About time Missionary Mom posted something about her son in Cape Verde

Familia e Amigos,

 So this week has been a pretty solid week. We taught less lessons but in general things still worked out well. The branch is really improving here and I am way glad about it. We as well have some people who are really progressing twoards baptism which is just awesome. I guess I don't have many stories to tell about the week but I kind of just want to share something that I learned this week. So I was talking with my mission president. And he mentioned how a lot of the time at the start of things that we can see a hugge amount of progress. And then we hit this point where things just fall. And we just start thinking. What am I doing wrong? Or we start even doubting the success that we had. And it's really not that. There is a moment when thigs are down that we have to turn to God and ask Him to lift us up again. And as we continue to ask God He will continue to lift us up until we can become really what we need to be. And it's been something that has been on my mind. You know it applies a lot more broadly than just the mission. In any case this is true and the moments that we do this God will make us strong and qualify us. There are a lot of good things that are going on and I know that as hard as I work it's only because I have been given all this through God. I love being here. There are so many things to learn and it will never stop. I hope that you are all doing well. I love this work and I love this Church,

 Peder

Having a great week in Cape Verde

Familia e Amigos,

 So this week has been pretty chill. So as far as the area is going everything si pretty chill. We had a good amount of lessons this week and we were able to find a couple of new investigators. So some more marking lessons of the week were actaully the ones that happened yesterday. So yesterday morning we were teaching this guy named David. So David speaks english which is pretty different. And in all truth I get a lot more worried about teaching in english now then in portuguese. But as we were teaching we decided to read the family proclamation to the world which luckily I had in english. So as we were reading it I have never seen someone so touched by the words there than anyone else. Man it was just amazing. And I don't feel that I stumbled in English. except in the prayer where instead of always I said sempre. Dang.

 As well I have an amazing person that we are teaching called Nanda. So just some background about Nanda. So she is a lady who ever since we started to talk to her has been super psyched for baptism. She also can't see from one eye. So we left her with a Book of Mormon the last time and you know even with her lack of sight she has been reading like no other. And not only reading but reading and asking questions. Holy flip it is amazing. She brought her son to church yesterday as well which was just sweet.

 So I guess if I had to some up a week just have to say that you truly can make the best of any situation. You know we as american missionaries don't have everything and in truth I am not the smartest guy in the world. Actually pretty far from it. But with all these things there is a lot to be excited about and a lot that we can do. A lot of people do that here, living in the poorest of situations and they are just stinking happy and we as well can do that. We have so many things every single one of us and really we can always find at least one thing that's good. I love you all and I know that this church is true,

 Peder

A few weeks of posts from Peder--sorry I got behind, friends.

Familia e Amigos,

 So things here are going well. This week has been an interesting one and in all truth was one of the first transfers for my comp so he was thinking a lot about what would happen with transfers. So to explain briefly Elder Teixeira has been transferred to Taraffal. And I am going to serve with Elder Montes. Elder Montes is way chill and I'm super psyched to serve with him. In all truth I don't have a ton to write but I just want to let you all know that I love you and that I know that this church is true. I know that this work is so important and we are here really saving people. It's weird to think but we are giving everyone their chance to come unto Christ and to feel his love that he has for everyone one of us. In speaking of that I was reading Jesus the Christ this week and I read something that made me think a lot. So there was a guy that did a study on the death of Christ  And what he concluded is that Christ probably died from a ruptured heart which is due to much spiritual anguish. And you know He paid that all for us. It really made me think how much he was thinking about us all. It is just amazing to think of it all. He really loves us all. And I know that all He want's is that we can come unto Him. And there, for a surety, we will find rest.

 I love you all and I hope that you all have an amazing week. 

Familia e Amigos,

 So this week has been pretty sweet but the most awesome things were what happened at the end of the week. So we have an investigator named Ricardo who was baptized this last week. Man it was stinking sweet. What was more awesome than anything was him after the baptism. We were teaching him and his sister and he just said straight out. If anything I do know more than anything that this really is the church of Christ  Holy flip it made me happy. Just hearing such a sincere testimony makes me so happy. 

