JAN_29_18_MOM_GBRG

 Also, let me know if you guys got all the pictures and videos I sent today. And if I need to be concerned about how much money I have in my account. 

On Jan 29, 2018 9:41 AM, "Jacob Eric Gonzales" <jacob.gonzales@myldsmail.net> wrote:

MOTHER.

These months are just going by ridiculously quickly, aren't they? It's already almost February!! Goodness. Wow. I can't believe it. We're almost at 8 months in the mission field. I feel like I just barely stepped off the plane in Salt Lake City, like I just barely had my last meal at Wendy's  before entering the MTC. But that was practically 8 months ago!! Time flies when you're having fun, I guess. Sounds like it's been flying by for you guys too. John's married, kids are graduating, Bana's almost done with her first trimester of pregnancy. I can't believe it. Change is good, though, right?

I gave a talk in Sacrament Meeting yesterday, and I mentioned that I'm from Peru and that I love BYU sports, etc. So lots of people approached me afterwards and talked to me about those things. It was a good time. So I actually heard about the St. Mary's game. Gosh darn it. We just couldn't pull it through, huh? That's kind of a bummer. But it sounds like they're doing decent, which is good. At least we beat dang pacific for once in our lives.

You're right, today is our presentation at Seton HIll. It's not until 8:30pm our time, so that'll be interesting. We've already received permission from our Mission President to arrive to our apartment late. Elder Lin is kinda freaking out about it, but I feel strangely relaxed. I feel bad for the guy. He doesn't feel comfortable about his English, and so he doesnt' think he'll do a good job. We're going to practice it extensively today, though. That way he feels a little bit more comfortable with it. I'm a little nervous for the question and answer section afterwards. Because I know Elder Lin won't answer any of the questions, so I'll basically be on my own. But I'll do my best. And I know the Spirit will be with me.

Oh goodness. Me and Elder Lin have lots of fun together. We love making stupid videos like that, so be prepared for more of those. This district that I'm in is awesome. We're all really close, which I really appreciate.

Okay, I've been delaying the news for as long as possible. Transfers are this Thursday and... I'M STAYING IN IRWIN. I know, to be expected, right? Elder Lin will be staying here as well. But here's the thing. I'M GONNA BE A TRAINER. WE'RE GONNA BE IN A TRIO. I found out on Saturday night, when transfer Boards came out. Normally, we wouldn't find out who we're training until the training meeting on Wednesday, but our situation is a little bit different. We are going to be training an Elder Petersen, who is a Visa Waiter. He is going to be speaking Mandarin on his mission, so this is the perfect companionship for him. I'm not sure if he's headed to Taiwan, or Hong Kong, or WHAT. But it's definitely going to be interesting. Elder Lin and I will be going to the training meeting on Thursday, and then will bring Elder Petersen back here to Irwin-Greensburg.

How do I feel about this situation? I'm glad you asked. Here's an excerpt from my letter to President:

I'm sure you are undoubtedly wary from reading so many letters from missionaries discussing their views regarding the recent transfer Boards. But I was just SO SHOCKED last night when I saw them!! Elder Lin and I were freaking out!! We're gonna be trainers! Obviously, we are very nervous and somewhat concerned about our abilities to train. So much is going to change, and a lot of adjustments are going to have to be made. We're going to need another bed, another desk, etc. We're going to have 30 additional minutes of Companionship Study, and an extensive language study as well. Elder Lin is excited at the prospect of having to teach someone else Chinese. 

I guess I'm just sorta nervous because... Well... I don't know. Although Elder Lin was already trained, this past transfer has almost been a re-training for him. And now, add an actual trainee to the the companionship, and it's like I'm training TWO people at the same time. Does that make sense? I'm sure Elder Lin will step up and help out a bit more, but I hope that I can be the trainer and follow-up trainer that the Lord wants me to be. 

How long will the Visa Waiter, Elder Petersen, be in Pennsylvania? And where is he heading? Taiwan? Hong Kong? When did you find out that he would be arriving? How can I best help the development of Elder Lin, while simultaneously ensure that Elder Petersen receives a proper training? 

Sorry about all of the questions. I recognize that you're a very busy man. 

I just barely read his response right now, which has helped to put me at ease a little bit. This is what he said:

Elder Peterson could be here for as short as a week and as long as the full transfer. In fact his Visa could come before they fly here on Wednesday conceivably. The uncertain time of his remaining here necessitated a trio and it seemed perfect to put him wher Elder Lin could help him learn Chinese.

I'm excited about this opportunity. I absolutely love my mission, and I want to be able to relay some of that passion to him, regardless of how long he'll be here. I hope I can do that. And of course, Elder Lin will help him with the language a TON. But hopefully I can do some stuff too lol.

