Merry Christmas!!

[Email dated 12.25.12]

Hey,

So for starters, from now on don't send anything to this MTC because I won't get it by the time I get out.  I probably won't get a lot of anything that has been sent here actually… so don't be too surprised if you did send something.

Also for the record, this keyboard is terrible and I have to almost punch the space bar to get it to work so if this is missing spaces it's not my fault [fortunately, mom is editing for the blog].  So last week was fairly normal as far as a Peruvian MTC week goes.  Then yesterday is when stuff actually started happening.  In the morning we met in the auditorium and watched a film on the service that we would be doing that day. It was about a half hour and then we went took a bus for about half an hour out of the city into the middle of nowhere and got to a river.  The buses can't cross the river so we got out and walked for like half an hour to this orphanage to do some service.  This place was pretty cool, it is self sustaining with animals, crops, water, and classes for the kids and a playground. Pretty impressive. I was basically a farmer for the day.  My group basically fertilized and cleaned up their field.  Other groups painted or built up the wall on the side of the stream with sandbags to avoid flooding.  It was good, hard work. 

Also, their animals were pretty awesome.  They had like 4 pigs weighing about a million pounds each...I doubt they could walk.  They also had a herd of sheep and a couple hundred guinea pigs (they do in fact eat those). 

On the way back, when we got to the river, this little Volvo decided to cross the river with like 10 Peruvians inside.  The car died about 10 feet into the river...come on. So we helped get them back out of the river and who knows if they actually tried it again...

Yesterday we had free time the rest of the day until night when we got to watch the 1st presidency Christmas Devotional (which was cool), followed by cookies and hot chocolate.  The cookies were good.  They also had panettone -- I'm sure Justin knows what this is.  It's basically fruitcake but it is literally everywhere down here and all of the latinos love it.  I ate my piece and I thought it was pretty bad but not so bad that I wanted to die or anything.  Everyone else in my District made it at most a bite into it and couldn't eat anymore.  So needless to say it will not be a huge hit in America anytime soon and I won't exactly be looking forward to getting to eat much more of it. 

Today, we don't really have anything but free time until tonight when we're going to watch something Christmas-y and that's it.  Also I did open my presents.  What are you talking about nothing exciting? I got the batmobile, a dart gun and the greatest tie ever with a matching handkerchief.  Best Christmas ever! 

I'll just leave you with a quick though seeing as it's Christmas and I'll let you do most of the work.  Isaiah 9:6. 

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

The names given to Christ aren't random and don't just sound nice.  They really describe him.  Study those names.  What do they mean?  Who is Christ? How does that effect us?  The one I went into the most depth on was Counsellor.  He knows all.  Don't think that you know better because those who follow him and acknowledge his hand in all him will be exalted.  That is a promise found in the scriptures.

I love you all.  Have a Merry Christmas and remember, it is all about Christ.  Everything that we ever do should be all about Christ.

Elder Peacock

End of the World

Hey!

So I get a few minutes to email today just to let you know that I won't be calling on Christmas.  I will most likely get to email (which would be my regular PDay) but who knows. They have a lot planned for Christmas and Christmas Eve which should be awesome.  Again, I just happen to always have my PDay on a holiday.  Like the next week it's on New Years and the temple will be closed so I don't think I'll get there again while I'm here.  I'm looking forward to Christmas though. Word is it's gonna be awesome. And on Christmas Eve we got to go do some service of some kind at an orphanage.

Love,

Elder Peacock

PS How is the end of the world in the States?  We're all just waiting for the earthquakes and thunderstorms...

Everyone Speaks Spanish Here!

Hey everyone!

So they are very strict about the 30 minutes here that I have in the computer, so all of the emails that I got this week were kinda just glanced over and I got bits and pieces so that I'd have time to write you.  I may have missed something you wanted me to see so if you have important things next week, just make sure to bold them at the beginning so I don't miss them.

