The Homerun.

In the October 2012 General Conference, the Prophet Thomas S Monson declared, "Today I am pleased to announce that able, worthy young women who have the desire to serve may be recommended for missionary service beginning at age 19, instead of age 21."  This announcement forever changed my life.  I chose to embark in the service of God and I had no idea what I was getting myself into.  When I first arrived in the MTC, February of 2013, I received a letter from my older brother Trevor and in it he just started to give me all this advice.  At the time, I felt like some of the advice he gave me seemed obvious and I had no idea why he felt the need to tell me.  The longer I served, the more I understood the wisdom of his advice and it became clear to me that missions were hard. My purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the Restored Gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and Enduring to the end!  As hard as that may sound, I love it! I embrace it! I live it up to the HIGHEST EXTREME!  I find so. much. Joy. in my calling! :) It is SO worth it!  My experience as a missionary has been a whirlwind of craziness and I would not change it for the world.  I know I'm who I am today because I served a Mission...  Two weeks ago I hit my 18 month mark.  At the end of that day, I was laying on my bed and all the sudden I realized that I actually did it! I actually served 18 whole months as a missionary! I was so proud of myself! :) I was so happy.  It was like nothing else even mattered because I made it.  I was still alive. I was still standing! (well laying) and the greatest feeling came over me, that If I could do that, then I can do anything!  It occurred to me that it's not about how fast I got there and it's not about what's waiting on the other side.. It's the climb!  It's those small and simple choices I made everyday that helped me become more like my Father in Heaven.  I have a testimony that He knows me personally.  My relationship with Him is unique. it's special:) Only He and I understand it! we're best friends:) He knows me better than I know myself and He has a plan specifically for me!  I know He is there and I know He is very aware of me and my life!  I LOVE that He provided me a Savior to show how much He truly cares for me! The whole thing is just so humbling.  I scarce can take in His greatness!  And when I think about My Savior.. Oh man.  My heart is filled with deep gratitude.  I love Jesus Christ!  He is my Light.  He is the reason why I'm still Standing!  I know He is the Redeemer of the World and I know He loves me a lot!  He has helped me to BE STRONG and of a GOOD COURAGE! He has always ALWAYS been there for me and I trust Him with my life.  I find so much pleasure in my Knowledge of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ and I served my mission for them.  Some of you commented this week that you're interested to see if I changed or stayed the same... I want you to know that I'm still an innocent!  I'm still me and only me, but like 2.0 ;)

I'm really excited to see you all! I love you very very much and I want to thank you for all the support and love you have shown towards me over these past several months!

ALRIGHTY! This is it. I can't believe it.  it's time. I love you! 

Five stars! Long Live Baby! WORK iT!!

Love Your Sister Missionary, Sister Jaynanne Petersen! :]  

Shake it Off!

First and Foremost, 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

WOO WOO!!! that is just so exciting! :) 

Hope your birthday is just fabulous! :)  

Last week was so long and good and hard! Ya know.. the usual.  We had a Zone Conference with my Mission President and Wife, The Burt's and their two sons and it was SO. GOOD. Like dang. they remind me a lot of Utah.  We are having Elder Mayne's, Who is a General Authority, come on Saturday SO I am pretty stoked about that! On Wednesday I am driving with the Burt's to the Temple and my convert Merle (who got baptized a year ago yesterday) is getting endowed! SO that's gonna be awesome! :) :) Yeah.. Hopefully this will be a good week!

All You Can Eat!:)

So, I think at the end of May, there were these two elders in the Spanish area in this city named Surrey, who were out contacting it up on the streets!  One of them spotted this guy across the street and they ran over to talk to him. This man's name was JC (short for Juan Carlos) and I mean, he was nice and listened to them but wasn't looking for a church.  He told them that he is 99.9 percent sure that he was not going to convert to their church.  One of the Elders told him that they would work with that point one percent.  That softened his heart and he was baptized four weeks later in Spanish, into the Richmond 1st Ward! The Spirit was SO strong at the service! I'll never forget it.  I tell you this story because I absolutely love this man! He is one of my favorite people! He is so converted that it is not even funny.  He will always randomly text us and tell us How proud God is of us and how awesome we are for doing what we do and he is just the best!  He got his temp temple recommend on Sunday and he is going to do baptisms for the Dead with Maricel this Wednesday! Sniff.. So proud! :)  Well about four weeks ago, He calls us and wants to meet.  So we show up at the church and sit down with him and among other things, JC tells us that he wants to love his neighbors more and needs advice.  He happens to have REALLY REALLY REALLY bad road rage. like I mean it is really bad haha. So we suggested that he listens to different and softer music on the road. (he likes to BLAST heavy metal/rock music in his huge truck!)  He was very hesitant about the idea, but he said he would try it.  A week later, he comes to our scripture study, and when we asked him about listening to softer music, he said and I quote, "I felt like I was getting stabbed several times over!" Ha. lovely.  We told him to hang in there and Work iT!!  A week later we were having a pretty 'eh' day when we get a voicemail from JC.  I don't remember word for word, but he basically said, "Hi Sisters, JC Here.  I've got two good news. Not sure which one you want first.. the good news or the good news.  Ok. so first I called Malcom (our investigator who he is true friends with) and he said he is coming to church.  Second, I went to church at the one by the temple (Brookswood ward baby) and the temple was amazing! I walked all around it and there was a garbage can right there by it. So I went into my truck and I got all my heavy metal music and rock and one by one I threw away over 20 CD's.  Now All I have to listen to is 3 CD's of the Book of Mormon in Spanish! Well I hope that brightened your day! Have a Wonderful Capital letters, W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L day! God Bless. Talk to ya soon!"  OH. MY. HECK. We were dying!!!!!!!!!!! He has so much faith! He is just so amazing and he has no more road rage! just sayin! :) I've thought about the change of heart he had a lot and he truly shook off the natural man and became a Saint through the Atonement of Christ the Lord.  It has been so cool to witness.  

