Funny stuff today

so i think they are funny, but in reality they are not so funny.

this morning elder richardson accidentally put his ipad in the washing machine. and it was in for a few minutes before we took it out. cuz he's like, i think it's in there. and i said lets go upstairs to make sure. and we did and it wasn't there. so we run back downstairs and unplug the thing and open it up. then he finds it and the case is warped a little. and the ipad has water under the screen.. it's not good. but it was kinda funny because he was saying it's the most retarded thing he's ever done in his life.  but he forgets things all the time. 

then later we were playing soccer at the church in lynbrook and sister maddox has a ball that they are playing with. and once it rolls into the street, but an elder runs after it across the street. 

then a little while later, it gets kicked back into the street, and this time there are cars coming. and a big van runs over the ball, and it explodes.. bummer. sis. maddox was sad, but she's okay now.

and now, i get to the library and i sit down at the computer and go to stretch and i bust the chair. hha i just leaned back and half of it broke. i think i'm just going to make it look normal and not do anything about it..  but it made a loud noise... not as loud as the ball exploding. that sounded like a canon. 

i'm going to use my time to find pics and write my story. so i'll ttyl!

Monday, Nov. 24, 2014

Friday night at the jones house we watched "heaven is real". It was pretty cool. Didn't hear most of it, but I understood it.

I related it to when joseph smith saw the vision, only his family believed him and everyone else was making fun and didn't believe. 

I thought it was dumb that those "Christian" people wouldn't believe in heaven. They were all quick to judge wrongly. They even fired him from his job? I didn't hear that part, except for 'we need to find another person'.  

You'd think that people who believe in Jesus would accept such news.  I also like how Colton saw his unborn sister. But it was weird that she didn't have a name, because everyone has a spirit name, and their earthly name.  And even though the picture of Jesus wasn't what we're used to, it was still nice. Short hair with green eyes,  Why not? As long as he looks friendly and loving, it is well with me. 

For the end of my mission, they want me to write a short "faith promoting" story for the mission history. As well has have 10 pictures for the departing slide show.  I can do the story, but I don't know what kind of pictures I have that are what they are looking for. 

Majority of my pics are of my district and families from last wards. I kinda don't feel like showing those. They are more personal memories. So I was saying that we need to go on a picture-taking frenzy to get ten good pictures. But each? That's kinda tough. I was thinking good pics would be like from activities done through zones or wards. Like cleaning up the veterans hospital was a stake thing, last year, and earlier this year. And not very many people who went there are in my departing group. But then there's the storm cleanup pics. But everyone leaving wasn't involved in that... Except me. Cuz I'm so old.   So that won't work, it would be things they've heard of, and things I've experienced. 

As for the short story, I think I'll tell of last week when we fasted for the jones family, to get somewhere with them. And we got two baptismal commits, the mom started to stop smoking, and has improved a lot, even though it's hard. She's started working out, which makes it hard to smoke, or the other way around. As well as cut out drinking Pepsi, because she saw that she was addicted to it, and she stopped that, and started drinking better things. So the miracles are there, they take a while, but if you build it*, they will come. (*it being faith)

We are doing a district-wide fast today for our investigators and members. And have some good food at the bradfords to break the fast. 

Oh, btw! The guy we went to the temple with, Donald, he went back to the temple the next day! And stayed there all day doing all he could! 

Today is a good day, all missionary companionships have someone at church. We have two investigators, maybe more. The elders have one or two,  the sisters may have someone, I don't know now. But it's good. 

   And on Friday we had the ward thanksgiving party. It was cool, we had all 6 jones girls there! (mom+5 daughters) it was pretty crazy. But that's normal from them. And the sisters had an investigator there as well. 

   This area is doing well, and I can see a lot of good that will come in the next few weeks, until the end of the year. We think we can get 3 baptisms, and 4 more to church. We would have one to the temple, but Donald already went, and the other member we are working with needs to quit some things, and start others. 

I just need to not worry about being done, and keep working. A few days ago I woke up not caring about things anymore. But mostly about what happens to things. Temporary things. Like the condition of my pad. It was pretty nice until vi came. Now it's messy and the carpet padding that covers the floor is and bunched up in places. But I won't be here longer, and he's going to continue to be here, and has to take over. Even if the pad looks bad. I don't care. 

