tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54168868708188695742023-12-12T05:42:27.808-08:00Elder Matt GrinerElder Matt Grinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01235153076392404157noreply@blogger.comBlogger191125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416886870818869574.post-31456165785581016242013-07-17T01:24:00.000-07:002013-07-17T01:28:12.390-07:00Last Posting<div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CWPExAYu1yM/UeZTALzJGuI/AAAAAAAAAyA/fzOq2ZCzWuc/s200/DR_Temple+_Matt.JPG" width="150" /> </div>
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The start of Matt's Mission at the MTC and Temple in Santo Domingo </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">This from
Matt's Dad:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I have
enjoyed entering Matt's emails into this blog for the last two years!
This will be my last posting. I will miss the feelings of joy I felt as I
read of Matt’s experiences in the Dominican Republic and reading about his
successes and failures (growth).</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Matt will
complete his mission Thursday July 18th after serving the Lord and the people
of the Dominican Republic, Santiago Mission.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">With a
little license I’ll substitute/add a few of the words in the following scripture
about how I feel Matt did on his mission:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">2 Timothy
4:7 <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I have
fought a good fight, I have finished <span class="clarityword"><s>my</s></span> <u>this</u>
course, I have kept <u>and grown</u> my <s>the</s> faith.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_5UV3sCY-uE/UeZTFCA_BSI/AAAAAAAAAyM/6sPfjQAdqPI/s1600/matt6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_5UV3sCY-uE/UeZTFCA_BSI/AAAAAAAAAyM/6sPfjQAdqPI/s1600/matt6.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The completion of Matt's Mission in Cien Fuegos</span></div>
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</span><br />Elder Matt Grinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01235153076392404157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416886870818869574.post-10995141551553684182013-07-11T07:48:00.001-07:002013-07-11T07:48:22.853-07:00Flight Home<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">SERVICE DATE FROM TO DEPART ARRIVE</span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">_____________________ _____ ______________ _______________________ _______ _____________ </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">AMERICAN AIRLINES 18 JUL SANTIAGO MIAMI FL 8:10A 10:25A</span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">AA 834 THURSDAY SANTIAGO MNPL MIAMI INTL </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">2:15 DURATION</span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">AMERICAN AIRLINES 18JUL MIAMI FL LOS ANGELES CA 1:20P 3:40P</span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">AA 1774 THURSDAY MIAMI INTL LOS ANGELES INTL TERMINAL 4 </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">5:20 DURATION</span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">AMERICAN AIRLINES <b style="background-color: yellow;">18 JULY </b> LOS ANGELES CA SALT LAKE C UT 5:05P <b style="background-color: yellow;"> 7:50P</b></span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">AA 3652 <b style="background-color: yellow;">THURSDAY</b> LOS ANGELES INTL <b style="background-color: yellow;">SALT LAKE CITY </b> <b><span style="background-color: yellow;">TERMINAL 1</span> </b> 1:45 DURATION</span></span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Follow his flight </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">at:</span></span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: red;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">http://flightaware.com/live/flight/AAL834 </span></b><span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: red;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">http://flightaware.com/live/flight/AA1774</span></b><br />
<br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: red;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">http://flightaware.com/live/flight/</span></b><b style="background-color: white; color: red;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">AA3652</span></b>Elder Matt Grinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01235153076392404157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416886870818869574.post-48592748954519636072013-07-11T07:35:00.003-07:002013-07-11T07:35:50.768-07:00CF12 - LAST E-MAIL FROM DOMINICAN REPUBLIC<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Family and Friends 10 July 2013</span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sorry I didn’t get the chance to write last week. I got permission to go to Dajabon with a couple other missionaries that have served there to visit all the people that we taught! They gave us the truck and I drove everyone out there! Also, on Thursday I went back to Arroyo Hondo to visit some of the people that we baptized there. I got to eat lunch with Maxi James (the Haitian) and we also went and visited others in that area. So I’ll be able to say that I visited them before I left, ha; because I don’t know when I’ll be able to come back here. Today we will be eating with another guy that we taught and was baptized in Arroyo Hondo, so it should be fun!</span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Wow, this is the last time that I will be writing yall on Wednesday! The next time we talk it’ll be in person hahah ! How cool is that. </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Wow I don’t know what to say, I guess I could just say that looking back on all of things that have happened and all the things that I have done, these past two years have definitely helped me become a better person and will help me in the future. </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I’ve learned who I am here in the mission and who I want to be. I have a perspective of life that is totally different now. I will not be unhappy ever again because I know how wonderful this gospel is. It has helped me find my personality and has brought the good out of me. After having lived 21 years I can finally say that I know what Christ did for me! </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Even though the time has not gone by fast, I’m so grateful for every minute that I have spent in this country. The people that I have met are amazing and I’ll miss them a ton. I’ve seen people get baptized and stay strong in the church and I’ve seen how much it has changed their lives. I know that the Lord guides his missionaries to where he wants them to be because almost all of the people that I have been able to meet have needed the Lords help, and some have opened their hearts to his message. </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I might not of served as well as I could’ve, but I’ve learned and grown from each trial or bump in the road, but, I’ll leave that decision up to the Lord! Ha. I’ve had a ton of fun. I’ve learned so much and I can say that I’ll never be the same. I know that repentance is necessary in all of our lives because we´ll never ever be totally perfect. I KNOW that the Book of Mormon and the New Testament are true..... can’t say that about the old testament yet, it still confuses me ha! </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Before my mission when I shared my testimony in church I would always say that I’m learning that the church is true. Now I know, and its an awesome feeling. There are so, so, so, so, many other churches in the world or the (RD - Republica Dominicana) that are good because they talk about God. But there’s only one that’s true and now I’m not afraid to say it. It’s imprinted in my heart and no one will ever be able to take that away from me. </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Christ is MY savior and I know it ! </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">LOVE YALL AND SEE YA NEXT THURSDAY!!!!! </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">-- </span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">ELDER MATT GRINER</span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">misión santiago RD</span><br style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">2011-2013</span><br />Elder Matt Grinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01235153076392404157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416886870818869574.post-84727112425927214662013-07-01T05:28:00.001-07:002013-07-01T05:28:12.448-07:00CF 10WE had the best week! 26 June 2013<br /><br />In our area we are working with a lot of people or I should say a lot of young couples!! Four of them we have been teaching for a long time but they haven’t been progressing very quickly or going to church. We decided that we must need to do something a little different with them. So in our studies (my comp and I) went looking for scriptures that would help these couples realize the importance of our message. We both agreed that they haven’t felt or understood through the Spirit that these things are true. <br /><br />I found a couple of verses in 1 Corithians 2 9-11; talks about how the spirit is something that cant be seen or heard but the Lord helps us feel. <br /><br /><i>9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.<br />10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.<br />11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.</i><br /><br />We explained this concept to our investigators and my comp shared the testimony of his conversion with them; their was a strong feeling touching all of our hearts of the truthfulness of what was being said. We were able to help them understand that those feelings were impressions from the Holy Spirit testifying of truth! They finally understood!!!!! We invited them to read and to attend church meetings. They all agreed to.<br /><br />Even better than just feeling the truth they acted on their feelings! They gave us a little scare though. Haha. As we sat in church, the opening prayer concluded and not one of them had come. Then, as I looked out the window I saw them arriving, one after the other; all of the couples that we invited, entered through the church doors. When I saw them all sitting and listening in church I more fully understood Gods plan for all of us. <br /><br />He understands our strengths and weaknesses and to Him it’s not so important that we know a lot or if we can speak eloquently. It matters to Him that we try to feel the spirit, act on our feelings, and helps others to do the same. I’m 100% sure that I’m in the church because I’ve felt and acted on what the Spirit has taught me; That its true!<br /><br />The meeting went really well. The last speaker in church pulled out a book from another religion that had an anti-Mormon bias and read some of it in church UGGGH! He then went on to bad mouth their church. hahah ahhhhh oh man what a change in feelings! Well because of that we have some more things to teach these 10 investigators that we had at church. I’m not going to say that talk put a damper on things, but...... it did! haha. <br /><br />We have been teaching an amazing family these past few weeks. The dad’s name is José Miguel. We went to his house on Monday and he shared something with us that he hadn’t told us before. For a while he was struggling to find a job. He looked everywhere and was willing to work hard; but there was nothing. At one of our appointments, after we finished the discussion and were about to have a prayer with them (it was my turn), I asked him if there was anything that he would like me to ask the Lord in the prayer. He said a job to support my family. So I included that in our prayer! Haha. Then we went on our way. We have been back to visit them several times since then, but for one reason or another this last visit he decided to tell us thanks for something. He went on to tell us that after our prayer petitioning the Lord for help him find work - that same day, out of no where, his previous employer called him to come back to work! He looked at us and humbly said .. thank you. We were happy for him but reminded him to thank God for this blessing. He finally has a job and is able to support his family and now is going to church, and has plans to be baptized with his family.!<br /><br />I’m grateful for these experience even at this last part of my mission to more fully understand what it is to be a missionary, how to work, and how to help the people. I love this!<br /><br />ELDER MATT GRINER<br />misión santiago RD<br />2011-2013<br />Elder Matt Grinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01235153076392404157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416886870818869574.post-85225402453755414462013-06-25T15:49:00.001-07:002013-06-25T15:56:23.876-07:00CF 9<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dear Family,<span style="mso-tab-count: 9;"> </span>20
June 2013</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We have had a
really good time these past few weeks!!! It’s really incredible what a
mission can do for a missionary and also for other people!!! Many people here
have heard about the Mormons and know where the church is, but they haven’t
heard our message or understand what we are about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, they have their prejudices based on
hearsay not knowledge.</span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The people we are
finding and teaching have had their prejudices up until recently, but for some
reason they now want to know what we’re all about and hear the truth as we
present it, rather than sit back and think whatever.</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We are teaching
VICTOR POWER haha, as I told you last week. He is progressing very well
studying and praying by himself! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we
go by his house, all of his neighbors look at us (him and us) funny (like most
Dominicans they are always outside sitting in the street chatting). But to him
