N 2

Hey all!                                                 Feb 20,2013

This week has been awesome !

WE had the chance to shake Elder Anderson’s hand on Saturday 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.

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.

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.  
 
So these are the General authorities that came to visit our mission:
Elder Neil A. Anderson, a member of the Quorum of 12 Apostles

Elder Ronald Rasband, Senior President of the Seventy

Elder Wilford Anderson, a member of the Seventy, and the President of the Caribbean Area

Elder Devin Cornish, a member of the Seventy, and in counselor to the President of the Caribbean Area

Pres. Larry Bair, President of the Santo Domingo Temple

Seated along the front row left to right are

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

Okay, Matt's 5th in from the left on the second from the top row with the star aound his head.
 

 

On Monday, 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.

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!

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.

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.

On Saturday we are having a baptism! Monday I turn 21.......... freak.

I can't send any pictures because the computer doesn’t work very well..

lo siento mucho porque se que les gusta mi cara tanto (sorry, because I know how you love my face so much)!

love yall

--
ELDER MATT GRINER

misión santiago RD

2011-2013

N 1

Hey Family, 02/14/2013

So sorry I didn’t write yesterday. It was a really, really long day ha.

On Sunday 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.

So on Monday and Tuesday 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 .

But then on Wednesday 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

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.

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 yesterday and we planned for about 4 people that are going to be baptized this month, so it should be awesome!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO EVERYBODY !! HAHAH

My friend James in Arroyo Hondo

love yall

--
ELDER MATT GRINER

misión santiago RD

2011-2013

AH 23

Hey Family,                                                                                6 Feb 2013

 

This past week has been good for us .

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 .

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 Sunday 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

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 Thursday 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

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.

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.

Pictures:

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.

 

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!

 

 

 

LOVE YOU!

--

ELDER MATT GRINER

misión santiago RD

2011-2013

AH 22

Hey Family.                                                                                            30 Jan 2013

Every Monday, Saturday and sometimes Thursday 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Love all of you 

ELDER MATT GRINER

misión santiago RD

2011-2013

AH 21

Hello family and amigos.                                                                                               23 January 2013

As we were working this week, I don’t know why but i was feeling really..... in a rut, I guess you could say, because I fell into a routine. But as you all know, a missionary can’t be bored!! So what I did was I planned an intercambio or an exchange with a district leader in my zone.  He came over to my area and we worked hard, found a lot of people and were able to share with a couple that my comp and I have been teaching for a while now.  It’s strange because every time that we teach them I would get so nervous – they are the neighbors of the second counselor in our Bishopric ( he referred us to them and every time that he has given a reference to the missionaries the investigator doesn’t progress).  But as of now Manuel and Gissel are progressing but she has a problem believing in Joseph Smith. So on Monday in the exchange we taught them and that lesson, and to be honest, it didn’t go very well.  But as we bowed our heads to pray and as she offered the prayer, I had the most peaceful feeling that they are going to accept the gospel and be baptized. Now maybe it won’t be in my time here but I’m almost sure that they will be able to feel that our message is true. So after being in such a rut ha the Lord smacked me in the heart with a sweet experience and got me excited to keep working hard!.

We are working with two less active members named Jeremy and Alex.  They are 20 and 22 respectively and they both have kids of their own.   Ha.  Their brother Pedro who’s 23, just received the M. priesthood and is going on a mission!! That makes me happy because he wasn’t thinking about it like 3 months ago. The two less actives always drink and smoke and do things like that ha so my comp and I decided to visit them and challenge them to read the Book of Mormon, a chapter each day. They’ve lived up to the challenge for the last two weeks!  They went and bought dress shoes so that they would look nice for church, and little by little they’ll be back!!

This week we are going to teach Rafael’s friends and help him come to church.  Maxi James got back from Haiti and came to church.  Next week I think that the Bishop is going to give him a calling. He’s progressing well.  Elder Feliz my old comp called me and told me that he got a job in Santo Domingo and that he broke up with his girlfriend!! haha

Last Sunday we had stake conference. Elder nelson spoke to us via satellite.  We had an investigator named Arturo there with us who is 70 years old!!!!!!

The mission is chill!

Love ya !!!

