Sunday, September 23, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
My Roomie!
Well here are some silly pictures of me and my wonderful room mate! She is just great- so incredibly musically talented. She plays the piano amazingly and writes really good songs. We have a lot of fun together! I feel so blessed to have such a super-duper roomate! Its especially good because our room is quite small:)
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
HIKING
So here are some pictures from a sweet hike I went on. We went up to Zions Park and hiked 17 miles! Being up here in Cedar has made me realize that I really enjoy hiking. So any questions/comments/concerns let me know:) i love you!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
"Tender Mercies"
Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2007
Hola Familia! Let we update ya'll a bit...Since Wednesday a lot has happened... Let's just say, my greenie will never forget her first week in the mission field! To start it all off, they decided to move me to a different area. I moved just right across the street to Carson B (Before I was in Carson C). So I'm still here in Wilmington and still in the same wards as I have been for the past 3 transfers, just a little different area. Ya, kind of weird! I guess the reason is so that I can be with my greenie for 2 transfers and not just one. So we are starting
from scratch really. This used to be the elder's area, but than that elder got sent home over a month ago and so Hna. Lopez and I have kind of been working it, but not really. Anyways, we moved apartments too and now we live in this huge 2 bedroom apartment with this sweet 70's orange furniture. I love it! It started out a bit rocky- we got to our apartment and had to deep clean it since no one has lived in it for a month, we had no phone (that's very important for missionaries and all our nightly calls), our refrigerator was leaking, one of the elders accidentally took our only set of car keys so we had no car for a day, etc.! It just seemed like everything was going wrong! Here I was trying to be the best trainer and example, but nothing was going as planned! But, I took these things as a good sign that the transfer would start off rocky only because it would be so amazing! So far that has been the case. Sister LaBarge and I have had so many amazing experiences already and the Lord's hand has been undeniable to see. Sister LaBarge claims Logan, Utah as home, although she grew up most her life in Miami, FL. She has been studying Spanish for 10 years and so she has no problems with that. She is very outgoing and doesn't hesitate for a second to talk with anyone. She has great ideas and enthusiasm and I truly feel blessed to be her companion. I'm sure that I am learning a lot more than I'm teaching her. This was exactly what I needed- It's been a breath of fresh air to get someone straight from the MTC and just so full of faith and a desire to work. She has a great attitude and is a super missionary. She really doesn't need me to train her I feel like, but rather I think the Lord knew that I needed this experience. It's going to be such a fabulous transfer!
One of the miracles that we've already seen happened Saturday night. We went to an appointment, only to find out that we needed to re-schedule. Our back up plan was to check on a referral we received and so when she wasn't there either, our last resort was to knock. It was 7:30 on a Saturday night, which is pretty pointless to knock because no one wants to listen. We had set the goal to teach 8 other lessons and one less active and so I decided that we would knock until we taught 2 more lessons to reach our goal and then go find a less active so we could reach all our goals for the day. Around 8:30 we reached our goal of other lessons, but I felt like we should keep going. The next door we knocked, we did our door approach and the lady very excitedly swung the door open and just embraces us both in huge hugs. Come to find out Donna has been less-active for 22 years. She told us how her ex-husband introduced her to the church, but they got divorced 5 years after their marriage. During those 5 years she was R.S President and just on fire. Anyways, to make a long story short, her ex-hubby just committed suicide last week and his funeral was that same Saturday. She told us how just that morning she had a thought, one of those that you know is not your own, that said to her "Danny (her ex) brought you into the church, and his death will bring you back". And than that night, the night of his funeral, here we come knocking on her door! We had such a spiritual experience and Donna and us immediately bonded and felt like life-long friends. She still faithfully pays her tithing and knows the church is true without a doubt and said she has no doubt that she will return one day. It's pretty clear to all of us though that NOW is the day! It still amazes me how aware of each of His children our Heavenly Father is. When you think nothing is going right because it's not the way YOU planned it, know that the Lord has something else wonderful waiting for you and if you listen to the Spirit He will lead you there.
Another little miracle was Sunday this lady we met knocking doors on Friday (once again it was 8:30 at night) came to church! We only met her once and taught her the 1st, gave her a pamphlet, and invited her to church and she came! She said she had the thought on Saturday "wake up a little early tomorrow so that you can go to church" and so she did. I was cringing the whole time because the sacrament talks were about tithing and than R.S about the law of chastity, 2 of the hardest commandments for people to accept. She seemed to like church though (well, her response was "it was interesting!" I guess that's not a negative thing!) I figure if she's an elect than it will all be okay! We meet with her Wed. and I am excited to see how it goes.
