What a week it's been!
Let me give you the Awesome news! I did propose today and she immediately said yes! Can you believe it? I'm actually getting married (to someone who really wants to marry me, haha). The changes occurred in that I proposed to her here in Orem. You're probably like what? Orem? So, it turns out that conference trip that I told you we weren't going to take, we did. We left Thursday. Stayed in Hurricane that night, got to Provo on Friday. We watched the game in Countdown to Kickoff in Studio C (which is something I really wanted to do). Stayed at Sarah's cousin's house the rest of the weekend up until now. We had tickets to Sunday Afternoon session. Watched them with friends and her family, visited Sarah and enjoyed conference in many different places, eating breakfast with Sarah Rebecca's family.
It's been a pretty crazy week. We will be traveling back to St. George tomorrow and home on Tuesday.
I'll just detail how I proposed so you get the whole story. So, I told you how I originally was going to propose last letter (in Redlands after a walk). Even after our plans changed to going to conference, I felt like I should still stick with that plan, waiting until I got home to propose. However, I brought the ring in the car door just in case. And during the last session of conference I really felt that maybe I should propose on our way back home. I thought where, and it popped into my mind that I should take her to a park we went to on our first date. It's called Nielson's Grove Park in Orem down the street from the Orem Wal-mart. We had such a fun time there the first time, that it wouldn't hurt. She was like okay when I surprised her to go to this park to walk. Well, she needed to go to the bathroom and while we were on our way, I stopped her. She looked back and I knelt on one knee and said, Sarah Rebecca Trefflich, will you marry me. She was almost in tears, Jacob. And she was so surprised. She said yes. When she hugged me, a couple who were walking towards us on the sidewalk started clapping and offered to take our pictures. It was just picture perfect, Jacob.
So, it's official brother. You are getting a new sister-in-law come December 30th.
Sarah was beaming, telling everyone we bumped into about the proposal.
Well, conference was pretty great. It was super laid back. I'm sure you enjoyed it as much as I did. I guess Elder Gavarett was not asked to speak. But I am still so proud of you and all your work with Carolina, and picture it a beautiful conference talk. I will definitely have to go back and look at those talks again.
I think you got the highlights. I'll attach pictures, including the proposal pictures in the Park.
Love you, Brother,
John
PS, I watched the Countdown to Kickoff in Studio C with Sarah and the game as well. We lost 40-24. It was great when we scored several touchdowns in the first half, the whole studio singing the Cougar Fight Song. But then Beau Hoge got a concussion on one of his plays and the offense sort of lost it after that. They were getting no where with Koy Detmer, Jr. Oh well, right. Not our best football season, but still a fun game to watch in Studio C.
HEY MAN!!
CONGRATULATIONS!! That's awesome!! I'm so happy for you! Wow! I'm gonna have another sister come December!! You're gonna have to keep me updated on all of the information and stuff. Let me know if you need help with decorations or setting up or... oh wait. I'm a bazillion miles away. You're gonna have to do that stuff without me. MWAHAHAHA.
No, but seriously, this is awesome news!! Sounds like you did a good job with the proposal 
I'm happy for you, bud. The pictures that you sent are LEGIT. y'all look so happy together.
Yeah, I was a little bummed that Elder Gavarret didnt speak at General Conference, but that's okay. There's always next General Conference, amiright?? This General Conference was so good, though. I feel like I got a whole lot out of it. I can't wait to listen to these talks again. And again. And again. Perks of being a missionary lol.
I can't believe y'all went into the back part of the CSC. Those were my old stomping grounds. I used to wear a hair net every single day. And it was quite possibly the most embarrassing thing ever. Did she show you the bakery too? That's the place I was texting you from on the day that I got my mission call. That's so weird to think about. My life is so different now haha.
That's cool that you got to watch the game in Studio C!! You've been there before, right? I watched several games there last year. Did you see Jarom Jordan?
I got your letter. Or rather, I got the letter that you and Sarah Rebecca put together. Thank you so much. For personal study the next day, I took time reading and marking every single one of those Scriptures. And the picture of Jesus and Peter was beautiful. I'll try to respond soon, but we all know how terrible I am at sending written letters, so I ain't making any promises.
Anyways, hope you have a great week!! As always, Prayers are appreciated. I'm improving, but I'm not fully recovered yet. Thanks for keeping me updated on Roger and Football. That td catch was pretty dang good. Too bad we couldn't win the game. Oh well.
