Dear Everybody,
Hey, how's it going? It's going pretty good over here. Just, you know, hanging out.
P-Day on Wednesday is still really weird. I'm not sure how I feel about it. But, well, nothing has really settled into a flow yet, so it's hard to get used to.
What did I do this week. . .Well,we drove around a lot because--since our area is so huge--everybody we teach lives really far apart. It's cool.
We're teaching this man named James, and he's getting baptized this Saturday. He is amazing. You know about the Word of Wisdom? There's five things we don't partake of--coffee, tea, tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs--and he dropped ALL FIVE OF THOSE because of his faith in the things the Sisters taught him. He actually even lived on the streets for a year, because of drugs and alcohol. This man has changed everything in his life completely around because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In just two months. He is incredible.
Anyway, that's James. We're also teaching a little girl named Ashley, and her dad is less-active, her mom isn't a member, but her grandma gets her to church every Sunday, and now Ashley wants to be baptized. Well, her grandma wants it pretty bad too--she's a little kooky, but lovable.
We just had a baptism on Saturday--a 9-year-old named Ivan whose family has a lot of problems--single mom, 6 kids and one on the way, government housing, etc--but you can totally tell how the Gospel has changed the mood in their house. There is more peace among the siblings, more strength in their mom. . .subtle changes, but powerful. They are so dang cute, all of them.
There are a few others too, but I just could not even tell you the half of them. There wouldn't be time. We cover three units, and they all keep us hopping. Sadly, not a lot of Spanish work--which is totally backwards from most areas. The English ward is very missionary-minded--the leadership is very functional, so it all goes well, and people get help when they need it, and people say hi to people they don't know. . . It's awesome.
Seriously, though, missionary work is so easy--you just have to be friendly! You just have to care about other people. It's like what Christ said--the greatest law is to love God with all your heart, and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself. Simple, right? That's what missionary work is all about. I have learned how to love people. And you know what? I really do love people. Including the Elders and other Sisters I work with--sometimes missionaries forget that.
And I love all you at home. I have a handful of letters that I wrote last week, that I just haven't sent yet. Yeah, I'm slow. But, well, I just like keeping you on your toes. And now that I've got this chunk updated, I've got a whole new pile that I'm backed up on. Meh.
Wendy, I'm sending you a letter today. Just so you know.
I'm going to go because my head hurts from staring at the screen. Peace out. Be safe.
love,
Hna. Crowley.
Showing posts with label English Ward. Show all posts
Showing posts with label English Ward. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Wed, 27 May 2009
Well, we're in a different library that only allows half an hour, and there's actually people on the waiting list, so I'm going to have to make this fast.
I got transferred to the Goodyear area--all of my areas touch borders. I can practically see Estrella from here! Everything is going well-I'm in a trio with the two fanciest Hermanas in the mission, but we get along. They're going to help me be more fancy. (Yeah, like they need to. I am actually the fourth fanciest Hermana in the mission. I guess it's not that good, considering there are only 7 of us. . .)
We cover an English ward (Goodyear) and two branches (Rio Vista Spanish, Cotton Flower YSA) I came into two baptisms already planned, and a lot of very promising investigators. The wards are really awesome and do a lot of missionary work, and my friend Kellen Maxwell, who I grew up with in Vegas and went to high school with, is in our YSA ward. Yeah, that one is kind of weird.
But yeah, everything is going good. Here's my new address!
1891 N. Litchfield Road #221
Goodyear, AZ 85395
A few of you I have letters for, and then I'm all caught up. So write me! Plus also, I love you. I'll get things figured out here so next time I'll write a real email.
Love you!
I got transferred to the Goodyear area--all of my areas touch borders. I can practically see Estrella from here! Everything is going well-I'm in a trio with the two fanciest Hermanas in the mission, but we get along. They're going to help me be more fancy. (Yeah, like they need to. I am actually the fourth fanciest Hermana in the mission. I guess it's not that good, considering there are only 7 of us. . .)
We cover an English ward (Goodyear) and two branches (Rio Vista Spanish, Cotton Flower YSA) I came into two baptisms already planned, and a lot of very promising investigators. The wards are really awesome and do a lot of missionary work, and my friend Kellen Maxwell, who I grew up with in Vegas and went to high school with, is in our YSA ward. Yeah, that one is kind of weird.
But yeah, everything is going good. Here's my new address!
1891 N. Litchfield Road #221
Goodyear, AZ 85395
A few of you I have letters for, and then I'm all caught up. So write me! Plus also, I love you. I'll get things figured out here so next time I'll write a real email.
Love you!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Wed, 13 May 2009
Dear Everybody,
My mom rocks. That's all.
I'm going to use my email to the mission pres to fill out this one--it's just easier, and we've got a lot of waterballoons to deal with today, so I've got to get going soon.> > Oh, and for those of you who are wondering why this email is so late--they cahnged our P-Day to Wednesday. I kind of love it. At first I thought it would be hard, but I really think it's better this way. Somehow makes the week feel shorter. . . Then again, it makes getting our tracting goal harder. . .
