Sister Pugmire #5

Family

first of all I miss you all very much, but I´m very happy to do so. My companion doesn´t have a ny home sickness and I think I feel worse for her.

P.s. my companion is wonderful. we get along very well. She´s very easy going and easy to laugh hut she is also very dedicated and wants to be obedient. She has such a strong testimony. Hermana Ali is a blessing to me.

Last Saturday I went prosylting for the first time. we went to a town called Chosika. I was paired with Hermana Cruz because my companion and I don´t speak english. It was such a wonderful experience. I didn´t talk very much but I felt the spirit very strongly. I don´t think I´ve ever had such a strong desire to share the gospel because I care so much for people I´ve never met. we went to a restruarant where they served us salad. which I KNEW we weren´t supposed to eat beucase it´s impossible to completely clean the lettuce. I warned everyone and then I ate the lettuce becuase I didn´t want to waste food. Never again.

I then drink a coke for the very first time in my life because I´d heard mission president´s wives tell me that it kills the bacteria and very thing alse in your system. Thats why you shouldn´t drink that kind of stuff.

Oh, and I hated every minute of it. I never want to drink anything like it again.

many of the elders who ate the lettuce have been throwing up and couldn´t go on the tour of Peru today. One elder even had to go to the hosiptal.

Again, I will never eat something I know it bad for me out of couresty. The church says don´t do it so I´m not going to do it.

The Lima tour was amazng. we went to a beautiful Monestry that was built in the 1600s. I was so amazed. i wish I could show you picutres but there´s no way to do that on these computers and we werent allowed to take pictures inside anyways. We went to the catacombes underneath as well and that was pretty awesmoe. then we went and bought soccor jerseys (well the elders did) and after that we saw the state building and where the arch bishop lives.

The Hermanas latina left yesterday so my companion and I are the only sister missionaries here. we miss the hermanas but thats life I guess.

I lost my toothbrush last week and have been using a paper towel to brush my teeth. Today Hermana Cardon (the Mission Presidents wife) informed me that she had toothbrushes I could take. So I did.

CONGRATLATIONS LARSENS!!!!!!!!!! I can´t wait to share this with my district.

I got the Browns and Lehua´s letter and the birthday card from mom and dad and co. I was very happy to get both. I love gettinh Mom´s letters each week.

I got my early ballot as well. My branch president came over the nect day and i was able to give it to home to send back with some of his friends who leave in the states. I feel very blessed to be able to vote on my mission.

I hope that I get more time in the field to write. I´m out now, please forgive the horrible grammer and confused thoughts. I so much more to say!!! oh well. If I forget I have an eternity to recall it.

Love,

Hermana Pugmire

P.S. I placed my first books of Mormon on saturday

Sister Pugmire #4

Dear Family,

I has been so long since I have emailed you! Atleast that´s the way I feel. Usaully we email on Wednesdays but the internet in Lima has been down for the past 2 days.

I would like to begin by saying that I haven´t read any of the emails sent to me because I´m on a timer and I want to tell you everything I can before I read your mail.

I would like to also tell that I got Mom´s letter on my birthday and it was the best birthday gift I have ever received!!!!

To begin:

My first couple of days here I was with to Latina companions- Hermanas Cruz and Castro. I loved following them around everywhere although I didn´t know what was going on. Orietation was a alittle tought to follow but i basically understood it.

We had our first branch meeting the first night. As I sat dummily pretending to understand my name was called as someone recieving a calling. I stood up and accpeted it but I didn´t have a clue what that calling was. I found out when they me the black binder that I was the cooridating sister (one of two) for a bunch of Latina Hermanas that I don´t understand.

A few nights ago the cooridating sister came into my room and explained that some of the hermanas were having a hard time getting along so we were going to have meeting. My first thoughts were that I was going to get any sleep that night. When we had the meeting I realized that it was a companship having troubles and I immediately remember that we weren´t supposed to try to advise them but just notify the branch president. So I sat there for a while listening to them pour out their feeling foreignly and said ¿oracion? as soon as I found a pause- aka I tried to end it as soon as possible. Pero, I still lost a good 30 mintues of sleep. I don´t think latinas need sleep, or atleast they don´t seem to think that they do.

Yesterday they surprised me with a cake at breakfast and sang happy birthday. They made me a really sweet card and a few of them shared peices of their candy with me for my birthday. It was very sweet of them.

Two days after I got here my companion Hermana Ali came. We knew eachother in the Prove MTC but she didn´t come to Peru with the rest of the group because she didn´t have her Visa yet. She´s alot of fun and I think we work pretty well together. We both love being around the other sisters and are pretty bummed that we can´t sit with them anymore at lunch because we need to sit with our own district. to build unity. On wednesday we went to the Lima Temple and the super market it was so beautiful and wonderful. I really appreciate all the chivlary here. They gave us their tray and tell us to go to the front of the line at lunch, give up seats on the bus for us, and do so many other things that make me want to act like a lady.

