how firm a foundation.

So, this week was another week full of tender mercies from Heavenly
Father :) We had exchanges this week with the Sister Training Leaders,
whom I already love! Sister May came here to Terryville and we had a
great time! We looked up a media referral we had received and were
kind of confused when we got to the given address. It definitely was
not a house. Well, we go inside to find out it was a senior center. We
met Delia, and she was so sweet! She knew full well who we were and
had requested a Book of Mormon online. The next day, Sister May and I
visited her again & committed her to be baptized. She said she would,
but of course we need to help her prepare and make sure she is
committed. We visited her twice later in the week, and she had already
read to Mosiah! She  loves to read & is about 70 years old. She is
pretty spunky though. I sent an email with a photo of her. She said
she would get a ride to church this week, but didnt make it. Hopefully
next week she can come!

Thursday, we had our zone training meeting. It was awesome. Our zone
leaders are very inspired and caring leaders. They focused it on
following the Spirit and receiving personal revelation. It was
structured so differently than any ZTM I had seen. Usually it is full
of workshops and things, but this was just one workshop. We were
blindfolded and lead around the church and outside, stopping every so
often. One of the leaders would read something regarding the Spirit.
We were instructed to listen and try to learn from the Spirit, so
there was no talking during the process. Finally, we were lead into
the chapel & handed a notebook. We then took off the blindfolds. The
zone leaders had written each missionary a note, describing a
spiritual gift they saw in us. As I was sitting there reading it, I
noticed a folded up paper at the back of the book. I thought, "that
would be cool if it was a letter from my mom." but I assumed it was a
talk that had been referenced in the workshop. But, as I unfolded it,
it was indeed a letter from mom! So, the zone leaders had contacted
people who were our "spiritual giants" (I guess I talk about mom
enough for them to know that :)) and had asked them to write a letter
to us. I am not sure what they had asked them to write about, but it
was exactly what I needed that day. And, it was interesting because
everyone had received a letter from someone who meant so much to them,
but they weren't all from parents or siblings. It was definitely a
neat experience!

On Friday, the Riverhead sisters had a relief society activity and had
asked that I translate for the speaker (both of the missionaries are
English right now). Well, that was a wonderful blessing! I never mind
seeing people I have met and loved in other areas. It was especially
sweet to see Elizabeth, who was baptized last September, still going
strong! She was also finally able to go to the temple to do baptisms
this last weekend.

Finally, Sunday was a WONDERFUL day! After church, we headed off to
Little Neck (my last area) to see Anesia's baptism. She was baptized
by President Calderwood and had a lot of support there from the ward.
My former district leader and I sang "Come Unto Christ" (it is the
2014 youth theme and I LOVE it!) and the spirit was really strong
while we were singing. I was so grateful that I could feel it there so
powerfully. Of course it was such a blessing to see Anesia again -- I
can't believe we only met her a month ago! -- and to see how happy she
is and will continue to be. And, we saw other wonderful people too,
like the Zohars! I am happy the sisters are still visiting Manny. One
day! After the baptism, we headed back to ... Riverhead. There was a
fireside with the temple president and we had been invited. Our recent
convert, Elizabeth, went and a few other members we are working with
in Terryville. My goodness. I love Riverhead. One of the elders said,
"This is like a homecoming for you, isn't it?" It really felt like
that. It was wonderful to see the Bloms and other members who have
blessed my life with their friendship. I am truly grateful for each
one of the areas I have served in and for the people I have met there.

Finally, to wrap this letter up ... I want to write about something I
learned in my studies this week. I was going over the Plan of
Salvation lesson in Preach My Gospel. It says that agency is one of
the greatest gifts of God. I made a connection that agency is ONE of
the greatest gifts, but if we use it wisely and correctly, we will
receive THE greatest gift of God, which is eternal life. :) And
eternal life is far more than living forever. It is being exalted, it
is living with God and our families forever. It is knowing God and
Jesus Christ and experiencing the joy they feel. So, agency is pretty
important! It is amazing how I can read the same book everyday for
over a year and still get something new out of it each time. The
Spirit is awesome.

