And another one bites the dust...

Well folks, This transfer has officially ended.... Crazy sauce!

I can't believe it has been 6 weeks already from saying goodbye to the Hermana Juanhijo and the Hermana Valdez... that just blows my mind. I have also been dreading the change of transfers because now I can say that I officially have one transfer left after this. . . yes folks, we are on the last 12 weeks of my mission. That just boggles my mind. I just have 'training' time left. What kind of joke is that?

Anyways, My week wasn't all that bad, not all that wonderful either. haha. But I guess as a missionary you get the best of both worlds right?!? =)

We have been really struggling with getting lessons because all of our investigators are male and so we need a third female to come with us but then it is hard too because they work so much they don't really know their work schedule so they will just randomly be ready to have a lesson so we have to try and scramble to find someone to come. They don't really have firm schedules either because it changes so often. But we are enduring and one day we will have consistency! :)

Although this week MIRACLES occurred... we had FIVE, yes FIVE Hispanics at church! Friends... that is a MIRACLE!

We have been working with a bunch of less actives for a while now. Slowly but persistently. They are all so wonderful. We saw three of them at church.

Two ladies we have been visiting each week for the whole time I have been here came! We also had Fernando, our recent convert at church, Eduardo was sick this week. :( Then we also had a really great potential investigator come to church. His name is Carlos. He was a member referral. He works at Spencer yachts and actually took the lessons a few years ago, then went back to peru, and is back and wants to take them again! :) So wonderful. He has come to church the last two weeks but he is in between homes right now so he can't meet with us yet. He moves in to his new place in a week or two though so we are holding out for him. He can do it!

It was so fun to see everyone at church,

When you go and visit them throughout the week and they tell you they are coming it was really neat to see them actually come.

We visited Hermana Diaz this week with the Relief Society President. We sat down to teach her a lesson and just talk for a while. She just jumps in before the message and says to us that she is coming to church on Sunday, bringing her Sister-in-law Maria, and also another less active, Hermana Midgett. It was incredible. Then we talked to Hermana midget after and she was like oh good I am going to call her and make sure she is coming to give me a ride. It was fun to see them so excited to come to church! I was happy for them. They only stayed for sacrament but they said they were coming back next week and also are planning to stay for all three hours next week too. :) Whoot whoot!

This week we also drove to Virginia on Tuesday to have a Sisters Conference with the whole mission. It was really fun to all get together. I didn't know over half the sisters because they were all new. It was fun to see the Hermanas though and also Sister Carlson. I talked to Hermana Brugman for a little while and it was weird because we are both coming on the down hill slope. We talked about the CCM for a little bit and seeing each other there. It was neat.

The Conference was really excellent.

Sister Baker gave us an excellent training that morning on giving ourselves to the work. And related it to the story of the young prince. Then we had different trainings by the different Sister Training Leader companionships. It was nice to have that time to learn more and also just to relax a little. President Baker gave a really really great training, he was pretty hilarious too. He did a slide show of different pictures of them through the years, and a lot of his daughter and related it to how we all are like his daughters and he just wants us to have Joy in this life and how that is exactly like Heavenly Father. It was a really great training. His topic basically to sum it down was... "what brings Heavenly Father joy?. . . YOU!'.

It was a great conference, fun to see all the sisters there. I really truly enjoyed it.

District meeting was different... the elders were asked to give a specific training from our Sister Training Leaders and I was ticked abuot the topic. Especially because on exchanges the week before they did what they were preaching against the week before with Hermana Earl. So I was bugged and Elder Marinos our district leaders was confused about the topic too. He was like I don't feel like any of yall are doing that. So I was irritated. Luckily the Elders are the best and had brought me (well all the sisters a candy bar), and they brought me a Dr. Pepper too. haha. I was the only one with a drink and a candy bar. :) Dr pepper addiction to the max right there!

Valentines consisted of heart attacking a lot of doors and just trying to talk to people. It was good though.

I love yall very much. I hope you have a wonderful week and remember how important you are to your Heavenly Father.

Como siempre,

Hermana Gray

p.s. Thanks to my wonderful home ward who has been taking care of my mama so well! I truly appreciate it. Yall are so kind and generous! =)

A note that we left to the husband of he relief society president when we heart attacked their door for valentines.  We are hilarious, at least we think we are.

Brrr!!!!

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!  :)

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

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.

