Elder DeGraw here checking in with my weekly email. It was a pretty decent week, not as crazy as a lot of the weeks previous, but there's always something exciting in the life of a missionary. So here's the delio...
So last Monday went by quickly, pdays usually do. We played some 5v5 basketball and the whole time, my team was making up random plays with the weirdest names (goodie goodie gumdrop, swirl, crunch it, ninja grandma, etc) and none of us actually knew what any of them meant. Haha! Monday night we had planned to go help an older lady move her Christmas stuff out of her attic, but she moved it to Tuesday. So instead we biked as quickly as we could and visited a less active. We read 1 Nephi 1 with her and she had lots of questions. Everytime I read that wonderful chapter, I learn something new. One thing I noticed was how in Lehi's vision, Jesus Christ comes down and brings him a book and bades him to read. Then he reads: "12 And it came to pass that as he read, he was filled with the Spirit of the Lord." Jump with me to the very last chapter in the Book of Mormon where the prophet Moroni offers a similar promise. He explains how if you truly want to know the truth, pray to Heavenly Father in the name of Christ and you will know the truth of all things by the power of the Holy Ghost. It's so interesting to me how these two promises, in the first chapter and the last, seem to be the bookends of the Book of Mormon. It truly radiates with the Spirit. I'm grateful for the opportunity I have to bring this glorious book into others lives.
Tuesday, not much happened. We helped Brother and Sister Gaytan again with tidying up their yard. #LightTheWorld We saw a few people, helped Sister Crenshaw move her Christmas things #LightTheWorld, and I got a bad headache so we called it a night.
Wednesday was a good day and we were busy. We biked around most of the day and visited as many people as we could. It was cloudy for he whole day! I almost felt back in Idaho, but then I would see a palm tree; "oh yeah!" We taught Megan again. She is so fun and I've been praying for her as often as I can. She actually brought up baptism and asked us what happens. We shared with her the video of Christ being baptized. She told us how her old church believed in the bible, but not baptism. We are hoping she comes to church this Sunday and then we can commit her to baptism.
Thursday we had a great district meeting. Then one of our recent converts called us asking if we could help her carry a few groceries. She lives on the 3rd level of her apartment and we happily said yes! She is one of our favorites and makes the best green chili burritos! #LightTheWorld
Friday morning we were back at our favorite place-- helping the Gaytans again. We started out by digging a few holes and moving her bougainvillea plants around. Halfway through our work, Sister Gaytan came running outside with a worried look on her face. She doesn't speak English, but we were able to pick out that Brother Gaytan had just woken up and was very sick. We ran inside and he was shaking and vomiting. We administered to him a priesthood blessing and I wanted so badly in my heart that he would be okay. We let him rest and around the time we left; he was purring like a kitten, fast asleep. #LightTheWorld #ILoveHashtags #OkayIllStop Also on Friday, we went out for dinner at a local steakhouse. It was so good! Then I remembered that in 30 minutes we had the Adult Christmas Party in Westwood, and yeah the main event was eating. Thank goodmess there's always room for dessert. After, we got to help take the decorations down and we headed home.
Saturday morning was a little bit different. For zone sports we played chair soccer. Basically you guard your chair from everyone else and you try to kick the ball into others. The rest of the day, I had Elder Bird lead the area. Everything turned out pretty great. Transfers are coming up on the 12th! I already know I'm staying.
Sunday nothing really happened. Church is always special and I kept walking outside expecting to see snow. I enjoyed watch the First Presidency's Christmas Devo. We are truly blessed to be led by such great men.
Monday, today, has been decent so far. We've done the usual stuff and we have to end the day early because we get to go to the Mesa Temple tomorrow! So they take the time out of our P day.
So that was my week. I hope you all stay safe and be sure to remember the "reason for the season." Stay safe and look for ways to serve and love others!
Last few days of gratitude list...
#27 What small thing are you grateful for that you use daily? I would have to say minty toothpaste. It keeps my breath fresh.
#28 I'm grateful for the cooler weather we've had this week, it makes biking easier.
#29 A family member I'm grateful for is my Grandma Rhees! She sent me a package full of 25 presents. I've loved getting to open them daily. Day 2 was a box of orange chicken! I love orange chicken! Then I opened it and psych-- actually it was candy and a blanket. Love you Grandma!
#30 I'm grateful for the divine potential Heavnely Father gives each of us.
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