Coucou mes amis!
Slower week this week—most of the people in my district have been sick for at least one day. One of our poor Sœurs has to be quarantined for five days because she got Covid! Don’t worry, my comp and I have been fine. We’ve been good about FaceTiming those who have been too sick to come into classes.
Yesterday marked one month from the start of my MTC training, six months from receiving my call, and seven months since I turned in my mission papers. I’m liking my time here, but another part of me just wants to be in France already! Honestly, my time here has made me realize that I’m not as patient as I thought I was. But let me share with you some thoughts that have given me patience, strength, and comfort during this long wait:
1. Remembering that even if I feel like I’m not able to learn as much as I want to, the Lord will still bless my efforts. Lots of you have sent me messages about this and it’s been a really great reminder. I loved something my friend from the ward, Elder Carlson, shared: “Even when we can’t do everything we want to and give every moment to preaching the gospel, the Lord still knows our intentions and gives us credit.” Lots of times, I feel disappointed in myself for not learning as much French as I wanted to here, but knowing that the Lord will be there to magnify my efforts has made me feel better about my efforts. One of my teachers promised us that if we put everything we can into learning the language, the Lord will be able to make us say what we need to say when the time comes. That’s all I really need to be able to do, isn’t it?
2. Finding strength by turning outward. When I’m frustrated about the amount of French I’m learning, helping others in my district with French has made me feel better because I’m at least able to do something useful. The main reason I’m on a mission is to help other people, why not start at the Missionary Training Center? I’ve really learned throughout my time here the blessings that come when you forget yourself and turn your attention outwards.
3. I recently came across my notes from the Follow Him Podcast Episode about Esther. Did you know that the name of God doesn’t appear at all in the book of Esther? Esther’s name can even translate as “hide” or “cover.” It’s as if God is literally hiding Himself in the pages of the book. Even though God’s name isn’t in the Book of Esther, how could anyone read Esther’s story and think that God wasn’t there? He was working to help and save His people the whole time. I don’t feel like God has completely hidden himself from me, but this thought has been a good reminder that even when God’s plan and purpose is hidden from us, He is still there watching over us.
I hope these thoughts have been able to help you. Please share with me some quotes, scriptures, or other thoughts that have been helping you recently.
I’ve got this! And concerning whatever you’re trying to do in your life right now, you’ve got this! Let’s all have a great week this week!
À bientôt!
Sœur Peterson
Pictures:
See me on the screen there, singing in the choir at a Devotional? Ten seconds earlier, the camera was crazy zoomed in on my face. In front of the whole MTC. AHHH!
An actual candid photo of me smiling while reading my scriptures because I love them <3
So happy that all of the Sœurs in my district are going to France (I’ll miss the two who are going to Lyon though!)
Christmas Lights at the MTC!
Snow at the Provo Temple!
