August 16, 2013 - After Two Years, He's Finally Home!!!

Bekah, Matt Eagan & Tanner Wooden waiting patiently for Elder Pinegar to arrive

After 2 Long Years He's Finally Home! We were so excited to see him get off the plane. He had friends and family come meet him at the airport. Four other Elders also returned home on the same flight. 

Bekah & Mom happy to see Elder Pinegar

Lindsay excited to introduce Mary Ann to Alex for the first time

First glimpses of Elder Pinegar

Nick & Alex greet each other

So happy to be home!

Friends together at last

Hugging Granny again after 2 years

Patrick & his family flew out from Seattle to welcome Alex home

Elder Pinegar & Elder Tyler Woodburn say hello and goodbye.
They were companions in the MTC together and came home together.

Talking to one of his best friends, Kyle Bryant in CA who
wanted to be part of the welcome home gang

Happy to have him home

The welcome home committee: L-R Matt Eagan, Tanner Wooden, Bekah, Elder Pinegar, Stephanie
Jared, Granny, Spencer, Lindsay, Patrick and Mary Ann Buchan.

He saved the white shirt just for this day

We hit Cafe Rio to welcome him home to Utah

Mom was so excited to see Alex. 

Last Picture with Elder Pinegar before his release.
We are so proud of him.

Alex grabbed the American Flag when he arrived home.
So happy to be back in the United States of America.

August 12, 2013 - Last Letter as a Missionary

Dear Familia,

Yeah, so this is it.......haha. So the mission was pretty chill. I've enjoyed it till the end. Church was good, and I feel like I'm leaving the area better than I found it. That's always been my objective. We've got a few people to work with, and it looks promising. Oh, and the chick gets back tomorrow.* The whole ward is excited here. I got sick the past few days, and on the way to play soccer in the morning, some guy in a combi** tried to hit me!

Yeah, so I'll see ya guys on Friday!! I'll admit I'm just a little bit excited!!! haha 

Love y'all tons!!!! 

Your son, 

Elder Alexander Cato Pinegar

* A sister missionary is returning from her mission this week in his ward.

** A taxi

We also got a text from him on August 14, 2013 -- It was all in Spanish--but it's translated below.

Dad,

I just had my last interview (with the Pres). I feel so good. I'll see you on Friday. Say hello to the family and if you want, respond to this text. I'm going to Paita to say goodbye.

August 5, 2013 - A Crazy Week and A Trip to Lima

Dear Familia,

Wow, so this week was crazy.....That's just to say a little haha. But I'll explain!!

Elder Pinegar with Elder Muñoz and his district

The flight to Lima

So last Monday was your usual Monday with shopping and preparing for the week and what not. Tuesday as well, seeing that I have to give the class every week. But that's when the day changed. The zone leaders came in and told me that I was going to Lima to take care of some business (fix my documents that had been sitting there for the past year haha, and you thought our government was bad!) Yeah, so Wednesday rolls around, and we were able to get some teaching done and actually have some good progressing investigators. Thursday I was in Lima...like a pre-going home deal, considering that I was with people from my group. I finally got to do the whole Lima tour deal and it was legit! haha Yeah, so I got back Friday in the night or something like that. Anyway, Saturday was good. Another day of work, even the weather is pleasant. As for Sunday, the guy that we are working with (Junior-20 years old) went to church with us, and it looks like he's going to be our next prospect. 

Elder Pinegar at the House of Pizarra
The Government Palace of Peru in Lima

That's the DL on the week, and I sure can feel that the mission is coming to an end, sad but happy. I've been waiting for this time for a looonnngg time!! haha ;) Anyways, I'm glad that you all had fun in Powell, and I'm jealous that I wasn't there with y'all. I look forward to seeing y'all next week, and just know that I love you with all my heart!!!

Elder Pinegar at the Palacio de Justicia (Palace of Justice)
The Peruvian Supreme Court in Lima

Nick, I love ya man, you know I always have and always will. In the best of time and the worst of times.  Keep your chin up and always smile. God loves you just like ALL of our family. I'll be honest though, I'm way excited to see you!!! ;) I guess that's the good thing!!! haha 

Love,

Elder Pinegar

* Tell Em & Matt I'm thinking about them during this tough time.

