Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 23 - Feliz Navidad!

Santo Domingo  (Espaillat) 23 - Feliz Navidad, Ya Filthy Animals! 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!

Hope everyone has had a great holiday season and it's sad that it's coming to the end but the best day is yet to come!  Everyone needs to live it up with the family and be grateful for all the blessings we all have and see on the daily.

Being a missionary during Christmas time is the best. Doesn't matter where you're serving, the language, the investigators you have, or anything. Just being able to teach people about Christ during a time where many people are thinking of him you see miracles. I honestly am so grateful for all He did and does for each and everyone of us. He's a part in everything we do and have and He is the reason we have hope. Because through Him, all things are possible.

We've been working hard with the Vetanses Family, a less active family that has started to come back to Church and we had an amazing experience with them. From the time we started teaching them, we noticed off the bat that they were a very poor and needy family. The mother has a day care and the father pushes a metal cart all day long every day besides Sunday, delivering empty water jugs to people in the neighborhood. Needless to say, it's very humbling to see. So this week, we had a lesson with them on the importance of service. As we were teaching, the mother explained how much service has helped her with her family and life. The first thought that came to mind is the service that others had gave to her. But she started describing the purpose of the day care she had. In this little room that takes up the majority of their home, she gives her time, skills, and hope to these children in difficult circumstances for free. I had always supposed it was a way to make ends meet for them financially. But she gives it all for free. Many of the children don't have parents, live in separated households, and would otherwise never get the opportunity to go to school. And this wonderful generous woman gives them the basics of education they need to succeed and doesn't receive a dime for her selfless service. 

I was absolutely dumbstruck. Obviously, when you hear about experiences similar to these, it makes you really wonder. Why am I so lucky? Why was I so weak in the premortal existence that I was given parents so good and loving? Why me? To see the goodness of many people who in reality, need the service of others, makes my heart burn inside. Because that is the life of a disciple of Christ. Give everything to others. Selfless service. 

I'm so grateful for this Gospel. For the privilege it is to be a missionary. To try and follow the steps of the Savior and give little sacrifices to make life-changing differences in the lives of my brothers and sisters. I know this church is true, and that families can be together forever.

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas.

Elder Graff

Sorry for the no photos. My camera broke. Ill be trying to get it fixed soon to be able to send a few photos here and there.