New Address

Hello everyone!

This will be my new address for the next transfer:

 

4605 Edwardian Ct

Virginia Beach, VA 23455

 

Love you all and hope to hear from you soon! =)

Transfers are in....

And I am headed to the BEACH!!! =)

WAHOO!!! haha. I will be spending the summer in Virginia Beach! Kind of a cruel joke in a way. .  spending the summer by the ocean that I can't swim in. But that is fine! I will work hard next to the ocean. =)

I am headed to the Beach. It is the only other part in the mission for hermanas that serves in a Spanish Branch (I think) and I will be serving with Hermana Sahleen! I am excited! Hermana Sahleen is hilarious and we will have lots of fun! I think our Spanish will both be pushed a lot but we will work hard and see some success so I am not worried at all!

If you didn't get it this is my new address:

4605 Edwardian Ct

Virginia Beach, VA

        23455

So if you feel the need to send me some letters! I will appreciate each one! =) I tend to write those who write me. ;)
I love you all.

This week was great! Transfers was probably the most exciting and nerve wracking event of the whole week. haha. =)

Saturday is when transfer calls come in. So we are all thinking we will most likely have at least one call at our apartment. Transfer calls don't start until after President Baker has called all those who are training and in leadership positions. So we of course aren't expecting a call until after 1 until we get the text saying they are over. We are just chilling studying some language. .  then it is lunch time. So we are making lunch our phone rings. . . and all I hear is Hermana Newman say "Hermana gray it is president Baker. . " so we both just freak out. haha. Because why would president be calling us?!? There isn't any new Hermanas coming in and then we don't really hold leadership callings of any sort. But he was just replying to our phone call earlier in the week! But some harsh joke to make on Transfer call day. haha. He probably thought it was hilarious. We were thinking. . .you couldn't have waited one more day?!? it just made me laugh.

When our real transfer call came we were in the car in front of Ana's home and the other hermanas had just called us saying they had received a call about 40 minutes ago. . and told us who they knew who had gotten transferred. Since there are only 14 hermanas in the mission it is pretty easy to guess who will/won't get a call towards the end. So we are sitting there guessing the rest of the transfer. There were three companionships who hadn't been called yet. And as we were saying either every companionship will be hit this transfer or we will be the one who doesn't and sure enough our phone rang right as we said that. =) Each Hermana companionship was hit this transfer though so that was kind of unique.

I am a little sad to say goodbye to everyone. And Hermana Newman too! She is such a great companion and such a hard worker. . It will be sad to say goodbye but change is also good! so I am excited for this new adventure. Church was hard. . we went and since Hermana Johnson is being transferred too they made us both give our testimonies. It was so hard to see those you have served for so long looking at you, sad. Cute little Emily was really sad and gave me a hug for the longest time. They also fed us dinner that night so she was just talking to me for a LONG time. . non stop. haha. =) SHe is adorable!

The hardest was on Saturday I decided since our appointments fell through that we should probably stop in and tell Jesus, Miriam, and Natasha, so they didn't have to hear at church. I thought I was fine with the transfer than we pulled up in front of their house and I just cried. haha. Oh goodness. . the life of a sister missionary. They were definitely hard to say goodbye too. They both started tearing up when they were talking to me. Jesus even told me everything he wanted to in English. haha. He is the greatest. He thanked me for changing his families lives. He said that it was because of me that his family is where they are today. . that they are more united and happy. He thanked me for changing his life around and for making him remember his covenants to God. So that was really neat. I sure appreciated that. He also made me laugh because he told me to think of the day I first met him and how different he is now. I wish you all could see the day I met him. . . he was all scraggly. . his beard was grown out he was scary looking to be honest. . he is super strong and you could see all his tattoos. . haha. Oh goodness. But now he is COMPLETELY different! It was neat to see. I also ended on a wonderful Sunday when he blessed the sacrament again after a long time. So that was neat to see.

Miriam is just the sweetest. She just gave me such a sincere thank you and just said that same things that Jesus did. She also told me that we are always family and that she wants to always be a part of my life. . know when I have kids and am married. . just a part of my life forever.

Then sweet Natasha runs to her room and gets me this doll sculpture thing she had bought at the flee market the previous day and gave it to me. It says "Dios te bendigas" (God Bless you). She is just adorable.

They for sure will be the hardest to say goodbye to. They became my new little family here. they are what made my mission change around.. . I have them to thank for a lot of things. =)

This week was pretty well though, besides the goodbyes. =)

I decided a mission is full of continuous goodbyes. . you start with a goodbye and end with a goodbye. What is this?!? haa.

But one of my favorite moments of the week was that we were teaching Edilberta, her mom (Ursulla), and her sister (Irene) the word of wisdom. They had NO PROBLEM with it. They were hilarious throughout the whole thing. Just talking about how important it all was and how it is so important to eat fruits and vegetables and little meat. . then my favorite part. . her sweet old mother just randomly says "Me gusta leche. . . leche chocolate". Oh goodness. . I had a hard time keeping it together! I was about to laugh so hard. I just with you could have heard how she said it. Chocolate milk is really great though! =) I do have to agree on that.

We had a lesson with Antonio this week on the Restoration. He is a former investigator and he really struggled with the authority. And so we decided to teach him using the cups. And it went really well. I feel like he understood the authority so much more clearly. So that was a good lesson. Faustino also came with us and he is just a hoot at each lesson. So it was good. He told his conversion story though and it was neat to know that the missionaries found him at a restaurant. so that was neat.

Oh goodness, I just realized that the other lesson with Faustino present was this week. So earlier in the week we went and taught Edilberta again along with her sister and mom. So while we were waiting for her sister and mom to walk over from the other trailer we were just talking and somehow . . .I don't r remember how but the topic of face masks are brought up. It was hilarious. Faustino was just describing all these different face masks and which ones are better for your faces, the sugar and lemon vs. the avocado oil one. It was just making me laugh. The lesson was great though. We ended up re teaching the Restoration  which was fine. It is hard to teach them because they have a really hard time remembering and understanding. So we are definitely teaching SUPER simply. . and we are taking it way slow. We ended up changing Edilberta's baptismal date back to the 12 of July for now. So we will see how that goes. I will keep updated on that  through Hermana Newman. She is slowly but surely progressing. Although she just started work again and is struggling getting sundays off so if you all could include her in some prayers I would surely appreciate it.

Not too much else has been happening here. I will just end with a neat thing I read this morning in the teachings of the presidents of the church (joseph smith) and so it had been describing how Joseph Smith had been being treated, arrests, blaming, etc. then it says "When the Prophet had ended telling how he had been treated Brother Behunin remarked: 'If I should leave this Church I would not do as those men have done: I would go to some remote place where Mormonism had never been heard of, settle down, and no one would ever learn that I knew anything about it.'

The great Seer immediately replied: 'Brother Behunin, you don't know what you would do. No doubt these men once thought as you do. Before you joined this Church you stood on neutral ground. When the gospel was preached, good and evil were set before you. you could choose either or neither. There were two opposite masters inviting you to serve them. When you joined this Church you enlisted to serve God. When you did that you left he neutral ground, and you never can get back on to it. Should you forsake the Master you enlisted to serve, it will be by the instigation of the evil one, and you will follow his dictation and be his servant."

let me just say WOW!

We all chose to serve our Heavenly King. . we will never be on neutral ground again. No matter what decision you make. . if you choose now to turn away from the church, because you knew, you are now following Satan. WOW! I just thought that was so powerful!

I love you all,

Hope you have a WONDERFUL week! I will write you from the Beach soon!

Love you,

As always, your favorite,

Hermana Gray

The Castillo's. . well Hermana Castillo and Emily. They are so sweet!
Emily makes me laugh all the time. She sure is such a sweet little girl. =)

Edilberta's mother. . yes, she is the best! =)
President Chamberlain and his wife. =) They are the best! I will miss them.
(I hate this picture of me. . but I will get over it)

Virginia is for Lovers

Hello Family and Friends!

Another week has FLOWN BY in the mission field. . I truly think that mission time goes so much faster than normal time. I wake up each morning and can't believe it is already time to go to bed in what feels like an hour! So that is wonderful! I also can't believe TRANSFER CALLS are this week. . that is CRAZY! Time is just going.

I don't really know how to feel about transfers. . I wouldn't be surprised if I switch areas because I have been here for a while and also I think a lot of the other companionships right now are struggling so I wouldn't be surprised if Hermana Newman and I split up because we are both doing fine! =) I would love to stay in this area for longer so we will just have to see what happens Saturday! =) Wish me luck wherever I will be and whoever will be my companion! =) haha.

