For real this time

Hey everyone!


The leadership changes for the transfer are as follows: Elder Melling was released from district leadership, as he finished his mission; Elder Walton was also released. The new district leaders called were Elders Hancock, Peacock, Waechtler, and Yeoman (again). Elder Wolff was released from being a Young Elder Training Leader for finishing his mission; Elder Garfield took his place. Elder M. Snow also finished his mission, and thus is no longer an office elder; Elder Harris took his place there. Elder Jensen was released from being the young elder music coordinator; Elder Schetrompf was called to take his place (he was not warned of this prior to transfer conference).

Well, transfers have come and gone. Most has stayed the same for me, with a few notable exceptions. I am in the same zone (surprise, surprise), Elder Wright is still my companion, and I am still on Wednesday P-Day. However, I have moved apartments, and I am now living in a two-man apartment, which means that I will no longer be hosting new young elders. More importantly than this, however, is that Elder Garfield - the previous head district leader of the zone - got transferred out to become the new Young Elder Training Leader. This means that I am taking his place as the head district leader in the zone. I am pretty sure that this is for real this time, as no one else transferred into the zone with more experience with leadership or contact center work. So, because of a certain meeting which takes place every Wednesday, as well as my choir obligations, I will reschedule my P-Day to be on Tuesday instead. Therefore, that will be the day for you to expect my E-mail. Also, Elder Vandenhazel, who took my place as the head exercise coordinator, is now in my district, so he goes to me for advice in the program. So, I will be helping unofficially with that as well.

So, now that this is out of the way... I had gone to St. Joseph's again last Sunday. My companion was happy, as he presumed it to be our final time serving there. It was a bit bittersweet there. It is not the most convenient type of service, but it is still enjoyable for me. Who knows - perhaps, far off in my future, I could end up in such a place. I remember that each person in this type of place has likely led a rich, full life before ending up there. In short, each person there is just that - a person, with his or her own story, though it may not be readily apparent at first. Anyway, so I thought that I would no longer be serving there, but shortly before transfers, I got a message saying that I had been assigned to serve there another month. I am not disappointed with this at all - maybe a bit surprised, but I have no problem with this. However, my companion was not too happy with it - he even talked to President Fenn about it, to which President replied that if I were to be assigned again, then I should bring it up with him (which is the same conclusion that I came to). So, for now, I will be going down there for another month.

My companion broke his belt last Saturday, so we had an excuse for being able to go to Mr. Mac last Saturday. While there, I had convinced him to purchase a mission belt, like the one which I wear. It's a nice belt - I will still wear mine after my mission. It won't even wear out! While we were at Mr. Mac, however, I saw that there was a 10-dollar tie sale going on, so I browsed through some of the options. Me and my companion ended up getting two ties with similar designs, which ties normally went for 45 bucks. Ties, though they are at times expensive, are worth building a collection of. There is even a certain elder on the mission who is very willing to trade ties with people! I'm not sure I would trade any of my ties away though - I like them all too much.

Well, I can't say that there is a lot that happened this week, aside from transfer conference - the time for my E-mails is running a bit short anyway. But, I appreciate the support that I get form you all. I also appreciate when I hear from you - reading letters from home is a highlight of my P-Day! Anyway, have a good one everyone!


--
From,

Elder Bryce Petersen



Challenge: The world in which we live is chaotic, no matter which part we take up residence in. To some, it may seem discouraging, and from a strictly worldly perspective, it is. As I have heard once regarding this mortal life, "Life is hard; then, one day, you die". This is true; life was never meant to be easy, and for all men, it ends with death. If this life was our only existence, then such existence would be truly depressing indeed. So, the question is, how can this be if "men are, that they might have joy," as described in 2 Nephi 2:25? I testify that this life is only a small part of such an existence, and how we perform here will determine how we will fare in the world to come. All this is why there is such joy associated with the gospel of Jesus Christ - it gives us peace in this life, knowing that one day, even if not in this life, things will get better for us if we come unto our Savior, as "your sorrow shall be turned into joy" (John 16:20). It gives us hope that we will be saved, and return to God's presence. On the other hand, such joy and peace cannot be found in sin and wickedness (see Alma 41:10). Perhaps the temptations of the world may offer what some may term to be happiness; however, such happiness is quite fleeting, and it will never be truly lasting. It is much like a mirage in the middle of the desert - you could chase it all day, but you will never quite achieve your goal. I bear witness that this peace can be found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for God is a God of peace (see 2 Corinthians 13:11). So, my challenge for you is to find joy in Christ, the only source of lasting peace in this world. Draw closer unto him, and I promise that you will find more happiness, more joy, and more peace in this life, and salvation in the next.