So it was a good week and It took forever to read Tony's emails because they were a novel sized hunk of junk and i couldn't print it because I don't have any quarters..... so It's all good.
Dear President Jergensen
It was a great week in the aspect of having the Mulhern boys at church for the 2nd and 3rd hours. I know that they had a enjoyable time and we were able to attend gospel principles class with Brother Mulhern. Elder Pope and I had a sit down with the parents and talked about our goals and what we need out of the parents to have the family united with the gospel. It was discussed that we are going to be helping the boys get to church more by having some of the young men and young women invite the boys and we are going to walk with them to church. This is going to be a process for sure because we don't want to force them into baptism, but allow more spiritual experiences to let them make the choice to be baptized. Something that the parents expressed is that they don't want to force them into doing something they don't want to. This comes from the fear that they will push to hard and so what happened to their older children, that is forcing them into the church and then having the kids hate it as soon as they turn 18. Many prayers are in their behalf and we'll keep you updated.
We did have a lesson with Chris and Sheri and Quentin this Saturday. They don't have a baptismal date as of the moment. They didn't make it to church this weekend but I'm going to try my hardest to have them at the new and returning members meeting with Elder Hallstrom during Stake Conference.
We lost a couple due to them moving to Ankeny and we're getting their address to send to those elders.
Finding is still a big problem for us. We are going to be putting it on the pavement this week to find and set up appointments for Friday and Saturday so that our mini missionaries will have those teaching oppurtunities. We're excited for them and will do all we can to let them get motivated for their missions.
Elder Pope is doing well and he is once again senior companion this week. We are focusing our studies on the pamphlets and getting very familiar with the lessons.
I like what 3rd ward is doing with all the baptismal dates that they have. I know that the work there has greatly improved and that the members are giving referrals more and that is resulting in more teaching oppurtunities with them.
I am pleased to have Sister Little with us know, I can tell that she is doing well with Sister Thompson. I hope that Stake Conference will help get the members to start more with their missionary work so that these areas can see more fruit.
Elder Gonzalez Des Moines 2nd
We did have a lesson with Chris and Sheri and Quentin this Saturday. They don't have a baptismal date as of the moment. They didn't make it to church this weekend but I'm going to try my hardest to have them at the new and returning members meeting with Elder Hallstrom during Stake Conference.
We lost a couple due to them moving to Ankeny and we're getting their address to send to those elders.
Finding is still a big problem for us. We are going to be putting it on the pavement this week to find and set up appointments for Friday and Saturday so that our mini missionaries will have those teaching oppurtunities. We're excited for them and will do all we can to let them get motivated for their missions.
Elder Pope is doing well and he is once again senior companion this week. We are focusing our studies on the pamphlets and getting very familiar with the lessons.
I like what 3rd ward is doing with all the baptismal dates that they have. I know that the work there has greatly improved and that the members are giving referrals more and that is resulting in more teaching oppurtunities with them.
I am pleased to have Sister Little with us know, I can tell that she is doing well with Sister Thompson. I hope that Stake Conference will help get the members to start more with their missionary work so that these areas can see more fruit.
Elder Gonzalez Des Moines 2nd
So glad to see that all is well with the family back in Utah I wish that you could be out here in iowa to see all the fireflys because it just makes it so magical. I have to always remember that God has such a good sense of humor and is so aware of what makes us happy so he such variety to us to enjoy like the simple firefly. It's cool to catch them and to watch them light up and just buzz off with their friends.
SO i like to hear from everyone and I like how you Tony are getting with good friends who have such a common influence on you. Do you have a job yet?
So things have been good here..... we have been hitting up all our potentials and are running out so we're finding this week and it's going to be so much fun. We have a lesson tonight with an african family and we are way excited for that.
So I like to start all my paragraphs with so so I'll do the next one the same.
SO the Stake is having this thing called mini missions where some youth in the stake between 16 and 19 go with us for a couple of days all day and just get to have a taste of what our missionary life is like. Elder Pope and I are going to have 4 young men with us and we will be in 3somes all day for those 2 days so we are going to be scheduling everything for those 2 days which is Friday and Saturday. I am way excited for Stake Conference and for Elder Hallstrom to come on in and rebuke all the members for not doing home teaching and missionary work. I know that he will mention how we need another stake here and that's not going to come from move in but from more convert families here in Des Moines. President Jergensen has really been on us, the Des Moines Zone, to get to the family neighborhoods and find that family that is ready for the message of the Restoration.
I love the gospel and I know that it is true with all the political crap that is our here right now it's just insane. It's not uncommon for us to walk down a street and stand at an intersection and have 3-4 cars drive by and yell some serious stuff at us. At times it does strike right to my soul how much these people need the gospel and I try my hardest to not get mad and start thinking of things to yell back. I can definantly see why nephi cried at night for the welfare of his brethern. My love for the people of Iowa and Des Moines is so great that I even tear up a bit to see how much they don't have. Yes there is a lot of rich folks here that work for these big banks and insurance companies and drive all the nice cars they want, but until they humble themselves and give ear to our message that we freely give then they will never know true happiness. It just wrecks me inside.
The truth is, Christianity is dying. The young generation doesn't have a belief in a God and those that do just don't see the big picture. Many of these churches are struggling with money and it's a shame that they can';t see the higher light. I never brag by saying " we have the truth and they don't haha" but at times that's what needs to be said when we are asked why " why should i listen to your so called message of truth" and ya know the truth hurts for those that ain't ready just like Matthew chapter 3 says." the evil hate the light"
My testimony is this ...... God lives. His son lives... the Holy Ghost is real and it teaches all men to do good. I know that this is the truth and that by learning of Christ's restored gospel is the only way to true happiness, a happiness that I am and will yet experience. and as the apostles in the new testiment say ....... Grace be with you!!
One love Elder Gonzalez Des Moines 2nd Ward
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