Transfer 9 Week 5 December 31, 2012

 Dear Everybody,

For all you gringos out there, it is important to note that, in the Hispanic Culture, Christmas Eve is celebrated more than actual Christmas Day. 

 

Christmas Eve all 8 missionaries in Barrio Sexto (the 6th ward) were invited first by Los Velasco for dinner.  We started the evening with some Pozole a delicious soup that was more spicy than we thought. It even made Elder Sadler cry.  After that we were already full but we pressed forward and Hermana Velasco brought out the ham and ribs.  Then we sat down and shared a message in the living room.  We were about to leave when the hermana announced that we  hadn't eaten dessert yet, and out came the two cakes.  Then all 8 of us headed to Bishop's were we ate about a million tacos!  They were so good!  Only a handful of us were able to eat the ice cream, and pie.

 

Christmas Morning Elder Arauz and I opened our Christmas presents.  We got tons of candy.  Then we went caroling as a district.  And this one family let us in to sing another song.  Elder Sturgell and Sadler went back the next day and were able to add them as investigators!  That night us 8 missionaries met at the Calderon's to call/Skype and have tons of tamales. We also went to the Visitor's Center Sister's performance.  It was so amazing!!!!

I went on exchanges with Elder Hall this week.  He goes home tomorrow.  He is super trunky. But he still works very hard, he just talked about home alot.  We actually found a guy named Luis and he was very interested.

 

In District meeting this week we sang to Elder Hall both because it was his birthday and because it was his last one.

 

Because Elder Hall is going home a week early his companion, Elder Bradford will be with us for the next week.  We had to do our weekly planning with them.  That was quite an adventure.

 

Last night we passed by an investigator that didn't come to church.  After doing some chastising we she made us some pupusas.

 

I wish you all a happy New Year!

 

Sincerely,

Élder Luis González

Transfer 9 week 4. 12-24-12

Feliz Navidad!

I am so excited for Christmas !!!!!! I cannot stop singing Christmas songs.  Its hard to imagine that in a few day when I continue to sing them that people will no longer find it festive but rather  they will be annoyed by it.  But that won't stop me from singing!

This week was super cold and super rainy and super foggy.  The fog was so thick that we couldn't even see the lights from the temple after sacrament meeting last night.

As a Zone we got to help the Salvation Army.  We helped package toys for little kids whose parents can't afford them.  And then we got to help put food into boxes for families.  Elder Arauz and I were assigned to pick up all the trash from un-packaging  the food.  There was a long assembly line and and so we would go around in circles and have to continually pick up food.

The Tongan Elders serving in the same area as us invited us to their ward Christmas party.  Let me tell you, Tongans LOVE missionaries and they also LOVE food.  We walked into the cultural hall and saw that not only that every inch of every table was covered with food but also there was trays of food piled on top of piles of food.  I am 100% positive there was enough food there to feed the whole mission.  Even after I was full (and that's saying something) they insisted that we keep eating.  After convincing them that I was truly full, they would not let us leave without taking tons of food with us.

Due to some interesting situations I got to do a baptismal interview in .........RICHMOND!!!!...I loved driving up there and seeing my old chapel.

We had our Christmas Ward Party on Saturday night.  Elder Hall, a missionary in our district, who goes home in a week, got to break the pinata.  He was, of course, blindfolded and so when he managed to breake the pinata all the kids swarmed in and totally knocked him over.

Yesterday at church,a part member family that we found came to church! It took us forever to finally get them to church but they seemed so happy there.  And also Maria, our recent convert, brought her sister-in-law to church!!!

We (that is the 8 missionaries in barrio sexto) got to sing Far, Far, Away in Judea's Plains at sacrament.  With all due humility we sounded bomb.

Well that was our week!

Merry Christmas!

Sincerely,

Élder Luis González

Transfer 9week 3. December 17, 2012

And so it came to pass that...

Maria is amazing!  So we went to have our first Recent Convert Lesson with her and when we get there she has her sister-in-law there!  We were able to add her as an investigator!  She will be a great addition to the ward!

Tuesday we had Zone Conference in Castro Valley (for those of you that know the bay area).  We listened to a talk by Elder Jeffery R. Holland that he gave in the MTC about 2 years ago.  It was very similar to the talk he gave this last conference.  I am determined to never ever become a fisher!  When the Lord called me to serve Him he meant forever.  

Then after lunch (yes the food was amazing  we had a white elephant gift exchange with gifts that had been donated by people. 

Wednesday was exchanges. I got to go on bike and experience that great joys of sharing the road with Oakland drivers.

Thursday I was asked by Elder Bailey (the driving coordinator) to help with Car inspections at a different Zone Conference.  Part of inspecting is getting to judge which car is the cleanest. The Half Moon Bay Car was their and it was almost as clean as I had left it. :)  We got to cross the Bay Bridge (Elder Arauz's first time), where it was freezing!  Elder Peel ( a senior missionary) then treated us all to Burger King where there was a super fascinating touch screen soda machine.

Sunday morning we opened our car to see that it had been broken into!  Elder Sturgell had left his camera in the glove compartment along with my GPS.  And they were GONE!!!! Quite a sad day.  So today I will be buying a new one so that I don't lost (as much) in this crazy city.  Luckily they left my new MoTab CD that I got at Zone Conference!

Well that's my week in a nutshell. 

Sincerely,

Élder Luis González

Transfer 9 week 2. December 10, 2012

Dear Peoples,

Yesterday was such a great day!!!!!  Maria was baptized!!!!!  She was so happy! I am will be ever grateful to see the miracle of the atonement over and over in my mission.  There is nothing like seeing someone step into the waters of baptism and covenant with our Heavenly Father that they will follow Jesus Christ.  When they leave the waters of baptism they also leave the world and all the pain associated therewith. I am reminded of the words of Alma "My soul hath been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity. I was in the darkest abyss; but now I behold the marvelous light of God. My soul was racked with eternal torment; but I am snatched, and my soul is pained no more." (Mosiah 27:29)

This week were able to teach tons of people by inviting them to hear a Christmas Message.  Unfortunately that means they got to hear me sing several times (including "Angels We Have Heard on High" I assure that it was not pretty) but luckily they felt the Spirit and invited us to come back to hear about the Restoration. I really love Christmas!!!!!!  I am so happy that I get to share my love for Christmas with others and call it missionary work!

