A new description of God

Hey family!!!

First off, I hope you had an amazing week and saw miracles! Because I definitely did :) 

We had zone conference this week and talked about God and who He is to us. The first thing we teach as missionaries is who God is. But, sometimes we just skip over it after saying He is our Father with flesh and bones. If someone asked you to describe God to them, how could you? If it was someone who thought God was just a spirit, or an idea, or had no belief in Him whatsoever. It's interesting, and it helped me change my viewpoint on who God really is to me. God is my Father, and that makes me His daughter. He is a loving Father who wants the very best for us, His children. He does have a body, just like we do, and that's why He wants us to succeed here, so that we can become like Him. We are trying each and everyday to be better and be more like Him. He prepared this earth and everything we have so that we could be successful. He wants more than anything that we could return and live with Him again, but He isn't going to take away our greatest blessing, our agency. He wants us to choose. But He gives us all the tools we need. Sometimes we kneel down to pray and say the same words we said yesterday. Sometimes we open our scriptures and skim through the words just to say we read. We go to church and our mind wanders about what we are doing that week until the meetings are over. But what about sacrifice? What about our ability to change? We can't do things because it's simply what we do, we need to do them because it's how we are. We are children of God. We can return with Him again. This life is hard, but if we sacrifice like Christ did, we can receive all that God has to offer us. We aren't expected to do the same, but it's those times when we really need a break, we can think about Him. Christ didn't ask for a break in the middle of Gethsemane, He asked for strength. We can do the same. I'm beginning to understand who God really is. 

We stopped by to see Carlos Luna this week. He is a less-active who no one has seen in years. We texted him, he answered, so we went to meet him. He is a 19 year old boy who was baptized about 4 years ago by another member in the ward who is now inactive too. It's so sad to see these people go away from the church because they don't feel loved and supported. But, we talked to him about God and about the importance of doing things for Him, and not for anyone else. He decided it's his time to really come back to church and be strong. He is thinking about preparing for a mission too! Hopefully he can be the one to bring his friend back into the church too now :) 

So this past week we have seen tons of miracles with less-actives! They are finally moving in the right directions spiritually, now we just need some help getting them to church! We only had a few minutes to go and see hna villatoros, so we decided to leave a prayer with her and her kids. As we stood up from the prayer, she just turned to us and said, I want to go to church! She hasn't been in a long time, and keeps saying she needs to come, but hasn't actually decided if it's what she wants to do or not, but she accepted us to find a ride for her for next week! 

We fasted Sunday for our investigators, and we had miracles immediately. All of our investigators cancelled on us this week. We tried referrals, potentials, and everything else we could think of, and no one was home. It was hard, and definitely tried our faith and our patience. People would cancel 30 minutes before an apt, or just not be home when they always are. But, Sunday morning, we picked up a member to come with us to see Lupita. We sat there in awe as the member taught and testified to our investigator of the blessings of the gospel. She couldn't come to church because of prior commitments with the family, but wanted to go to the addiction class with us that night. We went to pick her up for the addiction class and she followed us there. The class was in English, so I translated. Part way through the class, they begin to share their own thoughts and feelings. The first two, I just let her listen to the spirit she felt. The third person translated for herself, and then I tried something I have never done before. Others started talking, and I just translated into her ear so she could understand everything and feel the spirit. It was a miracle for her and for me. It truly is amazing the blessings God gives to us to understand these people, to find ways to help them, and to recognize the miracles in our own lives. I love it! 

Well, I have to get going so we aren't late to our dinner apt. But, I just want to let you know how much I love you! You are amazing in every way. I hope you all know that :) 

Have an amazing week! Love you!!!

Hermana Jessica Peterson

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Hey hey!!!

Happy Valentine's Day on Friday!!! Hope everyone enjoys it and has a great day :) 

Mom and Dad, you better have plans to go out! The kids can definitely stay home. haha 

Love you all! 

I thought this card was pretty funny...and kinda describes our family together! Just crazy, laughing, and always having fun. :) 

This week was crazy, but so exciting too! We are serving up in the north side of the mission now, and it's great. The ward is huge, and I am getting to know people little by little. It's going to take forever I think...haha but hopefully with God's help I can get to know them all. It's always a fun opportunity to meet new people and find ways to help them too! 

