Share YOUR Story.

It's been a few weeks (eh...maybe more) since I have written an actual blog post. But, I wanted to write a quick post about an upcoming "feature," if you will, of this blog.

My friend Carter gave me the idea to share conversion or faith-building stories on my blog in order to help those who might be reading. I think this will be a great way to fulfill my purpose as a missionary using social media. Carter even volunteered to write the first blog post, and I can't wait to read it -- and share it -- with you.

So, my invitation to you is that if you have struggled with the gospel and want to share your story, please do. It doesn't matter if it is your conversion story that led to baptism; if you want to share your struggles you might have faced after baptism; if you have been less active and changed directions; if you're still wondering why life is hard; if you love the gospel and want to tell others why. BUT! This idea will only work if people are willing to share their struggles and triumphs in living the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I know that this truly can be a tool used for good -- that through the words of all of you, we can lift up the "hands which hang down & strengthen the feeble knees." I invite you to share your story (you can do so anonymously as well).

I am excited about what we learn as we read the lessons that others have learned. And remember, this life isn't about survival -- it's about progression. We can do this!

If you want to help, you can leave a comment here, send me an email {at} cheri.peacock{at}myldsmail.net or send me a message on Facebook. 

Little Neck: Week 1.

Man. From Rivehead to Little Neck. What is it with parts of the body
and my mission areas?

Changes. Big changes! Well, president threw me a curveball this
transfer. I was expecting the city, which I suppose you can't have
expectations like that in missionary service. But, I was because
that's what I have seen. And I was looking forward to fearlessing meeting
people right and left on the subways and busses and walking
everywhere....but, I am in Little Neck. The area is interesting
because it is part island/part city. For example, I live in
Douglaston, which is Queens. But because our area is huge, we have
cars. I was a little bummed about that (excited to get out and WALK)
but everything happens for a reason right? And the area itself is
super diverse and very different from the countryside and quiet
Riverhead.

But, all of that aside, a little more of the area...it is a zebra pool
again, meaning we teach English and Spanish. We have a ward here, and
it is actually President Calderwood's ward. He was gone yesterday (and
is quite often, I imagine) but that will be exciting to see him at
church. I love his family! I was really excited for our ward Christmas
party so I could meet a lot of people...unfortunately they canceled it
because of the snow...wouldn't want anyone getting stranded. Hehe. Our
district just went out and shoveled driveways instead for 3 hours,
which turned out to be a lot of fun. But, I was able to meet members
at church yesterday. There is a lot of diversity here...Barbados,
Philippines, Jamaica, Peru, Utah...

Also, we have an awesome ward mission leader & I am very excited to
work with him! Plus, the ward list is super organized. Blessings of a
ward! I can't wait to get these members involved and pumped up about
teaching with us & inviting their friends.

And...holy cow! Christmas is next week?! I am not sure what our plans
are for that day. We don't have any plans with members or anyone, so I
don't know when we will be calling. But I think we are just using our
iPads for Skype or FaceTime. I liked being able to use the Bloms
computer on Mother's Day, but we'll see how this goes. I think we will
just use wifi at the church. I am excited nonetheless.

Somehow, my mission now seems very short in time left. As I realized
last week, I could be in this area for 2-4 transfers (most likely)
which would mean I would only have 3-5 transfers left! And, most
missionaries have around 3 areas so things are becoming very real to
me that I'm in the midpoint of my mission. I still have hopes of
serving in the city someday, but I've also come to the conclusion that
might not be where God needs me.

Also, funny fact. Sister Hale left Riverhead and went to Jamaica with
Sister Jensen. Then Sister Jensen was there with her for 2 transfers
and then was transferred to Rivehead with sister Acosta. She text me
the other day and said she has now heard stories from both my trainer
and my trainee :) she said she was super grateful to be with sister
Acosta and that I trained an incredible, hardworking missionary. It
was such a blessing to have that opportunity,  but I think she was
incredible before she came to New York!

But, I will keep working hard this transfer, and praying frequently
for Heavenly Father to guide my steps. I am sure I will grow this
transfer, and especially my relationship with my Father in Heaven will
grow as I turn to Him to help teach me patience and charity.

