Dear Brethren,
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! This week should be awesome! I hope you are all remembering the true meaning of Christmas this week! Although through Latter-Day Revelation, we know that Christ's birth was actually April 6th, December 25th is the time that the Christian World takes to remember Christ and His birth. So, I hope you all remember that (and I figure you would), as you are celebrating this Christmas Season with your families and loved ones.
The work is going fantastic! Not one soul that is set for baptism out here is not still moving toward baptism. As always, things get in the way, but the key is overcoming those problems. Satan is fighting against the work, as always, but every one of the souls that God is entrusting us with, are doing well, and are on course. Keep missionary work in your prayers, please. We could all use all the prayers we can get. This is a great time of year for Charity to be in our hearts, and I hope we are all taking advantage of that spirit to share the gospel with those around us. More important than anything is the eternal life of the people around us. Let's be examples, and bring people to Christ, okay? We call ourselves the Sons of Mosiah for a reason! We're great missionaries!
Anyway, my message will be slightly short today, but know that I love you all so much! Many of you probably have no idea how profound of an impact you have had on my life. I think of you often, and I can't wait until we are all assembled back together again some day in the near future. However, until then, let's do things to give glory to our God, and make each other proud! I hope we have many stories to share with each other when we are all together again. I hope we even bring more people with us into the fold of Christ, and even into our friendship. Love you all, and have a Merry Christmas!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
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
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
Monday, November 8, 2010
An Awesome Conversion . . .
Dear Sons of Mosiah,
The Mission Field is awesome, and it's white and ready to harvest! Jana Hager is going to be baptized on the 4th of December, and she is AWESOME! Jana is so prepared, and her story is a huge testimony builder to me about the power God gives to the pages of the Book of Mormon. Last night, about a half and hour before bed, she sent us a text to tell us that she was reading from the Book of Mormon. She told us that it is an amazing book. I told her I agree, and that it is an amazing book, but I was curious as to why she thought it was an amazing book. She told me that it was amazing because whenever she was reading it she felt something that inspired her to do good, and stay away from sin--or that was the concept anyway, without me being too specific. She then described the feeling she gets when she reads from it. I added a couple of feelings myself, and asked her if that was how she was feeling. She said my description was what she was feeling. I then identified it as the Spirit for her. With gratitude, she sent us a text saying that it might sound corny, but "thank you, sincerely". The Spirit took hold on me, and I felt an overwhelming gratitude to our Heavenly Father for allowing us to assist in her conversion process. Our conversation continued, and I accepted the thanks gladly and told my companion of the conversation since he too is doing this wonderful work and also deserves thanks to the same amount that I do. However, I let her know that we are merely instruments in the hands of God, and that this gift of the gospel which is she is receiving, is a gift from God.
God loves all of His children so much! Sometimes Satan makes it hard for us to see-- and possibly even more difficult to understand--but God truly is working in the lives of all of His children to prepare them to receive the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. How blessed we are to be instruments in this wonderful work! It is not only full-time missionaries who are instruments in God's hands to do this work. In fact, the members play a key role in most conversions! Jana has LDS family, and has had many good influences touch her life to prepare her to receive this gospel. Who's life will you touch to help them to receive the gospel? We all worry about our worldly cares, and sometimes are afraid to do this work--but what do we have to fear more, than that soul being lost? Anything? "The worth of every soul is great in the eyes of God."--Joseph Smith. As well, there is a scripture that is very similar to this quote.
My brethren, there is work to be done all around you, no matter where you are in life. Each of you know somebody who is not a member of Jesus Christ's Church here on the earth. What greater responsibility do you have than to reach out to your fellow man, and help them to find the gospel? I would guess none. Missionary Work is to be done by all members, both in and outside the home. We should also reach out to less-active members of the church, and help them to return into the loving arms of their Shepherd.
Pray for missionary opportunities always. We do not have to be perfect to do this work. God does not require that we give more than we are able, but that we give our entire capacity to the building of His Kingdom! You guys can do it. Together we can bring many people to the Kingdom of God, and then that day is going to be an amazing day with those people we bring. Can there be any greater happiness? Can there be any greater purpose in this life?
I love you guys! And thank you for the example that many of you have set for me. You are all great people! Don't forget who you are: Sons and Daughters of the Living God. Peace, and I can't wait until we all meet again...even if it is three or more years till we are all together again. See ya!
