3 in 1

(March 6, 2017)

The time is flying by so fast.... Well for me anyway. 6 months is just about the perfect time
on the mission. not too new, gotten the hang of things, and also not
too dangerously close to the end. I'm actually almost 7 months now but
I'm rounding Down ;).

Did you Ever do Road show? Well our Stake youth did it saturday. The Wards put together
their own one act musical style production. Las Flores did Super Heros
Vs. Super Foods. Costumes and all. It was Super fun! (punn intended)
All the mutual's for months in advance were in preparation and
rehearsal for 2 performances. I can honestly say that It is worth it
in my book. Sister Peterson and I got to go and stand in the back to
watch and they looked like they were having so much fun and I could
just feel the unity and love that they had for each other.

My Birthday was grand. I was well loved and sung to. No Cake but the
Riches put candles into chocolate covered bananas and oranges and I
got to blow them out. It was also a great day for the work too. I
wouldn't have had my 20th any other way than serving the lord. The
work is so fun too.

A Roller Coaster Week but as I look back on all the harder days, I can
see way more blessings than burdens. Tender Mercies are all around us.
I asked for a blessing from my district leader on a particularly hard
day when Satan was throwing everything he had at me. He Convinced me
for a time that I couldn't do anything because I had already messed up
so badly. I want to feel ready and prepared for lessons with
investigators or a particularly busy day and if I'm not I feel very
guilty and have a hard time moving forward. In the blessing I was
promised protection and safety as I am obedient and as I study the
scriptures and pray with a sincere heart. I am ever reminded by others
and by the Lord that I cannot do this work alone. I cannot go through
this life alone. The Good news of the Gospel is that I don't have to.
We have a loving Heavenly Father who sent a Savior for us, to help us
overcome our mistakes and sins. He will always be there. We just have
to do our part to reach out to him, to keep the commandments so we can
receive the blessings that he want to give us and he knows we need but
that are conditional upon our asking for them. I know that Heavenly
Father is there for us and that his son, Jesus Christ is our Savior
and that he lives. I know that Joseph Smith translated the Book of
Mormon Through the Gift and power of God and that Its words testify of
Christ. I know that it is true. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love,
Sister Crossett

(March 13, 2017)

Thanks for all the wise words dad. I believe them :) It isn't about us. It is about the people around us and how we can be a light and an example for them. In word and In deed. I'm still working on that one but I have definitely seen that work on my mission. This week has been filled with many opportunities for teaching for sister Peterson and I. We are very overwhelmed and excited and grateful for the work we have been given and for Gods trust in us with these people. Taught a family of five the restorations on Monday and they agree to read the Book of Mormon but they want their space to do so. We would love to be able to read with them or meet with them to teach them more but we also need to respect their wishes. They are so kind and accepting of us and when we asked the ward members if they knew any of them we found many connections and friends already there. It was a comfort to me to know that there is always hope and Heavenly Father has a Grander plan than we could ever imagine. We just hope and pray that the spirit of the Book of Mormon with the help of the ward members encouragement will open the Derby families heart to the joy and light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We also were able to teach a woman named Gladys and her two kids on Wednesday. Gladys has a Great testimony of heavenly Father and a real love for her family. We shared the first two teaching points with her and the spirit was so Strong. I felt inspired to talk to her about baptism right then and there. I asked her if she came to know that the things we were teaching her were true would she be baptized and she said yes. We invited her to pray to know if this was the path that God wanted for her and her family. We are going to go back and teach her more on Wednesday. We are so excited for her! 

I know that through faith and repentance we can receive the joy and hope that come through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Whenever I have felt lost or upset on my mission I have traced the reason back to a lack of connection with My Heavenly Father. He has all the answers and he want to help us and bless us. He knows what we want and he knows what we need. We just need to ask. Prayer is an essential part of the doctrine of Christ. To build our FAITH we must pray, study the scriptures, and go to church. Ask, Seek, Knock. I know these principles are true. Take your questions to our Father in Heaven. He knows so much more than we do. I was studying this morning in Alma 22 where Aaron is teaching the king what we have to do to have this hope and joy that is talked about from the spirit of the lord. I learned these word. 

