Hey guys!

This week went by pretty fast. On Tuesday we went tho the chapel in Santiago city for our district meeting. After that we went to the mall they have their. Its really weird because its a really nice mall! Like one that would be in America haha. We ate there for lunch. When we left I realized that no I wasnt in America im still in the Philippines.

I cant exactly remember what happened on wed and thur. They feel like the same day because both were just so long and hot! We get quite the workout here because its so mountainous here. It seems like a lot of the investigators we have here have been investigators for a while. They love having us over but they just cant get themselves to come to church.

On Friday  we were working in our farthest barangy. A barangy is just little town. We have 3 in our area so its pretty big. My last area had half of one.  We were going to watch one of the Joseph smith movies with some recent converts but my comp brought the wrong disc so we just ended up sharing a spiritual thought and having dinner with them.

On Sunday I went on splits with one of the Rm's in our ward. It was great except that he would only speak ilicano in our lessons...so I had no idea what he was saying haha. We had a good time though and were able to find 3 new investigators.

There are the same kinds of bugs here haha and no I havent seen a giant bat yet mom. Yes we can skype on mothers day but im not exactly sure what time yet. I will talk to my comp about that and let you know.

Love you guys!
-Elder St. Gelais

Here is a picture from our house. Ya i know i get charged $5 and it is kinda hard to live on what we get. We get about $80 every 15 days. Most all missionaries run out of support. Ill try and do better though. And ya most of it is for food.

Yes im happy mom haha

How much can I take out of my account? Is it ok if I leave 75 in for emergencies? I won't withdraw for a while

Hey guys!

So on tuesday we had zone conference! It has been the best one so far! It was all about the Book of Mormon. The first part was about Joseph Smith and how the Book came to be. And the second part was about how the entire Book testifies of Christ and how to apply it into our teaching. The whole conference was great and it was all day long.

On wednesday I met some of our investigators. I really like these two brothers were teaching, Michael and Jason. They also came to church this past sunday!

On thursday we went to santiago city because we were asked to teach classes in a mini MTC the stake was putting on. So we had our own districs and everything just like the MTC and it was our job to be the teachers. That was a bit of a challenge. It turned out great tho. After the teaching we all went out and worked which wasnt very well planned because they have 12 missionaries in 2 areas so we were only able to teach 1 lessons and then just go oym people.

Friady! My birthday was pretty good. After working we had a dinner appointment and celebrated my b-day and a sisters that was on the 19th. After that we went and bought a cake haha. Then today we went hiking which was really fun. We got to take a little boat across the river which was cool. This was in the area of some of the other elders in the zone.

For Easter we didnt really do much but the usual. I guess it isnt that big of a holiday here. In church they didnt even mention it. We did have another dinner appointment though. It was at one of the Rm's houses.

Have a great week!

-Elder St. Gelais

I am now in Cabarroguis, Santiago south zone! My new comp is Elder Dulaca and he has been out for a yr and 7 months. He is from the very bottom island of the Philippines. He is a really cool guy. It is just us two in the apartment. Our apartment is still not the best but the cr is a lot nicer! We actually have a working shower! Our area is way bigger than my last one. I am excited for that! We are in a town just about 30 min from the big city of Santiago. For p-days we are able to go to Santiago which is going to be great! My area has both jungle and a good size town. We are in a ward here and share it with two other elders that live 10 min away. That have a way nicer apartment then ours though haha. Overall all I am very happy with the transfer! We dont have a washing machine though...so this morning laundry took forever! Doing it by hand is not fun...

This week has been pretty busy! All of the packing I had to do on Tuesday. It was horrible! Then we had transfers on Wednesday. I was pretty nervous about that but it turned out to be great! We got to our area at about 4 pm. Then we went to a birthday party for one of the members here. They had unlimited ice cream so that was nice haha. After that I unpacked a little bit. On thursday we had zone meeting. It was a little weird at first because I didnt know anyone but by the end I felt like I was right at home. I am the only American in the zone. There is a guy from Fiji though and he is really funny. For the rest of the day we went around and met the members and the Bishop. There are several Rm's here so it will be great working with them. On Friday we started working. So far the area is great and we have several investigators. Then on Sauturday and Sunday we watched General Conference! Luckily it was in English haha. I really enjoyed that. Im not sure if everyone here understood everything but there is a definite spirit that comes from listening.

Lauren: Umm yes I kind of do enjoy eating weird things! I just dont ask what it is till after I eat it. Like today for lunch I had chicken liver..,it wasnt the greatest but it wasnt terrible.

Landon: No the pizza here inst very good! It tastes pretty much like bread. So we just pour tons of hot sauce on it. But yes it does have pepperonis on it. And the Philippines is very green! Well when youre not in the city. The city is kind of scary though! There are pretty much no rules about driving! So hopefully I become Ap so I can drive here haha. My favorite primary song is 'a childs prayer'.

Thank you for the happy birthdays! I love you guys!

-Elder St. Gelais

Oh and I will remember to take pictures! Sorry but I havent yet...

My week has been pretty good! On wednesday my comp got a call from the
ap's telling him he is going to be training which means im
transffered! This wednesday is transfer day which means I have a lot
of packing to do and I hate packing! Im excited to finally get a new
area because I was starting to get a little bored of the one I am in
now. It is really small because we have 4 elders working the area.

And no I havent got an email from the stake yet mom.

I will be watching conference this next saturaday and sunday. Im not
sure if it will be in Tagalog or English but I really hope its in
English haha. This is my second General Conference so only 2 more to
go!

On Tuesday my comp and I went to one of the nanay's houses to give her
our laundry (She does our laundry for us every week and we give her
some money haha were too lazy) and she was telling me how she doesnt
want me to be transferred because she loves us coming over to teach.
We usually will have a FHE at her house and she will invite her
friends.

On Wednesday we had a zone activity where we all worked in 1 area. It
was kind of fun being able to work somewhere else. My comp and I
taught an older woman and she is really interested and the elders that
work there now have a return appointment.

On Saturday we had a zone baptism. There were 8 people baptized. It
was a great experience. Angel, one of our investigators was able to
be baptized.

Thank you to everyone that sends me emails. I really enjoy hearing
from you guys. I love you all.

-Elder St. Gelais