APR_15_19_GROUP_TOW_Week of April 15, 2019

Hello Everyone!!

I hope you have all had a good week! I just got done talking to my Mommy on the phone, so I couldn't be happier. (Yes, I just used the word "mommy". No, I'm not ashamed. That's what she is. Sue me).

It's been a good week here in Towanda!! SO MANY miracles have been evident, and I could not be more grateful for them!

Probably the biggest miracle?? MAYSON AND CERENITI WILL BE GETTING BAPTIZED TOMORROW!! YASSSSSSSS! For those of you who don't remember, they are the 8 and 10 year old children that I have been teaching for a couple of months now. Elder Foster and I tracted into them. Allow me to refresh your memory:

Elder Foster and I were having a typical day. A TON of knocking on doors. Elder Foster and I did that a lot. Not because we wanted to, but because we didn't have many people to teach and we had already exhausted our other finding techniques. So we decided to knock this local trailer park. 

There was one trailer that was kind of secluded from the rest of them. Before we knock on the door, I see some things in their yard and recieve a distinct prompting from the Spirit that I need to talk about how we can be with our deceased loved ones after we die. That's not something I talk about too frequently, but it's something that I felt strongly about.

We knock on the door. A really intimidating looking guy answers the door. He's got a shaved head, with tons of tattoos and piercings. A man who I admittedly, would not have normally approached because they tend not to be too nice to me. I share with him what I knew to be true and waited for his response.

He says, "I don't normally talk to people like you, but you caught me on a good day. Wait one sec. I'll be right out."

Elder Foster and I just look at eachother, mentally and spiritually preparing for what is about to come. This man comes out, introduces himself as Donald, and begins working on his car as we talk to him about the Plan of Salvation. He has had a rough past. Some of his family members passed away young. As we talk to him, it is clear that his heart is being softened, that we have said something that has gotten his attention.

After a few minutes, he invites us to come back and teach his children! He says that they are good kids, and that they love the gospel, but unfortunately have never been raised in a religious household. He said that his daughter always reads the Bible and is talking about Jesus, but that she has never had the opportunity to learn more.

We go back there the following Tuesday, and have been going back each week since then!! We met Mayson and Cereniti, two of the most pure and amazing kids you will ever meet. Cereniti is so soft spoken, and so intelligent. Mayson is a crazy kid, but has such a desire to do the right thing because it's right, even when it's hard. Teaching them has been such a pleasure. Watching their progression and understanding has been astounding. And getting to know and love them has been a massive blessing to me.

As I mentioned above, they will be getting baptized tomorrow!! And Donald, their father, will likely be getting baptized soon as well! I could not be more excited for them! Cereniti  has asked me to Baptize her and Mayson has asked me to confirm him. Gosh, what a privilege. I love these kids with all my heart and am humbled by their trust they have in me. I hope I will continue to be worthy of their trust throughout my life.

So yeah, expect some pictures from the baptism next week! They're gonna look so adorable and clean in their white clothes! And better yet, they will be CLEAN spiritually as well. I am so grateful for my mission, and for the opportunity that it provides for me to develop Christlike love for these people that I meet. But most importantly, for the opportunity that I have to see people become closer to their Father in Heaven, and their Savior, Jesus Christ. That is what makes the mission so AMAZING.

The rest of the week has been good. There have been some disappointments, as usual. Some of our people are struggling. But I know that with the power of the Holy Ghost, nothing is impossible. I trust in my God to allow everything that is supposed to happen to happen. I just have to do my part. And I feel I am. And that's a good feeling. 

I love each of you!! I took a TON of pictures this week, so look out for those! The church is true!

Elder Jake Gonzales

1)WE FOUND A SICKLE. 

2-3) Twas Elder Seeley's birthday last week! 

4) When else am I going to be in the country with a truck? I had to take advantage of it! Matthew 7:1

5)SHEEPS!

6) District Squad!