Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 24 - Dreaming of a Sunny Christmas and New Year's

I'm (bup bup)... dreaming (ba-dup) ...of a sunny (bup-bup) Christmas and New Years!

Well, everyone, just as fast as Christmas came, it went. But that doesn't mean I'm not gonna keep rocking the red ties and having the Christmas spirit!

Talking to the family was awesome. Aaron, Ethan and Joseph all seem to be older than I am now with the way they've grown over these last 7 months. It's gonna be scary to see how big they really are soon. 

We had a great week. The mission put together a Christmas activity with a HILARIOUS slide show from President Corbitt. Honestly, for how serious and inspired of a man he is, he also has a golden sense of humor and likes to laugh a lot. We did a skit as a zone of the "A Savior is Born" and a reenactment of the Nativity Scene. It was not quite as good as the ones we did as a family where we had one of the cousins tied to a rope in an angel outfit and we lowered him from the balcony, but we did our best.  Also, I got to play the guitar for the first time in forever for a song we did at the end of "Burrito Sabanero". It was such a good time and something all the missionaries needed.

I'm leaving this area tomorrow, though, with the new transfer - which is the sad thing.  I'm leaving for Las Americas, which is near where I started in the mission, to the area of Los Molinos (or for you gringos, "the windmills") like Cali. I'm going to be with a mission legend, Elder Guzman. He is a really cool and humble missionary and I'm ready to get to work. We're gonna be traveling a ton with my new responsibility and I'm gonna get to see more of the mission than I ever have as a result of what we will be doing during the course of this next transfer block. It might be a bit crazy with the schedule and time and lessons and everything, but it'll prepare me when I'm in post graduate school with three kids and a calling in the Church and....ya tu sabes. Really the mission is the MTC for your life.

Had some of the hardest goodbyes of my life today and there are more to come tonight. Gonna be carrying the Kleenex box around for a while. But I know that it's an "until later" and not a "goodbye", because I will be in contact with many of these great people for the rest of my life. This is part of my family now and I love being a missionary.

Love you guys. Have a great new years.

By the way my camera is fixed so I'm gonna be sending a BUNCH of pictures, hopefully, if the light doesn't go out.

Elder Graff

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 23 - Feliz Navidad!

Santo Domingo  (Espaillat) 23 - Feliz Navidad, Ya Filthy Animals! 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!

Hope everyone has had a great holiday season and it's sad that it's coming to the end but the best day is yet to come!  Everyone needs to live it up with the family and be grateful for all the blessings we all have and see on the daily.

Being a missionary during Christmas time is the best. Doesn't matter where you're serving, the language, the investigators you have, or anything. Just being able to teach people about Christ during a time where many people are thinking of him you see miracles. I honestly am so grateful for all He did and does for each and everyone of us. He's a part in everything we do and have and He is the reason we have hope. Because through Him, all things are possible.

We've been working hard with the Vetanses Family, a less active family that has started to come back to Church and we had an amazing experience with them. From the time we started teaching them, we noticed off the bat that they were a very poor and needy family. The mother has a day care and the father pushes a metal cart all day long every day besides Sunday, delivering empty water jugs to people in the neighborhood. Needless to say, it's very humbling to see. So this week, we had a lesson with them on the importance of service. As we were teaching, the mother explained how much service has helped her with her family and life. The first thought that came to mind is the service that others had gave to her. But she started describing the purpose of the day care she had. In this little room that takes up the majority of their home, she gives her time, skills, and hope to these children in difficult circumstances for free. I had always supposed it was a way to make ends meet for them financially. But she gives it all for free. Many of the children don't have parents, live in separated households, and would otherwise never get the opportunity to go to school. And this wonderful generous woman gives them the basics of education they need to succeed and doesn't receive a dime for her selfless service. 

I was absolutely dumbstruck. Obviously, when you hear about experiences similar to these, it makes you really wonder. Why am I so lucky? Why was I so weak in the premortal existence that I was given parents so good and loving? Why me? To see the goodness of many people who in reality, need the service of others, makes my heart burn inside. Because that is the life of a disciple of Christ. Give everything to others. Selfless service. 

I'm so grateful for this Gospel. For the privilege it is to be a missionary. To try and follow the steps of the Savior and give little sacrifices to make life-changing differences in the lives of my brothers and sisters. I know this church is true, and that families can be together forever.

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas.

Elder Graff

Sorry for the no photos. My camera broke. Ill be trying to get it fixed soon to be able to send a few photos here and there.

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 22 - Birth of Christ

Santo Domingo  (Espaillat) 22 - Birth of Christ

What a beautiful time of the year to celebrate the birth of the Christ. Even though there is exactly a 0% chance of snow every day on the Weather Channel (if they actually have that here), there is just something different about the people at Christmastime. I'm reminded every day of what I am going to try to give back to God this year, and how I can change and as a person.

We've been working hard lately, trying to find more people to teach. We were privileged to attend the Annual Christmas Bell Concert with Wilson on Saturday, as well as go to the temple as a mission. Both were beautiful experiences and really helped me keep the Christmas spirit where it should be.

I'm feeling good as new after the food poisoning scare, so don't worry about me. That was the first time in my life, and I pray it doesn't happen again haha.

Even though we may not be having as much success as we were hoping with the people we've been teaching, we have still every day been seeing small miracles. From a reference we received of a struggling mother with her family, to a less active household that came to church yesterday with the mother for the first time in years, God truly answers prayers. Even though our will may not be His, He knows what he's doing and calls every shot. I feel blessed to be here this Christmas and I hope to make it the best one yet.

Thank you to all for your prayers and thoughts on my behalf. Earnest prayer does more for missionaries than we may believe sometimes. 

