Valle Nuevo- Week 26

HEY!
So this stupid Internet cafe ruined my memory and now I have no fotos.... but guess what? I bought a thumb drive last week and transferred everything to that... then switched my 8 gb card to send to you guys and put in my 2 gb.. the one I already sent home... so I really only lost like 6 fotos... good news right? kinda... jajaja.
So I get 8 months on Wednesday... that means that no sister missionary will come to the mission field and leave before me now...(you know, because the gringas have 2 months when they enter the mission field) SO that's pretty cool I guess... jaja...
This week my comp talked me into putting two baby birds in my hands... I was afraid... there was a nest out back... jajaja.

So the president called last Monday to talk to Elder Escalante... I guess he had some questions about some of his former comps... I guess word got to the president about his baggy comps.. then the pres wanted to talk to me...He said he put me with him because it would be like training again... because he is a new member and a new missionary and basically described him as a sponge... he told me to mold him into a great missionary...He said that that was why he put me with him. I felt really good that the president trusts me that much.. but  you know... whatever. Then on Tuesday we had interviews with the pres and his wife. I went with his wife first and she asked me a question... If your mum were here, what would she brag about? I was like... what??? Why don't we call her up? jaja... but I just said that I know that she said that she was proud of me... then I started to get teary-eyed... I told her  sorry, I get a little emotional when I talk about my family.. so then she said we could stop and talk about something different.............. Then it was time for the interview with the president.. uh oh... jajaja... jk. But it went well! He just went over a few things of what he told me the day before...then asked me about my personal study and how its been going... then he told me to make the goal to read the Book of Mormon at least once a year for the rest of my life... I told him OK... jajaja. But its a great goal! I have already read it once in my mish... got a little distracted with Jesus the Christ and now I´ve started up again. Its legit in Spanish too! jaja...

I saw like 30 seconds of a basketball game... I FORGOT HOW MUCH I LOVE RONDO!!!!!! It was a Celtics game btw... but it was cool.. we played a little soccer this morning and we are going to play basketball I think a little later with some investigators... should be good! Also, went to the lake again... legit as ever.. jaja
So we are trying to baptize a less active member who lost their records... she was saying that she´s already been baptized in THIS church, so why would she have to do it again? In reality, her reasoning makes sense... with any luck, we´ll get her this weekend... but what did you do mum? was it even that hard for you? Mum and dad, you still haven´t sent me conversion stories... just saying..
Also, on Friday, we have a special meeting with Elder Nelson of the twelve. LEGIT! With the two missions... in other words... WITH ELDER TRUMP! WHOOP! I´m stoked:)
My comp is great... he´s just got a few bad habits from his sodding baggy companions... but we are working on them... I´m senior comp... but I don't really know the area so its hard for me to lead the area when he´s been here for a while...but we are working on obedience little by little... Just like my answer was... but you know..
There´s 4 mesa guys in my zone... so we just have AZ parties all the time.. legit...
So I called the familia Lopez Alegria (mi familia salvadoreña) this week to ask some questions... The son answered and was like THORNTON!!! and was like, What´s up? Where are you at? Hey, my mom is crying now because you called.................I was like what?! So I talked to her for a few minutes... asked her about my toenail that fell out this week... because I didn´t know what to do about it... then talked to Alvaro for a little bit because the package still hasn´t got here yet... so I just told him that he´s going to have to write me when he gets to Mexico so that I can send the ring to him there... he is really grateful for that... he says thank you:) but then passed the phone back to the mom and I told her thanks for everything, then she started crying a little bit... said that they all loved me a lot. and said goodbye... I was really touched... I was a little baggy for my old area! FREAK! Its just nice to know that even though I´m far away from all of you, I still have some family here that keeps an eye on me:) I am going to give them one of my name badges... its not much...but a missionary cant give much right? jajaja.... They also said before I left that they would come to the airport with signs and stuff when I leave...so I could have a group when I leave and when I arrive... jaja.. that would be pretty cool... but anyway... that was probably the highlight of my week:)
Mum, Thank you for everything. you are so awesome and I am lucky to have you! Azua. that's where my comp is from in la republica dominicana. I don't know where it is, but he keeps telling me that I need to come visit:) he says its an awesome tourist place... maybe one day:) I love you mum!
Popa! Sounds like everything is going great! sounds like the training is going to start up again! I cant believe its already almost been a year since we did the whiskey 50 and the tour de mesa... that was so fun! its crazy how fast time goes... I hope everything is going great! and that you´re reading your scriptures everyday. Alma 37:6-7. I share that one a lot with members and relate it to you and your job and how sometimes there´s work and sometimes no... but we are always fine and it "confuses the wise":) I love you pops!
Austin, freak your arms are big... there are a few things that I want... I want a few head bands like I used to have... and also, those songs I couldn´t listen to... so if you could try and burn them to a CD and send them, that would be cool? But no pressure... I don't need anything for my b day:) BTW, my comp got baptized on my birthday... he complete 2 years as a member this year.. crazy right? No, I haven´t found those bags yet... but I don't know if you have noticed the bag that I have in a few of the fotos that I have sent home... its like red, green and yellow... I actually bought that for you... I just use it on P-day:) I´ve just gotta find a place that I can send a package... don't worry, I´m working:) but everything is legit brotha! stay strong. don't get fat. read your scrips. put the scrips on top of your books when you start your homework... study before homework... do it... it helps! I love ya brotha! salu
Ellie, sounds like this week has been heck for you... crud.. it stinks to be sick... but I hope you are feeling better! get lots of rest and drink lots of water... even if you are going to throw up, its a lot easier to throw up water than dry heave in the toilet... jaja.. I hope you feel better! I love ya!
Brynn, my favorite color is blue.. how are you? Good? jeez... 5th grade already? that's insane... holy crap... but I hope everything is going good! make sure to read your scrips! every day. I love you!
I love you all and I Hope everything goes well this week!
SALU PANCHOS!
ELDER TTT

