April 7 2020

(Elder Petersen)

So this week was a lot of the same boring routine as it has been for the last while. We were able this week to teach one of our investigators twice. Once on Tuesday, and once yesterday. While we were teaching her we felt the spirit even over the phone and we were guided to ask her if she would follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone holding the proper priesthood authority on Tuesday and she said that she would so we left her with the invitation to think about and ask God when she should be baptized. When we met with her again yesterday, we had the impression to ask her -if she had not already thought about one- if she would prepare herself to be baptized on April 18th and she excepted the baptismal date! Other than that monumental occasion not much else happened this week.

You sound like a goat

(Elder Slade)

This was the first full week that we have been stuck in our apartment doing missionary work. For those of you who are wondering, we are allowed a 40 minute walk outside, and we also get an extra 30 minutes of exercise. So I'm not completely holed up inside, and in response to my last email, I probably won't get fat due to that extra exercise. In fact, the mission had a competition for the number of push ups you can do in a minute, and I got second place out of the Elders, with 70 push-ups. As Elder Leavitt might say, I'm getting a bad case of Swolliosis. My biceps are the size of grapefruits now! Just kidding. I'm still as thin as a twig, with arms like spaghetti noodles, but that 70 push-ups thing wasn't a lie. A funny story about our exercise time though, is that we went out for a run one night, and when we came back, the door was locked. We didn't have our phones, or keys. Elder Leavitt ended up climbing onto my back, ripping the screen out of our 2nd story window and finagling his way in. During this, a car drove into the parking lot, and I'm pretty sure he was staring at us, and thinking we were crazy. It was a good laugh though.

Since we've been quarantined, we've been starting to embrace our culinary awesomeness during meals. I made some fresh pico de gallo (soooooo good!). Elder Leavitt made some sushi (interesting but not bad). We also made some spaghetti (super delicious). Today I plan on making banana bread. Hopefully it turns out alright. The title comes from a video Elder Leavitt and I filmed of us singing a song for someone we are teaching. When I was to come in, I had trouble searching for the right note, and he busted out laughing and he said I sounded like a goat, or a lawn mower. It was hilarious. Maybe I'll show the video to you when I get home. It's a little too embarrassing now, because he was right. I did sound like a goat.

We've spent most of our time calling, texting, and setting up video chat lessons. We've been teaching a lot. This week we found 3 people to teach over technology! 2 of the people we haven't met before. We went through the contacts in out sim card and called people we didn’t know, and that's how we found those 2. The other was the mother of Caden, the kid we baptized about a month ago. The work is still happening! It's at times like these that I'm so thankful for Elder Leavitt. He is such a good missionary. He works really hard, and he keeps a light mood so that we don't go crazy in here. I am truly blessed to have him as my companion right now. He is awesome!

Next week is general conference, or for those of you who don't know what that is, it's a time where the leaders and our prophet of our church speak to us. I'm so excited! I'm more excited than a tornado in a trailer park (as Tow Mater might say from Cars). It's really a blessing to have a prophet on earth that receives revelation from God to guide this church. It's been an awesome witness to see how through recent changes, Russel M. Nelson (our prophet) has prepared us for this time of corona craziness. I know that he is a prophet and receives word from God. I also know that we can receive revelation from God as we pray. As Russel M. Nelson said in a recent video he put out, I would ask you to try to "Hear Him", or to hear God in your own lives. I know that if you put in the effort, he will manifest himself to you in your life either through His Spirit, or through the tender mercies you see in your life.

I love you all!

Interesting fact: the world’s largest potato producing country is China. Of course China is pretty much the largest producing country of everything, but I thought it was interesting. Has anyone heard about the conspiracy that China started the Coronavirus? I think it's silly. But, if it is true, it probably spawned from a bad batch of radioactive potatoes or something. That would make since to me.

Pictures:

1. About to go out and run, and get real swoll!

2. Salsa

3. Elder Leavitt making sushi

4. Decided to take a picture

April 1, 2020

(Elder Petersen)

So this week has been pretty boring compared to other weeks in my mission because we just got completely quarantined. The highlight of this week was that transfers happened this last Wednesday so I got a new companion his name is Elder Davis and he is pretty cool. I am not enjoying being completely quarantined it has incredibly boring having to sit inside twenty-four seven right now. The only way that we are able to have any outside interaction is by calling people over the phone. Other than that they took our car away because they wanted to give all of the leadership cars so that they can fairy people around. sorry this letter is so boring this week hope next week will be better!

