Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Week 1

FAMILY!

How is everyone doing? Finally it's P-day! It felt like it took forever. So my P-days are Tuesdays in the MTC so this will probably be my only email here since I leave next Monday. It's crazy how time has felt so slow yet fast at the same time here. It has been a whirlwind experience that's for sure. 

So what does everyone want to know? It was so sad to say bye to everyone but I know this is where I need to be. I love the MTC and being a sister! I love wearing my name tag and I feel weird whenever I have to take it off to sleep haha. My companion's name is Sister Fonua and she is from Magna, Utah which is like an hour from Provo. She's 19, Tongan and so awesome! We became fast friends because we bonded over how gangsta we both are hahaha just kidding but we are basically like twins! I love her! She has such a sweet spirit and we work really well together. I'm blessed to have her! My district is made up of eight elders and four sisters including me and my companion. Eight of us are going to Colorado Springs (represent!!) and the other four elders are going to the Michigan Lansing Mission. We became close so fast because we basically all have the same sense of humor so we're always laughing and cracking jokes (but we work really hard too, Dad. Just had to throw that in there for you). We have made a few District goals and sit together at every meal. In my room there are only the four of us sisters so I have like three closest spaces all to myself...sorry not sorry.

 So there is Sister Muro from Orem, Utah and she is Mexican and then there's her companion Sister Woodruff from Kings City, California. I really lucked out with such fun, sweet, hard working roommates. We all get along really well! And then my Zone is made up of three Districts. Most of us are going to Colorado Springs so it's really cool! A couple of them are going to Michigan and the West Indies. I told them that my grandparents served there a few years ago. A day in the life of Sister Peterson basically consists of usually waking up at 6 (is everyone proud of that fact or what?!) getting ready, eating breakfast, study time, class for three hours, zone teaching (depending on the day), lunch, study time, class for 3 hours and so on. Needless to say it is a very busy busy schedule and took some time getting used to. 

Sister Fonua and I got to teach our teachers twice as he acted like an investigator named Kirk. It was really neat to see the way he reacted to us and he seemed to love everything we have been saying so far! Yesterday we got to teach a real investigator for our TRC. Let's be honest...I was nervous at first! I felt like I had just arrived here and I didn't know what I was doing. But I can promise you that if you have that Christlike love that we are all searching for and you can convey that to your investigators with the Holy Ghost then you have no need to fear. Her name is H. and her family moved here to Utah about five years ago. They are Catholics and they met a member friend name Pedro who referred them to the missionaries so here we are. Sister Fonua and I taught her that she Heavenly Father loves her so much and that He just wants whats best for her and her family. She told us that her family is going through a really difficult time in their lives concerning one of their daughter's health. I KNOW that God has prepared H. to hear the message of the restored gospel and I can't wait to teach her again on Wednesday. Please pray for her and her family though this time in their lives!

 I love this gospel so much and I can already see the necessary changes in myself. I have not one single regret about coming on my mission. This is where I need to be and I wouldn't change that for anything. Later today we are going to the temple and I'm so excited to see the new film! 

SHOUT OUTS!

Tammy- Happy birthday!! Thank you for always being a great example to me. And thank you for being such a great friend to my mom. Love you!
Lauren- I leave on your birthday girrrrll! My flight is hideously early at like 6:44 in the morning and we have to be at the travel office at like 2:30am for who knows what reason. So happy birthday! One year older and wiser too but mostly just one year older hahaha I'm kidding. Thank you for setting a great example for me by serving a mission. Love you sister!
Ami and Matt- Happy anniversary! Of course I remembered! I wrote it in my calendar when I made it. Mhmmmmm.
Jenna- I got your letter yesterday and I will write you back asap! No worries my little one! Take care of Hays for me will you?
Ma- Thanks for spoiling me with letters. You all spoil me with dear elders and letters that when my District Leader is passing out the mail at night he says with a chuckle "Sister Peterson" and then hands me like 5 or 6 at a time hahaha and I'm just like "my family is obsessed with me okay?!" And I'm obsessed with them too! 
Dad-keep those father knows best coming! I love to read them! 

I'm alive and well and loving this work! PLEASE share it with your friends because I know that it can change their lives like it has changed mine! Well I gotta run soon so I love you all and miss you loads but I love being a sister!!

P.S. Sorry no pictures this week because these computers don't use cords so I need to buy a usb or something like that :(

xoxo
Sister Peterson