Gringa Problems

I can't tell you how many times I have been called gringa this week. We were talking with a lady on the street and we mentioned that we were the Spanish missionaries, and she looks straight at me and is like, "But you're white...". Another woman who we did service with was talking to me and she was asking how it was possible that I speak Spanish. She could not wrap her head around a gringa knowing actual Spanish. We were also on the phone with our investigator and he's all "wait is this the gringa one or the other one?" In Spanish of course. The gringa comments just won't stop. And it wouldn't be bad, but they all think my companion is Mexican just because of her brown hair. AND SHE'S FROM IDAHO. So, we both think brown hair is my next step.

Hey mom, remember when they told me it doesn't rain here?

We got rained on this week. Like POURING We were at an appointment with a recent convert, which was awesome. He told us about how he has now repented for wanting to go to a different church this past month.   
We had to leave quickly, because we could see rain coming and we were on our bikes. We rode to our dinner appointment, and the rain hit so hard. It was stinging, it was raining so hard. We showed up to dinner soaked. But our member dried our clothes, and we just laughed all night long about it.

Thursday (our real bike day, when we aren't allowed to touch our car) was the longest day of my life. We had no appointments, and no one was on the streets to talk to. It was like 90 degrees, and the day just did not end. Me and my companion wanted to cry it was so painful, We only saw one person all day, and he said he knew Thomas S. Monson, which caught our attention, but then he went on to explain that he was the black preacher from Nigeria. He also told us that he was a prophet. Let's just say, Thursday was one of those days when I really questioned why I ever wanted to serve a mission.

Picking grapes off the side of the road
on bike day.
Excuse the ugly helmet

BUT, Friday and Saturday were so much better! Friday we got to meet with our new investigator Marissa and her 2 daughters. They were such a hoot! They were trying on our helmets, knocking over bikes, reading scriptures--it was such a fun lesson! We are having so much fun teaching them, and they are so excited to learn! I love when I get to teach families. They light up missionary work!

Manuel, our investigator, is doing awesome! His schedule changes this week, so he can start coming to church! He is really excited to be baptized and finally feel clean, because he is going through a really hard time right now.

We also got a referral from a morning find. When we called them, they wanted nothing to do with us, but when we offered service, they took that so quickly! We went with the elders to pick up some fallen trees. My companion got hit in the head too by a log:( The elder who did it felt so bad! But she's doing better! The wife reminded me of mom and the husband was just so crazy and funny. It was awesome. By the end, they asked if they could come to church and they actually did! They loved it and they're coming next week too. It's amazing what service can do for people. I love watching this gospel change people's lives. People get so excited when we tell them everything this message has to offer them.

Anyway, very exhausting week, but I loved it! Transfer calls come Saturday so PRAY that me and my companion will stay together. I don't want to get split up yet!!

LOVE YOU.

Peace,

Hermana Peck

The district. (Ha.) It's dang hard to get a picture with these Elders acting normal

This gospel really does change lives for the better

My companion turned 9 months this week!
So I went all gourmet and 
made her some dank cupcakes

We had such a fun week! Tuesday, we were in Lubbock for zone training. I love stuff like that! It's so fun to come together as a zone and learn about being better missionaries. Because, let me tell you, my missionary skills are still pretty low. I have so much to learn, but I'm definitely getting better! People in the ward always call me shy, and I just want to laugh, because that is not me at all! But surrounded by a bunch of native Spanish speakers, I guess you could say I get a little sketched out. But, my Spanish is way better than it has ever been. Half the time, I can't even tell which language I'm speaking! I can see why Spanglish is such a common language out here. 

We had to leave our house at 6:10 to be in Lubbock on time.  When we got to the car, there was frost on the top! WINTER IS COMING. I was so convinced that winter didn't even exist here, but oh man it does. The mornings and nights are freezing, but mid day is sweat worthy. Trying to figure out clothes each day is a puzzle. But, it's all good.

Anahi's Baptism

Also, we had a baptism this week!!! Her name is Anahi, and her family is way less active. But, they decided to come back and get Anahi baptized! So, we've been teaching the whole family for a while, we planned and participated in the baptism, and I just love that family too much. It was a lot of work! But it was seriously one of the cutest baptisms ever. I love seeing families come together in the gospel. It really is the way we can find happiness in our families! Her dad even got to baptize her, and the whole family was on top of the world that day. Not going to lie though, the after party was one of the best parts. Me and Sister Slade saved our lunch hour so that we could go eat with them. People here know how to do refreshments. If you can even call it that. Anahi and her dog had matching dresses, the cake was a huge castle, and the tacos, guacamole, and salsa were never ending. The people here just love to have fun and be together as families. I love hanging out with our members! They are like my home away from home right now:)

Baking for our investigators! 

