APR_1_19_GROUP_TOW_Week of April 1, 2019
Hey everyone!
I am feeling very good today. So many good things are happening in this area, and I just don't even know where to start. I am so grateful for the Lord and his willingness to provide me and Elder Seeley with these blessings. I apologize in advance if this email is long, but there are so many things that I want to say.
Firstly, I want to tell you a little bit of a story.
As missionaries, contacting people is just a part of the job. Contacting members of the church, contacting people who have been taught in the past, contacting people we are teaching now. We are just always going to people's houses, trying to get in contact with them so that we can help them receive the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Well, Elder Seeley and I were contacting a less-active member this week. We knocked on his trailer door, and saw the lights in the house go off. We also heard shuffling of footsteps. Clearly someone was home. We knocked again.
Nobody comes. Well, I guess they don't want to talk to us. It's all good. I'm used to that feeling by now.
Then, we see somebody crawling out the back door, sneakily walk to their car. And drive away. This guy was trying to run away from us!! He didn't want to talk to us THAT badly! Haha
Elder Seeley and I kind of laughed at how much people hate us around here. As we were walking back to our car, I see one of the neighbors walk out of his house. I just casually give him a smile and wave at him. I ask him how he's doing.
When he sees me, he gets wide eyes, doesn't acknowledge me, and immediately walks back into his house. He didn't want to talk to us THAT bad.
As missionaries, this is kind of the norm. People don't like us. They don't want to talk to us. They think we're weird, strange, unusual, creepy, etc. And so they avoid us. If I had a dollar for every time someone has crossed to the other side of the street to avoid talking to me, man... I'd be a rich man!!
Sure, it stings a little bit. But then I got to thinking about Jesus Christ. When he was here, he was rejected. He was cast out. He was spit upon and made a hiss and a byword. Here he was, the Son of God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, being treated like trash. They crucified him for goodness, sake! They hated and killed the Savior of the World!
Whenever I think that I have it bad, I think of Him. Whenever I think I'm being treated unfairly, I think of Him. When I am shunned and mocked, targeted and torn apart, I am standing, "shoulder to shoulder with the greatest life this world has ever known."
I am a representative of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. " I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life."
3 Nephi 5:13
I consider it a privilege to be a disciple of Him, the First and the Last, the Alpha and the Omega, the Redeemer of the World. I am grateful for the hardship, because it helps me feel closer to Him. He is my brother, and I love him more than I can even adequately explain through words.
I love my mission so much. I have grown so much closer to my Father in Heaven and my Savior, Jesus Christ. I wouldn't trade this experience for the world.
Alrighty, second story.
We went to go visit a member family in our ward, the Potters. I love these guys to death. They are such a good example of what a family is SUPPOSED to be, And they are so good to us missionaries. I feel a great amount of admiration for them.
Unfortunately, they're going through a lot of hard times right now. Like, really hard. And it pains me. I love them so much, and to see them struggling... it irks me to the very soul. I want to help them in any way that I can' I want to ease their burdens, take them away. Unfortunately, I don't have the authority to do that. I can just teach doctrine.
So that's what we did. We taught them about the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We do this through one of my favorite videos, "Mountains to Climb". And as soon as the video starts, I just start hardcore CRYING.
It was honestly pretty embarrassing. I've been crying a lot recently. Because I love these people in Pennsylvania and I feel so much charity towards them. I just want to do anything I can to help them. Anything at all.
Fortunately for me, the Potter family is not judgemental. I'm grateful for them. I love them very much. And they were in Good Spirits after our lesson, which is gratifying.
Towards the end of our time there, Jayden, their 11 year old son starts telling us about how he shared a little bit about the Sabbath Day to his cousin, a boy who has no religous background. As Jayden was telling us this story, I saw so much potential in this boy. He was teaching and testifying of truth so well. I felt the Spirit as he was speaking.
Jayden was baptized into the church two years ago. While being young in the church, he is strong in testimony. I saw in him an amazing future missionary. So I unclipped my nametag and gave it to him. I told him that what he is doing was good and righteous. That he is already a fantastic member missionary. And that he will make an incredible full time missionary someday.
He started crying. He gave me a hug. I love that kid to death. I hope that he serves a mission and continues to stay strong in the faith. I will always remember him. Look out for an Elder Potter in 2026!
Now just a couple of updates on people that we are teaching:
- Mason and Cereneti are doing awesome!! We've taught them all of the commandments and they are eager to keep them! They will likely be baptized on the 13th! I love those kids so much and it's been a great opportunity to teach them! They are so bright and full of the Light of Christ!
- Stu is now on Baptismal date for April 27th! I never would have thought that when I met him 4 months ago that we would progress to the man that he is today! He is completely unrecognizable. He is a man of God, humble, submissive, and eager to follow Jesus Christ's example!
- Elder Seeley and I met a woman named Dolores on Friday who is so prepared for the gospel! I will tell her story next week, but she was at church yesterday and LOVED it! I think she is prepared! We're excited to teach her the plan of Salvstion today!
God is good, my friends. I love him. I feel undeserving of all of these blessings. I know he is at the helm of this work. I know he lives. And I know He loves each of you. Don't believe me? Ask him yourself.
