yeah...I talked with Uncle Terry for a minute in Spanish before the call got dropped. Who knows why...I was a little mad I didn't get to talk with him (a lot) or Aunt Ann or Kyle or the Mitchells.

The dinner was good...along with the dessert..s´mores pancakes. It was like a cake mix that we added graham crackers and cinnamon in the dough and you cook it like a pancake. Then you make a syrup out of marshmallows and you put chocolate syrup on it...it's pretty epic..

You guys did family presents at night?...weird We ain't doing that next year. I think I might wake up at like 5 like I used to--my first real Christmas in a long time next year--we are opening presents in the morning!

Anyways...this week...and part of last week was pretty funny..

2 p-days ago we went to Puerto and played volleyball and all that...good times. On the way back to our areas on the same bus in the back with us were 2 drunk people...a guy and a girl...but older. The drunk guy starts singing...idk what song...and when he finishes, we all clapped and cheered. Why? idk But with the cheering it gave him more courage and he started to sing again but he was yelling and was trying to stand up but he was so drunk, he kept falling back into his chair. After we got of the bus, the drunk lady kissed all over the hand of one of the ZLs we have here as he got off the bus.

The branch Christmas party was alright. This was also like 2 weeks ago...very small...but good food. It got ruined by rain.

This last week I had a super fun day with Elder Buckmiller, our ZL (he was the ZL who got his hand kissed by the drunk lady). We were on divisions just walking around and he stops suddenly. I'm like--what's up? He (Elder Buckmiller) said--you see that guy in the dress with the short hair. He's gay and he likes me. He's seen me around and always tries to talk to me. (He also had on heels...cross dresser) We go to the street and walk around him and we get to a park. We see a statue with an arm holding an arm so we start reading it. The gay comes back...but still hasn't seen us. He's bothering someone else so Buck starts backing away and I' m trying to read faster and still keep an eye on the gay. As I'm finishing, I hear ¨jesucristo!¨ and here comes the gay. We start walking and walk faster and you can hear him following thanks to the heels...clop clop clop clop and ¨jesucristo!¨ I hear the heels coming faster so I look back and this freakin' gay is now running after us! We start running through the park and go off to the right and run across the street (luckily there wasn't a lot of traffic) and ran behind some pillars. Safe! The gay stopped and went and bugged other people. We come out and there are some guys there just sitting and laughing their heads off. They just witnessed 2 Americans getting chased by a gay. They were like--you know why he did that? It's cause he likes you... No way...ya think?

After that, we meet a member...from here...but is living and going to school in Colorado. Later this same girl and her family invite us to dinner and bought us limonade in a goblet looking thing and tortas and some weird drink...idk what it was and a bomb dessert. Her parents aren't members but they know a lot of missionaries. They are super nice. I went home full--without spending a cent. The daughter was kind of a snake...nice....but a snake...or as they say here esnake.

And we baptized someone...

Kevin Alexander Vivas Mendoza. His parents are members already and that helped a ton. He's also a little kid, but super smart and he loves us and wants to be a missionary.

That's some fun stories for y'all to get you by...love ya...

Elder Gilreath

Tie from President Glazier

templo

La Playa

Some pics from the beach. Enjoy...






These are just from Puerto. We went last p-day and played volleyball and made burgers...pretty fun. We were at a member's house who lives on the beach...and normally I think the beach just isn't crowded at all!

December 19, 2011

Well...my comp says that he is going to talk with his family at 11 utah time. I think that's like 12 here in El Salvador if I have that time changes figured out. He says he'll talk about an hour...hour and a half the max so I guess around 2:30 in NC, I should be able to call.

As for Skype...idk...if I could do it an hour...maybe But phone calls are fun just cause it's longer and more personal kind of. And if we can skype now we can probably skype mother's day. And I might not care so much because I'll be home in like 2 and a half months like you said. Plus aren't the Keatons and the Mitchells coming over? That's a lot of people for only 30 minutes. Mother's day will just be all like 8 of you...10 with Delainey and Sallie...the fam is kind of big now!!

this is what you get on a mission....2 pancakes with pudding in the middle. yay mission!! (I asked him if he still had a cook. He does, but his companion doesn't eat the food. He's had a harder time transitioning to the food than Darin did so he does a lot of cooking. Darin says that sometimes he joins in...)

