Fresh Start

So, I’m starting over. I have been slacking lately on writing EVERYONE that I could or should be, because of the lack of good that has been going on here right now. I have really been struggling with my new comp. I talked with our Mission Pres, who is new by the way, and he is pretty cool so far. He is way nice and he tries to be funny so that is pretty cool. I don’t get jokes yet though in Portuguese, ha-ha. We had this big huge annoying ordeal of a bunch of different interviews and what not, then Elder Rodrigues and I just went and took a sit down, and I just put him in his place, (to make things simple). We talked about the stuff that is going on and why it’s not working and why we are always so mad at each other. We figured out what the problems are and now we are working at it. So far it is better, things are running smoother. It’s nowhere near perfect, but now I am not debating going to the top of the building and jumping. (I’m just kidding, mom). I thank you all for you patience and help. So now I wanted to start new and just try to stay always positive and always write positive, and try not to leave anyone out that wants to know about my life here in crazy Portugal! (It’s in Europe for those that don’t know, I didn’t....) ha-ha, BUT...there is a rule, if you don’t write me at least just saying that "you are at least reading the letters," I won’t continue to send them to you, cuz I don’t want to send them to those who don’t read them or care to get them, so if I don’t hear from you soon, I won’t bother sending you the big email each week, so let me know if you want me to continue sending the group email to you. Thanks. :)

Okay, so this week, because we are making things a bit better, things are going a bit better. First of all, our investigator Koky. He is a stud! He has been coming to church EVERY WEEK since we first started talking to him, which is a big deal! For all of you that have cars or a church about a 2 min walk away, or even a bike, he doesn’t. He has to walk about 40 minutes to church everyweek, and I tell you it is HOT right now! July is the hottest month in the summer. And he walks!! There and back, that just goes to show that he cares. So I love it!! We are going to have a compromisso with him tomorrow, Thurs. We want to extend the invite to be baptized so I really hope to see that go well. The last few people I have seen after being asked to be baptized, they stop everything and don’t want anymore lessons, so its really scary, this opportunity to extend this commitment with him, is NOT very common here. Other missions they may do it daily, weekly, or monthly even. But here it’s a new story, so it’s very tough. I would LOVE to see this go thru though. He would be an awesome addition to our little tiny branch here in Tavira.

I found out on Sunday, there is a little girl that is 8 yrs old and getting ready to be baptized. Her whole family are members, but her dad doesn’t have the priesthood, I don’t know why, he also doesn’t take the sacrament, but hey, he is in church, so that is good. She decided she wants ME to baptize her! Pretty cool huh? But, the downfall, I may not be able to, because transfers are on the 6th of August. Her baptism is on the 15th. And because of all this that happened with me and my comp I will prob get transferred this upcoming transfer. So I guess we will see what happens. But either way it’s really cool to me that she picked me. When I told her, and the family I may get transferred and not be able to do it, but that if I don’t I would love to, the little girl, Andrea, looked up at her mom and said, very quietly, she is very shy, she says, "But mom, then who will baptize me?" Wow! Talk about getting hit in the heart. Maybe it wasn’t all that big of a deal. But when she said that, in Portuguese thank goodness I understood it, well it just hit me, and I really right then, well I kind of felt like the grinch when his heart begins to grow. (You know in the cartoon it busts out of the little box!) (yes Kiley, I’ve seen it, surprised?) ;) ha-ha, But really, that’s how I felt. I felt my heart grow for that little girl. And I loved seeing her little bit of concern because she really wants to be baptized. It was just really cool for me. It helped me have a good day.

Okay a quick few things to people, Deanna, Congrats on the marriage! I’m so happy for you! I saw a couple of pics and you looked Gorgeous! And I also got a pic of Nikki and Mr. (Elder) Allen!! What! Oh my, that is so funny! Way cool tho! Now I wish I would have gotten to know him a little better...ha-ha! That is way, way funny! I couldn’t help but laugh!! You go you two! Tell him hi for me ha-ha.

All of you, thank you. Thank you for all you do for me, thank you for your prayers and thoughts. I really appreciate them. Please continue to pray and fast for Grandpa. I know he can pull thru but he also really needs our prayers. I will continue to check on him thru the blog-site. Thanks for keeping that going good. It’s really good way for me to see his progress. Thank you, thank you!

I Love you and miss you all so much! Have an amazing week! Sorry this was so stinkin long. I hope you pulled thru and didn’t give up. Or just saw from the beginning and saw how long it was and said "ehhh...I’ll read it later," whos guilty??? Jason? Ha-ha, just playing! I love you all so much! Thank you for all you do. Don’t be shy. WRITE!!!!!
I Love You,
Love Elder Robby Gray