FELIZ NATAL!

Wow it was so great to talk to you guys today! It's too bad the SKYPE didn't work but tudo bem. Sister Steinbeigle was able to webcam with her family just fine with out any complications. But It all worked out in the end! I can't believe how much I talked though! Sorry I just sort of couldn't stop. And then you had to go and get all emotional in the end....bummer. I really don't have a lot to say other than it has been an incredible Christmas! I feel so blessed. I thought it was going to be so hard being away from home but the memebrs take good care of us. Christmas is quite different here as they celebrate it the day before at MIDNIGHT! They even open presents on Christmas Eve! Different huh? We only had permission to stay out until 10:30 but the parties and dinner don't even start here until 12:00 in the morning, crazy huh? So we ate alone while the members watched us. A little awkward but it was okay. So as we started to leave the members we were with presented us with such a nice present! They gave us a HUGE gift basket with a ton of stuff!! I couldn't even beleive it! It is so beautiful. My inclination was to give it to someone less fortunate than us but then I realized, well I guess we are pretty unfortunate as we're poor missionaries. So I'll gladly accept free food! hahaha. Then today, Christmas morning, Sister Steinbeigle and I celebrated a nice "American Christmas" together by opening out stockings and things from home. Then we headed to another members house for lunch and they also had presents for us! Lunch was fantastic (as thats the main meal here), we spoke to our families, and we have been enjoying a nice relaxing P-day ever since! I couldn't be happier or feel more blessed. I received many Christmas cards from people at home and I thank everyone of you!!!!!! They are all hung up nicely in our decorated living room! Thank you for remembering me!

As far as the work goes, well since I'm shut up in the house I haven't been doing much as far as proselyting goes. I don't know if I mentioned last week or not but we have been using a lot of our time to make study journals for our investigators. I know, super Sister Missionary-ish right? But actually they turned out super chique! The only real material we have to use are the Ensigns so it took a LOT of effort but we are really pleased and so excited to give them! We have three really REALLY super investigators right now who are progressing so so SO well. Like I am stunned by each one of them. Maybe I have mentioned them? Paulinho and Fabiola are friends who own a graphic design company and were working on a Christmas project for the stake relief soceity. They were so impressed with the project they wanted to learn more about the church! They have just swallowed up everything we have taught them since day one! They even take notes! Have you ever seen anyone take notes during a lesson?? They came to church last week and LOVED it. So now they have two new, adorable, study journals, made with so much love to take their notes in! I am so excited for them. We are also teaching Pricila, a young woman who has so much faith! She also came to church and will continue to go weekly as she was so impressed. I love these people. I want so much to leave and be with them! Teach them and learn from them! But I guess for now I will be patient and do what I can from my apartment, make cute study journals and pray. :) But any little shout outs in your prayers for these incredible individuals would be glady appreciated.

Well I don't really have any novidades other than that! I wish to wish everyone of you a Feliz Natal. I thank you so much for your prayers, love and constant support. I want to leave my testimony with you that I know that our Savior and Redeemer was born in the humblest of circumstances many many years ago. I love that he was first worshipped by the lowliest of people, shepards! He came into this world to save all mankind. He lived a perfect life and established His church here on the earth with the proper preisthood authortiy. He also suffered an incomprehensible amount of pain for each one of us individually. Although he was compeltely devoted to selfless service throughout His life, He was eventually rejected and killed. Three days later He rose from the tomb! I was not there to witness his birth or miracles. But I know with all of my heart that He lives! I feel such an honor and privelege to be here proclaiming His gospel to the world, or at least the people of Sao Paulo. To tell them that yes, He does live! That His gospel, in its fulness is here on the Earth again in all its completeness! May we all remember who this season is truly about and ponder how we can better our lives at the begining of this new year. I love my Savoir, I love my mission, I love each one of you! This is my short testimony (that was really quite hard to do in English!) that I leave with you in the sacred name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

P.S. Mom thanks so much for the whiteout! Isn't that a ridiculous thing to be thankful for? But we NEEDED it and it is really expensive here! Thanks for everything. Amo voces! Tchau!

Twas the week before Christmas‏

I can't believe it's almost Christmas and a new year! I sure do love this time of year, as I know most of us do. I just wanted to share a quick experience we had this past week, actually two, okay maybe three. :) My companion and I were walking around the busy streets of Sao Paulo as our appointments had all fallen through. We had already made our 10 contacts for the day but that isnt to say we are limited to only ten people. We walked past a man who was sweeping the sidewalk in front of his portao, door, fence? I don't know how to describe it in English....anyway we walked past him and continued walking and walking and walking. We had already turned the corner and were headed up another street when I told Sister Steinbeigle that I couldn't stop thinking about the man out front sweeping the sidewalk. She said she didn't even remember seeing a man. So we went back. I stopped in front of him and he stopped sweeping and looked at me with the expression like Go ahead and talk, I already know who you are and what you're going to say. I told him I didn't even know what to say just that I felt like I should talk with him!

