HARD WEEK:(

Hey,

 This last week we seriously didnt do much...

Thursday we were out and about... around 8:30pm we had a meeting and during  that meeting I wasn't feeling good at all. I was feeling a lot of pain in my chest and in my back. So as soon as the meeting was over we went home planned and I went to bed. During the night I didn't sleep well.  It was so hard for me to breath and  I was also in a lot of pain.

 

Friday morning I was still in a lot of pain and I couldn't get out of bed, but I managed before the water would turn off for the day to get out of bed to shower. After I showered I saw that I had a rash all over my body. 

 

So, yes it is official... I have officially gotten the Chikungunya!!! (a mosquito transmitted virus)

 

It is the worst thing in the world. I am in so much pain, it feels like my bones are breaking. It is so hard for me to get out of bed, and I could just sleep all day and night.

 

I have also lost my sense of taste with this, so it stinks to try to eat and I also am not even hungry it has completely taken my appetite away from me too. 

 

Right now I have a really bad rash on my body.... it is  getting worse each day instead of better. 

 

Sunday the Elders came to our house and brought us the Sacrament. it was a very special experience , I have never had the sacrament at home.

 

We found out yesterday that Hna Bowen was being transfered once again I told her that we were not going to stay in the house that we were going to leave so that she could have the opportunity to say goodbye to the people here in San Francisco. Man by the end of the night I was dead and could not move at all. 

 

Today I got my new companion Hermana Allen. We were in Santiago almost all day which stunk because the sun kills  the rash and my legs, hands., My back is killing from standing. I do not feel good at all. I hope that this goes away soon, it really is not good. I have never felt so much pain before and the medicine i am taking doesn't seem to be working at all.  Sadly I have heard that the symptoms don't go away very easily and that you can have side effects for up to a couple of years. Hopefully that's not the case with me!

 

I hope that none of you guys ever have to experience this in your life because it is  the worse thing ever... you really do feel like you are going to die. 

I hope that this next week will be better. 

I love and miss you guys!

Until next week!
I hope you have a great week!

Hermana Heather Peugnet  <3

 

IN THE LORD'S TIME

This last week has been interesting and a time of learning.

I had learned at the beginning of my mission that Dominican timing is different than American timing but the Lords timing is so much different and more important  than the other two.

Even if we plan and try our hardest to do things in the timing we want sometimes that doesn't work out.

 

A couple of examples from this last week: 

 

Saturday we got invited to eat lunch at someones house to celebrate their birthday. They told us to be there at 1pm and that we would be eating shortly after... well almost 3 hours later we finally ate and sadly missed one of our citas. 

Sunday we went to go pick up an investigator and she wasn't  ready, so we had to wait and ended up being late for church.  That night all of our plans fell through,  none of our scheduled citas were home.

Monday we stopped at a members house who has been sick and stayed and talked for a long time... we thought about leaving  many times, but listening to this member and what she had to say and hear her testimony we felt like we needed to be there.  There was a reason the Lord wanted us in that house visiting her. Then that night the Noche de Hogar (FHE) fell through because they forgot so we just shared a quick message and had got invited to go to a different Noche de Hogar with the Elders. After that Noche de Hogar we left and started walking home when we go to a road that we were going to take we didn't feel right about it and turned back around and called the Elders to walk us home.

Tuesday we waited at a members house for him to come to our cita, he was running late from work and had other things to do. So we called another member to take us to a different cita with her.... well she was late too, so we didn't have time to do all that we wanted/planned to do. 

Wednesday (yesterday) we were in Santiago for my companion to get tested...  after we waited and got things done President Douglas came and picked us up and took us back to his house..... Hna Colton was just about to leave with her companions and so I got to see and spend a little bit of time talking with her.  We were in the office of the mission and one of the office Elders said that they were driving to San Fran to do a couple of things and that they could give us a ride and would be leaving  in a couple of minutes... well time passed and it was too  late for us to try and catch the guagua (s little bus) to San Fran, so we didn't get home until later then expected.

 

Timing is an interesting thing. It is just like how each and everyone of us recieve a testimony of the Gospel, at different times of our lives. We are not meant to be the same,  the Lord does always have a way and a reason for everything in life. 

