Great Week....!!

Well this past week has been awesome. We have been working hard on preparing for Christian's baptism and well...... It happened. 

Elder Betzold, Christian, Elder Peterson
June 9, 2014

He was baptized at 6:30 yesterday my time. It was such a spiritual moment. I have never been so close as that to crying. Because of the Journey that it has taken to get Christian to this point

I love working and to add great news on top of that, we meaning Elder Betzold and I are staying together another Transfer. Heck yes. We were both really excited about that.

We have so much to do that I can't wait to get going again. We also have a potential of baptizing three more people in the month. But these baptism have to come through Heavenly Fathers work not ours.

We have been working hard and trying to find new people because it is all coming together real shortly. 

We have two new investigators, one being a former college football player (wide receiver) for Cincinnati university. The other I have not met yet because they got him on exchanges on Sunday so I have not had a chance to meet him yet. But I am enjoying all the work I have been doing.
The greatest thing about coming out on a mission is you come to know Christ. Even if you don't know how, you put everything on the line. Your joys, your sorrows, your life. The new youth theme song "Come Unto Christ" really hits it on the spot. Christ is the one waiting. He brings us back to Him. He heals me in my frustration. He know me. He Knows ME!!!
I love how much people change. They change because of the Love of Christ. LOVE. That is the key to Jesus Christ. Once you love your family and friends, you want to bring them back. That is why I now do this work.

Love with Deep Desire,

Elder Peterson

P.S. The Weather has been humid and rainy and hot. That is the only way that I can put it. khaha

Elder Holland, Baptism, Zone Conference "Great Week"

Well things here have been chaos. We have Elder Holland coming which ia a big priority. This past week we had our Zone Conference also a baptism. Our potential investigator didn't work out he flamed us (dissapointed look) but thats missionary life. You get people and lose people just as fast. But the key is to just keep on working, because sooner or later people will except the gospel, only if the seed was planted. So that is what you need to look at while serving. Baptisms do come but not all at once, work is required!

Elder Betzold, Mercedes, Elder Peterson

Love you, Elder Peterson

Last week was a great week. We just had Elder Holland come and talk to us. He is a really short guy. A lot shorter then I was picturing him. haha. It was really cool to shake his hand and met him in person.But man does that man know how to Talk. He's words were also very inspiring.He told us as missionaries that we are apostles. Not the capital A Apostle with Keys but the lower case a apostle. We have the ability to work and expand Heavenly Fathers Church. We have been working hard at getting better he said but we are still only at 207 degrees (before boiling) we need to move it up to 210 degrees and will boil over because of how many ready people there are. He talked a lot about hastening the work of Salvation. Not just missionary work. But the Hastening of ourselves. If we are not hastening ourselves then we are falling behind and it will be even harder to catch up. That is all from Holland this week I will write more about it later. Then we worked and got closer and closer to getting a new investigator. That is our goal to get at least one this transfer. But Christian our investigator is growing but slowly. He is skeptical that he will get an answer. But he is wanting to get an answer. 

--

Hanging out with the Llama's

Looking good!!!!

Love

Elder Peterson

Cleveland, Ohio Mission

Tracking, Stop byes....baptism

Well you told me to write a letter so I am doing just that. I am writing this in the Harris home. They are a really cool family. They played volleyball with us in the rain. It was a total blast, but sadly my camera's battery died. So no pictures.

But to talk about my past week we had to do a ton of tracking, stop byes and a lot of contacting. We found two really nice potentials. They were all really receptive. In fact we are going to teach one named Quinton. So really excited for that.
Love you, Elder Peterson

Update:

Well the Baptism on Saturday was great my companion had to dunk her three times because her dress wouldn't stay down. So we had a double baptism luckily and so the other person baptizing went down and held the dress. It did not do any good for Mercedes because she couldn't move the next day because she has back problems. So we couldn't confirm her tell this week. So good things there.

Sandie:  Sorry to hear about Mercedes back. Hopefully that doesn't discourage her.

Mercedes is not discouraged thankfully. She is even more determined to go next week to get the Holy Ghost. It is actually quite amazing.

Sandie:   Your letter said you got to play volleyball in the rain. Was it a down pour or just enough to make it fun? Does the Harris family have older kids (more your age).

Well the ones in the softball photos (for my birthday) that is the Harris's. The Oldest is Christian (sound familiar) he is nineteen, next is Kateline who is 17, the next is Brooke who is fourteen, and the last is Daniel who is 11. There are two more and one is named Ian Harris who is serving in Provo, he is the second oldest and the other is Alisa and she is the oldest. None are members except their Mom, Alisa, and Ian. Yes it was a downpour, but it was a ton of fun. 

Sandie:    What are your plans for today? More fun and games :)?

We really don't have any plans for today. We are just trying to keep things under control and ready for Elder Holland. 

 Love you got to go

"Finally an update"

The Salsa and the Pickles did survive and boy oh boy was I excited to get them. I mean Wow. I was wanting chips so that I could eat the Salsa. But I have to wait tell today and get some. sad face. Well I definently loved the Salsa. I already ate the Salsa and working on the pickles. My birthday was awesome. I was sick...ugh. But I am way better.                                                                                                                                                                                                  

 I have pictures of us playing softball, well hitting and pitching it was a blast.