As we know, the Natural Man is an enemy to God and has been since the Fall of Adam.  I studied about it in the Book of Mosiah this morning and it made me realize that it is so natural to get upset. It is so NATURAL to get annoyed and impatient and sad and frustrated!  It is natural to be disobedient.  I guess that is why we are a chosen people.. because we are trying to shake off the natural man and become as a child.. we try to choose the right and be submissive, meek, kind, humble, loving, patient, understanding, willing, obedient.... ya know, all that good stuff.  I know that when we do those things, Heavenly Father is just like so, so, so, dang proud of us because he knows it's not exactly natural for us to be that way right now.  He knows it takes effort and that is why when we are Christ-like and follow Him, He blesses us so dang much!  It's because He really is pleased!  He really is happy! So I challenge you guys to become the Saints he knows we can be and repent of anything you need too and then shake off the Natural man! Will you do that?! I promise that when you make those small and simple changes in your life, great things will come to pass!

Sister Haight, Gibb, me, Galbraith, Willmore.  They all went home last week! Sis Willmore was my MTC comp! We all came out the same day! :) these are my girls!

So Be strong and of a Good Courage and fight off the natural man Baby! I love you all SOOOOOO much! Thanks for all the support! WORK iT!! Five Stars! :)
Love Sister Petersen:]           

Little Miracles! :)

Hey! HEy!! HEY!!! 
I sure hope ya'll are having a great day! 
Attitude of Gratitude baby! 

Well this past week was so Fabulous. LEt mE tell Ya!  We got to go to the Temple and it was SO SO SO good! I was dying.  Temples are da bomb! ha Sis Tingson and I were in heaven as we chatted back and forth in the Celestial Room about all our insights! man. I could have talked all. day. long! so good.

After a long day with my Mini-Missionary (from the start of my mission)

Today is Sister Tingson's Birthday by the way! HollA.

I had my last Zone Meeting on Friday.  I didn't even realize that until I was asked to bear my testimony.  I didn't know what to say cuz you know me, I like to talk, so I already gave all my thoughts throughout the meeting ha ha.  

Breakfast

Yesterday Sister Tingson and I both had to speak in Sacrament.  WE WERE SO NERVOUS! the place was packed!  8 Converts were there, a handful of Less-Actives, an Investigator, the Stake President, and OUR MISSION PRESIDENT AND HIS WIFE! are you kidding me. no pressure right?? Needless to say, it was full house!  Well our talks went awesome!  tears were shed. hearts were touched. lives were changed! :P  Dad I hope you don't mind, but I used one of your stories in a talk you gave! ha it was a hit! a crowd pleaser for sure! So uh.. thanks!  :)  All week long I have just been thinking about how good God is to me! Really I just feel so blessed. He is just SO, SO, SO Good to me! Like ahh! I love Him!

Food, Glorious Food

I am trying to think of good stories for you.... um we went out to dinner with these recent converts in the ward to celebrate that he got a calling! It was fun and it helped me remember that the small and simple things really make the greatest difference in a person's life! SO make sure those small and simple things are good and positive and uplifting! 

I love you all like CraZy! WORK iT!!!! be strong and of a good courage! XOXOXOXO five stars!
Love Sister Petersen!! :]           

Now Let Us Rejoice!

