DEC_11_17_GROUP_LEW

 Hey Everybody!! 

THE VERDICT IS IN, MY FRIENDS. I'm headed to Irwin, Pennsylvania to serve in the Greensburg ward!! For those of you who have no idea where Irwin is, (like me, a couple of days ago) it's about a half hour east of Pittsburgh. I could not be MORE STOKED. My current companion, Elder Payne, just served there not too long ago. He's told me lots about it already, all AWESOME stuff. Plus, I'm actually going to be driving a CAR. Can you believe it?? Me neither. After spending 6 months in a bike area, this car is heaven sent. But also kind of nerve-wracking because I am NOT the best driver. But the Lord turns weaknesses into strengths (Ether 12:27), so it's all good, right? 

My companion is going to be a guy named Elder Hsin An Lin. I'm pretty sure he's from Taiwan, and speaks very little English. He just got done being trained, so he's been out for even less time than me. I didn't even know that was possible. I've never met the guy before, so this is gonna be an experience. But I'm like SUPER excited to serve with him. I'm sure it will be an awesome learning experience. 

It's been getting pretty chilly over here in Pennsylvania. We had our FIRST SNOW in Lewisberry just a couple of days ago. I figured, "No problem. I've braved the snow before, and I'm still standing. It'll be just like being back school in Provo for the winter."

NOPE. IT'S COLD. Especially when you're out in the snow for 5 hours at a time. One kind lady let us in to show her the #LightTheWorld video, but that's about it. She even gave us Christmas cookies, and told us to "Stay Warm". She was super awesome. Who knows, maybe she'll recognize missionaries later on and be ready for the gospel??

In Irwin right now, it's been snowing for like a week straight. Oh man. I'm so excited. Also a little bit terrified. No biggie.

So yeah. This is my last week here in Lewisberry. I don't know how to feel. I'm like SO EXCITED to explore more of Pennsylvania, but at the same time, Lewisberry is home. This place... it's amazing. I love the people so much. Saying bye to them this last week has been rough. And the goodbyes continue until Thursday. I've grown to love these people that I've met with a passion. Teaching them the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, watching them progress and make good decisions... That's what it's all about. 

I feel like there's so much more I could do here, but at the same time, I think it's time for me to go. I've done my best, and I'll trust in God to do the rest. 

I know, I know. That was a bit dramatic. But it's absolutely true. 

Little miracles were just popping up all over the place this week. We were able to visit with Michael, one of our recent converts, after a long time of not seeing him. He's doing AWESOME. Ever since he was baptized at the beginning of the year, he has been extremely hesitant towards receiving the Priesthood. However, things have come together in his life in such a way that  we were able to set a goal with him to receive the Priesthood by the beginning of the New Year!! Better yet, his wife, Valarie, who we've been working with for FOREVER set a goal to be baptized by that same time, by Michael. You would not believe how ridiculously HAPPY that makes me. We had another lesson with them yesterday, and she was participating and very interested in everything we had to say. Goodness. I love them.

In addition, Elder Torgerson and I were able to find a really awesome new investigator this week, Joe. He shows a lot of promise, and we committed him to be baptized by the end of January. We found him on the street, at like 8:50 pm, and showed him the Light the World Video. It was so cool to witness the power of the simple 2 minute video, but also the blessings of staying out until 9pm. If we had gone in even a few minutes too early, we would never have found him.

Then, on Monday, something else ridiculously awesome happened.  Elder Torgerson and I were on exchanges here in the bike area. It was like 8:50 pm, almost time for us to go inside. But we decided to stay out in the cold a little while longer. Just as we were about to go in, Elder Torgerson yells at this guy who's jogging, "CAN WE SHARE A QUICK VIDEO WITH YOU?". I was sorta mortified, but sure enough, the guy comes over, and we show him the Light the World Video. After the video is over, Joe (that's his name) starts telling us about his rough past, but how his strong faith in Jesus Christ has helped him immensely. We got his information, and set up a follow up appointment with him. the following Wednesday. We taught him the restoration, and I felt prompted to commit him to be baptized at the end of January. He said yes!! And then he told us that he doesnt' think it was a coincidence that we met on the street that day. And that he has been thinking for a while that he needs to be baptized. The Lord puts those who are ready to hear the gospel in our paths, and it's like the coolest thing ever. I hope Joe continues to progress while I'm gone. Elder Payne is gonna have to keep me updated. 

Anyways, I've got to go do laundry and other P-Day things, but thanks for everything that you do!! I appreciate every prayer on my behalf, and on behalf of my investigators. Let me know if there's anything I can do for y'all.

Oh, and the church is true. That too.

Elder Gonzales