Teachings from the Scriptures

This week we have been able to see our investigators progress. It is fun to see them immerse themselves in the scriptures and use the book of Mormon to gain answer to their questions as well as peace and comfort in their lives. I too am thankful for the Book of Mormon in my life. As I get to study it each day it reminds me that We are loved so much by our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ. This wee I have been Studying Helaman and 3 Nephi. In Helaman 11. I love the repetition "Oh, Lord" (8 times). It is a gentle reminder that we need to council with the Lord in ALL of our doings. I know that prayer is 2 way communication with Heavenly Father and as we turn to him for guidance he WILL answer us. He WILL guide us. He WILL comfort us. He WILL help us. But we have to turn to Him first. To all of you doing missionary work, keep it up. To all of you not, today is the perfect day to start! I love you all! Thank you for the letters and packages. It is amazing how much of a boost a little love from family and friends can do! :)

Sister Peterson

5301 Badger Road
Santa Rosa, CA
95409

P.S.
If you would like to help me out with the missionary work in Vacaville, here is what you can do:

1) Pray specifically for the investigators by name and pray that they will come to sacrament meeting. 

2) Pray that they will progress towards the waters of Baptism!

Here are the names of our current investigators:

-Judy Frendo

-Rachel Meier

-My Lisa Meier

-Cozette Pyeatte

-Nick Neal

-Bob Wallan

-Kassidy Ha

-Gail

-Don Frost

-Tom

-Bella Jackson

Finally-High Key Indicators! :)

This week has been yet another great one! We ended with 5 new investigators and 29 lessons! We also had TWO INVESTIGATORS COME TO SACRAMENT MEETING! Yay!! It was so fun yesterday. I couldn't stop smiling. One of the boys, Logan, committed to baptism and we are going to give him a baptismal date. He said that he has never been baptized and that baptism is something he's always wanted but never knew which church to get baptized in. He stayed for all 3 hours and during priesthood meeting he was even participating and raising his hand asking questions! But bummer thing is that he is 21 so he will be passed off to the singles ward missionaries. But non the less, it's all the same work and we are so excited!

We had a great lesson with Judy Frendo about temples. She said that she often feels the presence of her husband and we told her that 4 days after she gets baptized, she can go to the temple and get her husband baptized! She had no idea that she could get herself and her husband baptized in the same week. We talked about how in the temple the veil is even thinner and she asked us how we felt in the temple doing baptisms. We each shared an experience about when we have felt the presence of the people who's work we were completing. It was a very special lesson.  Everything seems to be going well in Vacaville. I think my time here is winding down ever so rapidly. I love Vacaville and the people here.

This week in my scripture studies (I am still doing the 90 challenge, and I am in Alma) I decided that to make my studies more productive each day I would pick a different attribute of Christ and find and look for different ways that the people in the scriptures use or live that certain Christ-like attribute! It really has made me scripture study more effective as I am able to see how the people in the scriptures are abiding the teachings of Christ and living by them. It's been such a cool experience. Well, That's all for this week!

Love you all!
Sister Peterson

P.S.
If you would like to help me out with the missionary work in Vacaville, here is what you can do:

1) Pray specifically for the investigators by name and pray that they will come to sacrament meeting. 

2) Pray that they will progress towards the waters of Baptism!

Here are the names of our current investigators:

-Judy Frendo

-Shelly and Kent

-Cozette Pyeatte

-Nick Neal

-Bob Wallan

-Logan Bahr

-Christina

-Gail

-Bella Jackson

Missionary Fun

On Friday elder Falabella, from the quorum of the seventy came and
spoke to us. He told us that we need to be full time missionaries. He
started telling us characteristics of a full time missionary. We all
raised our hand in commitment to raise the bar and be even more
committed.
The next morning we committed to give it more effort and enthusiasm
than we had yet!

