Our Cali Trip--April

Hey, it has been months, yup way too long, since I've made a post, but just wanted to record that we, Rafael, Victor, Jared and I, made a trip to Cali to see the family and spend a few days at the coast. This was a much-needed trip, let off some steam, get away from the rigors of work and church responsibilities. So, in the above picture Victor is enjoying the waves at Torrey Pines, just north of San Diego. Yup, my boys went into the water, got plenty wet, had a great time. We buried each of them in the sand. They lament not living by the beach, and I had to put in a few laments myself. R and I went for a long walk and it was therapy truly to walk barefoot in the sand and listen to the waves--very relaxing.

We took in two baseball games. The above is a picture at the conclusion of the Padres game vs. Phillies. It was a chilly night in San Diego. The locals brought their blankets and I was wishing we had one, too. The ballpark was beautiful and we had a good time. The Padres lost by one, but no one really cared, as no one was a Padres fan. We just wanted to take in a game. We also went the next night to the Angels (V's fave team) vs. the Boston Red Sox--much more comfortable game, but the Angels lost by 1 point. I love the Rally Monkey.

Spent the day at the San Diego Zoo, lots of fun, except for those dang monkeys who stuck their hands in their mouth to throw up their food just to re-eat it. Yuck, it still gives me nightmares.

Also, got to tour the Midway aircraft carrier.

We also spent time w/family in the desert, and dang if I didn't take any pictures. Slapping myself on the head even as I write this. Good family and good visit.

Short, But Sweet

The blog for Elder Gonzalez will be discontinued, per Ton's request. However, that doesn't mean that his mother can't put in a few comments on her personal blog, right? To get updates on Tony's mission, check out maginutah.blogspot.com

The Gang

Here is the MTC district. At this point, I know that three are headed to Oklahoma, the rest? I do know that kneeling far left is Elder Davis. He went to Riverton High School, lives in Herriman, played BB w/Tony on the Freshman team. Small world, huh? Kirk Davis is headed to NY Spanish. I also know that one of the elders from the District just went home (dang, so sad), but Tony is hanging in there and is growing and learning every day.

This is Tony's companion, Elder Lambert. Don't know anything about Elder Lambert, as Tony has not disclosed, other than he "loves" Elder Lambert.

Week Two

just a few highlights from Tony's email:

...so every week we have this TRC which is like practice senerios that change each week with volunteers outside of the mtc. its like game day on friday for us. last friday we had our first one. we spent the whole week prepareing for this...elder lambert is not very good at spanish, so i pretty much carried the both us through that part and as we were talking, words and phrases just came to me, truely amazing and i believe thats because we had both worked very, very hard all week and then right before we entered the room, we knelt as companions are offered prayer....

...i love studying spanish and i am falling in love with the spanish language.

First Week of MTC

Note: A couple inserts from T's email home (although he really doesn't want anything published, but what can he do, right?)

so my first day was crazy, going here and doing this. so many rules and things to remember to do and not do. i left my keys to unlock my locks in my backpack so i couldn't unpack when everyone else was. my companion, elder lambert is an awesome guy and i love him alot, our district is awesome too. we all get along very good. it seems like during classes when were all together, were all preparing for battle and were a true botherhood of the army of god. im sorry i haven't written before, we can only write on our p day and during our p alotted time so i spent most of my today, doing laundry and eating caso and chips, yum...

i like my teachers alot, there extremely good men and were so lucky to ours. there's Hno johnson and HNO Nava. im not just saying this because there our teachers but they are like the best. the spirit in class whether were talking about more gospel related material or spanish, the spirit so so so strong its almost like being in the temple (winks to dad). the spirit ive felt in the last 7 days has been like efy and all my life combinded like 4 times over. i love it here (mom takes a HUGGGE deep breathe of relief (due to the fact that she hasn't heard a word for 7 days haha). i love the atmosphere here although i'd rather be in the field...

following ALL THE RULES. thats huge here, heard it like 20 times in 20 hours...but me and elder lambert have yet to break a rule, even the small ones that seem stuipid or we think we won't get caught. we want the spirit with us at all times so we have to follow the rules....

love you all again. im so happy with what im doing, good bye. elder gonzalez

And the journey begins

Tony arrived at the MTC on Wednesday, May 19, all smiles with very little nerves showing, ready to begin this amazing journey of learning all things necessary to be a truly successful ambassador of the Lord. The family members on the other hand, while ready for him to spread his wings and serve, were trying hard to be stoic (chin up--blah, blah, blah)...not successful. Victor and Tony won't see each other for 3-1/2 years and the parting was heart ripping. We're all so proud of Tony. He blazes the trail and there is a constant prayer in our hearts for his success and happiness.