Start your morning right; With news from Bert!

Dear Fawn & Friends,

I was hiding in the kitchen under one of the counters.  It's tough to think of pranks though.  I'm overdue for another one...  Hmmm.  I'll figure something out.

Elder Craig does speak English.  That's all he knows.  I was joking.  He HATES French Canada.  Some kinda political situation or whatever that's going on over there... I dunno.  We have real issues over here in 'MERICA!  He's pretty funny though.  Everyone gives him a hard time about Canada and whenever people are like "Ah yes, Canada: America's hat" he's like "Ah yes, America: Canada's jock strap."  Lulz.

Ugh, no.  The Spanish front is very lacking.  I don't study the language at all (cause it's not my assignment) so I'm not really getting better.  I only ran into one Spanish lady this week though and she said "otra dia" which roughly translates (in missionary Spanish) to "No thanks, don't ever come back."  What a concise language...

Shay has been having back pain and is planning to deliver in about a week so, yeah.  No baptism this week.  We'll have to wait a while 'til after her recovery.  At first I was a little bummed, but it really was not going to be a spiritual experience for her if we made it happen this week.  I know it's for the best.  I'm over it.... for now.

WHAT!?  Temple cleaning sounds like a BL-IZZ-AST!  Way to go you two.

OMGawsh, don't take the book suggestion so seriously.  I know everyone's busy, I'm just sayin', if you're looking for a something to read, you can't go wrong with that book.  Don't feel like you have to do it.

Umm, I actually didn't have any knowledge of a solar eclipse.  You'll have to get me pictures.  That's hilarious that Doug went through all that trouble though and then the clouds just went ahead and made sure that you guys wouldn't damage your eyes.

Oh yeah, for sure.  Memorial Day this year is going to be incredible!!!  A bunch of us from the office are cashing in our vacation time and headed down to Florida for the weekend.  We're just going to chill on Miami beach with the sun and some dranks.

No.  We'll probably be tracting.

So anyway, it just sounds like you're having no fun with golf because of legitimate reasons.  If you were to do ANYTHING with three other people that you have done maybe a few times in your life and the others had clung to as a major activity since elementary school days so that you sucked in comparison; yeah, that would be no fun.  Stick with it.

Well, we tried like a bajillion times to see a bunch of our investigators this week, but alas, only Shay was available so  that was disheartening.  Especially cause the week started off so magnificently, and then... poop.

So on Friday, it was like 80 degrees outside all day and then out of nowhere, in the evening, HAILSTORM!  I was like, "WHAT!?"  Chattanooga is too hardcore for me.  He's wild and unpredictable.  I can't live my life in fear like that.  It was a good thing we had a ride in the evening cause we had been on our bikes all morning.

I forgot my camera again, but next week fo sho!  I will take care of it.  They're not that great anyway.  You guys can wait.

As you can see, this week was absolutely uneventful.  We helped a friend of my Ward Mission Leader move out of her home this weekend cause she was going through a nasty divorce.  That was a strange experience for missionaries.  It helped me realize two things though, nobody cares about your stuff like you do, and mormons know how to move, other people just don't.  Anyway, when we got there, I thought the husband was there as well.  I was like, I'm not so sure about this Bro. Beckstrand.  We need to get the HECK outta hurr (<-- cause Chattanooga makes you gangsta).  But it wasn't him.  We were in the clear.

Okay, well also, earlier this week Bro Beckstrand and I went on splits and taught a lesson to this person, and it was a nervous experience for me cause the person is an excommunicated member that served a mission and is looking to be rebaptized (WHICH IS WONDERFUL).  Anyway, for a couple of segways, I mumbled 'I guess' under my breath and he called me out on it at the end of the lesson, of which I was grateful for.  It was nothing bad though, I wasn't like "i guess the BofM is the Word of God" or "I guess Jesus is the Savior of the World."  It was like "i guess, we'll move on to..."  But whatever...  Anyway, Bro. Beckstrand and Elder Craig split the next evening and went to a Ward Council meeting with the Stake Presidency.  So I get back and join the meeting with them about 45 minutes after it started and at the end of the meeting, the 1st counselor in the Stake Presidency is like "Let's not be like that one missionary when inviting families to ward conference next week and be him-hawing and "well, I guess maybe if you'd think about possibly kind of coming... that'd be great..."

HE WAS TALKING ABOUT ME!!! BRO. BECKSTRAND HAD TOLD THEM ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE EARLIER AND EVERYONE KNEW IT WAS ME (and they laughed at the expression of shock I had on my face: it was that same expression that I used when Bishop accidentally invited me to Relief Society that one time in sacrament meeting on the stand after graduating seminary)!  'I guess' that's what happens when you pray for humility...

Haha, everyone afterward was like "I have no idea what he was talking about, because Bro. Beckstrand said it was such a positive experience and he had twisted it to somehow negative."  So yeah, the 1st Counselor just totally misunderstood the experience.  No big deal.  I'm over it.

