Returned to the USA due to the Corona Virus

I made it home safe and sound on Sunday afternoon. But I will give you the back story of how all of this chaos came to be. On Friday night my district was told that everyone was going to be sent home from the CCM in Mexico City. They said they did not know when but it would be by April 3rd. We were all very upset (how could you not be?) to learn of this change. It was a hard night for all of us, but also a night of bonding. A night I can never forget. As we went to bed my companion and I shared some tender thoughts and scriptures together as we cried. As hard as the night was, it was a highlight. During my time in the CCM the time I felt the spirit the strongest was Friday night with my companion alone in our apartment. It was very clear to us that God has a plan and that he knows how much our hearts are aching. 

So we wake up on Saturday morning, just like any other day. 6:30 am, a light workout, a jog back to the apartments, breakfast. Nothing out of the ordinary. We stopped by the computer lab to tell our families what was in our inevitable futures. As our first Spanish class of the day began we told our teacher, Hermano Munguia, what we had been told, he was shocked (seriously no one had told him that everyone at the CCM was going to be sent home within 2  weeks). Just then a woman walked into our classroom and told us that we had 1 hour to pack...that was the worst moment. We expected to have at least 2 more weeks. We went to pack and waited a few hours before being told that we were not leaving that day and we would probably leave on Monday or Tuesday. That night my companion and I were woken up to a violent pounding on the door. It was 1:44 am and this lady told us we were leaving and to bring our stuff down. Now, we have returned home.

In Mosiah Abinadi is preaching to King Noah and his priest's. In chapter 10 verse 9 it says "He is the light and the life of the world: yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened..." how true is this? In all the chaos of the world that is happening today what is one thing that cannot and will not be made dark? The light of Christ. He is the light of the world. And he can never be darkened for he is the most glorious being. Jesus Christ lives. He is my light in this dark world. He is my light when I feel alone. He is the light that we all need at a time like this.

This was obviously not at all what I had in mind when I thought of the first 2 weeks of my mission. My MTC training will continue tomorrow with my teachers from Mexico City via group face-time with my district. I want everyone to that that even if I never get to make it to Costa Rica it will not matter because the message I want to share is meant for everyone. Not just those in Costa Rica. Just because our mission call is changing does not mean that the message of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ has. 

Here are a few photos of my last few moments in Mexico City.

My cute district

Happy Birthday Elder Sommer!!

Heading Home

The sweetest people in the whole world came and decorated my room before I got home. What good people we have in this world! Thank you Katrina, Nate, Briuanna, Aniah, and Katy

A not very "typical" missionary homecoming, just my mom at the airport. 

Thank you to everyone for your words of encouragement and prayers at this time. My thoughts and prayers are with those who are experiencing the same things with me. I hope you all have the best week :) 

--

Hermana Graves!!

Shauna Is Coming Home Due To the CoronaVirus Pandemic!

2 weeks ago Shauna left for the Mexico City MTC...the world got sick...she and thousands of missionaries were sent home as a precaution to keep them safe. She was devastated to hear she may not get to go to Costa Rica. Only time will tell. I am so sad she couldn't stay yet so glad to have her here. My emotions contradict themselves.

Corona Virus - Hand Washing - Face Masks - 1st Companion = Hermana Holloway

Here is the email I am sure you are all dying to read 

It has officially been 8 days since we arrived in Mexico City. And we have not had one second to just stop and breathe. Every minute of every hour of every day we are in classes. Spanish classes, teaching classes, gospel classes, and when we get lucky we get to have a decent amount of time for personal study. It is nonstop "Go, go, go" 24/7! But we are having so much fun here!

So as you all know my compañera's name is Hermana Holloway. She is from Denver, Colorado. We have lots in common so that is a blessing for sure. We bonded very quickly over our mutual love for Disney, Les Miserables, and Phantom of the Opera. She has such a sweet spirit and is very talented at Spanish. I admire her a lot for that. In our apartment we have 3 rooms, each meant for 2 people (obviously) and Hermana Holloway and I are alone in our apartment without a single other person. But that is okay because we get to just blast MoTab as loud as we want and no one can complain.

