Last Emails as a Full-Time Missionary

Elder Petersen wrote one last email to us, his six siblings that has touched our hearts immensely. So excited to see this man in TWO DAYS!

SO...

IM GOING TO BE VERY LAME AND DO A MASS E-MAIL TO YOU GUYS FOR MY LAST ONE. WELL EXCEPT FOR THE "MEAT AND POTATOES" EMAIL THAT IM GOING TO SEND TO MOM AND DAD. :)

WELL, ITS OVER. I STILL HAVE TODAY AND TOMORROW, BUT TODAY IS P-DAY, THEN SAYING GOODBYE TO PEOPLE HERE IN LETHBRIDGE. THEN TOMORROW IS SPENT DRIVING TO CALGARY AND IN THE MISSION HOME. THEN..... YOU GUESSED IT.... FLY INTO CALI!!!!

THIS HAS BEEN THE SINGLE MOST GREATEST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE. I HAVE LEARNED AND LOVED SO MUCH. FROM ALL THAT I KNEW, TO ALL THAT I THOUGHT I KNEW, NOW IT HAS CHANGED INTO A SOLIDIFIED DECLARATION OF GOSPEL TRUTHS. I AM VERY PROUD TO SAY THAT WITHOUT A SHADOW OF A DOUBT, I KNOW THIS GOSPEL TO BE TRUTH. IN THE LAST 2 YEARS A LOT HAS HAPPENED, THINGS I NEVER THOUGHT WOULD OR EVER COULD. BUT I AM VERY GLAD TO SAY THAT THE LESSONS I HAVE LEARNED BY BEING BLESSED TO EXPERIENCE WHAT I HAVE ARE ONES I WILL HOLD TO FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. IT IS TRUE THAT WHEN WE HUMBLE OURSELVES AND ALLOW OURSELVES TO BE TAUGHT, HEAVENLY FATHER WILL SHOW US GREAT MIRACLES TO BLESS OUR LIVES. YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THIS MISSION HAS DONE FOR MY LIFE. YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE 6 OF YOU HAVE DONE FOR MY LIFE. THE FEELING THAT I GET WHEN I THINK OF MY ENTIRE FAMILY BEING ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THIS CHURCH, IS ONE I GIVE THANKS UNTO MY GOD EVERY NIGHT FOR. SO MANY MISSIONARIES OUT HERE HAVE SPLIT FAMILIES, BROKEN FAMILIES, SEMI ACTIVE FAMILIES AND FAMILY MEMBERS WHO HAVE GONE ASTRAY. BUT THE BLESSING OF HAVING ALL 7 OF US KIDS, MOM AND DAD, AND NOW THE GROWTH THROUGH MARRIAGE AND BIRTH, ACTIVE TRUE BELIEVING DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST IS ONE I CANNOT BEGIN TO EXPRESS MY THANKS FOR. THE JOY OF KNOWING WE ARE A FOREVER FAMILY SEALED IN THE TEMPLE IS SOMETHING THAT KEPT ME GOING IN MY DARKEST AND HARDEST TIMES. YOU 6 MEAN THE WORLD TO ME!!! FROM ONE BROTHER TO MY 6 AMAZING SIBLINGS.... I LOVE YOU!!! IM SORRY FOR THE TIME I NEVER SPENT WITH YOU BECAUSE OF WHAT AND WHO I THOUGHT WAS MORE IMPORTANT. I MAKE YOU THIS PROMISE, YOU SENT OUT LOGAN PETERSEN, A SCARED19 YEAR OLD KID WHO DIDNT KNOW MUCH AND HAD MIXED UP PRIORITES, AND IM COMING BACK AS ELDER PETERSEN, A MAN WHO KNOWS WHO AND WHY HE LIVES AND LOVES! I WILL NEVER PUT ANYONE ASIDE FROM MY SAVIOR AND FATHER IN HEAVEN BEFORE YOU GUYS AGAIN. I LOVE YOU!!!

SEE YOU IN 2 DAYS!!! REMEMBER, WE ARE STOPPING AT IN-N-OUT FOR LUNCH, AND I AINT BUYING....LOL

LOVE

ELDER LOGAN NEIL PETERSEN

CANADA CALGARY MISSION

And here is his final email to my parents- I love his testimony at the end:

WELL, WHERE TO START. SO BY SAYING I NEVER SAW THIS DAY COMING IS A VERY BIG UNDERSTATEMENT. YOU DREAM OF BEING IN THIS POSITION YOUR WHOLE MISSION. NOT REALLY WANTING TO GO HOME BUT AT THE SAME TIME, HAVING THE DESIRE TO SEE THE ONES YOU LOVE AND LING FOR THE MOST. BUT KNOW THAT DREAM IS A REALITY. AND WITH THAT REALITY I WANT THIS ONE TO BE KNOWN AS WELL. I HAVE A TRUE UNDYING TESTIMONY OF THIS GOSPEL! IT HAS CONVERTED ME TO LIVING THE GOSPEL IN A WAY THAT I NEVER THOUGHT I COULD. THE SINGLE MOST GREATEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN AS A SERVANT OF THE LORD, IS MY OWN CONVERSION TO HIS GOSPEL. A CONVERSION THAT WOULD HAVE NEVER COME WITHOUT THE CONSTANT LOVE AND SUPPORT OF A RIGHTEOUS FAMILY! I WILL NOT SUGAR COAT THINGS AND SAY IT WAS AN AMAZING 2 YEARS, EVERYDAY BEING EXACTLY WHAT I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FILLED WITH ONLY JOY AND NO DISAPPOINTMENT. BUT I WILL SAY THAT EVERY DAY IN THESE PAST 2 YEARS HAS MADE ME INTO THE MAN I AM TODAY. A MISSION IS SOMETHING I THOUGHT I UNDERSTOOD AND KNEW WHAT I WAS IN STORE FOR, BUT IT HAS TURNED INTO A PERIOD IN MY LIFE THAT I WILL LOOK BACK TO FOR THE REST OF MY ETERNAL EXISTENCE. I WISH I HAD THE VOCABULARY AND SPEAKING ABILITY TO CONVEY MY FEELINGS ABOUT A MISSION AND THE TIME YOU SERVE, BUT THE BEST WAY I KNOW HOW TO DESCRIBE IT IS BY THE MEMORIES I HAVE AND THE EXPERIENCE I HAVE GAINED. I HAVE SO MUCH TO TELL YOU ALL AS YOU CAN IMAGINE. BUT I CAN PROMISE YOU THAT THE OLD LOGAN... IS A BIT DIFFERENT. I STILL TELL STORIES I PROMISE YOU THAT... BUT THEY ARE STRETCHED NOT NEAR AS MUCH...LOL. I WAS SENT OUT A BOY WHO DIDNT KNOW MUCH, AND IM COMING BACK A FROZEN POP-SICKLE FROM CANADA WHO STILL DOESNT KNOW MUCH...LOL. IM KIDDING! BUT IN ALL REALITY, THE TRUTH AND KNOWLEDGE I HAVE COME TO KNOW IS ONE I CAN NEVER FORGET OR GIVE AWAY! I LOVE IT AND IT WILL ALWAYS HOLD A VERY SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART.

NOW AS PROMISED, DAD ASKED ME TO TELL YOU WHAT THINGS I LEARNED FROM CONFERENCE. NOW I DONT KNOW ABOUT YOU , BUT I THINK I HAVE TO GET MARRIED...LOL. THAT ONE GOT BEAT INTO THE GROUND EH? BUT REALLY... THE LESSONS I LEARNED ARE NOT JUST A FEW SPECIFIC ONES. SO MANY OF THE SPEAKERS SPOKE TO ME ON A LEVEL THAT I NEEDED. ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITES WAS THE TALK ABOUT THE DIFFERENCES OF "DOING" AND "BEING". I CAN DO SO MANY THINGS IN THIS LIFE, BUT THE ONLY THING I CAN TAKE WITH ME WHEN THIS LIFE IS OVER IS WHO I HAVE BECOME! THE TRUTH THAT WAS SPOKEN IN THIS CONFERENCE IS GUIDANCE THAT I NEEDED RIGHT BEFORE I BEGIN THE NEXT STAGE OF MY LIFE. I WISH I COULD JUST PHOTOCOPY THE NOTES I TOOK DURYING ALL 5 SESSIONS AND TELL YOU ALL I LEARNED. HOWEVER THE LOVE I HAVE FOR THE LIVING PROPHET AND APOSTLES OF THIS CHURCH AND THE TRUTH THEY BEAR IS A LOVE THAT I WILL NEVER LOSE. FROM THE MESSAGES OF HOW TO OBTAIN AN ETERNAL FAMILY AND MARRIAGE TO THE ELOQUENTLY PLANTED SEEDS OF REPENTANCE AND SALVATION. THIS GENERAL CONFERENCE IS ONE THAT WILL PATTERN THE WAY I MAKE SOME VERY IMPORTANT DECISIONS IN THE YEARS TO COME.

WELL, I THINK LOTS HAVE BEEN SAID OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS, AND TO BE HONEST... IM TIRED OF TYPING...LOL. BUT I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH AND I WANT TO LEAVE YOU WITH THE TRUTH I HAVE COME TO LOVE.

I BEAR YOU MY SOLEM WITNESS THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST, AND THE REALITY OF OUR LIVING FATHER IN HEAVEN. I TESTIFY TO YOU THAT THE ONLY WAY ONE CAN COME CLOSER TO GOD IS BY STRICT AND DILIGENT OBEDIENCE TO HIS LAWS AND COMMANDMENTS. THE SAME OBEDIENCE THAT WAS EXECUTED BY THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH. THAT SAME MAN WHO USHERED IN THE LAST DISPENSATION OF TIME! I WISH TO TESTIFY TO YOU ALL, SO THAT YOU MAY KNOW AS I DO, THAT JOSEPH SMITH WAS AND IS A PROPHET OF THE ONE TRUE GOD. AND BY WHAT HE DID WE CAN COME TO A KNOWLEDGE OF THIS GOSPEL FOR OURSELVES AND HAVE A FIRM TESTIMONY THAT OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN STILL SPEAKS THROUGH HIS CHOSEN MOUTH PIECE, THE BOOK OF MORMON IS THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD, AND THAT THIS GOSPEL IS 100% TRUTH, THERE IS NO GREY AREA. I PROMISE YOU IN A WAY SIMILAR TO THE WAY ELDER CHRISTOFFERSON DID TO US, BUT IN THE AUTHORITY OF MY CALLING AS A MISSIONARY, ONE WHO IS CALLED TO TEACH AND TESTIFY OF THE SAVIOR, THAT HE LIVES AND LOVES! I HAVE NEVER SEEN HIM, I HAVE NEVER FELT THE MARKS IN HIS HANDS, BUT I PROMISE YOU IN HIS HOLY NAME THAT HE IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE THE ONLY BEGOTTEN LIVING SON OF THE ETERNAL FATHER.

