Sister Rachel Marie Crofts: Utah, Orem Mission. Last Email July 30th, 2018

As this is my final email as a missionary... Be prepared for a long one.

To sum up my entire mission is impossible. 18 months of spiritual growth, new friends and people I will forever cherish in my heart, miracles, adventures and silliness. Looking back, so much of my mission was really hard, but now I'm grateful for every experience that's led me to be who I am today.

I started out where all missionaries do - in the MTC! (Feb 22, 2017) *Que jokes about how we were close enough to walk to our mission* Looking back on my time in the MTC, I had no clue what I was doing, and it was a really humbling experience for me. I was companions with Sister Henrie, who I love, and made another dear friend- Sister Smellie. I learned the importance of having fun, of studies, and of building relationships. The MTC spiritually prepared me to enter the mission field, but it never could've prepared me for everything that would follow.

I came into the mission on March 15th, and met my Trainer, Sister Hutchinson! She was a short little gal, full of energy and from good ol' Mississippi. I remember our first day together I asked her lots of questions about our area, and she wasn't able to answer any.. Because we were white-washing! Not only that, but we were the first set of Sisters in that area in years! It was a big task to undertake for her, she also was originally called spanish, so that transfer she switched to english, was whitewashing, training a new missionary (me), and was the STL for our zone. Holy cow! That Sister was on fire, and was such a great example to me of how to work hard! She taught me that service to others is crucial. She showed me that we need to work, and then work harder, and then work some more! That first transfer in Eagle Mountain was tough, there wasn't a lot of work when we got to the area, but it started growing and towards the end of my second transfer there, 9 year old Ayla, and 10 year old Jordan got baptized! I love them both so much, and it was such an incredible experience to be at their baptism. I would've loved to stay with my trainer a bit longer, but God needed me somewhere else.

My third transfer was really hard for me, but it taught me a lot. I got into the Orem North/Sharon Park ward focus area on June 7th, 2017. It was a biking/walking area, and it had just started to get extremely hot. I was with Sister Clanton, and everyone thought it was crazy when they asked ''Where are you from?'' and we would both say simultaneously ''Vancouver Washington!''. That was pretty fun. It was really hard to be with a new companion after being with my trainer for 2 transfers, but Sister Clanton helped me to get to know the area, and taught me to love the people there.. Which wasn't very hard! There were some pretty amazing people there, and we also met Brooke, who was baptized that transfer! I also was able to go back for the baptisms of Faleshia, Aiden, and Zach in Eagle Mountain. I love them! My third transfer remphasized to me the importance of hard work, communication, and loving those around me.

My fourth Transfer I had the priveledge of training a new missionary. On July 19th, 2017, I went to the trainers meeting and met Sister Silva! She's from California, and readily loved and got to know the people in our area. She was so sweet when I continuously had struggles and challenges that transfer. I felt so under qualified to train a new missionary, and to teach her an area I felt I hardly knew! But as I found out that transfer, the Lord qualifies who He calls. I definitely felt that. I wasn't a perfect trainer, but God made up the difference. That transfer I was able to get permission to leave the mission to go to a baptism for someone Sister Silva helped me feel that I really was called to train. I was supposed to be helping her, but in the end I know I learned a lot from being her companion that transfer.

By the end of my fourth Transfer, I knew I was leaving. I got the transfer call that I would be moving all the way up to Bluffdale, to be with Sister Black. August 30th, 2017 I became companions with Sister Black, who's from Durango Colorado. I will forever be grateful to her. My mission before that had been great, but also really hard for me. She is one of the most kind, caring, and hardworking people I've ever met, and I wish that would've rubbed off more on me! She really did teach and help me to become a better, more diligent missionary, and we were also able to have fun at the same time! She is a complete goofball, and we almost instantly became the best of friends! We worked our tails off, and that transfer Tayllor, who was 18, and Payton, who was 9, get baptized! I love them, and I truly learned from both of them. I wanted so badly to stay in that area with Sister Black, but when we got our transfer calls we were told otherwise. Of course, God has a way of making things happen how He wants them to happen, so the night before transfers, we got a call that led us to train a new missionary together!

