Kids have influence on their family

Exchanges with Sister Jackson--
I felt so short all day!

I cannot believe I have already been out here for a year! That time seriously flew by. And it become more and more real every day of how little time I have left to have this wonderful blessing of being a missionary! And of course we had to celebrate! I can't pass up a reason to have fun. Sister Wilkins and I went out to a classy (well, as classy as Pampa, TX can be) Texas BBQ Steak House and enjoyed delicious Texas food. 

Also, I'm not even sure if I have talked about Cayden yet in my emails, because there is always like no time, but he is this adorable 8 year old kid that we have been teaching. His entire family, besides his grandpa is less active, and he decided that he wanted to be baptized and start coming to church, even if his family doesn't go. Seriously, he is the smartest kid ever! And so desirous to do good. He will be the reason his family comes back! He is like the Nephi of his family--I love it. But anyway, HE WAS BAPTIZED THIS WEEK. It was such a powerful baptism. And his great grandma got up at the end and bore her testimony. Everyone in the room was in tears.  It was amazing!

Also, funny story about the baptism. Our font here only runs hot water, so it was about 125 degrees in the font. We had no idea how to cool it down, so we had to get real inventive...we took a mop bucket, put in a clear trash bag, and would fill it with cold water in the maintenance closet. Then we would run it over to the font and dump it in. After about 15 minutes of looking like the hugest fools, we realized how to turn down the water heater....it was so ridiculous, but a good memory for sure!

This week we also went on exchanges with the sisters in Canyon, TX. Sister Wilkins and I had planned to have me go to Canyon, because I had only been in Pampa 2 weeks, and don't know the area well enough (or at all) to lead out in it. BUT after a whole lot of prayer, we decided that The Lord wanted me to stay in Pampa for the day. So I took the lead in an area I have been in for like 2.5 weeks with a sister who has been on her mission for 2.5 weeks. And somehow-we survived! We seriously saw so many miracles. I did not want to do it, but the Lord blessed us immensely for being willing to follow His will. We found a family to teach, lots of potential investigators, 2 less active members that no one knew about, and we taught some amazing lessons--and had a ton of fun, and somehow didn't get lost the entire time. It was too perfect!

We also got to do a ton of service this week! I was cutting down trees and felt like a macho woman. That is seriously so much harder than it looks! And we were helping an 84 year old woman who normally cuts her trees herself--so cool! She is way intense. 

Also, quick update on Erma, the girl we found last week.  We got to teach her this week and she wants to be baptized!! I am so pumped! Hopefully this gets her uncle reactivated and her entire family interested. It amazes me how much influence kids can have on their family. It is no surprise that the Lord tells us to become as little children! They are truly so humble and close to the spirit. 

I love you all and I love being a missionary. I want you all to know how much I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. And if you want to know why I love Him so much, read this talk:

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/where-justice-love-and-mercy-meet?lang=eng

Our Savior made it possible for us all to be lifted up from our fallen state. Without Him, there would be no hope, but with Him, there is eternal happiness!

Love you!

Hermana Peck

Exchanges with Sister Jackson--I felt so short all day!

Cooling the font water
for Cayden's baptism 

Sep. 8, 2015 I absolutely love being up here in Pampa

Hello everyone! I hope your week has been wonderful, because mine was soooo happy! I absolutely love being up here in Pampa and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else! Except for all the bajillion places that we go throughout the week, then I want to be there:)

So, Tuesday was the best day ever. I got to go to exchanges in Borger with Hermana Vance! It was just like I was back there, seeing all the people I love! I got to teach Lourdes, my old investigator, Doug, my recent convert, and Mario, one of my old investigators that was baptized right after I left! And a few members that I love dearly. Truly, I felt blessed. I loved being back there, speaking so much Spanish, and being with people that have truly changed my life.

Friday, we had MLC down in Lubbock, which was great. It was all focused on being better leaders, so it was perfect for my first MLC. I am learning so much about how to help my sisters and it truly is changing me for the better. The Lord seriously always knows what He's doing. When He calls us, it has nothing to do with how perfect we are, but because He knows what we need to become more like Him. And I am growing more and more every day because of all He is teaching me.

The rest of the week, we got to stay in our area thankfully:) And we saw so many miracles! People that usually want nothing to with with us are opening up and sharing so much with us, so we can better help them. We are finding new investigators too. They have all said they believe our message is true, and the spirit is strong. One lesson in particular, we were teaching a girl named Melody. She has had a crazy life, full of many trials, and the spirit was so strong as we taught the Restoration, applying it to her specific needs. After sharing the first vision, she just looked up, smiled, and said she had such strong chills. The spirit had testified to her heart that it was true, and she was so open, that you could literally see it change her countenance. I love this work so much!

