Mixed Feelings

Hey everyone!

Long time, no see. ;) Hope you all are good.

Chris and Allie, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! And you two, along with Brooke and Tim, I'm so excited for you guys to go on your cruise! Ashley and Hayden, good job with your road race and progression runs. You guys amaze me. In fact, family, you all amaze me!

This week has been good. Last Wednesday, I came across a neat story about Christ in Luke chapter 7. I had never heard it before (or at least don't remember it). GO READ IT. It's awesome. It shows me how important it really is to love others. He forgives a woman of her sins, "which are many," because she loved much.

Friday is my favorite day! I walked into the chapel right before a session and saw none other than Jessica Savage's parents. It was really cool, especially cause they said, "We were hoping to run into, and here you are!" :) That afternoon in the baptistry, I was the baptizer for my whole shift (1-4). By the end of it, my right arm hurt. Haha. Didn't expect to get a workout inside the temple, but definitely a worthwhile workout... for my right arm. Hahaha. :)

I've made some good connections and good friends with some of the temple workers. My favorite lady is one I see maybe once or twice a week. I saw her in Deseret Book in St G a few weeks ago, and she asked me about my mission and stuff. After that, everytime I see her, we talk for just a minute. She's so cool. And I feel bad, because I don't even remember her name! :/ Haha. Being in the temple really solidifies that the fact everyone on this earth is my family, not just you reading this. The temple feels so homely, around our spiritual brother and sisters! Everyone there is so friendly and loving. (I'll have to remember that next time I get road rage.)

Obviously, you know that the temple is closed for a month. I helped on the grounds yesterday, and since next Monday is Labor Day, and the Mon. after that is my surgery, I'm officially done until the temple opens back up. Mixed feelings. My schedule wears me out, but I wish I was back in the temple.

You all are great examples to me. Thanks for all you do!! Love you all.

Elder Gray

Spiritually Exhausted, a good thing!

August 19, 2014

Hey family.

As every week goes on, I love my mission more and more! It's so great to be at the temple. I don't think I'll ever be able to say that too much. I'm still trying to get the hang of emailing. With a mission in the temple, I can't necessarily say in an email some of the neat things I've had. And, my schedule is the same every week. So, here we go, I guess!

I met with President Crankshaw (stake pres) last week- my "mission president". He and I had a good chat. He gave me a really interesting challenge, too. He told me to have at least one opportunity a week to open my mouth and share the gospel. And in his words, "Be bold about it, too. You could say to a friend, 'Do you want to come to church with me this Sunday?' or 'Do you know your sins can be forgiven through Jesus Christ?' And it could be anyone. Like I said, be bold. The cashier at Wal-Mart. Anyone." When he told me that, I was really excited. It's a good challenge for me, for my personality, haha. (And also, with serving at the temple, where I'm around "the best of the best" so to speak, I wondered how much I'd have the opportunity to share the gospel).

Last Saturday, I was just on Facebook for a few minutes. A Saudi Arabian friend I knew from the last school year talked to me, we chatted for about 15 minutes. At the end of the chat, I invited him, if he ever wanted, to join me at church to see what we worship. I don't know how it'll turn out, but I at least opened my mouth.

So I had a tiny little test of faith last week, too. On Thursday in the baptistry, I was the one in the font, the baptizer. A couple was waiting for some patrons to come in so that they could get their names completed. No guys came in for quite a while, so the husband decided to just get in a jumpsuit and I'd baptize him. Well, he had rotator cuff surgery about 2 months ago. So I was worried about how it would go. He came in, and I hardly used my left hand to bring him back up, and pushed him up on his back with my right hand. I was scared, but it all worked out. What happens in the temple is the Lord's work. And it will work out to get that work completed. He walked out of the font feeling great and just fine. :)

I didn't think I'd even feel tired from this mission. But now I know exactly what people are talking about when they say that missionaries just go to bed exhausted. Being in the temple this much every week is spiritually exhausting. But SO worth it. Thanks for all your love. I'll see ya around, I guess? Haha.

Love,

Elder Gray