Short again

February 10, 2014

GOOD WEEK!!!!! Had splits, that was fun I learned a lot that I always learn and forget to put in practice, it's hard with these ''young Elder'' they still don't really know how to teach the way we need to, and my companion is one of those who needs more time before he will take in what I am trying to show him and the way WE ought to be teaching. We're getting there. I love you all. We had good experiences this week, finding new investigators, putting baptismal dates in the first lessons with them, getting our progressing investigators to the church to partake in the experience of a baptism, getting them to church the next day. It was a show. 

     Getting them to understand the need of doing and fulfilling everything. It's all good, and getting better, we are seeing the progress in some the difficulties they are overcoming, the other difficulties and needs and experiences of the others, the stumbling blocks and misunderstandings. Clarifying.Teaching, reteaching. Love. It's great. 

     My companion busted his arm yesterday. MOM THANK YOU FOR THE BIOPACK YOu GAVE ME BEFORE I LEFT IT'S A LIFESAVER; FOR REAL.

     His arm looks pretty bad, but they way it happened was so funny. I am an eagle scout at heart. Boy scout blood, it's in me. 

     I have just had a great week, and President will come on Thursday for interviews, it will be great!!!

 LOVE YOU!!!!

Elder Gonzalez

     -Warrior for the Lord-

Helaman 12:1

Hi, um...yeah

February 3, 2014

So I didn't think how little time I would have left. I replied to all who wrote me. Family. And now I don't have time for much. Miracels. strengthening of testimony, and just plain Spiritual experiences. This week was tough, but not in a way I expected. I have seen the need for some things, changes in what I am doing. The biggest thing for me is the fact that We totally were an answer to a prayer, and they were very much in need, we just need them to have all their family accept us, the missionaries, once more in their home. I Love you alll!!!!

Elder Gonzalez

     -Warrior for the Lord-

1 Nephi 5:21 COMPARE 1Nephi8:10-12

Trust

January 27, 2014

  So this week went by very quickly, I always appreciate the good times and the fast times, I know I don't want the time to go away, but like the saying goes, ''time flies when you're having fun.'' Although we can very much change this to the Lord blesses you in your afflictions. We all afflict ourselves too much for time wasted and even time well spent. We can always use time MORE wisely, but we need to recognize and learn from that we may have used unwisely to grow and live more efficiently. 

     We have been doing well this week, but I have a lot of work to do. With even more reiteration with the Area Plan from the 70, I have my eyes opened and seen all that I need to do, I have seen the changes in myself, that have been so necessary, as well. I am glad for changes and the opportunity to start fresh. Something I had realized is that I had not been smiling and not trying to make people smile. I remember trying all the time to make sure that I had helped make people smile, and doing it again, just smiling and making eye contact with those I greet in the street. It makes my whole day better. I know that there is no way that the Lord would look at anyone without trying to make them smile, so I can't do anything less. 

     I have work to do here to with the members and the ward council, I like making those connections so it will be a good way to use our time as well. We have a WARD where right now the regular attendance is 50......so we have plenty of work to do here. 

     We had a zone conference this Friday and it was really good, I liked it a lot and learned from the presentation as well as by personal revelation, things so very needed for me to work more effectively in this time. Like I have mentioned before, we spoke about the fact that the work of salvation is NOT going away, this is our work now, and until we can understand it the way the Lord would have us understand it we can live it and help others live it. We have all now been welcomed to the apostolic work, I say apostolic with a lower-case 'A' because we are not called by God to be Apostles, be have been called to the Apostolic work. I love this time I have, I am learning so much and making changes in myself and seeing how the Lord could love us all so much. I just weep with Nefi and with President Thomas S. Monson to see so many children reject God's blessings, especially those who have tasted so much of his love to be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and then reject all more that can come to them. 

I love you all and I hope that you receive the strength you need and allow it to come in the way it may. I know that this is His work and he has chosen me to be here, now. 

     ¡¡¡¡¡¡ I received the package =)!!!!!!! Thank you muchly!!!! We are very well prepared now with the mini copies of the Book of Mormon!!!!! and all the candy that will last centuries =) 

     I am loving all of the Bible videos, I listen to them while I write, I love it!!!!

     I am going to be weird when I get home, but it will be the new me, so you'll all have to get used to it =) haha I love you all!!!

Love

Elder Gonzalez

     -Warrior for the Lord-

Helaman 12:1

Transfers

January 21, 2013

 So like I mentioned last week we had the possibility of transferring the both of us to put sisters in our area, four of them. Yeah that happened. We helped prepare the other house and that was stressful, along with leaving our house spotless. Making sure the area book was good and that our investigators would know we were leaving. It was a good area with good people, I will miss it dearly. Last week felt so long, I didn't sleep to much at the end for all that we had to do. President had told us Thursday that we would both be leaving and then Saturday let us know where we would be going. 

