Am I Going or Staying? First Transfers.

So this week. Transfer calls came...but that's later (; haha!

We spent a LOT of time in the mission office, so not much to report, but I'll do my best.

Tuesday, I spent the day sorting and filing and yeah. That was my life haha! After the mission office, we tried to visit a less active named Merrilyn who said she didn't want anything to do with the church, even though she still says "serving a mission was the best thing I ever did". We prepared a heck of a lesson for her and not gonna lie, I was terrified to give it haha! Luckily, Heavenly Father knew and we just talked with her while she walked her dog before she had an appointment she had to go to. We met with Mark and Heather again. Heather knows a lot more than she thinks and I'm excited to see where she goes! It would be amazing if they could be sealed in the temple some day!! (:

Wednesday was my 3 months!! Who knew?!? We had zone training. whoo. I dunno, the zone leaders have a lot of pressure on them, and our zone is huge! (Which is why they just split it). We do better in smaller groups for learning. We had lunch after-wards with some missionaries. Pretty sweet haha! We did our studies then went to dinner with the Haners and the Olsens. We held our tiny little Book of Mormon discussion group. Yup. Then headed home when less-actives ignored us haha!

Sister M. & I at Chipotle

 Thursday, we met with Sister Shoup, a less active, and read "Lord, I Believe" with her. Love that talk so much! We saw another less active, Cassie, and she is as sweet as can be. Her aunt still won't let her come to church so she is going all 007 on the situation. She wants the gospel so bad and would be doing all she could if she was allowed. She is a huge example to me.

We went to the office after that and again, I filed and sorted mail and stuff. The office staff (well...mostly Elder Warnock) tried to hold my package from Juli hostage. Silly! haha! Sister Montgomery was working on the map of the mission and was given the transfer scenario. It was still early, but I wasn't too keen on the idea that President had in mind haha! We had dinner at the Christensen's again and the Elders didn't harass us for once! They tried to make amends, which was a good way to start a new transfer I think.

Elder & Sister Warnock and us. They are leaving in August ): He is the Fleet coordinator and she is the secretary.

 Friday was another Mission Office day. We tried to visit some less actives....they ignored us. awesome. On the way back to our apartment, a rabbit jumped out in front of the car and we both screamed as I slammed on the breaks haha! Flippin' wild life is every where out here! We came home and I was a little loopy from a long and strenuous day. But we ended on a good note.

Saturday. RAINSTORMS ARE AWESOME!!! It rained all day while we weekly planned. It was actually ok! We found some good ways to use our white board and waited around for transfer calls. We planned an LA Blitz for Sunday! It pure genius if I do say so myself. ok ok. I know you are probably dying to know what is happening next transfer. haha! Sister Montgomery...........................
is leaving and I am staying and training 0.o yeah. I'm a little freaked out but if that is what the Lord wants! So Sister M packed while I scrubbed the apartment for Tuesday.

Faith, Makayla & Sister Crockett

Sunday we went to church and yeah. Not much to report. Our LA Blitz was moderately succesful even if we didn't teach everyone we saw. It was a good night I think haha! Sister Montgomery wanted to say good bye to Dr. and Sister Goodwin (the couple I stayed with the 1st night I was in PA ironically enough). They are in our ward and have been helping Sister M stay here. Sister Goodwin made us pillowcases and bookmarks to remember her by. She is so sweet haha! (:

So that was my week. I wrote a letter last night and just have to send it (and we printed pictures so I'll send those home too!!) so yeah! I love you lots! Until next time with my brand new companion!

Sister Crockett

Missions are Hard: Tips for the Members

Man oh man. Week 6 here in Pennsylvania!! Transfers are coming up, so if you want to send mail to my Brownsville Rd address...this week is the week to do it cuz we aren't really sure what will happen. We find out this Saturday, I'll let you know in a week what's going down, but if I move, it'll be a while before I can let you know where I am d: sorry!!

I did get the package. FRIDAY actually (: I'm pretty sure it felt like Christmas. The bag of Twizzlers may or may not be hidden right now...Sister Montgomery is too good at hiding. I haven't decided if that is a good thing or a bad thing.

I've been pouring over my Reflections of Christ book. Thank you so much for sending that! I can't stop looking at it and Sister Montgomery has flipped through it a lot too. It's amazing how when you look at a picture of Christ, you can just feel how much it is or isn't like Him. It gives me hope that I am coming to know Him better and better every day!

So this week has been a tad bit…crazy. Like not normal crazy. You'll see.