Well this week was great towards the weekend, hard at the beginning of the week. We have had the chance to see a lot of success in the area for our hard work. It is finally beginning to pay off!!! WAHOO!!!

The beginning of the week was hard. .

We visited a less active who just isn't willing to change which is hard. It is just a bummer to see those who have the gospel not live it. That is one thing that has been hard for me to grasp. . we as missionaries are going around trying to help bring others unto Christ and let those who are part of his church strengthen their faith and trust in him more. . So it is just difficult to see others not want to do that! Hopefully one day her heart will be softened and she will want to make those changes in her life that will bring her so much more happiness. .

And I don't know what it is lately but sometimes complaining has been getting on my nerves! haha. (and sorry I am "complaining" now. . more just telling you how it is!) But all I can say is don't complain to me about life being hard until you are doing the things Heavenly Father is asking of you. Then you can complain. haha. Read your scriptures, say your prayers, and attend church. . the basic three and as you strive to live the commandments of God daily I can promise you there will be a significant difference in your life! =)

We had an extremely wonderful lesson with Edilberta and her mother! We did the Restoration and it was just so powerful. Because she is a visual learner we did the Restoration through a stack of cups demonstration/lesson. It was really great and she could visually see the importance and the difference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Even though the Restoration was taught so simply. . it really was one of the most powerful lessons on my mission. It was a neat opportunity to have the spirit bare witness of the truth.

They both also attended church yesterday which was wonderful! They truly enjoyed it! =) It was great to see them feel the spirit so strong. Another neat thing was that Jesus bore his testimony yesterday and it was so strong and powerful. Just all about the power of the Atonement and I truly felt the spirit so strongly. =)

This past week we went on exchanges with the sister training leaders! It was really fun and we saw many miracles happen. I went English with Sister Anderson and we just had a wonderful day! I had lots of fun. While we were knocking doors I actually had the chance to use my Spanish at one of the homes and so that was great! =) I was happy!

We visited a Less Active and also a Member and can I just say it is weird to work with Single Adults as a missionary. . haha. They are your age and it is just weird the life they are living. =) Aka the normal life, going to movies, dating, but as a missionary you are so awkward sometimes that I was in culture shock for a while. . . oh goodness I am in trouble when I go home! I will be awkward. . prepare now! =)

We ate dinner at the Ellis's home, a member of their branch presidency. They are just the cutest old couple and I was just laughing like crazy. =) They have a bird that talks to them and then they also have a Guest book which I had to sign. =) It made me laugh.

One really neat compliment that I received was from Sister Anderson. We were getting ready for bed and as we were trying to go to sleep she just says "Hermana Gray. . I have one question for you. . How are you always so Happy??"

Well. . apparently my happiness is just Bursting out of me all the time! =) I just love it here and I truly and becoming such a better and more spiritual person! I don't really notice the differences in myself but others are and it is kind of a weird concept to me. I can notice the changes in my companions and the other hermanas and that is what is weird. . if they are changing, so am I! Which is so wonderful and marvelous! I am also excited to see all the changes in each of you! =)

On exchanges I also had the chance to go to the Relief Society activity. We went to a park and walked around this lake! It is super pretty and full of wild life. =) We were catching frogs and everything. haha. =) It was a little weird being in jeans for the moment. . but no worries dresses are back in style! ;) The sisters in the singles ward here are all so incredible. Full of wonderful testimonies so it was great to get to know them a little better. =)

This week we went to contact this lady, a reference from the elders, and they gave us a forewarning that she would talk your ear off. So we are like okay we have ten minutes before dinner lets go talk to this lady. She is this older lady from Puerto Rico who is 82, speaks both English and Spanish fluently. So we go and contact her. . yes after 30 minutes straight of her talking we finally made up an excuse to get out of there (we were just setting up an appointment), she went so quickly from topic to topic and just talked non stop all about life. It was hilarious. But we did get forewarned! haha. =) She is a great lady though and we will hopefully have the chance to visit her this next week. =)

That is about all for the week but I was reading from the Conference Ensign and just wanted to share this little part from President Eyring's talk,

"Every person born into the world receives the Light of Christ, which helps us see and feel what is right and what is wrong. God has sent mortal servants who can, by the Holy Ghost, help us recognize what He would have us do and what He forbids. God makes it attractive to choose the right by letting us feel the effects of our choices. If we choose the right, we will find happiness--in time. If we choose evil, there comes sorrow and regret-- in time. Those effects are sure. Yet they are often delayed for a purpose. If the blessings were immediate, choosing the right would not build faith. And since sorrow is also sometimes greatly delayed, it takes faith to feel the need to seek forgiveness for sin early rather than after we feel its sorrowful and painful effects."

