🌠お盆🎇 (Aug. 20, 2017)

皆さんこんにちは!

This week has been pretty sweet. We've been working hard and having fun. I will try to remember all that happened this last week (yeah right, like that ever works).

We had a typhoon. I'm sure everyone was already aware XD

We went to Matsuyama for a kōkan with our zone leaders. I was with Nishimiya Chōrō and we rode through downtown. We went to a park, Japan's oldest bath house (which was used as a model for the bath house in Spirited Away), had lunch with two awesome high schoolers, and visited one of their members. It was super fun! The weather was being funky though; rain on and off the whole day. I just decided to not wear rain gear (#oregonianpoweractivate). We also has English class which I taught. We played a game where everyone in the class decides on a picture from someone's phone. Then one person goes to the front of the class to draw the picture as we each describe one aspect of the photo. This person who is drawing didn't see the photo when the rest of class decides. The class is only allowed to speak English so they have to dig down an describe when pat they see in the picture. Way fun to see how the picture turns out compared to the original photo XD I'll attach the result.

Then we had interviews with Preisdent Smoot. I basically talked to him about stuff for college. Way good and he helped me a lot. Then had another kōkan, this time in Marugame. I was with Kurita Chōrō who was in my district my first two transfers as zone leader in Senri. He is so cool. I love that guy! We tried to make contact with some less-active but we weren't able to. We found a WAY sick park though. Talked to lots of couples XD And then met two kids who I met with Elder Emerson the week before. The three of us freaked out right there in the mall we were walking through. It made my day! Turns out they also went to the Dōgō Onsen in Matsuyama at the SAME TIME AS ME when I was here for a kōkan! SOOOOO COOL!! Love those kids. So good!

Had district meeting. Way good. Did weekly planning. Way good.

Shout out to my amazing father! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!! I love you so much. Thank you for all of the support and love you have shown me. I love you Dad!

I can't remember what else happened this week so I will end it here. Love you all!

愛している!

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

Typhoon! (Aug. 6, 2017)

Hello all you beautiful people!

It's been a great week here in Marugame! 

It's very hot right now. There have been a couple days where we seem to be melting because of the sweat running in little rivers down our arms and backs. It's been fun  But we are drinking lots of water and Gatorade-equivalent Aquarius. 

We had a ton of investigators show up to our sacrament meetings on Sunday! Between us and the sister missionaries we had five investigators attend. And the investigator who got baptized last week was confirmed. Way good meeting and lots of fun.

One of our investigators that we met with this week asked us a lot about living prophets. His main concern is that he doesn't want to be led about, blindly believing a prophet. And good on him. He is thinking a lot about his choices and what the best course of action is for him. We assured him that we are here to help him find the way. He wants to follow Christ so much. He is a way cool guy.

We had a lesson with another one of our investigators to help him figure out what is in the way of him getting baptized. Right now he is simply overwhelmed with life. We understand that. But the thing is that life won't get any less hectic for him. God is in the people business, so we are here to help him. 

A lot more happened this week but we are low on time. As I write this the typhoon is about to make landfall, according to our members. I'll write you all next week (if I live to next week).

Love you!

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

Transfers+Shinkansens+Baptism (July 30, 2017)

皆さん、こんにちは!

This week has been an eventful week indeed! It started with transfer info, which led to a bullet train, which led to a baptism. How do they all connect, you ask? Read on and find out.

So we got all transfer info for our zone on Monday night. I was informed that I was transferring to Marugame, on the island of Shikoku. I was also informed that I would no longer be zone leader. From now on I will be district leader. Also, my new companion is Emmerson Chōrō. He has only been in Japan for few months but he is a very good missionary. 

The distance between Wakayama and Marugame is vast. My new zone leaders and I tried to figure out what would be the best balance between cost, time, and simplicity. We came to the conclusion that I would ride the normal train system until Shin-Osaka station. Once I got there I rode a Shinkansen (bullet train) to Okayama station. At Okayama station I transferred back to the normal train system and went south along a route that crosses multiple small islands until it reaches Shikoku. Shikoku is one of the four main islands of Japan. 

