June 26th, 2012

I think I figured out how to send an email to a group.  Sounds like life is great in Utah. I'm not getting used to the weather here. It's humid and hot and there are never any clouds. NEVER. The palm trees are cool but it gets old after about a week. 

I feel clueless most of the time because Elder Mercy doesn't really explain what's going on or where we're going. We just get in the car and go. He'll sometimes put in an address on the gps but usually ends up taking it down, a couple miles before we get to our destination so I'm lost when it's most important. but, it's getting easier. deaf people are just like everyone else. and that's not really a compliment but i felt like saying it anyway. I haven't seen any really nice cars here. but most cars are above average I guess

That bat story is very interesting. I wish I could have seen it. I have been able to play the piano kind of often so it's not completely fading but it is fading. My fingers forgot a lot of songs already. it's true. 

In the homeshare, I just wanted to emphasize the lack of room I have to put my things and to do anything. P day is not long enough. There needs to be another 6 hours or so for it to feel like a real "Preparation". OH well. That's a mission I guess. We finally washed the car today. It was dirty. the bird poop is gone now.

I found a book in the library called "Blood of the Prophets" by Will Bagely. it's about the Mountain Meadows massacre and stuff. I read the first couple chapters but it's a huge book and most of it seemed anti-mormon. The author in the book says that he is proud of his "mormon heritage" does that mean he is mormon? or just his ancestors? I think he is not mormon. at all. He also says, that (now i'm paraphrasing) "Everything in this book may or may not be true, and there is not enough information to prove it" So...the whole book is a waste?? I think so. Anyway, I haven't heard the church comment on it at all, but if I'm going to preach the gospel, I should know the history...at least that's what nancy said.

Dinner...every monday we have dinner with the Egberts - a hearing family in the deaf branch. Tonight, we are going to a buffet with Bro. Egbert and no one else in the family. haha. every other night, is up to us. Sometimes, we get people that say "oh yes, sure sure come eat" but more often it's "..." and we are on our own. So today, we went shopping and bought some food. I bought top ramen. . . yay.

I would like a picture of the family and the dogs. 2 of each. at least. and...I don't care if I have any tangible pictures of myself. I prefer not to though. one of my AP's is not very nice. he does not understand the Deaf Program as being different from everything else. our weekly goal for random people we talk to, is 80. Everyone else's is 140. The AP thought that 80 was not enough and that we could do much more. He kindly raised our goal to 140. I think he goes home pretty soon so too bad for him. It's not really his mission is it? But yes, we could be talking to more people...even though we can't really . . talk. 

In the MTC the days were long and the weeks were short. here, it's the other way around. The weeks take forever to get through but each day goes by too fast. we don't have enough time to do everything we need. 

I have a bad feeling about being a trainer who doesn't know anything about the area or who we teach or any of that. My trainee will hate me. I found out who he is already. he is from Utah, and he is deaf. That's all I know. Oh and I think he is white...

Everyone was always warning me of California drivers. They are bad. but i can handle them. I drove a cop car remember? The real world is anywhere outside of Utah. Or utah valley anyway. 

I was put on the spot to interpret for stake conference. So I did. I felt like I would have received an "F" if i were graded on it. But nobody will tell me that it was bad. I know it was. Oh heck just give me the truth.

I bought a new tie. It's very plain but i like it. it's grey I think. I can't really tell. and i bought a camera case. It was a dollar. This is a boring email I know I know, but it's all I can give right now. k bye

June 18, 2012

It's hotter today than it was last week. When I got in the car, the thermometer said 106. Just laying on my bed I began to sweat. Oh boy. It's good to hear from you. Thanks for the email. I met a man named Luis. He served a mission in New York. His signing was really easy to understand. He lives kinda far from where we are staying. He told us about his dog. His dog kills rattlesnakes in their back yard. That would be exciting to watch. Church wasn't that weird actually. But I sang with three sister missionaries in front of everyone. But there were only like 40 people in the room so it wasn't that scary. I sang I'm so glad when daddy comes home...for fathers day. I played volleyball today for P day. It was tiring. It's quiet all the time. Kinda. So I guess that's good. Better than loud anyway. I talked with a Hawaiian woman the other night...the only thing she knew about them Mormons was that Brigham Young ordered the hit on a bunch of women and children. Mt. Meadow Massacre or something like that. I have never heard of that before. . . So I tried turning it into a conversation but she was too drunk by that time. I don't know what else to say right now. I'll send another next week. k bye

 Sister Karen Smart, Elder Brian Peck, President Paul Smart

   Just Landed at the Ontario, CA Airport June 12, 2012

   Kind of like "Where's Waldo" can you find Elder Peck ?

