August 28, 2017

We got this great picture sent to us last night. I don't know who sent it, but I sure do love these people!

The text said, "Just as we were sitting up for our FHE lesson tonight, these stripling warriors knocked on our door. They joined us as we shared what having the gospel means to each of us. It was so sweet to hear both elders share their feelings. Elder DeGraw shared how much his family means to him. He shared how you've been sick and how he prayed for you every day in the MTC and how you've been blessed and are doing better.  He realizes even more how grateful he is for family. It was sweet to have them in our home."

Week 3! Sandstorms, Arizona Freeway, and Priesthhood Blessings

Hola mis amigos! 

I hope you've all had a wonderful week. It's been pretty busy here. You can tell that the locals are getting pretty excited for winter here. The members have told me it's paradise. I'm excited for it, but I'm starting to enjoy the heat. Yesterday in church, I was so cold because someone had turned the AC down to 60 degrees. Okay, It's time for the good stuff...

Tuesday was a great day. It was my first Zone Conference. My Mission President is really funny and kind. He has a strong testimony and a light he takes everywhere. I look up to him. President Robinson taught about how we need to have more tools in our toolbox. He explained that if all we have is a hammer, we can only solve one problem; putting a nail into a wall. He then told us that if we put more tools into our toolbox, we can fix more problems (answer more questions) investigators have because we have the proper items. The main point he was trying to get across to us was to use study time more effectively. It helped me learn how to put personal study to better use. The greatest habit and realization the MTC/Mission Field has given me is that reading the scriptures daily can improve our lives quicker then anything else. 

Wednesday was a crazy awesome day. First, Elder Kuewa and I helped a member push two broken-down cars out of his yard. The member told us that last time, it took four Elders to move them. I'm sure that Elder Kuewa (using his Hawaiian strength) could have pushed them out on his own. After that, we were riding our bikes home when we saw a four-door Dodge truck stopped in the middle of an intersection. It had overheated. Elder Kuewa told me to watch the bikes as he dashed out into the road. He took a few deep breaths and then pushed it all the way into a Walgreen's parking lot about 30 feet away. That's missionary power. :D I wanted to help, but we've heard stories of other Elders leaving their bikes unattended for 10 seconds and then they're gone. I was cheering him on from the crosswalk. Haha! Also, we had a giant sandstorm and I got a picture I'll send you all.

Thursday was a normal missionary work day. We taught the Restoration to a few people and gave a priesthood blessing to a less-active. The Spirit was so strong in that room and Jerry (the less-active) said he could feel his Fathers arms around him... he came to church yesterday.

Friday we had a PMG workshop. I got to drive the ZL's minivan on the freeway! I loved it, driving's been something I've missed a lot. The freeway was so busy and before I got in the car, I was saying so many prayers. I could feel the Spirit directing me in everything I did. We were late to the workshop because Google Maps misdirected us to get off exit 41, but we need to get off at 45. I loved every minute of it. 

The weekend was great. Nothing really happened. I really loved church and it gave me a spiritual boost for the upcoming week. 

To end, I'll bear my testimony on the blessing of a modern day prophet. Our beloved President Thomas S. Monson has been called of God to direct His work here on earth. He recently turned 90-years old and he is still spreading good and shooting smiles whenever he can. He has set an example for all of us, and it's a great example to follow, because he follows Jesus Christ. I know this is the true church and that studying the counsel of President Monson can help us in schooling, work, and anything else. 

I hope you all have a wonderful week! Thanks for your emails and the encouragement. Stay safe and keep moving forward.

Love,

Elder DeGraw

Arizona Streets

Mesa Temple

Elder DeGraw with some palm trees

A Few More Pictures of Elder DeGraw's Arrival

These are from Elder DeGraw's first day in Arizona, but they are some great photos--so even though they are 3 weeks old I wanted to share them.

Meeting Elder Kuewa

Elder DeGraw and President Robinson

The group of missionaries that arrived with Cameron.

Elder DeGraw looks great, but he may or may not be my favorite part of this photo...

August 22, 2017

We got this picture tonight from a gal named Sister Biggs. She is from the ward Elder DeGraw is serving in and fed the missionaries tonight. She said he was talkative and happy.

Week 2 in the Field

Hey everyone! 

The work has been wonderful. Last Saturday (Aug 19th) was my one month mark! It's gone by so quick and I'm looking forward to the next 23! It was a pretty interesting week. I don't remember most of it, but I do remember the really good stuff. :D 

Tuesday, not much happened. We went and saw a less-active. He talked for most of the time about how the world's going to end because of Trump. Then he moved to how animals play a role in the Plan of Salvation...then he went back to Trump. I enjoyed it and at the end before we left, I told him not to worry and that he doesn't need to carry all the worlds problems on his shoulders. It's hard seeing who people here can become, but they don't want to make a change.

Wednesday, I don't really remember what happened except that Elder Kuewa ran over a 7up can and it flipped up and hit him in the face. I laughed just a little. He's an awesome trainer and he loves to talk about Hawaii. I've decided to add visiting Hawaii on my bucket list.

Thursday and Friday were both normal days. We visited a few people and taught a lesson to a nine-year old name Caden. We're planning on committing him to baptism this week! We also taught a new investigator name Sommer. It's spelled with a "o" but you pronounce it "summer." She had a LOT of questions. Elder Kuewa said he's never taught a lesson with so many questions. We were there for almost two hours. The bishop in the Westwood Ward is pretty sure she's going to get baptized. 

Saturday was one of the best days this week. We have three (almost four) investigators on date to be baptized. Bobby is one of our best investigators and he has a three-year old boy name Jeremiah. You can tell he really cares about his boy. We got to take him to the Mesa Visitor Center. The part he loved the most was the families can be together forever videos. He started to cry and talk about how the Elders have helped him so much, and how he can see hope for himself and his son. We said a prayer and recommitted him to baptism September 23rd. Also on Saturday, we had service. Elder Kuewa took me to a thrift store where we broke down a couple of boxes, organized the store, and I had a battle with some kind of giant beetle. You couldn't really call it a battle, because I started running when it came after me. :D

Sunday was a very great day too. I was asked to give a talk in the Westwood Ward on Elder Anderson's talk called "Overcoming the World. It went great and the members here are so kind. At first, I talked about myself. Where I'm from, my family, and what some hobbies were. I had a pretty funny story I used. I'll try to explain it. On Saturday, we went and visited a family named the Brinkerhoffs. I listed of a few of my hobbies to them (hiking, sleeping, and ballroom dancing) and Sister Brinkerhoff thought she heard me say barn dancing. Haha! So in sacrament meeting, I told them this story and then I said: "I guess if anywhere in the world had barn dancing, it would be Idaho." One particular sister in the congregation thought it was pretty funny. 

So that was my week. I'm excited to see what experiences this next week brings. I hope you all survived the eclipse. I heard there were a lot of people heading up there. Send me pictures of all the people. 

I'll leave you with a quick testimony. I know that The Book of Mormon is true. I know that it was translated by the power of God through the Prophet; Joseph Smith. I know that it can bless so many lives. I know that Jesus Christ lives. He is our Savior. He has saved my life, He's saved all of our lives. I can not begin to say how badly I want to be like Him. He's given me everything and I am so blessed to have the opportunity to give Him two years of my life where I only focused on others. I know He loves me, and I love Him. We can all become better, become more Christlike, because of Him. In the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.

I hope you all have a wonderful week. I try to pray for you all often. Thank you for your examples and your prayers. I leave the door every morning feeling the Spirit by my side as it protects me and tells me which ways to go. Stay safe and be brave!

Love, 

Elder DeGraw