Hello
everyone!
First off, thank you so much for all the answers I received for my birthday request. I
received multiple answers via packages, letters, and emails. I appreciated the
many stories and have compiled them all into one
giant collection which I will hang onto for the rest of my mission. I have really enjoyed reading them. I'm sure a
lot of you were wondering what was the point in me asking that?
Well for
one, I hoped a lot of you realized the cool experience and feeling you get when
you write down and have to think about a time when you did something good or
witnessed the hand of God in your life.
A lot of
you remarked about how you were grateful for the experience. Not only did this
benefit me to see so many, members and non-members of our faith, doing good in
the world, but it also allowed those who sent one to reflect on when they have truly
been blessed. I encourage each of you to write down these experiences, big or
small, whenever you can. Cherish those moments.
Well, now
for the week.
Monday we
went over to see our investigator who is trying to quit smoking. We studied
D&C 89 super in depth with her and came away with a lot of inspiration.
That's one thing I've been amazed about myself is the amount of knowledge I've
gained of the scriptures and spiritual things. It's cool to be able to
understand doctrine so deep and explain it so simply. As I study and teach others, I am learning so much.
Tuesday
was a bit rough cause most of our appointments fell through, however, we had a
really good lesson with this lady who has a two year old son. We were able to
get her the Book of Mormon Stories book (BoM with pictures) and she was able to
understand that a lot better. We also found another less active at Long John
Silvers, which was an amazing “coincidence.”
In the evening we had dinner and a meeting with the BML family (the Branch
Mission Leader).
Wednesday
was... Frustrating. But also fun. We went down to Paducah, KY for district
meeting. It was the last of the transfer so we took pictures.
The Paducah Spanish District
(Front row left to right): Sister Hess, Sister Ellis, Sister Gates, and Sister Curtis.
(Back row left to right): Elder Stange, Elder Senatore, Elder Nez, Elder Peery, Elder Van Valkenburg, and Elder Porter
The Foxcroft
(Foxcroft, IL) sisters pranked the district leader by writing on their car.
They wrote three different things: "Orlando Bloom stole my heart",
"#Thug4Lyfe", and "Team Edward".
Elder Porter, Elder Stange, and Elder Senatore. Some people are Team Edward, but not Elder Porter.
It was
hilarious. Unfortunately, Elder Stange forgot the phone in the district leader’s
car and didn't realize it until we were 10 miles to Harrisburg, IL. After a very
frustrating drive back down to Paducah, we got
the phone, but weren't able to get much done after that.
Beautiful Eldorado skyline
Thursday
we went over to see the lady with the baby again and she told us some of things
that were kind of scary—mostly confessions and stuff like that. Her issue was
that she could not forget what she did. Almost
like it haunted her. We told her that through the atonement of Christ that she
can be free of that guilt, but she still doesn't completely understand which is
hard.
Friday we
drove up to McLeansboro, IL where I helped out a member with their family
history. I taught them how to scan and add their family photos to family
history. It was a long and rather boring process, but it was good to be of
help, so I didn't mind too much. We later went up to Carmi, IL where we got to see
one of our investigators who turned himself in to the police for a drug charge.
He's looking at 3-7 years but understands the point of repentance. He's also
been reading the Book of Mormon in there which is great. He was really happy to
see us.
Saturday
we headed on down to Paducah again for stake conference. We were with the BML
family again and had a fun time listening to the speakers. It felt like a long
couple of meetings, but I didn't mind too much. The big focus was member
missionary work. The stake president who is a convert from Japan is really
focused on improving the work in Paducah, and it is very slowly increasing. We
also received transfer calls and like I said before, I am very excited to get
the chance to continue to work here. It will be fun.
Sunday
(my birthday) we went down to stake conference again. For the most part I kept
my birthday largely secret. I'm trying to be more humble. I got many text messages
and emails responding to a birthday request that I had included in my blogs home.
For dinner we went over to the BML's home again where we received ox tail...
It's not as crazy as it sounds. It literally just tastes like a chewier and less
meaty beef stew. They also gave me a birthday cupcake which was fun as well as a birthday
card. They are a favorite family of my mission.
Ox Tail. (With potatoes and carrots)
Again I
thank everyone for the birthday gifts. You all are awesome. I am looking
forward to my new companion and another six weeks in this blessed state.
Elder Peery
Chicago Cubs cookie
Hey everyone! Just
wanted to say thank you again for all the birthday wishes, whether you said it
on Facebook or email. I am grateful for all the responses to my birthday
request. I got about 12-15 of them by letter and email. I don't feel 21 at all
and it's a weird feeling. I certainly don't look 21. Anyways I'm having fun out
here and I appreciate all the members in this area for making my birthday so special.
Here's a video of me
blowing out the candle on my birthday cupcake at the BML’s home (The
Russell's). You can tell the members love us a lot and feed us a lot by how big
I look in the video.
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