Tuesday, Sister Montgomery asked a very personal question when I was not in the best of moods. "Why are you even here then??" I stared down at the Book of Mormon that I was holding in my hands and tried to avoid her question. "What is even keeping you here? You don't have to be here." I started flipping through the Book and "happened" to stop on to Mosiah 28:3. After reading that, I flipped again to Alma 28:8. And finally I turned to 3 Nephi 11:14. In the back of my Book of Mormon that I was using, was a picture of Davey and his family. I hadn't put it in there, it had been sitting on my desk only a few days earlier. After looking at the picture and re-reading the scriptures Heavenly Father gave me, I didn't answer at first (actually until we were in the car) but when I did, I read the scriptures and held up the picture. People have more influence on us than they may believe.

We visited a sweet lady, Sister Gray, and got 4 referrals!!! They were all out of our area, so we don't get to teach them but it is all God's work, so we are ok with that. We worked on the area book some after that, which was good because a nasty thunderstorm rolled in and we had to wait to leave. We had dinner at the Christensen's again and then met with a part member family. Mark is a member and his wife, Heather, isn't. She agreed to let us teach her so we have a new investigator!!

Wednesday, we tracted.  -__-. It doesn't work. Sister Montgomery was DRENCHED by the time we finished half a street because it was so humid. She got mad cuz apparently I don't sweat?? She says I "glisten". Uh huh. Monday would disagree after Sister Moore and I played basketball for a couple hours with the Elders. NAAASTY. haha!

We finished out the day with our Book of Mormon discussion group. Still only working with 3 members, so we got to work on getting that up.

Thursday, we moved some books for a lady named Iris. We walked (that's what happens when you run low on miles!!) to the Exler's house. (We helped them move a couple weeks ago). We had dinner with the Mills. And after our appointments canceling on us, we came back and planned for the next day.

Friday. Ha. We had interviews with President Topham. He hinted at me training (and still being in the same area but we'll see) next transfer and I told him I would but I'm terrified. During interviews we had the last district meeting with our district and so of course we made our weekly lunch appointment at Chipotle. Somethings happened afterwards that I am not too proud of (just emotionally stressed) and Sister Montgomery is super protective. It was a crazy day haha! I love her so much more now haha! That day was made even better when I got the stellar package!! :D We finished out the day weekly planning. Man, what a beast that is every week.

Saturday was kind of....bad. I'll be honest. It was just terrible. We tried tracting (we have to fill our time somehow!) and Sister Montgomery got frustrated. She wasn't feeling good, but kept pushing herself, maybe too hard. We came in to freshen up before we went back out and she left the room. She came back 10 or so minutes later and asked for some help with something. We talked about some things and she started to break down. I noticed her binder with all her letters in it from her friends and family. I pointed out a quote to her and she noticed the one next to it that said, "Adventure may hurt you, but monotony will kill you." She left again and when she came back, she sat across the room from me. She looked me right in the eyes and said,"I think...it's time I start a new adventure." Missions are hard.

Sunday. Missions make you appreciate the sacrament so much more. After Sister Montgomery deciding that she needed to go home, taking the sacrament and starting over was a huge blessing. I
can't even describe it.

Now, this morning....we get a call from President Topham. He asks Sister Montgomery to call her parents. The next thing I know is she has decided to stay one more transfer, to fight it out. I don't know what she is thinking. She is so strong and dedicated; it's been a huge motivator to me. No matter what happens, I'm determined to work hard for the rest of my mission. I have been so blessed to have her as a companion.

Remember how I said I would comprise a list of things members need to know??? I've got it!! Here ya go!

Things Missionaries Wish Members Knew:

1) ALWAYS give referrals (even if the person won't accept the gospel, at least it is a lead.) and offer your home for them to teach in.

2) If you offer dessert after feeding them, pack it up so they can take it with them. That way they can eat it if they want to, but they don't feel obligated! (Trust me. Abide by this one PLEASE!!)

3) Make high protein meals--no pasta!!

4) Offer, in place of meals if you don't have time to have them over, to buy them groceries they can't get themselves.

5) Sisters are missionaries too! Refer to them as such. (We frequently get, "Oh the missionaries, Elders, blah blah blah, how are you girls doing?" it's as if we aren't REAL missionaries. But we are!! haha!)

6) Hydrate them for the rest of their lives! Leave a couple of pitchers of COOL water on the table so they can refill their cups.

7) Take up their offers of service!!!! (Even if it is, "Yeah could you take the trash out?" or "Yeah tomorrow I'm washing my car could you come help?" we like wearing pants!! haha!)

