Baptisms! Pleasant Grove, Orem, Utah Mission. May 28th, 2018

Hey Folks! 

Monday we had our district activity. We played Volleyball and had pizza and also had children chase us around. Always a good time! Monday night we were still on foot so we got to walk around and talk to several people and set up more service oppurtunities!

Tuesday was filled with tender mercies. So many things happened throughout the day that just reminded me how aware God is of me and how much He loves me! I was very grateful for that. We also had several appointments and a meeting, and got to be with our Senior Couple, the Backlunds! I love them.

Wednesday we spent a lot of the day helping with a funeral. I know that when we lose loved ones it's so so hard. But I am so grateful to know that death is not the end, and that we will see them again. ♥️

Thursday we had our district training meeting, and then helped with some yard work! Something we've been trying to do more of in this area is service. I know that whenever I help people I always end up feeling happier and more peace.

Friday we got organized! And by that I mean we spent hours organizing maps and contacting people and writing down referrals.. But we got to be outside, so that's always nice! We had dinner with a family who owns a traveling petting zoo and then met with one of our ward mission leaders.

Saturday was a much needed day for me. The whole week before had been somewhat stressful, and on Saturday I got to go back to UVU for 2 baptisms! Hannahs was in the morning. Her voice was gone and she was sick- but she was so happy and excited. Katie drove me back (after getting me some lunch ♥️) I did some studies with my companion, and then I got picked up before dinner for Francisco's baptism! While someone was giving the talk on the Holy Ghost, Francisco ended up coming up the front and started by saying, "First I want to say thank you all for coming, and after if everyone wants to come to McDonald's I'll buy you a four piece nugget." what a hoot. He is so cool and I'm grateful to know him! I also was able to see my bestie Sister Rodriguez and talk to Sister Snelson and Sister Lewis and Katie. It was great and just what I needed.

Sunday we gave an impromptu message in Sacrament meeting and taught a gospel Principles class! I love hearing people's conversion stories and how the gospel has touched and changed their life. I am so grateful for it in my life!

Today we have a zone activity at the Killpacks, but more about that next week!

The gospel is true!

Love

Sister Crofts 

Sister Rodriquez!

Francisco's Baptism

Hannah's Baptism!

Pleasant Grove Week 2! Orem, Utah Mission, May 21st, 2018

Hello again! 

Monday was a relaxing pday. We got a lot of cleaning done which felt great! Later that night, we were able to have a lesson with 10 year old Hunter, and also talked to his parents for a while. I finally feel like I'm starting to get to know this area a bit more! 

Tuesday we did lots of studies outside since the weather was nicer, and I got a great farmer's tan! We visited quite a few people, had a delicious dinner, had a lesson with a less active lady Jodi who has an escape artist hamster, and then did some Facebook proseliting! We saw a lot of tiny miracles today in that a lot of people called us with referrals! 

Wednesday our week with the car was up, so we were on foot! My watch tan line is getting whiter and whiter haha! It was nice to be outside more and to be able to talk with everyone doing yard work! Our goal today was to send out an email to every member in our area, which we did, and we're able to set up service opportunities and appointments because of that! Woohoo!

Thursday was so busy! We had our district training meeting, and then a correlation lunch with our senior couple, the Backlunds. They are so great! After that we had a member lesson (we've been trying to work more with members!) and then got driven to the mission office for our final interview with President Killpack. 

President Killpack is a wonderful, loving, kind person. I am so blessed to have him as my mission President for almost my entire mission! He genuinely cares for me and wants to help me. He is always uplifting and caring. I will grateful miss him, but I know I'll be able to stay in touch with him and Sister Killpack! I love them both! 

My favorite part of Friday was the service we were able to do. We were able to help set up for a garage sale. When we got there I wasn't sure why this particular garage sale was so important. I asked someone and she told me that the entire ward rallied together, went through their stuff and donated it to be sold at the garage sale. The funds will go to support medical treatment for  a member of their ward who recently found several brain tumors. Wow. I am so grateful to have been able to serve with such diligent and loving ward members! 

Saturday we did lots more service! We helped Jennie, who is probably 90 years old, clean her house, and then helped a little bit more with the garage sale.. And got a few free things out of it! Then we did more studies, biked a ton (oh yeah, we got bikes!) and had a few lessons and meetings! 

