And The Transfer Announcement Is....

I got transfered! That was so weird! I had been in Izumo for so long, that it didn't feel real. I left on the same bus that we took to Zone Conference every transfer; it felt like I was going on an exchange.

The new location: Kurashiki City in Okayama Prefecture. The address:
Okayama-ken Kurashiki-shi Tanoue 1041
Atorio N Tanoue #125
710-0831

The bottom number is the zip code. They order the places and names differently in Japan, but I'm sure if you get all that info on the envelope, it'll find its way!

Izumo was a decently-sized city, but there weren't very many people. The center of town had some tall buildings, but then it was basically farm-land as far as the eye could see.

Kurashiki is HUGE!!! Like, this is the city life right here! I guess that compared to Okayama City, and then even BIGGER cities like Tokyo, this place is still "small". But that's comparison for you. This place is SO BIG! We can go streeting, there are tons of people on the streets. I've been to some cool places already; like the Bikan Area (Bikan Chiku) - a really old shopping district that attracts a lot of people.

My new companion. . . an American. Someone I met at the MTC! Elder Daimler, from my Senpai group (six weeks ahead of my group). NO WAY. I was shocked when Pres. Isa told me over the phone. I did not see that one happening at all. I think it's going to be really good for the both of us. I had a good time with Elder Kajiuchi, but I think I relied on his fluency a little too much. We're going to be trying hard! Yosh! Elder Daimler's from the Salt Lake City area, Clearfield? This is going to be a completely different experience from my first four transfers.

For example, we were streeting the other night, ran into this cafe owner who was working on some plants outside his shop - Mr. Wakabayashi. We chatted for a bit, he asked us if we were Mormons! He was born here, but lived in Tokyo for a while as a fashion designer. He wants to talk with us again, and share his thoughts and feelings with us! NO WAY!

I keep meeting Brazilians, and the same night as the cafe man, we met a man that totally looked and sounded Japanese but spoke Portuguese. I have a little bit of vocab thanks to Elder De Menezes (Any progress on that address? ;) ... so it was fun.

Met a recent convert - baptized last week! She's from Brazil, and her son and friend also met with us. Her friend is working with us toward a baptismal goal of October 5th. Wow. . .

It's starting to feel more real, the more time passes. . . But wow, I am looking forward to this transfer. Oh yeah, I'm in Elder Atkin's zone now - He and Elder Vaughn (my last zone leader) are the zone leaders, so I'll get to work with them again. This is going to be fun!

We have an Exchange planned for this week, so I'll be staying in Fukuyama after District Meeting on Wednesday. A whole new place, full of new potential, adventures, and a fresh start for me!

I LOVE the ward. There were a lot of people in Church on Sunday. They are wonderful. The bishop is 28, served a mission in Hawaii, and speaks English fluently, along with his wife from Brazil, and a bucket load of other members. But don't worry, we're still trying to speak Japanese as much as possible.

Well, I better let Elder Daimler take a turn. We have to do email at the City Hall - with one computer. But don't worry, we can still have an hour or so, and then we switch to writing snail mail letters while we wait.

The Barbeque sauce is DIVINE!! Elder Kajiuchi and I made a pizza "pie" on Wednesday. And the POP-TARTS! I'm in heaven! I've got to buy a pie plate or two, but I'm looking forward to making those peanut butter pies. But hey, I made an awesome tiny cake yesterday out of pancake mix, brown sugar, an egg, canned peaches, chocolate, and baking powder. Awesome. . .
Anyway. I love you. I'm thankful for your prayers and amazing emails. I am very blessed.

Next week then,
Elder Peterson - Livin' in the city!





LATER:::::::::::::::::::

Hah, I was so excited about Kurashiki that I forgot to mention the good news about Umetani San. Her husband finally gave her the okay for Baptism. She will be baptised soon; they were to decide the date after transfers, so I'll find out next week at Stake Conference when I see Elder Kajiuchi (and everyone from Izumo) next week. Same Stake, cool huh? ;)
I'm so excited for her. It was amazing to see the dramatic flip-around in her countenance and attitude about God and religion. She's reading and praying every day. I hope to come back here some day and find that she's still active and strong!

We visited Rahman san to tell him I was being transferred. He invited us into his apartment happily, honored that we came at the exact moment that we was breaking his fast for the day. He gave us part if his food, heartfeltingly thanked us, and even embraced us and called upon the Lord for blessings upon us. What a brother; he is truly seeking light and truth. He wants to make a difference in the world, he wants to be a true disciple of God. The new bean-chan that transferred to Izumo is from America, so hopefully they will be able to build a good relationshi.

