Nailed it.

"Sisters you have a flat tire" said the Fairhope Sisters' Scottish neighbor, as we were pulling out to drive back to Tallahassee.

TWO DAYS EARLIER . . .

I was sitting in Institute learning about Celestial Marriage, trying to take good notes ;), and suddenly MY TOOTH FALLS OUT OF MY MOUTH! Needless to say I was very, very calm, as I always am when my teeth fall out of my mouth, and I called a dentist and they scheduled me and appointment 3 days later on Friday morning.

-some of my favs

With my aching jaw, we ventured onward to the Mobile Zone Wednesday morning for our exchange. This isn't really important to the story but I love Sister Hart and Sister Johnson like they were my own. THEY ARE GOD SENT PEOPLE! Anyway, we have a wonderful exchange in my sweet home in Alabama and we depart at 2:00 pm Central, Thursday afternoon to make it home at 7:00 pm, Eastern, with two hours to spare for curfew and we would be in Tallahassee for my dentist appointment the following morning. This is when Ms. Rose informed us of our tire. Trying to be calm and practical we figured it might just be low so we went to the gas station and put air in the tire. Obviously, two sister missionaries who are stressed and totally know how cars work, looked completely calm with the raging wind storm while we tried to pump our tire with air.

-Bishop Boxx was not amused. HAHAHA

Thankfully the spirit told me we did not do a sufficient job at filling the tire. So I pulled in a favor from a long time friend. Bishop Boxx answered the phone and with a long deep sigh he said "Sister Petersen? I thought we got rid of you" HAHAHAHA he acts like we're not best buds! So he meets us at the gas station to inspect our tire and SURE ENOUGH WE HAD A NAIL! WELL THAT JUST WASN'T GONNA WORK BECAUSE BY THIS TIME IT WAS ALREADY 4 PM AND WE WOULDN'T MAKE IT BACK TO TALLAHASSEE BY 9 PM AND THEIR WAS A TROPICAL STORM ROLLING IN AND WE NEEDED A NEW TIRE AND I NEEDED TO GET TO MY DENTIST APPOINTMENT. But don't worry I was totally calm cool and collected through this entire saga. 

Well, we get to PepBoys. They change our tire. We share the gospel in the waiting room with Hasten. He's gonna get baptized. Then we ate dinner at the Boxx's because they missed me, then we drove 2 hours to Crestview. Then we got up at 5 AM to drive 3 more hours to Tallahassee. We ran inside, changed into proselyting clothes, ran to the dentist, got my teeth drilled, ran to the institute for a lesson and at this point it was 1:00pm on Friday and the only thing we had eaten was a McDonald's hashbrown and a Krispy Kreme donut! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA - We get to the institute and BAM, I got to be a part of one of the most spiritual lessons in my whole mission.

-probs how I broke my tooth.
But MMMMM I love me some crawdads hahaha

Right now we are teaching a girl named Katy and she is the elect. She was chosen to hear the gospel. I love her so much. We talked about the atonement of Jesus Christ and about our pre-mortal existence and I know without a doubt I knew this sister before this life. I know that I was sent here specifically for her. Please, please keep her in your prayers. She is so ready for the healing of the Savior. After our lesson, Katy told us she couldn't make it to General Conference because she would be out of town, but because this is the Lord's work we set her up with the missionaries for Saturday morning session where she would be. It just so happened that Katy ended up hearing the words of the prophet sitting with Sister Evensen and Sister Smith in Fox Run, Florida. This is a mighty work and a wonder. This is not a fairy tale.

-Members made all the missionaries in our district
cinnamon rolls for conference, that's what I call ministering!

I know this was a long drawn out story. We made some crazy memories this week. But, I couldn't help but reflect on our lesson with Katy all throughout conference. So many people think that the Savior simply "died for our sins", but there's so much more. Jesus Christ suffered everything. His crucifixion was only one element of His atoning sacrifice. And with nail scarred hands, He rose again. I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know that He is coming. I know that the work of the salvation of souls is rolling forth and one day soon each of us will feel the prints of His hands and feet from the merciless nails that scarred them. He is life eternal and I promise you can know that for yourself. Listen, hearken, to the counsel of the Prophet and your days will be brighter and brighter even until that perfect day. 

