True Happiness:]

Dear Family!  So much happened this past week and describing it to you in an email just does not give it justice!  You'll have to wait till I get home for me to better share my spiritual experiences, but for now, I will try my best!

Merle & Babs

On Tuesday, I had the Honor and Privilege of driving with My Mission President and Wife (President and Sister Tilleman) out to the Temple View Chapel in Langley (which is where Brookswood is) and we got to visit with My Recent Convert Merle and his Wife Babs (who are preparing to be endowed and sealed in the Temple in August!!!!) Along with Bishop and Sister Towns and it was a meeting I will never forget!  The Spirit was so strong and I was SO happy!

After that, We went across the parking lot to the Temple and watched My Friend Brad get Endowed!!!

Brad - Endowment

His Baptism was the first one I saw on my mission one year ago last Sunday!  Being in there with all my Brookswood Friends was such an indescribable blessing and experience!  I didn't even focus the entire time because I was just so happy to be with all those people I love! It was like coming home:)  The drive back to Richmond that night was one I will never forget! I love The Tilleman's more than words could ever express! They changed my life forever.

On Wednesday, they joined us for Emily and her son Brad's final lesson/interview before their baptism and it was great!

Thursday, We had an incredible Zone Conference with the Tilleman's and I know the church is true because of them.

Friday was a very special day... After visiting one of my other converts in Brookswood, we had the opportunity to go back to the Temple and watch Brad, who was just endowed, and his Wife Loretta, get Sealed for Time and ALL Eternity!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brad & Loretta - Temple Sealing

It was A-MAZ-ING! I've never witnessed a sealing before and the fact that my first one got to be those two... Well it's something I'm gonna cherish for a very, very long time! I gave Brad a tie when he got endowed and he wore it after the Sealing! :) Just sayin.. All my Brookswood Family was there and afterward I got to hang out with them for a bit and I LOVE them!

Brookswood Friends

They are some of the best Saints I've ever met. I feel so humbled that I can call them mine haha:) I just feel love when I'm with them and they emulate Christ to a tee. They make me want to be better and they make me happy! :]

Just when you think the week couldn't get any better, Yesterday three of our friends got baptized!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maricel was baptized by her husband and Emily&Brad were baptized by President Tilleman! We taught and prepared each of these incredible souls over the last several weeks and I was SOOOO excited for them! They are different from each other and that is what makes them unique.  Emily wore all these white pearls when she got baptized and it was so pretty! ha we are talking, earing, rings, necklaces, headbands, bracelets, heels! The whole Sha-Bang and it was so cute! Brad swam to the stair after he was baptized... haha so funny!  I love hearing about what they think and how they feel after they're baptized.. for example, Maricel said that she felt all clean and fresh and pure and that is what Emily Said too! it's almost the best part of the whole thing! Just to see how happy they are.. plus the way you feel Spirit so strong during the service.. well it's just the best!

Tillemans, Emily & Brad, Maricel

This was most likely the best week of my entire mission and my heart is full of gratitude towards My Savior Jesus Christ.  I know He Lives and I know that it's only through Him that we can be cleansed from sin.  I know that each ordinance I witnessed this week is from God and vital for our Salvation.  I know God's plan is real. I know He loves His Children! Everything I Witnessed this past week is evidence of that.  I know that I am a member of the only true church on the face of the planet.  I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that we are all family.  It was one year ago TODAY that I had my first baptism (who was my dear friend Karen) and my testimony of The Atonement, God's Plan, His Church, The Book of Mormon, My Redeemer, and all the Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel have grown so much since then.  I am so happy I chose to serve a mission.  I am so happy I am a Daughter of God.  I am so happy for everything! The good outweighs the bad and it is worth it! It is worth it to go through the trials and pains and sufferings and afflictions!  It is worth it to stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places! It is worth it to be a Latter-Day Saint! The life you are given is worth it to find true happiness!

