A Missionary's Work: Faces

3/6/2017

Magandang hapon mga awesome tao!

Ya this week was kinda crazy from transfers and teaching and traveling. So in transfers (I felt it coming) I lost Elder Dela Cruz and now have Elder Jaena (like HI-na). He's pretty darn cool and way different from my last companion. I always think of it as we're each assigned a specific companion, that we will learn something from their strengths and weaknesses and can grow and change from them.

Though besides that craziness, it's all good here in Bongabon, Philippines. The people are still freakin' awesome and it's about to be super hot fire here, summer is coming. We will be working hard here and sweating it up, ha! I am considered by all (by "all", that means only me, ha) to be the fix-it-up man. I fix everything especially if I'm stressed or need to take a break.

So the cool part of this week was today actually. We went way up in the mountains to take some pictures. It was great. We saw waterfalls and rivers. I also got to see an area of people where there was little of anything, just a few shacks and at least 1-2 hours from anything. You know how you can see how someone is doing in their eyes. Yea, I saw in one 19ish guy with 2 kids in a small, falling apart shack, the wear and tear of life. I could see he felt like he was at a dead end and needed help. Then I thought about the gospel of Jesus Christ, something that has changed my life in such a huge way. I am serving 2 years in a foreign land teaching people, and it isn't even close to a sacrifice, but a privilege. I have seen the change, the hope gained, the faith build, that has happened to people through his gospel.

So that's my cool experience for this week, love you all, stay Pogi!

Elder Peterson

A Missionary's Work: Give A Little and Take A Little

2/27/2017

Hey guys (and girls), how's just coming out of winter? Because it's summer here year round, ha!

It's been a good week for sure and it's also super close to transfer announcements and day (which means either one of us could go to a new area). so we have been working harder than before, which was already hardworking. though the highlights were 3 baptisms on Saturday and finding some very willing and interested people to listen to a message about Christ's gospel returning to earth. The most sad part was one of my friends, Elder Farish just went home, finishing his 2 years serving the people, and how tomorrow they may be somewhere else and I may never see him again. Just sort of, do we forsake the time we have with those we love, kind of deal. (sort of grim-ish).

So to lighten the mood, I'll tell you about the culture. Every bathroom is a two-in-one, toilet and shower and a drain. Also the kids love to try to use an American accent when they see you and it's funny none the less. Anyway, along with hearing some Billy Joel today, it's continued to be a good day. Oh, and Filipinos hate black licorice (yep, I have some here in the Philippines #MansCandy).

Morgan loves animals

Anyhow, the best part began last Monday after emailing. One family we have visited since I have been in Bongabon, and they are great, but I could tell there was some kind of contention between the parents always, and if you can't teach with the spirit, you shouldn't. So we would check up on them and see if anything would change every now and then. Last Monday we taught them again and could feel no contention and actually a lot of peace. They had a change of heart. It wasn't like they saw an angel and then decided to change something in their lives, but they decided to give a little and take a little. The entire lesson I felt so happy and I could tell they were too. Sometimes when we have a problem, we turn to someone else and say, "it's your fault", when we should, like earlier "give a little and take a little". Like forgiving, serving, or when you know you're right but your sister insists you are still wrong and you let it go. I guess it's sort-of like a balance we need to find in life. Something that feels quite impossible but really it is possible. We become more of who God wants us to be. I know God has a plan for us and that he helps us become so much more than we are now. And I know that balance in life is important and hard and possible.

I love you all, see ya next time!

Elder Peterson
Here's some more randomly awesome pictures.

Happy belated Birthday! He makes treats to share with people but has no oven

 

A Missionary's Work: Another Day, Another Moment

2/2/2017

Well this week was great and busy. We had exchanges one day and were in Gabaldon then another day in Kalikid for a baptism interview, having a district leader as a companion can be crazy. I may  not have his responsibilities but I do have to go everywhere with him and take most of the responsibility of our area, a two person job, so sometimes it's a little stressful but we are happy and work hard still! Lovin' it up (or rather down here, I think, ha) here! Though transfer day is close we are working hard to help these people.