Kneel Humbly,

Cry Mightily,

Stand Faithfully.

I don't have much else to say other than I love you. I pray for you. All is well here. I am in good hands. Thank you always for your examples and testimonies as loving parents in the kingdom.

Love,
Sister Crossett

(March 20, 2017)

Though I can't send all my extended family individual emails will you let them all know I love them and am so grateful for the examples they are and have been in my life? 

 We had a very special zone conference with Elder Tad R. Callister on Thursday.  He taught us more about the Atonement. I really learned a lot and I know that learning more about the Atonement will help us to better apply it and have more motivation to move forward. We need to continue to study and pray to gain strength and find answers. I know that as we put in the Practice and continue to be obedient to the commandments and the principals that Heavenly Father has asked us to live by, we will be able to do his work and be happy doing it.

Then on Saturday Sister Peterson and I got to go to a Persian new Year party that the mission president requested we put on because of all the Persian work here in California.  All 6 of the non member Iranian people we invited came, and they all had a blast. There was authentic Persian food and live music and dancing. As missionaries we just had fun watching it all. Such a different culture but so kind and curious to learn more. One of the families we invited actually came to church on Sunday so that was a blessing! It was our ward conference so the bishop and Stake president talked to us and The Dad and his son loved it. They said they would definitely want to come back and we will hopefully get to teach them this week. 

I hope and pray that Heavenly Father will continue to work through me, a weak and simple servant, to bring about his intricate plan for each of his children. I am ever thankful for my call to serve and hope that each of you will ask yourself what the Lord needs you to do today. 

Love, 
Sister Crossett

"Be Still, And know that I am God"

 (Feb. 21, 2017)

The hairdo's were done at the YW Presidents house over dinner. They liked my French braided bun and wanted me to do theirs too. It was super fun :) 

Transfer calls were on saturday and I am staying in Las Flores with sister Peterson. There must be more for us to do :) I am so excited to find out what that is and to be an instrument in Heavenly Fathers hands. Its been a little different to have to adjust to no changes this time. The Elders in our Ward are staying too. There must be something I still need to learn from them, too. 

Sunday I was able to sing in Sacrament meeting. It was a great tool for inviting people to church. " Hey I'm singing in church this Sunday and you are invited to come" :) a lot of people actually said they would. When the day arrived we thought no one came because we walked in late after trying to go pick up our investigators daughter. As we sat there in the front row of the overflow seats, we noticed a familiar head of hair in front of us. It was a less active we had been stopping by for a while and she hadn't been to church for about 10 years. I sang "How Great Thou Art". A Beautiful piano arrangement of it  that a member found for me. It was exactly what I wanted and needed and It was a great blessing to me. As I sang I got a little carried away in the spirit and forgot the words to the next verse. I stopped for a minute, found my place and started again. Though I was a little disappointed for it, everyone I talked to said they didn't notice. It was just what it needed to be. All of the other talks were amazing, too and also just what was needed, especially for who was there. 

I am so grateful for the testimony I am still gaining and for the opportunity I have to share that with others. I know that Joseph Smith did see our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ in the Sacred Grove and because of that, the Gospel Of Jesus Christ that he established while he was on the earth is restored today. I am so Grateful for the restored Priesthood Power on the Earth today. The authority to act in Gods name to strengthen and bless his children now and throughout eternity. I know that as we are obedient to the commandments and endure, and enjoy, to the end, we will be able to be happy here on earth and throughout eternity. 

I may need to go in and be checked for what exactly is causing all my stomach problems. It is getting progressively worst but I am slowly figuring it out. I just might need a professionals opinion. I just thought I would let you know but there is no cause for alarm.

Be safe, Be patient, Be grateful, Be faithful. I love you so much and know that you can do it. 

Have a Great week!

