Ilopongo- Week 32

HEY!
dude... I dunno what to write about.... so.... hmmmm.... other than.... I AM SO FREAKING JEALOUS OF YOU PANCHOS GOING TO COLDPLAY ! Do you want me to come home early? freak. But that's legit. Happy anniversary! 23 years of a happy marriage! that's legit.. congrats... also forgot to wish Rylee a happy birthday like two weeks ago... sorry!
So this week went insanely fast. I don't even know what happened! We had a special multi zona training thing. That was legit. I realized that I need to completely change up the way I study. I finished the Book of Mormon for the 2nd time in the mish last night... first time in Spanish.  I went and tried out Moroni's promise again... its true in Spanish as well. I didn't really feel anything spectacular, rather a knowing familiar feeling and then the thought came to my mind... It has to be true. There is no doubt about it. But its just food for thought, you cant really recreate the spirit you felt the first time, rather the spirit touches you on the shoulder and reminds of what you already know. That's my experience anyway.
BTW, mum and dad STILL owe me their conversion stories.
But anyway, about the study change, its just funny that its taken me 9 months in the mish to figure it out. But I am so stoked. My mission leader in the ward is telling me all about how he did it in the mission and he´s giving me a lot of tips. And he knows a ton about the church. He told me that when he left on the mish, he really didn´t know that much about the church, so he developed this way of studying and now he is teaching me. I am so excited to start it up. Its crazy that the more you study, the more you realize how much you don't know. I have learned that time and time again in the mission.
My mission leader served in Hollywood. So that's legit.. but he wanted a hymn book in English so I gave him mine... so then he gave me a watch.. jaja! its sick, not gonna lie.   
In the multi zona I  had to do a little shpeel with my comp... again... I just gave a talk in English in the last multizona and now, another demonstration... at least I´m scoring points right? or maybe he´s just giving me chances to redeem my self from the first... but you know... whatever...
 Elder Mehr and I are going to Spain after the mish. for maybe a week or two... live on some guys couch for a couple weeks..jaja! legit! Elder Mehr is so legit. He is so funny and a great missionary and friend. When we do exchanges, we always have a blast. jaja... but you know... whatever.
Well, we didn´t baptize in Feb, but the work was done... March looks a lot better!  I did another interview this week... interviews are a huge spiritual experience for me and for the person getting baptized.. this time the lady like started crying on me... I was like... what the.. but it was really awesome. I´m grateful for this opportunity.
Mum, happy anniversary! congrats on living 23 years with dad! jaja.. I am so darn jealous of you. Coldplay. I think I might cry... but anyway! I love you mum and thank you for everything! I wouldn´t be here if it wasn´t for you and pops.
Dad, congrats on living with a woman for 23 years! jajajajajajajaja just kidding... (doctrine side note-woman in the scriptures is a huge sign of respect. Jesus said, woman, why weepest thou? Jesus the Christ.. read it!) jaja.. .. But i´m glad everything is going good! That was cool what mum did with the balloons and stuff. That's a woman for ya... if you hadn´t figured it out yet... she´s a keeper! I cant believe that the Tour de Mesa is almost here again and that the whiskey 50 is right around the corner. I´m so jealous. So are you guys planning on coming to El Salvador with me after graduation? we definitely should. Just food for thought! anyway, I love you pops!
Stee, hey don't worry about not writing.. life gets busy... I think that I know that better than anyone... so many people have written me but I haven´t had time to write back... that's the mission for ya... every time I learn something new about the mission I think about what I could just tell you so you don't have to learn it the hard way like I've had to... its insane! The mission is legit. Do everything you can to get on one. Keep throwing strong. its all mental, naturally you throw worse when they measure.. you just gotta conquer the mental part of it... just go out there and have fun.. that's something that I never learned, like when we used to race and stuff. I am just now figuring out how... a little.. jaja love ya bro!
Ellie. you always are hanging out. and choir concert this week? legit. sing good! and keep practicing the piano. the boys like it. especially if you can sing as well! love ya.. have a great week!
Brynn, now you are making perfumes and stuff? dang... you are quite the homemaker.. way to go! i´m jealous.. I´m glad school is going good and keep working hard and doing whats right! love ya!

