Confirmation...In the Dark?! Bluffdale, Utah, Orem, Utah Mission, September 25th, 2017

Hello All!

This past week has been a blast! Let me tell you a little more about it...

We met a lot of awesome people this week! First we met Rose and Moses, who have 4 kids and recently moved here from California. Rose was very interested in learning more about our religion, so we gave her a Book of Mormon and will hopefully be setting up a Chapel tour with her as well! She is super awesome and is really searching for the truth.. Aren't we all at some point in our lives? 

Another person we met was Josh. Before I came into this area, Sister Black and her last companion had talked to him, and he was definitely not interested.. But very nice! A few days ago we knocked on his door,(not knowing it was him that lived there), and he told us that he's really been thinking about the LDS church. We gave him the phone number for his bishop! Pretty cool! 

Probably the best part of this wee was Tayllor's baptism! It was incredible! I included some pictures of it below. Tayllor is the sweetest 18 year old girl I've ever met. Her parents aren't currently active in the church, and her two younger sisters aren't members. At her baptism the spirit was so strong and I really feel that she will be a great example to her family and bring them to Christ. 

Her confirmation, or receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, was supposed to happen during Sacrament meeting the next day (Sunday), but there was a crazy power outage.. Just at the church! Luckily we were able to all meet at her house. Her entire family was there and the spirit so strongly testified to me, and I'm sure to everyone else, of the truth and value of what she was doing. I love that family!

On a lighter note.. We just found out that Mack Wilberg, director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir lives in our area! Isn't that cool? We are going to try to "accidentally" meet him one of these days. 

Speaking of Conference... For those of you who saw, wasn't Women's Conference amazing? If you weren't able to see it I would highly recommend it. I loved President Uchtdorf's talk. He talked about not being a victim and not letting what other people say and do affect us and what we do! It's so true! We are in control of our own happiness! Never forget it. 

Also.. Sister Black and I get to go to the Saturday afternoon session of General Conference! I'm beyond excited. Don't forget to watch it this upcoming Saturday and Sunday! We have a prophet called of God and apostles just like Jesus Christ had. It's so important that we listen to them! I love Conference, it's like Christmas for missionaries!

One last thing.. We had dinner with the Stake Patriarch yesterday, and he showed us a song he loved called, "Drop Kick Me Jesus Into the Goal Post of Life". It was pretty good actually haha. Look it up!

The gospel is true! I'm so grateful for it and the fact that we can always turn to our Heavenly Father for help and guidance. I love you all! 

Love,
Sister Crofts 

Sister Crofts, Tayllor, and Sister Black at Tayllor's Baptism

Treated to yummy lunch at Iceberg.  She is definitely well-fed and spoiled in Utah!

Always the cat pictures!  

Last Minute Sacrament Meeting Talk!! Bluffdale, Utah, Orem, Utah Mission, September 18th, 2017

Hello all!

This last week was one full of miracles and good times! (Well every week is, but this one especially.)

We felt prompted earlier this week to stop by former investigators, and almost didn't because we were running out of time. But, we did end up deciding to stop by really quick. Right before we were about to leave because no one was answering, a lady answered, and told us she had been wanting to get a hold of us because her kids wanted to be baptized! What a miracle. God truly prompts us and leads us to those who are ready to hear the gospel.

Another miracle from this week involved Nancy. Before I came into this area Sister Black had visited her, and she didn't want to talk and was very uninterested. She wrote it down somewhere so we'd know not to bother her. But a few days ago, we knocked on a door and Nancy answered. Sister Black's notes on her had someone been deleted so we were led to knock on her door again. This time when she answered, she was very sweet and asked if we could come back another time! Another miracle! Heavenly Father has been blessing us so much as we do our part- and I know this is true in all aspects of life!

We had the opportunity on Thursday to go to a fireside held by our stake on Joseph Smith. Robert Millet, who has written many books, taught at BYU, and has many more accomplishments, talked on Joseph Smith and how he truly was a prophet of God. He wasn't perfect- no one but Christ is. But he was a good man who helped restore Jesus Christ's gospel back to the earth. My testimony in him as a prophet has grown so much from that, and throughout my mission. And the great thing is, when we have a testimony of Joseph Smith, we have a testimony of the Book of Mormon and of Jesus Christ! I know with all my heart the gospel is true. 

Some more fun things this week: Last night we went to a "Choirside" where the Sterling Singers sang. (They used to be part of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir). It was fantastic! I was blown away by how amazing the singing was and also how strongly the spirit testifies through music. 

Yesterday we also got asked to give a talk in a ward at 11am.. While we were in another ward at 9:30! That was probably the least notice I've ever been even given for a talk, but we made it happen! I am always prepared with a few talks ready to go at a moments notice! We also taught the restoration to Young Men and Women in another ward.  