     I am now in El Mante, Tamaulipas with Elder Allsup from Herriman, Utah; we are in barrio Monterrey. His Spanish is so-so =) haha this will be fun. So far the area seems good and we have all the necessities and it will just take a little getting used to for a while.

     Elder Lima came here with me to another ward, barrio Morelos.

     We worked a lot and had some good times. 

     I never know what to say, especially right now. I can't remember what I was doing two days ago it is all a big jumble. I just remember cleaning and meetings with our ward mission leader, a capacitative meeting with a few of the ward council members (all were supposed to be there), and lessons. We walked a lot and did some street contacts, I'm getting better at it now. 

     Time is going by so quickly! I know you all have it counted, but I don't even think about it even though everyone always asks. The only reason the time matters for me, is if I'm wasting it. I have learned to love this time so much to learn how to use it better and better every day. Thinking about it now, all of the church commercials, ''family, isn't it about, time.'' What a great way to think about time, like the saying for many families, to spend these two years from my family, to give others the hope, the understanding, and to show them the way to be with their families for eternity. What an absolutely great use of time. THAT my family is what the work of salvation is, our examples ought to be that of going out of our way to help others come to know and remember this great use of time we have to learn and make the covenants with God, and the relationships with our families that will last for all eternities. 

     The fact that I am writing right now means nothing, just that we didn't have time yesterday. I always appreciate your messages when I get them. As of yet I have not gotten the Christmas package. These are the updates of my week. 

     I love you all. I know that I am changing into what my Heavenly Father needs me to become, I can feel His love oh so powerfully and His warm arms as He lifts me when I feel faint or am falling and will be eternally grateful for such truth in my life. 

     Until next week my dear family. I wish to hear from all of you. There are not many weeks where every single one of you has written. But I don't mind, I understand that you are too busy. 

Love

Elder Gonzalez

     -Warrior for the Lord-

Jacob 3:1-2

Changes

January 13, 2014

Well, this was an interesting day. 

     My companion and I went to play soccer in the morning and that was fun =) We then went to help the Brother who will be renting the second house for the sisters and got a copy of the keys. After that he took to lunch =) yum, tortas. Then we went to speak with President Jordan and confirm the keys and details of the house with him. 

     I love President Jordan, he is very organized and works very well with us here and just has a way with motivating me to do and be better. We spoke with him for about an hour or so and it was very helpful. Haha about half way through our little talk he mentioned that a house that was going to be for sisters on another area wasn't working out and wa not going to be habitable for them when they come. So he will most likely be giving them our house. =) haha that was a surprise, but not so much, I actually felt that something like that was going to happen! So it looks like the both of us will be packing up and moving out!! 

     We have been workign better and I have been working harder, coming out of my comfort zone and letting the joy of the life that comes from the knowledge of the truth overcome the fear of being rejected or something of the sort. 

     I love you all and I know that we can all work harder and learn more. I know I don't write much, but what can you do. 

     

With the changes in the Stake Presidency, thank you for letting me know Papa. =) You all are always in my prayers. 

Love 

Elder Gonzalez

     -Warrior for the Lord-

Jacob 1:19

New

January 6, 2014

Yeah new years here is weird, maybe cooler maybe not, I don't know...but there are tons of fireworks and more of just noise!! Try staying asleep with that, I think not!  Any way, still with everyone out of town the week was a fairly good one. Still working on the preparations for the Sisters that will be sharing the ward with us. 

     With the new year and the new hour for church there were plenty of people at church yesterday, and it's weird to think that we really can have a better relationship with less active members than the active ones who have known them forever. With five minutes of talking we are already having them offer us help, when not ten minutes before they were making excuses to not have a home teaching assignment. Slowly but surely these things will change! New people, not too many to talk to, they all get bundled up and lazy me with my measly sweater thinking the the weather is great! Haha =) it's all good. 

     It feels really good to be helping future Elders prepare to enter the field and also just prepare them to prepare for a mission, them and their families. They look to us and we know it, so we have to be, not just good, but better if not best; in all aspects too.

     I am pretty sure all of the taxi drivers in Madero and Tampico have had contact with missionaries. And sad bunch of liars they are, giving us phony addresses....=( it feels rotten. And even those houses, if they exist, the people don't accept us.

