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 

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