miracle week.

What a miracle week! After starting off a little rough the first week,
we exceeded our goals this week! Well, most of them. We were able to
have 6 member presents (the most I have had here has been 2 or 3).
Five of those lessons were with recent converts/less active members,
but I have definitely gained a testimony of the importance of having
members help teach. They add so much to the lesson & are vital in the
process of missionary work. Every investigator, recent convert, or
less active member needs a friend. And it's far better if that friend
comes from the ward they do/would attend than just having missionaries
who will eventually leave. Through and through, I've seen how much it
helps to have members teaching with us. What a blessing this week!

Monday night was our miracle lesson night. We were finally able to
teach Liz and Angela (the mother and daughter duo we taught once last
transfer). THE SPIRIT WAS SO STRONG. We talked about the Book of
Mormon and started teaching about the plan of salvation. I can't
describe to you exactly how it felt, but the Spirit was definitely the
teacher. We could see that Liz and Angela were understanding and that
they were learning about their purpose in life. And, we committed them
to be baptized. They both said yes! We want to set a date this week,
but they havent been able to attend church yet, so it will most likely
be sometime in March, if all goes well. Angela gave the closing
prayer, which has come to be one of my favorite mission things ...
hearing someone pray for the first time! She was nervous, but her
prayer was so sincere. She even prayed that she would be open to the
message we had to share and the Mormon religion. We definitely left
that lesson on cloud nine...Sister Hales and I were so pumped that
after nightly planning, we got out her guitar and wrote a little song
about the evening.

Speaking of the song...we decided it would be so funny if we sang it
during district meeting the next day, unannounced. So, when the elders
asked on Tuesday how our week was, we said, "Oh, funny you should ask,
elders. We wrote a song about it." They thought we were joking. But
then she got out the guitar... It was pretty funny! I love Sister
Hales. She just has so much energy and desire for the work. And we
have a GREAT time together. And she continues to be patient with me as
I get lost driving in this new area....or when we go running and it's
snowing something fierce and our run ends up being an hour long
because I wasn't sure where we were (yeah...that was this morning).

So. this week we had exchanges in RIchmond Hill and I got to
experience city life for 24 hours. It was beautiful and so fun! We
took the subway into east New York (Brooklyn). It was really different
to walk all day, to and from, and to have our conversation interrupted
by the subway every few minutes. But, I loved it!

We also exchanged with YSA sisters, but Sister Lugo came with me to
Little Neck. It was really funny because when we started the exchange,
she said, "So...I have to tell you...I read your blog before I came on
my mission!" Ha! She got her call in October and I guess one of her
friends had found my mission blog and told her about it. She has only
been here 2 weeks but is super sweet and a great teacher! We had a
miracle day and two great lessons with less actives. One of them said
she didn't realize that we can be cleansed each week with the
sacrament, that it is literally a chance to renew our covenants and
begin again. She said she understood more why it was important to go
each week to church ... yes! Exactly! It felt so good that our lesson
was lead by the Spirit, because that is definitely not what we had
planned to teach her. But, we committed her and her son to come to
church the next day. And when her 12-year-old son prayed, he asked
that they would be able to go, take the Sacrament, and be cleansed. IT
WAS SWEET! And then they came to church! Such blessings.

Finally, I think I've told you that we've been teaching temple prep to
two sisters here in the ward? Anyway, so we are planning the temple
trips now and I am so pumped! IF all goes as planned, we will be going
on Feb. 15 and Feb. 22. Two temple trips in one transfer?? Awesome.
Going to the temple is one thing I miss as a missionary. So, if you
have one close by...GO. :) IT will bless your life! It has been an
amazing opportunity to teach these sisters the importance of going to
the temple and of ordinances and covenants. Part of one of the lesson
mentioned how important these covenants are ... it says that beyond
being important or vital, they are CRUCIAL for us for our salvation.
Wow. I can't wait to send the pics from those two days! Keep them in
your prayers (Sister Dillon and Elmie) as the time gets closer. I know
this will bring blessings in their lives. Both have been members for
20+ years so this is a big step!