Lights will guide you home.. and ignite your bones. and I will try to fix you.
I love you all! thanks for everything!
TTT

Ilopango- Week 31

Hey Fam!
Hey thanks for your letters. Sounds like everything is going great! Same here.. everything is going great! This morning we played some basketball and futbol. Awesome as always..jaja. So first thing on the docket today is that mi comp stays! I like being his comp:) Speaking of my comp... he says that he´s going to write his sister so I can go to the DR and bring her back to the states... so he says... jajaja... She´s actually light skinned with green eyes. weird right? pretty
So this week on Tuesday, the day before the change, we had what is a Moroni de oro. its like awards for the zone.. like the dundies from the office.. my comp and I won the award ´apostasy of the year´ you´ll have to ask me about it when we talk.. it has to do with giving a blessing.. anyway, it was super funny! I think I cried because I was laughing so hard.. jaja! (also, you have to understand that when we say apostasy, it means anything that's not doctrine, done wrong, etc)
So Wednesday I started up as District leader (DL) and it was cool. Thursday I had my first district meeting. It was about always being happy and keeping a smile on your face.. always! it went well. As DL the district has to call every night to give me their numbers for the day. So I am having them also turn in their number for ANIMO. On a scale from one to 5 how happy they are. Its kinda a good idea right? wish I could take the credit for it... idea from elder Coy:) who has been a ZL for a while now. THEN, on Friday I had to do my first interview for a baptism. That was really cool as well. Its really a spiritual experience.. not only for me, but for her as well. I´m excited to find my style for doing interviews...
whoa... vertigo again...
My district is really great.. really powerful. Hermana Jones got changed to my district again. 6 months in cuzcatlan and now who knows how long in Chivopango! There are 4 hermanas and 4 elders. all really good missionaries. I´m excited:)
Also, from the temple dedication video, Ingrid, is part of the young women and is the bishops daughter in my ward..Theres two girls that are in the movie and she is one of them.
Look, I have gotten so many letters from so many people and I have no time to write them back.. so tell everyone thank you and i´m going start fresh starting today. I´M SORRY!
So theres a foto attached that is of mi comp and me with our ward mission leader... he is so legit and is going to start coming out with us 6 hours every Saturday to look for less actives and part member families. He is so legit. He served in Hollywood CA. He´s got this like legit plan for us and is helping us work with the members. I´m grateful to have such a great ward mission leader.. it really helps us out:)
Mum, thank you for everything! Your letters always help and I´m always so grateful... So, LOOKS LIKE I´M GOING TO BE AN UNCLE! freak... why didn´t Dallyn and Ryan wait for me? not cool. just kidding... tell them congrats:) also that's legit that Cole is finishing up school this week. That's legit. Anyway, I hope your day off was full of fun! I love you!
Dad, or should I say diesel, dang dude your pic on the p2p homepage... no big deal right? jaja.. It looks like that was really fun and really legit. Not gonna lie, I was a little baggy this week again to ride. Thinking about how much fun those races were. But that's cool that you got into P2P again! I´m sure every time you do it you get a little more knowledge. Well that's awesome dad! Good Job! I love you.
Stee, whas´happinin? I got a song for you to look up. Artist:Alika Song:ejército despierta. Its cool. its welcome to jamrock but a Spanish version. look it up. I hope everything is going good! I heard you went snowboarding today.. cool dude! I honestly haven´t been baggy for that yet... knock on wood... probably because Feb, March and April is summer for here... jaja.. hey but keep up the good work and put the most important things first! I love ya
Ellie, freak you are always hanging out! and doing something cool! MADAGASCAR 3????!!!!!  FREAK! i´m excited. also, hunger games, legit. totally go for it. I love ya!
Brynn, hello!  listen, I don't know where the bear is... I´m sorry... I´m looking for it. I know its here somewhere here because I know I brought it... but I´ll keep looking. but it sounds like sewing and knitting is going well! you are quite the little homemaker:) anyway, I love you and always choose the right!
I love you all and thank you for everything!
Pancho Tanner

