Peru Care Package #2

Well, in the absence of a letter thus far this week from Elder Peacock, let’s take a peek at what was in the package we mailed out on May 16th. 

This is my favorite part.  Guinea pig tshirt (in honor of his exotic diet).  I love it so much!  Totally practical.  I’m so afraid it’s going to get stolen out of the box, so I made Bryce put it on for a picture so at least we can send him the picture if it doesn’t make it. 

• A journal that his older brother picked out.  When Justin was on his mission, he made a book of pictures—all of his baptisms and each of his companions, including pertinent facts and stories, etc.  It’s a great idea and Tyler wants to do the same thing but was having a hard time finding one that would work well.
• Inside the journal are some newspaper clippings of things he might find interesting.
• An “expensive” tie…from Ross Dress for Less.  Missionaries love ties.  I stocked up so I can send him one in each package.  This one replaces the one he burned at the 6 month mark.
• Cinnamon.  He was lamenting how expensive it was.  99 cents at Target.  USA! USA!
• Pop Tarts.  Umm, no explanation needed, me thinks.

• PB & J.  It’s the simple pleasures that are missed.

• Tyler loves legos.  I figured it might be fun to give to kid he’s teaching.  I like to send little toys at Christmas time to give out.  It makes the missionary feel like Santa Claus!  That feeling is totally better than getting stuff they really don’t need anyway.

• Good old American junk food for filler.  Sometimes there just is no substitute.  AND, thanks to all those preservatives, I know it will all be just as good in 3 months when he finally opens it!

Total value of contents:  about $100. 

Cost to mail to Peru:  $77.95

I love him, but he’s not gonna get a lot of these.

Placentero Nos es Trabajar

[Translation:  “A pleasure it is to us to work” – it’s a hymn that was written by a Spanish speaking missionary and is only in the Spanish version of the hymn book.]

Hey everybody!

First of all, Happy Birthday Justin!! (Also Kylie…) This week was good, we’re working like crazy and it’s awesome. There isn’t really one experience that stands out in my mind to share with you but it was an awesome week.

[This picture is of the traditional “burning of the tie” at 6 months in the mission.  He told us during our Mother’s Day call that he chose the wrong tie for the the job—it refused to burn, hence the additional flammable objects added to the pile.]

This week we found quite a few people with the same answer when we invited them to be baptized: “I would but I feel like I won’t be able to follow through with it after the baptism”. Some of those people were just saying that because they don’t know how to just say no, but some of them were very sincere with it, and actually want to make changes in their life, they just don’t know how to do it. So I thought a little bit about it and something very interesting about this gospel is that it’s not just a baptism and then you’re done with it and off to fend for yourself. It’s a cycle that continues for your whole life and get’s stronger and stronger every time we go through it. Faith, repentance, baptism(sacrament) followed by receiving the Holy Ghost to guide you in your life. It’s something that has been apparent from my time here for sure. I’ve been here for a good couple of months now and I can see the difference in the lives of the people that live this gospel and the lives of those that aren’t really all in and then those that want nothing to do with it. Those people that go all in and really live the gospel are just so much happier it really isn’t even close. When we put in just a little bit of work to obey God he gives you what you need. Just try to imagine what you can receive if you really just give him all.

So working with Elder Bravo is definitely different. He carries around a huge fan with him everywhere and likes to sing as he walks. It’s somewhat entertaining, although at times a little over the top, I think he just likes attention though. But we found quite a few people last week that are pretty awesome and I think this kinda has to do with the above: When we give a little bit we find some success and get some help. But when we give it all we’re going to get a whole lot more. I know that this work is the work of the Lord and that no matter where you are or what you’re doing, he wants to help you. Just ask yourself how much you’re really doing for the Lord, the more you give, the more you’re going to receive. I can tell you that because I’ve seen the differences not only in my work as a missionary but in the changes of investigators. When they give to the Lord, they receive blessings exponentially.

Love,

Elder Peacock

“No me jactaré de mi mismo, sino que me gloriaré en mi Dios”

[translation:  “I will not boast of myself, but I will glory in my God”, from Alma 26:12]

Patience is a Virtue?