I love it here. First of all, the weather is always beautiful and It's never too hot or too cold. It's the best.  Everything is a little more relaxed than in Provo because there's way fewer people and it's just a different environment.  Don't worry, I'm still working hard.  They challenge us to read the Book of Mormon while we're here and I decided to take them up on it, in Spanish.  I'm already 200 pages into it!  Reading it quickly (even in Spanish) helps me get so much more of the story out of it and kind of see the context of how everything effects it. 

Also, the food is awesome here.  It's usually a soup with rice potatoes or noodles some kind of meat, a side dish and a dessert.  It's pretty much all good, except for the fruit salad that they put mayo on...that was surprising.  But they always have rolls that we can have.  Best bread ever.  Why don't we have such good bread in America?  But yeah, it's all good food and I have yet to get sick, they said that everyone get's sick in the first week but I'm still good.

So the daily schedule is about the same except, the teachers are more likely to forget about class (they've missed a few of our classes already).  On Saturday, we did get to go out proselyting.  The idea was that we were going to be teaching members that had not been to church for a while.  We were assigned to one, but the one that we were given was sick.  So we, Elder Tonconio and I, went around and contacted people in the street.  We taught a few lessons in the street, gave out a few Books of Mormon and some pamphlets.  Elder Tonconio was my native comp for the day that I got for proselyting, he's from Lima and the only member in his family.  He will be serving his mission in Mexico.  He was really cool and it was great working with him.  I also realized how much I still have to learn and practice Spanish.  There were these 2 women we were talking to in the street and I had kind of lost track of the conversation until I caught ¨muchas mujeres¨and then I realized she was calling us polygamists and wasn't going to listen to anything else...Until that point. I had thought it was going well because she seemed very happy!  Good thing I didn't decided to jump into that one...but really I think my Spanish is going well, I caught a lot of what was being said and I think what I was saying was making sense. It was fun though.

Today we got to go to the temple and go to the store and shop around.  Got some Inca Kola and almost got a Fruit Cake.  They had thousands of fruit cakes in that store. I can't believe they could sell that many.  But getting there and back takes about 5 to 15 minutes by bus.  those buses are made for much much shorter people. I could not stand up straight...But we were also pretty packed in there...not much room to move, but it was fun. 

Oh, also my companion Elder Urmston is from Bakersfield. He's hilarious and awesome.  Not sure what else to tell you about him. 

I'm about out of time. Love you guys!!

Elder Peacock

My First Day in Peru

[letter dated 12.11.12]

Hey, so this is my first day in Peru.  This letter might not make it to you by Christmas.  Weird.  You’d think that being 2 weeks in advance would be prepared enough.  So, seeing as you’ll probably get 2 emails, maybe 3 by the time this gets there, I won’t bother writing too much.  This MTC seems like it will be much different from Provo.  Like not even close. 

I was able to pack the presents you sent and will be opening them Christmas morning.  I’m excited! [He shouldn’t be too excited… I sent things I thought he’d be ditching in Provo…] Also, I may have found one of the ugliest ties ever.  It’s in the running for sure.  I got it out of the “free” box just before I left Provo.  Why would someone throw THAT out?  I can’t even describe it though.  I’m gonna need Coleman’s [Tyler’s next oldest cousin on a mission in Alabama] tie though.  Tell him I’m waiting!  Merry Christmas!  Happy New Year!  I love you guys!

Elder Peacock

Note:  it only took 6 days for this to reach us!!

And Now THIS from Elder Peacock….

[I just got this from Tyler]

Hey so this is a bit of a surprise to both of us, but I'm emailing today and this will be my p-day [personal day] for at least the time in the MTC here.

So in case some people don't know, I got my visa on Friday afternoon and then flew down here yesterday.  My packing skills are pretty awesome.  2 checked bags weighing 49.5 and 50 lbs each.  I was pretty impressed with myself.  Anyway, we left at 3 yesterday morning from the Provo MTC so we were up at 2 and I couldn't stop doing stuff until about 1 that night so not too much sleep.... but then our flight went from SLC to Dallas then to Miami and then to Peru.  The time in the airport was either spent getting food or talking on the phone.  Both important, the phone for obvious reasons and the food because I don't get American food for another 2 years which is probably a good thing but anyways...

