MAR_26_18_MOM_GBRG_From your mother

 Well hello. I didn't see you there.

It's crazy that you only have 9 weeks until the school year is over for you. I mean, I'm sure for YOU it seems like an eternity. But that's only a transfer and a half!! I'm sure it will go by SUPER quickly!! By that time, I could be in a new area (hopefully not) and with a new companion (hopefully not). And by that time, I will have been out for a whole YEAR. Woah. That's crazy. But I'll be praying for you, and hopefully these next 9 weeks will go by in a breeze.

Aw man. I wish you could have gotten a video of Dad trying to get that OReo into his mouth. Now THAT would be HILARIOUS. It's a heck of a lot harder than it looks. But I'm proud of the guy for getting so far.

YASSSS Sarah's graduation is right around the corner!! That'll be a nice respite from the duldrums of life. Are you going to find a way to get to Briana's graduation too?? And of course, MINE?? You'd better. If nothing else, send me some brisket from Famous Dave's in a package. Everybody needs a FEAST every once in a while. 

I'm glad you're continuing to feed the missionaries in your neck of the woods. They need that. As you know, President Bednar is an EXTREMELY obedient mission president. That's one of those things that I love about him. He goes by the handbook, nothing more, nothing less. This last week, he sent out an email to all of the Stake Presidents and Missionaries that explained that he didn't want us to have Meal Calendars in our wards anymore. INstead, he wanted to emphasize going to Less-Actives and Investigators homes for dinner, and campaigning to get fed there (which is easier said than done). We are still allowed to eat at members homes, but with a lot less frequency. That kind of stung a little. President Bednar is doing what he can to ensure that this is a BAPTIZING mission. So I'm willing to obey, even if it's difficult. 

But yeah. Feed your missionaries!! Because there are some missions (mine included) where that's not an option!!

I'm so dang excited for General Conference as well!! It's the best time of the year!! Except for Football season. Make sure that you write down some questions. I can promise you that it will enhance your conference experience a LOT. I know it did for me this last October. We're hoping to be able to watch one of the sessions with our investigator, Bri, another with Samantha, and another with a less active that we're working with, Erica. SO DANG EXCITED TO HEAR THE PROPHET SPEAK.

We have Zone Conference on Friday, and will be receiving Smart Phones. What the heck? We'll see what that's like. I personally think tablets are so much better, but I'll give these smart phones a chance. Hopefully we can discover some innovative ways to Find, TEach, and Baptize using these awesome technological tools the Lord is providing us with.

The miracle of the week?? BRI CAME TO CHURCH. HALLELUJAH!! It's about time! She had SO MANY QUESTIONS. It was kind of difficult to have a sacred experience at church, because I was constantly explaining things to Bri. But THAT'S what it's all about. I even had to demonstrate how to take the sacrament. It's always wonderful to show those who are unacquainted with these ordinances how to do them. I know that she will experience so many blessings for her willingness to change.

She had a great time at church. We picked the PERFECT team-up to bring her to church. They were fast friends. Then, after Sacrament Meeting, we introduced her to other members, who as it turns out, KNEW Her. So she already has that solid foundation of church friends, which is GREAT. 

After church, we went to the home of the Deckers with Bri for a lesson. The Deckers are an awesome young family that LOVE missionary work. They both served missions, so it makes sense. We were able to teach Bri about temples, and the blessings that are afforded to us there. It was awesome to be able to have the Deckers there, a sealed couple that have SUCH strong testimonies of the gospel. During the lesson, there was a point where we started going off topic, and the Spirit was definitely not there. But I felt a promoting to show her a picture of the Redlands Temple, and explain why it was so important to me. Then I showed her the picture we took as a family after my endowment session, and then the picture you took in front of the temple after John and Sarah's wedding. The spirit flooded back into the room. It was fantastic, and I'm so grateful for the prompting of the Spirit that I followed. I know families are forever, and I'm so grateful for that. 

We also got to teach our investigator Diane for the first time this week, and it was FANTASTIC. She had so many good questions, one of which totally stumped me and Elder Li. We explained the Great apostasy to her, and told her that after the Apostles passed away, the priesthood was taken from the earth. But then, we explained Moroni to her, and how he buried the plates in the ground. Then she asked if Moroni had the priesthood. We said yes, he was a prophet, so he did. Then she asked how that was possible, if the Priesthood had been taken off the earth after the Apostles died. We weren't sure. But we did tons of research (guided by the Spirit, of course). We even consulted President Bednar. And our district. 

President Bednar's response: 

Apostasy is a recurring cycle from the Garden of Eden to the restoration. The great apostasy began with the death of the Apostles and continued through the restoration. The great apostasy was not initially global. There are local apostasies as groups of people lose the truth and local Restorations as people are restored to the truth. Like he Nick. Consider the parallel between the initiation of the global apostasy about 3:15 ad when the Council of Nicea convene and the status of those in the new world during the same time. There was generalized apostasy but still those with priesthood on the earth. There have always been those with priesthood on the Earth.

