Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 10 - What a Blessing

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 10 - What a Blessing

FIRST OFF, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BROTHER ETHAN. HE TURNED 15 ALMOST A WEEK AGO AND DUE TO THE COMMUNICATION METHOD OF MISSIONARIES, I WASNT ABLE TO TYPE THIS WHEN IT HAPPENED. BUT HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE BRO. MISS AND LOVE YOU.

What a crazy busy week. With the interviews with Mission President, meetings on meetings, and a rescue effort we helped arrange in one of the branches in our Zone, we really didn't have a ton of time in our own area. I really would of liked to be able to work more here in Espaillat these last couple of days but we have a lot of really cool things planned this week.

Stake conference yesterday was so amazing. I saw Frank and Eliany with the branch in Villa Agricolas which was awesome and apparently Maireny was down in one of the rooms below where it was broadcasted because her kids were a little hyper. But I was so grateful to see how much they were progressing and how the love they have for the Gospel now is brighter and stronger than when I first met them a while back. It really is amazing what this message can do for people. But we went with the Rodriguez Family and Wilson. They're both doing great. Miriam and Enrique are doing well with avoiding coffee. They expressed to us how much better they feel and it's cool to see how they're noticing the blessings of keeping a commandment from the Lord. The Ward is anxious for their baptism and they're really supporting them a lot. Manuel is thinking about taking seminary and honestly, things couldn't be going any better with them. Wilson is doing awesome. We're just trying to get him prepared for the 3rd of October as well as Ruben, another investigator we're teaching. It's been a while in the process to prepare them but it's all in the Lord's time really.

That's something that I've been studying lately. A lot of things have happened in these past couple weeks that have halted the progress of many people we're teaching. Rafa is still in Haiti, Martin has a problem with his birth certificate, and with the division of the area, we have been struggling with little issues that are preventing us from reaching our goals with everyone. But as I was pondering, I remembered back to a year ago in the MTC. Our saying as a "district" came from one of the sisters in our group and it was "What a Blessing". Back at that time in the MTC, we were all fighting a lot with the language, some heartaches and news from home was affecting some of the missionaries, and we were all thinking of a way to brighten our mood. We decided that whenever something bad, inconvenient, or annoying happened, we would all remind ourselves "What A Blessing!". 

Really, everything has a purpose. As it says in Job 33:12 "I will say unto thee, God is greater than man." God knows more than we do. What may seem like to us something that shouldn't have happened, in the mind of God happens with a purpose. Even though sometimes we ask ourselves and wonder what good could come from a particular result or how could this benefit us, everything God does has its reason. And if we put forth all of our effort and give it our all, we should always be content with the results. Because it's in the Plan of God for us and for those we love and care about.

I know this Church is true. I've grown and learned more in this past year than in any other time in my life. I'm grateful for the unforgettable impact it's had on my life and how it has helped me understand more fully the purpose of our existence. And I'm more than ready for one more year.

Elder Graff

Job 19:25-26 "For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the Earth."  "And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God."

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 9 - Play Piano

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 9 - Play Piano, Papers, Build the Wall

Well, in other news, I played the piano this Sunday in Sacrament meeting. We usually just sing a capella or play pre -recorded hymns. But the Stake President was there and I was the last option. Being that I don't read music hardly at all, I practiced for about 10 minutes beforehand and just went with it. I honestly didn't do too terrible and the congregation was singing their hearts out so it drummed out a little bit of my terrible piano playing skills. Really wish I would've taken my mother more seriously when she dragged me to piano lessons when I was 12!  BUT, it was a really funny experience I'll remember for a long time.

Everything is going great. With the Rodriguez Family, WE'VE GOT THE PAPERS. We're getting copies of the licenses of the witnesses for their marriage (which are going to be a really cool family in the ward) and we're setting the date tomorrow. They're so excited and honestly, like I've said before, we really aren't doing much. They're so motivated and taking the steps themselves. We taught them about the Word of Wisdom and we knew Miriam had a little problem with coffee, but before the lesson even the started she and Enrique said "We're quitting coffee." They had made the decision themselves after reading the pamphlet.  The bishop and us were just completely stunned. They really are putting their faith in God and they're going to be a great family in the Church. Working a little with the son Manuel on his preparation for baptism because he feels a little unprepared which is normal for a decision as big as baptism. But, we'll see what God has in store for us.

Wilson is doing great. He's been clean for a month and a half now. We're just going over the lessons and helping him with the questions he has. His desire to keep moving forward keeps growing every day and we put some goals to help him focus on the temple which will be a big strength for him in staying away from the temptations he has.

We found two AWESOME families contacting and so we'll see where they go and how they're going to progress.

Angel Luis, the less active from my old area, is working on his mission papers with the stake president from the last I heard and it makes me super happy that he's still doing great.

