Thursday, August 26, 2010

August 2nd Letter


Sent: 8/2/2010 9:13:26 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time
Subj: Hola Familia

wow another week and another chance to write you guys. not much to report here just really enjoying being a dad. they have so much trust in you when they are new. lol and he is really excited for the work. we are with the whole zone right now and it is so hot in the jungle! but i want to thank you for the package you sent, or padded envelope i dont know what to call it. either way in spanish its paquete. it was really cool to receive my business cards and all those letters from the primary!!! send them my thanx. i also really enjoyed the cards from you guys. that poem about the man and the footprints has always been one of my favorites, and i was actually thinking about it when i recived the package lol. i have truly seen that the lord carries us through our difficulties. especially when we do all that we can. Sometimes we do everything we can and we dont see any result, then after everything falls in to place seperate than our efforts and we say what luck, but in this we forget our God and His help. i know thats he is interested and helps in our lives and especially in this work.

i will be sure to send a big thank you to omi for her gift. could you guys do it in person as well for me?

Querida Mami

to answer your questions we do have a microwave in my pension to heat things up, dont know why you asked maybe you are planning to send something?! lol but yes there are ways to heat things up and i dont need bowls or silverware, the pension takes care of all that. seperate there isnt anything i need. just to hear from you guys. if you want to send anything feel free but there isnt anything i need. but i will keep you updated week to week.

thanks for writing i understand that you had a meeting but it was still great to hear from you. i love you mom and am so grateful for all you do. i am aware you birthday is approaching and i am going to try and get you a card. i dont know if it will be on time because i dont get to mail every week, but i promise it will come. So there is going to be a training conference nextweek for all the new trainers (dads) and district leaders. its cool because we are going to get to go to another zone that i have never been to!

I love you a ton mom and am so glad to hear from you every week. know that i am grateful and safe, and i will talk to you soon. always strive to have the spirit there is nothing that can replace it.

Querido Papi

i accidently sent the letter half completed! thats what i get for not speaking english well anymore. whats the difference between save and send anyway? you might find this interesting dad but i dream in spanish now. almost everyday that i dream its all spanish, which is funny because often there are people from home in my dreams that dont speak any spanish in reality but in my dreams there rattling off spanish like natives! lol

i cant believe that shaun has the priesthood and and is going to go off to school so soon. its really sad for me to think, that hes not going to be there when i get back, but i also wouldnt want him to postpone a mission for anything, there is no better experience in this part of life. i have learned so much, and its funny how easy it is now to talk to people when it was so hard back home, but now i can talk to a complete stranger about the gospel and it doesnt really matter if they accept or not. which i think was so hard at home, i was worried they would reject me. heck my first contact in the mission rejected the message.

i cant believe you bought the tube, you are a changed man! lol and going to the lake for the first time in july! thats a change! i miss the lake especially cold water right now because it is so hot in la merced-the area of the zone leaders which is in the jungle. ummm the new kid is going great and and its not hard to lead the area. he reminds me of me a little. he doesnt know the lessions por memory or better said the points we have to teach, so he give his brief portion and looks to me to teach the rest lol, just like me i could only give my testimony becuase i didnt even speak the language! lol

we have some baptisms coming up in August and yes my birthday, but i dont feel almost 21! but please pray for Jesus, Carmen, Luz, jacky, and edith! I love you dad and we will talk again nexty week. say hi to everyone for my especially shaun if he is leaving this week to school. i love you all. keep praying and i will do the same. remember pray like everything depends on God and work like everything depends on you.

Con amor
elder spencer Fogleman
Tu hijo (who is now a dad! lol)

July 19th


Sent: 7/19/2010 10:17:49 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time
Subj: Hola!!!!


Well another week has gone by and i cant believe how fast they continue to pass! we are just a couple of days away from the cambio and we will have to wait and see what happens. i am a little nervous, but no not as nervous as my comp who is still in his first area. vamos a ver si me quedo en provincia o irme a Lima otra vez.

i am glad everyone likes the pics and i will continue to take them and try to send them as much as possible. yes the work is a little slower here in this area, but it is starting to get going, i think, at least we have 3 people with fecha (date) bautismal. one is a man named Jesús and he is really cool. is catholic and married to a member and has had trouble accepting the message, but we gave him a fecha to pray about and last night we were watching the video of the restauracion with him and another member and the member asked him, and when are you going to be baptized and he said the fecha we had given him to pray about, the 14th of August!!

Which reminds me, i dont know if you guys have noticed but i noticed when we started taking about fechas for investigators in august but i am about to turn 21!! Crazy!!




Querida Mami

Espero que estés bien mami. i did receive your first email without pics and am waiting for your next. just got thanx so much for the pics, i have a new nephew! do you know what that means? i have almost 9 months in the mission! because i found out steph was pregnant when i was still in the MTC in Provo! Crazy!! ya here we still have a lady cooking our food, she is really cool y se llama hna haydee. i will try to send a pic. i dont really know more of the history, just that its beautiful here.