Tuesday night we got to spend some time with the bishop here. It happened to work out perfectly. He is fantastic and is going to be a great help in the missionary work here in the ward. 

One of the less actives that we teach called us Tuesday night worried because her husband was in a really bad car crash. He had shattered his leg and was in critical condition. We couldn't get down there Tuesday night, but we kept in contact. He ended up being put in a hospital in Aurora, and the sisters down there went to see him. We met the wife at home Wednesday night with a couple in the ward. The brother was going to give her a blessing. It was a miracle! We had an amazing lesson about the power of the spirit in our lives and the blessings that this gospel brings to us. Then, the brother gave her a blessing of comfort. She told us that earlier that afternoon, her husband had come out of surgery. The first thing that he said was that he wanted to have her for eternity. He was so scared that he would have lost his own life, and that he hadn't done the things here that he needed to in order to have his family for eternity. They want to work now to prepare to enter the temple. God sometimes really does need to hurt us sometimes in order to help us. (Watch the video at the bottom- The Will of God) We need to work together to find our true potential here. And God knows best how to help. 

Friday night, we went to visit a less active. He taught me a lot about the power of the atonement in my own life. He is struggling right now to begin his repentance process so that he can become clean of his past life. He is struggling to begin. He knows why. He understands how it will help, but he doesn't have the courage to begin. It's amazing to think how the spirit really does speak to us as we are trying to help His child. Whenever I think about someone not repenting, the thought always comes to mind, why? We are the sons and daughters of God, and He wants to help us. We always deserve the atonement of Jesus Christ in our lives. 

As I was sitting in church yesterday, I was thinking a lot about the power of the atonement. It is incredible. It allows us to change and to become new people. As I was thinking about the people that have changed on my mission, I sometimes forget about myself. I am the one changing and becoming better. 

Yesterday was my companion's birthday. I attacked her with balloons and a sign I had made for her the night before. It was super funny! So, being a birthday, I got up and made her french toast and cut up a bunch of fruit with some yogurt and mango water. She loved it! haha I guess others like our family traditions too. :) She ate in bed and I came and sat on the other side. haha Good times! I miss all the family breakfast-in-beds! It's an excuse to make a fun breakfast and then eat in bed...what else could anyone ask for?? haha Our bishop brought a chocolate cake to church and the district enjoyed it after the meetings were over. Sister Abeyta put in an apple for me so I could enjoy the party too :) 

Things are going by so quickly!! The days seem to take forever, but the weeks go by in a blur. I can't even remember what has happened once I sit down to write. I guess life is going by much quicker. Just shows how important it is to enjoy every moment of it! 

Just wanted to say how much I love all of you. You really do mean so much to me and have changed my life so much. Hope you have an absolutely amazing week and are strengthened by the atonement in your life!  :) 

Love you all!!!!

Hermana Jessica Peterson

Just some thoughts on the atonement: 

Take life a day at a time. We need to live each moment at the time we are living. 

When we sin it does something to us. We become farther away from God. When we repent, it changes us. We become different people because of the atonement that has affected us. 

Elder D Todd Christofferson-The will of God

http://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages?lang=eng#the-will-of-god

We must be willing to accept and even seek corrections. 

The little current bush was cut back, and he was sad. "How could you do this to me? I was making such wonderful growth, and now you have cut me down. I thought you were the gardener here."

"Look, I am the gardener here."

"How could you do this to me?" 

"I am the gardener here. I know what I want you to do. I want you to be a current bush." 

After blooming and producing fruit, the current bush again said, "Thank you gardener for cutting me down so that I could grow. Thank you for loving me enough to hurt me."

As the soldier doesn't receive his promotion, he says to God, "I've done everything I could to measure up. How could you do this to me?"

And he remembers those words, "I am the gardener here. I know what I want you to do."

As we understand the will of God, the bitterness leaves, and we ask for forgiveness. 

"Thank you mister gardener for cutting me down. For loving me enough to hurt me." 

We can all reach God's expectations. We can pray for his love-inspired correction. We can become the people he wants and expects us to become. We can be His children. 

As I was watching this short clip, the thought came to mind of how I act like this way too often. I expect some great reward for all my hard work, but instead I feel like it has all gone to waste. It hasn't. Our work allows us to become better and find our true potential. We may feel like God is punishing us at times, but really he is finding ways to make us even stronger and better. We really do need to be cut down at times in order to grow. We should be telling God, "Thank you God for loving me enough to hurt me.

