MAY_28_19_GROUP_TOW_Week of May 28, 2019
Hello Everyone!
A good friend of mine recently reached out to me and asked me a ton of questions (Here's looking at you, Audrey). She asked me a really important question, one that made me reflect a TON on these past two years. She asked me, "Who have some of your favorite people you have taught on your mission been?
Goodness. What a loaded question. How much time do you have?
These people that I've taught are EVERYTHING to me. They're family. I love them with ALL of my heart. The prospect of leaving Pennsylvania in a few weeks TERRIFIES me, because I know how hard it will be to get back here as frequently as I would like. I have met and taught so many people. I have been extremely fortunate to witness many of them enter the waters of baptism. They have all left such a profound influence on me. I want to take this opportunity to tell you about each of them.
LEWISBERRY
Firstly, Stephanie and Tyler. Man. Those guys. They were amazing. I met them right at the start of my mission. They were a young couple with two young children, Jadyn and Liliana. They had such a desire to follow their Savior, Jesus Christ. Their motivation? Eternal Families. They wanted that more than anything. They wanted to be baptized, but were cohabitating and were not married. And so, in the morning of August 12, 2017, they were married civilly in the church building by the bishop. And then, an hour later, were baptized by Elder Marcum and I. I don't know if I have ever felt greater joy. Baptizing them was amazing, but watching them exercise their faith by getting married was even better.
Next, we've got Carolina. You will never meet a more humble, sweet, and righteous woman. She emigrated here from Angola, Africa. She had been here a few days when she started asking questions about the church. One of her friends, a member of the church, invited her to learn from the missionaries. Fortunately, that was Elder Marcum and I. I have never met a more prepared individual. Teaching her was a genuine pleasure. I truly care for her and I could tell that she truly cared for Elder Marcum and I. I miss her terribly. She moved to Maine and since then I have had little to no contact with her. But if there is anyone that I know feels the Spirit of God, it is Carolina. Her conversion story is one of the most amazing I've ever been a part of. If you want the full conversion story, email me and I will send it to you. You won't be disappointed.
Then there's Carlos. One of my favorite people on Planet Earth. I've been blessed to meet a lot of Hispanic people on my mission. It's like taking a little bit of home with me! Carlos is from Puerto Rico. I taught him while the massive hurricane was happening, and his wife and two children were still there, with no electricity or water. Fortunately, the Mormon Helping Hands were there to help them. Carlos was so prepared for the gospel. He is actually preparing to recieve the Melchizidek Priesthood now, and will be recieving his endowments soon! I love that man more than life itself.
GREENSBURG
Diane Anderson was amazing. She had been to church 40+ times before I started teaching her. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. She was baptized a month after Elder Li and I started teaching her. Wow, what an elect woman. She is such an example to me. She is so independent, yet so humble. So strong, yet meek. So loving and charitable. She was married to her sweetheart shortly after I left the area, and they are doing so well. Next, temple marriage!
PITTSBURGH-NORTHSIDE
This one is easy. Rose is the reason I was sent there to PIttsburgh. That place was NOT easy. Talking to hundreds of people every day. No takers. No one wanted to listen to us. We had some people who showed interest, but would dissapear within a few weeks. And then there was Rose.
She is from Haiti and speaks only French and Haitian Creole. She immigrated here for medical reasons, and nearly died. She was handicapped for several years after the initial treatment, but never lost faith that God would continue blessing and helping her.
Elder Toomer and I ran into her and things clicked almost immediately. The language barrier was INSANE. She knew very little English and we knew NO French other than "a la mode" and "escargot". But despite the language barrier, we taught her all the lessons using Google Translate and French Teaching Pamphlets. The day she was baptized was glorious. She was so prepared and is my Pittsburgh Miracle. Saying goodbye to her was so hard. But I know I'll see her again.
TOWANDA
Towanda has been nothing short of a godsend for me. The people I have met and taught here have changed my life.
First, there's Bill. I taught him for close to 4 months. I love that man so much. I've been through so much with him. He decided to stop taking the missionary lessons due to personal concerns, but despite that, I am so grateful I met him and he has forever impacted me. I have never witnessed such a drastic change in ANYONE I have ever taught. He went from 0 to 100 real quick.
