Come what MAY and LOVE it!!!

Date: May 21, 2012

Area: Flushing, Queens

Companion - Sister Allen

Dearest Familia,

Where oh where has the time gone!?! I have now been out an entire year.... :( the time keeps going faster and faster and my window is closing....I need to make the BEST of the time that I have here! Enjoy your mission...It goes by faster than you think! So let us begin...
Monday Monday - Was a wonderful day! I love being able to show families out here how to do Family Home Evenings. I am so thankful that growing up Mother and Father you always made sure that we had family home Evening. That was truly a time that I cherished growing up. So anyways we were able to have a family home evening with Guadalupe, Guillermo and Michelle. We read 1 Nephi 8 and acted out Lehi's Dream. It is really nice to sit and think about this chapter in the Book of Mormon and put it into perspective as well as the gospel. There are those that make it to the tree and partake of the fruit (being the gospel), however they are ashamed. There are others who do not make it because they are made fun of along the way. Lastly there are those who make it all the way to the end. If we endure to the end and live the gospel of Jesus Christ- that is when we can make it to the celestial Kingdom. Its Worth it! (Vale la Pena). One of my favorite quotes is, " I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it." This is my favorite verse:

"But, to be short in writing, behold, he saw other multitudes pressing forward; and they came and caught hold of the end of the arod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree." (1 Nephi 8:30)

Sorry my thoughts are scattered, I was talking with my father, and I am So thankful that we have commandments. The commandments are to help us and guide us, so that we can make it back to live with him. They are guidelines to make us Happy! Here is a secret- If you want to be happy OBEY and LIVE the commandments of the gospel of Jesus Christ. :) Don't tell anyone I told you that :) haha No but really its true. The people that are miserable in life and the ones that are not obeying the commandments. So its our choice....Do we want to be happy or miserable? Its all up to us!

Funny Note- So on Monday we were running back and forth to appointment and we had not eaten dinner...so we decided to run quickly to this chinese restaurant. We went inside and began franktically searching the menu. I then asked this nice old looking guy next to me what his favorite thing on the menu was. He then proceeded to tell me a lot of things to try. He then asked what we were doing here and we told him that we were missionarys. He then told us that he was From Israel and a Jew. We then said, "Oh the Covenant People." With that being said he grinned. He asked us if we got paid for what we do. We replied no and actually on the contrary. That we paid to be here. He then was more interested and asked what we did. So went on to explain a little bit about what we do as missionarys. He then said,"You girls are so dedicated to what you do, and I know that it is for a good cause, for that I am going to buy your dinner." So this Jewish Man bought us our dinner. It was very nice of him.

We were able to have a breakfast with the Elders as we talked to a member who recently got married and so she wants us to start teaching her now Husband named Tito :) so we are excited to be able to teach him! Friday we were able to teach the Ayala Girls. We talked about missionary work. We even did a practice about sharing the gospel with their friends. They loved it and were laughing pretending to be someone on the bus After that we went to the church to go to an activity that the Young womens and relief society were having. We all ended up going to Taco Bell- which I thought was SO funny and Ironic :) A bunch of hispanics at Taco bell lol We really enjoyed being there and talking about what activity we are going to be doing for Fathers Day.

Saturday was great! We did a lot of look ups and contacting people in the street. Sunday was wonderful! It always is. It was really nice to be able to go to church. I really enjoy playing the piano for the ward! (Yes I did just say that! Thank you Mother and Father for being so dilligent in making sure that I practiced as a little kid :) ) Anyways the girls came and it was good! There were some really good talks that I thoroughly enjoyed. We were in charge of little Julian making sure that his father could go to priesthoood. After church Hermana Allen and I went straight to work! We went and hit the pavement! We went and knocked doors! It was great! Long story short we REALLY had to use the bathroom ha and we were knocking this door when the next door neighbors (these 2 white guys) told us that the family that we were looking for had just moved. We then asked them if we could use their restroom to which they said yes. So we ended up going to use their restroom and then we were able to teach them the first half of the Restoration. It was really weird teaching it all in english :) ha but I loved it! It is really humbling being able to see someone ikneel down and pray for the first time. Afterwards we asked him how he felt and he shouted, " I FEEL GOOD". He actually worked on the set "The Book of Mormon" play on Broadway. We then told him that he could have his OWN copy of the Book of Mormon and find out what it isreally about :) He liked that idea and thanked us for the visit.

Missionary work is great! I love it! There is NOTHING like it! If you are thinking about a mission DO IT! If you haven't thought about it...-THINK ABOUT It! And then GO! ITs the best thing that I have EVER done in my life. I have come closer to my Savior Jesus Christ by doing his work and serving his children. I love my family so much! So Family if you are reading this- LES QUIERO MUCHISISISISIMO! :) I love you lots! I have the best parents and I am so so thankful that you have raised me the way that you did. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. It is another Testamant of Jesus Christ and I promise you that if you read from it everyday you will feel of his love and come to know more about your Savior Jesus Christ than by reading any other book. I love you all!

