Sharing our Links to the Past by Wally and Frances Gray

Sharing our Links to the Past
by Wally and Frances Gray

Matthew and Erin Gray

Gray, Erin.jpg (4626 bytes)

Autobiography of Erin Marie Gray through 2000

My full name is Erin Marie Gray (maiden name Erin Marie Hill) and I was born in Asheville, North Carolina (Bucombe County) on June 13, 1979. My father's full name is Richard Lyn Hill and was born on September 25, 195?. My biological mother's full name is Rebecca Sue Rowell and was born on July 18, 195?. When I was about 1 year old, my parents divorced. My dad later married the woman who raised me and who I call "mom" too, Doris Oakes Hill who was born on January 21, 195?. I am blessed to have three great brothers. From oldest to youngest they are: Richard Brett Hill, Jeremy Evan Hill, and Justin Lee Hill. I was blessed in Asheville, North Carolina in 1979 by my dad. I was baptized in August of 1987 in El Paso, Texas also by my dad in the 8th ward and Bishop Wade presided. School: I began pre-school at age 4 in Statesville, North Carolina. I began kindergarten at age 5 also in Statesville, NC at Ebeneizer Elem. School in fall of 1984 and Mrs. Cook was my teacher. First grade began when I was 6 (1985) in Durham, NC (outside of Raleigh) with Mrs. Young as my teacher at Lowes Grove Elementary School. The biggest thing I remember happening that year was the space shuttle that exploded. I also remember playing on the school soccer team. I attended the first part of second grade (1986) at Lowes Grove with Mrs. Kneebrad, then with Mrs. West in Fort Worth, Texas, and finally finished in El Paso, TX. (All of these changes of areas are due to my dad's job transfers and promotions.) We then moved to Goodlettsville, Tennessee (right outside of Nashville) and attended third grade at Beech Elementary school with Mrs. Rizor in 1987. She was my very favorite teacher...we kept in touch for atleast 6 years after third grade...sometimes she even helped me with my 5th grade math! (She passed away a few months before my H.S. graduation sadly.) The coolest thing I remember about third grade was there was not room for our class at the elem. school so they moved us over to the Highschool with the "Big Kids!" We thought we were so cool! Anyways, at the end of the school year we moved one more time to Gallatin, TN (about 30 minutes from Goodlettsville). And I finished the last 2 months with Mrs. Angela Wallace. I also began taking piano lessons with Sister Kathleen Welch. Soon after, she and her family moved so I took lessons from Sister Ginger Brown. Fourth grade (1988) was at Union Elementary school with Mrs. Wettach. I began playing basketball for the city league that year and played until after my sixth grade year. Fifth grade (1989) was also at Union Elem. School with Mrs. Schreiner. Sixth grade (1990) was at Rucker Stewart Elem. School with my homeroom teacher Mrs. Cooley. I began band that year with Mrs. Crittenden and played the flute. I began seventh grade at Gallatin Junior High School in 1991 and my homeroom teacher was Mrs. Lee. I also had a teacher for history, Coach Martin, (he was a football coach) who we all loved. He was also fun to play with. One day we were in class and I told my friends to watch as I performed a funny joke on him. I got up out of my desk and started sprinting for the door like I was going to be sick, and Coach Martin yelled, "get out of the way! Watch out, girl!" and he moved so fast he almost fell out of his seat! When I came back, I said "Whewww! I feel better!" And the whole class laughed along with Coach Martin knowing the joke. I was elected band president and played 1st and 2nd chair flute (me and a friend were always battling for first chair so we switched a lot). As a note, 6th grade and up I had many teachers because that's when we started changing classes (1st, 2nd, 3rd period and so forth). I began playing soccer that year until after my 8th grade year on the city league. In 8th grade, (1992) my homeroom teacher was Mrs. Blair and I was still at Gallatin Jr. HS. By this time, my interests were going more towards choir so I tried out for the 9th grade choir with Mr. James Story. I began my freshman year of highschool at Gallatin HS in 1993 with many teachers. In november of '93 it was announced that Nashville would receive a temple! I also began seminary this year. My favorite thing throughout highschool was choir. I was in the JV choir in 9th grade. I also played on the highschool tennis team and was a professional bench warmer! haha! My sophmore year began in 1994 and I was in the Varsity choir by then. Attended seminary. In the middle of that year I decided I wanted to graduate a year early from school so I doubled up on classes and maintained the required GPA for it so in 1995 I had my Junior and Senior year together! That year I was blessed to be