Los Minas 2 - Graduation!

Los Minas 2 - Graduation! 

Yet another week has passed by.

I have to start off by saying congratulations to my brother Aaron, and to every one graduating from Basha or other schools tomorrow. It's been 2 years since I came to this point. Makes me feel old. But I just want to let you know Aaron how proud I am of you and everything you will do in the future.

(Photo Added by Jordan and Laura on Taylor's behalf for his brother, Aaron)

The mission work is steadily progressing here in Los Minas. It's been great being with Elder Reyes. Teaching me all about Guatemala, making BOMB food and just having a blast. He's a great companion and loves to work. He really understands with so little time what he came here for and just how much God can do through him. 

Even though the first week was maybe a bit difficult because we're blanking (meaning that we both got here knowing NOTHING of the area), we saw so many small and big blessings these past couple days. The people we're teaching are opening their hearts and really letting God help them. We've had some really spiritual lessons and we're looking for everyone and anyone that's willing to sacrifice a litte time.

As I said (at least I think so) about Peterson thats preparing to serve a mission for his church, last night we had one of the most powerful lessons about the Restoration I've ever had. He had a LOT of questions but God helped Elder Reyes and I answer them all and the Spirit was overwhelming. We invited him to be baptized the 9th of July and he told us that if he keeps feeling what he's feeling and comes to know for himself that it's true, he will. It was amazing for me to see that even after having his whole life in another church, to hear and read and pray, he's feeling something else. And he's slowly starting to realize what this message means to him.

Leaving that lesson going home, this woman called out to us and asked if we could pray with her and her family for her son Jimmy. He's been in intensive care for 20 days. He's 8 years old and while his father was constructing a room for their house, a huge brick wall fell on him and he was pronounced dead. But by a miracle of God, he lived. And they knew who we were and who we taught of. The prayer truly was special. I felt peace and assurity in the prayer that he would be ok. We have a lesson with them on Wednesday. They are really interested and this may be the perfect time for them to accept the Gospel. We've been praying for them and we firmly believe that they're ready for this message to bless their lives.

Being a missionary is a one of a kind experience. When someone comes to appreciate it. When you leave behind your desires and put all your trust and confidence in our Heavenly Father, you see things that have no other explanation but to be from the heavens. You understand why hundreds of thousands of parents, sons, and relatives sacrifice so much to preach it. Because it heals, changes, and blesses the lives of thousands of people daily. And its amazing.

I love you all. Hope you have a great week.

Elder Graff

Los Minas 1 - 7th Inning Stretch (or Sprint!)

Los Minas 1 - 7th Inning Stretch (or Sprint!)

I WOULD LIKE TO START OFF THIS LETTER SAYING A HAPPY VERY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO MY DAD JORDAN MCKAY GRAFF. Due to our schedule as missionaries, we can only write on Mondays. Last Monday, I didn't have any time to write because of transfer work and such. But I just want to say that I love you so much Dad and happy 43 or such big ones.

MY "KID" (aka "Greenie", "new young missionary")  and I with President and Sister Corbitt

How do I start? Well the Mother's Day call with the family was awesome. It was a bit weird talking a little about studying, books, jobs and all that fun stuff because that hasn't been a part of my life for two years. All I know now is mission work pretty much. I don't even really speak good English anymore haha. Apparently I have a Caribbean accent now? Don't know what that means. But anyways, it's a bit frightening that I'm coming up to the end and frankly, I don't even want to focus on that right now. 

