Hello Family & Friends,

This is the Neuschwanstein castle (which is the castle that the Disneyland castle is based off of),

Neuschwanstein Castle

and although I didn't get to see it this week, we are planning to go sometime before I leave! However, I feel incredibly blessed because I did get to go to two other beautiful places. 

It has been a week full of tender mercies! Sister Motto and I went to Nymphenburg schloss, one of crazy King Louis' works of art. 

It is only about 10 minutes away (by bus) from a lot of investigators that we have. I can't believe how blessed I am to live so close to so many beautiful things here in Munich! 

There is this beautiful area called Garmisch, which includes the Bavarian Alps, that is in our ward boundaries. 

Even though it is in our ward boundaries, it is a three hour train ride, so getting there during the week is pretty impossible. And the probability of being able to take the time out of a P-day to go to Garmisch, with everything I still have to organize and do, has seemed out of the question for me.

As my time is drawing to a close, I was getting pretty upset about the fact that I would never get to see the Alps on my mission- which would be sad considering I am serving in the ALPine German Speaking Mission!

Well, the Elders called us up on Sunday night and asked if we had Thursday evening free. We said yes, and they told us that one of the member couples in our ward wanted to invite us over for dinner, but that they lived far away and didn't want to pick us up. BUT since the AP's have a car (and we are conveniently in the same ward as the AP's) they invited us all over- and we were able to drive with them. The Elders didn't tell us where the members lived, they just said it was about an hour away by car and was on the border of our area. As we got closer and closer, it just kept getting prettier and prettier! Finally, we started seeing mountains...and beautiful green pastures...and signs saying ''Garmisch Partenkirchen'' and ''Zugspitze'' and we about FREAKED OUT!!!  

I had been praying to go to Garmisch, but knew there just wasn't enough time for a p-day! And then randomly, this close to the end of my mission, a member couple living in Garmisch decides to invite the missionaries over for dinner. Talk about tender mercies! It was the best eating appointment ever. Not only because of the experience and location but also because the Haueter's are amazing AND we ate American food like hamburgers, root beer and oreos!! 

As missionaries, we talk with so many people every day, and we even get a lot of phone numbers and addresses. But sadly, sometimes we will get phone numbers, but they never pick up, or addresses, and they are never home. It's kind of frustrating. Sister Motto and I had a really cool experience a couple of weeks ago- we had an appointment with an investigator (T), but when we showed up he was still getting his family ready for the day, and asked us to come back in about 15 minutes. We were trying to figure out what to do with 15 minutes, and Sister Motto asked if we could look for a bakery because she was hungry. Normally, going to a bakery for a 15 minute break isn't counted as the most effective use of a time, but we felt good about it and went. 

On our way there, we met an amazing lady from Egypt with the cutest daughter! We talked to her a bit, told her who we were and what we do, and invited her to our German class so she can learn to speak with more German. She was super excited, gave us her number, and we continued on our way. We got a little snack from the bakery, and went back to our appointment, super excited for the miracle we had just seen! But when we called a few days later, her husband angrily told us that his wife doesn't need to learn more German and he demanded that we never call again. I have to admit, I was a bit upset. She was such a miracle, how come it ended so bad; what was the purpose?  

After a few days I had forgotten all about it. But last week, Sister Motto and I were back at T's house to teach a lesson. He asked us if we met an Egyptian lady on the bus a few weeks ago. Confused, we said yes.  He then asked if we had called, and her husband told us to not call back. Again, confused as to how he knew this information, we said yes. Apparently, T and the Egyptian lady are neighbors, and the lady and her husband see us all the time coming into the apartment to visit T. The lady had always thought there was something special about us and was curious. But because her husband had also been watching us, He knew we are, which is why he got so upset when he found out that his wife given their number to us. This is also why he kept saying that they are Muslim and will always stay Muslim. The Egyptian lady had been very upset by this and went to T to ask for help. T was able to share with her his situation; he and his wife were Buddhist, and his wife was also really upset when he started meeting with Christians. It has taken time, but after a while she warmed up to his investigation and now she even sits in during some of the lessons. T gave her advice that she desperately needed to hear from a friend and someone who understood. He told her to respect her husband and that peace in the family was more important than anything else right now. He also told her that if she wants to learn more, she can always ask T her questions; promising her that one day her husband will come around. It was so cool to hear that story, about the background of WHY her husband told us no. In most cases we never would have known, we would have thought that it was just a mistake in finding her or doubted ourselves. But T was also an angel that the Lord has carefully put in her path in order for her gospel learning to continue, even if NOT with the missionaries. As missionaries, our role was small and subtle, but God knew what she would need and when. It wasn't us, BUT it was someone. And that someone was prepared when his time to shine came. That is all we need to do- prepare ourselves in all ways so when the Lord calls, we are ready to answer "Lord, here I am" . It really proved to me how the Lord's hand is in every aspect of the work, and He works everywhere!  It is awesome to be a missionary and see so many miracles that are worked through me; but it is just as awesome to see miracles that are worked through other people as well. Actually, it is even more fantastic to see miracles come through every day life, because I am going to be living in everyday life pretty soon! 

