Let Him In!

(Feb. 4th)

Well, life is rough life is tough, but God loves us and we can do it. Faith, Work, Enduring. Miracles and answers still come, we just need to look for them and have faith. 

We had a cool miracle with a sister who is not a member of our faith this week. She contacted a number for the family history center who contacted us and we arranged for her to get a priesthood blessing and for us to go visit her. Her sister is a member and she said it would be good for her to get one with her heath challenges right now. We were able to visit with our Ward Mission Leader and another brother in the ward. She told her story and then she got a blessing. Afterwards she said she just felt such a warmth and a calmness come over her. It is so cool to see people recognize the power of God and the spirit and for us to teach them more about it. 

I was able to sing at my final temple music devotional last night. Duet with sister Moosman of I am a Child of God. It was good. The Spirit was there. 

I'm taking the ACT test on Saturday because its what God wants me to do. We'll see how it Goes. The spirit will help so I'm going to try to pack as much of it in as I can while studying as well. 

2 Timothy 1:7 will be my focus this week and It can be yours too if you like. 
I think I need to just wait till I get home to clearly think things through with future Goals and things. It will most likely be Weber for the fall.

Have a Great week!!
love,
Sister Crossett

(Feb. 13th)

The Lord has fulfilled his promises to me. As I have been obedient and faithful on my mission, I have been able to change and grow and prepare myself for what God has planned for me later in life. He has also allowed me to be answers to peoples prayers in so many ways. Sister Faith said that I was an answer to hers. She was praying for a companion exactly like me.

I asked my district leader if, for the next 3 weeks, I can be the designated music coordinator for our district meetings. It's not really a real thing but I felt that I could be a help to invite the spirit into our meetings by praying about and selecting meaningful hymns.

I did the best I could on the ACT. I don't know how well that is but I know it's in the Lords hands. We were able to arrange for a girl from our stake who was taking it as well, to be my companion for the morning, though we didn't know if we would be in the same room. When we checked the room listings it just so happened that we were in the same room as well as a few other members who reached out and said "Hi Sister". It helped me be calm. I got lots of support and help from the senior office missionaries and President Clark as well and I feel this relief and sense of accomplishment now that its over. Though It was a big trial preparing, I know that It was needed even if to just teach me to rely on God, but hopefully for more. 

We had a sweet recent convert who moved into our ward and stopped coming, come back to church Sunday and we are meeting with her tonight with her visiting teacher. She is slowly learning and strengthening her relationships with the members and her testimony. I feel so happy and filled to be living to serve others and do more than just help myself. 

Something from our recent stake conference that I don't know if I mentioned is "God Gathers, Satan Separates." We are all Gods family, his Children, sent here to gather together to strengthen each other. Satan knows there is strength in numbers and he will try to isolate us from them and from God. I think about this often when I've made a mistake and don't feel like praying. God wants us to reach out. Satan is the one who tells us that its no use, that our Heavenly Father wouldn't want to hear from us. That is NOT true. Repentance is the very thing that will relieve us of the gilt, frustration, and pain, we feel when we are caught in our sins. 
Something else spoken in sacrament meeting is this " Unifying Zion, is not about looking perfect, but being PERFECTLY USED." 
 
I love you. I love the Lord. I love serving people and I know that families can be together forever through Jesus Christ. 

Hymn # 169 
Don't worry, Be happy.
love,
Sister Crossett

(Feb. 20th)

We had our departing dinner last night for all the departing missionaries (quite a few sisters and just 2 Elders) and our companions. It was at the mission home and we all got to bear our testimonies. I didn't really know what I was going to say but I ended up sharing the plan of Salvation as the spirit directed. The Plan of Salvation is something I've really come to gain a better testimony about on my mission. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is real and it works for all of us. Let Him In. 

We had a cool experience on Sunday when our ward mission leader brought a non-member to church. Its always cool to have Missionary Correlation Meeting cancel because the members are busy doing missionary work :) Anyway, Brother Storm brought Jake and he stayed for Gospel Principles class. The lesson was on Prayer and after a lot of people had shared their experiences with prayer, Sister faith boldly asked Jake if he prayed. It might have been a little awkward for him but he opened up and shared how he had prayed about 4 times in his life.  Sister Faith then boldly invited him to begin praying more, right there during class, and promised him that help and support and blessings would come into his life as he did. It was a cool experience.