I love you all. Enjoy the gingerbread cookies!

Elder Graff

Alma 46:15 

"And those who did belong to the church were faithful; yeah, all those who were true believers in Christ, took upon them, gladly, the name of Christ, or Christians as they were called, because of their belief in Christ who should come."

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 21 - Four Minutes

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 21 - Only 4 Minutes to Write! 

So we'll see how much I can write in 4 minutes because our P-day ends at three today hahaha! We had to do a DEEP clean of the house today, like Extreme Makeover Home Edition Style, and cut our hair because we're going to the temple tomorrow.

We've been working really hard with the "Ha Nacido Un Salvador" (or in English, "A Savior is Born") and just trying to bring the Christmas Spirit.

I got food poisoning which was a lot of fun. But I'm better now and don't have any lasting side effects. Of course, that effected the work for a day which is sad.

We also had the privilege of baptizing Emmanuel, the son of a recent convert in the Ward. It was SUPER hectic because there was a baby shower in the room with the baptismal font at the same time that we had no idea about!  But in the end, all went smoothly and it was a great night.

Love you all so much and I'm grateful for everything you all do for me.

Sorry I don't have time to write more.

Enjoy the Holidays.

Elder Graff

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 20 - Elder Cornish

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 20 - Elder Cornish of 70

We had more meetings than proselyting this week, but it was a spiritual wake-up call to me. 

First off, we got the privelege of seeing Elder Cornish, a member of the Seventy that's over the Carribean. What an inspired man is all I have to say. We got to talk with him personally and pretty person-to-person on Tuesday for a special leadership meeting we had with him and President Corbitt. He gave us a lot of great and truly heaven-sent advice on how we can meet with the goals and vision we have (both as a mission as well as personally).

 

Thursday, we had a meeting with the Zone with President Corbitt that was basically a how to "Plan More Effectively and Improve Companionship Study". We got food (well, rice and beans yet again -  yay!) No, it was good and we learned a ton.

 

And on Friday, we had a mission tour where we had the privelege yet again of hearing from Elder Cornish. He told a story to us that I have to comment a little bit about:

 

While he was serving his mission in Guatemala over 40 years ago, towards the end of his mission he recieved a special assignment from his President to look for possible missionaries from Guatemala. He worked, searched and finally got all the "prospects" together and in his words he delivered to them the best talk of his life. At the end, he asked "Who'd be willing to serve a mission?". Out of all the people there, one 18 year old boy he had known previously came to the stand. He was disorganized and had been kicked out of his house, a family of 11 people, because he accepted the Church. He was, he commented, the worst prospect there could possibly be to serve a mission. He didn't have a dime to his name and honestly, wasn't the most intelligent young man in the world. He explained to him the requirements to serve. In that era, you had to pay every penny of your mission unless it was an impossible circumstance. The amount that he would have to save was at least 2000 dollars. He asked him how much money he had saved up. He said 5 quetzales (the equivalent of 8 American dollars). President Cornish told him to keep saving up and to call him when he had enough and was prepared to serve a mission. 

 

He recieved a call two weeks later from the same young man. When Elder Cornish asked him how much money he had saved up, he responded "5 quetzales." Elder Cornish, a bit irritated, told him that was the same amount he had two weeks ago and so why he had called, being that he still didn't fulfill the basic requirements to serve? He said that he had sold all his tools he was using as a carpenter to sustain himself, his clothes that he could, and everything that he could to get some money. He didn't have a place to live, nothing to eat and 5 quetzals--- and he wanted to serve a mission for the Lord. Elder Cornish talked with his President. The young man came to the mission office, took some of the shirts, suits, shoes, and suitcases other missionaries had left and with money personally from the President left that following week to serve a mission in Honduras.

 

Elder Cornish, 6 months after, already returned to his home having completed his mission, recieved a letter from the young man with the address from Guatemala. Thinking that the man had failed, and discouraged, returned home from the missoni, he sadly opened the letter ---- only to find that it was from the father of the young man. That same father (who had hated the missionaries and kicked his own son out of the house for accepting the Gospel) was now in a picture with the entire family dressed in white at a baptism. The whole family was baptized and the young man returned honorably from his mission.

 

I was humbled to say the least. The little things we complain about. I have had many days in the mission where I feel like I have it hard. But to hear of others who truly sacrificed all to serve, makes me feel a bit spoiled to think of how little I gave up to be here. I love the mission, this Gospel, and sharing it with others. I know it's true and that the things I'm preaching now will immensly bless by family down the road.

 

Happy Late Thanksiving and Holidays to all.

Elder Taylor Graff

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 19 - Miracles

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 19 - Bathroom, Baptisms, and Miracles

Super busy, event-packed, but spiritually awesome first week.

First off, on Monday, day of transfers I had a really, really funny experience. We were on the way to Villa Juana (my "adopted kid" Elder and I) for my last day there. He had been having some really crazy bathroom visits because of some food he ate and so in the middle of the way to the metro he tells me "Run!"  We get there just in time to find a bathroom and while he's in there dying I look in the adjacent unoccupied bathroom to see 1) there's no toilet seat 2)it's the smallest bathroom I've witnessed to this day and 3) THERE'S NO TOILET PAPER. He comes out 10 minutes later and I asked him what happened. Well, upon entering the bathroom, he realized the same things I did ---and talking about the detail number 3) (no TP), he takes his agenda out of his shirt pocket.  With a grin, flipped it open and showed me - he had ripped all the pages of extra notes out, and the pages he hadn't fully used from the back of the agenda. We were laughing so, so hard. You gotta' do what you gotta' do!

