Wednesday, June 1, 2011

TRANSFERS BRING CHANGES- May 30, 2011

Aloha
Okay so I am staying in Colville. I am not too sure how I feel about that yet. There are some amazing people here so hopefully more miracles will come to pass. We shall see. Sister Hilton, just like the hotel, is coming and Sister Hinkson is going to Plumber, Idaho. It's on an Indian Reservation. I am a little envious. =) Her complexion should add to the adventure of serving in the summer. It's been crazy weather again. But we've been having some success. Victoria came to church! Her first lesson her best friend was there. We were blessed she has an instant fellowshipper! We are excited. In Lone, Kathy was on tract again. Lacey, almost two years old, knelt and folded her arms. It was one of those moments you know that what you're doing is worth all the rules and sacrifices. Memorial Day proved to be a test as everyone went away for the weekend. So we'll be ready for this week.
Funny story. How many dinners can the Sisters eat in a night? Because of miscommunications, we had three. We have hard time getting the members to have us over but Saturday we got our fill. Luckily we only had to eat two and I helped Sister Hinkson clear her second dinner. It's funny now but wasn't at the time. We now know that staying with the Demmings also means dinner and breakfast are included.
Change always makes it a defining moment of why you are here. It's to serve the Lord. I've seen so many miracles. It is amazing to know that He lives and that His work continues in our lives today. I have been so blessed to serve with Sister Hinkson. She has been good for me as President told her. The Lord knows us. He knows where we are and who we'll meet and how we can have a positive impact in others lives. Service with love helps to build the kingdom.
Have an amazing week. Don't forget you’re loved.
Love Sister Peck

Weekly Update- May 23, 2011

ALoha!
So next week is transfers and I am ready to go forward. Sister Hinkson is ready for change. I don't blame her. 7 months here is a long time. We got ambushed by our Ward Mission Leader on Sunday in Ward Council. Oi veh! I was restrained. Support and sustain our leaders. It was interesting and memorable.
Went to the doctor and am on some new supplements. They are really helping and we found out there was water leaking in the spare room down stairs. Life is full of adventures.
Sister Hinkson had a two and half hour dentist visit too. It was fun to run into Nick from Cheney and catch up with him while I was there. I miss it there but am learning to love this place to. That's what President and I talked about in interviews. We had a good chat. Ask if Lone can be repaired or if it needs to be closed. Also we are both praying about me going home October 4th. There is an option for Sisters and am waiting for his response. I feel really good about it but it's one of those bitter sweet things.
Michael is doing well but does not want to set a date. He's not ready yet and so we'll continue to teach him and help him develop friendships with some of the ward members. Kristen was so excited when we pulled up for the lesson. We made her an honorary missionary for the evening. It was so cute.
It's BBQ season. Brother Harp made us a feast Saturday. It was one of the greatest meals, everything we asked for. He's got great listening skills. I am glad that he's letting us still visit him. He's got a lot of potential. Now to just tap into that. Our Sunday dinner didn't know about my food allegies. I don't know if that's a good thing after being here for 3 months or not.
This week will be good.
Love you all. Keep looking for missionary experiences.
Love
Sister Peck

Weekly Update- May 16, 2011

Another week has come and gone. The weather is figuring out what it wants to do. Sister Hinkson does not do heat. Not in the least. So it’s an interesting combination. This week we'll have interviews. They'll be different in that we are meeting as a Zone. The Elders are all a little different and I am working on keeping my comments to myself. Its evidence the Spirit is working and refining me.
We finally met John and Judy after being here for almost 3 months. His family is LDS and he is reflecting on his life as the doctors have given him a time limit. But it hasn't seemed to sink in. We'll see how the Lord works in his life to help prepare him to make covenants.
We did a lot of service this last week. It felt good to express love this way. It's helping me to connect to the people here. We did the normal service at the museum. Helped a lady, Ann, move out of her office. Her family has experienced more than the average amount of drama and tragedy. Our hearts just go out for her. We helped Rubie do a mound of dishes, cleared land, filled in ditches. It's been fun. It made me reflect on how I received an education to be able to serve. I feel so blessed. To be a part of these people’s lives at this time.
It was a good mail week. Heard from Ryan Peck!, Ann and Nicole(from Cheney). I love it. Mail just helps you stay on track when you hear the words of those you love.
Michael had a BBQ for us and we've experienced our first mosquito bites of the season. Thanks for all the prayers with Kathy. Sister Ervin saved the day and called her. Kathy thought we were coming to take back all her things. No!!!! We were able to get her to commit to a couple of things. And she told us how she knew she was in a personal state of apostasy from reading the previous night from an Ensign article. She knows. Just needs the faith to act.
Hope all is well. Love you all bunches. Look for those missionary opportunities. This week I get to go to the doctor! And Sister Hinkson is going to the Dentist. We are excited for a scenic change but it always promises to talk to those who are ready for some interaction with the Lord's servants. I know this is true. And I know that faith allows the Saviors Grace to lift and strengthen you when nothing else can.
Have an amazing week.
Love always and forever
Sister Peck

Two Weeks of Updates- I am over the Hill- May 9, 2011

The last two weeks have been a roller coaster. I've hit my year marker. It's been full of a lot of reflection and setting new goals. It's hard to measure the change in myself. You can count how many times you've read a book or gone to a place but no way to measure the influence you've had. The best indicator is knowing that you have the Spirit with you. =) Teaching has become amazing. Especially as Sister Hinkson has shared more of her insights in lessons.
I was able to teach in District Meeting about conversion. It was amazing the Spirit there and the feelings. Right before it started Elder Fordham informed me that Elder Jordan went home for medical reasons. Let’s all keep him in our prayers. I bore my testimony. I've learned when I'll else fails bear your witness. Fun insight is that Sister Hinkson knew the week before I would train. Just a feeling she got. Good thing because I got called the night before.

