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.

November 26, 2012 - Well that's the work!

Dear Familia & Friends,

First off, I just want to give a shout out to g3off Wilkinson.* My brother and good good goood friend. Congrats! I can't even begin to tell you how good of a friend you are. You're a stud and I just want ya to know that!!! Anyways show the Africanitos that you love them. Yeah buddy!!! haha Anyway, we still keep it runnin in style in every part of the world. You know man that we are mundial (worldwide), and we got many more in other parts of the world. but ya know that we are all doing the same thing, one God..........that's it ONE GOD...wow

Anyways, just wanna let everyone at home know that I'm doing fabulous, still do it big here in Perú, always will. Well just so you know. this was sent out to my buddies in the mission, if ya got it ya know who you are. I love ya guys with heart and soul. Just wanna say that if it wasn't for the mission, I don't know where I´d be and I don't know who I would be.....scary but true. 

Yeah, so the DL on this week is that we put in some real work. We did a fair amount of visits, and we had an astounding 11 investigators at church. As for that, I don't know how many will get baptised, but it looks like we're gonna have to get some weddings goin on; yeah, at least that means cake and a night of music ;) jaja We're working with a lot of young people as well, and we;re going to just have to wait and see what happens. We're gonna see if they wanna make a move or not by gettin baptised. I'll let ya know a little bit more the next week on what's the details with them.

Anyways, just wanna thank my parents for being so great, and an example that now I finally appreciate. Also my family, although we're not perfect, we're happy :) jaja Yeah, and next in line is all the people that helped me get where I am today. Without you I wouldn't be half of the man with half the heart. I send home much love!!!

Lunch in Paita

PS: The pic that i sent you is a pic of almuerzo (lunch) and what not haha. I had a great time joking with the pension about how I was going to eat ALL of it.....yeah, I ended up throwing it away (not all, but the parts that were necessary) Overall, the food here is alright, and I think I'm picking up some weight and what not, but it's all good. Just getting bigger......maybe I should start exercising ;) haha nahhh, the last 3 months I'll do it.....I hope! 

Love ya all, and just know that when your cold, I'm hot. Could be a figure of speech or literal. you decide.!!!

chow ELDER PINEGAR

* Geoff just had his missionary farewell on 10/25/12 and will be reporting to the Johannesburg, South African Mission on 12/4/12

November 19, 2012 - New area and decisions of a lifetime

Dear Familia,

Elder Pinegar overlooking Paita Nov 2012 - Notice the taxi on the road

Yeah sooo what up?! This week was good and was full of lessons. I had to take a good look at the book that we work from, and we got down to organizing. The week went fast, and the rest I'm sure will just go faster. Anyway, we've been working with a few people, and we're hoping that it will be success with them. We've got a lot of young men that we are hookin up with the good work of God and let them know what's up. I'm pretty sure that one (jhon) is hopefully going to be baptised this month, but I don't promise anything. As for the other people, we have a couple of less actives that we are puttin work on. We're doing our best to build here and hopefully our effort turns out.

We're looking forward to this week and hopefully the familes that we are going to be teaching will be there. What happens here is that the people we can always find and always teach, but it's like my first area, sometimes they just dont want to make a decision, so we just gotta keep the chin up and push them towards the goal of the lifetime.......and that is what scares them, because it's a lifetime goal....long haha. Anyway, the people that surround me, especially the members, are great and very friendly. They make me happy, and I find the motivation to keep on going when I talk with them. Anyways, thats about all that i got goin on here.

(Answers to Mom's questions) -- How are you doing? So first off im great, Do you know Elder Justin Farmer?-he has a blogsite and he's in your area..second yeah i know him he has the same amout of time as me and is from Colorado. Do you see the mission president very often? Yes I see the pres. and his wife. I saw his wife and daughter (who is visiting) yesterday and the pres last week, but normally it about every 3 months. Did you only have 9 people at church or did you mean 9 investigators? I meant 9 investigators there are about 60 that come to church. What area are you in? I'm in Paita, rama paita. and only Peruvians, Do you ever see Americans? I'm the only gringo around, and yes I always get starred at.....they have a custom here to kiss on the cheeks, of course that's not allowed by the missioneries, but last week a chick kissed me by surprise. That's number two, the first was a grandma haha! Where are you living? How close is your pensionista? I'm posted up in the room when i took a pic with my comp, It's narrow, but has a great place to chill, kinda like a living room. We live above the pension, Do you eat fish now? and yes we eat fish, but she knows I'm not a big fan, especially of the pota haha 

Well my times up but I love yall tons!!!!!!!!!!!! Just know that and keep it in mind!!!! I'll hit ya'll up next week!!!!! Peace!!!!