So enough with the funny experience of the week. We had some AMAZING lessons. Elder Góngora and I were able to set three baptismal dates with three very special people. Wilson, the man that was planning on getting baptized in September, set his own date by himself for the 26th of December. We had been visiting him a little less frequently to give him time to think and we visited him yesterday to find out that he's resolving the things he wanted to get resolved to be able to feel completely ready for the day after Christmas. We were so excited. We have a Family Home Evening with him and some other investigators and members at his house tonight so we'll see how that goes. 

Teressa, my "Domincan grandmother" in her words, had a very hard experience this week. In the middle of church on Sunday she had to leave because she had a sharp pain in her ear. We were a bit startled but it wasn't anything too crazy. On Tuesday, we find out that she's in the hospital and had a mini stroke I believe from the little medical term Spanish I understand. We asked permission and we were able to visit her with a couple members. She wasn't in a very good condition so we gave her a priesthood blessing. She recovered and got home Saturday. It was a remarkable recovery. We taught her that same day with a very good member friend of hers and she accepted to be baptized the 19th of December.

It's been amazing to see the way God provides the path for his chosen sons and daughters to accept the Gospel. It's not always how or what we think. But it is right.

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone and I love you all.

Elder Graff

"The quitter is better off than someone who never took the initiative to begin"

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 18 - One Year in Capital

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 18 - One Year in Capital

What a beautiful way to end the transfer!

 

With all of the hectic travel to and from Villa Juana with Elder Góngora and our "son" Elder Walker, we may not have had the entire week to focus on our area, but we were most definitely spiritually strengthened by so many amazing moments in these past 7 days. 

 Firstly, we had the baptismal service of Ana Gladys on Saturday. She is such a strong and determined now-member of the Church. Her testimony is powerful and she's so focused on taking upon herself all the covenants and ordinances from God she and her family members need in the temple. We had a great turnout and almost all of the Relief Society were there to support. 

Temple trip 2K15 (casi '16). Even though its not as big or grand as the temple lights of the Mesa Temple or anything, the nativity scene in the Dominican Temple is actually really simple but stunning.

We also had a very touching Friday night as we were able to accompany the Rodriguez Family and Angel -- another recent convert -- along with three other investigators to the Temple. The Rodriguez Family and Angel were able to go inside and do baptisms for the dead. When they came out of the temple, the beaming smiles and pure joy that they had will forever be unforgettable for me. Manuel said it was the most beautiful thing he's ever experienced in his entire life and they're determined to go back every chance they get. They're still working with some dates and things for their parents, but we believe that they next time they go, they'll be able to carry out that work for a couple of their own family members which is such a blessing.

Manuel also gave a talk in Sacrament meeting!!!!!! He talked on service and expressed his desire to serve a full time mission which was enough to make a grown man cry (I may not be "full grown" yet but I was a water works). 

I was able to visit once again my old area of Villa Agricolas on an exchange with the elders there and I was privileged to see Frank and Eliany as well as Maireny and some others that are doing really good. So many beautiful humble people I've come to know in this country will forever be family to me. I feel so blessed to be serving a full time mission. And it's changed my life more than anything.

Maireny is doing super good. She found a job that she was praying for (because of the need she had with her two little boys) with the mother of Erika who's taking seminary now! She's dating this guy that's visiting the church now actually so we'll see where that goes - haha.

Frank and Eliany ft. Elder Giraffe.

Here's to another month and a half in Espaillat. Have a great Thanksgiving.

 

Elder Graff

"The best way to gauge a man's ambition is how he treats his alarm clock: as a best friend or a worst enemy."

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 17 - Temporary comp

Jean Paul's Baptism -- His mother is active in the church now too! She had a long time where she wasn't coming to church regularly but the activity and testimony of Jean Paul has her back in the church which is AWESOME.

 

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 17 - Temporary companion - Baptisms

Hey everyone.

Hope the turkeys are in the oven, and the Christmas music already on in the car. People here in the DR actually celebrate Christmas SUPER early - starting like 3 weeks ago  - so we're already singing Christmas hymns and everything and people already have their Christmas lights up. Talk about the easiest way to make keeping your thoughts focused on the mission work almost impossible!

BUT, we've been seeing lots of blessings as a companionship lately. First off, I HAVE AN ADOPTED "KID" FOR TWO WEEKS. His name is Elder Walker and he's from Idaho. His companion has a special assignment so he's with us for the rest of the transfer as a temporary companion with three of us working together.  Things have been crazy busy with the trips over to his area and then back to our area again.  If I hought it was hard to run two areas in the same sector, try running two areas 15 minutes apart!

But Jean Paul was baptized yesterday! It was an amazing service and even though it was dumping rain (rain basically means the end of the world for Dominicans and they don't leave their house for ANYTHING) we had a surprisingly great turnout. His mother and niece were there as well as some of our investigators and a couple members. It was really cool to see the enormous change the Gospel has made in his life because I haven't been teaching him regularly since the other elders came in about two transfers ago. He bore the most sincere and powerful testimony after his baptism that actually touched the heart of one of our investigators that was there at the service -  we believe we'll be setting a baptismal date with her now very soon.
 

                              

The problem is that nobody counts when they're gonna take photos they kind of just press the button and if you're looking that's great if not......OKAY!

Ana Gladys is getting baptized this Saturday also which is honestly a miracle. It all was going to depend on the Word of Wisdom if we were going to have to push back the date, but as soon as she got done reading the pamphlet, she prayed for strength and just left coffee just like that. She's been clean for a week and she expressed to us how much better and relieved she feels. It wasn't an addiction or anything, just a small habit. But leaving it has made all the difference in her life. She has a big purpose in the church and she has such a strong, sincere testimony.

I love you all and hope you have a great week.

