Indiana - May 28, 2013

Hello Mom and Family!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! Well, with yesterday being the holiday, the library was closed, so I'm writing today! You hiked Honecker Trail huh? That's a good one, how was it. That sounds way fun, too bad I am on the other side of the country or I would have gone with you. Things are good here though, I really love being able to teach the gospel to others.  Coming out here, I was petrified because I didn't think I could be a teacher, but I have found that when you go into something with the spirit of the Lord with you, you can do anything  I know who really is doing the teaching, but it really has helped me to grow to love teaching and helping others know about the gospel .  It's crazy to look back and see how much I have grown, and it has only been 4 or 5 months! The Lord will help those who are willing to help Him, I know with a surety that He will. I hope everyone is enjoying the first few days of summer! Crazy that everyone is already out of school, when I left it was still in wrestling season! Wow, I guess time really does go fast out here; I better grab a hold or it will pass on by with out knowing it hit me! Haha, I am trying to do my very best, and I love getting to have the opportunity to help God's children in Richmond. Well, next week I will be able to tell you what Mission I will be in, already another transfer up, crazy! If I stay here in Richmond, I will be in the Ohio Mission, but you never know.  I have had the feeling that I will be moving, so who knows, I might stay in the Indiana mission, we'll just have to see!  You will have to tell me about little Elsie Jo, I'm praying for her, she is so sweet, God will be with her. Remember to keep the faith strong. I have to go, but remember that I love you all. I love you Mom!

Love, Elder Jade Merlin Grover

Indiana - May 20, 2013

Hello Mom and Family!

Things in Richmond are going well, nothing bad to complain about! You probably look at the weather here sometimes, so you probably know that it is nice and warm here. It is most definitely going to be a different summer for me, this moisture in the air is way a new thing. But I think right now it feels great, the only problem is some places, like Elder walkers car, can get a little cold this time of year. Kinda funny how people react to temp changes. Whats up with the genes that run in our family, poor Elsie is allergic to nickel and titanium too? I Keep her in my prayers all the time, and I know that God will be with her and bless and protect her every step of the way! Keep close to Him and He will help you! Wow, that is really crazy that school is almost out! Do you know what that means, I have been out of high school for a full year now! Seems like just yesterday, but when you look at it, my world has completely changed and every day brings something new. Yesterday we had a really good talk with the bishop, we were able to have a lot of questions answered about the ward, I hope that we can help it out some. I really have grown to love the ward and am really excited for the work that will be happening in it over the next few years, of course I won't be here that long, but I hope that we can help the Lord strengthen his saints while we are here. That is crazy that you got released.  You weren't in that calling very long were you? Time is going fast, what are you going to do now? I bet it is nice to have a little break. Well, tell everyone I love them.  And always remember how much I love you, Mom! Take care, the Lord is with those that are on His side!

Love, Elder Grover

Indiana - May 13, 2013

Hello Mom and Family

It was so great to hear from everyone! I hope you know that I love you all so very much and am so thankful for your support and prayers in my behalf. I am so thankful for the way I was raised up, my eyes really have been opened to the way life could be without the gospel to help us. I am so grateful for the privilege to be out here and giving that opportunity to people that have not been so blessed. I really know that the gospel will help their lives out so much! For all the many blessings that I have received from it, one of the biggest is the great blessing of a wonderful family that helps and supports each other with love that lasts longer than this life, for eternity. For the example I have received through the years, I will be eternally grateful.  Gods work will roll forth, as we can see in the events of the past few months.

Things here in Richmond are going well, lots and lots of work to do! But like a ranch, I guess the work is never done, so we all just have to keep working hard day by day and much will be accomplished. We just have to keep our shoulder to the wheel and do as the Lord directs.  I don't know what more to say, after talking yesterday, but I'm alive. Haha, of course I am! I love you all and hope you have a wonderful day!

Love,

Elder Jade Merlin Grover

P.S. Keep me updated about Elsie!

Indiana - May 6, 2013

Hello Mom!!! 

