DC Week 57-- March 10, 2014

Miracle week...

Sister Hansen and I picked up three new investigators! (A mother and
her two daughters). So awesome. They are amazing, and we were led
right to them.

I wish that we as missionaries focused more on the family aspect of
this work. The gospel is not just for one individual here, and another
there. Don't get me wrong, those stories always seem to be the most
striking to me, (you know what I'm talking about. The one strong
family member who had enough courage to take a leap of faith and try
something new. Well, not only try it, but accept a whole new way of
life. A whole new beautiful and unique perspective on eternity. I mean
that's exactly what happened with Grandma Roxie! And I will never
cease to be amazed at the bravery and determination of such
individuals...) But how much easier would it have been for them if
they didn't have to do it alone...? If the whole family decided to
take that leap....and march that journey...together? I firmly believe
that this will quickly become the new focus of missionary work. Well,
actually I think it always has been...we may just seem to miss that
perspective at times. I've fallen into that trap for sure. It can be
so easy to latch onto the ONE investigator you have, investing all
your hope and energy in them as you strive with all diligence to help
them progress towards baptism...because you know it will make them
happy...All the while, who falls on the wayside? Family members.
Friends. Loved-ones. And yet...we preach of the promises of eternal
families. Tad ironic to me. I just want to do MY best to change that
mentality in missionaries. Yes. It is important to find "the one".
However...think of the possible joy that could be found if the focus
changed from baptizing "the one" to baptizing FAMILIES... Hasn't that
always been the goal of our Heavenly Father? I think so. So I think
I'll try it. We'll try it. Then I'll follow up with you, ok?

Sure love you family. I know we ARE forever. And what a beautiful
thing it is. It is beautiful.

Sister Graff.

DC Week 56!-- March 3

Hey family!

Happy Birthday to Grandma and Carrie last week! And to Big Rob this
week!! Fun times, must mean spring is coming!! ;) You wouldn't believe
it out here though. We woke up to a white Christmas in March. Got the
callout from the Assistants last night that "Storm Titan" was headed
for DC today. We figured it was sort of a big deal, since they decided
to name it. This is like our seventh snow day we've had in the last
several months, but we are choosing to have fun and make the most of
it :) #howtobeamissionaryindoors? #thestruggleisreal

Hermana Hansen and I have had some good times this last week! So one
of my most recent discoveries, and to my dismay, is that I can now
apparently ramble in Spanish. Never thought the day would come. Oh how
I long for simpler days when all I could say was "Se que Jesucristo es
mi Salvador." Now, unfortunately I have gotten into the habit of going
off on tangents about Kolob and Shiz and other fun doctrines of no
importance to our investigators. Okay. Maybe that was a slight
exaggeration, but I have to really focus to keep the conversation
gospel centered and on topic. It's really easy for Hispanics to change
the subject. (About as easy as it is for Robert to say "YES!" to a
video game marathon). Well, it's been a fun challenge anyway.

We have also been getting to know the area really well! Mostly due to
getting lost. Actually the other day, we had a dinner appointment with
a member who lives outside of our boundaries, but still attends our
ward. Well since our area is the closest to her, we got the lucky
invite to dinner, (which would have gone so much more smoothly if we
had been on time). Even leaving an hour in advance, we did not achieve
punctuality. <<<Not sure why I went medieval on you all there. Anyway,
moving on in ENGLISH now. Long story short, between my navigational
skills, and my companion being new to the area, our luck was a tad on
the short side. And I believe that even sometimes, Heavenly Father
just shakes His head and chuckles at us, as we take the necessary time
we need to figure things out. Not that He was removing Himself from
the situation, or feeding us to the wolves (or in this case Hermana
Wooton) but one thing's for sure, we learned those roads like the
Title Page of The Book of Mormon. And despite the delightful
chastening we got upon arriving (just imagine rubbing sandpaper on a
nice sunburn) we were still able to deliver our spiritual thought on
patience. Yeah...we didn't plan that too we'll either. #irony #ourlife

Needles to say, we ended up walking into our apartment that night
smelling like salmon and guilt. The dinner was good though!

Moral of the story?
1. Live and learn.
2. A GPS is always a good investment.

Love you family! Make it a good week, and don't forget to eat your
fruits and veggies!

Sister Graff
"Man's extremity is God's opportunity."

PS--Random thought: Had a nightmare that Adam forgot my name :( Good
thing that would NEVER HAPPEN, right?? Just checking :)

Pictures- DC Week 55!

1. Coconut.

2. Meat.

3. Snowww!!

4. Please excuse that nasty thing on my lip. #gottalovemortality

5. Meet my new companion!!

6. Isn't she beautiful??

7. Mr. Lincoln.

DC Week 55!

February 24, 2014

 

Oh I just love my "Little Dane"!!! 

Well, that's her unofficial title at this point, at least. Sister Hansen is from Copenhagen, Denmark! And right from her opening line, I knew we would get along just fine. (I had approached her in the Visitor Center and asked why she decided to serve a mission. Her response? "To escape the cops." Yep. Love at first companionship.) Oh don't mistake her sweet appearance, she definitely is a feisty one, but we mesh perfectly, and have had some really great times/miracles these last five days! 

Things I am learning: 

1. This work takes all forms. 

2. Variety helps to keep the Spirit around and the devil away. 

3. Laughter makes people teachable <3 

True, there's a balance in all things, but I can see it will be a good transfer, this one. And probably the next as well. :)

Making it short, cause I'm sending some pics.

Love you all!

 

Hna Graff