Hi! This has been a really good week! Minus the fact that I'm apparently allergic to Canadian Mosquitoes and have dozens of bites the size of quarters! ha.. not sure what to do about that, but oh well! :P  Anyway, this week I have gained so much personal revelation and knowledge and received so much strength from the scriptures and the reason why is because of you.  Every. Single. Time. I learned something or came to a realization or felt strong or felt happy, the Spirit whispered to me that it was because of the prayers of my family.  I believe and know that's true.  I've never felt your prayers more in my life than I have this past week.  I want you to know that God hears and answers prayers and he has heard your cries and showed mercy upon me and I am so grateful for your faith.  Thank you so much for supporting me and loving me.  I truly have the best.  Your faith is making me whole and I feel so close to you right now.  When I heard that you fasted for me yesterday, I began to cry and it confirmed that everything I had been feeling all week was true.  I have the most incredible family in the entire world.  I love you so much! If you only knew!  I wish I could explain to you, all that I learned, and one day I will, but for now, I will just share with you one of my insights... So as some of you may know,  for that last 8 months of my mission I have been dealing with a lot of physical pain.  I have never been in so much pain or felt so weak in my entire life.  The agony, suffering, and torment I have experienced can only be understood by my Redeemer.  It has been said that most people come to understand the Atonement because they must repent and be sanctified through the blood of the Lamb.  I was humbly told that I came to know and understand the Atonement and who my Savior is because I was exactly obedient to the Will of the Father and his Son Jesus Christ, and I was privileged to feel a very tiny bit how the Savior felt the night in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Sacred experiences have testified to me that that is true and that I had faith to be healed, but the Lord had greater plans for me and knew that if I endured this trial, I would become even more like him.  I know that is why we are here.  I know we are preparing to become like our Father in Heaven.  I know that everything I have gone through has been for my good and for my experience.  I am forever grateful for my mission.  Yes it has been extremely hard, and painful at times, but I can testify to you that on the other hand, I have never felt so much redeeming love and Joy in all my years.  It reminds me of the Scriptures in Alma 36 (that I know were written for me) that states:   
         
 20 And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!

 21 Yea, I say unto you, my FAMILY, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my FAMILY, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.

 22 Yea, methought I saw, even as our father Lehi saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their God; yea, and my soul did long to be there.

 23 But behold, my limbs did receive their strength again, and I stood upon my feet, and did manifest unto the people that I had been born of God.

 24 Yea, and from that time even until now, I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

 25 Yea, and now behold, O my FAMILY, the Lord doth give me exceedingly great joy in the fruit of my labors;

 26 For because of the word which he has imparted unto me, behold, many have been born of God, and have tasted as I have tasted, and have seen eye to eye as I have seen; therefore they do know of these things of which I have spoken, as I do know; and the knowledge which I have is of God.

 27 And I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions; yea, God has delivered me from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me.

 28 And I know that he will raise me up at the last day, to dwell with him in glory; yea, and I will praise him forever.

My dear Sweet family I know what Alma said is true.  The pain. The sweat. The tears.  IT IS WORTH IT!  I have found so much joy in the fruit of my labors! I love my converts with all my heart, but I think the biggest conversion that has taken place has been my own.  I know who I am.  I know God's plan. I know that he loves me. I know that I am his daughter. I know that I am more than enough. I know that it is only through the Savior that I can return and live with my Heavenly Father and my family again.  I am fully converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and I am diligently committed to fight the good fight until the very end.  And when that day comes and I am kneeling down before the Son of God, and when I get to feel the nail marks in His hands and feet, I will know no better than I do now that Jesus is the Christ and that salvation comes only through Him and in no other way.  I hope that if you don't already know that, one day you will come to the same knowledge that I have, and you will taste of the fruit of the tree of life because it is most precious and sweet above all other fruit. How do you come to this knowledge? Alma Chapter 36 begins and ends by telling us that, "inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land."  If you cross reference 'prosper'  It will lead you to Joshua chapter 1.  coincidence? I think not.. prospering is being strong and very courageous:)  We are then promised that if we do this, the Lord our God will be with us whithersoever we go! So be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed!  The next chapter in Alma teaches us that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass.  I know that is true.  I know following the commandments will help us be happy and will lead to eternal life.  I love you all so much.  Thank you for being my family!

5 stars:) Work iT!! :]
Love Your Sister Missionary, Sister Jaynanne Petersen 

My 13th Transfer. Say What!?

Hi! How is everyone doing?!  I hope you are all having an excellent week! :) I had a crazy long week.  It was Transfer week so lots was happening!  It was my Last Transfer meeting which was pretty weird to think about.  I have been to every single transfer meeting just cuz, except for one, last year. just saying.  I get to complete my mission in Richmond wish Sister Tingson still, and I am soooo happy about that! :)  

This new missionary that just came in, is from New Zealand, and told me she has read my blog every week since February! What.  Lots of people tell me that and I'm just like... uhhh I hope I said something good! ha I don't even ever remember what I email. ohhh wellz. I forget that other people besides my family read these.... :)Jaynanne sends the family her weekly email, and I (Mom) post it on her blog.  I'm pretty sure she's never seen the blog, :) so she's always amazed when people tell her about it.  When her mission is over, I will print her mission blog into a book for her.