I'm honestly just super happy with everything that's happening. I've really been seeing the blessings of God with the people we're teaching. And even though sometimes as a missionary, you want to do more and you feel like what you're doing isn't enough. But in the end, you just got to focus on the small blessings and miracles you see every day.

Thank you for everything you guys do for me and I hope that everyone has a great week.

Elder Graff

Nehemiah 4:6-9

"So we built the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work"

"But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the ammonites, and the ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,"

"And conspired all of them together to come and fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it"

"Nevertheless we made our prayer unto God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them"

Sometimes, we build a wall. We have success. Whether it be in the mission, at home, in college, wherever it may be. And when Satan and his followers see that we've "built a wall" or that we're fighting for good, having success and happiness in our lives, he attacks. But I testify that if we pray, and set "guards" such as studying the scriptures, going to church, and trying to follow Christ in every way we can, the wall we've built won't fall and God will lift us and carry us to do even better things.

Just something I found in my studies and wanted to share.

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 8 - Busy Week

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 8 - Busy Week

One busy, busy week!  First off, we had a mini mission tour with our Mission President and his wife. It was a really great experience and the presentation they gave really helped me to have a different and more focused perspective on the mission work (And we got pizza, so I mean that was a plus). 

We also were priveleged to have our mission temple trip. I had beforehand been praying for some answers to prayers on how to resolve certain things that were going on with investigators, my companion, and just a lot of stuff.  I really recieved a lot of personal inspiration at the temple. It was a day full of the spirit and exactly what I needed. We got to go back to the temple the next day too with another family we're teaching and Wilson, (who's been clean for A MONTH now) to teach a lesson in the temple gardens. We set a baptisimal date with Wilson for the 3rd of October. Words cannot describe how genuinely happy I am for him. He came to church for the first time in a white shirt yesterday and I told him that I now owe him a tie haha. But he's really excited for his baptism and he's noting the small changes that are coming into his life for being obedient to the commandments of God. He even started running every morning and every time he passes our house he yells out to us. It's really cool to see the difference he's making. The Rodriguez Family is doing absolutely awesome. They're getting their birth certificates ready so we can go to the marriage office to get their date set for the 21st. Their son, Manuel, is gonna be going with the youth this weekend to play some "batilla" which is basically like a small baseball game with bottle caps and broomsticks. Really makes me grateful to God for the way the Ward has helped them feel comfortable and how their testimony has been fortified. 

Elder Cornejo and I have been working to try and set up the agenda for the "Noche Blanca" (White Night of baptisms) that we're planning on having the 26th with the Zone. We have about 10 to 11 people, including 2 families that are preparing to make baptisimal covenants on that night of the investigators that are being teaching within the zone. I'm really excited to see how it will all play out and we're really seeing the blessings of hard work and a strong focus on the families.

We also found 2 other really prepared families contacting. I'm really content with everything that's going on and how blessed and prepared the people are that we're teaching. 

The time is going by faster and faster each week and I know it will only escape me more as my mission goes on. I've had some amazing experiences up to now and I can't wait to see what God has planned for the rest of the time I have left.

Love you all and I hope you have a great week.

Elder J. Taylor Graff

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 7 - Hurricane Season

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 7 - Hurricane Season

So for any of you that heard, the DR got hit pretty hard with a hurricane. This week was a little hectic in anticipation for it. You know, basically all the missionaries acted as if the world was coming to an end - we all made sure we had everything we needed and on Friday it came. It honestly wasn't all that bad. SUPER strong winds, yeah, and some rain, but it didn't last all that long and everyone turned out safe. We just had to stay in all day Friday which was probably one of the most boring days of my life --hahaha. The days where you have to stay in when you're a missionary are the worst. All you want to do is go out and preach because that's all you really know how to do. 

But at least the rest of the time we had this week went great. With the Rodriguez family, they're going to the marriage office today to get the form they need! We set a date for the 21st of September for their marriage. It was an awesome lesson with a recent convert named Angel (who is helping us out big time with the proccess too because he's a really renowned lawyer here). But we'll see what happens. We're having a Family Home Evening with them and a member family in the ward tonight. They're really happy and excited for everything that's happening and told us that they've seen a huge change for the better in their family which is what it's all about.

Wilson, the man that's struggled with alcohol all his life has been clean for THREE WEEKS today. We took him out for ice cream to a place close to our house with our ward mission leader and taught a little about the blessings we recieve for our obedience to the commandments of God. He's really excited and so content with the progress he's making. We're gonna try and set a baptism goal on Tuesday and we'll be teaching him the lessons over again to prepare him, but we'll see what happens.

Rafa and Rosa (who were in a photo of mine like a month and a half ago when we went to the temple) are doing awesome too. Rafa has been going to church in Haiti this whole month and he comes back in a week. From what we've been hearing from Rosa, he's super excited to be coming back to the ward and so we can help and teach him what's left. They're really prepared and humble people.

