Christmas Eve 2012

Mom!
Sounds like you had lots of fun with the babies! I got those pictures from Stephanie and they are sooo cute! She (Ciara) is getting so big with all her teeth and stuff! Has she started saying any words yet? You should let me know about that.
     As for skyping  I will Skype at about 6 PM from here. If I am correct in my calculation that should be 10 am in potato land. I would suggest just having Karl have it on all morning just in case though! We will be skyping from one of our investigators houses. He is VERY caring for us. Like we are his younger brothers or something! We are going to make him some really good food, and I think I'm going to give him some type of present, but be ready for my call!
     As for Bulgarian culture... they do celebrate Christmas. They believe in dyado koleda. which means grandfather Christmas  It is Santa Clause. There is also a guy called torbalan. he is a guy who carries a big bag around and steals little kids that are naughty and throws them in his bag. He is pretty cool. But the main holiday in Bulgaria for This season is New years eve. Because during the communist rule before 23 years, they were not aloud to celebrate Christmas so they just celebrated new years and that tradition has continued on, but they do celebrate Christmas also now.
     Other than that, Burgas is really cold. it snowed a week ago and it has stayed ever since, pretty unfortunate. We have started knocking on doors, but it is not very successful  I would much rather it just be summer and really really hot always. For Christmas we have planned to just go around and see the widow ladies. We have a member named Petya who will go to their places with us. We are going to make them some food and just entertain them for a little while. Nobody should have to be alone on Christmas. I'll try and get some Pictures with BABA Fotinka and maybe a video of her singing, because it is adorable.
     Well that's all Iv'e got for sharing! I'll talk to you tomorrow!
Love,
Elder Petersen

It snowed all over me

Our District last transfer

Out my Apartment

12~17~12

Mom,
     George didn't show up to church this week, so he didn't receive the priesthood. I am really hoping that he doesn't become inactive. My companion says he thinks he may have started up smoking again. My new companion, I will get tomorrow. His name is Elder Maxwell and he is from New York. He is 2 months younger than me in the mission, so I’ll have to step my language and leading skills up I guess! I served near him in Sofia and he is a way cool guy and a great Elder!
     It is getting really cold here! But there is no more snow so it is not even worth it! My toes are real cold and I think I’m going to buy some nice wool socks this week!
     Oh I got my Christmas package! I’m sooo happy! everything in it I love! Especially the pictures from sis! Ciara is sooo cute!! In about 3 weeks you should get a visit from an Elder Wheat who lives in Inkom and he should give you some letters than I sent with him! He is going home in 3 weeks. He would probably give you a hug if you wanted!
     Thanks for the love mom!
Love,
Elder Petersen

Zone Conferance

Elder Petersen and his Companion

Idaho Missionaries

Zone 3 Bulgaria Sofia Mission
December 10~15, 2012

Bulgaria Sofia Mission: Zone 3 

December 10, 2012

Merm!
     That's super great to hear about the Trooper camp! I still have dreams about doing DCI when I get home. I don't really know why! But it is just something that I really would like to do! Anywho, we have stopped playing volleyball because, well frankly, it is freezing cold. We had snow once but it was gone by nighttime. It was really exciting to see though because Burgas is usually the last city to get snow in Bulgaria!
     We had a baptism this week! It was awesome! My companion baptized him and then yesterday I gave him the gift of the Holy Ghost. It was such an amazing experience! I had been worrying about it all week and I prayed a lot about knowing what to say during the blessing. And of course, I never felt any better. When the time finally came to go to the front of the chapel and give the blessing my heart was beating out of my chest. But as soon as I laid my hand on his head and looked around at the other elders, I knew everything would be fine. The words came out very easily. It has never been so easy for me to speak Bulgarian as it had been during that blessing. The answer to my prayers came after the trial of my faith!  It was such an amazing experience and I will never forget it!
     We also have started doing a new contacting for our new English program! It is a lot of fun because we meet a lot of people that speak English! We knocked on one ladies door and asked her if she knew English, she replied no but my daughter does hold on a second! When the girl came to the door she was very friendly and we spoke in English about the lessons we would be teaching and she gave us her number to call her and let her know when they begin! I believe we will be able to bring a lot of people to the gospel through this new English program! That is the 2 things that we Missionaries are best at! Speaking English and teaching about the gospel! :)
Well Merm I'm out of stuff to say! Let everyone know of my love and tell them I want letters :)
Love,
Elder Petersen

A MISSIONARY CHRISTMAS
(author unknown)

I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving. The thrill just wasn't there.
No pictures taken with Santa Claus, my decorating has no flair.
His presents are shoes, shirts, and ties, two suits and socks...no fun. I've bought him all white clothes because...
This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I've spent more time in the temple, my testimony stirred.
I've reread November's Ensign, Felt strength come from His words.
Our family prays more frequently. My tears are quick to run.
Abraham seems closer because,
This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I wonder how those Lamanite mothers gave their sons to war?
Or how the pioneers chose Zion, their sacrifice was so much more.
My loss will be his presence, I'll miss his smile a ton.  For two years we will pray for him,
I'm giving Christ my son.

