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
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