APR_22_19_GROUP_TOW_Week of April 22, 2019
Hello Everyone!
Man, what a week! Miracle after miracle after Miracle! As usual, it's been a hard week, but a fantastic week nonetheless! I am grateful for my calling as a missionary and for the AMAZING people I get to meet and teach each day.
Guys. It finally happened. Mayson and Cereniti were baptized. 😢 Oh my gosh I feel like a proud father. I love these children so much. I love them to death. I have come to know them so well over these past two months. I love that family and am so grateful for the righteous decision that they made to be baptized.
The baptism itself could not have gone any smoother! Baptizing Cereniti was such a privilege, and an experience that I'll cherish for the rest of my life. She is one of my favorite people that I've taught, and has SUCH an innate desire for goodness. I can understand why Jesus Christ loved the little children so much. If they are all like Mayson and Cereniti, I'd love and bless all of them too.
There were no less than 9 non members at their baptism. Family members and friends of family members showed up to the church to watch and support them in this massive step forward. They were crying at the service, with the knowledge that these children are worthy and desirous to be baptized. In fact, one of the family members' friends talked to the Sister Missionaries in our ward and asked for a Book of Mormon and for the missionaries to come teach her in her home! Her name is Shannon and she is a MIRACLE. I'm excited to hear what happens with her. The Lord works in mysterious ways, amiright? 🤔
Mayson and Cereniti are doing great. We are having Family Home Evening with them this week. And better yet, Donald, their father, asked me to Baptize him at their baptismal service. I don't know if I'll be here long enough to Baptize him, but just the fact that he has a desire to be baptized is enough to make me yell HALLELUJAH to the skies. We talked to Don a couple of days ago, and he said that he feels that his children getting baptized is one of his greatest successes as a parent, and one of their greatest successes in their lives.
I couldn't agree more, Don.
We're also teaching another old woman named Jane who is doing awesome. I honestly think me and her might be related. Somehow. We are basically the same person. Allow me to explain:
1. She watches "It's a Wonderful Life" every Christmas for a tradition.
2. She hates the sound of alarm clocks and freaks out every time she hears one.
3. We have very similar philosophies, opinions, and views on life.
4. She has a lot of Hispanic heritage, or at least a lot of Hispanic names in her family. Including Alma. 🤔
5. She's awesome.
I have ancestors in Bloomsburg and in Tioga, which are right around here. Anything is possible! And even if we're not related, I am just SO grateful for the opportunity to know her! She is awesome and I believe, SO prepared for the gospel! We hope to put her on date to be baptized tomorrow! Wish us luck!
I was able to talk to my family yesterday, since it's Easter. 😎 What a blessing! What a blessing to have such a wonderful family, both here on earth, and in heaven. We're all family, guys. We're all Brothers and Sisters. We've all got the same loving, awesome, Father in Heaven. He knows you. He wants you to know him.
He sent his son for us. So that you can recognize that you're a part of something bigger. God loves you. Christ loves you. I love you.
Elder Jake Gonzales
1-3) love these kids!
4) Jacob... Seeley? That was weird.
5) family bonding moments
6) When President Bednar puts you in his weekly email...
Man, what a week! Miracle after miracle after Miracle! As usual, it's been a hard week, but a fantastic week nonetheless! I am grateful for my calling as a missionary and for the AMAZING people I get to meet and teach each day.
Guys. It finally happened. Mayson and Cereniti were baptized. 😢 Oh my gosh I feel like a proud father. I love these children so much. I love them to death. I have come to know them so well over these past two months. I love that family and am so grateful for the righteous decision that they made to be baptized.
The baptism itself could not have gone any smoother! Baptizing Cereniti was such a privilege, and an experience that I'll cherish for the rest of my life. She is one of my favorite people that I've taught, and has SUCH an innate desire for goodness. I can understand why Jesus Christ loved the little children so much. If they are all like Mayson and Cereniti, I'd love and bless all of them too.
There were no less than 9 non members at their baptism. Family members and friends of family members showed up to the church to watch and support them in this massive step forward. They were crying at the service, with the knowledge that these children are worthy and desirous to be baptized. In fact, one of the family members' friends talked to the Sister Missionaries in our ward and asked for a Book of Mormon and for the missionaries to come teach her in her home! Her name is Shannon and she is a MIRACLE. I'm excited to hear what happens with her. The Lord works in mysterious ways, amiright? 🤔
Mayson and Cereniti are doing great. We are having Family Home Evening with them this week. And better yet, Donald, their father, asked me to Baptize him at their baptismal service. I don't know if I'll be here long enough to Baptize him, but just the fact that he has a desire to be baptized is enough to make me yell HALLELUJAH to the skies. We talked to Don a couple of days ago, and he said that he feels that his children getting baptized is one of his greatest successes as a parent, and one of their greatest successes in their lives.
I couldn't agree more, Don.
We're also teaching another old woman named Jane who is doing awesome. I honestly think me and her might be related. Somehow. We are basically the same person. Allow me to explain:
1. She watches "It's a Wonderful Life" every Christmas for a tradition.
2. She hates the sound of alarm clocks and freaks out every time she hears one.
3. We have very similar philosophies, opinions, and views on life.
4. She has a lot of Hispanic heritage, or at least a lot of Hispanic names in her family. Including Alma. 🤔
5. She's awesome.
I have ancestors in Bloomsburg and in Tioga, which are right around here. Anything is possible! And even if we're not related, I am just SO grateful for the opportunity to know her! She is awesome and I believe, SO prepared for the gospel! We hope to put her on date to be baptized tomorrow! Wish us luck!
I was able to talk to my family yesterday, since it's Easter. 😎 What a blessing! What a blessing to have such a wonderful family, both here on earth, and in heaven. We're all family, guys. We're all Brothers and Sisters. We've all got the same loving, awesome, Father in Heaven. He knows you. He wants you to know him.
He sent his son for us. So that you can recognize that you're a part of something bigger. God loves you. Christ loves you. I love you.
Elder Jake Gonzales
1-3) love these kids!
4) Jacob... Seeley? That was weird.
5) family bonding moments
6) When President Bednar puts you in his weekly email...
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