13 February 2017 - Week 68

Not a bad week. So nothing super exciting to write home about. We had another really good lesson with our investigator. She is definitely progressing. They took us out to eat at a really nice Italian restaurant! So that was cool. It was kinda funny and super ironic to teach the word of wisdom while stuffing our faces at an Italian restaurant... but it was still a really good lesson! I'm super excited for her. We had another death in the twig so we held another funeral. Because of that, family was in town, so there was an unusual amount of people at church. We ran out of the sacrament by one cup!! So annoying!! So we had to bless it again just for one cup! But its fine. V-Day is on Tuesday..... definitely not a fun one on the mission.... but it's whatever. Thanks for all the support from everyone! Love yall. -Elder John M. Gilbert

6 February 2017 - Week 67

Awesome week. We were able to have  another lesson with Kristy. We taught them the 3rd lesson. She had just had tooth problems and we were able to give her a blessing. She asked me to say it and I don't remember what I said (I never do) but when I finished there were tears everywhere so I guess it was good. She said that her nausea went away immediately after the blessing. We had zone conference this past week which was pretty cool to be able to see everyone. But yeah, I got to break in the new camera this week which I'm super exited about it! I'll attach some pics to this and thanks for all the support from everyone! Talk you y'all next week. -Elder John M. Gilbert

30 January 2017 - Week 66

Awesome week! There is one young women in our branch. So we usually go and help out every Wednesday for young women. We show up this past wed and nobody is there.... We decided to hang out for a few min to see if anyone shows up. So we kinda wait around and check up on some referrals we had, double checking their addresses. And someone randomly knocks on the door to the church. The man tells us that he is less active and he just recently got married about 2 months ago and his wife is not a member but in interested in taking the lessons. Turns out she's just waiting in the car, so we invite them in and give them a tour of the church. We continue with an almost 2 hour long restoration lesson. It was super awesome, super spiritual,  there were tears everywhere. We were able to meet up with them on Saturday as well and teach the Plan of Salvation. It was another really good lesson! I am super exited for this couple! Elder Standifird is the man! He is a great missionary and we are really figuring out how to teach really well together. I'm super exited for this upcoming week! Thank you for all that you do. -Elder John M. Gilbert

23 January 2017 - Week 65

Good week! 

So I had a weird but super spiritual experience this past week. So the branch here is super small and we are basically the only priesthood. So a member of the branch past away last week (I didn't get to meet him). The funeral was Saturday and it was the branch president and us that dressed him. One of the most spiritual experiences of my mission. I could literally feel him and feel his gratitude and for my service when I didn't even know him.

Then earlier today we went to the Blue Bell Ice Cream Factory! Which was super cool! There are only 2. One here in Sylacauga and one in Texas. It was awesome! They have a whole parlor upstairs and a huge scoop of ice cream is only 1 dollar and there's no tax lol so we might be stopping by there more often :P 

   

But yeah, those were the highlights of my week. Hope all is well :)

         

Your missionary, -Elder John M. Gilbert

17 January 2017 - Week 64

Apologies y'all! Elder Gilbert sent this last week and I forgot to post it...

Crazy week! So i am now in Sylacauga, AL its just south of Talladega where that huge race is! This town is very different from all my other areas. Its super old, it feels like it's been here forever! umm there is a Blue Bell Ice Cream factory here! So that's coo!! umm My companion is Elder Riley Standifird! He is the man. We are having fun out here in the middle of nowhere!!

9 January 2017 - Week 63 - Another Transfer!

Elder Gilbert surprised us with news this week... he has been transferred! He has now been moved to Sylacauga, Alabama! It is in Tallageda County, south and east of Birmingham. He transferred on Wednesday, very quickly, so hopefully we will get more details this Monday. He just said he is alive (!) and that he kinda likes the new area. We hope by now he loves his new area and his new comp :) Thanks to you all and we'll post more info as it comes - have a great week!!

Oh, and for those of you viewing this Blog on your phones, sometimes the sidebar can't be seen... here is his new address:

Elder John Michael Gilbert

2301 Motes Rd, Apt #210

Sylacauga, AL  35150

:)

26 Dec 2016 and 2 Jan 2017 - Weeks 61 and 62

Hello Dear Friends!! It was wonderful to get to skype with Elder Gilbert on Christmas day!! He looks and sounds great - our special thanks to the Pimentel Family for showing the Elders such a fabulous Christmas and once again opening up their home to our boys :) Elder Gilbert says a big thank you for all the Christmas gifts and wishes - he hopes y'all liked the Christmas Cards he and the other Elders put together. He didn't write a blog for this last week - they are busy working hard in Fulton and getting back into the regular routine. He may have already mentioned, but in case he didn't... Elder Gilbert has been made a District Leader, so he is responsible for three other sets of Elders - he checks in with them, makes sure everyone is OK and on track. He says this is keeping him busy! Anyway, we are grateful he is doing well and we just keep encouraging him to keep at it - he has 42 more weeks! We are finally in the year in which he will come home :) :) :) Our love and thanks to you all - Happy New Year!!!