Hello family!


I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Easter! This morning we had the opportunity to visit a nearby archaeological site. It was fun to find out that there are several large ancient pyramids located in my area. We spent the morning exploring and taking pictures and enjoying just getting out for while.


Things are picking up in the ward and my companion and I are excited for these upcoming weeks. We just got a new mission leader who asked us, Elders, this is the first calling I have received where I don’t actually know what to do. He was nervous but excited at the same time and we are looking forward to working with him.

We have been working with one of the members boyfriends who has been interested in the church and has felt that it is true. He said at first he was just in church for his girlfriend, but then realized that he actually enjoyed what he was listening to and started paying attention. He said that he felt like what the speakers where saying had importance in his life and that he could really use that kind of help. He pointed out that every time he has come to church he has learned something new. He accepted to be baptized and we are preparing him for that date.


I love you all so very much but I have to run,


Love ya,
Elder Peine

Good morning from Mexico!

Mayan ruins

The district

Its a good day 03/18/13

Hey family!

I hope you are all doing well! Thanks for keeping me updated! I'm enjoying my new area here in Comalcalco. We have been doing a lot of getting to know where the members live, who are the investigators, and how to work best in this area. Its fairy large and there are several small towns that we travel out to by bus to visit. The members are so terribly friendly and always say that if we are hungry or ever need anything that they are always there. Even the investigators offer what they have. One investigator named Luz (which means light) doesn’t have very much, just a grocery bag packer at the nearby grocery story and when we go to visit her and her husband they offer us fruit and always give us a great welcome. They are such good people working to do what’s right and we have sincerely felt of their love and we try our best to share ours. Its all in all a wonderful experience getting to know such wonderful humble happy people.


My companion is Elder Florido from Las Vegas. He has been in the Provo Utah mission for about 2 and half months waiting for his visa and he just arrived in Mexico. His parents are Colombians and they taught him Spanish while he grew up so he is fitting right in and he gives clear and uplifting advice to those around him. We both had the opportunity to speak in Sacrament meeting this week which we enjoyed, especially it being the first time the both of us had attend this ward (since last Sunday we were in the stake center for a conference). The bishop is lively and willing and is very easy to get along with and the members as well. So we are looking forward to another week of finding new people to teach and working with the members to help the investigators. We have an investigator who is basically a member, his wife and son just got baptized and he attend in his white shirt and tie and has his own subscription to the Ensign. Hopefully soon we will be able to help him commit to becoming a member and living the gospel to the fullest.


More missionaries have been coming to the mission, but I think there will be lots more soon enough. Its wild to see how rapidly the work is expanding. Its wonderful to be here and its sad to know I don’t have too much longer left here, so I am going to make the best of every minute! I know this is the work of the Lord, I know he is our Savior and loves each and every one of us. 
Thanks for all of the love and support!

Love as always,

Elder Peine

The gospel is great 03/11/2013

Hey family!

How are you all doing? I hope things are going well. I am enjoying getting to know my new area here in Comalcalcos. I have only been here a week and the mission offices just called us last night letting us know that my companion is being transferred and that a new missionary will be arriving tomorrow who will take his place. So it should be exciting, the 2 of us learning the area together!


We had a stake conference where we heard by satellite David A Bednar and Richard G Scott (who spoke in Spanish!). It was a wonderful conference and I felt so happy as I was able to listen to messages that I knew were going to bless the lives of these wonderful people. The other day we talked to some fairly recent converts, they have about 2 years in the church. The father said becoming a member was a complete 360 turn around and it sure hasn’t been easy. After his baptism he had job problem, got sick, had an accident and other things but that it has all been worth it. We look at his family now and they are definitely a happy bunch, despite the obstacles.


It just makes me happy to know that there is a source of answers and that there is a right way to go. Sometimes I look around and see that there really are so many easy paths to choose from and I’m not exactly surprised why so many have been detoured from good solid principles, it’s that the world is blatantly staring them in the face and inviting them to join. How joyful it is to know that there is a Prophet on the earth, apostles, and people who help us along the way.

 I’m in a new area, new companion, and new everything, but there is a happy familiarity I feel as I meet the caring members of the church and work with my companion to share the gospel with others. I’m not very good at explaining it but I can say with a surety that I’m sure grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it’s the nucleus that I think holds me together. I love all of you, I think your just the greatest family. There really isn’t another family like the Peines. As goofy and as fun as you are, I think your just the right family for me. Thanks for your love and prayers!

Love,

Elder Peine

New Area! 03/04/13

Well the time has come. Yesterday I received the call that I am being transferred to a new area. It’s definitely bitter sweet. I have gotten to know a lot of great people and it’s hard to leave. My new area is called Comalcalco, Tabasco. It’s not too far away from where I am right now, about two hours. (I heard they have a chocolate factory there! There are also lots of ruins!) Today we have been visiting many of the members and investigators and saying goodbyes because tomorrow I’ll be off to a new area. My companion who I’m with right now with be training a new missionary, which will be a great experience. He was a little shocked since he himself just recently arrived, but he came pre-prepared and will do just fine.


