Hello family!!! I hope you had a great week and that you are enjoying Women's Conference and that you enjoy General Conference this coming weekend. I'm sure it will be a wonderful, uplifting experience!
My week was pretty relaxed, and at the same time it was super crazy! I didn't do as much missionary work as normal because of transfers, but this week, I got a new companion! Her name is Sister Fuglistaler and she is from Switzerland. Her English is incredible, even though it's her second language. She has orange/red hair (she's a red-head) and all the ward girls joke that we are the "Ana and Elsa" companionship. She is a little more shy, but she is very, very nice and has a strong testimony of the gospel and desire to do missionary work! She really wants to be exactly obedient, which I'm so grateful for. She wants to be a teacher as well! I love her already, and know that we are going to be a good companionship! I'm really excited! It's weird to be the "Senior Companion". I sort of don't like it! I love her though :). I still live with Sister Krivanec and Sister Reach, which is also kind of weird, because Sister Krivanec trained me, but they are both so helpful! It's like they understand how scary and hard it can be to train, so I'm really grateful they are here helping me!
So, Monday, when I found out I was training, I almost died. I was pretty scared, because I had no idea what to expect! Plus, I love Sister Simon and wanted to stay with her really bad. But, change is important and I was too comfortable. Anyways, I had a couple lessons with R this week and she is doing incredible as usual! She is progressing and teaching us the lessons now, and she is killing it. She just knows the gospel so well and is basically already a member. She is going to do service with us this coming week, and I'm really excited for it! We are really good friends now too, and she always buys me chocolate and tells us good morning!! She is just doing so well.
We are still working with Y P as well, and she is so cute! She is coming to church, and seems to really like it. She's still scared about baptism, but hopefully in a couple weeks we will have her on date too.
We have a few other investigators floating around, but we met some good potentials this week! Probably the coolest one was a lady named M. She miraculously called us and asked us if she could come to church! We said yes, and after we had a lesson with her, she said that baptism is something she would like to do. She said she loved church and felt so happy there! I'm so happy for her. So many people we have been meeting with aren't in our area, and we pass them, so I'm hoping this week we have the miracle of being able to get investigators in our area! We need 4 baptisms by the end of the year as a companionship, so we need a miracle! Luckily, #Godourstrengthwillbe and if we have faith, we WILL see miracles. I know it.
Anyway, Wednesday night, I was trained on how to train. It was really exciting! President Mains gave some good tips and advice, and I know it's going to be a great couple transfers. It is harder though because you are always 'on'. So, everything you do, literally, is being watched by your trainee! We've tried some local food together and she generally likes it. I'm excited to give her a really awesome experience here in Singapore! I already love her. Also on Wednesday, I made her a planner, and got her some cute things she might need. I also wrote her a note :).
Finally, as I came back from Newton (later than 9:30 because of the meeting....) the rain was coming down SOO hard. I haven't seen it pour more than at just about any other time than I did there! So, as I walked out of the MRT without an umbrella, I knew I was going to get soaked. I made the most of it and ran around in the rain singing the baptism song. It was so fun! My makeup was everywhere, but the rain is always warm here, and it was fun! I smiled the whole way home.
Two other thoughts, miracles are going to happen in our ward because we are getting new Elders! 12 elders got blackstamped on their way back to KK, so they can't serve in Malaysia anymore. So, emergency transfers happened and there are going to be 6 missionaries in our ward because it (the ward) is so awesome!
Also, I got a beautiful pair of 'Asian Cinderella slippers" from a lady in our ward who is 80 and only speaks Haakan. We always joke around that I have big feet, and so on Sunday she pulled me over and just handed me these beautiful shoes. I love them! Apparently she'd been meaning to get them to me for weeks because some of my shoes are rubber shoes which she doesn't think are very comfy. Anyways, I love the ward, I love missionary work, I love the gospel, and I know that this church is true! Jesus Christ lives and loves us so much, it's so evident to me as a missionary, and I love it.
Quick thought, I realized this week as I became in essence a leader, that I was nervous. I don't consider myself to be a leader at all! In fact, I feel I am far from the person who should be called as one. I like to follow. I had this thought though. I'm always following! I always get to follow Jesus Christ and do what He wants me to do. As a 'leader' I just get to follow Christ more closely, and bring others unto Him and I try and seek His direction as to how I should help those around me more. I hope this makes sense, it was a really comforting thought for me!
