Family and Christmas

Erik Gray's journals

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Written by Erik January 2017

Family Christmas party: because Christmas was with the married in-laws this year, we had the Gray family Christmas party on the 29^th of December. 

We did white elephant gifts and a talent show. My white elephant gift had a bunch of candy and a pineapple stress ball, silly string, and lots of other cool stuff. It was my turn to decide how to exchange. 

(Talent Show) We were welcome to stand up and cheer and just have a good time. I played the Lava song on the Ukele for my talent in the talent show. Allie has it recorded. Everyone had really fun talents and they were very creative.  

Click on the link:

The Lava Song with Errrrrik

Now that word can get out, Ashley and Hayden are expecting a baby and I think they are going to make great parents.  From what I can see, their lives are really in order, they have enough saved up for a car payment, baby expenses, house, etc.  I think this experience will only make them grow together.  I wonder if I will be able to meet baby Hawks before they do?

Friendsmas:  A few days after Christmas, Steph Faussett organized a get together with friends with dinner, a white elephant, and tons and tons of ncmos (haha just seeing if you are all listening and still awake).  I got a mixer from Jessica Dickison.  When I was driving home I almost got hit.  Shout-out to Dad for his teaching me to drive in the snow. 

Friends-mas
Thankful for friends who always make any night, especially NYE, a good time. I've been blessed with so many wonderful people I call my best friends- and not just those pictured. Happy 2017! #NonAlcoholicSparklingCider #YOLO — with Merrick Taylor, Taylor Celeste Taylor, Jessica Savage Jones, Alex Jones, Stephanie Fausett, Jordan Reardon, Connor Hugh, JaCoy Blackner, Markell Burt, Shay Manley Clark and Disha Kansagra.

Screenshots!

Erik Gray's Journals

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Screenshots from his phone

Baptism

Erik Gray's Journals

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a blog post draft

written August 30, 2015

When I served in the temple, I really was able to see the value and importance of family history, specifically of completing temple ordinances for those who are deceased.

From churchofjesuschrist.org

Jesus Christ taught that baptism is essential to the salvation of all who have lived on earth (see John 3:5). Many people, however, have died without being baptized. Others were baptized without proper authority. Because God is merciful, He has prepared a way for all people to receive the blessings of baptism. By performing proxy baptisms in behalf of those who have died, Church members offer these blessings to deceased ancestors. Individuals can then choose to accept or reject what has been done in their behalf.

Jesus Christ said, "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God". Even Jesus Christ Himself was baptized."

Until next time,

Keep Running.

Anxious

Erik Gray's Journals

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Written February 1, 2017

Ethan (hospice) said something to the sort of that people on the other side are sorta anxious... they WANT to go to the temple! 

They're without their bodies, at least for a little while, and they SO want to go to the temple. 

So just think of how lucky I am to have that opportunity, BTEW.... am I marking my time on the earth worth it? I should take advantage of the opportunity to even Go to the temple.

I mean, I'm not gonna go every single day... there still needs to be some sort of balance. 
But still. Go often. I'm shooting for once a week, but twice a week isn't that much of an effort. ;) I just hate feeling like a burden since I can't drive to St George and back. 

But what do you do!?!

Kindness makes this world a better place

Erik Gray's Journals

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Written January 28, 2017

Today was awesome!! I was still on a spiritual high after yesterday. Still can't get over how amazing of an experience Vernal temple was. 

So we woke up and Dad and J and I went next door for breakfast- it was a voucher for a breakfast buffet at JB's and the food was top-top-notch. We asked if we could take a plate back for mom in bed and they more than happy to give us a to-go box. 

People are really nice!! 

I think you should ALWAYS be kind to others... not necessarily go out of your way and tip 3x's more than you should every time, but you know what I mean? 

If people are generally nice and treat each other well this world would be such a better place I think.

God is Good

Erik Gray's Journals

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Written May 22, 2013

Some of the dreams/feelings I've had:

At Ronnie Passey's [missionary] farewell in November, I had a feeling, a strong feeling that what Ronnie was doing, serving a mission, was what I needed to do and I knew from then on that I will serve a mission some day! The next story was while I was in the hospital for the infection, (January 2013) when everyone was there, Hayden told me about a dream he had a few nights before.  He saw me wearing a missionary name tag.  He doesn't know where I was, but he said, "Erik, you get to serve!" :) Neat, huh?  

The last story is a dream I had last week.  In my dream, I was opening my mission call, and was trying really hard to not read and peek ahead, but I did see the word "Buenos" and was confused at first, but read it.  In my dream, I was called to the "Buenos Arias Argentina West" mission.  I don't know if that was a glimpse into my future, but it did give me comfort. Guess we'll see, sometime.??? I looked up the mission name the next day and that mission does really exist.  I remember that Harmony Anderson got called to Argentina, and looked on Facebook, and she is going to Buenos Arias West.  So maybe it was just a dream from that, or maybe it was a "vision" of my future.  Guess I'll just have to trust in the Lord and see what happens? 

But no matter what, God is good. He really is.  And he really is watching out for me.  I know that the reason I have trials is because I can grow from them, And I honestly am grateful I've been through what I've been through, because of my growth.  I'm still growing.  I'm excited to see what the Lord has planned for me.  And honestly, I'm looking forward to returning to Him again.  I LOVE the gospel!!!