Dear everyone,

So first, it was great to get to talk to you yesterday and even though you guys couldn't see me [on Skype, he looked like a painting—most of the time like a Monet, but occasionally like a Picasso] l, I could see all of you pretty well...as long as the call didn't drop out. [which it did several times] I could even see Justin and every once in a while I saw Tori's head pop into the picture [they were on the iPad, sitting on a pile of couch cushions].  I hope you were able to hear at least part of one of my goodbyes because the internet and the phone kept dropping out and I couldn't tell if I actually got through to you or if you could hear me...So, if not, goodbye and I love you guys.  It was however, very strange to actually speak English.  Usually here, if I'm speaking English it's a phrase or very Spanglishy so I'm sure you noticed a phrase or 2 in Spanish even though I don't know that I recognized it.  Has my voice changed at all? I hope I don' sound like Pedro like Justin did when we talked to him on his mission.  But yeah, anyways it was good to get to talk.

So yeah, things with Elder Bravo are awesome.  We walk everywhere which will help me a lot because taking motos everywhere was getting a little boring.  He's awesome and we're working hard.  This will help me to lose weight like I'm supposed to in South America.  Even though the members feed us a couple pounds of rice and a couple of chickens at lunch.  But things are going really well here right now, although I'm still trying to get the whole District Leader thing figured out which is somewhat difficult with just a lot more responsibilities and things that I have to worry about, especially because I've never seen what a DL does, but I thin I've got the hang of it with the calls, interviews, permission, etc...  Definitely pushing me but it's good.  Patience is a virtue.  I actually do think I've got it down more or less though.

So we have a rule that we aren't allowed to teach any lesson without an adult male who is part of that household present which at times is difficult because the men are almost always working.  We have a little bit different problem with this other family.  Dad, mom, son (20), daughters (17, 14)--the daughters and mom go to church, read what we leave and pray.  The son is indifferent and often not there.  The dad, however, will listen but he is Catholic, he is Catholic, he is Catholic.  We have taught them a few times and he just won't do anything we invite him to do, but his wife and daughters do everything, so we're not going to stop visiting them.  On Saturday, after the baptism of Hector (That guy is awesome!! sorry I'm not telling you more about him) we went to see if we could get the dad to come to church the next day by talking to him again about the restoration and getting him to pray about it.  I don't think I've been more forward, or clear than in that lesson, ever.  I basically told him that he has to pray about this and then be willing to change to live in accordance with God's will and to forget his own will.  I used more words and scriptures and things of that sort (in Spanish of course) but I feel like that is something that has really changed in me. The ability to just be direct and bold with people.  I thought I saw a change in him that night because in his prayer he asked to be humble enough to change if he needed to.  He did not, however, come to church with his wife and daughters.  He just wouldn't come out of the house. Patience is a virtue, right?

I've also heard people say that on their mission they stop worrying about themselves and start worrying about what they want for others to do or have.  I actually see it a little bit differently.  The things that I want, that are important for me are really just the things that I want for others.  It's not that I've forgotten myself, it's that my desires have changed to be for others.  I guess that the difference is slight at best but I thought that was interesting.

Love you guys!!

Elder Peacock

Time is a Fickle Friend

First of all, What does fickle mean? I know it's a phrase but I have no idea what I'm actually saying here...Anyway, this week was interesting and I noticed that a lot of the stuff happened this week had to do with time.  And another question, what did I do with my time before the mission?? I will invite each of you to think of what you do with your time and to just make sure you focus on the most important thing and be productive.

First off, my watch died...not the battery but the whole watch just doesn't work which makes life very difficult as a missionary because I don't carry around a cell phone or any other means of telling time without my watch (aside from my comp).  So that was somewhat annoying but I'm working on the whole watch situation now. 

Then, last week was the last week of the transfer and there was one Elder and one Sister finishing their missions from our zone of 10.  Both of them had been in the zone since I started here and I could just see how weird their last week of the mission was.  It was weird to see them go for their "transfers" when you know that their just going to their homes and you're not going to see them again.

Then, this Saturday we got a call at night and got told that our changes got moved up a day and that we would receive them on Sunday and make the changes on Monday (one day earlier than usual) and that was somewhat stressful because we had to shift some things around and now we have P-day today instead of Monday again (just for this week).  But after 3 changes together in the same area (abnormally long for the mission apparently) we got changed.  Well, Elder Duran got a change to Lima to stay in that mission and I'm still in my area now with Elder Bravo.  Elder Bravo is from the group that I entered the field with so we were in the MTC together and he's from Santiago Chile.  He's awesome and it's going to be great.  I'm also now District Leader, which was a huge surprise and should be interesting.  Should be a good transfer.