I stare at his face when he's not looking. I memorize his eyes, their shine.
He's always hungered for the part of him that makes his soul divine.
The stories and lessons he always heard, His choice and mine are one. I'll put my faith in God's hand, This year,
I'm giving Him my son.

Past gifts have lost their glitter; I think I finally understand Christ's birth should be celebrated by giving Him a hand.
It's because I know Christ lives and reigns that all his packing's done. My gift has taken years to make, This year...
I'm giving Christ my son.

I know there's One who understands, the sacrifice I'm making.
Who knows the gift I willingly give, The toll it will be taking.
For He has done it all before; Greater love - there could be none.
For years ago God gave to me, His only begotten Son.

The hands I washed, the hands I held, the hands I taught to pray
Now knock on doors to find the ones who will listen to what he'll say.
Because I know Christ needs him until all the gathering's done, my gift has taken years to make. This year...
I'm giving Christ my son. —

December 3, 2012

Mom,
     So, we don't have any snow yet. It does snow here but in Burgas we will be one of the last to get snow I guess. Transfers are on the 18th so I will have a new companion and maybe a new city right before Christmas! Hopefully I stay in Burgas though. I really really like it here!
     This week we didn't do a whole lot of exciting things! Mostly you know just looking for people! We had to go to Sliven to get the baptism font though! It was really really not fun. We had to take a bus and then we got the 3 huge bags with the font in it and carried them to the bus station, then we had to take another bus back. The bags wouldn't fit though so we had to stuff them in the aisles and I pretty much was sitting on top of it because it was so crowded! So that was fun!
     I got that package! It was really great! My favorite part was definitely the letters! Which, makes me think about my birthday! I DON'T want a package with candy and other stuff! What I would really like is just an envelope with letters from as many people as you can! Like everyone in the family, The Keplers, My friends, anyone in the ward that is willing, and just lots of people! Maybe you could put it on Facebook or something! that’s all I want is letters and pictures! I love pictures!!! I did love everything else in the package though! Mostly the tobasco! mmmmm buffalo....
     Other than that, I really need to get Karl to get on Skype and tell me what e-mail I used I’m excited to see y'all!
Love, Elder Petersen

November 26, 2012

Mom,
     JD ALREADY HAS HIS MISSION CALL???? That is soooo crazy!!! give him my best of wishes! We also have our first 18 year old called to our mission! Turns out he was born in Pazerjik Bulgaria! it’s crazy how young they are! Also you should become great friends with the sister missionaries! That way when I get home, I can help them? :) Ha-ha but really that is cool that you are working with them!
     Our thanksgiving was great! All the missionaries got together and decided different foods we would make. We had a honey glazed turkey, mashed potatoes, homemade gravy, KRAFT mac-n-cheese, Deviled eggs, funeral potatoes, and root beer! We served it to the branch and we had a great gathering! It felt almost like home!
     George is doing really great! He has stopped his smoking for about a full week now! We are getting him an interview this week! And he will be baptized on the 8th! My companion will baptize him. Other than that we are teaching another man, he is very religious but we need to get him to realize that Jesus Christ is our savior. We have our work cut out for us. But he has lived in Bulgaria for 12 years and he is a very, very good man.
    I’ll try to send you some pictures but other than that I’m bout out of junk to say! So tell everyone I love them!
Love, Elder Petersen

All Our Hard Work

Our Thanksgiving Gathering

Nov 19, 2012

Mom!
    Well we will be celebrating the day of thankfulness in our branch! They love American holidays here! And there are only 4 out of about 70 missionaries who are not American, and they like having holidays anyway! And soon I will call you on Skype for Christmas!  
George is good! He is only smoking one a day and sometimes none! But last night he called us and said he had failed. He smoked 2 or 3. Also his entire family is not supporting him. He feels like he should just be an investigator forever. I still have faith in him and I feel like he has really made progress and that he will be baptized. Please pray for him!
     We also have gotten a few new people to meet with. They should be pretty cool! And they seem promising! But other than that everything is about the same!
     I'm not having much to say this week. Not a lot happened because we traveled to Varna for a missionary conference! I hope everything is well at home! I love you all!
Love, Elder Petersen

