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