Thank you everyone for your love and support! It means everything to me :)

Love.
Hermana Gray

"Our lives of service and sacrifice are the most appropriate expressions of our commitment to serve the Master and our fellowmen."~ Dallin H.Oaks

I hope you had a Happy Mothers Day!!!

Date: May 14, 2012
Area: Flushing, Queens
Companion - Sister Allen


Dear Family!

Mother I hope that you had the BEST Mothers Day ever! It felt so good to be able to talk to you! I hate to Brag...but I have THE BEST MOTHER IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD :) Mom I love you so much and I am ever so grateful for you and all that you do! I don't know how you always put up with me, but thank you so much for everything that you do for me. I hope someday to be half the mother that you are and Ill be good :) You are ALWAYS putting others needs in front of you own and always seeing the way that you can help. You mean the World to me and I am so thankful that you are my best friend and that I can come to you for anything. I love you so much and am so grateful for the relationship that I have with you! Te quiero mucho! I could go on and on but I might be here all day!

So this week was Great! So on Tuesday night we went to go and teach the girls (Alexandra and Juliana). We were not sure what we were going to teach them. Hermana Allen and I were a little bit stumped because we were a little unsure what to teach. We then got down on our knees and prayed asking Heavenly Father what we should teach before we went over there. We both had the feeling that we should teach the Restoration of the gospel. Which was weird because we had already taught that to the girls but we went ahead with it. We had planned to watch the Prophet of the Restoration. However half way through the Movie Hermana Ayala and Giovanna came home. So we put the movie on Pause and then began talking with them. When we went back to play the movie for some reason it was not working. (Now we know why we were supposed to teach the restoration.) So we were able to teach Giovanna the Restoration :) It was a wonderful lesson and the entire family was involved! Sister Ayala was bearing a beautiful testimony about how she found out for herself that these things were true. She talked about how when she read the Book of Mormon, Prayed and how she recieved her answer that these things were true. The spirit was so strong and it was also really neat to see the girls so excited to share their testimonys and help their sister out. At the end of the lesson we all knelt down and Giovanna said one of the most powerful heartfelt prayer, truly desiring to know if these things that we had taught her were true. I know that anyone who reads from the Book of Mormon and has a real desire and real intent, to know if these things are true, they WILL recieve an answer. I love this gospel so much and know that it changes lives.

We were able to have a really powerful lesson with Guadalupe about mothers and the Strippling warriors. We shared the story about how the 2000 strippling warriors were afraid to fight because of the trust that they had in their Savior. Here are some of my favorite verses.

47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the aliberty of their bfathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their cmothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their amothers, saying: We bdo not doubt our mothers knew it. ( Alma 56:47-48)

I am so thankful that you mom KNOW it :) I feel so blessed to have grown up in a Home where both my parents KNEW it! I am ever so grateful that at 6:00am every morning mom and dad you woke all 7 of us kids up to read from the Book of Mormon. I know that my life has been blessed because of it. Also the fact that every night as a family we kneeled to have family prayer. I know that this is something that has carried on much longer than just that moment. It has carried be through college, times away from home and here as a missionary. I want you mom and dad to know that everything that you are doing and have done with us children is WORTH it :) So I just wanted to say Thank you!

So I dont know if you remember but a couple of weeks ago we taught this lady named Pamela whose mom is a member here, Pamela lives in Florida. So anyways Teresa Gutierez her mom called us the other day and wanted to know where the closest chuch was to her daughter in Florida, because Pamela had called and told her mom that she wanted to go to church and she wanted to listen to the missionarys. Seeds are being planted everywhere :)

On Saturday we were able to go to the mothers day church activity. It was so cute to see all of the young men serving their mothers and everyone there. The Branch President Perez asked Hermana Allen and I to talk about mothers. So mom I got up there and talked about you, and yes I got teary eyed. But anyways I talked about my own mother and how much of an influence you have been in my life. I talked about how much it meant to me throughout the years all the support you gave me. Whether it be piano lessons and concerts, Gymnastics meets, dance, L.I.G.H.T, BYU Hawaii, Provo.etc. However the thing that has meant the MOST to me in my life, is that you supported my decision to come on a mission and that you have been a continual support to me throughout my entire mission. So thank you mom :) I love you! I also talked about your testimony and how it means the world to me. I love you mother !

Sunday was another amazing day! It was mothers day! Also Alexandra and Juliana were confirmed members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They recieved the gift of the Holy Ghost. They were so happy and excited because they know that the Gift of the Holy Ghost is going to be a guide for them for the rest of their lives, to help them make better choices. They know that it will be a source of comfort when times get hard. They know that the role of the Holy Ghost is to bear testimony of the truthfullness of the gospel and they have felt it. Giovanna came to church and stayed for the entire time. You could tell that she really enjoyed it and looks forward to coming back next week.

