07.22.13

It was so hot this week! 100 degrees most of the week and of course this is the week we did a ton of door knocking! haha but I didn't die and it is only going to be worst in Brazil so I better get used to the hot weather. 

This week we went to go visit a guy we door knocked into, and he is hardcore christian, he is old too but we went over there because we gave him a book of Mormon last time. He was so happy to see us we sat on his porch and talked about the gospel but he wouldn't let me or my comps get a word in and then he says, "I just love having you gals here this is awesome!" haha poor guy he just needs company. But he said he prayers for us we put our names and a scripture reference in the Book of Mormon we gave him so I know he wont just toss it. 

Anyways later that day we door knocked into this guy he was "different" and he started making us flowers out of napkins, and it was just weird haha. We also had dinner at an investigators house this week. She is awesome and acts like a member already. She has two little kids and her little boy reminds me so much of Viggo. She is an attorney and I told her about Cody and the bar exam in California. And she said Wow California is the hardest place to pass the bar-exam I would never take the test there, and so Cody lawyers everywhere know that if you pass the bar-exam in California that means business haha. 

Anyways we got to go to one of the neatest baptisms this week. It was this lady the Elders had been teaching and she is black older women who had an attitude all the time but on her baptism she was a changed person. She was so happy and just full of light it was wonderful to see! Her family from Detroit came and her sister sang and there was a lot of people saying hallelujah and amen! haha it was awesome! The actual baptism itself was very powerful you could feel the Spirit and some of her family members felt that spirit and they want missionaries to teach them now. But they live in Detroit but they will get taught and baptized I know it! Also, one of our investigators, Lora she came to the baptism as well. She was so excited to be there and to see how it all works out we are planning for her baptism to be in august, and we are working with her to quit smoking. 

This Sunday we had a missionary fireside, it was about the restoration and how the gospel blesses families. A huge miracle happened this week!! This guy that we door knocked into weeks ago was really looking for a church to go to, and for weeks every time we stopped by his house he was never home. But this week he was ! And we invited him to the fireside and he came!! and it was awesome..he really enjoyed it and wants to bring his kids. Miracle! But anyways the fireside was amazing. We did do our musical number, I played the tune to come thou font and my comps sang joseph smiths first prayer, and another miracle I did not mess up once playing that song! Also, Mom you would be proud...they asked me to play the opening and closing song as well...songs that I never really practiced before but I did it and I messed up a little on the last song but I didnt freak out I just kept going and was not nervous. I thank heavenly father for that because I prayed before I played every song haha...And I just said well someone has to step up and play and so I did. We also had a member sing a poor wayfaring man, he was in the mormon tabernacle choir so he did amazing. And our last speaker was Brother Laubenguyer the Laubenguyer family is awesome they have been members for little over a year, and he talked about how the gospel blesses families. I cried, and I never cry it was amazing how he talked about what a fathers role is in the home. and How important it is for a father to be in tune with the spirit and how much it effect their children. He talked about how he didnt really have a father figure and how he used to drink and how him and his wife were going to get a divorce, but then they found the church and the got baptized together the day they planned on getting a divorce, and he felt like he failed his children but learning about the priesthood made him realize that he can still be there for them and he was able to baptize his daughter. It was just powerful because I see some investigators we have that are single mothers and it is sad, because fathers do play such an important part in the family. 

Haha well just a little funny story for this week one of my comps got a tic in her head! We had to leave an investigators house early and go to the store and get stuff to get it out! Well we didnt want to do it so we called a member haha it was actualy Sister laubenguyer and she took the tic out and me and my other comp were checking our head for tics haha but we were clean. It was crazy! I cannot wait for Brazil to see what bugs they have! (not really) I got an email this week about my VISA status but it didnt really say anything I am thinking the end of this transfer it will come! I also got a blessing this week well all my comps did just for this transfer and in my blessing it said that heavenly father knows that I do not have anyone to practice my language with but that he has the keys to all languages and he is willing to give me those keys I just have to ask and work for them, when I heard that I pictured an angel teaching me Portuguese and it was comforting to know, because it is hard to study my language here, but heavenly father will help me with the language for when I go to Brazil! 