July 29, 2013 - Short Week, Long Days

Dear Familia,

Elder Pinegar & Elder Muñoz with Brother Flores and other missionaries at Enace
Celebrating Independence Day in Peru, July 28, 2013

Yeah so this week was chill, short week, long days.....We did a lot of door knocking, something that I haven't done in a long time. That was good and helped me realize that it is still important. But I gotta say, the whole week we didn't really have any success, but ya know that God has always got ya covered when you do your best. So after a Sunday of Relax, today we got a call that someone wanted to learn about the church. That's always a good relief, haha, just knowing that God always want to help guide the work. 

The famous llama of Peru - an important animal in the Peruvian culture

As for the rest of the week, it wasn't too exciting, but we're keeping the work going and making sure that we don't get to trunky......Here's my flight plans haha

15ago13 LATAM AIRLINES

GROUP S.A

LA 2309

PIURA, PERU 

Hora

5:50pm

LIMA, PERU

Hora

7:20pm

Viernes, 16 de Agosto de 2013 | duración 7:10

• Sal.: 02:10 Lima, Perú | J Chavez Internacional LIM
• Lleg.: 09:20 Dallas, Estados Unidos | Dallas Ft Worth DFW | Terminal D 
• de DALLAS a SALT LAKE CITY
  American Airlines | AA 1301 confirmado
  
  Viernes, 16 de Agosto de 2013 | duración 2:40 
• Sal.: 12:10 Dallas, Estados Unidos | Dallas Ft Worth DFW
• Lleg.: 13:50 Salt Lake City, Estados Unidos | Salt Lake City Internacional SLC | Terminal 1 
  
  

I don't know if you guys already have this, but just in case, so you know when I'll be rollin in.

 Elder Muñoz and another Elder goofing around with 

Yeah, just know that I love you guys a ton, and that I am really loving the last part of my mission. Keep the faith!! I know it's true.  I always will. I love God, and his son. I love you guys. Can't express it enough. Keep doin whats good!!!! And hit me up with some pics from Powell!!!!

you son, 

Elder Alex Pinegar

Elder Garcia & Elder Pinegar with Ana Fiol Flores and her son July 19, 2013

* This week Jared was contacted by a missionary he served with, Sister Ana Fiol Flores. She and her family are very active in missionary work. She said she had a nice gathering with the missionaries in Enace Piura Peru including Elder Pinegar. She has had him to dinner twice and posted pictures on facebook for us to see. She said Elder Pinegar is an excellent missionary. Here are a few photos.

Elder Pinegar & Elder Garcia having dinner  with the Flores family in Enace Piura

Elder Pinegar enjoying the Flores's hospitality

July 22, 2013 - Last Cambios: Same Place, New Companion

Dear Familia,

To answer your question, the ant eater is illegal to have as a pet, but nobody obeys the laws around here. haha

Yeah, this week was good and was a great change. My new companion is Elder Muñoz. He's from Chile and is 23. He has completed 20 months in the mission, so we are both basically seasoned vets. Anyways, he is great, ready to work, and chill. He is the only member in his immediate family or in other words, his mom and dad aren't members. His uncle is a returned missionary though. 

Eating at Burger King for the first time ever with Elder Muñoz - Pday July 22, 2013 Enace, Peru

We have been able to put down a good week of work these few days, and I have been tired in the nights, that's for sure! Anyways, we're trying hard to find a lot of new people to be able to keep the work progressing. That definitely means being in the sun more time, but it's starting to pay off. We're hoping that this week we are going to start seeing results.