Also, today is my 6 month mark, which is weird.  I don't feel like I've been here for 6 months yet...

I love you guys and thanks for everything!!

Elder Peacock

PS Mothers day this week [that means a phonecall/Skype!!]

Happy Monday!!

So I'm finally writing you all on a Monday for the first time in a while.  There was almost another hiccup today but that is a long story for another time. 

This week was good.  On Monday we had the interviews with Prez and the room checks and for those of you (Dad) who don't seem to believe me, our place is very clean and we passed with flying colors so just accept that I'm living in a clean room now for all of you that seem to doubt me because I'm sure there's more than one of you (Mom).

Hey our place is so clean it is ridiculous....except for the ceiling of the bathroom where there are about 1000 spiders but I've just decided I'm not going to worry about that part.

On Tuesday we went back to Quisto Cocha and got eaten by mosquitos all day.  I've decided that repellant doesn't help at all and might actually make it worse...but anyways it was pretty much the same as before with animals and the beach so I guess that's not all that interesting.  Although there is an evil cat that wants to kill everything and is kept in the smallest cage ever and there are monkeys that try to steal anything they can get their hands on (watch, glasses, nametag, shirt, skin, etc...)

On Thursday we basically ran around with our heads cut off because we had a wedding that afternoon and we needed this medical clearance basically saying that they're not on the verge of death.  We had planned to just go to this clinic and have it done that morning because some other stuff we had planned to do fell through--it was basically national day off for all doctors...so we had to run around looking for some clinic with a doctor who would sign the certificates.  Eventually we found one that could do it but that was very stressful.  So then that afternoon we had the wedding of Eduardo and Mary A*.  Their baptism was this Saturday with their kids Milagros and Agustin.

 

 

In their service there were the 4 of them and Josue who recently turned 8 and is the son of one of our converts from the previous month.  His Dad got to baptize him which was really awesome.  After Josue, then the A* family was baptized.  Agustin went first and got cold when he got out of the water so he, being a kid, got back in the water.  Every time we got him out, he got back in...haha.  It was somewhat frustrating but it's fine.   It was a really cool service and pretty much the entire ward was there and there was a party afterwards for them.  It was awesome.

So we have transfers next week and Elder Duran has decided that he's leaving so he's basically announced to everyone that he's leaving the wards...haha that's not even for sure and just for that I kinda hope that I leave and he stays just because it would be kinda funny.  Although in all likelihood I'm staying here for a while which is ok because I love these wards and everything.

Love,

Elder Peacock

Peru Iquitos Mission

Hey everybody!

So this week was good.  I didn’t get to write yesterday because we had interviews with President Blunck and Hermana Blunck came around to all of the rooms to make sure we weren’t just living in our own filth.  We aren’t, so we only had to clean for about an hour that morning to perfect it.  Haha but yeah, nothing all that new in the interviews because I already know I’m staying in the mission Iquitos.  Oh and the offices are under construction here in Iquitos.  AKA they’re remodeling one of the giant chapels here that recently had wards combine and move to another location so we could have the offices there. The offices will be up and running here in Iquitos in 2 weeks, or about 3 months before the mission officially opens so that they can get everything up and running.  So it looks like I won’t be going back to Lima for anything ever again, unless I have to do more paperwork there.  The only bummer with this is that I have a bunch of stuff that says Misión Perú Lima Norte…what am I supposed to do with that? Does that mean I get to say I served 2 missions? Haha [YES is what I say!]

So I was really stressing out this weekend because we have this family set to get married this week and baptized this weekend, however, on Saturday night the Zone leaders called to tell us that the people in Lima that needed to go and get the birth certificate of the dad couldn’t find it where we thought it was so they were going to look yesterday morning and if it wasn’t there then we had no idea what to do or where to look.  I really hate it when things are just taken out of my hands and I don’t have any control over the way things happen but sometimes you just have to wait, pray, and hope.  [Hmmm.  Control freak?  Might sound familiar… must get it from his dad]  So for all of you, I’m sure you’ve felt that at one point or another in your life so just remember that patience is a virtue.  Wait, pray and hope.  We got a call last night telling us that it is on its way and should be here today or tomorrow so we’re good to go.

