Monday, May 26

Family!!!!

I love you guys so, so, so, so, much!! I can't even tell you. I showed pictures of you to my companions, and they think that you are all awesome! They said they are in love with you :) Haha! Imagine how I feel! Also, you should send me a picture of the snow! One of the sisters that lives with me has never seen it, and wants to. I love you all, and miss you just the right amount for a missionary! Also, tell Matt congrats!!!! AHHHHH!!! I'm so excited for him, and know that he is going to love the mission. It is seriously the best thing ever.

Want to know what I'm up to? I'm sure the biggest question is, where am I serving? Drumroll please.....I have been assigned to stay in Singapore, and am serving in a ward called the Woodlands ward! I went to church yesterday actually and everyone was very, very nice and friendly, I got a big box of muffins, lots of handshakes, and a cute girl even came and gave me a little hand purse that has elephants on it. Everyone seems to love the missionaries here, which is a really big blessing, because I can use all the help I can get, and plus, the work can't really go anywhere unless the members help it out. My companion/trainer is the best person ever! She is so nice and funny, and I love her. Her name is Sister Kryvanic and she is from Bountiful, Utah. She has been out 5 months, and was in Kuala Lumpur before this. She is white washing the area with me, so it's been an adventure trying to figure everything out!

After I talked to you in LA, we had a huge miracle. Me and Elder Grant said goodbye to Sister Archibald, thinking that she was going to be stuck in LA for a few months until she could get a new passport. However, after we got through security, we walked on the plane to see the smiling face of Sister Archibald! I had no idea how she made it on, but I got so excited and all the cute Asian people looked at me funny. Apparently, someone just came up and asked if she was Kaeli Archibald, and she said yes. She said she ended up giving out a Book of Mormon while we were split up, so we believe that that is why she lost her passport :). The flight was the longest event of my life, especially because you go from night to night again. It felt like I was in the Book of Mormon with the 3 days of darkness. I slept pretty well though, and had a window seat. The plane gave us food which wasn't too bad and pillows and blankets, they took care of us! I took one picture in Hong Kong, and then we flew to Singpaore! It was fun to talk to Elder Grant in his English accent. Since I fell up the escalator, he carried my bags everywhere, and I was the joke of the group! When we got to an escalator, everyone was like, 'Oh! Sister Crabb! Are you okay? Can you do this?' Elders and Sisters are so funny!

But, I got to Singapore and met the STL's and the AP's and President and Sister Mains. They were the sweetest and care about us so much. Right off the plane, I was able to contact on the MRT, which is basically the train we take everywhere. It is effecient, and a really good way to talk to people. I ended up talking to a man that said he saw Jesus by me. That was pretty cool! However, contacting right off the plane was a bit intimidating, mainly because there are hardly any people here who are American! There are a lot of Indian, Asian, and Singaporean people. I stand out, and get a lot of looks. People don't really ask to touch my hair though, they just stare at me. According to the other blonde missionaries, you adjust to the stares pretty quick! The other thing I noticed when I walked off the plane was the humidity! I can't even explain to you how hot it is here. Words can not describe it. It suctions you, and is always present. I'm pretty used to it now, but it is very, very hot here. However, I am adjusting well! Basically, Singapore is New York City in the Amazon. There are trees everywhere, birds chirp and wake me up in the morning, and it is just beautiful. It is really clean, and colorful, and exciting. I love it here!

Our vision as a mission is that we are a 'Preach My Gospel' mission, which means that we are Preach My Gospel missionaries. We are obedient and work hard, and we see miracles. The President and his wife sing super well, and I played the piano again. I think it's going to be a constant thing for me :). Anyway, the first day ended with me staying in the apartment right next to the mission home, and going to bed super early. The first day included a couple interviews and chats, but other than that just a lot of sleep. It really is a blur of a day! I got my package that night though, and talked with the other new sister and the STL's for a bit. I crashed hard though!

