Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Wake-up Call

I'm sure many of you who follow Daniel on Facebook saw this picture. A member and friend of Elder Peterson's in the Single Adult ward where Daniel is serving snapped this during church and was nice enough to post it to facebook for the whole world to see! : D 
Doesn't he look so happy and awake?! Lol! Here were the facebook comments made about it:



Sunday via mobile 

Homeboy does not want to be in church today. Hahaha. Jk. Best missionary ever. Hand holds and all. — withElder Daniel Peterson.
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The next day was P-Day for Daniel and I was able to chat with him for a bit through e-mail. Of course I had to give him a hard time about the picture! Here was his response:

LOL! I wasnt tired!! I mean, I'm always tired but that just comes with the territory of a missionary! Especially one in leadership. I hate it sometimes just cause I always feel exhausted =P 

We Love you Daniel! Get some sleep, and then WAKE UP!
Posted by Randi at 11:29 AM 0 comments

Picture Post

This last P-Day Daniel was able to e-mail a bunch of pictures home. They didn't come with any sort of explanation, but they do a good job reminding us the #1- Daniel is still Daniel, and #2- he is doing some pretty amazing things!


Word.
Apparently Missionaries are recyclable! Who knew?!

 


Companions
 


We've seen all of these faces before. Daniel has made some pretty good friends while he's been out!


Posted by Randi at 11:12 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

FAN-FREAKIN-TASTIC

Hey Everyone! I'm on! And thanks for the letters this past week, they were great!

 Randi,
Yes I got all the letters and the package. Thank you for that! First off... those little mint ball things?!?! FAN-FREAKIN-TASTIC!!!! Haha, those were awesome!!! Definitely a game winner and keeper. When I opened up the saran wrap on em I smelled Thin Mints. I thought, "She crushed up a whole bunch of Thin Mints and made something out of them." Than I took a bite and fell in love. A perfect 10 in my book! 

Anyway, this week was alright. A little slower than usual. We only had about 5 lessons.... We went on a few exchanges this week and got some things done. We recognized a few issues that need to be taken care of as far as what people study. The seriousness of the time that we have to receive revelation in the mornings is being taken too lightly with a few missionaries. This upcoming Zone Meeting we are going to touch on those things a little bit and then take the necessary actions the next day to see if it is being applied at all. At that point we will make any corrections needed. But, other than that things are going alright. My companion is super trunky and just ready to get home. It's kind of killing me. If we are in a lesson he is alright but, other than that it's just about all that is on his mind. I know we just need to get out and work and that will help but it only seems to help for a little bit. Ah well. Part of the mission experience right?? Haha, it's good though. Let's me know how much I really love being out here. 

~Elder Daniel Peterson
Posted by Randi at 11:00 AM 0 comments

January Update

Hey Randi!
Things are going well! No complaints other than Elder German being super trunky : P *Trunky is a term missionaries use when they are feeling homesick* He always reminds us of how many days he has left. But it's good! But to answer your first couple of questions... The difference between a District & a Zone is the same as the difference between a Ward & a Stake. *Like a city v.s. a state. There are lots of cities/wards/districts in a state/stake/zone* Difference between normal missionary & Zone leader? Lots of Administrative stuff. Sunday nights are filled with paperwork. We keep stats, record of who was baptized  whose on date for baptism who fell off & why, who the DL's went on exchanges with & other stuff. Besides Sundays we have other meetings we attend like with Pres. Howes or with Stake Presidents. We do baptismal interviews & go on exchanges with people in the zone to get a feel for how things are going & if there's anything we can do. There's kind of a lot, but it's not too overwhelming since it's kinda spread out. As for Elder Carroll, he goes home toward the end of March. He is an Assistant to the President (AP) & will be till he goes home. So, all of his mail just gets sent to the mission office. He will be super stoked to get any sort of mail. He always asks me when Katie is going to send a letter his way. I keep telling her to but she never does. Though, from the sound of it, she needs to!*Katie- GET ON IT GIRLY!!* Help her get her priorities straightened out and lose some of those needy friends.
*Some personal content was omitted here*
Katie has always kind of put her friends above family. I think it's cause she knows we will always be there for her & she wants to keep her friends close. But I don't know for sure.