I do have some interesting stories but I'll just save them for Sunday. It has to do with the last pday...drunk people and the branch Christmas party None of those are really related...so don't worry--drunk people didn't crash the Christmas party of the branch.

And changes are like the 3rd of january. Thats all I got...talk to y'all sunday!!!

Love,

Elder Gilreath

December 12, 2011

I got some interesting news....we have been approved to use Skype here this year. We can do it on Saturday or Sunday but obviously if we do it Sunday, I have to try and find a member with a computer and web cam and get their number and all that to send to you guys. I will look around this week but...idk...it's a small branch. I wish they had told us earlier.

Anyways...this December is good...it's going by fast.

Seminary...wow...I kind of miss it.

All the Christmas things are happening this week. We have our branch Christmas party this Friday. We are in charge of two games so it should be interesting...

In the branch...things are happening; there is movement. We now have a Ward (Branch) Mission Leader and there is a new president of the Relief Society who is very animated about the work and wants to help us a ton. SO some good changes are happening here.

Well...the phone call, I still don't know and with the Skype news, this makes things interesting. Haha...you will just have to sit on the computer all day next Monday =P But right now I think a 2 pm phone call your time works.

The hunt for the Christmas Nativity is on. Hope I can find one.

Love you

P.S. The scorpion isn't from my house...

December 5, 2011

The creche is already over...weird...it seems so early....

Onto Christmas...our church is at 9 here. Ithink it will only be an hour...I think that's what I heard. But even if it's not, we finish by 12, so I think I should be able to talk at 1 here easily (2pm there). I haven't been able to talk my comp about it but I'll get it sure thing by next Monday hopefully. The stocking works for him...just give me more stuff :P

haha...so...I can't really think of anything else to put on the Christmas list...so I guess that list is done.

Elder Martin is doing good. He is progressing fast. He will be a great missionary here. He obviously has things to improve on but that's normal and honestly there are always things to improve on as missionaries.

The gators are alright. We are having to leave a lot of what we had found...they just don't have the desire to progress. It's just not their time at this time. I hope in the near future it will be.

Haha...fat Kota...put him on a diet...

Anyways...the most exciting thing this week was that we had a Christmas Party with President Glazier. We made cookies and decorated them and played games and ate an awesome lunch and ate brownies and ice cream and read the scriptures and it was just super fun. I felt like I was in the States...we might have to do a game or two that we did with him. It was a fun way to spend a day. He said he had a gift for us but its on its way still so we just have to wait and see. The Glaziers shared the traditions that they normally do with their kids...they did it with their mission kids haha We were the first zone to do it. I liked it....it was a pretty personal experience with President Glazier and Sister Glazier. They have sent us some pics so I'll try to forward those to you.

Anyways...I hope you have a good week...love you

This is from when we went to the temple a few weeks ago...it's 2 zones...not 1

November 28, 2011

Sounds like good weather.

And you can count on me to help with the community Christmas thing next year...I might regret writing these words next year...but oh well...haha.

The investigators are good. They are willing...just with their own special problems. It kind of sucks to meet great people like this and then sometimes we have to leave them...it's the worst.

As for the phone call...apparently church will only be one hour because Sunday is Christmas...that is what I have heard anyways..so we should be able to call really whenever on that day. I'll talk with my comp a little bit and see what he thinks...but also tell me when everyone can get there so that I can talk with them.

Mrs. Schick is excited to see me?....cool.

Let's see...so my comp kicked his first dog in the mish...

And also a funny story...maybe it won't be funny in writing...but oh well...

So my comp was chilling in a hammock....and I'm talking with another missionary (we had gone over to their area for P-day to chill...they have the beach to take pics and stuff...) so anyways...we are just talking and we kind of hear a thud...we are like...what was that...and we look over and somehow the hammock has fallen...it was still tied up and everything it was like the ropes extended or something. And so now the hammock is touching the ground but still swinging a little bit and my comp is still in it...and he just says...sucks....and just keeps laying there...I realize this is one of those had to be there things...but it still makes me laugh just thinking about it.

Lets see...we went to Puerto again as mentioned above...so I got some new beach pics...

idk what else...we have had some really good weather here.

and the one pic with the guy in a shirt is one of my best friends from the mish..or was....he went home this week. He finished...he's done....symbolic picture right there...i'm still like a missionary and he's in normal clothes...(it was P-day so he can be like that).
That's about it for this week...miss you all...

