Nephews and a niece

 #journalgems

Pictures of Erik and his nephews and niece. He loves them!

Running With The Blind

 

Erik Gray's journals

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written by Erik 2011, a school paper

RUNNING WITH THE BLIND

Everyone knows that a runner sometimes faces difficult obstacles. Adrian Broca is a runner may have an obstacle slightly bigger than the average runner- Adrian is legally blind.

                In his senior year in high school, a genetic condition caused him to lose his eyesight. Over time, all he could see a few color contrasts and shadows. For a while, he was very depressed, but that’s when he started walking. After many cuts, scrapes and bruises he learned how to walk around his neighborhood by himself, eventually leading to running, and soon to running marathons.

                Adrian first signed up for a St. George Half Marathon and met Cedar City runners John Hart and Clinton Rhoton there. These two helped Adrian run the race by running beside him, holding a shoelace and guiding him along. They talked to him and said things like, "there's a runner coming to your right, let's go left." He set his personal time during this race.

 In the 2010 St. George Marathon, Adrian ran the race with help John and Clinton and also two others: Brandon LaCagnina and Jon Hermansen. He says this about himself: "I viewed losing my vision as a gift and think it's something that has propelled me to overcome my challenges and not give up no matter what the obstacle that's ahead of me might be.”

A Champion's Race

 

Erik Gray's journals

#journalgems

written (and drawn) by Erik 2011

My Greatest Race

 

Erik Gray's journals

#journalgems

written by Erik 2011, a school paper

MY GREATEST RACE

People always seem to remember a ‘first’ in their lifetime, whether it was their first time riding a bike, their first time driving a car, their first day at school, or even their first kiss. Sometimes it’s a vague memory, and sometimes it’s crystal clear. Nonetheless, it is something that you will never forget. One thing that I remember very clearly is the day of my best 400 meter race.

It started out like any other day. I crawled out of bed like a sloth, dragged myself to school, and after a long school day, I headed to the bus for the meet. Throughout the bus ride, I was a little nervous for my race, but not as much as I soon would become. As the bus pulled into the Dixie High parking lot, I remember thinking, Dang! It’s hot! Our team headed to the shade and we all rested up for our races.

            “First call for the Varsity Boys 400 meter…” I faintly heard the announcer declare.  My race is after that, I thought, It’s coming closer! Knots filled my stomach; I felt as nervous as a cat in a cage of dogs! “First call: JV boys, 400 meter!” was what we all heard the announcer say. “Let’s go warm up!” I called to my friend who was also running the same race as I.

            Our warm-up happened speedily! While watching the varsity runners sprint their event, I thought: It’s right after this! I finished warming-up and headed for the starting line.

            After being assigned to our lanes, the official said, “On your marks!” I jumped once to loosen my legs one last time. I positioned my legs on the starting blocks and adjusted my hands. “Get set.” I was ready. I leaned my body. Boom! screamed the gun. I ran! I remember running next to my friend, who was a little ahead of me on the second of four stretches of the 400 meter track. As I round the third stretch, the curve, I passed my friend. I recall feeling very tired, but honestly- would I really stop at this point? No! I pushed and struggled to the finish line, coming in at third place. I felt as accomplished as I ever had before.

            I was very anxious to see my time, but after a LONG while of waiting, my dad went to converse with the officials of the meet. They explained: “We got behind on timing races, so we skipped the time of the JV boys 400!” You’ve got to be kidding me. I was furious! My best race, and there was no official time!

            I left to talk to my coach. He said, “After watching your race, Erik, it looks like you got about a 58 or 57!” (seconds, that is)

            “Yes!” I exclaimed. This time was better than my last race by about 4 seconds (I only ran the 400 meter twice during my freshman year). Even though it wasn’t as fast as the others on the team, it was good enough for me! I tried my best, and it showed in how the race turned out.

Test

 

Erik Gray's journals

#journalgems

written by Erik 

Like any test, there are super hard parts, kind of hard parts and there are easy parts.  

But throughout the whole thing we have to remember one thing:

IT’S AN OPEN BOOK TEST!  

Trials Increase Our Faith

 

Erik Gray's journals

#journalgems

written by Erik 2013

 

https://mormonyouth.org/1914/trials-can-increase-our-faith

 

Trials Can Increase Our Faith

by erikg | Feb 26, 2013 | Encouragement | 0 comments

My name is Erik Gray. I am 19 years old, a three-time cancer fighter, a runner, and a Mormon— meaning that I am member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was born in California, but have lived in Cedar City, Utah, my whole life. Growing up, I loved to explore new things and make new friends.  I grew up with a large number of Mormons and was always surrounded with good examples. I was born into an active and involved Latter-day Saint family. This means that since I was born, my family has been involved with our church and attended meetings weekly. My faith and testimony — what I know and what I believe about the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ —have helped me in my lifetime, especially with the challenges I have been faced with.

In December 2008, when I was a freshman in high school, I noticed a lump on my neck under my right jaw. I didn’t really think anything of it at first, but I had a feeling it needed to be checked out. My doctor prescribed some antibiotic, and it changed a little bit but mostly stayed the same size, and the doctor dismissed it. A year later, in December 2009, I went back to the doctor after noticing a few miniscule lumps along with the lump already there. My doctor set up for a biopsy and removed the lump. On December 22, 2009, I was officially diagnosed with Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma —or in simpler terms, cancer of the salivary glands.

I underwent a major surgery in January 2010 followed by three months of radiation to the affected area in my neck. In July of that year, I officially achieved remission. But only a year and a half later, in January 2012, I noticed a few lumps in my neck, this time close to my Adam’s apple. My fear had been realized; I was again diagnosed with Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma. I underwent a surgery followed by scans every few months.

I thought that my trial with cancer was over, but in November 2012, I was found to have a recurrence of the cancer. This time, it was a little more severe. A month later, I went through a 13 1/2 hour surgery. Because the cancer was found in my jaw bone, the bone was replaced by the fibula taken out from my left leg. I am currently in the middle of reconstructive surgeries, and I look forward to the day when I will again achieve remission.

This trial has strengthened my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ immensely. I have faith that trial was allowed to happen for a reason. I have faith that the Lord has a plan for me. Although I do know what it entails and that it may not be exactly what I want, I am willing to go and do whatever the Lord has planned for me. Yes, at times I am scared, especially with my diagnosis, but I have faith. Faith guides me through the hard times, and I know that everything I’m facing has a reason, and either I or someone around me will be blessed because of me keeping my faith in the Lord.
It has also shown me that our Heavenly Father, and His son, Jesus Christ, are mindful of our situations and are watching out for us. It seems almost unheard of that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ would allow such trials as mine to happen, and although it must be hard to watch me suffer, it happens because this trial allows me to grow. I know this because I look to the example of Joseph Smith, Jr., the first prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. With the help of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, he restored the true church of Jesus Christ back on the Earth. The true message had been lost  from the Earth for a long time, because it had been changed so much from the truth. Joseph Smith was persecuted by many, called foolish and visionary. He received instruction, guidance, and scripture from the Lord, called revelations, which were recorded and are today called the Doctrine & Covenants.My trials have shown me the importance of family. As Mormons, we believe that families can be together forever, even after death. I know that despite what happens to me or any other family members, if we obey God’s commandments and live righteously, we can live together again after this life on Earth.

One revelation was received by Joseph Smith during the winter of 1839, while he and others were imprisoned in Liberty Jail, and his followers were being driven out of the state of Missouri.  He was pleading with God because of his own suffering and the suffering of the Latter-day Saints.  In the 122nd section, verse 7, it lists a numerous amount of bad “what if” situations, such as “be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers… and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee,” but then the Lord says, “all these things shall give thee experience, and be for thy good.” The Lord allowed bad events to happen to Joseph Smith because he grew from those experiences. This scripture gives me good comfort. Instead of thinking, Why me? I realize that the Lord wants me to grow, and once my trial is over, I will be a better person because of it.

My testimony has grown substantially. I can testify that we are literal children of our Heavenly Father and that He loves us, no matter what we do and no matter the mistakes we make. He is mindful of our situations. We are put on this earth to grow physically and spiritually, and I am grateful that the Lord loves me enough to allow hard challenges to come my way, knowing that I have the ability to overcome them. I know for myself that I am a member of His true church and that my life is important. I am not just another kid, another cancer patient, another boy. I am Erik Gray, and I am a son of God.

This article was written by Erik Gray, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

My name is Erik Gray. I’m 19 years old live in Utah. I’m a college student and three-time cancer fighter. I love running, graphic design, and being with friends and family. My favorite sports are football, basketball, and of course, running. In my spare time I like to watch movies, be with family, and spend time with friends. For my future career, I want to be a graphic designer or a motivational speaker, or maybe both. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and that by being a member of His church and living righteously, I can return to live with Him someday. I hope to use my testimony and experiences to help others with what they’re going through and share the glorious message of the Gospel.

 

I will never be Alone

 

Erik Gray's journals

#journalgems

written by Erik 2017

I love that with the atonement, Jesus Christ didn’t just pay for our sins.  

He suffered for every feeling of pain, hurt and sadness.  

I know that no matter what I go through, I will never ever be alone.

Knowing all the answers

 

Erik Gray's journals

#journalgems

written by Erik February 3, 2017

I don't know all the answers. And I guess I don't have to. 

I know enough to know that God is real. Jesus Christ is real. 

And the Atonement is real. 

And the questions I don't know aren't important enough to doubt or struggle or anything... in fine waiting and just seeing what happens.

I know ENOUGH. 

Enough to know that this is all real.

Erik and friends

SEVEN YEARS.... ahhhh. Love and miss you Erik. You're in a good place. We'll all be in that good place sometime....until then... we'll keep plugging along. Love mom

Gray family 2024

Nieces and Nephews 2024, minus the babies Jonah and Britton

Happy 30th Birthday Erik

JOURNAL GEMS
written by ERIK GRAY 2013

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIK!!!! We love and miss you so much. And yes, there's a snowstorm TODAY.... we know you ordered it because you love snow. Your nephew gets blessed today, too. Little 7 week old Britton Tasker. Thank you for being a part of our lives and sharing your love and inspiration with us all. You have left an amazing legacy.

Just another example of your goodness.....

EXCERPTS from-

Stake Conference talk- March 17, 2013- Blessings of holding to the rod

......

BLESSINGS THAT COME

·         “If you hold to the rod, you can feel your way forward with the gift of the Holy Ghost. … Grasp the iron rod, and do not let go. Through the power of the Holy Ghost, you can feel your way through life.” –Boyd K. Packer

·         You will gain the right perspective that your life needs to have- personal story

·         Holding to the rod, especially during trials, will not define you, but refine you

·         Look up!

·         Progression- I have felt progression in my life, especially through these last surgeries

·         Blessings of:

o   Temple

o   Priesthood

o   Family

o   Friends

o   Mission

§  At 18 yrs old, Sid Going was a rugby player, and a shoe-in for New Zealand’s national rugby team. However, he decided to serve a mission before playing rugby.

§  When he came home, he became one of the greatest halfbacks in the All-Blacks league

§  Training and games would be scheduled around Sunday so that Sid could play

§  The Queen of England even recognized him

§  “The blessing of bringing others into the gospel far outweighs anything you will ever sacrifice.”

o   Having the spirit to be with us

·         We are never alone:

o   Cancer diagnosis- life was going good last fall

o   Feeling of peace during the half marathon

o   Read Footprints in the sand POEM

 

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.

Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.

Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,

other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed

that during the low periods of my life,

when I was suffering from

anguish, sorrow or defeat,

I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,

"You promised me Lord,

that if I followed you,

you would walk with me always.

But I have noticed that during

the most trying periods of my life

there have only been one

set of footprints in the sand.

Why, when I needed you most,

you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,

"The times when you have

seen only one set of footprints,

is when I carried you."

Mary Stevenson