Strawberry Days! Pleasant Grove, Orem, Utah Mission, June 25th, 2018

If you remember back to a year ago, Eagle Mountain had their "Pony Express Days" Carnival and parade.. Turns out every city in Utah County has their own little carnival and parade! The weather is getting hotter and more dry...if that is possible. 

Monday was our last minute baptism! Manny was baptized up in Sandy and Sister Killpack took us. Even though the circumstances were strange, it was a great baptism and so exciting to see him feel the spirit strongly. On the way home we and Sister Killpack stopped somewhere to eat--sad we will not have her and President Killpack in this mission for much longer!

Tuesday was Sister Opdyke's last day in the area. We stopped by a few people to say goodbye, and were able to share a few messages with them. We did service for Sister Brown, who bought us lunch after, and then shared a message with a recently widowed lady named Pat. So grateful for the plan of Salvation. At the end of the night, our neighbors gave us some strawberries and cream (Pleasant Grove had a "Strawberry Days" festival, carnival and parade that's been going on for years.) and then Sister O finished packing.

Wednesday was the first day of my last transfer! Holy cow! How has it gone by so fast. Just knowing it's my last transfer gave me an extra push of motivation, and I'm ready to work the hardest I've ever worked! I said hi/bye to a few missionaries and got my new companion, Sister Thomas. She is from Dallas Texas area, same as Sister Opdyke! We were able to get a lot done today!

Thursday was our first DTM of the transfer, we had a great DTM. In my district there is me, my companion, and four other elders. After our meeting, we had our lunch correlation with the Backlunds, and played with their puppy, Murphy. While outside, we saw a man walking on the street, and started talking to him. His name was Hershie and he was from the Houston Texas area, and was here doing summer sales. We were able to leave him with a Book of Mormon and overall had a great conversation!

Friday was interesting.. During personal Study we got a call from our mission President, and he said "Do you have enough room in your apartment for another bed?" I knew what that meant, we were becoming a trio! This will be my 3rd trio on my mission. We found out that not only will we be in a trio, but we are getting a new missionary straight from the MTC. So I am training once more for my last transfer! She's from Cape Verde, Africa and was injured and had to be permanently reassigned to our mission. We are so excited to meet her, and we get to pick her up and have dinner with her and the Killpacks Monday night.

We had a few lessons that day, including one with Manny. He's awesome!

Saturday was the Strawberry days parade, and the missionaries got to awkwardly walk in front and hand out programs for the parade! Haha! It was fun though, and I got very burnt. After that, all of the missionaries serving in PG got Jimmy John's.  Later, Sister Thomas had a baptism in her last area, so I got to go with Katie Lin, the cutest person ever, to drop her off and then she was my companion for a bit! Katie is a great friend from my last area and I'm so grateful for her!

Later I was able to semi learn how to play the organ, we had Costa Vida for dinner, and we spent a lot of the night praying, and then driving and the knocking, because almost everyone was gone at the Strawberry days festival.

Sunday was crazy busy! We went to several sacrament meetings of course, a 7am meeting, a 4 pm lesson, and dinner! That morning President Killpack called (again) and asked if we had a lesson at 7 tonight, because Sisters in Eagle Mountain needed an ASL Interpreter! So after dinner we headed up to Eagle Mountain for a lesson with a 9 year old boy who was deaf, and I got to Sign! Woohoo! What an awesome experience.

I am so grateful for the challenges and experiences and people that God has put into my life--especially on my mission. It has stretched me, and helped me to become who He needs me to be.

The Church is true! 

Love 

Sister Crofts 

Dinner appointment!

With new companion, Sister Thomas

The Last Transfer! Pleasant Grove, Orem, Utah Mission, June 18th, 2018

Wow. We got transfer calls last night, and it definitely doesn't feel like I'm about to start my last transfer. 6 weeks to go!

 This last week was a blur, and I wasn't very good at taking notes about it, so this email will be a little bit shorter. 

This week we had a lady take us to lunch and then go buy tons of groceries for us! That's always a tender mercy because we are always poor haha! She was so sweet and it definitely made my week. 

We also were able to help Sister Brown, a single mom, with service around her house and yard this week. She is the sweetest and so are her kids. It's always fun to go help her clean! 