Anyway, love you so much && know this work is guided by God. What a
blessing to be a part of this!

Love,
Sister Peacock

Here are a few winter pics.

Transfer 8...Bound to be GREAT!

Hello!

Best week ever. Okay, actually, we had a lot of lessons fall through
and as far as "numbers" report, it wasn't that successful of a week.
BUT, I love, love, love my new companion! AH! So happy.

Alright, so Sister Hales (yes, very close name to my first companion,
Sister Hale, who also became a sister training leader this transfer
and took Sister Hales' spot in Queens -- fun!) is mi nueva companera.
She is from Salt Lake City, like downtown/the Avenues area. She only
has two transfers left, so she will go home in April. We are so
stinkin' similar! She likes to sing, play guitar and piano, run, and
graduated in 2009. This is her 4th transfer as an STL so she is pretty
experienced in that area. I am already learning so much from her. And,
interestingly enough, when I saw her at our womens' conference last
transfer, I thought, "She is going to be my companion/I want to be her
companion." but I just thought it was a silly thought in my brain!
But, we have had so much fun together already this week and have some
great goals for the transfer. She is such a fun, bubbly person (I feel
like I'm companions with Hollie!) and we can already talk about
anything. She is a great example too and a great teacher so I feel
like I will learn a lot with her too! She is super fun and
enthusiastic. It's funny because people think I am sarcastic because
of my semi mono-tone voice and people think she is sarcastic because
she is so enthusiastic. Ha!

Anyway, the highlight of our week was the first exchange we had! So,
in the past, the STLs would have around 14 exchanges each
transfer...weeks would be pretty crazy with usually 3 exchanges each
week. But, with the addition of a third set of STLs (here in Little
Neck), we only have 9-10 exchanges, which is much more manageable. So,
we have the West STLs, who go on exchanges with Brooklyn sisters, then
we have the Little Neck STLs and we go on exchanges with Queens
sisters, and then the East STLs who go on exchanges with the island
sisters. It is kind of funny because we live on the island, but we
will be exchanging in the city. So, it will be fun to see what that
missionary life is like .. of which I have no clue!

But, our first exchange was with Jamaica Queens sisters. It was so
interesting to se how we felt the spirit to know who should go with
who and when the exchange should be (when we were planning it out).
Well, I had felt strongly that I should stay here with the sister from
Jamaica. So, we start the exchange and within minutes, she was opening
up to me and confiding in me. I felt several confirmations and
promptings of what I needed to say and what would help her. It was a
neat experience! And amazing how much LOVE I feel for them just the
minute we were together. I know I will learn so much this transfer,
and I am grateful for this opportunity to help the sisters in this
missionary work.

So, no news with our investigators but we are still working with the
two women, preparing them for the temple. Super excited for that in a
few weeks. Plus, there is a new video!

Anyway, the work is great and I can just tell and believe we will see
miracles this transfer.

OH! And one other thing, last Monday I ate balut with a Filipino
family. Do you know what balut is? It is boiled duck fetus. Yep! Now I
can say I have eaten something weird :)

Love you!

Sister Peacock

PS. Sister Acosta took Sister Hale's spot in Jamaica and Sister Price
took Sister Acosta's spot in Riverhead. So funny how they all sort of
switched around.

Photos: the 6 STLs for the mission; me and Sister Hales with unplanned
matching and the street sweep pic from our exchange

He provides a way.

This post was written by my friend, Tina. I met her in college, but never even knew she was a convert. As I read her story, I was shocked by the things she had been through. I had no idea her life had been so challenging. But, it is true that God provides a way for each of His children to find the gospel, no matter the initial circumstances.

My name is Tina Cox and I am a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love to share my conversion story because it shows the love that our Heavenly Father has for each one of his children and how he provides a way for us to make it back to him.

