Share YOUR Story.

It's been a few weeks (eh...maybe more) since I have written an actual blog post. But, I wanted to write a quick post about an upcoming "feature," if you will, of this blog.

My friend Carter gave me the idea to share conversion or faith-building stories on my blog in order to help those who might be reading. I think this will be a great way to fulfill my purpose as a missionary using social media. Carter even volunteered to write the first blog post, and I can't wait to read it -- and share it -- with you.

So, my invitation to you is that if you have struggled with the gospel and want to share your story, please do. It doesn't matter if it is your conversion story that led to baptism; if you want to share your struggles you might have faced after baptism; if you have been less active and changed directions; if you're still wondering why life is hard; if you love the gospel and want to tell others why. BUT! This idea will only work if people are willing to share their struggles and triumphs in living the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I know that this truly can be a tool used for good -- that through the words of all of you, we can lift up the "hands which hang down & strengthen the feeble knees." I invite you to share your story (you can do so anonymously as well).

I am excited about what we learn as we read the lessons that others have learned. And remember, this life isn't about survival -- it's about progression. We can do this!

If you want to help, you can leave a comment here, send me an email {at} cheri.peacock{at}myldsmail.net or send me a message on Facebook. 

Little Neck: Week 1.

Man. From Rivehead to Little Neck. What is it with parts of the body
and my mission areas?

Changes. Big changes! Well, president threw me a curveball this
transfer. I was expecting the city, which I suppose you can't have
expectations like that in missionary service. But, I was because
that's what I have seen. And I was looking forward to fearlessing meeting
people right and left on the subways and busses and walking
everywhere....but, I am in Little Neck. The area is interesting
because it is part island/part city. For example, I live in
Douglaston, which is Queens. But because our area is huge, we have
cars. I was a little bummed about that (excited to get out and WALK)
but everything happens for a reason right? And the area itself is
super diverse and very different from the countryside and quiet
Riverhead.

But, all of that aside, a little more of the area...it is a zebra pool
again, meaning we teach English and Spanish. We have a ward here, and
it is actually President Calderwood's ward. He was gone yesterday (and
is quite often, I imagine) but that will be exciting to see him at
church. I love his family! I was really excited for our ward Christmas
party so I could meet a lot of people...unfortunately they canceled it
because of the snow...wouldn't want anyone getting stranded. Hehe. Our
district just went out and shoveled driveways instead for 3 hours,
which turned out to be a lot of fun. But, I was able to meet members
at church yesterday. There is a lot of diversity here...Barbados,
Philippines, Jamaica, Peru, Utah...

Also, we have an awesome ward mission leader & I am very excited to
work with him! Plus, the ward list is super organized. Blessings of a
ward! I can't wait to get these members involved and pumped up about
teaching with us & inviting their friends.

And...holy cow! Christmas is next week?! I am not sure what our plans
are for that day. We don't have any plans with members or anyone, so I
don't know when we will be calling. But I think we are just using our
iPads for Skype or FaceTime. I liked being able to use the Bloms
computer on Mother's Day, but we'll see how this goes. I think we will
just use wifi at the church. I am excited nonetheless.

Somehow, my mission now seems very short in time left. As I realized
last week, I could be in this area for 2-4 transfers (most likely)
which would mean I would only have 3-5 transfers left! And, most
missionaries have around 3 areas so things are becoming very real to
me that I'm in the midpoint of my mission. I still have hopes of
serving in the city someday, but I've also come to the conclusion that
might not be where God needs me.

Also, funny fact. Sister Hale left Riverhead and went to Jamaica with
Sister Jensen. Then Sister Jensen was there with her for 2 transfers
and then was transferred to Rivehead with sister Acosta. She text me
the other day and said she has now heard stories from both my trainer
and my trainee :) she said she was super grateful to be with sister
Acosta and that I trained an incredible, hardworking missionary. It
was such a blessing to have that opportunity,  but I think she was
incredible before she came to New York!

But, I will keep working hard this transfer, and praying frequently
for Heavenly Father to guide my steps. I am sure I will grow this
transfer, and especially my relationship with my Father in Heaven will
grow as I turn to Him to help teach me patience and charity.

