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
Thursday, June 25, 2009
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!
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