Online Profile

I'm officially online! Check out my Mormon.org profile :)

http://mormon.org/me/57XX/

I'm still alive, I promise

Hello my friends,

Yikes, it's been over 3 months since my last post... Whoops. I blame the fact that I don't have internet at my house and when I go somewhere where I can update, it's usually the last thing on my mind... But thank you to those who still follow this (if there are any of you left haha)

Well let's see... Since my last post, I had a job, quit said job, and got a new job. I was working in a mail room but quit shortly after (it's a long story, one of which I don't want to get into over the public internet...if you're that curious, ask me and I'll tell you all about it ;) ).

About a week and a half later, I started working at my current place of employment... Mathnasium! My brother, through his many connections, helped me get the interview and I've been working here for 3 months now.

It's a ton of fun and I LOVE it! I work as an instructor/tutor with k-12th grade students. It's pretty evenly spread across the board of ages. The kids test my patience a lot but it's good for me. I'm progressing in work too, being given more responsibilities which is also exciting. The job is only part-time though (the center is not open all day because of school) so I may soon begin looking for another job...either part-time for the morning or a full-time and quit here. I'm not sure yet...Time will tell.

Christmas was good. My brother and his little family came down from Utah for a week and it was nice having the whole family together. It was a little hard Christmas day for me because it's not how I pictured this Christmas. I pictured all my family together still but anxiously awaiting my phone call, not me actually there with them. Other than that, it was good.

New Years was also fun. I'm eager to see what 2012 has in store for me. 2011 was a good, and rough, year but some very memorable things happened in that time... My mom and I went to New York, I went through the temple, I graduated from college, and served a mission. How many people can say that?! :)

I've been enjoying having my mornings and early afternoons off. A typical "day in the life" of me is I wake up, have a breakfast smoothie, read my scriptures, do the laundry, make lunch, do the dishes, work out/exercise, shower, and then head to work. It sounds boring (and sometimes it is) but on the whole it is very fulfilling. I feel like I'm a homemaker in training and I look forward to the "real deal."

I have the wonderful opportunity to go the temple each week and I absolutely look forward to that special time. I live about 35 mins from the Mesa Temple but only about 10 from the Gilbert Temple. Each time I pass it, I'm amazed at the growth in the construction! It's sooo exciting! (I tried posting a picture but it was huge...sorry).

I'm getting better acquainted with my ward. It's taken awhile but it wasn't until about a month ago that I really began trying and the results are amazing. I'm starting to have friends outside of church to hang out with, more acquaintances and familiar faces at church and activities, and even gone out with a couple of boys...don't get any ideas. I'm still NO WHERE close to marriage, but life is picking up and I'm loving it!

Well sorry for the novel with hardly any pictures. I'm at work right now (and don't have my camera) so hopefully next time it will work out.

Random side note: I'm going to see WICKED this Saturday with my mom for the 4th time in 3 years, and I can't wait!

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