SECOND WEEK

The first week we were here we found two good grocery stores—Vons and Ralphs and a Target.  Ralphs is like Smiths Food King in Idaho.  They carry Kroger Brand and have the same rewards cards.  I thought I could survive the mission with those stores fairly close.  Monday we found Costco and a huge mall!  That was great!  They are not too far from us.  We found they are in Glendale just out of our mission but the President gave the older couples the okay to go there.  Since we had all our prescriptions at Costco in Twin Falls, this has worked great for us.  If I had to live permanently in California I would certainly choose Glendale over LA.

Tuesday night we met with Bishop Joya and he gave us some names of people to work with.  This ward has activities for everyone on Tuesday nights.  The primary was practicing for their sacrament meeting presentation.  The Relief Society does some kind of craft (very simple crafts mostly made of paper).  Quarterly they have a regular week day meeting.  The men are in meetings—don’t know what about.  The Young Women are always happy to have me come in.  They just have opening exercises.  So far they haven’t had any activities after that.  They wanted me to tell about myself.  I gave them a short sketch of my life and then said, you probably want to get on with your activity. They said they didn’t have one.  The mutual president told me their activity was basketball.  I thought possibly these girls were really in to basketball so I went to the cultural hall.  Not one girl was in there.  I think the president doesn’t know what to do.  How I wish we could transplant a few of you here.  They have 15 girls in their mutual.  Six were in attendance this week.  I hope there will be a way I can help them.  I can’t take over but they need some guidance and help-mainly some ideas of what to do (shadow leadership). These girls are terrific but they need some spiritual experiences and worthwhile activities.

Dale: While Connie was talking to the Young Women I was walking around the halls and came upon two sisters, one consoling the other.  The first seeing my Elder’s name tag said the other wanted a blessing.  We found an empty room and I ask about her problems in Spanish because, she spoke very little English. Turns out that she, being, 28 years old really just wanted some assistance in deciding to leave home.  I gave her a priesthood blessing and told her that it was time to move out.  In the blessing I also told her to stay close to the Spirit because the friends where she was moving were not members.

Wednesday night we met with the Moran family.  They are from Guatemala.  He had a good construction job until the economy got bad.  He now works as a dishwasher in West Hollywood.  Of course that doesn’t pay as well and he does not like having to work with the strange people there. He has to work weekends and can’t come to church.  He has not been able to attend for three months because of his work. They have an 8 year old boy and a 3 year old girl.  That little girl is so cute!  She just won our hearts.  They want so badly to be sealed in the temple.  Hermana Moran has had all of the temple lessons but he hasn’t had them because of work.  We need to see if Dale can give him the lessons.

Wednesday evening we had an appointment with Bishop Estrada but he wasn’t there.  His daughter was having a baby and there were complications.  We hope everything is okay. 

Thursday afternoon Kent and Leslie Cooper picked us up and we went out for some Korean food.  It was okay but I am sure there are better restaurants.  It was nice to visit with them as they have the same assignment as we do.  They shared some of their experiences with us.  They are from Gilbert, Arizona.  I am sure we will develop a great friendship with them.  They gave us some materials, “The Daily Dose”, for an English class we plan on starting.  We should be organizing it soon. 

Thursday night we met with the Garnica family.  They have 5 children.  Two of the girls I met in Young Women.  They are great girls.  We got acquainted with the rest of the family last night.  The bishop told us they were having marital problems.  He works construction and has a fairly decent job. He was the Executive Secretary to the Bishop but does not have a calling now.  She is from Honduras.  She doesn’t work outside the home.  The Bishop told us that she wants a divorce but he doesn’t.  We don’t know what the issues are but we hope they can be resolved.  They have really good kids.  I think we are going to have some family home evenings with them.  Hopefully that will bring more of the spirit into their home and having some happy times together will help them.

These great families live neighborhoods that before our mission I would have classified as bad.  I have found they really aren’t “bad or scary”—the people are just very poor.  The streets and sidewalks are dirty and trashy but the insides of their houses are clean.  They are good people doing the very best they can to take care of their families.  Most of the people are immigrants who are struggling to survive but happy to be here. We realize more than ever before how blessed we have always been.

FIRST WEEK IN THE MISSION FIELD

The first Sunday we were here we attended 3^rd Ward.  (We didn’t know for sure where we would be assigned but Elder Randall slipped and told us he thought that was where we would be assigned.)  Since we live in that ward’s boundaries we went to church there.  The ward members were so friendly and happy to have us here.  It was just overwhelming.  What great people they are!

Tuesday, September 13, we met with President Chavez, Bishop Joya, 3^rd Ward, and Bishop Estrada,6^th Ward.  President Chavez is President of the Spanish Speaking Stake.  He is 34 years old and quite dynamic.  He manages the DI here.  They basically explained what they wanted us to do—work with inactive and part member families.  They promised us that after Stake Conference was over next week they would have a list of people to work with. 