So when we got to Peru, the airport was really nice, pretty calm...until we got through customs then it was crazy...there were people everywhere and I had no idea where to go.  Luckily, the hermana from the MTC found us and got us to the bus.  Then the bus ride was crazy...dogs, shacks and people all over the place. It's gonna be fun for sure. We're close to the temple which is an awesome looking one.  I'm out of time but I love you all and I'll email you in a week!!

Elder Peacock

PERU!

We were able to talk to Tyler yesterday on his way to Peru.  He started at 6am Utah time and flew from Salt Lake City to Dallas, from Dallas to Miami and Miami to Lima.  He eventually arrived in Peru at 10:05pm Peru time.  Our family of five conference called while he was in Miami, about lunch time in California.

The trickiest part for him was finding payphones.  So it was loud and chaotic, but we loved it!

Our Christmas package for Tyler arrived in Provo on Friday.  He said he was able to pack almost all of it and his suitcases were 50 and 49.5 lbs.—perfect!

He said he got about 45 minutes of sleep the night before between preparations, excitement and having to be up by 2am to get to his plane.  But, he’s not complaining.  One of the other missionaries was awakened at 3:30am and told that his Visa had come through.  If he could be ready in half an hour then he could make the plane.  His roommates packed him up while he showered and he made it just as the plane doors were closing!

We expect Tyler will spend his next few weeks in the Peru Missionary Training Center (MTC).  It is very close to (same property? across the street?) the Lima Peru temple, which the missionaries get to attend. 

We have heard that he cannot receive packages while there, so those should just go to the mission home to await him.  See the sidebar for mailing addresses.

VISA

So I (Lisa) am driving around doing errands yesterday when I receive a phonecall:

“Hey, Mom”

“Hey!” (I’m thinking it’s Bryce, telling me he’s ready to be picked up)

“It’s Tyler…” (Next stream of thoughts:  My son had to identify himself!  Insert GUILT here. Wait! Why is he calling me?  What’s wrong?)

Nothing wrong, he just got called out of class and his Visa has arrived!  He leaves for Peru early (early!) Monday morning with several others (but not Elder Belnap, unfortunately).  Yes, he found out Friday afternoon and leaves in 2 days.  Suddenly, I’m not ready.  AND.  His Christmas box just arrived that day.  I guess Elder Belnap will inherit a lot of that stuff to console him!

He’ll get to call us again when he’s in transit on Monday—can’t wait!

Christmas in Peru for Elder Peacock!

Missionary S’more Bars

Originally found HERE, but modified a bit by Jeff to please his ideals for aesthetics, preference for milk over semi-sweet chocolate, and because there’s no recipe that doesn’t benefit from more… more butter, more marshmallows, more chocolate.

Ingredients:

• 1 bag (10 oz) mini marshmallows + about 1/2 cup
• 1 box (12 oz) Golden Grahams cereal
• 1 bag milk chocolate chips
• 1 heaping cup milk chocolate chips (for topping)
• 7 T butter
• 1/2 t vanilla
• non-stick cooking spray

Directions:

In a 9X9 inch baking pan, spray with non-stick cooking spray. 

In a large non-stick pot over medium heat, melt butter.  Add the bag of marshmallows and stir together until marshmallows have melted and become creamy.  Stir in vanilla.

Fold in cereal until all marshmallows and grahams are evenly mixed together.  Mix in bag of chocolate chips (which will melt in a bit).  Let cool for a little bit and then add in the extra marshmallows so they don’t melt into oblivion and you can still see whole or portions of marshmallows.  Spread in prepared pan.  Press into pan and sprinkle in remaining chips on top of the treats, lightly press on top of treats to make sure they stick.  Place in the fridge for 10 minutes to cool.

Slice into bars and serve. 

1 Month!

Hey, so before I forget again, Elder Egolf (in my district) would like the recipe for those s’more bars so his mom can make him some and be as cool as you. [I will post the recipe so YOU TOO can be cool!] Also, I know you [mom] wrote out your conversion story that you sent to Justin on his mission,  I was wondering if you'd send that to me? 

