I haven't been any happier than I have been in my whole mission that I am now. I was so relieved and grateful to find that I would be spending 6 more weeks with Dioso and in Calaca! I couldn't ask for anything else. Elder Dioso and I are going to try and finish the D&C this transfer by every night before going to bed reading 3 chapters, and in our companionship study, reading the Book of Mormon and practice teaching. We are going to continue to work hard and grow in friendship together, he's becoming one of my best companions I've ever had. I wanted to say something in regards to the interview we had. One, thank you. Thanks for all the kind things you said to me, I really felt the spirit and the message you shared was right on. You continue to inspire us President so keep doing what your doing! I remember in the interview I asked you "President, Do you trust me?" and I suppose the question caught you off guard, but I can't remember who said it...but I think it was David O. McKay he said "It's better to be trusted than loved". I know that you love me President and all the missionaries here. But do you trust us where you don't need to worry? Do you trust us to become "Spiritual Mature" and "Self-Reliant". For myself, I believe you do...and it's a great feeling. I love you President, and like the first time we met I again want to tell you what I promised you. I will do anything and everything you ask us to do, don't worry about us in Calaca. Next week, we're focusing on tracting to get our New Investigators up. Until we see each other again President
Love God, Do Good, and Go Home.
Moroni 10:32-33
32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.
33 And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.
Love you,
Elder Gonzalez
On Sun, Aug 22, 2010 at 9:47 PM, Joshua Austin Lonell Gonzalez
MOMMY,
(brown sugar)Poptarts for me, Sister Smith wants velveeta shells and cheese (macaroni and cheese) and famous amos cookies... DR. PEPPER.
MOMMMY,
This week has been incredible and the news and pictures partly scared me and made me so homesick. Haha you are right Mom some people should just not wear Togas ;). From the pictures you send the house looks absolutely amazing and I am really happy to see it when I get home, but not excited enough to leave early....unless the Vettes still up for grabs haha. In all honesty this is truly the happiest time in my mission. I am seeing the fruits of our labor here and I see the change we are making in so many lives. Elder Dioso and I are together for 6 more weeks so I am way stoked about that. I am also very happy that i'm still in Calaca. I cannot even begin to explain how nice the members are here and you will for sure get to meet them all when you guys come to pick me up. President Ambao (Branch President...like a bishop), Noche Family, Nanay Pasing, Lucernas Family, Ate Ade, Sale Family, Conception Family, Kuya Arvin, Sister Villiano and I can't even name them all. They absolutely love us here and feed us weekly. When ever Dioso and I are hungry...which is often I haven't changed we just go to their house and it's crazy the feasts we have! Well, in other news we had zone interviews this week with President. I can't even begin to explain or even want to all the things he said to me, but man I know that he loves me. He was so happy with Dioso and I in our interview I guess Pres. Ambao really talked us up when he called President Anderson, and Dioso had some good things to say about me. I'm trying to say this in all humility but I'm just beaming with pride haha. AHH I love this place. We are working hard, I'm striving my best to be true, faithful, and obedient... and I've found out something that I've been using alot lately. Here is the great secret of the universe...are you ready?
DO THINGS THAT YOU HATE DOING
Honestly this things works!
For example I hate
waking up at 6:30
tracting
companionship study
studying tagalog
and alot of other things
but this week haha I've been focusing on the things I hate and the things I've not good at and I just do them. I tell myself...I'm going to wake up everyday at 6:30 or I'm going to work out everyday because I don't want to.
I suppose it's reverse psychology but it's working great haha. If I keep it up perhaps I'll have a 6 pack by the time I get home....haha naah
In news about our investigators.
Arman (the man who used to be gay and dress like a woman, but changed his life) is amazing! He's been going to church, studying hard, and has great questions.
Ludy: I've grown really close to her, she's about 56 years old and we started teaching her last transfer with Painagan when he said "Walang Siyang Pagasa ayaw niya magsimba" or she has no hope she doesn't wanna go to church. I've worked with her and we supported her ending her abusive relationship with her livein partner, one time she was covered in complete bruises and her "Husband" wouldn't even face us. I guess because Elder Dioso and I are both 5'11+. she went to church for the first time 2 weeks ago, she LOVES IT! She has so many friends now and she even talked to Pres. Ambao about a few of her problems to clear some things up. She'll be baptized in about 2 weeks.
Alexus Reineer: They live with Arman, and they are so awesome 19 and 14 they love the lessons and really enjoy going to church...they'll be baptized in about 3 weeks. They've given up smoking/drinking and everything.
Life is amazing honestly. I am so happy here in the mission. This week I've really been using one of my favorite scriptures in the book of mormon
Moroni 10:32-33
" 32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God."
This has come to be one of my favorite scriptures, because it perfectly describes what we need to do to have a happy life. If we have anything lacking in our lives, if we are struggling, if we need help. I've come to know for myself how true this is. I've come to know in a foreign land, in a foreign tongue, and with foreign friends who Jesus Christ really is. What is atonement means. The power and strength I receive from it everyday. I thank God everyday for such a wonderful family, for all your safety, and how much he has forgiven me. I will never be able to fully thank you for the privilege you've allowed me to come here and spend my life in the service of Him who is Eternal. Ah Life is so darn good! ;)
Love you always,
Josh
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