Erik Gray's journals

#journalgems

written by Erik, September 2015

A Hallelujah Christmas--- by Cloverton
(Sixth verse by Erik Gray)

VERSE ONE

I've heard about this baby boy
Who's come to earth to bring us joy
And I just want to sing this song to you
It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
With every breath I'm singing Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelu-u-ujah.

 

VERSE TWO

A couple came to Bethlehem
Expecting child, they searched the inn
To find a place for You were coming soon
There was no room for them to stay
So in a manger filled with hay
God's only Son was born, oh Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelu-u-ujah.

 

VERSE THREE

The shepherds left their flocks by night
To see this baby wrapped in light
A host of angels led them all to You
It was just as the angels said
You'll find Him in a manger bed
Immanuel and Savior, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelu-u-ujah.

  

VERSE FOUR

A star shown bright up in the east
To Bethlehem, the wisemen three
Came many miles and journeyed long for You
And to the place at which You were
Their frankincense and gold and myrrh
They gave to You and cried out Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelu-u-ujah.

 

VERSE FIVE

I know You came to rescue me
This baby boy would grow to be
A man and one day die for me and you
My sins would drive the nails in You
That rugged cross was my cross, too
Still every breath You drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelu-u-ujah.

 

VERSE SIX

Three days after you would die,
An empty tomb, a woman’s cry
“Why weepest thou?” You said to her with love
She smiled as she saw You stand,
All glory shining through the land
A resurrected King, praise Hallelujah!
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelu-u-ujah.

A Hallelujah Christmas Guitar Chords

VERSE ONE

I've heard about this baby boy
G                                   Em

Who's come to earth to bring us joy
G                                            Em

And I just want to sing this song to you
       C                       D                       G         D

It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
    G                            C                 D

The minor fall, the major lift
       Em                      C

With every breath I'm singing Hallelujah
          D                            D7                 Em

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelu-u-ujah.
        C                 Em              C                   G    D   G

(Em   G    Em ----between verses)

VERSE TWO

A couple came to Bethlehem
G                              Em

Expecting child, they searched the inn
     G                               Em

To find a place for You were coming soon
      C                          D                            G         D

There was no room for them to stay
            G                            C             D

So in a manger filled with hay
     Em                 C

God's only Son was born, oh Hallelujah
            D                     D7                 Em

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelu-u-ujah.
        C                 Em              C                   G    D   G

(Em   G    Em ----between verses)

VERSE THREE

The shepherds left their flocks by night
        G                                 Em

To see this baby wrapped in light
      G                     Em

A host of angels led them all to You
    C                        D                   G          D

It was just as the angels said
    G                        C           D

You'll find Him in a manger bed
           Em                  C

Immanuel and Savior, Hallelujah
    D                     D7        Em

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelu-u-ujah.
        C                 Em              C                   G    D   G

(Em   G    Em ----between verses)

VERSE FOUR

A star shown bright up in the east
    G                                   Em

To Bethlehem, the wisemen three
      G                          Em

Came many miles and journeyed long for You
           C                           D                                G D

And to the place at which You were
        G                         C                D

Their frankincense and gold and myrrh
          Em                          C

They gave to You and cried out Hallelujah
          D                           D7                     Em

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelu-u-ujah.
        C                 Em              C                   G    D   G

(Em   G    Em ----between verses)

VERSE FIVE

I know You came to rescue me
  G                                Em

This baby boy would grow to be
        G                           Em

A man and one day die for me and you
    C                             D                         G      D

My sins would drive the nails in You
       G                                  C           D

That rugged cross was my cross, too
          Em                                C

Still every breath You drew was Hallelujah
        D                     D7                              Em

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelu-u-ujah.
        C                 Em              C                   G    D   G

(Em   G    Em ----between verses)

 

VERSE SIX

Three days after you would die,
G                            Em

An empty tomb, a woman’s cry
      G                         Em

“Why weepest thou?” You said to her with love
           C                                    D                          G D

She smiled as she saw You stand,
        G                      C             D

All glory shining through the land
      Em                  C

A resurrected King, praise Hallelujah!
    D                   D7                          Em

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelu-u-ujah.
        C                 Em              C                   G    D   G 

Socially Acceptable

 

From Erik's photo files
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My Favorite Scripture

 

#JournalGems
BIO of Erik he wrote for himself (FOR A VIDEO)
Written by Erik Fall 2016

My name is Erik Gray.

Two weeks before I turned 16, I was diagnosed with stage IV salivary gland cancer. The cancer was mainly in the layers of skin in my neck. Over the next six years, I battled cancer off and on. It returned about 3 or so times, I lose track. At one point, it spread to my jaw bone, and we removed my fibula to replace that part of my jaw.
I've underwent 11 surgeries (including biopsies), 3 rounds of radiation, and I'm currently on my third round of chemo.

