I hope the Federer news makes you happy. Do they usually play late into the night in the US Open? A match with Madison Keys lasted til like 1:32am, I guess. The federer match was going on during the BYU vs. LSU football game on Saturday. When it was at half time we watched a good portion of the 3rd set. Roger was doing good. But then we watched the rest of the football game. Sorry bro, not really any noteworthy videos from the football game. As I'm sure mother will tell you, they never even passed the 50 yard line to get into LSU territory. Also, Johnny Linehan attempted a Fake Pump but failed, and Kalani was not happy, he was saying Kick the Ball (what's wrong with you), it happened at the like 15 yard line is why. We had prevented the team from getting touchdown in the previous plays only to lose it again in good field position for them. LSU was just a wall, no joke. You would have been pounding your head on the closet door if you were watching. Yeah, it was getting that bad. But, to me, we knew it was going to be a hard game...maybe not expecting it to be a blowout, but oh well. LSU is ranked, what were we expecting. Their running back Darrius Guice was a machine 75-85% of all plays that the team did were to that guy. He was a powerhouse. He just continued and continued to blow our minds with long rushes. We held them to 0 in the first quarter, so I'm happy about that. We just kinda lost it in the end. Anyways, here's to bigger and better things. The Holy Week begins. Now we'll see if the church is still true, haha.
Sarah Rebecca is now here as of Friday night. Mom and Dad were kind enough to take us out to lunch at Pancho Villas. We talked beforehand for like an hour and a half. And then for another hour or so afterwards at home. I helped her bring all her stuff in. She is now in the process of organizing all of her stuff. She's sleeping on a memory foam mattress on our cot that we got for Tony and Briana. When she got here, we went to In n' Out, our first time together. It's been so nice having her here close by. She went to church with me today. It was great, besides the fact that I was sleepy. She asked the Relief Society about me, for any dirt, and all they could say is he is great and that he is an angel. Crazy, right? I'm looking forward to tomorrow because it is a day off, and I'll be able to help Sarah with her stuff, most likely.
I had my first perfect week of work this past week. It was going great until Thursday afternoon. You wouldn't believe it because it's been really really really hot, like 109 and more, but it started to downpour at the end of the school day. I had to walk home in that mess because I was at Jurupa Vista. I was soaked from neck to feet and in my face and my glasses and eyes were watery. Well, I got a sore throat and a cold because of it. Friday was miserable. It didn't start too bad, because I was at Jurupa Vista again, but my SDC class were getting out of control when the aide left for a half hour. The kids were bouncing off the wall, not to mention I was sick (congested, cold, sore throat, etc.).
Other than that, it's been a pretty great week. I hope your week is the same as mine. Now I get to rest easy because I have no work tomorrow.
I love you Bud,
John
Hello there brother,
Okay. So I played tennis with Elder Stratford this last week. I lost 3-6. It was the most embarrassing moment of my life. Hopefully I'll get a chance to play him again and BEAT him. But he has a different playing style that I need to adjust to. He comes to net a LOT. And he's really effective at net. It's hard to get the ball past him. I wish I had a companion who played tennis so I could play with more regularity. Who knows? Transfers are coming up (in like 4 weeks. Not really that close.) It could happen. But I'm gonna enjoy Elder Marcum while I have him.
Well, Roger is securely into the second week at the US Open. It sounds like his back has been ailing him recently, though. Hopefully that's not too much of a factor. Let me know how he does, if he loses, if he's going to the championship.
Thanks for the analysis of the LSU game. Sounds like it was terrible all around. If we can just find a way to play well against the U of U, it would make the wound a little bit less tender. I mean, it's a home game. Hopefully we can at least SCORE SOME DANG POINTS. For goodness sakes. They'd better show up for that game.
It must be strange to have Sarah Rebecca so close after her being so far away for the first part of your reltionship. Exactly WHERE does she live in our neighborhood? I'm curious. Sounds like things are going good. Don't rush into things.
Also, thanks for the letters that you sent me for my birthweek! :)
Hope you get to feeling better. Gosh dang. Us Gonzales' have weak immune systems, apparently.
love you!!
Elder Gonzales
(I'm sorry if you get this email twice. I may have accidentally sent it before I finished it.)
