Hello. Things are good. Christmas was good. I actually got stuff from a couple friends. I was shocked. People are so thoughtful. :) Thanks for whatever you sent me. I don't remember what came from who. I'm pretty sure that you sent me the pj bottoms and those are very nice. Thanks! I don't know if you sent a bunch of candy and stuff, but um...It's just going to get old because I don't eat. We usually go out for lunch and we normally have dinner with members and I'm never hungry. Thanks though! I'll give it to Elder Henrie! He'll eat anything! I finally heard from Alex Trujillo. He's in Dallas. Pretty neat huh? I'm happy. I guess I have a few complaints but nothing that will hinder the work.

One thing that I should mention, is that my camera was stolen. Yeah. Seriously. I left my backpack at the church the Sunday before Christmas and when I went the next morning to pick it up, the camera was gone. So . . . at least we can trust the members of the church to be honest and to keep the commandments. (sarcasm) I don't want to buy a new one even though I loved having a camera. Somehow I have hope that whoever snatched it will feel enough guilt and sorrow for what they did and will return it to me. The SD card was in there too obviously. So they can smile when they see the pictures of me at the temple or pictures of the sky or other random stuff. I hope I find it again. It was a really nice camera. Stupid.

Anyway, enough complaining. No, wait. . . I'm not done. I have been getting migraines almost every day now. And since we just go to the Bobryks for drugs, I've been drinking their Pepsi. So now I'm addicted to Pepsi. It makes my headache go away. I don't like how it tastes but it's the only thing that does the trick - temporarily. Maybe if I let the migraine run its course and let the fever burn it out, it will go away for a while. I would normally just take some drugs and go to bed. But as a missionary, staying home in bed because of a headache is a lame excuse to not do missionary work. I hate being the reason why we can't go to a lesson. I don't want to risk anything by ignoring it.

We drove to Indio on Saturday to visit Eddy. A Deaf member who hasn't been to church for 3 months. There are no interpreters for him and I used to go every week to teach a class and to interpret for him. But the mission president doesn't want us using up that many miles on the car...so we've stopped going and so has he. Then we slept over with some other Elders in Bermuda Dunes before interpreting for 3 Deaf people from Hawaii that were visiting family. They were Catholic, but one of them grew up in the church and when he was about 16, he stopped because he couldn't understand anything that was going on. There was no interpreter. I gave them our video phone number and one man said he would call when he gets back to Hawaii. Our video phone is still not connected so we are waiting for that. . . It's been about 3 months since it lost the connection and we've done everything we can to get it up again. All we can do is wait for the cable company to hook up the Internet in our apartment before the tech support guy can come install the VP. Yeah, so that's really boring for you to read I know I know I'm trying to sound exciting but I got nothin.

So for New Years, (tonight) the zone is just playing basketball starting at 6 I think. Boring if you ask me. I would rather stay home and study. But my comps want to go play. I read a lot of my journal last night. From January 1, 2012 to April 11th - the day I entered the MTC. I did a lot of longboarding and playing the piano and selling knives and watching movies. Almost every day during that time had at least one of those activities going on. So fun. Well.......there goes another boring email. Sorry!

Elder Peck in Rside

Letter dated 12-12-12

Sup Fam,

This week was alright. Kinda busy but not overwhelming at all. Felt lazy at some point again. We decided that we are going to work harder on the Deaf Branch this week – but our videophone (VP) has been disconnected since we moved, and we have to rely on text to communicate. We should be getting it fixed soon.

The recent converts in the Canyon Crest Ward invited us over for Christmas in the afternoon/evening. They have skype and facetime. Their name is Bobryk and the mom's name is Ardonna . . .maybe it only has one “n”. Anyway, she would like it if you send anything for Christmas to send it to their house. The address is 6924 Cypress Grove Dr., Riverside CA 92506. Husband's name is Corey.

We aren't teaching anyone right now. But we just got a list of kids in the ward that haven't been baptized because the family is less-active. So I'm pretty sure we could get up to 10 baptisms by the end of next transfer as long as we work every single day as hard as we can to find, teach, and baptize. We were promised baptisms if we talk to 20 people every day – by Elder Ballard. We accomplished that goal for the whole week. It sounds easy but we have a lot of things to do during the day and we find ourselves scrambling at night to get over 20. Tracting works in this area. (Compared to asking the ward to help). We've got a few potentials from knocking doors but no progressing investigators.

I'm still waiting on the sheet music. I don't know if you've sent it or not. It wouldn't matter anymore I guess. I'll just send it back because Christmas will be over. Thanks though. I never play the piano anymore. I don't even have a desire to sit and enjoy it. It's lost its appeal. I just like writing now. So expect to hear more from me. Maybe.

Happy Birthday Mommy and Sissy! (in a couple of weeks) I hope you have a good day and don't feel old. Thanks for the Christmas sheet music – I finally got it, but it was damaged during delivery and took forever. I'll keep it. Um, so funny story. Last night we were on splits and exchanges. So Elder Henrie was with another Elder and I was with a member. Elder Henrie wasn't sure he knew the area so he took his new GPS with him (on bikes). After an hour and a half, we called them to meet back at the apartment, and they told us that they had a flat tire and were just walking home. Apparently – with the GPS - they got lost and by some kind of miracle, the Bishop's wife drove by and called the Bishop over and he gave them a ride back. So everything worked out, except they never contacted anyone on their list. So we got very little work done. Lost with a GPS . . . Haha.

Well, I'll write again soon I guess. Sorry I don't make my letters special in any way.

--Elder Peck SoCal

Yes, I would like it if my letters were posted to the blog. Might as well. So to answer your riddles...(very clever by the way) 1.Silent Night 2. O little town of Bethlehem 3. Joy to the World 4. Little drummer boy 5. God rest ye merry gentlemen

I don't think we will email next week. The mission has it's annual Christmas gathering that day...taking away our Pday thank you very much... so we won't have time for anything! [Yes, Seth's email is just what you guessed]

I am very good. Last night I had an eye headache. It was a little different than all the others. It was more focused on the middle of my brain and had much less to do with my eye. But it was the same migraine. We went to the Bobryks and they took good care of me. I felt better by the time we left, but everyone said I was discolored...first, I was white. Then I was green. Then I was yellow. and my cheeks are always red. I'm colorful. I didn't eat anything for dinner because of the headache. I drank some juice and did some drugs which didn't do a thing. (did some drugs means took some Advil)

I feel like there is a butt load of stuff to talk about in this email, but I can't think of anything specific enough to put into words. Even if I did have a specific message, I couldn't find the right words to say to explain myself. That has always been a problem of mine. When teaching the gospel to people, I want them to understand it plainly. So I use plain words and quote scripture when I can. But that goes against my insides. I almost want to confuse them with the way I use words. Not literally to the point of confusion but to the point where their minds start to ponder the message and they actually start thinking. If all they hear is us talking, they will never be converted. They have to feel the Spirit. We invite the Spirit by allowing them to think about what we have said and to find out if it is true or if it's a bunch of bologna. I know it's true. The other day, I was pondering the 2nd coming. I imagined Jesus coming down out of the Heavens in a magnificent display. All the world bowed down and worshipped Him. I remember feeling happy that He came. (In my imagination) I know He will come again, and there will be peace. 

Well, I guess I'm done for today. um...I guess I'll call on Christmas and we'll get skype figured out.

K BYE
Elder Peck (CaLiFoRnIa)

Letter dated December 3, 2012

Dear Mommy,

Things are pretty good now that we are all moved into our new apt. The address is 600 Central Apt #53. I'm not sure what the zip code is, but you can look it up on-line. The complex is called Canyon Creek Apts. We have two bathrooms, two bedrooms, a nice living room, nice kitchen with an oven, and it's clean! Before the move, we had 1 bathroom, 1 bedroom (no closet), living room, and a dirty kitchen with no oven. This is a huge upgrade and we're still getting used to it. We are too busy to organize everything. So I spend time right before bed to put things where they need to go. I am the one who cooks, cleans, buys things, etc. I feel like the mom of the companionship. I buy toilet paper, laundry detergent, food, etc. And they expect me to share! I don't really mind sharing the toilet paper or detergent, but how are my companions going to learn anything??

Anyway, I still don't have the sheet music. I guess it's on the way? So the Christmas thing I was supposed to play for was a disaster. I played some songs from the Hymn book, but as soon as it was my time to “perform,” all but three people stood up and walked out. The three that stayed were talking and texting and while I was playing, one man asked me, “So when are we going to hear someone play the guitar?” I said, “Umm . . . I don't know.” Then I gave up and just started playing some Chopin. The next day I had to do the same thing, and I had a member print some music, O Little Town of Bethlehem. I played it and everyone awkwardly started clapping as I walked to my seat. Ugh!

Oh well. I'm honestly feeling a lot of stress about the Deaf work. The Canyon Crest ward is kinda . . . High Class. I don't like rich people. They are prideful. P-days are boring now. Funny story, when we got to the church the doors were locked. So we rang the doorbell and the janitor was cleaning but he let us in. The gym was locked but he wouldn't let us in. I happened to know where a key to the gym was. So I went and got it and unlocked the gym. Another janitor asked me after returning the key, “What do you need?” I said, “I was just getting a key to the cultural hall.” She said, “It's not in here (library).” I pointed to the open gym door and said, “Well, I got in . . .” She stared at me with the dirtiest look. About 20 minutes later, the other janitor walked in while some elders were shooting hoops and started yelling at us for being in the church and opening the cultural hall. He told us that we had to have the mission president come here in person to allow us to play ball. Really stupid if you ask me. Dumb people. We are the MISSIONARIES!! You can't keep us out of the church!! The janitor said, “We're taking all the keys and changing all the codes so you can't get in anymore.” I thought – we can just get the new code from anyone else in the ward. Taking the keys and changing the code is not going to keep us out!