it doesn’t matter what other people think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Right in front of everyone, he comes up to us and talks, gives hugs and
invites us into his house. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He went to
church on Sunday, and met all of the members and says he feels so good while at
church. He has stopped drinking and smoking and is getting ready for baptism!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><em><strong>It’s incredible what the gospel does for
people when they act on it in faith.</strong></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I finished the Book
of Mormon in Spanish for the fifth time in my mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt like it was the first time through
with all I learned this time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I owe my
life to the Book of Mormon. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I honestly
know that the church is true! I have put the promise to the test (Moroni
10:3-5). I feel the truthfulness of that book. I always thought Joseph Smith’s
story was a little fantastic ,i.e., seeing God the Father and His son Jesus Christ,
visions, angels appearing, and sacred golden plates. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, when it all comes down to it, IT’S TRUE! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><em><strong>It’s incredible what the gospel does for a
missionary when they act on it in faith.</strong></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Elder Holland
said, no bad man could write the Book of Mormon and no good man would unless he
was inspired by God to do so! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I invite all of
my family and friends to read the Book of Mormon as soon as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>IT’S
AMAZING! <em><strong>It’ll be incredible what the gospel can do for people when they
act on it in faith.</strong></em></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We have been
teaching a couple for a while now. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
need to get married to be able to be baptized and become part of the Lord’s
church. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have just about run out of
things to teach to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we decided
to go and get the marriage papers and bring them to this couple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So tomorrow we will present that to them as
we teach the law of chastity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope
they will be able to understand the importance of marriage! We are planning to
fast for them to help them with their decision. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Many of my past
companions phoned me these last few days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They have finished their missions and wonder how I’m doing and to tell
me what they are doing in their lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>From our conversations and just the unknown, the outside world (outside
of my missionary life bubble) SCARES me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ha. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
we´ll see what happens in the future. mientras tanto (meanwhile) I’m here on my
mission and I love it !!!! </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> LOVE YALL<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Bold","sans-serif";">ELDER
MATT GRINER</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Misión Santiago, RD</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2011-2013</span></div>
Elder Matt Grinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01235153076392404157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416886870818869574.post-91830504854080273382013-06-25T15:45:00.001-07:002013-06-25T15:45:22.070-07:00CF 8
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hi family,<span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> </span>12
June 2013</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So .the baseball game and clean up I told you about last
week went awesome this morning!! haha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
loved it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got to play a real game
with an 18 year old team. I had a team of 8 missionaries that cant or don’t
really play. Ha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hit a double and
walked but it felt good to play again! </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That’s awesome that there are so many missionaries now.
It just scares me though because with so many missionaries things get really
unorganized and they start to do what they want instead of what they should
do!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the Lord knows what he’s doing
and each batch of missionaries seem better prepared than the last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, cool!
<!--[endif]--></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anyway, my new comp and I are working hard to find people
that are interested in the gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
had a guy show up to church that met with the missionaries before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His name is Victor Power and we have had the
chance to put a baptismal date with him and help him to overcome his habits of
drinking and smoking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also met a guy
that was deported from the States after having done 25 years in jail for
selling drugs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stopped us as we were
walking past his house on Sunday and told us that he wanted a copy of the Book
of Mormon in English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we went by the
next day and explained to him what the book is and we invited him to church and
to be baptized and he loved the idea so he said yes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My companion is really new in the mission getting used to the mission is a process - ha and he only has been in the church
for 2 years so he doesn’t know a ton about the scriptures and is learning to teach<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s just green (newbie) and has a lot to
learn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he’s willing and really has a
testimony of the gospel and of the Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He loves the Lord and wants to serve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Honestly, I’m grateful that I’m his comp now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that I can help him to learn just as
I did when I was a greenie at the start of my mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He´ll be my last companion and he will be
able to teach me a lot, also.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love how in the mission we always get to feel the influence
of the Spirit and help others to feel it as well. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there are one or two things that I’ll miss
of the mission, it’ll be the feelings I get and all of the fruit here!!! Haha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But,
honestly I can say that in the mission I have felt as it says in Mosiah 28, 3-4
where the sons of Mosiah are preaching to the Lamanites… .</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3 Now they were
desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could
not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that
any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></i></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4 And thus did the Spirit of the Lord work upon
them…..</span></i><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want others to
be changed just as I have changed!! </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">LOVE YALL </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">-- </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ELDER
MATT GRINER</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Misión
Santiago, RD</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2011-2013</span></span></div>
Elder Matt Grinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01235153076392404157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416886870818869574.post-48437191674378265102013-06-25T15:40:00.000-07:002013-06-25T15:40:26.991-07:00CF 7
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hey Family,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>5 June 2013</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This week has been cool. </span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here in Cien Fuegos we are finding a
lot of ways to serve., We have an investigator that we are teaching named José Alberto.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we were at his house his mom invited us
to a meeting in the public school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we
went that same afternoon and found out that it was for a community project
against violence . So we sat down with the committee of these networked folks
(all form various backgrounds and professions) and planned what to do. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They asked us for ideas and invited us to come
back to there meetings. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will be
having an activity with them as they start their program this next week, and we
have already invited a lot of teacher’s, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>parents, and lawyers that we know. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’ll be fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What they do is go around to schools and train teachers and students how
to avoid violence. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we thought that was a
really good way to get involved with the community and become a little
more like Christ.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is a HUGE baseball field in my
area that we walk past every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have
always wanted to go in. One day when we really had nothing to do we went in and
I talked to the manager of the field and asked if we could help at all in
cleaning up the field. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I presented him with
the idea of cleaning the bleachers and perhaps also playing a game with the
team ( so that we could get to know some more people in the community and have
a fun interaction with them) . Next Wednesday ( our p-day) from 8 to 10 in the
morning we as missionaries are going to play against them, and then from 10 to
12 we´re going to clean their field! It’s going to be awesome! </span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> I got a new comp today ! Elder
Feliz, a different one! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Haha!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elder Santana
was transferred to another area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
really glad I got to be his comp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that I was able to help him understand
why he is here and to mature as a missionary a little bit. Elder Feliz is the
EXACT opposite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s older (24 years old)
and veryy mature, excited to be here, and work hard. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I should have him as my last companion in the
mission! </span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>love yall </span></span></div>
-- <br />
<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Bold","sans-serif";">ELDER MATT
GRINER</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Misión
Santiago, RD</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">2011-2013</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
Elder Matt Grinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01235153076392404157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416886870818869574.post-42223208770529294462013-06-25T15:37:00.001-07:002013-06-25T15:37:29.078-07:00CF 6
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hey what’s up my Family!<span style="mso-tab-count: 6;"> </span>29
May 2013</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Everything these last couple of days have been really good! My
comp and I are getting along fine and that is a minor miracle because he hasn’t
had the opportunity in life to develop many social skills because of a rough
upbringing, so he doesn’t get along with many people. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is still like a little kid that needs to
grow up (but don’t we all in certain aspects of our lives). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’ll happen with time and some love. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes we will be in lesson and he doesn’t
realize that we are there to teach, just more to hang out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’ll be great when his mannerisms catch up
with his testimony! Haha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Growth, it’s
an eternal thing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My district is really cool. I have a Sister from Honduras
and an Elder from Haiti and another from Colombia so we are a big mixing pot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like it because we get to see how the
church functions in different areas of the world! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are talking a lot about how to better our teaching
approach in the lessons that we teach, and in the meetings that we attend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just nice to have everyone on a semi
even keel and then let the Spirit guide us and use our personalities and
talents to better serve the Lord and the people we contact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the start of my mission that’s what we focused
on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s been awhile since we touched that topic, so
I thought we´d bring it back again, just as I did in Arroyo Hondo with my zone!
