Sounds to me like y'all had the time of your life this last week!! I'm so happy that you were able to spend time together and just HANG OUT. It's too bad that Dad couldn't be there, but it sounds to me like he's where he needs to be right now. And OBVIOUSLY my presence was going to be missed. I mean, who else was going to spontaneously release a monstrous burp at the dinner table?? That role will ALWAYS belong to me. Briana can get pretty dang close to matching my intensity, but she'll never have the HEART that I do.
I honestly have no idea what I'm talking about. It's still early here in New Cumberland, so perhaps my mind still isn't totally awake. This is gonna be a strange letter lol.
You guys did SO MUCH this week, I don't even know where to begin. I wish I could have been there to see Britt Maynard and her new husband. Mom, you're right. Their family is LEGIT. I'll always have a special place in my heart for them.
It's so weird to think that you're all in Utah right now, chilling around my old stomping grounds in Provo. Have you gotten used to my absence yet?? I mean, it's been a month and a half already. I wonder at what point on my mission NOT having me around will become second nature. Or maybe you're already there and you're just pretending to miss me for my benefit. Haha either way, I miss you plenty. I think about you every day and I absolutely LOVE receiving emails from you, telling me about your life.
I know I say this every week, but I can't believe Braden is almost in the MTC. It hit me like a truck past night at dinner. Only two more days, and he'll be doing much of the same thing that I'm doing, with a few minor differences. I wish I could be there to watch how he reacts to various things. He's gonna have his work cut out for him, that's for dang sure.
This week has been full of ups and downs, as usual. Story of my life. But lots of great things have happened, and I'm legit so blessed to have Lewisberry be my first area. This area is buzzing, hopefully due to my hard work, but also through the efforts of Elder Marcum before I came here.
We talked to an awesome girl named Brittany on the street on Tuesday, and had a lesson with her on Wednesday. We taught her the restoration, and in the most humble way possible, I thought I did pretty good!! Probably the best lesson I've taught since I've been out on my mission. We invited her to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it, and plan on visiting her again this week to follow up. So yeah. Hopefully she actually reads!!
I had my first companion exchange this last Thursday, and I was paired with Elder Cowan in the Camp Hill area. Let me tell you, it was SO NICE to not have to bike everywhere. It was a great day. We got to visit TONS of members, and had TONS of members present in each of those lessons. One of the lessons was with the Ramirez's, a Mexican family that has a daughter being baptized soon. I felt right at home. Everyone here is white, so it was nice to interact with a good old fashion Latino family. They reminded me of the Mondragons quite a bit.
On exchanges, I met an investigator named Kerry Williams. Except he's a dude. And has a serious weed and drinking problem. And is kinda crazy. So yeah. Nothing like Aunt Kerry. But it was still sorta weird.
Got to go my first zone conference on Friday!! Great things to be learned all around. President Bednar is going to be so awesome. My favorite thing I learned?? "Faith isn't believing that everything is going to be okay. Faith is knowing that everything is already okay." - Elder Waterbury.
Stephanie and Tyler are still progressing nicely, and we will be figuring out the logistics of their baptism during our next visit. I'm like SO stoked.
Carolina is doing AWESOME as well. She's golden. There's no other word for it. She seems so excited to be baptized, and LOVES learning about the gospel. So yeah. August 19th can't come quick enough.
Well. There's so much more I could tell you, but for the sake of my thumbs, I'll stop now. I'm typing all of this on my dang tablet. We're to lazy to go to the library, even though it's just down the street. Having access to xfinity is a curse and blessing, I guess.
I trust everything is going okay with you, and that you don't have any more bombs to drop on me. Love you Mom. Keep on keeping on.
Elder Gonzales
Woah dude. You gave me so much info. I'm so grateful for that. I'll undoubtedly read your email several times to process it all. But you FORGOT TO SEND ME A VIDEO OF ROGER FEDERER WINNING WIMBLEDON. I'm dying here. I went to Buffalo Wild wings the other day, but they didn't show his celebration on any of the TV's. And also maybe an extensive article about his Wimbledon journey?? Help me obi Wan Kenobi. You're my only hope.
I could not be more excited for you and Sarah Rebecca. I'm glad that everything went okay, and that you hit it off so well!! I wish I could meet her, but if she's anything like how you've been describing her, I'm sure I'll probably get the chance when you get back. But make sure that it's a matter of prayer. Remember, we're supposed to counsel with the Lord in all our doings, and lean not unto our own understandings.
It's so weird to think that you guys went to the duck pond on South campus. I went on MANY walks there, mainly with Kylie. I tried to jump from one side of the river to the other, and failed miserably. Gosh dang. I miss BYU. But it'll be there when I get back.
I was wondering about the library job and how that was working out. I'll be praying for you!! Love you bro.
Elder Gonzales
Hey everybody!!
So much happens in a week as a missionary. Like, I do more in a single DAY then I would do in a week back home. Maybe that's an indication that I was just extremely lazy while I was at home, but STILL. I hope everybody is doing awesome, and that you're enjoying your summer. Don't let the heat get you down. You could be in humid Pennsylvania. You'll understand what I'm talking about when you see one of the pictures below.
I love you guys!! Remember that you have a Savior who knows and loves you!! Thanks so much for the continual support and love. It helps more than you know.
Elder Gonzales
1) Sometimes, it's the small things. We saw this beautiful sunset as we were biking around on a difficult day. Doesn't it just look like Heaven?? I used to think that's legit what heaven looked like.
2)Elder Marcum and I at Zone conference. Yes, we're matching ties. Yes, we're adorable.
3) Like I said, it's SO HUMID here right now. This is my arm after a light bike ride outside. Sorry for the disgusting sweaty picture.
4) We got to go to a local baseball game this past Saturday. Baseball ain't my favorite, but it sure was nice to get a little break. And who doesn't love a bunch of old men dressed as superheroes??
5) I got to try some famous Sheetz frozen hot chocolate for the first time this week. 10/10 would recommend.
6) Harrisburg Zone at the baseball game.