Well it has been a great week and there are a ton of other stuff I could say but I appreciate your prayers that is another thing my blessing said, that a lot of people are praying for me. I know us missionaries are always being watched over. I continue to pray for each of you everyday! 

Tudo-bem! Eu te amo! 

Sister Gonzales

07.15.2013

Oi Familia! 

This past week has gone by pretty fast! A lot of miracles have happened. During our district meeting a guy walked into the church to use the bathroom and then we got talking to him haha he got the first lesson taught to him by a bunch of missionaries. He was really smart though he used to be Muslim but now is christian he seemed about my age, but he is on probation. I just thought it was funny how the Elders never mentioned that the Sisters could teach him bcz he is in our area..The elders are so protective of us here. Anyways he got in our district pic haha it was funny...

Also we have the funniest investigator well we have a few. But one of them we set a baptismal date for her and then she never returned our phone calls and we thought she got cold feet again, but then she called us Saturday very worried so we met her at the church and showed her the baptisimal font and all of her fears went away and she came to church Sunday and just felt so comfortable there it was great to see. And then we told her that we could bring her some food from our apartment and shes said, "you all live in an apartment?' hahah we were like yea, she said Oh I thought you all were angels and just poofed back up to heaven haha her family didnt think we lived in an apt, I guess people dont see missionaries as normal people but we sure are normal and defenetly not perfect but it was just funny. 

On Saturday one of the members had a bbq a lot of people from the ward were there, we were told to go bcz some investigators would be there and one of the older members, Brother Demaso is his name, he looks like Nono and he is the italian one, well he came up to me and put his arm over my shoulder like he was giving me a hug and I was like oh I dont know what to do haha even though he is old so I just kinda put my arm around his back, but I feel like it was Nono giving me a hug through that brother, I really did. I dont know why but I have been praying to feel nono around me, I dont know very much about him but mom you talk about him all the time and so I just felt like I should get to know him better on my mission. 

Anyways...The ward keeps asking me about my VISA and I dont know, the other night I had a dream that it came through...I have a feeling it will come this month or before the next transfer.This sunday we were suppose to perform our musical number but I guess they didnt put it in the program so we didn't have to do it, but next Sunday we are having a missionary fireside and so we will do it then. 

It is so good to hear that everyone is having a fun summer. Mom can you get me a brazil flag in argentina haha I am only kidding, You don't have to send me anything I guess I dont want jewlery or anything I guess if you were to get me something, I would want it to be something sentimental something unique like a mafalda picture I dont know...

This week it is suppose to be really hot here and humid!! Man is this prepping me for brazil although Brazil it will be this heat times a million with worst bug bites then I already got haha. But I am having fun and I have no idea how I can get up so early everyday and have energy to do all the things I have to do. Well Familia eu te amo! Milagres are everywhere, porque O Senhor sabe, and will always help us in our time of need. I have really strengthen my testimony about Joseph Smith, by reading D&C 121 and all that he had to endure, but the Lord said our trials will be but a small moment

"My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.

Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands."

The Prophet Joseph Smith went through a lot and he was just a normal guy but was able to endure to the end through the power of God. We had a recent convert lesson this past week and we wanted to help this man gain a stronger testimony about Joseph Smith and when we sat down I prayed bcz I didnt remember anything we were going to say to him but the Spirit was so strong and he said he had an experience that we knew he could relate to Joseph Smith and it was an answer to prayer, and he even asked us if we had planned all of this bcz he was in shock at how our lesson applied so much to him, and we told him we did plan but the things we said were all guided by the Spirit. that moment testified to me that Heavenly Father loves all of his children and when we have righteous desires he will always answer our prayers. 

