Happy Thanksgiving :)

I promise I haven't forgotten about this blog I just don't have the patience to post with my iPhone. However, you're all worth it :)

Life is getting better. I recently started a temp job at Mutual of Omaha Bank in Tempe. I work in there lock box mail room and oh my goodness it's intense!!! It's not what you imagine with carts and cubbies but is very high tech and fast paced. I'm trying to remain calm while learning. Plus it will be nice to replenish my money supply and have something to do during the day but it sure is tiring. I have new-found respect for my stepdad who has a huge commute and also my mom who both work so much... I've been spoiled.

That's pretty much it for now. I recently celebrated my 22nd birthday and my mom took off work and we partied, including going to see Breaking Dawn (LOVED it!!!!!!!!). Crazy it's already Thanksgiving and Christmas is only a month away :) Happy Holidays!!! ;)

That one time I bought a truck

Since I've been home, the need of a vehicle hasn't been too pressing since I'm not working, but would be nice to have eventually, especially to help my mom and Kevin out. I would very casually look but nothing serious. Well one night my mom and I were walking around the neighborhood and we saw a truck and I fell in love with it.

It shocked my mom, Kevin, and even myself that this was the vehicle I wanted. It's a 1984 Ford F-150. They both went with me to check how it was mechanically. Considering its age, it is in GREAT shape. We need to fix it up some (which is really Kevin's thing), but overall it was a great buy! So here it is...

Compared to me, the pip squeak, it looks even bigger than it already is, but that's OK! I'm also researching to have it painted (I'm looking into metallic royal blue) and the seat needs to be reupholstered, but it still drives fine. [Oh! Did I mention it's a stick shift! Even better!] It makes me so happy every time I see it! :)

You know the saying is true, "Silly boys, trucks are for girls!" :)

Still Moving

Hello Everyone,

I promise I'm still alive. Life has been interesting these past couple of weeks. It's been rough but times slowly get better. Line upon line... ;)

I might start working next week. I won't know until about Friday. If I do, it will be at Wells Fargo's Corporate Home Mortgage Dept in Tempe. I'd be a peon, being in charge of filing and finding paperwork, but it's a good job, great start, and my foot in the door for just graduating college.

Perhaps the hardest thing in life right now is accepting this really is my life right now. As hard as it is, I know I'm where the Lord wants me to be, which helps a lot. I still feel in the dark, but I'm moving. I'd like to say I'm moving forward but it's hard to know which direction is which when you feel lost, but I'm still moving so it's going to be OK.

Need to run. Thanks for your prayers. I appreciate them more than I can express. You're all wonderful!

Change of Plans

Well, I'm pretty sure the not-so-secret is fully out, but just in case you didn't know, I'm back. I've been honorably released from my mission due to some medical issues. No, I'm not dying. It's nice how many people care about me, yet are very curious about what happened, but I'm sorry I'm not ready to be so open about something so personal. But here is what I will say...

I loved my limited amount (6 weeks) of full-time missionary service. I did not expect nor wanted this to happen. I can honestly say that I gave it my all and this is God's will for this significant change of plans. I don't know if I'll be going back out nor am I really ready to consider it right now. But I do know that God is loving and though this is a very hard place to be in life, I'm grateful that He loves me and is watching over me.

I'm anxious to learn and see what He has in store for me.

Hola!

Can you believe that another week has come and gone? I can...lol time is slow during the day but the weeks seem to come around a lot quicker... Less than 3 weeks until I'm in New Jersey!!! I've heard hear and there about the hurricane/tropical storm that hit the East Coast...my heart goes out to them. Maybe they'll be more receptive to the message, that is my hope anyway.

I should be getting my flight plans next Thursday (just 9 days away!) That's going to be so weird but awesome. This is all so surreal, but it is exciting at the same time. Another piece of great news is I should get to be a host missionary next Wednesday when the new missionaries come (you usually get to host your last 2 Wednesdays, so I'm optimistic!) What would be even better, is that first Wednesday (Sept. 14) my old roommate enters the MTC and I would LOVE to be her host! Keep your fingers crossed :)

