T E X A S: I Love Everybody in these Pictures!

I loved talking to the family! I got to talk to almost everyone! It was such an amazing week. And being able to call home and see your faces made it even better. Between the Christmas party, p-day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day, there was what seemed to be no time for actual missionary work. I swear, there never is! But, in the moments we did have, we were hard working and we saw so many miracles. It is amazing how much the Lord is blessing me, my companion, this area, and our mission as a whole. I love it! We have such solid investigators, and our branch is really starting to work together. Families are coming together, people have a desire to be better, commitments are kept, and church is filling up one seat at a time. Lives are changing and I love it! These people have my heart and I want to do anything and everything I can to help them.

Because of this last transfer, the elders in Muleshoe don't know any Spanish, so we have the responsibility of teaching any referrals out there. We were expecting to get none and just focus on Portales, but sure enough, we got one! We headed out there on Friday night to contact him (It's like 30-40 minutes to Muleshoe, but they come to our branch). And guys, HE IS SO SOLID. He really wants to learn and he is keeping commitments! We were unsure about it, because the referral was from a member who doesn't know any Spanish. But he is truly amazing. And his boss is a member, so he will get Sundays off! BLESSINGS. I'm telling ya. Things are just working out. Last night we taught him at the English member's home. I translated the wife's testimony and the husband decided to try it himself. Me and my companion were laughing so hard we couldn't stop. First off, he speaks Spanglish like no other, second he yells when he speak spanish. "IN THE TEMPLO MUCHO ESPIRITU SANTO WOW. MUCHO BUENO MUCHO BUENO". But through all that, the spirit was still so strong and he committed to being baptized! I love this work so much! It all works out, in such mysterious ways.

At church on Sunday, I saw a lady who isn't a member, and I went up to say hi. Half way up to her I realized she's our investigator who we met last week! (I need to wear my glasses more.) Saturday she told us she couldn't come to church, but it was because she already told our Relief Society president she would go to church with her. I couldn't believe it. But it doesn't stop there. Our other investigator that we've been teaching for like 8 weeks now came too! After sacrament, we found out that they are brother and sister, but they never talk. EXCUSE ME?!?! My mind was BLOWN. God is working in amazing ways out here in Portales. We're bring families together!!

And those are just some of the amazing things we get to see everyday out here. I love it so much. SO MUCH. Just to fill you in on the rest of Christmas after talking with y'all, we finished up our treats to deliver to investigators, and went to a member's home for Christmas dinner. They are from the ward, so for once I got to feel not full of red meat and tortillas. Don't get me wrong, the never ending Mexican food is wonderful, but ham and funeral potatoes are needed sometimes:) We got to chill in their couches and rest for a while (they have ones like we do!), and then on our way home pulled off a tiny Christmas miracle! But nothing really worth sharing. It just made me smile.

I love you all and I hope your Christmas was wonderful! I loved all my gifts, but my favorite one is the Savior! He's the one who helps me see the beauty of what I get to do out here. (My second favorite was getting to talk to the fam, of course). I love you so much and I hope you have a wonderful New Year! Set some goals and accomplish them!

Hermana Peck