Wow. I feel like I've been hit by a TRUCK. And I thought I had a strenuous week. I don't even really know what to say to half of the stuff that you told me. But I'll try to address as much of it as I can with my honest reactions and opinions.
First off... I couldn't quite believe it when I read that Mamamama had passed away. I got that email in the morning on Saturday and wasn't quite sure how to react. I tried to stay as calm and collected as possible, and actually had a pretty successful day. Eventually, during companionship study, I told my companion and just started crying. I don't even really know what I was crying about. More than anything, I was sad for Dad. I can't even imagine what that must feel like. But since being on a mission, I have a MUCH stronger testimony of the Plan of Salvation than I EVER have. So that's really helped. I know that I'll be able to see Mamamama again. I love her so much and am grateful for everything that she did for me when I was younger. I figure if I just lose myself in the work, it will allow the mourning period to be much easier. So that's what I intend to do.
Now to the other item of ward business. You're totally right. Anything with the word "leukemia" really does sound bad. I don't really know how to respond, except that it doesn't sound TOO bad. At least, that's the way you made it sound. I hope you weren't sugar coating it for me. And this whole diabetes thing?? Are you kidding me?? Goodness, when it rains, it pours, am I right?? Thanks for telling me about it. I really wouldn't have liked being kept in the dark. All I can say is that you need to be REALLY careful for me, okay?? Please just do everything that the doctor tells you to do. I'm glad that you seem to have a really positive attitude about all of this. Like I said in the above paragraph, I'm going to just try to forget myself and go to work. I love you Mom. Keep me updated.
I can't believe Braden is almost gonna be in the mission field!! I wish I could see him with his short hair. I know how much he hates cutting his hair short. We're very similar in that aspect. He'd better be ready to work HARD.
HAVE FUN IN UTAH FOR ME!! I hope it's utterly MAGICAL. Be sure to take lots of pictures and send them to me!! Be careful on the road.
Good news!! Without getting into any of the details (because it's boring and I want to save time), I now have Wi-Fi on my tablet almost everywhere I go, due to xfinity!! We'll see how long it lasts. Just thought I would let y'all know.
I'm glad you liked the video of me TOTALLY eating the dirt. I've been doing TERRIBLE at taking pictures of my adventures. It's something I need to work on. I literally took like one this last week.
Okay. I had a few things I wanted to tell you about my week. We'll see how much of it I get to. First off, Elder Marcum and I went to a member's house to eat dinner. Well, they live really far away, down long winding roads. The member that was driving us back to our apartment is NOT the best driver. So yeah. We were both freaking out because of his jerky movements and stuff with the car. Problem is, we both had to pee SO BAD. At the time, it was terrible, but now, looking back, it was really funny. When we finally got to our apartment, we both booked it up the stairs and burst through the door. Elder Marcum, being the courteous person that he is, let me go first. It was like the most amazing feeling EVER. When I finally got out, Elder Marcus belt was off, his pants were unzipped. He was ready to GO. It was pretty great. Sometimes I think he's a robot, so it's nice to see this little piece of humanity peeking through.
We received a REALLY great referral from a member this week. Her name is Carolina, and she's from Angola. Her English is FANTASTIC, though. Anyways, we committed her to be baptized on August 19th, which is awesome. She was at church yesterday, and seemed to be really relaxed and everything. She was taking notes during Gospel Principles class, and was looking at the different qualifications for Personal Progress. Like, who is this girl?? She's what we'd call a GOLDEN investigator. We're meeting with her tomorrow, so hopefully things continue to go this good.
We've also made a breakthrough with the wife of a recent convert, Valerie. Her husband, Michael, was baptized a few months ago, and he's AWESOME. He goes out to serve with us at a local food bank every week. Anyways, his wife has never really been that receptive to the gospel, but recently, she's been making great strides, and actually participated in the lesson that we had with Michael on Saturday. Better yet, she was at church yesterday!! And she wants to make us authentic Haitian food sometime this is week. So yeah. Things are looking up.
We helped a potential investigator move some things out of his apartment this week. His name is Michael too. His apartment was completely destroyed by fire on the fourth of July. It's really crazy being in there. Everything is covered in ash, the walls are totally black. I don't know how much he wants to know about the church, but it's nice to help him. Him and his family even gave us a whole Little Caesars pizza for our troubles. Elder Marcum can't eat dairy, so it's totally mine. I had to put it in a garbage bag and strap it too my back so that I could carry it on my bike. I looked like a ghetto pizza guy. It was pretty funny. I wish I had taken a picture.
Mom. I hope you know that I love you and think about you every single day. I'll be praying extra hard for you this week. Please keep me updated if there are any developments I should know about . Thanks for everything that you do for me. I REALLY appreciate the sacrifices you're making so that I can be here.
Elder Gonzales
Heeeeeeeeeeeey Brooootherrrrr!!
Do you know that song by Aviccii called Hey Brother?? That's what I was thinking of when I was writing that salutation. If you don't know it, look it up. Great song.
Dude. You're going to have SUCH a great time in Utah. I'm like legit so happy for you. I hope that you and Sarah really hit it of in person as much as you have through Skype calls and text messages. Treat her like a princess. Open doors for her. Tell her she looks nice. I hear that those are the things you're supposed to do for girls. Then again, I am just your 18 year old younger brother, so what the heck do I know??
WHAT ROGER FEDERER IS A WIMBLEDON CHAMPION ONCE AGAIN?! 19 GRAND SLAM TITLES?? TWO IN 2017?! I don't even know how to react. I'm like so stoked for him. You've got to send me a video of that last point, and his celebration afterwards. PLEASE?? Also, send me an article about it. About his Wimbledon tournament as a whole. I know that if I were at home, I would be eating those types of articles up. I just honestly can't even believe it. Can he make it to 20 Major titles before I get back home from my mission?? If he keeps playing like this, the sky is the limit. Wow. I wish I had someone to talk to about all of this. I keep trying to get Elder Marcum into tennis, but it's hard, he doesn't share my passion. Anyways, please send as many pictures and videos and articles about Roger's Wimbledon victory as you can before you get annoyed. I know you're gonna be super busy these next couple days, so no rush, I guess. I'm just being a spoilled, bratty brother, I guess.
Still haven't bought a ukulele. I wanted to do it today, but it doesn't look like I'll have the chance. It sucks not having a car. What we do on P-days is sorta out of my hands. Oh well. There's always next week.
Love you brother. Sorry I don't have any great videos this week.
Elder Gonzales
Well hello there.
This week has been GREAT. My companion and I have had a lot of success recently, and I really don't know why. He says that it's me. Which is absolutely CRAZY. I still have so much to learn and everything. But he says that because of my humility and willingness to learn, we're being blessed with a lot of referrals and investigators. I guess I'll just take his word for it.
I'm STILL getting used to everything. It's a slow process. But slowly, everything is starting to make more sense. I feel like that's something that the Lord wants me to learn while I'm out here. Patience is KEY. Its OKAY if you don't get everything right away. It's OKAY that my investigators don't always keep their commitments. It's OKAY that you messed up and called yourself Elder Marcum and your companion Elder Gonzales. Are you seeing a pattern here?? It's OKAY. Things will get better. They always do. Just trust in the Lord. Simple enough, right??
I love each and every one of you. Thanks so much for your continual support. Pennsylvania is just amazing. I thank God every day that I was sent here.
Elder Gonzales
1) Oh Elder Marcum. You thought I was going to be nice and not send out this awkward picture of your haircut. Well you were wrong.
