Justin Peacock returns home!

Justin Peacock is one of Elliot's friends from Valencia. Justin and Elliot were briefly in the Missionary Training Center together way back in August 2010, just before Justin left for his mission to Mexico. We posted a great picture of the two of them here on the blog. And we've been keeping track of Justin via his own blog.

Justin returned from his mission last week and spoke today in church. As you can see from this picture with his parents, it looks like everyone is happy to have him home! (Only 18 more days until we'll be posting a similar picture of Elliot's homecoming!)

NBC News blog: "Quake gives new meaning to a young man's mission"

Thanks to Lisa Peacock for spotting this follow-up story about the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.  (Lisa's son Justin is on a mission in Mexico.  He and Elliot, who were in the MTC at the same time, are pictured here, and you can find Justin's blog here.)  It's another NBC News report from Kari Huus, a senior reporter for msnbc.com.  She tells the story of Elder Patrick Hiltbrand, a missionary from Pocatello, Idaho, who is serving in Japan.  Elder Hiltbrand and his companion, Yuji Aiura, experienced the earthquake and tsunami up close and personal.

Dressed in the standard issue white-shirt-and-tie, he and his “companion” Yuji Aiura — Mormon missionaries always travel in pairs — had arrived by bicycle to a small restaurant in Tagajo, a river town about two miles from the ocean.

They were discussing the power of God with two local Japanese when the shaking began. They ignored it at first says Hiltbrand — there are so many small quakes in this region — but not for long.

The growing fury of the rumbling drove them to take shelter under a table. Then they decided to run outside.

“There was a loud bang and everything was moving in every direction,” Hiltbrand says. “Cars were rocking on the street.”

When it stopped, the two missionaries jumped on their bikes and rode to check on their apartment, then headed to the Mormon church in Tagajo, dodging newly created crevices and open manholes.

But the earthquake was just the beginning of their troubles.

Any illusion that the disaster was over quickly passed as traffic built—with cars heading inland toward Sendai. Then police and fire vehicle sirens began blaring tsunami warnings.

Hiltbrand and Aiura climbed to the second story of the church, a building that is raised 4 to 5 feet off the ground.

The watched out the window as the water level rose rapidly, aided by the river that wraps around the town—and sucked their bicycles into a torrent, along with cars and debris.

Water began pouring through the church’s mail slot in the door of the first floor.

“From the second floor it sounded like a waterfall,” said Hiltbrand. “I went downstairs, and as I watched it coming in … the glass on the door shattered and water came pouring in.”

When the water subsided, Elder Hiltbrand and Elder Aiura made their way to Sendai with the aid of a local church member, arriving some 24 hours after the earthquake.  We're glad to hear they came through unscathed and undaunted by the experience.

For his part, Hiltbrand is itching to get back to the disaster zone.

“I really want to be in Tagajo helping people,” he says. “I have many friends in Tagajo and I don’t know how they are. I don’t know how they will clean it all up and I want to help.”

Elder Adair and Elder Peacock at the MTC

We received this picture of Elliot and his friend Justin Peacock of the Valencia 2nd Ward together at the MTC.  I'm not sure where Justin is going.*  Lori and Sister Peacock are in the Stake Young Women's presidency together.  It's great to see Elliot wearing his missionary badge.  He looks very much like the real deal!

*September 1 update: Justin's mom, Lisa, posted a comment that Justin is going to Mexico City West and is waiting for a visa.  He should be on his way this month.

Elliot's August 19 email

We got our first email from Elliot today.  He's feeling much better, thankfully.  Here is his email address: elliot.adair@myldsmail.net.  And here is his email of today:

Hey family! I love you all and miss you all but am happy and doing well!

I'm not sure if you got my letter yet, but i did get pretty badly sick the second night of the MTC. I had a viral infection of the intestines that was supposed to last for up to a week, but was better after a few days thanks to a blessing from my companion and a lot of prayer. I wasn't supposed to get back to eating solids for like 7 days, but was able to after like 2.

I've already been thrown into the fire with teaching, but feel like I am doing very well and really think that the missionary training program back home really helped. I've learned a lot of Spanish already and feel overwhelmed a bit but think it's nothing that I can't handle. I've have an awesome companion Elder Phillips, from Draper, UT, who seems very willing to do the hard work necessary to learn a new language. I'm grateful for that and have some really awesome teachers.

The MTC food is admittedly horrible. It's like the Canon Center a BYU, but a bit worse. I'm just trying to eat pretty healthy so that i can stay feeling good. This morning we went to the temple and went to it's cafeteria after, and I enjoyed a $8 breakfast. Definitely the best food I've had out here. But I have been able to sleep well. All the work is tiring, but super rewarding. I am doing well and am just doing my best to be happy.

I have a really cool district and feel way close to them already, like I've known some of them my whole life. I'm grateful for that and for the support they've been and for the fun we've been able to have. We all go out and play soccer for gym, and it's great. I even scored a goal yesterday! So I'm having a good time for sure.

The work is also enjoyable too. I definitely feel the Spirit a lot, and have already practiced teaching a lot. I've also learned how to meet people in Spanish and tell them what I believe. It's slightly daunting, but when I just slow down and let the Spirit in, I have no problem communicating what I need to. It's really incredible out here like that.

I've seen a lot of friends out here from college and stuff, including Elder Peacock today (you can tell his mom he's still alive). That's a lot of fun, but I can't wait to see all the guys from back home come in here. Also please give a thousand thanks to the Sarmiento's for me. It meant a lot to me to be able to spend that last bit with them and I'm super grateful for that. And I'm grateful for all of your support and love! Please pray for me, I know that I could definitely use it. I love you guys and send my love to the ward as well!

Much love!

Elder Elliot Adair