MTC Week 3!

Family!!

Well, I didn't think it was possible, but the time moves exponentially fast here.  My companion and I can't believe how much we've accomplished in just a few weeks.  It has been such a good and necessary experience so far.  The MTC has taught me so many things and I feel I have been truly stretched so to speak.  Each day calls for you to give your all, and at the end of the day, my head literally crashes on the pillow, and I'm out. So draining. It's AWESOME.  I love it.

This week has been so very, very good.  Sister Garrick and I have begun to really learn how to live, work, and think in-sync with each other.  SO cool.  We are beginning to finish each others' sentences and find that through our fervent prayers and studies, we are able to create the best dynamic possible for our investigators.  We must have taught a dozen or more lessons this past week.  We were able to get several baptismal dates set, as well as invites to church this Sunday, (despite the fact that it's the Super Bowl).  We'd really been struggling with these individuals, so it was neat to make some progress.  One lesson in particular really had an effect on my companion and I.

Her was Linda.  She was a volunteer so we only had the chance to meet with her once, but it certainly had an impact on each of us.  She was an elderly woman.  An artist.  In fact she said that art "defined" her.  It was her life.  It was who she is.  We had the opportunity to look at some of her work, (so beautiful) and I wanted to spend hours with her talking about what mediums and brush styles she used, but that's not why we were there. After talking with her some time, I asked her what she expected to gain from our visit and if there was anything in particular we could explain, or discuss with her.  She expressed her gratitude, (apparently her last visit with the missionaries was okay at best, simply because they didn't take the time to get to know her and what she needed to hear).  Linda then proceeded to confide in us that she was going blind.  Our hearts sunk.  She spoke of her passions and hopes and dreams, and poured out her heart to Sister Garrick and I as we intently listened.  She told us of how she prays to God, or rather talks to Him, (and quite often too).  She said she would talk to Him as if her were sitting right next to her as she painted, that it was an escape for her.  She told us of her fading faith in God and that she understood life happens, but why do bad things happen to good people?  Etc...  This entire time, I began wracking my brain for any ounce of revelation or comfort I could give her, and knew by my companion's countenance she was troubled with the same thoughts.  When Linda finished...my hands and words were certainly not my own.  I flipped to the verse I had memorized since I was Ashton's age, and had Linda read out loud from the page: "And I Nephi said unto my father, I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded.  For I know the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save He shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the things which He commandeth them." I then had her re-read the passage replacing the word commandments with challenges.  "For I know the Lord giveth no [challenges] unto the children of men, save He shall prepare a way that they may accomplish the things which He commandeth them."  She seemed to really like that, and then my companion shared a thought from her patriarchal blessing on accepting trials cheerfully.  We shared many more things with her, and the words just flowed like no other.  After a while, we both stopped talking and so did Linda.  She was quiet.  Then hesitantly said, "So...you're saying...when God gives us challenges...He's complimenting us?"  My companion, (with a mortified look on her face) immediately contradicted her saying "No! Sorry, that's not what we meant!"  Quickly catching on to the situation, I exclaimed to Linda, "Yes! Yes! That's exactly what we mean!"  My companion (bless her heart) turned at me with the most confused appearance.  I smiled at her, and then in the same instant, recognition spilled over her face and we both turned back to face Linda.  We taught her how the Lord would never give us any challenge or trial that we couldn't overcome.  That we couldn't handle. God knew she could face this bump in her life and that it wouldn't tear her down, but build her up.  I mentioned that she is clay in His hands, and He's molding her into something even more beautiful than she had ever imagined possible. She just didn't know it.  We explained that her perspective was the perfect way to look at her situation, and that if it helped her to understand, "When God gives us challenges, He's complimenting us," because He knows we can handle it.  I told her to be pliable and patient, and in due time, she would be able to make sense of things, and still be able to keep touching the hearts of individuals through her strong example, in addition to her art. Linda thanked us again and again, and we closed with a prayer and left. Walking out, Sister Garrick and I stole a look at each other and we were both smiling from ear to ear.  If this is just the MTC, what would be awaiting us in the field?  Whatever is is, I can't wait.

