April 7, 2013 - A Letter in the Mail

Since handwritten letters are so far and in between--thought we would share this with you.

To: Mom and Dad

I know it's been a while since you guys have gotten a good handwritten letter from me, and for that I ask Perdon.

I'm currently in the Legua II. There isn't too much prosperity here. I'm not saying that it's a hard area, but it's not easy! haha  It's pretty interesting to be looking at my mission at the time that I'm nearing for my departure. What a great experience. How Good it is to be able to know other people, see the effect of real life, and be able to see the hand of God in the every day things. I can truly say that although I still have my same personality and that I can be a little harsh at time, I can say that I've got a much better perspective of this life, the temptations and blessings. The obedience, I know I'm not perfect and at times I willingly disobey, but I'm really doing my best to get better. One thing that I've been able to learn, is that God loves us. We are his children and that although sometimes we can't understand all the reason behind everything, we should TRUST him, cause he knows! Anyways, Just want to express my love for you guys. I'm getting excited to be able to see you very shortly!! Thanks for all you do for me and my companions. Hope you enjoy these photos and pics!*
Love,
Alexander Cato Pinegar

*Alex sent us a bunch of new photos--they will be up soon.

May 6, 2013 - Advice, Birthday Wishes & Calling home

Dear Familia,

Yeah, so first off, the English honors class did not help me AT ALL*, and in fact caused me more problems than help. Remember when Dad had to come and sit with me in class? haha Wow what a story!** second, FERLIZ CUMPËAÑOS A TI MI ABUELITO LINDOP MIO! yeah don't worry gramps, I haven't forgotten bout you!!! keep goin strong and make the goal to hit up the treadmill!! ;) hahah love ya tons!

Elder Pinegar, Elder Carrion, Elder Martinez & Elder Lazaro having some fun at a park on P-day

So for the most part, all is going good here in the polvorines and we're puttin in work to make sure that it keeps on progressing. We ended up dropping a lot of investigators, and we're currently looking for new ones. We've found a few, but the area is a little bit tough, but nothing to hard to handle! Anyways, I'll let ya know what's going on with my last phone call home! WOW but that's a good thing right?! haah Anyways keep it chill! I'm getting along great with my companion who also has the same time in the mission as me! We're doing out best here and trying very hard to be diligent!

Elder Carrion & Elder Pinegar in front of Peru's National Soccer Team Logo  - May 2013 

Love,

Elder Pinegar

*We asked Alex to give his brother some words of encouragement on getting a better education by taking an honors course. Thanks Alex! 
 Note from Mom:  Paying attention in English honors would have saved me a lot of time editing your letters--just sayin' :) 

**Alex's brother, Spencer recently argued about why he had to take English honors and it was like having the same conversation with Alex when he was going into 10th grade. Luckily there are 2 teachers and Spencer opted for a different teacher than Alex had.

April 29, 2013 - New Companion & Turning 21

Dear Familia,

I'm with my new companion, and he goes by the name of Elder Carrion. He's from Ecuador, Machala.. He's great and well, for where he's from, tall. haha He's got the same time as me in the mission, and I believe that we'll be rollin out at the same time as well! We're trying hard to stay focused, but ya know 4 months goes quick! Anyways, he's a champ and is patient. We're really similar, and it's going to be easy to get along!

Elder Carrion, The Zone Leaders, Elder Pinegar, Elder Lazaro & Elder Martinez celebrating Elder Lazaro's and Elder Pinegar's bdays - April 29, 2013

 The Zone Leaders came today and did a ¨study session¨ with us, where they smashed eggs on my head and poured flour all over me and elder Lázaro (his birthday is today, we're 21 together) so that was pretty chill. haha I really enjoyed it. Then we went out to eat a chicharron mixto (battered chicken and seafood), but I'm thinkin that it did me bad. I'm pretty dizzy right now and what not, but I'll get better. That's the price of eating where your heart takes you!

Elder Pinegar & Elder Lazaro celebrating their bdays Peruvian style with the zone leaders.

Thanks a lot for the package that you guys sent. It was really thoughtful, and in the last package that you send if it could be pure candy and snacks and toys and things that I can give away to comps and members, that would be great!! And a memory card with photos!!! You should be getting the memory card that I sent home in a few weeks. The mail here is slow...I really enjoyed the photos that you sent me!!!

So this week was good. We've been doing a lot of looking for members and new investigators. The sun is still killin us, although its backed off just a little..we're getting activities planned and ready for this week and the month to come. Hopefully, all goes like we planned. That's basically the news for this week, nothing to exciting....we'll work hard so Ive got good stories for the next week!

So for my testimony, I gotta say that it really hasn't been all at once, more constant. Like the Spanish....Ive had the opportunity to read A LOT in my mission. I believe that I gained my testimony in the time that I've been able to read and think about what the scriptures say by analyzing the bible, Book of Mormon, and the actual evidence of the two. I had the chance to read the BOM, Bible, and Jesus the Christ all in Spanish. I gotta say, that was really the first time that I got to read them with Real Intent in my entire life, be it Spanish or English. That's when God works with the heart, making it sensitive, soft, willing to understand. I battled with my pride time after time, but I know the Book of Mormon is true, because I read it. I felt the words illuminate my mind, precepts that I didn't understand before, were finally founded. But it only came with humility. I know I'm going to have trials in my life, but I'll always know that what I'm doing right now is needed, regardless of how much I hate the heat and dirt. God loves us, and he shows his love through His gospel. His gospel is relayed by the missionary that I am.