Thats really cool that you ran into Kevin Lemly at the bookstore. ya we worked together and he was really cool we had similar intrests in literature, and so always talked about Harry potter and other things. i know him better by Disney, which he earned because he is a disney fanatic! lol i was premie and my boss dana called me foglewomen lol good times!

Dad didnt tell me about the jaundice but i hope hes alright! its the same thing steph had no? is it genetic? Keep me updated on the baby and everyone back home!

i LOVE you mom and will talk to you next week! i hope you are well and know that i love you. keep la obra in your prayers and the 3 people here who are going to be baptized. i cant wait to hear more from you. oh we also sang a special musical number yesterday in church, lead kindly light. we sang the first verse together in spanish then i sang the second in english he did the same in spanish and we finished together the last verse in spanish.

Con Amor
Elder Spencer Fogleman
Tu Hijo

Qurido Papi

wow its hard to believe that i am so close to 200 pounds but that about what i figured around 205 so light!!! lol but i still need to cut off some fat.

I love you dad, it means a lot to get to communicate with you and see how you are. please pray for these 3 people Jesús, Carmen y Luz. Carmen is married and is afraid her husband wont give permission. i will talk to you again soon, but know i am going to attach fotos. know that i am well adn happy serving the Lord. Send a shout out to chase and let him know that he can write me if he wants lol.

Con amor
Elder Spencer Fogleman
Tu Hijo

July 12 Letter and Pictures





Sent: 7/12/2010 9:54:55 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time
Subj: Holaaaa!


Well i am very excited to hear about the new are and to receive so many emails today! thanks so much for the info and your love and i cant wait to see pics of my new nephew!!! i dont know if i will be able to answer all your questions but i will try and maybe send some pics!

I loved hearing from steph and jamie, let them know i love them too, and am glad to hear that baby and mother are well.

Now about the weight. yes i am losing a lot, but am being very safe mother! lol and actually eating a lot. but so everyone knows i weigh about 94 Kilograms. and am down another notch in my belt which is 5 or 6 inches off the waste! i really just need to trim a little especially on the sides. its alright if you dont recognize me because i dont recognize the old pics of me lol.

I love my area and am starting to feel comfortable in it, in another week i think i could lead it. it really is beautiful and i will enjoy it while i can because i dont know when i will be back in Lima. it really isnt jungle, but we visit the Jungle often, thats where i saw the waterfalls, thats right two! but aun así its civilized and we meet in a regular capilla. its cool because its made of wood.



Querida mami

Como estas? i hope you are well and it was great to hear from you this week. i love you mom and miss you. i cant believe shaun is so close to leaving, say hi for me and tell him i love him. i dont know if he will care, but he might find it funny that i learned how to do the Rubix cube out here in Peru! lol

Know that i am well and that i love you. i will talk to you soon, and eternally hope that i will have more time the next monday lol

Con Amor
Elder Spencer fogleman
Tu Hijo



Querido Papi

Hola Como estas? espero que estés bien y saludable. i am fine here and the work is going well. mas o menos. we dont have anyone ready to be baptized. lots of investigadores but no one ready to be baptized or leave things like alcohol. but we are working really hard and trying to work with the members. i would say that its probably the same here that almost 70 percent of the baptisms are referencias and so we are trying to work with the members.

That restaurant in texas sounds like lo maximo! i kinda want to go now. its also good to hear that riding a moto is just like an Atv, because the only time i went on a moto was with Uncle Chris a few years a go and it kinda scared me. lol

I love you dad and am praying for you, please just pray for the ward of Oxapampa, that it grows and strengthens. wow i had to think about that for a little while to write it in english lol its easier in spanish, pro favor ora para el barrio en oxapampa que crezca y se fortelezca! as far as the language goes its good. its not perfect and i dont know if it ever will be, but i just dont worry about it anymore. i pray everyday for the don de lenguas y hago mi mejor. and its rare that something is said that i dont understand.

Talk to you again soon dad. and love you

con amor
Elder Spencer Fogleman
Tu Hijo

ps we had a conferencia and then pday with the president thats why he is in the photo!

Tuesday, June 29, 2010





Sent: 6/28/2010 2:04:10 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time
Subj: Hola!!!!!!!!!


Hola familia!! well another week has passed here in Oxa. I am throughly enjoying my time here and can't believe k chase is back, please say hi for me. the time really does fly and i cant believe i already have 8 months in Peru. the area really is beautiful here and the air so clean. we keep working and teaching and doing our best. i still dont know my new area perfectly, it takes me a little while to learn but its so cool. To answer the question, i do not have a machete because we do not walk through bush all day. the area is all cleared out and i will try to send more pics.

