"We have seen strange things. ." Luke 5:26

Buenos Dias Familia!
Well this week has just been FULL of the craziest stories and miracles.... no kidding we have been being blessed in abundance! Heavenly Father is letting me have a jam packed end to the mission... cause these next three weeks are going to be CRAZY full of things to do!
We FINALLY had a lesson with Carlos, we've been trying to see him for forever! He has been coming to church since about January/February time... but he is so stinking busy we haven't been able to keep an appointment with him.
But this week that all Changed!
Monday we started off the week right by having a powerful lesson on the Restoration with Eduardo present also. Eduardo was just giving the sweetest testimony of the restored gospel and how to know if it is true. Then the next day we set up a baptismal calendar with him for May 16th! (no worries.... I already told Bishop Maher I am going to Skype into the baptism if I must!). He was super excited to visually see all that will occur over the next few weeks. We mentioned how he'd need to be living the word of wisdom and law of chastity by this date, etc. And I was like we will have lessons on both of those and just briefly explained that the w.o.w is like a health code, etc. He was like what do I need to do to live them. So I briefly say "well we believe that we should partake of coffee, Tabaco, tea," Carlos... "wait, no tea? No sweet tea?" Me.... "yep, no sweet tea." Carlos... looks down for a second, then looks up smiles says "okay I can do that, what else?" It was the funniest thing. You can always tell that the Lord is preparing those for the gospel based on their reactions! It was incredible to see him so willingly accept the W.O.W. even before we have gone into detail about it and why we believe it, etc. He is one stellar guy! We also had a lesson with him after church yesterday with Brother Buchanan there. It was really good. =)
We also have been teaching Tony, who is a roommate of a less active member. Anyways we had two really wonderful lessons with him this week too! We read from the Book of Mormon both times and just talked about the testimony of Joseph Smith, etc.
Tony told us all about his life.... and the craziness he experienced as a youth in El Salvador among the El Salvadorian war. He saw some gruesome things... it was gross! But he and his family escaped to Mexico when he was 14. It was really neat to see him share of his experiences. He told us how once their family escaped to Mexico him and his sister were in a restaurant and some firecrackers went off outside and how he immediately hid under the table at the restaurant. It was really sad to see how distraught the war made him. Thankfully he is here now and he is open to learning about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I know it can bring him the peace he is seeking for.
We have recently been walking a lot to our appointments to not only increase our IO's but also to enjoy the beautiful weather. Saturday we didn't have any appointments scheduled which is a little daunting but considering that we had been having so much success already this week I wasn't too worried about it. I knew Heavenly Father would prepare a way for those who he has prepared.
Meanwhile we talked to about ten people on the way to try to go see a less active. We are about to turn down a street that our less active lady lives on and a van pulls up beside us. The lady inside starts harshly speaking to us, sternly more like. She was very upset that we had just handed her granddaughter this card and that we hadn't come and knocked the door to talk to her. . . we were completely confused!! We hadn't talked to anyone under the age of 20 our whole way there... so we assumed that maybe the other sisters had given her the card.
We were all trying to quickly put to mind who her granddaughter was and so Hermana Earl proceeds to ask "How old is your granddaughter??" ... 28... "oh is your granddaughter Ashley? The one who was outside playing with her son Carson?"
Come to find out yes it was. (My bad for assuming that the 28 year old lady owned the trailer... haha. But it was an honest mistake!) We apologized quickly for not answering the phone call she had just tried to make but assured her that we would love to share a message with her. We then proceeded to explain how we are the Spanish missionaries and that the number on the card we had given her was that of the English sisters in the area. Then during this conversation the English sisters immediately call back. haha. So she answers and is like "I am currently talking to the sisters... I'll get back to you."
Yes, it was a little intense moment. She then said if someone is going to hand me a card about Christ I expect them to expound on it. She then asked if we would come and talk to her and her daughter more about Jesus Christ and what we believe.
I immediately saw her heart change before our eyes, she graciously invited us to have a ride to her house and then we walked in and I immediately felt the spirit so strongly. Although she isn't a member of our church I could instantly feel the spirit present in abundance. I knew it was because she was willing trying to follow the Savior and there was no sense of contention of any sort in her home. We proceeded to talk to her and her daughter of the Restoration of the gospel. They both accepted the invitation to read the Book of Mormon. They wouldn't allow us to reset an appointment with them but we asked if we could call them in a week and see how their reading was going. They told us yes. I know that they are going to start reading the Book of Mormon and their hearts will continue to change. Janice brought up the baptismal question on her own. She said she was willing to do anything to more fully follow her savior and if this was the way she would gladly accept it. Her daughter wasn't as 'gung ho' about the restoration and you could tell there were doubts written across her face. But we assured her that all the research she has done on the church, etc, would be only complete if she took the offer we were giving her. To find out for herself if the Book of Mormon is true. Because if it is then Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and the church of Jesus Christ is on the earth again today.
I am happy to say I think that we found the Sisters "Miracle May". :)
We have talked to so many interesting people this week! We talked to a pastor for a good twenty minutes all about charity and the pure love of Christ. He accepted the offer to learn more and so we gave him to the elders who actually are in the city he lives in.
 We've really been trying to continuously find those interested in the gospel. We've been talking to EVERYONE! It is hilarious because we are trying to get Hermana Limb to talk more, and this week we have our goal of 100 IO's... 33 a piece.. we gave the extra one to Hermana Limb. We decided we will all get ice cream if we make it! Hermana Limb is hilarious though...
sometimes I think my companions might kill each other but then the next minute they are best friends... So I guess that's a good thing right?? I'm just the mediator of the situation. Making sure no actually killing occurs. ;) They are both so hilarious though. I am excited to see how much they grow by the end of their missions.

