, as he is doing what it right. It's so awesome to be here for those changes. I'm so excited to stay here in this area and be able to see things change even more. I'm striving to be the instrument in the Lords hands by working hard and being obedient. I think the best thing about this week was being able to see Brother Toms bless the sacrament. It was so amazing. I have never experienced one of my recent converts bless the sacrament before. He was nervous but he did such a great job. His wife was beaming. I think sister Hafslund and I couldn't stop smiling. The day before we had a sit down dinner with them and two other families and talked to them about going to the temple with their family names in the middle of March with the branch. They are so excited! I wish I could be there but I understand why I can't and really know doing it without us will insure that they will continue to do it without us being there. They are going to take their parents names to the temple. I'm so happy for them. The lesson on the temple was so heartfelt and the spirit was so strong. I think we all were tearing up at the vision of them going to be sealed in the temple as husband and wife. I told them if they go through the temple in a year I would like to fly out to be with them and he looked at me funny and then corrected me and said, "Sister Pedersen, It's not if, it's when." They are truly amazing. We talked about their conversion and why they joined. He was teary eyed as he talked about knowing there was a God when his wife had cancer and had to remove, I think it was, eighteen inches of her intestine. He explained that he didn’t want to lose her. He said he did a lot of praying and he knows God saved her from death when he knew that he couldn't. Alta said she always knew there was a God but sitting in church she knew something was not there because they taught contrary to what her heart believed. She said she had so many questions that just never seemed to be answered the way her heart knew to be true. She said she never dared to open her mouth and say anything to anyone because her church taught against many other churches and if she were to say anything she too would be persecuted. Alta said when she was out delivering a goat in her farm she looked up to see who her dogs were barking at and saw us. As she walked closer she said it was like she were seeing two angles standing at her gate and she knew she had to listen. She said she knew everything we were saying was true. They both agreed there was something missing in their life but they said they knew now what it was, the Gospel.

It has been a true blessing to watch them grow. I'm so grateful to be able to stay here to help Eddie and many others have some of the same experiences. How Glorious is this Gospel! What a change it makes in the lives of men when we leave our will in his hands. Oh my goodness I just love it with all my heart. There really is nothing better than this. That is why we do it his way because there is no greater joy than this and if we do it any other way it will fail because it will never bring happiness. Happiness comes at the price of sacrificing what we want now for what God knows is the greatest. Isn’t that wonderful?

Till next week,
Lots of Love~

Sister Pedersen

I love you all so much and am thankful for each and every one of you! Stay healthy and strong. I pray for you day and night!

Love your Forever Sister Pedersen~

I know my Redeemer lives! February 21, 2011

2011-02-25T15:29:00.001-04:00

Mommy you should not be checking this, you're sick, go lay back down and sleep. I sent it to dad so that he can read it to you. I love you so much and you are in my prayers. Oh did you get my last letter and the one I re-sent you? Oh and are you going to send me a package so that I can memorize the Jesus the Christ with you? When you feel better of course.
I love you!!! Feel better
your forever daughter and Sister Missionary~

My poor sick little mommy and McKenna! How sad. I felt so bad for them. People have been sick like crazy here too. There is a woman in our branch name sister Chapman; she is in her 70's? She is so much like mom, going going and never giving up until God makes her sick so that she can rest and slow down. Well she is sick this week too with the flu (actually bronchitis and a sinus infection) like mom. It's funny because she got sick the same day as Mom. I don't know why they push themselves till they brake but I guess it's because mom is a strong woman and knows how much she thinks her body can handle. I'll be praying for both McKenna and mom. Oh I sent McKenna a letter. I hope you get it. That might make her feel better. Oh Dad that picture was so perfect. Sad but perfect. This week was so good! We had an atonement reading last week and then had a conference about the atonement on Tuesday. It was so amazing. Sister Hafslund and I sang "I know that my redeemer lives." we sang it without music. It was good but I was nervous because our ride was 45min. late so we missed the beginning and I got car sick and then had to get up to sing but it went great. My voice was still a little shaky but oh well. I'm trying to sing as much as possible, even though singing in a church setting always makes me nervous. I'm making my weak things strong in Christ. lol

The meeting was just so perfect. I really can't explain it all, but I'll send my presidents letter to kind of explain what I learned.
I'm glad mom did so well on her singing. It seems to me that she is always sick right before she is about to perform. It happens almost every time. I think Satan knows how important music is and how many people mom can touch by sharing her testimony though her voice. I want to see that play so bad. I've never seen it. I was always at school. I love what you said about the 5 wise. It's true you cannot give your testimony away. I hope that I'm gaining all the oil I can out of this experience. I want to be so much more than I am and the only way that will happen is through the atonement. That I know to be true. I can do nothing of myself. The toms are doing so good! They have bought quads and palm stuff or are they called e-readers. Anyways, they are so converted. I love them so much! We talk to them about the temple on Friday. I'm so excited. I want to come back when they go through the temple. That are awesome! Eddie got baptized this weekend. He was a little nervous before so we held off till this Sunday. It went really well. He was in a car accident when he was young and suffered some brain damage, so he's a little slower but he has a growing testimony. He just needs more fellowship. He will be just fine.
Oh my gosh, I hit my year mark in the mission on Friday. Crazy huh! I didn't do anything fun for it but my trainer sister Johnson who goes home in 7 days!!!! Called me to reminisce about old days and the first time she saw me and my first door and all of that. It has been one crazy ride! I loved every minute of it and have so many more experiences to go. I love my mission! Man I encourage everyone to come. There is nothing like this. The world cannot duplicate an experience like this, which is why I'm giving it my all because I only have a bit left. Before I blink I'll be home, so I think I'll just close my eyes. Ha-ha.
I love you family so much! And thanks Dad for writing and giving me all the info. Tell Mom that it's ok that she didn't write because I know how sick she is. She needs her rest. I would say kiss and hug them for me but I think it may be best to stay away; they need at least one parent. I love you!
Until next week!

Happy Valentines Day!!

2011-02-25T00:36:00.000-04:00

Oh my goodness! I did write you! How sad! I wrote you a lot too. Well I explained everything in my letters and answered all your questions. And yes the Toms are the cute old couple in the picture and yes they did get baptized. Lol man I'm sad you didn't get my letter, but I sent it to you again so you now have two to make up the difference.

This week has been a little bit slower but that is ok. We are knocking doors and finding as many people to talk to as we can. We have been doing an atonement reading this week in order to prep. for a Zone conference that we are going to have. Have learned a lot and most the time feel completely unworthy for what Jesus Christ has done for me. Yet I know by not accepting him I cannot enter the kingdom of God and I would be ignoring this beautiful gift he has given me. I have learned that even though I work hard and I set goals and are driven to them, I'm also prideful thinking "I can do it all myself, I'm strong enough for this." then I try to do it by myself and fall flat on my face. I cannot do anything without my Savior by my side. I do nothing in this world save it be because of my savior and for my God and all Glory is to him, not me. I didn't do a thing. One of the things that I hate the most is when people congratulate me on a baptism. I didn't do anything. I just happened to be there. The spirit is the one that gave me the teachings to send to their souls so that we could teach them together. I do nothing without Him. In fact there is a scripture that says "if you have not the spirit, ye shall not teach." so how can it be me? I have really been humbled by the grace Jesus offers me. There is a chapter in mosiah when King Benjamin is talking about service to your fellow men. There a verse that says that it is God that gives to the very breath you breath to be able to do his work, so even if we serve him all our days, it isn't enough because he provided us the way to do the work, so we are still in debt. I love that! It really proved to me that I'm never good. Meaning when we go to knock on someone's door and tell them that we represent Jesus Christ and then share a message and then ask if they want to come closer to him, they say "I'm Christian and have been saved since..... I'm good." It makes me want to grab their shoulders and shake them. We are never good where we are at. We must continue to progress and become better and the only way to do that is through Jesus Christ. Oh man, it was just so amazing! I love my Savior and my Heavenly Father so much! I have learned so much this week. So even though our finding pool hasn't grown much, my spirit to find has. This week was amazing. It really goes to show me how important my morning studies are to my weeks. They really can make or break your weeks, months, and mission.

I hope the family is doing well. I pray for the family every night and love and miss them like crazy. I love Christopher so much. I can see how he has grown into a man and it weird's me out sometimes. lol I still want him to be my skinny, raspy voiced little boy that I call kiley. I miss him so much. I see how hard he is working and I see the blessing and growth that come from it. Love him!

I'll talk to you next week. Sorry this is short!

Love your sister Missionary~

No letter to Mom... :( February 6, 2011

2011-02-10T16:20:00.006-04:00

To Shanna,

I LOVE >>>>>KENNY. lol I love you too but that was your last post and I had to comment about how much I love him too. I sent him a Florida t-shirt and a letter. I hope he likes it. He is so amazing! Love him. Ok so your eyes are so gorgeous!

I hope the doctors figure something out because it's not normal to be sick all the time. Maybe if they figure what is wrong there, it might give some answers to why you haven't been able to get pregnant yet. I'll pray for you extra strong. I pray for you all the time. I really look up to you. I can't believe that you continue to go to work and push through it no matter what you go through and how sick you feel. You are so strong! I was sick with a head cold and put myself to bed. Sad, Next time I should say to myself.. What would Shanna do? then go to work. lol. I know that would be you. You are so awesome and do so many fun things. you are so creative and put a light into people’s lives. You are so amazing.

The branch here is great. They are loving and they serve everyone. aobut 80% of the ward is over 50. It is awesome. so we are like there grand kids and or older kids so they spoil us like crazy.

When we teach people that we have the truth, they think, well are you saying your better than me? We say no, of course not, what we are saying is that the religion that you are in is great and has taught you great things and has prept you to be where you are right now to except the full truth of the Gospel. We strive to be blunt in our mission but still be loving. If we can't show love, we are showing pride and that is not how Jesus Christ would have taught nor how we should teach.
Thank you so much for your letter. I can really see a change in the family and in our immediate family. If the improvements of our family are from the blessings of a mission, I may not ever come home. lol.

One tip I have learned, get a small portion of food the first time so that when they force seconds you can take it. I made the mistake of taking one portion of food and it was a good size portion and then said no to a second and the lady said, "you all make me feel bad like I didn’t cook it good enough. are you sure you don’t want seconds?" I was like what! I then took a second helping, so full I could have thrown up and then complimented her about it the rest of the night. People are so funny. Note to you: when feeding the missionaries, don't force seconds but take in account that if there are not talking, they like it. lol

I love you lots and miss you like crazy!!!!!!! Think of you and Adam everyday. Stay safe and warm. I love you both!

All my love~
~ Your sister Pedersen

Preparing for a baptism.... January 31, 2011

2011-01-31T21:05:00.002-04:00

Oh my gosh Arizona Seemed like a blast. I'm so jealous! I've always wanted to go to Arizona when I was older. I miss Tyler too. We have always got along and had so much fun together. I have written him three times and he is in trouble for only writing me twice. I'm still waiting on my third letter. Lol. I guess it will come when it comes.

That's funny that Brandon reminds you so much of Christopher. Shanna always thought that. I think that's why Shanna and Brandon got along so well. I have no doubt in my mind that she will get pregnant soon. I heard a story the other day about this woman who tried to get pregnant for 5 years and finally at the end of the fifth year it happened. Thank heaven she is not like that yet. She needs to just de-stress and it will happen. It's like that old movie you and I watched with Doris Day. The older woman who finally got pregnant and she was so happy. The doctor's advice was to go on a cruise. relax and it happened. They will be just fine. I have all the faith in the world. They will be so cute when they do. That's crazy that Maren in pregnant. All my friends will be married and pregnant when I get home. Lol How fun!

I'm so excited for Nancy and Emma. Emma and McKenna's pictures were so cute! They are so cute together. They need to be together more. She needs a cousin on dad's side to play with. Maybe they can start writing letters to each other, like pen pals. What an amazing experience to be a part of. I love baptisms!

Oh, I'm sending a birthday gift home for Kellin and Kenny, nothing big. I will also try to send letters (Dad I sent a lot more picture than Christopher, he just sends them more frequent ;)

That Relief Society lesson sounded like it was perfect for Nancy.

Well things have been going really good here. We are just preparing for a baptism for the Toms this weekend. It is going to be great. Keep praying for them. Other than that nothing new is going on. Transfers aren't for another four weeks so we don't have to worry about that. We have a lot of work to do here before that happens. It's been really fun to be in this area. The ward is just fantastic! I love it! I truly believe as I commit myself to this work and give it all I got, I will see great miracles like I have seen but they will come tenfold. I will not have room enough to receive them. I know that, I feel it and I've prayed about it. This work is so exciting and I hope we can bring many more back to the fold, less-active or non-member.

I'm sorry this letter is so short but I hope everything is going great at home and I'm sending off the package today, I hope. It's hard when you have to travel so far to do anything. SO I hope I get it sent off. I love you all so much. Lot of kisses and hugs!

Your Sister Pedersen~

P.S. I'm not worried about EFY. It will work out. I hope. If not I'll do something else. I just really thought that would be something great to do.

Go out and offend Satan.... January 24, 2011

2011-01-24T21:05:00.002-04:00

That is so exciting that she is getting baptized! She may have doubts now but all those will leave when she chooses what she wants and then doesn't turn back. I have complete faith that she will be fine and she'll go through with it. That is a great letter and set of examples of the lies that Satan has to try and drag us down. It's like Mom's lesson that she was talking to me about. Satan tries to trick people into thinking he has all the answers and the power and he is nothing. He makes me so mad sometimes! But I also have to realize that because of that, I know the feeling of the very best of what God has to offer. We must have Satan to fulfill Gods plan, he just drives me crazy sometimes. My companion is so cute she told me about a talk given in the MTC about a woman who said that we want to wake up every morning and have Satan be so worried knowing we are awake to ruin his day. She said we must wake up every morning and think. "What can I do to offend Satan today?" I thought that was so awesome. I could go out and work and be happy and share the truth and that would just make him so mad. She said we do this because we are a temple attending Satan offending people and we will not give up or let him have it. It puts a whole new perspective to my days. I just love that!

I'm so excited for Nancy and Emma! How exciting! This will be a day the family never forgets. Take lots of pictures! ~

Oh I wrote mark a 7 page letter of my testimony and asking him to do a couple things. I did it my third transfer and got nothing back. I don't know if he got offended by what I said because I can be blunt but I just explained to him the importance of reading the Book of Mormon and the blessing it would be to take his wife to the temple. It was a long time ago that I wrote him. Maybe ask him and see if it made it there. Tell him I'm sorry if it came off wrong, I really can't remember all that I said.

Thank you for your e-mails. I love getting them!

I love you so much!!!
Your forever sister Pedersen

I'm so excited for Nancy and Emma. How exciting! And Kenny and McKenna get to go? That is awesome. I bet Kenny is freaking out. How fun! You owe me a trip one day, unless I go there for my next internship than you can come and visit me. The last time I think I was In Arizona, I remember sleeping on a sleeping bag on the floor and I was like 7. All I can remember is vaulted ceilings, so it's about time to go back, I think. Lol we'll whenever I get back.... lol

I think for the baptism you should sing "I know my redeemer lives" by Hillary Weeks. I really like that song and it really brings the spirit. That's what I sang at the last baptism. It was cool. Even a primary song with harmony can be very powerful. We have come to find that out on my mission. It is simple to the point and full of spirit. I think whatever you two sing will be great.

Mom I'm sorry that your neck and arm freaked out at you. That is really strange but I think it's true, God loves broken things so that he can rebuild back to the way he wants them. He is the master carpenter and although sometimes we do a good job, God can do so much better.

This week has been good. Every week is good. I'm doing the Lords work. This week was extra special because Elder Oaks came to speak to us for about 4 hours and it was totally sweet. I was second row. Looking straight into his eyes. Man they all look old on T.V. but they move around like there in their 20's. He is so funny and crazy! He is a great man and apostle of God. He truly is. I have never felt so blessed and privileged. I have met two apostles now. Elder Nelson and now Elder Oaks. He talked a lot about how to gain personal revelation. We have everything else in line in this mission, but what the mission needs now is personal revelation to go out and apply it to the people in the individual areas. Dad was talking about stake presidents and quorum of the 70 coming and going on tradeoffs to challenge people to come back to church or be baptized. They are doing it here too and we really are starting to see a change. I really feel the preparation in the lords coming. I can feel it now more than ever and I want to be ready for it and more importantly to be a part of it, even when I get home. I never want this to go away and it won't as long as I remain true. Elder oaks said that they may take my calling away from me but they cannot take my covenants that I have made. The work it still the same no matter the calling. The calling is just the keys to be over the work but the real calling comes with the covenants we make at baptism and in the temples. I thought that was amazing. It really helped me to see the connection to make when I do go home. I talk of home I guess because I was so scared to go home. I still am a little and I know most of you say not to worry. But every missionary does because the best thing that they have ever done in their life is over and now they don't know what to do next. Elder Oaks answered my question. It is still the same. The keys are different. I can still be the best servant of the Lord as a primary teacher as I can as a missionary. It was so wonderful. I love my mission with my whole heart and although I love you family, I'm not eager to come home to you yet. I truly have left my family and everything else behind so that another family can be together forever with theirs. I'm so excited for the Toms! This will change their life forever and I am so blessed to be a part of it! I love you family so much!

Go out and offend Satan today!

Love you're Forever Sister
Missionary~

(Excerpt from letter to Pres. Barry)

....We have had a member lesson every week with them and I really can see a difference between Eddie and them. Converts need to have friends already set before they are members so that they are not so attached to their missionaries. They have fit really well. I can see just how blessed we are to be teaching them because God has been teaching them and preparing them long before we ever got to them and I can see it. It’s just so amazing.

I love sister Hafslund so much. We work well together but I know she still has a lot of insecurities about how she teaches. We practice and talk about how I can help her and I see so much improvement in her and even when I tell her she doesn’t see it. I don’t know how to make her see what a great teacher she is and give her the confidence to take the lead in lessons. I look back on how I was when I first came out and I had the same apprehensions but I guess it just comes through study and learning for herself. She is just so amazing and so happy and positive all the time. It really is inspiring to me and she motivates me by how positive she is about the work.

We have talked to our members about member lessons and getting rides to appointments and the response has been about half and half. I feel we use the same woman every time and it's the same women that are being stretched thin in this branch with two to four callings. How do we ask for help without being a burden to the branch? They are the only ones that will help.

I love this branch so much and they do so much for us. I have been truly humbled by the way the branch continues to give to those around us, regardless of how the people perceive us to be.

