Comment from Dad - "I assume this is your effort to Darwinianize the progression 
of man from gentile to a fully testifying human being?  Fascinating."

8-27-2012

Don't worry Mom; first hug is saved for you :)

I have today and tomorrow in Regensburg. An Elder in our District is replacing me so that makes it pretty easy for transfers. We'll meet up in Nürnberg Wednesday morning and I will go to Ansbach with Elder Light (another Elder from my group) and we will have the day there. Thursday morning we will head back to Nürnberg, take a train to Frankfurt and spend the day there with President Schwartz at the temple and his place for dinner. We'll have a testimony meeting at the stake center and then head to the hotel where we will stay the night. Friday morning begins the long flight home. Boy am I anxious. A good chunk of the Elders in my group fly to Atlanta first :/ Elder Anderson is being picked up by his family. Four or Five elders from my group, including Elder Walker, are extending so I won't see them this week :/ I could be flying home alone. There is one other elder who extended last transfer and is flying my same direction but I don't know him very well. I haven't heard from the Utah bound elders or the one going to California. I could be with them. We'll see.

Goodbyes were hard and yes I will still have contact with people. I was able to use my leaving as an excuse to get our family to church yesterday! It was an awesome last Sunday. Probably not the best motives but it got them there.

As I was getting my haircut today I found an article in a magazine about Mitt Romney. Apparently his goal is to make the rich richer. The article was incredibly biased. Blah. At least none of these socialists (that I love) can vote.

Concerning the packing situation. I’ve left out the following so far to save on weight:

Wacky Alarm Clock

Blue KOA bags

Burned CDs

Shoe insert form things

A belt

Old ties

A shirt or so

All the other stuff I mentioned last week

Most things I can get on the lds store

I’m still a little over on weight so I might leave out the following depending on the circumstances:

Winter Jacket (has served me well and honestly, I won’t wear it at home)

More shirts

Slacks (kind of nasty and belt loops are worn off on the back)

Old tracting shoes (I don’t want to but if it comes down to it they will have to go)

I was wondering if you could email me as soon as you get this. I’ll have the chance to check my email quick tomorrow at the church. Let me know if there are certain things I shouldn’t leave behind. My lederhosen, a couple games and other clothes seem to take the priority. I also bought some Bier Krugs for Mom, dad, Chelsea, Heather and Robb… but that only takes up 7 pounds. If you don’t want a bier krug (who wouldn’t) please let me know and I’ll leave your piece of Germany behind as a part of the apartment here in Regensburg. As you can tell, weight is the issue. I even have a carryon! Where does all the weight come from? I even had to leave some of my JW material out. Either way, you should shoot me an email telling me what I should absolutely not leave behind. I know you've left it to me to decide... but I don't want any sore feelings to be associated with my arrival home.

I don't really know what to say other than... I'll see you on Friday! Weird. Love you all! Tschüss!

Elder Evan

Dad’s reply 8/27:

Evan

If it were me, I would leave all of your old missionary clothes behind except what you wear on your back on the trip home.  (You will need something to wear this coming Sunday.) The bier krugs are more important than old worn out slacks or shirts or coats!

I'll wake up your mom and have her put in her two cents,

Dad

Mom’s reply 8/27/12

Hey Bud -

There is no possible way there would be any sore feelings associated with your coming home!!  You could leave everything behind and I would still be extremely happy to see you! - And no sore feelings. Everything and anything is replaceable - YOU'RE NOT!  That being said - make up your own dang mind, just get your butt home!!  Wait - you have to bring the lederhosen and the games!  I really want to see those!!  And I'm sure everyone will want their bier krugs. What?  No bier krugs for all the kids?  JK – just thought it was funny, since you bought so many bier krugs!! Well, I hope that is clear enough. I can't wait to give you a big hug. I may never let go.

It sounds like there are a lot of varied plans among the elders in your group. Lucky Elder Anderson!  I'll bet he's pumped to have his family coming to pick him up. Hopefully, you'll see many of these guys again at BYU.

