HELLO family,
I am currently beat dead! I have been working, throwing trees all morning! Little Miss Irene has messed up our area! They evacuated all the missionaries on the costal end of it but of the missionaries that were left I think we got the worst of it! Elder Hintze and Elder Davies and Elder Clinger and Myself we rode it out.
This week was kind of a slow week with teaching. We really haven't taught a whole lot. We had some appointments fall through and a lot of exchanges cancel. The Goldsboro 1st Elders have a baptism this Saturday and he is a great guy. The funny thing is, I interviewed his wife in Chapel Hill when I was a DL there and then she moved here, married this guy and I interviewed him! They said there sights are set to the TEMPLE! That is so exciting.
The power went out, but the family we live with are filthy rich and have a huge like catapillar generator that runs off Natural Gas, it is crazy! There was this one sister who we put shingles on for and yes we put them on so the nails weren't showing but she hadn't had power in 36 hours! So many down trees that ripped down power poles. We were on flash flood warnings it was crazy. We were on lock down and told not to leave our apartment it was so crazy.
Me and Elder Clinger had a neat experience teaching this Brother and it lead to him having a baptismal date. Elder Clinger asked some amazing inspired questions!
Things are going good. Tell Drake and Sophie happy birthday. Time is flying by I can't believe it! I love you guys so much! Thanks for all you do,and for your love and support and friendship. I just hope y'all are being blessed for all you do! Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Taylor Petersen
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Hey Family how are y'all doing! I love you so much and I hope the Lord is showering blessings upon you!
I honestly wish I could trade places with Elder Clinger (he is a brand new missionary that Taylor is training) and start off where he is starting. This new training model is incredible. The Lords hand is definitely in this great work. We have companion study for two hours a day. They gave all the trainers and new missionaries new TV’s and we watch preach my Gospel DVDs! We are the first group of trainers and new missionaries applying this new tool in the world! It is incredible I wish I would have had it when I came out. Missionaries are invited to invite someone to be baptized in their first week. It makes study such a spiritual experience and after it you just want to go out and accomplish some crazy miracles. Elder Herschel West Clinger is from Genola, Utah he has 9 other siblings and he is number 6! He has five older Sisters and one on a mission in Florida (Spanish speaking). He grew up on a Dairy farm, his mom ran for the Mayor of Genola. They sold their cows though. Elder Clinger loves motorcycles and he worked for a cabinet shop. He has a great love for the Savior and has invited 3 people to be baptized just in his first 4 days, I have truly been blessed.
Elder Clinger is progressing well he has invited a few people to be baptized and it has been such a great experience for the both of us. He is a very hard worker and just has such a strong love for these people. He truly has reminded me that it was love that drove the Savior to suffer as He did and not just the fact that he needed to get everyone home. Simply that He loved us.
We had many miracles this week. We taught a family that has relocated from China; they have been here for 7 months. They speak little English. They had this translator program on their computer and we were able to help them build a faith in God and understand the need for His son Jesus Christ and then Elder Clinger taught them how to pray and we had three closing prayers; Elder Clinger offered one and then the Bro and his wife did. They called us at 8:50 and said they wouldn't be able to make it to church (they both worked from 2pm till 4am) but they had prayed everyday night and morning by themselves and together! We also have a few other baptismal dates we are working with. Alex is a 22,a Hispanic kid. His Girlfriend is a member of the church she looks like Kelly Kapowski from saved by the bell. She is pretty cute! We invited him to be baptized Elder Clingers first night here and it was a sweet and tender experience. We also are teaching another 12 year old boy named Parker he looks a lot like Drake. His mom and Dad, recent coverts, Parker had ADHD really bad and his parents don't want to bring him to church because they feel like they can't control him. He is really smart and is starting middle school and really wants to be baptized. We have a baptism this Saturday of a nice young man named Holden. President interviewed him on Sunday and it was a great experience.