Anyways, have a great week!
Love you all!!
Love,
Sister Crabb
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Monday, September 22, 2014
So, transfer news came in, and guess what? I'm pregnant!! Which means I have been asked to train a new missionary. I can't tell you how scared and excited I am. It's such a huge form of trust in me, and I'm so grateful for the things I'm going to learn, but I also could use some help. I'm literally going to be on my own with my Heavenly Father because my new companion is going to have no idea what is going on. Any and all advice on how to be a good trainer would be helpful!! :) Also, I'm devastated to leave Sister Simon. She is training, white-washing, and opening an area! What a huge trust!! She is so Christlike, and I wish that I could have stayed with her longer. Send her a package!!!
Let me give you a few highlights of this week, which, was full of meetings!
Monday, I went to the beach and played basketball! It was nice to play again...
Tuesday, I played at Zone Conference! The Mains have a knack for picking the hardest songs in the hymn book, but I think I played well!! The meeting was all about faith, and I loved that I was able to think about how to increase my faith. I would challenge you all to think about how you can personally increase your faith, and how if it's centered in Christ, it will provide miracles.
Wednesday, we talked about getting people to have their own personal conversion experiences. It was so fun!!! I love our leaders, and know they are all inspired to help us.
Thursday: I had a good planning
Friday: I went on exchanges! It was a party!! I really enjoyed being able to work with the STL's and learned so much from them!! It was weird to be in another area though...
Saturday/Sunday: We played hide-n-go seek in the dark with Christmas music...haha! Fun!!
Updates;...R is officially on date for November 29th. I'm so excited I'm training, because that means I will be here for her baptism. I will get to plan it!! AHHHH!!! Also, a man came to church who is scheduled to be baptized November 2nd. It's a huge miracle. He's not our investigator, but it's a miracle. We gave Y P's daughter a present, the Book of Mormon picture book, and they loved it. SO cute!!
To answer your questions:
What time does it get dark at night there?
It gets light around 6:45-7 in the morning, and it gets dark around the same time! That's what it's like living on the Equator. It feels like endless summer here...I forget that it's creeping up on October time!
How big is the ward you are in?
About 100 people - we have a really big YSA. We have about 10 YW/YM and about 5 people in the Primary. The Primary program is apparently really stressful here because some of the kids are shy, and if a few don't talk, they literally have one child who has to say everything!
Have you had a haircut yet?
No...I think my hair is growing faster here though! It's SOOOOO long!
And yes, I'm SUPER happy. I don't want to leave Singapore, or go home. I want to be a missionary forever!!!
I want you to know, I know that the church is true. Heavenly Father loves us so much, and this is His work. I'm grateful to be a part of it, and am so happy I don't have to leave here, the most wonderful place in the world, any time soon :). Heavenly Father and Christ are my best friends right now, and I know that with their help, I can accomplish anything. I can do all things through Christ, I love Him, His Atonement, and everything He gives me.
Love you all!!
Keep improving your faith, and if you do, you will see personal miracles in your life. I promise :)
xoxo
Sister Crabb
Let me give you a few highlights of this week, which, was full of meetings!
Monday, I went to the beach and played basketball! It was nice to play again...
Tuesday, I played at Zone Conference! The Mains have a knack for picking the hardest songs in the hymn book, but I think I played well!! The meeting was all about faith, and I loved that I was able to think about how to increase my faith. I would challenge you all to think about how you can personally increase your faith, and how if it's centered in Christ, it will provide miracles.
Wednesday, we talked about getting people to have their own personal conversion experiences. It was so fun!!! I love our leaders, and know they are all inspired to help us.
Thursday: I had a good planning
Friday: I went on exchanges! It was a party!! I really enjoyed being able to work with the STL's and learned so much from them!! It was weird to be in another area though...
Saturday/Sunday: We played hide-n-go seek in the dark with Christmas music...haha! Fun!!
Updates;...R is officially on date for November 29th. I'm so excited I'm training, because that means I will be here for her baptism. I will get to plan it!! AHHHH!!! Also, a man came to church who is scheduled to be baptized November 2nd. It's a huge miracle. He's not our investigator, but it's a miracle. We gave Y P's daughter a present, the Book of Mormon picture book, and they loved it. SO cute!!