I hope everyone is doing well in the midst of the CoronaVirus. It is very interesting because here in the CCM everyone is afraid of getting the virus (or any illness really) so we have been taking extra precautions by washing our hands like 15 times a day and some of the Elders and Hermanas wear face masks while walking around campus. Very adventurous around here. We have been instructed to leave the cafeteria immediately after we finish our meals, so we cannot linger and talk, we can no longer watch the MTC devotionals with all the other missionaries, just with our branches in the rooms we have church, and let's be real, there is probably something else I totally forgot about 

I am sure everyone is curious to how I am feeling about Spanish. Well my friends, I can tell you this. It is going to be a process for me. I am going to have to put in a lot of hard work. But with God ALL things are possible. And with God, my weak things will become strong. 

I hope everyone has the most wonderful week! I love you all! You are each in my prayers everyday. 

See y'all in a quick 7 days.

Love,

Hermana Graves

Me and Hermana Dredge day 1 at the CCM!!

All of the cute Hermana's that are heading to Costa Rica San Jose West

Your typical white girl sister missionary selfie

Picture 5- Hermana Holloway after lights out but still writing in her journal

Heading out to do laundry today :)

While doing laundry today Hermana Holloway bumped an empty washing machine and started it on accident and there was no cancel button...so this was the immediate reaction to the awkward event.

Mom and Dad sent me a package with my favorite chocolate! Thank you Mom and Dad!!!!!

Arrived Safely In Mexico

Hola friends and family! I just arrived at the CCM in Mexico City! All is well and my travel went good. Safe to say this is a beautiful country and I wont mind at all spending a few weeks here! :) My companion is Hermana Holloway, who I have not met yet, but I am sure she is great. My preparation days will be on Wednesdays while I am here in Mexico City. Talk to you all soon. Have a great week :)

--

Hermana Graves!!

Headed for the Mexico MTC

Saying goodbye to a missionary child is one of the hardest things we've ever done. 

Thoughts Of Family - A Full-Time Missionary

I was just set apart as a full-time missionary. I am so excited to leave in the morning for my mission! I wanted to just take a minute and spotlight each one of my family members.
To my Dad, Thank you for being my protector my whole life. Thank you for always showing me the true love of a father. Thank you for teaching me that I have a heavenly father and that he loves me. I love you.
To my Mom, Thank you for being my road trip buddy and my adventure buddy. The countless trips to In-N-Out and Olive Garden. I love you.
To Taylor, Thank you for being there for me always. I will forever be grateful to you for being the best example of a Christlike individual. I love you.
To Shannon, Thank you for marrying my brother. Thank you for always being there to take me to walmart, to the doctors, or assist me in my secret plans.  You are a blessing and a wonderful person. I love you.
To Jake, Thank you for making endless memories with me. Being in classes together in Idaho mean so much to me and I will miss that so much. Thank you for inviting me to read the scriptures in spanish with you.:) I love you.
To Sammi, I cannot wait for you to officially be my sister. Thank you for being your kind bubbly self and for an endless supply of hugs. You truly are a light in this world and I am so happy Jake found you. I love you.
To Amber, I adore you so much. Thank you for being the world's best sister. Thank you for every memory we have together. You are going to be the words most amazing mom. I can't imagine anyone else being a better mom. I love you.
To Colton, Thank you for being the most genuinely kind person I know. You have been a blessing in my life. You are nothing short of an amazing man. I love you.

Good luck in the next little while with all of the adventures coming your way so soon. Love you all.

Leaving For Mexico This Week!

I leave on Tuesday for the Mexico City missionary training center! I'll be sending out weekly emails while I'm serving in Costa Rica. Please send me a message or put your email in the comments if you would like me to add you to my email list!