Elder Graff

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 16 - Best Day ever in Espaillat!

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 16 - Best Day ever in Espaillat!

My heart is full. This week was the best week I've had in the area of Espaillat. 

Una noche mas blanca que las piernas del Elder Graff después de un ano y pico sin ver el sol (An evening even whiter than the legs of Elder Graff after a little more than a year without seeing the sun!)

First off, the Rodriguez Family was baptized on Friday. The support from the ward was amazing and there were a ton of friends and family of theirs at the baptism, including the son of Enrique who is apparently a famous singer here in this country so that was really awesome. The Spirit was so strong and the service was beautiful. Enrique said as he left the baptisimal waters "Ahora, voy a salvar a toda mi familia". (Now, I am going to save all my family) It's just so amazing to see what the Gospel has done and motivated this family to do. Their daughter and her family are working on getting married and baptized. His son and his family in New York are taking the lessons from the missionaries. They've invited friends and just everyone to partake of the same joy and peace they feel. They feel the same as Lehi of the Book of Mormon felt when he ate of the Tree of Life "And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceedingly great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should take part of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above ALL other fruits" (1 Nephi 8:12)

El "Chuape" Jajaja!  He's the famous "Dembo" singer in the country and a crowd of like 1,000 little kids were waiting for him downstairs after the baptism of his father because they wanted to see him.

They were confirmed on Sunday and both Manuel and Enrique recieved the Aaronic Priesthood. We'll be working this Sunday on getting them their temple reccomends so they can enter into the temple next Friday.

We've also been working with a woman named Ana Gladys which is a reference from a recent convert we recieved. The lady is a machine. We honestly would've had a hard time teaching her everything we need to before she gets baptized if she didn't read the pamphlets and things we leave with her two times over with really inspired and sincere questions every time we go back. She's dedicated on getting baptized the 14th of this month and we're gonna do everything we can to help her reach it. 

Elder Góngora (from Guatemala) and I are having a blast. Working hard and laughing almost every second with or at each other (usually at me because I trip a lot down here and I don't know why). He's a great companion and I'm 10 percent Guatemalteco now.

The Rodriguez family and the family of her son with President Corbitt and his wife.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN AND HOLIDAY SEASON TO ALL YOU GUYS AND HOPE YOU ALL EAT A SLICE OF PUMPKIN PIE AND DRINK A GLASS OF EGG NOG FOR ELDER GRAFF. Because if we only have electricity half the day, you can bet that we don't have much pumpkin pie or holiday food down here :)

Elder Graff

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 15 - The Plan of Salvation

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 15 - The Plan of Salvation

I just want to express the gratitude to each and every one of you that helps and inspires me with your letters and emails (that I receive frequently) to be a better missionary. 

TEMPLE NIGHT. We went as a district and it "rained empanadas" and bad hairdos because of a storm that came in.  But through it all, we hardly even noticed how hard it was raining. It was a really cool lesson.

The Rodriguez and Olivo Family (besides Manuel who was sick that night and couldn't make it). The wife of the Olivo Family is the daughter of Miriam. We started teaching them about a month ago and the other elders are working with some difficulties in the marriage papers, but the whole family has a baptism date in December if everything goes as planned. It is so touching to see the unity and faith of both families. They'll be a light and strength to a lot of people as they've already been. It's such a blessing from God to be able to teach them.

The Rodriguez Family had their baptismal interview and their baptism will be this Friday. The whole ward is getting involved and it will truly be a night to remember. We had the privilege of going to the temple with them again and lots of others on Friday. It was a beautiful night and we were able to set a goal with Enrique, Miriam and Manuel to be able to enter into the temple on the 7th of November and do the most important spiritual work there is. They accepted and they will be such a great family in the Gospel. (More photos from the wedding of Enrique and Miriam):

Shouts out to having like 32 different cameras and out of 6 photos Miriam and I were the only ones looking at my camera --but hey, it's the thought that counts.

CLASSIC CROSSED ARMS MARRIAGE TOAST NON ALCOHOLIC VERSION!

Miriam and Enrique busting a move.

We've also been working hard with the references we recieved and we're teaching a woman named Ana Gladys that's a reference from a recent convert. She's been to church twice and she's really interested. Elder Góngora and I thought a lot about what to teach her and we had started with the Plan of Salvation. We had planned yesterday to talk about the Creation and Adam and Eve when at the start of the lesson, we started talking about temples and the importance of the ordinances we do inside. We knew she was a widow but we had NO IDEA how powerful that small change would be. As the Spirit testified to her heart about the truth behind the work we do inside the House of the Lord, she began to express her desire to go inside. It was such a powerful lesson and in the end of it all, she accepted a baptism date for the 14th of November. We're trying to think how we'll be able to teach all we need to before then, but I'm sure we'll be able to do it.

I hope everyone is doing great and always feel open to send me suggestions on how I can make these letters better cause Im not much of an author or good with english anymore haha.

Much love,

Elder Graff

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 14 - Marriage

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 14 - Marriage

Sometimes, the special things in life require a little bit of waiting, and then waiting a little more. Wilson's baptism fell through that was supposed to be on Saturday. He called us on Tuesday and explained to us that he needs a little more time to arrange some small things that he's dealing with. He was still good with his goals and everything, he was just worried with a situation he has that he would fall after. We explained to him everything we could to try and comfort his pre-baptism fears but we really felt like it would be best to give him the time he needs so it can be a great and satisfying experience rather than something rushed. So, even though it was one of the hardest things I've done because of how much I care for the guy, we're giving him the time he needs.