To answer your questions:
What time does it get dark at night there?
It gets light around 6:45-7 in the morning, and it gets dark around the same time! That's what it's like living on the Equator. It feels like endless summer here...I forget that it's creeping up on October time!
How big is the ward you are in?
About 100 people - we have a really big YSA. We have about 10 YW/YM and about 5 people in the Primary. The Primary program is apparently really stressful here because some of the kids are shy, and if a few don't talk, they literally have one child who has to say everything!
Have you had a haircut yet?
No...I think my hair is growing faster here though! It's SOOOOO long!
And yes, I'm SUPER happy. I don't want to leave Singapore, or go home. I want to be a missionary forever!!!
I want you to know, I know that the church is true. Heavenly Father loves us so much, and this is His work. I'm grateful to be a part of it, and am so happy I don't have to leave here, the most wonderful place in the world, any time soon :). Heavenly Father and Christ are my best friends right now, and I know that with their help, I can accomplish anything. I can do all things through Christ, I love Him, His Atonement, and everything He gives me.
Love you all!!
Keep improving your faith, and if you do, you will see personal miracles in your life. I promise :)
xoxo
Sister Crabb
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| Heart Attack in their apartment - Sister Krivanic, Sister Reach, Sister Simon, Sister Crabb |
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| Grocery shopping |
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| P-Day at the beach - Sister Simon, Sister Crabb, Sister Reach, Sister Krivanic |
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| P-Day at the beach |
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| P-Day at the beach |
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| P-Day at the beach |
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| Zone Conference - Sister Archibald, one of Alyssa's MTC companions, is in bottom of picture |
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| Zone Conference - Sis Crabb, Sis Reach, Sis Krivanic, Sis Simon |
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| Zone Conference |
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| Sister Crabb and Sister Simon |
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Monday, September 15, 2014
Family!!!
I'm so glad that I get to write to you!! It has been such an incredible week. Let me tell you a couple of miracles we had this week in the work.
First, a lady named H. So, she won't be my investigator (that happens a lot in Singapore since it is tiny!). So, she is the lady I met while Sister Simon was still on the MRT and I was not. It happens sometimes...But, she is interested in finding a church! As we met her this week and asked her inspired questions and tried to get to know her, I realized that the Restoration was not going to be a good first lesson for her. She needed to hear the plan of salvation because she was asking a lot about it. We are supposed to give pamphlets to people to study, and I was worried because I wasn't sure if I had a Plan of Salvation one to give her. However, as I looked in my bag, I did! I remembered how a couple days before, I had been prompted to put one in my bag. I thought I was going to hand it out the day I put it into my bag to someone on the MRT, and was actually a little confused that night after I had tried to give it out, but had not been able to. But as I saw it there, I knew that Heavenly Father had known all along that H was going to need it. It was such a testimony builder to me that as we listen to the promptings of the spirit, no matter how strange, we will see miracles and blessings. Heavenly Father knows His children better than we do, and as we listen to the promptings of the spirit, we are able to help them with their specific needs. That's one of the best parts of being a missionary! You get to help individuals. The Savior focused on individuals, and I get to too!
Second miracle, Sister Simon and I had set up splits with a couple members one night because we had two lessons we needed to be at (we actually had 8 lessons with a member present this week! What a miracle!!) However, right before we were supposed to go, one of the members cancelled. Sister Simon and I were standing at the MRT, and had no idea what to do. We had two investigators waiting in two spots! Literally, out of nowhere, a lady came up and said 'hi' to us as we were pondering what to do. She said that she was in another ward, but stayed nearby. Sister Simon quickly asked her what she was doing, and she said that she was free, and would love to go on splits with us! It was a literal miracle because she lived in the correct spot, usually doesn't say 'hi' to the missionaries, and got off work early for some reason. Heavenly Father knows what He's doing!!!
In other news this week, I bought Christmas presents! Also, I was able to go on two other sets of splits this week. Our ward is so involved in hastening the work - it's so cool. I feel so honored too because I get to be a part of it as a 19 year old girl! Why I was given what I have I will never know. However, I feel so loved that Heavenly Father trusts me to be here in Singapore saving souls, and to be part of a royal generation that gets to someday raise a generation that will prepare the Earth for the coming of the Savior. It's such a humbling thought, and I feel so blessed to be a missionary. I wouldn't trade my experiences here for the world! They are shaping me into what I want to become, and I'm so grateful.
