The Author’s Notes (Oct. 16, 2017)

Hello everyone!

This is my final email as a missionary. I’m flying home this Friday. It’s crazy to think that my missiona is actually coming to an end. In this email I would like to share some thoughts to sum up my time here in Japan.

I have served the Lord in 8 different cities over the past two years. My time in these cities have been along the side of 13 other missionaries. I have had the privilege of serving in multiple positions that have each given me different opportunities to serve my fellow man and my God. Two great men of God, and their wives, have given me much direction, support, and love. Blessed be the name of my Savior for the people I have met here.

There have been many a good day in the land of the rising sun. There have been many a long day. Many a fun day. Many a tired day. Many a hot day. Many a cold day. Many a frustrating day. Many a day where I was at the end of my rope. And many a day where I felt as though I was soaring on the wings of eagles. But through it all I have felt the Lord guide me with His hand and strengthen me with His perfect love. 

But, if there is one joy that I have experienced it is this: when an individual hears the gospel, exercises faith to act upon the message, and chooses to change his/her life as a result. There. Is. No. Greater. Joy. Than. This. I got to be used as an instrument in the Lord’s hands to bless the lives of the Japanese people. For that, I am ever grateful to my God.

The mission never really ends. The Lord’s mission is ongoing in our hearts and His disciples. This Friday, when I return home, and then when I get released as a full-time missionary the next day, my life will change again. My tag will come off. Then, the future will begin. It will be the time where I will put everything I learned over the past two years into full action. But, because the mission never really ends, I will be coming home to my mission, not from my mission. It will be the next great step forward with faith. 

Thank you all for your love, prayers, and support. I hope I was able to share some encouraging words with all of you over the past couple of years. Keep being awesome everyone! God loves all of you. We are all His children. Fight the good fight and never give up! 愛していますよ!!!

Elder Peacock

A missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Serving in the Japan, Kobe mission, Marugame area

孔雀長老

末日聖徒イエス・キリスト教会

日本神戸伝道部の宣教師です

丸亀エリア

The Final Chapters pt. 6 (Oct. 8, 2017)

Heyo everyone!

The highlight of this week was GENERAL CONFERENCE!!! Whoop! So GOOD!! President Uchtdorf gave a fantastic discourse on why we should pursue our path to God. Because our lives will be better, and God will use us to make other people’s lives better. Sweet, simple, sincere, and true. I know that is the case. Please read his talk again if you haven’t, and read it again if you have. Saturday morning session. 

We met one of our investigators who lives far away at a midway point. We didn’t teach, just tried to get a better picture of his needs and how he feels. We spoke with him about the progress he has made so far. He seemed to agree that he has progressed. We changed our previous approach of “do you think this church is ture or not” to “do you think this is the path Heavenly Father wants you to take”. He responded VERY positively to that inquiry and opened right up. #planningwiththespiritisbest

Friday was my last district meeting. Yes, we took my death pics. I will attach them at the bottom of the email.

My companion got hit by a car. He’s ok. The car is ok. The person inside the car is ok. No angry outbursts or anything. The person’s front bumper snapped right into place. God watches over his missionaries!

Used music for Eikaiwa. When the students tried to listen and repeat back to us what was sung they got to exercise their listening skills. They often got parts wrong. But there were a few times where got it right. That was fun!

A month ago we got a schedule from the city hall for the community Japanese class. We thought we could use it as a finding tool. We went on Wednesday night for the first time. There were probably thirty foreigners! Half Chinese, half Vietnamese, some American, and one Italian. We talked to so many of them about God. We are very excited to see what we can do with them. 

I got to have a companion exchange with Elder Kurita in my area. We met with one of our investigators at a hospital where she is caring for a loved one. We asked her what she wants to know. She is learning about the gospel, but what does she really want to know. At that she expressed her concern for not being good enough. At that we assured her that God knows very well that we are imperfect. He is patient with us. And then we offered an idea. If she were to study The Book of Mormon with the topic of God's expectations then she could know her role and what she should do. She seemed to like it and said she would think about it. It was a way good lesson!

We had an investigator attend three sessions of General Conference. He said he loved it and that he loves our church. It really softened him up. I’m so grateful he came!

