FEB_27_18_GROUP_GBRG

 Well hello there Everybody!!

Can I just say WOW. Just... Wow.   Hasn't February just come and gone? I mean sure, it's the shortest month of the year, but STILL. I feel like I blinked and now it's March. Goodness gracious. 

It has been an absolutely amazing week. My Companions and I have been eagerly trying to improve our unity, and to teach with love and simplicity. Yes, we still have a lot to work on. But I have seen nothing but improvement, which is really gratifying. I could go on and on about how much we need to improve, but for right now, I wanted to tell yinz a story. 

We have an investigator, Samantha. She is just an absolute darling. She has SUCH a desire to turn her life over to God, and for that, I could not be MORE proud. She's been going through a lot of difficult things recently. She has 4 children and a husband, but has virtually no means of taking care of them. Since meeting with us, she has been able to find a good home, and establish a career at a credit card company. Her husband has found a job as well. And perhaps most miraculously? The hve found a safe place for their children to live. The new landlord was gracious, lowered the rent, and even provided the first month's rent free. If that's not miraculous, I don't know what is. 

We had the opportunity to read the Book of Mormon with this awesome woman last night. We read from 3 Nephi 11, the chapter wherein Jesus Christ appears to the people of America after his ressurection. Can I just say that I felt the Spirit SO strong? Samantha LOVES the Bible. When we told her about the Book of Mormon, another Testament of Jesus Christ, she could not be MORE excited. I was reminded of President Nelson's last general conference address:

“You could have given me diamonds or rubies, but nothing is more precious to me than this additional knowledge about the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Now, anybody who knows me knows that I'm an emotional guy. I care about relationships, about people a LOT. Thus far on my mission, I've been pretty good about jot crying during lessons. But last night, witnessing Samantha's humility and desire I just couldn't help myself. I'll be the first one to admit I shed a few tears. What can I say? That's what this gospel does to me. 

She reminded me so much of Carolina, one of the investigators I taught I  Lewisberry. One of the hardest parts of a mission is saying goodbye to those whom you have grown to know and love. Especially those who are following the example of Jesus Christ and have decided to endure to the end. I love this mission. I love these people. I'm so grateful for this opportunity that I have to serve them. 

A few other tidbits from this week: 

- We've been working with a less active named Erica!! And GUESS WHAT. She came to church in Sunday!! I was SO DANG EXCITED. The Ward just enveloped her and was so grateful to see this lost sheep return to the fold.

-Elder Lin tried corn dogs for the first time in his life on Friday. In his own words, "so-so"

-We went bowling on P-Day and I actually bowled over 100 for once!! Aren't you guys proud of me??

-We  were teaching our investigator, Bri, when our trainee, Elder Petersen, abruptly asked "WILL YOU REPENT OF ALL YOUR SINS." It was HILARIOUS. I couldn't believe it. Fortunately, Bri is cool. But it was still dang funny.

Anyways, I love you all!! Let me know how you're doing!! 

Elder Jacob Gonzales

1-2)Pennsylvania is kinda beautiful I guess. 

3)Corndogs for daysssss

4)When you're in charge of sorting through the junk at a thrift store, you start to get a little crazy.... 

5)i sneezed during the last frame okay??