And walked and walked aaaaand walked!

editor's note: this post is later than the grace and glory post--it's out of order!

So much to tell!!  On Wednesday we had transfers and the Hermana Passos y yo nos quedamos juntas un traslado mas!! WooWoo!!  And that´s not all-  our area was doubled because the Elders were moved to other wards.  We now have a baptism on Saturday!  Poor Elders, we robbed them.  And another couple is preparing to be married.  It´s like Christmas.  And that´s not all.  We found a beautiful family!  And they went to chruch yesterday!  And Miguel, and Lidia, and Thomas also went to church!  It was a glorious week.  And my legs are so tired because I have never walked so much in my life.

And that´s not all!  We went to the temple on Thursday with Lidia, her sister, Clori, and Hermana Herrera (niece to Lidia).  Lidia and Clori felt so peaceful and happy there.  We talked about the temple sealing and how they can be sealed all together and to their spouses who have passed away. Lidia had offically decided to be baptized on the 29th. I love being so close to the temple. I love Ciudad Evita.  AND THEN.... just as we were about to leave the temple grounds I looked as saw the most beautiful sight my eyes had ever beheld- Justa entering the temple to do the work for her mother!  It was the best hug you´ve ever seen.  She asked me when I was going to visit her in her house.  We laughed and hugged and took a picture.  I love the tender mercies of the Lord.  It still makes me smile just to think of it.

The lovely little family consists of Nadia, 31, with beautiful dark, curly hair and a quiet disposition, Omar, 33, her husband, with a trimmed beard, and Oriana, who turns two on Thursday.  Maybe she and Jethro can get married someday and celebrate their birthdays together.  We found them last Sunday in the evening.  They are special.  They are looking for truth and security in this dark world.  We pray they will continue seeking.  Nadia prayed a heart-felt prayer and I just love her so much.

Thomas, 10, will be baptized on Saturday.  All of his family is already baptized but hadnt been going to church.  They are going now and Thomas is super excited to be baptized.  The children here grow so fast and everyone looks and acts older than they really are.  He is super sharp and receptive to the truth.

Yep, it was an incredible week.  We are excited to have another six weeks here.  Okay, I am going to read your emails now.  I love you all so much and pray for you every day.  Invite more families into our home because there is a spirit there that is powerful- super powerful.  Everyone can feel it.  Stepping out of the world and into a little piece of heaven. :)  LOVES.

Hermana Peterson

This is the morning view outside our apartment.  We go for a jog in the morning and then we stretch.

Doesn't it just melt your heart?  So adorable.  Justa and I send notes back and forth, and it is fun.

Justita y yo.

Perfect weather for a walk around the temple.

Beautiful temple walk.

Una Familia Eterna

It is the theme of the week.  We really have an eternal family!!

So I got a call from the assistants on Friday telling me I had to be in the offices for an interview with President at three.  We had just had an interview on Tuesday so I was very confused.  When he called me into his office and Hermana Carter entered as well I realized it wasnt for something mission-related.  He sat down and said he had bad news.  That my grandmother Peterson had passed away.  My second grandma to pass away on my mission. I began to cry and the Hermana Carter cried with me.  President said the email he received from you, Dad, was the nicest email he had received of that kind, that you were so thoughtful and humble.  I told him you are a good man and he said he could tell. He said I could call if I wanted and after pondering a bit I decided not to.  He left me with the Hermana for a bit and we talked.  I asked her how often this happens and she said two or three times a month.  We hugged and she told me she loves me and that the grieving process comes in waves and that I dont need to feel like a bad missionary for that.  I had the whole colectivo-ride home to think and ponder and pray.  I felt overwhelmed with emotion and peace.

I testified with more power that families are eternal and that it only made possible through the complete and restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is something that most people here believe in but they dont know for sure.  We were in a lesson with a beautiful family, two little 4-year-old boys, identical twins, and the parents that are both policia.  We started sharing about eternal families and we pulled out one picture each of our families. I only have pictures of parts of our family, not all together (could you send me one, please?:) and when I showed them the beautiful picture I have you Mami and Papi she began to cry.  What you two have can be felt even in a picture.  She said, "Es lindo."  She said she couldnt believe you two let me come all the way to Argentina and that you must miss me.  She thanks you.  As do I.  In church this Sunday we learned that we have eternal families to help us reach exaltation.  It is just so true.  With all the heartache, trials, problems, stresses, our families help us to be pure and to prepare to meet God.  They bring us the most joy, laughter, love, and peace.  

When I was there talking with the Hermana I wanted to ask if she knew if elyssa had had her baby and how you were all going to work that out, unable to be in two places at once.  But I knew you were all being taken care of.  The baby is so beautiful!!!!!!!!  I want to hug and kiss her!!  And Jethro, such a good big brother!!  We are seeing the plan that God has for every family in the height of action.  Birth and death, joy and sorrow.  With a Savior aware of every little detail.  

