It has been a great week in the Goldsboro 2nd ward. Elder Yankton and I were priviledged with the opportunity to give talks in sacrament meeting. It was a great opportunity for us to bear our testimonies of the Savior and to earn their trust as we show our love and willingness to follow Him.
We have alot of great things going for us it is just trying to prioritize and go do that which is most important. We have a few families that we are working with and there are a few 9 year olds that haven't been baptized. But our ward mission leader this week in coordination meeting said he was sorry, and that he keeps getting compliments on what amazing missionaries we have in the ward, and he committed to us that we will have an exchange every night for the month of July. We are slowly earning the trust of the Bishop, he asked us to visit a part-member family and we were able to teach and set a return appointment with them this week. There are a lot of Part-member families in this ward. Just as President Catlett said that it is the honey hole.
Bro. Jorge and Sis Heidi are doing well, Heidi came late into the teaching process and asked if we would schedule the baptism for July 9th instead of the 25th of June, we asked inspired questions and both felt her concern was sincere that she wanted to be prepared. She is excited and they are progressing well, in a lesson she picked up the Book of Mormon and said "this book makes me feel so free". The members are doing such a great job in friendshipping them.

There is this member, Bro. Matthew he is a large African American man probably weighs about 400lbs. He is a spiritual powerhouse. He is a convert and a Mason and when we go out teaching with him, my companion and I and him are just a powerhouse team.
While cleaning a sisters house we found a snake, we caught it and then took it home to take pictures then to quickly let it go because we are not allowed to have pets, but we left it in the car and it died and 18 little baby snakes were inside of it. It was so gross!



Sis Heidi is from Peru and they have these super cool man purses there, and Sis Heidi said she will get me one! It was tough having to move their date back but her concern was sincere. She is such an amazing person. Her husband is trying really hard as well too. Since Bro Jorge has problems with his memory we gave him a study journal and Sis Heidi had him write 100 times I will not drink coffee I will not drink tea. We are teaching them tonight with a Sis that can speak to her in Spanish.



I heard that in Fort Bragg, the Gootee family all got baptized and that he was able to baptize his children. He just gave up smoking on the spot! I have been praying that his wife’s heart will be softened so she too may enjoy the fruits that come from this the restored Gospel. The Fort Bragg ward was nuts, like I have never been around a better group of Saints! Bishop Burbank defines what it means to be a priesthood leader.



I am grateful for this past Sunday to reflect on Fathers. I am grateful for my Dad and all that he has taught me. Particularly as he invited us (my Sunday school class) to focus on the Atonement and to try to apply it and learn about it. I am grateful for the opportunity he gave me to give my family blessings before I left for my mission. He is my Hero and I love him. I am grateful for my Heavenly Father for his unconditional love. For the willingness to give of his Son. I am grateful for the Wonderful family he has blessed me to be in, and all the many blessings that have flowed from them. I am grateful for the doctrine of repentance that he through his Son has made it possible as we make the big changes in our lives to turn towards God as well as the incremental changes as we strive to become even as He is. I love the gospel and my Family and hope you all have a great week!

LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!

Elder Taylor Petersen