2 Nephi 2:24

Hello family and friends!

This week was slow but good.

Not too much happened with our investigators, we are at the state of deciding who the 'elect' are and if they are willing to progress. =) So mostly it is the game of deciding what is the intentions of people. Which is difficult. But necessary.

We had the chance to talk to many less active members and members about General Conference! I am so excited for this marvelous week! I know that we can receive so much revelation during conference!

My favorite part of the week was probably teaching English class in Manteo. We teach an English class every Wednesday at Spencer yaht's. A member of our ward lets us teach his workers once a week. They are the greatest though! We have about 12-15 come each week. So that is really exciting. We are hoping that we can find investigators through this. They are the best though. I come out laughing each time. I think that they are surprised this little blonde haired girl can whip out some Spanish to them and then they are  just hilarious!

So we were teaching about families and relatives and what not. how to describe your family. We are doing the Daily dose program the church has put out. Anyways I am introducing myself and saying 'I am an aunt, I have 3 sisters and 2 brothers, and I am single, I am not married." haha. Something to that degree. Anyways according to Hermana Harrison one of them just raised their eyebrows really high at that. It made me laugh. Then Rudy (he speaks pretty good English) asked me why I am not married, then I explained that we are missionaries. Then the guy got all disappointed. =) haha. Oh goodness.

We didn't really have that many lessons this week. More just trying to catch our investigators and set up appointments and what not. We did have the chance to talk to a potential named Jose Luis. He is super nice. We shared with him about the Book of Mormon. He was really open with it. His wife wasn't home so it was just a quick porch lesson with him. and we talked a lot of just the trials in life in general. it was really pretty neat. He shared a lot of information with us. He didn't set a return appointment due to work. But we are going to try to get him and his wife to have a lesson this week and invite the Balladares family (who they know!). I think it would go really well. So hopefully that happens this week! :)

We had two really great ward/town parties this week.

We had the ward talent night which we (well mostly the other sisters) put on for the ward. it was really neat. Lot of different talents from jumping a chair on a skateboard, to quilting, to us singing a really bad rendition of called to serve (haha. It was interesting we tried singing it in Spanish and English for one verse... not a good idea!)., overall it was a great night! My favorite talent was the magician. He called this adorable boy up and helped him move some balls around in this tube. It was cute. our investigator Blair helped be the magicians assistant too. and I think she really enjoyed it. She got really into it and dressed up even. =)

We also had the Fish Fry, where I had the chance to be introduced to the south and enjoy one of the most coveted secret recipes. . . the Spencer's hush puppies! Oh man was I in Heaven! =) I really enjoyed them. It was also a great time for us to meet lots of non-members. We even found a potential investigator! His name is Boni. He was a former investigator but he said that we could try to stop by and teach his family sometime. =) So we will see. The fish fry was really fun though. Had the chance to get to know the ward a little better and also lots of their friends. I think it was overall a complete success. =)

At District meeting we had the zone leaders present and also one of the assistants, Elder haderlie. He did a really great training on enjoying missionary work as a missionary. And just learning to love Christ more. Super powerful. I really liked something our district leader said though, he said "if it does not uplift or edify our purpose it is a waste of time". I really enjoyed that. I think Elder Munsey is spot on with that bit of advice. It is so true. We need to constantly be uplifting our purpose. Then will we see success. =)

Sunday we had the chance to sing in Sacrament meeting. The other sisters and us joined in and sang the song 'come unto christ' the youth song for this year. It was very powerful. I also think everyone would be impressed to know that I sang a bit of a solo during the song. haha. Whew, glad that is over. ;) But the spirit was so powerful during sacrament, many of the members were in tears for our song. I think it was really a powerful tool in the conversions of the members more. it was excellent.

We also re-sang it at Spanish sacrament that evening. Really it was pretty funny since it was basically just us, the sisters, the bishop and two other people. It was good though. A less-active was there and so I think he really enjoyed it (although he had come to English sacrament too). I also spoke during Spanish sacrament. I don't know why everyone likes me to speak in church but it seems to be the common thing when I am in a different area, or the same one. haha.

This week was okay. Lots of great little blessings that I have realized are helping me become a better person.