Unfortunately I have to report that Kathy did not get baptized and has stopped making contact. We'll try again this week to reach out to her. She is so close but is holding back. It takes a lot to make a life time commitment and agency sometimes can be a major disappointment. Travis dropped us. He says he has received his answer about the Book of Mormon and he just cannot grasp that this could be true. It was hard because he wouldn't give or do anything to receive an answer of truth for himself. We were able to tell RaNae that she has a membership number. She truly light up. She belonged. She's got to learn what we believe but she knew she was numbered. There is always that thought of those scriptures of numbering His sheep. This was a moment in the recognition of knowing that you are His.
There are glimpses of Spring. This week’s forecast is in the 70's and we've got the haircuts for it. Pauline gave us new summer dews this afternoon! Feel a lot lighter.
Michael's lesson at Bishop's was amazing. He is preparing to be baptized. He became emotional a couple of times where the Spirit distilled upon him. He says he wants to feel the sun rays again like he did as a child. The gospel gives us hope.
The temple trip was amazing with Sister Michael. She calls us her granddaughters. It felt amazing to return to the temple. Miss attending more often.
Raylyn's had order as Evan, the dad, sat in on the lesson. It was truly amazing to teach and the kids mind. I loved it and felt hope for them eventually making it to church and to the temple.
I ate gravy. The most interesting meal I've had on my mission. It was soup but not edible. But I love the old man who made it anyways. I was the only one to stomach it. =)
It was great to talk to family on Mother's Day. I hope everyone had a great day and enjoyed celebrating the women who have made an impact in their lives. I've had so many women in my life to teach and emulate the attributes and character of the Savior for me. Thank you to every one of you who has made all the difference and the sacrifices you have made on my behalf.
I love our Savior. He's amazing. I am working on increasing my faith. Faith is what motivates- it's a power and a trust.
Hope everyone has a great week and remembers to share the gospel with those around you.
Love Sister Peck

Weekly Update- April 25, 2011



Aloha
Another week in the field and it was white again. Luckily the snow didn't last long and we had a day of 60 degrees. I am way excited for Spring. I lost my planner and it was found at a member’s home in Lone and my scriptures were forgotten one day at home. Felt lost. Had to use Sister Hinkson's which was nice but hard to find things and not marked the same.
We saw a lot of less active members this week. Some of them are really ready to change and others just need to know they are not forgotten. I am really getting to know and love them. Still don't feel like I know the Colville Ward but am getting better. Some of the sweetest people.
We need to work on finding. It's hard when you've been in the same place like Sister Hinkson to retract everywhere. We have made some goals which will help us in this week am sure.
Sister Hinkson celebrated her 9 month mark. It was different to see her response. Mine was a milestone and hers more of reflection. It's amazing what we expect out of our service and how different exceptions can raise us or hold us back. Kathy and I, as Sister Hinkson says, ambushed her into teaching. It was beautiful. We each have different strengths and weakness. I keep looking for opportunities for her to shine and me not to be casting a shadow. Missionary life is teaching a lot. There are these Christ-like moments where you have a glimpse of what the Savior felt. It is amazing and truly moments I treasure.
Kathy may or may not be baptized this weekend. Small towns gather drama. She is so ready. She watched Prophet of the Restoration and the understanding came of the hope President Borders was wanting her to experience. Still needs to take some action that will bring her closer to making covenants. Michael asked how he can repent and how he can apply the atonement in his life. It was amazing. Travis, a YSA, is trying to cling onto the feelings and truth he felt a year ago when he was baptized. He gets side tracked by doctrinal points but it all comes down to was Jospeh Smith a prophet. I testified that he was and that the Book of Mormon is true. The Spirit was so strong. It was a mini Elder Holland moment where you can hear a pin drop. This work is exhausting and rewarding. I know that the Savior lives. His grace sustains me and I know that your prayers and love continue to lift me to engage in this great work.
Hope everyone finds moments to share about their Easter weekend and Church attendance. It's so hard to get lost in the holidays that we lose the real meaning of what we are celebrating.
Love you all bunches love
always and forever your
Sister Peck

Ready or not here we come- April 18, 2011



Transfer calls are in we are staying here. We are excited. We'll get to see Kathy make a date for baptism. Which one, we don't know, but we are hoping for the 30th. She's got some obstacles she's got to overcome but we have seen her exercise great faith. We are fasting for her and praying on her behalf this last week. It has truly taught me a lot about an increase in faith and the power we have to show the Lord what we desire. Miracles truly do happen.
Spring is coming. The birds are returning and the weather is warming up. We will be going to temple the first week in March! So that will change P-day up for us. Kathy had her interview yesterday!! YAY!!! She really liked Pres. Boarders. She has to do a few things before she gets baptized. We are going to teach more on the Atonement and Repentance to her. She is doing great though.
I am still reading and enjoying the church videos. Donna is doing good in Ione as well. She wasn't at church on Sunday even though she said she would be there. We have a lot of apptoinments set up in Lone this week, which is good.
In Colville, Michael is doing great. He asked us what he has to do to be baptized. He quit coffee already and is working on the smoking. He enjoys church a lot and loves learning. We tried to put him on-date, but he is praying about it. He doesn't know how long it will take him to quit smoking, so he's thinking about a date.
Other than that, we've been working with a lot of less active members. We've been having trouble getting in contact with our investigators. It was a good week though. We are hoping to teach more investigators this week. This is from Sister Hinkson. She is ready to leave. But I love all of you. The work goes forward and seek for those moments to serve. You'll be blessed.
Love always and forever Sister Peck