Nhos Podi Imagina! Peder hits the One Year Mark

Familia e Amigos,
 This week was good but it did have quite a bit of challenges. Altogether it ended on a pretty positive note though. First off this week I hit my year mark. Pretty stinking crazy. During the day Elder Orton and I checked out tis place that is right by the ocean. During that time it really hity how stinking fast tis time has been going. And how much faster it will continue to go. I am so blessed to be out in the mission. It is something amazing to me and everyday I am grateful to be here.
 Speaking of which as well this week we had a pretty interesting lesson. So we were teaching this kid who said that he was going to give up pratically. His family wasn't the best example and he just didn't feel like he should continue getting ready for baptism or going to church. So we talked to him and brought up how if he's not really willing than we can't really do anything for him. He seemed pretty taken aback by that point and than (after we had been asking him to do this for a week) decided that he would pray to know really what he should do. We left that lesson in truth a little sad because it was basically a last chance lesson. But then the next day we passed him on the street and basically all he said was that he was willing to continue on. It was amazing. Honestly I know that Heavenly Father answers prayers and that He will help us to really understand what we need to do.
 I love this work. I tis just amazing and I am so blessed to be out here as a missionary of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I stinking love it and there is nothing better that I could be doing. I love tis work and I love being out here.
Love you all,
 Peder

ps this week I had to lead in church. pretty stinking awkward. hopefully I can eventually learn how to do it. haha

Aguenta

Familia e Amigos,
 This week has been pretty solid. So as I briefly stated last week I am now with Elder Orton. I had known him before in Fogo but never really thought that we would be comps. Well turns out that we are and I really love it. Elder Orton is from UT and he's way chill.
 As well finally started the work here in Calheta. Straight up love it here. It is way small here( there's only about 16 members in the whole city) so we are still a group that makes part of the ward in Assomada. Straight up love it here though. We have some sweet investigators and members here. 
 One sweet thing during this week is that we talked to this girl named Celeide. So Celeide has a lot of health problems and her cousin carlos invited her to talk to us to see if we could help. So we started talking to us and she mentioned how she has been going around everywehre asking people for money so tat she can get consultations done. So we  started talking to her about the power of prayer and really how God can help her with this. After we left the lesson Carlos and Celeide decided to pray. So they prayed and then they called Celiede's cousin in Praia. And her cousin said that she would help pay for the consultation. It really is true that when we pray God will help us.
 As well this week we were talking to a member named Nelson. So Nelson is the group leader so he basically directs sacrament and all that. So one day we went over just to help him prepare a bit. As we were doing it Elder Orton was practicing leading for the music. Then we started talking about the way some people lead. So Elder Orton got up and then put his arms limp and just swung them around trying to lead. Next thing that happens is that Elder Orton hit a board with a couple things on it that just get shot across the room. Holy flip I was laughing so stinking hard that I started to cry. Luckily nothing got broken but it was just so funny. 
 I straight up love this area. It is awesome and the people have a real desire to learn. I know that this Church is true. It has blessed my life immensely and there is nothing better than what it has done for me. I love you all and hope that everything is going well where you are.
 Peder

Peder is in a new area with a new companion: Calheta with Elder Orton

Familia e Amigos,
 So this week was quite an awesome week. So this week was the last week of the transfer. So in general we were kind of wondering what would be going on with our area. But we continued to work hard. During this week we had a bunch of members help us. One lesson was particularly awesome when we taught with Irmao Fernandes. So we went to teach one of our investigators who is preparing for baptism. As well two guys just sat in during the lesson. As we turned to it over to Fernandes those two guys just started asking him all these questions and he made them feel so confortable. They are pretty sweet and I really want to know what's going to be going on with them. 
 As well this week we had  a soccer tourney activity at the church. It was a solid to get to to know the members beter and to find some new investigators which was way chill.
 And then finally came sunday. So throughout the week I had a feeling that I would be peacing out. Turns out that I am leaving. I am going to be serving in Calheta with Elder Orton from Utah(don't know where in UT). I'm excited. I'm leaving Praia that has the church most established than any other area to go to an area that still doesn't even have a branch so I'm way excited. As well my past areas are doing super well and some of my investigators in Relva got baptized this last week. In general though things are straight up awesome. I love this work. It is the best thing I could be doing right now and I have no doubt of it. This new area should be sweet to really just get to work and baptize. 
 Love you all,
 Peder

Dia das Gracas

Familia e Amigos,
 So this week was pretty chill. So to start off during this week I realized that it has been a year since I've been through the temple. That is pretty insane for me. Honestly time is just flying by. The temple is such a great blessing in our lives. Gotta work so hard here so that people in Cabo Verde can have the blessings of the temple as well. 
 As well it was thanksgiving. Thanksgiving did kind of just pass. We went to eat at this place called Segunda's and then went to get ice cream but that was about it. In general it was a pretty normal day except for the fact that we realized that all of the US was playing football. 
 After all those things during the week one of the best things to happen all week was the baptisms we had of Rafael and Alex. It was just so awesome and during the whole time their Mom, Dina just looked so happy. What was funny as well was that the baptisms were dow by two brothers, Fredy and Amos. So what happened was two brothers baptizing two brothers. It was awesome. 
 During the week we have been able to find some pretty sweet new investiagtors. As well we ran into an inactive member who when he saw us stpped everything grabbed his two daughters and said that he was going to church again. It was straight up awesome. The people here are just amazing. I can't even tell you how much I am blessed to be out here. This work is amazing and it is something that I am so happy to do. 
 I love you all and hope that thanksgiving was just awesome,
 Peder

