Training: Week 2.

We meet again. And it's OCTOBER! I get so excited every time I see a tree with changing leaves. And my companion gets excited EVERY time she sees a squirrel :) No joke. She is so funny. I'm learning a lot about Mexican culture from her. For instance:

-She carries a bottle of Cholula with her in her purse (hot sauce) for everything...including BLTs, potato chips, popcorn, watermelon...yes. True story. And she could easily go through a bottle in one day.
-She eats beans, chicken, turkey, etc. for breakfast. This is something I'm not used to!
-Spicy is not in her vocabulary. It's the way of life :)
-She is so giving!
-She is talented at doing hair and makeup, and volunteers to help me all the time with my hair. So, I've had some pretty awesome braids this week! I don't mind.
-And, most importantly. She knows why she is here. She has a powerful testimony, wants to work hard, and has already captured the members' and investigators' hearts.

This past week, we started working with three new investigators! Yay! And, they were all found through knocking doors. We are also still working with Betty and her two daughters. Last week, her daughters said they wanted to get baptized. I can't explain the power of her 10-year-old daughter. She is amazing. We have to wait until the family could get baptized together, so please pray for them! We need to work with Betty more. She knows that it's good and true, but has said she needs to put it as a priority. Yes.

We had an awesome lesson with Laura too this past week about the Gospel of Christ. I love the gospel of Christ. It's the lesson that talks about all the fundamentals of our gospel! Faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. All of which are made possible through the Atonement. It was a powerful lesson too, and the Spirit was so strong. She is SUCH a prepared investigator. It never ceases to amaze me how she is one who has been prepared to hear this message, at this time, and from us. What a privilege!

On Saturday, we attended the Relief Society broadcast, which I loved. And, it's interesting because Hermana Acosta and I talked after about how we were thinking of certain investigators during the talks -- something I've never experienced before! I can't wait for General Conference. We have a zone service project on Saturday though, so we won't be able to watch those sessions until Friday :( But, at least we can see Sunday's sessions!

Yesterday, I was reflecting on all I've learned in the past six months. Last October during general conference, I made the decision to serve a mission. It wasn't easy or necessarily what I thought I wanted at the time, but I have been able to meet such amazing people. And I hate to think of if I had never met them -- Mirna, Elizabeth, the Bloms, the investigators, and other missionaries. I am strengthening my testimony in ways that could not be possible in any other way. Truly a blessing in my life to prepare me for the future!

We also had interviews with President Calderwood yesterday (which is why I'm writing to you today instead) and I always leave the interviews feeling a boost of confidence and power to work. He is an incredible leader. You don't ever doubt the sincerity or his testimony. And you can feel the love when he speaks to you. We only have interviews every other transfer, so the next time I have an interview will be on transfer 7. Or, in non-missionary terms...I will be halfway through my mission. Time flies.

Also, our mission president had a meeting with all the branch presidencies/bishoprics in the area and he told them some of the new plans (dealing with social media and other things). We will be able to use social media (including Skype), for missionary purposes, within the next two weeks. He said it is a way to share the gospel throughout all the world, even areas where we don't have missionaries. We will also be getting ipads. And, he said to expect to see missionaries in your wards/branches for 6-12 months, and that it is likely to have them start and finish missions in the same area. Crazy, right? President said, "They're seeing that firsthand with you!" So....I think I'll be in Riverhead for awhile!

But, the area is being blessed and Hermana Acosta is a great asset for the Spanish here. And the English. :) Language isn't a barrier because the Spirit is so strong!

Elizabeth also got her limited use temple recommend so we are going to do baptisms with her on Oct. 12! Woohoo! And then I get to go to the temple again the next week for my 6-month anniversary trip. I CAN'T WAIT. I seriously miss the temple so much. For all of you who can go, do it.

Anyway, off to another great week of missionary work! We have our zone activity today: carving pumpkins. And I'm bringing the candy corn. :)

Make sure to watch General Conference! Don't miss out on an opportunity to hear words of living prophets.

I love you!

-Hermana Peacock


Pic 1: Hermano Leon is headed to Utah for a few months to work. He refers to me as "hermana pickup."

Pic 2: Swinging at Laura's new house. Beautiful view!

Pic 3: One of the "new" less actives we started working with ... she was so sweet and excited about our visit that I had to take a photo. Haha.