8) Missionaries are friends! Not gospel robots. (We miss our families, we struggle, we feel alone. Ask them how they are doing at church. Send a quick text–not a whole conversation–just to see if they need anything. After giving all day, sometimes it is nice to know someone is thinking about you.)

9) "You get 'em here, we'll love 'em!" is not an acceptable philosophy among members. Don't fly. Members are the BEST way to find people to teach.
And finally:

10) Don't ever, ever, EVER ask, "How's the work going?" -__- (we've started being honest with people "It's slow and we aren't teaching anybody right now. You haven't given us any one to teach.)…ok that last part is in our heads, but you get the idea.

I hope these are helpful!! I love you all a lot!! Talk to you next week! (:

Love,

Sister Crockett

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

The title of this email should be “Boys Are Dumb,” but instead it will be “HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!!!!!!!!!” (yesterday....) (: I'm glad you got my card! Sorry, they are so lame, I'm not very good at picking out cards apparently. I'm glad you had an enjoyable time on your birthday!!

Funny you should mention cinnamon rolls, because I have been craving them something fierce. Which is super strange cuz I don't even like cinnamon rolls that much. I dunno, maybe it is the home cooking I miss most /: LOVE YOU!!

 Any way, my *sigh* week.

Tuesday was super taxing on us because of last P-day. I'll sum that up: elders are TERRIBLE at communicating, so we spent a lot of the time putting out the fires. And Sister M and I just called it quits with coordinating with them, painted our nails, ate some chocolate and got sick. Yup. In that order. So Tuesday we were recovering. We didn't have much success with anything and finished out the day with dinner at the Garvins' and thinking of ways to play nice with the others in our district.

Wednesday it was pouring ALL day long. It was kinda scary, so in between breaks of the storm we would go out and try and visit people. Dania was first on our list, but she wasn't feeling good and asked us to come back later (the pictures I send are of us coming home after that). We finally were able to meet with Dania and her girls, Jaeda and Jasmine. We invited them to be baptized, but there are some things we gotta help them learn before they will want to accept. But they did take a packet of pass along cards (there are 100 in a pack) and were passing them around to everyone as we were leaving. They are so cute. haha! We also met with Sister Shoup and encouraged her to come to church. She seemed hesitant as usual but optimistic. Later that night we tried to hold our usual BOM discussion group but when some members told us there were tornado warnings, we decided it would be a good idea to head home.

Thursday…uhhh…yeah. This was a BAAAD day for us. I'll explain (and this is why boys are dumb). Last Sunday night we challenged one of the sets of Elders to do 500 jump ropes in a row and if they could, we would make them cookies. Well, much to our amazement, Elder Belk did it. So we got up, studied, and make some cookies (like 18 with dough left over for another 2-3 dozen). We thought we were running late because of the cookies and after hurrying over to Greentree Chapel, we realized we were the 1st ones there. It was 10:30 which is when District Meeting is supposed to start. We waited half an hour and no one showed up.

We texted to see if we were still holding District meeting. Sure thing. We were. BUT the AP's were gone and so Dormont (one set of Elders) had to wait for Bethel Park (the Elders in our ward) to come and get them because Dormont is a walking area. They FINALLY showed up an hour later and Sister Montgomery was MAD. I was too, but we have learned 2 people mad at the same time about the same thing is too much. So I gotta play mediator. But let's put it this way: I was afraid to talk to her and I didn't even do anything. (; haha! The Elders spent the whole meeting on pins and needles (as in Elder Nelson asked us to quote the scripture we were supposed to memorize and the conversation went like this:

Did you memorize 2 Nephi 31:4-7?

Yup.

Will you, uh, recite it?

Nope.

Oh. Umm ok. So for District we are....)

After a SUPER(!!!) awkward lunch, we went and helped Sister Garvin make some hair bows. She is a doll and reminds me a lot of Suzanne (: like her personality and such. It's fun to be with them. Later that day we visited with the Smiths' a family in the ward. It was nice haha.

Friday was weekly planning. And we did that. ALL. DAY. LONG. It was miserable.

Saturday was a strange day for us. We worked on some mission stuff for a few hours then helped out at Dormont's baptism. They had to baptize her 3 times, poor thing. haha! What a way to start out in a new church and life haha! But it was nice. We then went to another dinner appointment (of the girl who called one of the Bethel Park Elders, “Elder Handsome”). It was fun, but dinner appointments are sometimes awkward, especially when we are tired. Next week I'll have some points on what sister missionaries wish members knew (; that'll be a good thing haha!

