MAR_19_18_DAD_GBRG

 Father!!

Darn. I totally neglected sending that story about Samantha last week. I guess it was just a crazy P-Day. But a FUN P-Day, as you can tell by the pictures I shared with you this week. 

Like I said, Samantha came to church last week!! We invited her because she absolutely LOVES fasting. I know, I know, we managed to find the one person in the United States who actually loves fasting. Anyways, we told her about fast sunday, and how everyone fasts for two meals, and have the option of going up and  bearing their testimony. She told us she would come. Unfortunately, she showed up a little late, so didn't have the opportunity to witness the sacrament being passed. HOWEVER, I went up and bore my testimony of Christ, and after coming back down, she told me she wanted to go up, but didn't want to go alone. So I went up again with her. Let me tell you, Father. Her testimony was AMAZING. SHe testified of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon, and her willingness to devote her entire life to Christ. Obviously, she made quite an impact on the members there. Bearing her testimony in her very FIRST time attending church.

She left after the second hour, as she had had a few drinks the night before and was feeling sick. But she said that she had a great time!! We're hoping to teach her again tonight.

Another miracle regarding Samantha... She came to Gospel Principles for Second Hour, where we were responsible for teaching. We figured we would just teach the Plan of Salvation, as that was the next thing we were planning on teaching Samantha. WEll, we got as far as the Fall, which sparked a little bit of controversey. She just didn't understand or agree with the fact that Adam and Eve were stagnant and innocent during their time in the Garden of Eden prior to eating the fruit. We tried our best, but to no avail.

Anyways, we had a lesson with her on Tuesday evening via Skype, and continued trying to teach her about the fall, but ran into similar problems. The spirit prompted me to teach her agency one more time, and it just CLICKED for her. Like, she understood it perfectly, and explained it even better than me. She FINALLY understood why the Fall was neccesary, and how it backfired on Satan ultimately. It was truly an amazing. It was all I could do to not jump up with joy. I fist bumped Elder Peterson under the table, I was so happy. We're hoping to set a date for baptism with her tonight.

Bri hasn't smoked for four days, which is LEGIT. She even told us that cigarette smoke repulse her. She STILL hasn't come to church yet, which is all that's preventing her from being baptized. It's honestly been quite frustrating. She loves the church, but won't come to church, despite the fact that we've setup several rides for her. We'll get her there. But I want her to be CONVERTED to this gospel.

If you read my weekly email, you read about Carlos and his message to me. I love that guy to death. 

I'll keep trying my best to find these people. I think Bri is one. Samantha is another. Caroline, a new investigator, is one as well. I'm doing my best, Dad. Thanks for all of the prayers and encouragement. I love you.

Elder Jacob Gonzales

On Mar 12, 2018 4:56 AM, <perucalica@aol.com> wrote:

Qué tal Elder Gonzales (March 11, 2018),

 

Hi Buddy,

 

Mommy and I just came back from the Howell’s Homecoming. Brother and Sister Howell finished their mission in Hungary and gave a talk in their homeward in Colton. They shared some stories from their time in Hungary, and Brother Howell concluded his talk bearing his testimony in Hungarian. He sounded well! They look good.

 

Earlier we attended Juniper Ward’s Sacrament Meeting because John was scheduled to give a talk. Originally he was the concluding speaker, but since President Martinez was in attendance he took the final ten minutes to address the Ward. John did a pretty good job, sharing experiences and emphasizing principles a doctrine that went along with them and all done in Spanish. His testimony of the Priesthood is a strong one.

 

In your previous email you mentioned some investigators, for whom we are grateful. They—Samantha, Bri and Tanya—seem to be very promising ones, especially Samantha. I’m still curious about the rest of Samantha’s story that you promised to share in a weekly email that you never sent. Please tell us her story, it should be a fascinating one. I’m honestly grateful for the kind of experiences you’re having in your mission, for they are strengthening your testimony and enriching your life. I’m grateful for people like Tyler and Stephanie and their son. They seem to love you a lot. Keep in touch with them. I’m grateful for Carlos and for how much he appreciates you. He even got off his way to surprise you in an unexpected visit. There is just one reason they show that love and it’s because you taught them eternal truths that change their life enormously and for the better. You taught them the Gospel of Jesus Christ the best way you could and they felt it! The rest is History. I’m really happy for the blessings you are receiving in the Mission field and for the growing you are getting in every aspect of your life.

 

I love you Buddy! Keep it up!

 

We are always praying for you and your investigators and companions. Have fun in your P-Day!

 

DaD

 

PS

It doesn’t matter who get transfer and who get to stay. You keep working hard in finding people –such Tyler and Stephanie, and Carlos—who are waiting to be taught by you. Find them wherever you are serving. Believe it, they are there, and ready.