Planet Earth, what a wonderful place to be.

Hey everyone! Not going to lie, this week felt forever and a half long. It was good though. Training is not as hard in ways I thought it would be and much harder in ways I didn't expect. I think the hardest thing is that it puts me back on the emotional rollercoaster of first transfer. I get to relive it as she's going through it to try to remember how I felt and better know how to help. Man I forgot how rough the adjustment to mission life was. Culture shock was real.

She's pretty homesick, and I've been more homesick than I've been in a long time. The angelversary was ok because I didn't have time to think about it but we did teach a Plan of Salvation lesson to someone we're teaching and Charlie came up so that was kind of a cool tribute. I think it's been hard knowing you're all together. But I'm glad you're all having a good time, really I am :) Little things just keep coming up that make me miss random things I've never thought to miss before. We were watching the video put to Elder Utchdorf's Migration: A yearning for home and I am NEVER allowed to watch that again because it makes me think of all those days watching Planet Earth with all of you. Also, I've been craving hiking and rock climbing so all the outdoor scenes of people hiking was not good for me. Nope, not allowed to watch that one. 

My friend, Lee, in charge of books at the thrift shop gave me a calendar with amazing animal photography and I love it. Random fact.

Ok funny thing, I am kind of head over heels for Mt. Airy right now. Like, a little obsessed. Ok a lot obsessed. I love every little thing about it and every person in it. The ward members joke with me that I will be here forever and deep down I'm really not joking, I could be here my whole mission. I love everyone so much. I have so many second families. It's going to break my heart to leave. I might even miss our shower that drips and my creaky bed that wakes me up when I roll over at night. Haha it's just such a blessing to have been here this long because the relationships I've made with the people are so deep. I love them!!! 

Ummm we walked a TON this week because we are out of miles and want to be able to drive to Zone Conference this week. Funny story, I declined a ride from a member to our dinner appointment which I thought was around the corner from the house we were at. HA it was a 30 minute walk ending in a nice big hill but hey, I loved every second of it, like I said I needed a hike. Just scarring my trainee a little...nah she's fine. 

We went to a family history lecture on directories, which got me pumped except I can't actually do any of that until I get home. It always amazes me that at these monthly lectures, 30-40 nonmembers show up. There are usually only 2-3 members. The Spirit of Elijah is real! I've been studying up on that a lot lately, I love my ancestors and need my angels. Guys do you know how amazing our family is??? Check them out, they are some stellar people! Knowing them makes me want to be a better person. I regret all those times I put off doing family history. It's so fun! Enjoy it for me please. 

Ummmm we taught some lessons, walked some parks, made some calls, had some district council, knocked some doors. Studied this AMAZING gospel! 

The epiphany I had this week was while reading John 14:16-17

"16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

Have you ever realized we are SUPERHEROES??? We have this gift that no one else has! We are literally lights in the darkness, little vessels of the Spirit that go forth in a dark world. See the superhero thing? Yep we are here to save lives. If that doesn't get you through your day I don't know what will haha. Sorry for the random not super specific letter! 

You are all so amazing and wise, you know that? Thank you all for the advice and updates. It's so helpful for me. 

Get feeling better all you sick ones. Have such a great week! Just remember to love everybody because life's more fun that way :D

Love, Sister Peck 

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have like zero minutes again, I don't know how this keeps happening! Oh yeah, there is SO much to do, that's how. It's been a busy week. On Tuesday after district council we had ward correlation really quick at the Lawrence's, then Sister Mutter and Timmerman had some goodbyes to say so we went to John's and Betty's. 

Then we had a crazy lesson in Damascus with this really spiritual guy who loved 3 Nephi 27 but also has lots of theories on life that we were like...can't really agree with that but super cool. 

We were up late getting everyone packed. Then Wednesday morning we were all off to the Stake Center. I had a training meeting and was introduced my new companion, Sister Dawson!!! She is AMAZING! Gosh I love her so much! Our friendship was pretty immediate, she's a lot of fun and is a great missionary. It has been a refreshing change. 

I am so grateful to be in Mt. Airy again! We have been on FIRE. Miracle left and right. Training has its super stressful moments but honestly it hasn't been too bad because I have felt so strengthened through Christ and Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost. Thursday a woman came right up to us to get to her car and we got talking about the Book of Mormon and she was stoked we had a Spanish one to give to her. She asked for our number and everything. We had set the goal earlier that day to give one Book of Mormon out- We gave out THREE that day, all meaningful contacts. One was to a wonderful woman who said she was searching religions. Another was a lady we met last week who is the SWEETEST. She was so glad we came back. She is not super interested in converting but likes to learn so we taught her the entire Plan of Salvation and left her a chapter to read in the Book of Mormon and she said she would. She wants us over for dinner soon. Haha so sweet. 

