Pics from Reedy Kid

1 Ronyburg at his baptism. He is an awesome kid. He is 13 and is just really
firm. He always go with a shirt and tie to shirt and he is an example for his 2 older Brothers. This is in Parnimirim but since I left there I heard that his 2 older brothers and a bunch of his friends were baptized.
2 This is a really special family; Rosa and Gilmar. She had a lot of doubts when we started teaching her and had been really firm in a different church but she was baptized and Gilmar would have been baptized too but he works almost every Sunday but I heard that 2 weeks ago he was baptized.
3 A big soccer stadium in Natal called the Machadao. We went there for our ���Hump Day���
4 Marcos and Marizete with their marriage certificate. This was just before Marcos��� baptism.
5 This is a legendary picture on the mission. Elder Squire here is giving a
Book of Mormon to President Lula. There was a parade and President Lula was in a car and Elder Squire ran past the security and gave Lula a Book of Mormon. President Lula is the President of Brasil. I thought you would like this foto.
6 Well this is one of the most prepared guys I have had the opportunity to teach and baptize on the mission. His name is Marcos and he is 20 years old. Even before his baptism he was talking about a mission. Brother Paes baptized him and he has already gone on divisions with us and has a big desire to serve. I love this guy.
7 Bishop and his family when Elder C Ferreira went home. They are like my 2nd family here. They are always helping us here in Campina Grande.

Mmmm....Goat

Well hello everybody! Well I am doing just great here. Yesturday we went to Joao Pessoa for a special conference so today is P-Day. Anyway, a lot has been happening here lately. As I said last week, Elder Gogoni is my companion right now. Well I have learned a lot of things on my mission but one thing I learned lately is to never believe in what you hear. I didn't know Elder Gogoni but I had seen him a couple of times. Well everything I had heard about him told me
that it would be tough to get along with him. Well I went into this transfer with an open mind and so far it has been really good. He is an awesome missionary and is a hard worker. Things are going great and this transfer will be really good. Yesterday at conference other Elders would ask me "How are you doing with Elder Gogoni? Is it tough?" and other things like that but Idon't see any problems. Well, this past week was really good. We had 2 baptisms, Adelle and Matheus. Matheus is 13 years old and lives really close to the church. His Mom has been amember for 20 years or so but for the past 10 years she hasn't gone to church.He even has a brother that is a RM. We invited him to play basketball with usand he went and on Sunday he went to church with his mom and really liked it. Heis really quiet and shy but is a really good kid. Adelle is 19 years old. Shewent with her family to the talent show we had at the church 2 weeks ago and thewhole family loved it. Well Adelle and her younger sister Ramona went to church on Sunday and they really liked it. Adelle decided to be baptized but Ramona wanted to wait a little bit. While we were teaching the parents with the kids Iwas thinking, "Man, this is really an elect family." And really they are, but we found out that the parents were baptized 20 years ago but they didn't go back to church because of people started talking bad about the church. Well now we are teaching the kids and bringing the parents back to church. They are areally special family. The baptism was good but we forgot to fill up the baptismal font early so when the baptism came around there wasn't a lot of water in it, just up to my knees. But Adelle and Matheus wanted to be baptized so we went ahead with the baptism. Matheus didn't have a problem because he is skinny and not very tall yet, but Adelle is pretty tall and so the first two times her foot came up out of the water when I was baptizing her. So we had tokneel down and I baptized her kneeling down so that was a different experience. Only the second time I��ve baptized kneeling down. Anyway, Things are great. I am doing really good. Yesterday we had a special conference with Elder Stanley G Ellis of the 2nd quorum of the 70. It was great.He talked about if we had faith to ask for a miracle and also he talked about strengthening the stakes we have here in the mission. It was really good. Well Ilove you all but I gotta run. Its good to get news from everyone. Congratulations on your anniversary Bret and Becki. I don't know where my brothers and sisters get your creativity because I have none, but I guess I got the looks in the family instead. Haha. Well I love you.
Elder Crosby
PS- hey mom, I have a few things that I am wanting. First of all I found a bank that read my card and took some money out. I also want a Missionary Journal togive to Elder Gogoni. One of the nice journals that is a missionary jounal. I am also wanting some Peanut Butter and maple flavoring. Elder Gogoni loves PeanutButter and they don't have it here and I also feel like some Peanut Butter on pancakes. Also I have been having a sweet tooth lately for some US candies. Its just not the same here. If you could do this I would be very very grateful. I LOVE YOU
Foto 1 Before
Foto 2 After. We had a zone Pday at a farm and they killed a goat for us.
Awesome!