Through our multiple times not having things happen the way we had planned and wanted,  I know that through these experinces that even if we do all we can everything is and always will be in the hands of the Lord.  

I am so grateful for these experiences and for the things that I have learned and for the people that I get to serve and spend time with. I love the people here and the things that I learn from them.  

 

I love and miss you guys!

Until next week!
I hope you have a great week!

Hermana Heather Peugnet  <3

Hermana Bowen, Luisa (investigator) and I

Sweet family at church

Primary girls on Sunday

Cutie!

Say "Cheese"!

Hma Bowen and I

Hma Bowen, Hma Colton and her two companions and ME

There is BEAUTY all around:)

 

Tree of Life 7-16-14

Hello!

So this last week we meet a lot of new people that we are teaching. Our agendas are finally filling up in this area with citas. It is so awesome,  it seriously has been a milagro (miracle). 

This last week we had a lot on our plates because we were planning a really huge activity about the Tree of Life. We were both a little worried how things were going to go... I think Hna Bowen was a little more stressed out than I was. But anyways, it was all good. 

Our activity was Saturday night. All day Saturday we were running around getting things ready and making refreshments. By the time the activity came around no one was there;(. About 2 hours later we finally started it with about 30-35 people there. The activity actually ended up turning out really good. The only thing that was a bummer was that we were hoping  more people would have showed up. 

In the activity we taught about the Tree of Life and Lehi's vision. After wards  we had the game part. We set up rope every where and they were going to be blind folded and have to start at one end of the church and end at the other end, The rope took them into different directions and  there were also good and evil people to guide them into the right or wrong pathway. It was a lot of fun everyone. I enjoyed watching the people and seeing all of our hard work pay off.   

Sunday right after sacrament we heard a little bit of comotion that was happening behind us. Next thing  I see is Tamara and Erlina and 3 of their other siblings and their kids walking into the chapel. It was so cool seeing them all come to church. The all looked so happy and I am so glad that they were able to make it. I really do hope the best for this family. Later that afternoon we did an activity with all of the missionaries. We went to one area and split with members to  visit menos activos and help bring them back to church.  

Monday we went out. A member called us before we left and told us that she didn't have school and wanted to know if she could go with us.  Of course we said yes! It always helps when we have members in the lessons.

Tuesday [yesterday] we stayed inside because we got notification not to leave our house because it was very dangerous because the people were going on strike and when the people go on strike here they go crazy and it is very dangerous,  practically no one is in the streets except police and unsafe people. 

We are working with a couple of new people. One of our new investigators  name is Luisa. She is almost 20 years olds and is from New York but is here during the summer visiting her mom. Her mom and little brother are members of the church. She knows nothing about the bible or anything. Over time we have  slowly been gaining her trust in us;  one day while we were sharing with her mom we ended up sharing a little bit about our message to her and she loved it and started asking us a lot of questions. The other day we went to visit and I asked her if she was reading her pamphlet we left her. She told me "yes, I read it everynight,  it helps me sleep." When she said that I got goose bumps and just felt the spirit so strong. I love teaching her,  I feel like I  have known her forever. The sad thing is that she will be going back to the states in August. I hope the best for her. I have already seen blessing in her life since she has started sitting down and listening to the lessons.

 

Today I went to the medical to get some tests done because they wanted to know if I had the Chinkungua virus or TB ( because I was teaching someone that has it), or something else. 

We still do not know what I have. I am in so much pain all over my body and am very nauseaous all the time. I haven't been eating very well becasue of it. 

The person that took us  is a doctor and he found this clinic,   so I got special treatment and they took me back right away. You usually have to wait hours to be seen. 

 

Next week I will tell you what I have.... we know I don't have TB or danguea which is like chinkunguea. 

I love and miss you guys!

Until next week!
I hope you have a great week!

Hermana Heather Peugnet  <3

Our Tree of Life activity

Hma Bowen and I at the activity

Me at the medical

 

Plan of Salvation 7-9-14

Great Week... we did service and had a lot more citas than we have had in this area for a while. 