Family... Sometimes I am thinking that my email will be so much longer than it actually is. I wish I had some more exciting things to tell you but even if I were to write them they won't be as exciting as me telling you in person in a few weeks... so you might as well just hold your horses and expect some incredible stories from the mission! =)

Marci, thanks for the package! You're the best! I appreciate it! I am sporting my bracelet each day! And I am giving two to President and Sister baker this week at interviews! =)

I can't believe that I am going home so quickly. These next three weeks might do me in! I have been so tired recently.. haha. =)

I hope yall have a great week! I know mine will be full of the unexpected, as always. Heavenly Father truly does watch out for his missionaries. I know he watches over each and every one of us. He knows our potential and he stretches us each and everyday so we can one day become even more like him.
I can't believe the mission ends so soon. My CCM companion, Hermana Williams wrote me a letter this last week and it was just so weird to hear about how different we have become. She is flying home on the 12th though, so hopefully I will run into her at the airport! =) Start and end together.

I love yall so much!

As always,
Hermana Gray

My week in a nutshell

Hello Family and Friends!

This week was just crazy jam packed with things to do but at the same time nothing too crazy to report. We just worked and worked and worked!

I am trying to leave it ALL on the table. I am SO tired... haha. It makes me feel good though. I can't believe how quickly all of this is coming to an end. Thankfully Heavenly Father is looking out for me and giving me PLENTY to do before the dreaded day comes (okay... that sounds horrible! I am excited to see you but hate seeing the mission slowly end! I mean... what other time in my life can I help people come unto Christ everyday without other things interfering?!?!). Anyways...

This week we saw so many miracles! And just had funny things happen throughout the week.

We had the chance to do service at Ruthie's Kitchen. We helped our ward feed the homeless/needy and afterwards we had the chance to sit with them and eat dinner with them. It was fun to see the love that God has for all of his children. No matter their circumstance. God loves ALL of us so much! I had the opportunity to talk to a man for a good thirty minutes all about Christ and God and his beliefs. He didn't accept a Book of Mormon or a Finding Faith in Christ Dvd. But it was a wonderful experience to see his love for God and Christ be strengthened in the short time I talked with him.

This week we also had another neat miracle occur!

We were trying to see Alex, a less active member, and so we knock his door and his roommate, Tony, answers. Tony is not a member and knows SO MUCH about the church from living with Alex for the past 5 years. Tony sees that there is three of us and immediately invites us in. As we are talking with him we decided to talk about faith. In doing so we each shared a short experience about how faith in Jesus Christ has helped us in this life. He was very animated. We didn't have too much time because we needed to get home. I left him with a description of what happens in Alma 32 about a seed growing, etc. Then I committed him to read it before the next lesson.

Which happened to be set for the next day!

We weren't sure if Tony would be there or not or if it would just be alex so we prepared two different lesson plans.

Tony was there and he had READ!!! He LOVED the chapter!

He was soaking it all in. We then directed the lesson towards Tony and taught him the Restoration. Alex was also a participant in the fact that throughout the lesson he would clarify certain points and also bare a powerful testimony. The spirit was incredible!

