So as you can probably tell, my P-Day is on Saturday, not on a weekday. It's pretty nice to get this break just three days after entering the MTC, because these past few days have been TIRING AS HECK. So yeah. You guys can expect my letter every Saturday while i'm here, most likely in the afternoon. Sorry to keep you guys waiting so long, but that's when I have the most time to write it.
I know y'all are probably pretty anxious to hear who my companion is. His name is Elder Hopkins, and he's GREAT. He's from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and has such a strong testimony of the gospel. We get along just fine, and we already have a bunch of inside jokes and stuff. He's going to Pittsburgh too, which I'm beginning to find out is a bit of a rarity. We have two other roommates, Elder Kaopua and Elder Groesbeck, who are the only other guys we know of that are going to Pittsburgh. I LOVE all of these guys. It's pretty easy to talk to them, and we definitely have fun in our apartment.
The people in my district are super awesome as well!! I don't want to tell you all of their names, because they won't mean anything to you, but here are the highlights:
- We have an elder, Elder Dorius, who is 6'10". He makes me feel TINY. He played basketball for Utah State before he came out here. And I BELIEVE it.
- One of the sisters in my district was in my singles ward at BYU, Sister Milne. I didn't talk to her a lot at school, but it was nice to see a familiar face. She's super cool.
- Another girl in my district, Sister Laulusa, looked SUPER familiar, but I couldn't figure out why. Turns out I talked to her in the waiting room of the Student Health Center when I was getting my physical for my mission. Small world. She's awesome as well. I honestly just love everyone in my district. We're the best one, hands down (no bias whatsoever.)
- Elder Hopkins and I are the only ones in our district who are going to Pennsylvania.
Sooo I got made Senior Companion?? I don't really know what that means? All I know is that Elder Van Pelt wanted to be made Senior companion in the Best Two Years. So I guess that's a good thing?? I haven't had any responsibilities yet, which I'm TOTALLY okay with.
Yesterday me and Elder Hopkins had the opportunity to teach our teacher for the second time. She was pretending to be an investigator named Katie, so it was kinda scary. It was pretty cool, though, and I think we KILLED IT. We even committed her to baptism, assuming she gains a testimony of the Book of Mormon before that date. I know it's all pretend, but it still made me feel pretty good. It seemed like me and Elder Hopkins were totally in sync, which was AWESOME.
Our district went to the temple this morning, which was great!! It was my first time being in the Celestial room of the Provo temple, and I was NOT dissapointed. My heart has sorta been in turmoil these past few weeks, so it was SO NICE to feel the peace of being in the temple. Oh, and did I mention that the food in the Provo temple cafeteria is THE BEST EVER OH MY GOSH. I was so full this morning. No complaints here. It was GREAT.
I'm not gonna pretend that it's been all fun and games since I got here. The first day was SO HARD. I feel like there are so many things to remember, and so many rules that I don't know about. When I finally laid down in bed after the first day, I was thinking things, "What the heck am I doing here?" It's hard to believe that a few days ago, I was chilling in California, watching Netflix and BYU Sports Nation. I still have little moments of panic, but that's to be expected. I'm hoping that as the days progress, I'll gradually start to get accustomed to the MTC. And by the time that happens, I'm sure it'll be time for me to go. JUST MY LUCK.
Oh, and for your information, I can eat just fine now, and it's the BEST FEELING EVER. It was a little hard on the first day, but now I'm eating just like I normally would. The food here at the MTC is SO GOOD. I understand why people say that they gained like 10 pounds in the MTC. I just wish they would give us more time to eat it. You know how slow of an eater I am.
Sleeping was difficult for the first couple of days as well, probably because it's like freaking ANTARCTICA in my room. I swear, I saw a couple penguins waddling around. But I wore tons of clothing last night, and that seemed to help. Idk HOW IN THE WORLD I'm gonna be able to survive in chilly Pennsylvania.
Also, I have all of my classes in the new MTC Buildings. MAN, they are so beautiful. Like, temple beautiful. The Spirit is so strong in there, and every other part of the MTC, for that matter. Our Branch president said that we are the first branch to be started in the new buildings. So yeah. I'm making history. They might as well just name the building after to me now. Jacob Gonzales Building. Has a nice ring to it, don't you think??
I see people that I know EVERYWHERE, which has made the transition just a little bit easier. i saw Alex Aguilar in the bookstore on Thursday, which was pretty cool. He's doing pretty good, but he told me that he's never worked harder in his life. I also saw my college roommate, Isaac, at the temple today and in the temple. And Nicole, my FHE sister. And that's just naming a few. I seriously see people I recognize like every 5 minutes, which is nice.
Well, that's all I've got for right now. I miss you!! Thank you so much for your Dear Elder letter!! I got all of my letters today, and had a grand old time reading through them. I love you!!
Elder Gonzales
JOOHHHHNNNN
I know that you're undoubtedly gonna read Mom's email, so I'm not gonna mention any of the stuff that I wrote there. Sorry buddy. Doesn't mean I love you any less. Maybe I'll just start sending it to you too from here on out. We'll see.
Thanks for your Dear Elder letters!! All of the missionaries in my room were jealous when they saw the massive stack I got. For whatever reason, I didn't get any of them until today, but no complaints here. It was fun reading them back to back to back. Reading those letters honestly made my day. Now I understand why missionaries love letters so much. They're honestly the best things ever.
Also, thanks for keeping me updated on the French Open!! Nadal vs. Thiem is gonna be SO GOOD. Thiem is the only person to beat Nadal on clay this year, so it'd be cool to see him do it again. I wish I could watch it. Wawrinka vs. Murray is gonna be EPIC as well. My money's on Wawrinka. When he's playing well, the dude is an absolute POWERHOUSE. I think he's capable of beating Nadal in the final. He beat Djokovic a couple years ago, which was one of the best matches that I've ever had the pleasure of watching in my life. Be sure and watch them for me!! and don't forget to email me on Sunday with who the Champion is. I'll be able to read it on my tablet, I just won't be able to reply.
Anyways, I have no time. Thanks for being the bestest brother in the whole wide world. I love you and miss you!! Think of me every time you see the ping pong paddles on the table.
Elder Gonzales
1) I saw Alex Aguilar in the bookstore my second day here!! Don't mind my Companion photo bombing us in the background hahaha
2) My Companion and I found the best studying spot, with a perfect view of the Peruvian flag. I approve.
3) Me and Elder Hopkins, my Companion. He's from OKC.
4) My amazing district. We're the best. Just saying.
Sorry I don't have enough time to write a super long email today!! Hopefully you enjoy these pictures, though!! Having a blast up here!!
Elder Gonzales