Elder Grover is doing very well! I'm still alive, even after we had a blitz with the assistants. I was a little worried about it before, but all went well. I should just know that by now, God will make things work out if you are doing what you are supposed to do, I shouldn't worry. Richmond is doing well.  My companion has a feeling that this ward really needs some less-active work done, so we might try to get a lot of that in, so that will be fun.  In the books here there should be like 500 members, and only like 150 or something come.  John and Melissa and family are doing well, they just moved to a nicer apartment with cheaper rent and I think that will help with their progression.  It was kind of hard for them with Elder Syrett leaving, they really loved us, and getting use to Elder Walker has been a little hard on them, but things still are going well. But really Elder Walker is really great! He has really helped me out in teaching him the area, it was kind of hard to lead someone around after I have been the one following the other around for a few months, I had to learn a lot fast. It kinda' sounds like it's a little bumpy at home, stay strong and keep your heads up. God has a plan, we just need to keep up our hope and faith in the Lord's plan, it is a lot better than the plan we would have for ourselves. If I only learn one thing out here, that would be it. I really have had to strengthen my Hope and Patience in Gods plan for my quality as a missionary.  It dosn't just happen, but with the Lord's blessings I will take my steps in becoming what he wants me to be. I was going to say, at least next spring you won't have to worry about missionary stuff, then I remembered that might be on the list too. But don't worry, that's next year, that's a long ways away! I hope Elsie's stuff goes well, tell me how things went next week or when you can. I hope that everyone is feeling well or well on their way to being well! With Mother's Day, I don't know exactly what is going on, but by what Elder Syrett said, it is most likely going to be a call, not skype. Something like, the mission does not like to take time away from the member's time with their families in the homes, so I probably will give you a call! I hope you have a wonderful week! I love you so much, Mom! You can tell everyone that I love them too, if you want! Haha, jk, love ya.

Love,

Elder Jade Merlin Grover

Indiana - April 29, 2013

Hello Mom!!!

Well, this week was a little crazy with the whole transfer thing, but all is settling down. Pretty crazy that I'm leading a missionary around Richmond that has been out longer than my trainer and me combined, haha! That happens when you get trained by someone that had only been out 4 to 5 months when he started training you. Yeah, my new companion, Elder Walker, has been out for 17 months and is the district leader. So yeah, at first I was a little intimidated, but we got this down and things will go really well this transfer I think. It is really weird to be doing work without Elder Syrett though. It's crazy, they also moved the senior couple, the Alleman's, out and are not putting any back in, so now it's just us and I am the only one that knows the area (well is suppose to know the area:). But yeah, I don't know any more on what is happening with the mission split, only that I am still in one of the zones that will be in the new mission. Elder Syrett was moved to the other side of the state, so he he will most likely be in the Indy mission. I think that next transfer will tell us for sure where everyone will be. Whoever is in the areas of the new mission will be in that mission when the change takes place in July. That is so crazy about Landon,  it just came up without knowing about it before, that is just weird. I hope that they can get it under control, I know that he will be a really great missionary. That is kinda' cool that he will get to be there for Trevor's wedding, but isn't that crazy fast, I didn't know he was that serious. Well, I guess that makes sense, since I am not around. But anyways all is well here with me, the people I am teaching are really being touched by the Lord. Did I tell you about John getting locked up for a few days last week?  He had court and they dropped his case, so he is not having to spend any time or probation, so his baptismal goals are still underway. Just so you know, he was locked up on phony charges, he is not a bad guy just getting off. I hope all is well at home, I have you all in my prayers! I hope things with track are going well and the kids are holding out well. Remember how much I love you Mom, you really are amazing!!! Thanks for all you do!

Love,

Elder Jade Merlin Grover 

Indiana - April 22, 2013

Hello Mom!!! and Family,

Well I'm going to be in Richmond for another 6 months, but having a new companion is going to be really, really weird  I hope he well be a good missionary.  I am not saying Elder Syrett was not, he is really amazing! We really have become really good friends, we just had a few difficult times, but it's not anything different than a little disagreement with a brother or anyone else that you have to spend all your time with. The work here in Richmond is doing very well.  I hope that all our investigators don't take Elder Syrett leaving too hard. They have really grown to love us, as we have grown to love them, but I hope that they are able to know that why we got so close is because we have all been coming closer to God. If they let that be the center goal, then they well be alright. But you know me, I don't like change very much, so this week is a little scary for me, but it is also very exciting. I guess I'll have to update you next week about who I am with. I was very relieved to know that I am not going to have to train; my whole district was telling me I was going to, so yeah, that was a big relief not to have to worry about that. Oh, did I tell you in a letter from one of the sisters from the district at the MTC, Sister Yardley, she started training someone after the first transfer, so she was only half-way trained herself, super amazing. But God knows that that would be too much right now.  But I am really okay with just being able to worry about the people to teach and not having to teach a missionary at the same time, when I don't even know what I am doing. But yeah, sorry for all the crazy talk about transfers, with the transfer call last night that stuff just seems to be on my mind. I hope all is well at home.  That is so cool that JoJo is going to Peru!  Very scary, but very exciting, she will do very well. It is so cool to hear that the missionary fire is continuing to grow in Blanding, exciting times. Just so you know, I really miss being able to be running in track, so I would love to be there, but God has a work for me to do here. I love you all and pray for you every day that God will continue to be with you all in all you do. 

Love, Elder Grover