Long Time No See...

Hey everyone! 

So sorry it's been a while since I've put out a formal weekly letter. So much has happened and I don't habe a whole ton of time. I'll try my best to give you the really really good stuff...

I got transferred! I am loving my new area here in North Scottsdale. We have done so much stuff this week. I'm no longer on bike too. I'm driving a Chevy Malibu; it's so nice. I can keep the keys in my pocket all day long and I can lock/unlock the car and start it. There are some crazy drivers up here too, and most of them are driving super nice cars. I hope you all enjoy my pictures. I feel like Tom Cruise sometimes because of all close calls. I'm blessed with lightning fast reflexes. 

I cover three wards and they are huge! I took a screenshot for you to see. The members here are so awesome, there's a millionaire family in one of the wards. There are a lot of great investigators I get to work with too. They all love Elder Agbuya. He's from the Philippines. I sure love him too. He is a really good example to me-- patient, kind, and a great teacher. He's gonna be going home pretty soon here. He is a funny guy. He's fed me a lot of food; adobo with rice and really spicy noodles. "He called it the spicy noodle challenge." My lips were sore after. I'll let you know more about the investigators. We did put a younger kid named Jack on date and he should be Elder Agbuyas first baptism on the mission. We get to go with him and his family to the Mesa Visitor Center this Friday! The winter down here has been so nice. 

That should be everything that's important. The last thing that happened this week was today! We went to the biggest golfing event here in Arizona... maybe even the US. It was only the practices and warm ups though. Saturday and Sunday are the days the real tournament starts. This golf course was huge! I tried to take some good pics so y'all could see. There was an entire stadium fit into the course. I got a sweet hat. All in all, it was a great pday. 

To end I'll close with a quick thought. Recently I've been asking myself: "Why can't I be more in tune with the Spirit each day. Since I'm trying my best and I'm trying to listen, shouldn't I be entitled to those promtings." Then I read the story of Nephi and Laban, and I noticed something I've never caught before. When Nephi enters the city of Jerusalem and soon finds Laban fallen from drunkenness, the first thing he decided to do was pick up Laban' s sword. Hm, interesting? Was it normal for Nephi to pick up random things off the ground? I believe that Nephi was promoted by the Spirit (without him knowing it was the Spirit) to pick up the sword. Then when it was already in his hand, he then recognized the Spirit as it constrained him to kill Laban. I know that God is in every aspect of our daily lives. Why wouldn't He be? He loves us and wants us to succeed. If we let Him-- and if we love Him, then we will be able to see Him working his miracles around us and through us. 

I love you all and hope you have the best week ever!

Love Elder DeGraw
6265 N 82nd St
Scottsdale, AZ 85250

My new companion Elder Agbuya

Brother Scott, a recent convert

My new sweet ride

These are all from the golf open we went to...

This is a random picture some members found, The Carters. They named him Hearn.

A hospital close by. I had a really neat experience giving a blessing there.

A tower in Scottsdale

My new apartment

Saying Good-bye to the Hales

Saying Good-bye to the Richardsons

January 23, 2018

We got this awesome email last week. Elder DeGraw was very blessed by these amazing members in his first area.

Degraw Family,

I am a member of the Westwood ward where Elder Degraw is currently serving.  I wanted to briefly let you know how much we as a ward, and myself personally, have enjoyed and appreciated the service offered by Elder Degraw.  He has been in my home a number of times to teach and has always left our home a better place.  I am coming to realize that after I am with Elder Degraw I am happier and far more upbeat.  I have heard similar remarks from others.  I can't think of a better trait to have as a missionary, or as a person, than the ability to always lift others by simply being around them.  

Thank you for sharing your son/brother with us here in Mesa.  His testimony and service has blessed far more people here in Arizona than he likely realizes.  Do let me know if there is anything I can ever do for him.  Thank you again!

Kevin Hawkes

From Mesa to North Scottsdale

Elder DeGraw is being transferred to North Scottsdale. He had a full day of packing and saying good-byes, but sent a couple quick things. He said... 

"Bro Felix just told me that I'm covering the richest part of Arizona. Stephanie Meyers (author of Twilight) is in my ward. My new companion is Elder Agbuya. He's from the Philippines. He's been out for a while now, I think 22 months."

"My new area is huge! I have one of the biggest areas in the valley. It is massive.So I will be in a Chevy Malibu (picture) and bike once or twice a week. I won't teach very many lessons. And I've been told the people can be quite mean. There's actually four of us living in my new apartment. Guess who I'm living with?? Elder Horrocks, my MTC companion. I am excited about that."

"This past week was kind of a miracle week. There were some days I didn't really care about anxiety. It gets so tiring, so I decided to just be spontaneous. We met a girl named Donisha and put her on date for baptism. I knocked random doors in our area because there was nothing better to do and we met a few great people. One guys name is Ray and we visited for a while. He has a lot of siblings that are members. Elder Bird will be going back soon. We were also able to get 8 investigators to church." 

"Tonight I'll be going around visiting all my people. Wednesday morning at 7:00 is when I'll get a ride with Brother Felix to the mission office and then to my area. 
I will miss the members in this area, and those I've come to know and love. I've seen Christ. Not in person, but I've seen him in the kindness the members have for their families, others, and us missionaries."

"Cool fact. #1 Pizza State is Arizona. #1 Pizza place in Arizona is Spinottos. A member took us there this morning. I liked it." 

"There have been many times that I feel my Grandpa Bud is close. This week I was worried about transfers and home. I prayed sincerely at my bed, and I felt that my Savior was sitting on my bed with his hand on my shoulder as I prayed. I also felt that my future kids were praying with me and listening to my prayer. That day was a good day." 

Some screenshots Elder DeGraw sent of his new area (with a little picture of his mom on each pic. Haha).

The type of car he will be driving...