Kentucky Round 2!

I'm super short on time so I'll print this and read it as I pack! Transfers are tomorrow and you'll never guess where I'm going! Back to my last area in Kentucky! It's exactly the same area and exactly the same apartment address and everything! I'm the mission ping-pong ball. Just back and forth between Dayton and Florence. Pretty Crazy! President called me and said I'll be District Leader down there. My district will be the 2 Spanish zone leaders and me and my companion. I know that my new companion is a great guy from the few minutes that I've talked to him before. He was the follow up trainer of Elder Fivas and has been out for about a year and a half, I believe. So I'm super, super excited to see all of my old friends and investigators back down in the Ohio River Branch!

Transfer with Elder Taylor was a good one. I learned a lot from him and I'm excited to head back for Kentucky round 2! Yesterday was so crazy. Sundays aren't exactly relaxing for missionaries. Getting investigators to church is always a battle and yesterday it seemed as if all things broke loose to combine against us. We don't have a car, the bus system doesn't coordinate well, and my bike chain snapped (good thing my next area has a car!). Investigators cancelled, members were angry, and unexpected car failures occurred. We had about 11 people we were trying to get to the meetings. We did all we could do and by the end of it all we were blessed with grace to get 3 of them there. Amidst a million phone calls I was making my nose broke out in a nasty nosebleed that ran for 40 minutes. When I get home I shall have my nose cauterized or cut off, one of the two! But we saw some amazing miracles throughout the day that I don't have time to expound on. Just trust that I'm doing great and also do a missionary a favor and ask them which of their investigators need rides to church and give them a helping hand. :)

So there's no more time to email so I'll just copy my email to president over. He had everyone in the mission answer 3 questions with the Book of Mormon.

This week was good. We did exchanges with the other elders of our district, Elder Foote and Elder Wells. We found some incredible people on the bus that show high potential for being baptized, R… and J…. Yesterday we saw grace in getting people to church. Everything seemed to fall apart in the morning but we still managed to get a handful of people to church.

Questions of the Soul:

1 - How can I have Peace in my life? (Alma 38)
"There is a prophet in the Book of Mormon that teaches us how we can have peace. His name is Alma and in this chapter he is talking to his son Shiblon. He is giving him counsel and tells him of an experience that he had that helped him find true and lasting peace."
Verse 8 - At the beginning of the verse it talks about his pain. He had lots of pain because of his sins. Pain is something we all feel. It is the world that tempts us and binds us down with addictions and misery. But we can overcome all of these things because of our Savior Jesus Christ. The scripture talks about how Alma found peace as he exercised faith in Christ. In verse 9 he testifies that it is truly only through Jesus Christ that we can be saved. True and lasting peace is only offered through Him, our Redeemer. We must learn and live His Gospel if we want His blessings, the greatest of which are peace in this life and eternal life in the life to come. We can be at peace even when everything around us is in darkness and conflict. The rest of the chapter teaches us more. Verse 1, keep the commandments. Verse 2, be steady and faithful to the end. Verse 3, be diligent and patient. Verse 4-5, trust in the Lord with patience and He will deliver you from trials. Verse 6 is important, it talks about the importance of being "born of God" and having the Spirit. These are the essential principles of the gospel. We must be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost so that we can be clean and receptive to the guidance of the spirit. Verse 10, be diligent and patient. Verse 11, don't be prideful. Verse 12, bridle your passions and be constantly engaged in good works. Verse 13-14, pray with humility and real intent. Verse 15, if we do these things and live the gospel of Jesus Christ we will be blessed with peace."



2- Can I really get answers to my prayers? (Enos 1)
"Yes, you are a child of your Father in Heaven and he loves you tremendously. He wants us to communicate with Him through prayer. We learn a lot about how we can really get answers to our prayers through the example of a prophet named Enos...
Verse 3, Enos had something that he was really pondering, so much that he says it "sunk deep into my heart." In verse 4 he talks about how his soul hungered. Are we passively seeking an answer or do we really hunger for guidance? He talks about how he prayed with energy and for a long time. It is important that we be sincere in our prayers. In verse 5 an answer comes. In verse 7 he then asks a specific question. In verse 8 he gets a specific answer. From there we learn that we must be specific if we desire a specific answer. In verse 10 he again gets another answer. He says that "the voice of the Lord came into my mind". God answers our prayers through the spirit and the spirit works through the impressions upon our minds and hearts. We must pay attention to the spirit as we pray and ponder. In verse 15 we read that anything we ask in faith on the name of Jesus Christ we shall receive. 
Enos was a prophet of God and he conversed with Him through prayer. He received answers through the spirit that spoke to his mind and heart. I know that this applies to us as well. These accounts are in the Book of Mormon specifically for us, to teach us. It's not just prophets that can talk to God, we can too. I know that Heavenly Father truly answers every sincere prayer, we just need to pray with faith and listen to the spirit."