This week I spent my lunch hours making SNOWFLAKES!  I will be handing one out to each missionary at Zone Conference tomorrow!!!  

I thoroughly enjoy being able to go into the Visitor's Center several times each week.  Its so Christmas-y and happy!  Before Maria's interview we were able to go thru "God's Plan for Families" with her and were able to invite her to prepare to enter the temple after she has been baptized.

Saturday I was on exchanges with Elder Sturgell (who was in the MTC with me).  We talked to this one guy named John Connor who informed us that Canada, The US, and Mexico will soon be joining together to make their equivalent of the European Union.  And this will be for the purpose of handing the world over to Satan.  We told him that we weren't too sure about that and he replied with "y'all need to do more studying"  We told him to read the Book of Mormon because he it would clarify the Bible and he responded with "nah, thats ok the Bible is pretty clear to me."

Well thats all I have from the Ghetto of Oakland this week!

Sincerely,

Elder Luis Gonzalez

Transfer 9 week 1. December 3, 2012

I am so so so so so so so so excited for this Christmas season!!!!! I love seeing temple lights everyday.  This upcoming Sunday is Maria's baptism!!!! She is so super excited!!!!  She is no less than a miracle.

I loved the Christmas devotional last night!!!  My apartment is full of handmade snowflakes!!!! 

As Elder Arauz and I have prepared our Christmas message I thought of the 3 wise men and of the star that lead them.  How blessed we are today to have a living prophet that guides us back to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Sorry for the scatterbrainedness and shortness but I don't have much time.

Sincerely, 

Elder Luis Gonzalez

Pictures from June and July 2012

Transfer 8 Week 6 November 26, 2012

Dear Everyone who still bothers to read these,

Well we got transfer calls.....And well my second transfer call as a
District leader was just as boring as my first one...my whole district
is staying here in Oakland. But from the sounds of it, next transfer
is going to be when we get a huge burst of missionaries.

This week I went on exchanges and had an amazing experience. As I
looked for all the positive things Elder Bradford, I saw him more as
our Savior does and was able to appreciate more fully the members of
my district do.

Thanksgiving was AMAZING! I was fed 5 times!!!!!
In the morning we got to help decorate the Visitor's Center for
Christmas! With all due humility I must say that the Visitor's Center
looks legit! Elder and Sister Weise made us breakfast while we
decorated and we were able to take a break and eat (alot). Then we
went and offered service to a family in the ward, los Calderon, and
then we ate!!!! Then we went to the Bishop's home along with the
other 6 missionaries in the ward and ate TONS. By about 6:30 we were
FULL beyond imagine. By we trudged on to our 7:00 appointment with
Los Preciado and ate once agian. Then at 8:30 we headed to our last
appiontment. Luckily it was just a soup that helped us easily finish
the night. But either way, Elder Arauz and I felt HORRIBLE, he puked
out the window as we drove home.

So now Thanksgiving is over, and the super good news is.....People
will stop thinking I'm crazy because I am listening to Christmas music
and have a nativity scene set up in my apartment. I am so excited to
be in Oakland for Christmas!!!! The temple lights are amazing.

"And the priests were not to depend upon the people for their support;
but for their labor they were to receive the grace of God, that they
might wax strong in the Spirit, having the knowledge of God, that they
might teach with power and authority from God." Mosiah 18:26
How blessed are we to be in a church that teaches us to receive the
grace of God on our own. We come to have a personal relationship with
God as we pray to Him and read of Him and strive to follow Him.
Having our own personal experiences with God costs much labor but we
come to know God on a great personal level.

Happy Holidays to all!

Sincerely,

Élder Luis González

Transfer 8 Week 5 November 19, 2012

Saturday I got one of the worst phone calls of my whole life. It was Maria's husband (they finally got married!!!!!!! yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!! She happily showed us the marriage certificate!) and told us not to come by any more because Maria would be unavble to pay tithing. So then we called Maria and we were unable to get as hold of her!!!! To say the least that was a pretty sad day. However on Sunday, her fellowshipper called her and was able to talk to her. We learned that Maria has no problem with living the law of the Tithe but that her husband feels like he has tons more power now because they are married. She still desires to be baptized. So that was a relief, now we just have to try to reestablish contact.

Saturday night we had a ward thanksgiving activity. There was tons of leftovers. Guess who they gave it to? Thats right the 8 missionaries in the ward. And last night the tongan elders who live near us brought us tons of tongan food that was given to them. Our fridge is FULL. I feel disgusting eating so much. The positive side is that it pushed Elder Aruaz to finally run!

A member in our ward ,that had a stroke and is only capable of using one of his arms and his face is half paralyzed , has been helping us as we visit our investigators. He brings such a great spirit with him. He helped come back to church and he has been doing absolutely great! He has also been abe to give us a couple of good referals.

I love Abinadi! I never realized how straight up he was (not sure if that is a reverent way to describe it but don't how else to say it). The priests ask him:

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings; that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good; that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth;

Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing; for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord shall bring again Zion;

Break forth into joy; sing together ye waste places of Jerusalem; for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem;

The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God?"

Then he asks them "have you kept the law of moses" Then he straight away says "no you haven't" then he he quotes the 10 commandments. Then he quotes Isaiah 53 and tells them how Christ would suffer . He tells them that the law of moses can't save them and tells them how much they need christ. Then he finshes by quoting the scripture they asked about and expalains that those who truly share the real gospel of christ will have beautiful feet. And explains that Christ is the greates savior. What a great missionary!

Sincerely

Élder Luis González

Transfer 8. Week 4 November 12, 2012

Dear everyone who finds my emails interesting to read,

This was my week:

Tuesday- We taught this family where the father is semi-active and his son is refusing to go to church. We had a great lesson and were able to help to see the son who God really is.

Wedneday- I got to do a baptismal interview of this 15 year old boy. Reminded me so much of myself!