I read this quote this morning:

"No pain we suffer, no trial we experience is wasted. It ministers to
our education, to the development of such qualities as patience,
faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we
endure, especially when we endure patiently, builds up our characters,
purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and
charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God ... And it is
through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the
education that we come here to acquire." Orson F. Whitney

How true! I hope you all have a fantastic week.

For information, you can send letters to this address:
240-26 68th Avenue
Douglaston, NY 11362

Or packages to: the mission office
85-69 60th Drive
Elmhurst, NY 11373

I will send some pictures too of the past week!

Goodbye to my riverhead cottage!

Number 7.

Well, transfer #7 is officially here! I'm going to be short today because, well, I'm GETTING TRANSFERRED! Yep, the day actually came for me to leave Riverhead. I've been thinking about it a lot the past week & what I would choose, if it were up to me. But, luckily, it's not up to me :) ha! Saturday night, I felt pretty anxious/nerves in my stomach until the call came. But, when they announced I was leaving, I had a wave of calmness rush over me. I attribute that to the fact that this is the Lord's work. And as soon as we got the call, I started packing. I mean, why leave it to last minute? Haha. Plus, after 8 months of being here...I had to go through my things. Hehe.

But, I have loved being here. I have loved these people...my family. It was the hardest to say goodbye to our investigators, Flor, Renata and Maria. We feel Flor is especially prepared, and are trying to commit her to a baptism before January. That's hard to leave, but I know it means there are other people prepared to hear the gospel message -- and from me.

How crazy that Christmas is in less than 3 weeks! I can't believe how fast the time has flown since August. Is that just me?

Anyway, it has been such a blessing to serve the first (almost) half of my mission here on Long Island in Riverhead. Tomorrow in transfer meeting, I will find out where I'm going and who my companion will be. I can't imagine the nerves I will feel then!

But, we're going to spend some time now with the elders so sorry this is short! It's funny how the missionaries become such great friends, but I've felt like that my whole mission, so I'm sure it will be the same in my new area.

I'm excited for new changes, for new people, probably an all Spanish branch/ward...and who knows? But, I know that I'm going there for a reason! So, I'll probably post on FB with my new companion tomorrow, but until then...

Love you!

Sister Peacock

Week 6 & it's beginning to look a lot like...

...CHRISTMAS!

:)

So, the lights are going up all around us & and I can't help but smile each time I see a tree in a window, or decorations. I just feel so happy. We've been caroling & leaf raking & having adventures. This morning, we made the Montauk trip again for the few who hadn't been. It was my fourth time, but the people are always what make it the best.

This past week, I reflected [a lot] on my time spent here in Riverhead. Transfer calls are Saturday night & I'm fairly confident that I will be leaving. Sunday morning, I realized it was my eighth fast Sunday in the Riverhead Branch. I was thinking, "What have I done here? Have I made a difference?" Elder Read, sitting behind me, whispers, "Sister Peacock! It's probably your last time bearing your testimony here..." & I turned around, I see a less active who had come in a little late, sitting beside the elders. It was Corrine, who Sister Hale and I had found in July. We had visited her frequently until she became a little too busy to fit us in her schedule. Luckily, the relief society president had been able to see her a few times, and seeing her there was the greatest thing ever. We had worked so hard with her; I had always felt like she had such potential. She is just 25. And has had a really rocky past. But, she had told us many times before that we were sent to her, her angels. Well, I went and bore my testimony & as I sat down, Corrine got up and bore hers. It was so wonderful! I had to take off my glasses because I started to cry a little (from happiness). She said how Sister Hale and I had visited her, coming at the exact right time in her life, and that she knew we had been sent from God to help her. She talked about knowing it was true & even though she had a long ways to go, she wanted to get back on the right path. I was blown away. It was probably the most powerful Fast Sunday I've had on my mission. Many members thanked her for her testimony as well & you could feel the Spirit so strong. She also said to me after, "Sister Peacock, you are beautiful inside and out. Never forget the difference you've made in my life." I felt so grateful that Heavenly Father had answered the question I'd had in my heart that day of "Did I make a difference here?" Truly, He listens to us!