Pray for Miracles!

Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2007

Hello Family of mine! First of all, thank you Bret for sending me the darling blogs- socute! Wow! You really went above and beyond on your anniversary- I'm very impressed with you dear brother! Well done! Someday in the far future when I have a husband of my own, be sure to tell him what's up okay?! I'm glad you got Tammers off to college okay. I still am trying toreally digest the idea that my baby sister is in college! AAgh! I hope you love it Tami. My Advice-Make the effort to go out of your comfort zone and talk to everyone you meet- you'll make a lot more friends and have a lot more fun. I learned that finally after a semester at college and saw that I missed out on a lot of fun by not being as outgoing as Icould've. How is school Lisa? I know it's only been a week, but what do you think so far? Glad to hear your transfer ended well Reed. I stillcan't believe how many baptisms you guys have there- it blows my mind!!Good luck with your new comp. Serve him, love him, and work hard andeverything will be great! (Sometimes easier said than done though) Isn't it crazy how fast a transfer flies by...we have transfers next Wednesday again. aye ya aye! Part of me wants to leave Carson because it's been 3 transfers here, but a big part of me wants to stay here with sister Lopez. We fasted yesterday so that we can find investigators who are ready to progress and I know that this next transfer we will have a baptism. I don't know who, but we will! But, I'll go where the Lord wants me and needs me most! Monday the zone conference with Elder Lund was AMAZING!! He is agreat teacher and really made me want to do better. He mostly focused on Charity, Faith, and following the Spirit and I realized how much Ireally need to focus on all of those things. I'm trying to take one at a time so I don't get overwhelmed and Charity is the goal right now. Ireally am trying to see everyone as Christ does and try to love themimmediately, and wow, it affects everything I do- teaching, knocking doors, talking in the street. There's so much to love about everyone, but I have to consciously think about it because it doesn't come naturally to me. I'm praying a lot and studying it and little by little, I'm noticing a difference. Good thing I still have 6 months because I have lots to improve on! Elder Lund pretty much just taught us straight for 5 hours with chalk in hand writing on the chalkboard- it was heaven! This week I also got to go on transfers with three different sistersin the zone. It's been a lot of fun to do that this transfer and I'velearned a lot of great things. The Lord has blessed me so much on my mission- it makes my heart want to explode with gratitude to think of all the many blessings he has given me this past year- everything Icould've wanted! (well, maybe not everything, but a whole lot!) He is so aware of His children and our needs, wants, and desires. A little miracle this week was that the Aguirre family came tochurch- finally, after 3 transfers of teaching them. The mom Patricia is a completly inactive lady, her husband Julio is not a member, and the kids Brandon (11), Liz (9), and Mateo (3) are not members. They came this week totally unexpected. The only thing was that they came to the English ward and Julio doesn't speak English so he and Patricia left after sacrament and left the 2 kids there for primary. They were so scared to go due to the fact they they've never been to church in their lives, but I think it ended up okay and I just pray that they will want to come again. I really want to have a baptism soon! It's kind of hard sometimes because we teach and teach and teach, but often it seems like no one wants to do anything about it. They'll listen, ya, but no one wants to commit to anything. I really just want to find one good person who is ready to act! I have faith that we will soon though. Anyways, so that was a high of the week to see the whole family show up to church. Well family, sorry these emails are getting more and more boring astime goes on- I'm afraid I too am getting more and more boring as timegoes on. I'm so happy though and feel so honored to be here serving myKing. Pray for miracles! Love you all! your fav hermana, Kari
PS- I too would really enjoy an EFY cd from this year if it's possible! thanks!

Last days at Home!

Ive tried to post these a couple of times now with little luck so hopefully this time! they are just a few pictures of my last days at home. Mom and went to show low and watched a couple of movies, which was a lot of fun- if you havent seen Hairspray i would highly reccomend it, its a great musical film. I have more pictures of my P.A reteat and college stuff but i dont have much time right now! I LOVE LOVE LOVE college! It is just great! I love you al!

swimming

Candies! yummmm

Mileas got her thumb!

so darn cute

Do they come any cuter?

