Boca Chica 15 - God Works Miracles

God Works Miracles!

So this week was one of those weeks that makes all of the hard times in the mission - or times when things just aren´t going your way - worth it.
 

Maria de la Cruz was baptized on Saturday. Let me tell you, it wasn´t just a normal, peaceful, stress-free day. It was really, really stressful. First off, it was DUMPING rain all day long. It hasn´t rained in a while here and the people were really scared because they need the rain to survive. So their prayers were answered on Saturday, the day of the baptism. We had to clean up the baptismal font and make sure everything was in order and still get in teaching the lessons we had for the day. Some problems at the church made it hard to clean and fill the font too so that added to the stress of it all. But at 430, when my old comp or "dad" Elder Tate arrived to see the baptism we had it all figured out .  And so, "mojado hasta los huesos" (or completely soaked), we went back to the house to change and get ready. It was so awesome to see my old companion Elder Tate and it was really cool that the President gave permission for him to come back to see her baptism.
 

The baptism was an amazing experience. One of the most spiritually-edifying things I´ve had the pleasure to be a part of on the mission. Elder Tate gave a great talk on how God can change us and one of the sisters gave a really spiritual thought on baptism. And then I actually sang a solo, or kind of.   Maria had asked me before the baptism if I would be able to sing at her baptism, because we always sing a hymn to start off the lessons (at least we do with everyone we are comfortable teaching and where we have had a little time together, 'cause it´s a little awkward doing it when out contacting).  Anyway, she wanted me to sing. And so she picked the song "I Need Thee Every Hour". So I started to sing, and then the whole ward that was there just started singing along. It was awesome. Even though I didn´t really sing a solo, I´m glad I didn´t do it alone because the Spirit was way stronger with us singing together. But anyways, the baptism went great and it was another amazing thing to see her receive the gift of the Holy Ghost on Sunday.
 

But with all of this happening, it´s really made me think and ponder on how God works. In the mission, I´ve had people that we've been teaching and that I thought were golden. People that had a perfect situation to become a member of the church. And then I´ve had others that were in tougher situations. And it has really surprised me who progresses. It really doesn´t have a correlation hardly at all with the starting situation of the person. It´s all about the Will of God. God has sent me here to affect the people I need to through the Spirit that we have as missionaries. Like it says in Luke 1:37 "through God, nothing is impossible." And it´s true. Everyone can change. Everyone is a Son or Daughter of God. And it doesn´t matter where someone lives, what race they are, or where they might be in their lives when they first hear this message, everyone can change. I know this message and church is true and I´m grateful for the influence of it in my life.
 

Also, if everybody could have a prayer in their hearts for my wonderful grandmother Raelene Brown who is battling with a difficult situation right now, that´d mean the absolute world to me. I love you Grandma and you´re loved and prayed for by many every day.

Elder J. Taylor Graff

 

 

P.S. -- I don't have time to send any pictures this week because we have to be back in the house in 5 min but I will send a lot next week. This place is really dangerous too for sending them 'cause it has a ton of viruses and pics get erased really easy here so just know that I love you guys and that Grandma will be in my prayers daily and in my thoughts and heart always.

Your Dominican Son,

Elder J. Taylor Graff