We invited Tony to be baptized. Although he didn't set a date he did accept the invitation. He said that he would ask in prayer if this was something that he should do.

We have a return appointment with him tomorrow night!

Carlos is a really wonderful potential investigator! He has already come to church for the last month and a half but we haven't been able to teach him because he is beyond busy! We have lessons scheduled then he will call us about twenty minutes before and apologize saying he has to work late or that he can't do it anymore.

He was at church on Sunday and he told us, "I want to be baptized" (he's told us this before). So we are like 'that is so wonderful! can we come visit with you on Tuesday. Then while we are at church two other members tell us 'carlos wants to be baptized'. Then Torin... the one member who speaks Spanish, says to us all confused "Carlos told me to tell you that he wants to be baptized. . ."

And in my mind I am thinking... what is with this today! So I say to Torin all confused "yeah, I know, he's told us... we have a lesson with him on Tuesday." haha.

After church Brother Balladares comes up to us and is like Carlos wants to be baptized. Then I tell Brother balladares the same thing. (confusing right). Then Brother balladares tells carlos, 'well the sisters said they are coming to teach you a lesson on Tuesday".

I think at that point it clicked in Carlos's head that we have to come teach him lessons before he can be baptized. He was like 'oh' well how long is it until I can get baptized? what do I have to do? etc.

I can just say that he is OVER-READY to be baptized! He was so sweet. He then told us.. well I have Monday night off too... can you come then too?

so yes, we are Definitely teaching Carlos! =)

We had a really wonderful yet sad lesson with Eduardo and Fernando. It was really a tough one. Fernando is struggling a lot and we are hoping to help him. Eduardo was so sweet throughout the whole lesson. He kept giving encouragement to Fernando and would bear the sweetest testimony to him about living commandments, going to church, etc. It was a great lesson! It was difficult to see Fernando struggling so much though. The day before we felt like we should invite Brother Bloss to the lesson on the off chance that he could come. And I know exactly why. . . he inspired the lesson. We were talking and something he said triggered Fernando's real concerns. It was neat to see him then proceed to confide in us some of the struggles he is going through. Brother Bloss then gave him a blessing to help provide him with strength and so forth. I was truly blessed to see that little miracle occur in life.

English Class was pretty great this week! Finally we had a good crowd show up again. Rudy told me that I need to call him after the mission and talk to him in English so that he can continue to better with it. haha. He makes me laugh. They then tried to teach me how to say the name of the city that all of them are from in Guatemala.. lets just say I epically failed! They were laughing at me but all is well! =)

I am LOVING the mission.

We have such wonderful zone leaders right now. Elder Terril is still here (we've both been in our areas for forever. haha. Definitely are the 'oldies' in this zone). But we had a really fantastic zone meeting.

Our zone leaders gave really great trainings on Faith and how can we have faith and increase our faith.

So the zone meeting at this point has been great... really strong... then you see Elder Terril get SUPER excited... he just says 'I have been holding this all in until now."

Then they told us President Baker's goal for May.

We are calling it "MIRACLE MAY" because our vision as a mission is for each companionship to have a baptism in May! I KNOW this can happen. I am excited to see the miracles that are coming from this. I felt so inspired at that meeting... I can already see so many miracles opening up in our area. We have to have the faith to get all of our investigators to that point. I can see it now! =)

I am so grateful to have these last four weeks to help all those around me come unto Christ. I truly am leaving it ALL in the mission field. Letting each person I talk to know that without a doubt I have a testimony of this church. Of a true, modern-day prophet. That revelation continues to be revealed in this time and day. I am so grateful for my membership in this church. I know the difference it has made in my life and I see the difference it makes in those I teach. They can feel the power of the holy ghost.

I am so grateful for all of you and the support you give me.

I'm sorry I don't have anything too crazy exciting to report on this week! But I know that the blessings I am receiving are in part because I have such a wonderful support system.

I love y'all! Have a blessed week.

Love,

Hermana Gray

That awkward encounter at the gas station...

Hello family!

So yes, I feel like as a missionary I am constantly running into random people who do weird things in this world. Especially this week considering we were trying to apply the tactic of talking to everyone! We wanted to get 100 IO's but fell a little short of our goal... bummer! But we did see some wonderful miracles!

