April 25, 2016 - Area #4, Monsefu

This week was really busy and a little stressful.

This week we had two baptisms planned. One of the baptisms, I prepared the same day I got here. That was a little stressful because I didn't know anyone here in the Monsefu branch. Thanks to our amazing ward mission leaders, we were able to plan everything well and the baptism was a very spiritual experience for everyone. I love this branch of Monsefu. We have two recently returned missionaries that help us out so much. They understand how everything works and they also leave with us to teach our investigators. It has been a huge blessing. Hermana Claudia was baptized Tuesday. She is the third member in her family to be baptized. Right now, we are teaching her younger sister who has lots of concerns about being baptized. We plan on working a lot with her and I'm sure we can help her gain a testimony and want to be baptized. The other baptism that was planned for this week; I postponed. I felt like she needs to understand a few more things before her baptism. Her name is Paola and I feel like she will be ready to be baptized by the end of this week. Monsefu is really pretty and its not as hot as Chiclayo, so I'm really happy. For district meeting, we get to travel to Pimental. It’s about 40 minutes away but we get to drive along the beach for a good portion of the trip. It was super fun this week to be able to see the ocean. I plan on taking some pictures. Also this week, we cleaned out the other Elders room. Looks like Elder Vega and I will have the entire city to ourselves for awhile. I'm almost positive that we have the biggest area in the Chiclayo mission. I know the Lord blesses us when we are obedient to his commandments. I know that He lives and loves us. Heavenly Father gave us so much including his only son Jesus Christ. I know that only through Jesus Christ, we can become clean and pure. This gospel is a gospel of change and happiness. Something I have learned on the mission is how to slow down and realize all the many blessings from our Heavenly Father and to remember to give thanks for those blessings. I love being a missionary! It makes me so happy to share my testimony and help lift the burdens of others. I love telling people that there is so much hope in this life and that they have so much potential to do great things. We live here on earth but we really do have a celestial purpose.        

Elder Goold

April 18, 2016

This week has been really interesting and fun.

Elder Jones and I finally started to get things moving in Emperio. We had two great investigadors Ernan y Alfonzo that came to church. They both accepted baptismal dates and we are working with them to get clean and keep the commandments. To my great surprise, the assistants called me and told me that I have an emergency transfer. I only had three weeks in Emperio, but it was a really fun experience opening a new area. I'm so grateful to have been able to spend these three awesome weeks with Elder Jones. I learned so much from him. He is an amazing elder. He works harder than any elder I have ever known. We took advantage of every minute we had, and we never wasted time. Although it was sad to leave it wasn't as sad as leaving Villa Hermosa because I only had three weeks in Emperio. Well, right now I am in an area called Monsefu. All the roads are paved and its super nice here. Something I'm not really used to but I'm sure I will adjust fine. haha. They have lots of tourist shops here and lots of restaurants. I am only about 10-15 min. from the ocean. The church is the nicest chapel I have ever seen, it has an elevator and is really clean. My companion is Elder Vega from La Paz, Bolivia. He has six months in the mission and is a really humble and quiet Elder. Monsefu normally has four elders but president William took out the other elders in Monsefu, so we have the entire city to ourselves. The city is so big but I'm super excited to explore and contact everyone. Our ward has lots of recently returned missionaries, which is a blessing from heaven because I know they will help us out a lot. We will probably go on lots of splits here because this area is so big. I know that God moved me here for a reason. I'm really excited to be here with Elder Vega. I know that we will work well together and see lots of miracles. I know God lives and loves us. I know he listens and answers our prayers.                                      

Elder Glood.

haha Thats how they say my name

April 11, 2016

Hello Friends and Family,

We contacted a lot this week trying to find new investigators. Our prayers were answered and we were able to find a couple good investigators. One of them is a lady from Cuba. It was super fun listening to her accent. It made me realize how I probably sound to the Peruvians. She is a church preacher but was super humble and accepted our challenge to read the Book of Mormon. We have a follow up date this week with her. Next, we found what I hope is a familia de "oro"- gold. The parents of the family told us that we came to their home for a reason. They want to get married and have their children grow up in the gospel. I was so excited to here that they want to get married. Marriage is not too common here in Peru. We still haven't been to church in two weeks. Last week was conference and this week was the Peruvian elections so we didn't have church. We still don't know to many members but that will finally change this week. I feel like this area has lots of potential and we are finding some really amazing people. Lately, I have been trying to improve my personal prayers. I can feel the difference during the day when I really pray with true intent to find what God wants me to do here. Elder Jones and I get along great and we are super happy.

Love,

Elder Goold

April 4, 2016 - Area #3 of La Victoria, Emperial

Hello Friends and Family,

This week was super busy with lots of things going on. It was super sad to leave Villa Hermosa and all of our investigators. I hope I will be able to see them again before I leave the mission. My new companion is from Meridian Idaho. He lives 5 minutes from Elder Waddell, my trainer. He is the district leader, and his name is Elder Jones. I am truly blessed to have him as a companion. He is super obedient and is really spiritual, but he is not a robot missionary. I know I can learn so many things from him and I'm definitely going to take advantage of these changes we will have together. Our new area is Emperio in La Victoria. Our room reminds me of our South Dakota hunting trip hotel room. I love it. Elder Jones and I both got here at the same time. This area has been closed for a change. We got here with no phone, no area book or anything. We don't know any members, investigators or anyone. This week was spent trying to find members to help us. We came here at a really difficult time because this sunday was conference and the next sunday is the election day for Peru, so we will not have church. It will be a little while until we can see and meet with our ward. Conference was absolutely amazing. We missed most of Sunday morning session due to a weak signal, gotta love Peru. I still was able to feel the spirit so strong the other sessions. I made a promise with myself to always watch each session of general conference for my entire life. Conference really is modern day scripture. Our pension’s family is really nice. She is a less active and her husband is not a member so we have lots of work to do. They are from Chile and love soccer. It’s super fun to trash talk with Pedro (the husband) about soccer. He also happens to be a chef and his food is super good. On the bright side, this week we did find one investigator, Ernan who accepted a baptismal invitation. Love you all, and study the conference talks. I know that the apostles and the prophet are men called of God to lead us in these latter days.

Love,

Elder Goold