I have the most darling niece and nephew!

SAY CHEESE!

Kari's such a good missionary!

Date: Mon, 13 Aug 2007
FAM! You'll be getting to hear from me a lot these next few days. Wehave P-day again this Saturday due to zone conference on monday the 20th (Elder Lund, who wrote the Work and the Glory books is coming!), butafter Saturday it won't be until the 27th- para que sepan! I'm trying to think of what has happened since I last wrote. I toldyou that we were taking over the area of the elders because one of themgot sent home... anyways, they completly cleared out the area book intheir area and destroyed all the records and information associatedwith this particular elder, so we got nothing to work with! We arestarting from complete scratch really. It's sad because I know a lot people are going to get lost and forgotten. but, It's keeping us nice and busy to say the least! We still haven't found out what exactly happened with the elder, but we know it had to do with girls (yes, plural). It's sad, but the Lord's work will move forward regardless. We've been teaching a lot this week, but still we don't have anybaptism dates. I really hope to have one before I leave this area (thatwon't be for at least 3 more weeks though). I try not to get too excited about people after the 1st few visits, because I often get let down and that makes it harder to cope with when I have such high hopes. I don't like to be pessamistic either though, so I just try to not think about it too much! We do have some promising people though and I really pray that at least one of them will be able to recognize the truth and have the desire to embrace it. Yesterday we had church for 6 hours and in that time we heard thesame lesson 3 times about honesty. I was feeling a little guilty because just the night before we had eaten at a member's home and on our way out, we couldn't resist snatching some of their juicy peaches off their tree. They were nice and high in the tree and so my comp had to boost me up in her hands so that I could reach them. We had fun laughing and trying to get them, but Sunday at church I was feeling a little bad that we had technically robbed them! It made me take a step back are look at my daily actions and see how honest I really am in all things- little and big. It's those little things that are the hardest, but are just as vital and important as the big things. They shared a quote 2 of the times about how honesty is a prerequisite to gain salvation and is of extreme importance. As members of the true church we really should be the most honest people in the world, even in the little things- especially in the little things really. I'm resolved to do better (and to go and turn myself over to the members I robbed!) Have I mentioned lately how much I loooove the Book of Mormon?! Ihave been averaging about 1 chapter a day in my one hour of study, butit has been fabulous to just take it nice and slow and soak it up. Itamazes me and leaves me in awe how perfect Heavenly Father's plan really is, how grand His power, and how deep His love for His children. I learn so much everyday and truly feel peace in my heart and joy in my soul as I read. That has been one of my favorite things about being on a mission- that solid, undisturbed, full hour of personal scripture study. I hope to keep that up my whole life, because I've seen the difference it makes. This week I've been trying to focus more on the Book of Mormon in my teaching as well and trying to get people excited and motivated to read it. If they only knew how amazing that book is it wouldn't be such a struggle to get them to read it! I know that if people would just read it with an open heart, there's no way they can't feel the truthfulness of it. It is such a treasure that we have and the fact that we will each be judged from the things written in it is motivation enough to really read and study it. I don't know why sometimes it's such a struggle to read though, even here on a mission. It seems like when we need it the most is when it's the hardest to read it. It really does amaze me though how much it does apply to us today. I've been doing a lot of pondering over it and applying to life and that has made it come more alive and become more exciting and easier to read. It's like a treasure hunt every morning- "hmmm, what will I learn today?" Anyways, I have just re-fallen in love with the Book of Mormon lately and can't help but share it with everyone so that everyone can feel the same love, excitement, and peace that I do. I'm sure you all do too! Well family, I'll be talking to you on Saturday once again. Oh ya-Tammers, you look H-O-T-T hot with your new hair-do! Try to keep theboys away and Just don't get married before I get home okay! I love seeing the blogs mom- thank's for sending them. I love you all. You are all angels in my life and keep me going and smiling. Keep enduring, Keep being honest, and keep reading that wonderful treasure of the Book of Mormon daily!-Love, hermana Crosby

Tri-athlon Champions!

