I LOVE THE TEMPLE SO MUCH

It's one of those weeks when I come to write this letter and I can barely even remember what happened. I don't really know why, but I'm going to take it as a good thing! I figure it just means I worked until I was brain dead.

Anyway, all of our investigators are so prepared, and they don't even know it.  A ton of them are going through crazy hard life problems and think that shutting God out is the best way to fix it all. It amazes me how twisted the world's ideas are. It's like when they can't figure out an answer to a problem, they'll ask anyone besides God. They'll search everywhere besides the scriptures. They'll use any remedy besides church. It breaks my heart, because so many of these people want to find answers, they are just so caught up in the world that they don't realize how easy it can be to find peace when we turn to God. Even when we tell them. Not going to lie, sometimes agency is a pain, because I just want to force these people to do it so that they can start feeling the blessing and want to do it on their own! But that is not possible. So, we keep on working. I try each and everyday to figure out what God wants me to do to help these people. And I know we'll figure it out. I know we will see the fruits of our efforts!

Also, Saturday we got to take a trip to the temple. I just have to say, I LOVE THE TEMPLE SO MUCH. If I weren't on a mission, I would try to be there everyday. Our temple has been packed. It is so wonderful. I love the Lubbock temple, because everyone seems to know everyone there. And there's always a ton of missionaries. With a ton of recent converts. It's just way too cool.

Mom will be so proud to hear this...maybe. I got a lesson on doing family history this week and we're going to teach all our members! Not going to lie, I was having some major regrets that I didn't take advantage of my mom being a family history addict. But, I'm learning! I got mom's letter (written on envelopes..classy mom, real classy) on the day that we learned, so I actually appreciated it and tried to piece all the family history information you were telling me together! You would be so proud of me.

Also, there was this guy we went to go teach, and he talked FOREVER. It took a solid hour and a half to get through the restoration. I think it was partly because He talked a lot, and also because my companion does not know how to make a lesson short. Or a contact. Or a meeting. Or a grocery store purchase for that matter. That girl can TALK. But I'm grateful for her! And this guy we were teaching loved us so much by the end that they sent us home with a bunch of fresh homemade tortillas and super delicious cheese. No return appointment, but you know...priorities:)

One last thing, we found a family! We kept feeling like we should knock this one street, and once we did, we turned a corner and found this whole neighborhood that we had never noticed before. Don't know how we missed it, but it's a GOLD MINE. We knocked the first house we felt we needed to, and found this girl who's brother is in the hospital, and they are all coming way closer to God right now. They are Spanish speaking, and I am so excited! I really really really hope that we can help them.

Okay, I have to go, but I love you tons! Have a great week!

Also, the whole mission gets to meet Elder Bednar this week. SO STOKED.

bye!

Love, 

Hermana Peck

Miracles come from hard work, people. MIRACLES!

First off, HAPPY NEW YEAR! I'm officially 5 days into my full year on the mission. Crazy to think that I'll be gone that long, but it's a good thing, because I have some lofty goals set for this next year that I plan on making sure happen. It is going to be the best year I've had so far! And I hope it's the same for you!

Second, HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLIFF! I always loved that you're birthday was right after the holidays, because it made it so we could lengthen all the celebrating just a little bit longer. I really do hope it's a good one!

Anyway, this week was crazy. It started snowing on Tuesday, so by Wednesday, they told us to leave the cars alone. On foot we went! Miles and miles of walking in the snow with soaked boots and freezing ears. People thought we were crazy (I kinda did too)! But it was so fun. We had no appointments, so we were outside basically all day. We laughed the whole way and met tons of funny people. Only the crazy ones wander out in the snow like that. Let's just say, a lot of hugs were received by old men that day haha. It truly was a blast. That night was new years eve, so we got to go home early and we celebrated with a spa night. Pedicures and Jacuzzi tub (perks of the Portales house). It was perfect after the day we had.

The next day, the snow was like ice and rain at once. It would stick to everything and my hair was frozen. But, we met such cool people. One guy pulled over to offer us a ride. We explained that we didn't need one, because we had some teaching to do. He was so amazed at our love for the gospel, that he said he wanted to come to church!!! Miracles come from hard work, people. MIRACLES.