Next, let's talk about Stu. That man is one of my best friends. He is not yet baptized. The hope is that he will be baptized next month. We've been working on him for a while. But whether he is baptized or not... I am so grateful for him. He is a hardworking business man who LOVES his family. And he loves people. Even though they've burned him a lot, he loves people and has a genuine desire to help them. Every time we go to his house he feeds us. And every time he leaves, he says, "Call me if you need anything. Seriously." That type of charity is what I am striving for. And also, he's a really good cook. Don't believe me? Check out his local restaurant, Angry Burrito Company. I designed the logo for it. 🌯😎
How could I forget my two little friends, Mayson and Cereniti? They are everything to me. Elder Seeley and I had the privilege of baptizing each of them last month, and what a joyful day it was. We had 9 nonmembers attend! Mayson and Cereniti are my little miracles. We found them TRACTING. Guys, it works! I had my doubts, but it works! I am so grateful that I have had the privilege to teach them. They are so humble, and so sweet. Now I know what Christ meant when he said, "Suffer the children to come unto me. For of such is the Kingdom of God.
Guys, there are so many more. So many people that I have taught. So much changes that have been wrought in them. In me. I could keep typing for HOURS. My companions have changed me. So have the members I have served. Heck, even the men and women who Slam the door in my face. They change me.
THEY are the reason I am here. They are my WHY. I love them. I love people. I love God. I am here to serve them. To serve Him. They are my motivation. It took me a while to find it, but once I did... Watch out. I love this gospel. I love this church. I love my family and want to be with them forever. And I know that through the gospel of Jesus Christ, that's possible.
And guess what? It's possible for you too.
Elder Jake Gonzales
P. S. I will be giving my Homecoming talk on Sunday, June 30th. I get home on June 21st, but because Stake Conference is that following Sunday, I won't be giving my talk for 9 days after I get home. But I definitely want to see y'all before then, so reach out and we'll get together! Can wait to see all of you!
A good friend of mine recently reached out to me and asked me a ton of questions (Here's looking at you, Audrey). She asked me a really important question, one that made me reflect a TON on these past two years. She asked me, "Who have some of your favorite people you have taught on your mission been?
Goodness. What a loaded question. How much time do you have?
These people that I've taught are EVERYTHING to me. They're family. I love them with ALL of my heart. The prospect of leaving Pennsylvania in a few weeks TERRIFIES me, because I know how hard it will be to get back here as frequently as I would like. I have met and taught so many people. I have been extremely fortunate to witness many of them enter the waters of baptism. They have all left such a profound influence on me. I want to take this opportunity to tell you about each of them.
LEWISBERRY
Firstly, Stephanie and Tyler. Man. Those guys. They were amazing. I met them right at the start of my mission. They were a young couple with two young children, Jadyn and Liliana. They had such a desire to follow their Savior, Jesus Christ. Their motivation? Eternal Families. They wanted that more than anything. They wanted to be baptized, but were cohabitating and were not married. And so, in the morning of August 12, 2017, they were married civilly in the church building by the bishop. And then, an hour later, were baptized by Elder Marcum and I. I don't know if I have ever felt greater joy. Baptizing them was amazing, but watching them exercise their faith by getting married was even better.
Next, we've got Carolina. You will never meet a more humble, sweet, and righteous woman. She emigrated here from Angola, Africa. She had been here a few days when she started asking questions about the church. One of her friends, a member of the church, invited her to learn from the missionaries. Fortunately, that was Elder Marcum and I. I have never met a more prepared individual. Teaching her was a genuine pleasure. I truly care for her and I could tell that she truly cared for Elder Marcum and I. I miss her terribly. She moved to Maine and since then I have had little to no contact with her. But if there is anyone that I know feels the Spirit of God, it is Carolina. Her conversion story is one of the most amazing I've ever been a part of. If you want the full conversion story, email me and I will send it to you. You won't be disappointed.