The next day, we met our trainers, and they made us breakfast. So sweet! We didn't know companionships though. After more long meetings, we found out our areas and companionships and went to work! I do a lot of contacting, and since we are white washing an area, we haven't really done as much work as I would like to. This week will be better though, and I know that if I pray for miracles, me and Sister Kryvanic will find people.

I'm almost out of time, so let me give you a few highlights!
 * Sunday's are the best...you feel the spirit so strong!
* Even though I am speaking English, it is hard to understand people. They have really thick accents, and it's hard to understand them!
 * Kuching is cat in Malay. It's the only word I know.
 * I got to go to a birthday party for a less active family! We had cake and it was fun! The spirit was there very strongly as we taught about prayer, however this lady is having a hard time keeping commitments...hopefully she comes around!
 * I do a ton of contacting...contacting is life! I love having short conversations with people that turn into religious discussions :)
 * My tag is the best!!! I love wearing it everyday!!
 * I ate dinner at the Bishop's house and wanted to cry. It was all fish and mushrooms. It was 'Hot Pot' so we all stuck our raw fish into the pot in the middle and then into a bowl and ate. I did get some sausage, and lettuce, but it was hard! I don't like fish ball, but I tried squid, and it wasn't too bad - just chewy. The tentacles didn't even stick to me as it went down my throat! Be proud of me dad :)
 * Also, I apparently need to learn to use chopsticks!! Everyone uses them here. I almost got it last night at Bishop's house! Be prepared to have me school you when I get back and we go to PF Changs!!
 * My house is a castle. It is one of the most expensive houses in the world! I have air conditioning, which is good, and I have an incredible city view. I look out and see the sky line, as well as a lake that reflects the exotic trees and stuff. Pictures don't do it justice! I am a spoiled girl!

Sorry this letter wasn't super spiritual, but I do feel the spirit here, and I love it. I feel God strengthening me everywhere I go! I will have miracles occur, I know it! This is God's work, and I am lucky enough to be a part of it. If you want something really cool to study, look at D and C 100 and Moroni 7 and meekness. It's been super cool for me to study about it, and understand how crucial meekness is! I am trying to develop it, and trying to be the best missionary I can be. I will give you some good, spiritual information next week, but know that I feel closer to the spirit here than any other time in my life, and that I am happy, safe, and wonderful!

Love you!!!
Sister Crabb

Thursday, May 22

Hey family!!! Guess what? I made it to Singapore! It is super super hot here, and I was traveling for 30 plus hours, but I love it here! My mission president is incredible and I love life! No idea where I'm going yet, but I'll let you know on p-day :) the area is beautiful and the people are super nice!! I am the luckiest girl ever to be here for 1 1/2 years! I'll tell you more later, but I love you!!! Love, Sister Crabb
 P.S. Please ignore how run down I look...I need a shower and was on a plane forever

May 17, 2nd email from the MTC

Sorry this has to be a quicker email, but let me try and give you a rundown of the week that I had. I can't believe I'm this close to flying out! Anyways, I love all the packages and letters I've received, I feel so loved :). Also, I have totally seen Elder Mika and Elder Haws here! It's been a blast!!! I'm even going to get a picture with Elder Mika because my companions name is Sister Mika, and that's a total in. And mom, I am sleeping well :) It takes a while sometimes to fall asleep, but I am adjusting. Too bad I'm going to be 14 hours ahead next week!

Sunday was nice and relaxed as well! I got to play the piano because no one else in our district does! What? So, I sight read some hymns and I think it went well! Good practice now since I'm sure I'll be used in Singapore :). Also, in church, they ask specific people to give spontaneous talks! It's kinda nerve racking. They just call you up to speak! I didn't get called last week...maybe playing the piano gets me off the hook!

Monday was super great! We picked up another investigator around the MTC...apparently you can set up teaching appointments during your personal study time with any of the gold name tagged people! So, we got to teach 3 investigators this week. This week, we had a couple really good spiritual lessons that taught us the power of personal study and prayer. Doing those before really invite the spirit. It helps us as a companionship work together well, teach together well, and then, the coolest part is when you can see the spirit changing people! It's so fun to say something, and then sit in silence and just see the expression on the investigators face. You know they are feeling something! 

