Knock, Knock

Hey. I did things this week. 

Yesterday we had the 6 people at sacrament meeting! Wahoo! A new investigator we picked up this week while knocking, and the entire V------ family. It was simultaneously awesome and super stressful. I also was in charge of teaching the youth class for the second hour, but then ended up changing it at the last minute so it would be more applicable to the 3 teenage investigators present (two of ours and one of the Elder's). I can't say it was the most eloquent lesson I have ever taught, but I think I got my point across. 

Saturday we were contacting in a park in the neighborhood of J----, our investigator. There were a couple people who had dogs, so to make it easier to talk to them, we asked J---- if we could borrow her dog to take on a walk. She didn't even blink an eye at our request, just handed us the leash and off we went! I love J----, it's like she is already a member. :) 

We have been knocking a lot this week, which is always an adventure. As put by one of the other sisters: Knocking is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get behind each door. Definitely true, but it has been more successful in this area than any other I have ever served in. We have meet a lot of cool people and have quite a few new potential investigators. 

Yesterday we were trying to explain why we have the Book of Mormon to this man we met while, you guessed it, knocking. He kept asking questions, but wasn't giving us a chance to answer them. I was starting to get a little frustrated by this. But when I opened my mouth to say something, I had a sudden coughing fit come on out of nowhere. My companion took over, guiding the conversation in a much less confrontational direction than I probably would have. To quote Alma: "the spirit constrainth me". 

I have been studying faith a lot lately, and it really is so foundational to being a disciple of Jesus Christ. I have been trying to exercise my faith, and have seen a difference in our success and my personal happiness. I love this opportunity I have to learn about and grow closer to my Savior.

XOXOXO

Hermana Croft 

No stopping or standing

 MOMMY!!!!!!

Hey. Thanks for the email. I love you lots and lots. 

About Hamilton: I surprisingly feel no jealousy knowing you've seen it. I hope you win the lottery and get to take Daddy. I was talking about it with Elder Nielsen, and apparently his mother has been ushering for Hamilton. She ushers for everything at Eccles, which means she gets to see everything. Cool, right? Also, they are from Layton, so Elder Nielsen and I talk about the homestead together sometimes. 

I think all of France came to Ellis Island this week, and a little bit of Italy too. Almost everyone I talked to was from one of those two countries. Half of the time I was running to grab H. Byron to speak to someone in French when we were having a hard time communicating in English. Knowing Spanish rarely comes in handy at Ellis.

We had a training at Ellis Island a couple weeks ago where they gave us a bunch of tips of how to help people find the records of their ancestors. It made me want to go back and take a bunch of history classes. Basically, I just miss school. But I am sure when I get home and into the thick of classes again I will miss the mission. Sigh. 

As far as clothes, I am really tired of what I have. The blue dress you mentioned was given to me by Sister Byron, a treasure left in the apartment, that she personally was not a fan of. I actually haven't bought myself that much on the mission. Only 4 shirts and a couple pairs of tights. I have been lucky to collect some things from other missionaries, but I think its time to actually order myself some stuff. 

Other than that it was a super normal week. Our Spanish investigator did come to church this Sunday with two of her sons, so that was good.

Pictures this week: In one I am rebelling and standing under a sign that specifically reads "No Standing" while looking like your typical librarian. The ones with the baby were taken while H. Byron was talking with a Haitian member who is going through a hard time. I was rolling around on the floor keeping the baby entertained. The others are from Ellis Island. We explored the exhibits a little bit and found one that talked all about the Mormons heading West. 

XOXO

Siempre,

Hermana Croft 

Staying in New City

Hey, hey, hey! 

So, transfers happened and as expected H. Byron and I will be staying together in New City. She has already been here for 4 transfers, but seeing as she is one of only two missionaries in the mission who can speak Creole, we weren't expecting her to leave. Most lessons we teach are in English or Creole (which I am getting better at understanding, particularly if they are talking about the gospel. I still can't speak more than a few phrases though). We do have one really solid Spanish investigator though and this week she came to church with her son and nephew who have also recently been investigating. We had a lesson with her earlier this morning and we finally got to meet her husband. They say they are going to try and bring the whole family to church next week! *fingers crossed* 

I am currently emailing you from the church. We do have wifi in casa but it is really spotty, so we tend to come to the church to do our emailing. We actually spend quiet a bit of time with the Elders assigned to this area because there is no boundary dividing our area from theirs, we share everything. The members will invite both of us over for dinner, we do service together, use the computers at the church at the same time, etc. 

