When we were in Salt Lake City in December we were able to stop by the Pedersen's and visit with them. I found out that they had three daughters out on missions the same time they were out on their mission as Pres. and Sister over the New Zealand, Auckland Mission in 1987-1990. One of his daughter's was in the England, London South Mission just before I got there. She went home in Nov of 1988 and I got there in March of 1989. So with you and your brother out and Dallin, likely going to be going out by next fall, we will be similar in that respect.
Dad and I were talking about his mission, and the amazing experiences he had listening to Pres. and Sister Pedersen. He also remembered he would receive a monthly newsletter from Pres. Pedersen, called "The Challenger". Dad was able to find them and we want to send you a copy of them out at the beginning of each month for you. This is January's newsletter and it could not be more fitting for both of you but especially Amicherie. Beginning your mission takes some getting use to and the story he shares will help.
We love you both,
Mom
The Challenger-
New Zealand Auckland Mission,
January 1989
Pres. Herschel N Pedersen
As we go through the experiences of life we find that our
lives take drastic turns and shocking experiences are encountered which we
never contemplated. Our carefully
planned lives, the hopes and dreams we built are shattered from time to
time. We are led to believe that some
things are one way when in actuality they are the opposite. We wonder and ponder why those relating the
experience did not tell the truth.
A mission is sometimes that way. We hear the glowing reports of returned
missionaries, and their spiritual experiences and feel of the spirit and we
desire to serve and experience those same things. Then when we get to the mission field we find
that our conduct is restricted by many rules that we find difficult to
accept. Some seem trivial, uninspired
and unreasonable. We find ourselves
being held responsible for records, cleaning the flat, fixing meals, being told
to be obedient. We even have rules as to
when to get up and go to bed. This
sudden change in the lives of people is not the easiest thing to adjust to.
As we consider this area and begin a new year, I would like
to write about a few experiences that are personal and I hope will give
enlightenment, hope and above all a spiritual understanding of some of the
reasons “Why?”
When I went on my mission to Denmark I experienced the same
frustrations and difficulties you do. I
found that the first few months were an eternal hell as I fixed my meals, made
the bed, washed my clothes by hand, and never in that 30 months time did I ride
in a car of any kind. All my missionary
work was done on a bike, and when we transferred it was by train or boat from
island to island. The greatest
frustration came from tracting six hours everyday and being told where to go
and how to get there. This became a
burden and I had a terrible struggle as did my companion in trying to answer
all the little questions I could ask. He
became so frustrated with my incessant questions that he finally gave up and
said “I do not know why it has to be this way, so just forget it and be
obedient and everything will work out.” I was always obedient, but I still
wondered why this or that?
Then one day my mind went back to home and what my uncles
and relatives would be doing at that time of year. I remembered the times we had gone to the
western desert to catch wild horses. We
would make corals and lock them so the horses could not get into the water
holes. After several days of thirst the
horses would be weak, and we would open the gate to the water hole and then at
night the horses entered to drink. A
long rope tied to the gate would permit us to close the gate and trap the
entire herd.
With the coming of daylight the horses would want to return
to the desert in search of food. In
finding no exit and people around they would panic and run against the wire and
poles that kept them entrapped. Many
were cut and bruised badly as they fought against the enclosure. Then we would rope them, tie them down, place
a hackamore on them, and then a team of horses would literally drag them from
the corral and force them into a truck.
They squealed, whined, kicked, bucked and tried to jump out, but there
were secured.
At home we placed them with tame horses and little by little
they accepted the feed and water and lost their fear of us. The wounds healed and they accepted being led
around and fed and seemed to enjoy their new life. Then came the day to begin breaking
them. This brought a closer association
with us as we would spend several hours each day with each individual horse.
Finally they could be trusted to refrain from bucking and could be used as cow
ponies or a cutting horse and became beneficial to the farm.
Those thoughts had a profound effect on me as I realized
that the rules and questions and frustrations I was experiencing were a
training and breaking period for me and that the more I fought against the
inspiration of the Lord and His ways of doing things the more I would be
injured and the longer it would take for my wounds to heal. This was the day I finally learned to
understand John 7:16-17 wherein Christ spoke of knowing if the doctrine,
whether it was from God or from man, by doing.
I resolved to do rather than fight against it. My life was immediately blessed.
I found that many times in my life I was discouraged and
thought there was no way I could succeed but I was always blessed, and
gradually I learned that the seed spoken of by Alma in Alma 32 applied to many
things, not just faith. We overcome
gradually and it may take weeks, months, and sometimes years before we realize
the results we hope for.
(Skipped area).......................
Paul kicked against the pricks as did Alma
and the sons of Mosiah. Each has had
times when they had many problems and fought to overcome. My favorite happens to be Peter in the 22nd
chapter of Luke. It was the last supper,
and Christ was addressing the apostles.
He looked at Peter and said “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to
have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy
faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” Peter was chagrined and told the Lord he was
ready to die and go to prison for him, upon which the Lord told him that he
would deny Him thrice.
If you can imagine the thoughts that have been in my heart
over the many years concerning this scripture.
Peter was the Chief Apostle, the President of the Quorum of the Twelve and
was to be the President of the Church.
He had been with Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration and had seen
Moses, Elijah, and had witnessed all the miracles, and then to be told, “When
thou art converted…” Many of us are in the same position. We have testimonies; we have witnessed many
blessings and evidenced; but somewhere we still struggle as did Peter. Think how Peter must have felt when he
realized that Christ had been crucified and that he was now alone to guide the
Church. Christ was no longer there to
give the daily direction; there would be questions and problems, and he was not
converted.
In Chapter 19 of Matthew, the Lord was speaking to the rich
man and after the conversation the Apostle then asked, “then who can be
saved?” Christ answered that with men
things are sometimes impossible, but with God all things are possible.
The change in companionship, working with missionaries from
many parts of the world, disciplining yourselves in areas never before
necessary are all shock and designed to help you learn about yourself and what
you have the potential for. Peter never
knew how to be an effective missionary and had little success until he
understood on the Day of Pentecost when he and John baptized 3000 souls that
day.
During the year 1989 (or for us 2013) let each labor to
understand him or herself and recognize the power of godliness in each of
us. We commend you and love you. It is a joy to see each of you grow
spiritually and we know that you are all growing in the Lord. Do not despair because of the trials or
difficulties, and do not feel failure or quilt; but read Alma 32:42-43 and know
this, that we commend you to God and know that many of you have already reached
great heights and will continue doing so.
You will all succeed, and we hope and pray that God will
bless all of us as we continue.
Sincerely,
Herschel N Pedersen.