There have been so many little tender mercies of the Lord and His hand is everywhere. I feel Him guiding my words and sometimes when I'm speaking Spanish and teaching I think to myself "oh my goodness, what am I even saying right now?". I've noticed so often how the Spirit is putting words right into my mouth. That has got to be the happiest, greatest feeling- to be lead by the Spirit. I am so grateful for the Spirit. I could not be training right now without him, or doing a single thing for that matter! I love this work! I love that I am here in little Mexico speaking in this foreign language with this fresh little greenie! Life just couldn't be much better! (Well, it would be nice to have a few investigators!) I love being a missionary! Well, gotta run- hope all is well! My theme scripture this transfer is 1 Nephi7:12... Miracles are going to happen this transfer with faith! –Love Hermana Crosby
Hola Familia! Let we update ya'll a bit...Since Wednesday a lot has happened... Let's just say, my greenie will never forget her first week in the mission field! To start it all off, they decided to move me to a different area. I moved just right across the street to Carson B (Before I was in Carson C). So I'm still here in Wilmington and still in the same wards as I have been for the past 3 transfers, just a little different area. Ya, kind of weird! I guess the reason is so that I can be with my greenie for 2 transfers and not just one. So we are starting
from scratch really. This used to be the elder's area, but than that elder got sent home over a month ago and so Hna. Lopez and I have kind of been working it, but not really. Anyways, we moved apartments too and now we live in this huge 2 bedroom apartment with this sweet 70's orange furniture. I love it! It started out a bit rocky- we got to our apartment and had to deep clean it since no one has lived in it for a month, we had no phone (that's very important for missionaries and all our nightly calls), our refrigerator was leaking, one of the elders accidentally took our only set of car keys so we had no car for a day, etc.! It just seemed like everything was going wrong! Here I was trying to be the best trainer and example, but nothing was going as planned! But, I took these things as a good sign that the transfer would start off rocky only because it would be so amazing! So far that has been the case. Sister LaBarge and I have had so many amazing experiences already and the Lord's hand has been undeniable to see. Sister LaBarge claims Logan, Utah as home, although she grew up most her life in Miami, FL. She has been studying Spanish for 10 years and so she has no problems with that. She is very outgoing and doesn't hesitate for a second to talk with anyone. She has great ideas and enthusiasm and I truly feel blessed to be her companion. I'm sure that I am learning a lot more than I'm teaching her. This was exactly what I needed- It's been a breath of fresh air to get someone straight from the MTC and just so full of faith and a desire to work. She has a great attitude and is a super missionary. She really doesn't need me to train her I feel like, but rather I think the Lord knew that I needed this experience. It's going to be such a fabulous transfer!
One of the miracles that we've already seen happened Saturday night. We went to an appointment, only to find out that we needed to re-schedule. Our back up plan was to check on a referral we received and so when she wasn't there either, our last resort was to knock. It was 7:30 on a Saturday night, which is pretty pointless to knock because no one wants to listen. We had set the goal to teach 8 other lessons and one less active and so I decided that we would knock until we taught 2 more lessons to reach our goal and then go find a less active so we could reach all our goals for the day. Around 8:30 we reached our goal of other lessons, but I felt like we should keep going. The next door we knocked, we did our door approach and the lady very excitedly swung the door open and just embraces us both in huge hugs. Come to find out Donna has been less-active for 22 years. She told us how her ex-husband introduced her to the church, but they got divorced 5 years after their marriage. During those 5 years she was R.S President and just on fire. Anyways, to make a long story short, her ex-hubby just committed suicide last week and his funeral was that same Saturday. She told us how just that morning she had a thought, one of those that you know is not your own, that said to her "Danny (her ex) brought you into the church, and his death will bring you back". And than that night, the night of his funeral, here we come knocking on her door! We had such a spiritual experience and Donna and us immediately bonded and felt like life-long friends. She still faithfully pays her tithing and knows the church is true without a doubt and said she has no doubt that she will return one day. It's pretty clear to all of us though that NOW is the day! It still amazes me how aware of each of His children our Heavenly Father is. When you think nothing is going right because it's not the way YOU planned it, know that the Lord has something else wonderful waiting for you and if you listen to the Spirit He will lead you there.
Another little miracle was Sunday this lady we met knocking doors on Friday (once again it was 8:30 at night) came to church! We only met her once and taught her the 1st, gave her a pamphlet, and invited her to church and she came! She said she had the thought on Saturday "wake up a little early tomorrow so that you can go to church" and so she did. I was cringing the whole time because the sacrament talks were about tithing and than R.S about the law of chastity, 2 of the hardest commandments for people to accept. She seemed to like church though (well, her response was "it was interesting!" I guess that's not a negative thing!) I figure if she's an elect than it will all be okay! We meet with her Wed. and I am excited to see how it goes.