Let me start by explaining some of my background and family dynamics. I was born out of wedlock to my mother, Jean Ure. My father was unaware of my existence and wasn’t a part of my life until I was older. I am the youngest of three, the only girl, and my brothers and I all have different fathers. My mother was born mentally handicapped, which gives her the mental capacity of a teenager. She was able to raise us and meet our basic needs, but not in the way that most parents do. Her middle child, Randy, was also born with a mental disability which complicated things a little more.

My family and I grew up in the more “ghetto” area of Salt Lake City. We lived in low-income government housing that was pest-ridden. We were surrounded by other low-income families, drug users, and gang members. We went to school when we wanted, weren’t disciplined, and ate poorly. My mom did the best she could with what she had, but it wasn’t the best environment for a child to grow up in.

Because I followed the example of my older brothers and made friends with those who would accept me, I was rebellious and out of control. At a young age, I learned to shoplift things I wanted and needed and actually got quite good at it. My wardrobe consisted of scanty, immodest clothing that we bought from discount clothing stores. I often got into trouble at school for cussing at my teachers, disobeying the rules, or bullying other children. My mom would receive calls from the principal and would come to pick me up, only to reward me with lunch at a fast-food restaurant called, “Gringos.” I never learned to face my consequences; therefore I continued to behave badly.

My mother was never married and had many men coming in and out of our lives. One day when I was around 7 years of age, I left to a friend’s house and my mom was supposed to come and get me when it got dark. She never came and I couldn’t get a hold of her, so I decided to walk home in the dark by myself. When I walked through the door, I saw the kitchen table covered in beer bottles. My mom and her boyfriend, Robert, were stumbling over their feet and slurring their words.

I hadn’t eaten dinner yet, so I went in the kitchen to make myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. My brother Randy was in the other room and did something to upset Robert. Next thing I knew, Robert was taking off the belt around his waist and coming after the both of us. Randy and I ran upstairs to our bedroom, slammed and locked the door behind us. We ran to the window and popped out the screen. Below the window was the roof to a small shed that we jumped to. We quickly jumped to the ground and ran to the next door neighbor’s house to call the police department. Our neighbors didn’t own a phone, so we ran around the block to my best friend’s house to use their phone.

The police came to inspect the situation and our living environment. When they found my mom and her boyfriend drunk, in a cockroach-infested and dirty duplex, they gave her an ultimatum. She could put us in foster care or she could call my dad to take all 3 of us for a period of time. She chose to send us with my dad because it was the only way that we wouldn’t be separated.

My dad was married to my step-mother, Linda, and had a son, Frankie, that was only 18 days younger than me. They were told to come and take my brothers and me with them until the court stated otherwise. They lived in Riverton, Utah, but my step-mom drove us back to Salt Lake the next day so we could attend school. We were all to meet her at the flag pole after school was over, but I was the only one that showed up. My brothers both walked home to live with my mom again.

At a young age, I knew that I wanted better! I had endured physical abuse from my mom’s boyfriends and sexual abuse from my oldest brother. I wanted a place to call home, I wanted a family, I wanted somewhere safe to go, I wanted rules and consequences and I wanted to be happy. I knew that the environment I was living in would never give me the better life I wanted.

So I chose to live with my dad, step-mom, and half-brother and visit my mom on the weekends. My dad gave me my own room with pink walls, my own bed, and toys galore. I went to school every day and was tucked in each night. I was happy but oblivious to the problems that existed within the walls of my new home. My dad was a veteran who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and dealt with his problems by drinking. He was an alcoholic and occasionally did drugs with my step-mom.

One night, in a drunken rage, my dad attempted to take our lives. My brother and I sat on each side of my step-mom as we watched my dad try to load his shot gun. He eventually got frustrated when he couldn’t keep his hands steady and passed out. Soon after, we received a call from the ward bishop introducing himself and asking if there was anything he could do to help our family. Little did he know that we really did need his help. Because he followed a prompting, he was able to be an instrument for our Heavenly Father.

