Adam's last email was such a great message of what Christmas is really all about. Here it is:
Merry Christmas! We all live in different places. Most of us have seen or lived in different places and we all know that there are different customs and traditions that follow the holiday season. To some it may mean that there are different foods and different songs. I am so pleased by the Christians here in India. Being a minority christianity, Christians here have a tradition of hanging a large, beautiful, lone star out side of their houses. These stars all hang out side, a symbol to the world that Christ was born in this house. You see them about 1 in 40. Another tradition that is a little different to me is that EVERY christian goes to church on christmas eve, or Christmas day. Some one once asked me what our church was doing on christmas. I didn't know quite what to say other than, "Well, I celebrated it with my family. It was some of the best memories I have had." I had mulled the idea over after I heard that. I recollected the times that I had spent christmas. The only thing that came to mind was the time that I had with family. Great gifts where given, but the thoughts remain. When I think of gifts that people give during christmas a line in "once in royal david's city" comes to mind. "And our eyes at last shall see him, through is own redeeming love, for that child so dear and gentle, is our lord in heav'n above. And he leads his children on to the place where he belong." Jesus christ was the greatest gift that Heavenly father could give. I know through christ the best gift of all or as it says in D&C 14:7 "if you keep my commandments, and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which this gift is the greatest of all gifts of god!" When we celebrate with our families we can truly remember the meaning of christ and that we can truly live with our families again after this life. I love you all and wish you a merry christmas and a happy new year! Elder Adam Petersen
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Thanksgiving
As I was writing Adam this week, this is part of what I wrote to him as a Thanksgiving message to him. I wanted to post it here because it made me think of how great it is to just simply express gratitude. I have so much to be grateful for. Here's what I wrote:
We love you Adam. When we are around the table saying what we are thankful for, you will be one that will be mentioned. We are so proud of you and are so glad that things are going so well for you.
On my mission, my first Thanksgiving was in the MTC. You know how that is. We did eat turkey and the main difference was that they gave the teachers the day off. Our teachers came by to say hello though. My second Thanksgiving, I was sick in a hospital in Peru and I spent three days all by myself. It sounds like kind of a bummer for Thanksgiving, but oddly enough it was really quite a special time for me. In the hospital, they didn't have TV's or anything like that. All I could do was sit in bed while we waited for my fever to come down. So I read the Book of Mormon. In those three days I read it from cover to cover and had time to ponder it and go back over things if I wanted and really take it all in. I knew the Book of Mormon was true before that, but at that time I learned to love it and understand it more and in a way, feel what was in the pages. I was not bored for a second while alone in the hospital. My companion told me about the dinner that he and the other missionaries had at one of the members homes. I felt a little left out, but I remember that as they described it, they were actually a little disappointed. They were nice members that knew about Thanksgiving from the American missionaries and were being very nice and trying, but it wasn't like what it is back home. It was an interesting feeling because they missed home by having someone try to duplicate it and missing the mark, while I didn't have anything even remotely like thanksgiving (Peruvian hospital food all by myself) I was so filled and felt so uplifted by the whole thing. (even with a high fever for 2 1/2 of those 3 days)
Whatever your experience is, expressing gratitude is always a good experience. So, we are grateful for you. I am proud to have you as a son.
Love, Dad and Mom
We love you Adam. When we are around the table saying what we are thankful for, you will be one that will be mentioned. We are so proud of you and are so glad that things are going so well for you.
On my mission, my first Thanksgiving was in the MTC. You know how that is. We did eat turkey and the main difference was that they gave the teachers the day off. Our teachers came by to say hello though. My second Thanksgiving, I was sick in a hospital in Peru and I spent three days all by myself. It sounds like kind of a bummer for Thanksgiving, but oddly enough it was really quite a special time for me. In the hospital, they didn't have TV's or anything like that. All I could do was sit in bed while we waited for my fever to come down. So I read the Book of Mormon. In those three days I read it from cover to cover and had time to ponder it and go back over things if I wanted and really take it all in. I knew the Book of Mormon was true before that, but at that time I learned to love it and understand it more and in a way, feel what was in the pages. I was not bored for a second while alone in the hospital. My companion told me about the dinner that he and the other missionaries had at one of the members homes. I felt a little left out, but I remember that as they described it, they were actually a little disappointed. They were nice members that knew about Thanksgiving from the American missionaries and were being very nice and trying, but it wasn't like what it is back home. It was an interesting feeling because they missed home by having someone try to duplicate it and missing the mark, while I didn't have anything even remotely like thanksgiving (Peruvian hospital food all by myself) I was so filled and felt so uplifted by the whole thing. (even with a high fever for 2 1/2 of those 3 days)
Whatever your experience is, expressing gratitude is always a good experience. So, we are grateful for you. I am proud to have you as a son.