A few pictures from Peder in Capo Verde with his companions

Another Straight up Awesome Week in Capo Verde

Familia e Amigos,
 So this week has been pretty solid. First off we had a division at the start of the week. I went into a different area which was pretty chill and got to hang out with Elder Pugmire. He's training right now so he said it was pretty nice having someon with him who could teach a little more with him. But it was all chill. During the week things went well and Elder Twiggs and I were able to find some new investigators who really seem to want to progress. One lesson in particular was one with an investigator named Lu. We taught her about the Word of Wisdom and it turns out that she smokes, drinks, and drinks coffee every day. So we talked to her about living the commandment and obviously she was thinking that it would be pretty hard. But we gave her a blessing and the Spirit was just there so strongly. It was just awesome and since then she has almost completely stopped smoking.  As well this week we are workinf with an investigator named Anilza. She is straight up awesome. She came to church on Sunday and everybody just welcomed her so well and made her feel welcome. It was just awesome to see. She also prayed in Gospel Principles class which was awesome. Things are going way solid here and I really love this work. We are always on the search for more people to teach but things are moving. I love this work and I love all of you,
 Peder

btw I have been a slacker at pics so here are pctures of three of my comps that you guys still don't know, one is me and Elder lima, the baptism one is Elder Edwards and I, and this last one will be Elder Twiggs and I, Sorry for slacking

Bo Podi Credita?

Familia e Amigos,
 So this week was a really solid week. We have found some investigators that are pretty sweet and as a whole the work is going really well. This week we have been working on memorizing more scriptures as well. I highly recommend this. It is awesome to do and scriptures just come into your head so quickly. It has improved our teaching so much.
 So in terms of teaching there have been some pretty sweet lessons we had this week. One was with a member named Carlita. So since we have got here we have been told to pass by this member and talk to her and her family. But every time we have passed by we haven't been able to find her. So eventually one night we decide to pass by. So first off we got lost because I'm awful with directions. But when we found it, there was someone outside reading. As we got closer we saw that they were reading in the doctrine and covenants. Finally we found Carlita. She said that ever since she had moved that she hasn't seen missionaries since. But finally we were able to find her. As well she is a boss. She wants to work so hard to unite her whole family in the church and she is more than willing to hep us teach. Man it was just awesome.
 I want to tell a story about what happened Saturday night. So I'm sure you've all heard the stories of the  missionaries praying to find someone and then they choose this random street and find someone who needed them in that very instant. Well I've always thought about how I've wanted that to happen to me. As ocassion turns out on Saturday we had no one to teach. We didn't know where to go but Elder Twiggs just picked a street. As we were walking by we saw this house that looked way nicer than any house we have seen in our area. As we passed we stopped a little just to look at the house and to think. So from that house a lady leaves in that moment. She is walking around for a while and then finally Elder Twiggs decides to talk to her. As we talk to her she mentions how she has seen elders before but never had the chance to speak with them. We talk a little more and mark a time but just as we are about to leave she mentions to us. "You know right before you guys were talking with me I was praying". It just was amazing. Honestly the Lord is preparing those that are ready. I know it and I know that when we follow the Spirit that we can really help people to follow Christ. I know that this Church is true. I know that God loves us and that He will always help us. This work is amazing. Everyday we are led by the Spirit and miracles happen.
 I love you all, 
Peder

Mosiah 4:9-10
 Stinking sweet scripture

Sta na espera. Okay, I have no idea what that means, but Peder does.

Familia e Amigos,
 This week has been a pretty solid week. We have had much more lessons than that of last week so it's been solid. So to start off we started this week a little slow because we had to stay in the house one day. But luckily after that day we were able to get things going. First off we found one of our investigators named Anilza. So we were talking with Anilza and we asked her how she felt about Joseph Smith. She said that when she prayed how different she felt and that she just felt that it was true. Soon afterwards we were able to invite her to get baptized. She is now preparing for the 24th of November. Also something really awesome about her was that this Sunday she went to church. But she not only came for her first time alone but she invited two of her friends to come with her. So it was just straight up awesome.
 As well we have an investigator named Silvino. So Silvino we have been worrying about him because he has a drinking problem. So we were talking with him and we asked if he had drank. Turns out that he had after we talked to him for a  while. But what was awesome was how much we were able to help him afterwards. We were able to give him a blessing and it really helped him to just be a lot more honest with us. It was just awesome and I really loved that lesson. Just such a reminder for me how we are not here just to baptize a million people or to fill a church but to really help them follow Christ. If we are really here to help people then they can overcome those insufficencies and really follow Him. I just loved it and it really helped me a lot.
 This work is more important than anything else that we are doing and it doesn't have to be only in the mission sense. How many people can we help everyday? Honestly the number is limitless. I love this work and there is nothing better than this. I love you all and I really hope that everything is going well.
 Peder

ps We also talked with a new investigator who knows a ton of basketball. I almost got distracted yesterday talking about it but luckily we got back on track. I'm pretty excited about him. 