 After that we had church on Sunday  So this week was fast and testimony meeting. So what was sweet was that one of our recent converts bore his testimony in sacrament meeting and as well one of our investigators that had showed up to church for the first time bore her testimony in church. Man it was stinking sweet. And to top it all off as well one of our investigators said that she would be baptized during church. Man things just kept getting more awesome and awesome. Altogether I would just like to say how happy I am to be here. I know that this time is blessed and I love these people here. Honestly the work is going well and I am really just loving these members. They are just amazing and I feel  close to them all. 

 One thing I just wanted to say is how stinking powerful a testimony is. It is something that only really takes one second but it is just something that you know that makes you feel so good. And to truth I know that I am supposed to be here. And I know that as I work I am loving these people more and more. I love you all. You are all stinking awesome, 

 Love Peder

 ps Grandma I am getting your emails. Sorry if it seems that I am not. But I love you a whole lot. 

batismo de ricardo

Familia e Amigos,

 This week has been pretty stinking chill. So this week started off with my birthday. So in truth there was not much different about my birthday than any other day. But one thing that happened that day at the end was that Elder Teixeira invited someone for baptism and she accepted. It made me super happy as we were walking home. So in truth that what I feel my birthday present was. 

 The rest of the week continued to go well. We were able to find a lot more people and just talk with a bunch of people. One thing that happened specifically was that we talked with this guy named Carlos. So with Carlos we were talking and we invited him to pray at the end. Most people respond to that and are pretty hesitant. He didn't hesitate at all. He started to pray and it was just an awesome prayer. He was so sincere and I just loved it. 

 After that we also had a baptism this week of our investigator Ze Carlos. Man it was a sweet day and his girlfriend got baptized on the same day. Right now they live apart but they are planning on getting married which is even more awesome. What was funny was that Elder Teixeira said that most of the time that we have met with Ze Carlos' girlfriend she seems a little unhappy. But on the day of her baptism she was just smiling the whole time. It was just sweet.

 Altogether I am loving the area. The work here is goig well and I really love these people here. In truth I am not much for working in the city areas but I am loving it here. 

 I love you all and I hope that you all have an amazing week. Invite everyone to hear about the gospel. Because that really all we have to do. Love you, 

 Peder

Not much to report, but a good attitude and that's enough sometimes.

Familia e Amigos,

 So this week has been chill. We have had some days that went by a little slow but altogether  was happy with the week. So in all that I was thinking was just the fact that we have been called for these things. Man the other days I was reading my calling as a missionary and it made me feel so much better. And in truth we all have a calling that God has given to us. It may seem small or that we can't do it but God qualifies us to meet the expectations. In all truth I don't have a ton to write this week. All I really wanted to write is that I know that we all can fulfill our potential and we can be happy doing it. I love you all and I hope that you have an amazing week, 

Peder

Return to Praia and More Baptisms.

Familia e Amigos,

 So this week has been awesome. So I feel that I am finally getting to now my area better and I am so glad because of that. It has been amazing the work that we have been able to do here. We are working in a new branch her in Praia and it meets in the afternoon but it's all good. The members here are a huge help and I am so grateful for all that they do for us. 

 So specifically this week we had the baptism of a man named Mais Alto(or in english more tall). Man it was a sweet baptism. So in the picture I sent has Mais Alto and the guy that was baptizing hime. So Domingos, is a recent convert, and this was the first time that he was baptizing someone. And one thing that you can probably see is that he is quite a bit shorter. In truth during the baptism I was a little worried that he wouldn't be able to do it. But in the second time he was able to do it and it was awesome. Man on sunday as well Mais Alto boe his testimony about how he knew that the church was true and that he was happy for the elders(who he had forgotten the names) but it was so awesome. It was so awesome and what was even cooler was a guy that we marked a date for baptism with the day before bore his testimony about the baptism. Man stinking sweet. 

 You know I've thought at times that things could get old or that the gospel has an end of being so great but it doesn't. Everytime that we help someone or that someone recognizes the truth i their lives it is just amzing.  The gospel is so true and regardless of how many times we have heard it or how many times it seems impossible to do, it will bless our lives. I know that this is true, I love you all and I hope that you have amazing weeks,

Peder

(April 8th email.  Hope you know that the picture above goes with the latest letter.)