Thursday- We went to the temple!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love going tothe temple! Its such an amazing palce. So much to learn, so much revelation to recieve.

Friday- I got to go on exchanges with Elder Sturgell!!! As our companions went to a training we got to go out and work. And we taught Maria, our solid investigator. She sadly expressed to us that her "husband" was unwilling to get married. We told her to pray and have faith. Then we had dinner with the Weise, the senior couple in our ward and district. Sister Weise and have share a birthday and we had to celebrate.

Saturday- We had another lesson with Maria and she told us that her "husband" had said that they could get married. What a miracle! Thats what happens when one excercises faith.

Sunday- We had a lesson with Maria at the Visitor's Center and taught her about living prophets. She felt the spirit! It was an awesome day!

As I ponder the the things I have learned on my mission the scriopture keeps coming to mind "And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his
goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel." Mosiah 4:11

I know I quoted it last week but it is so TRUE! I of myself am nothing but thru God, I may inherit all that the Father hath.

Sincerely,

Elder Luis Gonzalez

Transfer 8 week3. November 5,2012

Dear Everyone!

What an amazing week! Our investigator, Maria, came to church this
week and she even took the day off of work because she wanted to come
to all the classes before our sacrament meeting. When we taught her
on Friday we were going to teach the law chastity but before we even
taught her she commented to us "I was thinking about my "husband" and
I and I feel like we need to get married, I"m tired of living this
way." Isn't that such an amazing miracle? She is a humble seeker of
truth and the Lord had prepared her to receive the message that Elder
Arauz and I had prayerfully selected. After teaching her the lesson
she set goals and made plans to get married as soon as possible. Then
the next day we taught her the Word of Wisdom and she said "NOTHING
will keep me from getting baptized on the 25th" she resolved to quit
coffee right there and told us that she had given her "husband" an
ultimatum. I don't feel as if I have done anything special in
teaching Maria, I don't feel like as if I have been a super great
teacher in our lessons, but I know that the Lord has truly prepared
her. I have learned that it doesn't matter how great I master the
skills in preach my gospel, or how well I memorize the thing that are
in there, and the list can go on with things you would expect a great
missionary to do. It doesn't matter what I do if I don't seek
revelation in this the Lord's work. I need to trust in the Lord and
do exactly as he tells me. That is the only way I will ever succeed
in bringing to pass the Lord's work.

The day after Halloween, we stopped by an investigator's home to
invite to the ward Halloween activity later that night. They invited
us for some tacos, and since it was our dinner hour we gladly
accepted. Elder Arauz mentioned that it was my birthday so then the
mom and her little daughter Vanessa, brought out a cupcake and put a
candle on it and said "Feliz cumpleanos hermano!"

On Saturday I went on exchanges with Elder Sturgell into his area
so.........I got to be on bike!!!! We almost had to bike up temple
hill which probably would have killed me but a member was able to help
us out.

Yesterday there was a baby blessing in the Tongan ward, so naturally
that means that they have to have a full out feast. There was about
30 tables set up n the cultural hall each one with its own roasted
pig. I could not believe how much food there was. I was positive
they were celebrating something super uber important I was in absolute
disbelief when I was told that it was just a baby blessing.

I have a new found appreciation for all the cleaning my mom did after
this halloween's deep cleaning. I was so so so so so tired! And
Elder Arauz was amazed by all the costumes.

"And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come
to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his
goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of
your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls,
even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in
remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his
goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and
humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name
of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which
is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel." Mosiah 4:11

This scripture really stood out to me this week as I realized my own
nothingness and how much I truly rely on the Lord.

Sincerely,

Elder Luis Gonzalez

P.S. We had to go to Wal-greens on Halloween to get some things for
our Halloween cleaning. And can you guess who someone decided to
dress up as???? Yup you guessed it, Taylor Swift. It strengthened my
testimony that Heavenly Father has a sense of humor.

Transfer 8 Week 2 October 29, 2012

Dear Everyone, 

We found Maria this week!  That probably doesn't mean a thing to you, BUT! She accepted a baptismal date, she came to church, and she insisted on going to another ward's baptism.  She absolutely loved it!!!  She has progressed so much in such little time.  She said she felt something special at the baptism and she wants to share it with her whole family.  A great ending to a great week!

And it turns out that ward having the baptism was Richmond First Ward

We taught a couple of evangelico's this week and they love the church's organization but don't seem to understand the Restoration means that Christ's living church is on the earth again.

We got asked to teach the YW, which was quite an interesting experience, and they also asked me to play the piano for them (which was not a good idea).

Isabel's mom got mad that we invited her to be baptized.

I'm getting excited for Halloween and cleaning our apartment. 

This week as I studied from the Book of Mormon and Preach My Gospel, it was pressed upon my mind the power of having a good scripture study.  You know how you get super excited for conference because you get to hear the prophets?  And then afterwards you feel like you learned so so so so so much?  We can have that every single day!  But we have to be prepared and humble.  If we come with a question and are willing to learn the Spirit will tell you what you need to know, today.  I love King Benjamin's words: " My brethren, all ye that have assembled yourselves together, you that can hear my words which I shall speak unto you this day; for I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view." Teaching by the Spirit is as important as learning by the Spirit.

Sincerely,

 Elder Luis Gonzalez

P.S.  This is my last post script ever written as a teen.

Transfer 8 Week 1 october 22, 2012

Had you been there when we asked our investigators mom if she could be baptized you would have seen Elder Arauz's and My heart just sink, I think plummot (sp?) would be a better description.

But as for good news we found some amazing investigators this week.  This young women we taught yesterday is so prepared!  We taughther at her friend's house where the whole family are recent converts.  The spirit was super strong.  She was so grateful that we taught her how to pray.  This week I learned what is meant by "teach by the spirit".  Lessons go so much better when I actually teach by the spirit.  I can just feel its influence guide to truly help my brothers abd sisters that I am teaching.