I was transferred last week to a new area called Los Minas!!! It's in the Zone Ozama so unfortunately I didn't go back to Las Americas or stay in Santo Domingo. But it's a really cool part of the country. It's pretty urbanized and everything. But the ward is REALLY excited to work with us it seems like. I'm training a new elder from Guatemala named Elder Reyes. He's super cool and has a ton of energy. Understands why he's here and just ready to work which is great. I actually got to know a member named Alberto that was companions with my cousin Mike in his mission in Mexico. Pretty big coincidence huh? But I love the ward and we've already seen so many miracles. We found a family that belongs to the Evangelist church contacting on the way to visit a member the first day and they're really interested; especially a 26 year old named Peterson. He's actually preparing right now to serve a mission for his church. He welcomed us in and we sat down and shared the Plan of Salvation. We found out that both his parents had died when he was younger and as we testified that he could be with them again and have an eternal family of his own in the future, the Spirit was undeniable. I'm without words to describe it. You could tell he was soaking it in, because it's a lot different from the beliefs he has his whole life believing. But in the end, he told us to come back and he went to church on Sunday!!! It was awesome. He's SUPER interested and told us that if keeps feeling like this and receives an answer from God that it's really true, he'll do all it takes to accept it. Cool to see how much it's motivated him and how much he wants to learn more.

Some CHICKEN WANGSSS and other vegetables with some rice and Elder Reyes and I made. Who ever said that a gringo and Guatemalteco made a bad chef team?

Elder Reyes and I also got to go back to Los Molinos in Las Americas to see the baptism of a family Elder Pediet, Searle and I were teaching, the Florián family. Words cannot describe the sheer happiness I had that night. I got to see all the members, many recent converts including Dashmin, Yokasta and Waldo and Alberto a less active we were teaching who's the recently called Teachers Quorum President. The baptism was so special. Their family was so grateful and the change they had made since we started teaching them was obvious just looking at them. The father is now investigating the church as well and the mom Liz is helping him out a lot. A really special night for us all.

I know that my time here is closing in. I lose sleep at night sometimes thinking about it. I just see it as a baseball game. In the 7th inning stretch. But in this work, right now, its a 7th inning RUN SPRINT GIVE IT ALL YOU GOT. Cause you're only a full time missionary once. And there's so many people waiting for this Gospel. All you can do is love, teach, and invite everyone you can. And God does the rest.

I know these things are true. And I invite all of you that haven't heard it before or studied it out in your heart, to start your own search for the truth. And I testify that it will change your life and give you blessings you can't even begin to comprehend.

Have a great week and I can't wait to see all the graduation pictures soon.

Elder Graff

Bittersweet times . . . . 

I hope I can get a picture of the baptism from Elder Richards because I didn't bring my camera to take pictures of it. If not, Ill send it next week.

Santo Domingo (Las Americas - Maria Auxiliadora) 5 - Mother's Day

Santo Domingo (Las Americas - Maria Auxiliadora) 5 - Mother's Day

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THE MOTHERS OUT THERE THAT ARE READING THIS LETTER.... well maybe at least just to my mother then.

Hahaha, but seriously, hope you all have a great weekend. That you mothers don't wash the dishes or clean the house and that you go get yourself something nice. And enjoy the family of course.

If I thought I believed in miracles and the power of God before this last week, these past few days have been an even more powerful manifestation of what our Heavenly Father is capable of.

We've really been united as a mission lately. I remember when I first came here to the country. Yeah, we were trying to be obedient and we wanted to do what was right. But there were a lot of us that just didn't want to change. We wanted to stick with the old habits of home, didn't want to give it our all, and a lot of us just didn't have the faith necessary for God to be able to reach certain people through our lessons and efforts. 

This last year was difficult. At first, there were many of us who were reluctant. Who said it wouldn't work and that there was a more "fun" way to do mission work. That the rules that we were following were limiting and that it would be foolish to try and change the "routine" and "traditions" of the mission. Many people may think missionaries are perfect. But let me tell you, there are days where it is difficult to wake yourself up at 6:29 AM, knowing that a freezing cold shower awaits you. That you're going to polish up your shoes for the 100000000000x time. That you will put on the same tie you've worn out. And you'll go out to the same area you went out to yesterday, maybe after a day of success previously, or maybe not. But this mission UNDERSTANDS now, and almost all of the missionaries have the WANT, and the WHY we do what we do.