This week was another good one, the whole MTC thing is starting to blend together so hopefully I'll be able to keep this week straight and tell you something that I haven't already told you. Still no word on visas but I did run into Elder Johnson (Kodey) [from our Stake] and talked to him for a little bit and his visa just came and he had put in his paperwork in the beginning of August so I think that means that ours could be close to coming in, however Elder Belnap has had to sign the power of attorney thing at least 3 times and once last week so we'll see if his comes later or what that really means.  But every time we hear the loud speakers we are all silent and listen up because 5 elders in our district are all waiting on visas to Peru and they call you over the loud speaker when it comes. [kind of surreal…] So that could be coming soon and when it does I'll leave the beginning of that next week so it'll be short notice.

Elder Belnap got a package for Christmas and on top of all of the wrapped stuff (which of course he hasn't opened yet), he had a Peruvian flag.  Not as big as Justin's but still a pretty big one.  There's a llama on it.  Did you know they eat alpaca steaks in Peru? Apparently, they're delicious.  Speaking of food, I think I'm ready for whatever they have in Peru because I'm already tired of the same 10 things that I get at the cafeteria especially because I've been eating them for the past year as well.  Also tell Mitchel I eat at 12 and 5 behind the salad bar so if he ever is around he should come and eat with me because I heard he got a job teaching at the MTC.

I got released as District Leader this week, which doesn't change that much but now I don't feel quite as responsible for trying to keep all 11 of us focused during study time--let's just say that with a district of 11, it's pretty difficult to keep them on task.  We got another district of 11 in our zone yesterday.  Every time I see the new missionaries, I just wonder if I looked that lost, scared, confused, amazed, puzzled, and at times in pain.  But apparently, there was a time when that was me [ummm, like a month ago!] and I am going to assume that will be me again when I get to Peru or reassigned somewhere but I like to think that's not me. But some of them have never spoken a word of Spanish before so of course, any Spanish scares the daylights out of them, which is always very fun.  To think at one point I was like them, Back in the day….  Spanish is coming along though, we actually will finish all of the Spanish in 6 weeks and the rest of the time is review because we're kind of on the pilot program for the influx of missionaries and the shortened MTC stays so the last 3 weeks would be review, if we're here.

I'm about halfway through Jesus the Christ [download a FREE copy HERE or HERE] at the moment. It really is an awesome book, a lot of it is very deep but I'm really enjoying reading that.  I'm also reading the Book of Mormon in Spanish.  You know that story, I think from Elder Oaks where he said that a man was shot but had a Book of Mormon on his chest and it saved him because the bullet stopped at the Isaiah chapters? well yeah, I was understanding everything pretty well until the Isaiah chapters, I don't understand half of the stuff in English, so I'm not sure how I could understand it in Spanish.  Oh and one last thing, Elder Evans of the Seventy gave the Devotional on Tuesday and he served a mission in Japan and struggled to learn the language,  A guy on the street was talking to his dog (in Japanese of course) and the dog would obey the man.  Elder Evans' companion turned to him and said "Hey! if that dog can learn Japanese then so can you!"  probably funnier in person but I thought it applied.

[A comment from the mother:  Note the Apostle Hair thing starting to happen here…I believe I see a part in his hair.  He hasn’t had a part in his hair since he was 2 years old.  A part is always difficult because he has the thickest hair confounded by a very determined front cowlick and a back of the head whorl that works in opposition to the cowlick.  I guess all things are possible on a mission.]

Umm...I think that's about all I have for you, like I said, the MTC is all starting to blur together and I'm not entirely sure what happened the first week or what happened the last week.  I'm still loving it and I still hope that I get to Peru sooner rather than later.  I love you all and I really appreciate all of the mail that I get.

