Earthquake and Hurricane in the SAME week!!!

Date: August 29, 2012
Area: Jamaica, Queens
Companion - Sister Alvarado


Dear Family,

So last year I was in a Tsunami in Hawaii, and this year and EarthQuake in New York and a Hurricane! Man I wonder whats next :) haha Oh the adventures in life :) They are just wonderful! Life is an adventure and we always have to be ready to take on whatever knocks on our door :)


Alright So Kyle guess what?! The earthquake happened on your birthday. So we were eating lunch at a members house Hermana Pratt from Columbia. When all of a sudden the table started to shake...then the floor...and then the house! Ha I was SO confused! Ah My heart was pounding like crazy! Everyone was so confused! Lol we talked people who were walking outside and asked if they felt it. Yes everyone felt it. Everyone that were in the Stores in Jamaica Avenue were scared and ran out of the stores! :) haha oh man this was just hilarious :)


So the next day we had exchanges with Hermana Fifield. We began knocking doors early in the morning and no luck. However its always that last door that will get cha :) So we were just about to head back to the apartment to go and eat lunch when we decided to knock one more door. To our surprize he let us in. His name was Donald and we were able to teach him the first lesson. He along with many had already been pondering the question as to why there were so many differerent churches. We were able to answer that question for him. He then said, " From the Earthquake yesterday everyone was super scared! And I know that you two missionarys coming to my house is a sign and I know that the Book of Mormon is my guide!" ~ Golden!! ha We invited him to be baptized and he happily accepted. We gave him the Book of Mormon and he was MORE than excited to read it! I am excited to keep working with him :)


We were able to have a really good lesson with Armando this week on the plan of Salvation. We were able to also have Hermano Celso with us teaching. He is a return missionary and was able to answer a lot of Armando's question. Armando was very happy to have that knowledge that he was going to be able to see his family and those who have passed on after this life. The spirit was SO strong in that room when we were able to bear testimony of the Plan of Salvation and the Book of Mormon. There is something so empowering when someone comes to know of their true idenity. When we know that we are literal sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father...something changes and we realize that we indeed have a purpose on this earth life.


Well as you all know there was a HURRICANE here in NY :) So we were not allowed to leave the apartment Saturday or Sunday. It was kind of an interesting experience. We were all safe and nothing happened to us - we are so protected as missionarys! Anyways at first I began thinking oh it would be a nice day off. As much as I love resting, it is SO much nicer to get out and WORK! For we all know that the secret to missionary work is WORK WORK WORK! However Sunday was a really really neat spiritual experience.


We were able to get ready as we normally would but with a different thing in mind. I wanted to make sure that I looked my best, and it was not to impress anyone or to just look good, however I was dressing up for the sacred ordinace that we were able to partake of which is the sacrament. The Elders were able to bring us the Sacrament and bless it as we partook of it. The sacrament is really such an incredible ordinance, something so special that the savior instituted himself. After the elders were able to bring the sacrament us four sisters were able to have our own little testimony meeting. And honestly it was one of the most POWERFUL testimony meetings that I have ever been in! My purpose was made known unto me again. I love this gospel! I am so grateful for the Priesthood and that we were able to partake of the sacrament.I feel bad for those who are less active because they are missing out on the most beautiful thing that we are able to partake of. This Church is real and is lead by our Savior himself. I have no doubt that this church is Gods Kingdom established on this earth!

This Church is TRUE!!


I love you all :)
Hermana Gray


One of my favorite scriptures for the week!


I am mindful of you always in my prayers, continually praying unto God the Father in the name of his Holy Child, Jesus, that he, through his infinite agoodness and bgrace, will keep you through the endurance of faith on his name to the end. ( Moroni 8:3)


Viva Jamaica! Let Transfer 3 begin :)