Sunday we had a very early meeting and multiple more meetings throughout the day. Our neighbors daughter recently got home from her mission, so we were able to hear her talk! My favorite part of the day was talking to someone who was baptized 14 years ago after he was married. He had met with missionaries before that, but they couldn't answer his questions. I asked him what had changed and he said (starting to tear up) "When President Hinkley brought out Preach my Gospel, all of my questions were answered." I am so grateful for preach my gospel! (a book that helps missionaries understand how to teach by the spirit) 

I am so grateful for service, and for the love of Christ we can feel for others while serving them! Find someone to serve this week! 

Love 

Sister Crofts 

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$1 Matching PJ's!

Call Home, New Area, New Companion! Pleasant Grove, Orem, UT Mission, May 14, 2018

Happy Mother's day to my wonderful mother, the wonderful women who are mother figures to me, and the amazing mothers and women I've met on my mission. 

Monday was Pday of course. We spent the majority of today shopping, emailing, packing, etc. Later than night we saw Emily and Brock to say goodbye to them, then I was able to see Jos and say goodbye to her as well! I also received my "Sprint to the Finish" paper that I have to sign when I have 3 months left promising  that I will do all I can to sprint to the finish!

Tuesday was so busy. We went to Hannah's house at 9am. She made us pancakes and told us that she and her boyfriend were planning on waiting until a year after her baptism to get married and sealed! They have only been dating for 2 months, so it's not too much of a stretch. After that I had my final lunch with the Boyd's, our senior couple and then ended up randomly helping someone move in for the summer! We were supposed to finally have a dinner that night- with Sister Snelson brothers girlfriend! But she completely forgot, so Sister Killpack gave us some food! After that, we had a lesson with Francisco (from Haiti) about the Plan of Salvation. He is so cool, and has so many great questions! I'm excited to come back for his baptism. Then we rushed to another lesson with Isaiah, and we took some pictures with him. Then said goodbye to Gift and Judith and took pictures with them as well. It was hard to say goodbye to my favorite area that holds so many people that I love, but I will keep in touch! That night we were also able to have a sleepover with Sister Budd, who went home on Thursday!

Wednesday we finished cleaning and packing, stopped by the mission office a few times, and then met up with my new companion.. Sister Opdyke! Sister Opdyke is from Melissa Texas, and is literally the sweetest person I've ever met. I'm so excited to be her follow up trainer and companion! I said goodbye to good ole Sister Snelson, who I love and miss.. But will see her at college! 

Thursday was my first DTM in a new district since November! I miss my old district, but this will be a great transfer. After DTM, we got a few things at walmart, and had a correlation lunch with our Senior Couple. They are so awesome and so dedicated! This entire day I was so impressed with the awesome, missionary minded members here. That night we also had a lesson with PJ, who is Irish and has been investigating the church for a while now. 

Friday was rainy, and reminded me of home! :) We did lots of studies, and then went out with a member for dinner. That's another thing, I am actually getting fed dinner in this area! Woohoo! That night we had a lesson with a less active family, who's son is 10 and potentially wanting to get baptized. We taught them the word of wisdom, and I was very bold, and it ended up going really well! They told us after that none of the sisters who had come over in the past had ever taught them that lesson! It's important to be bold- Jesus Christ was, and we are His representatives!

Saturday was similar to Friday, except that we met a few more bishops and ward mission leaders! I am slowly but surely starting to figure out this area! 

Sunday was mother's day, and we got chocolate haha! I also got to Skype home which was wonderful. I am so truly grateful for my family and the support they are to me. I don't know what I would do without them! Sister Opdyke was later able to Skype her family, and after that she laid down for a little since her stomach was hurting. 

Overall, it was a great and eventful week, filled with the unknown and many new things.. But unknown and new can be good, and are good! I'm grateful for the time I have left on my mission to work my hardest and do all I can!

With love, 

Sister Rachel Crofts 

Brock and Emily (almost all the following pics are with people Rachel has taught and baptized while at UVU)

Jos

Teaching the Plan of Salvation on a nice day

Rachel's landlords the past 6 months: The Schwartings

Katie 

Isaiah

Fransisco

Sister Killpack is the best!

Hannah

Gift

Judith and Gift

Senior Couple

The Killpack's staircase with one tie or scarf from every Elder/Sister who has served in their mission.  They are getting released next month:(

Mother's Day Sykpe!

