Week 64: New Transfer and It's Getting Cold!!!!!

Well...I'm going to be honest this week was a little less exciting then last week's Roadtrip and Elder Holland! BUT IT WAS STILL SO GOOD!!! KELOWNA IS GETTING SOOOOOOO COLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BRRRR!!!! We are breaking out the winter coats, jackets, scarves, boots, mittens, ear muffs...ANYTHING IN ORDER TO STAY WARM!!! They say it gets to -10 here so we'll see if i survive the winter!! If you don't hear from me next week I either died in the cold or they changed our P-day again...

Monday was CRAZY!!! I had to run to the doctor...then we had to clean the car and apartment...I had to pack...I got sick....oh my goodness!!! CRAZINESS!!!  Tuesday we dropped all my stuff off at the Kelowna 2nd apartment...I'M MOVING BACK!!! It was weird!! I haven't been in that apartment in so long!! We then went and dropped Sister Amat off at the airport! Her bags were WAY HEAVY!!! Even her carry on, but the lady must have felt the spirit of God or something and she said she would check it for free this time!!!! WOOOHOOO!!!! Then Sister Steele and I went and contacted at the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus!!! aka... UBCO it was SO FUN!!! It made me miss college ;) crazy to hear me say that but school was so much fun!!  Anyway..this was our last day as companions! I miss Sister Steele and Sister Hoffman so much!!!!! They really changed my mission and taught me a ton!! I love them so much!!! Then at 4ish we picked up Sister Gartside and the other new Sister from the airport and off we went into the new transfer :) Sister Gartside is from Maryland, and she has been out for 7 months! She is super sweet and loves doing dishes...hahah so i think we'll do fine!!! haha She works so hard and we are ready for a great transfer!! We FINALLY met with MaryAnne this week and taught her the Plan of Salvation!! It was so good!! We drew it out and it really started to make sense to her! She asked us...if it's so simple why do we complicate the plan??? GREAT QUESTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It really is just so simple!!! We met with Patricia again and taught her the Restoration. She really has a strong testimony of it! We had a lesson with a lady, Laura, on Friday at Starbucks! She's a yoga instructor and she is curious about what everyone thinks of God. She really just wanted to know "Mormonism in a nut-shell" and wasn't really interested in learning much further, so that was kind of a bummer but at least she has heard the truth now!! Friday we walked around a ton!! It was so cold and dark!!! It starts getting dark here around 3:45 so we really have to make the best use of time during the daylight hours...as my dad always says when us kids are running late  "come on we're burning day light!" hahhaha Saturday we walked a ton too and just tried to be seen! We have really great investigators, but we need to build up our teaching pool more so that we never run out!! I made it a goal to just talk to everyone I could and not pass judgement because everyone needs the gospel! That's something Elder Holland taught us about. We never know who is ready and EVERYONE needs it. It was definitely out of my comfort zone, but I did it and we found so many that had family members that were Mormon...knew members...were curious about God's plan for us! It was super cool :) Definitely gained a testimony of that! Saturday night we went to Marta's house she's a lady in our ward who is blind! She is so wonderful! I just feel the Spirit everytime I see her! She made us Sauerkraut...{spelling might be off} but she's from Germany and IT WAS SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved it!!! Sunday was church and it was pretty good! Patricia didn't show  :( but we had a great day. Sister Gartside got to meet the ward and everyone is super excited to have their Kelowna 2nd sisters back FULL TIME!!!  We had dinner with a family in our ward who has a daughter out on a mission and we came out at the same time. She's in the Gilbert, Arizona mission! She asked "what should I send her for  Christmas?" I SAID IF SHE'S LIKE ME DO NOT SEND HER STUFF THAT SHE HAS TO PACK AROUND...it's too close now and we are wanting to get rid of stuff not accumulate more!!" We talked about how her mission is going and Elder Holland visited her daughters mission too!! So fun!!! I can't believe it's almost Christmas time!! Canadians already had Thanksgiving so everyone has their lights up already and their tree!!! I'm excited for this transfer! It's going to be different not as hectic but still fun :) Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving :) Eat some real American food for me!!!

Love,

Sister Peterson

NO PICTURES THIS WEEK! SORRY GUYS!

Week 63: The Week I Got to Meet Jeffrey R. Holland an Apostle of the Lord :)

OKAY MY WEEK WAS SO GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So many awesome things happened!!!!!!! 1) We called this lady on the phone Sheila and she was super happy to meet up. We met with her on Tuesday and she said that God has blessed her so much and she just wants to show him her appreciation and she's been looking for a church. GOLDEN INVESTIGATOR!!!!!!!!! 

