Monday, October 10, 2011

October 10, 2011

First off...I'm writing so late because I had to go to immigration today. I had to be at Layco at 9 and then we took a mission rented coaster to immigration. I was getting close to being illegal...but not anymore...we're good to go until I bounce.

It was a good week. Last Monday I made nachos...they were good. I got pictures...but this computer where I'm at is dumb...and won't load them...so you just have to wait for that. We have also had rain...and a fair here...it will be here a couple more days. And the most exciting thing for this week was that they fixed the hot water. Haha. Cool stuff, huh?

The investigators are progressing. Despite problems. We are getting close with some of them. We are looking for a new place...it's alright where we are because of hot water...but we are keeping our eyes and ears open to move if we can. Changes are this week. I think I'm staying with my comp one more change....but then again...one never knows. So we'll see.

Seminary...I kind of miss it.

Teach with the Spirit...just ask good questions. It just comes. That's all I can say.

I actually had some cool experiences this week...but nothing for you guys :) Not yet anyways.

Haha...

Love you guys and miss you

Adiós

Some forwarded pics from the Multizone with Elder Martino

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

El Salvador Temple Dedicatory Prayer

O God, our Beloved Father in Heaven, Thou great Elohim, we come humbly unto Thee in the name of Thy Beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to dedicate Thy holy house. Acting in the authority of Thine eternal priesthood, and in the name of Jesus Christ, we dedicate this the San Salvador El Salvador Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints unto Thee and unto Thy divine Son. Wilt Thou accept of it as the offering of Thy sons and daughters who love Thee and who seek to accomplish Thy purposes. Our hearts reach to Thee in gratitude for Thy wonderful blessings upon us. With the completion of this house Thou hast given to the Saints of El Salvador every blessing of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

We are grateful for the restoration of Thy Holy Priesthood through Thy Prophet Joseph Smith, which will be exercised in this, Thy house. We thank thee that the prophet Elijah was sent to restore the keys of salvation and exaltation for both the living and the dead.

We thank Thee for the inspiration given Thy servant in selecting this property on which to construct this sacred building. We thank Thee for all who have worked so diligently to obtain the permits authorizing the construction of this house, and for all who have labored to bring about its completion.

Now we dedicate unto Thee and Thy Son this beautiful temple with all of its facilities and furnishings. We dedicate the grounds with the vegetation growing thereon which add beauty to this structure. We dedicate the temple from the foundation to the figure of Moroni which crowns its steeple. We dedicate the baptistry, the initiatory ordinance facilities, the endowment rooms, the celestial room, the sealing rooms with their altars, and every other part of this sacred house.

Wilt Thou watch over it and by Thy divine power preserve it from the elements of nature and any evil hand that might be inclined to deface it or defile it in any way. We ask that no unclean thing shall enter the portals of this Thy holy house. May it be sanctified to all who come, and may there be no inclination on the part of evil men or women to violate the sanctity of this temple.

Bless those who will preside here, the temple president and the matron, together with their counselors and assistants, and all those who serve here in administering the ordinances of Thy house. We pray that Thy Saints may gather here to carry forward the work of receiving their own ordinances, and offering these ordinances to those beyond the veil of death that Thine eternal purposes may be accomplished.

As we dedicate this temple we also dedicate the chapel nearby, its grounds, and all of its facilities. May all who use it recognize that building as a house of worship, a house of learning, and a house of sociality. May they keep it clean and attractive as a structure dedicated to the accomplishment of Thy work and the fruition of Thy purposes.

We likewise dedicate the ancillary structure with all of its facilities and furnishings.

We pray for Thy blessings to rest upon this nation of El Salvador. Touch the hearts of those who govern, that the people may be blessed with freedom and opportunity. May peace reign in the land.

Prosper Thy work in this land. May the gospel message touch the hearts of people throughout the nation. May they come into the waters of baptism, and remain faithful and true unto Thee. Bless Thy servants, the missionaries, and preserve them from harm and evil.

Bless Thy faithful Saints throughout the world whose consecrated offerings have made possible this holy house. Open the windows of heaven and shower down blessings upon them.