I read this quote this morning:

"No pain we suffer, no trial we experience is wasted. It ministers to
our education, to the development of such qualities as patience,
faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we
endure, especially when we endure patiently, builds up our characters,
purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and
charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God ... And it is
through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the
education that we come here to acquire." Orson F. Whitney

How true! I hope you all have a fantastic week.

For information, you can send letters to this address:
240-26 68th Avenue
Douglaston, NY 11362

Or packages to: the mission office
85-69 60th Drive
Elmhurst, NY 11373

I will send some pictures too of the past week!

Goodbye to my riverhead cottage!

Number 7.

Well, transfer #7 is officially here! I'm going to be short today because, well, I'm GETTING TRANSFERRED! Yep, the day actually came for me to leave Riverhead. I've been thinking about it a lot the past week & what I would choose, if it were up to me. But, luckily, it's not up to me :) ha! Saturday night, I felt pretty anxious/nerves in my stomach until the call came. But, when they announced I was leaving, I had a wave of calmness rush over me. I attribute that to the fact that this is the Lord's work. And as soon as we got the call, I started packing. I mean, why leave it to last minute? Haha. Plus, after 8 months of being here...I had to go through my things. Hehe.

But, I have loved being here. I have loved these people...my family. It was the hardest to say goodbye to our investigators, Flor, Renata and Maria. We feel Flor is especially prepared, and are trying to commit her to a baptism before January. That's hard to leave, but I know it means there are other people prepared to hear the gospel message -- and from me.

How crazy that Christmas is in less than 3 weeks! I can't believe how fast the time has flown since August. Is that just me?

Anyway, it has been such a blessing to serve the first (almost) half of my mission here on Long Island in Riverhead. Tomorrow in transfer meeting, I will find out where I'm going and who my companion will be. I can't imagine the nerves I will feel then!

But, we're going to spend some time now with the elders so sorry this is short! It's funny how the missionaries become such great friends, but I've felt like that my whole mission, so I'm sure it will be the same in my new area.

I'm excited for new changes, for new people, probably an all Spanish branch/ward...and who knows? But, I know that I'm going there for a reason! So, I'll probably post on FB with my new companion tomorrow, but until then...

Love you!

Sister Peacock

Week 6 & it's beginning to look a lot like...

...CHRISTMAS!

:)

So, the lights are going up all around us & and I can't help but smile each time I see a tree in a window, or decorations. I just feel so happy. We've been caroling & leaf raking & having adventures. This morning, we made the Montauk trip again for the few who hadn't been. It was my fourth time, but the people are always what make it the best.

This past week, I reflected [a lot] on my time spent here in Riverhead. Transfer calls are Saturday night & I'm fairly confident that I will be leaving. Sunday morning, I realized it was my eighth fast Sunday in the Riverhead Branch. I was thinking, "What have I done here? Have I made a difference?" Elder Read, sitting behind me, whispers, "Sister Peacock! It's probably your last time bearing your testimony here..." & I turned around, I see a less active who had come in a little late, sitting beside the elders. It was Corrine, who Sister Hale and I had found in July. We had visited her frequently until she became a little too busy to fit us in her schedule. Luckily, the relief society president had been able to see her a few times, and seeing her there was the greatest thing ever. We had worked so hard with her; I had always felt like she had such potential. She is just 25. And has had a really rocky past. But, she had told us many times before that we were sent to her, her angels. Well, I went and bore my testimony & as I sat down, Corrine got up and bore hers. It was so wonderful! I had to take off my glasses because I started to cry a little (from happiness). She said how Sister Hale and I had visited her, coming at the exact right time in her life, and that she knew we had been sent from God to help her. She talked about knowing it was true & even though she had a long ways to go, she wanted to get back on the right path. I was blown away. It was probably the most powerful Fast Sunday I've had on my mission. Many members thanked her for her testimony as well & you could feel the Spirit so strong. She also said to me after, "Sister Peacock, you are beautiful inside and out. Never forget the difference you've made in my life." I felt so grateful that Heavenly Father had answered the question I'd had in my heart that day of "Did I make a difference here?" Truly, He listens to us!