I got to get lost again in Singapore - maps are sometimes confusing...but don't worry! We made it to our appointment on time! We are opening our mouth everywhere, on the street, on the MRT. It's really fun to slow down and look for opportunities everywhere to share the gospel!
We have dinners every night next week. A literal miracle.
We did a really fun service project where we were able to lift boxes and do inventory at a factory! It was super enjoyable. I really, really liked it. It's sometimes hard to find service here in Singapore, so I'm grateful we were able to do some really solid community service this week.
I went to a salsa dancing activity this week to get a referral. It was actually really, really cool. I may or may not want to do ballroom dancing for a little bit when I get home! I couldn't try it as a missionary, so maybe when I'm home :).
I had Stake Conference this week! It was so good! Our leaders are so inspired, and I love going to meetings like that. Y is progressing so well and is doing so good! She is praying and reading the scriptures all the time! And, R is going to be teaching us now! We are giving her pamphlets to teach us. Z W was able to meet with a member with us during another lesson this week, and it was another miracle. We for some reason couldn't get any inspiration as to what to teach. The member who came actually got to spend most of the lesson talking to Z W, and it was exactly what she needed. Isn't it amazing how Heavenly Father operates? This is so His work, and I am so grateful that I get to be a part of it. I wouldn't trade it for the world!! I am so, so, so happy. I love the gospel, and am so grateful for how it has changed my life.
Just a quick thought for the week from Elaine S. Dalton...
" If you want to make a difference in this world, be different from the world."
Love you all! Have such a great week!!!
xoxo
Sister Crabb
I'm so glad that I get to write to you!! It has been such an incredible week. Let me tell you a couple of miracles we had this week in the work.
First, a lady named H. So, she won't be my investigator (that happens a lot in Singapore since it is tiny!). So, she is the lady I met while Sister Simon was still on the MRT and I was not. It happens sometimes...But, she is interested in finding a church! As we met her this week and asked her inspired questions and tried to get to know her, I realized that the Restoration was not going to be a good first lesson for her. She needed to hear the plan of salvation because she was asking a lot about it. We are supposed to give pamphlets to people to study, and I was worried because I wasn't sure if I had a Plan of Salvation one to give her. However, as I looked in my bag, I did! I remembered how a couple days before, I had been prompted to put one in my bag. I thought I was going to hand it out the day I put it into my bag to someone on the MRT, and was actually a little confused that night after I had tried to give it out, but had not been able to. But as I saw it there, I knew that Heavenly Father had known all along that H was going to need it. It was such a testimony builder to me that as we listen to the promptings of the spirit, no matter how strange, we will see miracles and blessings. Heavenly Father knows His children better than we do, and as we listen to the promptings of the spirit, we are able to help them with their specific needs. That's one of the best parts of being a missionary! You get to help individuals. The Savior focused on individuals, and I get to too!
Second miracle, Sister Simon and I had set up splits with a couple members one night because we had two lessons we needed to be at (we actually had 8 lessons with a member present this week! What a miracle!!) However, right before we were supposed to go, one of the members cancelled. Sister Simon and I were standing at the MRT, and had no idea what to do. We had two investigators waiting in two spots! Literally, out of nowhere, a lady came up and said 'hi' to us as we were pondering what to do. She said that she was in another ward, but stayed nearby. Sister Simon quickly asked her what she was doing, and she said that she was free, and would love to go on splits with us! It was a literal miracle because she lived in the correct spot, usually doesn't say 'hi' to the missionaries, and got off work early for some reason. Heavenly Father knows what He's doing!!!
In other news this week, I bought Christmas presents! Also, I was able to go on two other sets of splits this week. Our ward is so involved in hastening the work - it's so cool. I feel so honored too because I get to be a part of it as a 19 year old girl! Why I was given what I have I will never know. However, I feel so loved that Heavenly Father trusts me to be here in Singapore saving souls, and to be part of a royal generation that gets to someday raise a generation that will prepare the Earth for the coming of the Savior. It's such a humbling thought, and I feel so blessed to be a missionary. I wouldn't trade my experiences here for the world! They are shaping me into what I want to become, and I'm so grateful.