Nov. 5, 2012

Mom,
     Sounds like Wood Badge was a great experience for you! Sorry if there are a lot of spelling mistakes today, I am really trying to hurry because we have a lot of stuff to get done! It’s great to hear that you were able to have the spirit there! It can really change the lives of people who feel it strongly!
     It really is terrible that that hurricane hit the coast. I am proud to know that most likely my father will help to restore power to those people and to help them in any way he can. What a great blessing to have such an amazing example for a father.
     Not too much happened this week, it seemed like it passed very quickly for me! The weeks seem to go faster and faster! The less I have to wonder what people are saying to me the faster the weeks go by! :)
     George our investigator is still very active in coming to EVERY activity! And he is smoking less and less but it is very difficult for him to quit. I have faith that he can get it! He came to our Halloween party and he had a pretty sweet mask on! He had made it that night and I am pretty jealous of it!
     Oh yeah, we had a Halloween party on Wednesday! It was a great success and about 25 people showed up. We played some little games and craved pumpkins. Then we had a dinner together and it felt like we were one big family. It was really great! The members here are more like a tight family than a branch! It really is great!
     This week also my companion got a phone call from one of the members who is having a trouble with smoking again. He handed me the phone and said talk to her because he was going to get a haircut. She was very upset and thought that she might never be worthy or clean again. I couldn't understand everything she was saying through her tears, but I knew all I could do was testify about the atonement. After about half an hour of talking with her and reassuring her of the power of Christ's forgiveness, she was calm. What a great power is the Holy Ghost!
     Well that’s all I have for this week! I’ll try to send you some pictures though!
Love,
Elder Petersen

Most of our party group! the one with the blue mask is our investigator!

Really foggy!

It was really foggy and my companion had a lazzzzzzer.

The sea

Oct 29, 2012

Mom,
     For some weird reason when I told you I would be serving in Burgas I didn't tell you that it is on the coast! My bad! Well yeah I live about 10 minutes’ walk from the beach, and we really enjoy playing beach volleyball in the mornings! Maybe I'll be as good as you one day! I live in an apartment that could fit into the living room of the apartment I was in last transfer, but it's okay because I can clean the whole thing in about 30 minutes!
     It's too bad that Highland isn't doing so hot this year. I thought they might have a chance! Karl needs to keep working hard anyway! He can be the greatest in the world! And hopefully one day we could go and do DCI together because it is pretty awesome!
     We have some really cool investigators here in Burgas! George is my favorite; he is the most patient man I have ever met, which is really good because I'm still not fluent in Bulgarian. He smokes, but he is making a lot of progress to quitting, and then he will be baptized! We have another whose name I can't pronounce, he is from Pakistan and he is super smart! The members here are also really great! There is an 86 year old lady who we call Bobche it means little grandma. She is the sweetest little old lady in the world! I’ll have to get some pictures with her! I couldn't help but love her when I first met her! She is truly great!
     I had my first opportunity to bless the sacrament in Bulgarian this week. I haven't really practiced the prayers before, but I said it pretty perfectly, and I didn't have to say it again! Also we took the sacrament to an older lady who can't come to church anymore. It was heart breaking to see this lady, who wants to come but doesn't have the strength.
     Well I’m out of things to tell you about this week, but I’ll send some pictures if this computer will let me!
Love,
Elder Petersen

Man i am glad to get out of Sofia! that air is gross!

Oh yeah i forgot to tell you that on our way to Burgas the tire of the bus exploded. The bus almost fell off a bridge, but the driver managed to react fast enough to save us. No big deal.

Elder Van here in burgas is from Florida and he wrestles, so we had few matches on the beach. I won, but not without a battle scar.