I hope you like the first pic i sent, its so you guys can see my progress so far. if everyone was impressed with the weight i lost, this pic might just impress a little more.




Querida Mami

Sorry i didnt get your email this week, we do the email thing so dang early you know. but i hope you are well and that you enjoy the pics this week. i love you mom and hope all is well at home. say hi to everyone for me especially chase and i will write again soon. Know that i love you and that i am well, and extrememly happy. the time is flying so fast, and i have so much left to do. Stay true mom and read the Book of Mormon! i am reading through it right now in castillano or spanish, and i realized that this will be the 7th time that i have read through it and you know what, i am learning new things in every chapter. Love you mom.

Con Amor
Elder Spencer Fogleman
Tu Hijo



Querido Papi

Thanks for you email dad it sounds like you guys had a blast this week in the encampment, and so wierd to think that chase is back. well my comp is from Guatemala, near mexico. entonces hes not from south america. he is really cool and a lot of help for me. His name is Gary Salcedo and his dad was a singer in caifornia in like 93 or 94, dont know if you have heard of him but his name is Eric Salcedo. anyway i am really enjoying my time with him. Sorry avout the run that was hard, we are running here, but my comp isnt really motivated bc he has done sports all his life and so wants to bulk up in the mission, but if we run he loses weight lol.

Well i am excited to hear about the baby, maybe next week in the email!?! but we will see, and for sure send me some pics please. i cant believe steph is finally haveing a baby lol. umm i have some cool things and am always on the look out for new stuff. i have a couple of new shirts that are cool but i will get a whole bunch of new things here in the jungle....maybe a machete lol. i wish i could send all the pics i have it really is beautiful aqui.

Thats a bummer that it costs so much to rebuild a car, because i am going to need a car when i get back and i was hoping it would be easier to rebuild than to by... oh well i will just have to look for a nice used one with a stick shift, becuase i really want to drive a stick shift. or maybe just a moto-which is a motorcycle. in my area right now everyone drives a motorcycle, even ten year old girls, kinda makes me feel like a loser because i dont even know how to drive one lol. but maybe it would be easier at school to just have a moto. dunno but i guess we will see. i am just looking forward to learning to drive a stick shift when i get back.

Well i love you dad and will right again soon. i hope all is well and i look forward to next monday. its funny how you can have no success-that is baptisms- and still be happy. i know that what i am doing is right and i couldnt be happier. Love ya Dad

Con Amor
Elder Spencer Fogleman
Tu Hijo

Monday, June 7, 2010

June 7, 2010




Sent: Mon, Jun 7, 2010 10:18 am
Subject: Hola

Well story of my life in the mission: i dont have very much time but hope you like my pics and i am grateful for the oppurtunity to write you guys. The first pic is of the baptism last week, the second two of my in my new suit and the last is a close up trying to show you guys the fabric of the suit more clearly. Its not really pin stripe because the stripes are also black but a darker shade and a little more shiney so the affect is really cool but far away in a foto you cant see.

Well we didnt have any baptisms this week, and there are not any planned for the next week but we have lots of people with potential. there are always slow weeks but im not worried. we set kinda a high goal so i think my comp is a little stressed, but hes probably going to leave the area in 3 days so no worries lol.

Thanks mami for all the support and all the short emails from my cousin and niece and nephew. i am grateful for their words and sorry i cant resond to each, but i am truly enjoying peru and my mission. I love you mom and really hope you are well. i wish you luck in everything in life. i will talk to you soon and i hope you enjoy the letters that are coming! thank grandma and grandpa for their letters, i havnt had a chance yet to write them back.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Subj: Hola Familia


Well things are great here in machu picchu and a little chilly. its great to have the weather change but everyone asks me like everyday, arent you cold? because i am always in a short sleve shirt. we didnt have any baptisms this week, but we have three planned for this week! i am loving the experiences that i am having here and am truly blessed of the lord. thanks for all the support and prayers.



Querida mami

Lo siento mami that i didnt get your email this morning but i hope you like the fotos. one is our room in which you can see that we have up the flag. and the other is me and elder silva who was in my last zone its really just to show how much weight i lost adn the last is the baptism of rudi last week bc we didnt have any this week.

I love you and hope you are well. i will write more next week, but hope you sent that package bc i have no more business cards lol. i hope you know i love you adn will read your email next week. bye mom



Querido Papi

Yes the time really is flying and we are approaching another transfer which means just one more until we another about the divisions. but these divisions might only be temporary bc the word is that the papers are in for another mission within the next year! i dont think a day has gone by in which i hoped or wanted the 50 lbs back, and this peruvian was still smaller than me just well built and the tallest i have baptized lol. adn i dont know if it was really 50 lbs, but i do know how many inches. i measured my belt and each notch is one inch apart, and i have dropped 5 notches including the new one i made, entonces i have lost 5 inches!

