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! :]  

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.

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

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.          

Rock-Like Faith.

Hey There! :) So Spring is in the Air and there is nothing like Spring in British Columbia! It is so pretty and green and there are flowers everywhere! I love it!  

So, I got to see so many miracles this week. It. was. insane.  
A huge miracle I saw was this inactive mother (since she was fifteen) and her three little boys came to church! Oh man.  We have been visiting her for over a month and how she was found in the first place is a miracle. (she is not on the ward list) She doesn't have a car and she lives 20 minutes south of the Church in South Delta which is obviously a different town and taking the bus would take forever! (tunnel, freeway, traffic little kids, etc.) So we managed to have the sweetest elderly lady who had a van give her and her boys a ride and Saturday night we drove all over the place to find/borrow three car seats from members so her boys could be safe! All I can Say is that if there is a will, there is a way.  Even if it means driving a half hour east of Richmond to pick up seats then driving back down to South Delta before church.  It is a testimony to me of how important Church attendance is!

So Earlier in the week I remember having a thought that I wish I had the kind of faith the scriptures talk about.. ya know.. like Unshaken Faith that could move mountains and all that...
Well Anyways, Yesterday we went and visited with an older couple in the ward.  The Wife is super active and the Husband is super inactive and very anti.  Well, As we visited and listened to all their funny old people jokes,  The husband kept making rude comments about the church.  He said things like, "there is no other book but the bible" or "The Book of Mormon is made up and Joseph Smith was crazy! There is no way he had visions! or saw God and Jesus Christ! He was fourteen!"...blah..blah..blah  or "the Nephities aren't real!" and on and on he went.  Hearing all this isn't new to me..  In fact I hear stuff like this all day everyday, but I don't let it bug me.  Well  the Husband was relentless and he just would not stop and it finally got to the point where I couldn't stand it anymore.  Much to his dislike, We shared a spiritual thought and we had one prepared and ready, but I decided to read 2 Nephi 29 6-14 instead.  We usually go around and each read a verse, but as I began to read, I couldn't stop, and the more I read, the Louder I got, and the more powerful I felt.  When I finished Reading, I testified in the name of Jesus Christ that the Book of Mormon was the Word of God, and that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of the Lord, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only true church on the Earth today.  When I finished speaking, there was silence and at that moment it occurred to me that I do have unshaken faith and the Husband couldn't think of what to say and didn't have any way to attack my testimony because he felt the Spirit and the things I preached were true.   

It reminds me of the Scripture in Helaman 5 verse 12... "And now , my sons (and Daughters), remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation: that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds,yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build, they cannot fall."

Jesus Christ is my rock and my salvation and no one can mess with that.  Be strong and of good courage. remember the small and simple things.  1-10-15 and 3-2-1 WORK iT!!!!!!!! five stars! Long live.  keep calm and carry on. have rock-like faith! :)

LOVE SISTER PETERSEN! :)  

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is True!

OH. MY. HECK.  DiD YOUR HEARTS NOT JUST BURST AT THE SEAMS WiTH THE SOUND OF CONFERENCE!?!?!?!?!!! 

AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I love General Conference! :)  

I have so many favorite talks! like I can't even choose which one I liked best! I'm dying to read them all again and study it up! One thing is for sure, We have living day Apostles and Prophets on the earth today and The Church of Jesus Christ has been restored in these latter days! does that not just give you goose bumps?! IT'S SO COOL!  ahh. I just can't get it over it.. love it! Well in case you were wondering, I don't have anyone throwing mashed potato's my way so no worries! ;)

I love that Elder Ballard followed up on his last two talks.  that was awesome.  I gave a copy of his last talk to over thirty families in my area when it first came out and I testified and challenged them along with Elder Ballard to have someone ready by Christmas and when Christmas came and went, there were many who did not complete the challenge the Lord had given them through his Apostle.  So as a mission we have followed up by going back to all the families in the providence with the talk and helping them prepare someone by Easter!  Just because you did not have someone by Christmas does not mean you give up and that was your only chance!  You keep faithfully trying and being persistent and if you want to find someone to introduce the restored gospel to and help them feel the Saviors love, YOU WILL! it is all in your attitude!  You may ask your self why or if it's even really worth it or if your efforts will even make a difference.. Well you listen to me... IT IS WORTH IT!!!!!!!! 

