Missionary Moments and Miracles

We taught a lady named Cathy ***. At first I was very intimidated by her because she KNOWS the Bible back and front and needed a lot of biblical scriptures to back up everything we taught her. But she's a very sweet lady. When we first met her she was intrigued about the Book of Mormon and another testament, which went along with the Bible. She never really knew much about the LDS church so she invited us back to teach her. The first lesson went ok, which I thought meant we weren't going to get very far with her. But than on Thursday we taught her the Plan of Salvation, and she just loved it!! She loved the idea of premortal existence, and kept saying "I never thought of pre-existence of Humans!, that's so cool!" and we shared a lot of Bible and Book of Mormon scriptures. Usually teaching about Adam and Eve is the worst because a lot of people think it was a "big mistake" in Gods plan,and He didn't know it was coming. Anyways, everything we taught her she said, "ya I believe that" so it was perfect!! We than committed her to baptism and when we did it we mentioned being baptized by authority. She was like "oh I don't think I've done that yet, yes I'll do that!" So she is extremely solid and I've grown to love her sweet spirit she has! (Don't worry ma, she's 50!) But she called us Saturday to reschedule the appointment we set up with her because she had something come up, and she basically testified about Joseph Smith being a prophet to me.



She bought a book from Borders about how the church was first established, and she kept saying "I can't believe they went through so much persecution!! Why?? That's so sad!!" So this Tuesday (tomorrow) I'm sharing the story of Enoch Bartlett Tripp and Elder Major is going to talk about his ancestors. This was a real testimony to me how perfectly hand in hand the Book of Mormon actually goes with the Bible. She kept saying about the scripture in Peter how she wondered how there had to be more about preaching the gospel to the spirits who were dead, and couldn't ever find an answer. So we talked about the scripture in Alma 34 and it worked perfect.We've also had some members from NY join us (they have a time share in Poi Pu) and they have been perfect fellowshippers for her! I've grown a testimony of how important having members at lessons are too. They've helped her understand things I probably couldn't have made her understand due to my lack of inexperience. Needless to say, this is nothing short of a miracle.

Tsunami - In His Own Words

Ok so here is my tsunami experience!!!

So I was on exchanges with an Elder from Kekaha. I was still in Hanapepe (where I live, and which is a flood zone). 4:30 I heard the phone go off and I'm like what the heck?? So I see the caller ID and it's Kekaha, I decide to ignore it because I was tired and wanted to sleep. It goes off with a voicemail, so I figure..ehhh I'll check it. So I listen to it and Elder Major says, "Hey Elders..umm, get up, pack your things, and get outta there, there's a tsunami warning!" I was like ohh snapple!! So I wake up Elder Winterton and we start packing. From the sounds of it, and the zone leader, I thought it was going to hit within an hour. So I threw a bunch of clothes in my suitcase, any valuables and toiletries to let me do service, and hold out the few days I'd need to. (I remembered my Ward Mission Leader saying Kauai is due for a huge tsunami sometime this year. At the time, I didn't know an earthquake hit Chile and Japan.) So we pack up.

We had to pick up Kekaha because they are biking elders, and Kekaha is right next to the beach. So we start driving and I'm trying to call everyone who would know if the church is a safe zone from the tsunami. Eventually, we're directed to go there because it's high enough up and Kalaheo is the safest place in our area. So we go there, and some people from Poi Pu come in. At 6 am some alarms sound off, and they start goin about every hour.

The Zone leaders called us and said President Peterson was really concerned for this tsunami as well, so we were a little scared of what was going to happen. And you know in those movies when something bad is coming their way, and some smart intelligent person starts going scientifically about it and talks about how it's going to get so much worse and this is only the beginning so it makes it more intense?? Well, that happened!!! A lady told us about how this is only a scratch of things to come. So we get a little freaked out like man whats going to happen?? They said Big Island was going to get the worst casualties from it (Cuz it was coming from the Chile earthquake) and Kauai wouldn't be TOO bad but this was a significant event, and something that could take the lives of many people.

We are than instructed to call home for 2 minutes and tell them whats going on and that we're safe, just to save many phone calls to the office. So I did that, called home, talked to Ma for 2 minutes and that was it.

Anyways, 11 a.m. comes and some members tell us that it hit big island, but the initial wave was a few cm high. But the beach was draining about 6 feet which would set it up to be a lot worse!! So we wait...and wait....and wait....and wait...apparently I guess the biggest wave was 3 feet high and barely went into Big Island. Oahu eventually got hit in small portions but nothing huge. And Kauai? Well...nothing. They kept us closed in for safety and at 3 p.m. we were cleared to go and try to work again.

So the Lord really answered many prayers and this "Devastating Tsunami" that was supposed to be as big as the one in 05, was just a small flood on big island. Needless to say, it was a gentle push from the Lord making sure we were all prepared to meet our maker, and if we were prepared to do what was right. So fast and testimony meeting was interesting (stake conf. is next week) and full of testimonies like that. But it was good for me as well, seeing as the only "huge" thing to happen in Logan is a severe thunderstorm warning..which is never that bad. So, my first tsunami, and I guess Kauai is still in line to get a big one sometime this year. Scientists are saying August is when it should come, which I should be off island for that. Anyways, always be prepared to meet your maker!! (I was thinking, at least I'd be on my mission if anything happened!!) haha.

***This is part of an email to his mom.....it was good to talk to you. Surprised me you knew it was me!! haha but yes it was good, I hope you can get to MDay now. What did the news say about it?? Any newspapers things at all?? .....No extra work came from this, in fact a lack of work. We had 7 appts. set up which is a big day for us, and none were taught because of this haha. That's ok, the Lord had in mind something else.

Tsunami

Today at 4:30 a.m. Hawaiian time Travis was awakened by a tsunami warning for the Hawaiian islands. They were told to go into the mountains/high ground. His mission president told all of the elders to call their parents and I unexpectedly got a quick phone call from him telling me he was okay and that he was on high ground. It was a 30-second call but it did so much to raise my spirits. As his mother I've missed hearing his voice so much and I really needed this. I knew that we couldn't sit and chat so I let the call be brief.

Luckily for the people of the Hawaiian islands the tsunami was a small one and didn't cause any harm to people or property, at least according to CNN at this time. As of now the warning is lifted and people can return to their homes. This tsunami was caused by an 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile.

Transfers and Kauai News

Aloha from...

Kauai! Below is part of a letter we received from Elder Travis that he said to blog.

"This week was full of miracles! We had 20 lessons taught and we've committed a few to baptisms. It's been way awesome and the Lord has truly blessed us. My favorite investigator, ***, has to work with the mission president before he can be baptized because he's on probation. But he's so solid and has such great faith. The members in the ward are awesome. They are all so friendly, always feed me (did Sister Morris call you?), and are very missionary minded.

Transfers did come, I'm transferring to Big Island! No not really. I'm staying on Kauai in Kalaheo with Elder Major. My zone leader tricked me into thinking I was going to Big Island, which at first made me sad and happy, new island, new area, but I'd be leaving this area. Thankfully the lord is keeping me here for at least another six weeks.

Elder Major was just made District Leader too, so more work on his part! Good training for me.

My eyes are fine now! I use a thing called Clear Care which is a strong chemical I can't put into my eye. The case has a thing that neutralizes the chemical and cleans the contact real well and after six hours I'm ok to put my contacts in. Needless to say, the Vog from the volcano doesn't affect me anymore, or my eyes. I no longer have red eyes and burning tears, I have white eyes. I just don't know what to do with my other contact solution, haha. But, yes, that fixed it all!" End of letter from Travis.

Elder Travis has two chickens that hang around his apartment and he's named them Winston...and Churchill!

Kalaheo News

Well we are doing really well in Kalaheo! The Lord's hand has been involved in all these people's lives! We have 9 committed to baptism right now!
This one man, ***, who we found, was on the brink of divorce and he told us if we didn't show up when we did he would have done something he regretted by now. He said The Book of Mormon gave him hope. We committed him yesterday. It was the missionary moment I've always wanted to experience.
We found a family who had never heard of Joseph Smith or the BOM. But they accepted and that was way awesome. February will be a busy month w/baptisms!!

Anyway, I love you all!! I can't wait to hear from all of you!!

Bolyoke! (Marshallese for "until we meet" cuz they don't believe in saying goodbye, and we'll all see everyone again!).

Love you all!

Aloha!

Arrival In Honolulu, Hawaii

Below is the email I (his mom) received on Friday (Elder Travis arrived in Hawaii on Tuesday night).

Aloha *** Ohana,

Elder *** has arrived safely in the Hawaii Honolulu Mission, has done some street contacting in Honolulu, been assigned to his first area and companion and is off and running. He looks fabulous and we are excited to have him in our mission. We will take good care of him over the next 2 years--he will truly become one of our sons.

Attached are a couple of pictures taken shortly after he arrived.
Mahalo nui loa and much aloha,
President & Sister Peterson

Aloha from the MTC!

Aloha from the MTC!

The MTC is amazing, after we said goodbye they showed me my room and had me watch an orientation. (Elder Polier, Elder Travis, Elder Hasek, Elder Bridges)After that, guess what...class!! haha that's what it's been since I started, class study, class, teach, study, class, eat, it's great!!

I've had so many great experiences since I started here. It's already been a week, and as I said in a letter, the days are slow but the week was fast!! (Elder Travis and President Hacking)

My district is amazing, (Elder Bridges, Elder Hasek, and Elder Travis)we all have great strong testimonies of how our Heavenly Father loves us and on missionary work. (Elder Bridges, Elder Hasek, Elder Polier, and Elder Travis)

We have the crazies (Elder Hafen),

the quiet, (Elder Hafen, Elder Travis, Elder Butler, Elder Hasek, and Elder Polier)the shy, (Elder Young and Elder Travis)the loud (in a good way), (Elder Kopp "shy weirdo, haha," Elder Butler, Elder Hafen, Elder Alexandar "being weird before they left for Carolina") and the strong (all of us). ("This was another district who was awesome! They went to South Dakota. Just posin'!")Our district is very uplifting and we all help each other in strong spiritual ways. (Elder Travis, Elder Alexandar, and Elder Bridges)

Aloha, oe! (Elder Bridges and Elder Travis)

Travis Loves Getting Letters

Blogger won't let me put this on his side bar so for now I'll list his new address on here until I can figure it out.Hawaii Honolulu Mission
1500 S Beretania Street
Suite 416
Honolulu, HI 96826

Curbside Drop Off At The MTC

When we dropped Travis off at the MTC they were doing curbside drop-off again. There's a parking lot to the east of the MTC where we took pictures. You're only allowed one car to enter the MTC parking lot so if you have more family than that you can stop here to say your goodbyes and take pictures. It was bitter cold that day.

When you drive through the driveway there are guides to show you where to go. When you stop you're immediately met by an escort. He helped unload the luggage.

There was a brief heartbeat for one last hug from mom and dad.

Then the escort takes over. The red folder held all of Travis' paperwork that he had to hand in right when he entered the MTC (medical, etc.).

The escort took charge of hooking the luggage together....

and walking Travis in.

It's a bittersweet moment watching him walk away.....

and blending into the crowd. Now the work truly begins for Travis.

And Here It Is...

So today is the day I report to the MTC. I was set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints last night. Funny story actually, the exec secretary forgot to put my name down that I was supposed to be set apart last night. So my family waited for about half an hour before we got a hold of my stake president and he was able to make his way to the stake center. Is this a good sign?
Well I just wanted to say I'm so excited to serve, nervous as crap, but excited. I can't wait to put that name tag on and get to work, it's going to be the most exciting part of my life. There is a song that came on my iPod yesterday and I see it fit to post the lyrics here. I couldn't find the song for the playlist, probably because it's off this years EFY. But here are the lyrics to it.

I Will


I've made my choice
Mark this day
The day I pledge to take his name
I will be strong, I will be brave
Standing for Him as I take my place
I have felt the spirit burn truth in my heart
It's in my heart

I will stand I will not fall in a world that's weak
I will be strong
I'll be true I will choose His way
I know what's right, and I will not change
In a world where so many will not
I will

I may be one, but one becomes two
When you stand with me and I stand with you

As we unite, our cause is great
We're not just the candle, we are the flame

I will take the light it gives me and I'll hold it up high
I'll hold it up high


I will stand I will not fall in a world that's weak
I will be strong
I'll be true I will choose His way
I know what's right, and I will not change
In a world where so many will not
I will



http://www.getacd.org/listen_iR-aUj4b8R0/i_will_efy_
There is the link to listen to it, it's an amazing song.
So here I go! Off to serve the Lord for two years!!
My sisters and mother have so kindly offered to keep this blog updated. So any updates will be from them :)