The other day I read Enos 1:20 in companionship study " And I bear record that the people of Nephi did seek diligently to restore the Lamanites unto the true faith in God. But our labors were vain; their hatred was fixed, and they were led by their evil nature that they became wild, and ferocious, and a blood-thirsty people, full of idoltary and fifilthiness; feeding upon beasts of prey; dwelling in tents, and wandering about in the wilderness with a short skin girdle about their loins and their heads shaven; and their skill was in the bow, and in the cimeter, and the ax. And many of them did eat nothing save it was raw meat; and they were continually seeking to destroy us." Then Elder Arauz said "Oh, I didn't know Enos grew up in Oakland."

Well talk to y'all later.
 Sincerely,

Elder Luis Gonzalez

Transfer 7 Week 6 October 15, 2012

This must be my most boring transfer ever.  For the first time my district stayed exactly the same.  But it was fun getting to call other missionaries and let them know where they are going even though they didn't get anywhere. 

I know that if I am ever singing in a group and I am the best sounding one that as a whole we MUST sound terrible!  It is pretty much common knowledge in the spanish program that we latinos can't sing, but that knowledge does nothing to keep me from laughing in the middle of a hymn.

This week we are preparing for the baptism of Casandra.  However we found out that she has not asked her mom for permission.  We are talking to her mom tonight!

Saturday, some of the Spanish units (Richmond, San Leandro, Hayward, Concord, & Oakland) put on a celebration of El Dia De La Raza. I''m not too sure what it is all about but whatever its about, its an excuse to have a party.  There was a plethora of latino dance numbers and of course FOOD, and also there was a dance at the end of the night (but we didn't go to that).  There was tons of nonmembers to talk to and they all seemed to be having a great time.

Also this week I must of had my most awkward lesson ever.  We have been assigned by the Stake and Mission Presidents to teach an excommunicated member.  We also teach his family and from the teaching record we have seen that they have been taught for years and we also that the excommunicated member is an RM.  he offered  us tea and tried to get us to break a handful of rules, but all while acting that he didn't know it was against the rules.  The whole lesson just when we started to feel the spirit he would say something or do something to drive the spirit away.

This week as I studied my notes from conference, I learned that the words of Jacob in Jacob 4 are true.  He tells that if we receive revelation from the Lord  from the prophet that it will help us to be reconciled unto God thru Jesus Christ and His atonement.  I know that as we strive to more full strive to follow the counsel of the Lord that we will truly be reconciled unto God.

Well that is all for this week!

Sincerely,

Elder Luis Gonzalez

Transfer 7 Week 5 October 9, 2012

Transfer 7 Week 5 Oct 9, 2012

And so we have reached  the last week of yet another transfer.  I know I keep saying this, but the longer I spend as a missionary, the faster time seems to pass by.

 Tuesday we had been tracting and upon returning to our car we found it in the middle of a crime scene investigation.  There had been a drive-by shooting and the police had taped off the street so that nobody could pass thru. And nobody could get in or out.  We asked a police officer if we could drive our car out and they told us that we would not be allowed until the investigation was over.  This meant that we had to walk to the rest of our appiontments for the day.  When we returned right before dinner they were still not letting anybody out, so we ended up walking to a near by McDonald's and ate there.

 Wednesday I went on exchanges with Elder Sturgell and we walked by the house that had been shot at and saw bullet holes all over the place.  Serving in Oakland is definatley an adventure. We then taught our 11 year old investigator and found that she loved loved loved coffee, so we nicely taught her the principle of the Word of Wisdom and she finall agreed to live the word of wisdom.  Then right before we left she gave us these sandwiches she had made us.

 Friday we got met with a family that has recently moved back from Virginia.  They are recent converts and are very excited to share the gospel.  We were able to have a lesson with the rest of the family present.  Afterwards when we talked with the brother he had felt like it had been a very good experience.

 But of course the biggest news of last week is GENERAL CONFERENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 I knew it was going to be a great conference after the Temple was annouced for Tucson, Arizona!  But very shortly after that the conference got very exciting.  Elders can now be 18, effective IMMEDIATLEY!  How amazing is that!  It is a true testament to how swiftly the work of the Lord is progressing.  We are very excited to see the first 18 year old elders out here in the field. But by far the greatest anoucement is that of Sisters being allowed to serve at 19.   From talking with a member that is an RM he told us tha facebook was going crazy with comments about the annoucement. In the midst of all this excitement I love Elder Holland's comment directed to those soon to be missionaries, "This is not about you, it never has been.  Its about the Lord and his Gospel." 

 This conference was truly a spiritual feast.  I learned so much from the Lord's anointed.  I came to the conference seeking the Lord's guidance and help, and I truly recived revelation. Elder Holland as always did no less than incredible, "Do you love me?".  President Monson never fails to intrigue and inspire with his marvoulsly told stories. It was really amazing to see Elder Gay speak at the Confernce.  I remebered to 6 weeks ago when I saw him in person and got to hear his personal testimnony.  I invite you all to act on the promptings you recieved during conference!  The Lord will surely bless you.

  There is nothing like listening to the The Prophet speak and them walking out of the building and seeing the Holy Temple.  no words can explain that feeling.

Love,

 Elder Luis Gonzalez

Transfer 7 week 4 October 1, 2012

·        Time goes by too fast as a missionary.  When I think of the things I was doing last October, it seems like a totally different life.  I have gotten to the point where I can't remember what it is like to not be a missionary.  

The Oakland Stake President has come up with idea called "The Oakland 6th 'No Time For Tracting' Initiative." Basically he feels that because of the Latino culture most of the less active members will open to have the missionaries teach them the basic missionary lessons.  And because of the high number of part member families, he feels that this will help us obtain tons of people to teach and that we will not have to tract.  So instead of tracting we will be searching out these less actives.  To kick off the initiative Elder Packer, the Area Seventy, came to a combined Priesthood/Relief Society Meeting yesterday to get the members excited about the initiative.  And also there will be two sets of Sister Missionaries working part time to help in the effort.  And because I a the District Leader, President Meredith has asked that I coordinate all the these efforts with the all the missionaries and the ward.  He told me "Elder, its a good thing you like to work hard!" I think that's his way of telling me that I could do it.

I love walking the streets of Oakland. so many Latinos, so many crazy people, so may things to laugh at.