Last minute thoughts: 

• Grandma and Grandpa there is a Sister Chelsea Snow from your ward in my zone!  We just figured it out a few days ago.  I also met a Sister Danielle Calder!  We all went to Sunday School when we were younger one of the times we visited you in Carlsbad. Small world, huh??
• I met a Sister Reusser yesterday.  Sister Shanna Reusser.  We were roommates up in Rexburg for AFY over three and a half years ago.  She's going to Japan!  We had a fun chat.  It's an even smaller world.
• Grandma Graff, I met a Brother Daryl Glazier who said he was just sure he was distantly related to some Graffs, but couldn't throw out any names for me.  Any relation? 

Sorry I have to run, but I love you all SO much! 

Sister Graff 

Hebrews 13:17 (For the little kids--Dad and Mom, maybe you can help explain it to them ;) 

Pictures:
1. Walking out after our Saturday session. (1/26) 
2. We both discovered we had pockets :) (1/27)
3. Our Elders decided to photo-bomb our pic. Definitely made it better. (1/27)
4. Sunday temple walk. (1/27)
5. Our awesome district. (1/27) 
6. Elders from our zone. Elder Olive (pronounced "Oh-LEE-vay". Tongan. And the biggest teddy bear on earth.) and Elder Hitesman.  Both serving Richmond, VA. They rock. (1/27)   

MTC Week 2!

Hello Hello Everybody!!

I don't have long, but I will try to fit in as much as I can!  First of all, it was so good to hear from each of you!!  Those Dear "Sister" letters really made my day!

Well last Saturday, we went to the temple right after I sent my email and it was so wonderful.  We're going again today in a few hours.  It was such a neat experience and I am learning so much each new time I attend.  There is such a sweet special spirit there, and it is one of my favorite things I look forward to in the week.  Little kids, don't forget the words to the song "I Love to See the Temple".  You have been taught the importance of it from such a young age, and always remember to live so that you can go there someday like the song says.  It will bless your life, I promise.

So since my last letter, my companion and I have met with six new investigators--what an awesome experience!!  We have the opportunity to teach certain individuals who put themselves in nonmembers' shoes, and some are truly inactive or not part of the church.  A little nerve wracking I must say, but each visit has been such an eyeopener.  As a companionship we can really feel when we are in sync with each other or not.  We know when we have adequately prepared and when we haven't.  So many times, we have prepared a lesson, and then changed it 15 minutes before the meeting because we felt inspired to go a different direction, and the Spirit guided us and made up the difference.  What a cool feeling to take such leaps of faith.

One day last week, Sister Rosemary M. Wixom General Primary President came to visit.  She had us sing primary songs throughout her address to us, which made me totally lose it of course.  And do you know what the first song she had us sing was?  "I Hope they Call me on a Mission."  I was a slurpy mess!  Anyway, she gave a wonderful talk on the humility of children and to "listen to the children" while we were out on our mission.  That they say "powerful things".  Sister Wixom also discussed a lot about the importance of having the Spirit when we teach.  She said the following: "Without the Spirit, you cannot succeed.  With it, you cannot fail."

On Sunday, Elder Evans of the Seventy came wit his wife and spoke of the unique correlation between exact obedience and miracles.  Remind me to tell some of his stories.  They were extremely powerful.

Well I'm running out of time, but want to include a few more things.

Yes, I am going to Temple Square for some Visitor's Center practice before I leave, but am not quite sure when.  I'll let you know.  And family, I also wanted to let you know that I get a phone call before I leave for D.C. when I'm at the airport, so expect a call on February 11 from me!!  I'll email you again as I get closer to that time so you can plan accordingly.  I thought the little kids would be excited about that :)  I still haven't found anyone going to DC yet, but I'm still on the lookout! Carrie to answer your question, we did have the chance to sing Called to Serve, twice. It was so powerful.  Mom and Dad, I'm not sure if you got two emails from me last week, but in one of them, I mentioned that I found a Sister Stowell, and a Sister Bahr.  I remember you told me the names, but now I can't remember the connection to them??  Figures, I'm such a pineapple.  Delaina, if you're reading this, tell Ryan I met a Sister Judd going to Argentina yesterday by the way.  Crazy connections here!

