Argentina - December 16, 2014

Hey mom,
My week has been pretty good. I got lots of work done. My spanish? ... well, like you said, my English is terrible ... but I think my spanish is getting better, at least I am starting to understand more and more. Looking back at before the MTC, I have come a long, long way. So in another 3 months it is going to be way better. My congigations are not that good and past tense is giving me a rough time. People in Argentina are not really educated, so like I will say something and they will just ask my companion what I said. But it is all good because the Lord speaks through the spirit. So the food is really good and greasy, but somehow I am getting so skinny but like fat from the grease, it is weird! So before I went to Cordoba I ate 12 empinadas and that wasn't good for my stomach, but no worries, the oils really helped. Oh, I have a question, how come Sterling Black got released from the bishopric? That does remind me, I did get letters last Monday, but the thing is that we only get the mail every 6 weeks at every zone conference.  But I did get the letter from dad and Candice, they were awesome thank you so much! We do get to skype on Christmas, which will be awesome, but I don't know what time for sure yet because we have 2 computers and 6 elders. Tell J.J. Happy Bithday and tell him I love him. It is true you are sent where you are supposed to be, I testify of that. Tallon is a stud and so is Jade, crazy he comes home really soon!  So we had 4 baptisms on Saturday, it was awesome. It was a mom and 3 of her kids, super great experience! I got to baptize 2 of the boys.  One of them said that earlier in the week he had a group of other boys talk crap on him and threw a brick at him and hurt is foot. We gave him a blessing and he got better and they all got baptized. It was hard because the mom had an abortion, but she got permission from president to be baptized. She said that God would never forgive her, but through baptism and every week in the sacrament we all can be clean. God is real, he does help us, I know because he has helped me so much! I know I am here for a reason, God has a plan for all of us, we just need to trust in His goodness. Oh, we got to watch the Christmas Devotional in Spanish last night, it was amazing! My advice is to give all we have to other people in this season, giving is the best! I love you all and hope the best for all. Mom, I love you, thanks for your e-mails, you are the best mom ever.

Love Elder Grover the 5th

Indiana - December 15, 2014

Merry Christmas!!! I hope the Family is well in this Christmas season. You are going to be really mad at me, you know me and how I put off things I'm scared of, I tend to put them off until the last minute! I have know idea what to get Mckady for Christma. I was going to try to get some stuff from Ball State University that is located in Muncie Indiana, being in Winchester it was right by, but now I'm down in Cincinnati working in the office for a little bit. They just lost their office couples and so now they have some of us missionaries trying to hold everything together until the new ones come. Anyways, yeah, I am kind of turned around! Any suggestions?  Let me know and I'll try to work it out. Love ya!!!

Elder Grover

Argentina - December 8, 2014

Hola my mom, the best! And I want you to know I love you! It sounds like everyone is doing good, I love you all and pray for you. It doesn't feel like December at all here, and the kids are getting out of school. So Cordaba is so nice, like kinda like America, way, way nicer than Resitenca. I did a lot of paperwork while I was there so I hope it all comes through okay. Then it came home and had 2 baptisms on Saturday, it was good. Oh, we went to the Cordoba Temple too, that was so awesome! I will send pictures next week, I don't have my camera with me right now. But the work is good and life is good, and it is hot. I hope Hayden can come back out. Anyways, yeah, I hope you guys have a good week and choose the right. My thoughts are all over the place - sorry! Oh, and I am e-mailing today becasue it was a holiday yesterday. I want to testify that Jesus is the gift in this season and we need to share that with everyone because that is why we celebrate Christmas. I love you all, mom I love you more than you will ever know. I pray for you and thanks for all your prayers!
Love Elder Grover the 5th

Indiana - December 8, 2014

Hello There!!!

I am super excited, they didn't ship me out for my last transfer!!! I didn't think they would, being that Elder Thompson will be back in Utah on Wednesday, that would have meant that we would have had to be doubled out! And well, there is just too much going on here for that, at least it would have been really hard on the wonderful people we are working with! But yeah, I'll be getting a new companion tomorrow! It is kinda scary, but I guess it will only be for 6 weeks. Weird to think that my time is running short! On the other hand, I am looking forward to getting back to being a regular member. I can't wait to not have the limitations and get to do some member missionary work, at least that is the plan! So, what would you think if I came back out to the mid west for my schooling? It's not too far away, is it? Anyway, I'm doing well, thanks for all you do! Love you mom! Let me know if there is anything I need to do this transfer before coming home! I have Mckady for Christmas, right?