I love being in the service of my God and my fellowman.  So many tiny miracles happen.  My capacity to love has increased.  My ability to receive guidance from the Almighty has increased.  I know that as you lose yourself in the service of your God that you too will receive miracles.

Sincerely,

Elder Luis Gonzalez

Transfer 7 Week 3, September 25, 2012

Yesterday there was a power outage on Temple Hill (it was planned) so we had no way of doing email yesterday.

I went on exchanges with Elder Sadler on Thursday.  I was super excited because I got to make a return to the BICYCLE!!!!!!  I remembered how I had been able to not gain weight when I was in Richmond. It turned out to be a great day.   When one isn't trapped in a car all day its amazing how many people there are to talk to.  We talked to a guy that told us that the Mormons in Utah "spank your britches" when you break the law.  Never a dull day in  the Spanish program!

We received a referral from the Visitor's Center to visit a less active member.  She moved to Oakland and hasn't found a way to get to church.  We were able to teach her and her granddaughter, who is 9.  We had an awesome lesson yesterday and invited the granddaughter to be baptized, to which she gladly said yes!  It made up for the fact that another one of our investigators this week was not allowed to be baptized because his father would not let him.  However his dad did give us permission to keep teaching his son.

Last week was President Lauti's funeral.  He was a former Stake President and a very well known member in the Oakland area.  They had the service at the Inter Stake Center (ISC, right next to the temple).  We had to go up at that time to drop off  a missionary because he had to go to a training.  We got caught in traffic as everyone was leaving the ISC. As we were just sitting there somebody said "Sister Wade!"  We all looked to where he pointed and saw that it was indeed Sister Wade.  I swiftly rolled down the window and called for her, but unfortunately she didn't hear me.  But just when we were about to sadly drive on, we look to our right and see President Wade!  I rolled down the window and he excitedly ran over and talked to us and shook our hands.  He was so happy!  he looked like a kid on playground.  President Lauti served as one of his counselor's so he had gotten permission to come to the funeral.  It was really great to them!

Tomorrow I will be doing a baptismal interview!!!! My first one!  I'm a little nervous but so excited!

Hope all is well!

Sincerely,

Elder Luis Gonzalez

Transfer 7 Week 2 September 17, 2012

Dear Everyone!

Life is amazing!  Elder Arauz asked me this morning if I was happy. And I responded with a thoughtful "yes" to which he responded "why?" And I said "Why not?"

There is nothing greater than proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ everyday.

As I have reflected how different my life is then just a year ago, I realized that I am "living after the manner of happiness."  Yesterday we taught a family (I love teaching families fyi) and as we showed them a picture of the temple they shared with us that they go there often to just feel the peace that  is there.  As we testified that the restored gospel is true and that the temple is what makes families forever she shared with us how her baby had been born dead due to medical negligence and how much pain that caused her.  I saw in her eyes hope that she can be reunited with her family.  There was nothing particularly "amazing' about that lesson, but I walked out of that home knowing that I had fulfilled my purpose.  I might've not said too much, I might've not even done my best teaching, but the Spirit made up for my mistakes, the Spirit helped this family come unto Christ. 

The Lord has called me to serve Him so that He may have success.  I cannot have success in of myself but thru the Lord, the Lord and I can do miracles.  Christ taught to the Nephites that their works of righteousness would be accomplished thru HIM.  I know such is the truth. There is no other way! Well that is all from the center stake of Zion for this week.

Hasta Luego!

 Sincerely,

 Elder Luis Gonzalez

Transfer 7 Week 1, September 10, 2012

I have learned why this stake is often referred to as the Center Stake of Zion!  Oh how I have missed my Latinos! Oakland is such a crazy place, especially the driving.  My favorite thing about serving here is that i am able to see the temple from just about anywhere in our area.

This week has been mostly trying to get to know the members and our investigators.   But after a week of getting accustomed to everything, we are ready to get down to work and find people to teach!

The weather here is still pretty amazing!  Much hotter than Half Moon Bay but way cooler than Queen Creek!  It is quite nice to  have to wear a jacket all the time.

My area includes the infamous International Street.  There is tons of latinos to talk to there but there is also lots of "other " people there too.  Most of them want nothing to do with  the Gospel.

We had stake Conference yesterday and this stake is amazing!  There are chinese, fijian, spanish, and whole bunch of others too. The Tongans have their own STAKE!

We tried to contact a referal the other day but the street was blocked off by the police.  We later heard that someone had died on the street.  That didn't bother so much, what bothered me is that when they told they told me as if it is just something that happens all the time.

Nevertheless, I LOVE it here!!!! Nowhere else I would rather be!

Many great stories to come,

Sincerely,
Elder Luis Gonzalez

Transfer 6. Week 6. September 3, 2012

This won't be a very long email because it is labor day and the library is closed. I am writing this from the apple store. Sorry for the spelling...

Monday we had a the with patrick at the bishops house.  It was great!  But really sad to see him go so soon.

Tuesday we had zone conference with Elder Gay from the first quorum of the seventy!  He was truly inspiring.  He is oxen of the major reasons the church has grown so much spain.  He showed elder mares and I a cool scar because elder mares is on cruthes.

We found a new investigator on saturday that seems really solid!

But the biggest news is transfer calls.............

Elder mares will remain in Half Moon Bay and for as myself........ I have been called to serve as district leader and I will be serving in the ward of Oakland 6th and I will be shotgunning the area with elder Arauz from el Salvador! For those of you who need to be caught up on mission lingo "shotgunning" an area means that instead of me going to a new area and meeting a companion that knows the area,  my companion and I are coming into the area at the same time so neither of us knows the area at all! I'm a bit scared but all shall be well. Oh and I am still in car.

I have some last pictures to take (golden gate) and some families to say good bye to!

God bless!

Elder Luis Gonzalez

Transfer 6 Week 5 August 27, 2012

CRAZY WEEK!

Monday:
Patrick tells us that he is going back home to Ohio to fix family problems and he will not be able to stay in town for His baptism.  The Bishopric was helping him to fly back there so that he get everything organized.

Tuesday:
We talk to this crazy lady who took an hour to tell us her life story, and then ened our converstion with sayig that she loved the Church but could never believe in the gold plates. Then we met with Patrick who found that day from talking to his aunt that he might be father!!!