We heard it works well 

in getting them to want us to come back

Oh, also, a miracle story is currently in the making! On Wednesday night, we got a call from a random number. Apparently he called us on accident, but we decided to tell him a quick "who we are and what we do" speech over the phone, and asked him if he wanted us to come teach him. Crazy enough, he accepted! But, for the life of us, we could not understand what he was saying when he told us his address. For like 3 days we called him as we looked for his house, but it just was not working. Finally on Sunday night, we found it! We taught him and his roommate Jesus. They both were saying how they have been wanting to hear the word of God, but they just never get the chance because they work so much. Jesus is from this tiny town in Chihuahua with no laws, so he has never even heard scripture before. Anyway, they loved our message and have both accepted baptismal dates! Today we went back to teach, but only Manuel was there. Half way through the lesson, his other roommate Martin showed up, and so we taught him too. They all are so excited to feel free of their guilt and learn more about Christ. I love watching them get so excited to hear our messages. They smile so big when we promise them that this gospel really does change lives for the better. I am so excited to see where this goes! 

I love you all! 

Hermana Peck

Excerpts from cards to Mom and Jocelyn

I was reading Matthew 6 this week and finally truly learned the message of "Consider the Lilies." Made me think of you, mom!  It's so beautiful.

I miss you trillions!  Thanks for sending the [Temple Ordinance Worker Release] certificate.  It was awesome!  I love it.  I feel all official.  I miss the temple so much.  We're allowed to go once a transfer here, which is totally awesome, but I really wish I could go once a week like before!  It's my favorite place.  But the mission field is a good replacement.  

We were morning finding which is when we just wander around and share doctrine with everyone we see.   While on a corner with our bikes, this guy walks up to me and was like "Hey! You look so familiar.  Do I look familiar to you?" "No, but I am pretty new around here." "Really? Aren't you in my wife's belly dancing class?  You look like a belly dancer."  "No, . . . I'm a missionary.  I keep my clothes on..."  And we went on to share the gospel with him.  The spirit is just so strong as a missionary, even when I'm getting pushed way outside my comfort zone.  But, my Spanish is doing amazing and I am learning tons. 

I love you forever!

Hna. Peck

Fulfilling our time

This was probably the fastest a week has ever gone by in my entire life. We are just so busy ALL THE TIME. We have a new goal in mind: fulfilling our time instead of filling our time. And let me tell you, my time is fulfilled. When I hit my pillow at night, I'm passed out in a solid 30 seconds. It's so crazy to me. I want to break my companion's alarm clock every morning, because it feels like it was just a wink of sleeping. But, starting a new day is also so fun, well, once our morning run is over it's fun. 

This week was a whole lot of firsts. I mean, everyday here really is like that, but this week especially. We had our first district meeting, district lunch, exchanges with the STLs, and interviews with our Mission President. We were so busy! And tomorrow, we go to Lubbock for Zone training. Sometimes I'm so surprised by the amount of time we're not doing actual missionary work. That's why we really have to use every second we get! I cannot believe a month has already passed. Before I left, 18 months seemed so long, but knowing how short a month can be, 17 months is going to FLY by.

Our investigator who has a baptismal date's wife agreed to be baptized as well! They were out of town this weekend so hopefully, if they come to church the next two weekends, they can be baptized before the end of this transfer! I am so excited for them! They're family is super cool. All the kids are getting more comfortable with us, and hopefully by tomorrow, we will have been able to teach the family as a whole. We also have a baptism this Saturday! She's 8 and we have been working with her parents, and we teach them all the time. Plus, we basically planned the whole baptismal service and her mom is having us come early so we can be in their pictures. And we're so excited. This baptism is helping their whole family come back to church! I love watching how happy they all are as they allow the gospel to make their lives better.  

Also, my companion asked my mission president if we're staying together for next transfer, and he said yes! But that will also mean she's been here for 9 months, and probably heading out after that. He kept talking to me about how I should be ready to train if necessary once I'm out of 12 week training (the first 2 transfers). AHH. Holy cow, not sure if that's something I can handle. But, hopefully, I'll have this whole missionary thing down by then. Until then, I am loving working with Sister Slade. She is so fun, and we just laugh all day every day. Except for when it's crazy windy and we're biking against it. Then, we're not too happy. And oh my, the wind has been so crazy! We have to fight it when were walking and biking. It's so crazy. 

Skirts and wind don't mix
(in front of my house)

Plus, it's getting so cold! I might need Chrystal to send me my winter stuff soon, because there are like no stores here besides Walmart. I guess my plan to buy winter stuff out here wasn't the best idea, whoops.

Also, thank you for the package mom! I loved it so much. It was the best thing to come home to. And I loved everything in it. Something about packages and mail just make the days so much better out here (hint).

We have been using a lot of p-day time to learn to cook dang good Mexican food. We made tamales for service with Suegra. She's one of our member's mother in law who's chilling out here in Portales for a while, and she teaches us all sorts of fun stuff. Tamales, Mexican hot chocolate, soups, arroz con leche, Mexican oatmeal. It's SO good.

