A Transfer of Miracles!

Date: March 26, 2012

Area: Flushing, Queens

Companion - Sister Lambert

Dearest Familia,

This week has been Amazing! Really there are no words to describe it! It has been full of teaching and finding! Missionary Work is the BEST! I looove it! We have seen many miracles here in Flushing. I know that the Lord is watching and aware of each and every one of his children and only wants the best for them. This week has been amazing! This has by far been the fastest transfer of my life!! They keep getting faster and faster. I am sad to see Hermana Lambert finish her mission, however I know that there are great things awaiting her and I know that she is going to be able to accomplish her goals.

We have been able to see the girls Juliana and Alexandra almost everyday this week! They are just soaking up everything that we are teaching them. They are reading and praying, I have really seen them change and have that desire to follow Jesus Christ. Hermana Lambert and I have been praying really hard to be able to go and teach the entire Ayala Family. Usually when we go it is just the girls, and the dad occasionally comes and sits down and the mom usually gets home half way through the lesson. Thursday we had the wonderful opportunity to have Sister Nelson come out teaching with us. I absolutely LOVE Sister Nelson- she is one of the most selfless, kind, thoughtful people I know. She served her mission in Chile and we just all love her. So she came with us to teach the girls. When we got there little Alexandra was worried because she had to draw something for a project on the holocost for school. Sister Nelson then started drawing something for her and explaining to her things from when she was in Jerusalem and then she quickly related it to the Book of Mormon. We then were able to direct that message into the lesson that we had to share. Patricia the mother then walked in and Sister Nelson was quickly able to connect with her and we invited her in. Patricia then shared with us some of her feelings and how she really wanted to come back to church and bore a simple testimony of the truthfullness of this gospel. Then before we knew it Alex walked in and the entire family was listening. It is amazing how the lord works and how he really answers our prayers, often in ways that we were not expecting.

We taught Guillermo again the restoration, as we watched the movie the restoration. No matter how many times I watch that movie- (and believe me I have seen that movie at least a million times on my mission.) I cant help but be filled with the spirit every time. It is just so powerful, because it is TRUE! Anyways Guadalupe the mom who has been less active for more than 6 years was able to watch it with us. During the movie I know that she felt something. Afterwards she said the prayer. It was one of the most powerful prayers I have ever heard in my mission. She was really feeling the love of her savior and she knew that she needed to go back to church. She was experiencing the atonement. She said that she was going to come back to church. The spirit did all the teaching, we did not do anything! I have learned that on my mission, that we really do not do anything. The lord does all the Work! We are just able to be an instrument in the hand of the lord, if we are worthy and obedient. Really it is the Lord who does all of the work. We are so blessed to be apart of this great work! There is nothing greater!

The atonement is REAL! Heavenly Father is just WAITING for us with open arms. Jesus Christ suffered for us that through him we can REPENT. We can make CHANGES in our lives, so that we can live in accordance to God's will. We can repent daily so that our lives can be in harmony of that with our Heavenly Father. I love the scripture in Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-19 that talks about how our Savior Jesus Christ suffered for us, so that we will not have to suffer if we repent. I am so thankful that we have that opportunity to repent daily and make changes. We can always do better than we did yesterday. I love this gospel!

Saturday we had the opportunity to take the Ayala girls Juliana and Alexandra to the Young Womens Broadcast. It reminded me of when I would go with you mom and Chelsea and Alyssa. I am always in AWE about the things that we can learn from the leaders of our church. I am so thankful that we have modern day living prophets and apostles to lead and guide this church. I absolutely LOVE the messages that they had to share.

President Monson is such an incredible man and I am more than excited to hear from him this weekend! The leaders of the church are truly inspired and know what we need to hear. I love how President Monson talked about the Lighthouse of the lord and how we should always be looking towards him and his light. For the Savior is the light and life of the world. If we look to the Savior in every thought,action and deed, we can never go wrong. Jesus Christ set the perfect example, and we can strive every day to live and do as he would do. I love the theme for this year," Arise and Shine Forth". We really do as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, as disciples of Jesus Christ do need to "Arise" and Shine Forth! We need to be different and set apart from the world. Sister Dalton said,"The call to “arise and shine forth” is a call to each of you to lead the world in a mighty cause." I love how the leaders of the church are always reminding us about our divine potential as sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. That is the first thing that Satan trys to get us with, he trys to de-grade or downplay our identity! However we need to always remember that we truly are Sons and Daughters of Heavenly Father and that we have a great work to do. As we concecrate our hearts and give everything to the lord, we can become disciples of Jesus Christ. That is my goal.