Well i think the suit will be done during this week so monday i should be able to send fotos if the computer will let me send pics, right now i am having trouble. thats so cool that you won the tickets to see all three bands, thats so cool. i do miss classic rock a little. I am sure Jordan is stoked as well. are the seats good?

Tell shaun congradulations on the 1000 club!! thats so awesome that he hit that goal, was it exaclty 1000 or a little over. well thats definately more than i could have done. and more on the squat he has me by 25 lbs at my best. right now he destroys me bc i cant lift at all. but that is so awesome and send my congrats. I also cant believe he is graduating! take lots of pics( or just let mom do it naturally) but send me some. its crazy how old he is and that in one year he will have his mission call.

i am sorry that you got sick but i hope you are better soon. i will add your health to my prayers. provecho on not waking up until noon. i remember saturdays after games doing that but it all seems very long ago lol. i also cant believe that it has been another month and that i have 7. i hope you are doing better today and that this letter cheers you up. I love you dad and i love this gospel. i know that heavenly father loves us and that for this he sends us here in families. you have always been a great example to me and i thank you for teaching me the ways of the Lord ( Mosiah 4:14-15). I love you, and will talk to you again soon.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Well another week has come and gone, but only days since i called home. i am still doing great and also loved the opportunity to call home and hear everyones voices. we just got done with the temple this morning so i am kinda on a spiritual high and loving life. i was a little bit trunky after talking to everyone on monday, probably because i talked a little long. But now i am back in the work and i feel great. not too much new to share but its still great to say hi. I am sorry that i cant send any photos but i dont have my camara, i will try to be better.



Querida Mami

hello again and thank you for your email. you are welcome for the letter and i hope dad didnt feel to left out. Elder Pozo is doing good. i feel bad because hes having trouble entering his email right now and so cant talk with his family. ya not much of a stomach left on me. i still have a lot of work to do and will have to work really hard to make sure it doesnt come back. i did have my pants taken in but i dont think there is anything to do about the shirts-i dont want to buy new ones. i have like 3 also that i have never opened that are for after the year mark but they are not going to fit me :( lol speaking of clothing i have a question. i was thinking of buying a suit down here from a member who makes them. i trust his quality and it would fit me better. but obviously i wanted to consult with you first. let me know what you think. i want a black one and it would cost between 180-200 soles. But i need to know in your email on monday to give him time to make it before the cambio (transfer).

My spanish wasnt amazing! but i am improving. it defenitely sounds crazy in the house but it also sounds like everyone is doing great. Send all my love and say hi for me. Apologize that i didnt get to talk more to Shayla, but let everyone know it was great to her their voice. i cant believe shayla is going to be in high school. shaun said she doesnt even look the same anymore. is she still way tiny and thin?

Well mom i love and always pray for you. i hope you truly are well. i am glad you could hear the joy in my voice, but if there was any doubt in your mind i want you to know that i love the mission and what i am doing here in Peru. There could be no better way to spend these two years at this time in my life. i am grateful for the experiences i have had thus far, for the spirit and to be witness as people accept the gospel and change their lives. and i am excited for what the future holds. its so crazy to hear everyones mission calls and i am excited to hear shaun's in a year. By the way say hi to the wagners and congradulate them that kyle is now in the CCM. I love you mom and will talk to you in a week.

con Amor
Elder Spencer Fogleman
Tu Hijo



Querido Papi

ya so mission norte looks like the mission but we will see in July. but no north doesnt have the real Machu Picchu and right now i am no where near it either. it actually is part of lima central right now but will be part of the new mission cuzco that will open up in July.

I am so excited about july and everyone that is receiving their calls, also it might have something to do with the fact that i just left the temple....but ya im excited and i loved getting the chance to talk to you on monday. it being so near i dont really have anything new to add, but thanks for your email and i just wnat to say hi.

well i dont have a lot of time but i love you dad and cant wait to read your email this monday also. btw what would you think of a peruvian made black pinstripe suit for me?? I will talk to you on monday dad but i love you and am so greateful for all your support. i pray for you daily and please pray for the work aqui in peru and in all the world. Bye dad. I love you adn sorry that the line cut out on you monday when we were talking on the phone. Stay true to the faith and read the Book of Mormon.

Con Amor
Elder Spencer Fogleman
Tu Hijo

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

6 MONTH MARK

WHERE SPENCER IS TODAY-

San Juan de Lurigancho is a district in Lima, Peru, located in the area known as Cono Este. It is sometimes referred to as simple "SJL" on various forms of transportation. With a current population that may have exceed one million people, it is the country's most populous district and possibly one of the largest urban neighbourhoods in the world.

