I have
been trying to write a quick last note to a number of people so this might be
on the shorter side.
But I want you to know that last week the miracles continued. So
many things came together in such a beautiful way that I never could have
expected. Blessing upon blessing kept reaffirming to me about how great the
love of our Heavenly Father is for us. He allowed me to see several blessings
that really taught me in a personal way how aware He is of me, and how much He
surely is aware and loving of each of His children. On one level, the zone
finished the transfer setting new records. We truly came to be a unified Dayton
family. And with that unity came power, and with that spirit came revelation on
how to build each area to be more than it was when we got here. It was so
exciting to see every missionary progress and grow. Saturday was such
a testimony builder to me that you just never know what impact the small and
simple things you do may have on someone. I was overjoyed to be able to learn
of a baptism of someone that I had found nearly two years earlier and then to
be able to attend that service. After the baptismal service, I was stopped by a
couple younger girls, ages 17 and 15. They introduced themselves to me as K…
and M... They said I looked familiar and we discovered why. I was the first
missionary to knock on their door, they have since been baptized and both are
wanting to serve missions. The parents are not yet members but I know they will
take that step when their time is right. But it was overwhelming to me. It was
my final weekend and Heavenly Father was so kind to reserve these special blessings
for that time. He is a perfect Father, He knows how to give the perfect gifts.
And the greatest gift of all was his Son, Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for
the privilege that it has been to serve as one of the Lord's missionaries.
These past 2 years have allowed me to come to know Him in a more personal way
than ever before. I love Him. I can say that now in a way that I couldn't say
before. I know He lives. I know He's there. I'm so grateful for what He did to
show His love to us. I feel that my mission was at most an ineffective
offering. I need to be careful what I mean by that. I say that because for
every sacrifice, He blessed me and my family a hundredfold more. I feel that
giving my life through all my time and talents will forever be the way of
saying thanks for what He did for me. I love this great work. I gave my all. I
have no regrets. There is nothing that means more to me now than His gospel. I
know that it has been restored to the earth. I know that God the Father and His
Son Jesus Christ appeared to young Joseph Smith in the sacred grove. I know
this because there is no way to deny the Lord's blessings that have come into
my life and the life of others because of what happened there. I know that the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the Lord's kingdom once again
established on the earth for the final time. I know this because I know the
Book of Mormon is true. I have felt the witness of the spirit and the
revelation that flows into each and every day that I study it prayerfully. I
don't know much but I know these things are true. I love the Lord. And i have
served Him the very best i could, and I wouldn't trade anything in the world
for how it has changed me.
Here is the standard of truth as revealed to the Prophet Joseph
Smith:
“The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can
stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies
may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly,
nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every
clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God
shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”
I LOVE YOU!!! See you Wednesday for some Cafe Rio
:D
Elder Kevin Graf
p.s. the primary president wants her daughter "to find a
guy like me." hehehe awkward.
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| And J... and half the Spanish zone again! The Spanish zone is getting it's first new Spanish greenie since I trained Elder Gibb. It's about time! |