     This week we had our zone meeting, and it really helped. One Elder, Elder Cutler W. said something that really helped me in context of street contacts, ''it´s not getting over your fear of talking to them, it's remembering and helping them to realize that what you have will change their live for the best,''  something like that, and I liked that, I realized that I think about myself too much and that's really my problem right now. The choices I make need to be for others. I have spent about three hours, these past two days, now focused on how to better understand and teach Endure to the end to everyone and I have been able to tear apart several scriptures to put them in perspective. They are amazing and I will never again think of enduring to the end the same way. I listen to the conference talks every other morning and find something new for me or for those we teach every time, I love it. Part of my patriarchal blessing mentions the importance of daily scripture study and so do many other resources I have found this week. I realized i haven't been truly studying, not the way I ought to have been all this time. Now I feel so strangely peaceful, so still. Clear minded. Focused. That's what it does for me, and I need it. I love Nefi and his love for clarity and the plainess of the scriptures, and now I understand it. 

     I can't think of anything more right now, but I love you all!!

 Suzette Happy birthday on Sunday!! Love you!

MAma-The Introducction to the pearl of great price in spanish uses the word Asequible =)

Elder Gonzalez 

     -Warrior for the Lord-

Mathew 10:22

More of Christ, CHRIST-mas

December 30, 2013

First of all, forgive me for not remembering at the time of the call to wish my wonderful father a happy birthday! (cantando las mañanitas) 

     This week was the longest week of my time here in the zone. 

Thank you for always taking us to Savior of the World or the Forgotten Carols. Being here and now and all that I have come to understand, helps me to appreciate these works of art and love, that demonstrate the True meaning of Chrismas. 

     Christmas here was the weirdest and all because it just didn't feel like Christmas, there aren't many decorations, and the people aren't the same here, the feeling isn't as infectious as it should. 

     All-in-all, it was a good experience and in certain aspects has helped me change and grow. Seeing as my choices arewhat matter to making things the way they should be. 

     There are struggles to live and mountains to climb, for myself and as a ward with activities that have no purpose and will not take place until they have the missionary purpose. =) haha oh the fun we have had with this subject. 

     We are receiving help and references from many memebers and there are more who are trusting us and inviting us into there home to help them become more capacitated in the work we are to continue as a church. We are constantly making foward motions and progress is important to document and update. 

    I am honestly struggling a little bit right now. It's hard and I need to change my attitude about some things and make the efforts to include all that has been assigned to us and to remember why it was given to us and by whom. There are moments like right now, where I feel completely apathetic, I feel nothing and have no excitement. But I know why it happens and from whom it comes. The adversary is always trying to tear us down, and we can not let him! Apathy, laziness, anger, lust, all that comes from him is evil and to be overcome; it is overcome by obedience, diligence, patience, love, charity, peace. I am constantly needing to remember Him, Our Savior, and all that we can to to become like Him. I have things that I need to get in my mind and make them stick, replace any bad with the good, the light, the perfection that emanates from His everlasting hands; the hands that, if we let them, will continually be picking us up and taking us higher, molding us into who we need to become. His perfectly loving hands. Pierced for us, pierced for me.

     I love you.

Elder Gonzalez

     -Warrior for the Lord-

2 Nephi 30:17-18

Family: It will be Christmas

December 16, 2013

   Hey there, ho there, how do you do?

     LISTEN UP!!.....READ UP! 

  I will be SKYPING  25 December 2013, from cyber cafe located in Madero, Tamaulipas, at approximately 10-10:30 MST this is your clock Family. This will be the window in which I will attempt to start the call. I have my account information, but seeing as there may be problems ALL of you, but mostly dad, be aware of your emails, ok?! I won't have much time, so I won't be able to wait for one of you to show up. This is not MY time. I love you all and most certainly hope you will all be there, yes this does include my new Cuñado, Suzette's Taylor McMuffin.....yeah I don't know.....I just said it. 

     For me the time will be 11-11:30. So I will be quick to get there and be all pretty looking and stuff. 

     MY DEAR PARENTSSSS, how could I forget, or maybe I didn't. But I am pretty sure that as of yet I have not said, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!! That was totally in November and I am sorry to be late. 

     This past Saturday Cielo, our 9 year old investigator was baptized =) what a wonderful day that was, but unfortunately she was a little late and the water got all cold, plus the boiler sucks so it wasn't too warm to start off. 

Other than that the week, was pretty normal. We had the meeting with Elder De Hoyos and Elder Mendoza, with our ward councils and almost half the mission's missionaries (lots of Sisters). This week will be our Christmas devotional as missionaries and that will be fun and spiritual all it can be with five zones all together....=) Chaos. 

     This week was windy and rainy and cold and just so much fun and not fun. Weather that would be great and cool if it wasn't the weather here!!! Haha it has been good anyway.

     I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week and a fantastic wait!!

