"Sickly" Companion

Well the thing is that I have come a long way. I can definitely see a big difference between before the mission and right now. I´m hoping that you all will see it too. But we won’t know until we can really talk face to face in like 10 months.. (hahah - that’s crazy).

But I’ll tell you about how crazy this week was actually... Sooooo - let’s start at like 2 am on Friday.... So I woke up to my comp (Elder Tamayo because we did interchanges) and he said that he felt a huge pain in his side and he was yelling and moving around kind of destroying my room. So I gave him a blessing and he told me to go back to bed and that he would just wait until it went away. But I decided that I shouldn´t wait but to like call the nurse. But at this time it’s like 2:30 in the morning... (hahah) so I called 3 times and finally the nurse answered!!! After some really funny stuff which included poking him and getting him on his toes and falling to his heals, she told me we needed to go to San Salvador (like 2 hours away) to a hospital and that it was his appendix!!!! (hahah) So at this time, the crazy calls started… There was like 8 calls in 2 minutes - from President Cordon (who was in Belize), from our bishop, from the assistant and the nurse, etc. Man was that insane! After almost an eternity the assistant got there and we started the drive to the hospital which also took what seemed like a year. But the good news was when we got there, they took about 15 minutes of exams and then said "yep, we´re going to take his appendix out"... hahah… so at this point it was like 4:30 in the morning. I went upstairs with him to the operating room and waited until he got out..... So actually I had fallen asleep for about 20 minutes when the doctor came out with a little pot in his hand and something that looked like a big worm... It was his appendix and it was 3 times as big as it should have been.... man that was gross...

But everything went well on the surgery and so my job at this time was just to sit with him in the room and do nothing until the next day.. I sat there reading (but you can only do that for so long) We had a huge big screen TV there that we couldn´t watch. Then we had hot water (the best news I’ve ever had in my life...) So all I did was I took 5 showers and then drank water.... Man that was the longest day of my life.... (hahaha) But I got back here in Sonsonate at like 8 pm on Saturday.... I crashed until the next day... THE END

Well I’m going to write great grandma a letter soon. So you can tell her all about that story. =) But like always, I have go. I love you all!!!

(I´m sorry if my English doesn´t make much sense.)

Love you all,

Elder Sutton

American Barbeque

Bueno, So I just want to say, “Megan (yet again) wins the injury of the week award!!!!!” I showed some of the guys here your black eye picture and they thought it was quite the good one. It looks like someone got a little too excited playing soccer... Speaking of which, I played soccer today. So as a zone we planned to make an American barbeque thing with hot dogs and hamburgers and then while they were cooking we played soccer and not to brag...... hahaha...... but I made quite a few goals. I think my team won. We didn't keep score but we did really well!!!! Even the hamburgers turned out good. But most of all, we got to run around for a little. =P

Well also this is for Bryant!!!! I met someone that knew him named Delmi... but she told me to say hi to him. She is a young girl like 15 or so but maybe she was in his area.

OHHH so the packages!!! Yeah I did get the package from grandma - with chocolate chips and the gummy rings!! I kind of went out of control and ate just about everything in 3 days but man were they so good. I´m still rationing the chocolate chips and making my famous chocolate chip pancakes!!! But man they are sooooooo good.

I think it should be story time right now.... Well I don’t know what to tell you. Okay so like in the mission every once in a while we do interchanges with the other missionaries for various reasons, like to do baptismal interviews, teach the elders how to work better or be taught and sometimes just to see how their area is going... So I went with Elder Reed this week, and man did we laugh our heads off. That day was a terrible day... like no matter what we did nothing worked out, like we went to all the lessons that they had planned and nothing worked. So we ended up knocking on doors all day and even the members were busy, so it was us against the world but the funny parts were at night and afternoon. So the only Latin person in our house was Elder Lopez and man he is super hilarious. What we did was we put on the national anthem of the USA and full blast to wake him up and then periodically during the morning and when it would come on the iPod we would sing it at the top of our lungs. Elder Lopez would just get up and leave the room. We could all tell he was just trying not to laugh & be serious at the same time - Elder Wilcox, Elder Reed and I. Then poor Elder Lopez, he actually knew my companion before the mission.

Well apart from that, we had a sweet movie night last night. We watched the life of Pres. Monson with some people from the ward; not a whole ton came but man that movie is super awesome. We´ll watch it when we get back, but maybe not in Spanish..... =P

Well right now I need as many prayers as ever from you guys. First of all, we are going to a new part of our area called El Jobo.. (haha like hobo) but we found some families there and a girl named Rosa who needs your prayers and then family Sanchez. Alcohol and all that junk are not helping stuff out. But I need your prayers for them.... Love you and thank you. =)

But really I think that I might buy me some jerseys because man they are sooo cool here. I think that I’m slowly turning Latin but that’s alright. I like lots of new stuff now. Maybe I’ll even watch the funny soap operas on the TV in Spanish when I get back because here that’s the big huge thing. BUT I saw Grey’s Anatomy though!! - “lol” that’s for you mom. =)

So I’m outa here….

Elder Sutton

The GQ September Cover photo

Who could resist these two?