President and Sister Cotterell came and spoke in our sacrament meeting on Sunday, they both bear such powerful testimonies and Sister Cotterell brings such a sweet spirit. They talked alot about the rescue. We went out with one the members of the Bishopric and he said how grateful he was for the mission presidents talk because he said, before I was just waiting for them to dissolve the ward into the 1st ward and Mount Olive. But president threw it down with Authority and pumped the brothers UP!!!
I am so pumped this week to try and convert some African-American Christian congregations! It is our only way to baptize thousands, Elder Clinger is so pumped about it!
My district got a lot smaller only us and Goldsboro 1st. Smithfield got English Elders again so they turned them and Clayton into their own district. I am kind of thankful. There is an Elder in my district who I really want to help out he looks up to me and to his companion alot he hasn't seen eye to eye with a lot of his companions and he isn't the strongest but I just have such a love for him and want to help him out in anyway I can and with just one companionship I really can focus a lot of time and energy on him and it has been great this first week!
Well I love y'all so much! The Lord is in this work and I am so grateful for it! Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of Heaven!
I honestly wish I could trade places with Elder Clinger (he is a brand new missionary that Taylor is training) and start off where he is starting. This new training model is incredible. The Lords hand is definitely in this great work. We have companion study for two hours a day. They gave all the trainers and new missionaries new TV’s and we watch preach my Gospel DVDs! We are the first group of trainers and new missionaries applying this new tool in the world! It is incredible I wish I would have had it when I came out. Missionaries are invited to invite someone to be baptized in their first week. It makes study such a spiritual experience and after it you just want to go out and accomplish some crazy miracles. Elder Herschel West Clinger is from Genola, Utah he has 9 other siblings and he is number 6! He has five older Sisters and one on a mission in Florida (Spanish speaking). He grew up on a Dairy farm, his mom ran for the Mayor of Genola. They sold their cows though. Elder Clinger loves motorcycles and he worked for a cabinet shop. He has a great love for the Savior and has invited 3 people to be baptized just in his first 4 days, I have truly been blessed.
Elder Clinger is progressing well he has invited a few people to be baptized and it has been such a great experience for the both of us. He is a very hard worker and just has such a strong love for these people. He truly has reminded me that it was love that drove the Savior to suffer as He did and not just the fact that he needed to get everyone home. Simply that He loved us.
We had many miracles this week. We taught a family that has relocated from China; they have been here for 7 months. They speak little English. They had this translator program on their computer and we were able to help them build a faith in God and understand the need for His son Jesus Christ and then Elder Clinger taught them how to pray and we had three closing prayers; Elder Clinger offered one and then the Bro and his wife did. They called us at 8:50 and said they wouldn't be able to make it to church (they both worked from 2pm till 4am) but they had prayed everyday night and morning by themselves and together! We also have a few other baptismal dates we are working with. Alex is a 22,a Hispanic kid. His Girlfriend is a member of the church she looks like Kelly Kapowski from saved by the bell. She is pretty cute! We invited him to be baptized Elder Clingers first night here and it was a sweet and tender experience. We also are teaching another 12 year old boy named Parker he looks a lot like Drake. His mom and Dad, recent coverts, Parker had ADHD really bad and his parents don't want to bring him to church because they feel like they can't control him. He is really smart and is starting middle school and really wants to be baptized. We have a baptism this Saturday of a nice young man named Holden. President interviewed him on Sunday and it was a great experience.
President and Sister Cotterell came and spoke in our sacrament meeting on Sunday, they both bear such powerful testimonies and Sister Cotterell brings such a sweet spirit. They talked alot about the rescue. We went out with one the members of the Bishopric and he said how grateful he was for the mission presidents talk because he said, before I was just waiting for them to dissolve the ward into the 1st ward and Mount Olive. But president threw it down with Authority and pumped the brothers UP!!!
I am so pumped this week to try and convert some African-American Christian congregations! It is our only way to baptize thousands, Elder Clinger is so pumped about it!