Till next week,

Lots of love,
~Sister Pedersen

I LOVE this WORK!! January 17, 2011

2011-01-18T02:57:00.000-04:00

Random thoughts are first. ;)

I love you all so much. I feel like my heart is going to burst with all the gratitude I feel! Oh my gosh everything is amazing!!!! Ok Ok I need to settle down so I can write.

Oh my Gosh Dad I cried and laughed so hard about your letter you sent to me. As a kid, those were my favorite days as a family, when we would go over all of our memories. It was the best. Because we saw how happy we are and none of the contention matters. Oh I just have an over powering love for my family that just can't be put out. Man!!!! Ok. But I almost peed my pants when you made reference to the Christmas vacation. That movie is totally you. You would go through all the memories all day and with a tear in your eye watch old movies of the family. It is just so funny. I'm still laughing. lol! Thank you dad for always writing me and Mom too. It really means a lot to me. I always come back from e-mails with a smile and a fire to my testimony. It so awesome!

Wait Heidi is engaged!? Isn’t she like 18? She can't be older than that. I know she like 20. Oh my gosh I’m old. Crazy? Well I guess if he is nice and they love each other.

Christopher and Kenny wrote me and that was so nice. I loved it. Oh Mom president said that I could continue to go through with the EFY thing as long as I do it on P-days. So I don’t know where to go now with it but he said it's ok. Just let me know what I need to do.

Ok so this week has been so sweet. We had two baptisms. The two little boys that I told you about last week. They got baptized and their families are now back in church! Not only did we have baptisms but we had three people with a date at church and they stayed to watch the baptism. One was the Toms that I told you about. The Sweet couple that owns a goat farm. We found them by by total miracle. We decided to go back to look at referrals and there they were never updated. So we went to see them to see if they were interested and they were. So awesome. They are just soaking it up and loving the lessons and they love church and the ward just loves them. It really is so wonderful. Then we found another man who we drove past one day and he was on a bike and we were going fast and went past him and the spirit told me to go back and I kind of grunted and my companion said well just turn around. She had felt it too. We turned around and he had turned down two different streets. He biked fast. It probably looked like we were stalking him, which in fact we were. But we shared our message and he was interested. We went back and taught him and he loved it. We set a date and he came to church. He is a little slower but just a sweet guy. His name is Eddie. Then we ran into a woman while tracting that had met with missionaries and was very interested but they elders never came back so we set an apt for her too. Things like that have been happening all week! I know this is God's work and it is perfect. If we just listen to the spirit and open our mouths, it will happen. I love this work so much. I love the WORK. There is nothing like it and there is nothing more rewarding than seeing peoples lives changed because you listened to what God wanted you to do. It is never me but always God. This is HIS work and HIS glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. So we will do it HIS way. I love my Father in heaven so much for sending His son, Our Savior Jesus Christ. Without Him, none of this is possible. I owe my whole life to God! 18 months is just a part of it.

The baptism was sweet. One of the boys Taylor, who is a little crazy at times go into the font and was messing around until they started and everything got silent and the spirit was there. Then his father raised his hand and said, "Taylor Alex Griffin...” and Taylor said "what?" really loud. Everyone was laughing and we had to start all over again. We had never gone over with him what his dad was going to say so he thought his dad was calling his name cause he was messing around. It was just perfect. Taylor is unique and that baptism was definitely him. Jacob was sweet and prepared and ready. He knew what to do; he just wanted it to happen. It was just fantastic and almost the whole ward was there. This ward is just fantastic!

I love you all so much and I hope this week is amazing for you all. XOXOXOXO!~ I pray for you always and I feel your prayers every day as I go out and work my buns off. I love it!

~Your Sister Missionary

Focused and doing the work!! January 10, 2010

2011-01-10T18:16:00.001-04:00

Dad, thank you for the pictures. They were great. There were so many people at our house and Ethan is huge. He can't go on a mission. He is still too young. So weird. I feel so old.

Mom, don't worry. I'm just fine. Yes I think about home and what I'm going to do when that happens but I'm focused. It's hard not to think about it when that's all people ask you about, when are you going home? How much time do you have left? What are you going to do when you get home? Plus the fact that I have dreamed of coming home every night this transfer and wake up depressed to go home. I know Satan is working really hard on me but I'm kicking just as hard if not harder back. I won't allow him to take over my thoughts and the way that I work the rest of my mission. We have been working like crazy! This mission has a new focus of 900 baptisms and 80% retention. I know we can do it and it is going to be amazing. I may not be here the full year but I'm going to be here at least half of it and I will work like crazy and baptize a lot to account for that number and then help them on their way to the temple. I'm so excited!

Speaking about baptizing to the temple, we have two baptisms this weekend of two little boys from two different less-active families that are now coming back! It is so amazing. They are working toward being sealed in the temple with their families. It is so sweet. I like teaching kids. They are so close to the spirit. It's been an amazing experience! So pray that they go through. I know it's all in God's hands.

The EFY things kind of stinks but I know God put that thought into my head for a reason. I wasn't even thinking about home when it came into my head. I was actually singing a EFY Song in my head and I was thinking about Kenny and all the amazing experiences he has had and Shanna and I and then the thought came into my mind, you should do that when you go home and I realized it fit into my schedule so I thought I would see if that was possible. I'll definitely have to talk to my mission president. I know the Lord will provide if it doesn't work or even if it does. We will see, I'm not worried, just thought it would be cool.

The weather here is so cold! It's been in the 20's for the last two days. Then it will get up to 80 and drop to 20 again. People here are getting really sick and can't seem to get better because the weather won't stay the same. I have been really blessed not to get too sick, there have only been a couple times I have had really bad migraines but I've tried to drink lots of water and it's helped.

I am so excited about these baptisms. I love it when a Less active father that has come back to church is going to baptize his son. So amazing!

I love you all so much! Thank you for all the support!

With so much love! \
Your Sister Pedersen

Happy New Year!! January 3, 2011

2011-01-05T02:36:00.004-04:00

Sooo how are the papers for EFY coming? I hope that you are doing them cause if they don't get done and turned in now I can't go and I feel like I should, so I'm leaving it all in your hands. It's still a little cold here but I'm ok with scarfs, I have three. Thank you for the thought though. I loved the picture book you sent me. It was amazing. Seeing that picture of Christopher and I when we were young makes me want to cry. I don't know why. I think it's because when we would talk about Christopher going on a mission, I never thought I would be included in that. It's funny how God knows best. He was preparing me all along, I just had no idea.

Honestly, I have felt a little melancholy myself. I know you could probably tell through my letter without me saying anything. I don't know. This season is just so big in our family and so to have it without family seems a little empty, but I did feel like I was a part of it all when I was on Skype. I felt like I had never left. I don't know what it is about being on a mission that makes you feel so home sick sometimes and yet one Skype chat and everything is back to normal. I just guess when you are going through certain things you just need your family. Nothing else seems to help, and yet that is what the Savior is for. I have come to more effectively rely on the Savior because I have no one else to lean on.

I'm sorry if this is a waste of a letter. I just miss my family a bit. I was praying throughout the holidays to know how to not be so home sick, being as how this is now the longest I've ever been away from the family. Then in district meeting we talked about how we can use our Christmas, family experiences, etc. to propel us forward into this next year. It was so awesome! Answer to my prayers. I'm am trying to become the missionary God has intended for me to be and by doing so I hope that you see a change and the fire that comes from living the Gospel. Satan seems to like to wiggle his way through my thoughts and make me feel like I miss my family so much, I should just go home , but I would never go home. I love my family so much that I will never come home until I have given my all. My family is who I represent along with God and the church and I cannot quit until I drop and when I drop I will crawl and when that seems to wear me out I will drag myself and when my body is out of strength, I'll yell. I cannot stop. I was made to keep moving, everything is possible with God. I love him so much. He is my best friend. I have spent many nights in the arms of my Savior as I wet my pillow with my tears and I wake up grateful for his comfort. When I turn to him, I'm turning to my family. Through him I feel your love and your prayers. I cannot be a missionary without him. My heart and my mouth will forever praise him.

Thank you for your letter and I hope these pictures come through. I'll send them in another email. Oh we went to an island today for p-day so that's why this letter is so late. It's an all day trip. It was sweet! Oh and I got my hair cut. Hope you like it!

Love you all lots! I'll keep you in my prayers!

Love your sister Missionary~

Merry Christmas!! I love Skype! Dec. 27, 2010

2010-12-27T16:22:00.003-04:00

It was so fun to be able to see and talk to the family. I could not stop smiling and giggling. I love my family so much. I know that I was sent into this family for a reason. There are so many things about my family that I have come to love and adore even more now that I’ve been on a mission, but number one is how much our home is centered on the gospel and the teachings of Jesus Christ. We were not perfect, but I do see our family striving to be the best, starting with the change of our nightly team chant when I was young, It went from don’t let the bed bugs bite to the Pedersen’s choose the right and I think in that moment we really set the tone on how our home was to be like. I'm grateful for countless Family home evenings, lessons, Sundays, family councils and father interviews, talks with Mom and Dad one on one. Date nights with Mom and Dad and the time spent with family on numerous family vacations away from the world and wrapped up in our own family. When I mean wrapped up, I think of the countless memories where we are crammed into a moterhome on our way to the next adventure with nothing to fill the time but conversations of life, relationships and God. I have so many memories to choose from and this Christmas was just one of them.
I truly missed the family this Christmas and felt a lot like Christopher, in feeling I was going to cry the whole time, but when It came down to it, I knew this is where I wanted to be. This is where my love has been. A missionary truly is a person who leaves there family for a time so that others can be together with there's for eternity. I love that plaque you sent me. We are creating bonds like the ones I have with the family. I truly have felt that as we have spent time with families in the ward. They are not all members here and mostly we have part member homes or less-active spouses so it is a lot of work on our hands, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I have found such a great love for the families here. I just can't believe the love and compassion they have shown toward us.
I feel unworthy and weak sometimes in the things that I know and the things that I receive because I want to be so much more than I am and to give so much more than I have but I know I can accomplish it through Jesus Christ because as I look to him for my example I learn so much more and it pushes me to become more and give more. I know this Gospel teaches truth and there is nothing better than that. God is real and he knows me by name. He knows my life story and my life lessons and every once in awhile he reminds me of what I have learned by testing that knowledge because he loves me. I love him with all of my heart. When I talk with my Heavenly Father I feel he is listening. I talk with him and he listens with love because that is what I feel on the other end. It's something I cannot explain but I know everyone can feel if they just kneel and listen for the feeling.
Oh man I know I don’t have a whole lot of time left and sometimes I catch myself worrying about coming home and what I will do and then I think, who got me here? God, what has kept me here? God, who has provided my way? God. When I look at it, I know what life will hold for me; happiness, because I know I will never turn away from this gospel, and that brings lasting happiness and everything else I can worry about later. God knows and that is enough for me. A promise was made to us by our mission president, President Barry who I have come to love and admire more than I ever thought I would. He and his wife sister Barry are truly inspired of God and they have become like my parents. They have such a love about them that can't be explained but felt every moment of every day. He promised to us that the missionaries that serve obediently and give there all to God will never leave the church and that our converts will become strong members of the church. I live for that promise, not for me but for my future family and for the families of my converts. I love them all so much. I was praying for them individually the other night, because I worry about them and I want to know what is happening, but I felt a great love for them. It is the best feeling you will ever feel.
I love my mission! Not for the name tag, or the area, or the experiences I’ve gained which have changed my view and belief more than words can say, but it is the people that have changed my life. The people make all the difference. I LOVE the people here. Oh man. How great is my life right now? I just can't believe sometimes the blessing that lay before me every day. I have come to realize that I have always wanted to serve a mission, I just never knew it. What a blessing it has been.

Oh my goodness! Thank you for the pictures! Who's babies are all these? Just kidding I know who's they are, it's just crazy! They are all so old. Brandon is huge! The gifts that you made were awesome and what fun new ideas. The girls look amazing! So stinkin cute. Man, I just love Christmas! Tell everyone that I love them so much! I love you family!

Love you!
~your Sister Pedersen~

Merry Christmas!!! Five days...Dec.19, 2010

2010-12-20T13:00:00.004-04:00

Oh my goodness! I could pee my pants with excitement! Actually I think I just might cry the whole time I'm on the phone, so be prepared! Holy packages! I felt so spoiled! I opened the package but not the gifts. I'm enjoying my little goodies. I was looking forward to the meat and the holiday roll, My two favorite things about Christmas, along with egg nog. Oh my goodness I'm so jealous that Christopher got to watch it's a wonderful life! I have been craving to watch that movie. We did a service project and wrapped over 100 gifts for the primary and we sat in silence. I wanted to blare Christmas music and put on a Christmas movie. It reminded me of home. There Christmas party was sweet. They don't decorate but wow do they eat... I'm telling you, at the rate I'm going you won't recognize me when I get back. lol I'm trying to control portions but they don't stop feeding you, and everything is covered in butter and oil and if not pure sugar. They had this lemon something or other that is made of butter, sugar and vanilla and it was to die for but I only had a bit and thank heavens I did. I'm loving the sticks, it's hard to find people but since when has missionary work been easy..., but I love the people!

The Christmas devotional/mission conference was sweet. We were taught and inspired to go and teach. Then we had the talent show. I was so sick but I put on a happy face and sang with sister hafslund and we did great. Then Santa came out right after, so it was perfect. I was so nervous. I hate singing when I'm nervous but I got it on tape and it doesn't sound super good because my camera is slowly dying but oh well. I'm sending the family a package with the pictures. It should be going out today or else it won't get there in time, so we'll see.

Oh I'm so excited! This is going to be so fun. I'm writing my questions as they come. I hope you're doing the same. I'm working hard and focusing on the work even though I'm excited to talk to you all. I'll call maybe at 1. We'll see about the members. I'll probably call from the cell first then call back on member phone. Pray for the Dyess family. The parent's Sissy and Todd need to get married or need to move away from each other and then they all can be baptized. They have been taught all the lessons but things keep coming up that take them away from coming to church and being baptized. Pray that they will find strength to endure and know what is right and that they will be baptized this coming Sunday, if it be God's will. They need this gospel so bad. I know it will change their life and I know it has already made an impact. Pray for them please.

I love you all!!!!

Talk to you in five days~ Your forever favorite sister Missionary

Transferred to Hilliard December 13, 2010

2010-12-13T14:01:00.000-04:00

Ok first Of all! Holy cow! I Feel like I haven't talk to you in weeks! My e-mail was flooded with e-mails. it was sweet! 14 e-mails! lol. Maybe less. lol

Anyways, If you haven't noticed, I have been transferred to Hilliard Florida. It is way north. We also cover parts of Georgia. It is so southern and the people are so sweet but very country. They all have thick southern accents and yesterday we got into a discussion of black and whites. Man you would have thought that would have gone away by now. It was weird. But the spirit fixed it and we shared our testimonies and it was dissolved. I felt kind of offended because black people are my favorite, lol but I just said what I feel and we moved on. This town is so small that it only has one stop light in the whole county. lol. Everyone gives directions from that light. lol it's totally like that Carrie Underwood song. I can't remember how it goes but she talks about her small town with one light. It's like that here. We have to drive about 30 to 45 min. to get to a grocery store. lol I'm talking real small home town. What is funny is that although it's small there are over a hundred church bases here and everyone is very religious and hard headed, so most of our baptisms will come from members. We have a small branch of about 30 or more that come, but it could be a ward if the 120 less actives came to church. We do a lot of less-active work here. The branch is amazing and I love them already! They are loud and family centered and everyone is related to everyone. lol They are just perfect. As soon as I knew I was being transferred I wanted to go to this county. As soon as I saw that sister Christensen was leaving home and her area was opening up and I met her trainee, I knew I was going there. So my new Companion is Sister Haflund and she is so cute! She is a red head from Utah~ YA I know I get another one, her and sister Mitchell are actually a lot alike in some ways. So I'm follow-up training her. This will be her second transfer. She is an only child and sings so well! It is amazing and she is an actress and has done theater all her life so we get along well, singing at the top of our lungs. We are actually going to sing together at the Christmas party. She wasn't invited to sing and I was and so I just called and asked if she could sings with me and they said yes. We really don't have time to put together that song you sent me mom and plus we would need background music so we just pick "Santa clause is coming to town." It is going to be super cute, and it totally fits because Santa will come out right after we sing. It's going to be a blast and we can have fun with it, without any stress of memorizing words and we are going to jazz it up and someone already had background music to it, so it was perfect. We might dress up as elves. lol we'll see. Let's see, there isn't really anything else to say. I'm still getting to know the area but this place is really spread out so we have to drive from house to house instead of walking, which I don't mind because it's freezing here! 20 degrees! What! I know we have been breaking records all over the place; SO I don't mind being in a warm car.

Daddy thank you so much for your letter that you sent me and Christopher. It really helped me. I cried and then laughed so hard when you talked about people dropping their shovels for fast food. lol I don't know If I could use that analogy here, lol but it works. In fact it was perfect for me. I guess I was a little sad but I do feel the blessings from heaven and I'm so excited for this new area. The members are so sweet so I know we can use them to progress the work even further. We will fill the chapel, instead of just the front row. lol I'm way excited!~ Thank you mom for always writing to me too. I love hearing from you and you always remind me of who I am. My parents and family are my strength and I love hearing from them.

We are always in short supply on numbers so that we can more easily rely on the lord and see his hand in everything he does for us; that I know to be true. I have felt it all my life and I also have felt his strength all my life. I would not be who I am today if God wouldn't have melted and molded me into what I need to be. I guess all of those things give way to other elements, where I think it would be appropriate for me to say God broke me to mold me because I would not give because of my stubbornness, until I was broken and then turned to him. Now I offer him my heart and there is no more breaking but now molding. I think that is what has been the difference in my mission. I hope that makes sense.

I can't believe all the changes the house is going through? I will have a room when I get home! I was just telling someone, I wouldn't have a room so I guess I'll have to go straight to school when I get home. lol Well I guess I can linger a bit now. lol How fun! So what will you do with dad music equipment now? Downstairs? Oh my goodness I laughed so hard when you said Griswold Christmas. That is so dad! I love it. Dad is always so optimistic and has so many great things inside his head to do, and then when it doesn't fit, he get's a little mad well not mad so much anymore, but then he fixes it and moves on to more improvements. lol so funny. I think the music with the light is a great Idea. How fun. Dad is really creative!