There have been so many little tender mercies of the Lord and His hand is everywhere. I feel Him guiding my words and sometimes when I'm speaking Spanish and teaching I think to myself "oh my goodness, what am I even saying right now?". I've noticed so often how the Spirit is putting words right into my mouth. That has got to be the happiest, greatest feeling- to be lead by the Spirit. I am so grateful for the Spirit. I could not be training right now without him, or doing a single thing for that matter! I love this work! I love that I am here in little Mexico speaking in this foreign language with this fresh little greenie! Life just couldn't be much better! (Well, it would be nice to have a few investigators!) I love being a missionary! Well, gotta run- hope all is well! My theme scripture this transfer is 1 Nephi7:12... Miracles are going to happen this transfer with faith! –Love Hermana Crosby
Monday, September 10, 2007
DEEP THOUGHT
Progress is impossible with out change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.
---George Bernard Shaw
Friday, September 07, 2007
places and faces
HI guys! heres some fun pics of bowling night on thrusdays. I'm getting pretty good!
this is TIFF a licous I like to call her. haaa haa we are funny!
this was our interesting trip to the lake with another ward where we got left of shore and played at the dock for 3 hours and went home! we had funthis is david getting a strike!
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
It's a girl!
Date: Wed, 05 Sep 2007
Dear Crosby Family, Well, I'm having a baby! Not really, but that's the phrase that they use here in the mission when someone gets called to train- You become the "mom". I was really quite shocked to get the call from President Blackburn Monday night. Because the VC closed down, they haven't sent any sisters for the past 3 transfers. Tomorrow 2 sisters are coming, but they will be the last for about 6 months. So, I figured I would never train because there are 41 sisters in the mission and only 2 new sisters in 9 months and so I was sure that I wouldn't be one of the 2 trainers. BUT, looks like the Lord has something different in store for me! (As is always the case!). I am staying here in Carson- that will make 6 months. I was bummed to loose Sister Lopez as my comp.,but she will be moving just to the area next door (the one that we had this transfer that was the elder's). I'm so glad it's her that will be taking over that area so that I know our investigators there are in good hands :) I'm really excited to train, but also nervous. When President called me last night he said something like this "Sister Crosby, we are not getting any new sisters for a long time and we're loosing a lot here real soon so our mission will be made up of mostly all new missionaries. It is very very important that these 2 new missionaries are trained very well and that is why I am extending this assignment to you"- No Pressure! It's funny how the Lord works. This week I've been feeling quite worn out and although I hate to admit it, I have been feeling trunky. Now though I am definitely going to have to step it up and do all I can to prepare this new sister and teach her about this marvelous work. President sayed he prayed long and hard about this and feels very confident in his decision, so although I feel inadequate, I completely trust that he is inspired of the Lord and won't make any mistakes. I look back on my first transfer and it's not happy memories of roses andrainbows, but rather memories of tears, thorns and storms. My goal with my greenie is to ensure that she does not have a 1st transfer like I did. I want to make sure she feels happy, loved, excited and confident. Those are the 4 things I am going to focus mostly on. Please pray not only for me and my greenie, but also for our area and that we will have a miracle here! Tomorrow we will go pick them up at the airport with President at 10 am and go immediately and tract for 2 hours before going to the mission home. It's way different than the way Pres. Raymond did it, but I think it sounds like a good idea- get them right out working. oh...And I'm so glad that I have a new shirt to wear for the first meeting- Thank you so much for the new shirt mommy! I love it!
Anyways, enough about that- you can see what's on my mind right now! The area right now is, well to be honest, it's not too happening. None of our investigators are progressing. We got dropped by the Aguirre
family (the ones who came to church last sunday that we were so excited about). It was a sad day. The mom was all too excited to get rid of us, but the kids were a bit sad. The 11 year old boy Brandon before we left said, "Wait Sister Crosby, before you leave can I ask you one last question? ...Why are you always so happy?" I felt the spirit guiding my words as I bore testimony of the joy of living the gospel. He asked me "So could I be that happy too if I had the gospel?" One day I know that he will get baptized. The seed is planted and just need some time before it will be harvested.
We met a few people these past few days that seem genuinely interested, and I'm just praying that something comes out of it. We will see! I think i just need to have more faith. That is going to be my theme and focus this transfer- have the faith to work miracles. God is a god of miracles, but He works them according to our faith. I need to remember that.