able to be in the "performer" choir consisting of 20 members instead of the 200 members in the other 2 choirs. It was a BLAST!!! We sang and danced in many shows and made great friends with each other. I still attended seminary and doubled up on it also so that I would be able to graduate from seminary. On May 18th, 1996 I graduated from Seminary!!!! Yeeee-hawwww! Then on May 31, 1996 I graduated from Highschool! My best friend, Brittney Mitchell also decided to graduate early so our friends in the Junior class took us out that night and we just played and said our goodbyes. Brittney and I have been best friends since 8th grade when she moved to TN. We found out that we lived in NC, TX, and TN at the same times and we lived pretty close to each other and didn't know each other until we were 13 and in TN! Funny, huh?! In the fall of '96 I attended Vol-State Community college in Gallatin, TN until '97. In '98 I attended Normandale Community College in Bloomington, MN. And finally in the fall of '99 I began at the University of Minnesota and it is there that I am still attending. I am a junior there and studying music education to teach high school choir. Whew! Long story! The funnest thing this last semester was being in the choir with fun people! Employment: my first job was in the summer of 1995 and I worked at Dominos Pizza. Second, I worked at Food Lion in 1996 after I graduated, but only for a few months. Third, I worked as a nanny my first semester of college at Vol-State. Third, I worked at Service merchandise 1997. Fourth, I worked at Feature Films For Families in Orem, Utah also in 1997. Fifth, I worked for Norwest Mortgage beginning in march of '98 (when we first moved to MN) until 12/99. During that time I also worked as a Teacher's aid in summer of '99 and at Lifetime fitness at the same time. Hobbies: I love to write music, play the piano, be with family and friends, play tennis with Matt, work with the young women at church, sing, dance School activities: most mentioned above......basketball, soccer, tennis, choir, band. church assignments: Was in presidency of Beehive, MiaMaid, and Laurel class. Was the LDSSA (Latter-Day Saint Student Assoc.) President '96 and '97. On the Youth Steering Committee in '95 and '96. Visiting teaching coordinator in the BYU 125th ward in '97. On the activities committee in the singles ward in MN in '98. Primary worker with Matthew '99. Now, a Stake missionary for the Anoka, MN stake in the Spanish ward. I am serving as the ward pianist and the young women's 1st counselor. I am so very happy to be in this calling! I have learned so much from the humility of the people in this ward. Since things are still developing there, I get to be apart of some neat things like when the branch became a ward, having the very first "mutual" on a wednesday night, etc. I love the young women! And I love the president that I serve under, Sesy Krantz. She is amazing! Church awards: 4 year seminary diploma, Gosple in Action award, YW camp awards Anything else of interest: I was planning to stay in Utah when my family told me they were moving to MN for a job promotion. Our Stake President came and spoke to us in Relief Society one day and said something like, "You probably have your lives all planned out already. Sometimes the Lord has other things planned for you than what you planned or maybe even in a different order than what you planned." As he went on to talk about the Lord's plan for each of us, I had a feeling that I should move with my family to MN. It was a hard test for me, but it just felt so right. Soon after moving here, I met my eternal companion, Matthew Whitman Gray who has taught and given me more than words can say. I know the Gospel is TRUE and I know that the Lord is mindful of each of us and will lead us in the path we should go. I've learned it's not always easy, but as long as we are faithful to the Lord, He will bless us and help us so that we can return to Him and "accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." (1 Nephi 3:7) I am blessed to have wonderful parents who raised me in the church and taught me to choose the right. I am thankful for Matt's parents for teaching him also to choose the right. One of my favorite scriptures that has helped me along the way is: 2 Nephi 31:20 It says: "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ having a perfect brightness of hope and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life." Grandpa Gray, you are probably sooooooooooo tired of reading this by now! You can do anything you like with this and will probably need to cut out a bunch. I just get yappin' and can't stop! Anyways, please keep me updated....let me know if there's something else you need. Please say hello to Grandma Gray and Grandma Elsie. I hope that we can get together again soon. Take care. Love, Erin