I never used bread as toilet paper before

(Elder Slade)

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

Before you freak out about the title, let me explain. What actually spawned this phrase was, we had a member text us yesterday that said something along the lines of "Do you guys have enough toilet paper and would you like some fresh bread I just made?" My companion's response was "I've never used bread as toilet paper before. Color me immature, but I thought this was one of the funniest things I've ever heard. I busted out laughing. We did accept the bread (who wouldn't accept fresh homemade bread out of the oven?), but needless to say, we did not use it for toilet paper. for those of you are worried, we have plenty of toilet paper.

It's been one unconventional week. Early in the week, we were told that we were not allowed to knock on any doors, and we had to call first to set up an appointment. Later in the week, we were told that we could not enter any person's home. As a result, we were stuck in our apartment doing missionary work. We are allowed to go out for walks and exercise but, that's pretty much it. I'm doing fine being stuck in the apartment, but the biggest issue is making sure I don't get fat. You might think we would be low on food, but we have sooooo much food at home! Due to the high population of members in this area, so many members have brought us snacks and food. We told one member that we would like some healthy recipes if he had any. Next thing we know, he sent an email out to the entire ward saying we need more food. About 5 or 6 members dropped by food after that. We are pretty much drowning in food and snacks right now, so no one needs to worry about us dying of starvation.

Despite being locked in the apartment, we have seen wonderful things happening! We have had a ton of success video calling member families and teaching them the message of the Restoration. At the end of teaching them, we ask if we can teach them again next week, and this time, they invite someone else to join in on the video call. Almost every time, they have someone that they could invite. So, we could be finding a lot of people to teach this week. The work is still going on! This week we are memorizing a quote by Joseph Smith, known as the Standard of Truth

“The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; … the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.

Despite all circumstances, the work of God will continue, through ran, snow, sleet, or Corona. I know this is a crazy time, and some of you might be a bit anxious, but I want you to know, that the work of God consists of bringing his children (all of you) peace and happiness. We may face trials and tribulations, but all things are to bring us experience and to help us become better people. Remember above all else, that Jesus Christ has descended below all things. He has felt your pain, your anxiety, your sadness, your disappointment and your guilt. Trust in God, and he shall direct thy path.

I love you all, I hope you have a spudtacular week! (all credit for that pun goes to my friend Akash)

Pictures:

1. A picture with our district. It was Edler Leavitt's idea to get on my shoulders

2. Me on a railroad track near our apartment

3-6. This morning we woke up early and hiked up a small mountain to see the sunrise. It was beautiful, and we got some good pics

Mar 25 2020

(Elder Petersen)

So this week has been very, very interesting starting from last Wednesday. Starting last Wednesday we got the message that all of the Missionaries in our mission have been effectively quarantined in our mission. After that message we had to cancel all of our plans for the days after that and reschedule for us to give our message to them over the phone. After that on Friday our mission president, President Hobbins called us to see if we would be home so that he could talk to my companion Elder Hall. In that discussion Elder Hall found out that he was being sent home due to the fact that he is a type 1 diabetic but was not sure when exactly he would be going home. After that he started to pack up his stuff so it was hectic that night and Saturday. Then on Sunday we had a mission wide zoom call in which all of the Missionaries who would be going home that transfer gave a quick testimony. After the zoom call ended about 10 minutes later President called us and thanked Elder Ward for is testimony but did not say anything about when my companion was supposed to go home, 10 minutes later the Assistants called us and told us that Elder Hall needed to be down in Ogden at the mission home by 9pm. So he finished packing, I packed a three day bag and we went to pick up two other Elders so that I would have a companion to be with until Wednesday when transfers are happening. So we also got our transfer board Sunday night telling us what would be happening and then today they told us that we will be getting a new transfer board Tuesday because we are getting 6 more missionaries then we had previously expected so now I have no idea what Is going to happen in the next week. So that is my week in a short email talk to y'all next week!

Im like a healthy beached whale

(Elder Slade)

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

Well, other than the world pretty much going into apocalypse mode, it's been a pretty normal week for me! Jk, these past few days have been super crazy. As of right now, we are doing normal missionary work and teaching. Our mission president told us to not freak out, however he did tell us to go to the store and buy two weeks of food and toiletries, just in case. Us, being mature adults and all, rather than buying 2 weeks of "food", we bought 2 weeks of snacks! Yep, you can begin to shake your heads now. He said if we come into contact with anyone with the virus, we are to quarantine ourselves for 14 days! I don't know about you, but being locked in an apt for 2 weeks with nothing to do but study, sounds horrible. Be prepared for me to lose my sanity and start saying really weird things in my emails if that happens to us. (You're probably laughing and saying, "I thought he was already saying some pretty weird things?", which you'd be right for saying. For example, one person we talked to was talking about the toilet paper issue. He said the only toilet paper he had was "John Wayne toilet paper", in other words, "rough, tough and don't take crap off anybody!" Elder Leavitt died laughing after hearing this.)

After we heard that all church meetings were cancelled, we were a little bit lost for a second, since that is one of our main focuses, to get people to church. However, after a moment's confusion, we picked ourselves up, and decided to start getting the fellowshippers/minister of the people we are teaching to invite them to do Come Follow Me with them. Our mission president later said that that is the way we would be counting "sacrament" attendance for our mission, so yay! It's amazing that the recent changes with the church, such as 2 hour church, and a home centered church supported curriculum for the members. this is a testament to me, of the ability of the prophet and the apostles being led by God in these latter days.

Despite the craziness and setbacks, the Lord is still working miracles. Nothing will stop the Lord's work from happening! We found one person to teach yesterday. His name is Sam Maughn is 9 years old, and his family is so talented! They invited us over for dinner, and the dad cooked for us. He is a professional cook that's been cooking for over 20 years and he made some coconut and peanut butter curry that was the best thing I ever ate! Yum! (elder LEaviit said the title of the email after we ate it.) Then after we had a lesson with them, his older brother Caleb, brought out his cello, and him and I (on the piano) played a Pianoguys duet of "Bring Him Home" from Les Mis. Their mother started singing as well, and it sounded amazing! It was amazing how we were able to connect with them through music. I definitely don't think it was a coincidence that I was brought to this area, where the Lord could us my musical talents in such a way. We were able to build a great relationship with them through this. This whole experience taught me to trust in the Lord, and to have faith in him. We may not know why we are sent somewhere, or why things happen to us, but we can trust in the "wisdom of him who knoweth all things" (2 Nephi 2:24). Despite the chaos the world may seem to be in now, we can trust in God's plan for us, and trust in the knowledge of where to find happiness and peace: His son Jesus Christ. I know that if you follow Jesus Christ and his teachings, nothing in the world will be able to affect your happiness. He is the light of the world, and the only way to lasting peace and happiness in this life. trust in him, and everything will be alright.

What disease is the leading cause of death among potatoes? Nope. It's not corona. It's

Nope. It's not corona. It's Tuber culosis

Pictures:

1-2. A beautiful sunset

3. 2 weeks worth of snacks

4. For service, we are helping a non-member build his house, so we did a little mudding this week

5. For some reason, when you sit on our coach, the light makes it so one pant leg is a different color than the other! It blew our mind the other day as we were planning.

Update

(Hermana Ellsworth)

Hello Family and friends!

It has been a while since I have sent out a weekly so we have A LOOOTT  to catch up on

I'll start off that I am now in P O N C E (Airhorn noises)  😎😎

Last transfer I was in Trujillo Alto and it was a wonderful area with amazing people :)

We taught some amazing people like Naomi, Emelio, the family Santiago Borrero. I loved the ward and my companion. Hermana Aguiar taught me a lot about being diligent.

I am grateful I met people like Benjamin  who is doing a church tour and building his own boat by hand :) He is a great example of always being anxiously engaged in a good cause

I am in a new area now in PONCE! We were working hard. And then church was taken away.... and now we cant leave our house... and things just keep declining.... BUT WE STILL HAD A GREAT TIME AT OUR OWN CHURCH!

I have been stress painting all day trying to keep calm not knowing how long we will be inside the house.

My new companion is Hermana Garcia from Honduras and she is the most amazing woman with so much faith. I love teacher with her.

At this point I am just grateful we have a prophet and leaders who helped us get prepared for things like this. It was such a blessing to take the sacrament in our home and have that familiar spirit. I love the gospel so much and I am so glad to be a missionary in Puerto Rico. The hurricanes, earthquakes,  protests, and plagues won’t stop me from enjoying my mission and trusting in the Lord.

I couldn’t get everyone on this list to send the weekly so please pass it along to my aunts and uncles and friends that aren’t on the list.