I LOVE YOU ALL MORE THEN YOU KNOW! I CANNOT WAIT TO HUG YOU ALL AND BUG OVER AND OVER AGAIN! 2 DAYS AND COUNTING... I LOVE YOU!

LOVE,

ELDER LOGAN NEIL PETERSEN

CANADA CALGARY MISSION

A WEEK FROM TOMORROW!!!

Elder Petersen at a District Breakfast this week:

A little over a week people, and this guy will be back in the states! We absolutely cannot wait!

And with single digit days left- has hasn't slowed down the missionary work on bit! :)

WELL,

THIS IS GONNA BE A SHORT ONE, SORRY!

SO JUST YESTERDAY WAS MY VERY LAST SACRAMENT MEETING, LET ALONE MY LAST FAST AND TESTIMONY MEETING. SO I GOT UP AND BORE MY TESTIMONY AND YOU CAN GUESS I CRIED... NOT SOBBED LIKE I DID IN THE TEMPLE, BUT JUST A CHOKED UP WHIMPER...LOL. I NEVER THOUGHT THESE DAYS WOULD COME, AND AS MUCH AS I COUNT THEM DOWN AT TIMES, AND DREAMED OF THEM AS A GREENIE... SOME DAYS I WANT TO HIT RESET! I KNOW THAT THOSE OF YOU WHO SERVED A MISSION WILL KNOW WHAT YOUR MISSION MEANT TO YOU, BUT I DONT THINK YOU WILL EVER UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH MINE HAS DONE FOR ME! I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CALL MY OLD AREAS TO INVITE MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS TO MY MISSION FAREWELL, AND ITS SO NICE TO SEE THOSE WHO HAVE PROGRESSED, AND A BIT HARD TO HEAR ABOUT THOSE WHO HAVEN'T. BUT THE FEELING OF KNOWING THAT IM A DIFFERENT PERSON FOR THE BETTER THEN WHEN I LEFT HOME MAKES ME WHAT TO CRY. I NEVER THOUGHT I COULD BE THE PERSON I AM NOW. I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE ABLE TO STAND ON MY OWN TWO FEET AND TESTIFY TO SOME ONE OF THE LIVING CHRIST! I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE THE ONE SOMEONE WOULD CALL TO HAVE A QUESTION ANSWERED ABOUT THE GOSPEL. AND THE GRATITUDE I FEEL TOWARDS MY FATHER IN HEAVEN FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY CANNOT BE MATCHED! I HAVE LOVED AND WILL CONTINUE TO LOVE MY MISSION! I LOVE CANADA AND I WILL ALWAYS HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART FOR THE PEOPLE HERE! (EVEN IF THEY DO SOUND FUNNY WHEN THEY TALK...LOL)

I WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW HOW MUCH I TRULY LOVE YOU! YOU MEAN THE WORLD AND EVERYTHING TO ME. IT IS SO COOL TO HEAR ABOUT ALL MY BUDDIES GETTING HOME, AND I CAN ONLY IMAGINE FOR NOW THE HAPPINESS THAT IS FELT (AND RELIEF FOR A MOM AND DAD THAT WE'RE ALIVE...LOL) WHEN A MISSIONARY WALKS OFF THE PLANE TO HUG THEIR FAMILY! THAT FEELING HAS BEEN A DREAM FOR A LONG TIME, AND NOW THAT ITS ONLY 10 DAYS AWAY, I CANNOT HELP BUT GET EXCITED! I LOVE YOU GUYS, BUT PLEASE DO NOT WORRY, ALL IS WELL, AND IM DOING WHAT I NEED AND WANT TO BE DOING! NOTHING WILL EVER CHANGE THE WAY I FEEL ABOUT MY TIME AS A MISSIONARY AND NOTHING CAN EVER CHANGE THE WAY I FEEL ABOUT THIS GOSPEL AND THE TRUTH IT BARES!

I LOVE YOU!

LOVE,

ELDER LOGAN NEIL PETERSEN

BAD Blog Administrator...

Admittedly, this blog administrator (slash older sister), has stunk at keeping up Elder Petersen's mission blog. But instead of boring you with a bunch of lame excuses, lets talk about more exciting things!

The major countdown is officially on- a little under 23 days to be exact. Holy moly.... so exciting. As his family, we can do nothing but talk of his return and get so excited to be reunited with our Logey boy.

However, as we communicate via email with our Elder, we realize while he is extremely excited, this boy...(ahem, MAN I should say), is really fearing the end of his mission. He has loved his mission so much and does not want this amazing journey of serving the Lord 24/7 to end. And as much as we all admire that, I think if he tried to stay, there would be a clan of us traipsing up to Canada to bring him back. We've missed him oh so much.

We cannot wait for all of the mission stories. Man, can Logan tell a story- this is an excerpt from a recent email : THE NEXT 4 WEEKS EMAILS ARE GONNA BE A BIT SHORTER JUST CUZ I WANT TO SAVE THE GOOD STUFF FOR WHEN I GET HOME, BUT ALSO I HAVE A FEW EMAILS I HAVE TO WRITE THE THE MISSION PRESIDENT AND THE ASSISTANTS ABOUT MYSELF AND DEPARTING FROM THE MISSION. SO THATS GONNA TAKE A BIT OF TIME. BUT IM NOT MAKING EXCUSES, ITS ALSO JUST THE THOUGHT OF ACTUALLY SEEING AND TALKING TO YOU IN PERSON IN A FEW WEEKS MAKES EMAILING SEEM WAY LESS EXCITING. PLUS I CAN EMBELLISH SO MUCH BETTER IN PERSON THEN OVER EMAIL...LOL. HAHAHA I'M KIDDING! OR AM I? :)

Honestly, if the stories aren't completely over the top and dramatic- I would be nervous that he's changed TOO much. :) Logan is our story teller and we love him for it.

He's going to miss the people of Canada immensely. He cares oh so much for the members there and SO much for the investigators he has worked with.

THESE LAST FEW WEEKS FOR ME HAVE BEEN AND ARE GOING TO BE WEIRD. I NEVER THOUGH I WOULD BE AT THIS POINT. AND TO ADD TO IT... I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE GOING AS FAST AS IT IS! I KNOW I AM BEING KIND OF REPETITIVE AS FAR AS MY EMAILS... BUT IT IS WHAT HAS BEEN ON MY MIND ALOT LATELY! I HAVE LOVED THIS OPPORTUNITY AND NOW IT IS COMING TO A CLOSE AND IT IS SCARING ME! I LOVE THIS WORK, AND I LOVE CANADA AND THE POEPLE HERE. AND THE TESTIMONY I HAVE GAINED OUT HERE IS ONE THAT I NEVER WOULD HAVE ANYWHERE ELSE! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR THE SUPPORT AND LOVE YOU HAVE SHOWN ME THESE PAST 2 YEARS. IT HAS HELPED ME THROUGH SOME OF MY DARKEST DAYS. I PROMISE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART, AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, THAT HE LIVES AND THAT THIS IS HIS CHURCH HERE ON THE EARTH!

More than anything we have been blown away by the growth that we've seen in Elder Petersen. His testimony strengthens all of ours on a weekly basis. Here are some excerpts from recent emails:

I WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW OF THE TESTIMONY THAT I HAVE GAINED.... I KNOW THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST AND THAT BECAUSE OF HIS EVERLASTING LOVE SHOWN BY HIS ATONING SACRIFICE, THE CHURCH WAS RESTORED BY THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH! A 14 YEAR OLD BOY HAD A QUESTION FOR THE GREAT BEING IN THE UNIVERSE AND IT WAS ANSWERED THROUGH DIVINE REVELATION! I KNOW HE SAW WHAT HE SAID HE SAW AND THAT BECAUSE OF THAT MIRACULOUS VISITATION OF GOD THE ETERNAL FATHER AND HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, WE TOO CAN HAVE THE BLESSINGS OF HEAVEN HERE ON EARTH AND THE ETERNITIES TO COME! I HAVE NO IDEA WHO, WHERE OR HOW I WOULD BE WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OF THIS GOSPEL. BUT I KNOW I HAVE HAD THIS BLESSING GIVEN TO ME IN THIS LIFE FOR A REASON AND WHO AM I TO HOLD IF FROM ANYONE! I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. THE THOUGHT OF BEING LED BY THE TRUE LIVING PROPHET OF GOD BRINGS A SENSE OF COMFORT AND SECURITY THAT CANNOT BE FOUND ELSEWHERE! I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH AND I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE YOU! DONT WORRY ABOUT ME, IM DOING JUST FINE!

Regarding being able to listen to Elder Christoffersen of the 12 Apostles that came to his mission:

SO BY SAYING THAT ELDER CHRISTOFFERSEN'S TALK WAS GOOD WOULD BE A CRAZY BIG UNDERSTATEMENT! I FEEL LIKE AT TIMES HE SPOKE RIGHT TO ME AND TO BE HONEST HE SAID SOME VERY SPECIFIC THINGS AS TO WHAT MY PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ABOUT. IT WAS A VERY SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE FOR ME. BUT ONE OF THE COOLEST PARTS WAS WHEN HE SAID AT THE END " I BLESS YOU IN THE AUTHORITY OF MY CALLING...." IT WAS AMAZING THE THINGS THAT HE SAID AND THE FEELINGS OF THE SPIRIT THAT ACCOMPANIED THEM CANNOT BE EXPLAINED! BUT TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, YES WE GOT TO ALL SHAKE HIS HAND AND TALK FOR A FEW SECONDS WITH HIM. BUT HE WAS THE 4TH APOSTLE I HAVE MET ON MY MISSION, AND ONE OF ABOUT 8 OR SO GENERAL AUTHORITIES. IT REALLY STRENGTHENS MY OWN PERSONAL TESTIMONY TO HEAR AN APOSTLE OF THE LORD TESTIFY OF THE TRUTHFULNESS AND REALITY OF THE LIVING CHRIST! I LOVE TO HEAR THE TESTIMONIES OF GENERAL AUTHORITIES, ESPECIALLY APOSTLES!