Always Taking Care of Me :)

So Hold On! Be Strong and of Good Courage! Remember the Small and Simple things! Do the 1-10-15 and 3-2-1! Keep Calm and Carry on because truth will prevail! 

get 5 stars and WORK iT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Three of my Canada Moms - Sis Towns, Loretta, & Sis Tilleman!! :)

Best Relief Society President Ever!! - Mother Teressa right there! :)

I love you all so much! Remember who you are! :) Long Live <3
-LOVE SiSTER PETERSEN!!!!!!! :]  

Stand Ye in Holy Places!

Oh Hey! :) I LOVED TALKING TO YOU GUYS ON THE PHONE YESTERDAY! :] so awesome. 

Well things are going pretty well here in Richmond! I want to tell you about a few of my Investigators! Ok so first there is Maracell.  She is the Cutest little Filipino Lady ever! Oh my heck I love her.  She married This member in our Ward two years ago in the Philippines and it has taken her that long to get over here to Canada! Well She got here about a month ago and we have been teaching her ever since! She is extremely shy, but she understands everything we teach and she is getting baptized!!!!! YaY! Next there is Emily and her nine year old son Brad. They are from Taiwan and investigated the church over a year ago, but than changed their mind.  Well just recently, they have come back to the church (because of the on going fellowship of some very beloved members) and this time they have an even greater desire to learn and understand the Gospel! Last week we had a lesson with them and the Tilleman's, and it was such an awesome lesson. Words could never describe.  When President Tilleman asked Brad about baptism, He threw his fists in the air and enthusiastically said, "It Sounds Exciting!" hahah they are getting baptized too:) We went to the Park yesterday with them and had a picnic and played frizbee and it was so great!  

 I just love my investigators.  They are all SO different from each other and they each have different concerns and needs and there is no way we could help them without the Spirit.  I rely on that thing like you wouldn't believe!  One of my favorite things to do is go over the baptism questions with people.  So before anyone becomes a member of the church, he or she is interviewed by a worthy Priesthood Holder.  There are Six questions asked to make sure they understand and are prepared to make and keep those sacred covenants with the Lord!  This Past Week We reviewed the questions with a couple different people and their responses were priceless.  One person Took a picture of the questions in my planner and than wrote down all the answers and said she would study for the interview. haha it's not a test! I was dying and she was serious.  Another person was super confused at this one question ans was like, "Why would I be getting baptized if I was committing a serious crime!?" hahaha and then she just started laughing so hard. Then one of My favorite Investigators from Jamacia, read the first question which is, "Do you believe that God is Our Eternal Father? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior and Redeemer of the world?" and as sassy as can be she responded, "OBVIOUSLY!" hahah you just had to be there.. and then when asked about abortion or a homsexual relationship she was so so annoyed and disgusted with the very thought and was like, "ABSOLUTELY NOT."  again, you had to be there. so funny.  The Baptism questions are inspired and they help us know where people are at.  Sometimes even after someone has passed the interview they still don't get baptized.  This was a case just a couple months ago.  Usually being taught long enough to actually have the interview in the first place is a big deal, but after one of our investigators was interviewed and ready to go, three days before her baptism, she calls us and goes, "I completely forgot! I don't believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and I don't believe he died on the cross." ha I guess it slipped her mind every single time we taught her or something.. ha anyway,  

I am so happy I am baptized.  I am so happy I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!! I know this is the only true and living church on the face of the planet.  I am so grateful it was restored and that I have the Privilege to be a missionary and tell people the good news!  

I hope you all remember your baptism covenants this week and try a little harder to do a little better by doing those small and simple things! Be strong and of good courage! get five stars! do the 1-10-15 & 3-2-1 Be you and only you! Keep on Keepin on! WORK iT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Long live baby! I love you all so much!!!!!!

Sister Petersen

Happy Easter!! :]

So yesterday was officially the best Easter I have EVER had!  I felt the Spirit so strong throughout the entire day and I knew that God loved me. no doubt about it.  