 So this week has been pretty sweet. So first off I am now in Praia. It is quite different here than in Calheta. I am serving with a missionary from Fogo named Elder Teixeira. He is actually waiting for his visa so that he can go to england. So right now I will be working to teach him english. The only problem is the slight accent I have makes it harder to understand. But it's all good. 

 This week we are still working on getting to know all of our investigators but it's still been a very good week. So we had conference this week, which was sweet, and during that it was quite intersting. A couple instances in particular. So after the first session I felt like we shouldgo and just look for people to go to the next. And luckily my district leader felt the same. So we booked it and we were ale to find two more people to go. As well in the last session we were as well looking around for people. And after we passed by the people who said they would come and they wern't there, we then decided to pass by one other person. And luckily it was someone who had been looking for us. And it was just awesome. You know truthfully God is guiding us. He is helping  us  and He wants us to succeed. Man I love being on the mission. I love it here and I just want to do everything I can for these people,

 Love you all,

 Peder

Ed Vera....

Familia e Amigos,

 So this week has been pretty awesome. So to start off I want to mention something that happened this last friday. So there is a scripture in 2 Nephi 28:5 about some of the things that people will say in these days and one of those things is eat and drink and be merry because tomorrow we die and God will save. So that is a form of people tricking themselves. So on Friday we had to go up to Assomada to do a baptismal interview. So as we were going up to Assomada there was this guy in the car who was just talking a lot. So as he was talking eventually he looked at us and asked if we were part of a church. We explained who we are and then he asked what the main thing of the church is. In that car with everyone there we were able to explain a bit about the restoration and prophets. But what was funny was that after all this he said 'nha igreja é comi bebi' or in English' my church is eat and drink'. holy flip the Book of Mormon is true. 

 So then on Saturday we had a baptism. holy flip it was one of the best baptisms I have ever had. so to explain why our investigator has fear of the sea. so for a long time she had a lot of fear about the sea and about baptism. So on Saturday we got to the beach and Fatima was feeling more or less. but we were going over and when we entered into the ocean we grabbed Fatima by her hands and walked with her. She said that when we were there with her she didn't feel afraid. and specifically she said that she could go to Tarrafal and back because as she said God was with her. even though Fatima was made fun of a bit she was resolute and it was just stinking sweet. 

 and after all of these sweet things that have happened. I am being transferred to Praia  i'm excited but i am going to miss this area so much. I stinking love these people here and yesterday i was about to cry because i was leaving. the people here are amazing. It's so small here but it has been one of the most incredible places that I have served  I am so glad to have had this time here. I know that the church is true and I know that it will bless the live of everyone. I love you all,

 Peder

here's some pics of Fatima's baptism, and the other one is with nelson, nozinha, sandra, claudia and my comp, 

Desabafo and trying a bit of Caldo de Cana, or Sugar Cane Juice

Add caption

So one is me with Carlos e Preta, one with Elder Araújo and then just a goofy propagando things that kind of looks like missionaries. Love you,

Familia e Amigos,

 So this week has been quite interesting and quite a bit of things have happened. So I would first like to mention that I drank one of the grossest things that I have ever drank here this week. It is caldo de cana, or juice from sugar cane. uhhh. It is probably the only time that I have told someone that I did not want to drink more of something. Just really nasty. 

 But what has been interesting this week is that I have been able to see a pretty interesting contrast. So with the guy that offered that drink we actually had taught him about the restoration and why we are here. And for the first time ever I have heard some just completely flat out say ' I don't believe you. I am sure that that is not the truth' Hmmm pretty interesting. Especially because when he had said that it was because we had told him that we aren't paid and that we worked to get here. But it was just really interesting. As well we had some other person mention that the people we are talking with won't do anything. Hmmm

 But you know with all those moments I had one thing that was more interesting than anything else. So yesterday we had a family home evening in the house of one of our investigators. So that same gy who said that he didn't believe us came in. And like usual he mentioned that he did not believe that we are exactly who we are. With this was exactly the fact that he doesn't believe that we don't date. So what was interesting more than anything was the fact that we didn't have to explain that we don't but all three of our investigators did for us. There was one point when I remeber our investigators actually saying tht they know that what we are saying is true. And specifically one of our investigators said that she would stick her hand in the fire in hell because she knows that what we are saying is true. Man it was incredible. 

