Goodbye Humacao

(Hermana Ellsworth)

Humacao has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. I have seen the hand of God work miracles in the people here and I will always look back on this time with fond memories and a stronger testimony of the blessings of God for his children. It was a short time of only 2 transfers but it was full of Miracles.

Julian, Ian, y Liliana in our last lesson with them :) They have changes my life and watch Julian be the next general authority at the age of 13.

The Youngs who live out here. We are eating in a restaurant where the church building used to be when Hno. Young served his mission here in Puerto Rico. They help so much with the mission work . I love them so much and they are wonderful examples to me about consecrating their lives for the Lord and doing so with so much style.

Fuimos para comer como un districto después... Wait... english... We went and got sushi. Goodbye hermana Plumb.

This is pinchofongo. SO GOOD

Christie has blessed my life by helping me know that God still heals people of every sickness and problem

Jaileen is the best person in the world and my new big sister. Sorry Paige. you have been replaced.

BUT HERE I COME TRUJILLO ALTO!!!!!

I AM SOEXCITED!!

January 28th 2020

(Elder Petersen)

So this week was an interesting one. To start out this week on Monday we had a ministering visit with a member and in that visit she told us about this friend of hers that was expressing interest in the church. So we talked to her about that for a while and then we went our separate ways. Then on Wednesday we had an early dinner with a packed night of member visits. On Thursday we huddled with our Senior couple the Waldners and discussed with them what we were doing in their stake as well as going over what they are doing in the stake as well. After that we went to service at a service run free family center. That was pretty interesting but all that we really did there was clean toys and count puzzle pieces. Then on Friday we had zone conference which took up a everything from 8 am to 4 pm basically. It was a very interesting zone conference where we learned how to better make the time that we are stuck in doors more affective. Then on Saturday we had our first lesson with a YSA age lady by the name of Hannah. She was a referral from some sisters up in Pennsylvania because one of those Sisters is Hannah's best friend. But the lesson went really well and our next lesson with her is tomorrow! Then yesterday we got a text from this YSA lady whom I talked about in the beginning saying that she had asked her friend if she wanted to meet with the Missionaries and she said yes!!! So that was my week.

Have a great week,

Sincerely Elder Petersen

Hey Mom!

(Elder Slade)

Hey! I arrived at the MTC safely. I'm in my first class now, and they told us to email home. Our P day is Thursday, so you'll probably receive another email from me tomorrow. My companion is Elder Lavold from Mesa Arizona.

2 Days Away!!

(Elder Slade)

To the best Friends and Family a person could hope for,

If you couldn't tell from the title, I have only two days left until I leave for the MTC!! I am super excited and can't wait to get out there! I've looked forward to this time in my life for many years growing up. I've always planned and wanted to go on a mission, and it is finally here! Some may wonder why I am willing to do this. I am foregoing time spent with family and friends and school and many other things, for two entire years. I will not get paid for this service, but volunteer for it with my own free will. Some may think that is a little bizarre or crazy. So for my first email, I wish to address why I am choosing to serve a mission. This reason is best represented in a verse from the Book of Mormon:

Alma 30:34

And now, if we do not receive anything for our labors in the church, what doth it profit us to labor in the church save it were to declare the truth, that we may have rejoicings in the joy of our brethren?

To sum it up, the reason I am going is because of joy! The knowledge and truth that have received from this gospel has brought me much joy. To know where we were before this life; to know where we are going; to know the purpose of our lives here on earth; to know that I can live with my family forever; to know where I can turn in times of stress, sorrow, and sadness and receive comfort and peace in return; to be guided in making all of my decisions in my life; to know that I am never alone; to know that it is possible to be forgiven and to change and become better people; and to know that there is a way to eternal happiness and joy after we die. All of these blessings bring me peace and joy in my life, and that is why I am choosing to serve a mission. The gospel brings me joy, and to be able to bring that joy to my brothers and sisters in Idaho, and rejoice with them in receiving this knowledge is payment enough for my service. I know some of you on this email list do not believe the way I do, and I do not ask you to believe what I do, but this is the reason I am serving a mission.

Thank you for wanting to hear from me each week. If you know of someone who might want to also receive these emails, have them email me, and I will put them on the next email. Or, if you have been linked in this email by mistake, and no longer want to receive these emails :( that's alright and just let me know.

My mailing address while in the MTC is:

Elder Gabriel Ronald Slade

02-12 | ID-IF

2005 N 900 East, Unit #103

Provo UT  84602

United States

Please do not send me a dead fish or something like that, but if you need to send me something in the next few weeks before I arrive in the mission field (hint: my favorite candy is Reese's peanut butter cups! Lol, you don't need to send me anything.), this is the address to send it to!

P.S.  Each email I'll try to send something funny or and interesting fact about Idaho or potatoes, so...

What do you call a potato that's reluctant to jump into boiling water?

A hesi-tater! Ha, that's funny right there!