Also, Sunday, we drove to one of our outlying towns, Panhandle, TX, to visit a less active and teach a potential investigator. Right as we got into town, our gas light popped up...we were 30 miles outside of our area, on a Sunday, with no gas. We prayed real hard and went to our appointments. In the lesson with our potential investigator, we found out that she had always wanted to know more about our church. She has even read the entire Book of Mormon, I have no idea why she never joined, but she is VERY interested, and I am excited. We are blessed to be led to such prepared people. And then, the adventure home...oh man. 100 degree heat and no AC, because we were trying to save gas...after about 15 minutes, our car wouldn't even tell us how many miles we could drive before running our of gas officially. By grace, and a lot of prayer and faith, we made it back to Pampa in one piece and just walked the rest of the night:)

...and while we were out walking we met this girl. We asked if she had ever met missionaries and she responded, "no, but I'm Mormon...", as if to say that she didn't want to listen to what we had to say. My companion and I both looked at one another so confused and happily said that we were Mormons too! After talking a little more, she told us that she had never been baptized. She just goes to the church with her uncle every once in a while, but they haven't been in a while. Her uncle is a recent convert and now we're going to teach them both! I am soo pumped. Seriously, I am amazed everyday at how much the Lord is blessing us.

I love you all so much! I hit a year in the mission this Thursday...super crazy! This truly is going by too quickly!

Have a wonderful week!

Hermana Peck

Borger Exchanges 

The GORGEOUS sunrise on our way to MLC 

MLC adventures! 

August 31, 2015 in Pampa, Texas

Goodbyes in Carlsbad, New Mexico

Hello family from good ol' Pampa, TX! I love being back in Texas so much. It just has a different feel:) So this week has been crazy between transfers and learning the new area, but I have loved it. 

Monday was full of packing and goodbyes. It is so sad to leave, but once all the goodbyes have been said, and you're officially assigned to a new area, there's complete closure and you can head out off to your new adventure. Tuesday was pretty sad though. Sister Perez and I drove to Hobbs together where a member came to pick me up. I was so sad to leave her! I remember when Sister Slade left me after my first transfer in the mission to get a new trainer and I was TERRIFIED. I felt so bad doing that to Sister Perez. But luckily, that sister is so much more amazing than I was and she will do so well back in Carlsbad! So after I was picked up by a member in Hobbs, we drove to Lamesa, then another member took me to Lubbock, another member took me to Amarillo, where I FINALLY met my new companion:) Then, it was even more driving (while also getting lost in Amarillo) to Pampa! After about 9 hours of transfers, I made it from the south half of the mission, way back up to the North. And I love it here! The panhandle is seriously one of my favorite places! The hills, the wind, the people, the sky, it is all so amazing!

So, when President Heap called me to tell me I was transferring to Pampa, the only thing he told me about why I was being called there was that they needed Spanish. And boy was he right! Seriously, the first night, we taught a Spanish lesson, and I have been speaking Spanish every day since! It's kinda hard, because Sister Wilkins can't speak Spanish, so I feel like I am taking over the lesson, but we are working on it! She can now pray and say the first vision in Spanish:) Plus, she prays for me and helps me with what to say when I get stuck. She is so patient with me and I love her for that! But seriously, I love that I am speaking Spanish again. And the ward is so excited about it too. They all greeted me as Hermana instead of sister and were telling us about all these people we need to start visiting. I feel so blessed to have been able to learn Spanish and now use this skill to help other people! It is so much fun.

Also, I got to go to Borger on Thursday! I was so happy to be there:) I felt like I was home! I didn't get to go visit anyone, because we were there for a District conference with President and Sister Heap and the APs. That was an amazing conference. We talked all about the Fall and the Atonement. It opened my eyes so much to the importance of the work we are doing out here. It made me realize how there really isn't much difference between me and all the people I teach. No unclean thing can be with God, no matter what. We are all in desperate need of Christ and His Atoning sacrifice. I learned to show my weaknesses to the people that I teach, not just my strengths, just as Christ did when He came to visit the people in the Americas. He showed His willingness to help. I am out here working to help others be able to return to live with their Father in Heaven and their family for eternity, but at the same time, that's what I want too. We truly are here to help each other get there, because we all need the help so badly! And it's our job as members of Christ's church to make sure that everyone know how they can make it back. This gospel is true, it is Christ's teaching, and it is the only way to true happiness!

