Month the 8th, or one third

Hello everyone!

Well, last Monday came a milestone for me - that day has marked my 8 month mark! Now, I have been out here for about a third of my allotted time to serve as a missionary. The months are going by quicker and quicker, and it almost seems like I will be packing my bags for the final time. Until then, I must make the most of my current opportunity to serve the best I can! Also, last Monday, we have had some new Young Elders arrive in the mission. We have actually had five new Elders this time, which is the first time since I have arrived on the mission since we have gotten an odd number of elders. I am guessing this is because we had a tri-companionship on the mission (which actually included my former companion, Elder McGrew), and they wanted to remove this. So, we have seen them around, and I am kind of looking forward to seeing who trains them.

Anyway, I am still in charge of the exercise program. I will soon be taking more charge of this. As I may have mentioned in my last E-mail, we are losing the other Young Elder exercise coordinator, so we should be getting a new one sometime soon. The senior exercise coordinator, Elder Boone, will meet soon with the assistants to the president as well as with President Fenn himself about this. I myself have given the issue some thought, and have a list of suggestions, but it will ultimately be up to President Fenn to make a decision. Either way, I feel I will probably stay as a coordinator, and will be training a new guy to help me out. I look forward to seeing who I get to work with here!

Speaking of seeing who I get to work with next, you probably know that, whenever we get new Young Elders, that a transfer conference is coming up soon. Based on my recent track record with holding on to companions, I may or may not get to spend the next month with Elder Argyle. I also may or may not be staying in the same apartment. I don't think I will be changing zones though - I think they want to keep me here for a while, to get the Young Elders trained into the zone if nothing else. I don't mean to brag, but I am currently one of the more experienced missionaries in this zone, and I think they will want to keep me to get less-experienced missionaries trained into this kind of work. Besides, I think our administrative supervisors want us to stay there for a while - they would prefer if we spent our entire missions there. Of course, President Fenn does not want to let that happen. Still, I think we will be there for a while. But, then again, there is no way to predict what will happen in the mission. But, I know that these transfers are inspired, so I will just hold on, and look forward to what the next transfer brings.

Senior mission conference also happened this week. As per the tradition, I attended this as well, due to my being in the choir. However, this senior mission conference was a bit different: the theme was service, and rather than just have someone in the mission presidency and his wife speak (which still happened), they also had some people who have led mission service projects share some thoughts on the experience. I feel like this was a good conference this month - but then again, it is always good. I always enjoy these mission conferences - the messages shared are as good as the opportunity to sing!

I don't have much more time to write today, but it is good to hear from you who write me. I appreciate all the support I get from everyone, thank you all very much! I will see you all again next week!



From,

Elder Bryce Petersen



Challenge: As I have previously mentioned, our senior mission conference happened this week, and the subject was service. Remember the Savior, and all He has done for us. His entire life was dedicated to other people, rather than Himself. Even to the end of His mortal life, He was more concerned about other people - even those who crucified Him - than he was about Himself. Finally, His ultimate sacrifice was given for all of us, and is the greatest gift we can receive. Should we then not return the favor? The best way we can try and do something for Him is to do something for someone else (see Matthew 25:40). Selfless service is one of the best ways that we can show our love to another. There are opportunities always around us in which we can work to make someone else's life better. This can be as elaborate as a service project, or as simple as a kind word. This sort of service is the best legacy which one can give - if you were to serve just one person in some way every day, imagine the size of the impact after a year, or 365 days, or 365 people's lives made just a little bit better. So, as we try and serve other people, we find that our own life is also blessed.