Another day at the Beach!

hey i got yall a few more pictures. cool huh. yeah we went down to the beach again. it was fun. sounds like yall are just full of adventures. or am i just reading sarahs letter.hahaha. this week has been great. not much has been going on in the last few days but we are working hard and having fun.  this last week we had 9 new invest. it was great. we've really been blessed. our whole house is covered in mold. i'm going to try to get a package sent off today with the things that aren´t going to last the mold and i don't need. i mean we left one morning and when we got back that night the whole sink in the bathroom was green. cool huh. but other than that its been a normal week. i love yall and i hope yall have a good week. chou.

ps i talked to elder larsen and he told me that in 33 that adriana and freddy both got baptized. yeahhhhhhhhh.

I'm Now 1 Transfer Old!

*Loren, Is there anything you need sent?  I'm sending you a package
too.  Let me know what you would like or need.

Wow.  This is hard on the spot.  Ummm...  just make sure there's a little candy in there, candy here is different.  It's all saltine crackers and pork rind, and salted peanuts.  There are Sari-Sari (variety) stores (normal houses with a window were all sorts of products foods, snacks, and everything are hung -- usually 2-3 per block, no matter where you are.  I never pay more than a dime or two for snacks, everything is amazingly cheap.  Aside from that there are tiny bakeries everywhere, and they are amazing.  Small pastries and breakfast rolls range from 2-4 cents (1-2 Filipine piso) a piece.  15 cents worth of breakfast rolls - pandesal - is a pretty filling breakfast when we're on the run.  Back to the question -- I . . . don't know!  Whatever I find will be heaven.


*(Here are pictures of Rachel making snickerdoodles for dad to take Home Teaching.)

Wow, don't take those snickerdoodles for granted!  I'd give my right ear for one of those right now.  As good as Spanish bread is here at the bakery, it just can't beat a hot snickerdoodle.  Atta girl, Rachel!  My companion really likes mallows.  Did I mention that everything is really small here?  Same with the "jumbo" sized mallows we find at the "super"-market.

Sarah!  That story is classic!  I love it!  You should have seen me here in the internet cafe, I lost it, laughing out loud!  Mom, why does Sarah always have all the fun?  Why can't any of the rest of us have some adventures?  Way to save the day.  I love the pictures.  I wrote you a letter, but nobody has built a post-office close to our apartment yet!  The traffic here still scares me.  Like when the semi behind us goes to pass 3 cars -- on the right or left side of the road, and I'm pretty sure there should be speed limit signs, but there aren't.  One of the few road signs I see are one's that say  "Accident prone area.  Slow down".


Si Lindy tsaka si Maddy,
Sweet pictures!  Hermit crabs are the thing.  Don't tell dad, but I shed a tear here, thinking about . . . sniff . . . our old, you know. . sniff. . hermit crab.  What was his name?  I think we've still got his shell.  Pets are a little different here, they don't get the love that our pets get in the States.  I'm not saying they eat All their pets, but. . .  : )  Just joking.  Take care you two.  What are the summer plans?  Do you trek as well?