In my personal studies, I've been trying to finish the Old Testament. I've been reading in the book of Kings and today in the morning, found a really cool passage of scripture. I'm in 2 Kings chapter 6. It's where Elisha the prophet is walking with a group of men. One of them -as it says in verse 4 - was chopping down a tree. As he was cutting it, the axe he was using fell in a body of water and the guy was pretty bummed because it was an axe he had borrowed from a friend. Elisha, being with him, saw his desire and what had happened and caused the axe to float so it could be retrieved. 

I was really thinking about why that passage of scripture was in the Bible to be honest. Why it was important and what application it had for me. And I realized that it teaches us about the love God has for us. Even though it wasn't a big thing and God really didn't need to work a miracle through the hand of his prophet (I mean, the guy could've easily just bought another axe, right?), but I realized that the things that are important to us - if they're in the will of God - are important to God. That is, if we're living the commandments and trying to follow the path God has set for us, that EVERY righteous desire we have will be granted us. That even though sometimes it isn't in the way or time span we want it, that the blessings come and God helps us reach the goals and desires of our hearts.

Hope you all have a great time and that those preparing for missions right now, that you're ready and that you've done all you can to prepare yourself to serve.

Elder Graff

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 6 - Transfer Week - Staying

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 6 - Transfer Week - Staying

So we got transfer calls and I'll be staying in Espaillat with Elder Cornejo for at least another month and a half and I was super happy to hear it, because we're doing great and working super hard. But, we're gonna' have two more missionaries in the house.  Those new missionaries will take over the second area we've been working and will be teaching some really prepared people we found, but, we did our part and in the end, the important thing is that they come to the Gospel.

A zone activity we had complete with Papa Johns pizza, water balloon volleyball, and crazy soccer (which is where you and your comp are tied together at the ankle - which was Elder Cornejo's idea).....One of the sweetest P-days of my mission.

But we've really been focusing on the Rodriguez family. We found them about a month and a half ago and they're doing AWESOME. They're basically already a part of the Ward and they really love the Church. They told us that they want to get married out of the blue and we haven't even taught them that principle yet, but they told us they know it's a commandment of the Lord and they want to be living the commandments so we will be starting that process tomorrow. But they're super excited for their baptism date and we've really seen a powerful change in their family since the day we first met them. They really are a blessing from God.

Best district there is. Didn't think it was possibly, but think I might be getting even skinnier. I'm gonna' come back 6'4" and 150 pounds hahaha.

Martin is also doing great. He's been coming to church for about a year but after a super powerful testimony from a recent convert in the ward, he decided to put a date for marriage.  After he reaches that, he expressed his desire to be baptized. We have half the marriage papers and the other half is coming on the second of September. It was amazing to how a pure and simple statement of truth from someone can change someone's desire to follow Christ.

We're also working with a guy named Wilson. He's been taking the discussions for a while too but has always had a problem with alcohol. He said that its too hard of a temptation and that it's something he probably will never get over. In one of our lessons, we taught about the will of God and how he will bless us and NOTHING is impossible if we put our part in and do the small and simple things that will fortify us in our weaknesses. He's been clean and sober for 2 weeks now. I know and testify that the Lord, when we do our part, is our support. He helps us do things that we wouldn't even come close to doing without H

is watchful care. It's amazing to see the impact that this Restored Gospel has on the lives of the children of God. I have learned so much in these past 11 months and I'm so blessed to be a missionary.

Hope you all have a great week.

Elder Graff

Elder Maatatia called me and told me that Angel Luis (right behind him, white shirt, 19) - who is the brother of one of the part-member families we were teaching who was inactive - is now coming to church every Sunday and planning on SERVING A MISSION. I was so stoked when I heard it and hope he gets called to Arizona so I can help him out when I get back.  Hahaha

 

"But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over ALL those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto deliverance." 1 Nephi 1:20

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 5 - Just Hold On....

Santo Domingo 5 - Just Hold On....

We had such an amazing week here in Espaillat. In addition to all of the lessons, the working, sweating, and busy stuff, we had the opportunity to help out a ship that comes here every 2 years. The majority of the medical and dental providers that come over on the ship are American and they're here to provide free medical services for Dominicans, Haitians and basically people that can't pay or provide them for themselves. So a couple billingual missionaries and I went over there on yesterday to translate (that's why I didn't write on P-day and I'm writing today, by the way).

It was a lot different than I expected. I knew the people were going to be in need and that we were going to be providing a lot of help for the people that I've come to love and appreciate so much in my time here. But I was humbled greatly. I worked in the dental section, helping surgeons and doctors understand and communicate with the patients. As the day started up, the people started coming in with all kinds of problems. Cavities, root canals, and sometimes their teeth were so bad that the doctors just looked at me and we had to decide which of all the teeth we were going to pull. It was very sad to see the lack of health care that the people have in this country. 