Sunday was amazing! We went and got the girls and we all went to church. We had an amazing fast and testimony meeting! The spirit was so strong! Guadalupe showed up!! That was probably one of the biggest miracles of this transfer. It was incredible! We were able to go and visit her after church, and she just looked different. There was this light/glow in her eyes and countence. She felt good! It really is amazing how the gospel can change our lives if we let it. If we are reading from the Book of Mormon everyday, praying and going to church, we can make it!
LIVING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST MAKES US HAPPY!!!
SO DO IT :)
I know that this gospel is true. I know that the Book of Mormon is the Word of God. I know that President Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God and that he leads and guides us today. I love my Heavenly Father more than anything else in this world, and I feel privilaged to be able to serve him for this short time period in NY!

Go and watch General Conference and invite a friend! We are so blessed to hear from the leaders of the church this weekend! I CANT WAIT!!

I love you all Thank you for all your love and support! It means the world to me!

Cuidese!
Hermana Gray

"If the standard is to be raised, it is raised for all of us. We must be more faithful. We must be more spiritually in tune. We must prepare ourselves to assist the missionaries in finding those of our Heavenly Father’s children who will embrace the message of the Restoration." M Russel Ballard

Temple Loving!

Date: March 19, 2012

Area: Flushing, Queens

Companion - Sister Lambert

Dearest Family!!

This week was the week of the temple!! I had the wonderful opportunity to go to the temple twice! Once because our zone won the Preach My Gospel Bowl and another because it is my half way mark......that I do not like to think about! Time sure does go by WAY too fast! Anywho! It was really neat to be able to go with the entire zone. The temple is such a special place and I know that through the sacred ordinances of the temple we can be sealed together as a family. The temple should be all of our ultimate goal- to be able to go there with the ones that we love and to be sealed for time and all eternity. I am so excited for the temple to be built there in Gilbert, right next to my house! We are so blessed to have these temples so close and accesible.

So this week we were able to teach our ninas aka Juliana and Alexandra a lot. On monday we went over there and gave them each a phrame with a picture of Jesus Christ and getting baptized. We told them to keep this in their rooms as a constant reminder as to what they are working for. We were able to talk to them about the importance of baptism. It is really neat when someone really understands the reason why we are baptized. We are baptized because Heavenly Father asked us to be, he asked us to follow the example of his son Jesus Christ. It is 1. a matter of obedience, and 2. We are being cleansed from sin. How blessed are we to know that Heavenly Father has a plan for each and every one os his children. He wants NOTHING more than for us to be able to return to live with him, and to be together with our families for the eternitys!

Tuesday after I returned we were able to go and teach the girls again. We were able to sit and read together verse by verse 1 Nephi 1 ( the most commonly read scripture) haha I never realized how many packed principles are in this chapter. We all know that famous Scripture 1st Nephi 3:7 " I will go and do what the lord has commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way that they might accomplish that which the lord hath commanded." I just love that scripture!!! The lord is never going to give us ANYTHING to do that we are not going to be able to accomplish. It was really humbling to be able to be able to talk about each and every verse. It is no wonder that chapter is placed where it is. There are so many key principles that we are able to learn from this chapter. We asked the girls what was one thing that they learned and how they could apply it. Juliana the 11 year old said, " I love how Lehi was able to pray and recieve an answer, and I think that I can do the same. We challenged them to read and pray everyday and to write down in their study journal what they learn. It is really humbling to see these two girls get so excited about reading the Book of Mormon, and slowly seeing them make the changes to have their lives in harmony with what our Heavenly Father wants for them.

We were able to teach the girls the Plan of Salvation the other day. Teaching the Plan of Salvation or Happiness is probably one of my favorite things to teach!! The reason being - 1. Because our church is THE ONLY church that teaches this and has this knowledge of what really happens after death. 2. Because it gives everyone a sense of hope! Knowing that there is life after death, and knowing the Heavenly Father is a Just God and that he gives everyone a chance. Another reason- because it talks about Eternal Life- which means living with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and making it to the Celestial Kingdom. We can do that through Jesus Christ, by following him, repenting, being baptized, recieving the Gift of the Holy Ghost and Enduring to the End. Making it to the temple, which is and should be everyone's ultimate goal. This gospel is a gospel of order and our Heavenly Father loves us so much, that is why he has given us this plan. His beloved Son Jesus Christ is Central to this plan. I am So thankful for the plan of happiness, to have that knowledge that we will make it if we do what is right, and follow the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Sunday was wonderful! Juliana, Alexandra and their father came. Church was wonderful! I am so thankful that we have the opportunity to go to Church EVERY Sunday and to renew our baptisimal covenants. To remember the Savior and try to be better this week than we were the last. To be spiritually recharged.Alex- the Dad has not been to church in a long time, however he said that he felt good, and that he was going to try to get his entire family to church next week! I love Sister Lambert and have really enjoyed teaching with her. It is going to be sad to have her leave next week, to go into the "Real World" ha but I am so thankful that I have had this time to work with her. Also Sunday night we had a really good lesson with the Sanchez Family. We talked about baptism- and the reason why we get baptized. They had a lot of really good questions and wanted to know how they were going to recieve their answer. I am so grateful for the Book of Mormon and the chance that we have to read it!

I know that this is the TRUE church! God Lives, Jesus Is the Christ and that he loves us! He loves us so much that he sent his son to die for us, that through him if we repent and follow him, we can make it back to live with our Father in Heaven!

I love you all!

~ Hermana Gray

"Regular reading of and talking about the Book of Mormon invite the power to resist temptation and to produce feelings of love within our families. And discussions about the doctrines and principles in the Book of Mormon provide opportunities for parents to observe their children, to listen to them, to learn from them, and to teach them."


David A. Bednar, "Watching with All Perserverance," Ensign, May 2010, 41

Topics: Parenthood, Book of Mormon

Miracles are all around us :)

Date: March12, 2012

Area: Flushing, Queens

Companion - Sister Lambert

Dear Family!

Welp another week! How was your week?! First off I just want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY GARRETT!!!! You are going to be 15?!?!? How do you feel? Man I sure do feel old!! You need to stop growing up! Well Garrett I wish you the happiest birthday ever! I love you!!

So We had a Preach My gospel Bowl with the entire mission! And the winning district got to take the ENTIRE ZONE to the temple!! Oh man Hermana Lambert and I were SO excited!!!!! So we have been studying like CRAZY! Well....GUESS what!?! WE WON!! Our zone won and so we will be taking a trip to the temple tomorrow as a zone I CANT WAIT!! Also I get to go for my half way mark this Wednesday! I am excited to go to the temple but not so much about my half way....time sure goes by WAY too fast!! So temple twice this week! I am HAPPY!! :)

Hermana Lambert and I have been praying to recieve a good solid referral and the other day our prayers were answered. Hermana Lambert and I were coming home from an appointment when we recieved a medial refferal from Church Headquarters, so we were really excited! So we immediately contacted it. We called and it was a father who had two daughters who really wanted a Book of Mormon. We were SO excited! So the next day we were going to go over there, however they called us to reschedule for Saturday. So then went on Saturday at 4 Oclock. When we got to their apartment we were welcomed inside. We then waited as he went to get his two daughters, Juliana and Alexandra, ages 11 & 13 The father Alex then proceeded to tell us that he as a member. My companion and I were shocked, for we had never seen him or heard of his family. He then told us that they have not been active in the church for quite some time now. We then asked the girls what made them want a Book of Mormon. They then told us that they were talking to their dad and he began talking about the Book of Mormon and then the girls just had that desire and wanted to know how they could become closer to their Heavenly Father. They told us that when their dad was talking about the Book of Mormon that the older girl Alexandra immediately got on the computer and went to Mormon.org and ordered her own personal copy of the Book of Mormon. She was so excited! She told her friend Vanessa how excited she was to get her new book!

The three girls (the Ayalya girls and her friend) sat on the couch as we began teaching them. You should have seen their faces when we handed each one of them their very own copy of the Book of Mormon. Little Juliana was crying she was so happy to be hearing from us and learning about the Book of Mormon. We were able to teach them the restoration....it was one of the most powerful lessons I have ever been in. The spirit was so strong, everyone felt it! We invited these girls to be baptized and they accepted! They are SO excited! The father was more than happy to have us over. In all of my mission I have never met girls such like angels. They are so intune with the spirit and they just want nothing more than to follow the example of our Savior Jesus Christ and to do what is right. The dad said that they could come to church on Sunday!

