Los Minas 13 - Final Letter

Los Minas 13 - Final Letter and Testimony

I've been sitting in front of this computer screen for about 10 minutes just trying to think about what to say and where to start..

There's a lot of things I could write in this last email. Amazing experiences, scriptures, miracles, and moments that have changed my life forever. But no matter what I do or how long I have to describe it all, no amount of words or pages is enough.

I guess I'll just start off by saying how much I LOVE THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.

I remember when I first walked these streets and heard real Spanish, I asked myself how in the world I was going to fulfill what I came here to do. It really does look DAUNTING at the start and the closest thing next to impossible. The change is uncomfortable and it throws you for a loop. But from the beautiful to the ugly, if you've served with all your heart and might in the mission, YOU LOVE THE COUNTRY AND THE PEOPLE MORE THAN ANYTHING. 

This is now my second home. And I know that I was sent here by inspiration from a living Prophet of God.

I also have come to know that God exists. That Christ is His Son. And that the Holy Ghost is a living personage that leads and guides us. From the physical manifestations I've witnessed to the spiritual confirmations, it all testifies and lets me know that it's true. It is not some made up theory. It's not an easy explanation for unknown answers. It is the truth. And I owe it to these two years for making that now for me an undeniable testimony that I will carry with me for as long as I live.

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the SAME church that Christ himself established in his personal ministry on Earth, restored in these days by someone chosen and called of God. Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ. They gave him the assignment; and although he had almost no worldly experience or knowledge, he was the vessel that was used to bring to pass once again something so perfect. And we have in front of our eyes and hearts, the fruits and evidence of it. 

The Bible and Book Of Mormon are scripture, written by inspired servants of God. If we read and study them out day by day, we can become closer and more like Him. It's one of the most powerful instruments we have disposable at every moment.

Change is real. By the power of the Atonement, EVERY HUMAN BEING CAN CHANGE. Christ suffered for ALL of us and offers us everyday, the opportunity to be clean by His blood. By His. He paid the price, and by our faith and actions, we show him the appreciation and love we have for Him and what he did for us. And by doing so, through his Grace, we qualify to return once more to His presence.

I love my family. I love all of you and the support you've given me. 

This means everything to me. I can't wait to try and use what I've learned here to make a difference back home for myself and for my future family.

These are just some of the things I've come to know here. And every missionary who's ever served has come to know them too.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder Taylor Graff

Los Minas 12 - - I Love Missionary Work

Los Minas 12 - - I Love Missionary Work

This email will be a short one. 

Kind of saving my words and experiences and stuff for next Monday when I write my LAST EMAIL HOME. I still feel like it hasn't sunk in yet. Yeah, sometimes I get butterflies when people remind me or thinking about what I'm going back to. But overall, the work keeps progressing and I would dare to say we're working harder than I have in any time of my mission. Just because I know that I don't have much left. 

I've come to love missionary work. It's not a burden.

There's a time that EVERY missionary encounters in their mission when you have just an absolutely terrible day. Or an awful week. Or a really hard transfer or difficult companion. One of the first things that comes to mind when one is new as a missionary is: 

"What a trial. Doing all I can and nothing is going my way." 

Sure, you enjoy and love it when people make the decisions they need to and accept Christ. When you come out of a POWERHOUSE lesson or witness a miracle. It's easy to love what you're doing when you're having success. 

But when I say that I've come to love it; I mean, come what comes, good or bad, happy or sad, there's NOTHING I'd rather be doing more than preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It's taken two long years of practice and lots of hard tests and let downs. But I don't think there's anything that could come my way, with the help of God, that could make me feel like the mission work is a burden in any moment of the day. Because I've come to learn that with opposition, there's always opportunity. And it's what the LORD wants, not what WE want. 

It's probably the biggest and most important principle I've learned on the mission. To accept the will of God and to face opposition with your head up, face on, and find the beauty in the struggle.

I'm so grateful for the time God has given me here and for one more full week that He's lent me to work along His side, trying my best to testify to the world about the truthfulness of the message of the Restoration. 

Words cannot describe how anxious and excited I am to see you all. But it's time to sprint now, and end the mission the way I started it.

Love,

Elder Graff

Los Minas 11 - Baptisms, Final Temple Trip, Miracles

Los Minas 11 - - Baptisms, Final Temple Trip, Miracles

My last temple trip...........

Probably one of the most spiritual moments of my mission was leaving the temple. Looking back, proud of the effort and work I've put in these past 24 months. It was sad. But I think what keeps me from tears and being depressed is seeing the fruits of the mission work. 

