Zacamil-Week 9

Hey Familia,
Holy sod. What a week! First, I´ll start with the most exciting part
of the week. We went out with the Seventy and the Area Presidency of
Central America! Hombre... that was sooooo cool! We visited three
families... I taught the first and my comp taught the second two.. well we both taught,

but you know, for the most part.
I taught this lesson that I learned at institute at NAU. Its about studying the
scriptures. Because the family that I taught is pretty darn lazy with
their scripture reading. We read a few scriptures and then we did this
activity. Everyone was going to pretend that they are dying.
They only have 1 week left to live. I told them to write what they
wanted their kids to know on a piece of paper. Everyone wrote
including Elder Martino. We took maybe five min. I wrote as well.
Everyone, from what I could tell, wrote from their heart... just what
I wanted. I collected their papers and told them that I was going to pretend
to be their kid that was reading their letters a year after they died. I started
pretending to read for a little bit and then I crumpled, ripped and
tore all the papers without taking the time of day to read anything.
Then I asked, how would you feel if your children really did that? Then I
drew the connection between that and what the scriptures are to us.
How sometimes we take them for granted when they are for our profit
and learning. It turned out really really good. They have really started
to read. Then the husband had a dream about the Book of Mormon.. But
he didn´t finish the dream.(baptism) He says that he wants it to be true, but
he wants to be sure.. he also said that there is nothing bad in the
Book of Mormon, he just wants to know of a surety. After we had left,
my comp taught the next house with another object lesson with shakes
and smoothies. It turned out good... but Elder Martino said that that
family needs better understanding before baptism. Then the we taught the last family

 which was good. When we were done Elder Martino came to our apartment to talk for a little bit before his ride came. He said something like: Its not everyday that you
have a general authority come into your house. jaja. He talked to us
about the lessons and the families. He said he was really surprised
with my Spanish. And even more surprised when I started to tear up the
notes that everyone had written. But, he said that he was so excited to
go out with us and that we did a great job. That morning we had a
multizona... or zone conference... with him. He said that the mission
is the MTC for life. And that you will never be higher than you were
on your mission. The mission is awesome. We found out the next day
that he went to another zone conference on the other side of the
mission... the far east side. I guess we were the topic of 20 min of
Elder Martinos talk. A few elders that were in our district were all
excited for us. We found out last night that after he returned to
the house of the mission president, he didn´t stop`talking about us all night.
I guess he thought we were zone leaders. He found out that we weren´t
and said that we should be.. jaja.. So we are on good terms with the
president again. jaja. So in other words.. all the gossip is gone!
 No ones talking about us anymore.. at least that I know of... I would definitely say that its a
blessing. To have that experience with him and to have all the gossip gone. :)
At the multi zona, some new missionaries were saying that this is
hard. That the mission is hard. Well, it is hard.. but I have not once
felt that. I´m working hard and everything.. but I only feel what
Lance told me before I left. The mission was the easiest two years of
his life. Don´t get me wrong.. its hard work and I´m working hard.. but
its so easy. So easy because I know that I´m doing exactly what I´m
supposed to be doing.

A good example: There's this super old guy in our ward that lives on
the fourth floor of this apartment building. He´s like 87 years old or
something and he walks to church. Which is about a mile away. He has
to leave two and a half hours early to get there fifteen min. before church
starts. If you don´t go to church because you have some stupid
reason.. look to the example of Julio Vesquez.
So there is a very heavy American influence here. That's why I hear so
much music. And at times, I hear some really weird music.. like not
very common and I´m always super surprised to hear it . This week I
heard Passion Pit. I also heard fix you. That was awesome.
Californiacation by the Red Hot Chili Peppers is really popular here.
You just hear stuff wherever you go. Its like people can't live in
silence here for more than 5 min. I guess its kinda the same in the
states.. jajaja

Padre Tanner!

The 15 of Sept is El Salvador's Independence Day. That's pretty crazy.
Theres parades and fire works and stuff. Every ones out of their houses
which made a soddy day of work.. but it was cool!

Sometimes I just find myself smiling. Its weird.. ´Then I say to
myself.. Tanner, why are you smiling? Then I say: I just like smiling,
smiling´s my favorite:) Also, its super cool when you really start to get to know
the people in the ward.  The ward has only like 100 people,
so its easy to get to know a lot of people. Yesterday in church,  the
cutest little girl just comes running at me yelling elder! And gives
me the biggest hug around my knees. You really aren´t suppose to like
provoke it, but when they run at you with that cute little face, you
just cant resist. It reminds me of my little cousins:)
Also, we had 10 investigators at church yesterday. We had three
families and 10 investigators. That was awesome. Elder Coy said that
normally that never happens.
Speaking of Elder Coy, he´s doing a lot better. He´s never down and
always happy. It was his plan A that broke up with him.. but he´s all
good!

Mum, no I still haven´t got your package, but I´m thinking that I will
get it this Thursday... but we´ll see.. jaja. I was also thinking
about getting a couple hammocks but they are pretty expensive, if you
want it to say El Salvador.. what do you think? should I get a couple?
I probably wont have an opportunity to buy one like that again in the
mission.. Elder Coy said that he´s never seen ones like that.. also, I
decided that if you and dad wanna come visit, that would be cool.
After I´m released. Its not as bad as I thought.. now that I know where and
where not to go.. how to deal with people and how to talk..but I don´t
wanna be released.. so that means the three of us will come back after
I´m home:) sound good? OK! Thanks for everything mum. I love you.
Dad, How was the dunes? It sounded like it was a blast.. I´ve always
wanted to go to those dunes.. but it sounds like it was a killer
drive.. jaja. are you still riding your bike? Also, did the jaw bones
ever get in? not that it really matters right now.. they will still be there when I
get back.. just curious. And I hope you and mum have lots of fun in
Dublin! Get me something Irish! jaja love you pops
Phillip, GOOD WORK! You´re date is pretty darn good looking.. it sounds like
it was all a blast! She seems like a really great girl. Like really
cool from what you say of her. I´ve got a movie for you to watch.. its
called Suits on the Loose. It is absolutely hilarious! You´ve got to
watch it. You will laugh your guts out. Its about these two
"missionaries".. one is black and hilarious.. jaja. Keep reading your
scrips brotha! love ya
Ellie: whats going on? I hope everything is going good! I show yours
and Brynn's picture to almost everyone I talk to! Keep up the good
work.
B, hows it going? it sounds like gym is going good and you are getting
good! and having lots of fun with all your friends! love ya

TTT  Love you all!