An Ocean View

Gettin' out of the rain 9/11

One tired Missionary 9/11

I Ate at Subway! "YES"

Alright so it’s my job to write you guys a long letter this week... And make it interesting too right....

Well let’s just start out telling you about my health this week and all that - I’m super good and super tired. I think I’m going to go buy some vitamins because maybe I’m low in something. I feel like I could hibernate until the spring right now....(hahaha) but I just go and buy me like a soda and I’m good for a few hours. =P Kind of like mom and the Dr. Peppers right.

Well as of right now my shoes are doing wonders!!!! Like they are going on 13 months and holding on tight. Like I’ve sent them to be sewn twice, but they are holding together. The best ones are my Ecco´s; they haven´t been sent yet to be sewn. So just to sum this all up, they are the best even if they cost a little more. =)

Well some cool stuff that happened this week.... I started lifting weights, or like the dumbbell made out of concrete, so maybe when I get I’ll look buff - doubt it with my limited resources.

OH, we also had a sweet meeting with a 70 Elder Amado. He was recently called as a 70, but he came and talked to us and at the end we ate SUBWAY!!! Do you realize how long it has been since I’ve eaten Subway? I don´t think that you know how long it has been since I’ve eaten something sooo good. =D

Well I figured out what Sonsonate means. It’s like “river of many waters”. It sounds like something that an Indian would say, right. But that’s what it means...

Well I’m not sure what all more you want to know. I´m thinking about buying myself like some cool jerseys. The only thing is that I have to go on a hunt for the cheapest ones here so that I can eat this week. The thing is really touchy. But I’m going to do my best. If anything, I’m going to have some cool jerseys. No one needs food; I’ll just go beg the members or something for some beans and rice. (hahah) I sound such like a man. It’s awesome right?

Well I’m not going to lie, I forgot about September 11 until an investigator asked me about it so like I’m really bad and I know but I just got remembering it and it kind of made me sad. But I was just too busy running around that I didn´t even remember that. I kind of am mad at myself for forgetting.... dangit..

Well it was like Eric’s birthday wasn´t it? That and peach days!! Right?

Man I’m struggling about things to talk about. I know there is cool stuff to talk about but man when it comes down to writing, I forget about them.... dangit..

Well I love you all and I’m going to eat something super good for this week just as long as it isn´t rice and beans!!! (hahah)

ELDER SUTTON

Pizza as I Know It :D

(Haha) Man, dutch oven food...... cobbler and chicken... man if you could only see me right now; I’m drooling.. I think that the people here could use a few classes from you, dad, about how to make some new food because they are super good at making beans and rice but when you branch out from that, they really struggle... hahaha

Wow the Box Elder team is doing well in football!!!!!! That is like a first in years!!! But of course the girls’ soccer team is doing great!! They have always done well because Megan was playing for them. The sad thing is that I’m not going to get to see many of your games (or any I don´t think... Dangit..) But I chose to be here - so I’m still happy =)

Mom got a new calling??!! That’s awesome!!!! I wonder how that’s all going for her? What exactly do you do mom?! Do you have to get on computers and stuff or is it all just paper work? Like I know that you have always been good with secretary stuff. =)

1. Is there a mafia like group in El Salvador? What about gangs?

Haha - well actually just gang like things.. In all parts, the problem here is that when people are poor and don´t have food, they look for any way of getting food so most of the guys get in gangs just to be able to eat. So that’s another downside of the poverty…. but the people here are still awesome. =P (hahah)

2. Do you ever eat American food?

Well the closest to American food that I get is pizza. Then sometimes we eat like pieces of meat with like salsa on it. It kind of reminds me of American food. But they have some regular drinks here like I’ve seen mt. dew and dr. pepper but they are 80 cents a can. =D (cool huh?) I don´t know if that’s good or bad..... I’m kind of figuring out how expensive stuff is here. There motto here is "if you don´t have money, fill yourself with tortillas and rice.." =D

3. Did your Mission President ever tell you thanks for the singing performance?

Well the problem was that no one but the elders said anything about my performance.... Like not even the president said anything to me about it. I sure hope that I didn´t do bad... But from what I could tell it went well. They were really hard to work with because not all of them saw eye to eye with me but in the end, they had to listen to me because I was the leader.. =) I kind of was like a dictator. =P

4. How are your clothes holding out? Do you need anything?

Well my clothes are going really good. My shirts are slowly changing colors like a chameleon, but its part of the fun experience - right. And my shoes are slowly dying but the good news is that they have shoe people here that can fix them up. I’ve done it like twice now. Until my shoes literally fall apart, I’m going to keep sending them to this guy. =P Well apart from that, I think my clothes work. It’s because we didn´t buy the cheap stuff! We bought the stuff that would last! I´m convinced that that’s why! My socks, though, kind of want to die. But that’s from all the walking (hahahah)

5. Did you eat something good on your last P Day?

My last p-day I ate pizza actually!!! And it was sooooooooo good. I’m sure that it wasn´t good according to your standards, but for me it was the best thing ever known to man since duct tape... hahah

But hey man, I’m loving the mission. Don´t take all this as that I don´t love the people, mission, etc. I really love everything here. It’s soooo hard but that’s why I love it. We have good days, bad days, worse days but you don´t remember the bad. When I look back at my mission, I can see the last year and if I think, yeah I’ve had bad days - but I can´t remember the details of them. But the best things I can describe to you in full color.