So here's the update for the week. . .
"Dear President Beck,
I just wanted to tell you, President, that I am grateful for the opportunity I have to serve with Hna. Sepulveda. She is a great companion. If we don't always get along, we are able to work out our differences. [Which, having me as a companion, means she's pretty much a saint. Or just really laid back. . .] I can honestly tell you that we have seen miracles in our companionship in this area. And, as we iron out our exact obedience and really start applying ourselves and putting goals into play, I know we are beginning to see so much success. This has been an awesome couple of transfers, learning a LOT through trial and (definitely) error, [That means I screw up a lot over here.] and seeing changes for the better in myself and in her. I have learned a lot about leadership and also, I have found a true friend. [Michelle, she reminds me a little bit of you.] I hope she feels the same way.
Mother's Day phone call was good--everyone at home seems just the same [which means you're awesomely cool], and my dad is over in Iraq, but he is still safe. [which means you're awesome, but probably not very cool right now. . .]
Maria and her 6 kids all came to church on Sunday. [HOORAY!!!!!] All the children talk about how they will be baptized, [Not kidding--Oscar (12) asked me at our first FHE with them "Are you Catholic?" "No, I'm Mormon." "Oh, cool. I'm going to be Mormon." These guys rock.] and even the oldest--13 and kind of rebellious [not really though. One of the most obedient 13-yr-olds I know]--is very excited to do service with the Young Women and go to Girl's Camp. The boys even want suits now for Sunday! [Oscar told me he asked his mom to buy him a tux for church like his uncle's. (His unlce's a member.)] This family is an amazing miracle. I know the Lord directs this work and, when His children are prepared, He sets things in motion that lead to their eternal progression. He is the Master at this Giant Puzzle we call existence. It is pretty awesome seeing where I fit in.
Thank you so much, President, for always watching out for us and making sure we are safe. I definitely know the things you ask me to do are what I need to in order to be the best missionary. [Can you tell we had interviews last week?] I am SO FAR from perfect, and I have a long way to go, but I think I'm moving forward. I hope you and Sister Beck are having an awesome week. Talk to you again soon!
Sincerely,
Hna. Crowley"
Was that a pretty good update? Oh yeah--and then it was Mother's Day--Estrella had a ward activity Saturday, and Maria and her family all went--including her husband! And Maria even helped with the decorations (she has a business license for selling stuff like flowers and balloons for holidays, and she had a lot of extras from last Mother's Day, so she asked if she could help out. She's amazing!) Anyway, with this family, basically my life as a missionary rocks right now. But now we're looking for investigators for the English ward so we can help them find success and catch the missionary spirit. We're working that one out with the Lord.
All right, I'm outie--like a belly-buttom on a pregnant woman.
Peace.
Love,
Hna Crowley
My mom rocks. That's all.
I'm going to use my email to the mission pres to fill out this one--it's just easier, and we've got a lot of waterballoons to deal with today, so I've got to get going soon.> > Oh, and for those of you who are wondering why this email is so late--they cahnged our P-Day to Wednesday. I kind of love it. At first I thought it would be hard, but I really think it's better this way. Somehow makes the week feel shorter. . . Then again, it makes getting our tracting goal harder. . .
So here's the update for the week. . .
"Dear President Beck,
I just wanted to tell you, President, that I am grateful for the opportunity I have to serve with Hna. Sepulveda. She is a great companion. If we don't always get along, we are able to work out our differences. [Which, having me as a companion, means she's pretty much a saint. Or just really laid back. . .] I can honestly tell you that we have seen miracles in our companionship in this area. And, as we iron out our exact obedience and really start applying ourselves and putting goals into play, I know we are beginning to see so much success. This has been an awesome couple of transfers, learning a LOT through trial and (definitely) error, [That means I screw up a lot over here.] and seeing changes for the better in myself and in her. I have learned a lot about leadership and also, I have found a true friend. [Michelle, she reminds me a little bit of you.] I hope she feels the same way.
Mother's Day phone call was good--everyone at home seems just the same [which means you're awesomely cool], and my dad is over in Iraq, but he is still safe. [which means you're awesome, but probably not very cool right now. . .]
Maria and her 6 kids all came to church on Sunday. [HOORAY!!!!!] All the children talk about how they will be baptized, [Not kidding--Oscar (12) asked me at our first FHE with them "Are you Catholic?" "No, I'm Mormon." "Oh, cool. I'm going to be Mormon." These guys rock.] and even the oldest--13 and kind of rebellious [not really though. One of the most obedient 13-yr-olds I know]--is very excited to do service with the Young Women and go to Girl's Camp. The boys even want suits now for Sunday! [Oscar told me he asked his mom to buy him a tux for church like his uncle's. (His unlce's a member.)] This family is an amazing miracle. I know the Lord directs this work and, when His children are prepared, He sets things in motion that lead to their eternal progression. He is the Master at this Giant Puzzle we call existence. It is pretty awesome seeing where I fit in.
