Amazing Story from Chase

(Me and My Daddy Grigg! Right before he went home!! Good Times!)

Chase wrote my Mom this past week. This is a really neat story of a family that he has been working with....

August 15, 2009

So...I have an awesome story for you!! We have two people with a baptismal date now! It's amazing! So there is this Family in our ward, a part member family named the Fa'amusili Family! They are awesome! They have been being taught by the missionaries for like 3-4 years, a long time, there is Stacie (the mom), Parker (11 year old girl) and Dallas (16 year old son) who are the nonmembers! So...this is amazing...So we have been meeting with them for a long time and tried committing them for baptism but they just won't accept so the other day on a Sunday we had a special fast for them with them and then some concerns were made known so we were able to adjust our teaching to address them and try to solve them. So we were in church a few weeks later when all of a sudden a thought came to my head about an objective lesson to do with them involving a cake and the blessings of baptism. Relating to a cake and adding toppings like baptism and how that just adds more blessings to their lives and testimonies. Hope that made sense! So ya we did it! (I baked a cake) On Thursday we gave the lesson, it went great, Stacie and Dallas weren't there, they had to leave but we taught Parker and Bro Fa'amusili and addressed some of Parker's concerns (public speaking) and committed her for September 5th! It (She accepted!) was so amazing!! So...rewind...as the lesson was almost over Stacie came home and listened to us commit Parker, but then she just went into the other room, so the lesson got over and we cruised home, super happy about Parker! But I guess that night Stacie (the mom) was talking to Bro Fa'amusili about the temple and what not, and how he wanted to go and how he wanted her there with him and I guess she finally said she wanted too! So the next morning (Friday) Stacie walks into Parker's room, wakes her up and askes Parker if she could get baptized on that same date September 5th! How amazing is that!!!??? So Parker goes and tells Bro Fa'amusili and then he called up all super excited! They want to go the Temple! I sure hope that made sense! But this is a huge blessing for the Fa'amusili Family and the Dry Creek Ward! Cause they have been being taught for a long long time! And we are gonna keep trying to get the 16 year old son Dallas to get baptized too! He doesn't have a date as of yet but we think he will want to follow his family So how super amazing is that! The Lord is performing miracles! I am so blessed to be here and helping this Family! Hope you made sense of that story! Ha ha It's a long one Ha Ha .... but amazing! So ya...overall that has pretty much been a highlight of the week! Even Month! We have been doing really well. We have found some more sweet people too! So the mish is amazing as usual! I Love It!

Mom, the Lord has blessed me so much!! With you and Dad, Brooke, Bre, Jesse, Linc and the gang...I have the best Fam ever! Mom, coming on my mission has been one of the best decision of my life! I Love It! I Love this Gospel! I Love these People!

Your Elder Peterson

That is kind of bits and pieces of the letter. We all just really enjoyed reading his story and thought we would share it with everyone. He told my Mom in her e-mail this week that when he told his Mission President he cried he was so happy!

Chase is doing really well and we always look forward to his weekly e-mail and occasional letter and photos. He will have been out for 10 Months on September 5th. He is almost to the one year mark. We are so proud of Chase! I have some photos that I will upload in the morning. I have to scan them into my computer. I will get them on ASAP!

I just want to thank everyone that takes the time to write and e-mail Chase. I know he LOVES hearing from you all.

Take Care,

Brooke

A promise to serve: San Jose meet your local Mormon Missionaries

Chase and his Companion Elder Creps were interviewed by a guy named Mark Andrus who writes articles for the San Jose LDS Church Examiner. Here is the article.

A promise to serve: San Jose meet your local Mormon Missionaries

Recently I met with two local Mormon missionaries, (Elder Chase Peterson of Idaho and Elder John Creps of Minnesota), to ask them some questions on why they decided to dedicate two years to come and serve others here in the Bay area.

Here’s what they had to say:

Q. What inspired you to leave your family and educational pursuits and serve a mission?

A: Elder Peterson: “One of the biggest inspirations for deciding to serve a mission was the example of my brothers-in-law and the love that I saw them gain for people after having served missions. When you’re in the service of your fellow beings you’re in the service of your God, and you begin to love people. Heavenly Father has blessed my life in so many ways, and serving for two years is only giving a little bit back.”
A: Elder Creps: “Matthew 5:16 ‘Let your light so shine…’. I was inspired by the opportunity that I have to serve the Lord and humanity at large and to bless people with the gift of faith that has blessed my life. I’ve found in my life that when I’m closest to Christ is when I’m the happiest.”

Q. Why did you come to California, did you choose where to go?

A: Peterson: “No, we didn’t choose where to go, but we were called of God. Wherever we’re sent is where we’re needed the most and we’ll be able to connect with the people. God has greater insight.”
A: Creps: “I didn’t care where I went. I knew that wherever I was sent was where I could help people grow closer to Christ.”

Q. What has been your greatest moment on your mission?

A: Peterson: “After a recent convert’s baptism, he told us that before he was baptized he had no direction in his life. The gospel of Jesus Christ has given him direction, and he’s much happier now.”
A: Creps: “One great moment has been working with a man who is paralyzed and seeing how his faith allows him to count his blessings and find happiness. He said, 'I’m so grateful that I can breathe without tubes.' Every moment of his life is treated as a precious gift. Whereas I take simple things like that for granted, like my limbs that work.”

Q. What is your primary purpose for being a missionary?

A: Peterson: “To serve other people. To share the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone.”
A: Creps: “To invite others to grow closer to Jesus Christ. To uplift others and encourage positive attributes in others. Even if no one converted while I’m here, if I can help someone grow closer to God it would be worth it.”