Then there's Carlos. One of my favorite people on Planet Earth. I've been blessed to meet a lot of Hispanic people on my mission. It's like taking a little bit of home with me! Carlos is from Puerto Rico. I taught him while the massive hurricane was happening, and his wife and two children were still there, with no electricity or water. Fortunately, the Mormon Helping Hands were there to help them. Carlos was so prepared for the gospel. He is actually preparing to recieve the Melchizidek Priesthood now, and will be recieving his endowments soon! I love that man more than life itself.
GREENSBURG
Diane Anderson was amazing. She had been to church 40+ times before I started teaching her. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. She was baptized a month after Elder Li and I started teaching her. Wow, what an elect woman. She is such an example to me. She is so independent, yet so humble. So strong, yet meek. So loving and charitable. She was married to her sweetheart shortly after I left the area, and they are doing so well. Next, temple marriage!
PITTSBURGH-NORTHSIDE
This one is easy. Rose is the reason I was sent there to PIttsburgh. That place was NOT easy. Talking to hundreds of people every day. No takers. No one wanted to listen to us. We had some people who showed interest, but would dissapear within a few weeks. And then there was Rose.
She is from Haiti and speaks only French and Haitian Creole. She immigrated here for medical reasons, and nearly died. She was handicapped for several years after the initial treatment, but never lost faith that God would continue blessing and helping her.
Elder Toomer and I ran into her and things clicked almost immediately. The language barrier was INSANE. She knew very little English and we knew NO French other than "a la mode" and "escargot". But despite the language barrier, we taught her all the lessons using Google Translate and French Teaching Pamphlets. The day she was baptized was glorious. She was so prepared and is my Pittsburgh Miracle. Saying goodbye to her was so hard. But I know I'll see her again.
TOWANDA
Towanda has been nothing short of a godsend for me. The people I have met and taught here have changed my life.
First, there's Bill. I taught him for close to 4 months. I love that man so much. I've been through so much with him. He decided to stop taking the missionary lessons due to personal concerns, but despite that, I am so grateful I met him and he has forever impacted me. I have never witnessed such a drastic change in ANYONE I have ever taught. He went from 0 to 100 real quick.
Next, let's talk about Stu. That man is one of my best friends. He is not yet baptized. The hope is that he will be baptized next month. We've been working on him for a while. But whether he is baptized or not... I am so grateful for him. He is a hardworking business man who LOVES his family. And he loves people. Even though they've burned him a lot, he loves people and has a genuine desire to help them. Every time we go to his house he feeds us. And every time he leaves, he says, "Call me if you need anything. Seriously." That type of charity is what I am striving for. And also, he's a really good cook. Don't believe me? Check out his local restaurant, Angry Burrito Company. I designed the logo for it. 🌯😎
How could I forget my two little friends, Mayson and Cereniti? They are everything to me. Elder Seeley and I had the privilege of baptizing each of them last month, and what a joyful day it was. We had 9 nonmembers attend! Mayson and Cereniti are my little miracles. We found them TRACTING. Guys, it works! I had my doubts, but it works! I am so grateful that I have had the privilege to teach them. They are so humble, and so sweet. Now I know what Christ meant when he said, "Suffer the children to come unto me. For of such is the Kingdom of God.
Guys, there are so many more. So many people that I have taught. So much changes that have been wrought in them. In me. I could keep typing for HOURS. My companions have changed me. So have the members I have served. Heck, even the men and women who Slam the door in my face. They change me.
THEY are the reason I am here. They are my WHY. I love them. I love people. I love God. I am here to serve them. To serve Him. They are my motivation. It took me a while to find it, but once I did... Watch out. I love this gospel. I love this church. I love my family and want to be with them forever. And I know that through the gospel of Jesus Christ, that's possible.
And guess what? It's possible for you too.
Elder Jake Gonzales
P. S. I will be giving my Homecoming talk on Sunday, June 30th. I get home on June 21st, but because Stake Conference is that following Sunday, I won't be giving my talk for 9 days after I get home. But I definitely want to see y'all before then, so reach out and we'll get together! Can wait to see all of you!
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