Or when my pants get dirty, I don't care no more.  But I still care about the people and such. 

My back hurts real bad again this morning. It might be because I had a pillow under my lower back through the night. It might be because my back sucks. Or maybe because it's Sunday and it usually hurts worse on Sunday's. If I was back home I would just lay on the floor and chill. But it's kinda hard to do that on a mission where you're not supposed to not do anything. 

   It's one of those things that if they want me to work, I have to heal. And in order to heal I have to rest. But when you have a comp who is ready to work, I fee bad because he has to stay put while I lie in pain. Or sometimes they think that if I'm not walking but sitting, I'm okay. But truth is, if my legs are up off the ground and have no weight on my feet, then I'm okay. But if my feet are off the ground, that means we aren't working.  It's tough. There are ways to work without moving. Calling people, facebooking people. 

   I need to just survive a few more weeks. Then I can chill to the max when I get home. And hopefully there won't be someone who I weigh down if I can't move. 

I started the mission with $1,000 from my own savings. I've used it here and there. And now at one month left, I have around $50 left. I need to try to save it for my trip home. They said I need to have about that much for food or emergencies. I'm pretty bad at managing my money but it's actually quite amazing that i still have some now. 

I technically have three pdays left, but I feel like I have to use them to get ready to go home. I need to make sure I have everything and know what can or can't fit. What I could send home in a box, that can't fit..? Mainly the afghan. 

Thanksgiving is coming up, and that means the dreaded turkey bowl. It's going to be freezing as it was last year. I hope not as bad though. I really do hope it doesn't go like last year. Because we have told the jones family that we will go to their house to eat. And if we don't, they'll either kill us or never forget it. And I'd rather get killed than have them constantly remind us that we broke a promise. 

SO MUCH FOOD. I'm sorry mom, I don't think it's possible for me to be @ 250 after such a day. Like I said before, we don't have a scale, so I don't know how much I weigh. And people don't stop feeding us. I feel slightly lighter, but that's all going to change. 

Pdays are always hard because you have to please everyone. And I just want to be on the computers and organize things. Like I have so many notes and contacts on the iPad, that I'm emailing myself because that's the best way to keep them. And I want to make that look nice. I like to organize things. 

But then there's the other companion(s) who don't want to do that (plus we can't use the computers for longer than an hour, at this library). 

I literally just want to chill all day. But no one likes to do that. They have to do things. But I'll stop complaining about that. I don't have to worry about that much longer. 

I bet you don't want to hear me complain all the time. 

One thing I didn't expect about the mission is how many lies we tell. 

Mostly related to food that is nasty but we say it's great. But then there's also the secrets we have to keep. And the rumors... It's more emotionally stressful than I thought. Well, I didn't know what I was getting myself into. I didn't think it was possible to be emotionally stressed. 

As much as I don't want to do anything when i get home, I know that's when I really have to start doing things. 

Oh yea, I never answer your questions. I am okay with being back in my old room. But how is it going to be set up? Where's my Xbox going to go? Remember to watch out for the cable in the ceiling. I'm sure you can take care of it. I hope it still works. I bet it does if Brian just got a new game.  Also because it's old and I've taken care of it, and there's no way I'm buying a new one. I need to save money for more important things. Like coming back to NY.  I know I should be worried about things like my Xbox, but I am. 

There's another huge email. I will end now, while I'm not complaining. 

Adios. - Elder Peck

Funny story:

  So the first day we get Elder Vi, we go to the Jones'. And everything is going fine, until he says a few things that they didn't like. And the mom got mad at him and kicked him out. So for the next few visits, he was with the other guys. As we talked with them and tried to get them to let him back. But she said no. So we didn't know what to do because he's our companion, and we can't just ditch him every time we go over. 

  But a few weeks prior, Knowana was looking for a treadmill. And she asked us for help. But we didn't really look that hard. Now, she needs a treadmill and we need Elder Vi to come back. So we devise a plan that if Vi can find her a treadmill, she will let him back in the house. And she agreed. 

So we searched far and wide and talked to many people. One member said she had one, but was being difficult about giving it away, even if Knowana will pay for it. 