I really enjoyed watching the woman's session of general conference! I am excited to once again have the opportunity to hear from our living day prophet. =)

To answer your question mom, we watched it at the church, actually in the Relief society room with the Roku. But as missionaries we can watch general conference at the church, but our mission president has also given us the chance to watch it in a member's home if we want to. I personally like it a lot at the church. It is very powerful and less distractions. =)

I really enjoyed the talk Linda K. Burton gave. I enjoyed her relating it to the parable of the ten virgins. I was also really interested that most of the talks given were on temples! I am so excited to return and go to the temple once again! that will be a glorious day! But as for now I am just going to constantly prepare myself and be prepared to enter the temple at all times. =) President Uchtdorf's talk was also very inspiring. I feel like he is just always so powerful. I loved his comparison to an umbrella and blocking the blessings.

I started to ask myself how many spiritual blessings and blessings in general am I blocking because of my umbrella?!? Well hopefully none! But I know I am imperfect so hopefully I can close that umbrella little by little and become better.

I hope all of those who have yet to watch it will! I know you will be blessed. Take the time to watch the women's session. It was marvelous!

I also would like to challenge all to watch all four sessions of general conference. Only twice a year do we have the chance to listen to the living prophets and apostles in such an inspiring session. I know that your questions will be answered. Lives will be changed. I hope that you take the time out of your busy life to enjoy general conference!

I love you all so much!

I hope that you take this challenge,

I know you will be blessed.

Love you,

Hermana Gray

"where much is given, much more will be required." Linda K. Burton

my all time favorite, the magician!

a day as a missionary

Marta gave us empenadas to go on our lovely day of biking!

a piggly wiggly exists!

talent night

Torin jumping the chair with his skateboard.

quilting

juggler

us with blair, our investigator who helped as the magicians assistant.

Dad, thought this fish would impress you.  It was caught by brother Spencer.  He builds yachts/boats for a living.  But he really loves fishing so i thought you'd be friends.

State lines.  Welcome to Zone conference!  Last week pictures that wouldn't upload

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!

Hello family and Friends! 

life here on the little outer banks is just treating me wonderfully! I am loving it for the most part. :)

This week we had a lot of opportunities to do service and we had Zone Conference! Which was INCREDIBLE!!

This week we had the chance to visit a less active, hermana chinchilla. She is just this adorable old lady, 80. She is just the greatest. She just whips out her scriptures each time we go over. But this time I decided that we should watch finding faith with her. She LOVED it!! She just was glued to the screen the whole time. And her son joined in for about 15 minutes. So we have a potential with him. I think it sparked his interest. She is just this sweet lady though, I feel bad, she seems so lonely. So hopefully our visits help. mostly she just doesn't come to church because she is old and it's in english. haha. But we will hopefully get her son driving her there again. =)

This week we had an extremely excellent lesson with Doris. She is just the greatest. She was a former investigator and I know she has so much potential! She has so many wonderful questions. I know that she will get an answer if she looks for it. We talked about the book of mormon with her. And read paragraph by paragraph the introduction and just talked with her about it. I think this was probably one of the BEST lessons of my whole mission. The spirit was just so strong. She was truly in tune and listening intently. She was intrigued that this book had only been translated one time. She committed to read it. :) I think my testimony at the end really helped her too. I also told her that I could testify that it was the same in each language because in all honesty I think reading from the book of mormon is what has helped me learn spanish. It is just that it does directly translate so you can understand it. I thought it was a wonderful lesson. 

This week we also had ZONE CONFERENCE!!! Which was incredible!

The spirit was so strong throughout the whole conference. :)

We drove up to Virginia Beach for the conference. So it basically was a road trip kind of day. ;) 

the conference was themed on 'doubt not fear not' and it was just incredible. The mission doctors spoke to us and the therapist from lds family services. It was really neat. It was basically on stress and eliminating fears. I really enjoyed it. 

President and sister baker also introduced our mission's hymn. 'Brighter Beams the Fathers mercy". I am excited, this hymn explains our mission perfectly. (especially because we have about a bazillion lighthouses in our mission too!). 