Oct. 22, 2012

Mom
     You would be surprised how many BMW's there are here. I have never seen so many in my life actually. Like tons and tons. Everyone says that the country is poor but there seems to be a lot of rich people for so poor a country.
     I did end up getting transferred. I will be serving in Бъргас, Burgas I think is how it is written in English. My companion will be Elder Dropla. He is about 6 months out from going home, so he is nearing the end.
     So as of this transfer we opened up 4 more cities. so NOW there are 2 branches in Sofia and 1 in Plevin 1 in Blagov grad 1 in Plovdiv 1 in Pazardjeek 1 in Veliko Turnavo 1 in Sliven 1 in Haskavo 1 in Shumen 1 in Ruce 1 in Varna 1 in Burgas and 1 in Stara Zagora. Maiking a total of 14 branches 0 wards 0 stakes and some groups in random cities. People who are baptized seem either to go inactive after a while or move to the U.S. We have about 500 active members in the country. With the new President we plan to have much, more growth however. Everything is only looking up from here.
     Packages seem to be fine here. They are usually big enought hat they won't get lost. I have seen people put Jesus stickers or Mother Mary stickers on packages. I don't know if it really helps that much. Most people don't though. They all seem to get here just fine. Normal mail is not super great however, but it seems that it is better than it used to be.
     Sounds like everyone is staying pretty busy,that's always good! Idleness is of the devil, or something like that. I hope Karl keeps up the practicing after he finishes, and maybe he can do the winter drum-line with ISU. That would be a lot of fun for him. Scott is pretty much already married it sounds like. They have already been to the temple together! :P Hopefully he goes to school first though.
     This week was kind of hard, we didn't have to many great things happen. It was kind of hard with everyone being sick and everything. Oh I guess I should tell you that yesterday I woke up with a little bit of a fever and some chills. I was out for all the day and just lied around. I guess my fever at the highest was like... 103.1, but I got over it. Well I hope you guys have a good week! I know I will, because in Burgas for exercise every morning they play volleyball on the beach!
 Love, Elder Petersen
P.S. Happy Birthday!

Mom!
     Okay well I'll give you the scariest thing that has happened to me since i have arrived on my mission. Yesterday, after we finished watching conference, we were walking home to take a little break. At the top of our street my companion stopped to talk to four big guys. Three of them standing in the street and one was in a BMW that they were all standing around. I noticed that each one had a gun and the biggest of them had two. But my Dear Companion was oblivious to such things. He talked to them for about a half hour and I just stood there awkwardly because I realized that they were part of the Mafia. One of our members also walked by and stopped to talk with us. She wouldn't speak directly to them though. after a while they pretty much said get out of here, so we left and walked the 10 yards to our apartment. The member who was with us said "Elder Ferwerda, did you know that those guys were part of the Mafia?" Of course he didn't. He actually asked them a few times what they were doing, and they just kept saying oh nothing! it was pretty scary.
     Other than that we went on an excursion up Vitosha Mountain. it took all day and it was pretty awesome! I took tons of pictures and actually filled up my card so I have to buy a new one now. I'll send you as many as I can! At the top there is a bus to get back down, but when all of the Members who were with us got in, it was filled up. So the missionaries had to RUN down the mountain. Me and 2 others made it down in 35 minutes what took us 4 hours to climb up. It was pretty awesome! But now my calves are pretty sore!
     Well I'm pretty short on things to say other than that, but I will send lots of pictures!
Love,
Elder Petersen

The whole gang! We are just starting!

We saw about 100 of these guys! They are everywhere!

Our excursion group! There are about 5 missing from the picture :(

Yep thats me! Oh yeah I got a hair cut

River of rocks! Super cool

Standing on top of the waterfall!

That water tasted yummy!

Also yummy water!

I can take underwater pictures! This is Elder Gardner

My companion fell in a little!

2012 Zone Conference

Elder Petersen & Elder Ferwerda

Zone Conference 2012 Zone 1

Mom,
     Sorry i didn't tell you last week, but my p-day got switched to Tuesday just this week. We had Zone Conference on Monday! It was great of course! The mission president really tightened down the rules so we don't have anymore people like my trainer. We should have a lot more success in the mission now! We did get to listen to conference but only the Saturday stuff! We will get to see the Sunday sessions on next Sunday! They have to translate it you know! That is so crazy about the missionary age changes! So many more people will have an opportunity to serve now!
     We have a great investigator named Stoyan (стоян). He tells us that every time he comes to the lessons he can feel the light of Christ! It is a great feeling to be able to convey that to people! What a wonderful opportunity to be the carrier of the Holy Ghost and be able to share it with the world! He has told us that he knows that the things we teach him are true. Multiple times he has pounded on the table and said this! We believe he will be baptized before the end of the year! Also he usually brings friends with him who are also interested in learning! It is wonderful what the Lord has planned for His children!
     The mission right now is better than it has ever been! We are on track to have about 70 new members in the church by the end of the year! It's so exciting to see the change in happiness and countenance of all these wonderful people!
     What else to tell you... Transfers are coming up on Friday the 19th we will receive our calls then on the 22nd we will transfer. That's the day after your birthday! Cool! So, I'll know if I'm staying or where I'm going! They are opening 4 new small small cities so I may get to open a new area! How cool would that be???
                                                                                                                                                                                           Love, Elder Petersen

The Mission Home

Sweet Jedi Companion

"Yummy" Peppermint Drink

Children don't have brakes!

