1 Nephi 4 : 6-7

“And I was lead by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do. Nevertheless I went forth..”

Over the past year this has become one of my favorite scriptures. Why? Mostly because of one talk given in the church magazine the Liahona.

It was written by Richard G. Scott(1928–2015) of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles. And he focused it on prayer, explaining that we can receive three types of responses to our prayers.

First is the response of yes. Richard G Scott said "When He answers yes, it is to give us confidence"                                                                                                                                        The second response is no, "When He answers no, it is to prevent error."                                                                                                                                                                            Then he goes on to explain the third answer that we can receive is actually no answer at all. He goes into greater detail when he explains "When He withholds an answer, it is to have us grow through faith in Him, obedience to His commandments, and a willingness to act on truth... Nephi’s efforts to obtain the plates of brass show how the principles work. After two unsuccessful attempts, Nephi remained confident. He crept into the city toward the house of Laban without all the answers. He observed, “I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do,” significantly adding, “nevertheless I went forth” Nephi was willing to try time and again, using his best efforts. He expressed faith that he would be helped. He refused to be discouraged. But because he acted, had confidence in the Lord, was obedient, and properly used his agency, he received guidance. He was inspired step after step to success.” 

When we act we will truly be lead.

I mostly love how Nephi shows his faith, and how it shows to me how the Holy Ghost truly does guide us. Not only in a spiritual way but also can physically guide us when needed.

I love these ideas mostly because I know they are true. There has been times in my life were I had no idea what I was going to do with my life, my day, my next moment. I had to lay my whole life down before God, so that he might be able to hold me up and guide me to do the right thing, so that I may become better.

So that is my challenge to you!

When you dont know, keep going with faith!

If you have an expirience that you would like to share make a comment:)

and then there was one.

Week Seventy-Seven!

I don’t know if I will write next week or how it will be but here is a basic outline of what will be happening.  I will work like a missionary until Friday night at 6pm.  At 6pm we will unite all of my friends here in Ambo we will celebrate my leaving and that of Elder Recalde, and also my birthday because I say so.

Friday at 9pm we will return to our room and I will pack all of my junk and get ready for Saturday.  Saturday at like 10am I will start the 8 hour ride to Presidents house.  When I get to presidents house I will have my last interview Saturday night.  Sunday in the morning I will assist whatever ward in Huancayo I pick (I’m thinking Chilca but I’m not sure yet).  Then Sunday afternoon we will have the first half of our training about how to study, get a job and get married.  Then Monday morning we will finish the other half of the training and get out and go shopping in Huancayo like p day status.  Tuesday we do nothing waiting for the bus to leave at like 1pm then my flight leaves at 1:10am and I’m in my house at 3pm on Wednesday.

This week was good.  We saw the baptism of a young man named Yuliñho.  He has lots of desires to stay firm in the church and not just be baptized, and that is the most amazing thing, so yeah that’s a thing.  See you next week.

The first photo is of Jordan’s baptism by the elders, the second is Yuliñho and his parents.

Why Peruvians don’t smile in photos I still don’t know.

Second to last email.

Week Seventy-Six!

Well today I would like to talk about something that I learned in my mission.  While I have been going through ups and downs these last 18 months there is something very interesting I learned.

I went and visited a therapist and after many meetings and tests, I learned that I have something called Perfectionism.  That’s right I’m a medically diagnosed perfectionist.  (I’m guessing that it stems from my mom’s OCD)  But if you are wondering what that means here’s a little medical snip it.

Perfectionism is a medical condition characterized by severe self-criticism and self-doubt, often accompanied by anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive behavior. It can lead to appetite and sleep disturbances, confusion, problems in relationships, inability to concentrate, procrastination of important tasks, and, if left untreated, major depression, and anxiety disorders.

Now why have I waited to mention this?  I don’t know, but I realized that I haven’t and told my companion and she yelled at me for not telling anyone.

So here I am.  My main treatment has become looking at the positive side of things and it usually helps a lot.  So.  That’s what has happened.  I no longer need a therapist.  But it is a lifelong thing.  So that’s it on that.

Ambo is good.  They are planning my farewell / birthday party.  So I’m assuming that will be fun, and we also have a baptism planned for this Saturday.  I’ll let you know how that goes.

Love you all

Hermana Peters

The Week of the 4th

Week Seventy-Five!

This week was good.  The highlight was definitely the 4th of July.  The Elders had a baptism of an investigator of like 2 years but he finally made it and it was great.

Also the same day we have less actives who make fireworks and this night they just happened to be testing some of their fireworks out and so we had fireworks and it was fun.

I’m still working and Ambo is still about the same so there is work to work.

Happy Week

Week Seventy-Four!

This week we had a special Multizone with Elder. W. Christopher Waddell from the 70 (those first ones if you have to ask) and it was really good.  He focused on when the call to hasten the work was made there was an "upgrade" of missionaries.  Before they were the missionary 1.0 where their only goal was to baptize.  Now we are missionary 2.0, because we don’t only work to baptize (even though it is our main focus) but also retain the new members and activate the less active members.

Something that really hit me is that he said our Heavenly Father saved us for this time because in the war in heaven he saw us fighting for his plan working to help our brothers and sister to choose what is right.

I really liked that because I feel the love I had for them (our brothers and sisters in heaven).  I feel like the mission is more like that time than ever because people still have to choose and we are just here fighting for them to do what it right and that was the most amazing to me.

That’s all.

Bye

The Trujillo temple dedication

Week Seventy-Three!

First off, the short news stories.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILL AND SYDNEY.

I thought there was more but I actually think that was it.

This week was really a blessing I got to see via satellite the temple dedication of the Trujillo Peru Temple.  It was the greatest blessing just knowing that Dieter F Uchtdorf and David A Bednar were in Peru even if they are 18 hours away.  We had the pleasure of listening to talks given by the Temple President and his wife Elder Uceda (remember him?) and Elder Uchtdorf.

All of the talks were really good.  The things that stood out to me were the talk by the Temple President, he said that if we are not full of the pure love of Christ (or charity) than really we need to work to be more worthy of the temple.

Elder Uceda shared 5 things we can do to prepare for the temple.

1. Always have a current temple recommend.

2. Buy your temple clothing now, and have it to remind you to go to the temple.

3. Fill out the book My Family and start looking for your ancestors.

4. Always have a picture of the temple in your house so that you and your children can remember how important it is for you.

5. ???

However, the talk that really stood out to me was by President Uchtdorf.  He spoke about how we can know that we are walking before God with all of our Heart Might Mind and Strength. And we can know that we are doing well if we are worthy of the temple.

It was amazing.  You could really feel the spirit testifying that the temple is something really, really important not only for us but also for the Lord.  Another miracle this week.  Our pensionista forgot she needed to give us lunch on a Sunday (and we couldn’t buy food) but the Lord blessed us so much for going out and working even though we were hungry at almost every appointment we were given fruits and cookies and I could only think of the scripture in 3 Nephi 13 that says " Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." I was amazed at the miracles we get for working here in the work of the Lord.

Love you All

bye

[no subject]

Week Seventy-two!

This week was really good.  We are working hard with some really good people to try and help them more, I don't know what else to say.

We made lots of puppy friends this week and that was awesome.  We are anxiously waiting the dedication of the Trujillo temple this next week so we are really excited about that and i am sure that we will have lots more stories about that next week.