And another snippet of his testimony:

I WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW HOW STRONG MY TESTIMONY HAS GOTTEN AS I HAVE SERVED OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN! I CANNOT WAIT TO TELL YOU FACE TO FACE, BUT AS FOR NOW JUST KNOW THAT THIS GOSPEL HAS CHNAGED MY LIFE. FROM A BOY FOLLOWING THE TESTIMONIES OF HIS FAMILY, TO A MISSIONARY WHO CAN STAND ON HIS OWN FEET AND TESTIFY OF THE REALITY OF THE LIVING CHRIST! (WITH HIS HELP OF COURSE :) I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH! YOU MEAN THE WORLD ANd SO MUCH MORE TO ME! IM SO EXCITED TO SEE YOU, BUT AS FOR NOW I STILL HAVE TIME LEFT THAT I NEED TO GIVE 100% TO THE LORD!

So he has about 22 days left- and I know he is giving at LEAST 100%, if not more. Please pray for Elder Petersen during this transitionary time- he is so excited to come home and start moving forward in his life as a member missionary in the real world, but as is with most returning missionaries, there is a sadness for leaving the mission. Pray that the Lord will help him give his all in these final days and that he will have a safe return home to us.

Thank you all for your continued love and support....

....and for your patience with the blog administrator. :)

Week of November 1st

BOO!!!..

WELL, HALLOWEEN IS NOT AS FUN WHEN YOU ARE A MISSIONARY, BUT I DID STILL CARVE A PUMPKIN! SO THATS ALL GOOD, OH AND WE ALSO WENT TO THE TRUNK-OR-TREAT AS SPARWOOD HILLBILLIES! I'LL HAVE TO SEND YOU THE PICTURE NEXT WEEK! BUT ANYWAYS IT WAS FUN! BUT LETS SEE, THIS WEEK WAS FUN AS USUAL SERVING WITH ELDER BASS! WE GET ALONG GREAT AND ARE ONLY INCHES AWAY FROM A FEW PEOPLE BEING BAPTIZED! OUR WARD OUT HERE IS HAVING A SPECIAL MISSIONARY FAST TOO AND THANKS TO OUR AWESOME WARD MISSION LEADER THE WARD IS GETTING THEIR BUTTS IN GEAR TO DO SOME MISSIONARY WORK AGAIN! I GUESS THE SPARWOOD WARD GOES THROUGH UPS AND DOWNS WITH MISSIONARY WORK! THEY HAD A HUGE RUN A FEW MONTHS BACK WHERE LIKE 4 PEOPLE WERE BAPTIZED WITHIN WEEKS, AND THEN GOT INTO A BIT OF A RUT. BUT THANKS TO BROTHER PINCHACK OUR WARD MISSION LEADER THEY HAVE NO ROOM FOR GETTING INTO THE RUT RIGHT NOW, ONLY ENOUGH ROOM TO CLIMB OUT OF IT! SO KEEP THEM IN YOUR PRAYERS TO BRING UP THE MEMBER WORK! AND I'LL TELL YOU GUYS THERE IS NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT WE CAN DO AS MEMBERS, ASIDE FROM RAISE OUR FAMILIES, THEN TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL! I KNOW IT SOUNDS CLICHE BUT ITS TRUE! THE JOY THAT COMES FROM LIVING AND SHARING THE GOSPEL CANT BE MATCHED! ITS STARTING TO GET A BIT SCARY THAT TIME KEEPS TICKING. ITS EXCITING BUT SCARY! ONLY 5 MONTHS LEFT, AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT WILL HAPPEN. ONLY THAT I KNOW IT CAN ONLY BE BETTER THEN THE PAST 19. BECAUSE THE TRUTH IS YOU LEARN SOMETHING EVERY DAY! WHETHER IT BE TO SAY "EH" AFTER EVERY QUESTION OR TO HITCH UP A DOG SLED TEAM, ITS GONNA HELP YOU FOR THE FUTURE.... IN CANADA AT LEAST! LOL... BUT IN ALL REALITY THIS HAS CHANGED MY ETERNAL NATURE AND WHO I THOUGH I WOULD BE ONE DAY. I NO LONGER THINK.... I KNOW WHAT I CAN BE, AND I NEED TO HAVE THE SELF DISCIPLINE AND MOTIVATION TO GET THERE. AND I KNOW THAT NO MATTER WHAT MISTAKES I MAKE OR SHORTCOMINGS I HAVE, THE ATONEMENT OF JESUS CHRIST IS THERE TO MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE. SPEAKING OF THE ATONEMENT, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TEACH GOSPEL PRINCIPLES YESTERDAY, AND WE HAVE A WAY GOOD CLASS... ANYWAYS. I CHOSE TO TEACH THE ATONEMENT.... ITS ALWAYS GOOD FOR A FEW TEARS! :) BUT WE HAD MARIAH RAASCH THERE, ONE OF OUR INVESTIGATORS. SHE IS 18 AND HAS BEEN SHOWING REAL INTEREST IN THE CHURCH AGAIN AND MORE SO IN WHAT THE RESTORED GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST CAN DO FOR HER AND HER FAMILY! BUT ANYWAYS... SHE WAS THERE AND I PUT HER ON THE SPOT IN THE CLASS AND ASKED HER WHAT THE ATONEMENT MEANS TO HER IN HER LIFE AND SHE SAYS.... " CAN YOU ASK SOME ONE ELSE? " CUZ LATER SHE HIT ME IN THE SHOULDER AND SAID, "YOU WERE MAKING ME CRY IN THAT CLASS AND I DIDN'T WANT TO CRY WHEN I ANSWERED THAT QUESTION!" I GUESS THATS A GOOD ENOUGH EXCUSE EH? LOL. BUT ANYWAYS. I LOVER SERVING IN SPARWOOD, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HAVE ALOT OF GOOD TALKS WITH INVESTIGATORS AND A LOT HAVE HELPED ME TO LEARN THINGS ABOUT MY OWN LIFE! THIS HAS BEEN AN AMAZING RIDE FOR ME, AND IM EXCITED TO SEE WHAT LOOPS AND TURNS COME AROUND THE CORNER... BUT YOU ALL KNOW ME... NO MATTER WHAT THIS "ROLLER COASTER" OF A MISSION THROWS AT ME... IM STILL GONNA MAKE A STUPID FACE FOR THE CAMERA AT THE END! :) I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH AND I CANT WAIT TO HEAR ABOUT ALL THE FUN STUFF NEXT WEEK! KNOW THAT YOUR ALL IN MY PRAYERS ALWAYS! AND ALL THE SPECIFIC THINGS WE TALK ABOUT ARE TOO! WORK HARD, PLAY SMART AND LOVE LIKE CRAZY! I LOVE YOU GUYS!

LOVE

ELDER LOGAN PETERSEN

Week of Oct. 25th email

(In response to Logan's younger sister Whitney taking first place with her marketing team at FFA Nationals)" FIRST OFF I GOTTA SAY I KNEW IT WOULD HAPPEN! THAT IS SO AWESOME THAT SHE AND HER TEAM TOOK THE TITLE. LEAVE IT TO A PETERSEN TO GO BIG OR GO HOME! :) BUT HONESTLY IM WAY PROUD OF HER! SO LET ME SEE WHAT CAN I TELL YOU ALL? WELL TRANSFERS HAVE PASSED AND LIKE I SAID I HAVE A NEW COMPANION. HIS NAME IS ELDER RYAN BASS FROM GET THIS.... OKOTOKS! LOL... I SERVED IN HIS WARD AND TOOK HIM ON SPLITS BEFORE HIS MISSION. HE IS WAITING ON HIS VISA TO GO TO PITTSBURG, SO AS FOR NOW HE AND I ARE SERVING TOGETHER. HE IS A MAN AFTER MY OWN HEART... RED NECK WANNA-BE, LOVES COUNTRY MUSIC, 4X4 AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN! SO NEEDLESS TO SAY WE ARE GETTING ALONG GREAT! AND ON TOP OF THAT WE HAVE A MILLION AND A HALF THINGS TO DO OUT HERE! ITS LIKE AS SOON AS HE CAME INTO THE AREA THAT EVERYTHING WAS THAT MUCH MORE APPARENT. IT WAS A LITTLE SAD THAT ALL THE PEOPLE WE WERE AND STILL ARE WORKING WITH FROM LAST TRANSFER DIDNT GET BAPTIZED, BUT MOST OF THEM ARE ON THE PATH THEY JUST HAVE A FEW BIG HURDLES TO JUMP... SO IF YOU COULD PLEASE KEEP THEM IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS WE WOULD APPRECIATE IT! WELL YOU GUYS HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT WITH MY ANKLE, YEAH IT HURTS A BIT AND IS SORE EVERY MORNING, BUT IM WALKING JUST FINE, AND TAKING IT EASY ON P-DAY STUFF. BUT IM PRETTY EXCITED CUZ WE ARE PLAYIN HOCKEY TODAY.... NOTHING LIKE CANADA EH? BUT IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE GONNA HAVE THE FIRST SNOW IN SPARWOOD THIS WEEK... ALL THE MOUNTAINS ARE GETTING WHITE CAPS, BUT ITS NOT STICKING MUCH. IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND PRAYING FOR NO SNOW IN CANADA THIS WINTER, I WOULD NOT ARGUE....LOL BUT ANYWAYS... LIVING TRUE TO THE PETERSEN NAME, I HAD A TALK THIS LAST SUNDAY AND I CRIED A BIT, NOT FULL ON BLUBBERING, BUT JUST CHOKED UP A BIT.... I DONT THINK I REALIZE HOW MUCH MY TESTIMONY REALLY MEANS TO ME UNTIL I BEAR IT OUT LOUD. I HAVE ALWAYS KNOW THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL, BUT IT JUST MEANS SOMETHING TOTALY DIFFERENT NOW! ITS MORE OF A SURE KNOWLEDGE THAT IT IS ALL TRUE INSTEAD OF A HOPE FOR IT TO BE! GRANTED I DONT KNOW EVERYTHING AND I NEVER WILL BUT WHAT I DO KNOW ALLOWS ME TO KNOW THAT IT ALL IS TRUE BY ASSOCIATION! IT IS EITHER THE WORLD GREATEST LIE AND FAIRYTALE EVER TOLD OR IT IS 100% TRUTH, THERE IS NO MIDDLE GROUND! AND I CAN TELL YOU... ITS NO FAIRYTALE! I LOVE THE OPPORTUNITY I HAVE HAD SO FAR IN 19 MONTHS TO SHARE WHAT I KNOW AND CHANGE A FEW PEOPLES LIVES! YEAH I HAVENT BAPTIZED ALL OF CANADA AND YEAH IM NOT A "HIGH BAPTIZING" MISSIONARY AS FAR AS OUR MISSION IS CONCERNED BUT I KNOW THAT FATHER IN HEAVEN HAS A PLAN FOR ME AND I'M FOLLOWING IT TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY! I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH, AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WHEN I STEP OFF THAT PLANE IN 5 OR SO MONTHS THAT I HAVE LOVED EVERY SECOND OF MY MISSION. YES TIMES HAVE BEEN HARD AND CAN GET ME DOWN, BUT IT IS ALL EXPERIENCE TO BENEFIT MY LIFE AND THOSE I SERVE! I LOVE YOU!!!