So lately, Sis Tingson and I have been making up Raps to Rejections.  It's pretty fun.  Not gonna lie, I've come up with some pretty good ones.. gotta do what ya gotta do to keep up the faith! :)  They are better in person and I know you are just dying to hear them, but don't fret I'll sing em to you soon!

Do you want to know something.. every now and than I'll be sitting, specifically in Ward Council, and then randomly, it'll just like hit me that the church is true.  I love when that happens.  Not that I ever need reassurance, because you better believe I know it's true! But I just wonder, How can the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Not be true?!  It's so true that I scarce can take it in! Sometimes I have to like take a breather because it is just soooo marvelous, and incredible, and amazing, and outstanding, and beautiful, and magical, and so much good has come from it, that it blows my mind. 

I am so grateful that I am a member of Christ's Church and that I have the knowledge of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am so grateful to be living in this time of Living day Prophets and the ministering of Angels and the Hastening of the Work! I feel humbled to be a Latter-Day Saint and I thank my lucky stars to be able to share what I know with others and help them feel God's love.  Choosing to serve a mission has been the best decision I have ever made in my entire life.  I am so thankful for all your love and support! It means so much to me! I hope you are all getting answers to your prayers and I hope you are all happy! Just remember that ALL IS WELL!

So be strong and of Good Courage. Fight the Good Fight.  WORK iT!!! Remember the small and simple things and choose to have faith & trust in God.  I promise if you really are doing the 1-10-15 and 3-2-1 steps, than your life, and the life of your family will be forever blessed.  Have an awesome week! Never forget to let your light shine! be you and only you! five stars! LONG LiVE!
Love, Sister Petersen! :)

Mom Note - 

Just a reminder to anyone reading this what 1-10-15, and 3-2-1 means....

A couple of years ago our Stake President started the 1-10-15 theme in our Stake...  

1  Act of Service a day

10 minutes Early to Meetings

15 minutes of Scripture Reading Daily

The next year the theme changed it 3-2-1... 

3 Invitations to activities

2 Placements of BofM

1  In-Home Teach

We have enjoyed these challenges and always keep them in mind.

Wait, 17 months down.. ARE YOU SERIOUS!?!?

Hi! :) Alright so I changed my mind, you can talk about me coming home all you want because I don't know about you, but I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  AHHHH! Can you believe that it is just sooooo soon!??! So close, but yet so far away.  

District Unity.  They Call me an Egg....White on the Outside,Yellow on the inside! :) lol

Anyhow, not too much exciting things have happened this week, but we've been pretty busy.  Sisters have been staying with us which is always fun.  The reason why they were with us is cuz some of the Sisters in MY MTC district, and who came out with me, were completing their mission. SO WEIRD!

The District.  Yeah, that's right, I'm the only White one :)

Um the TV Show, 'Once Upon a Time' was filming while we were street contacting so we got to see them live and in action.  that was pretty fun!  We couldn't stay long or take pictures really but hey.  

Captain Hook and Snow White! :)...I was sneaky :)

Henry, Prince Charming, Emma, and Snow White!

OUAT Cast.  Hook's head is between the poles...Just saying.  We watched them do this scene like 10 times!

I don't have any awesome stories for you this week.  So sorry.  There is a talk in this Months Ensign entitled,  "Becoming Perfect in Christ'  Oh man.  It is just so good.  Will each of you read it?  I am so grateful that Heavenly Father provided me a Savior. "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved." (John 3:17) I know that His Grace is Sufficient for all those that come unto Him.  I know that if we are trying our very best, then that is good enough and Christ makes up the difference.  Some days our "best" might be better than other days but as long as we are trying, that is all that is asked of us.  I love my Savior Jesus Christ! I love my Heavenly Father! I also love my Family! Ahh.  I just can't wait to see ya'll.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Only true and living church on the face of the planet.  It was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith and evidence of that is the Book of Mormon.  I love this book with my whole heart and I Know it is the Word of God.  I am very grateful for my knowledge of the Plan of Redemption and of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am grateful that in His wisdom,  Heavenly Father sent me on a mission. Man, He loves me.  He really does know what is best for us.   

So remember to Be strong and of a Good courage.  

Remember the Small and simple things.  

Choose to be happy! 

Keep the Commandment.  

follow 1-10-15 & 3-2-1 baby.  

FIVE STARS! long live it up.  

WORK iT!!!!!!!!!
Love Sister Petersen:]    

HAVE MIRACLES CEASED!?! NAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HEY! :] I enjoyed all of your emails a lot! Spencer I am so jealous of the rain.  It has been nothing but hot here! In the heat of the night, I go walking.... I'm just BURNING UP! 

