March 21, 2011

Lets see. So what happened this week.

Well, on Monday I got hit on by a gay, possible drunk, guy. That was definitely the most interesting thing that has ever happened. Luckily I was in a building and he wasn't or it could have been worse. We were with other missionaries to get a hair cut, and I don't even know how it started. But someone told this dude my name so he started to say Gilreath! Gilreath! in a high pitched voice. Well I think it was his normal voice. He hit on other missionaries as well, but I was the first, so mine was the funniest. Probably the scariest thing is the fact that he actually was saying my name right.

Also on last Monday, we had a super chill P-day. We played soccer but also played a water game that was basically charades. Someone was acting out something in front and we took turns guessing. With a giant water balloon filling up over your head. If you didn't guess it fast enough, you got soaked. Probably the funniest one I saw was an elder did a turtle walking then got flipped over, and couldn't flip back over. The missionary guessing didn't get it and got soaked...and it was just funny. Later we watched the Work and the Glory and ate pizza. Super chill.

We also got a zone shirt. We did Manchester United. I have already sent some pics of the shirt. It's pretty sweet. It's not a perfect replica, but it also wasn't super expensive.

So Wednesday I got changed out of Occidental and got put into Usulatán. I moved just a little to the West. I'm slowly working my way back to the capital. But my area is Usulatan 1 and is around the city. We have a huge chapel that's really sweet. It was built like 2-3 years ago and looks really nice. It's the biggest chapel I have seen in my mission. Which is funny because it only has a branch that goes to it. Another cool thing is our area and another area go to the same ward. The other area has Elder Hardman, one of my comps in the MTC. We have already done divisions together once, so it's super chill. It's fun to see him.

Anyways, my comp is Elder Merino from El Salvador. He's from the departamento de La Libertad. He's a chill dude. He has like 15 months in the mission. Or something like that. More or less that. But he's a real nice guy, so this should be a good change.

Also, we had a baptism this last weekend in my new area. Gloria Susana Quintanilla Machada. She's 19 years old and apparently was only investigating for like 2-3 weeks. So she got baptized really fast. Obviously I didn't work with her a lot. I only went to her house one time, but that one time we firmed her up for baptism, so I guess that's something, right?

Anyways, that was my week. I'm sad I left my old area, but I like my new one. It should be fun. I still haven't escaped the heat, but I guess I'm used to it from San Miguel

Hope you all have a good week. Love you and miss you.

Elder Gilreath

Elder Gilreath in San Miguel

Elder Gilreath, Gloria Susana Quintanilla Machada, Elder Merino

March 14, 2011

Glad everything is going good. Ask Bro. Hernandez if he remembers a Mauricio Guevara. Gracias.

Anyways, this week we had the baptisms of Luis (dad) and Ashlin (daughter) Benavidas. There isn't a mom (separated) so we baptized everyone we could. =)

Anyways...this baptism could be my favorite honestly. I remember the first time we found them they were watching Saw 5...and I remember thinking they won't do anything. But we went back the next day, still thinking they wouldn't do anything. Then we left after the first visit thinking...that was better then we thought it would be. Then they just continued to progress. We actually thought that Ashlin was a member because she told us she was baptized once. But she didn't have a record, so we were able to baptize her. It was really fun to watch them progress. They went from not knowing how to pray and not wanting to, and then they were excited to pray every time we called on them. They really have experienced a huge change. It was so fun to watch. and still is.

And we went to Gotera (near San Francisco) on Thursday. It's like an hour in bus to go there. it's not anything real special...I'm just glad I'm not there. But I like riding on the bus and seeing more of El Salvador... it's always fun honestly.

And last week I scored a goal...and did the "Black Falcon" as I understand how to do it. It was honestly fun.

Those were the most exciting moments of my week. Fun week huh?

Anyways...love you all and miss you.

Elder Gilreath

P.S. Idk for presents. Drink packets, cookies, caramel corn...uhh...a tie...idk. This is so hard. Honestly I'll be happy with what ever.

P.S.S. In the pics it's my comp, Hno. Moroni who did the baptisms, Luis, Ashlin, and then me obviously.

March 7, 2011

On to my week...I already know that yours was really good.

