No se

So I know I need to finish up my average day at the MTC however I decided to talk about Thanksgiving in the MTC because that is more rare and was really quite good.

They serve you a little breakfast which most of our district just slept through or just waited until the Thanksgiving Feast. At 10:00 we had a devotional with Elder Russell M. Nelsen. His wife spoke too about we need to drop everything and do what the Lord asked. Using Nephi, Joseph Smith and Elder Nelsen as good examples and Parley P. Pratt as a bad one for one season. Then Elder Nelsen spoke a lot about different meanings of words and how they mean praise to God; however he first said, "I'm thankful for your parents and families, and if you don't take any other notes just be sure to write that down, 'Elder Nelsen is grateful for my family.'" He concluded by having us listen to the song "Alleluia" by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Men, which only had one word in it. It was powerful. We then ate our Thanksgiving dinner which tasted fine.

On our way back to the gym where they hold the devotionals and such a Hermana in our Zone stopped us and asked if I could play the piano for their special musical number on Sunday the song, "I Need Thee Every Hour" so I've been practicing that whenever I have had time because I haven't played it before.

Anyways we then had a meeting about service and how awesome the church is in giving service all over the world. Then told us how we were going to serve today so we made a bunch of "emergency kits" and they gave us an hour and half to do it we finished in a half an hour so I rewarded myself with a nap.

We then had the opportunity to go listen to the MTC president's wife and she had us do a skit about Thanksgiving which was funny, we sang "Over the Hills and Through the woods," and then a few of the missionaries got to say what they are grateful for and come up with a hymn to go with it which we sang a verse of. And that was only half of the MTC because the other half was doing the service project. So then the other half came in and the MTC presidency handed out popcorn to all of us and told us we were allowed to take our suit coats off. Which that was the biggest way of excitement that had happened thus far. We then watched 17 Miracles which all the missionary were all so crazy. Because we haven't seen a Moive in so long it was fun.

I ran into Elder Chris Kohler and Elder Josh Purser today.

I'm grateful for my Savior and the Chance to serve a mission.

Have a Wonderful day

Elder Gillespie

Could I get Elder Heiss's address?

Could I also get a Conference Ensign?

One thing I discovered this week was my name is the English translation for the name Jacob. I thought that was pretty cool.

So a little more on Elder Parker. He is white, he doesn't like the ocean, and he doesn't like Hawaii. Like he doesn't like it that there is no where to go. He is from Oahu Central. And I'm asking him what he wants everyone to know and he says, "um mm eh.... Probably that...that I'm blind, and his brother has a double major in film and psychology." Anyways he is super funny to listen to. He enjoys music a lot and art work.

So I weighed in yesterday and I'm at 179.

Elder Wells and I joined choir on Sunday and that was super funny the director was fantastic. He made jokes all over the place. He told us this poem,

One day when you're kissing your honey

And your nose gets a little runny

You might think it is funny

But it's not.

I'm now the priesthood piano player- I played battle hymn of the republic and found out that in Spanish there is four verse because I just stopped after three and people kept playing.

At our district meeting Elder Parker and I taught a lesson about Prophets and we did it basically on the spot and did really well. It helped that it was in English. :)

Ok and Real quick for some reason Dear Elders can not write the following symbols, " ' Why? I don't know but they all come up as question marks just so you know. And I can only check Email once a week just so you know.

Ok so a day at the MTC

6:30 wake up and get ready or go to gym and then come home and get ready.

Then if it is a gym day you go to breakfast if it is a get ready day is is go to class and then breakfast.

After you go to class for personal study

Then a teacher comes and you have different things you do. But mostly they talk Spanish at us.

Then Lunch and we then get the mail.

And my 30 minutes is almost up so I'm going to stop there.

So Have a wonderful day.

Elder Gillespie

Still here

So I thank you for your letters and dear Elders and I encourage using these methods because we get them sooner and they are treasured items.

So with Elder Merrill's challenge I weigh right now 175 pounds just so everyone knows.

We taught our investigator Tomas and he is getting baptized on Dec 3rd; however these are our teachers that are investigating. I played soccer played on defence and I did well I got a couple of steals and ran the ball all the way down the field, and then lost it. I haven't played soccer since elementary I'm pretty sure but it was way fun. I got kicked in the shin really hard- ended up a nice big bloody mess on my leg but I got the ball away and I'm pretty sure our team scored off of that goal.

My companion is our district leader which only really means he picks up the mail.

ummm I was looking for a story to tell and I asked Elder Wells what to say so I am telling the story of the platanosaurus rex

So out of habit from high school I have been taking fruit with me after lunch just to eat later. In high school I all ways took an apple however I've been appled out. So I have been taking a banana instead and just keep it in my suit pocket. So I whip it out after class and Elder Wells was so shocked. So may people in our district have started caring bananas around with them, and one day I drew a dinosaur wearing the shirt, "I # NY" and so then Elder Parker drew a picture of a Banana that looks like a dinosaur so it become the platanosaurus rex- which platano es banana.

Life's good- foods fine- I'm learning Spanish.

Yup- write letters I'll respond on Fridays.

Have a wonderful day

Elder Gillespie

First e-mail from the MTC: 11-5-11

I'm here and that's about it- my companion's name is Elder Parker. He's from Hawaii. I have run into Hermana Graham many times. Elder Merrill and Elder Pierce once, y Elder Smith a couple of times. It's busy here I'm kind of sleepy. I'm on the top bunk and my pillow fell off onto the ground in the middle of the night and I didn't want to get down to get it- but I finally did because it was rough.

We're teach Tomas in Spainsh that's fun.

Steven, I like the food and Elder Merrill challenged me to gain 50 pounds and break the record- which is 30.

Well I really don't have much to say. Spainsh is rough but I understand it speaking is a different world.

To Houston, Jack, Chris, Josh, Derek and everyone else coming in shortly

First, you don't need to bring scriptures in the language that you are learning they give you those and give you Preach My Gospel as well in Spanish or German or whatever.

Second, I echo what Elder Pierce says in having air fresher because the food does cause much gas.

Third, bring all your ties that can be worn on a mission because even if you don't like them someone here will and ties are traded like crazy.

Fourth, if you want to write someone make sure you have their addresses.

Fifth just know regardless if you have a one suit mission or a x number of suit mission you are required to wear your suit all the time- every class every day. I don't know other than just know that it is going to happen.

I like my district.

Feel free to write

Yo no se

Have a Wonderful day

Elder James Gillespie

MTC Mailbox # 254
CHI-ANT 0103
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793