December 17, 2012 - Busy Missionary Work & Changes before Christmas

Elder Pinegar & Elder Pinzon enjoying a P-day drink on a very hot summer day in Piata, Peru Dec 2012

Dear Familia,

So this week went well. We had changes today, and it looks like Elder Pinzon is outta here. I'm going to be training a new missionary. I don't know who yet, but that's the plan. I'm going to be here in Paita for 3 months at the very least.

As for the big news for this week, well for me at least, is that Amanda is engaged, WOW. But that's good for her just as long as it is what she wants. Anyway, so as for the investigators, we had a good asitance this week, and it looks like were going to see some progress. We'll see this week with a mother named Rosa that we are teaching. She is great and goes to all the activities. Her children were baptised years ago, but she got interested after many years. We're going to be challenging her this week to baptism. We'll see how that goes. We're basically working with pure women. The baptism that we had set fell through due to worries and uncertainty, but it's alright. We're still working with John (whose date fell through), and I'm hoping that he puts in his part. We're also working with a chick named Glenda, all she has to do is tell us that she wants to be baptised, but I'm not gonna push anyone in that. 

The zone in Piata Peru December 2012

Anyway, as for Christmas, it's gonna be pretty chill seeing that I get to talk to you guys! I'm planning on calling in the night, and if that doesn't work out, I'll call in one of the following days. but in the evening or night, 4-6pm. I'm pretty pumped and glad to see that all is goin down as planned!! love you guys tons and hope the best!!!

 Merry christmas FELIZ NAVIDAD!!

Elder Pinegar

December 10, 2012 - Questions & Answers

This week we were able to email back and forth for a little bit and ask a few questions. It was really nice to hear from Alex and some of the things he is doing...and get his advice on a few Christmas presents. :) Some of the conversation was in Spanish (with Jared) and some in English.

Q. Did you get the package I sent you for Christmas?

A. I got the package, and me and my comp are enjoying it a lot. Thanks for being so thoughtfull, I love what you have done. I've already given away like half of the things, I can't be too greedy ya know?!

Q. (Nick was also on at the same time--and I accidentally asked Alex if he was freezing--Nick's in Wenatchee, WA--Alex is in Paita, Peru--near the equator--and it's summer right now.)

A. y me preguntas a mi si estoy congelado?! que clase de persona eres mamá?! estoy mas quemado que un fuente de chicharron de pollo!!! jajj ;)

A. (In English) - and you ask me if I'm frozen?! Are you crazy Mom?! -- It's hotter here than chicken on a bbq!!! ha!!!

Q. How is the missionary work going?

A.tenemos uno con fecha, ayer hicimos divisiones y jhon (el invewstigador) me contó que se quería bautizar. tenemos fecho por este 15, pero estoy p+ensando mas en el 22. tambien estamos chambiando con una mamá que está investigando un poquito. esta yendo a la iglesia y quiere escuchar más, tenemos una cita con ella hoy en la noche. creo que se bautizará este mez, bakán no?! pero yo no obligo a nadie, no soy así como algunos que no mencionaré 

Yesterday we had splits--and one of our investigators, John, told me that he wanted to be baptized. He told me December 15, but I'm thinking more like Dec 22. We are also working with a mom who went to church and wants to hear more. We have an appointment with her tonight. I believe she will be baptized, Pretty cool!

December 3, 2012 - 12 Investigators and Enjoying the Work in Paita

Dear Mom,

Thanks mom, so yeah I got the package that you sent in October. Thanks a lot, I was able to share them with the pension and another family. then they just told me that in the US they only eat packaged foods......I paused for a second, then laughed, cause its true!   We topped the investigator high with 12 this past Sunday. We are the only people that are in the ward, talking about missionaries. Also we found an investigator that I think will want to be baptised this month. Her daughters are members, but were inactive for over 8 years, then we got them to come to church again. That was good and whatnot. Anyways, that's the good news of this week, were lookin at what's gonna happen here this month and I think that its gonna fly by (like a G6) yeah, I'll hit ya back with more info in Dad's letter.

Dear Dad,

So I don't remember really what ribs taste like*, but ya know that I'm doin alright. That's pretty chill about Lake Powell**, I'm pretty stoked to go next year!  But don't worry, I'm not losing focus here in the mish. Anyway, I'm gonna have to say sorry cause I'm not sending any pics this week, I forgot my memory reader. But I got some pretty legit pics don't worry! 

So the big news of the last week.....hmmmm not much, but I believe that we're going to be seeing some baptisms this month....I hope! My comp is good and we're getting along well, we´ve had some great experiences together, and we´ve had the chance to find new investigators. I think that a few of them were even inspired ;) I'm still glad to hear about Geoff, he's definitely going to have quite the 2 years!!  The people that we are teaching are mainly women, why? I have no idea, but it could have something to do with the fact that I talk alot......haha but you already knew that! I feel like I'm at home in the pensión, They sure do treat me great, call my pension if ya want! She's called Maria, her husband is Santos. I think it's a 2 hour time difference, not sure though. 

As for how much Ive grown, I'm not sure.  I'm hoping that I haven't grown at all, haha but I don't know, seeing that I haven't measured myself in a lonnng time. We're gettin work done around here and making the work move forward. The assitiance  has jumped from steady 80´s to a 100 solid....I hope we can keep it like that. I'm enjoying the work and making sure that my investigators enjoy it too!!! I know God's got my back, and I'm not counting on him to let me down any time soon!! Love you guys with all my heart and I'm sure that we'll be talking in a short 7 again. I'll hit ya up on the dealio for the Christmas call. Lemme know when Nick's gonna call and I'll work around that. As for the fam, just let them know that I love them!!!!

keep it real, keep it chill smooth and always fresh to death!!! haha

chow!!!

Elder Pinegar

*We took his good friend Geoff Wilkinson out for ribs before he heads off on his mission in South Africa Tuesday, Dec 4.

**Jared went fishing last weekend and caught a ton of stripers.