Zacamil-Week 8

Hey Familia,
So yesterday was 9'11. Weird its already been ten years. I remember that day perfectly. Even though I was only in fourth grade, I remember everything. Mum was sitting on the ottoman and just started crying. Then Mr. Stewart tried to teach but couldn´t really do it. It just doesn´t seem like its been that long.
Thanks for your letters! I always love to read how everything is going. I had my first dream in Spanish this week! I´ll probably put that down in my top 5 accomplishments of my life...jaja. also, I´m pretty darn sure that its Brimley´s birthday this week. Tell her happy birthday for me!
The past couple weeks, the world cup in fútbol playa (beach soccer) has been on. And El Salvador killed it. Out of the hundreds of nations in the world, little, tiny, poor El Salvador took fourth! Very very cool for the people in El Salvador. The cool thing is that every other country that was there has leagues that play in their countries. El Salvador doesn´t. They aren´t even professional players. They are fishermen in a place called La Union and they just play for fun. I think that is why they did so well. Because they have nothing else to play for other than the love of the game. They play with all their heart and not for money. They are so humble and when they got into the top four bracket, Winning against Italia (in Italy) , it was so cool to see just how excited they were. They didn't play for the money, Just playing with all their heart. Elder Coy actually knows some of the players, because he was in that area.
So Friday we had our p day. Its a long pointless story. But that is why I´m writing so late today. Because today isn't really our p day.
So the day when I heard the coldplay song. I just knew that it was going to be a good day. From the very start, we went to go get our breakfast and for some reason I had that Jonas brothers song stuck in my head, "Music´s in my soul. I can fell it everyday and every night its the one thing on my mind. music´s in my soul". I just want to play my music loud! anyway, I got the chills as I was singing this song and I just couldn´t stop smiling. Later I heard the new song!. It was the" Every teardrop is a waterfall". I can play it on the piano now.. jaja. My ear has been getting better since I left, because usually I have to listen to things over and over, but I´ve figured out a bunch of songs that I never have played before. But anyway, I think the song is crazy good. And that is so cool, Austin! That people think it reminds them of me! jaja. I am the number 1 coldplay fan in the world. I want to be Chris Martin! jaja. Anyway, about music, I heard the band Phoenix this week. I thought that was weird because that is not a very common band.. especially for Latinos. Anyway. Also, Death Cab for Cutie has been in my head this week. I thought dad might like the narrow stairs album. Its kinda funky.. like pink Floyd.. ish.. "I will posses your heart" made me think that dad my like it. Listen to it!
Elder Coy´s girlfriend broke up with him this week. That was kinda a roller coaster. He handled it really well. I kinda just let him do what he needs to do to forget about it.. so sometimes we exercises for a really long time, but he is always a lot happier.. anyway.
I had to tell someone that their baptism wasn´t valid this week. That was nerve racking. jaja. We were on splits with a couple of kids preparing to go on missions so I talked for like an hour and a half over baptism to try and prepare to tell them. And they took it alright... I think.. we haven´t been back yet since then.. jaja
You asked about all the gossip in El Salvador. It is because they all watch these telenovelas all day every day. So they naturally look for drama in every single thing. It kinda sucks. But stake conference was this weekend and Elder Martino, a 70 member came and spoke to us. He started his mission in El Salvador when Guatemala  and El Salvador were one mission. He said very clearly to everyone in the congregation NO VELAS. And he made everyone repeat it like three times. It was sick. So he knows all about those types of problems that we have. I sure hope that it hits some people. The next day, on Sunday, he talked a little about marriage. He talked about our  mission president and his wife because they are in our stake. They spoke as well. Hey asked the congregation how we could tell that our president and his wife love each other. He called on someone and she gave her answer. I thought about what I would have said. It didn´t take me long to figure it out. I know that he loves his wife because he looks at his wife the same way that Dad looks at Mum. Thanks Mum and Dad for loving each other and showing it for us, the kids.  He went on to talk about his marriage. He said there is always differences, but never contention. The same has always been shown in our house. Thank you, Thank You! He went on a little bit more and said, regardless of any situation we are in, we can feel joy through the atonement of Jesus Christ. Regardless of poverty, if we cant feed ourselves or the family, we can still feel joy. Sunday afternoon, we got a call from The President. He was like, I dont know how to tell you this, but Elder Martino waqnts to go out with some missionaries on Tuesday and I have chosen you and Elder Coy to go out with him. Would that be alright? Of course that would be alright president!  jaja. So tomorrow, we are going out on divisions with a member of the 70 and the area president of Central America. Nothing unusual right? jaja, Not! That is amazing!
I forgot to mention that we had a baptism on Saturday. Our president and his wife actually came. We baptized hermana Elizabeth. remember her? She is the one holding the picture of the temple in the picture I sent last week. It was a beautiful baptism. I cant figure out how to send pictures on this computer so I´ll send some next week! I baptized her, and she is another convert of gold.
We visited a family this week, they our  in our stake and we just went to pick up a movie that we had left, but the sister sat us down and talked with us about her daughter who is married to a fool (her words)who doesn´t do anything. Then she said something else that hit me. She said that a common phrase for a missionary is: is there anything that I can do for you before we leave? We say it at every house we visit. But she said that often times, after the missionary goes home, they forget to keep asking that . I hope that I will never forget that phrase and I hope to never loose the desire to help and serve others. I don´t want any of you to forget to always offer service either.
Mum, question: what is sustenex? I brought a bunch of those pills,  but I don't know what they do? Also, for the record, I still prefer spandex garments. Its just sometimes I don´t have time to shave my legs so spandex equals bad in that situation... in my opinion.. jaja. Thanks for everything mum. I love you.
Dad, I'm getting a really cool scripture case made for you. My arms are getting huge by the way maybe I'll be able to beat you at arm wrestling . jaja. But I´m glad everything went well with the race! Cool, that the lotoja race was this week. I would like to do both of those when I get back. Also I think another tour might be going on right now??? Maybe the tour de España? I´m not for certain.. maybe it was just a rerun that I saw.. but Thanks for everything dad. I love you.
Stee, whats up brotha! hey thanks for your letter. That's super sweet. All of it. I hope you have a great time at homecoming! Hey thanks for everything brotha! Love ya.
L, Hey I heard you gave a great talk in church! That's my sis right there. And it sounds like every things going good and that you had a great time at the lake! Keep up the good work! practice piano and read the scrips.
B, Hey brynnie!  so you got some braces huh? que chivo eso hombre! I´m sure they were a little bit sore but that's super cool! and that Taft got some on the same day? que chivo hombre. Keep up the good work! Try your hardest at gym! Practice the piano and read the scrips!