Friday we taught 3 lessons with nonmembers. Craziness! Billy is on date for baptism!!! He is so faithful. He doesn't remember everything he's learned over the years but he knows this is good so he has faith he will be ready by the 2nd week in August. He is awesome. 

The lesson with Robert was good since we got him into the Book of Mormon FINALLY, but he texted us the next day and said he didn't think it was the word of God even after he prayed so we had to let him go. He'll be ready someday. Saturday's miracle was that we got a call from someone we gave a PASS ALONG CARD to, my first ever time that's happened on the mission. He said he doesn't know much about the "Mormons" but that he wants to come to church! He couldn't come this week but hopefully next week. We have been blown away by the miracles this week. 

I love this ward so much, they are like family. I love this work. I love that all I have to do all day is love people. I love Sister Dawson, she is a strong missionary and a great friend. I love all of YOU, it was so good to talk to you today and please have so much fun on the trip! I'm really excited to hear how it goes! 

Love, Sister Peck

(So Lindsay titled this week's letter "Chocolate Chip Cookies" but must not have had time to write about how excited she was to get not one, but two deliveries of chocolate chip cookies this week.  She has missed having chocolate chip cookies since her last companion was gluten intolerant.  It was one of the "miracles" this week!) 

Transfers and Training

My family I love you so much!!!! Thank you so much for all of your emails and letters, they make me so so so happy :) :) :)

After I wrote last week we went to the Stake President's house for dinner (he's from our ward) and their family is absolutely hilarious and fantastic. They are helping us to fellowship Robby and his family. They haven't been in contact with us for about two weeks (we've only taught them the Restoration) so that's pretty sad but we still have faith. Hopefully he'll come to mutual again once it starts back up in the fall. 

After that we had a lesson with Caitlin and Azard who are STELLAR. We taught them when I first got here, then we dropped them because they didn't get back to us but now we're back and they are really progressing  and want us over every week! They also invited us to their barbecue, so like, we're pals. I love them. 

Tuesday was a big day. An awesome member drove us to Fredrick for interviews. While we waited for Sister Mutter, Sister Timmerman and I went and had district council with a spanish district which was very fun. Then I had my interview. Wowzers. President Mutombo. What a guy. It was good to open up about a lot of stuff that has been weighing on me. He always knows how to use the scriptures to answer our concerns and I love it. He told me the things I have had to go through have prepared me early in my mission, then told me I will be training next transfer. Aaaaahhh. I'm actually super excited. I didn't think it would be this soon. But I am enough right where I'm at and Christ will make up the rest. So big news. I found out on Friday that it would be right here in my dear Mt. Airy. Haha I kind of feel like I will be here my entire mission, like this is all the mission is. At least the ward is amazing and I love all the people here so much. All of them. 

Wednesday was pretty chill, we sang Peace in Christ to Vernie. After dinner we stayed in for the first time caused by myself because I had an allergic reaction to something at dinner and was throwing up. My lips and throat were all swollen, it was kind of funny. My stomach and chest stopped hurting by by 11 that night so that was a blessing. 

Thursday we taught Tiffany AND her kids! Talked about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. They taught us lessons they have been learning at Vacation Bible School. Then they invited us to their end of week VBS program so we did that Friday and it was ADORABLE! And so spiritual! I cried! Then Tiffany and all the kids walked with us to get snow cones. So fun. They are the sweetest kids, and so spiritually mature. And so much fun. That night we celebrated Sister Timmerman's birthday!!! She is so amazing I love her!!!

There was a Relief Society Luau on Thursday and that day I also got to make a cake because it was the birthday of a recent convert boy (we're teaching him and his dad). That felt SOOO good. 

We've done a lot of service this week, lots of helping people move and clean. 

Yikes this is so rushed, it's been a busy day getting everybody packed and ready to go. Sister Mutter is going to Ellicott City and Sister Timmerman is going to Lancaster! Super exciting. 

This week I'll get to go pick up my trainee on Wednesday. I'm super excited to meet her and to get to work :) I love sharing this gospel, nothing brings more joy and excitement than finding how the doctrine applies to us and then sharing it with someone else. Try to think outside the box and share your testimony in some way this week! People are ready to hear it! I love you! Have an amazing week!! Thanks again for all the prayers. Love, Sister Peck

Fourth of July in Maryland

Hello my amazing family!

It was soooo good to talk to you on Tuesday! It brought me so much joy to see you and hear how you are doing. I am so grateful that I could be with you on Charlie's Birthday. I miss him a lot and it filled my heart to get to be with you.

Monday night we got to meet with Tiffany. I love her and her family so dearly! She is really nervous for transfers and doesn't want us to leave. It will be a good test of her faith if we do leave but she is making great progress and will be ok whatever happens. She came to church on Sunday!!! She could only stay one hour and was a little nervous but she came! That is a huge step. She is feeling the Spirit and turning to the scriptures to find comfort. She has reminded me that the simple act of turning to the scriptures really does bring comfort and relief. I love her. 