Oh I will miss Izumo, all the wonderful people, and the experiences I had there. The young single adults held a little FHE/goodbye party for me on Wednesday night. I felt so much love.

Well, time to start over. This is a fresh slate. Time to make a difference in this new, beautiful city. Ganbarou!

Elder Peterson

Ding Ding Ding! Round Four!

Well, I'm staying in Izumo for at least another transfer. Yes, I think I wanted a slight change of scene, but I'm glad to be here. Lately, I've been making some really neat connections, and looks like I have a chance to strengthen them.

Elder Kajiuchi and I are still companions. Things seem to be going well. I think we were able to get over most of our differences last transfer. Althought I'm sure the hard moments aren't done, I at least know that it is possible to work things out.

We planned and put on a Farewell Party for Genesi-san (a Woman from Brazil who has to return to Brazil without her husband Armando to take care of her ill mother). The Farewell Party was on Thursday night, and was a really good experience, thanks to our miraculous Brazillian member that showed up a few weeks ago (Brother Junior), we were able to communicate very effectively, and even got to perform a musical number, half in Japanese and Half in Portugeuse (Elder De Menezes would be so proud. . . Speaking of which, any news on an address for him yet? :)

This week's cooking adventures. . . .

We received a gigantic cucumber from one of the branch members, and didn't really know what to do with it. . . So, I tried a couple of things. One, I made a Cucumber Cake (Kyuuri Keeki) (basically a white cake with cucumber in it. . . It's okay, but kind of wierd. Hmm. . . At least I can eat cucumbers now, and I am kind of starting to like them. You're next, Tomato!), and then I made a Potato salad - ALL by myself. Hah! This mission is proving to be good training grounds for broadening my cooking and baking skills. I mean, obviously that's not the most important aspect, but it's part of the "icing on the cake". . heh heh. . . ;) Oh, and I also made some old fashioned peanut butter cookies for the first time, the kind with the criss-cross fork pattern. Wow, I always wanted to learn how to make those, and now I can!

Concerning the people we're working with, Umetani-san and Nanba-san are still doing quite well. We're working with the church members in working with both investigators, and seeing some good things.

Lately I've been doing a lot of the phone calls. I was way nervous at first, and I'm still not completely confident, BUT it's not as scary anymore. I just need to stay calm, focus, be confident, and I actually can kind of communicate over the phone!

[Editor's note: in response to a comment made by Paul's Aunt Laurie about having three cousins on missions at the same time - Paul in Japan; Jason Palmer in Dublin, Ireland; Jared Keele on his way to Guatamala. Our very own "Three Nephites"]

Hah, Aunt Laurie,  the Three Nephites ;) I like it!

Don't forget, you can still email and write snail mail letters. I PROMISE to write back :D

Well my dear family, once again, I love you, and thank you so much for your prayers. I need them, as much as I can get them.

Take care, (体をおだいじに）

I've Got Sunshine... On a Cloudy Day

Wow I needed that phone call this morning! It was so good getting to hear and talk with you all! Sundy, like you said: I'm starting to feel that I'm closer to all of you now than I was at the MTC. It's funny, I was there ten minutes away but it felt a whole world away. And now that I am actually a whole world away, I don't feel so far anymore!

I still have things to talk about even after that wonderful phone call, so I'll start with last week.

Last week's email probably seemed a little down because I was feeling down. . . Probably more than a little. Part of it might have just been the "Second Companion Syndrome" but something was tearing me up inside. And then I figured things out. Things clicked. . .

Here's what happened: I realized that I was dwelling on the things I thought my companion was doing wrong, his imperfections, and judging him without really realizing it. I was having a hard time giving him the brotherly love that companionships need because I wouldn't let go of those thoughts and feelings that were giving me grief. But then I made a resolve and became determined to love him somehow! Ever since then -- when I decided to just love him -- it has been like the cloud of inner turmoil just dispersed and whisked away. . .
So I'm doing fine! Yeah, sometimes he says a few things that bug me a little but then I think about Christ's example; how he loved everyone even though some people spit upon him, beat him, rejected him, and crucified him. If he was still able to keep perfect love for all men in spite of all of those things then there must be a way for me to love my companions, even if it's hard.

Don't get me wrong, my companion is amazing! Just listening to him teach has taught me a lot. Elder Atkin is smart, quick, and is able to tie things together and keep the people we're teaching entertained. I have been learning a lot from him, and have been able to realize once again that the Lord is in the work; that every missionary is where they are for a reason. The Lord has specific tasks for us.