Hey I love you all and thank you for everything! Tell Mons congrats on going through the temple for his endowment! Wish I could be there.
TTT

Zacamil- Week 7

Hey Fam!
I cannot tell you how much I want the powers of spider man! Our area is the only area with tall apartment buildings and stuff.. and it hit me last night.. I want Spider man powers sooooo bad. Climbing buildings, catching gang members.. you know, the usual.. webs and stuff. I think my powers should be a cross between batman & spider man, because, you know  I´m afraid of spiders and batman was afraid of bats so... perfect right? I thought so too:)
So yesterday I had the biggest pancho moment of my life... I saw some of our investigators on the street and I was like ´holo´ like from megamind..  I was like.. muy bien pancho. jaja

read week 5 for "John Tanner"story

El Salvador played La Republica Dominicana on Saturday. It was insane. 3·2. We won. Sorry Cody & Elena.. but it was insane.. like everyone in the streets go crazy when there´s a goal..  GGGOOOOOOOOOOLLL!!! they say. jaja. My comp was saying that 80 percent of the missionaries watch these games because you wont be able to find anyone during that time.. we had 5 appointments that day and they ALL fell through because of the game. Its weird.
So every morning I usually have 2 pupusas, a hot chocolate, which is really good, and pan dulce. Its like a little cake. They don't really have pan dulce in the states.. but its really really good! you can find pan dulce on like every corner.. its a big temptation for me.. jaja
We have a new way to ask for food! My companion is way good at asking people to feed us.. so I asked him how he does it and he showed me a scripture.. Alma 8:19.. look it up.. its good:)
Coconuts. they are pretty big here. They are everywhere. I figured if I can last two years without a coconut landing on my head, I'm good to swim with sharks whenever I want. I decided that I like coconut now.. sometimes..:)
Last week we heard 8 gun shots  while inside our apartment, then sirens.. what does that mean? scary... I guess it was only like 200 meters from our apt.. whatever.. what else is new? jaja
There was a big earthquake in the middle of the night. But neither of us felt it. We woke up to find everyone talking about it.. jaja. Así es la vida en El Salvador.:)
For the whole month of September, there is a 2 for 1 special on doughnuts. Awesome!!! Another temptation for me. crap.
Your keeping a Scrapbook of my letters and fotos?! Sweet! I have so many pics that I haven´t sent! That's so cool.. I didn´t even expect that. Thanks mum! I´ll get on that.. sending more pics, that is.. jaja
Thorntonisms. I don´t have them. Elder Trump does.. but he said that he would send them to you.. I wouldn´t doubt it if he forgot.. Did I mention I saw him at the dedication?.. it was awesome.. because he is in the other mission and all..
Transfers stink. Distrito los Panchos is no more:( Its kinda a long story but whatever. It suffices me to say that it stinks. We were a close district and Elder Coy said that he had never had a district as cool as that one. So I guess its all down hill from here.. puchica.      

The rabbit! that's along story as well. A lady in the ward had a bunch of them and we asked her for one. Mistake 1. The rabbit was awesome for the first 2 days... then the cleaning up.. Elder Coy and I decided that the rule to not have pets was an inspired rule.:)  So its at the house of the hermanas!!! jajaja.. but we found a good home for it and we are going to bring the rabbit there today.. jaja. I decided that I hate rabbits. Won't make that mistake twice!
The most spectacular, fantastic, miraculous part of the week. I HEARD THE NEW COLDPLAY SONG! It was so awesome.. I almost cried.. but I held back my tears because I thought that the members who I was with might think I'm crazy.. jaja. But it is so beautiful.. We are going to be with those members again tonight.. so... do you need me to put the dots together? jaja:) When does the new CD come out?

