Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2007
Oi! Tudo bem? Well mom told me about the Lake and how fun that was. Im not gonna lie, I sure do miss going to the lake, getting in the water, wakeboarding and just being with family and friends. But then again I know why I am here and two years isnt really a long time at all. I do get to get in the water here, but only up to my thighs when I get to baptize ! Well things are going great here. Yes mom, I know that I am District Leader, Just with all the things going on it just slipped my mind. I was pretty surprised when I got called but I am excited and It is a great opportunity for me to serve and grow. My district has 6 missionaries; Elder Assis and I, Elder Agantes and Elder Conceicao, and Sister Pires and Sister Padilha. It is a good district and it is always a challenge to try to help the other missionaries with their problems and concerns. I feel like I still need a lot of help as a missionary at times and here I am with 5 other missionaries looking to me for help. I am learning alot though and It is a great opportunity. Here in Parnamarim things are going really good. We are teaching a lot of people and they are progressing pretty good. We are having a few problems with marking the marriage of Hermando and Isabel because to get married you have to bring your original birth certificate and he lost his and now to get another original he has to pay $50 and right now they cant pay. So Im gonna go by and give him the money to get the birth certificate tonight and then we will go to the cartorio to get them married. Also, Gisvaldo and Maria are still having a lot of doubts. They didnt go to church because they didnt feel the need. It makes me really sad that maybe we will have to stop teaching them, but we went by yesterday to see how they are doing and they seemed so sad, like all the happiness was sucked out of them. I told them that I would give anything for them to know that the church is true, to know that the only true happinness comes through the gospel of Jesus Christ. While we were talking, Gisvaldo started crying and I could just see that he just isnt happy right now. He was in the Baptist Church for 20 years and knows a lot about the Bible, so he is having a hard time accepting the Book of Mormon and is trying to figure the things out with his head, and not with his heart. We will continue going by there and visiting for this week but if they dont progress in the next week or two we cant continue wasting our time. We also found another family the other day. They belong to The Assembly of God (I think thats the name of the church Assembleia de Deus) but the Pastor said a few things a month ago that made them mad and they stopped going and are having doubts about many things in that church. We had a really good 1st lesson despite their 2 kids crying and running around. The best part is that they are already married and really want to know the truth. The problem is that The man only gets 1 Sunday every 2 months to rest, But it is a family really special. Other than that things are going good. We are teaching a lot of young men right now, 2 are preparing to be baptized Sunday and the younger one that is 13 is really excited and is inviting all of his friends. So far at least 10 of his friends said that they would go. We are teaching his friends now and things are really picking up. We are working hard and finding new people everyday. I got some good news the other day, Maria and Francisco’s daughter, Suellen, was baptized and they are all going to church. Francisco received the Melchezidec priesthood and they are really happy. Also, news from Sousa is that Manuel, my last baptism there, is preparing to go on a mission! Well, I gotta go but I love you all and hope all is great. Things are going great here. President Fernandes should arrive here shortly and sadly President Geschwandtner will be leaving in 3 days. I havent yet met Fernandes but We’ll see if things will change or not. Things are great and Life is good. Elder Crosby
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Rain is a pain!
Everytime it rains, Reeds socks turn his
feet black!
The last time Reed will see Pres. Geschwandtner!
They are going home, awesome people.
Elder Parreira & Reed. "We are brothers, (trained
by the same person, Elder Matos) a great guy!
Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007
Hello everybody! Well it has been another week. Much has happened this past week and I wont be able to tell you everything but Ill try to tell about a lot of the stuff that has been happening here. So today is Thursday and usually P-day is Wednesday, but we had a zone conference yesturday and so P-day got moved to today. First off I will tell you about zone conference. It was the last zone conference of President Geschwandtner so it lasted all day and it was really good. At the end of it all the missionaries started singing "God be with you til we meet
again" and the spirit was really strong. President Geschwandtner is such a good leader and is just a powerful speaker. He has really done a marvelous work here in the Joao Pessoa mission. Just to give you all a little hint of what he has done here. When he arrived, there were 6 stakes in the mission. Well now, 3 years later, there are 12. He helped create six new stakes and now there is only 1 branch, which is Soausa, way out in the middile of nowhere. President and Sister Geschwandtner will leave June 27th and President and Sister Fernandes will take their place. I
will really miss President Geshwandnter. I learned soo much from him. As far as the week goes, it was a good week. Yet again it rained on us on Sunday morning and there werent very many people at church. I was really worried that none of our investigators would come to church because our division fell through and we couldnt pass by the houses of all the people. Well 11:00 came around and we didnt have 1 investigator. Just before the sacrament, a family that we are teaching shows up, a little wet and a little late but in time to get the sacrament meeting. This
family is really special, Hermando and Isabel. They arent married yet but if everything goes right, we are scheduled to go to the cartorio tomorrow to do the paperwork for their marriage and in 15-20 days they will be married. They are really excited and happy. Hermando has been going to church for over 2 years, but because of his other girlfriend he never got married or baptized. Well he seperated from that girlfriend and now is living with Isabel for the last 8 months and they are both going to church now. Hermando already knows the church is true and Isabel read and prayed and had a couple of dreams that night. One dream she was running on a big path and then all of a sudden she saw a big black horse with a man riding on top. She got really scared and went back to where she started. She saw a lot of paths but she felt like she should take a certain one, but the path she felt was right was covered with snakes! She started running on the path and the snakes didnt bite her. She kept running and running and when she woke up she never arrived at any certain place. She said she knew this was her answer saying that the church is the right path that she should take.