  But through an investigator, we found one. it came with an exercise bike. And the total cost was free!  We just had to pick it up. 

But knowing that our car was tiny and would never fit anything, we called the office elders to ask if we can have them come with the van. They weren't there, so we called the car guy in the office. He said elder Richardson would have to come in and get van certified (learn how to drive the van). So we were about to leave, when he calls back and says no. 

  We now have a solid contact for the equipment, and a buyer, but no way to get it. So we ask Knowana if she would drive there and get it herself. She said she doesn't drive anywhere but Freeport and Roosevelt. This place was in floral park, about a half hour away. We think she doesn't know how to drive, or doesn't have a license, or just plain scurred. 

  Eventually we find someone who has an suv, which is exactly the same kind she drives. Who is a friend. So she comes and Knowana pays her $40 to help. Which is a small amount to pay, because earlier we were told they cost $100. But then through talking to the guy, he told us it's free, because he's moving and selling or renting the place, and is cleaning out the room. 

   So the friend comes, her name is Alma, (the ladies here have ghetto black names, like Diamond was over last night) but alma means soul is spanish. We all go up to the guys house and after a long time of trying to get the treadmill upstairs, because it's so big and bulky, we finally get both things in cars, and head home. 

Here's the overview of this deal:

Vi is not allowed back in. 

We can't keep splitting every time we need to go over. 

Knowana needs a treadmill. 

We need Vi. 

Vi gets her a treadmill and is allowed back in. 

It was a crazy adventure that could have been more crazy had we used the van. But with a little help from friends, everything worked out fine. 

---------

 It's getting cold here. As we left the Jones' last night, there was frost on the cars. And yesterday morning we went out to run and I could see my breath. We were talking about how it's kinda cheating when it's freezing, but there's no snow. 

With three people, this place is always a mess now. We actually moved the beds into the living room so we can all be in the same room. Because Vi sleeps on the couch. I thought about moving the study tables into the other room because it's not being used. But it's kinda supposed to be the way it was. The living room is supposed to be a living room. 

Well, the mess comes from Elder Vi, because he doesn't have anywhere to put it. And of course, the beds take up a lot of room. But this is a large room. And I should worry too much. I have a month left. Then it won't be my problem. 

   

   Oh, about coming back, I'll check if everything fits in my luggage so I don't have to throw away anything. Or I'll send some things home. Last time I transferred the things that wouldn't fit were my bedding. I could lose the blanket and pillow, the pillow is too flat now. And I guess I could do for a new blanket that's larger. But the one thing I need to keep is the afghan. And that takes up a lot of space. 

  I remember I sent my large scarf home, and now I don't know why, because I don't know if I have any left. I had to get one, but it's kinda small and I lost it already... :(. But the cold here is worse than utah cold. And the wind chill is deadly. 

 I almost just want to re-do my whole clothing. Get new pants and church clothes. I'm comfortable wearing my everyday clothes to church, but I should wear a suit, but I have to get rid of this brown suit. It don't fit no more. 

-----

To start the transfer, we are going to fast as a district, I think? But we as a companionship will. We were promised by president Calderwood that if we look over our area book, we can find someone to extend a baptismal invite. So we are fasting for that, and all our investigators. And the member we are working with, that he can stop smoking. 

----

Oh yes, back to the Jones'. We extended two of them baptismal dates to prepare for. Taya has come church the past two weeks, and the mom keeps saying she will, but doesn't. But she said she will today. But idk if she actually will. But the girls will. Taya, and a few others. Ny'iel came last week. 

 Jones family:

Knowana-mom

DeVaughn-oldest and only son

Lataya-oldest daughter

Elise-2nd

Nia-3rd

Ny'iel-4th

Nylah-5th daughter

And Neil is the dad we don't see much cuz he's always downstairs when he's home. 

-----

   Saturday I went to the temple with elder Mortensen and his trainee, elder Pávon, and a returning member, Donald. We went to a spanish session. That was cool. We wore headsets. And what I really liked was that the video was the old one. So I could tell if the wolf eats a pine cone or a mouse. It's a pine cone. Also, the rest of the people were from my old ward in Huntington! So I got to see all my old members. Including a few English people. And that's not all who was at the temple. Pretty much all of plainview stake was there. So both plainview and Huntington, as well as the YSA were all there. Not all the members, but a good amount. It was cool. 