Love you guys a lot, just as much as you love me!!! keep stayin fresh, cause its hotter than..here haha!! Ohh and send a shout out to Geoff for his Bday.  It was last week!! see ya in 7!

Elder Pinegar

April 22, 2013 - A Baptism & a Brand New Branch

Dear Familia,

Elder Pinegar, Hna. Consuelo and her children & Elder Castro - April 2013 Legua

So this week was good, the week of changes as well. My comp is the only one of the 4 that had changes. I'll be with someone new tomorrow. It was pretty predictable, seeing that he had a lot of time in this area. Also as you can see from the pictures, the Hna. Consuelo was baptised this past week, after passing an interview with the president. She was very content, and the baptism was a success. 

Elder Lazaro, Elder Pinegar, Elder Castro & Elder Martinez enjoying a great baptismal day in Legua

 As for the family group, I believe that it is going to start growing. We finally got ourselves separated from the other ward, and the president put people there that are actually going to be supporting us!!!  That's probably the best news. And I'm pretty happy with it cause were gonna be seeing more activities!!! Believe it or not, that's the best way to help people get to know the church. 

Elder Castro & Elder Pinegar washing dishes--actually only Elder Castro looks like he's doing dishes :)
They live in the "house chapel" and this is the kitchen in the church in Legua, Peru April 2013

Enjoying juice after a good P-day game of soccer
Elder Pinegar, Elder Lazaro, Elder Martinez & Elder Castro 

Anyways, love you guys tons. Sorry for the problem with the bank*...haha yeah. Hope all is going well at home. Oh and Dad, I got your letter.  Thanks for your thoughts and feelings. I'm ready to keep on going hard, doin work. 

your second son,

Elder Alexander Pinegar!!!

Chow!!! 

* Alex couldn't remember which debit card had money in the bank--unfortunately, he picked the wrong one. It's the first time he's used it in 20 months.

April 15, 2013 - President Visit, Patriarchal Blessing & Pictures

Dear Familia,

Yeah, so the DL for the past week. Not a lot happened, but I believe that the Sister Consuelo that we were getting ready for baptism is ready! We'll see what happens this week. I had the opportunity to do a few very interesting things this week.

First was the companion exchange that really wasn't... I'll explain. So every month and a half here we do what is called a work visit. But this time it just happened to be with the president of the mission. haha I'll admit it was pretty nerve racking to see him and spend the whole afternoon and into the night with him, but that's just how the big boys roll! I could truly feel the power of President Rowley. Luckily, everything went as planned, and we ended up having some very good lessons! I watched as the president invited one of the investigators to pray kneeling with his family....although the investigator didn't want to, he did it. The president has power!! haha As for the rest of the visit, I was able to write in my journal. The whole visit was with the president, my companion, and I.

Elder Pinegar, President Chad A. Rowley, and Elder Castro during a companion exchange that wasn't.
 April 2013 Legua, Peru 

Second, I had the chance to listen to a patriarchal blessing that was given to my companion. Wow. What an experience. The old and brittle patriarch radiated light. I'll explain the reason for the blessing another day, but bottom line is that it was a very exciting moment and a strong ambiance of the Spirit of God. I believe that was something that I needed, having more knowledge about the Gospel that really helped me build my testimony!

The Peruvian Children in Legua - April 2013

Third, the picture of the children. Little children come from God and when I saw them all put there behind the gate of the house chapel, I could just see the goodness that they radiated. Not judging, not hating, nothing of evil in their presence. For me, it was a moment of reflection, in the which I was able to think about my own standing before God and man. And how I could be like a little child, submissive and humble; willing to learn and appreciate the good qualities of those that surround me. What a great moment to pass. Hopefully the picture can explain my paragraph.!!

As for the photos you sent, I really enjoyed them! Thanks a ton for sending them! The fish that Spencer has in his hand, I see all the time, and I eat it all the time to.* It's alright. I'm working on getting my memory card sent home to you guys so that you can enjoy the past 7 months of my mission...wow haha I'll try to get it sent this week. Thanks a lot dad for all the love that you show to me!! Although we have our differences and what not, your alright ;) hahah love you just as much as you love me! I'm grateful to be your son and be able to have you as a guide for me. You inspire me to do good and shun evil. I'll always need your great example, keep it up!!! I love my family, my friends, and the people that are around me....wow what a wonderful life, although I don't love the sun, dust and the lack of education....but those are all things that can change....except for the sun and the dust!!! ;) keep being my dad, and I'll keep loving you! I'm glad that you enjoyed your trip** and what not!!! Keep it fresh and hit up the slopes for me one last time!!!! Cause next year they are mine!!!

Anyways, just want to express my love for everyone of you guys that have the chance to read this. I'm so grateful to have the chance to have known you all and am looking forward to the time when we see each other again!!!

