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
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