Let me just say that the bullet train is way cool! It is basically an airplane on the ground. The way the seating is set up is just like an airplane, down to the drop-down-tray in the back of the seat in front of you and the small air vents above you. It is way quiet, except for the gentle rush of wind...just like an airplane. And there is even a woman pushing a cart of snacks and drinks down the isle available for purchase...JUST LIKE AN AIRPLANE!!! Loved it. A ride that would have normally taken three hours only took 40 minutes. 

The first couple of days in Marugame have been long, but very good. We have found a handful of potential investigators that live very close to the church. And the reason why we found these potentials that live close to the church is because the back tire on my bike went completely flat, so we haven't been able to travel out very far  But, we will try to get that fixed this week (hopefully today). But we have been able to have a couple of our investigators come to church which was way good! Side note: we do two sacrament meetings on Sunday. The normal three-hour block in the morning, and then a 35 minute sacrament meeting at night for the members who can't make it to the morning session. Way cool, definitely a first. 

We also had a baptismal service after the block! He is a son of a recent convert. We had three return missionaries come visit for the service. That, and President and Sister Smoot visited us unexpectedly. So cool! It was a mega blast of a fist Sunday in Marugame. I'll never forget it. The kid is so good.

Marugame is SO HOT! And the humidity is SO HIGH. We have been walking out of the apartment each day every time getting bear-hugged by moisture. So that's been fun. Love it.

One of our investigators is basically a bodybuilder. He is HUGE. But not nasty-steroids-huge, just very, very large. Especially for a Japanese man. He is also fluent in English, and Spanish. He is a cool guy. He looks like he jumped out of a Final Fnatasy video game. The hair, the face, the body, yeah, FF is real in Japan.

One of our investigator's names is Jesus. Yep...and he is from Oregon City. REPRESENT!!!

Marugame is famous for its udon  so you know I'm gonna be eating that real soon 

Right now I am reading Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage. I recently read chapter 13. I didn't know that Matthew, the disciple of Christ, was a tax collector (publican) who worked for Rome. That is part one. Part two comes when the Pharisees vocally reproach Christ for eating with publicans and sinners. The thing that really, really struck me was the thought of how Matthew must've felt at that moment. He believed in Christ, was called to follow Him, and was already being persecuted by most Israelites for being under Roman employ. Put all of this together and Matthew was probably feeling pretty unworthy to be where he was (working with the Savior). He probably took that comment personally, at least a little bit. I would imagine so. "This man dines with publicans and sinners", it probably struck a nerve inside of Matthew in some way. I didn't necessarily learn any doctrine, but it gave a lot of depth to Matthew and Christ. 

Anyways, I hope you are all enjoying summertime. Please have fun and bond with all yall's families. Be safe! Remember, God loves YOU!

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

Book 15 Chapter 1, July 23, 2017

Yellow everyone!

As of right now I don't know transfer news. If I transfer I will probably be letting you know next week. よろしくお願いします.

It's been hot. And humid. 

I had a companion exchange with my second companion, Vui Chōrō. He is the Samoan who is REALLY good golf. We just talked all about the mission. He left two days later. A lot of the exchange was just getting his stuff all ready to go for the plane. But, we still had a member appointment and found a new investigator! So good. I love that man.

I broke my bike's gear-shifter arm last night so I took my bike into the shop. But I got it back in a couple of hours so that was good. Love my bike ️ 

Found a new song: Old Church Choir by Zach Williams. So good. Give it a listen. Litterally how I feel every Sunday morning XD

Litterally so many of my previous companions are returning home this week. Vui, Hancock, Jones, and Olsen. There are many other good friends I have made that will go home this week. I've made some pretty good family out here. #brothersforever

Went to a band concert last night for one of our Eikaiwa suptudents. So good. Probably the best high school band I have ever heard live. I couldn't detect any mistakes. Like, at all. And the jazz just killed me, man. They had a guest trombone player come that was phenomenal! What a night.

One of the sister missionaries in our area is leaving this week as well. She gave her final testimony at church. That was cool. Haven't seen that since Tsuchiya's last Sunday.

Sorry, it's a short one but I gotta head out. Have an awesome week everyone!

愛しているもおおおお!

