The Desolation of Smog

I am not quite sure what happened last week so I'll do my best to
explain. A lot of crazy and randomly weird things happened. So let's
go!

Yreka is on fire and there are a lot of forest fires happening as I
speak. The sky is full of smoke and it smells like smoke outside. You
can hardly see the mountains anymore!

To start we were talking to these two boys that were hanging out on
the church lawn, and as we were talking this guy rode by on his bike
and he was jammin to old music and so all four of us stopped talking
to stare at him drive by. Then we carried on talking.

We had interviews with President Russell and I learned a lot about
seeing the face of Christ! Also about taking responsibility for our
own actions. It was a great lesson for all of us to learn!

We finally got to have a lesson with D & T on
Saturday! I've missed them since they've been gone for the past two
weeks. Bishop was able to come with us which was perfect because he
answered D's "life long question" about how the priesthood was
passed down from Jesus Christ. We taught them the restoration and
explained that we needed that priesthood authority from God to be
baptized. D is so ready to come to church and be baptized, but he
is waiting for T to accept this as truth. Which is ok because they
downloaded the gospel library app and will listen to the Book of
Mormon this week, and I know that as she listens and studies she will
come to know that it is the word of God and her doubt will leave.

We've been reading the Book of Mormon every day with a family called
the P's. C has been investigating the church for a couple
years and calls himself a member already. He's hoping to be baptized
in December! We read at least a chapter every night and last night we
got to 1 nephi 21, so they are almost done with the first book of
nephi! There is such a pure spirit about the family because they are
doing all that they can to go to the temple and be sealed for time and
eternity. That goal is pushing them to keep gods commandments and
continue being better every day. They're a strong example to me to be
the best that I can because my goal if to be with my family for
eternity in gods kingdom. I love having the bigger perspective of
things.

On Saturday we had a lesson with S. who we met last transfer. When
we got there the spirit felt different, almost empty. And it ended up
turning in to her asking a lot of questions that were conflicting to
our views. When she thought she stumped us I thought back to last week
when I had that moment of struggle, and I remembered the answer that I
received after sister Alldredge and I prayed for help. And when s.
tried to persuade me and make me doubt I was stronger than ever. My
testimony cannot be changed. I believe that we have moments of
weakness to strengthen us. If I didn't have that experience the week
prior who knows what would've happened on Saturday, but because my
testimony was at its strongest I had the confidence I needed to walk
away from that meeting and know that my beliefs are correct and that
the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the lords kingdom
on the earth today.

Sister Alldredge and I taught gospel principles on Sunday about
heavenly families. We talked about how we are all children of God and
what that means. So what does that mean to you? How does that help you
every day to make decisions? Or help you know your worth? When we
understand that we are children of an all loving Heavenly Father then
the way we see ourselves grows. Along with that we talked about gifts
and talents that we receive from God. And I was reading in the
scriptures in Moroni 10:11 from the Book of Mormon and it talks about
how great faith is a gift! Who knew? Well I sure didn't until I read
that. And the way that we develop or strengthen those gifts is to pray
and ask God for help. So I've been doing that this past week to help
my faith become more perfect.

If I've learned anything from this week It is that God has perfect
timing for everything and through him I can accomplish all things. I
hope you all can know that as well and trust in him! I love you all

Love,
Sister Peterson