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