Letter from Tate, Jan. 28, 2014 + 2 photos

Hello family and loved ones! 

This week has been pretty darn fantastic, I tell you what.

- Amber and Chandler were baptized yesterday. It was so amazing... the spirit was so strong in the room. We had a lot of people there and some of Ambers non-member family came too (that was awesome). Derek (Ambers husband) was able to baptize them both and that was a huge miracle. Next Step: Get this family to the temple! 

-We went to visit Amanda Brown on Thursday. We made plans with Amanda at the beginning of the week to come help around the house, etc. on Thursday because she is pregnant and has kidney stones and is understandably not able to do much. But anyways, we get there on Thursday and Amanda's dad says that Amanda is too tired so we can't see her but it was freezing outside so he let us come in for a little bit. Luckily, Sister Dixon was determined to see Amanda. We knew that she needed us that day. We saw some clothes on the couch so I said "well we could fold these clothes for you". He (kind of) agreed so we just got going on it and chatted with him about this or that. When the clothes were folded Sister Dixon said "Well I'm just going to take these back to Amanda" and she did before he could stop her. But when we got back there we found her laying on a bed with no sheets surrounded by garbage. The reason why they didn't want us to go back was because they were embarrassed, but both of them are just simply not able to. We got to work cleaning and folding and we got Amanda to sit up on a chair so that we could put sheets on the bed, etc. While she was sitting we brushed her hair because it was in knots and even trimmed the ends a bit at her request.  We had such a good time with her and it was so wonderful to leave her in a room where she would be comfortable and feel peace. We will go back each week to do the same thing. 

- Christy Hammer is doing so well! (She is an investigator that we found a while ago) she is praying for the strength to tell her VERY Church of Christ family that she is going to baptized and we have plans to start the stop smoking program with her on Wednesday. Please keep her in your prayers... we know that this is going to be hard. 

-Phyllis.... where do I even start? I love this woman. She is real character. I just have to tell you about her really quick... she's like sixty years old, super tan, bright red LONG nails, obsessed with Betty Boop, brutally honest, low scratchy voice...she is one of those tough on the outside people that has the softest heart of anyone.. you know the kind I mean? She comes to church almost every week in one of her sparkly red tops and she feels the spirit every time we come over, but she just cannot quit smoking. It makes me SO sad because we want her to have these blessings and she wants them too. Man, Word of Wisdom is killin us these days.. we are trying everything, but most people here have been smoking or chewing (or both) since they were kids. We are trying to implement better ways to help people but in the mean time it's just driving us crazy. Darn Satan... 

-We started teaching this ex-convict gangsta guy and he is SO SOLID. Seriously, he wants so badly to change his life and for the past two years he has been drug free, crime free, etc. We taught him about the atonement and he was so focused in on what we were saying. One of his friends who used to be into the same kind of things is currently a really active member of our ward and he is on board to help us teach David. He should be coming to our FHE tonight in Burkesville so I'll keep you posted on that one!

-Today during our p-day we went to visit an Amish Iridologist who looked into our eyes and told us some of the coolest things and he was able to give me some herbs to help with my headaches (missionary stress... it'll get to ya). He is a father of 12 and lives out in the middle of nowhere. Coolest dude EVER. 

I love you all and I hope that your week was as awesome as mine! 

xoxo

--Sister Peterson

pictured below: 

Me with my good friend Geneva down at the nursing home

Us with the Scott family before their baptism! 

The Tompkinsville Weekly Update: By Sister Peterson (Jan. 20, 2014)

Hello wonderful family! 

Here is a quick update of how things have been down here in the wonderful south.

-We are making very good progress with our contacts! All the people that were faltering are now stronger than ever and we plan on them staying that way. There's this woman named Phyllis and she has felt the spirit stronger than any of our investigators, and she knows that it's true, but she is having a really hard time with quitting smoking (shocker there). I finally broke on her and straight up said, "Phyllis, you need to try to quit. You know it's what Heavenly Father wants and I know that if you quit smoking you will be so blessed and I promise that the Lord will take away all your anxiety and depression if you do." It came out of nowhere and I was really surprised that I said it and quite scared to what her reaction would be, but she simply sat there, a bit shocked as well, and said, "Okay, I'm going to try." HALLELUJAH! The spirit TOTALLY spoke through me and it was exactly what she needed to hear. So yeah, that was cool.