 Friday, our Senior Couple, the Backlunds, took us out to lunch and then to a few teaching appointments! Later that day we found out that someone in our area who we've been trying to teach, Manny, was being baptized the following Monday.. Like 3 days later. At first I was mostly confused, because we had only taught him once and his wife had called our neighbor/the bishop to say he was getting baptized. Then we found out that missionaries from the Salt Lake South mission had been teaching him over Facebook. Aka, they were "poaching" as we call it. As missionaries, the reason we each have specific areas assigned to us is because we and only we hold keys and have the authority to receive revelation for the people in that area. Which is why we are supposed to only teach people in our area. So when I found out they were doing this, I was a little mad. My companion and I had been working hard to try to find someone to teach, and both felt like God would bless us with a miracle. When missionaries are teaching someone who they received as a referral online, that's fine at first, but their overall purpose is to prepare them to meet with missionaries in their area, so the missionaries there can help them meet people from the ward and find friends there. Anyway, I'll stop ranting because I'm still a little mad that they did this, but long story short, we got in contact with our Mission President, and next thing we knew he told us we were going to the baptism in Salt Lake and the baptism would count for us as if we taught him. I'm happy there was some justice, but sad that Sister Opdyke and I weren't able to get to know him and teach him more. 

 That was the drama from this last weekend! Haha! His baptism is tonight at 7:30 so more details on that next week. 

 Also, transfer calls were last night! I'm staying in this area and gaining a new companion, Sister Thomas. Should be good! 

 On a other tangent, I am so grateful for personal revelation! The more obedient and diligent I am in reading the scriptures and praying, the more I can feel God work through me to refine me, and to help me become who He needs me to be. I am grateful for that, even when it's hard! 

 I love this gospel and am grateful for the blessings in my life that come from the knowledge in the Book of Mormon. Read it, pray about it.. It's true! But don't just take my word for it! 

 I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week! 

Love 
 Sister Crofts 

Free groceries!

Meetings and More! Pleasant Grove, Orem, Utah Mission, June 12th, 2018

Happy Tuesday! We get to go to the temple today, which is why our pday is today! 

Monday after Pday, we were able to meet with our Stake President and his family, and share a message with them. They have a daughter named Shannon, who is deaf, and I was able to teach in Sign Language, and to translate things for her. I'm definitely not perfect at Signing, but I know that with the Spirit, God brings things to my remembrance. 

Tuesday was Missionary Leadership Council! We had a packed carpool there, Sister Wallentine, Black, Ansons, London and me. We were able to hear from Brother Christensen, and he talked about things we need to continue to do after our mission as well. I only have about 1.5 months left (ahh!) so it really spoke to me and I got a lot from that! I was able to talk to some of my best friends and also get advice from President on things I've been struggling with. This was President Killpacks last MLC, so sad! So grateful for him and everything he's done for me and for this mission. Later that night, we visited the Ferre's, and listened to Brother Ferre share mission stories and shared a message. I love the people here! 

Wednesday was our Zone Conference (2nd Meeting in a row!) and it was just as long as MLC (8:30-3:30). It was good and focused on the Book of Mormon and how it blesses us and those we teach! (I know it does!) I'm so grateful for it in my life and the blessings and strength I receive from reading it prayerfully. Sister Wallentine was sick that night, so we flip flopped companions and I stayed with her while Sister Opdyke went out her companion. 

Thursday was so busy! We did service in the morning for a single mom, then had a lunch correlation with our senior couple, then had a lesson with a brand new investigator, Soulita! She's 16 and had so many questions, it was so fun to teach her and hear how sincere she was! Then we visited with PJ (nonmember from Ireland) and Jane and read the Book of Mormon briefly with them. Later we had a member Lesson, and then Katie brought us a late ish night snack! 

Friday was our combined district meeting. I gave a training about how the Book of Mormon answers the questions of the soul and we discussed how to better use it in our lives. ♥️

Saturday was wonderful because I got to go on another exchange.. But this time with Sister Black! I love that gal and know that part of the reason Im on a mission is to meet her! We are the best of friends, and no one has made me laugh quite as much as she does. We worked our tails off, met quite a few interesting people, and we were able to talk and give advice to each other. I'm excited to be rooming with her at college! 

Sunday we had a 7am meeting, a few sacrament meetings, another meeting, and a few lessons! It was busy and went by quick. It was also the coolest day of last week and this upcoming week, which will be in the 90s.