But to the gas station... I am out filling the car and my companions are out there learning how to do it so that they know.. they get back in the car while I finish the rest of it. Anyways this Hispanic guy happens to be at the pump across from us so he says hello, I say hello back and then ask him if he speaks Spanish. He then proceeds to come across the little curb thing inbetween the pumps, continues to talk to me, takes my hand and as we are shaking hands pulls me in to kiss me on the cheek. I was a little taken a back but just at this point whatever. So I continue talking to him, realize it is someone we have met before and I continue to invite him to watch the HeLives video on Mormon.org. He was super nice. Anyways at this point when my companions are watching from the car they were like 'if he did anything more we were going to get out of the car and save you!' so he proceeds to rub my back a little do that weird grab your arm thing. haha. So our greenie gets out of the car and comes over and he then shakes her hand and kisses her on the cheek. Hermana Earl just decided to stay on the opposite side of the car to be safe from kisses. haha. (although she did make eye contact with the other guy at the other pump who proceeded to give her a weird look and she just made that 'I don't understand what's happening either' shrug). It was hilarious. Our poor greenie was a little mortified though. =) What can I say... welcomed her to the field real good!

This week was a little chaotic with conference and transfers, but it was really good. I received so much guidance and lots of inspiration which will be wonderful to help me through this last transfer!

Tuesday all of our appointments ended up falling through so literally we walked Manteo all day and just talked to people outside. It was good. We ended up finding a less active member! We knocked Franck's door and were trying to find him but then this less active opens the door. He proceeds to talk to us, tells us he was baptized in Peru when he was about ten but fell away due to gospel things he didn't understand (like proxy baptisms, pologamy, etc). We then took the time to clear those things up with him and he was like 'wow, this all makes sense!' We got his information and are planning on meeting up again with him this week to help him with other questions he has.

We also found a really great potential investigator. His name is Antonio. He was outside mowing his lawn and yes, definitely stopped him and talked to him. He was really grateful. He said he was going to come to church on Sunday, and we even explained general conference to him. We are going to see why he didn't come to church yesterday and also teach him this week sometime. :)

Wednesday we picked up our Greenie!

Hermana Earl and I rode with a member to Portsmouth to go to the Trainer's meeting. As we were a little early (45 minutes... haha. the member thought it wa a different building!). We were waiting when all the greenies showed up and considering only two 'sisters' came in it was really easy to figure out that Hermana Limb was ours (she was the only Spanish missionary that came in!). It was fun!

She is from Idaho. She is 19 and is just super sweet and enthusiastic about the work. She is embracing Spanish for all it's worth.

It makes me a little sad that I will only be here for half of her training but I know that Hermana Earl will finish her training well. It will be interesting being in a trio and training. haha. But it is working fine.

We did take her to teach a lesson her first night. We visited with Jasmine and taught the restoration to her in it's fullness. It was INCREDIBLE! Jasmine was feeling the spirit so strong. . things were just clicking in her head. I was impressed. Then Hermana Limb even extended the baptismal question! TWICE! She said she didn't know the first time then we talked more about baptism and what it entails then she re-extended it! Although Jasmine didn't say yes, we have her praying about the idea. She was nervous to tell her parents, especially her mom because tey are all very catholic. But we told her it would be the best decision she ever makes.

The highlight of the week was of course General Conference!

We had the chance to listen to a PROPHET of god... yes, mind blown!

It was truly incredible. 

It broke my heart a little to hear those people yell 'oppose' during the second session. But it just made me truly realize that we have to be truly converted to the gospel of Christ. Christ established the church through prophets and apostles. We have a living day prophet and apostles. They speak the words of God the Father and Jesus Christ, why would we oppose them? It is only if our hearts are hardened against the guidance and counsel they are giving us.

I know that the words and talks shared this last conference were inspired. I hope yall take the time to study them out in your hearts and minds. Read them... re read them. I know you will receive answers to prayers... I DID!

Some of the talks I especially enjoyed this last conference were those of Brent H. Nielson (prodigal son),Jeffrey R.  Holland, D. Todd Christofferson, David A. Bednar, Boyd. K. Packer, and Henry B. Eyring. . .

Just to name a few!

I love yall!

Hope you have an excellent week!

As always,

Hermana Gray

elder Terril

Our zone leaders...haha

me with the Elders, who are also from Lehi.  Whoot Whoot... go district

Pic of Cassie

#BecauseHeLives

Family and Friends,

We have reached it.... the start of my FINAL transfer.... yes.... six short weeks and I will be in your presence again! That is CRAZY to think. The mission has just FLOWN by... I can't believe we are already here to this point.

Well, to start off... transfers occurred!