-With finding new investigators we have had some luck. Yesterday we went to go visit an investigator and she had her friend over which was perfect because we were on The Plan of Salvation. After the lesson, her friend asked if she could have a Book of Mormon and she told us that everything we taught her made perfect sense. It's so cool how Heavenly Father prepares people and will throw them in our path. We have met 2 other investigators, but they are slowly but surely coming along.

-So far, I have tracted (knocked on random doors) once. We have 40 referrals so far so it's easy to say that we are very very busy. I love it.

-The hardest thing about Missionary work for me is the early rising. Waking up at 6:30 has been SO HARD. Even though we go to bed at 10:30PM I still find myself walking around like a zombie all morning. I thought it would get easier, but boy was I wrong. Sister Dixon has been out here for 4 months and she still has a problem with it. I am permanently tired, but I stay awake and attentive thanks to snacking on good fruits and most likely Heavenly Father.

-Missionary work is so rewarding overall. I am learning so much about time management, how to take care of myself, and I am especially learning some really great social skills. I love it. Even though I'm out here doing service for the Lord to thank him for all he does, he blesses me even more.

-I try writing in my journal every week. With all the time that I don't have, finding that 3 minute break to write in my journal is a bit challenging, but I promise you that I will do better. I just think of my future kids reading through my journal and seeing nothing and I don't want that to happen.

Please pray for Amber Scott, Chandler Scott, Derek Scott, Phyllis, Jesse Adams and last and not least, PLEASE pray for Amanda Brown. Amanda is 7 months pregnant and she just barely had her first doctor's check up, but don't fret, all is well. She is having a baby boy. She does however, have very bad anxiety, depression, and she has been passing a couple kidney stones this past week.

I love and miss you all like crazy. Stay healthy and stay happy!

--Sister Peterson

Here are some photos: 

 A Warning sign from a fellow Christian Church.

 A bridge I thought was pretty. There is a small stream below it and it reminded me of Grandpa Andersen for some reason.

 A wonderful cow mailbox.

Letter from Tate, Jan. 20, 2014

Hello wonderful family! 

Here is a quick update of how things have been down here in the wonderful south.

-We are making very good progress with our contacts! All the people that were faltering are now stronger than ever and we plan on them staying that way. There's this woman named Phyllis and she has felt the spirit stronger than any of our investigators, and she knows that it's true, but she is having a really hard time with quitting smoking (shocker there). I finally broke on her and straight up said, "Phyllis, you need to try to quit. You know it's what Heavenly Father wants and I know that if you quit smoking you will be so blessed and I promise that the Lord will take away all your anxiety and depression if you do." It came out of nowhere and I was really surprised that I said it and quite scared to what her reaction would be, but she simply sat there, a bit shocked as well, and said, "Okay, I'm going to try." HALLELUJAH! The spirit TOTALLY spoke through me and it was exactly what she needed to hear. So yeah, that was cool.

-With finding new investigators we have had some luck. Yesterday we went to go visit an investigator and she had her friend over which was perfect because we were on The Plan of Salvation. After the lesson, her friend asked if she could have a Book of Mormon and she told us that everything we taught her made perfect sense. It's so cool how Heavenly Father prepares people and will throw them in our path. We have met 2 other investigators, but they are slowly but surely coming along.

-So far, I have tracted (knocked on random doors) once. We have 40 referrals so far so it's easy to say that we are very very busy. I love it.

-The hardest thing about Missionary work for me is the early rising. Waking up at 6:30 has been SO HARD. Even though we go to bed at 10:30PM I still find myself walking around like a zombie all morning. I thought it would get easier, but boy was I wrong. Sister Dixon has been out here for 4 months and she still has a problem with it. I am permanently tired, but I stay awake and attentive thanks to snacking on good fruits and most likely Heavenly Father.

-Missionary work is so rewarding overall. I am learning so much about time management, how to take care of myself, and I am especially learning some really great social skills. I love it. Even though I'm out here doing service for the Lord to thank him for all he does, he blesses me even more.