Jesus Christ Atoned for ALL of our sins and He suffered for EVERYTHING we have ever experienced that has brought us pain and sorrow and remorse and he did not do it for nothing.  He did it so that we can return and live with our Heavenly Father in his Kingdom.  Heavenly Father loves his all children. Not just some of them... Not just a certain few.. no he loves each and every one of us and he wants us all to live with him again.  We are all brothers and sisters of God and don't you want to live with your family forever?  We have to help our brothers and Sisters return home too.  We do this by small and simple means and by listening to our leaders when they give us direction such as 1-10-15 or 3-2-1 or reading Preach my Gospel, studying the scriptures, praying, and having family home evening.  We follow God's Commandments by Being Strong and of Good Courage. Even if that means standing alone.  We also love everyone around us and have an attitude of gratitude.   We keep calm and carry on under pressure.  We let go.  We repent. We remember our Baptismal covenants.  We help each other with their yoke and load.  We WORK iT and have five stars.  When we do all this,  then we, and our brothers and sisters, can  forever live. 

I know that God's Plan is real and I know that Jesus is the Christ and the Saviour and Redeemer of the World.  I know He Lives and I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true and living church on the face of the planet.  

Have a Glorious Week Everyone! I love you all! :)
LOVE YOUR SISTER MISSIONARY- Sister Petersen! :] 

Just Enjoy the Moments! :)

Hi Guys! :) I honestly do not even know where to begin...

This past week was one I will never forget!  There were so many Spiritual and Sacred experiences that happened and I feel very humbled and blessed to be a full-time missionary and to be serving in the Canada Vancouver Mission.  I love my mission more than words could ever express.  On Saturday My entire mission and I had the blessed opportunity to be in the midst with an Apostle of the Lord for several hours.  Elder D Todd Christofferson along with Elder Aidukitus, Elder Christensen, Bishop Causse, and President and Sister Tilleman, Shook each of our hands and bore powerful testimonies to us of the Restored Gospel, The Book of Mormon, Charity, God's Love, Jesus Christ and much more.  It was so sacred and real and I know that each of these people are men of God.  I know that God has called prophets once again to the earth and that he leads and guides us. I know that the Book of Mormon is the convincing evidence that we have prophets and I know this book is the word of God.  I know and believe that Jesus Christ is my Savior and I know that he lives.  I know that families can and will be together forever in God's Presence by virtue of our Obedience and I know that we can all achieve exaltation. 

Thank you so much for all the love and support you show to me each and every week.  I have the best friends and family in the world! :) As incredible as this week was, I was really, really, really, really sick! such a bummer! Don't worry, I don't think anyone cared that I was carrying around a throw-up bucket to all my meetings and looked like a zombie! haha my pride wouldn't let me throw-up thank goodness.  Luckily I am going to the Doctors and am starting to go to physio Therapy and all the lovely stuff! I am very cared for out here so don't you fret.

Ummmmmmm......... I'm not sure what to share... What do you want to know? two weeks ago one of my investigators took two sacrament cups cuz she was hot and then she was like, "Am I allowed to have two?" I told her not really and she just shrugged and said, "awh well double the blessings!"  hahaha she's crazy! ummm.... We have a GPS and We represent this bird.. I hate that bird. It's always freaking out and I always get mad at it! We named it Apa. haha yip yip. 

oh so like you know how everyone and their dog is Asian here in Richmond? yeah well trying to help them understand what we are saying is such a joke so the other day we were at this Chinese person's door and she obviously could not speak a lick of English so I just held up this picture of Jesus and for like one whole minute we just stood there smiling and then she finally understood and we gave her the card. haha story of my life. it was funny. had to be there

Ok, so at my phyiso the doctor told me to pretend my head was like a scoop of ice cream and I was like, "what flavor?" and he was like "Rum Raisin" and than I told him that was disgusting and then he told this huge long story about how it's good and it had nothing to do with anything haha the point was that my head is like the ice cream and my neck is like the ice cream cone and I can't let the Ice cream fall off the Cone so I have to stand straight. ha well that is all I have time for.... 

Be strong and of Good courage! remember the small and simple things! Work iT!!! 1-10-15 & 3-2-1 be you and only you! keep calm and carry on! five starts! Long LiVe.

LOVE YOUR CANADIAN SISTER MISSIONARY FOREVER!!!!!! Sister Jaynanne Petersen!! :) :) 

I Love My Mission

HELLO EVERYONE!!!!!! :) :) :) :) ahhh. what a week. yesterday we had two baptisms. it was pretty good. the rest of the week was a blur. ha. lots of miracles though.

Wendy and Rebecca's Baptism! :) My district.

