Transfers are in...=)

Hola familia!

Esta semana fue un poco dificil pero esta bien. Estoy muy animado por esta semana y pienso que esta semana estara muy bien. :)

Well. . . Transfers are in. . ..

We received a call from President Baker yesterday around 3:00 (it would have been later but he called the other hermanas and we were still in the apartment so he just talked to us too).

But the verdict is in and I am. . . . STAYING! =)

Hermana Nord is being transferred to Glouster and I am going to have Hermana Newman as my new companion! =) I am happy and sad at the same time. It will be super sad to not see Hermana Nord all the time but it will be a good change. Another opportunity to learn and grow and become an even better missionary. I have only heard wonderful things about Hermana Newman so I am excited. Although I do feel a little bad because she is coming to this area and we are STRUGGLING. which is probably why she is coming. . . Hermana Newman to the rescue! Because this week was rough! :/ Hermana Johnson is training a greenie and staying in the area so she'll still be in the apartment (and I won't be the youngest anymore! wahoo!). And Hermana Sahleen is being transferred to VA beach (which apparently is incredible too because it is the only (I think) other Spanish branch in the mission!). She is going to love it. It is a little triste to see them leaving though. The apartment will definitely be a little different but I am excited to have this change.

Now this past week!

Well. . . . It was just a little rough. So we have been trying to do the "escalator method instead of the elevator method" which is great. . but basically we started off the week with a few progressing investigators and then we got dropped by ALL of our investigators. . minus two that aren't really progressing too well. I feel a little bad for HErmana Newman coming into the area where we basically don't really have anyone investigating. But we are going to change that! =)

It was super sad though. We went to visit April and Carlos and she was like. . .well we started going to my dad's church and we aren't really interested anymore. Brutal. . . it's gotta hurt. But all is well. Then we tried visiting Rafiel and Lucy Maria and they dropped us too. They were like we just aren't interested right now. And basically we just went and visited all of our investigators within like two days and it was like repeat story after repeat story. We just got rejected and rejected. So that was lame. But we have a potential that we are hoping to visit this week and get her interested. Her name is Sondra and we met her at the baby shower. We tried to visit her this past week but her kid was sick and we ended up just talking to Miriam (the one with the baby) who had just had her little baby! So we had the chance to see him!! HE IS ADORABLE!!! Such a cutie!

Although we may have gotten a little more than we hoped for because we definitely saw some boob action going on and that was just plain awkward. haha. We were like hopefully if the elders stop by she doesn't do this. It was hilarious.

We had an excellent lesson/visit with Jesus, Miriam and Natasha this week. They seriously are so adorable. So Hermana Nord and I both chipped in and bought a frame and framed a proclamation to give them at their baptism. And they are so cute. So our lesson we did we just read the proclamation with them and talked about the importance of the family.

Then Miriam proceeds to tell us how the night before they had done an FHE with her mom in Mexico. . they just had her on the phone. Anyways. . they had read part of the proclamation with her about the importance of being married and how it is what god wants. And now her mom is going to get married to her boyfriend in Mexico!! How amazing are they!?!? Just the greatest little missionaries! =) And Natasha was like I shared a scripture on baptism with her and why we should be baptized! They just are on fire! I love them so much! So adorable. We had to call and tell them Hermana nord is being transferred because they wanted to feed us dinner this week so now we are having dinner with them tonight and doing FHE with them. =) They were a little sad we are being separated as a companionship but they are just too wonderful. They are the greatest little missionaries.

So Friday night we had our first noche de hogar as a branch where the missionaries were in charge (with our ward mission leader). . anyways the challenge was for all the members in the ward to bring a friend who isn't a member and we invited all our investigators. It ended up being a total bust!! =( So sad. But it was fine in the end. No investigators showed up. . well false Esteban showed up but I will get to that in a minute. haha. So no investigator showed up but we just did what we had planned anyways. We did a chapel tour and then we played "stomp" (the balloon tied to your foot and try to pop it game) with everyone and then had refreshments. It was a super small amount of people but it was really fun still. Hopefully our next activity will be a success. .