Love you all!!

Elder Sutton

County Fair Week :)

Man those were good old times going to the county fair.... I still vividly remember all the things that we did. How we made like crocodiles out of bread dough with Val and how the leather stuff I made etc. Then how happy we were when we got the money. But I remember looking at all the animals and the booths of free stuff. Good old times. I’m guessing there wasn't anything earth shattering there like a pig with 4 heads or anything but it was always a good time to be with ya'll....

I actually remembered it was Sarah & Grandpa Jode’s birthdays!! I was going to ask about them in this week’s letter, but I do believe that you have beaten me in that subject. If anything, I hope that they both had a Happy Birthday!!!!!!

There really isn’t much else that I can say. I feel bad but I’m really slacking in the letter department too. It’s just I’m always sooooo busy. Every single second that I have free, I find food or rest. I sure hope that not only Sarah but everyone that is waiting for letters doesn’t get mad at me....... If any of you have been on the mission - you will know. But shoot me back a letter and I’ll do my very best to send you one in return.... =)

Well speaking of elderly men. We contacted an old man and his wife and child who sell like food on the street the other day (or in their house). He is like in his 80’s too and he isn’t in such good shape. He has to sit down all day and barely eats. He actually fell in the shower the other day so we went there to give him some encouragement. But his wife is still running around crazy. She is always happy and always gives us a little bite to eat. Then they have a son, Manuel, who is 15! (haha - that’s quite the age difference huh?) But it just shows that we age really well in the United States. Or at least we take care of ourselves better - I’m not sure which...

Dad should go over to Fred’s house with an offering like cookies then ask him if he can help him again! (hahah) The cookies kind of soften him up a little. I mean if someone were to come up to me and give me some cookies and then ask me a favor I’d do it, especially because the cookies here aren’t as good as the ones in the states. (hahah) Here I’d rather eat pupusas.... hahah - so if someone were to bring me pupusas here and ask me a favor I’d have to say yes.. =P

But actually some members have been saying that there have been some hurricanes in the United States. Like last night we had a big storm and supposedly it was the tail of this same hurricane or something. We don’t get to know the weather here so we kind of wing it like in the olden days. Look outside and if there are clouds - we bring an umbrella... =P

Well this week was the winding down of the month; and I’m not going to lie, the zone didn’t do that fantastic. So now we’re in the phase where we pick ourselves up and dust off the bruises and keep on working. The thing is that the missionaries lack the motivation!!!! That’s something that I’m learning lots about in the mission. About what really motivates us - to do the good or the bad. How if we feel this motivation we’ll go to church and do the right things, but if we don’t have this same constant motivation we lose that sight... that vision… and fall behind.. It’s a constant struggle looking for that motivation here in the mission. (Not only the missionaries but the investigators.) Some might be their own family and the thought of being together forever. Others it’s the love God has for us... There are tons of reasons. WE just need to find ours and never let it go...

Well I love you all. I hope you loved my spiritual thought of the day.... hahahah

Elder Sutton (the most handsome missionary that you all know)

P.S. Jennifer, I love that book that you sent me about the powers of heaven.....

I’m reading it and going to read it again. (hahaha)

Tasty Treat

Derek's favorite new El Salvador Treat. A Liches

I'm Hungry So It's Short & Sweet

Well I’m just going to say that I’m going to die because I’m so hot right now. I have to go and eat right now, but I’ll write your answers to your questions. But man I need to eat. It’s 4:00 and I haven’t eaten lunch or breakfast.

1 - We have been anxiously anticipating hearing about your musical performance for Pres. Eyring. HOW DID IT GO – Details!!!

Well that’s the thing, I thought that we sounded good. Better than some of the choirs that sang for the dedication and all that. But President didn´t say anything to me about how it went...... But I liked it and it sounded good to my ears.

2 - Were you able to watch the dedication?

We did actually see the 3 sessions and man, President Eyring did some cool stuff in them telling almost the future of the people here in El Salvador. But man that guy has something special about him. You can just feel the difference of the room when he comes in. But at the same time, he is a human like us. I can´t explain it; you just have to be there. (hahah)

3 - How did the baptism go last week?

They went super good. She even went to the dedication of the temple and she started to cry and said that there is no doubt in her mind that this is the true church. I don´t know - it was like a little boost in my week to show me that what I’m doing here matters.

4 – Are night time temperatures a little cooler and easier to sleep?

Man it’s like 85 in the morning and I’m not sure about the night but we all are sleeping with fans on, and the electricity bill is super high!!!!

5 – What fruit is in season? What is a typical meal for an El Salvadorian missionary?

Well I’m not too sure about the fruit but like a fruit called “lichas”. They are weird fruits and then coconuts and bananas. I´ll look into that this week. But every single night we eat the same thing with the members................ Tortillas....................... Beans..................... and eggs...................... I´m getting bored of them, but it’s food so I don´t say no..

But I love you all. I need to leave you with a short letter, but next week I promise to be better. =) Plus we played soccer in Santa Ana too!!!!!

Love you family!!

Elder Sutton - the attractive one of the family

I Love Smoothies!

August 12, 2011

Man let’s just say that this week has been the craziest week in a long time that I have had. Man I’ve just been plain running around in circles it feels like. BUT I GOT MY PACKAGE!!!!! I have successfully eaten all the food in it.. Okay funny story.

I saw all the stuff in it when I opened it up; I loved the book from Dr. Seuss and the T-shirt (i don’t know if it means something.....) and then the box of popcorn. In the end I was a little disappointed not to get a camera but after it all I was just super happy that you all loved me enough to send me a package. Then like 3 days after, I decided to make popcorn for some of my investigators so I opened it up and guess what?????? There wasn’t popcorn. (hahahahahahah – I’m dumb) hahahah But the elder that I was with just laughed, Elder Guirola, who is super awesome.

Man it sounds like Megan is always running around as crazy as I am. (Haha) With all the stuff she is doing, at least she is in madrigals. I loved that class so much. It’s funny; I don’t know if I’m changing my way of thinking or what’s happening but all the things I didn’t really like before the mission are changing. I think I’m just getting old and fat. Dangit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That makes me sad....

Laney Peacock? Wow, I actually knew her pretty well. She and Jared M. used to be like a thing. That is super sad to hear........ I bet the whole family feels so terrible including the fiancé. We should pray for them this week.

1 – What is your new area like? (touristy, only one city or small towns too, branch or ward)

Well my new area is kind of touristy, not too much. It’s not too close to the beach but it’s really well developed. It’s a huge city, smaller than Santa Ana, but still there are big stores and a center and all of that.

2 – Are the mosquitoes biting and are you using repellent?

Actually i don’t have any problems with mosquitoes. I don’t know if it’s the season as of yet. It’s raining pretty hard but I’m relatively safe. =)

3 – Your new house/apartment with just the two of you or another companionship?

Well my house is pretty nice; it’s super dirty because the elders are nasty that live there. There are 4 of us all in total. But the thing that the president wants is for every companionship to have a house so there is more responsibility too. But HEY the area presidency or something approved us to send text messages here now! So I can start practicing again. (hahah - not really)

4 – What does Sonsonate mean in Spanish?

Well I don’t think that Sonsonate has anything to do with anything. Well I don’t think so. But it should mean “super-hot city”. I sweat out my weight every day. (hahah)

Well this week we baptized a girl, and she is super awesome. She loves the church and her dad is inactive so we’re hoping to activate him and then baptize the mom and all that. This Saturday and Sunday are the dedication for the temple here and the cultural activity so I’m planning on going to that. We have a baptism this Thursday (if all works out) of a single mom and her daughter who were so hard to teach just because of her knowledge of the bible. She was like a missionary of another church and all that jazz, but she received an answer and is going to be baptized.!!!!!!!!!!! Well we had our last practice today for the choir and it should all go well. I need your prayers always but it should be good for President Eyring.

I love you family and friends.

I hope that there are some friends out there too. (hahahah)

But thanks so much for the package because it saved my life. =P

Elder Sutton

P.s. I love smoothies. (hahahahahaha)

Derek with Elder Alonzo

Choir of Angels?

Man I think that I’m just missing out on all the cool stuff now. I think one thing that I’m missing besides my amazing family is Cafe Rio. We definitely need to go there in a year! But man, I missed all the Spanish party at grandma’s house too..... =( But the thing is - they are never going to complete 50 years ever again…. in my head I was there with you guys. So Happy Anniversary Grandparents!!!!!!

Well some cool stuff that happened this week.... we found out the best place to buy smoothies here because they are super delicious. Also we are going to baptize this Saturday if all goes along with the plans. Well also my comp saved my life this week; he knocked a bug off my back that if it peed on me I’d have to go to the hospital etc. so Is owe him my life!!!! (hahah)

OKAY………….

The big news is like this, the president came up to me and asked me this week if I was willing to do something special for the mission. Like the 19th we´re going to go to San Salvador to have a meeting with President Eyring for the dedication... Well he came up and asked me if I had experience in choirs in all that stuff and I said yes.... THANK YOU MRS BIGLER AND MOM!!!! So then he assigned me to make up a special musical number to sing to him and the catch was that I have 1 more practice to practice it. This morning I went and choose anyone from our mission to sing for me. I was kind of strict and stuff but I needed their attention and all that.... BUT man that’s insane!! I´m making a choir to sing for President Eyring!!!!! So I have one more practice and I did the whole American Idol thing and had everyone try out and I listened to them and I used some techniques that Mrs. Bigler taught us and it’s going well. Just need your prayers so it all goes well and all that...

Well I have to go buy some food because it’s late and p-day is done at 5..

But I love you all and I hope that you all are taking pictures too!!!!!! Not just me.

But I got a package so tomorrow hopefully I’ll get a surprise!!!!!!!!!!!

Love you all!!!

Elder Sutton

El Salvador Temple July 2011

El Salvador Temple open house with RaShel Ferrin and other missionaries.

My Friends Are Returning

Man!!! Everyone is coming home right now. Maybe you should have told them just to hang out a little longer in their missions until I got home! I can just imagine the huge party that they all are having right now. I can´t believe that EJ and Bryant and now Grayden are all home. But they didn't sound weird or anything when they were talking???? I feel like they just went out! I would have thought they had an accent, but I guess they haven´t learned their languages as well as I have!!!! JUST KIDDING!!!!! (Don´t go around saying that I said that.) Deal? But yeah I know Elder Hammond really well. He is an awesome missionary!