-I try writing in my journal every week. With all the time that I don't have, finding that 3 minute break to write in my journal is a bit challenging, but I promise you that I will do better. I just think of my future kids reading through my journal and seeing nothing and I don't want that to happen.

Please pray for Amber Scott, Chandler Scott, Derek Scott, Phyllis, Jesse Adams and last and not least, PLEASE pray for Amanda Brown. Amanda is 7 months pregnant and she just barely had her first doctor's check up, but don't fret, all is well. She is having a baby boy. She does however, have very bad anxiety, depression, and she has been passing a couple kidney stones this past week.

I love and miss you all like crazy. Stay healthy and stay happy!

--Sister Peterson

Me and Sister Dixon! Aka. My twin

More Pictures (Jan. 13, 2014)

And yes... that is indeed a fish mail box. 

That's a meal that a family made us one night... I'm in fried heaven.

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU (force being the spirit) 

--Sister P.

tour of tville (3)

9. Our Back yard view <3

10. Our living room

11. Sister Dixon's desk

12. My desk

Tour of Tville (2) (Jan. 13, 2014)

4. Everyone is literally OBSESSED with Dollar General. The Smoke Shack, unfortunately, is also a big hit around here. 

5. Mariachies! Our one and only restaurant! A little bit sketchy.. but they have the yummiest chips and salsa. 

6. We decided we would take pictures of all of the "corners of town" look, a church! 

7. Ope... there's another one! 

8. and another! 

Tour of Tomkinsville (Jan. 13, 2014)

Tour of Tompkinsville!! 

By: yours truly... Sister D and Sister P <3 

1. Super Classy Shopping

2. Dovies... the town hang out. Half Pound Burgers cooked FLOATING in oil. Most people experience cold sweats after eating them because of how much grease they have. We are not even kidding. 

3. In case you ever decide to come for a visit... Tompkinsville Inn awaits you! 

Greetings from good ol' Kentucky... (Jan 13, 2014)

Hello everyone! Things have been really great down here in Tompkinsville and it continues to get better every day. 

Some fun things that have happened this week...

- We had 100 people come to church on Sunday! 

- A 25 year old member that we have been working with for a while now has decided to serve a mission! This is a huge miracle because when I first came out she was 1. addicted to cigarettes, 2. had a problem with marijuana, 3. hardly came to church and 3. is an only child surrounded by people that aren't... what would you call it... good examples...? 

She is a changed person inside and out and she shared a beautiful testimony that made everyone cry during sacrament meeting yesterday. Ah, makes me so happy. 

-Chandler and Amber Scott have been meeting with us twice a week in preparation for their baptism on January 26th. 

- The weather here has been quite ridiculous. We had icy cold -2 degree weather at the beginning of the week, and now we're having 54 degree weather, so the thunder storms have been endless. And everyone knows that thunder storms are my favorite (not). 

Sorry that the week hasn't been as exciting... It's mission life, what can ya do. 

Love you all, 

--Sister Peterson

Pictures from this week (Jan 6, 2014)

-We survived the blizzard of 2014

-Our backyard a few days ago... WE'RE SO LUCKY

I don't have a lot of time, but here's my week update (Jan 6, 2014):

UPDATE: 

-On New Years Day, all the missionaries from our zone got together and we spent the entire day together. We played plenty of card games, board games, and a very intense game of spoons. 

- Two days ago we had a ginormous snow storm hit in my area. The temperatures are at a record low starting at -2 degrees, but don't you fret. Me and Sister Dixon are staying safe, warm, and even though we couldn't drive yesterday night, we traveled by foot and taught most of our neighbors. 

- Yesterday, our ward was celebrating the 20 year anniversary of our church building, and we had TONS of investigators come. For the first time in history we had 125 people in our congregation. Our mission president and his wife drove up to T-ville to speak, and the spirit was very strong. Me and Sister Dixon (both getting over bad colds) sang  "I know that My Redeemer Lives" at the event, and even though we sounded a bit rough, there wasn't a dry eye in the building. 

- We are working to have 3 baptisms this month! Each investigator has been working hard, and all of them have quit smoking completely, which is a HUGE miracle. 

Love you all! 

--Sister Peterson