Hey everyone!
I would say that this has been quite a week, but by now, that phrase has probably become a bit redundant. Each week here has been it's own adventure, and each has brought new challenges and experiences, but overall, it has been great!
First and foremost, as most of you ought to know, last Sunday was Mother's Day. It was a very special day for mothers everywhere, and it was especially so for mine own, and many other missionary mothers around the world. This is because I, as well as the other missionaries on this mission and others from around the world, had the opportunity to call home, and talk to our families in real time. This time, however, was very new to the mission. This is because, for the first time in this mission, we were given permission to use video chats to communicate with our families. This means that our mothers could see our faces, and vice versa. A senior couple, the Tappens, were assigned to let me and Elder McElwain use their computers in their apartment so we could contact our parents. It was great seeing my family gathered around the coffee table, just as we did when Tanner called home when he was on his mission. However, the microphone on the Tappens' computer was broken, so I had to use their phone to call my Mom, and use it as a microphone of sorts. It was still great communicating to my family like this, and I am already excited for next time!
This, however, was not the only notable thing to happen this week, as I am sure you have all guessed. The time of the month has arrived for the mission to welcome more Young Elders to the family. This means that me and Elder McElwain, who keep a room open in our apartment for this monthly occurrence, get to have new roommates until the next transfer conference next Tuesday. These new people, an Elder Beur and Elder Hartner, seem very excited to be in this mission, and I am sure they will do great here. I am excited about Elder Beur, and his love for music and desire to join the mission choir (which I may have forgotten to mention is called "the Elijah choir"). This is great news, not only because I like meeting new people who also like music, but also because the Elijah choir definitely could use more members. Him and Elder Hartner seem like alright guys, and I do think the mission will be as good for them as it is for everyone, including myself. I look forward to seeing them both around!
Speaking of the choir, we did have a performance yesterday for mission conference. Sad to say, I showed up a bit later than I would have liked to. The performance itself was alright, though it could have been better. As for the conference itself, we were blessed to have the head of the Church History Department of the church, Elder Devn Cornish, give us a talk. It was a truly spiritual experience to have him there with us. Luckily for me, I will get to hear him speak later today, as the choir will sing for another session of mission conference. I am excited to hear him again!
Elder Cornish is not the only general authority to have shown up this week, however. Last Sunday, Mother's Day related happenings aside, was business as usual until Elder McElwain recognized Elder Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve sitting in the rostrum. He was not even on the Sacrament handout - he just decided to drop by for a visit. The remarks he made at the closing of such a meeting were, put simply, about his being proud of what we have been doing as a mission. He then left us with an apostolic blessing. That was truly an experience, to have him visit us as a mission, and it reminded me that our mission is truly blessed to be working among the leaders of this church.
As I hinted before, Transfer Conference is coming up in six days. I do not expect to be transferred, as I do not believe that the mission would transfer Elder McElwain. This is because this will be his last transfer conference before he returns home, and I do not think he would be reassigned for just one month. The only reason I can think of for me being transferred is if one of the new Young Elders, for some reason, takes my place as Elder McElwain's companion. So, in short, I do not expect to be transferred, but anything could happen. There is a chance my P-day will change, though. This means that I will send out an E-Mail some other time of the week, and it could very well be Tuesday, which would mean you may not hear from me for two weeks. If this is the case, then I am indeed sorry. But, "nevertheless, not as I will, but as [Heavenly Father] wilt (Matthew 26:39)". I will let you know as soon as possible how this goes!
And such have been my happenings for this week. I will not have time as of right now to send out personal E-mails, as I will have to go soon to practice with the Elijah choir for mission conference. But, I will send those out later today. More of you will have more opportunity to read and reply to such E-mails in the evening anyway (or so I have heard). My challenge for the week is such: if you have watched General Conference, then you know one of the things President Monson talked about was reading the Book of Mormon every day. I can testify that such study will protect you, and my challenge for all of you is that you read it every day for at least 15 minutes. Also, do so with a prayer in your heart, that you may know it to truly be the word of God, and know of it's surety. Anyway, thanks again for the support you are all giving me from back home. May God be with you all!
From,
Elder Bryce Petersen
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