Dad, I'm way excited about those bees!  And all the trees you're planting.  Is Sarah giving you or Shaylin any credit for the recovery of the bees?  (don't tell her I asked that)  It's just that it seems you at least played a supporting role.  I'm excited about your calling as YM Pres., Dad.  That's exciting.  I've gained a lot of appreciation for the leaders of the church here as a missionary.
This week has had it's ups and downs.  First of all, it's been really hard, since we baptized the Blancos.  I really hate to baptize them so young just before they have all the ward and friend support pulled out from under them.  I guess their grandmother is trying still to get them back here, right now they're in Batangas.  It's just that there are so many inactives, here it's 4 out of 5, and if they've got no support at their age... It's just been a little hard to deal with.
Other than that, our pool of progressing investigators seems to be evaporating!  But that's because of the baptisms and 1 because she left until she's old enough to be married (keeping the LOC).  One family that have been making changes have just been hit with trial after trial.  After commiting to baptism and giving up smoking, the dad was robbed by a dishonest employee.  His son, who just seperated from his partner, now may be looking at a staggeringly expensive surgery for what may be a hernia.  The daughters' partner left her, and it's just been rough for them.  I was reading in Mosiah 24, how the Lord promises to visit us -- In our afflictions -- rather than saving us from them, as a token that he remembers our promise.
On the brighter side of things, we have two wonderful investigators, one of which is Susana, who are preparing for baptism.  That's a feeling like no other, to see someone really commited to baptism, that is feeling the spirit, that understands the commitment involved and wants to repent.  It strengthens my testimony, to see them gain one.
I love my trainer!  He wasn't transferred this last week, which means my prayers were answered.  He has awesome BRT and OYM's that really are directed to each individual.  I love to see how they vary according to what they are doing or saying.  It invites the spirit, right there on their doorstep, and it's a great feeling every time we get into a house to teach, knowing that we're helping fulfill the prophecy that the people of the earth will hear the gospel in their own tongue, and that the Prophet Joseph Smith's name will be had for good and evil, and countless others.  The stone is rolling, filling the Philippines.
I love the people here, the people we teach, and the people we meet.  I think about them, plan for them, study for them, pray for them.  This week has really been a turning point, I think, in my attitude and love for the people.  Thanks so much, dad, and everybody!  Love ya lots --

Another Transfer Week

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

hey fam, ya'll sound great. hey sorry again, i don´t have much time to write. it is changes already again. but the good news is that nothing changed for me and my comp. it's going so great over here. we have been so blessed and the members are just about killing us with contacts. i love it. it is really what we have to do here. i mean we've just been running around like our heads are cut off. its crazy. yesterday we finally found an inactive family the bishop had sent us a few times, but had given us the wrong directions. and none of their neighbors even knew them. and from what we have got from the members was that it was the dad that was hard.  we went in and we saw that. but we had a great lesson and he opened up to us and was joking around by the time we left. crazy cool! but hey, love you all.

p.s.  hey, if you're  wondering about letters or anything, i lost all my stamps. sorry. chou

Cookies! Real food at Last!

Monday, May 18, 2009

Mom,  I have one good camera card, and one broken one.  I think I sent a good one home in the MTC box.  Oops!  Did you get the box?  I should have brought more ties, I can't really buy them here, like I thought before.  If you find any good (thinish, polyester) ties at DI, just toss them in the Christmas package, or something.  Thanks!
By the way Sarah, that card is SWEET!!!  I really got a kick out of that.  I love the bananas here, did I already talk about how much I like the fruit here?  You're awesome, Sarah -- so you too -- Hang in there, 9th grade is the real test of life.   : )

Dear Family,

First, some follow up to our conversation:
I said that I was gauranteed a Filipino companion my entire mission, and it's true.  It's going to be sweet!  Here's some reasons why it's that way.  Here in the Angeles Mission the missionaries are:  70% Filipinos, 15% Pacific Islanders, and only 15% caucasion.  Also, around here, there is a terrorist group called Abu Sayaff, and I guess they target foreigners or something like that.  I'm not really sure yet.  I've only seen 2 or 3 white people while I've been here, and I've got to admit, I stared at them with my mouth open, just like everyone does at me.  I can see where they're coming from now.
Dad, the amount of english I hear around here:
They study english their entire educational career and beyond.  Most classes are in english.  But I mostly hear Taglish.  For example:
na-realize ako na totoo ang aklat ni Mormon. . . or na-recognize ako na. . .   or "sa tinging ko, powerful yung talk ni Elder Bednar about sa Temple"  Like that.  They'll say "So"  "At least" and "Well. . . " a lot as well.  It's just a lot of words that are easier in english thrown into Tagalog form.
After two weeks of gathering supplies, we made "Aunt Ada's (leftover mint chocoate from Easter Package) chip cookies -- cooked in a retro box-toaster.  They are delicious!  I'll send pictures sometime.
The highlight of the week was the baptism of the three young Blanco children.  It was a sweet and sour experience, because just after their confirmation, their dad came, I guess he really has custody, even though they've been living with their awesome converted grandmother.  After church, we were walking past their home on the way to an appointment, and we got to say goodbye to them.  They and their grandmother were absolutely in tears.  I didn't know what to do.  I guess they'll be pretty far from a church, but we'll see if we can communicate with them via mail.  Wow, life is tough sometimes.  I pray that things will turn out alright -- I know they were ready for baptism, they really gained a testimony, and were really starting on the path.
We've got some great progressing investigators, and the work is exciting!  I love you all.  Take care of yourself, Dad!  Love you.
Elder Peck