Turns out he is very intelligent having attended college in Ireland and has already received visits from the missionaries on various occasions. He had no interest in speaking about religion with us but accepted a Christmas song which we gladly sang to him with gusto and testimony! He just reminded me of Mr. Kruger from Mr. Krugers Christmas I guess. All alone during the Christmas Holiday. He doesn't have any family, that I am aware of, and he just seemed lonely. Nothing came of our short 15 minute visit with this little old grumpy man, heck, he doesn't even like the church! But I just cant stop thinking about him! I hope we were able to brighten up his holiday if even just a little bit. I dont know why I shared that story but there you go.

After Luis, the little grump old mans name is Luis, we really didn't know what to do. Sister Steinbiegle suggested we knock doors and carol. I have to admit I was a little hesitant.....but I didn't have any better ideas so I agreed. We went for the street of the church! Who would think to do the street of the church? One would think that everyone who lives on that street already knows the Mormons and has already been invited. you wouldn't believe the success we had! Obviously everyone knew who we were but NO ONE had ever been personally invited. I was stunned. It was actually quite satisfying and I really enjoyed it. Only one woman turned us away of like the 20 houses we visited! What a miracle! My favorite was a little old woman (I don't know whats with me and older people this holiday season) who answered the door. She told us her husband was sick. She had always wanted to visit that beautiful building on the end of her road but she has to stay home and take care of him. She also knew of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and said she loved to listen to them on the radio, however they stopped playing them for whatever reason. Again nothing drastic came from our short visit with her, she just touched my heart! I love knocking doors and making contacts! And this is recent! If you would have asked me that last week I would have said no way. Think of all the wonderful people that we walk past daily that dont know about the gospel! All we need to do is open our mouths and be an example!

I talked a lot. I love Christmas. Even though I sprained my ankle for the second time this month and I am stuck in the house for 2 weeks with a cast and crutches. I sort of feel like a worthless missionary but I am trying to stay positive and do my best. I know the Lord is aware of each one of his children! He loves us individually. for this reason He sent His only son to the earth to die for us. I imagine that would have been pretty difficult. For even Heavenly Father. We are so blessed! I am happy and hope all of you are too. Feliz Natal e Bom Ano Novo pra voces!

-Sister Peck

Olá familia!

Hi everyone!

Unfortunately I don´t have very much time to write today because we spent all P-day climbing Pico de Jaraguá! The highest point in the state of São Paulo! Can anyone believe that I did that!?? I sure can´t. It was hot and steep and hard but worth it! I feel very accomplished and it was nice to get outside and do something for a change. Plus I finally took pictures of Stanley! I hope Marshall and Anderson can still use the pictures! He totally had a blast up there!! :D It was a lot of fun but now we are EXHAUSTED, and no time to rest, time to work! We are about to find out about transfers this week too but the elders haven´t called yet. I´m not too worried; pretty certain Sister Steinbeigle and I will both stay here at least one more together. I mean you never really know but look at these stats: 12 missionaries are going home this week 4 of which are sisters. We are only gaining ONE elder!!!! Gosh I hope they don´t end up closing our entire mission or something....

As far as the work goes it´s going well. Missions are very interesting emotional roller coasters. It´s amazing to me how you can feel so happy and on top of the world and the next moment have the carpet pulled out from under you instantly and feel so sad. I´m referring to our baptism which fell thru this Saturday only 2 hours before it started. It was difficult. But we learn and everything is alright. Just a few minutes crying in the street and a lot of praying can really help alleviate a lot of stress. I heard an Elder say once "Sometimes I feel like I´m killing myself to serve these people I love!" And yeah that's basically how we feel sometimes. But tudo bem. The ward is super supportive and he still came to church on Sunday. He will get baptized eventually it´s just not his time right now. As hard as it was for me, I am grateful for what I learned from it. It would take too long to explain everything! But I do know that the Lord gives us challenges and trials for our learning and growth. And really it sounds like this has to do with me, sorry if its coming across that way, but it doesn´t! We end up feeling sad and hurt for our investigators. I don´t know its a hard thing to describe unless you´ve actually been a missionary I suppose. My thoughts aren´t very organized right now because I am in such a hurry. But Luis (our recent convert) bore his testimony on Sunday in front of everyone!!!! Oh my word what joy filled my heart! There is nothing more gratifying. I love this work! I love Brasil! There is no where else I would rather be! I´m sure I am forgetting a million things but its time to go teach a great new couple that we found recently. Love you all so much!

-Sister Peck

P.S. I was telling Sister Steinbeigle yesterday all about Grab Bag and how we would usually be doing it about this time of year! Que suadades!!! :D