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