OCT_2_17_GROUP_LEW

 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.