You have an accent... are you from Minnesota?

Family and all those who are also neat enough to read this email,

Let me prepare you ahead and just say that the Lord knows each of his children perfectly. He is aware of each of our unique circumstances and truly wants to help each and everyone of us receive his restored gospel.

I will just start with the craziest miracle we had this week, truly heaven sent.

We were weekly planning.. which I always like to think of it like off of "What happens in Vegas" (is that the name of the movie... sidenote. . complete brain inadequacy at the moment).. but I like to think of when Ashton Kutcher asks Cameron Diaz.. "you make plans to make plans?" ... And that is EXACTLY what weekly planning is. haha.

But We are weekly planning... thinking of a baptismal date goal. .. anyways in the midst of weekly we receive a phone call from this random number. Answer it of course. It is Elaudio... a potential investigator our zone leaders had given us in the beginning of December that we had been trying to contact for a while. Calls us, says "hermanas, I am off tonight and want you to come teach me." we are like of course. We will find a way to make this happen.

Anyways Heavenly Father had prepared this moment to happen. We had a lesson scheduled with a different potential investigator who happened to cancel on us but the member who was going with us still was fine. So we go to Elaudios house instead.

As we are beginning teaching we start into the Restoration but both of us feel that we are not supposed to teach him that at about two points in... we both think the book of Mormon but don't know how to communicate that to one another without being too awkward about it. But Elaudio proceeds to ask a random question 'does you religion have some book, kind of like the catholic bible?"

Where that came from?!?? The spirit.... so we talk about the book of Mormon then proceed to feel the promptings to talk about Baptism with him. We literally have met this guy once before this (or at least I had in brief moments). So I proceed to talk about baptism and how it is how we show heavenly father we are willing to follow him more fully in our lives, etc. Then BAM! Baptismal invite. The spirit is FLOWING so strong. Then he calmly says, 'yes.' so I follow up with will you be baptized on march 7? .... 'yes.'

And that is how a greenie miracle happens folks. I am telling you, he just has been prepared by Heavenly Father.

The spirit was so powerful in that lesson. Then it was also neat because we called the zone leaders (well they called us) and we are talking and telling them this cool miracle because literally we are not having this happen often here. Then it was neat because Elder Terril tells us how they met him and how they literally met him at 8:45 at night and it was in a dark alley way. haha. He was meant to have the gospel. Then him calling us. Oh man. Heavenly Father knows all of us. Perfectly.

This week has been great though. Oh this lady asked me if I was from Minnesota. haha. I thought it was pretty hilarious. Made me think of New in Town. Which I happen to quote ALL the time. (Hermana Juanhijo.. WATCH IT!!!!). But It made me laugh. We ended up talking to her for a good ten minutes about different things in the gospel. She actually knew a lot of members of the church. We told the sisters that they should stop by the library in Manteo and talk to her. :)

We had a lesson with Eduardo and Fernando last night. It was a really good. we talked about he priesthood again. We even had four different members there all bear their testimonies on different parts of the priesthood. So we will see what happens. They keep saying they don't feel prepared to receive it. But hopefully we can see some progress with them. We asked them to pray about it and try to receive some revelation for themselves on the matter. We need to ask them more specifically what questions they have about the priesthood. To better understand what is holding them back.

other than that not too much happened. We had stake conference here which took up a lot fo time. We had to drive two hours each way to go to stake conference. Both Saturday night and sunday morning. So that was fun.

The main focus was families and ward councils. And applying ward council into family councils. It was really good. We heard from Elder Dunnigan of the 70. I enjoyed it. Lots of participation. When we were walking out I was carrying the translation equipment and President Baker looks at me, and says 'is that translation equipment you are carrying?' ... yes... then he asked me if I had translated the meeting.... definitely NOT. haha. But it was nice to be assumed that I had. We had a member do it. But it was really hilarious. I think I would feel fine translating from Spanish into English but the other way makes my mind hurt too much. :)

That is about all I have for you folks. 

Remember I love each and everyone of you very much. I am so grateful for your love and support. I hope you all have a wonderful week! :)

Love, 

Hermana Gray

don't forget to read D&C!!!

Middle of January?? What??

Hola Familia!

WOW, cannot believe it is already the middle of January... this is INSANE! But all is well.