Thursday:
 We taught a man at a old folks home (member referal) and he fell asleep as I was talking to him.  Then we rushed to District meeting and took district pictures because there is no district meeting next week because of Zone Conference.  Then a member took us to a restaurant in our area named "Kenny's".  They have awesome chinese food!!!!

Saturday: 
It was startingto get late and I got a feeling that we should go visit someone.  On the way there I saw Patrick out of the corner of my eye.  I quikly turn and head towards the McDonald's parking lot (where i saw him).  He sees us pull up and he quikly rushed over to us and excitedly told us about his day.  The Bishop later told us that he was trying to decide between buying some hot chocolate at mcdonald's or getting some alcohol at safeway.  When we showed up he had just decided to buy the chocolate.  So when he saw us, he felt as if that was God telling him he made the right choice and giving some up to ge thru the night.

Sunday:
The Stake President came to to meet with the Bishop and speak in sacrament.  Before sacrament the Bishop asked us how ready we thought patrick was for baptism and we told him he was 100% ready.  So he reports that to the Stake President, who in turn calls President Meredith (our mission president) and tells him that he feels that Patrick needs to be baptized before he leaves to Ohio.  We then get a call from President Meredith and he asked us how read we thought Patrick was besides not livung the Word of Wisdom for 3 weeks.  We gave the same reply we had given to Bishop.  President Meredith then says that 3 weeks of livung the Word of Wisdom is mission policy and not in the Handbook, and that he could therefore give us permission to baptize Patrick that very day!  Which he then preceded to do, pending that he is interviewed by a District Leader or Zone leader.  We quickly got on the phone with our distrct leader and we arrange to meet him.  The interview seemed to take a CENTURY!!!! But finally he came out and he had passed!!!!! We hurriedly made all the arrangemants to prepare the baptismal font.  We called everyone from the ward to come out and support him.  We made the baptismal record and got ready to go up to the stake center.  For being such short notice we were able to organize quite a nice program.  Elder Mares got to baptize Patrick (yes, with his injured knee-he is in major pain today).  I got to confirm him a member of the Church.  And Bishop Fellars promised him that in a year he would fly out to Ohio and ordain him to the Melchizedek Priesthood.

Long story short: No matter how good I am, how smart I am, how hard I work, this great latter-day work cannot be done without the aid of the Almight.  It is Him whom i represent, It is His name that I wear everyday.  No miracle is greater than the Atonemnt of Christ.

Sincerly,

Elder Luis Gonzalez

P.S.  To top it all off, Patrick's dog that he takes everywhere, got a front row seat to see the baptism.

Transfer 6. Week 2-- August 13, 2012

Things started out just as bad as they had in previous weeks.  We are still unable to tract and look for new investigators.  It got to be Thursday and we were convinced it was going to be another bad week.  Then shortly before dinner we got a call from our Bishop.  He tells Elder Mares on the phone "I have a discussion for you."  So we excitedly get ready to go over there and teach this man we knew nothing about.  We get to the Bishop's house (which is literally an ocean front property FYI).  As we start to teach this man we get to know him.  He is from Cincinatti, Ohio.  But he has not been there for 8 years.  Shortly after his mother died he decided to start bicycling around America.  And that is what he has been doing for the last 8 years.  He lives on whatever little money he can make doing odd jobs along the way.  Then last Sunday he was riding past our church and he saw that it said "Jesus Christ" on it so he went in looking for the pastor, the Bishop identified himself as the pastor.  This man was looking for some jobs he could do around the church to earn a meal.  The Bisop told him to meet at his home a couple of hours later. he started doing some odd jobs for the Bishop around his home.  Then this man  opened up enough to share some of his problems with the Bishop.  Bishop then invited him to meet with us and he agreed.

 

That night we give him a copy of The Book of Mormon, but he couldn't read the small print.  But then Bishop just happened to have with a spare large print copy.  He got so so so so so so so  excited and said he would start reading it that night.  And he did, the next day we met with him he had already read the first 10 chapters!  He accepted a baptismal date and gave up coffee, tobacco, and alcohol on the spot.  The only problem is that if he does not find another job soon, he will have to keep moving on to the next town, so he is unsure if he will be here for Sept.1 his  scheduled baptismal date.  We are praying for yet another miracle so that he can find a job here.

 

I saw the miracle of the atonement this week.  I saw it first hand.  I saw someone who had no hope, someone who thought he had gone to far to return to God's grace, excercise faith in Jesus Christ enough to repent and live the restored Gospel. 

 

"And he shall go forth suffering, temptaions, and afflictions of very kind, and this that he might take upon himself death and sin, that he may loose the bands of death." Alma 7

 

Sincerely,

 

Elder Luis Gonzalez

 

P.S. Our new investigators has a cute little dog he takes EVERYWHERE!

Transfer 6 Week 4. August 20, 2012

We were able to teach our Miracle Investigator, named Patrick, several times this week.  He is so amazing! He fasted earlier this week so that he could get the Lord's help in quiting to smoke.  He said that it was a wonderful experience.  He woke up  that morning and did not even think about smoking. He said that it was the first time in many many years that he did not wake up and feel like "smoking something, drinking something, or smashing something." It is a real testimony builder of how the restored gospel Jesus Christ can truly change a soul for the better.  He has learned so much in so little time.  Whenever we teach him something we know before we ever invite him that he is going to live whatever  princple or law we have just taught.   Despite all this great progress he has made, he was very frustrated last night because he has not been able to find a job inspite all of his efforts.  If he doesn't find a job, he can't stay here in Half Moon Bay until his baptism.  We have been asking everyone if they of anything but we just can't seem to find any  leads.  I shared with him Ether 12:6  "dispute not because ye see not, for you recieve no witness until after the trial of your faith."  Never have I prayed to the Lord with such mighty prayer for another living soul.  As Prsident Eyring has taught, my capacity to love has grown when it mattered most, not for me , but for Patrick.  This has been a real and true blessing.