I know of the power of sincere, heartfelt prayers of faith.


(Feb. 26th)

Dear mom, 

I will tell you all the things. It has been a week of Smiles. I told you about the departing dinner which was last Monday. Then on Wednesday was my departing interviews with President and sister Clark. They really have been my mission parents here and President has such confidence in me and in my future. All I remember from our interview together was the love that I could see from his face. It was comparable to the love that my Savior has for me and I can feel it now. My biggest struggle has been to believe it. You have to believe it in order to receive it. Sister Clark pleaded with me to love myself and to have a good last few weeks of my mission. She committed me to smiling non stop for the rest of my mission (hence the week of Smiles) my face muscles are getting stronger and I find myself having positive thoughts all the time because of it. There really is so much to smile about. 

I am happy to report that we had a Saturday full of opening our mouths and following the spirit. Though no one accepted our invitation to hear our message, I know that many seeds were planted and that Heavenly Father has promised that everything we sew, we shall also reap. We had a sweet sister we are helping come back to the church, come to Sacrament meeting yesterday and all the talks were exactly what she needed. I know that our heavenly Father answers our prayers as we humbly and submissively ask for them. It was a good Sunday and we were even able to sing in the ward Choir one last time. We sang an interesting but powerful arrangement of "Love One Another". 

I had one of the best personal study sessions I've had in a long time this morning and I was studying about obedience. I am so grateful for Nephi, King Solomon, and the Stripling warriors' examples of faith to obey. I am also going to be working on Diligence this week and its Going to be the best week of my mission because its the last. I've got to make it Count. My biggest goal for this week is to teach as the Savior taught, do as the Savior did, and love with His pure love. I want to have charity for myself, for sister Faith, and for My Father in Heaven and brother Jesus Christ. I know I can do It because I am praying for it, I have faith in it, and I know that is what Heavenly Father would have me to do. 

I haven't really told you much about sister Faith. She is amazing. She is the only member in her family and joined the church, after hearing the discussions from senior missionaries, when she was only 12. She had already been going to church with a friend for a long time because she always loved church and felt she needed to go. She is from Kansas City Missouri and she eats so healthy. She has a lot of allergies but has been so blessed with understanding ward members. We have salad with canned tuna all the time and she loves it! Its helped me feel better and loose some weight too so that's a plus. She is so patient, helpful, and caring and I will miss her heaps when I leave. Though I don't feel Like I've really taught or trained her how I could have, she says that she has learned so much from me. 

I wanted to share my testimony that I know that God is our Father in Heaven. Because of that He loves us and knows us. He hears and answers our Prayers. He Sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to provide a way back to him. Jesus Christ suffered, bled and died for you and me, and for every single person. God has a plan for us and for our families. It is the plan of happiness. As we use our agency, our ability to choose, to follow the path that Jesus showed us, we can experience that happiness. Just let Him in. Make obedience your Quest. We know the fullness of this plan because of a boy who, with a humble heart, asked in faith to know what he should do. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him and answered his prayer. I had the opportunity, with sister faith, to share the first vision, as practice, with one of the senior missionaries this week. I feel the spirit each time I recite the first vision and I felt a confidence in teaching about it that I haven't felt for a while. Pepe ( the UPS guy that he was pretending to be) really felt the spirit and he accepted our invitation to learn more.
It has been a great year and a half and I am so grateful for the learning experiences Heavenly Father has given me. 

I hope you have a purposeful and spirit lead week and that you smile lots and lots.
Wish me luck with packing!

love,
Sister Crossett

P.S. I chopped my hair.  There is the pile.  

The Final Transfer

Jan. 22, 2018

Hi Mom,
I'm working on My Plan now which helps me review my mission and set goals and plans for after so I'll have to make it quick. I wasn't able to read your email from last week until today but they were nice treats. Thank you for always writing even if I don't give you much detail to go off of. I am hoping to tell you so much more in person than I can capture in emails. 

The last and final transfer. So much to do in such a short period of time. Last transfer brought many challenges and trials that taught me a lot. It was a good transfer. Sister Faith and I are happy to stay together and work hard in the Laguna Hills ward. 
Sister Peacock, another sister in my Zone who is going home march 6, went with me to the temple for our departing temple trip. All the missionaries who are going home do a session with Pesident Clark before the go home. It taught me a lot about preparation which I have been thinking about a lot. We must prepare to perform at our best and though it requires time the best results come from it. Like with preparing to teach a lesson, it goes a lot smoother if you have studied and prepared for it. 