LOVE

ELDER LOGAN PETERSEN

In the process of updating...

Attention: The author of this blog would like to apologize to Elder Petersen himself, as well as to any that may have had an interest in checking this blog the past year. The author, also known as Logan's older sister, got side tracked by pregnancy, a new born and all that comes a long with a baby. Which is why this blog was neglected for nearly a year.

I just sat this week and started going through all of Logan's emails and copying and pasting them (and editing for spelling, because well, Logan is a GREAT missionary, handsome man, funny as all get out, and just a sweetheart, but let's be honest, the kid won't win any spelling bee's in his lifetime), and after a few hours of work, I've gone back to see that they have been lost into the deep abyss of cyber space, never to be found again.

AHHH... I hate that. So, I still have plans to back date, update this blog. Like, since last December. However, until then, I wanted to give you all an update on my brother currently.

He is serving in beautiful British Columbia, Canada right now.

Our slimmed down missionary can often be found trapsing through the woods with his companion coming home from appointments, or making out with Bucks in his backyard...

No, seriously. This happened. Logan has always been quite the story teller, and upon reading this story, I must admit there was a sliver of doubt as to the exact validity of this story. But, the proof is in the pudding---or should I say cracker, that my crazy brother put into his mouth and fed to a huge BUCK! My dad posted this picture on his Facebook with this heading, "Logan's Kissing Booth- Cost, 1 Buck!".

He also busted an ankle playing basketball...he says its twisted...it looks a little more than that to me. Join us in praying for a speedy recovery, for Elder Petersen!

He was serving with Elder Evans until this morning, when he was transferred to be a trainer! Yay, Elder Evan's . Logan's new companion is Elder Bass, and he's excited to get to know him and have his help in the area, because according to Logan, "IM EXCITED TO STAY HERE CUZ OF ALL THE WORK WE STILL HAVE TO DO! NO BAPTISMS JUST YET, BUT WE HAVE A FLOOD OF THEM TO COME!"

We are grateful for his testimony weekly! Here is an excerpt from today, "KNOW THAT YOU GUYS MEAN THE WORLD TO ME. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TEACH ABOUT ETERNAL FAMILES IN OUR GOSPEL PRINCIPLES CLASS THIS SUNDAY AND OF COURSE I CRIED A BIT WHEN I TALKED ABOUT YOU GUYS, I JUST WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU! I CANT BELIEVE THAT IM ONLY 5 1/2 MONTHS AWAY FROM SEEING YOU ALL AGAIN, BUT AT THE SAME TIME I WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW MUCH THIS OPPORTUNITY I HAVE TO SERVE HAS CHANGED ME AND HOW IT HAS SHAPED THE REST OF MY LIFE! I KNOW THE LORD CALLS US IN OUR WEAKNESS SO THAT WE CAN FIND THE STRENGTH WE NEED TO LIFT OURSELVES, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THOSE WE SERVE! I CANT EVEN BEGIN TO DESCRIBE WHAT THIS MISSION HAS DONE FOR MY LIFE AND THE LIFE I WILL HAVE LATER! YES, WE SOMETIMES FIND OURSELVES IN A LOW SPOT OR A RUT, BUT ONLY TO LEARN FROM THAT EXPERIENCE AND ALLOW OURSELVES TO BE LIFTED BY THE LORD BECAUSE OF OUR FAITH AND OBEDIENCE TO HIS WILL! I KNOW THIS IS THE TRUTH! THERE IS NO ONE ASIDE FROM HIM WHO REDEEMED US THAT CAN HELP US REACH OUR FULL POTENTIAL OF PERFECTION IN THE ETERNITIES TO COME! I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH, AND CANNOT WAIT TO SEE MY ETERNAL FAMILY AGAIN!"

We love and miss our missionary! We are all so incredibly proud of him and all the progress he's made. Especially in the last few months, he's matured into a wise and focused man and we are lucky to have him in our life!

Here are a few more pictures he sent the past few weeks...

WEEKLY EMAIL- Week 30

OH MY GOSH I ABOUT THREW THIS COMPUTER... I WROTE A HUGE EMAIL AND THEN IT JUST WENT POOF!!! AND IT WAS GONE!!! IM SO SORRY, I WISH I COULD HAVE REMEMBERED EVERYTHING I WROTE, BUT NOW THIS ONE IS GOING TO BE LAME AND SHORT CUZ I HAVE TO RE WRITE IT...GRRR!!! BUT I WILL HAVE TO SKIP THE UN IMPORTANT STUFF AND KINDA JUST GIVE YOU THE MEAT...LOL... WELL FIRST, WHITNEY, DRINK MILK...LOL.. AND YOU BETTER BELIEVE THAT IM GOING TO KICK THAT KIDS BUTT WHEN I GET HOME...LOL... BUT ANYWAYS, SO SADLY OLLIE DOGGED US ON SATURDAY, AND I ABOUT FLIPPED OUT, I WAS SO UPSET. BUT IT OCCURED TO ME THAT MAYBE I WAS PUTTING THE LORDS WILL AHEAD OF MINE. I WAS TRYING TO DO WHAT I WANTED OVER WHAT THE LORD SEES NECESSARY AT THIS TIME! I HAVE TO SAY HEAVENLY FATHER HAS A VERY GOOD WAY OF HUMBLING YOU AS A MISSIONARY... ITS NOT LIKE " GOOD JOB DUMMY. " ITS LIKE A " HOLD ON A MINUTE AND THINK ABOUT THIS" :) I HAVE TO SAY, I NEVER KNEW YOU COULD BE SO CLOSE TO THE SPIRIT! AND I DEFFINETLY DO NOT LIKE IT WHEN HE LEAVES! CUZ IM NOT THE ONE CONVERTING PEOPLE, HE IS, IM AM SIMPLY ACTING AS A TEACHER AND A CONDUIT OF LIGHT THAT I WAS CALLED TO BE! IM SO HAPPY AND HONORED TO BE ABLE TO CALL MYSELF A DECIPLE OF CHRIST AND THAT HE HAS TRUSTED ME WITH A FRACTION OF HIS GREAT WORK! IM SO SORRY THIS IS LAME AND SHORT, BUT IM DOING THE BEST I CAN AFTER THIS DUMB COMPUTER DELETED MY EMAIL. BUT I WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, AND YES MOM, I GOT ALL MY WINTER STUFF AND ITS WORKING OUT GREAT. I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH AND IM SO SORRY IM LAME AGAIN THIS WEEK, IM JUST NOT TO GREAT ON COMPUTERS...LOL.. I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH, AND REMEMBER TO STAY CLOSE TO THE LORD! I LOVE YOU ALL! OH AND TIFFANY AND NICOLE!.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! TEENAGERS!!!! BE WAITING FOR A LITTLE SOMETHIN IN THE MAIL FROM YOUR CANADIAN BROTHER! I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! UNTIL NEXT WEEK! :)


LOVE,
ELDER OGEN

WEEKLY EMAIL-WEEK 29

HEY HEY EH?

