Almost the one year mark and the work is moving forward . . .

Dear Brethren,

Another week gone by...so quickly! It just happens I guess. My year mark is coming up quickly, and I'm freaking out that it's almost here. I totally love the mission, and am so glad I've been able to serve out here. I don't know what I'm going to do with myself when I have to come home, in some ways. In others, I know exactly what I'm going to do when I get home. However, I'm going to refrain from talking about those things I'm going to do when I get home, because they will make me "trunky" (there is your missionary word for the week. It basically means homesick, or longing for something you can only have at home--for example, wanting to watch movies). That would not be good for me to get trunky, thus I refrain. However, I am looking forward to seeing all of you again. I know Elder Van Steeter is as well (for those of you who know him), because he and I have kept in contact since he entered the mission field. I am glad to share the work with my good friend, and definitely can't await many of your arrivals to the mission field. What would be even greater, is for one or two of you to find your way out to Nebraska with me. I would be more than glad to train you...unless you are a sister of course, and then I would just be glad to serve around you.
Anyway, reporting the good news, there are now ten people set for baptism in Columbus. The area is doing really well, and we just received news this last week that they will be making my area into two areas when transfers happen this week. There will be Columbus English, and Columbus Spanish instead of just one "Zebra Area" (which is a term for an english-speaking missionary serving with a spanish-speaking missionary, which I am currently doing). Our theory is that Elder Noonchester and I are getting split up, and will both be given a new companion, but we don't know yet. We find our transfer information tomorrow. Fun.
So how are you all doing? Write me and let me know. If you have any inspirational stories for me, I can always use those. They really do pump me up for the work. I am sorry I have failed to write all of you, but my hand kills after writing three letters, so I usually respond to letters I have currently received. Deb and Jake, I know I totally owe you a letter from forever ago! I think I also owe James and Steff, and Aunt Wendy as well...and Tim...and others. I will attempt to repent swiftly, but I can only do so much. Do know that I love you all, and intend to keep loving you all when I return. Don't hate me if you don't here from me much.
Well, I love you all, and hope I have more of a message to write next week. Keep doing missionary work all of you, and help the missionaries out in your area. The Lord needs you to do the work too, and I know He loves you all so much that He wants to bless you until you feel you can't be blessed anymore. These blessings will come when you do missionary work. "Keep the faith, keep the funk!" That would be a shout out to Sister Harwood, one of the three coolest sisters on the planet earth! Love you all! Talk to you next week!
Love, Elder Christopher D. Petersen