Boca Chica 4 - "El es la Dadiva"

Boca Chica 4 - "El es la Dadiva" (He is the Gift)

 "K lo k" mi familia!!!

Hey everybody, hope you all had an awesome Thanksgiving and you ate a ton of food and watched a lot of college football -  'cause I sure missed that about 4 days ago.

           Things down here in la Republica Dominicana are going good. We had a huge feast in our apartment two days ago for our "dia de povo" (which means day of turkey down here cause that's what they call it). They don't celebrate it. The people down here just think it's funny and make fun of us cause we worship turkey hahaha. But it was hands down, a meal from the heavens. We had stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, candied yams, Dominican ham, and pumpkin bread with vanilla icing. It was the best meal I have ever had in my life. It really felt like I got transported home for a day except we had no light (electricity) and I was with three other skinny missionaries instead of my family. But it was still an awesome day. But our light FINALLY came!!! We had been going on a week and two days without any light at all because some "teegs" (a dominican word for criminals basically) stole the wire that runs to our house. So we had no running water, a maggot-infested freezer and fridge, and bucket showers. But I wasn't complaining cause it could've been a lot worse - and I liked the third-world experience of it. There's just something about the sketchiness of this country that makes me love it even more hahaha. But so to get our light back, we went to the store and got a 1000 pesos worth of wire and brought it back to the house. Then, we had to cross the street and buy two large 80 pounds wooden poles and carry them back a mile to our house so we could put the wire up higher so no one can steal it anymore. But two days ago, the mission leader who is also an electrician came over and hooked it all up so we have our light back finally. 

        Our mission leader in our ward is such a stud though. Two days ago, we had a Ward Council meeting and he was talking about how he would have to miss church for the sixth time since he was converted twenty years ago. And we were all like "only for the sixth time", kind of playing lightly with it cause that's not a lot of times in 20 years. But he broke down and started crying. He then started talking about how much this Church means to him and that he hates when he misses church cause he can't take the sacrament and hear the talks. I was in shock. It really made me realize how for granted some of us take the Church. Because we've had it our entire life. But it really is such a blessing. And being out on a mission has really helped me appreciate it a LOT more. 'Cause I'm teaching people every day all day about this message. And I've already seen a lot of people make changes and have a new light about them in the short time I've been here. Which really testifies to me that this church is true. Sometimes I miss home. Sometimes I miss my friends. Sometimes I miss America and good food and chocolate milk. But like it says in 1 Corinthians 13:11 "When I was a child, I spoke like a child, thought like a child and did like a child. But when I became a man, I left the things I was as a child" (Or something like that, I'm translating from my Spanish bible right now). But it really is true. I'm not a child anymore. I'm not a teenager anymore really. I'm becoming a man. And the mission isn't a place to miss home. Sure thinking of home is good and remembering family is important. But I have to do things here that are more important. This message truly can change people. And anyone reading this right now that is a member, I challenge you to share this message with one of your friends that aren't members. Because this message really is for everyone. And you'd be surprised who needs this and who God has prepared to hear this message. Some people I have been teaching here remind me a TON of people back home. The only thing different is that they're a different skin color and they speak a different language. We ALL truly are, sons and daughters of God. And EVERYONE deserves the opportunity to decide whether or not they want to accept this message. I know this Church is true. I know Jesus died for us. Because He loves us. And I hope we can all during this time of Christmas this year, think a little more like Christ; and be just a little more like Him. I love this work and I'll stay grinding hard every day until I'm done. Share what you have with others and serve. 

       Because "When ye are in the service of your fellow men, ye are only in the service of your God" (Mosiah 2:17)

Elder J. Taylor Graff