September 17, 2012

Dear Family,
 
You will be happy to know that I survived biking all week this week.  My legs were pretty super tired the first couple of days but it's getting better now.  Also our car went into the shop this morning for 2 weeks to get fixed so there will be no break.  I'll be able to rival Lance Armstrong by the end of these transfers.  haha.  It has been really nice weather for being outside lately.  The colors aren't changing too much yet, but at least it's green now since we have gotten some rain.  We spent a couple three hours outside on Saturday helping Brother Gillmore with his house again.  We still aren't finished with the project.  We just have one side of his house left to do and then we'll be done.  Probably 2-3 hours of work left.  His wife was super nice and gave all of us missionaries care packages full of groceries which is good since we don't really have a way of going to the grocery store at the moment. 
 
Sunday was just a phenomenal day.  We went back to see Carrie again.  We taught her the restoration and brought a member family along with us who fellowshipped her very well.  We set a baptismal date for her on October 27th.  She accepted and is excited for that day.  She also has an 11 year old son so we are working on having him sit in on the lessons and participate as well.  He really enjoyed primary on Sunday so that is good.  Also we set a baptismal date for that same day with Kelsie and Christine.  Even though they technically aren't in my teaching area anymore we were still able to be there for that meeting.  We all met after church along with our WML and made a plan of how we can allow them to receive permission from their grandparents by that day.  So as we go forward with faith I know that we will be able to baptize them on that day.  We also picked up a new investigator this week named Michelle.  We found her in an apartment complex and she is doing pretty good.  We arranged a member from the ward to come pick her up for church on Sunday but unfortunately she wasn't home when they got there.  Maybe next Sunday will turn out better for her.  On Sunday for choir practice we had more men than we have ever had.  The whole back row was filled up which has never happened before and we actually outnumbered the women about 2 to 1.  We are learning an arrangement of "He Sent His Son" which we will be singing in church in 2 weeks.
 
Interviews went well as usual this week. President Jergensen talked all about gathering scattered Israel and priesthood keys.  We went on a scripture chase mostly through the Doctrine and Covenants and learned a lot.  We also learned some proper etiquette from sister Jergensen.  This next week on Wednesday we have zone conference.  We are still looking for a ride to get over there.  I'm excited to go though I always love zone conferences.  I know one of the big emphasises (is that right?) is going to be on church tours.  We have a church tour scheduled for Friday night and already have a part member family committed to come to that event so now we can learn how to best proceed in giving the tour.  I've done some reading on how missionaries have done it in the past and it's really cool because you teach the restoration as you go from room to room and it works out really well.  It definitely would be a unique experience to serve in the same place for the whole duration of your mission.  I'll have spent 9 months in this area by the time I leave and i've already really grown to love all of these members.  It almost makes me sad to have to share them with another 2 missionaries now!  But i still get to see all of them at church on sundays so no worries.  Our ward has started a mission prep class this week and it'll be every other week for a couple of months.  The first class is this weekend and starts at 6 in the morning.  It should really show these young mens dedication that's for sure.  In the ensuing weeks it will be later, but because the bishop is teaching it and has meetings starting at 8:30 that week it has to be really early.
 
I love all of you!  Mom i did get your magazine letter.  Does anyone have an update on Braden?  i can't remember when he was going into the MTC.  The church is true!  the book is blue
 
Love, Elder Peterson



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