FYI- Mom please don't send me any packages in the MTC it´s super expensive and if you want to send a little then use the pouch mail, you can use USA stamps. the address is:

Lima Perú MTC

P.O. Box 30150

Salt Lake City, UT 84130

I wish I had time to write more about how interesting it is here and how much I love it but I´ve only got 5 minutes and I really want to read your mails Por Lo tanto- good bye.

I love so much,

Hermana Katy

Sister Pugmire #3

Mi familia,

I still havent read any of your emails because I havent been given the ok to spend time reading them. I have been give a little time to write a quick note to let you know Im here and safe. I will give you a quick overview of my trip:

On the ride from Salt lake to Atalana I sat next to an older gentlemen who was once a part of the church but was offended and he left. He actually left alot of Churchs that he was offended by. I gave him a pass along card but didnt talk to him about the church very much because every time he brought the subject up (which he frequently did) he would change the subject as I was speaking. He told me so many things about his life. He told me that he doesnt make friends very easily and that he normally doesnt speak to people on the plane but he opened up to me because I reminded him of a young women he was once engaged to who died! That was very interesting but im glad he felt comfortable around me.

Last night I slept in a room all by myself for the first time since the begining of my mission. Hermana Ali was supposed to fly out with us and be my companion but she didnt get her visa. So toady Ive been assigned to 2 Hermanas from South America and they are very sweet and helpful. I hope I get to spend alot of time with them so that I will be forced to learn faster!

As far as I can tell Peru is beautiful and I feel very blessed to be here.

I got the girls letters, Mary, and I was very proud of them. I showed them off to my companions and anyone else I could. Ill write them back as soon as I can but the mail is pretty slow here.

Love you all so much

Hereman Pugmire

Sister Pugmire #2

Well guys....
I received an email a few days ago to notify me that my visa hadn't come. I was asked to notify my family on my next P Day. Consider yourselves notified.
Yesterday I told I'm flying out to the Lima MTC on Tuesday and was asked to notify my family on my next P-Day. You are now notified.
I AM SO EXCITED!!!! And I'm feeling pretty darn blessed. I've worried more about that visa then I ought to and it's a relief to be on my way.
Sunday one of my companions and I were asked to give the prayers in Relief Society. Kind of a big deal. Sister Sherri Dew was the speaker. Yes that is correct- I said the closing prayer and I sat on the stand with Sherri Dew. It was rather epic and I'm feeling pretty cool.

Sister Dew asked to shake my hand but I said "whoa, whoa, whoa Sherri Dew- CEO of Desert Book and author of President Hinkley and Benson's biographies- not just anyone can shake my hand." Actually I had a pretty lovely cold so I told her it was best I keep my germs to myself. I think that comment made me more memorable.

I think the best feeling that I experince here at the MTC is a feeling of safety. You see, there are no 'sisters grabing sisters bums' at the MTC. I can turn my back in peace.

I'm sorry to write another very short letter. We get a half hour during laundry but I was pulled out because I had a nuring class that started earlier then I had been informed it would. I'm unlawfully finishing this letter now so I can't be as elaborate as I would wish to be. I love you all and miss you but I try not to think about you too much. Mainly I just pray for you and dream about you all.

Thank you Mary for getting your girls letters sent off (I'm assuming you did) it will make me very important in my district.

Erik- I didn't get to read your letter but I did see the beginning off it and I'm happy to hear you're sporting a more missionary look.

OK now I really gotta go. IT's too bad, I really had thought out a lot of fanstastic things to share with you that I'll forget before my next letter.

Lovingly,

Hermana Pugmire

Sister Pugmire 1st edition

Well family it's been week and I caught Tb here at the MTC. I'll probably die in a couple weeks. CHISTE!!!! AKA: Chiste is Esponal for 'just kidding', although I don't know the actual spelling of that. I'm finding out that I know very little about the gospel and Spanish. I want to be better than I am and progress fast then I am. I feel like I'm in one of those dreams were a monster is chasing me and I'm running in slow motion with lead shoes.
I have two companeras. There were 4 Hermanas in our district but Hermana Dopp got bumped up to intermediate Spanish so her companion (Hermana Shelton) became companions with myself and Hermana DeMille.
I got to see Aunt Lynnie during lunch a couple times before she left. She got my lunch schedule and came and found me. It was so wonderful to see her!!! My BYUI roommate and beloved friend Amanda Hill also found me. Apparently one of the Elders in her district knows how to hack into the computer system and found me for her. I am so loved.
I saw Elder Allred from the Stake and Elder Rigby came in today.
Lets see, my Bosom friend Katie picked me up from the airport and we went to Temple Square and lunch before I went into the mission. It was very peaceful and a great breather before I jumped into the compound. Hermana Shelton is going to D.C. South - aka the Riggs mission. I tried to tell her fantastic stories about them but I don't know any that she hasn't already heard. Everyone wants to tell her about how President Riggs likes to stick his finger in your food. Hermana DeMille is going to the Mesa Temple mission. If you see a very little person with very long dark, almost black, hair give her a big smile.
So I'm getting highly distracted because I'm trying to write in the laundry room; therefore I can't think of anything else to say even though I know more has happened.
P.S. write me a letter. My companion gets one every day so you should follow that excellent example. Well I don't need one every day.
I love ya'll very much and want know what's going on with you.
Love,
Herman Pugmire
oh and I attached a picture of me and katie and me and Elder Allred


This is not katy typing...but her wonderful sister, I can't figure out how to attach the pictures to her post...but i will figure it out and do it soon!

