October 1, 2012

It has been hot these last couple days. It's October for crying out loud. In Utah, it could very well be snowing by the end of the month. Here in SoCal, snow is a myth. It's like bigfoot or the lochness monster. But not like skin walkers. Those are real. Anyway, I wish I could have been there for the drive up the canyon. That was always one of my favorite things about this time of year. Going to see the leaves in the trees and breathing air the way it's supposed to be. The air here is horrendous. You'll see in my next set of pictures I send. The water is bad too, I heard it's in the top ten of America's worst drinking water. But enough complaining from me! Goodness!

I was reading my journal and decided I'm really quite a crybaby. I am always ready to be offended or ready to have a negative feeling. But from reading my silly words, I determined this with myself, that I would not come again unto you in heaviness. For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me? And I wrote this unto you, lest when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you, that my joy is the joy of you. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you. But now I can continue with positiveness and with the knowledge that the negative things that happen are not immutable. So you can expect better things from me- resulting in a distribution of a mutual happiness. Hopefully.

The baptism was great! It went by too fast. I interpreted everything into ASL for the deaf people that showed up. Which were Elder Mercy, Debora, the Branch President, and the Branch Mission Leader. The confirmation followed directly after the baptism which I thought was uncommon but whatever. The confirmation was done in spanish and someone interpreted for me into english, and I interpreted into ASL, and Elder Mercy copied me from a different location, so that Debora could see through the crowd of Priesthood that surrounded her. A truly unique experience. I wonder how many times throughout history that has ever happened. Not many I would guess. The baptism was not a convert baptism because the girl's father was a member. But the missionaries were the only ones that could teach Debora in her language. Her family has yet to learn the language she must learn in order to succeed in life. She can't learn any spoken language because she can't hear enough to speak. And I'm sure eventually, she'll be able to write but that's a tiresome and slow way to communicate. I didn't take any famous baptism pictures because it wasn't really our baptism...even though Elder Mercy baptized her. But there are a couple pictures of Debora and her family. I'll send the sd card sometime soon. I took some cool ones this time. I hope you enjoy BRIROSSPHOTOG!

Today, during our Pday activity (basketball) I sat on the stage and played the piano. There were many missionaries whom I have not met before, yet they came up to me and talked to me because I plainly had a wonderful gift. It was hard, but humbly, I accepted their compliments with a simple "Thank you" (That "humbly" part was a joke if you didn't catch that) Anyway, I got to play for a good hour or so. I loved it. My hands were very grateful. I wrote a lot in my journal while I was in the MTC about my hands and the piano and how by serving a mission I willingly chose to abandon the piano and desert my hands. But, as the mission goes on, I find enough time once a week to keep my hands...less than rotten. If I had my way, I would be playing 2 or 3 hours between every meal - like I did at home. I really don't like playing the piano in front of people. It makes me look like I'm trying to show off. I really don't care what people think about my skill. All I want, is to play and to feel the piano. It's rather selfish. But, if people want to sit and listen, fine. As long as they don't all come up to me and give me praise.

The high school aged kids around here have no standards. The use of their language is comparable to the stuff that's brown and doesn't smell good at all. Which to me, shows the level of education they are receiving...tsk tsk. Their choice of dress or clothing is offensive to the body. FEW people around here are nice, clean, friendly, and willing to listen. MANY are ignorant to the methods of a happy life. They delight in telling lies and getting away with doing evil. I guess I really shouldn't be saying anything bad about them. They are still children of God, and I should love them. I feel bad for them really.

Well, I don't have any great stories this week...we might be getting a real baptism in the next couple weeks. Maybe. I'll let you know. I am thinking of a favorite treat that you can send for my birthday since getting nothing doesn't seem to be an option.

Let me know about Kirks new companion. I'm excited for someone to understand how it feels. Haha.

Thanks for all you do to support my while I'm away. I look forward to this month with everything going on. Possible baptism, Elder Mercy leaves, Elder Henrie comes, I turn 20, Halloween! I would love to go tracting on Halloween and get some candy at the same time! Trick or Treat the missionaries are here!! What else ...oh yeah General Conference! Enjoy!

Elder Peck (CA-RIV)