JUN_17_19_GROUP_TOW_Week of June 17, 2019 (THE LAST MELON)
Well, this is it, my friends. El ultimo.
It's time. It's been two years. And two weeks. I'm coming home this Friday.
Are you as surprised as I am? Can you believe how quickly these two years went? I know I can't.
There were definitely times when I felt like time stood still. And there were others where I needed to buckle up my seat belt and hold on for dear life, time was moving so fast.
I've loved my mission. More than life itself. These have easily been the best two years of my life. They were not easy, though. Not in the slightest.
I started off in Lewisberry. I was a young buck. A greenie. Had no idea what I was doing. I just knew that my trainer knew what he was doing, and I could rely on him to get me through some crazy things.
Soon enough, though, I needed to learn how to do things on my own. I had to crash into a few poles to learn how to ride a bike properly. I had to get cussed out a few times so I could learn what to say and what not to say at a door. I had to learn some things. And I did. Thank goodness for Lewisberry. Thank goodness for that ward, for what they did for me. I hope I did some things for them too.
Then there was Greensburg. Wow, what a place. Could not be more different from Lewisberry. I was in a car now!! In the snow!! Goodness gracious, us California boys don't really know how to drive in the snow. But now I do. The trick? Go slow.
I learned how to plan baptisms on my own. I learned how to work with members, how to love them with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. I learned the value of charity from Elder Lin and Elder Petersen, and the value of Friendship from Elder Li. I also met others there to taught me the value of Faith and Diligence. Thank goodness for Greensburg.
Next, there's PIttsburgh. Easily my hardest area. My sister, Sarah, would oftentimes refer to me as "Jake in the Big City". Well, as it turns out, Jake doesn't really like the Big City. There, I learned the value of patience. Working hard, despite a lack of visible success. And I learned that faith always precedes the miracle. That's how I met Rose, one of the strongest, resolute women ever. Baptizing her was a genuine pleasure.
While in Pittsburgh, I learned knowledge from Elder Taylor. I learned joy and happiness. With Elder Toomer, I learned individual worth and increased Charity. I was taught Diligence by him, and for that I will forever be grateful. Love you, son.
Then lastly, came Towanda. My favorite area. The rolling hills, the plains. Man, I feel like I'm in Austria and the hills are alive sometimes. I love it.
Here, I continued to learn what it means to work hard. I learned that with Elder Foster. We worked HARD. We had virtually no one to teach, but we didn't let that stop us!! We had fun! We loved the people, and we had fun while loving them!
From Elder Seeley, I learned urgency. This is an urgent work. This is God's work. Let's talk to everyone we can about this good news. From him, I also learned that we are all children of God, and in turn, all brothers and sisters.
And then from Elder Jeffery, I learned choice and accountability. There are always repercussions for our actions, thank goodness. There is always a good way to do something, but also a better way. Let's choose the better way. The higher way. The higher law.
Here in Towanda I have found out who I am. I am a Son of God. The Son of the Eternal Father. I am trying to be like him. I have learned confidence. Proactivity. Urgency. Diligence. Humility (along with some pride haha). Faith. Hardship. Knowledge. Individual Worth. Choice and Accountability (no, I'm not a young woman).
But above all, I've learned love. Great is our God. I know he lives. So does his Son.
I love you all! If you want to come hear me speak, PLEASE come to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on June 30th. I want to see all of you as soon as possible! Because I will be going to Peru to visit family in early July! I will be speaking about my experiences! Trust me, you won't want to miss it (or maybe you do. But you'll have to come to figure it out!)
Here's the address:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
10654 Juniper Ave, Fontana, CA 92337
Come at 9am. I'll save you a seat. :)
Love you again! Can't wait to see you!
Elder Jake Gonzales
1) TENNIS YASSSSS
2) Bromance
3) Possibly the best pastrami sandwich I've ever had.
4) "It's been waiting for you" - Taylor Swift
5) The last email to president. Proceed to cry.