 

At the medical station, translating for the doctors and dentists that came on the ship

 

In my time there, a family walked in, a mother with two small children. One of them was 2 years old and had Down Syndrome; the other a little 8 year old girl. I was thinking that they came with their mother to wait for her to get surgery, but after talking with them for a while realized that the little boy- at such a young age and with such a difficult disability- was going to get the dental surgery. We brought him over to the table and I tried my hardest to make him comfortable, get him laughing, and just do whatever I could to keep his attention. The doctor took out the needle and I told the little boy to grab my hand and squeeze it as hard as he possibly could. I told him to try to break my hand if he could. So, with one hand holding down his flailing knees and the other holding his right hand firmly trying to comfort him, to do whatever possible, we proceeded with the surgery. The following 15 minutes was one of the most touching and difficult experiences I've had in my entire life. To see the pain and discomfort of someone so innocent, so loving and young, killed me inside. In that moment, I wanted more than anything to take his place. To put his trial and his pain on my shoulders so he could have rest. In that little room with the doctor and his worried mother and little sister, God helped me see how He felt when His Son, Jesus Christ, took upon Himself the pains of the world. There was nothing He could do for his Son. He couldn't go through it himself, it had to be Him. What He did was comfort Him. He sent an angel from the heavens to help the Savior and Reedemer of our souls go through what He did in the Garden of Gethsamane. I learned the pain and anguish that you feel to watch someone go through something so horrible and not be able to do anything about it. And it helped me learn and fortify the testimony I have of Jesus Christ.

 

I know that He lives and I'm so very grateful for the sacrifice He made for each and every single one of us. I know this Gospel is true and I'm priviledged to be able to preach it.

Elder Graff

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 4 - Two Areas; Exchanges

Santo Domingo (Espaillat) 4 - Covering Two Areas; Exchanges; Surprise Singing in Church

Ok, so Elder Cornejo and I have been getting a lot more comfortable with running both areas of Espaillat. There used to be four missionaries here but now it's just us two and it calls for a lot of work but we've been doing stuff and organizing things with the members to try and get the ward super hyped about missionary work. We'll see if we can get some activities started up here real soon.

A picture of Enrique, Miriam and Manuel in front of the temple.

But we had another exchange (splits) with some elders in the zone on Wednesday and I went with Elder Zamora. Really crazy story though is that on the way back to our area to work for the day we were in a little gua gua (mini-van) with like 12 other people when it probably should only fit max 7. We were super crowded, sweating up a storm, when the driver YANKS the car really sharply to the right to avoid hitting a motor that sped out in front of him. We hear a snap and then I look over to my left to see the drivers front wheel fly past the window. The taxi tilts to the left and slams on the ground, sparking everywhere until we finally skid to a stop. A little dazed and lots of people scared, BUT we all walked out of it unharmed. It is cool to see that angels are always protecting you if you're trying to do what's right.

 

JUAN CARLOS visited our ward and I was the happiest person in the world when I saw him. He was wearing the tie I gave to him (even though he said it was ugly), so thats how you know he's a true friend.

We had the privelege again, though, of visiting the temple with a family we're teaching. They've been coming to church every single Sunday for the past month now since we contacted them and they're doing so awesome. They're such a prepared family.  Being able to teach them is honestly a miracle and blessing for us trying to stay strong in the mission service and contacting even after every single lesson we had that morning fell through (which is hard in the Dominican sun  --hahaha). 

"Ahora, loco" ! (Translation - "Now, crazy"! ).

Enrique had a good laugh when he saw the picture haha.

But in the garden outside the temple, and we were the only ones there because the temple is going through a little bit of renovation so it's basically like they got a private tour, we discussed about the importance of the family and about the sacred knowledge and blessings we recieve through temple ordinances. The lesson was really powerful and they actually want to go back on the 18th, the day after the temple reopens again to visit as a family. We're gonna try and set it up so they can go with a member family again. But we're gonna be setting everything up with their marriage here real soon so they can fulfill with their desire to be baptized and be able to go inside the temple. They wanted to go inside so bad and it was so amazing to see the desire that being there planted in the heart of the father to help his family become members of this Gospel.

We had our Ward Conference yesterday also which was such a spiritual day. The Ward asked me too -- THE MORNING OF -- if I could sing in the choir, and so I said "sure". Little did I know, I was filling the part of a duet with one of the sisters in the ward in front of tons of investigators. But, even though I wasn't planning on it, I feel like it went really well and everyone loved the talks, testimonies, and everything the ward planned. 

 Even though we've been super busy with everything that's been going on, I feel really calm and happy with the work we're doing. I know this church is true and love to preach this message to everyone that wants to listen.

Elder Graff