Love you man.
Elder Gonzales
Dear Mom,
OH MY GOODNESS, it has been a great week. One of the best weeks that I've had in a long time. I know that President Bednar has kept you updated with my health reports and things like that. He's encouraged me to keep sending him an email every other day so that he can forward it to you. I have absolutely no problem doing that, so don't worry about it.
Like I mentioned in my last health report, I'm doing a lot better emotionally. So far, I have loved leading out the area and introducing all of the members and investigators to Elder Payne. I feel like I'm talking a heck of a lot more, joking around a lot more, just being MYSELF. And it's honestly such a nice feeling. I don't know what it was, but I just felt like I couldn't really be myself around Elder Marcum. I love that guy to death, and he was an AMAZING trainer, but it's nice to be with someone different, someone a bit more relatable and laid back. We are still taking the work extremely seriously, and striving to be exactly obedient. But also, having fun while doing it. And that's nice.
So yeah, things are looking up!! President Bednar is truly an inspired man, and knew what he was doing when he put me with Elder Payne. The headaches and jaw pain have not gone away completely, however. Although they may be decreasing in intensity and frequency, which is nice. I have a doctor's appointment this Thursday in Harrisburg, so I will be sure to let Doctor Treadway know about everything that is going on. Maybe he will increase my dosage? Or maybe he'll leave it where it's at since I'm showing improvements? I'll let you know.
Elder Payne and I have made a companionship goal to find 10 New Investigators this transfer, which is definitely easier said than done. Elder Marcum and I had a lot of success these last two transfers. Investigators just seemed to drop out of the sky. But now that we've baptized all of them, that leads us with a LOT of finding to do, so that we can keep up the good work. I have a lot of experience with teaching, but not a whole lot with finding, so this will be an educational transfer. So continued prayers to help us find people to teach would be much appreciated!
We do have one investigator who is progressing at breakneck speed. His name is Carlos Garcia. I'm not sure if I've mentioned him before, but he is AMAZING. He's from Puerto Rico, and (understandably) has been going through a lot of difficult stuff recently. His two children and ex wife are in Puerto Rico, and he has heard very little from them. He knows that they're okay, but is very concerned about their well being. But I think receiving the missionary lessons has really helped him.
Elder Marcum met him in front of his house in April, and just talked to him about the Book of Mormon and our church. He wasn't super interested initially, but we kept visiting him every few months to stay in touch. And recently, with all of these things happening, he has been humbled enough to have regular lessons with him. His progress from that initial street contact to now has been amazing. He's been to church for the past two weeks, and LOVED it. In fact, he gave us a ride there!! He went to Jadyn's baptism last Saturday, and LOVED it. He went to Book of Mormon Class on Wednesday. Loved it. He watched three sessions of General Conference with us, absolutely LOVED IT, especially the Mormon Tabernacle choir. Are you seeing a pattern here?? He's loving the church, and is showing so much faith, it's making me so happy. He is set to be baptized on October 21st, and everything is looking good for him to make that date. So, fingers crossed! One again, Prayers would be appreiciated!
This last week was mingled with a little bit of sadness as well. Carolina, our recent convert, probably my favorite person here in Lewisberry, moved to Maine on Friday. She moved there because they have a better refugee program over there, but fully expects to be back here in Pennsylvania in about 5 months or so. So we had our last lesson with her on Thursday (it was Elder Paynes first lesson with her lol). We talked to her about the gospel of Jesus Christ, with an an emphasis on Enduring to the End. It was a great lesson, and she reassured us that she has already gotten in contact with the bishop over there and will be fully active in the church. I have absolutely no doubts. She gave me a card and Keychain to say thank you for everything I've done for her. The good news? Since she's moved out of the mission, I can send her emails and things to stay in contact with her, see how she's doing. So that's cool :) She really is awesome. I wish you could meet her. I'm sure I'll see her again someday.
Don't even get me started on General Conference. It was probably the best General Conference I've ever watched. We have been committing lots of people to go into Conference with questions on their mind, so I decided I'd better practice what I preach. In personal study on Saturday morning, I wrote down several questions I wanted answered:
- How can I experience true happiness??
- How can I access the enabling power of the Atonement??
- How can I learn to recognize the Spirit?
- How can I Learn to love these people?
- How can I learn to love myself?