     Side Note! *He litterally wrote this sideways on the paper- dork!*
You don't have to stop your letters when you get to 2 pages! Ha ha!

But yeah, things are good. We are only teaching 3 people but these 3 are pretty solid! Sara works for Chick-fil-a & is the person that opens up new stores all over the place. She's interested & has a sincere desire to follow Christ as best she knows how. Kaitlyn is a cross-fit trainer/waitress at P.F. Changs & has been exposed to the church her whole like cause of family & friends & likes all of it. She is going to invite her boyfriend to meet with us cause she sees him as a "Dry Mormon". It's kind of funny but she is way solid too. Anthony is looking for a new job but currently works at a college. He had LDS co-workers & wants to learn it all. He is super interested & doesn't want to do anything contrary to God's commandments. Once again... Solid. So that's everything going on in my life. Oh! So, remember how I said I was writing Jovanna? Well I have yet to get anything in response to that so I don't know if she got it. Also, Stephanie started to write me. Haha, so yeah, that's all!
I love you Randi! Thanks for being so awesome! Love you! Miss ya!
~Elder Daniel Peterson
P.S.- Here's the mission home for Elder Carroll if you didn't already have it:
1871 E. Del Rio
Tempe AZ 85282
Posted by Randi at 10:52 AM 0 comments

E-Mail Chat

D: Hey everyone, I'm on! you can send e-mails now!

 R: DANIEL!!!! I'm putting the finishing touches on your package right now and then I'm headed to the post office to ship it out! Did you get my letters? Sorry, I'm a dork! I don't know if you're still on, but if you are write me back so that I know I'm not talking to no one! lol!

 D: hahaha awesome!! I just sent out a letter to you today in response to your last letter so you should be getting that about the same time I'll be getting that package. Thanks for those!!

 R:No problem! I hope you like it. And, just FYI, I made cookies to go in your package too, but they came out so flat it's not even funny, so I don't think I'm going to put them in there. I'll try to find something else to take up the space.

 D: LOL they dont have to be super full!! But, I do appreciate it! =)

 R: Yeah, I know, but the more full they are the less things get tossed around. And, I like to send you stuff! Lol! So, how was your week?

 D: Haha, I guess that's true. It was alright though. It has rained the last 3 days straight and is supposed to rain again today. But the lessons we did have were pretty good. Besides that we just talked to a whole bunch of people that werent interested and we helped a guy paint his house he just bought.

 R: Wowza! Sounds like you've been busy then! That's good to hear. I'm sorry it's been raining so much. It's hard for me to get out of bed on rainy days so I can't imagine having to get up as early as you do and get hoppin' on things. Well, I have to go make my girls some lunch before they mutiny! (lol) I love you very much Dan-man! I hope things are going well for you. We all miss you lots! Keep up the good work!

 D: Thanks Rand! I love you too. Have fun with the Girls!! Miss ya!
Posted by Randi at 10:19 AM 0 comments

