I can't believe another week has passed. They aren't kidding when they say "the days are long but the weeks are short!". I believe that with all of my heart. Amazing things have happened this week. Things that have truly built my testimony. So let's dive on in!
We had an eventful week of service this week. We were involved in a program that provides food for those who can not afford produce. When we first arrived we were like a fish out of water. Every single person there was either a pastor, married to a pastor, or training to be a pastor. People were still very welcoming to us, which was good, but it was still a little strange. But, as the program started and people began to come down the line, all of the differences in religion melted away as we all worked together to help our neighbors. It was cool to experience the tension slip away as we all served. There was so much food to give out, I can't even describe it. I wish I had gotten a picture but I was unable to:( we handed out atleast 500 bags of green onions and grapes.
So. Much. Food.
We also had the opportunity to help a less active woman in the ward move. When we first asked her if she needed help her immediate response was a resounding NO. She did not need any help from anyone. As the weeks carried on, we got a text asking if we could come over the next day. Of course we smiled and said yes:) we packed her entire food storage, pantry, and cupboards. All within the course of 3 hours. As we sat and worked hard she was so happy she had set her pride aside and asked for help. As a reward she said "I know y'all aren't from here so I thought I would get you a souvenir. I bought you Bucky's shirts!".(a Texas "must see" famous gas station) I was sooo excited! I have collected sooo many tee shirts since I have been out. People know I like them so they just send me them haha. It's great.
Another super cool thing that happened this week was Grace came to church! Yay! Missionaries have tried to get her to church for almost 2 years and she finally came! She said she enjoyed it and was looking forward to the next service. Our hope is that she will come and feel the spirit and have a desire to continue coming. We read the Book of Mormon with her everyday and she is praying to know that it is true. She has the faith to pray and she has a desire to know. Now we just wait to see when she gets her answer:).
The main thing I want to talk to y'all about was the most amazing miracle that has happened this week. Ever since Easter I have been feeling sort of down. Not anything too serious. I was just missing my family. The normal missionary feeling that we have:) in fact, on Easter Sunday we had breakfast with a recent convert and less active who have been trying to come back to church. As we sat at the table Charlie asked me what the hardest thing about a mission is. I told her that the hardest thing is to be away from those you love the most. She then asked me how I handled it. I told her... that's a good question! I still have no idea! Im not very good at it, but I'm trying." She smiled, gave me a hug and said "your family is proud of you." It made me happy:).
This week, was Charlie and Erik's wedding. Since we have been working with them, they asked us to attend their ceremony and reception. We of course said yes. It was on my "missionary bucket list" to attend a wedding. Why? Go and watch the district and you would understand (all my missionary friends will understand). The big day came and we were so excited. Texas is like Utah and the weather will change in a blink. Friday we had 80 degree weather and Saturday we had 31 degree weather. It was a little chilly for an outside wedding. The ceremony began and it was beautiful.
Afterwards, the mother of the bride rushed over to me and asked if I was from Utah. I laughed and said yes thinking she was going to make a joke. She didn't. She simply said with tears in her eyes "I met your mom.". My heart skipped a beat and I laughed saying "of course you did.". She then began to tell me the story. As she was driving from Arizona to Texas to attend her daughter's wedding, there was a massive traffic jam in Utah. Which left several cars stuck on the highway for several hours. People began to get out of their cars and talk. "This lady came and talked to me asking me where we were going. I told her that I was headed to Texas.". My mom (being the proud missionary mom she is) began to explain that she had a daughter serving there, and that she was transferred to the Decatur area. Charlie's mom thought "that's weird, that's where Charlie lives." She gave my mom a hug and was on her way. With tears in our eyes she leans in to give me a hug and said "this is from your mom". We sat and hugged each other and cried.
Why? Because for the first time in 7 months I hugged my mom. It was as if her arms were wrapped around me. I have never felt the spirit so strong in my life than in that moment. Days before, I sat on my bed asking Heavenly Father if He really needed me out in the field. If He was truly aware of how tired, and homesick I was. As I hugged Charlie's mom, the spirit testified to me, that our Heavenly Father knows. He knows our struggles, He knows our hardships, He knows our heart aches. And He cares. He cares about your feelings, He cares what you think. He is willing to help you if you will be patient. He will help us in ways that we didn't even know were possible. I didn't know I needed a hug from my mom but I did. I needed that boost.