Grayden; man that kid. But NOOOO, I haven´t gotten anything from him in like 10 months. (Haha) For all I know he fell off the face of the earth!! But that’s really stinky about his surgery. You got to keep me informed how it all goes.

I actually knew that it’s grandma´s birthday tomorrow!?!?! Isn´t that awesome?! I´m getting better at birthdays now that I have my handy dandy guide that you gave me. (hahahah) But someone needs to go and tell her happy birthday for me and then for their anniversary!!! That really is something special that not a lot of people have accomplished - especially here. But

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Well next year I might be able to be there. I sure hope so!!

Well I actually have my card now, and your letter! Haha - you guys are always looking after me. I really haven´t tried it yet. I´m going to try to use it when I go back down to buy some food. =) You guys help me out tons. I still haven´t received my package yet but maybe next week or something. =)

Well this week was super-fast but stressful and long. (hahh) Like we had references from people that went to the temple and our job was to call them and get direccions and if they wanted us to go and visit them. Some of them did want to visit and some didn´t. BUT on the 19 of August, President Eyring and maybe Christofferson are going to come here and talk to all of us as missionaries - like both of the missions! There are going to be TONS of missionaries. I hope there is enough space.

Well right now it’s raining cats and dogs; I think the winter is starting to actually pick up. It’s way better than sweating my brains out. Ask Bryant how hot it is here; I´m sure he´ll tell you how bad it is. Also, yesterday I went to a wedding and baptism of a few investigators and man was that something special. I always love to see how people are changing their lives for the good and how big of a change it is.

Don´t worry I’m not sick or anything. I´m really happy, apart from all the problems that happen. I just try and focus on the good. I challenge all the people that are having problems to go and just think about all of the good and forget the bad. No one likes a pessimist!

But for my hump day - I didn´t do anything.... hahaha… sadly it wasn´t a fun day.. =( It’s one of those stories that I’m going to tell you guys when I get home. (haha) But I’ll just shrug it off and keep on walking; I’m getting really good at walking by now. (hahah)

Well I love you all, and I’m going to go and buy food in the rain.

Read your scriptures.

Elder Sutton

Jumped by a White Woman

Man talk about a crazy story. So I saw Elder Ferrin there at the temple and then all of a sudden a white lady comes up to me and sees my name badge and then tells me that she is going to hug me and that I can’t say no!!! I got jumped by my first white person in the mission. After she explained who she was and that she put my debit card in the mission office, I was OK. (It was Elder Ferrin's mom who had come down to pick him up after his mission.) At the temple I saw a ton of people that I knew!!!! Like just about from every ward that I had been in- even from Apaneca!

Man Taco Time still isn’t done!?!?! You guys need to really get on someone’s case or something because man it’s got to be up when I get back. Where are mom and I going to go to talk about my mission????

OHHHH!!! So Megan is one of those popular kids in the school who all the guys want to date. Now it all makes sense!! But just make sure that she gets their older sisters’ names and numbers so that when I get back I can contact them.. hahaha

Man that really surprised me when i found that out about Malory!!!!!! Man I can’t believe that she thought about being married at 18. Here, that isn’t anything weird. But here they don’t get married; they just live together and then if they have money they get married, if no, then they just have kids... It’s like a past time here. (Haha - that was a bad joke.) No one under the age of 18 can read my letter.. =P But at least she called it all off. I remember before the mission I went to hang out with them a lot. (haha)

Well a little about my area and all that. My comp is Elder Alonzo; he is from Guatemala and he is kind of serious. That’s not too good, but he is a great teacher and a hard worker. He is short and moreno. (I don’t know how to explain that in English. ¿brown? I don’t know.) But my area is pretty close to the beach - like 30 minutes. There are elders in my zone, like Elder Fox, who actually are at the beach. So I’m hoping to do divisions with them one day so that I can see it and take pictures... hahahah Well the members here actually love us because the missionaries have always been good to them here. So hopefully I won’t lose too much weight. My area is Las Delicias. (haha) But we have planned this Saturday 2 baptisms. Pray that they will all go well.

Well I love this area, my calling, the church. When I’m working it all goes by in a flash. I just hope that I enjoy it like I need to. I want it to be a life changing experience for me. And maybe learn to speak Spanish on the way.

HAHAHA - so you’re going to eat lunch with some of the missionary moms.. Well there is one Elder Hossman in the mission, and he is the assistant to the president. Lol - that’s so funny all the things that show up because of the mission.

Plus everyone is coming home!? That’s super crazy.... hahaha I hear Graydon came home for surgery or something. (That’s what Tate said.)

Well luckily I still have a year in the mission. I still have some goals that I haven’t accomplished. I’m praying that I do them. The mission is the perfect way to teach a young man to love. If anything I’m learning to love people - no matter who they are or what they say about me.

Well I love and miss you all. You all individually have taught me something to prepare me for my mission, and I’m thankful for you.

Solo para que sepan, mi español esta mejorando mas que todo con un compañero latino. Y ahora estoy leyiendo todo en español, a veces es mas facil a entender. Jajaj

Les amo!!