Love,

Elder Pinegar

November 12, 2012 - 3 P's Paita, Pinegar & Pinzón

Elder Pinegar & Elder Pinzón in Paita

Dear Familia,

Yeah sup fam!! So here's the dowlow on this week. I'm in Paita. It's one hour south of Talara and it's coastline, so it's breezy. It will be a good place to spend the summer here. I'm in Paita Alta and it's pretty chill. The members are great and there is a lot more support here in the branch. We're doing work and had a good assitance (attendance) here; The highest that they have had. 9. 

So anyways, I have a new companion. He is called Elder Pinzón (the name is from Spain), but he is from Ecuador, Quito. He's pretty chill, and I sent a pic of him to y'all. I calculate that he will be here only 1 change more and what not. My area is fairly small, and I think that I'll get used to it fairly quick. The pension here is really nice, and her whole family is kind. I had to eat cow stomach the other day. That was gross. It's called mondongo here. My comp was born in the church, and his parents were converts. He is pretty tranquilo and likes to talk a lot in the lecciones. It's probably because he is fairly new. He has 3 months in the mission. It's nice this time cause I can practically talk to him about everything. The Spanish is natural, and I'm slowly forgetting my beautiful English.....yeah so that's the downlow on this week, just know that I'm doing good and having fun!!!! 

Basically all the people here are fishermen and ohhh my pension said that about 30 years ago she knew an Elder Pinegar.... ask dad if he every served in Paita K? yeah thanks!!!! keep it chill!!!!

Elder Pinegar

PS: I would like just a few things, first is melatonin 3mg. second is 2 refills for that pen that shark sent me. (zebra refill F 0.7mm) thanks!!!! love you guys!!!! and if y'all have any questions, make me a list and I'll answer them!! 

Oh and that's cool about Scott, don't worry, I'm in communication with him. haha I always got my G´s.

**Alex also sent a letter to Jared in Spanish--so for those of you who speak the language--it will be an extra treat--google translate is okay--but doesn't do it justice.

que tal papacito mio! ya esta seman fue muy buena y donde estoy ahora es completamente diferenty que le anterior. las personas, en especial los miembros están animados y listos por el trabajo que se le presente. el presidente de la rama es muy bueno y se nota, la feliciadad. te comparto mi experiencia en la iglesia ayer. no es exatamente espiritual, pero fue bueno. acá tal como en mis otros areas me siento bien con los miembros. ha sido como 4-5 años desde he tocado el piano.....y está domingo me obligaron a tocar......fue un disatrre completo, pero me recuperé con las ultimas dos canciones. siempre estoy dispuesto de servir, quizá no tengo tanta abilidad en todas las cosas, pero me acuerdo en mateo en cuanto los talentos, yo tengo 5 y definitivemente quiero mas!!! jaja no es que soy egoísta, pero es bueno de aprender siempre, como me dijiste! sigue fuerte!!! ohhh y felicitaciones con tu edificios y todo eso!!! una cosita mas, me olvidé de decirte feliz compleaños......to pido que me disculpes, te amo mucho!!!!!! haz trabajo pero disfruta a vida a la vez!!!

paz para siempre!!! tu hijito alex pinegar

GOOGLE translate with a lot of help from Jared below:

Hi little Daddy!! 
This week was very good and where I am now is completely different than it was before. The people, particularly members are excited and ready for the work. The branch president is very good and it shows, and it's easy to tell he's happy. Let me tell you about church yesterday, it's not exactly spiritual, but it was good. Here as in my other areas, I feel good with the members. It's been like 4-5 years since I played the piano ..... and this week they needed someone to play the piano Sunday ...... I was a complete disaster, but I redeemed myself with the last two songs. I am always ready to serve. Perhaps I don't have too much ability in everything, but I agree with Matthew when the Lord spoke about the talents. I have 5 and definitely want more! haha I'm not selfish, but it's always good to learn, as you said! Move forward! Ohhh and congratulations with your building and all that! One more thing, I forgot to tell you happy ...... birthday.* I ask you to forgive me, I love you much!! work hard, but enjoy life at the same time!

peace forever!