Anyway, I love it so much here and I miss you all millions!

Peace,

Learning to make Tamales with Suegra.

Hermana Peck

Conference is cooler as a missionary

Sunday night language study means
a church movie in Spanish
with some ice cream!

Zone Conference
   No ipads at zone conference :( They will be here by the end of the year though! I met the Brigg's cousin at Zone conf! She was cool.
Meet the Mormons
   We watched Meet the Mormons! Like, a pre-showing before it was in theaters. We have specific instructions as missionaries to not go near theaters while it's out, because it's not supposed to be a proselyting tool. Which won't be too hard, since we don't even have a theater in Portales and it probably won't show in Lubbock. 

Mule "thing"

   The next day we were doing morning finds on a dirt road and there was this mule thing that would follow us, but then run away if we walked close to it. My companion, Sister Slade, kept saying that she felt like she was serving a mission in South Africa. Haha, it kinda did, but mainly because it was dang hot that day. 

I WILL NEVER GET TIRED OF STREET TACOS

   We've had to drop a few investigators this week, which is always really sad, but they just cannot grasp the importance of a baptism with the priesthood. However, we did find one man this week who really wants to be baptized and be sealed to his family of 7 kids!! He already has a baptismal date and everything and we've only taught him once!! I'm literally so excited. We fasted this past fast sunday for a family, and we found one! God works so many miracles. We weren't even planning on teaching him, because we didn't know who he was or where he lived, but we just called him anyway and he was so up for lessons!
General Conference

   We've also been doing a lot of less active work. We even got to watch conference with 4 of them! It was so exciting, because they all really loved it. AND SO DID I. Holy cow, Conference is so much cooler as a missionary. Like, a solid half of the talks are helpful to yourself, and the others all apply directly to the people you're teaching. It was amazing!

   I got  a package from Cliff this week! Thanks, boof:) Me and my companion LOVED it! I sent a picture with all of it's contents. 

ask and ye shall recieve

 The house you found on google was right! So, if you want to see my house, just look it up!

Hermana Peck's home on google maps

Flat Tire
   Terrifying experience Saturday morning when I had a flat tire on my bike and didn't realize it. Buuuut, the elder's fixed it for me! Life here is going so great. I really love it, and I can't believe I hit my month mark this week. It's so crazy! Time is flying by. But then again, it goes so slow every day. I miss you all!!!

Love,

Hermana Peck

Here, I don't represent myself, but rather Jesus Christ

At the Lubbock Airport. (http://davidandmaryheap.blogspot.com/)

Lubbock Temple (http://davidandmaryheap.blogspot.com/)

Daddy!              9/29/14

   I loved getting to live chat w/you a little today.  Sometimes I'm in my own little world out here in Portales & I forget that You guys just keep moving on with life while I'm here.  It throws my mind for a loop.  But, I'm glad things are going so well at home!  

   I told you most of what's going on in my email, so I don't have too much to say.  I just want you specifically to know how much I love and Miss you!  I'm only allowed to email/write on P-day, so I'm trying to have as much contact as I can today!  

   My companion and I run every day except Sunday & P-day.  She's fast & fit, but on the days we run around the "neighborhood, she runs slow with me until I have to walk, and then she runs zig-zag down the road while I walk straight.  On Tues, Thurs. Sat we bike down to the track and just run/walk as we please.  Who knows, maybe I'll like running by the time I get home!  

   I'm sad I didn't get to send you pictures of me in the field, I ran out of time!  And I had some really fun ones too.  I'll email them next week, so you can see what it's like here in New Mexico.  I didn't realize places like this existed, but I'm already loving it!  Me and my companion are hoping that we can stay here until Christmas, but she's already been here for 6 months, so I'm not sure that will happen for her.  Also my mission president's wife has a blog if you and mom want to take a look. I'm sure there's at least on picture of me on there.
   It's http://davidandmaryheap.blogspot.com/

   Also, my last devotional @ the MTC, I got to listen to Richard G.  Scott, which was way cool.  

   I still can't believe I'm a missionary.  It has started to hit me, but I still just feel like me!  I don't think that will ever really change.  So I’m working on remembering that, here, I don't represent myself, but rather Jesus Christ.  

   I love you millions!  Thank you for all your advice & love.  Miss you!

Hermana Peck

   Oh, also, if we do get iPads announced this week, I'm going to have to buy one, so make sure mom keeps an eye on my account for that big charge.

Have mom send me:

-white hoodie

-blue super soft blanket

inhaler

bike lights

bike water bottle holder

recipes (Tamara's pumpkin chocolate chip cookies)

Tony's Cajun spice

mini hand sanitizer w/ a holder

I don't need these other things; they are just package ideas.   

EOS chap stick (red)

stamps

cardigans

bath & body works

   perfume (black cherry something)

   soap

   wall scents/flowers

music (on CDs or a flash drive)

wild berry skittles (purple bag)

candy corn

green bag life saver mints (no gum)