Saturday we had some special experiences. We headed out to the country
to find less active families. The first family we went to let us in!
One day they decided that they "were taking a break from the church."
We were determined to teach them, but they decided instead that they
wanted to explain to us how they became atheist. We tried to talk more
about their experience of getting married in the temple, but the wife
persistently kept informing us of why the church was wrong. Finally I
pulled out my iPad and wrote a note that said "testify and get
out!!!!" and got my companion's attention and we left as quickly as
possible. It is sad to me to watch someone, who was sealed in the
temple, not keep their covenants. We wanted to help them. But first,
they need to help themselves. After a few more lessons, we headed over
to the last family's house. Right when we got to the intersection, I
could see this less actives family's house off to the left in the
distance that we had planned to visit. It was at that moment that I
realized that they were not less active. I sat & had this feeling
"don't visit them. Go find someone else." But I was so clueless! My
companions don't know the area too well, so I feel a lot of weight on
my shoulders often. As I sat there for about 45 seconds finally one of
my companions said pointing straight ahead "can we knock on that
house?" It was this pretty blue country house/mansion. I was all for
it! I love pretty houses. We pulled into the driveway, said a prayer
and knocked on the door. This lady named Covette answered the door.
She was SO nice. We taught her the restoration on her doorstep, gave
her a Book of Mormon, taught her how to pray, and invited her to be
baptized. She said she would read the Book of Mormon, pray about the
restoration, and be baptized if she got the answer from God that she
should! Awesome possum! She has three children, 12, 10, and 6. We were
so thrilled and are excited to teach her family.

I know that God placed us in her path. I know that He was behind
everything that happened Saturday night, and that he is leading us
to those prepared to be baptized. But just like how He is leading my
missionary life- he is also leading your life. When we search for
answers, ponder, and pray about different choices we have to make in
life, I know that Heavenly Father WILL reveal to us the answers. He
knows what is next to come in our lives. Why not go to the true, all
knowing source? :)


An elder in my ward shared this with me:
    "A basketball in my hands is worth about $20.99. A basketball in
The hands of laBron James is worth about 19 million per year; It
depends on whose hands it's in. A tennis racket in my hands is worth
about $17.00. A tennis racket in the hands of Serena Williams is worth
about 20 million; Depends on whose hands it is in. A baseball in my
hands is worth about $3. A baseball in the hands of Derek Jeter is
worth about $35 million; It depends on who's hands it's in.
    Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands would make a few fish
sandwiches. Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in the Saviors hands will
feed about 5000 people until they're full, and still leave twelve
baskets left over; it depends on whose hands they're in. Some nails in
my hands are worth about five cents. Some nails in the Saviors hand
will provide eternal salvation for each person who has ever lived on
this earth and all of heavenly fathers children. It depends on who's
hands they're in.
    When we put our life in the hands of our Savior we can achieve
infinitely more than we ever could on our own. It depends on who whose
hands it's in."

Love you all! Have a great week!!! :)
Sister Peterson!!

Miracles up the Wall!

Miracles up

​​

 the 

​Wall!. This week has been crazy but we have loved

everything that has happened. This email is super long because we
taught tons of lessons, and I mean tons! But hear me out- if you end
up not reading to the end of this email, I understand. But just know
that I have a testimony that The Lord is in the details of our lives
each and everyday. And if you are looking for His hand we will find
it. 

​There are 2 pictures attached. Enjoy!
​

This week was full of SOOO many miracles. So here it begins:

On Monday we were walking up and down this bike path and met this guy
named Ford. We talked and taught him as we walked up the bike path. He
wouldn't give us his address but he knows a lot about the church so
hopefully we'll catch him again!  Tuesday we also had zone meeting and
we talked a lot about how we need to let go of the investigators who
weren't progressing. We did an ultimate faith drop. Thanks Brittney
Stirling. We have seen so many miracles because of it. A faith drop
means that since none of our investigators were meeting with us or
keeping commitments, we were going to drop them all and see who else
The Lord has in mind for us to teach in vacaville. After zone meeting
we went to Buffalo Wild Wings. If any of you are familiar with the
Blazin' challenge, I decided to take the challenge. You have to eat 12
of the hottest wings in less than 6 minutes. Unfortunately I only
could eat 10 and I was on fire. My nose and eyes were leaking and it
was just nuts how hot the sauce was. But I got my picture taken so
nonetheless, I feel like a champ! Then we went out and started
contacting. We came In contact with this lady who is super into family
history. We taught her and are going to bring a family history
consultant with us next time we visit her and hopefully get her down
to the family history center! Wednesday we ultimately put our faith on
the line and went out to begin our day. We started off teaching Alisha
Powell , our recovering addict, the word of wisdom. She kind of
doesn't believe in herself that she can overcome coffee and smoking,
but we believe in her so we will see her progress next week! Then we
went home for lunch. During lunch I felt impressed to call Carmin. We
met Carmin about 3 weeks ago and she was the one who said she was
searching for a church that would fill a spot in her heart that was
missing. Well we texted her a scripture about 2 weeks ago and she said
"oh, your Mormon? I don't want to be a Mormon. Don't come back and
visit me." So during lunch we called her. She explained to us that she
didn't believe some of the rules in our church were necessary. We
asked what rules she was talking about. she said "well I don't
understand why you guys can't wear pants or make up." Ha. I laughed.
We explained to her that we can do those things, and that we were
going to be at her front door to teach her more on Saturday night. We
said a prayer with her on the phone and got the return appt. New
investigator!!  Then we went and taught 3 lessons on Facebook. Then we
went out and started contacting. We were on fire all day!  We went and
contacted a referral from brother Beauchamp, the high priest over
missionary work in the stake. We had this Mormon.org card in the car
this the referral info and we felt prompted to go right then, so we
followed through to that. We went to the address and asked for the
persons name and told the boy, Joey, that answered that we were
friends with bro Beauchamp. Well, Joey had no idea who bro Beauchamp
was. Interestingly enough, we explained our role as missionaries and
he seemed interested. He told us that his mom had passed away 2.5
years ago and that it's been rough. We introduced the plan of
salvation and told him that death wasn't the end. We also gave him a
Book of Mormon and taught him how to pray. After Joey was done praying
we asked "how do you feel." He said he felt so good and that praying
the way we pray was so much easier and comforting than how he has
prayed his whole life. We testified that what he was feeling was the
spirit. And we assured him that as we teach him more about the gospel
that he will be able to feel that more and more. We invited him to
baptism and he agreed! Bingo. Then as we were leaving, his dad arrived
home. We introduced ourselves and again said that we were friends with
bro Beauchamp. He had no idea who that was. We told him that we had
talked to his son about Jesus Christ and that his son said we could
come back on Monday. The dad agreed and said that we are welcomed
back. as we drove away we called brother Beauchamp. We told him that
we contacted his referral on lily lane. He said "where's lilys lane? I
don't think I gave you a referral." Well the mystery lies in the hands
of The Lord now. Because in our car appeared a Mormon.org card with
the address for lily lane family. It's crazy to see how The Lord makes
things happen so that we will be able to seek those who need the
gospel. The angels are definitely helping us out with the work! Then
we headed over to a former who wasn't home, so we decided to teach her
neighbor, who happened to be a potential in our area book already! We
talked about motherhood and the gospel and families. She knows a lot
of lds families and admires their faith and focus on Jesus Christ and
families. Then we went to visit a part member family after dinner and
we ended up picking up the daughter as a new investigator. She has no
understanding as to who Jesus Christ is. We are excited to teach her
family and help them to gain a testimony of the gospel, and of our
Savior, Jesus Christ.  We ended up having a total of 57 contacts, 8
lessons, and 1 baptismal invite on Wednesday. And it was just what we
needed to have at the beginning of this transfer:) Thursday we went to
interviews with President and everyone was so jealous about our 8
lessons the day before- I think it was a mission record. Boo-yah!
Thursday I also taught a lesson on Facebook to this lady named Tammy
in San Jose and she said she would accept a copy of the Book of Mormon
and she gave me her address so that we could send her a free copy! She
has been in an abusive marriage and doesn't understand how/why God
would put her through that. We talked about the atonement. She was
asking for advice and stuff and luckily we don't/can't give people
advice except to tell them to turn to God in mighty prayer and seek
guidance from the real source! Then we went out and had to get our car
fixed. Two nails in it and that resulted in a flat. While waiting at
the car shop we decided to go out and start walking down the street to