New Companion Sister Opdyke

General Authority, Transfer News, New Investigators! UVU YSA 2nd Stake, Orem, Utah Mission, May 7th, 2018

Monday

Today we got to go roller skating with the other sisters in our zone! It was so much fun and I love them all so much! 

After that we had a lesson with Eme, who was baptized this last Saturday. She radiates with confidence and the spirit! It's amazing! After our lesson with Eme we had a lesson with Hannah, who we've tuaght once before. We discussed again her baptism and she is so excited! I am grateful Heavenly Father puts people in our path who are ready and prepared to receive the gospel! 

We had to meet up with our zone leaders after that, along with other missionaries in the zone, to give them a few things and a bunch of us ended up breathing in druids helium from balloons and talking in high voices 😂

Tuesday

Today was MLC! We didn't know until we got there, but Elder Brian Taylor if the Quorum of the 70 was there, and have a 2 hour long training that was absolutely incredible. (to hear one of his talks, go to April 2018 General Conference & its called "Am I a Child of God?") throughout his entire training i learned so much and grew so much spiritually. I am grateful for spiritual experiences that remind me that I want to continually stay clean and worthy of the presence of the Spirit! He also talked about Repentance and how joyful it is.. It's true! 

That meeting ended around 4, a member took us to Cafe Rio, and then we had a crazy busy night! We had a lesson with a new investigator Francisco.. Who is the coolest person ever! He is from Haiti, and told us that when the big earthquake hi Haiti, so many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints were there helping, and that's what made him interested. He started going to that church but was never baptized. He eventually moved to Utah, continued to learn more at church (and English in 6 months) and told one of his friends he wanted to be baptized! We read in 2 Nephi 31 with him about how Christ set the example for being baptized and he said to us "wow, if Jesus Christ was baptized I definitely need to be baptized!" he also asked why Jesus Christ had the Holy Ghost descend on him but we can't.. Thankfully we were able to tell him that he could, right after he was baptized! He is awesome! 

After that we had a lesson with Isaiah on ministering and fulfilling our callings, and then  a lesson with Emily on the Word of Wisdom. Such a crazy, spirit filled night and I loved it! 

Wednesday we met together as a zone leadership and planned for our combined district meeting to share with our zone what we learned at MLC. The Assistants brought us some donuts and we contacted a bunch of people! Overall a great day.

Thursday was our combined District meeting! I gave a training on how to help members understand our purpose and how to use members more in missionary work! Members really do make all the difference! We had a huge lunch at our senior couples house, and eventually discussed our religion with someone from Saudi Arabia! 

Friday

Friday morning we had our house inspections, (we passed of course), then gave a bunch of extra candy we had to some elders. I started packing because I knew I was going to leave! We had a lesson with a less active guy who is coming back to church, and now has a calling! Then Katie, who was baptized a few months ago and is the coolest person I know (shout out to Katie) took us to lunch after that lesson, and then came to another lesson with us later! We had to drop some things off at the Institute Building and picked up the keys for the Assistants, since they were having a baptism. Later that day we had a lesson with Eme, who was baptized a week ago, and had her teach us the Message of the Restoration! She did awesome! 

Saturday we helped the Assistants set up for their baptism with the zone leaders (its at the Institute Building and there are tons of tables and chairs.) and then had a lesson with Rog, who we met in student housing and told us he wasn't interested right now. We did some studies outside since the weather has been so nice, and drove quickly to the lake to take a few pictures and then had dinner with Mia. Mia is in the 32nd ward and is the best. I love her! We talked a lot and I took a picture with her, and after that we had a lesson with Jerry! He's doing great and learning and growing. Later that night, I was able to get a Priesthood blessing from my Mission President. There were a lot of things that I felt like God could help me best with, and I am so grateful for such a loving, kind Mission President.

Sunday we went to several sacrament meetings, and found out Sister Snelson is potentially allergic to cats. Then we went to the Mission home to help Sister Killpack prepare for our monthly YSA dinner and Devotional. We had several people we are teaching come, including Francisco, who we have only met with one! We also got a text today of someone who wants to meet with us and learn more! After reading, we all watched the worldwide YSA Devotional which was amazing, and I felt like it was talking directly to me. God really does know me! Transfer calls were this night, so we left, visited a few people, and then got our call from President Killpack. When the Assistants call you, nothing crazy is happening, but when President calls you it means you will be in leadership or training. We got our calls: 

"Sister Crofts you will be transfered," (not surprising) "you will be transfered to the Pleasant Grove Mount Mahogany area. You will be Follow up Training Sister Opdyke, you will be the Sister Training Leader over the Alpine zone and in a car share" (okay, not an exact quote, but close). 