Love Elder Jade Grover

Argentina - December 1, 2014

Hey mom,

Thanks for the pictures, I love them. It looks like all is good and you all look great. And it looks like your Thanksgiving was awesome. I am glad and I am grateful to have you as family! So we had chicken for lunch on Thanksgiving Day, so that is kinda close, and our district had pop and cookies at our correlation meeting, so it was good. I had a good week, the work is progressing; I can testify that the Lord prepares people. Three weeks ago a guy came in the church and said, "I have the Book of Mormon and know that it is true, can I get baptized? He just got baptized, but he was in the sisters area, but he was so prepared. God is real, I promise. We had a multi zone conference, it was really good. There are some really great people in this mission. Can you believe it is December . . . I can't because it is so hot here! But the mangos are ripe so we just eat them all the time, that is good. I have some really cool news to tell you! I am going to Cordoba on Wendsday and won't get back to my area until Saturday. We will drop  into Rosario, the trip will be like 16 hours. We are going with some other missionaries to do visa work, so that will be fun. Hope you have a good week and be safe. I love you all very much, mom you are the best - always remember that you are the best mom in the world ever. I love you so so much! Tell the family Hi and to pray and have family home evening tonight, it is good! We are working with a family right now, if all works out we should have 5 baptisms from this family! They are awesome! They walked like 3 miles to come to church, great family. But I have the best family, and I am so grateful to have you. Be safe, I love you!

Love Elder Grover the 5th

 

There are so many dogs here!  Most of them I don't like, but I had to take a picture of this one - it isn't even all diseased like.

Indiana - December 1, 2014

Hello, Hello!

It looks like you all had a lot of fun out here in the mid west. I guess that it is considered the mid west out here as well, I'm just on the northern end of things. We are doing well here though, I am hoping I will be able to make it through the cold this one last time as a missionary! Too bad that winter has to come around every year! I don't know, I might have to be like some of these snow birds out here who go to somewhere like Florida for the winter to get out of it, haha! Yeah, it's not too bad though! Thanksgiving was great, we actually were able to have it with 3 different families, only 2 on thanksgiving day, thank goodness. We spent most of the day with the Williams Family at Alisha's parents house, they were very welcoming. Then we went to her Grandparents house for dessert, lots of their extended family were gathered so we got to meet them all! We then went to the member Williams for dinner, lots and lots of food that day! Then on Saturday our ward mission leader had us come to the big dinner that he does for all his family. Now that was interesting,  that is a family that has the divorce thing worked out, they are all still part of the family! I'll have to tell you about it sometime! But yeah, we had an awesome time! I hope all is well adjusting to being back home! Love you much! 

Love Elder Jade Grover

Indiana - From the Mission President

Dear Missionary Family Members:

Greetings from the Ohio Cincinnati Mission! It is an honor and joy for Sister Porter and I to serve with your missionary.  We thank you for your continued love, support and encouragement of your missionaries.

The holiday season is a very special time in The Mission Field.  In anticipation of Christmas, we are planning a Conference that includes a day of spiritual uplift centered on the Birth of the Savior, a luncheon, and some group activities.  As the Conference concludes, we will give your missionary their Christmas letters and packages from home.  Your feelings regarding your missionary, the Savior, and the Christmas season will have special significance at this time in their lives.

Argentina - November 25, 2014

Mom,

I love you, and am so thankful for you. Have a fun week and remember to thank the Lord for all of our blessings. Have fun in Branson, I hope to get some pictures! This week has been good, I am no longer the new missionary, ha! Oh, and I gave a talk and it went ok-ish, I think, so that is good. Oh, and I'm writing to you on Tuesday because yesterday was some holiday here so we worked. But I love you and am so thankful for you and the family. Happy, Happy Thanksgiving to all the family! What I am grateful for is the support you all give me, on my mission and throughout my whole life. I love you all! Love you mom, I'm grateful every second that you are my mom.

Love Elder Grover the 5th, oh yeah!

 

This is what the sun looked like one day - kinda cool slash scary!

 

Even in Argentina you can't go wrong with John Deere

The giant cross - cuz everyone here is Catholic

Meat and Blood Sausage - pretty good!

Indiana - November 24, 2014

Good morning, or afternoon :)

That is so no fair that you have it clear today, it is dark and rainy here! Oh man, I got soaked last night! We had this fireside thing and we transported our good friend Scott, who is in a wheel chair, you know those electric wheelchairs, to and from it, and it was pouring rain! Super fun though, it was quite the experience! It was really good, they invited the surrounding areas like Dunkirk, New Castle, Richmond, and Greenville, and ended up with a very good crowd. It was super fun to see all the members from past areas, both recent and back when I was being trained.  We had three converts from the areas talk about their conversion and then finished up with President and Sister Porter! The spirit was very powerful! But yeah, I'm doing good, thanks for all you do! Love you much!

Love Elder Jade Grover

A Blanding Connection

Dr. Kirk sent this picture the other day. He said that Kevin was going to this big meeting (he lives by Indianapolis somewhere, going to school) and knew that Jade would be there so he sought him out, then got a picture together! Pretty cool!

