JAN_15_18_DAD_GBRG_I don't think it's really...

 Hey Dad!!

Oh YES. I know ALL about the new curriculum. I'm actually really excited about it!! I think that it is really gonna help strengthen the unity within the quorums and classes, and allow us to get to the source of what will REALLY help us, rather than just generic lessons about the Sabbath Day or the Holy Ghost or whatever. They did the Council lesson last week, and it seemed to go really well. The Elders Quorum here in this ward are going to do a lot more service. Not just for the people in the ward, but also just general community service as a quorum. I'm excited about it. Community Service is one of my favorite aspects of the mission, so I'm grateful that they're trying to stress it a bit more. They're also going to be emphasizing activities as a quorum. Really, Elders Quorum should be a brotherhood, so they're really focused on that. I think it's great. Sounds like it was a great experience for you as well. You'll have to keep me updated about it in the weeks to come.

I'm glad that Brother Loessein is doing okay. Goodness, that is scary. I love that guy to death. They sent me some Christmas goodies this year, which was like a little slice of heaven. Almond Roca is the BEST. Tell them I love them and miss them.

WOAH. 70 percent?? DANG. That's pretty awesome. I'm sure you're gonna get some great reviews at the end of the year, as well as on Rate My Professor haha. I'm sure this past semester went by so quickly. But alas, as you put it, your days of rest and relaxation are over. I hope that it's a good semester for you. I wish I could talk about it with you in more depth.

Thanks for taking an interest in my investigators. Really, I can use all the help I can get. To answer your question, Jennifer canceled our appointment this last Friday due to sickness. We rescheduled to have it THIS Friday. She was very nice about it, though. She called us while we were watching President Monson's funeral, so I had to leave the room to not disturb everyone else. She's been sick for a while, and doesn't want us getting sick with it. But she told us that she really respects us for everything that we do, that it can't be easy. Then, she proceeded to ask us about the missionary training center, and how long we were there. Then she asked us about Deseret Industries, and if they have any in the area. Seriously, WHO IS THIS WOMAN??  She's super nice and prepared and we're excited to tech her THIS Friday. 

Teri canceled this week due to sickness as well. Something's going around here in Irwin. Hopefully Elder Lin and I stay clear of it. The lesson with the couple (Matt and Tupy) went GREAT, though!! The Spirit was definitely there, and it was great to have a member present who knew what she was talking about. The husband in particular was very interested, and really wanted to read the Book of Mormon to find out if it was true. We hope to meet with them on Thursday evening!! And hopefully commit them to be baptized!!

We've still been unable to get in contact with Maureen OBrien, unfortunatley. We sent her an email, but no response as of yet. It's kinda frustrating. I'm hoping we can get in contact with her soon. Because I wanna Proselyte on a college campus SO BADLY. I loved going there last Saturday. It was like I was home. I really think that I could connect with these college students. Actually, if you could do me a favor, we would really appreciate it. If you could, go on the Seton Hill University website and get me Maureen Obrien's number? Since we have no internet access, we've had to go through the number provided for us, but they always have to forward our call to her. It'd be nice to just be able to call her directly. I really wanna make this happen. The profile picture that I posted on Facebook was on Seton Hill University campus. It's SO GORGEOUS. We'll see what happens. The Lord always provides a way.

Honestly, in terms of missionary work, these past few weeks have been kind of difficult. Lots of lessons canceled, very few people contacted. If you were looking purely at the numbers, it would seem as though we didn't do ANYTHING this past week. We spent all day Saturday contacting people, but NO ONE was home. We literally contacted 0 people. It was terrible. But then, at around 10pm that day, as we were preparing for bed, we got a phone call. On the other line was a sister missionary from the Los Angeles Visitor's Center. She called us telling us that she had been chatting with someone on Mormon.org in our area, and he REALLY wants to change his life and be a better father to his daughter. He wants to know that the Book of Mormon is true, but he's scared because he don't know if he can keep the commandments. But he really wants to meet with us. 