(Feb 27th, 2017)

So, I told you that my stomach problems were getting much worse and I have tried everything that I could think of. Because I thought it was a food allergy. I started taking everything out of my diet. That was not the thing to do.  I enlisted the help of our mission mom and mission Doctor for help and they gave more suggestions. Do you remember Doctor Bowser that I was telling you about? Well we went in for our follow up appointment for our backs and I thought that maybe I would ask him if he could tell me anything about what is going on with my stomach and he read my body.  My body said that It was not a food allergy or Irritable Bowel. He said it was being caused by an emotional stress. My body said I'm too hard on myself and I agreed with him. I guess I needed a professional to tell me something that everyone else has been already telling me to believe it. I'm working on my Hakuna Matata and its going very well.

 It is no coincidence that your message completely goes along with the message that I wanted to share with all of you today. The phrase, "Walk in the Light" has been my focus and Mantra for this week as well as the Scripture in Psalms 46:10 "Be Still, And know that I am God". 

Walking in the Light for me means that we are constantly moving forward, repenting and accessing the full measure of the Atonement. This has become our districts focus for this transfer. I think it will really help us focus on the Atonement and how to share it with others. I don't think I've ever thought about that Scripture in Psalms like this before. It especially stood out to me yesterday. I didn't feel as prepared as we could be for a Sunday as a missionary. I woke up with this thought on my mind and it really became the theme of the day. As I just did my best to be myself and to be obedient, Heavenly Father was able to work with my abilities to bring about his purposes. (Exodus 14:13-14) Down to the people we passed in the hall being exactly the people we needed to talk to, it was just a great day. The Elders had 2 of their investigators there and we had another less active that we had been working with for a while come with her little boy. It was just a great day. I know that as we don't go "beyond the mark" so to speak, but just do our best and be ourselves and have faith that Heavenly Father will bring about his purposes, we will find ourselves right where we need to be on the path and we will be able to help his Children on that path back to him, too. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Psalms 46:10 

Love,

Sister Crossett

Look to Christ in Every Thought

It's strange to have your child giving you advice. But also really nice and really good advice.

"Mother Dear I love you so" :)

I'm Glad that you are keeping busy with the things you love. Just don't get lost in the things you love. Does that make sense?

I've learned a few things about teenagers out here. Sydney Smith is one of our investigators right now. She is [a lot like Anne]  . . . she is always at church, goes to seminary and mutual. She is fully involved with the yw, she loves it. She is so fast and always with her friends.

On Friday we had a really special Sisters Conference for all the sisters in the mission. There were so many things said that I know were exactly what other sisters needed to hear, as well as myself. Sister Adriane Colman (a missionary mom who lives in our mission) shared a life changing presentation on our thoughts (which coincide with Carol Tuttle's books and thoughts) Just to have positive thoughts and not let the negative thought or events block you or weigh you down is what I've been practicing since Sister Coleman talked to us. I have noticed a big change in my mood and also in sister Peterson's mood. It really is that attitude of gratitude, and looking to Christ in every thought, that makes the trial or challenge more bearable and even allows us to see what Heavenly Father is trying to teach us in the situation or what we can gain from it. I am so Grateful for the Atonement and for the gift of repentance and change through his sacrifice. 

My Exchange with Sister Berg on Saturday was an amazing day as well. She is just a baby in the mission, almost 12 weeks out. Although she is older than me it was cool to be the older one in mission terms. As we worked hard and talked to as many people as passed by, and as we were obedient and followed the Promptings of the spirit we were able to see many miracles. We were walking down a street and there was a mail man out doing his job and as we almost passed by he called out to us and asked who we were. We introduced ourselves and asked his name which was Nick. We asked if he lived around the area and he said he lived close to Disneyland, so the Anaheim mission. We then asked if he would be interested in missionaries coming to his house to teach him about Jesus Christ and he said an absolute Yes. We were very astonished but so grateful to get a referral for the missionaries over there.

Another really cool Miracle that happened was while we were visiting a less active named Annika in our ward. She has been struggling with smoking and didn't have the hope of being able to quite but we wanted to invite her to ARP. 

Side note: I don't know if I've talked a lot about ARP but I absolutely love it and wish I could go every week just to feel of the spirit in the room that is comparable to the temple. Everyone should go in reality. We are all addicted to something and It is an amazing program for Accessing and using the Atonement in our lives.