Valle Nuevo- Week 25

Well I´m NOT in Usulatán. I am in a place called Ilopango (in other words CHIVO-PANGO...jaja) In an area called Valle Nuevo. And this place is legit...You know how much I hate change... so the first day or two was a little nostalgic....(bet you think I would´ve forgot that word..jajaja!) But it always gets better! Mt comp is Elder Baldimir Escalante... (Baldimir is his first name... I think he told someone to add me on face:)) But anyway... he´s pretty awesome. He´s from la republic Dominicana and legit. The only thing is that he has had three comps so far and all of them have been baggy.... so he doesn´t really know anything different than to be baggy... but we´ve been working hard this past week. He´s definitely not afraid of work... He just is a little disobedient in a few areas... which isn´t his fault... just what he has been taught by sodding baggy elders... but I´ve been praying about it and I received my answer instantly.. step by step, line upon line, here a little there a little. So slowly but surely I´m going to start helping him be a little more obedient:) and he´s told me a lot, that almost all of his comps didn´t really like to work that much.. But he is so awesome. He´s 21 and got baptized a year and a half ago. He actually served a mission for the catholic church for a year and 10 months. He also raps like a mother bear!  He is awesome. He can improvise on the spot and make something up. legit. You would be amazed if you heard him. Amazed! I started talking to him a little more about it and he was telling me his story and stuff.. But I guess he has recorded with a lot of companies and stuff.. and when he had his mission call in his hand, a record company offered him a $2 million contract to sing... but he turned it down to come to the mish. I thought he must be crazy! But then he said something that I´ll never forget. Something that I have always heard ... Money does not make you happy. Then he showed me his favorite scripture. 2Tim2:3-4. Its legit. Then everything started to click in my brain. He´s legit...LEGIT!!! He looks at things from a completely different view than everyone else.. philosophically? its just different... that's all:) But I´m looking forward to being able to work with him
This week I met a guy in my new ward that had Neal Thornton as his second to last comp. Small world!
Also, Met a guy with like a 260 acre coffee farm that speaks perfect English and was already great friends with my comp... but he´s pretty awesome as well.. he said if anything ever happens to us, all we have to do is call him up and he´ll get us out of trouble. He always offers to take us to the beach...jaja
Today my comp and I went to the lake of Ilopango.. its pretty legit there... just saying... I wouldn´t mind going back there after the mish:)
Elder Reece Scurr is in my zone now!! Legit! PARTY TIME!
I got a few more letters and a little packet from the Allen's and Troy´s fam.. I accidentally threw away the addresses... but I don't have time like I thought I would here.... so if you could thank them for me that would be great! I was really so grateful:)
That hermana that you were talking about last week is hermana Jones... I took one last picture with her before I left... she got here the same day that I did and we have spent the last six months in the same district... and she is staying there again! crazy.
Also, before I left, Alvaro came over to our house because he wanted to just talk for a few minutes and he wanted some advice... It was just really cool of him to come to me to ask for help... I sent a picture with me him and Brose... It felt cool to know that he could come to me.. anyway..