There are times when the spirit is pretty intent on helping us find our way, other times the spirit is pretty quiet and there are times when the spirit is neutral in our decisions. It can be hard to navigate what the spirit is trying to teach us in any of these times. Does He not care? Want us to make our own choices? Think we are making a mistake?? 

I think the trick to understanding what the spirit wants from us is humility and diligence. Humility so that we can recognize that our will might not be His will. It doesn't matter how neutral or opinionated He is or how loud the spirit is speaking, without humility, we wont hear His voice. And diligence, so that if it is neutral, we can still act without being told everything to do; we can still make a decision and move forward. If it is neutral, great, we keep going forward and we have made a wonderful and perfectly righteous decision on our own, exercising our free agency to become our own person. But if our course is wrong, I can promise you that the spirit won't be silent any longer!!  It is good to wait and study and listen, and there are answers that won't come for a while. But there is also nothing wrong with saying "okay, Heavenly Father, I would like an answer. I have been listening, and I have been studying, and I am going to try walking on water for a bit and moving forward. Please give me the faith to walk, and if I start to sink, please help me recognize your outstretched hand.'' I have offered that prayer so many times on my mission and anticipate offering that prayer many, many more times throughout my life. 

Well, love to you all! I've got a p-day to enjoy. I'm NOT counting down, but if you are, you know I don't have many left :(

Sister Peterson

Last One, Fast One

*** Note from Mom: The reality that Sister Peterson's next transfer call will bring her home has definitely set in. She is so blessed to have been given Sister Natalie Motto as her final companion. I know Sister Motto is not only perfect for Sister Peterson, but this is an answer to my prayers as I did not want Kori's mission to end without an opportunity to serve with this amazing young woman. She is from Utah County and will return to BYU January 2015 when Kori returns. There is no better person prepared to help Sister Peterson end her mission strong and focused. If you would like to cyber meet Sister Motto, her blog can be followed here

I would so appreciate if Sister Peterson's final six weeks could be flooded with words or encouragement, strength, and your own testimony. Her address is: 

Kirche Jesu Christi

Sister Kori Lee Peterson

Alfred-Schmidstrasse 35

81379 Munchen

Deutschland

Thanks so much- now on to why you're really on this page!

Hello Friends & Family, 

 

All my swimmer friends and family should definitely recognize the title of this email. It is going to be my motto for the next several weeks! I might be headed in for the last swim, and I know it's going to be a fast one- but I'm going to give it all I've got! 

This week has been much needed for Sister E and I. As much as I love being in Munich and serving here, we have always kind of struggled finding new investigators here and finding people who actually have serious interest and will progress! We have seen a few miracle families and people, but its been kind of rough to get in contact with a lot of them lately.However, the past two weeks have been filled with miracles and we've seen many areas of our work finally starting to pick up! 

I was especially grateful for the blessing of serving in a companionship this week. Sister Erdenetsogt and I decided to go to a city that takes a while to get to on the S-bahn in an effort to visit a less active sister in our ward- unfortunately she wasn't home. We really had nothing else to do, so we headed back to the S-bahn station to go back into Munich.  

I was praying in my heart, explaining to Heavenly Father that we had planned to visit this lady but she wasn't home. As I shared my feelings about how much time in travel  it takes for us to get here and back, I asked Heavenly Father to please let us find SOMEONE so that our trip wasn't in vain. 

Well, we sat down to wait for the Bahn, and two people, a sweet lady and a very drunk man sit next to us. The man sees our name tags and immediately starts ridiculing us for believing in God and serving in Germany; he was not being very friendly and he just would not stop.  

The lady was sitting on the other side of the man, sending us sympathetic smiles whenever she can and when the S-bahn finally got there, we tried to sit down next to the lady to talk to her; but the man would have none of it and he followed us to sit next to her as well.  

I tried desperately to get a conversation going with her, but every time I did, the man would interrupt and start asking weird questions again. Finally, I just to give him my full attention and talk to him for a bit. The whole time I prayed (and prayed, prayed, PRAYED) that Sister Erdenetsogt would talk with the lady.  

We got off the S-bahn, and sister E not only talked to her, but got her number and address and set up an appointment! We visited her family a few days later, and they are so amazing! They are so ready and so open to the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I still cannot believe that none of this would have happened if we weren't working with a companions, if we weren't unified in our purpose, and if we hadn't gone to that city to contact the less active woman! There are many things I hope to keep alive in post-missionary life and this is one of them. Being unified in such a way that the Lord's work can be fulfilled; if not by my hands, than by the hands of someone I am trying to support. 