Monte Vista :)

Hey Family!!!!!

So, I'm in my new area!!

That's why I didn't get to write yesterday. But, things are already crazy. 

We found out Saturday night that I was moving. Sunday was spent packing up and getting everything done and ready, getting plans ready for next week for Hna Jones, and then making sure the area was ready for a new sister to come in. It was a lot of work, but super fun! The sink at the Garcia's wasn't working in the kitchen, so their dishes from all weekend piled up all over the counters in the kitchen. I didn't realize how many dishes they use in 2 days between the 4 of them! We decided to help and do some service. So, we went to the garage, found a cooler and loaded up all the dirty dishes. We hauled them upstairs to the bathroom and filled up the entire bath tub with hot soapy water. Then we spent about 2 hours talking and cleaning dishes. We realized we had to leave soon to get to the stake center for transfers. So, we pulled out the bottom rack of the dishwasher and loaded up all the plates and put it back in to dry. It's definitely going to be different not living there anymore! I'm going to miss the Garcia's for sure. But, changes are always good! 

Last week was interesting to say the least...Hna Jones got super sick and so I was trying to work as much as I could at home in the mornings to let her rest up. The weather here hasn't been too bad, but I think I'll agree with Alyssa when I say some people are whimps! haha We got voicemails friday and saturday saying we couldn't drive all morning due to bad weather conditions. Have the missionaries back home been able to leave in months then? I always thought that was a funny rule, but I guess when they don't know if drivers have ever driven in snow, it's a little scarier. 

We started reading with an amazing family last week and it's been amazing! They are both trying to gain a testimony in the gospel and are really struggling. But, after each chapter, they are both finding ways to apply it to their lives. I have never done that before my mission. Every time I read the Book of Mormon, I write something about that chapter and how I can apply a new skill to my life. I just need to figure out a way to have a better memory and actually try to develop it throughout the day! I'm lucky to remember what I said 5 minutes ago! But, Beba said something really cool the other night. We were reading in the first chapters of 1 Nephi and she was surprised at the great faith that Nephi had. She said how she needs to have the faith right now to study and try to gain a testimony of the gospel. It was nothing we said, the scriptures teach everything we ever would need to know. We just need to let them know that and help them to take the first steps to understanding. 

I was reading David's blog post about finding peace in the most difficult times. It's truly incredible to find that there really is peace in everything because of our knowledge of the Savior Jesus Christ. It reminds me of a mormon message, I don't remember the name, but it's about President Eyring I believe telling a story of when he was on a plane and the wing caught on fire. He was spiraling downwards and there was a lady screaming next to him. But, he felt complete peace. We feel peace not because we aren't scared, but because we know everything will be okay. Things will go on. We will overcome everything we need to do as we allow Christ to help us. We can't do it on our own. We need his help in everything we do. We can't do this on our own.

I was thinking a lot about my mission this morning. What I have learned. How I have been changed. The things that have happened. It seems like yesterday that I left, but so many things have happened. I have learned how to be stronger through the hardest of times, and plead with God for help. I have been crying with tears of joy as someone that I love decides to be strong in the gospel of Christ. 

I love this gospel with all my heart. I know that I am exactly where I need to be. I can't wait to continue to see the changes taking place in myself and in those around me. 

I love you all! 

Stay strong and be faithful always. "All things will work out!" 

Hermana Jessica Peterson

God works in mysterious ways.

Hey family!!

 

So, this week was pretty uneventful on the investigators side, but we are doing tons of work with less actives...aka visiting teaching. Help the missionaries in your ward...do your visits, don't make them do it for you. :P haha

 

Monday night we went over to the Castillo's. They decided to move to the English ward and it's soooo sad! They are amazing, so we went with the English sisters to introduce them and kind of pass them off. It's crazy to see how attached you become to people because you love them so much.

 

We have decided to try a new approach with less actives in our area and members trying to be stronger in the gospel. We set up short appointments to come and read the scriptures. I have yet to find a person who reads the Book of Mormon every single day and falls away from the truth. The majority of the people we teach don't have the best of educations and struggle with reading, and imagine, trying to understand the scriptures?! We are starting with a few families this week and it's been great! They are super excited to have two missionaries come and read with their family so that everyone sits down together and then they actually understand what is going on in the chapters. It's going to be a long process, but I am super excited to see their progress! Most of these members were baptized in the last 10 years and just need someone to love them and teach them the plan of God in their life.