Anyway, Dad I think you are just like a super hero for being a Bishop!  On top of everything else.. I don't know how you do it!  Something my Mission President said is that, "it is never convenient to serve" Just remember that!  Also I really enjoyed your comments about Moroni and I loved the Pictures! Mom you're a Super Star of a mother! :) Thanks for all you do! I don't know how you manage every thing! You'll have to teach me your ways one day..! 

There's not too much to report on this past week... I went on two exchanges! um like I said, it's been super warm.. too warm if ya ask me!  I dunno... the days all blend together! I think the heat is getting to people cuz  we have been meeting a lot of interesting and weird and rude people in the City of Richmond lately!  Basically, our song is the slammin screen door and the
n I just think to myself that someday I'll be living big old kingdom and all their ever gonna be is mean and that's what gets me through it! haha 

Vancouver... :) Random

So miracle story.  The other day, we were at this stop light and we were the second car in the left turn lane.  Well all of the sudden the car in front of us just broke down! What.  SO this Chinese guy was very apologetic and told us to go around him.  Well, we pull up to the side of his car and I felt so bad for him! there were like fifteen cars behind us and he had his hood up and didn't know what to do! Soooooo, what did I do?! Well of course I start prayin! I figured if I stared at his engine hard enough then my laser-like determination would naturally send signals to his car and start it up! ;) ha that was the hope anyway!  So the Man turns his key and he rubs the engine and nothing happened.  With all my faith I specifically prayed that the third time he tried, it would work! So he tried the second time, nothing.  Then he tried the third time and I was just like praying SO hard and then a miracle happened! This man's car turned on! AHHHHH!!!!!!!!! He was so surprised that he didn't know what to do! Then he shut his hood and jumped in his car! The light turned green and we drove away.  Now I don't know if my prayer really started this man's car, but I'd like to think so:) I know that the power of prayer is real.  I know that God hears and answers every single one of our prayers and his power is usually exercised in response to faith.  

Out to Dinner with Brad and Emily! I had Pumpkin Tomato Fish Soup.  Just Sayin :)

Can I just say that I love being a missionary!?! I love being in able to witness all the miracles that God performs! I feel like I have a front row seat.  I don't know how it gets better than this! He pulls my hand and drags me head first, FEARLESS! I love it! I love knowing that God is in the details of our lives.  He gives us miracle experiences to build our faith and strengthen our belief in Him. Usually after I go home, before I say amen, I'm asking God to play it again! I just think about the day and remember all the miracles and it helps me know without a doubt that there is a God and that I am not alone! :) I know that's true! :)  I know He loves me! I know I am a daughter of God and I know that He has a plan for me!  I hope you all have an awesome week.  You know what's next...... Be Strong and of Good courage! Remember ALL the small and simple things because those are the miracles! 1-10-15 and 3-2-1 Choose the right baby! just HOLD ON! five stars! Long Live. WORK iT!!!!!!!!!!!
-LOVE SiSTER PETERSEN!! : ]    

It's not over til the Fat Lady Sings!

WELL HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  This has been a crazy miracle filled week! I just love being a missionary. It's just the best.  SO much happened and now I can't even remember! 

Canada Day was the first... yeeeaahhhh...... then it was the Fourth of July!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOO! WOO! AWH YEAH BABY!  It was a blast.  Tons of my fav mission friends were in town for a meeting so we got to party it up together!:) Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays! You best believe I had my American Pride shining bright like a diamond! :] 

Earlier in the week I got to sit down with President and Sister Burt and I love them sooooo much. like I just can't explain it.  The love for them was instant!  I gained a witness that I am theirs and they are mine and my only wish is that I was with them more! They are pretty great! :) remind me SO much of Utah.  Oh Utah... I feel so blessed to be born there and into the family I have! Not gonna lie, I have the best family in the entire world! :) I can't wait to see them soon! AHHHH.  In a couple weeks, remind me to tell you the story of how I spent the fourth of July driving up the opposite side of the freeway, headed towards cops, with my Mission President on the speaker phone, while the Star Spangled Banner was playing in the background! telling it is just SO much better in person! Trust me.  All I can say is Missionaries really do have the power to do anything! And I mean ANYTHING!  "We will not go quietly into the night! We will not go down without a fight! I will never forget the days.. the days that we declared our INDEPENDENCE!" :P

I love you all so much! I am so happy to be your missionary! I love representing it up here in the B.C.  Hope you all have a great week and remember to be righteous rebels!  In the Book of Mormon, THEY fought for the Cause of the Christians! Don't let that movement die! Stay True to the Faith! When we are faithful in keeping the commandments, nothing can bring us down! Moroni is the PERFECT example! This is how people described him, "...If all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men." (Alma 48:17)  I hope you all choose to live your life in such a way to receive a compliment like that! 