President then told me about my mansion that i would be living in haha! Also, a car share is one week with a car, one week walking.. I'm excited actually! I'm really going to miss YSA but I am excited to do what I can to lift and love my new companion and area. Sister Snelson and I both knew I'd follow up train (finish her second transfer training) Sister Opdyke is so sweet and I'm excited! 

The gospel is true, no matter where you are or who you are. I know it! 

Love 

Sister Crofts 

Roller Skating Pday fun!

Teo!

Emily!

Jill!

Mia!

Awesome Companion and District!

I Love UVU! UVU YSA 2nd Stake, Orem, Utah Mission, April 30th, 2018

Monday (4.23.18)

For Pday, we played kickball! The weather has finally been getting nicer and it was so fun to be outside. Later that day we had lessons with Emily, our recent convert, and Eme, who's getting baptized Saturday! 

Tuesday (4.24.18)

On Tuesday, we ran a few errands and got ready to go up to the Jordan River Temple. Sister Snelson and I were the STLs in charge from 2:30-9pm which was occasionally stressful, but fun! Then we stayed the night in Riverton. 

Wednesday (4.25.18)

Wednesday we spent all day at the temple! It was our last day there, which was bittersweet.. But we are excited to be back in our area full time! 

Thursday (4.26.18)

Thursday was great. We had our district meeting, and my companion and I were able to receieve revelation for our area to help it grow! That was awesome. We have a great district full of missionaries who want to work and do their best! 

Later that day we did lots of finding, and contaced zone referrals. The next part of the day was probably our lesson with Hannah, a new investigator who we had our first lesson with. She had been talking with her friend for a while about the church, and when we invited her to be baptized in May, she started crying and told us "I really felt that I should be baptized before June, and this just confirmed that prompting!" she is such a sweet, wonderful person an dim excited to continue to teach her! 

Friday (4.27.18)

Friday we had a couple great lessons, and also helped Eme prepare for her baptism! She was so excited and we practiced how everything would happen. I never would've guessed the amount of times I've pretended to baptize someone to help them know what to do haha! 

Saturday (4.28.18)

Eme's Baptism day! It was absolutely wonderful and I don't think there was a dry eye there. Eme was crying, we were crying--the spirit was there so strongly. Eme is such an incredible example to me a strong amazing person. I'm so grateful for the oppurtunity I had to be able to teach her! After her baptism, our district went out and blitzed (took turns knocking doors in each of our areas) the zone leaders area, and then the assistants, and then ours. I'm our area we found two people who are potentially interested! That was pretty cool. Later that night we spent some time knocking doors. The semester is almost over so it's been a bit rough since everyone is leaving, but we do our best! 

Sunday (4.29.18)

Eme was confirmed! Woohoo! She is a Sisters request so we actually went to a sacrament meeting in another Stake today! After that we helped teach mission prep which was awesome. Then we did some studies, a few more church things, and then had dinner! Dinner was with Mia and Rob/"Bird". He is in the 32nd ward and is called Bird because of his really loud hiccups! He also is a fabulous magician. After that we went to a few ward prayers and shared a few messages. 

I just want to share real quick that I know President Nelson is a Prophet! I recently read an article on him and his life, and found out that he was a convert it the church! Here is a small excerpt from that article:

"Russell Marion Nelson was born on September 9, 1924, to Marion C. and Edna Anderson Nelson. Both parents were less-active members of the Church throughout Russell’s childhood, but they showered their children with love and occasionally sent them to Sunday School. Initially, young Russell was not interested in church, preferring to play football with his friends. But when he turned 16, his heart began to respond to the truths of the gospel and he was baptized along with his siblings. Years later, because of the example and persuasion of their children, the Nelson parents returned to activity."

Wow! What an example he was to his family! Sometimes it takes us a little while to find the truth, or the recognize the truth. But once we do, and once we gain that testimony, we need to keep it continually nourished and "Hold to the Rod!" what a blessing this gospel is to me. I know, and can promise, that those looking for the truth, or that those looking to gain further light and knowledge can gain it in this, the Lords restored church. It is true! 

Much love, 

Sister Crofts 

Eme's Baptism!