Elder Peacock

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

Serving in the Japan, Kobe mission, Wakayama 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

和歌山エリア

Book 14, Chapter 6: Marine Day (July 17, 2017)

Hello all!

How awesome is summer! Japan never seems to amaze me. With the shop workers watering the sidewalks and all of the grandmas on their mopeds, summer is in full swing and people seem to be hitting the beach whenever they have a spare minute. The heat is up and the BBQing is real. This past week was full, that's for sure. 

On Monday we got new furniture for the apartment which was great! We had lots of help to put it all together quickly. Immediately following that we had a companion exchange with elders from the area south of us called Gobo which translates to "honorable monk"...there are many shrines in Gobo. I was with Elder Yardley in the blazing heat. We walked outside Tuesday morning and were slapped in the face with very hot, very high humidity. I may or may not have gotten some good rashes on my ankles as a result of the heat and sweat  

Wednesday was half normal day and half traveling to interviews and then spending the night in Sakai. Interviews were way good. It was the first one I ever had with President Smoot. It was only 15 minutes long but I still felt that I was taught by the Spirit in that small amount of time. Spiritual strengthening is as important as physical strengthening and we should all be sure we get the nourishment that we need. 

The next day, Thursday, was another companion exchange. I was in Sakai with Elder East. It is more city than Wakayama which was fun. The Japanese people are probably surprised to see foreigners walking around downtown in their cities. But I'm sure it must be very amusing to see one, who is large, riding a bike that is meant for a child on their streets. This was the case for me on Thursday because I was borrowing Elder Kurogi's bike. Yes, it was very amusing...for everyone else 🤣 But, while I was there, we found four new investigators and gave a solid church tour+Restoration lesson. Way fun!

Friday was district meeting. I like district meeting. Always good. We focused on commitments. As missionaries, we should be honest about our purpose. No sneaky sales approaches from this guy. I'm just here to love and serve the people. And I do so with my fellow brothers (elders) and sisters in and out of my mission. But when I help other people I hope they will change their lives. Which is why, as a representative of Jesus Christ, I ask them if they will change their lives. I provide an opportunity for them to change. Otherwise they wouldn't. 

After district meeting I went to Sennan with Elders Sepos and Dayley for another companion exchange. We tried to make contact with a couple of their referrals. One wasn't home, but the other one was so we got to talk to him. Apparently he is a blind masseuse! He finds joy in life through helping people relax. I thought that was pretty cool! 

Upon returning to my area on Saturday we went to Wakayama Port for a battleship tour. The reason we went was because the Gobo Elders came with two of their investigators and wanted us to join them. It was very cool! It was built in 1985 but still looks way good. It was retired from duty in April 2016 and is now used to train fresh shipmen. 

Sunday was awesome! Spent four hours doing home teaching with one of our members. I haven't spent that much time in a car in ages! 

Today we cleaned the apartment and shopped. We tried to find a place to eat but abandoned that thought because everywhere is more expensive due to today being Marine Day.

Anyways, that is what's up. Keep fighting the good fight and never give up! And remember, you are loved. またね!

Elder Peacock

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

Serving in the Japan, Kobe mission, Wakayama 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

和歌山エリア

New Mission President (July 9, 2017)

Alooooooooooooha!

I love summer! This past week was filled with meetings and apartment moving so we were in and out and around our area a lot. With sun, rain, and wind, we were left with no dull moment. And, the super highlight of this week, we met our new mission president! 

On Monday we had a district preparation day BBQ at the beach. It was so fun! Everyone bought meat, veggies, and drinks. It was my second time grilling out in the mission field. And there was a group of people who were practicing jet-skiing and using hover boards! Turns out they are a legitimate team and they compete in the Kansai area. We talked with them for a bit and they are way cool. They invited us to their tournaments, so nice! After the BBQ we headed to Kobe in order to get to MLC on time the next day. 

It was the first time I would have met the mission president so I was excited and a little nervous. But when we started the meeting and discussed some mission stuff the feeling was very friendly and I loved them right away. Their teaching style is different from the Welch's so everything seemed to be conveyed in a way that was similar to a different packaging a wrapping style of a phone. It's the same phone, but it is presented in a different way. Same doctrines and principles, just taught differently. And that is by design. I'm excited to work with the Smoots!

