Amor

This place is full of it.  There is love everywhere.  And this week I really felt it.  Hermanita Henao se fue a otro barrio and the big surprise was that Hermana Salas, who left on Monday, returned with me on Wednesday!  So now we are working together, just us two, and it was weird for the first day or two.  We are learning well together and we had a wonderful week.

We worked hard to have daily contact with our investigators this week and the results were miraculous.  Juana and Gabriel have told us that they have no doubt that this is the truth and are excited for their baptisms this month.  They came to Church and everyone welcomed them with open, loving arms.  Jonathan and Angie are living la Palabra de Sabiduría and Jonathan began praying for a new job so he can keep the Sabbath Day holy.  They came to Church and Jonathan told us he has a new job in a bakery, Monday-Saturday. :)  Silvia, who has been meeting with missionaries off and on for months, read Alma 34 four times this week and came to Church for the first time.  The hand of the Lord is undeniable in the lives of these wonderful people.  We were all smiles at Church yesterday.

The Lord really prepares people to receive the truth.  I love watching Him work in the hearts of people as they put it all on the line and trust in Him.  The blessings that come from going to Church are incredible.  I dont think I noticed the blessings from church attendance much before, but here I can see it clearly.  In our District Meeting this week we talked about the blessings of church attendance and how we can help people to attend.  The truth is that the Lord promises us the fulness of the earth if we sanctify this holy day, which basically means He promises us everything if we will take this time to worship Him.  I love it.

I am happy.  I am learning. I am seeing that we are all children of God and that He has so much more for us than we can imagine.  In a world of darkness He offers us light.

Family, I love you.  You are the greatest blessing in my life.  Be well.

AMOR

Thank you for the wonderful package of joy, Mother! I love you so much, and I love how you put yourself into your packages- my companions loved all the fun treats.  And elyssa! I just got your letter and Jethro has now joined the collection of baby pictures that are plastering the door on our Residence.  My companion said she had never seen me so happy as when I stared at Jethro for ten minutes after I opened the package. Jaja.  So thank you, everyone who sends me love, in whatever form.  I sure feel it.

About the reassignment, we've heard that should happen on Wednesday, so stay tuned.  Dad, you asked more about it- honestly I don't know much more about it, but no, it's not permanent.  I 'll likely be there for one or two transfers, until my visa comes and then they'll ship me off to Argentina.  I might not even go Spanish speaking when I'm reassigned, just depends on the need.  A second mission call!!

Yesterday Hna Banfield had us practice our accents by speaking with pens clenched between our teeth.  She said when we speak English we use our whole jaw and not much of our tongue and lips and it's the opposite in Spanish.  We all sounded like goofballs but then when you take the pen out you feel like you can talk so fast. Kind of fun. :)

We had a wonderful experience yesterday.  Our teacher had us do some contacting here at the MTC.  We went outside and prayed that the Lord would direct us to someone who needed the message we had to share.  My companion and I prepared a brief message about the Comfort that Jesus Christ has to offer.  We started walking and I saw a girl that was in my Ward at BYU, and so we went up and joined her and her companion at their table, asking if they had a minuite for a little message.  So that we get practice with Spanish, one person gives the message while the other translates.  It was my turn to teach, so I began teaching.  My friend's companion started crying almost immediately after we started teaching and we all felt the Spirit so strongly.  After a minute two other Sisters from their district joined them and listened to the rest of the message, too.  After we finished they asked how we knew that that was exactly what they needed.  One of the Sisters had received news the week before of her dad having a heart attack and had just found out that morning that he may need to have open heart surgery.

There are no coincidences and Heavenly Father is so aware of each one of us.  He knew that Sister needed a little boost, a little comfort.  He knows our needs and He does all He can to help us see it.  He loves YOU!  I'm so grateful for the power of the love of God.

We got to hear from the new Young Women's General President this week and let me tell you- the Young Women are in excellent hands! It was an excellent talk and I liked her very much.  We get such awesome devotionals here all the time!!

Family, and friends, too, I love you with all I've got!  I'm grateful for this sacred time to serve my God and I know that when all is said and done I will be able to love you even more, which makes me very excited.  Thanks for your support.  Vaya con Dios.

Con THIS MUCH amor,

Hermana Peterson