Week - 9 NEW BEST WEEK EVER!

So this is the NEW BEST WEEK EVER!

Partly because MY BIRTHDAY was on Wednesday and it was definitely the BEST birthday I have EVER had! I mean not every day do I invite someone to be baptized on the first lesson AND they ACCEPT. AND have it be on my birthday, that was like the best present ever! So we now have a new not only investigator but Progressing investigator with a baptismal date! She is INCREDIBLE! Truly "Golden" in every way. She came to all 3hrs of church on Sunday and LOVED it!  We've met with her a total of 3 times and she just feels the spirit so strongly and gets confirmation about everything we teach her. 

And thank you SO much to ALL the Young Woman in my Daphne home ward for ALL the incredible cards you sent! That was the sweetest surprise ever! I've loved receiving all the thoughtful cards everyone has been sending! Thank you so much! 

And yes mom and dad I was made a cake! Actually more like 5 cakes...! Sister Shakespeare made two strawberry cakes, Brother F (who was confirmed the week I got here) had a red velvet cake made for me and brought it to me at the VC(Visitor's Center) (sweetest thing EVER!), Sister Nordhagen (my companion) had a cake for me, and Sister S (sister in our ward) had us over the next night for a birthday cake for me. All I can say is that its a REALLY good thing we run EVERY morning! hahaha It was so sweet though and then all of the VC sisters made and signed a special birthday card for me and it was just a very special day!

This week has seemed like an extra long week as well but in a good way. So much good has happened! It has also been one of our most trying weeks for a number of reasons. Almost all of our meals got canceled, Sister Nordhagen got sick, and we're running low on miles. But their have been positive things that have come from each of those trials that have only made us stronger and we have seen the blessings because of it!!!!

THANKS FOR ALL YALLS LOVE AND SUPPORT!

I KNOW ITS SHORT BUT IM GOING TO TRY TO SEND SOME PICTURES THIS WEEK!!!!! :)

ps. Transfers are this week and Sister Nordhagen and I are the ONLY companionship in our zone staying together and in our same area! :)

<3

SISTER PETERSEN

jordyn.petersen@myldsmail.net 

Happy Birthday!

You can mail you birthday wishes to

Sister Jordyn Kealoha Lani Petersen

California Los Angeles Mission

1591 E. Temple Way

Los Angeles, CA 90024-5801

or email them to

jordyn.petersen@myldsmail.net

Happy Birthday 

Sister Jordyn Petersen!

Week 8 - Legen....Wait for It.... Dary!

May 20, 2013 6:20:22 PM CDT

BEST WEEK EVER!

Okay I just need to say that this seriously was the best week ever and I don't even know where or when to start. This week was just so inspired and full of true MIRACLES! I wish I had time to capture them all in this email for you but I will do my best to emphasize the most inspiring parts of the week. 

First of all ELDER COOK, yes the apostle, came and spoke to our mission on Saturday morning! It was seriously the BEST day EVER, at least on my mission thus far. Our ENTIRE mission was all together and that alone is incredible but then to add our mission President's presence and the presence of an Apostle of the Lord, the Spirit felt that morning was one of the strongest I've ever felt. Not only were we able to hear from Elder Cook and his precious wife, but he shook everyone of our hands and were able to have that brief contact with him. It was so AWESOME! (you could even say legen... wait for it.. dary!) ;p In all seriousness though It was incredible. He spoke to us on many things including the hastening of the Lord's work. He also declared to us that WE (my generation of missionaries) are the missionaries that are serving in the LAST dispensations.

How incredible is that?! UMM SOOO Incredible! People that I've been meeting here in LA say they have seen missionaries numerous times and always said no, but now they're listening, and accepting the Lord. All those misisonaries or members before probably thought nothing would come from saying hi or knocking on a door 5 15 30 years ago, but those seeds that have been planted have grown and are being harvested in a beautiful way. And to be a part of that and be a hand for the Lord is an even greater feeling. Anyone that has a doubt about going on a mission, stop thinking about all the things you have or want to do. And think of how much more you will be able to accomplish because of the blessings of serving a mission and the people you will help along the way.