Happy Birthday Kellin my love!!! I'm sending a family Christmas gift and then one for Kellin. SO kids do not get jealous, it's for his birthday. Speaking of presents, I haven't got your second one yet, but I'm sure if it got to my old area, sister cutler will bring it to conference.

I'm so excited for Christmas! Where I'll be for Christmas doesn't get service so I have to call on their phone. So I guess if Christopher is calling at 9 so will I. We are on the same time zone. I can't give you our number but tell me what number you want me to call and I will. Just let me know how it will work. I wonder if I call one phone and Christopher another and put on speaker, we can still hear each other. I can only talk for 30-45 min. 1hour at the most. So write down questions so there is no wasted time. I'm so excited!!!!!! So what does it mean when Christopher said he is in charge of a sector? Like a district leader and is his companion new? Is he training? I'm missing info here. lol

Kenny is doing so awesome!!!!! I'm so proud of him and I can't wait to talk to him and everyone! lol I listen to the last tape you sent me and I loved it. It was so stinkin cute! So awesome with songs and Daniel being funny and dad is so funny, I forgot how funny. lol and mom singing. Oh I can listen to any music that is uplifting and that bring my thoughts to Christ, so I have been listening to mom sing and it makes me miss her. It's so fun to be able to listen to normal church music but it made me appreciate mo tab.

Well I love you all so much and I'll talk to you soon! Let me know on money anything you want me to answer or anything else. It will be the last letter before we talk!!!! ahhhhh!!! So happy!~ I love the family~

Your forever daughter
Your sister missionary~ Sister Pedersen~

No Letters? December 6, 2010

2010-12-06T19:58:00.002-04:00

So sad, no letters today.... That's ok I guess. (She did end up getting them, we were just a couple minutes behind her) I know everyone is busy with Christmas and everything going on. I feel like that this week too. I think it's because of Transfers. We get calls tonight to see if I stay or if I go. This week has been a little harder. We have either dropped our investigators because they are not progressing or they have dropped us because they are no longer interested. It has been a little sad but I have full faith and trust in my Heavenly Father that everything will work out as long as I'm giving it my all and going forth in faith. God will provide.

This experience here has been so amazing. It's funny how we are called to teach others to come unto Christ and by doing so we are changed through teaching them. I have learned so much about myself and about the Gospel and how I can teach in simplicity to help my investigators see what they are missing. Many people search for the Gospel all their lives and never know what they are searching for, they just know that there is a void and they know not how to fill it because they know not where to find the filling. We are the filling. Lol makes me think of doughnuts, but it's true. A in my opinion a doughnut is not complete without raspberry filling. I love this work with all my heart. As I come up to my year mark it forces me to take a look back into my mission and see where I have changed but also see where there is much room for improvement. I'm constantly in the fire of change and truly I love it. It is hard but I wouldn't want it any other way. It' wouldn't be worth it if it wasn't hard. Plus nothing is impossible with God. I have come to know that very strongly these last three months. He is my strength in everything I do. Without him I can only accomplish so little, if not anything. I love my savior so much. I have only changed because he has made it possible for me to do so by his precious gift of the atonement. I know this church is true, with my whole heart! It fills me and my cup continues to run over with blessings that I feel I do not deserve but am truly grateful everyday for; our Family being one of the biggest ones on a very long list.

I love our family so much. Shanna sent me pictures of the family when you went to visit her in Idaho. The boys are huge and McKenna is getting so big. The family is so beautiful and Adam fit's in there as if he was always meant to be there. Shanna and Adam look so happy and man has Shanna and you lost weight. Holy thin cow! Well I know this letter is short but I'll get to talk to you all soon on the phone so prepare some questions. You said you forgot to write them all down last time so you all should do that .

Oh I got your package and it is so stinkin cute! I opened the Pringles today. I Love the little note that came with them. I stopped reading them because it gave the present away. lol I love the little tree; So cute. I also tried on the shoes and wore them for a half hour before they tore up the back of my heels and they were blistered and bleeding. Not pretty, so I know how much you love them so I think I'm going to send them back to you so you can have them. My feet have rejected them. lol. I'll have to find some shoes here with a low back on them. Thank you for sending them though.

I love you all so much and am excited to talk to you soon!
Love you~ your Sister Missionary

Happy Holidays 11-27-2010

2010-11-29T15:25:00.003-04:00

Happy Holidays!!! I'm so excited for this Christmas season! This will give us another chance and opportunity to teach and testify of our Savoir in the most beautiful way, by using the miracle of his birth.

This week has been a little slow with all the students gone for thanksgiving but we have managed to keep ourselves busy and get in a few lessons with our investigators before they all left. We have had to drop a few of our investigators because they have not been willing to keep there commitments but I was happy to plant a seed into there life about what God's plan of happiness is for them. I hope that they will see and feel the difference and the impact of having that spirit there when we taught, and I hope that they will want to learn more. I love all my investigators so much and it is hard to drop them because you know how much it will change there life but it is there decision to act. We can do everything else but we cannot make them act. I hope they see and feel the difference enough to so something about it.

Well in the absence of all the students here at UF and the empty homes that we have knocked, we decided to take Mormon.org and run with it. We have left it everywhere on campus. We have plastered it on there cork boards and tables and walkways. (All legal) Then we went to all the apartment complexes and left them on doors. We made sure that when people did come home it would be promoted everywhere they looked so that there curiosity might be peeked to go look it up. We have also gotten everyone in the branch to start on there profiles and share it will all there friends. We handed out cards so students could pass them along as well, Plus with us talking to people about it, it’s going to be fantastic! This semester is coming to a close in a week and a half and wont start back up for almost a month, so this is the big stretch to use all the resources we can to get it out there. The media is not promoting it in Gainesville so we are all they got. We have faith that it will stick. We haven't seen it yet but seeds are planted and we are patiently and actively waiting for the harvest.

This has been a wonderful experience to be here on campus in Gainesville and I hope I have done everything the Lord would have me do. I hope I get to stay one more transfer, but I know God is in control so I have faith and trust in him that his call will always be right where he needs me to be.

With lots of love,
Your sister missionary

P.S. I have been asked to sing for our mission wide christmas devotional on the 17th. Not only am I nervous but I dont have any songs. I can sing whatever song I want, It just can't have romantice lyrics to it. Let me know what you think I should sing and then if you can, send me the music or let me know where I can find it on line so I can print it off. I would like the song to be fun. I dont want to put people to sleep.

Happy Thanksgiving!!! November 27, 2010

2010-11-27T18:24:00.004-04:00

Happy Turkey Day!!!

First of all, I love my family!
It is true, this Thanksgiving was not the same without the family but I knew it would be different. But it still was fun. I woke up with the feeling of Christmas and was instantly excited for the day! We went out to breakfast at the nearest place that was open, which happened to be a stake-n-shake. We went with everyone in our area and district. Since we are all on bikes except for one it needed to be close. The bike rack was so full that we started chaining them to the stair railing. The food was ok, but the Christmas music playing in the background while I held my Hot Chocolate with whip cream was the best part! We had fun. Then we went home and got everything ready. The other sisters had their dinner appt. at 12 and ours wasn't until 3. So we went and hit up some apartment complexes and put Mormon. org on all the doors. It was really creepy walking through the streets. There is no one here. Everything is closed and there are no cars on the streets. We could lie down in the street and watch the lights change color and we would never be hit. (Don't worry mom, I didn't actually do it, but I thought about It. lol) It was actually nice to have peace and quiet. We woke up to bird's chirping and realized that the construction workers took a brake too. Our next door lot is building a strip mall. It can get kind of noisy. I was thankful for the quiet this weekend. It made me realize how blessed I am just to have ears to hear the birds and feet to walk the streets and eyes to see the leaves change, (which the trees are not as beautiful as Medford but they do just fine) and a voice to share the gospel and sing as many Christmas songs as I can remember. I love it.

At 3 we went to Brother Jason's home and spent Thanksgiving with his wife and 6 kids and there next door neighbors as well as a brother and sister from the branch. The food was so good. It was just like home. I was kind of sad not to see anything weird and southern but I was glad that all of it was eatable. lol There family is so cute! He is the institute director by the way and totally hysterical. He is my every day source of entertainment and his teachings of the modern day prophets class is always amazing. Just a fantastic man and his wife is beautiful and kids even more so. There family was so fun and they all sing like crazy. I really felt like I was home. We played all kinds of games and I taught them how to play signs. It was a blast. They do this tradition in their family where they have to think of what they are grateful for and then find a scripture to go with it. I picked 3 Nephi 18:21 "Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed." I told them about our tradition of what we do after family prayer, "good night sleep tight, the Pedersen's choose the right." I told them that I was so grateful that our family had made a habit of family prayer and how much it has brought our family close through the years. Even when we were so mad at each other we got over it through sticking our hand in and cheering our family on. It has become one of my favorite family traditions. I love my family!!! It was a great thanksgiving. Mom I bet your food was still amazing. I do have to say although there food was good; it's still not the food from home. I missed it.

I can't believe that it snowed there! I'm so jealous! Although it is getting very cold here, 71 degrees. lol. I think we might just get snow, even if I have to shave the ice myself and throw it up in the air for the effect; although by the time it gets to me, it might just be rain. I really love the weather. Not too hot and not too cold. The float looks so good! I would love to sing in it next year with you! Do we get the cute outfits too? I hope so. I know it would be a hassle but how fun!

No one is town so we decided to attack the campus with mormon.org cards, that way when people come back to school, it is everywhere! I'm so excited to see if it works. Pray that people will open there eyes.
I love you all so much! Thank you for all your prayers!

Love your sister missionary!
~huge Hugs and kisses~

P.S. Breanne and Elicia look so cute! I miss them. Any other pictures from thanksgiving? Did Christopher send any?

All I can do is Cry... November 20, 2010

2010-11-20T19:24:00.004-04:00

First of all, my love goes out to the Whitney's. I cried my eyes out as I read the e-mail you sent me. I'm at a complete loss for words; all I can do is cry. I'm so sorry that they have to go through this. I wish I could be there to console and support them but that is one of the reasons why I'm so thankful for the Gospel. We have the ward family to help support and help where ever needed. I think the reason why it hurts so bad is the fact that we are a family and I love them like my own. Please give them huge hugs and kisses for me. It really makes it more real. It makes what I teach everyday that much more important to share. I don't want to think about what it would be like to face that without the knowledge of God's plan for us. I know God loves each and every one of his children and will be there every step of the way if we but turn to him and give all we have then he will help us make it through. The atonement is real. I can say that more now than I ever could before. Jesus Christ is there waiting with open arms, waiting for us to run to him and take the comfort that he offers. I love the Whitney family so much and I pray that they find that comfort at this time.

Wow that letter kind of took it out of me. I'm really at a loss for words...

This week has been really fantastic. We have had a lot of success this week. We have received two referrals, our investigators are progressing and everything is going great. We even got permission to go to the Florida Gator game today!!!! It was crazy, the people here are crazy, but it was way fun and we sat with lots of the members that explained the crazy things they do and why, they also helped us learn how to sing the songs. lol It really has been a good week. I'm sorry this letter is going to be short but the library is closing. I'll send the president's letter to you tomorrow so that you can see the exciting week I had. I love you a lot and the whole family. I got BreAnne and Elicia's letters. I wrote Elicia a letter because I'm not allowed to write back anyone on e-mail but I want to send her a letter, but I forgot their address. lol I know silly me. So let me know what it is so I can write her. As well as the Whitney's. Thank you so much!!!

I love the family like crazy!!

Love your forever Sister Missionary

To a Better Week!! November 13, 2010

2010-11-13T15:20:00.002-04:00

Oh man. I don’t know why but this e-mail made me a little home sick. I think it's the holidays coming up that make me feel that way. I know what Shanna and Adam are feeling. I’m sad that they don’t get to make it for Thanksgiving but they get to start their own traditions and start their family things. It was awesome that you surprised them. Everyone says that coming home is just like you never left. I don’t think it will be like that for me. Everything is changing including my School. lol. Kenny driving? What? He is not allowed to grow up and no one else either. Wow life is crazy. Time really does fly. I only have 8 months left. That is if I don’t stay for the late transfer. I need to start praying about it because they buy the tickets 15 weeks in advance and I need to apply for it first. I don’t know what to do, but at the same time, what is 6 more weeks at home when you can have 6 more weeks on my mission? This will never happen again. I don’t know. We will see what the Lord has in store for me. A lot of things will change when I get home, maybe even my major or I’ll just go back for another one. We’ll see.

Anyways, being here has been a great experience. People are not so excited about listening to us. They know our faces now and don’t want to listen to anything we have to say, especially since the talk on gay rights and they are very liberal here. I just keep praying that we will find grandpa Henrion’s. The people we teach like Christopher said are sweet and they feel the spirit, but they are just not willing to do anything about it.

We taught Armando and Brunardo about the word of wisdom and the law of chastity and then a couple days before our next lesson they went to a rave and got smashed and then stayed up all the next night too so they could get there school projects done so they had to cancel our appointment so they could sleep. We talked to them about how if they would have kept their commitment that they wouldn't be feeling sick, there projects would have been done and done better than when they are high and they wouldn't have needed to cancel. They said they understand but really don’t see it, even when the consequences are before their eyes. I can't tell you how much it hurts to see people take what you have taught them and feel the spirit and then just completely disregard what they have felt and what you have taught them. You start to wonder if they are even listening but you know they are by their faces and the questions they ask. Satan is so tricky. He knows them just as much as God does and they can't see who they are choosing instead. It is so sad to see. But we hope to make progress on Sunday for church and if not then we might have to drop them. Our teaching pool is small but we have one, which I’m so grateful for. God has blessed us. I just hope they can see what is before them. I want them so much to have it. I know this is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that we have a loving Heavenly Father who sent his Son to save us so that we can return to him and that we can know if it is really possible by the spirit.

Mom I really have never been hit so many times with people telling me what I believe, or that because of what I believe I'm going to hell, or that the Christ I believe in is different and he can't save me nor does God love me for what I believe. Honestly, I sit and I listen to them and there is no love coming from their lips nor is there love in their eyes for the people that they are talking to. I have prayed and asked God if what I have believed my whole life has been a lie and I have never felt so alone and empty. This Gospel is true! The Book of Mormon is true and there is nothing and no one that can tell me different. Thomas s. Monson is the prophet and I have been called by God to preach the Gospel here at this time on this campus. I don’t know why or who I need to find but I have given up everything to find them. I love this missionary work and they call it work for a reason and man I know why. It is hard but if it weren't, I don’t know if it would ever be worth it. It is meant to be hard. We are meant to get stuck in the mud sometimes so that God can teach us how he is able to pull us out. I love you all so much!! Happy Holidays!!!

With so much love~

Your sister Missionary~

It's Beginning to Feel A Lot Like Christmas!!! 11-08-10

2010-11-11T14:12:00.002-04:00

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas......

I woke up this morning to a freezing cold apt. I like sleeping cold but this was ridiculous. So we checked to see how cold it was outside. 35 Degrees! Holy cow. I forgot that it gets this cold and it's supposed to get colder. So maybe I might get the feeling of thanksgiving and Christmas after all. We got a Christmas catalog the other day and it reminded me of home. It is during the Holidays the most that reminds me of home. We don't have a cd player so we have been singing Christmas songs like crazy. Sister Johnson thinks that I have been deprived as a child because I have never seen or listened to "forgotten Carols." The only song I have heard of is "homeless." But it's been fun. We also pulled out our sweats, long sleeves, jackets and hot chocolate just to make it really feel like winter.

This week has been really slow. My Companion has been sick all week. Her poor body just can't take it. We have been to the doctor before and went again this week and need to go back in a month for some more tests. So I have been doing a lot of reading and cleaning and helping her get better.

Friday was the best day. Although she was sore and still a little sick, after the doctors visit she felt much better. We got to go out and work. You really don't know how much you love it and miss it until you are stuck inside doing nothing. As a missionary you really just can't sit still. The mission makes you become A.D.D. It is a good thing because you become more productive than getting sucked into stupid things, but I do have to say I'm still not perfect at it. This Friday we also had a chance to get started and follow up on some member lessons and that is really picking up speed. We got new cards that members can fill out when we meet with them that kind of give them an idea of what they can be doing to help their friends receive the restored gospel. The end goal is to have a lesson in their home or their friends home but I can see that it is going to start off very small but once people feel the blessings and happiness and power they feel from sharing the gospel they won't be able to keep from sharing it. The single ward is a real blessing because they have many activities that they can invite their friends to as a starter to help them come to church. In Family wards there are not a whole lot of things that they can come to, to meet people except for church. So I'm grateful to be able to use that here in getting people involved with other members to show non-members that we are normal, fun people, and that there is something different that makes members shine. This singles branch is amazing. We are working with a member, Diana, who is preparing for her mission. She is amazing. She asked the bishop if she can speak in church so that she has an excuse to invite her friends to church. It really works too. The last time she did it 12 of her friends came to support her in her talk. Of course that was a year ago but we encouraged her to do it again or other things like it. She is in charge of some of the activities so it will be easy for her to invite like crazy, So we will see.

We also had another lesson with Armando and Brunardo. It wasn't what we hoped it to be because Brunardo wants to learn but Armando seems like he would accept it just because his friends do. It's difficult. We taught the law of chastity and word of wisdom and this lesson is always the make it or break it lesson. They said that they didn't know if they could follow that and it ended up being a long discussion but we left them with reading about faith and a strong testimony and blessings that will come from it if they will obey. They said they will pray about it before committing to it. We told them it's always good to pray about everything because God will give them an answer but they have to be willing to act on whatever the answer may be. They had a hard time with that but we will continue to follow up. I have really high hopes for them. I really pray that they will see the difference that it will make and really find a testimony of the things we are teaching. It's hard to give your heart to something and have it dashed but I am happy to do it knowing the way that it will change their lives.

I love being a missionary because of the look that people give you when they feel the spirit for the first time. You can see it in their eyes and there whole body language changes. That is one of the reasons why teaching the plan of salvation is my favorite, because if they didn't feel the spirit before (which they usually do, that's why you are teaching them), they really feel it then. That lesson brings so much peace and understanding and so much happiness in people's lives. Now if they only understand really what it takes to keep it. We can teach it and teach it but if they don't feel it for themselves, they will never make the proper changes to make it a part of their lives and become so that they can make those covenants of baptism. I want people to see it so bad but some just don't want to. It's the ones that are seeking that we are looking for. I strive everyday to find them. I love my Heavenly Father for sending me here and prompting me to serve. I truly will be forever changed because of it and I'm forever grateful!

I love you all so much and thank you for all your prayers and support!

