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
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
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