Wait... This is also in America?

What does the 4th of July mean to us? I mean besides freedom, patriotism, heroism, honor, justice, etc, etc, etc.
The 4th is a day that we light fireworks and have barbeques. It's universal- even here in nowhere land Gustavus. Of course everything must be on a smaller scale. The parade is about 5 trucks long plus the firetruck and lasts about 20 minutes (counting when it turns around). They have festival that everyone gets involved in. They sell pies and ice cream, the fire department has a barbeque fundraiser, and there are lots of competitions. There's the egg toss, the bubble gum bubble, the horseshoe toss, etc, etc, etc. The Lindbloms have dominated the horseshoe competition every year since they came here with this year being the exception. It was a tough blow to the Gustavus Country Inn pride. All those afternoons that Jim and Curtis spent throwing shoes has come to naught. Truly- the defeat was agonizing.
The most amazing competition was the greased pole. If the tide is high enough they grease a pole with Crisco, grease up some money, place it in a slit at the end of the pole and set it over the Salmon river. If you can slide down the pole, and get the money before you fall into the river  you win. It's the most interesting 4th of July tradition I know of and by far the most entertaining.
At midnight we all gather to the beach and light the fireworks. For all of us privileged with the Lindblom's acquaintance we know that this is the climax of the summer. They had been preparing for some time, and their efforts did not come to another crushing conclusion. The fireworks were fantastic and the patriotic country music playing in the background was a real nice touch. I don't how ya'll celebrated the 4th but I don't think it could have been in better style.
P.S. Yesterday after church we saw a mama bear with three cubs walking around about 12 yards from the window we were staring out. It was national geographic amazing. That is what people come to Alaska dreaming to see. I didn't dream it ladies and gentlemen- I lived it.

Curtis in the horseshoe competition, with a form like that you'd really think he'd take the champion seat.

The red solo cup float, not my favorite but still note worthy.

 

The bubble gum bubble contest

 
PS I tried uploading more and better pictures but it wouldn't load or save so this will have to do.

Boundaries

On this globe there is a dot named Gustavus Alaska. In this dot this there is a little nomad. Which is me. How is it I ended up in this little town where the side walk ends? The Lindbloms generously  invited me to come work at their lodge here and I anxiously accepted.
Gustavus is... different. Unless you're Andy Griffith then it's home sweet home. Except that Sheriff Andy couldn't eek out a living here because they don't have any law enforcement. Recently they built a fire station in reaction to a forest fire and apparently this is their  resource for all emergencies. Gustavus Alaska has two paved roads- one going from the airport to the national park and another stemming off of that going down to the dock; therefore, Gustavus has no stop lights. It would seem that the population of Gustavus is capable of containing/ restraining themselves without the aid of deputies and blinking lights. Everyone seems to be possessed of common sense; everyone that is, except me.
Last week as I was frolicking about the meadow when Boyd (another employee/ friend of the Lindbloms) suddenly screeched to a halt with the golf-cart-thing next to me and asked me:
"Do you have bear spray with you?"
"Uhhhhhhhhhh," I was afraid the truth would get me in trouble, "no but I was just on my way back to the lodge."
At this reply Jim Lindblom had instructed him to drag me back so he suggested "want me to drive you back?"
If I had said no, what would he have done? His instructions to bring me back were pretty clear. In any case, I replied "Yes and thank you."

Where I had be Frolicking

After this I thought it prudent to have a chit chat with Jim and Carla about my boundaries. So a couple days latter I asked Carla "what are my boundaries?" She spoke with Jim, then called me into the office and we had a sit down talk about where my lines are drawn. It was good to have it out. If I had a camera I would show you the places I'm allowed to bike to independently. It is so beautiful here!!! I can hardly believe the masterpieces that are constantly before my eyes.
The other kids here like to laugh about 'my boundaries'. They jovially admonish me to stay in my parameters and suggest getting a shock collar. I laugh along, but the truth is they have the same boundaries as me they just didn't give their enclose a name as I have done. I never bring it up of course: I don't want to wound their pride.
Here are some pictures of Alaska from Hannah's camera:

The lovely inn work where I work

While hiking we saw 3 bears on this island

Halibut Fishing

Thess symbols of freedom fly around like a common pigeon up here. I never ceased to be amazed by seeing them.
  

Anne, Hannah, Yours Truly