Sorry this letter is short~ Hug Shanna and Adam for me!

With so much love!

Your Sister Missionary

Crazy, Crazy Week!! Nov. 1, 2010

2010-11-01T14:41:00.000-03:00

November 1, 2010

Holy Cow! Maybe you should skip e-mailing me more often; I had 7 e-mails in my box this time. It has been an hour and I am now just getting to write back.

This week has gone well. We had a sweet experience with a less active who is struggling with her testimony, her name is Tina. She is dating a member but they both were baptized around the same time as the other and now are both not coming to church anymore, but they both have become very hard to get a hold of, but we found the best time for them is during lunch. So we set up an appt. to go to lunch and "get to know them". One of the reasons why Tina fell away was because she felt she was pressured into baptism and that the church still pressures her, which makes her feel uncomfortable. So we are taking it easy. When the apt came around we found out that we accidentally scheduled there lunch apt over a meeting with one of our referrals. With Tina’s permission, we invited the referral, Janie to come eat with us. Janie brought a friend and Tina ended up coming alone because her boyfriend was out of town, so it ended up being a girl’s lunch. Janie asked all the right questions and by the end Tina had a few of her own. Come to find out Tina didn't really understand all of the lessons before she was baptized which is why she has been so apprehensive about coming back to church because she feels her testimony is not as strong as everyone else. It was a very sweet experience and if it were not for having the challenge to have a member at every lesson we would have rescheduled the apt with Janie or not invited her to lunch but we felt that Tina is a member and what better member to be there than someone who is struggling and needs the lessons again just as much as a new investigator. God truly guided us that day. It was amazing!

Well wow, I'll tell you why wow. This week has been CRAZY! I'm going to give you a play by play of how this last week has been.

Starting Saturday~ P-day, Stake Conference. It was all about being prepared. Last week on Sunday the Stake Presidency sent a letter to every ward and branch saying that that figuratively there has been a disaster and that they have to try to live off what they have right now. That means no shopping, or going out to eat (or for our branches case), no bumming off of parents. It was a challenge to see how prepared people really were. It really made people think about what they need to do and especially since there has been a big push to get a 72 hour kit and get all the food storage they can. I truly feel that this is so important. We never know what might happen. We need to be prepared so that we are not a burden to others but rather a help to those in need.

Then transfer calls. None of us are being transferred, we are all staying. I didn't know how everyone felt about that but apparently we didn't figure something out or we did and the Lord is ready to work with us now that we are all getting along. Whatever way I'm happy to be staying. I can to learn a lot here and from my companion. I love this ward and it's really starting to take off.

Sunday~ Stake Conference President and Sister Barry spoke. It was amazing. Of course they talked about member missionary work but he said that we are getting on board with the new 'Our Faith' with Mormon.org. It truly is inspired and we have seen a lot of success from it. We have three different referrals from it and they all brought there friends with them. It has been amazing!

Monday~ We find out that we even though we are not being transferred, that we are moving into a place closer to the institute and that has a washer and dryer!! Oh and on this day I realized how important dance is in my life. In past modern classes we have done what we call a tuck and roll several times, but I could never do them right. It was a summer salt onto your knees to stand. Well this particular morning I got onto my bike I realized my skirt was folded in the back where you could see my garments underneath so I stood up and pulled my skirt down and jerked my handle bars and before I knew it I slammed on my brakes and over my handle bars I went. Then a thought came to me, tuck and roll, before I knew it I was on my knees with my hands in the air yelling "I'm good". It was so awesome! I finally did it! Sister Cutler on the other hand who had crashed her bike and didn't have the same outcome as I did watched in horror. She looked more beat up than me. I told her I was fine which I was. I had a white jacket on and no dirt. I had one scratch and a bruised leg but I was perfect. I said, "I am really ok, let's go." She stopped me and through tears said you may be good but I'm going to need a minute. lol. I love her so much. She was so scared for me. We finally got back on our bikes and headed to our appt. which we missed because of the wreck, but shortly rescheduled.

Tuesday~ transfers and p-day (Sister Backer and Mitchell and Elder VanGendren and Parker leave) I cried my eyes out. They have taught me things that I will never forget. I love them so much! They did a really cool thing; they gave us all our own "plates" with our names on it and all our notes from past meetings and everything a new missionary would need to know. It was so cute. Then they had all the departing missionaries bare their testimonies. It was so amazing and it filled the room with so much Spirit and drive to do the work more earnestly knowing that it is only for a short time that we are here.

Wednesday~ tabling for 6 hours. We were a little sun burnt, but it was good. There was a preacher screaming on the other side of us, so that was weird and kind of took away from the Spirit, but next time we will try singing. More cleaning and packing.

Thursday~ Zone conference we talked about the true doctrine of Christ and how much we need to apply it to our investigators and everything we do. We need to use the atonement when we feel like we need to rest and then keep going. I loved it. We have new Zone leaders. Elder Toney and Johnson. I have served around both. Tony, in Jax 2nd and Johnson was my district leader in Orange Park. It will be amazing! We also have a new district leader, Elder Fetty. He is nice, but I don't know him very well, but I'll get to. Then we did tabling. (Tour of the new place. So small that it will only fit church mice, we are not church mice, but large women, except sister cutler)

Friday~ Get new beds to fit the apt because the beds we had didn't fit. New bikes because the elders took my our last ones. Second tour of apt and they are finally done painting. Crazy day of teaching lessons.

Saturday~ Other sisters have a baptism. One of the most spiritual baptisms ever! her name is Zilan and the most amazing prepared loveable girl. I was asked to sing "I know that my redeemer lives". I balled through the whole thing and couldn't sing, and so the congregation sang until I gained composure. I sang the last verse. It was awesome! Then we moved into our new place. Three people showed up to help and nothing will fit. Very funny. We have been holding our breath since we finished. If we breathe the place might explode. lol

Sunday~ sister cutler spoke and got so sick. Finished unpacking and moving furniture.

Monday~ Finally time to wash clothes, go shopping for food, and write e-mails.

So as you can see I didn't have time this week to get on and tell you what happened. Yes my P-day is still on Saturday. This week is just crazy. I'm glad you got my tape and package. Did all the kids get there letter? Did Grandma Henrion? She wrote me back! I loved hearing from both my grandmas. I got a letter back from grandma Pedersen too. I love them. I also got a letter from Elicia. Tell her I sent her a letter but mailed it to Rexburg thinking she would get it before she left, but I guess not. Maybe she can call them and have them send it to her. I wrote it in July. I'm sad she didn't get it.

This year's Halloween seems like you had so much fun. We didn't really get a Halloween but that's ok. We really couldn't have gone to the singles dance. lol that is just inappropriate. So we worked on Friday and Saturday and stayed in at night for Sunday. People are crazy here. It really does give people the excuse to wear nothing. So dumb. Halloween use to be such a fun, cute holiday. It still is as I can see from back home through the cute pictures you sent me but not here. Thank you for the package! It was perfect but you forgot a letter. I was thinking, lots of fun stuff but where is the love letter. lol Thank you family and mommy for sending it, after this weekend, I needed chocolate. Shanna looked so cute with Adam! I never thought of that. Sooooooo cute I love them so much! I miss them. You and dad were so cute too. I love the umbrella you added to it. So fun. Love it. Oh and yes the debit card would be nice to have. I didn't realize until I went to pay and I had nothing. lol oh well.

There are so many things that I want to say but I spent most of the time reading the e-mails. I love you all so much and I pray for you all individually every night. I love you. I hope you read my letters to all the family. Hug all the boys for me. I told each of the kids in their letters things they need to listen to or get that I think would be good for them, and that the whole family should listen to. Seriously find conversion of a Catholic and listen to it. Let me know if you can find it. It is amazing. I have said this many times, please try to find it and let me know when you do. It has changed my mission. Please don't put it off either. I pray for the Coffman's always and tell them I got their letters and that I will write them soon. I love you all. Shanna your letters is coming, I've been crazy I know. Love you forever! xoxoxoxoxoxxo

~Your Sister Missionary

Amazing Week!! October 23, 2010

2010-10-24T17:26:00.002-03:00

Although there are no letters this week from my dear family I decided to write you anyways. I'm sure you thought my p-day was on Tuesday so I don't get one this week, but I do. In fact I get one today, Tuesday and Saturday. That's just because Tuesday will be spent moving into the new place, if I'm still here. I don't know where I will go or if I go until tonight. I really want to stay. I had an overpowering feeling of how much I have learned here. I want to stay here to help these people. I have come to understand how to teach people here more than anywhere else. I trust that the Lord will put me where people need me the most and where it is better for me to be. Oh by the way, my half way mark is on Wednesday. Crazy huh? I have been out for nine months. Wow times flies when you're having fun.

I hope that you got my package that I sent home. Dad I hope the shirt fits. I know you have gotten skinny but I didn't know how skinny. And Mom I got your letter. You know what is so crazy? The Book of Mormon that you gave her that I filled out, I have been trying to look for forever. I have only filled out one like that and I did it when I was a beehive. I was going to give it to Hannah burns but got too scared and didn't end up giving one to her until graduation night, but that one was not written in. It can be so nerve racking to share what you love with someone because they might reject what you treasure so much. I feel that a lot on my mission. But I have also met a lot of people who if nothing more thank me for sharing something that I'm so passionate and believe in so much. The seeds need to be planted somehow, even when it seems weird. Mom I'm so proud of you! If I was home and not have had the experiences that I have had I don't know if I could have done it. But I get my courage from my parents who taught me never to be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon that I wrote so many years ago God hid from me so that at that moment when you needed strength the most it was there. We are never alone in this great work that we are a part of. God is ever mindful of what we need at the moment, even when we don't know what we need. I love you so much. Thank you for sharing that with me. It makes me really see how much going on a mission has blessed the family. I can truly say to anyone that is afraid to leave there family behind for a mission, that many blessings are in store for their family, more blessings than if they were to stay home. Oh man I love my mission! I have never felt more so now during this transfer.

This week has been amazing! We have been teaching this guy name Alex who is a very spiritual guy. We met him while tracting and had a very good first lesson with him but we still didn't know where he was at. He believes a lot of different things but is very in tune with the spirit most of the time. He came to church and really felt the spirit, which he said surprised him because he has never been to a church that feels like that. He doesn't believe in organized religion. But he feels he is one with the creator that gives him strength to do all things through love. He has studied in Bolivia and India and he has studied with the monks and the Dalai Lama. He is very smart but still a baby as to the knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ because he believes there is no sin and that everyone is perfect the way God made them. So there is no need for a savior. We would have dropped him by now but there is something different about Alex that I just can't explain. Every once in awhile you will meet people who you just know need the gospel and you can see it in them. It forces you to try harder and be more patient and hold on longer. That is Alex, the one that seem like they will be eternal investigators but join sometime in their life. His case is different because he loves so much that nothing can go wrong because anything wrong (or a sin) is really an opportunity to change and become so much more so really nothing is ever bad. It really challenged us in teaching him.

We also had an appointment with this Christian fraternity that we thought was just a house. They seemed very interested so we went back. When we went back they were more interested in teaching us than in being taught. I finally gave up and took this opportunity to listen to what they had to say. It ended up being a scripture war in who is right and who is wrong. I hated it!!!! There was no spirit there. It was like they took my spirit and put it through a meat grinder. Among others things they believe that still don't make sense to me they said that we are not all children of God. That hurt me the worst. But I told them that I would pray and asked them to pray about it as well. I knelt down in my closet with tear filled eyes pleading to my Heavenly Father for understanding. I have been so conflicted as to what is truth and why it is. I hate one someone says "prove it". I can't show them how I feel but only can tell them and show them what we believe but that isn't enough. At the end of my Prayer I didn't get a distinct answer but I felt comforted that I could find out and understand as I continued to pray.

Through both of these people and many others that we have taught I wanted to understand what they believe. It is important to know where they are at so that we can better teach them. I finally took a white board and went crazy. I put down everything they know and I put down what atheist believe and what that might feel like and I drew out everything to try and understand. My companion was just sitting behind me, she had no idea what was going on but It had to come out on paper. Mom you know I'm visual, so after all of that, I realized how sad and empty I felt with all of that on the white board.

For a moment I felt how It would truly feel to be in there shoes. In my heart I had so many questions that just didn't seem answered. Then I filled in the gaps with what I know and added the plan of salvation. I cannot tell you how much that impacted me. I realized at that moment that we have it all. We really do. I may not understand everything about it. But we have the missing pieces. The spirit bore testimony to me at that moment of the truthfulness of the Gospel and taught me how I can teach from where they are and build to where I am.

I felt so wonderful! I no longer felt sad, lonely and just empty. Sister Cutler said that she felt the emptiness too as we sat there looking at the board with all the missing pieces. I'm happy to have the Gospel in my life! It truly fills me! Prayers are answered. Not always right away, but they are answered. I love my heavenly father so much and I know that I am a child of God. No one can ever tell me other wise and I'm here so that people may know that and we have changed ever more because of it.

We are still teaching Alex and dropped the Baptist boys. We figured out that Alex just needs more explanation. But he believes most of it. There are two young men that we are teaching Bernardo and Armando. They are amazing and if not for the experience that I had during this past week, I would have not known the difference that there lesson could make for them. I don't have time to write it all but I'm sending what sister cutler wrote about it:

We got a referral from some Elder's who had received the referral, but when they realized that he was single and younger they turned him over to us cuz we're over the Single's ward here. So we started teaching him, it's cool cuz he called in for a Book of Mormon cuz his friend that he's known for a long time went on a mission, so he got a little curious. We called him and set up a time to go and he ended up having his friend there. Our first lesson with them went alright, I thought. But when we went back yesterday they both said that the last meeting went really well. So they got something out of it that I didn't realize so that was good. So when we were there yesterday they kept asking us so many question that were truly inspired one of the questions they asked us was what our favorite part of our mission was and so we both told them stories about how we saw the Book of Mormon change people's lives. By the end of our stories one of the guys said wow I would read that book. It was amazing! Then every question after that was inspired that just led to the nest topic, we never needed to lead the lesson they did it all on their own. There was only one time that I had to step in and interrupt and it was cuz we hadn't prayed yet. But after that it just flowed so well. We even brought a member with us and they found out that the friend of his went on his mission was in fact someone they both knew, it was crazy. The thing is that we knew we needed to bring a member with us but we had an hour to find one so we started looking through the availability list of the ward members and I came across a few that I thought we could call but as soon as I got to Tatiana, I told Sis Pedersen to call her, totally forgetting that she didn't have a car. But it all worked out the way it was supposed to. By the end Bernardo, he's the one with a friend on a mission, asked if he could say the prayer. It was so sweet and sincere; he even asked that Heavenly Father forgive him of his sins.

It is so humbling to hear someone pray for their first time.

It was the most amazing experience. These guys need the Gospel and are so ready to receive it. I love this work!!!!

I love you all so much and I'll tell you Tuesday where I'm going or if I'm staying. Love you all!

xoxoxoxox~

Your sister Missionary

My Promised Land.... October 16, 2010

2010-10-19T03:07:00.001-03:00

So first of all, don't worry, we are on bikes and we are being safe. We almost always walk home together, all four of us. Our new apartment is even smaller than the one we have now and we still have 1 bathroom but we have a washer and dryer! and it is 5min. walking distance from the institute. It is cute from what I can see through the windows. lol it is a two story house but we live down stairs and someone else lives upstairs. It's a girl, don't worry. It should be a fun place to stay that is if I don't get transferred. It's funny cause it doesn't matter who is getting transferred we all have to pack and then pack the apt. to move. lol Our transfers are no longer on Thursdays but are now on Mondays (everyone else's p-day) so that everyone who wants to comes to transfers can. It will be weird to see how that happens being that our p-days are on Saturday. But I think I like it this way because that way everyone can get together and see the people who are new coming in and people that are going home and we all can be enlightened by hearing President and Sister Barry speak. Plus it takes less time away from the week and gives people time to unpack.

Sister Baker my last companion and Sister Mitchell my read headed companion and Elder Vangenderen my first district leader, are all going home!!!!! I'm so sad! This is the first set of missionaries that are going home that I have personally served with, Lame. But I'm excited to be able to see them before they leave. I have loved serving with them.

Everything is going so much better here. All four of us sat down and talked out our differences and really it all came down to pride. It is so stupid how much we let our pride get a hold of us. After watching a video on pride by Elder Uchtdorf, given to us by the AP's, It really was apparent how I stopped loving and caring like I should and how I let my pride and what I wanted get in the way. I was so blinded by what everyone else's problems were that I didn't take the time to see what was wrong with me. I fasted and prayed so hard for things to change and to see where I was wrong and then fix it. It is so amazing to see the drastic change in the feeling in our apt. and with the four of us. We have seen a lot of success this past week. It has been amazing. We are finding how to better work with members in this singles branch and we are starting to figure out who we can call on to help us.

It is so amazing to me how every time that I have had a problem and have gone to the Lord in prayer It seems that I still do not find direction right away, but then I humble myself and fast for it and really center my heart and focus, and that is when I began to find what I need. It may not always be the answer I was looking for, but my heart is filled with his love and tremendous gratitude for everything He has done for me and I can't help but be so happy, and that in and of itself makes a difference. It pulls me through and gives me strength to go on until that answer comes.

I don't know if I'll be transferred in two weeks or if I'll get to keep Sister Cutler, but I do know that God continues to have a plan for me and he gives me the strength and the mind set to accomplish everything that he has asked me to do. In Nephi he talks about going back to get the plates, and makes the statement, "For I know God giveth no commandment unto the children of men save he shall prepare a way for them to accomplish it." So I didn't quote it perfectly but it's close.

It was so crazy, every time I read through the Book of Mormon, I am reminded of an experience that I had after my engagement was broke off and I read and finished The Book of Mormon on my own without assignment or without family for the first time in my life. I spent a lot of time in the scriptures going through that hard time and I came across a lot of scriptures that really helped me to see how much God loved me and How much he had provided for me. I was reading at the part in the Book of Mormon when Lehi and his family had reached the Promised Land and after Lehi had died and Nephi became the prophet and the people appointed him to be a ruler over them. We know of course that Laban and Lemuel became more wicked again and sought to take away Nephi's life. So they are forced to leave there promised land however God promises them that he will provide for them another promise land.

At that point in my life I felt that those scriptures directly spoke to me and I took comfort that I would be provided for and that I could find someone to love again. It wasn't until a couple days ago that I found out what kind of Promise land God had in store for me. I have been on my mission almost 9 months and never really understood why God wanted me to come out here but yet I have loved and have been blessed forever for following the spirit to come.