Love, Chris
The Mission Field is awesome, and it's white and ready to harvest! Jana Hager is going to be baptized on the 4th of December, and she is AWESOME! Jana is so prepared, and her story is a huge testimony builder to me about the power God gives to the pages of the Book of Mormon. Last night, about a half and hour before bed, she sent us a text to tell us that she was reading from the Book of Mormon. She told us that it is an amazing book. I told her I agree, and that it is an amazing book, but I was curious as to why she thought it was an amazing book. She told me that it was amazing because whenever she was reading it she felt something that inspired her to do good, and stay away from sin--or that was the concept anyway, without me being too specific. She then described the feeling she gets when she reads from it. I added a couple of feelings myself, and asked her if that was how she was feeling. She said my description was what she was feeling. I then identified it as the Spirit for her. With gratitude, she sent us a text saying that it might sound corny, but "thank you, sincerely". The Spirit took hold on me, and I felt an overwhelming gratitude to our Heavenly Father for allowing us to assist in her conversion process. Our conversation continued, and I accepted the thanks gladly and told my companion of the conversation since he too is doing this wonderful work and also deserves thanks to the same amount that I do. However, I let her know that we are merely instruments in the hands of God, and that this gift of the gospel which is she is receiving, is a gift from God.
God loves all of His children so much! Sometimes Satan makes it hard for us to see-- and possibly even more difficult to understand--but God truly is working in the lives of all of His children to prepare them to receive the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. How blessed we are to be instruments in this wonderful work! It is not only full-time missionaries who are instruments in God's hands to do this work. In fact, the members play a key role in most conversions! Jana has LDS family, and has had many good influences touch her life to prepare her to receive this gospel. Who's life will you touch to help them to receive the gospel? We all worry about our worldly cares, and sometimes are afraid to do this work--but what do we have to fear more, than that soul being lost? Anything? "The worth of every soul is great in the eyes of God."--Joseph Smith. As well, there is a scripture that is very similar to this quote.
My brethren, there is work to be done all around you, no matter where you are in life. Each of you know somebody who is not a member of Jesus Christ's Church here on the earth. What greater responsibility do you have than to reach out to your fellow man, and help them to find the gospel? I would guess none. Missionary Work is to be done by all members, both in and outside the home. We should also reach out to less-active members of the church, and help them to return into the loving arms of their Shepherd.
Pray for missionary opportunities always. We do not have to be perfect to do this work. God does not require that we give more than we are able, but that we give our entire capacity to the building of His Kingdom! You guys can do it. Together we can bring many people to the Kingdom of God, and then that day is going to be an amazing day with those people we bring. Can there be any greater happiness? Can there be any greater purpose in this life?
I love you guys! And thank you for the example that many of you have set for me. You are all great people! Don't forget who you are: Sons and Daughters of the Living God. Peace, and I can't wait until we all meet again...even if it is three or more years till we are all together again. See ya!
Love, Chris
Monday, October 25, 2010
A Letter to "Funky" Letter to Friends . . .
A Long Long Time Ago, In a Cornfield Far Far Away...
I, Elder Christopher Dennis Petersen, killed chickens this week...R.I.P. Chickens...
Dear Sons of Mosiah,
So, I've been thinking a lot about you, my good friends. Oh! Alisha, Toria, Sami, Gowski, Chris A, and Rachel!!! I know it's weird that I am talking to you all directly in this email/blog thingy, but I want you to know, I have sat down to write letters several times, and I even got some all the way finished, BUT I keep forgetting to buy stamps! Gowski and Chris and Rachel, I haven't begun your letters yet, but I'm writing them way soon! And Alisha, Toria, I have them written, only know they are weeks old, so I will probably write more! I have tried to write you two like a billion times, but something always comes up! As for Sami, I have tried to write you a billion times, but I never finish the letter. Always so much that I need to do, but I haven't forgotten about you. Tim, I need to write you too my friend.
Anyway....I hope you are all excited. Josh is in the MTC now, which is awesome! I'm loving the fact that we now have Carter, Tanner, and Josh all on their missions now! David! I heard you are going to Mexico...where is my letter? Also, of course, we have Tony Arnell out there. Now, am I missing anybody who is out? Goodness...I have a terrible memory. So, if I seem a little spastic today, I guess it's just true, I'm spastic. Things are going really well out here, though transfers are this week, which is always the worst. The work is going great, and we are teaching a lot of great people, and I am so grateful God has prepared so many people for us. I seriously have no idea what life would have been like if I had made the decision to stay home instead of serve my mission. I have made many great friends, and have a great love for the people out here.
