Still more blessings...

We got to see two more people come closer to the Savior this weekend! Hallelujah! Truly, GOD ROCKS!!!

We also had a really neat experience with an investigator named Chris. He's Falon's (a recent convert) brother, and has been listening to what we've been teaching his family for quite a while now. He came to the baptisms on Saturday, and then got to be present when McShane was received the priesthood. He pulled me aside right afterward, and told me that while he was watching McShane, he felt this overwhelming peace and love flood his system. He said that he almost started to cry. He'd been praying and reading the Book of Mormon, and trying to decide if this is what the Lord wanted for him. Saturday night, he got his answer. He told me that his heart felt different, and that he knew that this was God's way of telling him what God wanted for him. I had goosebumps all over my arms, and chills running up and down my spine. I bore my testimony to him that I knew what he felt was the Spirit, and that God was indeed answering his prayers. So now, Chris and his wife April are preparing to be baptized on September 5th.

God is really there. He really answers our prayers. He loves us, He is our Father, and He asked our Brother to pave the way for us here on earth. Our Savior lives! He stands on the right hand of God, and is rooting for us every step of the way.

Your Friend in the Faith,
Sister P.

Bonsai!

Elder Kikuchi, when he toured our mission in February, told us that the word 'bonsai' meant 'hallelujah'. He also told us that if we would be 100% morning schedule missionaries, and read from the Book of Mormon 30 minutes every day, we would experience a spiritual tsunami and that the number of convert baptisms in our mission would double. I thought it was appropriate to title this email/blurb 'Bonsai!' because of the blessings and tender mercies the Lord has poured out upon us here in the Louisiana Baton Rouge Mission.

In July, we saw the beginning of the fulfilment of that promise from Elder Kikuchi. We were blessed to see 41 people enter the waters of baptism for our entire mission---five of which Sister Santos and I were personally able to see. As for August, we're still seeing many miracles, and we have three investigators with baptismal dates for this month so far. Elder Kikuchi also promised us that if we would contact at least 80 people a week, our teaching pool would be full. I have personally seen this blessing in the work here in Houma, and can humbly add my testimony of how it's affected me as a servant of the Lord. There really are good people out here, searching for the truth. And they aren't just in the poorer parts of town. There are good people everywhere, and they all deserve the chance to hear the gospel.

This last week we had our zone conference, and I cannot express enough gratitude to the Lord for the inspired messages we heard there. I don't know what everyone else got out of them; it felt as though President and Sister Woods and Elders Broadley and Nnah were talking directly to me. Seriously, every single thing that was said was an answer to a struggle or question I'd been having. I am in awe and amazement at how merciful our Father in Heaven truly is. I am so blessed! And I deserve absolutely none of it. How tenderly our Savior loves us! It truly gives us reason to rejoice, to shout, "Bonsai!" I am so grateful that I get to be a servant of the Lord here in Louisiana.

I love you all! Y'all are just awesome! Keep on keepin' on, and know that the Savior yet lives! He loves each and every one of us, as does our Father in Heaven. They desire only the very best for us, and as we listen and follow Their instructions, we will receive so many blessings that "there shall not be room enough to receive [them]." (Malachi 3:10) The power of prayer is very real---Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees. I know God lives, I know He loves me. I know He hears and answers prayers. I know that because of His tender mercy and the power of the priesthood, our families are united for all eternity. It is my privilege to bear this witness of our Father and of our Savior, and I do so in the sacred name of the Savior Jesus Christ, amen.

Your Friend in the Faith,
Sister Pedersen

Having a blast here in Houma!

Yup, that's right folks! Transfers have come and gone, and BLESSING FROM HEAVEN, I'm still hanging out in heavenly Houma! HOORAY!!!!

Sorry I didn't write last week...surprisingly, I was crunched for time with emails! (I know, BIG shock, huh?) ;)

Well, we're doing great down here---surviving the heat, and finding awesome people to teach the gospel too! We found a couple cool new families that we're really excited about---the Fanguys (pronounced "fungys"), and the Jacksons (and they actually do have a son named Michael!). We've got an appointment with the Fanguys tomorrow, so we're super excited for that. We taught the Jacksons about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ on Saturday, and we're going to call Sharon tomorrow to find out when we can come over again---that's when she'll have her work schedule.

