I have to say, I am not sure exactly what to write about this week. The week was... incredibly full of a lot of walking, and a lot of miracles. I think the easiest way to put it is that when we work our hardest, and we keep working and we stay happy, maybe our efforts come to nothing. And then, out of the clear blue sky, the Lord plops a present in front of your face. One of the investigators that Sister Cornwall and I worked with for a while - and who we quit teaching about two weeks ago because she wasnt showing any sign of progress - showed up at church yesterday and said she wanted to be baptised. What a kind, merciful, loving and generous God we have.
Sister Andrade and I are tired of just doing what we are supposed to. We want to do more than that. We are also tired of people being downers. So we are going to be miracle workers. We have it worked out - what we are going to do, and we have asked (and received an answer) the Lord what he will do to help us. Did you know that if God stops working miracles, he stops being God? Well, Sister Andrade and I are going to let him be God. We are going to do everything in our power so that we dont obstruct his power. And it will be exhausting, that much I know. BUT! Do not worry about me; it will be more spiritually exhausting than anything else. I have learned to give my physical effort without killing myself. And I figured out that one of the things I am going to have to sacrifice is the length of my showers in the morning... that is going to be a sacrifice, without a doubt. BUT! I know that the Lord repays our sacrifices with more than we deserve. Its going to be great. Sem dúvidas.
Signing off, but tune in next week to learn about bênçãos do céus chegando em Candeias.
Até mais -
Sister Petersen
(Missionária do Senhor, Jesus Cristo)
Monday, January 30, 2012
A Conquista da Conquista: Vol. 3 Cpt. 2: In which there is a plan made between some Sisters and the Lord to bring His children back to Him
I have to say, I am not sure exactly what to write about this week. The week was... incredibly full of a lot of walking, and a lot of miracles. I think the easiest way to put it is that when we work our hardest, and we keep working and we stay happy, maybe our efforts come to nothing. And then, out of the clear blue sky, the Lord plops a present in front of your face. One of the investigators that Sister Cornwall and I worked with for a while - and who we quit teaching about two weeks ago because she wasnt showing any sign of progress - showed up at church yesterday and said she wanted to be baptised. What a kind, merciful, loving and generous God we have.
Sister Andrade and I are tired of just doing what we are supposed to. We want to do more than that. We are also tired of people being downers. So we are going to be miracle workers. We have it worked out - what we are going to do, and we have asked (and received an answer) the Lord what he will do to help us. Did you know that if God stops working miracles, he stops being God? Well, Sister Andrade and I are going to let him be God. We are going to do everything in our power so that we dont obstruct his power. And it will be exhausting, that much I know. BUT! Do not worry about me; it will be more spiritually exhausting than anything else. I have learned to give my physical effort without killing myself. And I figured out that one of the things I am going to have to sacrifice is the length of my showers in the morning... that is going to be a sacrifice, without a doubt. BUT! I know that the Lord repays our sacrifices with more than we deserve. Its going to be great. Sem dúvidas.
Signing off, but tune in next week to learn about bênçãos do céus chegando em Candeias.
Até mais -
Sister Petersen
(Missionária do Senhor, Jesus Cristo)
Sister Andrade and I are tired of just doing what we are supposed to. We want to do more than that. We are also tired of people being downers. So we are going to be miracle workers. We have it worked out - what we are going to do, and we have asked (and received an answer) the Lord what he will do to help us. Did you know that if God stops working miracles, he stops being God? Well, Sister Andrade and I are going to let him be God. We are going to do everything in our power so that we dont obstruct his power. And it will be exhausting, that much I know. BUT! Do not worry about me; it will be more spiritually exhausting than anything else. I have learned to give my physical effort without killing myself. And I figured out that one of the things I am going to have to sacrifice is the length of my showers in the morning... that is going to be a sacrifice, without a doubt. BUT! I know that the Lord repays our sacrifices with more than we deserve. Its going to be great. Sem dúvidas.
Signing off, but tune in next week to learn about bênçãos do céus chegando em Candeias.
Até mais -
Sister Petersen
(Missionária do Senhor, Jesus Cristo)
Monday, January 23, 2012
A Conquista da Conquista: Vol 3. chp. 1: in which there was a zone conference, a transfer, and a lot of walking.
I should talk a little about zone conference, because it was amazing. sister cornwall and i sang, and it was one of the best feelings ever. i love sharing my testimony when i sing. and that about all i have time to share. ask dad for more details.
other than that, this was was chata. Só chata. We planned amazingly well (we had training on how to plan in zone conference) and every single plan fell through. All of them. Except Patrícia and Erlan, our amazing investigators that we are working with right now. I love them.
and sister petersen will be staying here in candeias, but sadly, sister cornwall will be leaving. her spot will be taken by the loverly Sister Andrade! The one and only! Yes, we will be working together yet again, and I am super excited for that.
aaaaaand thats about it.
até mais!
