Hello all.
This week has been really crazy. One of my companions went home this week in a crazy turn of events. It would take more time than I have now to explain the whole story. But he served an honorable mission and returned home honorably and we will miss Elder Casper. Now it's just myself and Elder Mills running the show. We we're the wild ones in our tri-panionship so things are really going to get out of control now I'm sure.
We had a very sacred experience last week. Elder Mills and I administered to a young daughter of a couple who has not been active in the church for a while. We were later told that shortly after we left, the girl's condition improved drastically and rapidly and the doctor attending to her case said it was the only one he'd seen recover in six cases over the last 24 years. What a miracle. Truly, the "'tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance." (1 Ne. 1:20)
Now, for something extremely hilarious.
Elder Mills and I were in the elevator lobby of a hospital waiting in some chairs. As we sat patiently, I rubbed my eyes and Elder Mills caught attention of a small eyelash that had fallen to rest on my cheek. He leaned in and said "let me get that elder." With his index finger on my cheek and his face scarcely two inches from mine, the elevator doors opened without warning and two women walked off. It wasn't what it looked like, but it was still very bad and Elder Mills and I immediately popped up and started walking opposite ways down the hall. So embarrassing...
Next, we're eating dinner at this Japanese buffet and the member that took us and Elder Mills are just GOING TO TOWN on some crab legs. One problem, there were no crab leg crackers available!!! Crab juice was flying everywhere and silverware was getting bent and teeth were munching through these legs! By the time it was over, the member's beard was completely saturated in crab guts and Elder Mills decided it was time to have dessert. Not one minute after leaving to get some ice cream, he returns with two crab leg smashers that he found with a look of utter disdain on his face. He proceeded to try and eat his ice cream with one out of spite...
Here's a spiritual thought (I know! I'm going all out in this email! It's been a while... consider it my birthday gift to everyone!)
“We must share the gospel with others. That is our responsibility—every member a missionary. That is the call of prophets of God. …
“… Member-missionary work is one of the great keys to the individual growth of our members. It is my conviction that member-missionary work will raise the spirituality in any ward where applied” (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, 208–9).
If you're looking for immense spiritual growth (and I hope you all are) study from Preach My Gospel regularly (it's not just for missionaries) and figure out how to get involved more in missionary work!!! It's the very essence of living the gospel! I'm inviting you now to especially study chapter 5 out of Preach My Gospel and ponder this week about how you can better use the Book of Mormon in your life. I hope there is no question about the necessity of the Book of Mormon. It is THE tool of the Restoration (3 Ne. 21:6). I know it will draw anyone who reads it with a sincere heart closer to God and Jesus Christ.
Have a great week! Love y'all! Miss ya!
Love
Elder Grabinger
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Only 4 Months Left
Dear Family and Friends,
I just don't really even know what to say anymore... The mission is just a magical experience. I'm so grateful for all of the opportunities I've had to serve others, overcome adversity, teach the gospel, etc. This has been the best experience of my life so far and I have 4 months left!
Things are going alright. We drive all over the kingdom to represent the mission president at baptismal services and training meetings for the missionaries. It's a lot of fun. I'm using my organizational skills to get our own area in order as far as paperwork goes. I've got some killer companions so it's really easy to work hard and have fun too.
The CES Devotional by Elder Nelson was wonderful last night. He asked some very pointed questions and made some even more pointed statements. It was inspiring. I love that he, as far as I can remember, always mentions the Abrahamic Covenant and the Gathering of Israel. That is such a penetrating doctrine and the Book of Mormon has a TON to say on the subject (3 Nephi 21:6 is a good start). It means a lot to me.
I miss that giant buffalo...
Love
Elder Grabinger
I just don't really even know what to say anymore... The mission is just a magical experience. I'm so grateful for all of the opportunities I've had to serve others, overcome adversity, teach the gospel, etc. This has been the best experience of my life so far and I have 4 months left!