(Did anyone catch Brett's Princess Diarries reference? Just in case you didn't know where the cheer came from.)  

Elder Gonzalez

     -Warrior for the Lord-

James 4:7-8a 

The Work of Salvation and Ward Council

December 9, 2013

     Hello my dearest family,

  All I can really say is what a wonderful time of the year it is, such a change of pace and Spirit.

     This Wednesday we will be having a meeting with our ward councils and Elder De Hoyos. =) 

      As for the big question, I will be making the call, more likely a skype call,  hopefully before 3 pm MST.  I Have an account and I have the information, my father sent them to me as of a long time ago. =) no worries there. We still haven't planned it out yet, but we will have the information next week all set for you ok?? I will most likely be in a cyber café considering that the churches here have super problems with their internet.....=) The call won't  be too long, likely 40 minutes. PLEASE EVERYONE BE THERE. You all say you miss me, but this is where we see for real =) haha love you all. 

     I was able to attend the devotional, but only because we took an investigator. He is finally receiving the  support from the ward he needs. We have a problem of La Virgen de Guadalupe with him, but he himself is finding the answer to that question. 

    This Saturday the 14th is the Baptism of Cielo, 9 year old, that we have been teaching. 

    It's a new transfer, and we will be staying the same, maybe we will get two more missionaries in the ward, but the member whose home we are going to be renting has not  be in reach for the past week....... it may be sisters, maybe not, there are too many changes to right  now to focus on everything and it is really hard to remember, even with our planners. 

      We have seen much success with the  example of our Bishop and other ward memebers helping us find and prepare investigators!! So great!!!

     I love you all, I have not much to say for what I do not remember, and I forgot my other planner.

    But I remember what I have felt this past week. Starting with the Elder's quorum lesson. Relating it to Ether 12:32-33  Charity which all persons mentioned in chapter 20 had in their own time. Willingness to give their life for the world. Such a wonderful testimony to me. I have never felt the Spirit testify to my heart so much than when I myself am testifying of a principle or plain truth . My Savior lives. I love Him, and as I strive to be better and truly repent, I can receive forgiveness, that is only possible by such a power, such a great love, to feel them truly expurgated, suppressed, swept away by the love of the Lord. I love you.

Elder Gonzalez

     -Warrior for the Lord-

Ephesians 6:10-19

Progress

November 25, 2014

     Oh the ways of the Lord. We can always be better, we can always get closer to  the Lord. He is ALWAYS there waiting for us. In reality this week was good, but not so great. Super weird to think, hey my sister is getting married today during the week. All in all we are seeing lots of progress. We don't have a lot of investigators, but the ones we have are really close to baptism. A nine year old girl and 70 year old man. =) Only a few more steps and they will be ready.

    Honestly I have nothing to say about this week other than it has acutally been a little cold outside. Haha no one is on the streets, but if they are they are in two or more sweaters =) and a coat. 

     The zone leaders go to the offices Friday so if the package is there I'll get it next week, but I spoke with the Secretaries yesterday and they didn't mention anything, so we'll see. 

     I love the feeling of testifying and being so sure of that which I am testifying that the Holy Spirit testifies to me yet again, in the very moment, the veracity of such witnesses and knowledge. 

     I love you my family, you all look well!! A few with some crazy hair, but that's them. My sister looks very Beautiful and I am very happy for her =) and the place looks great!!! Awesome colors =) 

     I am always grateful to have a place at the table and in the hearts of the members of each of you, my family. I love you =) Please be safe in everything you do!!

Elder Gonzalez

     -Warrior for the Lord-

1 Nephi 15:8 and 11

Gratitude

     It was cool to still celebrate a little bit of thanksgiving with our member landlords We had a small dinner and they were very gracious. I have pictures, but we'll see how we work things out with that. 

     Went to the temple today that was glorious. new video is now in =) 

     This past week really was great, we had plenty of work but are struggling finding new investigators, right now we have our nine year old prepping for bapstism the 14th. She's great, Cielo is her name. We have seen some real progress in us as a companionship  and with those we have been visiting and working with. We only have now to put new goals and make specific plans to meet those goals! We will be participating in a meeting with Elder De Hoyos on the 11th and that will be great. More for us and more for unity. There are so many members that are willing to help us and work really well, a ton of former missionaries, both sisters and elders!!! 

     I couldn't really ask for more, but there is so much to be done. Now all we really need is organization and more helping hands. I have not much left to say!!!!

     I got the package!! Thanks!!! 

  I know you all missed my YAMS!!!! so delicious and my masterful stuffing, probably not so much. I love you all and I wish you much happiness and goodness. 

