Now Serving in Lewis Center

Hey everyone!

I was transferred to Lewis Center, which is funny because it's only 2 wards over from where I served in Westerville (but now I'm in the Columbus North Stake instead of the East)! Here's my address:

8855 Lake Ridge Dr.

Lewis Center, OH 43035

My companion is now Sister McCarty, who's been out for almost a year. She's crazy, and we have a blast together. She's from South Jordan, Utah and went to Utah State. It's funny how many companions I've been going through, but maybe that's a good thing, haha.

Also, what's funny is that I ended up in one of the car-sharing areas, so we started on bikes and then got the car yesterday at church. There's more of those roads with no bike lane/sidewalk/shoulder, and when it snows, we may just walk. Or die. However, it's been enjoyable so far, and it's great that I was on a bike for 2 months in Westerville, because biking here is a piece of cake- it's flatter here. And summer is over (hallejujah!!).

Lewis Center is in the wealthier center of the mission, and we're next to Powell, which is where people live in mansions. We go to church in Powell as well. Our entire area is newer upscale housing developments, and everyone's home looks like it's straight out of Pottery Barn. Needless to say, we are not currently teaching anyone, but that will change. It looks like I have my work cut out for me, but I'm feeling pretty determined that it will move forward.

It was a little hard to leave Westerville behind as I really loved the people there. But the ward here was very welcoming and I like everyone already. The ward is mainly comprised of younger families, and is pretty big. Talk about a noisy Sacrament Meeting, haha. Several moms at our dinner appointments have been like, don't ever have kids!!!! Don't need to tell me twice, haha. What's weird though, was seeing the Daines (mission president) at church, since the mission home is in the Powell ward.

On Friday night we were asked to come and help out at a church open house for the 15th anniversary of the Columbus Temple. There were way more missionaries there than needed, but we had fun. I got to talk to an elder that served in my spot in Zanesville after I left, and guess what??? Remember Cayenne, a member's home-nurse, and the first person I talked to about the gospel in Zanesville and asked if she wanted to learn more? She got BAPTIZED!! That was SO cool for me to hear, and she is the person I met during my first day in Zanesville, which was my first full day in the mission field. How awesome.

This week we want to focus on finding new investigators, specifically those who are prepared to receive the gospel. So far we've been doing a ton of service (weeding, painting, etc. that took up a whole Saturday). But being in a new area, I'm feeling that we can see the beginnings of some success this transfer.

Love you! I promise I'll send pictures next week!

Sister Petersen

PS: Polaris, which is this big mega-complex area including a mall, is in our area. Our ward boundaries has EVERYTHING. Everyone in Westerville would talk about it. Since there's no longer a rule in the mission about not being able to go to malls, Sister McCarty and I walked through it today and were just in awe. I didn't spend any money though, don't worry. haha.