Now, with grateful hearts, we dedicate and consecrate this hallowed structure and its surroundings to the accomplishment of Thy will and the fulfillment of Thine eternal work. We pray that its influence may be felt throughout the land as a light upon a hill. We ask it all in the name of Him whose redemption has blessed the human family and opened the way for Thy sons and daughters to go forward in eternity, even the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.

Monday, October 3, 2011

October 3, 2011

I listened to everything in English...it's better. (I had asked him if he listened to General Conference in English or Spanish.) I would understand in Spanish...but if the speakers say something not in the talk...especially the funny stuff...the translators don't pick it up.

I had a few talks I liked a lot. I liked the one about the Book of Mormon by Elder McAllister...I think that's his name. I just remember it was a bomb talk. Really good. It stuck out to me a lot.

It's a reminder to everyone. I remember that line...it was a good quote. (I told him that one line I really liked was: "be loyal to the royal".)

We did have investigators in Conference and we were all at the building in Santa Tecla. We went to China Wok in between the 1st and 2nd...and just bought little stuff in between the 2nd and priesthood. On Sunday, the cooks brought stuff. One sister felt bad because she brought food...(a lot btw) but thought it wasn't enough because there were more missionaries then she thought. So she brought more before the 2nd on Sunday...we got some good people here.

Here, we knock a lot. Some referrals but not a lot. So we knock. We got some good investigators...just we have to get the majority of them married. Haha...so it's a little longer process with them. But we are working on it. The house is really small...smallest I have had. But it's alright. I can't see San Salvador from where I'm at...but I can see a lot of my area...it's pretty cool to see. I might send a pic one day. The branch is small like 60...it's a mix...it think there are more kids from the primary than anything else. The Relief Society is one of the smallest I have seen. So...imagine that.

Anyways...other then Conference, we had interviews with Pres. Glazier. Sister Glazier talked with us about Family History while we waiting and shared a cool story. It was her grandpa...maybe dad...i don't remember. But he moved to D.C. I think to study more and had 2 small kids and a wife to support as well. After 2 weeks, he was called to be Bishop. He was like...what...I need to study, work, take care of my family, I won't have time to sleep...and you want me to be Bishop?...I guess they let him think about it because she told us that he was walking around outside or driving home...and a voice came to his mind and told him, "If you won't work for God, He won't work for you¨....and she told us that he quickly accepted the calling. ...but it's a good quote, right.? It's for everyone really. Remember it.

Well...that's it. All I got. Love you guys

Elder Gilreath

September 26, 2011

Lets see...yup...today is exactly one year since I left the MTC...weird that it lined up as exactly a year. But...I think at this time I was in Dallas...chillin. Eating McDs like you said. Haha...
I honestly have no clue who Jeff is. (Pickard--who had just visited us) I think I remember Brad. He was the velociraptor guy, right? Haha
We had the primary program in Zaragoza yesterday as well...It was alright. Haha...all the kids forgot the words to a song, sooo it was just the primary president singing. It was kind of long as well...but it was good...but I'm pumped for next year's Primary Program in R1!
Oh, general conference...how under appreciated it was before the mission...it's like the best time ever. Haha...it's just fun now. Why....who knows. But that's all there is to it. It's fun.
It's a small town really...like when you enter, it's got the main road with the stores and then it branches off to the houses and all that. It's not big at all. The house is small....we are actually looking for one a little bigger. Yeah we got a cook. But we just use her for lunch and that's it. And the gators are good...we actually got a lot...but they got a bunch of problems ...positive...but problems...The branch is interesting...there are about like 60...
So...I actually wrote some letters to people...I haven't sent them yet...but I wrote them...that's the first time in months...
If you want to know...we kick rocks to have fun...whoever gets it through the legs more times wins. Haha...we wait for buses and rides a lot if you didn't know.
Well...that's about it.
Adiós
Elder Gilreath

Monday, September 19, 2011

September 19, 2011

The Atonement...deep topic...but it's interesting to talk about... the more you understand it, the more you just want to be a better person.