contact. Now that I'm in a trio they expect us to get 30 contacts each
day. 10 per companion. Yikes. So we started on our journey! Came
across this homeless man. Sis alba had give me a fruit roll up at the
end of the interview and anyone who knows me knows that I'll do
anything for a homeless person. So I offered him a fruit roll up and
asked him about Jesus Christ. He said his life has been hard but he
believes and prays often. We taught him how we pray and he prayed with
us! Then we offered to buy him McDonald but he said that he was not
hungry. Then we realized after he walked 1/2 a block that we forgot to
share a scripture during our lesson. Yep- we chased him down along one
of the main streets and ended up placing a Book of Mormon. So sweet.
Off we went. Contracted another Hispanic lady who said she wants the
elders to come by and teach her more! Then, since our dinner appt
canceled we decided to go visit this less active at 5:30. She never
let's us in and is always rude to us, but we went as the spirit
directed and you'll never believe what happened. She let us in!!!! We
shared the daily bread Mormon message and she definitely felt the
spirit. She said that she grew up in the church but hasn't gone in
years. We reassured her that it's never too late to come back. Then we
went and taught Judy frendo. She still brings up the word of wisdom in
ever lesson. It just comes down to her believing that Joseph smith was
a prophet. If she believes that, then she will come to know that God
revealed truths to Joseph Smith and that he received the revelation
from God. She hasn't had an experience where she has known for herself
that he is a prophet so we are going to watch the Joseph smith video
next week at the ward mission leaders house and we are so excited!!!!
Friday we had comp study with the district leaders. It was awesome! I
love my district leader so much! Then we had to take our car to get
fixed. I was so mad we had to go back and get another tire fixed. But
we ended up contacting during that hour and we met Christopher Rhodes.
His sister is a member and he went to her children's baptism at the
stake center! So cool! We taught him from Moroni 9:25. Then we gave
him a Book of Mormon. Then we contacted a ton and ended up getting 29
contacts by the time it was 12:00! I guess we have seen miracles from
having to take our car in 2 times this week! Then we went to the
church for weekly planning. After we went to dinner and did power hour
and went out to go teach and we worked under the faith of the Oxley
family and we went to the Standfills. Elena and Wes were busy and were
at their cousins graduation. Cody and chad were there so we taught
them how to pray and talked about how the restoration will bless their
life. And we talked about faith. Then we went to the Hansens. Honestly
every week we go to their house because it's one of the three biggest
houses in vacaville, and you all know how obsessed I am with houses,
so I always want to drive through that neighborhood and stare at his
house. So we visit every week but they're never home. But they were on
Friday night! Right as we drove up he was outside. What are the odds.
The Lord definitely made that one happen. We talked to bro Hansen and
shared The daily bread pattern and talked about the importance of the
little things in life, like reading the scriptures and praying and
attending church. We invited him to come back to church. He said he
would THINK about committing to come to church. YAY!! Then we went and
pranked the elders because we found this broken doll house in the
middle of an empty court. Then we went and broke into the elders house
(5.5 Shasta) and broke into through the window and left them old nasty
doll house, hahaha. Saturday we laid sod at sister wells house. Let me
just say I am PRO! I now can mow grass and law sod. The mission has
taught me so much about landscaping;). Then we went to a less actives
and had a lesson and helped her move. I was playing Tetris in the
Uhall trying to organize all of their stuff. It was only 102 outside
and about 118 in the Uhall. Then after dinner we had a lesson with
Carmen's husband. Carmen bailed on us. She said she got stung by a
bee. Then we went to see potentials and then went and met this less
active family who hasn't been to church in years. They said they had a
bad experience in the church and they 'still believe' but don't think
they need to come in order to believe. We shared the daily bread
pattern and the spirit was strong. We testified and then left. It was
a great lesson!  Sunday we had meetings all morning and then we went
to go contacting. We saw this guy on the side of the road by the park
so we pulled up next to him to give him an invitation for something
and he was like "I think I met you sisters at a stop light a few days
ago and you gave me the same flyer." Haha. We cracked up. We ended up
teaching one lesson to a potential investigator and then we went to
dinner and then back to the church for meetings. We ended this week
with 27 lessons. We were on fire. That is the most lessons that
vacaville has had in one area for a LONG, LONG time!  And it's because
of The Lord. When we put our life in His hands we can do much more
than we can on our own. Love you all!
Sister Peterson

Car Contacting and baptism invites during Stop lights

June 2, 2014

Well this week has been a crazy one! We hardly had any lessons but with transfers and everything, things are a little crazy! Trios are intense! I'm leading out the area and teaching my sisters how to car contact. Since I know how long each stop light is red, it helps us know how long we can talk to the car next to us at the red lights. Gotta make missionary work fun!! We got a new apartment also! But I don't think I'll be here for more than 5 weeks so the address you can continue to send mail to is:

5301 Badger Road

Santa Rosa ca 95409

This week my favorite chapter this week is doctrine and covenants 31! If you're ever feeling down, that's a good chapter to read!

Hope you all have an excellent week!

Sister Peterson