Our 9^th wedding anniversary was that day so we asked them where to go to eat. They suggested Wolfgang Puck which was downtown.   We spent about an hour looking for it with the GPS.  We finally parked and walked to where it should be.  We found the address but no restaurant.  I was pretty scared downtown.  Dale didn’t feel that way but I had the “heebie jeebies.”  By that time it was after 9:00.  I suggested we go home and heat up the left over Swiss steak and go out to Santa Monica Beach the next afternoon and eat at the Bubba Gump Restaurant.  Dale thought that was a good idea so that is what we did.  It was a beautiful day, the beach was wonderful and the food was good.  We spent the rest of that week studying and finishing up things around the apartment.

CALIFORNIA HERE WE COME!

We left Provo about 4 p.m. Friday, September 9, 2011.  We stopped for supper in Nephi and continued on to St. George, arriving there about 9 p.m.  After a good night’s sleep we continued to Los Angeles arriving about 4 p.m.  Our mission president, Stephen Baker, was involved in Stake Conferences.  As we drove up to the visitor’s center Elder and Sister Randall stopped us.  She is secretary to President Baker and he takes care of the mission finances.  He had found our apartment for us.  We had a choice to spend a few days in the temple apartments or to move into our own apartment.  We were so tired of living out of suit cases we opted to go to our own apartment.  It ended up being much nicer than we had anticipated.  We live within a few blocks of downtown L.A. but are on the edge of the good and not so good of L.A.  We feel very safe here. We actually live in Koreatown.  In our apartment building we have seen 2 Caucasian men and all the rest are Koreans.  The people who live here are extremely nice.  They appear to be well educated.  We have an opener (like a garage door opener) to get into the covered parking garage, a key to get into the elevators, and of course, a key to our apartment.  It is fairly large apartment complex 5 stories high.  The inside court is beautiful with stairs, walkways, fountains, large trees, bushes and flowering plants. It seems somewhat like a rain forest. There is a lap pool and 2 hot tubs. They also have a very nice exercise room that Dale utilizes every morning when he rides one of the stationary bikes.  We are settled in and starting the work.

THE MTC IN PROVO, UTAH ON THE BYU CAMPUS

Monday (Labor Day), September 5, 2011, we entered the MTC (Missionary Training Center.)  It was exciting to be back on the BYU campus after graduating from there 44 (43 & 44 for Dale) years ago!  I cannot believe it has been that long.  As we arrived we were directed to a room where they checked our immunizations and had us pay for our meal tickets.

Following the preliminaries that needed to be done we met the coordinators over the senior missionaries.  They were (much to my surprise) Elder and Sister Stock who grew up in Burley!  His parents were Merlin and Moselle Stock who lived in my ward for many years.  I just loved them.  Maybe some of you remember them.  She was a Holyoak who grew up out in Star Ward.  I remembered her parents also. They were just wonderful coordinators.  They went over all the rules, etc. about the MTC.  (Older couple missionaries have very few rules to follow compared to the young missionaries.)  We were treated royally.  The mission presidency (President & Sister Brown) and their wives welcomed us to the MTC and gave us advice.   

Then came our first meal at the MTC!  There was lots of food and most of it was excellent.  There was enough variety that anyone should be satisfied and happy.  I am happy we were there only one week or I wouldn’t fit into my mission clothes.  On Wednesdays you can have all of the BYU creamery ice cream you want and it was soooo scrumptious!

Following a huge lunch, we all needed a nap but there was no time for that!  Classes started in earnest preparing us to be missionaries in every sense of the word.  I wish I had had the opportunity to have these classes earlier in my life.   I know I would have been a better mom and Relief Society President. 

At 5:00 we went to the cafeteria for supper.  They fed so many missionaries in about 1 ½ hrs.  It was amazing.  We overate again.  There were so many couple missionaries this week (39), they put some of us up at the Marriot.  We were fortunate enough to be assigned there.  We checked in (took us three trips to carry everything in—don’t know why did not use one of the luggage carts!) and read assignments until bedtime for the following day.  When we went to bed that night we decided we couldn’t eat as much as  we did that first day.

Internet service was available in the rooms but we would have had to pay a $10 per day fee and we were too tired to return to the lobby where it was free.  

           Tuesday they divided us into districts.  Dale was our district leader.  There were 5 couples in a district.  I am amazed how quickly we learned to love them.  By the end of the week, we were such good friends.  

The Telfords, Petersens, McDonalds, Neilsens, Swabs

We had two wonderful young men who were our trainers.  One was Brother Jordan Hawkes from South Jordan, Utah.  He is a nephew to Richard and Nikki Hawkes who live in our ward in Twin Falls. The other trainer was Brother Meyer.  We were amazed at what great trainers they were.  We learned so much from them. 

