Happy! Happy! Happy!

Mom...All the work you have been doing at this open house sounds so awesome and I am extremely jealous. I love doing this work for the Lord. Hyrum Smith once felt what you are feeling when Joseph announced that they were building a temple; (Kirtland), and he grabbed a scythe and started clearing the grass where Joseph said the Temple would be right away. He said something like, if there is going to be a Temple of our Lord I am determined to be the first one working. So nice work...Carry on and know that I am extremely jealous.

Tell everyone I say HI! Especially Grandpa Wise, (When you see him at his Monday shift).  ;)

Awww! Can you send me Grandy's address?? I want to write her a letter! That letter is the nicest thing! Eish My family really is the best family there is…haha…for me. :) Tell her I said I love her sooooo much and I can't wait to see her when I get back, :) because I WILL!

Sooooo this week was fantastic. The Zone leaders were impressed and said good job. (As long as the zone leaders are happy with you you'll have a successful mission)! haha I am happy about this week cause of the feelings I have felt; it is an accomplished feeling. My companion was probably tired of how much I was smiling on the way home last night haha. We started out with 0 people being prepared for baptism at the beginning of this transfer and now there are 5 including a ma that was really touched by the Spirit.

Sooooooo we have a new American in our boarding. He is the funniest guy. He is from Gilbert and his name is Elder Bryant, oh man he is soooo funny. We had a very funny experience that had everyone on the ground laughing and after that we went to the next appointment that turned into the most spiritual experience I've had my whole time in Umlazi, funny how the Spirit works. :)

So I love you all. I love my companion! :)  Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Petrie

Transfers!!

WOW!!!! THE GILBERT TEMPLE IS SOOOO COOL! THAT'S WHERE I WANT T GO WHEN I GET BACK! Thank you so much for the pictures ma! :)

I miss the temple so much! Eish. These poor people need a temple here pronto. I hope when it comes that they'll use it.

My new companion is Elder Kamya from Uganda and he is super humble and really obedient. :) I love this guy. We are rebuilding the trust and we are already starting to see some success!!! We had a good amount of people come to church this week, and we have been working with two less active members this week.

We’ve also been teaching two girls that have both wanted to get baptized but the baba is standing in the way. He tells us it’s OK to teach them, then he yells at his daughters for listening to us. My companion wanted to stop teaching them, but I refuse to quit until we talk again with this baba. It's OK if he tells us, but he needs to talk with us before we give up on these girls.... Well. I love you all so very much and I hope you have a nice week!!! Love you Ma and Dad!!! Happy Birthday Krista and Congrats on the 'boy" Sharee and Cody!!! :)

Love you,

Elder Petrie

Happy 2014!

Elder Petrie would love to hear from all of you! His mailing address is:

Elder William Clay Petrie
South Africa Durban Mission
PO Box 1741
Wandsbeck 3631
South Africa
(Postage is an International stamp, or the equivalent of $1.15. It is recommended that you do not put USA on your return address).

Transfers have been postponed a week!!!

How is everything going back home? This week was New Years and I got sick on New Year’s Eve. I was really really sick. I tried to go out and work in the morning but we had to return to the boarding...You can get pretty sick here....It's kind of unsanitary.... I won't go into details. I tried to be productive on my sick day. I managed to stay up and celebrate by drinking this weird bubbly apple drink but it wasn't close to sparkling cider :( I miss that. OH! I never knew how much I miss Root Beer!!! Holy cow! :P

This week was alright because people are no longer celebrating holidays so they are all coming back from farm and are sober....I love the people here and I can't wait to see what transfers are like next week. We have a greeny staying in the boarding next door though so I'll give him a nice African welcome :) hahaha

I love you all so much and I miss you more than you miss me....Promise. I love these people and I love the beauty of this place. It truly is another side of heav......the world :P haha

I love you!

Ngiyanithanda!

Love,

Elder Petrie

PS Anything I can do for you?

Have a Safe and Happy 2014!!

Happy birthday to Aunt Nene!!! :)

Hey! Phone calling was pretty cool! Tell Dad I’m sorry that we didn't get to talk long....I really really really really really really wanted to talk to him and my friends (other Elders) had to cheer me up cause I was so down about it. I had to borrow a phone that had airtime on it because of the phone requirements in Africa.... I miss you all! Transfers are this week...Have a nice week! I am going to send that package very very soon now so expect it in April :P hahah Love you!

Elder Petrie

(This portion is from Elder Petrie’s mom).

We had a great visit with Elder Petrie on Christmas Day. He was able to Skype at 5:00am, and call around 11:00am. He told us that his mission has humbled him quite a bit! He said that he is known for being the “fun” Elder. (All the other Elders want to be his companion), but that it doesn’t mean he does not do the work. He put it this way, “Just because I have fun doesn’t mean I don’t do the work, I find that everyone enjoys the work better when they are having fun!” Elder Petrie tends to live his whole life this way! J  He also said that his mission has changed him a lot! He loves South Africa and the people, and is working hard to teach them the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; the Plan of Salvation. He misses everyone back at home and sends his love. He would love to hear from all of you!

Merry Christmas and Have a safe and Happy New Year! J

Sherri Petrie

Thank you for the Christmas packages!

Hello everyone from America...I miss you. It is very hot here! I don't have much time today due to irregularities this morning. Sorry!

I did get to play soccer with some pretty cool guys in our district, and I got to see my past friends from my last zone including the great Elders Zsembery and Whiting! Haha.

I got in a car accident this week but everyone was OK. A driver pulled out in front of me so I hit the brake and swerved to get out of the way, but we still hit due to him continuing without noticing us on the road...eish such is Africa.

Sooo we have had some things happen this week. Not a lot but some. We taught a nice lesson on members helping missionaries and the people we taught with this inspired lesson were very touched. I know I’ve asked you before, but please help the missionaries find people to teach. Hasten this awesome work. I'm tired of tracting :P Haha. We also did a lot of service this week…a lot involving moving.

We are celebrating a holiday in Africa right now and the building I am in is shaking from the music outside and from the people dancing in the streets....Africa is a little different haha.

 I have also learned a LOT of patience and humility before the Lord this week…and Preach My Gospel is inspired...It helps not only with things pertaining to missionary work but it also helps us deal with matters of the heart.

Well, I don't have any time left. Sorry. I love you!!!! And miss you!!!

Love,

Elder Petrie

P.S. I am still diggin this Christmas package!  Hahaha :)