January 21, 2013 - Sister Rosa is baptized!!

Elder Chavez, Hna. Rosa with her daughter and Elder Pinegar - January 19, 2013. A very happy day!

Dear Familia,

This week was good and started from the past Sunday. The sister Rosa decided the last Sunday that she wanted to be baptised and was ready from that day on.....I was always asking her if she was ready, smiling she just said ya he hecho mi decisión! jajaj. For you guys, that doesn't sound like much, but that's 2 months of work. We're planning on having her go to the temple to do baptisms in Guayaquil*...she doesn't know that yet, but I'm sure that she will be pleased. I have seen her family really come together. Her two inactive children have come back, and I'm happy cause her daughter Talía is really helping Norma to progress. Norma really enjoys the church and wants to be baptised, but she wants her family to support her. We did that today playing soccer with her 2 brothers, 19 and 14. They are pretty chill. 

Hna. Rosa with her family on her baptism day - Jan 19, 2013. Paita Peru

Hanging on the roof in Paita, Peru on Pday with the locals and Elder Chavez & Elder Pinegar 1/21/13

Anyways, for this week we're doing good, and I hope that we can get another family that we have planned in the playing ring. We're gonna see today in the night. That's basically the downlow for this week, nothing much new. We're working hard and enjoying a ton, and I'm trying my hardest to stay focused. I'm not perfect, but nobody is hahah!!! Anyway, just know that I love you guys and think about ya´ll every day.  I mean it from the depths of my heart!! 

Keep it on the fresh side. Powder to all and to all powder!!! love the snow!!!!!** 

peace!!!

Elder Pinegar

* Guayaquil Ecuador Temple - about a 9 hour drive
** Jared sent Alex a picture from the ski lift in UT this week--nice and cold here in UT--nice and hot in Paita right now. It's about 90 degrees every day and the middle of summer. 

A Letter We Received this Week--Dated Oct 30, 2012

So mail must take a long time to get here--this one took 2+months.

Still Doin' my Thang                                                                                   Oct 30. 2012

Well seeing that I haven't written you guys for some time, I saw fit to send this letter, along with the memory card. The card contains seven months of my mission, so my recommendation to you is that you DON"T lose it.

I've been doing a lot of reflective thinking these past few months, pondering what goals in my life will be necessary to take myself and mold myself. Unfortunately, I won't be sharing them in this moment, but don't worry. Someday you'll see!! Also, I thought a lot about God and what my BIG ETERNAL DADDY has done for me as an effect of going on a mission. I have to be honest, I really haven't seen a whole lot in my behalf. I broke up with my girlfriend, I'm forgetting what I have learned in school, and a lot more things. Then I decided to take ME out of the picture. I know I'm big and good looking and all ;) ha ha.

But then I got to thinkin' about my older brother, my only older brother. I believe I can say that me going on a mission has directly affected him and possibly his happiness in this life and the next. Maybe what I did changed his goals, his perspective, his life. I can say, that alone makes it all worth it.

When Christ was born, he was literally born King of the Jews. But nonetheless, he didn't come to this earth to be served, but to serve. So I got to thinkin' about what Jesus had to gain when he served his whole life then died a martyr. What did he gain? Certainly nothing in this life. So why did he do it? Because he had charity. "Por tanto, amados hermanos mios, si no teneis caridad, no sois nada. Porque la caridad nunca deja de ser. Allegaos, Pues, a la caridad, que es mayor que todo, Porque todo las cosas han de perecer; Pero la caridad es el amore puro de CRISTO. Permanence para siempre."*

So I guess I can share one of my goals; to have the pure love of Christ. Love like you've never loved, run like you've never fell, and serve without selfish intentions.

Like they say here:
CRISTO TE AMA**
And I love you guys too!

Still Doin' My Thang

Elder Pinegar

*Translated: Moroni 7:46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

 47 But ^acharity is the pure ^blove of Christ, and it endureth^cforever; 

** Jesus Loves You

January 15, 2013 - The Church is Growing & New Pics on Flickr

Elder Chavez and Elder Pinegar Jan 15, 2013 at Iglesia San Lucas in Colan. This church is one of the oldest in South America and the oldest Catholic church in Peru. It was built in 1536 by the espanoles when they rolled in to Paita.