Now onto Esteban. haha. Where to begin!?!? Oh goodness. So basically he was like I don't want anything to do with you etc etc. Then he hasn't stopped texting us or calling us everyday. So we basically just ignore them all (because they are really random and just weird). Anyways he texted us one day and was like I really want to talk and explain to you why I chose not to be baptized. . So we were like okay that's fine. He was like I want to set up a cita with you. But we didn't really have a night open because it was super busy the nights this past weekend. So we were like if you come to the branch activity Friday night we can talk to you after for a little bit. Anyways so he shows up at the activity (which was good) he AVOIDS us the whole time. haha. and then leaves like 20 minutes early. So we were like that was weird. So then as we are leaving the branch activity with the other Hermana's (we'd driven together). We are walking to our car and Hermana Johnson was like isn't that Esteban's car. So we look over and were like no. (because it wasn't) But she was like that was what he drove in today. I KNOW IT. So then immediately my mind was like "he is going to follow us" and Hermana Johnson thought the exact same thing. So then we both just get in the car. So we drive to the exit and just wave to esteban when we leave and he turns on his car and leaves at the same time. . uhhh... creepy!

So Hermana Johnson just turns into driving NINJA and just like I still don't know how. But she made EVERY GREEN LIGHT and seriously if that was his intent there was NO WAY he was going to be able to make it.

Who knows what his real intent is though. We are definitely going to try to avoid him for a while though and we are thinking if he wants to learn again we might just turn it over to the Elders. I personally think he just really likes Hermana Nord. So it will be good with her in a new area and I think he will leave us alone for a while. I think he has interest in the church but not at the same time. Who knows though. Hopefully he will come back to the church for better reasons. =)

WEll this past weekend was stake conference! It was SO SO GREAT!

Saturday night session was INCREDIBLE! It was really neat. All the missionaries along with President and sister Baker (they spoke) and then president Hamilton gathered in the high council room and we said a prayer together. It was SO incredible. The spirit was SO STRONG. Then the conference started and the missionaries were in the foyers waiting. Then when sister baker stood up to speak the organ started playing called to serve and the missionaries walked in singing called to serve and we stood in front and finished the song. Then sister baker and president baker stood and gave a few words about how as members we need your help with the work and that we can't do it without you. And president Baker was very direct and was saying "these missionaries are giving up their own lives, their families, their friends, schooling, and much more to be here to help YOU do the work. And they need you do bring them people to teach" it truly was a GREAT start to kick off the night. No joke there were so many people in tears just to start off.

Then of course they gave so many great talks. The challenge the stake president issued was for each person to think of a name that they could share the gospel with. It was really great and I know MANY people had names that they had come to their mind. It was a really great start.

One of my favorite talks was by president mcmin and he just talked about the importance of sharing the gospel within our family and it was truly a great and excellent talk. I also loved President Hamilton's talk where he said "Family doesn't take away the importance of the individual." I just thought how true that was. These men are truly inspired of god and I was so blessed to be able to hear such excellent talks from each of them! =)

Sunday we also had the chance to hear from L. Tom Perry over broadcast which was neat. I don't know how they are doing your stake conference but our Saturday night session was all the stake presidency and stuff tehn sunday was a broadcast from the church. It was really great though!

To end the Saturday night session we also sang "army of helaman" with all the youth. It was super good. I love that song and it just brings you so much happiness knowing you can share the gospel with others! =)

Saturday afternoon I also had the chance to learn to cook some mean meals from Hermana Castillo. She taught us how to make some meatballs and tacos durros and some salsa and some rice. (basically a Hispanic meal.... haha. you would think a couple of meals but NO!). It was super delicious though. And she was SO excited to share her talents with us. And she just felt so special and important. I just love making the members know that we love them so much and that we need their help in the work. It was so excellent to get to know her better. She was just telling us her whole life story and how she was reactivated into the church. It was just really neat. =)

Well. . . not too much else is happening in the life of this missionary. =)

I hope I can bring you some exciting stories next week and that you all have an excellent week! I love you all so much! =) Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Hermana Gray

~your favorite missionary~

this is a sweet girl in the branch who is deaf. She is so stinking adorable. =) Her mom is recently baptized in January and moved here in February.

haha. . .I totally forgot we played a joke on Hermana sahleen and Johnson this week. We made the apartment look like it had been broken into. =) They FREAKED out for a minute. But we were right there so nothing drastic happened (aka. . they didn't call anyone!) We just started laughing and they were like. . you didn't! And we just couldn't help it. =)

Gets them for jumping out at us all the time and scaring us half to death! =)

This is dear sweet Abuelita who waves to us each time we leave. I just love her so much

How we can tell if a spanish person lives there. =)

And I forgot!!!

