March 25, 2013 - Living in the Dust with Faith & Eccos

Dear Familia,

Yeah, so to start out, I believe that there is a little bit of misunderstanding about the Legua...hahah

Enjoying some ice cream March 2013 - Elder Pinegar,
Elder Lazaro, Elder Martinez & Elder Castro

The Legua is located about 15 minutes outside of the heart of Piura. The city that I'm in is called Los Polvorines (the dust-literal translation) and the name is perfect, seeing that there are not any streets that are paved, much less running water. It comes every 2 days.  Yeah, now that we've got that down straight, the church where I'm at is a house capilla. We live in the backside, and it's one floor. We clean it and what not. I'm not too sad about our little home but we don't have any food.....and I mean it....I ended up buying candy and what not....bad choice. I guess I can scrounge up a couple of bucks and buy some top ramen.

As for the package, I got it, but I did not find the picture card. I'm hoping that I just didn't see good. Did you hide it? Yeah, and as for Alexis*, congats! Joe is a great kid and has been way chill in high school. Wow--how interesting the life is! It's great for Lachelle** too--she deserves to be happy! I still remember high school those good ol' days! Doin it realll big!

As for the seed planing in the Legua, I'm doing great and the seeds are getting planted in all type of soil. The mission pres just talked to us about the parable of the seed and what not, it's in Mathew ( Matthew, and the works are my favorite books) and as for a story about faith, yeah Ive got one...very personal as well. 

Elder Pinegar and his companion Elder Castro -
 Studying at the their home at the church March 2013

About a year ago, I had the chance to baptise a girl by the name of Lucerito. Nobody in her family was Mormon and her mom was the owner of a bar, where she worked. Days came and went, and one day she finally talked to us and said, ¨When are you guys gonna teach me?¨ Very surprised and thinking that is was a joke, we put an appointment down with her, then we went our way and started to laugh and say that nothing was going to happen. She ended up being one of the best examples for me in the mission. About 2 months ago, I had the chance to read my patriarchal blessing that says, you will find people waiting in places where you least expect it.....the bar of course. That just gives me a testimony that if we do our part with our callings, the Lord fulfills his promises to his servants called by him.  My blessing is what completed with that phrase, and that has impacted me all of my mission. 

A nice dinner of ceviche in Legua - March  2013

 As for my birthday,  I'm right next to Catacos, and there are some pots (like the ones from Mexico) that I want to buy haha. How much you send me  depends on you guys. I'll probably just end up giving it away like always. haha ;) The mission has taught a little bit of give and share. As for shoes, the Eccos are champions, and they will last me till the end of my mission with time to spare. oh and please, no shirts....although I love the one of Lake Powell and use it like every chance i can! 

We have an investigator that is lookin good for the waters of baptism, and I believe that if she can actually go to our capilla that she will be able to be baptised! 

love y'all tons like always!!!!

Elder Pinegar
*Alex's friend, Alexis Black is marrying Joe Parkinson this June
**Lachelle Eccles, another friend of Alex's is getting married this June to Jared Fenton

March 18, 2013 - Planting the seeds in Legua

Dear Familia,

A better view on top of Elder Pinegar - Legua, Peru 3/13

I'm in a new area called the Legua. It's chill, and it's a family group that they just started. My comp is called Elder Castro. He's from Chile. Pretty chill!  All the new news. Oh, and it is really heatin' up around here. It was 90 degrees in the room. The Legua is a little bit different from other areas. We live in the house chapel, and we have to clean it a ton....haha. My comp is a baller, like Spencer, and is super ready to do some work. We're gonna get along great!!

Anyway, there is basically no investigators here, but the one that is here, Consuelo, is great.  I see that she could be baptised the day that she wants, seeing that she has gone to the church 3 times!! Wow!  I'm about 10 minutes outside of Piura central and had the chance to see Elder Muchaypiña* again. He's a straight g!! Love that kid!