Elder Sutton

No AC? You're Spoiled!

That’s so funny that you guys put on your air conditioning and all that. Here someone asked me if I had AC back home and I said yes, like everyone does in one way or another and they were super shocked!! Like it’s not something that anyone has here. Maybe in the richest buildings they have a little of it but really no one has it. You guys are super spoiled. I´m thinking about taking you guys here for a week and making you see how I’m living without anything special!! (hahahah - Spoiled gringos!)

Dad sent me a picture of the Angel Moroni!!! Man the temple looks almost not real with all that’s going on there. So it’s really made out of bricks and stuff like that. It looks like a computer made picture. (hahaha) I sure hope that you all went to go and see it get put up because I’m super jealous!!!!!!!!

Dang, it sounds like Kevin isn´t having the time that he thought he would in the Marines huh? That’s kind of sad though; I’ve been trying to write him and all that but he hasn´t sent me anything back. I don’t know - I can just imagine that it would be really hard. If it’s possible tell him to write me; I got permission from president to write him. Make sure to keep me informed anyway.

It seems like there are tons of people going home this change. Like the entire mission is getting changed into new people, which means that we old guys are getting slowly older and older!!

BUT I did get your package!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH!!! You guys are my favorite ever, you spoil me.. =) I love the candy bars; I’m trying not to eat them too fast, and I’m actually using the shoe laces right this second and the tooth brushes I haven´t used yet... =/

But we did just barely baptize! It was quite awesome; this kid is so funny named Joel. He is 12 and his nephew baptized him.. Yeah his NEPHEW!!! hahah

1 – Tell us all about the El Salvador temple…… (What it’s like, your favorite rooms, etc.)

Well the El Salvador temple is super amazing. It’s not super huge but it very beautiful. It’s like a castle on the hill here. Right as you walk in, there is a picture of Jesus and two Latina girls (I think i told you that). And the baptismal font is super amazing. It’s one of the best I’ve ever seen. Man i sure hope they let us go in for sessions!

2 – Have you been able to take more investigators through the temple and whom?

Well we have been taking tons of people there. We have taken a lot of kids with us too; we just have to pay for the bus. (haha - but sacrifices bring blessings..) =)

3 – Did you receive the box we sent a few weeks ago with the chocolate chips in it? (There actually should be another on the way with a surprise)

Yeah i got it!!!!!!!!!!!! Again muchisimas gracis!!

4 – Who was the most fun person you were able to speak with this week and why?

It would have to be yesterday Hermano Afane. He was called to be a bishop at 19 because he didn´t go on a mission and then he was a bishop for like 13 years! He is awesome; now he is old but he is super rich here. He just sat me down yesterday and we talked about the church and about you guys. Just about everything. Just helping me out with some of my problems that I have and even better - they gave me pancakes!!

5 – Do you have mosquitoes and/or other biting insects that cause you grief? (hahaha-sorry)

Yeah here the mosquitoes are getting super bad!!! It’s because of all of the water and all that but man I got a bite on my hand between my fingers!?!? How weird, but I’m fine. =)

6 – What kind of things do you do as the senior companion – are you kind of like the “big brother”?

Well there is tons of stuff I do. I have to talk on the phone and when we don´t do well, they machete me. (Haha) It’s just more responsibility. Like I need to make sure we have everything planned well and are on task and everything. But the thing is, it really depends on your compañero because there are some that you can just be normal and some that are like babysitting them the whole change. (haha) But that’s how the mission is right? I wouldn´t change my experiences for a million dollars.

WELL FAMILY I HAVE CHANGES AGAIN!!!!!

I´m going to Sonsonate! =/ It’s by the beach and man it’s super-hot there. When Bryant gets home ask him about it and he´ll tell you it’s super-hot! But the good thing is, I might get to go on changes by the beach!!!! That’s my goal. I´m not going to do anything wrong; I just want to see how it is here. =) Same with my comp. He is going there but to another area. I´m go an area delicias (hahah) but I’m going to baptize a ton over there. =D

Well I love you all and I hope that you all are receiving tons of blessings and never forget why we are here. Never give up!!!!! There is always a calm before and after the storm. =)

Love Elder Sutton

El Salvador Temple Opens

Man, the good old days of chilling out in the sun in St. George and going swimming. Well the only thing is that you guys better not stop going there when I get back or I’m going to be super mad. (hahah) So Megan is deciding to take the burned look now!? I bet that looks good on ya.=P (hahah - I’m teasing) But how is the weather up there? I bet it’s super-hot like usual!!!!!

Dang! Why isn´t anyone taking care of dad while I’m gone? I think that is the first accident we have had in a long time in the Sutton family, unless Megan has had any fun experiences since I have left?! I only remember that one time I crashed the green truck into the old high school receiving dock, but I think that did more damage to the stuff in the back of the truck then the truck itself.. (hahah - that truck is a beast!!!!)

1 – Do you ever floss you teeth? (Megan’s question)

Well before this change I would have to say no, but now I bought little tooth flossers from the super market, (crazy, they have tooth flossers but not peanut butter) but now I use them just about every single day. I have to keep up my attractive smile somehow?

