Where do I even start?? Like, there's so much to tell you. I feel like an eternity has passed by since I last sent you an email. But I'll give it a shot.
First and foremost, like I mentioned during that one SUPER short email, my companions name is Elder Tanner Marcum. He's been here in Pennsylvania for about 10 months, and is like SUPER knowledgable. He's very obedient and just seems like SO relaxed to me. He's a really great missionary and has been very patient with me as I adjust to missionary life. He's from Rexburg, Idaho. He actually went to Senior prom with a girl that was in my ward at BYU. So that was sorta a weird connection. We're totally different people, but it's been fun getting to know him and find out what makes him tick. He's like REALLY clean and neat and stuff. He likes running, but was willing to go play tennis with me on my first day in Pennsylvania. I mean, I totally demolished him, but that's to be expected, right?? Training with him has just been a really humbling experience. He seem to know every investigator, every member, every street. The whole time, I'm just like WUT. I hope someday I'll be as good a missionary as him.
I also mentioned that the area that I'm serving in is called Lewisberry. It's a decently big area, right at the very edge of the mission. We serve with two other sisters in this area, Sister Belnap and Sister Tew. I love them so much as well. Because of the sister missionaries, the area is divided into two. Elder Marcum and I cover the small towns of New Cumberbland, Lemoyne, Camp Hill, Wormleysburg, and Lower Allen. This place is unlike any I've ever been before. Firstly, the houses are all beautul, that's just standard for this area. Despite the fact that they're beautiful, it's not a super wealthy area. Most people here are lower middle class. Everybody is always outside, which is awesome for finding. Although it's pretty hard finding people that Elder Marcum hasn't talked to already. It has a really small town feel. It's cool, just unfamiliar.
President Johnson has since left, and all of the missionaries are really anxious about the changes President Bednar is going to make. I'm sorta bummed that PJ left so soon. I only got to meet him briefly, in my interview with him, but I have already grown to love him. When I first talked to him, he made me realized just how BLESSED I am to have grown up in the gospel, with a family that is supporting my decision to come out on a mission. He then proceeded to tell me that I am going to be a GREAT missionary. He said it with such conviction, I have trouble NOT believing him. Although it's kind of hard to believe it now. I still have so much to learn. But yeah. I'm excited to meet President Bednar. We have a meet and greet with him this Friday. PJ was like really laid back with a lot of stuff, and allows us to use our agency regarding the interpretation of a lot of rules. We'll see what President Bednar changes.
My apartment is pretty cool, just really HOT. The mission doesn't like us using the air conditioning unless we are home or REALLY need it. It's just me and Elder Marcum here. Apparently here in the Pittsburgh mission it's really rare to have more than one companionship in an apartment. It can be pretty quiet at times. Also, I know I already sent you my address, but here it is again for good measure:
So, funny story. Elder Marcum and I arrived in Lewisberry on Tuesday night. It's about a 5 hour drive from the mission home in Pittsburgh. Yeah. I know. Not fun. Anyways, when we got to the apartment, it turns out that there had been a bit of a miscommunication, and our keys had been sent to Altoona, Pennsylvania, which is pretty far. So yeah. We were totally locked out of our apartment. At this point, I was sorta worried, but Elder Marcum was super level headed and stuff. Apparently this had happened to him before?? As a result, he always leaves the bathroom window unlocked. Problem is, we're on the second floor. So we went to a nearby member's house, borrowed a ladder, and set it up outside the window. The ladder was like super rickety, and I was NOT about to die on my second day in Pennsylania. Our ZL, Elder Holdaway, volunteered to climb the ladder. I totally thought he was going to die. Somehow he made it to the top, but when he got to the window, he sorta FELL IN. So all we could see were his legs dangling out the window. It was like the most hilarious thing EVER. So yeah. I was able to get into the apartment no problem, and it was a cool first day story. Problem is... the Elders in Altoona sent us our key in the mail, but they sent it in a regular paper envelope. By the time it arrived to our apartment on Friday, it an empty envelope. So yeah. We don't have a key to our apartment. We're probably going to have to get a new lock, because we don't have any spares. But it's cool. It's not like a super dangerous neighborhood or anything. And we always lock the door while we're here.
We've visited and talked to so many people, there's no way I could talk about all of them. Here are the highlights:
- Tyler and Stephanie, an unmarried couple with two kids, are set to be married on August 12th. Then, later that day, they're going to be baptized. They're so funny and amazing. I can't even imagine the kind of faith it takes to get married just for the sake of being baptized. Their goal is to be sealed in the temple a year from now, then have the big, grand wedding then. I love them.
- Alyssa and Ariel were the first people I taught on Wednesday morning. They're really young sisters, like 17 and 13 years old. I invited them to be baptized, but they said they still need time to think about it and talk to their parents. Unfortunately, they're going on vacation, so we won't see them again for a couple of weeks. Apparently they came to church once before I was here.