 

Tuesday was a long day at the hospital. With some help of members we got a ride downtown to the doctor's office. After some complications with appointments and miscommunications with the front desk, my doctor got everything figured out and we only had to spend the rest of the afternoon waiting for appointments. But, hopefully everything goes great! I have been a little worried recently, but then I just think. God performed miracles so that I could be here on my mission, so He can perform others to allow me to stay here! :) I read this super cool quote this week during my studies from Dallin H Oaks. He said, "Our needed conversions are often achieved more readily by suffering and adversity than by comfort and tranquility." That is so true. We are needed to be converted to the Lord and to be perfected and polished to the design of God. It's not what we want, it's what He wants for us. And, it's ALWAYS better than what we want. So, I keep looking up and finding ways to work hard. Depending on God always makes us happier and allows us to find who we truly are. We are sons and daughters of a divine being who loves us more than we could imagine. (2 Nephi 10:23) Choose to be happy today :)

 

Sunday, we had amazing meetings. It was so exciting to feel of the spirit so strongly and be able to testify of the truthfulness of this Gospel. A youth spoke about how we need to be ourselves all the time, and how that person needs to always be the person God expects us to be. "Para uno que esta verdaderamente convertido, el deseo do hacer cosas contrarias al evangelio muere." -Marion G. Romney So if you didn't understand that, it just says, For one that is truly converted, the desire to do things contrary to the gospel dies. It's amazing, and it actually happens. When we decided to be the people God wants us to be, we can continue in the life-long process of conversion and be happier, we don't have the desires to do those things contrary to the path of God.

 

One of the sisters spoke about the decision to prepare here on this earth and to choose to be happy. She said every morning we wake up to two decisions. We can choose to be happy or choose to be miserable. We can wake up and think about all of our trials and sufferings. We can seek help for those things and focus all of our efforts on avoiding pain and sorrow. Or, we can seek out the best. We can look at our trials and sufferings with one thing in mind-to become better and become more like Christ. We can be ever grateful for the body and blessings we have. Our appetites and desires simply make us who we are. Our image is what we want to portray to others. It can be gloomy and miserable, or it can be filled with the light of Christ. It's our choice. I want to be happy. I want others to see my desire to be a representative of Christ now and for forever.

 

Have an amazing week and remember that you are a chosen son or daughter of God that truly loves you and wants the best for you.

 

Hermana Jessica Peterson

 

One more thing!

 

Ok, so we decided to try a few new random things at the grocery store this week because it looked interesting. So, we bought a star fruit. And who would have thought, it tastes like roses! Yup, you should try it...weird! Love you :) 

Hermana Jessica Peterson

 

Transfers!

So, transfers are on the 3rd of February, so just a heads up, I have no idea what's going to be happening! But, exciting :) 

 

Hey fam!!!!

So, I was just laughing mom when I got your letter because that is exactly how I feel every single week! I sit down to write at the computer and I can't remember anything that happened this week at all. But, once I start writing, things come to me, or I have a companion that helps me out. Usually the latter works a little better. haha

But to start at the end of the week, Sunday was a great day! We got up early and started working on our ward list. We had a few pages to finish up before church so we could get updated lists to all the missionaries to start working on. Around 8:53am we finished....yup we had to actually write that time down...it's a big thing! We got some studying in and got everything else ready for church before heading out. We figured we have 38 pages of names with about 800 names or so in the lists, 300 that maybe are active or come at least once a month, and then at least another 300 that have moved or passed away in the last 15 years and their info still hasn't been edited. Yup...exciting! We have a lot more work to do, but there is definitely progress!

We got to help out in the primary for their sharing time and it was super fun. We shared a short message about how Christ can be the example for us in our lives. I was assigned Luke 15:4 about Christ going to find the lost sheep. It was really neat because we ended up talking about how we are each sheep in the fold of Jesus Christ. He loves us and wants us to be like Him and help to find those lost souls. Each of them were cute and wanted to be like that, they can't wait to run into the arms of Christ and give him a big hug :) Me too!