At the age of 22, I've been through a lot. Its been the biggest trial of my life. I've had to give some things up. I took a semester off, twice, and had to leave my favorite job at an ice cream store. I served a year-long mission-- in which I had to put it on pause while I spent six months on chemo.

However, if it weren't for having cancer, I never would've chosen my current major. I never would have transferred universities and met so many amazing people.

I don't wish cancer upon ANYONE! I do wish people could see life the way I see it, because having cancer has taught me so many things: Life is SO good.
Happiness is a choice.
God. Is. Real.

Sometimes it's easy to think "Why was I given this trial?" But I've learned that I should be grateful... which may not make sense: I'm grateful that God loves me enough to give me these trials. I'm grateful that He wants to test me... to see how I can learn and grow from this. Hopefully to one day, become just like him.

Heavenly Father loves us so much. He cares about everything we will ever go through. His son, our brother, Jesus Christ performed the Atonement so that we never have to feel anything alone. He will help us and lift us up when we need it. My favorite scripture is Isaiah 40:31... "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." However detrimental my trials may be, God is there. And one day I'll get to look into my Savior's eyes and say, "Thank you... I couldn't have done it without you." And that is what keeps me going.

Love My Life

 #journalgems
Facebook post on February 10, 2017
From a friend of Erik's- 

I first heard this song while I was living in Spain and broke down because of how much it reminded me of Erik Gray. And myself (of course.) It's been in my head the last three days, and now it's permanently his. I hope we can keep his light in our lives :)

"Find the others with hearts like yours. Run far, run free. I'm with you."

Erik would love this song! He loved life!

Youtube link: "Love My Life" by Robbie Williams

Love My Life

Robbie Williams

Tether your soul to me
I will never let go completely
One day your hands will be
Strong enough to hold me

 

I might not be there for all your battles
But you'll win them eventually
I pray that I'm giving you all that matters
So one day you'll say to me

 

I love my life
I am powerful
I am beautiful
I am free

 

I love my life
I am wonderful
I am magical
I am me
I love my life

 

I am not my mistakes
And God knows, I've made a few
I started to question the angels
And the answer they gave was you

 

I cannot promise there won't be sadness
I wish I could take it from you
But you'll find the courage to face the madness
And sing it because it's true

 

I love my life
I am powerful
I am beautiful
I am free

 

I love my life
I am wonderful
I am magical
I am me

I love my life

Find the others
With hearts
Like yours
Run far, run free
I'm with you

 

I love my life
I am powerful
I am beautiful
I am free

 

I love my life
I am wonderful
I am magical
I am me

 

I love my life
I am powerful
I am beautiful
I am free

 

I love my life
I am wonderful
I am magical
I am me
I love my life

 

And finally
I'm where I want to be

People are People

 

Erik Gray's journals

#journalgems

written by Erik Jan 2017

I think working at Lowe’s
really helped show me that you can be friends 
with anyone- no matter 
how old and 
no matter what circumstance in life we are in. 
People are people 
and friends can be made 
anywhere.
  J  

But Still, Go Often

Written by Erik
#journalgems
February 1, 2017

Today was awesome! I had a great day! A great last few days actually. Nothing new and exciting the last two days, but just continuing to learn... continuing to feel such a desire to do the gospel things. I think it's because I am more in tune with the things that really DO matter. :) 

When hospice nurse Ethan was over here yesterday, we talked about STGT (St George Temple). I've had such a stronger desire to just spend my time doing righteous things and the things that matter most! And it feels good. :) I also told him about my temple bucket list ideas! I think he thinks in just like the the most adventurous crazy guy ever! Hahaha. When I asked, " So guess what's next on my bucket list?" He chuckled and shook his head and was like, "Oh no.... what?" Hahahahahaha 

So I told him about the triple crown. And also about taking a name through the  ENTIRE series of ordinances in one day. He thought that was neat. :) we also talked about how much I really do just WANT TO GO TO THE TEMPLE! :) Ethan 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, BTW.... 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!

Trying Years From the Eyes of a Fifteen-Year-Old

 

Essay written by Erik, 2014

Southern Utah University

#journalgems

Erik Gray

Southern Utah University

Examining Adolescence: Looking at the

Trying Years From the Eyes of a Fifteen-Year-Old

For many years, adolescence has been classified as a period of physical and emotional growth, intense moodiness, and emotional sensitivity. In my twenty years of life, I can think back and easily say that adolescence was the hardest part of it. I grew a lot, but it was difficult, stressful, and emotionally worrisome. Given the option, I would easily choice to never relive those years of my life again. My brother, Justin Gray, is a 15-year-old freshman at Cedar High School in Cedar City, Utah. I interviewed him about some of the aspects of adolescence, which brought back many memories of my own. From that interview, I realized that both Justin and I experienced a lot of the same feelings and worries. The worries of adolescence isn’t unique to just a small group of people, but a large majority. Three concepts I’d like to discuss are the having a mentor, the idea of an imaginary audience, and the “storm and stress” of adolescence.

