Tuesday, March 18, 2014

20 Years

Well this is weird. I am like old now....20?!? oh man. What a trip! This week has really been up and down. We didn't teach a SINGLE lesson. Strange right? I've never had that happen. We did get a lot of good work done though! It was a pretty great week!

Tuesday we went to correlation...and well, after that meeting...things may be changing soon with our ward mission leader...not good. But we just keep moving on. We tried Rae Ann and basically watched her son throw temper tantrums. Greeeat. haha! What can you do? It was impossible to ask her if we could start with a prayer, let alone read the scriptures with her! d: Ya live and you learn. The rest of our day was taken up by visiting Sister Swingholm (I will explain this later). During dinner, I started flipping through my study journal and reading through my old entries and it seemed that Heavenly Father had compiled everything I needed to hear right then and there. It was amazing. I am so grateful for the Spirit and the inspiration that Heavenly Father gives us. After dinner, we went to Lorraine's and just when things didn't seem to be going anywhere...she opened up to us and explained that she hasn't felt connected with God and wants that again. This is a huge step for her!! We were so excited that this development took place!

Wednesday was POURING all day long! It was so awesome!! Until it turned to ice...that was less awesome. We went back to Lorraine's after doing some Mormon.org time and helped her get her computer set up. I got my birthday package from Mom and Dad. I was SO stoked haha! (: It was sweet! Sister L. Neeley came with us on team-ups but everyone we wanted to try cancelled! Or just didn't answer the door ): We did see Vicki and have started sneaking in spiritual thoughts by talking to her grand kids about Jesus. When we first got there they didn't even know who He is. Now, we can some them any picture representing the Savior and they get it. They know who Jesus is. Baby steps all the way. Vicki is becoming more open and happy to see us. It's ever so slightly but it's going somewhere. We then started "Pruning the Vineyard" and cleaning up the area book. We didn't get in touch with a lot of people, but the ones we did, weren't interested. This guy, Albert, said that he was "strapped" and had tried for 2 years to get his family to come around, but they wouldn't. We offered to try and he declined. You can only do so much. We went to Sister DeBaker's for dinner and it was a blast! We had pizza from this trending shop called Marco's and it was so good!

Thursday we started weekly planning because we had zone conference on Friday. After that it was time to prune again. The one person we got in touch with had moved 6 years ago...mmm. that's rough. Then we went to the Relief Society activity and it was a "Favorite things" party. We had dinner then everyone brought a "favorite thing" and Sister La Fond started explaining what she brought, then drew a name and that sister got what she was describing. Then that sister would describe what she brought would draw a name. Etc. It was so much fun! I got a bracelet made from an old Utah Transit token and some silver spoons. Oh and chips and salsa. SWEET. The bracelet sounds weird...but it's actually cute so I'm happy haha! Then we went to Cranberry to stay over for Zone Conference. Apparently our mansion wasn't cool enough to house people for it so we had to travel d: Just kidding haha!

Friday we had Zone Conference and it was a blast! I got to see so many people that I love! Sisters Moore and Holmstead and Elders Rasmussen and Moylan!! It was so awesome!!! I love these missionaries!! They are so great! The whole zone conference was about how we are outting tracting and that we need to be doing more service if at all possible! Great right?! I was stoked! I talked with President Topham afterwards and we had a really good talk. (again, I'll explain at the end.) We went straight to the Green's afterwards and their friends Susann and her daughter Emily and son Matthew were there. We have been working on building a friendship with them for a while. We started talking about what we had learned at zone conference and Susann asked what we did as missionaries. That got into transfers and stuff and she said she didn't want me to get transferred...What?! Even non-members don't want me to leave! Haha! That is a supreme feeling! I love this area so much!

Saturday we finished weekly planning then worked on the area book for a little bit. WE did some cleaning of the records to make them up to date which is helpful. We did some service for the Greens (I am sure they are sick of us by now haha!) Then we went to the Tame's for dinner. Hamburgers and Hot Dogs. I LOVE SUMMER!!!! (: haha! We tried to visit Lorraine to address her concerns but her grand kids were over so that wasn't going to happen anytime soon. We were talking to Jaz her 4 year old granddaughter and she said that a boy kissed her in preschool and we asked what she did. Her answer? "Kissed him 1st!!" hahahaha! What the heck?! So weird haha! It was hilarious!

Sunday....well. It was my birthday. And Sister Hanseen took it upon herself to tell EVERYONE. It was so awkward because I tried to not make a big deal of it d: We were asked to participate in Primary and read a little script pretending to be different people from the scriptures. Sister Hanseen was Mary Magdalene, Elder Adamson was Thomas, Elder Waddoups was Cleopas, and me? I was a Nephite woman. I didn't get a name hahaha! what is worst is the script said "Man or woman"! So I am not really sure what I was haha! d: We went to the Goettman's for dinner and they were already having a party for a family friend, named Ramon so they figured it was perfect for me too! haha! So I got a birthday party d: We had fajitas and ya know, cow stomach. Cuz that is a normal thing haha! Ramon is from Mexico ( i think) and he loves it. I wouldn't touch it but everyone else ate some. haha! One of the granddaughters, Kate, is 6 and loves to dance. She always stands by me and shows me her iphone 0.o what? haha! She is so funny. She was doing a chin stand last night and put her heels against her shoulders. I'm still trying to figure that one out haha! She is hilarious. After that we went to Bishop Weeks' house and hung out with their family for a little bit and talked about the situation with our ward mission leader. The thing is getting resolved luckily and the work will move forward I am sure! They got me this sweet present with all sorts of candy in it and some good smelling stuff (: And they had less than 12 hours notice d: hahah! I love them!

So, this week was a little hectic. The reason that I was talking to Sister Swingholm and President Topham is that I have been struggling with depression for almost 5 months now. It's been a beast and because of some of the things that have happened, I was contemplating going home (it wasn't originally my idea). I am so glad to say that at this moment in time, I will be home in November. I have had to rely so heavily on my Savior's arm. I know that He has been with me every step of the way. Although many times I have struggled without feeling a break, the sun always rises and a new day comes. I can always rely on my Heavenly Father and Savior for Their love. I know now more than ever that the Atonement is real. I haven't had large sins that I have had to repent of, but I have needed to repent and use that part. But there is also the healing part of the Atonement. He carries our burdens willingly. Every Sunday when I partake of the sacrament, I read Hymn 193, "I Stand All Amazed", because truly I do.

    1.    I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.
I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,
That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.
    2.     I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,
That he should extend his great love unto such as I,
Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.
    3.    I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay MY debt! Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?
No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet.
    4.   
    5.    Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
    6.    Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

I love you all!! Stay strong, no matter the trials you face. God is good.

Love, Sister Kaitlyn Crockett

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