My new area is good. It's hot here. I'll probably say that in every email until I leave here because it's an undeniable truth. It's pretty big, but you can get around easy. You can walk to most places pretty easy here, so at the same time, it's kind of small.

We go to a laundromat to do the clothes. I didn't really remember how to wash clothes, but the machines have instructions...haha so we get it done. It's pretty nice actually. You get everything washed and dry in a few hours. Normally you have to wait a couple days for the laundry ladies to wash it and dry it. It is a little cheaper too...somehow...

Elder Tuesta is actually from Lima as well...but apparently Lima is a huge city. He speaks very little English, but he understands it pretty well. He has picked up a little on his mission. He only has been out 9 months so he has a lot of time still to learn. It was a little weird going back to Spanish full time but it's good for the Spanish.

The Branch is pretty interesting. We had 51 yesterday and that was actually an improvement from my first Sunday. The primary kids..idk how many there are--maybe about 10--maybe more...idk My first Sunday only 1 Primary kid stayed after the first hour but yesterday a bunch stuck around. The weakness here is with the youth. There are 3 young women...maybe...and 1 young man. There are more youth but they are 18 or 19. The branch has a little of everything. The building here is small and older. It's of the older design. It's a nice little building but it will be way nicer when they have to make the building bigger. I'm hoping they have to start making plans for that in a few months...haha... :) but we'll see what happens.

Sounds like the Stake conference was good. That was a big stake conference. We will have the same thing in March--a satellite broadcast so we'll see who we get. And then it will be General Conference as will. Time is going by fast.

George finishes like this next week. It's crazy. Is Will the only one in front of me? That's crazy. It's been a long time since I saw Will--in the MTC. Fun fact--tomorrow I have 19 months. I have almost made it to the final 4...

This week: nothing super exciting happened. We just visited with a bunch of members. That's the plan: get to know them good--doesn't matter if they come to church a lot, a little, or not at all. We have been able to get to know a lot of members. They are all very nice people.

Fun story--yesterday when I walked into the cook's house she was watching a tv show on TLC. Any guesses as to the show....

It was Cake Boss!!

haha...oh man. That was so funny to me that she was watching Cake Boss. Super crazy to me.

Well, that's about it. Later. Love you.

So....I'm in Santa Rose de Lima. In Zone Rio Grande again and my comp is Elder Tuesta from Peru. We are opening the area. Its a nice area but it will be freaking hot here in like a month, so we'll see what happens. We have a specific mission here. When we got here, the ZLs pulled us aside and said, "alright, so your area has been a branch for 30 years and it doesn't really grow. They baptize but they don't retain. You are here to change that." Basically that's what they told us. We have to stop an age old trend here in Santa Rosa de Lima. Sounds fun, huh?

It's crazy that Josh is already coming home. And George is super close to coming home too. It's weird.

This week--or half week--since we got here, we have focused a lot on getting to know the members--active and inactive--whatever type of member. We have found some people just through these visits. And we have found people that we can work and try and reactivate them. We had 3 investigators in Church. We were only planning on 1. Members brought the other 2. I think we have a good shot at baptizing all 3, but we haven't been able to visit with all of them. I guess time will tell.

We wash our clothes here, but we go to a place with a washer and dryer. it's like being at home...kind of...

sorry if this is short. I want to put up pics from Zaragoza.

later

Monday, February 13

Life is good. Things are going good in Zaragoza. The branch is getting better--for the last 3 or 4 Sundays, the attendance has been higher than my first few months here, so something is going right. And the number of priesthood is up. We have been averaging about 12 I think. When I first got there, there was like 4...or something,so like I said things are getting better. We have another baptism set for this weekend. Relief Society this time so the area is changing. I'd like to say it was us but I don't think I can say it...we just worked.

and I don't know if I'm leaving or not. After 4 changes, you'd think so but Pres. Glazier says that missionaries shouldn't change often, that they should be in their areas for long periods of time--as long as 9 months. So its not a sure thing that I am leaving. I wouldn't mind staying but its kind of hard to work here now. I can walk by doors and remember that the person goes to what ever church and that they had 0 interest. It makes things interesting, but I also know where a lot of ex-investigators are that we could try with again. It works both ways...

fun stuff. We made chocolate chip cookies last Thursday after district meeting. It was fun. They were good. It was a taste of America...hot and delicious.

I really don't have anything to say. It was a boring normal week. We played some bball today...more HORSE than anything. I got 2nd. I hit some super weird shots....like sitting in a chair from the free throw line and 3 point line and shot it over my head backwards from the free throw line. But the elder who won started hitting the crazy shots he had tried all day right when it got down to me and him...like from behind the backboard and stuff like that. Oh well, such is life...

I was a little sick this week, but I'm good now. It was like...idk...i had a sore throat and a stuffy nose. But i think I got it all out...haha... I'm feeling good. I went and bought OJ with 100% Vitamin C and I actually will eat yogurt now, if you wanted to know. It's not bad, still not my favorite thing in the world but it's alright.Strawberry is the best--another thing I will have more of in the States.

