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.

Time is Flying

I think I woke up today and somewhere during morning studies it hit me. I can't believe I'm already a missionary. I always remember thinking that missionaries were older and knew everything. I can't believe that I'm going to be 20 soon. TIME IS FLYING. I don't like it. I can't believe I only have like 16 months left! That's less than a sister mission! Where did the first 8 months ago?!

Well we are going to play some "futbol" in the church gym some I'm going to make this a little short.

Random side comment - Every Spanish missionary makes the mistake of thinking that someone is Hispanic when in fact they are Asian. Asians don't speak Spanish. Enough said.

Elder Gibb had his own Spanish slip up this past week as well. We were driving in a trailer park looking for the Pantaleon family, probably the only family that's not a convert to the church in the branch. We saw some Hispanics standing on the curb so we decided to ask them if they knew where the family lived (we had the wrong address and that's why we were asking around in the first place). Elder Gibb rolled down his window and gave it his best shot in his broken Spanish. He asked the lady "Donde esta su pantalones?", which translates into "Where are your pants?". I was busting up laughing and the lady just stood there completely puzzled.  I eventually recovered and explained. It's a small difference between the name and the word, but it makes a difference.

So J…..'s baptism didn't happen this week. His mom didn't have work off. So we're rescheduling for November 9th. This is good because now we have more time to prepare a baptismal service and teach him a little more. He's actually only 9 years old but he's really smart. His mom and older sister have been coming to church as well but they can't get baptized yet because of marriage and divorce issues with a prior husband. But J….. comes from a different father who gave him permission, so he's all clear. We're super excited for him. Just pray for him that everything will be able to work out over these next couple weeks so that it will for sure happen!

We had another zone conference last Tuesday. I love Conferences. They get me so fired up for the work. President has told me several times, "You are the most obedient missionary we have. I know I don't need to worry about you being obedient, but I know you can become more Hispanic." So I'm working on my purging my inner gringo and becoming Hispanic. He even gave me permission to grow a mustache and wear a sombrero. Okay maybe not that last part, but I did make sure to buy some hot sauce today to put on my tacos :)

Hmmmm. Forgot to take pictures. I feel bad because of that. I'll do better.

Well overall there are many more Hispanics here and we haven't had to do any tracting. In Dayton we did that a lot but here we are really focusing on the less actives and we're seeing lots of success. We are teaching several people that have some great potential. We are hopefully going to have a few more baptisms come December time.

I don't know if I ever told you but we teach English classes. The class is only about 6 people but it's been going well.

Well this is super vague but we are super busy and we are teaching several people that really need the gospel and it's the COOLEST and most spiritual experience to see people slowing becoming converted. The spirit is sweet, the mission is awesome, and faith is a real power.

I love you. I love this gospel. And I love Futbol! (which I'm going to go play right now. Whoo!)

-Elder Graf-

HELLO KENTUCKY :)

Goodbye Dayton and HELLO KENTUCKY :)

So Monday I said goodbye to as many people as I could before Pday hours ended and me and Elder Foote went back at it for the rest of the night to teach a few investigators.

Tuesday we drove to transfer meeting. Just from talking to the other elders I had it pretty figured out what was going to happen, or so I thought. During transfer meeting they call out names and pair you off. They called me up and then told me that my companion hadn't arrived from the Mexico MTC yet. So they paired me off with another set of Spanish elders (Elder Carranza from Guatemala and Elder Prach). I stayed with them until Wednesday night when Elder James Gibb finally arrived. He was the only new Spanish elder this transfer. He's a young guy from SLC, Utah. He just turned 18. He doesn't hesitate to speak so he'll learn the language quickly. If we stay humble we'll have great success together.

We were doubled in to The Ohio River 1 area, which is a misnomer because we're actually in the northern side of Kentucky. "Doubled in" means that both of us are new to the area. So, outside the notes that the last elders scrambled together for us, we're kind of starting from scratch. I've study the records thoroughly these past few days so I'm already starting to feel comfortable with how things work here. 

The last Elders set a young guy up for baptism this Saturday. He's 11 years old and he's named Jonathon. They hadn't hardly taught him anything, so we are franticly trying to teach him as well as organize and put together a baptismal service for this Saturday! I hope it's all going to come together! We're going to teach him tonight and by the end of the night we'll have a better idea of what's actually going to happen this week.

Training Elder Gibb thus far has already been a learning experience. I'm working and planning so hard so that we can have successful days and he gets to be along for the ride while he makes mistakes that are common to every new missionary. I can't help but think that Heavenly Father looks at us in a similar way. He has created a plan for us and works so hard to provide us happiness and success, but we just bumble our way through life as we learn, but we make all sorts of mistakes in the process. Elder Gibb has a deep desire to work hard, so we're going to learn a lot together and reap the great success that this branch has.

The branch president here is a convert of only 2 years. The branch has an attendance of about 30 or so, similar to Dayton. There are more Hispanics down here and there really is a lot of great potential here and I'm excited to be Here!!!

Love you all, have a fantastic week. ADIOS :)

Elder Graf

Me and Elder Foote

One last visit with Penny. She exemplifies the quote that I think elder Nelson made during conference that went something like this "stellar spirits are often housed in disabled bodies". Penny has the greatest testimony.

The squadron of 4 in Dayton.

The R.... Familia and me, Elder Foote, Elder Garcia, And Elder Taylor (almost my twin, we are very similar)

President Vilches and his family the night before I left Dayton.

The wonderful Michael Bristow

This apartment was trashed because the Elders before us didn't know they were both leaving until the last second. We cleaned it up and organized ourselves a cozy study space. Our apartment really is awesome. We live in probably one of the best. 2 bathroom, gym with weights and equipment, good size. Elder Gibb is really starting off spoiled.