Sorry for not writing yesterday like I usually do. I know I've been pretty bad with the letters lately. But we had interviews with President Corbitt all day yesterday. As a result, we had our P-day switched to today. 

It was a great day though. We went to visit Villa Agricolas, one of my old areas, to say goodbye and it was super tough. I got to see a lot of people I care about, even though some of them weren't there for work and stuff. It was - tied with Los Molinos - another great way to spend P-day. 

Misiòn Republica Dominicana Santo Domingo Este 2K14 - 2K16

Only part of the group. All of us going early to begin college studies.

SAW WALDO AT THE TEMPLE AGAIN. He's doing so amazing. Getting ready to go on a mission next year when he finishes high school.

Saying goodbye to Elder Reyes. He left to San Pedro to one of the biggest country areas of the entire mission, Quisqueya. Tons of mud, Dominican cows, machetes, and adventures.

It's kind of starting to sink in though that I really will be home shortly. I am giving it my all these last few days. Miguel Casò and Jaris Capoi were able to be baptized last week! It was such a spiritual service and their family and friends were able to be there which is the most important part! We're seeing progress with their families even though they haven't been able to go to church yet. But you just gotta' keep enduring and give them the perfect chance to accept the Gospel. 

Mariolvi, the daughter of two less-active parents in the church is getting baptized this Saturday! Her parents have come back to church as well, which is such a blessing. It was a fight to get them active again. But their daughter is really motivating them to be better.

Yaris and the gang.

MIGUEL !! 

We had a SWEET experience with Rebecca. We've been teaching her for about a month and a half. Initially, Elder Reyes and I started talking to her doing a service laying tile for a member family. She was Jehovah Witness for a long time but left it about 6 months ago. She was really interested and had a TON of really hard questions to answer. Doubts, but interested. We invited her to be baptized and she told us basically that it was going to be a WHILE before she committed to that. But we kept passing by. 

We invited her to observe the baptism last week and she all pf the sudden gets really anxious to see it. It was a great night and everything and she seemed really calm and at peace. Elder Cruz - my new companion - comes and his FIRST day, we got and visit her with some members. We asked her how the baptismal service was and she begins to tell us a story. About a month into teaching her (so, a week before this baptismal service), she had a dream one night that she was being baptized in a small font-like area. She didn't remember anything about the service. All she could remember is how the font looks. She told us the reason she was so anxious to go to the baptism is to see if it was the same font from her dream (she had never seen the baptismal font in the church). When she saw the baptism, she came to the realization that it was THE SAME EXACT FONT FROM HER DREAM. The glass in front, the baptismal suit, the set up, EVERYTHING was as she saw in her dream. She told us that it was a sign from God and she committed herself to be baptized this 20th, the last Saturday of my mission.

Nothing less than a miracle. I was in shock when she told us. She's left coffee, going to church and SUPER motivated. The cool thing is that her cousins that are helping her out who live right next to her, and both of them had dreams as well that testified to them the truthfulness of the Gospel. It amazes me just how miraculous God is and to what extent He goes to help convert those who have softened hearts.

My new companion, Elder Cruz and I bringing out our inner Mexican cowboys. 

ARRRRRIBBBBBBBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! Que trensa en tus veinas, carnal. Me gusta tu bigote, vato.

Elder Cruz at EL CORRIDO. The restaraunt from heaven in this zone. Traditional (more or less) Mexican food. Did someone say Los Favs?

I know this church is Christ's. I testify that mission work is inspired. That the Holy Ghost is the third member of the Godhead and that only through His influence, people can become converted. 

I hope you all have a great week. I'll be seeing you in two! 

My homecoming talk will be the 28th of August at 10AM (Dad you know the details : INSERT by DAD: At the Chapel on Lemon Avenue and San Tan Blvd - address: 1805 E. San Tan Blvd, Queen Creek AZ 85142).  Dad, just make sure to include the invitation in the letter and to those that would love to receive an invitation.

I love you guys.

Elder Graff

Los Minas 10 - Short Note

Los Minas 10 - Short Note

So Mom and Dad, 

I don't have any time to write. Being that I'm going home in three weeks, they decided to throw us together with the group that goes home now by joining in with them in the temple trip and self-sufficiency class. Needless to say, it feels weird.

 I don't know how its going to turn out these next three weeks. I'll be training a brand new missionary. Don't know who it is yet. I find out tomorrow. Elder Reyes is heading out to the "campo" and he seems happy and sad at the same time. It's bittersweet. But ill write a lot next week. 