Oh, and one other thing I learned this week! I am reading in 3 Nephi
and it was the chapter where Jesus is talking to the people, giving a
lecture similar to the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew. Well, in
3 Nephi, he said "Be ye therefore perfect, even as I, or your Father
is perfect." But, I thought back to the account in Matthew where he
says to be perfect like the Father but doesn't mention himself. I
started seeing that He was not resurrected when he was giving the
account in the New Testament, but WAS a resurrected being in the Book
of Mormon account. So, part of our "perfection" or being
whole/complete/fully developed includes that step of resurrection.
Cool stuff right?

Oh, there is so much more I want to write about all of the things I am
learning from the scriptures! But, I think I will stop here for today.

Love you all! Can you believe July is NEXT WEEK??
Until then,
Sister Peacock

Woohoo! Anesia got baptized and our mission president had the honor of
performing the baptism :) I was so happy for her! I can't believe
Sister Lewis and I met her only 4 weeks ago! #miracles
#goldeninvestigator

a picture is worth a thousand words.

a mission conference, a temple trip & a baptism.

This week has been c-r-a-z-y. We have had a lot going on and a lot of
time to learn by the Spirit too!

On Wednesday, we had a mission conference. Elder Gifford Nielsen (a
member of the seventy -- he spoke in October general conference) and
his wife came and addressed us. It was a FANTASTIC meeting! One of the
things that stuck out to me the most was the experience he shared in
assigning future missionaries their mission call. Again, I knew that I
was called to THIS specific mission by The Lord. He also said that
missionaries are called TO mission presidents. I know that is 100%
true. President and Sister Calderwood are amazing examples. I am so
grateful to learn from them and to be constantly reminded of the love
and patience that exists between them. They truly care for each other
and it is evident every time you are around them. Elder Nielsen also
told us that missions prepare us for the future -- to be wives,
mothers, husbands and fathers. It is amazing all that I feel I have
learned being here and yet I feel like there is so much more to learn
in the time I have left! Elder Nielsen asked us .. "Are you part of
the problem or the solution?" Think about that when you have conflict.
Are we helping or hurting the situation?

Saturday, we had the opportunity to go on another temple trip! Two
weeks in a row! What a blessing. We went this week with the Relief
Society. One of the sisters hadn't been in 3 or so years and we have
been meeting with her, helping her prepare. We went to the 8 am
session and I was able to again see members from my former two areas.
Always a tender mercy :)

Aaaand...on Sunday, Elizabeth was baptized!! It was so wonderful :))
She really has a light about her now and is truly happier and has more
peace. It was exciting to be able to see her make that covenant with
Heavenly Father and to see the support from the ward members. She has
come so far and used to be a very sad, depressed person. I know the
gospel can bring us JOY. Now we get to prepare her to go to the temple
too :))

So, speaking of joy ... that was the topic the other morning in my
personal studies. I happened upon the definition in the guide to the
scriptures that says: "a condition of great happiness coming from
righteous living. The purpose of mortal life is for all people to have
joy. A full joy will come only through Jesus Christ." It also said to
look up "obedience, obey" which means joy is directly linked with
obedience. I was reading the scriptures listed too and there was one
in D&C 101:36 that says in the world we will not have a fullness of
joy, but in [Christ] we will. I know that is true. Worldly things bind
us down and bring us sadness or fleeting happiness. But joy does come
through making and keeping covenants and living the gospel of Jesus
Christ. Joy comes in serving others. Joy comes in being grateful for
the tender mercies from Heavenly Father.

I think that is all I have to report this week! I hope all is well in
your neck of the woods :)

Love,
Sister Peacock

PICTURES!
Our RS temple trip ... yeah, it was a small group :)

the adventures in terryville

Hello!

