T E X A S: Suggestions on how to teach someone to read, please

First off, I get to stay! My companion is headed off to Roswell to be an STL [sister training leader] with Sister Slade, and Sister Slade's companion, Sister Lapara, my current STL will be my new companion! So basically, they're just switching places. Both my trainers are now my STLs and my STL is now my companion. Apparently I have a LOT to learn, because they keep pairing me up with some powerhouses. Sister Lapara served in this area the first 4 transfers of her mission, so it will not be too hard of a transition! She's a native to Guatemala, and super amazing. She only has 2 transfers left in the mission, so I think I'll either have only 1 more transfer here, or 3! Who knows though. Transfers cause crazy things. But the most important is that my address is still the same, so y'all can keep sending letters this way :)

On Monday we went to Lubbock for zone p-day. Those 4 hours in the car are killer, but being able to go bowling was fun! It was dang weird to see all us missionaries in normal clothes. Throws me off. Tuesday, we went back to Lubbock for Zone Training. Once again, painful drive. But it was an amazing training! We talked about hope and discernment: two things that are so necessary in the mission. I have definitely learned to pray for those Christ-like attributes, because no way would I be able to have success out here without them. Missionary work is so important, and it really takes all we have and then a whole lot more of what God has! After training, we went to go visit Sister Rocha's recent convert who is in the hospital. It took like 30 minutes to find his room, and he wasn't even there. But it was a fun adventure! Weird to be surrounded by so many people again. That doesn't happen in Portales. We also went on a 30 minute wild goose chase trying to find this restaurant the elders wanted to have district lunch at. The entire day was kind of ridiculous, but we eventually got back home and back to work!

This week, we started teaching a recent convert how to read! I truly have NO idea what I'm doing, but we know that him being able to read from the Book of Mormon is what will help him stay strong as he adjusts to life as a member of this church. If y'all have any suggestions on how to teach someone to read, hit a sister up. I'm at a bit of a loss.

We also have started doing service at the Consignment store in town, which is heaven. We basically get to feel like we're shopping while doing some amazing service. The woman who runs it is huge on helping others, and all the work they do is service towards the community. We figured we would get in on it and help share the message we have along the way.

We are having amazing success right now. THE FIELD IS SO WHITE. We have been working so hard this past transfer to find some amazing people who are prepared to learn and accept this gospel in their life. And we have! This past week we got 5 new investigators, and they are all so solid. As we shared the message of the restoration to a new investigator this week, I could not help but tear up. The message is true. I love being able to share it every day, because I truly get to feel the truth of it testify to me. But it was special in that lesson, because I could feel our investigator understanding and feeling it too. I love the spirit that comes with being a missionary.We are working so hard to help these people hold strong to their faith, while building it at the same time. I love this work so much, and I love helping people come unto Christ. I'm sad Sister Rocha doesn't get to be a part of teaching all these amazing people we've found, but me and Sister Lapara are going to get to work this next transfer!

Miracles are happening!! Love you all!

Oh, and Happy Birthday mom! You're the best mom I could ever ask for.

Congrats Lindsey on your graduation this week. You're a BEAST.

Hermana Peck

Oh, and the Christmas party is next Monday, so I'll be writing you all on Tuesday. Can't wait to get to talk to you in a little over a week!