Love,

Elder Peacock

MTC Moments

Hey,

For the rest of Thanksgiving, we had a service project/humanitarian aid type thing and a Thanksgiving musical program with just some elders and sisters in the MTC that performed.  One of the songs was a piano medley that was arranged by the missionary with “I Believe in Christ”, “I Hope They Call Me on a Mission”, “Called to Serve”, “I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go”, (and there could have been a few more songs in there too) but it was really awesome.  That night we got to watch 17 Miracles which is a great movie. I had heard some good things about it, but I just thought it was another one of those church movies, but I really liked it.  [picture is one of my cleaning spray graffiti peacocks that I mentioned earlier]

Later that night we had a little bit of free time and our district started playing this game "Destiny Shots". Basically, we would throw an empty bottle across the room into the trash can and predict something that would happen if we made it.  For instance, if you make this shot, then you’re going to…  Some guys are not going to get any letters from girls, some have decided their wives already and all of us have the power to break the barrier of the friend zone.  Also some hermanas will now be having quintuplets...congratulations?

This is Elder Lamb.  He fell asleep on Thanksgiving...under the bed...smiling…with beef jerky open next to him...not sure how that even happened.

Sunday, we found out that our triple companionship was being broken up because Elder Dew, who was supposed to leave on Tuesday morning with the rest of his district never got a reassignment call (they’re all being reassigned because none of them got their visas).  He is now companions with Elder Belnap and I'm with Elder Forward for probably about another week because Elder Dew should have his reassignment any day now.  Honestly though, being in a normal companionship is so much better than a triple companionship.  Three people is just too many and it's impossible to get anything done and teaching is a lot harder with three.  As far as my Spanish is going, it's progressing and I feel like I'm about where I should be at the moment.

Every Wednesday, we start the morning with a "task".  This week we “went” to the doctors office.  We just had to explain what was wrong and then receive a diagnosis from Doctor/Hermano Davis.  We get in there and he asks Elder Forward what's wrong, Elder Forward says "Pienso que estoy embarazado".  I thought for sure he just didn't know what he was saying because that means "I think I'm pregnant" rather than embarrassed, which is a word it’s often confused with.  Doctor/Hermano Davis thought so too but he repeated it "Pienso que estoy embarazada?" while pointing to his belly.  Neither one of us could really avoid laughing because apparently he really thought he was pregnant.  Hopefully that scenario never really plays out in real life though.

This morning we got up early, did our laundry early and went to the temple.  They have the best breakfast there.  Maybe that's just because I refuse to eat anything the cafeteria makes for breakfast other than oatmeal and fruit but it was the best food ever.  Just thought I'd let you know. 

Still no word on the visas but I have no idea what that really means.  At least I haven't had to resubmit the power of attorney paperwork three times like Elder Belnap has.  I'll obviously let you know if that changes.

This is Elders Dew and Moore. They were my first Zone Leaders and Elder Moore is going to play football at BYU when he gets home so I'll have an “in” with the team when I get home.  Also, before you look at the name tags, guess which one is which!

Thanks to everyone that has sent me stuff so far! I love getting stuff in the mail.  Also thank you Eva for the tree, ornaments and reindeer antlers.  We already had lights in our room and now the room also smells like Christmas.  It's kind of the best coming home at night to that smell.  Love you all and I'm loving being here!

Elder Peacock

Thanksgiving Part 2

[Email dated 11.22.12]

Ok so we got to hear from ELDER HOLLAND!!!  It was awesome.  Between our companionship we all tried to guess who was going to come. My guess was President Uchtdorf, Elder Forward guessed President Eyring and Elder Belnap guessed Elder Holland.  We were all obviously excited that it was him and as you know he is my favorite speaker.  It started with some musical numbers from his grandchildren that were amazing, one of which was his 8 year old granddaughter and I don't understand how that little girl could sing like that but it was amazing.  Then Sister Holland spoke and just talked about her testimony of the Book of Mormon, her experience with that and said something along the lines of: When you know the truth of the Book of Mormon you will not be able to contain yourself and you will want to tell everyone that will be there to hear you.

Elder Holland then told us some of the things he was grateful for and these things are not like what you usually hear around the dinner table at Thanksgiving.  The big thing that he talked about for most of the time was that we take it for granted living in these last days and in this last dispensation.  We owe it to all of the saints that came before, we need to take this work to every corner of the earth and give that word to everyone.  He also bore powerful testimony of Joseph Smith.  Every promise, power and privilege that was given to the earth in all of the previous dispensations have been restored through Joseph Smith.  EVERYTHING that has ever been given to the children of God we now have available to us here and now.

That's about all I have to add but I love you guys. 

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Elder Peacock

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hey Everybody!

So I'm sending this email Wednesday night as opposed to Thursday because as you well know tomorrow is thanksgiving.  We have a special schedule because tomorrow we get a special devotional in the morning with someone from either the Quorum of the Twelve or the First Presidency which is really exciting! We don't know who it is yet and I've heard President Monson and Elder Holland but really nobody who says that knows what they're talking about so I'm excited to see who it is.  But since we have that and then some service stuff along with some other Thanksgiving stuff that I don't really know about yet we don't really get a P-Day.  I mean we technically do but it's tomorrow morning and we have to be seated by 9:40 for the Devotional so really in order to get laundry and everything done, we're getting up at 5 because we'll only really get 3 hours even with waking up at 5.  Oh well it should be cool getting to see one of the Twelve and/or First Presidency.  Also about that talk "Missions are Forever" It was given here so I don't know if those actually get released, but if they do then you should also look for "Character of Christ"  [click HERE for the text of this talk] by Elder David A. Bednar.  It’s also awesome.  Strangely enough, it seems like most talks given by General Authorities are awesome...weird.

So this week was another pretty good one.  On Friday, we met our 2nd teacher who turned out to be the investigator we had been teaching.  Hermano Draper is also the brother of one of my friends from BYU, small world.  But he is also from Southern California and is a huge Lakers fan so I've got some support there.  As far as teaching and Spanish go I feel like I'm progressing a lot which is good.  Also today we were practicing our door approach, so just how we talk to people when they open the door and one of the times, the teacher posing as just random people freaked out when we opened the door and asked if we were the police.  It was hilarious and if that ever really happened I don't know if I'd be able to keep my composure.

On Saturday, we clean our building in the morning for like and hour so like cleaning the floors, toilets, sinks, etc.  One of the jobs that they gave me was to clean some wood paneling and they gave me some spray that turned white until you wipe it off.  So I started out by just drawing stuff like smiley faces but then decided to get a little bit cooler with it and I started tagging peacocks all over the walls.  It might seem lame but it made cleaning the building a lot more fun and I do have pictures of them but this computer doesn't let me send pictures and I don't know if I'll get to another one this week so you might have to wait for pictures.  Then on Sunday after coming home from our Temple Walk, we decided that we needed a heel-clicking picture.  So Elder Belnap, Lamb, Egolf, Hermana Pierce and I did it like 6 times and it was timed perfectly. Elder Forward just couldn't get it.  He did get a lot of pictures of people doing the splits or falling though.  It was a little bit disappointing.

So most of our District, and our zone really, are in the choir and on Tuesday we sang "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" and it was awesome.  I wasn't too familiar with that song before because it's not a hymn (word on the street is that it's being added in the next edition).  But it really is an awesome song and my companions would agree.  Elder Belnap sings it basically non-stop, which was cool at first but now I can't get that song out of my head. I guess it's better that he sings that song than any one of the number of 'NSync, Backstreet Boys, One Direction, or any other Boy band that you could think of.  Ok one more story and then I think I'm out of time,  but Elder Egolf hid in Elder Forwards closet and waited for at least 10 minutes until Elder Forward finally opened his closet and Elder Forward just about died. Probably one of the funniest things that I have ever seen.

Ok also just a note about my visa, I don't have one.  Neither do any of the Peruvians in my District so I'm not worried about it.  Elder Belnap however was not happy when the district in our zone that has only been here a week has already gotten their visas for Guatemala.  He was about to fight some of the Hermanas...not really but he was not happy.  None of the 5 of us actually took it that hard but we'd like to go to Peru soon.  An entire District that was supposed to be gone to Mexico and Peru in a week all just got reassigned to stateside missions so that might be where I'm at.  We'll see though, I'm ready for it either way.