We had the goal in April that every companionship in the mission would have a baptism. A goal that definitely isn't easy to achieve. We started planning since February to be able to reach it. Almost every area in the mission looked like they were capable and willing going into the last week of April. There were only 5 areas that didn't truly have a firm baptismal date out of the 91 areas in the mission. But just when you think all is well, that is when Satan comes at you with everything he has in his power. We had areas that were in safety that 3 or 4 days before the month was ending, looked like they weren't going to be able to do it. We were flying out to every area, some hours away, teaching some of the most powerful lessons of my entire mission. Companionships through the power of God and inspiration of the Holy Ghost were able to pinpoint exactly what the person needed to feel and know before making covenants with God. People that had no plans on being baptized having their hearts softened to be able to take the step. There was a 14 year old young man named Jefferson (in an area that was struggling to find prepared people), who had attended for 7 months to church. His father was completely against the idea of his son joining the church. Didn't want to hear any more of it. So I, a bit nervous to be honest, show up to this man's house with one of the missionaries from the area Elder Monroy. We were pleading to our Heavenly Father for inspiration and guidance so that this boy who wanted it so badly could follow in Christ's footsteps. We sit down and the father goes off on how he will always drink coffee, that our commandments are commandments from men, a lot of stuff that we kind of just soaked in. His two sons sitting by his side, Elder Monroy and I both just get the strongest impression to ask this father of the love that he has for his children. He settles down a bit, looks at them both, and just starts to express what he felt for his two sons. We then asked him if he trusted them. He came to the realization that he did. That he loved them more than anything else. We then asked him if he would have the confidence in his son, Jefferson, to allow him to do what he desired more than anything; to be a member of God's church. He hesitates, and then tells us "well, I guess it's really up to him isn't it?". Our faces lit up. Jefferson almost shouts for joy. We did the interview right there and then and he was baptized on April 30, 2 hours after that lesson. 

As a mission, we may have fell JUST short of the goal. Not every companionship baptized. But we GREW so much as a mission. We reached a height we never thought we would even see. There were so many that sacrificed themselves for others and God saw that. In the end of it all, we were all exhausted. We gave it all we had. And God recognized that. We all know that in the future, He will accomplish more than he is now. With our increased obedience and love for this work, God does not have limits.

I love the work and will take advantage of every day that I have out here. We have no time to waste.

I hope you all have a great week.

Elder Graff

Santo Domingo (Las Americas - Maria Auxiliadora) 4 - Miracles

Santo Domingo (Las Americas - Maria Auxiliadora) 4 - Miracles

The Noche Blanca that we had in Las Americas! Really cool.

Jumping Picture  --- Success!!   (see Jumping Picture Fail posted below!) 

The mission turns weeks into days. Each week keeps passing by faster every time. I remember in Boca Chica how the moments when I would see a plane or people would ask me how much time I had left in the mission, the mission seemed like it would last an eternity. And it's disappearing right before my eyes now. I know it will be gone before I know it. I can't sleep some nights understanding the pace the mission is undertaking now. But what keeps me moving on and working hard is that I have so much more to do in the months ahead of me. 

And I'm in the most beautiful time of it all!

Jorge's Baptism

Jorge with the Bishop of Maria Auxiliadora

With so many miracles and help from our Heavenly Father, it's really difficult for me sometimes to write home about the success and sweet moments we've seen. The experiences and feelings a full time missionary has during solely one week out in the "mission field" can't be described through a computer. It reaches so much deeper than that. We've seen the hand of God in our area and in the mission. With the goal we have as I wrote in my last letter, we're seeing a lot of opposition. But the good is winning. Yeah, there are areas that are fighting and working until they have nothing left just to find the people ready for baptism this month. But we're seeing it all unfold and it's certain that we'll reach our goal. Jorge, the father of Hellen was baptized on Saturday night. The man made some SACRIFICES. He left his job about an hour away, during an excursion and super important camp for the rehab patients he works with, and traveled all the way to Santo Domingo with only a special permission hour free that he had for his baptism.