-Just met with a dude named Chase Washington on Sunday. Got to teach him the Restoration, and he kept talking about how cool he thought it was, and how much he loved having us over. He sorta holds a special place in my heart, because he's the only one I've taught where I was actually THERE at the first meeting. We committed him to be baptized next month.
There have been a lot of hard things to overcome this first week. First and foremost, I'm in a walk/biking area. I was NOT expecting that. I have been SO TIRED. I've never really been that great a bicyclist, and it has shown. I'm basically sore all the time. I have bruises all over my body from when I've accidentally hit myself with the bike, or go over a sharp bump, or whatever. But I know that over time, I'll get used to these things. My biking skills will improve, and I'll get more adjusted to the roads and terrain and weather. I think I'm just expecting myself to be an expert immediately, which is unfair to me, and is totally illogical. With that being said, I've definitely felt the Lord's influence on me, and I know he's blessing me with the necessary strength to do all those things I need to do.
Also, Sister Tew legit thought my last name was Garbanzo. So that happened. It's crazy how many people mispronounce my name. Is Gonzales really that complicated??
There are a few things from home that I might need over the next couple of weeks and months. I don't really know how often you want to send me packages. I know how much you hate spending money and stuff. But I've learned that a lot more stuff are allowed in this mission than I orignially thought. These things include:
- Temple Clothes (We're allowed to go to either the Washington DC temple, the Philadelphia Temple, or the Palmyra temple so long as we're within a 2 hour drive from it!!)
- Ukulele (we'll see if Pres. Bednar is as forthcoming and music loving as PJ was.)
- Those brown shoes I bought.
- Uplifting music. LIke, not just MoTab. We can listen to Christian Music and relaxing music too. Idk.
There's definitely more, but I would just refrain from sending anything until I know for sure that Bednar allows them. I know, I know, I must be annoying the crap out of you. If you don't want to send any of that stuff, that's cool too.
I'm sure there's more that I should probably tell you. But I don't have a whole lot of time right now. I only have access to wifi at the church and library, which SUCKS. If I remember anything else, or if you have any questions, I'll try to write back later on today while i'm at the church. I hope everything is going okay!! I love you so much!! Thanks for your letter!! I haven't even had a chance to read it yet, that's how busy i've been. Being a missionary is HARD. But it's rewarding as heck.
Elder Gonzales
Hey Everyone!!
I'm finally here in Pennsylvania!! I honestly can't even believe it. I'm serving in a place called Lewisberry, and it has been CRAZY. There's so much to learn, but I'm having a blast figuring everything out. The people here are awesome. They really love talking, and sometimes it can be hard changing the subject to the the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but you know... I'll figure it out. Here are a few pictures of my first week here.
1) Me striking a TERRIBLE Heisman pose once I arrived at the Pittsburgh airport. Proceed to laugh now.
2) The Mission President took us up to a high mountain that overlooks the city of Pittsburgh. Isn't it just SO BEAUTIFUL?? don't mind my face.
3) We're very sophisticated.
4) Three generations of training. Left to Right: Me, Elder Marcum (My trainer!!), and Elder McGee
5) We have lots of fun with the sisters we serve with, Sister Tew and Sister Belnap. Once again, Don't mind the faces.
Johnbonbififofon!!
If you couldn't tell by the subject line, I'm sorta anxious to know what's been going on with my boy Roger. I'm writing this email before I have access to wifi, so maybe you DID in fact keep me updated. I'm also curious to know how he performed in the tournaments before Wimbledon. Sorry brother. I know this is a lot of responsibility. But I promise blessings. Okay. Not really. But it'd be nice to know!! I feel so cut off from the sports world.
I'm so stoked to experience my first holiday on the mission!! You know how much I love fireworks. Plus, I'm in PENNSYLVANIA. I'm curious to see how one of the ORIGINAL 13 colonies celebrates independence day. Probably not any different. But still. We'll see.
Anyways, sorry for the short letter. I hope you're having fun with that ukulele. One of the members we visited for dinner had a uke hanging on the wall, and I got to play it for like 5 minutes. Not as cool because I didn't sing. But still cool. Apparently President Johnson allowed people to have ukes and guitars, but we'll see what Bednar's take on it is. Idk. I feel like mom and dad don't want to make a habit out of sending me stuff that I request.
Love you brother!! Keep being you!! You're a great dude. I couldn't believe it when you said that your relationship with this Sarah girl could be progressing towards marriage. I'd love to meet her. But then again, so would you. Lol. See what I did there?? Love you man.
Elder Gonzales
You should totes send me some Christian music. Yup. I just sent you an email for that one reason. I know. I suck.