WELL, I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT i'M ABOUT TO HIT THE 7 MONTH MARK!!! ITS GOING CRAZY FAST!!! BUT ANYWAYS, TO KIND A NSWER SOME QUESTIONS FIRST. AS FAR AS CHRISTMAS GOES, AS A MISSIONARY, I COULD ALWAYS USE TIES! :) AND ITS SWEET THAT THAT PRESIDENT ARCHIBALD IS NOT STRICT WHEN IT COMES TO TIE PATTERNS AND COLORS, AND SO IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE "CONSERVATIVE" LIKE SO ITS ALL GOOD...LOL. ANYWAYS, UM LETS SEE, OH SO I'M SUPER EXCITED, REMEMBER HOW I TOLD YOU ALL THAT I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO DROP OLLIE? WELL WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO OFFICIALLY DROP HIM, I DECIDED TO TRY ONE LAST TIME AND I CALLED HIM AND HE ANSWERED HIS CELL PHONE!!! tHEN AFTER THAT IT WAS ALL GOOD. HE CAME TO CHURCH, AND WAS TELLING ME HE STILL WANTS TO BE BAPTIZED, HE HAS JUST BEEN SWAMPED BY SCHOOL, WORK AND FOOTBALL. PLUS HE IS A TEENAGER SO I CAN RELATE TO HIM NOT HAVING MISSIONARIES ON HIS TOP PRIORITY LIST...LOL BUT ANYWAYS, WE WILL BE EXTENDING A BAPTISMAL COMMITMENT TO HIM ON SATURDAY, AND I KNOW HE WILL ACCEPT IT...SO BE READY FOR SOME WAY GOOD NEWS NEXT WEEK! I'M GLAD YOU ALL ENJOYED THE PICTURES! AND YES MOM, I AM ENJOYING MYSELF. :) I'M HAVING TONS OF FUN BUT AT THE SAME TIME I'M STILL WORKING! :) BUT ANYWAYS THIS NEXT LITTLE BIT IS FROR WHITNEY...DRINK MILK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU WON'T BREAK YOUR FINGER EVERY YEAR IF YOU DID...LOL! SERIOUSLY ITS LIKE A QUOTA FOR YOU, OH ITS THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN...CRACK! LOL...SOMEONE PUT HER IN A BUBBLE! BUT I'M GLAD TO HEAR YOU ROCKIN THE 70 AND PETEY!!! AND A CAPTAIN TOO! tHATS A PETERSEN IF I HAVE EVER SEEN ONE! bUT ANYWAYS, SAM SAYS YOU'RE ALL TRUCKIN UP TO VISIT THE U-TARDS SOON, THAT SHOULD BE FUN! SO LETS SEE. UM WHAT ELSE CAN I TELL YUO ALL. OH SO TOMORROW IS ZONE CONFERENCE AND I FIND OUT IF WE GET THE TRUCK OR NOT! I'M REALLY HOPING WE DO, CUZ IT WOULD MAKE THOSE ACCIDENTAL SPIN OUTS SO MUCH MORE FUN, PLUS IT HAS 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND I MIGHT JUST HAVE TO TO TEST IT OUT A BIT...LOL...DON'T WORRY MOM...I'LL SEND PICTURES! LOL. BUT REALLY I'LL BE CAREFUL, I PROMISE! MAYBE! DAVID WOULD DO THE SAME THING AND YOU KNOW IT! OH SO YOU ALL SHOULD SEE WHAT CANADIANS DO FOR FUN WHEN THE SNOW ON THE ROAD MELTS DURING THE DAY, THEN REFREEZES TO ICE AT NIGHT. WELL..THEY HOLD ON TO THE BUMPERS OF TRUCKS AND WELL SKI OFF THE BACK...I MIGHT HAVE TO TRY IT, BUT I WOULDN'T TELL YOU IF I DID THOUGH...LOL. I'M KIDDING, LIKE COURTNEY SAID, I'M ONLY PROTECTED SO MUCH ON MY MISSION. I FEEL I'M PROTECTED FROM THE WORLD, BTU NOT MY OWN STUPIDITY! ... LOL NO BUT REALL MOM, I'M NOT MEANING TO GIVE YOU AND DAD A HEART ATTACK. I'M BEING SAFE, I PROMISE! BUT ANYWAYS, AS FAR AS THE WORK GOES, WE HAVE 3 INVESTIGATORS RIGHT NOW, OLLIE OF COURSE ON HIS WAY TO BAPTISM, AND THE OTHER 2 ARE GETTING THERE! BUT I WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. AND I CAN'T DESCRIBE HOW STRONG THE SPIRIT IS WHEN I TEACH ABOUT ETERNAL FAMILIES, AND I TELL THE STORY OF US ALL EBING SEALTED TO THE TWINS! IT IS THE RECOGNITIONS OF THE SPIRIT THAT I COULD NEVER DENY! I KNOW THAT NOW IS THE TIME THAT HEAVENLY FATHER NEEDS ME MOST, AND I KNOW THAT I WAS CALELD FOR A REASON! I'M NEVER GIVING UP, PETERSEN'T AREN'T QUITTERS RIGHT? :) I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH AND I CAN'T TAHNK YOU ENOUGH FOR ALL YOU DO FOR ME! YOU'RE ALL ON MY MIND AND IN MY PRAYERS EVERYDAY! I LOVE YOU ALL, BE STRONG AND RELY ON THE LORD!

LOVE,

ELDER OGEN

WEEKLY EMAIL-WEEK 28

WOW, YOU WEREN'T KIDDING. FUN FUN WEEK EH? WELL WHAT KINDA OF PETERSEN EVENT WOULD IT BE IF SOMETHING DIDNT GO WRONG? :) BUT AS MUCH AS DAVID WILL HATE TO HEAR IT, IM STILL HIS BROTHER AND I HAVE TEASING RIGHTS NO MATTER HOW BAD THE PROBLEM....CHEVY IS BETTER!!! LOL... F. O. R. D. F.ound O.n R.oad D.ead.... SORRY, I HAD TOO. BUT REALLY IM SAD TO HEAR THAT ITS GOING TO BE THAT EXPENSIVE TO FIX. BUT THE LORD GIVES US OUR TRIALS, AS MUCH AS WE HATE THEM, IT HAPPENS, AND IT WHAT WE DO WITH THOSE TRIALS THAT SHOWS WHO WE ARE. BUT ANYWAYS, TO ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS, CUZ IM RUNNIN LOW ON TIME, I DID GET ALL I NEEDED FOR WINTER, I SHOULD BE PRETTY WARM, WELL THAT IS AS WARM AS I CAN GET...LOL BUT ILL LET YOU KNOW IF I NEED ANYTHING ELSE! AND MOM, I WONT TELL YOU ABOUT THE ACCIDENTAL, AND NOT SO ACCIDENTAL SPIN OUTS...LOL BUT DONT WORRY, IM DOING GOOD ON THE ICY ROADS. AND LUCKILY THE WEATHER IS PRETTY DECENT THIS WEEK, JUST A BIT COLD AND SOME RAIN. ANYWAYS, IM SUPER HAPPY TO HEAR ALL WAS FUN AT THE WEDDING! IM WAY SAD I MISSED IT, AND SATURDAY FOR ME WAS A BIT HARD, WE DID ALOT OF SERVICE, AND I COULDNT KEEP MY MIND FROM MAKING ME TRUNKY. BUT I KNOW THE LORD NEEDS ME NOW! BUT ANYWAYS, THIS WEEK WE GOT A NEW INVESTIGATOR. HER NAME IS SUSAN, SHE WAS A SELF REFFERAL AND SHE REQUESTED A MISSIONARY VISIT, SO WE ARE SHOOTING FOR THE STARS ON THIS ONE. :) BUT SADLY AS FAR AS OLLIE GOES, I THINK WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DROP HIM CUZ WE HAVENT HAD ANY LESSONS WITH HIM FOR A LONG TIME. ITS SUCKS TO SEE SOMEONE SO CLOSE TO BAPTISM SLIP AND FALL AWAY. BUT IM NOT GIVING UP THAT EASILY, ILL LET YOU ALL KNOW HOW IT WENT. SO LETS SEE, WELL THIS PAST SUNDAY ELDER GREENWELL WAS SICK SO WE HAVE BEEN A LITTLE LIMITED ON GOIN OUT CUZ HE HAS BEEN PRETTY MUCH CLOSE TO DEATH...LOL... BUT I HAVENT CAUGHT IT...YET...I HOPE. ANYWAYS, I WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW THAT I LOVE AND MISS YOU SO MUCH, I WISH I COULD SIT FOR HOURS AND WRITE YOU ALL! BUT I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH, AND I CANT WAIT FOR ALL THE PICTURES AND DETAILS ON THE WEDDING! :) STAY STRONG YOU GUYS AND REMEMBER HE IS LISTENING! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOVE,
ELDER OGEN
P.S. MOM... WORRYING IS LIKE A ROCKING CHAIR. IT GIVES YOU SOMETHING TO DO BUT DOESN'T GET YOU ANYWHERE! ...LOL

WEEKLY EMAIL-WEEK 27

SO FIRST OFF, YES IT IS VERY COLD. YESTERDAY MORNING THE CAR SAID -17 AND WITH WIND CHILL IT WAS AT LEAST -23! WAY COLD. BUT WE GOT ALOT OF SNOW LAST NIGHT TOO, AND IT STILL HASN'T LET UP. BUT THE BAD THING IS UP HERE THEY ONLY PLOW THE MAIN ROADS AND HIGHWAYS. EVERYWHERE ELSE IS LEFT ALONE. BUT YOU STILL HAVE TO DRIVE ON THEM IF YOU WANT TO GET ANYWERE. AND LET ME TELL YOU, ICE ON THE ROAD IS SCARY STUFF, YOU CAN HIT THE BRAKES AND STILL SLIDE IF YOU DONT SLOW DOWN ENOUGH BEFORE THE STOP. BUT I GUESS THATS JUST CANADA FOR YOU! SO THE BURB GOT BUSTED INTO?! DANG CRAP HAPPENS WITH ME GONE! LOL... WE ALL KNOW THAT IF IT WERE ME THERE AT WAL MART WHEN IT HAPPENED I WOULD HAVE STRETCHED THE TRUTH AND CAME BACK SAYING I RAN THE GUY DOWN AND BEAT HIM UP AND THEN ON THE DRIVE HOME THE SUBURBAN WAS MISTAKEN FOR A STOLE ESCALADE...LOL.. WELL I'M HAPPY TO HEAR THAT EVERYTHING IS FALLING INTO PLACE FOR THIS WEEKEND! GOSH I CANT BELIEVE ITS HERE ALREADY. I NEVER THOUGHT THAT IT WOULD COME THIS FAST! AND TO THINK ALSO THAT I GET TO CALL YOU ALL IN 2 MONTHS! I REMEMBER THINKING THAT THE 7 MONTH STRETCH WAS GOING TO TAKE FOREVER! CRAZY! ANYWAYS, YES I AM WAY GLAD TO HAVE THE CAR BACK, AND YES PRESIDENT FOUND OUT WHO WAS INVOLVED IN THAT GAMBLING THING, A FEW GOT SENT HOME, BUT THERE WAS ABOUT 20 OR SO GUYS INVOLVED! IT WAS PRETTY BAD, PRESIDENT ARCHIBLAD IS PRETTY DISAPPOINTED. AND I CAN SEE WHY. BUT IM JUST GLAD THAT I WAS ABLE TO TEL PRES. THAT I WASNT INVOLED! PLUS, DO I SEEM LIKE THE KINDA GUY WHO WOULD WIN BIG AT ALL! LOL.. SO ANYWAYS. LETS SEE, WELL, IM SUPER STUFFED CUZ THESE LAST FEW DAYS WE HAVE BEEN INVITED OVER FORE LIKE 4 CANADIAN THANKSGIVING DINNERS AND LUNCH. AND OF COURSE I WENT TO THEM ALL! LOL... YOU KNOW ME! WHY HAVE ONE WHEN YOU CAN HAVE 4!!! I THINK I WILL ADOPT CANADIAN THANKSGIVING EVEN WHEN IM HOME! BUT WE PASS A CALENDER AROUND ON SUNDAYS TO GET FILLED FOR THE WEEK, AND WITH TWO WARDS WE SOMETIMES GET DUEL APPOINTMENTS. :) SO MOM NO WORRIES, IM GETTING FED JUST FINE. BUT LIKE I HAVE SAID BEFORE, I THINK YOU WOULD ALL BE SHOCKED AT HOW LITTLE I EAT NOW, AND I EVEN PASS UP DESSERTS.... WELL A FEW TIMES...LOL! BUT ALSO DONT THINK I DIDNT PLAY FOOTBALL YESTERDAY MORNING, ITS THANKSGIVING.... DUH! WE HAD A BIG ZONE GAME, AND WE HAVE A GUY IN OUR ZONE ELDER TAFA WHO WAS ON THE TONGAN NATIONAL RUGBY TEAM... OUCH IS ALL I CAN SAY TO DESCRIBE THAT GAME! LOL... BUT ANYWAYS. ALL IS GOOD HERE, AND IM SURE NOT ALL MY TOES ARE GOING TO FALL OFF IN THIS COLD! :) BUT I WANT YOU GUYS TO ALL KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH, AND EVEN THOUGH THE WORK OUT HERE MIGHT NOT BE THE HIGHEST BAPTIZING OR THE MOST CONVERTS, IF I WALK AWAY HAVING HELPED ONE PERSON, ILL KNOW THAT IS WHAT I WAS MENT TO DO! I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH, AND IM THANKFUL FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR ME! I WOULD BE SO LOST ON THIS WORLD... OR AS SAM LIKE TO SAY, LOST IN THE SNOW... WITHOUGHT YOU ALL! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, AND I PRAY FOR YOU EVERY DAY. FREQUENTLY!!! :) TAKE CARE AND ENJOY THE NICE WEATHER FOR ME! I LOVE YOU!
LOVE,
ELDER OGEN