Thank you so much, President, for always watching out for us and making sure we are safe. I definitely know the things you ask me to do are what I need to in order to be the best missionary. [Can you tell we had interviews last week?] I am SO FAR from perfect, and I have a long way to go, but I think I'm moving forward. I hope you and Sister Beck are having an awesome week. Talk to you again soon!
Sincerely,
Hna. Crowley"
Was that a pretty good update? Oh yeah--and then it was Mother's Day--Estrella had a ward activity Saturday, and Maria and her family all went--including her husband! And Maria even helped with the decorations (she has a business license for selling stuff like flowers and balloons for holidays, and she had a lot of extras from last Mother's Day, so she asked if she could help out. She's amazing!) Anyway, with this family, basically my life as a missionary rocks right now. But now we're looking for investigators for the English ward so we can help them find success and catch the missionary spirit. We're working that one out with the Lord.
All right, I'm outie--like a belly-buttom on a pregnant woman.
Peace.
Love,
Hna Crowley
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Mon, 23 Mar 2009
Dear Fam and Friends,
I'm going to cheat and send you the letter I wrote to President, because it really just sums it all up.
"Dear President Beck,
Baptized: 0
Confirmed: 0
At Church: 1
Member Present Lessons: 10
New Investigators: 7
Tracting: 4.5 hours
Lessons: 30
LA/RC Lessons: 7
(We taught 40 lessons last week. Whoohoo!)
Morning Schedule: 4 out of 7
I will give excuses for the morning schedule--there were two days that I couldn't fall asleep until 3:30. This morning, I somehow managed to knock the alarm clock under my bed. . .
I knew this week would be better, and it was. This week was a miracle week. I feel like it was one of those, after the trial of your faith comes the miracle. Not only did we get 40 lessons this week along with 4.5 hours of tracting, we saw changes in our current investigators--we have been able to click with them and they have told us the things that are in the way of them progressing. We have been able to really pinpoint the opposition so it can be dealt with. We brought our recent convert Adan to a lesson with a part-member family, and the Sergio and Adan clicked, and Adan shared a powerful testimony, enough that Sergio was saying by the end--I hope that's how it works out for me--with a big smile on his face.
We also had a man in the English ward commit to baptism. We'll be setting up a date in our next lesson.
I know that these things have been happening because of our faith, the efforts of our wards, and our diligence. We really applied what we learned about finding and setting goals from the Sisters Conference, and it worked. We had twelve lessons in one day! It was amazing. I am looking forward to this coming week, because now we have finally started figuring this out.
President, I'll tell you something--I have been praying really hard that the Lord will keep me in this area, with Estrella AND Garden Lakes. And Estrella has grown so much since we before were having problems. There are still kinks, but things are definitely moving upward. I really hope the Lord keeps me here to continue doing the work that I have started, and I am trying to be the best missionary, continuing the friendships and relationships of trust I have built with these investigators and families. So I know, therefore, that if I am transferred, it is for a very good reason.
I loved the Sisters Conference. Most of our good numbers came after that--it was very rejuvenating. I was glad to give that talk, and I felt the Spirit so strongly as I prepared it because I have focused on that subject for most of my life. I love this work, and I love this gospel. Seeing miracles is pretty cool.
I hope you and Sister Beck and the office are all doing well. We''ll see you at transfers! I'm still working on those lesson plans. They're harder than I thought. . .
Que Dios les bendiga, cuidense
Sincerely,
Hna. Crowley"
I gave a talk at the Sisters conference we had this week--how to stay positive through adversity. That's honestly something that has been a main focus of mine for a few years--because it's something I've had a hard time with. I felt the Spirit a lot as I prepared that talk, it was kinda cool.
Today we've got a lot of stuff to do, so I better go--but I wanted to tell you all that Heavenly Father really does work in miracles. I have seen them. And any time I start to doubt, I pray harder and apply myself more--then I see the miracles again. Something that will help if you find yourself doubting--take a notebook and write, at the end of the day, all the different ways you saw the Lord's hand in your life that day. It will be hard at first, but believe me--you'll start recognizing His hand more than you ever have before. And recognizing that carries you through the hard stuff. It's pretty powerful.
Bro Hansen, that is so weird that Elder Hansen is back! And Audrey's halfway there--did you know that my half way is next month? We come home pretty close it sounds like.
Paul, thanks for the birthday email. You made my day. :D
Sister Rosser, I appreciate the thought. I'm looking forward to my 23 birthday party with you there. Maybe you should plan me a surprise party. . . Heehee. And TELL SISTER LINDSEY HI FOR ME!!! I love her.
I'll go now. I hope you all are well, and you enjoy this carta. I'll attach a couple fotos I think are cool. Paz fuera.
Love,
Hna. Crowley.
I'm going to cheat and send you the letter I wrote to President, because it really just sums it all up.
"Dear President Beck,
Baptized: 0
Confirmed: 0
At Church: 1
Member Present Lessons: 10
New Investigators: 7
Tracting: 4.5 hours
Lessons: 30
LA/RC Lessons: 7
(We taught 40 lessons last week. Whoohoo!)
Morning Schedule: 4 out of 7
I will give excuses for the morning schedule--there were two days that I couldn't fall asleep until 3:30. This morning, I somehow managed to knock the alarm clock under my bed. . .
I knew this week would be better, and it was. This week was a miracle week. I feel like it was one of those, after the trial of your faith comes the miracle. Not only did we get 40 lessons this week along with 4.5 hours of tracting, we saw changes in our current investigators--we have been able to click with them and they have told us the things that are in the way of them progressing. We have been able to really pinpoint the opposition so it can be dealt with. We brought our recent convert Adan to a lesson with a part-member family, and the Sergio and Adan clicked, and Adan shared a powerful testimony, enough that Sergio was saying by the end--I hope that's how it works out for me--with a big smile on his face.
We also had a man in the English ward commit to baptism. We'll be setting up a date in our next lesson.
I know that these things have been happening because of our faith, the efforts of our wards, and our diligence. We really applied what we learned about finding and setting goals from the Sisters Conference, and it worked. We had twelve lessons in one day! It was amazing. I am looking forward to this coming week, because now we have finally started figuring this out.
President, I'll tell you something--I have been praying really hard that the Lord will keep me in this area, with Estrella AND Garden Lakes. And Estrella has grown so much since we before were having problems. There are still kinks, but things are definitely moving upward. I really hope the Lord keeps me here to continue doing the work that I have started, and I am trying to be the best missionary, continuing the friendships and relationships of trust I have built with these investigators and families. So I know, therefore, that if I am transferred, it is for a very good reason.
I loved the Sisters Conference. Most of our good numbers came after that--it was very rejuvenating. I was glad to give that talk, and I felt the Spirit so strongly as I prepared it because I have focused on that subject for most of my life. I love this work, and I love this gospel. Seeing miracles is pretty cool.
I hope you and Sister Beck and the office are all doing well. We''ll see you at transfers! I'm still working on those lesson plans. They're harder than I thought. . .
Que Dios les bendiga, cuidense
Sincerely,
Hna. Crowley"
I gave a talk at the Sisters conference we had this week--how to stay positive through adversity. That's honestly something that has been a main focus of mine for a few years--because it's something I've had a hard time with. I felt the Spirit a lot as I prepared that talk, it was kinda cool.
Today we've got a lot of stuff to do, so I better go--but I wanted to tell you all that Heavenly Father really does work in miracles. I have seen them. And any time I start to doubt, I pray harder and apply myself more--then I see the miracles again. Something that will help if you find yourself doubting--take a notebook and write, at the end of the day, all the different ways you saw the Lord's hand in your life that day. It will be hard at first, but believe me--you'll start recognizing His hand more than you ever have before. And recognizing that carries you through the hard stuff. It's pretty powerful.
Bro Hansen, that is so weird that Elder Hansen is back! And Audrey's halfway there--did you know that my half way is next month? We come home pretty close it sounds like.
Paul, thanks for the birthday email. You made my day. :D
Sister Rosser, I appreciate the thought. I'm looking forward to my 23 birthday party with you there. Maybe you should plan me a surprise party. . . Heehee. And TELL SISTER LINDSEY HI FOR ME!!! I love her.
I'll go now. I hope you all are well, and you enjoy this carta. I'll attach a couple fotos I think are cool. Paz fuera.
Love,
Hna. Crowley.
Mon, 16 Mar 2009: Wazzup?
Dear Everybody,
This last week was hard. One of those I-feel-really-inadequate-I-just-do-everything-wrong weeks. Satan was really doing a number on me. But I think I pulled through it, because we saw miracles yesterday.
Goal for last week was to find 5 new investigators. By Sunday, we had only found 1. So our district leader (who is really awesome, by the way) asked us to please do all we could to at least find 2 new investigators, to meet the Zone goal of 3. So we prayed hard. And again, I was feeling like crap. But as I prayed mightily with my companion, and on my own, and really promised the Lord that I would repent of my short-comings and do everything that I could to be worthy to help the work in this area, I started feeling better about what we would do. Then, we were literally guided to a street to go tracting, and within 45 minutes of talking to people and knocking doors (we actually only got through 4 doors) we found a family. I had been praying really hard to find a family for our English ward, because they have been working so hard to be ready for missionary work, and I felt like they needed something for their faith. We found an English family. Well, actually, Arabic, but they speak English. They're Muslim, and from Palestine. They love hearing about Jesus and watching videos--so I said we have the perfect video for you. I really have a lot of faith in this family--I am going to work so hard to be prepared to teach this family with power, to be able to bring them to a knowledge of Jesus Christ and find a testimony in the truth. Can I tell you something? That's pretty daunting. But I know the Lord led us to their door for a reason, so I'm excited to see what happens.
Also, we've been working a little with this part-member family--a returned-sister missionary and her non-member spouse living with her fully-active parents--he is so inundated with the Gospel, it's ridiculous. They've been married 2 years, and it's a surprise he's lasted this long. He rocks. He cooked us dinner last night, and his wife made me a birthday cake! It was carrot. It was SOOOO good. And then we watched the Testaments with them, because that's the only Church movie he hasn't seen yet. It was powerful. The whole room was sniffling. Then Hna. Sepulveda and I both shared our testimonies about how we know the Book of Mormon and the Bible are here to testify of Jesus Christ. That He lives. And, even more, He knows us each by name, and He is there to heal us and forgive our sins.
David has had a lot of bad experiences with churches in his life, so that's why he is so standoffish about this one. But yesterday, I told him if there was even a little bit of a desire to know these things are true, that is enough, and he should follow it. Like a seed, it will start small, then grow. But you have to take care of it. So we invited him to start doing something--praying with his wife. He was kind of . . eh. . . but of course his RM wife was all--oh, we'll do it. Then he said something amazing--"Don't take my reluctance to read as a sign that I'm not coming around." My heart is so full of joy. And after a week of being weighed down with this and that, I know that the Lord gave me the comfort and reprieve that I needed through seeing these miracles and feeling His Spirit stronger than ever.
Sis Michaelson, sounds awesome! I am so excited to come back and be in your stake again. Missionary work really is the best work in the Church. I am sad that you're not in the singles ward. But who knows? When I get married, maybe we'll be in the same ward! Thanks for the email. I'm glad to know you've been getting mine. :D
All the rest of you I owe letters to: I have nothing to do today, so expect something in the mail soon. You can hate me if you want though. I'm a butt. I miss you all, I've just been overwhelmed. Being senior companion is hard. My comp rocks, but it doesn't change the fact that now I have to do all the moving and shaking, and I'm supposed to know how this all works. Well, I'm definitely learning. And Preach My Gospel has become my best friend. . . .
That email was kind of long, but I hope you enjoyed the stories. If not, too bad. I need to save them in case I don't get it into my journal. . . Lol.
Que Dios los cuide, yo oro por todos Uds. Andele, pues.
Con carino,
Hna. Crowley
This last week was hard. One of those I-feel-really-inadequate-I-just-do-everything-wrong weeks. Satan was really doing a number on me. But I think I pulled through it, because we saw miracles yesterday.
Goal for last week was to find 5 new investigators. By Sunday, we had only found 1. So our district leader (who is really awesome, by the way) asked us to please do all we could to at least find 2 new investigators, to meet the Zone goal of 3. So we prayed hard. And again, I was feeling like crap. But as I prayed mightily with my companion, and on my own, and really promised the Lord that I would repent of my short-comings and do everything that I could to be worthy to help the work in this area, I started feeling better about what we would do. Then, we were literally guided to a street to go tracting, and within 45 minutes of talking to people and knocking doors (we actually only got through 4 doors) we found a family. I had been praying really hard to find a family for our English ward, because they have been working so hard to be ready for missionary work, and I felt like they needed something for their faith. We found an English family. Well, actually, Arabic, but they speak English. They're Muslim, and from Palestine. They love hearing about Jesus and watching videos--so I said we have the perfect video for you. I really have a lot of faith in this family--I am going to work so hard to be prepared to teach this family with power, to be able to bring them to a knowledge of Jesus Christ and find a testimony in the truth. Can I tell you something? That's pretty daunting. But I know the Lord led us to their door for a reason, so I'm excited to see what happens.
Also, we've been working a little with this part-member family--a returned-sister missionary and her non-member spouse living with her fully-active parents--he is so inundated with the Gospel, it's ridiculous. They've been married 2 years, and it's a surprise he's lasted this long. He rocks. He cooked us dinner last night, and his wife made me a birthday cake! It was carrot. It was SOOOO good. And then we watched the Testaments with them, because that's the only Church movie he hasn't seen yet. It was powerful. The whole room was sniffling. Then Hna. Sepulveda and I both shared our testimonies about how we know the Book of Mormon and the Bible are here to testify of Jesus Christ. That He lives. And, even more, He knows us each by name, and He is there to heal us and forgive our sins.
David has had a lot of bad experiences with churches in his life, so that's why he is so standoffish about this one. But yesterday, I told him if there was even a little bit of a desire to know these things are true, that is enough, and he should follow it. Like a seed, it will start small, then grow. But you have to take care of it. So we invited him to start doing something--praying with his wife. He was kind of . . eh. . . but of course his RM wife was all--oh, we'll do it. Then he said something amazing--"Don't take my reluctance to read as a sign that I'm not coming around." My heart is so full of joy. And after a week of being weighed down with this and that, I know that the Lord gave me the comfort and reprieve that I needed through seeing these miracles and feeling His Spirit stronger than ever.