I was just thinking about this a lot this morning. .and truly the gift of Agency is something that God gives us to help us. We are Agents. . not Objects! We choose how we live the way we live. . our choices are ours. And that is something so marvelous.

Heavenly Father gave us agency. . knowing some of his children wouldn't choose the right paths and wouldn't be able to return to him. But he loves us enough to let us choose him rather than to force us to follow him.

I also love the mention of timing. Time is something so precious to all of us. And he lets us have time in between decisions to help us grow and become more and more faithful. If we were immediately blessed for decisions we wouldn't need faith.

I just thought this was a great insight from a servant of the Lord.

I just have been loving reading the talks from the General Authorities and all those who spoke at conference. It is fun to find an underlying theme of conference and to hear the words our Heavenly Father has to tell each of us. I challenge each of you to read a talk this week from this past General Conference! I know that as you do you can receive personal revelation in your life and answers to your prayers. Please continue each day to strengthen your relationship with Heavenly Father! He loves you! =)

I love you all so much. . I hope you have a wonderful week and see many miracle occurring in your own lives. I hope that you are filled with many missionary opportunities this coming week and have the courage to share the gospel to those around you!

Remember how much the gospel has changed your life and use that to motivate you to change the lives of those around you! =)

I wish I had some more exciting stories to tell you, but life as a missionary is mostly the same each day. =) We work and work and see step by step the miracles that God has in store for each of his children on the earth.

I love you all! Have a great week!

Remember who you are and where you came from. .

Don't do anything this Hermana wouldn't do!

Love,

Hermana Gray

"Brothers and sisters , some of our greatest opportunities to demonstrate our love will be within the walls of our own home. Love should be the very heart of family life."-Thomas S. Monson

turtles in the water

hilarious fake spider i saw

And then this is a LA of the singles branches home. . . I had to take a picture because it was the nicest house I have seen since I've been on the mission! I was like. . . I never enter anything close to this! haha. =)

nature hike

Life as a missionary! =)

Hola familia y amigos!

First off. . . I SURVIVED TRANSFERS!!!!!! =)

I will be staying in Newport News for another 6 weeks with Hermana Newman! We are really excited, at least I am. But we are just seeing the work progress here so much and just seeing exciting things coming!

Where to begin?? This week was really great! It truly seems like time is flying. . .as I was just made aware I have a 100 days until I am half way out. . now that is ridiculous! But exciting too! I feel like I have so much more to do to be a great missionary. . or at least feel adequate as a missionary. haha.

Well excitement we have had this week!!

We went to visit Edilberta. . and no joke she talked for a straight 50 minutes without letting us get ONE WORD IN!!!  No joke. . . she talked and talked (telling the same stories we've already heard) and just kept going. It was pretty hilarious and frustrating. But at the end of her talking she basically said, "I want to be baptized, but I can't do it for about two months do to my health, so I don't know if you want to wait for me. ." haha. Oh goodness! Let's just say she is now set to have a baptism on June 21! =) She is one cute old lady that we just love to pieces. Of course we want to wait for her!!! =) haha.

Also this week we had a pretty good lesson with Maria! The spirit was present but then we found out that she is moving to Mexico (or going back because her visitors visa is expiring this week). . so she leaves on Tuesday for Mexico. But we took her information and hopefully the missionaries down there will find her and keep teaching her! She seems so prepared! =)

And speaking of Mexico, CONGRATS COLTON!!!! You are going to be a great missionary! I can't believe you are that old (or that I'm this old for that matter) but you are going to do great! You will love being a missionary, just work hard and trust the Lord! And good luck with the Spanish!!! (you will definitely speak WAY better than me so feel good about that! ;) )

Jesus, Miriam and Natasha are doing so great! They are just so strong in the gospel! We love to visit them because they always bare such a powerful testimony! We also had dinner with them yesterday and she makes some delicious food! Some tacos durros (which I believe might be my favorite food so far on the mission) and then she made this cucumber water too that was interesting but good. She is so cute! She is always so worried we won't like her food. But we do every time!! =)