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So in our last meeting we practiced
inviting people to be baptized and had a really fun time doing it!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One thing that I’ve noticed about being here is that I’m not
afraid to talk anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can say
anything to anyone or in front of anyone without choking up or being scared. Ha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I do it in Spanish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t
know if till be the same in English, but I’m glad that I’m confident in what I
believe and recognize others as my brothers and sisters! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our investigators are doing okay, but not so great. We are
teaching a lot of young couples from partial member families, and every single
one of them needs to get married....... and no one has money to get married
here and they are all scared to because it costs even more to get divorced ! ha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
until they can get married they really can’t progress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that they aren’t going to break up
right now, and that’s not what we want anyway, just wish that they would follow
God’s plan for happiness! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have some
other people that we are teaching that are going to church and have a baptismal
dates, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so it’s pretty cool and we´ll
keep working to find and help more people! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I found out that another person that we were teaching in Navarrete
got baptized!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the atheist’s (but
not now – he’s a member of the Lord’s kingdom) friend Eduardo! He got baptized
on Saturday, and then sent the missionaries out into the countryside to teach
his girlfriend! Ahh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish I could’ve
been there! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it’s okay, God has a
reason for me to be here in 100 FUEGOS !!!!!! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just barely found
a guy named José Alberto who is like 25 and within 3 lessons with him he
accepted a baptismal date but when I invited him to be baptized his mom over
heard our conversation and stopped us and said that he has already been
baptized in the Catholic church and that his baptism is sealed in heaven and doesn’t
need another one. I looked at her and kind of laughed inside and then explained
our beliefs. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I wish yall could see how
much of an influence all of the different religions have in this country, from
voodoo to all sects of Christianity and well about all major and minor
religions out there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a
evangelico church right next to our house and in their worship services they do
a lot of shout and fainting and it goes late into the nights so<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sometimes I can’t sleep... it so confusing to
me, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and it has all of the people more
confused about religion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess it
could be compared to The Joseph Smith story when he was young and trying to
find the truth; where great multitudes united in different religious parties
which created no small stir amongst the people, preachers calling lo here, and others
lo there ….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>THANK GOODNESS I was born a member of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a MORMON!!! Ha. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>love yall </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Bold","sans-serif";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Bold","sans-serif";">ELDER
MATT GRINER</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Misión Santiago, RD</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2011-2013</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Elder Matt Grinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01235153076392404157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416886870818869574.post-61914676557649961432013-05-23T05:02:00.002-07:002013-05-23T05:02:31.848-07:00CF 5
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dear Family and friends,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This week has been good! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have been really trying to find families in our area
and this week we have done just that! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
had a whole day planned out to teach but when I reviewed it again and saw whom we
had, I just got a feeling their part in reading, studying and praying, so it’ll
be hard for to progress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I told my
comp that we were going to go to a different part of our area where we or the
other missionaries before us have ever worked in much. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We went over to this ”new area” and every person that we
met let us in their door and had a nice discussion with us. We got the chance
to met a guy named Francisco and we were just going to start teaching him, when
I heard someone and he said it was his wife (or... girl friend/live-in because
no one here gets married) that was bathing, so we waited until she finished and
came out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To make a long story short, we
had an awesome lesson with them and the best part is that they are interested!!!!
Haha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked us where the church is
and when he could go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So even though it’s
something small it meant a lot to us! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We were walking in the street last Thursday and we saw a member
coming in our direction and so we stopped him and asked him who he thought that
we should visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He lead us to a house
that I would’ve never found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were
6 inactive members and 3 people that were investigating the church about 5
months ago, but had somehow fallen thru the cracks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had
no idea that they were investigating! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
have visited them three times this week and their family wants to be reactivated
and we´ll see what happens with the others that aren’t members!! That’s the
importance of helping the missionaries!!! ha </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In our district meeting all I did was teach English. ha .
We had a zone meeting with all of the missionaries in the Santiago area (about 90
in all). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got a call two nights before
telling me that all the Latino missionaries were going to be asked to share
their testimonies in English! Ha. There are 6 that are Latinos in my district. So
I had them write their testimonies in Spanish and I translated them into
English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the zone meeting 2 out of
the 6 were asked to share their testimonies and they did it so, so well!!! It’s
way cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are setting up a service project in the hospital here
in Cien Fuegos. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We´ll be helping clean,
and visiting with the patient! It should be fun! </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love yall!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">-- <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Bold","sans-serif";">ELDER
MATT GRINER</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">misión santiago RD</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2011-2013</span></div>
Elder Matt Grinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01235153076392404157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416886870818869574.post-21808597229424878472013-05-18T05:36:00.003-07:002013-05-18T05:36:20.012-07:00CF 4<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span>Dear family and friends,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>15 May 2013</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
Life is awesome! </div>
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I had a great time calling you guys and seeing the whole
family! Thanks for trying to use skype to see me and sorry if it didn’t work very
well. Mom I hope that you had a wonderful mother’s day!!!!!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
I got a call on Tuesday right as we were about to leave and
it was the office elders asking me if I could donate blood at the hospital. So I
said yes and we went. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though we had
a lot of people to teach, we went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
rescheduled our appointments as we went into the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
so, so nervous because I’ve never donated blood before and you know me and
blood and guts!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But all in all, I’m glad
we went. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
When we arrived, there were three other people in line to
donate for the same person, but they didn’t qualify because they had been
drinking the day before, imagine that! Haha. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How would that be to get a transfusion of 1% or
higher alcohol?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So they chose me! </div>
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I didn’t know the process of giving blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was this some nightmare of <span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">exsanguination where I would watch my life empty
from me into a series of little bags?! !</span><span lang="EN"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Haha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well I guess in reality they didn’t suck that much out of me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, even though I didn’t know what to
expect, I just did what I was told.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lay
down on this contraption and they hooked me up to a machine that separates my
blood into <span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">red cells, platelets,
plasma and cryoprecipitate</span>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
told that for every pint of my blood 3 people could be saved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I laid there with two needles in my arm watching
blood go in and out of my body for about an hour and a half ( I don’t remember being
very happy about it, haha). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, the
lady that needed the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>plasma from my
blood came in and sat next to me and thanked me so much for what I was doing (
that was immediate gratification seeing the person that I was helping).</div>
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After they finished sucking my blood and (I determined that
I was still alive and had not become a zombie, haha), as we were leaving
another lady stopped me to say thanks. I was a little unsure about why so I
asked her and she told me to follow her. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She led us to where her daughter was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were 10 other kids lying in beds alongside
her daughter, all with the same sickness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is some incurable disease that doesn’t allow them to produce their
own blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So every day they have to buy
blood to have transfused. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found out
that my donation saved them about 100 dollars, and it helped a little girl
named Scarlet to be a little bit happier in her life. </div>
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But, after we walked into that room with the kids, I didn’t
want to leave,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>so we stayed there with
the kids and their Moms for about 3 hours; coloring, talking and playing with
them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I absolutely loved it! I realized that
sometimes we don’t think about (or even know) all that we can do for other
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stay within the same limits
that we use to define us (our comfort zone) and we don’t stretch ourselves or
progress much by doing something so scary but benign as giving blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess what I’m saying is that we look out for
our own benefit, our own interests, time, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>etc ., when without too much effort , we can do
relatively simple things that will help others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can honestly say that when they were taking the blood out I felt so uncomfortable
(you know me) and said to myself that I wasn’t going to do this ever again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But “my eyes of understanding were opened”, and
I realized what a difference this “sacrifice” made. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll do it again, whenever they need it! I
love living! haha </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
Service with a smile (albeit an apprehensive one) is so, so
rewarding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned a ton externally
and internally about something I would never have considered doing before.</div>
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I love yall so, so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thanks for being examples in my life and for helping me all the time!!! </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
-- <br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Bold","sans-serif";">ELDER
MATT GRINER</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
misión santiago RD</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
2<a href="callto:+1011-2013"><span style="color: windowtext;">011-2013</span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DFb963qzdOM/UZd1ClJSzjI/AAAAAAAAAxU/YtR8gIu1DxE/s1600/Cristofer_Navarette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DFb963qzdOM/UZd1ClJSzjI/AAAAAAAAAxU/YtR8gIu1DxE/s1600/Cristofer_Navarette.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<o:p> Christopher in Navarette</o:p><div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SfQI4_Wwfas/UZd1IIkkybI/AAAAAAAAAxc/j1k2w6V8CXU/s1600/Elders_Navarette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SfQI4_Wwfas/UZd1IIkkybI/AAAAAAAAAxc/j1k2w6V8CXU/s1600/Elders_Navarette.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Elders being Elders in Navarette</span></span></div>
Elder Matt Grinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01235153076392404157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416886870818869574.post-41766018723085543552013-05-11T05:41:00.003-07:002013-05-11T05:41:48.388-07:00CF 3
<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">HEY FAMILY HOW ARE YOU !!!! </span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, DANNY GOT BAPTIZED! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
school teacher who’s a member baptized him! Ha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wish I could send you pictures of it but I can’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an awesome experience. He has been
waiting for about a year and a half to be baptized and we were the ones that
were able to help him do it!!!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was
able to invite his mom and family to his baptism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all had so many questions about the
church and baptism as well, so we got a chance to visit with and teach them.</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I don’t know what’s wrong here, but the family is just not united at all.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always see the kids getting baptized
and changing the course and direction of their lives for the better, after
which their parents realize that they need to improve their lives also (instead
of the parents taking the “come follow me role”).</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have another young man who has like 17 years that we are teaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s so cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On p-day we always play baseball
with him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His situation is so hard in
his family. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His parents don’t like the Mormon
Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are not supportive of him
in anything, and his sisters are terrible to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he is the coolest kid and wants so badly
to do what God would have him do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
just really hard for him. His name’s Junior and it would be good to keep him in
your prayers! </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My comp and I are having fun meeting a lot of people and working hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel like I am training again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyday my comp finds out something he didn’t
know before. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been able to help
him to be more respectful as a missionary and as a person. The gospel helps so,
so much to change a person’s life and I’ve realized that a missionary is on his
mission to change his own life and helps others or at least invites them to do
the same. </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Lord has always invited us (each and every person) and has never
obligated anyone to do anything. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have
our agency and we have been instructed well enough to be able to decide for
ourselves. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is something that my
comp didn’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe the Lord sent me
here to help him to understand. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christopher, THE self proclaimed ATHIEST IS GETTING BAPTIZED on SATURDAY!!!!
