A Year and a Day

Life is so crazy. This picture above is a perfect representation of my own life. I didn't even have plans on serving a mission two years ago, and now look where I am! I'm hesitant to make long-term plans because I know things will likely change. But that's part of life right?? My theory is just to relax and let it happen, like a lazy river. Thanks to my Mom for the great card. 

Sister Dahl is the new addition to our district(2nd from right). We actually share the same birthday

Mexican Independence day was a few days ago, everyone was out in the streets partying and grilling! There was mariachi music blasting in the streets and a Mexican flag flying from every lowrider. 

I feel like this is a foreign mission sometimes.

Elder Gray

Graynnis

Hello ya'll,

Goodnight, sweet prince

My previous companion, Elder Paulsen was sent to Zapata, my first area! I was excited to talk to him about the people and things to do as I showed him pictures. I'm sure he'll take care of my first city.

Grannis and I almost a year ago, full of fire and energy.

 Grannis as he appears today.

Elder Grannis replaced Elder Paulsen, making him companion #8. Elder Grannis and I go way back, he sat behind me on the plane on our way to Mexico, and we were together in the MTC. He's a great companion (so far) and he brought a guitar so we'll definitely jam. Our first week together we hit the ground running, trying to find, find, find! We can find people to talk to pretty easily here, but finding people who actually want to learn is a different story. We've been working hard though.

I love my mission. I love learning. I love people. I love Mexican food.

Love,

Elder Gray

11/24th of the Way DoneNe

Hello, everyone! 

Last week of the transfer. As missionaries, sometimes we gather around and play Transferdamus, a game in which we all guess who is going and where. The collective mind of the group is usually pretty accurate, but there are some surprises occasionally. One such surprise is that my faithful companion is leaving! He will be a District Leader in Zapata, my first area. I was happy to talk to him about it and show him some pictures.

Hidalgo A District, Aug 2k17!

My new companion will be Elder Grannis. I first met him on the plane and got to know him better in the MTc. I'm excited to serve with him for the next 6 weeks. 

Our last leadership training was themed "Let It Go", about leaving behind worries, problems, and investigators who aren't progressing. I had the opportunity to do some soul-searching and identify some things to let go. Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional. No use in worrying about something that can't be controlled, so let it go and move forward.

At the end of the meeting, he played 'Let It Go' from Frozen, which was perfect. 

New Record

Love you all,

Elder Gray

Thanks Harvey

This past week, our mission got rocked by Hurricane Harvey. When I was in Corpus I had heard rumors that the water was too warm and there could be a hurricane this year. A month or two later and the city gets evacuated. The missionaries from two Zones, Corpus and Sinton, got evacuated and brought down to McAllen.

 My old companion got evac'd down to the Valley!

We just got some rain. Even Harvey canceled the appointment on us.

We are currently housing two missionaries from Kingsville Texas, Elders Barnett and Salvador. It's been pretty fun living with two extra missionaries in the apartment, and having our area worked twice as hard. We've been finding a lot of cool people the past two days.

The members have pitched in and helped feed us and the refugees. The support was greatly needed and appreciated.