Monday, June 23

Oh man! I have had such a crazy week! I feel like I say this a lot, but this time, I actually really have some good mission stories that I can tell you about!  Also, I'm sorry I don't address all your concerns every week, but just know I am so blessed, and happy and lucky. I do still have moments when I'm homesick, but I also am adjusting. I'm getting to know people, and feel more loved and at home here. Although I still think about you guys and love you. I just think about how home will always be there, and you guys will always love me, but I only get 17 more months to serve here, and give my all to Heavenly Father and the people of Singapore. I feel really inadequate sometimes still - I mean, I'm representing Christ, and that is a little bit of a daunting task since He was perfect - but I'm trying to relax. Sister Krivanic is really good at getting me to do that! She tells me to just not stress, and do the best I can.

To answer your questions:
*How often are transfers? When are the next transfers in your mission?
Transfers are every 6 weeks, and the next transfers for us are a week from Thursday. So, I get Transfer News next p-day! Don't be too excited though...since I train for 3 months, there's a 98 percent chance that I will stay in Woodlands with Sister Krivanec.
*Do you have a chance to listen to your music?
Yes! I love it! I'm so glad that I get to listen to it. Sister Reach also really loves it and uses it all the time.
*What's koo?  I figured out what laksa is but not koo...
Koo is a Chinese drink. It tastes like white grape juice! Next week, I'm going to send you what I eat all this week so you can get an idea of the food I get to enjoy :)
*Who called you Alyssa? Your comp or the other sisters in your apt?
I don't really remember...I think it was one of the sisters in my apartment. And, sometimes people just ask my name, and I tell them. It sounds weird though!
*Who was the "random group of people" who fed you on Sunday?  People from your ward?
It was some group of people that were gathered for a mission reunion! I honestly didn't know many of them, but they said they like missionaries, and since we didn't have a dinner appointment, it was a huge blessing!
*Where is Sis Krivanic's family from - her name sounds Eastern European?
She is from Bountiful, but her name is Eastern European. I can't even tell you how many people ask her that! It is so funny!

So, let me tell you about my week...I will just give you some highlights.

On Monday for P-day we went ice skating! I had to pay 20 dollars, so probably never again, but it was really fun! I skated super fast, and Sister Krivanec tried to show me something cool and I totally biffed it in the middle of the missionaries. It was so funny! Singapore is super expensive. I feel so blessed to be able to live where I do...I thank Heavenly Father for that blessing a lot. For the area, and people. But, I paid 8 dollars for a head of broccoli, and I also pay about 6 dollars for a box of cereal. Food adds up fast here!

Tuesday, we were able to have an INCREDIBLE Zone meeting. It was all about how we need to change our character to be like Christ. It was how we need to develop faith in Christ, so our actions can change, and our character can become what it needs to be. We talked about how we should be doing everything out of love for Christ, and not for gain, or fear. It was really good and we referenced Richard G. Scott's talk from October 2010 - you guys should go read it again...it was a talk I loved! Also, our new Zone goal is to become like Christ. So, for a month, we are trying do everything, "Because of Him!" I left feeling like I wanted to be a much better missionary. Also, we took a zone selfie in the elevator...if I can get it off our phone I will send it to you! On Tuesday I also went on my first splits! It was intimidating to be the leader of a companionship, but I went with a very nice lady in our ward named L W. We went and had a lesson with S! She is still struggling with having a desire to come to church and read. She says all the right things, but isn't putting them into action.  The lesson went alright, and I think I navigated all her questions about the Book of Mormon pretty well. She wanted to know about a lot of the details, and that was fun to answer those types of questions. But, after the lesson, the member told me I did a good job and that I was a great missionary! That was a huge confidence boost. In general, this whole day to me was really a testament of how we need to do what we say! In Zone meeting, it was so simple to talk about being charitable, and every missionary hears and knows what we said. But, it is difficult to do what you know. So, we are still praying for S. She made an attempt to read the Book of Mormon this week, and so hopefully she'll begin progressing. I really want her to!

Wednesday we met this really awesome investigator named J. He is religious, and had never heard about the Book of Mormon before! He really liked it though, and wants to meet us to talk about it over lunch at Little India. He seems like he could be a golden investigator...I really hope so! He has a wife and child living in India, and was very nice! We met him in the park contacting.

Thursday we had planning and enjoyed getting ready for another big week...but, let me tell you about a lesson with R! The miracle person we contacted at the park! We had a lesson with her finally, and got to present the Restoration. As we talked about prophets and the Book of Mormon, she was very interested. At the end of the lesson, she said that it just makes sense. She said she has been looking for a church that makes sense and that ours seems to! She then asked how fast she was allowed to read the Book of Mormon! It was an incredible, incredible lesson. She is so prepared, and actually accepted a soft baptismal committal. Yes!! Her fiance is Catholic though, so we'll see how he feels. I have really high hopes for her, and am so glad that the spirit guided us to meet her! It is such a testament that the spirit is real, and this is His work, because we almost walked away from her.

Friday we had one of our first exciting experiences with Anti-Mormons. She was on our potentials sheet, so we called and she invited us over to lunch. She was really nice at first and told us all about her testimonies. She has had a lot of cool experiences with prayer. But, then she pulled out an Anti-Mormon book and started drilling us on Heavenly Mother, and faith and works, and telling us horrible things about our religion! It was so crazy! We tried to tell her our testimonies, but her heart was only interested in converting us and bringing us down. The craziest part of the experience was as we were leaving...we told her we needed to go, because there was clearly no spirit, and so she said okay, and that we could end with a prayer. She grabbed our hands and so we thought we were going to do a prayer circle, but then she ended up putting her hands on me and Sister Krivanec's head, like a priesthood blessing. Then, she started praying and asked God to cast out the devils within us, and to help us find the truth, and to help us stop doing Black Magic. It was so strange. I tried so hard not to laugh, but sort of snorted during the prayer. A L asked why we were giggling at the end....no really good answer for that.

Saturday we had another weird experience. We met a potential that ended up not wanting to learn about the gospel. After a nice dinner at Clarke Quay, he tried to walk around and hold our hand! It was so awkward, and I wanted to leave all night! Sister Krivanec and I had to run to the bathroom to hide from him, and laughed so hard at how awkward this situation was, how we had to work really hard to avoid his hands trying to grab ours. We told him we didn't date, but he didn't care! It was such a weird experience that I hope to never repeat.

Sunday was as good as ever, and I didn’t have to teach anything. The members are so cute, and really look after us. I love our ward! I got dinner at a member’s house that was delicious, and am feeling ready to conquer another week after the sacrament and church.

I love you all so so so much!!! Thanks for all your prayers and support, thanks for being the best family ever :) My thought for the week is about spiritual gifts! When we have the spirit as missionaries, we are able to receive gifts that will bless the people around us. As we take the time to pray for them and develop them, we can more fully be instruments in the Lord's hands. The coolest thing about these though, is that they are available to every member of the church, and every member has one! They are meant to bless others, and as we take the time to draw closer to the spirit and develop these gifts, we are greater servants unto God. Read Preach my Gospel and 1 Corinthians 12 -14 if you want to study it more. It's a super cool concept!

Love you!!
xoxo
Sister Crabb

Sister Crabb and her MTC district in front of the Provo Temple

Sister Crabb and her MTC district in front of the famous map at the MTC

Sister Mika, Sister Archibald, Sister Crabb - MTC companions

Sister Crabb cleaning the walls in her apartment in Singapore

Sister Crabb and Sister Krivanic at Clarke Quay

At Clarke Quay

Ben and Jerry's - 13.90 for 1 or 21.85 for 2!
(exchange rate - 1.00 Singapore dollar =0.80 US dollars)

Monday, June 16

Okay, Okay, Okay. Lah! (Singlish...)
I love you all so much!!! I'm so glad that you are my family:).  And seriously, thanks for the prayers! I need them all the time. And, I know that your prayers are helping me get investigators! Someone told me this week that missionary work is a family affair, and I totally believe it. I'm in the field, but you help me more than I could explain. We do have a lot of new investigators, because we have had a lot of miracles this week. I'll tell you about them below :) Let me try and answer a couple of your questions.  I don't try too many crazy things, but a lot of the food at the food courts is authentic Asian food. So, I get a lot of curry, laksa, noodles, chicken rice, koo, lime juice, watermelon for dessert, etc. I just don't recognize a lot of it! Most of it isn't crazy though. I am attempting to like fish...mushrooms are now okay! I am starting to like them more and more! Living with a companion is different than a roommate because you are glued to them 24/7. It can be a blessing, because you're never alone, but it is different. You still have struggles to work out with companions, and that's what inventory is for. You just talk about what needs to happen related to missionary work and give and take! Me and my companion get along pretty well though. We know a lot about each other, because we need to talk about stuff when we are together! Kaylie, HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK!!!!! I love you so much and hope that you have a great day! I have a nice card for you in the package, but just know I love you, enjoy the temple, and send me pictures of you getting your ears pierced! It doesn't hurt too much...it's like getting a shot! You will be fine. We have a tennis court that we can use in the mornings for exercise, so I'm learning fast and well how to play tennis! I will be pro eventually.  Thanks so much for everything you guys do! I carry my family book around with me everywhere so you guys are always near me as I talk to people and serve :). It helps a lot.