Well, I guess I'll write again later. I decided to write home more, and write “friends” less. They are less important to me now.

K BYE!

Elder Peck CA

P.S. Zip Code is 92507 and yes, that's in Riverside

This email will be short. Sorry. I just don't have anything to say right now. Maybe next week there will be something good.

So, this week we did some service, talked to people, made plans for Christmas and watched a performance of the Messiah. It was boring. The musicians were above high school level but not even close to college level. Am I qualified to make these judgments? Anyway, the singers were either trying way too hard or they just can't sing. I got goosebumps once so it must have been at least decent! Hahaha I'm so mean.

Ok well, I guess I can tell you about a crazy drunk lady we talked to. We went back to that parking lot where we almost got mugged to try talking to people. We stopped and rolled down the window of the car and offered a card to someone standing at the bus stop. She turned around and stuck her head in the car. She talked to us for a few minutes as I kept telling her "K bye, we'll pray for you" We gave her a dollar cuz she asked for it and decided to not go back there after that night. It's really just not a good place. Well, we went back. As we drove through, there were people on either side of the car so we both rolled down the windows and stuck our heads out and talked to 5 people at the same time. They took a card but we weren't planning to stick around so we left right away.

Um...It's weird seeing Christmas lights on palm trees and on people homes when it's in the 70s everyday. I'm sad that I'll miss the snow this year. And next year. Tomorrow is my 8 month mark. That's a long time huh? Well, sorry if I didn't answer any questions if you asked any. I've been in a strange mode for the past couple days. My thinking is different. My mind is kinda like an 80s winter coat- if that makes any sense. Probably not.

K talk to you later  

Elder Peck  
P.S.   I am sending another letter

December 3, 2012

Here are some pics. I can't believe I actually figured out how to put them on here! I'm so smart! Anyway, this week was crazy. It started out really good and we were talking to a lot of people everyday. We found a couple new investigators and one of them said she would be baptized. Then we moved. The entire day was moving stuff. And we didn't finish after one day. Or two. Or three. Today is probably the last time we'll have to go back to the old place and get some things and finish cleaning. Our new apartment is really nice. I guess I'll just tell you the address now even though I wrote a letter with everything on it. 600 Central Ave. Apt. #53. The complex is called Canyon Creek apartments...um I'm not sure what the zip code is so you can just look it up. Sorry. We're not sure how to get mail yet. The keys we have don't work.

Um...since the move, I've been lazy and kinda sick. I've been getting very bad headaches. The companionship seems to be a little better now. I feel excluded from it...but that's what I want. The other two Elders are always messing around or talking to each other while I quietly sit and drive or think. As far as missionary work goes, they do not make a good team. But with all three of us, it's ...alright. I don't have much to compare it to, but I can tell the difference between good days and bad days and I know why they were good or why they were bad. Does that make any sense?

I'm fat. When I sit down, and my belly folds over, that means I'm fat. Right? I have a double chin. That means I'm fat. I get tired when I play soccer on Pdays. That means I'm fat. I'm lazy and I don't want to eat healthy food. That means I'm really fat. I don't have anything to say in this email. I'm thinking really hard but nothing is coming to my mind. I guess I'll write more in the letter. It's addressed to Mommy but it's really for everyone. (sorry mom)

I heard Morgan Gasser is in Grandma and Bapas Ward! That's pretty cool huh? Oh, that reminds me. There are some Pecks in the ward we are in. The dad's name is Gregory. Funny huh. He said that we are related through Martin Horton Peck. Apparently he was Brigham Youngs BFF and had a million wives so that's where we are related...I don't know how to do family history stuff, but I know mommy is good. So try to find that guy. Or maybe Eboneezer or Lucious Agustus Peck. They are relatives too? I feel like we haven't been doing any work in the Deaf Branch. The dinner calendars are still a nightmare. We have two dinners every night this week. Oh goodie. And who gets to call everyone and cancel dinners?? me. And who does everybody hate for canceling dinners? me.

In my letter, I explain how I am the mother of this companionship. I buy the things that we would normally share. So it's coming from my money, and they never have to use their money, yet I am always the one with money. They say they are broke. They buy things like clothes and candy and things we don't need and use up all their money. I buy food, soap, toilet paper, etc. Things we share. I could just stop being so nice and let thim try to figure out life on their own huh?! Maybe that's what I'll do. Yeah. Ok. I don't like talking about myself and my mission very much. I feel like I'm hogging something. Can somebody else talk for me? ugh.

ok bye