20th Birthday and 9 Months Out

(Elder Creps, Brother Davis and Chase)

Today is Chase's 20th Birthday and he has been out exactly 9 Months.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHASE!!

Chase is still in the same area (Dry Creek) and is still with the same Companion (Elder Creps) which he will be with for another 6 weeks he told us. Chase has had a lot of success and is having a lot of fun on his mission. We are so proud of him and what he is doing! Here are a few photos that he sent home last week.

The stuff in parenthesis is what Chase had wrote on the back of the photos.


















(Gangsta drinkin the Diet Coke! Gotta Love It!!)













(Me and Gilbert tried on some crazy hats at out inv. house. Ha Ha)












(My 4th Comp Elder Creps! Bein Gangstas!! What up "G"!? Ha Ha)













(Gilbert and I! Dressed up in Casey's Marine Outfit!)












(It's Hot Outside! Kick Off the shoes! Ha ha)













(Don't worry Mom, it is just a Root Beer Float! Ha ha)












(Tanner Condie, Gilbert, Me & Good ol Casey Price! The Gang)

Chase working on 91 year old ladies yard. "Their project"

Chase had been working on this 91 Year Old Lady yard in Santa Clara, CA. Come to find out this ladies (Sharon Jensen) daughter (Marsha) works that the Zions Bank in Blackfoot and she knows my Mom (That is where she banks). Sharon has been keeping Marsha posted on all the things Chase has been helping with and the all the time he has spent there playing cards. Then Marsha will give my mom an update on what he is up to.















This is the email and photo that Sharon sent to Marsha and then sent to my mom.

Hi, Marsha.Here is a picture of the guys working in your mom's backyard. I thought you might make a copy to show Chase's mom. Chase is the guy in the middle.
Sharon

Here you go, Nancee. This is fun being able to help you keep track ofwhat Chase is doing. He sure has helped my Mom out a lot. Marsha

July 13th 2009

Here is part of the e-mail I got from Chase yesterday. I also just posted some more photos that he had sent home.

What is up!? How is everything going for yall there? I sure hope all is well and everything is going awesome!!!! So..... it sounds like yall have been having fun and tearing it up on the wakeboard!!!!! Thats awesome! I'm happy to hear it.... and i can't wait to get back out there!!!! So.... thanks for taking my friends out and trying to help them out.... Thats awesome! So.... ya the senior comp stuff is crazy and the training stuff is crazy too huh!!!! Its been kinda of crazy and tough but overall awesome! Its been good so far and me and Elder Creps are getting use to each other and were getting out there and doing work! I love it! So........ I'm super sorry but i don't have a whole ton of time today..... I'm sorry.... but i thank you so much for the emails! Thats sweet!!!! But ya the work is going good as ever and I love it tons and tons! But I will talk to yall soon! Thank you for everything!!! I love you tons and tons! Hope you have a great week! Love you tons! Peace out!!!














The Oakland Temple



























I have never seen Chase's hair this short. I told him that is was way to short and he agreed. He said it will grow back soon and he doesn't think he will do it again. I hope not!! I like it with a little length!



























Chase and Elder Gilbert













Fishing on P-day!













Chase and Elder Gilbert met this man that had this Mustang. It is all original so Chase had to get some photos and send home to my Dad.

8 Mounths Down

Well I am still playing catch up on Chase's Blog. Here are some more photos that Chase has sent home in the last 8 months.

Can you believe it....8 Months Down and 16 to go. I think that it has gone by pretty fast, but not if you ask our Mother!

I am going to try to keep some of his letters and e-mails posted, but just to get caught up I will give you a quick review. Chase served his first 6 months in Salina, California. He had two different Comps while he was there. Elder Grigg was his trainer and they were together for about 4 months. His second Companion was Elder Finlayson. He was only with him for one transfer. Then he was sent to an area out of San Jose called Dry Creek. He loves it. His first companion there was Elder Gilbert. He is from Malta, ID so him and Chase had alot in common and Chase said it was nice to talk to someone who is familiar with stuff he is familiar with. He really enjoyed his time with Elder Gilbert but Monday at transfers he was sent to another area and Chase stayed Dry Creek. He was assigned a new missionary from Minnesota. He has only been out for 3 weeks. Here is a little section out of the letter he sent on Monday...

"So....... first of all i have some exciting news! So..... today was transfers and I got a new comp! His name is Elder Creps, he's from Minnesota and guess what..... he's only been out for like 3 weeks! He came from the Oakland mission when they did all those changes I told ya 'bout! He's pretty dang cool as far as I know so far, but basically I'm like training him! Crazy huh! Im kinda nervous but I know with the Lords help I'll be okay! So..... ya thats my crazy news for the day."

Chase is already a Senior Companion, and by the sounds of it he is a little nervous about it. We all know Chase will do great! Well hope you all enjoy the photos. I will try to keep this updated every week. Chase would love to hear from all of you. You can shot him an e-mail at chasepeterson@myldsmail.net or send him an letter to

Elder Chase Kim Peterson
1800 Stokes St #2
San Jose, CA 95126















Elder Pikula, Elder Grigg (Chase's 1st Comp) and Elder Peterson



















Chase had a member die his hair and his eyebrows. Well it didn't quite turn out like he had planned and he couldn'd get the hair dye off of his skin around his eyebrows and had a meeting with is President the next day. He said he srubed and scrubed all night to get it off. Luckly he got it off before his meeting.















Elder Finlayson (Chase's 2nd Comp) and Elder Peterson

























































6 Months Down!

































Elder Peterson and Elder Gilbert















Elder Gilbert (Chase's 3rd Comp) and Elder Peterson