Your son Alex Pinegar
*Jared's Bday was Oct 19

November 5, 2012 - A Great Week

Hi Familia,

Elder Pinegar & Elder Muchaypina (on his left) & His Zone in Talara Oct 2012

So this week has been good; We had a great week. I don't know why, but it was good. Me and my companion get along really well and chevere and what not. but unfortunately today were changes and it looks like I'm leaving Negreiros......sad but happy at the same time. We're going to be leaving some great investigators and people that I really believe have potential.  This week I finally sent 2 pics, one is of the children of a family that we are working with, they are great and really friendly. the other is of the zone in Talara. the two are both bien bakán!! 

Elder Pinegar & Elder Muchaypina with the Milagro's children - Oct 2012

As for this past week, we have one person that is actually progressing and I think that he is baptismal material. He's called Jorge. He is 70 and has a rep haha but it's all good. he sounds really excited to be able to come to church again. and the family in the foto I call them family milagros (its because the mom is called Milagros). We had a NDH (FHE) with them and it was great and what not! 

As for the voting issues, not too many people know or care about the UU EE  (U.S.), but on occasion they ask me about the political issues, and I just tell them that the candidate is Mormon, so they should be too! haha. Ohhh, and I'm doing work as a negotiator here. I finally decided to buy a speaker to listen to some tunes, seeing that I'm basically the only person in the whole mission without one! But I did my fair share of bartering. Y'all know me!!

Ohh, and as for my companion, he is a recent convert and has almost two years as a member. He's the only one, but his family is listening to the missionaries and what not! So who knows. yeah and for Christmas I really don't need anything. But I would like a GOOD stretch band to get my body figure back. I need one that can handle my pythons!! haha soooo chill!!

Love you guys tons, and just know that I am always thinking of y'all!!

Love,
Elder Pinegar

October 29, 2012 - The Work Goes On

Dear Familia,

Así es.........that it is in English. I think that has been my favorite word choice lately. Anyway that's great what's going on at home and everything that is happening in the westside. We're holding down the town around here in the parts most dangerous of Perú haha (its a joke) but really. So about this past week, we've been doing good, but we had a big bummer seeing that none of the investigators that we have went to church. Luckily for us we had the chance to find another family that seems really interested......I hope.We had the chance to do some good service projects this week and help others that were in need. But I gotta say it was kind of awkward when a single mom with a child started to hit on me haha. 

So the noticias for this week is that in a part of our area about 500 people have invaded and just posted up cause they heard that the government was giving away house lots. We took advantage of that opportunity and found the family that took interest. We'll see how that goes with all that. Anyways, as for the families, we're still working with one of them and had the chance to teach them about the plan de salvación; They liked it and were every interested, but when we invited them to church they just kinda ignored us.....it's all goood. But I hope that some day the missionaries will be able to do some good with them! That's about all that has been goin down this week, but its been good being able to find some new people to teach.

As for the package, I'm sure that my good buddy Elder Muchaypiña will love the gummy worms! haha He really is a great person and I would consider him a good friend, a great friend. We've really been able to bond and get through some tough times, and also he taught me how to cook up a mean paloma soup. So I don't mind. Ohhh, and speaking of the woman that donated the paloma for our cause, her uncle died last week. So I guess that it was good to share the plan de savación with her like 3 days before. We'll see how she's doing this Wednesday.

anyways, that's about it for this week! love ya all like a true champ would!!!!! keep it real at home and tell the rest that I love them too!! 

Elder Pinegar