WHITE CHRISTMAS!!!

And, Colorado is know to be called the 'Mile High City'. And we finally found the step that says it :) Pretty awesome. It's on the 13th step of the State Capitol building, pretty sweet!

Ok, so we actually didn't have a white christmas, but it snowed yesterday :) close enough!

This week was full of fun and surprises, and I was glad to have been able to enjoy them all! These last few weeks have been pretty miserable health wise, but incredible in the work of the Lord! :) We were trying to get some appointments scheduled for this week because I spent most of last week in bed. I completely forgot that the injections kinda make you into a zombie for awhile. Yeah...not fun. But, we got out to work!

Miracles for Christmas! So, Amanda and I have been planning to skype each other since she left on her mission. But, I was over at a less-active's home all day helping her to move and didn't get the chance to get on to our emails. We went home late and I had no idea that my little sister had gone through all the trouble to get in contact with my family to let them know she was skyping christmas eve! We got up Christmas Eve and looked over our plans for the next two days. We were going to do some service that morning before our District Meeting when I had a feeling to call mom and see when Amanda would be skyping. We were going to go to the library later that day around 230pm, but I felt like I needed to find out right then. When I found out Amanda would be skyping in an hour, I freaked out! I got permission from President, then called some other missionaries to cover us at service, and then called our member's dad to ask permission if I could use their computer. Good thing we live with one of the only members in the ward that actually has a computer and internet! Miracles! and when it finally got connected, I got to see Amanda!!! I couldn't see the rest of the family for awhile, and when i finally could, it was upside down, but hey, i'm not complaining! God really does work in mysterious ways to make simple things happen so His children will be happy. :)

So Christmas Eve here is when they have all the big celebrations and Santa comes and everything happens. It's pretty awesome actually. We decided to go visit a few people that day and everywhere we went, they were so excited we showed up! We had a fun dinner with the bishop and his wife with all the other missionaries in the ward- there are 9 of us! We had a great Mexican dinner-tamales :) Yum! And then had fun singing and reading stories of Christmas and opening stockings. It was a blast. After, we went to the Salinas'. We have been there a lot trying to reactivate the husband who finally stayed for all 3 hours yesterday! Woohoo! They had bought us christmas presents for helping them out so much! They had gotten us onesies with Hello Kitty on them. They are ridiculous! But so comfy! haha so, you might get a picture of them....haha

Christmas morning, we had Axel (the 10 year old son of the family we live with) come into our room and yell MERRY CHRISTMAS. And then for the next 10 minutes while everyone woke up...at 630am....he was yelling trying to get everyone to come downstairs faster to open gifts. haha It was fun to be in a house for Christmas and be able to share that time as a family. They really do treat us a part of their family at times like that. It's incredible the influence that the gospel really does have on a family. we got to share a special Christmas message with the Garcia's later that afternoon (the family we live with). He is an active member in the church now and has a calling in the Elders quorum presidency! Amazing! His wife Monse isn't a member of the church, but she still comes every week and is now working with the cub scouts. When we shared a message of Christ with them, the spirit was so strong there in their home. It was amazing to see how strong the spirit can be as each member of the home really invites him in. We have seen so many miracles as we help their family, and hopefully we can continue to see those miracles come to pass :)

So, we had this strong impression to go and see one of our investigators the other day. We were in the middle of some things, but we followed the impression anyway. To our surprise, we walked up the stairs to their apartment and Pati walked out!! The mom, Tonancy, had left a few weeks ago and taken the 4 younger kids and her sister Pati with her and went to live with their aunt. They were having a lot of problems and one day we had called and she was in tears with her bags in the van ready to leave. We hadn't seen them since. When we showed up, they had just barely pulled in and began unpacking their bags. We still don't know what brought them back together, but it truly was a miracle. We helped them bring things in and then left them to enjoy the time as a family. This week we are going to go visit them again :)

We found out Thursday morning that one of the elders was in the hospital with a skull fracture. So, after some service, we went over to see him and lift his spirits. He got to the hospital Christmas morning after not sleeping from the pain the night before. Not quite the Christmas I would have enjoyed. We decided to give him a fun Christmas, so Friday morning, we went back with some fun candies and Spiderman cards to keep him company while he recovers for the next few weeks. It's amazing how the missionaries really do come together and become more of a family everyday as someone is in need. 