He arrived 30 minutes late because of traffic and it was a bit stressful, but it was a really spiritual night. Just knowing how much he had to give up and figure out in his life, and how quickly he became converted, not doubting, to the Gospel of Christ amazes me. He'll be a great influence in his family and we'll do everything we can to help the rest of his family become members of the church.

Super-sweet pillar painting

Pic for the birthday of "THE GUZMEISTER" or better known as "Sabor Nicaraguense", Elder Guzman. 

The mission work is awesome. The Domincan Republic is awesome. God and his church is awesome.  Here's to the last week of April and another 7 days of "game time" here in the mission!

I love you all and hope you have a great time with family and in all the things going on in life.

Elder Graff 

Alma 5: 16-21

16 I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth?

17 Or do ye imagine to yourselves that ye can lie unto the Lord in that day, and say- Lord, our works have been righteous works upon the face of the earth- and that he will save you?

18 Or otherwise can ye imagine yourselves brought before the tribunal of God with your souls filled with guilt and remorse, having a remembrance of all your guilt, yea, a perfect remembrance of all your wickedness, yea a remembrance that ye have set at defiance the commandments of God?

19 I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?

20 I say unto you, can ye think of being saved when you have yielded yourselves to become subjects to the devil?

21 I say unto you, ye will know at that day that ye cannot be saved; for there can no man be saved except his garments are washed white; yea, his garments must be purified until they are cleansed from all stain, through the blood of him of whom it has been spoken by our fathers, who should come to redeem his people from their sins. 

Even Christ, the Lord.

NOTE: (Several of the following pictures from Taylor that he sent in this last email may represent prior areas, baptisms and companions.  You may recall that there was a time when Taylor's camera wasn't working so well or that his companions had the pictures.  He was able to track down a few of those older pictures and they are here included.  Hope you enjoy!  --- Laura and Jordan)

Jumping Picture FAIL - (see Jumping Picture - SUCCESS posted above)

Picture of Waldos baptism in Los Molinos (the son of Yokasta, who Elder Searle and I were teaching). SPIRITUAL service. Yokasta was so happy and they're just such a cool family.

Elder Searle and I w the "fam bam"

Anell!!!! Amazing guy from Haiti. He doesn't speak too much Spanish but a returned missionary named Benaut helped us out because he speaks fluent Creole. I actually learned how to read Creole in Los Molinos because there were a lot of people from Haiti. Working on speaking it still, but it's a super difficult language in my opinion haha. 

The whole family including the mother Greseldi that was inactive but now part of the whole family in the Gospel. Probably one of my favorite families of the mission. Together with Angelina, a recent convert as well from Los Molinos. 

Dashmin!!! Also another 18 year old from Haiti. He had a hard home life. We found him skateboarding actually when I was with Elder Lopez on an "intercambio". Elder Lopez skates so we contacted him with a 360 trey flip hahaha. Awesome to say the least. He was interested and we started teaching him. We had a baptisimal date for about a month and a half from the time we taught him because we thought with the language barrier it was going to take a bit longer to prepare him. Then, he saw a baptism in Los Molinos and he himself decided he wanted to get baptized in the Noche Blanca. When he told us, we were a bit surprised. But turns out, that God, as always, had prepared him long before we arrived. He's doing AMAZING. Wanting to prepare to go on a mission from what I heard from Elder Richards. Tough with the bad influences in his family. But the light he has far outweighs the dark.

FAMILIA HERNANDEZ!!!! From Los Molinos finally I have the pictures. Elder Searle sent them to me!    (see Jumping Pic - SUCCESS posted above)

Baptism of Yokasta! Her son cracks me up with photos. He HATES photos hahaha. Reminds me of when Mom and Dad made us always stay for like a billion photos. 

The baptism of Dolores. Interesting story about her actually. Her husband, shown in the photo, and her were having some problems because of her "stubbornness" about accepting the Gospel. Things got worse and they separated. She really had bad feelings towards the church and everything. Well, when she meets us, she had a dream that testified to her that this was indeed the true church.  She finally got baptized -- for her own testimony -- and things got fixed between her and her husband. They now have a goal to get married in the temple. God works miracles.