Los Minas 6 - Only 4 Minutes to Write!

Los Minas 6 - Only 4 Minutes to Write!

So I have 4 minutes left now before I have to leave internet! We have a temple trip as a mission, my last before I leave, this week so we only have half of a P-day.

But this week was really spiritual. Full of a lot of small miracles. Gabriel and Dariel were both able to be baptized! It was a rich experience and both families were there to support. We're just working with the rest of the family to try and see the potencial they all have.

Amauris and Naomi are really excited about the Church. They're loving it and we threw a surprise party for Amauris' birthday after the baptism on Saturday. It was awesome. We'll be talking about them getting married in July tomorrow with a member family. They've got a ton of potential.

The work is going great here in Los Minas. The members are really helping out a lot and God is fulfilling his promises because we're trying to work hard always. I know this church is true and that we'll be blessed for good decisions.

Love you all. I'll write more next week and send lots of pictures because I've been "flojo" about that lately.

Elder Graff

Los Minas 5 - Changes - Two Year Dream

Los Minas 5 - Changes, Two Year Dream

Sometimes, I really think twice about writing on Monday because every time I leave the Internet Center having read letters from home and first, my head is spinning for about ten minutes just from the amount of CHANGES and mission calls and marriages and all that has happened.  

Feels sometimes like I'm honestly in a two year dream.

But I'm super happy and stoked for all the good decisions and changes a lot of my friends and loved ones are making so even though I'm trying not to focus too much on all that, I just wanted to say congrats!

Back to the mission work, Elder Reyes and I are having a blast and working smart and really good together. It's been amazing to be in this area. To arrive with so little blanking to having a lot of really good people we're teaching has kept me humble and reminded constantly of who really is in charge of the mission work and who causes the changes in the hearts of the people.

The ward is slowly growing. Amauris and his family are doing great. Almost all my pages in my agenda are full with stick figures and houses drawn in highlighter by their 2 and 4 year old kids! A super awesome family. The ward is really excited for them and they're loving Church. The other investigators are doing well also. Rosagni and Gabriel are really excited for this weekend. They've been making big changes in their families with their example at such a young age. Both families are inactive in the church, now starting the process of coming back. The father of Gabriel who isn't a member, when he heard that he could give his son the Priesthood at age 12, got a whole lot more excited about the message and his role in his son's life. It's been sweet to see how ready they are and excited to follow in the footsteps of our Savior. Things really are going better than ever. Ready as always for opposition. But I know the Lord will provide a way to plant the spiritual seeds we need to.

I love Los Minas and this country and everyone who lives here. Being half-Dominican now, I've grown an appreciation so big for these people and my brothers and sisters here. It's been a long and difficult road. But to see the things I have in this last year, every difficulty has been worth it.

Have a great week. Always be grateful for family and friends and for all the blessings that God gives us each day.

Elder Graff

Los Minas 4 - "The Only Time I Was Truly Happy . . . "

Los Minas 4 - "The Only Time I Was Truly Happy . . . "

It's amazing how many curve-balls and changes 7 days in the Dominican Republic can bring.

This week was amazing. We had so many miracles as a companionship, mostly for Elder Reyes dedication to this work. The man is a missionary work machine! He's teaching me more than I think I'm teaching him. And it's a privilege to work along side him. 

 

We found a lot of people this week. We also unfortunately have had to stop visiting some others that we had found at the start because of lack of interest or not coming through with commitments. But we found an AWESOME family. Actually the owner of the gym where we've started to go, the best friend of a member named Willie. The family Montilla maybe wouldn't be the family a missionary would see and know from the start that they're ready to hear the Gospel. When we got the reference from Willie the first day at the gym, I was a bit surprised that Amauris, the dad, would be interested. You have to see him. He's absolutely giant, tons of tattoos and just looks kind of like a rough guy. Maybe in pictures he looks meek, but the guy is an animal. We give him a pamphlet and invited him to church and he and his whole family came on Sunday. He BORE HIS TESTIMONY the pulpit in church which was something we were not expecting at all and they're just a superstar family. They're really interested in the Gospel. We had a great lesson last night and we have a lot of hope for them.

Thanks to the Ward as well, we've also been finding a lot more people that are prepared. Working hard to reach the goal we have as a mission and help God with his work. It's been great and the work is without a doubt getting a bit easier every week. But come what comes, we're putting on those church shoes early every morning and hitting the streets 'til all day. It's a blessing every second you have as a missionary. Especially as you see your best friends coming to the end of the road and hear their testimonies and mission experience, it motivates you not to waste the time you have. I love being a missionary and I'm so grateful to my Heavenly Father for the countless blessings He gives to me and to those we teach.