SO BE STRONG AND OF A GOOD COURAGE! remember that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass! do the 1-10-15 & 3-2-1 Keep on keepin on and NEVER, NEVER, EVER GIVE UP! I love you all! WORK iT!! five stars:) LONG LiVE! : ]

LOVE YOUR SISTER PETERSEN!! 

God is Good

Hello everyone! I hope you have all had an awesome week! thanks for all the emails! I have had a great week being a missionary! :)  I got to spend a lot of time with the Tilleman's which was special.  Their farewell was yesterday and it was incredible. AHh.  Just so good.  On Wednesday I am meeting with My new Mission President, President and Sister Burt.  They are from Bountiful Utah and they are gonna be fantastic! I can't wait to get to know them! :)  Can I just say that I love being a Latter-Day Saint? Cuz I do! A LOT!  I love everything about it.  just saying.  Well this email is going to be short, but I hope you are all doing great and are just so happy!  I can't wait to see you guys!  I don't have much to report on.. I'm just kinda Spiritually exhausted right now..  um I love my companion Sister Tingson.  She is basically an Angel sent from heaven.  I can't wait for you guys to meet her! She cooks such good food.  I am officially eating rice for breakfast now! Oh yeah! it's happening! ha. Well I hope that this week especially, you remember the small and simple things and be super strong and of good courage. just trust in the Lord with all your might! focus on the positive. be you and only you. keep calm and all that good stuff and remember that you are a child of the Almighty God! 1-10-15 & 3-2-1! five stars! Choose the right WORK iT!! long Live:)
LOVE Your Sister Petersen! :)

I am Desirous that Salvation Should be declared to Every Living Creature! SO HELP ME!

Down town Vancouver

HEY! :] So I just sent Ya'll a bunch of pictures, but what you see is what you get because It takes forever to load and I don't know which picture it is because you can't see it before hand so there you have it!

You guys sound like you had an awesome week! Congrats to T-rev & Tiff:)

:) Me and Sister Tingson

My week has been a CraZy Miracle filled week doing the Lord's Work! Where do I even Begin?! So On Monday Sister Tingson and I were out finding those lost souls to come unto Christ and what not and there was this friendly old guy on a scooter who zoomed by us smiling and waving! He was too far away and too fast for us so we couldn't talk to him!  About a half hour later we were walking back in the direction which we came, and the same man zoomed past us again!  He was still too far away and too fast, but we felt like we were given a second chance to share the restored gospel with him! SO what did we do?! Of course we got our Pro Stalker-like Skills on and we chased after him! he was already a couple blocks down and we were right by our car, so we jumped in and started to head the way he went! We couldn't see him anywhere! like I still don't know how he went so fast!  We drove three or four blocks down and then We spotted him in this huge park just rolling away! So we pulled over the car and we jump out and just start running through this park chasing after him! He was clear on the other side and we couldn't see which way he turned, but we get to the other side and we look left, we looked right, and than we looked left again, and we barely saw him just as he was turning into this complex so we booked it that way! We made it to the complex and it had so many different turns, but when in doubt, choose the right! Finally we spotted him right before he went into his garage and I was just like so out of breath and like, "SiR! WAIT! SIR! WE REALLY WANT TO TALK TO YOU!" ha ha he turned and just stared at us like we were freaks.  We go running up to him and we were like breathing all hard and just like "Hi. We have been chasing you.  We want to let you know God loves you and he wanted us to share a message with you!"  This Man's name was Fred.  Fred is a Jew and he was not interested.  After a very brief conversation he drove away.  I don't know why we felt the need to chase this man down when there were plenty of people we crazily ran past in the park and down the street that we could have easily talked to instead. But I do know that God loves his children and he knows every single one of them! I know that God loves Fred.  Otherwise he would not have sent his two missionaries on a wild goose chase just to get rejected.  I know that the gospel should be preached to every living creature and I know that everyone will have a chance to accept or reject the gospel. 

So I just Bring a good old PB&J to my Picnic's, but this is how the Philippines's do it.

Picnic by the Ocean

I love my mission! I love feeling God's pleasure as I find his lost sheep! I love Representing the Savior Jesus Christ! I love who I am! I love God's Plan! I can't wait to live with Him one day!  I hope you all know who you are and what you stand for! Have a great week! Be Strong and of Good Courage! Remember that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass! Keep calm and carry on! do the 1-10-15 and 3-2-1! Be you and only you! Dare to be a Mormon! WORK iT!!!!!!!!! five stars! long live!
Love Your Crazy Awesome Missionary, Sister Petersen! :]    

TREVOR AND TIFFANY ARE GETTING MARRIED THIS WEEK! AHHH! just sayin.