So to start out, Church was just incredible and we had so many of our friends come and Celebrate Christ's Resurrection with us which was totally awesome.  Throughout the entire week to prepare for this blessed holiday, I studied about the Atonement and Resurrection a ton, and man did I get the full impact of the true meaning of Easter yesterday.  So many questions that I had throughout the week were answered as I listened to all the lessons and talks, and so many more questions came to my mind and my knowledge of it all was just increasing so much that I couldn't keep up! I felt like I received so much revelation. LiKE iT WAS iNSANE PEOPLE! There is this video called "Because of Him" that we watched twice and dang. it is killer.  Check it out yo. Also, there is this other video about Christ, but it is from his Apostle John's perspective and it was so so good.  Again, Check it out.

Well So anyway, a little bit after church we had the privilege of witnessing a baptism of our dear friend Anne in Vancouver.  We began teaching her just three weeks ago and because she is YSA age and willing to go to the branch, We handed her over to the Vancouver YSA Elders.  She was so prepared and I feel so humbled that I got to be a tiny part of her story.  Every time someone came up to us, she would introduce us as, "The missionaries who found her!" It was just so cute! haha She invited us several times to the service because she did not want us to miss it and then later she texted us and thanked us so much for going! Earlier in the week she just kept thanking us for helping her find her Lord, Jesus Christ.  I love Anne:) The Baptismal Service was one of the most Spiritual services I have ever been to.  I literally was just shaking when we left.  Anne's non-member Sister stayed with us through-out the entire thing and it was such a special experience for me to explain to her what was going on and have her sister be the example. It is something I will cherish for a long time and the fact that it was Easter made it so much more special and sacred.  Ahh I just can't help but smile when I think about it..  When Anne got baptized, her sister was just like, "Oh! That was so simple."  It really is so simple and yet so meaningful and beautiful and magical and wonderful!  Anne bore her testimony and she talked about what true happiness was and how she thought she had it but it it's not something you have, but instead, it's something you feel and oh my gosh I was dying.  It was so good.  In that service, I felt true happiness.  

Just when I thought the day couldn't go any better, that evening I got to go back to Brookswood and have Easter Dinner with Brad and Loretta's Family!!!!!!!!!! Awh man. I can't even find the words to describe how much I love these people... They are family for sure and I can't wait to watch them get sealed in a couple weeks! :) :) :) I also dropped by my Recent Convert Marion which was so great too! :) Yesterday was just an awesome day and one I will never forget.

 

Sister Tilleman, Sister Struempler, me, Sis Curd, Emily, and Sis Hogg!! :)

I want to bear my testimony.. I know that sometimes life is really hard.  I know that sometimes we endure things that are so painful and so overwhelming and so stressful that we just don't know what to do and we feel so alone and so lost and so broken.  But we are not alone.  We are not lost. we are not broken.  We have a Savior who is always with us and knows exactly who we are and how we feel and can heal us.  For the past couple months I have been dealing with a lot of health issues and it is still on-going and has been extremely challenging for me both mentally, emotionally, and physically to say the least. During this time I can honestly say that I have never felt the Power of The Atonement more strongly in my life than I have while I have been weak.  It's true you know.. that God really does give us the strength to endure our trials.  I know he is always there even if the rest of the world isn't.  I know that he has comforted me in times of distress and I know that he has visited me and wept along with me in times of sorrow.  I know I can always go to him and his arm will be stretched out to recieve me.  I know that he loves me enough to die for me.  I know that because of him I have the chance at Eternity. I believe in Christ so come what may.  He is the light. He is the Life.  He is everything. "And now, after the many testimones which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!" (D&C 76:22)  I know this is true.  I know that My Redeemer lives.  So I will be strong. I will hold on.  I will be steadfast and immovable.  I will have courage. I will have faith. I will remember the small and simple things. I will keep calm and carry on. I will choose the right. I will dare to stand alone.  I will do 1-10-15 & 3-2-1. I will get five stars. I will Work iT!! I will Preach his Gospel! WHY? Because I love him:) Long live.
-Sister Petersen.          

Little Victories

Hey Everyone! Kay real quick, I don't even remember what I said last week, so if you said something about my used-to-be investigator Merle well then Good On Ya.  Sorry If I sounded angry.  Breathe everyone.  Just Breathe.