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember the atheist that we started
teaching about 2 months ago_ he is totally getting baptized, I talked to Elder Cuahtemoc,
my old comp who is still in Navarrete, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and he told me that everything is going good
and that he will be baptized on Saturday!! Haha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s so, so sick (fantastic)! I’ve been
able to participate in the conversion an atheist and a Jehovah Witness! Haha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s not easy to do! It’s amazing how the
Spirit of the Lord has influenced these people (mine elect hear my voice..). </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can’t tell you all how happy I am to be doing what I’m doing. I love
to be able to say that the Lord has used my companions and me to offer the
gospel of Jesus Christ and as they accept it, watch it change their lives!!! </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love you all and wish the best for everyone ! </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-- <br />
</span></span><b><u><span style="background: rgb(243, 243, 243); color: black; font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Bold","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ELDER MATT GRINER</span></u></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">misión santiago RD</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2</span><a href="callto:+1011-2013"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">011-2013</span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Elder Matt Grinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01235153076392404157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416886870818869574.post-83277868033150727852013-05-05T11:56:00.003-07:002013-05-05T12:02:56.430-07:00CF 2<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hey family and friends!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> May 1, 2013</span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I live in a section of Cien Fuegos called La Gloria. Umm.
For P-day this morning, we went over to the church and played catch and pepper
with our investigators and then went shopping for groceries, cleaned, and did
laundry!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dad thanks for sending the great news about Kyler getting
his call!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s so, so cool that he’s
coming here to this mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’ll love
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the people here will love
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made me cry when you told me! Haha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will
you get me his email?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This week has been so, so cool. I have worked so hard
with my new comp and we are having a ton of fun in our area. In this last
transfer, I was glad that I was given a District to work with. I can finish my
mission working more closely with fewer companionships and will now have more
time to proselyte in my own area without spending so much time in the leadership
role, traveling, and holding and being at meetings. Don’t get me wrong, I loved
being a Zone Leader for over half of my mission, but this is cool on a District
level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess each calling has it
plusses and minuses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the Lord puts
us where He needs us to be to help others and grow ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My District is awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our district we have 6 elders and 2
sisters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It covers Cien Fuegos, La Libertad,
and La Union.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it’s pretty big but we
only have two chapels. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cien Fuegos is a
place that has lots of thief’s, drugs, dealers, and some kind of off-of-the
wall people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, everywhere I’ve been
the ”bad” people protect the Mormon missionaries! haha so I’m not too worried, and
it’s about exactly the same as my first area in El Ejido.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My comp is from San Pedro de Marcoris, Dominican Republic
(that’s down on the south east part of the island).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is pumped to serve here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost all of the Dominicans that serve here
knew of or wanted to serve in Santiago, because as all missionaries say it’s
the best mission in the world! haha<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Friday I did a baptismal interview for the other
elders in Cien Fuegos and the lady knew so so much and has felt that the gospel
is true. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she didn’t show up on Saturday
for her baptism! haha That’s a first for me and even though I didn’t teach her, that was still weird. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We talked with her to find out what the issue
was. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was called into work!!! How
crappy! Haha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s still coming to
church and everything and has a new baptismal date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it’s all good. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My comp and I are going to have a baptism this Saturday,
it is a kid that is 15 years old and knows so much about the gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants to get baptized first in his family
because his Mom and Dad aren’t ready yet, but when that time comes they’ll all
be together in the gospel. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, his name’s
Danny.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Each missionary has his own style of working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each has the same goal in mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as I have been here with Elder Santana,
we work a little differently than he was used to. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We study and do situational discussions and
training, and walk fast and teach a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I guess they didn’t do that before so much. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gets back to the house everyday beat and
tired! ha</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I can really see the influence of the spirit in my
mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems like there’s a reason for
being at every house that we contact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
we arrive we meet people that need the gospel in their lives and want to hear our
message. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our area is Huge and we don’t
have the chance to meet all the people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But as we follow the Spirit, I know that we are meeting those whom we
should be meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love that feeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lord is hastening His work and I’m glad I’m
on His team and in a place where I can help.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The gospel is something that I have come to love and appreciate
so much in my life. I understand why I’m here, and have learned what I need to
do to be able to return to live with God again. I cannot tell you how cool that
would be, to be in front of the Savior and as it says in Alma 5 he will tell me
to come thy works have been works of righteousness. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gospel and the mission have saved and
changed my life and I would invite everyone who reads this to let it do the
same to you!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">LOVE YOU !!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">-- <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">ELDER MATT GRINER</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mission Santiago RD<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2011-2013</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">P.S. I got my flight plans for my return home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll be leaving this little piece of paradise
on July 18<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> at 8:10 a.m. eastern time arriving in Miami at 10:25
a.m. then leaving Miami (after a layover) at 12:00 noon arriving in Los Angeles,
CA at 3:40 pacific time, a layover until 5:05 pacific and then arriving in SLC
at 7:50 p.m. mountain time and then home to Provo at o'dark:30 p.m. </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Note from the Dad.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are thinking of taking Front Runner and Trax to pick
him up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That way we can all spend some
time with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It takes about 1:45
minutes to do the public transportation thing each way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is just a consideration now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Elder Matt Grinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01235153076392404157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416886870818869574.post-68215978604593360972013-04-27T07:56:00.001-07:002013-04-27T07:56:28.843-07:00CF 1
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ha, hey how are you all!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>24 April 2013</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This past week was so so cool but really sad. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great times finding, teaching, interacting
with the investigators, members of the ward, and my zone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I got transferred!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never get to comfortable! Right! Haha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is still so much to do, I just get to
do it in another city.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We had some of the coolest lessons and we got the chance
to meet some really cool people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Navarrete
we found and were working with a kid named Dinelson, who is 20 years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is and always has been someone that spends
all of his time in the street drinking and hanging out,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but when we got the chance to talk to him and
explain to him what our message is about and how it can change our lives he was
really impressed and now really wants to learn about the gospel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found out that his cousin is a member and
has just returned from serving a mission in El Salvador.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cousin will be able to help out a lot.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We had a fireside that our ward mission leader
planned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It went so so well. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of our investigators that has<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a hard time committing to any meeting
came!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She really liked it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ward mission leader
only talked about Joseph Smith. So she got really confused in what and in whom
we believe. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But on the other hand, it
provided a great opportunity for us to be able to teach her more about the
gospel and of Jesus Christ and prophets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So all in
all it was a win.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christopher, the atheist, and Eduardo his friend (that I’ve
written about before)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>are going to get
baptized the 11th of May!!!!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
just joined the ward choir and participate in almost all of the ward meeting
and activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said that he was an atheist
but I think that he just hadn’t had any background in religion and it was just
easier to say that he didn’t believe in God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>NOW he KNOWS God lives, knows him and loves him, and that Jesus Christ
is his Savior! </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a personal note
it’s just too bad that I won’t be able to be there for their baptisms. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s always hard leaving an area, and the
people that you have influenced and that have influenced you, but exciting to
work hard in a different area and zone see what develops.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve been called back to serve back in the greater
Santiago area in a place called Cien Fuegos (100 fires ). It’s on the very west
side of Santiago and from what I understand <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it’s not the garden of Eden! Haha! I got transferred
from Navarrete to Cien Fuegos to finish the last two transfers of my mission.
