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