-SISTER  p e t e r s e n

Carry On!

- Last car selfie, but look it's 3 of my companions in one car!
 LOL (LOT'S of love)

This week was insane! So, Sunday night we got the anticipated phone call from President Smith with Transfer news. LO AND BEHOLD Sister Smario got moved to FORT WALTON BEACH. You can bet your apples I was crying! I was dang excited! Sister Mifflin is pretty awesome. What can I say I actually have the coolest companions in the south. Just Sayin. She's from Bakersfield, California and I served with her when I was in Fort Walton! Back in the day, Sister Evensen trained my fierce little companion! She is stellar! I am really excited to serve with her again!

- This is how Sister Smario left my desk.
Little notes and I love her and miss her so much!

- Sister Viola is leaving the field and I love this sister with all my heart.
She changed my mission!

Well, transfer week kind of shot our week but that's ok. Just a lot of craziness. We got to invite the new missionaries into our mission home and I love seeing them so much! Just their excitement and passion for the work! Friends, this is not a fairytale. We are doing important stuff and even though my home and my family and my cat seem like a distant dream, I feel the sacrifice that my fellow servants make and it reminds me of my own and that we, as disciples of Jesus Christ, do not sacrifice and follow Him in vain. Decide now what you're willing to do to endure to the end. 

I had the opportunity to go to a small fireside here where a church administrative, smart history byu professor, of sorts, came and spoke. His name is Robert Millet or something (; anyway it was really inspiring. He talked to us about deep conversion. Having pure understanding and knowledge of simple truths creates a deeper devotion to the Savior and the commandments and blessings He promises us. This coming week in conference we will be invited to do the small and simple things. We will be reminded and chastised by the spirit what we can improve on and we will be guided to light. If we are but willing to act on that light, our testimonies of the truthfulness of the restored gospel will burn within us. I have an unshakable testimony that I am an instrument in the hands of God for the salvation of His children, and guess what, so are you. Accept that in your heart. You are influencing the people around you and they are influencing you. Surround yourself with goodness and fellow saints and stay on the path that leads to eternal happiness! I love each of you so deeply and it is because of all the simple reasons that I love you that I can love you so deeply. When you mess up once or twice, I cannot throw away our entire relationship, this is how you need to be in developing your of the Prophet Joseph Smith and relationship with Jesus Christ.

Joseph was an instrument, a prophet of God. We have prophets on the earth today and we have the glorious opportunity to hear the voice of the Lord this coming week. Let us build upon our testimonies and the testimonies of those who have come before us. I love you all!

1. — Firm as the mountains around us,

Stalwart and brave we stand

On the rock our fathers planted

For us in this goodly land—

The rock of honor and virtue,

Of faith in the living God.

They raised his banner triumphant—

Over the desert sod.

2. We’ll build on the rock they planted

A palace to the King.

Into its shining corridors

Our songs of praise we’ll bring,

For the heritage they left us,

Not of gold or of worldly wealth,

But a blessing everlasting

Of love and joy and health.

And we hear the desert singing:

Carry on, carry on, carry on!

Hills and vales and mountains ringing:

Carry on, carry on, carry on!

Holding aloft our colors,

We march in the glorious dawn.

O youth of the noble birthright,

Carry on, carry on, carry on!

(ps you can sing the last line in the voice of Nate Ruess) 

-SISTER p e t e r s e n

oh oh oh it's glorious....FOOD glorious FOOD!

friends and friends of friends, we had some FOOD MIRACLES this week. That's right. Everyone is happier when food is involved. The following events are based upon true stories. . . . .

1- Two weeks ago we discovered under a hidden rock a gem by the name of MOMO's..... wherrrrre's momo? IT'S AROUND THE CORNER PEOPLE! Well, Momo's is known for having PIZZA THE SIZE OF YOUR HEAD. Basically it's named after me for a reason. Well alas we over indulged in our new discovery and we found ourselves in a pickle of sorts. All the sisters who hadn't eaten there before still wanted to eat there, but we were kind of tired of it but didn't want to miss out on the fun. So I decided I would get a Firehouse Sub and bring it into Momo's pizza. While eating my Firehouse, the waitress brought out everyone's slices. I was starting to regret my sandwich decision, but I doubted too soon because right when I was contemplating throwing away my hook and ladder............. the waitress brought me a slice of pizza because they messed up and fired too many!!!!!!!!!!!! MIRACLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Lord never gives us one or the other, our joy shall be FULL. and I was stuffed like a bird on Thanksgiving after that dinner. (:

2- On our way to Dothan, Alabama this week for an exchange my heart was yearning if you will for the companionship of a chocolate chip cookie from the home of the chosen chicken. When we got to Chick-fil-A, although we were in a rush we both felt we needed to go inside and not just through the drive-through. I went straight to the register because I knew what I wanted and I was on a munchie mission. The girl behind the counter asked for my name and I went to point to my nametag and before I could say "Petersen" I said "Pe..." She interrupted me and said "Are you on FAMU campus??" Raven went on to tell me that the sisters found her and she lost contact with them and she wants to take the lessons and come to church and, she's gonna get baptized she just doesn't know it yet but it was like love at first sight, but missionary and investigator, in a celestially timed interaction over the counter of my favorite place to spend money on food. MIRACLE!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Lord blesses those who keep the Sabbath Day Holy, like Chick-fil-A workers because they're closed on Sundays. #MakeAmericaGreatAgain

3- This is a tribute to Sister Blume. The Bluminator. Baby Blume if you will. What a champ. This sister has served valiantly on FAMU campus since November. Through rain and snow. Buses and booths. She has stuck it out til the end. And now.. Heavenly Father has taken our little girl to Dothan. AKA our personal chef is now gonzo and I won't gain any more calories from her deliciousness...... MIRACLE!!!!!!!!!!!! The Lord gives you a good thing but He sometimes takes it away to help you fully appreciate what you had!

4- We walked into a cafe called "Kool Beanz Cafe" and the menu turned out to be on average 27$ meals with wine on the table so we discretely walked back out and had to just embrace the awkwardnessssssssssss MIRACLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Lord gave us the confidence to get up and walk out so that we didn't waste precious tithing funds.... (;

5- After Mathedrick's baptism, (TCC Sisters) we went to 50 CENT CORNDOG DAY AT SONIC!!!!! BECAUSE TODAY IS NATIONAL CORNDOG DAY AND IT WAS ACTUALLY THE HAPPIEST DAY OF MY WEEK AND I AM SO SATISFIED WITH HOW I SPENT THAT MONEY. MIRACLE!!!!!!!!!!! The Lord gave me a blue card for a reason.

Moral of the story kids, today marks 12 weeks to my last Pday and the Lord blessed me to enjoy this last week! I am actually so grateful for all my memories with the sisters here. Especially, Sister Smario. She is so wonderful and beautiful and amazing. I am so grateful she was my companion at this point in my mission and she will forever be one of my best friends! *doo doo doo dooo (Hunger Games finger kiss)

Remember to enjoy the little things of life and just let your soul delight in fatness. PS- God loves all his children, even the chubby ones (; No but really who doesn't love food. We all need to be more like food in other people's lives. We need to help people feel loved and important, we should be as excited for others' success as we are when we get free samples at Costco. We need to remember to share our sweet fruits of the gospel with all those Heavenly Father has placed in our paths! 

-SISTER p e t e r s e n

F-O-O-D is how you spell love!

also, literally just look at my companion like hot dang. Boys she comes home May 4th! AND SHE'S SINGLE! I can put in a good word for you because this Sister has it going on! Mmmph I love her!

Work iT.

~FWB that's where I wanna be, livin in Fort Walton Beeeach

Hello one and all. I would just like to thank you for taking the time to read this short story of my awesome week. We went to me home land of the Fort Walton Isles and we had a splendid time kickin it with our sisters! Taught a crazy wild Family History lesson and the spirit of Elijah was tangible! 

Next Chapter. My dear old Fairhope Sisters came to this neck of the woods and we had a grand old day reminiscing about Daphne, Alabama. 

~Pizza the size of your head,
um yes, I was a happy little girl

As I was walking in the sunny sunlight on FSU campus preaching repentance to Seminoles, aka Native American Indians, aka Lamanites, if you will, I was reminded of my good friend Ammon in Alma 26. I've been pondering on the beauty of work lately. Ammon was directed to return to his brethren and bare with patience his afflictions "with the intent that perhaps they might save some few of their souls". I can testify that salvation doesn't come easy. The Savior never had it easy. This is hard work but if we are willing to submit ourselves and do it the Lord will, just like in his promise to Ammon, "give unto us success."

Wednesday, as we were driving home from Fort Walton, this song by Nashville Tribute came on called "Work". And man, I have become a softie, because, that song really hit the feels. Working cannot be done without the mercy and grace of the Redeemer. But that work IS worth it. This past week we got to teach one of my dearest friends in Marianna over skype and the spirit was so strong. I know that God numbers his children just like my mom would number her sea salt caramel dark chocolate Ghirardelli squares, He knows if even just ONE is missing! HE KNOWS YOU. Let that really sink in, that He sees everything you are doing and all your dreams and efforts and He is doing everything He can to help you reach your fullest potential. And, He's called each of us to the WORK, to reach it.

~this is the best we could come up with on our budget
for a camera tripod for our iCarly show

All we gotta do is get out there and Work iT.

-SISTER  p e t e r s e n

~Saucy is the new sentiment

Parts of a letter 'Just for Ya'll'

yeah so no weekly this week but honestly nothing really happened. Yesterday in my interview with my mission president he said that my assignment is really difficult and stressful and he's transferring Sister Smario. :(  Sister Smario is just so awesome. She's gonna be one of my bridesmaids when I get home. Like hands down one of the top ten people in my life. I can't wait for you to meet her! Her personality is very, very similar to Emma's! I love her sooooooo much! 

Well, that's all folks! I love you and I am so grateful for you! 

I trained at MLC this week and we used Sister Oscarson's talk as our platform.

"The Needs Before As as a Mission."

It was super good. Really spirit led! Starting Sunday President Smith asked us to do Weekly Leadership Webinars every Sunday night that all the sisters in the mission are going to watch. I am just so excited to see what happens. 

Campus is really really awesome! We walk all day and talk to students all day. We're teaching some really awesome girls right now! Will you put their names on the prayer roll? I love them so much! 

I love being a missionary and I can't wait to share this home with y'all one day when we come back to visit! 

Send some pictures of Oskar! (PROM)

I love you!!! Have a good week (:

It's a beautiful day to save lives

Yes. Elder Holland spoke to my face. And yes, because I had the will and the Lord provided the way, I was standing RIGHT behind him in the full mission picture. And yes I am one happy little clam now.

-THAT'S MY COMPANION

Elder Holland was obviously the highlight of the week! Absolutely incredible! He just came and told us how lucky we are to be missionaries. It hit me in that meeting that heck yes I am! I am probably one of the luckiest most blessed people in the world. He told us we will NEVER do anything MORE important than serving as a missionary. We will have kids and families but that is AS important, not MORE important. That gave me a huge perspective on what we're actually doing. We're saving souls people!

So many spiritual experiences came from that meeting a lot of them very personal. One thing I want each of you to know is that I felt the spirit of God speak to me through Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. He is a man of God. Yes he is imperfect, I was on the front row with my glasses on I saw a lot of his physical imperfections over 2 hours, but imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with! What a wonderful thing that we don't have to be like Elder Holland or Mother Theresa or your older sibling or your neighbor or your spouse, the only person you are trying to be like is the Savior. I want to share this quote from Elder Holland's last conference.

"Every one of us aspires to a more Christlike life...If we admit that honestly and are trying to improve, we are not hypocrites, we are human."

THE GOSPEL IS FOR EVERYONE

Get it? Everyone of us. Quit turning inward and thinking about yourself. I gotta quit being so trunky sometimes and realize I only have 3 more months to give my heart out! It is a beautiful day and age to be a member of Christ's kingdom. IT'S JUST SO AWESOME! AHHH I WANT TO SCREAM AT YOU BECAUSE I LOVE WHAT I AM DOING SO MUCH. Everyday I now wake up thinking, "What can I do to save a soul today?" We all need to decide what team we're on and then, play our hearts out. I love you all so much. I am grateful for every person and experience the Lord has blessed me with to be His refined, humble, servant. I love my Savior and His gospel is perfect! 

-THAT'S OUR DISTRICT MEETING THAT WE SKYPED INTO
 BECAUSE THE A/C REPAIR MAN CAME IN THE MIDDLE OF IT!

I will not lie, the plans were changed and Elder Holland did not ride in our mini van..... ): (: don't be sad, be happy!

We went to Dothan Zone Conference and Sister Wilson taught us some Australian songs on the way and made us sing in rounds #bestroadtripever haha on the way home I may or may not have explained the Lord of the Rings trilogy to those living in darkness *cough *cough Sister Smario and Sister Wilson.

-THAT'S OUR SIDE KICK SISTER WILSON

Anyway I just love everything about my life and you should too because the Savior suffered so you could enjoy it, and if you are miserable, that's a little pathetic that you are wasting the gift of the gospel. Seriously, find some dang joy brothers and sisters. (: I LOVE YOU!

-SISTER  p e t e r s e n☀

-THAT'S MY HOT MOM

THAT'S HOW I FEEL ABOUT MY MISSION

Ain't no rest for the righteous

What a week my friends. Truth be told the Lord used me as an instrument this week because I would have died if I was supposed to orchestrate what we accomplished!

-Sometimes you have this kind of week where all you want to do is
get your groceries inside and you drop them everywhere and then
your companion takes a picture instead of helping you. HAHAHAHAHA

Highlight of the week! Due to some last minute transferring situations, we now have Sister Wilson in our little #POUND of sisters! WOW I LOVE HER! She is probably the happiest little Australian gem I've ever had the pleasure of being around! Gosh I love her and we have Marianna in common and I love Marianna, so sorry for everyone else but she just jumped to the top of my A-list (;

Ok, ok, ok, I'll tell you a story! So Valentine's day was absolutely nuts on campus! So many booths and people and the spirit was just NOT there. We were feeling pretty weird so we decided to head back to the institute and on our way there we see these SCARY AS HECK catholic priests walking towards us! I'm talking full dark cloaks with huge crosses on their necks, it was like Da Vinci Code, Voltaire, paranormal activity scary status! Like the spirit WOOOOOOOSH left us! Yeah......we ran. hahahaha but then we decided Satan was not going to scare us off campus there's only room for one of us in this town! Next thing you know we find this super prepared girl who's looking for a church and read the Book of Mormon one time that was in the nightstand in her hotel room. Moral of the Story, when you think your soul is about to get sucked out by death eaters, just remember there's a cool girl ready to talk to you just over that mountain!

-FSU because I love it with my life!

Next! Katy is doing so awesome! We had a great lesson with her and she's hopefully going to make it to church this Sunday! She throws the hardball questions but she's genuine and she doesn't know how close she is!

Elder Holland is riding in our Mini Van next week. Yep. We're basically famous.

My last and final note of the evening. I serve in a foreign country where people have shortcut phrases you don't typically hear in the civilized world. This week's newest term of endearment refers to a VW Beetle. Aka Herbie. When they want to nickname it, instead of the normal person term "SLUG BUG" they call it "PUNCH BUGGIE". Yes, I repeat, "PUNCH BUGGIE". 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA I have an ongoing feud with this kid in our YSA ward about which is more politically correct haha. Cast your vote.

-This is my pal Willie. Willie has a 7ft arm span. Willie is cool.

All I have to say is,  Acts 17:30 "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent". Saying Punch Buggie was cute and fun, but this is the real world where we say Slug Bug. I have mercy on my brethren though, His truth I will proclaim! 

-SISTER  p e t e r s e n

Sister Smario's Valentine for when people
bash us on campus!!!

-SISTER WILSONNNNNNNNNNN eating
Chips and Salsa in the car hahahahaah I LOVE HER!