18 months and 18 days later

This is it! I cannot believe it. I am eternally grateful for these past 18 months of getting to serve as a full-time missionary! It has changed everything about me, and I have been blessed to witness the miracle of the Atonement every single day since I have been here! There was such a sweet spirit getting to spend my last week in the mission during Easter week. Easter had a completely different meaning to me this year. My heart filled with joy as we testified of the living Christ! And being at church on Sunday, surrounded by so many people I love, learning together, changing together, oh wow, it was the sweetest thing. Christ lives! I know He does, and this is His gospel. How sweet it is that we get to know that and be blessed by that.

As for this last week! Wow, the weather here in the Panhandle has been changing quicker than my wild emotions I am feeling about going home! Wednesday we had 60 mph winds that would not stop. It was so warm and dry that 3 different fires around Pampa started. They evacuated the north of the town. The whole day was so wild and threw all of us off! Quite a bit of damage was done to the fields outside of Pampa, but nothing within the town! The next day, the sky was perfectly clear! And a couple days later, we got dumped on with snow for Easter. And now today is as beautiful as ever! I'm telling y'all Pampa is just representing my emotions!

Thursday was a rough bike day. We were so pumped to go out and share the Easter message with everyone! And no one wanted anything to do with us. It was so sad. We turned a corner, and saw 2 men. I thought to myself, "wow, I do not want to get rejected again. Heavenly Father, I want to do what you ask me to. Please, give me the strength and the words." We began talking with them, and one of them, Ted, was responding. He started out uninterested, explaining how he had met elders before and really did not enjoy the experience. But as we shared our testimonies and simply invited him to learn more, his heart softened. He was an answer to prayer. He expressed his understanding of how hard the work can be. He even complimented the joy we carried. It was amazing to watch his heart open as we continued talking. It changed from him not even willing to take our card to saying he wanted to watch the Easter video and giving us a referral for one of his best friends going through a rough time. He didn't accept the invitation for us to come teach more, but I know his feeling towards missionaries has changed and he is now being prepared to one day accept the message. It was so simple, but so sweet! 

The work was great this week. As always, time is running short, so I'm going to wrap up real quick. Our transfer calls were such happy news. Baby Perez is taking my place here in Pampa!! I love all the miracles and the fun moments! I love the people of Texas and New Mexico. This mission has truly meant everything to me! I know this gospel is true! I know my Savior lives, He loves me and He loves all of y'all. I'll be home in just a few days, and the tag will have to come off, but that won't change anything about me. Christ's name is so deep in my heart now, I don't have to wear it on my clothing. 

I'll see y'all in a couple days! Love you!

For the last time...

Love, 

Hermana Peck

Enjoy to the end!

Panhandle Zone!

Ohhh my the weeks are going WAY too quickly! But I am having such an amazing time! I seriously love all that I am learning this last transfer!

Our week was so busy! Tuesday was district meeting and the exchanges with the sisters from Borger! I was with Sister Aviles and we got to teach like the entire night in Spanish. I had so much fun! I forgot what it is like to have a companion who speaks Spanish fluently, but wow the lessons were amazing! And we found a wonderful little family to teach! I am so excited about them! Just way sad that I don't get to stay and teach them more. 

Wednesday we had interviews with President Heap and I balled. But only because I was so sad about leaving Pampa and the mission. He totally laughed at me for it too, but it was needed to help me laugh about it too! But just like Adam and Eve, in order to keep progressing, I have to be driven out of the garden of Eden (aka the TLM) and head back into the real world. SO SCARY. But I am excited to see y'all and share everything that I have learned! 

Thursday we had a last minute zone conference in Borger, which I am always pumped for a reason to head off to Borger! You can just ask Sister Harvey, I was dancing like the entire drive there. I love the Panhandle of Texas with all my heart! I am totally Texan these days. The conference was amazing though. It was a training for the new Easter video. Which is AMAZING by the way. If you haven't, go watch it. Followhim.mormon.org  The blessings of the Atonement are so real...personally and as a family! Such a pure truth that I love and cherish. 