Monday was weird because it wasn't pday! We helped Bianca pack up her house some more, and we're able to visit quite a few people.

Each day I am more and more grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ in my life. I am in no way even close to being a perfect missionary, but through Him, my imperfections and weaknesses become strengths. I am so grateful.

Love 

Sister Crofts 

Missionaries helping a single mother clean her yard and home.  I received these pictures in a sweet text from the mother saying how much she loved and appreciated Rachel!

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Sister Crofts and Sister Black!

MLC conference

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Zone Activity with President and Sister Kilpack

At the Mount Timpanogus Temple

Sunshine! Pleasant Grove, Orem, Utah Mission, June 4th, 2018

Monday was busy! The highlight of that day was being able to go to President and Sister Killpacks home for our zone activity. We ate lunch, played games (volleyball for me!) and then had some Popsicles. It was a little sad because they are almost done with their mission. I will miss them so much! I was also able to talk with President Killpack and get some advice from him. I am grateful for him! After that we stopped by our Landlords 70th Birthday Celebration, and Sister Opdyke got really sick, so we went back home!

Tuesday, we gave our district leader a birthday gift and helped Bianca pack. When we "help her pack" we are really just listening to her talk while she packed. After we were done, she told us that she was grateful we came and listened to her, because she needed someone to talk to. ♥️

Wednesday, I had a meeting at the mission office, and got to see all of my besties! I sat by Sister Black and got to talk to her. I also found out that  her and I are going to the same college after we get home! Woohoo! I'm so grateful for wonderful friends I've been able to make on my mission. 

Thursday we had our district training meeting, and then a lunch correlation with our Senior Couple, the Backlunds. They got us Costa Vida! Then we helped Bianca, an older lady preparing to move to Virginia, pack  with the Elders in our district. It was lots of fun and always boosts my mood being able to help others! After dinner that night, I felt prompted to put our bikes back at home and walk to visit people. Walking is a lot slower, so I questioned it for a second before deciding we should do it. We started walking to someone we wanted to contact, and were able to talk to several different people! After that we prayed to know who to visit, and both felt prompted to visit Jane and PJ. They were married fairly recently and PJ isn't a member, and is From Ireland. They are the sweetest people and after riding our bikes again up the steepest hill 😰 we got to talk to them for a little. It's always a great day when you know you're following the spirit! 

Friday I got to go on an exchange in Lehi YSA with Sister Wallentine! It was so much fun to be with her again, she is one of my besties and talking to her always seems to make things better! We had several lessons, made another music video, and had a great time. I love that gal! 

Saturday we started out the morning with service in the elders area.. I met the two cutest kids out there and we instantly became fast friends. 4 year old Tayden and 2 year old Shannon. I got to be the unofficial babysitter and we all sat on a swing and held hands together and when it was time to leave Tayden kept trying to kiss me right on the mouth 😂 I sure miss kids and it was so fun playing with them! The rest of the day was spent visiting people! 

Sunday was busy as usual, we don't have a car this week so we biked to all of our meetings! I ended up with grease all over me as per usual, but oh well! I really have grown to love biking and walking. It definitely helps relieve stress! Later that night we watched the worldwide Devotional with the Mount Mahogany Stake youth. It was awesome! Our Prophet, President Nelson, invited the youth of the church to do 5 things that I think everyone should do! So that's going to be my invitation to you this week, I'll post that below! Later that night, we got a call from a 17 year old girl who's friend wanted to meet with missionaries! What a tender mercy--this area has been really hard to find work in, but I know as my companion and I work our bottoms off Heavenly Father will do the rest! 

Heres the 5 things I invite you to do! (My notes are included haha) 

1. Disengage from Social Media/Mobile Devices

Seven Day Social Media Fast! Show the Lord you put Him above all else

2. Weekly Sacrifice of Time to the Lord (three weeks in a row) 

Give up something you like to do and use that time to help someone. Pray to know what you can do with that time you've given up (sports, movies, etc) 

3. Thorough life assessment with the Lord- Keep on the Covenant Path!

Please come back!! 

4. Pray daily for all to receive blessings of the gospel!

5. Stand out. Be different. Be a light. Live in the world, but not of the world.

Set a standard for the rest of the world

For the strength of YOU

Also if you have any extra time.. 

Study "For the Strength of Youth"

Give a copy to someone.

Love you! 

Sister Crofts