 We talked at her door for a while and She was having a really Good day. The conversation lead us right into bringing up ARP and she seemed interested in going. I know this Program will help her understand how to use the Atonement in her own life and be able to change. I am so excited for her. As sister Berg and I were evaluating the day I asked her what I could do to improve and work on. She said that I need to work on just being myself and using my talents and gifts as I talk to others. I was so grateful for that counsel. We had such a fun day together including getting Waffles at a waffle truck at the apartment complex "Sable" where all our investigators come from :). I Got a gluten Free nutella and fruit waffle. . . .I am so excited to clean up my [eating habits] and I feel great :) 

My emails are still very random but I hope it gets the point across what I am trying to say to people and to you mom. I love and appreciate you and your little girl is doing just fine :)

I know that Heavenly Father is aware of us and if we put our faith and trust in Him, and In his son Jesus Christ, and keep our thoughts positive and centered on him,  We can rise above all the trials and temptations that will come and be able to become more like Him.

D&C 6:36

Love,

Sister Crossett

Short and Sweet

Grace sent some sweet messages to her sisters in the email this week.  She mentioned seeing glimpses of the Super Bowl through peoples windows, and that her fellow missionary Elder Williams, as a Patriots fan and a native Texan, was practically in tears because of the sacrifice of not being able to watch.  But here are some great thoughts she'd like to share with everyone.  

Did I tell you about Elder Zhao and Elder Williams that we ward share with? Elder Zhao is Chinese, learning English and he has an amazing singing voice. When he sings in Chinese, you don't need to know the words to feel of his amazing, firm testimony.  It is incredible. That is so cool about Sister Law. I'll have to tell Sister Jensen about it. We are helping her with service on Wednesday. 

Sister Law is a missionary serving in our ward.  She grew up to age 8 in the ward where Grace is serving.  Sister Jensen is who Sister Law identified as her "second mom" and she still lives in the Las Flores Ward. Cool connection.  

This week was a Roller Coaster and the work was slow, but yesterday was a great Fast Sunday and Prayers and concerns were answered as I turned outward towards others. We found a new investigator named Alma :) She said she is going to put the book of Mormon on her bed stand and read it every night and pray to know if it is true. It was all made possible because of obedience, patience, and charity. I am so grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost to guide and direct us always. I would be lost without it and just want everyone to have it, too. Never Give up, even when it's hard. Press forward against the adversary for Christ grace is just around the Corner. 

2 Nephi 31:20  I know as we feast upon the words of Christ we will have eternal life.

Love to you always,

Sister Crossett

Grace's birthday is coming up at the end of this month.  The 28th.  I'm sure she'd love to receive cards and letter's. (She doesn't need gifts, but if you really want to, a visa gift card or similar would be nice.)   The address is on the web version of this blog, but I'll also put it here.  

 

 Sister Grace Crossett  

 California Irvine Mission  

 23 Lake Road  

 Irvine, CA 92604-4579. 

Health, Change and Music

Well you are so right dad that you have to choose if its going to be a good day or week. This week was amazing though. I think for a number of reasons. The First one I've thought of is that sister Peterson and I finally went to the a chiropractor on wednesday. Not just a pop, pop, Crack, Crack chiropractor though. His name is Doctor Bowser ( haha very Ironic I know) and he has a very special technique that is very similar to the nutrition specialist and reading your body to let it tell you what you need. No pops necessary. My neck and shoulder had been bugging me and so he used an activation clicker thing to try to get the vertebrae back in place. He said that it was primarily because of bad posture when sitting, standing and also from how we sleep. My pillow is fine, but he gave us both an exercise to do to help us improve our posture and I have been really trying to sit up straight and sleep on my back and not pop my back on my own, like he said. It is building new muscle to support the weight of my neck arms in a new way. Way too much info there but I am definitely taking you both to Doctor Bowser when you come to visit my mission.