We are also about to witness our recent convert Richard get the Aaronic Presthood on Sunday. He is so humble and willing to do whatever is asked of him even if he doesn't understand it all yet. It was an amazing experience and we are going to continue teaching him and helping him progress in the Gospel. We are also excited about a new investigator family that wants us to come next Saturday to teach them more. The initial contact was with Darius and he was super open to us just sharing a scripture with him right there at the door and wants his wife to be present for the lessons. Teaching families is the ultimate goal because the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about families. I know that we wouldn't be able to have happy families without Jesus Christ.

Mom I love you and I hope you know I'm doing well and will work harder than I ever have to Endure and to run this transfer. Charity is the key and I love what you said about serving God and each other makes our homes a holy place. 

give my love to Anne, dad, and Lauren. 
Have a great week and thank you for your example of diligence and endurance at home, at work and at play. 

love,
Sister Crossett


Jan. 29, 2018

As far as the work goes we got a new investigator this past week :) She was a referral from sisters in Rancho Santa Marguerita Zone. She is really interested in getting involved with relief society activities because shes been before but also in learning more about the Book of Mormon and Jesus Christ. An investigator lesson canceled this weekend but yesterday we had a cool experience with following promptings. Sister faith felt like we needed to go to our investigator Rita's as we were passing by her house. We hadn't heard from her and needed to follow up about her prayers and reading. It was a rough start to the lesson but I was able to share my testimony of the Book of Mormon and a scripture that came to mind. In those moments I feel the power and authority of God working through me and those are the moments I look forward to and hold on to as a missionary. She committed to truly read and pray about the Book of Mormon and I am so grateful that the spirit was able to touch her heart that day. 

Another really cool experience from following promptings we had was on Thursday. We were guided into a complex that was not in the plans and we didn't feel like we needed to get out of the car so we went to our Handy Dandy Area Book Planner App to look at the map of possible potentials already generated for that complex. We found a name that felt right but felt that we needed to go visit later in the evening. It turned out that the name we found didn't live at that address but another woman named Patty did. We ask how she was doing and she said its been rough with a family member with some heath challenges. We asked if we could say a prayer for them there at the door and she said yes. We were then able to testify of the Plan of Salvation and give her a copy of the Book of Mormon for strength. We could tell that she was touched by the spirit and is yearning for what the gospel can give her. Some many more experiences like that to come. 

I know that Jesus Christ is our rock and our sure foundation to build upon and that Heavenly Father truly knows us and loves us. He places people in our paths that we need and that need us the most. Gratitude is the key to a happy attitude. 

I love you mom. Thank you for ALL that you do and have done for me. Patience and hope. 

love,

Sister Crossett

Following Promptings Works!!

Jan. 8, 2018

The day before I heard of the passing of President Monson, I read one of the first talks he gave as our new prophet. "Abundant Blessings" I believe it's called, and It just re-affirmed my sustaining and testimony of the Prophet of God. It amazes me just how prepared Heavenly Father is and Helps us be as members of the church and with how it is organized. 

In our District Meeting on Wednesday an Elder gave a training on using our talents in the work. We each discussed something that we were good at and what was come up with for me was potential seeker. Though I view the world with a critical eye, I can also see the good in everyone if I look at the right angle. This helps me continue developing my faith in finding people to teach and not giving up on someone that just says "I'm not interested". I also get to use my bold side in those situations and its really cool to see God working through us. We felt that we needed to go to an apartment complex in our area. As we knocked on the door of a potential a few times with no answer I had the impression to knock on the door right behind at the top of the stair case we were on. It is a private community so we aren't really supposed to knock doors that way but we followed the prompting and a man named Darius answered the door, was super friendly and said he was heading out but we could come back the next day to share our message with his family.  Following Promptings works!! and its always cool to see the results and the reason immediately but if not, at least we know we are pleasing God and building our faith. 

This weekend has been a battle with the adversary. Friday we visited an older sister in the ward that is coming back to the church and was really having a hard time. We called our ward mission leader to give her a blessing that she finally requested and he postponed an appointment to come. It was so powerful and it literally saved her life. We stayed after to help serve her in simple ways around the house but they meant so much more to her. I know that is what Jesus would have done especially as a disciple of him its so cool to be his hands. I love Him and know that He loves me and all of us. That's why He did what He did. And that's why we can do what He wants us and knows that we can do. In another experience we had this weekend I learned that we do have the power to call upon the power of God and Jesus Christ and that angels will be around us. The Priesthood is real and I am so Grateful for it. 