As for the new calling as an STL, I haven't noticed much difference yet. I still just do the work! I just have a few extra sisters to learn from and love lots:) Tomorrow I get to go on exchanges to Borger, TX! I am so PUMPED! And this Friday will be Missionary Leadership Council in Lubbock. My favorite part about this calling is that I have a baggilion more opportunities to learn from other people! I am loving this work, my companion, my area, and my calling. It truly is amazing!

Love you all and have a great week!

Hermana Peck

Goodbyes with Hermana Perez 

Hellos with Sister Wilkins!

205 North Sumner Pampa, TX 79065

Hello AGAIN! Another week come and gone, I cannot believe this transfer is already gone. It went by so quickly! I have loved being Sister Perez's trainer for her first 6 weeks, and I have seriously learned so much from her! So, I'll start with transfer news. Saturday, we were CONVINCED we were both staying. We had no reason to think that anything would happen. But as it goes with me and companions, I never get to stay with someone too long! So at like 10:03 we were 99.9% sure that we would get a call saying we were both staying. But the heart attack came as President's ringtone went off and we knew something was going to happen. I have been called to serve in Pampa, TX as an STL. I am seriously so sad to leave Carlsbad. It has been amazing here and I have learned so much. Two transfers in an area is way too short! But super fun news, I get to be back in the panhandle! I will be taking sisters in Canyon, Dalhart, Childress, and BORGER on exchanges!!! I am so excited! I get to go back to Borger and visit all the people I love so much up there. This transfer is going to be packed full with amazing adventures.

My new address is:

205 North Sumner

Pampa, TX 79065

As for our last week in Carlsbad, it has been amazing! We have been packed with stuff to do. I don't know how this happened, because last transfer was so slow and we had very few people to teach, but we have been so blessed this transfer. And we found so many amazing people to teach! I am sad to leave them all, but I am so glad I am leaving this area much better than I found it. And I am leaving it good for Sister Perez and her new trainer. They are going to have such a good next transfer.

So, as for amazing miracle experiences this week, let's just say Sister Perez is amazing. She will out of the blue say, "So today I've been thinking about this gospel principle, and I really think that doing this will help us see more success..." but more specifically, obviously. But seriously, she is always working so hard to help us improve, it inspires me! This week she brought up more specific and faithful prayers, which I had been thinking about a ton. We set some plans and said one of the most sincere prayers. We headed out, and on our way to an investigator's house, Sister Perez suggested visiting a different investigator that I was thinking about right then. We drove right over and she let us right in. Her friend was there, all distressed about some huge drama in her life, and Mary asked us to share a message. As we did, Mary added her own testimony to our teachings, and you could just see how prepared she was! It was amazing. We were able to give her friend a Book of Mormon and hopefully one day she will read from it! It was amazing to see how the Lord guided us so clearly.

Saturday we were able to go to the temple! That was so fun! We had an amazing trip and I learned so much about how I can improve as a disciple of Jesus Christ this next transfer. I cannot wait to see all that is to come. My main focus this transfer will be serving with all my heart. I've been serving with my mind, might, and strength, but not all my heart. I know that as I do so, I will gain a greater love for the people, for my Savior, and for my Heavenly Father. That's what the essence of the gospel truly is, as President Monson said--Love. It's what this whole plan is about. I love you all so much and I love being out here as a missionary! I hope you all have an amazing week and I'll be writing y'all from Texas next week!

xoxoxo,

Hermana Peck

August 17

Holy cow what a crazy week! It was AMAZING! But Satan was not happy with us at all, we were at war. I don't think I've ever had to fight him so hard! But we won, which is the best part!

So, I'll go day by day just to fully explain all that went down. First, monday, we had a baptismal interview scheduled with Gilly, but she couldn't make it. We tried everything! I was so frustrated, but we rescheduled for Wednesday, so there was still a glimmer of hope of the baptism happening on Friday. We were so sad though, so we went to go get ice cream and eat away our feeling, but it was CLOSED. Made the night even more depressing.

Tuesday, early morning knock on our door-the elders showed up with ice cream for us! They felt REALLY bad about the interview not happening. They are the best. Then, all day tuesday were exhanges. I was with Sister Affleck-round 3 of exchanges with here! She is the best, we always have such a blast together! And we always see miracles and do crazy stuff. Miracle this time: Joe said he will be baptized! Crazy: we knocked a bunch of semis trying to contact a referral...at like 8:30pm. 