One of the neatest experiences so far on the mission. We are teaching a lady named Gissel. . she is a member referral of the Hamilton's. So Sister Hamilton is really great about coming with us to lessons. We went and were just having a great talk with Gissel and just discussing the bible and how the church was restored. Oh my goodness. . . as Hermana Newman was reciting the first vision the spirit was SO STRONG! Then afterwards Sister Hamilton bore her testimony and it was just perfect. Gissel and sister Hamilton were in tears the whole time (surprisingly I wasn't, yes, if you can believe that!). Gissel said that she was willing to read and listen to us but not to expect anything for sure. She basically was really nervous after the spirit was so strong in the room. But hopefully she will keep reading and wanting to learn. I know that if she lets her heart and mind open to it she will be so ready to accept the gospel! =) She is such a wonderful lady!

Yesterday at church we had the chance to do singing time for the primary! It was super fun! The little kids are HILARIOUS! and I just love Primary! =) We are always so entertained. We hid flowers around the room with songs on them and they had to find them. It was cute. We hid this one kind of hard and the poor kid couldn't find it. =) But we helped him out so it was all good. It is amazing to me too how little the primary is here! There was only 15 kids in there! Crazy right?!? Just a big difference from the primary kids back in Utah so it always takes me by surprise. I think that I will probably be in shock when I go home and see all the people at church. haha.

We also had a couple of great lessons yesterday. Not too much to tell about them hopefully they will start progressing and I can give you more about them when they are deeper in the gospel! =)

Okay. . . . Now ready for the best story of your life. . . be ready to almost die of laughter. . .You have to use some good imagination (to see my face! Not for the other things I will describe!) and due to the craziness I will not say who it was. haha.

So we go to visit someone and it's like 8:15 at night. . . So I am about to knock on the door and it starts opening before I knock. . so first off I am taken by surprise, then secondly they open the door in nothing but a shirt (it was long thankfully). and she immediately just starts saying (in Spanish of course) "not tonight sisters, my husband is nuda (yes. . .that is what you think it means). . ." let's just say my composure from that point was pure shock. Hermana Newman wasn't up on the porch where I was but was at the bottom of the stairs and she was trying to ask what time tomorrow we could visit (she had said that we could come by the next day) and in my mind I am thinking "why in the world are we trying to schedule an appointment??? lets just leave them alone" haha. Oh man. . . let's just say that I wasn't able to compose my laughter in the car for a good half hour and I am still trying not to laugh thinking about it. Apparently my face was pretty priceless too!!!! =) Just imagine my face. . oh goodness. . .I hope you all got a good laugh out of that! =)

This week we are really excited as missionaries! We are having Elder Bednar come!!! WAHOO!!! We are traveling to Richmond on Saturday to hear from him, we will be spending 3 hours in the meeting (we have been asked that we are prepared to be there for the whole meeting and try not to leave for bathroom and things). . 3 hours in the same room as an apostle. Yep, I am about to die! =) I am so excited!!! And then we have been given three of his talks to study too! And that just makes it all the more exciting! =)

Then I will also have the chance to listen to him on Sunday for another 2 hour meeting! WAHOO!!! We are excited! =) I can't wait to share my thoughts with all of you this next week about it!

Well, dearest family, I love you all so much and hope you have a wonderful week!!! I can't believe that time just seems to keep flying and that pretty soon I will be talking to you again! I am excited that I will have the chance to talk to you on Mother's Day! (I don't have information on that yet, but I will keep you posted!).

I love you! have a wonderful week! Be safe in your travels and know that I am praying for you wherever you are! =) If you feel the need to send me a souvenir feel free. ;) haha.

Love you, your favorite missionary/daughter/sister/fill in the blank here,

Hermana Gray

I wanted you to experience an Abuelita meal with me, first off the HUGE bowl of soup, full of ingredients...

While eaten in an 82 degree house....

Finished!

Then her saying goodbye like always, waving until we leave the parking lot. haha.  Welcome to the life of an Abuelita meal...got to love this old lady! =)

next the main meal..and yes, you are expected to eat all of it.  My mound of rice is huge, it doesn't look like it but it is half the plate in a mound. a LOT of food.

Me preparing to eat.