Elder Gonzalez

     -Warrior for the Lord-

Mosiah 2:19-22

Progress

 November 25, 2013

    Oh the ways of the Lord. We can always be better, we can always get closer to  the Lord. He is ALWAYS there waiting for us. In reality this week was good, but not so great. Super weird to think, hey my sister is getting married today during the week. All in all we are seeing lots of progress. We don't have a lot of investigators, but the ones we have are really close to baptism. A nine year old girl and 70 year old man. =) Only a few more steps and they will be ready.

    Honestly I have nothing to say about this week other than it has acutally been a little cold outside. Haha no one is on the streets, but if they are they are in two or more sweaters =) and a coat. 

     The zone leaders go to the offices Friday so if the package is there I'll get it next week, but I spoke with the Secretaries yesterday and they didn't mention anything, so we'll see. 

     I love the feeling of testifying and being so sure of that which I am testifying that the Holy Spirit testifies to me yet again, in the very moment, the veracity of such witnesses and knowledge. 

     I love you my family, you all look well!! A few with some crazy hair, but that's them. My sister looks very Beautiful and I am very happy for her =) and the place (noah's) looks great!!! Awesome colors =) 

     I am always grateful to have a place at the table and in the hearts of the members of each of you, my family. I love you =) Please be safe in everything you do!!

Elder Gonzalez

     -Warrior for the Lord-

1 Nephi 15:8 and 11

My family, it's getting bigger?

November 18, 2013

Isn't he the cutest? This is the picture that was at the table with my family at Brett's sister Suzette's wedding.

  Dear family,

     I went to the beach again today, that was fun. This past week felt super long and also was super packed with stuff to do and went by way fast. That’s the mission right there. Haha anyway I love you all and I have some pictures to send you. =)

     There's one. 

     So this week was crazy we had splits, I can't even think right now, my mind is racing. I love reading the scriptures, discovering new things, meeting new people, helping with all that we do, going to church, hearing from my family and friends. So many things have happened that I can't even really remember what has happened and when. I am getting my muscle back and am less tired, my companion and I really get along very well the members are great, our investigators too, the activities help and are actually focused on what they should be, I can see how much this is preparing me for, and I can't wait to get started. 

     Honestly the most impactful thing from this week is my studies, I have learned so much and it's hard not to shout it all out loud all day long. I only have a need to remember how to help answer questions and leave the ones they need to discover for themselves. We are teaching a less-active family who are having struggles and we know their spiritual needs, and seeing as how we are hungry for both food and spirlitual food, we can also see a physical change when we are spiritaully fed. 

     Look at the world and see the difference of the Spiritually nourished and those who are starving, we have food, the only food that will and can feed them, help them live, but seeing as they are so starved, they will need a little, until they can truly eat more without getting sick. The level of nourishment, remember that, is so important, what they can actually take in.

 I have to go!! Love you all!!!!

Elder Gonzalez

     -Warrior for the Lord-

D&C 50:23

Another week. Another letter

October 22, 2013

 I am on the Lord's Errand. I am smart, capable, considerate, and rely upon the Lord my only strength. 

     

     If you read only that, it is sufficient for me.

     Today I write on Tuesday. The temple is not open Mondays. We went to the temple, yes I am now in an area where I can go to the temple, I have been here for nearly six weeks. I still love you.

      Tuesday was good. We had a lesson with a young adult who changed drastically from our first visit. She accepted a baptismal date. We haven't been able to contact her since because she is now working. She has much potential, and has a realization of the need for the atonement in her life and a plan.

     Wednesday we had a round table with the assitants. The lesson was good, and the activity helped me a lot in seeing my teaching ability, the lack of use of talent, and the depth of each child of our Hevenly Father. We had divisions with one of the assistants Elder Ringer from Las Vegas. The day was very interesting and there are some people who need friends. A man told us that he left the church because in his time of need no one was there. It ought not be that way, but it IS. As members we have a duty, it will always be our duty. Love our neighbors as ourselves. Know each one of them.It was also Sam's birthday.

     Thursday was really something. Weekly planning, the best it has ever been and quick too, never though it would happen, but when you can get in on a focus with what needs to happen, with whom, the plans to get it done, it all falls into place and the time flies. This day we had a lesson with part of the family that had someone pass away, The Novoa family. We have three new baptismal dates with them. Only the parents are members and the son who passed away. His sisters are not, we are teaching two and an uncle, there is more to come with this family you will see.

     Friday we had our district meeting. And my favorite part was a focus on the scriptures, introducing them and treasuring them up in our minds and our hearts. It wasn't a great day lesson wise, but still good. My faith strong seen by my companion when waiting for our investigator =) I knew he would come. 