WE are also teaching another family that is really progressing. Gisvaldo and Maria. Gisvaldo is really curious and really knows and studies the Bible. He has been reading and praying to know if the Book of Mormon is true and is still in doubt after a week. He went to church and really liked it, and this Sunday the whole family,3 kids and mom, will go too. They also arent married so we will have to go to the Cartorio with them too, but first he has to get his answer. WE go there almost everyday and try to respond his questions but he is still in doubt. The problem is that I dont even know what his doubts are. I try to ask him certain questions and he just says, "I just dont know. I have my doubts." But he is a really good guy and once he knows that Book of Mormon is true he will be a big help in the chruch, He is smart and knows a lot of stuff.
We are also teaching Rodrigo that has a baptismal date for this week. He is 15 and is a smart kid. Things are going good and we are trying to find more people to teach and bring to church. Sometimes i get a little stressed out but I know this is the work of the Lord. Things will turn
out alright. I love you all and hope all is well. Tami, I want to here about Claifornia and SUU and everything, also from everybody else I would love to hear some news. I am doing great and learning a lot of new things everyday.
Love
Elder Crosby
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
News from the CLAM
Date:Mon, 18 Jun 2007
Well, transfers have came and gone, but you would never guess... everything for me stayed the exact same- same comp, same people in my district, pretty much the same zone. Sister Schiffman was really ready to leave this area since her 2nd transfer here (it is now her 4th here). It's a little difficult because of her attitude about everything and sometimes I really feel like I am pulling teeth to get her to work. It could be worse though, so I won't say too much. We are just so so different. I will say this much though, I am soooo excited for the day when I get to CHOOSE who I spend every waking second with. That will be marvelous! The area is going well though. We have some people who have some good potential. The one I'm most excited about is a 16 year old girl named Stephanie who is the sister of a recent convert in the single's ward. She is really interested and really is looking and wants to know for herself the truth. It's so refreshing to see teenagers like that- it's rare. We're still working on Daniel's aunt Nury and trying to get her to either have her boyfriend move out or get married, but we're not really rooting for that one. Her 14 year old daughter just got here from Honduras on Saturday and she's a member, so I think that will help lots. We're having a FHE with just their family tonight, so that should be fun. About the 97 baptisms goal... dun dun dun.... in President's own words he said "Did we reach our goal? No! We had 81 baptisms during the transfer. Did we fail? Yes and no. this was an average of 14 baptisms a week. We doubled our baptisms over previous months. In the week ending in June 10th, 30 people were baptized. That is the highest baptism result this mission has had in many years...What have you done? You have done what President Hinckley pleaded for us to do in 1999, you have found a way to double baptisms. You know that it can be done and how to get it done." So nope, we did not have 97 baptisms :o( we were 16 people short, but like President said, we did double our normal numbers and we learned in the process that miracles do happen and it really bonded our mission together. I can say though that we did our part and had the 2 baptisms that they asked us to do. Our zone actually had 20 of those baptisms, which really is amazing considering the transfer before they only had 1 in this zone! It was a transfer that I will never ever forget! I'm glad to hear Mark and Holly and the kids are home and safe. Thank you also all for the birthday cards- they were late, but by no fault of your own- I still felt loved! Bret and Becki- thank you so much for the Target gift card! WOW! You are so thoughtful! I'll have to think about what I want to spend it on.. that's such a splurge for us little missionaries! I'm excited that Lisa started EFY. I really miss that! She will be great and be a great example to those teenagers. They really need good role models. As far as the devotionals Lisa, just wait until you get to know your kids so that you can personalize them and then really rely on the spirit. I promise he will help you so much. I remember one week in the nightly devotional feeling really impressed to talk about death and hope after death although I had no idea why. So I did. Later that week, the dad of one of my girls died. It was clear to me how the Lord really was using me as an instrument in His hands. So, do all you can to plan them and rely on the Lord. Don't be nervous. He will put words into your mouth if you do your part And more than anything- Have so much fun and get to know your kids one on one. Make sure they know how special they are as individuals to the Lord. Focus on them individually. More than anything you say to them, they will remember how they felt around you and the spirit you brought. How they feel is much more important than what you say. They won't remember your devotionals, but they will remember your love, friendship and firm testimony of the Savior. Bear your testimony every single chance you get. Help them to get to know the Savior as a real person, not just a distant being. Help them to know that He lives and loves them. Anyways, that's all my advice for you! You'll be fabulous!!! Have fun for me and send me the new CD okay?!Once again family, I love you all so dearly and feel blessed beyond measure to have the BEST family in the entire world!! Tami, tell me about Utah and CA. Lisa, let me know all about EFY when your done. Everyone be sure to keep me updated. I can't respond to everyone or comment, but I love hearing about your lives. Pray that I'll have strength and patience and love with my comp. and that I'll have FUN!! I'll need your prayers this transfer! Love, Hermana Crosby ps- I tried to send pictures, but this computer doesn't do it. Sorry!
Well, transfers have came and gone, but you would never guess... everything for me stayed the exact same- same comp, same people in my district, pretty much the same zone. Sister Schiffman was really ready to leave this area since her 2nd transfer here (it is now her 4th here). It's a little difficult because of her attitude about everything and sometimes I really feel like I am pulling teeth to get her to work. It could be worse though, so I won't say too much. We are just so so different. I will say this much though, I am soooo excited for the day when I get to CHOOSE who I spend every waking second with. That will be marvelous! The area is going well though. We have some people who have some good potential. The one I'm most excited about is a 16 year old girl named Stephanie who is the sister of a recent convert in the single's ward. She is really interested and really is looking and wants to know for herself the truth. It's so refreshing to see teenagers like that- it's rare. We're still working on Daniel's aunt Nury and trying to get her to either have her boyfriend move out or get married, but we're not really rooting for that one. Her 14 year old daughter just got here from Honduras on Saturday and she's a member, so I think that will help lots. We're having a FHE with just their family tonight, so that should be fun. About the 97 baptisms goal... dun dun dun.... in President's own words he said "Did we reach our goal? No! We had 81 baptisms during the transfer. Did we fail? Yes and no. this was an average of 14 baptisms a week. We doubled our baptisms over previous months. In the week ending in June 10th, 30 people were baptized. That is the highest baptism result this mission has had in many years...What have you done? You have done what President Hinckley pleaded for us to do in 1999, you have found a way to double baptisms. You know that it can be done and how to get it done." So nope, we did not have 97 baptisms :o( we were 16 people short, but like President said, we did double our normal numbers and we learned in the process that miracles do happen and it really bonded our mission together. I can say though that we did our part and had the 2 baptisms that they asked us to do. Our zone actually had 20 of those baptisms, which really is amazing considering the transfer before they only had 1 in this zone! It was a transfer that I will never ever forget! I'm glad to hear Mark and Holly and the kids are home and safe. Thank you also all for the birthday cards- they were late, but by no fault of your own- I still felt loved! Bret and Becki- thank you so much for the Target gift card! WOW! You are so thoughtful! I'll have to think about what I want to spend it on.. that's such a splurge for us little missionaries! I'm excited that Lisa started EFY. I really miss that! She will be great and be a great example to those teenagers. They really need good role models. As far as the devotionals Lisa, just wait until you get to know your kids so that you can personalize them and then really rely on the spirit. I promise he will help you so much. I remember one week in the nightly devotional feeling really impressed to talk about death and hope after death although I had no idea why. So I did. Later that week, the dad of one of my girls died. It was clear to me how the Lord really was using me as an instrument in His hands. So, do all you can to plan them and rely on the Lord. Don't be nervous. He will put words into your mouth if you do your part And more than anything- Have so much fun and get to know your kids one on one. Make sure they know how special they are as individuals to the Lord. Focus on them individually. More than anything you say to them, they will remember how they felt around you and the spirit you brought. How they feel is much more important than what you say. They won't remember your devotionals, but they will remember your love, friendship and firm testimony of the Savior. Bear your testimony every single chance you get. Help them to get to know the Savior as a real person, not just a distant being. Help them to know that He lives and loves them. Anyways, that's all my advice for you! You'll be fabulous!!! Have fun for me and send me the new CD okay?!Once again family, I love you all so dearly and feel blessed beyond measure to have the BEST family in the entire world!! Tami, tell me about Utah and CA. Lisa, let me know all about EFY when your done. Everyone be sure to keep me updated. I can't respond to everyone or comment, but I love hearing about your lives. Pray that I'll have strength and patience and love with my comp. and that I'll have FUN!! I'll need your prayers this transfer! Love, Hermana Crosby ps- I tried to send pictures, but this computer doesn't do it. Sorry!