I got to get lost again in Singapore - maps are sometimes confusing...but don't worry! We made it to our appointment on time! We are opening our mouth everywhere, on the street, on the MRT. It's really fun to slow down and look for opportunities everywhere to share the gospel!
We have dinners every night next week. A literal miracle.
We did a really fun service project where we were able to lift boxes and do inventory at a factory! It was super enjoyable. I really, really liked it. It's sometimes hard to find service here in Singapore, so I'm grateful we were able to do some really solid community service this week.
I went to a salsa dancing activity this week to get a referral. It was actually really, really cool. I may or may not want to do ballroom dancing for a little bit when I get home! I couldn't try it as a missionary, so maybe when I'm home :).
I had Stake Conference this week! It was so good! Our leaders are so inspired, and I love going to meetings like that. Y is progressing so well and is doing so good! She is praying and reading the scriptures all the time! And, R is going to be teaching us now! We are giving her pamphlets to teach us. Z W was able to meet with a member with us during another lesson this week, and it was another miracle. We for some reason couldn't get any inspiration as to what to teach. The member who came actually got to spend most of the lesson talking to Z W, and it was exactly what she needed. Isn't it amazing how Heavenly Father operates? This is so His work, and I am so grateful that I get to be a part of it. I wouldn't trade it for the world!! I am so, so, so happy. I love the gospel, and am so grateful for how it has changed my life.
Just a quick thought for the week from Elaine S. Dalton...
" If you want to make a difference in this world, be different from the world."
Love you all! Have such a great week!!!
xoxo
Sister Crabb
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| Sister Crabb and her companion, Sister Simon |
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| Sister Crabb and other sister missionaries at Stake Conference |
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| Notice the sign above her outstretched hand.....Crab Delicacy:) |
Monday, September 8, 2014
Monday, September 8, 2014
So, this week was a lot of proselyting, and a lot more meetings. It was really cool because we had Elder Allen actually speak to the entire mission! Let me give you some highlights of the week :).
Monday I got to ride an elephant!! I finally fulfilled my dream. It was really fun to be on top of the elephant! It felt like riding a giant horse, and I do have pictures. I was actually so focused on the pictures that I didn't really focus on the short ride, but it was really fun. I was up so, so high!!
Tuesday President Mains came to our house! I love President Mains, and know that he loves and cares about our mission. He cares about me! He literally has one of the hardest missions to be president over, Elder Allen told us that. I am so grateful for him! Also, we had a housing check and passed! President, I think, wants to live at our house. I'm also pretty sure it is his favorite housing in the entire mission! I'm so lucky and blessed. I loved having an interview with him too, because he is so inspired. He knows what to ask and what to share, I love it. My mission president even brought us hot fudge sauce this week! This is a cute story. So, my companion is from Indonesia and speaks broken English. It's actually pretty good, but not perfect. ANYWAYS, she ended up buying cocoa powder thinking that it was going to taste good. I made her try some, and she almost died. When President heard this story, he ended up taking it home and making us some hot fudge sauce out of it! It was yummy! My mission president is the best.
Wednesday I got to follow up with a few members about our fireside! It was really cool! They are all so wonderful, and they are really good at missionary work. They all wrote down names of friends that they want to invite to church, and they are all excited to work on those names this month! That's what we're doing, a month called "Spectacular September" where our members invite many people to church or activities. It should be really cool!
Thursday was one of the best days! President asked me to play the piano for the big meeting with Elder Allen, so that was a little scary, but I am grateful I have the opportunity to use my talents to serve. I'm slowly learning that giving myself to the Lord, my whole self, everything I have, is where true happiness is found. But, Elder Allen talked to us about things that are really important in missionary work and things that will help us become Preach my Gospel missionaries. We all made giant lists of what we can improve on, and he told us to eat at them bit by bit. It's incredible to be in the same room as him! He is a true leader, I can feel it. I love it! The coolest statistic he told us is that there will never be below 80,000 missionaries ever again. The apostles thought it would curve down after the initial influx of missionaries right after the age change. However, the letters of other missionaries have been so inspiring, that it's made numerous other people want to serve. He said our letters home are changing the world! Kind of a crazy thought that every time a missionary writes their friends, they are inspiring them to do missionary work! What a huge blessing. Also, I want it to be known that Sister Simon noticed something in Preach my Gospel that is not in the planner! She told Elder Allen, well, Sister Mains had her tell him, and he said we will all be getting new planners, all over the world! So, when the new planners come, I want it to be known that my wonderful companion is the one who brought it up!!