The rest of the week was just work, work work! I finished up my plan for returning home, that was exciting to be done with that! We also got some great things done and saw so many miracles. Some sad things too though. That always is around in the work. I broke down balling this week after Kighley and Daniel's lesson (the ones I mentioned last week). They just moved here and she is reactivating. He isn't a member. We had a great first lesson with them this week and he agreed to learn more. Then, after the second one, he basically shot the entire thing down as trash and his fiance ended in tears. I left and just balled. It broke my heart to see someone throwing away what their family needs for total and eternal happiness. But Kighley still joined us for church and she is amazing! The gospel is so true, don't believe anyone who tells you it isn't. 

We finally got to see our investigator Tricia after she recovered a bit from her c-section. Her baby is SO CUTE. I just about died not getting to hold her. But wow, I gained such a testimony of the reality of our pre-mortal lives in meeting baby Laila. Her spirit just beamed with love and power. You can tell just being in their home that she has invited such a sweet spirit. She was well taught and well prepared to come and bring about miracles in her family! And she already is changing Tricia. I may not be here to see her baptized, but she is getting SO CLOSE! And I will be there the day they are sealed. They are such an amazing family! 

Anyway, I have to go, time is running low. I love you all and I am so excited to see what's in store this last week!

Love,

Hermana Peck

The district

Childress exchange last week!

The borger exchange!

P.S. both the exchanges pictures are outside of Braums...it's a weekly thing:) Hey Peck family, Y'all are welcome to be jealous

perfectly packaged lessons from Father

Hello! It has been a crazy morning for p-day, so time for this email is super short! But I just want y'all to know that pray is soooo real! I gave a talk on "reverence in prayer" yesterday, and it was so great. Maybe not all that I said, but everything I learned. As I have tried to really focus on showing and feeling love to Heavenly Father, my prayers are so much better, and so much more filling than ever before! He lives, He listens, He cares, and He loves us!

Anyway, time is just flying by and I am soaking in every second! I always thought I would be perfect as a missionary by now. Reality check big time this transfer when things aren't totally perfect. But one thing I love about it, is that I am still learning perfectly packaged lessons that Father in Heaven has for me. 

We had a rough day Saturday. We were all over town knocking, contacting, and trying former investigators, and nothing seemed to come of it! Sister Harvey and I were both so down. But we refused to give up, so we kept going until it was time to go home at night. And still, nothing. All day. I wanted to cry but I was so tired that I was asleep quickly. Sunday came and I just focused on the Sacrament and the blessing of being able to overcome hardships and weaknesses all day. The spirit was able to teach me all day because of it. Then, after church we got a text from a sister who recently moved here. She wanted to know when church was, so we gave her the info for next week and left it there. Later, we both felt like we needed to text her again and set a time to meet up. She was so happy and invited us for dinner! Then she informed us that her fiancee, who isn't a member, would be joining us. Not that I even know yet what will happen, but I can just feel it! Heavenly Father blessed us with a glimmer of hope and I can't wait to see what happens! It will be SO great! I just have really come to know that diligence brings amazing blessings. When we show the Lord we're willing to put in effort, He shows us that He is helping along the way too:) It is so sweet. 

The gospel is simply amazing! I love it and I looooove sharing it. 

I love y'all and love hearing from y'all too! Have such a happy week:)

Love,

Hermana Peck

He looked at us, and said so peacefully, "I believe that."

Hellooooo again! I am so pumped about this past week. Not that anything too mind blowing even happened, other than the fact that we have the amazing restored gospel and we get to share it with everyone! That is a miracle that I love and get to see every day! Wayy too fun. 

Anyway, before I forget, I have exciting news that mom will just love! Our investigators, the Chavez family, are hatching their own chicks and they hatched this week!! I got to see a bunch of new baby chicks and one in the middle of hatching. That was actually kinda gross, but still a cool thing to see! I just thought you'd like to hear that somehow you got me to love chickens mom.

Also, our investigator Tricia had her baby this week!! So fun to me! I just love families and they make me so happy! I can't wait to meet that sweet baby girl!