My district got a lot smaller only us and Goldsboro 1st. Smithfield got English Elders again so they turned them and Clayton into their own district. I am kind of thankful. There is an Elder in my district who I really want to help out he looks up to me and to his companion alot he hasn't seen eye to eye with a lot of his companions and he isn't the strongest but I just have such a love for him and want to help him out in anyway I can and with just one companionship I really can focus a lot of time and energy on him and it has been great this first week!
Well I love y'all so much! The Lord is in this work and I am so grateful for it! Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of Heaven!
Monday, August 1, 2011
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELSI!!!!!!!
Hello FAMILY,
Today for morning exercise Elder Yankton and I got the Toyota Corolla, put it on netural and pushed it up and down the street we live on, boy was it a work out. But it was good for me and Elder Yankton. We worked out to the MOTAB version of, God of our Fathers, while pushing it! Really gets you pumped! Elder Yankton is so funny, he isn't a huge fan of me while we are doing our morning workout, I probably wouldn't like me either, I act like Richard Simmons trying to get him pumped. But everyday after we are done and walk inside he says in his very soft monotone voice, "Thank you Elder Pete." Haha, he is so funny and such a good guy. Thank you so much for sending him a letter Mom. President Cotterell gave him permission to make little journal entrees each day that he can send to his Mom on Monday. So we are going to exercise our faith and bring to pass some MIRACLES so his mom can feel of the spirit of the MISSION!!!!
I hope Kels is okay. That is sad that girl took away the chance to break the WORLD RECORD!!!! She had a concussion? WOW!!! That is crazy. Tell her I love her so much, that I will be like Adam Sandler in 50 first dates and make a movie for her so she can remember who I am if she has forgotten me. True love is worth it.
It has been a tough week; we just haven't found anyone who wants to hear our message. We tracted into this older lady she just stared at us then shut the door. We have had six baptisms this year in the area and all six have been from members. I bet that is where probably the next six will come from. This Less-Active sister we have been teaching and invited back to church gave a talk this Sunday that was awesome and she received a calling, it was a miracle. We were hoping to find success with a couple of 16 year olds that have friends in the ward but they are too afraid to ask their parents and we can't teach them if their parents don’t know.
I went on an exchange this week to Smithfield with Elder Walker; he is from Moses Lake Washington and is a great Elder. He takes acutine. We were joking while on our exchange about how goofy our district is. He takes acutane which could cause suicide thoughts, and his companion takes bipolar medicine, and my comp has ashbergers, and another Elder in our district has water in his brain, and talks like Sid the sloth! We have a unique district. Elder Walker is a Spanish missionary and really wants to do Spanish work but they have only been doing English, while on an exchange we went to some old Spanish hot spots I knew about when I served there, I was able to spit my spangles and we found some and set like 4 return appointments. MIRACLES
I realized in my studies how vital it is to understand the doctrine. President Packer talks about how true doctrine understood changes attitudes and behaviors better then the study of behavior. I have kind of got in this rut the past month of just not really having a desire to change or improve or even become better. I studied the doctrine of obedience. I understand that I am not Jesus Christ and that I will make mistakes but I can strive to be exactly obedient. When we are striving to become better the spirit will often prompt us and let us know what we need to do to change or improve. If we find satisfactory in where we are at we will just become what the World or others around us makes of us. I want to be the best I can be. It is so much easier to help others experience conversion when you are experiencing it yourself. I have learned in my mission that when I am striving to be exactly obedient I have to have faith to pull down miracles and blessings from Heaven. I know that I haven't given up my will for his but have aligned mine with his and in that, I find true enduring happiness. I am glad that I have felt the promptings and knudges of the Holy Spirit in my life that prompt me to make the changes I need to, make to draw closer to them.
