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

I know My Heavenly Father Loves Me

Mommy!

I dont have a lot of time to email today because we are meeting some sisters at the MV (Mission Viejo) Stake Center to have them say good bye to sister Hawkins. Yes we called it. She is being transferred. The Cool thing is, that her new companion is sister Hill, her roommate from the MTC whom she adores. I'm super excited for her and who knows, maybe I'll get put with MTC comp. someday as well. Sister Peterson will be my New Companion and so I am leading out the area again after only being in it for one transfer. I am honored that Heavenly Father trusts me to do this 2X in a row. I as not as worried as I was last time. Heavenly Father will Provide a way and guide and direct me through it. We are trying something new for this transfer. Instead of having a transfer meeting where we all meet in one place and get introduced to our new zones and then we all go out in the parking lot and move luggage to new cars, we get our Transfer Calls on Saturday night and then we have to be responsible for arranging to meet and move to our new areas and new companions. And we have to do it all on P-day along with all of our other things to do. Today is Going to Be Crazy but we are following what President has asked us to do. 

I am doing great though. We had Zone 24's on Saturday which is just a zone wide Exchange ( explained by Janus to be a huge mix and match of missionaries in the zone meeting in one then going to all different places for the day.) and then stake conference with Elder Anderson of the 70 visiting. It was amazing and I am really learning and gaining a better testimony of the Atonement and faith than I've ever had before. Especially with the Journey that sister Hawkins and I have been on, it really has taught me that we need to do all we can and then Christ will help us with the rest. 2 nephi 25:23. 

 

While sharing that scripture with the Holidays ( a young couple in our ward that has the missionaries over every sunday night) last night, I was feeling very unloved and unappreciated and after we shared that message Brother Holiday expressed his love and appriecation to me, to all of us and it really was a tender mercy that I didn't even ask for. Because of this I know my Heavenly Father loves me and wants me to be happy. Wherever we are in the world we can feel of his love through the Holy Ghost as we stand in holy places and do all we can to be obedient to his commandments. 

I love you all! 

Love, 

sister Crossett

Keep looking for the good

Last Week was rough but was also very good. I have been focusing more on gratitude and finding the good in every moment and it is helping me get through my critical and perfectionist thoughts. I read Sarah's letter too and she sounds like she had a blast in the MTC and she is going to be a killer missionary. This Saturday Is transfer calls and Sister Hawkins Thinks she is leaving but Anything could happen. No new missionaries are coming in this next transfer so we are both in the clear for training someone. We'll See what happens. If you end up sending me letters, could you just send them to the mission office. I think it will be easier . . . that way. Also . . . I am finally accepting my fate and going Gluten and dairy free... or at least when buying and eating groceries from home. At members homes I will avoid it as much as I can but I don't want to inconvenience anyone so I'm not going to make it widely known. I don't know. Maybe Ill change my mind and make it known but for now I am going to leave it at that. Oh and I also Got a Black Blazer with stretching fabric from target and I love it!!! It was 30 Dollars but I think it was worth it. I used the 20 dollar gift card to target that we all got from President and Sister Clark and then the rest on the America First Card.  

We had a really cool miracle this week... Even through all the struggles and the stress. We were tracting in the Sable apartments and this younger gentleman was outside sweeping his porch on the top floor. We stopped and asked if he would be interested in hearing a message and he said he didn't have time right then so we went down to the first floor and were going to knock a few more doors. As We were walking down there, the same gentleman called down to us and said "what if I told you I had the desire to believe in God but I am a very factual person and need evidence?" We than said we could help him with that. He invited us back up and we gave him a Book of Mormon and shared the restoration with him. He was a very smart person and understood most of what we said. He also said he didn't believe in coincidences and was very surprised that he reached out to us and invited us back up after turning us down first. He said he felt a "good energy" about us and we are definitely going to follow up with him.

I know that when we are obedient and keep looking for the tender mercies and blessings from Heavenly Father, we can see miracles happen and that we will find even more joy.

I apologize if I sounded short today. Its been a rough morning but I know it will pass as I keep looking for the good and Trusting in Heavenly Father. 

Just Keep Swimming,

Love, 
Sister Crossett

On Sunday I received a wonderful text from an anonymous ward member.  It said:
I just wanted to thank you for sharing your daughter with our ward here in Las Flores. She bore the sweetest testimony today in sacrament meeting.  She carries such a strong spirit with her.  We are grateful she is in this area.  