Sister Y is progressing really well, and her family is going to come back to church. She needs more time to learn about God, but she is really progressing well.
I'll tell you about R now! She talked to us on Saturday and said she was going to quit, and she did it! She has no other job, but she just did it! She talked to us after she did it, and she is so happy. She is so grateful she did it! It was such a cool experience!! Unfortunately, they won't accept her resignation until the end of September, and then two week’s notice is actually a month and a half here. So, the baptismal date is looking like November/December :(. Maybe we can have another miracle and have that happen sooner! We don't want to have to wait that long! It's too much time for Satan to work. But, her husband hasn't had any missionaries, but we are probably going to send them to him this week if she's okay with that. Also, she is staying in Singapore. She said she likes it here!!! Thanks for fasting for her! She will love that!!!
Also, I got proposed to over the phone, I told the man no.
The rest of the week was really nice! I'm learning to be more of an instrument in the hands of God, and follow the spirit. I'm learning that my weaknesses can truly become strengths, and I'm learning that Christ's love is real, and He truly strengthens us every step of our lives. Just a thought for the week...The Gospel of Jesus Christ is really the 5-step plan to living with God again. It's so simple, but I really didn't comprehend it before I came on a mission. If you have time, read Elder Perry's talk on the Gospel of Jesus Christ from April of 2008. It's called the Gospel of Jesus Christ and is really good :).
Love you all!! Have a great week!!
xoxo
Sister Crabb
These are some of Alyssa’s responses to our letter:
Chocolate Coke is literally just coke with chocolate sauce mixed in. The senior missionary who gave it to us made a really big deal out of it :). It was really fun! Also, moon cakes are traditional Chinese cakes. They are BEAUTIFUL and take forever to make. They have a duck egg yoke inside, and are made out of Lotus Paste. It's got a fluffy, flaky outside. It's really good!
The fireside was on missionary work for the ward...it was to get them excited and try and give us referrals! They bring non-members, it was the 5th Sunday lesson.
I feel more adjusted than I have my entire mission. I feel truly happy. Keep praying for me! I think one thing I was thinking about this week was the fact that we should have faith in everything we do. I think sometimes we get so monotonous about church, that we forget the 'why' of everything we're doing. Sometimes, I think we just go through the motions like you mentioned, and don't realize that there is a purpose behind everything, and if we put faith in Heavenly Father, everything we do can be an enjoyable experience for us that draws us closer to God.
Monday I got to ride an elephant!! I finally fulfilled my dream. It was really fun to be on top of the elephant! It felt like riding a giant horse, and I do have pictures. I was actually so focused on the pictures that I didn't really focus on the short ride, but it was really fun. I was up so, so high!!
Tuesday President Mains came to our house! I love President Mains, and know that he loves and cares about our mission. He cares about me! He literally has one of the hardest missions to be president over, Elder Allen told us that. I am so grateful for him! Also, we had a housing check and passed! President, I think, wants to live at our house. I'm also pretty sure it is his favorite housing in the entire mission! I'm so lucky and blessed. I loved having an interview with him too, because he is so inspired. He knows what to ask and what to share, I love it. My mission president even brought us hot fudge sauce this week! This is a cute story. So, my companion is from Indonesia and speaks broken English. It's actually pretty good, but not perfect. ANYWAYS, she ended up buying cocoa powder thinking that it was going to taste good. I made her try some, and she almost died. When President heard this story, he ended up taking it home and making us some hot fudge sauce out of it! It was yummy! My mission president is the best.
Wednesday I got to follow up with a few members about our fireside! It was really cool! They are all so wonderful, and they are really good at missionary work. They all wrote down names of friends that they want to invite to church, and they are all excited to work on those names this month! That's what we're doing, a month called "Spectacular September" where our members invite many people to church or activities. It should be really cool!
