As far as the work goes, this week was good. Louis and Stanley are ...not out of the picture, but I don't feel too hopeful about either of them. Louis is not reading. Stanley is not reading. I never thought that simply reading the Book of Mormon can answer all your questions. These guys really need to read it. Stanley has read it, but he's not reading it. Anyway, we got a referral from some Elders in the San Bernardino Mission I guess, and he wants to get baptized and he has two kids that want to get baptized. I am happy for them. As far as the Deaf Branch...I guess I don't have to worry...there's just a lot of work that needs to be done. Well, next month we will be getting a new ASL Elder. I have no idea what'll happen as far as transfers go, but I hope we are covering another Ward again. The Deaf Branch alone cannot support its own set of missionaries. They try, (I think) but they just can't.

Our car was broken into early Sunday morning. The passenger side, rear window was smashed, and Elder Henrie's camera was stolen. Two other cars in the complex were hit as well. I called the Mission Office to ask what I should do. I was told to call the police and try to get them to make a report on it. I called. They said "Our business hours are from ...blah blah blah" Just like that. So then we walked around and talked to people on the streets. When we got back, one of the other car owners who had the same situation, had called the police, and they came over. So there were some cops at the complex and I got some rubber gloves on to clean up the glass. I felt like an FBI guy or something...in a suit and tie, picking up evidence. So the officer came over and took fingerprints on the doors. Cool. Then they asked me... (because I was named the "victim" because I was the designated driver)...if they were to catch this guy, would I want him arrested or not..?? I thought about it. Are missionaries, as representatives of Jesus Christ, allowed to make accusations or do they have a say in whether or not someone goes to jail?? Then I kept thinking...If they do catch this guy, and he does go to jail, then justice is served, and mercy is given. Mercy is given by allowing the robber to feel guilt for his actions. He used his agency and he needed to pay the consequence. So, if this guy was thrown in jail, then he would feel guilt. Hopefully. And that would lead him to learn a lesson. Or to have a change of heart. Or to repent. If by my vote, a man is put in jail so that he can repent, then I am doing missionary work, aren't I?? So I answered "Yes". The officer said "Oh good, some people say "no, I gotta turn the other cheek..." So did I think too hard on this?? Or should I ask to set the bad guy free, by "turning the other cheek"?? I don't see how letting him run around stealing more stuff is turning my cheek at all. I guess. . . ?

Anyway, that was the highlight of the week. I feel good. I feel great. I feel wonderful.

E. Peck   

Hello. um. . . I am on a mission. I don't have a lot to say this week. Sorry. This past week we did well as far as reaching goals. We could have done better, but we did well.

I played the piano for the first time in a long time the other day. It felt...incompatible. 

Sometimes I wonder how the world is still standing. I wonder how companies can advertise at a time like this - trying to get people to buy something they don't need. We are not helping each other - from what I can see. I know my perspective as a missionary is going to be incomparable. Because nobody sees the world like a missionary. And everybody sees the world differently anyway...so I guess it's all just my opinion and I'm just throwing it out there. Yep. I think the world is in a miserable pit. Like on the Pooh Bear movie. When everyone is stuck in the Backson trap. Except we're not getting out. And the Backson is going to get us all. Unless we repent! ok that was my joke for today. buhbye

Elder Peck

Hearing about Seth coming home was shocking! I sent him an email explaining how his purpose in Japan was fulfilled and God had a new mission for him. I didn't tell him that it was getting married, but he'll figure it out. haha. I do kinda feel bad about it though. At least he did his best.

I am doing great. With being in the Arlington Ward, we walked into a "star investigator" as the ward calls him. "Louis" -we have a lesson with him tonight so I'll know by the end of the day whether he is ready or not. We also met with another investigator - "Stanley" He's been in some tough situations but he seems to like us and he wants to be baptized. He smokes, so he'll have to stop to get baptized. But I think he can do it. He lives next door to a little black lady who came over and sat in during the lesson. She was drunk, but said that she wanted to be baptized too. So...we'll see about that. And at church, the APs came up to me and said they found someone for us who wants to be baptized. And with the Deaf Branch, we have a few referrals to check out. Including an interpreting job for a funeral of a deaf lady. Her family is deaf and most of them are non members. We'll see how that goes. I'm kinda nervous to interpret for a funeral. Ugh. I don't want to be the center of attention while some dead lady should be getting all the glory. Ok it's not really like that but you know what I mean.

As far as other missionary work goes, I have been boldly testifying and boldly inviting people to be baptized. I get a lot of rejections, but I've done my job and my hands are clean. It's hard telling someone that their baptism wasn't valid because it wasn't done with the proper, restored, authority. People don't like to hear that.

It's been fun with the other Elders in our apartment. They want me to buy a nerf gun so we can shoot each other all night. I dont' really want to...I like sleeping. And 10:30 is not early enough to go to bed. Because we wake up at 6:30. Yeah, it's 8 hours but that's lame. Today, for our Pday activity, we went bowling. I got a 147. Eh.