Typical missionary moment of the week...we were teaching a less active family and when we finished, they stated setting the table for dinner. Apparently we had missed the memo haha, but they had planned on feeding us. And then they pulled out my favorite...seafood soup, with octopus, lobster, and shrimp galore. Gotta love seeing tentacles sticking out of your food! But somehow, it was actually delicious this time! Yay for missionary work helping me grow up in all sorts of ways! But that seriously was a miracle that I liked it!

So, this week I did get sick, which kinda put a damper on my ability to be as perky as usual for a few days, but thankfully I had enough energy and strength that I could still get out and work. I may have prayed to not get sick when I get home, because so many missionaries do, but I can't get sick since I will be playing with Lindsey's little girl! So, that kinda backfired, and I got sick while in my last transfer, but I think I'm good now, so I won't get sick when I am home. Love the way Heavenly Father answers our prayers! He is so smart about it all. And I am already back and feeling normal, so that is so happy!

We had exchanges with the Dalhart sisters this week. I was with Hermana Wimmer and that was so fun! She has amazing Spanish, so we were able to go find a bunch of Spanish-speaking people to teach! We knocked on one woman's door, she was a Jehovah's Witness, but she let us in and we had a great conversation! She was actually a former of not too long ago, but the missionaries couldn't speak Spanish, so she had lots of great questions for us, and hopefully, we'll get to start teaching her officially this week. Also, another miracle! We were trying a potential who speaks Spanish, who wasn't home, but then we ran into her husband. He was kinda ranting about how all religions are the same, and how there is no point in him going to church, because he is a sinner and nothing can change him. My heart just broke for this man, but we refused to give up on him, so we promised him that our message is unique, true, and it will help him change if he lets it. So, he said we could come back! When we did, he was going on the same rant, because everything we were sharing at first, he said he already knew. So, I pulled out my Book of Mormon and shared my testimony of it. Before that Sister Harvey and I couldn't hardly get a word in, but after that he let us talk and had amazing questions! We've taught him another time since, and his wife even sat in! When we shared Joseph Smith's experience of reading James 1:5 and deciding to ask God which church he needed to join, Juan was half way out of his seat and just started asking, "so what happened?? Did he get an answer?", and when we shared the first vision, he looked at us, and said so peacefully, "I believe that." He was so excited about the message and so willing to study for himself to know the truth of the message. We are going again tomorrow and I am so excited! I love it when people see how amazing this message is!

On top of the amazing work this week, we got to go to the temple! It was our ward temple trip, so it was so much fun being with so many members that I love in the temple. And not only that, but the sisters from Borger, Portales and Carlsbad were there, so I got to hear all about my old areas. AND the Borger ward was there too, so I got to see soooo many more people that I just adore. I got to see the Longs, Karla, who we worked with basically everyday--she's amazing!, and also I got to see Mario, who I taught when I was in Borger! He was baptized the transfer or 2 after I left Borger, and it was such a blessing to see him in the temple! There is no greater joy than seeing those you teach grab onto the message and receive all the blessings that come with it! Wow, what a blessing that entire day was!

I just love every second here in Pampa. I am trying to soak up every second I have left! Love y'all so much!!

Hermana Peck

Wind storms bring new friends to our home:)

the smell of oil, the country life--it's way too perfect out here

Canyon exchange

Wow, I am seriously amazed at how time is picking up. It is just sliding through my fingers and I just want it to slow down! Pray for that for me, please:) I need to soak up every last second I have out here. And can I just say how happy I am that I actually get to stay in Pampa for the end. SUCH A BLESSING. Oh man, I love it here so much! We got to go visit with the bishop's family last night and I was just in heaven! The members, the people we teach, the smell of oil, the country life--it's way too perfect out here! [Gary worked at an oil refinery for five years after his mission. He LOVES the awful smell of crude oil!! Funny kids!]