The Parfaits are hanging in there. As usually happens when we make a firm stance against the advesary, they've been hit with some heavy burdens. Any prayers in their behalf would be awesome. I think I'm starting to get an idea of what it feels like to be a parent----it hurts. I felt like screaming at the devil yesterday, "Just leave them alone!!!" when the Parfaits were telling us about their struggles. But at the same time, I know that they NEED this test of faith so that they can have the strength to face the rest of their lives. They're doing great, faith-wise. They understand why life all of a sudden got tougher. But it still hurts to see them suffer. My love and respect for Heavenly Father has grown even more---I feel like I understand Him a little better. What strength He has! He has the power and the capability to take all our pains and struggles away, but He does not because He knows we need it. Ugh. I couldn't do that. I'm not that strong. Thank heavens He's in charge!

McShane and Falon are doing great. McShane got things worked out with his boss so that he can come to sacrament every Sunday, which is a total blessing! They're hard people to catch at home, so we haven't been able to have a sit-down lesson with them this last week, but we're going to set something up for Thursday, probably. If I remember right, they both have at least part of that day off.

AND...we are working with an awesome part-member family, the Naquins. Brett and Sandy are so much fun, and Brett comes to church every week. You'd never guess he wasn't a member. But anyways, we had a good lesson with them and their two cute little boys yesterday. We talked about the power and protection that prayer and the scriptures give us. Then Sister Santos boldly committed Brett to prepare to be baptized on the 22nd. He said he would, so we're planning another baptism for this month! I was a little hesitant to commit him, because I know he's been pushed in the past, but I also know that he'll let us know if he isn't ready. Until then, we're going to shower them with as much love as possible, to show him that we're asking him to do this because we care, and not because we're just trying to get him wet.

We've got zone conference this week---President Woods is switching the schedule around. I'm helping the sisters in Metairie do a musical number. We decided to pick a hymn that people aren't familiar with---that way, when we mess up, no one will know the difference! Sister Riddle thought of that one...pretty smart, huh? And, as I like to tell people, the scriptures tell us to "make a joyful noise" (see Psalms 81:1, 95:1-2). They never say it has to sound good. :)

But in case I get called on...which, knowing Sister Woods, is more than likely going to happen...if anyone has any good arrangements of hymns or EFY songs that they'd like to send me, I would be most grateful! You can mail it to me (485 Grand Caillou Apt. E, Houma, LA 70363) or you can email it to me, and I can print it off at the library (morganjpedersen@myldsmail.net).

I love y'all! Congratulations to Adam Wilcock! You're going to do wonders in Texas! And congrats to Daniel Worwood, who definitely returned with honor from Indonesia. Way to go.

Keep on keepin' on, everyone!

Your Friend in the Faith,
Sister Pedersen

Bah...last week of the transfer ALREADY?!

So, this week has been AWESOME. McShane got baptized on Wednesday, but he hasn't been confirmed yet, so please keep him in y'alls prayers. He NEEDS that extra protection, especially now. His wife, Falon, is planning on getting baptized on Thursday, so by Sunday, the ward will have two more new members! HOORAY!

Um...this week has been hot and sometimes rainy. Um...I'm down to like 5 seconds, so I love y'all! The Church is true! Pres. Monson is God's chosen Prophet! Jesus Christ LIVES, and is our Savior and our best friend! And last, but not least....GOD FREAKING ROCKS!!! ;)

Your Friend in the Faith,
Sister Pedersen

Another blessed week!

Can I just tell y'all how much I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY?!!!!! Truly, I have never experience more REAL JOY in my entire life than I have in these blessed months I've spent in the service of my Savior.

I am constantly and continually amazed and humbled by the tender mercies the Lord is pouring down upon us here in Houma. We've got two more souls who have committed to come unto Christ by being baptized this week. McShane and Falon are amazing! They have just EATEN everything up, and they have a solid, SOLID testimony of the Savior and the Book of Mormon already. I am just in awe.

