Hello,

 

I really don't have much to say this week. Sorry.

Um...I haven't really felt unaware of things going on in the world until now.

We are supposed to be set apart, so we can focus.

Now I'm very curious. I want to know things that I'm not allowed to know right now.

I don't want to break any rules, so I won't ask for anyone to tell me things, and I won't go looking for what's out there.

But I'm curious. I feel like when I come home, I will be less interested in what goes on and more focused on what my plans might be. I really don't know how I can make my emails more entertaining to read.

I suppose since yall are my parents, you have an obligation to care about what I am experiencing so anything I say is going to be somewhat interesting to you. That's comforting.

 

So, life in the Deaf Branch right now is kinda like waiting. Just floating along...until I leave. I feel like I will leave the mission from the deaf branch. Of course, I don't know for sure, but that's the feeling. Finding new deaf people to teach is hard. We get a couple referrals from other missionaries, and we see some deaf people every now and again. The members still don't trust us. We have met deaf people who are not members, but know the members of the branch...and yet we have never heard of them from the members. They will not give us referrals because they are scared they will lose a friend. We don't want their referrals until they make contact first. They have to invite, fellowship, teach, and so on. I feel like we are just someone to get the members motivated. I would think that General Conference would do that. But as good as those talks are, and as inspired as they are, the members still don't apply what they learn. What more can I do for my vineyard!?!? I do have a cool story to share...

 

I was at Walmart and on the way back to the car I saw a man walking into the store. He was thin and very tall. He had tattoos and ear piercings. I walked up to him and asked him if he would like a blessing of peace and comfort for his family. He said he would. I got his information and walked away. A few days went by, and knowing that this man "Mike" wouldn't be taught by us anyway because we only teach Deaf people, I figured it was time to hand him over to whoever might teach him. I found his number, but no address. I didn't know who's area he lived in. I decided to call him. He answered. I asked him if he would still like that blessing. He said that he did. I asked when would be the best time for us to come and leave the blessing. He said "tomorrow at 4."  ok! I asked for his address. He told me. I knew right where that was. He lived in the Arlington Heights area. The Zone Leaders' area! I called the ZLs and quickly told them about Mike and their appointment for tomorrow at 4. They were happy.

 

Sunday came and I met with the Zone Leaders shortly. I asked, "hey, so how did the blessing go?"

They said "Great! Mike and his family are getting baptized next month. They came to church today!"

 

So that was a cool story.

 

Elder Peck