It's really been a process with the investigators we have. There have been moments where, just out of the sheer work and somehow everything delaying or postponing itself, I've wanted to give in. I've wondered, nights before, if I'm truly making an impact out here. Would I be of better use back home? Am I even a missionary of success? Despite the beautiful moments one has had in the past, one always wants more. And more often than not, we forget or overlook the little changes and blessings we play a part in.

Fraileen and his family back in Villa Agricolas. Saw a lot of people I love and it was a great night. 

I was able to visit Villa Agricolas, my old area, again. It was there that I saw the delayed fruits (you could say) of the work the Lord did through my companion and I in the short time I was there. I was able to baptize the son of a less active father Elder Maatatia and I worked to reactivate. It was such a spiritual experience. To see that man still fighting and active now in the church after the many visits that we gave him filled my heart with joy. Erika, who was a lost teenager in a religiously seperated family, is now going to Seminary and fulfilling her spiritual responsibilities with God. Julia, the mother and the matriarch of a once-involved family in the Gospel that forgot the simple things, is now the Relief Society President of many members in need. Those closest to my heart that I shared and taught while there -- Frank and Eliany and Maireny -- are active and happy in the Church despite many difficult trials. When I focus on the numbers or compare myself with others, maybe I misunderstand what I'm really here to do. But when I try to look at the small changes and the love people develop for the Gospel, that's when I believe I truly understand my purpose.
 

MARRIAGE OF ENRIQUE AND MIRIAM!!!!!!!! One of the best days of my life.

Nothing like a little public affection. "BESO! BESO! BESO!" 

Also, another absolutely amazing thing that happened was ENRIQUE AND MIRIAM GOT MARRIED!!! It made me so happy to see the love and joy they have for each other and that their main purpose for it all is to be able to be baptized as a family. We had a super sweet celebration in the church too with some gifts from us and the ward for them which included photos in frames of their marriage and the temple here in the Dominican Republic. One of the best and most satisfying days of my mission and a miracle from God.

Best Dominican cake ever.  Along with two framed gift photos (from the Ward and us) to the Rodriguez Family. It was a super awesome celebration - with calamari, tons of good food (that wasn't rice and beans and meat), and everyone was dancing bachata hahah (besides us, of course. But as soon as I get home, bachata on replay, yes sir!)

We also received some really inspired references from the members this week and three of them came to church so we'll see where everything goes with them.

Really enjoying the mission and loving the good and the hard things that come. Hope you all have a wonderful week.

Elder Graff

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 13 - Beehives and Marriage

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 13 -  Beehives and Marriage

Photo sent to Laura from an LDS family visiting the DR from Utah who happened to run into Taylor while they were visiting a park on Preparation Day

So a lot of interesting things happened this week. First off, on Tuesday we ate raw honeycomb. We were with a less active family when the dad, who isn't a member, busts into the house late from work with a GIANT bag full of honeycomb. Apparently, he found a HUGE beehive while he was constructing a house in the basement, the home of more than 2 million bees. I wish I would've had my camera but it's something I'm always gonna remember. I honestly almost got sick from all the honey we ate in that lesson. And we taught using the example of a beehive actually which was pretty sweet. The mother came to church for the first time in over a year which made us really happy to see. They stopped drinking coffee and they're on their way back into the church, slowly but surely.

Wilson is doing amazing. He has his baptisimal interview on Tuesday and if everything goes well, we'll be having his baptism this Thursday!!! He's really content with his progress and how much he's changed. We've been inviting everyone and we'll see how it all goes.

The Rodriguez Family is getting married on Thursday!!!!!!!!!!! Elder Góngora and I are really excited and the ward is putting on a surprise party Thursday night to support. They've loved their time in the church so far. Miriam's daughter, her husband and their two children also, who we were teaching, are getting baptized on the 7th! Elder Herrera and Wenzel have been helping them a lot and we're just working with the documents and marriage situation. But they're two very prepared families. We went on splits with Manuel and he loved it. He gave his testimony to a reference we're teaching and she came to church. He's gonna be a great future missionary.

Slowly, but surely, we're making progress with the investigators we're teaching and having fun in the process. Life is better than ever.

Hope you all have a great week.

Elder Graff

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 12 - General Conference

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 12 - General Conference:

Saw the best friend Juan Carlos in Conference. We talked a little bit and he told me that Frank and Eliany and Maireny are doing great. They were watching the Conference in Villa Agricolas so I didn't get to see them but I was super happy to hear that they're staying strong in the Gospel and working to try and reach their goals.

It was a really spiritually packed week with General Conference this weekend. We had a lot less meetings and had actually a lot of time to work in our area. We contacted two really cool references that have a lot of potential. They weren't able to see General Conference with us for various reasons, but they've both been to church a couple times so we'll see where everything goes.

It's such a blessing to hear from inspired Prophets and Apostles from the Lord. To recieve general direction as a church and personal insights as individual members of this True Church. I truly enjoyed and learned much from various talks, including the newly called Apostles. One doesn't have to look far or for many reasons why these men are called of God other than their burning testimonies. I really learned a lot and recieved many inspired personal revelations that I know will help me become a better missionary and servant of Christ.

Our investigators enjoyed the Conference as well. Enrique and his son Manuel were able to see - as father and son - the Priesthood session, and as a family on Sunday. They loved it and they also had a sweet piece of news for all of us. They bought wedding rings!!!! They showed them to us on Wednesday and I jumped out of my chair and almost gave Miriam a hug - but then I came to my missionary senses and gave her a firm handshake haha. We're so happy for them. Manuel is taking seminary now and he's gonna be going on splits with us tomorrow. We're just waiting for the marriage date and trying to keep them spiritually growing through it all.

Wilson is doing great. He was a little sick this week and we weren't able to see him much. But we talked and he's excited and on track for his baptism that's coming soon. 