Dear Familia,

So this week was good. My companion and I have been gettin it done this week. We taught the Hna. Rosa. and she didn't really have a good idea on when she wanted to get baptised, although she wanted to do it. So I  sought the help of our pres. of the branch. He talked to her, and she will be getting baptised this Saturday. Wow! I know....but ya know that these kinda things just gotta get done! and as for the Hna. Norma, I talked with her mom finally, and I have another visit with her this Saturday. She signed the permission slip for her daughter and was able to understand the reason we are who we are. She ( the mother) is timid, but very nice, and her example shines forth in the example of her daughter. She is a great girl. I believe that within 2 weeks, the Norma* will be getting baptised as well. As for Rossiss, I got a little worried when church started, because he wasn't there....but true to his word, he came. He is pretty tight and really happy to be with us. We watched The Restoration, and he was just stunned with how big and robust the trees were! I almost died haha. He is telling everyone that he is Mormon, and that in our church he feels good! Let's just hope he doesn't have a heart attack!!  Also, we had very high attendance this week, 11 and 2 families. I'm hoping that the two will advance. I'm pretty sure that they will, but unfortunately they have to get married, the both of them! But we're already champions at that!!!

Elder Pinegar, Elder Chavez and other Paita missionaries on Pday. Jan 15, 2013.

That's the DL on this week, were puttin it down ya know that!!! haha Love ya guys tons and just know that I am doin well!!!

Love,

Elder Pinegar

* Jared said that in Spanish it is not unusual to refer to people with "the" in front of their name--like la Norma or el Rossiss -- that's why he keeps saying the Hna. Rosa or the Norma...now it makes sense :)

** We got a letter this week from Alex along with a camera card full of pictures from the last 7 months of his mission. They're up on flickr so you can view them if you would like. It's fun to see where he's been. It makes us miss him all the more.

January 7, 2013 - Investigators that are Progressing in the Gospel

The Dead of Summer in Paita, Peru Jan 7, 2013

Dear Familia,

So this week was good, and we’re down to 2 people that are really progressing, Rossiss (73) and Rosa (single mother, but her children are members). We had the chance to activate the family of the Rosa and we’re just hoping that she puts down a date to be baptized. She told us that she is gonna do it, but with just a little bit more time. I’m chill with that, just as long as she does it! Anyways, with Rossiss, he is gonna get married sometime in January, i hope. We’re gonna get all his papers ready and what not. This man just runs like the energizer. He’s 73 and still rollin like a big shot haha.

Apart from those two, we’re working with the Norma, but I don’t know what is going to happen there. She’s 17 and not very decisive.....but we’ll see what’s the deal. The rest is just lookin for new people to teach, and that’s gotta be the hardest part of missionary work. Me and my compy are doin great, and he is a stud. He is chill and a hard worker. That’s the good thing! For New Year's Eve, the pdte. Cutipa of the branch hooked us up with a couple of alcohol-free holiday mixers. We were feelin pretty elegant! haha

Just wanted to share my testimony that I know that this work is the most true work that anyone could do. I’m astonished by the things that I have learned and continue to be inspired by God our Heavenly Father every day. I’ve never seen these gold plates, but I’ve read the transcription in the Book of Mormon, I’ve been convinced by the words written in this book, that this is a work that is necessary, and even though I don’t want to be outside sometimes, I’m driven by the knowledge that I now have. I know that God exists, and that he is a perfect man of order. He speaks through prophets and loves every one of us. I have felt his love time after time. I love the thought of eternal families, and that is my goal. That’s the gospel!!!!

Amen, hallelujiah!!

Love, Elder Pinegar

The old guy is called Rossiss. He's getting ready to be baptised, but we gotta get him married first. He's 73 and soooo chilll haha Always tellin me of how he was when he was young! Jan 2013

Elder Chavez and Elder Pinegar on New Year's Eve - Dec 31, 2012, Yes--The drinks are non-alcoholic :)
Check out Elder Chavez's tie--that's the Peruvian temple on it!