OK SO!  This past week was pretty good! Marion and Karen were baptized on Saturday! It went so, so, so well.  This is a new Karen obviously, and she was actually baptized by my kinda Recent Convert Brad!! It was really cool.  Brad was just baptized in May and this was his first time baptizing someone else.  President Tilleman baptized Marion and he could have baptized Karen too, but all week long I felt like maybe Brad should do it so I asked him the day before and he humbly agreed.  It was really cool and ended up being exactly how the Lord wanted it to be.  When Marion came up out of the Water, She put her fist up in the air and exclaimed, "YaY! I did it!" haha it was funny.  You could not find two more opposite people though.  Let me tell you what!  The Spirit was really strong and I was so pleased how well it turned out. 

Yesterday, church was amazing.  It actually felt like a real Sunday at church. Like how it is back home. Even skipped sunday school;)  Usually church is crazy busy.  Like, last week we taught Gospel Principles and Young Women's, and had meetings, and certain people to talk to, and all this other craziness.  This week was a lot more calm, and My two friends received the Gift of The Holy Ghost which is amazing. 

Oh, so I got Abbie's Letter the other day! THANK YOU SO MUCH! just keep on sending them! :) Also, tell Whitney and Parker Congrats on the Engagement! I just love it! YAY! :) :)  AND PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE TELL MY BEST FRIEND FOREVER, MISS JOSIE JUNE STOWERS HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY FROM ME! JAYNANNE! (on Friday) ahhhh. I just can't believe it.  she is so big. I miss her. oh goodness. Work iT!!

Time sure does fly.  Saturday is my 7 month mark.  I forgot to tell you I think, that Sister Cho left last transfer and it was so sad! I talked to her on the phone when she was driving to the airport and we were both just crying.  When it's my time I probably won't die.  I'll just lie down and close my eyes and think about stuff..  It's been a crazy couple of months!  I think I've changed a lot, but in good ways hopefully. I was reading all my month marks in my journal the other day and you can just see how much I've grown.  Kinda fun.  Sometimes I have to stop and remember who I am though.  Just like, remember the good stuff and the happy stuff because lately I've been strugglin' with my stress levels.  So I try to be my old self again, but I'm still tryin' to find it! I guess what it boils down too is that I've had struggles with my companions.  Especially now.  Not like fighting or anything like that, but just the little stuff that gets to ya every now and then.  For example, I like talkin' about her, her, her, her usually, but occasionally! I want to talk about me!  I go on exchanges and I think it's strange that they think I'm funny cuz she never does.  Plus I feel the pressure of responsibility weighing down heavy on my shoulders because right now I am in a position where my comp struggles with lots and so one of us needs to be strong, ya know??  In times like these, I turn my thoughts and attention to the Lord.  He's here.  That's all I need to know!  He will keep me safe.. and He will keep me warm.  I love our Savior SO much.  He is my rock and my salvation and without Him, I am nothing.  He is my light.  I am very grateful for all the many wonderful things He has given me.  HE IS ALWAYS THERE FOR ME!  Like the other day, one of our investigators dropped their baptism date.  It was such a bummer.  They called us up again just to break us, like a promise. So casually, and cruel in the name of being honest.  I felt like a crumpled up piece of paper lying there.  Oh I remember it all to well.  BUT! what doesn't kill you makes ya stronger and I know this to be true.  It's those type of experiences that strengthens my testimony.  Or like, when some one tells us how wrong we are, the Spirit is right there with me confirming that all the things the person is saying are false.  I love that.  It works like magic.  Serving a mission has been such a blessing in my life.  I have never felt so close to the Lord in my whole life or understood so much about His gospel.  Yeah, I have hard times, yeah, I struggle, but you got to celebrate and remember the little victories.  Focus on the positive.  I've been spending the last seven months thinkin' all work ever does is break, and burn, and end, but on a Saturday at a baptism service, I watched it begin again.  So, I need to hold on to that moment when Marion shouted for joy in the baptism font or the time that Karen's baby was blessed or when Merle told us that he wants to be with Babs forever.  That is what it is all about.  My purpose as a missionary is to Invite others to come unto Christ and I want to humbly say I have done that and will continue to do that and be happy with my little victories. After knowing that, this little drop of Canada rain can hardly hurt me now.  Thank you so much for all the love and support.  Each of you give me the energy everyday to labor in a part of the Lord's vineyard. 

