Sister Rachel Marie Crofts: 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