SEP_10_18_GROUP_PITT_Week of September 10, 2018
Hey everyone!!
Sorry it's been a little while. I just wanted to reassure you that YES, I'm still alive. YES, I'm still enjoying myself, and YES, I'm aware that BYU lost to Cal in their home opener on Saturday. I'm still a little broken up about that last one.
With that being said, these past few weeks have been awesome! As you know, I was assigned to be the trainer of a new missionary. Well, his name is Elder Tyler Toomer. He's from Salt Lake City, Utah and just graduated from high school like two months ago. Me and him get along great! Even though the work has proven to be slow here in Pittsburgh, we have found a way to have fun knocking doors and trying to find people all day.
It's also been really cool to experience what Downtown Pittsburgh is like during football season. A couple of nights ago, Pitt played their rival, Penn State. Man, you should have seen this place. There were so many college students in Downtown, each wearing their Panthers or Nittany Lions gear. We could hear the cheersof the stadium over the sounds of the cars driving past. From what I'm told, it wasn't even close at all. Penn State came out on top, 51-6. But even though Pitt lost so terribly, it was cool to participate in the college GameDay experience, even just walking by.
We have started working with some people that show some real promise. First of all, there is a guy named Kurt that just appeared out of nowhere. Apparently he called the church building and asked what time we had 'mass'. As you can tell, he grew up Catholic, but he has heard that the Mormon faith was awesome and wanted to learn more about it. Well, we taught him a few days ago, and had an awesome first lesson with him. He's really just a great guy who wants to do what's right for himself, and what's most favorable in God's eyes. He somehow got his hands on a book of Mormon about a month ago and has already read all the way to Alma 42! Now that's devotion right there! We're looking forward to meeting with him again tomorrow!
We were also able to meet Paul, the Brother of a returning member. He just immigrated here from Jamaica, and has been looking for work. We gave him a Priesthood blessing, and he came to church the next day! After the service, he told us that he knew there was something different here, that he felt comfortable and free. Well, we were able to teach him the Restoration on Saturday, and committed him to be baptized!
Theres only one problem. His Jamaican accent is SO THICK. Like, I didn't realize just how much of an accent native Jamaicans have. He might as well be speaking another language. Half the time, during lessons, I'm just smiling and nodding my head, not knowing what he's saying to me. And because of that, it's difficult to know if he's understanding what we're saying to HIM. But he keeps telling us that he feels so good about this, and I think that's the most important part. Pray for Paul! And pray for me to have the gift of tongues!
Also, the elevators in our building spontaneously broke this morning, so guess who had to walk down 20 flights of stairs to go grocery shopping?
♂️ Fortunately it was fixed by the time we got back. I was NOT about to walk up 20 flights of stairs with a gallon of milk and my Doritos.
And a bag of carrots, of course. I'm not THAT unhealthy, okay?
Anyways, that's about all I've got for this week. Thanks for the continual prayers and notes! I miss you! Hope you have a great week!
Elder Jake Gonzales
Sorry it's been a little while. I just wanted to reassure you that YES, I'm still alive. YES, I'm still enjoying myself, and YES, I'm aware that BYU lost to Cal in their home opener on Saturday. I'm still a little broken up about that last one.
With that being said, these past few weeks have been awesome! As you know, I was assigned to be the trainer of a new missionary. Well, his name is Elder Tyler Toomer. He's from Salt Lake City, Utah and just graduated from high school like two months ago. Me and him get along great! Even though the work has proven to be slow here in Pittsburgh, we have found a way to have fun knocking doors and trying to find people all day.
It's also been really cool to experience what Downtown Pittsburgh is like during football season. A couple of nights ago, Pitt played their rival, Penn State. Man, you should have seen this place. There were so many college students in Downtown, each wearing their Panthers or Nittany Lions gear. We could hear the cheersof the stadium over the sounds of the cars driving past. From what I'm told, it wasn't even close at all. Penn State came out on top, 51-6. But even though Pitt lost so terribly, it was cool to participate in the college GameDay experience, even just walking by.
We have started working with some people that show some real promise. First of all, there is a guy named Kurt that just appeared out of nowhere. Apparently he called the church building and asked what time we had 'mass'. As you can tell, he grew up Catholic, but he has heard that the Mormon faith was awesome and wanted to learn more about it. Well, we taught him a few days ago, and had an awesome first lesson with him. He's really just a great guy who wants to do what's right for himself, and what's most favorable in God's eyes. He somehow got his hands on a book of Mormon about a month ago and has already read all the way to Alma 42! Now that's devotion right there! We're looking forward to meeting with him again tomorrow!
We were also able to meet Paul, the Brother of a returning member. He just immigrated here from Jamaica, and has been looking for work. We gave him a Priesthood blessing, and he came to church the next day! After the service, he told us that he knew there was something different here, that he felt comfortable and free. Well, we were able to teach him the Restoration on Saturday, and committed him to be baptized!
Theres only one problem. His Jamaican accent is SO THICK. Like, I didn't realize just how much of an accent native Jamaicans have. He might as well be speaking another language. Half the time, during lessons, I'm just smiling and nodding my head, not knowing what he's saying to me. And because of that, it's difficult to know if he's understanding what we're saying to HIM. But he keeps telling us that he feels so good about this, and I think that's the most important part. Pray for Paul! And pray for me to have the gift of tongues!
Also, the elevators in our building spontaneously broke this morning, so guess who had to walk down 20 flights of stairs to go grocery shopping?
And a bag of carrots, of course. I'm not THAT unhealthy, okay?
Anyways, that's about all I've got for this week. Thanks for the continual prayers and notes! I miss you! Hope you have a great week!
Elder Jake Gonzales
1) Me and Elder Toomer
2) OF COURSE I had to take him to Peppi's. Just as good as ever. Every time we come by, they be sure to bring us "Mormon Sauce" aka Fry Sauce
3) Three generations of training! My trainer, Elder Marcum, me, and my trainee, Elder Toomer.
4)good old Pittsburgh..
5) Pitt vs. Penn State from the outside looking in. Only 9 more months....
6) When you're trying to teach a lesson and a bird lands on your shoulder.
2) OF COURSE I had to take him to Peppi's. Just as good as ever. Every time we come by, they be sure to bring us "Mormon Sauce" aka Fry Sauce
3) Three generations of training! My trainer, Elder Marcum, me, and my trainee, Elder Toomer.
4)good old Pittsburgh..
5) Pitt vs. Penn State from the outside looking in. Only 9 more months....
6) When you're trying to teach a lesson and a bird lands on your shoulder.
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