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!"