I hope that you all have had an awesome week and that everything is going well for you all.
Soo, this has officially been my last week in Vicente Noble. I received the phone call Saturday and am being transferred to the capital!! I'm going to an area called Independencia and I will be with Hermana Adams who is from Washington. It was a bit shocking but I'm really excited to see how the work is there and to get to know more people. I know its going to be a HUGE change from my life here in Vicente Noble, but I also know that it's exactly where the Lord needs me to be.
Really, I don't even know where to start with this email. This week has been another awesome and special time here in Vicente Noble. I know I sound like a broken record, but I really do just adore the people and the lifestyle and the EVERYTHING here in Vicente Noble. It has been the perfect area and I just feel so unbelievably grateful to have been able to work here and with these people for 4.5 months. Every member, menos activo and investigator has been so special and I am just overcome with appreciate and love for them all. These Dominicans are so fun and loving and humble and have such a love for God as well. Its been such a blessing to be able to see people progress and make the decisions and changes necessary to really follow God's plan.
There were a couple truly amazing experiences this week that I'd like to share!
First off, Monday night we had a Family Home Evening with a family in the branch. They are all members and the daughters have been less active for a while but are coming back to church. We had a small and simple lesson about eternal families and how we can truly have our families for eternity. It was so sweet and awesome to hear the younger children participating. At one point in the night, it started to rain a bit. I don't think I've mentioned this but there hasn't been rain much here lately which is really hard for all the crops that people grow. People have been praying for rain for a long time. Anyway, it started to rain and then a few seconds later the lights went out. This family lives within really humble means and their home doesn't have much. The lights went out and we sat in pure darkness for a few seconds. Then they grabbed flashlights and we just continued or message there in the semi-darkness. It was such a cool and fun and also spiritual experience and I loved this moment with the amazing family.
Tuesday, we had intercambios [exchanges] with a set of hermanas from Azua. I went out with Hermana Monks who is from Idaho and we had an awesome day. We had a truly spiritual and powerful lesson with a menos activa. She is 20 yrs old and has been inactive for about 4 years. When she came to church for the first time two Sundays ago, she was crying from the powerful experience of taking the Sacrament for the first time in years. She really has such a sincere desire to come back and a strong testimony as well. Anyway, Hermana Monks and I were sharing about the Plan of Salvation, about how we lived with God but were sent here so we can experiences trials and learn and use our agency. We testified about the power of Christ's Atoning sacrifice so we can return to God's presence once again. At the end, the lesson was coming to a close and so we asked if she had any questions. This sweet young girl then asked one of the simplest and most sincere questions I've ever heard in my life. She quietly explained that she had a young boy who died from cancer and asked if she would be able to see him again. Simple, powerful question. We just sat there for a second as we processed this question. I had no idea that she had suffered such a loss as this. However, afterward we were able to provide the words and comfort that she has been looking for. We explained that as a young child, her son did not need to be baptized to receive salvation. In fact, he is already in God's rest. It was such a strong moment to let her know that if she strives to do what is right and follows God's plan, she will be able to return to live with God and her son once more. It was such a humbling and amazing moment to have been able to serve the Lord and share what this sweet woman needed to hear. I felt so grateful to have been able to serve as an instrument in the Lord's hands to bring peace to her mind.
Truly, the Lord has a plan for each and every one of us and has a grand infinite love for us all. It's so amazing to be able to be a missionary and represent our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that although my time here in Vicente Noble is over, these people will continue on in their faith and the Lord will watch after them and bless them.
I love you all so much. Thank you so much for your support. I pray for you each day and know the Lord is watching after you all as well.
CON MUCHO AMOR,
Hermana Graham
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