October 11th, 2017 we got our trainee, Sister La Croix! I love her with all my heart, and Sister Black and I did everything in our power to help her and show her she was loved. Sister La Croix taught me to be an obedient, diligent disciple of Jesus Christ. And that's exactly what she was, always. She had so many hard things happening in her life, but no matter what she knew she wanted to be on a mission and she wanted to serve God with all her might, mind and strength. I sure love her! That transfer Tiffany got rebaptized, and Jett got baptized! We were a great trio, and were very unified. I will forever be grateful to that area, and to my two companions, Sister Black and Sister La Croix, who helped me learn how to be less selfish and more caring.

For my seventh Transfer I expected to stay in Bluffdale, but I definitely got that wrong. I found out during that transfer call that I would be leaving Bluffdle, going to UVU YSA, follow-up training Sister Wallentine (from North Dakota), and training a new missionary.. Oh, and I would be the Sister Training Leader in the Zone! I was definitely very overwhelmed, but again, God qualifies who He calls. On my 9 month mark, November 22nd, 2017, I traveled back down to Orem. Sister Wallentine and I then met Sister Ang, the cutest little lady from Singapore. I loved them both so much! I was grateful to be in a trio again, and the three of us got along so well. That transfer was rough in YSA. It was Christmas break or Thanksgiving break for over half the transfer, but somehow we still managed to find more people to teach. We also focused a lot that transfer on service, since most people in our area were gone. When I first got into the area, Isaiah (from Salt Lake) was baptized. Then a few weeks after, so was Teo (from Nigeria)... And then a week later, Julie(from Maine)! Christmas and Thanksgiving was so fun with our little trio, but with only a few weeks left into the transfer, Sister Ang got moved into another area to fill a spot for a Sister who went home. We were so sad, but still got to see her before she eventually left to her original mission call in the Philipines. I learned from Sister Ang how to be caring, peaceful and kind.

One of my least eventful transfer calls, Sister Wallentine and I stayed together for another transfer. My eighth transfer! I love Sister Wallentine and how easily she connects with others. She sincerely cares about each and every single person she talks to, and makes everyone she speaks with feel loved and special. She became over the course of my mission one of my very best friends. Her caring heart and friendship helped me when I was struggling the most. When I was with her, the school break was finally over, and we had a lot of success that transfer. We were continuously led to more people to teach, and that transfer Jos (from California), Solange (from Tanzania) and Pelumi (from Nigeria) were baptized! Once again, I feel like each new person I met or taught, ended up teaching me more than I taught them! Same with my companion.. I learned how to be a better, more kind and genuine person from Sister Walle that transfer.

As expected, after three transfers in the area, it was Sister Wallentine's time to leave. She got transfered to my previous area, in Bluffdale, and I got a new companion, Sister Harper! Sister Harper is from Deep Run North Carolina, and had come out with my first trainee, Sister Silva. Sister Harper is one of the most loving and caring people I know. She loves her companions, she loves her investigators, and she loves the gospel. She truly helped me to understand the importance of always being loving and kind, and to truly seek to understand others more. She had some things that she struggled with that transfer, but no matter what, she sought to help and love others. That transfer we found a lot of success as well. Emily (from Idaho), Gift (from Nigeria), and Marie (from Salt Lake) were all baptized. Simon, who lived in one of our wards, was rebaptized. It's truly incredible to see what a change the gospel brings into lives. I had taught each of these people from the beginning, and could legitimately see a difference in them. Unfortunately, Sister Harper was needed elsewhere at the end of that transfer, and I ended my third transfer in the area, and began my fourth. I'm grateful for her kind and loving influence in my life and for her constant friendship.