This week was FULL of miracles... I am so blessed to have seen so many miracles occurring all around us.

Tuesday started with a drive to Elizabeth City to have interviews with President Baker. It is always so incredible to have a few minutes to talk to the mission president and receive guidance and counsel! :) He expounded on the verses I have been reading in D&C and it really just opened my eyes. We focused a lot on how we become the 'chosen' to share the gospel. It was a good interview and it is always fun to have a few minutes with him and sister Baker. Apparently Hermana Earl and I both shared the same story with him, and he just chuckled to himself a little bit. But hey, great minds think alike! :)

English Class started up again this week, we are also going to start an English class at the chapel in February. We had a neat experience, there was a little down time before English and two of the men that work there, Fernando and Erick, were talking to us before... Erick it was his first time coming to class, so he was asking how we know Spanish and why. We had the chance to share the reasons we are serving missions. I took the opportunity to share the restoration with him in a short couple of minutes. I even had the chance to recite the first vision for them. It was really neat to see their expressions change and their hearts be touched. We set up an appointment with them, but didn't get their exact address because they couldn't remember their trailer number. But we have their phone numbers and we of course see tehm each Wednesday. :)

We also ate at Plaza Azteca (or plaza death..... I think Hermana Valdez and Johnson would appreciate that name. ;) ), but I of course had a hilarious moment there. Our waitress... super nice, thick accent. Of course, Hispanic right?? NO.... she comes up to the table me, 'de donde es?', "what???" .... realizing real quick she doesn't speak Spanish... 'where are you from?', HILARIOUS, then she was like 'wait, did you just ask me where I am from in Spanish?'.... that's not awkward. Yep, definitely did. haha. She was from the Ukraine. =) Yes, Russian, Spanish.... same difference right?? :)

We had a good laugh about it though.

We had another neat miracle this week. WE have been visiting our less active, Hermana Diaz, and we visit her pretty consistently. anyways each time we go over her husband completely avoids us... but his time he actually came in and sat down in the lesson! It was sweet. And he participated and everything. We just talked about the book of Mormon and the importance of it. He even said he would sit in on our next appointment. :) Hermana Earl was hilarious... she didn't say one word this whole lesson. She didn't understand his accent and he asked her simple questions like where are you from what is your name, etc. She was all deer-eyed. But she was a little shocked I think. I felt bad for her. But I guess it's the only way you learn.

that night though she did really well. Took the lead in teaching Eduardo and Fernando the Restoration again. She did really well, you could tell she was nervous and fumbling for words... each time she wasn't sure of a word she would look at me and be like how do you say?? ... it was fun. She did great though! :)

We also had a miracle and had the chance to see Alex, a less active member that works a TON. We had an appointment fall through that a member was coming with us so I was like.. hey lets call him and see what he's doing tonight. we called him and he had us over. :) told us he was going to feed us too. (we just had eaten... haha. always...always happens). But it was fun. Learned a lot about him and his friend Tony. Tony was telling us stories of crossing the borders and stuff. Just the crazy life it is to try to cross. I am shocked at some of the crazy stories I have heard.

We had another Talent show. It was really good. Turned out pretty successful. We had four non members there. :) we did a skit for our talent... 'the day in the life of a missionary'... man our lifes are weird. It went well though. :) Brother Kelly was the heart behind it all and thanks to him it was successful.

Yesterday for our Preperation day we toured Spencer Yachts! SWEET. Brother Buchanan took us on a tour and into boats they were constructing... it was nice. Tiff...I hooked us up with a fishing day when we come back and visit. Brother Buchanan told me he would take us out and fish on his boat. :) That's right.

it was really neat to see it be created before our eyes though. these boats are insane! I loved it though.... and who can say they have stepped foot on a multi-million dollar yacht on their mission?? ;)

Anyways, that is about what happened in my life. Still just being a missionary. =)

I love you all so much, I hope you are having a great week and learning lots in D&C! Don't forget how much I love you. =)

As Always, the one and only,

Hermana Gray

"Wherefore it came to pass that my father Lehi, as he went forth prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all of his heart, in behalf of his people." -1 nephi 1:5

Yes!!! NAILED IT! thanks to Hermana Valdez...I am a PRO at the Rubix cube

My mom got this picture in a text

Bienvenidas a la Hermana Earl!

