Because He Lives - 03/30/15 (Charleston, IL)

Dear Friends and Family,

This week has sure gone by fast! It is crazy to think that March is already pretty much over and spring is on its way. It was 6 months ago last Tuesday that I have been on my mission for 6 months. In the short time I have been out on my mission I sure have learned a lot and been able to experience a lot. 

We had a pretty crazy week here in Charleston. Wednesday morning I said goodbye to Elder Phillips and waited in Mattoon with Elder Payne most of the day while I waited to get my new companion. Elder Campbell is a pretty great guy, we are already getting along great and working pretty hard! Elder Campbell has been on his mission about 18 months, and is from Sandy Utah. 

We met with Sharon this week at her home in Lerna, and had a great lesson with her! She told us this week that she is ready to be baptized. Elder Campbell and I thought about setting a date with her for April 25, but when we brought it up to Sharon she said "How bout April 11?" So we are going to meet with her this week and finish teaching most of what we have to go over! 

Joe has started to experience some trouble with his decision to be baptized.. He is looking for a job and got offered a job teaching Catholicism at a school in Effingham, the problem with the job is that you have to be a practicing catholic. He is struggling with what to do, but we had a great lesson with him about how God tests us and puts trials in our way to prove our dedication. We promised him that if he was baptized and chose to stick with what he has come to know that God will provide for him.... Not sure what is going to happen at this point, it has me pretty stressed. But I am confident that he will make the right decision in the end.

So we had kind of a funny story this week.. Elder Campbell and I were walking down this road and there were some college students drinking and partying in their house, and as we walk by they start yelling and shouting at us. We of course just kept walking. A guy comes out the door and yells "Hey come back here, I want to learn about "Book of Jehova." we respond, "... That's not us, dude." then he was like "Well I want to learn about the Book of Mormon, get in here!" For a few seconds we think about running.. but we both decide to go in. They were all drinking and smoking. But we were actually able to sit down and actually talk about the Book of Mormon with them. Elder Campbell talked about the Restoration with two guys, then I started to talking to another guy about the Plan of Salvation and by the end of it they just kept saying "You guys are awesome! Your just GOOD GUYS.." You kind of had to be there, but it was pretty funny.

Wednesday night Elder Campbell and I were tracting some college apartments, and we heard some guys playing basketball in the courts. Se we walked over and asked if we could play. It was 3 other guys and Elder Campbell and I totally beat them in two games of baketball! It was seriously awesome! Afterwards we taught them the restoration and gave them all copies of The Book of Mormon. 

Anyways, it has been a pretty exciting week and this week should be just as good! We have to drive a few hours to and from Springfield Illinois to go to Zone Conference Tuesday, so that will take up most of our day. Then we have General Conference this weekend! 

So last thing, The Church has put out another awesome short video called "Because He lives". It is super awesome and this week we get to go around and share it with people! It is probably one of the only Church videos that has actually gotten me choked up. I just want to invite everyone to watch it on "Helives.mormon.org" or look it up on Youtube. Then to share it with your friends and family! 

I hope everyone has a great week and stays safe and can enjoy General Conference. May we all be able to remember the importance of this Easter season and remember our Savior Jesus Christ, that because of him everything is made right, no lost causes, no reason to feel lost, no reason to lose hope. All because He Lives.

Elder Chase Peterson