My last day in Zacamil was good... we just went around saying goodbye to all of our conversos and members... We taught the family Mejia how to make smores. That was cool.

we visited a ton of people. Hermana Elizibeth cried... hermana abuelita(first baptism) started like breaking down... that was hard... because she is so quiet that I didn´t know that our visits to here meant that much to her... and also Hermana Lopez Alegria started crying... that one was a surprise to me...  I loved my area... I spent a half a year of my life there.. it was legit... I hope that I only have like 4 areas throughout my mish... because its awesome to be close like that with everyone... but we´ll see what happens! Then for dinner we made pupusas with Carmen.... it was yummy..... she walked us out to the gate and wait for it.........................................................................she gave me a hug! freak! I didn´t even see it coming! I was shocked. Speechless.... I mean, she obviously didn´t know the rules... but you know... whatever... jaja.... Hermana Ochoa did it also... I guess that's life... jaja!

I took a 4 generation foto with my pops in the mission... and my son... and my grandson! legit!
Yesterday for fast and testimony meeting was legit... as soon as the bishop sat down, like half of the ward stood up and went to go sit up on the stand to bear their testimony. The meeting lasted like almost 2 hours! In all my years as a member, I have never seen that in all my life! This ward is Legit! The ward mission leader served in CA and speaks perfect and loves to work and make sure we reach the mission goals... chivo. This ward is powerful. Its just good to know that wherever you go, the church is always true! jajaja. The gospel is legit!
Mum, I hope I answered all of your questions! Freak! But everything is going great! You would hate my house.... it only has water every other day... jajaja...Its dirty... but its OK... its not the end of the world! jaja.. but my area is pretty awesome! I love you so much and I miss you! have a good week!
Dad, sounds like the diet is pretty legit! already lost five pounds!  freak! I have been doing a lot of exercising myself... hopefully I´ll loose a few:) I love you pops!
STEE, sounds like starting the first week of school went well! and it sounds like the football banquet went well... and you´re going to do it next year as well? you´re crazy... good luck! jaja.. I love ya bro... see ya
Ellie, how´s everything going? school going good? sounds like it! keep reading your scrips and have a great week! love ya
Brynn, I AM IN VALLE NUEVO! jajaja... there... answered your question... hey how´s school? GOOD! crazy. what grade are you in? cool. I love ya!
Hey btw, tell Jill congrats on her baby and tell her to get to church! jaja
OS AMO MUCHO! SALU PANCHOS! GRACIAS POR TODO! SEAIS TRANQUILOS
SHORTY

Zacamil- Week24

FELIZ AÑO!!!!!
Hi. Merry New Year. jajaja. So this Internet cafe pretty much blows....  I cant send all of my fotos... I´ve got like 30 from this week... jajajajajajaja. But I think you got the ones from the president from the volcano? That was legit... but after one time, its kinda boring.... I wanted to go down into it with a bunch of elders...(because there´s a way down) but the pres didn´t let us... but you know, whatever... I just wanna ride a bike up and down the road up to the volcano... legit.

Today was probably the best p day ever.  We played futbol in the morning (2 goals thanks for asking) then we went to eat at Pizza Hut.. then went to the church building to make cookies and now I´m here!
So changes are this week on Wed. I´m going... and Elder Brose is going to train right after being trained himself, just like i was.. legit... so in other words, I´m already going to be an abuelo! freak! So I talked to an Elder that for some reason knows the changes and he said that I´ll be going to Usulatán... but we´ll see how that ends up.... jajaja. But I really have enjoyed this couple changes with Elder Brose... it actually turned out all right... we have had some problems, but we´ve talked about them all... so we worked everything out and now we´re all good... we have been for a while now... He´s taught me a lot of stuff and I´m glad that he was my comp:)
SO I got sick this week.. at the beginning of the week... but now I´m all good! but the familia Ochoa told me that I just need to clean by body out like a month before I leave... because I´m pretty darn sure that I´ve got lots of stuff growing inside me! jajajaja but I´ll wait for about 14 more months to clean myself out:)
So it doesn´t really matter what kind of music that I hear from the world.. I'm liking everything!... I heard Taylor Swift yesterday... love song... I don´t know how I knew the words... weird....I just
FINISHED JESUS THE CHRIST- holy sod. what a book..... I have learned so much from reading that book... its literally insane. Some of the stuff in there is incredible... but it takes a lot of dedication and study to actually get all of it. But I´m glad Elder Brose talked me into reading that.
Apparently there´s some friends waiting to be accepted on facebook?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUNTER!!!!!
New years was good... I stuffed my fat face with three dinners that night... and helped cook some carne asada with a family that I have become really close with... I´ll send a bunch of pics next week. But we visited three families and it went really well... the only thing is that I´m fat.... its kinda a problem...
I would like you to give me a list of my strengths and weaknesses and attributes that I have. I wanna start working on the weaknesses I have... I know there are few... but please and thank you.
We are going to have a special meeting in Jan with Elder Nelson from the 12! legit. with both missions! So I´ll be able to see Elder Trump! whoo hoo!
I got a ton of letters this weekend, including our Christmas card! legit. I´m working on sending responses.. most of them are from like the beginning of Dec and late Nov. solo para q´ sepan.
We found a crazy family this week. Like legit Mayan lamanite beliefs. They worship idols stuff like that.... its crazy... I had no idea what to share with them... so I just kept asking questions about their religion and then I was like.... well... we have something called the Book of Mormon.....??? jajaja it was quite an experience. They have got a whole bunch of like statue things in their house.. weird.
We had the Ward Christmas dinner this week- it was good... but a little bit sad... just because of all of the families that I´m going to be leaving... but its good.. because I´m pretty bored of this area... but then on Sunday, the bishop told me that I would have like ten min. to speak because it would be my last week. Then the primary president wanted me to come in to the primary to say goodbye to all of them.. they came and gave me a group hug. Then I took a picture with them.(and I conveniently left my camera at the house) I gave them the ctr rings:)
A less active family that we have been working with came up to me in church yesterday and thanked us for visiting them and getting them to come back to church. Because now they are all active again. That's testimony to me that sometimes all someone needs is a little bit of love to come back.. for us to show them that we care... that's all... look for those opportunities. :)