We invited her to be baptized and she said YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay!!!! She came to church on Sunday and she just understands everything! it's amazing!! She has such a strong desire to strengthen her relationship with God and she'll do anything for God! Amazing :) 2) Another awesome thing....THE ELECTION IS OVER!!! Being an American In Canada this past week was pretty awful....hahaha 3) We met with another woman Louise and she became a new investigator!!!!!!!!! She works at DQ too so that's where we have our lessons...pretty awesome hahah 4) We had a roadtrip to VANCOUVER on Friday to see Elder Holland!!!!!!! A huge charter bus came and picked up about 40-50 missionaries from the  Okanagan and the North! There were only 5 sisters....we each got to have a whole row to ourselves :) The bus ride was 5 hours! Not too bad!! We were able to catch up on journaling, we watched a church movie, we got to catch up on some sleep :) It was pretty wonderful! We got to work in White Rock for the Night! It was so much fun!! We went to a Pho place and they had baby sharks :) We weren't allowed to take our cameras to the conference with Elder Holland, so I didn't snap any pics!! I got to see the ocean :) Yay! I miss the ocean so much!!! I got to stay with Sister Brimhall and her companion!!!!!! I LOVE SISTER BRIMHALL SO MUCH!!!! She hits her year mark this week!!! CRAZY!!!! 5) Saturday we woke up early and drove to the Richmond chapel and anxiously waited for ELDER JEFFREY R. HOLLAND!!!!!!!!! When he walked in the room.....THE SPIRIT WAS SO STRONG!!!!!!!!!!! IT WAS THE COOLEST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE!!!! We each got to shake his hand and tell him our name and where we were from. I was tearing up a TON because it was such a special moment to meet an apostle of the Lord!!! He shook our hands talked to us for a second and looked into our eyes (he told us later he was interviewing us haha!) I had been praying to get something in particular out of his visit, but I got so much more. I didn't get that exact thing but I got it through his words. He gave me the tools I needed for the rest of my mission and really for the rest of my life, so that I could obtain that thing myself. It reminds me of the give a man a fish or teach him how to fish....he taught me how to fish. We heard first from President and Sister Burt...LOVE THEM!!! Then from Elder Murray of the Quorum of the Seventy and then Elder Holland spoke to us for 2 hours!!! IT WAS EVERYTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE!!! He testified of Christ's love for us...HE CHASTISED US. FIRE AND BRIMSTONE AT TIMES.

Then he said I can see a few of you are about to pass out, so I'll stop hahhahah It was the most uplifting and spiritual experience I've ever had. I've never been to General Conference, so this was my first time being in the midst of an apostle or general authorities. They truly are called of God. I know it and all doubts have been dispelled. I know that we have prophets and apostles today that lead and guide the church just like in the days of Christ. Christ leads this church and then to help us gain salvation and have happiness in this life. I KNOW IT. I KNOW IT. I KNOW IT.!!!! Some of my favorite quotes from him was: "IF YOU CAN'T DO THIS...YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING!" That was the fire and brimstone part! He was trying to help us see that we need to be more urgent in our work and that we are doing such good work but we're not anxious enough and that we're a smidge too comfortable in our work right now. SO I AM GOING TO WORK SO MUCH MORE HARDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE LORD EXPECTS MORE OF ME AND THIS IS PREPARING ME FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE!! I also liked this quote. "If that's the cup you've been given, you drink it" He was talking about the Savior and how he didn't want to do it. He asked if there was any other way...but there wasn't, so because he was obedient and loved God he did it and finished his earthly mission to be our Savior and Redeemer. It was amazing! I love that saying...I think this world is getting to good at just "getting out of it" we make up excuses, so we don't have to work hard or endure hard things. We are just cheating ourselves of life experience and soon enough all those things are going to come back to teach us a lesson.  In the middle of his talk he said he asked an olympic swimmer one time what makes a champion they said, "Kick when you don't want to kick, and stroke when you don't want to stroke, go clear to the end of the pool." That really stood out to me not because I LOVE SWIMMING, but because that's a life lesson that we all need to learn and me especially. I can't give up halfway through...I can't