Kevin Kirk, from Blanding

Argentina - November 17, 2014

Hey mom,

I love you. The elder down in Argentina is doing great. I just ended my first transfer . . . is that crazy or what? I wish my Spanish was better, but I have to have faith that it will come. Thanks for the details on my brother's life, I really enjoyed it. But mom, I am sorry you have to deal with their drama, but I am pretty sure you will have 3 weddings while I am gone, so good luck with that mom, I will pray for you. Ha, but keep the good information like that coming, I like it. And could you send a picture of Jordan's women so I can see if he is going the right direction. Have fun this week in Branson, that will be super fun!  They don't celebrate Thanksgiving here . . . oh well, life is still good. How is everyone else doing? So this week was pretty crazy awesome, and lots of fun. We got a couple married, and that is really cool because people don't often get married in Argentina, and then we baptized them. We also had another baptism. So it was really good and successful, I am excited for this week to get the work done.  It is getting so hot here, but it is good. Make sure next week you send me pictures of Branson. I will send some pictures right now. I've just got to say that Argentina is way different, but cool. Also, on Saturday we got to go to this park with the ward and eat food, and it was fun. It was in the jungle so that was cool, and it was by the river and we could see Paraguay, but I forgot my camera, so I didn't get any pictures . . . I was a little bummed about that.  Oh well, it was fun. So this week it is mainly going to be finding new investigators so it will be really fun, i love talking to new people. And I know the first lesson the best. Mom, I love you with all my heart and am grateful for you every day.  I pray for you every day too. Say hi to the family for me give them my love. Have fun this week, I am excited to hear about it. God loves you and has the faith in you. God is real, he does answer prayers.

Love Elder Grover

This is the couple that got married

Dario and Mirta after their marriage

Dario and Mirta's baptism

Marisol's Baptism

 

Indiana - November 17, 2014

Good Morning,

I guess I could say I'm doing good; not Indiana on the other hand, it is too cold for Indiana to be doing good. Or at least I wouldn't be so well if it was me :). But yeah, we got a couple inches of snow yesterday! It's hard to believe we got it this early, but regardless I guess we can't stop winter from coming! But yeah, the missionaries in the Muncie 1st word have been telling me for a little bit now that their ward mission leader was from Blanding, who knew it would be Kevin Kirk - small world! I was finally able to run into him at Stake Conference, good to see some Blanding blood again! You know the YSA Branch President told me Ball State has a pretty good Pre Dental/medical program and that I should look into it, what would you say if I came all the way out here for school? Worth looking into I guess, then there would be more Blanding blood out here, haha! But yeah,  I'm doing well, missionary work is good, a little harder in the cold, but we are pushing through. Don't have too much fun in Missouri. It's pretty crazy, you won't be near so far away:) But anyways, thanks for all you do! 

Love you Much!!!

Elder Jade Grover

I brought my cord today so I thought I would send a couple pictures.  The ones with the William Family we are working with aren't very good, but I figured you would want to see them. And the other one was back in Greenville with Annie Oakley! Did you know that is where she was born? 

The William Family

Happy Halloween!

Elder Grover and Annie Oakley

Argentina - November 10, 2014

Hi mom,

Sounds like a crazy week. That is too bad the football team lost . . . but at least McKady got to dance. That is crazy that they are coming home, one of my zone leaders is going home to Mexico, he is a great guy. Crazy to think he is Jade's age, but they are 21,  that is crazy. This week has been crazy and better. The members and our investigators say my Spanish is getting better, so that is good.   That is cool that everyone is doing good. Jordan is in a relationship? What?  Tell me more, I want to know, that is crazy I never heard anything. I better get a better explanation about this. That is cool that he is having fun. Are you guys going to go watch him? So it rains a lot . .  but I got boots, so we are good. So here's a crazy story, it reminds me of The Other Side of Heaven. So we go to a members house because the grandpa died, anyway so they like take us in the house and he is just laying there with a blanket over his face! And then they were like showing him to us . . . it was weird!! But then we sang Families Can be Together Forever and they all were crying.  It was super spiritual. But keep telling me how things are going, I love to hear and we don't know anything that is going on in the states down here, like at all! But we bought 45 bananas with 3 dollars, well it would be 3 dollars in America. We had  stake conference this week. and we had 5 investigators there, it was awesome!  This girl named Marisol is going to get baptized this weekend. She wants to serve a mission, her only problem she is super shaky, but she believes in the gospel, so that is good. I love you guys though, you are the best family in the world, and I came from the best town ever.  Mom, I love you and I know you guys pray for me because I can feel the power every day. Mom, you are the best though, I am serious. I want you to know that this gospel is true and the atonement of Christ is real. 

