PRAY!

Maloleilei!!

This week we were visited by President Oaks. It was so spiritually edifying to be able to hear from an apostle. I got to shake his and his wife's hands. They are both amazing. 

A photographer took pictures of us singing while we were waiting for Elder Oaks

I absolutely love my area. We live about 3 minutes away from a place called Del Paso Heights. There are a lot of Tongans there, so we go quite a bit. On Tuesday we spent the day biking there and then walking in the evening, and later on Wednesday, we were visiting a less active member who just finished serving an 11-year sentence. He got concerned when we told him that we had spent the day biking there, saying "Take it from someone who just got out of prison, ladies should not be biking in Del Paso." We feel safe there, but it gives you a sense of our area. We decided to take the car at night after that.

The most difficult part about proselyting in California isn't the 100+ degree weather. It's the smoke from all the fires. Last week the fires were so bad, it looked like we were in fog all the time. Our lungs would hurt by the end of the day. It's clearing up though, so that's good.

As I have had personal study every day, I have been able to dive into the scriptures like I never have before. I wish I could write everything I've learned!. My favorite study I have done so far was yesterday's study where I compared the Jewish marriage traditions to the Second Coming. Most of my prayers are answered through personal study, and I'm so grateful for the time I get to dedicate to searching the scriptures. 

"The Bridegroom" notes

The biggest thing I've learned in the field so far is the power of prayer. God talks to all his children, regardless of their religion, and I think that is a beautiful and generous gift. God is giving away the secrets of the universe; we just have to ask and listen. I've realized that most my life I have been praying wrong. Prayer shouldn't be a one-way phone call, and God isn't a genie to grant our wishes. I have developed a testimony that all things are done according to our faith in the power of prayer. Faith is knowing that God has the power to do anything and trusting Him to shape your life.

As a missionary, we pray upwards of 20 times a day. I have been able to recognize the clear pattern of our prayers being answered. 

Yesterday I probably had the most powerful experience with receiving an answer. It was so exact to what I specifically requested that there is no doubt in my mind that I have Someone watching over me who loves me enough to answer my earnest pleas. I urge all of you to do what this billboard says and PRAY!

And if you already pray regularly, pray more often or more sincerely or more faithfully. We can all become better at praying. And watch patiently for answers! They will come!

Ofa lahi atu!

-Sister Gray