It was after having a huge argument with all of us girls trying to sit down on Monday and fix whatever was going on. It didn't quite do the trick. I was really coming to wonder why I was sent here, because I knew it wasn't for this. Elder Preze Our new AP whom I served with before he was an AP was talking about attitude in our district meeting on Tuesday. We talked about the attitudes of Laban, sariah, and Nephi and the attitude we must all have. When someone said, "But Elder Preze It's easy for you because your in Orange Park, the promise land, right?" He laughed and said, "no Elder, we are all in the Promised Land, we are on our missions, set apart to do his work, how promised can you get?" It shocked me to the core. I was in the Promised Land that God had made for me. I have wanted to be married since I can remember, and when that didn't happen it was like my promise land was stolen from me and I was being asked to leave. It hurt but through the scriptures I found that I could find another promise land and that God was providing (Him) for me. Little did I know God was not preparing me for my promise land but for His, which is far greater than I could have ever imagined. I was called to come and so I did follow with exact obedience not knowing why. I have struggled through this transfer wondering the same thing I had wondered three years ago. Why? When God said to me, "because I have prepared this promise land for you, I have promised you one, and so I sent you here."
Coming on a mission was not what I expected or ever thought I would do, but Elder Preze was right. This is God's promise land, his working field of missionaries, how much more promised can you get. I am supposed to be here. I have been called here not by chance but by appointment. I love this work with all of my heart. I truly am in the promise land because it is God's land and as long as I am following him, on my mission or when I return home I will continue to be in that promise land. So again whatever may happen next transfer, God will always provided a way.

I love this work!! We have some people we are working with but no one super solid yet. We are seeing a lot of referrals coming our way so it makes me feel like I'm doing something right, although I have a lot to change. I'll let you know by next week which ones become solid. I don't share a lot of names because the turnaround rate is very high here. People drop us like hot cakes. No one is too fond of giving up there party life, but there are some who are sick of it. We like to target those people who are the few and far between.

I love you all so much! Sorry about the bad address.
Love you all!

Till next week, I'll be praying for you~

~Love Your Sister Missionary~

Counting My Blessings!! October 9, 2010

2010-10-12T19:18:00.001-03:00

Well our p-day is back to normal. This week went by really fast because we had p-day on Monday and now today is our p-day again so we had a day taken out of our week but I think Heavenly Father knew what he was doing. This week, no matter how short it was, was a stressful one. Living with another companionship can create a lot of drama that really is not necessary. This week was drama driven and I hated it! It makes me realize how much hold Satan can have on us when we get mad or frustrated and how much one companionship or person out of the four of us can affect the whole bunch. It really creates a void in the apartment and a bad spirit that can last for days, as it has done this week. It seems that I'm being tried and tested on every hand with every sister in the apartment, even sticking up for another causes contention. It just has been a very hard hectic week because you cannot teach without the spirit and nor would I ever try. It is the same thing in the home one person brakes the chain and ruins the day. Needless to say extra prayer on behalf of my roommates and companion would be amazing. I just want to do the work. It gets hard when all you hear is negativity all day long, no matter how positive I am or how much I try to change the subject or let it roll off, it starts to break down my spirit and I give into frustration. Even bringing up that I don't like it causes more drama because people just will not let go of their pride. Pride ruins everything and gets you know where!

I'm really starting to understand what it means to FIND joy in the journey. My prayers have becomes less of a plea for help and more of gratitude for the things that I do have and love. I have listened to the motabs version of "You'll fall asleep counting your blessings." I love that song for many reasons but it helps me to get through the hard times when things are tough to realize and know how truly blessed I am. Now I say it every transfer that this one I think I'm going to grow the most, but it is true and I do grow in many different ways and this transfer will be no different from the rest. I hope to get a lot of laughing in this transfer and a lot less tears, unless they are tears of great joy.

The missionary life here is a little different. It's like we have our own little world down here and we don't have the same schedule as everyone else. The branch is doing much better and a lot more helpful. We decided the best way to do some kind of service is to bake cookies and bring to them with the new pass along cards. The plan was to also teach them a lesson about teaching friends through using the new website mormon.org, and have them put up a profile.

So we only have bikes and people live so far away, so we got going early and put dots on a map to find them and took off, all three of us. We biked almost 7 miles and no one was home. lol It was a very crazy day but we are going to finish our list since we didn't get it done, it takes a bit longer on a bike but it was way fun even though sister Johnson's bike is going crazy and sister cutlers chain keeps coming off. In fact on our way home sister Cutler was trying to go up this huge hill to our apartment and we usually try to go fast so that it's done before we know are legs are burning when all of the sudden sister Cutlers chain came off and flung her with her bike sliding on the pavement into a parked car. Luckily she didn't break anything. We were all freaking out asking what was hurt and she wasn't talking so I helped her up asking the same question and through tears and laughing she said "my pride." lol it was a scary but funny moment. Don't worry I'm very safe on my boy bike. It was a crazy day. Sister Cutler scraped her left arm really bad along with a huge bruise on the side of her upper leg and her ankle is swollen and cut up pretty bad. We had to ice it and wrap it up. It has slowed our work down a bit because she needed to rest and recover but we are still working hard. We still ride our bikes even though our buns are bruised from the bike ride. I was so sore. lol man it told me how out of shape I am and how I need to work harder. This place is up hill both ways. lol literally~ SO this week has been crazy and stressful but full of hope and faith for the next week and this upcoming Sunday.

Our teaching pool has become a zero because they all dropped us this week but we have some referrals from pass along cards and salt lake as well as from the ward so next week should be full of excitement. Plus Yogi, who is from china, dropped us because we are girls and he didn't want to start over but we called him the other day and he said he tried to stop by the institute to see us and it was locked and he wants to meet us. So I took it as one more of Gods little blessings that I can count before I go to bed. I really do love this place and seek everyday for inspiration on how to talk to the students who are very smart by the way, but the spirit is smart still, so I don't worry, but most people don't believe in God nor do they care what we have to say. I can't tell you how many times I've heard someone say after we tell them our message, "I drink too much for that." I tell them that they shouldn't drink at all and they say "what is the fun in that." so I'm continuing to learn what to say as directed by the spirit.

I love you all so much! I'm so excited that Kenny is doing so well in school with his straight A's and don't worry, I wrote Kellin, Daniel and McKenna a letter. Hopefully it helps. I love everyone and give them a kiss and huge hug for me!

Till next week, ~ I'll be (writing) seeing you

~Love, Your Sister Missionary~

General Conference was Awesome!! Oct 4, 2010

2010-10-04T17:07:00.002-03:00

It cracks me up every time I read Christopher's letters. He has already changed so much! lol I love him to death! Imagine Kenny going there next? That would be amazing.

Conference really made me think of the things I will limit or do with my children. There were so many talks I just loved! They seemed more bold this time than ever before. Maybe because I'm on a mission and being out here I have come to understand further the importance of God's plan.

On Saturday we were able to go to the Barry's home for both sessions of conference. Then in the break we had lunch and training about our experience and how we see the mission as sisters. We finally have our new dress code! I'm sending it to you in the package because you say you never know what to get for me. (Christmas is coming up ;) Really we have become sloppy as a mission as to what we wear as sisters. We have been wearing normal shirts and really anything we wanted that was modest because it wasn't really given what we were to wear. But that got cleaned up really fast on Saturday. I have gained a little weight so when he said not to wear tight clothes I kind of had a meltdown about my weight because everything is tight. Stupid boys don't ever gain a thing. But I have made a resolution to lose weight because I don't have money to buy more clothes. If so, I would need to go to D.I. because so many girls here give away things that are not stylish that we as missionaries wear. So shopping at D.I. here will be like shopping at murices. Anyways, it was an amazing time with just all sisters. We took pictures and had a blast~

Christopher seems to be able to write a book but I never seem to so I have my president's letter that I will send with this. This is some insight as to what I received while listening to Conference.

President Berry~

Thank you so much for letting us come to your home for General Conference. The food was great and it was nice to see the rest of the sisters all together. It was even better to be there and experience a home away from home. I really felt the spirit there and to top it off getting to hear from the Prophet, Apostles and other General Authorities speak and then receive more training from sister Berry. It was the spiritual over load of the best kind. It was a fantastic weekend all together. Thank you again.

I have really prayed and fasted about what is to be done in this area and how we can change it. For me I was looking for some kind of program to put forth or activity that might get it going, when I received my answer it came to be something of a shock to me. In response to all my worries with my companion and sisters I’m working with, to the branch and the branch president the answer was so simple and yet spoke volumes. Love them. Serve them. Thank them. Complement them. In this world of hustle and bustle especially here in Gatorville, how often do you see people really take the time to show that they care? I have yet to see it. Nor do I hear thank you’s, sincere complements, service, pure appreciation, love or respect for one another. I may be too hard on those around me but really I’m not speaking of them, but of myself. How often do I take time to show my appreciation for people in all that they do? Not very often.

With the exception of hearing from the Prophet I look forward to hearing from Elder Jeffery R. Holland every General Conference. He speaks with such conviction and passion. His testimony is so pure and strong I find it hard not to be touched by every word that he says. I was surprised to hear that most of his talk consisted of thanking everyone for their dedicated service in the church. It showed to be a great example for what I should have been doing. It struck a cord with me when he spoke of the old woman who said that she was only a helper. I cannot tell you how many "helpers" I have had help me on my mission that I will be eternally grateful for. I guess you could also call them the seed planters. But because of their little words that they found so insignificant, one of God's children was baptized and on the path to eternal life. I think about how many people are not thanked for their efforts, no matter how small or great they are. Do they know how much they are appreciated? It would break my heart to ever find someone that thought their role in this life was not important because of only the small things they've done to help. I hope that no helper would stop doing the small things, because with the small things, great things can come to pass. I know of many people who have stop doing those small things because no one seems to notice. How sad is that, that no one took the time to say one word of thanks.

When Elder Holland finished his talk a quote came to mind. "Complements strengthen the heart and put fire in the bones." That is so true. When people are being complemented or thanked for all there good efforts, you only want to go out and do more because it made you feel good. I believe if I incorporated this into everything that I'm doing, I would find that not only will I remain positive and keep that enthusiasm going but I feel that others will be drawn to the gopsel to be taught, or if a member, will continue in wanting to help. I want to live gratitude. When you live the life of gratitude, miracles follow. “Refuse to remain in a negative attitude but have the attitude of gratitude.” President Monson. (His talk was so amazing too! In fact I think I mixed the two talks together but they work hand in hand.)

There are so many other things that I’ve learned but I would take up way too much memory in your computer. I do want to thank you for everything that you do and for being completely genuine in your manner toward me and everyone around you. It makes it so much easier to come to you with any question and want to work harder in everything I do. So thank you again.

Until next week
~Sister Pedersen

I loved conference so much! It taught me so much more than just that, but I don't have a lot of time today. I hope all is well at home and that all the kids are doing good. How did you like conference? It answered all my prayers. I cannot tell you the peace that I found through listening to the many talks, it was interesting how they even mentioned text messaging and video games. Amen to that! Someone was blunt and said it. I think all parents around the world gave a hallelujah chorus. Through the years it's amazing to me how more and more blunt and specific they have to be for people to listen. I think they also talked a lot about listening to the prophet. Like it was said, a living prophet is more important than a dead one. People will keep the Ten Commandments but they just can't give up there coffee. No wonder with so many people deciding what is best for them and not listening that the prophet, Apostles and general authorities would testify so boldly about the true and living prophet today, Thomas S. Monson. I had a hard time at first with the sustaining of a new prophet after President Hinckley But the more I listen to the words of President Monson and the more I pray about it, the more the spirit tells me and the stronger my testimony becomes that he is a prophet of God. I don't know what it was about this time at conference but I could see it in his eyes when he spoke. I gained such a great respect and love for him that filled my whole heart every time he spoke. It was hard for me to keep from crying. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God. I know it! The spirit testifies to me every time he speaks. I also know that prayers are answered if we but ask, listen and wait for the answer acting in faith until that sure knowledge comes through the Holy Ghost. The waiting and the acting is the hard part but I know that through that course in time, Heavenly Father is preparing us for the answer, whenever it may come.

I love you all so much! Give everyone a big hug and kiss for me, Love you all!

Your sister missionary~
Love you!

Go Gators!!! September 25, 2010

2010-09-26T17:15:00.003-03:00

Go Gators!!!!! (I actually saw one in a swamp on campus)

Oh my goodness! So many things to answer back and I hope I can do it all in time. This letter can go out to everyone because I only have time to write one since I want to write Christopher too. First, it is so weird to read my name so many times in a letter. Lol I'm guessing that is a good thing. Man I hope I'm not weird when i get home. lol

This area is crazy! It is unlike anywhere that I have served in my mission. This is my fifth area and my 7th companion! well seeing as how I had sister Cutler in the MTC already it could only be 6th but I'm counting her again because three weeks in the MTC is not enough to really get to know someone. She is still so cute and amazing as before. She has changed since the MTC. She is less loud more patient and loving. She and sister Liku were in a three-sum together and they did not get along so well so I was really nervous before we got here, but through a lot of trials within our first week we have all clung to each other for strength. Our apartment consists of all the sisters who are the most stubborn, impatient and vibrant personalities. We have been white washed here without a car, no laundry room, and one bathroom with members that don't trust the missionaries and with area books and information sheets not filled out. We are really left with nothing. I think God is trying to teach us all something. There is a lot for all of us to learn and one big thing is to love and not get irritated. We have come up with a new saying in our apt. or when ever a thing seems to not go our way or we get stressed. PMA. Positive Mental Attitude. Lol I love it so much! When we get upset, we hold hands (humble yourself) close our eyes and say PMA and breath. lol it's mostly sister Johnson who starts the circle but it works. I have also added a quote to the transfer, "We are going to be doing a lot of laughing this transfer." We decided we are going to laugh it off and move on. Things never get better when you sit, pout and cry; you laugh when you trip or fall, shake it off and keep going. We have done alot of that so far this transfer. It's going to be so good. Now we just need to pass it on to the ward.

When we went to church on Sunday it was not the best ward welcome. The ward is very clicky and I felt like i was back in high school. I never thought I would have to deal with this until i was home but maybe God is preparing and showing me how to fix that here so i won't have to deal with that issue at home.

We got uninvited to FHE for a start and our class is kind of cancelled for church. We sat in the hallway with no one saying hello except for about 4 people that we had previously met; way too much drama already for my spirit to handle. I do not like it at all. This is God's church and he does not like clicks, drama, or any kind of childish things like that. There is not segregation. So we decided to fix that with love!!! It will be a little difficult seeing as how we are in a singles branch but if we have to stay up all night baking cookies or heart attack everyone's door so that they feel loved, we will. We are thinking of good missionary activities so we can still be involved and show them how hard working we are by going out and doing work and bringing them to church.

The tracting here is very different. President Berry asked us to go by the spirit of planning and let tracting be the very last thing we do in trying to find people. Really that is no problem here because all we do is contact. We walk people to class, or we interrupt them while they are eating, studying or talking with friends. It is so sweet! It is a very different approach here too. We have to become friends with them and sit and shoot the breeze with them before we can talk about God but we use what we have learned about their life to better help us understand how the Gospel can help them. It's called teaching to the one. I like it. It's harder but better. It requires asking lots of inspired question driven by the Holy Ghost. Talk about being in tune with the spirit. I would not know what to say without the spirit guiding me. There are not any restrictions for tracting or contacting here so it's all free game, which is really nice but we have to make sure we are not pushing people or causing a huge commotion or the students will complain and we won't be able to contact on campus anymore. So the approach is soft. We set up appointments to either meet them at their apt. or at the institute building which is about a mile from campus. We have an office there which is nice because once we leave the apartment; we can't go back because it's two miles away. (Don't worry we are very safe and we are going to start to very our route home so that we don't make patterns) We teach guys just like we teach girls except a guy needs another female inside for us to come inside or else we teach outside on the porch or front door step. I guess the only restriction that we have is from our mission president, that we don't tract dorms, sororities or a fraternity's cause they can be crazy! We don't contact on game nights and we try to have an appointment on weekends at night so we are off the streets and then all four of us walk home together. (We are safe)

The Elders here did a good job of cleaning the apartment but when a woman cleans something and a man cleans something it is very different. So needless to say we have cleaned it again. lol. Our zone leaders are taking care of us so we will be getting bikes next week, so that will be a new experience in itself but God will help me... PMA. Oh and because we don't have a washer and dryer and the ones down stairs are way too expensive, we have been washing our clothes in our bathtub and hanging them outside to dry. I totally have a new appreciation for the pioneers and anyone that has to hand wash anything, but it's been a blast!

Oh we also do a thing called tabling that helps us attract people as well; we stand at a table with a sign that says who we are and what we represent and then people come and talk to us or they ignore us, (which is most of the case) but we are getting better at pulling people in to talk to us. It's definitely different here but I love it. We recently just started handing out the church website to students because it's the best way to get their attention because they are always on the computer.

This area is going to be a challenge just as all my areas have been but maybe the most challenging because I felt I just came from where they are, but I know as I stay strictly obedient and do all that I'm asked to do and follow the spirit, God will strengthen and direct me in this area. This is going to be a blast. I'm learning a lot already and finding many weaknesses that I know God wants me to change.

President said once that I seemed to be an Elder magnet and to be aware of my surroundings and what I say in order to help the Elders stay on track. I have been doing my very best and the President in my last interview last week said that I'm doing very well and can see a difference in the way that I now act. It made me feel good to know that he could see a difference. I hope that people in the ward will see that same difference and be able to recognize that we are not those kinds of sisters but that we are here to work hard and to build up the kingdom of God. I'm so Happy that God sent us here and trusts us to make this area work and to build it up, I'm excited for the challenges that will help change me inside and out. Some of the toughest critics for missionaries are returned missionaries and we sure have a lot of them around here, so I know they will be watching with a close eye.

I always keep the family in my prayers and love you all sooo much! Dad the package did not get sent off because I got transferred and now I don't have a car to get to the post office so it will be late but better late than never! Love you all so much!

Your sister missionary

Please give all the kids tons of hugs and kisses for me. Really do it, not just tell them. muah!!!