First, a shout out to my dear sister who got MARRIED on Friday! You
were definitely in my thoughts that day :) I'm sure you were a
beautiful bride! Can't wait to see photos (hint, hint...family).

So, this last week, we prepared Elizabeth more for her upcoming
baptism on SUNDAY, got the program ready to go, and rejoiced with her
decision to be baptized :) I can't wait to see her happiness increase
even more when she makes that covenant with Heavenly Father.

Saturday, we had a temple trip with a recent convert who was able to
receive her endowments. It was such a special session AND I was
blessed to see a member from each of my former areas. Tender mercies
from Heavenly Father for sure! :) And, after the session, we
participated as proxy children for a sealing of a member's ancestor.
It was incredible. I'd never seen a sealing before but it was, again,
a tender mercy, especially being the day after Becky's wedding. It
just makes so much sense to me that THAT is why we are here on Earth
... to have families and to live true to our covenants, no matter
what. I want to live worthy to receive those blessings too!

Lastly, I just want to share something I've noticed recently in my
studies. I'm reading in Helaman. First, Nephi was leaving the city,
people weren't listening and it says that he went home to ponder. On
the way home, the Spirit tells him that he is blessed for
"unwearingness in declaring the word" and at the end, he is told to go
back to the city and preach repentance. It says he stops, does not go
home, and returns to preach. Then today, I read about Samuel the
Lamanite. He too was on his way out of the city when an angel tells
him to go back and preach. So, even though he had been thrown at with
stones and rocks, he follows and goes back. In both circumstances,
these men were forgoing their situations. But, listening to the
Spirit, they immediately stopped and turned back. Do we do that when
we receive promptings? Do we stop what we're doing and follow the
prompting? Or do we think ... ok, I will do that ... sometime. Let's
be like Nephi and Samuel and act immediately.

Alright, we're off to another week! Keep being great :) I love you!
Sister Peacock

{ny south|forever changed}

Binetti's Conversion

I received this conversion story a few months ago from a wonderful family who was baptized in November 2013. It was saved in my drafts until today, when I happened upon it & realized I had long ago forgotten to post it. Maybe there is someone reading it who needs it now.
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"Twelve years ago, a seed was placed in the soil. It lay dormant on top of the hard ground which it fell on. Waiting for the time when the soil would become willing to take it in. I personally had so many questions about my faith. I’m good at asking questions. I’m usually good at finding answers. But the answers I craved for, the questions that mattered the most, were very elusive.

I was forever changed when about 10 years ago I said one of my few heartfelt, sincere prayers. At this time, my wife, Sheryl was much more spiritual than me. The way I practiced my faith at that time was mostly robotic. Doing what I thought was correct, and even following my own doctrine rules where I thought the doctrine of my faith was, for lack of a better word “silly." 

Sheryl was going to attend a faith-based convention with a friend of hers and asked if I wanted to go. I can’t remember why I said yes. Usually I would say, you go, and play video games throughout the day and grab some food with onions in it for dinner. But I said yes, I would go. And thanks to Heavenly Father… I did. 

It was there that I learned that Jesus is the Christ. That he died for our sins. That he was my Savior. The seed that was on top of the ground was taken in. It had been planted. But more needed to be done. The ground lacked the water and the nutrients for the seed to prosper. So it still lied dormant. I was given a gift of knowing that Jesus is the Christ and basked in that knowledge. All manner of good things occurred for me and my family during that time. 

I went to church regularly, and I tried very hard to keep that wonderful Spirit inside of me. But that feeling started to deplete. Why was it going away? I was missing something and I didn’t know what it was. Over time, it left. It wasn’t there anymore. I could only recall that wonderful experience in my memory, but the Holy Ghost was gone. It was no longer in me. I became selfish. I became stoic. I did only that was required. And the worse thing about it was that I didn’t even care. 