Ilopango-Week 30

jajajajajajajajajaj I'm so funny sometimes... jaja. Talking about the first letter? I'm a crack up... jaja
but really I don't have much to talk about. Other than this week I got a call from the president. He's sending me home.....................................................jaajajajajajajajajajajajajajaja FREAK!!!! I am such a crack up today... I know you are laughing at my humor... and if you aren't... laugh!!!!!. jajaa
No, but he really did call me this week and he wants me to be a district leader this next change... so that was pretty cool. I went to some training meetings this week because there are so many leaders leaving in the next two changes... so that's cool I guess. I hope that I can be a good leader... but you know, the Lord helps out a lot... jajaja. Its true.
That's so cool that Hunters back. I cant wait to see that pancho! Ask him if he ever met any of the family of Messi. He is from Rosario where he served. We had to go across the city this morning and it got me think about lots of stories that I have that I haven't written about.. then to think about Hunter telling you all his stories... its like, didn't you read his letters? jajaja just kidding.... totally just kidding. but that's legit. Tell him hi! Tell Scott that the mustache is hilarious:)
I don't have a picture of the Dera family (Neils comp) so... yeah... that picture of the guy is some guy that we are teaching, he actually gives us references and he isn't even a member. Probably wont be for a while.. lots of apostasy in his mind... but yeah... the other picture with the family with the guy with the barca jersey is that part member family that we are trying to baptize and get married... we finally got a date out of them... so that's good.. but its next month... so we'll see what happens.... They are awesome and legit. They are the family I was sent here for...
Last night in a lesson my comp was talking about marriage and then starting talking about us as a companionship and how he has always prayed for a good companion and finally got one after 5 months in the mish... it was pretty cool that he thought of me in that way. I hope we stay together for this change, because changes are this week... but you know... whatever:) That lesson last night was legit and filled to the brim with the spirit. The spirit is awesome.
Mum, everything is going great! Thank you for everything and all of your nice words every week. keep learning Spanish and reading Jesus the Christ! I love you!
Pops, sounds like you are all set for your race! just try to keep a smile on your face when you ride and it helps a lot:) I got a little baggy this week for Lake Powell and wake boarding... but you know... whatever... jaja weird what living in another country does to you right? well I love you dad! hope everything is going good!
Stee... keep it real... always keep a smile on your face and remember this: what you do today helps determine what you may do tomorrow. a lot of ´tomorrows´ leaves a lot of empty ´yesterdays´. love you brotha... just always keep a smile on!
Ellie, you are always hanging out! that's awesome... but don't let that take away from whats most important... FAMILY! hope every things going great! you are awesome.
Brynn. keep on keeping on! don't give up on the stuff you like to do and the stuff that you start, you may not like it so much now, but when you finish the project, you look at it a lot differently... I love you!
Hey thanks for everything! I love you all a ton!
Elder THORNTON

Ilopango-Week 30

waasssup waaaassssup wasssshappinin!?!?!?!?!?!
well.... I really dont have much to say... sorry guys... talk to you next week! love you!
Elder TTT

Ilopango-Week 29

I¨m 20! Crazy. Also, happy birthday to Tate, Troy and Grandma! Christmas in the mission just is hard... but birthdays are legit! I had a lot of fun today. One, it being P-day.... but this morning we played futbol.. legit as always! And then the zone got me a cake and we had a little party... then we changed and went to another party for me at the house of and investigator.. then we went to play basketball and futbol again! and now I´m here.. ! jaja...