Today was awesome, we had a district activity and went on a manly hike with a lot of water falls to take pictures of. For some reason, the pictures aren't uploading so I'll have to send them another time, saya!

Anyhow, I heard a great song the other day called, "If tomorrow never comes" by Garth Brooks (weird to have heard that here, but I can say I have heard way weirder things in this country). I love the meaning of this song and if you have a chance to listen to it, do it, and read the lyrics, they're really good. It says, "If tomorrow never comes, will she (his wife) know how much I loved her". It makes me think about time now, would we be ready if we died tomorrow? Did we say sorry? Did we help someone out in time of need? Do we show those we love that we really love them, or in this case, do they know it? Of course we have the high long-term goals, that take time and money and strength, but are we putting what's important first, like God, family and those precious memories and moments? We shouldn't miss a moment, each one is important and a blessing! We can show our love in many ways, like service. We can put those important things first, and we can make and keep the memories made each day and make the most of them. For me that means even when I'm tired and don't feel like talking to people (especially here in another language), I force myself to be happy and talk to them, trying to show God's love for them. These are the moments that count and mean the world to people, especially if out of sacrifice. Of course doing those crazy things with your good 'ol pals are the best (like the good 'ol days jumping bikes off the big hill next to jimmy's house, ha!). Well, love you all and hope your week is great and remember make some memories.

Elder Peterson
Song Link with lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhLRNqFRrKc

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

A Missionary's Work: A New Guy, Actually Elder

2/6/2017

Hoy everybody,

It's Elder Peterson again and this week on A Missionary's Work, we get to hear how our worker Mark is now assigned in the Davao, Philippines mission. Ya, it was really cool to get to be a part of that and he was so nervous, as most missionaries are. It is just two years in another place, teaching people, and trying to change their lives for the better. Anyway, my guess of America and Baguio missions were wrong, probably a good thing I don't gamble, haha!

Today I went to Cabanatuan, which is the trike capital of the world and a big city, to become one of those crazy people that drive here (really just convert my license to a Filipino license. It's required just in case you are called to a position that you need a car). Though all the mga CPU were offline so I have to wait until next Monday,  saya (dang-it)! And, good news, we had two birthdays on Sunday, which is just bounds of good, good people, good-ish singers on videoke, and missionaries favorite, good food (even better, good, Free food).

Anyhow, this week we have been trying to help this crazy situation between a great couple, a new member, and the great couple's parents. The situation goes like this: The couple's parents are having a falling out with family, the couple is having a hard time forgiving, and the new member is lonely because the couple won't forgive. Yep, my least favorite thing in the world... Drama. But to help them come closer to Christ and learn how to give up some pride and forgive is really important, so we teach on. So, because this whole situation is about forgiving and repenting, something interesting happened. One day, my companion did something day was really displeasing and I lost a lot of trust for him because of it. So later on, with a discussion, prayer and pondering, he searched to be forgiven (parts of repentance), and I got over my pride and forgave him. Though, when we make decisions, they will have a consequence, whether good or bad. For my companion, even though he has been forgiven, he needs to gain that trust back. Now I trust him a lot more, and respect him more because of this situation. Though I will say it wasn't easy. My emotions ranged from straight rage, sad and betrayed to feeling love, joy and renewal. Very weird range but in the end you come out stronger than before. I know that we had that situation and learning of repentance and forgiveness, so we can further help those in that earlier situation. I know as we follow Christ's example and forgive and repent, which were given to us through Christ's atoning suffering and sacrifice, we can learn and grow in our own lives and help others too. I love you all and challenge you to forgive and ask for forgiveness when the time grants it. It sometimes takes a lot of humility but in the end, we are better people and a little closer to Christ and his amazing example.

Mamakita po kayo susunod (will see you next time),
Elder Peterson
pics of course...