Monday, October 27, 2014

October 20, 2014


QI don't really know what to say. Most important, I am getting transferred. Leaving the branch here in Indy. ): New address:
Also, don't really understand why but I've also been called to be a District Leader. It's crazy to think there are only two Spanish Elders with more time than me in the mission, and they both leave in 6 weeks. So I guess I should have seen this coming, and to be honest, I did.
I don't wanna leave the City, at all. Like not one single bit of me is sick of being here. 8 and a half months and I could stay here for the rest of my mission. I don't know how it happened but my heart found its home here. Totally cried like a baby last night thinking of walking into a new chapel next week and not seeing all those familiar faces...... I'd say it's bitter sweet because that's what people always say but I can't find the sweet. Texted all the members Goodbye this morning and the love I received back was just so humbling and made me so so grateful. Giovanna told me "Tu sabes que Dios te manda para alla por una buena razon. Tu pronto lo sabr
ás." And I realize that she's right. So I guess that can be the sweet. Knowing that God has a purpose for me to go where I am going. Someone needs ME. Crazy.
Don't really feel like a long analysis of my week because it was just a lot of goodbyes and sadness so I'll give kinda a few thoughts of departing these people.
Catarina. Was at church again. We've already established how devastating my departure will be there. She's an amazing and I have complete faith that I will come back to see her baptized one day. Whether in my mission or later on. She can do it. She knows it.
My boy Karim is sick. We put him on a date for December 13th and he was at church Sunday. He's adorable. In a lesson he randomly asked his mom "How many steps is it to school?" And she said "Depends how fast you walk" and he went "OOOOOHHHHHH" like it was such a new, profound concept. Little boss man. We gave him a BOM Storybook with homework to read chapter one by Tuesday. An hour later his mom told me that he already read it and can't wait for us to be there again on Tuesday. Love ya little man!
That's pretty much the only two I feel like talking about.
There was a specialized training for Trainers/Trainess in their first transfer last week, so I didn't go but someone told me something super funny that happened. So apparently they were all roleplaying lessons and recording them on a bunch of iPads and then President picked a few to plug in to the TV big screen for everyone to watch a few. He pulled one up and saw a sister had taken a bunch of selfies on one of the iPads and he gets in front of everyone and says "Well Sister, the only person in the mission who takes more selfies than you is Elder Groseclose!" HAHAHAHAHAHAHA PRES CALLED ME OUT!!!
So that's pretty much the week. Completely different life all over again starting Wednesday. 
LOVE YOU ALL.
-Elder Jeffrey Aaron Groseclose
talk about hardest thing ever. i love this branch man.....
first off my two absolute favorites. #squad all 3 of us getting split up ): markward and latu
Norma my first baptism had another baby this week :)
my ton-toni <3 :)
Suri, Jose, Josefina
Bretters! #byu
love love love this district.
latu and i with random asian guy haaaaa
KARIIIIIIIIM!!!!
Thug Gangsta Catarina man.
Ana y Ethan
Fernandez
Schoenemaaaaaan!
LATU
Meza fam.
VanHaren and ERob
Elder Barrio goes home tomorrow!
Coranguez
Maricela
Garcias
Hno Jones
Hno Orellana
Hno Oliva





October 27, 2014

I don't even really have the motivation to write a lot.
I don't have the motivation to write anything at all actually..... Awkward.....

I'm District Leader in Elkhart like I knew I would be. Transfers are so predictable. 

Not sure how long I'll be here. Probably 1, 2, or 3 transfers. Don't see it going beyond that seeing as I only have 4 left after this one. Weird.

I'd LOVE to get out of here before the hellacious winter that's on it's way. Why do I gotta be up north for the winter again? Laaaame. 

Sorry this message sucks. I just got here and don't know anyone but apparently all the members remember me even though I was only here for 6 weeks the last time. THAT'S COOL.

We'll see what this week brings. Should be a very interesting one. Haha.


My last night in White River ))))))): Saying bye to the Branch by having a huge game of chair soccer!!
so much love man. so much love.
Goodbye to my favorite Elders )=
Drivin' up with my main man from White River!
MEXICO.
fall in elkhart 
black squirrel.
romero family :)
lol





October 13, 2014

I'm just so grateful. For everything. One last week here in the White River coming up. Never want to leave this branch. Heavy heart. Haven't even got transfer calls yet but assistants made it pretty clear to me that after 8 months here, I am going to be leaving. ): It's crazy how much you can grow to love something that didn't even exist to you so little time ago.
Have a song with the lyrics "Not alone, brother by my side." Such sick lyrics. We really do ALWAYS have our brother at our side.

The Relief Society is having an activity called "Witches Night". You better believe all the men were loving the name for it hahahah. It's because Noche de Brujas is how they say Halloween but it translates to Witches Night. hehehe.