Those were the highlights I think. This next week will be my last full week in Japan. I only have one email left to send as a missionary after this email. Thank you all for reading my emails. I hope they have given you some, if any, amusement or encouragement. And thank you for all of your support. I love you guys!! 愛しています!

Elder Peacock

A missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Serving in the Japan, Kobe mission, Marugame area

孔雀長老

末日聖徒イエス・キリスト教会

日本神戸伝道部の宣教師です

丸亀エリア

The Final Chapters pt. 5 (Oct. 1, 2017)

皆さん、こんにちわ！

IT’S OCTOBER!!!!!!! 

“Another week in the books” (love you Dad)! The weather is cool now which is very nice. It was interesting because it seemed like everyone was doing burn piles yesterday. Maybe it’s a cultural thing🤷🏼‍♂️

We had another companion exchange in Matsuyama with the zone leaders! Whoop! I was with Nishimiya Chōrō. We had so much to do that day that it went by in a blur. I ate a fruit that was a three-way-cross between a banana, peach, and mango. Tasted way good, a little weird though. I played my first round of Shogi (Japanese chess+extra hard). And I ended up winning! That was very unexpected. I could barely keep all the pieces straight because they are all the same shape. The only way to tell them apart is by the kanji written on them🤣

We got back to Marugame in the morning and then went from one appointment to another #notimeforweeklyplanning. And they weren’t close in proximity, they were freaking spread out! Talk about hustling! That day was way good though. Don’t remember details but it was definitely good

After district meeting we had lunch at this small shop on the second floor of the town shopping district. It’s a cool shop because you pay $6.50 and they give you what they are making that day. As in there is no menu. Way cool! A little restrictive, of course, but that’s what makes it cool!

Watched the Restoration video with one of our investigators. Loved it!

The Sisters, one of their investigators, a recent convert, one of our investigators, and us, went to eat gyuudon on Saturday. It was way fun! We ate an off-menu size option called “king size”. Very fun to see everyone struggle with finishing

So, as it turns out, yesterday was my last sacrament meeting in my area. Next week is General Conference for us. And the following week is district conference in Takamatsu. And then I will be home for the next Sunday. So, yeah, it was my last time seeing a few of those members. It was a little sad  

I’m starting to use the seminary study manual for The Book of Mormon. One of the questions is to look at Lehi’s example as he left Jerusalem. He left so much. How would you react to a request from the Lord to leave virtually everything you have ever known behind? It was soul-searching for me. And as I looked inward it was a call to examine how I have been living my life up until this point. Living simply is something I want to make a focus. In these last few weeks of the mission and ever after. Just wanna keep my life simple. 

I think that was my week...probably forgetting something. Hope you all have an awesome week! Fight the good fight and never give up! 愛しています!

Elder Peacock

A missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Serving in the Japan, Kobe mission, Marugame area

孔雀長老

末日聖徒イエス・キリスト教会

日本神戸伝道部の宣教師です

丸亀エリア

The Final Chapters pt. 4🍂 (Sept. 24, 2017)

Happy fall everyone!

In Japan, the Fall Equinox is a day to visit ancestors graves and honor them. There were definitely more people out than normal. Very cool! This week had a lot going on. 

We had a companion exchange in Niihama. It’s a city just to the west of us. The train has distrusted service right now because the typhoon tore out some costal train lines. While they are repairing them they are shuttling people throgh busses. Travel took a little longer than anticipated but it was fine. Had a fun time with Takahashi Chōrō! He is a brand new missionary and is very excited about the work. Talked with a lot of people and tried to find service project opportunities at city hall. The mountains in Niihama were so misty. It was beautiful! They have two straight hours of Eikaiwa that night so I was definitely works out by the end of it.

We woke up early the next morning to get home in time for an appointment with one of our investigators. It was kind of a service project, but kinda not. We dressed up in Japanese clothing made for Buddhist temple pilgrimage traveling and went around to take pictures for tourist websites. That’s right, we were models!!! It litterally took five hours of driving around in a taxi, looking at temples, and eating udon. Fun, but long! We may or may not do it again in samurai costumes soon...stay tuned XD

Then we had zone conference and interviews on Thursday. It was my last zone conference! I stood up to bear my testimony and it felt weird. I didn’t break down, but it just felt like “I still have a few transfers before I have to do this, right?” Kind of thing XD It was good. 