MOST RECENT LETTER FROM SPENCER-

Sent: Mon, May 3, 2010 11:05 am
Subject: Hola

Well i have been transferred! I am in MachuPicchu!!! en serio but its not the Machu Picchu that you know, but in some ways it looks similar. i am in the zone Canto Grande which is in Lima and the distric San Juan Lurigancho-which is the district that will be part of Lima North. So with only one transfer before the switch it looks like i will be in Lima North, but i know that the decision comes from the Prophet and the quorem of 12 so im not worried. It is a little sad though because of the 8 gringos in my entry group i am the only one right now in SJL which will be part of North. But my new companion es lo maximo!! His name is Elder Pozo, and he is a life long member from Lima misma. i have to respect the elders that are here serving so close to their home...i couldn't do it. its kinda wierd being here only because its so close to my old area. when people ask i say ya vengo de Zarate cercito no mas or i was in Zarate no far from here. when i first heard i was a little upset i thought maybe provincia but when i arrived it felt right and i am happy to serve wherever the Lord wants me. One thing that is way cool is that my new comp was the trainer of one of the missionaries in my group, who was also my comp in the MTC, Elder Porter.



Querida Mami

Dont worry about not congradulating me, its only 6 months after all. but the time is really flying. i need to know solamente how much money to pull out, so tell por favor in the next email. i dont think i will be able to send you a letter this week but i will try for next week. we dont have a serpost in nuestra area so we can only send letters on lunes, pero we also can only write letters on Lunes so im going to have to try and figure this out. ummm no i dont do my own laundry pero bleach pens are lo maximo especialment with ties and they are impossible! to find down here. Gracias por sending the email to Jon, Kruse was a mutual amigo in the MTC, but went home for medical reasons, i just thought jon would like to know. i dont think you knew Kruse but he was my comp in the CCM the last 3 weeks i was there.

ya sorry about all the spanish, sometimes its just easier. but i dont think i am going to try and stop b/c you guys seem to like it. ahh Cesar, ya he raised his and in contra de los profetas so we left him, lol just kidding. but he does have a hard schedule so i only saw him like one time after. now i am in a new area so i cant really say.

Gracias mami por tu email and all of your support. i cant wait to call you. we are going to cally today to set up the call during the week and i am way excited. know that i love you and pray for you. There is really nothing more i can say.talk to you soon. lovae ya bye!

Con amor
Elder Spencer Fogleman
Tu Hijo




Querido Papi

as you will already know i got transfered this week so yes there is something knew! lol and dont worry about not writing again, you congradulated me on my 6 months and it just means i get two this week! besides i know you were busy, i still cant believe sarah is married its really wierd to think. this week in Zarate we had one baptism planned that i will miss and like 5 more people who are ready that just need to accept the baptism. but i am here now in Machupicchu, but i didnt leave Elder Stoler, my replacement and other gringo, without people to teach. This week we had a baptism here in bueno Canto nuevo i failed to mention that we have a pretty big area and dos barrios ( two wards) the baptism was in barrio canto nuevo but was last monday i was only present for the confirmation this sunday b/c transfers are mid week. we have about four planned this month but others who can also be baptized. my area also is almost all hills its in Lima but doesnt really feel like it. everyday up and down the hills, i am starting to lose even more weight lol.

Yeehaaw shaun finished, i knew he could but was starting to think that he wasnt going to. only 12days away! i dont remember how many days i had left but it was defenitely more than 12 lol. Congradulate him for me. i dont really know why but i am so proud.

ya i am bouncing back and forth from spanish to english a lot. sometimes its just easier to say what i want to say and express myself in spanish. it sounds like you like it but if not i can try to change it. i already explained it to mom but she said it was cool. i cant believe Stephanie is going to have a baby so soon. its wierd to not be there. i still remember the birth of kaleia.

ya right now im not running with the changes but maybe we will start again we could never go very far becasuse we have a time limit of 30 mins but it felt good to run again. good luck with your running too. i would rate my spanish about a 7 because i really do understand almost everything said to me but speaking is another story, especially with all the rules about subjunctive and all that.

Well dad thanks for everything; for your advice and love and for all your help growing up. i love and will talk to you soon. i have to go but say hi to everyone for me.