2 – Have you found any investigators to take over to the new temple yet?

Well we went last Saturday, and this Friday we have another trip scheduled. I want everyone to pray so that my investigators will all go. We have told just about the whole world here that we are going that day; now they just need to make the time to go with us. But really, I was telling dad, that the temple here is one of the most beautiful things that I’ve ever seen in my life. I looks like a box but in the inside it’s super beautiful. Right as you walk in there is a painting of Jesus Christ hugging 2 Latino children and man it looks so real! The people here are really blessed to finally have a House of the Lord!

3 – Are you about due for companionship changes or will the President leave everything the way it is until he settles in a bit?

Well that’s a fantastic question, changes are the next Wednesday, not this one but the one after. I have absolutely no idea what is all going to happen. This will be the first change of the new president and it will be interesting what he will decide to do. =)

4 – Do you have someone to wash your clothes in this area? Are you a “clean” companion or do you leave a trail everywhere you go? (Mom’s)

Well yeah I have someone to wash my clothes in this area so we´re all good in that aspect and the better part is that she doesn´t work! So she gets our clothes done really fast! I have clean shirts about every single day!!!! Well of course I’m the clean companion! You taught me that way!

5 – Do you do exercises every day (sit-ups, push-ups, etc.) or is your exercise mostly a walking regiment?

Well I play a lot of soccer and that. Sometimes I do pushups and stuff before I take a shower to make the shower not soo cold! But don´t be expecting me to come back all ripped and strong because that’s not going to happen at all!! I´ll work on that when I get back.. =P

Well Bryant is leaving and then there will only be 2 people from Brigham here... sad day, huh? The mission just won’t be the same! The even more dumb part is that I never was in the same zone as Bryant! I still remember when he sent me a letter and while we were driving past that cowboy place.... I don´t remember what that store is called.... SMITH AND EDWARDS!!!! (hahah - just remembered) But he was telling me things I needed to bring and all that. Well at least I know that it’s possible to live through El Salvador and finish my mission huh? =P

Well I don´t have much else super exciting to tell you guys just that the temple here is amazing. Hopefully this Saturday we´ll have 2 baptisms, and I hope that you´re all praying for my investigators. They really need it. =D

Love you all.

ELDER SUTTON

Frogs of El Salvador

Haha – man, this morning Elder Mendenhall told me that it was the 4th of July today but it feels like just another p-day to me... (haha) Sadly they aren´t cool here and don´t celebrate any of our holidays. It’s alright! I´m still loving everything here! It’s so awesome and the rain isn´t super hard so my clothes are just a little muddy. =P BUT! I did actually remember it was Jennifer’s birthday yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

Well I am actually craving some cobbler right now, I’m not going to lie. I’d probably sell all the clothes I’m wearing right now to eat some, but with some vanilla ice cream! (hahah) No worries, the cobbler isn´t going anywhere; I’m only here for another year..... =( It goes so fast.....

Dang! I remember the cool stuff that we do on the 4th of July. Like we used to go fishing and all of that and watch the fireworks. Last year I went to Tasha’s and with all the guys we partied! I think that was it, or the 24th.. (hahah - such a great memory I have huh? I blame my genes.... =P Just kidding, mom and dad.) MAN!!! Plus you’re going to St. George! I remember when we went there and saw Tarzan! Every time someone sings Tarzan here I always think of our last trip there and then the movie we saw. Just so you know, mom and dad, even the little trips that we went on really mean a lot to me and I remember them - the time that we spent together. That’s one thing I’m going to do with my family in like 10 years or more. Go on trips! IT’S AWESOME!

1 – Tell us a little about your new mission president…. (his family, any new rules, etc.)

Well President Cordon... haha well I’d say he is like 180 degrees different then our last president. President Lopez was awesome but more like military strict and President Cordon is more of love us and we work that way. But don´t get me wrong, neither of them are slackers. We are working hard. President Cordon worked in the temple of Guatemala for like years and years and his family are all book worms. They love to read etc. The cool thing is that they know English really well. So if I need to I can speak to them in English, even though i don´t know why... hahah

2 - Do any of the building in your town have air conditioning?

Air conditioning.... well there are places that have like a swamp cooler system, but not many of them. The people here just decide (mainly guys) to pull up their shirts and walk around with their big guts sticking out. Haha - it’s their air conditioning!

3 – Are you still in a house with another companionship?

Yeah I’m with my comp Elder Feliz and then Elder Navarro (from here) and Elder Mendenhall from Alpine, Utah, who played BYU football. =) But everyone can speak English here but Elder Feliz!!! (Elder Navarro went to Belize and learned really well)

4 – Is your companion from a big family? What is his home like in the Dominican Republic?

Well I don´t know a whole ton; he has 1 sister and 1 brother, and his parents are converts. But he got baptized at 8 years. So it’s all that. He says the Dominican Republic is really big. Like bigger then Cuba and here. But it rains a lot there! And there is even a temple there and an MTC! SO the church is pretty well off there!

5 – Do you ever see strange animals like monkeys or anything else there?

