email #1

Apr 18, 2012

I am only allowed to email once a week. The rule is, I can only write letters only once a week too. So you wont be hearing much from me. I put the charger in the little organizer thingy by the phone. Things are fine. Um,...I would like to know how much money I have on my debit card. Everything here cost money and if you don't have money, you go without.  

Elder Giles is from American Fork, and he is going to California San Jose. Elder Hoyt is from Sacramento California I think. And he is going to Independence Missouri. Elder Davenport is originally from Redmond WA but has lived in Cedar Hills for a while now. And he is going to New York North. Elder Burwell is from Tremonton up by Logan or something. and he is going to San Diego. I like them just fine. I think we all leave around the same time. none of us fight or anything. . .

As a ZL, I have to welcome and do orientation for new missionaries. I have to go to a lot of meetings and keep records of everyone. Anyway, I'll email again next Wednesday. K bye

email #3

May 4

Dear Family,

Things are fine still. I know about the culture a lot now. I read a bunch on it. they don't teach it here. You have to learn it on your own. I learned that they are arrogant because they are always ignored. And they pick on hearing people because it seems to them that everyone else is always picking on them. Whatever. I'm not Deaf but I will be dealing with deaf people a lot a lot a lot so I will have something to worry about kinda.

I sent a letter today.

Today I am going to play the piano during laundry. :)

I auditioned for a musical number to perform in front of everyone here. They loved it of course and I will be informed of when I will play and stuff. I also want to find out if I can get a copy of the recording. I know they record all their stuff. ALSO, I will NOT be calling on MOTHERS DAY. WHY?? can you imagine 2000+ missionaries calling home on that one day?? and the MTC really only has a few phones. Sorry.

I really just want letters like I recently received. Sierra's made me laugh my guts onto the floor. I didn't have to clean it up because I didn't have service scheduled for that day. . . haha

Well, tell everyone I'm loving it here and to not drink the orange juice and that I have learned to just laugh at my "special" companion.

I'm super excited about playing the piano in front of everyone and maybe even an apostle/prophet. I'll let you know.

thanks.

Elder Peck

email #2

Apr 27 

Email day is now Friday.

Maybe it will change again. The schedule has been all screwy lately.

Things are still fine. um...New district came wednesday...all going to Oklahoma.

I have had a lot to write about in my journal lately concerning Elder Burwell...

I don't know if it's the ADHD, or the tunnel vision, or him being deaf,...but it's hard to be patient.

Thanks for the cookies. my companions will like them I'm sure. I know mother probably forgot but I don't like those kind. sorry.

K talk to you friday.

Elder Peck

email #6

May 25, 2012

I saw Sister Harding today at the temple

pretty neat huh?

Things are good. Of course certain elders are getting on my nerves but It's just an opportunity for my patience to build. YAY!...

email #5

May 18, 2012

I wake up 6:30 and go to sleep at 10:30. I guess it's enough for minimal functions...

Still no news about playing the piano. I have seen a lot of Elders I know lately.

Pretty neat huh?

ASL is fine. I understand a ton more now. I am still learning new signs everyday.

Thank you very much for the no-bake cookies. I only shared one of them with Elder Davenport. They are truly a blessing to behold. The cookies I mean. The Elders are okay I guess. It's frustrating still with Elder Burwell...he ran straight into me today. Because he's blind and deaf and has ADHD and whatever else.

The elders above our residence must be wrestling or jumping for no reason on the floor every night.

It reminds me of when Maggie would drop her toys in strange hours of the night and I would wake up.

I am too timid to go talk to them about not stomping their heels so hard every night...I'm hoping they will be leaving soon. 

Every time I go to GYM, I always play volleyball. It's probably my favorite sport now. But I never really get a chance to acheive maximum potential when I play. There are two courts and one is always occupied by tongans who decimate the ball every time they touch it. And the other court is for little purple pansies...so I'm switching back and forth often to see where I like it. With the Tongans, I get to jump and spike and set and all that... with the pansies I get to stand there and pretend to laugh when everyone else does.

anyway, I saw Brother Swenson from wolf hollow 1st...at the Temple today. We talked a little bit...he said he would tell you he saw me ....or something.

I am enjoying the experience.

email #4

May 11, 2012

I think the only thing I can complain about now, is the fact that I don't get enough sleep.

I am so tired all day and nothing wakes me up. I saw the Ballards today.

No stories or anything special...

maybe next week

05/09/2012 - MTC Letter #4

May 9, 2012

MTC is good. I think I might be “released” as a Zone Leader soon, but I don't know for sure. I started learning Hungarian today. It's very difficult. They have 44 characters in the alphabet. And it's not natural to pronounce things the way they do.

Um, I just miss the dogs and the piano. Everyday feels like I could be using my time more wisely. But I guess there really isn't anything better I could be doing. If they let me sleep for another couple hours, I really think I would be far more efficient and I would learn faster, blah, blah, blah better this and that, but they won't. Also, “no music in the MTC” is my least favorite rule. Most of my past spiritual experiences (if not all) have been a result of or associated with music. But if they want to take that away, fine, it's only everyone's loss. Not in my control. Nothing is in my control as a missionary, but what I get out of the entire experience. So, two years from now I will have everything I need. But until then, I will be hopelessly struggling in every humanly possible way. Anyway, TTYL!