Autobiography of Matthew Whitman Gray through April 2006

I was born on May 24, 1976 , at Ithaca , Tompkins County , New York , the second of five children of Lawrence Firman Gray and Marie Bingham. My brothers are David Lawrence Firman Gray, born April 8, 1974, also at Ithaca; John Michael Gray, born June 15, 1978, at Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota; Stephen Wallace Gray, born August 13, 1980, at Minneapolis; and Timothy Aaron Gray, born July 11, 1982l, at Minneapolis. Timothy died April 8, 1983 , at Roseville , Ramsey County , Minnesota .

My blessing was done by my dad in the Ithaca Ward and I was baptized June 2, 1984 , by my dad in the Escondido 2nd Ward in the Escondido California Stake. I was confirmed the same day by my dad. At the baptism I was happy and excited.

My graduation from Primary took place January 1, 1988 . Some of the interesting Primary experiences included planting seeds in cups which we then took home to grow.

Sunday School memories include getting a blank journal from my teacher in California . Also I remember some really boring lessons and some really good lessons.

In Mutual I enjoyed going on campouts, getting awards, hayrides, basketball and softball. I had three week-long camps in Tomahawk Camp in Wisconsin with the Scouts. We also have camped in state parks in Minnesota and have attended several times the Fred C. Anderson Camp in Wisconsin . We went winter camping twice and we skied for our transportation. We also slept in snow huts.

AWARDS

I am a Life Scout and hope to be Eagle. I have 12 merit badges, a Faith in God award, a Den Chief Award (I was Den Chief for one year plus when my mother was Den mother) and have been Citizen of the Year at Brimhall. I entered Pine Derby for three years and got the Most Original Award as well as 3rd Place . (When I was Den Chief I made a small skate board for the Pinewood Derby, just for fun). I have been on the Honor Roll all of the time and have received a Gospel in Action award.

SCHOOL

I started school at the age of five, attending elementary schools at Brimhall ( Roseville ) and at Conway ( Escondido ). I went to Roseville Area Middle School , and entered high school at Ithaca High School in New York during my father's second sabbatical. I will be entering high school in Santa Fe , New Mexico for the second half of the sabbatical. Special friends and teachers have been Jon Robbins, a friend in Minnesota and Mr. Dave Bock, math teacher in Ithaca .

I've had seminary in Ithaca . Sister Majeronie was my teacher. I felt the class went too slow. I enjoy reading the Book of Mormon on my own and am in the last part of Alma right now.

Because of my father's sabbaticals, we've moved around a little. I was born in New York , lived in Minnesota , spent a year in Escondido and a half year in Ithaca . Now we'll be going to Santa Fe .

HOBBIES

I like to roller blade, and I love making things, and I have a coin collection as well as stamp and rock collections. My coins are mostly pennies. Among them are two 1858 Flying Eagles, one worth $90 and the other, about $20. I also enjoy all sports (tennis, volleyball, baseball, basketball, soccer, football, hockey) and music, photography, watching television, hiking and climbing. I like to play chess. I made a tracing box.

TALENTS

My talents include flute playing, which I've taken for five years. My teachers have been Carol Gilkey in Minnesota and Mary Camilleri in New York .