Friday was fun. Don’t really remember what happened though.

Saturday was fun. Don’t really remember what happened...except we had a Hawaiian Luau and 120 people showed up. Guys, we only have 50 members! It was crazy!!! No I didn’t dance. ごめん

Sunday was fun...don’t really remember—

Just kidding! Talked about who is able to go to the Celestial Kingdom and whatnot. Just do your best and God will take care of the rest. Love you Brooky!

Today is great. Had some Tonkatsu. Shopped. Emailing. Gotta love it! 

Sorry this is a short one. Keep smiling everyone! 愛しています!

Elder Peacock

A missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Serving in the Japan, Kobe mission, Marugame area

孔雀長老

末日聖徒イエス・キリスト教会

日本神戸伝道部の宣教師です

丸亀エリア

The Final Chapters pt 3 (Sept. 17, 2017)

TYPHOON!

A few weeks ago the mission office told us to be careful of a typhoon that was going to come through our area. It came and really wasn't too bad. A few days ago we were told by some members of a typhoon coming through again, but they made it sound like it was gonna be a weak one. When it came through it was actually kinda strong. It didn't last too long, but it dumped water and the wind tore though Marugame. No damage, it was just way loud. It was enough that we had to stay in our apartment from the time church was finished (1:00) until the end of the day. So, yeah, we basically didn't go out yesterday XD But we are safe. 

We went hiking on Monday. There is a mountain called "Konpira-san" that contains five or so temples. It was way fun! We had two investigators and a member come with us. It was beautiful!

Had a lesson with one of our investigators where he showed us a YouTube video about prophecies from the Holy Bible being fulfilled. It was an interesting video for sure. Our investigator has been very concerned about prophets, false prophets, and being led like a blind sheep. He's putting a lot of thought into his decisions and wants to know for sure before he takes a step. I admire him for thinking it through. But, there is also such a thing as over-thinking which he may or may not be doing. Good guy though. 

We have been able to meet with two potential investigators we have found recently. They are both really cool! We are excited to see their progress. The inclement weather kind of forced us to reschedule some plans we had with investigators so hopefully we can get more accomplished this week.

Speaking of inclement weather. Before the actually typhoon hit we got a warm-up rain storm that looked like a typhoon on Saturday. We decided to bike to the east portion of our area out in the middle of nowhere to contact a less-active. The member has multiple classic American muscle cars which made my mouth water. Unfortunately the member yelled at us to get out and never come back. That was a bummer. But, what can you do? Don't wanna make them more angry, that's for sure. So we promptly left. Traveled up and down and up again through the mountains. We got high enough to get up into the clouds. That was cool! 

One of our American members got in a bike accident where she fractured her leg. We visited her in the hospital which was nice. She will be in the hospital for a few weeks. 

Im trying to remember other stuff that happened this week but nithing is coming to mind. I've been reading my journal entries from the beginning of the MTC which has been way cool. 

Hope you all have a good week, keep smiling! Fight he good fight and never give up! 愛しています!

Elder Peacock

A missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Serving in the Japan, Kobe mission, Marugame area

孔雀長老

末日聖徒イエス・キリスト教会

日本神戸伝道部の宣教師です

丸亀エリア

The Final Chapters pt 2

皆さん、こんにちわ!

As I think about what to write in this email I'm not really able to remember what happened. This week really went by in a blur. *Elder Peacock looks down and counts on his fingers and mumbles to himself. Gestures lightly to his left, then right, scratches his head in bewilderment, and then resigns himself to typing an email that strangely resembles a very poorly planned spiritual message with transitions between ideas and events that are about as rough as the road Lightning McQueen tried to pave the first time in Radiator Springs from the movie Cars*. Yeah, it was a good week 

We have been finding a good number of potential investigators over the past couple of weeks. We met an elderly man who recognized us as soon as we told him we were the Mormons. He promptly and succinctly described Joseph Smith's first vision. That was unexpected. Then said he remembers the Morumon Kei (the old style Book of Mormon when it was first translated into Japanese). At that we pulled out the Morumon Sho and he recognized it immediately. Handed it to him, he asked it it was ok for him to take it from us, assured him it was, said he was study it this week, and then asked when church would be. He already knows where the church is. He totally came to church! Was that a miracle that slapped me in the face? The answer is "YUUUSSSSS"!!!