There was a member who was getting endowed for his first time, and I think sealed to his wife as well. It was good to see him, too. 

*i bought some thermal bottoms while at the temple. 

At the same time in Rego, Elder Hallstrom from the 70 was speaking at the office, but temple trips are have priority. 

Then when we got back to the office from Manhattan, there was a wedding that Elder Vi's investigator was getting married so she can get baptized Sunday. So we got food there. It was cool. 

Oh, we had some time before our session, so we went out in the city looking for food. There was a farmers market on the block right in front of the temple, and there was a booth for maple syrup. Everything you can imagine was maple. Even granulated sugar! But I got cotton candy. It was good. And for "food" I got a really good Belgium waffle covered in caramel and Nutella. Hehe :) 

I can't believe it's only the first Sunday, we've done so much stuff this week it feels like the middle of the transfer. But I guess it's good, because that would mean I have less time. 

Elder Vi is only 19, and it shows sometimes. It's weird. Being 4 years older than him, and 3 yrs older than Richardson. 

Oh, but Pávon is 24. So I'm not the oldest anymore. 

-----

I was thinking to myself that I HAVE to come back here. Probably next fall. I need money for a ticket and transportation- maybe rent a car? Idk. But also for other things, mainly food. There's places here I always wanted to go to, but kinda can't on our budget. And also because one place is a bar. But it's a chocolate lounge!  And one of my siblings wanted to come as well. Even Elise said I should bring Hannah.  I think that family would be the ultimate culture shock for anyone who hasn't been to New York. 

Oh yeah, I forgot another funny thing:

  We were in the subway and the train pulls up, and the car in front of us is completely packed. But we tried to get on, and I got on, and I was in, but then I turn around and my group is standing on the platform. And a member who is friends with Richardson, Patrick, he's like "Elder Peck!" The train starts to move and I just wave and say bye. It was funny. I'm sure it was funny from the other side, too. 

 I thought about staying on till the end. But I decided to get off at the next stop, because the car was still packed. So I got off and waited for the next train and ate my cotton candy. When it came, I looked in and saw elder Pávon and they saw me, and I got on. And elder Richardson was like, I almost lost you. He wished he got a video of me slowly pulling away from the group.   That was fun.  Goodbye. 

----

Saturday was eventful. The whole week was. Hopefully the rest of the transfer is, so it goes by smoothly and not drags on. Especially for my last transfer, I want it to go nicely. Make up for all those dumb useless transfers. 

It would make sense at the end of my mission that I'd be worn out and my body is always tired. 

 I don't want to do anything when I get home. Just lay around and get fat. Well, not the last part, but it is Christmas break, I don't have to do anything. 

 But if I want to come back, I have to get a job. 

-----

While we were walking around the subway, I saw a guy with a real didgeridoo, and he was playing it while banging a drum, and he had other noisemaker things on his ankles and a hi-hat next to him. It was cool. And a little later there was a guy on the next platform over, he was playing a steel drum. That was cool, cuz he let a little kid play the scale of notes. Then he played "Fiur Elise" (?) with a little extra song in the middle.    That was nice to see two really cool exotic instruments. 

We usually sing to an old lady for service, so we were going to go on Friday, but she was taken to the hospital. (She's 91) but we went there and she was scared and freaking out and I think that 7 people was too much for her. As well as her having dementia. So we tried to sing, but she got worse and worse, so we left.   I don't like hospitals. 

  At the Jones' one day, there was a bottle of prune juice that I wanted to try, so Elise pours me a glass and I drink it all, quite fast. and it had pulp, so drinking it mad it feel 10x stronger. And after that we said the prayer and Knowana said it, and it was a really good one. THEN, Kevin, their homeless uncle said he wants to pray, and he never prays so everyone was quiet for him and Knowana was surprised and excited that he wanted to pray. 

So he starts out all nice and he says: " I pray for elder peck to get home safely without having an accident after drinking the prune juice".  Haha and Knowana was like... Well we all liked it but it was funny because it started out nice and normal, but once he said because of the prune juice, it was funny. But it was cool. Thanks Kevin. 

