FEB_4_19_MOM_TOW_Week of February 4, 2019
Hey Mom!
This has been a great week. Let me explain.
Obviously, it was Christmas on Tuesday. And Christmas as a missionary is always SO FUN. I mean, obviously, I would rather be at home with you guys, drinking Apple Cider and watching It's A Wonderful Life. But since that's not an option for me right now, I'm grateful for the families here in Towanda that were kind enough to invite us to their home to join in their Christmas Festivities.
First, there's the Hardings. Gosh, I love that family. They are so great. They remind me a lot of the Stanley's, in that they treat us like real people, not as missionaries who have no personalities. I love going over to their house. It's like being with friends, you know? I can be myself with them.
Anyways, we went over to their house for Christmas Eve/P-Day. We go there every P-Day and usually just hang out with Ben and Madi, their 19 year old children. We spent the day playing board games, messing around with Ben's new potato cannon, and eventually, having Christmas Dinner with them. It was awesome. We also played some Minute-To-Win-It games, which is a Christmas tradition for them. It was really fun. But my favorite part was gathering in their living room, and listening to Brother Harding read the Christmas story from the Bible. We sang Silent Night with them as well, and just discussed Christmas and why it's important. I don't really know how to explain it, but the Spirit was definitely there and it just reminded me of you guys and how much I miss you. I guess it was just a little piece of home out here on the mission, and I really appreciated it.
We also went to the English's house on Christmas Day. They're an old less active couple who are just so good to us. We had lots of great food, and were able to interact and talk with some of their elderly family, which was fun. They made us feel right at home! God has really blessed me to meet these two families!
And of course, I got to see you on Christmas! That's always a good time. I agree with John, though. I feel like I wasn't as emotional this time as I have been in past calls, because I know soon enough I will be able to see all of you again. Sorry if it seemed like I was overly awkward during the video chat! Its just difficult to come up with things to talk to you about! But regardless of the words that are said, its just nice being able to talk to you and revel in your presence. I love and miss you! Just 5 months until the next call!
But the best part of this week: the Lord has been showering our District with SO MANY miracles! As you know, as District Leader, it's one of my responsibilities to call each companionship in the District each Sunday night to see how they're doing, how their Investigators are progressing, etc. Well, last night as I was talking to the Sisters in the District (I only have Sisters in my district), they were telling me about all of the people they found this week, and about the unique circumstances that they found each of them in. The other set of Sisters talked about how one of their Investigators received a witness that the Book of Mormon is true, and now wants to be baptized! And also, they recently started teaching a Part Member Family with 4 unbaptized kids, and all of the kids want to be baptized! Isn't that just wonderful??
I guess, as I was talking to my district members last night, my eyes were opened to God's hand in our missionary work. I went to sleep last night feeling so grateful for the blessings that are so evident in each of our lives. I don't even know how to adequately put my feelings of joy into words. Like Ammon says in Alma 26, "I cannot say the smallest part which I feel."
And the good news continues as well. Not only are each members of my district seeing success, but Elder Foster and I have witnessed the Lord's hand as well. I can't remember if I told you last week about Bill or not. He is somebody we tracted into two weeks ago. We'll, since then, we have had 5 LESSONS with him, and he is progressing! Even though I have only known him for a few weeks, I feel as though I was meant to meet and teach him. He is such a great guy, but he's had a really difficult life and is looking for truth and happiness. We had a lesson with him last night that was SO SPIRIT FILLED. I don't think I've ever felt the Spirit more in a lesson.
I feel that if Bill receives a witness from the Spirit that the Book of Mormon is true, then he will definitely be baptized. The only problem is, he has not yet received that witness. He's reading the Book of Mormon and praying about it. I feel that he has real intent and a sincere desire for truth. But now I just have to wait on the Lord to answer his prayer on His time. Patience is a hard thing. But if each of you could keep Bill in your prayers, especially that he will recieve a personal witness, I would greatly appreciate it!
Our New Year's Plans are... to Proselyte. I thought perhaps President Bednar would tell us to come in earlier to avoid dealing with drunk partiers, but he told us to just treat today and tomorrow as a normal proselyting day. So thats what I'll be doing for New Years. Elder Foster and I will probably try to avoid knocking on doors tonight though, if we can avoid it.
I'm sure James will Excell in his new calling as a Seminary teacher. However I agree. That seems like quite a heavy burden to be putting on a 20 year old kid, especially just shortly after returning from his mission. You would think they would allow him to focus on school or work, but I guess not.
Anyways, Elder Foster and I got kind of a late start today, so I've got to go shopping now. Thanks for the email! I love you and will talk to you next week!