Looking back, Kobayashi Choro and I really did work hard, even though I got those thoughts that I wasn't doing enough. However, it wasn't until Atkin Choro came that one of our investigators finally started progressing. It was like she just needed the right elder to come along with the right personality. Umetani-san -- we had two lessons with her last week! The first was a little unexpected because she thought we were coming on Thursday, but she let us meet with her anyway. Atkin choro asked her to read from the Restoration Pamphlet he had given her and to pray, ... lo and behold, the next day she had done what we had asked! AWESOME!!

Well, I am now the proud (in a good way ;) owner of a new bicycle! After the tire from the hand-me-down bike I had at the start was punctured, walking over an hour to get back home, and borrowing a ward member's mama chatti (a granny style bike with a basket in the front...) I finally have a bike that fits me. Can you picture it? Elder Peterson wearing a big white helmet on a granny bike with a basket in the front. . . Very stylish. . . Hah, I got some weird looks; if the looks could be translated into English they would have been something like:

"Whoah. . . who's that weird American riding a granny bike. .. HA!"

But, everything is fine!! A new bike! Hopefully it will last me all the way through the end of the mission here in Japan!

This week is Zone Conference at Okayama again. Then Atkin Choro will be riding back with a Japanese Bean-Chan (Tanaka Choro, from Chiba, Tokyo - he is really cool, I talked with him a lot before and after district meeting last week!) to Yonago for District Leader Exchange. Elder Gatchell from St. George will be riding with me back to Izumo. And then next week, we're doing Zone Leader exchanges, so I'll be headed back up to Matsue with Elder Mahoney this time. Sweet!

I'm looking forward to the packages that are on their way! Mmmm. . . Taco seasoning! And Kobayashi Choro left his tortillas in the freezer so we'll really be able to have tacos; this is exciting!

Hey, have you heard anymore news about Elder De Menezes? His companion after me in the MTC wrote to me and said he got put in the Salt Lake City South Mission. If that is the case, can you tell the Leatherwoods / Petersons / Aunt Sylvia to keep their eyes open for him and to give him baked goods if they see him! (Okay I guess you don't have to tell them about the baked goods, but it would be cool if you could send a little home-baked love to Elder De Menezes for me :)

Ooh, could someone try to find some cool stickers to send to me? Umetani san's 9 year old daughter saw the cool scripture stickers that Kobayashi Choro and I had and wants some. I gave her a few and I don't want you to buy her that particular kind because it is expensive, I hear. But if you can find any other type of sticker that is similar (slightly see-through. . . if possible. If not that's okay too) and mail them here so I can give them to her? I imagine she'd just like any kind of sticker that 9 year old girls would like, maybe disney or princesses. . . Thank you! Sorry for the trouble :)

Wow, it's just so funny to see how much a person can learn from serving a mission. I mean I still don't know a lot (at least that's what it feels like), but I'm constantly having new insights! I even found a new appreciation for washing the dishes. It's good thinking time, maybe that's why Dad does the dishes so much (or maybe just that I wasn't as willing to do chores as I should have been. . .)

I can't think of a better place to be! I need to be here right now. This mission really is something that I needed to do. And it seems like the more time that passes, the more I lose those slight feelings of wanting to go home. "To lose is to find, and to find is to lose" (a concept from the scriptures that was actually used in one of my favorite video games. . . tee hee).


Just know that I really do love all of you, and that I'm doing okay! Life is beautiful! Every day is a gift, that's why "today" is called "the present" :)

MTC #10: Ready to Run

Thank you for your love and support. It's hard to believe that I've been here for just under ten weeks! I leave for Japan on Monday. Am I dreaming? I have been wanting to go to Japan for quite some time now, and it is just about to happen! Hontou ni waku waku shi te imasu!

Well, we are STILL waiting to find out whether or not Elder De Menezes will be getting surgery. The consultation with the doctor went well, and the surgery would be very beneficial, so now we wait, some more.

Thursday last week was SO awesome! We got our Flight Plans. We'll fly from SLC to Los Angeles, and from there to the Narita Airport in Tokyo. I'm not too worried about packing, because it looks like I don't have as much stuff as I thought I did.

Ooh, part of last Thursday wasn't so good. . . Well, it was, just interesting: While Elder De Menezes went up to Salt Lake with a service missionary/interpreter for the consultation, I stayed with my class, and joined Elders Everts and Sheffield to teach in the TRC. It was actually really cool, being able to switch between three people. The flow was really fun. However, the "investigator" was a little rude in my opinion. We were constantly searching for ways to keep the investigator involved, asking questions, trying to relate it to him (well, maybe we could have done more of that), and etc. However, quite a few times throughout the lesson, he would pretend to nod off to sleep. Even when I was in the middle of doing my best to give the Joseph Smith experience with real testimony, he nodded off right then and there! I almost got a bit frustrated, but instead took a chill pill and tried to remain calm.