We had breakfast at IHOP with angel and Judith on Saturday morning. .. they are both moving to S. CArolina. They already did. =( 

SAD DAY! They left sunday and won't be back for a long while. I was sad but happy for them. They just need to stay active. . well angel does nad Judith needs to be baptized! They need an eternal family!

Angel also was hilarious and was determined to give each of us a hug! haha. He gave us all a hug. And then he also kissed me on the cheek. He likes me the most. . . I know it. ;) I think it is because I didn't know a whole ton of Spanish and he loved to help me with it. haha. =)

My new motto

me and Emily (hermana Castillos daughter) making meatballs

White Looks Great! =)

Oh family family family, I miss you all so much! But I am sure you can tell this week was REALLY wonderful. It was truly incredible actually. =)

White really does look good on people! ;)

We had a baptism! It was truly the greatest day of my mission so far. . . and also the worst and saddest day of my mission so far.

We were having such a wonderful day. We ate lunch at a member's home, the Richie's. We were running around getting things ready for the baptism. Just a busy day.

Well we texted Esteban at 6 saying his ride was on their way. He replied something super weird so we decided to call him. and He backed out. . It was SUPER SAD! I was a little devastated. It came out of no where for me. Especially because our last lesson with him he was so excited, practicing giving his testimony for the baptism. And was just truly enthusiastic and it took me by surprise. It hurt to see him be so unwanting of the greatest gift heavenly father has to offer us, eternal salvation, and we can only receive this gift if we enter into the waters of baptism.

It was shocking though. He told us he doesn't ever want to talk to us again and that he knows it is all true. He just can't do it anymore. It was super sad.

But on the way to the library today I heard a quote from Elder Holland that I just loved. . "missionary work isn't easy because salvation isn't easy!" How true is that!?! I was in LOVE with this quote. It just makes sense. =)

And I truly know that Heavenly father watches out for us. He knew Hermana Nord and I would need something happy to happen that night so he still let us have a baptism. He made it possible for Natasha and Miriam to enter the waters of baptism (one early than expected!) so that we would have something to make us happy again. It literally saved the day for me. Seeing how happy they were to make this covenant with their father in heaven. 

They were so adorable! They were a little nervous. But the joy to see their faces as they went into the baptismal font was priceless. That is what missionary work is about. Bringing others the Joy of the gospel. The knowledge of the atonement and eternal life. I am so happy I had the chance to teach these two beautiful daughters of God! =)

Miriam and Natasha both shared their testimonies. Natasha's was so adorable! She was talking about how much she LOVES the book of Mormon and how as a family they are in Jacob 4 and how she loves family home evening and how this is the only true gospel. It was so great! To see such great faith in an 8 year old is truly incredible to me. I am so blessed to have her example in my life. She is going to be a great leader in the church one day.

Miriam's testimony was so powerful. It truly helped me know why I am on a mission. She thanked each of us sincerely for bringing her family together. That she knows without a doubt the gospel is true. That her family has been so blessed because of this knowledge. That they are more united and have a chance to have an eternal family.

She is such an incredible lady. I can only imagine the wonderful things she will accomplish in such a short time in this branch. I also cannot wait until this family will be sealed in the temple one day. They deserve the best. They have sacrificed so much to have the gospel and I know they will be so blessed because of it! =)

This week was really good.