Aaanyway, this week was crazy busy and crazy fun. We had zone training in Amarillo on Tuesday. It SNOWED the entire drive down there. But don't worry, it's nice and sunny again! I love the Panhandle for that reason. All sorts of weather in just like 2 days! That training was fun. The zone leaders for the Amarillo zone were pumped about the work and we all left ready to work! This work is exciting and I just love it so much! Sister Harvey and I got to instruct together at that training. SO MUCH FUN. I'm just much better at teaching when I have a companion:) And then at the end they had me share my farewell testimony AGAIN, luckily I didn't cry this time, but boy did I want to! The next day we had Zone Training in Borger. It is fun to me that I get to go back there some days:) And that training was fun too! I just love every second that I get as a missionary! 

Tuesday to Wednesday we were with the Canyon sisters on an exchange in Pampa! That was busy and fun! I was with Sister Camadeco and she is a hoot! And of course Baby Perez was there too and it is always amazing to catch up with her and see who she has become since her training days!

So, we have made a goal to do a lot more finding. We want everyone in Pampa to know about this glorious gospel! And by doing so, we have been able to find a ton more people, especially Spanish speakers. I LOVE TEACHING THE GOSPEL IN SPANISH. The gospel is true in English, but it feels even more true in Spanish. That doesn't even make sense, but I just love sharing it in Spanish! And it helps me remember how to be the kind of missionary the Lord wants me to be.

I love you all! I love this gospel. I love Pampa and I love this work! The people here are doing amazing. I wish I had more time to tell you all the miracles. But one is Jessica--she is inspired and ready! Pray for her!

Love y'all!!

Hermana Peck

Our investigator's pet goat!

Hermana Peck shot by an arrow in LuLaRoe dress with arrow designs.

Wow, there is like no time today and today I actually have so much to say! But I am so grateful for all the amazing emails I get from so many people that I love! Y'all are the best for still writing. Anyway, this week was packed and so amazing. I will keep it really brief though. 

Sad news though on Tuesday, I never talked about them much in emails, but the Bolt family moved from our ward this week. It was so sad! My first transfer in Pampa I moved them into their apartment, and now my last they had to leave. It broke my heart having to send them off, they were such an amazing part of my mission and we're definitely a big reason of why I came to Pampa! It was so cool how they were here basically the same time I was. The Lord works in really amazing ways y'all!

Then, amazing things happened with the work. So, a few weeks back, I saw some people outside a house doing yard work, and even though it was a little stalker-ish in they way we approached it, we parked our car, got out and asked if we could help...and they let us! A little later, we asked if we could teach them, and they accepted. This week we taught the mom and her 2 daughters and it was amazing! They were so open and I am so pumped to work with them more! The Lord truly blessed us when we follow His direction, especially when it is waaaayy out of our comfort zone! And also, there is this amazing less active couple we have been helping since I got to pampa. Pam, the wife has done so well!! She went with us to the temple last transfer and this week she came with us to a lesson!! Oh myyy it was so amazing! She is just flourishing and her husband is coming along too! I love seeing them come back to their peace and happiness they once knew, and now watching her share it with others too! The Lord is so smart. He has us all just help each other, and it helps us too....His plan is perfect!

Friday we had our Mission Leadership Conference in Lubbock. It was amazing. I know I say this all the time, but I am blessed to have such amazing leaders! They are inspired and love us so much. I just beam with excitement as I listen and participate in the plans they have for the work in the Texas Lubbock Mission. I'm just sad I don't get to stay....it's getting so good!! 

I also got to see Sister Wilkins when I was there! Pray for her heath please, the poor girl is going through so much right now. It was just such a happy day at MLC and then of course I had to ball my eyes out at the end when they had me share my departing testimony...again! There were like 6 of us who shared them, and I was the only one who cried...so awkward, but I've accepted that I am a total crier! This gospel is just too amazing to not cry about it!

Wow, I have so much more, but I am out of time. I love you all and I love this work!

Have a a wonderful week!!

Love, Hermana Peck

Bye to the Bolts!  

Historical Sites of Pampaland! 

Saddest day ever... 

The missionaries I came to the field with at MLC 

Happy days with sis wilk!

Love my compa at the temple after MLC 

More compa temple pictures! 

We went to the bishop youth discussion last night 
and talked about preparing for missions.

I had waayyy too much fun!