Sister p.
other than that, this was was chata. Só chata. We planned amazingly well (we had training on how to plan in zone conference) and every single plan fell through. All of them. Except Patrícia and Erlan, our amazing investigators that we are working with right now. I love them.
and sister petersen will be staying here in candeias, but sadly, sister cornwall will be leaving. her spot will be taken by the loverly Sister Andrade! The one and only! Yes, we will be working together yet again, and I am super excited for that.
aaaaaand thats about it.
até mais!
Sister p.
Monday, January 16, 2012
A Conquista da Conquista: Vol. 2 Chpt. 6: In which the Lord decides to put a roadblock in our paths so that we turn and get on the right track
The title of this email is more true than you probably think. Tuesday and then again on Thursday, Sister Cornwall and I had to completely stop what we were doing so that we could sit down, think, pray, and try to figure out what the Lord wanted us to do. He has a way with people... It is such a testemony to me that this is the Lords work, because without His Spirit, I can teach and I literally can not speak. I get so lost for words, I cant think of words in português that I need (which rarely happens now) and I just feel completely and utterly empty. And sometimes, He takes His Spirit away from us not because we did anything that was wrong, but because He needs to get our attention - He needs us to focus on something else because there is something else more important to Him.
On Tuesday, after sitting down and praying, pulling out the map of our area and looking at it I decided to look up the scripture that was written on the map, which was Moroni 6:4. So I read it, didnt get anything out of it, so I read it to Sister Cornwall and finally I understood that the Lord wanted us to work with less active members of the ward here. So we have been working with them a lot this week. Its really sad at times to see people with complete lack of enthusiasm for anything and know that they have the gift of the Holy Ghost. But we were really blessed, because one family came to church who hasnt been in years! We are excited to work with them - they have a desire to come back, but I think they are a little lost about how to do it and where they fit in now.
The second time the Lord had to turn us around, we had a very, very unproductive day. At the end of the day, we went with a member to teach his friend. This friend of his didnt seem too interested, but we asked him to read a chapter in the Book of Mormon, and he started reading while we were there and just kept going and going until he finished. The Spirit that filled the room while he was reading was incredible; there is no other way to describe it. Here in Brasil, the missionaries have a tendency at times to just keep on going and going and going, and do everything really fast and just keep goin and going and going because there are so many people we can talk to and so many people that will let us in to talk to them. But this needs to be balanced with actually teaching a person, and not just teaching a lesson, and Sister Cornwall and I discovered, after this lesson, that that was something that we had been neglecting to do a bit. So we are now focused (once again!) on teaching people, and not just teaching lessons.
In other news... Zone Conference will be tomorrow and Sister Cornwall and I will sing! Um... today is my 10 month mark (weird) and I finally had the chance to try água de coco and I almost threw it up. Sometimes, the fact that Brazilians are so nice and like to keep giving you things to eat and drink is a little annoying, just because at times I am not hungry at all and sometimes (very rarely) I dont really like what I have been given. But normally its a really good thing - we are taken care of here by everyone!
Amo vocês! Têm uma ólitma se
On Tuesday, after sitting down and praying, pulling out the map of our area and looking at it I decided to look up the scripture that was written on the map, which was Moroni 6:4. So I read it, didnt get anything out of it, so I read it to Sister Cornwall and finally I understood that the Lord wanted us to work with less active members of the ward here. So we have been working with them a lot this week. Its really sad at times to see people with complete lack of enthusiasm for anything and know that they have the gift of the Holy Ghost. But we were really blessed, because one family came to church who hasnt been in years! We are excited to work with them - they have a desire to come back, but I think they are a little lost about how to do it and where they fit in now.
The second time the Lord had to turn us around, we had a very, very unproductive day. At the end of the day, we went with a member to teach his friend. This friend of his didnt seem too interested, but we asked him to read a chapter in the Book of Mormon, and he started reading while we were there and just kept going and going until he finished. The Spirit that filled the room while he was reading was incredible; there is no other way to describe it. Here in Brasil, the missionaries have a tendency at times to just keep on going and going and going, and do everything really fast and just keep goin and going and going because there are so many people we can talk to and so many people that will let us in to talk to them. But this needs to be balanced with actually teaching a person, and not just teaching a lesson, and Sister Cornwall and I discovered, after this lesson, that that was something that we had been neglecting to do a bit. So we are now focused (once again!) on teaching people, and not just teaching lessons.