We also had a training about the play coming to Norfolk. The mormons production is coming into two parts of our mission so we had a training about it. It was actually really interesting. Due to this we are going to have a social media split, where members will be with us throughout the whole day! And they will capture what missionaries really do and highlight our lives. Then they will post it to social media websites. It is going to be a wonderful opportunity for us. I know that many blessings will come. This production has caused many people to have interest in the book of mormon and missionaries. So hopefully we will see many investigators come from this. :)

We also had a really excellent lesson with Eduardo, Adolfo and Adolfo's son Jason. It was on the plan of salvation. We talked a lot about it and the importance of it. They had some really excellent questions, one having to do with the difference between a spirit and soul. It was great. I tried to set them for baptism on November 1st (our social media day) and they started laughing. That is definitely the day of the dead in Mexico and all other hispanic countries. ;) I thought it could be perfect though. . . baptism, laying away or your sins 'dying' you know... ;) They said they needed to know a little more before they set a date with us. So we will see with them. Each week they seem to be adding more people to the lessons. There was actually about 5 people in that lesson but those three were teh active participants. 

This week we had the chance to do lots of SERVICE! it was wonderful! The ward herer was having a yard sale and all the benefits went to the food pantry here. So we ended up helping set up,take down, etc at the yard sale. Personally it made me miss yard selling and what not. I think we need to do another yard sale when I get home. :) So be prepared!! 

Overall it was a success though. We raised over a $1,000 to donate to the local food pantry. So it was really neat. There were also a few hispanics that came so we talked to them a little. ;)

We had a marvelous lesson with Israel. We did it at Sister Decker's home and Torin came with us (he is one of the only ones...literally who speaks spanish in the ward). But Torin came too. We watched the Restoration video and talked about prayer. We ended up really focusing on prayer because he really was relating to Joseph Smith. He has sincere desires to know what is right and what to do. =) I see lots of potential with him. He is going to be a great addition when he joins the church. We challenged him to pray about Joseph Smith being a prophet of God. We didn't talk about the Book of Mormon because he can't read, so we are trying to get him a cd of the book of mormon in spanish. :) So hopefully we will figure that out soon. =)

Basically that was our week. Nothing too exciting happened. But at the same time everything as a missionary seems to be the same. The 'normal' routine. haha. But I love it! Being a missionary is so wonderful. I know I will be so sad to leave this when the time comes. It is such a unique experience to have the chance to testify of Christ each and everyday and become more like him. Collin was telling me how much he misses it and I know that will be me. I will definitely live it up while I can. =) 

I was reading in the scriptures in 1 nephi 20:10 and I really loved it. It reminded me of what my mission president told me at the beginning of my mission when I was struggling. "the lord will refine your personality and character as you serve this mission, but you will still be the wonderful self you are; just shinier and with greater spiritual capacity..." 

I know that it is so true. The lord makes us the people we are supposed to become. The more we trust in him the better we will progress in this life. =)

I love you all so much! It looks like life is going well. I am so excited to see all the wonderful changes heavenly father is doing to you! i know you all will be so much better than when I left (like you weren't wonderful already... you will just be better!). I can't wait to see you all again. But until then, be a missionary! live what you know. Remember who you are and where you came from and that someone in North Carolina cares. =)

I love you! Have a wonderful week,

Hermana Gray

I looked out the window and what did I see???

Two sister missionaries biking like crazy. ;)

Okay, I am no poet as you can tell but it is true. This week we had the chance to hit the bikes! :) haha. 

 Surprisingly I LOVED it!!! So relaxing.

Saturday we spent the day down in Manteo (it's about thirty minutes away from us) and so we parked at Bishops home and got bikes from him. Then we biked all day! It was really fun.

We got on our bikes and headed out for the day. Tried to hit up a few potentials but didn't have any luck. . then we may have gotten caught in a huge rainstorm. haha. So we were DRENCHED by the time we left. We stopped riding at about five, and I still wasn't dried off by the time we got home. :( But all is well. Definitely worth the experience!!!

This week we saw SO many miracles, I had the most lessons so far taught in one week on my mission this week. We just saw TREMENDOUS blessings. Personally I think it was because we had Exchange miracles!!!