My comp is Elder Santana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s a really
young Dominican missionary that just finished with his trainer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am going to love being with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s almost as fun as training cause you get
this raw, excited missionary who really wants to learn and bring the gospel to
the world paired with a missionary who can help channel and continue to train
and guide. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope and expect to continue
serving and seeing miracles in this area just as I have in the other areas I have
served in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that Heavenly Father
knows us each individually and puts us in places and time where we can help his
children best and grow ourselves.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love this mission experience!</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Love yall and hug my nieces for me! </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">ELDER MATT GRINER</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">misión santiago RD</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2011-2013</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sXM49aqSsZk/UXvlk-uynnI/AAAAAAAAAww/Q9kQFEjmJgI/s1600/ah_arturo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sXM49aqSsZk/UXvlk-uynnI/AAAAAAAAAww/Q9kQFEjmJgI/s320/ah_arturo.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My friend Arturo From Arroyo Hondo that we contaced. He was just baptized!<o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
Elder Matt Grinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01235153076392404157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416886870818869574.post-66836030806566983962013-04-27T06:13:00.002-07:002013-04-27T06:21:46.084-07:00N10
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hola Everyone!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>17 April 2013</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve had the chance, the last couple of days to see and
experience a lot of change. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the
fact that however much we change God stays the same and so do his rules. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few weeks ago I told you about an atheist
that we got the chance to meet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
week I can tell you that he is no atheist. On Sunday at church (it was fast and
testimony meeting), he not being a member bore his testimony along with his
friend that we are teaching. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said
that he completed one month since he first got to know the church and what he
has FELT has changed his life. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said
that he has never been so sure of something ever before and that he has finally
found an answer to all of his doubts. We went to his house on Monday and invited
him to be baptized and he gladly accepted ... life changed. </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also went to
his friends, Eduardo, house and as we got there it just felt different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we got talking to him he told us that his
grandmother had fallen and broken her arm and that she would’nt be able to get
it operated on because the anesthesia would kill her. Long story short, she was
laying on her bed crying because of the pain and bleak outlook, we gave her a
blessing and as we took our hands off her head, she wasn’t crying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her pain was tolerable and she felt peaceful
about her arm healing! Eduardo expressed to us his desire to be baptized. ... <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>life changed.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is a town crazy guy here in Navarette, and almost
everyone knows who he is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His name is Emilio.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thursday night as we were walking down the
street, he stopped us and told us he wanted us to go to his house because he
needed help. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought about what David told
me from his mission, that sometimes he invited drunk people to do things, come
to church, read, pray, etc., <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but maybe
they didn’t have enough faith to change. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I thought that we’d take him at face value
and visit him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went to his house and
it was a mansion, but dirty as ever. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway
we taught him and invited him to church, 2 days later, on Sunday he was at church!
and now is reading the Book of Mormon every day…. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>another life changing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Look, what I want to say is that the mission is awesome
and it has changed me just as it is changing the lives of the people we meet!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ
and thru it hope for being and doing better!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I love to teach about that and experience it myself….. Life changed and
still changing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">At home you could say that life is changing because there
are 3 babies THAT I HAVENT EVEN MET.....ha ha but it’ll be cool to meet them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope yall are saving me a spot on one of
your softball teams and that you tell your kids my name, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A LOT. ha <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">hey dad. Really I have to thank you for doing all of the
things that I’m not able to do right now concerning school. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s funny (inspired) that you wrote me about Alma
5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This whole week my comp and I have dedicated
our studies to this chapter. Thanks for the insights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We helped a less active member come back to
church and be comfortable enough to have an interview with the bishop; all with
the help of this chapter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been
able to put it in to our own lives. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ha
its awesome…. Lives changed!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love you all, have a good week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">-- <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">ELDER MATT GRINER<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">misión santiago RD<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2011-2013</span><br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kz2YjCuPnQs/UXvOobgEybI/AAAAAAAAAwg/fuZfQkuQyuo/s1600/N10_elder+cuauhtemoc+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kz2YjCuPnQs/UXvOobgEybI/AAAAAAAAAwg/fuZfQkuQyuo/s320/N10_elder+cuauhtemoc+.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>In Navarette with Elder Cuauhtemoc</span></div>
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</span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Elder Matt Grinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01235153076392404157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416886870818869574.post-4707376177445693242013-04-12T07:54:00.000-07:002013-04-12T07:54:01.455-07:00N9
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hey Family,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>10 April 2013</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This week:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent a lot of money Mom but we did a lot of
service and had to buy a lot of paint. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Frankelis that got baptized about a month ago lives in a
house with his mom, grandma, and two sisters. It’s actually a really nice house
here in the Dominican. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just wood slats
and it hadn’t ever been painted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elder Henriquez
who is serving in our zone on the other side of the city, had the idea to do
more service projects and so he asked me if I had anything in mind. I immediately
thought of Frankelis and his family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
we planned a service project painting their house. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got members and 8 missionaries together to
do it and within 4 hours we painted the whole house and it turned out so so good!!!
</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">CONFERENCE WAS AWESOME I learned a lot and we had two
investigators attend, the guy who claims to be an atheist and his friend ha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
liked it so much that he posted it on facebook for more of his friends to
see!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yesterday we had a really special day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two youth from the ward came with us to our
teaching appointments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had the
coolest lessons! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best part of the
day was when we were on our way home, I saw that a truck was stopped on the
side of the road, the tire had flattened and they had a load of like 400 pounds
of chiles that they were taking to Santiago. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew that we needed to help them so we did,
and even though we didn’t have to lift or anything we were able to find a Jack
for them and they got the truck up and went on their way. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After we were done there, we walked past a
little store on the main street of the city and I had the impression to ask the
woman who was working there a question. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
really didn’t know why or what to ask so, I asked where she was from<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Haha be careful what you ask I guess).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
went on to tell us her life story; that her dog died and her dad has cancer and
work sucks and she doesn’t know what to do, and then she finally finished with
oh... I’m from Ecuador. It was awesome because we got the chance to teach her
the plan of salvation and she was able to express herself (pour out her
emotions and dump) to somebody. </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I know the lord always guides us!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s awesome.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I honestly love the mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that as I put God first in my life I’ll
be happier and everything will be okay.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To your question about people I’ve worked with going to
the temple: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My very first baptism Eudy Cruz just finished his papers
and will be leaving this next winter hopefully. Maxi James and Victor Meran
from Arroyo Hondo have been to the temple to do baptisms, the Antillas family
that we reactivated got sealed a month ago and that’s it, I think ha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes me really happy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s hard to keep
in touch with everyone we’ve worked with , but in the missionary network, we
keep each other informed pretty well of what’s happening in our olds areas. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I hope you have a good week. </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">love ya</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">-- </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">ELDER MATT GRINER</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">misión santiago RD</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">July 2011- July 2013</span></div>
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Elder Matt Grinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01235153076392404157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416886870818869574.post-40136394652965811232013-04-07T09:41:00.003-07:002013-04-07T09:41:34.025-07:00N8
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">THIS WEEK WENT SO FAST HA : <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3
April 2003</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The investigators that we have are doing so well ... well,
José not so much right now, but he´ll be alright in the future ha. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Franklin went to church and we got 3 more people to get
to church, and it made me so so happy to know that our efforts are worth
something ha . <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jordi is doing awesome
but having a hard time with his Mom. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
doesn’t really like the Mormon Church and wants Jordi to only be catholic no
matter the circumstances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She told him
that he couldn’t go to church on Sunday but he told us he is going to sneak out
to go to general conference! haha, so pray for him. </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>THE GRANDKIDS LOOK
SO CUTE! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">CONGRATS DAVE AND BRIS !!!!!!!!!! Wow that’s so weird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have three nieces!. </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anyway mission experiences. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had an exchange with an Elder serving in Mao,
Elder Brummm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we got back from Mao
to Navarrete we were sitting in the park and I got a call from a member from a
different ward giving me a referral of two of his friends ( I love member
referrals). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were able to work them
into our schedule that day, so we went over to their place to meet them and see
if we could set an appointment o visit with them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we got to the house and as we knocked on
the door, I got a really weird/heavy feeling. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were invited in and I still had that feeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we sat down, before we really said
anything, he emphatically stated that he is an atheist............ I’M IN A
COUNTRY WHERE EVERYONE BELIEVES IN CHRIST (or so I thought).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t really know where to start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do you start a discussion with someone
when there is no common base.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t
quite know what to do. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had never
prayed in his life, didn’t know who God was or is, had an idea but didn’t or hadn’t
felt that he existed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were able to
bare testimony of God and His Son Jesus Christ and a little of a Godhead
lesson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He started asking questions, a
lot of questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think he had kept
these inside for a long time and wasn’t really so much an atheist but just didn’t
know where to go to get and understanding, and finally found someone he could
ask.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found it so much easier to answer
the questions because he was sincere in asking not trying to Bible bash to try
to prove some point or the other, with me like the normal Dominican.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We felt the Spirit and let him know what he
was feeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He thoughtfully accepted
our answers -and we were able to answer almost every question he had. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought about inviting him to be baptized
but that weird/heavy feeling came again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So we didn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that we put
him on a good path for him to start his personal discovery of God and his
relationship to Him, but the commitment is not what he needs right now. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he knows who God is for himself (we’ll
follow up with him and provide answers as he is ready) he needs to make steps
on his own to “come unto Christ” - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we´ll
get around to that when he’s ready (baptism, that is)! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Semana Santa (Holy
week) was crazy! On Friday (the day Christ died) no one left their house or
played music like they normally do. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was the most quiet day I remember since living here in the DR. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But on Sunday ( the day Christ was resurrected
) it was the exact opposite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so
hard to be a missionary and try and teach. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had a huge party in the city park and
EVERYONE went. They burned a life sized straw doll of Judas in effigy as a
tradition because he<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>was a traitor to Christ
and gave him up to the sadducees , pharoses and Romans for ten pieces of silver.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was just a crazy day. I’m really glad
that Mormon celebrations are a little more docile and calm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My camera battery died so I cant send pics.... next week
! HAPPY CONFERENCE EVERYONE!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope ya
learn a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I plan to. </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">TELL EVERYONE HI. </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">LOVE !!!!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">ELDER MATT GRINER</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">misión santiago RD</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2011-2013</span></div>
Elder Matt Grinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01235153076392404157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416886870818869574.post-33754442550677576152013-04-07T09:33:00.000-07:002013-04-07T09:33:02.916-07:00N7
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hey fam !!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>27,
MARCH 2013</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This week has gone by so so fast!!! And there have been a
lot of ups and downs. </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the 30th of March we had two baptisms planned that we aren’t
going to have anymore!! Ha its sucks but it’s okay because they’re not ready.