I love you all so much.

Elder Graff

Los Minas 9 - NO BETTER FEELING

Los Minas 9 - NO BETTER FEELING

Yet another Pday in the DR.

I just wanted to apologize, everyone that still reads these letters, that I wasn't able to write last week. We just didn't have any time at all in email for a trip that we made to Los Molinos, one of my old areas.

Moreno, the coolest colmado owner alive. He went to church actually since I left. We worked my entire three months to get him to church while I was there and he was never able to go. But he's doing really well and who knows where the seed God planted in him will take him.

He's the coolest guy though.

Let me tell you, probably one of the most rewarding days in all of my mission. We got up super early, cleaned the house really well and did all our studies and everything. Left right at 10A and spent the ENTIRE P-day over in Las Americas. We got to visit so many people. Preciado, Dashmin, Anell, Familia Rosado, Familia Hernandez, the family of Angelina, Waldo and his brother Saulo, Familia Florián and some members along the way. It filled my heart with so much joy and happiness to see all of them strong in the Gospel and taking the next steps such as entering into the temple, preparing to be sealed as a family and talking about mission service. There is NO BETTER FEELING in the entire world than to see the fruits of this message in the lives of people you love. NO BETTER FEELING. It's better than a walk off home-run, winning State, playing music in front of the biggest crowd, anything that the world can give you. And it is hands-down the number 1 reason why mission service is so satisfying. 

Yeah, it's difficult sometimes. There are some days that with so many things that go wrong, fallen-through lessons, rejections and fallbacks into addictions, that you just want to grab your hair sit in a corner and feel sorry for yourself. Cause failure is really really tough. You just want to so much for the people you teach, you want that fairy-tale ending for them and you KNOW just how much they'll be blessed to make the right decision. And when they, after so many lessons, testimonies and spiritual success, decide NO, it's one of the toughest things in the world. But to push through all of it and see the seeds planted months later, is tremendous. And it was one of the best P-days of my mission.

Anell!!! He and Dashmin are best friends. He's also a really cool story. Just a great guy and while we were there, he described to us just how happy he's been since he found the church. 

DASH! Dashmin is doing amazing! He's planning on moving back to Haiti in about three months but he's prepping to serve a mission before he turns 19! He truly is a miracle and has a strong testimony of the Gospel.

LA FAMILIA FLORIAN!!!!  Liz's husband, Junior, finally found a job! He was really depressed about his situation and just without any confidence for about 2 weeks. He wouldn't even get out of bed to do anything. The missionaries called President Corbitt to ask if he could visit him. He went out to Los Molinos and visited their beautiful family. He talked with Junior and made him some promises depending on his efforts and work. That same day, Junior decided to try again and after a week found a GREAT job as an electrician in a new buisness. They gave his family a work car, and there's just so many blessings they've seen. Their testimony has grown and Junior is finally going to church. Just amazing what God can do in our lives.

It was hard because I couldn't see everyone I loved in Los Molinos for work, vacation and such like Enrique, Angelina, Elkin, and many more. But I know I'll see them again soon.

Los Minas is going really well. Amauris and Naomi have had some troubles and opposition with their marriage with his mother in law that came in from the United States at the WORST time possible to plant doubts and everything into their decision. But we're going to have a powerhouse spiritual lesson tonight to see if they stay firm or look back. It's going to be a trial of faith, but that's the best way to gain a testimony of making the right choice. Jaris and Miguelito are doing amazing. We're preparing for their baptism this weekend if all runs smoothly and seeing small miracles in the midst of so much difficulty. 

Kind of a blurry picture (ironically right where my face is hahaha). But the Hernandez Family. Wow, they've changed so much. They've truly been protected and guided by God in the months that I didn't see them. Progressing and doing great. It was the best to be able to see them.

La Familia Rosado! Even though Alejandro was only there when I visited, it was still so great to catch up with him about his family. His sons, Guillermo and Nelkin found jobs and are working with the skills they adquired on their missions. But they're doing well with callings in the church, visiting the temple and such. A really blessed family.

Preciado is doing really well in the Gospel. For being 93, the man is a complete trooper. Soon as I saw him he said "Elder Graff!! Hey, sabe que? Ya no estoy usando mis muletas!" He had crutches when we were with him and apparently, after all of the health problems he still has, his feet are doing better and uses a cane instead now. Fancy hahaha.