I had the chance to do exchanges and stay in the area by myself and Sister Anderson came here. So yep, had to do ALL the lessons by myself in Spanish. It truly was a wonderful experience for me. I learned a lot, including that I know more Spanish then I think I do. haha. No way am I even close to perfect.(I took the grammar assessment and got a 61%, , , haha. Oh goodness am I not the greatest at Spanish! But it was improvement so I will take it!). But I could at least hold my own conversational wise for a day. I was impressed. haha. It was also a great chance to learn that I am progressing and that I need to work on some things in the lessons. Like extending commitments early and just small things but things that make a difference! =)

I also learned that I tend to be more open when I feel comfortable or I know the person doesn't care that my Spanish isn't perfect. haha. For example I had a conversation with Angel for 40 minutes on the phone. But it was because I knew he didn't care that I wasn't perfect. I just need to spread that confidence more when I talk to those I don't know well because they don't care either. At least I am trying! =)

This past Friday was Zone Conference! It was truly INCREDIBLE!! I enjoyed it SO SO much! =)

President Baker and sister baker did such an incredible job. I learned so much from each of them. . and also all the other trainings we had.

But one of my favorite parts of the day was with President Baker. . He was explaining just some stuff about missionary work (very broad I know) but he said something that changed my whole attitude. He said, "I believe all missionaries should STAY UNCOMFORTABLE. Because that means they are learning." And I know that to be so true. That the best missionaries are those who are continually trying to improve and better because they aren't perfect. It is when they start to feel comfortable with the missionary they are that they start to slacken. I need to remember to always stay uncomfortable with who I am as a missionary. I can ALWAYS improve and be better. There is always something to learn and become better at. =)

I am excited also because we have Stake Conference this week! And it is all about "hastening the work of salvation" (I'm sure you all remember OUR stake conference on this!) But I thought it was really neat. .

President Hamilton is having all the missionaries meet at 6:40 on Saturday night to have a prayer. Then the meeting will start. And President or sister baker are going to start speaking and all the missionaries will walk in singing called to serve and walk up in front of them. Then we will sit on the stand the whole time. And at the end they will have us close the meeting along with all the youth who will be there (because now it's 12 and up and all!) and we will sing we'll bring the world his truth. I truly think this will be such an inspiration and I hope it will all go so well and inspire all those around us to be missionaries. Because we can't do this work without their help!

Hermana Nord and I had a really great companionship inventory this past week. She truly thanked me for accepting her as she is and I am so grateful for her example. She makes me laugh. But she truly is an incredible person. So tender hearted and loves every person to their potential. I am definitely trying to become more like her and see others to their potential. It was such a great inventory.

Transfer calls come this Sunday  so I will see if I am switching it up. That'll be interesting!

I love you all! Have such a great week!

Remember who you are and where you come from! Don't party too hard with the birthdays this week!

Feliz cumpleanos! Logan and Tiff!!! =) I love you both so much and hope you have a wonderful birthday! Le amo! =)

Hermana Gray

Snow Day, sorry for the late email

Well, as you just saw. .. yesterday was a SNOW DAY!!! Bummer, utter bummer because we had SO much things planned to do and we didnt' have time to do anything before all cars were grounded. I did catch up on writing letters though. . okay not all the way. . . writing can get a little boring. haha. Especially cause I figure half of you will get this email now and won't get the same things I will say in my letters until Thursday! haha. But esta bien. . .

Well this past week was just CRAZY! I will just start out by saying it was so fast because we are so busy. Seriously we were panicking a little bit about emailing because we are SO BUSY this week. .

okay this past week. . let's start with last Prep day. It was so FUN! We went down to Colonial Williamsburg and toured a little bit. Okay really we just walked around and took pictures and stuff. We ate at the cheese shop, which was HEAVEN (and yes tiff, I did look for a cheese ball holder and NO I couldn't find one!!! What is with this. . still owe you one by the way. ;) ). Anyways since it was half way for Hermana nord she CHOPPED her hair! It was so crazy! But I LOVE it lots. I like her a lot with short hair. I think she looks wonderful. She had a little freak out just after it was done though. It was a LOT shorter then she was expecting. So she panicked. haha. But it looks real cute and her hair grows super fast.

But as we were touring colonial Williamsburg we went into a church that Thomas Jefferson belonged too. And it had like where he sat and stuff. And it seriously gave me the creeps. . .I was walking in and we all just felt the spirit leave so quickly. It was really scary for me to feel the spirit just go so quickly. We looked in there for like two minutes then left cause we were all weirded out. But it was such a great confirmation to me that we have the true church on the earth! It was a great reminder to recognize the difference of when you have the spirit and when you don't. It is a little weird to tell now because I feel constantly with the spirit. So it was weird to have it leave for a minute.