Hola familia!

This week was CRAZY!!!

I don't know how to explain it... longest week ever but also the fastest... It was just crazy. The beginning of the week was LONG but good. The end of the week just FLEW!

First off this week was INCREDIBLE! and SAD!

I started off the week by saying goodbye to two (well...3) of the best hermanas in the mission! I stinking miss them all so much already. And it has only been a week! It was a weird sensation dropping off two companions at the mission home. Don't worry.... Hermana Valdez and Hermana Johnson.... I cried in the car. And Sister Spencer was super hilarious about it... she was like.. "oh sweetheart... it'll be okay. It must be hard saying goodbye to two friends" :)

But It was really weird to say goodbye. I am happy they are both home and enjoying themselves... and some Café rio. ;)

I was thrown into a trio with the English sisters for a day and it was a unique experience. That night we taught the Plan of Salvation to two of their investigators, Melanie and Sky, who I happened to teach with them last time we took missionaries to the mission home. It was fun. I really was struggle speaking English. Overall the lesson went well. and the spirit was strong. . I was trying to explain the spirit world to them and for the life of me could only think 'el mundo de los espiritus' so that was hard. We had to awkwardly interject and explain that I was a Spanish missionary. :) Good times....

Then bright and early we left for the mission office. I attended the trainers meeting which was really eye opening and good. President Baker gave us some wonderful advice. Then we sat in the chapel and waited.... killer times....

There were five hermanas and I saw them when we came in. I knew one of them was mine. And it was hilarious because I saw one and I just knew she was my companion. And I was right.

Hermana Earl is my little greenie! She is super funny! I love her lots already. She is from Washington State. She is really great for me. I am learning so much in such a short little time. She is ENTHUSIASTIC about missionary work. She is pushing through in learning Spanish. It is fun. We are working hard. It is a little bit of a struggle going back to 4 hours of studies and not just the 3. But we are enduring. :)

We had a really neat miracle happen on Saturday. We were contacting a referral in a trailer park... pull in and there is a group of about 5 guys to our left. So we go and park and Hermana Earl is like we should go talk to them... me being the skeptical one is like... ahhh.... I guess we can. (there was alcohol so no I am not just avoiding people!). but I was like sure sure. We get out of the car and all of a sudden my name is called form the group. Eduardo from English class is in it! So he yells over to me and is like Hermana Gray!

we are talking to him and about English class and just different things. Then one of his friends is like hey, you are the Mormon missionaries right. Yes, that's us. 'I am a member of your church! can I get the address?!" We found Miro, a less active member who was baptized in Peru when he was 12. complete miracle! He seems interested in coming back to church, he had to work yesterday so he didn't come but hopefully we can pass by this week and talk to him. :) Greenie miracles! I am looking forward to them.

We contacted a few potentials and set some return appointments. Oh I can tell you that I am such a dork....

So to make Hermana Earl's first day I have all these set appointments... EVERYTHING falls through. :( then the next day we have one set, set, appointment member and all. With a potential named Elaudio. We go knock the apartment. no one answers... leave him a note. We take our member out and about with us for a minute to try some other folks. Which did lead us to a neat miracle. We contacted a former named Adolfo, and he came to the door, then his two sons, Jason and Christian came to the door and talked to us, and then his wife! Then they set an appointment for this Thursday! :)

Then we get this phone call from a random number that night, and Elaudio is on the other end. He was like Hermanas.. sorry! I just got your note, my neighbor told me that there was a note for me on his door! :( haha. Dang it! it was a little confusing because we had a referral and Elaudio who live in the same house but different apartments. So I must have wrote them backwards or something. :( Which was a bummer but he is going to call us this week to set up an appointment. He didn't know his work schedule. But that was my blonde moment for the day.

We had a really great lesson with Eduardo and Fernando. We read from Richard G. Scott's talk and focused mainly on Scripture study and Prayer. (We didn't have time because there was so many comments to finish!) but it was a really powerful lesson. And they both asked really great questions. The Jacobsen's came with us and we had a really powerful lesson with the opportunity to bare testimonies. They both are doing so well! They are facing lots of opposition from the family and friends but they are strong and are saying that they are going to be examples to them. :)

Bishop Maher gave an excellent talk yesterday in Sacrament meeting but something he said really stood out to me. He said "for everyone who is here... there is at least one of us who isn't"

which made me really think. He was referring to our visiting and home teaching. But as a missionary I was thinking.. maybe it's our one friend we haven't introduced to the gospel yet. I really like this though. US... we are Christ's church... we need ALL of our Brothers and Sisters.