I know that this Church is true and that Jesus is the Head of this Church. I know that the Book of Mormon and the Bible are the words of God. I know that if we do our part we can one day enter into our Heavenly Fathers Presence. I am so thankful for Temples and I know that it is through temples that we can be with our familys for ETERNITY! I love my Savior and I know that it is through him that we can live with our Father.

I love you all! Thank you for all your love and support!

Loves- Hermana Gray
A Foundation of Faith - President Erying

A foundation of faith … takes time to build. … If the foundation of faith is not embedded in our hearts, the power to endure will crumble.

… That solid basis for a foundation of faith is personal integrity. …

It is never too late to strengthen the foundation of faith. … You can do it wherever you are and however alone and deserted you may feel.

Families can be Together FOREVER through Heavenly Fathers Plan!

Date: May 7, 2012
Area: Flushing, Queens
Companion - Sister Allen


Dear Family!

These are truly days NEVER to be forgotten! My Heart is Full! I feel truly blessed to be here serving the Lord 24/7 as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the New York New York South Mission. I feel so blessed! Truly Blessed. Ok So where to I start off.....This week was INCREDIBLE!! We have truly seen the hand of the Lord bless us in EVERY aspect of our work. This truly is the lords work and he is 100% apart of it. For we know that we could not accomplish ANYTHING with out the help of our Loving Heavenly Father. I honestly feel spoiled to be here serving a mission at this time in my life. There is NO place I would rather be. This is just the BEST!

Well where oh where. Highlight...Sister Nelson ( President Nelsons wife) came out teaching with us. She came to teach the girls and another lesson, which both of course went wonderful! We were also able to teach Manuel on Tuesday, he is a recent Convert and just loves learning more about the gospel. We also had the privilage of going to a members home her name is Eva, we were able to meet her vecinos ( aka neighbors that live with her) and we made Papusas! mmmmmm Oh p.s. I ate papusas like a Real Salvadorean! I ate them with my hands :) ANyways we got to know some people that she lived with and we hope to be able to start teaching them soon.

Fun Surprize- So we were at the Ayalas house reviewing for their interview when all of a sudden we heard a knock on the door. To My Surprize it was the famous SISTER LAMBERT herself!! I love her so much and it was truly the BEST surprize ever! IT was so good to be able to teach with her again. Sister Lambert if you are reading this I LOVE YOU!!! It was also fun to be able to catch up on her after life and also to go and eat at our favorite sushi place :) ROLL ZIP!

This week has been a lot of running around doing little errons and getting everything ready for the girls baptism. The girls had their interview this on Thursday and the ENTIRE Ayala family came to the church for the interview. It was such a neat experience to see the entire family there supporting their two girls. They passed their interviews with FLYING colors! I have never met girls so prepared to hear and accept the message of the gospel in my life. It is so true when they say that Heavenly Father is preparing the hearts of his children to recieve this message. Everything went smoothly and Sister Ayala is so excited to be able to become active again in the church.

The Sunday of the girls baptism was much more than a Baptism. It was about Families! This Sunday May 6th was their baptism. Little Julian their son was able to be blessed in Sacrament Meeting by his Father Alexander. Juliana bore one of the most powerful testimonys, the spirit was strong. The day proceeded and both Juliana and Alexandra Ayala were able to be baptized by their dear father. The girls were able to bear their testimonys at the baptism! They more than anyone know why they were baptized. They know how that all of their sins were washed away. They know that they are one step closer to being with their familes for the eternitys.

It all started with a simple desire a earning to learn more about our Heavenly Father. They are a walking testimony of the Spirit of Elijah," The hearts of their children will turn to their fathers." Now their family can be an eternal family. They are committed, to living the gospel for the rest of their lives. As Juliana and Alexandra said so beautifully," We want to endure to the end, because we know that is what our Heavenly Father wants us to do, and we will endure to the end so that we can live with our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and Our Families. We know that Heavenly Father is so proud of us.

A Family Changed Forever. They can now be a Family Forever. I know that this gospel is real. I know that through baptism we CAN be with our Familes forever if we follow the example of our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that the Book of Mormon is the Word of God, and that if ANYONE wants to know the truth of it, if they read and pray and ask Heavenly Father if it is true. He WILL answer them! I know this church is True. Jesus is the Head of this church. I love my family so much!

I know that I was supposed to leave my family for this short time, so that I could come here and help other families be together with their familes for the Eternitys!

I love you all!

Love,
Hermana Gray

P.s. Chelsea what are you doing breaking your foot?!?! haha I love you and hope that you feel better!

"The ultimate end of all activity in the Church is to see a husband and his wife and their children happy at home, protected by the principles and laws of the gospel, sealed safely in the covenants of the everlasting priesthood. Husbands and wives should understand that their first calling—from which they will never be released—is to one another and then to their children."

—President Boyd K. Packer, "And a Little Child Shall Lead Them", General Conference, Apr. 2012
Topics: Parenthood, Children, Marriage, Family