The party with the cupcakes. That is my favorite family to visit. They are so awesome. And its the family of my first baptism. The familia Cabrera. The mom said something that made me realize why I like them so much.. She said something like: I know that you are far from your families and that you miss them a lot.. so whenever you are in this house, you are family to us. Then she started crying and then I got a little teary eyed. So don't worry.. I´m in good hands:)
For the most part...  some of the members here target us with gossip like its their job! They say that we went to the movies and that me and Elder Coy have girlfriends here in the mission. I have no idea how that even started. And the AP called us about the fair incident.. remember that? He said the president is all worried about us.. puchica. freaking gossip. DON'T GOSSIP. If its not about you, then don't talk about it.  The thing is that the Pres is new, so he is going to believe everything that he is told. Elder Coy said that this happens a lot to missionaries and the other president knew all about all the gossip and stuff.. but you know... whatever.. No haga cosas buenas que parecen malas.

Dad, Diesel. That's so cool! Great job with the race! It sounds like a little slice of heck! But that's so awesome. That kit was sweet as well. Who´s team is that? I was able to watch a little video and stuff and that was sweet! and a good time as well! ¨T-shirt idea: My dad is a diesel. Cool right? Awesome job dad. Yeah, it rains everyday here. Only for like two hours though.. usually.. jaja. and thank you for the package! but anyway, love you dad!  
Mum, I got the package! thank you! I didn´t even have to ask for a life strength band.. you know me so well :)  And the oil and how to kill bugs and all that. The pictures were sweet as well! Those paddle board things look fun! I also got letters from Sis. Allen, and Sis Cottam, and Lindsay.. tell them thank you. It also made me realize that I forgot Scott's birthday! Tell him happy birthday for me.. its the 24 of July right? just like dad? anyway.. park city sounded like loads of fun! I´m sure it stinks to back to the heat a little bit though.. jaja. But thanks for everything mum! I love you.
Stee, I´m sorry the leather guy doesn´t make bags like I thought.. I saw a picture of one and it is not as cool as I thought.. its just a scripture case for your scriptures.. but I´ll keep my eye out for some cool bags..lots of missionaries have cool bags.. I just gotta find them! So one of my pics is me without a shirt. you sent a picture like that to me.. so I sent one back. jaja. I decided that I will take one every transfer to compare over time.. good idea? I think so.. I´m pretty sure my chest is getting bigger than yours... jajajajaja just kidding.. maybe one day.. love you brotha!  yeah,the pic of us at lake Powell was funny..
L, how goes it? did you go to park city as well? tell me all about it! read your scrips. i´m still working on getting a hold of the guy that makes the scripture cases.. I´m trying! Love ya Ellie!
B, cómo está? todo está bien? espero que sí.  jaja. did you get to go to park city too? how was it? tell me all about it! Like I told Ellie.. I´m still working on the scripture cases.. be patient! love you B!

TTT

Zacamil- Week 6

Hola familia!
How´s everything going? Its super cool to be able to" kinda" talk to you guys. The weeks have just been flying by. Its pretty insane.. I dunno if Ive mentioned this before but the last chapter in Jacob -almost the last verse talks about lives passing away as if they were dreams... its been like that every week... I´m always surprised to find p-day here again.. jaja
So last Monday night, we went on divisions and I was with Elder Jones. We got to his apartment like five min early and the phone rang.. so I answered it. It was my comp Elder Coy at our house, But he was like, boy have I got a story for you! It was lucky you weren´t with us! So I asked him why? and he said some bolo asked him for money and he said he didn´t have any.. like we do... and when they were in the median of the street, the guy pulled out a gun and said "Voy a matarles, mormones!" So they ran from there to the apartment as fast as they could. I was like... holy crap!!! But its all good! We are all alive still. The lord wont let us die.. we just gotta be smart and run! jaja. So that was a good start to my week.. ;)
Speaking of bolos... when they try to talk to me in English.. or Spanish for that matter.. I make a confused look with my face and say. solo alemán. in choppy Spanish. that means only German! jaja. so I get away with that pretty regularly.. jaja:)
Also, lots of people ask about my power balance band.. I wear it backwards so you cant see anything but people still ask.. Try explaining that in Spanish. Talking about negative and positive ions in your body and science theories and all that.. I cant even explain it in English! jaja.. Anyway.. you know.. whatever.. I have learned to just say its for equilibrium in your body.  But I´m pretty sure that my has run out of juice.. its almost a year old! jaja.
So also last week.. we were trying to find an investigator who is like never home. he lives at his girlfriends house with her family. We went by there and the mom was there but not our investigator.. (well shes an investigator now:)) anyway, she had a brand new baby in her arms and I was talking to her about him and giving congrats and all that.. then she asked me if I wanted to hold him.. I was like, ehh, that's OK.. I really didn´t want to drop him or do something bad..plus I didn´t even really know her.. but she didn´t listen and came and put him in my arms! I was like, what the??? I asked her how many months he was.. and she said 4 days!! I was like ahhhhh! I almost dropped him! not really... that was a joke.. broma! but anyway, it was journal worthy.. the people trust you with anything!
I saw a native that was more white than me! and he had blond hair.. the whole family did. You could tell they were from here and Latin.. but it was just weird! I was like, OK sweet! maybe I don´t look so much like a gringo;)
My first couple weeks I always felt like there was a possibility that I might die while riding the bus here. Well not die, but just get in a crash.. well maybe die... jaja! They drive crazy here. but I realized this week that I don´t feel like that anymore!  I'm getting used to it. That was a big accomplishment or mile mark in the mission for me:)
 So I have another tree snake story. Like the one with grandpa.  It could not have been more perfect. Unfortunately I wasn't there to see it but,  it was when we were on divisions with the ZL´s. But my comp and the ZL were doing interviews and found a toy snake.. just like the one with grandpa.. but it e looked even  more real. Its head stood up like it was looking at you and everything!. So they decided to go to the house of the hermanas... I´m sure you see where this is going.. the sisters weren´t there yet, because it was like 5 in the afternoon. They threw the snake in the window and left. They heard it landed  perfect...because every time they would try and open the door, the door would hit the head of the snake and it would start to move!!!!!! LONG STORY SHORT, one sister was stuck in the house, and the other wouldn´t come in because she was terrified. I guess there were some tears.. but its all good... now!
OK so now, I would like to tell a story that kinda surprised me.. I dunno why it did, but it did. We met this guy who used to be a lawyer. He was a member of our church! He had the world by the tail. He was in the US legal! He was rich and all that.. rich for here.. but  then he started to smoke... then  started smoking marijuana... then crack. He lost everything.. he´s job, his family, his religion, his citizenship, everything. He just recently lost his girlfriend and where he was living. Crap like that happens here just like in the US. poor guy.. we have an extra mattress that we are going to give him and he was really excited about that.. now we just need to find him again. So also, we had a car wash
this weekend!  That is why Í was in normal clothes and sun burnt.  It was really cool! We got some references out of it and it was way fun! We only washed two cars, so we would play soccer in between... and I did my first realy rainbow! (not cheating) it was perfect! Like exactly over my head and in front of me.That made it into my journal as well.
Also, we might get a rabbit today. A lady in are ward has a bunch and giving them away! we´ll see:)
We got soaked yesterday. We left all of our things at the church to go pick up some investigators and the rains came down like no other! I looked like I just jumped in the pool.. and someone decided to turn the air conditioning on in the church so I was wet and freezing.  So for the first time in the mission. I got hives. Then that night, it poured again and we were far from our apartment. We had umbrellas which helped a little bit, but we still got soaked. Even in the city, the drainage system isn´t very good so were like shin high in water. It was a cool experience I guess.. jaja!
Romans 8:35,37
Mum, for my package, can I get some degree deodorant? Its super expensive here.. and priesthood line of authority.. and I need some garments, but I´m going to the distribution center today, so hopefully they have the kinds I like.. if not I´ll let you know next week;) It was really cool to email back and forth this morning!!!  I love you !
Dad, sick frame. that was so cool! good luck this weekend! you´ll do great. Don't give in! I love you dad.
Stee, sounds like you're having a blast! the guy does make leather bags so I´ll get one for you. I´m gonna get one as well! Keep working hard. Love you brotha.
L, thanks for the letter! It was really cool to talk to you all!
B, It was so cool to be able to see you with the pictures and the video. I never got the sound to work, but I´ll save it for when I have a computer with sound.
I love you all! Thanks for everything!
TTT