Anyway, I love you all and miss you lots.  Talk to you later.

Love,
Elder Grabinger

P.S.  My district leader got some musical instruments approved for us, so technically I can haz a guitar now!  But I don't really want to carry one around and stuff so I'm probs not going to get one.  I might get a ukelele.  But I don't really want to be distracted.  I dunno.  Just thought I'd let everyone know.  Sorry...?

News from Tennessee

Hey friends,

I dunno what to say because I talked to everyone yesterday so this letter may be short.  We'll see.

So this week, I played a prank on my companion and hid in our one bedroom apartment.  Apparently I'm really good at it because he couldn't find me.  Anyway, he started freaking out and called our District Leader like three times but no one answered the phone, so he was about to call the Mission President before I came out of hiding.  I thought it was funny.

This week was cool cause Elder Craig and I both got to utilize our second language strengths (well, besides the fact that he's from Canada and I'm still helping him to learn the language here...).  Anyway, we stumbled upon a 'hispanics only' street or something so I got to practice Spanish.  Also, we tracted into some deaf people so Elder Craig got to do some sign language.  I asked him what kind of sign language he understood and he said ASL.  I asked him what ASL stood for and he told me American Sign Language.  I told him "That's right, and don't ever forget it.  'merica."

We had two of our investigators at church yesterday!!!  We actually had a lot of other non-members as well.  Hopefully we can turn them in to investigators soon....  It's really great.  Most all of our numbers are improving each week.  Elder Craig and I are really being blessed for working hard.  I love it.  Shay is still set on being baptized this month and we might actually move it up sooner because she's pregnant and her due date is June 2.  So, we want to avoid any kind of fiasco I suppose.

Kaelin Vining:  Mission Accomplished  ;)

As you know, I've been studying the New Testament recently and the scripture that stands out the most this week is John 16:33;  "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world"  Because Christ did it, we can too.  That's the great news.  But he's the only way, so we have to live his gospel and live by faith and repentance.  Lots of hope in that verse...

It's funny that you would bring up the Fall of Adam and Eve because I had the opportunity to have a discussion with two Seventh Day Adventist gentleman on Friday and that is one of the toughest doctrines that we discussed.  Apparently, the Adventist view is that the Fall wasn't part of the original plan, but that God had a backup plan so it's okay.  Usually, you can put down false doctrine by carrying on the idea.  For example, assume The Fall wasn't part of the plan, then God made an imperfect plan, then God is not infallibe, then God isn't God.  But God is God, so He is infallible and so on; thus we see that the Fall must have been part of the plan.  That's just how I think... anyway, just to clarify, I like how Lehi puts it best in 2 Nephi 2:24 " But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who aknoweth all things. "  Trust in Him.... and get a testimony of the Book of Mormon.

I think you're correct about your agency discussion in class.  As the teacher, you simply have to enact the punishment required by the school's laws concerning cheating.  Otherwise, justice is frustrated.

There's a great book called "The Infinite Atonement" by Tad R. Callister that I'm reading right now.  I'm only a few chapters in, but I think I can recommend it to anyone who wants to further their knowledge of the Atonement.  If you think you know... well you have no Idea.  That's all I have to say about that.

Seriously, I think I'm out of things to write about.  Sorry.  Have a great week everyone!

Love,

Elder Grabinger

P.S.  I forgot my camera, but I have more pictures.  Next time...

The Chattanooga Choo Choo

Hey Guys!  guys... guys?

Did you finally get my blog post for two weeks ago?  I really did write one and tried to send it twice... and again just now today!  It's all in there, where I am, who my comp. is, pics.  Please tell me you finally got it.

Yeah, I cut the thumbnail off earlier this week.  It was pretty out of control already.  I don't know if fire is really a good idea for me, but sure, I'll burn stuff.

Okay, so my District Leader had the BEST idea recently.  We're going to make district T-shirts with a picture of Gordon B. Hinckley on the front that says "DO IT" and a picture of Dieter F. Uchtdorf as well that says "STOP IT" and finally a picture of J. Golden Kimball on the back that says "DAMN IT" (<----don't judge, I'm quoting on of the Lord's anointed).  HAHAHA LOLz.

Um.... yeah.  What a wacky concert.  How strange.  It really is all weird and stuff in Idaho.

Hahaha, I actually heard about that!  What Boyd K. Packer said {A senator in Idaho worked very hard to have the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints removed from the state. Boyd K. Packer said, "That man is dead and the church is still alive."}.  Apparently it affected a lot of people cause we were at lunch with some members yesterday and their daughter called and told us about it.  It's so true.  JOIN US NOW!!!  YOU'LL NEVER WIN!!!  ahahaha.... jk.

Okay, well this blog will be short since everyone apparently has some catching up to do since my first blog after being transferred didn't make it to you guys.