Love your son.

Elder Alexander Cato Pinegar

* Mahi Mahi

** We just got back from Sayulita, Mexico

April 8, 2013 - Que Espectacular!!

Dear Familia,

Wow what a week!

So I'm not saying that with the puff of exhausted breaths, as usual. I say that because I just got to see the fruits of the seeds planted! First off, the man Anival, that I got to know with Elder Chavez 2 changes ago, was baptised.Feb 4, 2013 blog Second, in my old area the person that we activated just got his mission call to Chile.Jan 21, 2013 blog I can't even begin to explain the joy felt when I got to see the pics!!!!

Anival and Elder Chavez at Anival's baptism. April 2013 - Piata, Peru

Elder Chavez and Hna Rosa's son who received his mission call to Chile

That being said and done, General Conference was great, and I liked two talks in particular. Although I don't remember who wrote them, I can remember what they were about. First was that every person is a child of God, that he loves and always wants to perdon (forgive). The talk was mainly about the perdon of people and talked that 7 times seventy isn't enough. The process of repentance allows us to be humble, admitting our errors and faults.The Savior Wants Us to Forgive - Elder Cardon Second was by the prophet, who talked about the obediencia, the importance of keeping the commandments that we're given for our protection with foreknowledge of the tough consequences. Obedience Brings Blessings - Pres. Monson Wow! I hope that I'm always humble enough to admit my mistakes so that the pure love of Christ can help me in my time of need and pain.

Elder Lazaro, Elder Martinez, Elder Pinegar & Elder Castro enjoying lunch in Legua - April 2013

As for the progress here in the Legua, we're working with a sister that is preparing to be baptised this week. We'll see what happens. I can't promise anything. As for the rest, It's gonna be a long week of looking for new people to teach, but ya gotta do it in a new way here, because there really aren't that many receptive people. They counseled us to work with the members and what not. 

Elder Pinegar and the soccer gang - Legua April 2013

As for the picture, we're working with the members here through activities, and they are great!!! We had the chance to play soccer and show our skills ;) Although I'm not that great, and I about broke my companions leg! haha but that's for another time. 

This rat is huge when you think Elder Pinegar wears a size 14 shoe!! - Legua April 2013

As for the rat, we have an infestation of rats in our little house chapel....I didn't realize how scared of them I was....that's also another story haha but bottom line is that I think that the situation is under control. We're trying our best to be diligent here in the mission, and although we aren't perfect, God does what we can't!  What a great week!!

Love,

Elder Pinegar

PS: Mom, I can't thank you enough for what you have done for me and my college class scheduling. I love you and think about you guys every day. Like Tanner always said, you guys are my favorite parents and the best ones as well. I'm gonna try to get the memory chip out this week so you can see the DL of the mish. I can't wait to be able to enjoy your company in May* (our Mother's Day call) and I'm really lookin forward to it!!! with much love and hope, yours truly...elder pinegar

PPSS: Don't worry Spencer, I didn't forget bout you, keep the chin up and just know that I'm gettin you hooked up here in Peru! haha how are you enjoying football and school? Always do your best and just make sure that you keep the rep goin strong, you represent my hood!! ;) do work with the ladies and don't let any guy get too close to our sister!!! you know the drill my son!!! peace!!!

April 1, 2013 Mis Casitas (My Good Friends)

Dear Familia,

Elder Pinegar with his zone in Legua Peru March 2012

So this week went well, and I feel like there has been a lot of progression here in the house chapel. We have one investigator with a date, and she is ready to be baptised, were hoping this 13th! And yes, I got the other package, thanks sooo much! I am gonna enjoy it with 3 other elders. Anyways, this area has been great.  I feel unity, and I feel that we all have the same goal. Everyone gets along with the 4, even though we all have very distinct personalities...the missionaries) 

Elder Martinez, Elder Castro, Elder Pinegar & Elder Lazaro enjoying a delicious  Peruvian meal
of plantain bananas, shrimp, and scallops

I got to know the bishop of our ward (Lopez Abujar -that's the name of our ward) and the bishop is the son of a guy that we call Pepe Lucho. They cut the names here like Stephanie and Steph in English, but just a little bit more radical. So Pepe Luch has a son called Pepe Lucho, and they are all soooo great. I couldn't ask for better people. I'm really enjoying this cambio, and none of the 4 of us want to leave from this area. You don't see that too much. Also, we're teaching another woman that has 23 years, and she is really excited to go to church, although she hasn't come the past 2 times, but she is showing a lot of interest. 

As for conference, it's this week at 11 my time and what not. As missionaries you get excited, not just cause it's the prophet, but it is also a moment to relax and enjoy the good ol air conditioning, considering the fact that our rooms are usually about 90 degrees in the shade haha, but I'm almost over that! ahah Anyways, that's basically the DL on this week, enjoying my mission, companion, area, and life!!

love you guys tons and tons.  I'm gonna see the pics that ya sent me tooo!!!! ahhhh what a great moment!!! keep it real, keep it chill!! like the good ol snow that I love!!

Elder Pinegar