So I'm sure you're pretty anxious to find out just WHAT THE HECK the doctor said on Thursday. I told him all of my symptoms and things like that, and he determined that I have.... a sinus infection. And also allergies. So that was kind of anti climactic. He put me on a ton of antibiotics that I've been taking for the past few days. To be completely honest with you... I don't feel a whole lot better. The headaches haven't gone away. My jaw still hurts at times. I stilll have another week of antibiotics pills to take, so we'll see if there is a marked improvement by that time. The doctor wanted to see me three weeks from now to follow up, so I guess if things DON'T improve by then, we'll reevaluate the situation. But for now I'm just going to suck it up and continue working. I'm hoping that one day I wake up and the headaches are just GONE. That would be GLORIOUS.
Remember how I told you that I hit my head on the shower head and thought that might be the cause of the headaches? I didn't bring it up to the doctor when I visited with him on Thursday, but I'm thinking I'll bring it up this next time, just to cover all of my bases. Because all of my headaches are in that same spot that I hit my head. And it hurts to touch that spot, like there's bruising there or something. I don't know. I'm probably just being overly paranoid. But I just WANT TO GET BETTER ALREADY. I'm sick of being sick. I want to be a healthy missionary. LIke, is that too much to ask?
BWAHAHAHAHA I can't believe you started a war on Facebook lol. I really hope that all of those mean commenters didn't make you lose your faith in the BYU football program as a whole. I'm kinda disappointed that these fans reacted in that way. BUT the important thing to remember is that Kalani Sitake did the right thing in penalizing Francis Bernard for his behavior, whatever it was that he did. So although some members of the fan base are less than perfect, at least the program itself is remaining true to the honor code that they've set.
YES. I DID GET YOUR BIRTHDAY CARD IN THE MAIL. Thank you so much for the kind note and for all of the gift cards!! Like seriously, thank you. They will be used. The next time I eat a Chicken Bacon Ranch sandwich (which will undoubtedly be soon), I'll think of you. My birthday ended up being pretty good, although it was unlike any birthday that I've ever experienced. I didn't have any cake. Nobody sung to me. Nobody really knew it was my birthday, except for my companon, and a few members of my district. And you know what? It wasn't too bad.
Elder Marcum started off my birthday well with a cool gift: his old Bluetooth keyboard, encased in an awesome Batman v. Superman backpack for P-days. I am typing on the bluetooth keyboard RIGHT NOW. It works pretty dang well, so I was really appreciative.
We also went out to eat with the two new Elders in our ward, Elders Stratford and Torgerson. We went out to this place called Bob Evans, which is sort of like Dennys. It was pretty good! I was kinda nervous about serving with two other Elders in our same ward, but they seem like they're going to be GREAT. Elder Stratford is BRAND NEW, straight out of the MTC. So yeah. I am no longer the youngest missionary in the district. So that's kind of nice. The best part?? Elder Stratford plays TENNIS. And he WATCHES TENNIS too. And plays ping pong. We are gonna have some fun P-days from here on out. I can't wait to go on exchanges with him, and we can have an intense set of tennis during our exercise time. Gosh dang. I miss tennis.
OH YEAH. Something else momentous happened this week. CAROLINA WAS BAPTIZED. It was amazing!! I had a a lot of the same emotions this week as I had last week. Once again, it was like watching by baby grow up and leave the nest. I have a special place in my heart for Carolina. She is the first person that I've baptized that I was able to be there for the entire teaching experience. She was baptized just one month after beginning the missionary lessons. Like, that's ridiculous. She's just amazing, and was so prepared to receive the gospel. She knows that the church is true, and is SUCH an example to me of humility. She's gonna be Relief Society president someday. Or even GENERAL Relief Society President. Watch it happen.
We filled the water up WAY too high in the font. There was also a MASSIVE Spider floating around that we had to fish out. To make matters worse, apparently it was SUPER cold. After Carolina was baptized by Elder Marcum, she was shivering so much that she tripped going up the steps out of the font. Fortunately, she was okay. I had the honor of being the witness, along with Marcelo, the Angolan man who introduced her to the church. It's so funny. No baptismal service goes by without incident. BUT SHE'S BAPTIZED. HALLELUJAH.
We also committed another one of our investigators to baptism last night, Cheryl. She always talks about how much she LOVES coming to church and feeling the Spirit and camaraderie that's there. We've been working with her for a few weeks now. We just finished teaching the third lesson to her, which means the commandments are next, beginning with the Word of Wisdom. So yeah. Prayers would be appreciated. Her baptismal date is set for September 16th. Fingers crossed!!