 also... legit that Hunter gets back today! Tell him congrats on a full time mission! Also, I got the birthday packet! Thank you. that was really thoughtful everything you guys put in there... I´m going to have another party next week! :) Alvaro was going to come today, but for some reason couldn´t... but leaves the 15 of this month! Hopefully for reals this time...
So.. I got two new people to teach in this area.... ones the bishops daughter and one is an investigator... she´ll probably get baptized... maybe... just takes some time... I had the best day numbers-wise of my mission this week... but this area has been really burnt out.. lots of recently returned missionaries say the same.. this zone always baptizes a ton...this ares has been worked a ton... it just kinda stinks when you work so hard with little success (for El Salvador)... I was kinda getting stressed out about it until a guy in my zone was like, "why don't you get all depressed about it and like not enjoy your mission at all." jaja it made me laugh but its totally true.. I know I did all the work that I could´v done last month with no baptisms. But that's OK because I can look behind me and say"I have fought the good fight" I gave it all I had. its OK! I can look behind me and see the work done. And I am happy!
 I Found some more less actives that don't come to church because of the gossip. nice.
The comp of Niel Thornton has probably the most strong family in the ward. His wife served in the same mission as him as well. They have three daughters and one of them is mentally handicapped.. but she is the cutest thing and you just feel a whole bunch of love for her. Her 10 year old daughter bore a powerful testimony yesterday in church. They are awesome. He actually gave me an idea that Niel used in the mission. No one can say "Thornton" so now I just say that my name is "Elder Tortilla" pretty legit right? jaja.
El Salvador is called "the hammock" because there are always these little earthquakes called temblores... usually they happen once every month to two weeks. But this week there were three! and one really really strong one... but just for like 15 seconds each one... they aren´t considered earthquakes.
Dedicating houses is always a powerful experience every time. I have done a couple since I´ve been here and they are always amazing.  You can just feel the spirit take a seat in the house and its there to stay. legit.
This week we had a legit family home evening on Saturday with Stanley and Rud. The family that we have been working hard with. They are awesome. I just hope they finally can get themselves married. We cooked some meat and they cooked some rice and beans(who would´ve thought?)... and I did the salsa. It was really fun and a good experience to show them that we are cool with doing  different things with them to teach them.
Hermana Glazier called this morning to wish me a happy birthday.. that was really cool;)
Mum, thank you for everything! Thank you for everything! all the stuff in the birthday packet and all that you do for me! I definitely wouldn´t be here if it wasn´t for you! And that's sick that Katie did that song. She´s really a nice girl and always writes me. I still haven´t written of her back... but its just because we are so darn busy!  She´s getting ready to do her junior recital... you should ask about that and see if you can go to that! :) are you still learning Spanish? reading Jesus the Christ? do it... its awesome. also, if you could send benzoyle peroxide and healing cream and those pens that I sent a picture of in the package that Austin sends? please and thank you! I love you MUM!
Dad, thank you for everything! you are awesome. And a diesel. I´ve been getting a little baggy this week to go out and ride! Not only cycling, but also moto! remember those good old days? jaja... but anyway, I love you pops! you are the best!
Austin, I really don't think you know how much that I look up to you. I don't really think that you realize what an example you are to me! I think to myself, "wow, I really wish that I could be as cools as Austin" that's no bull either. I´m serious! just remember to always do the simple things. Read the scrips! all the time. And never stop smiling! I love you brotha and I´m Glad you like the bag. I used that for about two months for church and p day:)
I just got some vertigo for the first time in a while... whooooooo woooooow oooooohhhh freeeeaaaaaakkkk!
Ellie, it sounds like everything is going great with you!  Always hanging out with friends! Just always remember whats really important. I love ya!
Brynn, sounds like you don't have to do a paragraph this week! so cool! and don't worry if you don't want to knit anymore... its cool! I love you!
Listen to Coldplaymy birthday! the whole CD without interruptions.. just listening.:)
I love you all! and yes my comp is teaching how to rap;)
Pancho Messi.