So...this week...

Monday:
So, P-Day was really fun! I went to Bugis street, which is basically like China town, and got to buy a couple of cheap souvenir items. I got to eat a Ramadan fruit, which is super weird looking! But, it tasted good...I sent you a picture of it and of me on Bugis street. The dress is one I got from another Sister! I was shocked it fit, but it did! I figure, collect while you can! So, I was feeling a little bit (a lot bit) homesick after email time. But, one of my house mates, Sister Reach, did a great job of reaching out! I came home, and found a decorated planner sitting on my desk! I know she came home really upset because her grandma had passed away, but she chose to reach out and make something for me! I need to do that more, that's what President says helps with homesickness more than anything! But, the planner is beautiful with a picture of Christ on it and the words "Serve God With All Thy Heart Might Mind Strength." I love it! It was so nice to see her example and I want to follow it. Also, another miracle, we went to dinner at a house of a member, and were able to leave a little before 9. So, we had about 1/2 hour to contact! We could have just gone home, but we were obedient and stayed. Sister Kryvanic and I prayed before we walked into a park, and  as we were walking, we met a couple and a girl named R. We talked to them for a little bit, and then just walked away. However, about 100 yards down the path, Sister Kryvanic looked at me and said, "we need to go give them our number." Luckily, I had read a story like this during personal study, and knew that this was alright. (Another testament to why personal study is the most important part of our day!). But, as we walked back awkwardly to give them our number (which Sister Kryvanic made me do!) R looked at us and said thank you. She said she actually is looking for a church, and loves learning about the Bible. She has been texting us trying to set up a time to meet!! I hope she becomes a golden investigator:). But, I thank Heavenly Father for that, because I know it was a miracle that we were able to find her! Two random things that happened today, we got a pet coconut name Kabala. We drew a face on him, and he now sits on our table! Pretty fun :). Also, I had some random man confess his love to me. It was so bizare. I was walking down the street, and he comes up to me and says, "I just want you to know, I love you." Then, he started singing it to everyone around us - "I love you! I love you!" It was so funny. I guess that what happens when you're white and American here!

Tuesday:
President Mains came and did personal interviews for us in our home! It was really nice, and he prayed for me to not be homesick. I know it's helped, and I'm so happy to have such a loving mission president. His wife is the best as well, and she is so good at looking out for us. Also, I had another cool experience! During district meeting, we discussed how one of the visions that President Mains has had for the mission is related to family history work. He believes that the way we are going to spread the gospel in Singapore is through family history! As they talked about this, I felt the spirit overwhelm me, and I remembered that I am supposed to help people love their families on my mission! Heavenly Father is so inspired as to where to send his missionaries. It's such a testimony builder to me! Also, as we contact, and call, we are finding people to teach!

Wednesday:
So, someone called me Alyssa the other day, and it sounded weird. I'm starting to feel awkward if someone doesn't call me Sister Crabb! But, we had another miracle today! As we were walking to the MRT, we saw this Chinese lady just staring at a wallet that was sitting at the bus stop. She didn't seem to know what to do with it, so Sister Kryvanic and I picked it up and looked for a name in it. We found one, and called the person the wallet belonged to. He asked us to wait for him to come get it, which we did. He was in a hurry when we met him, but luckily, I slipped a pass along card in his wallet with our number on it. Later that day, he texted us to say thank you, and offered to buy us drinks. We said we don't drink, but we would love to meet him sometime! Turns out he is a backslided Christian, so hopefully we can meet him and talk to him about the gospel! We had a lesson with S, she is just not keeping commitments! I don't know what to do! We are praying for her, but it's more up to her than anything. Hopefully we can get her to read and pray on her own this week. So, we actually met another investigator today as well. Sister Kryvanic met him on the MRT, and honestly, when we saw him, he seemed really poor. But, he ended up taking us to dinner at a private poolside club! His name is J, and he is the sweetest! He came up to us and kissed us on both cheeks when he first met us, and said that he prayed really hard about whether or not he should text us about meeting. He said he felt good about us being friends, and now we are his adopted children! He said if we ever need anything to just call him! He offered us a diving trip for free in Thailand or something, and a lot of other stuff. He wants to teach us to drive his car... He is the nicest! I'll need to see him again as not a missionary so I can take him up on a lot of his offers! And, dinner was fun! We talked to him about the Book of Mormon and are trying to meet up with him this coming week with his wife. She is a stanch Catholic, so hopefully we can convert both of them! I love them a lot, and really want them to be LDS.