One is named José Urena who is a 40 year old retired policeman and he was doing
so so well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He totally stopped drinking
coffee and is going to church but this week he came to church with his
girlfriend that we didn’t know he had ..... they’re living together.... we got
to get them married first , then he can get baptized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a common story her in the DR. ha . </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But no worries the past few weeks my comp and I have been
looking for new people to teach and gracias a Dios (Dominican saying roughly
translated as<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- thank goodness) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ha .. We found a family and a kid that’s 16. Yesterday
we taught them both and had the coolest lessons ever. Franklin and his family
are amazing. Last night we went with the ward mission leader to visit them and
it turned out that the mission leader and Franklin are best friends. We shared
the first lesson with them, after he and his wife had read and they understood
so well. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got the chance to invite him
to be baptized and he said yes and without an invitation he told us that he was
going to go to church. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So even though
satan can play a role in the work God always takes his parts as well!! </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The kid that we found is named Jordi and since the first
day he has wanted to learn more about the church. We left a copy of the Book of
Mormon with him and he has already read a ton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We invited him to pray and says he does it every night asking God if
this is His church. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s crazy how the Lord
works in people life’s when all we do as missionaries is talk and testify to
them ! </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love the mission and I’m having fun. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope that you all are doing just great. Thank
you Mom and Dad for your example in <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>going to serve the elderly. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve seen so many smiles from the old people
when we just go up and shake their hand. but honestly thank you !!! </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">HAPPY EASTER WEEK. Christ loves everyone !!!! </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">bye</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">LOVE YOU ALL </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">ELDER MATT GRINER</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">misión santiago RD</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2011-2013</span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
Elder Matt Grinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01235153076392404157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416886870818869574.post-13971373971155026872013-04-07T09:30:00.001-07:002013-04-07T09:31:09.466-07:00N6<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hey all! 20, MARCH 2013</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">WE won the world classic </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">hahah last night the whole country went crazy as the
Dominican baseball team won the world classic!</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But this week has been cool!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To answer your questions Dad my comp is awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s from Vera Cruz ,Mexico and he doesn’t
speak any dialect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess his last name
means like eagle hunting their prey or something like that ha. This transfer we
haven’t done many exchanges because my comp doesn’t know the area very well yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did one with the assistants to the
President <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the other day that was fun! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Navarrete there are no rutas ( Toyota
Corolla size cars that they pack 10 people into), we are on foot all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we need to, we call a motor taxi (three
wheeled motorcycle that takes us to the stake center). Our zone is HUGE, to get
to the end of it we have to take a bus for 2 hours to a place called Sabenta,
we also travel to Mao and Esperanza a lot. We only eat with members on Sunday
for lunch. Other than that we cook or buy rice and beans in the street. ha.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This Monday we had a Family Home Evening with a family in
the ward that absolutely has nothing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They barely eat everyday and it’s a miracle
that they have clothes to go to church in. We planned a really cool program for
the FHE. We went and bought a big bag of bread, a big salami, and a bottle soda
so they could eat something that night. </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before we finished I asked all of the kids and their
parents to share their testimonies with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They did, and as a result of being really poor and uneducated, they couldn’t
really find the words to express themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The spirit was so strong in little “house” because we knew that their
testimonies were sincere what they lacked in words, they made up in
spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They may be poor as to physical
things but are rich in spiritual things and they are happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My comp and I also had the chance to share
our testimonies and as I stood up my eyes filled with tears and I shared, for
one of the first times in my life, a testimony that made me spill happy tears.
ha. God is good! The atonement is real and the gospel is TRUE!</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our exchange
this week I was with Elder Wilkinson( he’s from England) and he has about the
same amount of time in the mission as I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was such a good day! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We taught
the best lesson and helped two less actives member realize what they are
missing when they don’t go to church. I explained from James 2 about faith and
he explained about repentance using the example of stacking books on Vladimir’s
arms, making it heavy until he repents and takes all of them off. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might have been a really small metaphor, but
I know that they understood the concept and felt that they need to be in church
again, and that the gospel is the only thing that helps us progress! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know much
about what’s going on at home. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope
that Bristen and the baby are okay! And that everyone is happy! Ha and if not
you should definitely get happy because we only get one life to be happy !!! </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The gospel has been restored and I know it, repentance is
the only way to enter into the kingdom of God and applying these things in our
life is what makes us happy. I know because I’ve been on both ends of the story
! ha </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">LOVE YOU ALL </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">ELDER MATT GRINER</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">misión santiago RD</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2011-2013</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LPl2tO4xXKA/UWGfEJyUoSI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/h8sxX9XkzOY/s1600/N6_+FHE_SHACK.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LPl2tO4xXKA/UWGfEJyUoSI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/h8sxX9XkzOY/s320/N6_+FHE_SHACK.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</span><br />Elder Matt Grinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01235153076392404157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416886870818869574.post-78948571727338696542013-03-17T06:26:00.001-07:002013-03-17T06:27:16.471-07:00N 5<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">HOLAS MIS QUIERDOS !!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>13 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>March 2013 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So this week was good!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It must be a freaky number day huh?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3 13 13. haha</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have new comp ha. His name is Elder Cuauhtemoc
from Mexico.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He is a very relaxed person and only has been in the
mission for 7 months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The president has already
called him to be a Zone leader, he is very responsible and I’m excited to work
with him. But it feels weird because I have take charge in the area again and
even though I’ve done it a ton I still feel nervous when I think of the responsibility
the lord gives us with his children. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(note:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Matt’s mission the companionship are
co-zone leaders and share in the overall responsibility of their own area and
the several districts that make up their zone.)</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In my last week with Elder Cespedes, I felt so good as a
missionary. We were doing everything that we needed to do be to able to be successful
in the mission and that’s exactly what happened. </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We taught two lessons that were funny and spiritual! Jose
Urena who has a baptismal date for the 30th of this month was at his house on Thursday
so we went by and taught him the word of wisdom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have to know him haha and that up until
this point EVERYTHING with him has gone perfect.... but as we taught and I
explained that we don’t drink coffee and why he just started laughing and
said.... I drink coffee more than water!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But after, he committed to live the word of
wisdom!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that made me happy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are going to have to call him every morning
to help him to stop. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We were also in a lesson with Jeny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She invited us to share the gospel with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went and met with her and before I could
even say a word she said... “I can’t wait to go to church today”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has never been to church and had only read
the first part of the Book of Mormon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow
she felt the Spirit and wanted to go to church really bad ha! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That honestly was probably one of the easiest
lessons I’ve ever taught! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here are some of the pictures that I have had a hard time
downloading. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are of the baptisms
that we have had the past month,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> and some of the Christmas party we helped with at the Callejera Accion.</span></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">LOVE YOU ALL !!! </span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Elder
Griner</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">misión santiago RD</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2</span><a href="callto:+1011-2013"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">011-2013</span></span></a></span></div>
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Elder Matt Grinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01235153076392404157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416886870818869574.post-21767937861486063642013-03-17T05:59:00.000-07:002013-03-17T06:04:21.406-07:00N 4<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">HOLAS MIS QUIERDOS !!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>6 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>March 2013 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">SOOOOO::::::: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Franquelis was
baptized last Saturday! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an
awesome baptism, my comp baptized him. It was sweet because he got baptized on
his birthday, reborn on his birth date!!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My comp and I went and bought him a hat and M&M’s and
the ward sang him happy birthday to him right after his baptism. He is an
amazing kid, he’s fourteen and has been through a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mom is so sweet but can’t read, so her learning
process is much longer; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he is such a
good example for her to follow. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Sunday
he received the Holy Ghost and the Priesthood! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can honestly say the times that are most
special to me in my mission are when an investigator, that we have taught,
receives the POWER of GOD! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Monday I
completed 13 years as a member of the church! March 4th 2000 I was baptized,
even though I don’t remember much about it, it’s still special. That’s when I
made my first covenant with the Lord, the next in the temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a mission we are learning to make covenants
with the Lord every night. All you have to do is promise with the Lord that you
are willing and going to change something in your life to be able to follow his
commandments better! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, every night
when I get down on my knees to pray, I make a promise with the Lord to better
my life the next day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It helps so much
because you HAVE to keep your word! </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> ( dad's note: March 4th was a memorable day, it was exactly 30 years ago on March 4th that his Great Grandpa Woodruff Bryan Cram passed away. Grandpa Cram is the ancestor that Matt got his middle name from; Bryan!)</span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A couple of people
that we are teaching right now really need to understand the atonement more ...
