Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Another Week of adjusting. 3-28-2011

Hey Everyone. So I am grateful for a new week! Last week was hard and I decided it's all just part of the journey.
Kathy is amazing. If all else fails you can count on Kathy. She is absolutely amazing. We had an amazing conversation about prayer and how we can rely on the Lord and how to improve our prayers. Sister Hinkson rocked it out when she shared her personal experience. She is truly growing and becoming an amazing missionary. She got the lets get to work attitude. It works. Donna is also amazing. We had an amazing lesson of how the atonement applies to us. We read a talk about the seminary teacher who uses donuts and push-ups to illustrate the Saviors sacrifice for us. It's a tear jerkier. Brandon and Heather had us over for dinner and a lesson again. At least our investigators will feed us. Heather almost has heart failure when she cooks for me but it has worked out thus far. I am always surprised they let us come back. The Spirit is so working with them. You have to love it.

Zone Conference was amazing! Got to see Elder Fordham again. He has grown so much. It's incredible to witness the changes that happen to those that you know where they started. Still awaiting word to hear about Mike Laufenburger's baptism. Attend the Colville 1st ward for the first time Sunday. Always building trust. The Spirit is amazing. We got an almost new investigator in Ione. It is truly amazing. We'll get to meet her on Thursday. I am excited to see that area grow. Having a lot of success reaching out to the primary age kids that have non traditional homes. My heart just goes out to them.

And I am continuing to exercise faith in those the Lord has entrusted to our care. I love the gospel . It's the one constant I have in my life. Hope all is well with all of you and that you know I love you. God bless and remember His love is evident in everything around you.

Love Sister Peck

A crazy week 3-21-2011

Still Learning a growing. Meet a lot of people this last week. Getting a handle of the two places we cover. It's amazing to know the Lord is using you to accomplish His work. I am gaining a lot of nicknames here. I am Pecky and new Chick but Brandon and Heather have guaranteed that will change after I've been here for a while. They are amazing. They constantly want to end meeting with the missionaries but continually invite us back. They just wanted to talk story and get to know me. They explained it beautifully here you are and you're uninvited and want to change our lives, we want to get to know the strangers we are letting into our home and lives. Brandon loved that I am not a cookie cutter. I like that too. President told me on Sunday he's never meet someone as blunt and loving in the bluntness as me. What can I say- am me. Kathy is amazing! She called when the thoughts and feelings she had were in written text. She was so excited and such a tender mercy. She is ready for the life ahead of her. I love that this gospel helps us achieve and change into who we want to become.
Please keep us in your prayers. Sister Hinkson is sick and will probably be upset that I shared that but we need an extra boast to endure well. Love you all bunches.

Welcome to almost Canada 3-14-2011

Hi. So my new area is beautiful and in the middle of no where. We have a ward and a branch. Colville 1st Ward and the Ione Branch. It has been an interesting last week. A lot of emotion and goodbyes and adjustments. Already love the people here. Still don't have a clue what is going on but Sister Hinkson is catching me up to speed. We have two amazing investigators Cathy and Doug. Cathy is a miracle story and is on fire. She had been looking for something and was in despair and received a phone call from SLC from someone she didn't know who told her she wasn't alone. You've got to love Sister missionaries. Come to find out she is friends with some of the members and is just at home in the Branch. Doug was my first lesson here it was beautiful. Sister Hinkson is coming back to life and the people here are noticing. I know am here for a reason. My heart still yearns for Cheney but it's finding a home here. We live in a beautiful home. Nicole felt good about leaving me here and I am finally sleeping through the night!
The Elders who are here will go home the same time I do. I guess am name has been spoken of and Elder Tibbs is glad am here. I am excited to see the work move forward here. You never know what will happen. This truly is the most intriguing place I've been and non- college town.
President called me to respond to my last weeks email. It's so hard because he doesn't give details. He just waits for you to find. It drives me bonkers but I appreciated his love and concern. I am striving to be what the Lord excepts but sometimes the vision becomes a little less clear. I know my purpose but forgetting who I am seems to sway the vision. I am finding me again and the Savior as I make time for him. That sounds ridiculous but is true. The gospel is amazing and I love the work am doing whether it be in Cheney, Mosocow, or Colville. The Lord knows where we can make an impact, have influence for good and we can't stand in the way. I am finding my setting apart blessing to come to pass especially with my companions. Last transfer was amazing with Sister Hughes and to Sister Hinkson I am a breathe of fresh air. My prayers might not have been answered to my request and desires but I know am an answer to someone else's or many. There is something humbling about that. When both companions are happy the work truly moves forward.
Still waiting to hear who has made mormon.org profiles and finished the Book of Mormon by 2/14/11. If you haven't finished keep going. That book brings me sanity, hope and refuge. I've been able to find in different ways. As we returned tupperware to Brother Bares we were able to teach his daughter and her boyfriend. It was amazing the Spirit was so present that they had a glimpse of belief. The young man read the pamphlet while we were still there. That's the first time I've ever seen someone act with real intent while we're there.
Remember you're loved.
love forever and always,
Sister Peck
Have an amazing week of mini miracles
Thank you for all your prayers.