Wednesday was probably the only normal day of the week. We met a new investigator, did an overview of the Gospel of Christ, gave him a copy of The Book of Mormon, and invited him to church. We talked with him a lot about baptism and the Holy Ghost. He seemed to learn a lot and said he would come to church. Then we had an appointment to meet a mother and her daughter at the church to do a personal English lesson. Turns out the daughter has an English test in November and wants to do a home-stay in Canada next April. We have a timeline of goals so we will work with her to improve her English! 

Thursday was Meet the New President day. We met in Abeno, Osaka, and had a way good meeting with the Smoots. We also played some way fun games where, in a group of 12, each person draws an paper with an animal written on it and has to act it out. And you are supposed to find the match to you. Then sit down it chairs. Slowly the chairs get taken away so only one pair is left. Way fun! But it was also spiritual because we tried to find how to relate it to the gospel. (Almost) Anything can be related to the gospel.

Then we spent Friday packing up the apartment. 

On Saturday we moved apartments.

Sunday was church. We had three investigators come to church! The one we met on Wednesday, one that helped us move, and one that showed up randomly. Glad he came but I had no idea who he was. The Sisters had two new investigators come to church! So many new people! Then we visited a less-active who loves the missionaries. It's always good to talk with him. We talked a lot about BBQing and Moroni 7:38ish. The awesome scripture about charity. Yes, charity is amazing! It was the scripture he remembered the most. 

Today we will be doing more apartment stuff and our normal grocery shopping. 

I hope you all have an awesome week! Fight the good fight and never give up! 愛しているよ!

Elder Peacock

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

Serving in the Japan, Kobe mission, Wakayama 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

和歌山エリア

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! (July 2, 2017)

Hello everyone!

Last week flew by in a flash. We have been kept busy by companion exchanges and meetings. Highlights include downpours of rain, doing a Maori Haka for the first time, and saying goodbye to President Welch. That's right, we have a new mission president!

Really, the big thing of the week was saying goodbye to President Welch. We gathered in Abeno, Osaka, and had a meeting in the morning hours. He talked to us about how to handle the change in mission presidency. It was way good. I'm going to miss him a lot, and Sister Welch, but it's ok because I'm sure I will see them again. There are four elders in this part of the mission that really wanted to do a Haka for President and Sister Welch at the bye-bye taikai. So we practiced the dance movements and words frantically in order to get it decent for the meeting. It was way fun, and it makes me want to learn how to do more Hakas! We made candy leahs that we put on the Welchs. 

Fun fact, Abeno has the tallest building in Japan. It isn't the tallest structure, but it is the tallest building where you actually do stuff in. It's called Abeno Harukas. Look it up, it's way sick. It's just a giant looking over all of Osaka!

We met up with a formera investigator on Saturday. He is from New Zealand. His wife is Japanese and they had their first child a couple of years ago. We met at a local shrine and talked for a couple of hours. We headed to the church because the church has air conditioners and the shrine doesn't. He has a TON of interest in all religion. He is always reading books and listening to podcasts on religious subjects. And he is way nice. We are planing on meeting him on the weekends. Time to activate sister missionary power on the wifey!

So, we are preparing to move into our new apartment this Saturday! We will be packing little by little so we don't take away too much dendō time. But we are getting the key for the new apartment today so I am way stoked!

Today we are going to the area just north of us called Sennan. We are getting a grill, meat and veggies, and gonna do a BBQ at the beach. So excited! It's supposed to be almost 35 degrees Celsius which means it will be blazing. But we are excited. Speaking of which...

Happy Fourth of July everyone! I am so gratuful for the American spirit I have had the priveledge of growing up in. I have been surrounded by many who deeply value the freedoms and ambitions that make America a grand country. The American spirit is something that all of us can cultivate in ourselves. Let us trust in God and He will light the way. I hope you all have an amazing Independance Day and worship God with all your might. Love you guys!

Fight the good fight and NEVER give up!

Elder Peacock

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

Serving in the Japan, Kobe mission, Wakayama 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

和歌山エリア