Elder Pinegar with Elder Martinez and Elder Castro with Consuelo in Legua 

I had the chance to go around in the town square today and actually enter a mall for the first time in my mission (air conditioning!!!!!!!!!!!! ahahhhh). That was nice, then we went and pounded KFC! First time that I've been in a city with more than a mini mart. It's like going from Santaquin to Salt Lake haha Oh, I'm with 2 other companions in the Legua that work with us as well. They are way chill, and we get along great! Their names are Elder Martinez (Las Vegas) and Elder Lázaro (Peru) way chill and were gonna work milagros acá. There's not much work, but just like my old area, I'm gonna be planting the seeds!

Elder Lazaro, Elder Pinegar, Elder Castro & Elder Martinez - Legua Peru 3/13

Lots of Love,
Elder Pinegar

*Former companion in Negrieros from 9/12-11/12

March 11, 2013 - Transfers coming--Many Prepared for Baptism

Dear Familia,

Yeah, so some tips on the mish. First off, hangers you don't need. They are old school haha.  The clothes come ironed and fresh to death! Other is shirts should be really thin--missionary shirts as well as p-day clothes.*

Changes were today, and it looks like I'm outta Paita. I knew that and what not. Ive been visiting since the last week, but still it's hard sometimes. I'm grateful for where God put me. Thanks to Him, we activated a kid, and he's waiting for his papers, we use the name apreton and bateria seria. I'll explain when I get back home hahah -- but really it has been some for the best and worst moments in the mission. We're teaching good and have another family with a date to be baptised. The mom (Maria) asked me how she would know when she's ready, and I whipped out the good ol' book of hechos and let the scriptures do their job. 

In other news, we're also working with an abuela that's gonna be baptised this months, as well as another family that's gonna be baptised. His name is Anibal. He's gonna be a stud. That's about all for Paita. It's hot, but I'm sure that my other area will just be hotter.....Wow-- love you guys to death and just know that you ll always be my baterias serias!!! hahah love the word! 

Oh and my comp and I have gotten along super good this whole 3 months.  We have had some word fights, but that's like a true man! haha After like 5 mins, we're back in action. Ive gotta visit Quito (Equador) some day!

Love y'all to death. Keep it fresh!!!

Elder Pinegar

*A young man in our ward, Michael Smith, was just called to serve in Alex's mission. He'll actually arrive in the mission field as Alex returns home. Pretty cool :)

March 4, 2013 - Baptisms, Rain & Living Life as a Missionary

Sup Fam!!

So I'm doing great here in Paita. I believe that it's going to be my last week here. This past week we put in some serious work....como frijoleros ;) jaja Anyways, I'll start off with the beginning of the end. Yesterday we went to church, and all was great. Turns out that we had a baptism...by surprise! haha It was a child, but still that's always tight. Saturday we got a call from someone named Meller. He's the father of the son Jeffery. He is the leader of the quorum of elders. His son (not biological, political) wanted him to baptise him. that was great and he did it.

Elder Pinegar and his zone in Paita, Peru with Sister Uceda and Elder Juan A. Uceda of the 1st Quorum of the Seventy and President and Sister Rowley March 2013

In other news, the week was good. We taught a lot and I believe we worked harder than any past week. We have a few progressing. There is an abuelita that we're teaching named Juanita. (72) She can't read, but she's got hope. She went to the church inicitiva propia the week before last. The other people that we're teaching, I'll update you on when they progress more. Two days ago it rained.....a little bit of rain goes a long way here. Some of the streets were completely destroyed. That really affected the church asitance. (50%) drop, but that's alright cause were keepin the good spirit!

As for the cook, we still have her for lunch, and she invites us to dinner every once in a while. We put in action our plan to eat dinner with the members so that they can enjoy our presence ;) And so we can build an even stronger relationship with them. That's the deal on cooking, and just so Dad knows, I've lived in a few rat holes in the mission, with scorpions, ants, and bats! hahah but still I'll admit that Dad was more brave than me. 

Today was nice. We went to a beach called Yasilia, great beach, great seviche! ;) The best Ive had so far!!! mhhh!! que ricoooo! jaja Anyways, keep up the good spirits!! and yes there are bikes and motos, more motos than people! haha

That's the DL on the week.  I love you guys, and I'm putting in a worthy work hour here. Keep me in your prayers and you ll stay In mine!!!!! chow!!!!

