July 29, 2013

Dear Home,

     First, a bit of news concerning my visa.

Don't freak out it's not that big of news.

...

But it is news.

...

are you dying of anticipation yet?

...

I would be...

Okay, here we go.

     Last week, our zone was scheduled to have interviews with President Ashton on Tuesday, right before our district meeting. I was pretty excited. I really like President Ashton. He interviewed our companionship first. He started with Elder Christensen, then me, then Elder Jones. When I went in for my interview, we talked about all the success our area has been having, and how pleased he is with our performance. Then he told me that he'd like to discuss some things concerning my visa.

     He told me that some time into my 3rd transfer, if I was still here in Texas, then church headquarters may begin considering permanently re-assigning me. He asked me, should that happen, what would I want. Of course, I told him that I'd like to stay here in Houston South. He seemed relieved, and told me that he really wants me to stay in Texas. "Not that I'm praying for your visa not to come," he said, but he'd really like to keep me in the Texas Houston South Mission with them. Then he asked me if I'd like to go Spanish speaking (half the mission is Spanish speaking), or stay English. I told him I'd like to stay English, if that's okay, ha ha ha. (I really like my English investigators). It turns out that he wants me English speaking as well because Elder Jones said they discussed me in his interview, and he told me that President said, "We really need Elder Crapo in English". WOW! Talk about a self-esteem boost. I hope by the end of my service here, I'm as good of a missionary as President Ashton thinks I am. As this is the second to last week of the transfer, we may find out if Elder Jones will be training again, which would tell us if I was being transferred or not, because we're pretty sure Elder Christensen will get his visa either by the end of this transfer, or the beginning of the next. It really could come any day now, and it's scary because we really have the best companionship I've ever seen. With how well we work with each other, and by the success and blessings we've been seeing, I doubt anybody else has it as good as we do. They really are a blessing. We're also worried that we might get split up "to spread the goodness around" as Elder Christensen put it.

     Anyway, I don't have any breaking news for this week other than that. Diamond relapsed only one day last week, but has been strong ever since. She has a daughter named Delexis, who is nine, and said she'd like to get baptized with her momma, so we're going to start teaching her, and preparing her to be baptized. She said she loves to read, so we gave her a Book of Mormon of her own to read, and she held it like it was the most precious thing she'd ever touched (which--it kinda is). Our only real struggle with our investigators for the past few weeks has been getting our investigators to church. Yesterday, we had 7 investigators at church! The standard of excellence is2! We still missed some, though, and we're still working with them and the members to help the stragglers make it there on Sunday.

     I continue to learn and grow and stretch and love my mission. If I end up staying in Texas for the rest of my service, I know that it is because the Lord wants me here, not Brazil. I know why I'm here, and I'll take whatever I'm handed. All I want is the be able to serve as well as I can, wherever I can. I love you all, and I'll see you soon!

                                                                     com amor,

                                                                  -Elder Crapo

My apologies to all who follow this blog!

Hey everyone,

Nick's Mom here.  I'm sorry the blog has been such a mess lately.  I am having computer issues and it has made posting pictures very difficult.  I am working on resolving the issue.  I have updated all the letters and added the pictures to past letters so scroll down to see them all.  Thank you for your patience as I deal with my technical difficulties!   Happy reading!

July 22, 2013 Another Baptism!!!

Dear Home,

 

     I'm so glad to hear that the family reunion went well! It sounds like it was a lot of fun! This week was extremely crazy for us, and we saw several miracles as we re-doubled our efforts to work hard. Let me start with Steven Romero. He was a media referral that we received from church headquarters a couple weeks ago, who is a catholic (but doesn't agree with all their teachings) with an inactive LDS girlfriend. He's 18 years old attending Texas A&M, a college or university here in Texas on Pelican Island (which is in our area). He told us that he was meeting with us because he has an open mind to learning about our church, and also because there is a deal that was made with his girlfriend's parents that she'll meet with Steven's parents about Catholicism, and Steven will meet with the LDS missionaries. He obviously agreed. He's a really smart kid, listens attentively in lessons, keeps all his commitments, and has already read a pretty big chunk of the Book of Mormon. So far he agrees with everything in the Book of Mormon, but isn't sure he believes everything we've been teaching him so far, but he's committed to reading and praying about the truthfulness of the B.O.M.

      Then there's Diamond. She is a bit like Eli in the sense that she's received all the missionary lessons, knows the church is true, and wants to be baptized, but up until this point, told the missionaries that she's not ready to give up smoking. To describe Diamond, she is pretty much as "straight-up" as anybody can get. This lady does not lie to you, and isn't afraid of telling you what she thinks, or hurting your feelings in the process. When we decided it was finally time to visit her again, she told us that she wants to be baptized, and is now ready to quit smoking. On Thursday, she smoked a whole pack of cigaretes. On Friday, she smoked one, and on Saturday, she didn't smoke any. WAHOO! She said she'd come to church, but she forgot that she was going off the island on Sunday, so she didn't make it this week.

     Our newest development is James. James is the son of Patricia, a former drug addict and chain smoker. He is 16 years old, and was taken to the hospital a few months ago for drug overdose. "The officials" took him out of the bad environment at home, and then he ran away from them to stay somewhere else, nobody is sure where. Once 'the officials' found him, they brought him back to Galveston to Patricia. Elder Jones told me that James looks completely different than the last time he saw him before his overdose. Apparently, he has been off of drugs for over 2 months, has realized that he needs to change his life, and contacted us because he wants to be baptized into the LDS church. His mom told us that before and after he was taken away, James always went to the church whenever he felt sad, alone, or depressed. Yesterday, he called us and told us he was at the church, so we went over there, opened the building, and taught him the first lesson. He knows it's true, and really wants to be baptized, so he has committed to reading the Book of Mormon, praying, and coming to church next week.

     Lastly, I'm excited to announce that Eli Rios was finally baptized on Saturday!!! He finally was able to overcome his alcohol addiction, and was baptized in the Gulf of Mexico on his birthday, July 20. It was a beautiful event, and we even saw some dolphins in the background as the service was being performed! I have enjoyed seeing the incredible transformation from how depressed he used to be, to the strong member of the church he has become. He told us that he is so proud to be a mormon, and wants the whole world to know it. He will be receiving the priesthood next Sunday, and has expressed his excitement to start participating in passing the Sacrament. "That's so cool!" he says. I took some photos of the gulf that I'll send this week. I'm loving my time here in Galveston, and I'll surely be sad when I have to leave.

 

                                                       Com amor,

                                                     -Elder Crapo

 

P.S. Thank you so so so so much for the CTR ring! It's perfect! I actually got to open it on my birthday. I wasn't sure what it was going to be, and I was so excited when I found out that it was the notes to the tune "Choose the Right". It's the coolest CTR ring that I've ever seen! I couldn't get over how perfect it is! Thank you so much!

 Baptism pictures! Here are the people from left to right:

Eli Rios Jr. (son)

Elizabeth (x-wife)

Elder Cooper (Elder Jones' companion before me, he performed the baptism at Eli's request)

Eli

Elder Jones

Elder Bethers (Elder Cooper's companion before Elder Jones)

Elder Christensen

Me

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