Monday we went to the aquarium and had a sister's preparation day! We went with the other sisters in our ward and then the sister training leaders also came. Elizabeth City Hermanas decided not to drive down. But we had a blast anyways! We went and saw all the little fishes, touched some starfish and crabs (although I didn't participate in the crab part too much... still have too many awful experiences with them! ;) ). Then we did exchanges with the STL's. It was REALLY fun! And really needed. I just love sister Randall to death! We had a blast! Sister Randall and I came out at the same time but due to MTC time we didn't come officially to the field together but we leave together. :) I just admire her so much, she is a fantastic missionary! Just so enthusiastic all the time.

We saw exchange miracles though! We both ended up working our areas due to mile situation. So Sister Randall and I just tried out little hearts out because I had no idea what in the world was happening. . it was only my third official day day in the area. haha. So we worked hard! We did a lot of contacting/potential finding. And I found two really great potentials!!! First off we met Israel as we were out tracting in Kill Devil Hills. He actually lives in Manteo and we had the chance to visit him on Saturday night and share the Restoration with him! He was really interested. He doesn't have religion in his life too much and just wants to listen. He accepted the baptismal invitation. But I am not too sure if he really understands what kind of a commitment that is. So we are probably going to reteach it a little. :)

We also met Alan. He was outside his home and we just approached him. He was super nice. He is about 23ish. He was nice though. I asked him about his life and things. He doesn't really know much of Christ, basically he believes that he exists but doesn't know anything about him.He wasn't raised with any religion in his life. I gave him a BOM and told him if he would read it his relationship with Christ would grow so much. He accepted it. I also invited him to Spanish Sacrament meeting on Sunday! And he CAME!!!! =)

I was so excited to see him. We found him a ride and everything. And basically the whole meeting was for him. . Spanish sacrament is every other sunday at five o clock. Bishop is nice enough to conduct it (well. . try to. ;) ). It is really great though. A couple of members come and support but only Alan was the native Spanish speaker. We did have one member there who is fluent in Spanish, Torin. He gave the gospel principles for us. A talk was given by an English member but he gave it in Spanish.

And coll. . you would be proud. I knew that Torin learned his Spanish from Argentina. haha. =) I thought it sounded funny and I was like wait. . . that is how Collin spoke it. =) So you know. . the Argentina accent sounds a little funny. ;)

We also met with an investigator named Doris. She is super nice. She is very interested in the gospel. She was a former investigator and we decided to stop by and visit her. She had some really great questions. haha. She asked how was Joseph smith able to see God and Christ in his normal body. . anyways it was some deep questions. She seems super wonderful though and I think she has so much potential! We are visiting again with her this next week.

We also stopped in on Jeydi. She was also a former. She has the cutest little baby, well he's one ish. He is cute though. He kept trying to throw toys and things. it was hilarious. We were supposed to have a lesson with her yesterday but her baby was sick. So she cancelled on us. which was a bummer. :(

I don't have my journal on me which stinks because my memory just seems to mush together. . so sorry if this is scattered. :)

Wednesday was really great! I loved it. We again went down to manteo and did some work down there. We also apparently teach an English class down there each Wednesday. I had a blast! A member in our ward owns Spencer Yahts, a huge company out here. He has lots of Hispanics who work for him and has offered them some type of deal if they take over twenty hours of English classes. So we go and volunteer to teach each week! =) Which is wonderful. I had lots of fun with it. I think they really liked me as the teacher. haha. Just imagine about 15 Hispanic men doing head shoulders knees and toes. . yes, entertainment for sure. =) We now have the church program though so hopefully we can actually start the program the week following this week. We have zone conference this Wednesday in VA Beach! :)

But I really enjoyed teaching the English class. :) It was pretty hilarious. And I think somehow I owe one of them pizza. . . not sure how that works. But they are now under the assumption that I owe them pizza. haha. =)

I don't know how to explain what a wonderful week this has been. . I don't really have any amazing incredible stories per say. But the spirit that was here throughout the whole week just was incredible. The people here are just waiting to hear the gospel!

Many people just opened their doors and let us in. Many of the lessons this week were just he first lesson, the Restoration, so not too much varied from each investigator. Just the spirits of the investigators. I wish I could explain how it feels to see them listen to the gospel for the first time, or realize that they have the truth before them. I know many of them are scared once they realize the message is true because that means that they have to make changes and sacrifices in their lives.

We taught a lesson to Eduardo this week. He was super great. He had a friend there who immediately joined in than afterwards invited us to teach him and his son that Friday. It ended up falling through for a couple of different reasons but I think he has a lot of potential. :) We also have his address, so he made it a lot easier for us. haha.

This week was incredible though. We also had the chance to watch the CES fireside last night. D. Todd Christofferson spoke and it was excellent. If you didn't get the chance to watch it, go and listen! It was very inspiring. It applies to all of us.

Sorry I feel like this letter is kind of boring. . haha. But I don't know what else to say! Know that I love and miss you! =) The life as a missionary is great and wonderful! =) So much to express but I just don't know how. I hope all of you have an excellent week. Keep up the good work.

Read, Pray, and go to church! You will feel oh so much better! =)

I guess I will share what I was reading about in the book of Mormon this morning. I am starting it over and have decided to mark each time it mentions a member of the Godhead (different colors) then when it talks about the atonement. anyways, I was reading Lehi's vision and it was super wonderful. I think it was with elder Bednar but he told us to think of the tree as Christ and the fruit as his atonement.

and I LOVED verses 10-12 in chapter 8 when you substitute the words.

"And it came to pass that I beheld Christ whose atonement was desirable to make one happy. and it came to pass that I did go forth and partake of the atonement thereof; and I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted. yea, and I beheld that the atonement thereof was white, to exceed all whiteness that I had ever seen. And as I partook of the atonement thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other sacrifices."

Know that the atonement is there to make us feel that joy and happiness we are missing in our lives. I am so grateful I have the opportunity to use the atonement each and every day. We are so blessed to have a Savior and Redeemer. I know that as we trust in him and give Him our problems, we will feel of his love. Trust in him a little more this week. Give him your burdens, he will make you stronger.

I love you,

Hermana Gray

p.s. hopefully next week will be all the more exciting. ;)

me and sister randall on exchanges

Hermana Harrison with me by the sound.  We are at the aquarium.

a pig!

Biking day!

Riding a turtle, as per norm

Welcome to North Carolina

I made it to the beautiful peninsula of Nagshead! Well I guess Outerbanks. .haha. 

What happens with transfers is we receive a transfer call the Saturday before then you will arrive at transfer meeting at the church mission office on the following Thursday. Hermana Sahleen and I drove up because we live close. If you have to ride the transfer van then it depends on if you attend the meeting or not. (you only ride it if your living far aka north Carolina). 

At transfer meeting we have the chance to listen to sister baker give a training on the adjusting to missionary life handbook and then we also have the opprotunity to listen to President Baker give his thoughts. He then shows a power point of the mission describing each of the areas/stakes. then from that point he introduces the new arrivals "greenies" to their trainers. We close with a prayer and head off to our new areas! =) 

Because I was headed to North Carolina my new companion Hermana Harrison wasn't present at  the meeting. I had to ride the transfer van. =) haha. The Assistants drive it and you are in there with a bunch of other missionaries. This happened to be a bigger transfer with missionaries headed to North Carolina so Elder Haderlie (AP) drove the truck (the assistants car. . .i know, why don't I get the truck?? haha.) hauling a trailer with luggage. Elder Jones (AP) drove the van. and someone driving a mission car to an area. There were LOTS of people. There were 8 people in the van, i think 4-5 in the truck and 2 in the car. I was on the first stop. They only do two stops and the missionaries meet you at the chapels. I was in the stop in Elizabeth City. 

I met Hermana Harrison there! I also saw Hermana Johnson who I miss like crazy! She is so funny! 

I will throw this in because I think mama dearest will appreciate it. An Elder was holding this little dog of the member who was driving us to Nagshead. So he is holding this little dog and Hermana Johnson is giving him crap about it. And he is like, well he might get hit by a car or something. So I am like "or the eagles will snatch him". haha, yes that did happen. Hermana Johnson about lost it. She just looks at me and was like "I missed you!". Too bad I will only see her at Zone conferences and things for now. We are hoping that she gets a "trunky transfer" and comes to me and I can kill her off here. :) She leaves in January. We will lose 10 of the 15 hermanas by January. CRAZY SAUCE! =)

I am loving the Outerbanks! it is GORGEOUS!! 

