So, I guess it's not really a surprising thing to be sick
again, but sometimes it just gets annoying! You know you're sick a lot when
everyone asks how you are...every time they see you. haha I guess I just need
to get used to that though! It's been happening for so many years now that it's
a part of my life. I go see someone, they ask how I'm feeling, and then they
are either content or concerned for a few minutes and the conversation
continues. I guess that doesn't change no matter where you are. But, I guess I
would take that over no one caring or asking...I'm not sure.
This week has been a bit crazy. We had a meeting this week
with all of the sister missionaries in the mission...there are a lot! Every
transfer we have another 10 or so coming in and we are around 70 now! My
companion and I were just sorta laughing throughout the meeting because most of
what they said really didn't apply to us. We are both outgoing and crazy girls
who don't ever have trouble with depression or homesickness or anything else
mentally. We are content with who we are and love being here. So, I'm really
glad we talked about everything we did, but I am even more grateful that I
don't have to worry about those types of problems. I just have to deal with my
thyroid...or lack of one at that. Someday I'll figure out how to deal with
it...for now I'll just keep going!
We met Olivia at her apartment Tuesday night and had a
fantastic lesson with her, even through she was really nervous. She was going
in to see if she could get her permanent green card Wednesday and was freaking
out a little bit. So, Wednesday morning, we brought the elders over to give her
a blessing. She loved it, and she is trying to find ways to calm her nerves
down more. We suggested reading the scriptures and praying more, so she is
going to try that this week. We went back again over the weekend and she loved
talking to us. She really wants to come to church, and she accepted to baptism
too! She just needs to get her work schedule switched so that she can come!
We have been working with Tonancy and her family a lot. They
have accepted baptism, and we are working for a date, but they still haven't
been able to come to church. This past week they were super excited to come!
But, Tonancy ended up in the hospital Saturday night with a bad infection, so
she was sleeping all day Sunday. We went over Saturday morning with them, and
we had a great lesson! We were talking about the gospel of Jesus Christ and how
they can follow the example of Jesus Christ more in their lives. It was great
because we had some fun activities to do with each part and all the kids were
really excited. Each of them wanted a Book of Mormon, but we still needed
another 3 in English that we didn't even have in the car! We have given out so
many recently it's crazy! Their family is awesome though, there are 6 kids in
her family, and then another 3 in the other family that lives there, plus her
sister. So, in total, there are 13 people living there... I think. It reminds
me of our house a lot, except they live in a little 2 bedroom apartment with
one bathroom and a tiny kitchen and living room. Sooo....there are just people
everywhere. They are all so excited to read and to learn more though all the
time! I can't wait for them to be able to learn more as a family and find
a way to really progress and get to church! :)
We also saw Luz and her family too! We finally got to meet
her husband Luis last week and he is awesome! They are all so excited to learn
about the gospel and to come to church, but Luis's work sometimes calls him
sunday morning to come in...and the rest of the family doesn't want to go
without the dad. So, we are working to find a way they can come to church too!
It's amazing to see the influence good parents have on their kids! This family
is amazing, and their kids are so sweet and excited to learn too. Every lesson,
the kids all come in and stay sitting with us, looking at the pictures and
participating in everything! They are going to absolutely love primary too when
they get to come this week!
This weekend was a miracle...just a miracle. In my last
area, there was a family that we have been teaching...well ALL the missionaries
have been teaching....like literally. They have been coming to church for 2.5
years already...and never got baptized. At first it was because she wasn't
divorced and that they weren't legally married. So, there were a few problems
there, but then there were other things impeding their progress in the church.
And, then something changed. No one really knows what, but something did, and
they finally decided to get married and baptized, and all of it happened this
weekend!!!! So, Friday night we got to go to a wedding!! It was so exciting and
I got to see everyone there again. :) And Sunday after church we had their
baptism! It was great. We were all sorta joking because we have never seen
someone so scared of the water! But, it's alright, with a little help
everything worked out great :)
Sunday was exciting! We didn't have any of the families at
church, but we did have our recent convert, Maria, and her entire family there!
Her husband isn't a member, but we taught him a short lesson Saturday afternoon
and then he was at church for the first time! It was pretty great :) I'm not
sure if he is really interested, but at least he felt interested or comfortable
enough to come to church and stay for sacrament meeting. It was fun to see them
walk in together as a family for the first time ever!
The family we live with, the Garcias, are awesome. And we
have been spending a lot of time with them. Monse, the wife, isn't a member,
but she definitely loves the gospel! Yesterday for Pday, we spent the whole day
at home cleaning with them. The two boys, Axel (10) and Yahir (2) are super
funny, but a bit crazy and spoiled. So, all morning we were cleaning our
Yahir's room because we were swapping into his room so that they could move the
sala upstairs into our room. So, after cleaning out toys and tons of coats of
Hermano's, we finally got everything out enough to clean the room. We
vacuumed...about 6 times. Then washed the carpet and all the walls before
beginning to move in our things. The elders came over for lunch and we made
sandwiches and they helped to get all the furniture into our new room. It was
nice to have them help because Axel wanted to go outside to play soccer, so we
went out into the street to play for about an hour and it was super fun! When
we left later that night for appointments, the upstairs was still a mess and
the desk was taken apart sitting in the hallway. So, we still have a bit of
work to do before it's all done!
Last night, we had Hermana Hawkins come with us to fhe at a
member's home! She is a Spanish called Hermana that just got here 2 weeks ago
as well, but was put into an English area with an English speaking sister. So,
she doesn't get much practice teaching or listening in Spanish. We had an
awesome night though with the Castillo's! We read the story of Samuel the
Lamanite and then afterwards acted it out! The dad was Samuel up on the wall
and then we all took part in throwing "fiery darts and rocks" at him!
The stuffed animals and pillows were supposed to go around him, but it's so
much more fun when you just hit him :) haha It was great though and the whole
family was really excited to have so much fun! The dad isn't too active in the
church either, and he was really excited to see the way that he can apply these
stories to his life right now. Hopefully we can help them to be stronger in the
gospel and receive more blessings together as a family!
This gospel is amazing! We have so many opportunities everyday
to serve and to be stronger in the gospel ourselves, but also to help others do
the same! I love how so many people can have an influence in our lives for
good, and now I have the chance to do the same for others. We have been using
the scripture, 1 Nephi 11:17 a lot recently. My companion absolutely loves it,
and now I do too! It pretty much says, "God loves you, so everything will
be okay." That really is what happens in life. We don't need to know
everything, we just have to accept that we don't know it. We need to find ways
to be better and to learn more, but we don't need to know everything. God loves
us, and that is sufficient! I hope that you all have an amazing week and that
you can always remember the love that God has for you! He really does love you
individually and wants you to be happy. Remember that you are always in my
prayers.
I love you all!
Jessica
Hermana Jessica Peterson
19792 E 49th Ave
Denver, CO 80249
Mission Home Address:
Colorado Denver North Mission
Hermana Jessica Peterson
1250 Main St.
Broomfield, CO 80020
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