Love Elder Jens Grover the 5th, ha 

P.S.  Have a good week, pray and keep faith. I've got to say, faith is the most important, and I have learned so much about it and have tried my best to apply what I have learned.  One thing I love about this gospel is that you can always learn more, and there is always more to learn. Love you all and pray for you.

P.S.S. Mom, I guess you can send a paper package. Like an envelope,  it just can't be a box. All the other missionaries have gotten them, so it is all good. So you can kind of send me packages, it is just a lot of money. I love you and si, this means I better get a calender! Love you mom, more than the world and you will always be my mom for eternity.  Love you, Elder Grover

Indiana - November 10, 2014

Hello there!

Things out here in Indiana are going very good! Now the cold and rain is no fun at all, but that is what makes missionary work fun, right? As we close in on the end of the year the mission is really working very hard to be able to reach our goals, so that is kind of fun and kinda not, but I am really enjoying the work that I am involved in here in the little branch of Winchester!  Being with my new companion, we are learning that missionary work is very different in these small branches than it is in the big wards. A lot of the missionaries that are in big wards just don't realize how different it is, me on the other hand, these small places is where I have done most of my work! Anyways, super fun. The Williams family that we are working with are doing really well. They set a date to be baptized on the 22nd, and holy cow the adversary sure picked up his game with them, but they are pushing through it very well. They really are an amazing family! But anyways, it sounds like things are good back at home. Busy busy, it must be for it to be going by so quickly! What are you going to do when there is another kid back around :) Yeah, that is coming up pretty fast too, crazy! I hope all continues to go well, thanks for all the prayers and support! You are in my prayers as well. Love you Mom, love you all! Keep doing what's right, and stay close to God! 

Love Elder Jade Grover

Argentina - November 3, 2014

Hola mom (the best mom in the whole wide world),
I've just got to say that I love you very much! Words can not explain how grateful I am for you, and always will be. So this week has been pretty good. It rained a lot ... and it still is hot even when it rains! Oh well, it is getting better and I am really starting to like the food, it is great. We are teaching some great people. The best this week was when we taught a girl that speaks English and I was able to bare my testimony in English, it was a powerful experience, one that I will never forget. And the good news is that we are going to teach her again. So there are like 850 people in our ward and maybe 80 actually come to church, so there is a lot of work that needs to be done here.  This week is Stake Conference and we are singing in a choir that is mostly made up of missionaries, so that is cool. There has only been a couple people yell at us that they don't like Americans, but other than that they are very open and like to listen. A lot of them say they will get baptized then we can never find them again, and they don't go to church. Another big problem here is that they all believe in the Virgin Mary, and they don't like that we don't believe in her. But all we can do is share the truth. It is great, the language is still hard, but it takes time.. all that goes in to missionary work is hard, even more that it is all in Spanish, but I trust the Lord that He will help me. Thanks for the prayers, I feel them all the time. I love the pictures too, they are great. Tell McKady congrats. I love you all, I want you to know that.
Love Elder Grover

The three girls in the middle were all baptized and the brother to their left baptized them. It was a good day!

So here is the story with this, this boy got all the lessons before I came, but backed out of getting baptized 3 times. But we taught him twice and then he asked me to baptize him, I felt so good, it was amazing!

This is the boy that I baptized, it was awesome!
I can't believe I did it all in Spanish!

Check out this cool pet one of the members had!

I am really starting to enjoy the mission!!

Indiana - November 3, 2014

Hello, Hello!

Happy Halloween! I guess I'm a little late, but as a missionary holidays just have to be moved to Preparation Day, at least in telling people at home! But yes, it was really good here, a yucky day though, the kids here had some cold weather to face, we even got a little snow that night along with a good amount of cold rain! But it was really cool, the family we are working with invited us over before they headed out for their trick-or-treating, they had us stop by and they surprised me with a cake! They are so awesome! Alisha said it was kind of funny telling them what to write on the cake, they asked why Elder and she told them it was for a missionary from her church! They also told us that they have decided to be baptized, now we are just nailing down a date! Exciting times! Now on to transfers, my new companion was actually my district leader just after the mission split! And guess what, he goes home in December! Crazy, I don't know what they were thinking putting two old guys together at the end of their missions, but it is kind of cool! Which also means that I have a really good chance of being here for my last transfer, but will have a new companion again. But yeah, things are good! Thanks for all the support!

Love Elder Grover #4 (hehe, I had to do it too:)

P.S. Thank you so much for the packages, they made it to me alright!

