Dear whoever cares,
As many of you know, this will be my last email to you from Phoenix. Well, as a missionary at least. Don't be surprised if I start making plans to move to Arizona. . . As much as I hate it here, I love this place. Kinda like Vegas.
Kind of a lot going on this week--our mission Christmas party is tomorrow--we're doing a musical number. Then we go to the temple for a session, and afterwards we get to walk around and look at the Christmas lights. And after that we're going to some awesome member's house to burn cds. . . (The hermanas need to copy my awesome MoTab cds. . . Lol.) Tomorrow's going to be a great day.
And we have a baptism on Saturday--Leslie. Yesterday he went around inviting everyone in church to come to his baptism. He's a real sweetheart. And he's so excited.
And we went to Clift's wedding. It was beautiful! Really well put-together. And cold.
It's raining outside right now, it's wonderful. I love the rain.
Otherwise, I'm just trying to get things together. I hope you all missed me, and that someone will want to hang out with me.
Love you,
Hna. Crowley
Monday, December 7, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Tue, 1 Dec 2009: Second to last email . . .
Hey guys, once more from Phoenix. . .
Thanksgiving was good--we had two thanksgivings. It rocked. One with English Bishop Perry and his family, and then the other with Hna. Sanchez for Spanish. It was good, and I literally ate so much I thought it was going to come back out.
Last Saturday, we had another baptism. Justin finally made it. It was pretty awesome. I gotta say, this was a baptism I really felt attatched to--considering I was there to find him, and for the whole process. We had quite the connection, Justin and I. We just kind of had the same way of seeing things spiritually. It was pretty cool working with him.
Then I spoke in the Moon Valley ward on Sunday--I spoke about thanks. I guess it turned out pretty well, I don't really know what I said. People told me it was good though. I'll just trust them. Leaving the Moon Valley ward will be hard--I have to say, I really love this ward. Don't tell anybody, but I think if I were to move back to Arizona, I would live in this ward.
Anyway, we have a wedding to go to this weekend--for those of you who were paying attention a few months ago, it's Clifton. He's our recent convert marrying his member girlfriend. They are ridiculously cute together.
Anyway, I'm going to go now, do something more important like sleep or something. I'll be seeing you soon anyway, right?
By the way, for those who want to know--I come home December 15th, and I'll be released at 8:30pm. I don't know yet if I'll be speaking though, you'll have to ask my mom. . . Hey mom, am I speaking at church?
Ok, that's it. Peace out, and merry Christmas. Hope your Thanksgiving was awesome. Remember to be grateful to the One who gives you life.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
Thanksgiving was good--we had two thanksgivings. It rocked. One with English Bishop Perry and his family, and then the other with Hna. Sanchez for Spanish. It was good, and I literally ate so much I thought it was going to come back out.
Last Saturday, we had another baptism. Justin finally made it. It was pretty awesome. I gotta say, this was a baptism I really felt attatched to--considering I was there to find him, and for the whole process. We had quite the connection, Justin and I. We just kind of had the same way of seeing things spiritually. It was pretty cool working with him.
Then I spoke in the Moon Valley ward on Sunday--I spoke about thanks. I guess it turned out pretty well, I don't really know what I said. People told me it was good though. I'll just trust them. Leaving the Moon Valley ward will be hard--I have to say, I really love this ward. Don't tell anybody, but I think if I were to move back to Arizona, I would live in this ward.
Anyway, we have a wedding to go to this weekend--for those of you who were paying attention a few months ago, it's Clifton. He's our recent convert marrying his member girlfriend. They are ridiculously cute together.
Anyway, I'm going to go now, do something more important like sleep or something. I'll be seeing you soon anyway, right?
By the way, for those who want to know--I come home December 15th, and I'll be released at 8:30pm. I don't know yet if I'll be speaking though, you'll have to ask my mom. . . Hey mom, am I speaking at church?
Ok, that's it. Peace out, and merry Christmas. Hope your Thanksgiving was awesome. Remember to be grateful to the One who gives you life.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Wed, 25 Nov 2009: Baptisms Coming out of my ears. . . .
Hey everybody!
We had a baptism last Saturday, plus a wedding, and it was pretty awesome. Elpidio has been going to church for over a year, and has been with Yolanda for over twenty years, and they finally got married and he was able to be baptized. He has waited a long time for that.
This weekend, we're baptizing Justin. He has been amazing to teach. Mom, he used to be Jehova's Witness--that made me think of you. Didn't you teach an ex-Jehova's Witness? It's a weird thing to connect on, but you're right--he is definitely going to be devoted to it. Teaching him was probably to most involved and spiritual experiences I have had yet.
Then we have one of my recent converts from when we first came to this area is getting married to the girlfriend who helped him join the church. That's next Saturday, and we're invited. :D I'm stoked.
Then the Saturday after that, the husband of another recent convert--Diana--is getting baptized. It's crazy. I think Heavenly Father is doing His best to keep me focused to the end. We've got a lot of changes going on around here too--we're muddling through it as best we can.
Once again, I'm going to tell you what I know--this Gospel is from Jesus Christ. What I teach and what we live are the necessary steps to being with our Father in Heaven for eternity. Everyone will have the chance to learn about it and accept it, or not. But there is hope in that. We are not perfect, but we have the tools to become the best of what we are.
I love you all, and I may or may not be counting down the days to when I will see you again. (I don't actually have to. One of the Elders is doing it for me. 20 days.)
Sincerely yours,
Hna. Crowley
We had a baptism last Saturday, plus a wedding, and it was pretty awesome. Elpidio has been going to church for over a year, and has been with Yolanda for over twenty years, and they finally got married and he was able to be baptized. He has waited a long time for that.
This weekend, we're baptizing Justin. He has been amazing to teach. Mom, he used to be Jehova's Witness--that made me think of you. Didn't you teach an ex-Jehova's Witness? It's a weird thing to connect on, but you're right--he is definitely going to be devoted to it. Teaching him was probably to most involved and spiritual experiences I have had yet.
Then we have one of my recent converts from when we first came to this area is getting married to the girlfriend who helped him join the church. That's next Saturday, and we're invited. :D I'm stoked.
Then the Saturday after that, the husband of another recent convert--Diana--is getting baptized. It's crazy. I think Heavenly Father is doing His best to keep me focused to the end. We've got a lot of changes going on around here too--we're muddling through it as best we can.
Once again, I'm going to tell you what I know--this Gospel is from Jesus Christ. What I teach and what we live are the necessary steps to being with our Father in Heaven for eternity. Everyone will have the chance to learn about it and accept it, or not. But there is hope in that. We are not perfect, but we have the tools to become the best of what we are.
I love you all, and I may or may not be counting down the days to when I will see you again. (I don't actually have to. One of the Elders is doing it for me. 20 days.)
Sincerely yours,
Hna. Crowley
Monday, November 23, 2009
Wed, 18 Nov 2009
Dear People of the World,
Time's ticking pretty quickly. Not really sure what I'm doing with it. . .
We had a baptism last Saturday, we're having a wedding Friday and another baptism Saturday, then another baptism the next Saturday. . . And another baptism the 12 of December. That means a baptism every Saturday til I go home, except the 5th, but we're working on a 9-yr-old. I don't know what I did to deserve this, but I'm pretty excited. The Lord is helping me finish strong.
Whitney and Wendy, I think I may just stay home next semester, work and save. Not really sure yet. Not a bad idea to stay with the Rossers, but I've got some reasons to just stay in Utah too. I haven't decided yet.
Not too much going on besides missionary work. Oh yeah, I had my last Zone Conference yesterday, and all departing missionaries share their testimonies--in this group there were three of us. Something that I felt impressed to share with them--first, I will never regret the time I have spent out here. Second, I know Heavenly Father has been so mindful of me in everything that I have been doing. Third, I cannot deny the blessings that have come to my family because of my decision to do this.
Serving a mission has been the best decision of my life.
Anyway, gotta go. We have an appointment in half an hour. I love my life. Lol.
Love Sincerely,
Hna. Crowley
Time's ticking pretty quickly. Not really sure what I'm doing with it. . .
We had a baptism last Saturday, we're having a wedding Friday and another baptism Saturday, then another baptism the next Saturday. . . And another baptism the 12 of December. That means a baptism every Saturday til I go home, except the 5th, but we're working on a 9-yr-old. I don't know what I did to deserve this, but I'm pretty excited. The Lord is helping me finish strong.
Whitney and Wendy, I think I may just stay home next semester, work and save. Not really sure yet. Not a bad idea to stay with the Rossers, but I've got some reasons to just stay in Utah too. I haven't decided yet.
Not too much going on besides missionary work. Oh yeah, I had my last Zone Conference yesterday, and all departing missionaries share their testimonies--in this group there were three of us. Something that I felt impressed to share with them--first, I will never regret the time I have spent out here. Second, I know Heavenly Father has been so mindful of me in everything that I have been doing. Third, I cannot deny the blessings that have come to my family because of my decision to do this.
Serving a mission has been the best decision of my life.
Anyway, gotta go. We have an appointment in half an hour. I love my life. Lol.
Love Sincerely,
Hna. Crowley
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Thu, 12 Nov 2009: Hello in less than 5 weeks
Dear Everybody,
Not much going on out in the old Arizona desert. . . Temperatures still in the 80s, still using the air conditioning, still being a missionary. . .
The temple that will be built near here is running into some difficulties, as far as random protestations from the neighborhood. So, if you would, keep it in your prayers. Nothing will stop the work from going forth, but it will go faster if we put our faith together.
Let's see, what else? Well, we're planning on having a baptism every weekend before I go home. So far so good--one this weekend, one next PLUS a wedding. . . The Lord is keeping me busy my last few weeks.
Just so you know, the Lord is teaching me a lot of things. It kind of feels like this is His last chance to fix some stuff, so He's starting to cram it in. I have the feeling my companions and I will be having a fun time.
And so you know, He is very mindful of us. I was feeling a little weird about a lesson we were teaching, and I asked Heavenly Father to help me get over what was bugging me. A few minutes later, our investigator went and talked about the very thing that was bugging me, putting a new light on it. It was pretty cool.
I gotta go, not a lot of time this week.
Whit and Wendy: Now I'm not sure if I'll even be going down this semester. I think I will, and I like your idea Wendy. I wouldn't mind living with your parents, but I never had to live with members on the mission so I don't know how it would be for me. I think I may prefer my own apartment. But again, now I'm not sure. Keep me updated on what's going on.
Love you all, may God bless you.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
Not much going on out in the old Arizona desert. . . Temperatures still in the 80s, still using the air conditioning, still being a missionary. . .
The temple that will be built near here is running into some difficulties, as far as random protestations from the neighborhood. So, if you would, keep it in your prayers. Nothing will stop the work from going forth, but it will go faster if we put our faith together.
Let's see, what else? Well, we're planning on having a baptism every weekend before I go home. So far so good--one this weekend, one next PLUS a wedding. . . The Lord is keeping me busy my last few weeks.
Just so you know, the Lord is teaching me a lot of things. It kind of feels like this is His last chance to fix some stuff, so He's starting to cram it in. I have the feeling my companions and I will be having a fun time.
And so you know, He is very mindful of us. I was feeling a little weird about a lesson we were teaching, and I asked Heavenly Father to help me get over what was bugging me. A few minutes later, our investigator went and talked about the very thing that was bugging me, putting a new light on it. It was pretty cool.
I gotta go, not a lot of time this week.
Whit and Wendy: Now I'm not sure if I'll even be going down this semester. I think I will, and I like your idea Wendy. I wouldn't mind living with your parents, but I never had to live with members on the mission so I don't know how it would be for me. I think I may prefer my own apartment. But again, now I'm not sure. Keep me updated on what's going on.
Love you all, may God bless you.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
Sunday, November 1, 2009
29 Oct 2009
Dear Everybody,
I don't have too much time, we had fun today so that takes away from computer time of course. . .
We had a baptism this week! Carol was finally able to be baptized. It was the most touching baptism I've ever been a part of. She's the most innocent person I've ever taught, and she had the most sincere desire to be baptized of anyone I've known.
Also, it was questionable whether or not she'd be able to be baptized. But when we taught her, the Spirit told us yes. And then, the miracle was as we taught her, her ability to learn increased. I love Carol, and will always have a special place in my heart for her.
The scriptures mention a joy that comes from bringing a soul to Christ. I can honestly testify of that joy--it's unbeatable. Honestly, do everything you can to be able to take part in it. It's worth it.
I will never EVER regret the time I have spent serving the Lord full time. I gotta say, though, I'm tired. December 15 is starting to look pretty good right now. . . .
(That's when I go home. 48 days! At least that's what Elder Barnes tells me.)
Anyway, I gotta go. Love you!
Christopher, gracias por tu carta. Me dio feliz escuchar de uds. Yo tambien quiero estudiar como traducir, pero puedo imaginarme que dificil seria. !Dile a Katy como le quiero!
Love,
Hna. Crowley
I don't have too much time, we had fun today so that takes away from computer time of course. . .
We had a baptism this week! Carol was finally able to be baptized. It was the most touching baptism I've ever been a part of. She's the most innocent person I've ever taught, and she had the most sincere desire to be baptized of anyone I've known.
Also, it was questionable whether or not she'd be able to be baptized. But when we taught her, the Spirit told us yes. And then, the miracle was as we taught her, her ability to learn increased. I love Carol, and will always have a special place in my heart for her.
The scriptures mention a joy that comes from bringing a soul to Christ. I can honestly testify of that joy--it's unbeatable. Honestly, do everything you can to be able to take part in it. It's worth it.
I will never EVER regret the time I have spent serving the Lord full time. I gotta say, though, I'm tired. December 15 is starting to look pretty good right now. . . .
(That's when I go home. 48 days! At least that's what Elder Barnes tells me.)
Anyway, I gotta go. Love you!
Christopher, gracias por tu carta. Me dio feliz escuchar de uds. Yo tambien quiero estudiar como traducir, pero puedo imaginarme que dificil seria. !Dile a Katy como le quiero!
Love,
Hna. Crowley
Tue, 20 Oct 2009
Hey guys!
Well, I'm keeping this short because I have a headache. We had a lesson at 8:00 this morning with our baptismal candidate--she's getting baptized Saturday after two years of following this Church. Well, she is a little odd. . . Carol is kinda crazy, but I love her dearly. She kisses us every time we come and go. She's hilarious too. Hopefully I'll remember some good stories to tell you when I get back. If I ever leave this mission. Maybe I'll just stay. . . Lol.
Anyway, things are going really well. I have a headache because we had dessert with dinner last night, then s'mores at our FHE with Justin. I got a pretty serious sugar overload. . . but it was worth it.
I love hearing from you. Sister Rosser--not only did I write you, I already sent it! Ha ha ha. Aren't I awesome? A few of you I may still owe letters too. . . We'll see.
That's it, I'm out.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
Well, I'm keeping this short because I have a headache. We had a lesson at 8:00 this morning with our baptismal candidate--she's getting baptized Saturday after two years of following this Church. Well, she is a little odd. . . Carol is kinda crazy, but I love her dearly. She kisses us every time we come and go. She's hilarious too. Hopefully I'll remember some good stories to tell you when I get back. If I ever leave this mission. Maybe I'll just stay. . . Lol.
Anyway, things are going really well. I have a headache because we had dessert with dinner last night, then s'mores at our FHE with Justin. I got a pretty serious sugar overload. . . but it was worth it.
I love hearing from you. Sister Rosser--not only did I write you, I already sent it! Ha ha ha. Aren't I awesome? A few of you I may still owe letters too. . . We'll see.
That's it, I'm out.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Wed, 7 Oct 2009
Sorry about last week--P-Day was such that we literally didn't have time to do our email. It was weird, and sucked, but what can you do?
The last two weeks have been a weird shift in the work. We haven't been able to find most of our investigators, and we've been trying to reorganize ourselves to actually be able to work with the ward in a functional way--it's an interesting thing that Elders and Sisters are so different. But the last couple of days, people have been filtering back in from wherever they went, so things are picking back up.