This life is a small moment.  If we are diligent, constantly diligent, in obeying the commandments of God we will have the biggest family hug in the history of mankind, with so much light and joy and health and understanding.  I am so grateful for Jesus Christ and all that He does for us to hep us make it all the way.  We wont be perfect in this life, but we will be obedient.  He always knows best. :)

I am truly full of joy and peace this morning and I am anxious to help others find what I feel!!  I love each of you so much! Mom, Dad, elyssa, Nick, Jethro, BABY, Paul, Heidi, Jonah. Tías, tíos, primos, abuelos.  You are wonderful.  Find comfort in the scriptures.

Con mucho amor,

Hermana Peterson

Dulce de Leche

We are reading the Book of Mormon as a mission. Did I already tell you that?  Anyways, it is a great experience.  Right now we are reading about the prophesies of Isaiah where he saw the Book of Mormon and how it would spread throughout the world bringing truth the the children of God.  I love reading the Book of Mormon, especially in spanish.  It is such good food for the soul.  It is so true.

Lidia is so sweet.  We meet with Lidia and the family twice a week and they always send us off with sweets.  Yesterday it was two alfajores each and a conito, which is a little cookie with a giant dolop of dulce de leche on top in the shape of a cone all bathed in chocolate.  They go to church each week and it makes me so happy.  They are reading the scriptures every day and praying sincerely.  These two sisters are 84 and 86 years old and they are so actively looking for knowledge and light.  It is incredible.

Hermana Passos began to take the lead in all the lessons and planning this week.  She was stressed and angry and frustrated but then happy and hopeful and diligent.  It seems to work that way for all of us. :)  What a lovely companion I have.  Our classes of Portuguese and English are going well.  We found new people to teach the Gospel this week and the Lord is teaching us how to do this work in His way.  Faith precedes the miracles.

I love you all so very much and when that baby is born you all better give it extra extra love for me!!!!  I am so excited to see him/her.  What was that word Nick made up? It would be useful right about now.  Thanks for all the prayers and examples and words of love.  My heart is happy.

Hermana Peterson

Menos Activos

Today I want to talk about those that sometimes have a hard time getting to church.  We had some great experiences this week.  We went to eat in the house of a family that hasn't been to church in a few months.  Two little kids, one that will turn eight this year.  We began to talk about how the mom was introduced to the church and learned about her story, her family (this is one of the best parts of being a missionary:).  she was baptized when she was eight, her parents found the church when she was seven.  She was married in the temple, always a faithful member of the church.  Then the ward boundaries changed.  She was separated from the rest and put in our ward.  She began to go but she didn't feel at home.  The building is different, the people are different, there wasn't anyone to be in the nursery.  I asked when the last time she had been to church was and she said, with watery eyes, that already a few months had passed.  Her husband arrived home from work and joined in the conversation.  He shared that he felt guilty.  Their daughter wants to be baptised this year and they aren't going to church.  He has covenants that he is not fulfilling.

So what keeps you from going?

The mom tiredly said that each Saturday they prepare the clothes to go to church, they get everything ready.  Then Sunday morning rolls around....and they just don't go.  She said she doesn't know what it is that happens, but they just don't make it out the door.  There was suffering in her eyes the whole time.  She never expected to be in this situation.  She never expected to have this struggle, and it pained her to see the effects.  They told us they just needed a push.  So we pushed!  They committed to go the next day, and all committed to pray.

Church starts at 9:30 and as the hour got closer and closer and they still hadnt arrived we began to pray harder.  9:40.....9:50....and they entered the chapel!!!  We were so happy.  They were so happy.  The Hermano later shared that they woke up at 9:05.  His wife said, no, we´re already too late.  He said they were going to church.  They all got ready in a flash in their Sunday best and ran to the chapel.

Perhaps it is difficult sometimes to see the importance of this simple act of going to church each Sunday, but the truth is that it brings miracles into our lives.  We find peace, we find strength, we find faith.  And the Lord blesses us with what He knows we need.

I love this ward so much.  The members are valiant and true disciples of Jesus Christ.  

We are teaching classes of English and Portuguese, did I already tell you that? I think so.  But it is so fun!  Our students love it too!

I love you all to the moon and back and Im so proud to be here in the service of the Lord.

With lots of love,

Hermana Peterson

Doors open and doors close

And sometimes in between, we enter the house!  We had a miracle this week.  We were walking down the street and two people were walking our way.  I was getting ready to give them an invitation when the woman said, "Hey, I was just telling my mom the other day that you two never came by!"  We started talking and realized that we had talked with her some weeks before and noted down her address but it wasnt in our area and we forgot to hand it over to the elders.  She said her mom wanted a visit and she gave us a vague description of where her mom lived because she couldnt remember the address.  Later that day we went searching for the house.  We knocked many doors and asked everyone and nobody knew who we were talking about.  After a silent prayer we stood still for a moment and I looked down the street.  She told us it was a house without a gate and I thought I saw one that-a-way.  We knocked and a woman opened the door. "Hola, buenas tardes. Nosotras somos representantes de Jesucristo y estamos buscando a Andrea."  She smiled and said, "Soy yo!"  She let us in and we had a lovely lesson.  We didnt know where she lived but Heavenly Father sure did.  