Dear Mother,
Wow. Being the guy that I am, as soon as I received your letter, the first thing I did was scan the paragraphs for an update on the BYU-LSU game. Shows you where my priorities are (sorry, but I REALLY wanted to know how it went). I figured that they had lost because absolutely NOBODY was talking about the game during church yesterday, and I assumed if BYU had beaten LSU, it would have been a BIG deal. But wow. 27-0 was NOT what I expected. I don't even know what to say. It's like the Michigan game of 2015 all over again. That's just dang embarrassing. We're always talking about how we want to be in a big name conference, and then we play a game like that. I agree. The team had better get their act together if they want to have a good season. And ESPECIALLY because we've got the University of Utah game his next week. Who knows? Maybe there will be a miracle?? But I am definitely not sad to have missed the LSU game. Sounds like there wasn't much to watch. I hope you're hanging in there. I'll just try not to think about it.
I'm sorry to hear about Jesus's mother passing away. I knew that she had been struggling for quite a while, but that can't have been easy for him. Tell Lucy I said hi, and that I miss her. I hope she is beginning to feel a little bit better and that she is enjoying herself at our house. I'm assuming she's staying in the girl's room? It must be nice to have guests and NOT have to vacate your bed for a change.
Yeah, I've heard all about Hurricane Harvey and the devastation that has come as a result. I obviously haven't seen much news about it, but it sounds like it's very similar to Hurricane Katrina. I feel terrible for the people in Texas. Rebecca, one of the girls that I went on several dates with at BYU, is currently on a mission in Fort Worth, Texas. From what I understand, that's pretty far from where the hurricane is impacting. I really hope she's doing okay. The missionaries and church are going to have their hands full with aiding those in the hurricanes path. That's why we pay fast offerings every month, right? I'll definitely be praying for them.
The weather here has been... interesting. And by interesting I mean that it pours rain one day, and then is completely fine and sunny the next. Biking in the rain is QUITE the experience. My pants are soaked, my hair is dripping, my glasses are covered with rain droplets. It really makes me feel like a MISSIONARY, you know?? I actually kind of like it. I was laughing while I was biking the other day at the pure ridiculousness of what I was doing. Being on a mission is so fun and unpredictable.
Thanks for the Roger update!! Both you and John are so faithful in your sports updates and I really appreciate it. Sounds like he's doing okay. But the second week of the major tournaments are always the hardest. It's cool thinking of you and John sitting on a couch watching tennis WITHOUT me. I hope your love for tennis and Roger Federer as an individual are growing steadily while I'm gone haha
Mondragon sent me an email last week, sort of updating me on her life. Apparently lots has changed. I sort of joked around before I left that she should just work at DI since EVERYONE works there at some point. And now she's there!! And apparently she broke up with her boyfriend?? Which is GOOD news. Hopefully she finds someone that's a better influence on her. And I know what you're thinking. NOT me. That ship has sailed. But yeah, I'm glad you were able to see her. Crazy how much the ward is changing once again. All of the youth are leaving. The new Era continues.
So. The headaches haven't dissapeared. The doctor gave me some migraine medication to take. The specifications as to WHEN I can and can't take the medication are very complicated and somewhat frustrating. And I only have 9 tablets, and I've already gone through more than half of them. The medicine... may be working? It's hard to tell if it is or not. But I may be going for another doctor visit soon. Who knows? I apologized to President Bednar in my last weekly email to the president. I apologized for the frequent doctor visits and expensive medication. And he basically told me to stop feeling guilty and just follow the doctor's orders so I can get feeling better. That dude is awesome. I wish you could meet him.
Sorry about the lack of detail in that last paragraph. There isn't much to tell you about the headaches that I haven't told you before. If this medication doesn't work, I'll have to go see the doctor again so he can try something else. I told him about hitting my head on the showerhead, and the tenderness of the side of my head. So he had me get blood work done to see if I had some sort of rare disorder or something. Something that happens to old people. He didn't explain it. So I had to fill up four different tubes with my blood. That was fun. Then the doctor called the next day and told me that all of the tests were normal. So that's sorta irrelevant. But I figured I would tell you.