Additional Scriptures that answer the question: Mormon 1: 13-17

And Boyd K. Packer gave a talk called "The Twelve" that can help to explain it.

My testimony has done nothing but grow during this entire process. Guys, it's okay to have qeustions. Just as long as it helps to strengthen our faith, and is not fueled by doubt. I'm so grateful for this gospel, and the happiness it provides, and the questions it answers.

Anyways, we're excited to teach Diane this Thursday. We hope that we can provide an adequate answer to her question of the Soul.

Here's a brief explanation of some of the pictures I sent you this week:

- We treated ourselves to some Burger and Fry Pizza. Oh goodness. That stuff was SO DANG GOOD. But also, after 3 bites you feel like you just feel DONE. 

- I made a snow angel. Again. Not recommended. But fun nonetheless.

-How do you like my one-handed catch? Thanks.

-The most beautiful building in Greensburg. (A courthouse) I love this place.

-Just another day in the life of a missionary. contacting in the snow. 

Anyways, I love you so much!! I love hearing from you every week!! 

Elder Jake Gonzales

On Mar 25, 2018 10:48 PM, <perucalica@aol.com> wrote:

Sunday, March 25, 2018

Hi There Buddy Boy!

This week has flown by for me because of course I was on Spring Break.  Fastest 9 days of my life.  Tomorrow it is back to the grindstone with no more breaks until the very end L.  We have 9 weeks until summer vacation and there is a ton of stuff to do between now and then. All I can say is, “Bring it on and let’s get this party over with”.

It has been a fast spring break.  I didn’t really do as much as I probably should have but I did a couple of things accomplished so it wasn’t a total loss.  I mowed the lawn with John and Sarah’s help the other day.  It was a good thing that they agreed to come help as I’ve discovered that mowing the lawn just about does me in.  A few years ago they told me that I was allergic to grass after some bloodwork that they did and as I get older I am more inclined to believe them.  I’m OK to sit on grass but while it is being cut it is difficult for me to breathe.  Anyways, John and Sarah came and rescued me and finished up a job that nobody wants.  After that, I took them out to lunch as payment for their help.  BTW. Tuesday is Sarah’s birthday and so if you have a chance, wish her a Happy Birthday.

Last night was a High Priest Group activity organized by Dad and his assistants.  The group provided the chicken but everyone else had to bring side dishes to go along with it.  There was a fairly decent turnout and it was nice just to go and visit with people for a change instead of just hibernating at home.  The Howells (who just recently returned from their mission to Hungary) came and visited with us so it was fun to see them.  Brother Loessin was in charge of games and he had everyone playing the game of trying to get an Oreo that you have placed on your forehead into your mouth.  There were a couple of people that were actually successful, Brother Boden and Rachel Hansen.  Dad got pretty close but it dropped off at the last minute.

I called my Uncle James and Aunt Pat this week to ask them if Dad and I can stay at their house when we go for Sarah’s graduation.  They live in Salt Lake which is actually further than I would like but the price is right, free!  It will be nice to see them again and I’m sure that they will treat us well.  I’m not sure if you have ever met them.  They have always been some of my favorite people as I used to babysit their kids when I was a teenager and so I have sort of a soft spot in my heart for them.  

We had the missionaries over for dinner tonight.  It was the Elders that came instead of the Sisters this month.  They seem like nice guys.  Elder Lewandowski is from Mesa, Arizona and Elder Davis is from St. George, both places that I have had ties to in my life.  They were asking about you and all the rest of the family. 

We have been watching our brackets in the Bracket Challenge.  Right now, Sarah T. is ahead of everybody and I think Dad and I next in line.  Dad chose Villanova to win and so did I (without even consulting each other).  I think that everybody else’s team is already disqualified so, we’ll see how things go from here on out.  It seems to me that I pretty much didn’t do very well this year with my picks.  There were some surprises of 16 seed teams beating 1 seed teams so there were upsets going on for sure.  Oh well, it’s all in fun.  They still say that the prize for the winner is a burrito from MIguels.  If Dad and I win, that wouldn’t be a very nice gift as that just means that I have to go and buy myself something.  That’s OK though.  I’ll take a burrito anytime that I can get one.

This Tuesday is the day that I am scheduled for jury duty.  I am crossing my fingers that I do not have to report. I would rather teach.  You know that if I am saying that, it must be a pretty good indication of how much I hate jury duty.  Keep your fingers crossed for me.

It’s hard to believe that this next weekend is General Conference.  It will be great to be able to sustain President Nelson as our new Prophet and also to see who the new Apostles are going to be.  I’m always curious as is everybody else, I suppose.  Whoever they are, I’m sure they’ll do a marvelous job.

How are things working out with your new companion?  I’m hoping that by now you are great friends but more importantly, that you are working well together to find those that are ready for the gospel message.

Well, that’s about all I can think of to tell you other than I love you soooooo much. I am proud of who you are and am glad that you are mine.  I couldn’t ask for a better son.  Be good and do good.

Love,

Mom