Things are going alright. We drive all over the kingdom to represent the mission president at baptismal services and training meetings for the missionaries. It's a lot of fun. I'm using my organizational skills to get our own area in order as far as paperwork goes. I've got some killer companions so it's really easy to work hard and have fun too.
The CES Devotional by Elder Nelson was wonderful last night. He asked some very pointed questions and made some even more pointed statements. It was inspiring. I love that he, as far as I can remember, always mentions the Abrahamic Covenant and the Gathering of Israel. That is such a penetrating doctrine and the Book of Mormon has a TON to say on the subject (3 Nephi 21:6 is a good start). It means a lot to me.
I miss that giant buffalo...
Love
Elder Grabinger
A New Call
Dear Friends,
Yes. The rumors are true. I have been called to serve as an AP (Assistant to the [Mission] President) and that is why I haven't gotten to write my family like I would like to the past couple of weeks. Sorry.
Things are going well. We just run around all day like chickens with our heads cut off doing whatever President needs done and teaching people the gospel. We had a couple of great lessons recently actually. We met with a man named Kyle whose father was recently baptized. He didn't know much about the church and had some doubts/concerns about religion in general. He was just really skeptical, not so much unbelieving. Elder Mills and I taught him about the importance of the Book of Mormon and how the fullness of the gospel is contained therein and that we didn't have to be in darkness and confusion if we would read and pray. Then we did something bold; we asked him to tell us one of his concerns and we promised that the Book of Mormon would have his answer. It did.
The Book of Mormon really is THE tool of the Restoration. The Book of Mormon combined with the Spirit is our best resource for conversion.
Other than that we're really busy planning and preparing for zone meetings and zone conferences and exchanges and Spanish conference and holy cow we just have so much to do............ It's exhausting.
I've reflected a lot lately on the role of missionary work in the gospel. Think about what we do in the church... it's ALL MISSIONARY WORK!!! If you are not actively engaged in missionary work you are not going to receive the spiritual sustenance that you need to grow. Now, if you don't see that, I will challenge you to expand your view of what missionary work is (it's not simply teaching and baptizing people that are not members of the church). My hope is that all of you have a copy of Preach My Gospel and study it regularly along with the scriptures. It is the best guide to keeping the Spirit and we need that in all areas of the church. It will help you in any capacity you serve in the church. Guaranteed.
Or your money back...
I love you all!!!! Have a great week.
Elder Grabinger
Yes. The rumors are true. I have been called to serve as an AP (Assistant to the [Mission] President) and that is why I haven't gotten to write my family like I would like to the past couple of weeks. Sorry.
Things are going well. We just run around all day like chickens with our heads cut off doing whatever President needs done and teaching people the gospel. We had a couple of great lessons recently actually. We met with a man named Kyle whose father was recently baptized. He didn't know much about the church and had some doubts/concerns about religion in general. He was just really skeptical, not so much unbelieving. Elder Mills and I taught him about the importance of the Book of Mormon and how the fullness of the gospel is contained therein and that we didn't have to be in darkness and confusion if we would read and pray. Then we did something bold; we asked him to tell us one of his concerns and we promised that the Book of Mormon would have his answer. It did.
The Book of Mormon really is THE tool of the Restoration. The Book of Mormon combined with the Spirit is our best resource for conversion.
Other than that we're really busy planning and preparing for zone meetings and zone conferences and exchanges and Spanish conference and holy cow we just have so much to do............ It's exhausting.
I've reflected a lot lately on the role of missionary work in the gospel. Think about what we do in the church... it's ALL MISSIONARY WORK!!! If you are not actively engaged in missionary work you are not going to receive the spiritual sustenance that you need to grow. Now, if you don't see that, I will challenge you to expand your view of what missionary work is (it's not simply teaching and baptizing people that are not members of the church). My hope is that all of you have a copy of Preach My Gospel and study it regularly along with the scriptures. It is the best guide to keeping the Spirit and we need that in all areas of the church. It will help you in any capacity you serve in the church. Guaranteed.
Or your money back...
I love you all!!!! Have a great week.
Elder Grabinger
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