Hi! Happy Father's Day Dad! :] I love you SO much! You are one of my hero's! So glad your mine:)

This past week was crazy hectic! Let me tell you what! My new companion is so dang cute! Her name is Sister Tingson and She grew up in the Philippines but has been in Canada for the Last two years! I love her so much! Every now and than she reminds me of Jessica:) haha So now I am the only white Sister In our District of three companionships! Not gonna lie, It's pretty Sweet. I'm basically Asian now.  I'll send a pic. We are all training a new missionary which is pretty funny! I guess we are just that cool;) It was the Tilleman's Last Transfer Meeting because they conclude their Mission in just 2 Weeks... you could have cut the Spirit with a knife!  Not a dry eye in the Room.  It was very moving and very spiritual.  I love them very dearly and it was the first time I got Tilleman-Sick during that meeting.  I just know that we are as The Army of Tilleman in the Canada Vancouver Mission.  I know that we were organized together before this world began and I feel very honored and privileged to have them in my life.  These have been days never to be forgotten.  That is for sure.  Nevertheless, The New Mission President and Mission Mom Will be awesome! :) 

On Friday we went to this Special Woman's Conference held at my Stake Center in Surrey for the Lower-Mainland and In attendance was one of my favorite General Authorities, Elder Christensen and a member of each of the General Relief Society, Primary, and Young Women's Presidencies! So that was pretty neat and I got to meet and talk with each one of them! :) 

I am super stoked that Trevor & Tiffany are getting married this week!!! AHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THAT IS SO EXCITING! Tiffany I can't wait to be your Sis-in-Law! We are gonna party it up all the time! Petersen Style. Welcome to the Fam:)  Congrats Trev! So happy for ya! I Love you both a ton! hope the Big Day super special and just enjoy it cuz it only happens once! My Adivce...  Work iT! Plus Be Strong and Of Good Courage! Remember the Small and Simple things and don't worry be happy!  Just Keep Calm and Carry on if Something goes amiss and just know that Truth will Prevail!  Long Live the Walls you crashed through to get to this point and when all is said and done, do the 1-10-15 & 3-2-1! I love you all so much! I have the best family in the World! :) Don't you forget about me!

Love Sister Petersen:]  

Life Lessons :)

The Office Sisters Surprised me with a Birthday Cake! :)

Oh Hey! Thank you SO much for all the Birthday wishes! I had an awesome birthday filled with awesomeness! :) 

My Recent Convert Emily treated us to a Birthday Lunch when I turned 21!:)

I may or may not have gone here for my 21st birthday! ha

 
CONGRATULATIONS DAD! Woo Woo! way to be! WAY TO BE!  My Recent Convert Emily was like, " Awh! You are a Princess! You are a Princess to the Bishop! Awh!" haha it was so Asianly cute! :)

Well yesterday afternoon for the first time in the history of forever, We got Transfer Calls!!!!!!!!!!! (this is usually a Monday night of the sixth week of the transfer occurrence) Since the Assistants are in our ward, we talk to them all the time so when we missed their call, we thought nothing of it! (Usually when "Assistants" call you it's a high priority type of thing) So we called them back and it turns out Sister Struempler is getting transferred and I get to Stay here in Richmond and train a new missionary! AHHH! crazy. pray for me.  So I'll be getting my new companion Thursday Morning, but until then, We are the carpool for the four sisters leaving on Wednesday and for the next three days we will be driving them to and from the Greyhound Bus Stop, Mission Office, Mission Home, Apartments, and Airport! Just call us a taxi service! It's pretty fun:) 

Staying Hydrated!

After They leave, the group that came out with me and Myself, will be the oldest Missionaries in the Mission! (we were the first set of 19 year old's to come to this mission!  When I first got here there were like 13 Sisters and we made it 24. Now there are over 100 Sisters Serving in the Canada Vancouver Mission! Boom Baby!)  This past week we had to randomly move apartments which was hectic and stressful! Nevertheless, we took it like champs and now we are in the same building as the Chinese Sisters and a Senior Couple so that's pretty great!

Oh, Last Sunday we Had this Canada Wide Stake Conference Broadcast and it was SO POWERFUL! like dang.  Elder Holland and President Eyring spoke to us as well as the General Relief Society President and Elder Perkins! It was SO killer.  If you get a chance, look it up!  Other than that, not much has happened..

Oh I learned how to Breathe! Ya so apparently for 21 years of my life I haven't been breathing correctly! Who knew that you used your stomach to breathe! WHO KNEW!? so yeah.. learned all about what a diaphragm was so that was pretty exciting! The things you learn on a mission..  

Actually speaking about learning, I have learned SO much while serving here! I absolutely love learning about the gospel and I love discussing it! Probably one of the Most enjoyable things is when you actually get someone to stop and listen to you and then have a real conversation with you on the street! and it's not just another "let's compare your religion to my religion" but an actual conversation of interest! Those are the best!  Last Week I talked with this guy named Alex at the Sky Train stop and before I even started he was just asking question after question about the Bible and Christ's Ministry among other deep questions and it was so fun to know the answers to the questions and than for him to take my word for it and tell me I was Knowledgeable! The best part was when I tied all back to the Book of Mormon and had him wanting it before I even offered!  Ah Man! It's those Conversations that get you through the day and humble ya because you know that God was inspiring you what to say and you just know that you are not alone! The Spirit is the teacher and testifier and it is up to us to be worthy and obedient to have the Spirit with us always and especially in those times of need!  That's when you feel like an instrument and tool in God's Hands and I am here to tell you that nothing can compare!