This last week we have been focusing a lot on the Plan of Salvation.

We got a reference this last week from our stake president and his wife about someone he used to work with who's son who was in his early 20's just passed a way in a motor accident, so we did an introduction to the Plan of Salvation they were very interested and had some really good questions. I hope that they had felt the spirit just as I was able to feel it. We have another cita with them this Friday and I hope after they had a chance to read the pamphlet that they will be able to understand the plan of God for each and every one of us and for our FAMILIES. 

Our second experience was with Erilina and Tamara. Over the last couple of weeks we have been teaching them about the Plan of Salvation. During this time their dad has been really sick. On Sunday Erilina came to church with her 3 kids. She is such a strong women and a huge example to me. Even though one of her kids wasn't feeling well and were tired they still came. While we were in Relief Society a family member of Erilina came and told her that her dad had just passed away. So, Hna Bowen, me and our Relief Society President drove her and her kids to her house. When we got there she was freaking out.   However, when we got back to church our Relief Society President did an amazing thing.   This family has nothing so she talked to a couple of members and a lot of them pitched money in to help the family get a casket for the body. It was so cool seeing the members work and help this family out. Monday we got invited to go to the funeral. When we got to their house Erilina told me that she needed more strength and  that she couldn't do this,  and then Tamara asked us if we could sing some hymns for them so we did. There was about 6 of us and we sang about 5 hymns for them until they were ready to take the body to the cementary. Before they took the body they asked us to say a prayer for them. One of the Elders in my area did  and it was very comforting for them. While we were at the cementary waiting for them to finish digging the hole (the family ended up having to help finish the hole because it wasn't big enough) and a couple of the daughters of the guy that just died were going crazy.  One of the daughters of the dad tried jumping in because she didn't want them putting her dads body in it. It was really sad to watch. At one point I went up to Erilina and asked her how she was and she told me "I know he's with God he's fine now", it just gave me a warm feeling and I reassured her that he is not suffering anymore and that he is in a better place and that she will see him again. 

I am so greatful for the Plan of Salvation and for the experiences that I have had this last week. It has not been an easy week and I hate don't do well with death,  but I know that everything will be alright through the plan of God. He is always here for us and he will always carry us through those hard times. We are never alone.  If we are strong and have trust in the Lord~ everything will be ok.  

I came across this poem again this week and thought I would share it. I know the Lord is always with us.       

  

The Footprints Prayer

One night I had a dream...

I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord, and Across the sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand; One belonged to me, and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of my life flashed before us, I looked back at the footprints in the sand. I noticed that many times along the path of my life, There was only one set of footprints.

I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in my life This really bothered me, and I questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, You would walk with me all the way; But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, There is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why in times when I needed you the most, you should leave me.

The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child. I love you, and I would never, never leave you during your times of trial and suffering. When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you.

 

I love and miss you guys!

Until next week!
I hope you have a great week!

Hermana Heather Peugnet  <3

 

Another Great Week!! + LOTS OF PICTURES:)

well this last week has been great...

First off i would like to say.... Happy 4th of July ¨tomorrow¨!!!! Celebrate it great! I miss the holidays and spending time with the family.  

Unfortunately I dont remember a lot that happened this last week. So this email is going to be a little short.
We are doing a lot of service. A lot of people that we visit have been getting this new disease here called the chikungunya (its a disease similar to the flu that is transmitted from mosquitos). So when we get to  investigators homes we have been ending up doing the things that they actually haven't been able to do.

We also are finding a lot of new people to teach which is awesome. I can not wait to see the progress of the people. 

We have been teaching a lot... man, I cant believe I can't remember that much that has gone on this week. 