We received a transfer call on Saturday! I am STAYING!!!! Whoot whoot! I am excited to spend my last transfer in Nags Head with my new family. Hermana Earl is also Staying! And we are getting a TRAINEE! Crazy right?!?

I am TRAINING again.... what in the world is Heavenly Father thinking?!?! haha. =)

This will be lots of fun though! I will only be here for half of her training though, which is sad. But I guess I get the bonus of seeing all yall again. ;)

Just a couple of random 'facts' for yall.... with this transfer call it means....

1) I will spend HALF of my mission in Nags Head (aka 9 months....)

2) Hermana Earl will be my longest companion

3) I will definitely be getting my picture with Jesse Heines at Surf N Spoon

4) I will spend 2 conferences here!

Yes... just a few fun facts! =) I love it here. I am so grateful that I am staying. I didn't realize how much I was hoping to stay until the phone rang and my stomach started FREAKING out... especially when it was President Baker's voice and I thought in my mind... 'oh crap.... I am a Sister Training Leader.' (which isn't my dream 'calling' haha). But instead just the news that we were training. haha. This Hermana better be prepared to WORK! We will be hard at it for my last six weeks... I want to help EVERYONE I talk to come unto Christ.

This week has been INCREDIBLE!

Probably one of the best of my whole mission... mostly for the fact that we had the chance to go to the Raleigh temple!

Oh my goodness.... I saw the angel Moroni and I was just so desperately wanting to go inside! We did a session and the spirit was so strong! I cannot describe the feelings that were there... the spirit speaks the truth. When in doubts or difficult times... get yourself to the temple! Peace is a promised blessing...

We were in the session and I could just feel the light radiating off of all the missionaries. The room was so peaceful and full of Joy and gladness. No one could stop smiling all day!  

I cannot describe the feeling it is to be in the celestial room with 40 other missionaries.. you can't explain it. But there is something incredible to feel the love that radiates off of the missionaries abounding in the celestial room. I feel like I caught a glimpse of Heaven. :) I mean... we are all going to be missionaries right? ;)

Afterwards we had the chance to receive instruction from a member of the temple presidency. He was so nice. He even did a question answer section of his talk and I got to ask a few questions I have always had. He was impressed by my questions. :) haha.

Nothing can really top the temple.... so the rest of this email will mostly be boring things. :)

I received the news that mom was headed into surgery at the temple. President Baker pulled me aside. I guess that is a great place to be told. I knew without a doubt there wouldn't' be any serious complications and that the surgery would go fine. Which thankfully it did. I was relieved at the news. There is nothing like being thousands of miles away while your mom is undergoing one of the most painful surgeries in the world. haha. But thankfully I felt at peace. I knew without a doubt that I could trust the Holy Ghost and that He was the one telling me it would be alright. :)

We had the chance to see Jasmin who is our investigator who is just rocking! She is 18 and is just so excited to learn and learn about the gospel. She soaks in EVERYTHING! We ended up reading a chapter with her from the book of Mormon and you could see how much things were just clicking in her mind. It was so fun to see it all coming together. Yesterday she was going to come to church and tehn to dinner at a members home but she was SICK! Satan.... sometimes.... I just want to kick his trash. >={

Yes.... I was sad that she couldn't come! But we are going to be working a lot with her and help her progress more fully in the gospel. She was apologizing to us because she had left her book of Mormon in her locker at school on accident because she was reading it during her free period at school... yes, that is what I mean... she is READY for the gospel! (don't worry... we gave her one she can keep at home too. so she actually has 4 book of Mormons... 2 English 2 Spanish) haha.

We had a seafood buffett at the Parker's! I twas so delicious! I love food!! Crab legs, clams, sausages, shrimp,. . . people we are talking the REAL DEAL! I was in Heaven... =)

This week we also celebrated Bishop's birthday with him! We brought him a really hilarious candy bar poster as his present... it was pretty grand.

Eduardo and Fernando's lesson was also really wonderful. We took the time just to focus on the real meaning of Easter. We also talked about the Resurrection for a good while. It was fun to see them get so animated! They are excited to have a glorified and perfected body one day. :)

EVERYONE is sick this week.... Ridiculous amounts... not kidding... probably the last 6 homes we have stopped by there is someone who is sick... that is NOT a good sign. haha. RUN! =)

This week we also had the chance to look at the new website the church has for Easter time! It will also be update throughout the year.