 And you know just thinking about this makes me very happy. You know as hard as it is to believe some times I am so grateful that I can believe in something. That's what makes me happy and I love it here. The work is hard and sometimes it may appear to other people as useless but I know that it is not. I love it here. I love you all and I hope that you have an amazing week,

 Peder

Podi ser dificil--a tough week for Peder, but he takes it well

Familia e Amigos,

 So this last week a lot of things have happened which really actually made for a little bit of a difficult week. So this week we had zone conference in praia. So during zone conference there was a seventy here named Elder Patrick Kearon. It was an awesome conference and I really enjoyed how it all went down. Afterwarrds we luckily found a car and returned to Calheta. After being in Calheta for a day we had to go to Taraffal the next day so we spent more time out of the area. Altogether I did not enjoy all the traveling. But eventually we got back to calheta and some things happened that we're pretty stressful. But you know all that matters is how I really felt by the end of this whole week. So I have realized that honestly problems are something that we will always face. You know there is always going to be that one thing that makes something annoying or that one other thing that makes me sad. But really that's not how we have to respond. I am so happy to be here. I am so happy to have these problems. Because every day I have to learn to humble myself a bit more. And as much as humbling oursleves is hard it is necessary because we have got a lot of work to do. I am really happy to be here though. There are so many things that I am expereincing and I'm so glad to really have this in my life. I love you all and I really hope that in every moment you can find what is good in your lives because there's a ton of it,

 Love you,

 Peder

Another Solid Week for Peder

Familia e Amigos,

 So this week has been a pretty solid week. So this last week I had read a talk by Richard C Edgley called Choose Faith. Man it is an awesome talk and it's all about how many times in our lives we could choose not to believe in something but we still believe that it can happen. 

 And you know this week I have had a lot of that. So for the whole time I have been in Calheta it has been near impossible to teach with members. And you know what! This week we taught 4 lessons with our group leader nelson. and it was stinking awesome. 

 As well this week we have been a lot more stretched for time but we still have managed to teach like 30 lessons this week.

 And because of this next week we will have a baptism. Claudia who when I first taught her wanted me to be transferred will be baptized. She has warmed up to the fact that I'm staying so it's been pretty solid. 

Altogether I have just realized more than anything how much happier I feel when I choose to believe in people. And believeing in myself. Calheta is small and has a lot of oppostion. People think that the members are crazy and that our work is something strange. But in all truth I am so happy to be here. We have investigators who are still progressing amidst all these things. And we have members who are willing to stay firm in all that they do. 

 So in all I can tell you that choosing faith, choosing to believe in something that seems so lost, something that seems so impossible never is a problem. Distrust is somthing that makes me feel awful so in this moment and forever I will choose faith. I will choose to believe because it makes me so much happier than naything else. 

 We live in a beautiful world and I am so grateful for it. I love you all and I hope that this week you can have an amazing week,

 Peder

Milagres e milagres

Natercia's Baptism

Familia e Amigos,

 So this week has been pretty solid. So Elder Araújo and I have been able to teach quite a bit which has been super nice. As well with the fact that we have basically taken over what was once two areas it has helped a lot. So just some highlights of the week. So to start off we had this awesome lesson on friday. So we were teaching a reference from a member in praia. Her name is nozinha. so as we were teaching her elder araújo explained the first vision. and then as I was talking to her about praying to know if it was true she just started talking to us how she was feeling. and she said that she just felt like something that had been closed for so long was opened. She said it was a different feeling then she had ever had. She mentioned that she had met with a lot of church and was always searching for the truth but never felt it with anyone else. But she just started to feel it so strong when we were there. It was just amazing. After that lesson we had to book it to the other side of calheta but I just couldn't stop smiling the whole time. It was just amazing.