  

I think about you all the time! The moment I wake up.. before I put on my make up! 

I say a little prayer for you! :) I just love you guys! 

Remember to keep it small and simple and be strong and of good courage! 

Long live the walls ya crashed through!<--

That's a victory! keep calm and carry on! 1-10-15.  

and hey, please WORK iT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :] five stars. 

LOVE YOUR SISTER MISSIONARY JAYNANNE PETERSEN!!!!!! :) :) :) :)                

The Good Kind of Busy

SOOOOOOO many things to talk about this week! for starters, 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHH!!! :) :) :) :) :) :) I JUST LOVE YA! I hope you are having the best birthday ever! you deserve it! go on girl! have your cake and eat it too! ha what? i donno.. anywho You're the greatest Mom ever! :) Work iT! from Jaynie.  

So I got your package! oh happy day! :) I LOVED LOVED LOVED my rain coat! ahhh it is just sooo dang cute. that is like my new favorite color by the way! :) THANK YOU SO MUCH! I loved the skirt too! kinda big, but it works! Also I was just in need of a new journal so that worked out perfectly! :) thank you!!!!!!! 

So I didn't get transferred, thankfully.  I had a feeling I would stay cuz Trevor told me once that he stayed in an area for seven and a half months, so I just assumed that would happen to me too, I guess.   Oh, last week I think I forgot to mention that the kid who gave his farewell talk wasn't worthy to serve so after he had the desire to serve that night, he then had to go through all the repentance process and he knows that is why the Lord gave him four months to prepare. cool huh?

So Saturday was the craziest day ever.  

So let's see, we had a primary activity, Merle's Baptism, Jason's Endowment,  

a random Wedding Reception, 

and the Mission Conference thing 

all happening pretty much at the same time! 

It was the busiest day ever.  

But what great things to stress over ya know?  

Love it.  

Bab's, Merle, Me, Sis Gale

So My investigator Merle was baptized on Saturday the 24th! :)  I love him SOOOO much. About a month or so ago when we invited him to be baptized, he said he would be going RV'ing so he wouldn't be in town, well we all decided to pray about it and the next time we met, he said that every single RV he tried to rent, had to be returned no later than the 23rd! ha. So he said yes to the 24th!  So we were not able to talk to him or even have contact for a week before he was baptized.  This stressed our zone leaders out, but I felt good.  We called President Tilleman last Friday and we told him that he would be out of town, but we knew his baptism was going to happen and asked if he would do the honors of performing the baptism.  President liked how bold we were and was like, "how could I say no to that?!" haha, so it all worked out just like I knew it would.  Merle and his wife Babs are soooooo cute together! They are the ones that are doing this so that they can be together forever!  ahhh.  That means they can get sealed right before I leave in one year.  I could and am going to their sealing! I love them.  They love each other sooo much! They just got married in June and the RV trip down the Oregon coast was like their getaway.  I can just picture his sweet disposition and her wide eyed gaze... reading the Book of Mormon getting lost upstate! ahhh. precious.  The baptism went really well.  President Tilleman loved the story about the RV having to be returned by the 23rd.  Elder Aidukitis couldn't make it in time, but the meeting with him was sooooooo good.

Basically, we went straight from the baptism into the chapel where we sat with like 100 other missionaries from the lower mainland. It was a spiritual feast of a day.  The meeting was broadcast to all the other missionaries in the mission.  When President Tilleman spoke, he told the RV story about Merle.  He also talked about HOW PROUD he was of his, "two little humble, pure, and hard working Brookswood Sisters!"  He used us as an example for being bold and he also talked about how I received personal revelation for the 24th because at zone conference I had talked to him and I originally wanted it to be on the 17th, So we said a prayer together and he gave me a blessing to know what to do. He said we need ask, and act, in regards for personal revelation.  He was pleased that I went to the Lord and chose the 24th.  It was cool.  I donno.. whenever I hear stuff about myself.. like compliments.. I feel like I just have to immediately disregard it cuz I don't want to get prideful.  So yeah.  It was pretty exciting.