Rafa got back from Haiti. I don't know if I included that in the last letter. But he loved the Mormon church when he was visiting his family and he's really dedicated on his conversion process. We'll be teaching him the commandments this week, trying to get him prepared.

We recieved transfers yesterday and I'm STAYING!!!!!!!! With yet another Latin companion, Elder Góngora, who actually was in our zone just a month and a half ago. A REALLY COOL missionary who works super hard. So we're hoping for big things as a companionship for the transfer.

I'm loving the mission so much. There are so many unexpected things that happen sometimes. But you just have to enjoy the beauty of it all.

Love you guys,

Elder Graff

Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it"

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 11 - Noche Blanca

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 11 - Noche Blanca (White Night), Ward Activity

First, I just wanted to express my love and appreciation for the Haggarton Family. It's always hard when someone we love and to whom we are close passes away. I remember 6 years ago when my Grandpa Graff passed away and how hard that was for me. Even though with the Gospel, we know that this life isn't the end, it's still something rough to go through. My prayers and thoughts will be with you guys.

Elder Cornejo has been a little sick this week so we didn't have as much time as we would've liked to because he's been really nauseous and throwing up. But, we did find some really cool people that came to church on Sunday so we're really excited for their progress and to see where it goes.

"Cheesing" with some of the most beautiful people (I mean, Elders and Sisters) in the Dominican Republic -- not being biased or anything.  (This is Taylor's Zone)

On Saturday, we were able to have "La Noche Blanca" (The White Night) with our Zone. Stress, stress, and more stress! The Stake President showed up a little later than we wanted, one of the baptisms didn't have baptism clothes and we had some problems with the agenda but at the end of it all, the special activity went really well and we enjoyed it a lot. I had to help out serving cake and soda and we were trying to make sure everything went smoothly so I unfortunately didn't get to take any pictures but it was a really awesome night.

Wilson is doing great. We moved his baptism to the 10th due to General Conference that's coming up this weekend. But we think that'll help him be even more ready and spiritually in tune for his baptism. Ruben is progressing super well also. We talked with his parents and set a date for the 17th. He's talking about a mission, invited his girlfriend to church and he's really excited.

Miriam and Antonia with one of the members that was in their group for the Church activity. This was at the end when we announced the winners. 

We were in charge of one group and we basically were asking questions about the Book of Mormon, The Bible, and other Gospel related questions and they did better than some of the members to be honest -- hahaha. 

It was really cool to see and they answered some questions right that 2 years ago, I probably would have had no idea about myself!

Enrique and his family are doing better than ever. The came to the big ward activity we had which was basically a rally with church questions, fun games, and it was just a huge competition. And they won 3rd place --haha. I don't know how, but Miriam and Antonia (her daughter that is coming to church now with her entire family that the other elders are teaching, another really cool family), got free Tshirts and they had a ton of fun. We'll be taking Manuel out with us this week to teach a couple of lessons. He's been changing a lot and he's also asking about a mission and even though he's still got about 4 years to go, it's still cool to see the change the Gospel is making in their lives. They're really excited for their marriage and everything and we'll be setting up a celebration with the ward for the 15th after the marriage in the office.

A picture we took in Sambil for the birthday of Elder Orellana. Hooray for being the only gringo! 'Merica! Well, I'm really half Dominican, but you know.

I'm very grateful for everything that the Lord is doing with the people we're teaching. It's really amazing to see how if we work hard and give it our all that God makes up for the rest.

I hope you all have a great week and that you enjoy General Conference.

Elder Graff

 

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 10 - What a Blessing

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 10 - What a Blessing

FIRST OFF, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BROTHER ETHAN. HE TURNED 15 ALMOST A WEEK AGO AND DUE TO THE COMMUNICATION METHOD OF MISSIONARIES, I WASNT ABLE TO TYPE THIS WHEN IT HAPPENED. BUT HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE BRO. MISS AND LOVE YOU.

What a crazy busy week. With the interviews with Mission President, meetings on meetings, and a rescue effort we helped arrange in one of the branches in our Zone, we really didn't have a ton of time in our own area. I really would of liked to be able to work more here in Espaillat these last couple of days but we have a lot of really cool things planned this week.

Stake conference yesterday was so amazing. I saw Frank and Eliany with the branch in Villa Agricolas which was awesome and apparently Maireny was down in one of the rooms below where it was broadcasted because her kids were a little hyper. But I was so grateful to see how much they were progressing and how the love they have for the Gospel now is brighter and stronger than when I first met them a while back. It really is amazing what this message can do for people. But we went with the Rodriguez Family and Wilson. They're both doing great. Miriam and Enrique are doing well with avoiding coffee. They expressed to us how much better they feel and it's cool to see how they're noticing the blessings of keeping a commandment from the Lord. The Ward is anxious for their baptism and they're really supporting them a lot. Manuel is thinking about taking seminary and honestly, things couldn't be going any better with them. Wilson is doing awesome. We're just trying to get him prepared for the 3rd of October as well as Ruben, another investigator we're teaching. It's been a while in the process to prepare them but it's all in the Lord's time really.

That's something that I've been studying lately. A lot of things have happened in these past couple weeks that have halted the progress of many people we're teaching. Rafa is still in Haiti, Martin has a problem with his birth certificate, and with the division of the area, we have been struggling with little issues that are preventing us from reaching our goals with everyone. But as I was pondering, I remembered back to a year ago in the MTC. Our saying as a "district" came from one of the sisters in our group and it was "What a Blessing". Back at that time in the MTC, we were all fighting a lot with the language, some heartaches and news from home was affecting some of the missionaries, and we were all thinking of a way to brighten our mood. We decided that whenever something bad, inconvenient, or annoying happened, we would all remind ourselves "What A Blessing!". 