Wednesday, We made the exchange swap back and me and Sister Perez jumped right into the work! We couldn't find anyone to give Gilly a ride to her interview and she wasn;t answering our calls. Man, it was so stressful. BUT we went over there with a present and balloons for her birthday and before going in, we prayed that if it was the will of Heavenly Father that she be baptized that she would answer the door and be ready to go. And that's exactly what happened! But we still didn't have a ride for her...but then a member texted us back and asked if she still needed one. MIRACLE. So she brought her to the church, and she passed! 

Thursday, oh my gosh thursday was exhausting! We had so many lessons and we were biking in the HEAT of the day. But it was so good! Sad news, Joe is back to doubting if he should be baptized, but he is still coming to church, reading, and praying, so we refuse to give up! But good news, we stopped by Dezires, and we set a baptismal date with her! We asked her to pray about when she should be baptized, and she didn't want to, so we testified of having faith and acting upon the will of God. She looked right at me and said "don't get all excited, because when you do, then I don and then I start crying, but as you were talking the spirit came in the room and told me when I need to be baptized". AUGUST 28th! Next week! I was so excited!! She was crying and had the biggest smile on her face. I was so pumped for her! We also had a lesson with Gilly just to prep her for her baptism! 

Friday. Oh man, friday was war day. We woke up both so worried about if Gilly was ready or not. We were praying so hard, and just feeling nothing but worry. Right as we were talking about it, we got a call from our WML that said that Gilly thinks she won't be baptized today, because her step-dad was trying to talk her out of it. We were so worried! So we made a plan for it, and as we did, she called us and asked for our advice and we set a time to go over and talk to her and her parents. It was such a blessing, because in that lesson, I knew 100% she was ready. She just kept saying how she didn't care what anyone said, she was excited, she know it was right, and she was going to be baptized to give herself a chance at a happier life. I was PUMPED. And it was so nice having that peace in knowing she really was ready. We were running around town all day friday getting everything ready! We even had to fight off a flying cocroach that was in the baptismal font...ew. So, everything was perfect and so beautiful. Gilly was there early and got in white! It was so perfect. Then, her mom called and asked us to wait for them, because they would be late. After 30 minutes, they came, and her dad walked right in and sat by her and started anti-ing her. It was awful, when I saw it, I just wanted to cry, si I ran to the member of the bisporic who was conducting and got him to start the meeting. Even through the hymns he was trying to talk her out of it, telling her so many lies. But right when they annouced the baptism, she stood right up and got in the water. She was so excited and she wasn't going to let anything stop her. It was so sad, and I really hope they're all okay. The weird thing is that her dad kept thanking us for helping her so much. So fake, it was heartbreaking. But she was so happy! After cleaning, we headed home and sat in the car and just sang at the top of our lungs. We didn't know how else to get all the stress out.

Saturday was back to work! We've got to find our next person who will accept our message:) And Sunday went perfect! She was scared to go up in front of everyone, but she went and was confirmed! She sat back down next to me and I asked how she felt and she look at me, smiled, and said, "I don't know. Weird. Different." It was so sweet! It is different. It's a peace we never feel until we choose to be baptized and God gives us one of His most precious gifts-the Holy Ghost. 

It was a crazy week. I cannot bvelieve how hard it was to get where we are, but we acted in faith, worked diligently, and the Lord blessed us so abundantly! And He will do the same for all of you! Love you!!!

Hermana Peck

missionmaries

Hello everyone! How are y'all? This week was great. Somehow every week is great as a missionary. Even when we're out on bikes in the 108 degree weather and everyone cancels their appointments, it still makes for a good week! Because we survive, we keep working, and we see miracles! And boy have we been blessed so greatly this week. I never understand how it happens, but everyone seems to progress the same week! 

First, Gilly's baptism is set for this Friday! I am so excited for her. As long as the interview goes well tonight, then she will be baptized this week! I am so pumped. She really needs the gospel, and she sees how much she needs it. I just really hope the ward holds on tight to her and loves her Because she deserves all the love in the world.  She has had one of the hardest lives I have ever seen and instead of turning and ruining her life, she is seeking out what is good. It is truly amazing. Just pray that the interviews go well and that no trial comes up this week.  No trial will be too hard with the Lord's help.