Isn't it great that your German family thought enough of you to attend church on your last Sunday there!  Have a great week!  See you real soon!  Love you!!

Mom

BTW - Love the picture!  Who's idea was that?  Very clever!  It sings of something Elder Evan Peterson would come up with!  Your dad is always telling me that you could do Geiko commercials!  See you Friday!

 

The only thing that would be better than seeing you on Friday, would be seeing you earlier on Friday!!

Love ya,

Mom

Word from Regensburg 8-20-2012

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAILEY!!!

I guess the trunk is unavoidable. I got another mega super trunky email this week - final departure info. Mensch. I don't really know what to think right now.

I did take out money. We went to Nürnberg last p-day so I could make some final purchases and show Elder Krieger some of the sights. I bought a 58-euro suit. It's a black one, European cut. My black one from my senior year of high school is kind of small. I could get it tailored probably. It's not terribly small. I also got a small duffle for a carry on. I might not have to send anything home. 

Restaurants and meals; Well, I've missed Mexican food, REAL hamburgers and Pizza not made by Turks. I hope that is something to work with. Anything that falls under that category would be great.

Concerning things missionary oriented :) We finally were able to meet with our awesome family this last week. For the two previous weeks they have been unavailable. She has told us that she knows the Restoration took place and that the Book of Mormon is true. She is way receptive to the Spirit. Her husband is still getting there. Isn't that how it usually works? I'm way sad to be leaving them and the new missionary better be good to them. They are the future of the Branch here in Regensburg. I'll get a picture.

You're right about the next week going by fast. We're pretty busy the whole week, saying goodbye to people and such. Everyone keeps reminding me that I go home soon. Yesterday at church was ridiculous! Oh well. I'm used to it. Like I said, this is all really... weird. I just feel awkward and bipolar about this whole going home thing. Blah.

Well! Love you all. Thanks for the prayers. The gospel is true. I love my Savior. I love my mission. Mensch, this is hard.

Elder Evan

President's Birthday - week of June 18th

We celebrated president's birthday at zoko. This is a picture of all the Elders who owned lederhosen in the zone, who then sang a surprise birthday song at lunch. It was great. 

Word from Bonn

5-29-2012

I forgot to tell you about the doctor appointment. All is well with Elder Peterson. I just had an intense case of the Grippe. Nothing too serious. The effects they said would last up to 4-5 weeks. But I'm doing a lot better. Nothing to keep me from working.

Happy Birthday Heather! Happy birthday Dad! Thanks for the birthday wishes and the prizes! For the money and, Chelsea, for the Boy Meets World. Elder Trent and I made the cake and had a bash. We haven't had the chance to go anywhere yet and I have no idea what I would get. We shall see. But thank you thank you thank you!

This last week was crazy. We had three splits and our fast/day of finding. We found this crazy lady who forgot who we were the next day when we had an appointment with her. We were literally thrown out of a student housing place. It was way sketch. We heard this girl scream from one room and there were lots of thuds and bumps. We got closer to the door and this guy opened the door and the girl was like 'Get out!' The guy was way flustered. He saw us and it only took two seconds before he was yelling at us. He grabbed me by the back of the neck and Elder Trent by his back pack and started shoving us into the elevator. We were ticked. I told the guy, 'Hey, you don't have to touch us.' And he was like, 'Doch!' He told us it was illegal what we were doing (which it's not) and said he would call the police. I've had that tons of times before where people ask me to leave a building or they threaten to call the police. But this guy grabbed us and threw us out. We had a hard time getting a good spirit back with us. But we also found a lady whose mom hears voices. We did find a new investigator so overall it was a great experience.

This week is the last week of the transfer. We're pretty sure we're not staying together. Whatever happens will probably determine the last chunk of my mission. The mission is full of old missionaries and I see a lot of dying ones. Pray I don't lose the desire to work! I'm really nervous for that. Thanks for the love, support, and prayers! Love ya! Tschüss!

Elder Evan

Random pics & videos

Klingon conversion??