Love,
Sister Crossett

Richard's Baptism

Jan. 15, 2018

This weeks been eventful with Richards baptism, which I was able to sing "Come thou Fount" at. Baptism Days are always pretty stressful at first but then everything goes well in the end because it's Gods work. We were also able to attend part of A Mini MTC event back in the Las Flores ward. I think I might have told you about that last year. There were about 50 or so missionaries asked to participate and what they had us do was help youth companionships prepare for a real live lesson with a non-member that night at 6pm. I got to offer my advise and counsel to two sweet sisters, one who had already received her call. I hope their lesson went well. 

I don't remember If I've mentioned the service we do on Wednesdays. We Go for two hours to a facility that takes care of the elderly. Its kind of a day care for old people but it is cool to visit with these people and help them play bingo, color, or just visit with them. I can feel Gods love for them as I serve and get to know them. 

Transfers are next Monday and I think I am staying with sister Faith for the end. We'll see though.
How do you endure to the end? 
We also had an amazing stake Conference this weekend and the focus was teaching the plan of Salvation in our homes and fostering appreciation for the church. Amazing talks were given by some recent converts who shared their burning testimonies and really help remind me of who I am and why I am here. It is hard to see the path ahead when there are so many distractions and bumps in the road. As we Remember who we are and how God has blessed us and played a hand in our day, it allows us to see even more clearly. 

I know that as we hold to the Hope that our Savior Jesus Christ Gives us we will be able to find happiness and joy in the hardest of times. Just keep trying, keep praying, keep believing, Hold to the Rod, and everything will work out. 

Love,
Sister Crossett

Christmas and the New Year

(Dec. 25)

Hi mom!

No libraries open again so I'm emailing from my phone again. We have our mobile hot spot on so it should go through this time, hopefully. Its just a little weird emailing this way. Times are changing so I'm trying to adjust. Thank you so much for the gifts! We had a pleasant morning opening them as Well as some from the mission. We even got stockings from some members that are filled as Well.

 Well I'll be seeing you in a few hours but I just wanted to send you a few pictures from the last few days and say merry Christmas. One thing I've been thinking about is schools I'd love to discuss plans/pull up some possible applications from your end tonight. If that's alright. We get an hour this time so hopefully we can say everything that needs to be said. I love you mom.
 I know that God is in charge and I just want to do what he wants me to do. Missions are hard, missions are different, but missions are worth it even if we cant see the blessings in store. They are right around the corner and we just need to continue to trust in His plan and timing :)

See you in a few :) 

Love, 
Sister Crossett 

We had a nice chat that evening.  She is looking and doing great! Serving in the Laguna Hills Ward with Sister Faith.  

(Jan. 2)

We visited with a recent convert last week that just moved into our ward and was having a hard time adjusting and invited her back and she came and loved it :) We work with quite a few less active families and older people in the ward but I love it now! They are so sweet and also a great way to find new investigators. We also got a referral from a member in the ward and her name is Julie. She came to church a few weeks ago and we taught her on Sunday. Sister faith had the inspiration to read the living Christ with her and it turned out to be perfect for teaching her about the restoration. She is Persian and has a sister and friend that want to learn too. We are so Excited for her and her journey. I finally feel on my feet in the area and ready to get busy. It took some adjustment time but I got there :)

I have truly taken to heart the quest of gratitude today as I received chastening and guidance yesterday from the Lord towards being grateful. I think that I just didn't have hope or believe for a while that gratitude would help me at all and so I wasn't thanking Him with real intent. Moroni 7:4-6. It must be sincere for it to profit us. I know our father in heaven cares about us, he knows us, He loves us. And because He loves us, He chastens us and lets us struggle sometimes so we can learn and grow. I know it will still be a challenge moving forward but I now have the tools to help me. 

I am sorry the Call wasn't exactly the best. I'm Glad The next time I see you and talk with you It will be in person. I've said it before but I love my mission, I love being a missionary and I know God Has a Plan for all of us. Its so cool to discover what that plan is as he gives us guidance from the spirit.

Have a Grateful, comfy, week  

love,
Sister Crossett