Just thought I would share that experience as well... Entao Tudo Bem! 

Eu te amo! 

Irma Gonzales

So district photo (The one in sunglasses is the one that came into the church at the end of our district meeting haha ) 

family that is getting baptized Laura and her two kids, her son is 9 Equavion he is getting baptized with his mom in august :D ! 

Elder Reheis is leaving! he has been here for 7 months! 

Wonderful ladies from the ward took us to lunch today because Elder Reheis is leaving.

The elders in our area! Elder Reheis and Elder Bown

Oi Familia! 07.08.2013

Oi familia! Como Vai? Primero...Obrigada I did get the booklet Angela Eu amo! It is so cute! E tabem, Ma I also got the pedigree chart and your conversion story, eu sou grato por isso! It meant a lot to me I really appreciated it! .....Entao! 

This week has been great so far...For the fourth of July we were allowed to stay out until 11 watching fireworks with a member...so we got to be with a member and they took us to their family lake, it was so beautiful I will send fotos porque the fireworks were amazing and I couldn't have asked for a better 4th of July away from home. We also got to do some service this week and help a member with her yard work, but I am pretty sure that messed up my back again, but it felt good to sweat and work. The same members that took us to the lake got us pepper spray so we can be safe haha and they took us to applebees for dinner. We are too spoiled here. I feel like I am getting to know the ward better, and I love it because I know each person now and how I can help them.

 One sister called us over to her house one night because she wanted us to teach her friend but her friend never showed up and the sister told us that she was disfellowshipped for right now and we knew that we needed to be there for her, to give her the strength she needs to stay strong at this time...At church she told me to call her this week so that we can come by again. I know that we are also suppose to build up the members and I know that only sisters could be helping her out at this time, and I feel so blessed that we can enter those homes and help strengthn our sisters. 

So every letter I always talk about Santiago the one that needs to get baptized already! Well I was talking to him in spanish at a baptism the elders had on saturday and I told him about mom converting but my abuela has yet to do so...and he says, oh like me. haha he knows the church is true we asked him to be baptized again and he said maybe one day. I dont know what holds him back, but he is reading the book of mormon again. Ohh also at the baptism I had to play the piano. I still get nervous but I cant say no I wont play, I messed up at first but then pulled it together, and my name was in the program so I kept that, It felt good to be apart of the baptism in some way. haha a few sundays ago one of the bishopric asked one of my comps to say the closing prayer and she said no she gets nervous so I had to do it... but I cant say no like that especially to the piano because I know mom will be haunting me after that...So I am glad I did it and that I can share my talents. 

We had three investigators come to church this sunday! And we have found some new investigators as well...It was been a good learning experience week...and I have just been so tired all the time, but I know that I have to get some energy bcz I wont be getting any sleep these next 16 months! I am not worrying about my VISA bcz I have no control over it, I know it will come.

Im still am in shock that mom and mike are in argentina and that beidres didnt die a warrior! It wont be the same without him...also I know the Heat won bcz I saw this guy walking around with a heat jersey and I asked him...so sorry mike! Anyways....Hope all is well, Tudo bem! I love summers! And the humidity! I know I am going to die in Brazil tho...Well Tudo Bem Famila, obrigada! Eu te amo! 

Sister Gonzales

07.01.2013

Primero tudo bem! Mom, why did you send me those quotes? But thank you my companions really liked them. Are you going to send me the book Angela made, and my family history chart? Please do! Also this Sunday Bishop called us up at the end of sacrament meeting to bear our testimonies. He made me go last, and when I was done he announced that I am waiting for my VISA and that the ward next week should fast for my VISA to come. I really appreciated him doing that for me and I thanked him after and he told me he knows its going to work. Although the members were mad at him and said they would be fasting for the opposite because they don't want me to leave haha but I hope they really do fast for my VISA, so if you all could fast this Sunday for my VISA that would be great! 

