Elder Goss----W:100 (Aug 3 2020)

Wow, week 100. Can you imagine that? 100 weeks since I was last home. Well, only two more to go! I am super looking forward to seeing everyone, and I am going to miss a lot of things here too. 

This morning, Elder Smith and I went to the Temple, and wow that was good. If anyone hasn't had the chance to make it to the temple since Quarantine, you've got to go! Make that a priority. When We arrived, we were pleasantly surprised to see our Mission President, his wife, the AP's and SSTL's (all missionary leadership assignments) there as well! So we got to go through the Temple all together. 

The days before that, we had a unique meeting with our Zone and President, and after the meeting, he took turns accompanying the missionaries' various teaching appointments, including Elder Smith's and mine. That was pretty fire. 

As a spiritual thought, I really want to share my testimony. At the Temple, I was doing some serious pondering, and contemplation. I was thinking about what we were doing, and the promises being made. And I want to testify that regardless of anyone's opinion, complaints, or skepticism, I felt nothing but goodness and purity in the Lord's Holy Temple and his work. I might not know all the answers, and even during the session I had questions, but the atmosphere and the holiness were unmistakable. I cannot express what a pure and clear sensation that feeling was. I testify that God is real. I testify that the Temple is the Lord's holy house. I testify that the promises are genuine and real, and should be regarded with the utmost reverence and dedication. I know there are many problems and doubts that I will find, and troublesome questions I run into, but I cannot doubt or discredit that feeling. Pure. Wholesome. Righteous. Glorious. Peace. Strength. I testify this church is true. 

Thank you so much! I'll see you all soon

Elder Goss---W:98 Good morning everyone (Jul 20 2021)

It's great to report to all you once again! We've had a good week. Let's see. 

Well for starters, we put one of our friends who we are teaching, Stephanie, on date for Baptism! She's nine, so still young, but we are really excited. I think we put her for August 7th.

Additionally, we were able to meet with a lot of other friends that have been hard to get a hold of, so that was great.

Unfortunately, we've had some trouble with our ward, and certain resistance with the Missionaries. Nothing big, but that can be disappointing. And on that note, please, the least you can do is be friends with your Missionaries. I've worked in good units and bad units, and I don't know about you, but I don't want to ever be responsible for contributing to a partial and unhelpful ward. I definitely wasn't the best member-missionary back home, but I know what I want to do when I get back. 

For all those who have served missions before (or who can imagine what it is like to serve a mission), remember the members you worked with. Do you remember those absolute member heroes who were amazing? Do you remember how many people had to be dragged into missionary work? Now ask yourself who you are. What would the missionaries say about you? Please, they need help gathering Israel. 

I love you all! Be the absolute best you can be. You won't regret it. 

Elder Goss---W:97 The Baptism of Michelle (Jul 13, 2021)

This week has been so crazy. This weekend we had a Baptism! Neither Elder Smith nor I know her very well (Elder Smith got here just 3 weeks before I did), but we planned and scheduled everything. There were a TON of Missionaries at her service (at least over half), and some other Elder did the baptizing. I did have to play the piano, and man that was rough.  

I'll be coming home soon! Half-way through August. It is a weird thought, but true nevertheless. And reminding myself that I won't always be here doing this often sparks a sense of energy and urgency. Is this how I want to finish my mission? Is there anything I missed? If I have any regrets, how do I spend my time to compensate? Do I FEAR the end of my mission?  

It has made me reflect over my past, and helps me decide what I want to do for my future. I think a similar exercise would be wise for all of us. Life isn't forever. If I were to die today, would I feel fear? Disappointment? I mean, really think about it. If you feel ANY sense of urgency, or pressure, or dread, you and I have some changes to make NOW. Some possible points to consider: a change in focus, a change in perspective, or a change in character. Live like you were going to stand before God tomorrow. With that knowledge, what changes would you do today? 

I love you all! See you next week.

 

Elder Goss---W:96 Back to Bonita! (Jul 6, 2021)

Hi everyone! Remember last year, when I was transferred to a place called Bonita? You probably don't. Anyways, today was transfers, and I got assigned here again! It's pretty rare to return to an area you've already served in, at least for English and Spanish work, and it's the second time it's happened to me! Crazy. I'm even back in the same exact apartment.  

They actually closed the Elders' area up in Encinitas (where I just was), so Elder Bullock went to the Valley. It was sad to say goodbye to the Branch. Most of them were just coming home from vacation, so we really didn't get to say goodbye.  

My new (and final) companion is Elder Smith! Huh, who'd have thought? He's been out a little bit, and seems pretty chill. We'll just have to wait and see! And apparently, this area has received a lot of already-taught people (from changing ward boundaries), and I think we have someone scheduled for Baptism this weekend, so stay tuned.  

The day's getting a little late, so I gotta go. A quick reminder about families; they are the greatest! Eternal families have so much more weight and blessings than I think we realize. I want to testify, that even if your immediate family refuses God's grace, nobody is exempt from the blessing of eternal families, providing that YOU try to be the best family member you can. I don't know exactly how all the logistics work, but when I pray and think about it, I feel without a doubt that you and I will be 100% completely satisfied and joyful. Of this I testify.  

I love you all! Have a good week!--

Elder Goss

Elder Goss---W:95 June 29th (Jun 29, 2021)

Hi everyone! This week, we have been great! The weather has fluctuated quite a bit recently, but mostly, it has been super great. That's San Diego for you. 