Elder Aidukitis is So funny! ha he was just cracking me up with his accent.  I love it.  He talked about how we should be New Era missionaries! Not Old Era ones.  It was really motivating.  Our Bishop even went over it in Ward Council.

Last week we took one of our Investigators Coffee Machine and Coffee! That was pretty awesome.  I've never done that.  I loved throwing away the coffee! haha  Other than that, not much to report on.

Going in for transfers is always fun because you get to see everyone! I like that! Good things are happening here in Brookswood.  I love my ward more than ever.  They are so good about getting us food and making sure our needs are met.  We have a couple sisters who come out with us a lot and it's great! So all in all, things are pretty good.  We just need to have more baptisms dang it!

We are teaching this family right now from Burma and they don't speak a lick of English.  Jk. the kids sorta do, so they translate for the parents in Karen.  It's kinda fun and different.  They came to our baptism which was cool.  I really hope they will follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized.

Well everyone, I want you to know that I know the church is true and that it is the very exact same church that Jesus Christ taught and led while He was on the earth.  This past week, my understanding of the Plan of Salvation was enhanced.  I love everything about it.  It is perfect.  It is beautiful, and incredible, and amazing, and it is so real, and so true.  I often find myself thinking about the pre-earth life.  I just know with all my heart that I lived with all of you and God before I came to this earth.  I get really worked up with excitement and awesome wonder when I think about the council in heaven.  How crazy must that have been?! I wish I could just call you all and talk about it.  Writing it just doesn't give it justice.  I love it though.  Sometimes I picture it like the first Lord of the Rings when they are counciling about what to do with the ring. Then Frodo volunteers to take it and Gandoff's face is just like ahh.  I picture that is what it was like when Jesus Volunteered...  Heavenly Father must have been like ahh. Why? is there no other way? it is kind of sad but beautiful at the same time.  heart wrenching really.  I am very grateful that you all chose to follow Jesus Christ's plan.  I know that is why we are here.  I know that I did things before this life that led and permitted me to where I am now.  I know I am a daughter of God and I know he loves me.  I know that I was placed in my family and my country by virtue of my obedience in the pre-earth life.  I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ will bring others so much happiness.  My heart aches for those who don't know or reject this plan.  How awful that must be.  I am very humbled and grateful for the knowledge I have.  I love being a part of God's Army.  I know the church is true. I know that we have living day prophets on the earth to help lead and guide us back to our Savior and Loving Heavenly Father. 

 I know the Book of Mormon is truly the word of God.  

I know it. I live it. I love it. 

 Thank you for all the love and support.  You don't know how much it means to me to hear from each of you.  It's like a piece of heaven.  I'm surprised I haven't heard from some people, but I wouldn't hold it against them and it is never too late.  Well, I love you all.  Please remember to be strong and of good courage.  Be not afraid. Stand firm in the faith.  For the Lord will be with us where ever we go. Be His. Be One. Be Strong.  

1-10-15. 

remember the small and simple things.  

                                              5 stars! WORK iT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) I love you.
                         LOVE YOUR SISTER MISSIONARY! JAYNANNE PETERSEN! :]

...and that's how we do it in Brookswood

Hey so sorry that I didn't email yesterday! Dang Canada and their random Holidays! yesterday was Victoria Day apparently.

BUT I HAVE SUCH FABULOUS NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me & Beautiful Sis Karen :)