A cool experience we had with one of our investigators Buford involved a Book of Mormon read. We were able to read 3 Nephi 11 with him, and it was super powerful. After we read the verse about Christ letting the people touch His hands and His feet, we asked Buford about God's love. I asked, 'Buford, have you ever felt that love in your life?' He said yes, and I said, 'When?' he then responded with 'right now!' Such a cool experience! The spirit in the room was so powerful and you know he was feeling something.

I also had a good experience with a role play we did...we were able to teach an investigator that was ready to drop his baptism date - it was a 'last chance' experience. We were supposed to follow the spirit, which was hard, but I ended up being chosen by the spirit to teach, which was scary (by the way, everything at the MTC is done by the spirit!) but, I learned so much as I told him about some personal experiences. I think it helped him! It's funny too, that the spirit works through our strengths. Everyone taught differently, but all the ways worked! 

So, Tuesday was super cool! We were able to have Elder Perry come to devotional! It was so cool to have him walk in and then the spirit that filled the room! He truly is an apostle of the Lord. It was so cool to be so close to him! Some of the highlights of his talk included to love your companion, and also to study D and C. He said that it is one of the most powerful books for us to study, and we should be studying it hard because it is made by people in our day for our day. Powerful words! I was also able to sing in the choir that night! We sang 'Nearer My God to Thee' and it sounded so good! I loved being a part of it.

The next morning, during class, we got another suprise! A member of the seventy came to class! That was almost more exciting than Elder Perry. He was a convert and taught us about the gospel and his experiences with missionaries. It was super cool, and the spirit was so strong! I shook his hand, and he talked to me for a minute! So awesome!!

On Wednesday the new missionaries came! We had fun welcoming them, and helping them feel comfortable. We love them!!

Thursday morning bright and early at 5:50 we got up to go serve. We ended up taking out the trash for an hour and a half, but it was still fun! You just feel good when you serve! 

So, a couple funny highlights of the week, was when me and my companions curled up in the hall during a break during class to take a power nap....they wanted me to make ocean noises, and river noises, so I did. We had fun just laughing and messing around together. Also, one of the elders wanted to do Cross-Fit with us. So, I participated and I have never looked more ridiculous or felt more sore in my life! I stuck with it, because that's what I wanted to do, but, I also will probably never do it again. One of our investigators Barbara asked about it, and she said, "Those rotten Elders! What are they making you do Cross Fit for? Don't worry, I'll go get them for you. Nobody messes with my Mormons!" We died! So funny!!

Friday we did 'in-field training' which is basically where we sit through a bunch of lectures to learn about how to use members, our purpose, and key indicators to be successful missionaries. It was alright, it was super long! But, it was beneficial and it is all the un-spiritual stuff that will make me a successfull missionary!

So, I can't believe that it's almost time to be in the field, the time has seriously flown this week. It's going to be super super hard to say goodbye to my district...I sort of want to, as Sister Mika would say, 'Kidnap them and drag them off to Singapore with me!' Hopefully we'll keep in touch and see each other later in life though!

I just want to end with this thought from our Branch President. He talked a lot this week about personal and private battles. When Christ was in Gethsemane, no one knew what He did or what He went through, and He was completely alone, he had to win a private battle. Then, he went to Calvary to be crucified and win a public one. However, if he hadn't have won the private battle, the public one would not have been successful. So, as a missionary, or in life, we need to work on winning our private battles! We need to be doing the things that God needs us to do when no one is watching, so when people are, we can be successful! So, look to win your own personal battles this week :)

I love you all!! If you want a good chapter of scripture to study, read 2 Nephi 31 - the Doctrine of Christ. It's full of all sorts of good information - especially information about my purpose as a missionary, and what I am trying to do!!

Love you all!!!

-Sister Crabb

May 10, 1st email!

Mom!!!!!! (And Dad, and Rachel, and Kaylie, and Cosmo!)