Love, Dad and Mom
Friday, November 20, 2009
RFA Radio Frequency Ablation (Nothing to do with music)
Sharon spent a day and a half in St. George to have a procedure done to relieve some pain in her neck and head. Radio frequency ablation is a way to zap some nerves and make them stop hurting so much. We found out about this from info gained during her Mayo Clinic visit.
The doctor informed her that it will hurt more, now for a time before it starts to feel good, but it will give her a lot of relief that should last from somewhere between 6 to 18 months. I am so grateful for this and her to have a chance at some relief from the pain that she has so gallantly endured for so long.
David/Dad
The doctor informed her that it will hurt more, now for a time before it starts to feel good, but it will give her a lot of relief that should last from somewhere between 6 to 18 months. I am so grateful for this and her to have a chance at some relief from the pain that she has so gallantly endured for so long.
David/Dad
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Stephen, Anne, talks in church and trees
Stephen was set apart as the secretary in the Priest's quorum today. It was great to be a part of that.
Along with being very proficient at the Oboe and always sitting down and playing a wide variety of music on the piano, Anne has taken up playing the ukulele (and singing) and is getting really good at it.
A couple of comments in the Sacrament mtg. talks made me chuckle today. There was a couple that had returned from a mission in Bermuda. (which oddly enough is part of the New York, New York City South mission) In speaking about senior couples serving on missions, they were told by a general authority that the were asking couples to "Lengthen their shuffle".
Also, in Bermuda there is a sandwich shop that is owned by a member of the church and there is a fish sandwich on the menu called "The Elder" because whatever it was called before was the consistent choice of the missionaries that frequent their shop.
We worked hard yesterday as lumberjacks. We have bugs in our trees and had to cut down 8 trees yesterday. They were from 40 to 60 feet tall. It was quite a sight to see them fall and a lot of work to get them cleared away. My family is awesome.
Along with being very proficient at the Oboe and always sitting down and playing a wide variety of music on the piano, Anne has taken up playing the ukulele (and singing) and is getting really good at it.
A couple of comments in the Sacrament mtg. talks made me chuckle today. There was a couple that had returned from a mission in Bermuda. (which oddly enough is part of the New York, New York City South mission) In speaking about senior couples serving on missions, they were told by a general authority that the were asking couples to "Lengthen their shuffle".
Also, in Bermuda there is a sandwich shop that is owned by a member of the church and there is a fish sandwich on the menu called "The Elder" because whatever it was called before was the consistent choice of the missionaries that frequent their shop.
We worked hard yesterday as lumberjacks. We have bugs in our trees and had to cut down 8 trees yesterday. They were from 40 to 60 feet tall. It was quite a sight to see them fall and a lot of work to get them cleared away. My family is awesome.
happy thesis, everyone.
I haven't posted much here because I felt like I had nothing to report. And most of you already know this news anyway. But I'm announcing it officially. My committee has a (fairly?) final draft of my thesis in their possession. I have a defense scheduled. And I'm going to graduate. You're all invited to our graduation party.
And once we have the baby, I'll probably have much more consistent (and slobbery) things to post.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Salutations of love and connectedness
Sharon, Sophie and I were driving along and Sharon saw something that she wanted to share with Kathy and Christopher. Kathy had temporarily lost her phone so Sharon called on Christopher's phone. He did not answer, but in beginning the message, Sharon was in the mode that she was talking to Kathy and gave a bright "Hi sweety!" Right after that she remembered that she was on Christopher's phone and started backing up on the "Hi sweety" greeting. We love Christopher, but hi sweety just doesn't quite fit him. Many people are somewhat uncomfortable leaving messages anyway, and Sharon is too. In this case she became particularly flustered. In efforts to withdraw the "Hi sweety" without withdrawing a pleasant greeting, she began to trip over her words a bit. The more the correcting, the more flustered she became.