    Elder Peck and his Trainer Elder Mercy

Jun 13

I landed yesterday. The flight was nice. I was a little bit sick from the motion but I'm fine now. It is like a greenhouse here. The smog is nasty and traps in all the heat. It's only going to get hotter.

I have only met and explained what I'm doing in California to one person so far. But I just left it at that because they were working. It was the librarian. I figured out that he has been working in a library for 15 years. Now I have a 3 year library card for the Riverside Public Library!! I got to pick out a card so I chose the one with oranges on it.

Speaking of which, I'm living with the George family on their orchard. Yes it's all oranges and I think there are some grapefruit. I don't see much of them because our living quarters are in a separate building. It's hotter inside than outside but it cools off at night. The place is a mess. There's hardly any room to put my things. The kitchen can fit one and a half people.

One of the sister missionaries said she would let me borrow her GPS because her companion already has one and they don't need two. So that saved me about 100 dollars. for now. It's interesting driving around and on the freeway in the dark not knowing where anything is and having to take my eyes off the road to see if my companion is telling me where to go or not. But if I act clueless, he usually taps my arm and points in the direction I need to go. I'm driving a Chevy Malibu. It's silver and dirty. But it's one of the newer ones so it's nice.

I played the piano at the mission presidents house for a testimony meeting. Then we had dinner. we ate pulled pork sandwiches and potato(e) salad. and ice cream for dessert. mmmm. Elder Mercy is great. He is sometimes hard to understand but he seems to understand everything I try to say perfectly clear.

P day is Monday. But I guess they are letting me email today?? I have a dinner appointment tonight with a member named Auman. Then we are teaching Jeff...I hear he's a werido. We'll see. I have about 60 dollars on my mission money card thingy. the beginning of each month I get 125. By the end of the two years, the money that I don't use will be put back into the mission.

When you send letters, just send them to the same address you have. 5900 Grand Ave. Riverside, CA 92504. That is the mission office. I went to a pizza place for lunch, and met an old Deaf woman named Sharon. I told her my name and that was about it. She said "nice to meet you, see you around" Later, Elder Mercy explained that she is a dry Mormon. I guess that means she knows a lot of Mormons and likes them but doesn't care to join or go to church or anything. I have already learned a few new signs from Elder Mercy too.

We went running this morning around a sports park near the George's home. I can't run! But I did it anyway. There are a lot of people here. Mostly Hispanics and so forth. Which means most people are even more scary to approach. I wonder how many Mexicans know ASL. . . anyway, I'll email again on Monday probably.

K bye

June 8, 2012

Dear Parental Units,
Thank you for raising your children in the path of righteousness.  Were it not for your examples and teachings, I would surely be lost.
I miss the piano. Sure, I get to play it here often -- but not in the way I would prefer.  I miss the dogs.  They are precious.  Now that Elder Burwell is gone, most of my struggles have dissolved.
My piano playing went well enough.  I was a little disappointed in myself. I could have done better ... but it was very scary being the center of attention for over two thousand people.
I will be going to the Salt Lake Airport on Tuesday.  I have seven other people at least going up with me.  I don't know any of them.  I will be calling when I get to the airport.  Wish me luck!


Elder Peck


Dear Chuck,


The MTC is great.  The food, the people, the sitting in class all day. Wonderful!  Play less video games, keep working or find a job and work up until you leave.  There is a quote I want to share.  I may have already told you about it, but here it is anyway,  "Don't wait.  The time will never be just right."  I like it.  Even though most things (I believe) are appointed specific times. See Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.  I am becoming more and more familiar with the scriptures each day.  It's a good feeling.  Continue to read and pray and repent daily.  Think about what the sacrament means when you take it each week.  Remember, as a missionary you represent Jesus Christ and are a window for the spirit to travel through.  I want you to experience these things for yourself.  Keep it real.


Elder Peck

06/02/2012 EMail

I got a letter from the MTC telling me that I will be playing the piano in front of the world this Sunday. The Third. At about 10:00am. During a mission conference for fast Sunday. I'm nervous. I have played in front of high school students and other audiences but I don't know if there has ever been 2,000+ people. Anyway, that's exciting. I don't think any General Authorities go to mission conferences though. Only to firesides or devotionals in the evening.


I think I'm going to leave a note for Elder Palmer when he gets here. He will definitely be in my old room. At least the same class anyway.  (Administrator Note: (that means it's from me Android) Elder Palmer is my friend's son who enters the MTC the day after Brian leaves. He's going to San Diego ASL)




I have been sick by the way. but today i'm feeling better. I had a pretty good headache yesterday. But i did get to play the piano for maybe an hour. It felt like ten minutes of course. I have about 2 and a half hours of personal time today. I will most likely play the piano for a little bit during that time. anyway, My district is sure . . . special. every last one of them. And that makes me question my validity as a "mentally sound" person. We'll see. ;)


Elder Peck