That's one thing I'm still working on though, focusing on the investigator. I'm getting better, but I kept sticking to the weird idea that I had to start at the beginning every time. Like yesterday, we taught Sister Woo at the Teaching Evaluation Center, and it went pretty well, but we could have taught toward her needs a bit better. Good experience, nevertheless.

The Referral Center on Saturday was awesome. I spoke with a man named Roy Wright. He had ordered a Book of Mormon a while ago, and had read a little bit of it, but it had been a while. I challenged him to read the introduction, and more of the Book of Mormon, and he accepted. I then offered to send the missionaries by, and he almost declined - but I said they would call first to set an appointment, and he agreed! Awesome!!!

Sadly, I still haven't been able to get a hold of Amy D. again, but I called and left a message about how she can go to LDS.org to read the Book of Mormon. Oh well.

Oh, I bought a new set of scriptures. I had been wanting to for a while, my old set is so beat up and worn out, and marked way too much (it's hard to read some of the pages because I was so careless). Elder De Menezes gave me the advice that he heard from a General Authority: on the mission, you have a new life. New life = new scriptures. So I did it. I will most likely send my old quad home, after searching through to find the items I would like to transfer over.

Ooh! Thank you SOOOOOO much for the package. Elder De Menezes was so happy when he saw that you bought him a 4 gig memory card (ME TOO!) And all that EFY music made me so happy - hearing music from my childhood! Thank you so much for the cinnamon sugar pop-tarts. They really hit the spot. ooh, and the Japanese snacks! Good stuff! Perfect ties, I'm trading them up! :)

Thank you for everything! I love you!

MTC #9: No Proof, Just Faith

I thought I'd start off with a little spiritual thought this week. This morning I read Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." I had heard this scripture before, but for some reason, it meant a bit more to me today. If you remember, I chatted with a person named Jesse Cattell a week ago in the referral center. She wanted proof - "Tell me one thing that will make be believe in religion, that there's a God." Oh wow - we watched Testaments on Sunday Night, and the scene of the Trial with Kohor and Helam is very applicable to this thought. Kohor goes about using logic, reason, and cunning intellect to try to win over the governor. He said, "There is no cause, there is no guilt, and there is no Messiah." But then Helam steps in and talks about how he is not a man of clever speaking, and a stranger to lawyers and the artifice of law. He bears sincere, simple, powerful testimony of the messiah! This concept is amazing!

I've said it before, but religion cannot be proved by logic or physical evidence. This church is true, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is real, but we're not going to convince anyone using hard facts. Faith is our evidence. It is after the trial of our faith that we receive the witness, proof, and confirmation that we need (Book of Mormon, Ether 12:6). Once you soften your heart, let go of your fears and concerns, and pray in faith, truly and sincerely desiring an answer, THEN you will receive. You have to have faith. We have it, and it is ALL the evidence we need.

Well, still no word on whether Elder de Menezes will stay longer or not. Thursday is the day; he will be going with an interpreter up to Salt Lake City for a consultation with the surgeon. He thinks it's going to go through. I want it to, I want him to be happy. If I could just have all of you meet him and have him bear testimony to you, you would feel his spirit, and the power of his testimony. I hope he gets this, he deserves it. Please pray hard for him. I'll let you know next Tuesday what the verdict is.

Today we took a little trip off of the MTC campus - down to BYU Laundry services to get Elder D's suit coat altered (too long). It was kind of nice! Walking on the sidewalk, seeing cars and people pass by. Wow. Oh, and the weather was SO wonderful today. Perfect Preparation Day weather! Someone even pulled over to ask if we needed a ride, but we politely declined - the Laundry building is a few hundred yards south of the MTC gym, I don't think MTC missionaries are allowed to accept unauthorized rides anyway. So we had the seamstress pin up his sleeves, and all will be well. But, check this out: I noticed a few green Army ROTC Class A uniforms lying around. I even brought my ROTC uniform in way back in the day. I asked the seamstress if they got a lot of ROTC uniforms in. She told me that the supply man from BYU's ROTC had just come in this morning. (Now, remember, BYU and UVU share the same over-all ROTC battalion). He said that the Cougar Battalion is now the largest. At UVU, there are now about 300 cadets signed up! Holy cow, when I was there we only had like 50 or 60! I don't know if you'll think that's cool or not, but I sure thought so!

