Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Hey, 

Sorry I wanted to get a bunch of pictures through this time. I don't have much to say. This week has been mostly the same as last week except we said goodbye to our latino elders and are getting new latinos today. It was sad to see them leave but I'm glad I met each one of them. They have some crazy stories. President Duval says some of them have been members their whole lives but have never seen a functional ward or branch and some of them were even attending Catholic churches not too long before coming on a mission. President said, "we have a couple of Catholics amongst us". All of the latinos are great guys, the assistants to the president are awesome. Elder Egues and Elder Caruci are awesome guys. The language seems hard at times but then other times it just comes. Those moments where it just comes are so nice and very helpful for keeping my spirits up. We are always busy, we never have time for home sickness or anything like that, just work work work. 

I was reading in the Bible this morning about King Solomon and I learned so much from his example. I was specifically reading the story of when the two women approached him with a baby, each claiming it to be their own. That chapter has so much to learn about, I found a huge scripture chain on the words "understanding" and the "Spirit of God". It was just neat to learn from a king that lived so long ago. The scriptures hold so much knowledge. 

We sat in a devotional with President Duval who asked everyone to close their scriptures, and then stick their finger in and open to a random page and point to a random scripture without looking, every single scripture that was randomly picked was able to relate to us as individuals and as missionaries. We went through at least 20 different verses, each from a different person and each one taught us something different. That was really cool. 

Also quick note, my companions again are Elder Cox and Elder Kayser, Elder Cox is from Utah and Elder Kayser is from California. Elder Cox is the one with dark hair and Elder Kayser is the one with blonde hair. Both Elder Cox and I are serving in Quito. Elder Kayser will be serving in Cali, Columbia. They are both awesome guys. Elder Cox is one of the hardest workers I've ever met.  He never stops studying and is a great example to me. Elder Cox will be a great missionary. I know it! The language is hard for him, but with the amount of work he puts into learning it he will be a pro in a couple of months. Elder Kayser is a great guy as well, he is a few months older than me and worked for his former bishop as well before coming on the mission. He's got a great sense of humor and an amazing testimony. He reminds me a lot of Elder Anderson, and we get along the same way Elder Anderson and I did. He's become a great friend of mine.

The mission is pretty awesome or i should say the CCM is pretty awesome. I miss home and everyone there and I send my love. I'm working hard and doing great. 

                                                                                                                  -Elder Gonzalez

Also, how is daniel doing?? Is he better?? I'll be able to email next Thursday, just a heads up.

Bogota, Colombia

Bogota, Colombia

 Tiny Colombian car with loco motorcyclist passing between car and bus on highway.

My District at the CCM in Bogota, Colombia

future missionaries at the Bogota, Colombia Temple with Elder Gonzalez

Elder Cox, Elder Kayser and Elder Gonzalez, Bogota, Columbia

Elder Kayser, Elder Gonzalez, and Elder Cox in Bogota, Colombia

Elder Kayser, Elder Cox and Elder Gonzalez at the Bogota, Colombia CCM