Also, this lady that is so funny, we call her the eternal investigator because she comes to church every sunday just isn't baptized. Well she got all mad at me for not telling her I am leaving, and she said tell me when you leave so I can give you some money. I said uh no thats okay, and she chewed me out haha, she said dont uh me! So I just laughed.

Also a family that we visit every Sunday, bcz their Dad is not a member well this Sunday Sister gave us a bunch of food and she gave me a nice backpack, and told me it was for Brazil because I would need it. I was planning to get one before I left or while I was there, but that was really nice of her to give me. The members here spoil us too much. I have been getting a feeling though that my VISA will come... but for now I am really growing to love each investigator and just feel sad for those who reject the Book of Mormon.

 I have seen so many miracles since I have been out here. We have a dinner appointment pretty much every day it is great. We went to eat Dinner with this family called the DeMaso's. Brother DeMaso is italian and on the licence plate on his car says Nono. He is just the best haha they are such a sweet old couple. And sister DeMaso is very into family history work. Bro Demaso looked a little bit like the Picture of Nono...Mom I do not really know anything about Nono maybe you can tell me more about him, is his temple work done? Maybe he can be a guiding angel for me on my mission, I want to know my family on the other side. 

Well I am getting more and more comfortable teaching and talking to people, and I know once I go to Brazil I will be back to square one, with the language and teaching that is why it is a little frustrating, but I know the Lord will help me as long as I study diligently. 

The other day when we went door knocking, a cat kept following us to every door haha like he wanted to be apart of us it was just funny. The last door we knocked on the guy was an athiest and a veteran. He pretty much chewed us out, and wouldnt stop talking. It was me and my trainer standing on the step and my other comp behind us...He didnt scare me for some reason, I didnt feel scared, I actually felt protected and comfortable talking to him...I felt like there were angels next to us. My trainer eventually pulled out a picture of christ and just held it next to her, he didnt say anything about it and I thought oh I should do that too, and I looked down and I was already holding a picture of Christ in my hand, I guess that is why I felt peace. Well, anyways we eventually were able to leave, and my comp got really scared...and I mean really scared. Although, I did feel fine and at peace...but its just how it is going to be...some people are going to be ruthless, but the guy acted like he knew a lot which he did, but he did not know who our Savior is, and that is where I felt peace because no one can ever make me doubt who my Savior is and what He did for me. 

Well anyways, I hope you are all doing well and I cannot believe! that mom and mike are actually going to Argentina I never thought I would see the day! Enserio! Oh, I have been able to practice my spanish while out here with some people, I went up to this man and said hola, me chama hermana Gonzales, and then my trainer went up to him and said hola,hermana sister richardson haha it was funny but atleast she tried. Well I love all of you and Mom please please! Could you send me the book angela made and my family history chart! And you never did tell me about your conversion story. Well keep safe. Eu te amo! 

Com amor, Hermana Gonzales

ohhh p.s. Mom this should make you proud...We go visit this lady we call her grandma judy, she is one of the members granmother who is not a member, but she is very musically talented and we sing with her and practice songs once a week. Well I suck at singing but I told her I play the piano..so this week I actually got to play and she gave me some music to practice...so I started playing it and she was really impressed and said I was doing great! Then I was just playing a hymn (that we might sing in sacrament, I will be playing the piano) and when I was finished she said you play with feeling and are very musically inclined. I thought wow I never would have thought that about me! But she is so good at what she does that it meant a lot to me to hear her say that because I thought I sucked but believe me she would tell you if you sucked haha...so I am practicing the piano and I am doing so much better at it. Just thought that would make you proud mom. Also please send the book and family history chart. :] Obrigada muchas gracias! 