I LOVE discussing the Gospel!  I can't get enough of it!  A couple weeks ago, I gained new insights on revelation pertaining to the Plan of Salvation and just this last week I had the rare and sacred opportunity to personally share what I learned with my Mission President just because he knew I wanted to.  I went into his Office, laid out my Journal, planner, Preach my Gospel, Scriptures, hymn book, and his last two Mission Memorandums, on his Desk, slid up a chair, and for a good hour we discussed & studied Eternal Truths.  The Plan of Salvation is True.  God's Love is real.  Jesus is the Christ and the Savior of the World. I know that I am a daughter of God.  I know that one day I will become like him and live in his Kingdom with my family forever! I know that Christ has restored his Gospel back onto the Earth through a Prophet of God and I know that nothing else but the Doctrine of Christ matters.  It is So small and Simple and yet it is So GREAT! 

I want to invite you all to Be Strong and of Good Courage and just enjoy the moments! 

Keep Calm and Carry On! 

1-10-15 & 3-2-1 

Five Stars! 

LOnG LiVE! WORK iT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-LOVE YOUR SiSTER MiSSiONARY, SiSTER PETERSEN! :]              

Truth.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Only true and living church on the earth today.  It is the only church on the face of the planet that has the Proper Priesthood Authority to act in God's Name and perform saving Ordinances.
Christ's Church was restored through Joseph Smith who was called as a Prophet of God. 
Under the Direction of Jesus Christ and by the power of God, Joseph Smith Translated The Book of Mormon.  This book, along with the Bible, has the complete and full Doctrine of Christ.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God and was Sent by God to atone for the sins of the world.  It is only through Jesus Christ that we can gain exaltation and live with our families forever in the Kingdom of God. 
Jesus Christ Lives.
We are All God's Children and He loves us. He knew us before we were born.
We have a living Day Prophet today named Thomas S. Monson who has the Power and Authority to act in God's Name and everything he directs us to do is from God.
Like Spencer, These are the things that I know and I only gained knowledge of it by prayerfully studying and asking God if these things were true and by the power of the Holy Ghost I know it is true.
It doesn't matter how much I know, it brings me so. much. Joy!
I know what Elder Petersen said is true. With him I bear my Witness as a servant of the Lord, in the British Columbia and Canadian Province, in the Name of My Lord and Savior, even Jesus the Christ, Amen. 

-Jaynanne

Life is Full of Miracles! All day everyday BABY! :]

HAPPY 19TH BiRTHDAY SPENCER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.  that is so crazy. like I can't even think about it because it's just so wild ya know?? 

So yesterday was the confirmations of my three Recent Converts and it was awesome! The Holy Ghost is cool. 

This weekend we had a Mini Missionary come stay with us and it was so much fun! She is sixteen and we saw SO many miracles while we were searching for new investigators! Like you want these things to go well because it builds their faith and strengthens their testimony so witnessing miracles was our highest priority! no pressure right? The first person she talked to was a new investigator.  Pretty awesome.  this one time we had like ten minutes left to find people to teach and we hadn't reached our goal for the day yet so we said a prayer and the next thing we knew, we were talking to a person and then he went in the house and got his two friends and all three of them became new investigators! Are you kidding me?!  God's awesome like that. 

Sometimes being a missionary is overwhelming because just when you think nothing is happening, that's when everything is happening!!!! You look back and realize just how much God's hand was in the details of it all and it's pretty killer.  Well I don't know what to really say this week.  So much happened and guess what!?! Spiritual stuff makes ya tired. I've received a lot of revelation this weekend as well as inspiration and my mind has been enlightened concerning God's Plan of Happiness!  I know His plan is true!  I know that God is my Father in Heaven and that I have the potential to become like Him!  I know he provided me a Savior to help me achieve exaltation!  I know Jesus Christ is that Savior and the only way back to the Father.  I can not wait to be with my Family forever in the Kingdom of God! I know God Loves me and that I am his Daughter! I hope you're all doing fabulous! If you didn't have the best week last week, well then this is your week! :)

Be Strong and of a Good Courage! Remember that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass. Haters gonna hate. Aligators gonna aligate! Choose the right! Keep calm and Carry on cuz truth will prevail baby  1-10-15 & 3-2-1 five stars! long live the walls we crashed through! WORK iT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOVE YOUR MISSIONARY! -Sister Petersen 

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