This last week was AMAZING! Elder Bronner and I had 47 working hours (the most I've ever had with a companion).... I'd say we worked pretty hard!
We've been encountering a lot of miraculous people, that seem golden and ready to speak with us. Recently we were challenged to try to work more with families. We found one! The mother is from the Philippines, where her brother and sisters are members and referred her about 5 years ago - but she didn't have interest at that time. Well, she kindly accepted us into their home. Her husband doesn't seem to have interest, but kindly attended the lesson as well as two of their four daughters (one's only 6 months old). The mother looks like she really wants to know. She called her sister after our first meeting, and came to church with two of her daughters on Sunday!
One of our English students from weekly Eikaiwa also came to church again, she appears to have a lot of interest too. The man from last week didn't make it, but he still seems interested.
It was amazing! For the first time in my mission experience so far, we hardly had ANY time for finding (we did maybe an hour or so on Thursday. . .) because we had SO many appointments! It felt good to have so much to do!
And on the train up to Takahashi to visit one of our Chinese potentials, our Chinese investigator came on board with two of his Chinese friends, one of whom wants to hear our message too!
We talked about this, and Elder Bronner and I think it has to do with obedience, companionship relation, our increased efforts on Book of Mormon study, and REAL faith. I felt that for a long time, every time I tried to exercise faith, it felt like part of me was still thinking "No, that can't happen, it won't work." I'm working on dispelling those thoughts. "Fear is like the clouds that veil the earth from the sun. Faith is like the morning rays that break when night is done!"
I tried making the banana cake. It was DELICIOUS! And the people I gave some of it to really enjoyed it.
Tried making the chicken spaghetti yesterday. . . DIVINE!!! But was I supposed to not drain the tomatoes/chilies? Good thing we still have leftovers. . . ;)
Hey, ask Brother Taniguchi if he has any relatives in Kurashiki. Our next-door neighbors bear the same last name. . .
Church is so colorful! The primary music director that sings opera (audible from the next room where priesthood meeting is held. . .), the Music Director during sacrament meeting who, in a couple of decades, could very well give Margaret Brown a run for her money (tee hee), the 28 year old Bishop who served a mission in Australia and taught us the Haka to perform with him during the talent show. . . This place is so great, and I love the time I'm spending here!
Well, I've got to run, but please pray for us and our investigators! Our teaching pool is larger than it's ever been and Elder Bronner and I need help knowing how best to follow up and act.
Elder Peterson
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Monday, November 9, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
Increasing Faith, Hope, and Charity
This week was AMAZING! For some reason, it wasn't until planning last night when I realized in retrospect how many amazing things have happened so far this transfer.
On Saturday, Elder Bronner felt that there was someone waiting for us to contact them in the area book. He was right! The LAST person he called, without even being asked if he would like to meet said "If it's a talk, I'll come!" We met roughly an hour later. He was a former referral from the Temple Square Visitor center a few years ago. He was very talkative and interested in what we had to say. He wants to become Christian, and REALLY is looking for truth. He's fifty years old, but you would never guess it (it's almost impossible to correctly guess ages in Japan. . .). He happily said he would come to church the next day, and kept his word!
Then, during Sacrament meeting, one of our English Class students who had been invited by a member to come to church actually came! She had to leave for a bit in the middle, but came back to attend Relief Society as invited by Sister Obata. Looks like she really enjoyed it, and wants to meet after English class to learn more about the church!
I think it might be due to the fact that we've been trying a bit harder to follow the rules. . . I had been having problems getting to bed on time, and my companion was struggling with getting up, but we've been helping each other lately, and things are happening. Part of it might have been a lack of faith, but we're going forward with more faith. Elder Bronner said he expects two of our investigators to be baptized within two weeks. Instead of doubting that kind of conjecture as I probably would have in the past, I'm holding on with faith. This coming week is filled pretty heavily with appointments (something I am VERY happy about), and Elder Bronner and I are getting along great. I'm excited to see what happens!
Yesterday was full of embarassing experiences! Leaving my bike-lock key at the apartment after a member had driven us home so we could get our rain suits (pouring cats and dogs by the way). A typical Peterson fiasco. . . Then we had a dinner appointment, and well, looks like Elder Peterson. . . ahem. . . had a slight wardrobe malfunction that commonly befalls most (if not ALL) men at LEAST once or twice. . . Hopefully no one noticed ~_~
I am SO jealous about Elder Palmer's new Space Heater from Back to the Future, but I've actually been to the Waterford Crystal Factory, HAH!
Till Next Week,
Elder Peterson
LIFE is SWEET!