Con Amor
Elder Spencer Fogleman
Tu Hijo

Monday, February 22, 2010

Please Read-I know it is kind of long

Hello dear moms!
This is long overdue but I promised a quick report of our Peruvian
trip before
I signed off.
I know there are many new members and if this will make you homesick
for your
missionary--just delete it.
Last November, my husband and I went to pick up our son in Peru. We
spent 12 days touring around. The first half was spent visiting his old areas and the last half was spent flying to Cusco and seeing Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca.
It was THE trip of a lifetime and so very exhausting and enlightening. We were
able to get round trip tickets for ourselves for $800 a piece and coordinate our
missionary's return flight. You have to fly DELTA because that is the only
airline the Church uses to travel to Peru.
Rather than give a play by play for each day, I would just like to
give some general observations.
1. Peru is a country of contrasts--extreme poverty and beauty. The
Saints
are wonderful generous people. One of our son's Pensions couldn't stop kissing
my handing and thanking me for sending my son to Peru. There were many tears
shed.
2. I saw with my own eyes the places where our son lived, worked,
slept, and
ate. It seems that every picture he sent home always had the nicest background
he could find so I wouldn't worry.
3. Taxi rides in Lima are crazy--noone obeys traffic signs. The
roads are
rarely paved and if they are, there are huge potholes. I was bounced around so
much that I felt like my kidneys would pop out of my ears.
4. What I thought were telephone booths on the corner of residential
streets
in Lima were really private security guard booths. The people pay to have
someone guard their streets and many streets are closed off by an iron gate at
night.
5. Trash is placed on waist high iron baskets in Lima so the dogs
won't get
into the trash.
6. A flushable toilet is a luxury and toilet paper isn't standard
issue in a
bathroom. A street vendor selling toilet paper came into a cafe in which we
were eating to sell this precious commodity.
7. I wouldn't have made it if our son didn't speak the language. He
was
always proselyting taxi drivers and bargaining for the best prices. Prices on
things are always negotiable.
8. I am glad I brought along food because Peruvian food wasn't too
enjoyable
for me. I can't lie. By the end of the trip our son would order bread "pan"
for me and I would spread tuna brought from home on it and eat it right in the
cafe.
9. Our most expensive day was the day we flew to Machu Picchu, took
a train
then a bus there and then paid 120 sols apiece to get in. You MUST have
Peruvian $ because they don't take credit cards or exchange American $. It was
so worth it, though.
10. I was am amazed at the American things you could buy in the
larger cities. The drugstores carried Head and Shoulders, Pantene, Axe body spray,
anti-perspirant, feminine hygiene products, etc. It was a bit costly but much
cheaper than sending a padded envelope. I asked our son why he didn't tell me
and he said he loved getting envelopes from home. It was hard to find good
American candy. They really don't have anything sweet-- They do have OREO's
and some Frito chips that are a combination of potatoe chips, cheese curls and
corn chips--NOT too bad.
11. INKA COLA seems to be the national soda pop--it tastes like
watered down
cream soda. Our son thought it was great but I told him that his taste buds had
died!! HA! HA!
12. If your missionary is serving in the providences and not in a
larger city
it will be almost impossible for them to get anything American. Our son spent 7
1/2 months on the top of Cedrro de Pasco and I barely lasted 7 1/2 hours there.
The altitude (14,500 ft.) made my head feel like it was in a vice, my heart
race, and I immediately felt better when we got off that mountain. Our son said
he was sick for 2 weeks trying to adjust to the altitude. Now we find out, we
had no clue when he was a missionary. Our son said it made a man out of him and
he really loved that copper-mining city. The people were so lovely--all got on
their cell phones to spread the word so they could come and see us.
13. If you go, take plenty of cash, some sunscreen, good walking
shoes, and leave behind your vanity. We spent 3 or 4 nights riding buses and the whole trip we lived out of a backpack. My attire for Church was what I had worn for
two days straight, jeans, dusty tennis shoes, and a sweater. My face and hair
were not washed--I looked like something the cat dragged in but the beautiful
Saints didn't give me a second glance. They found out I played the piano, ran
to the library to get a keyboard, and had me sit up front near the pulpit to
play the hymns for their meetings. It was amazing. Our son said I played them
with much more enthusiasm than they usually sing them---apparently they sort of
drag them but they adjusted to my tempo. Pianos aren't standard issues for
chapels, either. ALL Church chapels have iron gates around them.
As you can tell, I am not an outdoorsy type of person. I had to go
to Peru to appreciate what our son accomplished during his time there. My husband and I served stateside missions and had it a lot easier than those who serve in
foreign economically challenged countries. I came back firmly believing that
our kids are superheroes as well as missionaries. The challenges they face with
the language, culture, food, etc. are something that I don't think I could have
managed. I was very happy to get back in the US. We have our problems in this
country but it takes a trip like that to truly appreciate what we have. God
knows our son and Peru really was the palce for him. He thrived there--his boy
scout training came in handy. He learned to appreciate our home more, actually
thanked us for all the FHE's, family scripture studies and family prayers we
have had over the years. Our son gained what we really wanted for him. Upon
his return and his official release our Stake!
President asked him what he gained from his mission and he replied,
"I gained a firm testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ." Our family errupted in cheers--that is all we really ever wanted for him.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Pictures

A Baptism

Spencer's Room

The Lima temple

Tuesday, January 19, 2010



Sent: Tue, Jan 19, 2010 10:16 am
Subject: Hola!!

Querida mami

Thanks for posting the pic of the monkey and it didn't bite me. ya i guess i havnt checked the date on my camera.