3- How can I overcome addictions or trial?
"First, understand that you aren't alone. Your Heavenly Father always loves you and your Savior knows exactly how hard it is.
Alma 7:11-12 He suffered that He might know perfectly how to succor us. Succor means to run to the aid of someone. When we are faced with trial or temptation the Savior will run to our side and help us if we call for Him.... Alma 37: 33-37 As we are prayerful, humbly recognizing that we need His grace, and as we are obedient to His commandments the Lord will bless us with the strength we need to move forward and upward."

Love you, have a great week!

-Elder Graf

From Elder Taylor:  We just found this man while we were headed down to an appointment walking and he told us that he likes to go out with the missionaries 5 days a week from 8 to 3! He is super converted to the gospel and has a sweet testimony of the Book of Mormon. I just love the things that happen while on a mission!

Hispanics are Great People

This transfer has been going by so fast. I can't believe it. It's good to hear that you're all doing well at home. How is my cousin in Russia? Is the battle of Armageddon commencing?

Tuesday we had a Zone conference. The night before I helped Elder Taylor cut his hair. It was the first time either of us had attempted cutting hair but it turned out all right. The conference was dedicated to Joseph Smith and The Book Of Mormon. It was really powerful. The senior couples did a good job putting together a multi media presentation. Towards the end they had me read D&C 135:6 to the zones. (They picked me to read it because of my deep voice haha). But I couldn't help but get a little emotional, which doesn't happen that often. How embarrassing, I was sniffling like a child in front of the mission and President Porter. But I just have such a deep conviction of the blessing of the Book Of Mormon and of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I know he was called of God to restore the true Church of Christ. How blessed and obligated we are to share it with the rest of the world.

Saturday was a great day. We went on exchanges with the Assistants. They were out to learn how Elder Taylor has been getting so many new investigators. I went with Elder Bell to the assistants’ area. It was a good time riding around in the mission Ford F150 truck. Elder Bell asked me what I'd think about English work. I told him I understand that I'm at the dispense of the mission but I'd prefer to stay Spanish. But who knows? We'll see what they decide to do with me this next transfer, I can't imagine that Elder Taylor and I will be together another transfer. I'd be really surprised.

After the exchange we went to R…'s 11th Birthday party. I'll attach a picture that Elder Taylor had on his camera. Kids were running around screaming for an hour or more. But at the end we had everyone settle down and we sang a hymn. It was a cool experience. I often forget the power of hymns. It's one of the greatest and most immediate ways to invite the spirit.

Presidente V… just came back from a month long business trip in Chile. It was great to see him again. Hispanics are great people. Some of them are really unsung heroes. One of them is Sister P…. She is a mother of 4 kids that are between the ages of 4 and 14. She and her family went this terribly cold winter without any electricity or running water in their home. The only way to heat or cook was a single kerosene stove. She is a complete pioneer spirit. She makes do with what she has and never complains. When her kids make a mess or need attention she just takes care of the situation and is always smiling and positive. She is an incredible example. Thankfully they finally got electricity this past week.

We meet lots of men that left their homes and families to come to the United States to work and provide a better life for their kids back in their country. A guy name E… told us his story. He left Mexico to work tirelessly here in the states so his kids could have food and education. He hasn't been able to see his family for 14 years. His wife left him for another guy a year after he came here to work. He was depressed for a long time and he still suffers from bad drinking habits that he started to try to cope with all of his stress. He continues to send money home to them just because he still loves the kids so much. But he is getting tired and his dreams of a better future here in America for his family are fading. He plans on returning to Mexico a year from now. It's so sad that this is the case with so many of the Hispanics that we meet. They are in these terrible routines where all they know is work from sun up to sun down, never seeing their families for years, and many of their families forget about them and leave them. We just sat and listened to him as he relieved himself of all the stresses of life that have been building up over the years. I know I can't relate in the slightest way to these circumstances and difficulties. But I know that Our Savior knows perfectly what they are going through, and I know that He knows perfectly what we go through as well. I'll always be grateful for Him and God's plan for us.

Love you all so much. Have a fantastic week!!!

Elder Graf

Random Less active guy that didnt know where the church was- Awesome story-

So, he was born Lutheran, asked his pastor "Where are all the prophets and temples like in the bible?" Pastor says "Go find them!" So he left that church and started his search. Later, during boot camp, a Mormon invited him to come to a get together after a service for some M&Ms and some pizza. The Book of Mormon was presented along with the restoration and the man thought it was crazy, didn't believe a word. But then he went back to his room and knelt down and prayed about it. Without even opening the book, he received an overwhelming yes, with peaceful and assuring feelings that have accompanied him ever since.

Birthday Party!

One of the greatest days of my life

Okay, out of time, but here's the run down of last week.

 Our English teaching approach has been working. We've been getting several new investigators from it. We were pretty clever with our last "English lesson". We told this guy," Okay, we want to get a feel for your vocabulary and ability to speak English so we're going to tell you a story (in Spanish) and we are going to ask you questions at the end and we want you to try to respond in English." We then proceeded to teach him the first lesson, the Restoration and all about Joseph Smith. :) And when an English member knocked on the door to pick us up for our dinner appointment, we invited him in and translated his testimony. It was pretty cool.

