December 25, 2012 - Our 2012 Christmas Letter

Merry Christmas 2012
 ~ Our first year in El Salvador ~

 Dear Family & Friends… 
 We treasure our time here serving as the temple president and matron of the San Salvador El Salvador Temple – July 2011 until November 2014. We could not do it without the great help of excellent counselors, assistants to the matron, our four Sr. couple full-time temple missionaries, temple workers, patrons, and, of course, the Lord. 

 The young and the old still come in buses, in the back of pick-up trucks, in cars and on foot. They humbly are baptized, confirmed, endowed, and sealed. They are grateful for this sacred temple in their own land, dedicated in August 2011. Some days are long but the weeks fly by. 

 This year we have had one new grandson born and another baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We bear testimony to these two and to all our grandchildren, children, their spouses, plus each of you that this is the true Church restored to earth in 1830 through the Prophet Joseph Smith by Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. 

 We are thankful for the guidance of the Holy Ghost. Thomas S. Monson is the living Prophet for the whole world today. Missionaries teach these truths throughout the world. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, and, as the Bible, testifies of His Divinity. We are grateful for prophetic counsel to live frugally and have a supply of food and other necessities in preparation for possible coming hard times. 

 We are away from home, family and friends for two more years because we were called of God. My Mom, Verna Albertson, will be 93 in January. We are so thankful for Julie & John being such wonderful caregivers for Grama A while she is living with them. We also thank them for caring for us during Walt’s recovery from back surgery in May. 

 We’ve had more health issues during this year than all of our 51 married years put together. But with priesthood blessings, great medical help here, in Utah and Tennessee, we’ve been able to continue our calling. Our wheeled walkers have been good companions of late. By exercising, Walt walks now with a cane. 

 In April Walt developed back problems with weakness in his right leg, which caused several falls. In May he had surgery in Salt Lake City. After several weeks of recovery and physical therapy, we returned to San Salvador. So far, so good! 

 During the semi-annual temple maintenance closures (2 weeks in March and September), we were able to visit most of our family in Utah, Idaho and Tennessee. We had a wonderful time with Brian and Michelle and their four darling daughters in McMinnville, Tennessee, where they moved a year ago to join an orthopedic surgery practice. We are looking forward to being with Jen and Jerry and family in Minnesota to see their new baby, Adam, next March. 

 Our family gathered in June for the annual Walt & Eileen Petersen Family Reunion. Thanks to Brian and Michelle for organizing this year’s WEPR. Our posterity of 7 children, their spouses and 33 grandchildren continue to strengthen their bonds, even while we are 3,000 miles away. 

                               OUR FAMILY in 2012 
             CONTINUE TO CREATE ROOTS AND WINGS 
FOR THEIR CHILDREN THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES Janie & Shawn Fisher, Daniel 22, Katie 18, Heidi 16, Sam 13, Ashley 12, Michael 9 – Rexburg, ID Aimee & Michael Mecham – finishing up degrees at BYU Idaho- Rexburg, Idaho 

Gary & Kathy Petersen, McKell 15, Abbey 12, Jacob 10, Isaac 7 - Saratoga Springs, Utah. 

Steve & Natalie Petersen, Kelsey 21, Cortney 19, Kimble 13, Carter 11 - Saratoga Springs, Utah. 

David & Julie Petersen, Joshua 15, Anna 12, Samuel 6, William 4 - Draper, Utah.

Julie & John Peterson, Jacee 10, Jackson 8, Maddie 5 - Saratoga Springs, Utah, and Mikayla 16 in Gig Harbor, Washington.

Brian & Michelle Petersen, Emma 12, Taylor 9, Avery 7, Elizabeth 3, McMinnville, Tennessee. 

Jen & Jerry Brewer, Seth 10, Sarah 10, Ben 7, Joshua 5, Elizabeth 3, and Adam Walter born Nov. 9 - Rochester, Minnesota. 

 We love and cherish our children, their spouses, and our grandchildren! Families are Forever! 

                        “…to this end was I born” John 18:37 

                         May the spirit of Christ, His Birth, 
                     and His Atonement be with us always. 

 Love, Walt & Eileen

 Happy New Year – 2013 

 Please send us your e-mail address. 

 Pouch Mail: San Salvador El Salvador Temple, 50 East North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150 
 • wrpetersen7@gmail.com 
 • wyepetersen@gmail.com 
 • waltandeileen.blogspot.com •