So you know that little boy that I took a picture with about two weeks ago? He´s like ten years old? you asked about him in the skype call? Well, he died on Friday. I dunno what really happened, but I guess he fell and drowned in some kind of pool.. it was really sad... so tonight a bunch of missionaries are going to their house  to do a family home evening with them... when I gave my talk on Sunday I talked about the plan of salvation a little bit... they came up and thanked me at church... I know that its real!... not just a drawing that we draw on a whiteboard... its real! Families are Forever
Mum, Thanks for everything and thanks for sending the packet :) Alvero will love it! I Love You
Dad, thank you as well for all that you do. One thing that you gotta do is stay up on the diet... even after you drop the weight... because your body needs to get used to the weight you 're at... so its going to be a while even after you drop the weight. i love you
Austin, you're legit... love you
Ellie.. I´m glad to see that you are growing spiritually and looking for ways to improve... that's why I want a strengths and weaknesses list and attributes I have... jaja love you
Brynn, sounds like your birthday was awesome! I love you!
Sorry I don't have a lot of time but I love you all!
SHORTY

Christmas!!!! Zacamil-Week 23

FREAK!!!
ESTOY BAGGY!!!! JAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJAJA
That was so legit to talk to you guys yesterday.... and even cooler to be able to see you guys. I was thinking while I was talking on the phone that it would probably stink if the skype thing wasn´t going to work... ja... its funny how much you get spoiled in like ten minutes... but that was so awesome.. That was legit. When all you started crying, I started to cry... then Hermano Ochoa came and gave me a big hug... and told me to talk for a few more hours.... jajajaja
A few things... Alvaro´s ring... the ring that you were going to see if you could get... he said if you can, one in all the languages would be cool... if not, HLJ.. he says thanks a million and his size is 9.. same as me!
Also, when you send a package again, I need a new tie rack... I forgot to mention that.. please and thank you!
Also, I need the address of the Stewart family to write them a thank you note for the Christmas card... they didn´t put one on the envelope... I sent one off to the Allen's today... that was so cool. they mean a ton to me and it was just nice to receive their Christmas card;)

The pictures that I sent in a forward were from our day at the house of the president. It was really pretty darn fun and I learned a lot of stuff that I want to do with my family when I get older.... like one thing that they do is when all the kids come in their room in the morning.  All of them climb on the bed and the read Luke 2:1 to 20 before they go our and see what Santa brought... also, sock wars... legit and way fun...also, always have energy... also, give a gift to Christ... they made us all bookmarks that say... MY GIFT TO CHRIST IS......... then you put it in your scriptures to always remind you and then you can see how you did after the end of the year... legit as well.