In other news... Zone Conference will be tomorrow and Sister Cornwall and I will sing! Um... today is my 10 month mark (weird) and I finally had the chance to try água de coco and I almost threw it up. Sometimes, the fact that Brazilians are so nice and like to keep giving you things to eat and drink is a little annoying, just because at times I am not hungry at all and sometimes (very rarely) I dont really like what I have been given. But normally its a really good thing - we are taken care of here by everyone!
Amo vocês! Têm uma ólitma se
Monday, January 9, 2012
A Conquista da Conquista: Vol. 2 Chpt. 5: In which we teach a pastor, a profetess, have a wedding and a baptism.
Greetings to one and all!
Just to start off, I would like to say that a mission is hard. It is really hard to talk to people who dont want anything to do with what you have to say, but will still let you in to talk to them. All day long. Its very frustrating. But, that doesnt mean that I didnt do meaningful work.
A lady let us into her house and she said her husband was a pastor. Not two minutes after she finishes saying that, said pastor enters the room. We state who we are, why we are there (to invite people to come unto Christ through faith, repentence, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end) and that we have a message. The man starts talking about something, and I say ´something´ because I do not remember what it was and it did not make a whole lot of sense to me. Sister Cornwall said a prayer, and after she finished the pastor asked if he could say a prayer. Sister Cornwall said that we had a message that was really important that I would tell them and that they should pay attention because I dont talk very loud. So, I started. I bore my testemony of the truth of our Father in Heaven, that he always has and always will call prophets, of the reality of the life of Christ, and of the reality of the apostacy, and then I explained about Joseph Smith, how he was called of God to restore all things for us. I did this all in under 5 minutes, and there was complete and utter silence. The Spirit was so strong, and I invited them to pray and ask God if what we said was true. And I openned a can of worms with that invite. He started talking about some verse in the Bible, she told us that we should go talk to the Catholics (because apparently they arent Christians or something like that) and then I had to refuse to let him annoint my hand with oil and say a prayer. It was a little crazy, and we just wanted to get out of that house. Which we did rather rapidly.
Fast foward two days and we talk to two younger women outside their house and ask if we can share a message with them quickly because they had to go some where. We gave a very brief lessons of the restoration and then one of the girls started asking question after question after question about what we believe about revelation and the purpose of the prophet and how God speaks to us. Turns out, she is a profetess in her church, which means that God speaks to her, and in turn she tells people what the will of God is for their life. It is really hard to teach this idea of prophets and personal revelation. So many times we talk to people and they believe that God will answer their prayers, but that He will probably answer through their pastor. Which... has some obvious problems.
All this in preparation for the wedding and the baptism of Suelen. Sister Cornwall has been teaching her pretty much since she arrived four months ago, and I have basically just been involved in the wedding and baptism plans, but it was a really neat experience to her how strong her testimony is, to see the love that she has for her family and her desires to share the gospel with them. She has a three year old, Luna Rosa, and we are hopefull that her husband, Dhefeson, will be baptised soon (say a little prayer for him).
And that would be the week of Sister Petersen in a nutshell. Her companion might have fallen yesterday and cut her foot open, too, and she may or may not have been exposed to a few anitmormon things, but all in a day´s work!
We just keep working, and laughing, and loving and testifying.
Life is great.
Com amor e até mais -
Sister Petersen
Just to start off, I would like to say that a mission is hard. It is really hard to talk to people who dont want anything to do with what you have to say, but will still let you in to talk to them. All day long. Its very frustrating. But, that doesnt mean that I didnt do meaningful work.
A lady let us into her house and she said her husband was a pastor. Not two minutes after she finishes saying that, said pastor enters the room. We state who we are, why we are there (to invite people to come unto Christ through faith, repentence, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end) and that we have a message. The man starts talking about something, and I say ´something´ because I do not remember what it was and it did not make a whole lot of sense to me. Sister Cornwall said a prayer, and after she finished the pastor asked if he could say a prayer. Sister Cornwall said that we had a message that was really important that I would tell them and that they should pay attention because I dont talk very loud. So, I started. I bore my testemony of the truth of our Father in Heaven, that he always has and always will call prophets, of the reality of the life of Christ, and of the reality of the apostacy, and then I explained about Joseph Smith, how he was called of God to restore all things for us. I did this all in under 5 minutes, and there was complete and utter silence. The Spirit was so strong, and I invited them to pray and ask God if what we said was true. And I openned a can of worms with that invite. He started talking about some verse in the Bible, she told us that we should go talk to the Catholics (because apparently they arent Christians or something like that) and then I had to refuse to let him annoint my hand with oil and say a prayer. It was a little crazy, and we just wanted to get out of that house. Which we did rather rapidly.