Zacamil- week 5

Pancho Tanner

Hola familia!
So this week I had the song from the Goofy movie in my head.  Remember? at the very end when their at the concert? yeah that one.. its a good song, its just annoying when you dont know all the words!..jaja. But this week went by crazy fast.  It was sooooooo busy. But first I´ll go through my list of things to tell you..
Happy birthday Monson! I know you birthday is this week!..I love you man! stay strong!
There´s no crosswalks here so you just cross wherever the heck you want and wait in the two foot median until you can cross, its crazzzy!.. jaja. Theres an elder in my mission that looks like Abed from community. It made me laugh. I took a few videos to send but they´re too big.. so I guess I wont send them.. jaja, but I did buy a cord this week to send fotos so that's all taken care of.. and it works! There is a handshake here that everyone and there dog does.. including me.. its like a regular normal high five, and then a fist bump.. it was kinda awkward at first... the way they do it is a little funky.. but its funny because even the 80 year old grandmas and grandpas do it. Its pretty funny. There´s different cars here. There´s a Toyota hilux here. Its a diesel and its pretty sweet.. I´ve never seen it before.. its sick. but only the really rich people have one here.. actually the assistants to the pres drive one.. bien chivo. I forgot to mention that there was an earthquake last week.. That was a crazy experience.I have never been in an earthquake before... anyway! btw, puchica = freak!
So there´s been some people asking me to teach them piano... I'm like.. yeah I´ll teach you how to play with all the extra time that I have in a week.. jaja.. then they're like.. just one song is all! but they don´t realize how much goes into to teaching one song.. jaja.. time signatures, note values, key signatures, notes themselves, how the keyboard works.. jaja.. but you know, whatever!
So our district is really awesome. There´s a saying or name among the missionaries here:" muy bien Pancho! It's like saying "good job Einstein!" So, our district is really funny and stuff and everyone has really taken that to heart, so we might make jerseys with our Pancho names on the back and Distrito: Los Panchos. My pancho name is Pancho Tanner. Not only because my first name is Tanner, but let me explain.  Have you ever seen the story of John Tanner? Its like a twenty min. church movie that was really good and spiritual the first couple times you watch it.. then it just gets funny:) At The very end, Padre Tanner (Father Tanner) is leaving on a mission after giving a bunch of money to the church for the temple. Then, Joseph Smith yells, PADRE TANNER! And puts his hand up in a wave and just holds it there and has the funniest look on his face! So now everyone knows my first name, and whenever we leave the district, they say, Pancho Tanner! and put their hands up and make the same goofy face of Joseph Smith... hence, Pancho Tanner.:)
Also, I sent a picture of a family of birds that showed up in our house... we tried to feed them cereal, but they have yet to return.. jaja. Also, I sent a picture of the national bird. a torogós (sp?). they are pretty sweet as well.
So also last week, we had three appointments fall through.. so we went to see the fair across the street from our house.. not to ride anything, just to look.. then these snakes caught my comps eye and he wanted to see them.. he said he had seen something like that in Guatemala and it was just like a bunch of snakes to look at in cages.. so we paid a dollar, got in, I got a seat next to a chicken, literally a wild chicken, and it ended up being a circus.. so i was like, what the... so we left.. went back to the house.. took showers, changed, but our dinner appointment fell through as well so we went across the street to buy pupusas for dinner. Then we went back to our appt... turns out a member saw us and told the other elders in our district that they had seen us at the circus and we had changed our clothes so we wouldn´t be recognized and started doing all this stuff in the circus... which was totally untrue.. word got to the zone leaders, they called and my comp had to tell the story, and it was OK, they believed us. The members here are great, but they exaggerate the poop out everything. 