Relva to a Villa Nova

Familia e Amigos,

 So this week has been a good one. We had zone conference which was awesome and then we were able to get back to our area on Wednesday. This week we were able to work super well with some members. I did a couple of divisions with a member named Silas. He is straight up awesome and it was a really good time to work with him. As the week was going as well transfers were coming up. So usually I donºt like talking at all about transfers so I was pretty silent about it for the whole week but I had a feeling that I would be peacing out. Turns out last night that I got a call and I am now chilling here in Praia. It is pretty awesome and I am going to be serving with Elder Twiggs, donºt know from where. We are going to be cleaning an area which should be interesting but Iºm excited for it. But Relva was so awesome. The people there were just awesome and I love that branch. I know that the Elders there are going to do so well and I know that I have been called to serve here in Praia. I love you all and I hope that you all have a great week,

 Peder

Touristas!

Familia e Amigos,

 So this week was straight up awesome.Elder Edwards and I were able to work really well and we got a ton of people excited for conference. One of our investigators showed up to three of the sessions!! Straight up awesome. As well this week we had two baptisms. Chandro and Mite. Mite is Pipizinhaºs mother and she is just awesome. She is just so ready to do things and here baptism was awesome. Chandro is super quiet but as we started to teach him he opened up a

lot and he is a straight up awesome kid. The baptism was held in Cova Fig and although the baptism font was a little low on water it went all well after a couple of tries. Afterwards on Sunday we had conference(a week late but still all good). Man we had so many people there. The sacrament hall was full to the brim and wew actually ended up sitting outside. I straight up loved it though. Also we had an investigator named Ely come. Man,I was so excited to see her there because for like all the time I've been here she has been trying to get to church and she finally showed. It was awesome. On Sunday we were also able to do a division. I went with this member named Silas which was straight up awesome. He is a beast and i love that guy. As we were walking home there was a drunk guy on the street and Silas helped him to get home. As he was doing that I was thinking of the talk that Pres Monson gave in Priesthood and about a missionary where every time he looked at somebody he looked as if they could be baptized. And those people reached that potential. I think its a super important thing. Everyone has the potential to be a disciple of Christ we just need to have to vision and follow the spirit to help them get there. It is definitely something that I need to remember. 

 So yesterday we went on this super long hike with a member called Luis. Man we passed through this one area and all this little kids just looked at us and were like Touristas! I guess we really did look like it though because it's two white guys hanging out with a cape verdean. All good though. I straight up love this work. It is more amazing than anything else I could be doing, I love you all and I hope that you have a great week,

 Peder

A Bunch of White Guys Climbin' on Rocks

Familia e Amigos,

 So things are going pretty well here in Relva. So this week has been Elder Edwards first week here and it has gone way solid. We have realized how easy it is for people to recognize us here because truthfully we are the only white guys at all in this but it has been way awesome. This week we were able to teach some solid lessons. One of which is with a less active called Zeka. So we went into the lesson and Zeka's family was there. His sister(Suzette) was like ' hey you have to talk to my brother cuz he really needs church' he actually peaced out pretty quick but then she stayed so we were able to talk with her. Man it was awesome and she has been learning so much. This Sunday she came to church and Elder Edwards told me that during church she looked around and was like man all of these people are my friends here in Relva. Straight up awesome!!! As well we had a lesson with an  investigator named Chandro. We left him with a part to read and man he read it and he made notes in his scriptures about what he learned. It was straight up awesome!! He is way quiet but he is so willing to learn. 

 Today for pday we did some random walking and find some pretty sweet stuff. Turns out some fisherman saw us and told us that we should probabaly be heading back. Just telling you how easy it is to spot some random white guys climbing on rocks. But I straight up love it here. We have some good investigators and we are able to teach so much which is just awesome. I love this work and I'm so happy to be here doing it, I love you all,

 Peder

What a division, or in other words, a transfer.

Familia e Amigos,

 So for this week I was on a divsion for the whole week. I went with our Zone Leader Elder Parkinson which was super awesome. Basically I was chilling in Sao Filipe for this week. So first off for the first day I was kind of following because this isnºt my area. But we had some awesome lessons during the week. One was when we were just walking and a o lot of appointments fell and we just met this guy on the street. Elder Parkinson started talking with him for a bit and then we asked if we could walk with him to his house and he said yes. As we started teaching him we shared 3 Nefi 11 and the Spirit was just so strong. During the lesson Alberot(guy on street) said that he just felt so happy and that he knew we were sent to him that day because he was feeling a little down and because that day was his birthday as well. It was just awesome! As well there was another time that we were walking after a couple appointments fell. We decided to pray and as we were walking we were just asking where we should go. We passed by this one lady and asked if we could talk and she let us in. As we were talking we found out that her son is a member and she said that she really wants to get baptized! Straight up! And as we were there someone walked in just because she felt like she should walk in. She got in and we were able to mark with her to be baptized as well! It was awesome and just proof to me how really the Lord is going to help us so much when we pray to Him. I really loved this week but I am excited to get back into Relva and start working again. I know this is the work of the Lord and I love you all,

 Peder

A Great Cause

Familia e Amigos,

 This week has been pretty solid. I will start off with last Monday. So it was the start of a new transfer so we went out and we started talking to some members and in one house we found a member named Nilton. As well there was a kid named Victorzinho there. So we started talking to them and Victorzinho had so much knowledge of the Book of Mormon. It was straight up awesome. As we were talking to all of them I shared 2 Nephi 31 with them and we invited Victorzinho to be baptized! And he said yes! Straight up awesome. Then on Sunday he showed up in Church and he was just amazing. He was answering like every question in Elders Quourum and he was just so involved. I straight up love it. As well during this week mission president came to our house to do interviews. It was straight up awesome and I love President Oliveira. He helps so much and I learn so much from his example. 

