Church is SWEET

Thanks for all the birthday stuff! I can't wait to open it. I'm going to wake up early tomorrow and have myself a little fiesta opening presents :)

Well, this weekend we're going to have a baptism! Everything is in place for little J…. to get baptized. It's going to be awesome. We're super excited for him and he's super excited as well. I'll write about it next week!

We had a good week this week. Several cool experiences. The branch is really getting mission minded and we're getting together "noche de hogars" (family nights) for all the families so that they can invite us and their friends over for us to teach! We also did a huge Noche de Hogar with all the branch last Saturday. All four of us missionaries taught about families and how family prayer strengthens our homes. It was cool to teach to the masses, it was a pretty good turn out.

Sunday we also had a super cool testimony meeting. Several members got up and talked about recent miracles they've recognized in their lives - the greatest always being a family with the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that that's the greatest miracle for me as well - that I was born into a good home, with goodly parents who taught me to love and follow the Savior. I also know that the miracle of conversion can happen every time we choose to prayerfully study the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon has always been very special to me. It has a very profound impact on my faith and spirit, which both grow tremendously every time I read from those sacred pages. It's not so much the stories that are important as it is that it is a doorway to revelation and comfort and direction. I Love the Book of Mormon and I love sharing it with others. Elder Gibb and I had the sweet opportunity to bear testimony to an older widow of the power of the Book of Mormon and the knowledge it provides us of Heavenly Father's Plan, especially that she could be comforted in knowing that her husband who recently passed away could be with her again.

The Plan of Salvation is something I particularly enjoy. I love thinking about the eternities and our eternal progression to become like our Father in Heaven. It gives me assurance that every sacrifice is and forever will be worth the reward. It opens my perspective and reminds me of the greater purpose of our lives. It removes all fears and all doubts and makes every trial that much easier to endure. Maybe that's what ultimately has helped me to stay positive and love my mission, is knowing that we're much bigger and more divine than we often remember we are. That's why I love the scriptures and my patriarchal blessing, they always help put things into perspective and help me see things more how Heavenly Father must see things - not as things currently are, but what they have the potential to become. So read the Scriptures! And your personal Scriptures (aka blessing), it's so important! We have to make time for the things that matter most, the spiritual things! Us Mormon folk are a peculiar people, and that's the way it's supposed to be. We are different because of the truth and joy that we have, and we can't forget the value of what we have and who we are as members of THE Church of Jesus Christ in these last days. The world may not recognize the value of who we are yet, but we do! The Restoration of the Church of Christ was and continues to be the greatest work in our day. AND IT'S AWESOME TO BE A MISSIONARY! :D

So yeah, life is good.

Okay so I was absolutely terrible about including any details about this week but I'm out of time!

Anyways, love you all and stay champions.

Church is SWEET. Amen.

-Elder Graf 

In answer to a few questions from mom:

I got the package! Thanks for putting that together. I haven't read or opened anything yet, I've been diligently waiting for tomorrow. However I have been nibbling away at the sweets.

I also got Sister Foote's package. I opened it thinking that it was going to be like the one you sent me, with wrapped presents inside, but I was mistaken. Whoops. So it's already been opened and I already have worn the tie and eaten the oreos that she sent me haha. Be sure to tell her thanks for me! (And thanks from me, his mom. Elder Foote was a great companion!)

 

The budgeting is enough. The members help feed us pretty well, it's never been a problem for me, but for some missionaries that can't budget are leaving on pennies when it gets to the end of the month.

 

We also eat pretty healthy. Elder Gibb is super super super worried that he's going to gain weight on his mission. Every so often I tease him and tell him he's looking a little pudgy. He practically counts calories. So we've been stocking up on bananas, apples, and lettuce each week.

Here is the legendary Elder Carranza. He's the Spanish Zone Leader/Assistant. He's from Guatemala and he's hilarious but also super serious when it comes to doing missionary work. He's been in the Ohio River branch for almost all of his mission (11 months) except for 1 transfer.

Here is our little Spanish District of 4. Elder Gibb, me, Elder Carranza, and Elder Prach (in his second week of training). Almost everyone in the mission is either training or being trained. Half of the mission has only been in the field for less than 120 days. We're growing pretty quick!

Before Sunday we forgot to fill up the car. We made it through the day with 1 mile left until the tank was empty!

Here is the view from our porch right outside from where we study. Not bad with the nice fall colors.