Monday, April 6, 2015

Happy Easter!! I loved being able to enjoy such a special holiday - even though we were in the hospital the majority of the day. We went to the hospital because we thought Sister Lawless was having an appendicitis attack. We went from church in this giant van driven by a Senior couple (one of the only cars the mission gets because they are just so expensive!). I loved being able to pray and use the Atonement to make me into what I need to be for Sister Lawless at the hospital, even though I was feeling pretty bad myself (while at the hospital she had her ear checked and she has another ear infection).  They finally have Sister Lawless diagnosed! It will be such a blessing to have a companion who is healthy.

This week, the work went pretty well! We had a few setbacks, but this coming week is going to be a good one! N still didn't get baptized, and that was very sad and frustrating to me. All around, it was a hard week. I feel like I'm trying my best and I'm trying to be so good and so faithful, and things just aren't working out how I had planned. Anyways, as I was studying, and praying to find answers (I always seem to get answers in my studies, which I'm so grateful for!) I was directed to the story of Job, and Moroni, and The Savior. As I was able to think about how faithful those three people were, I realized that they were probably some of the most faithful people in the scriptures, and yet, they still didn't get exactly what they planned for. Moroni had to wander in the wilderness for many years by himself, Job had to suffer endless trials, and the Savior of the world asked if there was 'another way' to accomplish His mission. In short, I realized that things may be frustrating in a moment, but that God always rewards us for our faith. It may not come in the way we want, or in the way we see, but He always keeps His promises. I've felt a lot of God's love this week, and loved being able to enjoy missionary work - even when it is hard.

N still didn't get baptized, but J is becoming a very good, progressing investigator. He was able to come to our Easter activity (more details later..) and as we took him on a church tour, he saw the YM room, and the challenge to read the Book of Mormon in 365 days. He is trying to do it! Also, he went to some other Christian church's play with his friend, and we were a little bit worried about it, but he came out of the play with a desire to read the Book of Mormon every day and to strengthen his faith in Christ - God works in mysterious ways!

Our Muslim investigator H is still enjoying being fellowshipped by our ward, and I was able to study out and answer his question about why we need a Savior - it really made my Easter weekend more meaningful, and I think one of the best answers I came up with is that we need a Savior because without one, it would mess up our agency and ability to progress. We would have no need to repent and change if we were simply punished on the last days.

Our other investigators are doing very well, we are simply working with 3rd parties to get permission for baptism, etc. It's an interesting process, but I know things are going to work out in God's timing.

This week, to work in harmony with the members, we threw an Easter activity where we were able to dye Easter Eggs, do an egg toss, an egg hunt, and share a story about Easter. The activity finished with us going into the chapel to watch the new Easter video the church put out. The event was very enjoyable, and we had a lot of success as there was a potential who referred a friend to come, and that referral brought another friend! It was amazing! They said they really felt peace in the chapel, and one of them is interested in finding out where that peace comes from :)

In conclusion, I studied about faith this week, and why faith leads to miracles. I think a lot of it has to do with the Atonement, and how we can accomplish nothing without Christ.

Have a great week!
Love, Sister Crabb

Easter activity...J is sitting right next to me, H is in the orange shirt, the rest are members and referrals:).