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