I'm so glad I got to hear from you! As you can guess, my P-day at the MTC is on Saturday, but I'm pretty sure that when I get to Singapore, it will be on Monday - meaning Sunday night Utah time :). Everyone here at the MTC jokes that the time flies and is so slow at the same time. I can see why! We are constantly working and studying and preparing to become the best missionaries possible, so all the days seem to blend together. I can't believe it's already Saturday, and at the same time, I can't believe that I haven't been here for months! It's hard to explain. 

So, let me give you a little rundown of my MTC experience, a 'day-in-the-life' of Sister Crabb - and I guess just a whole rundown of my experiences here so far! After you dropped me off, I got to go to the bookstore and get my namebadge, as well as get a bunch of pamphlets about the gospel. They were so systematic about it and everyone was so nice! It was a little hard at first, but now I am more happy than I've ever been - ever! I am so excited to have a namebadge. I feel so honored to have that blessing to be able to be a representative of Christ. It's already become such a big part of me, and I've only been wearing it for 3 days! It's a magnetic kind, so it's super easy to stick on any of my shirts. I love it so much!! Anyways, after we were able to get all of the technical information taken care of, we were able to meet our companions, district, and teacher. I wish I had a picture of everyone, but I'll send that my first week in Singapore. We can't take district pictures until the last day. So, my two teachers are Brother Crandall and Brother Pit. Seriously, Rachel, Brother Crandall is like Brother Vest with hair. He looks like he could be his twin. He even talks like him! He served his mission in Oregon and has taught me so much! My other teacher Brother Pitt and he served his mission in California. I just met him last night, but I know I'm going to learn a lot from him too.

My companions are Sister Archibald and Sister Mika! Yes, I ended up in a tri! I haven't been in a dual companionship, but 3 is nice because you have more people to talk to. It feels so natural to be with my companions, it's not really that hard to be with each other 24/7 - in fact, I really enjoy it! I like having someone to be with all the time. Sister Archibald is the same sister I met at BYU, and so that was very nice to be with someone that you already know. She is from Idaho and is one of the sweetest girls ever! She is always so nice, and we love laughing together. She was quite the partier at BYU!! Sister Mika is from Melbin Australia and I absolutely die whenever she talks. Her accent is so cool! The best part is, she always says that we are the ones with the accents. I'm so jealous of her too because apparently Elder Holland spoke on Tuesday night, and since she is international, she was here to hear him! AHH!! I can't believe I missed Elder Holland by less than 24 hours! I bet there will be a great apostle on Tuesday though. Sister Mika is also the absolute funniest person I've met. Everything that comes out of her makes me laugh and she has the biggest smile I have ever seen. She is going to Micronesia, Guam on her mission. She always says stuff like, "All about that running life" and " A to the Ma to the Zing." One time, when I said something good during the lesson, she said, 'Oh! Sister Crabb! You made a cake out of that! A cake with a cherry on top!" I love her so much! My district is also super funny, and we have all become such great friends. We spend so much time in class together and we eat meals together, so we get to know each other pretty well. How I was blessed with the funniest, best district at the MTC, I will never know. 43 B is the best! Elder Amato is our district leader from San Diego, and was baptized at 17. He is also going to Guam, and is a total Californian. Elder WIllliams is from Texas and always talks about Hog Hunting and how he loves his guns. All the elders joke that he is one of the manliest men that they have ever met! Elder Peterson is just a great example of how to work hard, and is super nice. Elder Williams and Peterson are going to Portland. Elder Holmes and Elder Grant are going to Singapore with me and SIster Archibald and Elder Grant is from England. We like teasing him when he says something like, "I'm going to the lou." However, he is so spiritual and cries every time he shares something. He really impressed me. Elder Holmes laughs at everything and is super funny. Basically, we are great friends and are going to probably write each other on our missions. It's going to be really hard to say goodbye to them after we've become so close. Also! It's so hard to say 'Elder" and "Sister" to everything. We are not allowed to say "Hey Guys" It's, "Hey Elders and Sisters." Also, funny moment, today at breakfast, the Elders were talking about movies, and me and the sisters were saying, "man! we haven't seen any of those." Then, we realized as sisters, none of us have seen Star Wars or Lord of the Rings, and they haven't even seen Harry Potter. In that moment, the elders seriously looked at us dumbfounded! I will never forget their faces! Then, they all stood up and told us to repent, and were so appaled. It was the best reaction I've ever gotten!

