Borger, Texas

  Well, I'm here in Borger, TX all safe and sound! I cannot believe it. This town is way different than Portales. I miss it so much. I've learned since coming on my mission how terrible I am at change, but I'm getting used to it. 

  Our house here is crazy nice. It's apparently the nicest in the entire mission. I feel like we are living in a mansion. 

   This town is big on oil. There are random oil rigs all through the town. It's the craziest thing I've ever seen! We'll just be walking through a neighborhood and BOOM oil rig right by a person's house. From what I've noticed there are about 3 main oil refineries here. That's what their called, right? One of them looks like this huge evil castle. My companion said it's like Lord of the Rings.

   Anyway, my new companion is Sister Ogles. She's like 22 and from Nevada. Super sweet girl, we're way different, but she has helped me make the transfer super well. The first night I went into our room to get a tissue and she thought I was crying so she came and gave me a hug...it was just super awkward. All I needed was a tissue haha.

   The people here are big into the bible. I'm definitely in Texas. They seem to want to bible bash, but besides that, they are all so nice! We've been doing a lot of walking in the cold, and about one person every half hour pulls over to give us a ride. And people always want to feed us. It's making this whole healthy thing go down hill, but I still love them for it! Also, a ton of people here suffer from major depression and other mental problems. It's super sad, but I understand. 

   We don't have a Spanish branch here. Just a small English ward with about 3 Spanish speakers that come. And we're only allowed to teach Spanish speakers, so it makes the work way hard. No one wants to come to a church not in their preferred language! But there was a promise made to this ward a while back when the building was dedicated that one day it would be a stake, so I am stoked to be a part of that!

   We have one family here that we are teaching who will be baptized on the 14th! They are so amazing and so prepared. They are English, but they preferred sisters over elders, so that's why we are teaching them. I'm really excited for them, and the ward loves them so much! When it comes to missionary work, it's all about the ward accepting our investigators. We as missionaries can't stick around, so I love when I see investigators become part of the ward family! It's seriously the best.

   I love this area so much already and now that the weird transition phase is over, I'm so excited to dive into all the work. I know miracles are on their way here and I really want to help them happen.

   I miss you all a ton! I think about you and pray for you everyday. But I've got to be honest, I love being a missionary. It's all just way too much fun.

   Have a good week!

Love ya,

Hermana Peck

P.S. I'm on my way to Braum's after this. SO EXCITED. It's been too long.

Last day in Portales!

Celebrating Sister Laparra's birthday

 saying my goodbyes 

4 bedroom, 2 bath, super nice kitchen. Sometimes, it's nice being a sister:)

1300 Patton Circle - Borger, TX 79007

1300 Patton Circle   Borger, TX 79007 is Hermana Peck's new address.

   We have been doing all sorts of stuff this week! Tons of emotion going into all we did. I don't have a ton of time to write, so I'll just mention a few quick things, and then transfer news. 
   First, we finally got to have zone training this transfer! It was super sad, because we had about 6 departing testimonies. And 2 were elders in my district. There's about 35 people going home this transfer, so a ton of areas are closing. I swear, nothing is ever the same on the mission. Really whips me into being used to change, which I am not a fan of. But the constant goodbyes, transfers, and just daily life in general kinda make it impossible to avoid any kind of change whatsoever.

   We got more snow this week, not as bad as last time, but still cold toes! We always seem to have no appointments on Thursdays, which is bike day, so we can't use our car. We were out walking on foot for about 3 hours and talked to probably 7 people. Let me just say, patience is a virtue! And also, God is so good to give us companions, because trying to find a distraction from walking in puddles of slushy water would be impossible without them! And Sister Laparra is a hoot! It doesn't matter how cold we are or how tired we are, there are smiles on our faces, we are singing nonstop, and we our laughing our heads off. I just love being a missionary! Everything is so happy, because you begin to truly understand how much God loves you and how much all this crazy life stuff actually helps us!

