Oscar Bappy

I know I am gonna get hate for this but I am going to say it anyway. IT IS FREEZING. You would think the world was ending here since it showed and its cold. Literally Floridians don't know how to handle themselves. It's a mad house lol. Everywhere you go they ask CAN YOU BELIEVE FLORIDA GOT SNOW?!?!?! 

This week was a lot of lats ! I had my last zone conference. I had to give my departing testimony. My last zone r+r (zone exchange)! It's getting real and it's crazy! 

Our friend Oscar got baptized on Sunday. He is 87 years old. He is crazy. I am not gonna lie. I never thought he would be baptized. BUT HE LOVES THE BOOK OF MORMON. And his entire life he has had the desire to be baptized so im glad he got to! He refuses to call me Hermana Peterson, he calls me Kamelia. We asked him why and he says it's because I'm the most beautiful person he has seen in his entire life and the Kamelia flower is the most beautiful flower bahahahah. He is psycho. I forgot to mention that Spanish is his 4th language…. He speaks Arabic and 3 other languages like that. Soooo it's been crazy teaching him. But most importantly he followed Jesus Christ's example and was baptized so that's a win! 

This week we also walked to church in the freezing cold with our friend Joirab! He is on date for next week so hopefully everything works out! He has such a sincere desire which is so cool! 

Life is good here in Florida! Next week I will send my last email. It's crazy! I have been super blessed. I will miss this place and these people. I have grown to love it here! I will definitely leave a big piece of my heart here in Southern Florida but I also am beyond excited to see all of you! It's time! 

A quick thought for this week! Back story this week we had a member meal this week with a family and the dad of this family is not active. When we got into the house we had planned on sharing a message about Come Follow Me. Well as we were in there the Dad didn't join us but he was in the room close and could hear us (we didn't know this at the time). 

Dinner was over and we asked to share the message and I started sharing about repentance. Well my comp gave me a look like…. Uhhhh wth this is not the plan. I didn't really know what was happening or why I did it so I tried to just go with it. I testified of the power of repentance and shared how it's not always easy to feel that God can forgive US personally. I can testify to strangers on the street that have done some pretty terrible things that the Savior Jesus Christ can and will forgive them and His arms are open wide For them. But personally it's harder to believe. We ended and the message was honestly kind of a flop and my comp was mad that I changed the subject and it wasn't what we prepared for. We ended with a prayer and left. 

While we were driving away the husband started chasing our car and waving his arms. I pulled over and he told is His story. He is a returned missionary was a bishop and a very strong member in the church! He got caught up in Word of Wisdom problems and since has not been able to start smoking. He stopped believing that Jesus Christ could help him. He told us that he has tried to repent so many times but he always ends up failing again. 

In this moment the spirit taught me and Him something. I asked Herma how many times a day do you smoke? He told me at least 25. I told him well if you smoked 25 times today and you repent tonight with a sincere heart and desire to change and tomorrow you smoke 24 times I believe the Savior sees that 1 time you didn't smoke WAY more than the times you did. 

He got emotional and he said you know what that's the Savior I have always believed in. A Savior that sees my effort and multiples it. Honestly it hit me hard. I studied repentance a lot this week and I am full of gratitude for a savior that sees effort. Because oh my goodness I am a sinner! I mess up so much everyday! And sooo often I make the same mistakes I am trying so hard not to make! But I truly believe that the Savior sees my efforts and he loves me for them and will multiply them. No need to be perfect. Even though that's so hard for me! The Savior is letting me become like Him! Even when I keep messing up!

That member came to church on Sunday for the first time in 15 years! I can't imagine how hard that was for him. But he came with a smile on his face and I watched as the members welcomed him with open arms. I was reminded of the Savior. A Saint truly is a sinner who keeps on trying! I can testify of that! 

I love my Savior. I am grateful for his atonement. I am grateful for the struggles that allow me to change and become a little more like him. He lives! 

Love you all! 

Love Like Jesus

Love, Hermana Peterson



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