We have this older investigator named H* who is awesome but a bit spacey at times.  We can be talking about the priesthood, baptism or anything and he has a completely unrelated story that he just has to tell us.  He has one that is his favorite that I’ve heard 3 times in one lesson.  Here’s an abbreviated version:

“I was walking with my friend, and she asked me how I know that God exists.  So I stopped and paused to think and told her first of all-- that flower.  There is the existence of God.  Second, when the sun goes down and the stars come out.  There is the existence of God.  Third, when the sun rises in the morning.  All of those things point to the existence of God.” 

He says it much better than that and with a lot of emotion and every time he starts that story I can’t help but crack a huge smile.  He also changes his proof every time but those are the three most common.  The guy is awesome though.  And while I tell the story in a joking manner, he is very right and it is very profound, I just don’t think he needs to tell it as often as he does. 

I love you guys and I hope you have a great week!!!

Elder Peacock

P.S. We asked him about the new Church policy reported HERE which says that missionaries can now email people other than family, to which he replied:

“yeah, I don't know how real this is. Prez told us about 2 weeks ago we can only email family.”

So I guess the new policy has not made it to Peru yet…

And, I miss getting pictures of Elder Peacock.  Maybe we’ll get back to normal next week.  Mother’s Day (and the promised phonecall) is right around the corner though!

I’m a Legal Peruvian Now

Hey, so it's been quite a while since I was last able to write and I don't even remember a lot of what happened for the past 2 weeks so I'll just start with why I couldn't write last week.

It was Sunday night (April 7th) at like 1030 and I was in bed and all was good.  The phone rang and Elder Duran answered it talked for a minute and then handed it to me.  It was the zone leaders and Elder Muniz asked me: "how was your last day in Iquitos?" It was in Spanish but since he's a gringo I figured he had just said it wrong and meant how was my day so I told him it was good.  Then he repeated the question putting emphasis on LAST... Then he proceeded to explain how with the missions splitting, Prez wants to get new people trained for the offices so that there are people in both missions with experience and that I had an emergency transfer to the offices and that I was leaving the next morning and I needed to get my suitcase ready.  He went on for about 10 minutes with that and got me convinced...yeah, he was lying.  I did have to go to Lima but to do paperwork so I wouldn't be illegal. I had to leave that next morning and go do paperwork all that day and come back that night.  I did, however, get some big news.  When I came back that night, I brought the rest of my stuff that I had left in Lima because I'm going to be staying in the jungle for some time.  I will be serving in the mission Perú Iquitos...supposedly.  Nothing is actually for sure but I do have all of my stuff here because I'm supposed to stay here.  So, unless something crazy happens, I'm staying in Iquitos or some other part of the jungle.

Then yesterday I had to go back to Lima again to finish my paperwork and I now have a Peruvian ID, so I'm officially Peruvian now.  

Ok, so conference.  We got to watch all of conference and I got to watch it in English with Elder Muniz and Elder Overstreet who are in my zone and also gringos.  So we had our nice little gringo party in a little side room which was nice because I heard it in Spanish too and it's just not the same with different voices--it doesn't have quite the same feel.  My favorite talks were probably Elder Holland of course, President Uchtdorf, and President Packer.  Although I've figured out that they're all awesome and conference is much more significant now than it was before, so if you may not have taken conference as seriously as you could have; read, listen, or watch them again. Especially if you don't think it applied to you specifically, you can find some really cool stuff that can apply to you even if it's not directed at you. President Packer is actually one of my favorite speakers because he just speaks with power.  Not that his voice is strong nor does he just rip into us, but he just has a way about him that I've always loved.  I'll invite you all to watch his talk from this conference and that of the previous conference as well on the atonement.

So I don't have too much time left but Mom I did get the package the Thursday after my last email [WAHOO!] and I have since eaten all of the nutter butters, dove chocolate, sweet tarts, fruit rope, cliff bars and mentos.  I still have a jar and a half of peanut butter left which is awesome.   I believe it was opened but I think it was all there.  Can't send pictures right now but I think it was all there.  I also may not be able to write next week, we have interviews with Prez on Monday so we may not get time to write....3 P-days in a row.... haha. [Well, at least we’ve been warned.]

I love you guys and I hope all is well.  

Elder Peacock