One last thing: Tayllor is getting baptized this Saturday! She had her baptism interview a few days ago and we are so excited for her and the steps she is taking. She has inactive parents, but dated someone who was a member. After he left on a mission she wanted to learn more.  We also have a baptism coming up October 7th for Peyton.  Peyton is 10 and her parents are coming back to church.  She knew nothing about the gospel before we taught her.  Finally,  October 21st Jett is getting baptized.  He has basically the same story as Peyton. They are all so sweet and I am so excited for them! The gospel is true!

Love,
Sister Crofts 

Apparently they like to match!

Tuesday? Bluffdale, Utah, Orem, Utah Mission, September 12th, 2017

Hello everyone! 

Yes, I am emailing on a Tuesday. Our Preparation day got switched so we could go to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple today, which was amazing. I love the temple and the peace it gives me! 

This week has been great. To start off.. I am so blessed to be with Sister Black! Her and I are so goofy together, but we help each other work hard and do our best. The only downside is that she dips her oreos in water.. That's right, water. Not milk. It's pretty nasty. 

Anyway, there are so many amazing people in this area! We are still helping Tayllor, who's 18, prepare to be baptized in 2 weeks! Crazy how fast time goes by. We've also been teaching Wenchao, who's from China but came here to be a flight instructor. A really cool moment with him was when he gave the credit to his passing his flying exam to God! It's so true, God is the one who helps us accomplish everything we do! He also tried peach cobbler for the first time.. He said, "it's so sweet." and the lady who made it said "You don't have to eat it!" and he had a visible sigh of relief and said "Thanks!" That was a hoot. Apparently in China they're not quite used to dumping tons of sugar on everything! 

We are also teaching a lot of children ages 9-11. Peyton is going to be baptized October 7th. She is so sweet and thoughtful and always has the answer to everything. Keri is 10 and wants to be baptized but is waiting until her dad can do it. Ana is 9 turning 10 soon and came to her mom and told her that she wanted to be baptized! She doesnt have much knowledge of the gospel, but she has a desire to learn. And last but not least, Jet. He's 11 and the sweetest, most logical boy ever. He's really excited to be baptized as well!

Well, I love being a missionary! Knowing that Jesus Christs Church was restored to the earth is such a blessing to me. I know that I am a missionary for God's true and loving church, and that through the gospel of Jesus Christ we can live with our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and our families forever! 

I love you all! 

Love, Sister Crofts

Missionaries at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple today!

The sister missionaries live on a farm!

They love each other!

Love getting random pics of my girl from other moms!

Early morning wake up call!

Happy Misisonaries!

Oldest Man in Bluffdale. Bluffdale, South. Orem, Utah Mission. September 4th, 2017

Hello everyone! 

This week has been great! (of course, I'm a missionary for the true church, how could it not be?).

On Monday and Tuesday we knocked on some doors and I got to say goodbye to some of my favorite people from good old Orem. I'm going to miss that place, but I know Heavenly Father moved me to Bluffdale for a reason! On Wednesday we had transfers, and I became companions with the magnificent Sister Black! Sister Black came out a transfer before me, and we actually followed each other on instagram, what a funny coincidence! I think we both knew we'd someday be companions! She is from Colorado and the sweetest person I've ever met. (Well maybe not ever, but she's definitely up there.) We have such an incredible area. There are so many people to teach and who are ready to hear our message! 

We have someone getting baptized on September 23; Tayllor. She's 18 and super sweet and quiet. But very excited to be baptized! 

We are also teaching Wenchao. He is from China and for some reason goes by Tom. I'm not sure what to call him haha! He is awesome and wants to learn more about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We invited him to be baptized last night and he said yes! 

We are also teaching 3 9 year old children, who all want to be baptized. Hopefully one or two of them will be able to be baptized this transfer, but we know it's all on the Lord's time! 

We have had a lot of rejections here.. But I know it just comes with being a missionary! The wonderful thing is, even though we've had doors slammed in our face and people yell at us, we still see so many miracles! The other day we were knocking a bunch of doors in this giant apartment complex, and someone answered, invited us in and said "I've been praying for someone to show up and help me. My daughter wants to get baptized and I think I want to come back to church." How can there not be a loving Heavenly Father who listens and answers our prayers!? I know Heavenly Father truly knows each and every one of us! When He and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith, He didn't say "Hello human, " He called him by name and said "Joseph, this is My beloved Son. Hear Him." He knows and loves us! I know this to be true! 

As for the oldest man in Bluffdale.. He also happens to be super wealthy and has a bowling alley in his house, that he let the missionaries use today for their district activity today. (AKA us). It was pretty awesome. Pictures will be attatched!

I love you all, have a wonderful week! 

Love, Sister Crofts

District Bowling for Pday

What? Who has a bowling alley in their house?

Beautiful Sister Black and Sister Crofts

Twinning!

Loves her new glasses--no more headaches!

Always a cat lover!