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 :)

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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!

Shauna's Farewell Talk

The time has come for Shauna's farewell talk next Sunday! February 23rd at the Bayshore Building (5899 Bayshore Drive, Stansbury Park, Utah) at 12 pm before she leaves for Costa Rica for the next 18 months on a mission. All are welcome to come from any faith.