     Saturday. Wow. We prepared our activity for the evening, Viaje a Hawái, with the rooms and all the things we were going to use and all that jazz. We had no time for anything and it was raining, that is really bad here, many of our members are from an area called Chipús, a place filled with mud always. rain is bad, we had our food appointment there too, far from our house. We had to get things readyand rush back to the church for final touches and greeting. We had more than 70 people show up to the activity , we started late and changed many plans right then and there, but it was a success. We had plenty of investigators and the members were strongly impacted as well. 

     Sunday I gave a talk on prayer. They asked us to give a talk saturday night....My first talk in the field and it was really bad. I like giving talks, but Spanish is hard for me in that aspect, but I have used the things I learned from my preparations very much in these few days. The Lord prepares the ways for His children to have success, I may not have done much with my talk, but in the lessons it has been vital. THIS IS THE DAY we had a lesson with the Novoa family again, but this time there was more extended family!! We had, at one time 12 people, three children, many questions. It was tough we were fairly unprepared for a situation of the like. But the ones who remained were intrerested. We have now a very interested couple, who look to have incredible potential, I am excited for them, the only thing is here where it becomes difficult to focus on each individuals needs. But it was great, stretched me and my companion. 

     Monday we did service early in the morning, I have some blisters as proof. My first time using a machete =) I have photos no worries. Oh and the first time I use civilian clothes other than exercise clothing. We had really good lessons with a less active of which I believe I have spoken before. Maybe. He works on the Plataformas and is away from home a lot. But when he is home he does not attend church. I enjoy this man's company and he can be an incredible example for many. I expressed that to him as well as many other things and other comments from my companion. I hoped to awaken in him a true desire. In another we had with a family who lost their father and husband recently, it was on faith and expanded to their needs. We had inspired comments and questions and the only thing that really lacks here are good influences, they aren't so much lost as they think they are and we are hoping to help them on the right track with out relying upon us. We ate three times yesterday....one meal with much chíle habanero =) not so bad.

     The Temple was incredible. definitely a different experience. I was able to get some things from the temple store that I have needed!! So great and so cheap! I have received answers to my prayers, my petitions, and by way of prayer, the scriptures and feelings have received so much. I am eternally grateful. 

     I testify of true and honest prayer. Seeking we will find. Going to the places that are holy and for us heaven on earth are the places to be. Go to the temple and often. Please. I promise now, test me. I will not fail one week in going to the temple when I am home again. 

     I love you all. 

Elder Gonzalez

     -Warrior for the Lord-

GO TO THE TEMPLE

VA AL TEMPLO 

*What a guy, right? I sure love him and I pray that he will be more confident in Spanish soon. :) He's coming up on 7 months in the field. Thank you for supporting him by sharing his experiences with him and keeping him in your thoughts  and prayers. 

Our deepest love goes out to the family and loved ones of Elder Kunz. May you find comfort in the knowledge that through temple covenants and righteous living, families will be forever.

It finally feels like fall!

November 11, 2013

So if you didn't know autumn is my favorite season. The temperature, the wind, the colors. Well we don't have all of that here, but it's close. It's cooler temperature and it really helps, but there is rain....poopy. Oh well! 

     I have really learned in these past months to now that numbers help us view progress,  but really aren't perfect to view work, there aren't key indicators for everything. We have been exhausted with inspired visits and lessons, blessings (you can feel the strength leave you), be we receive all the blessings in the Lord's time and ways. We have been able to still continue on without too much difficulty. 

     We had a great activity that tons of people showed up to! A day as a missionary, where they went in groups or companionships and made visits to the less-actives! We had successful visits and the next day was ward conference and we saw tons of people that haven't been to church in a long time. 

     My biggest struggles as of late have been our investigators, but with the Lord and following His guidance, we have had more successful visits with them. One a 70 year old man who has been a part of a few different religions....it has been hard for him to part with some ideas, but the scriptures back everything up. He has tons of questions and really likes to talk. This last visit we were able to start with a hymn and it changed the way everything worked, it was so fantastic!!! We were able to teach and testify and get everything out, answering questions and he prayed!! 

     The other one is a nine year old girl, she honestly talks a lot, but when we are trying to teach.....nothing. it is so hard, but with some new ways of working and gaining her confidence is helping her open up and understand as well. Her mother is less-active and it hurts her progress, but we are hoping to see all of them in church again next week. 

      Every week there is something I find that I can do better. I have seen the changes the Lord has made in me as a teacher and as a student, as a leader and how I follow. But I can always be better.

     We had the chance to eat with the Patriarch this week and he spoke to me and it was crazy, obviously they have the same, one-and-only, source of all truth and knowledge, but he reaffirmed things that are in my patriarchal blessing and spoke of more, that I later wrote down. That was pretty cool and he is a very awesome man. 