Brother Hawkes

Brother Meyer

  

          We spent most of the rest of the week practicing different situations and teaching lessons from “Preach My Gospel.”   That made me very nervous as our trainers watched us on closed circuit TV.  We were then critiqued.  These situations were extremely life like. It was hard to believe our second contact was not real he was so good and especially when he prayed at the end of the meeting.  As stressed out as I was, these experiences were probably the most beneficial things we did at the MTC. We were amazed how strong the spirit was there.  We are so thankful for the opportunities we had there.
          

Our Address for the next 18 months

Elder and Sister Petersen
404 South Shatto Pl. Apt. 210
Los Angles, CA 90020

A SYNOPSIS OF THE SUMMER OF 2011

We began our summer with shots, many doctor appointments, family get togethers, packing, scanning old slides, etc.  It was exciting and tiring. 

Early in June I took care of Diana’s kids and Brad’s kids for a week.  I was glad I had the opportunity to spend time with some of my grandkids.  Dale was able to take care of Heather’s kids for a few days. He enjoyed that time with them.

The Petersen Reunion was up Sardine Canyon near Brigham City, Utah.  The wet spring rains made it a most memorable time. Thank you Ruth for the wonderful reunion!

Then followed the Hess Reunion with family pictures, watching old slides, visiting, and a Dutch oven dinner.  The following day we ate and swam. Thank you Brad and Mary for an awesome time!

Also we watched some grandkids ball games, swimming feats, and a granddaughter in a rodeo.  We love watching them grow and accomplish many worthwhile activities.

It was so nice to have our families together.  We love each of them and pray at least twice a day for them.  We then made the rounds telling each of them good- bye.  That was hard to do.  I pray for the day when we can hug each one of them again!!!  Thank you for being the wonderful children and grandchildren you are.

One of our neighbors, Teresa Smith, gave us a neighborhood going away party.  It was so nice to see and visit with everyone.  Thank you so much for a great evening Teresa!

Marge Stimpson had our Empty Nester group over for a farewell dinner.  After dinner our group made kitchen gadget wind chimes.  We had such a great time.  Thank you so much Stimpsons!

August 21 we spoke in Church.  I was so relieved when that day was over.  For some reason that was a real stressor for me.  Counting babies and my mom who is 88 years old, we had 81 people there.  It meant so much to us to have our immediate families plus brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews there and a few great friends. 

The Bunns

Cliff, Kerena & Ray

Boyd's Family

Lisa Matthew & Charles

The Wilsons

David's Family

Nate's family

Trisha's family

The Smiths

Diana's family

Brad's family

Jenny's family

Rilda & Mom

Ruth's family

Heather's family

Happy birthday Mom & Dale

Lori's family

On August 27 Ray and Kerena were married up American Fork Canyon.  It was a beautiful setting and a perfect day.  They looked so very happy and Kerena was a beautiful bride!  We are so happy she is part of the family and a joy in Ray’s life.

Saturday, September 3 we packed the many household items and clothes for the car.  Sunday morning Dale finished packing the car.  He is a miracle packer.  I didn’t think he would get it all in (Neither did I. Dale) but he did! There wasn’t room for the crock pot, the Bosch mixer, and the paper shredder.  We were loaded clear to the top.  Christi made us a delicious going away dinner.  Following Church President Reed Harris came to our house and set us apart as missionaries.  He gave us both beautiful blessings that we both hope to accomplish in the next 18 months.  We said good bye to Nate, Christi, Josh, and James and took off.  We spent the night in West Jordan with Trisha and Jacob.  We left their house at 9 a.m. for one of the most impactful weeks I have ever spent.

 

OUR CALL

          We received our mission call at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 17, 2011.  Startled, surprised, disappointed were some of the emotions and feelings we experienced. Several months before we had been interviewed by Elder Carmack of the Seventy to go on a Perpetual Education Fund Mission.  He had told us we were perfect for it and 98% of the time when he requested someone, they are called to that position.  He told us we would probably go to Mexico, Central America, South America, or the Dominican Republic.  We were excited about going.  We couldn’t believe our eyes when it said the California Los Angeles Mission.  Neither one of us wanted to tell anyone.  I finally reconciled myself to the fact that I either believed in revelation or I didn’t.  After praying and thinking about it, I felt right about our call.  I will let Dale relate how he felt.  

Dale: I was in a state of shock for the rest of the day and into the night. I was restless during the night. Finally around 3:30 a.m. I got up, prayed for what seemed a very long time, reread my patriarchal blessing, and prayed again. Then I read my blessing another time. This time the first sentence of the third paragraph stood out. It said “Your pathway shall lead you among a strange people—a people with many ways.” I could not think of a better description of the city of Los Angeles than that. This confirmed for me that the California Los Angeles Mission was where Heavenly Father wanted us to serve and that the apostle who chose this mission for us was inspired indeed.