10/1/12

Mom,

Not a very exciting week! That happens every now and then. We just had some lessons and looked for some people. We didn't have much success and we only had a few lessons. I'm sorry to say this letter will probably be pretty boring! We had 5 investigators show up for church and we had about 70 people present! That's pretty good! Like really, really good! I'm really lucky to get to see the church grow here in Bulgaria! It is really awesome! Today our Mission President challenged us to read the Book of Mormon from cover to cover before the end of the year. Easy. I'm going to get that and the D&C half way before Christmas! :)

Well Mom I'm really terribly sorry but I don't have much else to tell you this week :(                                                 LOVE, Elder Petersen

A nice looking church

The National Cultural Center!

Don't forget your umbrella!

9/24/2012

         This week we met with a couple about mid 40's or 50's and had a great lesson with them before they leave for a two month vacation. We met them in a park two weeks ago and went to a little cafe to get some drinks. We talked about a lot of things including, engineering, English, their sons, and the gospel. We gave them a picture that my companion sketched of Jesus holding a sheep. I’m sure you have seen it before. They were very happy to give us their number and meet with us again.
          We called them all throughout the week to try and get a meeting with them before they left. We finally got to meet with them again this Tuesday, the day before they left for their vacation. We walked with them through the same park where we met them and sat down at a little stone table. They had made us some Banitsa and so we ate it together. After that we started talking with them about the restoration and the apostasy. They were very interested and seemed to be in agreement with everything we told them. When we were about done I extended a challenge to them. We read Moroni 10:3-5. When I asked Stephanie to read it she said she can't read at all without her glasses, which she didn't have with her. So I gave a book to her husband and he started to read it to himself. I felt prompted to give her my book even though she said she wouldn't be able to read it. When she looked down she started reading and had no problem reading every word. When she finished she looked up at me and said "this book is a gift from God, I can read it without my glasses!" They promised us they would read the book over their trip and we packed up to go. When we were about to part ways, Stephanie looked at us and said "We love you like our own children." We got big hugs from George and left. What great people there are to find when we just look in faith!
          That was the highlight of my week. Other than that we had one other meeting and when she came in and sat down she said, "last night I was thinking about you boys, I think I want to test your faith." Elder Ferwerda and I were at a loss for words. I am very thankful though at that point a member walked into the room and stayed through the whole lesson with us. It is obvious that there is a very good reason why we are in companionships. And I am thankful for that. Well I hope that is enough for you because I don't have any other things to say!

Love, Elder Petersen

9/17/2012

MOM,
About the villages and stuff, no they don't have country homes, they have these little shacks out in the villages and pretty much the have gardens that they care for on the weekends. They pretty much all live in the cities. They have these things called blocks that are just really tall buildings with lots of apartments inside of them that are pretty small. This is where 85% of people in Bulgaria live.
         So no we don't get member referrals. There are so few members that they have all been asked about a million times. 95% of our investigators come from people we just find on the street. And, no we don't have any wards just branches. It did start to cool off! I am actually wearing a long sleeve shirt RIGHT NOW! But it has been raining pretty good for the past couple of days! Which reminds me, if the Holy Ghost tells you to go back up the stairs and grab your umbrella, you better do it! Lesson well learned. :)
         I'm all out of cool things... OH WAIT! We found this really cool couple! They are about mid 40's and they are soooo interested! But they are going on a 2 month vacation tomorrow! So we need to meet them soon! Actually they called us to set up a meeting! THAT NEVER HAPPENS!! Anyway yeah they are really cool! So cool that they have jobs! And don't want the church for money! And they are super cool... :)
          Anyway, Send my love to the family and please, please, please, please get Karl to send me something so I can write him!
LOVE, Elder Petersen

9/10/2012

This week was pretty exciting here in Bulgaria! On Thursday it was Bulgaria day I guess! So nobody was working and everyone went out of the city and stayed in their villages for the weekend! That’s what people do here in Sofia, the city is surrounded by a bunch of little villages and EVERY Saturday and Sunday about 3/4 of the population all leaves the city and so it’s very dead! But, anyway, on Thursday it was a holiday so they all just figured the next day is Friday so they take that one off too! It’s very interesting logic but I can't say I disagree! Except there was no one to teach from Thursday until today!
          We had a baptism this week! And by WE, I mean a companionship in this city baptized someone this week! It was super cool to see how very happy he was! And he only had to be dunked once! His name is Mario and he is a very lively guy who loves to joke and play with the missionaries but he also has a strong testimony.
           I also am meeting with a member every Tuesday at 5 p.m. and she is giving me a Bulgarian lesson! She is so awesome! She has the strongest testimony I have ever seen and she LOVES to share it! Her name is Elka and she is pretty much the bomb! I’ll get a picture with her this week so I can send it to you!
            I have been reading Jesus the Christ and I have just realized how much I don't know about things he did when he was on the earth! It is such a good book and it really helps us understand what Christ did and how to understand the atonement better! You should definitely read it!
            In Sofia where I am at right now just in case you forgot. We play a lot of football (Soccer) on p-days! I never knew how much fun it was until I got here! I think I should have done that when I was growing up instead of other things because it is pretty much awesome! Plus I get to play with Europeans all the time and they are pretty much the best so I have to learn real fast like! ........yeah I’m pretty much out of things....                                                 Love, Elder Petersen