Really, everything has a purpose. As it says in Job 33:12 "I will say unto thee, God is greater than man." God knows more than we do. What may seem like to us something that shouldn't have happened, in the mind of God happens with a purpose. Even though sometimes we ask ourselves and wonder what good could come from a particular result or how could this benefit us, everything God does has its reason. And if we put forth all of our effort and give it our all, we should always be content with the results. Because it's in the Plan of God for us and for those we love and care about.

I know this Church is true. I've grown and learned more in this past year than in any other time in my life. I'm grateful for the unforgettable impact it's had on my life and how it has helped me understand more fully the purpose of our existence. And I'm more than ready for one more year.

Elder Graff

Job 19:25-26 "For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the Earth."  "And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God."

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 9 - Play Piano

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 9 - Play Piano, Papers, Build the Wall

Well, in other news, I played the piano this Sunday in Sacrament meeting. We usually just sing a capella or play pre -recorded hymns. But the Stake President was there and I was the last option. Being that I don't read music hardly at all, I practiced for about 10 minutes beforehand and just went with it. I honestly didn't do too terrible and the congregation was singing their hearts out so it drummed out a little bit of my terrible piano playing skills. Really wish I would've taken my mother more seriously when she dragged me to piano lessons when I was 12!  BUT, it was a really funny experience I'll remember for a long time.

Everything is going great. With the Rodriguez Family, WE'VE GOT THE PAPERS. We're getting copies of the licenses of the witnesses for their marriage (which are going to be a really cool family in the ward) and we're setting the date tomorrow. They're so excited and honestly, like I've said before, we really aren't doing much. They're so motivated and taking the steps themselves. We taught them about the Word of Wisdom and we knew Miriam had a little problem with coffee, but before the lesson even the started she and Enrique said "We're quitting coffee." They had made the decision themselves after reading the pamphlet.  The bishop and us were just completely stunned. They really are putting their faith in God and they're going to be a great family in the Church. Working a little with the son Manuel on his preparation for baptism because he feels a little unprepared which is normal for a decision as big as baptism. But, we'll see what God has in store for us.

Wilson is doing great. He's been clean for a month and a half now. We're just going over the lessons and helping him with the questions he has. His desire to keep moving forward keeps growing every day and we put some goals to help him focus on the temple which will be a big strength for him in staying away from the temptations he has.

We found two AWESOME families contacting and so we'll see where they go and how they're going to progress.

Angel Luis, the less active from my old area, is working on his mission papers with the stake president from the last I heard and it makes me super happy that he's still doing great.

I'm honestly just super happy with everything that's happening. I've really been seeing the blessings of God with the people we're teaching. And even though sometimes as a missionary, you want to do more and you feel like what you're doing isn't enough. But in the end, you just got to focus on the small blessings and miracles you see every day.

Thank you for everything you guys do for me and I hope that everyone has a great week.

Elder Graff

Nehemiah 4:6-9

"So we built the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work"

"But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the ammonites, and the ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,"

"And conspired all of them together to come and fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it"

"Nevertheless we made our prayer unto God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them"

Sometimes, we build a wall. We have success. Whether it be in the mission, at home, in college, wherever it may be. And when Satan and his followers see that we've "built a wall" or that we're fighting for good, having success and happiness in our lives, he attacks. But I testify that if we pray, and set "guards" such as studying the scriptures, going to church, and trying to follow Christ in every way we can, the wall we've built won't fall and God will lift us and carry us to do even better things.

Just something I found in my studies and wanted to share.

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 8 - Busy Week

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 8 - Busy Week

One busy, busy week!  First off, we had a mini mission tour with our Mission President and his wife. It was a really great experience and the presentation they gave really helped me to have a different and more focused perspective on the mission work (And we got pizza, so I mean that was a plus). 

We also were priveleged to have our mission temple trip. I had beforehand been praying for some answers to prayers on how to resolve certain things that were going on with investigators, my companion, and just a lot of stuff.  I really recieved a lot of personal inspiration at the temple. It was a day full of the spirit and exactly what I needed. We got to go back to the temple the next day too with another family we're teaching and Wilson, (who's been clean for A MONTH now) to teach a lesson in the temple gardens. We set a baptisimal date with Wilson for the 3rd of October. Words cannot describe how genuinely happy I am for him. He came to church for the first time in a white shirt yesterday and I told him that I now owe him a tie haha. But he's really excited for his baptism and he's noting the small changes that are coming into his life for being obedient to the commandments of God. He even started running every morning and every time he passes our house he yells out to us. It's really cool to see the difference he's making. The Rodriguez Family is doing absolutely awesome. They're getting their birth certificates ready so we can go to the marriage office to get their date set for the 21st. Their son, Manuel, is gonna be going with the youth this weekend to play some "batilla" which is basically like a small baseball game with bottle caps and broomsticks. Really makes me grateful to God for the way the Ward has helped them feel comfortable and how their testimony has been fortified. 

Elder Cornejo and I have been working to try and set up the agenda for the "Noche Blanca" (White Night of baptisms) that we're planning on having the 26th with the Zone. We have about 10 to 11 people, including 2 families that are preparing to make baptisimal covenants on that night of the investigators that are being teaching within the zone. I'm really excited to see how it will all play out and we're really seeing the blessings of hard work and a strong focus on the families.

We also found 2 other really prepared families contacting. I'm really content with everything that's going on and how blessed and prepared the people are that we're teaching. 

The time is going by faster and faster each week and I know it will only escape me more as my mission goes on. I've had some amazing experiences up to now and I can't wait to see what God has planned for the rest of the time I have left.

