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