One of the coolest experiences of the week is a man we found named Rafael. Unfortunately, he lives in a different area and we won't be able to keep teaching him. But he has been a member of the church for about 26 years. All his brothers served missions. His whole family is active in the church and he has a STRONG testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel. We found him on the streets, drunk and from what we saw a bit drugged up. We started talking and he told us of his love for the church and how blessed his life was when we was active. Fighting through the tears, he explained us what had happened and how the addiction to drugs slowly destroyed his life. How abandoned he felt and how insignificant his life was. We testified of the power of the Atonement and his potential as a child of God. How forgiving and loving of a Father we have and how everyone can repent. We invited him to church and gave him a pamphlet and he ended with one of the most powerful and sincere prayers I have ever heard. I left that street corner lesson humbled to say the least. But the most powerful part of it all, the part that hit me most was something he said. "I've tried everything the world has to offer. And the only time I was truly happy was when I was active in the true church of Christ." It makes me grateful for the influences I have in my life and the parents god gave me. We work hard everyday to be able to in the moments when we need to, reach the hearts of the Dominican people and invite them to have more happiness and true joy in their lives.

I hope you all have a great week. I love you all.

Elder Graff

Los Minas 3 - Baptisms

Los Minas 3 - Baptisms

This pic is legendary. Dariana (aka super super super energetic little girl in front with the crazy hair) is awesome hahahah. Turns out their dog had puppies and they named one Elder Graff. I about died laughing.

Hey everyone! Hope that all is well and that this week was a good one.

It was a great one for us, seems like all of them are like that. Some really difficult, some sad, but there's always something you can learn and take from the opposition. We've been working our shoes off. Literally, my shoes are kind of starting to wear away. Sweating like crazy because summer has officially hit the Dominican Republic. But really enjoying the time and experiences.

The investigators are doing well! We're focused on the goal that we have as a mission for June and July and we know that God will prepare the way! We've been having great lessons and finding families to teach which makes me really happy. 

The baptism of the Family Florian from Los Molinos!!!!! 

Yesterday, Elder Reyes and I were actually able to go back to Espaillat to see the baptism of the sons of the Olivo Family, a family Elder Gongora and I were teaching a long time back. They were going to wait to do it as a family, but they're still trying to get their birth certificates figured out so that Leo and Antonia can get married! The kids wanted to give their mom the best mother's day gift they could. So they decided to baptize Raymond and Nataniel. Their energy and excitement to do something they had been waiting almost 9 months to do was unreal. It rubbed off on everyone there and it was such a special time. I got to see Ana Gladis, Jean Paul, Wilson and the Rodriguez Family as well which made pretty much my entire mission. To see them all strong and firm in the Gospel is the biggest joy for me. To know that the hard work, the tough days and the shut doors is never in vain. It was an amazing experience. Also, having one of the Rodriguez's famous lunches to top it off wasn't bad either;)

Baptism of Raymond and Nata together with Leo and Antonia. They're waiting for their papers. But should be getting baptized soon! Antonia is actually the daughter of Miriam Rodriguez, which makes their conversion even more beautiful. Enrique said that his goal is to help his whole family enjoy what he is living.

Picture of the baptism of Raymond and Nata! Enrique, the father of the Family Rodriguez actually was able to baptize Raymond. Their family is so happy and really loving the Gospel. 

I'm loving the mission work. I know that what we're doing out here is one of the most important callings there is. God is speeding up his work. We just have to decide to hop on and follow Him or not. 

I love you all and hope you have another great week.

Elder Graff

Sorry the email is so short. We have a lot of things to do today.

Alma 17:2 "Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added MORE to his joy, there were still his brethren in the Lord."

Picture of Elder Reyes and I at the house of a member that invited us over to eat lunch with them. They live right next to the Ozama river and we couldn't pass up the opportunity to take a pic.

Los Minas 2 - Graduation!

Los Minas 2 - Graduation! 

Yet another week has passed by.

I have to start off by saying congratulations to my brother Aaron, and to every one graduating from Basha or other schools tomorrow. It's been 2 years since I came to this point. Makes me feel old. But I just want to let you know Aaron how proud I am of you and everything you will do in the future.

(Photo Added by Jordan and Laura on Taylor's behalf for his brother, Aaron)

The mission work is steadily progressing here in Los Minas. It's been great being with Elder Reyes. Teaching me all about Guatemala, making BOMB food and just having a blast. He's a great companion and loves to work. He really understands with so little time what he came here for and just how much God can do through him. 

Even though the first week was maybe a bit difficult because we're blanking (meaning that we both got here knowing NOTHING of the area), we saw so many small and big blessings these past couple days. The people we're teaching are opening their hearts and really letting God help them. We've had some really spiritual lessons and we're looking for everyone and anyone that's willing to sacrifice a litte time.

As I said (at least I think so) about Peterson thats preparing to serve a mission for his church, last night we had one of the most powerful lessons about the Restoration I've ever had. He had a LOT of questions but God helped Elder Reyes and I answer them all and the Spirit was overwhelming. We invited him to be baptized the 9th of July and he told us that if he keeps feeling what he's feeling and comes to know for himself that it's true, he will. It was amazing for me to see that even after having his whole life in another church, to hear and read and pray, he's feeling something else. And he's slowly starting to realize what this message means to him.