so it's no big deal or anything, but Karen, our investigator, got baptized on Sunday. WHATTTTT!?!?!!!???? yeah yeah yeah. Let me explain.  So all week last week, I kept getting this feeling that Karen needed to be baptized before the 25th, but I didn't know if it was just me or if that was what needed to be done.  So we have a lesson with her on Thursday right? and she informed us that she wanted to move it back a week to June 1st because work was just so stressful since she is going to be on brand new baby leave. AHH. We were so shocked we didn't even know what to say or how to respond.  We kinda were just like uhhhhhh ok......... tots awk. So, then We come home after the lesson and we were totally unsettled.  Like she was ready to be baptized the day we met her!!! so we talked about it for over an hour and then I just prayed.  Boy did I pray.  I prayed and prayed. We all felt that she needed to get baptized this last weekend or the adversary would totally get the best of her, or her baby would come and it would be postponed even longer.  So, after much consideration and making sure it was OK with the Lord, we called our Mission President but he couldn't talk until Friday morning... so it was the most anxious night of my life! He called us back Friday morning and we told him what was going on.  He was just like, Have no fear I am here! ha, I mean more spiritually, but ya get the point! So he suggested we just do it right after church and that he would come himself and baptize her.  We were like ahhhhhhh!!!!! We were going to do it Saturday, but she was out of town.  So, next we needed to tell Karen and see what she thought about it! Of course she was SO HAPPY and thought it was an amazing idea! So, we made a few calls and let me just say that the Brookswood ward is amazing.  Sister Ozorio, the RS pres, had people bring refreshments and she gave a talk and it was perfect.  So many people showed up to support Karen and it was great.  We only met Karen three weeks ago.  Who would have thought?  So, we got the programs all put together and Saturday we drove around to different chapels trying to find a dress that would be big enough because she is 8 and a half months pregnant.  We ended up going to Maple Ridge and they had one, so that was good!  We had already taught her everything except a couple commandments, so we just taught them in our GP class and then during RS, President Tilleman interviewed her, and then Karen was baptized.  It was so spiritual and so powerful! She just cried during the entire service and I just kept my arm around her the whole time.  I didn't cry though... I was just too happy! I couldn't Cry! The Bishop went down to Seattle earlier in the week, which is like two hours away, and he got her a set of scriptures with her name printed on it for us to give her.  After the baptism, when we gave it to her, she just broke down.  She said it was the best gift she has ever been given in her whole life. (I was like you just wait till next week when you receive the gift of the Holy Ghost!) it was funny cuz during sacrament she leans over pointing at my scriptures and was like, "I want one of those! where do you get them?" ha i was just like I think you can order them online.. haha sneaky sneaky. Anywho, it was a crazy couple of days and I am so insanely happy for her! She is so beautiful and she was so prepared to hear the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I was the first sister out of eleven who came out in my transfer to baptize someone so that was pretty cool.  My comps think so anyway.. but really i feel like nothing. I feel like I'm just the dust of the earth.  It really was the spirit who did all the work.  Like the Lord did it all! I could never take credit.

Sis Byam, Me, Karen, & Sis Duffy

Can you believe that yesterday was my three month mark???? so weird.  I am sending Tara and Trevor a letter today.. I just gotta find a mail box. Next Monday night we get transfer calls and then transfers are Thursday so we will see what happens.  Oh so I never got a raincoat and it rains here so it doesn't really work out to well! ha luckily Sister Duffy just gave me one like an hour ago.  It is big and the sleeves are short but it's all good! it works right? so if I ever asked for one, scratch that.  I would of bought it myself, but there is never time.  I hope the race and wedding and all that went well! I'm gonna hurry and print off your emails and I'm sure you told me all about it! I'm excited. 

AHhh. Well I love you all so much.  I am so grateful to have been raised in the Gospel.  Sorry if my last emails sounded judgmental of other sisters.  I didn't mean it that way.  It's just interesting.  You can see a difference.  The age change forever affected the way mission life is.  I just want to get out there and find people to teach and baptize! People out here say that it's prideful to think you can achieve a lot and that you really need to humble yourself and not set your goals high or you will suffer and have trials to learn that you are not the one in charge.. i get that, but the way I see it is God wants us to have Success.  We are on his watch and he doesn't want us wasting time trying to find ourselves.  We are his instruments and tools. You best believe I am going to dream big. We have to have faith.  I MEAN HELLO!??!? WE HAVE THE LORD ON OUR SIDE PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!! why wouldn't we have success? especially now.  He is gonna bless us for our obedience. ahh i could go off on this forever.

I have to go now, but I love you all so much! HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY SPENCER! for Saturday of course! be strong and of good courage. 1-10-15. By small and simple things are great things brought to pass. 5 stars. WORK IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love you all! LOVE ME! SISTER JAYNANNE PETERSEN!