Keep the Faith

So much has happened this last week that I don't even know where to
start! So I'll start with how hot is was. It got up to 105 last
Thursday and we got to walk around and contact people all weekend!
Also we sat outside for most of the lessons we taught. So here we go!

Sister Alldredge and I gave talks in sacrament meeting on uplifting
others in the gospel. At first when we got the topic we were like what
the heck are we supposed to talk about? But then after a long week of
thinking I was able to be inspired and talk about helping people
understand that they are children if God. I believe that when people
understand their worth then that will help them get through those
trying times. It's a lot more motivating to know we come from a
loving Heavenly Father to be able to get help from him, and to
understand that we won't live in that hard times. I also talked about
developing Christlike love and how it will be able to help us serve
those around us and make sure our brothers and sisters are happy.

We had a lesson with D Saturday, and he told us that we blew his
mind last lesson when we talked about baptism and the priesthood. This
time we taught about the plan of salvation. It was pretty sad because
he told us that when he died he didn't want to become anything. He
just wanted to die and that be it, but as we taught about resurrected
bodies and how they will be perfect he really liked the sound of that!
He has faced a lot of trials and opposition in his life, and we know
that this gospel will help him through it all, but his wife T who
is also meeting with us is holding him back because she doesn't want
to be pressured or choose this when she isn't ready. It was hard though
because D thinks that he can't turn around and help those who
he's wronged along the way, but they will also have the chance to
change and repent. Which is what is so amazing about gods plan for us!
It's so perfect and everyone will get the chance to learn whether it
be now or later.

Guess what! I got to go back to grants pass again! We had a
specialized training there with a couple other zones. I got to see
sister Dobbs again which made me happy and we were in the beacon hill
Ward building! It was such a good meeting! We talked about what makes
a successful missionary. They focused a lot on our attitude. When we
have the right attitude we can get up when we fall and always work to
help people on their journey in this life. So whenever you fall don't
stay down! Get up and keep going because someone needs you. President
Russell talked a lot about Joseph smith and boy let me tell you my
testimony grew so much. Watching the struggles he had to go through to
make sure that we had this gospel on the earth today is amazing. His
dedication to God is something that I'm really striving for. I want to
give my all to God and do my best every day on this mission.

We went to contact someone who was referred to us the other day and as
we were going to knock on his door this little boy came out from the
neighboring apartment and wanted to talk to us. He showed us where he
found some "gems" and then gave us some. His mom came out to see where
he was and when we saw her we started talking. She was really nice,
but didn't seem interested. Then she invited us inside for some water
because it was probably about 100 outside. When we were inside she
shared with us her entire process of coming closer to God. She is
amazing and grew up without religion. She had to find God for herself.
She goes to a church over in apple gate which is about 1 hour away
from Medford. When we left her house she told us to come by any time
and then she invited us to stay for dinner, but we couldn't. Fast
forward a couple days. Sister Alldrege and I were walking down the
street and someone drove past us then they stopped and reversed until
they were parked next to us on the street. It was S! She just
wanted to say hi. Then her little boys invited us to come clean with
them and so we did! We walked over to her house and helped her clean.
She loves Christian music so we bonded over some artists then she
played worship songs for us. She's super good at the guitar and
can sing! It was amazing. Before we left that time we shared the
because of him video. The spirit was so strong that she started to
tear up. She felt the spirit and we all knew it. We shared the Book of
Mormon with her and she said she would read it when she found time but
she really wanted it. I'm really praying for her because I love her
and her two boys a lot and I want them to have what I have.

We had a lesson with C  and his family at the Medford
temple. President and sister Russell came with us and we read 1 nephi
8 with them. They were so excited to get back on the path and get to
the temple. We took pictures of them in front of the temple so they
have it to look at and work towards every day.

Have a great week and help someone around you remember their worth! I
love you all

Love,
Sister Peterson

We hiked table rock this morning. I got up at 4:30...