Thursday was one of the best days! President asked me to play the piano for the big meeting with Elder Allen, so that was a little scary, but I am grateful I have the opportunity to use my talents to serve. I'm slowly learning that giving myself to the Lord, my whole self, everything I have, is where true happiness is found. But, Elder Allen talked to us about things that are really important in missionary work and things that will help us become Preach my Gospel missionaries. We all made giant lists of what we can improve on, and he told us to eat at them bit by bit. It's incredible to be in the same room as him! He is a true leader, I can feel it. I love it! The coolest statistic he told us is that there will never be below 80,000 missionaries ever again. The apostles thought it would curve down after the initial influx of missionaries right after the age change. However, the letters of other missionaries have been so inspiring, that it's made numerous other people want to serve. He said our letters home are changing the world! Kind of a crazy thought that every time a missionary writes their friends, they are inspiring them to do missionary work! What a huge blessing. Also, I want it to be known that Sister Simon noticed something in Preach my Gospel that is not in the planner! She told Elder Allen, well, Sister Mains had her tell him, and he said we will all be getting new planners, all over the world! So, when the new planners come, I want it to be known that my wonderful companion is the one who brought it up!!
Sister Y is progressing really well, and her family is going to come back to church. She needs more time to learn about God, but she is really progressing well.
I'll tell you about R now! She talked to us on Saturday and said she was going to quit, and she did it! She has no other job, but she just did it! She talked to us after she did it, and she is so happy. She is so grateful she did it! It was such a cool experience!! Unfortunately, they won't accept her resignation until the end of September, and then two week’s notice is actually a month and a half here. So, the baptismal date is looking like November/December :(. Maybe we can have another miracle and have that happen sooner! We don't want to have to wait that long! It's too much time for Satan to work. But, her husband hasn't had any missionaries, but we are probably going to send them to him this week if she's okay with that. Also, she is staying in Singapore. She said she likes it here!!! Thanks for fasting for her! She will love that!!!
Also, I got proposed to over the phone, I told the man no.
The rest of the week was really nice! I'm learning to be more of an instrument in the hands of God, and follow the spirit. I'm learning that my weaknesses can truly become strengths, and I'm learning that Christ's love is real, and He truly strengthens us every step of our lives. Just a thought for the week...The Gospel of Jesus Christ is really the 5-step plan to living with God again. It's so simple, but I really didn't comprehend it before I came on a mission. If you have time, read Elder Perry's talk on the Gospel of Jesus Christ from April of 2008. It's called the Gospel of Jesus Christ and is really good :).
Love you all!! Have a great week!!
xoxo
Sister Crabb
These are some of Alyssa’s responses to our letter:
Chocolate Coke is literally just coke with chocolate sauce mixed in. The senior missionary who gave it to us made a really big deal out of it :). It was really fun! Also, moon cakes are traditional Chinese cakes. They are BEAUTIFUL and take forever to make. They have a duck egg yoke inside, and are made out of Lotus Paste. It's got a fluffy, flaky outside. It's really good!
The fireside was on missionary work for the ward...it was to get them excited and try and give us referrals! They bring non-members, it was the 5th Sunday lesson.
I feel more adjusted than I have my entire mission. I feel truly happy. Keep praying for me! I think one thing I was thinking about this week was the fact that we should have faith in everything we do. I think sometimes we get so monotonous about church, that we forget the 'why' of everything we're doing. Sometimes, I think we just go through the motions like you mentioned, and don't realize that there is a purpose behind everything, and if we put faith in Heavenly Father, everything we do can be an enjoyable experience for us that draws us closer to God.
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| Booklets she and her companion made and gave out at ward fireside |
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| Singapore Zoo |
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| Elephant Ride! |
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| Elephant Ride! |
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| Lesser Mousedeer at Singapore Zoo |
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| Singapore Zoo |
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| Big bat and ?? at Singapore Zoo |
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| Lemur at Singapore Zoo |
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| Indonesian BBQ |
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| Huge snail! |
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| Eating chicken feet!!! |
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| Ugh..... |
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| She said it was gross!!! |
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Monday, September 1
I can't believe how fast time flies here! I have a lot to say, but again, not as much time to tell you all about the life of being a missionary as I can. Thanks for all your support! I can always count on you all. I want you to know though, that I am doing well. I am doing great!!
This week was crazy! It was so, so, busy and we are seeing so many miracles in the work!! I got to eat anchovy and fish ball soup - it was interesting. I also got to wear my personal progress medallion, and someone asked me about what it meant! It was so fun to explain to them about the Young Women Program!
We are seeing so many miracles as Sister Simon and I literally talk with EVERYONE. We are talking to millions of people and getting so many phone numbers, and it showed up today in reporting! Heavenly Father is blessing us with people in our path!