So, that was the highlight of my week. How can I forget Thanksgiving though? It was such a wonderful day. The Bloms had us and the elders over, which was so fun to be able to spend time with such great people. We started the morning off with the Turkey Bowl & then had a great afternoon at the Blom's house...with delicious food & wonderful people!

We also learned to make pupusas this week with one of our investigators. They were super tasty. And easy. I'll make them for you when I get home!

Anyway, it's been a great week. I don't know how this transfer is already over! I keep telling Sister Acosta that she could be training after this week...we'll have to see :) She is definitely a missionary with a lot of power! It's been a great blessing to be her companion. Plus...we laugh a lot together.

Okay, well, until next week ... and changes?

Love,
Sister Peacock

Sorry, I forgot the awesome photos from this week :) And i forgot to mention what we did last week for PDAY! We went to the ocean ... and some of the missionaries in our district built a legit temple sand castle. It was cool!

Photos 1 & 2: the ocean :)

Photo 3: Matching shirts with Sandberg and the elders' investigator Matt who ... BIG news! He has a baptism date! Yay! Aug. 10 :)

Photo 4: Me proposing to a creepy dragon statue on the side of the road.

Photo 1: Happy Thanksgiving at the Bloms

Photo 2: Me and Braylen

Photo 3: We threw Elder Read a surprise birthday breakfast...and told them we were going to rake leaves...haha. We made monkey bread. It was a fun time!

Happy thanksgiving!

Hola mi familia!

Today has been a challenging week. We've had to fight to have lessons,
as many people have been busy and unavailable, or just sick. But, we
did have a good day on Saturday and we had two awesome members share
their afternoon with us to help us out. In our small branch, their
service means everything!

Funny story... I went on an exchange this week and we ate a members
house. She is from Giana (no, not Ghana... I have never heard of that
country). And she made us shrimp. Spicy shrimp. It was super good...
It also still had legs on it. I didn't know how to take them off...so
I just ate it. Yeah, it was crunchy.

Yesterday, a little 5-year-old boy named Eli told his dad, "I'm going
to marry Sister Peacock."

We helped at the senior center this week with their thanksgiving lunch
and it was a blast. I can't believe I started going there in May!
There are definitely friendships with the seniors and the staff. They
are so grateful for our help and almost everyone thinks we're in high
school. Ha. We brought the elders with us too -- I love working with
Elder Read and Elder Pincock. They have been giving me a hard time
this week because I am getting really excited about Christmas. I never
realized how many Christmas movies I had seen until they hadn't seen
nearly any of them. And every time we drive by something with
Christmas lights, I just squeal with excitement. It's so beautiful!

We also had our mega zone conference on Friday, where I felt so
edified. I love seeing the other missionaries and being inspired by
our mission president and his wife. It is empowering to be around
other missionaries. I will attach a picture...this is only about 1/3
of our mission. We have near 300 missionaries now. The work is
exploding!

I also came to the realization on Friday that in 6 weeks, I will be
halfway done with my mission. It is funny because, at times, it has
seemed to go slower, but this transfer has flown by. And now with
Christmas approaching, I think the new year will be here before we
know it & then hello to halfway! Crazy.

We made friends awhile back with this nice, older woman at the library
named Virginia. We always tell her we can rake her leaves or provide
any service she needs. Last time we went, she asked if we could rake
her friend's leaves. We invited the elders and spent about two hours
raking and bagging the leaves for Wanita. We had an appointment but
the elders finished bagging them for us. Service really does make you
feel great! And Wanita was thankful. Plus it was fun. A man pulled
over and said, "I think you all make the best dressed landscapers I've
ever seen." We were in our skirts and the elders in their suits. :)

Oh and of course...happy thanksgiving this week! I am definitely
grateful for all of you...and for the millions of other blessings I
have. How lucky we are! How incredibly lucky.

I would write more but. .. We are in Jamaica today, visiting three of
our missionaries who are serving here now. I am sitting next to sister
hale :) it is nice to be reunited! Ah! I've missed her!

Ok. Love you all!

Sister Peacock