FEB_11_19_MOM_TOW_From Mom
Hey Mom!
I sent out a weekly email again this week. So be sure to read that one before reading this one. Hopefully that does a good job of filling you in on how my week was. Basically, it was GREAT. I'm in a good place right now, as a missionary, as a district leader, and as a human being.
I'm happy, which is such a blessing.
Yup! Three more transfers! 4 and a half months! Technically, I've been out for 20 months at this point! Isn't that just insane? 18 more weeks! That's so exciting! I can't wait to see you again! But I know that I'm where I need to be and that the Lord has so much in store for me here in Towanda. I'll be patient, and focus on this work that I love. But I'd be lying if I said I haven't been thinking about you guys quite a bit. And college. And getting a job. And finding somewhere to live. Meh.
Yes, this Thursday will be transfers! As expected, Elder Foster will be leaving, which I'm pretty bummed about. I've been blessed with some awesome companions. Me and Elder Foster are so similar, and yet so different at the same time. He's definitely a lifelong friend. But I'm so excited to meet my new companion, Elder Benjamin Seeley! I've met him once before, but only for a few seconds as I was saying goodbye to Elder Toomer. He seemed a like a really happy, optimistic person when I talked to him. I'm excited to get to know him better.
I emailed President Bednar yesterday and said, "I know during interviews, we frequently talk about you putting struggling missionaries with me so that I can help them. Is this one of those cases? If so, how can I help Elder Seeley? Has he been struggling at all? I'll do everything in my power to help him. I know he's new, and the transition can be difficult, especially transitioning from your first to second area. Let me know how I can help."
And he replied:
" I'm so excited about what is happening there. Part of me feels bad that Elder Foster is leaving as things are just really getting going. Your new companion is tailor-made for you. As you get to know each other, you'll have a perfect sense of why and you'll see a connection between what he's experienced at the beginning of his mission and you at yours. I knew you could understand him much better than any other missionary in the mission. He's a great young man and wants to do what's right but can be hard on himself. Your patience and loving kindness will help him and will be a great opportunity for you to do what you have done best for others. Keep giving the Lord your heart and your best and it will always be enough."
So yeah. It seems like Elder Seeley may have been struggling a bit these past few transfers. Just like I did my first two transfers. I don't know what i will do to help, but I hope I can at least provide him with a little bit of hope once he realizes that I've experienced similar issues. I've never had President Bednar say that a companion was, "tailor made" for me. So this will be interesting. But I'm excited to work with him, and expect that we will keep the work progressing in this area, and become great friends as well.
Poor Elder Toomer, though. He's staying in Pittsburgh for another transfer, since Elder Seeley is leaving to be with me in Towanda. 7.5 months is long for ANY area, even the best area. Bless him.
I wasn't able to play tennis last week. The courts were covered in snow. We were gonna try again today, but it snowed overnight. GAH. I think the Lord is trying to tell me something.
Okay, I get it! No tennis until after my mission!
NOT many pictures this week, unfortunately, but there is a woman in our ward, Sister Lehman, who is a photographer, and she wants to take pictures of Elder Foster and I today at 4:30. That will be an interesting experience, as we're going to be in her studio. I'm not exactly the most photogenic person. Especially since I gained 25 pounds STRAIGHT TO MY FACE. And I haven't cut my hair in 3 weeks so it's kinda a mess. But no matter what the pictures look like, hopefully I'll have something to send to you later today or maybe next week. We'll see! Either way, I'm grateful that she's willing to do this for free!
The baptismal Interview with Cassie, the Mansfield Sisters' investigator, went well. She was baptized on Saturday. Interviewing her and witnessing her conversion and testimony was such a pleasure. I don't like being District Leader, but that's one aspect of being a district leader that I genuinely enjoy.
Oh yeah. I'm still district leader this next transfer. We're getting three new members of the district (two of the current sisters are going home). Hopefully they sustain me lol.
Anyways, I feel like I'm just rambling at this point. I love you! Until next week!
Elder Jake Gonzales
1) Elder Seeley is on the far right. I've sent you this picture before, but figured I'd send it to you again.