Another reason I think I have been feeling better and having so much success is because I have been eating healthier. Gluten/dairy free as much as possible and either doing abb workouts ( sister johnson our roommate has insanity) and Im up to running 2 miles on treadmill​ every other day. I am back to 150 and hope to lose soon. hopefully I get the discs in the mail today dad. I'm super excited. :) By the way I got your letter on Thursday mom and sister peterson and I are going to try that recipe for hockey pucks even though we don't love the name :/ 

Reason number 3 is that I have really felt this weeks theme.  Change.  Being with sister Peterson has really helped me to take the lead in my area and use my personality to be more bold and friendly with people. Depending on who I am with, I can be more reserved or I can be more bold and outward moving. Because sister Peterson is a more reserved person and I am. It brings out my outward movement more. Because of this I have really been able to be myself and practice and learn how to talk to strangers more comfortably. I also don't want to leave sister Peterson in the dust so to speak. I want to help her with knowing the strengths that she contributes to the world and to the work. She can be hard on herself and not always feel adequate around me and I don't want that. I have been praying to be able to recognize her strengths to help her recognize them. She is so sweet and calm. She helps me to just go with the flow and we have really grown close and work very well together ( we believe she's a 2 but still figuring it out). We have seen soooo many miracles this week with just being in the right place at the right time and I am so grateful for the change that is coming because of daily repentance and accepting the gift of the atonement each day. Our Zone training meeting was kind of the start of this theme of change for me. I desire to change. Yesterday I kind of got carried away with the work a little too much and I missed the mark. There needs to be a balance in following Gods will and being bold. If you go too far, He can't work through you and If you don't give enough then He can't work through you as well, either. Some really cool scriptures to check out about consecration is Alma 48:14-16 and the scripture I'm memorizing today to go along with my going beyond the mark is Mosiah 4:27. It continues to amaze me just how well Heavenly Father knows us. He knew excalty where and when I needed to read that scripture to help me with what I am going through right now. I know that if we follow the promptings of the spirit and are in an environment and state to receive them, then we can and will be instruments in Gods hand to do His work and will.

I thought of something else I want for my birthday. Music!! I have been vegging off of my comps music for ages. Would It be too much to ask for a Usb with music on it. I love efy/ the youth albums. "Some one he can Count on" "Look up" "lift your eye" "Its not about you" "You already know it" are a few that I've come to love that you might be able to find on lds.org. Also I would love some motab and any instrumental classical stuff you can find. So the 3 cars we have in the mission are Chevy cruises, which we have right now, and they don't have usb ports. But the Toyota Corollas and Chevy Malibu's do. Maybe we'll get one soon because they are trying to get rid of the Chevy cruses( many a trip to the shop in those :)) so I'd love a usb. but maybe if you could send a few mormon tab CD's and some classical that would be amazing! I'm still looking for a bag but I'm going to try and find one myself and I think I might buy myself a set of PJs too. Is that OK for my Birthday Presents?

I love you guys! give my love and support to the girls and also to the ward and our neighbors. 

Just keep Swimming!

Love,

Sister Crossett

Remember the Good

Elder Williams, Elder Zhao, Sister Peterson, Sister Crossett

(To Dad)

hahah dad, you're so funny :) we are not allowed to teach on yachts I believe. We are also not allowed on the sand at all but I haven't served close to the coast yet so I don't have to worry about that yet. We have a trail in our area that we walk to contact every once in a while but we do, do a lot of tracting and member work. I guess its different for every mission what is the most effective. Keep Brian in your prayers. I'm sending mom more info about him. 

I don't believe that  I'm almost 20. It's super weird that I will never be considered a teen again. I am excited for what the future holds though. About a birthday gift, I have no Idea. I am getting rid of/giving away a lot of clothes that I don't wear or don't work for me anymore but I am also getting new things from other sisters so I think I'm good on clothes unless you guys can find me a patterned Amelia dress from LuLaRoe that I talked to mom about. I am purchasing my own new umbrella today if that's ok.

(To Mom)

We actually seem to be the permanent subs for YW's and we got to teach the mia maids recently. They are quiet, which is funny because I remember mia maids for me being the same.