University of Florida!! September 18, 2010

2010-09-20T18:03:00.003-03:00

Oh my gosh I have so much to tell you! But I don't have time to tell you everything so I'm just going to attach my president's letter and hope you love it. I now have p-days on Saturdays, well at least for this transfer. I'm now in Gainesville Fl and I'm on campus at the University of Florida in the singles ward with my MTC comp. sister Cutler! (The U of F has a 2000 acre campus and over 50,00 students making it one of the largest universities in the nation) We are with another set of sisters as well; sister Johnson my trainer and sister liku from Tonga. We are the first sister missionaries in the mission and at least in the last 4 years that will be on foot without any car for anything! We have no washer or dryer and we have one bathroom for four girls! Wow, can you say crazy! I'm so excited for this transfer! Also the singles ward has never had all four girls before, ever! So we are the first ones. They haven't seen a baptism in over a year so we are going to change that as well as the LA. We are getting everyone to come back to church and bring their friends. It is so crazy! The package for Dad's b-day is coming this week and there will be more info. Sorry for short letter love you!!!!

Dear President Berry~

I don't know what happened last week but it shows that I didn't write you a letter. I'm sorry if it didn't make it to you but I assure you that I did write one, it just didn't make it there for some reason. I'm really sorry for the confusion.

So far I'm loving it here! It will be a great stretch for me and will push me to what the Lord knows that I can do. I'm excited for the challenge and this great experience to grow. My companion now, Sister Cutler was my MTC companion and it will be very fun to see how we have grown and the different things that we want to change. I'm so excited to serve with her. We will hit our half way point together. I never thought that I would serve with her but I think God is reminding me of the Goals that I set in the MTC and the many things that I wanted to change when I first came out. There are a lot of things that I could have done better in my last companionship's and we talked about a lot of things that we can change during weekly planning yesterday. We have set some great goals and things that will help us change, not merely make it through because this mission is so much more than just passing the time. I completely agree with memorizing scriptures. It will be something that will not only keep my mind focused on the work but it will help my memorization skills and help me to remember my daily contacts and names and other numerous things. I'm excited for the challenge.

This campus is amazing. Having gone to college myself I am reminded of what it was like and it gives me a new perspective on how much I struggled through trying to find out who I was and what I really wanted out of my life. It helped me so much. I was so blessed to be going to a BYU school in Idaho at the time, so I was constantly surrounded by good influences and people who pushed me to be better, not to mention parents and siblings that were looking out for my best interest.

We went tabling the other day, which was completely a whole new experience in and of itself, but as I stood there and watched the students walk by so caught up in their phones, activities, sororities, and friends, I couldn't help but want to grab each of them and ask them, "do you know? Do you know who you are, and where you come from? Do you understand the love that your Father in heaven has for you? You do understand how much of an important role he plays in your life? You do have time for him, don't push God away." It breaks my heart to talk to so many college students that say, "I just don't have time for that right now." What do you mean you don't have time? It is so hard to see that from my point of view; they can't afford not to have time for him. I know my background is very different. They have yet to discover it, and there will be those that do seek to know, but yet, know not where to find it. And that is when God will put us in their path.

This is a whole new ball game and I have plenty of people to practice on. There will never be a day that we tract all day and can't find anyone to teach because no one will answer their door, for when class get's out, there is over four hundred people at any given time to tract down. I love it! It won't be easy, but anything easy is never worth it.

I have a couple questions about how we are to report our numbers since we report them to you on a Saturday. Do we go from Saturday to Saturday or do we just do Mon.-sat. and then you get all the reports on Sunday from the zone leaders? If that could be clarified that would be great. I'm sure it might be answered by the time district meeting comes around but just in case.

The zone conference was amazing. Thank you so much. I was truly inspired in the things that I need to change and make better right now. God truly is shaping me through the work and when I'm obedient to it and I forget myself and go to work not only am I so much happier and see many miracles but when looking back at those experiences, I see how I have changed for the better.

Transferred Again September 13, 2010

2010-09-14T20:51:00.001-03:00

I'm so sorry your sick. I hope you feel better and I hope you heal really soon. I hope this story makes you feel better~

Going to the temple this weekend happened to be the funniest experience of my mission. Eddie is a recent convert of a year and has been preparing for a year to go through the temple and take out his endowments. We were all so excited for him. He is totally faithful and is a very fun outspoken man so everyone knows him. He is in our ward so we asked the mission president if we might go with him for support. President said it would be a fantastic idea and that my last comp. sister Waddoups could come too.(because she was the last one here and she was with him for three transfers.) I was so excited! So a ward member sister Willis and her daughter plus a wonderful Spanish woman Emma, (I can't pronounce her last name so I just call her by her first name) plus my two companions sister baker and curly, and sister Waddoups and her comp sister Christianson were all riding in the same car. It was so fun to be all together in their suburban talking and laughing when all of the sudden the back seat starts to shake like crazy! We find out the tire is flat. So we pull off the road to a gas station.

The Orlando temple is almost a three hour drive and we left at 11:30 hoping to get there by 2:30 before the session started at 3. It was 1 and we still had an hour drive ahead of us. So we fist try and fix it ourselves. Really how hard could it be? We had all changed a tire or seen it done at one time or another. So we get all the stuff out and find a wrench looking thing to drop the spare from under the car, well someone decided that the rubber piece was meant to go inside of the hole to help crank it down, wrong! That part needed to be thrown away so the plastic is stuck in there with no way to drop the tire. So picture this; 8 woman dressed in there Sunday best underneath the car hitting the tire with whatever we can find to get it to drop. (don't worry if you can't picture it, I have pictures) That doesn't work so we call a couple of friends to help get it going. One showed up and he was in his 70's. then after much prayer two mechanics happen to pull up to get gas and fix our problem within a matter of min. (man Shanna aren't you lucky you married Adam?) by this time we have sweated off most our make-up in the 90 degree weather and it is 2 o'clock. We won't make it to the temple in time but we can at least wait outside when he gets out. So we clean ourselves off and pass around the powder and perfume and other amazing things in sister Christensen Mary Poppins bag and we head off on our way.

The temple is beautiful! I have had the privilege to go twice in my mission but my comps have not. It was such a good experience. It's amazing what sitting on just the outside of the temple will do to your spirit. I love it! We got to go through the book store and get some things from the distribution center that some of us needed. Then Eddie came out. He was so excited he could hardly stand it. He loved it. He said that even though we couldn't make it, it meant more to him that we would come anyway just to see him when he got out. He is an amazing man. (He goes back next week to do all the work for his wife that passed away) After pictures we went to Mimi's cafe (the one in Utah that you love). The best food ever! I forgot to mention that Eddies escorts were the bishop Ross and first counselor brother Lafontaine. We had a blast and the best conversation over dinner about the ward and how we can strengthen it. So amazing.

By that time it was 7 and time to head home. About an hour into our drive home the back seat starts to shake again! and pow! Out goes the tire only this time the tire traction completely ripped off. We had two more hours before we would get home. After about an hour or two of trying to figure out what to do we came to the conclusion that we had to all fit in bishop's truck while the Willis stayed at a hotel.

Side note, everyone thinks that because we are missionaries we have some sort of magical power that makes things better or that our prayers mean more or that we don't have any problems.

So needless to say all the sisters spent the next two hours sitting in the back of a pickup truck on i95. It was so fun! The best time ever! We got home at about midnight and completely tired. But we were safe. I guess God protects his missionaries after all.

That is my fun story. I have got to go but I love you so much.
love your Sister Missionary!

Dad,

I haven't gotten them yet but that sounds amazing! I'm so excited for the notes. I love hearing your insights on what you learned. I'm excited to get them! Oh man! Elder Pierson from the 70 is coming here to talk with each individual zone and has asked us to write a three to five min talk and be prepared to give it if called on. Plus we have to memorize a song and a scripture and a quote handed off to us, all within this one week. He comes Thursday for orange park but I'm getting transferred again and I don't know where I'm going so I don't know when he'll come to my zone. I'll just have to wait and see. I'm upset to be transferred because i really like this ward a lot!!! I'm going to miss it so much! I wanted to stay at least two more transfers but I guess God needs me somewhere else, so "I'll go where you want me to go dear Lord."

Tell the Elders i say hi back, if you ever get the chance to. What an amazing experience! I'm jealous but I guess I had Elder Nelson so I can't complain at all! but I know what an amazing experience it must have been. You're so lucky to have gone!

I love you so much!!! I have really gained an appreciation for you out here on my mission and how much I love and admire you and how lucky I am to have you as my Daddy. I love love love you!!!!

Love your little girl who is now your BIG sister missionary~

~the ward really needs to stop feeding us. lol~

My Dear family! August 30, 2010

2010-08-30T16:01:00.005-03:00

My Dear family!

Can I say that I love Christopher!!!! He is a Stud!! All of my brothers are. I'm so happy that everyone is doing so well. Yes I got Daniels picture. It was amazing! It's up on my wall with McKenna's drawings. It was so good. I can't believe he can draw that well and he is in a musical!!! Oh my Gosh! So Stinkin Cute! Kellin in football? Holy Cow~ everyone is going to be so big when I get back! Wow you only have four kids at home crazy. (oh, side note, I want to do EFY the summer that I come home. I was just thinking about that today. That would be so fun! But you have to have paper work turned in by the fall.. So I was wondering if you could look into that for me because I can't. Thank you! Maybe in Idaho or Utah)

I loved the package! OH my gosh I taped me opening that package. It was so amazing! My companions had made it an amazing day for me by decorating the entire apt., thanks to the Coffman's it was amazing! I love it so much and I got to listen to the family sing happy birthday! While I was eating crepes! Then the Elders surprised me and took me out to eat lunch while wearing hats and blowing on noise makers. Then the office called and sang me happy birthday. I just felt special all day long. It was just so amazing and you did not crash and burn on clothes last time. I wear them all the time. I just said they were a little long. Some of them are just too hot to wear right now so I'll have to wait but they are cute. I'm sorry if I made you feel like you failed in that department, you didn't.

But the package made me cry! I loved it so much. The book was probably the best present that you could have ever given me. It was so amazing! I loved it so much! Thank you!!!!! I loved all the other stuff too. I can't believe the work that must have taken for everyone to write in it.
I gave a talk on Sunday about testimonies so it was totally amazing to get that and then use it to empower me in my talk and in this work. I loved it!!!!!

Not much has gone on this week investigator wise. One of the guys in our district went home because it was too hard and it about killed me! I thought of Jason and I lost it. There was so many things that I wanted to say to him and all I could do was cry. He apologized for not being a good missionary and I told him he was a good missionary and that we needed him. Satan has really worked hard on him and he has only been out almost two transfers. I hated it and I hate Satan!!! If he can just help people to forget who they are, they lose this great battle that we are fighting. When he told us he was leaving it felt like someone died. I was so sorry for him and that he couldn't see how much God needs him here. I don't want any of the boys ever thinking that they can come out on a mission knowing if it gets too hard that they can come home. That is not ok. This work is not about them but it's much more than that and goes above and beyond anything that they can comprehend. He left on Tuesday and his comp was transferred out. Then he called us on Saturday to say goodbye before his plane took off. We all took turns pleading that he stay and baring our testimonies of how much God needs him personally and how no one can take his place. (mean while since he left we had to take over that area along with ours and it was stressful, but we were seeing so many miracles in their area. we wanted him to experience them. so that made us sad.) On Sunday morning however we were a little late getting to church because we had to drive clear to the end of our area to try and get a gator to church (He wasn't home :( ) When we pulled up to the church there stood the elders. He didn't go home!!!! He changed his mind at the very last min. after talking to his comp from the MTC. I don't know what his MTC comp said but I was thankful for the Inspiration God gave him to get him to stay. I was so excited I could have peed my pants!! He said he is still taking it a day at a time but i don't care, he made the decision to stay and that is a start. We'll work with that. I hope he sees how great this work is and catches a glimpse of why he is needed here. We listened to a talk called "conversion of a catholic" with him. (The family needs to hear it; it was a talk that changed the way I looked at my mission.) I hoped it helped.

If anything this experience taught me how much I Love my Heavenly Father for sending me here. This work is so important and when God calls an Elder or a Sister to serve in whatever mission, he doesn't call them just because they need missionaries in that part of the world. God matches up there personalities, talents and experiences to match those that they will teach and bring unto the fold of God. God calls you~ I cannot express how important missionaries our in this great work. If God calls you, go. I guess I found that out the hard way by not listening the first time I knew I needed to go but I will forever be grateful for listening to that sweet spirit and finally making that decision. It has forever changed my life. I don't know who I'm suppose to find but I know I have been sent here to this place right now at this time to find them. I love my Savior with everything that I have and will give it all to know him. It is because of my love for the Savior that I'm here and obedience to God that I have stayed and pushed through, and nothing and no one can take away from the experiences that I have had and learned from and the people that I have met that have changed me for the good. I know that they were all heaven sent. I will forever be grateful for this opportunity to serve.

I love you all so very much and am so thankful to be a part of our family. I really believe we chose each other and as I have gone through many experiences I see why. My family is my rock and my best friends. I don't know what I can do without you. I love you all so much. till next week.

With so much love!
Your sister Pedersen

President Berry~

This week has been good all things considering. Sister Baker was sick a lot this week so it made it a little harder but I’m glad that she is doing better and got the rest that she needed. The member work is going good and our ward mission leader is helping a lot with getting the members going on the mission work.

This Sunday all three of us had the opportunity to give a talk on missionary work and how much the members play a role in this great effort to build up God's kingdom. Sister Curly talked about the first vision, restoration and why that makes this church so different. Then I gave a talk on finding your own testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel and becoming a light that will motivate you in sharing the gospel. Then Sister Baker taught about how their homes can become gospel sharing homes and what they can do to share the gospel. It was so nice to be able to bare testimony to the members of the ward about how important they are to us and how great this work is.

The third hour consisted of Relief Society and Priesthood, both English and Spanish. Bishop Ross taught about the spirituality of our ward and how it has sort of diminished and what we can do to build it back up. I really think these helped members to share their feelings. I think this Sunday was a very good step for the ward in bringing them back. It was a very nice bonding experience for everyone.

Our teaching pool is still small and we are working to build it up as much as we can but people seemed to be very flaky and they don’t keep their commitments. We go through a lot of people every week in order to find the elect and we are still on a search. But I have faith that God will provide as long as I’m doing everything that I can and am listening to the spirit.

My studies this week have been mostly review from Preach my Gospel but I love it more and more each time I read. I love reading the scriptures and doing the activities, although it takes a lot longer than skimming I’m really enjoying it. It makes my testimony grow every time I read the Bible because it completely backs up the Book of Mormon. I don’t know how people can say that it doesn't. It just makes me realize that people don’t read there bible as much as they say they do or else they would realize that this is God church. There is no other church that comes close to what Jesus Christ has set up when he was on the earth and we know that because of the Bible. It just amazes me. I love this Gospel so much and am thankful everyday that I get to share my testimony with everyone that I see because I know that what we teach is the truth. This is God's church and we do have a prophet, President Monson and he is called of God. The Book of Mormon is scripture and it blesses my life everyday that I read from it. I'm so thankful that God has called me here so that I could be a part of this wonderful work in sharing the gospel. I would have never chosen it for myself but I’m glad that God know best and is control of my life. I have truly been blessed by following the spirit and this mission is perhaps one of the greatest blessings of them all.

Until next week~
Sister Pedersen

Happy Happy Birthday!!! August 23, 2010

2010-08-23T15:19:00.003-03:00

I adore Christopher!!!!!! Oh my Gosh it is so crazy! The time is flying. I'll hit my half way point on September 27. Wait, ya oh my gosh! That can't be right! This is way weird and I'm turning 22. ahhhhh!

Mom you always know just what to say to make my week. I love hearing from you! Christopher is so right, writing the family and getting letters from you and the family is really a highlight. It's so funny seeing it from an "Elders" perspective. How fun that you get to see it from both sides at the same time but at different stages. SO fun!

Thank you for the information about Jeremy. I was so worried but I'm so excited that there getting married in the temple!!!!!! That has really made my week, but if you talk to him tell him I want an invitation if he can spare one and a letter telling me how it happened and how he proposed and the whole shubang. I just hate missing out on things like this so, that would help.. lol
This is a letter that I wrote to the president this week and last week's letter hasn't come back yet but oh well.

President Berry~

This week has gone very well. Although our Sunday wasn't as fruitful as we would have hoped, our member work is going very well. We are finding that if we start out soft but spiritually strong we have a lot more members willing to work with us because they see that we are not going to pounce on them.

We have had two dinner appointments this week that really helped us get into their homes. We received one referral from a younger couple in our ward and they were super excited to help. Unfortunately the wife has to work so they couldn't make it but I felt that we gained a trust in going over and following up right away. This may be a slower start but what a blessing it has already been to work with the members.

Our ward mission leader is fantastic! He is doing all he can to help and he really is pushing everyone else to get moving and help in this work of building up the kingdom of God. When we start with helping their testimony to grow and bring them to Christ they can't help but bring everyone they love with them. I know that this is kind of a "Duh" moment but I guess it just clicked this week with me. I know that there is a lot of kinks to work out but I can feel that change already and am excited for the change in our ward and in our mission and definitely in me. I love this work!

My companions could not be any better for me. We have had a little more of a time crunch because there is three of us and because we are girls and talk quite a bit we are working that through but wondering if maybe we could have a half hour more of companionship study in order for all of us to have a turn to share our ideas and concerns and what we have learned. If not that's ok, we'll figure something out.

Until next week~
Sister Pedersen~

Life is going good here in Jacksonville Florida and I'm loving every min. of it and trying to hold on to the time. Sister Baker has two months left, sister Curly has less than 8 months left and I have 11 months.

I have this picture in my head of our companionship. We are in this canoe going down this river and it is really calm and quiet and then we see the rapids coming up and were going down and having a blast when we see up ahead that there is this huge drop off coming up and I'm in the front rowing like crazy trying to get to it, sister curly is sitting in the middle uneasy holding on to the sides of the canoe trying to keep herself calm and sister Baker is faced the other direction screaming for her life trying to paddle with her arms and seeing that it's making no difference because it's all coming up way too fast. It's like that with your mission. In the beginning you start off by just getting use to the water (the mission) and the feel of your life jacket (skirt and tag) and your making your way through using your paddles to really start moving (scriptures PMG, Doctrine) then come the rapids and your getting the hang of it and having a blast and just plowing through it all (first 6 months) Then you come to a halt where you see that nothing is really ahead and you relax and you have time to take in the scenery and start to really see where you're at and what needs to be fixed or improved (next 6 months) then you see more rapids coming up and you ride them and have a fun cause now you know what you're doing and it's more fun now than ever before but all of the sudden you see a drop off and you realize your going way to fast to stop or turn around and then you find yourself screaming for your life, paddling backwards in hopes you can delay just a bit longer (last 6 months) but before you know it, you're dead. (Metaphorically speaking of course) lol It's so true! Thought you would enjoy that lol.