Well, love you guys, and take care. The chicken thing above, if you are wondering, was a service project for a family out here. They kill chickens every year, and sell the meat. It helps them get by. We had to catch, kill, pluck, gut, etc. It was an experience. Anyway, you're in my prayers. "Keep the Faith. Keep the Funk", as Sister Harwood would say (for those of you who don't know, Sister Harwood was one of Scott and Michael's Missionaries).
Love, Chris
I, Elder Christopher Dennis Petersen, killed chickens this week...R.I.P. Chickens...
Dear Sons of Mosiah,
So, I've been thinking a lot about you, my good friends. Oh! Alisha, Toria, Sami, Gowski, Chris A, and Rachel!!! I know it's weird that I am talking to you all directly in this email/blog thingy, but I want you to know, I have sat down to write letters several times, and I even got some all the way finished, BUT I keep forgetting to buy stamps! Gowski and Chris and Rachel, I haven't begun your letters yet, but I'm writing them way soon! And Alisha, Toria, I have them written, only know they are weeks old, so I will probably write more! I have tried to write you two like a billion times, but something always comes up! As for Sami, I have tried to write you a billion times, but I never finish the letter. Always so much that I need to do, but I haven't forgotten about you. Tim, I need to write you too my friend.
Anyway....I hope you are all excited. Josh is in the MTC now, which is awesome! I'm loving the fact that we now have Carter, Tanner, and Josh all on their missions now! David! I heard you are going to Mexico...where is my letter? Also, of course, we have Tony Arnell out there. Now, am I missing anybody who is out? Goodness...I have a terrible memory. So, if I seem a little spastic today, I guess it's just true, I'm spastic. Things are going really well out here, though transfers are this week, which is always the worst. The work is going great, and we are teaching a lot of great people, and I am so grateful God has prepared so many people for us. I seriously have no idea what life would have been like if I had made the decision to stay home instead of serve my mission. I have made many great friends, and have a great love for the people out here.
Well, love you guys, and take care. The chicken thing above, if you are wondering, was a service project for a family out here. They kill chickens every year, and sell the meat. It helps them get by. We had to catch, kill, pluck, gut, etc. It was an experience. Anyway, you're in my prayers. "Keep the Faith. Keep the Funk", as Sister Harwood would say (for those of you who don't know, Sister Harwood was one of Scott and Michael's Missionaries).
Love, Chris
Monday, October 18, 2010
Short But Sweet . . .
Dear Brethren,
I have no time to really write this week. It will suffice me to say I am doing well, and the work is moving forward. We set a woman for baptism yesterday, named Martha Martinez. She is great, and has a family that should also follow very soon, if not get baptized when she does.
I have no time to really write this week. It will suffice me to say I am doing well, and the work is moving forward. We set a woman for baptism yesterday, named Martha Martinez. She is great, and has a family that should also follow very soon, if not get baptized when she does.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Welcome to the Mission Field, Josh . . .
Dear fellow brethren,
This week should be an exciting one I would assume. Josh Van Steeter, welcome to the mission field soon buddy! I hear your fairwell is coming up this weekend! You'll be in my prayers. Go do an amazing work, and have fun with the fishbowl we like to call the Missionary Training Center. The MTC fishbowl is a great place full of the spirit, food, inspiration, and more food, for those of you who don't know. I call it the fishbowl for several reasons. For one, I had previously heard of the MTC referred to as 1) Spiritual Disneyland, and 2) Prison. It was neither for obvious reasons. First off, though it is very spirtual, I like the mission field more. It's just nothing like Disneyland. It isn't like prison because you can leave whenever you want, and prison is reserved for the wicked, not the righteous. It is a fishbowl because you can see the outside world, but you can't touch it. You are inside a little world, even though the MTC is a place in the larger world that you can see. If you jump out, you will spiritually suffocate until it is time to leave, or you have permission. If you leave, you may be able to flop yourself back into the bowl, or you may not. You take the jump and it's chancing it. Anyway, I'm out of time, but I love you all!