I went on exchanges.. We have so many meetings this upcoming week! One of which is with an APOSTLE! woo woo. so stoked.  All of your emails were SO dang good! Grandpa's stories are soooo funny.

I have to say that Mollie's email was one of the best emails I've ever gotten on my mission. No offense to any other emails.. I just really miss my Mollie and I can't believe she is going to PROM! I've got mixed feelings about it!

haha Where has the time gone by? that makes me so... dare I say it... "trunky." Gah! I remember that everytime I heard Trevor say that word in his emails home I would just think it sounded ridiculous!  Well now I get it.  I can feel the down hill slope of my mission and it is awful. haha it's like sand slipping between my fingers and I can't even stop it. it's the worst. I love being a full-time missionary! This is without a doubt the best decision I have ever made in my entire life.  I can honestly say that not one time on my whole mission have I ever thought about going home early. never.  I've never even entertained the thought in my head. it's like a sin!  That doesn't mean it hasn't been hard.  There are times when I am just so exhausted and so tired and so so so stressed out, but you know what? I never wanted to give up.  I always just wanted things to get better or fixed and if they didn't then I would just painly endure with a firm hope that one day I'll be able to rest and that it will all be worth it. I've come to know that it is worth it. I wouldn't change a thing.  I have learned so much about myself and the Atonement and about my Savior Jesus Christ and the Restored Gospel and God's Plan. I've had experiences here in Canada that have changed my life forever and I know that these days will be ones never to be forgotten. 

On my Year mark I read the letters I received my first week or so on my mission and I have to say, I have the best family in the entire world.  Your love and support give me the strength to endure without delay and I want you to know that I love you.  I am so happy. I couldn't ask for a better support group than the one I got.  I admire all of you and look up to each and everyone of you so much.  When the hard days come and the feelings of despair and loneliness try to creep in.. I remind myself to be strong and of good courage because I know that each of you believe in me.  I know that I am so loved and thought of and cared for back home.  I hope I make you proud and I can't thank you enough for your prayers.  I know I'm who I am today because I knew you. I've been changed for the better out here. So much has changed but so much is the exact same.  I'm still obsessed with Taylor Swift and I still want my life to be like an 80's movie.  I still have to be the one to open the bag of chips and eat the first curly one I see. (so weird) I still don't drink soda. I still get grossed out and awkward about everything. I still scream and laugh all the time! I still love wearing scarfs. I still sing in the car at the top of my lungs and get road rage.  I still love ice cream.  I still am way OCD about EVERYTHING! I still Work iT!! I still choose the Right.  I still know that I am a Daughter of God.  I am still me and only me.  Testimony Sundays are still my favorite.  I still save money like I don't have any.  I still quote movies without even realizing it.. old habits die hard. I STILL do and am a lot of things, but My mission has taught me to "BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD."  I trust the Lord more than ever before. He is my rock. He is my go to. He is the one I tell everything to.  He is my best friend. he is my Savior.  Before my mission I was just Jaynanne and when I came out I tried to be this Sister Petersen.  One of the biggest lessons I've learned on my mission is how to be Sister Jaynanne Petersen. I thank the Lord for that.  I know he made me who I am today.  So bring on the winds and the storms. Let it rain. Heck, let it pour! It doesn't matter because the Lord is the is my firm foundation and with his hand in mine I will never crumble or fall or break. He's got me. He won't let me fail.  He won't forsake me. He won't let go.  The Church of Jesus Christ is true.  We have a living day prophet who guides us back to our Savior. The Book of Mormon is True. I can testify that what Spencer said is true that God does hear and answer prayers.  God's Merciful Plan is true and real.  The Savior's Grace is real.  I know Families are forever.

I love you all. remember the small and simple things. 1-10-15 & 3-2-1. CTR. Long live. five stars. keep calm and carry on. be strong and of good courage WORK iT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

LOVE YOUR CANADIAN SISTER MISSIONARY! SISTER jaynanne PETERSEN.                 

I'M a HappY CamPer

Thanks TARA!

Hi Ya'll! :) HAPPY 16TH BiRTHDAY ErrrrMMA! I just can't believe it.. I still remember babysitting you when you were five. OH AND ELLiE! HAPPY LATE BiRTHDAY TO YOU! ya hippsterrr ;) TARA I GOT YOUR PACKAGE!!!!!!! WOO WOO. You shouldn't have! haha I have to say that the cheeto's were my favorite part!:) Well Thank you everyone for all your emails this week! LOVED THEM! 