--
ELDER MATT GRINER

misión santiago RD

2011-2013

                                                             me standing on a bridge

L to R Elders Renderos, Fabian, Griner and. Batron

 

AH 20

Heloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!                                        16 Jan 2013

I have this evolving realization that young men are sent on missions not only to help change lives and but also to have their life changed. As I have been here in Arroyo Hondo, I have been able to see proof of that.  This past week I realized how much I have changed as a person and I realized what the Lord has allowed me to do with my life here to help change the lives of others. 

First of all I give a lot of the thanks to sports.... haha because they helped me to have a good mentality; I had to develop an attitude where I could put up with stupid things and stupid people ( in my point of view).   I know that I was put here to help other missionaries. There are 24 missionaries in my zone and I have had the chance to work with just about every one of them.  I know that many people haven’t had to separate the crap from reality and “play through the ups and downs – success and failures etc.,to become mentally tough or maybe callused and let the water runoff like rain on a duck.  I am and have been able to help a ton of missionaries get over things that they were having problems with. I know that I was put with my comp Elder Renderos because he hasn’t had the greatest life. He moved out of his house when he was 14 because he couldn’t put up with his Mom, and he has never met his Dad.  He isn’t sure about himself and always puts himself down.  So I’ve (we’ve) got some work to do; he is such a great kid– he just needs to realize it.  Awaken the giant within as it were!!! haha but I’m grateful for it.

 We also got the chance to see how amazing the people that just got baptized are. We left to visit with Victor Meran who was baptized in December.  When it was his turn to share his testimony in the lesson he shared the simplest testimony ever, but I have never felt the spirit so much in my life. On Sunday he'll receive the Aaronic priesthood!!!

And yesterday we shared with Rafael Fernandez.  When we were sharing he stopped us and said, I need to help others know more about this message!  Then he went on to list about 5 people that were on his mind.  Guess who we will be teaching this next week!  I can really see how my time being here is effective and not wasted ( even though I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what I’m going to do when I get home)  I know that as long as I am here I am going to keep working hard because there is nothing better than knowing that you’ve helped someone to change (for the better) their life.

My comp had to get his wisdom teeth taken out.  I thought he would talk a little bit less afterwards, but it didn’t slow him down a bit) ha!

And on Saturday we had the coolest night. There is a family in our ward that I really love. They’re a young couple and are struggling to get by right now. So we went out and bought a ton of food, prepared it and took it to their house to cook and eat with them.  I made Moms chicken with the cream of chicken stuff, but I added garlic, and put it over pasta.  It was fun for us and I hope for them also!!!!

LOVE YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOU all!--

ELDER MATT GRINER

misión santiago RD

2011-2013

Wonderful day in the neighborhood

Elder Renderos losing his wisdom (teeth that is)

AH 19

Hey Family,                                                                                9 Jan 2013 

Hello ! HOW IS EVERYONE ?

anyway... this week in the mission was fantastic J!

Having a new comp is cool but different.  I got really used to spending time with Elder Feliz and Elder Esparza,  because I was with them for 6 months.  Hopefully I’ll be able to do the same with Elder Renderos – this kid can sure talk! ha .

In the zone we have been wanting to help the missionaries ... become missionaries, and the way we decided to do that was by helping them invite people to be baptized.  It wasn’t happening very much. So, we put a goal to invite everyone they teach to be baptized in the first or second lesson. The reason why we thought to do that was because I have asked a couple missionaries that I really looked up to, as they were going home, what was something that they wish they had done better. They both answered, I wish I would’ve invited more people to be baptized the first time I met them! So that is what we are trying to do.  So far they have been doing pretty good.

On Thursday my comp and I put it into practice, we met a guy named Felipe and in the first lesson I invited him and in the second we put a date with him and invited him to church. On Sunday.... he went and it was so so perfect.  The bishop met him and the mission leader sat next to him, and they made him stand up in sacrament meeting as they announced that he was there for the first time.  It made him feel so good!  and as all of the member were bearing their testimonies he didnt stop paying attention.  When the meeting finished I asked him if he liked church. He told me ... no.... I loved it! He then pointed to the pulpit and said that’s not far away for me,  I’ve been waiting for the Lord to help me. !!!!

THE MISSION IS SICK haha . On Friday we are going to visit him with Victor, the guy that just got baptized!  I would’ve never thought about doing stuff like this before in my life but I’m so glad that I’m here doing it!

Thanks so much everyone for helping me get here. :)

Love yall

--
ELDER MATT GRINER

misión santiago RD

2011-2013