Also, no one is modest here.... even the best members in the ward always wear those spaghetti straps and stuff like that... its like its only immodest if it has to do with your legs... because we hardly see anyone with short shorts... jajaja. but anyway... more about the country I guess:)
I cant wait until I can control the amount of food I eat... I eat so much.... not because I want to... but because I have to... you cant leave anything on your plate here... or they get offended and stuff. There has been only a handful of occasions where I have said no.. jajaja
We went to go visit Carmen last night... the one we just baptized and just got confirmed yesterday...she is awesome... she´s 19 and lives with her sister.... but her mom came and visited her for the holidays... she was making coffee for her yesterday morning but she denied! Just like that... with out any argument... that was awesome... it just goes to show you that the gospel changes lives... she new the choice she was making and made it 100 percent...the  devil tried to get his last punch in there before she got confirmed... but FAILED! AGAIN! jajajajaja. But it was really good.... she already has a bunch of friends in the ward and she will be an awesome member.
Dad, thanks for everything. I can definitely say that I have the best dad in the whole world... I don't know very many dads that do the things that the kids like to do... in other words... there´s not very many dads that are as cool as you... thank you for everything... Elder Coy has almost 18 months. I have talked a little with Cody and Mons... and yes,that's how you say it. fleiz año nuevo:) I love you pops
Mum, thanks for everything. you're amazing. It was really cool to talk to you and it was a huge blessing to use skype. Thank you for everything... sending all the little things that I want, that have no real importance, the letters, the love, everything...thank you for everything! I love you! talk to you in five months:)
Stee, you´re getting huge! have I really gained weight? be honest. if I have, I need to make some changes.. jajaja. btw, I may or may not have listened to that CD when my comp is taking a shower. jajajajaja. Don't tell. My comp is super strict. which is good... but annoying at times... I just didn´t say it because he was listening to the conversation.. that's why I finally asked for all of the CDs. because with elder Coy, I didn´t  know... but he came in and said that ipods are not allowed and showed me in our packet of rules just for this mission... jajajaja but thanks for everything brotha... you´re amazing. glad you all like the scripture.... jaja I love ya...
Ellie, you got footie PJ's!? nice.... I want some.... in all seriousness... I want some when I get back... that would be so awesome... don't misinterpret this for sarcasm... its all true! I want some! I´m glad you had a good Christmas! I love ya..
Brynn, it was so cool to talk to you! freak! it sounds like you had a dang good Christmas and got some footie PJ's as well... I want some! lucky! but I´m glad you had a good Christmas and I´ll talk to you in a couple months;) love you and happy birthday this week!
also, happy birthday to grandpa this week!
also, going to the volcano tomorrow! I´ll take more pictures... speaking of pictures... if you could just like save all the pictures that I send on the computer, I was kinda thinking it would be cool to make a slideshow video of my mission when I get back... but I wanna make it... jajaja!!!! I love you!

I love you all! thanks for everything!!!
ELDER MESSI (played soccer this morning... 2 goles de 3!)