pues , so do I. ha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I’ve decided to study it personally and
with my comp. It’s a lot cooler than I thought. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve always wondered why Christ had to suffer
the way he did and when he did, and what it really meant. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s awesome that his suffering applies to
anyone, a guy that drinks, swears, smokes, does drugs, or whatever, it applies
to all of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God doesn’t differentiate,
we are all His children. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gospel’s
sick! (That means awesome!) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope yall
feel the same way. </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God has a plan for
every single one of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His plan for us
is to return to Him! The Atonement is the key to that return! He understands
that we will all fail in one way or another and wants us to be back with Him –
loves us soo much HE PLANNED a way for us to get back if we so decide! Agency -
haha GOT AGENCY? (got milk).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s our
choice to be happy or not because it is a choice in this life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve seen people from the poorest people in
the most humble circumstances to some very well to do and influential, out<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>here repent and accept the gospel and they are some of the happiest, fulfilled people
I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just need to know that He
just wants us to be happy and have and be the best we can and he’ll make up the
difference in our short comings if we are willing to try and do!!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope that makes sense to you because I can’t
deny what I’ve felt, seen and experienced! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">LOVE YOU ALL !!! </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Copperplate Gothic Bold","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Elder
Griner</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">misión santiago RD</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2</span><a href="callto:+1011-2013"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">011-2013</span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here are a couple of fotos (spanish for photo) from a day of service at the Callejera Accion. I think I've told you about this place before. It's a Catholic run center for kids who are on the street ,( run away, abandonded, etc). that gives them help and direction. They are way under staffed and if they spent the time cleaninga and organizing the inside and the grounds , then they wouldn't have time to provide the help some of these kids need. So,we come over regularlly to help out. It's a lot of work, but it really looks nice when we are finished. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Where's Waldo (Matt)? top foto: he's just below and right of the 4 guys sitting on the upper left rail.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">bottom foto: sitting left of the guy on the orange shirt.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bv2VwBJjCSc/UUW7KL4YJuI/AAAAAAAAAvM/K9dVY6UIMes/s1600/the+group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bv2VwBJjCSc/UUW7KL4YJuI/AAAAAAAAAvM/K9dVY6UIMes/s320/the+group.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Elder Matt Grinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01235153076392404157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416886870818869574.post-39887878150914714152013-03-04T18:01:00.001-08:002013-03-04T18:01:18.102-08:00N 3
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dear Family<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 6;"> </span>27
February 2013</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This week went well. On Saturday we had two baptisms, Nefri and Lineyi Cabrera.
I got the chance to baptize Lineyi, which was way cool and my comp baptized Nefri.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t send pictures for some reason or else
I would. They are the kids of a less active family, we have been working with
their mom and dad trying to help them come back to church and the mom has been
going but their dad has had a hard time. We didn’t think that he would be able
to be at the baptism because he is working a lot. But, as we walked out of the room
after changing, Nefri saw his dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was able to get there just in time to see everything! It was a very cool
experience and I’m glad i got to be a part of it. </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On Saturday Frankelis is going to be baptized, he is a 15 year kid that
other elders had been teaching and we get the chance to see him get baptized. He
has been having problem with coffee since he was little and hadn’t been able to
drop it for the longest time, but when we put a baptismal date he didn’t even
have a problem. I thought it to be a little weird that a 15 year old was
drinking coffee but welcome to the DR ha . <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We are teaching a guy named José Urena that went to church on Sunday,
and in Sunday school we talked about baptisms for the dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He obviously <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>hadn’t heard anything about that before, but
he loved the idea and he came up to us and asked us if we could move his
baptismal date to the 23rd of march so he could go to the temple the 30th with
the ward to be able to be baptized for his mom that passed away! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course we said yes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thank you for all the birthday wishes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I feel old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life’s gone by way too
fast. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So far it’s all good I’ve loved
it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love you all and hope the best for ya. </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Happy birthday again Grandpa Francom and Dave!! </span></span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><i><u><span style="background: rgb(243, 243, 243); mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ELDER MATT GRINER</span></u></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">misión santiago RD</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="callto:+1011-2013"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">011-2013</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Elder Matt Grinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01235153076392404157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416886870818869574.post-86384061398131883672013-02-23T05:16:00.000-08:002013-03-04T18:05:59.029-08:00N 2<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hey
all!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Feb 20,2013<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">This
week has been awesome ! </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">WE
had the chance to shake Elder Anderson’s hand on <span style="color: darkblue;">Saturday</span>
and listen to Elder Rasband of the 70 talk. It was such an amazing experience
to get to met them. It’s true that they have a special, je ne sais quoi, glow about them. You
would be able to identify them in the biggest crowd with the loudest music just
because they truly have the light of Christ. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Elder
Rasband spoke to us because Elder Anderson went to the institute to speak to
the youth. But, who in the world cares. His talk was amazing! He spoke to us
about how we could and should testify of Christ our Savior. As he spoke I came
to really understand how I have received my own testimony and how important it
is to me. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">My
life has been surrounded by good people and good things.... ALWAYS! It was
always me that made the situation bad. However, being able to look back on my
life in the hour that he spent with us, I realized how my own testimony has
developed. I honestly know that Christ lives and loves us. I know that He is
always watching over us and wants so so badly to forgive us. Elder Rasband
helped me to see what I need to do and be as a person and as a missionary. I
could not believe how I felt when he was with us. I did not want him to
leave.... I cant only imagine how it will be with Christ!! Ha. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">So these are the General authorities that came to visit our mission:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Elder Neil A. Anderson, a member of the Quorum of 12 Apostles </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>Elder Ronald Rasband, Senior President of the Seventy</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span>Elder Wilford Anderson, a member of the Seventy, and the President of the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Caribbean Area</span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Elder Devin Cornish, a member of the Seventy, and in counselor to the President of the Caribbean Area</div>
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Pres. Larry Bair, President of the Santo Domingo Temple</div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Seated along the front row left to right are</span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Almeda's, Elder & Sis. Cornish's, Elder & Sis.Rasband's, Elder & Sis. Neil Anderson, Pres. & Sis Douglas, Elder & Sis. Willford Anderson, President and Sister Bair </span></o:p><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qkzApQWnANQ/UTVSUmfDqGI/AAAAAAAAAuY/Bw_1fhyYqTs/s1600/mission+conference+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qkzApQWnANQ/UTVSUmfDqGI/AAAAAAAAAuY/Bw_1fhyYqTs/s1600/mission+conference+2013.jpg" /></a></div>
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Okay, Matt's 5th in from the left on the second from the top row with the star aound his head.</span></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">On
<span style="color: darkblue;">Monday</span>, we had one of the most spiritual
and sad lessons ever. We taught a lady named Claudia. She is married to a less
active member and has a baptismal date for March. As we entered the house I
felt that something was wrong, but without saying anything about it we taught
and closed with pray. Before we finished, I simply asked her what we could do
for her... she started to cry. She explained to us that her husband hadn’t had
work for a long time and they don’t have money to buy dinner, that the baby
didn’t have milk to drink and that even though she was closer to God, life was
harder. After she got done talking, I had no idea what to do. I had like 20
bucks that I wanted to give to her but I knew she wouldn’t take it so what we
did was we prayed and after we prayed she stopped crying and it felt so
peaceful in the room.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">After
an moment of silence, her friend that was in the lesson told us that she wanted
us to visit her. She gave us her address and expressed how she felt. Even
though I had no idea what to do the Lord brought peace to Claudia and helped
her friend to feel the Spirit!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I
love the mission and Navarette. The people are amazing. My comp is amazing. I
feel like I’m being the best missionary I can be. I love being a missionary. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I
hope all of you feel that the gospel is true and that you show that you love
Christ by the things you say and do. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">On
<span style="color: darkblue;">Saturday</span> we are having a baptism! <span style="color: darkblue;">Monday</span> I turn 21.......... freak.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">I
can't send any pictures because the computer doesn’t work very well..</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">lo
siento mucho porque se que les gusta mi cara tanto (sorry, because I know how
you love my face so much)!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">love
yall </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">--
<br />
<b><i><u><span style="background: rgb(243, 243, 243); color: black;">ELDER MATT GRINER</span></u></i></b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">misión
santiago RD</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2</span></span><a href="callto:+1011-2013"><span style="color: darkblue; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">011-2013</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Elder Matt Grinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01235153076392404157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416886870818869574.post-73711861659981341802013-02-23T05:09:00.003-08:002013-02-23T05:09:20.624-08:00N 1<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="WordSection1">