Elder Jake Gonzales
This has been a great week. Let me explain.
Obviously, it was Christmas on Tuesday. And Christmas as a missionary is always SO FUN. I mean, obviously, I would rather be at home with you guys, drinking Apple Cider and watching It's A Wonderful Life. But since that's not an option for me right now, I'm grateful for the families here in Towanda that were kind enough to invite us to their home to join in their Christmas Festivities.
First, there's the Hardings. Gosh, I love that family. They are so great. They remind me a lot of the Stanley's, in that they treat us like real people, not as missionaries who have no personalities. I love going over to their house. It's like being with friends, you know? I can be myself with them.
Anyways, we went over to their house for Christmas Eve/P-Day. We go there every P-Day and usually just hang out with Ben and Madi, their 19 year old children. We spent the day playing board games, messing around with Ben's new potato cannon, and eventually, having Christmas Dinner with them. It was awesome. We also played some Minute-To-Win-It games, which is a Christmas tradition for them. It was really fun. But my favorite part was gathering in their living room, and listening to Brother Harding read the Christmas story from the Bible. We sang Silent Night with them as well, and just discussed Christmas and why it's important. I don't really know how to explain it, but the Spirit was definitely there and it just reminded me of you guys and how much I miss you. I guess it was just a little piece of home out here on the mission, and I really appreciated it.
We also went to the English's house on Christmas Day. They're an old less active couple who are just so good to us. We had lots of great food, and were able to interact and talk with some of their elderly family, which was fun. They made us feel right at home! God has really blessed me to meet these two families!
And of course, I got to see you on Christmas! That's always a good time. I agree with John, though. I feel like I wasn't as emotional this time as I have been in past calls, because I know soon enough I will be able to see all of you again. Sorry if it seemed like I was overly awkward during the video chat! Its just difficult to come up with things to talk to you about! But regardless of the words that are said, its just nice being able to talk to you and revel in your presence. I love and miss you! Just 5 months until the next call!
But the best part of this week: the Lord has been showering our District with SO MANY miracles! As you know, as District Leader, it's one of my responsibilities to call each companionship in the District each Sunday night to see how they're doing, how their Investigators are progressing, etc. Well, last night as I was talking to the Sisters in the District (I only have Sisters in my district), they were telling me about all of the people they found this week, and about the unique circumstances that they found each of them in. The other set of Sisters talked about how one of their Investigators received a witness that the Book of Mormon is true, and now wants to be baptized! And also, they recently started teaching a Part Member Family with 4 unbaptized kids, and all of the kids want to be baptized! Isn't that just wonderful??
I guess, as I was talking to my district members last night, my eyes were opened to God's hand in our missionary work. I went to sleep last night feeling so grateful for the blessings that are so evident in each of our lives. I don't even know how to adequately put my feelings of joy into words. Like Ammon says in Alma 26, "I cannot say the smallest part which I feel."
And the good news continues as well. Not only are each members of my district seeing success, but Elder Foster and I have witnessed the Lord's hand as well. I can't remember if I told you last week about Bill or not. He is somebody we tracted into two weeks ago. We'll, since then, we have had 5 LESSONS with him, and he is progressing! Even though I have only known him for a few weeks, I feel as though I was meant to meet and teach him. He is such a great guy, but he's had a really difficult life and is looking for truth and happiness. We had a lesson with him last night that was SO SPIRIT FILLED. I don't think I've ever felt the Spirit more in a lesson.
I feel that if Bill receives a witness from the Spirit that the Book of Mormon is true, then he will definitely be baptized. The only problem is, he has not yet received that witness. He's reading the Book of Mormon and praying about it. I feel that he has real intent and a sincere desire for truth. But now I just have to wait on the Lord to answer his prayer on His time. Patience is a hard thing. But if each of you could keep Bill in your prayers, especially that he will recieve a personal witness, I would greatly appreciate it!
Our New Year's Plans are... to Proselyte. I thought perhaps President Bednar would tell us to come in earlier to avoid dealing with drunk partiers, but he told us to just treat today and tomorrow as a normal proselyting day. So thats what I'll be doing for New Years. Elder Foster and I will probably try to avoid knocking on doors tonight though, if we can avoid it.
I'm sure James will Excell in his new calling as a Seminary teacher. However I agree. That seems like quite a heavy burden to be putting on a 20 year old kid, especially just shortly after returning from his mission. You would think they would allow him to focus on school or work, but I guess not.
Anyways, Elder Foster and I got kind of a late start today, so I've got to go shopping now. Thanks for the email! I love you and will talk to you next week!
Elder Jake Gonzales
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