Monday, June 11, 2007
Kari's Updates
Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2007
Hello, hello! First of all, thank you mommy for the birthday package. I didn't get it until after my birthday, but it just gave me two days to have fun instead of one! Yay for birthdays! This years birthday was very memorable in deed. We knocked doors for four hours and taught 10 lessons.We found some good people too, which I think was the Lord rewarding us for still working hard on even my big 22nd birthday! That evening I went over to the Melgar's house (Daniel, the young boy we just baptized- his family). They were so sweet! They decorated their little house with lots of colorful helium balloons and a big banner that said "Happy Birthday Crosby". They also bought me 3 red roses and a stargazer lily and put them in a vase AND cooked me dinner! We didn't have the chicken feet that night, but they made me rice with shrimp and potato salad- a birthday special in Honduras they said. I love that family so much! We just need to get them baptized! I was relieved that they didn't make me eat those nasty little chicken, bony feet with the nails sticking out- but then Friday when we were over there they insisted on making us eat them! Uck!! I almost lost my stomach as a stuck that scaly, bony, little foot into my mouth- they got such a thrill out of it though so it was worth it! Later on my birthday night, Hermana Schiffman and I treated ourselves to cold stone creamery and I got ice cream- which was a special treat because I haven't eaten any sweets this whole transfer. So that was my birthday! Very different than normal, but fun! Yesterday Daniel and Emily both got confirmed- what a relief to have that all done! Like Reed said, you've got to do it right after otherwise it's just not as special or it just doesn't get done. At 9 am yesterday, right when church starts, we couldn't find a ride for Daniel b/c the lady who usually picks them up left town and didn't bother telling us or them. So to make a long story short, we finally found an angel lady to go pick them up and were sweating bullets staring at the chapel doors waiting for them to get there before the sacrament started. Another little girl got confirmed and afterwards they were nowhere in sight- I was so disappointed that we'd have to wait yet another week. After sacrament though in walks Daniel, his little sister Mayeli, and their Aunt Nury, and after a short counsel of the bishopric, they called Daniel up to confirm him. We were so grateful! Daniel's mom had bought him a white shirt and tie and slacks and dress shoes and he was just glowing and looked like a member! What joy I felt to see him up there with his huge grin! Afterwards when I asked how he felt, his reply was "Bien- mucho mas que bien". Emily was also just as glowy and excited. So great!! I've seen many times this week how the Lord's hand really is so clearly in the work. Yesterday for example was just a little tender mercy and example. After our single's ward linger-longer, we ran into this family in the chapel looking for the baptismal font. The church is huge and confusing, so we decided to just show them. Since it was a little girl and the elder's were in charge of the baptism, we decided to help the little girl get all dressed and ready. Come 5:00 when the baptism was to start, there were only 4 people there, including the little baptism girl, so hermana and I decided to stay to support them. Luckily the Latinos were all just running late though and by 5:20 they had half the room filled. Hermana and I were no longer needed there, so we decided to leave and go proselyting. Right when i was fixing to stand up though, they asked if I would lead the music- shoot! We were stuck! After the baptism though was how I saw the Lord's hand- we ended up getting a really good referral from a member that I'm really excited about and meeting 5 single young adults (mostly Less-actives and non-members) to bring to the single's ward. It was just a little example, but it just showed me how the Lord really is in charge of this work and He will lead us to where we need to be and when we need to be there. It is so amazing! I love being an instrument in the Lord's hands and so clearly seeing little miracles take place. They really are everywhere in all of our lives, we just have to look for them and pray to recognize them. That's my invitation to everyone this week- to look for those little tender mercies of the Lord. He really does love us and knows each of us personally and is such a part of our daily lives. Oh ya- to fill you in as well... I got a little b-day package from Tori Nicoll this week and she informed me that Lance, my old boyfriend that almost prevented me from coming on a mission, is dating a girl and "will probably propose really soon"!! I expected that would happen, but to hear that it really is happening, was surprisingly painful. Yup! So I was sad, but all well! The Lord knows what He's doing and I didn't want to marry him anyways:o) I'm am glad just to know though so I don't have to wonder anymore. SO when I get home I will be COMPLETELY SINGLE, bilingual, and ready to mingle!! Tomorrow night we find out our new areas and companions- likely both Hermana Schiffman and I will stay here, but you never really know. I'm so curious to know and, as always, the suspense is high. I really hope to stay in this area. I'll let ya know next week! Please keep praying that we'll find some new progressing investigators- we need to find people!! I love you all and am grateful for you and your examples and support. LOVE, Hermana Crosby