Love you!
Elder Jake Gonzales
I am feeling very good today. So many good things are happening in this area, and I just don't even know where to start. I am so grateful for the Lord and his willingness to provide me and Elder Seeley with these blessings. I apologize in advance if this email is long, but there are so many things that I want to say.
Firstly, I want to tell you a little bit of a story.
As missionaries, contacting people is just a part of the job. Contacting members of the church, contacting people who have been taught in the past, contacting people we are teaching now. We are just always going to people's houses, trying to get in contact with them so that we can help them receive the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Well, Elder Seeley and I were contacting a less-active member this week. We knocked on his trailer door, and saw the lights in the house go off. We also heard shuffling of footsteps. Clearly someone was home. We knocked again.
Nobody comes. Well, I guess they don't want to talk to us. It's all good. I'm used to that feeling by now.
Then, we see somebody crawling out the back door, sneakily walk to their car. And drive away. This guy was trying to run away from us!! He didn't want to talk to us THAT badly! Haha
Elder Seeley and I kind of laughed at how much people hate us around here. As we were walking back to our car, I see one of the neighbors walk out of his house. I just casually give him a smile and wave at him. I ask him how he's doing.
When he sees me, he gets wide eyes, doesn't acknowledge me, and immediately walks back into his house. He didn't want to talk to us THAT bad.
As missionaries, this is kind of the norm. People don't like us. They don't want to talk to us. They think we're weird, strange, unusual, creepy, etc. And so they avoid us. If I had a dollar for every time someone has crossed to the other side of the street to avoid talking to me, man... I'd be a rich man!!
Sure, it stings a little bit. But then I got to thinking about Jesus Christ. When he was here, he was rejected. He was cast out. He was spit upon and made a hiss and a byword. Here he was, the Son of God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, being treated like trash. They crucified him for goodness, sake! They hated and killed the Savior of the World!
Whenever I think that I have it bad, I think of Him. Whenever I think I'm being treated unfairly, I think of Him. When I am shunned and mocked, targeted and torn apart, I am standing, "shoulder to shoulder with the greatest life this world has ever known."
I am a representative of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. " I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life."
3 Nephi 5:13
I consider it a privilege to be a disciple of Him, the First and the Last, the Alpha and the Omega, the Redeemer of the World. I am grateful for the hardship, because it helps me feel closer to Him. He is my brother, and I love him more than I can even adequately explain through words.
I love my mission so much. I have grown so much closer to my Father in Heaven and my Savior, Jesus Christ. I wouldn't trade this experience for the world.
Alrighty, second story.
We went to go visit a member family in our ward, the Potters. I love these guys to death. They are such a good example of what a family is SUPPOSED to be, And they are so good to us missionaries. I feel a great amount of admiration for them.
Unfortunately, they're going through a lot of hard times right now. Like, really hard. And it pains me. I love them so much, and to see them struggling... it irks me to the very soul. I want to help them in any way that I can' I want to ease their burdens, take them away. Unfortunately, I don't have the authority to do that. I can just teach doctrine.
So that's what we did. We taught them about the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We do this through one of my favorite videos, "Mountains to Climb". And as soon as the video starts, I just start hardcore CRYING.
It was honestly pretty embarrassing. I've been crying a lot recently. Because I love these people in Pennsylvania and I feel so much charity towards them. I just want to do anything I can to help them. Anything at all.
Fortunately for me, the Potter family is not judgemental. I'm grateful for them. I love them very much. And they were in Good Spirits after our lesson, which is gratifying.
Towards the end of our time there, Jayden, their 11 year old son starts telling us about how he shared a little bit about the Sabbath Day to his cousin, a boy who has no religous background. As Jayden was telling us this story, I saw so much potential in this boy. He was teaching and testifying of truth so well. I felt the Spirit as he was speaking.
Jayden was baptized into the church two years ago. While being young in the church, he is strong in testimony. I saw in him an amazing future missionary. So I unclipped my nametag and gave it to him. I told him that what he is doing was good and righteous. That he is already a fantastic member missionary. And that he will make an incredible full time missionary someday.
He started crying. He gave me a hug. I love that kid to death. I hope that he serves a mission and continues to stay strong in the faith. I will always remember him. Look out for an Elder Potter in 2026!
Now just a couple of updates on people that we are teaching:
- Mason and Cereneti are doing awesome!! We've taught them all of the commandments and they are eager to keep them! They will likely be baptized on the 13th! I love those kids so much and it's been a great opportunity to teach them! They are so bright and full of the Light of Christ!
- Stu is now on Baptismal date for April 27th! I never would have thought that when I met him 4 months ago that we would progress to the man that he is today! He is completely unrecognizable. He is a man of God, humble, submissive, and eager to follow Jesus Christ's example!
- Elder Seeley and I met a woman named Dolores on Friday who is so prepared for the gospel! I will tell her story next week, but she was at church yesterday and LOVED it! I think she is prepared! We're excited to teach her the plan of Salvstion today!
God is good, my friends. I love him. I feel undeserving of all of these blessings. I know he is at the helm of this work. I know he lives. And I know He loves each of you. Don't believe me? Ask him yourself.
Love you!
Elder Jake Gonzales
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