I love you guys I hope you have a great week and I hope you are keeping me in your prayers and I keep you in mine! Tell Kels I hope she gets feeling better and I am sorry that the girl that hit her was not a Good Samaritan and didn't stop to help her. If she really forgot who I am show her some pictures and tell her of all the cool stuff we did! She is a pearl to valuable!!!! I can't lose her to a concussion! HAHAHA Have a great week!
Elder Hintze Loves you too!!!!!!!!
Love, Elder Petersen
Today for morning exercise Elder Yankton and I got the Toyota Corolla, put it on netural and pushed it up and down the street we live on, boy was it a work out. But it was good for me and Elder Yankton. We worked out to the MOTAB version of, God of our Fathers, while pushing it! Really gets you pumped! Elder Yankton is so funny, he isn't a huge fan of me while we are doing our morning workout, I probably wouldn't like me either, I act like Richard Simmons trying to get him pumped. But everyday after we are done and walk inside he says in his very soft monotone voice, "Thank you Elder Pete." Haha, he is so funny and such a good guy. Thank you so much for sending him a letter Mom. President Cotterell gave him permission to make little journal entrees each day that he can send to his Mom on Monday. So we are going to exercise our faith and bring to pass some MIRACLES so his mom can feel of the spirit of the MISSION!!!!
I hope Kels is okay. That is sad that girl took away the chance to break the WORLD RECORD!!!! She had a concussion? WOW!!! That is crazy. Tell her I love her so much, that I will be like Adam Sandler in 50 first dates and make a movie for her so she can remember who I am if she has forgotten me. True love is worth it.
It has been a tough week; we just haven't found anyone who wants to hear our message. We tracted into this older lady she just stared at us then shut the door. We have had six baptisms this year in the area and all six have been from members. I bet that is where probably the next six will come from. This Less-Active sister we have been teaching and invited back to church gave a talk this Sunday that was awesome and she received a calling, it was a miracle. We were hoping to find success with a couple of 16 year olds that have friends in the ward but they are too afraid to ask their parents and we can't teach them if their parents don’t know.
I went on an exchange this week to Smithfield with Elder Walker; he is from Moses Lake Washington and is a great Elder. He takes acutine. We were joking while on our exchange about how goofy our district is. He takes acutane which could cause suicide thoughts, and his companion takes bipolar medicine, and my comp has ashbergers, and another Elder in our district has water in his brain, and talks like Sid the sloth! We have a unique district. Elder Walker is a Spanish missionary and really wants to do Spanish work but they have only been doing English, while on an exchange we went to some old Spanish hot spots I knew about when I served there, I was able to spit my spangles and we found some and set like 4 return appointments. MIRACLES
I realized in my studies how vital it is to understand the doctrine. President Packer talks about how true doctrine understood changes attitudes and behaviors better then the study of behavior. I have kind of got in this rut the past month of just not really having a desire to change or improve or even become better. I studied the doctrine of obedience. I understand that I am not Jesus Christ and that I will make mistakes but I can strive to be exactly obedient. When we are striving to become better the spirit will often prompt us and let us know what we need to do to change or improve. If we find satisfactory in where we are at we will just become what the World or others around us makes of us. I want to be the best I can be. It is so much easier to help others experience conversion when you are experiencing it yourself. I have learned in my mission that when I am striving to be exactly obedient I have to have faith to pull down miracles and blessings from Heaven. I know that I haven't given up my will for his but have aligned mine with his and in that, I find true enduring happiness. I am glad that I have felt the promptings and knudges of the Holy Spirit in my life that prompt me to make the changes I need to, make to draw closer to them.
I love you guys I hope you have a great week and I hope you are keeping me in your prayers and I keep you in mine! Tell Kels I hope she gets feeling better and I am sorry that the girl that hit her was not a Good Samaritan and didn't stop to help her. If she really forgot who I am show her some pictures and tell her of all the cool stuff we did! She is a pearl to valuable!!!! I can't lose her to a concussion! HAHAHA Have a great week!
Elder Hintze Loves you too!!!!!!!!
Love, Elder Petersen
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