This week should be an exciting one I would assume. Josh Van Steeter, welcome to the mission field soon buddy! I hear your fairwell is coming up this weekend! You'll be in my prayers. Go do an amazing work, and have fun with the fishbowl we like to call the Missionary Training Center. The MTC fishbowl is a great place full of the spirit, food, inspiration, and more food, for those of you who don't know. I call it the fishbowl for several reasons. For one, I had previously heard of the MTC referred to as 1) Spiritual Disneyland, and 2) Prison. It was neither for obvious reasons. First off, though it is very spirtual, I like the mission field more. It's just nothing like Disneyland. It isn't like prison because you can leave whenever you want, and prison is reserved for the wicked, not the righteous. It is a fishbowl because you can see the outside world, but you can't touch it. You are inside a little world, even though the MTC is a place in the larger world that you can see. If you jump out, you will spiritually suffocate until it is time to leave, or you have permission. If you leave, you may be able to flop yourself back into the bowl, or you may not. You take the jump and it's chancing it. Anyway, I'm out of time, but I love you all!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Serving in Columbus, Nebraska
Dear Brethren,
This week has been great. General Conference had some very important messages in it, and I hope all of you got to watch the sessions. If not, I would strongly suggest that you read the talks in the November Ensign. The Servants of the Lord that spoke seemed to have some very common themes. It's helped me to see that they are truly inspired (not that I thought they weren't), and tell the world exactly what they need to hear to be able to repent, and align themselves with the will our loving Heavenly Father. Hopefully we are all putting our trust in God.
Well, I don't know what to say...again. I'm finding it harder and harder to come up with things to say the more of these messages I do. Of course, that's to be expected. However, I hope they will all have some value to you. For those of you who care to know what's actually going on with me in my mission, I think I will give an update right now:
I'm doing really well. I'm currently serving a branch, out in Columbus, Nebraska. The Columbus Branch is a strong branch, and they work very hard. The work has a lot of potential out here, and we are beginning to see a lot of success. I just got here a little over two weeks ago. Previously I was serving in the Trendwood Ward in Lincoln, Nebraska, where I made a lot of life long friends. It was sad to leave, but I believe the Lord needs me here more than there at the moment. My last companion is a very capable missionary, so I'm sure he and his companion are tearing it up out there.
Anyway, we are teaching a lot of Hispanic people because my current companion, Elder Noonchester, is a Spanish speaking missionary. So we teach both English and Spanish speaking people, which makes this area very interesting. I am the senior companion for the first time, which is really bizarre. We are teaching a really cool family called the Cardena Family, and they speak both English and Spanish, so our lessons are kind of Spanglish. It makes for fun times. My companion is kind of amazed that I know what he's talking about when he's teaching in Spanish, and how I can pick up from where he left off in English. I think it's funny. I wish I could claim it was my righteousness and the gift of tongues, but I just listen for the words I do know, and because I know the lesson it's easy.
We are also teaching many more wonderful people, and having a blast out here, but I'm running out of time, so I have to send this. I love you all!
Love, Elder Christopher Petersen
This week has been great. General Conference had some very important messages in it, and I hope all of you got to watch the sessions. If not, I would strongly suggest that you read the talks in the November Ensign. The Servants of the Lord that spoke seemed to have some very common themes. It's helped me to see that they are truly inspired (not that I thought they weren't), and tell the world exactly what they need to hear to be able to repent, and align themselves with the will our loving Heavenly Father. Hopefully we are all putting our trust in God.
Well, I don't know what to say...again. I'm finding it harder and harder to come up with things to say the more of these messages I do. Of course, that's to be expected. However, I hope they will all have some value to you. For those of you who care to know what's actually going on with me in my mission, I think I will give an update right now:
I'm doing really well. I'm currently serving a branch, out in Columbus, Nebraska. The Columbus Branch is a strong branch, and they work very hard. The work has a lot of potential out here, and we are beginning to see a lot of success. I just got here a little over two weeks ago. Previously I was serving in the Trendwood Ward in Lincoln, Nebraska, where I made a lot of life long friends. It was sad to leave, but I believe the Lord needs me here more than there at the moment. My last companion is a very capable missionary, so I'm sure he and his companion are tearing it up out there.
Anyway, we are teaching a lot of Hispanic people because my current companion, Elder Noonchester, is a Spanish speaking missionary. So we teach both English and Spanish speaking people, which makes this area very interesting. I am the senior companion for the first time, which is really bizarre. We are teaching a really cool family called the Cardena Family, and they speak both English and Spanish, so our lessons are kind of Spanglish. It makes for fun times. My companion is kind of amazed that I know what he's talking about when he's teaching in Spanish, and how I can pick up from where he left off in English. I think it's funny. I wish I could claim it was my righteousness and the gift of tongues, but I just listen for the words I do know, and because I know the lesson it's easy.
We are also teaching many more wonderful people, and having a blast out here, but I'm running out of time, so I have to send this. I love you all!
Love, Elder Christopher Petersen
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