Sunday was lovely. Except Dania said she didn't want to be a part of the church anymore. Again. Just another thing we get to work on. Oh the joys of missionary work. Think of the scripture Alma 28:8. It lists the 3 things of missionary work: their sufferings in the land, their sorrows, and their afflictions, and their incomprehensible joy. Basically sums it up. (:

Well, that is life right now!! Can't wait to hear from you soon.

Love,

Sister Crockett

Going Buggy

Hey...It's me. This week has been a little bit like a roller coaster. OH YEAH! I left my camera at home, so next week I'll get the pictures sent to you. Sorry!! (: So my week.

Ok this is going to be a little unconventional. My week was good. We worked with Less-Actives mostly and that is what our weeks consist of these days. I am in a goofy mood so this is some of the interesting experiences we had over the week. (:

Wednesday we had our Book of Mormon discussion group we always hold. But nobody showed up. Our ward has a cute little referral box and I decided to check it. There usually isn't anything in it, but this time there was. We got a little excited because we though this was the big break we had been waiting for. Wrong. Elders think they are SOOOO funny. It was a fake referral. To McDonalds. -__- Awesome. Sister M and I decided not to retaliate. But we would get them back, well, they got themselves back.

4th of July. PA loves its holidays apparently. There was a race and a parade and house judging contests, the whole 9 yards. So we were supposed to be in at 6 pm that night, for our own safety. So Sister M worked on her "Elder" impersonations after we scrubbed our whole apartment. But before all that, we went to district meeting. I did ask for a blessing and the Elders were super nice about it; (yes Mom I am doing fine, don't worry (: ) We went to lunch as we normally do with everyone after district meeting but things close down here for 4th of July I guess. We pulled up Chipotle, which, as I said was closed. We called the Elders (who drive like grandmas) to let them know we couldn't eat there. When we delivered the news we hear through the phone " NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!" I guess they were a little upset about it. We ended up eating at some random place, much to the dismay of the Elders. Really. They are goobers haha!

Friday is weekly planning and always brings the worst out of us. Sister M ended up singing at the top of her lungs, you couldn't really distinguish what they were most the time. haha! Sometimes it is a good reminder that we are still human and aren't expected to be perfect RIGHT now.

Sunday had some good moments. After Sunday School we all walked past the referral box. I casually suggested checking the box and Elder Palmer raced for the box. He shook it with a smile on his face that quickly turned to shock when he realized it was empty. Sister M and I kept straight faces, muttered some disappointed words and kept on walking. They were a little confused, and we will leave them that way.

We all went to the Primary room to help out and share why we were on missions. One of the little girls (like 5) kept pointing to one of the Elders and sing-songing "Elder Handsome, Elder Handsome..." we were all practically falling out of the baby chairs. The Elders couldn't keep straight faces. Her teacher tried to get her to stop but she just looked confused and said "Well he is! And he is an Elder..." makes...sense...I think?? haha!

We luckily had an appointment with the Campbell's for dinner. On the way there, there was a random bug in the car. He apparently liked Sister M a lot. It flew down her shirt and she promptly jumped out of the car yelling, "You little freak!" untucked her shirt and danced around a little bit. I was gonna cry I was laughing so hard. She was itchy the rest of the night. The Campbell's are sweet people. They fed us so much let's just say I woke up still full. It was good, just too much food. Dr. Campbell is a riot and a half. He reminds me a lot of someone but I just can't put my finger on it. So yeah.

This was what I wanted to write about because we had a good week, but some things happened that really dampened our spirits. When it is less touchy, I'll write about it. Promise. Don't worry, we are still smiling, still people, still missionaries. We love the work and look forward to the coming weeks!! (:

Love,

Sister Crockett

Exhaustion and Tender Mercies

HEY!! It's JULY!! (:

I made it to July!! And let me tell you, that is no small feat. It has been simply insane around here the past week. Not necessarily as busy as we would like, but ya know, just insane.

Tuesday was Zone Conference and so we got to sit in the chapel for 8 hours. Whooo. Haha! But Sister Topham does these things to keep us awake. We have to recite scriptures that are in our lessons in Preach My Gospel and also she has a list of things we SHOULD be doing and who ever is left standing at the end wins.

So the scripture thing: I'm HORRIBLE at reciting things even if they are memorized. But Sister Montgomery and Elder Nelson are not. Between the two of them whispering every scripture to me, I was a little confused to say the least (mostly because it sounds like "but asjhdf dsfa hearts euwirkn me jfdiwok preach lsdkj" you get the idea...). On the standing game we were out on the first one: had a member present lesson this week. -__-  We highly objected to this one because we had member present lessons planned and they all canceled. Not our fault they used their agency!