Also, our English ward and a couple others around us just got pulled into a different stake. THAT has been interesting. Our Spanish group that's attached to Moon Valley went with them, so we still cover the area of our old stake, but we belong to this new one. They're deciding if they want to combine our group with the Spanish branch that already exists in our new stake, but they haven't yet, so we're in an awkward limbo. But what can you do? Just press on with the work, that's all. It's going pretty good.
My new companion, Hna. Matthews, is awesome. We're both pretty laid back, so we get along well.
I don't really know what else to report on. . . Conference was great. Both days we got to watch it in our PJs! Saturday was one of our missionary friend's birthday, so we went to their place (they live with members) as a "district" (we're not technically in their district anymore, but they live in our area. . . it's weird) and had a missionary pajama birthday party. It was pretty hilarious. Then Sunday, the members we went to watch it with said--if you don't come in your pjs, you're not invited. What else could we do? It was nice to get a "break." Conference--the Mormon holiday.
Anyway, I love you all, sorry I suck. I have this back-up on letters from probably three months ago. But I'll write you all back and hopefully get at least one more letter before I come home. . . Yeah, that's finally coming up. But, well, we can talk about that later.
Love you!
--Hna. Crowley
The last two weeks have been a weird shift in the work. We haven't been able to find most of our investigators, and we've been trying to reorganize ourselves to actually be able to work with the ward in a functional way--it's an interesting thing that Elders and Sisters are so different. But the last couple of days, people have been filtering back in from wherever they went, so things are picking back up.
Also, our English ward and a couple others around us just got pulled into a different stake. THAT has been interesting. Our Spanish group that's attached to Moon Valley went with them, so we still cover the area of our old stake, but we belong to this new one. They're deciding if they want to combine our group with the Spanish branch that already exists in our new stake, but they haven't yet, so we're in an awkward limbo. But what can you do? Just press on with the work, that's all. It's going pretty good.
My new companion, Hna. Matthews, is awesome. We're both pretty laid back, so we get along well.
I don't really know what else to report on. . . Conference was great. Both days we got to watch it in our PJs! Saturday was one of our missionary friend's birthday, so we went to their place (they live with members) as a "district" (we're not technically in their district anymore, but they live in our area. . . it's weird) and had a missionary pajama birthday party. It was pretty hilarious. Then Sunday, the members we went to watch it with said--if you don't come in your pjs, you're not invited. What else could we do? It was nice to get a "break." Conference--the Mormon holiday.
Anyway, I love you all, sorry I suck. I have this back-up on letters from probably three months ago. But I'll write you all back and hopefully get at least one more letter before I come home. . . Yeah, that's finally coming up. But, well, we can talk about that later.
Love you!
--Hna. Crowley
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Tue, 22 Sep 2009: I'm officially a murderer.
Dear whoever cares,
I killed my companion yesterday. There was a bit of a struggle and some tears, but the deed is done. In fact, she's on the plane right now to Seattle. What an interesting experience.
Looking back on all that we went through, I wouldn't have changed a bit. It's cool to recognize how everything that we went through together had a purpose, and was for our good. Don't tell any of my other companions, but Hna. Walker is definitely the most memorable one, and I think the one I grew up the most with. And I love her dearly for it. Mom, I may or may not be deciding to move to Washington state . . . Lol. Or Victoria, Canada, for our district leader Elder Burstall. Somehow he's got the whole district wishing we were Canadians. He is pretty ridiculously cool though.
And I also found out I am NOT getting transferred, but my area now belongs to a different stake. So far as I know, I still cover the same area, but we answer to new leadership. Which also means a new district. As much as I have loved all of my districts, having to leave this one has been the most devastating. But, well, I'll probably just be still covering their areas in Spanish, so I'll still be able to see them. Plus one of the companionships is actually with me in the new stake--the neighboring stake just absorbed three of our wards, and the Spanish group, which brought them to 9 wards and us back down to ten. It's a good balance, but it still sucks.
But I already know who my companion is! There are only 6 Spanish Hermanas, and only one of them is getting transferred. . . . But I'll keep you in suspense til next week. A hint--I have lived with her before. (Yeah, like any of you are actually going to remember her. Lol.) We're going to have a blast, actually.
All right, I've gotta go. We're going to go to a Zone Activity and play volleyball. My last activity as part of this zone. . .
One last thing actually. The Lord has been so aware and mindful of me, and has made it pretty obvious. The two sisters I am with have been really great as I go through my period of mourning, and the member they live with is the sweetest old lady (reminds me of my own grandmas) even down to the dinner appointment we had last night, with a really sweet family who were completely warm and hilarious. The Lord knows what I need, exactly how I need it. And you know what? He knows that for you too.
I love you, hope everything is awesome. Bye!
Love, Hna. Crowley
I killed my companion yesterday. There was a bit of a struggle and some tears, but the deed is done. In fact, she's on the plane right now to Seattle. What an interesting experience.
Looking back on all that we went through, I wouldn't have changed a bit. It's cool to recognize how everything that we went through together had a purpose, and was for our good. Don't tell any of my other companions, but Hna. Walker is definitely the most memorable one, and I think the one I grew up the most with. And I love her dearly for it. Mom, I may or may not be deciding to move to Washington state . . . Lol. Or Victoria, Canada, for our district leader Elder Burstall. Somehow he's got the whole district wishing we were Canadians. He is pretty ridiculously cool though.
And I also found out I am NOT getting transferred, but my area now belongs to a different stake. So far as I know, I still cover the same area, but we answer to new leadership. Which also means a new district. As much as I have loved all of my districts, having to leave this one has been the most devastating. But, well, I'll probably just be still covering their areas in Spanish, so I'll still be able to see them. Plus one of the companionships is actually with me in the new stake--the neighboring stake just absorbed three of our wards, and the Spanish group, which brought them to 9 wards and us back down to ten. It's a good balance, but it still sucks.
But I already know who my companion is! There are only 6 Spanish Hermanas, and only one of them is getting transferred. . . . But I'll keep you in suspense til next week. A hint--I have lived with her before. (Yeah, like any of you are actually going to remember her. Lol.) We're going to have a blast, actually.
All right, I've gotta go. We're going to go to a Zone Activity and play volleyball. My last activity as part of this zone. . .
One last thing actually. The Lord has been so aware and mindful of me, and has made it pretty obvious. The two sisters I am with have been really great as I go through my period of mourning, and the member they live with is the sweetest old lady (reminds me of my own grandmas) even down to the dinner appointment we had last night, with a really sweet family who were completely warm and hilarious. The Lord knows what I need, exactly how I need it. And you know what? He knows that for you too.
I love you, hope everything is awesome. Bye!
Love, Hna. Crowley
Monday, September 21, 2009
Wed, 16 Sep 2009
Today I'll keep it short--it's Hna. Walker's last P-Day, so I'm just going with the flow. If I get more of a chance to write, I will later. Just want to make sure I get a note out at least.
Diana's baptism was Saturday. It was really beautiful. Hna. Walker and I sang "Venid a Cristo," which is "Come Unto Jesus" in Spanish, and E. Barnes played for us--he has an awesome gift for playing by ear. Anyway, he did a sweet arrangement and we sang and it was really powerful.
All together, this weekend we had six baptisms in our district. Suffice it to say, it was an interesting time. Watching Hna. Walker come to a close in her mission life, it's interesting to see just how much Heavenly Father is teaching us out here. Literally, anything we need or want to work on, it's brought up and worked on. It's really cool, and really hard. But we're loving it. Hna. Walker has been a blessing to be with, and I'll really miss her when she goes. So, well, we're going to live it up this week!
All right, I'll write later if I can. Love you! Thank you for everything. There's nothing like a mission to make you appreciate your family. We were just hanging out this morning with a bunch of the Elders, and we started talking about our moms. There was a feeling that came into the room when we did, and it was a sweet one. Everyone was smiling. I love you mom.
Also, Dad, I forgot--HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! Man you're old. I'm sending a package home for you that has been waiting a while. . . . . You'll get it when you're back in the states.
LOVE YOU ALL!!!
--Caryn
Diana's baptism was Saturday. It was really beautiful. Hna. Walker and I sang "Venid a Cristo," which is "Come Unto Jesus" in Spanish, and E. Barnes played for us--he has an awesome gift for playing by ear. Anyway, he did a sweet arrangement and we sang and it was really powerful.
All together, this weekend we had six baptisms in our district. Suffice it to say, it was an interesting time. Watching Hna. Walker come to a close in her mission life, it's interesting to see just how much Heavenly Father is teaching us out here. Literally, anything we need or want to work on, it's brought up and worked on. It's really cool, and really hard. But we're loving it. Hna. Walker has been a blessing to be with, and I'll really miss her when she goes. So, well, we're going to live it up this week!
All right, I'll write later if I can. Love you! Thank you for everything. There's nothing like a mission to make you appreciate your family. We were just hanging out this morning with a bunch of the Elders, and we started talking about our moms. There was a feeling that came into the room when we did, and it was a sweet one. Everyone was smiling. I love you mom.
Also, Dad, I forgot--HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! Man you're old. I'm sending a package home for you that has been waiting a while. . . . . You'll get it when you're back in the states.
LOVE YOU ALL!!!
--Caryn
Wed, 9 Sep 2009
All right, I'm giving in and writing an email.
I wasn't going to.
I'm boring.
Anyway, it's all good--we have a baptism this Saturday for Diana, that one really really golden contact we've been teaching. I've seen some pretty prepared people but she definitely takes the cake.
Also, I'm almost finished with Jesus the Christ. By "almost finished" I mean I only have about 200 pages left. I'm actually to the most exciting, and spiritual, part of the book--the last week of the Savior's mortal life.
This has been a pretty powerful read, I gotta admit. A lot of things about the Savior's life that I had questions about have been answered, and my understanding has deepened. I also have developed a stronger testimony in Christ as a living Being, as in the reality of what He did. If you're in for a long read, I would suggest you give it a try.
One of the biggest things I have been learning about lately is the importance of prayer. When you pray, it draws you closer to God. When you don't. you slip away. The only way to understand the relationship you can have with Him through prayer, is by praying.
Diana, before she started meeting with us, hadn't prayed in over 30 years. But she has been praying consistently, and she bore a witness of her own yesterday that she knows He is there, and she knows prayer is powerful.
If you would like to learn more, get on your knees. God is the best reference system in the Universe.
I'm going to sign out now, so I'll talk to you again next week. Have an awesome day.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
I wasn't going to.
I'm boring.
Anyway, it's all good--we have a baptism this Saturday for Diana, that one really really golden contact we've been teaching. I've seen some pretty prepared people but she definitely takes the cake.
Also, I'm almost finished with Jesus the Christ. By "almost finished" I mean I only have about 200 pages left. I'm actually to the most exciting, and spiritual, part of the book--the last week of the Savior's mortal life.
This has been a pretty powerful read, I gotta admit. A lot of things about the Savior's life that I had questions about have been answered, and my understanding has deepened. I also have developed a stronger testimony in Christ as a living Being, as in the reality of what He did. If you're in for a long read, I would suggest you give it a try.
One of the biggest things I have been learning about lately is the importance of prayer. When you pray, it draws you closer to God. When you don't. you slip away. The only way to understand the relationship you can have with Him through prayer, is by praying.
Diana, before she started meeting with us, hadn't prayed in over 30 years. But she has been praying consistently, and she bore a witness of her own yesterday that she knows He is there, and she knows prayer is powerful.
If you would like to learn more, get on your knees. God is the best reference system in the Universe.
I'm going to sign out now, so I'll talk to you again next week. Have an awesome day.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
Wed, 2 Sep 2009
Dear folks back home,
This week has been interesting. We had two baptisms--one of them I don't think I told you about because I don't think we started planning it until Tuesday night. Yeah, three-day baptism. Because they had to move to California, and we wouldn't have had another chance. Anyway, that was Sylvia Twigg. She and her husband were found by the Elders knocking on their door, and it was exactly what they needed! Brother Twigg was baptized in July but Sylvia couldn't because she actually left for Iowa for a month and a half, before they could do it. So when she came back, we just finished up and her husband was able to baptize her. They're awesome.
Then there was Travis. He's a special guy. Divorced with two kids, his ex-wife is an ex-Mormon. He invited his ex-father-in-law, who is active in the church, to his baptism. That was pretty cool. Anyway, it was a really powerful baptism. Travis felt a lot of opposition before he "took the plunge," but he stayed really strong, and I have a lot of respect for him and how he held on.
Now we have three more baptisms planned. One for this Saturday (which we may have to change if we can't get to his house and finish the lessons. . .) for a 9-yr-old son of a less-active family. Next Saturday is Diana, the miracle investigator who is as golden as I've ever heard of, and then the Saturday after that we should have Larry, the eternal investigator who Hna. Walker finally got to commit to a date. He might not do it then--but I know he'll do it soon. He knows it's all true, goes to church regularly, and reads the Book of Mormon regularly. His prayers are really sweet too--he just talks to Heavenly Father as if He were there in front of him. It's awesome.
Anyway, besides all that good stuff me and Hna. Walker have been fighting off illness. I'm coming out of a cold that's lasted since Sunday, and before that was the stomach bug that nearly ruined my visit to the Mesa Temple. Hna. Walker then caught my stomach bug and is fighting that AND trunkyness. . . Lol. She's actually not bad, considering she leaves three weeks from yesterday.
I'm going to sign out now, my head hurts. But you know what? The Gospel is true. And it has changed my life. And my heart has changed so much since I've been out here, serving Him. I am SO far from perfect--and if you ask the Elders around here, they'll tell you I'm nothing like other Sisters--but I know what I'm here to do, and I love doing it. And I love loving the people. If I can do nothing else, I'll work on convincing everybody that God loves them more than they know, because of or in spite of who we are and what we do. NOTHING can separate us from the love of God. See Romans 8, 36 or something. Read the scriptures, they'll tell you. Better yet, ask Him. He'll tell you Himself.
For those of you I owe letters, I was going to write Friday, but then I got violently ill so I went to the temple then came home and slept the rest of the day. So I'll try to get through them today. No promises.
I love you all, have an awesome day.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
This week has been interesting. We had two baptisms--one of them I don't think I told you about because I don't think we started planning it until Tuesday night. Yeah, three-day baptism. Because they had to move to California, and we wouldn't have had another chance. Anyway, that was Sylvia Twigg. She and her husband were found by the Elders knocking on their door, and it was exactly what they needed! Brother Twigg was baptized in July but Sylvia couldn't because she actually left for Iowa for a month and a half, before they could do it. So when she came back, we just finished up and her husband was able to baptize her. They're awesome.
Then there was Travis. He's a special guy. Divorced with two kids, his ex-wife is an ex-Mormon. He invited his ex-father-in-law, who is active in the church, to his baptism. That was pretty cool. Anyway, it was a really powerful baptism. Travis felt a lot of opposition before he "took the plunge," but he stayed really strong, and I have a lot of respect for him and how he held on.
Now we have three more baptisms planned. One for this Saturday (which we may have to change if we can't get to his house and finish the lessons. . .) for a 9-yr-old son of a less-active family. Next Saturday is Diana, the miracle investigator who is as golden as I've ever heard of, and then the Saturday after that we should have Larry, the eternal investigator who Hna. Walker finally got to commit to a date. He might not do it then--but I know he'll do it soon. He knows it's all true, goes to church regularly, and reads the Book of Mormon regularly. His prayers are really sweet too--he just talks to Heavenly Father as if He were there in front of him. It's awesome.
Anyway, besides all that good stuff me and Hna. Walker have been fighting off illness. I'm coming out of a cold that's lasted since Sunday, and before that was the stomach bug that nearly ruined my visit to the Mesa Temple. Hna. Walker then caught my stomach bug and is fighting that AND trunkyness. . . Lol. She's actually not bad, considering she leaves three weeks from yesterday.
I'm going to sign out now, my head hurts. But you know what? The Gospel is true. And it has changed my life. And my heart has changed so much since I've been out here, serving Him. I am SO far from perfect--and if you ask the Elders around here, they'll tell you I'm nothing like other Sisters--but I know what I'm here to do, and I love doing it. And I love loving the people. If I can do nothing else, I'll work on convincing everybody that God loves them more than they know, because of or in spite of who we are and what we do. NOTHING can separate us from the love of God. See Romans 8, 36 or something. Read the scriptures, they'll tell you. Better yet, ask Him. He'll tell you Himself.
For those of you I owe letters, I was going to write Friday, but then I got violently ill so I went to the temple then came home and slept the rest of the day. So I'll try to get through them today. No promises.
I love you all, have an awesome day.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
Tue, 25 Aug 2009: Week 2 in Moon Valley
Hey Guys!
So things are coming together in the Moon Valley ward. We have no Spanish work, but we have people literally walking in off the streets wanting to get baptized! (Literally, that happened once.) The work is booming. We have another baptism this Saturday, possibly one on Sunday, then one next Saturday, and there are others just waiting to set a date! It's insane. I have never felt more like a missionary.
You know what else happened last week? I got my trunky call. That's what we call the first phone call you get about going home--the one where the sister asks which airport is closest to home. Yep, I am definitely on the downhill.
My companion also got her itinerary for her last two days in the mission. Yeah, we talk about home a lot. Surprisingly enough, I don't fell "trunky" and neither does my companion. We're excited about all the work we have.
But let's not lie here, we're both excited about going home too.
Anyway, back to business--the people we are teaching here we have already really connected with. There's Diana (she's the one who just walked in one Sunday and now we're getting ready to baptize her) and Olin (a referral from a member who met him in a hospital after a surgery--he was totally prepared) Spencer (he's 9 and the son of less-active members, but he goes with his grandma) Carol (she's possibly too nutty to actually baptize, but we're working with her to see how much she can retain) Sylvia, and her daughter Lisa and son Donny (her husband was baptized a couple months ago, but they couldn't be because they were in Iowa, so we're just finishing what they started. Donny has autism, really high-functioning and one of the funniest kids I've met here) and then there's Travis--he's getting baptized Saturday. His is an interesting case--we had a baptism on Saturday and he came to that with the member family who he's friends with--and he has been having a rough time, we don't know what but it has really shaken him. But he is clinging to his decision to be baptized, and there is so much support in the ward for him. He's very strong, and we really think Satan's working really hard on him because he has something big in his future.
Oh, I almost forgot Larry! He has been learning from the missionaries for. . .well, our friend Elder Petrich found him when he was first in the mission, and he goes home this transfer. So about two years. But we really feel strongly that the Lord put us in this area for a specific purpose--and I think part of that is to get Larry to finally understand the importance of being baptized. Might as well anyway--he's been going to church for months.
So yeah, things are going good. The apartment isn't completely put together yet (I'm still unpacking, actually) but we'll be done soon. And the Laurels are coming to clean our apartment tomorrow as a service project. Heheh. I'm wondering if we should try to wipe some things down first to spare them, or if we should just leave it all. Well, we'll see if I have time tonight.
I've had a lot of times as I have been testifying to people lately where I have just really felt the Spirit about what I'm doing. It's true, FYI.
Something else to think about--I start this and stop a lot, but I started again and it's great--take a few minutes every day and write down the things you remember from that day that showed you Heavenly Father's hand in your life. It really changes the way you look at things, and it's a great way to change your attitude.
Well, today's not actually P-Day, so I've got to get going. Friday, we're going to the temple, so that has to be our P-Day. But we won't get a chance to email then, so we're just doing that today. Anyway, you guys rock, thanks for your support. I owe a few of you letters. . . . (Sister Rosser, I promise the letter I send will make up for the delay. Heheh.)
I love you! And I love this work. Being a missionary rocks.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
So things are coming together in the Moon Valley ward. We have no Spanish work, but we have people literally walking in off the streets wanting to get baptized! (Literally, that happened once.) The work is booming. We have another baptism this Saturday, possibly one on Sunday, then one next Saturday, and there are others just waiting to set a date! It's insane. I have never felt more like a missionary.
You know what else happened last week? I got my trunky call. That's what we call the first phone call you get about going home--the one where the sister asks which airport is closest to home. Yep, I am definitely on the downhill.
My companion also got her itinerary for her last two days in the mission. Yeah, we talk about home a lot. Surprisingly enough, I don't fell "trunky" and neither does my companion. We're excited about all the work we have.
But let's not lie here, we're both excited about going home too.
Anyway, back to business--the people we are teaching here we have already really connected with. There's Diana (she's the one who just walked in one Sunday and now we're getting ready to baptize her) and Olin (a referral from a member who met him in a hospital after a surgery--he was totally prepared) Spencer (he's 9 and the son of less-active members, but he goes with his grandma) Carol (she's possibly too nutty to actually baptize, but we're working with her to see how much she can retain) Sylvia, and her daughter Lisa and son Donny (her husband was baptized a couple months ago, but they couldn't be because they were in Iowa, so we're just finishing what they started. Donny has autism, really high-functioning and one of the funniest kids I've met here) and then there's Travis--he's getting baptized Saturday. His is an interesting case--we had a baptism on Saturday and he came to that with the member family who he's friends with--and he has been having a rough time, we don't know what but it has really shaken him. But he is clinging to his decision to be baptized, and there is so much support in the ward for him. He's very strong, and we really think Satan's working really hard on him because he has something big in his future.
Oh, I almost forgot Larry! He has been learning from the missionaries for. . .well, our friend Elder Petrich found him when he was first in the mission, and he goes home this transfer. So about two years. But we really feel strongly that the Lord put us in this area for a specific purpose--and I think part of that is to get Larry to finally understand the importance of being baptized. Might as well anyway--he's been going to church for months.
So yeah, things are going good. The apartment isn't completely put together yet (I'm still unpacking, actually) but we'll be done soon. And the Laurels are coming to clean our apartment tomorrow as a service project. Heheh. I'm wondering if we should try to wipe some things down first to spare them, or if we should just leave it all. Well, we'll see if I have time tonight.
I've had a lot of times as I have been testifying to people lately where I have just really felt the Spirit about what I'm doing. It's true, FYI.
Something else to think about--I start this and stop a lot, but I started again and it's great--take a few minutes every day and write down the things you remember from that day that showed you Heavenly Father's hand in your life. It really changes the way you look at things, and it's a great way to change your attitude.
Well, today's not actually P-Day, so I've got to get going. Friday, we're going to the temple, so that has to be our P-Day. But we won't get a chance to email then, so we're just doing that today. Anyway, you guys rock, thanks for your support. I owe a few of you letters. . . . (Sister Rosser, I promise the letter I send will make up for the delay. Heheh.)
I love you! And I love this work. Being a missionary rocks.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
Monday, August 24, 2009
Wed, 19 Aug 2009: Hello from the Moon Valley Ward!
Dear Everybody,
Yeah, I got transferred. I am now actually living in Phoenix, very far away from my last area. . . Well, far for me. I'm serving in the Moon Valley ward/group. What is that you ask? Well, we're serving in an English ward that has a mini Spanish ward wrapped up inside it. It's not even big enough to be a branch yet. I guess they wanted a Spanish unit for this stake, and that's all they could muster up . . . lol. Anyway, it's a pretty cool area. We have two baptisms--one this Saturday, one next Saturday, and one who will probably be baptized next Saturday as well. Those are all, however, English. So we have a little bit of work to do if we ever want our little group to become a branch. That's my goal--get it big enough to be a branch.
I stayed with Hna. Walker--we were both pretty excited about that. This is her last transfer, so things are definitely winding down for her. But being in this new area did a lot to rejuvenate her spirits. We teach a lot, and there's a lot of member involvement. So things are looking pretty good for us.
The apartment that we inherited, however, was ridiculous. Those of you out there who have served missions might understand--this apartment had been inhabited by Elders for over five years--that's what I've gathered from the members at least. It was disgusting. We've put a big dent in it now--we've replaced the couches, fabreezed the carpet daily. . . Anyway, it has taken a lot of de-junking to make this place close to something that would have the Spirit dwell in it. I don't know how guys live like that.
The funniest thing is that now it mostly smells normal, but every once in a while an odor wafts around that smells like stinky boy room--as if the apartment is possessed by a ghost. The other night my companion and I actually got a little creeped out because it was so weird how the smell was moving around the apartment.
We don't know anybody in our new zone very well, but the district and zone leaders are fun. Well, we're making them fun. We're breaking them in. Lol.
The work is amazing. We were talking to this guy last night--Larry the "eternal investigator"--and he's a really intelligent guy. He goes to church regularly and has pretty much heard everything the missionaries have to say. But he doesn't really see the importance of being baptized. So we took a minute to discuss authority--why would it even be important to know that Joseph Smith restored the Gospel and the Priesthood? That understanding clearly explains the need to be baptized with Christ's authority. Hna. Walker explained baptism as a two-way promise--that God is bound when we do our part. Then I pointed out--what in our life makes an agreement legally binding? Think about a notary--they have legal authority to make a contract or a statement legally binding. So why would Christ be bound by a baptism that was not done with His authority behind it? God is a God of order. I just wanted to let you know I have a testimony of these things. I like the logical stuff like that.
Anyway, I hope everyone is well. This email is pretty long, but I guess you guys have time to enjoy it. I'll talk to you again next week.
Aunt STOW--Thanks for the update! That's pretty funny. Yeah, I understand your handicap. I'm excited to see these photos you speak of. . . Have I ever told you how much I appreciate your emails? Well, it's a lot.
Sister Rosser: Your letter I owe you will be done today. Transfers. . . Yeah. It'll be a good one.
By the way, we have email on Tuesday again next week because we have zone conference on Wednesday. So yeah, email me for Tuesday PLEASE! Thanks. You're cool.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
Yeah, I got transferred. I am now actually living in Phoenix, very far away from my last area. . . Well, far for me. I'm serving in the Moon Valley ward/group. What is that you ask? Well, we're serving in an English ward that has a mini Spanish ward wrapped up inside it. It's not even big enough to be a branch yet. I guess they wanted a Spanish unit for this stake, and that's all they could muster up . . . lol. Anyway, it's a pretty cool area. We have two baptisms--one this Saturday, one next Saturday, and one who will probably be baptized next Saturday as well. Those are all, however, English. So we have a little bit of work to do if we ever want our little group to become a branch. That's my goal--get it big enough to be a branch.
I stayed with Hna. Walker--we were both pretty excited about that. This is her last transfer, so things are definitely winding down for her. But being in this new area did a lot to rejuvenate her spirits. We teach a lot, and there's a lot of member involvement. So things are looking pretty good for us.
The apartment that we inherited, however, was ridiculous. Those of you out there who have served missions might understand--this apartment had been inhabited by Elders for over five years--that's what I've gathered from the members at least. It was disgusting. We've put a big dent in it now--we've replaced the couches, fabreezed the carpet daily. . . Anyway, it has taken a lot of de-junking to make this place close to something that would have the Spirit dwell in it. I don't know how guys live like that.
The funniest thing is that now it mostly smells normal, but every once in a while an odor wafts around that smells like stinky boy room--as if the apartment is possessed by a ghost. The other night my companion and I actually got a little creeped out because it was so weird how the smell was moving around the apartment.
We don't know anybody in our new zone very well, but the district and zone leaders are fun. Well, we're making them fun. We're breaking them in. Lol.
The work is amazing. We were talking to this guy last night--Larry the "eternal investigator"--and he's a really intelligent guy. He goes to church regularly and has pretty much heard everything the missionaries have to say. But he doesn't really see the importance of being baptized. So we took a minute to discuss authority--why would it even be important to know that Joseph Smith restored the Gospel and the Priesthood? That understanding clearly explains the need to be baptized with Christ's authority. Hna. Walker explained baptism as a two-way promise--that God is bound when we do our part. Then I pointed out--what in our life makes an agreement legally binding? Think about a notary--they have legal authority to make a contract or a statement legally binding. So why would Christ be bound by a baptism that was not done with His authority behind it? God is a God of order. I just wanted to let you know I have a testimony of these things. I like the logical stuff like that.
Anyway, I hope everyone is well. This email is pretty long, but I guess you guys have time to enjoy it. I'll talk to you again next week.
Aunt STOW--Thanks for the update! That's pretty funny. Yeah, I understand your handicap. I'm excited to see these photos you speak of. . . Have I ever told you how much I appreciate your emails? Well, it's a lot.
Sister Rosser: Your letter I owe you will be done today. Transfers. . . Yeah. It'll be a good one.
By the way, we have email on Tuesday again next week because we have zone conference on Wednesday. So yeah, email me for Tuesday PLEASE! Thanks. You're cool.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
11 Aug 2009 (again)
Also, this story I thought was pretty cool, someone shared with us the other day. I hope you like it!
Love,
Caryn
THE SILVERSMITH
Some time ago, a few ladies met to study the scriptures. While reading the third chapter of Malachi, they came upon a remarkable expression in the third verse:
"And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver" (Malachi 3:3).
One lady decided to visit a silversmith, and report to the others on what he said about the subject.
She went accordingly, and without telling him the reason for her visit, begged the silversmith to tell her about the process of refining silver. After he had fully described it to her, she asked, "Sir, do you sit while the work of refining is going on?"
"Oh, yes ma'am," replied the silversmith; "I must sit and watch the furnace constantly, for, if the time necessary for refining is exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured."
The lady at once saw the beauty and comfort of the expression, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."
God sees it necessary to put His children into the furnace; but His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for us. Our trials do not come at random, and He will not let us be tested beyond what we can endure.
Before she left, the lady asked one final question, "How do you know when the process is complete?"
"That's quite simple," replied the silversmith. "When I can see my own image in the silver, the refining process is finished."
-Author Unknown
Love,
Caryn
THE SILVERSMITH
Some time ago, a few ladies met to study the scriptures. While reading the third chapter of Malachi, they came upon a remarkable expression in the third verse:
"And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver" (Malachi 3:3).
One lady decided to visit a silversmith, and report to the others on what he said about the subject.
She went accordingly, and without telling him the reason for her visit, begged the silversmith to tell her about the process of refining silver. After he had fully described it to her, she asked, "Sir, do you sit while the work of refining is going on?"
"Oh, yes ma'am," replied the silversmith; "I must sit and watch the furnace constantly, for, if the time necessary for refining is exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured."
The lady at once saw the beauty and comfort of the expression, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."
God sees it necessary to put His children into the furnace; but His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for us. Our trials do not come at random, and He will not let us be tested beyond what we can endure.
Before she left, the lady asked one final question, "How do you know when the process is complete?"
"That's quite simple," replied the silversmith. "When I can see my own image in the silver, the refining process is finished."
-Author Unknown
11 Aug 2009
Dear Everybody
Once again, I forgot to tell you it's transfer week, so we're emailing on Tuesday. Well, here I am, email-less, not a bag packed. . . Oh yeah--I'm getting transferred.
It's been a fun three months in the Buckeye/Goodyear zone, a lot of ups and downs, a lot of learning experiences, and a lot of fun. I have really become close to everyone in my zone--which is easy, since there's only 12 of us here, and we're secluded from the rest of the mission. Being here has really solidified my testimony that my Heavenly Father knows where I need to be, when I need to be there. There have been a few people I know I helped, which is pretty cool.
This last week was pretty eventful. We finally had Donna's baptism, we had a mission conference with Elder Costa of the Presidency of the Seventy and I did a musical number with Hna. Matthews on violin and Elder Reading (one of my favorite Elders, we served together in my last area), and played Sardines with our Zone. . . Meh. I never remember what we did. I'm going to copy my email to the Pres because I am dang lazy, as you all know.
"Dear President Beck,
Baptized/Confirmed: 1
Baptismal Date: 0
At Church: 2
Member Present Lessons: 0
New Investigators: 1
Tracting: 0
Lessons: 15
LA/RC Lessons: 1
Man was this last week crazy. The woman who was baptized this Saturday finally moved out of her boyfriend's house and got all of her things ready to move to Alabama. This has been one involved, crazy ride. If this hasn't prepared me to be a relief society president, I don't know what would. Everything seemed to be going wrong--but it was all superficial. I have begun to notice a pattern when we are planning baptisms where a lot of problems pop up to try to distract us--but they are always superficial. So I guess how you handle it depends on how much you allow the immediate problems affect your hope for the future. It was the most spiritual baptism I have been a part of, even though no one was actually assigned to give a talk so we had to ask people on the fly to come up with something. Elder Petrich actually gave the talk on the Holy Ghost, and that was a very powerful message. He is quite a masterful teacher.
Hna. Walker and I got up to share a short first lesson while Donna was getting ready, and I had the chance to talk about Jesus Christ and His earthly ministry. I have been studying "Jesus the Christ" for a couple months now, and it came together as I was speaking. My testimony of my Savior has been fixed--I now know in my heart something that has mostly been just an idea in my head--I know He lives. The reality of that struck me hard as I testified of that to those in attendance.
I have a very strong testimony that the Lord has my life under control. I know that as long as I continue to follow Him and do my best, I will always be in the right place at the right time. I am excited to find out my new assignment tomorrow. I guess I should probably get packing. . .
Thank you for the opportunity to sing for Elder Costa--singing is definitely my favorite and most expressive way of bearing my testimony. That was very special to me.
I will see you tomorrow! Have an awesome day.
Sincerely,
Hna. Crowley"
That's pretty much it, I think. Hna. Walker and I are both getting transferred--we'll find out tomorrow if we're staying together or not, but I think Pres wants to keep us together. We're actually getting a new Spanish Hna. tomorrow too--I know I'm not training because I definitely have not gotten a training call yet. I'm hoping they put us in Flagstaff, but that's highly unlikely. Probably west Phoenix, maybe back in Maryvale (the most dangerous area in our mission, excluding possibly the reservation and the south-west Phoenix area.) Anyway, who knows?
I take comfort in the fact that Heavenly Father has this all under control. I just do my best to do what He asks, and then He'll make sure I'm where I need to be. I know He is taking care of you, so I don't worry about things at home. I do love hearing about you though. It gives me a boost when I'm down.
Well, I guess I'll talk to you all later!
Love,
Hna. Crowley
P.S. my companion has added a few videos on Youtube that are of our time together, and they're hilarious. Well, I think so anyway. If you'd like to check them out, they are here. . .
http://www.youtube.com/user/janellwalker
That's her mom's account, so some are for her family, some are us, etc. Check it out!
Once again, I forgot to tell you it's transfer week, so we're emailing on Tuesday. Well, here I am, email-less, not a bag packed. . . Oh yeah--I'm getting transferred.
It's been a fun three months in the Buckeye/Goodyear zone, a lot of ups and downs, a lot of learning experiences, and a lot of fun. I have really become close to everyone in my zone--which is easy, since there's only 12 of us here, and we're secluded from the rest of the mission. Being here has really solidified my testimony that my Heavenly Father knows where I need to be, when I need to be there. There have been a few people I know I helped, which is pretty cool.
This last week was pretty eventful. We finally had Donna's baptism, we had a mission conference with Elder Costa of the Presidency of the Seventy and I did a musical number with Hna. Matthews on violin and Elder Reading (one of my favorite Elders, we served together in my last area), and played Sardines with our Zone. . . Meh. I never remember what we did. I'm going to copy my email to the Pres because I am dang lazy, as you all know.
"Dear President Beck,
Baptized/Confirmed: 1
Baptismal Date: 0
At Church: 2
Member Present Lessons: 0
New Investigators: 1
Tracting: 0
Lessons: 15
LA/RC Lessons: 1
Man was this last week crazy. The woman who was baptized this Saturday finally moved out of her boyfriend's house and got all of her things ready to move to Alabama. This has been one involved, crazy ride. If this hasn't prepared me to be a relief society president, I don't know what would. Everything seemed to be going wrong--but it was all superficial. I have begun to notice a pattern when we are planning baptisms where a lot of problems pop up to try to distract us--but they are always superficial. So I guess how you handle it depends on how much you allow the immediate problems affect your hope for the future. It was the most spiritual baptism I have been a part of, even though no one was actually assigned to give a talk so we had to ask people on the fly to come up with something. Elder Petrich actually gave the talk on the Holy Ghost, and that was a very powerful message. He is quite a masterful teacher.
Hna. Walker and I got up to share a short first lesson while Donna was getting ready, and I had the chance to talk about Jesus Christ and His earthly ministry. I have been studying "Jesus the Christ" for a couple months now, and it came together as I was speaking. My testimony of my Savior has been fixed--I now know in my heart something that has mostly been just an idea in my head--I know He lives. The reality of that struck me hard as I testified of that to those in attendance.
I have a very strong testimony that the Lord has my life under control. I know that as long as I continue to follow Him and do my best, I will always be in the right place at the right time. I am excited to find out my new assignment tomorrow. I guess I should probably get packing. . .
Thank you for the opportunity to sing for Elder Costa--singing is definitely my favorite and most expressive way of bearing my testimony. That was very special to me.
I will see you tomorrow! Have an awesome day.
Sincerely,
Hna. Crowley"
That's pretty much it, I think. Hna. Walker and I are both getting transferred--we'll find out tomorrow if we're staying together or not, but I think Pres wants to keep us together. We're actually getting a new Spanish Hna. tomorrow too--I know I'm not training because I definitely have not gotten a training call yet. I'm hoping they put us in Flagstaff, but that's highly unlikely. Probably west Phoenix, maybe back in Maryvale (the most dangerous area in our mission, excluding possibly the reservation and the south-west Phoenix area.) Anyway, who knows?
I take comfort in the fact that Heavenly Father has this all under control. I just do my best to do what He asks, and then He'll make sure I'm where I need to be. I know He is taking care of you, so I don't worry about things at home. I do love hearing about you though. It gives me a boost when I'm down.
Well, I guess I'll talk to you all later!
Love,
Hna. Crowley
P.S. my companion has added a few videos on Youtube that are of our time together, and they're hilarious. Well, I think so anyway. If you'd like to check them out, they are here. . .
http://www.youtube.com/user/
That's her mom's account, so some are for her family, some are us, etc. Check it out!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Wed, 5 Aug 2009: Yeah, yeah.
Dear everybody,
I'm feeling lazy today, so you can just read my letter to the pres again.
"Dear President Beck,
Baptized/Confirmed: 1
Baptismal Date: 1
At Church: 7
Member Present Lessons: 0
New Investigators: 3
Tracting: 4 h 30 m
Lessons: 24
LA/RC Lessons: 4
This week has been good I think. I am really happy with studying at night--I think it will really help in the long run. I still have to get used to the schedule change though. [I had my morning schedule changed by the way--now I do personal study at night because of my medication, it's easier.]
The baptism went off perfectly--the Goodyear ward is really going to take care of this kid. He's 12, no real family, and they're all coming together to become his family. Someone took him to get school supplies, he has rides to mutual and church. . . It's a beautiful thing. Just so you know, the Goodyear ward is probably the best ward in the mission--my personal opinion. They really know what it's like to be as Zion--of one heart and one mind, dwelling in righteousness and taking care of any poor among them until there is none. This has been an amazing example to me.
President, just so you know, I know that you are called of God and that all the news on changes and things will be determined by revelation. I do hope that Hna. Walker and I get to stay together for her last transfer here in this area, but I understand that the Lord knows better than I do. So I accept whatever call you send us. [we're getting a surprise Hermana coming in this transfer, so everything is up in the air--she wasn't supposed to come til September, but I guess she's too smart to stay in the MTC. . .]
On that note, I have been working to try to rebuild Rio Vista. In our correlation meeting last night I realized that there is a lot of potential brimming right now for investigators and solid baptisms--it's all on the brink! We have a lot of people we have been working with that I feel will be able to continue to baptism. So Rio Vista, I believe, is in a good place.
Thank you for you love and support, I really feel it and appreciate it. This is not an easy life, but I do believe that I can do it.
We'll see you at the mission conference. Say hi to Sister Beck! And to the office staff.
Sincerely,
Hna. Crowley"
That's pretty much it. We had a delicious breakfast with the zone this morning, and went to a goodbye get-together for Hna. Corless--that's right--my momma's going home! Next week! Then Hna. Walker goes home in September, and then the next shift might be me. . . Weird. . . .
Anyway, I'm going to go. The computer makes me tired. Peace out.
Love,
Hna. Crowley.
I'm feeling lazy today, so you can just read my letter to the pres again.
"Dear President Beck,
Baptized/Confirmed: 1
Baptismal Date: 1
At Church: 7
Member Present Lessons: 0
New Investigators: 3
Tracting: 4 h 30 m
Lessons: 24
LA/RC Lessons: 4
This week has been good I think. I am really happy with studying at night--I think it will really help in the long run. I still have to get used to the schedule change though. [I had my morning schedule changed by the way--now I do personal study at night because of my medication, it's easier.]
The baptism went off perfectly--the Goodyear ward is really going to take care of this kid. He's 12, no real family, and they're all coming together to become his family. Someone took him to get school supplies, he has rides to mutual and church. . . It's a beautiful thing. Just so you know, the Goodyear ward is probably the best ward in the mission--my personal opinion. They really know what it's like to be as Zion--of one heart and one mind, dwelling in righteousness and taking care of any poor among them until there is none. This has been an amazing example to me.
President, just so you know, I know that you are called of God and that all the news on changes and things will be determined by revelation. I do hope that Hna. Walker and I get to stay together for her last transfer here in this area, but I understand that the Lord knows better than I do. So I accept whatever call you send us. [we're getting a surprise Hermana coming in this transfer, so everything is up in the air--she wasn't supposed to come til September, but I guess she's too smart to stay in the MTC. . .]
On that note, I have been working to try to rebuild Rio Vista. In our correlation meeting last night I realized that there is a lot of potential brimming right now for investigators and solid baptisms--it's all on the brink! We have a lot of people we have been working with that I feel will be able to continue to baptism. So Rio Vista, I believe, is in a good place.
Thank you for you love and support, I really feel it and appreciate it. This is not an easy life, but I do believe that I can do it.
We'll see you at the mission conference. Say hi to Sister Beck! And to the office staff.
Sincerely,
Hna. Crowley"
That's pretty much it. We had a delicious breakfast with the zone this morning, and went to a goodbye get-together for Hna. Corless--that's right--my momma's going home! Next week! Then Hna. Walker goes home in September, and then the next shift might be me. . . Weird. . . .
Anyway, I'm going to go. The computer makes me tired. Peace out.
Love,
Hna. Crowley.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wed, 29 Jul 2009
Some fotos:
These are from the day we went to the temple Visitor's Center with Donna (getting baptized Aug 8). Plus, it was my mission birthday. So those are my year mark fotos. :D
These are from the day we went to the temple Visitor's Center with Donna (getting baptized Aug 8). Plus, it was my mission birthday. So those are my year mark fotos. :D
Wed, 29 Jul 2009
Dear Everybody,
I wish I wasn't so boring. Well, I don't just do boring things. . . We played in the rain last week with some of the Elders in our apartment complex--I'll have to send you some fotos this week. What else did we do? We played volleyball today and I accidentally hit one of the Elders in the junk with the ball. . . THAT was pretty funny. (watch out, fellas, when Crowley's on the court, nothing is safe. . .)
We're preparing for a baptism this week! Saturday to be exact. And then another one next Saturday! I don't know where these baptisms keep coming from. Honestly, it's the Goodyear ward. The work isn't progressing in the other wards very well, but Goodyear is such a faithful ward, so devoted to missionary work, it's reflecting in the amount of people they're bringing in. They are amazing. So yeah, it's not us. We're doing all right, but Goodyear is kind of carrying us, not the other way around. I kinda like it that way.
Jonathan is this week--he was supposed to get baptized in June in the Spanish branch, but after some drama, his baptism was canceled--not by us, it's a complicated story. Anyway, so we finally just decided to take him away from the Spanish branch and into the Goodyear ward (he's a 12-yr-old without any real family, who speaks Spanish just as well as English) and everything is just falling into place. So that's one.
The other is Donna. I don't know if I've told you about her yet. She's a cool lady, and she is going through a lot. She has a friend who's a member, and who has been working on her for years. Now was just the time. She is actually moving out of her boyfriend's house so she can be baptized. Well, that and he's emotionally abusive sometimes. But she is doing SO MUCH to be able to be baptized. It has been an interesting process to help her out--I think I know a little bit what a Relief Society President must feel like. I've basically handled everything in regards to coordinating help from the ward. It's hard to explain all that we've done together--like, organizing a place for her to stay, and helping her get ready to move to Alabama. . . She's an emotional wreck too.
I feel like I should tell you all a little bit about my testimony again. Maybe I don't share it enough, but I want you to know how much the Gospel has changed me inside. Not just "the Gospel," living it and being able to apply the Atonement. Faith in the Atonement is what gets us to change. We believe He will give us the strength to do it, and then we do it. The strength is only manifest when we try to use it.
One other thing--I had an "A-hah" moment last night as I read the Book of Mormon. First of all, I've been struggling with some things that are hard for me to change--mostly because I don't feel like I have the will or motivation to do so. But I came across a scripture that really taught me something, so now I'm going to go on LDS.org and find it. . .
Alma 5:
7 Behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God. Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting WORD; yea, they were encircled about by the bands of death, and the chains of hell, and an everlasting destruction did await them.
8 And now I ask of you, my brethren, were they destroyed? Behold, I say unto you, Nay, they were not.
9 And again I ask, were the bands of death broken, and the chains of hell which encircled them about, were they loosed? I say unto you, Yea, they were loosed, and their souls did expand, and they did sing redeeming love. And I say unto you that they are saved.
10 And now I ask of you on what conditions are they saved? Yea, what grounds had they to hope for salvation? What is the cause of their being loosed from the bands of death, yea, and also the chains of hell?
11 Behold, I can tell you—did not my father Alma believe in the WORDS which were delivered by the mouth of Abinadi? And was he not a holy prophet? Did he not speak the words of God, and my father Alma believe them?
12 And according to his faith there was a mighty change wrought in his heart. Behold I say unto you that this is all true.
13 And behold, he preached the WORD unto your fathers, and a mighty change was also wrought in their hearts, and they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God. And behold, they were faithful until the end; therefore they were saved.
I went through and stressed a few words. . .heheh. . . Honestly, I had been looking for an answer, I have been looking for a while now, and praying and trying to figure out what it was that I needed. When I read those verses, those words stuck out as if they were bold on the page--the Word. I need to study the scriptures more fervently, and really treasure up this doctrine. If I want to change, that's what will give me the strength and desire--studying the scriptures.
So I hope you got something out of that. And I just want you to know that I have such a strong testimony that the Book of Mormon really will teach us through the Spirit, if we will allow it. There IS power in the Book of Mormon. Try it out, you'll learn too.
I love you all, be safe.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
I wish I wasn't so boring. Well, I don't just do boring things. . . We played in the rain last week with some of the Elders in our apartment complex--I'll have to send you some fotos this week. What else did we do? We played volleyball today and I accidentally hit one of the Elders in the junk with the ball. . . THAT was pretty funny. (watch out, fellas, when Crowley's on the court, nothing is safe. . .)
We're preparing for a baptism this week! Saturday to be exact. And then another one next Saturday! I don't know where these baptisms keep coming from. Honestly, it's the Goodyear ward. The work isn't progressing in the other wards very well, but Goodyear is such a faithful ward, so devoted to missionary work, it's reflecting in the amount of people they're bringing in. They are amazing. So yeah, it's not us. We're doing all right, but Goodyear is kind of carrying us, not the other way around. I kinda like it that way.
Jonathan is this week--he was supposed to get baptized in June in the Spanish branch, but after some drama, his baptism was canceled--not by us, it's a complicated story. Anyway, so we finally just decided to take him away from the Spanish branch and into the Goodyear ward (he's a 12-yr-old without any real family, who speaks Spanish just as well as English) and everything is just falling into place. So that's one.
The other is Donna. I don't know if I've told you about her yet. She's a cool lady, and she is going through a lot. She has a friend who's a member, and who has been working on her for years. Now was just the time. She is actually moving out of her boyfriend's house so she can be baptized. Well, that and he's emotionally abusive sometimes. But she is doing SO MUCH to be able to be baptized. It has been an interesting process to help her out--I think I know a little bit what a Relief Society President must feel like. I've basically handled everything in regards to coordinating help from the ward. It's hard to explain all that we've done together--like, organizing a place for her to stay, and helping her get ready to move to Alabama. . . She's an emotional wreck too.
I feel like I should tell you all a little bit about my testimony again. Maybe I don't share it enough, but I want you to know how much the Gospel has changed me inside. Not just "the Gospel," living it and being able to apply the Atonement. Faith in the Atonement is what gets us to change. We believe He will give us the strength to do it, and then we do it. The strength is only manifest when we try to use it.
One other thing--I had an "A-hah" moment last night as I read the Book of Mormon. First of all, I've been struggling with some things that are hard for me to change--mostly because I don't feel like I have the will or motivation to do so. But I came across a scripture that really taught me something, so now I'm going to go on LDS.org and find it. . .
Alma 5:
7 Behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God. Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting WORD; yea, they were encircled about by the bands of death, and the chains of hell, and an everlasting destruction did await them.
8 And now I ask of you, my brethren, were they destroyed? Behold, I say unto you, Nay, they were not.
9 And again I ask, were the bands of death broken, and the chains of hell which encircled them about, were they loosed? I say unto you, Yea, they were loosed, and their souls did expand, and they did sing redeeming love. And I say unto you that they are saved.
10 And now I ask of you on what conditions are they saved? Yea, what grounds had they to hope for salvation? What is the cause of their being loosed from the bands of death, yea, and also the chains of hell?
11 Behold, I can tell you—did not my father Alma believe in the WORDS which were delivered by the mouth of Abinadi? And was he not a holy prophet? Did he not speak the words of God, and my father Alma believe them?
12 And according to his faith there was a mighty change wrought in his heart. Behold I say unto you that this is all true.
13 And behold, he preached the WORD unto your fathers, and a mighty change was also wrought in their hearts, and they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God. And behold, they were faithful until the end; therefore they were saved.
I went through and stressed a few words. . .heheh. . . Honestly, I had been looking for an answer, I have been looking for a while now, and praying and trying to figure out what it was that I needed. When I read those verses, those words stuck out as if they were bold on the page--the Word. I need to study the scriptures more fervently, and really treasure up this doctrine. If I want to change, that's what will give me the strength and desire--studying the scriptures.
So I hope you got something out of that. And I just want you to know that I have such a strong testimony that the Book of Mormon really will teach us through the Spirit, if we will allow it. There IS power in the Book of Mormon. Try it out, you'll learn too.
I love you all, be safe.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Wed, 22 Jul 2009
Hey everybody, how's it going?
So not too much happened this last week. . . we took a sick day and I slept for 12 hours (Hna. Walker was sick, but I definitely took my opportunity), it rained last night (and it reminded me of old times, for those of you who know what I'm talking about), we played volleyball with the Elders today, and now I'm emailing. . . .
Something I've been learning about lately is obedience. (Take that how you will, lol) I've been learning that there will always be something that is hard for you to do. The idea is NOT to try to take on everything at once. You have to work it out with the Lord, work on one thing, face it and defeat it, then move on. And I think there's something to be learned from the fact that yesterday never comes back--what's done is done. Tomorrow is full of hope, and today is for working.
I'm going to go now. Sorry if this is lame, but I'm kind of a lame person.
Katy and Christopher--I'm going to have to say, that's one of the best I've ever seen. I need the number for your photographer, thanks. You guys look great. I really hope you registered for a plunger. . . .
Sister Rosser, I really hope you get that letter soon. . . heheh.
Otherwise, peace.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
So not too much happened this last week. . . we took a sick day and I slept for 12 hours (Hna. Walker was sick, but I definitely took my opportunity), it rained last night (and it reminded me of old times, for those of you who know what I'm talking about), we played volleyball with the Elders today, and now I'm emailing. . . .
Something I've been learning about lately is obedience. (Take that how you will, lol) I've been learning that there will always be something that is hard for you to do. The idea is NOT to try to take on everything at once. You have to work it out with the Lord, work on one thing, face it and defeat it, then move on. And I think there's something to be learned from the fact that yesterday never comes back--what's done is done. Tomorrow is full of hope, and today is for working.
I'm going to go now. Sorry if this is lame, but I'm kind of a lame person.
Katy and Christopher--I'm going to have to say, that's one of the best I've ever seen. I need the number for your photographer, thanks. You guys look great. I really hope you registered for a plunger. . . .
Sister Rosser, I really hope you get that letter soon. . . heheh.
Otherwise, peace.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Wed, 15 Jul 2009
Dear Everyone,
This has been a good week, but I'm going to run soon because we've got to get going soon. Let's see if there was anything exciting. . .
Do any of you know the Parshalls? Well, Sister Parshall and a couple of her daughters were at church in Goodyear this Sunday. It was pretty funny--standing in the lobby, look out the door and see--hey, I think I recognize that person. What?!? And it was them, and we had good conversation. She asked all about the family at home and I got all her updates, like how Camilla is in Wales and Bob and Bobby have two beautiful kids and living back in Vegas. . . Anyway, it was pretty cool.
I've decided that Heavenly Father knew I wouldn't get trunky for seeing people, so that's why he sent me here. I have seen probably more people I know from home than 95% of all other missionaries. I would just guess that.
Otherwise. . .We had someone show up to church on her own who wants to get baptized, and her daughter. And we set two baptismal dates for Goodyear for the end of the month. You know, just business as usual.
I want you to know that I know that Heavenly Father really does have a plan for every one of us, and that he knows exactly what we need to be happy. He puts things in our paths and puts us places that will lead us to doing things and meeting people that will change us and help us grow and become the Person He would have us be--how we will be truly happy. I hope that made sense.
I love you, be safe, know that God is VERY ACUTELY aware of you.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
This has been a good week, but I'm going to run soon because we've got to get going soon. Let's see if there was anything exciting. . .
Do any of you know the Parshalls? Well, Sister Parshall and a couple of her daughters were at church in Goodyear this Sunday. It was pretty funny--standing in the lobby, look out the door and see--hey, I think I recognize that person. What?!? And it was them, and we had good conversation. She asked all about the family at home and I got all her updates, like how Camilla is in Wales and Bob and Bobby have two beautiful kids and living back in Vegas. . . Anyway, it was pretty cool.
I've decided that Heavenly Father knew I wouldn't get trunky for seeing people, so that's why he sent me here. I have seen probably more people I know from home than 95% of all other missionaries. I would just guess that.
Otherwise. . .We had someone show up to church on her own who wants to get baptized, and her daughter. And we set two baptismal dates for Goodyear for the end of the month. You know, just business as usual.
I want you to know that I know that Heavenly Father really does have a plan for every one of us, and that he knows exactly what we need to be happy. He puts things in our paths and puts us places that will lead us to doing things and meeting people that will change us and help us grow and become the Person He would have us be--how we will be truly happy. I hope that made sense.
I love you, be safe, know that God is VERY ACUTELY aware of you.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
Friday, July 10, 2009
Wed, 8 Jul 2009
Dear Everybody,
Hey guys, how's it going? Surprise surprise, I have been a missionary for a year, as of tomorrow. Happy birthday to me! Have you missed me? It's kind of weird, because over here it doesn't really feel like I've been gone that long, until I think about all the things I've done. . .
This transfer is looking good. I'm going to copy my email to the Pres for you guys real quick. . .
"Dear President Beck,
Baptized/Confirmed: 0
Baptismal Date: 0
At Church: 4
Member Present Lessons: 2
New Investigators: 0
Tracting: 0
Lessons: 10
LA/RC Lessons: 2
Transfer week. I guess that's what we'll use as an excuse for the less than admirable numbers. But, well, we got a lot done.
I have a good feeling about this next transfer. Hna. Walker and I are really getting along--trios are just hard I think. We're seeing a lot of potential for baptisms, though some might take awhile. We're having a pretty good week.
Things are really looking up over here. We called the APs a few days ago to see if we could get a pickup for our area--we realized that we might need one when we were driving to an appointment out in Buckeye and we'd been driving on dirt for ten minutes. So I'm hoping for that.
I think that's about it. Hna. Walker and I have been having really good conversations about how much we've changed since we came on a mission--the changes have been huge. I'm excited to go home a different, better person.
I hope you and Sister Beck and all the office have been having a good week, and your 4th of July was good. God bless America!
Sincerely,
Hna. Crowley"
So what do you think? Are you excited to see a new and improved Caryn? I sure am. Things are going to be completely different when I get home. Well, duh, considering at least four of my best friends will be married already and I'll probably have to find a different place to live. . . Wendy, we will absolutely be roommates, if I come home in time to go to school. That reminds me, I need to email Pres about that too. . .
Done. So, well, I guess I'll know soon enough when I'll be going home. I'm going to look into some FAFSA stuff for school next semester. . .
If you haven't served a mission yet and you are eligible, I suggest you take that decision to the Lord. And if His answer is "Yes," DO IT. It will be the best decision of your life to that point. Seriously. I will never regret the decision I made to serve a mission. Mom, thank you for being the example I needed to make this decision. Whenever anyone asks me why I decided to serve a mission, I always tell them--"Well, my mom served a mission, so when I was little I just figured EVERY girl went on missions, and I needed to just plan on that." And even as I got older and realized that wasn't the case, I always knew this was what I needed to do. It's funny hearing different stories from other missionaries, especially sisters. Hna. Walker for example--she's turning 26 next week. When she was in her early 20s, she never thought about serving a mission. Her life was not anywhere in that direction. Then one day she was praying about a job, and she got the distinct impression out of the blue that she should be a missionary! BLAM! So don't ever think, just because you weren't planning on it, that the Lord won't ask you to be a missionary. Be open to the idea, because if you have the privilege for that calling, you will be SO blessed.
So that's pretty much my week. Oh yeah, and how our AC went out Friday night--which was alright since it was raining, but the morning was awful. And the 4th of July. . . Good thing apartment complexes consider broken ACs as maintenance emergencies. . . And we're looking at 117 for this weekend. Ahh, there's no place like home. . . Except Arizona.
STOW: Your email was awesome. How fascinating! 040506070809. . . . Lol. I laughed.
Sister Rosser: Your letter rocked. I'll write again soon. . .
Sammy--I need addresses. Two of the letters I sent to the Porritts have been sent back, so something's wrong with that one, and now you live somewhere else. So I'm holding your letters hostage until I get some addresses. . .
I hope you are all having a good day. Peace out.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
Hey guys, how's it going? Surprise surprise, I have been a missionary for a year, as of tomorrow. Happy birthday to me! Have you missed me? It's kind of weird, because over here it doesn't really feel like I've been gone that long, until I think about all the things I've done. . .
This transfer is looking good. I'm going to copy my email to the Pres for you guys real quick. . .
"Dear President Beck,
Baptized/Confirmed: 0
Baptismal Date: 0
At Church: 4
Member Present Lessons: 2
New Investigators: 0
Tracting: 0
Lessons: 10
LA/RC Lessons: 2
Transfer week. I guess that's what we'll use as an excuse for the less than admirable numbers. But, well, we got a lot done.
I have a good feeling about this next transfer. Hna. Walker and I are really getting along--trios are just hard I think. We're seeing a lot of potential for baptisms, though some might take awhile. We're having a pretty good week.
Things are really looking up over here. We called the APs a few days ago to see if we could get a pickup for our area--we realized that we might need one when we were driving to an appointment out in Buckeye and we'd been driving on dirt for ten minutes. So I'm hoping for that.
I think that's about it. Hna. Walker and I have been having really good conversations about how much we've changed since we came on a mission--the changes have been huge. I'm excited to go home a different, better person.
I hope you and Sister Beck and all the office have been having a good week, and your 4th of July was good. God bless America!
Sincerely,
Hna. Crowley"
So what do you think? Are you excited to see a new and improved Caryn? I sure am. Things are going to be completely different when I get home. Well, duh, considering at least four of my best friends will be married already and I'll probably have to find a different place to live. . . Wendy, we will absolutely be roommates, if I come home in time to go to school. That reminds me, I need to email Pres about that too. . .
Done. So, well, I guess I'll know soon enough when I'll be going home. I'm going to look into some FAFSA stuff for school next semester. . .
If you haven't served a mission yet and you are eligible, I suggest you take that decision to the Lord. And if His answer is "Yes," DO IT. It will be the best decision of your life to that point. Seriously. I will never regret the decision I made to serve a mission. Mom, thank you for being the example I needed to make this decision. Whenever anyone asks me why I decided to serve a mission, I always tell them--"Well, my mom served a mission, so when I was little I just figured EVERY girl went on missions, and I needed to just plan on that." And even as I got older and realized that wasn't the case, I always knew this was what I needed to do. It's funny hearing different stories from other missionaries, especially sisters. Hna. Walker for example--she's turning 26 next week. When she was in her early 20s, she never thought about serving a mission. Her life was not anywhere in that direction. Then one day she was praying about a job, and she got the distinct impression out of the blue that she should be a missionary! BLAM! So don't ever think, just because you weren't planning on it, that the Lord won't ask you to be a missionary. Be open to the idea, because if you have the privilege for that calling, you will be SO blessed.
So that's pretty much my week. Oh yeah, and how our AC went out Friday night--which was alright since it was raining, but the morning was awful. And the 4th of July. . . Good thing apartment complexes consider broken ACs as maintenance emergencies. . . And we're looking at 117 for this weekend. Ahh, there's no place like home. . . Except Arizona.
STOW: Your email was awesome. How fascinating! 040506070809. . . . Lol. I laughed.
Sister Rosser: Your letter rocked. I'll write again soon. . .
Sammy--I need addresses. Two of the letters I sent to the Porritts have been sent back, so something's wrong with that one, and now you live somewhere else. So I'm holding your letters hostage until I get some addresses. . .
I hope you are all having a good day. Peace out.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
PHOTOS:
Vargas family,
Jose,
and Ashley with me and my companions at their baptisms. 
And our friends the scorpions. (I have been checking my bed very carefully every night ever since.)Tue, 30 Jun 2009
Dear Family and Friends,
Yes, I am emailing early. I forgot to tell you again--this week is transfers. So, well, that means P-Day is on Tuesday. . . normally. . . No, today isn't P-Day. Today is just emailing day. P-Day is the 4th of July. Can you imagine why?
So let's update you all on the events of this past week. We did actually have four baptisms this weekend. It was amazing! Three were in the Spanish branch--Gisela and Lineth Vargas and Jose Beltran. Gisela and Lineth are a mom and daughter, and Gisela has gone through the missionary lessons three times BEFORE us. Her husband is a member and he was less active for a while, and she was pretty Catholic. It actually caused some problems in their marriage. I guess one Fast Sunday meeting, when members were going up and bearing their own testimonies of their experiences, Hna. Vargas heard something that finally just clicked. I think it had to do with--your testimony has nothing to do with other people. As in, it doesn't matter who offends you or pushes you to do something or whatever--your testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is completely just between you and Him. So we got a phone call from our ward mission leader that she wanted to be baptized, and three weeks later it was done.
The Elder who served in this area for a year (before I got here) worked with them a lot too, so when we called him to tell him they were getting baptized, he was like-- "WHAT?! Awesome!" It was pretty cool.
Jose, the Hnas here found him while out knocking doors in a trailer park. He went to church the day after he met them and hasn't missed a Sunday since. But he didn't want to be baptized, until a lesson in the Gospel Principles class helped him understand why baptism is even important. I think he just didn't get it before, thinking he didn't need it or he wasn't worthy, wasn't ready to give up the ladies or something like that. Anyway, he finally decided, and it was pretty much BAM, you're baptized. I kinda feel like I'm in Brazil or something. ^.~
And the fourth baptism was a 9-year-old girl Ashley, whose grandma takes her to church because her dad is less-active and her mom isn't a member. This girl is really smart. There were quite a few of her family members there not members, and the Spirit was really strong. Hopefully it had a good influence on them. . .
What else? I spoke with a high councilman in the Rio Vista (Spanish) branch on Sunday. It was Brother Maxwell, who was in our stake in Vegas. When he got up to speak after me he told the congregation how we were in the same stake for years back in Vegas and everybody was looking at me all surprised. It was pretty funny. And his son, my friend Kellen, played a musical number on the piano. It was pretty funny. Hey Sister Rosser, Kellen says hey.
I gave the talk, but the whole week I couldn't think of how to put one together so I just brought a lot of materials and just went with the flow. To be honest, I don't even remember what I ent up saying. People said it was good though, and that my Spanish was really clear, so I'm happy. Hopefully it was by the Spirit and it was what they needed to hear.
I spoke about the family, and how the Gospel unites our families. I want you all to know that I really have a testimony of that. I know that the Gospel really does bring us together in a way that nothing else in the world can. And this last week I actually learned a lot about how it does that. If you think about the individual changes that come from living the Gospel--more charity and patience, more ability to love and be kind--it kind of makes sense that it unifies our families.
And now for transfer news--I'm staying, and Hna. Walker is staying. Hna. Reyes is out. If you all knew what kind of drama that is, you would feel for me. It's funny because Hna. Walker has been here since last November, and now I'm her third companion in this area. She never gets transferred, she just sends Hnas through. It was pretty funny, but not, because it really threw her off. Now she's ok though--she just really thought she was leaving. I think we'll have a good time.
Oh yeah, and I had my very first real scorpion interaction this week--actually, my first two. One in the morning, one in the afternoon. Same day. I'm sending you photos. The first one (Hna. Walker found when she moved some binders on top of the bookshelf and there it was, just hanging out on the wall. She almost swore.) we had the Elders come get it, and they took it away. The second one (which Hna. Walker also found, lying on it's side in the kitchen so we thought it was dead--until I poked at it with the broom handle and it just jumped back to life--I have never shaken so much from a bug in my life) Hna. Reyes squished it with the broom handle (I was still shaking) and so that's the aftermath. We left it on the floor for a while (like, a full day or two) because we were all to chicken to clean it up. Plus we wanted to make sure it was dead. Well, the ants got to it. It was pretty satisfying to watch.
Well, I'm going to go now. This email is huge.
Sammy--I sent you a letter last Thursday, but the Post office just sent it back to me yesterday for some reason. I'm going to look up the address you sent me and try again. . .
I hope you all have an awesome 4th of July, because I love it. I didn't realize how patriotic I was until I realized I was mad because two of our three wards didn't play patriotic hymns in Sacrament meeting. (Well, it makes sense in the Spanish ward, those ones aren't translated into Spanish). And then in the YSA branch I told Kellen (because he's also the organist in that branch) to play patriotic hymns, but then the chorister didn't have us stand to sing the Star Spangled Banner. I was kinda of ticked. I guess I could have stood up on my own, but we were in the back so no one would have gotten the hint to all stand. . . Anyway, I love this country. I know the Lord prepared this place to be a land of freedom where the Gospel could be restored and the Church could flourish. We are far from perfect, but I still love my country and I am dang proud to be an American. (I feel a country song coming on.)
I hope you are all safe and you know that the Lord is blessing you. Peace out.
Con carino,
Hna. Crowley
Yes, I am emailing early. I forgot to tell you again--this week is transfers. So, well, that means P-Day is on Tuesday. . . normally. . . No, today isn't P-Day. Today is just emailing day. P-Day is the 4th of July. Can you imagine why?
So let's update you all on the events of this past week. We did actually have four baptisms this weekend. It was amazing! Three were in the Spanish branch--Gisela and Lineth Vargas and Jose Beltran. Gisela and Lineth are a mom and daughter, and Gisela has gone through the missionary lessons three times BEFORE us. Her husband is a member and he was less active for a while, and she was pretty Catholic. It actually caused some problems in their marriage. I guess one Fast Sunday meeting, when members were going up and bearing their own testimonies of their experiences, Hna. Vargas heard something that finally just clicked. I think it had to do with--your testimony has nothing to do with other people. As in, it doesn't matter who offends you or pushes you to do something or whatever--your testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is completely just between you and Him. So we got a phone call from our ward mission leader that she wanted to be baptized, and three weeks later it was done.
The Elder who served in this area for a year (before I got here) worked with them a lot too, so when we called him to tell him they were getting baptized, he was like-- "WHAT?! Awesome!" It was pretty cool.
Jose, the Hnas here found him while out knocking doors in a trailer park. He went to church the day after he met them and hasn't missed a Sunday since. But he didn't want to be baptized, until a lesson in the Gospel Principles class helped him understand why baptism is even important. I think he just didn't get it before, thinking he didn't need it or he wasn't worthy, wasn't ready to give up the ladies or something like that. Anyway, he finally decided, and it was pretty much BAM, you're baptized. I kinda feel like I'm in Brazil or something. ^.~
And the fourth baptism was a 9-year-old girl Ashley, whose grandma takes her to church because her dad is less-active and her mom isn't a member. This girl is really smart. There were quite a few of her family members there not members, and the Spirit was really strong. Hopefully it had a good influence on them. . .
What else? I spoke with a high councilman in the Rio Vista (Spanish) branch on Sunday. It was Brother Maxwell, who was in our stake in Vegas. When he got up to speak after me he told the congregation how we were in the same stake for years back in Vegas and everybody was looking at me all surprised. It was pretty funny. And his son, my friend Kellen, played a musical number on the piano. It was pretty funny. Hey Sister Rosser, Kellen says hey.
I gave the talk, but the whole week I couldn't think of how to put one together so I just brought a lot of materials and just went with the flow. To be honest, I don't even remember what I ent up saying. People said it was good though, and that my Spanish was really clear, so I'm happy. Hopefully it was by the Spirit and it was what they needed to hear.
I spoke about the family, and how the Gospel unites our families. I want you all to know that I really have a testimony of that. I know that the Gospel really does bring us together in a way that nothing else in the world can. And this last week I actually learned a lot about how it does that. If you think about the individual changes that come from living the Gospel--more charity and patience, more ability to love and be kind--it kind of makes sense that it unifies our families.
And now for transfer news--I'm staying, and Hna. Walker is staying. Hna. Reyes is out. If you all knew what kind of drama that is, you would feel for me. It's funny because Hna. Walker has been here since last November, and now I'm her third companion in this area. She never gets transferred, she just sends Hnas through. It was pretty funny, but not, because it really threw her off. Now she's ok though--she just really thought she was leaving. I think we'll have a good time.
Oh yeah, and I had my very first real scorpion interaction this week--actually, my first two. One in the morning, one in the afternoon. Same day. I'm sending you photos. The first one (Hna. Walker found when she moved some binders on top of the bookshelf and there it was, just hanging out on the wall. She almost swore.) we had the Elders come get it, and they took it away. The second one (which Hna. Walker also found, lying on it's side in the kitchen so we thought it was dead--until I poked at it with the broom handle and it just jumped back to life--I have never shaken so much from a bug in my life) Hna. Reyes squished it with the broom handle (I was still shaking) and so that's the aftermath. We left it on the floor for a while (like, a full day or two) because we were all to chicken to clean it up. Plus we wanted to make sure it was dead. Well, the ants got to it. It was pretty satisfying to watch.
Well, I'm going to go now. This email is huge.
Sammy--I sent you a letter last Thursday, but the Post office just sent it back to me yesterday for some reason. I'm going to look up the address you sent me and try again. . .
I hope you all have an awesome 4th of July, because I love it. I didn't realize how patriotic I was until I realized I was mad because two of our three wards didn't play patriotic hymns in Sacrament meeting. (Well, it makes sense in the Spanish ward, those ones aren't translated into Spanish). And then in the YSA branch I told Kellen (because he's also the organist in that branch) to play patriotic hymns, but then the chorister didn't have us stand to sing the Star Spangled Banner. I was kinda of ticked. I guess I could have stood up on my own, but we were in the back so no one would have gotten the hint to all stand. . . Anyway, I love this country. I know the Lord prepared this place to be a land of freedom where the Gospel could be restored and the Church could flourish. We are far from perfect, but I still love my country and I am dang proud to be an American. (I feel a country song coming on.)
I hope you are all safe and you know that the Lord is blessing you. Peace out.
Con carino,
Hna. Crowley
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Wed, 24 Jun 2009
HEY EVERYBODY!!!
Just wanted to be excited about stuff.
SO this week is going to be pretty eventful, considering the fact that we have 4 baptisms planned AND I'm giving a talk in the Spanish branch with Brother Maxwell from the high council. (For those of you who may remember, he's from the old stake presidency in the Sunrise stake, and his son Kellen went to high school with me. This should be fun!) Yeah, I know, that's a lot. Three in the Spanish branch, one in the English. I'm pretty much the happiest, most stressed out missionary ever. It's interesting to see how much Satan is trying to keep us from getting this done. I mean, seriously. He's trying to get us to fight as companions, to fight with our ward leadership, to fight with the investigators . . . It's all really superficial stuff that he's been trying to see if he can distract us from the goal. Stuff like needing to reschedule the baptism, or our ward mission leader canceling stuff because he thought we told him too . . . Weird stuff like that. But honestly, it's all superficial. And when you look at it from the angle of--hey, I think someone is trying to stop these baptisms--it gets pretty clear. So we're going forward. And things are looking amazing.
I know that everywhere I go, the Lord has this on lock down. I know he sent me here for a reason. I feel like I have learned more here than ever, about myself and my own issues, and how to really rely on the Lord for attention and my own self worth. I don't need justification from anyone else--I know who I am and that my Heavenly Father loves me.
You know what else? He loves you more than you know.
Last week wasn't too eventful I don't think . . . We had interviews, and mine went really well. Even though I still slack off on some things, Pres. Beck was really kind and gave me the feeling that I have been doing well. Sometimes it's just nice to hear that, especially when you feel like you do everything wrong. Sometimes I really think we missionaries fall to one of two extremes--either we think we do everything right, or everything we do is wrong. That's the source of a lot of ulcers I think.
I'm going to go now--my eyes are tired from looking at the computer screen. I love you all, and the support I get from home is sometimes the only thing that keeps me going.
Thanks STOW, for the awesome thoughts. Yeah, I can see how the body piercing foto might be misleading . . . LOL!!
Have a good day.
Peace.
--Hna Crowley
Just wanted to be excited about stuff.
SO this week is going to be pretty eventful, considering the fact that we have 4 baptisms planned AND I'm giving a talk in the Spanish branch with Brother Maxwell from the high council. (For those of you who may remember, he's from the old stake presidency in the Sunrise stake, and his son Kellen went to high school with me. This should be fun!) Yeah, I know, that's a lot. Three in the Spanish branch, one in the English. I'm pretty much the happiest, most stressed out missionary ever. It's interesting to see how much Satan is trying to keep us from getting this done. I mean, seriously. He's trying to get us to fight as companions, to fight with our ward leadership, to fight with the investigators . . . It's all really superficial stuff that he's been trying to see if he can distract us from the goal. Stuff like needing to reschedule the baptism, or our ward mission leader canceling stuff because he thought we told him too . . . Weird stuff like that. But honestly, it's all superficial. And when you look at it from the angle of--hey, I think someone is trying to stop these baptisms--it gets pretty clear. So we're going forward. And things are looking amazing.
I know that everywhere I go, the Lord has this on lock down. I know he sent me here for a reason. I feel like I have learned more here than ever, about myself and my own issues, and how to really rely on the Lord for attention and my own self worth. I don't need justification from anyone else--I know who I am and that my Heavenly Father loves me.
You know what else? He loves you more than you know.
Last week wasn't too eventful I don't think . . . We had interviews, and mine went really well. Even though I still slack off on some things, Pres. Beck was really kind and gave me the feeling that I have been doing well. Sometimes it's just nice to hear that, especially when you feel like you do everything wrong. Sometimes I really think we missionaries fall to one of two extremes--either we think we do everything right, or everything we do is wrong. That's the source of a lot of ulcers I think.
I'm going to go now--my eyes are tired from looking at the computer screen. I love you all, and the support I get from home is sometimes the only thing that keeps me going.
Thanks STOW, for the awesome thoughts. Yeah, I can see how the body piercing foto might be misleading . . . LOL!!
Have a good day.
Peace.
--Hna Crowley
Friday, June 19, 2009
Wed, 17 Jun 2009: Week # [who knows?]
Dear Everybody,
Well, I'm tired. I hear that happens a lot to missionaries.
This last week was good, I think. I was feeling sick all last week, along with my companions, but I think we've finally pulled through. And we have four baptisms to plan, so it's a good thing.
Yeah, that's right, 4. Where do they all come from? I have no idea. Heavenly Father I guess. Jose, Ashley, Gisela and Lineth. Those last two are something of a miracle. Mom and daughter, and the dad is a member. They've been going to church for a couple years, and Gisela has had the missionary lessons three other times, but there was always something holding her back. But, last week we got a phone call from our ward mission leader, telling us she wanted to be baptized this weekend. Whoa. Now I know what it feels like to be in Brazil. Well, logistically speaking we won't be able to do it this Saturday, but as soon after that as possible--they both know so much, and they have awesome testimonies already. All they need is to go through us missionaries and the proper authority, and they will be able to make that covenant with God. You can see their excitement, and really feel the Spirit when we teach them.
But, as always, there is another force working against the work of God. There have been more problems getting this baptism to go forward than I've ever seen--all superficial. We can obviously tell there is something working against us, but the fact is they are ready, and we will not be discouraged. Seeing their progression despite all the hard stuff that's trying to keep them away is really inspiring.
Well, I'm going to get kicked off, so I'm going to go. I just want you to know first that I know that the Lord has His hand in our lives, and that prayer is really the way we put ourselves on the pathway He has prepared for us. Heavenly Father wants the best for us, and He will tell you where you need to go, if you just ask. I also know that every time we are transferred as missionaries, it is inspired. Seriously. I know that He knows me, and He knows what I need.
Gotta go!
Love,
Hna. Crowley
Well, I'm tired. I hear that happens a lot to missionaries.
This last week was good, I think. I was feeling sick all last week, along with my companions, but I think we've finally pulled through. And we have four baptisms to plan, so it's a good thing.
Yeah, that's right, 4. Where do they all come from? I have no idea. Heavenly Father I guess. Jose, Ashley, Gisela and Lineth. Those last two are something of a miracle. Mom and daughter, and the dad is a member. They've been going to church for a couple years, and Gisela has had the missionary lessons three other times, but there was always something holding her back. But, last week we got a phone call from our ward mission leader, telling us she wanted to be baptized this weekend. Whoa. Now I know what it feels like to be in Brazil. Well, logistically speaking we won't be able to do it this Saturday, but as soon after that as possible--they both know so much, and they have awesome testimonies already. All they need is to go through us missionaries and the proper authority, and they will be able to make that covenant with God. You can see their excitement, and really feel the Spirit when we teach them.
But, as always, there is another force working against the work of God. There have been more problems getting this baptism to go forward than I've ever seen--all superficial. We can obviously tell there is something working against us, but the fact is they are ready, and we will not be discouraged. Seeing their progression despite all the hard stuff that's trying to keep them away is really inspiring.
Well, I'm going to get kicked off, so I'm going to go. I just want you to know first that I know that the Lord has His hand in our lives, and that prayer is really the way we put ourselves on the pathway He has prepared for us. Heavenly Father wants the best for us, and He will tell you where you need to go, if you just ask. I also know that every time we are transferred as missionaries, it is inspired. Seriously. I know that He knows me, and He knows what I need.
Gotta go!
Love,
Hna. Crowley
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Wed, 10 Jun 2009
Dear Everybody,
That's right, 11 months. I can't believe I'm already about 2/3 done. It's amazing how fast time flies here.
Let's update you all on the week. Let's see, first of all--we had a baptism! James was finally able to meet his goal to be baptized, after changing so many things in his life. And when he came out of the water, man, you could tell he was a new man. He was confirmed on Sunday a member of the Church by Bro. Miller--him and his wife have been there for James pretty much since the Sisters started teaching him. They take him to church and activities, and they really love him. Actually, everybody in the ward seems to really care about him. After losing his mom and not having his family near by, he really feels like he has found a family in the Goodyear ward. It's pretty cool.
I think the best part is to hear him bear his own testimony of what he has learned. He loves this stuff so much, during his free time he reads the Gospel Principles manual from his class at church and takes notes, asks himself questions and searches the scriptures for answers. I know life-long members who don't take their studies that seriously! Heck, I know I'm not that diligent.
We also have another date set for baptism--a 9-yr-old girl whose grandma is a member who takes her to church. It's pretty cool to see this girl, even though she's still so young, understanding the gospel and really--she chose to be baptized because she wants to, because she loves it, not because of her grandma or anybody else.
My testimony to you is that the Gospel really IS for everybody--we are all so different, no two people think or feel or learn the same. But their really is one way that works for everyone, and that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He tells us not to search our own paths, trust in the arm of flesh, follow just any wind of doctrine--no, we need to follow HIM, because HE is the way, the truth and the light. There is only one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism. It is only through the way that He has set up that we will truly have the Eternal Life that is promised in the scriptures.
But you can't just believe me because it's something I know. Ask Heavenly Father, and He'll tell you the Truth.
Sister Rosser--I'm stoked to do the review. :D
Christopher--ha ha ha. :P
Esteleen--thanks for the email! In the area I'm serving in we go from west Avondale (just west of Phoenix), and we go out as far as tonopah. That's just if we find anyone Spanish-speaking who wants to come to church. But yeah, I didn't actually say anything about that in the letter.
Frank--thanks for the letter! You have no idea how awesome it is to be thought of. I hope Alaska is treating you well! I'll write you a real letter soon. I still owe a bunch of people again. . . Lol.
Until next week.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
That's right, 11 months. I can't believe I'm already about 2/3 done. It's amazing how fast time flies here.
Let's update you all on the week. Let's see, first of all--we had a baptism! James was finally able to meet his goal to be baptized, after changing so many things in his life. And when he came out of the water, man, you could tell he was a new man. He was confirmed on Sunday a member of the Church by Bro. Miller--him and his wife have been there for James pretty much since the Sisters started teaching him. They take him to church and activities, and they really love him. Actually, everybody in the ward seems to really care about him. After losing his mom and not having his family near by, he really feels like he has found a family in the Goodyear ward. It's pretty cool.
I think the best part is to hear him bear his own testimony of what he has learned. He loves this stuff so much, during his free time he reads the Gospel Principles manual from his class at church and takes notes, asks himself questions and searches the scriptures for answers. I know life-long members who don't take their studies that seriously! Heck, I know I'm not that diligent.
We also have another date set for baptism--a 9-yr-old girl whose grandma is a member who takes her to church. It's pretty cool to see this girl, even though she's still so young, understanding the gospel and really--she chose to be baptized because she wants to, because she loves it, not because of her grandma or anybody else.
My testimony to you is that the Gospel really IS for everybody--we are all so different, no two people think or feel or learn the same. But their really is one way that works for everyone, and that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He tells us not to search our own paths, trust in the arm of flesh, follow just any wind of doctrine--no, we need to follow HIM, because HE is the way, the truth and the light. There is only one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism. It is only through the way that He has set up that we will truly have the Eternal Life that is promised in the scriptures.
But you can't just believe me because it's something I know. Ask Heavenly Father, and He'll tell you the Truth.
Sister Rosser--I'm stoked to do the review. :D
Christopher--ha ha ha. :P
Esteleen--thanks for the email! In the area I'm serving in we go from west Avondale (just west of Phoenix), and we go out as far as tonopah. That's just if we find anyone Spanish-speaking who wants to come to church. But yeah, I didn't actually say anything about that in the letter.
Frank--thanks for the letter! You have no idea how awesome it is to be thought of. I hope Alaska is treating you well! I'll write you a real letter soon. I still owe a bunch of people again. . . Lol.
Until next week.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Wed, 3 Jun 2009: Did you know we cover Tonopah?
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.
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.
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!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Tue, 19 May 2009: Last Shout-Out from Tolleson
Hey Guys!
So we have this weird thing with P-Days now. Since transfers are on Wednesday, but they changed P-Day to Wednesday, every transfer week P-Day is actually Tuesday. Which is why I didn't get an email from my mom today--I didn't tell you last week that it's different this week. It's kind of confusing but, well, it's all good. Hopefully you'll be sending me a letter this week anyway--but don't send it to Tolleson address. Yep, I have finally been transferred.
I am going to miss Estrella so much. Well, considering I have been in this ward since I got to Phoenix, I guess it makes sense. But I know for a fact that the Lord works out all of these transfers, so I'm not too worried. (Plus, I already know where I'm going. There are only 6 Spanish sisters. It makes it really easy to figure out.)
So that's what's going on with me. Oh yeah, and Maria's getting baptized, along with all of her children. The conversation today went basically as her asking us how much longer it has to take before she can be baptized. I told her she could be baptized this Sunday if she wants. So, yeah, I'm leaving just as everything gets rolling. But you know something cool? I'm sad I won't get to see it, but really I am just incredibly excited for them. You should have seen these kids on Sunday--all the boys were wearing dress shirts and ties, and they all looked SO HANDSOME!!! This family is amazing. I don't know what I did to deserve working with them, but I am grateful every day for having the chance to get to know them. And she's excited to know that I'll be really close. (She thought that "transferred" meant to got to some other state somewhere. She was really excited when I told her I'll probably just be over in Goodyear, about 15 minutes away.)
Anyway, I just need to tell you all that God really is a God of miracles. And don't send me letters in Tolleson, because then I'll have to wait to get them. Just send them to the mission office and they'll forward them to me. Michelle, I'll update you on the new address as soon as I know what it is. . . Lol.
I love you. If you're mad at me for not writing you letters, I apologize. I probably deserve it. Maybe the next area I'm in, we'll have more time for letters. I don't know why, but I'll be better at looking for time. But, well, if you think about it this way--you guys all get an update from me once a week. . .
Thank you, once again for tuning in. This is our last broadcast from Tolleson, AZ. We'd like to thank all of our faithful listeners, and we'll leave you with this thought--
"Birthdays are like Arizona summers. The more you live through, the more you want to die."
--Hna. Matthews
Thank you and goodnight.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
So we have this weird thing with P-Days now. Since transfers are on Wednesday, but they changed P-Day to Wednesday, every transfer week P-Day is actually Tuesday. Which is why I didn't get an email from my mom today--I didn't tell you last week that it's different this week. It's kind of confusing but, well, it's all good. Hopefully you'll be sending me a letter this week anyway--but don't send it to Tolleson address. Yep, I have finally been transferred.
I am going to miss Estrella so much. Well, considering I have been in this ward since I got to Phoenix, I guess it makes sense. But I know for a fact that the Lord works out all of these transfers, so I'm not too worried. (Plus, I already know where I'm going. There are only 6 Spanish sisters. It makes it really easy to figure out.)
So that's what's going on with me. Oh yeah, and Maria's getting baptized, along with all of her children. The conversation today went basically as her asking us how much longer it has to take before she can be baptized. I told her she could be baptized this Sunday if she wants. So, yeah, I'm leaving just as everything gets rolling. But you know something cool? I'm sad I won't get to see it, but really I am just incredibly excited for them. You should have seen these kids on Sunday--all the boys were wearing dress shirts and ties, and they all looked SO HANDSOME!!! This family is amazing. I don't know what I did to deserve working with them, but I am grateful every day for having the chance to get to know them. And she's excited to know that I'll be really close. (She thought that "transferred" meant to got to some other state somewhere. She was really excited when I told her I'll probably just be over in Goodyear, about 15 minutes away.)
Anyway, I just need to tell you all that God really is a God of miracles. And don't send me letters in Tolleson, because then I'll have to wait to get them. Just send them to the mission office and they'll forward them to me. Michelle, I'll update you on the new address as soon as I know what it is. . . Lol.
I love you. If you're mad at me for not writing you letters, I apologize. I probably deserve it. Maybe the next area I'm in, we'll have more time for letters. I don't know why, but I'll be better at looking for time. But, well, if you think about it this way--you guys all get an update from me once a week. . .
Thank you, once again for tuning in. This is our last broadcast from Tolleson, AZ. We'd like to thank all of our faithful listeners, and we'll leave you with this thought--
"Birthdays are like Arizona summers. The more you live through, the more you want to die."
--Hna. Matthews
Thank you and goodnight.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
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
Monday, May 4, 2009
Mon, 4 May 2009
Dear Everybody,
Hi! We went hiking today, and it was fun. I didn't want to go, but everybody else did and I can't exactly stay home alone, so I went, and I'm glad I did. Good exercise and fun photos.
Let's see, updates? Meh. Nothing too exciting. We went to a fiesta the other Spanish ward held as a fundraiser, and our investigator Maria and all her kids came, along with her member sister and her kids. It was hectic, but fun. Maria is like our light in darkness--everybody else pretty much is dropped, except David Johnson, but we pretty much just started back at square one with him. It's a more solid square than the first one, though. He's going to take a while, but I think we'll at least leave him with a good foundation. The Johnson's are doing really well, after the tragedy that they had. Pretty much just moving on, because you have to. Life goes on. And I'm pretty sure this was what he needed to tip him back over onto the Gospel's side. He was wavering and falling away before. Anyway, we really broke down the whole Prophets have the Priesthood, the organization of the Church when Christ was on the earth, baptism. . .really, we just power-housed him with scriptures and testimony, and I think he's starting to really get it. Only problem now is that he's going back to work and has a crazy schedule, so we'll only be able to teach him about once a week. It's hard to maintain the spirit and keep the ball rolling with a lot of stops like that.
Otherwise, we've been really really really tired, but I hear that's how every missionary is. And you know something weird? This Saturday will be my ten-month mark. Weird as all heck. Sooner than I know it, I'll be home. I guess I better straighten up and fly right, get on the ball or something. I feel like there is still so much left to do, but I'm running out of time! I think that's a good thing--keeps me motivated.
All right, I'm signing out. I guess we're going to go play volleyball too. (I owe a few of you letters still, so I'll make sure I work on that too. I keep saying this and keep not doing it, so take that statement as you will. . .)
I love you, and I hope to hear from you. Peace.
Love,
Hna. Crowley.
Hi! We went hiking today, and it was fun. I didn't want to go, but everybody else did and I can't exactly stay home alone, so I went, and I'm glad I did. Good exercise and fun photos.
Let's see, updates? Meh. Nothing too exciting. We went to a fiesta the other Spanish ward held as a fundraiser, and our investigator Maria and all her kids came, along with her member sister and her kids. It was hectic, but fun. Maria is like our light in darkness--everybody else pretty much is dropped, except David Johnson, but we pretty much just started back at square one with him. It's a more solid square than the first one, though. He's going to take a while, but I think we'll at least leave him with a good foundation. The Johnson's are doing really well, after the tragedy that they had. Pretty much just moving on, because you have to. Life goes on. And I'm pretty sure this was what he needed to tip him back over onto the Gospel's side. He was wavering and falling away before. Anyway, we really broke down the whole Prophets have the Priesthood, the organization of the Church when Christ was on the earth, baptism. . .really, we just power-housed him with scriptures and testimony, and I think he's starting to really get it. Only problem now is that he's going back to work and has a crazy schedule, so we'll only be able to teach him about once a week. It's hard to maintain the spirit and keep the ball rolling with a lot of stops like that.
Otherwise, we've been really really really tired, but I hear that's how every missionary is. And you know something weird? This Saturday will be my ten-month mark. Weird as all heck. Sooner than I know it, I'll be home. I guess I better straighten up and fly right, get on the ball or something. I feel like there is still so much left to do, but I'm running out of time! I think that's a good thing--keeps me motivated.
All right, I'm signing out. I guess we're going to go play volleyball too. (I owe a few of you letters still, so I'll make sure I work on that too. I keep saying this and keep not doing it, so take that statement as you will. . .)
I love you, and I hope to hear from you. Peace.
Love,
Hna. Crowley.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Mon, 27 Apr 2009
Dear everybody,
I got the whole email thing back to working again, so this is where I'll be. Back on the myldsmail. Hooray. :P
Anyway, so guess what? My week was pretty good. We taught something like 47 lessons--mostly through tracting, which isn't really effective, but what can you do? All of our investigators who had been progressing stopped, and we're just refilling the pool and trying to get the old ones back on track! We do have one new investigator we found this week--we got the referral from her sister who is a member, and her name is Maria and she's AWESOME. I can already tell she'll make it--hopefully with us, if we don't screw anything up. She understands what we teach her and, what's more, she LOVES it! When we taught her abbout prophets--how the Bible teaches about them, and it also teaches about how people reject them and loose the Gospel--that's apostasy--she was like, oh, that makes sense. And then she'll ask questions about what we're teaching her--because she actually wants to understand, not argue. Anyway, she's really awesome. And her sister drives from clear across town every lesson so she can be there with us. It really helps having someone there who is so close to her who can share her very personal feelings about what she has experienced in her own life.
FYI--the only people I have found on the mission who have really progressed have been found through members. So, for those of you who are members--are you giving the missionaries the names of your friends? I know for me, I never did. And I regret that. But now I know that this work doesn't belong to the full-time missionaries--it belongs to the people they serve. We're only here as tools to teach the people you bring. The people we find sometimes make it--the number is abou 10 in 1000. The number jumps to 600-something out of 1000 when they are found through members and the member friend is involved in the teaching.
Hna. Sepulveda and I worked really hard this week, and we feel great about it. And then I was part of a musical on Saturday--it went smoothly. The only problem, for me anyway, was that I had to sit "frozen" on the stage until my part came--I was virgin number 8 out of 10. By the time it actually got to me, my right leg was so dead, I literally could not feel it all the way up to my hip. So I had to get up and twirl around and act on a completely dead leg. It was like walking on a stump. Plus I wasn't wearing my glasses. It was a miracle that I didn't face-plant. It was pretty fun.
All of our parts were pre-recorded, so I'll send a copy of the cd home to my folks. If anybody else wants a copy, let me know and I'll get it to you. It turned out pretty good. :D
Well, that's all I have time for today! I love you all, and hope you are well. May the Good News carry you through the tough times.
D&C 128:22
"Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free."
May that be your inspiration.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
I got the whole email thing back to working again, so this is where I'll be. Back on the myldsmail. Hooray. :P
Anyway, so guess what? My week was pretty good. We taught something like 47 lessons--mostly through tracting, which isn't really effective, but what can you do? All of our investigators who had been progressing stopped, and we're just refilling the pool and trying to get the old ones back on track! We do have one new investigator we found this week--we got the referral from her sister who is a member, and her name is Maria and she's AWESOME. I can already tell she'll make it--hopefully with us, if we don't screw anything up. She understands what we teach her and, what's more, she LOVES it! When we taught her abbout prophets--how the Bible teaches about them, and it also teaches about how people reject them and loose the Gospel--that's apostasy--she was like, oh, that makes sense. And then she'll ask questions about what we're teaching her--because she actually wants to understand, not argue. Anyway, she's really awesome. And her sister drives from clear across town every lesson so she can be there with us. It really helps having someone there who is so close to her who can share her very personal feelings about what she has experienced in her own life.