      Well I truly appreciate your love and concern. No need to worry though, I am growing as a person and have found that I make all the difference in my attitude and how I take things and that although there are real problems that real people go through, those are not my challenges at this time. =) I have an assurity that I will be protected as I follow God's laws. 

     I love you all!!!! BESOS ABRAZOS!!!

Elder Gonzalez

     -Warrior for the Lord-

Manual 2 Chapters 4&5

Transfers!!!

     So I got transferred again, It threw me off a little, didn't think that would happen. I am still in the same Zone, and actually still in the same District....Just a different ward. Barrio Ampliación. It is the rich area of the zone, and has a lot of work as well, I am very satisfied with the way I left my other area. 

     This last transfer, we had 23 new investigators 20 of which we are still teaching, the other three turned out not to be in our area =S. We had success in different ways, learning from each other, sharing, growing, and teaching. I have learned more control over myself and my thoughts and my actions. My focus is more clear and in the right place. My heart as well. Each day as I strive to meet with the standards of God, I find that only He and His son can truly bring me closer. 

     I left my planner in the house and I don't remember much right now. I hope this next part isn't the only thing you remember from my email. I woke up today with a fever of 101.3, a sore throat, and aches and pains in my muscles and joints. It has passed throughout the day and there is no reason to worry, I consulted with Hermana Jordan and she advised me on how to take care of it. The fever started last night while working like normal but I hadn't recognized it. I had a headache as well, it was so weird. The best part really about it all was how I was able to continue, to feel perfectly fine as I taught and was in the homes of the investigators whom we taught. The Lord sends angels to care for us.

    Yesterday we had stake conference, the counselor of President Jordan spoke, a future missionary, the Temple president and his wife, powerful talk, and the stake president. It was all very edifying and we are really taking it home with the Work of Salvation, It is exploding and getting to the hearts of many members. 

     All that we do as missionaries really isn't enough. 

   I love you all. I hope you have a good week. 

In Memory of Colt Daniel Kunz

     Well this week was super interesting. Things I never would have expected to happen did, and it just kind of threw me off. I have a new mindset of how we use our time and how it ought to be best utilized and the downfall of being a quiet person, and the benefits of being trustworthy. 

     The week started off normally and all was well, we had some really good contacts in the street. I don't remember mentioning it, but we have a very self-motivated investigator that we found at church a few weeks ago and in the first lesson he accepted a baptismal date and it HASN'T fallen!!! Miracles do happen, that's the first of that category for me. Wednesday we had an EXCELLENT lesson with an investigator that we had contacted on the street last month and have just barely been able to get a chance to teach her. In the street she didn't really have much interest, or at least didn't seem to have much interest, but the moment we entered the door, things changed! A fantastic experience and I'm pretty sure she saw the Three Nephites! Super cool. We started with the Plan of Salvation and will go back to set up an appointment soon. The crappy thing here is that we run out of balance in our phone and so do other people, and then they aren't home when we try to stop by and set up an appointment and such, all going to the fact that they work a ton and don't really have time to do anything with us. 

     Thursday was where things started to get interesting. It is our day of weekly planning. We tried to visit an inactive sister with another sister in the morning, she wan't home. We decided to go visit another inactive young man and when we arrived there we found out that he had died the night before in the hospital. He had fallen from his roof (two story house) a few months earlier and had been complaining about a headache, but told no one about the fall. He died suffocating and other complications from inflamed lungs and fluids as well. We got to know th family a little bit and they accepted us and asked us for words of consolation. We said we would stop by later. We did, and that was super weird for me, my first viewing (it IS my first) and a very hopeless feeling was present. We had a few lessons that day and one of our new investigators is a person who really needs this Gospel. 

     Friday in the morning we went to the stake center in Chairel where the President spoke to us about the events with Elder Kunz. It was an experience to remember as well. The rest of that day didn't go too well, we attended the funeral of the young man (Ramón) that passed away on Wednesday from the ward here again a very interesting experience; we found and taught new investigators who were very welcoming and wanted to hear what we had to share. 

      Saturday we have our meetings with the Ward Mission leader and we planned a monthly missionary activity (one we have done for the youth a before the ward youth conference [FLY TV2]) called Trip to Hawaii! It will be great and we fashioned the flyers into plane tickets =). The meeting went long and we had our food appointment way far into a place called Chipús. The sister had forgotten that she was to feed us and so hadn't prepared......we missed two of our appointments and stopped by anyway to see if we could find them anyway...with no luck. I met a less active member for the first time who works on the platforms (sea oil rigs) and is gone for long periods of time. He is super hilarious and has rose colored glasses (they´re red) because he is color blind at a distance.....=) 

     Sunday was good. Not too much to say there. Right now we have five missionaries, Elder Dávila is with our Zone leaders until the end of the transfer so we think. 