Which brings me to my next topic. THE TEMPLE DEDICATION! Friday, Pres Eyring, D Todd Christofferson, and a member of the seventy came to talk to us. Both missions were there so I got see all my buddies from the MTC!  They all went to the Santa Anne mission. That was incredible. There was a translator so it was really easy to take notes, because I had a lot more time to write everything down. It was an Incredible meeting, and funny as well.  The driving here is kinda crazy.. so Pres. Eyring was like, I have never been to El Salvador before.. the driving is .... interesting. jaja. and yesterday when they were filling the cornerstone, he was like, como se dice?..NICE!? Then he would say like one word in Spanish and we would all laugh.  Very spirit filled weekend. The Cultural celebration was Saturday and that was incredibly cool.  I sent a picture of our Stake practicing. Sometimes you can watch them on a LDS website.. try and see if you can watch it! It was sweet. And the temple dedication was yesterday and that was also awesome. As elders, we were able to watch all three sessions! sick. :)
side note: there is a family in our Ward who is getting my comp and I this movie called la vida loca. Its about all the gang groups here. Its like a documentary. They showed us a little bit of it, but as missionaries, we´re not suppose to watch, so they´re getting us disks to take home in 21 months.. jaja:)
Also, we were able to watch a little bit of the Barca vs real game. That was intense. Barca won thankfully. My comp was ticked, because he is a Real fan.  But no one is outside when there´s a game like that on..it was sweet.
Now for the most exciting part of the week: last week on p day we got a reference. They said she was really positive, and she wanted to get baptized so she could see the temple dedication. So we went that evening to her house. My comp said even if she wants to get baptized, we cant because she needs to go to church 3 times before. During the lesson, it was just powerful. I felt three times at she needed to be challenged for a baptism this weekend. but I didn´t say anything because my comp told me we couldn´t. But on the third time, my comp challenged her for this weekend. She was a little thrown off guard.. but my comp said, qué le impide?( what's keeping you from?) She said nothing and she accepted! So we hurried home, called the ZL´s and tried to explain the situation. Then we called the Pres. and told him the situation.  He said he´d call in the morning with an answer. He didn´t.  So we went to teach her like two lessons a day everyday to get her ready. She was doing all her assignments and everything.  Then Friday, he told us we couldn´t because she doesn´t know what church is like. I was so let down!. I love my mission president.. I really do.. but I just couldn't understand!.  How could we both feel the spirit telling us to challenge her and then it not work out??  Why would the spirit tell me to do one thing if it wasn´t going to be possible? I just don't get it sometimes.. its crazy how much I´m finding out the things that I don´t know.. I know we don't see the whole picture I'm sure there was a reason but its still hard!. I think she is going to France next week and going to be baptized with her family in France..(maybe that's why?) which is a lot better for her...I was just really confused...That night we got to see Pres Eyring like I mentioned... he said that not only are we sent to the place by inspiration, but also, we are sent to our mission presidents by inspiration.. it made me look at things a lot different. But this investigator is going to be a powerful convert. She had a testimony of the Book of Mormon the first verse we read together..She told us right after we read the first verse that she felt something about that book. She is amazing. Hermana Elizabeth is her name.
Mum, thanks for everything! My ingrown toenail is all better! we are actually not allowed to drink coke here but I have to drink pop here.. its the culture. They don´t really drink much plain water.. but I am drinking pop. We got some permitherin for bugs that we´ll be using today! So a package is coming? Thanks mum! I do have a few requests for the big one.
1. mario badescu face wash and healing cream
2. benzoyle and peroxide
3. life strength or power balance band (preferably the color white)
4. Skinny ties! Missionaries always love to get ties. my comp has like 60! its like our pride and joy to have ties jaja. but they don´t really do skinny ties here..
5. honeystingers!?
But that´s all I need! Thanks mum. I love you!
Dad, you´re an animal. You should send a picture of your new frame!! That´s so sick. I had no idea that specialized would give you a new frame if you broke it! That's pretty worth it then to get a carbon frame. How´s the training going? Whats your weight at? the weather here is off and on. It rains about everyday. Its not super hot.. its just the humidity that kills you. I sweat a lot.. but my skin is doing good! I actually have a lot less acne on my face. and my chest and back are pretty much clear. which has never happened. I don´t have rashes or anything. Everything is good! I do shower two times a day and our shower is inside.. our area is pretty unique because its like all apartment buildings. so we are on the third floor. and the toilets are the same as well.:)  Someone cooks lunch and breakfast for us and the members usually feed dinner. and someone does our laundry as well. Maybe they don´t trust us to do it ourselves? Who knows! I´m not complaining! But thanks for everything dad. Your the man!
Stee, whats up mujer! sounds like everything going good! football sounds awesome and its cool that the coach likes you and everything. so you´re pretty close to starting huh? that's awesome! and you asked the Zarharis girl to homecoming? STUD. keep up the good work and always read your scrips and don´t forget to pray.
El, hey how´s it going? how´s school going and all that? are you liking choir? stick with piano. voice and piano are the perfect combo. every things good here! there´s this thing called the missionary handbook that you keep in your front pocket. I cut a picture of you and Brynn to fit in the little book so now I can show people you and Brynn really easy when we talk about families:)
Brynny Brynn! how are you? sounds like you´re having a blast with all of your friends and stuff. make sure you read above about the picture of you and El in my little book! its of you and El at bears ears:) I´m working on getting a hold of the guy to make the scripture cases. I sent a picture of kinda what they look like:) tell mum that she doesn´t need to put money in my account because it can be an early Christmas? sound good? OK.. love you!
Thanks for everything family! I love you all!
TTT