Well I love you all and thank you ahead of time for the package Shanna said you sent. I love it!!!! ;) I don't know what is in it, but I love it!

Love your Sister Pedersen!

I love my companions!! August 16, 2010

2010-08-18T02:32:00.004-03:00

So are teaching pool is still really small but with the three of us working together I'm hoping it will triple. We have some investigators that will be potentially sweet. I'm hoping for a lot more. We are working a lot with members and although it is slower that I'm use to, I'm loving it. Our members are amazing and I'm so surprised about how many I didn't know and still don't know because they are in different classes. It makes it hard to get to know the members when the only chance you have to get to know them is through relief society, in sacrament meeting you don't get to know people because everyone come 20 min. late. no joke and then we teach gospel principles and only new members or our gators come to that so relief society is our saving grace but even then we only have about 1/4 of the woman there. Dinners are helping a lot with that and the elders are helping us to get to know the brethren in the ward, so it's a slow process that is going to take off and fly! I'm excited for when i get to see that day. We help out with ward activities like the pioneers activity last Saturday was a blast, A woman in our ward made us all costumes and I felt like I was in Nauvoo again. I loved it. We had a program that we did and me and another elder played/ read a part in someone's life story to explain what they went through. It was so neat. (I don't think I have ever said that word before. The mission is making me weird. lol)

I love my companions! We are working together really well and have come to find that the people who have a hard time in a three companionship is because they don't know how to let things go. One things that i am having a hard time with is giving both of them the attention and love and time that they deserve. I'm finding it hard not favoring one more than the other but i know once i do that is where the tension will start. I do love both of them; I just get along more with one than the other. We laugh all the time. That is the key to this companionship. Laugh, have fun, be a duck, set goals, and work as a team with everyone pulling each others and their own weight. This transfer is going to be so good. I'm so excited! I have so much to learn from both of them! They have both been out way long. Sister Baker has only one more transfer after this one before she goes home and sister curly (who we call curls) has been out a year. I can learn so much from them. I am already learning a lot. Sister Baker is always so positive and sister curly studies the scriptures more than any comp I have had. They are both so amazing. I'm going to try and send you pictures but they say they don't work here so sorry if it doesn't work.

Oh and where is Christopher's letter? I guess you'll have to send me two next week. Oh and guess who's birthday is coming up...... mine!! Crazy! Just think I'll be home for my next birthday_ that's weird but I'm going to be 22!!! That is strange... I'm getting old.....er. lol I love you all so much!

Until next letter~ love you

Love your sister missionary

P.S. the quote was perfect you always know what to send me, thank you!

Crazy Week!!! August 9, 2010

2010-08-10T17:06:00.002-03:00

So we are doing letters later today because we decided to take a nap. Talk about a crazy week and an emotional rollercoaster! My comp gets transferred, I get put into a three sum, one of my past zone leaders becomes AP! (Which I totally called by the way) I see MASON!, My Mission President comes to speak at our ward and comes to our missionary meeting and I have to teach last min. and president and his wife decide to join. All in one week~ so I'm kind of tired. Oh and all of our teaching pool has been dropped.. lol need I say… CRAZY!!~

Thank you so much for everyone's letters. I will write to Christopher and Angelina but I didn't get a letter from Nicole. I was going to ask you about her by the way.
Seeing Mason was insane!!!!! It took everything in me not to hug him and jump up and down screaming like a little girl. (I did that inside before he came to the door.. lol) I haven't had a super good week either and it put back into perspective for me that I don't want to be the same when I get home. It's so funny because God knows what I need and where most missionaries would get trunky (or depressed) from seeing a best friend from home, It fired me up to go out and do more work. It made me realize that I don't have much time left and that I'm not ready to go back home and further more when I do go back home, I will NOT be the same. (I also might be a little fatter now that people can feed us. Hope you still love me when I get back.. lol)

It was so funny because I was sitting on the couch at my ward mission leaders home (mark Harrington) and his wife who reminds me of Rachael, (makes me feel at home) was sitting and chatting with us mentioning that she met someone who knew me. We continued talking and I was introducing my new comps. Waiting for Brother Harrington to get home so that we could go over the people we are teaching. When Stephanie was like "crap, can I use your phone I have to call a guy that is suppose to come over and cancel our appt. now that your here" I said ok and then she's like wait your phone can't call long distance can it. I said no and then she was like "well we could wait for mark to get home so I can call him because I left my phone at my mom's" I said ok then she says " oh crap he's already here, then I see a BMW pull up and I was like, "wait, who knows me?" She said this guy selling living scriptures or something." Inside my head I'm thinking long distance phone call, BMW and he knows me? Then she says like a Mason or something? I was like WHAT!? I stood up freaking out to get his last name. She was like " his card says mason grow?" I was like "you have got to be kidding me and I screamed like a little girl jumping up and down. While everyone else is saying, "what is going on" I run outside and there is mason with his little duffle bag and his BMW with the biggest grin on his face. He was like "what are you doing here?" I told him he was in my area, "What are you doing here?" It took everything not to hug him but instead I shook his hand and said "I'm a missionary" lol~ that is all I could say. It was the weirdest thing. He was like I know! Weird!~ It was so cool to see him! I gave him a bunch of names of people in the wards with kids he could sell to. I hope it works. So that was one adventure.

Prior to this happening, the day before I was called to be the senior comp of a three sum. I was so worried because the last three sum sisters here crashed and burned. I had a feeling who my comps would be in the first place and I knew I would be in a three sum so I had three days to prepare my mind for it. It is actually awesome! It is like one big slumber party. My new comps are both from Utah and one is Sister Baker who came out with Sister Mitchell, so needless to say she will probably die here and she is awesome; Very friendly and outgoing, my next comp is Sister Curly. She is a little more reserved. She likes to keep to herself but once I get her talking we're good. Her family works on a bee farm so she is obsessed with honey. I actually knew and served with her before. She was in my 1st district in Kingsland. So I was nervous but it's going to be good.

This week again has been slow but we are going to pick up the pace with member work and get that going. It's been hard to battle that lion because I went from just all tracting to member work and that takes some readjusting. I love the members and we have to start slow but it will build. I think it is slow because we need to build back up the faith and trust in the members. We have to start with member as small as getting them to read in their home first before we can implement a plan of missionary work. I have a feeling that I'm going to be planting a lot a seeds the rest of my mission but I hope and pray to harvest a lot too. It's all in Gods timing and determinate on my work ethic, faith and prayers. I have a goal and I will accomplish it. I will baptize a family to the temple. I know that that can and will happen. I want to see all of my investigators go through the temple. That would be so amazing! I love this work. I echo what Christopher said; this work is a miracle, everything is. I love it!

Thank you so much for the letters mom and dad you have no idea how much the things you sent me just this week were an answer to my prayers. I love you both so much and I would not be here right now if it were not for your guidance to find who I needed to be. I love you both so much and the entire family! Tell the family and G-mas that I love them and give both grandparents a hug and a kiss from me, and tell grandma p that I got her letters and will write back soon~

With love and so many prayers~

Love your sister missionary
Sister Pedersen

A Dog!!! August 1, 2010

2010-08-02T14:52:00.001-03:00

Oh man you can't let mom get rid of the dog! I was going to buy one when I got home and now I don’t have to! Dogs are everywhere here and I love it! It makes me want one more and more. Please mom let the dog stay!!!! The boys need a dog. I have been saying this for years have I not? And the next door neighbor killed mine so we have to have another one plus the boys will have the responsibility and give them something to do. Oh man and he is inside! I LOVE IT Mom we have to keep him! I love him already!

Ok so I’m staying in Orange Park but my companion is being transferred! I don’t know what I’m going to do. I still don’t know the area and I might be put into a three sum. The last three sum we had the girls killed each other seriously! It was really bad so I’m hoping everything will be just fine and it will end up being one big slumber party. My companion that I have now Is the one that was in a three sum so maybe I’ll get some advice from her. I have to do a lot of damage control with her because she has been torn from the last transfer and the ones before but she is all good now. Way more outgoing and talkative and all I did was love her. Love is really the key to everything!

This week has probably been one of my hardest weeks. It has been really crazy and we don’t have a teaching pool anymore because we had to drop them all because they are all lame. It makes me really sad because Marc was suppose to get baptized this Sunday and then dropped off the face of the earth. We can't get a hold of him ever. We stopped by 4 times on Sunday and called and left messages and nothing! Oh man. He is ready though so if anyone talks to him or if God wants us to go back we will because he needs this so much! It just makes me sad. Oh well. So last week was weird but this week will be so much better. I just know it and then I’ll write and tell you who my new companion or companions are. It is going to be so good.

We went to the beach today for our p-day and it was so amazing! I wanted to swim in it because it is so warm but I’m ok with just getting my feet wet. We watched the sun come up. We left really early in the morning to see it and don’t worry we got permission to go and a member to drive us so it was a blast. Then we went out to breakfast and Elder Izatt who leaves on Wednesday paid for all our districts breakfast because he has like $200 dollars on his pross card. He is really sweet. I'm going to miss him. Oh and everyone else is staying here with me, Oh but elder Carty who is one of my favorites (he's Spanish speaking) he just found out he was being transferred today, I guess they are still readjusting the Spanish. This next transfer will be interesting. We shall see.

I miss dancing a lot! I danced a little on the beach today with my comp. but it wasn't the same. When i get home I’m going to go crazy with dance. lol I can't believe they came to Medford! Oh man that would have been so amazing! I'm glad you took grandma. Then she can see what I do. It's weird the things you miss when you are out here. The smell of home, clean good fresh tasting water, hugs, dancing, music and my loud, crazy family. I love you all so much! Thank you for all you support and prayers. I'm still loving it here in Florida!

Your sister missionary~
Sister Pedersen

July 26, 2010

2010-07-26T23:53:00.000-03:00

Ok Ok enough of that~ This week has not been super exciting. We have been working with members and doing a lot of less-active work. I'm still trying to figure out how to do that because our mission used to be anti-member work because the members thought we were going to fast so we left them out all together unless they were willing to go the speed that we were going. Now that we have a new President we are working ourselves back into the wards. This is going to be amazing and we will baptise a lot this way but I feel awkward. I have never once used members in our missionary work before where I have served, but we are starting now and this is the perfect ward to do it in. This ward is amazing and we have strong members, not a lot seeing as how over half the ward is less active but the ones that have stayed are tuff as nails and they will be a great asset to this work. I'm excited for the challege and look forward to the time where it will be a natural flow to work with the members. I got a call from the assistants this morning and usually when they call you it is not a good thing or they want to go on a trade or see what is wrong with you, so I kind of freaked out, but on the other end was Elder Maxwell congratulating me and my comp. on baptizing. Orange Park has not seen baptisms since I think January or February. I was so shocked. Sister Waddups who has become one of my favorites and I sat on the bed with the silliest smiles on our faces. He asked me how I did it and honestly I don’t know because I didn’t do anything. I got up on time, we get out and stay out and work till it's time to come home. Elder Maxwell seemed shocked. I think he was expecting a better answer or a method that I used. I told him "prayer, faith and work." lol he said, “huh, well congrats keep doing good things.” lol. Oh man I love the Lord with all my heart and truly I had nothing to do with it, it was all in the lords timing, I just had a new outlook because I have never been here plus with faith in the Lord, anything and everything is possible. I love this work with all my heart and I'm sorry this is short but this week is the last week before we get transfer calls so we will see if I’m safe or not. We might have a baptism this weekend so pray for Marc so he'll get baptized; he needs it so badly. So next week’s letter will either be really exciting or really depressing lol. Either way it will be good. Love this work!!!!!

Love you so much!!!!!!

Love your sister missionary

Success!!! July 19, 2010

2010-07-19T15:50:00.002-03:00

Mom I love you so much. You have no idea how much that has made my day. The baptisms went through and they were beautiful. Alice wasn't going to go through with it because her son was in bad health but through a lot of prayer and love she did. Vincent was so cute, he had to be dunked 4 times but he was laughing the whole time. I guess it takes four times to wash all those sins away. Lol, he is so cute. He put his hands on his head when they went to confirm him. lol he doesn't speak much English so that is how we would show him what receiving the holy ghost would be like and then when he sat in the chair he put his hands on his head and said, ok I'm ready. lol so cute!!! They explained to him and I recorded the blessing and it was amazing. Just beautiful and everything he needed to hear. He was promised a job if he continued to do what was right. The person giving the blessing didn't know he didn't have a job. It was so amazing! God truly knows his children.
Alice Cried through her entire baptism and she loved it. I love her so much. She said that she was so happy that she did it. They were both small baptisms but the spirit filled every empty seat. They were beautiful. I'm so blessed to be a missionary.

Kenny I love you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I thought about you a lot today; this morning actually. I can't wait till I come home and have time to spend with just you and me and teach you everything I have learned before you go out on your mission. You have no idea how proud I am of you. I love you more than life itself. You have been preparing for EFF and I know you will find amazing experiences there.

I had a horrible dream that my mission had ended and that the entire family came to pick me up here and we went out to eat at a restaurant. The waitress asked me what the special occasion was and i said, "well I'm a missionary from the...." and as I went to point at my name tag (like I usually do to explain the church, my name tag was not there.) Then I explained to her, "well I used to be a missionary." The worst feeling sunk into my soul and for a moment I felt what it will be like not to be a missionary anymore. In the dream I started to cry and Dad held me and you leaned on me and told the waitress to bring some waters. I did not like that dream at all!!!!! I love being a missionary and I cannot waste a moment of it! I don't ever want to stop being a missionary and I'm so glad that I have a year left but at the same time so few moments. I love it here! Tell everyone and there dog that I love them and hug and kiss the kids and Dad for me.
~love your sister missionary~

Dear Dad July 12, 2010

2010-07-12T15:18:00.002-03:00

Dad,
So mom didn't write this week but I'm thinking it's because she had a really hard time with Christopher being gone. I had to stop myself from laughing out loud in the library about you crying in toy story 3. I'm still laughing but that's probably because i know how much the family is going to miss him and how hard it will be without him, but I also know that he didn't die... lol. He will be the best missionary that I can think of. He is already ten thousand steps further than any of the other guys. He is so mature for his age and he truly wants to be there and serve God. I know that he is having a hard time and is staying positive and with that attitude he will accomplish so many things, and God will bless him for that. I love him so much. He will be just Fine and I'll be home in a year and before you know it Christopher will be home and Kenny will be off and the cycle continues. lol. It's a Good cycle. Now we just need to prepare Kenny.

So my comps name is Maren Waddoups and she is from Washington. She is opening up a lot. I found that the reason why she was super quiet at first is because she had a lot of comps that kind of pushed her over and never let her talk or be herself and they yelled at her! They were stupid. So we are getting a long great. She is so stinkin cute. We are working a lot on her talking louder so that people can hear her but as far as everything else.. She is an amazing teacher and knows what to say and how to teach. She just needs to have more confidence in that.

So usually when I don't write home about the people I'm teaching it's because were not teaching anyone. :(. But I'm happy to say that I do have people to talk about!! First of all his name is Vincent Dorcent and he is 58 and he is from Haiti and speaks Haitian, So we met him once and taught him a bit and then decided not to go back because he didn't seem interested but then when we were tracting an apt. complex when we ran into some young boys who said they wanted to change and be baptized but they didn't live there so we went to teach them at the address they gave us and what do you know, It was Vincent's home. The boys were his nephews but the man that answered their door was there grandpa who only speaks Haitian so he went and got the boy's father that lived there and we taught him but he wasn't interested so we told him that we would come later to talk to the boys. When we came back we met the oldest brother who then got Vincent for us to talk to. Oh man and then when we were talking to Vincent and another boy came out I hadn't met. It was like a zoo! I asked Vincent (who was the only one interested in the gospel at that point) who else lived there and he said that his dad, brother and his four nephews lived there. So it's just a house of men. So we teach Vincent outside...

Vincent has had all the lessons already and is getting baptized next Sunday on the 18! We wanted to drop him but God had other plans. Oh and the only reason why we talked to Vincent in the first place was because we were doing less active work and a LA lived next door but it looked like they had moved so we went next door to ask if the neighbors knew anything about it, and the neighbor happened to be Vincent. He came to church yesterday and he said over and over, "I feel good, this feels like home." It was so amazing! He is so cute. Oh and I forgot to tell you the best part. He speaks French really well and my comp knows pretty good French so he speaks in broken English with French mixed and he reads the book of Mormon in French while I follow along in English and my comp follows along in French. It is so sweet!!! I like him so much and he loves the gospel. He always says "I feel good." "I want to go straight, straight to Jesus." In his broken English.

We also have a woman in her late 60's early 70's that we are teaching named Alice Kort. Her husband died about a year and a half ago and her son is a member and lives with her. He's in his 30's and his name is Chris. They had been teaching her before I got here but the first time I met her I told her she needed to be baptized because she knew it was true, but they had already asked her before and she got scared because that meant she had to give up her church where she and her husband went and that was really hard for her. She prayed about it and she said that God told her that she needed to stay at her church. I explained to her that she needed to keep praying because God wouldn't give her such a good feeling when coming to church with us (she has come to church 4-5 times and loves it.) and feel like she needed to be baptized and then have God tell her that she needed to stay with her church. So she says she would pray but didn't want lessons anymore.
Well we had promised her a long time ago that we would do service for her and you know me, I'm not going to break my promise so we showed up at her door and told her "we are here for service, where do you want us?" her face was priceless, but she started to laugh and put us to work. She has a lot of health problems as well as her son so they need a lot of help. So we helped out and then they made us dinner. It was awesome. While I was helping her make dinner she looks at me and says, "you know what I've been thinking...., I've been thinking about being baptized." It was so sweet. God directs us all the time in everything we do. God does work mighty miracles. We gave her a large print Book of Mormon and she can't put it down and she set her own baptismal date and she will be getting baptized on the 18th too, well probably on Saturday the 17th because of building problems but it is amazing!

So many miracles! God truly does prepare people and if you just believe and do the work, God will guide you in everything that you should do, God is amazing and I can feel his love for his children every time that I or my comp teaches. I love the plan of salvation because that is the purpose to life and gives the Atonement so much meaning and understanding because without the atonement, nothing happens. I love this Gospel so much with my whole heart and I don't want to do anything else! I love it! Any place, comp, ward, bishop, anywhere works. It's not anything else but you and if you figure that out and put God first and just stop worrying, God will show you the way. God always comes first and everything else falls into place. It was hard for me to believe that for awhile without anything happening but once I stopped trying to fix things and just went and trusted, everything clicked into place.