Love you all and I hope you have a great week.

Elder J. Taylor Graff

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 7 - Hurricane Season

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 7 - Hurricane Season

So for any of you that heard, the DR got hit pretty hard with a hurricane. This week was a little hectic in anticipation for it. You know, basically all the missionaries acted as if the world was coming to an end - we all made sure we had everything we needed and on Friday it came. It honestly wasn't all that bad. SUPER strong winds, yeah, and some rain, but it didn't last all that long and everyone turned out safe. We just had to stay in all day Friday which was probably one of the most boring days of my life --hahaha. The days where you have to stay in when you're a missionary are the worst. All you want to do is go out and preach because that's all you really know how to do. 

But at least the rest of the time we had this week went great. With the Rodriguez family, they're going to the marriage office today to get the form they need! We set a date for the 21st of September for their marriage. It was an awesome lesson with a recent convert named Angel (who is helping us out big time with the proccess too because he's a really renowned lawyer here). But we'll see what happens. We're having a Family Home Evening with them and a member family in the ward tonight. They're really happy and excited for everything that's happening and told us that they've seen a huge change for the better in their family which is what it's all about.

Wilson, the man that's struggled with alcohol all his life has been clean for THREE WEEKS today. We took him out for ice cream to a place close to our house with our ward mission leader and taught a little about the blessings we recieve for our obedience to the commandments of God. He's really excited and so content with the progress he's making. We're gonna try and set a baptism goal on Tuesday and we'll be teaching him the lessons over again to prepare him, but we'll see what happens.

Rafa and Rosa (who were in a photo of mine like a month and a half ago when we went to the temple) are doing awesome too. Rafa has been going to church in Haiti this whole month and he comes back in a week. From what we've been hearing from Rosa, he's super excited to be coming back to the ward and so we can help and teach him what's left. They're really prepared and humble people.

In my personal studies, I've been trying to finish the Old Testament. I've been reading in the book of Kings and today in the morning, found a really cool passage of scripture. I'm in 2 Kings chapter 6. It's where Elisha the prophet is walking with a group of men. One of them -as it says in verse 4 - was chopping down a tree. As he was cutting it, the axe he was using fell in a body of water and the guy was pretty bummed because it was an axe he had borrowed from a friend. Elisha, being with him, saw his desire and what had happened and caused the axe to float so it could be retrieved. 

I was really thinking about why that passage of scripture was in the Bible to be honest. Why it was important and what application it had for me. And I realized that it teaches us about the love God has for us. Even though it wasn't a big thing and God really didn't need to work a miracle through the hand of his prophet (I mean, the guy could've easily just bought another axe, right?), but I realized that the things that are important to us - if they're in the will of God - are important to God. That is, if we're living the commandments and trying to follow the path God has set for us, that EVERY righteous desire we have will be granted us. That even though sometimes it isn't in the way or time span we want it, that the blessings come and God helps us reach the goals and desires of our hearts.

Hope you all have a great time and that those preparing for missions right now, that you're ready and that you've done all you can to prepare yourself to serve.

Elder Graff

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 6 - Transfer Week - Staying

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 6 - Transfer Week - Staying

So we got transfer calls and I'll be staying in Espaillat with Elder Cornejo for at least another month and a half and I was super happy to hear it, because we're doing great and working super hard. But, we're gonna' have two more missionaries in the house.  Those new missionaries will take over the second area we've been working and will be teaching some really prepared people we found, but, we did our part and in the end, the important thing is that they come to the Gospel.

A zone activity we had complete with Papa Johns pizza, water balloon volleyball, and crazy soccer (which is where you and your comp are tied together at the ankle - which was Elder Cornejo's idea).....One of the sweetest P-days of my mission.

But we've really been focusing on the Rodriguez family. We found them about a month and a half ago and they're doing AWESOME. They're basically already a part of the Ward and they really love the Church. They told us that they want to get married out of the blue and we haven't even taught them that principle yet, but they told us they know it's a commandment of the Lord and they want to be living the commandments so we will be starting that process tomorrow. But they're super excited for their baptism date and we've really seen a powerful change in their family since the day we first met them. They really are a blessing from God.

Best district there is. Didn't think it was possibly, but think I might be getting even skinnier. I'm gonna' come back 6'4" and 150 pounds hahaha.

Martin is also doing great. He's been coming to church for about a year but after a super powerful testimony from a recent convert in the ward, he decided to put a date for marriage.  After he reaches that, he expressed his desire to be baptized. We have half the marriage papers and the other half is coming on the second of September. It was amazing to how a pure and simple statement of truth from someone can change someone's desire to follow Christ.

We're also working with a guy named Wilson. He's been taking the discussions for a while too but has always had a problem with alcohol. He said that its too hard of a temptation and that it's something he probably will never get over. In one of our lessons, we taught about the will of God and how he will bless us and NOTHING is impossible if we put our part in and do the small and simple things that will fortify us in our weaknesses. He's been clean and sober for 2 weeks now. I know and testify that the Lord, when we do our part, is our support. He helps us do things that we wouldn't even come close to doing without H

is watchful care. It's amazing to see the impact that this Restored Gospel has on the lives of the children of God. I have learned so much in these past 11 months and I'm so blessed to be a missionary.

Hope you all have a great week.

Elder Graff

Elder Maatatia called me and told me that Angel Luis (right behind him, white shirt, 19) - who is the brother of one of the part-member families we were teaching who was inactive - is now coming to church every Sunday and planning on SERVING A MISSION. I was so stoked when I heard it and hope he gets called to Arizona so I can help him out when I get back.  Hahaha

 

"But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over ALL those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto deliverance." 1 Nephi 1:20