Zacamil- Week 4

Qué pasa calavasa?
T-shirt idea: ingrown toenails stink.
jaja... so I forgot my agenda with all my notes that I was gonna use to write all of you, but I´ll do my best to remember everything:) This week was good. Its always good.  Its like time doesn´t exist here. I don't really comprehend time anymore... The weeks fly by like nothing I´ve experienced before. 
I got a haircut this week from a lady in our ward.. I finally got it cut short to the way I would like it. In the mtc, they wouldn´t cut it short enough.  But now its a 1 on the sides and a 2 on top... if I can't wear it long, I want it short!  Speaking of hair, its weird... my hair on the rest of my body doesn´t grow as fast in the humidity.  I was pushing it if I could go a week , but here its  awesome.  So yes, if you´re wondering, I´m still shaving my legs and arms. :)  Maybe its the sweat? I hope my DNA is getting genetically mutated so when I´m back I wont sweat at all. Speaking of genetically muted, I think the bugs here are mutated.  I get mosquito bites under my cloths when I´m in that sheet-sleeping bag.  I think they´ve evolved to be able to pierce through all that.  Not to mention all the mosquito's are the size of small dogs!
Something really cool this week: we finally got our house "clean". Its probably as spotless as it has ever been.  We took a morning and just cleaned up all the garbage, took care of some spiders, mopped ,and cleaned the bathroom, etc.  So its pretty awesome now.  But that night, I went on divisions with a ZL and didn´t get to sleep in the newly cleaned house.  Instead I was in a house filled with spiders.  I. Hate. Spiders! I HATE DEM!! I hate all the spiders in the whole world!! so I was extremely paranoid all night, but I made it through the night and back to our "clean" house.
We had our other baptism on Saturday. It was pretty awesome.  There is no other feeling like bringing the gospel to someone and watching them get baptized.  It's da best!  He's been an investigator of gold.  And I came in on his second lesson, so that was neat!  I confirmed him yesterday.  Talk about nerve racking.  I couldn´t say anything. You talk differently when you´re giving a blessing and I didn´t know how to do it... but my comp said I did good. Better than his previous comp that just went home. He said I need to practice because  his previous comp had never done a confirmation in his whole 2 years. THEN, he brought me into a room and asked me to give a blessing to this guy who had chest pain... i was like... awww man...really? But I did the first part in Spanish and the second in English because my brain was not working.

So an elder from Costa Rica in my zone was talking to me about his companion that came in on the same day as me,because he's having trouble with learning the Spanish and was asking me for advice.  Then he told me that I have the best Spanish that he had ever heard from a north American at one month.  He said I spoke perfect.  Which I  know was a lie, but it felt really good to hear that. But I do not boast in myself. For I boast in my God. For with him I can do all things!  Many miracles have been wrought among this land.  Anyway, so the language is good.  I can understand almost everything and get my point across and spit my thoughts out into conversations.  Again,  I´m so glad that I took 4 years of Spanish because no one else that came with me can speak hardly at all.
We made bread as a district activity with a newly baptized family... it was the coolest thing I´ve ever seen.  He didn´t even use a bowl.  I would send pictures but the elder that usually lets me borrow his camera isn´t with us today.. speaking of that, my cord isn´t recognized on any of the computers down here.. so I´m trying to figure everything out.. I´ll let you know if I need anything:) 
My comp is teaching me a ton.. I´m learning scripture mastery's in Spanish and he´s teaching me songs in Spanish. Everyone loves it when I sing Spanish.. its kinda funny.. Elder Coy will say something like ´canta ventura´and then I´ll sing a song and everyone just laughs. Its pretty enjoyable.. but the thing is, my comp is tone deaf.. I´ve never actually met a person who is like legit tone deaf.. Its pretty funny. At first it really really bothered me because of my "training" :) in music, but now everythings fine:) I still play the piano every week for sacrament meeting. Except they don´t sing the songs correctly so I have to like play to what they sing.. its not like drastically different... its just little timing things. They don´t know any better.. so its all good:) Also, there are songs in Spanish that aren´t in the English hymn book.. so its interesting to play those.. jaja
We played fútbol this morning with our zone... its was really really fun. until I rolled my ankle again.. the ball went over into some grass and I ran up, got the ball, stepped in a hole, and did the same thing I did in the mtc.. luckily not as bad.. but its all good!
I keep finding out,and for some reason it always suprises me, that Spanish is a very affectionate language... I mean, If someone likes you, they tell you.  In English, its not the same at all... Like if I like being around someone... you don't say it, you just hang out with them.. right? There are two hermanas, one from here and one from Guatemala, que me cayen super bien hombre.  And they say the same.  At first I was kinda freaked out.. but I´m learning that's just what they do:) Also everyone and their dog says something about my eyes or asks if I have a novia.. I say no.. and they just give a weird, sly smile.. and I´m like... uhhhh SALUD PUES.  (salud = adios)
So mum, did you make scripture cases for anyone else? ones like mine? cuz if not, sometime I´ll get some made for you.. they´re like 18 bucks a piece. I just had a bunch of cases made for  my scriptures, preach my gospel, my hymn book and all that.. they should be done Thursday.. so I´m pretty excited.. How´s everything going? It sounds like teaching is going good.  Relief Society ?Creo que sí.. How is it with all the kids gone now? quiet? how´s Roxy doing? Tell her to stay alive.  We were able to watch a Manchester game this week.. Well, just the last like ten min.  It was awesome.. and Barca and Real played yesterday and play again on Wednesday.. you don´t find anyone when games like that are going on.. But everythings, good mum! Thanks for everything! Making sure I´m OK and what not.. keep asking me questions if I don´t answer.
Dad, Qué onda, Diesel hombre? sounds like the riding is going awesome. Whats your weight at? I dunno what I´m at now but I´m lighter than I was before I entered the mtc.. My belts prove it! jaja.. But keep riding! Make sure you drink a ton the week of the race.. don´t give in. don´t let up. Keep asking me questions if I don´t answer also.
Austin, Hola pancho! how´s football? school? how was it without the parents for a few days? relief from the wrath? jaja just kidding. BROMA!
Ell bell, how´s it going? sounds like everything is good! schools good and all that.. I never had any of your teachers.. but that's good that your sticking with choir.. stick with piano as well.. if your can play piano and sing, you´re set.  People love that! Don't be exactly half of an 11 lbs. black forest ham.
Brynn, how are you? I hope everythings going good.. sounds like schools going good and all that.  keep trying hard and read your scriptures!
I love you all!
Salud pues
TTT