Yeah.. Last week was such a blow, but it's ok.. life is a tough crowd and we just gotta BE FAITHFUL & ENDURE IT WELL!!! We had to give the relief society lesson last minute yesterday so i told the story of dad losing his phone on the hike and it was a crowd pleaser! tear jerker! haha kay. So on Saturday, even though we no longer needed an interview with our investigators, President Tilleman decided to fly all the way here and see us! How kind was that?! He believes that this has all brought about a lot of good because he was needed in parts of the Okanagan and would not have come if we didn't call.  He could have just switched his flight to Kelowna, but instead he came an hour out of his way to Penticton and interviewed us and then was off. I felt pretty special! :) I just love that man! I know that he is a man of God! Him and I had a REALLY good long chat and it was so nice to just sit there and feel the Spirit. He told me that just two days before, he found out that at the start of March, four General Authorities are coming to our mission and one of them is an APOSTLE! ahhhhhhhhH!!!!!!!!! We were freaking out together hahaha. So I better prepare myself well! 

So these past two weeks I've had the opportunity to talk to each of my converts on the phone and I can't tell you how much joy this brought to my soul!  I haven't been able to talk to them in awhile because I was trying to focus and figure this area out ya know?? Well talking to them really caused me to reflect on my purpose as a missionary and how my mission has been going these last several months.. during one of my studies I was so overcome with the Spirit that for the first time in my whole mission I was at peace with my work thus far. For a sweet moment, all the pressure was gone and all I felt was the Lord's deep love for me and I knew that he is pleased with my efforts as his missionary.  It's a moment I will cherish for the rest of my life.  I have become so converted to this work and I know that I am a good missionary.  I know the Lord loves me and I know that I am a daughter of God.  The Spirit also bore witness to me for the first time that I knew my converts in the Pre-existence and I promised them in the beginning that I would help them get to the end, which is Eternal life.  I know this is true.  I know that we are eternally connected and I feel so humbled and grateful to be serving a mission.  I could not imagine being anywhere else in my life right now. I LOVE MY MISSION.  I have never loved anything so much before.  For me, British Columbia is sacred ground because this is where I understood the Atonement and came to know my Savior Jesus Christ.  I feel so blessed to have the knowledge of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am so happy for my family and I am forever grateful that I have them and that I was born where I was.  I believe in Eternity and I know it is truly there.  I just feel so at peace and If I spend the rest of my days as Sister Petersen and Bring save it be NO more souls unto Christ, I will be totally and completely content with that.  I have seen way too many miracles to ever ask for more.  I love my conversion. I love my mission. I love my converts and friends and family. I love the church. I love the leaders. I love the Prophet. I love the Scriptures. Most importantly, I love my Savior Jesus Christ.  He understands everything.  He is my rock. He is my Salvation. He is my Redeemer and I KNOW that he lives.  I know he loves me and I know he cares about me and I love him tremendously.  I love it when I am Strong and of Good courage. I love the small and simple things. I love 1-10-15 & 3-2-1 I love WORKIN iT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love keepin calm and carryin on! I love five stars. LONG LIVE IT ALL BABY! I LOVE YOU! :)
LOVE YOUR SISTER MISSIONARY FOR ETERNITY, Sister Petersen.     

Temple Day

Hey! Sorry I am emailing today instead of yesterday! It is cuz I got to go to the temple today! Ahhhh. It was just the most amazing thing in the whole wide world! I walked away with so many new questions.  In fact, while I was there, I was starting to get stressed out and anxious by things that I don't understand.  I just wish my Daddy was here and could explain it all to me.  Because of the recent changes in the Temple, I was also able to better understand some things too! So, That was so great! There is this lady in our Ward named Sister Andrews and she is a Ward missionary and she comes out with us pretty much every other day and she basically lives at the temple! Well, She had a ton of names for us so I handed them out to all the Sisters in our Zone and yeah! I love that lady so much! She is like our Grandma out here. 

Yesterday was Canada's Thanksgiving! We had Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday at the Boden's and Sunday at Brad and Loretta's!  Oh, man.  The food tasted so good.  Thanksgiving is not as big a deal up here.  It is more so to celebrate the fall.  None the less, I had everyone tell me what they were thankful for and it was really nice. 

The weather has been really enjoyable up here lately, which has been nice!  All the trees are changing colors and it is just so pretty! I love it! I received Mollie's letter last P-Day.  LOVED IT WITH ALL MY HEART! thank you! Love ya child.  Last week I was a bit sick.  I was just having really bad headaches that would not go away! Luckily they are gone now so no worries! Sister Boden gave me your email mom and dad! Thank ya lots.  I'm the same old same old, but more hopeful.  Oh, so the other day I had a frozen hot chocolate at Dairy Queen and let's just say that Canada doesn't know how to make them.  Utah knows what's up. Nuff Said. 

WHITNEY IS GETTING MARRIED THIS WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! right? that is just so dang exciting! my little girl is all grown up! sniff.  :') 

I am trying to think of something exciting to tell you but I don't know what! I got a blessing when I was sick by two cool guys in our ward.. um.. oh I went on exchanges to the Langley YSA with Sister Pavone last week and it was so much fun! Ok, so they cover all of the Lower Mainland and so we drove out to this city called Abbotsford which is what Stake we are in and it's about 45 minutes away.  Well, this place is so confusing.  The streets aren't numbered, they just all have names so if you get lost you're doomed.  Well, It was way dark and we had to head home, so we were on our way and mind you, we don't know the area.  Well, we made it to the freeway and we're like, "YEAH! WOO! WE MADE IT! AHHH!!!" high fiving it up and bones all around and what not! So, we are driving down the road and we look to the left and there is this fence along side of us and on the other side was the freeway and we were just driving parallel to it on some random street. what.  I turned to Sister Pavone and I was like,  --___-- ,  I take that back. haha it was funny, ok....I guess you had to be there.  Don't Worry, we eventually made it home! It was eventful though.  I was still sick and then we both got car sick. Great.  haha  So we had to pull over for a bit.  it was funny though.  I love the YSA sisters.  We are always laughing. 

Every single Sunday without fail, the Bishop calls people up to bear their testimony.  Well, I got called up and I bore it on the Apostles and Prophets and how I got to shake Elder Ballard's hand.  It was really good, not gonna lie! I just know those men were called of God and I know the things which they speak are true.  I love being a member of this church.  I know that this is Jesus Christ's church and no one else.  I love all the Prophets we've ever had in the church! I love being a missionary and I know there is no greater work and duty than to preach the gospel! I want you all to remember to keep things small and simple and be strong and of good courage!

WORK iT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

1-10-15 and 3-2-1.  <<----oh my heck I love that.  five stars! 

Keep calm and carry on! 

Truth will Prevail! 

Love ya all! 

Long live!
-LOVE YOUR SISTER MISSIONARY JAYNANNE PETERSEN!!!!!!! :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) 

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE :) - and other little ditties...

HELLO MY FELLOW SAINTS! :]

Wow! What a weekend! Man, General Conference was soooooo, sooooooo good! 

First things first, looks like I'm gonna stay, stay, stay! I am STILL in the Brookswood Ward! I didn't get transferred. After this transfer, I will have spent half my mission here. dang.  I did however become the District Supervisor Leader person though! Sister Galbraith left and Sister Weller is training Sister Pavone so I watch over them and call a lot and report stuff to the zone leaders and hold meetings and stuff like that! nothing major! I'm still companions with Sister Gale.  

So General Conference was A-MAZING! like ohhhhhh my heck.  there were so many crazy good talks.  I just felt overwhelmed with it all! A couple that I liked was David A. Bednar! let's be honest, the guy is just good. DO MORE WITH LESS PEOPLE! i love it.  I also loved, loved, loved Deiter F. Uchedorfs talk! DOUBT YOUR DOUBTS! President Boyd K. Packer was spot on.  IT'S A MIGHTY FINE LIFE! CARRYING THE SCRIPTURES TO THEM ALL! just saying.  I quite enjoyed Elder Holland's, Eyring's, Ballard's, Christofferson's, Scott's, Mayne's, and of course our Beloved Prophet, Thomas S. Monson.  I wish I could talk about each one, but I don't have time! shoot.  haha but they were all very inspiring and heart felt and true and I know and believe that those men are called of God to preach and teach his Gospel.  I understand and get that the things they taught and spoke of are for us to study and ponder during the next six months.  They taught what Jesus Christ wants us to learn and know about.  I have such a strong Testimony of the leaders of the church.  My love for them grows deeper everyday.  They are incredible and the things which they have spoken are so true.  How can we not hearken unto the words of the Prophets? They are simply the mouthpiece for God.  

Can you hear the Prohpets sing? Singing the song of the Lord our God.  It is the music of the one who shall not be slain again!  I saw a couple theme's in this conference and one of them was of course missionary work.  Missionary Work is everything the Gospel teaches and I feel ashamed to say that I did not see this until I actually came on a mission.  I know that preaching the gospel is  what the Lord wants us to do right now at this time in our lives.  We may not know it, but these are the moments that we're gonna remember most so we just gotta keep going! NOW IS THE TIME!  So will you join in his cruesade and will BE STRONG and stand with me?  Beyond the baracade where there are places he wants you to be! I know everyone has a desire to share the gospel but they just don't know how.  It's not as simple as just saying, "Hey I just met you and this is crazy, but I'm a mormon! Get baptized maybe?" but it could be that simple.  All you need is love!  I know that if we invite our friends to hear the message of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ out of love, then they will not be offended.  So, come join in the fight that gives you the right to be free and share the gospel with your friends! Just do as Elder Uchedorf said and come, come, come! You'll be loving it for quite some time!  Now is the time to Seize the day! He's Sent out the Call! All for one and one for all!  

Another theme I saw was God's love for us.  He loves us sooo much.  We just wants us to be happy and come unto him! He literally just wants us to enjoy this life and he is right there ready to catch us when we fall! I know that if you Just call his name he'll be there in a hurry! You don't have to worry! Cuz baby there ain't no mountian high enough! Ain't no valley low enough! Ain't no river wide enough, to keep him from getting to you! ;)  Sometimes life is hard.  Sometimes we don't see how there could ever be hope in this world of ever changing values.  Sometimes we feel as though Satan has such a tight grip on us and we just can't break free.  So how do we solve a problem like the Devil? Personally, when my world is falling apart and there is no light to break up the dark, that's when I look to the Savior.  When the waves are flooding the shore and I can't find my way home anymore, that's when I look to the Savior.  He is the light and he wants to be our candle on the water.   
His love for us will never fade. It will never burn out.  It will never die.  Whether or not we deserve it, the Savior's love is simply always there so we should live in such a way that we can feel his love for us! I know he loves me.  I know that Jesus Christ died for me and suffered for my sins.  I know that he cares about me and is constantly thinking about me.  I know that he knows exactly what I've gone through and how I've felt and how I still do feel.  He is so mindful of me.  I know that I am a Daughter of God.  I know that He thinks so highly of me.  If we only knew how much he loved us, I think we would then love ourselves more and look past our imperfections and flaws.  I'm very grateful that I have a knowledge of the Savior and of his love for me.  I am very grateful that I have this amazing opportunity to be serving a mission for him here in Canada.  I can not believe that one year ago they lowered the age for missionaries to serve.  That has forever changed my life.  I will never forget that day.  God answers prayers.  He has answered mine countless times.  I would not be where I am today if this were not true.  He loves each of us and he has a plan for us.  Sometimes it is hard to just trust.  But I know that when we do exercise our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, then the blessings of Heaven pour out upon us.  

I love My Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ.  He is my rock.  He is my light.  He is my Salvation. I love each of you so very much! Thank you so much for all the love and support! 

Please just WORK iT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Keep things small and simple and be strong and of good courage. 

Long live baby.  

1-10-15! 

Five stars! 

Work iT! Work iT! Work iT! 

The church is True and Jesus Christ is the one leading it.  

This is His church.  

Let us come follow him.
 

LOTS OF LOVE!!! YOUR SISTER MISSIONARY!!!!!!!! 

JAYNANNE PETERSEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :]    

I Just Love Ya All

Hey it's me, Sista P.  

Things are going alright here in Langley! last week was just so-so.  We had a lot of miracles and blessings come our way, but there is always room for improvement on my part!  We had a Mini Missionary stay with us this weekend! She is 17 and lives about half hour away in a town called Delta.  She is the cousin of my last Mini Missionary so it was really fun! On Saturday we went to the Stake building in Abbotsford and watched the General Relief Society Broadcast and dang it was good.  I love, love, love meetings.  I don't know if I just never paid attention before or if I just didn't know what they were ever talking about in the past, but as I sat and listened, I noticed how often they referenced the Book of Mormon.  I love that book with all my heart.  It is my favorite book in the world! I learn something every time I read it! It is taking me so long to get through, because I can get so much just out of one single verse. This is good and bad if ya know what I'm saying! Lately I've been color coding this Book of Mormon based on topics and it takes me forever.  It's worth it though.

So there is this guy sitting right by me talking really loud on his phone and I can't concentrate at all.  Honestly I'm not in a good mood right now.  I'm really frustrated and annoyed with some different things..  I don't think I should say that kind of stuff to you because it's negative, but I am.  I'm bugged that I feel this way the one time I get to email you guys.  I don't want to just sit here and complain so I guess I'll change subjects.  

Tonight we get transfer calls and I really don't know what is going to happen.  I don't want to jinx it, but I am kind of leaning more to the leaving side... I've been here for a really long time.  I am totally ok with staying longer because I love this area, but I feel like something is going to change. whether it be my companion or my area or what.  I'm not sure.  One thing I do know though, is that I know this area like the back of my hand.  I know where every single ward member lives and I know where I can park and I know what streets I can take that gets me to places the fastest and I know where the dead ends are and I know everyone's names and I know where all our potential&former investigators live.  I can get to a place without even looking at a map.  Just give me the address and I'm there.  If we are in area and don't know what to do, well I know exactly who lives around there that we can drop by.  I know exactly where I've tracted and I even know and can remember who was nice at doors and who was not.  I remember peoples faces and I remember little details about themselves.  I know almost all of the members work schedules and who is available when.  I know our members so well. like even if they don't really know me which is creepy.  I know about their families and I know about their struggles.  I know their pets names and can recite their answering machines to a Tee.  I pray and think about these people constantly.  So yeah, I feel like I have a predisposition about my area lots and so I'm constantly striving for new insights and revelation on how to strengthen it and help it grow.  So in some ways I think it is my time to leave and I could even see them white washing this area (taking us both out and putting two new sisters in) Yes, I do know this area and these people very well, but There is absolutely no way this would even be considerably possible without the Lord.  There is no way on earth that I would be able to remember everything if it were not for Him.  He helps me soooooo much.  The Spirit is constantly bringing things to my remembrance and constantly reminding me of the small and simple things that I overlook.  As to my own strength, I am SO embarrassingly weak.  I don't know what I would do without the Lord.  He has helped me through so much.  I would be lost without him.  I have so much I can work on though and I'm not saying that I don't forget stuff because I do! TRUST ME! but more often than not, the Lord in his merciful way, helps me remember to do things.  I love him for that and so much more.  I just love my Savior and I have such a strong testimony of him and everything that he has done for me in my life.  I feel so humbled to be his daughter.  I feel so blessed to be numbered among his sheep.  I feel so honored that I am in the position to share the gospel and I feel so incredibly blessed for my knowledge of his plan.  I don't know what I ever did to deserve so much grace from Him, but I am truly in awe of the Atonement.  It has played such a huge role in my life and I know that serving a mission has helped me understand it so much more.  Honestly, serving a mission has forever changed my life.  I get it now ya know? I see the big picture.  I understand my purpose.  Can I just say that I love you all so much.  I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. If you only knew how I was feeling right now.. you would then understand how great my love for you really is.  Thank you for everything.  I have the most incredible family in the world.  Words can not express how much happiness you have brought into my life.  I miss you a lot and when I'm struggling, like right now, I want nothing more than to call you and talk. Just vent. Just let it out. But I can't. I know that. And that is ok.  That is when I can access and rely On the Atonement and Our Savior Jesus Christ.  At the end of the day He is my rock.  I can't wait until I get to hug Him and tell Him how much I love Him and thank Him for giving me Mollie and Oskar and Mom and Dad and Trevor and Spencer and Abbie and Jeremy and Ellie and Tara and Jessica and the First Ward and just everyone.  I was placed in the most amazing family ever.  I feel your love and support so strong and I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Thank you.  There are days when I'm really tired and days when I don't know how much more I can handle, but then I think of you.  I think about how much each of you are cheering me on.  I don't want to let you down.  I don't want to be a disappointment to you or the Lord.  When I think of all your love, I can't help but think how much greater the Savior's love is for me and it pierces me to the very core.  I scarce can take it in.  I don't deserve it.  I mean I am so imperfect ya know? and yet He just loves me and my flaws and my imperfections.  One of the hardest things I've had to overcome and still have to overcome and think about sometimes is not feeling guilty for my weaknesses and doing this self pity dance.  I know that discouragement is selfish and I've seen it completely control some people out here.  So whenever the 'poor me' thought creeps in, I stop it and think of how I can do better next time and improve.  I just am so humbled to be a member of this church.  I love it with everything I have.  I love being a missionary. I love Jesus Christ.  I love so many things that I could really sit here forever, but I won't do that to you.  Just know that I love you.  I have a testimony of this Gospel.  I know that it is true.  Ellie, I too would give everything up for the Plan of Salvation. I know that my family will be together forever.  I know that God knows me and he knows the desires of my heart.  So I will go where ever he wants me to go and I will be whatever he wants me to be.  I owe him EVERYTHING! well my time is up.  I love you.  Please know that I pray for you everyday.