Elder Pinegar

February 25, 2013 - 18 MONTHS Baptizing and Baking

Dear Familia

Shout outs: congrats Emily on the dealio with your main man*! Shark, happy birthday very shortly and just know that I never will forget the good ol tiburon!!

So this week was good, we ¨did work¨ ya'll know that. We had the opportunity to help a kid named junior get baptised, we were able to involve his dad. My plan is to get the dad baptised, but we all know how stubborn a 50 year-old man can be... haha Anyways that's the big news and I sent a photo of the baptism. As for the rest of the week, we were able to go to a conference where elder Uceda spoke. It was good, and he seems like a good guy ;) I learned quite a bit. Overall to study the scriptures more.

Elder  Pinegar, Junior, Jr.'s Dad and Elder Chavez Feb 2013

As for the other photos, the one with the tree is called unce. It's where they celebrate one of the saints and put a tree in the middle of the street and then cut it down. it's pretty chill. We should do it one day at home haha.

Unce - Time to chop the tree down! - Piura, Peru Feb 2013

 The other is a cake that we tried to cook because it was the birthday of the branch president, that was fun and it actually turned out ok.

Anyone for cake? Have no idea what those little white things are on top??

And the last pic is of me cooking breakfast, nothin like breakfast in bed! And yes i can cook...kinda. Anyway that's the big news of the week.

Cooking in his new kitchen...which consists of a hotplate, microwave, fridge and pans

As for Paita,yeah I've got some serious time here, and I definitely have got my family here in Paita! We're working with the branch, and it's starting to have its fruits. I believe we will be seeing more baptisms in March! My comp is doing good. We're learning together. Patience and humility is something that we are trying to develop. The Bolivian is backin off a little, and the rest of the crew in the mission is doing great!!! Anyways, I love you guys to death!!! and I'll try to get ya the memory card sent this week or the next.

Love,
Elder Pinegar

* Alex's Aunt Emily was married this past week to Matt Faraoni in Mesa, AZ

February 18, 2013 - Building the Kingdom in Paita

Dear Familia,

So this week was good, not much happened, but overall we're getting a little kid ready to be baptised. He's 10 years old and called junior. His sisters are active, but his mom can't get baptised cause she isn't married. That's basically the biggest news of this week. We had a good heart to heart with our branch president, and he told us stories about his mission. Wow! Fascinating! It was good to be able to reflect about the things that have happened in the mission. It was great to be able to see the progress and what not. 

The other good news is that the whole time that Ive been here in Paita, we've been able to have a good bond with the young people, and we got 2 of them to send their papers to the mission. They did it and are waiting for their callings. That's always something that is good as well.They are the only members of their family and I know that this will help them a ton. 

As for our convert, she couldn't be happier, and shes doing great, definitely one of the best in the mission! 

Just know that I love you guys a ton. I'm always pumped on every lunes para escribirles! Just know that I don't every forget about yall!!! love ya with all my heart!!!

Love, 

Elder Pinegar

love your guys to death!!!

February 11, 2013 - A Week of Work

Dear Familia,

Elder Pinegar & Elder Chavez visiting the daughter of their pensionista in Paita - and a little war paint :) Feb 2013

Wow! Wo that's gotta be great with the car and all! haha jk Anyways, I hope Bek's alright, lemme know how she's doin k? And as for the car....that's all part of life.*

As for the mission, we're doing good here in Paita. we have a baptism scheduled for the 23, it's a little kid. He's gonna help his 2 sisters, one who is really active, and the other who isn't all that active. Their mom gave us the go ahead this past week. The mother wants to get baptised, but she can't cause she's not married and her husband doesn't want anything to do with the church. But it's all good. We're doing OUR BEST, and that's what God wants! 

Yeah so I'll give ya the downlow for this past week..**

Lunes Feb 4-We went to some light house thing that I sent you pictures of the past week. In the night, we visited a less-active family, the daughter of the pensionista. I sent the pic this week so y'all can see what went down.