So Sunday we went to go and pick the girls up for church! They stayed all three hours, we were able to go to young womens with them and they loved it! It sure made me miss Young Womens and made me reflect upon the days....ha when I was in Young Womens. If any of my young womens leaders from the past are reading this email, I just wanted to say THANK YOU, thank you for everything that you taught me in Young Womens. To all those who have taken time to teach me to have Faith, Divine Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge,Choice and Accountability, Good Works, Integrity and Virtue! I am eternally grateful! I know that it has been a part to mold me in to the person that I am today. To the daughter of our Loving Heavenly Father. I hope to someday be a young womens leader and to help those girls as you have helped me.

So Sunday night the girls came with us and we went to Woodside to go to the musical fireside that the Elders and Sisters from Woodside put on. It reminded me a LOT of when LIGHT would put on firesides! It was incredible!! It was all about the "Reflections of Christ" and it was all about Christ life. Halfway during the fireside I turned around, and to my surprize I was looking at AMANDA and DEREK WALKER walk in! oh man I about had a HEART attack ( as my companion tells me) haha they came and sat down right next to me!
Shout out- AMANDA WALKER I LOVE YOU! I am so grateful for you in my life and am so blessed to have you as my friend! You have helped me in everything and always been there for me! I love you!!!

Well family! I love you! You are all in my prayers! Remember that God Loves each and every one of us. And that he is just waiting for us with open arms, waiting for us to come unto him. To have faith in him, to repent and to follow his example! He loves us so much and sees our potential. May we all look for that potential in every one us the people that we meet and come across and just show our love for them!

Mucho Love,
Hermana Gray


Let Him Share Your Burden

"Turn to the Lord. Exercise all of the faith you have in Him. Let Him share your burden. Allow His grace to lighten your load."

Donald L. Hallstrom, "Turn to the Lord," Ensign, May 2010, 80

Topics: Grace, Jesus Christ, Adversity

Flushing Loving!!!

Date: March 5, 2012
Area: Flushing, Queens
Companion - Sister Lambert


Querido Familia!

You want to know why I am SO happy!?! Well The answer is the Gospel! As Benjamin De Hoyos states so beautifuly
"My beloved brothers and sisters, we need to recognize that “wanting to” is the determining factor which leads us to lay hold upon the word of God and be happy. Perseverance in making correct decisions is what leads us to happiness.Happiness comes as a result of our obedience and our courage in always doing the will of God, even in the most difficult circumstances."
We are truly happy when we live the gospel!

This week was MARVELOUS! Just loving it all! Ok where to begin! Well on Preparation day we went to go and see the Globe here in Flushing Meadows park! I have wanted to go there my entire mission and we finally got to go :)

Zone ConferencE! We had a megazone conference which was amazing!! Talked a lot about the atonement!

Sunday Sunday Sunday! Ok so we had church and Guillermo came as well as the Sanchez Family! This was exciting News! So **Funny Note** ok so we were sitting there in Sacrament meeting... and just a side note- you NEVER know what is going to happen in Sacrament meeting here in NY, ha its always a surprize! So anyways....we were there listening to all of the testimonys and all of a sudden Stavros ( A young single adult from Greek who is in the English Ward) walks in with the CUTEST little chinese lady walks in with him. She then goes and sits up at the front. My first thought was who is this crazy chinese lady....haha dont worry it gets better. So next thing I know this old lady was going up to the stand. She then went up to bear her testimony. I looked back at some of the Elders and we just sat and thought we were in for a real treat. She went up to the microphone and had a lady translate for her. This lady bore the MOST powerful testimony that I have ever heard! She started out by saying, " I want to thank the missionarys! She then went on and said, THIS IS THE TRUE CHURCH! THE ONLY TRUE CHURCH!" She said that about 9 times! She testified of Joseph Smith and just went on. Everyone was just in shock, not expecting such words to come out of her mouth. Can't judge a book by its cover...thats for sure. So afterwards I went up to her to give her a hug and she just gave me the biggest hug. She then proceeded to tell me that she was 94!!! And she got baptized in 1957 in Hong Kong. She then showed me over to the couch and said that she had brought food for all the missionarys. She is the cutest lady ever and just full of so much energy and just LOVES the gospel and being a member. She is still hip and running! She said that a lot of times people ask her what her secret is, she then said, "Just pray to God a lot".

We had another really good lesson with the Sanchez Family! They agreed on a baptism date!

I know that Heavenly Father Lives!

He loves us!

Jesus is the Christ!

The Book of Mormon is True!

I love you all!

Love Hermana Gray