So yeah. After Zone conference, Sister Montgomery and I went on exchanges! Freak-y. Sister Baltazar came here and she has been out a grand total of 2 weeks. I was stuck driving in CRAZY Pittsburgh and making sure we had enough to do during the day.

I've decided I can't train. Yup, too stressful haha! But she was sweet and just went with my crazy ideas, even after it down-poured for a good, solid hour. We also got to meet with a referral from a different area (finally!!) named Laurie. The first time we were talking with her she was saying she didn't know when she wanted to get baptized because her work schedule was a little hectic. Oh, ok. haha!

Wednesday, Sister Baltazar and I went and street contacted and yeah that didn't work so well. Sister B was so upset that people weren't listening. All I could say is "Welcome to Pittsburgh." We went to visit Mercedes next and she kept asking if we were the Jehovah's Witness girls. And again, no. Not even close. We taught her the 1st lesson and she kept interrupting us with nonsensical things as Sister B was trying to relate the 1st Vision. I'm not really sure what Heavenly Father has planned for her but she is obviously very special.

So we kept teaching. I finally got Sister M back in the afternoon, had dinner with Sister Getty and her very intimidating, non-member, husband. It was nice haha! He had never let the missionaries come over for dinner before so this was a big deal. He started to warm up to us after a while. Then we went to our BOM discussion group and had 3 people there again. Awesome.

Thursdays are just not our days apparently. Sister M napped all morning, she is simply exhausted all the time. We tried to visit people from 12 on but no one was home. We came home around 4:30 and she passed out again. Until quarter 'til 9. I called President and said I was concerned about her and he said that if she woke up before 10 to call him. She did and he said essentially that if she couldn't stay awake, she would need to go home. This terrified her because this week is the week she had to leave to the Philippines. So we are working hard on keeping her awake. Any ideas will be greatly appreciated. (: We are running and eating way healthy. (We still don't oppose chocolate being sent though haha!)

Friday, we weekly planned which was a little difficult because we have 1 investigator. Mercedes is no longer investigating the Church. We felt that she wasn't progressing to the benefit of herself. We said she could call us and we would come back to teach her but we won't meet with her regularly. We went to Sister Rosa's for dinner and she showed us her cats and her piano music. Haha! What an interesting night that was.

 We visited Laurie again but she seemed a lot less receptive and when we asked her to be baptized on July 27th she declined. We were a little frustrated but we will keep working with her.

Saturday was funky. We got a call from Elder Nelson and he asked us to help move a less active family from their ward to ours. (The Elders in our area were in NY moving a missionary apartment). So we did. But being girls, we weren't much help. Haha! But we were happy to being wearing t-shirts and pants. (Let the sisters serve!! We like pants a lot!!!!!)

We were having lunch back at our apartment. I was making a smoothie and Sister M was in the living room, sitting on the back of a chair looking at a map we have taped to the wall. I hear "La la la la ––AHHHHHHH!!!!" (she was singing something.) I about died laughing! The chair had tipped over and she freaked out. Holy girl scream–it was hilarious! haha! (: She is the comic relief most the time. We tried to contact some more people, no luck, went to dinner at the Katchmark's house and then came home and wrote thank you cards to all the people who fed us this week. Thank you cards make you feel better. (:

Sunday. Day of rest my eye! The ward members keep getting offended because the dinner appointment sheet keeps getting mixed up. They get mad at us for canceling and it is a huge nightmare.

We also had a LA ask us to not stop by because she didn't want anything to do with the Church anymore. Don't be offended. No one is perfect and the missionaries are just trying their best. Despite the stigma, we are people too. We like to be appreciated and told that we are doing a decent job.

It has been a rough week and as I was going to bed last night, I was thinking about how I didn't know how I was going to survive the next 15 and a half months. I kept thinking that I couldn't take the heartbreak of people rejecting Christ. As I was laying down, our phone goes off. Our district leader texted saying we were doing a good job and that we shouldn't be so hard on ourselves. Ummmmm yeah I would say that was a tender mercy.

I have realized that my testimony is made up of miracles or visions of beyond the veil. My testimony is made up of all the tender mercies that the Lord has shown me. I know this gospel is true and that my Savior lives. I know Heavenly Father hears and answers even our quiet thoughts. I know He loves me as His daughter.

Here is to a new month and a new week! Happy 4th of July!! (:

Love,

Sister Crockett

This was the weather yesterday...simply insane here haha! and like 85 degrees all the time d: