How are you?? I hope that your week has been SUPER exciting and that you're continuing to enjoy your vacation. I hope you know that I think about you every day (not in a homesick sort of way, but more in a gratitude sort of way). Thanks for being the awesome mother that you are.
Independence Day was pretty interesting. I only saw one firework, and thats because I was looking out my window for a good 10 minutes, just waiting to see one. I feel like if I didnt see at least one, it wouldn't have been a successful fourth of July. We celebrated with a member in our ward, Sister Herbert, since Independence Day just so happens to be her birthday. We had originally intended to go out to eat with her, but she sort of dropped a bomb on us and told us we would be eating with her son and his wife. So yeah. We went there. It was pretty interesting, to. Say the least. They are basically hippies, and have a bazillion different animals running around. It smelled like weed. I was a little nervous, to be quite honest. But the Comforting aspect of the Spirit is VERY real. I can testify of that. The food they gave us was actually pretty good, so I can't complain. My companion is allergic to dairy, so every time they would look away, he would sneak his buttered rolls onto my plate haha.
We have been teaching an investigator family, the Mahers. They look like the stereotypical Mormon family already, it's so crazy. We talked to them about the Book of Mormon during our last visit, and about how the Holy Ghost can manifest the truth of it to them. We asked them if they had felt anything comparable to the Holy Ghost before, and Kellie, the mother, talked about how she had felt an overwhelming feeling of peace when her first child was born, despite the fact that there were many complications. It was a great spiritual moment. We then proceeded to give Lezli, the father's mother, a blessing, and she started crying. Probably my favorite lesson I've experienced so far. The spirit was so strong, practically tangible. I hope they continue to progress. The gospel would bless their lives so much.
We had a member present at that lesson, an awesome woman named Mama Dirle. She was the one who referred the Mahers to us After we were done, she called us and told us that we did a great job. But this was the part that got to me: she told me that I was amazing, and that I was speaking by the Spirit, and that no one would have been able to tell that I was a new missionary. That really touched me, because I've been somewhat self conscious about my teaching ability. So yeah. She's awesome.
On Friday, we had the opportunity to meet with our new mission president and his wife. They were absolutely AWESOME. He's a big college sports fan, which is going to make Zone Conference interviews SWEET. President Bednar has a rock solid testimony, and I can tell that he genuinely loves each of the missionaries. He knew each of us by name and where we were from, and was joking around with us and stuff. I'm sure I'm going to get to know them REALLY well over these next two years. We're basically starting our missions at the same time. He even said that he was going to try to get his uncle Elder Bednar to come and visit us within the next several months. Um. Yes PLEASE.
I had my weirdest lesson yet, with an old man named Bobby Hulshuzer. He requested a Bible from church headquarters, and as a result, we got to deliver it to him!! It went nothing like I anticipated. We had the lesson outside, because he didn't want us in his apartment. Apparently he doesn't have any couches or anything. He's sorta like a wilderness man, and has a strange personality. He's convinced that he is one of God's elect, and that he's already saved, and that he receives constant revelation. He also said that he rebukes people on the street. Idk. I had no idea what to tell him. Fortunately, Elder Marcum was super calm and answered all of his questions with such precision and confidence. We discussed the Restoration with him, and he was really interested. We're going to continue reading the Book of Mormon with him. Idk. We'll see what happens. The Spirit can work some mighty miracles, but He has His work cut out for Him with this one.
I got your package the other day!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! All that stuff I mentioned that I need in the last letter... Don't even worry about it. You've done more than enough. Did I mention I love you??
I spend most of my time on a bike. It sucks,Ike I mentioned before. But I'm getting the hang of it. It doesn't bother me as much as it did last week.
Things are going great with my companion!! He's totally different from me. We just see the world in different ways. But we haven't had any arguments yet, which is great. I've just been focusing on learning as much as I can from him. Obviously there are some things about him that annoy me. But he's such a great teacher and I'm blessed to have him.
We get like 3 or 4 dinner appointments a week, so not too bad. There is a woman in our ward named Sister Reeves who brings us food every Tuesday, but not just for one meal. She basically just buys groceries for us for the whole week. SHE'S AMAZING. Our apartment is stocked with food and snacks. She also buys us laundry detergent and toiletries and stuff. And she pays for all of this out of her pocket. I think she's an extreme coupon or something. Either way, I'm beyond grateful for her generosity.
I can't believe my plaque is on the wall!! WOW. It's crazy to think that!! Did you like the scripture I chose?? I still don't really understand why I chose it.
I love you Mom!! Thanks for all that you do!! Don't worry about me!! I think I'm starting to get the hang of this whole missionary thing (said no one ever).
Love,
Elder Gonzales
I still can't get that image of you with red hair out of my mind
Jooohhhhnnnn!!
Thanks for keeping me updated with stuff about Roger. I wish I could adequately express just how much I appreciate it. I can't believe he lost in his first match back after the French Open, and then proceeded to win Halle. That dude is crazy. And he's in the Round of 16!! That match up against Grigor Dimitrov is NOT easy. But he can do it. Hopefully next Sunday you have some good news for me, and Roger will have won his 19th major.
I considered allowing you to give me spoilers for the new Spider Man Homecoming movie buuuuuut.... Then that would kill the surprise for me when I got home!! So yes. No spoilers please. I'm glad you liked it, though. I'm sure it was absolutely wonderful. The song "Time to Pretend" was stuck in my head all morning. So thanks for that lol.
Sounds to me like things with this Sarah Rebecca girl are moving pretty fast. I hope you know what you're doing. Don't rush into things. But at the same time, if this is the one, don't you dare let her go. Wait. Is her last name Rebecca?? Or is that her middle name?? It's sorta weird that I dated a Rebecca, and now you're dating one, kinda.
I want to know how your ukulele playing is going!! I'm probably gonna buy a cheap one while I'm out here, to hold me over for two years. I don't want you guys to send me mine and risk having it be destroyed. If I could, I would buy one today. But when you're on bikes all the time, you kinda just go wherever the person driving takes you. It sucks. I have all this stuff to buy, but haven't had an opportunity to buy any of it yet.
Would you mind sending me pictures of all of the ukulele chords I have in my Ruth O. Harris folder?? Or you could just send me the folder, but that would cost too much money. No rush or anything. The last thing I want to do is make you feel entitled to do something just because I requested it.
That Neato Burrito place looks like a hole in the wall. Which basically makes me wanna try it even more. But Elder Marcum doesn't want to get food poisoning. Can't say I blame him.
Good luck on your Librarian test!! You've got this son.
Glad you had a good 4th. Thanks for the pictures!! Love you!!
Hey Everyone!!
I can't believe it's already been a MONTH!! Like, WUT?? Time has just flown by!! I'm absolutely loving Pennsylvania, especially the great diversity of people that are here. You'd be astonished to hear just HOW MANY people I've talked to over these past two weeks (I not actually know the answer, but needless to say, it's A LOT). They are all unique in their own ways, and I love each and every one of them. Even the ones that slam their doors in my face. Yup. Especially them. I hope you're all having a terrific week!! Thanks for your letters and prayers!! You have NO IDEA how much I appreciate them!!
Oh, and happy late Independence Day!!
Elder Gonzales
520 Reno St. #6
New Cumberland, PA 17070
1) Standing on the banks of the Susquehanna River. No, not the EXACT spot where the priesthood was restored, but close enough lol.
2) We went to this city 4th of July celebration. Unfortunately, it was really quiet and reverent, so we couldn't go around proselyting. Next time. Just wait.
3) Having fun with an adorable old woman, Sister Herbert. Her birthday is July 4th!! How crazy is that??
Elder Gonzales