As far as work goes, we've had a bit of lessons planned this week, and most of the member lessons happened! We had exchanges with the Assistants to the President (AP's), which I haven't ever done before. It gets harder and harder to find new people, because there appears to be a finite amount of areas where we can find people who speak Spanish, and we keep visiting those areas over and over. Of course, we can do English work at any time, but we try to focus on our assignment.  

I'm sorry, I don't have much to write about this week. For a spiritual thought, I wish to relay a message we gave to Hermano Atempa yesterday. Together, we talked about goals, and setting plans. All of us want a life we can look back on with fondness and peace. How can we do this, if we never amounted to anything? If we never climbed any mountains, or fought any battles? The only thing that every person cares about, whether they realize it or not, is how far they've come. How much one has learned, and improved. After all, that is our purpose. Nothing is more hopeless than feeling your wasted potential slip away. As if our past mistakes have permanently decided who we will become and what life we will lead. And although these feelings are misplaced, they are so tragic and heartbreaking. And the sad thing is, many people that feel trapped in the grave they've dug themselves (and after feeling all the pain and remorse for ignoring their future), continue to neglect making plans and setting goals to turn their life around.  

If you have felt this way, STOP. Your future is still your future! There are no certainties! If you wanted to, you could get up right now, walk out the door, and be whoever you wanted to be! You can literally do a thousand things; become someone great, learn from your lessons, and live an amazing life, but you have to start somewhere! At one point you have to decide when you want to start improving your life. Who cares if you've waited "too long"? The rational thing to do would be to start now, instead of delaying such happiness even longer. Why live in mediocrity when you hold the keys to your own chains? If you have dreams, make plans. If you feel dreamless, make plans. And if you are somewhere in-between, guess what??? You catch my drift. No matter where you are, you can improve your life and who you are by setting goals, and sticking with 'em. For YOUR OWN SAKE, save your future! I promise you, it turns into the present.  

And while setting financial goals or school goals are great (and can be helpful), you and I know that ultimately those things are hallow, if we ignore the more important goals. Be a better parent. Learn to be a patient child. Gaining an independent testimony. Becoming the best friend in the whole wide world. These are the goals that will leave you looking back on life with fondness and peace, AND enjoying the present. The sooner you start, the faster your future will come.  

I love you all! Take care!

Elder Goss---W:93 Fun P-day (Jun 15, 2021)

This week, like all weeks, has had its ups and downs. The past couple of days have been a bit toasty, between 75-90. For many places, that's nothing. But here, that's pretty warm.  

Today was a pretty exciting p-day! We got together with our district and played mini-golf. That was really fun! I didn't score very well, though. I think I got 53 or something for 18 holes. For those who are bad at math, that's basically 3 hits per hole. The heat was a bit oppressive with the humidity, but it worked out. We then ate buffalo wild wings at a park together and played Frisbee. It was great! Elder Bullock really likes a lot of company, so it was refreshing for the two of us.  

Elder Bullock and I continue to walk in parks and speak to people online to find people who want the Gospel, but that's going a little slow. Please continue to pray for people to be found! Having a teaching pool is really important for a new missionary, and we don't really have one. Hopefully, we will teach Jimmy and his family soon.  

I'd like to refer you to Jesus's line of questioning Peter while eating fish together for a spiritual thought. Three times, the resurrected Christ asked Peter, do you love fish more than me? If not, love my sheep. I sometimes reflect that Peter was confused with Christ's meaning. After all, fishing wasn't a bad thing. Couldn't he love fishing and love Christ? Couldn't he fish and feed Christ's sheep?  

I invite you to think about that for a little. Why did Christ ultimately invite Peter to essentially abandon the harmless thing he loved? If you need a little prod, consider the following:

* Where was Peter's heart? Did he have the guts to follow Christ and lead his church?

* Was fishing a distraction? Should Peter have had higher priorities?

* Exactly who were Christ sheep? Why are they more important than fish? 

I love you all! Take care. 

Elder Goss

Elder Goss---W:91 Training Transfer (Jun 1, 2021)

 Hola todos! como estan? bien, bien. Pues, you tambien! Well, this week has been a very interesting chance of pace, getting a greenie missionary and all! At first, it was a bit rough. If Elder Bullock didn't know what to do, he would just hover over you and watch what you were doing. He's pretty clueless. He's getting better at finding stuff to do, in between activities. He's never exercised seriously before, so the morning routine has been really good for him. He enjoys it, which is great. 

His spanish isn't as poor as I would have guessed, and is much better than mine was when I started. We've taken to learning spanish songs for some fun language study. Spanish hymns, the Coco movie songs, and even a couple from the Spanish version of Tarzan. It's been fun. 

I am now the oldest Missionary in our 4-man apartment. In fact, I have more time out than all 3 Elders combined. That's pretty wild to think about. I dare say that 75% of all missionaries out right now attended the MTC in their own homes. That is so crazy to me! I wonder if in the future, they'll keep home MTC an option for certain missionaries. It wouldn't surprise me. 

Elder Bullock and I have also been semi-toutoring another Elder while he's in his home MTC here. We'll take him to some lessons that we have, and it is probably a good thing, becuase he needs a lot of practice with Espanol. It is a bit wack teaching a lesson with 2 complete gringos who begin each sentence with "yo se que..." (just kidding, they're better than that). 

Anyhow, I hope you've all had a great week! keep up the good work! 

Elder Goss