I'm so grateful for the decision I made to serve a mission. It's blessed my life in so many ways and I know this last month of mission service will teach me things I need to improve.

I hope you all have a great week. I love you all so much.

Elder Graff

We went out for sushi for my birthday as well. The BEST meal I've had in two years. Words can't explain how much I MISS SUSHI.

In the car with Waldo and Saulo. Even though we couldn't see Yokasta, his mom, beacuse she was working, their family is doing better than ever. Waldo went to EFY and is super motivated with the Gospel. He's actually preparing to do the work for his father in the temple next month. But just a great family that's progressing so well.

Los Minas 8 - Chastity, Marriage

Los Minas 8 - Chastity, Marriage

So the Motilla family is super awesome. 

Honestly, one of the most amazing families I've taught in my mission. 

So they've been progressing really well and we came to the point this week that we knew was going to be the sacrifice they would have to make to accept the Gospel: the law of chastity.

Amauris and Naomi aren't married and they definitely didn't have it in their plans 'til a couple years from now because Naomi is waiting for residential papers from the US to go with her mom in Massachusetts with the kids and bring Amauris over a year later. And apparently to get married would be a huge problem and set back the papers. 

We talked with the bishop, his counselors and just everyone possible to see how we were gonna teach the lesson and what we could say or do to help them realize that they need to get married to be able to reach their goal to become members of the church. And we found out that a family in the ward about two years ago did the same thing. They got married and the papers came out FASTER and they're in the states right now. So with a lot of preparation and the first counselor, we had a STUPENDOUS lesson in the church. The Holy Ghost softened their hearts and they realized that God is more powerful than man and that if they obey his commandments, if it's his will and plan for them, he'll make it all work out. Amauris got down on one knee right there and proposed and even though he didn't have a ring or anything for the economic situation they're going through right now, it was so beautiful and just awesome. They went to go get the birth certificates today and we'll be setting up the marriage date tomorrow. It'll be a fight and God will still test their faith up to the day, but we're really confident that they're set on making the decision and want the blessings this Gospel brings for their family. 

This week was just truly full of God's blessing and I enjoyed it so much. Being a missionary is the best thing in the world. It's just so satisfying to see people change their ways and watch how their happiness and trust in God grows. I know this church is true and that I'm doing the right thing to serve God for this time in my life. I have no regrets in making the decision. It's blessed me and made me grow in so many ways; and here's to a month and a half more of it!

I love you all and give a HUGE EARLY BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT TO MY LITTLE BROTHER JOSEPH (aka "JoJo") for turning 11 on Saturday! Too bad we couldn't have the same birthday but it's close enough.

Elder Graff 

Los Minas 7 - Happy Fourth of July!

Los Minas 7 - Happy Fourth of July

AZUS

Happy Birthday America and Happy Independence Day to all. Hope the barbecues, lake, fireworks and family time was great. Probably one of my favorite holidays (and not just because it's close to my birthday or anything). Gotta love the red white and blue. American pride!

GOLF TRIP! 

We passed The Fourth well down here in the DR as well. Even though they don't celebrate it down here, we still enjoyed every second. And luckily, it fell on P-day. So a bunch of us - Elder Reyes and I included - went golfing with President Corbitt. Unfortunately, as probably all of you know, it is not like mini-golf. Whatsoever. So Elder Reyes and I came in last place with a 22 over par. Not bad for my second time in my life and Elder Reyes first time haha. Golf is definitely not my sport.

 Pic of Gabriel and his family

Pic of Dariel and his family

Surprise birthday celebration for Amauris and the Motilla Family

The mission work on the other hand is going great. We've been teaching Oliver and Ivan over this past month. Two really prepared and awesome brothers. We found them when we helped Oliver carry some GIANT grocery bags to his house when we saw him suffering on his way. They're really open to the message though and we had an amazing lesson last night about the Book of Mormon. They're both Agnostic and believe in God kind of, even though they don't believe in religion but they've come 4 times straight to church and LOVE it. They're progressing really well and we'll see where things go! The Family Motilla is doing awesome as well. We're going to be setting a wedding date tomorrow with the bishop. The work is progressing well and just really enjoying my time in Los Minas.

I hope you all have a great time this summer and that everything turns out well! 

Elder Graff

2 Nephi 1:6-7

Wherefore, I, Lehi, prophesy according to the workings of the Spirit which is in me, that there shall none come into this land save shall they be brought by the Hand of the Lord

Wherefore this land is consecrated unto him who he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore, they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so, it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever.