7 months later...

First I want to say sorry for the delay in writing  new blog post. The past 8 months have literally flooooown by. I cant believe that I only have 10 months left. I feel like I just barely got here! I have had some of the greatest experiences of my life. The people I have met are incredible. When I decided to go on a mission I had no idea what I was getting myself into... but I am so glad I did! 

As you all probably know from Facebook I was in my first area for almost 7 months with the same companion. We opened the area and we definitely had our difficulties doing it. There hadnt been missionaries there in over 20 years. The members were weak. The number of less actives was incredibley high. It was a tough job. We taught a lot of people. A lot of them wanted nothing more than to be baptized. But... for one reason of another every baptism fell through. We felt discourged more than we felt happy to be there. The time in Esparza passed and about 3 weeks before changes one of our "Eternal Investigators" decided he was ready to be baptized. We freeeeeeeeeeeaked out! I had never been so happy in my life. So we started planning. It was such a great experience. We learned a lot about this man. He had taken the missionary lessons more times than he or his wife could count, but he never wanted anything to do with baptism. This experience was a testimony builder for me because we had taught so many people in our area and none of them were baptized. But after the baptism of this man I was able to see that every missionary has an impact on these people. Maybe we wont see them be baptized but one day, one set of missionaries will. Everyone has their time. We just need to be patient. But when their time comes, there are no words to describe the happiness you see in them, and that you feel yourself. 

Hermano Daniel Mendez...The newest member of the Puntarenas, Costa Rica branch. 

Now I am 8 months in. I am in my second area with my second companion. I am absolutely in looooove with Coronado Costa Rica. I am freezing to death.... But I love it! Who knew that 50° weather existed in Costa Rica?! I definitely didnt come prepared for that one. haha. But it is so different here. We have baptisms already in the works. Member who are begging to help us. And finally.... good food. I am in HEAVEN. I could finish my mission here and be the happiest person ever! Buuuut. It wont happen. But my companion is Hermana Hernandez. She is from El Salvador and she is awesome! It is the best when you get  a companion that you can really be friends with. It makes your life 50 times easier! But anyway. We are super happy here. Life is good. The work here is amazing and we are already seeng miracles here in Coronado. I hope and pray that you all are happy healthy and doing well. You all are in my prayers daily! I plan to keep the updates comin´. 

HASTA LUEEEEGO.

Well, I've survived 2 weeks here in the good ol' MTC! What an... interestingly amazing place it is. The amount of emotions you feel in a 24 hour time period is..... exhausting! But amazing. haha. My district is wonderful! I love them all and we've become our own little family away from our families. My companions name is Hermana Six and she is from Virginia. The other pair of Hermanas in my district are Hermana Harris and Hermana Asay! They are so cute. Then, we have a trio with the Elders and their names are Elder Andrews, Elder Jensen, and Elder Ah Sue. They are all so great!

So I have to admit the first week....and a half.... was super overwhelming! I walked into class that first day and English was no longer allowed. Spanish it is! All day everyday. My companion and I taught our first 40 minute lesson on Friday (two days after we got here) and have taught at least 1 lesson everyday since! It was extremeley scary at first but it's the best way to learn, that's for sure. The language isn't coming as easily as I hoped it would but I just have to keep reminding myself that I've only been here for 2 weeks. The Lord doesn't expect us to be perfect, only to do our very best. So that's what I'm doing! Giving it all I've got and then some. The Lord makes up the rest.

So July 4th was pretty exciting here at the MTC! We had an awesome devotional - my favorite part of that was the opening prayer in which the Elder said "We are so thankful to the for the founding fathers. Thank you for separating us from England." Yes, he really said that is his PRAYER for the ENTIRE MTC. - Then we got to watch 17 Miracles, and then ended our night the right way with Stadium of Fire Fireworks! Soooo amazing! It was a great day and we got to stay up past our bedtime. We payed for it the next day though at 5:50 am. SO WORTH IT.

On Sunday I was made the new Sister Training Leader which in the MTC is the sister equivalent of a Zone leader. So that's pretty exciting! I'm a little nervous about it but I know that it will be a great experience!

I see tons of friends here in the MTC. It's like a high school reunion everyday and meals! haha Bonneville is pretty well represented here. What a blessing!

I am learning so much and the time is starting to flyyyy by. I've already been here two weeks and it seems like I just got here. I literally cannot wait to get to Costa Rica and start teaching real people instead of fake investigators! haha. What a blessing it is to be a part of such an amazing work. "Shall we not go on in so great a cause?" -Joseph Smith

I'm so thankful for a loving heavenly father who has strengthened me through the hard times here so far. I don't even know how many hours I have spent praying in 2 short weeks but I do know that my prayers are answered daily and I'm so thankful for that! The MTC is not easy and I would not be able to do it without all of the love and support from family and friends back at home and of course from Heavenly Father.

I really appreciate all of the letters I have received from everyone as well! They mean so much to me! I now know why it's such a big deal to get mail here. It can totally turn your day around for the better! haha

Well, thanks again for all of the love and support everyone! I love and miss you all! La iglesia es verdadero! (:

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Sincerely, Sister Gray.

. . Adios Amigos . .

Well, the time has finally come! It's my last weekend home before I enter the MTC and emotions are running hiiiigh. As anxious as I am to get out into the field, my heart breaks a little thinking about leaving home. But, it will all be worth it... I know.

I never thought 80 days would go by so fast.. But it definitely did. 

Finishing up my freshman year of college, a job, and moving back home was crazy enough. Mission prep on top? heeeectic. But so great! I have loved every second of it.

The support I have received from family, friends, and even strangers has been incredible. Words cannot describe how grateful I am to all those who have helped me get here. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

I'd always heard that once you got your mission call, Satan would work the hardest he ever had to keep you from going on your mission. I can't say I really understood or believed that when I began this whole process... I can tell you now that I know with every fiber of my being - he does. 

There has been fear. There have been doubts. There have been people with very loud opinions about me serving a mission. There have been more trials and speed bumps than I can even remember. I didn't know it was even possible to experience so many emotions in such a small amount of time. 

I definitely had to take a step back and remind myself what I was doing and why I was doing it. My dad encouraged me to read a talk given by Jeffrey R. Hollad - of course, it's amazing - and after reading it, I can honestly say that I had never felt more confident in my decision to serve. I'm freakin' ready! I strongly encourage anyone and everyone to read this talk.. "Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence" .. It's perfect.

So after that was out of the way, the mission prep could really begin. I made a point to make it to the temple as often as I could. WHAT A BLESSING. It's the best escape from literally... everything. 

* * Questions & Thoughts that run through my head... Typically everyday * *

Is this emotional roller coaster a sister missionary thing? Probs. No Diet Coke? What have I gotten myself into? Am I really doing this? Can I do this? Do I have to wear THOSE shoes? That skirt looks like a potato sack. You mean no Twitter, Facebook, Instagram? HOW WILL MY FRIENDS KNOW WHAT I'M EATING FOR DINNER IN COSTA RICA IF I CAN'T POST IT ON INSTAGRAM ... { heeee } ... 140 pounds of luggage for 18 months? thaaaat's funny. Do you honestly know enough about the gospel to teach other people? What's the first Article of Faith again..? What if I get a rude companion? What would happen if I punched her? Could I get sent home for that? That's a little dramatic... Will  "so and so" forget about me?

. . . . . . .

This is when I wish someone would just punch me. SERIOUSLY? Not necessary. It usually just ends in an anxiety attack and then I remind myself of all the wonderful blessing I am going to receive from doing this and how excited I really am. 

On a finishing note, I just want everyone to know that I have such a strong testimony of this gospel. I know with every fiber of my being that it is true. I know that I have been called to serve this mission by a true prophet of God. I will be completely honest in telling you that I am scared to death. I would definitely be lying if I said I wasn't. But I know that the Lord will be with me every step of the way. He doesn't ask us to be perfect, he just asks us to do our best. He covers the rest. I am sooo grateful for this opportunity and I look forward to what the next 18 months have in store.

Also, this video covers the last 3 months of my life in 5 minutes. Watch and enjoy! 

Adios everyone! Stay Excellent. 

xoxo Sister Gray

{My Decision To Serve}

My decision to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints came as a bit of a shock to me... and I think everyone else too! However, I am sooo glad I am doing it. What a crazy couple of months it has been since I made the decision to serve, completed my mission papers, and received my mission call. To say the least, it has been quite the roller coaster of emotions... So extremely excited I could scream, a little nervous, and super anxious! 

...

Benefits of my dad being the bishop?
I got to watch the whole process!

Pardon His Jesus Jammies...
But This is my Pops/Bishop sending my papers to the
Stake President for the final "OK".. AAHH!

Where is it Gonna Be?!

...

Well, my call arrived on April 3, 2013. Happy Birthday to Me!

 The hard part? I am living 350 miles away from home going to school.

I thought it was an emotional roller coaster before... HOLY CRAP. I am really doing this!

 My fate for the next 18 months was just sitting there, staring my family straight in the face.

To my knowledge, the call WAS NOT steamed open, frozen or any other clever way

 people have come up with to sneak a quick peak. But who knows.

Anyway, I RUSHED home two days later for the long awaited {OPENING}

$1.92 postage?? Hmmm....

The moment had finally arrived!

.... (drum roll?) ...

Dear Sister Gray, You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
You are assigned to labor in the {Costa Rica San Jose Mission} AAAHHH!!
I report to the Provo MTC June 26, 2013 and will prepare to teach the gospel in the {SPANISH} language

Huge thanks to my family and friends who were there to support me! 

This was one of my favorite Young Women leaders.
She had such a huge impact on my life and  I definitely wouldn't be where I am today without her.
Also, funny story? She nick-named me "Costa Rica" years ago and has called me nothing else since!
Who knows, maybe she was inspired.

My best friends who couldn't make it to the opening!

I feel so extremely blessed to have the opportunity to serve the people of Costa Rica. It is amazing to know that in just a few short months I will be sharing the gospel with these people in a different country and language! I don't know how I will do it... but I know that with a strong faith in the Lord, lots and lots and LOTS of prayer, and a strong testimony of this gospel, it will all work out perfectly.

Stay Excellent!