So, I had a really good interview with Jacobson Sensei on Thursday night. I had been kind of down for some reason, and the talk really helped. I had been letting concerns about classroom behavior, attitudes of other missionaries, and other things tear at my thoughts. I was encouraged to just let those concerns go. If I don't want to deal with them, I can give them to the Savior. The atonement can cover these types of feelings as well. Amazing!

Dad, could you possible send 3 or 4 of those ties that I left with you. I might be sending some back - yes I probably will, but there's this whole tie-exchange craze happening, and I want to trade with a few elders, just for memory's sake of course. I'm even trading one with Durney Sensei tomorrow, and I already traded with Elder D.

Oh, Yoshihiko Kikuchi of the 70 spoke tonight! Awesome! He talked about how our bodies are temples, and then on self mastery. Amazing!
I love you so much! Hope to hear from you soon.

MTC #7: Teaching with the Spirit

Well, there's no verdict yet about Elder D. We found out some time last week that Elder de Menezes will have to wait for a consultation with the surgeon on March 5th (11 days before our scheduled departure date). It looks like the surgery to reconnect the severed nerve is quite expensive - VERY expensive. The only way Elder de Menezes will get to have the surgery performed is if the surgeon will offer a discount - something that has happened in the past. Please pray extra hard for this whole situation. As I thought about it a few weeks ago, I got a good feeling about Elder de Menezes serving in Utah for a few months before Japan, but who knows. . . Only the Lord.

Wow, last night was amazing. We practiced teaching Lesson 2 in Japanese with another district. We were all really worried, because our district didn't have all of our outlines finished yet, and hadn't gone over all of the topics in Japanese yet. Oh, and we had just barely learned about the Atonement in Japanese. Yeah, it was a little frightening. Anyway, Elder D and I started teaching Elders Allen and Dadivas. At first, I had my outline notebook out, flipping through it to try and find ideas. I got the feeling to just close it and not worry about it. So I did. I started focusing more on what Elder de Menezes was saying, I started praying harder for him. It was taking us quite a bit of time to explain some of the doctrine, and then Bro. Durney popped his head through the door saying that we had three minutes left.

At that point, I moved into teaching about the atonement, or testifying about it, or both. . . I can't remember exactly what I said, I just remember how it felt. Yeah, Elder De Menezes and I have taught with the spirit before, but never quite like it was last night. I can't really describe what it felt like, just that it was so amazing. I wasn't saying anything profound, they were little, simple statements - but they came from my heart. Wow. . . I hope and pray that we will be able to have that spirit every time we teach.

Hey, can you remember Elder Rea (Ray) and Elder Childs in your prayers. Last night after we got done teaching, Elder Rea wasn't doing too well, he was really frustrated. I was talking a bit with Elder Childs after and he's having some hard times with patience and loving. Please think about them. I think sometimes we get caught up in not knowing what exactly to say, or how to say it in Japanese. But that's not what matters. As Elder Allen said last night, "The investigators won't remember what you said, they'll remember how they felt."

Thank you for the packages and goodies. I'm going to make a confession. . . At first, I tried to give up sweets. It lasted for a few weeks, but then people kept sending me cookies and goodies and sweets. There is NOTHING wrong with that, however, as I have decided to give up my anti-sweet crusade. I figure that when I get to Japan, goodies won't be as readily available, and the food will usually come in really small proportions. I'm sure I'll be able to stay healthy. Although I do have a request. . . Maybe sometime, like at my half-way mark in Japan, you could look up this service Bro. Jacobson told us about. I think it's called Flying Pig (search for it), it's a service that will send actual Costco Food to Missionaries in Japan (yes, they have Costco in Japan). It might be a little pricey, so if so, don't worry about it. But wow, it'd be nice to get something like a nice Costco Apple Pie, chicken bakes, or tortillas - items they don't normally have in Japan, but which do exist at Costco. Again, if it's too pricey, don't worry about it :)

Hey! I just remembered some tender mercies I'd like to share.

Last week, as we were walking up to the temple early morning, we passed some ROTC cadets from BYU. I didn't know any of them, but I called out "ROTC, Hooah!" They responded with "Missionaries, Hooah!" That was pretty cool. THen, on my way back from the temple, I ran into Chris Dunning from my math class, the one we ran into at the Distribution Center that day. Okay, and this morning, my alarm didn't wake me up! But, someone pounded on our door when I needed to wake up. It woke me up, they pounded again. "Oh, sorry, wrong floor". They had unintentionally gone to the wrong room, but it was awesome! We wouldn't have made it to the temple on time if they hadn't made that mistake.