-On the beach last Pday

-Mirna, me, Amerilis (I think they are going to be best friends) :) 

training: week 1.

Hello family! So...lots of changes this past week, as you know.

On Monday, we had our last "Riverbays District Bonding" before all the changes happened. I can't describe how close of a district we were, but there was really a whole lot of love in it! It was a bittersweet time! And Tuesday, we all decided to get breakfast together before transfer meeting...and then sit together one last time at transfer meeting too. We were really unified, but I'm determined to be unified with the current district as well!

So...my new companion! Well, in training meeting, they have all the new trainees walk into the room and then President Calderwood just announces the name and trainer. I was so nervous! But, my new companion is Hermana Acosta. She was born and raised in Mexico, and recently moved to El Paso, Texas. She is 19, and has a fierce love of the gospel. She doesn't feel comfortable with her English, but she actually knows quite a bit, but I've definitely noticed a change in the past week -- I'm thinking in Spanish like all of the time! But it's fun to hep each other with the languages. Anyway, it really is such a privilege being a trainer...sometimes it's scary too. I mean, I'm helping this missionary rise to her potential! I want to help her become the missionary God sees her to be, and I want to be the trainer that God needs me to be. I think I've said a record number of prayers this week, but we're seeing results. Hna Acosta said that when she walked into the training room, she said, "I hope she's my trainer!" (referring to me). That made me feel happy to know!

But, seriously. I feel so blessed! Since day one, Hna Acosta has borne powerful testimony in lessons, and really wants to work and help the people. We have seen miracles this past week in Riverhead, including FOUR new investigators. And I know that the miracles are just beginning. If we are obedient, they will continue to come.

So, we were teaching Betty and her two daughters this week, and both times we stopped by their house, we were able to teach a lesson to someone else there (2 of our new investigators). Little miracles of being in the in right place at the right time! So, the first time we were there, her friend Flor was walking out when we got there. Well, a few minutes later, Flor walks back in and sat down as we began teaching. She ended up telling us that she had been praying to God and has interest in finding "the true church." She said as she was leaving, she thought to herself, "Why am I leaving? This is an answer to prayer." It was really powerful! And Betty's daughters....they are SO STRONG. They are amazing! Last night we stopped by to see if they had read and prayed. Renata (she's 10) said that she had prayed and feels "joy" but hadn't gotten an answer. I explained to her, as it says in Moroni 7:13 that anything good is from God. And I asked her what she thought that meant. She said, "I guess God is telling me it's the true church?" :)))
I can't describe the feeling in the lessons with them...but last night Mirna came with us too and she said she felt it. She knew that they would join the church one day. Anway, we hope they can come to church this week!

We also started teaching a mom and her daughter, who is a single mother. We met them at the culture night my first weekend in Riverhead. And then they saw the elders at Walmart and remembered us and wanted a visit. So, we're building a relationship with them right now too.

The new missionaries in our district are great; we even played tennis one morning last week. Joining me in Riverhead is Elder Hogge, who served here for three months last year, and Elder Pincock, who is only on his second transfer.Yeah, Pincock and Peacock :) Fun! But, it was weird in Branch Council because people kept referring to me as the "old missionary." When did that happen? Yet, somehow I've been in Riverhead for SIX months! Oh, and our new zone leader is Elder Waters...and I went to school and was an ambassador with him at SUU. That's so fun! We had a great time catching up on Saturday at a service project (painting a house for 7 hours! Fun times :) )

The leaves are starting to change and it's super beautiful here. I love the cool weather too. It gets dark pretty early, but we're keeping busy and working hard! I cannot wait for women's conference this weekend and tehn GENERAL CONFERENCE. AH! I love it so so much.

Oh, and as for my Sister Hale? She is living quite the different missionary life now...in Jamaica, Queens. She actually got "blinded in" with her companion, meaning neither missionary was serving there. They haven't had spanish sisters there in a long time, so they're starting new. But, she'll be great! And, our old District Leader Elder Nelson also got transferred there as her new district leader. So, big changes!

But, life is good. The work is true, everyone. And just to share a great scripture I read in John 8 yesterday:

"And he that sent me is with me; the Father hath not left me alone .. if ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed & ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."

