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.

Pictures

A Baptism

Spencer's Room

The Lima temple

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

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