Feb. 8, 2016 - Heavenly Father wants us all back

LAST TRANSFER. AH. I bet y'all want to know where I'm going right? Not sure if I should even tell you. It's probably the BEST transfer call I have ever gotten. So perfect and so cool!! You ready???....I get to stay in Pampa with Sister Harvey for my last 7 weeks!!! I am so PUMPED! Sorry for the cheesy build up, but I cannot even express to y'all how much I wanted to stay in Pampa with Sister Harvey! I love it so much here and the work is just amazing. I have been BEAMING ever since they told us on Saturday night. AHH. So fun to me!

It was a good week! We got so much done, and somehow, finished really strong. It was such a productive week! Probably one of my favorite things this week was knocking into a Spanish speaking family! We normally don't find too many Spanish speakers, because they are all in the elder's side of Pampa. We only go there when we have set appointments with the people in their area that speak Spanish, but we decided to knock a house that stood out to us, and we met Myra! She is Catholic, faithful and amazing. We talked to her about temples and she loved it. We're going back tonight to teach more to her whole family and I cannot wait! Pampa is in desperate need of a Spanish branch and I am determined to help make that happen! I cannot even express how much I love teaching the gospel in Spanish. It's the same message, but it just fills my heart to share it with people in the language they best understand. 

Speaking of Spanish, we are also helping a family right now, and we had some great lessons this week with them! Normally when we go by, we only teach the mom, who was baptized 5 years ago. Her husband grew up in the church, so he's a member, but none of her kids are baptized yet. I really didn't realize that until this week.  This week things really started to turn around. We have begun teaching her 2 daughters that are old enough for baptism!! Plus, Sister Ortega really began to open up. Our lesson with her this week was a mess and it just seemed like anything we said wasn't making sense or a connection. I was so sad, and the only thing I could think of to say by that point, was my personal testimony of God's love and of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The spirit came back so quickly as I bore my poorly worded, Spanish testimony, and all of our eyes all filled with tears. We're not quite sure yet how Sister Ortega needs to be helped to come back, but I do know that our Heavenly Father wants her back. He wants us all back! And it was such a sweet and special experience to feel His love coming through me to reach His daughter.

As for the rest of our investigators, keep praying for them! For Tim, Linda, Tricia, and the Sheltons! They are all making their slow progression, but they need a whole lot more than what I know what to do. That's one thing I have learned a ton about this transfer. I really never know what to do, but somehow, with constant effort and faith, He shows me what to do, and it is always better than anything I could think of or do on my own!

Last but not least, I wanted to share a few things I love with it being valentines week:)

I love my mission and what it is doing for me

I love Pampa and all the people here

I love this gospel

I love to share the joy that fills my heart from the peace of the spirit

I love my family who supports me in a my craziness

I love my companion, my sisters, and those the Lord has called to lead me

I love the temple

I love my Heavenly Father 

I love chocolate and Braums...way too much:)

I love letters in the mail

and most importantly, I love my Savior, Jesus Christ!

Feb. 15, 2016 - Service makes life much more fulfilling

Hellooooo family again! I hope y'all had an amazing valentines day! I know I sure did. I loved all the gifts and they all made me so happy! 

Anyway, I can just say....the Lord loves me A LOT. Somehow, we're having weird weather for the Panhandle and it's actually warm!!! I love it. Bike days are nice, we can go outside to work out in the morning, and people are actually outside so street contacting actually happens!! I love it so much! Plus, I don't have to live in tights everyday now, which is a grand blessing. Man, it's so funny how excited we get over simple things as missionaries! But it sure makes life so much more fun!

This week was full of service! We went to all the places, because we are really trying to do the 10 hours of service a week that has been asked of us. It's pretty hard to fit in, but we did it! We were at Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels, a senior center, a food/clothing pantry, with a member family that has to move, and even cleaning up at the church! It was so much fun and I know so well after all this service in my mission, that it just makes life and everyday so much more fulfilling and happier! 

I think that's another one of my favorite things about this gospel, it just makes everything better. We may know Christ, but when we receive His restored gospel, we know Him even better. We may feel the Spirit, but when we keep our covenants, we feel Him even stronger. We may have a loving family, but when we put Christ at the center of our homes, were even closer. It truly is amazing!