I want you to know how much I love you, and how much I love this Gospel. My testimony of the atonement has grown quite a bit since I've been here. Sometimes, I think the adversary wants me to forget, and those are the times when I get a little down. But then I just get back on my feet and head on upward, remembering that this isn't about me. I know I've got to focus. There is a lot I still have to work on and learn here, so I will.

MTC #6: Medical Drama

Dear Family,

Thanks for your prayers, love, and packages. I'm sending a picture CD, hopefully to be delivered by Ellen Amatangelo.

Okay, a little bit of Drama this week. Elder De Menezes went in for a follow up with the ear doctor last week. It was kind of cool, I got to see the inside of his ear (a really tiny camera), but here's the not so good part: there's a tiny hole in his ear drum. He can't get any water inside or there will be an infection that could potentially do a lot of damage. The hole is there because when his tumor was being removed years ago, the Brazilian doctors grafted an artificial eardrum, and it has ripped a little. In the surgery, they accidentally cut the nerve that runs through the ear and branches to the right side of the face - that's what's caused the numbness and lack of use on the right side of his face. Elder D was asked by the doctors at the MTC - if they could get authorization for the surgery - if he would want the surgery to reconnect the nerve. It would mean staying in Utah for another 4 or 5 months and then going to Japan. He said yes, so we'll see what happens. He would be serving in the Provo Mission, so who knows, if it happens, you might get to meet him.

Love you!

MTC #5: Agency

My first request is for you to start enlisting more people to write me. I hardly get any letters any more. I got a whole bunch the first week, and then it's kind of plummeted into nonexistence. Thanks for the packages though, and letters, they are much appreciated.

Okay, so concerning Elder DeMenezes, I can't remember what all I told you last week, but here's a recap:
On Monday last week, Elder D had a Lumbar Puncture done to test for MS related causes for his face pain (part of which is due to a tumor in his ear from 3 years ago, smashing the three branches of nerves on the right side of his face). So yeah, he had the LP on Monday, and I didn't know that he was supposed to be IN BED for 24 hours. The paper he brought back said that 24 hours of bed rest was recommended. I won't make that kind of mistake again. He did rest for a while, but he came with me to do laundry and such, and go to the temple. The next few days, he had some really bad headaches. We took him to the clinic, and he went back for more tests. It looks like the hole from the LP didn't seal properly, meaning a leakage of brain fluid; less brain fluid, meaning less cushioning for the brain = really bad migraines. So, on Friday, I went with Elder D to the Imaging center place down in Provo by the Hospital. I think I passed Sister Brimhall by the front Desk, but I couldn't remember her name at first. They performed a patch on the LP site, which followed with 24 hours of bed rest. We did some exchanges to swap out staying with him so that no one would have to miss all of class.

I'll tell you though, while he was laying in bed, we had a really good Companion Study. We discussed agency quite a bit. Before coming here, I never really grasped how important exactly agency is. Here's your spiritual message from me for the week:

The church is true, that is certain. But we can't prove its truth using logic. Yes, there is proof, but we're going to get nowhere by trying to argue (I learned that with my little talk with Private Davis at Basic Training - as he tried to share some scripture proving that our church was false, and I - even though not bible bashingly - tried to counter. He wouldn't listen). People must use their agency to choose whether or not to accept the church. I remember mom talking to me forever ago, saying that the spirit works based on knowledge, and I didn't quite understand it, but then I found a scripture - I wrote it down, but can't remember it off of the top of my head. Basically, the spirit speaketh unto men by knowledge, according to their understanding. God can't just inspire men right off the bat saying that the church is true - if he did, that would take away their agency. That's why missionary work is so important. We have to take this message to everyone so they can have the chance to hear it, and the chance to choose whether or not to accept it. Once the knowledge is presented to them, the spirit can then act, and then they must choose.

The great battle before this earth was all about agency, as the adversary fought to take it away from us. That war continues today, as the agency of man is still fought for. I think just about every major conflict has its root in forcing someone to think a certain way. Agency is critical!!! That's part of my schpeel, I can't remember the rest.

I just got the package, thank you so much!!!

Music is good, especially since the other companionship doesn't really like church music/hymns, and their music is a little less (well, not bad, just not stuff from the music list - like Disney music - although the Brother Bear music actually does help me feel the spirit sometimes "Take a look through my eyes, everything changes, you'll be amazed what you'll find" Ooh, and "Tell everybody I'm on my way, and loving every step I take".