November 21, 2011

Changes are this week. But we already know and I'm staying with Elder Martin one more change...basically the month of December is the change. So I'm locked in for Christmas in Zaragoza unless something changes in the next little bit.

So Brian (Barker) is going to SLC? nice for him. He'll love it...and he'll get taken care of. And baptize a lot...SLC is legit.

Anyways...so in the 3 days since I last wrote...not much has happened. We did find some Americans from ATL here. It was an interesting conversation...they are here doing service as a mission thing...they come down for 2 or 3 weeks 4 or 5 times in the year. They definitely had differing views on things and tried to make us question what we know...but that's not happening. I have never been so sure of the truthfulness of the Gospel in my life. And I told them that...I said, ¨I don't really care what you tell me, I know these things are true and I'm not going to change¨. There was one thing I did like from the conversation, (all in English by the way); the guy said that we should all do a self examine of our heart and find out who is leading our life. He was trying to use it in a different way...but it's good advice...every now and then we need to step back and look at ourselves and ask who is running my life right now?

That's about it for this week. I don't have much to say. Love you guys

November 17, 2011

That would be ¿toda vía guapisimo?....and the answer. claro.

Spanish...it was interesting with that starting sentence...that's for sure.

The temple was great. We had an interesting time getting there. The coaster we were on broke down after like 10-15 minutes and we all had to get out...so there was a bunch of people chilling waiting for buses. And we are on the highway still. So we start walking a little so that we can ask for a ride. And we get one super fast...but it's a guy in a super beat-up van. So we get in...and sure enough...that stops working...but he got it going and took us to Santa Tecla. Then we just found a taxi that got us there super fast and cheap...which was good because by that time we were running out of time. Crazy morning.

The sessions in Spanish are good. I understood everything and it was all good. I forgot a few things but not too much.

Things are good here. The investigators are kind of driving me crazy...so everything is normal :P

Changes are next week. In 6 days. I'm pretty sure that I won't be going...but who knows. It's possible. Just not likely.

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


He had a little more time so he sent this later...

Bueno pues. Tengo un poquito tiempo más para escribir....y ya he contestado todas las cartas...entonces...escribiré una carta en español. Hoy es jueves el 17 de noviembre en el año de 2011. Casi estamos en el mes de diciembre. Llevo como 16 meses más o menos. Me faltan 6 cambios más en mi misión. No sé porque estou escribiendo como una historia ahorita pero....está bien.Hoy fuimos a Little Ceasars para almorzar. Casi comí una pizza entera. Me gustó mucho. En como un mes voy a hablar con ustedes. Por Navidad. va a ser tan divertido. que más....el temple fue divertido. Me pregunto cuando regresaremos. ¿Cómo está el barrio? Todo bien. Espero que sí. Ya me voy a ir. Salud pues


Loosely translated it says:

Well. I have a little more time to write .... and I have answered all the letters ...so I'm writing a letter in Spanish. Today is Thursday 17 November in the year 2011. We are almost in December. I have like 16 months or so. I need 6 more changes in my mission. I do not know why I'm writing this as a story now but .... we went to Little Caesars for lunch. Almost ate a whole pizza. I loved it. In a month I'll talk to you. For Christmas. It will be so fun. The temple was fun. I wonder when we'll return. How is the neighborhood? All right. I hope so. I'm going to go. For health.

November 7, 2011

I won't have P-day on Monday next week. It will be on Thursday...so when I don't write back on Monday...it doesn't mean anything. It's because we are going to the Temple on next Thursday and so President switched that to our P-Day. Fun, huh?

Its still weird to me that Sister O won't be Sister O...where are they gonna live? In NC or somewhere else?

El Sal...it's doing good. We had some hot days last week. It was kind of weird...but so normal too...

We also had a multizone that was pretty good...I liked it a lot, and learned a lot.

For P-day today we actually went to a volcano...but it just had a big old crater that had a bunch of trees...obviously it's not active.

And we also went to a point where we quite literally saw all of San Salvador.

And we could see the temple from way up there.

It was weird because we could actually see like almost all the zones of the mission. Except for like 4...I had honestly forgotten how small El Sal is....but that reminded me. El Sal is a tiny country.

And send me goldfish...por fa.

As for BYU...that interest kind of died now...my interest in transferring to UNC is still alive though. I will not lie about that. But I think I want to stay in NC...I love it too much. I think everything I need is there...so don't worry mom...

hope you all have a good week.