After church, we had the baptism!!! It was so great! Dani was as happy as could ever be, and Annie was smiling so big! It was fantastic :) So, we had made plans for Hno Pina to go and pick up the Ocampo Mendez family for church because their dad wasn't going to come. Sad! But, they were all so happy! Beti is making tons of friends in young women's and absolutely loves it. We barely got her to come outside for a minute before the baptism started to take a few pictures. She didn't want to leave her friends! Then, Dani has been loving her classes now and has tons of friends too and wanted everyone to come to her baptism. We are still trying to work with Lalo. He is 5 and still doesn't know anyone and would much rather sit with us and their mom in relief society than go with the kids. But, now he at least wants to come to church :) Progress!

Dani and her family before the baptism with me, Hna Jones and Hno Pina! She was so excited she could hardly stand still for the pictures!

During the talk on the Holy Ghost, the speaker pulled out a blanket and talked about how a blanket comforts us when we are cold or scared, just like the Holy Ghost can comfort us when we need help. We are guided by Him and it's through Him we can talk to our Heavenly Father. She turned the blanket over and it was a princess blanket! Precious! :) And then she went on to explain how each of them were princesses just like these ones. But, each one is different. We are all special to our Heavenly Father but He loves us all the same. We need to always remember that we are special sons and daughters of God who loves us more than we could ever imagine. It's amazing. The love of God. We can never quite understand all that entails, but we can feel just a piece of that love here if we seek it.

So, I keep having the realization of how amazing this church really is. We were visiting a member this week and had a strong impression to ask her if she had entered the temple yet. She is active, but works on sundays occasionally so she can't always attend church. We don't know her too well, so we took some time to ask questions and see where her progress was in the church. We found out pretty quickly that she hadn't ever been able to enter the temple because she was never legally married to her husband. We asked a few questions and then took the case to other missionaries. Turns out, there are tons of people with that problem here that we teach, and now the church is pro at finding ways to help them quickly! So, we are going to refer her over to a few people to get working on the process to get married. Then, it's preparation for the temple! Woohoo! Exciting :)

Sorry, I got caught up in writing back to a lot of you already, so I don't have much time, but I absolutely love you all. You mean the world to me. I wouldn't be anything without my family, and I am so grateful that I will have you for all of eternity. You mean the world to me. Thank you for all that you do for me, for your support, for you love, and for being you.
Always remember, you have a Heavenly Father who loves you more than anything. He is always mindful of us in everything we do, and the little things we do matter to Him. Remember, we are all princes and princesses to a divine being who loves us more than we could know!

Love you!

Hermana Jessica Peterson

Missionary work took a turn for the better-paper work

Morning workouts! Yup, I run in the snow and my companion takes pictures. Pretty great! 

Hey everyone!!!!

So first off, I love you so much! Thanks for being such an amazing influence in my life. You are amazing!!! :) 

This week has definitely been interesting. It is a mix between feeling like a proselyting missionary and an office missionary all at the same time. So, living in a Spanish ward means that there are people that move in and out all the time, and each person has on average about 6 names. They have their first name, sometimes two, then a middle name or two, then at least 2 last names. Yup, then then they try to put all the info onto a ward list and something has to go wrong. So, we have 3 year old kids that live by themselves and have no connection to anyone else on the list. We have kids whose last names are spelled wrong so they aren't connected to their parents. Then, there are random kids placed with aunts and uncles instead of their own parents. And the list goes on. Our bishop has been trying to work with us to update the ward list and figure out who actually lives here, and it is so much work! I now understand the reality of paper work...we have ended up spending hours and hours staring at papers, comparing information, calling random phone numbers, talking to people all over the country, and little by little things are starting to make sense. When we started working on this project last transfer, we began where we thought we could, then as we continued, we found more and more information. We showed the bishop really quickly what we were doing and his face lit up so bright! It definitely is all worth it. So, we are going to be setting aside time all this week to work with our district and get this list worked out. So exciting!!

Valeria is so adorable!!

We got a ward mission leader this past Sunday too and finally had our first correlation meeting! Woohoo! Super exciting, he just got back from his mission like a month ago, and so he is super excited to work with us and make the work progress. Everything we asked him to do, he had done by the end of church. He had talked to Bishop and got things figured out, he organized paperwork we needed, set up everything to be done for next week, and we all were amazed!!! 