   We have an investigator right now who I love dearly! She's the one who has the brother were teaching too, but we didn't know it until they both came to church. I mentioned that right? Anyway, SHE IS AMAZING! So happy and reading so much. Coming to church. Meeting members. Oh, it just makes me smile when missionary work works! She is so wonderful. A little scared of baptism, but she'll get there! She's come to church the past 4 weeks! That's more than some of our members! She really is awesome. And I can't wait to see how much more the Lord will bless her life! Other investigators are doing really well, and we have 2 baptismal dates! Hopefully there will be about 3 baptisms next transfer. People are doing so well!
   On Saturday, I was so antsy about transfer calls. I knew it was coming for me. I could feel it, and things just kept coming up in my studies that made me feel like I would leave. We were trying to stay focused all day and get to work until calls at night, but we were way too stressed. We went contacting in a random area on a whim, and met this man who made the day so much brighter! I love how God works. Sometimes, he leads people into our lives just to make us smile. He played us these Spanish gospel songs on his guitar. He was very excited to share them with other believers:) It was so perfect.
   Saturday night, we were at a member's home when calls came (whoops) and sad news came. I'm leaving Portales. I so don't want to leave. I love it here so much, and the people are so great. And I don't want to miss my investigator's baptisms! But, I know the Lord has a plan, and my new area is going to be awesome! I'm going to Borger, TX. Borger is north of Amarillo, so I'll be up by Oklahoma! Which means...BRAUMS! (That's how you spell it right?) I still teach in Spanish, but it's a zebra area, so I'll teach in English too. My companion's call was crazier. They are closing the elder's area here over the ward, and she is taking over the Spanish branch and the English ward. SO MUCH WORK. And her companion only speaks English, so she'll have to teach all the Spanish lessons alone. I swear, crazy stuff happens out here in the Texas Lubbock Mission! I can't wait to head to Texas and see what work I get to do there! My companion served in El Llano about a year ago. She was trained here by Sister Laparra! Super amazing missionary. It's just crazy that I'll be getting another new companion!
   Sunday was Sister Laparra's birthday. I woke her up with a terrible arrangement of Las Mañanitas. It was the best! We ate SO MUCH FOOD. People kept giving us stuff! 2 cakes, 3 dinners, and plenty of snack the whole day. It just about killed me, but you can't really say no to food here....people really like it when you love their food haha!
Anyway, love you all! Have a great week. I'll let you know how Texas is!
Love,
Hermana Peck 

The delicious cake we made for Sister Laparra's birthday (only took us like 3 lunch hours...)

Lubbock North Zone. I really like being a missionary

This dog hopped on my lap when I opened my car door and then chased us in our house and sat there and cried for an hour because he wanted to come in...

Sister Laparra's birthday celebration!

Starting the goodbyes. I love this family! They make missionary work work out here in Portales

More of Sister Laparra's birthday celebration!

The purest form of happiness comes from this gospel and from Christ

This week was all over the place. Soap-opera investigators and a sick missionary. But amazing things are happening! Tuesday to Wednesday we got to go on exchanges (finally!) which was so fun. Kind of weird, because it was my 2 old companions coming back to the same area I served with them in, but it was so great! I was with Sister Slade the whole time. It was crazy to think that it has already been like 2 transfers since she left. The mission is FLYING by. We got to have dinner with Danny and Brenda from the Branch all together, which is basically just a party. I swear, I am spoiled with the best area for a Spanish sister. And transfer calls are this Saturday..I'm so worried that I'm going to leave:( That would be AWFUL. I mean, not really, I'll have fun anywhere, but we just have so many amazing people we're teaching and I love this branch. I don't want to leave yet! Pray that I'll stay please:)

As for the soap-opera investigator, one fell in love with my companion this week. It was so dang uncomfortable. He would not stop telling her how beautiful she was and we had to then teach a lesson on our purpose as missionaries. Well, I had to teach it, because I told Sister Laparra that she wasn't allowed to talk. Haha, it was all just so funny and weird to have to deal with as a missionary. Sad too, because he really does have a desire to come closer to Christ, he just got a little distracted by my companion's face haha. I think at one point in the lesson I told him that God had led us into his life to help him come unto Christ, but Satan is trying to stop it by making him have feelings for my companion. Haha, I really don't remember what I said. The spirit had full control in that lesson, but apparently I was SUPER bold the whole time.

Friday we got to have a whole mission conference and see Elder Bednar! I started getting sick that day, but luckily I lasted through the whole conference. Let me just say, it was wonderful. He is so good at being led by the spirit. He barely even said anything, he mainly just asked us questions and I learned so much! He set a rule at the beginning that we weren't allowed to write anything down that was said from the pulpit. It all had to be things that the spirit taught us, and by the end I had like 2 pages! I would love to teach like that. Because in all honesty, nothing I say will do any good for these people. My main purpose is to bring the spirit into their lives so they can learn things for themselves and receive a confirmation of truth from God. That idea makes missionary work much easier, because it's not as scary to figure out what to say! I just try to address people's needs and follow the spirit.

Besides that, just the regular miracles are happening and I am very grateful for them. I love this work and all these people I get to teach. I'm pushing through the sickness and not letting it stop the work. Although, I did get to take a quick nap while my companion made a cake for our investigator's birthday:)

Anyway, I want you all to know how much I love you all! I know that the purest form of happiness comes from this gospel and from Christ. This gospel is simple and living it is easy, as long as we invoke the powers of the Atonement and use our agency for good. I love watching families come together through this gospel.

Have a wonderful week!

Hermana Peck

Exchanges! Dinner with the Gutierrez

All the spanish sisters in the Texas Lubbock Mission

This is one of my favorite things now a days.

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