Really, so much has happened this week. We committed our investigator, Bri, to be baptized on March 10, and she accepted!! She is absolutely golden, and has read half of first Nephi already, as well as the Testimony of Joseph Smith and Joseph Smith History. And she committed herself to quit smoking, and has already lessened her smoking quite a bit. It's just awesome to see her willingness to follow the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. She said that she KNOWS that the Book of Mormon is true like 10 times in our last lesson (which was via Facebook Messenger because she was sick. #missionaryworkinthedigitalage). We're excited to be teaching someone who has this much enthusiasm!!

We had interviews with President Bednar on Wednesday, and as always, it was a humbling experience . He met with Elder Lin before me, and told me a lot about his interview with him. We have a missionary coming into the mission from Taiwan, and President Bednar asked Elder Lin if it would be better for him to put this new missionary with a trainer who already knows Chinese, or someone who knows no Chinese at all, but is a great missionary. Elder Lin said, "Putt him with someone like Elder Gonzales."   When it was time for my interview with President, he told me that. And then President started tearing up and thanked me for the work that I've been doing for Elder Lin, allowing him to feel more comfortable being in such a foreign land. He told me that the work I'm doing for Elder Lin is just as valuable, if not more, than having Baptisms and lots of people to teach. That made me feel good. I love President Bednar. 

There are other things that have happned, but I'll save those for my mass email to everyone. For now, I just want you to know that I love you SO MUCH. I look forward to reading your emails every week, and being able to relay my experiences to you. Bee good and do good. 

Elder Jake Gonzales

On Jan 28, 2018 9:05 PM, <perucalica@aol.com> wrote:

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Hey Buddy Boy!

Well, we’re almost at the end of yet another month.  Christmas was a month ago, John has been married for a month and we’re one month closer to summer break for me.  There is, however, still a lot that needs to be done between now and the time that that happens.  It’s going to get crazy!

Everything here at home is much the same.  We had the sister missionaries over for dinner this afternoon and that pretty much sums up our week other than just going to work and coming home.  Of course there were the 2 basketball games that were part of this week.  We lost to St. Marys and won against Pacific.  We were doing good against St. Marys up until about 4 minutes before the game ended and then we fell apart and they ended up beating us by double figures.  Quite happily, they kept themselves together against Pacific and ended up winning by double figures although it was a close game up until just a few minutes before the game ended.  Our record is now something like 19-5 so it could be worse.

We had yet another Stake Conference today.  It was one that was broadcast from Salt Lake.  Elder Christofferson spoke as well as some others from the 70 and Sister Franco from the Primary General Presidency.  They gave some good talks so that made the time go a bit quicker and we even got out about 10 minutes early. Elder Christofferson spoke about how we should serve wherever we are in the Church.  He referred to President Uchtdorf’s reply when he was asked about not being put back into the First Presidency.  We saw both John and Trefflich at conference.  This is the first time that we have seen him in over a week.  They have invited us to their house for dinner this Thursday and so we have that to look forward to.  Sarah’s mother was with them as she came to spend the weekend with them.

We’ve been busy trying to figure out if we’re going to be able to attend your sisters’ graduation ceremonies.  I think that Sarah’s is relatively easy but getting to Briana’s is more difficult.  The only airline that I know that flies into Idaho Falls is Allegiant and looking on their website it appears that they’re either not currently flying in there or they’re totally booked because their April calendar doesn’t even come up.  Also, finding a place to stay while there is another feat because there are such limited hotels available.  The hotel that we stayed at when we went to Rexburg is already booked for that weekend. Whoever put BYUI in Rexburg was not thinking very well when it comes to actually getting there and finding a place to stay.  We’ll have to see what we can figure out.  We could fly into Salt Lake but then it would be an additional 4 hour drive to get to Rexburg.

If I’m not mistaken, tomorrow is the day for your presentation at Seton Hill.  I hope that everything goes well for that.  I know that you will do a good job.  Just channel your inner Abinadi.  You’ll have to let us know how that goes.

We loved your videos of you and Elder Lin playing with the bolero.  It seems that you’re becoming quite adept at that and juggling both.  I’m glad that you have something that enables you to release some tension at the end of the day. Maybe I should get myself a bolero or else learn to juggle.

Well, I’m sure that it’s obvious that I am scraping for news so I’ll close.  I can’t tell you how often I think of you.  I miss you but I’m glad that you’re having this opportunity in your life.  It will be something that you look back on for the rest of your life so make it a time of no regrets.  I sure love you.  Be good and do good.

Until next week,

Mom