One a boat with Mathias

The Senior sisters in the office, Sister Sonomura and Holmgren, are going home this week, so we decided to invite them over for dinner after our apartment inspection. It was so much fun, but it felt so backwards! Normally we are the ones who are invited over, but this time we got to prepare for the missionaries. They even gave us a spiritual thought at the end of dinner which was so nice that I about died with excitement haha

King Ludwick's memorial on Starnberg Sea

One of our investigator families, the Göbs, have started to become some of our best friends.  We have visited them every week for about 2 months now, and we have really enjoyed going over. They heard Sister Erdenetsogt and I talk once about how we want to go to the Zoo so badly because we live right next to it, but that we don't want to pay ourselves so we haven't gone. A few weeks later, they arrived at church so excited and presented us with Zoo tickets! We have been trying to go week after week, but with other commitments, limited time, and bad weather it just never worked out.  

Well, it is extremely obvious at this point, be we knew we were getting limited on p-days before it was possible that we would be separated again when transfer calls came up, so we decided that we would go on Monday, rain or shine, no matter how much time we had, we were going!  

Just a little sad that it is raining

"I spy with my little eye..."

Well it definitely turned out being more rain than shine, but WE WENT! 

It was pouring rain the entire day, but being the determined little missionaries we are, we bundled ourselves up, grabbed our rain gear and left headed straight to the ZOO! 

It was still fun, there was no heat nor long lines; we got the whole zoo to ourselves! 

I just really want to touch him!

As we left, we saw some nicely dressed people in the distance. As we got closer we saw the name tags and realized they were missionaries too! 

One of these things isn't like the other...

 

"In the USA, there is a law against tying a giraffe to a light post"

The Kohler's and the AP's had decided to go to the Zoo as well. Ha, even though Munich is huge and there is a ton to do, I guess going to the Zoo on a rainy day is THE THING to do. 

As for transfers, we will be making a companionship swap with the Tübingen Sisters. Sister Erdenetsogt is going to work with Sister Pentz in Tübingen and Sister Motto is coming here with me!  Though I will miss Sister E and we both dreaded the thought that one of us was leaving, we were blessed to get to work together again! 

Aside from saying good-bye to Sister E, I am so excited to get to work with Sister Motto!!! 

It was definitely weird in church yesterday to see Sister E say her goodbye's to the members; it doesn't feel real yet. I already saw her say goodbye in Linz, now I have to do it all over again?  But we will still see each other at MLC, so this isn't my last goodbye :)

Making cinnamon rolls

Well, I think this is all for me today. I have one final request from everyone- that is simply that you all will please pray for me!  

Pray that I will be able to keep my wits about me and that I do not get distracted; that I will stay focused this last transfer! I want to give it my all!  

Sleepover with the Munchen III sisters

There are so many miracles in Munich waiting to happen, so much potential waiting to be discovered! I can feel it!! 

I know I only have 6 weeks left, but like we would always say on swim team, Last One, Fast One!

Love to you all,

Sister Peterson

 

Will You Marry Me???

Dear Mom, 
 (This is Kori's response to my thoughts on the possibility that our family may be leaving Texas after only a short time here. I wanted to share it because her perspective is one that applies for many situations)

       As I read your thoughts about leaving Texas now after it seems like you are finally breaking in and making some connections with people, it made me think of when Sister Pentz and I were together. I was in Linz for a very long time, and if you remember, I really struggled when I first got to Linz. I didn't feel wanted, I didn't feel like I had a purpose, and I kept praying that I would not stay there very long. But slowly, really slowly, I started to recognize why I was there and I could see the people that the Lord wanted me to bless and serve. When I was told I would be training again, I was confused all over again. I had already been in Linz for 6 months, and by assigning me to train again, that meant I would either be in Linz for 9 months or that I would only be training Sister Pentz halfway, both very odd situations. A few weeks after being with Sister Pentz, I got the strongest impression and confirmation of what the Lord the was thinking. I was in Linz to serve my time, to love the people, but that my time was coming to an end. If the lord had really wanted me to finish Sister Pentz's training, then he would have moved us together to a new area. I could easily have been transferred earlier and trained Sister Pentz in a different city. But the lord kept ME in Linz for the sole purpose that when Sister Pentz came in, SHE would be in Linz. My time was up, but hers was just starting.       

     We weren't in Texas for very long, and it also took a long time to know why we were there. But I believe that our family has served a good amount of time, and you have all done amazing things to the ward, your friends, and to bless the people in Frisco. But if your time is coming to an end, its okay! There are others in Frisco who will take the baton from you and keep running even when you are gone. Your time might not be over, but its okay if it is.  