1/4 kilo Hamburgers - Cooking on their own in Enace with Elder Muñoz & Elder Pinegar

A feast fit for a king or at least elders-hamburgers, chips and drinks

As for the Mormon parade thing,* I'm pretty sure that no one even knows about it haha. The only big thing that is going on here in Peru is the 28th of July, when Peru achieved independence. I'm looking for an American flag so I can put it up on the 28th haha. Yeah, but that is definitely a huge day here. As for the older saints in the ward, there are quite a few, and there are a lot of returned missionaries. This 7th of August, a sister gets back from her mission. That's gonna be chill, considering that when she gives her testimony, it's going to be my last Sunday here in Peru....wow 2 years...Well almost. Still got a few weeks left. Anyways, that's basically all that I have for this week. Nothing too exciting, but we're trying to keep everything running smoothly here in Enace, Piura, Peru. 

The pics that I sent are the adventures of cooking at 11:30 pm.  Wow! And we got to the room at 9:40 pm. It was quite the day, but I gotta say that the 1/4 kilo hamburgers were good as you can clearly see! The other was taken today, the first time I have been to a Burger King in my whole mission, considering that there is only one here, and no McDonald's. But it's a joke. Fast food definitely does NOT work here. Anyways, that's the dealio for this week!!!!

Love you guys tons, and I'm always keepin ya in my mind!!! Families are forever.......that's a longggg time !!! ;)

Much love,

Your son,

Elder Alex Pinegar

* We asked if the saints in Peru celebrate Pioneer Day on July 24. 

July 15, 2013 - Keep it Fresh & Stay Fly With 4 Weeks Left

Dear Familia,

Yeah so this week was good, and we were able to see some baptisms. Lourdes didn't get baptized cause she had a little dilemma with her parents that they should all do it together, but the parents aren't progressing or going to church. We had to explain that it really wasn't worth waiting. But we're gonna keep working with her to help her out.

The fam. Garcia Erazo baptizing their 2 youngest children
with Elder Garcia & Elder Pinegar

The good news is that the other less active family was able to return to activity and the father baptized his children. Long story short, there is always a reason why someone is less active, and in this case, it all started with a small and insignificant problem. But they got over that and thanks to the Bish, I believe that they were able to really strengthen their relationship. 

Grandma Delia (85) happy to be baptized with the elders

Yeah as for the rest, there were 2 more baptisms, one of a grandma and another a kid that is 15. They were both really well prepared. Bottom line is that we are getting the ward to help. Almost all of the baptisms in the ward have been from visiting the members, I'll take credit for that ;) hahah but no.  That's what happens when the ward works with the missionaries.

As for my new comp*, I'll know tomorrow, so you'll have to wait till next week. Other than that. there really isn't anything new to share. I'm happy in the mission and ready to take on my last cambio!!! Wow 4 weeks hahah Soooo chill!!! Love ya guys and just know that I pray constantly for your well being. 

An ant eater. Someone had it as a pet. It's like a bear but small.

**Keep it fresh: Always keep your cool, meaning be patient. If you've ever studied about thermodynamics, you'll know that when an object is cold, the molecules are more tightly constricted, clearly slowing down the natural velocity of the given mass. So translation: What I'm saying is that you should think before you act, that is definitely something that I have learned in the mission. Especially that every word that I say isn't always necessary. 

Second, stay fly: Never change your own style. Take Jesus for example. He never EVER changed the way that he was, although he grew in every aspect. His style was always the same, loving, kind, patient, longsuffering, and much much more. He never got angry or insulted anyone. He just said it how is was, plain and simple. I have learned that although my personality has not changed on the mission, my character sure has. I have developed only a few of the attributes of Christ, our perfect example. 

Through reading and diligent research, I have come to the conclusion that if you want to be successful in something, you need a role model. If you want to be rich, look at the richest man in the world and develop a plan similar to his. If you want to play pro golf, pick the best golfer and learn everything that you can about him. If you want eternal life, model you life after Christ, cause he definitely was the best person that ever has lived!! ;) 

yeah bye!!! Chow!

Elder Pinegar

*Elder Garcia finished his mission this past week.

**This portion of the letter is to Spencer who Elder Pinegar always tells to keep it fresh and stay fly---We asked him to explain those terms to us.