One story I would like to share is about an investigator that we have been trying to work with. This investigators daughter is a member of the church and comes to church every week and wants us to work on the rest of her family. So we decided that we would pass by more and try to get the confidence of the mom. A couple of weeks ago we passed by and found she was doing laundry but didn't want or need our help... (we always tell the people  we are  here to help and do service). A couple days later we found out at church that she had gotten the chikungunya. So we passed by and asked if there was anything that we could do at the time she said no not anymore but that if we had passed by a day earlier then yeah we could of helped. Everytime since then when we pass by she offer us to sit and relax but we always offer to serve, but they never have anything for us to do. The other day we sat down for a little bit and the mom sat with us. She started telling us that if she was Mormon that she  wouldn't   be able to share the Gospel with others because she has a hard time talking to others . We explained to her it comes in time the knowledge and the courage to talk to others about our beliefs. That night was very spiritual talking to her and at the same time her daughter was with us. The mom,  when she does get baptize and become a member of this church will be a strong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The other night we had a first actual cita with her and her husband. We have been trying so hard to gain their confidence in us and seeing them change and open up  has been a blessing and the cita's have been so spiritual. I know that they could feel the spirit  strongly especially testifying of the truthfulness that through this Gospel it gives families the unity, happiness, peace, love of God that they need in their lives. 

I have seen this in my life and am so grateful for this Gospel that I have in my life. I know that through all of the hard times that pass through my life it is just to help me grow and strengthen my faith in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  

Another thing that I have learned on the mission is that we will never have a full knowledge of things, but that the more we study and learn the more we expand our knowledge that we will have that to help us in the long run. It is just like in school... you can't really pass a class or a test without studying or paying attention and that is what our life here on earth is about.  It is like school we have to always do what we can to know the things that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ wants us to know. 

   

I love and miss you guys!

Until next week!
I hope you have a great week!

Hermana Heather Peugnet  <3

The daughter of a Haitian sister we are teaching.

Isn't she beautiful!!??

Hermana Bowen and I with investigators

Children of some Haitian sisters we are teaching

Hermana Bowen and I at the beach

Hermana Bowen and I

Paradise

Near the beach

Lunch with the Elders at Pizza Hut!!

 

Never Judge a Book by it's Cover

This week has been such a huge change for the best!

\

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I have only had one week with Hermana Bowen and it has been great. At the beginning of this transfer I was really scared because I had heard so many things bad and good about my new companion so I didnt know what to think or do. Our companionship did start off a little interesting... As we have gotten to know each other this last week and after all of the billions of time laughing at one another I know that we are going to be great friends. We are always talking and telling stories. One thing that we have both agreed on it that you cant judge someone with out getting to know them first. Because we both did that to one another and thought that this was going to be a hard transfer, but literaly once we got into the house after traveling all day we started talking and getting to know each other. I have learned a lot from Hna Bowen so far; she is a great person and missionary.

Hna Bowen is from Salt Lake City, Utah. She is the youngest of 3 in her family and is 19 years old. She has been out in the mission for 5 months and is in her 3rd area in the mission. 

This last week I have learned alot in trusting in the Lord as well and also I have seen a lot of Milagros (miracles) in this area since transfers. 

Since I have been with Hna Bowen people that we had been teaching before with Hna Manarang have changed a lot for the good too. We are gaining their trust in us and things are going great. I knew before that the spirit plays a big part in the lessons when we are teaching , but last transfer was a little hard for me to always feel and follow the spirit, because so many of other things between the companionship drove it away. However the spirit has been a huge part between Hna Bowen and I especially this last week, and now that we have a clean house too we will be able to feel it even more  (yesterday we spent 4 hours deep cleaning the apartment , it was so nasty we found mold in some parts of it too) . 

Last Wednesday we were waiting for our English class to start a member called us and told us that he had some friends that were at the church waiting for us that wanted to learn more about the church. so we went over to teach them. Their names are Tamara and Erílina. They are Haitians and dont speak or understand much spanish but we have been going really slow with them. They are loving the things that we are teaching them. I love just seeing their faces light up because the spirit has been strong everytime that we have taught them. On Sunday when they walked into Sacrament Meeting....  Hna Bowen and I looked over at each other our faces just lite up and we both got the biggest smiles, it was like we were little kids receiving the best present ever in our life.

