Sister Gray's Mission: I month down 17 to go!

Hello!

Another week has passed here in Fort Worth and lots of exciting things are happening. Talking to everyone last Monday was the highlight of my week. It is so nice hearing from people back at home. If you haven't emailed me please do, I would love to talk with you and hear how life is. I'm not sure how many of you know this, but the Texas Fort Worth mission has officially been opened as a Facebook mission! So, if you have a Facebook please add me. We are encouraged to have friends and family add us. Plus it would be nice to see all y'alls cute faces once again:')

Tuesday we had our first zone conference. We had lots of training on how to use Facebook, how it can benefit us, and other amazing training's on how to be a better missionary. It was overall a really good conference. Before the conference actually started we were required to get flu shots. Shots really don't freak me out as much anymore (well...flu shots don't freak me out). I went in, filled out the paper work, got the shot and went back to the class room and sat down. Not really paying attention to anything. I started having a conversation with some of the nearby sisters and was minding my own business until Elder Christensen comes over and starts freaking out over my arm. As I was having various conversations my arm was just bleeding everywhere, all down my arm and shirt. He was freaked out and I looked at my arm and just laughed. What else was I suppose to do? That was a great way to start my first zone conference.

Me and Sister Gorley have met lots of new people as we bike around. The other day we were riding on some bike paths that were really hilly and we were exhausted. Once we got to the top of the hill we decided to take a picture so we could cool off for a bit. This old man came up to us and was talking to us about how impressive it was we were able to ride bikes in dresses. It was fun to talk with him and get to know him better. We see him almost daily as we cross paths on our bikes. The ward that we are in are so amazing. We apparently had many families write letters of concern to our president asking if they could donate money so we could have a car. Let's just say, we now have a car. It's very nice and is full of lots of technology we can't use haha. We try to use it as little as we can. We usually use about 20 miles a day and we bike the rest of the day.

Yesterday we were at the church and we were attempting to get our bikes on our bike rack. We are pretty good at getting it up and secure but it always includes lots of laughing at ourselves because the bikes always turn and latch onto our dresses. It's always a good time watching each other struggle. It is one of my favorite things. Anyway, we were in the church parking lot rearranging the bikes (We put them on wrong the night before and they were trying to fall off) we had like 15 men come and ask if we needed help. Me and Sister Gorley struggle with accepting help so we would turn them away every time. Until finally we had struggled so much and were laughing too hard to accomplish anything that a young man came and told us to move. He put the bikes on and told us to have a good day. As we sat in the car we were still giggling because we had come to the understanding that if you are in a dress, wear a name tag, wear ugly missionary shoes, and are doing an activity that involves any sort of physical strength you are automatically a damsel in distress and can't do anything for yourself.

This week we truly have been blessed with miracles. As we have been biking to dinner appointments we have always had the feeling to stop and tract. Because of those feelings and promptings we have found 5 new investigators. Each of them committed to reading and praying from the book of Mormon and set a return appointment. That is such a big accomplishment in this area. This area was opened about 3 months ago. It hasn't had missionaries in years so when we find new investigators it's a really big deal. We have given out at least 3 books of Mormon every day. It's so cool to see how the Lord blesses us.

We had a meeting this week with a member and her friend from school. She is looking at several different religions and when she became friends with Julia (member) she wanted to know more about the Mormons. We taught her the first lesson and she was hooked. She has a crazy work schedule but she decided that she needed this in her life. We are hoping for the best and we see lots of hope in her eyes. We meet with her on Wednesday and she wants to know more about baptism. I can't wait!:):)
I have officially hit my one month mark. It's crazy to think that a month ago I was with my family. I truly miss all of my friends and my family so much but I know that this is where I need to be. I know that there are people in Texas who are ready for the gospel. I know how HAPPY this gospel makes me and I can't wait to share that happiness with other people. Everyone deserves to be happy during their life.

I hope everyone has a great week! I will talk to y'all next week:)

Love,
Sister Gray:)

PICTURES:
1) how me and Sister Gorley feel after riding all day
2) typical missionary in Texas with the water tower
3) hands down best sign in Texas... the downhill biking sign
4) me and my cute companion :')