GOALS

My goals include getting a job, going on a mission, buying a car, and buying other things.

CHURCH POSITIONS

Church positions include doing the ward bulletin on our computer when we were in the University Ward and being active in deacon and teacher quorums.

WHERE OUR NAMES CAME FROM

My parents decided to give their children biblical names, generally, David's first name is a biblical name. The rest of his name came from my dad. The name "Firman" is the middle name of my grandfather (Wallace Firman Gray) and the first name of my great grandfather (Firman Carleton Gray).

My first name is a biblical name and my middle name is a family name on my mother's side.

Michael's name, John Michael Gray, is a family name. John Michael Bubbikoffer (Publicover) is the name of my fifth great grandfather, and John Michael Bubeckhoffer (Publicover) is the name of my sixth great grandfather (these are on my father's side).

Stephen was named after his Uncle Steven Gray, only spelled so that it is also named after the biblical Stephen. His middle name, Wallace, is named after my grandfather, Wallace Firman Gray.

The names Timothy and Aaron are biblical names.

Personal Information from Matthew Gray, March 1998, Mar 1998. " MISSION : Argentina , Mendoza . 1 August 1995-16 August 1997. District Leader, Zone Leader, office (materials secretary, mail, fleet, apartments)

EDUCATION

Brimhall Elementary School ; Conway ( Escondido , Calif. ), 2; Roseville High School , graduated June 1994; University of Minnesota, 1994-95 and 1997. Hobbits in Brimhall (open classrooms), 1-6.

OCCUPATIONS

Mowing lawns; McDonalds; Ground Round bus boy; Racquet Stringer for Permanent Sporting Goods and then on own; Chi Chi's Restaurant; UPS Christmas season 1997.

CHURCH POSITIONS

Ward Bulletin Board coordinator; Stake Mission Presidency/ Men's Volleyball coach 1997 to present.

SPORTS

Volleyball, Tennis, Golf, JV and varsity tennis.

HOBBIES AND INTERESTS

investing, flute, dancing, dating. Violin 7 years.

SCOUTS

Eagle Scout

Additional Information - Updated through April 2006:

SEALING

For time and all eternity to Erin Marie Hill on January 2, 1999 in the Washington D.C. Temple by Robert V. Windley. Witnesses were my dad Lawrence F. Gray and my father-in-law Richard L. Hill.

ADDITIONAL EDUCATION

University of Minnesota , Aug 1994 - May 95 and Aug 1997 - May 2000, graduated with distinction with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, May 2000.

ADDITIONAL OCCUPATIONS

Demo Day Representative for Hewlett Packard (MarketStar Corp) 1997 - 1998; Actuarial Intern at Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America Oct 1998 - Dec 1999, Actuarial Assistant, Sr. Actuarial Assistant, Assistant Actuary, Associate Actuary, Actuary, and then Senior Actuary at Allianz Life Insurance of North America - Dec 1999 - Present (April 2006).

PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS

I am a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) as of Nov 2005 and I am also a MAAA (Member of the American Academy of Actuaries). To become a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries, candidates must have three years of work experience and be an Associate of the Society of Actuaries (designation attained prior to becoming a Fellow). To become a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, candidates must complete a series of 8 exams. Each exam (except #7) is a 4-6 hour written exam and requires from 200-300 hours of study time to prepare. Depending on the exam, 100-125 of these hours are given as paid company study time. The remaining hours are done on your own time. In my case, I usually got to work a couple hours early and studied over lunch. The final two weeks before the exam usually involved 8-10 hour study sessions on Saturdays. The first four exams were multiple-choice math problem exams. Exams 5-6, and 8 were mostly essay type questions (there was a small multiple choice portion as well) with a few math problems that required solutions to be written out in full detail. Exam 8 was the only exam (once you made the decision to take the Exams offered by the Society of Actuaries) where you got to “specialize”. I chose “8V” to fulfill that requirement. 8V dealt with Investment related topics. Exams 6 and 8 were my “favorite” exams because they focused on investments of all types and included emphasis in derivative valuation, hedging, and modern finance theory. Exam #7 required a pre-test for qualification. Once the pre-test was successfully completed, the remaining exam was a week long seminar with a final project that was to be completed in the last 24 hour period of the week. The project is based on the pre-work to the seminar and the additional work and instruction of the seminar itself. The final requirements for Fellowship were to complete 50 professional development credits and attend a final meeting. Fifteen of the credits are given (and required) for a final project that took is supposed to take about 60-100 hours of work. I did a project on what I called the “Sample Until Method”. Basically, I showed how a lognormal generator for stochastic stock price returns could be used (sampled from) to generate scenario sets that (1) calibrated to market prices and (2) could calibrate to any set of predetermined scenario characteristic requirements. This is especially useful in the work that I do in stochastic pricing and hedging. Lognormal generators produce a decent set of scenarios for general pricing. However, it is well-known that lognormal generators cannot produce scenarios with tails fat-enough for risk-neutral or real-world pricing. Furthermore, the scenarios produced cannot adequately priced deep in or out-of-the money put and call options. A second application to the work I do is in the pricing of financial contracts and insurance products. Fat-tailed distributions do a better job of characterizing the risks and risk-neutral prices for this application. While the project was definitely not new mathematical or actuarial ground, it did address a complex real life situation with a pragmatic and applicable solution. The results of this work are currently being used at Allianz Life for pricing and hedging.

The remaining credits were achieved through attending industry seminars and through formal presentations. One presentation I gave on hedging was in July 2005 in Munich , Germany . This presentation was given to several worldwide affiliates of Allianz Life’s parent company, Allianz AG. There were investment and product development representatives from Allianz AG’s affiliates in Italy , France , Switzerland , and Germany . The final graduation seminar was held in Grapevine, Texas in early November, 2005. The seminar focused on ethics and culminated in the presentation of the Fellowship designation.

ADDITIONAL CHURCH POSITIONS

Primary teacher (Burnsville Ward, Jan -Mar 1999), Ward Mission Leader (Spanish Branch Mar 1999 - May 2001), Young Men's President (May 2001 - Feb 2003), Ward Missionary (Shoreview Ward - Mar 2003 - May 2003), Ward Mission Leader (Shoreview Ward - May 2003 - October 2005), 2nd Counselor in YM Presidency (Shoreview Ward - October 2005 - present), Home Teacher.

PRIESTHOOD LINE OF AUTHORITY
I, Matthew W. Gray, was ordained an Elder January 29, 1995 , by Lawrence F. Gray.
Lawrence F. Gray was ordained a High Priest June 10, 1984 , by Wallace F. Gray.
Wallace F. Gray was ordained a High Priest November 6, 1960 , by Marion G. Romney.
Marion G. Romney was ordained an Apostle October 11, 1951 , by David O. McKay.
David O. McKay was ordained an Apostle April 9, 1906 , by Joseph F. Smith.

Joseph F. Smith was ordained an Apostle July 1, 1866 , by Brigham Young.
Brigham Young was ordained an Apostle February 14, 1835 , under the hands of the three witnesses, Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris. The ordination
was confirmed by the First Presidency, consisting of Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams.

Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery received the Melchizedek Priesthood in 1829 from Peter, James, and John.
Peter, James, and John were ordained Apostles by the Lord Jesus Christ.

SPORTS

Volleyball, Tennis, Golf, JV and Varsity tennis in High School, working out, Member of the US Mens' Allianz Olympic Volleyball Team that won the silver medal at the Allianz Olympics held in Milan , Italy in July 2002. Selected as a member of the US Mens' Allianz Olympic Volleyball Team that will be competing in Paris , France in July 2006.

HOBBIES AND INTERESTS

Investing, family history, scripture study, home improvement, travel.