Love you! More to come later!

MTC #4: So Little Time

Sorry, I have run out of time again!! not on the email time, but today was just full. Elder De Menezes had a Lumbar Puncture (ouch!) yesterday. The neurologist thinks that his problem might be rooted in Multiple Sclerosis or something stroke-related. I'm hoping it's nothing that serious. He had a tumor a few years ago that squashed the nerves on the right side of his face. All this information!! So little time to write it!

Anyway, I came to an awesome realization this week. I've been thinking way too much about myself and what I want. The hardest moments were when I was consumed with myself. Then all of a sudden, I started trying to stop focusing on myself and life was BEAUTIFUL! I'm still kind of nervous for teaching on Thursday, but I think this week will be better!

Thank you so much for the prayers, packages, letters, and that AWESOME article!!! It made me so excited for my after-mission career pursuit!!

More coming next week, sorry!! I love you!

MTC #3: More Communication

This week was pretty good. My companion and I are getting better at being on time. I've been trying to urge Elder D to wake up just a little bit earlier so we wouldn't have to rush as much to be on-time, but he was saying "Preach my gospel says 6:30". Well, after meeting with one of the Portuguese/Japanese teachers, he decided that he wants to start waking up at 6:00 and use the extra time to study. I usually wake up at 6:10 anyway, so I'm fine with the earlier wake up.

So, I can't remember if I said anything about this last week, but Elder D made a request to possibly transfer to a different district - one with a Portuguese/Japanese teacher. It's funny, there are about two or three Port/Japanese teachers, and none of them teach our class. Well, Branch Pres. Bird hasn't switched him yet, and doesn't want to switch him. Elder D doesn't really want to switch either, and I don't want him to. Communication is a little hard, as always, but it's okay. We're getting used to it.

Plus, Amorim Sensei (another person that knows Col. Fischer, by the way) has been coming twice a week to tutor Elder D. And now, Texiera Sensei is going to be meeting with him a bit to help him too. The Translation Game between Elder Everts and Elder D works a bit, but I think with all this extra tutoring help, Elder D should be okay.

I'm getting kind of nervous for Thursday, we're teaching lesson two. Elder D and I have read through it a few times, but I'm still working on my outlines and lesson plans. Hopefully, it'll all work out.

Ooh, and some exciting news for Elder D - tomorrow, we're teaching lesson 2 in Portuguese (Jacobson sensei's recomendation), to give elder D a chance to teach in his native language. I'm going to try and learn how to bear my testimony in Portuguese so I can participate a little.

Thanks for the packages! Everything is looking great! We went to the Devotional tonight - Elder Dickson of the seventy spoke and it was pretty good! BTW Elder Holland spoke last week! AMAZING!!!

Love you!

MTC #2: Companions and Teaching

Tuesday night was wonderful, my district went to the temple with Elder De Menezes (hereby abbreviated as Elder D) as he went through for the first time. It was a wonderful experience. I got to serve as one of his escorts, the other was a Portuguese interpreter.

On Thursday night, we taught some "pretend" investigators. I was kind of nervous, but I thought it went okay. Then I realized all the things I did wrong. I was so worried about Elder D's language barrier that I completely forgot that it's not all about following a structured lesson pattern. We're supposed to teach based on the investigator's needs and interests. I was afraid that Elder D wouldn't know quite what to say, so I wrote some phrases down for him to use. We both agreed in Companion Study the next day that we wouldn't do that again. As long as we put enough effort into our studies, we will be able to go in there next time without anything written down.

That companion study on Friday last week was amazing. It was the first time pretty much that we were able to have an actual companion study session. Every other day almost, we were too busy with trying to figure out the problems with Elder D's bank card, and what not, but we've finally started a good flow of companion studies. I think we'll be a lot better off now. I'm still kind of nervous; we're teaching lesson one in English again on Thursday (with a 15 minute time period before hand using our get-to-know-you-in-Japanese skills). Egh, I'm even more nervous about three weeks almost from now when we have to teach lesson one in Japanese. Oh well, it will all work out.

I love my companion, and I'm trying to communicate with him to go to bed earlier, but he keeps staying up late. It keeps me up later because the light is so bright, even though it's just from the desk.

My Japanese is coming along quite well. I'm enjoying learning all this religious lingo. I have the basics pretty well covered, and it's helping me to pick up prayer and testimony stuff quite well. We got challenged to always pray in Japanese after we learned how, and so I have been. Even on Sunday, when I saw Bro. Eggett at MTC choir and he asked me to pray: I said it in Japanese. No, I wasn't just trying to grab attention. Okay, that might have been a small . . . NO! Really, I wasn't! I'm still working on obedience. I'm trying to keep my commitments! I can do this! Oh, and I saw Ellen Amatangelo, she took a picture for you, Lacey. That was kind of cool.