So, that was the highlight of my week. How can I forget Thanksgiving though? It was such a wonderful day. The Bloms had us and the elders over, which was so fun to be able to spend time with such great people. We started the morning off with the Turkey Bowl & then had a great afternoon at the Blom's house...with delicious food & wonderful people!

We also learned to make pupusas this week with one of our investigators. They were super tasty. And easy. I'll make them for you when I get home!

Anyway, it's been a great week. I don't know how this transfer is already over! I keep telling Sister Acosta that she could be training after this week...we'll have to see :) She is definitely a missionary with a lot of power! It's been a great blessing to be her companion. Plus...we laugh a lot together.

Okay, well, until next week ... and changes?

Love,
Sister Peacock

Sorry, I forgot the awesome photos from this week :) And i forgot to mention what we did last week for PDAY! We went to the ocean ... and some of the missionaries in our district built a legit temple sand castle. It was cool!

Photos 1 & 2: the ocean :)

Photo 3: Matching shirts with Sandberg and the elders' investigator Matt who ... BIG news! He has a baptism date! Yay! Aug. 10 :)

Photo 4: Me proposing to a creepy dragon statue on the side of the road.

Photo 1: Happy Thanksgiving at the Bloms

Photo 2: Me and Braylen

Photo 3: We threw Elder Read a surprise birthday breakfast...and told them we were going to rake leaves...haha. We made monkey bread. It was a fun time!

Happy thanksgiving!

Hola mi familia!

Today has been a challenging week. We've had to fight to have lessons,
as many people have been busy and unavailable, or just sick. But, we
did have a good day on Saturday and we had two awesome members share
their afternoon with us to help us out. In our small branch, their
service means everything!

Funny story... I went on an exchange this week and we ate a members
house. She is from Giana (no, not Ghana... I have never heard of that
country). And she made us shrimp. Spicy shrimp. It was super good...
It also still had legs on it. I didn't know how to take them off...so
I just ate it. Yeah, it was crunchy.

Yesterday, a little 5-year-old boy named Eli told his dad, "I'm going
to marry Sister Peacock."

We helped at the senior center this week with their thanksgiving lunch
and it was a blast. I can't believe I started going there in May!
There are definitely friendships with the seniors and the staff. They
are so grateful for our help and almost everyone thinks we're in high
school. Ha. We brought the elders with us too -- I love working with
Elder Read and Elder Pincock. They have been giving me a hard time
this week because I am getting really excited about Christmas. I never
realized how many Christmas movies I had seen until they hadn't seen
nearly any of them. And every time we drive by something with
Christmas lights, I just squeal with excitement. It's so beautiful!

We also had our mega zone conference on Friday, where I felt so
edified. I love seeing the other missionaries and being inspired by
our mission president and his wife. It is empowering to be around
other missionaries. I will attach a picture...this is only about 1/3
of our mission. We have near 300 missionaries now. The work is
exploding!

I also came to the realization on Friday that in 6 weeks, I will be
halfway done with my mission. It is funny because, at times, it has
seemed to go slower, but this transfer has flown by. And now with
Christmas approaching, I think the new year will be here before we
know it & then hello to halfway! Crazy.

We made friends awhile back with this nice, older woman at the library
named Virginia. We always tell her we can rake her leaves or provide
any service she needs. Last time we went, she asked if we could rake
her friend's leaves. We invited the elders and spent about two hours
raking and bagging the leaves for Wanita. We had an appointment but
the elders finished bagging them for us. Service really does make you
feel great! And Wanita was thankful. Plus it was fun. A man pulled
over and said, "I think you all make the best dressed landscapers I've
ever seen." We were in our skirts and the elders in their suits. :)

Oh and of course...happy thanksgiving this week! I am definitely
grateful for all of you...and for the millions of other blessings I
have. How lucky we are! How incredibly lucky.

I would write more but. .. We are in Jamaica today, visiting three of
our missionaries who are serving here now. I am sitting next to sister
hale :) it is nice to be reunited! Ah! I've missed her!

Ok. Love you all!

