Santo Domingo (Las Americas - Maria Auxiliadora) 3 - Faith and Opposition

Santo Domingo (Las Americas - Maria Auxiliadora) 3 -  Faith and Opposition

A jam packed week. 

At the computer today, and I'm honestly just struggling to keep my eyes open haha. 

Lots of meetings, getting birth certificates so that families in the mission can get married, and working with the missionaries to help with the goal that God has placed in the mission that every companionship is able to baptize in the month of April. When I started the mission, that would've been something crazy to say. But with the changes we've made and the raised faith that us as missionaries seem to have, everyone trusts and confides in God that he'll make it happen. And I know we'll be able to reach the goal. Tons of phone calls and long car rides out to struggling areas, but it's all worth it. And I'm grateful to my Heavenly Father for all that I'm learning here in my new area.

Picture of me with the boys (aka my comps Elder Guzman and Elder Anderson). 

We're also having some really cool experiences in our own area. We were actually struggling at the start of the month to find the right and prepared people to enter into the waters of baptism. With the lack of time we have in our own area, it's a bit difficult sometimes. But with some detailed planning and help from the Lord, we've found some really humble and receptive people. We had a 19 yr old teenager named Hellen that was animated and ready but then her excitement fell for the lack of her mom's permission. But then we were able to, with that difficulty, focus MORE on the whole family and now the father of the family has a baptismal date for this Saturday! It was really cool.

We were also teaching a guy named Miguel who is a baseball player but had trouble going to church on Sunday for his practices and because that was the day the scouts were able to see him play. I shared my experience with a varsity tournament I had as a sophomore and my decision to keep the Sabbath Day Holy and how God helped me make the team that very next year and pitch a supernatural game the day before on Saturday. The spirit was REALLY strong and he seemed dedicated in his decision to go to church. But for some changes in beliefs with his family, he told us that he doesn't want us to visit him anymore. But that opposition then led us to a reference right next door, her husband and 15 year old boy - that are coming to church this Sunday. And we can say with confidence that we did all we could to help Miguel and that he cannot deny that we didn't teach him and help him come to know of the true Gospel of Christ.

We went to a place called "Chef Pepper" (don't know if its new back home or what) for our P-day and it was AMAZING......I'm talking one of the best burgers I've ever had in my entire life.

I've seen more opposition in the mission work this transfer than in all my mission combined I would say. And that's because "the man downstairs" doesn't want these miracles to occur. But if we keep looking forward with pure hope and faith in Christ, we'll see the course of this work SPEED up and God will be able to do the work he needs to through us.

I know this Church is true and that we are all missionaries. It falls on us to decide what we want to do to share the beautiful message we've come to know and love.

Elder Graff

2 Nephi 2:11 - For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. 

Santo Domingo (Las Americas - Maria Auxiliadora) 2 - General Conference

Santo Domingo (Las Americas - Maria Auxiliadora) 2 - General Conference 

Wow, my last General Conference as a missionary. Honestly, words cannot describe how I felt after the close of this weekend. 

It was just so spiritually power-packed it was hard to take in. Even though we were super busy with a lot of things that happened during the course of these 7 days, it was nice to be able to sit back and search personal revelation. 

What I think I got most out of the conference is that we need to be HUMBLE. You can say I got "smacked around" a little bit by the "spiritual humble stick", I guess haha. For as long as I can remember, I've been really really competitive. All my good friends and family know that about me. That we're best friends until it comes to sports, games, or competitions. Doesn't matter who it is, if we're on the opposite team, we're pretty much complete enemies.

Over the course of these 19 months, focusing on God and his Gospel. Helping others and putting them and their happiness first - over myself - I can say that I've come a long way. I've definitely learned to see the good in others, lift them up, and help them reach the potential that God sees in them and in me. It's not to say that I don't still have a super-competitive spirit. But I've learned how to control it and use it to compete with MYSELF and drive me to be the best I can be, while still being able to congratulate others and help them see their strengths. And if I can keep improving and controlling this aspect of my life, I just feel that I will be able to reach heights that I otherwise would've fallen short in getting to.

The mission work is going great. Maria Auxiliadora is one of the best areas I've seen. I know that I say that every time that I get transferred. But no matter who the people are and their strengths and weaknesses, I think I'm just getting better at working with what God gives us. But the members are really supporting the work. We don't have as much time in the area as we'd like sometimes, but when we're there, exchanges with members 24/7. And the results are showing. We've been seeing miracles. We're working with some really prepared people. And only time will tell this month who will be ready and who God has planned that we teach.

I'm so grateful for all that you do for me each and every one of you and your support. 

Much love,

Elder Graff

Added April 6, 2016 --

Just doing a list real quick for the mission and wanted to take out 30 seconds to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I love you Aaron and Im very thankful for you. Good luck with everything and I hope you're praying and thinking hard about where you want to go to college. Wherever you go, you'll have success. Just think about what will make you the best person and give you the best chance in life to raise a strong family.

I love you all.

Elder Graff

Santo Domingo (Las Americas - Maria Auxiliadora) 1 - TRANSFER

Santo Domingo (Las Americas - Maria Auxiliadora) 1 - TRANSFER !  

Hope everyone had a great Easter!