 As well during this week a couple funny things have happened. One of which happened on Saturday. So what went on was that we went to this persons house more or less to do a contact. We came up and a dog started barking. I just kinda let it slid and continued walking torwards the door. Not the smartest idea. The dog got up and bit both sides of my pant legs. Not me though. It didi catch me by surprise a little bit but it was all good. Afterwards we were able to teach at that house so it was pretty awesome. Unfortunately there are some bite marks in my pants now. 

 Then as well on Saturday we went to a part of our area called Achada Grande. So we steyed there for a while but I was a little disappointed with the result there. But as we were walking back to Relva we ran into this kid named Kevin and taught him the whole Restoration as we were walking. It was straight up awesome!!!! 

 So there's been a scripture in my mind this whole week. D&C 128: 22-23. IT IS STRAIGHT UP AWESOME! Everytime I feel a little discouraged I can read that verse and I feel awesome. Actually the title is the start of that verse in portuguese. 

 I love being here and I know that we are blessed as we help people to come unto Christ and to be saved. I love it! And I love you all and I hope that you continue to be well. 

 Elder Schillemat (Peder) 

Life in Relva--straight up awesome

Familia e Amigos,

 So this week has been pretty solid here in Relva. First off this week Joao e Natalia are doing well and on thrusday we were able to go with them to Mosteiros to get things ready for their wedding. I am pretty psyched about it and they are really progressing well. As well on thursday the zls came to Relva dn we were able to do a division with them that went really well. I had one lesson that was way awesome about the plan of salvation. We had started talking to our investigator Nenezinha. When we first got there she said she was feeling sad because her cousin had passed away. As we were talking we could just see her face light up and she just felt so much better. It was straight up an amazing lesson. As well on Saturday we had some crazy rain. Holy junk it was pouring. And Elder Lima had never seen lighning before so he was pretty freaked out. Pretty fun though. Besides that things are going well. Today is the start of a new transfer and I am again in a district with only sisters. Pretty crazy but seems to happen quite a bit. I stinking love you all and I know that as we keep our mind focused on the work and we put in all our effort to love and serve people that we are going to help so many people to come unto Christ,

 Peder

Here we are in Relva

Familia e Amigos,

 So this week has been pretty solid. So this week Elder Liam and I have gotten more used to working together which is pretty chill. He is having to get used to the missionary schedule but he's improving. This week we had some killer lessons that I really enjoyed. One of which was in Achada Grande. It was with an investigator we have called Edna. So we went there and we taught the restoration which she has prayed about and that she knows is true. We then invited her to be baptized. So she actually said no because she was catholic. So we waited and than asked if she had any questions. She had one question that was awesome. She asked how much time it would take for her to get baptized, as in what were the requirements. We talked about how it's all dependent on the person and if they have made changes necessary for it and then I asked why she asked that question. She then said that she really wants to be a member. So we marked a date right after that which was straight up awesome! I have another one that is kind of the same deal. We randomly went to this one house (I thinking that it was somebody else's house) and starting teaching this person named Jorginha. The same thing with the invite. She said no. So the next time we came back and she said she wanted to baptized. It is just straight up amazing. You know when the spirit is there in lessons I know that our investigators can feel it and that really when they want to follow. The work is going well. Relva is pretty awesome and I want to help this branch so much. One thing in specific is that they don't know a ton of hyms. So I'm going to work this week on just bringing my hymnal in lessons so that we can help more people learn. But it is straight up awesome. 

 Thank you guys so much for all of your e-mails. They are so awesome and I love hearing how all of you are doing. This work is the work of the Lord and I love it.

 Peder

so I've been a huge slacker on pics. so here's some pics of comps. First off is elder de barros in figural, then elder bunderson(the only white one) and then elder da graça. I'll work on getting one of  Elder Lima soon.

Peder has another new companion

Familia e Amigos,
So this week has been ok but it has been a little difficult. To start off we started this week really well. I taught one of our investigators named Nene and Marinha and it was straight up awesome. Marinha really wants to be baptized and she had asked about the law of chastity. So we were able to explain it to both Nene and Marinha and Nene first said that he only wants to get married at 50 and heºs 48. So I talked more about alma 34' 32 and then brought up a talk by Elder D todd Christofferson. By the end of the lesson Nene just said that it was what he had needed to hear. Man I loved that lesson this week.
 After that we went to Corvo one day and then the next day we were just walking around when Elder Da Graca said that he had a really bad headache. We got to the house and he said it was a lot moe than a headache and that his chest was killing. So we rushed off to the hospital and unfortunately because of that he had to get sent home. I really felt awful and he was such a solid comp. Right now he is doing a lot better but just because of that incident he had to go back to Sao Filipe. So now Iºm with Elder Lima from Praia. Heºs just waiting on his visa to go to portugal but itºs all good. He seems really smart and it should be a good time helping him to be more prepared for portugal. But this is now my 3rd comp in 1 transfer which if I was to be honest I donºt like the constant switching. It makes it hard because you get used to a comp and then they get transfered which is super hard to deal with. But we move on and Iºve been learning a lot this transfer. One thing in particular is really the fact that we are here as missionaries really to invite people to come to christ. That is more important than any other thing that we are doing here. I am so grateful for my savior and I know that he loves each and everyone one of us. 
 I love you all and I hope that things are going well there in NH and other areas,
Peder

