Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 18 - One Year in Capital

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 18 - One Year in Capital

What a beautiful way to end the transfer!

 

With all of the hectic travel to and from Villa Juana with Elder Góngora and our "son" Elder Walker, we may not have had the entire week to focus on our area, but we were most definitely spiritually strengthened by so many amazing moments in these past 7 days. 

 Firstly, we had the baptismal service of Ana Gladys on Saturday. She is such a strong and determined now-member of the Church. Her testimony is powerful and she's so focused on taking upon herself all the covenants and ordinances from God she and her family members need in the temple. We had a great turnout and almost all of the Relief Society were there to support. 

Temple trip 2K15 (casi '16). Even though its not as big or grand as the temple lights of the Mesa Temple or anything, the nativity scene in the Dominican Temple is actually really simple but stunning.

We also had a very touching Friday night as we were able to accompany the Rodriguez Family and Angel -- another recent convert -- along with three other investigators to the Temple. The Rodriguez Family and Angel were able to go inside and do baptisms for the dead. When they came out of the temple, the beaming smiles and pure joy that they had will forever be unforgettable for me. Manuel said it was the most beautiful thing he's ever experienced in his entire life and they're determined to go back every chance they get. They're still working with some dates and things for their parents, but we believe that they next time they go, they'll be able to carry out that work for a couple of their own family members which is such a blessing.

Manuel also gave a talk in Sacrament meeting!!!!!! He talked on service and expressed his desire to serve a full time mission which was enough to make a grown man cry (I may not be "full grown" yet but I was a water works). 

I was able to visit once again my old area of Villa Agricolas on an exchange with the elders there and I was privileged to see Frank and Eliany as well as Maireny and some others that are doing really good. So many beautiful humble people I've come to know in this country will forever be family to me. I feel so blessed to be serving a full time mission. And it's changed my life more than anything.

Maireny is doing super good. She found a job that she was praying for (because of the need she had with her two little boys) with the mother of Erika who's taking seminary now! She's dating this guy that's visiting the church now actually so we'll see where that goes - haha.

Frank and Eliany ft. Elder Giraffe.

Here's to another month and a half in Espaillat. Have a great Thanksgiving.

 

Elder Graff

"The best way to gauge a man's ambition is how he treats his alarm clock: as a best friend or a worst enemy."