Friday, we finally got back in the car! But it was too bad to drive all the way to Muleshoe, so we didn't get to go see our investigator. Luckily, the Muleshoe elders were on exchanges with our Spanish Zone Leaders this week, so they got to stop by and read with him! Apparently, their Spanish was butchered, but we still appreciated it!

On Saturday, as you can see by the pictures, we walked a bit more because my companion was too scared to drive on the ice, and our car was kinda stuck, because we got like 10 inches of snow! Eventually the elders came to dig us out and so kindly built a snowman right outside our door to block us from coming outside. That thing was HEAVY. But just because we're sisters doesn't mean we don't know how to prank back. We went to their house and built a wall outside their door so they couldn't get in! I lost my planner during that event, so I think it was karma for being mean. But we had to prove the point that you just can't mess with sisters. Apparently, yesterday, they went to our house and built a wall at the door, but felt so bad that they came back later and took it off and left chocolates before we even saw it. Haha, SUCCESS!

Saturday night we went to see an investigator who just wasn't progressing, and we were worried we would have to drop her. But everything turned around! Her boyfriend was there, and he didn't want us there at all, but by the end, they were both asking all kinds of questions and making awesome commitments! They texted us after to say that they truly felt the power of God in that lesson and they already started reading the Book of Mormon! We're SO excited about them! We didn't know why we kept going back to teach them, but we felt that we needed to keep going, and now we see why!

Yesterday, church was canceled, because the roads were too bad, and we have a lot of members that live far away. Portales doesn't have any draining system or ways to move the snow off the roads. We're not used to this kind of weather. So, it's all kind of hectic. But the work is still progressing regardless of all the craziness! We got to do some service shoveling snow (that was a first)! And we also helped our investigator help set up her classroom with the elders. So much fun, I love service like that. She reminds me a lot of Chrystal. Except her students are younger. But she loves minions, so that's how we decorated her whole class. haha. That night we got to teach another amazing investigator who has a baptismal date. She is amazing! We didn't think she was doing too good at commitments, but we followed up last night, and she said she's been reading everyday, she practices how to pray at work, and she prays everyday to know if this is true. She is so excited for her answer. I love that lady! She is wonderful and truly has that desire to change her life. I'm so excited for what's to come with her!
Last night we went to a referral that the elders gave us. A SPANISH referral from the elders who speak no Spanish at all. Well, we were basically led to our death, to summarize it. We knocked on the door, and we were waiting, when all of a sudden I heard this huge bark and it dawned on me what house we were at. The home of a GIGANTIC German Shepherd who has ferocious teeth and jumps at us when we ride by. He comes around the corner and Sister Laparra and I just froze. The lady opened the door and said the guy didn't live there, as if there was nothing wrong with the fact that her dog was at about to attack us. Before she slammed the door, I quickly asked if the dog was nice. She just called his name and then closed the door. Sister Laparra and I sat there for a good 2 minutes while he barked and finally walked away. God definitely made that one happen because that dog is usually MEAN. We ran out of the fence as fast as possible.

Overall, it was a crazy week full of ridiculous adventures, but I loved all of them. We see miracles every day and I'm so excited for what's to come! Love you all. Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Hermana Peck

Getting ready to head out in the freezing cold on foot!

Those never ending, but marvelous walks in the snow

The elders built a snowman at our door so we couldn't get out . . .

. . . so we built a snow wall so they couldn't get in. Don't mess with sisters!

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

I love everybody in these pictures!
[She means she loves all those on the screen above
and all those on the blanket below,
We all love her too!]

Christmas Morning

Mission Christmas Party

Christmas Time is Here!

It truly is such a wonderful time of year! We got some snow last night, so we will have a white Christmas most likely! I am so excited to talk to the family. We have plans to go to a member's home sometime after 12:00 New Mexico time (that's not Texas time, by the way). I have no idea what time it will be officially. Maybe 2:00? But it's really not set. But probably not after 4ish. I'll have the members text you so that you can know that I'm trying to get a hold of you! But I will probably use Google plus if that's alright. I am so excited to talk to you all! Don't expect me to have anything profound to say. I'm still too fresh in the mission for that:) I can't wait though! Can I ask a favor? I really want you to sing the "Baby what you going to be" song? I miss it too much this Christmas season. I forgot my card reader today, so no pictures, which is sad because they were so cute. But you get to see my face in 2 days anyway!