I enjoy being a missionary. I feel like I'm coming up on my 1 year mark, but it's still a ways to go. 3 months. we just had general conference, and we'll have another in 3 months. Time is going by pretty quickly. I think of music when I think of time. Well, I guess I think of music all the time, but for this example, keeping track of time, I imagine 16th notes on a piano just flying up and down the keyboard. And each second that goes by, (depending on the tempo) there could be many notes played. Many songs listened to. Many hours of enjoyment. Endless music. Because time is endless, and cannot develop. But music develops with every second that goes by. And I am waiting to write it down and play it - for myself. Is that selfish? To keep my "talent" to myself because I just want to enjoy what I do? I really don't mind if people want to sit and listen. I just don't want to make a big deal out of it. "It's not just a hobby. It's an obsession." But an obsession will not pay the bills. I need a better skill to acquire money with. Oh well. Thanks for everything. Next week I'll email on Tuesday because we are having a multi zone conference. I think. We'll see. K bye.

Elder Peck   

So like, I totally found my camera!! I'm so dumb! I left it in my temple bag! Ugh. My headaches have been ... not so bad lately. With transfers this week, we are no longer in Canyon Crest. We still live in the same apartment but we are covering the Arlington Ward now. Also still covering the Deaf Branch of course. Anyway, that means that we won't be at the Bobryks as often. Or ever. I told them if I get another headache, I'll come over. Braeden the sick kid seems to be doing better. I remember giving him a blessing before he was baptized-to focus in school and to be a good student. It was really spiritual. For me anyway.

Sounds cold in Utah. I miss the cold. Sometimes. Not at night when I'm trying to sleep. I did some pushups this morning. I need to just run and do sit ups because I'm getting flipping huge. I have the biggest belly you've ever seen! I'm totes pregpreg! that sounded weird but that's how I talk huh? anyway, yes I am fat. No more eating out for lunch. If we can help it. Dinner...it depends. But I gotta run in the mornings. It makes everything better.

Tracting today was fun. We actually found a Deaf person. I looked through the window and saw him standing there ignoring the doorbell. I looked at him and he look at me. I waved. He pointed at his ear and shook his head. I signed "oh, you're deaf?" He nodded slowly, staring at me. I explained who we were and asked him some questions - through the window. He replied by saying "bye bye" and so we left. We never find deaf people. When we do, they are not interested. I know I was sent here for a reason. I know I was called to preach in Sign Language for a reason. Baptizing people is that reason. I am hopeful that we could have 3 baptisms in the next few months if we don't get too behind because of the Arlington ward...I really don't have any excuses.

Take pictures of the new kitchen table and stuff. Tell Ty I said "hi" and to pop the question already you chicken. okay I'm kidding. Anyway, I hope life is good. Life is good here. It's in the mid 70's today. The sun is shining, my jacket is staying in the car today. With the transfer, we gained two Elders in our Apartment and Elder Erickson is gone. He went to Menifee to train some greenie. The two new Elders are the Office Assistants. They are from Rexburg and Logan. One will be going home in a couple months. The other, has 5 months left. I got a letter from the primary!!! I haven't read it yet but I never imagined the excitement I would feel because of a bunch of snot-nosed little punks! I also got a letter from Ridge! I haven't heard from him since I left.

Also, today while we were tracting, we met a man named Terry, watering his lawn. In January. haha. He told us how he doesn't believe in God. I asked him "what do you think will happen when you die?" He replied "well, I believe everyone has an energy, and that we never really die because energy cannot be destroyed." I asked him "so, when you are this "energy" and you're dead, will you be conscious of anything going on?" He said "I don't know..." Anyway, we got talking and he said he was open to learning about stuff. He said he has a strong desire to know the truth whatever it is. So I set an appointment with him tomorrow to teach him. I hope it goes well. I'm pretty sure I can convince an Atheist that God does exist. If I can't, all I can do is testify. That is our purpose. To testify (by the spirit), challenge, and baptize. I have learned so much being out here. My mind has changed about many things. My perspectives are different. I'm still a freak of nature and I have to act weird all the time, but my mind is clear and I know who I am. I am a child of God. And He has sent me here. Has given me an Earthly home, with parents who relentlessly abuse me...I mean...Kind and dear. ;) So...

Something that crossed my mind today while tracting...people may have the wrong idea about Mormons when they see us going door to door. That's only part of what we do. It's the members responsibility to find people for us to teach. We only tract to meet our quota. Jk it's not like that but you get what I'm saying. So when people see us going door to door, it's as though we wouldn't talk to people at the store, or at the park, or on the street, or anywhere else. This message is not just for homeowners or people who live on the same street. It's for everyone. EVERYONE. Tracting makes it look like we are desperate. I guess we are huh. . . oh brother. I don't make any sense. Well. K bye I'll talk to you next week.

L-DUR PECK > CA, RIV