August 15, 2016

Hello Friends and Family,

This week was super fun here in Demetrio Acosta. Wednesday, we had our district meeting and President Williams came with his wife and the assistants. It was an edifying meeting and I probably received the best compliment ever in my mission from President Williams. We were talking about the importance of teaching with love and compassion. President Williams raised his hand and quoted the letters from each one of my companions that I have had on my mission. They wrote about how I taught and that our investigators really felt the love that I have for each one of them. As he was quoting these letters from my former companions to our district, I felt as if I had a big rock in my throat. That day, I learned about the importance of giving really, good compliments to the people around us. This experience made my day and it motivated me that I can still do so much more. I have started this week trying to give good compliments to the ones around me. I now know how much of a difference it can make in someone’s day or maybe even more. As far as investigators go, we have one amazing investigator named Julia. She is really receptive and she reads the Book of Mormon and the pamphlets we gave her. She is progressing and coming to church. She hasn't accepted a baptism date yet, but I'm sure she will shortly. We are also working with lots of less active members here in Lambayeque. Elder Salas and I should be able to rescue a few of them that have the desire to come back to church. Elder Salas is doing great and he keeps me laughing constantly. Yesterday, we were both leaning back on our chairs studying and my comp started to fall backwards and he decided to take me with him. We both lay on our backs for a few short minutes laughing. They days are going by so fast here. I really do love this gospel that is so simple and pure.

Love, 

Elder Goold

August 8, 2016 - Area #5 in Demetrio Acosta 2 in the Lambayeque Zone

Hello Friends and Family,

This week was a super fun adventure. My new are is Demetrio Acosta 2 in Zone Lambayeque. Initial thoughts of the area; our area is so big and it is split up into two parts, a super wealthy part and a really poor part. It’s like serving in two different worlds. It's super interesting to be able to serve in each part and see the ups and downs to both sides. The weather is perfect here and I really like Lambayeque. Our zone is really small. We have 18 missionaries in it, the smallest in the mission. My companion is Elder Salas from Santiago, Chile. I will finish up his training this change but I honestly feel like he is training me. He is an incredible missionary and is super good with the people. We teach as if we had been companions for our entire lives. We teach well and I know the people can feel the spirit when we share our message. He has lots of energy and a really goofy personality, something I really have been looking forward to. We laugh a lot. We have the best pension on this side of the equator. She owns a polleria (chicken restaurant). We eat what ever we want, whenever we want it. It is so amazing! I honestly feel like I'm living at Chuck O Rama.  On the down side, I gained 5 pounds this week, haha. Here in Demetrio Acosta it’s a branch of 100 members. I hope I will be able to be a part of two branches in my mission that get changed to a ward. It’s so amazing to see the restored gospel getting spread to all parts of the world. It makes me so happy to be a servant of my Father in Heaven. In simple words, I'm happy and I guess that’s what the gospel is all about.

Love,

Elder Goold

New Companion Elder Salas from Santiago, Chile

Elder Waddell and Elder Goold

August 1, 2016

Hello Friends and Family,

Well, this week was really hard with the fexticum fiesta here in Monsefu. People came from all over Peru to see it. We were not able to teach much this week, but we were able to contact lots of people from all over Peru. It was fun to hear all of the different spanish accents. I was amazed this week how easily we are distracted by worldly things. Satan is so good at what he does and he often tempts us with the little things to occupy are minds and actions. This week was the last week for Elder Vega and I in Monsefu. President Williams is closing the area. I'm not too sad about it because we don't really have any investigators and I'm pretty sure I knocked each door in our area twice. Elder Vega is going to Motupe in Lambayeque and I will be going to Lambayeque as well but I forgot what the area is called, haha. I will make sure to tell you next week. Lambayeque is a zone of small pueblitos. Each town is separated by farms. That will be nice to see. I'm excited for this new change and new opportunity to do my best to bring more children to our Heavenly Father. I'm growing to know who my father in heaven really is. I know if I work hard some day I will be able to see the fruits of my labor. God always keeps his promises.              

Love,

Elder Goold