Santo Domingo (Las Americas - Maria Auxiliadora) 5 - Mother's Day

Santo Domingo (Las Americas - Maria Auxiliadora) 5 - Mother's Day

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THE MOTHERS OUT THERE THAT ARE READING THIS LETTER.... well maybe at least just to my mother then.

Hahaha, but seriously, hope you all have a great weekend. That you mothers don't wash the dishes or clean the house and that you go get yourself something nice. And enjoy the family of course.

If I thought I believed in miracles and the power of God before this last week, these past few days have been an even more powerful manifestation of what our Heavenly Father is capable of.

We've really been united as a mission lately. I remember when I first came here to the country. Yeah, we were trying to be obedient and we wanted to do what was right. But there were a lot of us that just didn't want to change. We wanted to stick with the old habits of home, didn't want to give it our all, and a lot of us just didn't have the faith necessary for God to be able to reach certain people through our lessons and efforts. 

This last year was difficult. At first, there were many of us who were reluctant. Who said it wouldn't work and that there was a more "fun" way to do mission work. That the rules that we were following were limiting and that it would be foolish to try and change the "routine" and "traditions" of the mission. Many people may think missionaries are perfect. But let me tell you, there are days where it is difficult to wake yourself up at 6:29 AM, knowing that a freezing cold shower awaits you. That you're going to polish up your shoes for the 100000000000x time. That you will put on the same tie you've worn out. And you'll go out to the same area you went out to yesterday, maybe after a day of success previously, or maybe not. But this mission UNDERSTANDS now, and almost all of the missionaries have the WANT, and the WHY we do what we do.

We had the goal in April that every companionship in the mission would have a baptism. A goal that definitely isn't easy to achieve. We started planning since February to be able to reach it. Almost every area in the mission looked like they were capable and willing going into the last week of April. There were only 5 areas that didn't truly have a firm baptismal date out of the 91 areas in the mission. But just when you think all is well, that is when Satan comes at you with everything he has in his power. We had areas that were in safety that 3 or 4 days before the month was ending, looked like they weren't going to be able to do it. We were flying out to every area, some hours away, teaching some of the most powerful lessons of my entire mission. Companionships through the power of God and inspiration of the Holy Ghost were able to pinpoint exactly what the person needed to feel and know before making covenants with God. People that had no plans on being baptized having their hearts softened to be able to take the step. There was a 14 year old young man named Jefferson (in an area that was struggling to find prepared people), who had attended for 7 months to church. His father was completely against the idea of his son joining the church. Didn't want to hear any more of it. So I, a bit nervous to be honest, show up to this man's house with one of the missionaries from the area Elder Monroy. We were pleading to our Heavenly Father for inspiration and guidance so that this boy who wanted it so badly could follow in Christ's footsteps. We sit down and the father goes off on how he will always drink coffee, that our commandments are commandments from men, a lot of stuff that we kind of just soaked in. His two sons sitting by his side, Elder Monroy and I both just get the strongest impression to ask this father of the love that he has for his children. He settles down a bit, looks at them both, and just starts to express what he felt for his two sons. We then asked him if he trusted them. He came to the realization that he did. That he loved them more than anything else. We then asked him if he would have the confidence in his son, Jefferson, to allow him to do what he desired more than anything; to be a member of God's church. He hesitates, and then tells us "well, I guess it's really up to him isn't it?". Our faces lit up. Jefferson almost shouts for joy. We did the interview right there and then and he was baptized on April 30, 2 hours after that lesson. 

As a mission, we may have fell JUST short of the goal. Not every companionship baptized. But we GREW so much as a mission. We reached a height we never thought we would even see. There were so many that sacrificed themselves for others and God saw that. In the end of it all, we were all exhausted. We gave it all we had. And God recognized that. We all know that in the future, He will accomplish more than he is now. With our increased obedience and love for this work, God does not have limits.

I love the work and will take advantage of every day that I have out here. We have no time to waste.

I hope you all have a great week.

Elder Graff