The bishop helped my family get into a small house down the road where we would be safe. Eventually my step-mom received custody of me and raised me for the remaining years of my childhood. We had kind neighbors always willing to serve us and members of the relief society continually checking on us. Eventually, we had missionaries arrive at our door to share their glad message of the goodness of the gospel. I instantly fell in love with the gospel and knew without a doubt that I had found the true church of Jesus Christ. I can still remember the way I felt when I stepped foot into the church; peace, happiness, safety, and love.

My step-mom grew up in the LDS church but was disfellowshipped, so she didn’t need to get baptized. Frankie and I wanted to be baptized when we were 8 years old, but my dad refused to consent. He came from an Italian family that was raised in the Catholic Church and he felt that we should be raised Catholic as well. It took 2 years to persuade him to let us get baptized. December 16, 2000, I was baptized and became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I felt pure and cleansed of all my sins and the many awful things that had happened to me. I knew that my Heavenly Father loved me and that I was a daughter of God.

Unbeknownst to me, being a member of the church didn’t mean I would be free of trials. I had to endure many more until I got my “Happily Ever After.” My brother soon left the church and got into drugs, immorality issues, and breaking the law. My step-mother could never love me to her full capacity because I was a constant reminder of my dad’s betrayal to her. I suffered her verbal abuse on a daily basis and found myself conflicted with my own self-worth. I was forced to do most of the cleaning and cooking in the house before I could do my homework.  I truly lived a “Cinderella”-like existence; beside myself and different from those that closely surrounded me.

But despite the way I felt at times, I was never alone throughout those years! Heavenly Father was constantly sending angels my way to lead and guide me through my trials. I had amazing ward members who would pick me up from school when I was sick. I was given incredible young women leaders who always made sure that I was invited and attended church and church activities. It was those young women leaders that reminded me of my divine nature and of my individual worth. They never let me forget how talented, smart, and loved I was. I was also given bishops who made sure we always had a roof over our heads, food on our table and presents to open Christmas morning. It is because of these angels that I was able to persevere and reach my full potential. It was a ward member who believed in me, encouraged me to go to college and provided me with the resources to make it happen.

In 2008, I graduated from Riverton High School and received a scholarship to Snow College in Ephraim, Utah. It was in that small and humble town that I met the man of my dreams and best friend. We were married May 29, 2009 in the Manti Temple for time and all eternity. He is my confidant and has supported me as I have gotten rid of my emotional baggage. He is my number one fan and reminds me of my strength and capabilities. It is because of him that I continued my education, received my associate degree, and completed my Bachelor of Science in Nursing to fulfill my dream to become a nurse. Together we have changed the destiny of our future generations and can’t wait to welcome our little girl in April. This is my Happily Ever After!!

My story is proof that God lives and is always watching over us! I have a testimony that despite all of his many children, he knows each one of us individually. He loves us all so much that he gave his only Begotten Son to atone for our sins so that we could return back to him. He wants us to be happy and provides continual ways for us to reach true happiness. I wasn’t born into the church or with a functional family, but he provided a way for me to find the gospel and have an eternal family of my own. If I had a chance, I wouldn’t change one thing about my life because it has made me the woman that I am today and led me to the beautiful life I am living now. I have so much to be grateful for! Life is so good! The church is true! My only hope is that every one of my brothers and sisters can feel of God’s love the way that I have. I say these things in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

i knew there would be a curveball.

HI family! Sending this early but I will be on later as well to check
email, so feel free to write back!

Wow. Well, when I said I expected a curveball, I wasn't kidding. I
guess my body knew before me though because a headache and a cold sore
appeared shortly before a phone call from our zone leaders on Thursday
night letting me know that I had an interview the next day with
President Calderwood. I was in shock. I mean, if I ever imagined being
a sister training leader, I imagined it 2 or 3 transfers down the
road.