I felt as long as I didn’t hurt someone with my actions or words, I’m good. I didn’t realize that my inaction and lack of words hurt just as much, especially to those who I love the most. My family. It was like a deep dense fog surrounded me. I’m so fortunate and blessed to have my wife. She stood by me, even when I was so lost. She kept on being that beautiful person to everyone she comes in contact with. It was her gift of service to others that brought some wonderful people into our lives. As she likes to put it, they had a “light” about them, and undeniable spirit. I sensed it. And was taken aback. They came to help a neighbor in need with a debilitating affliction, Multiple Sclerosis. They came only to serve. My wife was moved by them. She referred to them in the possessive. “My Kids”, “My Missionaries”. They played games with our children outside, while I stood inside, separated from my family because of my own selfishness. But they also taught. And even in my state of selfishness, I felt compelled to listen. 

Why, I don’t really know. Perhaps it was their kindness that attracted me. Perhaps it was the way my children loved them like big brothers and sisters. So I listened. At first, I questioned. Remember. I always question. I confronted Elder Lee with some information I found. He smiled and said if I didn’t mind to give him some time so he could research and gain wisdom about my question. I vividly remember that night when he said he had his response. He started with a question to me, “Do you seek this knowledge to challenge my faith, or do you wish to understand it?” 

Wow. What a question. I was completely taken off guard. My original intent was to challenge. To contest. But something told me not to do that. It told me to understand. So that’s what I told him. I want to understand. It was at that very moment when that dense fog lifted from me. I saw the spirit that radiated from these young men and women. I wanted to understand more. The seed that was planted finally left its hibernation. It was dormant no more. It started to take root. The next few months were a whirlwind. I reconnected with my family. I waited eagerly for the missionaries come. We met amazing people. People who face the same earthly struggles but do it with such grace and peace of mind. 

During this time of awakening, I remember a lesson that was instrumental in guiding me down this path that led me here today. It was about prayer. We talked about how Joseph Smith came across a verse in the bible:

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith."

I was thunderstruck. When I was questioning 10 years ago, I asked of God. And I asked in faith, not wavering. And he gave me wisdom. The other few times before when I did the same thing, asking of God, in faith not wavering. He answered. One of the key things I was missing that caused the Holy Ghost to leave me before was I did not know how to truly pray. I immediately asked the elder: "how do you pray?"

And he told me how and they told me to pray. Pray all the time. Ask of God. In faith, not wavering. So I did. More teachings came. I was awestruck. Some of the doctrines that I followed on my own, because of my belief that my church doctrines on that matter were “silly” turned out to be the same doctrines this church followed. Other doctrines felt right and true. I kept praying. Waiting for answers. I started to attend church. I saw my children watch the Holy Ghost given to a newly baptized member. I remember one of them telling me he wanted that to happen to him. He felt the spirit enter that lucky person. He wanted that blessing.

I remember Elder Yates teaching a lesson to my oldest child. One of our twins was listening in quietly. Elder Yates was teaching about prayer to my oldest. The elder requested that my son ask of God one question that evening. Well, the twin thought that was a fine idea and took it upon himself to do the same. And Heavenly Father answered his prayer. 

Shortly thereafter, I was praying at work prior to the start of my day. I pray a lot now. And I asked if this church is true ... if Joseph Smith was a prophet ... if the gospel of the Lord has been fully restored to this earth. I have been asking this question daily, multiple times a day. Feeling that I was getting no revelations. But then. On that day. That wonderful Wednesday morning on October 16th. I heard that quiet voice inside of me. 

It said, “What more must I do? I lifted that fog that surrounded you. I answered your child’s heartfelt prayer just like I did for you 10 years ago. Your other child wants to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. You have been reconnected with your wife and family. I ask again. What more must I do?” 