Thursday
Basically a normal day...we had a miracle door knock though! Some lady let us in her house! We got to basically share the entire restoration with her, and I felt the spirit really strongly. However, as we gave her a Book of Mormon, she didn't accept it. It broke my heart! I thought, how could she not have known after the spirit was there so strongly? One of the hardest parts of being a missionary is to see people reject the thing that you love the most! Also, we got a mall to say 'yes' to us coming to do a family history booth there. That was something we were supposed to do this week, talk to malls about them letting us come over to see them! Yes! We studied the spirit of Elijah and prayed hard, so I'm glad it worked out.

Friday
This was a harder day, but I got to have a lesson with a lady I contacted! She wanted to offer me a job to be a teacher at her school, but I told her I couldn't. She doesn't speak a lot of English, but she is the sweetest and I hope things work out with her. Also, we had a miracle phone call day! We were able to get about 5-6 people to say 'yes' to meeting with us! The question is, will they actually meet us and not flake out, but it was another miracle...Heavenly Father is really blessing us, and I'm so grateful.

Saturday
We got to go to a baptism for a person the Elders taught! His name is W, and I got to play the piano for his special day. It was a great experience, and it makes you remember why you are a missionary, and why you do what you do. I love something I heard at the MTC. When we read D&C 4, we talked about how I am here to harvest, and plant seeds as I go. The field is white, already to harvest, and so I need to do that! Also, I got to go to a wedding reception. It was so cute, and for a man in our ward. I loved seeing them, and they were just the cutest.

Sunday
Wow! What a crazy day! Sister Kryvanec and I got to speak in Sacrament Meeting, give a training, and teach a lesson! Whoo! But, all went well, and I got to talk about dad for Father's day, and how to develop a relationship with our Heavenly Father. Also, miracle of the week! When you ponder, you receive answers. And, we got fed by a random group of people instead of having to have peanut butter sandwiches on Sunday! Yes!!!

So, just so you know, the gospel is the best. I've loved reading about heart this week, and how a soft heart means you are teachable! Hardening your heart is when you don't let the gospel in. So, make sure your heart is soft and in the right place! Also, Christ is the best. Taking time to study His life, and his infinite capacity to reach outward is making my life so much better! Finally, we are working on getting the members to share the gospel more! So, share the gospel! It helps the work progress 10 times faster when members share the good news of the gospel.

Finally, think about this that President Mains shared:
Charity in Moroni 7:45, lists a lot of attributes. All of them are Christlike attributes that actually correlate with the attributes perfectly in Preach my Gospel. Since it says that Charity never faileth, and the attributes of Charity is what missionary work is made of, that's how president knows that missionary work will never fail. I know it never will! And for that, I'm so grateful!! The work will continue until everyone has heard it :) I'm lucky to be a part of it!!

Love you all!!! Have a fantastic week!!!

Love,
Sister Crabb

Outside the church building 

Sister Crabb, Sister Kryvanic, and a couple Elders with members of the ward

Bugis Street

Ramatam fruit

Monday, June 9

Oh man! Mom!! Thanks so much for the letter! Thanks all of you really...you all said stuff that I really needed to hear :) I love being able to hear about your week! Dad, oh man! I can't wait to come back and play tennis with you guys, and golf. I'm glad that I have so many people supporting me...let them know I'm good, and that being a missionary is so great! The Mains are so cute! They love and care about the missionaries so much, especially the sisters. They want us to call if we need help, and President cries when something sad or bad happens. They truly care about us and are incredible! President Mains just knows so much about the gospel, and wants us to be the best missionaries we can be.