WEEKLY EMAIL-WEEK 26

WELL... ARE YOU GUYS READY.... TRANSFERS?.... WELL IM STAYING HERE IN OKOTOKS! IM PRETTY EXCITED, ITS WHAT I WANTED TO HAPPEN! AND I'M STAYING WITH ELDER GREENWELL! WE ARE GETTING ALONG GREAT! I KNOW THAT I'M SUPPOSED TO LEARN SOMETHING FROM HIM, AND THERE IS SOMETHING AS A COMPANIONSHIP WE NEED TO ACCOMPLISH! BUT IT WILL BE 6 MONTHS IN THIS ONE AREA, I LIKE LONGER AREAS! :) SPEAKING OF 6 MONTHS, I BURNT MY 6 MONTH MARK TIE THE OTHER DAY, DONT WORRY MOM IT WASNT A GOOD ONE, JUST A CRAP ONE I FOUND! :) BUT ANYWAYS, I HAVENT GOTTEN THE PACKAGE YET, BUT IM SURE ITS GOING TO BE BE HERE TODAY! SO ANYWAYS, LIKE I SAID, IT SNOWED ON SUNDAY MORNING! LIKE SIX INCHES! I KNOW ITS NOT A WHOLE LOT, BUT HEY IM FROM CALIFORNIA, UM ME AND SNOW ARE NOT THE BEST OF FRIENDS! EVERYONE HERE HAS LIKE THE SAME REACTION WHEN I SAY THAT I HAVENT HAD WINTER UP HERE YET.... "OH, YOUR GONNA DIE! " LOL... GEE THANKS FOR THE POSITIVE REENFORCEMENT! ANYWAYS SO CONFERENCE WAS AMAZING! ESPECIALLY WHEN JEFFERY R. HOLLAND FLOORED EVERYONE WITH HIS AMAZING TALK ON THE BOOK OF MORMON! I WAS JUST IN AMAZEMENT THROUGH HIS WHOLE TALK! IT BROUGHT BACK MEMORIES FROM WHEN HE SPOKE TO US IN THE MTC. HAHAHA I CAN SAY STUFF LIKE THAT NOW CUZ IM OVER THE 6 MONTH MARK...LOL.. SO, IM SORRY TO HEAR THAT THE KREEPIN CRUD IS GETTIN PASSED AROUND THE HOUSE, LEAVE IT TO WHITNEY TO GIVE PEOPLE HER CRAP...LOL.. SO ITS AWESOME TO HEAR THAT DAVID IS HOME FOR A BIT, AND MAKING BANK APPARENTLY! LOL... WELL LETS SEE, OH SO VERNA AND LEE WATCHED ALL FOUR SESSIONS AND IT WAS JUST AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE FOR THEM! WE ACTUALLY WATCHED THE SUNDAY MORNING SESSION AT THEIR HOUSE, AND VERNA MADE US PROMISE TO COME IN OUR PJS...LOL.. AND WE DID, AND WE HAD HOT CHOCOLATE WHILE THE SNOW WAS FALLING OUTSIDE! IT WAS PRETTY COOL, WE HAD A FIRE GOING, AND GOT TO WATCH CONFERENCE! VERNA AND LEE ARE AMAZING PEOPLE, AND LEE TOLD US LAST NIGHT THAT THE DOUBTS HE HAD ABOUT THE CHURCH ARE COMPLETELY GONE WITH LISTENING TO CONFERENCE! ANYWAYS, SORRY THAT I DONT HAVE A WHOLE LOT TO WRITE ABOUT THIS WEEK, WE HAVE BEEN HELPING WITH ALOT OF SERVICE BEFORE THE WINTER COMES. BUT ANYWAYS, I WANT YOU GUYS TO ALL KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! TO LISTEN TO CONFERENCE AND HEAR THE WORDS MADE ME HAPPY TO KNOW THAT IM APART OF THIS RESTORED GOSPEL WERE I CAN BE WITH MY FAMILY FOREVER! YOU ALL MEAN THE WORLD TO ME! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! IM ALWAYS PRAYING FOR YOU!
LOVE,
ELDER OGEN

WEEKLY EMAIL-WEEK 25-- SIX MONTH MARK

6 MONTHS ALREADY, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT! I MEAN ITS NOT A WHOLE LOT, BUT ITS A WHOLE 1/4 OF MY MISSION GONE, NEVER TO RETURN. HOLY COW, I MEAN I KNEW ONE DAY I WOULD BE A MISSIONARY AND TICKING AWAY THE DAYS, BUT I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT WOULD COME THIS FAST. OH MAN I REALLY CANT LET ONE DAY SLIP AWAY! AS SAM SAID, I NEED TO MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT. CRAZY EH, LITTLE LOGAN ALREADY PAST A BIG MARK OF HIS MISSION! ANYWAYS, WELL THE WORK HERE SEEMS TO HAVE HIT A WALL A BIT. WE DONT HAVE ANY NEW INVESTIGATORS, WE HAVE BEEN MOSTLY WORKING WITH LESS ACTIVES AND RECENT CONVERTS, WE CALL THEM " LARC'S" L.A.R.C, GET IT, ANYWAYS, SO THERE IS THE ONE LADY I TOLD YOU ABOUT, SHE HAS A BIT OF A HEAD INJURY, AND SHE IS NEVER PREDICTABLE IN WHAT SHE WILL SAY, SO WE HAVE BROUGHT HER BACK INTO FULL ACTIVITY, SHE EVEN WENT TO THE RELIEF SOCIETY BROADCAST. WELL, THIS LAST SUNDAY WAS FAST AND TESTIMONY MEETING, AND SHE GOT UP RIGHT AWAY AND I WAS A BIT NERVOUS IN WHAT SHE MIGHT SAY. BUT IT WAS AN AMAZING TESTIMONY, AND IT SET AN AMAZING SPIRIT ABOUT THE WHOLE CHAPEL FOR THE REST OF THE MEETING. BUT THE FUNNY PART IS WHEN SHE BASICALLY CALLED ME OUT OVER THE PULPIT. SHE SAID... " IF IT WERE NOT FOR THOSE TWO HANDSOME BOYS IN THE SUITS I WOULDNT BE HERE. BUT THAT DARN ELDER PETERSEN NEEDS TO SLOW DOWN WHEN HE PRAYS, HE SAY THE END SO FAST YOU CAN BARELY HEAR CHRIST'S NAME, SOME PEOPLE DONT EVEN KNOW HIM YET! " ... AND OF COURSE THE WARD LAUGHED, AND I HAD TO GO REDEEM MYSELF. SINCE I'VE BEEN IN THIS WARD FOR OVER 4 MONTHS NOW, THEY ALL KNOW ME PRETTY GOOD. BUT I GOT UP AND SAID. "APPARENTLY IM THE FAST TALKING MISSIONARY" LOL... SO IT WAS A REALLY GOOD MEETING. BUT BEFORE I FORGET, TRANSFERS ARE NEXT WEEK, SO THAT MEANS A TUESDAY P-DAY NEXT WEEK. SO PLEASE DONT FORGET. ITS CRAZY THE TRANSFER IS OVER. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO STAY IN OKOTOKS THO, SO WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT WEEK. SO LETS SEE, UM ITS STARTING TO GET A BIT CHILLY, FIRT SNOW IS FORECASTED FOR THIS WEEKEND. CRAZY EH? I KNOW IM NOT READY FOR IT EITHER, BUT ILL LOOK FOR THE THINGS I STILL NEED FOR WINTER, AND I'LL FIND OUT HOW MUCH THEY COST THEN LET YOU KNOW. ANYWAYS, IM GLAD ALL IS GOING GOOD BACK HOME, AND HEARING THAT WHITNEY IS STILL TOUGH AS EVER. I HAVENT HEARD FROM THE TWINS IN A WHILE, THAT WOULD BE NICE. BUT ANYWAYS, OH MOM, VERNA, A.K.A. " MY CANADIAN MOTHER" (SHE CALLS HERSELF THAT TO ALL THE MISSIONARIES ...LOL... WANTS TO CALL YOU AND TALK TO YOU A BIT. SO SHE BASICALLY WANTS TO TELL YOU IM DOING WELL, AND WHAT I MEAN TO HER, SO BE READY AND BE READY TO BE ON THE PHONE FOR A GOOD CHUNK OF TIME. :) OH AND I HAVENT GOTTEN THE PACKAGE YET, BUT I MIGHT TODAY. ANYWAYS, I WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH! NOTHING IN THIS WORLD CAN COME BETWEEN AN ETERNAL FAMILY, AND THE KNOWLEDGE I HAVE OF FAMILIES THROUGH THIS GOSPEL IS INDESCRIBABLE. I LOVE BEING ABLE TO SHARE MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IN THE TEMPLE AS A FAMILY WHEN WERE WERE SEALED TO THE TWINS WITH PEOPLE. IT BRINGS TEARS TO MY EYES EVERY TIME, AND I GET A FRYING PAN IN THE FACE OF A RECOGNITION FROM THE HOLY GHOST THAT WHAT IM SAYING IS TRUE! I LOVE THE FACT THAT NOT ONLY AM I HELPING PEOPLE BECOME CONVERTED TO THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST, BUT THAT IM ALSO MOVING FORWARD IN MY OWN CONTUNIED CONVERSION. THIS GOSPEL IS FOR EVERY ONE, AND I HAVE A STRONG TESTIMONY OF THAT! IM SO HAPPY AND HONORED TO HAVE THIS EXPERIENCE OF SERVING THE LORD AND THE PEOPLE OF CANADA! I WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, AND I THINK AND PRAY FOR YOU ALL EACH DAY! PLEASE DONT FORGET THE TUESDAY PDAY NEXT WEEK! I LOVE YOU ALL! STAY STRONG, THE LORD IS ALWAY WATCHING OVER HIS FLOCK! AND IM SO HAPPY TO BE APART OF THE ONES WHO FIND HIS SCATTERED SHEEP! I LOVE YOU ALL!
LOVE, ELDER OGEN
P.S. HELP THE MISSIONARIES IN ELK GROVE! THEY NEED IT, WE ALL DO! :)