The christmas spirit has really brought to pass Christmas miracles. It's amazing what happens when we decide to be disciples of Christ. It doesn't matter how awful we are feeling, God gives us the strength to be strong and to be an example to those that need our help. There is a family in our ward that has been having a lot of trouble recently, and every few days we just have this strong feeling to call them, but they never answer. I didn't realize why we were prompted to continue calling until yesterday at church. She walked in with the kids right before sacrament started and i sat with her. She began crying and I could tell that she really needed the comfort of someone else. I asked the bishop to give her a blessing of comfort after church and he made plans to visit their family and see if he could help with anything that evening. I know that God really does put us in the placed He needs us in.

Sunday morning, we got a call from a recent convert, Hermana Ocampo. She wanted to come to church, but didn't have a ride. We called the bishop's wife who was more than happy to pick her up. We found out later that her kids were at home sick, but she felt like she needed to be at church today. We talked to the Elder's quorum president who happened to be sitting by her too and he offered to find another brother in the ward to take and give them blessings after church. Everything worked out perfectly! Hna Jones wasn't feeling well yesterday at all, so after sacrament, she passed out in one of the rooms at church and i studied the gospel principles manual for an hour. When the next bell rang, she was still miserable. We borrowed the keys for the sister's apt and then got Hna Jones a blessing before going to the apt for her to sleep. God really does want His children to be successful when we are trying everything we can to be His tools. :)

This week has been a struggle, but through that struggle, there is always hope shining. We may be sick, but that doesn't change our devotion to the gospel and to finding those that need our help. Others depend on us each and everyday to do those things that are necessary. We need to simply find ways to succeed and to bring about the change in ourselves first as we find ways to help others. 

I have been reading the book "Our Heritage" this past week, and then the talks in church yesterday were on Joseph and Emma Smith. It is truly amazing to remember of their sacrifice as well at this time of year. The pioneers sacrificed their lives so that we could have ours. It is our decision to live up to our ancestors and the examples they left behind. I have learned to have a greater appreciation for all those people who really changed the world in the midst of so many struggles. I know i can have the strength to continue on and be strong no matter what happens in my life. I know you can do the same!

I wish you all an amazing New Year! Make sure to make it the very best yet :)
Love you all! 

Hermana Jessica Peterson

Wandering around downtown one morning after a doctor's apt while we waited for the library to open! yup, this is a giant broom and dust pan. I'm pretty sure colorado is known for their weird statues..they are everywhere!

19792 E 49th Ave

Denver, CO 80249

Mission Home Address:

Colorado Denver North Mission

Hermana Jessica Peterson

1250 Main St.

Broomfield, CO 80020

Merry CHRISTmas

Merry Christmas everyone!!!!

 

I hope you really do have a magical Christmas this year. Make it that way. Christmas is a time where we really do get to celebrate the great majesty of Christ's birth. We need to help put the Christ back into Christmas. It's become a time of hustle and bustle- shops are open to buy presents, people are running around trying to get things ready so their family has the best, and we forget why this time of year is important. I was reading the story of Christ's birth in Luke this morning during my studies, and it always amazes me the faith of Mary. She was told by an angel that she would be the mother of our Savior. I am always brought back to the lyrics of the song, "Mary did you know." Because she was the mother of the Savior. When she held Him and kissed His cheek, she was kissing the face of God. She would bring about the creation of a man who would CHANGE lives- forever. Because of our Savior and Redeemer, we have the opportunity to change and become like Him.

 

Remember this Christmas season and always that Jesus is the Christ. That he was born humbly in a stable to come and redeem us. He is our older brother and our best friend.

 

I had an investigator this week remind me a little about the Christmas season and the power of God. We were talking about prayer and how she can begin to pray. She didn't know how. So, we were talking about how we pray to God like we would talk to our best friend. So she simply said, I guess I need God in my life. He is the only one that can be everyone's best friend. And it's true. God needs to be our best friend, and everyone's.