I couldn't even sleep Thursday night. In fact, I woke up Friday
morning at 4:30, and not being able to go back to bed, just began
packing my things.

Surreal, right? I suddenly found myself thinking of all of our new
investigators and the members we had started working with and
thinking..."Wait, I'm leaving Little Neck. Already?"

Well, the curveball wasn't over. Saturday night we got our transfer
calls and our district leader says, "Sister Price and Martinez you are
out. Sister Peacock, you're staying." There was silence as my mind
raced until I said..."Wait what?" The thought had crossed my mind once
(what if I stay here and they make it the sister training leader pool)
but I was sure that wasn't the case. It threw everyone off especially
because we have sister training leaders 20 minutes away, in the same
zone. They thought the new set would be in Brooklyn. But, guess not!
Looks like I will be here a litttttle while longer, which too makes
sense since I didn't quite feel like I was leaving yet.

I know that Heavenly Father has that magnificent plan. And, like I
said in the past, I trust Him and I trust President Calderwood 100%.
So, though this is definitely a curveball, I am REALLY looking forward
to the coming transfer(s).

What IS a sister training leader? Basically go on exchanges with each
of the sisters (in our designated area...around 6 or 7 companionships
I think), every transfer. We also sit in on the Missionary Leadership
Council each month, with the APs and Zone Leaders. In my interview,
President told me not to be shy with those elders on the council --
that I will be a voice for the sisters. I feel so humbled! And
excited.

I have always looked up to the sister training leaders. I love my
exchanges with them and learn and grow from their examples. They have
helped me countless times when I have not felt "enough." Now, it
humbles me GREATLY to know this is what Heavenly Father wants me to
do. I know he truly does not call the qualified; he qualifies the
called. It reminds me of one of my favorite chapters in the Book of
Mormon, in Alma 26. Ammon is talking about the successes and miracles
they've had in missionary work and his brother chides him for being
boastful. But Ammon continues that he isn't boasting in himself; he is
boasting in God, because with HIM, nothing is impossible.

"Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to MY strength, I am weak ... but I
WILL boast of my God, for in His strength I can do ALL things ...
therefore, have we not GREAT reason to rejoice?" (Alma 26:12-13)

As I look back on this past transfer, I can see how the Lord was
preparing me and how my testimony needed this strengthening transfer
to develop and grow. How I really came to rely on the Savior, learn
and study more, be more obedient, become more bold, and believe in
miracles. And now I can look back on it and REJOICE.  Rejoice in the
missionary work done here. Rejoice in inviting people to be baptized.
Rejoice in meeting new people. In being more fearless. Rejoice in
getting to know the members and having them teach with us.

This past week has been wonderful. On Monday night, we began teaching
four new investigators (one single woman and three in a family). One
of them, Fernanda, seems like a "pure in heart" person. We taught her
again on Friday and she was asking a lot of questions, really trying
to understand the message. IT was beautiful. I was thinking how sad it
was that I wouldn't see her progress...but now I will :) The other
three are a family (Nilda, Pedro and Daniel). We had caroled for them
at Christmas and they asked us to sing a hymn before we left when we
stopped by on Monday. Music definitely brings the spirit.

Our district leader also asked that we make a lesson plan to help
teach the members to be missionaries and participate in the "hastening
of the work." They had asked us because I had mentioned how we taught
members lessons in missionary work in Riverhead. This time it was a
different approach, so it was a blast to make a new lesson outline.