Sunday we went out with Christina we went to go teach a friend (Stephany) but we didn't know where this friend actually lived, we just had an apartment name. After about 5 or 10 minutes of walking we found the apartment building. We still didn't know what apartment it was,  so we push an intercom to get into the building. The person who  opened the door was someone we actually ended up contacting (teachinig) and we were with him (Daniel) for over an hour. He had so many questions for us the spirit was so strong in his lesson. The hard thing is that he is only here on the weekends and during the week he is in Santiago for work.  After we left his house we went to go find Stephany and taught her as well. 

The other days of the week were really good. We had meetings and have done a lot of contacting close to our house. Hopefully some of the people that we have contacted have felt the spirit, and that they will like to learn more and take this message into their lives and invites us back to teach them.

. 

I have seen a huge difference in my life these last 14months of my life becasue of this Gospel and the mission. One thing that I have learned is that it is very important is to trust in God, and that He has a plan for everyone and everything. I know that his angels are always preparing people to listen and to accept the Gospel. I have learned the importance of listening to the spirit especially when we are lost and want to give up because we have no idea what else we could do. This mission has been the biggest blessing in my life and I am so grateful for it and that opportunity that I have to help others have the same happiness that I have in my life. 

I don't know why but one thing that has gotten to me that I am really scared of is that I will be home in less then 4 months. I don't want this experience to end. When ever someone asks me how much time I have in the mission and I tell them ¨14 months¨ the next response from them is "oh you don't have that much time left." it is so true... I did not think that 18 months would go by as fast as it has~ it is so crazy, but I am so grateful for the time I have had and plan on using these next 4 months working hard and doing all I can to help the people here so that they can live with their families forever just like I can.

 

Yesterday while we were walking to email someone stopped us and asked if we could do a service... so that is why we are emailing today. 

   

I love and miss you guys!

Until next week!
I hope you have a great week!

Hermana Heather Peugnet  <3

view from our apt. Notice the dark gray skies?

 

Me, Christina and Hermana Bowen

We made brownies for Christina's birthday:)

frozen yogurt with members

memory wall

My new companion Hma Bowen,

my former companion Hma Colton and me:)

Interesting trash cans, underground

Conference this week in Santiago

Hermana Bowen

Waiting for a meeting to start:)

 

Eilana's baptism!

Hello!

Friday we had Eliana´s baptism!!!! Yay I am so excited for this girl she is such a great example. I know that she has a bright future ahead of her. She is going to bless her family forever.

Saturday we had a Stake Conference and were in the chior. After the chior we went out with a member and afterwards she invited  us to her house. We cooked dinner and spent some time with her. She has two kids that are members as well, but they  are not active. It was cool learning from her and giving her  support and reminding her that all that she is doing is blessing her family and that in the future all will be ok.  

Sunday we  had Stake conference again and after the conference we got invited to go eat with President and Hermana Douglas. The  food was so good. That afternoon we left with Christina (a member) we walked to  Campo Ferrnandez to visit a couple of her friends (walked more than 2 miles to their  houses). One of them was really good and the spirit was so strong, she asked a lot of really good questions. The other cita was a little harder.  It was with someone that doesnt believe in God. I have gone through that before.. I just dont understand,  but it was really good the spirit was strong in his lesson. The difference with him and others I have delt with before, was that this one will think and doesn't just argue back at us. Then we walked back to Christinas house to drop her off. 

Monday we were in Santiago and it was a lot of fun.  We went to the dr meeting for  Hna Manarang. We didnt get home until after 7 and then we went straight to a NDH with Jazmín and her  family  with the Elders it was such a good cita.      

Tuesday we had a zone meeting. I found out that my new companion is Hna Bowen. We went to Burger King for lunch one last time with the Elders and then said goodbye to everyone. 

Wednesday( today)  has just been traveling and picking up my new companion. It is so weird not being with Hna Manarang I already miss her.  

We have a lot to do here in this area.  I am excited to work with my new companion and to see what the  Lord has in stored for us. 

I love and miss you guys!

Until next week!
I hope you have a great week!

Hermana Heather Peugnet  <3

some sites of the Dominican Republic

Sister Conference

Eilana's baptism 6-14-14

Eilana 6-14-14

Santigo Mission Sister conference

Ward member's at Eilana's baptism:)

6-14-14