Cool stuff with Bro. Christensen. I'm glad he's doing well...I hope it keeps working good.

As for me...it's raining a bunch here. I think it's just the area where I am. I have also felt cold a few times here. The most exciting thing is that I can now make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches...I found PB in a grocery store down in Puerto de la Libertad...so I have been enjoying PB and J...and we went to Puerto...It was fun to see the beach...but man...I just started thinking about next year...and it was a little hard to be there...

We had a multizone with E Martino from the area presidency....he had good stuff...he talked a lot about obedience and using the members. And how we need to find an Amulek. Haha...Members that can help us.

We baptized a kid this last weekend. His parents are positive but have bigger problems than he does...so hopefully we can get them resolved soon. Maybe in like a month.

What else....idk.

Here's pics.

Love you

Elder Gilreath

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

September 12, 2011

Life is good here. Its kind of a big area again here...but whatever. And we get letters like every Thursday...or something like that. It should be faster than before. Its not as hot here. It's more hilly. Smaller branch.

Haha...5 day weeks....that would be bomb. I got 6 day weeks.

Weather here is alright. It has rained a couple of times. Sometimes it's hot. Other times I love the weather here. It's better than Usu where it was hot every freaking day. Here there is cloud cover...it's nice...I love it.

So this week...I had an exciting experience. I took a hot shower. The house we have...it's small and kind of far away, but...it's got a hot shower! It's hard to step out of that shower. I spent almost a year without a hot shower...it's bomb. I can't wait to have hot showers everyday again. And if you're wondering...it was broken when we got here and wasn't working...but they fixed it this week.

Other experience that was kind of funny. Every night we ask for rides to where our house is. It's up a big hill...and next to the freeway...so we just ask for rides. One night we were tired and just sat on the curb to rest before we decided to ask for a ride. So we just sat there watching as some lady was trying to get a ride going the same direction as us. She isn't getting rides...so she kind of starts freaking out. She's like pleading with the people and yelling at them. She even tries to include us to get a ride...look, these two guys have to go there too. Haha...we were just kind of relaxing...whatever. So finally we see a car come from a distance and we were like...ready to go...yeah...alright. So we stand up and do the hitch hiker thing. First time all night we did it. Boom..the truck stops. And he's willing to give a ride to everyone. (there were like 5 by this time) And he rolls down the window and is like, I want those two in front with me...pointing at me and my comp. Haha. Me and my comp were just cracking up after. That lady was probably stunned and speechless.

Other then that...nothing much.

Love you guys,

Elder Gilreath

Monday, September 5, 2011

September 5, 2011






How are the primary kids? You can tell them that sometimes we score a hamburger or some pizza. They don't need to be freaking out too much.

Changes. Changes. Changes. Let's see. Yes, I was changed. To Zone Santa Tecla. In La Libertad. And I'm in Zaragoza. It's kind of close to the coast. And I'm in another branch called Zaragoza. My comp is Elder Martinez from Sonsonate and he was in Zone Usulutan with me. So I already know him. He's pretty cool. A little weird...but with what he says. We live in a small house a little outside of Zaragoza. We are looking to move to get a little closer to the city. Or the center of the city better said. There are also neighborhoods of $$$$ here. Like we can't enter some parts. They got gates and vigilantes or guards. We can only enter if we know who lives there. I'd say it's richer than Usulutan but you still have poor people. It's just fun to be close to Santa Tecla. Cause Tecla is bomb. Close to the temple and there are cool things. Legit stores. And everything. It's got a US city feel in Tecla.

The only thing I remember about Bro Christensen was visiting the turkeys at State. And we did it a few times. It was pretty fun.

Let's see. I remember in some letters I got, you asked if I have gotten sick here. The answer would be yes. But nothing bad ever. I have been able to work everyday without problems. It's bound to happen here. Even the Latinos get sick here. And they are more used to it. But, yeah, nothing to worry about here.

Love you guys.

P.S. 3 quick pics from Day of changes Elder Del Mercado