Argentina - October 27, 2014

Hi mom,

I love you! I agree with Sister Stubbs that nothing is the same here, total culture shock!  But it is getting better, and I am starting to love it. I'm sorry to hear about Hayden (Elder Brown), and hope gets better soon. I am sad nobody got a deer, I wanted some deer pictures!  How is everyone doing?  How is Jordan liking the dance thing in Branson?  So there is not Halloween or the Day of the Dead here .. oh wells, I've got my Halloween candy you sent to the MTC, so we are all good there.  I'm not gonna lie, it is hot here! We have been teaching a lot of people. They are all very welcoming and say they wand get baptized and then we never see them again! It is weird, but we so have some people who are really progressing, like Evaline. She was my first lesson here in Argentina, and she really loves the gospel, so we will see how it goes. The problem here is that they are lazy and never want to go to church. One couple we were teaching was supposed to get married last week and then get baptized, but then the guy left on Mother's Day, so that didn't work out. We have a couple that are doing really well, they really believe in God and in our message. Keep me informed in all that is going on.  I love you all!  Mom, you are the best!  I am always so grateful to have you in my life.  Thanks so much for the e-mails, they really help!

Love the Elder Grover down in the hot south

A member family
The kids are the same ages as Amber & Kenny's kids, and remind me of them

Elder Grover preaching the gospel in Argentina
Isn't it beautiful?

Doing service for a member

Indiana - October 27, 2014

Hello Hello!

We are alive here in Winchester, at least I am. Transfers are tomorrow and Elder Stradling is not very happy to be leaving. Can you believe it? I get to stay! I have to give it to him though, I would be terribly upset to leave, especially only being here one transfer! Man, that last move I had to make sure was rough, it is still hard and sometimes I still yearn to go back.  But I sure have grown to love little Winchester too, at least the people and the family that we have been so blessed to work with, they are coming along really well. They will tell us their decision this Saturday, if they will be getting baptized or not. Mikael is a little overwhelmed with all it will require of him, but then he says that is how is should be. He knows that it is not going to be the "easier" way! The girls love singing primary songs and are busy working towards the primary program, and Alisha is just way excited about it all. The branch has been doing really good at inviting them to dinner and other things; on Saturday they had dinner with the Williams family in town.

So with you guys coming so close, or should I say "closer", than you have been for the past couple years, are you going to stop up here in Indiana and say Hi? Ha ha, yeah I know, you don't want to see hide nor hair of me until January, the really cold time of year :)  But I'm really excited for Jordan, that is quite the experience of a life time to be able to perform in Branson for the Christmas season.  Especially since he is the one of us that wanted to become a Hollywood star:)  I am still good to be the one hiding from the people and not the center of attention, even the missionary lifestyle couldn't kick that out of me! Oh, and before I forget, yes I did get the package. Thank you so much! It cheered me up just at the right time :) Love you Much!

Love Elder Jade Grover

Argentina - October 20, 2014

So to begin with, I am sorry, I was going to send pictures but, well, I left my camera at the apartment on accident, and that is like 2 miles away; we already have to walk a lot.  It was awesome to talk to you guys, I loved it! And things are getting better here, I am getting used to it. I've got to say though, I am in a different world. Not one thing is the same, and they don't like anything that is American, so there is nothing from America really. We got interviewed by our president today, he is a great guy, I love him and his wife a lot. I can't wait until I learn Spanish well so I can fully comminicate to bless the people lives. I love them, they are wonderful;  so kind and humble and all very religious. Other than them drinking, not wearing much clothing, and smoking all the time, they are wonderful! It is my favorite part of the day just talking to and meeting new people. I have a testimony that this work is real and that God loves everyone. I love you all!  Say hi to everyone and give them my love and the savior's love, because he loves all of you so much! Mom, you are the best and I am grateful every second of every day that God sent me to you. I love you, and will be your son in this life and the next.

Love Elder Grover

P.S. So we might have 4 baptisums this week, we fasted for them so we will just have to see if everything works out.  We also have a wedding this week. I will tell you all about these experiences next week. I love you, always have and always will. Be safe this week, keep God in your thoughts and everything will be okay. Tell McKady she has to wait until I am home before she can talk to boys! Love you all, say hi to dad for me and him that I love him too.  And tell Tamra to take care of my nephew!

Indiana - October 20, 2014

Good morning, or afternoon, or whenever you get this!

Things are good here! By the sound of how warm it is where the Elder Grover down south is, it makes me kind of want to switch him places! And hey,  with not understanding anything, you won't ever know if people on the street yelled something negative or positive. Maybe that just a US thing though, or a mid-west think, but I'm pretty sure it happens all over. He will do well though, the first little bit is really rough, but you know, when I thought I could not go one second longer, God always sent me a little something to tell me He was still there at  that time, then you start to enjoy it! I do have to admit though, the language thing would be a rough one for me! I still believe God knew I couldn't handle it and that it why He sent me stateside. But Jens is a tough did, he can do it. And the Lord does make up for the rest after we do all we can do! Things are good here I'm excited for this week because we get to go to the temple; what could be better than that, right? So that should give me a boost to keep me going through this changing weather. I guess we will just have to wait for summer to come again, it always has in the past, right? I hope things are good at home. Thanks for all you do! I am so grateful to have wonderful parents who live the gospel and set a good example! Love you much!

Love Elder Jade Grover 

Argentina - October 14, 2014

Hola mom,

This last week has been the longest of my life. . . Spanish is really hard and I don't understand a thing, but I am trying. It is so different here, like, there is not one thing the same, it has been a total culture shock. But I just have to have faith the Lord will help me. I was good in the MTC, but here I'm  kinda homesick, I miss you guys a lot! One thing I have noticed is how blessed we really are, and how humbling this experience is going to be. I didn't expect it to be this different, I'll just have to take it one day at a time. There is a lot I want to tell you, but I want you to know that I am safe. My trainer is great, he is from San Diego, and his Spanish is really good - but he can talk English too, so we are good there. We have taught some lessons and the people are nice and friendly, so that is good. They can understand me, but I can't understand them. So tell everyone to write me! Everything just needs to go the the mission home.  Give the address to Kay Jones too because she always sends nice letters. I am serving in Fermosa, Argentina right now, it is a city but our area is pretty poor. They say this is the hottest area in the mission, and it is going to be summer soon so it is super hot! But it is good, I like it, I just need to be patient with Spanish and let it come, because it will someday. Oh, on Sunday it is Mother's Day in Argentina, so I get to skype you on Sunday between like 1 or 5, not sure yet, so send me your skype account. There are a lot of dogs here, and it is just different. I want you to know how much I love you, more than this world will ever know! You are great mom, just keep having faith in our Lord and Savior, and I will too. Tell everyone I love them and miss them.

Love Elder Grover

So yeah, be by the computer on Sunday and I will call skpe sometime. Love you! I attached some pictures of the Black River Resitenceia and Buenes Aires Airport, hope you get them.

Indiana - October 13, 2014

Good afternoon!

Things here in Indiana are going pretty well, I think! The branch seems to be really excited, we were finally able to get the super solid family to church! I guess the branch didn't really think that they where as solid as we told them they were! And they said they really enjoyed church.  I was really worried that the small branch would turn them off, the kids anyways, but they seemed to enjoy it. Later in the day they actually went to a baptism in Muncie as well. It kind of worked out, they had family pictures in Muncie just before, so after pictures they just met us at the stake center. It was a good baptism too, it was in the YSA branch, her name is Fara; I can't even try to put her full name, she was actually muslim, I thin it was a super choice. She has been investigating the church for 2 years now, and she decided that this is what she needed to do. That has to be a scary thing to do! But anyways, it was a very good weekend! Guess what, Friday I even had the opportunity to go in a Nazarene Church! Yeah, it was pretty cool, Mike and Alisha (the Family) invited us to be their guests for the Preschool Fundraiser dinner there! But anyways, I'm doing well! Thanks for all you do, I hope all goes well this week! Love you Mom! and everyone!

Love Elder Jade Grover

P.S. So Jens is officially out of the country? Crazy, Crazy!!!

Indiana - October 6, 2014

Wasn't Conference Great? It's crazy to think that the next time I watch conference I will not be a Missionary, it's been so long, it will be weird watching it as a regular person! I probably will enjoy being able to watch it at home though, which will be weird too because out here we have to push really hard to get people to come to the church to watch it.  We do that to build more unity with the Branch, but we couldn't even get them to come when we had big lunch in between sessions on Sunday! The Branch president was frustrated with all those that still wouldn't come, but you only can do what you can do! So you don't know if Jens is going to Argentina or Oklahoma? That is pretty cool that he got set to go to a mission that was already part of the family missions, and then it makes it even funnier that his companion was going to Jesse's old mission, ha! It will be a cool experience either way. I don't think it's a bad thing to see how US missionary work is before you head out; but hey, I don't know because all I know is US missionary work! With the cross country thing, if I was there I would have a word with this coach, is Steve still coaching the boys?  Anyways, but for sure, I hope McKady is all pumped to have Coach Grover for the summer, it's going to be fun :) But yeah, anyways I haven't heard anything about plans of coming home, I guess it might be different here. When I killed off Elder Graff his plans came while I was with him, and that was his last transfer! That is so weird to me that Landon already has his! So, nothing from the mission ever, huh? Well, I guess you could try to get a hold of them. They are very nice, but very busy, numbers and stats are very big here! But yeah, I have no idea if how I'm getting home. I think I should be flying home about the 21st of January though, as to how the transfers line up! But anyways all is well here. Thanks for all you do, Love you Much!

Love, Elder Jade Grover

P.S. Candice's package made it safe, thank you!

And at the last minute . . .

Elder Grover's VISA went through!!!  So on October 6th, he boarded a plane, headed for Argentina!  We love you Jens!!!  Hope all goes well!

MTC - September 26, 2014

MTC - September 30, 2014

The MTC has gone way, way to fast! That is awesome that JD got to experience baptism, it is amazing, and I am sure you did great on your talk, mom!! So, well, I guess I will break the news now.. I didn't get my flight plans.. that is because I have not yet received my visa. Out of the 22 missionaries going to Argentina only 3 got their visas. So I got a reassignment. I guess I could not tell you and you would not know where Iam at.. ha;) You will never guess where I am going though . . . I am kinda excited, like a lot!  My companion is going to Sac town (Jesse's mission), I was so excited for him. You better have guessed where I am going by now. It is the most craziest experience I have ever had, it was like reopening my call again. And now I get to serve 2 missions. . . oh, and I didn't get the oils yet. I hope everything is okay there with the family. We are outside a lot - west campus is awesome. I will send pictures of where I do most of my studying. Oh, and they are closing west campus - we are the last ones that get to be here the whole 6 weeks. For exercise I go play volleyball, which is intense, I love it! And then recently we played soccer with elders from another district; it gets intense and I am getting better. I do work outs,  like push ups and stuff every morning, and you will be glad to know that I have the cleanest, most organized area. I guess all those years of you  getting after me are paying off finally. We have gone to the temple every week, it is awesome and I love it so much. Spanish is good, it will just take time. I am understanding more when someone is talking and when I read it. Oh, we need like more chips and salsa and powder donuts and any good food you can send. But remember, it isn't the last package I can receive because I will be in states for awhile. I can call on the day I fly out, but I don't know when that is yet because I still could get my visa in the next couple of days. So, are you still curious as to where I am going? Okay, I will tell you, Tulsa Oklahoma (Jordan's mission) . . . can you believe that? I am shocked still! I am so excited though!! God wants me there for some reason, I do not know it yet though. I will call when I fly out.  I love you mom, a lot, more than a lot! Peace be unto your soul for God loves you, and I promise you I am in the hollow of his hand.

Love Elder Grover

WEST CAMPUS

Isn't it beautiful?

Enjoying my time studying

And enjoying the company too, ha!

My companion and I with Sister Heidi Hiatt and her companion

Where in the world will I go to wait for my visa???

Ah man, Tulsa OK . . .

just kidding, I am so excited to go to Tulsa, OK!

My companion and I with our intermediate calls

Life is good!

Just waiting on visas . . . 

Indiana - September 29, 2014

Hello there Family!

Wops... I was planning on putting the address at the bottom of the my last Email :) I Guess I'll put it at the top of this one so I don't forget it again. You know if my head wasn't attached, I would have a hard time keeping track of that.

Address:

503 S. Main St. Apt.#4

Winchester, IN 47394

 

So yeah, things a going well, slowly getting used to this place, and boy, I thought Greenville was a small branch, well this little place has it beat! At least Winchester had a whole ton of less actives, well here there is a lot more less actives than actives! But it is crazy how much smaller it is. My companion is good, Elder Stradling, he most definitely keeps me on my toes! I don't know why I get put with these ADHD comps, but I guess it is just because I am just patient with them, now I wish I could believe that . . .but I'll keep telling myself that anyway! Anyways, he likes to work and talk to people, so that is good. We are working with an awesome family though, a couple with 3 daughters, ant they get all hyper when we come over. Alisha, the mother, claims us as part of the family. It was really cool the other night, we went over the plan of salvation with cut outs, and then their Grandma came in and the girls taught it to her, and she was very accepting of it, it was cool. Oh, and we are going to be able to go to the temple at the end of the month, so that is exciting. So if you wanted you could send my temple stuff out, but I also am going home soon so I can always just borrow a member's. But thank you so much for all you do, and continue to do, for me! Love you Mom!

Love Elder Jade Grover   

P.S. Man, they always go to the fun races after I can't run anymore!  Or awhile after anyway, but I would have loved a course like that!  That sounds way better than the parks they run in here . . . you just can't beat the west:)

MTC - September 23, 2014

Mi mama mucho ama para usted:) Thanks for the email, there is so much I want to say but I am not good at typing and my English is so bad right now - it is a mix of Spanglish. But mama, yo ama it here with all of my heart. Never have I felt so good and felt the spirit so strong. It is hard and stressful, but beyond amazing! I love waking up and putting on my name tag, it is a part of me and I never want to take it off. Thanks for the pictures, I hope McKady had fun playing powder puff.  That is so cool, would have been cooler if she got 12... Tell Mike if you get the chance that it is the scariest thing ever, but once you stop and think about it you realize how amazing it is and how much the spirit is here. So all but 2 elders in my district are going to the same mission, so si my companiero is going with me and we are great friends, ha! Like we are tight, and I am tight with everyone, I love it! So we will get our flight plans on Friday, so I am not sure what my schedule will be. This last week 5 elders that were going to Argentina got their plans and only 1 got his visa, so we will see. But I love you mom, and God loves you very much! I will write a letter to give you more details,  ha! Tell JD happy birthday. And send me addresses to my siblings so I can at least send letters on their birthdays. Oh, and send me their birthdays too. I love you mom, a lot, you are the best mom ever, and God is so proud of you. And I will send a letter, it is easier to write. I love you!