July 9, 2013 - Productive Week and Progression

Dear Familia,

Yeah, so this past week was good, loved the photos. I felt like it was productive, although I think my comp is ready to roll out...haha this week he goes home. His interview is friday in the morning. He is great and deep down he's really soft and although I'm a bit jealous, I'll be tryin to stay focused this next change. 

As for Lourdes, she is the good news. She passed her baptismal interview with flying colors, and I'm pretty sure that she'll be baptized this Saturday. I'll let ya know the next week. And as for the less active family that we've been visiting, I had the chance to do splits with the bishop and was able to take him to the less active family Garcia. They really opened up when the bishop was there, and we got more to the tip of the iceberg. They came to church this past Sunday, and the bishop was able to interview them both to get him ready to baptize his 2 kids. They are progressing great.

Oh and as for the room, the main floor is fine*. I'm not too worried about anything else. You gotta remember where Ive been living for the past 2 years haha ;)  Love you guys tons, and I'm always thinking bout y'all. Keep up the good attitude and I'll do the same!

Peace, 

Elder Pinegar

* Alex is taking up the guest room when he comes home since Bekah took over his room when he left. She's not ready to give it back.

**Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints created the Church’s 100th stake (similar to a Catholic diocese) in Peru on Sunday.

During the Sunday services, Elder Christofferson encouraged Latter-day Saints to continue to follow Jesus Christ by serving others. He also spoke about the Church’s rapid growth in Peru, where some 520,000 Mormons in nearly 800 congregations reside. The first Peruvian stake was created in 1970, and the Church has one of its 141 temples in Lima, with two others (one announced in Arequipa, another under construction in Trujillo) on the way.

• 
• 

 

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Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks to 14,000 Mormons in Peru on 29 June 2013. The event celebrated the creation of the Church’s 100th stake in Peru.© 2013 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

On Saturday night, approximately 14,000 local Mormons celebrated the Church growth milestone at an event at the University of San Marcos stadium, which featured cultural dances, a parade of 300 former and current Mormon missionaries and a video about the Church’s 50-year history in Peru. The Saturday evening event was the largest-ever gathering of Peruvian Latter-day Saints.

While in Peru, Elder Christofferson also gave a live interview Friday to Peru National Radio. He told radio host Rocio Marmanillo of the Church’s scheduled a day of service to clean Peru’s coasts, slated for 7 December 2013. “All others who wish to participate” are invited to help during the day of service, Elder Christofferson said.

Elder Christofferson also met Friday with a Peruvian congressman, the director of interfaith affairs and the director general of justice and worship. In all these meetings, Elder Christofferson spoke of the family’s importance in society. He also discussed the need to establish and promote projects that not only improve the future of the needy but also help them achieve self-reliance in the short term.

July 2, 2013 - Finding Time to Teach and Staying on Track

Dear Familia,

Visiting Legua - June 2013

First off, sorry for not writing yesterday, but no worries, everything is going good. Yeah to answer a few of the questiones..

The most important are the flight plans haha, and no, I don't have them yet....but they ll be coming soon! haha I think they don't tell us so we keep working ;) and yes, I'm getting excited!! but I'm still ready to work. Ohh and no worries, I got the other package, and it was gone in about a day and a half. EVERYONE destroyed it.....wow!

Some of the guys in the ward - July 2013

Yeah, so for what's goin down here in Piura, first off, one of the dates fell through. It's cause the family didn't come to church, but that's alright. I'm not to worried about anything, we're gonna take care of them. Second, about Lourdes, I hope she is doing well. We're trying to pass by every day or at least call and let her know that we're there for her. Her date is still for the 13th, and we'll see what happens today when we visit her. 

We've got another family that looks pretty interested, and we're trying to find time to be able to visit them. They are only around in the night, and that makes it a little bit difficult to visit them. 

Also, we're trying hard to find new people, but I think my companion is gone....yeah I don't blame him. I'm just trying to keep him concentrated one more week. I'm pretty sure that's something normal. I was talking with the zone leaders the other day, and they told me that another missionary that has always been super focused already had his suitcases packed. haha I'm gonna try to not have that happen to me.

A new convert invited all 6 missionaries for dinner last Sunday, June 30, 2013 for Elder Flores's bday.

Elder Flores...the guy you see with egg yolk all over. That's a tradition
that they have here, and the missionaries aren't the exception.

Yeah, so this week is gonna be quick, and we're gonna try to put in work. I really am getting along great with Elder Garcia. It's always nice when both comps respect each other. 

Ohh and that's chill what you're doin at home. That's good that everyone is doing great and that the church published a book about the mission. All they need now is a book for those who finish the mish, so they cannot be weird ;) haha

Anyways, love you guys tons, and just know that I'm excited to see y'all next month!!!!!

Love,

Elder Pinegar

P.S. The weather here is great, and I'm enjoying the semi-fresh nights. Strong till the end, although I am looking forward to being kinda normal at home! At least 30 times a day some kid, or person always says: "A la tipo!!! mira má!!  or asú maquina que altaso!"** Yeah, I'm ready to only hear it a few times a day at home!!!

* We're fixing up our house--refinishing the floors and trying to get everything updated

** Something like, "Look Mommy!!! or Oh my Gosh--Look at that tall guy!"

June 24, 2013- Progressing and Partying

Dear Familia, 

Elder Pingar & Elder Garcia with the other missionaries in Enace.

Yeah, so this week went well. It went fast....haha Yeah, so I'll get down to business. We have been able to work with some people this past week that are progressing. We had some luck in activating an inactive family. They came to church, and their 2 kids are getting ready to get baptized. They have been members for 2 years. I think they are gonna get baptized this Saturday, and we're gonna try to have their dad baptize them. 

Cute as a button!!

This is my crew, we're takin care of business here eatin som arroz chaufa!!

Enjoying some arroz chaufa (Chinese food)  at the Bishop's 50th bday party

Another person that we are working with is Lourdes. She's 18, and she has been listening to the missionaries for a year. She put her own date for the 13th of July, and i believe that everything is gonna go good. Those are the two prospects that we think are going to really progress! Hopefully all goes down. 

That's great Mom! Glad to hear your knockin off the bucket list.....but I think ya got a while to live ;) haha Congrats on the run, that is definitely something that I would never ever ever want to do!*  

I'm thinkin more like droppin the Swiss alps ;) Yeah, and as for the rest of the family, it looks like everything is going good there!! Oh, I got the packages, I'm still waiting for 1, but I'm pretty sure that it will arrive shortly. Ohh and everyone is loving the candy. haha it's basically gone...Wow! 

So that's about all for this week. Good to hear that everything is going good and whatnot. Love you guys tons!!! Hope that everything goes well this week!!! and don't worry, I'm tryin to stay focused!! ;) 

Much love!!

Elder Pinegar 

*Stephanie just ran a half marathon this past week.

June 17, 2013 - Change Takes Time but Makes a Lasting Difference

Sup fam!!! 

So this week went buy fast, and yeah, I'm used to the new ward. The good things here are that we have our meeting every week with the ward and we're able to communicate most of the needs that we have with the members in the ward. Yes, we have lunch here, Saturdays and Sundays. It's nice, and I feel good when I have the chance to talk to someone that really likes/wants to talk to me!* haha but that's good. I can see how helpful a mission is for the REAL life. Oh, and we're going to be working here on reactivation for 3 months. I suggested the goal, and the ward seemed to like it. Luckily for me, I'm hoping that means a lot of activities! That's my favorite part of the mission work, being able to invite someone to do something they really like or want to do. Ohh, and I think that this week there is a sister that will be coming home to the ward here in Enace. That will be cool, considering the fact that I'm getting close ;)   The things that I have been able to see in a bigger ward is that the members hope that the missionaries do all the mission work....frustrating at times, but I understand. I've been in that position before, I know how that is. That's what I always try to do, put myself in the shoes of others, be it my companion, investigator, or member. It really helps me get a real picture of what's going on.