A couple random thoughts, I get told all the time that I am so tall! It's funny! And, people say they like that I'm happy, so that's good! Thanks for your prayers, I know that we are going to get investigators, it's going to happen! I get invited to do stuff all the time because Singaporeans are so friendly. I got asked this week to go on a day trip to Malaysia, and to be a full time teacher at a Christian Primary School. Also, I saw Malaysia from a member's window, so yes, Dad, I am very close to Malaysia!!! Also!! HAPPY FATHER'S DAY NEXT WEEK DAD!!! I will send you a nice e-mail next week.

On to our week.....first, I guess, I have a few questions to answer!
-Can I mail letters or packages to your apartment? Or do they have to go to the mission office?
No...I go to the address that you have ALL the time though. It's where our church is, and I get the mail there frequently. So, that address is good!

-How's laundry going?  Where do you do it?
So good! I have a washer and dryer in our apartment. I'm spoiled!

-Which Chinese language do they speak over there - mandarin?  I've had a number of people ask me that question.
They usually speak Mandarin, but there are some people that speak Cantonese. There are so many languages here! Most people speak English, though some people just have really broken English. So, some people are hard to communicate with.

-Did it rain there this week?  It looked like it might have from the forecasts I saw (I like to watch the Singapore weather:) ).
YES! It POURS here. You come in drenched from head to foot without an umbrella.

-How is S doing?
Pretty good! She is still having a hard time with commitments, but she told us that part of the reason she doesn't read the Book of Mormon is that she doesn't understand it. So, we are going to read it with her a couple times this week, and hopefully get her to be more committed that way!

-What did you do on P-Day?
We went shopping last p-day! June is the month of the Great Singapore Sale, so it's packed in the malls and there are lots of good deals. I got some really cute shoes for when I get home! Also, I hit my month mark!

So, this week? It was incredible! For starters, we were able to get a new investigator! His name is N and Sister Kryvanec and I met him at a grocery store our first night here. He believes in messengers, so that is really good. However, he believes in a lot of gods and religions, so it's hard to get him to realize that there is one God. But, he was really receptive and we really hope that he is a good investigator! It was so fun to teach him and see the spirit working in him as we taught. It really makes it all worth it when you have a lesson like that. It makes me so happy and excited!! It's the best part about being a missionary.

I contacted a lot on the MRT. Basically, since there are so many places we travel here in Singapore, and it takes us a lot of time to get places, we contact as we travel. So, I talk to people on the MRT and at the station all the time. I can't talk to people in the mall, but I'm pretty sure everywhere else is okay. Some people are friendly, others look at me like I'm crazy and don't want to say anything.

The other part of this week was that we got to go meet more of the members! It was so great to be able to get into their homes. We had a crazy experience this week with one of our members almost committing suicide. We got to go talk to her family about how they were doing, and talk to her and try and help her out with her situation. It was hard to see her so upset! We shared a scripture with her, and sang a hymn with her, and hope it helped. I even was able to use the spirit and flip open to the exact scripture I felt like I should share, even though I had no idea where in Mosiah it was. The church is true that way...and I know that it is truly God's work, and I am just the instrument.

I also got to go the Methodist Church with an investigator named A on Saturday night. Investigator is a loose term, I feel like she really just wants to talk to us and drill us with questions. We got to sit in on their church though, and it was a good experience. Every church has their truth, but it's interesting that every time I go to another church, my testimony is just strengthened. Funny moment of being at her church though, is that me and Sister Kryvanec were the only white people there! We were trying to hide when the pastor asked for any new people to stand up, but our investigator wanted us to stand and pointed us out. They had us stand, and about 100 people clapped for us. It was really strange! But, also good, and A's family took us out to dinner after, and it was REALLY good. I got to eat so well this week. Friday, I got to eat American food!! It was hot dogs, and potato salad, and all the good barbeque stuff! I wanted to cry I was so happy :). The members that fed us (it was a YSA BBQ) said that they had never seen someone get more excited over hot dogs than I did! It was just so nice to know what I was eating!

Also, on Sunday, I had the most delicious curry ever. It was Japanese Curry, and it tasted like heaven. I got fed so well! The members are so nice, and on Sunday, the P family even got us Doritos because they knew I was homesick. The members really look our for us! They're like our second family :).

I got to focus my spiritual studies this week on the prayer of faith in Chapter 4 of Preach my Gospel. It was nice to be able to have a coin in my shoe all week to remind me to pray always! It was so good and needed. Also, study the character of Christ. Read about His life, and how He reached out. It's really exciting, and it makes you want to focus less on yourself and more on others.