Brother and Sister Parfait and Sister Hebert are doing just FANTABULOUS! I've always heard about how people can tell a difference between members of the Church and the rest of the world, but I never really understood or saw it myself. I mean, yes, I believed it, but most everyone I knew was a member, so there wasn't much for me to compare appearances with. But now! I can see the difference, the change that has come over the Parfaits and Sister Hebert, and it is absolutely incredible. Their house, which is normally quite chaotic on account of having 9 or more people living there, is still crazy...but there is such a peace there! It's amazing! I love it! I was just in complete and utter awe as we sat and talked with them this week. I can't even describe it in words. But now I understand. Now I can see what everyone else sees, what they describe as a "glow" or "light." It is the SPIRIT OF THE LORD, and it FREAKING ROCKS!!! ;)

I absolutely LOVE being a missionary. There is NOWHERE else I would rather be in the whole entire world. There is NOTHING else I'd rather be doing---no book, no movie, no major world event, no concert, NOTHING could bring me the joy that this work brings!

Doctrine and Covenants 18:10, 15-16-----"The worth of souls is great in the sight of God.…And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!"

I testify with all my heart and soul that this is true! I know that this gospel changes lives and hearts, and brings us closer to the Savior. This is HIS work, and how privileged am I to be a part of it!

Your Friend in the Faith,
Sister P.

Still more tender mercies...

As you can see, the Thibodaux ward has three new members! Brother and Sister Parfait and Sister Hebert are doing just splendorific! (Yes, I just made up that word...I'm allowed to!)

Their baptisms were amazing. I am so blessed to have been a part of their lives. They've taught me so much about faith and trust in the Lord. They're just awesome. I am truly humbled when I think about all the circumstances surrounding Sister McKay and I finding them, and how truly prepared they were.

I love them, and y'all with all my heart! The gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to earth in its fulness, and I get to go tell people about it! Seriously! This is what the scriptures mean when they talk about "glad tidings of great joy"! (See Alma 13:21-24) How blessed am I to be a part of this great work!

I love y'all so much! Thank you for your prayers. They mean so much to me.

Keep on keepin' on, everyone! Work as though it all depends on you, and PRAY because it ALL depends on HIM.

Your Friend in the Faith,
Sister Pedersen

Blessings from heaven and tender mercies of the Lord!

Hey y'all!

This past week was really REALLY good. Friday, we got to go to New Missionary Training at the mission home, and I got to see Sister Pilette and Sister Bunker, and I got to meet Sister Hill and Sister English! It was an AWESOME start to an AWESOME day! The Spirit was so strong in our meeting, and so many things were said that seemed like they were directed just to me. Isn't it so cool how the Spirit works?! It was a super-charged boost to my spiritual battery, and I loved every minute of it---even the hour and a half drive there and back. (Of course, that's probably because we got to ride with Elders Hudson and Bounds, and those two are just funny, so the ride went super fast!)

We had a good but uneventful 4th of July. We had to come in early Saturday night, but we got to watch some fireworks from our apartment, which was cool. Sister Santos asked me to sing the national anthem for her, and I got to tell her what I could remember of the story behind the poem that Francis Scott Key wrote. It really brought a lot of things into perspective for me, and I was very grateful for the blessings of liberty and freedom that so many people gave up their lives to protect---then and now.

Sunday was AWESOME! I love fast and testimony meeting! The Spirit was so strong. We had three of our investigators there who have baptismal dates, and they all said they loved every minute of church. Miss Rita read from Mosiah chapter 18, verses 8 to 10. As she began reading verse 10, her emotions were very close to the surface, and there was such a sweet spirit in the room. I'm pretty sure the Lord confirmed in her heart that her decision to be baptized was the thing He desired for her.

Next email---we'll have some baptisms to report on! Truly, I am in complete and total awe at the tender mercies of the Lord. This will be the first baptism that I've actually had a major role in, and I feel SO blessed to be a part of it. Kim, Chris, and Rita are absolutely GOLDEN, and I cannot believe how blessed I am to be one of the missionaries who found them and had the privelege of teaching them. It's still very surreal to me. I'm so humbled that the Lord has allowed me to be a part of this great work!

I love y'all! Keep sending letters, pictures, whatever. They make my day.

Your Friend in the Faith,
Sister Pedersen