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