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.

December 17, 2012 - Busy Missionary Work & Changes before Christmas

Elder Pinegar & Elder Pinzon enjoying a P-day drink on a very hot summer day in Piata, Peru Dec 2012

Dear Familia,

So this week went well. We had changes today, and it looks like Elder Pinzon is outta here. I'm going to be training a new missionary. I don't know who yet, but that's the plan. I'm going to be here in Paita for 3 months at the very least.

As for the big news for this week, well for me at least, is that Amanda is engaged, WOW. But that's good for her just as long as it is what she wants. Anyway, so as for the investigators, we had a good asitance this week, and it looks like were going to see some progress. We'll see this week with a mother named Rosa that we are teaching. She is great and goes to all the activities. Her children were baptised years ago, but she got interested after many years. We're going to be challenging her this week to baptism. We'll see how that goes. We're basically working with pure women. The baptism that we had set fell through due to worries and uncertainty, but it's alright. We're still working with John (whose date fell through), and I'm hoping that he puts in his part. We're also working with a chick named Glenda, all she has to do is tell us that she wants to be baptised, but I'm not gonna push anyone in that. 

The zone in Piata Peru December 2012

Anyway, as for Christmas, it's gonna be pretty chill seeing that I get to talk to you guys! I'm planning on calling in the night, and if that doesn't work out, I'll call in one of the following days. but in the evening or night, 4-6pm. I'm pretty pumped and glad to see that all is goin down as planned!! love you guys tons and hope the best!!!

 Merry christmas FELIZ NAVIDAD!!

Elder Pinegar

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.