THEN that night I was at the Visitors Center and they came and found me and said someone was at the front for me. So I went up there and My Auntie Lisa from Hawaii was there with my little cousin Carys! I was so excited! AND Carys didnt know that I was here on my mission so it was a great surprise for her too. It was a wonderful "pre-birthday" surprise! It was a very sweet tender mercy that I am very grateful for. So thank you Auntie! I love you!

THEN that same night we get a phone call from a sister in our ward and we are teaching her 14yr old son who is not a member and she just called to let us know that her son had been reading the Book of Mormon for the past day and a half! Do you realize how HUGE that is!? Missionaries have been teaching him and his father  for years without much progress except them coming to church and now all of a sudden we receive this blessing. Then yesterday we were able to stop by because the Sister had a early birthday card for me, she is so sweet, and she wasnt home but the Brother and son were, so we talked with them outside for a little bit and found out that not only had the son been reading but he FINISHED 1Nephi AND the Brother had started reading the Book of Mormon too! The missionaries had stopped teaching this Brother but he's been coming to church with the whole family and had some questions answered at stake conference yesterday so we're going to start teaching him again too!

BLESSINGS AND MIRACLES!

PEOPLE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST IS SOOO TRUE!!!!!

out of time but I LOVE Y'ALL!<3
Sister Petersen

PS

This email is dedicated to my best friend Rachael  because she is so incredible and she enters the MTC on Wednesday! (my birthday) 

Rachael! You are going to blow away Temple Square! They have no idea the spiritual influence they are about to receive! You are such an inspiration to everyone you meet and everyone around you! Thank you for your constant support! The people you contact will truly be blessed because of your determination and testimony. I'm sorry I havent written you individually but I promise I print and read all your emails and have letters waiting to send you while you're in the MTC! See you in 18 months! I love you! <3 

jordyn.petersen@myldsmail.net

Sister Jordyn Kealoha Lani Petersen
California Los Angeles Mission
1591 E. Temple Way
Los Angeles, CA 90024-5801

Week 7- "C-the Change" (Updated 6/4/13 Photo)

May 13, 2013 12:21:27 PM CDT

THIS WAS THE BEST WEEK EVER! (well they get better each week so its easy to say that)

FIRST: On Wednesday we had zone conference. Which was AMAZING! Like I knew it was going to be great but It was REALLY great! If that makes sense? haha The theme for zone conference was C the Change. President and Sister Baker both spoke. They are both just so inspiring, it was really a reality check and I am so blessed to be here on this mission right now. Some of the main topics we talked about was being a consecrated missionary of the Lord and our importance. A Consecrated Missionary has willingness to give everything, every conscious thought and every consecrated action to the will and word of God.

A Consecrated Missionary:

1. Put on the alter of sacrifice ANY disobedience.

2. LEAVE or FEARS on the sacrifice alter

3. Put our romantic passions on the table

4. Give up pride

5. We put our n e g a t i v i t y and sarcasm on the table.

*"You are not just asking me to change my behavior, you are asking me to change my nature."

mini rant: We really do have to have a personal and passionate desire to do this work. Our faith and character make up who we are and what we do. There is a talk called "The Transforming Power of Faith and Character" by Elder Richard G. Scott from the October 2010 General Conference. Read it!

Also I've had to come to realize that I have to humble myself and ask Heavenly Father for help. As much as I wish I could I can't do EVERYTHING on my own. (most of it but not all ;p) It's not my "to-do" list that's important anymore, its the Lords work that is important.

SECOND: RACHAEL HANCOCK THE BEST FRIEND EVER CAME AND SURPRISED ME AT THE VISITORS CENTER ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON...! Okay sorry but that was pretty epic. No I'm not supposed to have visitors but she was in LA and I just happen to be here so it was pretty cool. I was happy to see a familiar face. I was able to give her a little tour. It was amazing that I was actually at the VC too because unless you email me and ask my schedule (which she did not btw) you never know what time I'll be here since it changes every week.

THIRD: I GOT TO SKYPE MY FAMILY YESTERDAY!!!!!! Not going to lie that was like the icing on the cake for this week to be so awesome. It was great to see you all! I love and miss you and am so proud to be part of this family! Pono, Practice hard in football. Go to seminary EVERYDAY and be ON TIME! I love you little big brother!. Keila, study hard, work on your personal progress and dont be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Goodluck with Softball and I love you! Kimo, work hard in school and always do your very best. You are so sweet I love you baby! Kekoa, dont grow up so fast! but if you do learn how to say "Jojo is the best!" ;) Love you keki! Daddy, Congratulations on being the Ward Mission Leader, remember DAILY CONTACT with the missionaries, and the training videos online are good for it too. watch them.