Well, everyone, I need to run, but I want you to know that this gospel's true.  And I love every bit of it.  I'll try to fit in more next week.

Love you all,
Sister Graff

PS--These pictures are from our temple walk on Sunday (1/20).  And Caty I included a pic of our District just for you! ;) 

MTC Week 1!

Well Hello Everybody!!

So excited to be here I have so much to tell, but only 20 minutes in which to relate it.

These last three days have been absolutely wonderful!  The MTC is like a giant beehive.  There's no way to describe it.  Everyone is so busy, but it's a good kind of busy.  I love the vibe from this place.  There's nothing quite like it.  As soon as I arrived I was greeted by my escort who hustled and bustled me this way and that, picking up books, manuals, nametags, ID cards, and explaining where everything was as we went on our merry way.  My head was spinning a little bit.  But I loved it.  She helped me take my luggage to my dorm, and then dropped me off at class, where I met my teachers, companion and district.  When I first walked in, it was a room full of Elders!  They were all assigned to the Pocatello, Idaho Mission, which extends into Rexburg and up into Jackson Hole, WY as well.  I told them how much I loved the area and the people up there and that they would love it.  My companion is Sister Garrick.  She is so awesome, and way easy going.  We have really gotten to know each other well in just the last three days, and are discovering just how alike we are.  Funny enough, she actually roomed with an old roomate of mine, Katelyn Hoyt, (Mom, you remember driving her home from the airport?) Small world, huh??  She is assigned to the Salt Lake Temple Square mission, where ironically, Katleyn is serving at this very moment.  It's an even smaller world apparently.

I feel like I've been here at least an extra week, with everything we've covered.  We've attended multiple seminars, devotionals, workshops and more.  I feel that the focus if these last few days has been solely on the investigator.  We have been taught how to really listen to them.  How to get to know them.  How to love them.  It's been an eye opening experience.  Sister Garrick and I also had the opportunity to teach our first investigator yesterday!!  Well, okay, not really.  It was our teacher and we were role-playing, buut I promise you this, our teacher must have taken acting classes or something because when we walked in the room it was certainly not Brother Leah (Caty would like his accent by the way--he's British ;) Anyway, it was a little nerve racking, but an awesome experience.

We met with our zone last night and took turns introducing ourselves.  I was the only one going to DC, and haven't actually met any other "DC-ers" so far.  Fingers crossed.  We also met our Branch President, President Baker.  He told us that the theme for Sacrament meeting this Sunday was going to be enduring to the end, and that several of us would be speaking.  He then said that he would decide just exactly who, right after the Sacrament so we better be prepared.  Yikes!  So today is our P-day, and Sister Garrick and I have had so much time on our hands we're not quite sure what to do with ourselves.  I think I'd like to brush up on how better to endure to the end.  We haven't worried too much because there's always always always things to do.  While wandering around earlier trying to find the laundry room, we just so happened to run into the new MTC President and his sweet wife, President and Sister Nally.  Just shook their hands right now.  What amazing people.
       

Time is running out.  On a different note, I will be here a bit longer than anticipated.  My estimated departure date is February 11th, so mark your calendars for the big day!! I'll be sure to keep you all posted.  Apparently the time cuts don't begin until those reporting February 1st and later.  Oh well.  More prep time right??  I am so excited to get out in the field!  CAN'T. WAIT.

I love you all.  The gospel is true.  Until next week!

Sister Graff

Departure.

Well folks, today is the day.  12 hours from now, I will be in the MTC, and it's such a good feeling.  I am so grateful my family could drive up with me.  It's been a fun crazy ride the whole way up from Temecula, California.  Lots of laughs and tears.  It's definitely bittersweet, with a little bit more sweet.  Tomorrow is also my little brother Adam's birthday.  He will be seven.  We're going to breakfast to celebrate.  Weird how the time flies.  I can't wait to get out to D.C.  It's neat how naturally my life doesn't feel my own anymore.  I suddenly realize I am merely a tool.  An instrument.  Clay in my Master's hands.  And I want to be so useful.  Wish me luck!  There's a lot of work to do, and I can't wait to get started!