Pday - This is as close to the ocean as a missionary can get. Feb 4, 2013

Catching an octopus in Paita with Elder Chavez - Pday Feb 4, 2013

Martes Feb 5- As usual, we have companionship study and personal study. Then we went out at 11am just to have 2 citas fall through! haha. In the evening, we went to visit the sister Janet. She wasn't there, so we visited junior and were able to get a baptism date cause luckily his mom was there!!  We visited the mother of an almost baptism. She said she was going to go to the church but didnt. ;) After that, we went and visited a less-active member that was living in Chile (Gloris), now she's active and we're gonna see if we can work with her daughter. After that, we visited Rosa the convert. I always feel great when we're there in her house. After, dinner, plaificacion, sleep.

Míercoles Feb 6- In the morning, we had a service project, unfortunately, I didn't bring my camera. We helped rebuild the tin roof of a less active. His wife said that he was going to go to church...he came ;) but he cant be baptised cause he's not married and doesn't want to be anytime soon, but he loves his wife! In the evening, we went to a reference that came from Tumbes. He was there, and we taught him the Restoration. Then we went to a less active with Gloris, to visit her cousin. She came to church last Sunday!! We visited someone called brother cruz (89), and he is very capable of understanding, very lucido. He told us about 10000 stories, just like all the old people do, but he is chill.  After, we went and visited Angela, a new investigator. She had a little bit of interest. worth passing by another time. And just before dinner, we went and visited the family Paico. They are good, and we could baptised a kid that lives there, but I'm not into baptising if they don't go to church.

Jueves Feb 7-  Six in the morning we went to the gym.....I felt it alllllll week wow...pain...like bek! ;) In the morning, we had a zone conference, and I did a demonstration of the perfect nightly planning....but for real. in the afternoon we visited Enriques. He can't be baptised cause his wife doesn't want to get married. but he knows the church is true and goes just about every Sunday. He told us some tight stories. He is a fisherman, but we're not talking about a mediocre, he has been all over the world. What an experience!! After, we did some tracting and visited Ana, she is the mother of the husband of the pensionista....she is nice, but nothing is going to happen there, maybe her grandson...then we visited some less actives.

Viernes Feb 8- The morning was weekly planning. I about died cause they are building above us and were with sledge hammers the whole time....Overall, we did a good job cause we dropped down to the first floor after an hour of listening to sledge..in the afternoon we had to pass by another church of the Mormons to talk to the pres. We all just got kitchens....yeah, your son is gonna be a pro at cookin!! haha Chill I guess! After that I had to interview a potential baptism candidate. She passed and was baptised the next day. In the night, we had a reunion with the ward mission leader. He is really chill, and I consider him my friend. dinner. sleep

Sábado Feb 9- In the morning, we visited a member that's blind and what not but he is really nice and very happy! In the afternoon, we passed by the citas, but they all fell through. We had a member that accompanied us, and we visited her friend that doesnt want anything to do with the church, but she listened to us...and went to church for Sunday...Wow!  A friendship goes a long way and that's the key, members! After that, we went and saw the baptism of Xionara (sionara English..i think) and then we passed by the family Paico again...we're hoping to activate them. 

Domingo Feb 10-  Eight am church. 5 investigators came, of the 5, 3 are progressing. In the afternoon, we had a reactivation that really turned out well. We had a bout 20 people. In the night, we visited the boyfriend of a member. He has gone to the church 4 times for the chick, haha love...what a joke. But he actually listened, although he has definitely got an attitude, but so do I, so it turned out great!!! In the later night, I made some phone calls and collected numbers....asi es una semans a la otra.

thats the DL for the week!

love ya tons!!!!! I always pray for y'all. 

With much love and affection like always, your second son,

 Alex Pinegar love y'all !!!!!!!!!!!

* Bekah totalled Nick's car on Sunday - Feb 10. Everyone was alright--bumps and bruises, but the car is not.

** We've been asking Alex to send us a typical week for a while