Fast foward two days and we talk to two younger women outside their house and ask if we can share a message with them quickly because they had to go some where. We gave a very brief lessons of the restoration and then one of the girls started asking question after question after question about what we believe about revelation and the purpose of the prophet and how God speaks to us. Turns out, she is a profetess in her church, which means that God speaks to her, and in turn she tells people what the will of God is for their life. It is really hard to teach this idea of prophets and personal revelation. So many times we talk to people and they believe that God will answer their prayers, but that He will probably answer through their pastor. Which... has some obvious problems.
All this in preparation for the wedding and the baptism of Suelen. Sister Cornwall has been teaching her pretty much since she arrived four months ago, and I have basically just been involved in the wedding and baptism plans, but it was a really neat experience to her how strong her testimony is, to see the love that she has for her family and her desires to share the gospel with them. She has a three year old, Luna Rosa, and we are hopefull that her husband, Dhefeson, will be baptised soon (say a little prayer for him).
And that would be the week of Sister Petersen in a nutshell. Her companion might have fallen yesterday and cut her foot open, too, and she may or may not have been exposed to a few anitmormon things, but all in a day´s work!
We just keep working, and laughing, and loving and testifying.
Life is great.
Com amor e até mais -
Sister Petersen
Monday, January 2, 2012
A Conquista da Conquista: Vol. 2 Chpt. 4: In which there is another birthday, a new year, and a lot of working done
Oi!
I figured you have been lacking on pictures a bit lately, so I thought I would share a few with you. Some of the many things that I have done here in Candeias in the last two weeks.
Ok, we have been using a new process for studying the scriptures, and it has really been helping me to learn a whole lot better and to receive personal revelation, so I thought I would share with you. So, the process goes like this:
1. Have a question before you start studying.
2. Pray. Tell Heavenly Father your question, that you would like an answer and that you are going to study to find it.
3. Read with your question in mind.
4. Write down the impressions you get.
5. Pray about the answer you got and tell the Lord that you are thankfull for the knowledge He gave you and that you would still like to learn more. Tell him that you will read the same passages again looking for a deeper meaning.
6. Read again.
7. Write again.
8. Thank the Lord for the responses he gave you and ask him for a confirmation that what you received is really the answer to your question.
It looks really repetative, I know, but I can bear testimony that this process works, and it works so well. When we are willing to give of our time (to answer our own questions) the Lord looks at that sacrifice and will give you more than you can believe. It is an incredible process, and it works not just with questions about doctrine or things related to church - it is applicable to any question we have. The Lord knows all and he wants to guide us. But we have to give him the chance and we have to put in a bit of effort.
I hope that this process of receiving revelation can help you all as you begin the New Year.
Amo vocês!
Até mais -
Sister Petersen
This says volumes about my mission
We spent a lot of time looking at my tonsils
Christmas morning! we made hot chocolate
Christmas day
This is my view many days, because recently we have spent a LOT of time on the bus.
Waiting in the rain
New Years Day
Another picture from Christmas Day - that rose is enormous!
Christmas night all the Sisters stayed in the same house and we roasted marhmallows on the stove and exchanged presents.
I figured you have been lacking on pictures a bit lately, so I thought I would share a few with you. Some of the many things that I have done here in Candeias in the last two weeks.
Ok, we have been using a new process for studying the scriptures, and it has really been helping me to learn a whole lot better and to receive personal revelation, so I thought I would share with you. So, the process goes like this:
1. Have a question before you start studying.
2. Pray. Tell Heavenly Father your question, that you would like an answer and that you are going to study to find it.
3. Read with your question in mind.
4. Write down the impressions you get.
5. Pray about the answer you got and tell the Lord that you are thankfull for the knowledge He gave you and that you would still like to learn more. Tell him that you will read the same passages again looking for a deeper meaning.
6. Read again.
7. Write again.
8. Thank the Lord for the responses he gave you and ask him for a confirmation that what you received is really the answer to your question.
It looks really repetative, I know, but I can bear testimony that this process works, and it works so well. When we are willing to give of our time (to answer our own questions) the Lord looks at that sacrifice and will give you more than you can believe. It is an incredible process, and it works not just with questions about doctrine or things related to church - it is applicable to any question we have. The Lord knows all and he wants to guide us. But we have to give him the chance and we have to put in a bit of effort.
I hope that this process of receiving revelation can help you all as you begin the New Year.
Amo vocês!
Até mais -
Sister Petersen
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