Hasta Ver

This last week, one of our conversos recientes was feeling really down. It's been a little rough start for him in the church and he was feeling a little disanimado. While we we talking to him, I was thinking a lot about the beginning of my mission when I first got to Argentina and how it was hard. I couldn't understand anyone and everything was WAY different. I kind of got a little unexcited at first because it was something really new and weird. I'm so grateful that I stuck it out to the end because of all the things I've learned, all the amazing experiences I had, the happiness I've experienced, all the people I've met and all the blessings that I've received and will continue to receive. It's the same concept. We have to stick it out through the rough patches before we get the blessing and see results. Ether 12:6:

"And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until AFTER the trial of your faith."

Thank you for all of your support throughout my whole mission. I have loved hearing from you all every week!!!!!!! I especially want to thank you all for your prayers. Thank you for keeping me in mind. There were many times as a missionary when I literally felt those prayers.

I think the hardest part about being a missionary is leaving the people you love so much when it's over. I absolutely love the people in Argentina. Sarah mentioned the scripture in Doctrine and Covenants this last week that I love and have been thinking about as well. D&C 18:15. "And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!"  I know this is SO TRUE. I have received that joy as I've become converted myself and as I've seen people change and helped them come unto Christ.

I know the church is true.

I know Jesus Christ is my savior. That through his atonement, we can return to live with God.

I know that through the priesthood of God, we can be sealed in the temple and be eternal families.

I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God. The most special and correct book in the world. That the Book of Mormon has the answers to our questions and opens the door to personal revelation.

I know God listens to our prayers. What's important to us is important to him.

Thank you thank you thank you for everything. I'm so excited to see you all!!!!!!

Mucho amor,

Hermana Peterson

Representative of Jesus Christ

I love being a missionary. I love it. It´s like being superman. All day we go around saving souls and helping God´s children. Day after day we pray to be instruments in His hands and He leads us to people that need help, to people that are praying for hope and relief. There is nothing more amazing or more satisfying than seeing someone's life change for the better and seeing them baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The only baptism that leads to the Kingdom of God.

Some of the things that I´m gonna miss more than anything in the world: The moments when we meet someone and after talking for 2 minutes they tell us their desires, their hopes, their dreams and their problems because they know as representatives of Jesus Christ we have answers and solutions. Or teaching someone how to pray and listening to the first prayer they will ever offer. Being lead time and time again to people that tell us, "I was praying for someone to come." Seeing lives change. Seeing people be baptized and confirmed. Learning with someone as they read the Book of Mormon stories for the first time. Teaching the PLAN OF SALVATION and that each of us can live with our family forever. 

Jesus Christ is absolutely ESSENTIAL in the Plan of God. Without Him, there´s no way we could live with God again. The Atonement IS REAL. It´s possible to change. The Atonement is for everyone. I´ve seen it in the lives of my investigators and converts and especially in my life. I´m so grateful that we can repent. 

I´m here in Argentina because I know that all this is true. It would be selfish to keep it to myself. I came with the purpose to help people have the same happiness that I have through living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To help people receive all the blessings that God has for them. It´s humbling to know that God trusts me with his children. God trusts me to find, teach and baptize His children who are looking for the truth. 

I love this Gospel. I love being a representative of Jesus Christ.

Hermana Peterson

Halloween as a Missionary

Oh. man. Where to start.

Halloween. When we went to teach the family Aramburu we had it all planned out that we were going to show them, "The Restoration." The video of the first vision. It's about 20 minutes long. When we got there we realized that we hardly had any time and we had to hurry to another appointment so we could make it home in time. They pulled out their TV and everything so we felt like we needed to still watch something.

The Restoration is on a CD that has a ton of other videos and clips and while we were skipping through the other clips we saw a clip that was a lot shorter and the title said something about Joseph Smith. We had never seen it before! So we clicked on it instead... 

Hahahaha. It starts out with the death of Joseph Smith, so it´s SUPER CREEPY at the beginning. I just looked over at my companion and tried realllly hard not to laugh. It really was like Halloween!

The good thing is that after the creepy part, it talks about all the blessings that we have thanks to the restored gospel and Joseph Smith, which lead to a really great talk about the temple and how we are trying to help them become an eternal family.  :)  

They weren´t too traumatized because they came to church! So all is well. 

Always an adventure. 

Maria de los Angeles is 8 years old and she is ADORABLE! She came to church yesterday all by herself! The ward is preparing to have their primary program the week after I leave!! So sad I won´t be here. She has her own little part and they are going to sing I´m a Child of God in Russian. But she is preparing to be baptized on the 15th!!!! So I´m excited about that.

Pray for her!!!!!

Besos!

Hermana Peterson