JUL_9_18_MOM_PITT_From Mom

 Hey Mom!!

I'm glad that you and the family were able to go to Claremont for the 4th of July this year. Going there has kind of become a little bit of a tradition, huh? Although, like you said, it's undoubtedly not as fun without the rest of us kids there. We're the life of the party, after all!! But just think: guess who's going to be home in time for the 4th of July next year?? I look forward to eating all of your Barbecue chips and cold fried chicken 

Wow!! For once, it sounds like Pennsylvania and California are having similar weather!! Elder Jones and I were absolutely miserable on the 4th of July, because it was 101 degrees outside. To make matters worse, we were outside finding all day, even though nobody wanted to talk to us since it was a holiday. Fortunately, as we were about to collapse from heat exhaustion, a kind woman whom we are now teaching offered us bottles of water. I am confident that the Lord continually looks out for his servants!

Hmm... So you're a primary teacher now? Wow. I'm sure that probably wasn't very high on your list of callings, but I'm sure you will do a fantastic job. After all, you're going to have Dad at your side through all of it. He'll be there to calm you down if you need him, and vise versa. I don't know if you would have preferred a younger class, but id say that teaching 10 and 11 year Olds is probably preferable to teaching 5 year Olds. But that's just me. 

Congratulations on 30 years of marriage!! Like you said, it's crazy to believe that it's already been that long. And I've been a part of 20 of those 30 years. There's no need to thank me. There will be time for that later. For now, just enjoy your day! Go grab something good to eat! Preferably Mexican food. 

Things are going pretty decent here in Pittsburgh. Like I mentioned above, our 4th of July was primarily just... HOT. We were dying. We went to a members home for dinner. His name is Brother McDermott, and he's from Jamaica. I've been there before, and was looking forward to going there again. You see, he makes dang good chicken. Not just any chicken. Authentic SPICY JAMAICAN chicken. And it did not disappoint!! However, the heat outside in conjunction with the heat of the chicken made me feel like I was going to overheat. There were beads of sweat trickling down my forehead. But somehow, by the grace of God, I made it through. He's the one with the curly hair holding up a drumstick in the pictures I sent you. 

I also convinced my companion to go with me to the roof of our building to see if we could spot any fireworks. We'll, turns out I wasn't the only one who had that idea, as it seemed like the whole building was on the roof. It was a pretty tight squeeze, but it was well worth it. The city was shooting off fireworks from a barge on the river, and we had a fantastic view from our roof. It was cool to actually see fireworks this year as I didn't even see ONE last year. Overall, a 4th of July to remember. 

It seems that this week has been a week of FOOD, because I got to go and try the locally famous "Peppi's" sub shop for the first time. It was so good!! I got what they deem the "Roethlisberger", named after the current Steelers quarterback. It has Italian sausage, tomatoes, ranch, lettuce, Etc. on it, and it was SO GOOD!! I would definitely go there again. 

We also had interviews with President Bednar this week, which is always a good time. It's also a little nerve wracking to have him sit in on the first few minutes of District Meeting, but somehow I got throughh it. During interviews, I kinda told him how I've been feeling recently: Kinda like I'm on a spiritual plateau, and haven't been growing in faith at the rare I'd expect at this point on my mission. I also told him that this area has kinda been hard for me. Basically, what he told me is to just focus on the work. Don't be overly concerned with the rate of growth, or the rapidity of work, but rather, just dive in headfirst. I thought that was good advice, and I hope to be seeing better results soon. 

Towards the conclusion of my interview with him, he basically said that he's glad that things have been a little boring for me, a little uneventful. And he said that he bets you're glad too! If the alternative is constant jaw pain and depression, he definitely prefers this. And I have to agree with him! 

I'll be finding out my new companion this Saturday! I don't expect to leave this area, seeing as I just got here. I hope that I have a companion that I can help. Somebody who hasn't been out as long as me. And I hope that I have someone who motivates me! I'm sure that the Lord and President Bednar already have somebody in mind. 

Anyways, that's all I've gotfor this week!! I love you Mom! Thanks for the prayers! 

Elder Jake Gonzales 

On Mon, Jul 9, 2018, 12:32 AM <perucalica@aol.com> wrote:

Sunday, July 08, 2018

Hey There Buddy Boy!

How are you this fine day? I hope you’re doing great.  Everything here is going well.  I’ve actually been home for a whole week now.  I think this is the longest I’ve been home in one stretch in a while.

I guess the highlight of the week was the 4^th of July.  Dad and I went to Claremont with John and Sarah.  It was a nice night but we missed having everyone else there.  It’s always a lot more fun with a group of people.

It has been soooooo hot here this last week.  On Friday, it actually reached 120 degrees in some places.  It was blistering hot. The days since then haven’t been much better.  I think that it was supposed to reach 104 today.  I never thought I’d be glad for it to be 104 outside.  Yesterday there was a freak thunderstorm here.  It rained just a few drops but there must have been a lightning strike somewhere close because there was a huge explosion that scared the tar out of me.  It certainly got my heart racing.

We went back to church today after not being there for the last few weeks.  I have really missed it.  Dad and I were both called to be Primary teachers today.  I think that we will be teaching the 10-11 year olds which is Taralynn Pew, Athen Davies, Carly Davies and few others that you probably don’t know.  I think that our first lesson may have to do with being respectful at church.  They have a tendency to sit funny in their chairs, take their shoes off during class, etc.  Hopefully we can put an end to that.  When I’m not teaching Primary I guess I will be the acting Primary Pianist as well since they took Sister Young out of Primary and put her in as Young Women’s President.  I guess I’m getting that job by default.

Dad and I have finalized out plans for going back to Rexburg on the 21^st.  Cohen’s blessing is scheduled for the 22^nd and Briana graduates on the 23^rd so it will be a busy weekend.  We are flying to Salt Lake but will have to take the shuttle to Idaho Falls where we will be renting a car.  We will be staying at someone’s house (AirBnb) in Idaho Falls.  Hopefully it will be a good weekend.  I know just seeing Cohen again will be the highlight.  He is such a cutie!

Tomorrow is Dad’s and my 30^th wedding anniversary.  It seems hard to believe that we’ve been married that long.  I’m not sure what our plans are.  Probably nothing out of the ordinary.

How has the missionary work been going for you? I hope that you’re finally starting to learn your way around your area and that you’re starting to feel more at home.  I thought about you on your click day.  Only 11 months to go!!

Well, that about wraps it up for this letter.  There isn’t a whole lot going on so I’ll cease to bore you any further.  Be good and do good.

Love,

Mom