Sharon loves more purely and cares about others, especially those dear to her more than almost anyone else I know. I efforts to come up with a guy equivelant of "Hi sweety" so that Christopher would feel good about the call too, she ended up saying that she sent the same kind of:
Salutations of Love and Connectedness
While that did accurately express the love and connectedness she feels toward Christopher, hearing those words out loud made me just bust out laughing. I laughed to the point of tears. Sophie didn't know what I was laughing at, but she started to laugh too. Sharon asked what I was laughing about and every time I tried to say the words, more laughter came. I was about to the point where I needed to pull over because I was starting wonder if I was still safe driving. It was great to have a laugh like that.
So, to those who are near and dear to us, we send a very heartfelt:
Saluatation of Love and Connectedness
P.S. My wife is awesome.
Sharon loves more purely and cares about others, especially those dear to her more than almost anyone else I know. I efforts to come up with a guy equivelant of "Hi sweety" so that Christopher would feel good about the call too, she ended up saying that she sent the same kind of:
Salutations of Love and Connectedness
While that did accurately express the love and connectedness she feels toward Christopher, hearing those words out loud made me just bust out laughing. I laughed to the point of tears. Sophie didn't know what I was laughing at, but she started to laugh too. Sharon asked what I was laughing about and every time I tried to say the words, more laughter came. I was about to the point where I needed to pull over because I was starting wonder if I was still safe driving. It was great to have a laugh like that.
So, to those who are near and dear to us, we send a very heartfelt:
Saluatation of Love and Connectedness
P.S. My wife is awesome.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Quick update
Sophie is coming home tomorrow (Monday Aug 24th) She will be starting 6th grade at Silver Mesa Elementary on the 26th and because her teacher from last year moved up a grade, she will actually have the same teacher for this year. She has learned a lot in her time out in Roosevelt and we are excited to have her home once more.
Sharon gained a lot of help from her Mayo Clinic trip. We just got back from a trip to St. George to see a Mayo Clinic trained doctor there that is helping out with continued treatment for her neck and head pain. With some of the improvement she has felt, she has had a surge in creativity, plans and ideas for the present and future. And we have a plan of how to get her back to full health. It will take some time (months) but having a direction is very good.
Stephen and Anne start school on the 26th also as a senior and a sophmore at Alta High School.
Adam's visa to India runs out on April 15th, 2010. So we now know his official "has to be out of the country" date.
I have been asked to speak at the American Behcet's Disease Association meeting as the dentist authority on the disease. I hope give out some information that will help a lot of people. (And while I am at it, I want rock the boat a bit and try to get physicians and dentists to communicate better about this disease.) It will be April 22-25, 2010. So April will be a busy month. It will be in Orlando Florida.
Daniel is making wedding plans, starting school and missing Cassandra. It was hard for him to come back from Texas.
Kathy is excited to be pregnant, even in the face of the challenges that accompany that. (she did make a comment about wondering how the world is so populated.) She and Christopher will make such great parents.
And one last note, referring to the blog about our snail problem. We did try out Christopher's solution. We now have several little bowls full of dead or drunken snails that met their demise in a bowl full of beer. (It really works!) So as to not meet up with some ward member at the store as I am buying beer for my snails, I had a guy who has been working for us in our yard bring the beer. It was very strange to see empty beer cans in my trash can.
Sharon gained a lot of help from her Mayo Clinic trip. We just got back from a trip to St. George to see a Mayo Clinic trained doctor there that is helping out with continued treatment for her neck and head pain. With some of the improvement she has felt, she has had a surge in creativity, plans and ideas for the present and future. And we have a plan of how to get her back to full health. It will take some time (months) but having a direction is very good.
Stephen and Anne start school on the 26th also as a senior and a sophmore at Alta High School.
Adam's visa to India runs out on April 15th, 2010. So we now know his official "has to be out of the country" date.
I have been asked to speak at the American Behcet's Disease Association meeting as the dentist authority on the disease. I hope give out some information that will help a lot of people. (And while I am at it, I want rock the boat a bit and try to get physicians and dentists to communicate better about this disease.) It will be April 22-25, 2010. So April will be a busy month. It will be in Orlando Florida.
Daniel is making wedding plans, starting school and missing Cassandra. It was hard for him to come back from Texas.
Kathy is excited to be pregnant, even in the face of the challenges that accompany that. (she did make a comment about wondering how the world is so populated.) She and Christopher will make such great parents.
And one last note, referring to the blog about our snail problem. We did try out Christopher's solution. We now have several little bowls full of dead or drunken snails that met their demise in a bowl full of beer. (It really works!) So as to not meet up with some ward member at the store as I am buying beer for my snails, I had a guy who has been working for us in our yard bring the beer. It was very strange to see empty beer cans in my trash can.
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