 Then on Saturday we had a baptism. It was sweet and Natercia was ready at like 2:45 for her baptism at 4. It made me super happy. On Sunday she was confirmed and even though she was sick she made it to church. When she was confirmed she started to cry and it was just incredible the Spirit that was there.

 As well yesterday we had this lesson with this woman and when we invited her to get baptized she was so ready and in fact she was super excited to be the first person in Ponta Verde to be baptized. Man I stinking love being here.

 I hope that all of you are doing well. I know that this is the work of the Lord. And I know that everyday I feel happier and happier doing it. I love you all and I hope that you have a great week,

 Peder

Carnaval e as generas

Familia e Amigos,

 So this week we had zone conference. Man I stinking love zone conference. I could feel the spirit so strong during it and it made me so happy. One thing that I though that was really interesting was this. That where more persecution arises, it is because there is more righteousness. So I've thought about that this week. 

 So at the start of this week we went to teach this girl named Sandra. So all her family is not really intersted in the church and more specifically her mom thinks that we are there to destroy their family. But we first talked with her and during that time we got to hear that apparently people in other churches have been asking about us. So it's been interesting. 

 As well during the week we met up with another lady that we are teaching named Claudette. So during the lesson a guy came in and started telling us that there was nothing wrong with drinking. So we had to go into an explanation about that. Altogether he just kind of destroyed the lesson that we could have had with Claudette. 

 But this is the thing. Neither one of these things has stopped Claudette and Sandra talking with us. It has slowed anything at all.Claudette is more firm in the church than ever and she even mentioned that she would talk to Sandra's mother. And as well we were able to talk to that drunk guy later when he was sober and actually ended up having a really good conversation about tithing. So this is one thing that I have thought about a lot. You know when things are going well we will confront difficulties. It is a sure thing. But if we keep thinking about the good, striving for it, all those bad things won't matter and won't stop anything. Honestly we will just continue to see the good. So if a ton of thngs show up to get n our waywe keep going for the good. Persecution is something that doesn't mean we should stop being good but more an incentive to keep going. 

 I stinking love this work. There is nothing better and I am so glad to be here. I love you all,

 Peder

The Sweet LIfe in Cape Verde

Familia e Amigos,

 So this last week has been pretty sweet. So to start off this week I began with Elder Dias. So we had some good days for teaching and altogether it was going pretty chill. So on wednesday we went out to teach. So we tuahgt a pretty chill lesson and then we went home to eat. As we got home I was talking to Elder Orton and he just said that Elder Dias was going to Praia. So right then Elder Dias had to pack, and we took a ride down. I was kind of confused but the main reason was that there was an elder from praia that couldn't serve there as his first area because he had too much connection to the area. But Elder Dias then peaced out and now I am with Elder De Pina. It has been awesome this work to be with Elder De Pina. One of the things that has been so awesome is that I feel like more than anything I have just had more a chance to just talk about how the gospel has affected me and it's been a way awesome way to teach. For example this last week we had  lesson with this family. So we were explaining about the book of mormon and the spirit was just so strong. And then afterwards the mom of the family just started asking questions about how many times we had read it, when we starting reading and how it has affected us. It was one of the best lessons I fel that I have ever had. Altogether though the work is going super well. We have some investigators who are progressing really well and I really like how things are going. I love you all and I hope that you all have an awesome week,

 Peder
 

ps I had to translate in church from a spanish book to english. Man spanish is a little weird. haha

Learning the importance of love

Familia e Amigos,

 So I don't have any specific story to highlight from this week but I do have some thoughts that I want to share. So last week I mentioned that the work has been kind of hard. That has not stopped but it's all good. One thing in particular that we had been reading this week was in preach my gospel about a successful missionary. So our zone leaders gave a training on it and they focused on diligence and patience that are essential in this work. It was a really good training but there was one other thing that I have thought about this week. So if any you have noticed when you are around people that you love everything goes a lot better and time just seems to be in general something that is so much better. Whereas when you are far from that you just feel like everything is slow and you are just waiting for things to end. So that is something pretty essential then. We feel better when we are loved. When we know that someone is supporting us and holding us. So there is one person who is always supporting us, always calling us to improve but always being understandable because He love us so much. And that is God. There are times that I have felt so useless and that I am just failing on every front but God is there and I have felt significantly different because of it. It is something that I am so sure of. I am supposed to be here because He called me to do this work and I am so grateful to always be doing it. So really I just want you all to know how much I love each and every one of you. I am so grateful to hear from you and know that you are doing well. And I do want you guys to remember this . Love everyone and never stop. Make people kow that you love them and honestly you will feel so much better and so will that person. I love you all and I hope that you have an amazing week,