Love Elder Grover

Indiana - September 22, 2014

Good Morning!

Well I guess they can't decide whether God wants me in Ohio or Indiana! I actually was only moved a to a bordering area of my last one, just on the other side of the state line. It is a smaller branch, and at one time it was actually part of the Greenville branch, that was until they wanted Indiana in Indiana stakes and Ohio in Ohio stakes. But man I hate it, right when I get to like a place, I'm moved and all I want to to is go back to my last area! The weather changing probably isn't helping out either, but I guess that is just a part of life. I really wouldn't mind the hot and humid days to come back, and possibly to stay forever! Anyways, it sounds like its been a crazy week with high schoolers and all the fun they are around! That is super funny about Jesse saying the down stairs is just for boys, he is just a little jel-us, sorry don't know how to spell that :) But anyways, sounds fun! It is always so good to hear from you Mom, thanks for all you have done for me and do for me! I Love you! God be with you always!

Love Elder Jade Grover

Elder Grover saying goodbye to the nieces and nephews

These guys are going to miss their Uncle Jens!

MTC - September 16, 2014

Hola mama,

Life here is great! But I think I am putting on some weight... we don't have a scale on west campus, but I just know I am. But that is okay because the food is great. Tell Jesse congrats on the paper! That is very impressive! That is crazy that Mikell is already flying out. He will love it though, it is amazing. Just tell him not to get frustrated with Spanish, because it is frustrating. But I love Spanish, I cant wait until I can become fluent, it is so beautiful! Tell Jesse and JJ to practice all they can because it is an amazing gift to have, and to lose it would be very sad! Because I know the hours and hours I am putting in trying to learn it, and I don't ever want to forget it! But I can only learn it through the grace of God. He is so important mom, he really is. But it is great, me and my companion can teach a Spanglish lesson without notes, it is really fun! And I find myself understanding more and more of the language. But have a good week and have fun, tell everyone I love them. And mom, I love you so so so much, but I know God loves you more than I do!  And if you ever need help He will be there, I promise because I can testify to you that he helps me every second of every day!

Love Elder Grover

Ohio - September 15, 2014

Hello, Hello

Its good to hear things are good back at home, and that the other Elder Grover is getting along alright. He is in deep in his preparation to come into the mission field! I can remember, that place was so amazing! The spirit teaches you so much in so little time. But with it being preparation for the mission, its just like hat out here too! The ups and downs are all squashed in a shorter period time, but like keep saying, that is how we grow! He can't help us grow if we are in the comfort zone.  Right now he may think that 6 weeks seems like forever, but really 6 weeks comes and goes really fast! For example, this last transfer! Transfers are tomorrow and well, I'm moving again! One and done, I don't exactly know what to think! So this will be another week that I start from ground zero again. I didn't even get to know all the people very well here, I'm one that it takes me a little while to get everything down. Hopefully they will send someone in that can really get the work going here, its a wonderful little place with lots of potential! So yeah, I hope nobody sent anything recently; I did get the package from Amber and Dad's letter so we are good there. Thank you for all everyone does for me, it means the world! Love you Much!

Elder Jade Grover  

MTC - September 9, 2014

MTC life is beyond amazing! Like, I don't think I have ever been so happy because I know for a surety that my father in heaven loves me beyond compare, and I know that he loves you too! Alot! And he loves you even more now that you've let 2 of your sons be his servants! I love being a missionary! Like, I could be a missionary the rest of my life, because letting people know what I know and how happy it can make them, it is beyond compare! So I saw Brayden 3 times, but he flew out yesterday.. he is going to be an amazing missionary! And guess who showed up last week? Heidi Hiatt, it was so awesome to see her!  I guess she had a bad eye so they sent her here instead of Mexico. She is in west campus, so I see her every day! So I don't think I need anything right now. That is sad that Shaeli is coming home, she is missing out, but it is hard! Like the hardest thing I have ever done, but never has anything brought me so much joy! I love it! I couldn't imagine going home! But it is great, spanish is hard, really hard, and confusing, but I will get it someday:) I love it though, the language is beautiful! I keeping learning little different parts,  so it will come together. Say hi to everyone for me and tell them that I love them and that I remember all of them in my many many prayers. God loves you mom, very much, and so do I! I think of you a lot but I know this is where I am supposed to be! Love you a lot! This gospel  is true!! 

My Companion

The Sweet District