On Saturday, Elder Bronner felt that there was someone waiting for us to contact them in the area book. He was right! The LAST person he called, without even being asked if he would like to meet said "If it's a talk, I'll come!" We met roughly an hour later. He was a former referral from the Temple Square Visitor center a few years ago. He was very talkative and interested in what we had to say. He wants to become Christian, and REALLY is looking for truth. He's fifty years old, but you would never guess it (it's almost impossible to correctly guess ages in Japan. . .). He happily said he would come to church the next day, and kept his word!
Then, during Sacrament meeting, one of our English Class students who had been invited by a member to come to church actually came! She had to leave for a bit in the middle, but came back to attend Relief Society as invited by Sister Obata. Looks like she really enjoyed it, and wants to meet after English class to learn more about the church!
I think it might be due to the fact that we've been trying a bit harder to follow the rules. . . I had been having problems getting to bed on time, and my companion was struggling with getting up, but we've been helping each other lately, and things are happening. Part of it might have been a lack of faith, but we're going forward with more faith. Elder Bronner said he expects two of our investigators to be baptized within two weeks. Instead of doubting that kind of conjecture as I probably would have in the past, I'm holding on with faith. This coming week is filled pretty heavily with appointments (something I am VERY happy about), and Elder Bronner and I are getting along great. I'm excited to see what happens!
Yesterday was full of embarassing experiences! Leaving my bike-lock key at the apartment after a member had driven us home so we could get our rain suits (pouring cats and dogs by the way). A typical Peterson fiasco. . . Then we had a dinner appointment, and well, looks like Elder Peterson. . . ahem. . . had a slight wardrobe malfunction that commonly befalls most (if not ALL) men at LEAST once or twice. . . Hopefully no one noticed ~_~
I am SO jealous about Elder Palmer's new Space Heater from Back to the Future, but I've actually been to the Waterford Crystal Factory, HAH!
Till Next Week,
Elder Peterson
LIFE is SWEET!
Monday, July 6, 2009
The Rainy Season
Well, I kept making fun of the rainy season and I think it took offense; it rained A LOT last week. It started to rain as we were riding home from Umetani san's house on Friday afternoon. It was just a little at first, but we stopped in one of the subterranean cross-the-street-tunnels to put on our rain coats. I was thinking "Oh, it's not raining too hard. Surely we won't need our rain pants as well!" . . .
. . . About 7 or so minutes later, the cats and dogs started coming down. It would have been useless to stop and try to put the rain pants on at that time, because we were already soaked. It poured and poured! Good thing I like rain. . .
Now, however, we are once again experiencing some hot and humid weather. I'm getting a little more used to it, but wow.
Oh, thank you thank you THANK YOU for the package with the Peanut Butter Pie ingredients. I had mentioned how much I loved Peanut Butter Pie to a missionary at Zone Conference and then low and behold: BOOM! Your package arrived! I made the pie for Elder Kajiuchi's birthday (July 3rd).
By the way, yet another beautiful 'Elder Peterson' moment: I followed a recipe in our trusty mission cookbook to make the pie crust. The good thing was that butter can indeed be substituted for a lack of shortening. However, I forgot all about that critical part of pie making where you flour a table top, and roll out the dough to flatten it. . . As I tried to hand-scoop the sticky dough and pat it down into the pie plate I was thinking, "There must be a better way of doing this!" Hee hee. . . About two minutes into the baking I realized with a gasp of horror what I had done. But alas, I was too late. . . However, it still turned out OKAY! So yeah, if you ever feel like sending more PB Pie ingredients, please do. ;)
An update on Umetani San: her interview is scheduled for this Friday. We've been reviewing and practicing with her, so I think it'll go just fine. If everything goes according to plan, the baptism will be held on Sunday the 19th (Sunday so her husband can attend). We met with both of them and the Branch President yesterday to ask for permission to baptize her. He's now deliberating, but we called her last night and looks like things might be okay. There's a chance her husband might even come to church on Sunday! So, we'll see what happens!
Well, to wrap up I figured I'd share a few tidbits of Izumo culture. There are cute little signs everywhere displaying cheerful puppies carrying bags and pooper-scoopers -- Japan seems to be very clean and hygeine-oriented. Ooh, and the post men are awesome, speeding around on these sleek red Vespa Scooters.
Happy Belated 4th of July! (Random: I saw a single, medium-small firework explode in the sky right before we returned home that night. . .)