Tuesday was Charlie's birthday. It was such a spiritual day, filled with just enough peaceful emotion. That's how I would describe it. As I was exercising, my companion turned on the Stories of Jesus CD. I'd never heard most of them before. She went upstairs to do something and I stayed downstairs to study in the sunshine when "Gethsemane" came on. That was the song Charlie's friends sang at his funeral. It was such a blessing that it came on when I had a moment alone to let the tears come and feel those deep but sweet emotions. After district council and a video chat companionship study with our Sister Training Leaders, we picked up some ice cream on our way to Damascus to celebrate a little. While in Damascus, we taught an 8 year old the Restoration. Their family is just coming back to church and she is getting ready to be baptized. Then the next great blessing of the day- a member from Damascus took us out to eat and we went to a PIZZA place! We always have pizza for Charlie's birthday! Heavenly Father is so aware and He cares so much. That night I got to call all of you and get to be a part of that special day with you :) It really was a great day. 

Wednesday we taught a member family a great lesson, then had lunch with a returning member that we are helping read the Book of Mormon for her first time. More like she reads and studies amazingly and we are her cheerleaders. We discuss what she's learning. She is amazing. The Book of Mormon adds so much light into our lives and she is a perfect example of that. She says she is happier than she's been in a long time since starting to read the Book of Mormon. 

That night at dinner with a member one of the daughters painted a picture of me and I love it so much :) I'll try to send a picture but might have to wait until next week. 

Thursday-THE 4TH OF JULY!!! I LOVE this holiday!!!! I love this country!!! Wow what a great day. We got to go to Fredrick to help with this program that a member has been putting on for 25 years. It's way out in the country on his ranch. Red white and blue things EVERYWHERE. Huge flags. As far as the program there is the anthem, the pledge, music, speakers, honoring veterans, all of it. And breakfast. Many people have been coming over the years. It was so cool to be a part of it! I love America. I love its heritage and the virtues it holds. I love all those throughout all time who have fought to maintain our liberties. Alma 46 is a great chapter for the 4th of July. Also 2 Nephi 10. 

Anyway, President Mutombo spoke in the program and did a great job, it was inspiring. Then he called us up to sing "Called to Serve", the first verse and our mission verse (yes our mission has its own verse and yes it's awesome). 

After it was finished and most people left, the family hosting the program had a pie eating contest for their grandkids and us missionaries. There were like 9 Elders doing it and no Sisters so Sister Timmerman looked at each other and said I will if you will. So we did. And I took second hahaha. I hope you are all proud of me, shows where my talents are. I felt so sick afterwards. Chocolate up my nose and in my hair, the whole nine yards. But I won some doughnuts and respect/disgust from the Elders soooo...worth it? Haha it was really fun, I have no regrets. 

Yikes I'm almost out of time. Those were the major things that happened this week, the rest was filled with the regular visits and calling and trying by people.

 

Thank you all for the prayers and encouragement, it means so much. I love you more than I can say!!!

Love, Sister Lindsay Peck

An Average Week

Hello my amazing family! I love and miss you so much! It kind of looks like you're having too much fun though.........so ummmm can you not? Haha just joking. Just save some for me! And I love to see how much fun you're having so keep it up :)

To be honest I don't really know what to write about this week...It was pretty average. Had some teaching appointments that went well. One of the people said they will pray about a baptismal date and we are going over tonight to talk about it! We taught one family (Mother and son and daughter) the Restoration. They like it but are still not connecting that it is THE church on the Earth. We'll keep working on that. We keep encouraging them to read the Book of Mormon, to pray to know that it is true and that this is Christ's church. We are so blessed to be able to know for ourselves. Even if you've already done it, you can do it again. Check up on your testimony. 

My testimony was strengthened this week by an incredible experience with family history. One of my companions had a migraine so we stayed in the first half of the day. It gave me the time to study and to read all the family history stories that my mother sent with me. I could not get enough of them. It was the most amazing thing, I felt like I knew them, like they were with me. Many of the stories were their accounts of joining the church and the sacrifices they made in doing so. They gave up so much because they knew the gospel was true. It gave me a far greater perspective on life and what we are doing here. The work of God and His gospel will go forth no matter what, it's up to us whether we want to be a part of it. My incredible ancestors chose to magnify their callings that Heavenly Father had for them in this life. They knew the church was true with all their hearts and we are so blessed to have their testimonies to hold onto and to help grow our own. There is so much strength that comes from knowing your ancestors. 1 Nephi 3:19-21 talks about how family history helps us to be faithful in keeping the commandments. So cool!!!

"And behold, it is wisdom in God that we should obtain these records, that we may preserve unto our children the language of our fathers; 

And also that we may preserve unto them the words which have been spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets, which have been delivered unto them by the Spirit and power of God, since the world began, even down unto this present time.