I love you all so much! I am running out of time but I want you to know that I know this gospel Is true. I am so blessed to have it in my life and to share it each and every day with those around me. I bare testimony that Jesus is the Christ. God has an infinite love for each of his children. If you haven't felt that love recently I invite you to get on your knees and ask God of his love for you. I promise you will feel that love. You will know without a doubt that God is our father and Jesus is our brother.

I love you, I hope you have a great week!

Love,

Hermana Gray

Goodbye Companions...Hasta Mayo!  :)

Cassie and her new companion!

Mom got a sweet text of this picture.  Cassie and her new companion eating at Garden Deli.  Picture is blurry, sorry.

Out with the old...in with the new!

Hello Family and Friends,

Today is a weird day. . . I have to say goodbye to two of the most wonderful missionaries in the world. I am really sad about it. Actually...  I am a wreck and have been for the last couple of days. My poor companions.. you think I would be the one that was heading home. haha. =)

Let's just say this last week was a rough one all around. But things will get better.

I received a transfer call. ;)

I am TRAINING. I am getting a brand new greenie.. the twist is that I am only getting one instead of the planned two. Our mission President didn't feel right about training in Trios and so he is only giving us all one new missionary. There will be three Hermanas who will be trained with an English companion and start in an English area. I feel really bad for them. Personally I would rather have the stress of training two people at once but for whatever reason the Lord wants those Hermanas in English work for a while.

But wish me luck. I feel super inadequate. haha. Which I guess means I am ready?? ;)

This week wasn't all that wonderful. We just did the normal missionary things. We are trying really hard to find new investigators. But with the holidays everyone is still a little out of the loop and just getting things settled again.

We had the chance to volunteer at this place and we would sit on a loom and make rugs. It was super fun! I am excited to volunteer there again. All the proceeds they make from selling the rugs go to help abused women and children. It was really neat though and maybe if I am cool one day I'll buy a rug... or not. haha. Debatable. ;)

This week we tried to visit lots of people but no one was really home. It was a bummer. But we pushed through. Then to top it all off on Friday night a member took us out to dinner at this restaurant and we all had food poisoning that night. haha. Well it hit me the least. I just had a bad tummy ache but my poor companions didnt' look so hot. Hermana Valdez especially, it was a rough night.

 Then Saturday it was a little depressing because we spent most of the day packing them and getting them ready to leave. They both are doing good though. I think they are really sad but you can tell they are really excited too.

I just have to remember what a sacrifice it is for the family. I remember being on the other end and it isn't easy but I also didn't realize what the missionary goes through. They leave another family and that is hard too. I am really sad to see them go, but they said that we can be friends after the mission and they are mensas sometimes! ;) haha.

I won't ever forget this last week though. I have had too many spiritual moments with them to count. There is nothing like singing 'para siempre Dios este con vos.' for your last companionship study, or having the opportunity to listen to two missionaries bare their testimonies in a lesson with Eduardo and Fernando.

That lesson last night was one of the most powerful lessons in my mission... and that is because the spirit was the one guiding it. I will never forget how quickly the spirit of a room can change by simply baring a powerful testimony.

These two hermanas have forever changed my life. They are some of my closest friends. I never realized how quickly you can make friendships that will last a life time. I can't wait for you all to meet them. =)

Sorry this email is short... Not a whole lot is happening besides finding people. And we have to go get some stuff done before our trek to the mission home. 

i'll be put in a trio with the sisters until transfer meeting. That will be different. And Sister Carlson is being transferred also. :(  

Wish me luck! I'll send you a picture of me and my greenie next week! 

As Always, 

Hermana Gray

I love you so much. Miss you!

our zone leaders

I'm going to miss these two loons!  They are nuts!!!  I'm sure there will be some good photos of me next week all teary eyed and bawling.  haha.  Look forward to that.

us and elder Holland