A worry I've had is that I still don't feel very confident in my planning skills or ideas for effective activities, and sometimes I'll ask my companion what he wants to do or if he has any ideas. He'll often respond that he doesn't have any ideas. Thanks for the words of advice. I needed that and I'm going to start keeping those things in mind, and trying to connect with these people more.
Our district leader called this morning to follow up on goals and such. He complimented me on something and I expressed how I didn't feel like I knew what I was doing. . . in short I was being a bit hard on myself. I've realized that (thanks to your encouragement) and I'll work on it. My district leader gave me a piece of advice he heard at the MTC, "If you ever feel like you're not very good at teaching, at the language, or with something else remember: you ARE in the right place at the right time." I've been feeling a little down about not being able to understand these people I love and care about, but I'm just going to press forward, tell myself that I can, and do all I can to be worthy and deserving of all the blessings that have been promised to me. Sorry if I have sounded a little down. I actually am doing a lot better and the Zone Meeting and Interview this week will help a lot.
Transfers are on the 23rd of this month. I might or might not get transferred, but it would be a good idea to send snail mail letters to the mission home for the next couple of weeks.
Thank you for all the ingredients, love, and recipes! I love you so much! I am learning so much while on this mission. I’ll keep trying to write everything down so I can share it with you.
. . . About 7 or so minutes later, the cats and dogs started coming down. It would have been useless to stop and try to put the rain pants on at that time, because we were already soaked. It poured and poured! Good thing I like rain. . .
Now, however, we are once again experiencing some hot and humid weather. I'm getting a little more used to it, but wow.
Oh, thank you thank you THANK YOU for the package with the Peanut Butter Pie ingredients. I had mentioned how much I loved Peanut Butter Pie to a missionary at Zone Conference and then low and behold: BOOM! Your package arrived! I made the pie for Elder Kajiuchi's birthday (July 3rd).
By the way, yet another beautiful 'Elder Peterson' moment: I followed a recipe in our trusty mission cookbook to make the pie crust. The good thing was that butter can indeed be substituted for a lack of shortening. However, I forgot all about that critical part of pie making where you flour a table top, and roll out the dough to flatten it. . . As I tried to hand-scoop the sticky dough and pat it down into the pie plate I was thinking, "There must be a better way of doing this!" Hee hee. . . About two minutes into the baking I realized with a gasp of horror what I had done. But alas, I was too late. . . However, it still turned out OKAY! So yeah, if you ever feel like sending more PB Pie ingredients, please do. ;)
An update on Umetani San: her interview is scheduled for this Friday. We've been reviewing and practicing with her, so I think it'll go just fine. If everything goes according to plan, the baptism will be held on Sunday the 19th (Sunday so her husband can attend). We met with both of them and the Branch President yesterday to ask for permission to baptize her. He's now deliberating, but we called her last night and looks like things might be okay. There's a chance her husband might even come to church on Sunday! So, we'll see what happens!
Well, to wrap up I figured I'd share a few tidbits of Izumo culture. There are cute little signs everywhere displaying cheerful puppies carrying bags and pooper-scoopers -- Japan seems to be very clean and hygeine-oriented. Ooh, and the post men are awesome, speeding around on these sleek red Vespa Scooters.
Happy Belated 4th of July! (Random: I saw a single, medium-small firework explode in the sky right before we returned home that night. . .)
A worry I've had is that I still don't feel very confident in my planning skills or ideas for effective activities, and sometimes I'll ask my companion what he wants to do or if he has any ideas. He'll often respond that he doesn't have any ideas. Thanks for the words of advice. I needed that and I'm going to start keeping those things in mind, and trying to connect with these people more.
Our district leader called this morning to follow up on goals and such. He complimented me on something and I expressed how I didn't feel like I knew what I was doing. . . in short I was being a bit hard on myself. I've realized that (thanks to your encouragement) and I'll work on it. My district leader gave me a piece of advice he heard at the MTC, "If you ever feel like you're not very good at teaching, at the language, or with something else remember: you ARE in the right place at the right time." I've been feeling a little down about not being able to understand these people I love and care about, but I'm just going to press forward, tell myself that I can, and do all I can to be worthy and deserving of all the blessings that have been promised to me. Sorry if I have sounded a little down. I actually am doing a lot better and the Zone Meeting and Interview this week will help a lot.
Transfers are on the 23rd of this month. I might or might not get transferred, but it would be a good idea to send snail mail letters to the mission home for the next couple of weeks.
{editor's note: the mission home address can be found toward the top-left of this page}
Thank you for all the ingredients, love, and recipes! I love you so much! I am learning so much while on this mission. I’ll keep trying to write everything down so I can share it with you.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
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.
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!
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