 Peder

Peder's Email titles are always in Portugese, but thankfully, the text of them is in English.

Familia e Amigos,

 So this week has been decent but I lttle bit hard. So Elder Dias and I are still moving on with a basically completely new area. It has been interesting. We have been able to talk to a lot of people and some seem like they are really interested. But we justhave to continue. This last week we taught a lesson to a guy who said that he wasn't willing to give up drinking and another to someone who still doesn't understand that we are such a different church. But you know we got to keep working through it. One thing I've realized is truthfully at times life is stinking hard. There are somethings that just keep piling up and we feel useless to get past them.One things that I can say is that what we are doing is never useless. There is never any thing so small that won't help us to become better and help someone. I am so blessed to be here. The work is hard and slow but it is still worth it. I love the people I'm here with and the work that I can do with them. And I love you guys so much,

 Ate proximo,

 Peder

Peder has sent some pictures

Familia e Amigos,

 This week has been pretty solid and a lot different than I thought it would turn out. So last week right when Elder Orton adn I got home we got a call that we would both be staying in Calheta but that we would be getting two mini missionaries from Fogo to work in the area with us. So this week has been pretty chill with all that. 

 So now I am working with Elder Dias from Sao Filipe in Fogo. It's pretty sweet. We went to work in this area called Veneza. So some background: Veneza in Calheta has only one member and we maybe had one or two investigators there before we started working there. But this week has been solid and we have had the chance to find a lot more investigators. And we have really been doing this in all the ways we know how. Even to the point of knocking doors(that is super rare here in cape verde). But it has gone well and we have had the chance to work really well. 

 Speaking of which we have had the chance to cascar( or remove the cask from beans) a lot. One sunday we did it for like 40 min with just some people we met on the street. But altogether things are going super well. One thing I 've noticed is just how much the little things do to influence this work. So the one member here has at times just handed out some pamphlets to people and it's been awesome. Honestly some people have just read the pamphlets and have called to us on the street. I stinking love it.

 As well this week Celeide was baptized. I think I talked about her a while ago. But the baptism went really well and a lot of her family was able to come. It was pretty sweet. I'll be sending a picture of it. 

 Altogether the week has been good. I really am loving the work even if it takes a lot of work to continually find but it is super worth it. 

 Love you all,

 Peder

-so this pic I am standing next to Elder Orton and Elder Dias. Also Nelson is the awesome guy baptizing Celeide. On the other end is Elder Pina.

-also this is the area

Nha Vida--whatever that means.

Familia e Amigos,

 So this week has been a litle slow. So Elder Orton and I were kind of anticpating what would happen with transfers so with that and the fact that a lot of our appointments fell through it made it a little tough. But we still worked through it all. So in general this week had some up and downs.

 So first off to explain something that happened for the first time in my mission. So we went to teach this couple named Albertino and Emma. So  some background is that the week before we had talked to them about getting married. The lesson was ok but not the best. So when we showed up there this time with Nelson (group leader) Albertino opened the door and yelled at us and said he was catholic and that he wasn't interested anymore. It was really sad. Especially because his woman, Emma, really wants to get baptized. But besides the disappointment we are still working. 

 Throughout the week as well there was one day we had to stay in because Elder Orton got sick. So we were staying in and laying low but we decide to go out to at least teach seminary. So during the day we had to teach about Matthew 16. By the way I recommend that you all read this chapter. It is when Peter talks to Christ and says that he knows that Jesus is the Christ. Man it is an awesome chapter. So we were giving that lesson and it went really well and Elder Orton adn I taught very smoothly together. So near the end we had one of our investigators named Celeide who was there. Right after we had finished teaching I asked if anyone had any questions. She raised her hand and just said "I want to be baptized". Man it took me back but as she said it the two other people in seminary were just cheering her on. It was so awesome. She is now preparing to be baptized this next week. 