WEEKLY EMAIL- Week 24

HELLO FAM! WOW, SOUNDS LIKE A LOT IS GOING ON, YEP SAME OLD PETERSENS, ALWAYS RUNNING AROUND WITH STUFF TO DO! ANYWAYS, TO ANSWER MOST OF YOUR QUESTIONS, NO WE DONT HAVE THE CAR BACK YET, WE GET IT BACK ON THE 1ST OF OCTOBER, AND FOR NOW WE ARE RIDING THE BIKES EVERYDAY. THEY ARE LIKE A COMMUNAL SET OF BIKES FOR OUR ZONE FOR WHOEVER NEEDS THEM. AND LET ME TELL YOU BIKING OUT TO ACRAGES STINKS...LOL.. WE GET MEMBER RIDES SOMETIMES, BUT NOT ALWAYS. ITS LIKE ME RIDING FORM OUR HOUSE OUT TO WILTON SOME TIMES, NO JOKE. THATS BASICALLY HOW OKOTOKS IS. ELK GROVE AND WILTON, OKOTOKS AND DeWINTON. LIKE ITS FUNNY HOW PARTS OF TOWN AND THE ACREAGES REMIND ME OF HOME. OKOTOKS HAS A LITTLE " OLD TOWN" LIKE ELK GROVE, AND ITS FUNNY TO WALK DOWN CUZ IT KINDA LOOKS LIKE OURS. ANYWAYS, IVE ACTUALLY LOST ABOUT 8 POUNDS ON THOSE DANG BIKES. WE HAVE BEEN RIDING THEM FOR ALMOST A MONTH, AND ITS STARTING TO SHOW ON BOTH OF US, BUT HEY NO COMPLAINTS HERE! :) AND IM LIKING THE RIDING ACTUALLY, I JUMP CURBS AND HAVE GOTTEN PRETTY COMFORTABLE ON THEM AND DO RIDING WHEELIES FOR A FEW FEET AND IT GETS PEOPLES ATTENTION AND THEY LOOK AND SMILE AND SOMETIMES LAUGH CUZ IT LOOKS KINDA FUNNY TO SEE A GUY IN A SHIRT AND TIES DOING TRICKS ON A BIKE I GUESS.. AND I MIGHT DO THEM ON PURPOSE NOW...LOL... ITS BETTER TO MAKE PEOPLE LOOK AND SMILE THEN YELL AT US. LOL... SO ALL IS GOING GOOD, AND IM GLAD TO HEAR THAT THE TWINS ARE USING THE BUNK BEDS WE BUILT...LOL... FUN TIMES. AND SOUNDS LIKE YOU GOT ENOUGH PORK TO LAST A WHILE TOO. LOL... I NEVER REALIZED HOW MUCH I PUT LOL IN MY LETTERS. I MUST BE HAVING TEXT SEPARATION ISSUES! :) BUT SO SINCE YOU'RE SENDING OUT THE PACKAGE, CAN YOU REMEMBER TO PUT AIR MAIL ON IT IF ITS NOT TOO EXPENSIVE, CUZ IT WILL TAKE LIKE A MONTH OR TWO BY GROUND. BUT NO WORRIES IF ITS ALREADY ON ITS WAY! :) SO LETS SEE, WELL ALL IS GOING GOOD OUT HERE, I THOUGHT OLLIE HAD LIKE FALLEN OFF THE EARTH, BUT HE JUST HAS BEEN GOING TO CHURCH AT A DIFFERENT TIME, AND HE STILL WANTS TO BE BAPTIZED, SO THAT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME. I WISH WE COULD HOLD ON TO HIM LONG ENOUGH TO THROW HIM IN THE WATER THOUGH. HE IS LIKE TRYING TO CATCH A GREASED PIG...LOL... TUFF EH WHITNEY? :) BUT I KNOW THE LORD HAS PREPARED HIM, AND THAT HE HAS A PLAN FOR ALL OF US, AND HIS PLAN FOR OLLIE IS JUST TAKING A BIT OF TIME. OLLIE HAS BEEN PREPARED, AND I NEED TO BE SURE I AM PREPARED FOR HIM. IT CAN BE DISCOURAGING SOMETIMES, BUT I KNOW THAT NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, IF I GIVE MY ALL AND PUSH UNTIL I HAVE TO CRAWL, CHRIST WILL PICK UP THE REST AND HELP ME TO ENDURE TO THE END. IM SO THANKFUL FOR THE KNOWLEDGE I HAVE OF THIS GOSPEL. I WOULDN'T TRADE IT FOR THE WORLD! I WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW HOW THANKFUL I AM TO ALL OF YOU FOR THE DRIVING FORCE YOU ALL GAVE ME TO ACCEPT THE HONOR IT IS TO BE CALLED AS A PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF CHRIST! NOTHING, AND I MEAN NOTHING, CAN STAND IN MY WAY WITH CHRIST AS MY CRUTCH TO LEAN ON WHEN TIMES GET HARD. I KNOW THAT HE HAS BEEN THERE BEFORE, AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING IN MY LIFE THAT HE HAS NOT FELT THE PAIN OF, AND THAT NO MATTER HOW HARD THINGS GET, THAT I WILL ALWAYS HAVE SOMEONE WHO KNOWS EXACTLY HOW I FEEL! I LOVE THIS GOSPEL, AND I LOVE MY ETERNAL FAMILY! IM PRAYING FOR YOU ALL EACH AND EVERYDAY! YOU ALL MEAN THE WORLD TO ME AND MORE! I LOVE YOU!
LOVE, ELDER OGEN

WEEKLY EMAIL-WEEK 23

HEY FAM! :)
I NEVER LOOKED AT TIME THE WAY I DO NOW, IT'S AS IF ITS MUCH, MUCH SHORTER NOW THEN IT WAS BEFORE. IT REALLY PUTS THINGS INTO PERSPECTIVE FOR ME ON THE IMPORTANCE OF USING MY TIME WISELY AND SPENDING THESE TWO YEARS AS A PART OF GODS ARMY TO PUSH FORWARD THE WORK UNTIL I CAN'T PUSH ANY MORE! ITS CRAZY TO THINK OF HOW INVOLVED YOU BECOME WHEN YOUR SET APART AS A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST. HOW EMOTIONAL YOU GET WHEN YOU TEACH ABOUT HIS GOSPEL, AND HOW MUCH IT REALLY MEANS TO YOU. I TRULY KNOW THE MEANING OF THE "WANT" TO SHARE THE MESSAGE, BECAUSE OF ALL THE WONDERFUL THINGS IT BRINGS TO ME IN MY LIFE! AND ALSO ALL THE AMAZING EXPERIENCES THE MISSION BRINGS. LIKE THIS PAST THURSDAY WE HAD A MISSION TOUR. ELDER KENT F. RICHARDS OF THE 2ND QUORUM OF THE 70 CAME AND SPOKE TO US. ITS WAS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF NOT ONLY TEACHING BY FAITH, BUT ALSO OF LEARNING BY FAITH! IT WAS A WAY POWERFUL MEETING, AND SOMETHING I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER, IT HELPED ME TO REALIZE SOMETHINGS, AND PUT THINGS INTO BETTER PERSPECTIVE. BUT THE MOST AMAZING AND KIND OF TRIPPY EXPERIENCE WAS WHEN WE GOT TO ALL MEET AND SHAKE HIS HAND. HE WAS ASKING EVERYONE WHERE WE WERE FROM AND HOW OUR FAMILY WAS DOING AND STUFF LIKE THAT. HE ASKED WERE I WAS FROM, AND I TOLD HIM SACRAMENTO, CUZ ITS BETTER KNOWN THEN ELK GROVE. AND THEN HE ASKED HOW MY FAMILY IS DOING, AND I SAID, "STILL GROWING" AND YOU WILL NEVER BELIEVE WHAT HE SAID NEXT. HE STILL HAD MY HAND IN HIS GRIP, AND HE LOOKED ME STRAIGHT IN THE EYES AND SAID, " ELDER, IM SORRY YOUR MISSING THE WEDDING." AND THEN .... WELL... I STARTED CRYING. LOL.. IT DIDNT HIT ME AT THAT POINT THAT HE KNEW WITHOUT ME SAYING A WORD, BUT IT WAS THAT HE WAS SINCERELY AND TRULY SORRY FOR ME. THAT HE SOMEHOW KNEW HOW IMPORTANT AND HARD IT IS FOR ME TO MISS THE WEDDING. AND THEN AS I WALKED AWAY I WAS COMFORTED,BY THE THOUGHT OF THE OPPORTUNITY I HAD TO SPEAK WITH SOMEONE WHO IS SO IN TUNE WITH THE SPIRIT! IT WAS A LITTLE CREEPY IN A WAY IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, BUT ITS NOT CREEPY AT ALL! IT WAS... WELL... AWESOME! THAT WAS A DAY FULL OF EMOTIONS THAT WERE COMING FROM ALL SIDES, BUT EACH AND EVERY ONE BUILT UP MY TESTIMONY! WOW, THAT IS SOMETHING I CAN NEVER FORGET. OH MOM, DONT WORRY ABOUT THE PICTURE SLEEVES IF YOU CANT FIND THEM, ITS NOT THAT BIG OF A DEAL. I CAN PROBABLY FIND SOME SOMEWHERE, BUT WHAT I WOULD APPRECIATE, IS SOME OF THOSE LIGHT BLUE ENVELOPES I GOT BEFORE I CAME OUT, THE ONES FROM STAPLES? PLEASE. THANKS! SO LETS SEE, WELL IM LOVING BEING SR. ITS A LOT EASIER WHEN YOU KIND OF GET TO MAKE THE DECISIONS, I MEAN WE BOTH TALK THINGS OUT, BUT UTIMATLY ITS WHAT I FEEL IS BEST FOR OUR COMPANIONSHIP. AND WE GOT BIKES THE OTHER DAY, AND LET ME TELL YOU. GOSH IM TIRED...LOL... I HIT THE PILLOW EVERY NIGHT AND PASS OUT. I REALIZE HOW SPOILED WE ARE WITH A CAR, BUT WE GET IT BACK SOON. ANYWAYS, LETS SEE, OH SO I TOLD YOU ALL ABOUT VERNA AND LEE, THE LESS ACTIVE COUPLE WE SEE ALL THE TIME, WELL THEY WERE BAPTIZED A YEAR AGO, AND THEY HAVE BEEN TO CHURCH ONLY ABOUT 4 TIMES. AND I HAVE BEEN ALMOST PLEADING WITH THEM TO COME AND THEN THIS LAST SUNDAY, AS WE WERE SINGING THE OPENING HYMN, VERNA PLOPS DOWN RIGHT NEXT TO ME!!! IT LITERALLY MADE MY DAY! ITS CRAZY HOW YOUR FEELINGS TOWARDS THE WORK AND THE PEOPLE YOU SERVE, REALLY TURN TO LOVE! WE ARE SEEING REAL PROGRESS WITH THEM, AND DAVID AND HIS WIFE SHOULD BE HOME NOW, SO WORK SHOULD BE GOING FORWARD CONTINUALLY! I WANT YOU GUYS TO KNOW THAT MY TESTIMONY IS GROWING EACH AND EVERY DAY, AND I COULD NEVER DENY THE TRUTHFULNESS OF THIS GOSPEL! I WITNESS THE MIRACLES OF IT EVERYDAY! NOT ONLY HERE, BUT AT HOME AS WELL! I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH AND I LOVE HEARING OF ALL THAT HAPPENS AT HOME! IM SORRY I CANT BE THERE TO BE THE BIG BROTHER TO BEAT UP THE MEAN TEACHERS, BUT HEAVENLY FATHER AND JESUS NEED ME FIGHTING ON THE FRONT LINES OF THIR TEAM RIGHT NOW! I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH, AND I CAN NEVER THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR THE LOVE AND SUPPORT YOU GIVE ME AND HELPING ME TO SERVE A MISSION! STAY STRONG, AND REMEMBER TO PRAY ALWAYS! I LOVE YOU!!!
LOVE,ELDER OGEN