Sept 3, 2012

Okay, This week has not been so great. We started out by playing football on p-day by renting a mini field for 50 lev for an hour an a half and ten of us played. It was tons of fun! We are planning on doing the same this week, but me and my companion Elder Ferwerda invited two young kids from a park to come play with us! I guess my perspective of young has changed because they are probably 20-22 years old. Should be super fun!
     On Tuesday we didn't find anyone new to talk to and we had lesson after lesson fall through. On Wednesday we had district meeting so we didn't start working until 2 pm which is fine but we weren't able to find anyone new and had no lessons. On Thursday I found one person who gave us his number to meet again. We are looking forward to calling him this week! On friday we found the two guys who should come play football with us today. On Saturday we had English class until 11 then the mission president offered us free pizza and how could we turn that down? Then we went home and studied the language for an hour and then got dressed to go to a fun night activity. We got all our investigators in both Sofia branches and some members and we went to a park and played games and ate MORE pizza for about 4 hours. It was loads of fun, but by the time it was over it was time to go home so we only logged 2 missionary work hours that day. Usually we aim for 6-8 so 2 is not that great.
     There is a member in my Branch called Elka and she is going to help me with some language studing! She has a very powerful testimony and she likes to help me learn better how to express mine in Bulgarian. She will pretend to be an investigator until I get every word right and she is happy with it! It is alot of help!
     Also today I sent in 6 ties to the shevashka to have her make them skinny! I think they are pretty cool looking when they are skinny like that and I probably won't have any fat ones by the time I get home! Also another thing missionaries do here is get shirts taken in? I don't know how to call it but they are just smaller and they look so much better than all the ones I have that are all poofy at the bottom! >.<
     Anyway I'm pretty much out of stuff to say. Just let everyone know that I love them!
Love, Elder Petersen

August 27, 2012

Mom,
That sounds terrible about all those fires in Idaho! It has started to cool down a bit here and actually today my companion almost went back to the apartment to get his coat! It is a really cloudy windy rainy day though so it isn't normally like this. Its usually high 80s low 90s here every day I would say.
     My new companion is Elder Ferwerda. he is super funny! He is from Utah and he is the older of 8 kids! I think that would be so much fun to be the oldest of a big family! He says he always had something to do!
     We also had a really cool experience! One day we were out just walking around talking to anyone who would stop, and we were randomly walking around. After about an hour we came to this little circle with some benches in it and a little old lady said hello to us. in English. So we went over and talked with her and her friend for about 45 minutes and it turned out they had just been talking about the Mormons and how the Mormons had seemed to dissapear about 15 years ago. Then me and my companion showed up right as they said that!  They were so happy to see us because they said that all the missionaries are such nice boys. Not like the boys from Bulgaria. We invited them to come to church and left. They didn't show up yesterday but we are going to visit them this next week and teach them more! The lady Nadya kept saying how much she loves Jesus! It was so awesome!
     Pretty much I don't have any other cool stories. But I might have some cool pictures... I forgot my battery yesterday or I would have many7 more cool pictures!
Well choa choa for now!   Love, Elder Petersen