December 31, 2012 Completing a Family & The New Year

Dear Familia,

Elder Chavez and Elder Pinegar with a family who baptized their youngest son. They are now preparing to go to the temple. December 2012 Paita

--Families Can Be Together Forever --

Ya, so this week was good and we had a little baptism, and when I say little, I mean 9 years old haha but the best part is that we were able to get the father active to be able to baptise his son. He was so happy and I have to say that although it was a week rushed and with a lot of work, I feel good.  I sent pics of the father. This completes his family and makes them able to be able to go to the temple. I hope that happens.

So that's basically the biggest part of the last week. as for this week, we're working with a few people that are getting ready for baptism. Norma & Rosa, we're working with them just to be able to make the choice. They go to the church every Sunday and have a bunch of friends there to make them feel good, but it's hard to just get them to make a choice! No worries. We're ballers doin work here! ya know that!

Anyways, hope you're having fun down there in Mexico*, that's how all of South America is......but ya just  gotta get used to it!  That's part of being able to enjoy this life! Love the people even though sometimes they don't love you!

Anyways, ya´ll know that i'll be burnin´my life-sized doll** in your name tonight. That's the tradition here. It's pretty chill! haha Toasts and shots to a new year!!!!!! 

Love you guys more than I can express! Hope that everything goes good for the new year!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your second born, pin, 

Elder Pin

*Our family went to Rocky Point, Mexico to help build 2 homes and do some humanitarian work over the Christmas break. It was a great trip and we enjoyed working with the Rocky Point Branch.

** The burning of dolls is a major staple of New Year's celebrations in Peru.  What people do is make dolls, usually of old cloth or rags, in the semblance of someone who that person wishes to forget and to symbolically leave in the past. These dolls are subsequently burned on New Year's Eve and that burning signifies that the item has been left wholly in the past. (we're sure he's just having some fun with us :)

December 25, 2012 - Christmas Message & Skype

Dear Familia & Friends,

Christmas Bingo with the zone. Notice their missionary planners. Dec 24, 2012 Paita

Getting ready to kill the Christmas turkey* 12/25/12 Paita

Eating the Christmas Turkey Dec 25, 2012 Paita

So as we know, the mission is all about doin work, but we still gotta be able to enjoy ourselves right? So that's the bottom line. Building on that we are nearing the end of the month most loved of all the year, December; Christmas.  It's all about Christ, even though we know that He was born in April. The Christmas season helps the weak and weary find hope and everlasting life, although sometimes, imperfection invades our lives, tearing us apart. He healed us, giving all the people who believed a new perspective. 

As we reflect on the year that has so quickly passed us by, let us not think of the imperfections, let us remember how the supposed failure that we could have been was saved by Christ. Enjoy the rest of December, and just know that when I was lighting off the firecrackers, I was thinking of you guys!!! 

Love all of you, friends family and others that have helped to change my life!!!

Keep it real, keep it chill, and always stay fresh to death

Elder Pinegar

Skyping with Elder Pinegar on Christmas Day 2012

* We had a wonderful visit with Alex on Christmas Day through skype. He looks great and enjoyed messing around with us with his accents. He spoke in a British accent for a while--then kept slipping into Spanish--and finally regular English. He said it is very difficult to speak English now because he NEVER speaks it. He showed us a video of a traditional Peruvian turkey being killed on Christmas day -- they cut his tongue out and let it bleed to death--all captured especially for our viewing pleasure--YUCK!!!  He told us he is training a greenie - Elder Chavez and was made district leader. He reminded us that his primary purpose is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ--not to take care of people's physical needs--but their spiritual needs. He was happy to hear how well Nick was doing and said that seeing his brother as a missionary really had made his year complete. He is immersed in missionary work and was very happy that he was able to be part of an upcoming baptism. He said he feels loved and feels like he is around family with his pensionista and her family. What an amazing Christmas it was to talk with both of our sons as they serve as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.