I'm writing letters, and lots of dear elders just caught up with me.  As soon as I can find a post office, I'll get my letters sent.  Thanks ya'll!  I love the letters.  Send my love to Great-Grandma Peck and Griffiths, and Grandma Peck, and the Swans!  Thanks!

May 14, 2009 Email

hey ya'll, wasup? nuthing much has happened since we talked on sunday. we just went to the temple today--awesome. and a few days ago we found two amazing investigators. they both were old investigators and either were sent to the hospital or moved and lost contact with the missionaries.  but hey, got to get home. see ya'll later. chau

Did You Say Spring?

Monday, May 11, 2009

Dear Family,
Wow, thanks for the conference call mom!  Love you all!
...Brendan came riding along on his bike without any help.  He said he learned himself -- and he did!...
  Atta boy, Charlie!  Did mom tell you about the bike Chris and I learned on?  It was pink!  I'm not sure it was a boy bike.

 ...Landon loves to go out with your dad and play baseball.  He was just showing me a few minutes ago that he can throw a ball just as far with his right hand as with his left.  We taught him what the word  ambidexterous meant....

Lando!  That's what we'd call "astig" here, but it means "cool" in English.  When I get home, we'll have to play some baseball, okay?  Way to go, fixin' up Charlie's bike -- you really are Mr. Fix it (Jr., of course, dad, you're still pretty good.)

    ...Lindsay and Madeline played the song, "We are Siamese" from Lady and the Tramp, as a piano duet for the Elementary Talent Show on Friday.  They drew whiskers on their faces and Lindsay wore cat ears.  They played it beautifully...

Talent Shows already?  What's next -- broadway?  Movin' right along. When does school get out, and what are the summer plans?

    ...Rachel has been -- you guessed it -- reading.  She has also practiced the piano faithfully and is getting really good.  She sounds great on the
clarinet as well.  And she and the other girls spend time singing parts and putting them together.  I'm thinking we need to get them a song to sing for
Church...

Rachel, that is sweet!  I can't say how much I miss that piano.  You'll take good care of it for me, won't you?  I'm so excited to here if you play in Sacrament!

About the other language -- kapampangan, or something like that.  Mostly the little kids and some older people speak it.  It just sounds like jibberish to me, I'm not sure where it comes from exactly.  Lots of people like to read their Bible in kapampangan, and some people that don't really want to pray for us at the end of the first lesson will pray in -- kapampangan, or whatever it is.  I know enough that when someone asks me if I know how to speak it, I can say yes.  "Wa"


Some of us sometimes have to be shaken out of what we're used to, what's comfortable, to be ready to take on a new challenge.

Wow, yeah that sounds like it.  I remember my first real morning in the field.  Dead tired, I found myself up at 6:30 A.M., looking out the window at palm trees and beginning to sweat already.  The world seemed completely upside-down.  I remember doing push ups, and just thinking about what was going to happen in the next two years.  What an incredible time!  I've thought here that there really is no limit to my progression and learning, except the restrictions I put on myself.  I always have an opportunity to stretch myself.  Focus, walk, OYM, teach -- honestly teach, study hard, do everything with all my heart.  The words of President Monson -- "The future is as bright as your faith"  runs through my mind, and I wonder if I've always held the key to accelerate my progress as much as it's accelerating now.  I think I did.  I think I will after my mission.  I feel I'm learning a valuable lesson about the nature and purpose of life, and what improvement, knowledge, and inspiration feels like.

It was so good to hear about your baptisms and investigators.  What a joy it is to watch someone change and get that light in their eyes. That's what really keeps you going.