Leaving that lesson going home, this woman called out to us and asked if we could pray with her and her family for her son Jimmy. He's been in intensive care for 20 days. He's 8 years old and while his father was constructing a room for their house, a huge brick wall fell on him and he was pronounced dead. But by a miracle of God, he lived. And they knew who we were and who we taught of. The prayer truly was special. I felt peace and assurity in the prayer that he would be ok. We have a lesson with them on Wednesday. They are really interested and this may be the perfect time for them to accept the Gospel. We've been praying for them and we firmly believe that they're ready for this message to bless their lives.

Being a missionary is a one of a kind experience. When someone comes to appreciate it. When you leave behind your desires and put all your trust and confidence in our Heavenly Father, you see things that have no other explanation but to be from the heavens. You understand why hundreds of thousands of parents, sons, and relatives sacrifice so much to preach it. Because it heals, changes, and blesses the lives of thousands of people daily. And its amazing.

I love you all. Hope you have a great week.

Elder Graff

Los Minas 1 - 7th Inning Stretch (or Sprint!)

Los Minas 1 - 7th Inning Stretch (or Sprint!)

I WOULD LIKE TO START OFF THIS LETTER SAYING A HAPPY VERY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO MY DAD JORDAN MCKAY GRAFF. Due to our schedule as missionaries, we can only write on Mondays. Last Monday, I didn't have any time to write because of transfer work and such. But I just want to say that I love you so much Dad and happy 43 or such big ones.

MY "KID" (aka "Greenie", "new young missionary")  and I with President and Sister Corbitt

How do I start? Well the Mother's Day call with the family was awesome. It was a bit weird talking a little about studying, books, jobs and all that fun stuff because that hasn't been a part of my life for two years. All I know now is mission work pretty much. I don't even really speak good English anymore haha. Apparently I have a Caribbean accent now? Don't know what that means. But anyways, it's a bit frightening that I'm coming up to the end and frankly, I don't even want to focus on that right now. 

I was transferred last week to a new area called Los Minas!!! It's in the Zone Ozama so unfortunately I didn't go back to Las Americas or stay in Santo Domingo. But it's a really cool part of the country. It's pretty urbanized and everything. But the ward is REALLY excited to work with us it seems like. I'm training a new elder from Guatemala named Elder Reyes. He's super cool and has a ton of energy. Understands why he's here and just ready to work which is great. I actually got to know a member named Alberto that was companions with my cousin Mike in his mission in Mexico. Pretty big coincidence huh? But I love the ward and we've already seen so many miracles. We found a family that belongs to the Evangelist church contacting on the way to visit a member the first day and they're really interested; especially a 26 year old named Peterson. He's actually preparing right now to serve a mission for his church. He welcomed us in and we sat down and shared the Plan of Salvation. We found out that both his parents had died when he was younger and as we testified that he could be with them again and have an eternal family of his own in the future, the Spirit was undeniable. I'm without words to describe it. You could tell he was soaking it in, because it's a lot different from the beliefs he has his whole life believing. But in the end, he told us to come back and he went to church on Sunday!!! It was awesome. He's SUPER interested and told us that if keeps feeling like this and receives an answer from God that it's really true, he'll do all it takes to accept it. Cool to see how much it's motivated him and how much he wants to learn more.

Some CHICKEN WANGSSS and other vegetables with some rice and Elder Reyes and I made. Who ever said that a gringo and Guatemalteco made a bad chef team?

Elder Reyes and I also got to go back to Los Molinos in Las Americas to see the baptism of a family Elder Pediet, Searle and I were teaching, the Florián family. Words cannot describe the sheer happiness I had that night. I got to see all the members, many recent converts including Dashmin, Yokasta and Waldo and Alberto a less active we were teaching who's the recently called Teachers Quorum President. The baptism was so special. Their family was so grateful and the change they had made since we started teaching them was obvious just looking at them. The father is now investigating the church as well and the mom Liz is helping him out a lot. A really special night for us all.

I know that my time here is closing in. I lose sleep at night sometimes thinking about it. I just see it as a baseball game. In the 7th inning stretch. But in this work, right now, its a 7th inning RUN SPRINT GIVE IT ALL YOU GOT. Cause you're only a full time missionary once. And there's so many people waiting for this Gospel. All you can do is love, teach, and invite everyone you can. And God does the rest.

I know these things are true. And I invite all of you that haven't heard it before or studied it out in your heart, to start your own search for the truth. And I testify that it will change your life and give you blessings you can't even begin to comprehend.

Have a great week and I can't wait to see all the graduation pictures soon.

Elder Graff

Bittersweet times . . . . 

I hope I can get a picture of the baptism from Elder Richards because I didn't bring my camera to take pictures of it. If not, Ill send it next week.

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