Christmas miracles

It has truly been a white Christmas here in California (white Christmas as in White baptismal Clothes!). On Friday was the Baptism of one of our investigators, Moe. He was contacted by Sister Wimmer and Sister Hawkins, just last month and he had just arrived in the country and was getting out of his car from the airport when they walked up and introduced themselves and asked if he wanted to learn more. It's history from there. His journey has been incredible and, though I didn't get to teach him any lessons, I am so grateful to have been a part of it. The Baptismal Service was incredible! The spirit, warmth, and love in that room was amazing. One of the biggest things that Moe loves about the Gospel and our Church is the feelings of love and family whenever he goes to church and is around members. Because of that I thought it would be fitting to sing a musical number of "Where love is" and "Love One Another" from the primary song book. I know the love he feels is from the spirit. It was amazing for him to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost so that he will always have that feeling with him. It was even cooler that he received it on Christmas Day. One of the Greatest Gifts you could ever receive.

After the baptismal Service, Some Elders who attended with their investigator came up to me. Their investigator said he loved my song and really felt the spirit and wanted me to sing it at his baptism. That is just a testimony to me of the power that music can have on inviting the spirit and touching hearts. I am so grateful that through sharing my talents I can be of even more good for my Heavenly Father and His work. It was another Christmas Miracle.

I love this work and I know that it is of eternal importance and purpose. I know that Heavenly Father provides a way for us to accomplish the things that he asks of us and the trials that come our way.

I was wondering if you could some how get me attached to Elder Waymans group email or how ever he is sending things. Also, If you could keep sister Hawkins specifically in your prayers. She is really having a hard time right now. thanks mom!!
I love you!!!!!

Love,
Sister Crossett

Christmas dinner with the Rodriguez family.

FHE with David and Jenny Chamberlin

Elders Rasmussen and Williams and sisters Hawkins and Crossett.

We got to talk to Grace on Skype for an hour plus. She is doing great! She showed us her worn out shoes and cried and laughed with us.  She is living in a two bedroom apartment with another set of missionaries and she told us of the piles of treats the members had given them for the holiday. They ended up making plates of treats to give away to investigators cause they just couldn't, and shouldn't, eat it all!

Here she is just listening and enjoying being with us. 

and then smiling for the camera. 

She is being taken care of really well and we are so proud of her. 

Light of Christ

mommy mommy mommy!!

thank you for your email and word of advise about working with others. Sister Hawkins and I passed our test this week, meaning we made it through the mist of darkness and the Spirit of Contention is leaving. We got a lot of help from President, our Sister Training leaders, and from Priesthood Blessings. We are learning so much from each other and have come a long way. I really hope we get to stay together for another transfer and continue to grow and Stretch. We have been thinking a lot about the gift of Discernment and we actually are giving the lesson at our FHE tonight about it. We have FHE Every week at our Stake presidents house and sometimes investigators and others are there too. I would love some Vitamin C if that is a possibility. 

Nicole and Kayla are the ones with us in the Picture. They are investigators we are trying to build trust with. Nicole is a chatter but they are both so funny. We are just taking it slow with them and hopefully we can teach them more soon. Its really cool that sister Hawkins and I are so different. I have been learning to trust her more, especially in the work. We had a really cool experience on Saturday night. We knocked on the door of a potential we had contacted earlier in the week named Christian. He told us we could come back another time so we tried and a woman answered the door this time and invited us right in. It was a scene that was not the ideal setting for missionaries ( Siguarette smoke, beer bottles, Blaring TV) and I was very uneasy about the whole situation for a while, but sister Hawkins just walked right in. Tammy was the mom of these boys and she offered for us to sit down and share something with them. Sister Hawkins talked mostly at first. I was still feeling uneasy. As I sat there I saw a mirror hanging on the wall. On it was written in Red Lipstick, " What would Jesus Do". I Began to think about it and I realized that Jesus would be exaclty where we were right then. No judgement, just teaching anyone who would listen. As we talked more with these 3 boys they perked up a little more and I know they were feeling the spirit. It was just a really cool experience of the power that the light of Christ and the spirit has on every individual. As missionaries, we are just the guides. We bring the spirit unto their hearts and only they can let it into their hearts.

I know that Heavenly Father Has put specific people into our lives so we can learn from them but also so they can help us and strengthen us. I am so Grateful for the Plan of Happiness and for our Savior Jesus Christ and his love and sacrifice for us.

I hope you are all sharing His Light with the World this Christmas Season. Even the little things can make a big difference. 