The work with a lot of our investigators was hard this week. But I know, as we continue to follow the spirit in teaching them and work to find more people and families to teach, things will continue to progress. Some days, it's hard to convince myself of that, but that's why endurance and patience and perseverance are asked of us. Sister Harvey and the Lord, through a whole lot of prayers, help me to keep working my best and invite and help every person I meet come unto Christ through His restored gospel! 

Being a disciple of Jesus Christ, whether with or without a name tag, will never be easy, but it is the best path we can ever walk. It's full of growth, peace, and hope! It truly is the path to eternal life. This gospel is true. Never let anyone tell you it's not or that it's too hard to keep living. It's true!

I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week!!

Love,

Hermana Peck

Being the Lord's instrument in helping people come to Christ!

I feel like every week that I come to email y'all, I just think to myself, "Wo, how in the world am I going to properly express to them how my week went?...so much has happened!" So hopefully, y'all can get a gist of what I experienced all week long through the words I quickly spit out in the next 20 minutes!

Aaaanyway, our week started out fun on p-day. Sister Harvey cut my hair! She is a cosmetologist and I am so glad she did it. It feels much better! And she had fun doing it.

The next day was zone conference in Amarillo! AMAZING. I cannot begin to express how wonderful it is to have leaders that are inspired and care so much! That is probably one of my favorite things about the church. The knowledge that those that lead us are inspired and given authority from God is priceless. Oh, and side note about zone conference...they made me share my departing testimony! Oh my lanta that was scary. I really didn't think they would ask me to share it, since I have so much time still left, but since it was my last zone conference they asked me to! And it was an amazing experience. My entire mission I've pondered what I would be like and what I would be saying right before having to leave the mission field, and I can happily say that I know I am becoming the woman God wants me to be! But the key word is "becoming," I'm not there yet...but now I have the rest of my life to take what I've learned here in the Texas Lubbock Mission and keep growing.

The next day was a world wide missionary conference. It was amazing to be taught by leaders of the church and know every missionary was learning the same thing. This truly is, all through the world, the same work! It's the Lord's work and it is such a wonderful thing to be a part of!

Then came bike day. Oh man, that was probably the windiest day of my mission. Remember how last week, I mentioned how some of our lowest of lows come after our highest of highs? Well, those conferences were a spiritual high and that bike day was...a low point. We could barely even keep our bikes up right while on them, because the wind was blowing us so hard. But we made it through and my legs are 10 times stronger now than they were before:)

Saturday and Sunday were amazing too! We had our stake conference, and the Amarillo stake is so solid! The stake presidency works to help us know the Lord's will for us. They are working to turn the stake's perspective to members doing the missionary work and having the missionaries come help. I love it! It is switching my perspective of missionary work and really helping me focus on being the Lord's instrument in helping people come to Christ!

And even with all that was going on this week, we still somehow fit in so much missionary work! Our investigator Pat is the cutest. She cried this week about how we have changed her life because of all that we teach her. That was amazing, because she rarely ever opens up about spiritual things! And Tim...oh Tim. He and his buddies were joking around about drinking all through our lesson yesterday. I was so heart broken while trying to teach, so we just ended the lesson and told them we would come back when they were willing to let the spirit in...and then I broke down crying because it just broke my heart to see people I have worked to help just throw what's good away. I don't think I've ever done anything like that on my mission, but it was definitely from the spirit! It is amazing to see how the spirit truly does work through us! I have no more time, but pray for the Shelton family---they need it!

Love y'all have a great week!

Hermana Peck

I actually let her cut my hair!

Zone Conference with all our amazing sisters!

When we make Christ the center of our lives, our fears will be replaced by the courage of our convictions

 

Wow, it was a crazy week. Like, I don't think I have had a week this weird in a while! But I attribute it all to how tired I am. Not even kidding, my brain is dead these days! Poor Sister Harvey probably thinks I'm going loopy! For example, I accidently used her toothbrush this week...oops! So gross haha, but luckily she had an extra in her suitcase so she didn't have to use it after I did. Oh man, I still can't believe that happened. So sorry a head of time if this email makes zero sense:) But even with all the tiredness, we still go go go...go every day and I love it all!