Thank you for the address it is a friend in provo who i havnt talked to in a while and wanted to. if you haven't sent the packge/card yet send it to the mission home address it the only way i will get it. If you havn't sent it yet there are a few things i wouldn't mind having: There are a lot of dogs here that bark and run after us and i can't find a dog whistle here, one where you blow and can't hear anything because the pitch is too high but dogs cant stand it, so send me one of those from the states, also tichonderoga pencils, one pack ought to last my mission, bleach pens from tide, they don't sell them here and they are dead useful for stains. and last if you can find them replacement laces for my church shoes, both have four eyeloops on each side(8 in total) the smaller ones use a thick round style and the boots use a flat lace.If you want to include some dulces i won't mind, i havent hade a reese's peanut butter cup in 3 months!

oh ya Cebre is a girl from BYU ( my first two semesters) i actually saw her while i was in the MtC; on my way back from the temple. oh and an interesting tid bit i had to graduate seminary to go to peru so tell shaun to endure through his last year becuase if he doesn't graduate it will limit his oppurtunites or places to serve.

I love you mom and love to here from you. I hope you are well and pray for your success in your callings talk to you soon.



Querido papi

Say hi to justin for me
my area is Zárate in stake las flores i wrote more but again the computer erased what i wrote im going to try to get as much back down as i can. i have lost quite a bit of weight. i can go down to the last notch in my belt but my pants scrunch up real bad. the monkey was a pet at a house and is the only one i have seen. it was so dirty! we eat every meal with our pensionista except sunday lunch the members love to feed us but dont really gicve us referrals. the work load is fine, i am just trying to learn to be led by the spirit because i didn't really master that before my mission, if you have any suggestions let me know.

I love you dad and pray for your success. i am grateful to only have one calling. you have always been an amazing example to me of a father, priesthood bearer and a friend.

With love always
Elder Spencer Fogleman
Your Son

Enjoy the pic

Monday, January 11, 2010


NEW ADDRESS!
ELDER SPENCER FOGLEMAN
PERU, LIMA EAST MISSION
CALLE LOS AGROLOGOS 368
URBANIZACION LAS ACACIAS DE MONTERRICO
LA MOLINA
LIMA 12 PERU

Sent: 1/4/2010 11:19:25 A.M. Pacific Standard Time
Subj:


Querida papi

ya i know its wierd to get old letters and i cant promise that there will be a letter thereevery week. now that i am in the field it costs 2-3 dollars to send one envelope! but i promise at least one a month. i am happy to hear all the news about football, not to beconfused with futbol. And ifyou ever see Evan say i for me. tahtreminds me, I can only send one email a week so mom has to forward it to you.

The field is so different than the CCM but i am enjoying it. We get next to no referrals from members, only those we receive contacting.wedo quite a bit of contacting and a lot of teaching the restoration, which is cool because the spirit bears testimony of joseph smith each time, but i would like the people to be progressing more. we don't have anyone ready for baptism. church is tough all in spanish, but i understand most of what is said to me unless it's said like a thousand miles an hour! But expressing myself is a lot tougher.

Well im sorry i can't remember what i wanted to tell you at christmas but you might find it interesting that i am the only white person in my whole Zone, not just area but zone! I love you papi and am always greatful for your emails. i will try to send more post cards, and let me know about the jersey. ¡Nos vemos!

Love,
Elder Spencer Fogleman
your Son


Querida mami

I hate giving you like a shopping list, but there are a few things i need. whenever you send that package with the businesscards please put in some pills for my throught. i dont needthe boxes just the packet of 7 pills connected is fine. also in need you to forward the following message to jmackproject@myldsmail.net:

Sorry Elder McClurg, ive got a new mission rule that i can only send one message a week to my family. i would love to keep hearing from you but i cant write back. maybe i will have my mom forward stuff.

Love you mom but im out of time. i hope to hear from you soon. like always you can read dads portion it goes for boh of you. Love you lots, and pray for you daily, please do the same for me, this work isnt easy, but i guess if it was it wouldnt be worth it. Para siempre Dios esté con te. Te amo

love,
Elder Spencer Fogleman
Your Son
Sent: 1/4/2010 9:21:00 A.M. Pacific Standard Time
Subj: Hola


First before i forget thank omi for her email end explain that i can read her email but cant respond. also let here know that if she sends a letter i will receive it.

I love you mom and hope to hear from you next week. Keep me in your prayers and I will do the same. Always remember the Saviour He knows us personally and cant forget us. (alma 7: 11-13; 1 ne. 21:14-16) :)

Dad thanks for the email. sounds like you had a busy weekend. Sorry i dont know an elder turley. The Jerseys cost about 15-maybe 20 soles which is like 6 or 7 bucks. let me know if you want me to pick you up one, i might be able to next week. my new comp. is elder burgos from Ecuador hes really cool and a great trainer. communicating is still not easy but you do what you have to. apanish is coming i just want it all right now. there was something i forgot to tell you over the phone but i cant remember it now. i will try to remember it for next week. well i am out of timebut i love you and prayfor you. pray for my success.

