HELLO MY FAMILY:):)
This week has been fantastic! Ugh being a missionary is the best. There aren't even words to describe. We spent most of this week doing what we usually do, knock doors, teach a few lessons, work at the museum, clean some houses. Things like that. Overall it was a good week. It has been so hot and humid! I love it! We have been over 100 at some point every single day this week. One day, we were following up with a less active and had no luck. Sister K got in the car and was like "I feel like my face is melting off" I laughed and told her that it was literally 105 outside and it had every right to. She just laughed and we carried on. I love Texas heat.
I hope y'all had a great 4th! Unfortunately wise county (my entire area) is as under a burn ban. No fire, no fireworks, no sparklers. So, the only fireworks I saw this year were the ones I drew into my journal. Oh well:) we actually had a fantastic fourth. We started out with our zone in Denton to march in a parade! That's right y'all, Texas let's the Mormons march in the parade. Once again, there aren't a lot of things I don't love about Texas. One of those few things TEXAS BUGS. This week's bug of the week is red ants. As we were waiting for the parade to start I accidentally kicked a red ant hill. Red ants are fire ants on drugs. They are massive little brats that hook into your skin preventing you from brushing them off. So I marched in a parade with over 30 bites on my left foot. It was quite the experience. Totally worth it though, we had so much fun as a zone being together for a holiday. We also spent the day with the ward at a social. Tony, our investigator, was able to come and had a really good time. We had brisket with all of the bbq fixings. Y'all missed out!;)
We also retired our truck Frank this week. Frank is really old and had a lot of problems. It was a joyful goodbye. Elder Blonquist gave me the keys to a brand spanking new 2018 Tacoma truck. His name is Halbert Grayler (sister Gray and Keller's baby). I have never ever in my life driven a brand new vehicle and let me tell y'all, it feels GOOD. I will make sure I don't crash it or back into anything (reference to a certain brother whom I will not name but love dearly).
Saturday was had the privilege to leave the Fort Worth Mission to travel to Dallas. We were able to attend the temple with Donna and Phillip for their first time doing baptisms for the dead. What a marvelous night. Watching Donna do baptisms again filled me with the spirit. The same spirit that was present when she first covenanted with heavenly father. It was absolutely fantastic. I have had a lot of experiences happen this week that remind me what it means to sacrifice. We are promised in Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21
"There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated. And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated."
Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of Heaven. As I sat in the temple I was filled with the spirit. Which reminded me how wonderful and sacred temples are. I hadn't been since January and I missed that feeling. I sat waiting for our turn to enter the baptistry when a strong impression overtook my mind. I was instructed to not perform any baptisms. I didn't understand the prompting but I heeded to its counsel. I informed the Elder's Quorum president and he informed me that the baptistry was running 35 minutes behind. I knew that if I performed an ordinance I would not be able to return home on time. I was very sad but also thankful for that prompting. Heeding to the spirit brought another miracle. We entered into the baptistry and I sat on the bench, still a little sad that I would not be able to perform an ordinance. I looked at the crowd of people seated in the benches when I saw a familiar face. Unfortunately he turned away just before I could know for sure. He got up and entered another room that just so happened to have a window. A couple of minutes passed and I saw a familiar face looking through the window. He recognized me the same time I recognized him. My MTC teacher from 10 months ago was sitting across the room. He came out and rushed over and we had like 6 minutes to talk. It was so nice. I love brother Allred! He played such a huge role in my missionary attitude. It was so fun to see a friendly face and to talk with him. All of which wouldn't have happened if I didn't listen to the spirit.
So my challenge to y'all this week is to listen! Listen to the spirit! Listen to what it has to say and follow it's prompting! I promise it will make a huge impact on your life.
I sure do love y'all a d I'm thankful for everything y'all do. This church is true:) the Book of Mormon is true, as is the Bible. And God loves us more than anything. Talk to y'all next week.
Love,
Sister Gray
PICTURES
more goat pictures. Decatur has literally made me want 10,000 goats
Right after the ant attack, there is about 4 on my pinky toe:( also, thankful for Elders that have pockets and are eagle scouts because they hold my car keys and they have bandaids all the time. #blessup
Temple trip:)
Service
Sister Keller and I waiting for our new truck
This shows where all of the bites are.
Parade fun
I LOVE Y'ALL:):):
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| Goat Girl |
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| Pinky Toe with Ant Bites |
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| Temple Trip with Phillip and Donna |
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| Sister Gray, Phillip, Donna, and Sister Keller |
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| Service Project |
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| Sister Gray and Sister Keller after service project |
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| Waiting for their new Truck |
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| Map of Ant bites |
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| Parade fun |
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| Parade Fun with two cuties! ! |