Tuesday we had our zone training. It went really well! I don't know if I am just too out of it to worry any more, but I think that I am getting much better at instructing. My favorite part is when something I say then leads the spirit to teach another missionary something and then their comment allows the spirit to teach me something. Because it truly is Him who teaches us the best! And I learned so much from all the instructions! I just love missionary meetings. They are the BOMB. After zone training we jumped right into an exchange with the canyon sisters. I love them so much! The sisters there right now are Sister Jackson and Baby Perez!! And we are doing exchanges differently now, so we can focus more on training the sisters. So, now they both come to our area and we blitz Pampa. It was crazy and I felt bad for Sister Harvey because she doesn't really know where anything is yet, but she did amazing! I was with Sister Jackson and we had such a good time. I have known her since she first came out and it is amazing to see all her growth and how she's changed. It is inspiring and so exciting to see! So that entire day was just way too fun and full of miracles.

Thursday was such a strange day. We were out on bikes and luckily it was gorgeous out! It was warm (well, like 40-50 degrees) and sunny! We met some amazing people with lots of potential! And also some interesting people that tried to save us and were basically praying for us, because they are so worried that we are lost....Those situations are always interesting. There is much anti here in the bible belt, so people sometimes don't really see who we are! But I love when we get the chance to declare truth and help them.

Saturday was our temple day and that was much needed. I just love being able to go and escape from the world. There is much negativity around us constantly so it is such a blessing that our Father literally gives us an escape from it all, where we can learn, feel the spirit, and grow closer to Him.

The adversary is good at making us feel like worthless. But I cannot even express how joyous it is to have the gospel and how Christ can pull us out and up from those feelings. Church was about peace and the spirit and the Plan of Salvation and how it all fits together. The messages were perfect, and after church I was able to receive a priesthood blessing that completely changed my outlook on life and the work I am doing.  I now feel like I am flying, because I was willing to rely on Christ. I love how that works! President Monson said in this last conference, "When we make Christ the center of our lives, our fears will be replaced by the courage of our convictions".  I know that this is true, and I know by my own personal experience. Christ loves us, He heals us, and He helps us to become stronger everyday.

I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week!

Hermana Peck

Jan. 11, 2016 God is Just Too Good

I cannot even tell you how amazing everything is going out here. Not that the work is perfect or that we're even achieving all we hope for, but seriously, I am just on cloud 9 with how happy every day is! Even with how freezing it is...and it just keeps snowing (Every time we go out, it has snowed again!). I can truly feel the joy and hope of the gospel in my life. In living it to the best I can, I really have come to know how the ultimate reward for righteousness is peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come! And I love being the Lord's instrument in bringing that joy and peace to His children in Pampa, TX through leading them to receive a remission of their sins.

Tuesday we were on bikes all day. Man, I don't think we've ever looked so crazy in my life. Biking in the snow, but we saw miracles! We knocked on a man named Cory's house. He was so interesting. He studied religion in college and still has so many questions. He gave us a few examples and I was in awe. Every question he spent years studying to find answers and still hasn't found, I had an answer! This gospel is so cool! We are blessed with so much knowledge and we don't even truly realize it. I'm pretty nervous to teach him; it will make us think and really focus on what the Lord wants us to say... I kinda feel like a trainee haha, but we have a lesson set for tomorrow, so pray for us!

We were also able to teach our investigator Bethany and her son Braden this week. They didn't read any of the Book of Mormon yet, so we read Enos with them, and literally, mid reading, she received an answer to her prayer...and she told us she knows the Book of Mormon is true! It was amazing to literally watch her come to know for herself the truth of the Book of Mormon. And it strengthened my testimony so much!