Strange animals..... Well not too much because I’m in the city, but we hear lots of frogs at night. Like it’s ridiculous how much of noise they make! Literally overpowering. The hard part is catching the stupid things because like a child, I still like playing with frogs.. ahah I did catch one though and named it like Wilson and I put it in our house and when we came back we lost him and found him out on the back patio! I still haven´t grown out of that yet. I think catching tadpoles and all that is one thing I’m never going to grow out of! Maybe when I get back we can grab the butterfly nets and get some for our pond. =P

Well that’s okay about my new debit card! I´ll wait until Mrs. Ferrin comes then. I have some time! =P I´ll be super excited for my package when it comes though! But I ate one hamburger helper that you guys sent me last night, something with potatoes and cheese or something, (hahah - I don’t know) It was good; I just had to put some barbeque sauce on it. =P The only thing I could want would be some aftershave... I don´t know if you could send me that. If not, I’ll just keep looking here. It’s not a priority at all just something i would like - it can be cheap stuff too.

Well, love you all and I wish you all a super fantastic 4th of July!

ELDER SUTTON

Stranded with the Elders

Bueno, like you guys, it’s started the new season here too. Every day it rains, even though this year is a bad year for the rain, supposedly it’s not a lot - but man, i sure think so. It’s some rain that I’ve never seen before in Utah. It’s like people are dumping buckets out on us! But don´t worry, I’m using my shoes well!

But Amanda actually made it up to the Brigham part??? What is this world coming to??? (haha) I’m just joking, Amanda! But really, I’ll come home back and beat you up! But guess what? Tomorrow I have 11 months in the mission?! HOW FLIPPIN CRAZY!!!! Man I’m getting old and fast. But if anything my body feels like I have 3 years!

1 – How are the twin investigators coming along?

Well that’s the thing, the twins didn´t go to church yesterday so I’m a little bit worried about them. If only they could understand how important that is.. They are really some awesome guys and would be awesome priesthood holders... But I can´t force them. There is always hope and I’m not going to lose that. Sometimes hope is the only thing we have.

2 – Did the bishop’s wife ever end up inviting you for food?

Well actually I have all this time in this area, like more than 2 months, and I’ve never even been let into their house. STILL!! We put like times to go and visit them, but they never are there or they forget and stuff like that. We are supposed to be like the best friends with the bishop and all that but if he doesn’t want to we have to do it on our own.. (hahah) It’s not fun but that’s how it has to be... =/ But it’s alright, I’m still happy, or I try and be happy and overcome my tiredness. (hahahah - don’t worry guys - You know me)

3 – Can you see the North Star from El Salvador? (or what constellations can you see)

Well right now I can´t see any stars or anything, like the clouds are always there but I can see like Mars and Venus and stuff. My comp, elder Marin in Apaneca, would show them to me. But that was in the mountains and now I’m in like a half city kind of thingy. =P

4 – Are the mangos still in season? Do you have avocados and if so do you like them any more than before?

Well the thing is that the mangos all have fallen. =( But I did eat my fair share of them! I think they came out of my eyes! (hahaha) But yeah I like avocados; I eat them like i would mangos - raw with a little of salt. I kind of can´t be picky here or else i don´t eat. I still don´t like tomatoes though, BUT I eat them. (haahahah)

5 – Do they have movie theaters in your city or other larger cities down there?

Well actually the nearest movie theatre is like 2 hours away in bus - in the capital. (Hahah) There used to be one in Santa Ana but not anymore. Everyone just buys pirated movies and all that. So it’s kind of useless here. =P

Well, it’s the goodbye of President Lopez! This Tuesday he turns over all the keys (physically and spiritually) to President Cordon! Man, so we had like a little meeting with him on Friday to say goodbye and he actually started to cry?!?! Never ever thought that he would cry.. He is one of those tough, macho guys. But it’s what has to happen. I will miss him, but change is good. If anything I’m learning to adapt with changes and just do my best. Even he said at the he hasn´t done exactly the best he could but he tried really hard and was an awesome president. It will be different to adapt to the new guy but I’m willing to do it. =)

But about the rain - STORYTIME....

On Thursday, day, before the meeting with President Lopez, I went to some other elders’ area to help them out with some stuff and work with them (Elder Hale and Elder Melgar) and it was awesome; we had a blast! Then it started to rain... And man did it rain. Then this rain caused us to slow down and before we knew it the last bus to my area had left!!!! I was stuck with them.. So we decided what the heck let’s finish working then worry about it. So after all of that (during the downpour!!!) we decided, ok... we´re wet, tired and hungry. Why not go to a restaurant in his area and buy some huge pupusas called pupusas locas! But the problem was the rain; so we went to his house and dropped off all our valuables and took off our shoes and put on sandals, rolled our pants up and took off in the rain!! By the time we got there it was relentless, the rain! Like streams in the street.. But we ate the pupusas which were really good. On our way back we decided to play in the rain and passed by a pond with frogs and ran all around. By the time we got back we were cold, shivering, and full. So at that point we had to figure out - A. how were going to get to the meeting the next day BUT have new cloths.. and B. where we were going to sleep. We solved the A. part by getting up at 3:30 in the morning, and the B. part by sleeping on 2X4´s and using leahonas (magazines). Man that was the most uncomfortable night I’ve ever experienced!!!

But there is a fun day in the life of Elder Sutton!

HOPE YOU ENJOYED:…. that’s all folks!