This gospel is the truth. Test it out for yourself. Then be His disciple.

les quiero!

-hermana peacock

Photo 1: The DISTRICT (for the last time).

Photo 2: Trying out Slo Jacks. Good chili!

Photo 3: Hale, Peacock, Spencer & Baker

Photo 4: Mi nueva companera, Hna Acosta!


1: Elder Cabeza: GOING HOME! Crazy. He was my first zone leader.

2: My hair got a little painted during service (Iw as painting an attic room and kept standing up and hitting my head...)

3:  I'll ALWAYS be a Tbird :)

4: Mirna, Sister Hale, Sister Rivas (the teacher) and me in our first temple prep class :))

Hello, transfer number 5.

Well, guess what? Transfer #5 has arrived! And, I have some news for you. President Calderwood called me last week and extended the call to be a trainer, so I will be meeting my brand new from the MTC companion tomorrow! EEEEEEEK.

I'm a little nervous. But excited. It will be a new adventure. I'm also staying here in Riverhead and since I am training, I will be here for at least 12 weeks. How crazy is that? I will be here until December, at least. I am looking forward to all that is in store for us here!

Sister Hale is getting transferred, along with about half of our district (including both elders that serve here in Riverhead). That was the hardest part because we are SO CLOSE as a district and have such a good time together. It's weird that I'll be the only one staying in Riverhead. But, I know there is a purpose in all things! We find out tomorrow at our transfer meeting where everyone is headed! Oh, the joys of the unknown.

In other news this week..

We started teaching a woman named Betty again (we taught her back in April) and her two daughters. We've always felt the spirit so strongly in the lessons. And her two daugthers, 10 and 8, are incredible too! They all ahve a desire to know what the true church is and I asked if they knew it was true, what would they do? How would their life change? They said, "Well, we'd follow it and Jesus Christ." So, they've committed to be baptized if they come to know for themselves. We left our lesson with them just smiling from ear-to-ear as they'd all expressed the same thing. They truly seem like a prepared family and I hope that we can help them progress towards baptism in the next 12 weeks. They are wonderful!

But with that question...if you know it is true. If you know the church is true, what are you doing to show it? Are you following Jesus Christ? Are you living His way or your way? What kind of little things can you change to grow closer to Him? If we seek to find the answers, they will come!

I also went on exchanges this week with the Sister Training Leaders. They serve in the YSA on Long Island. It was such a fun exchange! Because the STLs are members of the Mission Leaders Council, they are currently the tester group for Facebook. So, we had a Facebook lesson my first night. Then we went to the YSA volleyball activity. They get permission to stay out later on those nights, which was SO weird as as missionary! We didn't get there until 9:30 and stayed for about an hour. I can tell I'm a missionary because pulling into the parking lota t 9:30 at the church felt so late. I was thinking "Who does things this late??!" And then I remembered myself just about 5 months ago. Hehe. The next day of the exchange I ended up going into the city because I had my trainer meeting for this upcoming transfer.

It's seemed like a long week because of all the upcoming changes, but it's been good! I see alot of great things ahead and I know it will be work, but it will be so worth is.

One of my favorite things from the trainer meeting was when our President talked about how constructing a building takes much longer than just destroying it (like with a bulldozer) but even though it takes longer to construct, we have to work in our companionships (and in life) to be a builder, not a destroyer.

I love you! Can't wait for all the updates next week, right? Big changes!

-sister peacock

Hello my dearest family and friends!

Well, the biggest news of this week is that ELIZABETH PRZYBOROWSKA (yes, I just wrote that without checking the spelling! sorry, proud moment) was baptized on Friday night. In the ocean. To answer Becky's question, yes, we do have fonts here, but most people prefer the ocean. I don't know why, but it sure makes for some great pictures! :) She was smiling and when Sister Hale asked if she was excited, she said, "Yes, I've been waiting for this for four months." That was neat because that's when we started teaching her originally, not when we picked her back up the beginning of August. So many miracles though! The water was warm and calm; the weather was beautiful. And her father-in-law (who is Muslim) came. Her husband didn't come and neither did the children, which made her sad, but she felt the love of our branch family.