6) My District Leader record here in Towanda
It's time. It's been two years. And two weeks. I'm coming home this Friday.
Are you as surprised as I am? Can you believe how quickly these two years went? I know I can't.
There were definitely times when I felt like time stood still. And there were others where I needed to buckle up my seat belt and hold on for dear life, time was moving so fast.
I've loved my mission. More than life itself. These have easily been the best two years of my life. They were not easy, though. Not in the slightest.
I started off in Lewisberry. I was a young buck. A greenie. Had no idea what I was doing. I just knew that my trainer knew what he was doing, and I could rely on him to get me through some crazy things.
Soon enough, though, I needed to learn how to do things on my own. I had to crash into a few poles to learn how to ride a bike properly. I had to get cussed out a few times so I could learn what to say and what not to say at a door. I had to learn some things. And I did. Thank goodness for Lewisberry. Thank goodness for that ward, for what they did for me. I hope I did some things for them too.
Then there was Greensburg. Wow, what a place. Could not be more different from Lewisberry. I was in a car now!! In the snow!! Goodness gracious, us California boys don't really know how to drive in the snow. But now I do. The trick? Go slow.
I learned how to plan baptisms on my own. I learned how to work with members, how to love them with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. I learned the value of charity from Elder Lin and Elder Petersen, and the value of Friendship from Elder Li. I also met others there to taught me the value of Faith and Diligence. Thank goodness for Greensburg.
Next, there's PIttsburgh. Easily my hardest area. My sister, Sarah, would oftentimes refer to me as "Jake in the Big City". Well, as it turns out, Jake doesn't really like the Big City. There, I learned the value of patience. Working hard, despite a lack of visible success. And I learned that faith always precedes the miracle. That's how I met Rose, one of the strongest, resolute women ever. Baptizing her was a genuine pleasure.
While in Pittsburgh, I learned knowledge from Elder Taylor. I learned joy and happiness. With Elder Toomer, I learned individual worth and increased Charity. I was taught Diligence by him, and for that I will forever be grateful. Love you, son.
Then lastly, came Towanda. My favorite area. The rolling hills, the plains. Man, I feel like I'm in Austria and the hills are alive sometimes. I love it.
Here, I continued to learn what it means to work hard. I learned that with Elder Foster. We worked HARD. We had virtually no one to teach, but we didn't let that stop us!! We had fun! We loved the people, and we had fun while loving them!
From Elder Seeley, I learned urgency. This is an urgent work. This is God's work. Let's talk to everyone we can about this good news. From him, I also learned that we are all children of God, and in turn, all brothers and sisters.
And then from Elder Jeffery, I learned choice and accountability. There are always repercussions for our actions, thank goodness. There is always a good way to do something, but also a better way. Let's choose the better way. The higher way. The higher law.
Here in Towanda I have found out who I am. I am a Son of God. The Son of the Eternal Father. I am trying to be like him. I have learned confidence. Proactivity. Urgency. Diligence. Humility (along with some pride haha). Faith. Hardship. Knowledge. Individual Worth. Choice and Accountability (no, I'm not a young woman).
But above all, I've learned love. Great is our God. I know he lives. So does his Son.
I love you all! If you want to come hear me speak, PLEASE come to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on June 30th. I want to see all of you as soon as possible! Because I will be going to Peru to visit family in early July! I will be speaking about my experiences! Trust me, you won't want to miss it (or maybe you do. But you'll have to come to figure it out!)
Here's the address:
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
10654 Juniper Ave, Fontana, CA 92337
Come at 9am. I'll save you a seat. :)
Love you again! Can't wait to see you!
Elder Jake Gonzales
1) TENNIS YASSSSS
2) Bromance
3) Possibly the best pastrami sandwich I've ever had.
4) "It's been waiting for you" - Taylor Swift
5) The last email to president. Proceed to cry.
6) My District Leader record here in Towanda
Comments
Post a Comment