One guy we met on the bus loves us so much that he's going to fly us out to his wedding if we're off of our missions. He's super hilarious, it was hard to hand him off to the English Elders. (His name is C…, maybe I mentioned him last week)

Tuesday was a perfect day; everything went according to plan, which is super rare in mission life. It was a great lead in to one of the greatest days of my mission, and therefore one of the greatest days of my life. Wednesday we got to go to the temple with Bro. Bristow and the Elders in our zone. Columbus temple is smaller but it was the most amazing experience. The temples are such sacred and special places. I want nothing more than just to go back. If I could live there I would. The new movie is fantastic. One of the apostles was one of my seminary teachers.

We had a great lesson with R… and R…. (the parents of the most recent convert in the branch, R…). They had a hard time accepting the word of wisdom but we had a good lesson and they are living it. The adversary really tried to deter the spirit from us before entering their home and having such a great lesson. We were riding with a member to their home when a car wheeled through the intersection and parked sideways so as to nearly block our line of cars. A man then leapt from the car screaming, "Give me my phone!" He ran to the van behind us and jumped half way into the passenger door. The van drove down the road with the guy’s legs hanging out of the car. We drove away and didn't see how it ended. Then after we parked the car and were walking to the door guess what happened? A bird dropped me a present from the sky and it landed right on my suit pants. So I'll be visiting the dry cleaners pretty soon.

Well there isn't time but I just have to tell you we just met this most incredible guy. His name is R… and he has a little boy that's 3 years old. We had such a powerful first lesson with him. At the end of the lesson we had him pray and after the prayer we didn't say anything. We just stayed kneeling in silence and let the spirit soak the room. After a minute he lifted his head with watery eyes. Such a cool experience. As we left his home the member that was with us said, "He's a future elder's quorum president." He's got such great potential and he's so ready to receive the gospel. He doesn't have any major word of wisdom problems and he's divorced so no chastity problems. And he came to church! At church I gave another talk. I felt like it must be similar to what my homecoming talk will feel like because I already knew the streets and all the familiar faces.

Well I love you all tons. Have a great week!

Elder Graf

Elder Graf, Bro. Bristow, Elder Taylor at the Columbus Temple

The Book Of Mormon is awesome as it gets.

Well, believe it or not but I filled the memory card for my camera and I'm now using the second one you sent with me. The only problem with the second one is that it's not letting me send pictures for some reason. So I'll have to figure that out later. But how should I send the first memory card home without it getting damaged like Kameron's?

Quick tribute to Brother Bristow. The man is full of charity. He's always taking care of us. He picked us up and took us out to lunch as a welcome-home-to-Dayton present. And in the process he saved me and Elder Taylor from getting robbed in the Ghetto of west side Dayton. We had tried to contact an investigator and we were waiting for Bro. Bristow to pick us up when a couple home owners threatened to beat and rob us. (side story within a side story, Elder Taylor did lose his wallet on the bus and within 20 seconds it was taken... sad day) No worries though. It was never at any point an intense situation. We were merely getting yelled at because these guys thought we were trying to do a drug deal. "Really? Missionaries doing a drug deal? Come on guys." Those were my thoughts that actually turned into words... But anyways we walked away and Brother Bristow picked us up and saved the day. Also, big news is that we are going to the TEMPLE this Wednesday as a zone!!!!! And who's driving us? None other than Bro. Bristow. He also drove to our apartment last night to make sure he knew where it was and dropped off some homemade chocolate éclairs. LIFE COMPLETE. I might have a man crush on him.

Back to missionary work. I don't have much time, like always. But the run down is that I love this branch and my companion and I'm learning a lot. We're getting pretty good at finding people on the bus. We set a mission record at 38 new investigators for one area in a week. While all this finding is great, we now just need to start focusing on powerful teaching and involving the members. It was pretty neat to go to the baptismal service of T. R. He was the first guy that Elder Taylor talked to on the bus before he referred him to the other Elders. What a difference that 2 minute conversation has made in his life. I also may have found my own T. R. His name is C... and we gave him a Book of Mormon and he won't stop texting us about how great it is. Yes C..., The Book Of Mormon is awesome as it gets. His nickname is Stretch. Anyways, no time to explain but so many miracles are happening. I Love being a missionary.

Glad to hear you are all doing well. I'm sorry that you have a son/brother that is the absolute worst at typing and writing or communicating for that matter. Emailing is the most frustrating part of the week simply because words don't do justice to all the experiences I'm having and all that I'm learning. I do know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints really is just that - the Church established by Jesus Christ himself in these Last days, the very kingdom in preparation for his coming again. I Love Him and will always do my best to follow Him. I know that the decisions we make today are of utmost importance and that we need to maintain an eternal perspective on things. I also know that "men are that they might have joy." So let us make sure that we are enjoying the gospel, and truly living for the fullest of it's blessings.

Love you all, be safe, play hard, work smart, stay happy. Until next week!

Elder Graf