Zacami-Week 22

HOLA!
Hows everything going? From all of your letters, it sounds like it is going great! This week has been pretty good for me... I felt like it went by really slow, but by the time its p -day again, I think the week has gone by super fast!  I have been having a lot of trouble with patience. I learn time and time again that people are more important than time. But its tough to remember. My comp is pretty much a Johnny Raincloud like all the time... so its hard for me to stay positive and smile a lot when he constantly looks at the glass half empty. He kinda complains a lot... which drives me crazy. He seems almost depressed for like a few days... and then he'll suddenly have a happy day where he will actually try and talk to people... but anyway.. the change is almost over so it'll be good for a change.. I like him and stuff... most of the time...on those bad days he has, I always ask him what I can do to make him happy.... then he says that me asking makes it worse... I don't know really what to do... other than endure to the 4 of JAN! jajaja
But anyway, other than that, everything is going great! The 24 and 31`of this month are when the people here celebrate The 25 is just like a normal day.... so we already have like 5 families that want us to come by... so I'm planning on eating a little bit in every house....:)
That little girl that got baptized about a month ago gave me an early Christmas gift. It was that stuffed dog in the picture that I sent. Then she gave me a big hug. It was awesome... I felt honored:)
This week we also got new mattresses! LEGIT! COMFORT!
Hermana Elizabeth and Rosa and Veronica went to do baptisms for the dead in the temple on Saturday! It was insane...Hermana Elizabeth was just like glowing... she was so excited.... and I was too! There's nothing better than seeing someone you baptize go to the temple. I was ecstatic.
This week also was the camping EFY thing that they do here called SOY. It was definitely a success. In sacrament yesterday all of the youth were to give their testimony and what they learned at SOY... all of them said it changed their lives.... stuff like that is just what the people need here... strength. They were all crying and stuff... just like our testimony meetings that we have done in our ward in the past./ my EFY... legit.
So we are teaching this family and we taught them about the word of wisdom and the things that you shouldn't do....then they had the question about pills from a doctor... then I had the idea (or in other words Heavenly Father put the idea in my head) to tell that joke about the guy sitting on the roof top in a flood... and there was like a boat and helicopter that came telling him to get on to save him... but he kept saying that God was going to save him... Then he died and asked God why he didn't save him... then God says, "well I sent a helicopter and a boat and you didn't get on!" I related that to the pills from doctors... it went pretty well.. it wasn't in like a laughing format or anything like that... but it was like one of those ah ha moments for them...but they are a really great family.
Also, Evangelical churches down here are more strict in their "rules" than our church... weird!
Also, we had a baptism yesterday!!! YAY!! FINALLY! It was the baptism of Carmen Concepcion Chavez.... it was legit.. she asked me to baptize her and I was honored.. She is really awesome and will make a great member of the church. She has been a tender mercy for us... we found her on a fast Sunday where a guy gave us a false address... so then we found her.... she is awesome. I can not express the feeling you get when you bring someone to Christ... you cannot put it into words.... But Carmen has a sister... she will be a little harder to work with just because she has already been baptized in another church and active in that church... but.... she has a bad kidney...so she's got a lot of problems... she was married... her husband left her when she got sick... she lost a baby in that marriage... she lives with her three dogs... basically her life sucks... but she has the best attitude about everything...we read the first part of D&C 121 and 122 with her and she really liked that... she has so much faith that God will take care of her and she has the best attitude... she always has a smile on her face... she is an example to me....and should be for my comp!!! I just thought of that right now, as i was typing! Geeze. I just gotta talk to him about her! Thanks family for that idea...
So I know that my next package probably wont be until my birthday... but I do want a few things... ipods are against the rules so I need some Cd's! there's kinda a lot on my list... but we should have all of them except maybe like one... but here's the list:
rob Gardner... the three discs... the Joseph smith one... he is Jesus Christ.... and Lamb of God.... I'm pretty sure that's what they are called:)
Mix of Jon Schmidt
mix of Jim Brickman
Steven C
Reflections of Christ
Alex Boye
men of Mormon tab choir
movie mix ( like from pirates, gladiator, UP, Harry potter 6)
William Joesph... the 2 Cd's  within.... and beyond
and like my classical Debussy stuff
And one more called the vitamin string quartet... or something like that... but they do like coldplay songs but in all strings! so that would be legit...
and anything else that you think that I might like!
also, I would like to have that teeth whitener bleach to put in your retainers if that's cool...
and a new buzzy Gillette razor because mine broke..
and whatever else you think I might need:)
But thank you in advance! you guys are so awesome!!
Mum,Thank you for your letter! I always enjoy reading letters:) also.. I'll call on Friday or Saturday to tell you the plan for Sunday... but here's the deal... I can only call to tell you when I'm calling... and you can't cry.... deal? va...and yes we found a house that has skype so we are gonna skype it up!!! I'm so excited to talk to you all! But yep... thank you for all the sacrifices that you made for me to get me out here.. you are pretty darn amazing, mum. It was you that got my eagle, got me through high school, got me into college and got me on a mission... thank you for everything. and I do love the little notes on the tree... thank you! (and Ellie and whoever else helped:) I love you mum!
Dad, it sounds like you can recognize the marmot's! jaja. I hope they turn out to be a cool family! and yeah, I decided that I will probably need to do a cleanse when I get home to cleanse out my stomach and all the parasites I've probably got growing in there... jaja... but I haven't had any problems with my stomach! so that's all good.. but it sounds like everything is going good! I hope the dunes goes good this year! Alma 37:37. love you pops!
Austin, freak! you are just going to have to make the dunes legit.. that's what its all about... we didn't do anything that you guys cant do! you gotta shoot some fireworks at each other and stuff...and Ash does ac-dec? freak! I had no idea.... but anyway...have a lot of fun this week... don't forget to read your scrips and stuff. love ya!
Ellie. Gracias por todo! te agradezco por todo lo que has hecho para mi! el arbol es super chivo y yo estoy bien agradecido por ti y por tu ejemplo.. TE QUIERO Y FELIZ NAVIDAD!
Brynn, are you pretty darn excited for Christmas? I know that I am! I cant wait to be able to talk to you all! but here's the deal... you cant cry... deal? cross your heart. Cross it! good... no going pack:) (UP) love ya!
I love you all and I'll talk to you all in a bit! HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
ELDER T

Zacamil- Week 21

HOLA!
Hi, how's everything going? It sounds like everything is going good with all of you! This week was good... a little interesting I might add... but good. The beginning of the week I was sleeping in my hammock... It was comfortable, its just that I cant hang it up in a very good position in our house... so it ended up being uncomfortable about 2 in the morning...jaja... This week was good, but it was a little hard... just that we are starting to sing all the Christmas songs and I started thinking about Christmas and all that... just thinking about home a little... but its all good. I'm staying busy! This week we ate at hermana Elizabeth's house and she played Christmas music in English(because she can speak English) and I accidentally called her grandma... she didn't hear... but OOPS! jajajaja...
This week was the famous game called the Clásico. The classic game between Real Madrid and Barcelona. We tried to work for a little while but it was very very inefficient.... no one was out and no one would let us in... so we went and watched it at lunch... jajaja. Thankfully Barcelona won 3-1. I won a new tie out of it...its absolutely crazy when there are goals. Fireworks and yelling and people running around for a few minutes until they go back to watch more... jaja. I sent a picture of my reaction after the game... jaja