NEW ADDRESS

I am off to Colville. New address 419 Old Dominion Rd.
Colville, WA, 99114

And the Snow fell down and I became a Sister Popsicle 2-28-2011

Hi from Snowy Washington.
It took us 20 minutes to find a parking place in the blizzard and no complaints. We finally found a spot in the Institute parking lot. Made me just smile. It's those little moments that make you happy. So many times we are focused on some grand gesture but it has always been and continues to be for me those green lights at the what always seems to be the red light. Elder Powell challenged me to be happy this week. I'll try expressing it more. I feel happy and I also feel a sense of accomplishment. Sister Hughes and I have been stretching ourselves to meet our goals. In a lot of areas we are surpassing them and then in others we still need to improve but it's great to be on the same page.

There are changes coming this next transfer. We'll know next Sunday night what lays in store for the area. I was asked for my input. Should be interesting. I have really come to love Cheney. All of it. All three wards. It's comical how many instances this last week the members have looked over and said to me you've been here forever. In the YSA ward that is especially true, 7.5 months. It's crazy how long I've been here and how much we become part of where we lay our hearts as we serve. Trying to prepare a few of those we teach that their will be changes. While it's not conversion to the missionary the relationships and spiritual experiences are real and communicate that is so important with out disrupting the work.

We have a new ward mission leader in the YSA ward too now. Jared was called Sunday. It was a little more of a shock from no where. Jared leaves on his mission in 3 months to Brazil so it will be great to involve him in the work before he goes.

Mike is doing great. He is now tobacco free for a week. Those little hang ups we come across in our efforts to become something more. His will power is growing and character to do what is right is such a boast. Going to teach about the priesthood this coming week and how its not a restricted club. It's amazing how things we don't understand we make up our our paradigm for.

Tyler has a calling! Somehow we missed it in Church but he's going to be teaching Elders Quorum once a month. He was so great to brave the snow and come to his lesson at Jaaz and Cheri's we got a good 8inches or so last Wed/Thursday. This time instead of walking in the below temperatures we called members for rides who more than willingly came to our rescue.

Sister Clark bless her soul for not only having to deal with her sons food allergies also had to include mine. It was great how welcoming her home is. It's so amazing when you can walk into someone's home and the feel is completely different. It is something I have become more and more aware of on my mission. Before it had to catch me off guard or be thought about but now it almost seems to embrace you. It's how we felt at the Hubbard's home this weekend. They are all over their missionary work and taking a chance on the missionaries. They trust us. Sister Hubbard let us meet her dad. It took a lot of courage and faith and all went well. Their daughter Riley just loves us. She has told her friend Jessica all about us, so that when we attend Kanniaka's baptism this weekend she came and introduced herself to us. What an amazing young woman, who is on a search for truth. My heart just leaped when I meet her. There was just something so familiar about her. Unfortunately, we wont be her missionaries but we got just a glimpse of her potential. It is such a blessing to be able to see and feel God's love for someone.

Sister Hughes loves the snow. Which just makes me shake my head. It is beautiful I have to admit. When it first falls and the whole earth becomes white and still. But over time and people sloshing through it . I am awaiting spring like never before. I am learning more as I teach with Sister Hughes and she is from me. My life has more meaning and direction as I loose myself in this great work. It is true. Remember to pray that Sister Hughes gets her visa in a timely manner to Brazil and that Mike L. can be ready and able to baptized on March 26 with his son John. What an amazing day that will be not to mention when their sweet family makes it to the temple! I am learning what a difference it makes when someone believes in you. Thank you for all that you do to make me who I am and the many acts silent and tangible that have been given to me to allow me to be here at this time and place.

Love you all bunches. Awaiting to hear about making mormon.org profiles and finishing the Book of Mormon this time.

Love always and forever Sister Peck