Thanks for all your prayers and love! I miss you, but know this is where I need to be. I can't wait to e-mail and send pictures home next week...I'll spend the majority of the time writing you:).  I wish I could tell you more about life here! I feel like you can't ever write or explain missionary life in a letter, and that I only get 1/100 in of what I wish I could tell you about what I'm doing! But, just know that I'm fine, just keep praying for me to not be too homesick! I'll tell you more about some of the members in our ward next week and send you lots of pictures.. Love you all!!
Sister Crabb

Monday, June 2

Hello, hello, hello!!

This is one of my favorite times of week, to write you and talk to you! I love getting your emails. It's so fun to hear what's going on at home! It's weird to think that it is summer there...I love that you all are doing so well enjoying the outdoors, and parties, and eating out. Summer is the best :)

The biggest thing I am struggling with is homesickness!! I miss you guys so much! I know it's selfish, but I'm off in a big city, with people I've never met, doing work that is hard. This week was tough! Everyone, literally everyone, cancelled on us. So, all of the appointments we had ended up becoming contacting time, which is great, but 6 or 7 hours of contacting isn't my ideal way to spend time! I want to be teaching people, and giving lessons. I have taught one lesson, to a lady named S who is on date to be baptized. She has been taught everything, and just got passed to us, so I got to share a scripture with her. I loved it, and want to do more of that instead! But, I need to find before I can teach. Other than that, everything is really, really, good! I love the people, they are so, so nice! I love the area, I love when I talk to people, and get them interested in the gospel. I love trying all the new food! I go to bed so happy every night, knowing that I am doing God's work.

So, about my week...
Last P-day was pretty fun! All of the missionaries met up at the church and were able to play basketball. I got more sweaty than should be humanly possible, but I had so much fun! I got to meet a lot of really awesome people, and I had fun playing with the Elders! Then, I met S. We had a good lesson with her about being an example to her daughter. She is struggling with wanting to come to church because her daughter won't come with her, and because of the divorce and legality, it's hard to come if her daughter won't. So, hopefully we can get that figured out! S is on date, so hopefully we can work through those issues.

Tuesday I got to go and clean a nice man named T's house. He is in a wheelchair and so can't do a lot by himself. I steamed his clothes for him which was actually pretty fun! I learned how to work a steamer. We went with a girl named A, and she is Methodist. We tried to talk to her and share a lesson, but it turned more into her trying to convert us to become Methodist. I wish she understood how great this gospel is!

Wednesday I was able to do a service project with my area! We cut papers for about 3 hours! But, what we cut out is going to be flash cards for an English class in Malaysia, so that is fun! Also, since it is super hard to contact and get investigators in Singapore (the challenge here is getting people to make time for the gospel, and in Malaysia it's the fact that 80 percent of the people are Malay and Muslim...can't teach them!), me and Sister Kryvanic are going to try and start an English class! There are enough people here that don't speak English, or that speak Singlish or Broken English that we could probably do it. Sister Kryvanic actually taught English in China for 6 months before her mission, and Elder Tseng - the Woodlands Elder, speaks Mandarin because he is from Taiwan. I'm really excited and hope we can get it worked out!

Thursday we met our ward mission leader! He's been out of town, and finally was able to see us! He's the best though! He's almost 20, and super excited about missionary work! He is going to be fun to work with. He even took us to a couple good places to eat, and we got lunch with him again on Friday. It was good to get to know him! Also, we were able to meet an investigator at the Marina Bay Gardens! It was really, really pretty. Look up pictures of it! It's huge, and I've never seen more beautiful, tropical plants! The flowers look fake they are so beautiful!

Friday and Saturday was contacting galore! I have never been hotter as I wandered finding less actives. We also heart-attacked some members, and that was good! Less Active work is huge here. About 50 percent of our ward, if not more, is Less Active, so meeting with those people is important!

Sunday, I went to ward council. The ward is super involved, which is so important. Members are the true missionaries! So, I'm glad you all are going to be studying Preach My Gospel - it is seriously one of the best books ever. I then got to eat PB and J after fast Sunday! Wahoo! Then, we all ate Idaho fake mashed potatoes. I never though they would taste good, but they did!