I found Aunt Connie and Uncle Dale yesterday when they came in!!! It was such a happy moment ;) I originally found them while I was in line for food at the cafeteria as they were leaving and I was really bummed. But as I was leaving after lunch I saw them in a conference room with a lot of other senior couples and I just stared at them hoping they'd turn around. Haha it was funny because then an older missionary came by and asked what I was looking for and I told her I saw my aunt and uncle in there. She looked at her watch and said why don't you go in?! The meeting doesn't start for another 10 mins. I looked at my companions and asked if that was allowed, she said why not?! You got my approval! It was great. So I went in and hugged Connie. She met my companions and we arranged to eat dinner together that night. BEST DAY EVER! I haven't seem them today since it's been P-Day, but I still have 5 days to see them ;)

Hmmm...what else to report on? Spanish is ever so slowly coming. There is obviously much room for improvement but whenever I can see that I progressed it just makes me so happy. I've been forewarned though that it's a harsh wake-up call again once you're in the field with re-learning the language too, so I'm trying to keep that in mind too. It makes sense...We only really learn gospel terms and such here, so we can practice teaching. One step at a time...

It has been a good week though overall. We all forget that yesterday was Labor Day because it's not like we got the day off haha but then when we realized that affected mail check it was a little bit of a bummer. Oh well, maybe more will be waiting for us today :)

I really can't think of what else to report on. Watch as soon as I hit send I'll think of something...I'll make a note for next week :)

I've been reading a lot lately in the Pearl of Great Price and it's AWESOME!!! I'm almost embarrassed that I hadn't discovered it before. I love Preach My Gospel. This handbook truly is inspired and a great resource not only for missionaries, but everyone. I have come to appreciate it more now on my mission. What a blessing.

Well, that's it for now. Thanks for letters and prayers. It's such a strength and blessing. I really do appreciate it all. May the Lord be with all of you.

Until next week, Have a great one!

Love,

Hermana Peterson

Another Week

Hola family and friends,

Another week almost passed...really? I agree that time is speeding up and it always surprises me when another P-Day arrives but each day can feel so long sometimes...But less than 4 weeks until New Jersey! In about 2ish weeks I should be getting my flight plans and I cannot wait!!

Some pretty hilarious things have been happening this past week. Let's see where to start... This past Saturday was my District's halfway mark at the MTC. My mom was so kind to send me a couple of goodies but the last day was the best. She sent a long, triangular shaped FedEx box that was filled with candy, party poppers, blowers, and stickers. I shared them with my district. We decided to throw a "rave" (aka party) with one of our teachers because a previous week he had said he had gone to a rave with his girlfriend and we somehow joked about it...anyways on Saturday, the plan was to surprise him but the keyword was "rave." We finally got him to say it so we popped the poppers and blowed the blowers and one elder flicked the lights on and off really fast, it was awesome! Totally shocked my teacher. He's a good sport about it :)

Another thing that happened with the package was one elder decided that the box was the perfect shape to play baseball with. One of my companions "pitched" him a small bag of peanut M&Ms and he hit it. HARD. We opened the bag after and he actually cracked some of the peanuts! Though that was epic, the best (or worst) part was he hit the bag at just the right time for our strict teacher to walk into the room. She was not happy, to say the least. She took the box away and scolded us and then left. We kinda got right to work...after some more giggles...

The fire alarm went off last night while everyone was preparing for bed. We were told to evacuate to the nearest parking lot (it was only the girl's building) and were there for about 45 mins. I'm so glad I wasn't in the shower!!! That would have been terrible... They still expected us to be in bed by 10:30...yea that didn't happen. We were close, though (10:45) So that's whats been going on this past week that's pretty out of the ordinary.

I'm so excited that Aunt Connie and Uncle Dale are coming into the MTC THIS Monday!!!!!!!!!! I have seen where most of the senior couples sit in the cafeteria and auditorium and I know what building they live in so I think I'll be able to find them...It's going to be GREAT :)

Well sorry this isn't the longest letter but I'm almost out of time. Thanks to everyone for your prayers and letters. I love getting emails (from family), DearElders, and especially handwritten letters. There's just something extra sweet about them...but don't stop! I love ALL forms of mail :) It's been nice, this week especially I've received some mail from people I wasn't expecting and it's always a sweet surprise. Please keep it up.

I'm grateful for your prayers and know they are a huge strength. Thanks to everyone and I selfishly ask for you to please don't stop. Thank you :)

Until next week, have an awesome one!

Love,

Hermana Peterson

Pictures!

DaNae's first full day... still wearing her "greenie" stickerFamous World MapDaNae with her companions Hermana Wagner and Hermana Henderson (both going to New Mexico)DaNae's going to New Jersey!