Winds of Change Start to Blow

Elder Bronner is back in Brazil. I'm still in Kurashiki. BUT, a LOT of things have changed.

President Isa told me that I was becoming a Senior companion AND a District Leader. Needless to say, I'm feeling just a teeeeeeeeensy bit more stress. . . (Teensy, a word which here [in this email] meaning 'alot', but used in an ironic manner to denote the amount of stress that may or may not be phasing the person in concern).

My new companion is Elder Eagar (pronunciation: eager), from Sacramento, California (however his family moved to Logan, Utah right before he left). He came to Japan in July last year, and his Japanese is AMAZING! This will probably turn out very well, because it looks like he's really bold, so hopefully he'll help bring out some more boldness in me!

Rosalie was confirmed in Sacrament Meeting! We got to participate in that wonderful experience. Then, Elder Eagar and I both spoke.

Things with Elder Bronner ended on a really good note. We had a talk the night before he left, and I feel very at peace, reconciled, and thankful for the chance I had to work with him.

So, did I ever show you a picture of Elder Rea? He was in my room at the MTC. Well, after waiting for about half the mission, we're FINALLY in the same district!!! He transfered to Fukuyama! We got to do a tad bit of catching up on the phone. What a tender mercy!

Please pray for Jenny Lu. We had an amazing visit with her last night, and the spirit was very evident. I felt as though we really had been used as instruments in the Lord's hands. She's Christian, but was a bit afraid of coming to church. But, looks like that is about to change!

Well, I better go, but please pray for me and Elder Eagar in this new transfer! I'll probably be here in Kurashiki until at least February 18th, but we'll see!

Paul

More International Adventures!

This last week was a little rough, but good. I'm learning a lot. We had a lot of run-ins (good run-ins, not the bad kind. . .) with people from other countries. Met the Sydney Santa Claus a few more times. He was cool; he'd always greet us with an Australian-accented "How ah ya, boys?" Sadly, I think he returned back to Australia. Oh well, I have his card, maybe I'll try to write him. Too bad I didn't get my picture with him though. . . But it was more of a summer-vacation Santa anyway; he didn't have the Santa suit on.

We're working with another investigator from Brazil, Donna. She was a former investigator, but some earlier missionaries dropped her because her husband didn't really want her to go to church. Well, things are changing, and we're building a really good relationship with her. We had a lesson this week, outside in her driveway, then went back the next day to do some service and trim her trees (I got to do A LOT of sawing). She thanked us with an AMAZING shrimp and broccoli pasta lunch that felt like our Peterson Family deck-top meals. . . ah, that was nice.

We also did some yard work for a woman named Jenny Lu from Singapore, who speaks REALLY good English. She's very funny, and reminds me a lot of my 12th Grade Creative Writing teacher, Mrs. Stanton-McAtee.

Went by train to meet with Pao Lin Hau on Saturday. He's half Korean and Chinese. AMAZING! He has a testimony, and loves Jesus Christ. We're going to take him to a baptism in Okayama this weekend, see what he thinks, and hope to extend the challenge again.

So many new experiences here! So many Japanese adventures. Ah. . . The first few months of the mission were a little shaky, but I'm starting to get a little of that "best two years" feel; especially as we said goodbye to Elder Magno a few weeks ago after Zone conference. Wow, with the setting sun. . . that was like a scene straight out of God's Army.

Well, take care. I love you all so much, and am thankful for your prayers. I need them.

"I will stand in the light, look to the dawn as it breaks through the nigh. With courage and strength, I will stand in my place, with the flame of my faith burning bright. I will stand in the light, hold up the truth and stand for the right. I can reach so much higher, filled with this fire, when I stand in the light."

Love you,
Elder Peterson