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