If I learn anything on this mission I hope that it is the love Heavenly Father has for all of his children. One of my favorite quotes is from Elder Holland:
"Think the best, hope the best, and have faith in the future."
Have faith that Heavenly Father knows your future. When I figured that out, my life became a whole lot easier, and a whole lot happier. I sure do love this gospel. I love the opportunity I have. I love my family and I love my Savior, Jesus Christ.
Love y'all,
Sister Gray
Another super cool thing that happened this week was Grace came to church! Yay! Missionaries have tried to get her to church for almost 2 years and she finally came! She said she enjoyed it and was looking forward to the next service. Our hope is that she will come and feel the spirit and have a desire to continue coming. We read the Book of Mormon with her everyday and she is praying to know that it is true. She has the faith to pray and she has a desire to know. Now we just wait to see when she gets her answer:).
The main thing I want to talk to y'all about was the most amazing miracle that has happened this week. Ever since Easter I have been feeling sort of down. Not anything too serious. I was just missing my family. The normal missionary feeling that we have:) in fact, on Easter Sunday we had breakfast with a recent convert and less active who have been trying to come back to church. As we sat at the table Charlie asked me what the hardest thing about a mission is. I told her that the hardest thing is to be away from those you love the most. She then asked me how I handled it. I told her... that's a good question! I still have no idea! Im not very good at it, but I'm trying." She smiled, gave me a hug and said "your family is proud of you." It made me happy:).
This week, was Charlie and Erik's wedding. Since we have been working with them, they asked us to attend their ceremony and reception. We of course said yes. It was on my "missionary bucket list" to attend a wedding. Why? Go and watch the district and you would understand (all my missionary friends will understand). The big day came and we were so excited. Texas is like Utah and the weather will change in a blink. Friday we had 80 degree weather and Saturday we had 31 degree weather. It was a little chilly for an outside wedding. The ceremony began and it was beautiful.
Afterwards, the mother of the bride rushed over to me and asked if I was from Utah. I laughed and said yes thinking she was going to make a joke. She didn't. She simply said with tears in her eyes "I met your mom.". My heart skipped a beat and I laughed saying "of course you did.". She then began to tell me the story. As she was driving from Arizona to Texas to attend her daughter's wedding, there was a massive traffic jam in Utah. Which left several cars stuck on the highway for several hours. People began to get out of their cars and talk. "This lady came and talked to me asking me where we were going. I told her that I was headed to Texas.". My mom (being the proud missionary mom she is) began to explain that she had a daughter serving there, and that she was transferred to the Decatur area. Charlie's mom thought "that's weird, that's where Charlie lives." She gave my mom a hug and was on her way. With tears in our eyes she leans in to give me a hug and said "this is from your mom". We sat and hugged each other and cried.
Why? Because for the first time in 7 months I hugged my mom. It was as if her arms were wrapped around me. I have never felt the spirit so strong in my life than in that moment. Days before, I sat on my bed asking Heavenly Father if He really needed me out in the field. If He was truly aware of how tired, and homesick I was. As I hugged Charlie's mom, the spirit testified to me, that our Heavenly Father knows. He knows our struggles, He knows our hardships, He knows our heart aches. And He cares. He cares about your feelings, He cares what you think. He is willing to help you if you will be patient. He will help us in ways that we didn't even know were possible. I didn't know I needed a hug from my mom but I did. I needed that boost.
If I learn anything on this mission I hope that it is the love Heavenly Father has for all of his children. One of my favorite quotes is from Elder Holland:
"Think the best, hope the best, and have faith in the future."
Have faith that Heavenly Father knows your future. When I figured that out, my life became a whole lot easier, and a whole lot happier. I sure do love this gospel. I love the opportunity I have. I love my family and I love my Savior, Jesus Christ.
Love y'all,
Sister Gray
Pictures:
The eighter from decatur: some weird guy that was good at gambling. That's what that means apparently.
Grace was scared we were a cult so we sent her this picture and told her we were. She had a good laugh.
Our Bucky tee shirts
Charlie on her wedding day
Charlies mom.
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| Welcome to Decatur |
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| Eighter from Decatur |
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| Does this look like a cult to you? |
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| Bucky Beaver Shirts |
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| Sister Gray, Charlie, and Sister Bowes |
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| Charlie's mom |
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| This is the traffic jam that Sister Gray was talking about, her mom and little sister Cassidy sat in it for 3 1/2 hours and that's where they met Charlie's mom and family. This world gets really small with the Lord's hand in it. |
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