For Eagar Daze two of the ladies that come to my water aerobics class asked me to do the tri-athlon with them. The one on the left ran, I biked, and Betty swam. They are some fit ladies. The biking was 10 miles, which was a lot longer than I had imagined! I almost got off and walked my bike at one point, but I pulled through! It was really fun! The best part is- We got 1st place! I won't mention what out competition was, because all that really matters it that we were #1 ;)

Reedd's weekly letter

Date: Wed, 08 Aug 2007

Well Hello everybody. Well this week just flew by. It seems like yesterday I was here writing about my week but a lot has happened. Thursday was a really good day. Marcos and Marizete were married and then Marcos was baptized. So they have been going to church for 2 months now. Marizete has been a member for a while but fell away from the church a few years ago. 2 months ago she was having a lot of problems, headaches, problem with her vision and nose bleeds. She got to a point where she couldn’t work or do anything normal anymore. So one day she saw Elder C Ferreira and Elder Vieira on the street and invited them to go to her house. They went there and gave her a blessing and started teaching her and her family (Marcos and 2 kids). She was completely cured and has been going to church ever since. Her 11 year old daughter Larissa was baptized before I got here and Thursday Marcos was baptized after the wedding. It was a really special day and they were both really happy. But since that day they have had some struggles and so yesterday Marizete was thinking about going to Sao Paulo for a few days to get away from Marcos. We talked with them with Bishop for about an hour or more. She decided to stay and work things out. Things are going good now but I have learned one thing on my mission; I do not want to be a marriage counselor. It is so stressful. They are awesome people and really have been changing and are doing a lot better. Anyways, Things are going good. Sunday we had 7 investigators at church and 4 of them are preparing to be baptized this week. The other 3 are 2 part families and the fiance of a member. One is the wife of the newly called Elders Quorum President and the other is the husband of Fatima that was baptized 2 weeks ago. Fatima’s husband, Wellington, is still having problems with drinking and smoking but he is such a good guy. I know he will stop drinking and smoking and one day he will be a bishop. Things are going great here in Campina Grande. The bishop here is such a good guy. He has been a bishop for 5 years and he really helps us missionaries with anything we need. He and his family are just awesome. We had a family night at their house last night and I heard it went really good. Wellington and Fatima went. I say that I heard it went really good because I was on a division in a different part of the city for a couple days. I was bummed I missed the family night and teaching our investigators but I heard it went good. Well, I don’t have much time but everything is great. I am in good health and the work here is going great. I hope all is well at home and that everyone is doing great. Next week Ill try to send some fotos of the baptism and other stuff.