Hello, hello! First of all, thank you mommy for the birthday package. I didn't get it until after my birthday, but it just gave me two days to have fun instead of one! Yay for birthdays! This years birthday was very memorable in deed. We knocked doors for four hours and taught 10 lessons.We found some good people too, which I think was the Lord rewarding us for still working hard on even my big 22nd birthday! That evening I went over to the Melgar's house (Daniel, the young boy we just baptized- his family). They were so sweet! They decorated their little house with lots of colorful helium balloons and a big banner that said "Happy Birthday Crosby". They also bought me 3 red roses and a stargazer lily and put them in a vase AND cooked me dinner! We didn't have the chicken feet that night, but they made me rice with shrimp and potato salad- a birthday special in Honduras they said. I love that family so much! We just need to get them baptized! I was relieved that they didn't make me eat those nasty little chicken, bony feet with the nails sticking out- but then Friday when we were over there they insisted on making us eat them! Uck!! I almost lost my stomach as a stuck that scaly, bony, little foot into my mouth- they got such a thrill out of it though so it was worth it! Later on my birthday night, Hermana Schiffman and I treated ourselves to cold stone creamery and I got ice cream- which was a special treat because I haven't eaten any sweets this whole transfer. So that was my birthday! Very different than normal, but fun! Yesterday Daniel and Emily both got confirmed- what a relief to have that all done! Like Reed said, you've got to do it right after otherwise it's just not as special or it just doesn't get done. At 9 am yesterday, right when church starts, we couldn't find a ride for Daniel b/c the lady who usually picks them up left town and didn't bother telling us or them. So to make a long story short, we finally found an angel lady to go pick them up and were sweating bullets staring at the chapel doors waiting for them to get there before the sacrament started. Another little girl got confirmed and afterwards they were nowhere in sight- I was so disappointed that we'd have to wait yet another week. After sacrament though in walks Daniel, his little sister Mayeli, and their Aunt Nury, and after a short counsel of the bishopric, they called Daniel up to confirm him. We were so grateful! Daniel's mom had bought him a white shirt and tie and slacks and dress shoes and he was just glowing and looked like a member! What joy I felt to see him up there with his huge grin! Afterwards when I asked how he felt, his reply was "Bien- mucho mas que bien". Emily was also just as glowy and excited. So great!! I've seen many times this week how the Lord's hand really is so clearly in the work. Yesterday for example was just a little tender mercy and example. After our single's ward linger-longer, we ran into this family in the chapel looking for the baptismal font. The church is huge and confusing, so we decided to just show them. Since it was a little girl and the elder's were in charge of the baptism, we decided to help the little girl get all dressed and ready. Come 5:00 when the baptism was to start, there were only 4 people there, including the little baptism girl, so hermana and I decided to stay to support them. Luckily the Latinos were all just running late though and by 5:20 they had half the room filled. Hermana and I were no longer needed there, so we decided to leave and go proselyting. Right when i was fixing to stand up though, they asked if I would lead the music- shoot! We were stuck! After the baptism though was how I saw the Lord's hand- we ended up getting a really good referral from a member that I'm really excited about and meeting 5 single young adults (mostly Less-actives and non-members) to bring to the single's ward. It was just a little example, but it just showed me how the Lord really is in charge of this work and He will lead us to where we need to be and when we need to be there. It is so amazing! I love being an instrument in the Lord's hands and so clearly seeing little miracles take place. They really are everywhere in all of our lives, we just have to look for them and pray to recognize them. That's my invitation to everyone this week- to look for those little tender mercies of the Lord. He really does love us and knows each of us personally and is such a part of our daily lives. Oh ya- to fill you in as well... I got a little b-day package from Tori Nicoll this week and she informed me that Lance, my old boyfriend that almost prevented me from coming on a mission, is dating a girl and "will probably propose really soon"!! I expected that would happen, but to hear that it really is happening, was surprisingly painful. Yup! So I was sad, but all well! The Lord knows what He's doing and I didn't want to marry him anyways:o) I'm am glad just to know though so I don't have to wonder anymore. SO when I get home I will be COMPLETELY SINGLE, bilingual, and ready to mingle!! Tomorrow night we find out our new areas and companions- likely both Hermana Schiffman and I will stay here, but you never really know. I'm so curious to know and, as always, the suspense is high. I really hope to stay in this area. I'll let ya know next week! Please keep praying that we'll find some new progressing investigators- we need to find people!! I love you all and am grateful for you and your examples and support. LOVE, Hermana Crosby
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Kari's birthday week!
