Hey fam!!
Dang, it seems like time is really beginning to fly here and I am sure it is the same at home. Things here are really starting to look up as for the work and that makes me super happy. It seems like I have kind of hit a little bit of a dry spell in my mission with investigators and things. But this upcoming week on Wednesday we have a baptism.
We have had kind of an interesting week so far, though. This past week we got an interesting phone call from our investigator, Sam. She had finally told her mom that she was going to be baptized and her mom was not very happy. She even tried to anti her by telling her all of these things and saying that we believe we could become God's. Which I guess isn't completely a false statement, but at her level of understanding that was kind of a weird thing to hear. Luckily her friend in the ward, Brother Memmott was able to help answer her questions even before we could get to her house to help explain. She is super solid and is scheduled to be baptized on October 26!!! It was really neat because yesterday in our gospel principles class she even bore her testimony of how she had come to know that these things are true and she comes every week, which is awesome. We do have a couple of big commandments left to teach her, like Word of Wisdom and Law of Tithing. which I think she is going to have a struggle with, but I know that she will be able to over come those struggles. God doesn't give us commandments that we can't keep. Sometimes they are tough to keep, but he won't ever give us ones we can't.
On another note, yesterday was a really neat sacrament meeting. We had a primary program and all of the little kids had their part and it was really neat. But there is a young boy in our ward who is 8 years old and has been battling a rare form of cancer for 4 years. He only has a 15% chance of living. He looks so frail and so tired and could barely walk to the pulpit to say his part. But he stood up and told of how Jesus Christ had gone through all of the pain and struggles with him and his family the past four years. I tell you what the whole chapel was just in tears. It was so heart wrenching to see him up there struggling to survive. I know, though that the Atonement will carry him through, no matter what happens. I am so grateful for that because without it that situation would be much harder to look at.
On some other notes, we are finding new investigators as well. We have had two people call and give us referrals of their friends this week. They had the appointment set up, they just called and invited us to come and teach the lessons! I love when that happens!! Finding in Mesquite Nevada is sometimes a little tough especially when you only have one real ward and then a singles Branch. I feel for the missionaries in our stake they have a tough job! haha
As for life here in the mission field, though and things that are going on with me - Dad, you asked about a transfer. I sure as HECK hope not! haha I don't have any idea of course because it is all up to the Lord and President Ahlander, but I think I will be here until January... I hope... I honestly don't even want to think about it I love this place way to much. My companion is awesome! He is a super good guy from Manhattan, Kansas. He is a little older - he is 23 years old, but he and I get along really well. Just a super down to earth guy and his dad is an engineer for CAT Tractors and stuff. He is super smart with the gospel and knows a ton, so I feel like I am learning a lot from him. I am really loving the area right now and I finally just feel like I am at home in my mission. I know the people in the ward, we are getting referrals, things are just really good. The Lord has definitely blessed me so much right now. I can see His hand in all of this and I am just so grateful for the opportunity to be here. Don't get me wrong, there are still struggles and things aren't perfect, but it is good:) haha
Also tomorrow us and the Assistants are headed up to Panaca for district meeting!! So we get to drive through my favorite place Enterprise, Utah. It is just a small farming town a lot like St. Anthony. So I love seeing all the crops and things. Hopefully they will be digging potatoes when we go through so I can see a few diggers!
But I better get going. We have a lot to do today, I hope that everyone is safe and that you're enjoying the spuds! Only one more week:) haha I act sometimes like I am glad I am not there putting in long hours... but deep down I kinda miss it. There sure are a lot of really good memories of digging spuds!!
Mom I hope you had an awesome birthday!! You're the best! Hopefully you got the letter I sent you. If not, it should be there sometime today. I am so grateful for you and all the things you have done for me. I hope that you got to do something special for that day! Thanks so much for everything, I love you so much.
Remember to keep studying the scriptures everyday and to pray always. I see now more than ever how important the simple things really are, those are the things that are going to keep us spiritually safe in these trying times. I love you all so much and thanks for all of the support and your prayers. I know that I wouldn't be here were it not for the prayers of all of you. Have a good week and I will talk to you soon!!
Love
Elder Crapo
PS Give Hayes a hug from his uncle Brax!!
Sunday, April 13, 2014
October 7, 2013; Baby Hayes, Learning from trials, General Conference
Hey fam!!