So we got transfers this week and Elder Searle and I are both headed out. I never thought that the mission would 

'blank" our area but they did. Elder Searle is headed across the road to La Caleta right by Boca Chica and Im going back to Santo Domingo to serve in a new area and responsibility, Las Americas, hahaha. Who would've thought it. But I'm really excited because I'm going to be with my former companion Elder Guzman! We're going to be super busy and have a lot of stuff going on, but I know that God is going to make everything run smoothly and we'll be able to handle it all! Because you almost never have a down moment in the mission anyways!

So yesterday and today, we've been passing by to visit with all of the recent converts, members and investigators to say goodbye. It never gets easier, I can tell you that much. I just think how little I'm most likely going to see all the people I've met here in the future. Sure, I can come back for vacation once in a while. But I know that it won't be whenever I feel like it. And so that makes me a bit sad. I just pray we stay strong in the faith for when we do see each other. Because there's no better feeling seeing someone stay on track and know that you're both trying to do your best, and seeing the blessings of God come from it.

I'm really excited for General Conference this weekend. I just feel like a big announcement is coming or something. But in reality, it'll all be of importance. I hope you all enjoy it!

Have a great week. Sorry that my emails keep getting lamer and lamer, shorter and shorter. Im trying to figure out how I can make them more enjoyable to read hahaha. The thing with the English and time is what's making it hard. But I hope you can all forgive me!

Other pictures are still in the process (the electronic viruses here are NOT easy),  

Much love,

Elder Graff

Los Molinos 12B - Photo of P-Day w President

Los Molinos 12B - Photo of P-Day w President 

Well, it might possibly be sideways but here's the only picture of the week. Unfortunately, it's not of the baptisms (because my comp's camera is pretty nice and he doesn't want to damage it sending pictures in really sketchy internet centers). But hopefully, we'll have those pictures soon.  Yesterday, I went golfing with some other missionaries and President Corbitt. For anyone that knows me, besides mini golf, I have never played a real game of golf in my entire life. And I'm awful. So this story kind of matches the same lesson as Elder Bryant Black's for the week.

Elder Aplanalp and I were playing against Pres Corbitt and his friend. We were playing something called "best shot". You basically both shoot and then take the best spot out of the two for every shot until you make it in the hole. 

At the beginning I was terrible. Terrible.  The first drive I had, I almost hit a window 300 feet to the right of the course. It was really hard for me, especially because I'm really competitive. I remember I was a bit depressed trying not to show it and just trying to enjoy it. But it's really hard to have fun doing something you're not good at. So, I began to look at Elder Aplanalp when he was swinging. His form, the way he gripped the club, every little detail. I started to have not horrible swings. At first, I would hit the ball straight but only like 30 feet which isn't good at all. The ball would kind of just bounce off the tee, but at least it wasn't three hundred feet to the right:) Then I started to get a hold of the ball again, but it was still cutting right into the trees, or left into the bushes. That's pretty much how it was the entire game until the last hole. After 8 HOLES of pretty bad playing, I actually had decent swings. A good drive, a clutch chip, and almost made a 50 foot putt to tie the game! Even though we lost by one stroke and I really didn't contribute much, I learned how to defend myself in golf. Even though the next game will be months in the future, it might be a bit of a repeat,at least I won't be as bad as I was when I started. And that's why being competitive is important. Not to contend with other people or compare yourself with others as much (even though a bit of friendly trash talking is fun). Rather by comparing yourself with yourself and being the best "you" you can. We have to accept that we'll have successes as well as fails. We'll be good at some things and worse at others. But we have a whole life to perfection ourselves. And we must learn how to enjoy learning.

There's the Elder Graff going all deep thinking motivational for the week!

Have a great one!

Los Molinos 12 - Happy Easter!

Los Molinos 12 - Happy Easter!  

I want to wish everyone a Happy Easter!! I hope that we can focus on the purpose of it all and not only on the Easter Bunny or 20 dollar golden egg hunts (haha) which is also a fun part about the holiday! But make sure to remember Jesus Christ and what he did for us. Because it's a miracle. And without it, life would be without purpose.

Well, today is the end of a completely jam-packed week. Probably one of the most hectic weeks I've had in a while (and I've had a lot of hectic weeks). But we were busy using every last minute we had preparing the people we were teaching for the "Noche Blanca" that we had as a zone. And God made it a complete success. We had our natural doubts as missionaries. Perhaps we didn't believe 100 percent that everything was going to turn out smoothly. But we had faith, worked our bodies to the bone, and rejoiced as a Ward, investigators and missionaries in a really spiritual weekend. The Hernandez Family, Dashmin, Anell, Yokasta, and Dolores were all able to enter into the waters of baptism and were confirmed on Sunday members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! Words cannot describe how grateful I am to our Heavenly Father for the work He has done for this ward and for the personal change He's helped me have in my life. When people truly take time out of their personal lives to study, ponder, and pray about the message we share as missionaries, it's impossible for anyone to deny its truthfulness. There may be things that we will never completely comprehend in this life and doubts that will frequently come out because we're humans. But once someone FEELS the influence of the Holy Ghost and prays to know, the experience and process is amazing. And I know it to be true. 

If anyone is thinking about serving a mission, I hope you prepare now. It's the most important use of time and the best way to serve the Lord there is if used correctly. It shapes who you are and God can help in the long run, thousands of people from your efforts. It's a blessing to be here and to serve the Domincan people.

Have a great Easter.

Elder Graff

Luke 24:39 "Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have."