July 15, 2013

Dear Home,

     First of all, I got the package a week ago. I was wrong. oops! And what a package it was!!! Holy cow! I'm so grateful for all the things you sent, I was really surprised! Thank you for the brownie mix, corn muffins, and pineapple coconut cookies. The week before I received the package, Elder Jones asked me what my favorite cookie was, and I told him pineapple coconut. He had no idea what that was. I laughed when I opened up the box to fine those cookies in there! I had him try one, and he said that they're delicious, and they were! The recipes and cookbook saved us several times this past week. The timing of those items really was impeccable. We're still trying to figure out how to shop for and feed 3 people instead of 2, and we would have run out of food long before p-day if I hadn't had those recipes. It was a lot of fun letting my companions be my guinea pigs as I tried making new things for the first time. Indian Fry Bread has become a favorite of Elder Christensen's. Also, thanks so much to Karen for the tie! I love it, and Elder Jones is jealous of me when I wear it ;) . The Frisbees have been fun, too. We're probably some of the only missionaries in the mission with an apartment big enough to toss a frisbee. We actually had a "If our parents saw us doing this right now..." moment. Don't worry. Missionaries don't have nice enough things to break. And how could I forget about the helmet?? It fits so nicely, and it's a really good color! Thank you thank you thank you!!! Have I forgotten anything? If I have, know that it was greatly appreciated!
                                                      On to the week:

     Elder Christensen is "pre-trained" because he's really smart, follows all the rules, knows how to teach, and is already a really good missionary. We call them "pre-trained" when the trainer doesn't hardly have to work to train them because they already know all their stuff!

     This week, we're looking forward to the baptism of Eli. He stopped drinking on Friday, and if he keeps it up, he can get baptized on Saturday! We'll be making daily visits to his house to make sure he knows he's supported in this every step of the way. 

     The Uyeharas would like me to tell you that they are keeping their promise to keep me singing. I sang "Oh Lord, My Redeemer" in sacrament meeting, and then an arrangement of "Nearer My God, To Thee" at a devotional for investigators and missionaries yesterday. They keep me busy. 

     We're been extremely blessed with new investigators and referrals and discovery of inactive members this week. I have to write everything down in my planner and refer to it often just to keep all the people straight! I will let you know about each of them as we discover more about them, and help them get baptized/ reactivate into the church.

     I decided to send you a portion of my letter to the mission president this week (mostly because I don't have time to re-write it, ha ha). Here it is:

     "This week, we taught a lady who had her records removed from the church a year or so ago, but invited us over to teach her because she was looking for a church to raise her newborn daughter in. She told us that a friend of her's had shown her some anti-mormon literature, and convinced her that the church was false. When we taught her the first time, we simply taught by testifying, and addressed each question that she had. She seemed flustered and frustrated after our first meeting, and asked us to leave and come back another time so she could do some studying. When we returned, things went about the same way as they did the first time, only the topics were slightly different. After carefully and lovingly addressing each concern that she had, she told us that she was going to stop there, and that she didn't want us to come back. At that point, we realized that there was nothing more that we could do for her, except to bear our testimonies. That's just what we did. Each of us confirmed afterwards that the spirit was incredibly strong as each of us took our turn, and personally testified of the truthfulness of our message. When we had finished, she still continued to tell us that she had come to the conclusion that she didn't want to come back to the LDS church. We thanked her for her time, and went on our way. In my opinion, that was a case in which an investigator exercised their agency, and we had to let her go."

    I've learned that sometimes, after you've done everything you can do to help someone resolve their concerns about the church, they will still reject you. At that point there's nothing you can do but bear you testimony, and then the choice is up to the investigator whether or not the accept our invitation.

      I'm still loving it down here on the island! Happy Birthday to Grandma Crapo, and I love you all so much! I look forward to hearing about the family reunion!

-Elder Crapo

July 8, 2013 First Baptism!!!!!!!!

Dear Home,

  We got a baptism!
       On Saturday, we got to baptize Cheryl Elaine Lowd. I actually thought that we would have to postpone it again, because she missed her interview again on Thursday, but we talked to President Burgeson, and he agreed to try one more time on Friday. On Friday, we visited her first thing in the morning, and reminded her of the interview, and brought up (about a million times) what time it was supposed to be, and that we would be there to pick her up. When it was almost time for the interview that evening, we practically hunted her down. She said she was almost ready, and that she would be down in just a minute (we were meeting her out in front of the assisted living building where she lives). After waiting for a while, we went into the building and up to her room. When she opened the door, she told us she had lost her keys, which had her room key on it.
       One of the beauties of being in a trio companionship: you can enter any house.
    So the hunt was on! We searched her apartment (except the bedroom, of course), until Elder Jones found the keys hanging on her purse in her front closet. *sigh*.
       The baptismal service went really well except for a couple minor details:
1- When we showed up early to fill the font, we found 3, yes, 3 cockroaches in there. Two were already dead, and one was still alive. Of course, when we went around to enter the font so we could kill it, it had disappeared.
             
Really????
              To this day, I still have no idea where that cockroach went.

2- We did the best we could to clean out the font before we filled it, but when it was time to get in to perform the baptism...we had some floaties. yup.

3- After I said the baptismal prayer, and went to immerse Cheryl, she didn't bend her knees. Let's just say that it took a little bit of extra force to get her back up out of the water after she went all the way in. However, we didn't have to do it again. Everything was done correctly, so that's always a plus.
       Other than that, it was a really beautiful service, and the spirit was really strong. Jean was there, and we've made incredible progress with her. We may be able to baptize her this Saturday. We'll see.
       We had to come in early on the 4th, so we made a big delicious "Breakfast for dinner" meal with eggs and pancakes and sausage and bacon, etc, just like dad used to do on the mornings of the 4th. Then we watched a fireworks show from our back personal patio. It was really nice to just relax for an evening. I really enjoyed it.
      Our new companion is Elder Christensen. He's "pre-trained", and does a really good job. He's a great kid. He got to confirm Cheryl on Sunday.
      That was my week! I love you all!
             
 -Elder Crapo

Sorry the letter this week was cut short. There was an issue with the computer I was using in the library, and it told me I had 5 minutes until I'd be logged off, so I quickly finished and sent it right before it logged me off. They let me back on, but I didn't want to lose anything I'd typed. I don't have time to do it all over again, ha ha.

     I thought I'd let you know that the Uyeharas haven't gotten home yet, but they did send pictures, and it was good to see you guys. It was weird seeing two people from two different lives standing next to each other at home. I'm also grateful for the picture of you, Colton, and Julie. I had been hoping you'd send a picture of her this week. It was good to actually see her again.

     I don't know if I'll get the package from the Uyeharas today or a week from today. Good thing you didn't elaborate on what you put in it, and hopefully there isn't anything perishable. :) I think I'll wait until my birthday to open it if they don't get back until next week. It'll only be a couple more days, and it'll be fun to open something that morning. There's a new young couple that just moved into the ward, and they'll be feeding us that evening, so I'm pretty stoked for that, too. It's going to be a good day!

     Anyway, here is the picture I got on my camera from the baptism. That's Elder Christensen to the left of me. We get along really well. He's a good kid.

                                                           I love you!   

   

July 1, 2013

Dear Home,

       This has been quite the week. First off, no baptism yet. Cheryl needs an interview with someone in the mission presidency first, and so an interview is to be scheduled for this week, and then, hopefully we'll have a baptism on Saturday, ha ha.

       On Thursday, right after our daily planning at night, we received a call from the assistants that Elder Jones was going to be a trainer again next transfer (well, this transfer, now). As you could have guessed, this sent us into yet another frenzy of panic (they've got to stop doing that to us). Since Elder Jones would be getting a new missionary, there was a high possibility that I would be transferred elsewhere, and I would get a follow-up trainer for the remainder of the 12 week training program. BUT we wouldn't know for sure if I was being transferred until Monday (today). Neither of us wanted to be separated, so we both have been pretty stressed about it these past few days.

       This morning, we got the call from the district leader informing us which missionaries are being transferred this week. I'm staying! *happy dance* That means Elder Jones and I will receive a new addition to our companionship on Wednesday! So fun! We're currently trying to figure out where he'll sleep and study, but we're very excited for his arrival, and I'm excited to help Elder Jones get this new missionary going strong in the field! We also expect there will be some changes made to the zone, but we won't know for sure until Wednesday, so I'll be sure to let you know next week.

       That is pretty much what occupied the last part of my week. I went to Kemah on exchanges when Elder Jones went to his training meeting, and that was in a spanish speaking area. I understood some of the conversations they were having,  but a lot of the time, I was just lost, ha ha.

       I guess that's all I have for you this week. Kind of short, but I have lots of pictures for you this week, so hopefully that will make up for it.

 Amo voces!

-Elder Crapo

Okay. We got some glasses for free at "The Village By the Sea" apartments, and we had some fun. Of course, I got some yellow ones!

We had a referral who lived in some apartments by the seawall, so we got some quick pictures while we were there.

We were on the top floor of an apartment complex at around sunset, and this is what we saw. I just had to get a picture of that cool VW bus!

Elder Jones and I were decorating our planner covers. Elder Jones has an unbreakable focus. Here's a picture of how mine turned out!

June 24, 2013

Dear Home,

What happened to the week?

     First, a bit of an update: Jean's baptism has been postponed. We visited with her on Thursday, and went through the interview questions with her, and everything was good. She was excited, we were excited, things were going well. Then later that day, she called us and told us that she wasn't ready to be baptized yet for some reasons that were unclear (she's a little hard to understand sometimes, especially over the phone). When we visited her the next day, and then again on Saturday, she seemed a little distant, unwelcoming, and anxious. We're not sure what happened between our lesson on Thursday and the time she called us, but something is definitely up. She didn't come to church on Sunday, either. Saying something about how she went for a walk that morning, and "just can't make it".

     Cheryl, however, is still doing very well. She came to church yesterday, and we set a time for her to be baptized this Saturday. She's very quiet and shy, so it was hard teaching her at first, because it was like talking to a 2-brick-thick wall that only mumbles inaudibly back at you. But now she loves to see us, and smiles when we come over. We're all very excited for her. I'll be the one performing the baptism, and Elder Jones will perform the confirmation. I can't wait!

     Thomas and Jasmine. First off, Jasmine got her job!!! Wahoo! However, that makes it extremely difficult to catch them both at the house at the same time. We haven't had the chance to follow up with both of them yet because of that reason. Hopefully I'll have more of a development for you next time.

     We also visited the Uyeharas again this week. Brother Uyehara is in charge of the music in sacrament meeting, and asked if the Elders wanted to sing in sacrament meeting on Sunday. This is when Elder Jones throws me under the bus and tells them all about my performing experience. Delighted, Brother Uyehara asked if I would sing "This is the Christ", and I agreed. As usual, I had only a couple days to prepare, and as usual, I had to just "pull a Crapo". The musical number went really well, and I definitely received some divine help (especially since it was nine o' clock in the morning). The reaction was good. Many who were present thanked me for sharing my talents, and helping invite the spirit into the meeting.

     Other than that, the work keeps on moving forward. Each day I become more attached to the island, the people, my companion, and this work. It really is such a blessing to be here every day. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I love you all, and I look forward to hearing from you next week! It'll be a new transfer then! Yipee! One transfer down!

                                                                          Amo voces!

  

                                                                        -Elder Crapo

June 17, 2013

Dear Home,

  HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! yesterday.

     First off, today has been the meanest day. Elder Jones and I were woken up at 5:50 this morning to do a surprise hurricane evacuation drill, so that was a great way to start the day. We quickly packed a few things, secured the apartment, and headed out to our "safe haven" check point at the church. When we got back from the drill, Elder Jones went to start a load of laundry, and it turned out that our washer isn't working right now. The "Lehi Elders" (they cover the island as well, but they speak spanish. and they get to drive a car) offered their apartment washer and dryer to us. After we left their apartment, we headed to the library to do our e-mailing as usual. When we showed up, the man at the front desk told us that Comcast was having an issue, and their internet was down for the day. So, we had to track down somebody with a key to the family history library at the church so we could e-mail. We finally got a hold of the bishop, he gave us a key, and now here I am.

     In other exciting news: On Saturday, I had the unique and not-so-wonderful experience of watching Elder Jones get hit by a car as we were riding our bikes to an appointment. We were passing a Firestone tire shop, and Elder Jones saw a lady pulling out. He stopped so she could go, but she stopped completely, and wasn't moving at all. After seeing that she was stopped, Elder Jones started peddling, but at the same time, this lady gunned the gas pedal. Elder Jones slammed his breaks, but the lady wasn't looking, so she ran right into his front wheel, sending Elder Jones onto the hood of her car, and carrying him/ dropping him off in the middle of the road. His shoe went flying up in the air, and his front rim was totally munched. Luckily, there wasn't any oncoming traffic at that moment. Otherwise, he would have been toast. He got off the road, we grabbed his bike and shoe, and got out of the way before any more cars came passing by. The poor lady was out of her mind with worry about what had happened. We had a member with us, so she took all three of us in her little car, and payed for a new rim for Elder Jones' bike. Miraculously, the only damage done to Elder Jones was a few scrapes. Other than that, he was just shaken up.

 Good times.

     After that, we taught Cheryl and Jean. They are two black ladies living in an assisted living building for different reasons. They're not old, though. Cheryl is in her 40's, and Jean is in her 50's. The first time Cheryl came to church, she asked if she could bring a friend. We said yes, of course! So, she brought Jean with her, and both of them loved coming to church. They are both progressing really well, and have no problems with smoking, drinking, etc. They're pretty golden. Jean will get baptized this upcoming Saturday, and Cheryl will get baptized the Saturday after that. We also started teaching Herb, and he has accepted a baptismal date for July 6th, I think. (My memory is awful these days.)
     

     Thomas and Jasmine continue to be incredible. We found out that they're actually engaged, not married, though. They act so much like a family, and Jasmine wears her engagement ring, so we assumed. oops. However, after we taught them the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we taught the Law of Chastity. They told us that they knew that the Lord was telling them that they should get married, and they had no issue with anything we discussed. So, we discussed possible wedding dates (they hadn't picked one yet), and they're going to pray about it, and tell us what they've decided next time we visit. Their main concern was money for the wedding, and when we told them that they could use the church for free, and that the bishop would marry them for free, they got really excited. I really hope I get to be here for their wedding and baptism. They are awesome.

     Other than that, the work continues to hasten. Elder Jones and I met the standards of excellence for the first time in Elder Jones' time as a missionary, and for the first time in our area for a very long time. We taught 22 lessons, 10 member presents, 6 LARCs, and 6 others. We currently have 5 progressing investigators, and 7 with dates, found 3 new investigators, and received 5 referrals. Elder Jones said that those were the best numbers he has ever had.

     I love you all so much, and I can't wait to hear about the new arrival this upcoming week! I don't have pictures for you today (sorry), but I'll make sure to get some good ones for you next week.

                                                                            Amo Voces!

-Elder Crapo

June 10, 2013

Dear Home,

        Holy cow, Colton is 16!!!

    

    I'm in denial. Also, school is out! It's so weird to think about you guys putting up the pool and everything already. It's so fun to read about all the family goings on, and it brings back good memories.

   This week, Elder Jones and I have been working really hard. We don't mess around, we git er done. We'd run ourselved ragged last week, and were running all over the place last p-day, so by the time we got to the end of the day after proselyting for a few hours, we were beat. We decided to take a break from our bikes, leave them at the apartment, and walk for a bit instead. So there we were, walking down the street, tired as all get out, and we pass by an apartment complex of a man we've been trying to get a hold of for a while, and decided to try his door since we were there. We headed into the complex, and saw the door of some investigators who we'd had a scheduled appointment with a few weeks ago, but weren't home when we showed up (it happens a lot). We decided to knock on their door first. When we knocked, a lady by the name of Jasmine opened the door. She recognized us because a few missionaries had been by to do scripture study with them a few months before. We talked for a minute, and her husband asked who was at the door. He asked if it was "the mormons?" and she said yes. He (his name is Thomas) told her to let us in.

   So she let us in, and they introduced themselves. They're a young married couple with one 3 year old daughter and a new born son. Jasmine is black, and was brought up Baptist, but hasn't been to church for years. Thomas is white, and believes in God and Jesus Christ, but I'm not sure which church he associates with. They told us that they had been praying a lot recently, and that the fact that we knocked on their door that day was a sign from Heaevly Father. Thomas lost his job a while ago, and they've been struggling a bit, but he just got his job back, and they are seeing several blessings from the Lord in their lives. We asked them if we could give them a message about Jesus Christ, and they willingly agreed.

   The spirit was so strong as Elder Jones and I taught them about the Retoration. They were both very involved and asked all the right questions, and Thomas told us that he "feels so good right now". We taught them about the spirit, and invited them to be baptized on the 29th of June. They both said yes. This lesson was so good because we were all following the spirit. Elder Jones and I were just feeding off of each other's energy, and we spoke all the words that the spirit was giving to us. No single person was talking too much or too long. It went extremely well. We made an appointment to come back the following Wednesday, and they were really excited about it.

   On Wednesday, we invited Lacrisha (remember her?) to come with us to visit Thomas and Jasmine. It was a perfect match. She really identified with Jasmine because they were both brought up in a baptist church. We taught them about baptism, and our plans for them, and then we discussed the Plan of Salvation. Again, the lesson went really well. Especially when we got to talking about the kingdoms of glory, and they had some questions about our beliefs about heaven and hell. The spirit directed us to explain what we believe in a simple way, and their questions were answered. They received it really well. We invited them to church, and they had the real intent to go, but Thomas has work (a blessing) on Sunday (...less of a blessing) in the morning right when church is. Jasmine still wanted to go, but Thomas would have the car, so Lacrsha offered to give her a ride (yesss. I love awesome members). On Saturday, though, we called to make sure that things were squared away for church on Sunday, and Jasmine decided that she didn't want to go to church her first time without Thomas with her. They appologized, and Thomas said he'd do all that he can to get Sunday off so they can go next week.

