Tuesday, August 8, 2017

August 7, 2017

Dear Family and Friends,

So far my area is pretty good, it's a lot different than San Jose but that isn't like that's a bad thing. It's so pretty here and I'm like 15 minutes from the coast and 25ish from Monterey. I also was able to go up to Santa Cruz last week with a group of missionaries which was nice. Salinas is surrounded by farmland and I guess that they grow tons of strawberries here. We had Zone Conference with President Hunt and that went really well, I like him a lot so far. It's also cool to have new perspectives on things with a new mission president. I look forward to serving another year with him, it'll be almost split half and half with President Mella and Hunt as I go throughout my mission. 

I don't know if I shared this story already, but there is a convert in East San Jose named Cesar that I was able to help a lot. Before I left that area, I went over to say goodbye and right before I left he said something to me that I'm never going to forget. In reference to his conversion, he said that "Before, even when I was around a lot of people, I felt alone. But now, even when I really am all by myself, I don't feel like I am." I thought that was an amazing testimony. As we were able to help him develop a personal relationship with Christ, he completely turned his life around. He's been able to experience having the gift of the Holy Ghost that God promises us as we fulfill our baptismal covenant. It is truly a miracle to see that type of change take place in somebody's life. Hearing statements like that from people that you help are what makes a mission truly worth it. I will never forget his story and testimony and it motivates me to continue sharing the message of the gospel with others. There are so many people out there "who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it" and it's our job to boldly declare the plain and precious truths of the restored gospel to the world. 

I don't have anything else on my mind at the moment, things are going well though. I love this mission and the experiences that I've been able to have and look forward to what else is in store. I love you all and miss you guys! Hope everything is going well back home. 

-Elder Godwin