As usual, things are stinking Awesome for Peder

 So, since the last post, Peder has been transferred to Fogo, a volcanic island in Capo Verde.  Here is the latest:

Familia e Amigos,

So this week has been pretty good. This week Elder Bunderson really worked on finding those people who are ready for baptism and we were able to find quite a bit. We need to help a lot of those people get to church but it was straight up awesome. As well this week we did a division with the Elders in mosteiros which went well and I di a baptismla interview during that time. Although to get there it was like stinking up in the mountains which was near impossible. But everything to help save some souls. As well we had Elder Olsen, our AP come and do a division with us. It was solid and during the time I got to milk a cow which was straight up awesome. As well we met up with one our investiagtors and marked a baptismal date with him for the 1st of september. I was hesitating at first but Elder Olsen just called it and Ze( our investigator) seems pretty psyched. Also during that diviosn with him we got some interesting news. So turns ourt that Elder Bunderson and I were going to be split up. And now each one us is with a mini missionary. I'm with Elder Da Graca from Sao Filipe which should be way awesome. I am sad though to see Elder Bunderson go because he was way chill but some times it has to happen. Elder Bunderson is actually opening up a new area so that is pretty awesome. As well today ( on p-day) we had zone conference. It was stinking awesome and it was awesome to talk about how we all really need to listen more to the spirit when we teach, It was awesome and I learned so much. But for the week that's it. Man this week was crazy but I'm excited to get some work done here in Relva and hopefully we get some rain here soon. I love you all!

Peder

ps congrats Jake and Vicky! That is stinking awesome and Vicky that is awesome that you got baptized!!!

Baptisms on the Beach

Peder's week in Capo Verde

Familia e Amigos,

 This week has been pretty awesome. So to start off this last week the ZLs showed up in Ponta do Sol. So we were able to do a division withthem which was way chill. It also helped a lot because we were preparing two people to be baptized this week. So the division went really chill and then the day after on Friday we had the baptisms. It was stinking awesome and our recent convert stiven was able to baptize both Adilson and Jilson. It was way awesome and Adilson is helping his brother to be baptized as wel which is super awesome. I love the work that is happening here and we have been able to find so many more people to teach which is just awesome. Stiven's younger brother wants to be baptized and the next appointment that we have with Stiven's mom and sister is when they are going to say which date they want to get baptized. It is stinking awesome!! As well we have been able to do a ton of divisions with two members in our ward. Stiven and Saturnino. It is stinking awesome and this next transfer Saturnino is going to be peacing out for a mini mission as well which is stinking awesome for him ( although walking with him lately has turned into him lookinhg at things for the last time, a little strange) . But I stinking love how things are going up here. Yesterday I was with Stiven and as I was talking to him I realized really how much I love this area here. This next week for church all of us will go to Porto Novo (which as well I love)((I just love Santo Antão!!) and I was talking that with all the members that we are going to show up wiht in Porto Novo that it will just be awesome!!! Man I flipping love being out here and I know that this is the work of the Lord. I love you all and I hope that you continue to be well.

 Peder

Peder's latest news from Cape Verde

Familia e Amigos,

 So things here in Pontu do Sol have been pretty awesome. We have been doing a lot of divisions with some members from Ribeira Grande which has just been awesome. I have enjoyed it a lot. Also this week we had to go to São Vicente for zone conference which was really good. I really enjoyed it and I know that it will help our work here to improve. Also on SAturday we had to go to Porto Novo and I got to see a bunch of people from Porto Novo which was awesome.

 So some sweet things this week. Yesterday was church and we had 8 investigators show up to church!!!! It was flipping awesome and one of our investigators who missed the first ride to Ponta do Sol picked one up late so that he could be there as well. It was so awesome and church was way good. It was the first time for the Relief Society here that it actually was more than 3 people which was awesome for them.

 As well I had some lessons this week that went awesome. I and Saturnino ( I didn't teach a ton with Elder De Barros this week) taught his cousin this week named Adlino. Before we even started the lesson Adlino started talking about how he had seen a lot of things wrong in churches and that honestly he really had a hard time with this. It was awesome and I was able to talk about the Restoration and the lesson just went so well and he was so open to it. As well I taught this guy named Joao. It was awesome lesson and by the end of the leson he said that he knew it was all true. Man it was flipping awesome! (the only problem was that I was in Ribeira Duke and we really needed to get back to the house so I booked it).

 The work here is going well and I am happy this week that I will actually be in my area a lot more. We lost two days this week because of travel and junk which makes it really hard to help a lot of people here but it was all good. I love being out here serving the Lord and this week will be awesome with the fact that we have time to really be in our area. 

 Also how are the rest of you guys doing? How has the summer been going for all of you? Warm/ Cold? Basically how are all of you doing? 

 I hope that you are all doing well and I love you all. I know that as we serve the Lord we are blessed and that we never stop learning new things.