 

Next week will be Zone Conference and we will have a General Authority, Elder Gay of the First Qourum of The Seventy!!!!!  President Meredith has asked that we use this P-Day to get ready for his arrival (haircuts, polishing shoes, cleaning cars, ect.).  That being said, I have a busy P-Day ahead of me so sorry for the short email....

 

Best Wishes,

 

Elder Luis Gonzalez 

 

P.S.  I overheard my ward mission leader, who is big on distance running :), and another ward member, who ran at BYU, talking about the 10,000 meter.  And then a Senior Missionary (they are allowed to watch TV) told us that Mexico won the gold in soccer.  But other than that I haven't heard much about the Olympics...so I would appreciate an update....

Transfer 6 Week 2. August 6, 2012

Elder Mares continues to be injured and we have to continue to stay home and rest.  However we found out that does not mean that we cannot do missionary work.  We found a great finding tool this week.  We started calling all the people saved in our phone that we do not know.  We were able to find one new investiagtor and have set a couple of other appiontments with other people.  I never realized that a phone could be so helpful in doing missionary work.  When one truly desires to serve the Lord, He will provide a way to do it, despite of the circumstances.

 

Something else we have starte doing is singing on Main St. We sing hymns (I hope the Lord either blesses my voice or blesses peoples ears so that it actually sounds good) in hopes that people will come and talk to us.

 

This week we also have a couple of investigators coming home from vacation. They seem very solid.  So the future looks bright for the missionary work here in Half Moon Bay.   

 

We are excited for our upcoming Zone Conference. a Seventy will be present and I believe he will be doing some kind of training. 

 

Tomorrow I will hit my 8 month mark!!! Time goes by crazy fast.  There is no where else that I would rather be than here serving the Lord.  I am so grateful that I read the Book of Mormon and that I took that step of faith and followed the Savior's example and was baptized by someone holding the priesthood authority of God.

 

Hope all is well!

 

Elder Luis Gonzalez

Transfer 6. Week 1. July 30, 2012

We had  to go to Berkeley on Wednesday for Elder Mares' doctor appiontment.  We decided to take the San Mateo Bridge instead if the Bay Bridge because there is less traffic on the San Mateo Bridge.  Once we got to the east side of the bay the traffic on the freeway picked up so as not to be late we decided to get off the freeway and drive thru the city.  We drove all the way from Hayward to Berkeley.  And just let me tell you, the California Oakland/San Francisco Mission is amazing!  The whole drive was beautiful. 

 

Elder Mares has what the doctor called "water on the knee" which basically means that his knee cap is out of place beacuse of some fluid.  The doctor said that he would not need surgery or anything like that but that it would just take time to heal.  Thats not really what one wants to hear when one only has 2 years to serve.  The doctor told Elder Mares that he doesn't neccassirly rest all day  but that he should take things "slow".  Needless to say, our tracting time has been greatly reduced and we are having a really hard time finding investigators. 

 

Despite this hardship, some great things are happening in the ward.  Yesterday was the start of a ward 40 day fast for missionary work.  I know that miracles are right around the corner.   As we are taught by Alma 6:6  "The children of God were commanded to  that they should gather themselves oft, and join in fasting and might prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who knew not God."  I know that the Lord will soon lead us to those who know that God. 

 

I am so grateful for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is such a pleasure to wake up everyday and know that I will be inviting people to come unto Christ.  That I will be dedicating that whole day to helping them God's greatest gift, eternal life.  I know that the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion.  This week the Book of Mormon has helped me to see that through the tribulations we may face that God will always be there.  Alma when explaining his pain said "there could be been nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains."  At times I feel this way and I think I just cannot go on.  But I strive to always remember the next part of Alma's wordsm, "That on the  other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy."  I know all things bitter can be made into sweet through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

 

Sincerly,

 

Elder Luis Gonzalez

Transfer 5. Week 6. July 23, 2012

We got transfer calls saturday and the Lord has decided................(drum roll)...........................That Elder Mares and I should stay in Half Moon Bay.  How grateful I am that the Lord has placed me in the coldest part of the mission for the summer.  Elder Mares and I have decided to go to the vey bottom of our area and to take a picture of the Mission boundary.    This week was super hard, mainly cause we did a whole lot of nothing.  Our District Leader was on exchanges with Elder Mares.  Elder Mares was backing him out (but he decided to stand in the blind spot) and Elder Mares' knee got pinned between two cars.  He called Hermana Olvera, the mission nurse.  She has told him to do nothing.  We are not allowed to leave the apartment.  Which means we can't really do missionary work.  We are going to Berkely on Wednesday so the doctors can look at his knee.  Until then we are pretty bored.    In the mean time, our investigator has to live the word of wisdom by saturday to be baptized on her scheduled baptismal date.  Unfortunately she is still smoking 8-10 ciggarettes per day.  We are praying for a miracle.    This week I finished reading the Book of Mormon.  I decided to take the suggestion of Preach My Gospel and pray to have my testimony of the Book of Mormon strengthed.  I know that God speaks in our day and that he has once again called a prophet to guide his church.  I know that Prophet is President Thomas S. Monson and that he holds the same priesthood that the Apostles of  old held.  I know that it is by the Prophet Joseph Smith that the Lord's Kingdom has been restored.  I know that God loves ME and I know these things because I know the Book of Mormon is true.   Read the Book of Mormon, it will you bring closer to God than any other book.   Sincerely,   Elder Luis Gonzalez

Transfer 5. Week 5. July 16, 2012

The bad things about summer as a missionary is that everyone is going out of town or they are never home.  We were unable to find any new investigators this week.  And we haven't been able to have as many lessons as we would like.  And then none of our investigators came to church.  Our most solid investigator at the moment isn't very good about remembering our appiontments.  We have to constantly remind her.  But on the brightside she has started to cut down on the amount of ciggerattes she smokes everyday.  Elder Mares has hurt his knee again, so we have tomeet our goals while allowing him to rest properly.  Things don't look so good for this week.   However, despite our not so good week, we had 3 of our latino families come to church this week.  The spanish sunday school class was a happy site.  And a lot of the new families moving into the ward speak spanish because of their missions.    So the futire for our little spanish group is looking good.  And also the Bishop is working with the ward to help them do more missionary work.  The bishopric has given a talk on Preach My Gospel and the whole ward has been invited to read Preach My Gospel before the end of the year.  So Iknow success is up ahead!   Hope all is well!   Elder Luis Gonzalez

