Week of June 24, 2008 -- To Mom

 June 24, 2008

 Hi all!!!

How is everything going?

Ok...here goes....

Mom, I sent you a letter and a couple hundred (j/k) pictures yesterday...I hope you enjoy them.  In essence...I know that you are going to get this before but I just wanted to let you know that I thought about telling you first in snail mail before anything.

In essence, this is what it says:  I have been called as the new district leader for at least a week.  Our district is going from 7 pairs of missionaries to 2 pairs of hermanas and a threesome of elders.  4 Elders have left in the last two days and 3 will leave tomorrow early morning.  Elder Covarrubias, our old DL, left this morning.  He's been a good example to me.

Ummm....news...well, they are throwing a Mission President seminar and so, many of the quorum of the 12 and first presidency have been here.  I haven't seen any of them except... Elder Delgado and I bumped into Elder Holland while we were walking to ask a question at the front desk.  He opened the door for us and asked, "How are you elders doing?" and shook our hands and left.  We just stood their stunned that we had actually shook the hands of an apostle.  I couldn't believe it.  Security has been tight lately.  They've only had one half of the cafeteria open for lunch and dinner, and they won't let us walk anywhere in the big building 1-M, so it's kind of been crazy here.

Gym is the funnest time ever.  We play beach volleyball in the sand.  I did play one game of basketball and one of soccer.  In soccer I almost died because I was out of breath but I played my hardest...same with basketball.  But beach volleyball by the temple is the best game in the world.

Can you believe that I'm almost out.  Mom, I don't know what day I'm going, plus, stateside people usually get their iternary of when they are leaving the day before.  I assume it will be next wednesday the 1st or thursday...Our roommates: elder hunsaker and lee are leaving tomorrow for aneheim, california.  They, and the other people in my district are leaving early because their mission president requested them earlier...It's crazy...I'm glad I have one more week to mess up with the language before I get tested in the field.

I am really looking forward to it though.   Our teacher here at the MTC volunteered us for the RC (referral center).  The first time I wimped out and just did english speakers and all I got was answering machines and a wrong number.  But this last time...which was saturday...I tried both spanish and english...it was frightening at first.  But then I confirmed two people in getting Finding faith in Christ and it was just awesome from the out.  And then to here about everyone elses experience was just wonderful.

Granny...I have bumped into Corinne and she and I did take a picture...but I have been unable to introduce Jade to her.  I'm planning on sending you the picture sometime soon.  As far as I know, Jade is doing awesome.  We see each other in passing.  The same thing happens with me and Corrinne and me and Cody....oh mom, cody is Zone Leader....he doesn't have P-day until thursday though....

I'm glad that I'm writing now,  you will be getting it really soon mom.  Thank you for your letter that you sent sometime on sunday (i think).  Tell dad thanks for his letter, too.  It came on a down day and it lifted me up...ESPECIALLY SINCE IT WAS IN SPANISH AND I UNDERSTOOD MOST OF IT.

I love you all and I hope all is well back home, it sound like things are going good.

Elder John C. Gonzales

I have 6 minutes left to check your any letters you send via email...I'll check in about an hour and print it out then too.