As far as the work is concerned, things couldn't be much better. We had exchanges this past Thursday, and I got to lead out the area for the first time!! I was with Elder Stratford, the greenie, so it was sorta nice because HE had no idea what he was doing either. I think I led the area pretty well. Sorta like a little sneak peek for when I take over the area when Elder Marcum is gone. It was cool to see what I was capable of, in terms of teaching and navigating. Elder Marcum tends to do a lot of the initial talking during lessons, getting to know the investigator, that sort of thing. But it was all on me this time, and I think I did a pretty good job. Definite confidence boost. It was fun.
News of the week?? We committed Jadyn, Stephanie and Tyler's 9 year old son, to baptism!! He is to be baptized on September 23rd!! Let me tell you, teaching the Restoration to a 9 year old kid is NOT easy. But I think he understood the gist of it. So we're like REALLY excited for that, because Jadyn has expressed fear towards being baptized in the past (because of the crowd and the water). I think seeing his parents be baptized allowed him to see that it wasn't really all that scary. And the best part?? Tyler will be able to baptize him!! We conferred the Aaronic Priesthood to him yesterday during the second hour of church. It was such a tremendous experience that I will never forget. It brings me so much JOY to be here in Lewisberry, and see these people that I love so much receive the gospel. Now these kids will have the priesthood in their home. Wow. The Church is true.
Carolina got up and bore her testimony during Sacrament Meeting yesterday. I could not be a more proud missionary. We are all set to go to the Philadelphia Temple with her on Tuesday, September 12th to do Baptisms for the Dead with her. I could not be more excited :) the mission policy for temple attendance is VERY strict, but everything has aligned for us to go, and we've already received permission from our mission president. I don't think I'll be able to do an endowment session, but I'm just grateful that I get to go. This temple trip counts as my P-Day, so my email schedule may be a little bit of that day. You can expect my next email to come sometime on that day. I apologize in advance I don't write everyone back that day, as it will be an extremely busy day. But I'll be sure to take tons of pictures. Who knows when I'll be able to go to the Philadelphia temple again? Or any temple for the rest of my mission?
Cheryl is still good to be baptized on September 16th. We've taught her all of the difficult Commandments at this point. Chastity, Word of Wisdom, Tithing, etc. She seems good to go. I still have concerns about her keeping the Word of Wisdom, however. I'm not sure if she's being completely truthful about it. You have to be keeping the word of wisdom for a full two weeks before you're baptized, so this is sorta a big deal. We have a lesson with her tomorrow, so hopefully she's keeping it. Her baptismal interview is set for this Thursday, so fingers crossed!!
Well, that's about it for this week. Thanks for your faithful and diligent email writing!! I love you so much!! Let me know your plans for the family reunion as your plans solidify. That would be so much fun!! Have a great week!
Elder Gonzales
Hi Buddy Boy,
It’s now about 9:30 p.m. I’m late getting my letter off to you tonight. It has been a different day. We have had Lucy staying with us since yesterday. I don’t know if anyone mentioned to you that Jesus’ mother died and so he is currently in Peru. Lucy is staying by herself, which she is not crazy about, and so since we are home on the weekends, Dad tells her to come over here. She stayed here last night and will stay again tonight since tomorrow is Labor Day and we don’t have to work. We have also had John’s girlfriend, Sarah here since yesterday. She has moved here now and is currently living in a house a couple of blocks from us and so we have spent some time getting to know her better. So, between the two, you’re getting a letter written later than usual.
It was a pretty typical week here as far as work goes. I’m so glad that tomorrow is a holiday. I can honestly say that I need every holiday that I can get. Dad started working on Tuesday and so things are slowly but surely getting back to normal around here as far as work schedules go.
I’m sure that you’ve heard about all the crazy flooding in the Houston, Texas area. It has been all over the news and so it’s pretty hard to miss. The weather this last week was brutal here as well. We had one full week of temperatures in the 110 degree range. Those temperatures also bring on thunderstorms in the afternoons. The other day it started to pour here and the wind was blowing so hard that it sounded like rocks were hitting the windows. It has been pretty crazy. I never thought I would be so glad for temperatures in the 90’s but I would even take those over what we’ve had this past week.