Mom, every single one was answered!! It was truly amazing. I particularly loved President Uchtdorf's and Elder Holland's talks during the Saturday morning session. I am just so full of love and faith towards Heavenly Father. I feel like that General Conference was just for me. I'm definitely going to be reading and listening to them extensively for these next few days.
I feel like I've already written so much, but I'll tell you a little bit more about Elder Braiden Payne. He's from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He's definitely very quiet, but he is SUPER intelligent. He knows the answers to lots of doctrinal questions. He's been out on his mission for over 16 months, but has never had a baptism. He has lots of finding experience, which is good. He doesn't really like sports much. He prefers video games, which I don't really know how to relate with him with. But he likes movies as well, so we've been able to relate with that. He has a good sense of humor, and is very easy going. He's a hard worker, and is always looking for opportunities to help me. He's quite a bit different from Elder Marcum, in basically everything. It's been sorta strange adjusting to Lewisberry life with a different companion, but I am excited for the future of this area.
Sorry about the BYU-Utah State game. I can't believe both Beau Hoge and Tanner Mangum are injured. This sounds like a terrible season. I'm content with being on mission and not having to worry about it. At least we got a few touchdowns in the first half?? I guess we'll see what happens next week. Goodness gracious. Is it even possible for us to get bowl eligible at this point?
I worry about my recent converts quite a bit as well. But I suppose all I can do is try to help them establish a good foundation in the church, and hope and pray that they continue on the strait and narrow til the ends of their lives.
We're going to be getting Facebook and other apps in this mission very soon!! I'm sorta nervous, but excited to see how these developments will help the work going forward. All of these technological developments in missionary work are crazy. I didn't expect to be going on Facebook at all during my mission. It's gonna be weird.
ANyways, I love you. I'll keep President Bednar updated on my health throughout the week. I'm sure I probably forgot tons of stuff to tell you, but I guess this is enough for now. Have a great week!!
Elder Gonzales
Hey Everyone!!
I hope you've all had an amazing week!! Things are really looking up here in Lewisberry, Pennsylvania. I am OFFICIALLY done with the training aspect of my missionary service, so I had to say goodbye to my trainer, Elder Marcum. It was kind of a bittersweet day. I was excited to implement all of the things that he's taught me on my own, but also sad to see him go. He was a great trainer and I'm gonna miss him a lot.
My new companion's name is Elder Payne. I talked a little bit about him last week. He's from Calgary Alberta, Canada, and has been on his mission for about 16 months now. He is just this wealth of knowledge and experience, and I look forward to learning as much as I can from him during this next transfer. He's very quiet and reserved, and so am I, so we've gotten along great. We've got high expectations for this transfer, but we both know how to work hard. I know that with the Lord's help and guidance, we'll be able to accomplish those goals.
We have one investigator who is progressing at breakneck speed. His name is Carlos Garcia, and he is AMAZING. He watched three sessions of General Conference with us, and absolutely LOVED them. He had been to church each of the two preceding weeks as well, and loves the Spirit that is there. In fact, he was the one that brought us to church!! Anytime you can get an investigator who will take you to church, you know you've got a good one.
We were a little apprehensive about teaching him the Word of Wisdom. He's drunk coffee every day for the last few decades or so. But as soon as we committed him to drop the coffee, he dropped it. He hasn't had coffee for the last week and a half. It's absolutely AMAZING the Faith that he is showing to God. He is set to be baptized on October 21st, and things are looking good for him to make that date!! :) Great things happening here in the Lewisberry Bike area. Prayers on behalf of him and our other investigators would be greatly appreciated!
I know that this gospel is true. No matter what problems or trials you may have, the Gospel of Jesus Christ can bring true joy and happiness. I've seen that in my own life, as well as in the lives of those I teach. I love my Savior and am so grateful for Him and his sacrifice for us. He always has His arm outstretched to us, in the good times and the bad. All we have to do is reach out and grab His hand.
Let me know if there's anything that I can do for any of you, even though I'm a few thousands of miles away! I love and miss you all!
Elder Gonzales
1) Me and Carolina, our recent convert. With Elder Payne unintentionally photo bombing us in the background.
2) We have fun here in the Lewisberry Bike Area. That's Sister Baxley, a member that we visit every week. She insists on feeding me every time I go over there, because I'm so skinny. I'm totally okay with that.
3)This is what happens when you ask a couple of Elders to put the banana slices on the pie. Chaos.
4) Sister Herbert is the best.