     All in all this week was filled with a lot and not really too much happened, I hate that feeling. It will always be partly my fault, so I am needing to kick it up a notch and make sure my voice is heard and respected. 

     I love you all and I am grateful for each one of you. 

Elder Gonzalez

     -Warrior for the Lord-

D&C 138: 38-56; 57

Conferencia General

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2013/10?cid=HPFR100413105&lang=eng

   

  To answer the question. I spent all of Saturday and the majority of Sunday in the stake center for conference. It was great, we had our English tv in the high council room. I loved every single talk and they are not light topics all our leaders are getting down on what we need to do. These are the last days and the Lord is hastening His work. We need to get into gear as members of the church. 

     This week we have had some very interesting experiences. Blessing a baby for health in an interesting situation. We had her parents as two new investigators, we have a new investigator with a baptismal date!  Things are gping well, but can always be better! We are working hard as always with the members and trying to get more to come with us on our visits. I have seen the way that not reading the scriptures and not going to church affects the members of a part active family and part member families. It would be tough and I will ever be grateful for my family and my parents and my grandparents who have followed the promptings and allowed me to be here by there choices and guidance. 

     This week we had an interesting experience with an inactive member. He has been avoiding and rejecting any and all members of the church and even told the Bishop to 'bug off.' The day we went, he let us in and awhile we were talking, he mentioned that the only reason he let us in to talk to him was that he had a dream that he saw our faces and was talking with us. He has deep doubts that have basic answers and they are a broad spectrum of needed testimoy and scriptural refences on our part. I enjoyed the talk although at times I felt that maybe the man was evil, but he has only had evil influences. I could feel the adversary attempting to enter the room, trying at our hearts. But the Lord is more powerful and he loves us His children. He can always liberate us. 

     I am still having De'Ja'vu ( I don't remember where the ' goes) and it is great to me it is testimony that I am in the right place at the right time and that I am following the directions and whisperings of the Spirit. There are oft times that it is very difficult to feel that way. 

     On Tuesday I went on splits with my District leader Elder Chesnut, he's from Bluffdale. We were in his area and had some good experiences =) 

     I think that's everything, If I missed anything, well you won't know what it is....=) Love you!!!!

Elder Gonzalez

     -Warrior for the Lord-

Helaman 5:9-11

Conference Weekend!

Brett has always loved General Conference but he has extra loved hearing them as a missionary. Everybody going to watch? Listen to the words of modern prophets, feel the Spirit testify to your heart and be enormously blessed for exercising your faith and obeying the impressions you receive. 

     This week was long, short, crappy, and successful!! All that we had to do, pressure form leaders that didn't help. But all in the end the help, support, and blessings of the Lord God Almighty. We have had 8 new investigators this past week and more to come this week! Conference is this Saturday and Sunday and will super fantastic!! The ward is great, I know the area pretty well now and we are still finding plenty of people to teach, like less actives. There was Friday of this week that was torture, we had two lessons that day and the both of us got stress related headaches.....but it was good to learn, we made plans to have more plans and goals. We are already having those in action and seeing the fruits of following promptings and plans. 

     There are so many things the Lord has in store for each one of us. Be the blessing you want in your life, be the friend, child, spouse, teacher, leader, and servant the Lord requires of us all. I love you.

     I really wish I could say more, but It's just to much to mention. The experiences!! So great. I have had the chance to feel the spirit and see it take effect in the lives of others. This is the Lord's work, and I will ever be a part of it. 

     DON BURGER; PLAYA MIRAMAR

     

-- 

Elder Gonzalez

     -Warrior for the Lord-

Proverbs 16:20

2 John 1:3

Sorry again

     Sorry this will be very short. All that is really necessary to know is that My preparation days are not Wednesdays, They are still mondays.....I still love you all. We have had some incredible experiences here is these few days =) many many opportunities and great results. The Lord had been preparing each of us for this time we have to work together is this area! We have been able to contact past investigators and other families on the way. We have zero investigators so that was a struggle for me, but we have plenty to work with when it comes to less-actives! The area is great, it isn't too big, but long and skinny. I have been pretty much everywhere. The people really love the missionaries here, we very well taken care of in this area =) I need to make sure not to get fat! My companion is really helping me a lot and i am able to be more relaxed and open and doing all my part here as a companion. Everything is going well, but I can't wait to see more progress!!

     Love you all!!!

-- 

Elder Gonzalez

     -Warrior for the Lord-

D&C 58:36-37

*I hate to say I told you so'