   They have been so prepared by the Lord to receive us and the church in their lives, and it is such an honor to watch them grow and help them progress, and I love seeing the light fill them up as they identify with the truths that the spirit is teaching them.

    There is so much more that I want to tell you! I don't have adequate time to do them all justice, so I'll just do my best:

-Adrienne is the daughter of two less-actives. She's 11, and has received all the lessons and passed all requirements for baptism. Her dad is a member, but hasn't been ordained a priest. We really want him to be able to baptize his daughter, and her date has been set for this Saturday. We hate to have to, but if he wants to baptize her (which he does), we have to push the date back. This is frustrating because members have told me they've been working on getting Adrienne baptized for years, and we hate to wait any longer, but we have to wait for the bishop to interview Brother Christiensen (Adrienne's dad), so he can be ordained.

-Eli is still struggling with alcohol, but is slowly getting better.

There are others that I'll get to later. I love you all! Keep up the hard work (or hard fun). I'll see you all soon!

                                                                                       Amo voces!

                                                                                  -Elder Crapo

Apartment pictures

Sunset in Galveston

Whoo-ee!

Dear Home,

 

       One more week down, and still loving Galveston. I'm slowly getting used to the area, and I can almost figure out where we are and where we're going, and which way is home without the help of Elder Jones. Oh, Elder Jones. I've learned very quickly over the past few weeks that he loves to try to "pull a fast one" without me realizing it. I told him last week that I used to be an elementary school teacher, that I can smell mischief, and that not many things like that get past me, and he's taken that as a challenge. So far, he's tried several times, and not succeeded once. Muahaha! For example, sometimes he tries to steal and wear my name tag to see how long he can wear it without me noticing. He only succeeded in taking it from my dresser once (I was in the bathroom), but he was wearing it for only a minute or two before I started calling him "Elder Crapo".

       I realized I didn't tell you about the bike situation down here. It's kind of funny, actually. If I was originally called to this mission, I would have ordered and payed for a bike before I arrived so I would have one to use once I got here. Being a visa waiter without a bike, in a biking area, made things a bit interesting for a few minutes when we were at the transfer meeting that first day. I didn't have a bike, and I really needed one in order to do anything in Galveston. They had just one "loner" bike that they gave to me, and boy, is that thing old. The break pads are all worn down, so every time I try to stop, it sounds like my kickstand is dragging on the ground. When I try to switch gears, it takes two minutes for it to completely adjust, so that's a lot of fun. It's pretty beat up, too. It has a lot of character, but it gets me from home to Campeche Cove and back in one piece, so I'm not complaining. I also received an ancient helmet that I'm sure was used by the missionaries who first worked in Houston. Every time I strap that helmet to my head, I am wearing a piece of history. No joke. It's super attractive. I actually told Elder Jones that I might as well stick a coconut on my head, and it would serve me just as well.

       We have so many fantastic members in our ward. We're not supposed to have favorites, but the Uyaharras (I have no idea how to spell it. It's Japanese. Pronounced yoo-har-ruh.) are soo awesome. Sister Uyaharra is from New Zealand, and her husband is from Japan. They're a little older, and they've traveled all over the world together. They actually knew Steve and Sue when they were living in Germany. I think they were in the same ward or something. That was super fun to find out. They always bring us fruit whenever they go grocery shopping. Brother Uyaharra is always telling us "no scrambled egg sandwiches!" It's funny. They're really sweet and they spoil us.

       Then there's Lacrisha. Oh man, she has got some awesome spirit in her, she do. She's a big black lady (she's taller than I am) with two kids, and "she is FABULOUS."  She's a recent convert from a southern baptist church. Her testimony is incredible. You take her baptist spunk and add the LDS doctrine, and she just makes you want to stand up and say "Hallelujah!" To the missionaries, she's like our "Big Momma." She's always concerned for us, and she does all she can to help us out. She's got that "I'm a big, strong, independant black woman who don't need no man" attitude. She's awesome.

        I'm absolutely loving it here in Galveston, and I was actually thinking the other day, "If I received my visa tomorrow, and had to leave here, I'd be really sad. I'm not ready to leave yet!"  Good thing I'm pretty sure I'm sticking around for a little while longer, so I'm not worried. If it's time to go, I'll go. I look forward to hearing from y'all next week. I love you!

                                                                                    -Elder Crapo