So, those are the people, and yes, I see Sister Hall and Sister Tyler everywhere! It's wonderful. The MTC basically consists of me waking up and attempting to get ready faster than seems possible. However, I always get it done by some miracle. I'm learning the value of fast hair and makeup. We've been told it's more important to be obedient than to look pretty- which is true. After we get ready, we study the scriptures for 1/2 an hour and go get breakfast. Afterwards, we are literally in classes and meetings up until 9:00 at night! It is so good, but it makes me really tired because of the insane spirit that is here. The MTC is truly dedicated as a place where the Lord trains his called servants, and you can feel that everywhere you go! The first day, we memorized the first vision, because there is a serious power as you say that memorized. It takes over the room, and investigators can really feel it. So, I can say that, as well as my purpose as a missionary! We've focused so much on the Doctrine of Christ, because that is what my purpose as a missionary is! It's been so good, and I've learned so much! Also, the revelation you receive here is astounding. I've never had more clear instructions from Heavenly Father as I pray and listen, as well as when we pray as companionships. Honestly, the Lord really cares about the people we are teaching, and He is willing to help us every step of the way so we can give the investigators what they need. He understands them better than we ever possibly could, so why not take his advice? As sisters, we are teaching a fake investigator named Buford right now. We learned that we should pray to Heavenly Father to know what to teach, and so we did. Let me tell you, as powerful as my personal prayers are, companion prayers are almost more powerful! When we all prayed for Buford, we were able to get the same answer as we pondered after our prayer, that we needed to teach him about God's love. It's incredible how much Heavenly Father helps and loves his missionaries. Apparently, we are the second most prayed for group in the church. Every temple, every session! 

Anyway, I'm running out of time to write, and wish I could tell you how much I love it here! It is truly a place that is so easy to feel the spirit, and I have learned so much! I had a great experience that I wanted to share, it was with the Book of Mormon. I had the feeling as we were praying on what Heavenly Father needed us to know as missionaries, that I needed to understand better the power of the Book of Mormon. The next day, we did an activity where as a district, we read 4 verses of the Book of Mormon. As we talked, the person speaking told us that specific words and feelings come to us as revelation - and that no other book does that. It was so powerful as we discussed what jumped out to us as we read. Everyone in the district had something different speak to them, which is incredible, Even something about Egyptian Hyroglyphics spoke to Elder Grant, and proved to him that the Book of Mormon was true. Then, the teacher also spoke to us about why we thought God wanted us to see and feel what we did, and what that meant for us. It was so powerful and I loved it! It was truly an answer to prayer, and I know that as I read the Book of Mormon that way, I will be able to feel it's power more. I need to, because it is an incredible tool, and I can't take investigators somewhere I haven't been. That's what inviting is - bringing people places you've been. Honestly, I've learned that as a missionary, my first and only convert needs to be myself. If I don't know it, I can't teach it. That's been so cool to learn!

Anyway, I can't say much more, but, I also met someone who knew Davis, and apparently I look like his twin. Also, baptism is just inviting people to come to Christ and follow Him, because did you know, you get cleansed from your sins with the Holy Ghost, not being immersed in water?? We only get immersed because it's a sign of humility and dedicating our life to Christ. So, I'm supposed to invite people to be baptized the first lesson, every time. That's what the Savior would do - invite people to follow him. I feel so humbled, and know that I have a long way to go before I can be the type of missionary I want to, but I know that with Heavenly Father's help, I will be able to accomplish miracles - because I really don't do much. The spirit teaches and tells me what to teach, Heavenly Father is really hastening his work, and it's incredible to be a part of it.

LOVE YOU!!!!!! xoxoxo
Sister Crabb

Trying Singapore Street Noodles we found at Walmart!