Email from Tuesday, May 28

Um...I'm hungry.
This week was ok. Well, not really. But I have to stay positive. I don't know what I can say to make it sound like I had a wonderful week. I'm feeling kinda badly for some reason. It's like my brain is starting to notice that I'm not going home anytime soon. It's trying to get used to being here while pushing the knowledge of going home in a year to the side. It's confusing to me. I'm confused.

Ok, so I guess we found some new investigators and started teaching them. They will likely be baptized next month or the next. Being a Zone Leader is very tiring and there is no time to stop and think. Emailing is the only time I can try to gather my thoughts of the week. That's probably why all my emails are weird or boring or jumbled. If I had a couple hours in a day to relax, rest my back, and ponder life, then maybe I'd be able to produce an entertaining email that everyone looks forward to reading. Well, that's not really my goal...as long as I'm emailing home, and telling them that all is well, then I'd be generally satisfied...Oh well. i'll keep trying my best. That's all I can do. Thanks for being my family and praying for me. k bye

Elder Peck

Email from May 20

Hey. Um...yeah. Surprise! My back has been killing me for like 4 months. Of course I'm not going to tell you about my pains. I don't need anyone worrying about me. Thanks for the concern. I'm going back to the doctor in 6 weeks. He gave me steroids and ibuprofen. He told me to stretch and to swim. I told him I can't swim. Then we talked about the church for a little bit. haha.

I hurt my neck today actually. I was bending over the sink to wash my face and I guess in the process of getting my hair wet somehow I hurt it. I feel paralyzed. I really need to rest...but I'm on a mission. So I can't. We played baseball and volleyball today. I don't think that helped. Also I cleaned a refrigerator. I had to do a lot of bending over and scrubbing that I used to be able to do just fine. It's very uncomfortable for me now. ugh. I feel like I'm 50. Haha...like you. But probably worse. I will do whatever it takes to avoid going home. I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. This part (1/2) of my mission will be in pain. I can handle it. I'm pretty tough. You already know I don't want to complain at all, but my back hurts!

It would be awful for both your sons to return from their missions because of some injury. I have to stay out here for 2 years. That's what I promised. If I don't, then I can't say I served a full-time mission. Even if it's 23 months. Anyway, sorry I didn't tell you sooner. Like I said, I just didn't want you to worry. I realized that Sister Crippen would tell mom why I needed dad's SS#, and then I would be hearing about it in my emails. So yeah. I went to the doctor. He didn't really help much. He's not a specialist or anything. But there is a specialist in our ward. I will talk to him I guess. Welp, sorry I don't have much else to say.

Um...we had a baptism yesterday. It was good. I presided, conducted, and was a witness. The next one will be a little more organized. I hope.
K bye!!

Elder Back...er Peck

Hello,

um well, we are pretty much updated on everything since...yesterday was mother's day. Happy Mother's Day, Mother. Thank you for everything you do for me. I love you.
It's super hot now. Summer is very hot here. It's already in the 100's. It will probably stay that way everyday until....October at least. I don't like the heat. Um...sorry this is short and boring I guess next week will have to be more detailed and good. I hope.

K bye!

Elder Peck

Monday, May 6, 2013

Hey,

So I guess I'll tell you the rest of the story. . .

One day, the two young Elders were out and about -  talking to people like always, and 5:00 came around and it was time to meet with their wonderful new family of investigators!! Yay! So, they called a recent convert, Victor, to come with them and share his conversion experience. They picked him up and they drove to the appointment. They knocked on the door. The father of the family opened the door, and came outside-by himself. He began "Hey guys...we really appreciate what you did for our family. It was really nice." The Elders stood there and nodded...He continued "But my wife and I had a talk last night, and we both decided that it would be better for us to try this Baptist church around the corner. I don't mean to waste your time, but that's how we feel at the moment."

The Elders were shaken but with little hope left, one Elder stretched forth his hand-holding a Book of Mormon and invited the man to read it. and to pray about it. He said he would. So the three young men slowly walked away...defeated and depressed. "What did we do wrong?" Asked one Elder.

Anyway,...That's the end of the story...do you understand why I was waiting? I was hoping that things would change and I could come up with a happy ending where they all get baptized and stuff. That would be so great. So I was waiting for that to happen. And now, it's not so likely.

Big news:  Transfers are...today. and normally, for the past...year of my mission, nothing changes. Elder Henrie is my companion, and we are serving in the deaf branch. That's always been the case. Until now.

President Smart has called me to be a Zone Leader in Riverside. I will not be doing ASL anymore. I will be speaking...wait for it...English! and my companion will be Elder Figueroa (spelling?). Elder Henrie will be replacing me as District leader. His new companion will be Elder Gordon - ASL. I will be in a homeshare in the Woodcrest Ward. Wow, right? I know.

So...That's basically it. I'm just waiting for Elder F. to call us and let us know when I can move in.

I'm glad you laughed at all my weird faced pictures. I have a lot more coming. ... :] they are even more embarrassing.

Well, I'm sorry to hear about Charlie. How did it happen? I have a lot of questions about it...I'll just email him.

LVOE, ELEDR PCEK