Love Elder Gilreath

October 31, 2011

Halloween does not translate at all. Haha. I miss it. A lot.

Heather is going on a mission huh?...When does she leave?...If she and Mike will be there together for about 6 months...that means I'll be down to about 4 and a half months...so it would be like midway through march that she leaves...am I close? Haha.

Transfers aren't for like 3 more weeks...haha. Just a little off, mom. Just a little.

This week was good. No rain at all. We taught like 17 lessons this week. It was a decent week. We also helped some Elders move. They had to switch their house. So we spent Saturday afternoon helping them out.

And Saturday morning we had a soccer tournament...kind of successful. Not everyone showed up that had told me they would...but we still got 4 good teams and 16 people who aren't members were there. It was a good experience as they got to enter the church and check it out. They were all great people. And I got to play a little with them. I think my team won every game. Despite some mistakes I made...but hey...it was the first time in months that I had played...

Also, there is a store here that sells American clothing...it has a bunch of college teams...so yes...that includes UNC...I walked in and found quite a few UNC shirts among the bunch...it was pretty fun actually.

And the most exciting news of the day...Nov 17...we are going to the Temple...it's gonna be great. Right at the end of the change.

My comp is doing good. I think he was like me...a little shy to talk in lessons. But he does good with talking to people and seeing if they are interested...so it's all good. He's a good guy. He's funny.

That's about it on this end.

Love you guys

October 24, 2011

The rain has stopped. It didn't get too bad in my area. The highway
leading to Zaragoza had mudslides and they had to close down parts for
awhile. But everything is good now. Some areas got super flooded. But
nothing here.

I think it's an idea President has to help the new guys learn Spanish
faster. We can explain everything they don't get in a faster way. And
we can watch training videos in English so that they understand them.
I think that's the idea. But idk. And the training plan is only with
new people.

We had Stake Conference as well. Elder Falabella was there. He was so
funny. My comp was like...I wish I could understand it all...everyone
is laughing. Haha. But Elder Falabella gave a good talk about keeping
ourselves clean. Or making sure we have our priorities in line. He
talked about making strawberry smoothies with his family and how at
the end he threw in just a little of mud and mixed it in. He then
offered the smoothies to the family but no one wanted them because of the
mud. The smoothie still looked good...but you just knew that it was a
little dirty; that a bad choice had happened.

I want PopTarts. Send me poptarts in the box

Hmm....Nothing else.

Love you guys

October 17, 2011

It's the end of the world as we know it! It's the end of the world as we know it! Its the end of the world as we know it! And I feel fine... (I'll explain that in a bit)

ANnyways...I'm still in Zaragoza...but Elder Martinez peaced out. My new comp is Elder Martin from Sandy, Utah...fresh from the MTC. Yup, I'm training. But he's lucky...he got to go to the MTC in Guatemala...it's a new thing apparently.

LATE NITE....I'm so there next year....at like 2 in the afternoon...with Chik-fil-a...(Devin...tell Burt to come along...we can have a chik-fil-a party!!!)

Anyways....

Sis O....not as Sis O?...hmm...that's weird. She will always be Sister O to me.

Well...on to the week.

Monday...immigration

And Monday night at 11:20pm I get a call from one of the assistants. He's like...are you ready to train? Haha...I was just like...huh? yeah...w/e. Cool he says...be in layco at 7:45 tomorrow...what? That was bad man. Anyways...so on the way to Layco...we get on a sick coaster. Why is it sick? Because it puts the cars in "Need for Speed" and "Fast and Furious" to shame. This guy was nuts. I was scared at first...but then I was just laughing. This guy would roll into oncoming traffic just to get ahead of our line of non-moving traffic. And cut in randomly and everything...thanks to him...I totally got to the next stop early. It was sweet.

So the other thing has to do with the song I put at first.

Maybe El Sal is too small to make it to the US...but El Sal is in a National Emergency...don't worry. Nothing crazy. It's just that its been raining everyday for the last week at like all hours. So...flooding...lots of flooding. Here isn't too bad....just when it starts pouring...rivers start forming...And I think there have been some land slides and stuff....I can't work right now. On orders from Pres. I didn't work yesterday (we only went to Sacrament meeting...no one was there). Today we can write and buy stuff we need then back to the house...and tomorrow...we leave only with an important appointment. SO...it's been weird. But everything is cool. I'm just tired of rain.

