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