Sister Gray's Mission: Pecans and Pictures

Hello friends and family!:) what a wonderful week Texas has had!!!

This week has truly been amazing and I feel blessed that I am here. To start the week off.... We have a baptism!!!! Yayyyyy!!!! Our area was closed for 2 years due to the fact that there was no progress. 3 months ago it was reopened, and on Tuesday we committed someone to baptism. Her name is Amber and she truly is incredible. She has a testimony of the book of Mormon, she is willing to give up her tea and coffee (y'all don't understand how huge that is) and she knows that Heavenly Father loves her. It has been amazing to stand next to her as she grows each and every day. We have the opportunity to meet with Amber every single day and each day she shares how HAPPY the scriptures make her. Fingers crossed that this progress continues!

On Wednesday I had the opportunity to teach a training in our district meeting. It was an amazing experience that was also the most terrifying thing I have done yet. The greenie missionary teaching missionaries who have all been out over a year. Overall the lesson went as planned and I know for a fact that I wasn't the one teaching. I have noticed that to be an effective missionary all you have to do is open your mouth. As soon as you do, the spirit will take over and you simply become a mouth piece.

Me and Sister Gorley have a rule that every Wednesday we are allowed to be tourists for 30 minutes. After district meeting we go to a "Texan hotspot". Last time we went to Bahama bucks which is the world's best Snow cones. Hands down. This time we went to Raising canes, a small restaurant that only sells chicken. When we were ordering the employee working there started asking us questions about what missions are. We had the opportunity to share a message and talk about missionaries and our purpose. We are meeting with her this Wednesday to discuss more. I never thought I would talk to someone about Christ over a basket over chicken fingers.

Friday was probably one of the most challenging and rewarding days I have had so far. When I received my call to Texas the one thing I was most excited for was the fact that I wouldn't be cold. WRONG. Friday it rained and it was absolutely freezing. I don't think I have ever been more cold.

We were out tracting all afternoon and it rained the whole time. I felt as if we weren't accomplishing anything because we were both miserable. Once we realized we were both in sour moods we decided to do something to brighten our spirits. On the very edge of our area there is a street that has like 25 pecan trees. We haven't had the chance to tract that street yet so we decided that is where we needed to go.

We spent the whole morning knocking doors and picking pecans. Afterwards we had a huge bag of pecans ready to be shelled. Once we were laughing and in good moods the work really started to pick up we gave away 8 books of Mormon, and gained 4 new investigators. We were blessed. Later that night we rewarded ourselves with warm apple cider/ hot chocolate. We spent the rest of the night having a missionary movie night. We watched several of the district episodes (all training videos) and shelling pecans. Quite an eventful night.

Saturday was spent doing service at the flower mound. If you are wondering what the flower mound is.... it's a big mound. Full of dirt and pokey grass. It's pretty exciting. We picked up trash, pulled "woodies" (small trees) from the ground, and planted new seeds. It was pretty fun and we were able to meet some amazing people. Afterwards we headed to the neighborhood trailer park to help clean out a families trailer. We went straight from that to a ward chili cook off. It was one of the best ward activities I have ever been to. There was sooooo much food! You haven't had good chili and cornbread until you have had good chili and cornbread in Texas.

The best part about the whole night was that the church was filled with potential investigators! Most of the families invited their neighbors or school teachers to come and have some chili. It was a great chance to meet new people.

Sunday was probably the best day of the week. Sunday morning we were setting up chairs and hymn books as we waited for people to arrive. I felt a tap on my shoulder to find some very familiar faces. Jon and Yvonne Wall had come to see me. I nearly passed out when I saw them. I was overcome with emotion and was welcomed in a big hug from Yvonne. It was by far the best "mom-hug" I have had.

We were both crying and I felt comfort and peace. Heavenly father looks out for you. All the time. I had been praying to feel comfort as I continue throughout my mission and in small simple ways I have always found comfort.

Whether it be seeing old neighbors, or receiving a package with some pajamas in it (thanks aunt Amy:')) or receiving a letter with a picture of your best friend (thanks Walter and Joan:')) Heavenly Father won't leave us alone.

There is a song we listen to everyday and this is my favorite line in it.
"He knows each of his children, he is never too far. He is there beside you, with a love so bright, and he can see all the ways you let your faith shine."

If you ever feel alone, remember you're not. You have a loving heavenly father who is there beside you. Never forget it.

Have a great week and I will talk to all y'all next week!!

-Sister Gray

PICTURES:)
Friday night movie treat
Literally the only tree that has changed colors
Holy ghost Halloween sign
Me and Walter:')
The pecan shelling place