On Sunday, she was confirmed and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Before my mission, I never quite realized how excited I would be to see someone receive that gift or what it meant in my life. But, I CAN see it now. I can see how it directs my life and my choices and just the overall comfort I receive. I am so grateful that Elizabeth will be able to have that blessing. The next thing is to prepare her to do baptisms for the dead in the temple! Woohoo :)

We also met a really sweet young mom while knocking doors. She is Spanish; her husband is English and they have two adorable children. She wants to know more about the church and we are really praying that we can meet with her again this week! It was exciting to actually be invited in to a house! Hehe.

This week we helped at a senior center picnic ... um so much fun! We help every week, but we have really gotten to know the people there now and they love us :) I had to get a picture with Charlie. And then, I spotted a few older ladies playing of all games ... Mah Jong! Oh, Zach and Jenni...you be so proud. They were shocked that I, a young person, knew of the game, let alone how to play it! They played it a little differently, which was confusing, but it was still a flashback of Christmas time with you. And I was teaching Elder Baker how to play too.

Friday was our Zone Training Meeting so I got to see Sister Sandberg again! Always fun. We had an amazing discussion with our zone about the Atonement. It has never hit me so hard that just as we are forgiven with the Atonement, we must use the Atonement to forgive others. I know that the Atonement is the power to see others as God sees them -- to forgive others. To be healed. To be whole. It is so prideful to reject the Atonement. In reality, Christ suffered for EVERYTHING that makes us not like the Father. And whether or not we utilize the Atonement, He has already paid the price. The gift is there to take; we just have to do our part.

It was Branch Conference yesterday and I really learned so much from our stake president, President Hardman. At one point in his life, he was an Atheist and an Anti-Mormon. Now he is so strong and really knows the doctrine. He is inspiring! But here are some of the key things I learned yesterday:

--Results are the Lord's but the action is ours. (Important to remember in missionary work! We had a goal of visiting about 8 people yesterday after church and though only one was home, we did our part in calling and stopping to their homes).
--If you want power in your calling, you cannot deviate from the manual. (This was directed at the leaders and the manuals of the church, but applied to missionaries, I thought of our missionary handbook and Sis Hale thought of Preach My Gospel. We have been given the tools to use and we will be "endowed with power from on high" if we live true to those resources.)

He also gave this awesome object lesson involving power, lightbulbs, and Priesthood power. We have to be "tapped in" to the source and plugged in to receive the light. If we sin, we break the connection. Obedience is the cord that connects us to the light. I wish I could explain it better, but alas.

Okay, one last thing. I was reading over the lyrics to hymn #185 yesterday and I loved this verse:

"At the throne, I intercede;
For thee ever do I plead.
I have loved thee as a friend
With a love that cannot end."

Isn't that beautiful? The words plead and friend stuck out to me. Christ is our advocate with the Father. Please use Him in your life. Let Him in. Your life WILL be better.

until next week (and a new transfer!),

sister peacock

Me and Charlie at the senior center

MAH JONG.

  I love these Riverhead elders! Spencer and Baker. Even though we have to do awkward poses.

Walking out into the ocean. Gorgeous.

Sorry people have demon eyes. But did you know that I love these people?
L-->R: Baker, Nelson, Nemelka, Spencer, Martherus, Smith, Hale and Me! 

Hale, Sandberg (she was also here while teaching Elizabeth), Elizabeth, me

Elizabeth's baptism! Mom...sorry I'm not matching :)

Elizabeth's baptism

 One of my favorite pictures because of their candid, smiling faces. Brother Blom and Elizabeth.

5.

Well, today marks my fifth month in the mission! I'm not sure if that seems like it's gone by fast or slow, because my feelings about TIME change pretty frequently. But, speaking of time, that's one thing that is so different in the mission. I've thought about it a bit this week.

For instance, before the mission, when I had about a half hour before work, I would think of how short of time that is. Now, on the mission, we find ourselves with 30 minutes of time and it's like "Wow! We have a half hour! What should we do? Where should we go? Who needs us?"