FYI--the only people I have found on the mission who have really progressed have been found through members. So, for those of you who are members--are you giving the missionaries the names of your friends? I know for me, I never did. And I regret that. But now I know that this work doesn't belong to the full-time missionaries--it belongs to the people they serve. We're only here as tools to teach the people you bring. The people we find sometimes make it--the number is abou 10 in 1000. The number jumps to 600-something out of 1000 when they are found through members and the member friend is involved in the teaching.
Hna. Sepulveda and I worked really hard this week, and we feel great about it. And then I was part of a musical on Saturday--it went smoothly. The only problem, for me anyway, was that I had to sit "frozen" on the stage until my part came--I was virgin number 8 out of 10. By the time it actually got to me, my right leg was so dead, I literally could not feel it all the way up to my hip. So I had to get up and twirl around and act on a completely dead leg. It was like walking on a stump. Plus I wasn't wearing my glasses. It was a miracle that I didn't face-plant. It was pretty fun.
All of our parts were pre-recorded, so I'll send a copy of the cd home to my folks. If anybody else wants a copy, let me know and I'll get it to you. It turned out pretty good. :D
Well, that's all I have time for today! I love you all, and hope you are well. May the Good News carry you through the tough times.
D&C 128:22
"Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free."
May that be your inspiration.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Mon, 20 Apr 2009
So I just went and checked my sent mail, and it looks like myldsmail never sent my email last week, OR the one I just sent. Also, I haven't gotten a single email from anyone last week or this, so I'm going to assume you didn't get anything, and if you sent it it didnt' get to me. I'm just using gmail from now on. I can't handle not getting ANYTHING FOR TWO WEEKS. I never hear from anybody as it is, but not to hear from you guys is too much. I don't knwo where Dad is, I don't know how you're doing, I don't know anything and I'm going nuts. You know what you missed last week? The Johnson family--she's and member and was having triplets and he's a big lovable black guy--they lost their babies last Monday. I sent you an email about that, but I doubt you got it. Then today I told you about the musical I'm in and we're doing recording for, which is for the Stake's celebration of the Relief Society's anniversary or whatever--and how on the track (we'll be lip-syncing) in the last song, I AM the back up--all the harmonies and such are just layers of me, which is pretty hilarious--but I bet you didn't get that either. So I'm not using myldsmail any more. I'll email my President about that right now.
Anyway, I'm going to go, because now I'm just frustrated and sad because no one has written me in two weeks (which is really just that myldsmail has been screwing me out of emails) and I have nothing pleasant to say.
Except that the Lord loves you.
I'll talk to you later.
Love,
Caryn
Caryn
Mon, 20 Apr 2009 (Re-sent)
Ok, so this is the second week in a row that I haven't gotten an email from anyone at all, so I'm going to assume that myldsmail is eating my emails. I'd rather think that than nobody loves me. . . Lol. So if you're emailing me, just forward anything you've sent in the last two weeks to my gmail: marzupan@gmail.com. I'm done with this crap.
Or you could just send me some snail mail--that's better anyway. . . And the post office asked us to change how we write our address. Now it's just:
Hermana Caryn Crowley
18001 N. 79th Ave Ste. C50
Glendale, AZ 85308
Just simple like that. And I'm pretty sure my sister has got my apartment address on that blog she's posting, so you can always send it there. Anyway, change the address you have for me to the one above, and we'll be good and the post office won't hate me. . . Lol.
This week went by really fast. I'm getting ready to be in a musical--our stake is holding a dinner with a show for the Relief Society's anniversary thing, and I'm in it. We're doing The Ten Virgins, maybe you've heard of it. We've recorded it all, so we'll be up there lip-syncing--just like the Easter Pageant they do here. The whole thing--spoken and song--is a track, and the actors speak and sing along, but the track keeps it together. Anyway, it'll be good. The funniest thing is, though, that the last song is all me except the solos. I did ALL the back-up. So when I get a copy of theh finished cd, I'll send it home and you can check it out. It should be pretty good, since a professional techie is putting it together and mixing the vocals. . . I'm excited.
The Johnsons are doing pretty well, considering. I went over with our relief society president yesterday to drop off some burial clothes--beautiful stuff, done by this really awesome non-profit org called Sewing for Babies. They're amazing. Anyway, just keep them in your prayers. They are really turning to the Lord, instead of getting angry, and you can really see that He is pulling them through this. It'll be rough for a while though.
I'm going to go. Our P-Day has been shot due to some recording and missionaries going to doctors. . . So I'll talk to you all later--probably I'll just be emailing you from Gmail from now on, but we'll see.
Have an amazing day. The Lord loves you.
Love,
Hna Crowley
Or you could just send me some snail mail--that's better anyway. . . And the post office asked us to change how we write our address. Now it's just:
Hermana Caryn Crowley
18001 N. 79th Ave Ste. C50
Glendale, AZ 85308
Just simple like that. And I'm pretty sure my sister has got my apartment address on that blog she's posting, so you can always send it there. Anyway, change the address you have for me to the one above, and we'll be good and the post office won't hate me. . . Lol.
This week went by really fast. I'm getting ready to be in a musical--our stake is holding a dinner with a show for the Relief Society's anniversary thing, and I'm in it. We're doing The Ten Virgins, maybe you've heard of it. We've recorded it all, so we'll be up there lip-syncing--just like the Easter Pageant they do here. The whole thing--spoken and song--is a track, and the actors speak and sing along, but the track keeps it together. Anyway, it'll be good. The funniest thing is, though, that the last song is all me except the solos. I did ALL the back-up. So when I get a copy of theh finished cd, I'll send it home and you can check it out. It should be pretty good, since a professional techie is putting it together and mixing the vocals. . . I'm excited.
The Johnsons are doing pretty well, considering. I went over with our relief society president yesterday to drop off some burial clothes--beautiful stuff, done by this really awesome non-profit org called Sewing for Babies. They're amazing. Anyway, just keep them in your prayers. They are really turning to the Lord, instead of getting angry, and you can really see that He is pulling them through this. It'll be rough for a while though.
I'm going to go. Our P-Day has been shot due to some recording and missionaries going to doctors. . . So I'll talk to you all later--probably I'll just be emailing you from Gmail from now on, but we'll see.
Have an amazing day. The Lord loves you.
Love,
Hna Crowley
Monday, April 13, 2009
Mon, 13 Apr 2009 (Re-sent)
I had this whole email written and ready to send, but then I just got a phone call from the Johnsons--the ones having triplets. She went in for her C-section this morning, and they pulled the babies out and they were all dead. All three of them. Due to some mishandling by their previous doctor, they had infections inside the womb, and other stuff. David was telling me all of this, but then when he saw his car with three empty carseats in the back, he broke down. He was asking God why He took away his children--had he done something wrong? Why God? Why can't I hold them? What did I do wrong? He said, I just want to hold my children, hug them. He wept.
I wanted to tell him so bad, but it wasn't the time--he WILL have a chance to hold his children. It WAS NOT his fault, and God DOES have a plan for those three sweet little children. David WILL have a chance to hold his children, to love them. God is just, and justice will be done. He is also merciful, and He will send them comfort.
If any of you are questioning that now, know that it is true. Ask Him, trust Him. He will carry you through.
I love you all, and pray for you. Thank you, Porritts, for that amazing package. It was put to good use.
Be safe.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
I wanted to tell him so bad, but it wasn't the time--he WILL have a chance to hold his children. It WAS NOT his fault, and God DOES have a plan for those three sweet little children. David WILL have a chance to hold his children, to love them. God is just, and justice will be done. He is also merciful, and He will send them comfort.
If any of you are questioning that now, know that it is true. Ask Him, trust Him. He will carry you through.
I love you all, and pray for you. Thank you, Porritts, for that amazing package. It was put to good use.
Be safe.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Mon, 6 Apr 2009
Dear People of the world. . .
Hey, another week down, and another transfer. Ready for the news? *drum roll please*
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
I'm staying! Which makes 6 transfers in Estrella ward. I'm so glad though. I have a lot of work to do.
We've got a lot of stuff to do still today, so I'll make this quick. We just sent off Hna. Little and Hna. Martinez and an English sister to the mission home--they'll be on the plane to the real world by this time tomorrow. Actually, half of them will already be home by now. Weird. I'm glad I still have half a mission left. I have way to much still left to fix.
FYI--Thursday is my 9-month-day. Just you wait to see the photos we'll be taking. Hna. Matthews and I reported to the MTC together, so we have the same 9-month-day, and we're in the same apartment, so it's going to be quite the--mission appropriate--party. I'll let you know how it goes.
Last week was a pretty good week. We got Santos to go to Conference! He's Adan's uncle who lives with him, and he's awesome. This week, we'll be committing him to baptism. Also, we went to the Easter Pageant in Spanish. It was awesome. For those of you who live close to Phoenix, might I suggest a quick trip down here to catch the show? I personally think it would be worth it. This pageant is pretty awesome. Well, only worth it if you have another reason to come down here, like friends or family or something. Now is definitely the time to make the trip. It goes 7th-11th.
One more thing--if you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and you know someone who hasn't been to church in a while, give them a call. Or go visit them with cookies or something. Don't tell them--oh, haven't seen you in church for awhile--or anything like that, just go talk to them. Remind them that they are loved. If more less-active members were remembered by their friends, we would have less less-active members. Follow the counsel of the Prophets and be welcoming and loving to those outside of the fold, so they will always have a place to return to. And don't you dare judge them. There is NO WAY you can know what they are going through, neither is it your place. Counsel and direct, as far as it is in your sphere of influence, but don't ever judge them. Even if they are completely wrong, doesn't matter. Don't try to cast out their mote of dust when you've got your own beams to deal with.
I don't know if you can tell, but we've had a lot of problems with that lately. A lot of less-actives, and quite a few active who make snide comments about those who have strayed. That is not following Christ's example.
Now I have to go and repent from judging them. Geez.
Sister Rosser--THANK YOU FOR THE CARD!!! You and Sister Lindsey ROCK. I will have your letter out sometime, I just know it. . . (I won't give a specific time, because that always seems to fail.) When is your 9-months? Will you take preg pictures too? Please keep me informed.
Anyway, on that happy note--have an awesome Easter! Remember the Savior, and why we celebrate this holiday. He really did all that the Bible says He did--and more. Read Alma 7:11-14. That will give you an idea.
I love you all, be safe.
Love,
Hna. Crowley.
Hey, another week down, and another transfer. Ready for the news? *drum roll please*
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
I'm staying! Which makes 6 transfers in Estrella ward. I'm so glad though. I have a lot of work to do.
We've got a lot of stuff to do still today, so I'll make this quick. We just sent off Hna. Little and Hna. Martinez and an English sister to the mission home--they'll be on the plane to the real world by this time tomorrow. Actually, half of them will already be home by now. Weird. I'm glad I still have half a mission left. I have way to much still left to fix.
FYI--Thursday is my 9-month-day. Just you wait to see the photos we'll be taking. Hna. Matthews and I reported to the MTC together, so we have the same 9-month-day, and we're in the same apartment, so it's going to be quite the--mission appropriate--party. I'll let you know how it goes.
Last week was a pretty good week. We got Santos to go to Conference! He's Adan's uncle who lives with him, and he's awesome. This week, we'll be committing him to baptism. Also, we went to the Easter Pageant in Spanish. It was awesome. For those of you who live close to Phoenix, might I suggest a quick trip down here to catch the show? I personally think it would be worth it. This pageant is pretty awesome. Well, only worth it if you have another reason to come down here, like friends or family or something. Now is definitely the time to make the trip. It goes 7th-11th.
One more thing--if you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and you know someone who hasn't been to church in a while, give them a call. Or go visit them with cookies or something. Don't tell them--oh, haven't seen you in church for awhile--or anything like that, just go talk to them. Remind them that they are loved. If more less-active members were remembered by their friends, we would have less less-active members. Follow the counsel of the Prophets and be welcoming and loving to those outside of the fold, so they will always have a place to return to. And don't you dare judge them. There is NO WAY you can know what they are going through, neither is it your place. Counsel and direct, as far as it is in your sphere of influence, but don't ever judge them. Even if they are completely wrong, doesn't matter. Don't try to cast out their mote of dust when you've got your own beams to deal with.
I don't know if you can tell, but we've had a lot of problems with that lately. A lot of less-actives, and quite a few active who make snide comments about those who have strayed. That is not following Christ's example.
Now I have to go and repent from judging them. Geez.
Sister Rosser--THANK YOU FOR THE CARD!!! You and Sister Lindsey ROCK. I will have your letter out sometime, I just know it. . . (I won't give a specific time, because that always seems to fail.) When is your 9-months? Will you take preg pictures too? Please keep me informed.
Anyway, on that happy note--have an awesome Easter! Remember the Savior, and why we celebrate this holiday. He really did all that the Bible says He did--and more. Read Alma 7:11-14. That will give you an idea.
I love you all, be safe.
Love,
Hna. Crowley.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Mon, 30 Mar 2009
Dear Everybody,
I don't have a lot of time today for sure--we actually took our P-Day on Saturday so we could go to the temple. It was amazing. But that means we don't get a P-Day this week. That is definitely less than amazing.
Having two P-Days in a week cuts the work down a bit, but that's just how it is sometimes. Let me tell you something about the temple--it's amazing. I have never felt peace the same as I do in the temple. It's like, peace concentrate. If you can go to the temple, go. If you can't yet--get ready for it. It's worth it. But you have to prepare for it. It won't mean a thing to you if you aren't prepared for it. It's like reading through a Calculus manual when you're still in 7th grade math. It just doesn't make sense, although you'll recognize some things.
Random, I know. I do love being a missionary. I hate not having enough time to clean my house. So sometimes I just go on a cleaning spree during personal study, like I did today. . . Which means I'll have to make up for that during lunch. It'll be good though, because now I have a place to study. Bleh. I hate a messy house.
Moving on. I love you. This last transfer has been really hard in weird ways, so I appreciate the support I get from the few and faithful of you. I'm sorry for not writing this last transfer, but if you had been me you would have understood. It's been a little crazy around here. I think I'm finally back on track though. Just with about 7 more people to write back to. . .
I'd like to thank all my faithful readers out there, and may the Lord bless you. Peace.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
I don't have a lot of time today for sure--we actually took our P-Day on Saturday so we could go to the temple. It was amazing. But that means we don't get a P-Day this week. That is definitely less than amazing.
Having two P-Days in a week cuts the work down a bit, but that's just how it is sometimes. Let me tell you something about the temple--it's amazing. I have never felt peace the same as I do in the temple. It's like, peace concentrate. If you can go to the temple, go. If you can't yet--get ready for it. It's worth it. But you have to prepare for it. It won't mean a thing to you if you aren't prepared for it. It's like reading through a Calculus manual when you're still in 7th grade math. It just doesn't make sense, although you'll recognize some things.
Random, I know. I do love being a missionary. I hate not having enough time to clean my house. So sometimes I just go on a cleaning spree during personal study, like I did today. . . Which means I'll have to make up for that during lunch. It'll be good though, because now I have a place to study. Bleh. I hate a messy house.
Moving on. I love you. This last transfer has been really hard in weird ways, so I appreciate the support I get from the few and faithful of you. I'm sorry for not writing this last transfer, but if you had been me you would have understood. It's been a little crazy around here. I think I'm finally back on track though. Just with about 7 more people to write back to. . .
I'd like to thank all my faithful readers out there, and may the Lord bless you. Peace.
Love,
Hna. Crowley
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Mon, 23 Mar 2009: Photos
Flowers for my brithday,
the front door Hna. Corless and Martinez decorated for me when I got home that night,
the cool grow-animals they gave me,
all the cards and stuff I got,
and me opening presents birthday morning--the charm necklace was my favorite.
Funny story--that night I was taking off the necklace, and the charm went down the drain. I didn't let anyone use the sink for three days--until the maintenance guy could come and he got it out for me. I love that thing. And I love that you put it together for me. I'll show you more pictures--my St. Patty's birthday cake (just clover sprinkles. So yummy!)
Gotta go! Love you!
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