Dang it sounds like this week has been a pretty eventful week and that we have been super blessed!! I am super excited about the baby and I am so glad that I got to see pictures of him. So crazy to me that I have a brand new nephew that I won't even see for quite a while!! I am so grateful though that the baby and that Mandi are doing ok. As for Foster and tipping the truck - over stuff happens, right?! We all have to mess up every once in a while or we would never learn. I will never forget this one time when I was out running the swather.....I was still pretty little - probably 10 or so. But I remember it was the one that we used to pull behind the tractor. And Coy had got on me because I kept leaving like a strip of hay right when I started to cut and this one time I turned around I left a big old strip so I tried to back it up and when I did I Jack knifed it pretty good haha. I learned that day how to back up and I also learned to slow down a little and just do it right the first time. Funny how that works sometimes. It seems like that is how it is in life, too. We make mistakes, but those mistakes make us look back and then we can learn from them and move on.
I have thought a lot about that this week and I feel like I have been learning a lot in all of my personal study time and in the things I have been reading. I feel like the Lord is really trying to teach me something right now concerning what kind of a person he needs me to be. It is always interesting that he puts us through certain trials and he gives us the chance to make mistakes. Then he uses that to teach us! It makes me think of a Scripture in D&C 136: 31 " My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom." It is kind of crazy you get to see all of the people that we teach go through all of these trials but when they cling to the gospel when they come through they are completely different people. That is our purpose here in life - to become who God needs us to become.
For instance we are teaching this lady right now who comes from a background of very LDS people. So much so that her uncle was Elder Faust. She was raised in the gospel and she knows what is right. But something must have happened in her life and she turned away from the teachings of the Gospel and lost all faith in Jesus Christ. She turned to a TV show where they went and Ghost hunted and searched for exactly opposite of what they wanted. But there must have been a reason for her to go through that - what I am not totally sure yet. But hopefully here in the next few weeks as we teach her and her boyfriend we will have more to that story!
Conference was so awesome! I am just kind of bummed out that it is all over. As Bill told you we did have an investigator there and she really enjoyed it. She has a baptismal date of October 26 and we are really excited about that. She is doing super good and is really catching the vision I think. The cool part of the whole thing is the reason that she started to investigate was all because of the people she worked with and the example that they were to her.
Other than that, not too much is happening here in Mesquite. We have awesome members as you know, like Bill who is just the best. I love that man so much and he does so much for me and all of the missionaries in the zone. He is just one of those guys who the whole town knows and everyone wants to be around. I am super excited for you to meet him and I love everyday that I get to be out here. It is crazy how just over a year ago I wasn't even totally sure if I wanted to come on a mission. I know that the mission is the best thing I could have ever done. I feel so much closer to my Father in Heaven than I have ever felt before in my whole life. And to hear that He is watching over you while I am gone is just another testimony to me that He is real and that He does know each and every one of us. Just keep doing everything that we can to share the gospel and always be in service to other people and the Lord will bless us! One thing we talked about in MLC was what really is a blessing? Sometimes we look at trials or things as punishment, or that maybe we did something wrong. As I thought about it, sometimes trials are blessings because they give us opportunity to grow and become more like our Father in Heaven.
I am so excited to hear that everyone is doing good. I know God watches out for all of us everyday. I know the first thought is that you're all being blessed because of my service, but I really think it is the other way around. I am in an awesome area with an awesome companion living with Bill!! haha I am pretty sure that I am being blessed because you're all living by faith in the trials he allows you to go through. I love you all so much and I hope you have another awesome week!! Stay Safe!! I love you!\
Elder Crapo
PS Give Hayes a kiss from Uncle Brax:)
Dang it sounds like this week has been a pretty eventful week and that we have been super blessed!! I am super excited about the baby and I am so glad that I got to see pictures of him. So crazy to me that I have a brand new nephew that I won't even see for quite a while!! I am so grateful though that the baby and that Mandi are doing ok. As for Foster and tipping the truck - over stuff happens, right?! We all have to mess up every once in a while or we would never learn. I will never forget this one time when I was out running the swather.....I was still pretty little - probably 10 or so. But I remember it was the one that we used to pull behind the tractor. And Coy had got on me because I kept leaving like a strip of hay right when I started to cut and this one time I turned around I left a big old strip so I tried to back it up and when I did I Jack knifed it pretty good haha. I learned that day how to back up and I also learned to slow down a little and just do it right the first time. Funny how that works sometimes. It seems like that is how it is in life, too. We make mistakes, but those mistakes make us look back and then we can learn from them and move on.