This is kind of old news...(more than a week ago)...but we had another earthquake here. It was really small...the only reason I noticed was that my chair started moving by itself...its always a weird experience...but kind of fun at the same time. As long as it doesn"t get too big

And I got my hair cut. The guy did not use scissors at all. He just used the buzz cut thing with a comb...I was a little worried about how it would turn out...but it was good honestly. I'd go back to him but I'll probably leave here before I get the chance to go back.

AND IT RAINED HERE:..it was wild. And it rained for like 15 to 20 minutes. pretty hard. It felt pretty good. And it was at night too...

And I have started to teach an English class here at the Casa de la Cultura. That place is really small...as well as my class. But I have started to teach them basics of English. I'm not sure if they really understand everything. I know one person does. But the rest like refuse to participate...so I can't tell. They are doing what I did when I was in class.

And I gave a blessing to a member. I'm not gonna say more than it was a neat experience that I'll have with me for the rest of my life. Maybe when I get home I can tell about it.

That's about it. We worked hard this week...I think we are about to have the payoff...I hope I see some of it before I leave...I do.

That's about it.

Love you guys...

Elder Gilreath

February 28, 2011

What happened this week...

We had our interviews with President last week and I got my package...That was pretty exciting. My interview was chill. I got him to laugh...so I think that's good.

We also took water out of a well this week; that was a good work out. I'm not gonna lie...I was joking with the family (they are investigators) that we would pass by every day and take out water for them so that we can get in a work out.

Also...last P-day we also went to La Union. It was like an hour or so on bus to get there. It was actually kind of fun to go and just see what it was like there. It's supposed to be the hottest place in all of the mission, but the weather wasn't too bad when we went. And it's right by the beach apparently. We didn't go, but I saw from a distance the water. It was kind of exciting. And I'm really grateful that I don't live there right now. It's kind of out there. Haha.

I can't really remember what else happened this week. Haha...so I'll just stop it right there.

Oh, I think they have them in the US...but frozen chocolate bananas are really awesome. I'm not gonna lie. It's one of the things that I really like here. They do have those in the states, right?

Oh well...got to go. Today is 7 months in the mission. Crazy.

Love you all,

Elder Gilreath

P.S. Question for dad, erik, will and devin. How many baptisms did they have? We kind of talked about that this week...and I had no idea. Just wondering.

February 21, 2011

The investigators are doing their thing. Frustrating me to no end =) Just kidding. We have good investigators. Right now our problem is catching up with them for the 2nd time. or just catching up with them. Like they are awesome people...but man, they can be frustrating to find.

And I have not gotten my package yet. Maybe tomorrow when we have interviews with President Perez. If not then...then I guess during changes. I'm really hoping to get it tomorrow. As for the other package...those chocolate cookies that you don't bake. I don't have a clue what they are called. A comp in the MTC got them and called them no bakes...so idk really.

Anyways...this week...what did we do...

First we painted la casa de la cultura. It's really small. It's where they learn things, and also has a really small library there. I think we might start teaching English there...I'm not sure about that though. Anyways...the paint here is really crappy. I've said that once, and I'll probably say it again. It's super watery here. And we couldn't finish the job because some of the paint was super old and was like cement on the bottom of the bucket.

Next...really has nothing to do with me...but the Salvadoreños had a telethon to raise money. And they got some people to come up with a super catchy song. You'll have to see if it's on youtube. Its ¨No Hay Imposibles¨ for la teleton 2011 in El Salvador.

Haha...anyways...so one day we are walking by this house and we hear this awful screaming...like super awful. We were like what in the world. Like it was kind of creepy they should put it in a scary movie. So it turns out it was pig...I think they were killing it. We finish walking by the house and we see another big pig, and they are getting ready to put it on the truck. And it starts going nuts and squealing. Really is a super freaky sound. So we sit there and watch them do this with ropes and stuff and they get the pig on. And these people are super nice and tell us they'll give a ride to where we need to go. (we were pretty high up in the colonia) so we jump in the back of the truck with the said pig, and some other guy. The pig freaked out a little while we were in the back of the truck...but my comp was closer =) So I rode in the back of a truck with a pig.

I had a melon too. I'm not sure what type. They just call it a melon. It's green and has like a part in the middle you don't eat. It's pretty good. Sometimes they eat it with salt to help with the taste. But mine was good without it. Not the greatest thing...but it was good.

That's about it really. We had a really boring week with a lot of walking. Hope you guys have a funner (more fun) week than me normally. Just a bunch of walking normally. No me gusta para nada.