IIopango- Week 28

¿Qué ondas?
Hey whats going on? Yes, yes... I called Kristen Stewart...so sue me! There was an earthquake! I knew that Cody was alright because the Lord is protecting him, but I just wanted the confirmation.... but all I did really was worry Kristen to death..jaja! But you know... whatever!
Elder Dera... he was the comp of Neil... but Latinos have like a million names... so this is one of them...  jaja!
So remember that video about the dedication of the temple here? and they are all practicing the dance in a church building and then they are all praying in a huge circle? Well, that's the church building I go to and that's my stake. Cool beans right? I think that you all think that I´m out in the boonies, but that's not the case... I´m still in the city. Technically, our area is in Soyapango (famous for being the most dangerous...jaja!).. but the stake is called Ilopango because most of the stake lives in the city of Ilopango. We walk for ten min and we are in Ilopango. If you are looking for it on google maps, I live pretty darn close to the airport of El Salvador.. so in other words, I could jump on a plane and be home tomorrow if you like..jaja! And about the houses, they are made to only have water every other day.. so we have a BIG sink that we fill up every other day and use that water for the next day... So its not so bad.. jaja
So this morning, I went to the mall that's here close to us and went to go get a legit pedicure. legit. like I was sitting in a throne and some Latina was working on my feet. why? because that's what the nurse of the mission told me to do... I have had a nasty sodding in-grown toenail for a while and my other toenail fell out a few weeks ago. So it was like ten bucks to take out the ingrown and like ten bucks for the pedicure. All of which is paid for by the mish!  I decided that after the mish, I´m never cutting my own toenails again. ya estuvo
So we started teaching this inactive lawyer. nuff said. lawyer. tough cooking. hard heart.
Got the first packet full of cd´s! Thank you! I think the thing that made me smile most was the few songs from the movie Tangled. I love that movie. And it made me smile so hard! I love that movie... probably one of my favorites. But thank you a million! And I need instructions on how to use the tooth bleach... is it like a leave in your mouth all night kinda thing? or just a 30 min deal?
So we had a multi-zona this week (or a zone conference) But it was legit. It was on the doctrine of Christ. 2 Nephi 31. And applying all the scriptures to ourselves before the investigator. Its always easy to apply scriptures to other people, but hard for ourselves. So it was about getting the gospel to enter us first. It was really good and I felt the spirit strong. Remember when I compared my first lesson in Spanish to a train wreck? Well, I had to give a talk in ENGLISH in the multi-zona and it was also a train wreck!!!... I couldn´t even think straight. I started up in Spanish like 4 times... but it ended up well towards the end:) But it was a little rough... and I only have 8 months...But after the multi zona was done, the mission pres´s wife came up to me and said that after I sat down from my talk, the Pres. leaned over to her and said,"wow, he is such a great elder." I was like, "are you sure he was talking about me?" But she assured me that that is what he said and how he felt... I felt really humbled that the mish pres thinks that of me.. he has trusted me with a lot of responsibility since I got here and I´m very grateful for it. I honestly didn´t know what to think other than the scripture "I don't boast in myself, but in my God" But it was really cool.
I am so sick of gossip in the church... it sucks. there are so many less active members in the church here just because the other members would talk bad about them... DON'T TALK ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE! ITS NOT YOUR BUSINESS! I have had my own experience before and during my mish... don't pass on the gossip... be their friend. love them. As Jesus loved you.
Stanly y Rut: Una familia poderosa.This is the family where the wife is a less active and we are trying to baptize the husband. The one I talked about last week. anyway, I know I said it last week, but I think this week I had two of the most powerful lessons of my mish with this family.. 2 in the same week! legit. Before the first lesson of the week, the wife comes up to us and tells us that he has never really fallen in well with the elders that have come and doesn´t really listen... but with us 2, he likes us. He listens to us. So try and take advantage, is what she said. It was just kinda a testimony that we are sent to our missions because there are people there that only we can teach. I am in El Salvador because there are people that only I can touch. . That's why it doesn't matter where you serve. So what? I´m in a cool, dangerous country in the most dangerous part of the country and teaching the gospel. It would be the same if I where in Provo. It would be no different. Its the same message, its just the people that only I can teach are here. :) Its amazing. Last night, Stanly told me that I am a part of his family. No matter what. That if I ever need his help, he will come and get me wherever I am. That the doors to his house are always open for me during or after my mish if I decide to visit I would have a bed. He said that no Elder has ever shown that they have cared like I have. shown that they loved them like I have. So for that reason, he said that we are his family.. ..for forever. last week I gave him my email addresses so that he could write and send pics of his kids growing up... and I come to the Internet cafe today to see an email from him. Where ever people serve, its because that they are people there that only they can serve.. that only they can teach.. and that's why I´m here... in case you were wondering:)
Mum, I´m sorry I didn´t call you.. but it would have made me really baggy! jaja.. but I just wanted to thank you for everything that you have done for me. Showing real charity for everyone and always making sure Im OK! I love you!
DAD, thanks for everything as well.. Í think that Ihave already told you but I use a lot of stories of you and mum to teach. lots of stuff that you have done for me to show and teach by example... Just like Christ did... taught by example... thank you for everything pops! Sounds like the training is going good! I kinda got a little baggy this week to ride.. but you know... whatevs. I love you!
Lady.. sounds like every things going good! sounds like Sadie's is cool.. even if you don't really know her.. but you know... whatever.. jaja! welp, love ya brotha! tell Smith happy b day!
Ellie, sounds like everything is going good with you and that every things good with your friends! make sure to always stay nice! I love you!
Brynn, thank you for your letter. when your fears surround you, wrap my love around you:) I love you!
Thanks for everything and I love you all!
ELDER T