Apparently it is a VERY touristy town. Basically it is just beach houses. . 

they topped out this summer at 1.2 million visitors in one weekend with over 7000 cars riding the ferry in one day. CRAZY! =) We do serve on the whole penninsula though, but due to miles we will never have the chance to see our whole area. Which is super sad. 

One neat thing, the movie 'nights in roadanthee' (can't spell for the life of me! Sorry!). But the house is actually in our area. So maybe I'll have the chance to get a picture by it. =) 

The area is so so beautiful! And I am also the designated driver for this transfer!!! WAHOO!!!! =) after 9 months of not driving it feels good to get behind the wheel again! I missed it. . we drive a ford fusion. . not the same as my mazda but it works. =)

We live in a beautiful home! yes, a home! it is really pretty. Two levels, I get my own bathroom and everything. It is HUGE. it was originially bought to be plowed down to make a bigger parking lot for the church (yes, the church is NEXT DOOR!) haha. But because of licensing issues with the county they had to keep it up. So we live in it! I love it. We live in a kind of forresty area too which is nice. I have seen some deer! =) long time. . 

I am really enjoying my new area. it is SUPER touristy. Mom your question about the ocean thing. As of right now due to tourist season we are still in the 2 blocks from the beach rule. But because the road we drive down has little sand hills (it is a protection thing for hurricanes so the houses don't get taken out as easily) we can drive it. It is really nice. We are super lucky. And the rule is basically you can't tract on/near the beach. If we have an investigator there we can go to their home then leave directly after. 

North Carolina is so fun! I am loving my new area. There seems to be LOTS of potential. As of now we/they have four people set with a date for baptism!!! 

Speaking of baptism: Edilberta from the News is getting baptized TOMORROW!!!!!!!! =) I am so happy for her. I am REALLY sad that I can't go now due to transfers. haha. Lame. If I would have been in the Beach I still could have gone. We just live too far away to make the trip. But I am so happy for her. Hermana Newman told me she would send me pictures since she has approval to go. =) So I will forward those to you when I get them! I am jealous for sure. =) Glad that she finally can be baptized. 

I also heard that Juan and Maria both went to church yesterday too! =) So hopefully we will hear about a baptism from them soon. =)

Well, welcome to the area. 

Sorry keep getting distracted; I just want to tell you EVERYTHING. so it gets distracting. I think of all the things I need to tell and get them out as quick as I can. 

Well. . first off 

Hermana Harrison is my new companion! She is a sweetheart. She is from Hawaii (yes, not Utah, although she will be moving back to Utah after this mission, her mom moved while on the mission). She is 22 super nice, very unique. She loves to tell stories. She gets really animated. I think we will work well together. She has been out a while now. She leaves come November which is SO soon! But all is well. =) 

I am currently serving in an English ward. Which is definitely different. I miss the little spanish branches. But there are some benefits to serving in an English ward. haha. The people here are really nice. They all have a little bit of an accent. So hopefully I come home with one. =) They are the sweetest though.

And it was interesting. Sister Moore came up to me at church (I had met her previously). . but she is like 'I have a question and it is kind of in appropriate to ask you as a missionary but is your first name by chance Cassie' haha. So I was like yes. She then proceeds to tell me that she is friends with Josh Nelson's mom! =) Small world! But I had forgotten how Josh's mom told me all about Virginia and North Carolina because she is from around here. She apparently grew up here. So that was a small town moment. =)

This ward is pretty decently sized. People come in from all over to go here. It has about 150 active members. (which is HUGE compared to other places!). I think the farthest member drives about 2 hours to come to church each week. They are all so nice. Apparently with the visitors in the summer in gets really packed. One week they had approximately 800 guests. WOW! It was JAM packed. I am excited to get to know the ward here better. I am sure they are all so wonderful.

We ate dinner with the Feikert family. An older couple from the ward. I of course am just a talking away. (I can't blame it though, she kept asking questions) but I tried to turn it around on her. And so I asked about their conversion stories. It was really neat. She told us all about her conversion to the gospel. Her husband was shocked about all the details she was telling. He told me that he hadn't even heard some of the things she was telling!