And it came to pass that after this manner of language did I persuade my brethren, that they might be faithful in keeping the commandments of God."

I really wish I had cool stories. We got to go to Fredrick for doctor appointments, that was kind of exciting. 

We were driving in Damascus trying to find someone the Elders were teaching and kept having to back track and drive past this super sketchy field behind a house full of junk and creepy sheds that looks right out of a horror movie. Funny story, that ended up being the house of the people we're teaching haha. We decided to come back a little earlier to meet them since it was getting dark. And we wanted to live another day. 

I instructed District Council this week and surprise, the Assistants to the President showed up. No pressure! Thanks to the Spirit and my great district it went really well. 

It's been sooooo hot and humid this week. Thankfully we figured out how to get our window AC unit working because we were roasting at night. I am not a huge fan of the humidity. You just always feel sticky and gross. Not fun. 

Those were really the highlights this week, it was pretty typical...The trio is holding together. Somehow haha. Your prayers are definitely a huge part of it. Thank you for all of those. Honestly things are not too bad and it's all for the best. We're just helping Heavenly Father in His work. It's comforting to know He's in charge and it will all work out. love knowing that. It's just easy to forget sometimes haha. Life is good! God is good. 

This week I will definitely try to have more funny stories. 4th of July will be fun, we get to go to Fredrick for a big event so I'm excited for that! I hope you all have a super fun 4th of July too :) 

Love, Sister Peck

Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust

I'm going to talk about pixie dust first. The fireflies here make the world sparkle. It's pixie dust. Even at the end of the most hectic, traumatizing, or maybe a great day (usually a mix of all three) at least I get to watch the fireflies dance and I can smile and I can pretend I can fly. I pretend I'm a fairy a lot. 

You know it's been quite a week when I have to remind myself that I AM a fairy ballerina princess. The world tries to make me forget sometimes.

This was quite a week. It's required tremendous amounts of faith and trust. And at the end, it didn't matter because I had to leave it all up to Heavenly Father anyway. In short there was quite a bit of struggles with the trio life. We all get along really well but let's just say when you get too many mental illnesses in one place...basically I have been the senior companion for the last two weeks. I got specific advice from President and the Sister Training Leaders about it, but I tried it and it made things worse sooo...faith and trust. Adjusting and growing. We are working on getting help so that's good. Trusting I can survive. 

The real highlights this week were Zone Conference and exchanges. Zone Conference was focused on the Atonement and how to use it in our teaching and how to use the scriptures to teach it. It blew my mind! And what's even better, I have been able to teach using the scriptures even more powerfully since. 

For example, we were on exchanges and Sister Eborn and I were teaching a woman from Nigeria. Our goal was to use some scriptures to teach her how the gospel can help her change and become. We planned some scriptures before, but in the lesson, both of us had a flood of scriptures come to our minds to address her specific questions. We kept whipping them out, it was fantastic and she decided to come to church. The scriptures hold all the answers. ALL of them. Seek them out. 

We had FIVE people come to church yesterday. Mt. Airy has been prepared for miracles and they are happening. It's been years since they've had progress like this. The ward is the most amazing ward. They are stepping up and doing their part with full purpose of heart. Magnify your callings, there is always a little more we can do in the Kingdom of God and we are so blessed for our sacrifices.
Hmm more stories from the week. We finally got our bikes. I'm so excited!!! Except if you saw the roads we are riding on Mom...hahaha super sketch. We'll be safe. We have to wear yellow vests now. And ankle bands. Super stylin. 

Oh this week we also got to help shut down the Damascus apartment. Hauled a lot of things, that felt good. I love the physical labor we get to do but they are few and far in between, most people wrapped up yard work so we haven't done that for a while. 

Those who sent the packages, thank you SOOOOOO MUCH!!!! They really made a tough week so much better. 

Overall, it's just been a learning process. Learning to trust in leaders, in companions, in myself. Trying to have faith that everything is happening as it is supposed to and that God is in charge. This is his work. We can only do what we can do and when we've done that, there's always pixie dust. I guess it's kind of like the role of grace in the Atonement. We'll never be able to do it ourselves. We need Christ and his infinite mercy. He just needs us to try. Keep repenting. It takes faith and hope to repent so start with faith and hope and then decide it's worth the change. It's worth becoming. Just choose one thing to stop doing or one thing to start doing and do it. Trust that the Atonement will enable you and empower you. Jesus Christ gave you his mercy, use it. Be grateful for it, not afraid of it. It's such a beautiful thing, the healing power of the Atonement. 

3 Nephi 9:13 "Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?" Let Him heal you. 

I love you all SOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!!!! You're the cutest awesomest most talented smartest most loving family in the world! You're all my heroes!!!! Thank you for your love.