I'll get a picture to you the next week of my house. It's just like the one I had in Negreidos, and we only have water in the morning haha. I hope I don't get to used to living just a ¨little¨dirty haha considering the fact that my companion doesn't like to shower cause the water is too cold. He bathes like every 5 days, but I don't think anyone has noticed ;) Like I said, I just put myself in his shoes and imagine all the cold mornings and the dreadful thought of showering in the cold water. Sometimes, it makes me not want to shower ;) haha Yeah, so overall the climate has cooled down here in Piura, but the days are hot. the nights are a little bit brisk. 

As for the mission work here in Enace, which is in the district of Piura, we have been visiting a lot of less active people. We had a little bit of success this past week, and we're working with a few families to get them to come to church. Unfortunately, nobody came, just 2 investigators. That's alright, and to be frank, kind of what I expected. It's gonna take a little bit of persistence to get the people to start acting, but I want this to be a lasting effect, not a 3 month deal. True change takes time, and I hope that in the 2 months I have, I'll be able to do just a little, as long as it makes a difference. That's what really matters!! 

Anyways, I don't have photos this week, sorry for that! I'll get ya some the next week. And as for the packages, thanks!!! I sure do love you guys a lot. I really look forward to the next week when I get to write y'all, and just know that you're my motivation to do good. Thanks for the good example that you have given me. Truly I have been born of goodly parents. Tell the family hi!!! and make sure that every is doin good!!!

love your Elder Alex ;)

* We asked Alex if he was invited to member meals now that he's part of a ward.

June 10, 2013 Return Date & 1st Real Ward

Dear Familia,

Return date: August 15th, 2013.

Yeah, so this week went by fast, but not too fast. I got to know my new area and what not. Ive got a new comp (Elder Garcia). He's way chill, a little trunky, considering that he finishes his mission this change. He's from Nicaragua. He's 21 and skinnier than I don't know who! haha. His girlfriend is waiting for him, but he's not to sure if he's gonna marry her ;) haha but I can see that little twinkle in his eyes when he starts talkin about her. That's the DL on my comp.

Elder Pinegar & his new companion, Elder Garcia. (How did he find Dr. Pepper in a foreign country?)

As for my new area, its called Enace, and it's a ward, the first that I have been in my whole mission. There are 200 active members here and 720 in total. You do the math. Yeah, it looks like I'm just going to be working on activation the rest of my mission. That's a good thing is you're wondering. I like getting to know people that are at least interested in the church! So we're trying to find new people to teach, but I'm guessing it's going to take basically the whole change. The past missionaries here have had it rough, there was basically a war between the ward and the missionaries, but I'm hoping that I can solve some issues. For me, the ward is way chill and the people that I'm getting to know really like that we visit them. 

Elder Garcia & Elder Pinegar enjoying dinner
 with another set of missionaries.

As for my old area, Maria and Grace are getting baptized this week. That's a good thing to hear and really makes the missionary work satisfying. The good thing about having someone that is finishing their mission is that I can go and visit his old areas with him, which just happens to be the Polverines. When he left, I came there. Yeah, so we know the place really well. 

Elder Garcia & Elder Pinegar - enjoying city life in Piura Peru

I sent you guys some photos and hope you like them. They are mainly just at restaurants, cause I took the pics today. We went to Chili's and to Pizza Hut, considering that my comp wanted Pizza Hut. I enjoyed them both. As for the rest of the week, we're gonna get down to business and try to stay on track in the mission. 

Oh, and enjoy Lake Powell, I really do love that place. I love the lizard shirt and wear it with pride!!!!!! haha Love you guys tons, and just know that I'm always thinking of you all. 

In 7!!!

Elder Pinegar

June 3, 2013 - Leaving my area

Dear Familia,

Yeah, so this week was good. Sister Maria and her daughter and granddaughter went to church this Sunday, and she's gonna get baptized the following week. Unfortunately, I'm not going to be here in the same spot, cause I have changes in the morning. I'm going to "die" in another place. That's cool haha, but I'm kinda mad at the fact that I don't get to baptize my fruit, we worked hard! haah 

Anyways, that's chill that Bek is going on some trip thing, good for her. Hope she enjoys it! Yeah so that's cool to the she graduated! Wow!! And as for summer, that's always the best part of the year, except winter.... ;) (I hope I can get some good boarding in this year!!!!) hHope you guys are doing well and what not, and I'm sure the other letter that I write next week will be better!! haha until then keep stayin fresh!!!!!! 