This week I have just felt so loved. Just the little things make all the difference. The people just say a little thing or do something small and I just feel so happy. One fairly recent convert shared her testimony in sacrament meeting which she had never done before and she said that recently she has been gaining a firmer testimony as she has reached out to an old friend to share the gospel. One brother, even though he has had some fairly difficult trials has demonstrated his love for the gospel as he joined as for an entire day to visit investigators.


It’s not easy to go, and the members get upset because missionaries keep coming, they get used to them, and then they have to leave. But I have loved being hear and am excited for what lie ahead. I love you all and hope you are all enjoying the daily sparks of joy that are found in doing what is right. God lives and we are his children. What peace and what joy it is to know that we are all watched over.


Love,
Elder Peine

Sister Brunilda!

Brother Manuel and Sister Angels

Go Pemex City!

Things Are Good 02/25/2013

It sounds like everyone is having a wonderful time wherever they are. I wish you all the best, hope all is going well. Thanks for keeping me updated, I enjoy hearing how you all are doing. Things down here are going well. The work continues! It’s getting hotter; we find ourselves all ways crossing to the shady side of the street to avoid getting too toasted. We have been enjoying ourselves though. Sometimes the neighborhood dogs follow us around, we enter a house to teach and they wait outside for us and then we continue on to the next appointment. People here are very friendly and supportive. The members love to feed us and try as much as possible to make visits with us. I would have to say that it’s not the biggest town (it’s called Pemex City, but really it’s just a town) but its never boring here. We always have things to do and there are lots of people to visit.


We passed by this week to say hello to Rodolfo, a recent convert.  During the conversation I happened to ask him how old he was. He pondered for a moment, and then asked me what day it was. We responded well it’s the 22nd of February! Shocked, having had forgotten the date, told us it was his birthday, he was turning 71! So his grandchildren, my companion and I all sang him happy birthday which he enjoyed very much!


One of the members brothers passed away rather suddenly and it’s been pretty hard for him. I feel grateful though to know that he knows the Plan of Salvation and that this isn't the end. We have spent time with him and we try to teach but really all he wants right now is just someone to listen, so we listened and he seems to be doing better. Another members father passed away and she got sick at the same time. Things get tough sometimes, people go through so many things and it just amazes me how people can handle situations, however difficult they may be. I know the gospel surely helps.


Someone from the stake came to visit the branch and he shared a talk about afflictions, relating a story of a swordsmith. Someone asked the swordsmith how he made such marvelous, strong swords that never broke. He said the secret is knowing exactly how many times to hit the sword while making it to end up with the strongest, most refined sword possible. And so it is in our lives in comparison to swords, The Lord knows exactly how many hits we need to become the most refined people we can become, each hit has a purpose. As we turn to the Lord he will strengthen us spiritually and we will progress here on earth. He doesn’t promise we won’t have afflictions, but he does allow us to learn from them, if we so choose.

Love you all!

Elder Peine

Just me!

Rodolfo and his grandkids

Enjoying the Gospel 02/18/2013

We had a wonderful visit from one of the quorum of the 70 this week, Elder Daniel L. Johnson. Teaching the principals of the Gospel to investigators, less active members, and active members so that they understand was the main topic of the conference.


The primary had a baking activity and they asked us to join them at the end. We got to try there concoctions which actually turned out quite delicious. It was good to see all the kinds having a good time together.


We passed by to see on the members and it pleased us to see that one of the investigators was there when we arrived! The member had started making friends with the investigator which made us both rather happy!


We taught a less active member the Plan of Salvation who replied with surprise saying how he had never really thought to much about the plan before. We talked about the Savior and His atonement. He replied saying that he really needed to focus his life more on the Savior. He pointed out that He is the center of everything, for example even how we calculate time before and after his birth, and that he should be the center of our lives.  It was touching to realize how much Christ really should be at the front of our minds more and the impact that He can play in our peace, family, and everyday life.


I love the work. It’s fabulous. After having spend a day and a half in Villahermosa (away from my area for the conference) coming back to my area, it really did feel like home sweet home. I love you all so very much, may you all be guided by the Spirit, and may you recognize the many blessings the Lord gives us. I know he cares and works to bless us in so many ways.


With much love,

Elder Peine

Us with the branch president

Sunset

Primary!

A Childs Prayer- 02/11/2013

A little boy named David, who's family are members, was baptised this week. Brother Manuel, the Sunday school president baptised him and everything went wonderfully. To finish David was asked to say the prayer. With sincerity and love he thanked God for his baptism, for everyone that came, and for his family. He asked that everyone could be blessed and it was rather sweet. I think we all had a moment of silence right after, just in shock of the simple tenderness of a child's prayer.

My companion and I were asked to speak in Sacrament meeting about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I enjoyed the wonderful spirit that was present in the small little sacrament room and am thankful to know such loving, wonderful people. Living the gospel has not been easy for most of them but their diligence and service is outstanding. They strive every day to be able to have a happy family even though setbacks do arise. We continue to work with the members in helping their friends learn about the gospel.

I love you all so very much. Enjoy this week!

Elder Peine

Sunset (its not This is The Place park, but its still rather wonderful)

Davids baptism

Congratulations David!