I took more pictures for you this week, but not many of the ones from Ellis Island turned out super nice. I will take some more when we go again this Saturday. 

Picture explanations:

- Ellis Island pictures. Walking through the tunnels to get to our car after the meeting.

- The cleaning pictures are from TAC, the huge apartment deep clean we do once a transfer.

- I am in the back of the Salvation Army truck putting together the plates of food we hand out to the homeless.

- Table stands with the Elders (the snowy one is actually from my first day in New City, but it never sent it).

- At night, chilling in our PJ's (H. Byron didn't want to take pictures but I told her we had to for you).

We did service at the convent this week again. H. Byron and I had a lovely and informative conversation with some of the nuns, asking them all sorts of questions. One of the women we were talking to had become a nun at age 18, right after graduating from high school. We asked if that was common, to which she replied "Oh yes, back then it was. After high school, all the young women would either get married or become a sister! Of course times have changed quite a bit now." This made me laugh, because it sounded exactly like my experience! Times haven't changed that much, at least not in Utah. ;)

Love you!!!

Hermana Croft

Happy Spring

Hey Mommy, 

Happy Spring! I think it is finally done snowing here. I'm glad you liked the Easter pictures. Unfortunately I don't really have any more to send to you. H. Byron and I are really bad at taking photos. The pictures I sent you are the only ones we have taken together and we are now at the last week of the transfer! I'll make a goal of taking one photo a day this week. :)

Sounds like you had a lovely spring break. We also enjoyed the break kids have had from school because it allowed us to meet with the children of a woman we have been teaching. Now her two sons and nephew are investigators. We taught them the Plan of Salvation earlier today. :) 

Sounds like a fun vacation you have planned. But as fun as roller coasters are, I don't feel like I'll be missing out on too much. Now if you were going on a Caribbean cruise, it might be a different story. ;) I am excited by the prospect of going to Spanish speaking places when I get home. (We're planning to go to Cedar Point Roller Coaster park in Ohio this summer.)

Favorite conference talks: hmm, good question. I really liked "Pure Love" by Massimo De Feo, "Seventy Times Seven" by Lynn G. Robbins, President Eyring's talk, and anytime President Nelson would speak. 

I am super proud of Lilian. I am glad she was so excited to be reading. (Lilian just finished reading the Book of Mormon entirely on her own this past Sunday.)

I love love love love love love love love love love love love love love you! Te amo!

Siempre,

Hermana Croft

P.S. thank you for sharing your playlist with me. I always think it is kind of fun when you do that. H. Byron and I sing a lot together. We reminisce about Disney channel movies and then sing the songs from them together. I'm surprised by how well I remember them. (When I email Julianne, usually I'm listening to music and sometimes I'll list the songs throughout as I type...apparently she likes it, especially when I tell her why I'm listening to that particular song. For example, the song that I found while watching Jane the Virgin, a show Julianne enjoyed watching before her mission. See below...)

P.P.S. I do really like Guardians of the Galaxy and Jane the Virgin, it is true. They make me laugh. 

P.P.P.S Lilian's hair is getting really long. She is starting to look older. Also, you look super pretty in all the pictures you sent. H. Byron can't believe my parents are so young.

Happy Easter

Hello and Happy Easter!

Conference was absolutely inspired. I found myself on the edge of my seat, completely enraptured by the words of these modern day prophets and apostles of the Lord. We are so blessed to receive guidance through these men from a loving a God. I am thankful for their willingness and sacrifices to serve. I am thankful for their inspired messages. 

I'm sure the Jordan River Temple open house was beautiful. Can't wait to go through the Layton temple when is completed...!!! Don't know if I will have time to send a long email today because I am 💩

But I sure do love you sooooo much!!! 

Thank you thank you thank you for the package and the emails every week. I really do appreciate it so much. 

XOXO

Hermana Croft 

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There were two pairs of bunny ears in the Easter package I sent to Julianne. I told her that I was expecting an Easter bunny selfie of her and Hermana Byron. And then reiterated a few times afterwards in other emails that I was indeed serious about that request. ;) I'm glad she took me seriously, because how cute are these two???