I'm trying to remember if there's anything else that I ABSOLUTELY need to tell you. I mean, there's so much more I wish I could tell you. I wish I could tell you everything that goes on in my life. Because there's SO MUCH. I love my mission. Miracles happen every day. But I'm just content to tell you that I love you. Thanks again for all of the birthday wishes. This week was definitely a memorable one.
Until next week!!
Elder Gonzales
P.S . If you ever want to reply to any of my emails on p-day, I'm allowed to reply until 6pm, or 3pm your time, I guess. So if you ever have any follow up questions or anything, feel free to ask, and if it's within that time slot, I'll try my best to reply.
Why hello there.
First and foremost. It's that time of year again. The LAST Major of the year. If I'm not mistaken, the US open should be right around the corner. Updates would be greatly appreciated. You think this could be Roger's year?? I mean, he's already won two majors this year. Why not a third??
This whole business with your right ear is kinda disconcerting. Look at us. The two sick brothers. I hope you get it all figured out at the doctors soon. Hopefully it's nothing more than like a ear infection or something?? It's kinda strange that there's no pain whatsoever.
How comforting to know that the teachers at Jurupa Vista actually DID love me. It's always nice to hear that people are praying for you and cheering you on from the other side.
You don't... really sound all that happy about having Sarah Rebecca there. I mean, I know it was kinda an awkward situation with Mom and Dad. That can't have been fun at all. But did something else happen?? Let me know, man. I'm hoping everything is going okay with y'all.
Have you gone out to go play tennis at all since I've been gone?? How's your ankle feeling? You've got to keep it warm for when I get back. That's the first thing we're gonna do when I get off the plane. Hug mom. Hug dad. Then go play tennis. In my church clothes and everything.
Did y'all actually go inside the San Diego temple?? I'm sure that must've been fun. That place is beautiful as heck.
Thanks so much for the birthday card. And 20 bucks?? Dang. You must really miss me. Thank you so much!! It will be put to good use.
OH. I found out at the doctors office on Thursday that I am NOW 6 feet tall. It's about dang time, am I right?? That's the best birthday gift I could have ever received!!
Love you man. Have a great week.
Elder Gonzales
Hello Everyone!!
First and foremost, I just wanted to thank everybody for the birthday wishes!! Like, seriously. This was one of the best birthdays I've ever had. I mean, it was different. I didn't get a birthday cake or have anybody sing to me. But I got to visit with different people and teach them more about the gospel of Jesus Christ. And two days later, I was able to watch Carolina, one of my first investigators, be baptized. What more could you ask for in a birthday?? That's right. Not much.
I get to meet SO MANY different people. It's the best part of being on a mission. And also the scariest. There is a woman in our ward (congregation) who is less active. Her name is Sister Diana Zoeller. She served in the army several decades ago, and has received literally every single military recognition that you can think of. The purple heart?? She's got one hanging up on her wall in a glass case. She saved dozens of lives, and is constantly receiving letters in the mail from people that she has saved and inspired. Unfortunately, due to her dedicated military service, she suffers from extreme PTSD. She is unable to sleep at night because, in her words, she "can't see what's coming" at night. A few weeks ago, we visited with her and told her about the importance of prayer and scripture study. She was very receptive, but told us that it's hard for her to read because of her PTSD and lack of sleep. We felt inspired to tell her that if she would show God her faith by praying and reading her scriptures, God would bless her with the ability to have sleep.
The very next day, she texted us and told us that she had read been striving to pray and read her scriptures, and had slept for 8 hours straight. When I read that text message, I got goosebumps. We visited her again a few days ago, and she told us that she's been reading her Scriptures and praying every single day since then. And she's been sleeping a lot better as well. If that's not a miracle, I don't know WHAT is. Guys, the Lord WANTS to bless us. When we humble ourselves before Him, and ASK Him for help, he will answer. I know that that's true. I've seen it in my own life, and in the lives of those I've been teaching. I love this gospel.
I hope everybody's been having a great week!! Thanks so much for the prayers and support!!
Elder Gonzales
1) Elder Marcum and I with Carolina. She is the sweetest person you'll ever meet. It has been a genuine pleasure to teach her. Watching her be baptized?? The best feeling EVER.
2) 4 CARDS IN ONE DAY?? I wish I could have a birthday every week lol.
3) Random birthday selfie. Please ignore the disgusting sweat on my forehead.
4) Our district before transfers, along with the Zone Leaders and STL's who happened to the be at that district meeting. I serve with the best missionaries.
5) An old picture of me and Elder Marcum riding in a convertible with the TOP DOWN. I can't get over how fun that was.
6) Hibachi Grill?? Yes please. It turns out crab is the BEST THING EVER. Just In case anybody was wondering.