Area Question Catch-up

Hey Randi!!
Look! we got a typewriter! But, I only get to use it for about...well, today =P The whole transfer thing is messing this one up for me, haha. But I get to us *use* it now which is great for answering all of those questions you wanted me to answer. So, Here are the questions for both areas.
From Tempe!
How many Comps? 2
Who were they? Elder O'Tool and Smith
How many baptisms, who and when???
     *Last names will be left out for privacy*
     Jeff- 18 Aug. 2012
     Kasandra (Kassy)- 27 Oct. 2012
     Jodi- 3 Nov. 2012
Who were fav. contact(s)/members?
     Jones Family (Grandview Ward)
     Griffin & Letcher (Alameda Ward)
     Can't remember but it's on a planner TH... (Alameda Ward) *?? We'll have to get Daniel to clarify this when he gets home. ??*
Food...
Interesting: Crab legs (I know... but it was "the most interesting")
Best: MAtheson's Pork roast
     (Put them on the list of contacts too)
Worst: COrned Beef Hash and Spam (THank you Elder Smith...)
Favorite P-Day Memory: Smith and Neiderhauser wrestling
SOmething Never Forgotten: Drunk people and a shooting
     And Elder SMith
One Thing Learned: Patience, Love and setting a good Example
Summary: Craziest people, nicest members and poorest area make for a great experience and a lot of mission stories.
From Gilbert!
COmps and Who? 1, Elder Derbidge
Baptisms? technically one, Hadil, but a couple more coming up... Michele and Brea.
     Hadil- Jan. 5 2013
     Michele- Jan 10 2013
     Brea- whenever things get fixed with her hubby
Contacts/Members: Bro. Irizarry, Bro. Wilcock, Bro. Biggs, Bishop Clark
Food...
Interesting: homemade pizza (dough and all)
Best: Bro. Dalton and Wife's Tacos
Worst: PHan's food, simply because of the amount we had to eat. it was good and I never had a bad meal but I wasn't hungry for 3 days afterwards...
Favorite P-Day: New Years Eve watching Lion King
Never Forget: Friggin Loaded!!!
Learned: "NEVER ASSUME"
Summary: The area is awesome, the members are awesome and the investigators go through heck when they try to enter into the convenant of baptism.
Here ya Go Randi!! Hopefully this is everything you wanted, LOve ya!! BYE!!!
~Elder Peterson
Posted by Randi at 10:11 AM 0 comments

Half Way Questions

Hey Randi!
So, it's been forever since I've written & I never responded to all of your questions for the scrapbook. So! Here you go!

Q1: "What us your favorite scripture? Why?"
A1: Mosiah 4:21. It talks about charity in a different way than most other scriptures. It talks about how we are all dependant upon God. How He gives us everything. So, why should we not do the same to those that ask of us? Whether that be food, clothing, shelter, money, or in my case, as well as any member of the church, The Gospel. We have been so heavily blessed by it; why would we not share it with others?

Q2: "If you were to give future missionaries advice, what would it be?"
A2: Be Obedient! Stay close to the rules and bounds that have been set before you. Just as God tells all of us to "prove me now herewith" about the law of tithing, He will also "open up the windows of heaven" if we are obedient.

Q3: "Who has been your favorite companion so far?"
A3: Elder Caroll. He helped shape me into the missionary I am today. He showed me obedience, he showed me a great work ethic, he showed me how to follow the spirit in everything.

Q4: "What is one thing you have missed the most from home?"
A4: Home. Haha, the family, the ability to be alone & to think when you need to, playing the piano when I want to & other things. So, the things that went on inside the walls of our home.

Q5: "What do you think you will miss the MOST when you leave the mission?"
A5: Being able to dedicate 100% of my time to spreading The Gospel. I have never been tried harder but I have also never been happier.

Q6: "Over the past year have you learned/experienced anything you never expected to?"
A6: I never expected to experience the literal physical exhaustion the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost brings. Joseph Smith felt it time & time again, sometimes fainting because of the spiritual & physical toll it played on his body.

Q7: "What, if any, goals do you have for your last year out?"
A7: Simply put, to fulfill my calling. "To invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored Gospel." Whether that be the man/woman at the bus stop, the family that knocks at the church's door for whatever it maybe, the single mother/father, the less-active member, the active member, the Bishop of Stake President, the Elder of Sister, or myself. To invite ALL to come closer to Christ.

Q8: "Who is your favorite sibling?"
A8: Christ.
*Not quite the answer I was looking for, but a hard one to argue with.*

Thank you for all you have done for me. For constantly sending me letters & packages & pictures of the family. For these questions & the time it has given me to reflect on my mission & my own spiritual path. I have one last favor of you to ask. Tell Mom I am sorry for not writing her this week. I feel bad. I need to prioritize better. Also, tell her that my pant size is 34, I checked my white pants. I love you Randi. I miss you & thank you again for everything.

~Elder Daniel Peterson

P.S.- I'm wearing a sweater-vest right now. : P
I might be getting transferred in 2 weeks. So, remember to write to the mission home around then. Or just wait : P!
Posted by Randi at 9:49 AM 0 comments
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