Sister Peacock

a week of miracles (yet again).

For starters...

I can't describe the JOY I've felt this past week. Miracles upon miracles. Last Sunday, we were able to visit a few investigators we hadn't been able to reach this transfer. Yesterday, three of them came to church. Our investigator Flor brought Renata and Maria (Flor lives with their mom, and we have taught all of them before). Flor was avidly taking notes in Sunday School, and was participating during both classes. She told us that she feels something different there, and wants to come back again.

Last night, as we taught a lesson at their house, I felt the Spirit so strongly that Flor was prepared for our message. You can see it in her eyes that she has real intent. As we invited them to be baptized, it was evident that Flor was interested. She asked about the process & what she needed to learn. I know that we can work with her & that she can be prepared to be baptized. Renata, who is 10, has wanted to be baptized for two months, but we are working with her mom, Betty. Sadly, Betty seems the least interested out of the household, but we will continue working & praying for her. Renata is an amazing seeker of truth! Last night, she started crying (as we were teaching the Plan of Salvation) and asked what would happen if someone died without being baptized. She then explained, "It's that I love my mom & I don't want her to die without being baptized because I want to live with her forever." I pray that as Betty sees the desire of her daughter, her heart will soften to our message.

Besides those miracles, it has just been a really great week! I appreciated all the cards and packages and messages for my birthday. It was a great day & I am excited for what's in store now that I'm 23! EEK. Most people still think I'm 19, which is fantastic. I'll just look young FOREVER! :) But, the missionaries are awesome. The elders invited us to lunch for my birthday & then they stopped by with a "Christmas" candle & my favorite mints...and Pokemon cards. I love them! We also celebrated at the Bloms on Sunday and I can't tell you (yet again) how grateful I am for them! It was truly like being with family. And, because they knew I have this no treats challenge, in lieu of cake, they had a delicious fruit platter. It was beautiful. And tasty. But, more than the food, it's just the family. They have pure love for the missionaries and will do anything to help us. I'm so grateful to know them!

On Saturday, we helped with a service project which included splitting wood & stacking it into wood piles. I can't tell you how many stumps we split and cut...but we were there from 8:30 until 3:30 :) I was a long day and good work. Plus, it always makes me laugh when people think I can't pick things up because I'm a girl...I guess I get the strength from mom, because she's always lifted heavy things too... It's kind of funny though. "Wow, Sister Peacock...you're strong!"

I'm sure other things happened this week...oh yes! We got ipads. That's exciting, right? So,we've been moving all of our area information from a 4" binder onto our ipads...one sentence at a time. It's pretty awesome though being able to use the gospel library app. Seriously! I was reading Preach My Gospel and then saw an article from a 1983 Ensign & I looked for it and BAM. I was reading the article. Technology these days, eh? :)

Missionaries and members keep telling me they think I'm going to be transferred after I finish training Sister Acosta. I know that is a possibility ... and that I've been here for almost 6 transfers. I've never wanted to say or think "Where do I WANT to be?" Because I do, with all my heart, want to be where the Lord NEEDS me to be. So, why would I ask for what I think is best? It's true, there are people here who I really feel will progress immensely this next transfer, like Flor, and I would love to see that happen. I do love the people. They are my family, my home. I know that the Lord is guiding His work & that He will send me or keep me where I need to be. If it is His will, maybe I will see Flor progress to baptism. But, all in His timing & His plans. So, we'll see what happens, eh?

This work is amazing. I am so grateful to be a missionary and for Him to use me as an instrument in His hands.

--Sister Peacock

Pic 1: After the service project we stopped to see the Connecticut Shoreline before heading home. This is Elder Solis (he's our zone leader from Mexico..and he's turning 27!), Hna Acosta, me, and Elder Terry (in our zone)

Pic 2: The Blom birthday cake :) 

Pic 3: Opening a package from Zach and Jenni

forever changed.

Shortly after starting my mission, I learned a profound lesson from my mission president, President Calderwood. The New York South mission theme is "forever changed." But, what does that mean? How can someone be "forever changed" or "changing?"