As the youngest of five, Justin has older siblings to look to. He said that having a mentor really help: when he is faced with a problem, he asks his older siblings, who at least one has gone through the same situation or something similar. When he has a question about what girls like (be it as simple as a shirt, or as deep as how to act around her), or even what he should with all his football gear, he says that it is great to have older siblings who have gone through the same time period in his life. Just as good as it is for any person, regardless of age, to have a mentor, it really puts things in perspective and some of his seemingly complicated problems are solved instantly (Gray, 2014).

A large majority of adolescents worry that they have an “imaginary audience.” Justin said that he “always feel like everybody watches everything he does,” even if no one is watching. He also said that as selfish as it sounds, people worry the most about themselves and think that they matter the most (Gray, 2014). The concept of an imaginary audience ties into a deeper concept: adolescent egocentrism, one’s feeling that they are the center of attention (Belsky, 2013). Imagine that you are in a lunchroom, walking to your seat, when all of sudden, you fall, spilling food on yourself and the floor. Would everyone around look at you? Most likely. In likeness, adolescents have many changes coming their way. Because they feel and look different, I believe that is why they have the feeling of this egocentrism.

Adolescence has been characterized as the stage of “storm and stress” when G. Stanley hall first identified it in 1904 (Belsky, 2013). Justin nodded his head in obvious approval when he first heard this statement. He says that it is a tough time, and that because of this storm and stress, people seem to be more sensitive. “People just take things way too seriously” (Gray, 2014). In addition, Justin stated that he, and many others he has noticed, are in the time of storm and stress. Everything seems to be a bigger issue for that age group than should be. Life seems to be in utter chaos compared to the easy years of elementary school.

In conclusion, adolescence is a pretty trying and difficult time for a lot of people. Having a mentor helps keep things in perspective, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that adolescents always feel like the world is constantly staring and watching them or that adolescence is a time of storm and stress. Things can be confusing and sometimes life can seem to be in total chaos. But amidst all the confusion and change, it is a hope that teenagers come out of adolescence ready to face the world, using the experience they have had and the change they have made to become better people. Yes, adolescence is a trying time, but as one of my favorite quotes states, a sailing ship can’t move forward without a little wind.

References

Belsky, J. (2013). Experiencing The Lifespan (Third ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers. Retrieved April 10, 2014

Gray, J. (2014, March 6). (E. Gray, Interviewer)

The Ordinances Therein are All The Same

An email excerpt to Scott Young (cousin) 
from ERIK written Febrary 2, 2017
#journal gems

 Elder Young!!!!!

.........YES Scott! I have now been to every UTAH temple! We went over to southeastern utah to go to the Monticello Temple and did a session there about 3 weeks ago. And just last weekend we went out to Vernal and did both baptisms and a session there. It was such a neat experience! I'll throw in some pics. It was soooooo cool. I love that although these temples are different and all unique, the ordinances therein are all the same. :) I LOOOOOOOOVE THE TEMPLE SO MUCH. I'm such a temple nerd and junkie ;) I could spend every day there.

Okay so I'm feeling good. :) I'd say about 85-90% overall. Don't worry about me. Really. Feeling good and happy and spiritually just having a great time. I'll tell ya when things start to get worse... like I'm declining a little, but again... 85-90%. :) keep being awesome out there. I sure love ya. :)

Did you see those videos at Chris and Allie's baby blessing? Where I was a little medicine happy and the massage chair and stuff? Hehehehehe we had fun. :)

Anyway. I sure love ya my cousin. You're a HUGE STUD. I'm so proud of you and so proud of you serving. There's no where else more important you could be right now.

Have a great week. Love you!

Friends and activities

 

Erik Gray's journals

#worddocuments
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VIDEO SCAVENGER HUNT

·       Get the smallest dollar value of self-serve gas possible (Must have a receipt)

·       Have a member lead another member on a leash through a pet store (or Wal-Mart)

·       Get a small child to sing "Mary had a little lamb"

·       Help a stranger fold their laundry at a Laundromat

·       Order a cheeseburger without any cheese

·       Walk through KFC flapping your wings and bucking like a chicken

·       Shake hands with a guy with a long beard

·       3 step doorbell ditch someone’s house

·       Find a twin for someone on the team

·       Find a runner, jog with him or her

·       Walk through a fast food drive up order window (don’t forget to actually order something)

·       Play "Duck Duck Goose" or "Hokey Pokey" or a similar game of your choice in a public place

·       Team riding an automated kiddie ride in front of a store

·       Get your whole team in one tree

·       Get a stranger to let you bowl one ball for him/her during their on-going game

·       Have a stranger tell you their best blonde joke

·       Propose to a total stranger

·       Find the oldest grave in a cemetery

·       Ask ten strangers their shoe size

·       Video of the group doing chalk drawings on the sidewalk