Ok I love you all and I miss you but I love being here. I love all the letters, so thanks to everyone that has written or sent me anything.

Love,

Elder Peacock

P.S.  All Peacocks, we're royalty tomorrow. In Spanish Peacock is Pavo Real.  The direct translation is Royal Turkey and seeing as it's turkey day, we're royalty.

P.P.S.  I may or may not get to check my email tomorrow but sorry if I didn't answer your questions, I don't have my mail with me at the moment.

Oh. And About That Visa….

[card dated 11/15/12]

I got a note today that I thought I needed to tell you about.  I won’t be leaving the MTC on time.  “You will continue with your training at the MTC.  We will let you know when your visa comes.”  So, really I have no idea when I’ll leave until right before I leave.  I’m really ok with it, I just thought that since I got this after my P-Day was officially over, I needed to at least send you a note about it and let you know.

Love you guys!!

Elder Peacock

1st Email Home!

[dated 11/15/12]

Hey!

So I am definitely loving the MTC right now.  It's just an awesome place.  I'll start with the basics I guess, I'm in a triple companionship, my companions are Elder Belnap from New York City and Elder Forward from good ole' Provo Utah.  Elder Belnap is 6'9" he is not a basketball player.  Not a volleyball player.  He actually plays baseball.  He's a pitcher. Right-handed, not a lefty.  He also loves bird watching.  I've gotten pretty good at telling people that list of things because everyone asks him the same exact questions.  He sticks out a little bit so I end up telling everyone the same things about him a couple times a day and then he doesn't have to say anything to anybody anymore.  He's a cool guy, also went to BYU and stayed in the dorms so I'm not sure how I never noticed him before.  Elder Forward lives like 5 minutes away from here. He is a great guy and has a great testimony and I love the guy. 

As far as our District goes, there are 11 of us, 5 (including our triple) to Peru and 6 to Mexico.  They're all cool guys and we all kinda just clicked right off the bat and we're all pretty good friends.  I was called as District leader, so that's been interesting.  Our district is awesome other than the fact that it's hard for most of us to stay on task.  Also a lot of the time that we're together, they like to sing boy band songs (N’sync, Backstreet Boys One Direction, etc...) haha I'm not so sure how I feel about that.  One of the other elders in my district is really cool (not that the others aren't cool but this one is particularly  cool).  Elder Lamb is from AZ but he has a lot of ties to the SCV and has a lot of family that is there and spends a lot of time there so I'll probably end up seeing him a few times in the future.  He was a football player, most likely going to play at SVU but I'm trying to get him to forget that and come to BYU, he's trying to get me to go to SVU and play football there but there is no way that would ever happen. 

Our teacher is Hermano Davis and he is awesome.  We already taught 5 lessons to a guy that went by Juan Carlos but apparently he is really going to be our 2nd teacher.  We didn't find that out until after we taught him so that'll be weird to have him teaching us after him being our "investigator".  But Spanish is actually going really well.  From Hermano Davis’ first impressions, he suggested that one other Elder and myself try taking the Spanish verbal test to see if we were ready for the intermediate class as opposed to the beginner class.  Both of us were given the choice and decided to stay with our district because apparently you learn the same stuff, it just changes the kind of speakers you can talk to outside of class. 

Yes mom, Eva did send me Target.  I didn't have much time before class but I figured I would have enough time to just grab the package and it wouldn't be that big of a deal.  I ended up getting the biggest box that I have ever seen and then I basically had to run home carrying this massive box and then run to class and then still ended up being late to class.  Haha I love the package, it was just bigger than I was expecting.  And mom I did get the package thanks!! also I don't know that I can do anything with much more food.  Thanks for all the letters an packages! I have to go right now but I love all of you and if you guys need anything you can always write or email and I'll get back to you eventually. 

Love you guys!!

Elder Peacock

P.S. One of the best talks that I've ever heard was shown on Sunday, Elder Holland’s “Missions Are Forever”.  It was given at the MTC and it's the best.