A letter from Kari

Date: Wed, 08 Aug 2007
My dearly beloved family, Hola! This week was temple p-day so that's why I missed you on Monday. It's been a good week though- something about a mission is that you just never know what to expect. Things can completely change in a matter of hours- I love it! I love being missionary and this week a few things happened that made me smile and feel such joy and think to myself "only on a mission would I ever have this experience. Let me share just a few... *Last week while tracking this little old spanish lady invited using and like always, we asked if we could start with a song. She enthusiastically said yes and as we began to sing "Soy un hijo de Dios" (I am a child of God) she busted out her tambourine (I don't know how to spell it, but those little drum-like instruments with the bells on circumference) and started shaking and just going at it while we sang! I was on splits with another sister and neither one of us could hold it in and we just burst out laughing- to the point where neither one of us could even say a word. This happened 3 times before we could finally manage to make it through 2 verses. It was absolutely hilarious! Only on a mission! *I also had a funny experience where we knocked into these 3 drunkards- 2 men and a woman. At first I was kinda scared because they were a little too drunk, but they just wanted to say a prayer with us. So Sister Lopez and I stood in a little circle, holding hands, with 3 drunks as we prayed in Spanish. One of the men repeated everything my comp said, the lady was loudly bawling, and the other man was squeezing my hand so tightly that it almost lost circulation! Only on a mission! *One of our recent converts bore her testimony on Sunday for her first time ever. Mayeli is Daniel's 8 year old sister (she was baptized in Honduras in January, but we've been teaching her all the new-member discussions). She was shaking because she was so nervous, but really wanted to do it. So she asked if I would go up with her and I almost cried as I stood by her side and she bore her simple, sweet testimony. I felt such joy to hear her testimony and to know that I've played a part in that. Only as a missionary I've felt such joy like that. I love being here! This week I went on splits to an area called Palos Verdes, which is right on the ocean and is a very rich area. To say the least, people aren't terribly open! We knocked for more than 3 hours and taught 1 lesson (while the same time my comp. was here in our area and taught 9 lessons in the same amount of time- I love the latin people!) It was fun to expericence something quite different though.I'm so grateful for the wonderful latin area's that I've served in- what a blessing! It was fun to see all the gorgeous houses though. Another reason why I love the latin people is because they are so nice! I have to be careful what I complement them on because so many times I've had them take off that thing and give it to me. This week an hermana gave me the ugliest, funkiest ring I've ever seen because I told her "wow hermana, que bonita" whoops! I also love them because almost every Sunday one of them tells me how beautiful I am and how much I look like a barbie doll! (if only!! I think it's just the white skin!) I hope I stay latin my whole mission! We also just found out last night that we are now taking over the elder's area, so our area is now more than double what it was before. We were pretty excited because our area is tiny and I've pretty much knocked every house in the area, but were sad to find out the reason why. The area was the area of my district leader, and apparently he got sent home to Mexico this morning. We don't know why, but obviously he did something pretty serious. It makes me so sad to see stuff like that happen- he was one of my good friends here in the mission too. Anyways, we have been super busy lately and I think that is going to continue to be the story of the transfer! I love being busy though and going from appointment to appointment. I love the people here. We have some dear people that we are teaching that have good potential. It is so much fun! I love my companion Sister Lopez. She is amazing and I am learning alot and just having a great time. Things are great and I love being a representative of my Savior. It is such an honor and privilege to be here. The gospel is so amazing and I just wish more people would accept it- the world would be so much happier!! Anyways, better run- I love you all so very much! Pray for baptisms!!! Your favorite sister missionary, Sister Crosby Ps- Mom thank you so much for the Proactive, hymn book, fruit leather, and money!!!! What a surprise! Thank you, thank you!! I need it this month!!

FUN at the lake!

Here you can see how much fun Kaemon is
having!

He really did have fun!

Tami's last picture with Milea before she
leaves for school. Soo cute girls!

Yeah, Holly got right up! Way to go girl!

Such an adorable baby!

Holly and Mom having fun on the tube!

Tami's last fling on the Lake with BEST friends

Tami wanted to spend one last time at the Lake
with her friends, Jayde, Jon and Race!

Here they are relaxing on the boat!

Tami took this picture on the way there in the
truck! "Smile, we're going to the Lake!"


Continuing with the tradition of "Jones Night"
This was there last one together.

We found some mud, and they had a mud bath!

More muddy pictures, yuk, it was stinky!

Lisa's birthday!

So we went to Mesa to celebrate Lisa's birthday
with her! Bret gave her these cool sunglasses!

She invited Nanna & Pomp, Uncle Rick & Aunt
Paula, & Bret!

She got a special dessert! It was so good!


This is the restaurant, Kona Grill in Chandler
Mall!

Here we are waiting and waiting!

Still waiting, but it was worth the wait, the
food was delicious! Good choice, Lisa!
On Sat. we went to Roosevelt and 4 of Lisa's
friends came and Dad took them all out on the
Lake and they had fun. Then I feed them and
after, we all had to head home, but it was FUN!

Look out BOYS!

Here she comes!!!!

Tami wanted to have a fresh start with a NEW look at her NEW school! Wish granted!


Before




















After








































It was fun hanging out ad shopping Tami! I'm gonna miss you-

-becki

Its MY party!!!

8-3-83 at 8:30pm the most wonderful thing happened to the world.........yep, you got it.... I was born!!!!

THANKS SO MUCH Mom and Dad for the yummy dinner. It was soo GOOD! thanks for taking me to the lake letting me and my friends play and cooking! I had such a great time. THanks for making me feel so very special on my birthday. Its sure nice to be remembered! I love you! thanks for everyone who called and gave me birthday wishes! I love 24! even though I'm feeling it.......don't laugh-- 24 feels different.

The gals and my boss took care of me at work also........they know me all too well! they brought tons of FOOD to snack on all day at work and they hung up cute signs. LOVE IT! I love BIRTHDAYS

I should start my own blog cuz I post a LOT sorry! where's kaemon and milea and Mark holly and tami and bret and becki. I miss kari and reeds posts. MOM-- TAMI guys get on it!