shy away from the opportunity to learn and grow...what kind of life is that???? We will never progress....how will we EVER be successful in life...better yet how will we ever return to live with God again??? We won't if we don't do what's required and what God expects of us.  President wrote to us and said "try to imagine Elder Holland at the pulpit, he was so intense, fist pounding, finger shaking, and a voice to shake our souls...as he related this story "come to the edge he said, No, I'll fall. Come to the edge He said No I'll fall. Come to the edge he said, SO I DID, and he pushed me! And I flew!!!" This story showed me how inspired President and Sister Burt are...at our last Zone Conference they talked about this exact thing. They talked about how we all need to have the faith and we need to find our "push" so we can fly! IT WAS SO COOL!!!!!! THEY ARE SO INSPIRED!!! He gave us so much more counsel about how much we are loved and how he could feel how much Heavenly Father was proud of our mission. We got a picture with the whole mission!!!! All 200 missionaries!!! Or as Sister Burt says her 200 stripling warriors!!! hahaha  I am so grateful for this mission. I don't know what I did to get such a great Mission President and Mission Mom but they are amazing and I'm so glad they made this happen for our mission. It has really changed my life. My testimony has grown. I feel so much stronger and dedicated to work so hard for the remainder of my mission and have no regrets. On the bus ride home I was able to record all of this in my journal and re-live it again. As I read my notes I can hear Elder Holland saying it.This was one of the highlights of my mission that I will never forget. Amazing. 6) We got transfer news....the assistants didn't call us till Sunday, so we totally thought we were staying together!!! But NOPE!! I am staying in Kelowna another transfer!!!! My new companion is Sister Gartside from Maryland! Sister Steele Trained her and she's been serving in Richmond ward!!! I'm excited! It's going to be a great transfer!!!

Hope you all have a good week :) 

Love,

Sister Peterson

Week 62: B.U.S.Y.W.E.E.K :)

                                    

This week was SO BUSY!!!!!! Monday was HALLOWEEN AND NEVADA DAY!!! so we had fun :) Our day was switched around and we proselyted from 2-5 and then we had to be in from 6-9 so we got to finish p-day and have tons of fun and make yummy food :) Tuesday we

taught Sarah (YSA investigator) the plan of Salvation!!! THE SPIRIT WAS SO STRONG!!! I was explaining resurrection and the 3 kingdoms of glory and she gasped and just started crying when I said there wasn't just heaven or hell.....IT WAS SUPER POWERFUL!!! It was like some burden had been lifted off her shoulders like she had finally found what she was looking for or wanted to know!!! It was amazing!!! I love the plan of salvation! I've been studying it alot lately and each time I do I learn more and more and it just makes sense!!  We also taught Jenny on Tuesday!!! Kendall came so we had the moms and the babies again!!! We gave Jenny a church tour and it was really cool!!! She has never really been to church before so this was a big step on her part!! When we walked into the chapel at the end THE SPIRIT WAS SO STRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was like I hope she is feeling this!!!!!! She is still reading the book of mormon and she's slowly finding her faith in God :) We did some service for a lady named Melanie! She used to be a member

and the missionaries just tracted into her! We painted some trim and doors for her...BUT we first had to use OIL-BASED PAINT!!!!!! I'VE NEVER DEALT WITH ANYTHING MORE HORRID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was SO STRONG....LIKE THE POWER OF 1,000000,00000000,0000000 SHARPIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also Sister Steele ran into me while I was painting the trim and she GOT IT ON MY PANTS AND IT DOESN'T COME OUT WITHOUT TURPENTINE SO I WAS LIKE NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good thing we don't wear pants every day hahahahahha She hit me with the brush and said "oh....sister....." hahahhhaha it was so funny!!!!!!!!!!! Later that night we had THE BEST LESSON I'VE EVER TAUGHT ON MY MISSION!!!!!!!!!!!!! am boasting of my God okay...not myself!!! (Alma 26) hahah a member in the Kelowna 1st ward had a friend that wanted to be taught by sisters so we went over and