AND you should send me some of your famous cookies cause you love me :) are you wearing sunglasses? ;) Love you Daddykins!

Mommy, HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!(again) I love you so much, thank you for your excellent example to me and the rest of our family. You are my rock and support. I am so proud to have you as my mother. I Love you mommy!

So this week was incredible and there were so many other miracles that I witnessed as well.
One especially hit me last night. A young family came to the VC last night as they are here in Cali on vacation. They are members of the church and have two little kids. A daughter that is 10 and a son that is 4. We had them all watch "God's Plan for His Family" and it hit all of them in a very special way. After it was over the little boy said it was his favorite movie and he wanted to watch it again and again. The little girl said she wanted to be married in the temple just like the girl in the movie. The parents of those kids set a great example to them. But what really hit my companion and myself was when we asked the little boy and girl what they were thankful for and they said us because of our example for them. These are two little kids and they had such sweet spirits. They said we were their heroes and both want to be missionaries just like us one day. It was a tender moment for us all. You never know who you are going to influence. 

Well time is short but I love you all!

<3

Sister Petersen


jordyn.petersen@myldsmail.net

Sister Jordyn Kealoha Lani Petersen
California Los Angeles Mission
1591 E. Temple Way
Los Angeles, CA 90024-5801

Week 6 - I Survived the LA Blackout! (Updated 6/4/13 Photo)

(Note from Mom: I was worried since I hadn't received an email from Jordyn on Monday May 6, 2013. Then I was having a bad day on Tuesday, May 7th (It was the first anniversary of my father's death). Well, while I happen to be checking my email I get this email from Jordyn that says "I'm Online!!!"  So, I got to email back and forth to her, just like a chat. It made me feel so close to her and just was what I needed to help me through that day. The Lord knows what we need and prepares a way for us to receive it if we just stay faithful, lean on Him and take upon us Jesus Christ as our Savior. )

May 7, 2013 4:01:36 PM CDT

EVERYONE!

Tour in the Dark

So I survived the darkness! The Visitor's Center and temple have been without power since yesterday morning. BUT the power did come back on an hour ago so we're good! The Temple had a generator so they were good. But we were out of luck here though It was interesting using flashlights to give tours through the Visitors Center! It made us think more and rely on the scriptures, yet still allowed us to use pictures and whatever we had available.

One cool thing that happened a week ago is that the performing group "Remembering Our Culture" (ROC) came and performed at the VC this past Tuesday. We had so many investigators here and it was packed full! Everyone had a ton of teaching opportunities because of it!

So this past week was full of miracles even more than usual. (which is alot!) I had an INCREDIBLE experience in the teaching center! I called this referral and he answered and he said that he had read the Book of Mormon, gone to church before, and knew that everything we believe was true! I was like then why are you not a member or baptized?!? And he said he was almost baptized once before but backed out because he got scared and  didnt want to be a let down because even though he lives righteously he sees how incredible the members he knows are and didnt want to fall. So I taught him for an HOUR AND A HALF over the phone and am working with him and helping him set and reach goals to get where he wants to go, the temple. It was so incredible! AND another contacting experience, we went into McDonalds to use the restroom (Rachael remember dying our hair in one of those... ;p) and we stopped and talked to this guy and told him to come to a piano performance at the VC Sunday night if he was able to and gave him a flyer. We only talked to him for about 5 minutes but guess what HE CAME! And we didnt even know it until he came up to us afterward and thanked us! He had to go but hopefully we'll see him again soon!

AND we had one of our investigators come to church on Sunday and she could only stay for Sacrament because she has a baby and her husband was off but she loved it and hopes to come next week and she is also going to a church broadcast thing here tonight with a member so keep her in your prayers!

So this week has just been incredible and I LOVE all of you and all your emails! So please keep it up! I need mailing addresses to so if you can email me yours that would be great to send letters!

LOVE YOU!

Sister Petersen

jordyn.petersen@myldsmail.net

Sister Jordyn Kealoha Lani Petersen 

California Los Angeles Mission

1591 E. Temple Way

Los Angeles, CA 90024-5801