President Calderwood illustrated a pattern that we see everywhere -- in the scriptures, in our families, and in the church. 

First, it starts with the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is: faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. That is the path we must take. It's not a one-way road; it's more like a roundabout. Yes, the gospel of Jesus Christ is a cycle. We can't expect to have faith or repent once and be fine. It's a process. As we come to learn about these principles and live them, we have a desire to change and to be changed. 

This takes us to the second step -- living the gospel of Jesus Christ allows us to be forever changing. This is the concept that intrigued me ... what does it mean to forever change? Forever is a daunting word. In the scriptures, we read how the Anti-Nephi-Lehies buried their weapons of war, never to use them again. They were forever changed. How can we guarantee that we are "forever changed?" I prefer to think of it in terms of changing because, just like the gospel is a process, we are constantly being molded & refined, and hopefully, becoming better. 

I went to a mission conference shortly after being taught this pattern and many of the sisters bore their testimonies about how they've changed on their missions. I started to panic. "I've been out 2 months! Why don't I feel that way? What's wrong with me? I feel the same as I was at home! Why aren't I forever changed yet?" 

But, that's the very evidence of being forever changed...the fact that I had the desire to be different. See, the third part of the pattern is obedience. When we are forever changing, we want to be obedient. We choose to follow God. We look for ways to improve.

That's where patience and persistence come in. Change isn't an overnight process (WHAT? Since when?). There are a few goals I set at the beginning of my mission and I'm still working at being or becoming these things -- more charitable, more patience, more selfless ... the list goes on. But, the important thing is that when we live the gospel of Jesus Christ, we have the desire to change. Sometimes, we feel like we don't measure up, or that everyone is going on the fast-track to happiness & is progressing so much quicker. But, where is our desire? And what are doing to show God our desires? 

So, to sum it up, as we learn and live the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we begin to forever change, and we are obedient as we do so. 

Forever changing ... it's a process to become more like the Savior. I know as I've tried to become more like Him, to adopt His attributes, that I've felt His love in my life. It's not easy. It's easier. 

& it's November!

Wow. Suddenly we're in November ... the leaves are still colorful, but are quickly falling. The air is a lot chillier & the wind is stronger. The nights greet us at about 4:45. And, we continue working :)

So, this past week wasn't super eventful, but a few things did happen. We met all the new missionaries in our zone on Wednesday. It's super weird that I've now been here the longest. When did that happen?? Transfer 6. Wow! I hit my 7-month mark yesterday.

Do you know what happens on Halloween as a missionary? Well, we had to be in the house at 6 p.m. and then we were allowed to do things as if it were PDay. So, Hna Acosta and I pulled out a mattress, set up our 6" DVD player, popped popcorn, and watched "Ephraim's Rescue" (it's from the 17 Miracles director ... and I enjoyed it a lot). Then, we went to bed early. As in, lights off at 8:30. And I was SO EXCITED for the extra sleep. Can you tell I'm a missionary? Who would've ever pictured me asleep before 11? It was glorious.

We taught my friend again on Friday, and it is seriously such a blessing now to use Skype and Facebook. I've seen some big changes in him -- and he just looks happier. It's an awesome thing to recognize in someone you've known for 4 years! Also, cool experience ... last week, we were on FB and I noticed a woman's name that was on our branch roster. I hadn't planned to add her, but decided to send her a quick message. She was very short & not super friendly :) in her response back, but I felt prompted to ask her one more question, regarding when she was baptized. That opened up a huge conversation, and by the end of our time on FB, she said she was so glad that I had talked to her and how alone she had felt. Now, we chat multiple times a week, and I send her videos from mormonchannel that she's been watching & enjoying. It's amazing -- the blessings of technology!

Saturday we had a huge service project in our stake. We helped clean the grounds at the Veteran's Memorial Hospital. It was a great experience and the people in charge were very thankful for the help from the church. We raked a ton of leaves & it was a beautiful drive through the changing leaves, so that made it even better :)

And, yesterday the most exciting thing happened! We were headed to church when we got a phone call from our inv Isaura, who we started teaching in September. My first thought (honestly) was,"She's canceling on our appointment for this afternoon." BUT, no! She was calling to see if she could get a ride to CHURCH. What?! We were so.so.so excited about this. She's been pretty apprehensive about coming, and this was out of the blue. She came with her two little boys & was able to meet some of the Spanish members, which was also a plus. Hopefully she'll want to come again next week. YAY! Blessings!