The Berry's are here and they are amazing! President Berry is like bishop Shumway in Ashland, but a little less funny and crazy but just really fun and loving. Sister Berry said she has only seen him get mad once in all the time that they have been married. That is good because we can be really irritating sometimes. She is amazing! She taught us half the time and then president Berry taught us the other half. They are both such good teachers and so humble. I love them a lot. They just fit this mission. Love them!

So the bishopric in my ward is amazing and totally crazy! They are all loud and kinda out there. It would be like having you, Shumway, Bennion and Dunn. So much fun and they let us baptize and do waterside confirmations which are a huge blessing for missionaries. My ward is sweet! We have about 5 handicap children in our ward so everyone is so humble and nice and just loving. They are patient and giving. I just love them. Their hearts are soft and willing to serve. I kind of had a bad attitude when I first came out here and I take it all back. I love it here. I now see why God wanted me here and what he needs me to learn from these people and their amazing families!

Ok sorry for the book but a lot needed to be said and you and Mom needed a pick me up so there it is. I'm doing fantastic and love mission life! So amazing!
I love you both so much! I'll be praying for you.. lol ;)
Love, your sister Pedersen

Letter to Christopher July 7, 2010

2010-07-07T15:10:00.002-03:00

Christopher!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I Love and adore you!!!

Number 1 advice Stop worrying! Worry is fear; fear is not of God and will get you nowhere. When you worry you allow Satan to come into your decisions. Don't let him. Talk yourself out of it. Tell yourself your fine and you will be. You've been on a plane before, compare it to that instead of leaving your family behind. Think you're on vacation. The MTC is just EFY on drugs. It's so amazing! You will love it. Don't worry about the mission field. You'll figure it out when you get there and every mission field is different so you can never prepare for it. Just experience the MTC. Mission life is amazing and you will love every minute of it, even the hard parts because you look back and you can see the change that has happened because of that hard time. Change is good and it's about time.
Say your goodbyes ahead of time so you get like 5 in before you leave and the finale goodbye is not so bad. You will get home sick a bit. I really have not been home sick since I have left but that because you still get to e-mail and you're with people all the time. You're never alone. You don't have to do this by yourself. Talk to your comp. He feels the same way. Be a leader with a humble heart willing to learn from the most humble of missionaries. I'm learning that the quiet ones are the most God like. Learn to love your comp. You're with this one for a very long time so deal with him. Even if he is not your favorite and he's kind of a slacker or goober, learn to like him and learn from him. Never put yourself above your comp. That is when you lose all that God has in store for you to learn. There is no music in the MTC so listen to church music a lot before you leave, if not you will have to delete your songs in your head as soon as they come and then you have nothing, but if you have church music you can listen to it inside your head and even sing it and not feel bad. You'll understand when you get there. Ummm~ Take notes and look at them daily. Notes taken, re-read and applied is a lesson learned from your Father in heaven directly for you.
I love you so much! I can't tell you how happy I am for you. If you have time to stop and think of home enough to get home sick, you're not using your time wisely. Dive into the language. Stand out and volunteer first. I know that's normally not like you but that is what God expects of you. You will learn faster that way. God knows your heart and all of your worries. If you look for his little mercies, you will find them. I don't have enough time to write you AHHHHH! But I love you so much. I'll be right next to you all along the way. You're not alone. I'll write you all the time! I love you! I can't wait to hear from you. This is not Goodbye but until next week. Love you!
~Your sister missionary~
You're so amazing! Don't fear but have faith! Ether 12

Re: I love you!!‏ June 27, 2010

2010-06-28T17:13:00.002-03:00

Mom,

I'm so sorry for the short e-mails but I'm now at a library where I am timed so I have to get off quicker than I would like. I miss Sister Mitchell so much!!! We got along so well. She has been one of my favorites! I love her so much! She lives in Utah so I'll get to see her soon in fact if she doesn't get married to quick I'll go and live with her a bit before school starts. Oh man I love her.

Well I'm now in Orange park and there is nothing but rich white people here. It's definitely different and I'm kind of having a hard time. My new comp is sister Waddoups and she is very... meek.... ok ok she really quiet and I don't know what to do with a quiet person! I'm not quiet at all and it's like pulling teeth to get her to talk and when she does she is so quiet that I keep having to say.. what? It's really a change from all the rest of my companions but I think it will be a good one. I think I'll grow the most in this transfer than any of my others; that's for sure, I feel like I'm training. She has been out a transfer longer than me but she has had lazy or dominate comps that I think kind of shut her down, so it is my goal to open her up and make her solid and confident and get her to talk out loud and proud. That is my task as well as to baptize like crazy! They haven't had a baptism here in awhile but that is all going to change.

Oh man. I miss jax second soooooo much!!!! It was like I had a moment of greatness and for a moment I thought I would stay there but I think God was teasing me and showing me what I could have if I work hard and become that missionary he needs me to be.

I'm glad you liked my videos. I still have so much more. Oh and I need a print of everyone's birthday please! I hate missing birthdays! Lame! I may be a missionary but I like to at least send a card.
I know I know. Another short letter but I have to go. I take a long time to type but I'm getting better. Everything is fine here. I feel your prayers and I have my Heavenly Father and my Savior for guidance and comfort. They help me so much. So I'll be just fine. I love you all so much!
Next letter will be better I promise~

Love,
Your sister missionary~

Excerpts from Mom & Shanna's letters 6-21-2010

2010-06-22T00:30:00.003-03:00

Mom,
I'm Being Transferred Again!!! Oh man. I was a little mad at first; I found out, tossed the phone and took a walk outside. Oh man I was not a happy camper. We have been praying this entire transfer that we would not be split up, but God knows best. I love my companion so much! I have learned so much from her. She has made me really look at myself and ask myself some hard questions about who I was, who I am and who I want to be. This mission does not last forever and I need to decide right now if this is going to stick or is this going to be a great learning experience for 18 months. If I want to be more than I am I cannot come home the way I was when I left and I can never go back. I need to change. Everything I have spend 21 years building up was good but God did not send me here to be and stay that person but he sent me here to be the me that He sees. For our last presidents interviews president didn't interview but gave everyone blessings instead and President Newman said that this is the time that I will draw from for the rest of my life. This is the moment in my life that will determine the rest of my life. It made me realize how much I can't be that same person. I can't be anything less than what the lord expects. I know that sounds a little crazy but if I'm not going to change, than what is the point in the Lord molding me here to go right back when I get home. Things are going to be different, but a good different. I'm excited for the learning that comes with that and the greater understanding of things that my Father in Heaven has in store for me. I have to give it all up to know him and I will.

In my talk I said that if God asked me to give my life for this gospel I would. And I meant it, but then I said thankfully God does not ask us to give our lives for it but asks us to just obey him. I sat down and thought. Yes he does. He doesn't mean our mortal existence but he does mean everything in this mortal existence. I am called and set apart from the world. We are not in the world nor does God intend to save us in our sins but from our sins, the same is that God does not direct us if we are of the world but if we are apart from it. Do you see how much I don't want to be away from my companion. The one that has made me truly take a look at myself and help me change. She is a rock and I love and admire her more than she will ever know and so thankful to her that she was my companion even for the short amount of time that she was. She goes home in 3 transfers. Needleless to say, we balled our eyes when we found out. I love her and will miss her and everyone in my area and district. I love my ward and have gotten so close to them. But I can still be sent back here because so they say " 6 week areas don't count." So maybe I'll die (end) here in the promise land when that time comes. Plus all the elders that I serve here with I go home with so I don't have to worry about that but I love sister, Mitchell! My strawberry and little Honey nut cheerio.

I love you all so much and i'm so excited for Christopher! I can't wait!!!! I want letters back from all the kids that would be nice. Oh man. tell christopher not to be nervous and just testify all the time through the entire talk and the spirit will be there and will guide the talk. He will do fantastic! I love him and all the kids so much!!!!!! Oh man!

I love you all~
Your sister missionary~

Shanna,
I'm so happy that you're doing better. I wasn't really worried about you. You are stronger than you think. I will keep praying for you and Adam and I hope the test results are good. I'm glad they did some test to kind of figure out what is going on so at least you'll know. You are such a rock. I don't know if I would be able to handle it, but thankfully you have. Adam and you have the Savior that loves you and can take away all that pain and stress, plus a Heavenly Father that adores you and family for support. I love you so much and am so thankful for your example. I couldn't have asked for a better sister, in fact I'm pretty sure I picked you out myself in heaven, as well as the rest of my family.

This is happening all for a reason, I know it. God is preparing you for something bigger and he needs you to be ready for it. Read your patriarchal blessing and pray and read what it says about your family and what you are to become as a woman of God and maybe you will find, just maybe, a reason for all of this. I love you so much! I love Adam so much too and I have no doubt that he is taking care of you and I love him so much for that. I can't say it enough!!!!!!!!!!

Elder Nelson when he came to speak to us said something way cool that has changed the way I look at things, he said. "Don't waste ten grams of today's energy on the mistakes of yesterday, for heaven sake, get over it! You can't keep looking in the rear view mirror while you drive; you're going to get into a wreck." I loved it so much! It was so blunt and exactly what I needed. He also said when it gets hard and you keep thinking of what I could have done or what I should have said or shouldn't have said, it's just a waste of time, he goes onto say "take ten steps breathe and leave it behind."

I can't tell you what a whirl wind this week has been. The Farnsworth's from my old ward in Whitehouse came to take me and my comp for lunch but really they came to give Sister Mitchell some bad news. Her Uncle whom she is very close to had a heart attack and died. Her dad was never really a strong father figure in her life so her uncle kind of took over in that area. I can't tell you how amazing my companion is. She is a rock! It took her a full day of crying and a good long prayer to her heavenly father for her to understand what is going on. Then we went back to work. I would be devastated. I don't know but she depends completely on the Savior and he gives her strength. Man I love her so much. We also found out that I'm being transferred again! I was really mad at first but it will be ok. I have trust in the Lord that it will turn out. I'm just really going to miss my companion. She only has three transfers left. Wow. Time flies so fast.

I love you so much and I'm so proud of you. I'm so excited for this next transfer. There is more learning with every transfer and I'm excited for that learning experience.

I love you and Adam so much and your package will be sent this week before I go. I love love love love you!
Your sister missionary~

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!! June 21, 2010

2010-06-21T15:09:00.003-03:00

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!!!!!

Oh my gosh Dad you are so awesome!!! I hope that my husband is as crafty as you. That is so amazing! Mom must have freaked! You would have thought that it was mother's day or something. I'm so happy that you had a good father's day and I hope you thought the card was funny. It reminded me of you. I loved it and laughed for weeks about it. I hope everyone liked the stuff I sent and that those letters got to the Grandmas and Coffman's. I thought it would have been easy that way.

Dad I love you so much!!!! My talk went really well. I talked a lot about the relationship with my father in heaven and my father on earth. I talked about our letters home in relation to our prayers home. I talked about eternal families and our purpose here and understanding the priesthood and who we are; the understanding that we are children of God.

You wrote something to me in my first area; you said,

"I love you, please write, I want to hear from you if not as much or more than your mommy. I love you, please write, I've been feeling a little neglected, If you could just mention or acknowledge that you got my letters or that I exist. I want to hear from you. I love you, please write."

I used this quote as a basis for my talk about a father's love and the importance of talking to our fathers and especially our Father in heaven. He just wants to talk to us.

"I love you please talk to me, I want to remind you of who are. I love you, please talk to me, I'm feeling a little neglected, just acknowledge or mention that you've received my blessings or that I exist. I want to hear from you. I love you, please talk to me."

I love my heavenly father so much and I know that it is because you love him too more than anything else in the world that you have become the father that you are. I went on and on about you and my thankfulness that my father understands me so much that he knew I would need my savior in order for me to come back to him and help me through this life. When I sat down the next speaker said something like, how great it would be if we all could be loved as fathers as sister Pedersen knows and loves her father.

I hope you know how much I love you! I truly want to marry someone like you. I tell mom that all the time. You and Christopher are the key to what I want in a husband and I say Christopher because he is just the new and younger version of you. lol

I love you so much and I hope you had a fantastic father's day!

Your sister missionary~

Re: Summer is here!!

2010-06-14T13:36:00.001-03:00

Thank you mommy~ I love you so much! Thank you for all of the support you give me. I'm sorry this letter is going to be very short because I took most of all my time writing to Shanna so I hope that the package makes up for the lack of a letter. I am doing a lot better this week. We finally have people to teach! I'm so excited! Prayers are being answered and I’m learning to trust and push forward the best I can. I love you Mom so much! Thank you for everything that you do for me!
I love you!

I love you daddy! I am giving a talk about you on Father’s day in my ward. I'm so excited! I love my daddy! I think I’m going to cry through the entire thing but it's going to be great! I was nervous when they asked me to give a talk but then they said it would be on father’s day and I was like sweet! I can talk about my dad all day! I love my dad! I also can talk about My Heavenly Father all day long too. In fact I do! It will be good.

I'm so excited! We have our last president’s interviews with President Newman on Tuesday before he leaves at the end of this transfer. I'm going to miss him but I guess he is also going to give us all blessings before he leaves which is so sweet! He never does that! This will be like a Fathers blessing for me because that is how he gives us those blessings. So it will be on Tuesday so pray and tell Heavenly Father all the things you want to tell me and God will make sure I hear them as well as all the things that God wants me to know. I wish you could give me a blessing but that’s ok. I will picture you in my head. lol I love you so much!

I'm sorry that you are so sore but there is a scripture that goes along with that soreness. Helaman 3:35 it talks about becoming firmer and firmer in the faith. We use that for our work-outs. We become firmer and firmer inside and out. lol it's fun!
I love you so much and I feel your prayers. Love you

Your sister missionary~

Love You!! June 6, 2010

2010-06-07T17:09:00.001-03:00

Thank you Mom so much! I love you so much! You always give the best advice and give me the most confidence in myself after hearing from you.

This week was still pretty much the same as last week but this week we have one date! Honestly I hope he sticks with it and doesn't drop us. So far he is the only person that we are teaching and we just met him on Friday, so our teaching pool is suffering, which is where the lack of confidence comes from but I know that the Lord is preparing me for so much more and is just molding me into the person that he needs me to be to push forward and stand out. Everything will be ok and in the Lords timing.

I love my ward and they are very strong but we have about 500 less active members and a lot of them have been baptized in the last year or they are from a different country who use to meet as a branch but then were combined with our ward so they don't come anymore, so me and my comp are working on a lot of less actives to build up the ward even more and help the new members receive fellowship. One of the ways can be dinners but a non-member has to be present when we are over, we are also doing a lot of trade offs and trying to work more with the members than ever before. In the last 2 years the mission has kind of been anti ward and pro baptisms through the missionaries, and it worked for awhile and we gained lots of baptisms because missionaries were focused but now we have new members that aren't staying active because they have no attachment to the ward, just to their missionaries and so when the missionaries leave, there goes the new member. It's sad. So now we are working on that.

I think my testimony is stronger more than ever but I still can work on it and improve it. I love the gospel with my whole heart and I really have learned who I do and don't want to be when I get home. My Savior has shown me the way and I am giving up everything to follow Him. I love it here!!

Mom I love you so much and I hope you know how much you mean to me. I love you!

~Your sister missionary~

Letter to Shanna 5/31/2010

2010-05-31T18:48:00.002-03:00

This week has been kind of a hard one. We have worked and tracted all week without any success. It has been very discouraging but I know that we are doing our best in everything we do, so I know it will get better. Me and my comp have decided to just put on a smile and go out and do the work. This is a joyful message that we share and if we are not happy no one will be drawn to us to see what it is that we are so happy about. The doors where I cannot stop laughing is where we are most successful is usually the door that lets us in or that will listen to us. I love being a missionary! So laughing and smiling is a must! In my first area with Sister Johnson we got laughing about something she didn't mean to say so hard that we couldn't even say hi when the door was opened. I was about to pee my pants and then the man starts to laugh and ask why we are laughing and we try to explain but it makes us laugh harder and we just told him to forget it. But it opened up a conversation and he let us in and we taught him about 3-4 times before he dropped us. But it goes to show you that a happy face shows the light you hold more than a frown. (although laughing is not always approprate)

So that has been my week. I struggle but that's ok. It's part of learning. Plus I got a package from Mom with clothes and a family tape and CD's. There are so many stories that are funny that I want to tell you but I think i'll just send a tape becuase i stink at typing and they're better over (I was about to say over the phone, ahhh, I forget sometimes) the tape. You two are so fun together. You are going to be the best parents someday! I tell everyone how much I want a marriage like you two and Mom and Dad. It's just so cute and fun and two just work together so well through it all no matter how hard it gets. Communication, hard work and love and play is the key, especially putting God first before it all. that is the real key. Thats what I have learned more than anything in my mission so far. God makes everything better. I love being a missionary!!!!!!!!!!
I love you and Adam so much!

Love your favortie sister missionary~

Happy Birthday & Memorial Day! May 31, 2010

2010-05-31T15:05:00.002-03:00

Mommy and sweet Daddy~

I got the package and I loved it! Some of the clothes don't fit, but thank you so much for them. I was telling Shanna that I don't have restrictions on what I wear so I can wear anything. The skirts are too long for summer but I'll try to make them work. Here you sweat everywhere; in places I didn't know you could sweat. But you get use to being wet all the time, so the thinner and shorter the skirt the better. I wear skirts just past my knees and it's appropriate because when I sit my knees don't show.

I'm so happy that you and Dad had so much fun and I'm sorry but happy late birthday!!! I still need a list of birthdays. I'm missing them. Sorry. I loved the tape soooooooooooo much!!!!!!!! It was totally perfect! This week has not been going so good so the tape cheered me up so much! I love it! My package I know is super late but it's hard trying to put a package together when you're a missionary. You'll see why when you get it. I don't have as much free time as it seems. P-days are still as full as any other day. But I promised myself that this week it will be out. Hope there is not anything you want me to send you. This package is for the family but mainly for Christopher and his Christmas, birthday, mission, just because I'm excited for him to go. I love my family soooo much.

I'm sorry that this letter is going to be so short but nothing has really happened this week at all. We run tract everywhere! We have taught 194 lessons this week and nothing! But I have decided to be happy! I love you!!!!!!!

Thank you for everything!!!!!!!
Love your sister missionary~