Spent a day with a member, the sister missionaries, and one of their investigators. So. Much. Fun! When to a photo booth and took these pictures that put makeup on my face and made me look way weird. Don't worry, I'll send a photo of the photo for your enjoyment 

Oh, right, it was transfer week. And.........I STAYED! I'm gonna die in Marugame with Emerson Chōrō! Whoop! One of the Shimai left though. That was a bummer. 

Gave a talk in sacrament meeting. It was supposed to be ten minutes or less. Totally took up 25 minutes because I translated my own talk right there on the pulpit. I tell ya, doing that on the fly is trippy. Litterally would say a sentence in Japanese, switch to English, and then forget what I just said in Japanese  First time doing that. It was way fun. Challenging, and very long, but fun. I may or may not have made two people not be able to give their talks 

Watched the Jospeh Smith movie with one of our investigators. He loved it! It really is a well made film and it gives continuity and imagery to the events of the Restoration. 

I know that Joseph Smith is who he says he is and that he did resort the church of Christ here on the earth. Do I know every little thing about Joseph Smith. Definitely not. Do I even need to? No. I have enough proof, and my own testimony to boot, that he was the prophet that God called him to be. And that is good enough for me. I stand behind Jesus in that Jospeh Smith was His prophet.

I hope my week was entertaining to read about. Y'all are awesome people! Keep up the good work. Fight the good fight and never give up? ファイトファイト、頑張れ頑張れ！愛してる!

Elder Peacock

A missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Serving in the Japan, Kobe mission, Marugame area

孔雀長老

末日聖徒イエス・キリスト教会

日本神戸伝道部の宣教師です

丸亀エリア

The Final Chapters pt. 1 (Sept. 3, 2017)

Hello everyone!

Wow, it's been a very busy week over here! It's been loads of fun and lots of traveling. And, it's cooling down like crazy over here! Fall is coming!!

We had a way fun young mens activity at the church on Monday night. We played Super Smash Brothers. Well, actually, we watched the young men play Super Smash Brothers. And we had an investigator come! Turned out way well.

Tuesday was a normal day. Thank goodness! Because...⤵️

Wednesday morning we traveled to Kōchi for a companion exchange. Kōchi is a very cool place in Shikoku. It's find of a city area and there's lots of good food. We went to this indoor market place and got some of the best 刺身 (raw fish) I have ever had in my life!! They fake two big, long skewers stocked with fish and wave them over a roaring fire to get the outsides crispy. But the inside is still raw. Took a bite with lemon juice stuff and salt and my taste buds exploded. It also had a smoky flavor as if it was trying to be a BBQ item. LITTERALLY SO GOOD!

We came back to Marugame Thursday where we met up with the Niihama Elders for another companion exchange. We were all over the place that day. Had some wicked good chicken! Conducted a baptismal interview. And he passed! The Sisters found a way cool person about two months ago. He progressed way fast and got baptized yesterday. My companion performed the ordinance. He did a way good job. Super happy day, many tears were shed.

We had district meeting on Friday and then went over to Matsuyama for a companion exchange with the zone leaders there. We found a new investigator for them. The person's name litterally means "a lot of money". Which is funny because when he told us his name he explained how much he wasn't rich. It was funny. Found two street performers who were pretty great! Stumbled across a food festival. Gorgeous weather!

Got back Saturday night in time for curfew. 

Had the baptism on Sunday!

WOOP!

Had a great lesson with one of our investigators during the third hour of church. Simply talked about the importance of the scriptures. We are honestly so blessed to have The Holy Bible and The Book of Mormon in our lives. They big testify if the reality of our Savior, Jesus Christ. And the promises contained therin are wonderful! So much is in store for us. We all need to know what those promises are. Let us search them diligently!

Love you guys. Hope you have an awesome! This is the beginning of my last transfer. In a month and a half I will be home. Can't believe I'm here. See you all soon. 愛しているぜ!

Elder Peacock

A missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Serving in the Japan, Kobe mission, Marugame area

孔雀長老

末日聖徒イエス・キリスト教会

日本神戸伝道部の宣教師です

丸亀エリア