Also, I told you last week that I'd mention more about sacrifices, right? Well, following the example of my friend Sister Schaff in Russia, I decided to give up treats/desserts for this transfer. But, it's not just to give them up, but it's to help me understand how an investigator feels when we ask them to give up coffee/tea/alcohol or other addictions. When I first read the email from Rebekah, I thought, "Um...no way I could do that!" I love baking for the district & yes, I have a sweet tooth. But, I thought...that's why I should do it. Because it would be a challenge. For sure. So, I know it will be a challenge, but I am sure it will help me understand how hard it is when we ask someone to do something. The best part came when my friend Carter that we're teaching via Skype asked me how my challenge was going. I had mentioned to him that I was going to have two cheat days (on my birthday and Thanksgiving) but he challenged me to try it for the transfer. So, I gave him a challenge about reading the Book of Mormon and he gave me one too. It's great to have support! And, it's a lot easier with members to explain why you can't have something than to just say "no." So, what do I learn? I need a PURPOSE. We all need a reason to back up what we do -- and I've found strength in thinking of our investigators too. If we ask them something, shouldn't we be willing to sacrifice as well? So, it'll be a challenge, but we'll see how it goes! :)

Anyway, love you all & always enjoy hearing from you. Missionaries really do love words from their family and friends! :)

Hermana Peacock

enough.

I'm going to let two videos do most of the speaking for me today:

Who are you? 

You are awesome. You are a son or daughter of God. You have power. You have potential.

You are enough. 

hellos & goodbyes.

                        

Well, the time came for transfers. Each transfer is a little nervewracking -- who is going to leave? Who is going to stay? This transfer, Elder Martherus, Elder Nemelka, and Elder Hogge left Riverbays. But, I realized that being sad to say goodbye is a good thing -- it means that you were impacted in some way.

Elder Nemelka & me

Elder Hogge is headed home after serving 2 years! 

Elder Martherus and I served together for 5 transfers! 

And I will admit that each of these elders did have an impact on me. I learned how to be a better missionary and wanted to talk to everyone, following Elder Nemelka's example. I had the opportunity to share my talents and apply missionary principles to life with Elder Hogge. I always looked up to Elder Martherus and his positive attitude. Seriously, he's always smiling. Always happy.

And so, this is a simple post. But, I am grateful to have met these wonderful missionaries -- I am grateful they were a part of my story. 

&& we're off to transfer 6

Hello!

It's almost NOVEMBER. And the start of my SIXTH transfer in Riverhead. I can't believe I will be done training Sister Acosta after this transfer; she doesn't really need it though! She teaches me all the time and is such a powerful teacher and missionary. It's a great blessing for me! But, it's strange because I have a feeling it COULD be my last transfer here. How strange. Elder Martherus (one of my best friends :( ) is getting transferred, and he got here the same transfer as me. So, now it is only Elder Baker and I remaining from the "original" RiverBays district. But, that's how the mission is. So, if it's the last six weeks I have here in Riverhead, I better MAKE IT COUNT!

We were able to hit ALL of our goals this week & even more.

I don't remember if I told you about the phone call we received last Sunday, but a woman called us, and said she had tried coming to church but found the parking lot empty (stake conference) but that she wanted to be a member. She told us her son had been baptized at 16 (nearly 20 years ago) and had served a mission. Somehow she had ended up with our number, but she actually lived in Hampton Bays. So, we sent the elders to teach her & she is getting BAPTIZED on November 9. We went to their branch yesterday and met her. She is awesome. She said, "I've been to church many times...it just took me 19 years to decide for myself." But, again...there are people READY in every area of the mission.