 

ON Thursday we had a activity for the ward and some investigators showed up... but then they didn't show up for church? what the??? but that's OK.. it was a great activity for them and they must have just gotten a little bit busy... but we'll see tomorrow!!! jajaja. So do you all remember Carmen? The culebra we were teaching? Well she's basically awesome. She goes to all the activities. She has a bunch of friends in the ward already. She went to a dance the other day with friends from the ward... and, she has a testimony. She told us one day that she wanted to wait to get baptized to get to know the church a little more. Which is nothing unusual.. but we taught her a little bit on Saturday, went through the baptismal interview questions, and read acts 8:26-40. Then she accepted baptism for this weekend!.. it almost felt too easy... but it was legit. I think it helped a lot to have one of her friends from the ward there with us... jaja:) But we finally have another baptism this weekend! YAY.
The interesting part of this week was the beginning... A priest in our ward, who has been a great friend to me and always comes out with us was getting ready to leave on Tuesday(on his mission)... get set apart that night and leave the next morning. Something happened Tuesday with his non- member mom or something and suddenly he didn't want to go...:( we talked with him for a long time and we both thought that he was back on track. Then we went to an appointment and came back to see what the situation was... he told us that he had some news... that he would be spending Christmas with us and he would leave in January.. I was a little upset, because my mission has meant everything to me.. but I think it might be better for him to calm down and get all that stuff in order before he leaves... but we'll see. We did make a deal with him... that he has to come out with us at least 3 times a week to get him excited again about leaving... I really hope he ends up going... because he has become a great friend these past couple months in this area...and I want him to experience the happiness!
Something that I learned this week was that lots of people think that the book of James in the bible was written by the brother of Jesus.. In other words, the brother of Jesus wrote the versus that inspired Joseph Smith to go out and pray... small world! awesome!
Also, watching the game, I heard this Christmas song by Natasha Beddingfield... its called shake up Christmas... it made me feel good:) its really happy and got good lyrics... I didn't listen to it all.. it might not be your type of music either, but its good:) the girls will like it:)
Dad, thanks for everything! your the man... Alma 38:2-3. Also, we got permission to skype! but I gotta figure out more of the details.. Because if we cant find a member with a computer with a camera... we would have to come to a Internet cafe... and we wouldn't be able to do that on Sunday the 25... it would be the day before... But I'll let you know! Also that's legit that Andrew is going to work for you for a little bit... he's awesome.  Love you pops
Mum, thanks for your letter and letting me know whats going on and always helping me out! I'm excited to talk to you on Christmas! I love you
Lady, you are legit... I cant believe you got asked to Sadie's already... that's insane...love you brotha
Ellie. Thank you for that tree! that's so legit and all the notes on the back are awesome... thank you and I love you!
Brynn, You are awesome... great job on your state report.. I did mine on Utah... but anyways, you are awesome! I love you
I love you all! listen to Coldplay for me!
Shorty

