Well, I don't know how much time I have to email today either. But I'll try to fit in as much as I can. Okay, so first, I wanted to let you know about an experience I had at the store. We went shopping with some members after teaching a lesson or something. I was left alone trying to figure out how much it would cost to buy a certain number of food items when a man approached me. He said "Hello, you're an Elder?" I said "Yes." He said "How old are you?" I said "19" He said "wow" Then he went on to talk about how the book of mormon can't be the word of God because it "wasn't prophesied in the Bible". I showed him Ezekiel 37 where it talks about the two sticks. (Bible and Book of Mormon) He said that anyone could make that up.

He talked about Joseph Smith and how he was deceived. He quoted the Bible for a long time and I just sat there. I was waiting for the right moment to talk, but he kept interrupting and I was beginning to notice that he was not there to learn from me, he was only talking to me because he wanted to prove me wrong. When I finally got the chance to talk, the only thing I said as I looked directly in his eyes was: "The Book of Mormon is the word of God, and there is nothing you can do or say to persuade me to believe otherwise" He bowed his head and I thought I had him beat. Then he explained: "I care about you, I really do. And it hurts to see you missing the truth" Then he asked if he could pray with me. I respect his relationship with God even though it's fake, so I said yes. He took my hand as though he were shaking it but he just held it. Then he started "singing praises" and he kept repeating the phrase "in the name of Jesus" It felt very wrong and very uncomfortable.

I tried listening to his words but it sounded like he was cursing more than praying. He even teared up at one point after telling me that in a few years, I will come to the truth. He told me to not listen to my parents. And many other things did he say unto me which I cannot write at this time. The result of this abuse was profound. On the drive home, and when we arrived home, I couldn't help thinking all these negative thoughts and feeling very angry. This extreme anger carried on into the night and kept me up. I slept maybe 2 hours that night. In the morning, I went to district meeting and told my Zone Leader that I am going to need some kind of therapy because my anger from this experience is too strong and I can't be a good missionary if I'm angry. He just told me to not worry about it and that that guy was not important. I didn't feel much better but I tried to forget about it. Anyway, this part doesn't have a happy ending. It just shows that there are some people out there that would rather burn with Satan, and we have to be okay with that. :(

About a month later, we were visiting some members at night. I had never met these people, and they weren't Deaf or anything...they spoke Spanish mainly, but I guess Elder Mercy wanted to go see them before he left. So after a little chat, we asked if there was anything we could do for them. The daughter mentioned that her mom was really sick and hasn't had a priesthood blessing. I had given blessings before, but they were in Sign Language. This one, would be my first blessing in my native language. I put my hands on her head. I said her name. I proceeded with the blessing. You know very well that I am not an outgoing, or straight forward person. I am shy, and I will find my way around the point if I can. But during this blessing, I spoke boldly, and commanded this woman to be healed. I told her "use your faith and heal yourself". I almost felt like that would offend her. But maybe that's just what she needed.

I know she didn't understand the English, but I know she understood the Spirit. She was thankful for it and we went on our way. I haven't heard from this family, but I'm the one who felt blessed. I had never felt the Spirit so strongly. It was amazing. My bosom filled with a warmth and an energy I never knew before. I always thought I was feeling the Spirit in church and maybe at the MTC. But now I have a firm understanding as to what the Spirit can feel like if you make yourself worthy for it, and you seek out the blessing of the Spirit by serving others, and doing as our Savior would do. I can't compare myself to Jesus, but I felt very powerful while giving this blessing. On the way home, my testimony built as a thought came to my mind "God is real. This is real. The Priesthood is real." We got home and I slept very well.

So, about my new companions, Elder Erickson is from Idaho. He's been out 17 months. He likes to play rough and acts a little young for his age if you ask me. Elder Henrie is completely deaf in one ear. in the other, he has a hearing aid and can hear almost perfectly. We have been really busy with driving around going to appointments. Elder Mercy and I rarely had appointments. If we did, it was not made known unto me. Now, we plan together, we study together, we practice teaching together, we work together, and we preach together. I have heard stories where a missionary will not appreciate his trainer until he gets a new companion. Only then do they realize that they had a good trainer. Well, I'm not going to expound because I fear I will be a little harsh, but I am an exception to this common circumstance.

For my birthday, we went to Taco Bell for lunch. That's it.

Elder Peck (CA-RIV)