That seed that was once dormant, that laid on top of hard soil, was eventually taken in and planted. That ground was nourished by our missionaries, was finally watered this evening when I was baptized. When I took on the name of Jesus Christ, where I promised to keep His commandments. And endure forever. I look with a humble heart to the future when that seed bears its fruit. When I can stand next to our Savior and say, "I said what you wanted me to say. I did what you wished me to do. I lived your gospel."

save the one.

hi everyone! it's been a crazy week here in Terryville. Actually, Terryville isn't a city. It's a street. But our ward is called Terryville so that is the area name also. That isn't important. But, for today's email, I simply wanted to share a miracle. It is a little long, but I hope you enjoy it! Never hesitate to share the gospel. You never know the results of the seeds you plant.
-------
At transfer meeting, Sister Snow said, "Sister Peacock! We are teaching Elizabeth still. The woman you found. She always talks about you."

What?

Rewind to Christmas Day. I had just been transferred a few weeks prior to Little Neck and had searched for service to do on the holiday. Finally the thought came to call the veteran's hospital, where we had a service project a month before. We went and served food, caroled, and spoke with the veterans. As we were cleaning everything up, I noticed a woman who seemed a little lonely. I began speaking with her and felt prompted to invite her to meet with the missionaries. I gave her a card and got her contact information. I sent it to the Terryville sisters and that was the last I knew.

She'd been learning since that time and was feeling pressured by baptism, according to Sister Jean. Everyone I met knew Elizabeth and asked about her. The bishop and another member had both excitedly asked if we had spoken to her this week.

We stopped by her home on Wednesday and as she opened the door, she began exclaiming, "Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Sister Peacock. Oh my gosh. You're here." I was in shock, as you can imagine, that she had remembered ME.

We had a lesson with her the next day and asked what the next step was she needed to take for her progression. She knew the answer was baptism. I told her that was what I wanted to share with her, and read from 2 Nephi 31, applying it to her. I said, "You won't believe what's in the scripture."

"And he said unto [Elizabeth]: Follow thou me. Wherefore, Elizabeth, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father? And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved son [on June 15]." (2 Nephi 31:10-11)

I told her that is how I apply the scriptures to my own life. She said, "June 15? You think I can be ready by then?" I promised her that she could be ready and that through fasting and prayer, we could help her.

She accepted the date! She told us she knew she had wanted to be baptized, but had been waiting for something "more."  At the Memorial Day BBQ, she felt something was missing in her life and felt the need for baptism. She said the feeling was the strongest it had ever been. When I showed up on her doorstep two days later as the new companion, she said it was God telling her the time was now and that she had been waiting for me to be there to see her be baptized.

I cannot describe the happiness I feel to see Elizabeth accept the gospel.  Truly, there is no greater joy than to see people decide to take upon themselves the name of Christ and be baptized.  I noticed huge changes in her, physically and spiritually, since I first met her. She has a light now. She is happy. She is beaming. She knows the gospel is true and can explain what the missionaries taught. She has a testimony. She has a desire to be baptized. 

This week, her son also showed up unexpectedly after being absent for 3 years. I know this is a blessing from her living the gospel. It was amazing to hear her conviction of living the word of wisdom and all the other commandments.

Sister Jean said Elizabeth would not listen when they first visited. The sisters did service for weeks while Elizabeth was too depressed to leave her room. She is a changed person. That it what the gospel does. It changes people. It changes our hearts and our habits.

I now know there was more than one reason I had to come to Terryville. Who would've thought a Spanish-called missionary would be sent to an English ward where a contact met 5 months ago would be debating on getting baptized? This definitely seals my testimony that God is aware of us. He knows our needs and desires and He knows where He needs us also. I know God hears prayers and He cares about each of His children. God has a divine plan for each of us, which includes His timing. We will be blessed as we act on faith.

I also feel blessed because very often, we do not see the results of the seeds we plant. We plant them, and then go on our merry way. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father that he allowed me to see the results of something I had done, following a prompting of the Spirit to speak with someone. I am grateful to be given the opportunity to see that I made a difference in New York and in someone's life. To know that I WAS an instrument in His hands that Christmas Day.

Even though the results are not important, it is such a blessing to witness this miracle! We'll keep working and praying that all will work out for June 15.

Love you!
Sister Peacock

{ny south|forever changed}