HELLO

Good morning, good morning! It's great to stay up late. Good morning, good morning, to you! 

I am currently chilling in a member's house while she teaches my companion how to play the piano. She is loving life. Last week the ward mission leader gave her a fancy keyboard he had in his basement that was just collecting dust. Then on Sunday she asked the ward pianist if we could come over on Monday's for lessons. She said yes! And she even looked up all the requirements for BYUI's piano proficiency test for all music majors (My comp wants to be a band director. She plays the trumpet.) Yeah, we get spoiled here in New City. I can already hear H. Miller gushing over how wonderful Sister Meghan is when we leave. 

But in other words, it's the perfect time to email! 

Our two new Elders, Elder Scholl and his trainer Elder Spencer joined us here in N.Y. on Tuesday. It has been fun showing them around. Although, with the other Elders gone, I have officially become the New City veteran. I'm supposed to know what I'm doing now. No excuses. Luckily H. Miller now has 6 weeks under her belt here, and helped me out yesterday in getting everyone translators while I was up on the stand spitting Spanish into my little headset. Because yes, I am now the designated Spanish translator. 

Okay, technically there is a member officially called to translate Spanish, but it's always a toss up as to if he will come or not. And frequently when he does it is in the middle of the meeting when I am already sitting up front. I'll tell you what though, it is a little weird reading off the Sacrament prayer. I'm sure it's weird for the people listening as well to hear it in a female voice. They called a young Haitian man to replace Elder Merizier as the Creole translator. He is working on his mission papers right now. We are friends and sometimes make panicked faces a each other when the speaker starts going really fast. :)

Church was a real accomplishment yesterday. Sacrament meeting, I translated and H. Miller spoke. Second hour I taught the youth class, and then third hour H. Miller made a special appearence in Primary as part of the lesson before we made it back to coordination with the ward mission leader for the rest of the time. Busy but successful. 

I love the back to school pictures. Lilian it getting old! And SO blond! But she looks super cute. The nails are a nice touch to the outfit. Always good to see a picture of my favorite brother. And good to know my car made it through the hail storm. I imagine Brandon is going to be rather upset when I come home and take the car away. That is, unless it is determined he needs it more in K-town then I would in Provo... vamos a ver. 

Answer to your question: yes, I do dream in Spanish. Funny that you should mention it, because I actually dreamt (dreamed?) In Spanish last night. I woke up thinking in Spanish. This is a good thing. It means I have been practicing more, which I definitely need. Success! 

Not much else happened this week. We had 4 super bomb lessons on Friday though! And a little girl we have been teaching will be getting baptized this next Sunday. Also, J----'s sons want to take seminary this school year! They aren't members yet, but they are still willing to be at the church by 5 am to study! I adore them!

Well, we got to go now. Piano lesson over. 

XOXO

Hermana Croft

And the transfer news is....

Hello mommy and everyone!

Guess what? I love you a bushel and a peck. A bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck. A hug around the neck and a barrel and a heap! A barrel and a heap and I'm talking in my sleep.. about the gospel. Because apparently I sleep talk when I am anxious. Not that I have been anxious lately, just that I didn't realize I did this before my mission. I have actually been super chill as of late. Even with it being transfers. Granted, we were pretty sure we knew what the outcome would be... and drum-roll please!

Hermana Croft is sticking around in New City for transfer number 5! That's right ladies and gentleman, in total I will spend 7.5 months in this area. Hermana Miller (we are staying together, by the way) says she can't imagine being anywhere that long, but I'm not sick of it yet! I love the ward here SO much! This last week at church some of the Haitian members were getting a kick out of trying to teach me a couple new phrases in Creole. I now know how to compliment the ladies on their Sunday dresses. They were delighted when I greeted them in their native tongue. 

This week was very exciting. Here are some of the highlights:

*Tuesday evening we had planned to continue knocking our recent convert J----'s neighborhood. But I had to go to the bathroom, so we figured we would stop by and see if J---- would let us use her restroom first. She answered the door and in hurried whispers, frantically gestured us inside. It was then we discovered the plot to have a surprise birthday party for her oldest son, J---, who was due to get home any minute! We stayed for the surprise, singing and helped take a couple family photos. But when we went to leave, J---- would have none of it! She insisted we stay for dinner and presents as well. It was a lot of fun. I love that family!