It has a neat video on it, that really is inspiring! Please take the time to visit the website and watch the videos! I challenge all of you to also make a sign that says #BecauseHeLives 

I can/will do this....

You will be inspired! Share the video, your posts, this is the time we have to focus on the true meaning of Easter. Why we have Jesus Christ in our lives!

HeLives.mormon.org

I would also like to invite all who didn't watch the General Womens Broadcast Saturday night to take the time to do so. I was truly touched by President Eyrings talk. I thought it was so incredible. The Spirit really spoke through the mouth of a living day apostle.

"President Eyring said many are praying to Heavenly Father for relief, for help in carrying their burdens of grief, loneliness, and fear. “Heavenly Father hears those prayers and understands their needs. He and His Beloved Son, the resurrected Jesus Christ, have promised help.”

President Eyring said the burdens His faithful servants must carry in life are made lighter by His Atonement. “The burden of sin can be taken away, but the trials of mortal life for good people can still be heavy burdens.”  "

Sin can be taken away from us.... but we can still be burdened. I think that is such a significant thought. We STILL have trials... always will have trials! But I KNOW that we have the promise of the Comforter.. the Holy Ghost... the third member of the Godhead to always be with us if we but follow Christ.

I know that this church is true. I testify that there are living prophets and apostles today. Their words are the words directly from Heavenly Father to his children. Take the time to listen and apply the things you will learn from General Conference this weekend. Take the time to LISTEN to the PROPHET OF GOD!

How many people don't have the knowledge of a living day prophet???... yet YOU DO and the real question is will you take the time to LISTEN to him?

I KNOW you will receive many blessings. The Lord doesn't give/command us to do things then leave us helpless. I know that you will be inspired this General Conference. Take the time to prepare yourselves spiritually.

We have a living day prophet, Thomas S. Monson. We have 12 apostles on the earth today. All we need to do is LISTEN and ACT on those promises.

I KNOW that the peace, the strength, the guidance, the happiness, the joy, the faith that you are looking for will be promised to you in this general conference. WATCH IT!

I love yall very much. I am excited to see you in 6 weeks.. Know that I am praying for you every day. I am gathering strength from your prayers and your kindness.

Love,

Hermana Gray

p.s. family you can check out professional photos that were taken at the temple on Facebook.... under the Virginia Chesapeake mission then you go to albums..... If they divided it into stakes we are the Chesapeake South stake. :) just so yall can look at more photos.

p.s.s. I LOVE YOU MOM! Hopefully you can make it through this email.... kind of long. ;) haha. I'm a jabberer. ;)

Ice Cream and Grape Cider...not a bad day!

Family and Friends,

I think Ice Cream and Grape Cider is a wonderful way to celebrate the news that I received! Mom I told you, you would kick cancer in the butt!

President Baker called me and relayed all the information and believe me the stress that I didn't even realize was happening just went away! It as a RELIEF! When he called we happened to be praying... literally I just had started the prayer and you hear the *buzz *buzz..... Hermana Earl.... 'president baker'. I just stop praying and am like 'ANSWER IT!'.... poor heavenly father... I am not the greatest. :)

But we answer it he tells me all the wonderful news! Mom I never thought I would cheer that you just had cancer in your lung either... weird concept to think about but true. =)

We headed up to our investigators home and talked to her... she was doing homework and was super busy because of school and sports so we just talked to her for a little bit. She did add me as a facebook friend. (glad to know I am still popular!?). ;) She was really excited to see us. She has been reading in the book of Mormon! She is the best. Her name is Jasmine and she is 17. This week we are going to take her to have dinner at a member's home. =)

After her visit though we did go and get ice cream! I bought us some samoa ice cream and then a sugar free ice cream for Sister McDonald so that we could all celebrate the good news! The sisters showed up with this grape cider stuff from a less active member. Overall it was a great way to celebrate. We even called the elders in our district to celebrate with us over the phone and the zone leaders. haha. Let's just say there are a lot of people over here praying for you mama!

This week we also had two really wonderful lessons with the Balladares family! They are so wonderful. We talked all about the temple and family history work. They are so nice. They are working hard to go to the temple with a name. =) Brother Balladares also told us of his experience baptizing his father (in the temple). It was NEAT! He also told us how he met Henry B. Eyring... anyways... those lessons were just incredible!