Zacamil- Week 20

HOLA
Hey everyone.... thank you for all the letters that you sent me! And don't even worry about not sending me some last week, mum... you guys were busy! But this week has been better... today we played some futbol... it was awesome as always.... I basically look forward to it almost every week... then get let down when we don't play... jajaja... But everything has been getting better for me! My comp has been pretty sick... I was sick at the beginning of thus week... I couldn't even hardly talk because of my nose... so Hermana Ochoa who is a nurse gave me some water stuff to stuff up my nose a few times and then blow my nose out... it was basically like grandmas little tea pot thing that she told me to try but I never did... but I tried it and it worked well! But now I'm pretty much back to normal.... its just my comps stomach that's giving him a few problems... but you know.... whatever....jaja!I actually did start using some zinc and stuff... but now, I'm all good!
Speaking of the familia Ochoa... they have invited us to eat at their house twice already... and its actually the only family that we have eaten with that actually eats with us... usually the families that we eat with already ate as a family and just serve us and we eat by ourselves.... NOT THEM! jaja... then last Monday they took us out to eat... which was good:)
I have started to take videos with my camera.... its just that I can't send them because they are too big.... so I was gonna wait a couple more weeks to fill up my card a little more and then send my card home so you can see the videos and then you can send it back... sound good? OK:)
The beginning of this week was super cold! There was a few days that I didn't even sweat and one night were it was hard to sleep because it was cold... but then I just put on my sweats and my sweat shirt and I was good to go:) The weather is crazy here... supposedly there is another cold front coming in tomorrow... but who knows!
Chivo=cool... but chivo literally=calf... que chivo... translation? que calf!   así dice un hombre en nuestro bario. jajajaja
I got the little packet with the pass along cards! thanks, mum... you are so awesome...
Song that you would all think was funny. Moves like Jagger by Maroon 5. Its starting to get a little popular here and it just made me think of Tim Hawkins...jajaj.... I dunno... I like it!
This week I went on divisions with our new district leader... Elder Rosario from la Republica Dominicana... He is seriously so crazy! We watched John Tanner twice that day... one time in a lesson and one time in comp study..(then I actually used a direct quote in a lesson later in the week, I almost starting cracking up in a moment very serious jajaja) but it was so much fun and I really learned a lot from him... he is trying to learn English and he practices all the time... he can actually speak pretty well... but its just super funny his accent is a little different from any other Hispanic trying to learn English... And he is so black!  But also, he teaches like a mother bear... he is a way good teacher and I learned a ton from him... all of which my comp and I are working on this week.. there is a reason that he is a leader... but one of the biggest things that I learned is how your tone of voice should be when teaching about certain things... and you need to testify of what your comp says after every single time that he talks... it doesn't really matter what he says... but you have to testify of what he says... something that I did... but not after every time he spoke. to say the least... my comp and I have some goals to start to work on:)
I decided that its pretty funny that we get excited about stuff... like finding scriptures and stuff like that... learning new stuff about the gospel that you didn't know before... deep doctrine that I had never heard before... its crazy how much I have learned... and I hope it continues! which it will, with the help of the Lord.
Last night was the Christmas Devotional from the first presidency.. it was so awesome... I seriously love hearing their voices... and I was able to hear it in English! That was a huge blessing for Elder Brose and I.... not that I wouldn't have been able to understand in Spanish... but it really is a blessing to be able to hear their actual voices. And the choir was definitely legit as always.. Alex Boye was on the TV for a long time... next to the other black guy that sings in the choir... so legit... I tell people all the time here.. Yo quiero ser negro... y yo soy negro en alma:) jaja
Mum, thank you for all that you do and have done for me.. I don't think that I could thank you enough for all that you have done for me.. always making sure that I have everything I need... just sending me stuff for kicks and giggles... sending me letters and videos... its all good! Thanks for everything mum! and guess what? I love you! I love you! I love YOU!!!!
Dad It sound like every thing is going good! Have you ever even  done a 54 hole course before? thats huge... but I know it might be hard, but I would try your best to get a course up before the first half of 2012... its like what you said... being a contractor is like a roller coaster ride! jaja...but ask God first!  are you still riding like you were? a little bit? are there any races that you are planning on doing? anyway, I love you dad! just a couple more weeks and I'll be able to talk to you... all of you! and that link of the El Salvador temple is awesome... I got teary eyed.. just like at the dedication itself!
Austin, I was able to listen to part of the CD. It is so awesome. Thank you. I really like number 3... I dunno what its called but that's probably my favorite so far... jaja.. you are so awesome... and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! THE BIG 17! that's insane.... it sounded like your birthday was awesome and that the dance was legit as well. Its weird thinking that in two months I'll be 20! that's insane... I will always be a kid at heart... hey but thanks for everything stee. You have no idea what an influence you have been on me and the things that you have taught me...I would not be the big brother I am if it weren't for you. I would not be the person I am if it wasn't for you. You just have no idea how much you mean to me and how much my character has depended upon you. To the world, you may just be one person, but to one person, you may be the world... you are the world to me brotha...I hope one day to be like you...you really are my best friend.... OK now I'm getting teared up so I'm going to stop.. but thank you for everything! I love you brotha!
Ellie, holy crud you are getting good at the piano... was that jazzy? If there was one thing that I could do over, it would be to take jazz lessons... like from a jazz pianist... because brother sirrine can play it...but he doesn't know it all... he's legit, but jazz is a whole new ball game... jaja... but you are getting really good! don't stop practicing! you are doing great! love ya ell bell!
Brynnie Tay, you are getting so good at the piano too! holy sod! I am very proud! don't worry about messing up... I mess up every Sunday when I play at church... but you are a better player than most of the people in that room so don't even worry about it:) you just gotta keep practicing and practicing! its hard sometimes to practice but that's one thing that I would change as well.... I would practice every day... be more disciplined about it... but you are doing great! I love you!
Hey thanks for everything! you are all amazing. :)
SALU
TTT