Monday, June 29, 2015

Conference with Elder Gonzalez

Hey


So this week was really great.  Elder Gonzalez from the Seventy and the Area Presidency here came and spoke to our mission.  It was a great experience and he answered lots of questions.  The whole conference was very centered on the doctrine of Christ.  He also taught that the goal of missionary work should be the temple: that those who get baptized should one day arrive at the temple. 

We have been teaching a family that has started to progress really well.  The 10 year old son D has been coming to church for a while and we invited the mom, S, to come as well.  They now come to church every Sunday, D, S, and last Sunday his brother M came.  We taught about the Book of Mormon during the week and invited them to read one chapter as a family.  In the next appointment, D, S, and M all came in with their Book of Mormons excited to tell us that they had read together as a family and read more than the assigned chapter.  The three accepted baptismal dates and came to church.  Between the last appointment and Sunday, M read 10 chapters and they still read as a family.  We are really excited for them and see them being baptized soon!

We are also teaching a woman named V who is going to get baptized this Saturday.  She's really excited and we are super happy that she's getting baptized!

These last few weeks President Bluth has given us permission to watch the Copa America soccer games (when Chile plays)! We have to watch them with someone were are teaching.  Its been awesome to see Chile play.  They're doing well and we're hoping they'll keep advancing. 

Have a great week!

Monday, June 22, 2015

Intercambios y Asados

Hey!


So this week was a good one. We did two exchanges this week and for both I stayed in my sector, which helped me get to know it better.  On Tuesday Elder S from Peru came with me and worked and then on Wednesday  Elder R from Utah came and worked with me. It was fun to work with other missionaries and the 2 exchanges went well.
Also on Sunday we had a cool experience.  We were praying really hard that our investigators would be able to come to church.  We worked really hard and prayed hard all week, and on Sunday six of them came and were immediately welcomed by the members! We were really grateful and our prayers were answered.  They liked church and felt the Spirit.  The are all finally progressing!
Today we did a zone activity.  We played soccer and dodge ball and had a huge barbecue.
The only thing I can say is that Heavenly Father answers prayers.  Its easier to see the answers when our prayers are specific and directed by the Spirit.  Also, as we do all we can to accomplish what is asked for in the prayer, Heavenly Father always does His part.

Elder Peck

Monday, June 15, 2015

Exchange

Hey,

So this week was good.  We found several new investigators that are really good and we were able to help one of our existing investigators accept a baptismal date.  It was a good week. Heavenly Father put several people miraculously in our path as we looked for His prepared sons and daughters.

This week I went on an exchange with Elder V from Chile and worked in his sector.  It was a good day and great working with him.  Also on Sunday, our Bishop asked my companion and I to give talks half an hour before sacrament meeting, which is always fun haha.  It worked out ok.  We are used to it by now haha.

I learned more about the influence of the Spirit.  God does not command in all things.  He has given us commandments to follow and the Holy Ghost to guide us in the rest.  If we trust in Gods mercy and patience, acting with the goal to simply "choose the right," we will be able to make good decisions and receive and partake of God's mercy daily.  We may not recognize that the Spirit is prompting us to act in a certain way, but as we simply try to be our best selves, the Spirit will put into our hearts and minds thoughts and ideas, will push us towards the right way so that Gods purposes are fulfilled.

Have a great week!

Elder Peck

Monday, June 8, 2015

Hey!

Hey!

So this has been a super crazy week.  We've been running full speed since I got here and today I've finally had a chance to get settled in a bit haha.

So I went from a small branch at the south tip of the mission to a large ward in the very middle of the mission.  Instead of a small town in the country, I'm in the middle of one of the biggest cities in our mission, and there are tons of people.  Its awesome!  I've met several of the investigators and many of the members.  They are all cool and I'm looking forward to serving here.

My companion is the best.  His name is Elder C from Arizona and he has about 10 months in the mission.  He's a funny guy and a hard worker so were getting along well and were both pumped for this transfer.

We are teaching several good people including a woman whose name is V.  She's going to get baptized in July and is progressing really well. A little over a month ago she started getting interested in the church because her son was recently baptized.  Her son told her that he wanted an eternal family, and now, after listening to the missionaries and having several spiritual experiences, she also wants an eternal family and decided to be baptized!  We found another family this week and are teaching several other families.

In my study of the Book of Mormon this week I read about the people of Alma.  Alma was converted after hearing the words of a prophet and began to preach the gospel and established the church of God.  His followers became a happy and prosperous people, but with time God decided to test them.  Another people came and took control.  They began to dictate them, making the people of Alma work for them, giving them heavy burdens and tons of work.  The people prayed for help with all their souls, never forgetting God or getting angry at Him.  They endured the trial well.  Heavenly Father saw their diligence and faith and helped them carry their burdens by strengthening them.  They were happy and kept working.  Soon, God freed them from their captivity.

Sometimes, Heavenly Father sees that we are working hard and trying to do everything right.  He may see that as an opportunity to test us and make us stronger, to see if under pressure we will keep following Him honestly and with integrity.  With time, the trial will pass and we will emerge stronger.  God wants our success, not failure.  As we trust in or Heavenly Father, we will always walk away victorious, just like our Savior Jesus Christ.

Elder Peck