Date: Mon, 04 Jun 2007
Helllooooo family! This week flew by as Sister Schiffman and I did all we could to get Daniel and Emily ready for their baptisms. We had some set-backs, but yesterday had a beautiful baptismal service for the two of them and one other little girl of the Elders. Wow! It was so special! It was so priceless to see those two get baptized after so much stress and worry! The spirit was very strong at the service and Emily's mother looked very happy the whole time, which was very surprising. Her non-member dad also came as did a bunch of her less-active extended family. Sadly, only Daniel's one aunt and his 8 year old sister, Mayeli, came for him. A lot of people came from the ward though and we had a entire room full of people. This ward is really supportive and there's alot of great people here. Daniel had to get baptized twice because we didn't have the right last name for him, but it was very special. At our last zone conference I received revelation to have this awesome 16 year old boy in the ward named Omar do his baptism. When I asked him, he was soo excited. He came to a few appointments with us and then did the baptism yesterday- his first one. His mom was crying and his seminary teacher was crying, and of course I was crying, and it was just a very tender moment. The goal is to have Daniel and Omar gain a close bond with each other so that Daniel has someone to look up to in the church, since he has no one in his family. I'm so grateful for the Holy Ghost who gives us inspiration! Now that those two are baptized, we back to pretty much zero investigators. We're praying for a miracle though, since the transfer ends in 9 days and we're falling a bit short on our 97 baptisms goal. The mission has worked so hard and we all want it so bad, and I know the Lord will bless us. So next week are transfers. Each transfer goes by faster and faster the longer I'm out. I'm sure I'll stay here in Carson, which will be fun. Sister Schiffman is more than ready to leave this place, but we'll see what happens. We've had an interesting past week and I think it will be quite challenging if we're companions for 6 more weeks, but whatever the Lord wants, I'll do it. I felt a few times this week like I won't be able to make it, but then yesterday made up for all of it. Sometimes I just wonder if I'm working hard enough, loving enough, studying enough, smiling enough, etc, etc. I have lots of room for improvement, but try not to focus on those things too much so I don't get down, as I know satan wants me to do. I love my Savior and I love the love I feel from Him. When I feel like I don't have any friends or anyone to talk to or who loves me, I know that He is there for me. I've been reading in Moses and in Matthew this week and noticed a similar link between the two. After Moses saw the Lord, Satan immediately appeared to him and tried to make him forget who he really was, a son of God. He tried to get him to fall by making him forget his real worth. The same with Christ after he was baptized. Satan also tried to tempt him and make him fall by making him forget that he was the son of God. I've noticed that that is exactly what satan tries to do to each of us too. He tries to make us forget how special we really are and of how much worth we really are. He doesn't want us to remember our real worth, otherwise he would have no power to tempt us and drag us down. He tried 4 times to get Moses to worship him, and 3 times with Jesus Christ- he just doesn't give up easily! He is very persistent and wants us to doubt our worth and forget that who we really are. I love the reply of both of them though- they pretty much said, "who are you that I should worship you? I am the son of God. Get thee hence satan." That is what it takes to make him leave. A firm and continual rememberance that we really are children of God and that makes us far above him and his ways. Anyways, I just loved that from those two stories and see how much Satan is the same in our day. That is the only way that he can get people to follow him, to worship him, is by making them forget who they are. I know that he has been working on me this week and trying to get me down on myself, but I can't let him succeed and must follow the example of my Savior and the great prophet Moses and stand firm and remember who I am. I am so grateful for the scriptures and I know that they really do contain everything taht we need in order to have happy, successful lives. Never forget who you are and how much you are loved by a father in heaven and by a little missionary in LA! love, Hermana Crosby EEEKKK! 22 years old this week!! I can't believe how old I'm getting! Daniel and his family want to make me fried chicken feet for dinner on my birthday... can't wait! Knocking doors and eating chicken feet- sounds like a party to me!