Street contacts??

Elder Peterson & Elder C

  

Word from Bonn 4-2-2012

4-2-2012

I can't believe J is home. That is so surreal! No, I haven't seen anyone shot to death or any random burned corpses on the street. Mostly, just naked/mostly naked people, drunks, drug addicts and crazies. Just the usual. But that adds some adventure to the missionary life.

We had a really good week. We usually have lots of time to go finding and at the end of our P-Day that is what we did. We talked to everyone and no one would listen but by the end, as usual it was nothing we did, some guy on a bench called us over and asked what we were doing. We told him we were talking about the purpose of life and he said he was on the search. Now he is an investigator and has a baptismal date. The Lord blessed us. Bonn has lots of cool people. Conference was so good. My last one in Germany :(  Elder Holland gave a really cool talk at the Saturday afternoon session, I think. I have developed such a love for conference and respect and appreciation for the examples and leadership from the General Authorities. The church is true! I don’t really know what else to tell you. We are going to see the Kölner Dom today and get what I have only heard legends about - the Mega Döner. Should be great!

Lot's of love. Keep me updated. Tschüss!

Elder Evan

Word from Bonn 3-26-2012

3-26-2012

Bonn. I like Bonn. But I am homesick for Nürnberg. I was never super close to the members in the ward but they were awesome, the Frankisch people were awesome, the city was just amazing and the missionaries in the zone were so solid. I feel like I'm back in Wesel. The city is bigger and different but the atmosphere and time of year are so similar. I keep wanting to say servus to people but no one says that here in the NRW. The ward is way cool, however. The biggest I've been in. Kölln and Aachen are in the district. I saw the Köllner Dom on the way to district meeting. We plan on taking a P-Day to go check it out. In our area there is also this 700 yr. old building or something on this cliff/mountain thing’ which looks way cool. It's called Drachenfels. Dragon rock! We might check that out. Needless to say, the area is pretty and I'm happy to be here with such awesome members in a Uni city with lots of JAEs (YSA). Elder T is just as much of a stud as before. I'm looking forward to this transfer but know it will fly by. There are only four weeks left in this five-week transfer.

The apartment is small. It is one room but nice.

What else to tell you. Oh yeah! My red bag broke. The handle snapped off as we hopped out in Kölln on transfer day. Then I was rolling it around with the handle on the bag, which then began to rip. I just need to not carry so much stuff with me. I will be leaving at some point in time all of the meds, some books, some toys :) and other stuff that I just can't carry around anymore and isn't worth sending home. Do you want those ice shoe attachments still? I won't need them anymore with the change of weather.

Life is good! Say hello to J for me. Love ya! Tschüss!

Elder Evan

Word from Nürnberg 3-19-2012

3-19-2012

Wow. We got transfer calls and I'm liking it. Sadly, I have to leave the Berg. I LOVE Nürnberg and the thought of leaving breaks my heart. Then I thought about leaving Germany all together and that just made me sick. But everything has its time and season.  President released half the Zone Leaders in hopes to give more Elders the learning experience that comes from the extra responsibility. I'm being sent to Bonn. I'm getting sucked back into what we call the vortex of the north. Once you serve there you always get sucked back. The best part, I'm working with Elder T again! He will be my District leader. What a stud. This transfer starts today and is only five weeks long. We leave for our new areas Thursday morning. 

If it is at all possible to be in Nürnberg on a Sunday during our trip, that would be cool. Mainly to visit our ward and then I would like to sit in for a full session of Church is a Lifestyle. We can go and convert the young single adults that flock to this rock band church scene on Sunday nights. 

C was confirmed yesterday. Yesterday was cool because she started acting more and more like a part of the ward. 

Most of this last week was spent at a member’s house helping them remodel the inside of their house. Now I am pro at taking down wallpaper, placing new wallpaper, painting and other little things. I was hoping to help with the hard wood floor but time will not permit I don't think. 

I don't k now what else to report other than I'm being transferred! I love you all! Tschüss

Elder Evan