Sis Michaelson, sounds awesome! I am so excited to come back and be in your stake again. Missionary work really is the best work in the Church. I am sad that you're not in the singles ward. But who knows? When I get married, maybe we'll be in the same ward! Thanks for the email. I'm glad to know you've been getting mine. :D
All the rest of you I owe letters to: I have nothing to do today, so expect something in the mail soon. You can hate me if you want though. I'm a butt. I miss you all, I've just been overwhelmed. Being senior companion is hard. My comp rocks, but it doesn't change the fact that now I have to do all the moving and shaking, and I'm supposed to know how this all works. Well, I'm definitely learning. And Preach My Gospel has become my best friend. . . .
That email was kind of long, but I hope you enjoyed the stories. If not, too bad. I need to save them in case I don't get it into my journal. . . Lol.
Que Dios los cuide, yo oro por todos Uds. Andele, pues.
Con carino,
Hna. Crowley
Mon, 2 Mar 2009
Dear Fam/Friends
Yes, it is now March, which means we are now back up into the 80s. I had forgotten how much I love being warm. Not that it ever got cold here, but really. Maybe I'll just move to Arizona when I grow up! Who knows?
My new companion and I get along really well--especially since we both like to work and be obedient. And she's healthy. It's nice, because now I'm not the only one getting up in the morning, which definitely makes it easier. Of course, the fact that I have been feeling more exhausted than ever makes getting up harder. . .
I got hit with a cold, then allergies last week, so I was kind of blah. Plus I haven't been sleeping well--that's finally catching up to me. I've always slept so solidly, but now. . . Hna. Sepulveda told me I talked in my sleep the other night. I don't do that normally, so I think I'm finally feeling mission stress. . . Lol.
The work in the area is VERY good. Well, as in, it has a lot of promise. My last companion and I were able to get a lot moving, and now I'm with a companion who can work more so we're just going to tear it up. I have a lot of faith in blessings that come from obedience.
Adan is getting baptized THIS SATURDAY!!! He told us he wants to do it at 10:00 am, and I thought that was weird but oh well. What can you do? We just have to make sure none of the wards are having baptisms for their 8-yr-olds.
We're also teaching his aunt and uncle--and they are doing great. We just have to get them to church, but that should be pretty easy with Adan laying the foundation for them.
In our English ward, things are still pretty. . . in the air. I don't know. We have one man with a lot of promise--David, whose wife is having triplets TODAY. Whoa, that's weird. After him, though, we haven't really pulled a lot out. It's really hard focusing on two wards. But Garden Lakes has the leadership support we need to get stuff going. We just need to be more organized. All of our work with them is in less-active and part-member families. It's pretty cool.
I'm trying to think if there is anything exciting to say. I'm going to the chiro again today. . .uhh. . . Oh, I get to hang out with Hna. Corless again today! I miss her. She was an awesome trainer.
Yeah, I got nothing. I'm boring.
Oh wait, one more--Adan fasted yesterday! It was so cool! We taught him about fasting last week, and we told him it was Fast Sunday, and he agreed to do it! Then at church he was telling me how hungry he was. It was funny. We'll ask him how it went later.
Ok, that's really all for now. Gotta go get stuff done!
Love,
Hna. Crowley
Yes, it is now March, which means we are now back up into the 80s. I had forgotten how much I love being warm. Not that it ever got cold here, but really. Maybe I'll just move to Arizona when I grow up! Who knows?
My new companion and I get along really well--especially since we both like to work and be obedient. And she's healthy. It's nice, because now I'm not the only one getting up in the morning, which definitely makes it easier. Of course, the fact that I have been feeling more exhausted than ever makes getting up harder. . .
I got hit with a cold, then allergies last week, so I was kind of blah. Plus I haven't been sleeping well--that's finally catching up to me. I've always slept so solidly, but now. . . Hna. Sepulveda told me I talked in my sleep the other night. I don't do that normally, so I think I'm finally feeling mission stress. . . Lol.
The work in the area is VERY good. Well, as in, it has a lot of promise. My last companion and I were able to get a lot moving, and now I'm with a companion who can work more so we're just going to tear it up. I have a lot of faith in blessings that come from obedience.
Adan is getting baptized THIS SATURDAY!!! He told us he wants to do it at 10:00 am, and I thought that was weird but oh well. What can you do? We just have to make sure none of the wards are having baptisms for their 8-yr-olds.
We're also teaching his aunt and uncle--and they are doing great. We just have to get them to church, but that should be pretty easy with Adan laying the foundation for them.
In our English ward, things are still pretty. . . in the air. I don't know. We have one man with a lot of promise--David, whose wife is having triplets TODAY. Whoa, that's weird. After him, though, we haven't really pulled a lot out. It's really hard focusing on two wards. But Garden Lakes has the leadership support we need to get stuff going. We just need to be more organized. All of our work with them is in less-active and part-member families. It's pretty cool.
I'm trying to think if there is anything exciting to say. I'm going to the chiro again today. . .uhh. . . Oh, I get to hang out with Hna. Corless again today! I miss her. She was an awesome trainer.
Yeah, I got nothing. I'm boring.
Oh wait, one more--Adan fasted yesterday! It was so cool! We taught him about fasting last week, and we told him it was Fast Sunday, and he agreed to do it! Then at church he was telling me how hungry he was. It was funny. We'll ask him how it went later.
Ok, that's really all for now. Gotta go get stuff done!
Love,
Hna. Crowley
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Mon, 26 Jan 2009: Words of wisdom from Estrella Norte
Hello once again, I know you have been dying to hear from me.
This email will be written oddly, fyi, because this keyboard sticks and I cannot use the apostraphe button.
This last week was good. I cannot remember if it was eventful, because honestly it was kind of a blur. We tracted some, taught a lot of lessons to less-active and part-member families. English people are so touchy, I am learning. With Hispanics you could go to a non-member husband and just be like, Hey, why are you not baptized yet? And he would say such and such and I drink or whatever. Then you could straight up say, listen, we love you and we want your family to have eternal happiness. Will you let us teach you? And he would either say yes or no and be done with it. And we could still come back and it would not be awkward. With all these--ok, lets just be honest--with all these white people it is like--oh, you are pushing me too hard, I cannot progress like that. You offended me, I cannot believe you want me to get baptized. You are just counting numbers, huh?
Ok, so maybe it is not that bad.. . Actually, it is. I feel like we are constantly walking on eggshells around these people. But that is ok--I am going to change that. I have already teased a guy about going to church, so it is a good start. I am too blunt for this kind of work, but maybe the Lord just needed somebody a little more straight-forward in this area to make up for all the beating-around-the-bush that went on before.
Anyway, so that is what we have been up to. Oh, and I met my very first bull mastiff--that is a BIG DOG. But he was also one of the sweetest I have met. So I am thinking that maybe I want a big dog when I grow up. I kind of love them.
Ok, I am going to sign off now, because I cannot think of anything else to tell you and I am getting tired of this crappy keyboard.
I think you guys are awesome. And I really love this work. I can honestly testify of the scriptures in the Doctrine and Covenants:
D&C 130: 20-21
20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—
21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.
My obedience directly affects the amount of success I have out here. Success out here is the blessing--success as a missionary is joy.
D&C 18: 15-16
15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!
I am laboring to bring souls unto Christ. And let me tell you--there really is no greater joy.
I hope you all are safe. You are in my little missionary prayers.
Love,
Hna. Crowley.
This email will be written oddly, fyi, because this keyboard sticks and I cannot use the apostraphe button.
This last week was good. I cannot remember if it was eventful, because honestly it was kind of a blur. We tracted some, taught a lot of lessons to less-active and part-member families. English people are so touchy, I am learning. With Hispanics you could go to a non-member husband and just be like, Hey, why are you not baptized yet? And he would say such and such and I drink or whatever. Then you could straight up say, listen, we love you and we want your family to have eternal happiness. Will you let us teach you? And he would either say yes or no and be done with it. And we could still come back and it would not be awkward. With all these--ok, lets just be honest--with all these white people it is like--oh, you are pushing me too hard, I cannot progress like that. You offended me, I cannot believe you want me to get baptized. You are just counting numbers, huh?
Ok, so maybe it is not that bad.. . Actually, it is. I feel like we are constantly walking on eggshells around these people. But that is ok--I am going to change that. I have already teased a guy about going to church, so it is a good start. I am too blunt for this kind of work, but maybe the Lord just needed somebody a little more straight-forward in this area to make up for all the beating-around-the-bush that went on before.
Anyway, so that is what we have been up to. Oh, and I met my very first bull mastiff--that is a BIG DOG. But he was also one of the sweetest I have met. So I am thinking that maybe I want a big dog when I grow up. I kind of love them.
Ok, I am going to sign off now, because I cannot think of anything else to tell you and I am getting tired of this crappy keyboard.
I think you guys are awesome. And I really love this work. I can honestly testify of the scriptures in the Doctrine and Covenants:
D&C 130: 20-21
20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—
21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.
My obedience directly affects the amount of success I have out here. Success out here is the blessing--success as a missionary is joy.
D&C 18: 15-16
15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!
I am laboring to bring souls unto Christ. And let me tell you--there really is no greater joy.
I hope you all are safe. You are in my little missionary prayers.
Love,
Hna. Crowley.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Tue, 20 Jan 2009
Fam and Friends,
Once again, it is time to update you on my life as a missionary. I know you all appreciate this opportunity to catch a glimpse of this exciting undertaking in the great area of Avondale and west Phoenix. I hope you are all intrigued.
So last week, I got transferred. And, as always in this mission, none of us had any idea where we were going, though my good friend Elder Soto went home (finally, that kids has been out forever!) and his companion got transferred too, which means that their area (the north half of the Spanish ward that I worked in the south half of) was then open for "flushing" aka putting in a completely new pair of missionaries. That's always a fun game.
So I packed everything up, put my food in bags, and loaded it all up in Katy John's car (a member who helps us) and we headed off to the transfer building half an hour away. We all go in, go through the meeting, then they announce our new companions. I was assigned to work with Hna. Martinez, an Hna. from New York (but she was born in El Salvador. She's a native. She rocks.) And then they assigned our area. See, we were the two sisters who got to flush a new area--turns out to be the north half of the ward I was already working in, and they gave us an English ward to work with as well. Which also meant that we would be living in the same apartment that I had just packed all my things in. So I went back and put all my food back in the refrigerator that I had just pulled them from. It was awesome.
I did move rooms though.
So now we're all put back together, we got the extra desk and bed that we needed, and Hna. Martinez and I spent most of last week organizing the Area Books (big binders where missionaries keep records of all the people they're teaching, have taught, might possibly teach, and information about the ward that we serve in.) The Elders who had been working in the areas before us had done a lot of work, and left us with a lot of people to follow up on and meet, which was awesome, so we had a lot of meeting to do. We still haven't met everyone that they were teaching yet.
Anyway, that was mostly my week. Biggest event probably for the rest of my mission was that I, with Hna. Martinez, was able to have lunch with my dad. He's down here for some training before he heads out to Iraq, so the President gave us special permission to have some time together. It was great. I mean, the food and all, but mostly the company.
I better get going, I've got a few other emails to write. Espero que Dios les cuide y que tengan todo necesario para perseverar en este mundo con mucho tribulacion. De hecho, solo va a empeorar. Pero, esto es exactamente porque no vivimos en el mundo. Tratamos siempre acercarnos a Dios--entonces, arriba del mundo. Eso es lo que trato mi mismo cada dia, y creo que estoy progresando. ?Quien sabe?
Anyway, gotta go. I'm going to go call a lady back because she just left a message to give us a referral of one of her friends. I'm pretty stoked.
Sister Rosser, no worries--the letter I'm sending you will make up for its tardiness. :D
Paz fuera, gente.
Love,
Hna. Crowley.
Once again, it is time to update you on my life as a missionary. I know you all appreciate this opportunity to catch a glimpse of this exciting undertaking in the great area of Avondale and west Phoenix. I hope you are all intrigued.
So last week, I got transferred. And, as always in this mission, none of us had any idea where we were going, though my good friend Elder Soto went home (finally, that kids has been out forever!) and his companion got transferred too, which means that their area (the north half of the Spanish ward that I worked in the south half of) was then open for "flushing" aka putting in a completely new pair of missionaries. That's always a fun game.
So I packed everything up, put my food in bags, and loaded it all up in Katy John's car (a member who helps us) and we headed off to the transfer building half an hour away. We all go in, go through the meeting, then they announce our new companions. I was assigned to work with Hna. Martinez, an Hna. from New York (but she was born in El Salvador. She's a native. She rocks.) And then they assigned our area. See, we were the two sisters who got to flush a new area--turns out to be the north half of the ward I was already working in, and they gave us an English ward to work with as well. Which also meant that we would be living in the same apartment that I had just packed all my things in. So I went back and put all my food back in the refrigerator that I had just pulled them from. It was awesome.
I did move rooms though.
So now we're all put back together, we got the extra desk and bed that we needed, and Hna. Martinez and I spent most of last week organizing the Area Books (big binders where missionaries keep records of all the people they're teaching, have taught, might possibly teach, and information about the ward that we serve in.) The Elders who had been working in the areas before us had done a lot of work, and left us with a lot of people to follow up on and meet, which was awesome, so we had a lot of meeting to do. We still haven't met everyone that they were teaching yet.
Anyway, that was mostly my week. Biggest event probably for the rest of my mission was that I, with Hna. Martinez, was able to have lunch with my dad. He's down here for some training before he heads out to Iraq, so the President gave us special permission to have some time together. It was great. I mean, the food and all, but mostly the company.
I better get going, I've got a few other emails to write. Espero que Dios les cuide y que tengan todo necesario para perseverar en este mundo con mucho tribulacion. De hecho, solo va a empeorar. Pero, esto es exactamente porque no vivimos en el mundo. Tratamos siempre acercarnos a Dios--entonces, arriba del mundo. Eso es lo que trato mi mismo cada dia, y creo que estoy progresando. ?Quien sabe?
Anyway, gotta go. I'm going to go call a lady back because she just left a message to give us a referral of one of her friends. I'm pretty stoked.
Sister Rosser, no worries--the letter I'm sending you will make up for its tardiness. :D
Paz fuera, gente.
Love,
Hna. Crowley.
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