   That juice went through me and destroyed me. I'm cleaned out now. 

   I know this is a really long letter, but like I said, it was a busy week. 

-----

I think I've lost weight. My pants are falling down. Even with the belt as tight as I can make it. Weird. I need to find a scale. 

Recently the church released "the joseph smith papers" and even the newspaper had an article about it, using it to make our church sound bad (as always). But it says that he had 40+ wives, and that an angel made him do it.  I personally don't care, but it's taken a toll on our investigators. Knowana is freaking out now about him having that many, or just having more than one in the first place. 

 To me, what happens in a prophets personal life doesn't really matter. All that matters to me is what they are relaying to us from Heavenly Father.  She also was saying that it's interesting that we don't know about it. Like we found out about the article from another investigator last week. Other people might be offended or turned off about something that happened 200 years ago, or just other dumb things. But it really doesn't matter how many he had. I think the media is using the truth to make people not like us. Which is interesting as well. We can't deny he had multiple wives. But we can say it doesn't happen anymore. And it comes down to faith. That he was a prophet chosen by God. 

 I guess in can do more research on the topic, to show Knowana that i care, but I really don't. 

I think that'll be it for today. See Ya later. 

-Elder Peck

I almost don't want to say anything today, but rather later this week,
once transfers is over.

I'm sure I can think of something.

Teaching the Jones is crazy. We are over there for a lot longer than
we should be, but we also get some good lessons in because of the time
spent. The lesson doesn't start once we get there. Usually a few hours
later. But I think they have progressed more with us in the past month
than they ever have in the 5 ish years since they started.
So it's a paradox. We taught them the 10 commandments yesterday. And
we got caught up on a subject that neither Richardson nor I know much
about. So that was rough. But they wanted us to tell them, and it
makes sense, we go in and tell teach them about our church, but when
they ask us a question we don't know, they get kinda... Well if we
can't answer them, they stick with what they want.
   And their grandmother is there too, and she can't get over the word
of wisdom. That drinking a small glass of wine isn't bad. And the mom
says alcohol is okay to drink, because getting drunk is the sin.
So you can see that it's always interesting whenever we go.

But them and the Rodriguez's are pretty much our main focus now. We do
try to get in with everyone else, but the jones's literally do nothing
all day, so we can go over whenever. And the Rodriguez family is open
at night. But the past two times we went over, the Verizon cable dude
was there, taking up our time. But when we are there as well,
Richardson translates for the mom. The kids don't speak as much
English, so we help out.  They are a great family.

Today is the last day that me and Richardson have together as just the
two of us. Oh yeah... It is not official that we will be getting a
third person (yet). But when they say we are both in, but need to go
to transfer meeting. And the AP called asking if our pad is big enough
for three.... It's no secret.
    Things are going to get crazy real quick around here.


    I watched a video today about being a priesthood man, and the kid
is in my mission! Michael Wilkinson. I saw him, and he doesn't look
the same, so I thought it was his younger brother. But I guess this
was a while ago, because it is him. That's cool. There's another video
about a Hawaiian girl that sings..she was in the same MTC group as
elder dance. And there are the mormon messages about people in New
York. There's a lady who's husband is the stake president...Glass is
her last name. (I haven't seen that one). And of course bro Mansuetto.
And a clothing designer in Manhattan, he came to help out in the
hurricane. I never saw him though.
There are a few more, but they are in the city.

Ok. So that's the update on the families.
Mom- i haven't had a scale since last transfer so I have no idea how
much I weigh.

I might email again later today...
But I will say something about the new guy later.

See ya!
-Elder Peck.

Yesterday was extremely windy. 27+ mph winds. And temps in the 40's.
It's getting cold fast.

Saturday we visits both families. They are both crazy in their own
ways. The jones are just ghetto black people. And the rodriguez family
has only one young kid, but when their cousin comes over, she's
slightly older than Frank, so they play together. But it's always loud
and interrupting. But the rodriguez family are nicer and cleaner.