 This work is amazing and I really hope that the rest of you are doing well.

 Peder 

Some Good pictures to give you a feel for Cape Verde

                                                       Peder's Companion

                                 

What's up in Capo Verde with Peder?

Familia e Amigos,

 So this week has been pretty good. Elder De Barros and I have been working a lot with getting to know a lot more knew people and it has been awesome. First off on tuesday we went to an outlying zone called Figural de Coculi. There no one has ever seen missionaries. It was pretty crazy walking around there. Everyone would see us walking and because I'm like the first american that they have ever seen everyone would stop and try and talk to us. We found a bunch of new people there. It's way far away but the people there are awesome.

 Also this week the branch had an activity in a zone called Maopatraz. We went there for a little and we found a new person to teach. He had been taught 12 yrs in the past and he said that he wants to be baptized!!! It was pretty stinking awesome.

 Also during that day we had a marked appointment with one of our investigators named Adilson. When we showed up he wasn't there but his brother Madger was there. We were talking to Madger for a little and he asked us what he has to do to be baptized. It was just so awesome. Elder De Barros taught him yesterday about marriage and he and his girlfriend decided that they really do want to be married!!! It was pretty awesome. Afterwards Adilson showed and he told us that he want s to prepare to serve a mission. It was pretty awesome and he is progressing so well.

 Yesterday was pretty awesome as well.We did a division with some members which went really well. I basically stayed in Ribeira Grande while Elder De Barros went to Ponta Do Sol. During that time I was with a member named Saturnino. We got to pass by a lot of his family which was pretty awesome. Altogether this week we found a lot more of new investigators. It was awesome and it is a huge help to continue to find people who really want to hear. I love this work that we are doing here and I know that the Lord is helping us to find the people who are really ready.

 I hope that all you continue to be well and I love you,

 Peder

 

ps.Dad HAPPY BIRTHDAY ON WEDNESDAY!!!! i HOPE THAT YOUR BIRTHDAY IS AWESOME! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!

Santo Antao is Flipping Awesome

Familia e Amigos,

 So this week has been pretty good. First off I will start with tuesday. So we were doing our planning for this week and rally thinking about our goal to have a

 baptism this week. Our one  baptismal candidate didn't show to church so we moved his date back but we still really wanted to have a baptism. So we thought for a while and then realized that our investigator Stifin who was preparing for the 7th of July totally could be baptized this week. So we changed our plans and went to Ribeira Duke in Ribeira Grande where he lives and talked to him about moving his baptism for ths week. He accepted which was stinking awesome!

 So later on in the week went we had district meeting we had to go to porto novo to do an inerview there. It went super well but then we had to rush back to Ponta do Sol to get our interview all set. It was a lot of running and finding a cyber where we could use skype to do the interview but it eventually worked out fine. Basically we have just been doing a whole lot of traveling around this island because of this.

 The baptism ran super well and it is awesome to see people get baptized in the sea. Pretty stinking awesome and throughout the whole baptism Stifin was just smiling. It was way awesome and he is doing super well.

 We still have quite a bit of work to do here and I know that with the Lord's help and as we approach Him in fervent prayer that he will always help us to do the work that He has called us to do. I love this area and although right now we still need to find a lot more investigators we are working well and are finding people who are really interested in the gospel.

 I love you all and I hope that you all continue doing well,

       Stifin's baptism.

 Peder

Beached Whale and other happenings

Famalia e Amigos,

 This week has been a pretty fun week but it has definitely been tough. We have had to find a lot of new people and really just work on improving this area a lot. It is way beautiful here but we really need to help the people here be more accepting of the gospel. But it has been really good. We have been working a lot with our branch president, president paisquinha, and he is a stinking goof. But it is a lot of fun. So during this week the work has been super fast but it has been good nonetheless.

 So as well we have been going to this zone called Povacao. It is super green and Elder De Barros went there on a split the other day and was able to contact a guy named Stefin. Stefin went to church the last week and he really liked it. He wants to be abptized and we are going to prepare him for this the 7th of July. Pretty awesome!

 As well one day this week a bunch of our appointments fell through. I asked Elder De Barros if he wanted to see where we baptize people and he said he would. So as we were walking over there a bunch of people were running to the port. Turns out that there was a beached whale there. Pretty crazy! First time I've seen a whale and it was pretty awesome.

 I'm super excited for the work that I'll be doing in this area. Ponta do Sol is stinking beautiful and truth be told this area is going to grow. It's been tough this week, with a huge party that happened and just finding people but I know that we will find people who are ready to recive the gospel. The Lord is always preparing people and it's no exception here.

 I love you all and I hope that everything continues to go well.

 Peder

Peder's life has changed a bit.

Familia e Amigos,

 So this week has been pretty busy. First off we had a training lined up for this thursday. Unfortunately what happened on tuesday was that we recieved a call and the training had been moved a day earlier so we had to get on the boat that day. It was 4:30 and the boat leaves at 5 when we got this call. So we ran over there, got to the ticket office(where the lady almost didn't sell us tickets) and then sprinted on the boat. During this whole time when we were passing by people they just were yelling run run. Furstrating but all chill.

 The training was way good and it really was a good help to work more effectively. After the training President Oliveira came to our to Santo Antão. It was way awesome and we were able to talk about our area more in depth. Also we did interviews with him and during the interview with my companion Pres Oliveira said that he would be going. So during this week I then was wondering really what would happen in this next transfer.