As for your sports report this week, I wish that I had better news. The BYU game against Louisiana State was one of the worst games that I have ever seen BYU play in the history of BYU football. It was embarrassing. Just to give you an idea, BYU never made it across the 50 yard line the entire game. The time of possession was LSU 42 minutes to BYU’s 18 minutes. Needless to say, the BYU defense was exhausted because they were on the field almost the entire game. The score was only 27-0 but I think that LSU was just being nice by not running it up. It definitely was a hostile environment as they ended up playing in New Orleans due to the flooding in Houston and about 50,000 or so people were LSU fans. We had a just a handful of people there. All I can say is, if the O-line doesn’t get their acts together this is going to be a joke of a football season. I’m not sure what’s going to happen next week with Utah. I guess we’ll just wait and see.
On a happier note, Roger Federer played in a match yesterday against Feliciano Lopez (from Spain) and won the match in three sets although it seemed to me that he was kind of struggling as well. Hopefully things will go smoothly for him in the rest of his matches.
We got word a couple of days ago that there is going to be a family reunion in Hurricane the weekend of October 13 and 14. As far as I know, the majority of my brothers and sisters will be there and so I guess that we’ll make the effort to try and get ourselves there as well even though I’ll have to take time off work to go. I’m sure that all the grandkids are invited although I’m not sure who all will be able to make it. Neither Briana nor Sarah have mentioned if they’re going to try and come. John hasn’t mentioned it either. I guess whoever comes, comes and whoever doesn’t, doesn’t. We can’t try and please everyone with a date. I’m looking forward to it.
Your father and I were at DI yesterday and we ran into Naomi Mondragon. She is now working there. She says that she has been there for about a month. We didn’t get to talk to her too much as she was busy with customers. As for other ward news, Alex Song reports to the MTC this Wednesday. Kelly Christensen is taking off on Wednesday for BYUI and Naomi Call has already left to go to BYU Hawaii. So the face of the ward is changing yet again. Everyone in the ward keeps asking how you’re doing. Sister Song was asking about you today as well as Elena Johnson. They both told me to tell you hello, so HELLO.
I hope by now that you are feeling much better. What did the Doctor say to you at your appointment on Wednesday?
As Granny often says, I’ve run out of news so I’ll close. How are your investigators doing? I hope that the work is progressing in your neck of the woods.
I love you soooooo much. Remember, be good and do good.
Love,
Mom
Hello Everybody!!
Sorry about not sending out an email last week. I was just so focused on the work that I didn't have enough time to send one out. Either that or I was taking a nap. Okay. It was the latter. Everybody needs some R & R once in a while, am I right??
It's astonishing to me just how amazing missions are. Here we are, setting aside two years of our lives to focus on serving OTHERS. But in the process of serving others, we learn more about OURSELVES than we ever thought of before. One thing that I've always struggled with is FEAR. Fear of what, you ask?? That's a good question. Fear of a lot of things. Most pertinent in my life right now is the fear of MAN. Sometimes during lessons, I'm afraid to open my mouth, for fear of how the investigator will react. I'm afraid to take the initiative because I don't like making mistakes. I'm afraid to say what's on my mind, for fear that it isn't inspired. I'm afraid to voice my opinions to my companion, because he may disagree with me. So yeah. There's a pattern here. I'm AFRAID.
But just like with every question we may have, the Scriptures have a perfect answer:
2 Timothy 1:7
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
Isn't that just amazing?? When we are keeping the commandments of God, when we have the Holy Ghost in our lives, we have absolutely NO need to fear. When we are doing those things we need to be doing, we will be blessed with POWER. We will feel of His LOVE for us. Our minds will be calmed and SOUND. Those promised blessings sound pretty great, don't you think?? So that's what I've been working on recently. Not being afraid. Just being an effective instrument in the Lord's hands. It's not easy, but with God on our side, anything is possible
Guys, don't let fear control you. Perfect love casteth out all fear. I know that to be true. I love you all. You're awesome. You're amazing. You're children of God.
Until next week,
Elder Gonzales
1) I'm ashamed to say that I didn't. But next time.
2) There's a blind woman in our stake who made these AWESOME braille tags for us. I'm assuming it says "Elder Gonzales" With my luck, it probably says "Elder Garcia" or something.
3) X Marks the spot?? THE CLOUDS ARE SPEAKING TO US.
4) Michael, a recent convert, and his wife Valerie. Love these people to death. I'm rocking the windbreaker, huh?