They both feed us, which are two very different foods. Jones have
given us fried chicken and fried fish in the past, but yesterday was
pancakes and turkey bacon. And the other usually gives us desserts.
And we found out why. Jorge, the dad, works at a factory where they
make cakes and other yummy desserts. And they gave us a ton of it
Saturday. But they also give us Dominican treats. Really good. Like
pineapple rice drink.

The oldest jones girl, lataya, came to church. And she liked it. She's
been before, like a year ago maybe. There was a girl there that
remembered her and said she should come back. All the jones girls said
they'll come next week. Knowana, the mom, said she was going to go,
with the girls. But she went to her church and left Elise to babysit
Nyah. Nia didn't come, for no reason. But sister Bradford cake to pick
them up, and asked if they will come next week, and they all said they
would. So hopefully they do.
    It was nice that when taya got there, the other black family was
walking in, and I pointed out that there are other black people In our
church. *because Knowana didn't know there were any*

That's cool Brian got to go down for that. That is nice Cali is so
close. Compared to NY. but I'm still coming back. I have to. This is
my home now. I've lived here more fully than I ever did in Utah. I
didn't really do much at home, I only had few friends I talked to. On
the mission you go out and talk to people all day, and gain
friendships. And when you're talking about the gospel, those
friendships are built on righteousness. So they are strong and last
forever.
   I have a huge handful of friends that I love, and it's more of a
need to come back, rather than a want. I need to see how they are
doing in the church. Especially Mike.

This Friday a returning member is going to the temple and elder Wright
thinks it would be good for me to go along. The guy-Donald- has been a
member for more than ten years, but was less active for the last few
years. And it was a group effort between all the elders to teach him
and bring him back. He's come back almost 100% in the past few months.
A few weeks ago he even blessed the sacrament!
 He just need his recommend signed by a stake representative.
But I have mixed feelings about going. Sure it'll be nice, but I don't
want to make it look like I'm taking the credit. I only taught him a
couple times. But elder Wright says that that's good, a little bit
helps.
So I'll think about it. But I might end up going. Not that I don't
want to, sure it'll be a good experience. And I gotta make the day
about him, and not myself. Because I'm supposed to be selfless by
helping this soul come back to church. Even though he's kinda weird...
But that doesn't matter.

Dad- as for mission music, I don't know what to say other than generic
mormon music. Because music rules are different for all missions. If
Mariah is requesting the iPod, then I'd think the music lifestyle is
like our mission. Well..... What the white handbook says should be the
basis on what people listen to. And that's different for everyone.
It's a personal feeling. One song to me is completely fine, could make
someone think about a past girlfriend or something, so that song
wouldn't be listened to- By them. But that's what it's been like for
me all mission long.
   I've heard some mission presidents say you can only listen to
MoTab. Which everyone I've talked to said they would go crazy if
that's how it was here.
So first off, I'd say Vocal Point-lead thou me on. But I have a
feeling she already has that. They are good, and that album is great.
  The other favorites in the mission are: Chris August, Brandon Heath,
Tenth Avenue North.  Those are all Christian, I actually wish I had
more of the latter. I have two albums of Chris, and one from Brandon.
  You can check them out if you want.  Leaving Eden by Brandon Heath
is what I got, it's good.  He has a wide range of sounds, like blue
mountain is almost country-ish. My favorite of Chris is No Far Away.
And of course the Lower Lights.
To make it easier, I'll end there.


We have a handful of people with baptismal dates, but no one is really
close. We haven't gotten much investigators this last week, but it
seems that the weak ones are weeding themselves out from the beginning
of the transfer.

I don't feel bad about not being in a set, called leadership position
in my mission. Because I have had a lot of leadership opportunities
without being a ZL or DL or trainer. Senior companion is a leader,
which I found out not too long ago. But also anyone can be a leader if
they try. Even those who just came into the mission, they can lead by
example, because of their "greenie Fire" is like an incendiary bomb.
And can stir the hearts of us old farts who's fire might just be a
pilot light. Or an ember, depending on things.
I've had plenty of learning experiences and I continue to. There's a
chance to learn in any situation. There's also a chance to lead in any
situation. No matter who (or what) you are.

    I can't really think of much else to say. I feel like I'm
forgetting things. I'm sure I'll think of something later.

See ya - Elder Peck



"Good morning!, and in case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good
evening and good night"