 

This Christmas is amazing-as we focus all of our time everyday on others, Christmas just makes sense. We find that people are truly excited about spending time together. But make that time count. Don't keep it enough to simply get together, eat dinner, and open presents. Share stories, read scriptures, make memories. Five years down the road (or 5 minutes if you're me! haha) we won't remember those presents we opened. We won't remember those clothes we wore or how we looked that night. We will remember the memories we made. We will remember the people who made a difference and really changed our lives. So be that person. Make this Christmas unforgettable-not because of the presents you gave or received, but because of the difference you made in the life of someone else.

 

I love you so much! I hope you are all finding ways to make Christmas more centered on Christ. :) 

Hermana Jessica Peterson

 

ps. thought from district meeting today!

we can see the scriptures the way we want, not the way the directors want us to. So, liken them to yourself. Make your own images and movies as you read and study their words. They are truly amazing words of God that we have the great gift to read each and everyday!

 

Love you tons!

 

19792 E 49th Ave

Denver, CO 80249

 

Mission Home Address:

 

Colorado Denver North Mission

Hermana Jessica Peterson

1250 Main St.

Broomfield, CO 80020

Christmas time is almost here!

So, this week was fantastic! Now the problem, is just remembering everything that happened. I feel like last Monday was an eternity ago. haha

 

First off, you are all fantastic!!! Seriously, to get ready for this exam has been a little difficult in a Spanish ward. To find anyone that believes in those leafy green things is about impossible. They all have to ask someone what you would put on a salad, because they have never had one before. Normally it's super good, but the salad dressing has been a blessing! haha I never thought I would say that about salad dressing, but when you're given some chopped up iceberg lettuce, you need something else to help it out a little and taste like a good meal. But, it's been fantastic. I have been having fun with a few recipes and then I just make sure to always have some sort of food in the car for meals just in case something happens and they forget or we go to a party and there isn't anything I can eat. So, thank you sooooo much!!!!

 

On Wednesday we had this super spiritual zone meeting. It was amazing! We were talking about the importance of planning and on invitations so that we can be more prepared and find strength in the Lord. There are a lot of missionaries in our zone that are converts to the gospel, so they all got up to explain what the invitation they received was when they decided to accept the gospel into their lives. For most of them, it was a strong invitation to come to church and pray to know if it was true. It's amazing the power the church has as we just sit inside and can feel the spirit and learn from the teachings of others. Then Elder Burton, one of the zone leaders, trained about breaking down our barriers in life. How many things do we build up around us because we are scared to be different, or we don't have enough courage to change. There are expectations set, and sometimes they don't make sense, but we follow them because people don't expect us to be any better. It's not about the expectations, it's about changing them. We must find the strength to go against the odds and make things happen. People are changing everyday, but we must change more. The Second Coming is near, and we must be prepared to meet our Savior, no matter what the circumstances. When I actually started to write out the expectations people have set for me as a missionary, I realized how much work I really do have in order to get out of the norm and make a difference here.

 

Friday was the Young Women's in Excellence here! We were invited to come help decorate and get things ready and then to come and enjoy the event with the ward to support the young women here. Good thing I had a long skirt on while we were decorating because I spent the morning up and down on chairs stapling a  long string of decorations across the ceiling in the primary room. It was fantastic and so much fun :) As I have been doing some personal progress as well here on the mission, it has been fun to see the progress of these young girls in their own lives. It truly is amazing the power that this program has for the young women in the church. They truly can learn how to become better women, wives and mothers for the future. 

 

Yesterday was a day full of fun surprises and events. We found out Saturday night who was getting transferred and who was staying here. Hermana Jones and I are staying here through the holidays! Woohoo! But, tons of missionaries are moving around, so we had to get all of their Christmas presents to them early because we wouldn't see them again soon. We ended up crocheting and wrapping presents early in the morning and then made some phone calls before heading to church. Two of the elders in our ward, Elder Pesantes and Elder Griffith finished their missions and were heading home! Super crazy! So we all said our goodbyes and took some pictures before they had to head off to the mission office.

 

Church was interesting, Elder Pinedo was teaching the Gospel Principles class, but part way through, he started getting super dizzy and felt really sick. He almost fell over, so he just said sorry and walked out and asked someone to teach! So, I got up and started where he left off teaching! haha Good thing my Spanish is way better so that I can teach a class without any notice at all. He didn't end up coming back, so I just taught the rest of the class, finished up and we went on with church. I guess the Lord prepares us in different ways to do His work. I absolutely love teaching that class though! It's a little better though when I have at least a few minutes to look over the manual to know how I want to teach it.