We are working with Daniella right now. She is a little 8 year old whose family was baptized this year. And, everything is getting ready for her baptism next Sunday! Well, we had to pull a few strings. So last week we had the crazy miracle where her dad gave her permission to be baptized. Well, she was supposed to have her interview with bishop yesterday after church and her dad drove to church at 4pm exactly and called to pick them up, so they had to leave. We called them later because they all just disappeared. Bishop wants to help it to happen, so he is going to have a special interview just for her Tuesday night! So it will still happen. :) And she is so excited. So hopefully everything works out well this week! 

Miracles...

We have our phone back!!!!

We lost our phone last Saturday..well my companion did while I was on exchanges in another area. Yup, I came back to no phone. So, we just went to work anyway. I have been trying really hard recently to not get annoyed with things that don't really matter, and it's been working! I didn't even mind really that we didn't have a phone all weekend. Then Monday morning, we had a really strange pday and we didn't get to call the mission office to get a new one. We went to visit the Salinas family that night and had dinner. After, we were talking for a few minutes and dropped off a couple copies of "The Family a Proclamation to the World" for their family. And the sister was over who is also in our ward. We were talking about how we didn't have a phone and had some miscommunications Sunday night. But, then the sister, Hermana Villescas, just pulled out her phone and handed it to us! She just said she doesn't use it, both her kids have phones, and we could have it until we can get a new one! Blessings! And then they had a car charger they gave to us and it was amazing. We called a few people that night, and got things figured out. Tuesday when we called the mission office, the Elder in charge of it wasn't in the office until Wednesday. Our dinner Tuesday night ended up calling our phone, thinking we had it back, and some random guy returned the call saying he had found our phone! We went by Tuesday night after dinner and met him in the parking lot. We got our phone back and miraculously it still worked. It had been sitting in the parking lot under the snow for 3 days when the man found it. He dug it out of the ice and brushed it off with his glove and it lit up. I have no idea how it still had battery because it normally dies after a day, and here it was 4 days later still working with half the battery. We gave him a Book of Mormon and shared a short message and a prayer with him. God really does work in mysterious ways! 

Sorry these stories are so long! But, I guess I just get carried away a bit while I am writing. :) 

We met a few new people this week, and hopefully we can help them to learn more and will want to progress! Our less-actives are coming back to church and with their new callings, are progressing so much! Exciting!! The Lord is truly blessing this area and I can't wait to see the new changes and miracles that will come! 

Love you all! 

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

So, this was our adventure at the hospital. There were two sisters in the ward in the hospital who we had never met. So, we went on an adventure but good things hispanics have like 10 names...we couldn't find either of them. haha So, we took some pictures and headed back out to work. 

Stay safe. Stay warm. Find someone to serve. There is always a person waiting for you to cheer up their day. :) 

I know that this gospel is true. It has changed my life so many times. It is difficult at times to follow the things we know we should, but it is so important. I want you all to really seek to being more like Christ. In the last few weeks, I have been recognizing so many more of my downfalls, and I want to perfect them. I want to be better. So, I am trying to depend more on the Lord for His help. I know He can make us stronger if we really ask Him and seek for His love and guidance. 

Love you!

Hermana Jessica Peterson

Happy New Years!!!!!!!

So, this holiday season has been crazy! With being sick and visiting and strange traditions, nothing seemed to be the same! 

First off, Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve, well at midnight. Everyone parties and has huge celebrations on the 24th and then they stay up all night to party and open gifts at midnight when Santa comes. Their presents from santa are under the tree on top unwrapped and then the ones from their parents are underneath in wrapping paper. Our family left a glass of milk and a nutella sandwich for Santa this year. Precious! haha it was super cute! Oh, and things are still up :) Remember how I'm pretty much obsessed with Christmas decorations. Well, because of that, I really don't have the desire to take any down. So, I think we are going to see how long we can get our tree to stay up. I like going downstairs at night and laying under it looking up at all the lights. 

Utah boys, remember how we didn't take down the Christmas tree for months after Christmas and it was my favorite! I'm pretty sure is was getting warm out and we decided it was time to not pretend it was still cold. haha I don't know what it is, but I just love trees. :) And, there were a few real ones I could go and smell too! The best ever! 

