A Missionary's Work: Unity in the Family

2/13/2017

Hoy everybody, kumusta?!

Here we're fine and working hard! Every day is a great day, even when sometimes it's hard to get up and get going. I will say I miss you all, but these two years are worth the wait (sorry guys, ha). So one thing about culture that is so different is self-image. Everyone here loves to look in the mirror constantly and wants to be not too skinny and not too fat, some kind of meridian that doesn't even exist. But at the same time, that's where they are the most direct. It's not weird to have met someone and say, "wow, you're fat!" or "You need to gain some weight!", but they could get offended if they were not invited to that birthday party of a friend of a friend sort of thing. To me kinda weird, but okay lang I love them just the way they are (for those Bruno Mars fans out there).

Anyhow, this week was great and today I finally got my Philippines driver's license, sweet! After two days and hours waiting in line, I have a paper! Gotta love it. Though this week was actually really great, we are teaching a lot of people and trying to help them come closer to Christ, what more of a calling could you ask for?! It is truly a blessing, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and my favorite is the plan of happiness. Through this plan, we have the ability to be with our families again and have the opportunity to be in our Father in Heaven and his son's presence again. What a blessing! But specifically, my favorite part in this plan is how God loves us so much, he give us this 2nd chance for all those people who don't know about the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is, after death on this earth, we have the opportunity to be taught the gospel, use our agency or choice and choose to accept it or not. An opportunity to have all those who never knew of Christ and his sacrifices to learn and choose to follow him. I know we have those in life who are dear and near to us, for me it is my Dad. He died years ago, but this plan of happiness gives us the hope and faith, and him the opportunity. Man how I absolutely love our Savior and Redeemer and his mercy. I love you all and if you want to learn more about the Plan of Happiness, even to just understand what "Those darn Mormons" believe in, just contact your nearest Mormon friend (I know Coach D is cracking up right now, haha!) or check out www.lds.org or www.mormon.org.

Love you all and have a Happy week!

Elder Peterson