The 17-miracle lesson.

What a miracle week! Last week I told you about a woman we fearlessed
on an exchange? We taught her last Monday and it was a 17-miracles
lesson! Seriously. Just to name a few: we had the wrong address but
kept walking and she was outside waiting for us, the best and sweetest
member ever came with us, Olga (the new inv) started crying as we
testified of eternal families because she had lost her mom in an
accident, she agreed to be baptized when she knew it was true, she
asked US for the church time and location... I can keep going but it
was so wonderful! And Hna Herrera, the member who came, was a champ!
She is so sweet and before we said anything, offered to pick Olga up
for church & bore such a strong testimony too. It was awesome! When we
left, we all were just dancing and couldn't stop smiling as we
recounted the miracles on the way back to the car!

We had an exchange and I was with a sister who has been out about 5
weeks. She was so sweet though and I especially try to have awesome
exchanges when it is a sister's first one because I know how nervous I
felt! But it was really fun and she asked if we could knock doors
because she never had. Well, the first door we knocked ended up having
a less-than-pleased young mother answer the door. She was carrying a
baby on her hip and said she had told missionaries hundreds of times
not to come back. I complimented the woman on her cute baby, but she
wasn't amused. Ah, sometimes we get rejected but at least we open our
mouth!

Thursday we had a an STL meeting at President's house to talk about
the eider exchanges and other upcoming events. It was my year mark
that day and I found myself back with Sister Hale. I can't believe it
has been a year since we were first companions. It is really neat to
see how we have both changed and grown over the course of a year. I
love these sisters so much! After the meeting, we did service for a
former investigator whose husband died a few months ago. She needed
help cleaning out her kitchen cupboard and I had so much fun doing it!
She also told us how even though she was raised catholic, she prays
like we pray. She started doing it after a few missionary lessons & it
was interesting to see how the way we pray really does connect us with
our Father in Heaven. She can tell a difference and I pray one day she
will progress in the gospel. She feels too busy right now but I know
one day she will!

Friday was Missionary Leadership Council again. I can't believe it was
the third one I've attended! How the months fly by. President spoke to
us about the importance of sincere prayer and the Atonement. Much of
what he said we heard again in conference. He is so inspired! One of
the APs gave a workshop about having a vision. He showed us how our
area has grown in the past few decades and what can continue to
happen. This weekend we have the creation of the fourth stake on Long
Island (when president got here there were two stakes and two
districts). Pretty amazing that we get to be a part of it! But there
have been prophesies of temples on Long Island. It hit me how WHEN
that day happens, I can say, "I helped build that."

Then of course we had general conference. It was amazing, like always!
Hard to believe it has been six months already. I always feel a tinge
of sadness at the end of conference...not that it happened,but that we
have to wait another six months! Luckily we should all take the advice
of our prophet and read and study the conference talks over the next
six months. Two of my favorite talks were from President Uchtdorf on
gratitude and Elder Bednar about carrying a load. I put the quotes at
the end of this email.

Oh, on Saturday the elders and our ward mission leader had a surprise
lunch for Sister Hale. It was so sweet of them! They made the Mexican
dish called tinga and authentic rice pudding. It was tasty!

So, that's a recap of last week. This week again will be crazy with
two temple trips, exchanges, zone meeting, and two stake conference
sessions. Oh, and transfer calls! I suspect I will be staying here and
"training" the next STL, but I guess one never knows for certain!

Here are the quotes:

"Gratitude is a  disposition and a way of life, independent of our
circumstances...We can CHOOSE to limit our gratitude based on the
blessings we feel like we lack." -- Pres. Uchtdorf

Elder Bednar: "happiness is not the absence of a load." I Loved the
story and how a load was necessary for the truck to run.

I love you and hope you have a fabulous week!

Sister Peacock