Helllooooo family! This week flew by as Sister Schiffman and I did all we could to get Daniel and Emily ready for their baptisms. We had some set-backs, but yesterday had a beautiful baptismal service for the two of them and one other little girl of the Elders. Wow! It was so special! It was so priceless to see those two get baptized after so much stress and worry! The spirit was very strong at the service and Emily's mother looked very happy the whole time, which was very surprising. Her non-member dad also came as did a bunch of her less-active extended family. Sadly, only Daniel's one aunt and his 8 year old sister, Mayeli, came for him. A lot of people came from the ward though and we had a entire room full of people. This ward is really supportive and there's alot of great people here. Daniel had to get baptized twice because we didn't have the right last name for him, but it was very special. At our last zone conference I received revelation to have this awesome 16 year old boy in the ward named Omar do his baptism. When I asked him, he was soo excited. He came to a few appointments with us and then did the baptism yesterday- his first one. His mom was crying and his seminary teacher was crying, and of course I was crying, and it was just a very tender moment. The goal is to have Daniel and Omar gain a close bond with each other so that Daniel has someone to look up to in the church, since he has no one in his family. I'm so grateful for the Holy Ghost who gives us inspiration! Now that those two are baptized, we back to pretty much zero investigators. We're praying for a miracle though, since the transfer ends in 9 days and we're falling a bit short on our 97 baptisms goal. The mission has worked so hard and we all want it so bad, and I know the Lord will bless us. So next week are transfers. Each transfer goes by faster and faster the longer I'm out. I'm sure I'll stay here in Carson, which will be fun. Sister Schiffman is more than ready to leave this place, but we'll see what happens. We've had an interesting past week and I think it will be quite challenging if we're companions for 6 more weeks, but whatever the Lord wants, I'll do it. I felt a few times this week like I won't be able to make it, but then yesterday made up for all of it. Sometimes I just wonder if I'm working hard enough, loving enough, studying enough, smiling enough, etc, etc. I have lots of room for improvement, but try not to focus on those things too much so I don't get down, as I know satan wants me to do. I love my Savior and I love the love I feel from Him. When I feel like I don't have any friends or anyone to talk to or who loves me, I know that He is there for me. I've been reading in Moses and in Matthew this week and noticed a similar link between the two. After Moses saw the Lord, Satan immediately appeared to him and tried to make him forget who he really was, a son of God. He tried to get him to fall by making him forget his real worth. The same with Christ after he was baptized. Satan also tried to tempt him and make him fall by making him forget that he was the son of God. I've noticed that that is exactly what satan tries to do to each of us too. He tries to make us forget how special we really are and of how much worth we really are. He doesn't want us to remember our real worth, otherwise he would have no power to tempt us and drag us down. He tried 4 times to get Moses to worship him, and 3 times with Jesus Christ- he just doesn't give up easily! He is very persistent and wants us to doubt our worth and forget that who we really are. I love the reply of both of them though- they pretty much said, "who are you that I should worship you? I am the son of God. Get thee hence satan." That is what it takes to make him leave. A firm and continual rememberance that we really are children of God and that makes us far above him and his ways. Anyways, I just loved that from those two stories and see how much Satan is the same in our day. That is the only way that he can get people to follow him, to worship him, is by making them forget who they are. I know that he has been working on me this week and trying to get me down on myself, but I can't let him succeed and must follow the example of my Savior and the great prophet Moses and stand firm and remember who I am. I am so grateful for the scriptures and I know that they really do contain everything taht we need in order to have happy, successful lives. Never forget who you are and how much you are loved by a father in heaven and by a little missionary in LA! love, Hermana Crosby EEEKKK! 22 years old this week!! I can't believe how old I'm getting! Daniel and his family want to make me fried chicken feet for dinner on my birthday... can't wait! Knocking doors and eating chicken feet- sounds like a party to me!