Its so cool that Dawn memorized the hymn book. I have been thinking that I need to memorize more hymns, as well, so I can use them just like memorized scripture verses for people that we teach or contact.

You will have to send me lots of pictures, or what ever you can send, of Mary Poppins and all the other musicals you and the girls participate in while I'm on my mission. I'm sad to miss them but am so excited for you to be able to continue doing what you love.

Dad said you guys got more snow. We've been having lots of storms here as well. Just rain, but a lot of it. I love rain storms. Driving was super in it too. Also kinda scary because California doesn't normally get rain so they aren't equipped with the proper drainage systems so it was flooding. We are all good though :) The Drought is definitely ending :)

Along with our other investigators, our investigator Brian has been on my mind this week. We haven't been able to get in contact with him recently but we plan to this week. He is very interested in learning about all different religions. He is also very proof and evidence oriented but he has the desire to find the truth from God. We have had two lessons with him in which we shared the restoration and answered his questions and listened to him compare verses from the bible. I want him so badly to understand that if he will use Moroni's promise, he will find the truth. I know that the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion and has such a converting power in missionary work. I have also been reminded this week that we have a choice whether to listen to the lie of Satan and his angels or not.

Yesterday was also a really cool day. We had an amazing sacrament meeting and 2nd and 3rd hour lessons as well. The theme of the day seemed to be, receiving personal revelation. We reviewed Joseph Smith history in Gospel Doctrine and then talked about asking in faith and humility in Relief Society. It's so cool how the spirit ties everything together like that. Then after church we had ward counsel where our Ward mission leader, Brother Gaya (who didn't have the opportunity to serve a mission) relayed some thoughts from our stakes mission counsel meeting that President Clark was able to attend as well. He expressed the importance of member missionary work and also members present at lessons and I felt a sense of unity about it from the whole ward counsel. It is so important for the members of the ward to help fellowship those we teach, into the ward. It was a reminder to me that we as missionaries, are just the teachers. We don't have to do all the work ourselves. We have a wonderful ward and leaders to help us.

I know that if we have faith and diligence in what the lord has called us to do, He will provide a way for us to do it. I hope you are all having a good week and remembering the good in yourself and in the world.

I love you!!!

Love,
Sister Crossett

Last week was so cool!

So funny story, (because I had just told her she should try having green smoothies for health) Sister Peterson tries to do mostly protein shakes and she brought a ninja blender with her so maybe i'll have to try it :) I did get your letter yesterday. Normally the zone leaders pick up all the mail that goes to the main office and bring it to Zone- Activity on P-days at 2:30 so I got it then. I know you want to send me stuff so I can read it during the week but I am ok with just getting letters on p-day now. I just don't have confidence in my ability to send you the correct address. Because it was a holiday yesterday the library was closed so we get to email today. That's how it is with every holiday. Our Apt complex does have a business center with computers but they are very slow and don't always work so we just do the library here.


Last week was so cool. On Friday we had a our Second lesson with a man Names Brian that we contacted out side his garage. He is a Born-again Christian and he is so smart and knows the bible really well. He is interested in learning about lots of different religions and he is super nice. Our lessons are more like question Answer sessions though. He has some differing beliefs than we do but he says he comes into the lessons with an open mind and he believes in truth being absolute. We are not what the future holds with him but we hope that he can realize the importance of the message. Also last Weekend our stake had what they call mini MTC. It is where the laurels and Priests of the stake get a companion, stay with a host family, have workshops and devotionals about missionary work and get to teach real investigators or Less active Members. Sister Peterson and I got to go to the closing testimony meeting and it was amazing the strength and desires of these teenagers and their excitement and eagerness to serve missions. As the world keeps getting darker and harder the valiant "Army of Helaman" gets stronger and more firm in their faith and testimonies. I Know Heavenly father loves all his children and has a plan for us. I love this work and I am enjoying every minute of it. I know if we just try our best to be obedient to the commandments and have faith. We will be strengthened through our trials and find joy even in the hard time.


Lot of love and Prayers,
Sister Crossett