1. Lion bridge.

2. Some building.

2 Months in Bulgaria

Hi mom,
We got transfer calls again this last week! I will be headed to Sofia for this next few months probably! I'm not really excited to serve in Sofia because it feels like a really big city. I guess it has more people than all of Idaho... Plovdiv is perfect for me because it is a big city but it feels like Poctaello! I can walk from one end to the other in about an hour. I wish I could just stay here for two years! My companion will be Elder Ferwerda. Should be cool!
     This last week I said goodbye to my English class and we took pictures. They are pretty upset that Me and Elder Parkinson are leaving because now they will have other greenies teaching them. Oh well. Also there will now be sisters in Plovdiv. I had to buy a new apartament for the city and I was hoping I would get to live in it, but the sisters are taking it and I am getting kicked out of the city! :)
      Ah the rowing competition was pretty cool. We only went there a couple of time because it is on the edge of the city so it is a long walk. We talked to alot of foreigners on the mainstreet though and they were all very nice. We got to talk to a TON of Americans and that was super awesome. Mostly becaus I got to show off my Bulgarian :) Which I still cannot speak\understand. I'm pretty sure I have actually gotten worse since I departed from the MTC! :)
      Also this week me and my companion looked on our map and saw a HUGE park and decided we wanted to go contacting there! It was going to be perfect! It was called Grobishte Park. We walked for about 35 minutes and we could see where the park was over a big wall so we asked a Bulgarian couple how we could get into it.
They said it was around the corner and down the street, so we walked for about another half hour and we finally found the entrance... But the only people in the park were six feet under. We came to find out that grobishte means cemetery in Bulgarian. OOPS.
          Today marks 2 months in Buglaria! and 4 months out on my mission! super crazy huh? Wel I'll send some pictures now!
Love Elder Petersen

August 13, 2012

Well, first of all about the Olympics. I have only really seen one Bulgarka get excited about the Olympics. she loves watching the volleyball. I think that bulgaria only has 1 or maybe a couple more medals so they don't really watch I don't think. BUT this week is the World Championships for rowing... and it is here in Plovdiv! I went out to the rowing canal and talked to some American rowers and some other people. there will be 54 countries here in Plovdiv for the competition! The only bad part is that a lot of tourists will be coming soooo it is hard to contact because everyone is from another country!
    Also this week my companion was made fun of by a clown. It was hilarious. He was trying to talk to a lady when all of a sudden he heard a whistle go off and this clown was holding up a red card toward him like in soccer. It was pretty funny.
          I get to go to Sofia this Tuesday for passport work! Which means that I will get to see all of my MTC group! It will be so awesome! Other than those things... life is the same as usual here!
    We are teaching a new family in a city called Pazardjeek. the mom and daughter were already baptized but the husband wants to be now as well! So, every week we travel for 45 minutes there to teach them! It is a lot of fun! They have 2 little little kids that pretty much love me.
    This weeks letter is pretty short I know, but maybe next week will be better! I do have pictures for you though!    LOVE, Elder Petersen


ACTUALLY it looks like this computer won't let me put any pictures on.... sooo sorry about that!

August 6, 2012

Mom,

Yes, it is quite hot still here in Bulgaria. And no the nights don't really cool off at all! We have to leave our A/C on all night just so we can sleep! No, the English guy who came left the next day. He is just kind of wandering through Europe site seeing.
          As for food... we pretty much eat the same thing over and over again! I can make pizza from scratch now and i can make some yummy yummy pasta! Pretty much we just eat those things and banitsa.
          Anything different from the US?... most of the time zi don't think this place could be further from the US! I have never seen so many stray animals in my life! So many cats! And garbage is literally just piled up in these dumpsters, and if people throw away food they set it on the side so the poor people can come by and pick it out easier. They do the same with clothes as well. I have not gone a day without seeing a person looking through a garbage can. Also most of the roads and sidewalks are super uneven and cobblestone so you have to watch your feet a lot or you will trip!
          Elder Seymour and I have done about 1/4 of the work in this one week that I had done in the previous 5 or 6. When I'm training I will make sure my greenie knows the importance of doing work!
We have had a lot of new rule changes this week and we will see how people respond! I think they are good rules, but people won't take to them very soon.

Love, Elder Petersen

A movie of a party that we passed on a bus.

The elevators in Bulgaria don't have doors, just a moving wall!

July 30, 2012

Mom,
           Today is my companions last day in Bulgaria and so we are going to do a little souvenir shopping and go see the people he wants to say good bye to in Plovdiv. Also, I did get my transfer call! I am staying here in Plovdiv with my other companion, Elder Seymore. Although after 3 weeks the greenies will come in and I will get a mini transfer! So, that should be more exciting because I will at least move apartments! I might be put with Elder Parkinson who is from my group so we would have two kind of new Elders together! I guess if that happens they think we are pretty good or something? I don't know if even our combined Bulgarian language skills would be enough to answer the questions an investigator would have though! It would definitely be an adventure though!
          Yesterday it was 115 degrees at 5 pm and so it was probably like 120 at 2:30 or so! It was so hot! And heat scares Bulgarians away pretty easily so I only got one potential investigator. That makes a total of three for my mission so far... I know that seems pretty lame for a month and a half, but most missionaries (Bulgarian missionaries) don't get any their first transfer! So I have been told that I am doing pretty well so far. A few days ago we met a guy from England who was just out traveling around Europe. He was 19 and he just had saved a bunch of money and so he wanted to escape the Olympics so he is just randomly going around Europe. But on Thursday we had a youth activity and we went bowling and he came but he had actually sold one of our investigators some weed. >.< he kind of just randomly told me while we were walking there. I guess it is good that we found out about it before she gets baptized but that is not the ideal way. This week was pretty uneventful otherwise. So I will have more next week hopefully! Today is all day p-day for transfers so maybe I’ll get some good pictures or an adventure!    LOVE старейшина питърсън

The protector of my desk.

