2 Nephi 29:7 “Know ye not that
there are more nations than one? Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have
created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea;
and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring
forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the
earth?”
We have been on one of those isles
of the sea for over a year now. How
blessed we are to be among these people! They are accepting the gospel and love
being members of the church.
A couple of months ago about 120
saints came from Jamaica. Most of them had never been to the temple, so they
were coming for their own endowments and they had been researching names of their
ancestors so they could do the work for them. It was awesome. One of the main
reasons it was enjoyable for Hermana Gray, was they speak English! We
understood each other. Some of these saints had been saving and waiting for 20+
years to come to the temple. You can only imagine the joy in the temple that
week. They really needed to be here longer. After they had been here a week,
they still left over 1000 names to be done by others.
The entire week was a reminder of
the many blessings we take for granted.
Our mission is different because
the people who come to the temple have already been converted. In the temple we
perform ordinances for those who are no longer on the earth, praying that they
will accept the work being done for them.
Elder Gray is the president of a
branch, Los Llanos. Hermana Gray teaches the keyboard class which can now play
and lead all of the hymns in sacrament meeting. This is a major accomplishment!
A couple of students still play with only one hand, but all students are
progressing.
For Mother’s Day we took small
potted flowers to the sisters in our branch. It was not much, but they were so
appreciative. Los Llanos reminds me of St. Johns. They are off by themselves,
away from the big city, and often have to rely on each other. The kids ride horses down the streets
sometimes driving small herds of cattle and men are milking cows in corrals
along side the road. One huge difference is they don’t have to irrigate. One
man, who lives in a different area, said he planted his grass in l978 and just
has been watching it grow every since. They get several cuttings every year.
Today was a special day is our
little branch. The new East mission president and his wife (President and
Sister Corbitt) came to Los Llanos to visit. While he was there he also
interviewed 8 missionaries.
As missionaries everywhere we are
learning more than can be imagined.
We are meeting so many wonderful
people here. We are privileged to be with temple workers everyday—full-time
temple missionaries and the Dominican workers and the patrons. We also meet the
senior missionaries who are serving with other callings: humanitarian, lawyers,
public relations, institute, PEF, record preservation, medical, office,
welfare, auditor, presidents of missions, MTC, temple, and the Area Presidency.
Of course the members of the Los Llanos Branch whom we love so much. All have
opened their hearts and homes to us.
We do enjoy reading everyone’s
contributions.J We
have watched most of you young missionaries grow up and we are so proud of you
for the work you are doing to further the Lord’s Kingdom on the earth.
A few
weeks ago we met this young, wonderful, humble Hermana Hamblin from Round
Valley. We heard she was here and we were eager to see someone from the White
Mountains. She and her companion had lunch with us one day. We asked her if she
would speak to us if she saw us at a Round Valley/St. Johns game. She said she might
wave to us if it was dark. J
J
We are so grateful for Jesus
Christ, for the sacrifice He made for everyone, so we can repent and return to
live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ; and for the great plan that
families can be together eternally.
Love to you all,
Elder y
Hermana Gray
So awesome
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