Hasta Ver

Elder Spencer Fogleman
Your Son
Sent: 12/16/2009 11:34:58 A.M. Pacific Standard Time
Subj: hello


Umm...i got your last email but i didnt get one for like two or three weeks before that so ive just been telling you how i have been doing. Which by the way is really good. I hit the field in a week and am really excited but a little nervous. I hope your christmas season is amazing and i can't wait to call you! i just dont know when i will get to call yet.

By the way if you were going to send me something for Christmas dont include internation stamps; i cant use them.I love you siempre!

Love,
Elder Spencer Fogleman
Your Son
Sent: 12/9/2009 10:23:20 A.M. Pacific Standard Time
Subj: hola


Hey mom!

I hope all is well and the Christmas season is going great for you! I love you with all my heart.

I know that Christ is our savior; that he died for us adn gave us the greatest gift we could ever have. I know that this Christmas season that if you seek our savior and seek to know more about Him that you can grow closer to Him and feel more of His everlasting love and peace.

Love,
Elder Spencer Fogleman
Sent: 12/2/2009 5:50:25 A.M. Pacific Standard Time
Subj: Hola


Querida mamá!

I didn't get an email from you this week but i though i would just drop you a line. Lifes good here, im part of the older group now which is really wierd! Its been a really fun week and today we get to go on a tour around the city and actually shop for things like jackets and such! I sent another letter to you guys i hope you get it soon. In it i mentioned if you are already sending a package to the mission home you might want to throw in some shampoo-head and shoulders- deoderant-speed stick:ocean surf- and triple A batteries for my camera-im taking a lot of fotos for you! Also, once i leave the CCM i cant send you letters using American stamps so i kinda need international stamps to keep writing. If your not sending anything don't worry im sure i can find them in the city. just letting you know bc the less shopping i have to do the less stress.

The other thing in the letter is instructions pertaining to the Wagners. I reiterate them here just in case you cant read my hand writing: one of my teachers back in provo MTC was Israel Rosales. He mentioned that he knew some people from the mormon colonies in chihuahua, mexico and i asked him if he knew the wagners, and he said which ones and i said kevin, then hes like you know kevin! and i said ya he is in my stake back home. Any way i want to know if Kevin remembers him. hermano rosales is from Mexico City, so please ask them for me!

As just a last note, at this point any responses to letters you send you may want to just send to my mission home so it doesn´t get here after i leave. My head still hurts all the time because of how much language i am taking in daily, but i do enjoy spanish, one of the coolest parts of spanish is the himnos-hymns! they dont all directly translate but several of the spanish versions i like better! one example is that in the song called to serve, there is a line in the spanish version that doesn't exist in the english version: listo, siempre listo; anyway its kinda a motto around here you will have to check with dad to get the translation. I really want you guys to continue to read eachothers emails because i never get everything i mean to say into one, and just because it address it to one doesn't mean its not for the others eyes. As an example i shared a scripture in dads that hit me very powerfully this week that i want you to read as well.

I love you more than words can express, and grow to appreciate you more everyday of the mission. I miss the ability to just be able to call you when ever i feel like it or at least write an email to you any day of the week. But i am so grateful to be here and be trusted as a representative of Christ. The only girl in our district got pretty sick this week and they made her go home last night at least until she is better. anyway, i saw the way it tore her up to leave because she wanted to be here and was loving being a missionary. I know this is a once in a lifetime oppurtunity and i dont want to waste it. i love you Mom and want to thank you for the way you have raised me.

Love,
Elder Spencer Fogleman
Your Grateful Son
Sent: 11/26/2009 2:29:05 P.M. Pacific Standard Time
Subj:


Hey mom!

sorry about using english but my brain is fried and i dont have a lot of time! today is thanksgiving and adn we did a service project all day and have dinner soon!

first off dont worry about my mission friends i unfortunately dont have time to keep up on them :( as far as family goes i would love hand written letters...i dont get very many but i did get grandman and grandpa's and have written back it will probably arrive in the next few days. any letter you send to me you can use the return address i used on the letters i just sent to you until like ñmy last week and a half here then just send to my mission home!

everythinhg is fine and my companion has commented on my moaning but its not to bad-he just sleeps with ear plugs. packages are arriving just fine there just the issue of customs to work out-the ccm won't take care of it so either you have to when you send it or i have to when it gets here. All my stuff is great and so am i tonight we are having traditional american food for thanksgiving!!

I love you so much and am thankful for all ou have down for me and for the way you have raised me.

Love,
Elder Spencer Fogleman
Your Son

PS-I am taking lots of fotos but cant share them now, keep my facebook updated:) and tell my friends to write me! lol