 Man this week although it was pretty slow still had a very good ending. You know there are a lot of things that are difficult about the area. But I'm excited still for all the good that can happen and will continue to happen. 

 I love you all, This work is awesome and I am very grateful to be out here. I hope that everything keeps going well where you all are at,

 Peder 

All about family-a letter of gratitude

So last night I was talking with Elder Orton about something that really destroy families and how much later in life that I want to do everything for my family. And I remembered the question you asked a while ago about what you and Dad have done for us. So this is more or less what I wanted to write about. To you and Dad,
 Mom thank you for all the times that you got intersted in the things that I was interested in. In seeing how my day was, in planning out things where we could go hike or random trip in the woods. I remeber a lot of times the time that you, poul, geoff, and I went walking with patch and that really reminds me of what heaven will feel like. Thank you for taking in interest in what I would read and being willing to give me suggestions and to discuss some things that I would read. Mom I love you so much,
 Dad, thanks for all the times that you would come to some of my games for soccer or track meets. Especially when you had just gotten out of work and mmust have been tired and a little dirty. Thanks for playing sports with me sometimes and really showing how you coulkd really beat me at most every sport still right now. Thanks for wrestling with me and Geoff when we were younger and just messing around with us. I love you Dad.
 And really thanks to both of you for loving each other so much. I remeber the times when we would walk pitcher mountain together and you guys would be holding hands and all us kids would be goofing around because of it but it was awesome. Or the times when you guys would pray together in the mornings. ever single morning. thank you so much for all that you did. 
 I know sometimes that you guys don't feel like your perfect. It's bound to happen with all of us. But one thing I know is that with all of your imperfections there was enough that I really felt loved in our house. I stinking love our family(I was trying to refrain from using stinking). I am so grateful for all that you both have done. I love you so much and the truth is that heaven is a continuation of the ideal family and I feel I have felt that in my life. I love you guys so much and I don't know if there is any better way to say it. I love you Mom and Dad,
 you son out on some weird island near africa,
 Peder 

 

Here's Peder 's Letter to everyone:

Familia e Amigos,
 So this week I have learned quite a bit. So New years came and left and to tell you the truth not much happened here because of that. Basically everyone was just gone for a couple of days. But eventually we got back to work.
 So on Wednesday morning we taught this guy that the moment that we entered we could tell that the guy was super aventist. So I felt pretty nervous walking in there just based on how he would receive it. As we were talking it inevitably turned to the subject of which day of the week that we worship and we explained to him the scriptures on how Sunday doesn't go against any commandment in the bible. But throughout the lesson i was kind of arguing with him and the lesson turned out very badly. I was really frustrated by the end and Elder Orton said it was the only time that he saw me mad. He said what kept him from getting upset was the just the spiritual confirmations that he knew the gospel was true.
 So we went on and then on thursday we had another lesson. This time it was with a super catholic lady. I really had though about what Elder Orton had said and during the lesson instead of getting nervous about how she would receive it I just remembered how much that I know the the gospel is true. It changed everything. During that lesson I felt the spirit very strongly and it really has changed the way that I have thought about teaching and telling people about the gospel. Really it doesn't matter how much scriptural evidence we have, or who has the biggest church building. What matters is that we know it's true and we know how the gospel has helped us. Really in that aspect it is not hard to teach the gospel at all. We know it's true and nothing is going to change that.
 On Sunday we went to assomada for church and this one lady bore her testimony. She had a crutch and it was hard for her to get up to the pulpit but once she got there she started talking about the story of job and how he never gave up on God. And then she talked about how she has some difficulties in her life with health, and family but that she would never give up on her God. Never. It was such a moving testimony. 
 I know that I am supposed to be out here. I have been called of God to preach the gospel. I know that it is true and I know that I am a better person because of it. I love all of you. Thank you for everything that you have done in my life. This church is true,
 Peder