taught a simple first lesson. It was so spirit-led and spirit-filled it was SO INTERESTING I was just wrapped up in it all the time flew by so fast!! We all taught so well because the spirit was so strong! This lady Suzanne really had the desire to learn and find out for herself and I think that's what made the difference. Everything was just perfect!! We were like man we should have filmed it and made our own District videos!!!! I WAS SO GOOD!!!!!! Wednesday We had district meeting in West Kelowna so we went over the lake :) We had dinner with the Johns the senior couple :) they are just wonderful!!  I also hit 14 months....it's so surreal....so weird!!!! Thursday we met with Shona (YSA investigator) and we had a super sweet lesson!! One of the members in YSA just got back from his mission in India so they met and chatted and talked about indian food and that fun stuff :) Shona is so good she just has a ton of stuff going on with family, work, and school!!!!!!!!!!! Next week she is going to let us try on her punjabi suits and indian dresses!!! yay!!! Friday was SISTER BRIMHALL'S BIRTHDAY!!!! so i called her in White Rock and wished her a happy birthday!! I miss that woman..but she just emailed me and said that WE ARE SLEEPING OVER AT HER HOUSE WHEN WE GO DOWN FOR JEFFREY R. HOLLAND this weekend so i am so stoked!!!!!! Friday we had interviews with President and Sister Burt!!! I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i don't know what I did to have him as my mission president but let me tell you!!! THEY ARE SO AMAZING!!!! OKAY....HERE'S THE COOLEST STORY YOU'LL EVER HEAR...ON THIS EMAIL!!! So we have been planning in "Holland" rd in my area for THE LONGEST TIME!!!!!!!! We never got around to doing

though...when i say we are busy I mean we have 5 min lunches and we have no time to dilly daddle around....always on the run!!! So we planned it in as a back up and as a main plan one night to MAKE SURE WE DID IT....well the day arrived!!!!!!!!!!!! FRIDAY NOV. 4TH.....WE TRACTED HOLLAND ST. We wanted to take a picture in front of the sign and make a thank you card for elder holland....admit it that's cool and you're jealous hahah anyway cheesiness aside...we couldn't take a selfie and get the sign...then this girl walks by. I yelled and said "hey could you take our picture!!! I told her all about elder holland and why we needed it!!!" she gladly took the picture, we shared the gospel then she said it's kind crazy you stopped me because my last name is actually Holland......WHAT?????????? ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SHE WAS

INTERESTED IN COMING TO CHURCH TOO.....IN THE WORDS OF SOMEONE "IS THAT ODD OR IS THAT GOD!!!!!" IT WAS SO FUNNY AND COOL THE ONLY THING WE COULD THINK TO DO WAS TAKE A SELFIE WITH HER HAHAHAHAHHA SO WE DID :) Anyway we tracted the rest of Holland and we found a FAMILY :) awesome!!! Holland rd was so inspired!!! Don't worry the pictures will be included :) Friday night we went to Sushi with some YSA members ;) it was tons of fun and we committed them to TEXTIFY (TESTIFY AND TEXT) or send their testimony to someone on their contacts or facebook friends :) it's been quite successful lately :) Saturday we had another cool experience! We had missed our turn so we parked somewhere else. As we were getting out sister steele started talking to this girl trying to set up a lesson and appointment. She said to be honest today is the only day that would work but I'm going to get sushi....we were like that sounds fun let's go and we'll teach you! So WE GOT SUSHI AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We taught her the restoration and she was so thoughtful!!! her heart

This is Sister Holland!!!

was definitely softened and you could tell it made an impact on her! We're meeting her this week again...NOT FOR SUSHI!! hahah We had a lesson with Patricia she contacted us again and said she is ready to quit smoking. There's a different light about her a motivation  to do something so we'll see where it goes. Sunday we had stake conference!! it was super good! President Burt said it was one of the best stake conferences he's been too!!  Last night we were rushing home after a member visit and we saw this lady outside raking her leaves!!! IT WAS FREEZING and SO DARK!!!!! we asked her what was up??? she said she was going through some really hard things...we had 5 min....till we were really pushing it....we took of our bags really fast...grabbed her rake and started raking her whole yard!!!!! Sister Hoffman and I grabbed black trash bags and started loading them with these wet cold leaves!!! Sister Steele raked them all up and we got most of them packed up and in trash bags in 5 min!!!!!!!!!!!! IT WAS SO FUN!!!! .she said

we were angels and that she knows that God is aware of her now!!!! It was such a good missionary moment :) Good week overall...we got a lot accomplished...WE ARE SO BUSY AND I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!! This weekend we get to see Elder Holland :) we are taking a charter bus on Friday morning to Vancouver its a 5 hour bus ride and we're instructed to catch up on our journals, read the Book of Mormon, and sleep.....what??!? sleep!!! yes!!! hahahah I am so excited we don't get naps very often haha :) This weekend with Elder Holland is going to be the best!!! The spirit is going to be so strong!!!!

You'll hear all about it next week!!

Love,

Sister Peterson

<------CUTEST

<------ DOG

<------EVER!!!!!!