Transfers were this week! It was so easy. The Roswell sisters came to drop off Sister Laparra, so I got to see Sister Slade! And then Sister Slade took Sister Rocha back to Roswell with her. Sister Laparra is amazing! She talks a lot. A LOT. So it's kinda tough to get a word in while teaching and contacting. Especially because she's fluent. But she is wonderful and I love her so much. She is teaching me a ton! I'm basically just taking advantage of the fact that I'm pretty much getting an extra transfer of training. But we have so much to do this transfer! We set some big goals, and plans to get there. It will be so much work, but I can't wait to see the miracles that come from all we plan to do this transfer.

We had to spend some time up in Clovis this week, getting our car fixed, and we kept having little things to do that just kept us busy. Sometimes on a mission, there seems to be no time for actual missionary work! We have all these awesome investigators, but no time for them! We are working to use our time really wisely and focus on the ones who are ready. Because the mission is going by fast. I can't believe how fast it is flying by! I have so much to do! I'm just glad to realize this before I'm too far in the mission.

The Christmas party was yesterday, and it was amazing! I loved it. I got to see a bunch of my favorite people out here on the mission. We laughed so much, ate really good food, watched the Saratov Approach, and had a wonderful devotional. And I got my packages. Thanks mom and dad! You guys are seriously the best! Love you! Our mission president also let us know that in January, Elder David A Bednar is coming out to talk to the whole mission! THAT NEVER HAPPENS. The entire mission will be in one place. That's crazy out here in the TLM [Texas Lubbock Mission]. Just because we're so huge! But we get to all come together and hear an apostle speak. I cannot wait. We are so blessed!

I am so excited to talk to the family this week. Have a wonderful Christmas everyone! LOVE YOU!
Hermana Peck

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!

Bowling for zone p-day this last Monday!

These drives to Lubbock are killing us. BUT the sunsets on the drive are to die for

Coconut ice cream the way Mexico makes it,

Wind storms right now: Dust storms and tumble weeds

The District. These pictures never cease to be awkward

Dad you would be so proud of me

Sunday night means
Spanish movies for language study
and hot chocolate.

I know we did a lot this week, because I am so dang tired. But I truly don't even know what happened. I'll try my best to scratch my brain for any details of this week. Although, I do remember one detail pretty clearly. I ATE SEAFOOD SOUP. Dad you would be so proud of me. It was like octopus, crab, and a lot more, but we had her stop telling us so we would be able to survive eating it. Holy cow, I was terrified. First time I've been offered sea food on the mission. It wasn't as bad as I expected, but I did not like the feeling of the tentacles. Freaked me out. I'm just amazed that I survived. I think Heavenly Father helped me out with that one, because I didn't hate it at all. Although, it was a little traumatizing.

This dog scared me so bad.
He was like camouflaged into the dirt.
 Basically gave me a heart attack when I looked down
and he was at my feet. Luckily, he wasn't evil!

On Thursday, we literally were on our bikes for 5 hours without stopping. It was cold, rainy, and no one was answering their doors. We talked to a lot of people on the street that day. Which, is super good, because we really want to get the word out on the He is the Gift initiative! It's so much fun sharing the message of Christ's birth. People just love it. And I love talking about it. But that day was one of the longest I've had so far. We were out for so long, and my body was aching. BUT, it was all worth it, because that night we had an amazing lesson. It was with this woman who has investigated for like 8 years now. We had our branch mission leader and his wife with us. We shared an average lesson on scripture study, and when we were leaving, her husband came in, and she asked us to share a message with him. We shared one on family prayer and then all got on our knees to pray together. The spirit was so string and you could tell that their family was so happy. We stopped by a few nights later and she couldn't stop thanking us for the sweet spirit we brought into her home. It truly was one of the coolest lessons I've had, because you could feel their family coming closer together. This is literally the coolest thing ever. I love being a missionary!

On Friday we got to do service which is always so fun! We're supposed to do 10 hours a week, but there's never enough stuff to do. Although, we found out that this store in town needs service. It's run by a church and the people are so nice. We're going to start that this week!

