Stories: The Golden Family
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| In April 2000, I was transferred to the Billings Monad Ward. My new companion (Elder T. Spencer) was also new to the ward, therefore we were slow in finding investigators to teach. We earnestly prayed to find somebody to teach and baptize.
Just a few days after our arrival to the ward, we received a media referral. Somebody wanted the Lamb of God video. Having delivered many of these, I assumed that it would be unlikely that this person would want to receive the missionary lessons.
I pretty much had the attitude: "Come on, elder, let's get this over with." We grabbed a video and headed to the address.
As we entered the driveway, I saw a woman standing in the front yard. I don't know what she was doing, but when she saw us, she only smiled, waved, and then beckoned to us. "Oh please come in!" she said.
We went inside the house, and she immediately had us sit in the living room. She sat opposite of us and exclaimed: "Okay! Begin!"
I was pretty taken aback (to say the least). Had we come to the right house? Never in my mission experience had somebody so readily wanted us to teach them. I recalled the name from the media referral sheet, "Are you Trish Grau?" I asked.
She smiled, "That's me!" She was so genuinely happy. In fact, she told us how she had requested the video for her family and had been anxiously awaiting our arrival.
The next several weeks seem a blur. We were introduced to the Grau family [John, Trish, Alexandra and Caitlyn] and began teaching them the missionary lessons. The Spirit was so strongly felt within their home: it bore witness to them that the lessons we taught we true! As always, there were obstacles to overcome, but John and Trish tackled them head-on! It seemed that they knew gospel's truth, and they would be blessed for their obedience in following the Lord.
It was equally amazing to see the Monad ward welcome this family. The ward mission leader had once told me: "We have a 100% retention rate." I only looked at him: surely he must've been joking. But seeing the members friendship and fellowship left my doubts and disbeliefs in the dust!
There have been many great moments in my life. Yet it seems so many great moments have been experienced with the Grau family. I'll never forget the times spent teaching them. Getting to know each of them, and coming to love their family. Being privileged to see their family baptized. Learning that John had received the priesthood. Witnessing the Graus being sealed in the temple. Hearing that Trish had been called as a stake missionary.
The Graus were so thankful to have Elder Spencer and I become a part of their lives, but it seemed that we were thankful that the Lord had permitted us to become a part of theirs. |
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