 But we finally got a date for Mercedes and that is May 17. So are extremely pumped. We had a really slow week last week with our schedule being empty, so we had to do a ton of finding then usual. Christian is coming along really nicely too. He is becoming more open and now he just has to make the decision. I have not been able to use Preston's testimony yet because it hasn't been the right time, but we are planning on using it in a lesson this week. The Weather here has been the same crazy weather since it became spring and everybody in Ohio is like this is not usual for us to have this crazy weather. Tons of rain and sun in the middle then more rain and sun. Lots and lots of wind.

One minute I am in Ohio and then.......

.......the next thing you know I am in Pennsylvania

 I am at the mercy of the library on when I get on and off.

 Love ya, Elder Peterson

Old area to New Area

My last day with my companions in Kirtland, sad day....but ready for new adventures!!

Elder Moreland, Elder Peterson and Elder Stephenson

I made some great friends in Kirtland. That is why I am friends with them on Facebook.

Do you know Rebecca Thornton? I confirmed her as your friend on your facebook?

Actually I know her really well I absolutely love her Husband Kane Thornton. He is an extremely awesome guy. I told him if he wanted to stay in contact then ask his wife to be friends with me on Facebook.

Elder Peterson and Elder Betzold

I am in an area called New Castle West. It's in the Youngstown zone.

My new address is

611 Creed St 
Struthers, OH 44471 

My Companions name is Elder Betzold (nickname is Elder Pretzel). He is the one who gave himself that nickname because everyone has a problem remembering his last name.

I am in an apartment with only us two Elders and it seems to be really nice that way. The area is definitely warmer then my last area. because I am not even close to the lake anymore and I definitely feel a difference in the weather.

I am totally excited and love my new area. I do have to admit though that living by Kirtland definitely has a lot of perks like the spirit always there. But this area is just as nice.

 II am still in a car using zone. The car we drive is a Subaru Legacy. I actually really love this car and would not mind getting that kind of car to drive when I get home

 We do not have any baptism dates set, but a ton of soon to be baptism dates. Mercedes baptism can happen as soon as she is done with her surgeries. that is the only thing holding her back. She is all set and ready and now just needs to be baptized.

Mom: What are your plans for today?

Elder Peterson: Not much going shopping for three hours enjoying ourself. Being back in a city has been really nice and now I can save money instead of going to just Walmart (which was really expensive). Then my companion and I are going to clean the apartment because my companions old companion was a real messy guy. So we are going to make it tip top shape.

Also I forgot to tell you Jeffrey R Holland is coming to my mission on May 21st along with a person from the quorum of the Seventy. Really excited!!

                           My trainer (Elder Schmidt) is my Zone Leader now and he is in Youngstown.
            I will get to say hi and talk to him every week, so it is going to be a blast having him as a Zone leader.

Love you,

Elder Peterson

Thought for the day: "Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "If you sow a thought, you reap an action. Sow an action and you reap a habit. Sow a habit and you reap a character. Sow a character and you reap a destiny."

(Mom saw it on someone's facebook)

I'm leaving.....to ????

Yes I am getting transfered. hahaha How about that. I am really excited but really sad. Elder Stephenson is getting transfered also. Here is a picture of my district:

Bottom Row: Elder Peterson, Elder Moreland, Elder Stephenson.

Top Row: Sister Harrison, Sister Derrick, Sister Oliver, Sister Tietjen, Sister Frankenberry, Sister Esplin. 

 Love you, until next week...

Love, Elder Peterson

Road Block...returning investigator...letter from a member

March 6

Well it has been a great week, I can tell you that much. Katherine who is our investigator has hit a road block with her husband. He right now is not okay with her being baptized. So we are praying to have his heart softened enough to let her be baptized because she really wants to be.
Then we picked up Eddy again. Which is a complete miracle because he just disappeared. So that was great. We are working to achieve 25 lessons and still just trying to get over twenty.
The weather has been cold, cold, and more cold. Actually is has been the most ridiculous weather ever.

Love Ya,

Elder Peterson

Update: March 1

Well the week actully went well, we found the investigator that I was saying was golden in January. He called back and is in a Health care Facility. So great to be teaching him (Eddy) again. The funny thing the Husband of that Sister is now okay with her getting baptized. But now the problem is the Ex-Husband (Well lets just say that He is keeping her busy and she just doesnt know how to say no). Grr Satan loves to get in the way. But on the Brighter side is that another investigator is up to par on Baptism. He stopped smoking and drinking coffee cold turkey now for eight days. Which is awesome. Transfers are next week so that means next Tuesday I will be writing. I give up on trying to know if I am leaving or staying if the Lord wants me here I will stay if I am needed else where then I will leave for else where.
The weather has been so nice, it has been incredible. I can't believe how warm it has got for being forty degrees.

Love,  Elder Peterson


Dear Brother and Sister Peterson.

I am from the Perry ward were your son serves his mission. My husband and I have spent a lot of time with your son and his companion. Your son is very quiet but he has a very strong testimony. He has a kindness and a sincerity about him that the spirit radiates off him. We have been so blessed to have him serving in our ward. When the time comes for him to get married he will make one lucky young woman a wonderful husband. Thank you for trusting in the Lord and sharing your son in the Cleveland, Ohio mission. I would like to let you know that my husband and I love your son and are taking care of him while he's in the Perry ward. We have him and his companion over often. You have raised one wonderful son. I just wanted to share that with you.

Your friend.

(It sure makes a parent feel good when people let you know how much they appreciate your son and how well he is doing. I am grateful to know that he is being taken care of. Thank you for the sweet letter).

Elder Anderson and Elder Peterson

He was my temporary companion for a week and a half. I got to be a temporary Zone leader with him.
We played basketball against each other in High School.
Skyline/Hunter
Sport enemies and Missionary friends