We also had zone training on Friday. We had workshops on the new
standards of excellence for our mission (we are calling it 5/5/5
because President has set the goals for 2014 at 500 baptisms, 5,000
members at church (in the mission) and 500 recent converts/less
actives to the temple). Last year, our numbers were in the 300s, so
this seems like a big number, but I know it is totally achievable. To
illustrate it, they had every missionary commit to doing a certain
number of pushups. We added it all up and it came to like 479. So, of
course when we did our "required" number, we wanted to keep pushing
ourselves to do more, to hit 500. We ended up getting nearly 800. I
did 33 (and I refused to do "girl pushups"). Ha. But, the point is, we
know hitting our goals are possible. We just have to give everything
we have and work until we drop!

I have been studying obedience this past week and have really started
to understand it more. How it is critical to not only do the right
thing, but for the right reason. ANd to trust in the purposes of
Heavenly Father. I love this quote I found:

"I give you my witness that the leaders of this church will never ask
us to do anything that we cannot perform with the help of the Lord. We
may feel inadequate. That which we are asked to do may not be to our
liking or fit in with our ideas. But if we will try with faith and
prayer and resolution, we can accomplish it." -- Gordon B. Hinckley
(From the October 1971 General Conference) (“If Ye Be Willing and
Obedient”)

Yesterday at church we had a member of the 70 teach us about hastening
the work and being member missionaries. THat will go perfectly with
our new lesson plan. What a blessing that we didn't even know about!
Anyway, I am super excited about the next transfer and know, without a
doubt, I am where GOd needs me, because it sure isnt what I expected.

I was also able to receive a blessing yesterday from Brother Blom. He
drove here from Riverhead with the family and it was a wonderful
opportunity to feel the power of the priesthood, giving me confidence
for the next chapter in my mission. I am so grateful for worthy
priesthood holders and can't wait to have that for myself one day, in
my home.

ALso, on a final note, a member in our ward remembered talking to me
on my first Sunday here. I had told him I was from North Carolina. WE
get a text from him over the weekend and he said he was going down to
NC and would be bringing back some bbq. I didnt know if he was
serious...but he was! He brought back 24 buns, 2 pounds of bbq and
coleslaw, this amazing bbq/vinegar sauce, and also 12 bottles of
Cheerwine. Luckily the elders were still at the church and so all of
us enjoyed a quick lunch at the church. And there was still half of it
left when we were done eating! I shared with one of the elders, who is
from NC as well. It was so nice of Brother Bradley though. It meant a
lot! I have really been blessed by members on my mission.

Anyway, super long email...sorry about that! I love you!

Sister Peacock

of mountains & molehills.

My mission president once said, "Turn the mountains of your life into molehills and then glide over the top of them."

As a person who has a past with worrying too much, doubting myself or others, and stressing over the small stuff, I valued that precious counsel. How could I worry less? How could I have more faith? How could I build trust in my Savior? I knew if I really focused on turning the "mountains into molehills" instead of the opposite (which is my tendency), life (and my mission) would be more successful and happier.

I think this advice was given to us in a conference, sometime around six months ago, and I can say that I have learned to trust.  I have learned that tests are for our benefit. I have learned that, as hard as things may seem, there is light at the end of the tunnel. And, you can learn a lot in the process. But, it takes effort to learn. I had to become teachable. I had to be humble (again, not something I was naturally prone to be).

But what did I learn through the process? 

• God is real. He cares about you and me. 
• Every single person has talents and abilities, even if they are different than mine. 
• Sometimes the seemingly "weakest" person teaches you the most. 
• You can't measure others up to the standard you have for yourself because each one of us is different. Each one of us has a different "bar" we are trying to meet.
• If you want to love someone, find ways to serve them.
• Don't give up.

I love that advice in the picture, given by our living prophet. How true it is. Tough times come. But are we going to stick it out? OR are we going to give up?

Please, please don't give up. You can keep going .I know that if we look at things with a bigger perspective, not stressing the small stuff, and not focused on ourselves and our weaknesses, that God will create a masterpiece. We are the work of His hands; He can make something so much greater of us than we could ever dream.

So, when you feel discouraged or down because of life and its situations, remember, you can turn your mountains in molehills. You can defeat them. You CAN finish.