Okay, now for Dezire. She is the one who was going to be baptized a while back, but it didn't happen. She has been investigating for about a year now, maybe more, and she plans on being baptized. She talks all the time about how she wants her daughter to serve a mission and grow up in the church. She knows all the basic doctrines and just loves everything about it! We literally cannot figure out why she won't just take the step of faith and be baptized. This last week, we met with her and we were talking about why she hadn't been baptized yet and she kept using phrases like "well, I want to be baptized, but what if...", and so we helped her see that all those "what ifs" and "buts" were simply fear coming from Satan. She literally was shocked when she heard that. She was like, "oh my goodness, that is so true! I always say that you have to either choose fear or faith, and I've been choosing fear for so long" (or something along those lines). It made me think of mom who always says that we can worry, or we can trust in the Lord, but we can't do both at the same time. It is so true! So, she is now praying about the day that she needs to be baptized, so hopefully she acts in faith and takes that next step! Because she does everything else!

Also, just as a funny side note: we went to teach our investigators Tristen and Melissa this last week. They weren't answering our calls/texts and we hadn't been able to catch them in a while. When we talked with them, they were creating every excuse to not meet with us, but finally we figured out the problem! Anti. Man, I really don't like anti. But luckily, we got to answer all their questions. And I heard a new one that I had never heard before...they asked if we truly believed in a man named Jospeh Stallin...Ampparently they thought we believed he was god. Who knows, stuff out here for anti is so ridiculous. But, now that it's all cleared up, we get to keep teaching them!

I truly just wish that everyone would listen to the amazing message we have to share! It is pure, it is true, and it is straight from our Heavenly Father! I know with all my heart that the gospel has been restored to the earth and I love having the calling to share it with the world. Being a missionary is the best and I am glad that the work doesn't have to stop after I'm home! This work is an eternal work, because it truly is the Lord's work.

I LOVE YOU ALL!

Have a glorious week!

Hermana Peck

P.S. My investigator, Mario, from Borger got baptized this last week!!! And my other investigator from Borger, Lourdes, went to Mario's baptism and now she is planning to be baptized as well! It made me SO happy to know that some seeds that I planted are now sprouting thanks to the continuing work of amazing missionmaries up there in Borger!

First comes work, then comes the blessing

Preach the gospel to every creature, right?

It has been an amazing week! At the beginning of the transfer, Sister Perez and I set some goals for what we wanted to get accomplished. It was so fun to have her come out with her greenie excitement, so we took hold of it and prepped ourselves to work hard, pray hard, and see the blessed fruits of our efforts. The night we set the goals, I was laying in bed and had a thought to open up my scriptures. I opened right to Enos 1:12.

 12 And it came to pass that after I had prayed and labored with all diligence, the Lord said unto me: I will grant unto thee according to thy desires, because of thy faith.

I was PUMPED! I knew right then that God told me straight up that I would get everything I had set a goal for if I worked my hardest, kept Him involved with constant prayer, and had faith even when the goals started to seem impossible. It had been a couple weeks a beating down on our hope. We were having great success, but it just didn't seem like we were on track to hit our goals. However, we kept following as the scripture had said, and went forward in faith that we would achieve what we had planned and set. 

Our goal is still not reached, HOWEVER this week was the week of hope that we needed! Heavenly Father placed so many amazing blessings right in our lap. It was amazing. 

Friday, we were able to teach a recently reactived member's grandson. He wanted to know how he could be saved. It was a great lesson, he is so ready and prepared! And she was pumped to have a family member be joining the truth, she is the only active member right now. I am so excited for her.

We also have an investigator who is 16 preparing to be baptized on the 15th! We hope she will be ready, she wants it so bad, and the mountains we thought we had to climb before she would be ready, just turned into little hills this week. It was perfect!

Thursday night, we taught a woman named Mary, going into the lesson, I had no idea what to expect. In all honesty, I didn't expect much of it. But it was the most spiritual lesson I have ever taught in my life. Within the first 3 minutes we were all in tears. There was no doubting that the message we had shared was true. She expressed a lot of concern of people who had passed in her life, and normally we would share the Plan of Salvation, but the spirit prompted both of us to share the Restoration. It was so pure and true and obvious that was what we needed to share. And as we did, it wasn't about the Book of Mormon, it wasn't about Joseph Smith, it was about how the message we were sharing could bring the Savior so strongly into her life, that her pain could be healed, and her family could be eternal. I believe that with all my heart.

Anyway, I have to go, but I love it so much out here! There is so much potential here in Carlsbad, just keep the prayers headed this way! I love you all so much. Have a great week. 

I am so eternally grateful for the flatness that is New Mexico.
It makes biking in to 106 degree heat so much less...burning hot.