 

After church, there was a baptism for a little girl in the ward, and like always, our names just sort of appear on everything...everywhere. If someone is playing the piano, it's me. If someone is leading the music, it's usually my companion. haha So we weren't too surprised when we showed up and saw the program had our names on it! Then we had a Christmas fireside for the stake and it was so much fun! I played again for our ward and then we got to hear songs from other wards too. And, we finished it off with the "Hallelujah Chorus" and it was so much fun!

 

But, just some things to think about this week-what are your barriers that you put up? How can you have the courage to go against the norms and break them down? How can you put your own will in line with the will of God?

 

Mosiah 4:27 - don't run faster than you have strength. You have to be strong yourself first before you can help others! So, get prepared now :)

 

Love you tons! Hope you have a fantastic week and enjoy getting ready for Christmas :) Go and serve someone who needs you now. 

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

BBBBUUUURRRRRHHHHH!!!!!!!

I think that's how you spell it? So...this week has been freezing!!!!! Literally, below zero at least for part of everyday. It's been super nice to have all the warm clothes to bundle up with scarves and hats and tons of layers all the time. I'm pretty sure the people can't even see us when we get to their houses...good thing we have our nametags! haha

 

This week has been an adventure in all sorts of different ways. We decided to start crocheting some of our Christmas gifts for the elders in our district...they are legit! But, I can't say what they are because there might be a few coming home for Christmas too. :) And, because it's been freezing outside, we decided we would make some headbands (like the warm ones for your ears)  for all of the sisters that make dinner for us every night. So, we bring a few that they can choose from. But, I guess that this culture doesn't know what they are? I'm not quite sure...because we have to teach everyone how to wear them. One night, we just gave them to the sisters there, and they both put them on like a headband that just pushes your hair up. Hopefully that made sense, but it was super funny!!!

 

Sorry this is super scattered and rushed, but Sunday was amazing and sad and every emotion pulled into one day. We had about 7 people who were really excited to come to church on sunday and none of them showed up. We even went to their houses before church and one family didn't open, one family was still sleeping, and the other said they were coming and never did. Sad! But, we did have a less active dad and his son come!!! It was sooooo exciting :) He hasn't been to church in over 2 years, and he really came! We were kinda freaking out when one of the elders came over to us and told us to turn around to see who came in. Good thing it was during a song so the only reason people turned around was because we stopped singing. Yup...we are the only ones that know how to sing here, so they all just sing as they can, and then all listen to us from the back. It's pretty great :) It's good Hna Jones has a really strong voice too! Because everyone just comes up to her after sacrament to say how well she sings. It's pretty great!

 

I hope you all had the chance to watch the Christmas devotional last night too!!!! It was fantastic and way different than normal. I wasn't feeling too well yesterday, so after church, we got to someone's house to visit, and I didn't even make it out of the car before debating with my companion what we were going to do. She decided I should just go home, but I was trying to fight it, and I ended up falling asleep in the car in front of their house. haha So, it was a little awkward when they pulled up a little bit later. I got a good nap in though before dinner at the Bishop's house, and we got to see the devotional there with them. It was nice to see it in English too :) It really did make me think about the real importance of Christmas. It's about Christ, and we really do need to put Him back into this time of year. He is so important in everything we do, and we need to honor His life by remembering Him.

 

I am so excited for this time of year. I can't even imagine being in a different place. I definitely will miss everyone, but I know that I am serving the Lord and that you are all here with me in spirit :)

 

Have an amazing week! I love you all :) Stay warm!

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

Baby it's cold outside...

So, for our morning walks we are always talking, I'm running, and then we are singing. And now that it's past Thanksgiving, we are singing tons of Christmas songs. Which is definitely something I forgot! We don't have any Christmas music, so if someone wanted to send me a few songs that would be great! Oh, but that song was stuck in my head all morning and we couldn't remember the words...so that's about the only part we sang...over and over and over again.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND DECEMBER :)

Yup, I still can't believe it's December! It's soooo crazy!!!