We also had a really great district meeting! Elder Marinos (our district leader) is going home next week so we brought stuff to 'celebrate' or just really an excuse to have a little bit of a party. haha. We had a really uplifting meeting, the spirit was definitely present. We just discussed all the things happening in our areas and asked how we could better help our investigators. It was neat. The Zone Leaders were also there and they are hilarious. We have Elder Terrill and Elder Sommer who are serious when they need to be but at the same time are just super funny. Then they are training Elder Jensen right now. Anyways we were talking about how a person they talked to asked if he could have a stack of Mormon.org cards to pass around, then they saw him giving some out. So we were saying how 'they should just follow him around and count all those cards as an IO (invite other)' mind you we are totally kidding and Elder Sommer and Terril both know that.... Then you hear Elder Jensen, 'well that wouldn't count as an IO.'

Then Elder Sommer just grins really wide and pats him on the back and says 'they are just kidding elder'.  Made me laugh so hard. He was so concerned about it. Super hilarious.

We visited Jackie earlier this week and we had a really wonderful lesson with her. We talked about the importance of prayer and just really communicated with her how much her Heavenly Father loves her and wants to hear from her. She was cooking and talking to us but she would just stop and ask the most sincere questions. Then listen then keep cooking. It was a really great lesson with her. She said the sweetest prayer at the end and said 'heavenly father, I am going to try really hard this week to say my prayers everyday. I am so sorry I haven't said them lately.'

She was ADORABLE! I wish sometimes that I could take the spirit that is in those lessons and just let you get a little taste of why missionary work is so incredible! Being a missionary is the best because you can always feel the spirit and help others to recognize it. Even on those really hard days they aren't all that bad. The spirit and our Heavenly Father are constantly with us missionaries and it is fun to have others realize that and crave that spirit that we have. It is a very humbling experience.

I spoke in Sacrament meeting! I was originally supposed to speak next sunday, but they needed me and sister McDonald to speak yesterday. It went decently considering I only had about a nights notice. Everyone said that I did really well though. I spoke on Charity and the love of God and Christ. It was a neat experience.

I love yall so much! I can't believe my time here is dwindling down. . .

I can't wait to see yall soon and feel of your presence. But for now I'll stick with being a missionary!

Remember you are in my prayers,

I love you

Hermana Gray

p.s. I GO TO THE TEMPLE WEDNESDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! whoot shoot!

Sister Brakey is a sweetheart!  This showed up on my desk on Tuesday.

This is us celebrating!  After President Baker called me with the news about mom!  Yes, definitely went and got ice cream, and the sister had just gotten back from a members home who had given them like a sparkling grape juice type thing.  :)  Don't worry mama...I made a toast and everything! ;)

Guess what's open?

The case of the missing Nutella

I thought I would be interesting and start my email off in some clever way.. I pondered about it all weekend.. No joke I discussed this with my companion. Then we thought this title was the perfect one. :) But considering the news I got yesterday this doesn't even have any significance to anything important. This was my 'big worry all week'.... and now definitely it is nothing in comparison. =)

But this is how my crazy mind works so here you go:

This past week I have been wondering who in the world has been eating my Nutella because CLEARLY I bought it about three weeks ago and I've been thinking who in the world is eating it along with me?!?! It would slowly be going down and I haven't eaten it in the past week and a half. So I open the lid and literally I can see the bottom! Yes... the BOTTOM of the nutella jar... I had like an inch left in it and now it was GONE! Lame right!?! Anyways... getting to the point nobody claimed it and I was super bugged that someone was just eating my Nutella and not asking. And the funny thing is, is I really didn't care. It was the fact they weren't asking me then all of a sudden it is GONE and they wouldn't' think I notice? haha.

I have my suspicions but I guess we won't find out until we watch the video clips up in Heaven. But all week I was kind of bugged about this. I'd randomly be talking to Hermana Earl about it and we would discuss it. She can verify that it really isn't me eating all that Nutella! She was like, unless you are sleep walking and eating Nutella you don't eat nearly enough to finish it off that quick. haha. So this story is a 'to be continued' story in my life. =)

This week was great mission wise! We had a lot of miracles occur.

We found a new investigator, we were out contacting a former investigator... at least trying to.... and we were in this trailer park. Anyways there was a Hispanic outside gutting a fish and so yeah why not. I approach him. We talked for a good 30 minutes. His name is Manuel. He is from Guatemala and is really nice. He's lived here for about 11 years well only in Manteo for 3 weeks but United states for 11 years. He has taken discussions before and he said he was interested in learning again. =) Whoot whoot! He commited to read from the book of Mormon. It was a good quick lesson we had with him and he seems like a great guy. We do think he might have a drinking problem... haha. We may have gotten a few phone calls from him that were really weird. Guess we will find out. :)

This week we went on exchanges and it was pretty good.