We forgot to take pictures this week,
so we rushed a photo shoot before our dinner appointment,
whoops

Sunday was like the happiest day ever. We had 3 investigators at church! They are all so awesome. People are truly progressing and I love it, because it's becoming something they want to know, not just something we want them to know. We also got to go watch the Christmas Devotional which was awesome. I really really love Christmas time this year! We're expecting a white Christmas too, which should be fun!  But for now, I'm still able to rep my crochet toms some days when the sun is out. Which is such a blessing. I am definitely a California girl; the sun is a necessity.

This week is the last week of the transfer, so I'm going to make it good! We have so much work to do. It's crazy. We're teaching a recent convert how to read in Spanish...I BARELY KNOW HOW TO READ IN SPANISH. I mean, I do, but teaching it. Dang, some miracles are for sure on their way, because ain't no way I can do this on my own.

Also, how was the Christmas concert? I was sad to miss it. It's one of my favorites. I want pictures of it! And of the house with all the lights.

Love you all!

Hermana Peck

Thanksgiving

This week has been so crazy! We tried so hard, and things just kept going wrong. Not the missionary work, but everything else for sure! On Tuesday, we went out for a few appointments. At one house, Sister Rocha was getting me back for laughing at her falling, but her plan failed, and she ended up getting in the wrong car and then once she realized it, she ran out and fell into a hole on the ground. It was so funny. I mean, really sad, but she wasn't hurt, so I was laughing my head off. We finally got into the car (the right one) and she realized the phone was missing. We searched the hole, and all the other places we went that night. It was GONE. So, we basically were without connection to the world this week. That was a struggle in itself.

On Thanksgiving, the sun was shining, the weather was perfect, and we hopped on our bikes all day long and got some awesome finding done. We got so many invites to come in and eat with random people's families for Thanksgiving. It just amazes me how friendly people are. At 5, we headed over to Danny and Brenda's for Thanksgiving. Which, by the way, I made a dang good apple crisp pie for. Not nearly as good as mom's, but for the lack of time I had to make it, it was GOOD. Thanksgiving was so fun, the food was great, and we played Loteria. Which is like Spanish BINGO. They all thought it was different, but it's like the exact same thing, haha. We found out Saturday night that we weren't even supposed to work Thanksgiving. Perks of not having a phone, we got to work an extra day..yay. Haha, but we got some good stuff done, so it's alright! I'll know for next year:)

On Friday, it was like we just weren't supposed to work. Maybe it was God giving us a break since we worked Thanksgiving. We were headed out after weekly planning to go to our dinner appointment, and our new phone had been delivered! So stoked. But then we hopped in our car and it would not start for the life of me. We were stoked that we at least had a phone now to tell our members the situation, but we got stuck on the phone for an hour trying to activate it before we could even call them! Like an hour late, we called our members, and they brought us dinner and tried to jump the car. Didn't work, so we were stuck at home for the night until our mission leader could come get us!

Saturday, we finally got back into the groove of things! We have been doing some crazy finding with this new "He is the Gift" program the church has. If you haven't seen it, do it now! Check out Christmas.Mormon.org. It is so amazing, and I loving sharing this message with people. I can already tell that Christmas in the mission is going to be so fun. We have a couple solid investigators and I am so excited to keep working with them. The work here is building, and we are also finding some solid families to teach. People love the message of Christ's birth, and the spirit is so strong when we get to share and teach about it. Saturday night, we had a second thanksgiving! It really was just a week full of food. We have so many leftovers in the fridge. The people here are just way too nice.

On Sunday, Sister Rocha had to translate for the stake presidency who came to talk. She tried to get me to do it, but HECK NO. I may be more fluent now, but translating? No way. Not yet. I helped her a little, but translating is like a whole different ball game.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I'm so glad that it was fun (at least that's what I've heard). Mine was wonderful!

Love you all!

Hermana Peck

P-day in Portales means Dollar Tree adventures

Not saying it's better than an ocean sunset,
but dang, the sunsets are pretty here

Sometimes, you just have to pull over and take a comp selfie

I made couga! Is that how you spell it? 

On bikes!

On the outskirts