This week was amazing! We went to visit a recent convert family that hasn't been super consistent in coming to church and we weren't too sure why. The kids want to come, but it wasn't a huge priority for Maria. So, when we visited them this week, I talked to Maria about the importance of church and why she needs it every Sunday. And then Hna Jones talked to Beti who is turning 12 this week about the atonement and how God really does love her. They decided that they really do need to be at church and more involved in the Gospel in general. Hopefully we can get some other people involved in their progress as well :)

Wednesday was a day full of miracles...I can't even remember them all. But, we started out with some great studies that really helped us to prepare for the day spiritually and for our lessons. We had an amazing district meeting on how to become more purified and consecrated missionaries of the Lord. It was amazing. We went out and decided to change our plans a little bit. It was a holiday, so instead of going somewhere to serve, we decided we needed to go out and talk to the people. We ended up finding a few people that may be really interested in the Gospel. They want us to come back and teach them and we got to get to know some more areas too!  Then, that night we went to a member's home and met with one of their cousins who wants to learn about the gospel. Too bad she is only here for the weekend! But, she was soooo excited to read the Book of Mormon. then, that night we got a phone call late saying that Daniela was going to be baptized Saturday morning!!!!

Daniela before she got baptized

So, if anyone remembers about Daniela...I wrote about her a lot back at the very beginning of my mission. Well, she was an investigator in my last area that I taught with my trainer back in April and the beginning of May. She was super excited to be baptized, but she moved to Boston for the summer with her husband, who is a return missionary coming back to church too. So, she didn't get baptized then, and she left for months, and got back this week. She planned out her own baptism and got all the interviews done and was baptized Saturday morning!!! So, we got to see that and it was absolutely amazing :) It's so neat to see someone that you love so much take the steps necessary for her eternal salvation. Now, in a year, I can't wait to see her go through the temple to become an eternal family with her husband!!! So exciting :)

Thanksgiving was an incredible day full of service and fun. We started out painting our kitchen with Hno Garcia. He has been trying to get it done, but doesn't have much time when it's light enough to paint and the kids aren't running around with him. So, we got to work! It was super fun and went fast with 3 people. It definitely looks really nice now :)

We decided to stop by a bunch of families in the ward and share a special message about Thanksgiving with them. It was super fun to see them all and to share a short message and help them cook or get things cleaned up for their own Thanksgiving dinners! And, of course, we had to eat something at everyone's house too! They don't let us leave if we don't! haha But, it was fantastic. We had dinner at Hna Jones' aunt's house. She lives here close to our area, so we got permission to go there and enjoy a thanksgiving dinner in an American home. haha It was great! We had dinner, talked, played foosball, played piano, sang, and laughed for hours. It was so great!

This week has definitely been one to look back on my mission and everything that has happened so far. I hit my half way mark...it doesn't feel like I have been gone for 9 months already! But, I guess time really does fly by. But, there are things I definitely want to work on and improve. We are working as a district right now to find those things that are distracting us from the work, or that are leading us away from having the Spirit always with us. I have been making my list. Yesterday, we all fasted for this purpose, and now each day, we are to pray for the strength to put these things behind us. It's difficult, but I know it will help me to become a better person, more spiritually driven as a missionary and representative of Jesus Christ.

I hope that all of you this holiday season can go out and find those who need of your help. Help them spiritually, help them physically, but bring the holiday spirit into their life. It's amazing to see the difference that a little service can bring to someone. Share your testimony of the Savior's birth and His life. Invite someone to a Christmas party at church. Find ways to make this holiday season better than any other in the past.

Making pancakes.. we threw together things that sounded good together (less than 1/2 can of pumpkin, oats, choc chips, flour, honey, cinnamon, some eggs, brown sugar, pumpkin spice, some baking stuff) and behold! pancakes!

then for the syrup, we took normal maple syrup mixed with butter and vanilla 

I love you all! I hope you have an amazing week!!!

Hermana Jessica Peterson

Our adventure with the shiritaki noodles we decided to try cooking...some olive oil, spices, cilantro, lime, corn...I'm not sure what else got thrown in there, but it was pretty great! David, you definitely would have approved this meal!

And, the other is 

19792 E 49th Ave

Denver, CO 80249

Mission Home Address:

Colorado Denver North Mission

Hermana Jessica Peterson

1250 Main St.

Broomfield, CO 80020