Elder Cook was absolutely incredible

Elder Cook was absolutely incredible, he spoke about building up wards and branches and helping every single person to increase their faith in Jesus Christ. he bore testimony that he knows the sound of Christs voice and he knows what His face looks like. So that was awesome to hear and it was really cool to be able to shake his hand. He is just a happy little old guy, he does look a lot older in person. But it is super awesome, the experience was amazing and my testimony of living prophets has been increased significantly. 

interchange with Elder Harris!

me with elder harris

elder poroj who was my latino friend in the mtc

with family martinez and I bought a big bible for the mom, the son is a recent convert 

Bautismo‏

Nathan's zone

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Hey everybody!!! 

I hope everyone had an awesome week because I am doing great and I am loving my mission!

I had an interview with President Hintze this wednesday which was super awesome, I know that I will be going to a different country in 6 months or less so I know it will be good. Here I come Belize! Sunshine and Reggae!

So this week I have been blessed with good health other than athletes foot, I had that for about two days and it was terrible. My foot felt like it was on fire the whole day, but sometimes I enjoy pain and I [gloried in my tribulations[ as the prophet Paul said. So I worked through that whole deal and it was super good, we worked super hard this week and we had a baptism on Sunday of Hna. Sofia Linares. So that was an awesome experience, I performed the baptism. 

Last monday this barber decided to ignore my instructions on how to do my hair, I clearly explained to him that my hair is a little bit different than Latino hair and that I wanted it done a little bit differently. But, they disregarded my instructions and I was very unhappy with him, it was tempting to only pay 50 cents instead of the full dollar, but I paid. 

I also was fed liver with onions, I have tried to eat everything that is given to my in teh mission, but I only could eat half of the liver. I apologized to the lady but I could just not finish it off, it crossed a line for me, the line of disgust, I did not throw up or get sick. But that taste lingered in my mouth and it is something that I will NEVER eat again. 

My companion is a good guy, but he cut out his ingrown toenail in the house of this people we are teaching and that left an absolutely terrible impression. I was appalled, I tried to understand why he did not do that in our own house. I expressed my displeasure with that decision, but Elder Gallardo felt justified in what he did. I will never understand why he did that in the house of those people, but I am learning a lot about patience and tolerance. 

It was a great week, Elder Cook is coming to El Salvador this week. It should be an awesome week and I am so excited to be in the work of the Lord helping other people to improve their lives. I love you all and hope you have an amazing week and do something to make someone else smile. 

With love,. 

Elder Nathan Gardner

Central‏

Nathan's New District-

Elder Gallardo, Elder Harris, Elder Kaufusi (he will play BYU football), Elder Abilez, Pineros, burris, torres, erickson, burris, melendez, herrera, riasco, and hermana cordero and chappa. 

Elder Travis Haynes from same stake in Nampa, Idaho- always good to see a little bit of home!

 
 (left) Nathan loving his papuses
(above) burning

New Companion- Elder Gallardo from Puru only eats fruits and vegetables

  Elder Kaufusi 


I got changed areas.....again! I am know in Barrio Central of Zona Layco, I have now entered into possible the most dangerous part of my mission. So this should be fun;) I am excited with a new set of challenges and a new group of people to work with. My new companion is named Elder Gallardo from Peru. I am really busy now with my new responsibilities as zone leader, but I am enjoying missionary life and still having fun. 

In my area, Central, this is a part called Centro. Centro is the black market of San Salvador, it is humungous, filthy, loud, and absolutely crazy. They sell just about everything there but it is all stolen so that is a little concerning. There are a ton of vendors in the streets and little stands everywhere selling everything from pineapple to discount bras, so it is a little crazy. The most interesting store I've seen this week is a store that was selling stolen electronics and was blaring Sweet Home Alabama in these huge speakers, I haven't heard that song in a while but it was just a funny little sight to see that. 

I also saw this guy who walks around selling gatorade, what he did is he stole a pallet of gatorade off this truck that was stuck in traffic and he started walking around screaming 2 gatorades for a dollar. So that was pretty funny, I was almost tempted to buy because that was a really good price and I couldn't do it because it is obviously wrong. So centro is absolutely crazy. 

This week I stood on a scale and the scale made me pale when I realized I have gained 20 pounds in the mission. I may have to cut myself off from pupusas officially, if not I may ask my mom to sign me up for the Biggest Loser for when I come home. People always give me coke, pupusas, and pan dulce which is basically sugar bread (is really good), but I feel like I may have to start rejecting ppl when they offer me these things.

I am doing great, I am always learning more about myself, the gospel, and how to work with other people and how to help them. The mission is a growing process and I have definitely seen some self improvement in myself. I am grateful for the opportunity I have to be a missionary, to serve others, and to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. I invite all of you to read the Book of Mormon and be baptized if you haven't already, I have seen people's lives change as they live according to the teachings of Jesus Christ. 

I hope all of you have an awesome week, I love you all and hope that all of the new year resolutions haven't flopped already.

Elder Nathan Gardner

Elder Gardner with a pianata Santa?  

Zona Layco

Elder Gardner is sad to leave his greenie Elder Perez and the people of his area that he has been with for 4 months. He has had great success in this area, made many great friends and learned by example from many diligently serving in this ward. He loves the people of this area.  He is heading off to be a zone leader in Zona Layco.