This week we had 3 new investigators, and are still working mainly with Y and R. Y and her family have been praying everyday this week! I'm so excited!! They are really starting to progress! Also, we took R to do family history and talked to her about the priesthood. She loves both of them, as always, and is so nice! We took 'selfies' after our lesson, because she wanted to be able to have pictures of us.
There's been so much rain here! It's fun, and also really wet!
Here's the couple stories of the week that you should know:
First, Sister Simon and I got separated! She didn't realize that we were at Toa Payoh, and so she hopped off the MRT two stations early! I was talking to someone about the gospel and didn't notice her leave. As I walked off the train at Newton and she didn't find me, I panicked! It was so weird to not have a companion!!! But, we figured it out. Don't worry :)
We were able to make a million little books for a fireside we did on Sunday! We decorated them with magazine pictures, and they were really cute. However, it took us all weekend! I can't even tell you how many books we made.
I sat in an all Chinese lesson this week! It was really weird to just be sitting there and have no idea what was going on!!
Also, I tried mooncakes and chocolate coke this week! It's Autumn Festival for Chinese people, so many people are celebrating.
Our fireside was crazy!! We found out about an hour before that President and Sister Mains were going to be attending. On top of that, so was Elder Allen, the Area Seventy over missionary work - the main missionary director - and his wife!! Plus, Elder Woo, the Singapore Area Seventy was also there. They sat on the stand during sacrament meeting, then all watched as Sister Simon, I, Elder Moala, and Elder Jones gave a fireside!! It was insane!! I can't even tell you how nervous I was. It was stressful, but it worked out! After the fireside, Elder Allen gave me a fist bump. He's pretty cool :).
So, my thought for the week? I really like that as we learn more about the gospel, our perception of the gospel changes. It's not that the doctrine changes, it's that we do, and we implement it differently. Also, Ether 12:27 really is a true, living promise. I see it working miracles for me as a missionary!! As I continue to try and give my all to Heavenly Father, I see miracles. Heavenly Father truly loves us, and cares about us. He wants us to succeed, all of us.
I love you all!! Have a great week!!
Love,
Sister Crabb
This week was crazy! It was so, so, busy and we are seeing so many miracles in the work!! I got to eat anchovy and fish ball soup - it was interesting. I also got to wear my personal progress medallion, and someone asked me about what it meant! It was so fun to explain to them about the Young Women Program!
We are seeing so many miracles as Sister Simon and I literally talk with EVERYONE. We are talking to millions of people and getting so many phone numbers, and it showed up today in reporting! Heavenly Father is blessing us with people in our path!
This week we had 3 new investigators, and are still working mainly with Y and R. Y and her family have been praying everyday this week! I'm so excited!! They are really starting to progress! Also, we took R to do family history and talked to her about the priesthood. She loves both of them, as always, and is so nice! We took 'selfies' after our lesson, because she wanted to be able to have pictures of us.
There's been so much rain here! It's fun, and also really wet!
Here's the couple stories of the week that you should know:
First, Sister Simon and I got separated! She didn't realize that we were at Toa Payoh, and so she hopped off the MRT two stations early! I was talking to someone about the gospel and didn't notice her leave. As I walked off the train at Newton and she didn't find me, I panicked! It was so weird to not have a companion!!! But, we figured it out. Don't worry :)
We were able to make a million little books for a fireside we did on Sunday! We decorated them with magazine pictures, and they were really cute. However, it took us all weekend! I can't even tell you how many books we made.
I sat in an all Chinese lesson this week! It was really weird to just be sitting there and have no idea what was going on!!
Also, I tried mooncakes and chocolate coke this week! It's Autumn Festival for Chinese people, so many people are celebrating.
So, my thought for the week? I really like that as we learn more about the gospel, our perception of the gospel changes. It's not that the doctrine changes, it's that we do, and we implement it differently. Also, Ether 12:27 really is a true, living promise. I see it working miracles for me as a missionary!! As I continue to try and give my all to Heavenly Father, I see miracles. Heavenly Father truly loves us, and cares about us. He wants us to succeed, all of us.
I love you all!! Have a great week!!
Love,
Sister Crabb
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| R and Sister Crabb |
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| R, Sister Simon, Sister Crabb |
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| At the church after giving a fireside |
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| After fireside... |
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