How is Kota? grande?

Well, it's time to go. Thanks for the updates and the news and everything. Miss you

How many times did you have to check today before I finally wrote?

This time around it's hot but not like in San Miguel or Usulutan. It cools down more at night than it ever did out in Oriente. In the morning I wake up and it just feels so good. It's not hot and it's not cold. It's just perfect. It's a little hard to get out of bed haha... It's not like in San Miguel or Usu where it was always hot and it felt good to get off your bed and walk around. But don't worry, I get out of bed on time. I just don't want to....

Zaragoza has been pretty normal food wise. I haven't eaten anything super weird--or weird really--it's all been normal stuff here.

As for the beach, I don't really care. No matter where we go, my amazing tan will stun everyone...

Kota...i miss him. Will I be able to pick him up when I come home? Haha...he sounds pretty big now...

so....fun story...Saturday we got a ride in the back of a pick up to a part of our area. Elder Martin had his glasses in his front pocket and somehow lost his glasses, but he didn't realize until we got off and had walked around a little bit. So we had to retrace all of our steps and then we thought--could they be in the truck? They have to be...let's go find the truck. We only knew that the truck was in the same area, but it was a kind of big area. So we are walking, praying in our hearts and we see a truck that looks like the one that gave us a ride. Nope. Another. Nope. We got to a place where we can go left, right, or straight. I look to the left and see a truck. Alright, cool. So we go to that truck. 3rd times a charm--it was the truck. But the glasses weren't in the back. We knock the house in front of the truck and a kid answers and we ask for the owner of the truck. He comes and the moment he sees us, he says..Oh..the glasses! Sure enough he had found them and put them in the cab. What can we learn from that? Glasses are to be on your face...and...God answers prayers. He works miracles.

Warning...kind of gross...if you picture it right and I explain it good, you might want to skip it

you've been warned...

On the bus, there was a guy selling stuff with a super messed up arm. He had a brace on it and he took it off to show the people what happened. So gross. It was like Harry Potter 2 when he loses his bones and his arm is all rubbery. About halfway down the forearm, it was like the whole bone broke off and he could just wave the hand and part of the arm all around. Super crazy...

alright....we're good. Hope you have a good week and give me good news next week. Love you and miss you.

Elder Gilreath

Monday, January 30, 2012

This week was good. We had a baptism. Her name is Ana Franshezka...crazy way to spell the 2nd name. It's like Francesca. She is turning 16 soon. She was absolutely awesome to teach. She kept the commitments, she came to church, she always had questions and good ones, and overcame challenges. The Lord prepares people. I like her baptism because she was a JW before...not like hardcore because she left because she thought it was dumb that they don't do Christmas or birthdays. But she had taught with them before. She also told me some interesting things about them as well....anyways...back to the topic. She fits in well and she will strengthen the YW here--there aren't that many. We are teaching the rest of her family as well, but the parents have to get married and come to church more. Hopefully in the future the whole family will be baptized. Ana is an awesome person and I know the Lord placed her in our path.

The next changes are Feb 15th...I'm pretty sure I'll be leaving, but you never know. Maybe 5 changes in Zaragoza will happen.

This week we also had a multizone. I remember we talked a lot about our own conversion to the Gospel. Like Pres. Glazier said...¨I love the converts because I'm a convert. I was born in the Church, but I'm a convert.¨ And that really made me think--just because you are born in the Church doesn't mean you are good to go. You have to do everything that an investigator would do and be converted yourself. Really we all are converts to the Church...and if we aren't...we need to go through the process and become converted.

We also talked about how our purpose that we have as missionaries (help other people come unto Christ by faith in Him and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, gift of the Holy Ghost and endure to the end) is really the purpose of God as well. We share the same purpose.

It was a good multizone. I got the last package with socks and pop tarts and fruit snacks and goldfish and the family card and calendar....fun stuff...

I hurt right now. We played soccer today. I was playing defense and honestly idk what happened. I jumped somehow (I was so far away) into th e ball right as Elder Murdock kicked it. Apparently I did it in such a way that it was cool to watch because I kind of took out Murdock as well and stayed standing (and all the other missionaries were like...woah) But it hurt...haha I stopped playing for a minute. It still kind of hurts. I wish I had a video to see it. Everyone said it was super cool. They didnt score, so its all good. Fun story, huh?

Anyways...that's all I got really...love you

Pictures taken at the volcano:

Pictures from an "American" meal that a sweet family served them:

Monday, January 23, 2012

Dad is a bishop...R1 is gonna be fun! Thats cool that the Spirit was indicating that stuff for awhile..that's like the story the MTC president told about before he was called as a Stake President. He woke up one night with that feeling but shrugged it off as a nightmare...haha...but later knew it would happen.