One picture looks like we're ridiculously tall but only because it's propped up weird on an ironing board. (No matter how nicely I tried to pack them, after stuffing my shirts into my suit case I finally had to resort to using an ironing board for the first time on my mission, haha.)

Me and Elder Gibb from SLC, Utah

I never wanted to leave Dayton!

After playing a little golf with President Vilches we received Transfer calls this morning! I'm leaving Dayton!!! :( I never wanted to leave Dayton! I love it here too much! But, all well, it'll work out. I sure am grateful for the principle of revelation. It gives me the confidence that Things happen the way they're supposed to happen out here in the mission field. 

   In my words to president...

   "If I had it my way I would never leave Dayton. I'm excited to serve in a new branch, but I'll never forget Dayton. I'm truly humbled because of what the Lord has allowed me to be a part of here. I love the people here. They have become everything to me - the branch, the members, the investigators, everyone. I'm sad to see them go, but I feel like I will have left on a good note. We had a good week. We completed exchanges with our English zone leaders and the other Dayton elders. Exchanges have always been very valuable; there's always a lot to learn from each other. We are teaching several families that are in the beginning stages of conversion and they have great potential. This last sacrament meeting had an attendance of 52 (almost double the attendance of other weeks in the past). Elder Foote is a good missionary. The Lord will show him how to really love the people and he will be a powerful tool in His hands. It was an incredible experience training him."

    So there we have it. I've learned that me and another Elder named Elder Clay are the only Spanish Elders getting moved this transfer - therefore I have a pretty good Idea of where I'm headed to next :) and it's a really good area, probably second best to Dayton :) But there are also 4 new Spanish missionaries coming in so nothing is guaranteed. President called and told me that I'm going to be district leader in the new area and that I'm going to be training one of the new guys. It's going to be an adjustment for sure. I fear that I might be put in a tri-companionship. I'll find out tomorrow!

   Sorry there isn't time to tell about this week. Just know that I loved serving in Dayton. Andrea and Dustin came to church yesterday again and we were teaching several other families that are doing well! Sorry got to go! Today is going to be ABSOLUTELY CRAZY trying to pack everything. We'll see how it goes. Love you all. Have a great time in Disneyland!

_Elder GRAF

Random picture of my desk. Lots to study, Lots to learn!!!

Senior couple that has served in Dayton the past two years! They have been like the mama and papa of Dayton and I'm so sad to see them end their missions this transfer. Both are converts from Illinois and Sister Mudd makes the greatest cookies!!

  

Hermano Vasquez - He is a convert and he was our branch mission leader. I love him and will miss him.

LIfe is good in Dayton

10 minutes, here we go...

Ohio's pancake flat terrain has one irreplaceable blessing, HUGE sky and HUGE clouds! I love it!

So Conference was so amazing. There isn't a temple available to us here but I truly felt like listening to the words of the Prophet and Apostles was a heavenly experience. The spirit was so strong and I learned more from this session than ever before. Conference is the coolest experience as a missionary. All of the talks were so inspiring. I like what Elder Hales said right from the beginning that the greatest blessings come as we apply what we have learned. And the unique thing is that regardless of the words spoken, the spirit will teach us what we need to know and do. Because of this, Heavenly Father's instruction will be different for each of us. So I hope you all weren't just passive listeners. Don't just be hearer of the words, but listen to the spirit, and don't just hear the spirit, but act on what he told you! This conference was truly awesome, study these talks over and over again! I feel like I'm rambling but President Porter asked us to think of things we learned from conference that can help us be more powerful servants. I might just share a few things that I'm going to take away.... *this is where I copy and paste from my letter to President hehehe...

In no particular order of the session's here is what I'm taking away from this conference.

1. Above all, become Christlike, especially in the attribute of Faith. Being Christlike is the very best form of missionary work. Who we are speaks louder than anything else.
2. Make God my highest priority. Not only worship Him as the Supreme Creator, but also love Him as my closest friend. This really changes my perspective and the dialogue of my prayers.
3. Act, don't wait to be acted upon. Cause a change, don't wait for others to do so. Be a leader. Have strength of character. Be the one to bring the fire, the faith, and the spirit; don't rely on others to do so.
4. Be healthy and take care of yourself. The body affects the spirit.
5.Teach with word and power. Word by using the scriptures more, power by truly making the gospel of Jesus Christ the center of my life and desires.

So that's the basics of what I felt. Study the talks and learn what Heavenly Father wants YOU to personally learn. I promise you that you'll be able to hear His voice through His servants, it's part of the power of the priesthood.

Well between my frantic typing and total loss of ability to spell due to mixed Spanish and English words in my mind, I hope you can discern something from this letter. A couple other things that happend this week is that we are teaching a guy named Sergio. We are showing him how the Book of Mormon and the gospel of Jesus Christ can help give him strength to quit smoking!

The father of the Torres family read 3 chapters since we saw him last week! And he remembers everything perfectly! The trick with them continues to be the fact that they work on Sundays.

We watched the Sunday morning session with a less active/part member family and had the coolest experience. The spirit really was working with them. They both were emotional after the session as we talked about what they felt. The messages were so inspired!!!

   

Love you! Life is good in DAYTON.

Elder Graf

Here is our zone! sadly this group might change the next Tuesday (transfers are on the 15). Everyone thinks I'm going to leave because I'm pretty ancient to Dayton. I still hope that I can stay here for forever.
I love it here.
The picture was supposed to be coordinated. The only blue tie I had was a "posterity tie" that I inherited from Elder Brown. It has a lineage of half a dozen trainers who have signed their names on the back. The silly things we do as missionaries. Elder Foote doesn't know it yet, but he's the next heir of the tie. Haha.