We had a happy Sunday.  We have been working with a family in the ward, the family where we went for new year´s.  The abuela stopped going to church when her husband got sick and after her passed away a year ago she still hadn't been to church.  Her sister lives there with her and isn't a member of the church.  This week la tía abuela accepted a baptismal date and the both of them went to church!  When these two elegant ladies entered the chapel everyone was overjoyed.  Its been years since she went to church.  We are all smiles.

A new investigator, Alicia, also went to church.  She is a strong woman and she is always reading and praying.  A woman of faith.  

Ramona isn't progressing right now.  We had so many great lessons with her but right now it is looking like she´ll need more time.  I'm trying to send some good pictures.

I am praying for all of you, especially grandma.  I love you all with all my heart and your testimonies and faith and examples fill my soul with light.  Invite everyone you know to join in the goodness you know.  I love you!!!!

Un besito,

Hermana Peterson
                             

Us!

             

noche de hogar

Bautismo de Augustina

panquecas

ramona and her grandson and girlfriend and us

el templo

                               

Work

Mother! I received your package this morning. Only two months´ wait. jaja. Muchísimas gracias. Muy lindo, todo.  

We changed this week!  We evaluated what we could improve and change and we are doing it!  This week we had much more success.  The Lord was still testing us, trying our faith.  On Sunday, we were wiped out.  Our one progressing investigator (Ramona) is in a wheelchair and her grandson went out of town so we helped her get to church and then took care of her there.  She was having an off day.  She was happy, then sad, then tranquila, then wanted to leave, then was actively participating in the classes, then falling asleep.  It was wild.  Then we had a baptism of an eight-year-old immediately after church.  Ramona was ready to go but we had to stay for the baptism because we were the ones that taught the little girl the lessons to prepare her for baptism.  When the baptism finally started we went to the font and it was practically empty!  The water to the church had been cut.  Luckily, we have a quick-thinking bishop who asked Brother Agüero if they could use his pool.  So the family and the bishop went to the pool and then returned and we had the confirmation.  I´ve never been so tired after a church meeting!  We still lacked many of our goals for the week, but we went forth with faith and mucho ánimo.  The Lord blessed us with many blessings.  We were led to four new people to teach and we were able to help them feel the Spirit.  All in all, it was a wonderful week.  We met lots of new people and learned how to be better representatives of Jesus Christ.

To see Ramona after she goes to church is incredible.  She has so much peace and feels the love God has for her.  We are working to help her turn her weaknesses into strengths, putting her trust in the Lord.  She has so much knowledge of the gospel.  We mention the name of someone in the Bible and she tells us the whole story with quotes of what the people said and every detail of what happened.  Now it is just a matter of overcoming old habits and allowing the strenght of the Lord to change her heart.  She is praying for it, and it will come.

It is super hot these days. Don´t worry, papa, I drink PLENTY of water. :) And it rained last night and now the air is cooler.  The rain is lovely.

I love you lots. Besitos.

Hermana Peterson

Church

We had the most wonderful time in church yesterday. Let me tell you about it.

We arrived at the church to be greeted by Cristian, the grandson of Ramona.  He said she was already in the sacrament room and he headed off to his own ward.  We greeted all the members and sat down with Ramona, in the back so that we could repeat everything the speakers said right into her ear.  She has a lot of difficulty hearing anything that isnt said right into her ear.  As the meeting began, I realized the task I was being put up to!  By the end of the hour I was completely wiped out!  It is one thing to translate something into English but something else entirely to listen and repeat everything in Castellano.  We had excellent speakers, one being a member of the Seventy, and it was spiritually very edifying.  Ramona was pleased to have heard all the talks (mas o menos :).  There was a whole lot of improv going on, but I did my best. jaja.

Then we headed to Gospel Principles where the Élderes taught a great lesson about Adán y Eva and the Fall.  Ramona was full of thoughtful questions and the members eagerly helped her understand better.  Ramona has a lot of knowledge of the Bible and a whole lot of faith.  Then we presented the Plan Misional to the Mujeres Jóvenes and got them all pumped.  Then we went to Relief Society and did the same thing.  As we explained the plan, the Spirit was filling the room, almost tangible.  Then Ramona raised her hand, and began to share the most beautiful testimony youve ever heard.  She thanked the Sisters for helping her grow closer to Jesus Christ, for helping her to feel so good, there in the chapel.  Then she explained that she still hasnt received the answer to know if she really needs to be baptized again in this church, but that she is praying to know the truth and hopes to continue attending each week.  It couldnt have been more perfect.  The Spirit touched us all.

Ramona has a lot of doubts and difficulties, but she keeps moving forward.  It is difficult for her to leave behind her past and accept the light and peace that the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings.  But she is doing it!  She is praying and studying and feeling more peace each day.  She is beginning to talk about all her children, and that she wants them to have this same knowledge she is gaining.  She is a blessing to us and to the ward and to everyone.  

We just have to open our mouths and share the gospel.  It is the way of the Savior.  It is the best way!

I love you all so very very much!!  I love hearing from you.  Thanks for all the support and prayers and love.  I feel them with force, even from so far.

Hermana Peterson