Its kind of weird that you can work on my room and it makes sense because I will be home soon...ish...

This week we had the meeting but it was only with Elder Clayton and his wife and Elder Amado and his wife and the mission presidents. I was a little disappointed that we didn't get to hear Elder Nelson, but I did hear him last Sunday.

Elder Clayton testified about how we are in the spot where the Lord wants us to start and then also said that maybe he doesn't have a message for us....but the Spirit does...so we should pay attention to the thoughts and feelings we have. Then he let other people bear testimonies.

So the wife of Pres. Cordon (santa ana/belize) talked about how the Lord is the source of all blessings.

Pres. Cordon told us to trust in the Lord and and to put all of our faith and hope into him. It will give us the energy and desire to work.

Sis. Glazier kept it short and sweet...God loves us

And Pres. Glazier said right now we are preparing for our eternal companions and we show our love of God with our service.

Sis. Amado talked of how music brings the Spirit and that we do have good people here in El Salvador. They are just confused by false traditions.

Elder Amado said we can improve by having more communication with the Lord, more personal revelation and more joy with what we do. And the the Book of Mormon is the compass to help us.

Sis. Clayton said the experiences we have will stay with us forever and we have help from heaven when we are in the Lord's work. And she shared 2 Nephi 4 with us. We need to count our blessings, cultivate an eye thats ready to see miracles and trust in the Lord.

Then missionaries asked questions...

How to excite the members (more recent converts and less actives)? serve them and remind them of their feelings at their baptism.

A stronger testimony of the Atonement and Jesus...2 Nephi 28:30 and 3 Nephi 9:20...and don't look to repeat spiritual experiences. A testimony is found in the bearing of it (Elder Packer said that). And have faith like Nephi; keep the commandments, pray, be clean.

How to forgive someone of a big error? Pray for strength and the Atonement

Elder Amado shared a little more after...We are witnesses of Christ and we need to serve with enthusiasm and loyalty

Sis. Clayton sang Faith in every footstep and we joined in the chorus (in Spanish)

And Elder Clayton said to pray with the will of God in mind...don't say give me this or that but...if it is right help me to do this...God will give us the blessings when it is the right time for us and D & C 42:4, 6

Thats all...fun huh?

Love you and miss you

I will die a frozen death when it gets cold after I come home...haha...

Yesterday was actually a stake conference with Elder Russell M. Nelson and we have a multizone with him this Friday, so I get to hear him twice.

We met an old guy who says he is a member but we aren't sure. He knows the church is true though. We went over the Book of Mormon with him and I was asked him...so after you read what should you do (pray) but he responds...Preach! and super fast without missing a beat! So I'm like...ok, but who do you ask to know if the book is true? His answer: Joseph Smith! Ok...hes dead. He says "oh...idk...someone like that that is still alive" I got him to say God after awhile. funny old guy.

So...stake conference...

Pres Duarte (stake pres) talked about our spiritual diet; how going to church is like Vitamin A and reading the scriptures is like minerals like copper...etc. good talk.

Elder Rivas (70) told some funny story about a motorcycle. It was the ward mission leaders and he was bishop. He caught a ride on the motorcycle because he didn't have a car and he forgot something. So they are riding along and there is some car coming fast...maybe it was a small ride cause Elder Rivas said he was like. .wow...slow down. And Juan (the ward mission leader) was like...don't worry...just have faith! They keep going and this car keeps coming fast and he's like...slow down...stop...don't worry have faith! And a third time...stop the motorcycle! then Juan says, "I can't...the brakes don't work!" haha...

Later this same Juan wanted to share his testimony with 1000 people, so he made 1000 copies of his testimony at his own personal cost and gave them out and put them under doors. Elder Rivas said with this guy as ward mission leader the attendance jumped like 280 people.

Sister Nelson talked of the power of the Book of Mormon. If you have a question go to the Book of Mormon and before you start reading, thank the Lord for the scriptures and ask for the spirit to be with you. You'll always find the answer you are looking for.

Elder Nelson. He had the Primary kids stand up and sing "I am a child of God" and "Follow the Prophet". We should teach the kids to speak to God with love and about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith and the restoration of the priesthood. Teach it to them so they can grow to be missionaries. He also mentioned that today a good translator with computers and dictionaries and all that can translate 1 page a day. Joseph Smith did 8-10 pages a day to finish translating the Book of Mormon in less than 3 months. With interruptions and things like that..a constant flow of words always. Then near the end of the talk he thanked his translator and told him he could sit down. Why? as he said... ¨I would like to address the congregation in a language that is not my own¨ and then he spoke in Spanish for 5 minutes testifying of the atonement and using words that most people don't use a lot and left an apostalic blessing over the people. It was so amazing to see. We got so excited when he was like...thanks translator but I want to talk to them without your help. so amazing...

I can´t wait to see what he tells us this Friday--him and Elder Clayton of the 70. It should be good.

That's about it...love you guys...later