1. Tell us about Elder Quintanar! Where is he from? What is he like? What is his first name?
Well I said wrong. He is actually Elder Quintanilla. He is from California and he speaks English, which is great. He is very creative and he loves to draw. I actually don't know his name...
2. What is one thing you love about Choluteca so far?
The people are really, really humble.
3. How was your new ward? How is it different from your ward in Danli?
It is awesome. All the members are great. The ward is just a lot smaller, but other than that it isn't a whole lot different.
4. What is your house/apartment like in Choluteca?
We have a house. The house is actually really nice. It is just super hot.
5. What is a blessing you have felt this week?
I haven't struggled too bad with changing areas. I thought it would be really hard to leave Danli and start over again but it hasn't been too bad.
Monday, February 8, 2016
WEEK 31 - First week in Choluteca!
Tuesday
Tuesday I was in the Buena Esperanza all day because Elder Valladares had to go to Tegus to pick up his new companion. That was really hard because I wasn't able to spend the day saying goodbye to people. I ended up helping one of the companionships move houses. Then we went and taught one lesson, and then went to dinner at a members house. It was kinda a rough day because I felt like I was wasting time doing nothing but dinner was great. The daughter of the family, named Maria Celeste was talking to me and she is hilarious. I actually ended up leaving a little letter with the Elders for her because we became friends.
Wednesday
Wednesday we were in a bus basically all day. 2 hours from Danli to Tegus, and about 4 hours from Tegus to Choluteca. We finally arrived at about 5 and I met my new companion, Elder Quintanilla. The area is pretty great, it is all like little houses and dirt roads. There aren't any like towns.
Thursday
Thursday we visited a lot of people, I don't really know anyone's name because I am new and it is hard to remember, but the area looks awesome and the people are super humble. It is super super hot here. All the time.
Friday
Friday we had a zone meeting, which was good. We worked and then the last appointment we had was with a less active family. It was great and we got along really well.
Saturday
We eat at a member's house all the time. We just pay her a certain amount every two weeks and she cooks for us all the time. We were working in an area that is pretty far away. I don't really know what anything is called so...
Sunday
We went to church. This ward is about half the size as the ward in Danli, but it is just as good. The building is tiny. I had to bear my testimony, which wasn't too bad. We went to an investigator's house and she gave us mangos. They are weird. Super sour.
Overall a good week. It is super hot here and you just walk outside and start sweating, but I love it so far.
Tuesday I was in the Buena Esperanza all day because Elder Valladares had to go to Tegus to pick up his new companion. That was really hard because I wasn't able to spend the day saying goodbye to people. I ended up helping one of the companionships move houses. Then we went and taught one lesson, and then went to dinner at a members house. It was kinda a rough day because I felt like I was wasting time doing nothing but dinner was great. The daughter of the family, named Maria Celeste was talking to me and she is hilarious. I actually ended up leaving a little letter with the Elders for her because we became friends.
Wednesday
Wednesday we were in a bus basically all day. 2 hours from Danli to Tegus, and about 4 hours from Tegus to Choluteca. We finally arrived at about 5 and I met my new companion, Elder Quintanilla. The area is pretty great, it is all like little houses and dirt roads. There aren't any like towns.
Thursday
Thursday we visited a lot of people, I don't really know anyone's name because I am new and it is hard to remember, but the area looks awesome and the people are super humble. It is super super hot here. All the time.
Friday
Friday we had a zone meeting, which was good. We worked and then the last appointment we had was with a less active family. It was great and we got along really well.
Saturday
We eat at a member's house all the time. We just pay her a certain amount every two weeks and she cooks for us all the time. We were working in an area that is pretty far away. I don't really know what anything is called so...
Sunday
We went to church. This ward is about half the size as the ward in Danli, but it is just as good. The building is tiny. I had to bear my testimony, which wasn't too bad. We went to an investigator's house and she gave us mangos. They are weird. Super sour.
Overall a good week. It is super hot here and you just walk outside and start sweating, but I love it so far.
Monday, February 1, 2016
WEEK 30 - Q&A
1. What are the requirements for teaching a girl/woman? Can you teach her alone, or do the sister missionaries have to teach with/for you?
Honestly the Elders can basically do whatever they want in that aspect. The hermanas can't knock doors because it is a little dangerous but we can basically teach anyone if we feel good about it.
2. Name three things you will miss about Danli.
The members. Like the friends I have made. Especially the people my age. The weather. Choluteca is super super hot and I will be getting there right as it starts getting blazing. And the ward. We have one of the best wards in the mission.
3. It seems that you and Elder Valladares have a lot of moments of laughter. What's another one that caused you to laugh out loud this week.
I have trouble remembering the things that make us laugh. We were on a bus and we saw a terrible music video that we were just making fun of the whole time.
4. Do you have to have all of your stuff packed up each time there are changes, just in case? Or do you pack up after you know you are being transferred?
I still haven't packed anything and I leave on Wednesday... so... you just wait until you know. You actually normally know that you are leaving beforehand.
5. Do you usually end up speaking/teaching at church?
Because our ward is so great, we usually don't end up doing a whole lot. Just teaching Gospel Principles.
Honestly the Elders can basically do whatever they want in that aspect. The hermanas can't knock doors because it is a little dangerous but we can basically teach anyone if we feel good about it.
2. Name three things you will miss about Danli.
The members. Like the friends I have made. Especially the people my age. The weather. Choluteca is super super hot and I will be getting there right as it starts getting blazing. And the ward. We have one of the best wards in the mission.
3. It seems that you and Elder Valladares have a lot of moments of laughter. What's another one that caused you to laugh out loud this week.
I have trouble remembering the things that make us laugh. We were on a bus and we saw a terrible music video that we were just making fun of the whole time.
4. Do you have to have all of your stuff packed up each time there are changes, just in case? Or do you pack up after you know you are being transferred?
I still haven't packed anything and I leave on Wednesday... so... you just wait until you know. You actually normally know that you are leaving beforehand.
5. Do you usually end up speaking/teaching at church?
Because our ward is so great, we usually don't end up doing a whole lot. Just teaching Gospel Principles.
WEEK 30 - Changes!
Well this week (my last week in Danli) was pretty fantastic!
Tuesday
Tuesday we finally got back to working for real. We have a goal to open our mouths 24 times a day and we are working really hard with that. We talk with tons of people. Lots of rejections but it is all worth it when we find a prepared person. We met a Hebrew lady that we couldn't teach because it is against her religion. Weird.
Wednesday
Wednesday was normal. We are still opening our mouths as much as we can. President always says we didn't come to walk, we came to talk.
Thursday
Thursday we contacted (knocked doors) for a loooong time. The last door we knocked was these two people that are really positive and they accepted everything perfectly. The last appointment we had was with this lady and we were teaching the Book of Mormon and she was just saying no no no no no and rejecting everything even though we taught it almost perfectly.
Friday
Friday we went to Paraiso to do a baptism interview. That was normal. We went to the missionary coordination meeting (my last here). We were taking pictures after which was really fun.
Saturday
Saturday was normal too. All our appointments were dropping like flies so we ended up improvising a bunch.
Sunday
Sunday was hard. A seventy, Elder Ocampo, came and talked in sacrament, that was really good. Amanda, the mom of two of my converts, came to church, which surprised us cause she has been sick. I taught Gospel Principles, about eternal marriage.... awkward. The first thing I said was, Well the theme of the class today is really great, but a little weird since I am a missionary. LOL. I ended up having to say goodbye to a couple people because they leave during the week. That was really hard.
Today has been good. And my next area is Yusguare in Choluteca. I am going to be with Elder Quintanar. And Elder Valladares is going to train! So awesome!
Have a fantastic week!
Elder Baller
Tuesday
Tuesday we finally got back to working for real. We have a goal to open our mouths 24 times a day and we are working really hard with that. We talk with tons of people. Lots of rejections but it is all worth it when we find a prepared person. We met a Hebrew lady that we couldn't teach because it is against her religion. Weird.
Wednesday
Wednesday was normal. We are still opening our mouths as much as we can. President always says we didn't come to walk, we came to talk.
Thursday
Thursday we contacted (knocked doors) for a loooong time. The last door we knocked was these two people that are really positive and they accepted everything perfectly. The last appointment we had was with this lady and we were teaching the Book of Mormon and she was just saying no no no no no and rejecting everything even though we taught it almost perfectly.
Friday
Friday we went to Paraiso to do a baptism interview. That was normal. We went to the missionary coordination meeting (my last here). We were taking pictures after which was really fun.
Saturday
Saturday was normal too. All our appointments were dropping like flies so we ended up improvising a bunch.
Sunday
Sunday was hard. A seventy, Elder Ocampo, came and talked in sacrament, that was really good. Amanda, the mom of two of my converts, came to church, which surprised us cause she has been sick. I taught Gospel Principles, about eternal marriage.... awkward. The first thing I said was, Well the theme of the class today is really great, but a little weird since I am a missionary. LOL. I ended up having to say goodbye to a couple people because they leave during the week. That was really hard.
Today has been good. And my next area is Yusguare in Choluteca. I am going to be with Elder Quintanar. And Elder Valladares is going to train! So awesome!
Have a fantastic week!
Elder Baller
Extra Photos from Danli
Elder Baller uploaded these extra photos. Enjoy! There are some good ones in here, but no captions.