Zacamil~week 3

Hey Familia!!
Whassup wassup??? This week went by waaayyyy fast.  Holy hannah.  I´ve already been gone for almost three months! Insane. It feels like 3 weeks. But all is good! People are funny here. They are super, super humble, but super funny... i think anyway.. People carry around their things on their heads and stuff.  They wear the crocks shoes like its their job. Like people wear toms and vans in the states.  The women  just breast feed in public like no other.  Even when we´re with the bishops wife, its just weird.  When we´re teaching, women just plop it out there.. its like... awwww! What the $&$&Ç??????
But you know.. whatever. I guess I should get use to having to deal with that.  If that's the worst of my problems then I´m doing pretty darn good.
Our house is like 5 miles away from the volcano.. so that's pretty cool.  The rain storms are insane.. I´ve never seen it rain like it does here.  And the lightning storms are even crazier.  They are so cool! I imagine its like the storms and tempests before Christ came to the Americas.  Its pretty much the best. 
So our daily schedule is as follows: I´m starting to get up at 6 to get another half hour of exercise in.  We usually go play futból at 6 30 for about 45 min. Then we go get our pupusas for breakfast, hurry eat and shower and have personal study for and hour. then companion study for 2. then language, then we go to our cooks to go get lunch.  Then we go work. Then we sweat. Then we usually eat dinner at a members house. and then we come back to our house, and I shower again. then its off to bed!
the pupusas are good! I thought they were good from the start... I just threw them all up.. jaja. I had some horchata for the first time this week. It kinda tasted like coffee... I was like.. WHAAAT! jaja. just kidding... but seriously. It was a little weird, but good. Like that mint mojito gum from orbit that Mons got me hooked on that one time.  Weird, but good:)
So we had our baptism on Saturday. That was awesome.  Elder Coy was in the water with me because she was like 80 years old and needed some extra help.  I baptized her. A Very very cool experience.  Only her family was there and that's exactly how she wanted it.  It was awesome because I was there for her first lesson. It wasn´t like I picked her up from a previous missionary.  It was very cool.  We came earlier that day to fill the font, when me and elder Jones were on divisions, but by the time we got there the font was empty!... what?. so we waited for like another hour to fill it up.  We have another baptism this weekend! It was scheduled for the 20th but we decided to move it up so he could see the temple dedication...which is on the 21st.
On Friday, my comp had to go to another area to do interviews because he is the district leader.. So I was left with an elder that came in on the same day as me but was in beginner Spanish.  So basically, We were two gringos that couldn´t speak very good and our comps left us.. jaja.  Everyone in our ward found out and was all upset with my comp...jaja. Elder Jones(the elder i was with) couldn´t speak hardly at all. But that´s OK, because I can understand mostly everything and say what I need to say.  I´m sooooooo glad that I took 4 years of Spanish. I'd be so lost if I didn´t..jaja. But anyway, elder Jones and I found a couple families while we were together.  That´s exactly what we needed. So elder Coy went over there last night and talked with them a bit.  They were bien bien amable.(they use 'bien' here as 'muy') They are Catholic, but they were really positive and such. Our mission president wants another temple announced here by the time we leave.  If every companionship can baptize a family a month, as well as in the other mission, we´ll have it announced next year. So that's really cool. 
But back to the division I had with elder Jones, our area is kinda filled with bolos (drunks) and your suppose to avoid them because they think you have a bunch of money. (i´ve actually been robbed twice, but of only like a doller..ja) But anyway, elder Jones didn´t know that, so we are walking and he decides to go up to a group of bolos and start talking to them... I was like...oh crap!.  Now what am I gonna have to do to get us out of this?... but it ended up being OK... I got us out and later explained that we cant do that.. jaja:)
Yesterday was fast Sunday. We weren´t 5 min out the door when someone came up to us and was like, hey, when does your church meet? and can you come by my house?..... I was like... we should fast everyday! jaja...but it was really cool. Some of our family investigators came to church and it was all peachy.  Until testimony meeting... I kept getting the impression that I should bare my testimony.. but I didn´t. Later I felt the regret and knew that it would have really helped our family investigators. Never again will I fail to follow the promptings del Espíritu Santo.
Everything is good! I´m understanding everyone. I can get my point across to people.
Dad, how´s the training going? When is the point to point? Everything going good? Hows Utah?
Mum ,thanks for everything! You are awesome. Thanks for the letters and making sure I'm OK.
Austin, hows football? you don´t wanna do it next year? jajajaja. how was the summer?
Ellie, I hope everythings going good! What died on you face? jaja(he's really not that mean! its from Psych)
Brynn, I hope everythings good! starting school and all that. Be happy and read your scriptures!
I love you all! have fun in Utah!
TTT