Bible myths about heaven

(Sister Slade)

This week we were talking to an old lady who lives in a nursing home named Cathy. Her pastor had given her a book titled "Bible Facts About Heaven" and wanted us to read it to her because she's basically blind. (If you remember my email from 4 weeks ago, about the Priester, it's the same guy). There was so much false doctrine in it that it should have been called "Bible Myths About Heaven." I'm grateful for the knowledge that we have about the plan of salvation and the hope it brings. The book was fear driven as if the only way to talk about Heaven was to talk about Hell and scare people into Heaven. But God is loving and kind and merciful. He wants us to choose to be happy, not force us to be happy. That's not true happiness.

A lot happened this week, but nothing happened this week. We had exchanges in Springdale on Tuesday and that was fun. I served in Springdale for 10 days and got to see a couple of the people I had met while there. On Wednesday we had a stake district council and then Blitzed the Siloam Springs area. So there were 26 missionaries in one area trying to find people for the missionaries serving there to teach. Unfortunately no one found anyone for them to teach. The sisters that drove us up there though were terrible drivers. I think we almost died 7 or 8 times in the 30 minute drive. That was exciting.

That's about it for this week.

God is good.

Sister Slade

pictures

1-5. Saturday was really boring so we played at a park for 20 minutes before going in for dinner

6-8. I was really depressed on Saturday but then at service at the animal shelter, all one cat wanted to do was snuggle. it made me happy

9-10. We got to hold a baby bunny on Wednesday.

Tell me how your mission is going...

(Hermana Ellsworth)

Tell me how your mission is going. How long have you been out?

My mission is going so well! I have been out 1 year on Wednesday.  I have been able to learn a ton of Spanish so I can really share what I feel to the people here. I hot some rough spots about 6 months into the mission with companions and then a car crash but it was exactly what I needed to grow and progress! I Love how good God is at strategically placing trials in my life. I have seen a lot of fruit of my labor and I feel like I have been TOOO blessed. I love Puerto Rico and the people. Sadly I love the food too much and have gained 15 lbs.... but I know there are blessings after the mission too.

What’s a revelation you’ve received lately that has helped you or somebody else?

I have been able to study more about the restoration of the Gospel and better ways to teach that. I also got to feel the spirit work through me as I shared about how to receive personal revelation based on the experience Nephi had in chapter 10 and 11 of 1 Nephi. It helped them understand that their questions could lead to real answers if they exercise their faith first. I know I am teaching with the spirit when I end up learning something at the same time.

How has your testimony of the truthfulness of the church been tested?

I dont think the truthfulness of the church has ever been tested in my eyes. I know that it is true and every trial has taught even more that God knows everything and that he guides this church through a living prophet. I know that. I cant explain how or when I knew that for sure but at this point in my life I know it. God cannot Lie. That has been my motto for a hot second. If he told me once that it is true I know he cant lie. If he has told me the blessings of a commandment I know he will keep his word on that. My patriarchal blessing has helped me a ton to keep going and trusting in the promises of the Lord.

What’s something funny that has happened lately?

We were teaching a family with 2 boys, (8 years old and 11 years old) they have a short attention span so we have to spot every once in a while to play a game so they can get the lesson completely.  We were teaching the plan of salvation and when we got to the final judgment we told the boys they could have 1 minute to ask us as many questions as they want to see if we were keeping the commandments as if we were being "Judged"

They asked us "¿Cuáles son los nombres de su mejor amigos???" (Or what are the names of your best friends)

I started to answer and in a very strong spanish accent but in english the 11 year old said, "YOO LIIEE!!! JESUS CHRIST IS YO BEST FRIEND!!"

I about died laughing in the lesson because he thought he really got me on that one.

1 YEAR

(Hermana Ellsworth)

One Year in the mission and I get to celebrate it with some of the most amazing missionaries. These are some of the missionaries that were in the CCM with me not shown: Hermana Melhoff, Hermana Nelson, Elder Hill, Elder Cuthbertson, Elder Leemaster, Elder Stellway (Kibarabari), and Elder Makaafi, HAPPY ONE YEAR SINCE WE ALL MET IN MEXICO! (On Wednesday)

After our ultimate frisbee and volleyball zone activity we went and got some good Frappes (Just the name for smoothies in Puerto Rico)

Everything is relaxing a lot now that the earthquakes have mostly stopped and are less often.

It has been amazing to see the growth of the people and the church as a whole as people join together for the greater good. We are still teaching some amazing people and the Lord is blessing us with finding a lot of people and then having a lot of them keep commitments. We had 7 people at church on Sunday and the Ward members are bringing a lot of their friends to church so that we can get to know them. I love my mission so much and it has changed my life.

I am so excited to keep pushing hard and I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for me in next 6 months! Thank you everyone for all of your wonderful emails that I got last week! I am working on replying and I love hearing how everyone is! I love you all so much!

AND I ALMOST FORGOT!!! AFTER THE EARTHQUAKES THE TEMPLE OOOFFFIICIIAALLLYYYY STARTED CONSTRUCTION!!!!!!!!!!! They got the permission and everything and I am so excited to be here as it is finally moving towards construction!

I love Hermana Hahne so much! We have grown so much from when we first met in the CCM and I am so happy to be her companion! A spiritual Giant !!

GO FIGHT WIN!! We are fighting a battle out here and it is just part of the battle we fought before (Go to Revelations 12 for more information on how to fight ;) )