I'm out of time, but here's an expansion of a paragraph in my letter to the president --
For a long-time investigator family, we planned this week to focus on how -- very specifically -- the gospel can bless their family, and central was the Law of Chastity, one of the remaining challenges.  I remember the first visit I had with them, and a completely different light has come into their eyes.  So we thought it was time to take the next step.  On Monday, we prepared a lesson, made some treats, and invited 2 member families to the Mendoza home for a surprise Family Home Evening.  It was a rousing success (I'll write about the games next week)Two days later, we prayed about and studied the Law of Chastity, and later taught a more solemn lesson.  To our surprise, the Mendoza parents said they'd noticed that something needed to change.  It went very well, and though we are still waiting for definite plans for the son and his fiancee to seperate, we feel that they have a testimony, and are praying for them to make the right decision.
Susan, a new investigator that I was able to give a blessing of comfort to on our 3rd visit at her request, accepted the invitation to be baptized, and she said that she's been making big changes in her life, and it was a pleasure to teach about repentance, and baptism, because she honestly wants to change.
The three Blanco children are excited for their upcoming baptism, and we're excited as well.  They have very plain and sound faith, even at their young age.


 ...beehives, our latest adventure and foray into learning more. ...

By the way, that sounds awesome!

 ...Sounds like spring!...

What is spring, again?  Seasons are a wonderful thing.  Here the season depends on the day, sometimes it's the rainy season, sometimes not.  We always carry an umbrella, if it's hot, it's for shade, if it's raining, we use it as a boat to cross the streets.
Thanks so much, I LOVED talking to you all!
With love,
Elder Peck

Chris, I loved hearing from you!  I've been thinking a lot about the first words I heard from you -- The mission's awesome!  Isn't it?
Your zeal and love for the work -- the Lord and the people, helps me be happy, it keeps me smiling thinking that you're on the other side of the world, but we're doing the same thing.  Tear it up!  I'll do my best here!
- Elder Loren Peck
I always love hearing from you!

Everything Good in the Neighborhood

May 4, 2009

yeah wazup yall. what was going down in san diego? im doing great now. just the usual cold that comes at this time of the year. but after monday i was great. it was just a virus that was going around.

hey mom that sounds cool. i think it will be fine. but ill talk with President Ashby.  if i called at 4 here that would be about 1 there. would that work? i don´t know  when church is there. and i don´t know what lorens hours are.  but yeah. this place is great. im in this place right near the beach. we have beach in our area. its fun but really diffrent from any where else that ive been in my mission. its been so much fun. every one here is on the richer side of things. but these last few weeks we've really found some great investigators. we have one that we found this last week her name is mirian. her son was a great member of the church and then about half a year ago he died. and she just kind of hit a wall. but we had a great lesson with her and she is ready to change her life so she can live with her son again. and guess what we get to go to the temple next week. cool huh.

but hey weve just been running around sick and out of it so thats about it. don´t worry. we'll get it all out next sunday. we'll talk it up.

A "Chilly" Week in the Philippines!

May 4, 2009

Loren,
did you get my letters yet?
**This morning I received my first mail!  I got a big letter from the family (April 14) and a letter from -- hang on, who was it again?  SARAH!  (joke lang, as they say here -- a lot.  I was really excited to find your letter here.  The sense of humor here is totally different, by the way.  They don't laugh at my jokes, and I try to figure out what they're saying.  More about jokes later.)  woo-hoo!  I'll get some snail mail back at you, as soon as I can find a post office. hmm. . .
Sarah, your talk inspired me.  Especially the story of Rach, Shach, and Benny : )  Really, I can see how tough it would be here to live the gospel sometimes.  There is such a minority, but the people that stick through all the adversity, are so strong.  The lives of the members here are so different from the rest of the people.  We really are a peculiar people.
Thanks again, Sarah.  I'll get back to you soon.
I also received a wonderful letter from Great Grandma Peck.  Thank her so much for the news!  Her support and loving words are just what I needed.  I keep her picture here, and thinking about Grandma and all the family is such a help to me.  I love you all, and I will write to G-Grandma Peck as soon as possible.
By the way, I'm writing you letters every week, mom, just like President Miller said.
Moab sounds awesome!!!  I really feel like rock-hounding right now.  Wow, someplace dry.  That's heaven.  The rain is the works greatest enemy here.  It's a cultural thing that if you are wet, you will not be admitted into people's homes.  That's completely foreign to me, but turns out, it's true.  And it's hard to stay dry when the rain is so merciless.  There is no good drainage system, and sometimes we are walking in ankle deep water in a street.  Some places among the squatters are simply impassable, and the rainy season hasn't even officially started!