Wednesday we were able to go out to Dalhart and Tucumcari for exchanges with the sisters that cover those two towns! I was with Sister Coombs, and we had such a great time--exchanges are my favorite. I truly do learn so much from those I serve. Thursday we drove home, and then that night drive to Lubbock...it was a crazy day! And I was exhausted, but it was so worth it. We spent the night in Sister Wilkins new apartment!! That girl and I are crazy together. And Sister Harvey and I of course, we're just having a blast. We even did some mattress sliding...shh:) And then MLC was Friday. That was the best MLC I have ever been to! It was inspired. And they informed us that this month there will be a world wide missionary broadcast where every single missionary in the world will be watching. I cannot wait. It is to focus all missionary work on teaching repentance and baptizing converts. I am seriously so excited for the new focus. It will bring miracles--it already is!

With that, President Heap instructed on repentance--wow that was amazing. And I have to give an instruction on it tomorrow for the panhandle zone. My favorite part was when he talked all about the purpose of repentance. Often we think of it as our way to become clean from sin, but that comes from baptism and the sacrament. Repentance's purpose is to strengthen us, to change us, and to line our will with God's. With the example of a tree, Elder Oaks explained, "We tend to think of the results of repentance as simply cleansing us from sin, but that is an incomplete view. A person who sins is like a tree that bends easily in the wind. On a windy and rainy day, the tree bends so deeply against the ground that the leaves become soiled with mud, like sin. If we focus only on cleaning the leaves, the weakness in the tree that allowed it to bend and soil its leaves may remain. Similarly, a person who is merely sorry to be soiled by sin will sin again in the next high wind. The susceptibility to repetition continues until the tree has been strengthened." What a blessing it is that our Father is not just concerned with cleaning us up, but also with strengthening us to keep us clean more often.

One last thing, miracle this week! So, Sunday morning, it looked like no one would be coming to church. We tried so hard to get them there, but no one would answer Sunday morning. As church began to start, I said a small prayer that at least one investigator would come. And right then, Tim walked in! Not only did he come, but he was all dressed up and looked so happy! My heart has never smiled so big! He is really starting to progress, thanks to the amazing gift of the Atonement.

I love you all and hope you have an amazing week! With Christ in our lives, there is no way to not!

Love,

Hermana Peck 

Every single day last year I spent as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Saying goodbye to Hermana Vance!

I love my life!! Y'all have no idea how amazing it is to be here. This week was so crazy, but it was so much fun and I am just on cloud 9 with the wonder of being a missionary. I cannot believe I am running out of time so quickly! If you find out any of my travel details, don't tell me. I plan to pretend like I'm just not going home until about 5 minutes before I get off the plane. Because I love it here way too much to even think about having to give it up.

Anyway, on to the week--let's just say, goodbyes for days. Everyday, we got a text from the zone leaders with a change for transfer day. It finally ended up happening on Saturday, so I got almost a full week extra with Sisters Wilkins and Carter. The poor sisters had to like live out of their suitcases and say goodbye like 5 times to people in case they would have to leave. But it ended up being a GREAT week. We even got to do some service painting at a member's home, which is always my favorite kind of service.

Our new years was spent in our trio too--we're so lame haha. We were in bed by 10 pm and didn't even consider waking up at midnight to cheer happy new year. It was a fun night in though! We played games, laughed a lot, and ate. But it was crazy to think back on how every single day last year, I spent as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. How amazing is that! And such a wonderful privilege. I loved everyday of it, and I am so happy that some of 2016 gets to be spent as a missionary too:) The best part is that even though we start a new year, we get to start where we left off the year before. Through Christ, we wash away all the bad, and we can continue progressing with all the good we brought! It is simply amazing.

Now, I am with my new companion, Hermana Harvey, and I love her!! We have only been together like 2 days, and we are already best friends. I am having so much fun and growing like crazy. We come from completely different lives, and somehow, we have the same personality. This week, we have exchanges in Dalhart, TX and Mission Leadership Council in Lubbock, so it will be crazy busy, but so much fun too! I love you all and hope you have a happy new year!!

Hermana Peck

Temple walk with Sister Moore at the Christmas party

Christmas day sunset.

All our Christmas day pictures are way too ugly to send home

Mission tour with Baby Perez!

These are goodbye pictures with Sister Wilkins and with Sister Harvey!
(I didn't get a goodbye picture with Sister Carter.)