I don't know how it is there at home in AZ, but Man, it is SO HOT here! I can't even sleep at night because I'm just too hot! They say that It should be cooling down here soon and I'm just hoping that weather forecast is accurate! Anyways family, I hope you are all doing just fabulous. Lisa and Tami, please fill me in on school and the new changes in your life- I'm in the dark. Thanks mom for the address and to answer your question- my Spanish is still struggling. That's one of the things I'm nervous about. My poor greenie! I understand it better, but still can't quite get it out the way I want. I will be doing a lot of praying and fasting this transfer for a lot of different things, including my Spanish. Anyways, thank you so much for all of your prayers and love. I
really really appreciate it and NEED it!
Love you all sooo much!
Love, Sister Crosby
Dear Crosby Family, Well, I'm having a baby! Not really, but that's the phrase that they use here in the mission when someone gets called to train- You become the "mom". I was really quite shocked to get the call from President Blackburn Monday night. Because the VC closed down, they haven't sent any sisters for the past 3 transfers. Tomorrow 2 sisters are coming, but they will be the last for about 6 months. So, I figured I would never train because there are 41 sisters in the mission and only 2 new sisters in 9 months and so I was sure that I wouldn't be one of the 2 trainers. BUT, looks like the Lord has something different in store for me! (As is always the case!). I am staying here in Carson- that will make 6 months. I was bummed to loose Sister Lopez as my comp.,but she will be moving just to the area next door (the one that we had this transfer that was the elder's). I'm so glad it's her that will be taking over that area so that I know our investigators there are in good hands :) I'm really excited to train, but also nervous. When President called me last night he said something like this "Sister Crosby, we are not getting any new sisters for a long time and we're loosing a lot here real soon so our mission will be made up of mostly all new missionaries. It is very very important that these 2 new missionaries are trained very well and that is why I am extending this assignment to you"- No Pressure! It's funny how the Lord works. This week I've been feeling quite worn out and although I hate to admit it, I have been feeling trunky. Now though I am definitely going to have to step it up and do all I can to prepare this new sister and teach her about this marvelous work. President sayed he prayed long and hard about this and feels very confident in his decision, so although I feel inadequate, I completely trust that he is inspired of the Lord and won't make any mistakes. I look back on my first transfer and it's not happy memories of roses andrainbows, but rather memories of tears, thorns and storms. My goal with my greenie is to ensure that she does not have a 1st transfer like I did. I want to make sure she feels happy, loved, excited and confident. Those are the 4 things I am going to focus mostly on. Please pray not only for me and my greenie, but also for our area and that we will have a miracle here! Tomorrow we will go pick them up at the airport with President at 10 am and go immediately and tract for 2 hours before going to the mission home. It's way different than the way Pres. Raymond did it, but I think it sounds like a good idea- get them right out working. oh...And I'm so glad that I have a new shirt to wear for the first meeting- Thank you so much for the new shirt mommy! I love it!
Anyways, enough about that- you can see what's on my mind right now! The area right now is, well to be honest, it's not too happening. None of our investigators are progressing. We got dropped by the Aguirre
family (the ones who came to church last sunday that we were so excited about). It was a sad day. The mom was all too excited to get rid of us, but the kids were a bit sad. The 11 year old boy Brandon before we left said, "Wait Sister Crosby, before you leave can I ask you one last question? ...Why are you always so happy?" I felt the spirit guiding my words as I bore testimony of the joy of living the gospel. He asked me "So could I be that happy too if I had the gospel?" One day I know that he will get baptized. The seed is planted and just need some time before it will be harvested.
We met a few people these past few days that seem genuinely interested, and I'm just praying that something comes out of it. We will see! I think i just need to have more faith. That is going to be my theme and focus this transfer- have the faith to work miracles. God is a god of miracles, but He works them according to our faith. I need to remember that.
I don't know how it is there at home in AZ, but Man, it is SO HOT here! I can't even sleep at night because I'm just too hot! They say that It should be cooling down here soon and I'm just hoping that weather forecast is accurate! Anyways family, I hope you are all doing just fabulous. Lisa and Tami, please fill me in on school and the new changes in your life- I'm in the dark. Thanks mom for the address and to answer your question- my Spanish is still struggling. That's one of the things I'm nervous about. My poor greenie! I understand it better, but still can't quite get it out the way I want. I will be doing a lot of praying and fasting this transfer for a lot of different things, including my Spanish. Anyways, thank you so much for all of your prayers and love. I
really really appreciate it and NEED it!
Love you all sooo much!
Love, Sister Crosby
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