--Elder Peck

05/04/2012 - MTC Letter #3

May 4, 2012

Thank you for the letters. They were truly a joy to behold. And the indoor s'mores were pretty good, too. Things are good being a Zone Leader. I now have 32 elders to watch over. I may have gained a couple pounds. . . buy my fluctuations have always been pretty big. I have weighed 160 before. They say not to drink the orange juice. . . I drank it. DO NOT DRINK THE ORANGE JUICE!!

--Elder Peck

04/28/2012 - Awesome letter to Charles

April 28, 2012

Chuck,

It has come to be that time in your life where decisions are made that will determine the outcome of yourself. These times, now, are when you become who you will be for the rest of your life. Choosing to serve a mission is not an easy thing to do. You are required to sacrifice everything and give two years to the Lord. Two years that you could be working, going to school, dating, and having all kings of experiences. But I promise you, that as you press forward, with faith, and a sincere desire to serve the Lord, He will bless you and prepare you to do the things that He has asked. Don't worry about not feeling prepared. Even after the MTC, I wouldn't expect to feel ready to go teach. But the best way to prepare is to just do it. If you wait and wait for a “ready” feeling, it will never come. I want to to read some scriptures: D&C 84:85-88, D&C 4, Joseph Smith History 1:10-20, D&C 31:3. I think that's all I can think of right now.

The MTC is great. There is always someone to help you. I'm glad you have decided to go. Just don't give up. Being selfless is selfish once you know your blessings. The reward for doing service is service. The reward for serving a full-time mission is serving a full-time mission. Plus you bring blessings to your family and to the families you teach. The only thing stopping you from going on a mission should be if you don't have a testimony.

I know without a doubt that Jesus is the Christ, He is our Savior and redeemer. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus showed themselves to Joseph Smith and taught him of this church. I know that this church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, is the true church, His church.

Good luck, let me know when you get your call!

Elder Peck

04/20/2012 - MTC Letter #2

April 20, 2012

Hello Family,

Hello Rowdy & Maggie,

The MTC is great. I get to eat as much as I can for every meal. My companions are great. Elder Burwell is really funny. Thank you for the treats, they are yummy. Sorry, but they might not all get eaten considering we stuff our faces three times a day. Today we went to the Temple. It was nice. It took about three and a half hours so we didn't have to sit in class during that time.

I know you won''t like me saying this but I am not home sick. I don't miss anything. I even get to play the piano on Sunday for church. Sometimes during lunch too. I'm pretty good at sign language now, but it's still hard to understand when people sign really fast. My teacher, Bro. Peterson, is really, really fast. I just smile and nod. Well, I'm pretty busy so I'll talk to you later.

--Elder Peck

04/12/2012 - First Letter from the MTC

April 12, 2012

Home,

So far things are pretty quiet. There are four other Elders in my class. I have two companions. Giles (hearing) & Burwell (deaf). Both of them know sign language just fine. The other two I don't know so well. But compared to them, I know nothing. I can understand a lot more than I can sign, but I never did say much anyway. Right now everyone is unpacking . . . the schedule says to wait until 8:00 or later. There are four cabinets in our room. Five people . . . four cabinets. I guess I'll just pack my stuff under the bunk if there's room.

People have tried playing tricks on us already. I just pretend like I'm deaf and smile and nod. The food is good. I didn't eat much, but I never eat anyway. I forgot to write my name on everything, but that way I'll know mine are the ones with no name. And hopefully others will get the hint.

My teacher at Salem was here interpreting during a meeting. I said hi. There is a pretty nice baby grand some old lady was playing. I want to play it. I feel like everyone should be deaf now. But sometimes it's a little too quiet. And boring . . ugh.

Now I am unpacked and dressed for bed. It's still quiet. My name tag says “American Sign Language” under “Elder Peck”. I'm on a top bunk next to a window. My room is downstairs, by the way. We practiced being missionaries on some weirdos today (as a huge group). I always felt like saying something, but I never did. Plus, everyone's answers were really bad.

The beds are very comfortable. I had a dream about a really funny elephant. I was an elephant, too. I stuck out my hairy gut and said “You know what I mean!” – raised eyebrows. And after that I couldn't stop laughing. The showers are decent. Dinner is at 4:50 everyday. Sunday it's at 4:30. Kinda like how old people eat. I plan to gain 20+ pounds while I'm here. I wanna be huge. You know what I mean? Lots of personal study today. I'm looking forward to gym on Friday and Saturday. Anyway, the only thing that's bothering me at all is the ASL. I know it's only the beginning, but everyone is so fast and they expect you to know what's going on. For the first time, I am the dumbest kid in class. Woo hoo!

K Bye.

• Elder Peck

P.S. I'm a Zone Leader.