"Stranded on a Sandbar"

So my clothes are taking a toll with all the walking and sweating we do...and also you will be very disappointed to know that a pen exploded in my pocket this week haha wow I'm dumb...but its all good, they are fine.

The work is going good though, we taught a sweet family (the Ferrands). Its a brother and a sister who are so freaking nice! They were so receptive and so willing to listen to the gospel. and even though a lot of people are willing to listen. Usually we just walk up to an open door of a house, and doors are always open cuz of the heat, and we say "TO-to-to" the English equivalent of "knock knock knock" and then they let us in too teach, but don't accept what we say. This family, though. loved what we had to say, and we made baptismal dates....I think I'm only gonna be able to do one email a week, but ill send a letter today.

In response to some of our questions, Andy wrote:

If the walk is so far, why don't you ride bikes? I think its cuz they would probably get stolen...but honestly it would be a good idea. It really messes with schedule...because after studying in the morning its about 11(cuz of language) but if we left to go knock doors we would have to walk a half hour and we would have to walk a half hour back for lunch (we dont have enough funds to eat out every night) I think its ok though cuz we usually just make phone calls from 11 to 12 to set up appointments and get members to come (it really is so much better to teach with members, not only is it more powerful but now that investigator has a friend at church other than the missionaries). But the time from 11 to 12 gives us time to make our day more efficient, and then we just skip dinner...so it ends up working out alright. Elder Garotta has really got the branch going, last week we had as many member lessons as the entire district combined; he is a great missionary.

Tell us about the food. I have not had too much of the creole food cuz we usually make our own, but elder garotta makes some mean pasta that is SO good...he also made some boquets the other day ( i don't know if that is something found only here or other places as well) ...we were able to eat at a members house (President Gardel) and they served this awesome creole soup bouillon...it was amazing...unfortunately I have no idea what was in it but a lot of spices...I'm loving cooking though, I have learned how to make a lot from Elder Garotta...and I have even made a few things...we made your chili mom as well as your apricot chicken...we don't have the best cooking stuff so that one turned out kinda...different..oh and i made some money banana pancakes!

Tell us about your living arrangements. The house has three rooms, our kitchen and our bedroom, and then one 10 by 8 bathroom, that is probably the most efficient bathroom I have ever seen. You can be going to the bathroom and showering at the same time. It doubles as both...its cool too cuz its self cleaning.

Tell us about the branch. We have about 15 active members. the primary consists of one family...the Vautiers she has 5 boys who are sweet. This one kid he just turned 12 is tight. He doesn't make me feel too retarded when I speak to him in my french so i have made buddies with him. He is smart though, he speaks a little English and Spanish, and he speaks perfect french! Can you believe that! French is a hard language. Anyways...I told him I have a sister a little younger than him..Ashley? mwhahaha...but then there are a few other members that are good. President Gardel is the man. He helps us tons with member lessons, and never turns us down when we ask. He speaks such slurred french though; I have never had a conversation with him because I can never understand him (je ne comprends pas!). It is a good ward, and the members are very friendly with the investigators we bring. We had 5 last week but it should have been more. Oh and the primary had their primary program yesterday which consisted of four kids, two ladies who spoke, and me playing the piano for their songs.

Is the French spoken proper french or more of a creole? I don't want to talk to much about the french haha...its so bad...the adult people that have moved to Guadeloupe from France or something I can understand pretty well, but kids my age or people that have lived here there whole life I can't understand at all. Even after I tell them I don't speak creole and they speak in french, it is tough...Elder Garotta is teaching me some creole now though, but all in all I'm progressing pretty well.

When does Elder Garotta go home? Is he still the man? haha Its true I suppose; its easy to love your companion for the first week but once you get comfortable with each other its not as good...but not us...he is still sweet, he is a goofball. I took him on a run this morning that was pretty far haha and he kept freaking out at me that we should turn around and go back after about 20 minutes, but then i talked him into believing that although how hard you work during your mission decides your blessings after mission, the workout time and how hard you work then decides how pretty of girl you marry...haha he was all for the run now..no joke that is the only reason he kept going.

Have you had your stitches removed? yea it really was not a big deal at all...they are out and I don't think i have a scar haha I'm a spaz.

I don't remember if I told you last week but our two zone leaders are both football players going to BYU and Utah when they get home...they said president is maybe going to let us watch that game (their dad or someone will send it) I would have a heart attack if we got to see that...cross your fingers