The mission is a roller coaster. You can have the best and worst moments of your life, the difference only being an hour of time. Neither Steven nor Sheila made it to church yesterday. But I made a special fast for them yesterday and I can feel how much Heavenly Father loves them. I know He's going to help them in these coming weeks. Both of them still have strong desires to learn more. Both of them are solid examples for their families, and who knows, their families might decide to follow them in the future. We will continue praying for and working with them.
So, I was super excited about going into the new Cincinnati mission but it's possible that I could stay in Colombus. Even though the new mission boundries technically went into effect today they still haven't decided what to do with mine and Elder Browns area. Our area covers two English stakes. One stake (Dayton East zone) is in the Colombus mission, the other stake (Dayton zone) is in Cincinnati. We live in Dayton East but most of our investigators are in Dayton. The majority of our branch is in Dayton East but our district is in Dayton. Long story short is that our area is one of the largest most confusing areas in all of Ohio. So as of right now Elder Brown is writing up a report of the pro's and con's of our area and President will probably tell us by next week what he decides to do with us. I honestly would prefer to go to the Cincinnati Mission (More Spanish work down there, plus the one and only Elder Fivas and other awesome Elders willl be there) but time will tell. I'll serve with all my heart in whichever mission I get sent to. I know President Nilsen's decison will be by revelation and that's all I need to know.
So yesterday I gave another talk in sacrament. It was awful, like 30 minutes long haha. I didn't really account for the fact that giving a talk in a foreign language will always take twice as long unless you can fluently speak like a native, which I'm no where close. But my spanish continues to get better. I feel like I can understand most of what anyone says if I really listen carefully. Sacrament meetings are sometimes just ridiculous. Our branch is few in number and even fewer in singing abilities. When there are only 20 or so people and the majority of them can't sing, myself included, it shows really bad. Sometimes the hymns are just an absolute trainwreck. We are all singing different verses, none of which are remotely in tune. Sometimes it takes everything in me not to laugh at the pack of dying cows that we must sound like. Good thing our sacrament is the last meeting of the day and by then our branch is the only ones in the building, by then the english ward has already cleared out. But don't get me wrong, the spirit is present in our small meetings just as they would be in any of Utah's congregations, even as we reverently try to do the songs justice.
Random event as we were tracting.... Police wheeled up at a nearby house, they jumped out of their cars, invaded the house and arrested a guy that was drunk and had threatened some guy with a gun. We were a good distance away and were never at any point in harms way but it's just a good reminder to be safe in Dayton. :)
I've been learning so much out here. I know I've said that a million times but I just can't say it enough. So many incredible people. There is nothing I would rather be doing right now. Even after my mission I want to stay as close to this work as possible! The Church is awesome. It's so incredible to see people feel the spirit because of Joseph Smith's First Vision, whether or not they decide to accept it is their choice but it's awesome to be a part of their conversions. Love it all so much.
ANd I love my Family so much to!!!!! Okay, Hasta luego. _Elder Graf