*Wednesday we had a shift at Ellis Island. The workers there have gotten to know us rather well this last transfer. Always a good time at Ellis. On our way home we stopped by the home of a senior couple to pick up some supplies. We were all set to go, but again, I had to use to bathroom. When I came out, my companion informed me that we would be staying for a little bit longer, as the senior couple had decided to make us a little snack and had already started warming up the food in the oven. Oh my. Next time we are feeling hungry, I'm just going to ask someone if I can use their bathroom. Haha!

*I made an unpleasant discovery whilst getting ready for bed one night. Hermana Miller came running when she heard my scream, then helped me figure out a way to transport the mouse I had just trapped under the trashcan. We ended up taking him out to the dumpster along with the rest of the trash.  

*Thursday we deep cleaned the apartment in preparation for transfers, which consumed a large part of the day. 

This week I have seen God's hand guiding us a lot. Here are just couple instances of when I felt the guidance of the spirit:

*After being foiled in our plans to run due to the football team using the track, we headed back home rather dejected. However, that put us in the right place at exactly the right time to help this sweet old Hispanic carry her GIGANTIC trash bags up the hill and around the corner. 

*We taught the Law of Chastity last night. I was prepared for all the awkward, but that was far from the case. The woman we were teaching kept commenting on how true and beautiful the principles are. I love her. She is on date to be baptized next month (another reason why I am excited I will be staying in New City).

*On an inspired visit to the nursing home, to visit one of our older members, we met a sweet little woman named J------. Ca-----, (the member we were visiting) is a natural missionary, and invites anyone who passes by to sit down and join us. J------ took her up on the offer and we spent the next 40 minutes discussing all sorts of things, including the gospel of course. I think she just really needed someone to talk to. We are going back to see her this week. Quote from C----- to J------: "Honey, let me give you a lifelong recipe for happiness. Listen to the missionaries. They will teach you about Jesus." 

*While contacting in the area, my companion suggested we stop by someone in our area book who was taught several years before. I was doubtful, but he answered the door and immediately started sharing stories with us about the past missionaries he has known. He invited us back this week. 

Also, the pictures of the dog were taken at the ward mission leader's house. He and his wife had us over for dinner on Friday night. He also took us around town and showed us some great apartment complexes we could knock. The area boundary was taken down, so we are back to proselyting in the entire county... at least in Spanish. We are getting a new set of English Elders doubled in. I will miss the old ones, but that is okay. Also, I will now be expected to translate in Sacrament meeting on a more regular basis. Yikes! Most of my teaching has been in English this past transfer. My Spanish is getting a little rusty. 

LOVE,

Hermana Croft

Happy August

Hello! 

So good news: the woman I was talking about last week is on date to be baptized! Now the question is if I will be here to see it happen or not...

We went on exchanges this week. The other sisters we traded with are serving in Middletown, so we got to drive up deeper into New York to meet with them. It was absolutely stunning! Seriously, I could live here. It is gorgeous! As we were driving up to exchange back, it started pouring rain. Just dumping buckets and sheets and cats and dogs and every other weird thing that people use to describe how bad rain is coming down. It was dramatic. And awesome. 

Due to some technical issues, our Area Book had to be switched with the Elders'. This resulted in two hours sitting together at the chapel sending people back and forth and transferring appointments and records to the correct companionship. It was a bit of a hassle, but our Area Books should ultimately work better now. 

We had an FHE at the V-- H---'s with J---- and her kids on Monday. It was a ton of fun! The game was hitting a poop emoji piñata. No, it didn't have anything to do with the lesson. But it sure was entertaining to watch my recent convert break apart the poop and send candy flying. The kids LOVED it. 

Welp, I'd best be off. I've got to make some cookies for tonight's FHE. 

Thought for the week: "Wickedness never was happiness" Alma 41:10 It's true. Yo puedo testificar. 

XOXO,

Hermana Croft