 The next couple days went well and the work is moving awesomely. We met somebody on the street the other day who had been taught in the past. I t was crazy because we just met him on the street. We marked a baptizmal date with him which was just awesome.

 During that day we had been really occupied with what would happen with transfers. So eventually at 9 on Saturday night we heard from President. Elder Palmer was sent to Assomada to be a zone leader. Pretty crazy. Then President started talking to me. So he was talking and he starting saying that I would be serving with Elder de Barros (he's from Fogo). I thought that was pretty chill and that I would be serving in Porto Novo. Turns out no. I have been transferred to serve in Ponta do Sol now. It's pretty insane and I can't believe I'm here. I'm still on Santo Antão which is stinking awesome. Today though has been a ton of transfer stuff so now I'm writing this late.

 As I said it's been a pretty crazy week. I'm super excited for this new area and Elder de Barros only speaks Portuguese so that should be way good.

 I love you all and I hope that everything continues to go well for you.

 

Elder Peder Schillemat

ps sorry I won't be able to respond to a bunch of e-mails. I'm kinda limited on time right now. Até proxima semana!

The Book of Mormon: A record for our time

Familia e Amigos,
 So this week has been good but a little tough. A lot of our investigators haven't been keeping their commitments (ie being at their house) so we have gotten a lot of walking in. But it's all good and we still we're able to teach some good lessons today. One of which was with our investigator Davi Fonseca. So what's funny about him was the fact that before this transfer I knew him just as the guy who owned the cyber maky. The first time we started teacing him it was way chill and we taught him in his store. Our next lesson we taught in the chapel. When we were teaching him today we were talking about the Book of Mormon and how it is really written for us. What was awesome was that I had read Mormon 8:35 that morning which is basically Mormon explaining that he feels that he is talking right to us because he was shown our times. It is just such evidence that the book of mormon really was written for us. Another lesson that we had yesterday was about the book of mormon as well. The lesson was going well and when we were teaching some people from another house came in and pulled out their book of mormons. It was pretty awesome and they were taught in the past and we are going to work on teaching them more and preparing them to be baptized. Altogether the Book of Mormon is just amazing and I know that it is true. 
 During this week we are also working on getting our investigator Warley baptized. We started teaching him the first day that I got here and he is just awesome. He has been taught everything and the problem is that his mom still won't give permission for him to be baptized. This week we are going to be trying way hard to work with him to be baptized. Yesterday we talked to the mom and she still said no but I am so tempted to just pass by her work everyday so that she can see how important this really is. It stinks though because after she said no I was a little angry mostly because Warley has been prepared for basically 4 months now and it just is awful that he can't be baptized. He is an awesome kid and really it is just awesome. Last week in fast and testimony meeting he bore his testimony and I actually started tearing up (don't judge people). He just is so awesome and I know that he will be baptized. We are going to be working way hard this week because truthfully he is so ready. 
 The work in the mission is awesome and truth be told I meet people here who are just amazing. I am so happy to be here. It is hard sometimes but if it wasn't hard then I wouldn't progress at all. I know that God loves us and really wants the best for us. He will always help us as we turn to him in prayer. The Book of Mormon is true and I know that as we read we will find answers to all the questions and difficulties that we face in our lives. This gospel is true and I know that as we live it that our lives will be so much happier.
 I love you all and I hope that everything is going well,
 Peder
 
ps I break 6months in the mission this week. Ain't it crazy? 

Peder is having trouble speaking English

Familia e Amigos,
 So this week has been an interesting one. First off I will start with tuesday. So there is an inactive we ran into called Luis. He can speak 5 languages and when we were there he wanted us to speak english. I gave the first prayer in english and I had such a hard time. It was so rough. I could not remember anything and it took me a long time to pray. Altogether I had a really hard time teaching in English. But it was alll good. It did worry me a bit about what will happen when I get back home. 
 Also after that we taught English to people this week. It was pretty awesome. I actually really enjoyed doing it and I'm excited to be doing it every week.
 During this week I got a fever as well. It did make it kind of hard to work but it went all well. The day was tough but after sleeping it off I was alll good the next day. People did start to realize how red I can get though.
 The end of this week was pretty awesome. So on Saturday we had the baptism of Rosiane's sister Fabricia. It was a good baptism and I had to conduct. Pretty crazy. But it was all good. Really the baptism went super well and I am super excited that Fabricia has followed after Christ and been baptized. 
 This Sunday was fast and testimony meeting as well. I stinking love fast and testimony meeting. I can feel the Spirit so strong throughout it all. One testimony that was awesome was of our investigator Warley. So he still isn't able to get baptized because of permission. But he knows all these things are true and he is stinking awesome. On Sunday when he bore his testimony it was just so strong to me. It was a simple testimony but I was so happy to hear it. 
 I love being here in Porto Novo. I love the people here and I love being able to feel the Spirit so strong here. I know that this Church is true. I know that we have a living prophet today and that he has been called of God. I know that families can be eternal and I love my family so much. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that He died that all of us could return to live with our Heavenly Father. I know that by follwing the gospel and following the Savior's example that we will have happiness in this life and that God is always with us.
 I love you all and I hope that everything is going amazing for you.
 Elder Peder Schillemat