Transfer 5. Week 4. July9, 2012

While teaching one of our investigators this week she related to us one of her dreams (and according to her, almost all her dreams come true.  The dreams starts with her hanging out with Osama Bin Laden and then they decide to go burn rich peoples' houses.  I was too busy laughing to hear the rest of the dream but I doubt she couldn't topped that part of the dream.  She unfortunatley was unable to come to church because her dad was in the hospital.   The only thing special about 4th of July as a missionary is that we sang the patriotic hymns in the hymn book in companionship study.  And we listened to MoTab sing some patriotic songs as we drove to District meeting.  And then we got an awesome barbarque dinner from the stake patriach later that evening.  I never thought, I would be cold on the 4th of July.   Friday night we were about to go visit a potentcial investigator but then i heard a loud noise coming from the front wheel of the car.  We examined it more closely and saw that we had gotten a hole in the tire and it was goinf flat at a  very swift rate. Considering the closet tire place was over half  an hour away that put an end to our night.  We spent Saturday in San Bruno waiting for our tire to be fixed.    Well thats all for now!!!!   Stay Swift,   Elder Luis Gonzlez  

Transfer 5 week 3. July 2, 2012

The biggest thing that happened this week is that we met President and Sister Meredith!!!!!  I never knew how much you could love someone you just met.  But what I noticed most about them is the great love they have for us even though they know very little about us.  I am so excited to get to know them better!!!!   So we are teaching a woman we found while tracting and this week we invited her to live the word of wisdom and the law of Chastity.  She admitted to us that she has problems with both but what seemed so amazing to me is the desire she has to live them.  She understands that these commandments are God's will and that when we disobey it saddens our Father in Heaven who wants nothing less than our eternal happiness.  It was so great to see herself humble herself enough to ask two 19ish year olds how she could began to fully live the word of wisdom.    The temperatures continue to be in the 60's here in Half Moon Bay and the mornings and evenings are super foggy with most days being sunny.  When I tell people that I am fro Arizona they always ask me if I am loving the weather, which of course I am!   Next P-day our district is planning on going to Alcatraz!!! Should be exciting!!!!   Thats it for this week!!!1   Sincerely,   Elder Luis Gonzalez   3 Nephi 17:21

Transfer 5 week 2. June 25, 2012

We had a special meeting with President Wade this week where we got to say goodbye and take one final picture with him.  To start the meeting he said, "You will have to excuse our breath, we went to one of the finest restaurants in the whole mission one last time."  His 5 year-old daughter quickly responded with, "It was a taco truck!!!!"     Elder Mares and I didn't have a very good week prosleyting wise.  We did find a new very solid investigator.  She is an 8 year old that comes to church every sunday and has gotten permission from her mom to meet with us.  She told us that she wants to get baptized just like her friends.  We are really excited to meet with her, but.....she will be out of town for a couple of weeks so that kinda puts things off for a little bit.   We have another investigator who we have invited to be baptized.   She has accepted the date of July 28th, but we we are not to sure she will be ready by that day.  She has some word of wisdom issues, but what worries us the most is that she said she wants to get baptized but wants to continue to go to catholic church as well.  We hope that as she starts coming to church and reads the Book of Mormon that she will be able to understand the importance of making the baptismal covenant.   Thats pretty much it for this week.   I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's kingdom restored on earth.  I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that it is the evidence God has given us to know for ourselves that He has called another Prophet.  I know that as we read the Book of Mormon that we come closer to God and that our testimony of the Restoration is strengthened.  It is everso important that we pray to God and ask Him the questions of our soul.  He can not open the windows of revelation until we ask Him to do so.  I know that God is our loving Heavenly Father and that he has prepared a great and marvelous plan for us.   Sincerely,   Elder Luis Gonzalez

Transfer 5. Week 1. June 18, 2012

And so it came to pass that in the first week of the fifth transfer, that Elder Gonzalez and Mares beheld miracles.  As night slowly approached and they rested to dine, they received a phone call from a sister in the ward.  She preceded to tell the Elders that her older daughter had turned 9 and would have to meet with them before she could be baptized.  And as Elder Gonzalez and Mares heard these things they began to rejoice.  But then the sister continued and revealed that the baptism was scheduled for Saturday morning.  Immediately the billion things that had to happen before saturday morning ran thru Elder Gonzalez's head.  Nevertheless the Elders rejoiced in the mercy the Lord had given them in accomplishing their goals.    As the days passed and they taught this sweet little girl they came to know of her great and already existant knowledge of the gospel.  Said she when asked who God is, "God is our Heavenly Father and I pray to Him every night because I love Him."  The day of her baptismal interview arrived and she passed in a matter of 20 minutes.  It came to passs that on Saturday morning her dad arrived and baptized her, however we see that the devil will stop at nothing to hindr the work of God.  The key to the baptismal font and baptismal clothes was hidden from their sights.  Miracoulsy a counselor in the Stake Presidency arrived and gave them about 60 keys to try on the door.  As the Elders frantically searched for the keys the time for the baptism to start came and went. The font was finally opened and the filliing of it commenced immedately.  However the quest to get the baptismal clothes continued.  And then finally after all other keys had been exhausted, the last key came forth and was put into the door.  And then the Elders and the family rejoiced as they heard a "click!"   However the font was nowhere near full.  But because 9 year olds are quite small  it mattered not.   Then Sunday morning came and the father of this little girl asked Elder Gonzalez if he could confer the Gift of the Holy Ghost to his daughter.  Being deeply honored Elder Gonzalez happily performed the ordinance.  Then after church this little girl ran up to the Elders and excitedly told them "I paid my tithing today!"   And thuis we see that the Lord will bless both the his children that are served and the servant.   So that was pretty much my week.    President Wade says his good byes this week in a special Zone Meeting on Wednesday.  Time goes by so swift out here!    Hope all is well!   Elder Luis Gonzalez