Be strong and of Good Courage.  keep it small and Simple. Long live. keep calm and carry on. truth will Prevail. please just Work iT!! 1-10-15. five amazing stars.

                      -LOVE YOUR MISSIONARY SISTER JAYNANNE 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! :]

I've Got Sunshine On a Cloudy Day

HEY Whaz Up my fellow Saints?!  

haha alright where to begin.. Well the church is true. We got that covered.  check. This past week was just Eh.  Nothing too exciting to share about. Oh the other day, We had just got back into the car after going to a no show of a lesson and I look up and watch this squirrel get ran over by a car! what? true story.  It was a bit disturbing if I do say so myself.  I didn't know if I should take that as a sign or something.. at any rate, it was gross.

Yesterday Sister Gale and I taught our Gospel Principles class and afterward, we handed out these smarties that we rolled up in sticky notes which had a message on it! Everyone loved it! The Elders were like Ah man.. we got to do that! ha ya that's right.

So up here, everyone drives around these old fashioned cars! Like...they are everywhere! I love it sooooo much.  They all come out during the summer apparently.  It's so cool to see them.  they are so nice lookin' too. Like they take really good care of them.  I want one! Speaking of cars,  I saw a crappy purple scion the other day.. I was like ha that's funny. Anywho, last Friday we went on Exchanges! I stayed here in Brookswood with Sister Galbraith who is our District Supervisor and in the YSA ward.  I love her!  Exchanges are soo fun.  We were walking down the street and this guy on a bike peddled past us and this lady was riding on his handle bars and was facing him and had her arms around him. haha it was weird and as they went by we kinda stopped talking and just like stared at them.. haha weird. Maybe they were on a first date and he was trying to impress her! who knows.  young love. so presh. 

So our Relief Society lesson was way good yesterday.  First off, the lady who teaches reminds me so much of my mommy.  We went over to her house and it's just like mom.  The yard. the porch. the chickens. everything.  She even had random furniture from a yard sale, drying from her paint job! Anywho, she taught this lesson about how we just need to love ourselves and be positive. She said that we need to compliment ourselves and not be so hard on ourselves and negative all the time.. give ourselves credit!  She told some really good stories.. One of which she went off on how often someone will do something and we will be like, "oh you are just like me!" She said that is such a great and positive compliment to ourselves because usually whoever you are saying that too is someone you really respect or admire.  Then someone raised their hand and said that we should picture the Lord saying that to us.  For some reason that hit me so hard.  So I tried to picture him saying that to me.. like when I get over OCD or stressed or when I want things to be perfect or when I try my very best to get the most out of lessons or the scriptures or my studies or people.. or when I try to listen to the promptings of the Spirit or say the right things or be a good example or plan effectively.. or even when I'm annoyed or frustrated or sad and discouraged.. I just sat there and pictured him saying, "Jaynanne, you are just like me!" It brought me a lot of comfort and it helped me to know that the Lord is on our side and he is right there with us through thick or thin.  We are NEVER alone and he knows exactly what we are going through.  I Jaynanne Petersen Know that I am a Daughter of God.  I know he loves me and thinks about ME all the time.  I know he just wants me to be happy and gain experiences and enjoy life! Words can not express how much I love MY Savior. I am so grateful for the Atonement and I am so grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ.  I know that this church teaches and is the same teachings that Jesus Christ taught when he was on the earth.  I know that it was restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith and I know that we have a living day Prophet named Thomas S. Monson who loves us and is constantly seek revelation on how to help us live in such a way that we can return to be with our Heavenly father and His Son and our Families forever.  I have the most amazing family and friends.  Thank you thank you thank you for just everything. 

You are my sunshine on a cloudy day.  You are my rock. You are my everything.  

Thank you so much for loving me and supporting me.  I hope you all know how much God loves you.  Your Soul is So great in His Sight! He see so much potential in you!  Never forget that you have the best gift ever called the Holy Ghost.  Use it. I love you all!  

By small and simple things are great things brought to pass. keep calm and carry on. 

BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE. 1-10-15. 

Life is good. don't be hard on yourself. 

God loves you just the way you are and really, his opinion is the only one that matters. 

WORK IT! :] 5 stars. Long Live. 

LOVE YA!

-LOVE SISTA JAYNANNE PETERSEN!!! :]