I had the boring side of the exchange. haha. I was the one who tracted and made phone calls to formers, etc. We came across a few interesting people. There was a man outside sitting with no shirt on who was this old guy. It was pretty hilarious. We had a good conversation with him though. He was clearly NOT interested in the gospel but we talked to him about life and what not. He was nice. He does family history work though and that is how he found out about our church.

Okay, now looking back my week really wasn't all that magical. haha. Just boring missionary life. We didn't even really have that much excitement. It wasn't all that bad of a week though. Really calm.

We did get 19 Invite Others on the exchange which was a HUGE jump for us. We have been working hard on that. Our goal as a mission is to get 100 a week.

Family... it was great to talk to you yesterday!

Shocker.... yes.... totally unexpected.... yes! But man is Heavenly Father watching out for our family. He is one who is all seeing and is in control. He is at the head of our lives. This trial is unexpected that's for sure. I can't believe it still. But know I love you all so much.

Mom you are a champion. You are a miracle woman, always have been, always will be. You will kick cancer in the butt! I have no doubt about that.

As you know I talked to the mission president yesterday... a few times actually.

He gave me great advice, he counseled me. It was very touching to talk to him over the phone. As he broke the news to me he started by saying he doesn't understand why we go through some trials that we do here on this earth, but he got a calm feeling while talking to dad on the phone. He said that dad was a strong man. He said that yall seemed to be in good spirits when he talked to you.

After the Skype call, which I was very grateful for! It was nice to see mom as her normal self... I had the worst images coming to mind, hello, 'cancer' doesn't bring the best images... haha. So I was a little panicked. But it was good to see you looking like your healthy self. =)

But afterwards president baker read to me from Doctrine and Covenants section 81. He told me that I was here for a purpose that we are to continue proclaiming the gospel. He told me yall would be blessed as I continue to serve.

My studies today were a little scattered. I wanted to share something significant with you, but I wasn't running into anything outstanding. I said a prayer and as I did I came across a general conference talk from last Aprils general conference. . .

it is titled "fear not; god is with thee" by Jean A. Stevens

As I read, I came across the 'story' in her talk and of course it was about a family facing a cancer battle. haha. Heavenly Father is a funny one. ;)

Their story ends sadly but ours won't! I did like a section though that I wanted to share with you... it says, "The next two months were filled with blessings too numerous to recount. Arn and Venita's faith and trust in the Lord were growing, as evidence in Venita's words, "I was carried. I learned that you can feel peace in the midst of turmoil. I knew the Lord was watching over us. If you trust int eh Lord, truly you can overcome any of life's challenges." One of their daughters added: We watched out parents and saw their example. We saw their faith and how they handled it. I would never have asked for this trial, but I would never give it away. We were surrounded with God's love."

I know that we are facing this trial for a reason. We all know mom is one tough cookie. This woman hasn't been sick for as long as I can remember... and she gets thrown with this! But we all know she is a fighter. And she has the biggest support system in the world! :)

We are facign this for a reason though. I wouldn't ask for this trial any day of the week but I will gladly fight it with all of you. We are faced with this trila to learn and grow together. I know Heavenly Father is watching over us. He is preparing us to grow in ways we cannot imagine.

I am grateful to all of you for continuously caring for my mom. To those ward members who are reaching out to our family, to those praying, bringing meals, sharing kind words of encouragement. I am eternally grateful for you.

Family, know I am being taken care of here. I am in an excellent place with wonderful ward members who are looking out for me. I have a great mission president who wanted to deliver the news in person but was too far away. He cares for each missionary and their families. Sister Baker is also watching out for me. The Maher family is here for me and they are helping, they so willingly took me in last night on such short notice. There are those little angels that God puts in your way that you didn't even know you had until the trials come.

I love you all! I hope you have a great week. Keep me updated.... I would appreciate the quickest updates (aka through the mission president), I love you all. Know I am praying for you.

Hermana Gray

LOVE YOU MAMA!

p.s. for those of you wondering which section.. it is 58 today! =) See you before I know it.

long story short, the pens are Flo and Evo. (Flo is mine, the pink one)  Sister Brakey gave them to us as a gift and we ended up using them as our 'investigators' to practice our lessons on.  haha.

Sister Bowen, our sister training leader leaves this transfer.