'minha semana'
Date: Wed, 06 Jun 2007
Well my letter last week was a little short so Ill try to give some information this week. So I am here in Parnamarim, and yes Bret it is a city really close to Natal but it actually has the airport in it. So, this past week was really good. Elder Assis and I are working really hard and things are going good. I am getting to know the area and the members a little bit more. Thanks for the tips Bret. It is always interesting the first week or two in a new area. I am starting to wonder if I will ever stay in an area for over 2 months. The only area I was in for over 2 months was Sousa, my first area. Then Natal, Felipe Camarao, and Currais Novos were all 2 months. I am hoping I will get to stay here in Parnamarim for a good time, 4 months or so but we’ll see what happens. Here in Parnamarim is really a great area to work in. It is a ward and all the things work great. They just called ward missionaries that will start to visit people with us and visit the recent converts so that is good. The Ward mission leader is new too but he is an RM and so he is good and helps us out a lot. As for this past week, Ill tell what happened. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday it rained. And not just a drizzle, but pouring rain. I have been switching shoes everyday to let the other pair dry out for a day. It has really cooled down and I actually got cold a couple times at night. I don’t know if it was because it was really cold or because I am just used to the heat now. SO Saturday night Elder Assis and I were saying that it can rain all it wants but not on Sunday morning. Well, We left our house at 7:15 to go get our investigators and about 7:30 it started raining, just a drizzle. By 8:00 it was pouring and didnt stop until 10:30 or so. All of our investigators didnt want to walk in the rain and so we only had 1 investigator at church, but she is really excited and will be baptized next week. Her name is Paula and she was going to be baptized this past Sunday but her cousins couldnt stay to watch the baptism so we moved it to this Sunday. We had a lot of other people that were going to come to church but didnt come because of the Rain. It is entering winter here, or the rainy season, so it will probably rain just about every day. We had 2 baptism this week too, Junior and Bruno. Junior is 15 and Bruno is 14. Both of them are really smart and really good young men. I didnt do much, I just showed up, taught them for a couple days and they were baptized. They were really prepared and will start going to seminary this week. Other news... lets see, not much else is going on here. Parnamarim is a really big area and I am losing a lot of time running down old baptisms that havent been confirmed so that is always annoying. All the people that need to be confirmed are long from where we work so it is really annoying. But, thats how it is sometimes, people baptize just to baptize and now i have to try to convince people that were baptized 2 months ago to go to church an be confirmed and most of the m dont want to. But its all good, Im thinking they will go this Sunday and this headache will be gone. Thats what I am hoping and praying for anyways. Well, I gotta go but I love you all and hope all is well. I am doing great and loving it here. Elder Crosby
Well my letter last week was a little short so Ill try to give some information this week. So I am here in Parnamarim, and yes Bret it is a city really close to Natal but it actually has the airport in it. So, this past week was really good. Elder Assis and I are working really hard and things are going good. I am getting to know the area and the members a little bit more. Thanks for the tips Bret. It is always interesting the first week or two in a new area. I am starting to wonder if I will ever stay in an area for over 2 months. The only area I was in for over 2 months was Sousa, my first area. Then Natal, Felipe Camarao, and Currais Novos were all 2 months. I am hoping I will get to stay here in Parnamarim for a good time, 4 months or so but we’ll see what happens. Here in Parnamarim is really a great area to work in. It is a ward and all the things work great. They just called ward missionaries that will start to visit people with us and visit the recent converts so that is good. The Ward mission leader is new too but he is an RM and so he is good and helps us out a lot. As for this past week, Ill tell what happened. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday it rained. And not just a drizzle, but pouring rain. I have been switching shoes everyday to let the other pair dry out for a day. It has really cooled down and I actually got cold a couple times at night. I don’t know if it was because it was really cold or because I am just used to the heat now. SO Saturday night Elder Assis and I were saying that it can rain all it wants but not on Sunday morning. Well, We left our house at 7:15 to go get our investigators and about 7:30 it started raining, just a drizzle. By 8:00 it was pouring and didnt stop until 10:30 or so. All of our investigators didnt want to walk in the rain and so we only had 1 investigator at church, but she is really excited and will be baptized next week. Her name is Paula and she was going to be baptized this past Sunday but her cousins couldnt stay to watch the baptism so we moved it to this Sunday. We had a lot of other people that were going to come to church but didnt come because of the Rain. It is entering winter here, or the rainy season, so it will probably rain just about every day. We had 2 baptism this week too, Junior and Bruno. Junior is 15 and Bruno is 14. Both of them are really smart and really good young men. I didnt do much, I just showed up, taught them for a couple days and they were baptized. They were really prepared and will start going to seminary this week. Other news... lets see, not much else is going on here. Parnamarim is a really big area and I am losing a lot of time running down old baptisms that havent been confirmed so that is always annoying. All the people that need to be confirmed are long from where we work so it is really annoying. But, thats how it is sometimes, people baptize just to baptize and now i have to try to convince people that were baptized 2 months ago to go to church an be confirmed and most of the m dont want to. But its all good, Im thinking they will go this Sunday and this headache will be gone. Thats what I am hoping and praying for anyways. Well, I gotta go but I love you all and hope all is well. I am doing great and loving it here. Elder Crosby
Monday, June 04, 2007
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Our NEW blog
Bret and Becki are excited to bring you the EXCITING, INDEPENDENT, and ENTERTAINING, BRET & BECKI BLOG!
We don't want to take over the Crosby Crew blog too much so we brought our blog back. We hope you guys visit often.
(Mark, if you could add it to the quick links that would be awesome.)
Click HERE!
We don't want to take over the Crosby Crew blog too much so we brought our blog back. We hope you guys visit often.
(Mark, if you could add it to the quick links that would be awesome.)
Click HERE!
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