November 15, 2010

Lets see. Exchanges. I'm a pro at it now cause I was part of it. They called us the day before and were like you're being transferred. So I got to pack everything together and get it all ready. It's a lot easier when you aren't worrying about weight. Basically, only a couple of zones go to certain places, they don't get everyone together. Like we went to our stake center, or the place in the middle of our zone and another zone joined us there. Apparently the same bus comes by twice. If you get on it the first time you go to the Orient. The second time is San Salvador, areas around there. At least for our area, the bus works that way. Anyways, I got called the first time, and they threw me some green tape. I put the green tape on the handles and they put it on the luggage truck. The green tape meant I was going to a certain area, like the Orient. (Orient signifies San Vicente, San Miguel and La Union, I think). So I got on the bus and we went to San Vicente. I got to meet some Elders from the MTC there so we talked a little before I found out I had some more bus time ahead of me. I was going to either Usulatan or San Miguel or Rio Grande (the three zones farther along the road.) The only fun thing about that bus ride to Usulatan was that I got to lounge on the luggage in the back of the bus because there were a ton of Elders on the bus. I know I fell asleep while on the luggage. Anyways, we dropped of the Elders in Usulatan and then I got a real seat. And then we kept driving. But we stopped at Wendy's on the way. I was so excited, it was kind of sad. Then I got to our Stake Center and met my new comp. (I found out where I was going on the way. Its not like we didn't drive for hours or anything).

My new zone is San Miguel and my area is Occidental. I think we are in the city Miracle de la Paz. My new comp is Elder Cordero from Ecuador. He's an oldie. He has only 6 months left on his mission. And he's 26 too. He converted when he was 20, but didn't come out til a lot later. Its hard enough to leave at 19, I don't know how he did it at 24, 25. And he's the only member in his family too. The rest of his family is Catholic. He actually has decent English. And he's way chill. Like super chill. I like him a lot. I like my new area a lot. Apparently it's the hottest area in the mission, but it's not too bad now but it gets bad in like April and May. So I hope I´m out by then. And don't get transferred to Rio Grande. Which includes like La Union and is even farther west. Overall, I never want to travel like 5 hours in a bus again. It was terrible. I hope they slowly transfer me back to the capital. Not San Salvador next, then Rio Grande, then Cuscalatan then Usulatan etc...

Anyways, so apparently these transfers were really nuts. They closed two zones and combined them with other zones. So there are 9 now, instead of 11. I know that one zone has 28 missionaries in it. They transferred out more than half of the zone leaders too. I know in my old zone more than half the missionaries got transferred and both ZLs too. They closed the ZLs area and another in my old zone. Speaking of my old zone, it's one of the two most dangerous zones in the mission. I can tell you now cause I'm not there anymore. But don't worry mom, I never felt in danger or threatened. I was protected. I'm sure of it.

Oh yeah, my area has this huge volcano kind of close to it. It's pretty sweet to look at. And my new area is so much flatter than Paleca was. Its so nice. It does mean less sweet views like in Paleca, but it's so much easier on the body. I love it. And our house is freakin' sweet. Might be the coolest house in the mission. The bathroom is big and the water isn't freezing cold, so I can actually stand the shower. It's got this wide open area in the middle of it which is cool. Overall I think we have 6 rooms besides the bathroom and a garage. We use 4 of them, and the other two are just empty. It's a sweet house for sure.

Anyways, Christmas...yeah that looks good mom. Maybe send me some envelopes to send the letters back in. That would be useful I think. I have so many things I want actually, mostly food wise, but we´ll just take care of that when I get back. I already know my first meal back will be Chick-fil-a. With some ice cream and brownies waiting at home. How sad is that. Oh well. Haha...lets see. Money would be ridiculously nice just cause I can buy some stuff...but I guess if it goes on my card that's fine. I can pull it out later if I want to buy like a souvenir. Anyways, that's all there is this week. Not much going down aquí en El Sal. Apparently I´m getting good at Spanish because none of the members really believe me when I tell them I only have one change in El Salvador. They say I speak better than only one change.

Anyways...love you guys and miss you a ton.

Love,

Elder Gilreath