 . . .she also gave me some Belle stickers that are the coolest thing since ice-cream.

**Stickers are everywhere here.  People sell books all over -- batman, mickey mouse, and other disney characters are favorites -- and they are plastered on everything.  Quite a favorite decoration.  I almost bought a book of Incredibles stickers walking past a "carnival" during P-Day this morning, just because it seemed like the cool thing to do.  Thankfully, I thought better of it.


 Hi guys, how are you?
I can't tell you how much I miss you.  I love you too!  Are you having fun?
 Name some of the foods you are eating --or trying to eat!  Love, Maddy
**  Okay. . .
This week I had rice for almost every meal.  -- While we're on topic, I need the nutrition facts -- fast.  For a cup of uncooked rice.  I am getting, um, fat.  I've lost almost ten pounds, but I'm getting a belly.  I'm starting to look forward to rice, it's tasting better and better all the time.

back to the question,
I had mango with almost every meal as well, I love mangoes.  And ulam.  Meat and veggies cooked in some kind of sauce, and with rice.  I'm an amateur using utensils here, they use the fork to push food into the spoon, and I usually just use the fork.
Also, lumpia that a member cooked, that's amazing.
And this mushroom concoction, mushroom and egg, we fried it.
I made the last serving of pudding, it's great frozen.
Bangus (milk fish) at a members house, I loved it.
I haven't eaten anything really weird yet, at least, not really weird.  The menu is really different here.  I miss sandwiches.  Bread.  Cookies.  Iyen lang.  The food is tasty.

Loren, it sounds like you are adjusting well.
Love Dad
**Most days I head out ready to meet the Philippines, and re-discover that maybe the Philippines isn't quite ready for me.  Americans.  I'm a superhero to the little kids, who run up in large groups shouting "Up 'ere!"  Looking for high fives, and hanging on my arms, and measuring themselves against me, usually giving themselves a good five extra inches.  I here "Wow, ang tankad mo!" a lot from the little ones.  (How tall you are!)  The teens are a different story, and sometimes I take a lot of abuse from them -- in English.  In general, everyone is really nice, but I wish sometimes I could just fit in, that people would stop yelling English things to me, calling me Joe, laughing, and all that.  There just aren't any Americans here.  I'm sure as the language develops, and I settle into the area, things will simmer down a little.

Have a great week!  Remember to let us know how to get a hold of you and what
time!
Love ya!  Mom
**Okay, I'm not sure how this will work.  If nothing else, I'm planning on noon here on Sunday (I'll call you), which, according to my calculations, will be 9 p.m there on Saturday.  But if it works better with Chris for me to call on Monday here, that's completely possible.  The call can be from 30-40 minutes, on or within a day of the 10th.  I can call for a quick set up call.  I'll call sometime this week, I'm not sure when, but I'll try to make it in the morning here.
I'm out of time, but looking forward to talking to you all!
We met some amazing people this week through the work of the members, I love these great members.  I'm learning a lot about the workings of a ward, and the role of the members in missionary work.  Wow, we have so much potential as members.  I re-read the notes from my setting apart blessing, and about the part -- to be generous in giving blessings, and there are so many opportunities every week.  It's still quite an experience in Tagalog, but it's very sacred.  The faith of these people are so pure.  I need to start out with all the spiritual experiences first, and just a little culture if I have time.  I'll start doing that.
Thank you all!  I love you.
Elder Peck