Love,

Elder Pinegar

May 28, 2013 - A quick note

Dear Familia,

Yeah, so there's really not a ton to say for this week, considering I emailed you guys 2 days ago. I'm doing well and keepin things down on lock. Maria and her daughter, they are doing good and are progressing really well. So for the package, just send a bunch of candy that is tasty, none of this healthy stuff. Ohhh, and I saw elder Yañez again today. He's doing really well and enjoying his mission. He's like 15 minutes from my area. We challenged his soccer team to play against us, and of course we won! haha But not my much. We played all morning from 8 till 1. I am really feelin it right now. I gotta say that the youthfulness does not last forever, but I'm not old yet, just out of shape. I could feel my lungs almost collapse when I was playing haha. It's crazy how time flies, but good that you can still have great friends. Tell Lauren I say hi. Yeah, that's about all for this week. Love you guys tons and thanks for hittin me up with the pics. 

Muy bien Spence,* that's great. Math is suppppperr inmportant, luckily I've been reviewing the calc and yeah, it comes right back to ya....I think!

Love,

Elder Pinegar

*Spencer was honored by the math department as one of its exemplary students.

May 25, 2013 - Humanitarian Service and Missionary Photos

Dear Familia,

First off, happy birthday Spencer!!! 15 right?? haha, I think so. Hope you enjoyed your birthday!!!

Elder Pinegar and fellow missionaries serving as a translator for a humanitarian eye correction center May 2013

Bus Ride to the service projce

Yeah, so how I said, sorry for not writing you guys on Monday, but that's when the service project was. Luckily, they let us choose our P-day, so today is the day we picked. Anyways, I sent a bunch of fotos of what we did. It was a eye correction center that they set up. They had over 50,000 glasses....Wow! I had the chance to help people that had vision like you mom, but had never had glasses for 50 years. One woman had -15.00, and -13.00 in the other eye. Much more than legally blind. I had the chance to see her when she put on glasses and see the smile on her face when she realized what was around here. We saw in total more than 500 people, and on top, they called me doctor, clearly I looked like one!! haha yeah so that was they biggest thing we did this week.

"Dr." Pinegar - Enjoying giving service

Giving sight those who could not see---What a huge blessing for the people of Peru

Another TALL Elder - Yes - Elder Pinegar has met his match!

In other news about the investigators, the sister Maria and her daughter grace have dates set for baptism the 15 of June. She and her daughter are going to be good converts. she always has a new person there when we teach her, and she is really alert when we teach. 

Elder Pinegar and his district with President & Sister Chad A. Rowley

Action shot of the Legua district

A taste of Peru with the missionaries

Yeah, so were in charge of the Polverines, while the other missionaries are in charge of the Legua. The Legua is a little bit bigger and has more room to be able to find new people to teach while we're here. It's a little bit harder to look for new people, cause the majority of the people have already heard about the church. Ohhh, the other pics are of an activity that we had at the stake. We got a futbol team together, and they are gonna play in the stake tournament. The majority are members.

Legua Futbal team

Beautiful princess

That's crazy what's going on at home with everyone! Haha yeah and I like the idea of having my date set*,  less that 3 months! I'm doing good on staying focused.  So that's basically the DL on this week. I'm doing good and enjoying my time. ohhh and don't worry Dad, I read your letter. I loved it, thanks for always writing me! I sure do enjoy it.

Anyways, peace out till Monday. Make sure you all write me and let me know what's goin down with the family and what not!!!!

Love,

Elder Pinegar

*Though we don't have an official return date for Elder Pinegar, our bishop scheduled his homecoming date. Elder Pinegar will speak on August 18, 2013 unless he comes home after this date. We'll let you know if this changes.