What a week!

     This week was short, but packed full!! Tuesday was interesting and we had some great lessons. We walked a lot too, all over. It was interesting to talk with a sister who feeds us, her husband is not a member, but is practically a member of the Masons....the Masons have a building here in the city. It's not huge like the one in Juneau, but it's an ok building. We are working with this sister's kids right now, who she wants to go on missions. One is part way there, the other no so much, but we're getting there. They are really good kids and they could be a great help to the ward, but they live far away and don't have a lot of support. 

     Wednesday we had interviews with the President early in the morning and Elder Arcela and I went first. I really like the interviews, they make me feel good. I was first and we spent a good portion of time talking, then when I was done I went with the Zone Leaders to play Jeopardy and that was tough! I am still learning things and the satisfaction of having things memorized =). After that We practiced a Ward Council meeting.......hahaha yeah.....I had the role of Bishop there, it was interesting and eye-opening. Afterwards we went with the Assistents and had a good lesson with them about how to best use our planners. Haha we had some good exercises and demonstrations. After that we went to eat and they called us to let us know that one of the assistents would be staying with us and we needed to go pick him up at the church. Elder Flores went with us to a few visits and some lessons and we helped a part member family (the dad) with some manual labor =) I always like to see and learn from the other Elders, their teaching styles and they way they involve the investigators. Our final lesson of the day was super difficult, no one would commit to even reading a verse of the Book of Mormon. Then did and another. What was interesting is that the first person hadn't even been there the whole time. But from what we've taught and the end was a very large difference and it was cool to see happen. Hearts softening.

     Thursday was good, we had to drop off Elder Flores early at the church and that was hard because here in Valles we really need our sleep, but it was good because we got a little head start on the day. We have our weekly planning and meeting with the mission leader on Thursdays so the day feels even shorter, but we get things done.

    Friday we ate very well!! Tacos rojos! Tasty. We had good lessons and are always finding out more about how to help the members and non-members. 

     Saturday, that was the day the rain started. There is a Hurricane and right now half of Veracruz (city) is underwater. The day was hotter because it didn't rain all day and the vapor makes it worse!!!

     Sunday was full of rain. Sundays are hard here, we don't look for less actives or past investigators because almost everyone is drunk and it's hard, because everyone leaves on visits. But thankfully the Lord puts people in our way and in our minds to teach and help. 

     Today has been very rainy as well. We haven't done much, but we have had a blast, a good and needed bout of relaxation and fun. I have some great photos from this week, but not a lot of time. 

     I love you all and I love the scriptures. They teach me more and more of how Christ loved and taught, served and sacrificed. They help me love Him more as I get to know him better. He lives. and I feel like Nephi with my pillow wet with tears when these people refuse us and this Gospel, all that they can have and they just don't want to know it, don't want to change. I love them anyway. 

Too all a fantastic week, don't miss me too much!!

Matthew 10:22
--Elder Gonzalez
 -Warrior for the Lord-