We also spent 10+ hours in the car with the Riverhead elders (carpooling & such) so, you could say we became pretty good friends this week! Sadly, Elder Hogge will be leaving us because he is going HOME! But, I'm super grateful for all the friends I've been blessed to meet so far on the mission. And, Elder Hogge asked me to sing with him in sacrament meeting yesterday. We sang "Be Still, My Soul" but he played guitar and then Matt played piano. It was the COOLEST thing ever! Mostly, I am so grateful to be able to share my talents and to have others willing to share too. I definitely feel the spirit through music, and am grateful people are willing to listen :) Currently posting a video on FB of us singing it so we could share it with those who aren't here. Like, everyone. :)

During our street sweep on Saturday, we also played guitar and sang hymns. It was SO COOL. Whatever your talents are ... share them, ok? It just makes you happy to do so.

Yesterday, we went to church in Hampton Bays with our inv Laura. It was really fun to get to see her at church, after teaching her for 3 months! We'll be going there more often now, which is exciting to see the work expanding.

After church, there was an event in Far Rockaways (where Hurricane Sandy hit the strongest) and all the missionaries were invited to attend. So, we loaded up our car & drove the near-2 hours to participate. We made a human chain along the coastline, holding hands with community members in memory of the last year since Sandy. It was humbling to have so many people come up to me (we were wearing our yellow Helping Hands vests) and tell me "Thank you for ALL you did" even though I didn't even help. They are truly so grateful for the work we did. It was a beautiful thing to be a part of.

And, before going, let me share a tidbit of my morning study. I was studying about sacrifice. We always expect our investigators and well, anyone, to make sacrifices...to give things up. Sometimes, it's things like coffee or alcohol. Sometimes, it's work. Sometimes, it's giving up what WE want for what the Lord wants. But, as I was studying, I realized that if we expect our investigators to make sacrifices, why would it be any different for us? We too need to make sacrifices. Maybe it's pride or impatience. Maybe it's something else. But, we can't expect them to do something WE aren't willing to do ourselves. So, I have a few goals set for the transfer that I'll tell you more about next week, but it involves sacrifice. And, I found a great scripture in D&C 132:50:

"50 Behold, I have seen your asacrifices, and will forgive all your sins; I have seen your bsacrifices in obedience to that which I have told you."

I know that as we make sacrifices to be more obedient, we will be blessed & we will be happier. It's a promise.

Until next week ... & November!

-Hermana Peacock

photo 1: My best friends, Elder Baker & Elder Martherus :) I was saying how awkward photos look with sisters and elders & awkward gaps, so E. Martherus told me to do the peace signs. It works, right?

photo 2: Me & Sister Hale, reunited!

photo 3: street sweeps!

photo 4: Playing guitar for a bit & singing hymns

what is the worth?

Today we met a woman who has been physically abused for years. Though she has been [nearly] killed and is now "in hiding," her positive attitude carries her through the day. She met a member of the church and had attended a few times in the past. When she left, she was able to track down a number and called us.

Abuse of any kind leaves me with a sick-to-my-stomach feeling. There's a heaviness about the subject, and it was hard to listen as she described some of the things she endured. But, looking on the optimistic side, she said her "battle of abuse" helped her believe in God. For some, it would tear down any belief system. I've seen it happen. But, she began to seek Him most during these experiences.

As we sat and spoke with her, I had an undeniable feeling that this woman -- this daughter of God -- had great worth. I pulled out a crisp dollar bill from my wallet and said, "How much is this worth?"

She responded, "It's a dollar bill."

I then crumpled it up into a little ball and repeated the question.

Again she said, "It's a dollar."

Then, I explained to her that though it was crumpled, a little dirty and worn, yes, it still had value. It was still a dollar bill. It still held its worth.

We are like these dollar bills (though we are worth much more than $1 to God, our Heavenly Father). But, though we may be imperfect, though some of us have strayed far from the path or feel unworthy of God's love or the Atonement of Christ, we can all become new again. We can all return to the state of a fresh, crisp dollar bill.

I know that it's true. No matter where you are, no matter what you've done or what's happened to you, change is possible. Growth is possible. We can start again through the power of Christ's Atonement.

Even if you feel unloved, unappreciated, or broken ... you are of great worth.



D&C 18:10 -- "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God."