Six months in one area is a long time, but there is no other area I would have stayed in for so long! I got my new companion, Sister Snelson from Antelope California (basically Sacramento). Sister Snelson is a bundle of energetic joy and excitement for life and for missionary work! She was patient with me and my weaknesses, and became one of my best friends. I am grateful that she stepped up to the plate to learn an area I'd known for months, and did wonderfully. She helped me to see the fun and joy in things, and taught me to laugh more and stress less! That transfer Jerry (from China), Jill (from Spanish Fork) and Eme (from Washington!) were baptized. I will forever be grateful for the people I had the oppurtunity to meet and teach in that area. I've made some lifelong friends there! Also another big shout out to Sister Snelson for loving and helping me through my last transfer in this area!

As expected, I had to leave good ol' UVU and was transfered to Pleasant Grove Mount Mahogany and North Field Stakes. I had the oppurtunity to followup train a new missionary, Sister Opdyke from Melissa Texas! In my entire mission I had never been in an area quite like this one, or with a companion as Christlike and loving as Sister Opdyke! I got to go back to two baptisms at UVU- Hannah (From Arizona/Utah) and Francisco (from Haiti!). Sister Opdyke and I worked our tails off, even though this transfer had hard moments for both of us. We prayed that we would see a miracle.. And we did! Manuel Alejandro Torres (from PG Utah) was baptized the last Monday of the transfer! I was always grateful for Sister Opdyke optimism and light. She brightened everyone's day and wanted to help everyone she could! She taught me to worry less and love more, and was always brave and willing to help.

My final transfer call! I would be staying in my area, and receiving Sister Thomas from Quinlan Texas! She is the most bubbly, southern gal you ever will meet, and has a heart of gold. I loved her instantly! Three days into the transfer we got a call that we would be receiving a new companion from the MTC, and that I would be training her my last transfer. We picked up Sister Fonseca (from Cape Verde, Africa) the following Monday, and she instantly became a great friend. Her testimony and love of the gospel are so strong, and she is an incredible example to me of being obedient, and loving the work. They both make me laugh so much! This transfer we worked hard to help this area grow, and had so much fun while doing it! Sister Thomas helped me learn how to be more caring, loving and kind. She was so patient and loving towards me, and really helped me through my last transfer. I don't think I could have gotten through my last transfer without her. She is a true friend of mine and I will forever be grateful for her kind influence on me. Sister Fonseca taught me the importance of hard work, and that with God, all things are possible. Her and I have such similar personalities and we learned a lot from each other this transfer. I am so grateful for my last two companions, who lifted and loved me my last transfer.

I am so grateful for the oppurtunity I've had to be a missionary for this true gospel and this great work. I am so grateful for all of my companions and what they taught me, and also every single person I've met--whether they've been an active member, less active, or a non member.. It doesn't matter. The people I've met here in the Utah Orem Mission have impacted me for the rest of my life and beyond. I truly have been blessed to know the people I've taught, and I know that I actually learned more from them! I am especially grateful for the Mission President I had most of my mission, President Killpack. He encouraged me, and loved me, and put his trust in me. He helped me become the missionary and person I am today. I am grateful for His and Sister Killpacks examples of love and dedication, and I will carry that with me forever. I'm also grateful I had the oppurtunity to meet and get to know President and Sister Treadway, who are both wonderful people who I will cherish in my heart forever.

I know that one of the main reasons I needed to come on a mission was to meet these incredible people and to be influenced by them.

I KNOW that I am a member of the exact same Church Jesus Christ established when He was on the earth. I am so grateful for the knowledge of this restored gospel! I know that the Book of Mormon is true, and because I know that, I know that Joseph Smith was truly a prophet of God. I know that Heavenly Father knows and loves each of us, but I especially know that He loves and knows me perfectly. I've seen this through trials, and mistakes- He continues to love me, no matter what. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior. He knows personally the guilt, the pain, the heartache, the sadness, the anger we feel. And when we turn to Him, He can take that away. I've seen his influence in my life and in the lives of those I've taught.

Before he left, President Killpack asked me to sum up my mission in 5 words. These are mine:

I KNOW MY REDEEMER LIVES.

Love,

Sister Crofts