Well, my dear family, I love you so much! Next week, I'll bring my journal with me so I can remember a bit more to say. Ah, the stories, the memories, the people, it's all wonderful. Love you!

MTC #1: So Much to Say, Not Enough Time

I had a pleasant surprise last night when I found out that we would actually be able to email you while at the MTC (contrary to what I thought the mission handbook said).

Unless you are a Peterson or are living the Peterson home, please please please include a return address on letters. On normal days, yes, I have NO time to write letters. However, Tuesdays will be my preparation days and I will have enough time to respond to some letters then. So please! Return addresses!

My companion's name is Elder De Menezes, and he is from Salvador Brazil. He's going to the Hiroshima mission as well, but speaking Portuguese, Spanish, English, and Japanese. I love him to death! He is so funny! "I don't-a-baleev it!" "Waaaaght!!??" "Elder Fart, you stink" Through my interaction with him so far, I have started to realize some of the reasons why we are companions. It has strengthened my testimony concerning our Heavenly Father's mindfulness of us and what we need. I got a little discouraged Thursday night, when we started teaching little pieces of the first lesson with our companion. Elder D is still learning English, so communication is a bit difficult sometimes. We play translation game just about every day in class. Thankfully, there's an elder from California (Elder Everts) who took three years of Spanish and speaks it very well. Elder D speaks Portuguese, but is very very skilled in Spanish as well, so it works out. I started thinking things like, "Why wouldn't H.F. call Elder D with Elder Everts?" and as I saw how good the other companionships were at teaching, "If I were with another companion, this wouldn't be nearly as difficult." But don't worry, it's all good. My last thoughts thursday night as I went to sleep were directed toward my Heavenly Father: "Tasukete onegaishimasu. . . Tasukete onegaishimasu!" ("Please, Please help me!")

Thankfully, another testament of H.F.'s love came through a series of events. Elder D was having a lot of difficulties trying to learn English, so we went to the bookstore looking for a Portuguese-Japanese dictionary. We couldn't find one, so we went and talked with a sister in the back. We found out that they forgot to give Elder D the books he needed. She then gave him a whole bunch of Portuguese-Japanese books, A LOT! I was so relieved, and as the days go by, more relief comes. I know that we are companions for certain reasons, ones that I'm discovering, and ones that I have yet to find out. The church is true!!!!

One thing that I was a little worried about was the teaching. In school, we're used to Teacher-directed teaching. However, here, a lot of the teaching is "Self-Directed" teaching. We get three hours a day of Missionary Directed Time. I have resolved to be better, to work on my planning skills so that I can be so effective. Elders Jemmet and Ward (some of the elders that taught me at the TRC) had only been here for a week when they taught me, and did an amazing job. Please pray for me to be able to be better at planning, and more obedient as well (I'm still working on that 10:30 bed time. . . Well, the other three elders in my Residence Hall are working on it as well ;)

Okay, in our room, there's also Elder Childs from Vernal (and Arizona, and West Virginia, and everywhere in-between) and his companion Elder Rea (the first Elder I interacted with after the meeting on Wednesday; miraculously, he's going to Hiroshima as well!) They both seem so familiar, in fact so does Elder D. Like before with the army, when things just click together, when the people I interact with are so familiar, I don't take it as coincidence. This is all meant to be.

I have had soooo many tender mercies, and chances to run into Elders I've known before. Elders Carter and Heath from the TRC, I was so blessed to see them, they taught with such a strong spirit. They left for the mission field today. I'm sad that I won't see them any more, but am so thankful for their examples, and am excited for them!

Ooh, and I saw Elder Patrick Walton for the first time Sunday night!!!! So cool! My high school buddy Elder Jonathan Horan (who has the same meal schedule with me!). This happens so much! I can't even say how many people that I have run into in this manner!!

I LOVE the MTC. It's kind of like a vacation like dad said. Compared to basic!! OH! Some Elders complain about how long the days are, and waking up at 6:30. I'm not being prideful about it, but for me, it's no big deal. Yes, I have some hard experiences, like communicating with my companion, but it's all good, because of the mountainous spiritual blessings I receive. Maybe this is like the Celestial kingdom. . . Hard work, but never-ending happiness. . . More to come next week!

I know this is where I'm supposed to be, and I don't really feel homesick.

My prayers and love to you!

-Pitason Choro ;)