Anyway, things are going well, we got a commitment for baptism last Friday.  We're planning it for the end of the month.  Her name is Shae and she just recently moved back home with her family who have all converted, but she hasn't.  She now has a desire to get her spiritual life back on track and is interested in learning more about the church that the rest of her family has joined.  There's no priesthood in the home though, so that's tough, but we met with her once on Friday and she said she would prepare for baptism on the 26th of May.  I'm EXCITED!

Things have been going really great recently.  There are only two companionships in our district, which is an unusually small district, but since I've gotten here, apparently numbers have been improving and I can tell that the work really is going well.  I feel like a lot of really great success is just on the horizon.  I'll keep you guys updated.

I'll share some spiritualness quickly I suppose and then I'll be done.  I've been studying the New Testament again recently and it's nothing short of magnificent.  This is a time though where the wheat is being separated from the tares.  I think of Jesus' searching question in John 6:67 and Peter's subsequent response in verse 68.  Think about that.  Just before these verses, Christ gives a powerful discourse wherein he declares himself the bread of life.  It's no coincidence that everyone on earth is either wheat or tare and Christ has invited us to be part of the bread of life.  Listen to the prophets.  Be the wheat.  And be happy too.

Love,
-Elder Grabinger

The Missing Week

I SWEAR I WROTE YOU A BLOG TWO WEEKS AGO!  HERE IT IS!!!  I TELL YOU GUYS EXACTLY WHERE I AM IN THIS LETTER!  I tried to resend it last week, but apparently you still didn't get it.  Here.


***********THIS IS THE LETTER I WROTE AND SENT LAST WEEK BUT THAT GMAIL DECIDED NOT TO DELIVER I SUPPOSE*************

there'll be another one on it's way today...


By the way, way to go with thinking on your feet and getting me more letters last week when you didn't get this.


Dearest Fawn and Others that I love,

I've (finally) been transferred to the Harrison Bay area near Chattanooga, TN.  I'm serving with Elder Craig, who is from Calgary Alberta Canada.  He loves to play violin, dress up as Batman, and hates the French.  He's actually pretty American it seems....  He's really cool though.  We get along real well and have a blast.  And do WARK! also.  He's already invited me to go skiing in Canada where his dad owns a hotel room at a resort he helped build.  Go figure...

Anyway, Kaelin Vining, this part is for you.  My ward meets in the same building as the Brainerd Ward.  What does that mean to you!?  Well if you remember a young man named Barrett Johnson from EFY about 4 years ago, his family lives in that ward.  The elders in that ward are having dinner with them on Wednesday.  I'll be sure to have them mention you.  Apparently Barrett is in the Ukraine right now for something or other (like a mission), but you already knew that.  So yeah, I'll take care of what we talked about.  Also, write me back.  I wrote you a letter a long time ago.

Things are going pretty well here.  We were going to have a baptism on Saturday, but the investigator's mother doesn't approve.  :(  So maybe not.  But we're getting a lot of people to teach and stuff so maybe I'll get one soon.  Fingers crossed.

I dunno what to say, it's kinda been a whirlwind of a week what with moving and being in a new area and stuff.

There's a GUITAR CENTER here though, so you know where I'll be every P-Day.

I've actually received much mail recently and I really appreciate it.  I promise that I will always respond to anyone that writes me, so you don't have to worry about your efforts being wasted.  I have another favor to ask though because I'm starting to forget people's faces.  Well, not really, but still; please at least send me a picture of you so I can add to my measly collage wall.  To put it all into perspective of just how imperative it is that you do this, refer to pictures (5) and (6) which have been attached.

Mom and Dad, please just send me one of those family photos soon.  I REALLY WANT IT! so I can show off my family to the other missionaries.  That's sort of a thing we do................ don't judge.

Dinner at the Peralta's was INCREDIBLE!  We had cactus and everything.  Delicious stuff.  People loved me there, because I loved them.

I was reminded again this week of how much I really just need to learn Spanish better.  We went and dropped in on a less-active family who is originally from Guatemala.  They speak English okay, but it would be easier (and cooler) to converse en Espanol.  I have some "learning Spanish" books so maybe I can get on that.

We played frisbee golf for P-Day today.  See the attached pictures to see how it went.

In the MTC, everyone is issued this elastic latex band for exercise purposes.  Hahaha!  These are 19 year old kids.  That's not what they get used for...  I've started using mine as a deadly slingshot that takes hershey's chocolate eggs and turns them into hershey's chocolat silver dollar pancakes.  It's a blast.  I think I'm going to begin human testing later this week.

Okay, but for reals.  We do actually work as well.  The ward here is fantastic.  They're super helpful and we actually just had a non-threatening activity at the church where all the members of the ward basically invited their less-active and non-member friends.  It was wonderful.  We got a ton of referrals and now we has a bunch of people to teach.

No, actually.  Brother Mattice sent me a real live book.  Purchased from Deseret Book.  It's pretty interesting.

Umm, sorry, but I think I'm going to have to call it a day.  Til next week...

LOVE
-Elder Grabinger

P.S. SEND ME PICTURES!!! please...  (<--- lower case for emphasis)