I have thought a lot about that this week and I feel like I have been learning a lot in all of my personal study time and in the things I have been reading. I feel like the Lord is really trying to teach me something right now concerning what kind of a person he needs me to be. It is always interesting that he puts us through certain trials and he gives us the chance to make mistakes. Then he uses that to teach us! It makes me think of a Scripture in D&C 136: 31 " My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom." It is kind of crazy you get to see all of the people that we teach go through all of these trials but when they cling to the gospel when they come through they are completely different people. That is our purpose here in life - to become who God needs us to become.
For instance we are teaching this lady right now who comes from a background of very LDS people. So much so that her uncle was Elder Faust. She was raised in the gospel and she knows what is right. But something must have happened in her life and she turned away from the teachings of the Gospel and lost all faith in Jesus Christ. She turned to a TV show where they went and Ghost hunted and searched for exactly opposite of what they wanted. But there must have been a reason for her to go through that - what I am not totally sure yet. But hopefully here in the next few weeks as we teach her and her boyfriend we will have more to that story!
Conference was so awesome! I am just kind of bummed out that it is all over. As Bill told you we did have an investigator there and she really enjoyed it. She has a baptismal date of October 26 and we are really excited about that. She is doing super good and is really catching the vision I think. The cool part of the whole thing is the reason that she started to investigate was all because of the people she worked with and the example that they were to her.
Other than that, not too much is happening here in Mesquite. We have awesome members as you know, like Bill who is just the best. I love that man so much and he does so much for me and all of the missionaries in the zone. He is just one of those guys who the whole town knows and everyone wants to be around. I am super excited for you to meet him and I love everyday that I get to be out here. It is crazy how just over a year ago I wasn't even totally sure if I wanted to come on a mission. I know that the mission is the best thing I could have ever done. I feel so much closer to my Father in Heaven than I have ever felt before in my whole life. And to hear that He is watching over you while I am gone is just another testimony to me that He is real and that He does know each and every one of us. Just keep doing everything that we can to share the gospel and always be in service to other people and the Lord will bless us! One thing we talked about in MLC was what really is a blessing? Sometimes we look at trials or things as punishment, or that maybe we did something wrong. As I thought about it, sometimes trials are blessings because they give us opportunity to grow and become more like our Father in Heaven.
I am so excited to hear that everyone is doing good. I know God watches out for all of us everyday. I know the first thought is that you're all being blessed because of my service, but I really think it is the other way around. I am in an awesome area with an awesome companion living with Bill!! haha I am pretty sure that I am being blessed because you're all living by faith in the trials he allows you to go through. I love you all so much and I hope you have another awesome week!! Stay Safe!! I love you!\
Elder Crapo
PS Give Hayes a kiss from Uncle Brax:)
September 30, 2013; Zone changes, Breaking glass bottles, Virgin Valley High Homecoming
Hey fam!!
Dad, I agree. Where do the weeks go?? Things in Mesquite are going really well. I am loving the area more than ever right now and my new companion is awesome. His name is Elder Seljestad and he is from Manhattan, Kansas. He is a really good guy and we are getting along great! This week we have done a ton and really been meeting a ton of the people. I finally feel like I know almost everyone in the ward and most of the less actives in the ward. Now we just need to pick up the pace a little and start meeting with a ton of them.
Our zone has had a really good change up and the new members of the zone seem to be doing awesome! It was a much needed change because I was hated by some of the last zone members. I am so grateful for Bill because it was tough to have to be the bad guy all the time, but it has really worked out for the best. I am honestly falling in love with the area and the people here. I know I say I feel like I am at home in all of my areas I have served in, but this is one place I really love. The weather has finally made a turn for the better and we are enjoying mid 80's most of the time and 60's at night. So when I get up in the mornings and go for a run it is the best feeling ever.
I did get a letter this week from President Chandler that was inspired by Heavenly Father for sure. I have been trying to decide what I can do as a leader to be better and to help the missionaries in my zone more. Just as I was praying for ideas the answer came through the talk that he sent me. I will have to read it to you someday, but he talked about enthusiasm and I need to just be more excited about what I am doing. Sometimes I just get into the work and for me, I find satisfaction in just working my butt off and doing my job. I am slowly coming to understand that sometimes it isn't all about me... Can you believe that?? haha I am finding that sometimes you have to take time out of your day to just love the missionaries you serve around and really make them feel your love for them. I honestly am enjoying every day here and the people are so awesome.
We have also been spending a ton of time with Bill going out and meeting all of his non member friends that he knows in the ward. He knows more than half of the town. So we have been going out and just meeting everyone that he knows and spending time with them. He also has been coming to lessons and just being awesome. I love him so much he really has become more like family than anyone else on the mission.
Also last week after I emailed you we were getting ready for transfers and we found out that one of our companionships had driven way way over their mileage that they get for the month. So I was frustrated as heck. When we went back to Bill's house we were talking and I remember that he said when his wife used to make him mad he would go down to the river and break glass bottles. So I went into Bill and I was like hey lets go break some glass bottles!! So we went outside and spent like an hour breaking old glass bottles... I haven't ever felt so good so fast hahaha. It has become my new stress reliever and it works awesome. So when the rookie drivers start giving you troubles, Coy, just go get some old coke bottles and just smash the heck out of them with rocks:) I promise it will make you feel better.
This week was also homecoming for Virgin Valley high school!!! Go Bulldogs! It was pretty cool that the people really got stoked for the big game just like everyone used to back at home. And we even got to walk in the parade with this big banner that Bill made for us. It was really cool and a good way to be out in the community with the people.
We even had the chance to take some of our recent converts to a family history class and I was super impressed. The things you can do on family tree are unreal! It was really neat to see all the things that you can do and the different ways that you can find your ancestors.
But things here are just plugging along. I am super excited for the the upcoming General Conference. It really has become my favorite time of the year! I hope and pray that everyone stays safe this upcoming week and that the weather stays good so that we can get all of the spuds dug!!
I love you guys and I will talk to you soon!!! Thanks again for all that you do!
Love,
Elder Crapo
Dad, I agree. Where do the weeks go?? Things in Mesquite are going really well. I am loving the area more than ever right now and my new companion is awesome. His name is Elder Seljestad and he is from Manhattan, Kansas. He is a really good guy and we are getting along great! This week we have done a ton and really been meeting a ton of the people. I finally feel like I know almost everyone in the ward and most of the less actives in the ward. Now we just need to pick up the pace a little and start meeting with a ton of them.
Our zone has had a really good change up and the new members of the zone seem to be doing awesome! It was a much needed change because I was hated by some of the last zone members. I am so grateful for Bill because it was tough to have to be the bad guy all the time, but it has really worked out for the best. I am honestly falling in love with the area and the people here. I know I say I feel like I am at home in all of my areas I have served in, but this is one place I really love. The weather has finally made a turn for the better and we are enjoying mid 80's most of the time and 60's at night. So when I get up in the mornings and go for a run it is the best feeling ever.
I did get a letter this week from President Chandler that was inspired by Heavenly Father for sure. I have been trying to decide what I can do as a leader to be better and to help the missionaries in my zone more. Just as I was praying for ideas the answer came through the talk that he sent me. I will have to read it to you someday, but he talked about enthusiasm and I need to just be more excited about what I am doing. Sometimes I just get into the work and for me, I find satisfaction in just working my butt off and doing my job. I am slowly coming to understand that sometimes it isn't all about me... Can you believe that?? haha I am finding that sometimes you have to take time out of your day to just love the missionaries you serve around and really make them feel your love for them. I honestly am enjoying every day here and the people are so awesome.
We have also been spending a ton of time with Bill going out and meeting all of his non member friends that he knows in the ward. He knows more than half of the town. So we have been going out and just meeting everyone that he knows and spending time with them. He also has been coming to lessons and just being awesome. I love him so much he really has become more like family than anyone else on the mission.
Also last week after I emailed you we were getting ready for transfers and we found out that one of our companionships had driven way way over their mileage that they get for the month. So I was frustrated as heck. When we went back to Bill's house we were talking and I remember that he said when his wife used to make him mad he would go down to the river and break glass bottles. So I went into Bill and I was like hey lets go break some glass bottles!! So we went outside and spent like an hour breaking old glass bottles... I haven't ever felt so good so fast hahaha. It has become my new stress reliever and it works awesome. So when the rookie drivers start giving you troubles, Coy, just go get some old coke bottles and just smash the heck out of them with rocks:) I promise it will make you feel better.
This week was also homecoming for Virgin Valley high school!!! Go Bulldogs! It was pretty cool that the people really got stoked for the big game just like everyone used to back at home. And we even got to walk in the parade with this big banner that Bill made for us. It was really cool and a good way to be out in the community with the people.
We even had the chance to take some of our recent converts to a family history class and I was super impressed. The things you can do on family tree are unreal! It was really neat to see all the things that you can do and the different ways that you can find your ancestors.
But things here are just plugging along. I am super excited for the the upcoming General Conference. It really has become my favorite time of the year! I hope and pray that everyone stays safe this upcoming week and that the weather stays good so that we can get all of the spuds dug!!
I love you guys and I will talk to you soon!!! Thanks again for all that you do!
Love,
Elder Crapo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)