We had the chance to also visit a less active here (I am still a little unsure how this less active thing works here since most of them are English). there is a set of sisters in the ward too. Anyways. We shared with her this poem about the atonement that Hermana Harrison had and it was really powerful. She starting to tear up. I was so impressed by how easily the spirit can touch a person's heart.

I am super excited to start work here. I know that there will be a whole lot of fun! I don't really have a lot to tell you since I just got here. .haven't really had the chance to get to know anyone. Mostly just tried contacting people. Had lots of lessons fall through. :( Bummer.

Oh I will tell you this: I think it is neat. 

We serve in Manteo (Man-E-O that is how they tell if you are a tourist of not). But the mayor there isn't a member but he owns a restaurant called the Garden Deli. He feeds us each Saturday. So neat. He is a really nice guy.

Another funny thing. I came to this area and yet again, first day was a ward party! haha. Well this was more of a wedding reception for the daughter of the bishop. . so basically a ward party. it was funny. =) I got to know the ward real well, real quick!

Today we are planning on going to the aquarium with all the sisters in the area. We are excited. We also are doing Exchanges tonight with the STL's. It will be different because we both stay in the area and work. And it is a bummer too because due to some scheduled things they have we can't do what we originally planned, me go to Manteo. So we both have to work the same area. haha. it will be really interesting. =) Especially since I do not know the area at all yet. We will basically be contacting a bunch of people I do not know! But exchange miracles; they exist! So I will be looking for them!!! =)

Before I left the Beach we had the chance to say goodbye to a less active named Jorge. He is incredible! We shared with him about the sacrament and he commited to come to church. The spirit was strong. He was sad to see me leave, his mom I think was even more so. She started to tear up. I was so touched. She told me to come and visit her after the mission and to remember I am always in her prayers. She is a sweetie.

I also received the nicest text from Presidente Ramirez the day before I left. He told me that I was such a wonderful missionary. That this branch would really miss me. He also thanked me for making a huge impact on his family. And he wished me the best in my new area. And said thanks from his family. And to visit when I go home. =)

Family. . there are lots of people to visit, and since I am also serving in the touristy places of the mission; lots of things to do on our return trip to VA! =)

The weather here is being super crazy today. . HUGE thunderstorm happening. It is pretty though. =)

I hope all of you are doing well. it is so great to hear from you! I love to read about what is happening in each of your lives! =) Be safe, remember who you are and where you come from.

I love you all!

As they say in the 'south' have a blessed day.

Sending love from North Carolina,

Hermana Gray

Welcome to North Carolina...this is a bridge that is basically falling apart that we have to cross to get to an investigators home.

Jorge Mendez and his mom!  One of my favorite less actives. 

the 'goodbye' companion picture.  bye bye hermana Sahleen

My old companions..who are now companions! haha.  Love those girls

The Verdict is in....

And I am headed to NAGSHEAD CITY, NORTH CAROLINA!!!!

Wow, I can't believe it is already my time to leave the Beach! I feel like I just got here. I am so excited to go and learn more from other members in N. Carolina, but I am so sad to leave one of the best areas on the mission! I am super lucky though and I am hitting the top three "best areas" as a Hermana. These are the three areas all the hermanas all want to visit! So I am lucky! =)

I am super sad to leave though, the people here just capture your heart so quick! This little branch has so much potential. It is going to grow so strong! I can see it now. I am sad because we have so many wonderful investigators right now. All who are progressing so much in the gospel. Hopefully this area will see a baptism that is long overdue soon!! =)

I am headed to Nagshead city (weird name right?!?). or otherwise known as the "outerbanks" I am going to be serving on the little island. . it is going to be so gorgeous! Apparently it is very touristy too. And I think Pepsi was invented there so how can it not be great?!? ;) Only if it were Dr. Pepper would it be better. =)

This week we had a good time. We didn't have too much success number-wise but the lessons we did have were very powerful.