I thought of stuff to send me..CDs!!!! of music obviously. I got a way to listen to them. we have ways to watch training videos in the house and I can use it to listen to music...so music por favor. EFY...w/e. Though A More Excellent Way is good. and some girl sings Healing Waters...that's a bomb song.

I will also send off letters today...a miracle I know. Haha...

Thats' about it...and some photos!!!

Love you guys

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

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.

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

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

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

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

August 29, 2011

To Donald:

This week was good. I can't complain. We had a decent week finding people...about 14. And they are mostly positive. One guy is really sweet, but has a lot of health problems. So that is unfortunate and might hold him back. But yeah...normal routine this week now. Unfortunately...haha..,j/k

I heard about the quake...we went to a member's house and they had it on CNN...and they were like hey Elder there was an earthquake on the east coast...I was like...huh?...is that possible?...but then I saw the news and all the explanations. I was like...haha...weird.

And I was also well aware of the hurricane. It was a big one. I saw some pics of it radar-wise. It was a big storm. Good thing everything is all good there. That's unfortunate for Aunt Kelly and Uncle George. but it could be worse. I also heard it caused a bunch of flood and wind damage. When members were watching news about the hurricane, I would point to NC and Raleigh...and they were like Elder! it's going right for where you live. I was just like...yeah...but it will probably just be a bunch of wind and rain. It won't be too bad. Haha...was it close for Raleigh?

To the family:

I kind of wish I was there for the earthquake. We have had tremors here in El Sal...but nothing like that. And the hurricane too. All the interesting stuff is happening when I'm not there to experience it. Haha. I'm kind of mad. Just a little.

As for the broadcast.... They had the problems with the satellite. And honestly the branch president's were giving bad info like the people had to be in that chapel to see it. So we started talking as missionaries and we were like...what? you should be able to use the ticket where ever. It doesn't matter. So we told the people that. So then they were like...lets go to Jucuapa....but how? Some dude hooked us up with a bus and boom...off we went...yes pooling money for a good cause. ...it was interesting. To say the least.

As for changes..Idk yet...but I feel like I'm gone. I'll be on the move, I'm sure. So I'll probably have some interesting stuff next week. Not this week though. Sorry.

And how did you see inside the El Sal temple. I have a pamphlet I was gonna send so you could see the inside. But I guess I don't have to now. But yeah...its bomb inside the temple. Amazing inside.

Anyways, hope there is a break in weird weather. Haha..

Love you guys...

Elder Gilreath

San Salvador El Salvador Temple news release

The San Salvador El Salvador Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) was dedicated Sunday by President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the Church’s First Presidency. This is the Church’s fourth temple in Central America and 135th operating temple worldwide.

© 2011 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved

Prior to the dedication, President Eyring sealed the temple cornerstone, a tradition marking the end of construction and the beginning of the sacred work inside the temple.

May 1949 marked the beginning of the Church’s presence in El Salvador, when the first missionaries were sent there to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ among the people of Santa Ana in the western region of the country.

In 1952 Elder Spencer W. Kimball, then a senior Church leader and later the worldwide leader of the Church, visited El Salvador and offered a prayer of peace and prosperity upon the nation. By 1986 Church membership had grown to more than 15,000. Today there are more than 110,000 Latter-day Saints in more than 161 congregations throughout El Salvador.

"Attending"
Also attending the cornerstone and dedicatory services were Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Elders William R. Walker, Enrique R. Falabella, James B. Martino and Carlos H. Amado of the Seventy; and Sister Silvia H. Allred, first counselor in the Relief Society presidency and El Salvador native.

Sixteen thousand people attended two cultural celebrations Saturday that retold the rich cultural history of the area through song and dance.

Visitors walk grounds of the San Salvador El Salvador Temple after taking a tour during the open house June 28-July 23. More than 165,000 toured the temple interior and the grounds.

Prior to this weekend’s events, more than 162,000 people from many faiths were given a guided tour of the temple during a two-week open house.

Ground was broken for the San Salvador El Salvador Temple 20 September 2008. Before this temple’s completion, Latter-day Saints in El Salvador traveled to Arizona to attend a temple — an eight-day journey that required early El Salvadorian Latter-day Saints to make great sacrifices, often selling belongings and even homes to cover the travel costs.

Images of the San Salvador - El Salvador Temple