My investigator Tony

July 23, 2012

On top of the fortress above the church.

Okay mom I will answer some questions I guess! So it is very hot and they close down work for businesses if it gets to like 40. But of course we go out! Not even heat can stop the Lord’s work! We try to schedule lessons inside though because not a lot of people come out so contacting is hard when there are no people! No I don't have a bike and I never will. It would be stolen to easily! We get around by foot, and there is a really good bus system in the city and it only costs 1 lev for a ticket as far as you want to go on that bus. So that is one way but we usually just walk everywhere, and no we don't have a car! Only the Assistant to the President and the Zone Leaders in Varna have cars. Oh and the elders who are working in the mission office. So, unless I become one of those I will not get a car.
          That fish is crazy big! (fish Tyler's Dad caught in Alaska)    We were going to go fishing today for p-day but we found out we are not allowed to fish in the rowing canal. Kind of a bummer because I guess they have some pretty nice fish in it! This week was kind of crazy. We had zone conference and the Mission President came and gave a speech about how he wants to run the mission and keep the trend of success going up like it has been in recent times. We met with Tony again and asked her to be baptized and she said she will when she knows that all of the things we have told her are true. She also needs to stop drinking!
          My companion will be going home at this time next week. He will be in Sofia getting packed to jump on a plane! This Friday I will get my phone call to find out where I am going next transfer and who will be my companion. It is kind of exciting. I don't have much else to say because I guess I am kind of boring! So I’ll give you some pictures of the fortress we hiked to and other stuff! I love you mom and you need to get the family to write me more! Scott is very good about it because he knows what it is like to be out! But I haven't gotten anything from anyone else!   LOVE Elder Petersen

The three zone leaders and me, my trainer is on the far left, Elder Walker. My other companion is to the right of me, Elder Seymore and the third ZL Elder Loughran who is not my companion but wanted to jump in anyway.\

The ruins of the fortress and a church on the hill.

Here is web link to information on the Fortress.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asen's_Fortress 

July 16, 2012

Okay mom,
          You probably think it is hot there, but yesterday it was over 46 degrees here! that is about 117! There was a warning on the news to stay inside and it is supposed to be like that for about the next 2 weeks! So, I feel not bad for you guys :) I sweat through all of my clothes it is so hot! I’m pretty sure I have only sweat more in wrestling practices!  Anyway I knew Scott got home! I remembered when I woke up that morning and he had been home for just a few hours!
          We were teaching Tony and we were going to give her a baptism date this last Friday but... she texted us Thursday night and said she was in love with my trainer. She only wanted to go to church if he was there and he has only 2 weeks left! So, we are no longer teaching her :( now we have nooooo investigators. None of our people that we have gotten telephone numbers from have turned out for the past two weeks and we have gotten about 35. Bulgars will be nice to you in person but when you call them they can be pretty rude.
          I did go exploring! We hiked up to a statue in Plovdiv of a soviet soldier! The soviets freed the Bulgarians from the Turkish a while ago so that's why it is here. We could see the city all around and it was really cool! This week i am going to another little village called Assenofgrad and they have some ruins of castles! I should get some cool pictures!
          I got a new companion! So now there are three of us. He was one of the four elders that went to Turkey from Bulgaria! So he knows Turkish and Bulgarian but they got kicked out so they may or may not be able to go back after 3 months. He is pretty cool. He marched in the Davis High School band and played the tenors! So we talk about marching band sometimes. It was funny because I remembered the name of all his shows better than he did :)
           English class is good and I have made a deal with a girl to teach her English before class and she will help me learn Bulgarian faster. She is pretty cool! Her name is Mary and she is a 15 year old investigator who just needs her mom’s permission and then she will get baptized. She is super cool and really smart! She is not our investigator though.
          Well I think that is all for this week so now I will send you some pictures!
LOVE Elder Petersen

 

View from my Balcony

The second is my favorite drink banana juice! 

Who would think of such a thing? Bulgars would.

This is the Russian soldier that we hiked up to!

Me over the city up at the big Russian statue 

The friends we find in our apartment!
We have caught a few more since this one!