We had an incredible lesson with Juan and Maria. Hno. Rodriguez came with us and it ended up turning into a question and answer session. Juan has heard many things about the church, some true, some not. He ended up opening up with a lot of concerns he has and it turned out to be very good. We would explain something and than he would have a different question. It was nice. He seems to be really opening up to us. Maria was quiet with him there. She is a quiet observer but when she comments and participates it is really great. She was cute. Juan had to work Sunday but Maria came! It was really a big step for her. We called to verify that they were coming (we find them a ride) and she said that Juan was working so they couldn't come. But I was like well you can come without him if you want to. And she did! I think it helped her realize that we still want her to be there, and that we really do care for her. She looked really sad to hear that I am leaving. . . I hope all goes well. I think they will be fine with the transition in the end. And Hermana Newman is coming here! So I am not worried at all! She is a go-getter! :) I see these two in the baptismal font before we know it. =)

Gustavo, the guy who randomly came to church last week, is now an investigator! He is doing really well. We had a lesson with him at the church and it was WONDERFUL! He seems so solid. We shared the Restoration with him and he just was so thrilled to have the knowledge. He said yes to baptism, he told us that a lot of things have happened recently in his life and he realized that he just wants to change. He wants to become a better person. I think he has a lot of potential. We are hoping to set him with a date tonight in our appointment.

We had a really great lesson with Patty this week. We had the chance to finish the Restoration with her. She makes me laugh. The spirit was really strong. And we invited her to pray to know if our message was true and she just says "NO!". haha. We were like why, don't you want to know? and she just said, I am confused, I am catholic, and I don't want to change. I Know she felt the spirit. It was really funny though. She just had this pure look of shock because she could feel it was true and realized that she needs to change. We have an appointment with her this week so we'll see what happens. I know if she lets the spirit help her she will have that desire to change. =)

I had a really neat experience while out tracting, we were talking to a man, who basically straight up told us he wasn't interested. But he kept talking to us, he was and older gentleman. Then he said he always had the question as to why innocent people suffer, and I felt impressed to read with him about when Alma and Amulek watch the children and wives burning. As I did we could just see his demeanor change. He became much more open to the message. It was incredible to see. He didn't accept a Book of Mormon or a return appointment. He said he was leaving in a month to go to Guatemala. And I made him promise he would find the missionaries there and talk to them. ;) All we can hope for is he actually does it! ;)

This week the Zone Leaders called to check up on our investigators and what not. . as we were talking they asked if I had seen any miracles this week. So I keep talking and telling them all the many miracles we have seen lately. Then he says, "since you have been seeing so many miracles will you be willing to train in Zone meeting on Friday". . . wow, thanks. haha. But then Hermana Sahleen was laughing at me and then he said it would be the "BOTH of us training". haha. That's right! I get her dragged into things all the time. . my big mouth! I basically should just stop talking. . I've dragged her into role plays, everything! But our training went really well. The zone seem to enjoy it a lot. All about extending the baptismal question.

Overall this week was pretty great! I had an excellent last preparation day here! We woke up early and saw the sunrise on the beach. And then we tried to go see the cape henry lighthouse but it was closed to due weather. . I don't know why it was GORGEOUS weather yesterday! =) But we had fun anyways.

Our air conditioning broke again this weekend. So we have been hitting the 90's in the apartment. Luckily we are having the office people work on it today. Hopefully it is done by the time we get back from emailing! It is HUMID and HOT in the apartment. . GROSS! Sticky is not my friend. =)

I hope you all are having a wonderful week! I am so grateful for your love and support throughout the mission. I hope to hear from you all soon! Letters are always appreciated, emails, pictures, anything! =)

I love you! have an excellent week!

Hermana Gray

My new address:

116 Windjammer Rd

Nagshead, NC

27959

all of us with our ward mission leader

Elder Smith, Elder Valdez, Jose, Elder Novak, Me, Hermana Sahleen

Dison Family

Angelina and I

Jellersons

It's that time, and we received a call:  NORTH CAROLINA HERE I COME!!!

Goodbye VA BEACH

Hermana Ramirez (the branch president's wife) who is one of my all time favorite people

Me and King Neptune!

Oswald family

Me and the Castro family, Minus Hermana Castro, she was lying down

She'll probably kill me that i sent you this, but it was early...give us a break

Hermana Suarez

Us and Jose

Rodriguez family

Nicole, the branch president's daughter.  She is the greatest.

Picture :)

Love you all tons!  Hope you have a beautiful week full of happiness and success! :)