     Remember the hair of our heads are numbered to the Lord. He knows where we need to be and who we need to touch- trust His guidance and follow His lead. And always, always remember He loves you! 

Well, I have decided that I will never, ever be able to become a translator. I am also pretty sure that the Lord has a wonderful time humbling me. 

Just a little look into my morning study time

Since I am getting more fluent with my German, I can pretty much understand everything that is said in sacrament meeting without having to constantly be in 'interpret mode'. Because of this, I have noticed that I have stopped really focusing my attention on understanding what the speakers are saying and have caught myself starting to doze off just a bit....(just so you know, Sundays are exhausting as a missionary).

Beautiful flowers from a friend

      Well, a family from Provo came to church yesterday to visit, and asked if I could translate for them. I have never been so mentally exhausted in my life! Because of the German word order, there are times where I have to listen to entire sentences, paragraphs and concepts before I can translate in a comprehensible way.  This poor family!!! I am still pretty sure that at least 2 out of every 15 words that I said were still German...On the bright side, I listened to the entire hour of sacrament meeting :) 

     Last week was one of THOSE weeks. Our key indicators were not too impressive to report, but Sister Erdenetsogt and I were SO BUSY!! One of the things I have had to get used to about Munich is that there are so many wards and missionary companionship's here. This makes finding a little complicated. In my previous areas, I used to be able to talk to whoever I wanted to, exchange contact information, and if they were interested, they'd be a new investigator within a week.
     But here is a bit different. When we find people, we have to make sure that they live in our area before we can begin teaching them. Most of the people that we find live in other ward boundaries, so we are constantly having pass-off lessons and swapping investigators with other missionaries. It is very different from my other areas! But I guess we are all participating in the same work, and it doesn't really matter which companionship ends up teaching someone, as long as they are getting taught and taken care of!

Do I look like a Texan?

      Summer is slowly, slowly creeping in...I love being a missionary in summer! There are so many more people on the street and in the parks; and so many more families!  It seems like everyone has so much more time and they are so much more open. But we also have a lot of really, well, funny experiences in summer.      

      Sister Erdenetsogt and I realized that we have never really gone dooring together, and we had extra time one day, so we went door-to-door. Now I understand why it is recommended that we only go door-to-door if we have nothing else to do ---> it's because we have TOO MUCH FUN!!! 

     The responses we get and the people we meet are nothing less than funny and memorable. We did find a few people though who are letting us come back :)  

 

     There is this amazing Italian family that Sister Erdenetsogt and I are teaching right now. The mom and dad are HILARIOUS, and they have 4 kids-G (16 yrs old), R (12), Maria (8) and G (2.)  'M' and 'F' have both agreed to be baptized, and 'M' is working his way on feeling ready. Last week, after teaching a lesson in church about the temple and eternal families, we found out that 'F' and 'M' are not married, which put a big damper on our excitment (before people can get baptized, they need to keep the law of chastity, which includes not living with a member of the opposite sex). Couples living together either need to live seperately, which were NOT about the ask this couple to do since they have kids, or to get married.
     Getting married is a pretty big thing to ask someone to do. Sister Erdenetsogt and I were just praying, praying, praying that 'F' would understand when we told her that she couldn't get baptized until she got married. We went over a few days later and taught about the law of chastity and eternal marriage, and told her straight up what she needed to do. 'M' walked into the lesson a little later, and she immediately called to him and said ''Honey! We have to get married.'' A little confused, 'M' asked what she was talking about. 'F' said ''The missionaries said we have to be married before I can get baptized. So we have to get married.'' 'M' looked as if he was thinking really hard about something. After a few seconds, 'F' shook her head and said ''See girls?  I told you he wouldn't do it. He doesn't want to marry me.'' As soon as she said that, 'M' marched over to us and said ''Now hold on a minute!!''  He walked to 'F', got down on one knee, took her hand and asked her to marry him. Of course, with 4 girls in the room, we all started to squeal. 'F' said yes of course ;) 
     So we are gonna have a marriage!!! They don't want a big wedding, they will just sign the papers at city hall and get baptized; BUT they are really looking forward to being married in the temple! The only problem is that they need to get their papers from Italy before they can get married, and the entire process of applying and waiting and having it be official can take a while...we still want them to get baptized with 'M' in a few weeks, so it will take a miracle!!! 
     Good thing that we live in such a way every day that we are able to call down the power of heaven and demand miracles, because the Lord has promised us them if we are obedient. Keep them in your prayers please, I know Heavenly Father will bring a blessing to this amazing family.

All in all, it was a good week- I hope yours was too.
Also, I know it's a little late, but I came across this video for a lesson and I wanted to share it with all the mother's out there! You do more than anyone truly realizes.
 https://www.lds.org/youth/video/thank-the-women-in-your-life?lang=eng

Love to all,
Sister Peterson