That was really cool. We had one of the worst days ever, and yet we were blessed due to our diligence and obedience. Miracles happen every day. It's crazy.

We got stuck in the snow that day too. We were trying to contact a former investigator, So I drove into his yard. It was downhill, so it was no problem getting in there. However, when the time came to leave, our car wouldn't budge. We were stuck. We tried everything. Shoveling the snow, putting jackets under the tires to gain traction. No dice. Finally, after about 30 minutes of frustration, we decided to pray and ask for help. 3 minutes after our prayer, the car reluctantly rolled out of the snow and ont the street. I couldn't contain my excitement. I started CHEERING. God definitely helped us. I wouldn't be surprised if angels were pushing our car. It was INSANE. 

I'm gonna go try Primanti Bros. Sandwiches today, and I'm so excited!! It's what Pittsburgh is KNOWN for. They have sandwiches with French Fries on them!! I could not be MORE excited!! I feel like it's basically a rite of passage for every missionary who comes to the Pittsburgh area to try Primanti Bros. I'll tell you how it goes!!

ANyways, I hope you have a great day!! Enjoy the holiday!! I love you!! Let me know if there's anything I can do for you!!

Elder Jake Gonzales

On Jan 15, 2018 5:00 AM, <perucalica@aol.com> wrote:

Qué tal Elder Gonzales (January 14, 2018),

 

I don’t think it’s really much to tell you this week, however I will do my best. I hope you know about the new curriculum that the Church is implementing for the teaching of the Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society. We started doing today. The first Sunday of the month is a Council Meeting where we are going to discuss the needs, concerns, activities, etcetera, that affect directly our group. You remember I’m the High Priest Group Leader? So all I did this morning, really this afternoon (we are starting the block now at 11 AM) was introduce the mechanics of the meeting and what the members of the group should expect to see and be expected to do before every first Sunday, and every Sunday of the month. I’m happy to report that, inspired or not, we have been following those ideas even before they were introduced. All we have to work on is the Return and Report components of the new curriculum, which means is what or how we are going to use what we learn in that specific Sunday, apply it in the weeks to come, and then report how we achieve those goals in the first Sunday of the next month. I’m optimistic about it. We’ll see!

 

Brother Loessin scared us all this last week as he was reported to be in the emergency room at Kaiser. On Monday January 8^th—right after our Stake Conference—he felt a little confused and disoriented so they, brother and sister Loessin, went to the hospital to see what was going on. The doctors, after ordering some tests, said that he almost had a heart attack and that he needed to stay at the hospital for few days. He was out by Wednesday night. Sister Loessin also said that he had a blood clog and perhaps the medications he takes provoked more complications. Like I said, it was just a scare because he attended church earlier and even bore his testimony. Thanks Goodness everything was OK!!!

 

My classes start this coming Tuesday so my days of relaxation are over. I will be teaching three classes this semester and I think they will be good classes because more than 70% of the students that took my two sections of Spanish 1 are also taking my 2 sections of Spanish 2. That means that they liked my class. I feel good about that!

 

I was so excited to read about your experiences in the mission field. You’re right, they are not coincidences. The hands of the Lord are taking part in all of them. Tell me about your dinner and lesson with Jennifer. How it went? She seems to be a Golden Investigator; and like you said all you have to do is being EXACTLY OBEDIENT! About your other appointments, how did it go with the couple? And how with Teri? Let us know the details of all your promising appointments and make sure you express your gratitude to the members that are giving you guys referrals and /or fellowshipping the investigators and recent converts. Work closely with your Ward Mission Leader and attend Ward Council every time you have a chance. By doing so the Bishopric and every member of the Ward Council will know you better as you explain your plans to be successful in the ward, and they will be more willing to help. Regarding Seton Hill University, did you have any chance this past week to proselyte on the college campus? I hope you did. You should feel related to the students as they should feel related to you. I know you will have great experiences in inviting them to come unto Christ. Don’t forget to thank the woman that has nephews that are Mormon missionaries, and of course to Maureen Obrien.

 

Have a EXACTLY PERFECT P-Day son!

DaD