2) everyone in the family can appreciate this picture lol. I cracked up so hard.
I sent out a weekly email again this week. So be sure to read that one before reading this one. Hopefully that does a good job of filling you in on how my week was. Basically, it was GREAT. I'm in a good place right now, as a missionary, as a district leader, and as a human being.
Yup! Three more transfers! 4 and a half months! Technically, I've been out for 20 months at this point! Isn't that just insane? 18 more weeks! That's so exciting! I can't wait to see you again! But I know that I'm where I need to be and that the Lord has so much in store for me here in Towanda. I'll be patient, and focus on this work that I love. But I'd be lying if I said I haven't been thinking about you guys quite a bit. And college. And getting a job. And finding somewhere to live. Meh.
Yes, this Thursday will be transfers! As expected, Elder Foster will be leaving, which I'm pretty bummed about. I've been blessed with some awesome companions. Me and Elder Foster are so similar, and yet so different at the same time. He's definitely a lifelong friend. But I'm so excited to meet my new companion, Elder Benjamin Seeley! I've met him once before, but only for a few seconds as I was saying goodbye to Elder Toomer. He seemed a like a really happy, optimistic person when I talked to him. I'm excited to get to know him better.
I emailed President Bednar yesterday and said, "I know during interviews, we frequently talk about you putting struggling missionaries with me so that I can help them. Is this one of those cases? If so, how can I help Elder Seeley? Has he been struggling at all? I'll do everything in my power to help him. I know he's new, and the transition can be difficult, especially transitioning from your first to second area. Let me know how I can help."
And he replied:
" I'm so excited about what is happening there. Part of me feels bad that Elder Foster is leaving as things are just really getting going. Your new companion is tailor-made for you. As you get to know each other, you'll have a perfect sense of why and you'll see a connection between what he's experienced at the beginning of his mission and you at yours. I knew you could understand him much better than any other missionary in the mission. He's a great young man and wants to do what's right but can be hard on himself. Your patience and loving kindness will help him and will be a great opportunity for you to do what you have done best for others. Keep giving the Lord your heart and your best and it will always be enough."
So yeah. It seems like Elder Seeley may have been struggling a bit these past few transfers. Just like I did my first two transfers. I don't know what i will do to help, but I hope I can at least provide him with a little bit of hope once he realizes that I've experienced similar issues. I've never had President Bednar say that a companion was, "tailor made" for me. So this will be interesting. But I'm excited to work with him, and expect that we will keep the work progressing in this area, and become great friends as well.
Poor Elder Toomer, though. He's staying in Pittsburgh for another transfer, since Elder Seeley is leaving to be with me in Towanda. 7.5 months is long for ANY area, even the best area. Bless him.
I wasn't able to play tennis last week. The courts were covered in snow. We were gonna try again today, but it snowed overnight. GAH. I think the Lord is trying to tell me something.
Okay, I get it! No tennis until after my mission!
NOT many pictures this week, unfortunately, but there is a woman in our ward, Sister Lehman, who is a photographer, and she wants to take pictures of Elder Foster and I today at 4:30. That will be an interesting experience, as we're going to be in her studio. I'm not exactly the most photogenic person. Especially since I gained 25 pounds STRAIGHT TO MY FACE. And I haven't cut my hair in 3 weeks so it's kinda a mess. But no matter what the pictures look like, hopefully I'll have something to send to you later today or maybe next week. We'll see! Either way, I'm grateful that she's willing to do this for free!
The baptismal Interview with Cassie, the Mansfield Sisters' investigator, went well. She was baptized on Saturday. Interviewing her and witnessing her conversion and testimony was such a pleasure. I don't like being District Leader, but that's one aspect of being a district leader that I genuinely enjoy.
Oh yeah. I'm still district leader this next transfer. We're getting three new members of the district (two of the current sisters are going home). Hopefully they sustain me lol.
Anyways, I feel like I'm just rambling at this point. I love you! Until next week!
Elder Jake Gonzales
1) Elder Seeley is on the far right. I've sent you this picture before, but figured I'd send it to you again.
2) everyone in the family can appreciate this picture lol. I cracked up so hard.
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