Also this past week, we had some problems with one of the tires on our car. The elders ended up switching our tire to our spare, and we called the office to get an appointment with a mechanic. We drive in to Pep Boys, but the GPS took us to the wrong one (about 40 minutes away instead of 20) and we had never been there, so we didn't realize where it was. Oh, and by the wrong one, I mean we ended up at an Irish Pub. Yeah...so, we turned around and headed back to the correct mechanic, and then waited for about 1.5 hours there. All in all, it was about a 4-hour ordeal. FOUR HOURS is a very long time in mission work! It was frustrating to feel like a "normal person" again with car problems. Can you see how time is different? I kept thinking of all the people we could be visiting. And I kept scanning the phone to see if there was anyone we could call and talk to while we were waiting. Yeah, I think I understand now how difficult it is for missionaries to get home and feel like they are wasting time because every hour isn't scheduled. Eek.

But, in better news, Elizabeth passed her baptismal interview (I was a nervous wreck the whole time and my stomach was in knots! I knew she had been taught the information and we'd had mock interviews with her, but she sometimes freezes up with new people). Anyway, it went well and so we will have her baptism this Friday at the beach! It has been such a huge blessing to have seen her progress from finding her day one to teaching her and now seeing her make the covenant of baptism. She is definitely opening up and becoming more active in discussions at church.

And, things are progressing with our investigator Laura. She hasn't had coffee in two plus weeks, even working 70+ hours. She really has a desire to continue learning and applies what we're teaching. When we taught her on Saturday, she was even wearing an undershirt under her tanktop dress. That was pretty cute :) Her biggest challenge is that she wants to get married before she gets baptized, but that also includes getting divorces squared away...yeah, it's a bit of a mess. But, even if I'm not here to see her get baptized, I know it will happen. She is determined and has the desire this time (she started learning 2+ years ago and just recently became on fire with this desire to learn, which is awesome). Our lessons with her are so natural. I love that as we teach by the Spirit, even if it is what is different than planned, it is what she needs to hear.

On Sunday, we visited a member of our branch who has been in the hospital since July (for a bone marrow transplant). We went with our RS president and it was quite the experience. It made  me feel really grateful. I was thinking about the experiences we are called to go through in this life and how we will never be given any more than we can bear. While it's a challenge to remember this when we're going through the trials, I do know it is true. Sometimes I think about things that would be "too hard" or something I don't think I could handle; but then I realize that I'm being a hypocrite of the things I'm teaching. For, truly, we can do all things with Christ. Sometimes I teach something and realize that I need to strengthen my faith in the very thing I am teaching! A mission is great for pointing those things out :)

Finally, I wanted to share something I learned in personal study. What a great hour each morning to delve into the scriptures and other resources to start the day! I have been reading through the New Testament lately and was reading in Mark the other morning; the parable of the sower. There are a few types listed:
1. Sown by the wayside (characteristic: Satan takes the heart)
2. Sown on stony ground with NO ROOT (these people are not forever changed. It says they receive the word with gladness but fall when trials come. I thought of Helaman 5:12 and having that firm foundation to keep us grounded)
3. Sown among thorns (This is what I would characterize as those with wrong priorities; people who put riches/worldly desires above God. I thought of 3 Ne: 13:33 and seeking FIRST the kingdom of God).
4. Sown on good ground (These people hear AND receive the word and bring forth fruit. They WANT to share it, like those who taste the fruit in 1 Ne. 8:12. After they receive, they desire others to have it. Also, in the same parable accounted in Luke, it says they bring forth fruit with PATIENCE. Isn't it funny how that word sneaks into so many scriptures? I think it's kind of important...

But really, I spent a good portion of my study that day thinking and studying that parable. I thought of many people in our branch and in my life and investigators who were categorized by these things. Where do we find ourselves? I hope that we can fit in number 4. It is the only way to true happiness. To have a firm foundation and then share what we have found with others.

Also, Sister Hale found out yesterday that her dad has skin cancer; it should be easily removed, but please keep her family in your prayers! As the transfers approach, I've been feeling more and more this transfer that we won't be together after this; for a while, I had the feeling that I'd be staying here in Riverhead, but with this new change, I think I might be leaving. We will see in two weeks!

Wow. Sorry this email was so jumbled! But, that's how it is sometimes in my mind.

I love you! Enjoy the photos :)

-Sister Peacock

Celebrating Baker's birthday ... yeah, this encapsulates each one of our personalities. i love it. Matt isn't a missionary, but he might as well be since he comes to just about everything! 

Elders changing our tires. We love Baker and Spencer!

This is NOT Pep Boys, GPS...

 Elizabeth, seeing if this beach would be a good place for her baptism.