Love and prayers to all,

Sister Crossett

A white Christmas

I was sent this picture in a text almost two weeks ago.
(Her first week in Mission Viejo. With Sister Hawkins) 

(letter recieved Dec. 12, 2016)

The person who sent the picture was my new Stake President, President Chamberlin. He's pretty cool. It was taken at our relief Society Christmas Dinner.  The theme was "Let Him In" and it was a beautiful program. I especially loved the musical number. Our Bishop, Bishop Baker, and Brother Hada (Guitar Accompaniment) sang a really cool arrangement of "Come unto Christ"the 2014 youth theme song. It definitely brought the spirit. 

I am missing the snow a lot. Dad sent a picture of his hard work in the driveway. Snow seems foreign to me now. Although they make up for it here by going all out with lights.  I'll have to send you a picture soon, of the line of lights strung up across the streets in between the houses. its crazy! ;)

(And an email from Dec. 12, 2016)

Dear mom,

I'm sorry I don't have the address with me right now but I sent a letter home with the return address for our appartment on it... Give or take. I don't really know how to write the address but I know we live in Mission Viejo and that our appartment is 6L. Its ok if you just send it to the mission office. Someone just said we aren't supposed to have mail sent to anywhere else but I'll ask President about it.

We haven't heard anything specific about christmas calls yet but I'm pretty sure we get to skype. Do we have that capability at home? We will be in a members home for sure for that but ill keep you posted on more details. 

This week has been rough but its getting better. I'm still working on communication with sister Hawkins. I want so much to make our companionship work and she has said that she's the kind of person to not have the desire or will to make it work if it doesn't click right away. We are working on things together though and today has been an easier day. It is testing my limits but I am learning so much and I am grateful that Heavenly Father has put his confidence in me to do it. I do love sister Hawkins very much and she has so many wonderful qualities.

Oh! by the way, we have an investigator on date for baptism on the 23 of december. His name is moe. I don't think its quite hit me what that really means but we are going to have a white Christmas here after all. Smoking was his only struggle and he is now 8 days clean so he's doing amazing! Pray for Moe! 

I had the amazing opportunity to go to our stake Sing Noel concert last night. It was amazing and the spirit was so strong there. It gave me a little bit of home when the childrens choir sang. I don't suppose you guys went to SLCC concert did you? Well I got my little taste of home here. I was also asked to sing at our up coming zone Training meeting. Its Josh Grobans "believe".

I've got to go but I know that the light of Christ is in all of us. Member or not, and that is why everyone feels so happy serving others. Charity Never Faileth and I know that it is the pure love of Christ that we feel went we serve. 

Much love from California,

Sister Crossett

Co-Senior Companion

(I decided to leave the greeting in the letter this time, cause it makes me smile.  She also sent me a bunch of pictures from her last area which are now on the Live Oak Canyon page of the blog.)

Mommy!

I don't have much time so I'm going to tell you about my week and then I will hand write you my advise and responses about all your Exciting news. It sounds like so much fun back home and I'm super excited about everything.

So Sister Hawkins and I are co-senior companions. I'm not sure exactly what that means but it makes sense since we have been out for the same amount of time. She has been here in the Las Flores ward her whole mission so far so she is helping me with names and faces but we don't have a GPS for the car like we did in Live Oak so we are figuring out the area together still. She is Designated driver. It has been a Challenge working with her because we are so different and communicating is hard but I am determined to make it work and to learn from her and love her even more.

Las Flores Ward has been very kind and welcoming so far. I am just trying to be patient with learning names and faces and learning the area. We have a few investigators which I am very excited about. We also had a really great experience on Saturday. We were headed to a members home and we had just parked and gotten out of the car. There was a man and his little boy just outside their garage and I took courage and introduced ourselves to him. We learned that he and his wife were born-again Christians. We offered him a Book of Mormon and he accepted and asked a lot of genuine questions and also asked for our number so he could reach out and ask more questions as they came. We were grateful for that miracle and we are going to follow up with him on the Book of Mormon in a few days and we are really excited about it.

During fast and testimony meeting for my first Sunday in the ward I thought I should bear my testimony and introduce myself to the ward. I felt the spirit so strong in that meeting and it testified and confirmed to me again that The Church of Jesus Christ of latter Day Saint is Christ's True Church restored upon the earth by the prophet Joseph Smith. I know that Heavenly Father is the Same yesterday today and forever. He is always listening and will always give us more revelation as we are obedient to the commandment and have faith to receive it. I know that charity never faileth and whoso is found possessed of it at the last days, it shall be well with him. Moroni 7:46-47.

I hope you are all taking the opportunity to take part in the Light The World Initiative this month and that you are spreading your light and helping others to know of the importance of serving.

I love you all dearly! have a wonderful week!

Love,
Sister Crossett