On Monday, Arturo and Ana from my first area came up to visit. We went out to, of course, Mexican Food and is was so nice to be with them. Love them.
We then went by and talked with Josefina and I read her my notes from conference.

Tuesday was really weird because it just was..... We taught Sofia y Manuela. Manuela is old and can't see so she tried to get us to legit mug someone and steal their glasses and she said if we did then she would read the BOM...... So about 5 weeks we found out about a less-active with a step-son who wants to get baptized. We have tried many times to set up appointments and never could so I decided to just go by. We were let right in and taught him. His name is Karim. He is SICK. I love the kid so so much! Hoping to set a date with him this week. After Karim we went by Jaime's house and told him about General Conference and what happened at it and encouraged him to watch a talk. He was grilling chicken and elotes so we got some to eat too ;) :D Tender Mercy of Tuesday: Was biking through Downtown and passed a sports bar and saw the Dodgers-Cardinals game. It was 2-0 Dodgers and I said "I'm gonna watch a pitch" and right then I saw the Cardinals get a 3-Run HR and go up 3-2 over the nasty Dodgers and knock them out of the playoffs. TENDER MERCIES OF TIMING!!!

Wednesday we got together as a Zone and got to see Meet The Mormons. My second time and I enjoyed it again :P Went by Catarina's and it was good. Had some Arroz con Leche and Bisteces. Then went to visit Orlando and man...... did it turn out weird. We spent about an hour and a half in their house and it was: Us, 2 Pentecostals, A Catholic, and someone searching for a church all in room discussing many religious points. It was crazy hahaha. Ended the night going by Josefina's and sharing something with her daughter and daughter's boyfriend.

Thursday we taught a lot of people again. In terms of what we actually did, nothing exciting. We just went around teaching and I played soccer with some random kids in a park

Friday. Oh my heck. Well first we had Zone Meeting and that was a really pleasant experience as usual. We taught Yahir after and she is super cool and I wish I was staying longer because she has a lot of potential. We went by Marta's house for dinner and the other Elders were late and so she was frustrated and hungry so she left before they arrived and she took us to Golden Corral and ditched the other Elders..... lol. Friday night we taught Catarina..... oh my sad. That lesson SO SAD. So I wanted to prep Catarina for the idea of my leaving in two weeks and she took it so hard. She was bawling BAWLING during the prayer, BEGGING for me to stay. She says if I leave, she's gonna give up. UGH, it was so hard. She calls me "Papa Espiritual" aka her Spiritual Dad.... haha. She is so sensitive to the spirit and I wish I could stay for her. She is SO ready to make the steps necessary.

Saturday was nothing special.

Sunday. Catarina came to church and I was asked to give a talk on scripture study. The members were raving that it was a good talk so that's good :D  Had dinner after with the Garcias. We had yummy Sopes! The night ended with Why I Believe and it was wonderful!

That's pretty much my week. We taught a lot and worked hard. One more week here in the City. I love it here. I don't want to leave so I need to leave it behind with no regrets!

Love you all!!! 7 months :)

-Elder Groseclose
Saw Arturo and Ana and family <3 (convert from first area!)
I'm probably getting transferred so started the goodbye pics this sunday....
gettin my game on
Catarina y Jesus




October 6, 2014

Another week down. Hit 16 months yesterday. Weird weird weird.

The week, to say the absolute least, has been a crazy one with very little missionary work actually done o_o

So Monday we started exchanges. Went to the other area where I served before and it was super fun! We had dinner with Hna. Lyons and Isamari and it was super fun and man the two of them are just so awesome with the story and everything.

Wednesday we had a Spanish Conference in Kokomo. It was just some trainings and we got to watch Meet The Mormons after. It was super fun and I loved it! If you have a chance (if it's near you in theatres) check it out! After the trainings, we went to a Mexican Restaurant and I asked if they'd be able to play the Giants Wild-Card game and when they said yes, we totally ate there. Got to see the GRAND SLAM right before I left. #LetsGoGiants #OctobersShouldAlwaysBeBLACKANDORANGE

Thursday, a family I know from back home (The Olsen's) came through Indy on a church history trip and took us out to lunch. It was crazy seeing someone I knew and also super nice! 7 and a half months left until all that normal life stuff. Crazzzzzzzy. 

Friday I don't even remember but we taught Catarina! Scratch that, I remember. We also went to Maria's for a message and then ended up cooking her dinner. :)

Saturday and Sunday were General Conference so it was like that. That's pretty much the week!

Love you all!
Elder Groseclose!!!!

lets go giants!!!
#generalconferencemonopoly
Peeps from my hometown
made a tennis court in my house ha
saw the members i lived with in my first area! love the nehrings!
giants gameeeee
mexi food... kinda.