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Hey Family, <span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT447">02/14/2013</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">So sorry I didn’t write <span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT448">yesterday</span>. It was a really, really long day ha. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">On <span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT449">Sunday</span> I was informed that I was going to be moved to an area called Navarrette that is just outside of Santiago to the northwest. I’m still a Zone Leader, so it’ll be fun to work with a new group of Elders and Sisters and see what we all can do ha. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">So on <span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT450">Monday</span> and <span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT451">Tuesday</span> I got the chance to say goodbye to all of the people that treated me so well in Arroyo Hondo, and all the people that we helped join the church! It was way fun and sad at the same time. ha . </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">But then on <span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT452">Wednesday</span> I helped with the transfers; taking all the missionaries to their new areas and houses. It took from like 7 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon. Then the office Elders took me to my new area, and when I got here there wasn’t any electricity in the town so we couldn’t use the internet or do much at the house! ha</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">So, we just went to work and I got to know the area a little bit. My new comp’s name is Elder Cespedes. He’s Dominican and he started the mission at the same time I did. I have been friends with him since I got here, so we´ll have fun together. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The Stake in Navarrette was formed 3 years ago. There are a lot of really good and strong members that like to work with the missionaries. We had a meeting with the Ward Mission Leader <span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT453">yesterday</span> and we planned for about 4 people that are going to be baptized this month, so it should be awesome!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">I’m really glad that I got to serve in Arroyo Hondo! I learned so so much about myself and missionary work. I’m grateful for the chance I had to serve, work with and, help the people there!! I definitely want to see them again! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Ya, it’s carnival time here, but I wasn’t in an area that is really influenced by it. So we didn’t have to stay in at all this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">YES! The package arrived! hahah thank you so much. A dual purpose package, Valentines and Birthday!!!! Wow there’s enough in there for a real party! But right now the jerky is saving my life because there is no food in the new house, ha. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The zone is made up of only 18 missionaries; 2 sisters and 16 elders. I’m pretty sure there are going to open an area in the zone for some of the soon to be incoming sisters. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">My residence is a two level house and we live on the first floor. The house is so so ugly. Ha. There are plants and stuff growing into the windows! We´ll definitely have to clean it inside and out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO EVERYBODY !! HAHAH </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QWVl28pklcw/USA74jLTJ8I/AAAAAAAAAtk/JjCsAb_V9E8/s1600/DSC02041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QWVl28pklcw/USA74jLTJ8I/AAAAAAAAAtk/JjCsAb_V9E8/s320/DSC02041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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My friend James in Arroyo Hondo</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bv7hwOQfPVw/USA8BO5ZGQI/AAAAAAAAAts/K6njPfFkiCg/s1600/DSC02056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bv7hwOQfPVw/USA8BO5ZGQI/AAAAAAAAAts/K6njPfFkiCg/s320/DSC02056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">love yall</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">-- <br /><b><i><u><span style="background: rgb(243, 243, 243); color: black;">ELDER MATT GRINER</span></u></i></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">misión santiago RD</span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">2<span id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT454"><a href="callto:+1011-2013"><span style="color: blue;">011-2013</span></a></span></span></div>
</div>
</span><br />Elder Matt Grinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01235153076392404157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416886870818869574.post-13994833594882368572013-02-17T05:10:00.000-08:002013-02-17T05:10:10.657-08:00AH 23<div class="WordSection1">
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Hey
Family, </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT420">6 Feb 2013</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><span class="Object"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">This past week has
been good for us . </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The electricity
went out in our house and we didn’t have water either!... Well maybe that’s not
the good part, but here it’s life haha . </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">This week we got
our investigators to church. there is a Haitian named Wolinmsky that we have
been teaching for a while. He came to church when I thought there was no hope
for him! We went to his house and taught him with Maxi James (who just got
baptized) and it was an amazing lesson, even though it was taught in English,
Spanish, Creole and French. We all understood enough to know that James really
helped Wolinmsky to understand the importance of the word of wisdom!! On <span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT421">Sunday</span> we sent a member to his house to
pick him up to go to church but he was sleeping; but right as we were finishing
sacrament meeting he walked in and it made me so so happy!!. Ha</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> We had an
intercambio (trade-off) the other day and I went with Elder Romney. As we were
finishing and getting ready to go back to the house. I decided to visit a member
that has always treated us well. As we got to the house she asked us to come in
and talk to her. So we did and she asked us for a blessing of health. I asked
her why but she didn’t want to tell me. So I did as I was asked, and we left. On
<span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT422">Thursday</span> we had a meeting and she
was there representing the Relief Society. She bore her testimony about how she
had had signs of cancer and the doctor said that she would more than likely be
diagnosed with it. She went on to say that the day after we gave her the
blessing, she went to the hospital and they said that she wouldn’t need to
worry, that it wasn’t going to grow anymore!! Sweet right! that Lord blesses
people - still !!!!! ha </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">A couple things
about the mission. In our meeting that we had with the president, he talked a
lot about how we are going to be getting like 40 new missionaries and more then
all of them (most of them) are going to be girls haha or sister missionaries.
So, they are opening two areas in my zone for sister missionaries! We found out
that Elder Anderson and Elder Rasband are coming to the DR and we will be having
a meeting with Elder Rasband which is pretty exciting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">ALSO . one of my
old comps called me this week. Elder Ruiz, I was with him in el Ejido about a
year ago. He called me and we talked for a while, it was legit to hear from
him. He said that he is coming to visit the mission. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Pictures:
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Elder Renderoz and me in
the branch of la Herradura (its a tiny house that they use as the church)
we went out to a district meeting to see how the missionaries were doing. </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fAq5pvmMZ7k/USA6bG7qCHI/AAAAAAAAAtc/KHTIldayZWY/s1600/AH23_renderoz.jpg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fAq5pvmMZ7k/USA6bG7qCHI/AAAAAAAAAtc/KHTIldayZWY/s320/AH23_renderoz.jpg.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Three guys that
work in a car wash next to the house sleeping on cardboard in the shade!! haha I
should’ve woke them up and taught them!</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i8qDjxCiFpM/USA5tOYyLmI/AAAAAAAAAs4/C50Q997lMtI/s1600/DSC01957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i8qDjxCiFpM/USA5tOYyLmI/AAAAAAAAAs4/C50Q997lMtI/s320/DSC01957.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">LOVE YOU!
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">-- </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">ELDER MATT
GRINER</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">misión santiago
RD</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">2<span id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT423"><a href="callto:+1011-2013"><span style="color: blue;">011-2013</span></a></span></span></div>
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Elder Matt Grinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01235153076392404157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5416886870818869574.post-9789067703477506802013-02-16T17:52:00.005-08:002013-02-16T17:52:45.002-08:00AH 22<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Hey Family.
<span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT397">30 Jan 2013</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Every <span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT398">Monday</span>, <span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT399">Saturday</span> and sometimes <span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT400">Thursday</span> as a missionary you have meetings. District
meetings, Zone meetings, and sometimes they call a special meeting with the
assistants to the president. This week we had all three!! And was assigned to
lead every single one .... ha. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">There are 24
missionaries in my zone and everyone of us has something that we need to learn
to be able to become a better missionary. So every meeting we try and focus on
what we need as missionaries, and we prepare something new for them each time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">When I came into
the mission, it was a lot different. Instead of talking about obedience and
following the rules, they taught us how to teach and prepare a person for
baptism. For some reason that tradition went away. BUT WE"RE BRINGING IT BACK!
Haha. I feel that who I am as a missionary started in my first two transfers
with my trainer. I learned a ton and its because he just taught me how to teach. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">In the meetings
that we have, my comp and I focus on the practices, questions, invitations and
commitments. I know all of those things work because I’ve seen people get
baptized! ha I’m really grateful to be called as a leader in the mission (even
though I think that my time is running out, well see). Because I can share what
I’ve learned and had success with and it seams that the one preparing to teach
actually gains as much as if not more than the one he is teaching.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">This week has been
really different because we have done three intercambios (trade-offs). I have
hardly been in my area; but I’m having some fun with the other Elders and
people we meet and teach, and doing good. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Arturo really like
the conference. He was amazed to think that Elder Nelson is an Apostle! I think
that it made believing our message a lot more easy for him to understand. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Love all of you </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">ELDER MATT
GRINER</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">misión santiago
RD</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">2<span class="undefined" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT401"><a href="callto:+1011-2013"><span style="color: blue;">011-2013</span></a></span></span></div>
Elder Matt Grinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01235153076392404157noreply@blogger.com0