For new years, it was pretty interesting. We had a big ward party and we got to go for the first little while before heading home. Then...we found out that there was some problem with the toilet in our house. Our family said that there was water that was coming out of our bathroom upstairs. Yup, they have carpet. Worst decision of someone's life! So we got to have a fun little trip up to Walmart New year's eve to buy a plunger, disinfectant and something to scrub the carpets clean. Luckily after a few days the smell is starting to go away after scrubbing it for an hour. haha When I have my house, there is no way carpet will be allowed in the bathroom! haha 

This week has been full of surprises. Nothing has gone according to plans, and everyone we are teaching seems to not be interested, some huge emergency gets in the way, or something happens where they aren't progressing. In our area, we only have about 8 active families that we can visit. Then about 20 less actives. So, we have tons of work to do! We have been trying to find in different ways and find those that are really prepared to accept the gospel in their lives. We were on exchanges yesterday and I went with Sister Hunter. She is awesome! We went back to their area for the day, but they are the English sisters that cover our same area, so we could work a little in both and one of us would continue teaching them. We went to find a few potentials that they had and they had both moved. But, the people we found were blessings from God. 

After knocking a door and finding that the guy was not interested and the one we were looking for didn't live there anymore, we decided to knock a few more of his neighbors. It was freezing outside so it was nice we were inside an apartment complex and not freezing in the cold! But, we had a feeling to go to one side of the floor. Irene opened the door when we knocked. She didn't speak English, so I spoke to her in Spanish and Sister Hunter just sat patiently and tried to pick up a few words of the conversation. It was amazing. She was from Mexico and had met the missionaries and gone to church about 20 years ago. She had moved right after though and never returned. When we came to the door, she recognized us as representatives of Jesus Christ. I had a BOM in Spanish in my bag, and had been wanting to give it out all day, but it was saved just for her. I handed her the book and she looked at the book and said she remembers it. She hadn't read it before, but she wanted to now. I opened the front and explained what it was. She looked at the picture of Christ. I turned the page and she remembered the story of Joseph Smith. She saw the picture of Jesus as He came to the Americas. She started crying. She told me about how she had seen Christ just like that with His arms open coming down to her in a dream. He testified to her. It was amazing. She wants the gospel in her life. She wants to change, and hopefully this is the time where we can help her to do that! 

Things have been amazing. We are working with a recent convert family right now. The mom and oldest daughter were baptized in July, and the youngest daughter just turned 8 a few weeks ago. So, we have been working to get her prepared to be baptized. Their dad doesn't support them much in the gospel and it is difficult to get his permission to do things. Because of that, they haven't asked him if she can get baptized. They were all scared. He isn't ever home when we com over though, so we have only met him once or twice ever.  We went over the other night and as we were teaching them, I asked the 8 yr old if she would be baptized. She said yes. Right then, the door opened and their dad walked in. Everyone froze and no one knew what to say. So, I just said
buenas tardes! so the conversation wasn't super awkward. I felt impressed to just ask him. I told him that his daughter wanted to be baptized. He came back saying how she was already baptized and how everyone was. But, then I explained how she wanted to be baptized in this Church. After explaining the process of the baptism(because he hadn't gone to the baptism of his wife or daughter) he said yes!!! We were all freaking out!!! It was soooo exciting :) We talked about a date and she will be getting baptized on January 19th. They came to church yesterday and set up her interview with the bishop for next Sunday. And, they planned it for Sunday after church so that her dad isn't working. We are all hoping and praying that he will come! 

We had an apt last night with a family we have been working with to be active and prepare for the temple. She is already endowed and amazing, but he isn't very active or strong in the gospel. We had an awesome family home evening with them Monday night and had fun talking about the temple and eternal families. But last night, they weren't home! So, we went to see another family. Their family hasn't been to church in awhile, and he came once, but that's it. He has been doubting a lot recently about the gospel and wants to find out where he needs to be. It was perfect. We shared a message and bore our testimonies. He is fasting this week and going to start reading the Book of Mormon everyday to find out. God answers prayers and he will definitely answer his! 

It's been amazing, seeing the miracles that come as we strive to help others come into the gospel and depend on the Savior and His guidance. These are the children of God and He knows better than anyone else where to find them! 

Hope you all have an amazing week! Read 2 Nephi 1:15 I feel like this all the time! Accept the atonement more in your life and be blessed. :) Feel the arms of the Savior wrapped around you! Also, Alma 5:45-46 is amazing. Any questions you ever have, ask God. Pray, fast, search the scriptures. God wants to answer you, so ask Him! :) 

Love you all! 

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