WEEKLY EMAIL-WEEK 22

***Be sure you don't miss the post below with the latest pictures sent home by Elder Petersen***

HELLO EVERYONE,
SO FIRST OFF, I FEEL BAD, CUZ I DONT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO EMAIL DAVID, COURT AND STACY BACK, I MIGHT BUT IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHEN I GET DONE WRITING TO THE FAM! SO THE MYLDSMAIL.NET WAS HAVING TROUBLE FOR LIKE 30 TO 45 MINUTES TODAY. SO THATS WHY IM A LITTLE RUSHED FOR TIME, BUT I KNOW THAT EVERYONE GETS THIS EMAIL, SO IT WILL BE BEST TO JUST SEND THE BIG ONE FOR THIS WEEK. BUT I'LL TRY TO EMAIL THE GIRLS AND DAVID. BUT ANYWAYS, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS DAD, MY COMPANION HAS BEEN OUT FOR ABOUT 7 MONTHS, AND NO WE ARENT CO-SR. AND IT IS DEFINETLY STARTING TO GET A BIT CHILLY OUT HERE...LOL. BUT I HAVE ACCUMULATED TWO NICE BIG WINTER JACKETS AND 2 NICE PAIRS OF GLOVES, SO ALL I'LL NEED TO GET IN A MONTH OR SO IS A BEENIE, SCARF AND SOME EAR MUFFS. BUT NO WORRIES YET. SO GET THIS GUYS, ITS PRETTY IRONIC. SO NOW THAT I FINALLY GOT TO DRIVE, AND BE FULL TIME DRIVER, I WAS LOVING IT, AND THEN I WANTED THE TRUCK SO WE CLEANED OUR CAR LIKE CRAZY FOR THE CAR AWARD. SO WE WERE GOING TO FIND OUT WHO WINS TOMORROW, BUT I THINK ITS OUT OF THE QUESTION FOR ME TO WIN NOW WITH OUT EVEN HAVING A CAR ANYMORE.... SO THE REASON I DONT HAVE A CAR ANYMORE, IS WELL... DID YOU KNOW THAT THE CHURCH DOESN'T APPRECIATE IT IF YOU JUMP THE MISSION CARS AND TEAR THE FRONT BUMBLER AND GRILL OFF? WELL THEY DONT... AND ITS A GOOD THING I DIDNT DO THAT...LOL... BUT REALLY, WE HAVE A CERTAIN AMOUT OF KILOMETERS WE CAN DRIVE EACH MONTH, AND ELDER WILSON WENT WAY OVER THAT, SO THEY CALCULATED IT OUT TO WHERE ELDER GREENWELL AND I HAVE TO WALK THE REST OF THE MONTH TO BREAK EVEN, BUT WE GET IT BACK IN OCTOBER. NO BIGGIE, IT JUST STINKS THAT AS SOON AS I GET TO DRIVE, IT GETS RIPPED AWAY FROM ME. BUT ITS EXERCISE, SO IM NOT COMPLAINING. SO ITS IS JUST A BIT IRONIC. ANYWAYS, THINGS ARE STILL TOUGH WITH OLLIE, I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY, BUT I KNOW THAT HEAVENLY FATHER IS LOOKING OVER HIM, AND HE WILL COME AROUND SOON. WE ALSO MIGHT HAVE A NEW INVESTIGATOR THAT THE OTHER GUYS IN MY DISTRICT FOUND, SO THAT WILL BE NICE TO HAVE A NEW FACE. AND DAVID, OUR OTHER INVESTIGATOR SHOULD BE BACK FROM HIS VACATION HERE IN A WEEK, SO THAT WILL BE GOOD, TO PICK THINGS BACK UP. GOSH, I NEVER THOUGHT LOOKING BACK THAT I WOULD GET SO EXCITED FOR MISSIONARY WORK, I KNOW THAT ADJUSTING TO MISSIONARY LIFE HELPS TOTALLY, AND KEEPING THE SPIRIT WITH YOU ALWAYS. BUT I JUST NEVER LOOKED AT IT THE WAY I DO KNOW. I COULD NEVER DOUBT THE THINGS I KNOW TO BE TRUE NOW! MY MISSION MEANS THE WORLD TO ME, AND EVEN THOUGH TIMES GET HARD, I KNOW THAT HEAVENLY FATHER DOESNT GIVE US THINGS HE KNOWS WE CANT ACCOMPLISH! I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY, AND IF I COME HOME A LITTLE MISSIONARY AWKWARD, THATS OK, AT LEAST YOU'LL KNOW I WAS WORKIN HARD...LOL.. BUT REALLY, THE WORK IS HARD, BUT IT IS SO WORTH IT. JUST TO FEEL THE SPIRIT TESTIFY TO ME AS I TESTIFY OF WHAT I KNOW TO ANOTHER OF HEAVENLY FATHERS CHILDREN! I KNOW THIS CHURCH IS TRUE, AND I KNOW THAT I'M CALLED OF GOD TO FIND HIS LOST SHEEP! I LOVE THIS WORK. GUYS, I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH, AND THAT IM ALWAYS PRAYING FOR YOU! SORRY THAT I CANT ANSWER EVERYONE TODAY, BUT I LOVE THE SUPPORT I GET FROM YOU ALL EACH AND EVERY DAY! KEEP 'EM COMIN', I'LL ANSWER! :) IM SO HAPPY TO HEAR ABOUT ALL THAT HAPPENS, WITH ALL THE LITTLE ONES AND SCHOOL, AND SOCCER, AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES, AND BABIES ON THE WAY AND THE BABIES EATING BRICK...LOL. POOR RYAN! BUT ANYWAYS I GOT TO RUN, SORRY ABOUT THE SHORT EMAIL THIS WEEK, BUT IT HAPPENS I GUESS. BUT THROUGH ALL THAT HAPPENS, KNOW THAT I LOVE AND PRAY FOR EACH ONE OF YOU EVERYDAY! NEVER BE AFRAID TO ASK ME TO PRAY ABOUT CERTAIN THINGS, BECAUSE AS DAVID PUTS IT, MISSIONARIES ARE RIGHT UNDER THE GENERAL AUTHORITIES WHEN IT COMES TO ANSWERED PRAYERS...LOL.. WELL WE'LL SEE, EH? ANYWAYS, I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO EACH WEDNESDAY! I CANT WAIT FOR THE PACKAGES, I THINK IM GOOD, WELL I CANT FIND ANY MELATONIN UP HERE, BUT THATS ABOUT IT. :) BUT I GOT TO RUN, I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH! STAY STRONG, AND REMEMBER TO PRAY ALWAYS!
LOVE,ELDER OGEN

Latest Pics

Here's the latest batch of photo's Elder Petersen sent home---in no particular order.
Some pictures have a comment or caption on the back-some don't. His captions will be in quotations. Get ready...you may "LOL" a lot...he sure did! :) Enjoy!


Our missionary...


"E. Eberly"


"GQ-ing in Okotoks" & "Okotok's View"

"Sheep River"

"My 'Petey Pop' LOL" & "My Makeshift Soda" (for those of you who don't know-he's given up soda since out in the field) & "The Making of..."

"E. Smith"

"Safety Officer Petersen"

"Parade help...we were blocking off traffic"

"Goodbye to Pridays" (Mission President & his wife)

"My MTC comp. at Zone Conference"

"My Flag"

"E. Dopp...LOL"

"Canada Day"

"E. Madsen burning his one year shirt"

"E. Smith. LOL"

"I was soaked from the rain storm" & "Don't ask...LOL"

"They are everywhere...LOL"

Verna & Lee

"The 'No Name' products are really No Name. LOL"

"My driver...E.Wilson"

"Foothills Zone"

"E. Wilson"

"E.Wilson, AKA Bubbls" & "E. Pearce"

"Goodbye to E. Stevenson"

"E. Snell & Holcombe"

"Black Diamond and Turner Valley"

"E.Stevenson 2 year suit burn. He's from Granite Bay, CA"

"E. Dickson and Smith" & "E. Stevenson & Whitt"

"Stampede Breakfast"

"Their REAL! LOL"

"Magnetic Silverware"

"TRANSFORMER!!!"

"Me and E. Barry"

"I WANT ONE!"

Hope you all enjoyed!!! We know he is having fun doing the Lord's work! :)