P.P.S.  I also forgot to mention that I won't know anything about my visa until 5 days before I'm supposed to leave so the 22ndish.

I’m Alive!

[card dated 11/7/12]

So I’m writing this on Wednesday night, they told us that we should at least write home to let you know that I’m alive.  I am in a three person companionship with Elder Belnap from New York City who is 6’9” and Elder Forward from Provo, Utah.  It’s really easy to stick together, we just keep our eyes on the “tower” and we’re fine.  Nothing all that surprising has happened so far.  Got to know the district, and some little teaching exercises.  Bryce, pay attention in Spanish.  Some guys here took three years and know absolutely nothing.  I at least know the first day’s worth.  I love you guys and miss you already.

Love,

Elder Peacock

P.S. P-day {personal day} is on Thursdays but not this first half week.

The Big Day: MTC

Tyler had heard that one of his favorite Provo restaurants offered a free meal to missionaries on the day they entered the MTC, so he had planned his day weeks ago.  (I’m thinking the “free meal” was kind of an excuse to go, since he wouldn’t have been the one paying anyway!!)  It is a Brazilian steakhouse—the kind where they bring meat and more meat to you at your table.  We figured with an 11am meal, he’d be perfectly timed for meat sweats beginning at 1, when he was scheduled to report.

Apparently we were not the only ones to hear about the free missionary meal because the place was packed by 11:30 with new missionaries and their families.

Some last goodbyes to Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Michelle.

Years, months, weeks, days… of preparation. And, it all comes down to three minutes at the curb.

And then Elder Pearson whisked him away with his bags.  His back was straight and his shoulders squared.  Wish we could say the same for ourselves.  Vaya con Dios, Elder Peacock!

Manti

The day before Tyler entered the MTC, we took the opportunity to attend the temple in Manti.  Tyler’s Peacock grandparents all grew up in Manti.   Jeff and I were sealed in Manti in 1989.  It is full of personal and pioneer history and absolutely beautiful.

Elder Peacock

On Sunday, November 4th, Tyler was set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by our Stake President.

We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.            ~Article of Faith #5

Tyler’s Other Family

A little background is in order.  Tyler came home from BYU mid June.  His missionary papers went in the Sunday he came home, which was the first day he was allowed to submit them (120 days before his 19th birthday.  As of last month the minimum age for male missionaries is now 18).  We knew that he would end up having at least 3-4 months at home before he’d leave on his mission so a job was definitely going to be needed!  Not only to fill the bank account, but also to fill his schedule so that he did not languish in those months.

Our friends Chad and Eva Payne run a nonprofit organization, Project Kindle which operates summer camps for kids impacted by HIV.  The week Tyler came home they were running a day camp for kids with special needs.  I volunteered Tyler to be a camp counselor.

 

Little did we know. It was the start of something BIG.  Our lives will forever be changed.

Soon he was babysitting for the Paynes, tutoring their daughter in math and helping Chad build a jungle gym for their 6 children.

Eva offered Tyler a project.  For pay!  It was a grown up project, updating a book that is used to educate people on HIV.  He loved it.  He would go to the Project Kindle office in the morning, coach JV football at the high school in the afternoon, come home for dinner, and then go to the Paynes to tutor or help stuff mailers for Kindle.  He’d come home late and repeat again the next day.  When we drove to Utah in October he brought his work with him.  Later he also crammed in some hours working with a tile contractor friend of ours.  Every minute lived.  I’ve never seen him happier. 

In the process, our families became tied together through our mutual love for this boy young man. They have enormous hearts and are generous to a fault.  They showered him with love and praise and love and gifts! and more love.

It is the greatest joy when someone else sees in your son the things that you see. 

This was Tyler’s last day at church before entering the MTC.  I love this picture of Eva because she is trying so hard to smile through it but you can also see the tenderness and struggle for composure.  Although they had known Tyler well for years, in the last months he had become one of their own.

There’s a lot of Tyler to go around so it’s easy to share.  It feels like there really is someone else out there who really knows how much we miss him.  We love the Payne family.