One of the coolest things I've felt this week is the Savior walking beside me. Sometimes he feels so close that I think I'm in a trio companionship! This is truly the work of the Lord, and I've had so many miracles occur! One thing I love doing is writing down my miracles of the day in my journal. They happen daily as a missionary, and so it's great to remember the Lord and all He does in our lives. He is always there for us!! He led us to investigators on Saturday after praying hard for it. Miracles are all around! I love the gosepl, and I love you! Can't wait to hear from you next week!!
Love, Sister Crabb

We asked Alyssa some questions in our emails to her and these are her responses:

How's eating been this week?
It's been pretty good...basically I just eat oatmeal for breakfast and peanut butter sandwiches for lunch. I eat apples and bananas and stuff as well. It is so hard to get vegetables here! I really want to be able to just eat a salad, and most of the time I can't. I go out to eat for dinner because we are usually out and about. We sometimes eat American food, but the McDonalds and places here actually have a lot of local food at their restaurants. It's very interesting! I miss chicken without bones. I would love to eat just a plain old chicken breast with no fat, no brown meat, no bones, no veins. No one seems to serve that here though! The menus are super overwhelming. I look at them, and I think, what is this? I don't know what Daal or all the terms mean. Mostly I just ask what's good from the other missionaries or Sister Kryvanic!

Do you go to the grocery store and fix meals at your apartment?
We do go to a grocery store, but it is about a mile away! I am going to get so strong from carrying my food so far :). Also, I don't usually fix food at my apartment except for Peanut Butter sandwiches. I'm going to try more this week though after I go for a good grocery shop!

Or have you eaten at members' homes?
I hardly ever do. Asian culture doesn't really involve inviting people over for dinner, so dinner appointments are rare. Woodlands ward is a local ward, so almost all of the members in my ward are Asian. I met a member of my ward though from America yesterday, and he said that he would invite us over for a BBQ and that he always feeds the missionaries on Thanksgiving with a really big traditional feast! Hopefully I'm here for that! A lot of times, the missionaries that are assigned to the Woodlands ward stay for 6-8 months. At least some of them. So, we will have to see how long I am in this area!

  Is there normal "american" food or is it all really different?
Most of it is really different!! I have had Indonesian BBQ which is good, Indian Daal, Subway...Laska, Tai Curry. Lots of new food to try! It's all pretty spicy too. My mouth burns when I eat it! I'm getting used to it though.

  Are you used to the humidity now?
I'm much more adjusted. However, apparently this is the hottest month of the year! So, when it's 88 degrees outside, the humidity makes the 'real feel' 103, 105. So, it's very hot! I like it though. I haven't had to use lotion once!

 Has it rained a lot? Are there lots of mosquitos in Singapore?
It hardly ever rains, and there are hardly any mosquitos. I heard from locals though that it rains almost every day in November and December!

 How many missionaries are in your apartment?
There are 4 sisters total, the other companionship works in another ward. Sister Simon is from Indonesia and is crazy! She ties my skirts, and puts my pants in the freezer. She is the sweetest though. She's been out almost a year and looks out for me :). Sister Reach (Pronounced Reeat) is from Cambodia. She is very nice as well and I love having two people from Asia living with me!

  How many missionaries are serving in Singapore (I’m curious to know how small the areas are)?
There's 174 total missionaries in the mission. Most of them I believe are in Malaysia? If I had to guess, I would say there are about 50-70 missionaries in Singapore. There is headquarters and the office here, as well as the President. There are 10 wards total, 1 stake. They are working on a second stake! Singapore is an expensive business city. Part of the struggle we have is getting people to make time for us. People are so business oriented here, that time is precious, and they need to do their job very well or else they will no longer have a job. It's interesting trying to get people to listen about the gospel!

  Are you only working in the Woodlands area or do you cover a larger part of Singapore?
Just the Woodlands area! It is super, super small. I am over one ward, 2 MRT stops.

   Do you just travel by foot and by public transportation?
Yep! Nothing else:)  I take the MRT everywhere! It is what most people use. I also just walk!

   Do you have a cell phone as a companionship?
Yes, and it's a very nice smart phone!

  How long can you spend on the computer each week reading and writing letters? 90 minutes! It flies. I don't really have time to read or print, so I have to read and respond in the 90 minutes I have. I can print if I really want to, but then I have to wait a whole week to respond to you! I don't want to do that! I write from an internet cafe in a mall. It's different, but it works!

Elder Grant, Sister Archibald & Sister Crabb at the Hong Kong airport

Opening her "greenie package" from us when she arrived in Singapore

Marina Bay Gardens

Fast Sunday dinner!

Eating inside her apartment