This past week was just crazy though. Monday we went to Miriam and Jesus and Natasha's home and had an FHE. But to start out they were like Hermana's we have a surprise for you. . okay. Jesus goes into the kitchen (I Know you are thinking some delicious dessert/food is coming but it's not) and he pulls out a MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE!!!!! Such a miracle!

He told us he called the place, the ONE lady who spoke Spanish happened to be working. Said that if they could get down there she'd give them a certificate even though they didn't have everything they needed. So they went and got one. =)

Oh my goodness we FREAKED OUT. anyways he was like we are going to try to get married as soon as possible so that Miriam can be baptized. So we are like congrats! Then they asked us to be WITNESSES! So cute. and adorable. I love them so much.

Then the next day as we are driving to one of our appointments we were talking and just like "it's kind of a bummer that they can't get baptized the same day (Miriam and Natasha) unless Natasha pushes her baptism back again. . then we were like if they could get married tomorrow they'd be living the law of chastity for a week and a half". . "we should call Pres. Baker and just see what he says". So we did. . and he said "it is such a great leap of faith for them to even get married that I am willing to approve it if they can get married before her interview on Friday and live it for one week!" OH MY GOODNESS!!! we FREAKED out in the car. No joke we did a complete freak out. haha. So we then talked to them and they were like if you can find someone who can marry us we will do it. =)

So we talked to President Chamberlin and he was trying to get his paperwork all done so he could do it. Anyways went to the courthouse, that SAME lady was the one he talked too. She is going to take the missionary discussions by the way. . thought that was neat. She thought it was a neat church. ;) Anyways he gets his paperwork done and they get married that night!!! =)

It was just us and them and president chamberlina nd his wife. It was so cute. We made them a cute wedding cake because they didn't want to do anything too big. So we surprised them with cake and ice cream. =)

So they are married and Miriam and Natasha are both being baptized on Saturday night! Along with Esteban! =)

Miriam also gave the sweetest testimony this week. We watched Finding faith in Christ with them and she was seriously so sweet and sincere. She was like "hermana's Christ did so much for us and I dont' understand why we can't all just fight for Christ in this world. He just wants us to do simple things like read the scriptures and pray. . I can't read well but I know it is important to read the scriptures so I do it because it is a commandment".

Esteban had his interview and all is well and he is just ready to join the church. =) He is amazing. He really makes us laugh all the time. He is getting baptized also on Saturday night and it really will be an occasion. And something truly crazy. . this area the frist time they had a baptism since two years ago was this past august with 2 people being baptized. And this year after Saturday there should be 4 baptisms already this year! How incredible to see the Lord hastening the work in this area and the people truly prepared to hear the message of the restoration. =)

I also got some super amazing packages this week! Thanks everyone! And Allie cat. . those figurines of us are the BEST! the hermana's all loved them and seriously we had a grand ole time with them. haha. we think they are amazing though. =)

Really this week was just crazy busy though. We just really didn't have too much time to visit any one and make progression with anyone. . Just those who are being baptized.

The Elders had one of their investigators invite us to a baby shower. . they are so stinking nice. Anyways we are at this baby shower and we are just talking to people and stuff and receiving contacts. So we are playing baby shower games. The elders have to do the chug the baby bottle contest. It truly was hilarious. So then Hermana Nord and I are chosen to do the feed your partner the baby food. (because Sahleen and Johnson wimped out, CHICKENS!!). So we are doing it. Hermana Nord decides to eat and I am feeding. Anyways we are playing and then Hermana Nord laughs with baby food all in her mouth (the other hermana's are making us laugh) but the food spray goes directly into my face! haha. I about died laughing for a good 5 minutes. I almost peed my pants. Then the best part was only the americans knew what was happening because no one else saw. So it was even more funny. I was laughing so hard. Hermana Nord felt HORRIBLE though. I was seriously just laughing though. It isn't like she meant to do it at all. I am super bummed though cause the other hermana's didn't get a picture of it. :( It was really fun though. The baby shower was good and we met a family that we are going to try to visit this week! =)

Sunday was pretty good. We had to do weekly planning because we hadn't done it yet. Then the Hamilton's let us watch the CES fireside at their home! =)

It was super great! Linda K. Burton is amazing and has such a spirit about her! I thought it was interesting how much they incorporated technology into the meeting. And her talk was really great.

I loved her 9 suggestions to help recognize the spirit and promptings in our lives:

1. sincere and humble prayer

2. act PROMPTLY on spiritual impressions (the video they showed with this was the best. The one with pres. monson not going to the hospital in time. . oh a tear jerker)

3. search the scriptures daily

4. live the law of fast

5. be WORTHY and WORSHIP in the temple

6. triful not with sacred thigns

7. be prepared! Move forward with faith!

8. Let the Lord decide the details; time and where

9. Heed the prophetic warnings

This talk was so wonderful though! She did an excellent job and if you didn't see it go and watch it now! I loved the quote "Worthiness is a small price to pay to open the windows of heaven!" =) Such a great talk.

They also came out with a new Mormon message (sidenote. . I saw Jeshua in a youth video and was like what the!! I know him! anyways back to the point) there is a new Mormon message with uchtdorf's stop it talk. It was SO good. It is like 10 minutes or something but it is all about the things in this world and how we need to better ourselves. Such a great video. They did a wonderful job! =) I was really impressed with it! =)

Well I love you all so much!!

Have a wonderful week! This week will be crazy and we will definitely have some incredible pictures for you next week! Keep them in your prayers! =)

I love you. .

Hermana Gray

P.s. I forgot to tell you: we are doing exchanges with the Sister Training leaders today. I am staying in the area which means I have to do ALL the lessons in Spanish by myself today. . AHHHHHH!!! Don't worry I bawled for a good 40 minutes this morning. I am a little panicked. I know I will survive but it is still really freaky. haha. Anyways. . . wish me luck. In about twenty minutes I will be giving my first lesson all by myself. =/ haha.

Love you all have a great week! Be safe!

Love you mom =)

Nasty Milk....gross

Mango Salsa

Wedding

Happy Half Way Hermana Nord!!

Today is a big day for us missionaries! Hermana Nord has officially reached her half way point on her mission!! CRAZY! Time really does fly! haha. But she is super bummed she is already half way done. But to celebrate we are heading to Williamsburg and touring downtown. . the candy store, the cheese shop. . etc. It will be really fun! I am super excited to see it. She is also CHOPPING her hair off. haha. She is donating it. A lady that lives down there is cutting it for her. So it will probably freak me out for a couple of days to see her with short hair. We'll see though! =)

This week was pretty great. Nothing too crazy happened. . or exciting for that matter. haha. Just the normal life as a missionary. Going around spreading the gospel! :)

We found another family! That was exciting and actually really neat too. There names are Carlos and April and they have two little kids (3 and 8 months). They are so stinking cute. It was really neat. . so we were out and about and an appointment fell through and we literally had like thirty minutes until we had to leave for our next appointment. So we said a prayer and we both got the impression to go to this house on the other side of Hogan's and knock that door. Which was really neat because it was kind of out of the way. But we decided to go there anyways. And so we end up talking to April and she is interested but was like come back tomorrow. We went back the next day (we were a little late because an appointment went over) and we met Carlos and he was like she isn't here but come back tomorrow. So third times the charm right?! We get there and they both are there. We do a CCE and then we went into the Restoration too. And they were just eating it up. It was a little weird because April prefers to talk in English and Carlos doesn't really understand English all that well so we did a Spanglish lesson. haha. But it was really great. And April told us that they had been talking as a couple about church and how they needed to find a church to go to. And low and behold we knocked on their door that day. And it was neat because during the whole lesson they were just like, this makes SENSE! and it just was clicking in their minds. . you could just see it working! They didn't come to church yesterday but we are hoping to have them there this Sunday.

Our cute little family is adorable. :) haha. Jesus, Miriam and Natasha are just the greatest. So stinking cute! Natasha had her baptism interview yesterday and we are assuming she did wonderful! We haven't had the chance to talk to them yet. Her baptism is on March 8! We had it for the 1st but a family in the branch is getting sealed that day so President asked us to move it back a week. But she is just so cute. In her prayer before our lesson one time she was saying "Heavenly Father please bless that everyone in the world will want to be baptized like I want to be baptized!" Doesn't that just melt your heart?!? She is so stinking adorable! And Allie Cat, I gave her a Rapunzel doll and she LOVED it! She was so excited! =) We also did a fast with their family this week but we had to write a note to her teacher because their school makes them take a lunch so we just were like, please excuse her from lunch. . our church is having a fast. And Natasha was saying "so my teacher asked me what church I belong to and I said I am a Mormon. And she gave me a surprised look and I don't know why!" haha. I wish you all could have seen Jesus's face. It was priceless, he just gave this like "you will get that your whole life" kind of look. haha. It was hilarious. =) They are doing really well though! We are doing an FHE with them tonight!

Esteban is doing okay. . he sounded really bad on the phone Saturday night and we both felt something was wrong and he wasn't telling us. He came to church though (probably because we were like are you coming. . . are you coming?!? WE are like those annoying people that don't go away until you do what we want) . haha. But he was really glad to come to church and he was telling us that he really was feeling satan trying to get him and tempt him in his life this past week. His prayer was really great though. He was like "thank you for getting me to church today even if I didn't want to come originally heavenly father. I know it was where I was supposed to be." He did text us last night and said he might drink a cup of coffee. . we aren't sure if he did or not. We are sincerely praying and hoping he didn't because then he can't reach his date for the 8th of March. . You have to live the commandment for two weeks. So hopefully he didn't and can still reach his date. If not we will have to keep working with him and reset a date. . :)

I had a jackpot mail day this week! haha. I literally got FOUR LETTERS AND A PACKAGE!!! What is that!?! BEST DAY EVER as a missionary! haha. It was really nice to feel so loved! I got your valentine's package mama dearest and I LOVED it! The other Hermana's also say thank you for the sweet valentines and note book and pencil! Hermana Johnson was truly like your mom is the greatest. . my valentine says "valentines day to the rescue" and it was so true. Her valentines package was way late. So she was like I needed this. haha. Allie cat I also got your package! Thanks! I loved the hugs and I definitely and STOKED for Pitch Perfect 2!! (marci, I'm excited for Spiderman 2 too) haha. Do you know the actual day it comes out Allie? Will I be home in time for the premiere? ;) (sorry. . .this is not missionary appropriate but I NEED To know these things! :) I will now focus on more important matters and not on the worldly things in life. . .)

Angel is . .. well Angel! haha. He was hilarious. He apparently met a "member" of the church down there in South Carolina that has multiple wives . . haha. And it was funny because he was telling him about us missionaries who visit him and how he loves us so much and how we are like family to him. (but the thing is Spanish use love in a different way. like amor is for only like family or like your spouse kind of love. . and if not you use more like I care for them a whole lot kind of love instead). Anyways, but angel always says te amo to us because he considers us his "ninas" and he seriously is just awesome. But he was trying to explain this to the guy and the guy was like I don't understand why you don't just marry them and all this stuff. And Angel was like (he is telling this to us over the phone) he was like. . "hermanas do you want to know what I told him? You won't be happy with me. . but I told him ******.(put in your own words here like lovely flowers or something. . ;) ) I was LAUGHING so hard though. He was so mad. Then he was all worried that we thought he loved us in like an inappropriate way or something. It truly was just a funny phone call. We are still working with him on quitting drinking. He had two drinks the other day. But he is still improving a whole bunch. We try to talk to him everyday. And share a scripture or something with him.

So yesterday I am in charge of sharing the scripture and my thoughts. So of course I am reading the scriptures and expressing my thoughts but hello my Spanish is far from perfect so I am trying to correct myself. Then after. . .Angel goes on for like five minutes "Gray, you don't need to correct yourself. Have confidence in your Spanish. Even though it's not perfect I get what you are saying." No joke he seriously went on for five minutes. He truly makes me laugh! He is the greatest person though. I want him to be so happy in life and come so much closer to the Savior! =)

One night this week our dinner appointment forgot they were feeding us dinner so we just shared a message and left. But we were starving because we had been fasting all day. Anyways we decided to stop at this little Mexican restaurant. . and seriously this restaurant was HEAVEN. I was LOVING my food. It was like authentic Mexican food too. It was so super delicious. And the burrito was HUGE! I only ate like a third of it. haha. =) When we visit my mission we are going there. It is called las paisas locos. DELICIOUS!! =)

So Saturday was just plain interesting. . . haha. we had an appointment at 10 in Hogan's so we are driving there. . in the entrance to Hogan's is a police check point (police are smart. . . go where all the illegals are and make you show a license. genius. .) anyways we get through the checkpoint and the police officer even thanks us for wearing our seat-belts. ;)

We are on our way to Marta's and we see this truck that is literally stuck on this hill and we are like we should stop even though we can't really do anything. So we are talking to this guy and we are like we have friends that could come help you (elders of course! Elders to the rescue!). So we call the elders. . haha. Oh my goodness I wish you could just see this mental image that I have in my mind right now at this moment. So the Elders all pull up in their white shirts and ties. The Zone leaders came too. so just imagine four elders pushing on the front of this truck and me and Hermana Nord sitting on the tailgate trying to put weight on the back. haha. I seriously felt like I was on a ride at Lagoon! It was so funny though. Anyways we get the truck unstuck. And it makes it even funnier is that all these Mexican's are just standing around watching and then this white guy redneck person pulls out his camera and starts taking pictures. It was hilarious because one of the neighbors had been talking to us and was like I would help him but he probably is in trouble with the law, he's trying to cut through the back way to avoid the checkpoint. And we were all confused. But then the one guy starts taking pictures and this guy books it and is like I'm not being in no picture!! I was laughing for a good while. But our appointment fell through so we are thinking we were probably meant just to talk to this guy. He is a firm Baptist though but in my mind I am just like remember. . .the Mormons are the ones who would help you. haha. ;) It was truly entertaining.

We also had district meeting on Saturday because Hermana Sahleen was sick on Friday. District meeting was hilarious though cause we were all kind of out of it. And at one point elder reymund fell off a chair. =) I'm telling you we were out of it. But it was really great and we talked about talking to everyone, and it was interesting because that night at correlation Hermano Garcia shared the same thing we talked about in District meeting. Weird! He did that last week too. . he is inspired for sure! ;)

Hermana Nord and I had an encounter with some people from a different church. They knocked on our apartment and asked if they could give us a flier. . so we were like sure and then they were like it's for our church. . okay. . .haha. So we were like can we give you something too?. It was hilarious because she started to explain the Resto pamphlet and he was like well you see I'm a guy and your a girl. . so I need to go. haha. I was dying with laughter. Seriously people make me laugh all the time. Funny moments make my day. =)

Yesterday was pretty fabulous too because Hermana Johnson accidently threw their car keys in the dumpster. So Elder Bradshaw was nice enough to dumpster dive for them. haha. It was a great phone call to get though cause they needed us to come back and pick them up for church.

Church was fantastic! It was branch conference. They had the temple president come and speak and it was truly amazing! I miss the temple so much! It truly was so wonderful to hear all the blessings of the temple! (p.s. I heard another new temple video is out??? True?) And I seriously want to go to the temple every week when I get home. Priority!!! =)

President Hamilton also spoke for a little bit. And he said that over 40% of the church is of the Hispanic culture. In latin and central America is where they mostly come from! Isn't that crazy sauce! 40% of the church!!! Now that is just amazing! =) I am definitely glad to be learning Spanish right now. ;)

Well, not too much else is happening in the life of Hermana Gray. . ;) I am hoping this week will just be incredible! And for sure the week after will be marvelous! 

Keep me in your prayers! You are all in mine! And keep the investigators in your prayers. . they need them! I love you all so much! Remember you are wonderful and perfect!

Love you, Have a wonderful week!

Hermana Gray =)

"Try a little harder. . to be a little better" -Gordan B. Hinckley

Our crazy rain puddles

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Hugs from Wyatt and Graycie