Another Stinking Awesome week in Capo Verde

Familia e Amigos,
 So this week I did like a super long division with Elder Fernandes in Mindelo. He's our ZL and he is from Cabo Verde. So his english is limited to say the least. So Mindelo is way different than Porto Novo. Basically it is a lot colder and I really got to experience the differences in the criole there. It's all chill but for the first day that I was there I was having a hard time understanding people. But it was all good. And we taught this one lady who kept just messing around and talking the criole from Santo Antao which I absolutely loved. It made me feel so much more comfortable. But it was a good split and I was able to learn a lot from Elder Fernandes which was awesome. 
 After the split we had a training this week from President. It was good and it really assessed the things that we have to improve on, which I know have many things to improve on. But it was way good and I am grateful that we had the training because I honestly always need to learn more about how to do better. 
 Then after 4  days in Mindelo I finally returned to Porto Novo. It felt way weird because I hadn't been there in a while but I was glad to be back. Just a couple of pretty cool things that happened during the weekend. First off on Saturday we were looking for someone named Bemvinda that we had talked to earlier. Elder Palmer said that he found her house so we went at night to talk to her. When we got there it was a totally different Bemvinda but it was a way good lesson. She is about to have surgery on her leg and she seems really interested to learn more because she said that she has always had a belief in God. She originally lived in Mindelo and when she moved to Porto Novo she had prayed that everything would run smoothly. She said that God had really helped her throughout that time and that she knows that God will help her always. It was an awesome lesson and I'm excited to teach her again. Also we taught this guy named Davi. What's funny is that this guy I kind of new already because he owns a cyber that is pretty awful here. He is awesome and what's great is he always remembers the visits that we set with him and he is really ready to change. He is Catholic but that shouldn't impede him too much. 
 Altogether I have beenreally happy to be back in Porto Novo. Mindelo is chill and splits are great to learn but I really love Porto Novo. The people are great here and although it is not the prettiest place it is stinking awesome. I know that the work is going to grow here and I am so happy to be an instrument in the Lord's hands. I love you all and I hope that everything keeps going well and that you always can find the miracles that are around you.
 Love, 
Elder Peder Schillema

Things in Cape Verde

After talking with Peder for 2 hours on Mother's Day, this missionary mom is feeling pretty good.  Here's the latest news from Capo Verde:  

Familia e Amigos,
 So things are pretty chill here in Porto Novo. During this week we have been working hard with the members here to find a lot more people to teach and the members have been great and way helpful. Yesterday at church two of the people that the members referred us to showed up to church and the members were just so supportive and it was just so awesome to see. Besides that the work is moving pretty well. Let's see this week we had some awesome lessons about Faith. Really a lot about how faith really isn't just believing but true faith is shown when we are doing the things that we need to. It was way awesome and one lesson when we were talking about that one of our recent converts gave us a referrel like way quick even when we weren't asking for one. Honestly faith is just amazing and with faith we can do everything. 
 Besides that our district is moving really well now and the Sisters in the other half of Porto Novo really are doing well. It definitely is different only having sisters in our district but it's way chill. 
 This week was chill but I don't have a ton of people to report on. Basically the work is just moving really well and I'd say it is because we are getting so  much help from the members here. Honestly the members are essential and they know like everyone here. With the members we are finding a lot more people and it is just stinking awesome.
 I hope that everything is continuing to go well for all of you and I love you all,
 Elder Peder Schillemat

Peder has a New Companion and a New Assignment.

Familias e Amigos,
 So this week has been pretty awesome. First off the end of this week was transfers. I will talk about that a bit more in detail at the end but that does explain the title.
 So this week we were preparing three people for their baptisms. We prepared Rosiane, Bruno and Miriam. So the baptism was on Saturday. All of them were ready and we were just waiting for all of them to show up. Eventually, an hour late, Rosiane and Miram showed up. It was kind of freaky because they were so late but it was all good and it was awesome to see them all come unto Christ. Also we had a ton of people come to baptism and support them which was awesome!
 On Sunday it was fast and testimony meeting. It was such an awesome sacrament. First off Miram bore her testimony and she said that she just felt so happy. She said she couldn't explain it but she was just undeniably happy. It was amazing to here hear testimony and after church as she was talkign about her baptism she said that she wants to be baptized again because she just felt so happy and she felt something so warm in her heart. Honestly it was just amazing. As well Rosiane bore her testimony. She mentioned that she was quite a bit nervous before her baptism and that afterwards she just felt so much peace. It was such an awesome experience and I loved it so much.
 As I was saying as well it's transfers. Elder Rodgers has left me and I am now serving with Elder Palmer from Idaho. He seems pretty chill and it should be awesome to work with him and to bring more people unto Christ. As well because I am no longer a greeny I have been called as a district leader. It has a lot of new challenges but with the Lord I need not fear. I  was pretty sad to see Elder Rodgers go last night. He is an awesome Elder and I learned so much from him. Last night we had an FHE and everyone went around just talking about the influence that Elder Rodgers had made in their lives. It was stinking sad and I'd be lying if I said that I didn't tear up a bit. But it is going to be awesome and I am grateful to work here in Porto Novo and I love this gospel.
 I can't wait to hear from you family on Sunday! I love you so much and I know this work is just amazing.
 Eu vos amo tanto!
 Elder Peder Schillemat