Hola Familia! 06.24.2013

Hola Familia, this semanha has been a lot of fun! It is hot and humid here but I enjoy it. I actually did not watch the broadcast bcz we failed to cancel a dinner appointment but we heard a lot about it and it sounds like the members really need to step it up. Remember every member a missionary! Well, I actually felt pretty sick this week, but I am feeling much better. I did my first baptismal invitation this week to a 9 year old boy we are teaching bcz his grandmother asked us to. It was pretty awesome! And he is getting baptized. Well this week we had whats called sister training meeting. Where are president and the assistants talked to us sisters and we learned how to teach and all that fun stuff...

Well, one of the most amazing days occured on Saturday. We were getting read to door knock (that is what we do ALL day) and we felt prompted to go visit a lady that we have been trying to get a hold of for weeks, the Elders met her but where giving her to us. Well we went over there and we could hear someone there but she wouldnt open the door. Well finally she did and she didnt seem too happy that we were there, mas she finally let us in and her little daughter was happy. But anyways, she had investigating the church for a year and had a baptismal date and everything but got cold feet and fell away. She said just yesterday she was praying to get back on the straight and narrow path and then we showed up the next day! Heavenly Father always answers prayers. Well anyways, she poured her heart to us and she really does have a testimony we recommitted her to baptism and she accepted. She said she was scared to meet the sisters bcz she doesnt have good experiences with girls, but she said we were different and she was so happy that she had sisters in the church. Well we had a good long lesson with her, and she even came to church on sunday with her kids but had to go after sacrament. Well later saturday we continued to door knock and like usual and then before we had to go home we dropped off our progress record to our ward mission leader and talked to him and then we saw fireflys haha it was really cool and we were catching them in a jar...it was fun.

Well on Sunday at church it was crazy haha just because we split up during sunday school and relief society and my trainer was sitting next to this lady that the elders had been teaching long story short she had bitter feelings towards them, and I sat next to another lady who is so confused but is funny, then my other comp sat next to a member. But those two ladies would not stop talking, and after church one of em got after the elders and then spanked one of the elders and as they were both leaving one says, "We be runnin our mouths all day." I about died laughing haha it was sad, but those ladies are crazy. And now they are our investigators because the elders passed them on to us.

Well anyways we have been visiting that family where the husband is not yet baptized and the rest of them converted only a few years ago. Well the kids love it when we stop by & I really feel like we need to visit them each week not only to teach him but to bring them closer as a family. Our investigators friend always seems to be there when we stop by, we only speaks spanish, next time we go I am giving him a book of mormon in spanish and inviting him to church. Well anyways I brought up the Proclamation to the World with the family bcz he asked why dont women hold the priesthood, and we gave one to them to read and have. It was good that their home teach was with us as well, bcz he talked about being a priesthood holder and giving the priesthood to his son. I know that Santiago (thats the investigators name) wants this so we are working with them, they are a great family. 

But it got me thinking, how important it is to make our homes feel like a temple. Mom I also have to asked bcz it has been on my mind latlety, but have you done the temple work for Nono and our other ancestors yet. I also had a dream about Abuelo. I really do miss him, even though I only met him once, but he is still my abuelo and when you go to argentina give him a hug for me.  Also mom if you could send me your conversion story I would appreciate that. 

Well familia, I am grateful for ALL of you and for your love and support. As I am out here on my mission I have been able to reflect upon my weaknesses, and I do not feel good about the things I have done, I strive to live better and appreciate what I have. I know that through Christ Atonement I can repent and progress forward, In the bible dictionary repentance is defined as a change of mind. My mind is focused on our Savior now, and I feel him closer to me each day and as I feel him closer to me, I strive to do things that our in harmony with the Spirit. I am grateful that I have been set apart from the world on this mission. I have many more stories I can share, but thats all I will say for now. Just remember to keep our homes like a temple.

Eu amo voces!!! Ohhh I also saw in the newspaper some riot going on in Brazil?! I hope everything is okay over there, I pray for those people every night. Well Abrigado por tudo! Tchau Tchau!

Sister Gonzales