Love you guys and miss you,

Elder Gilreath

February 14, 2011

Valentines Day is actually on the calenders here. But they don't do anything for it. Pero el Día de San Valentine esta en los calendarios. And I know that you would buy me some sweet stuff...and I miss that. I want some Daylight Donuts so bad...so bad...

Yeah, I met Robbie's grandparents yesterday, but I'll talk more about that later...

And I think Delainey does pray for me every time she prays. Sarah told me that one time Delainey got whiney when Sarah didn't pray for me when they were going to eat lunch. So Delainey is aware that I'm not there and prays for me a bit apparently.

And yeah...6 and half months...its been pretty fast...especially since I got here in El Sal...

Anyways...this week. It was pretty boring, I'm not gonna lie...the weather was nice. We normally had a pretty nice breeze which helped a lot. And it feels so nice at night after the sun goes down...normally with a breeze too...unfortunately it reminds me of the beach for some reason. And its been pretty nice overall...yeah there are hot days, but I usually do pretty good with it. My comp...no. He says the sun hurts his face...time must be really long for him here.

On Tuesday we had a special multizone with Elder Falabella. It was pretty chill. He talked about a bunch of different things but the thing that stuck with me the most was when he talked about the best place to find people. The best places are around the church, around our house, around the house of the bishop and around the strong members houses. But that got me thinking like in Paleca the chapel wasn't in our area. But I think I'll try to put that in practice in the future.

And the coolest thing that happened all week was meeting Robbie's grandparents. They definitely came out of their way to meet me. The Patriarch is our ward and before Church he came and asked me my name. He couldn't remember how to say it, and that someone was asking about someone that fit my description. It got to the point that I figured out it was the grandparents, and so he went and called them. It was after the second hour that I talked to them. They were talking with my comp when I came up and Rob's grandma held out the picture they had of me and asked me if I recognized who it was. Then we started to talk. I asked them about the Hernandez family and how Robbie was doing in L.A. And we talked a little after church as well. They told me if I ever need anything just tell the Patriarch and he can tell them. I'm sure I'll never take them up on that..but it was nice for the offer.

Anyways...that was the biggest things of the week. My comp started conversations with drunk people and then left me talking with them...pinche...haha...and he did it twice in one day.

We worked hard...found a lot of people...walked a ton...fun life huh?

Anyways...love you all and miss you all...

Love,
Elder Gilreath

February 7, 2011

I love that Kota wrote me this week. Haha. And I'll be on the lookout for the package. I think we have interviews that first week in March, so I'll probably get it then.

Dangerous bet, mom. I honestly think we have more talent...but it's in Cameron. And we got killed there last year. And we are younger than them...but like you said, even if you lose the bet you probably won't have to do anything with it.

It's good that Dean's gonna write me back. I've been thinking a lot about him.

As for contacts...I'm good right now. I have some that I can use to make it til these new ones get here.

Anyways, this week.

I kind of had changes. I stayed in San Miguel in Occidental...but they switched my zone to Rio Grande. I know why...and it's a dumb reason...but w/e. But now I can say...2 areas and 3 zones! And I will have already been in the two zones farthest from San Sal so I can only go closer! Haha.

And my new comp is Elder Arburola. He's from Costa Rica, and has about 19 months in the mish. He's a nice guy, but has a bunch of health problems (he has to prepare his own food.) And he's not really interactive with the members. So we can't really stop by members houses for fear that he'll offend them because he can't eat what they make, even if he explains the situation, and two, he doesn't interact with them, just sits there and reads.

So yesterday we were contacting and we found this guy. Somehow we got on soda, and he was just randomly like...you want some? We were like sure. Why not? So this guy that we only knew for 5 minutes gave us some 7 up and we shared it with him. It was pretty cool...we are going back to teach him this week.

The weather this week was pretty nice. We normally had a pretty nice breeze going everyday. Maybe I'm just used to the weather now. My comp was sweating so much and i wasn't at all. I think it's partially his health problems and partially b/c he is new here. We'll see if he stays here. (health wise, this is a terrible area to be b/c it's so hot)

That's about it. We had a Stake Conference in San Miguel and that was cool. We found out the temple won't be dedicated until August 21st...something like that. And the open houses are in July. Kind of sad that it's still far away. I'll have more than a year when they dedicate it.

Well...that's about it. Love you and miss you guys a ton.

Love,

Elder Gilreath