Winter is here 1/18/16

Hello everyone, how cold is it out in the USA and around the globe?
It is currently 5 degrees here in E-Town with wind chill haha...my
mission goal was to stay away from the cold but oh well. You'd think
people would be a bit more generous when they see you biking in 10-20
mph winds in 10-20 degrees but...nah haha. But I'm still grateful I'm
in a bike area otherwise I'd look like a hibernating bear in a Ford
Fusion. Haha we've had lots of opportunities to stay out of the cold
though so I'm grateful. On Saturday we did 6 hours of service, I LOVED
it! We volunteered at a homeless shelter called Warm Blessings near
the edge of our area for 4 hours doing something called "warming
shelter". What happens is there has to be someone to chaperone the
shelter otherwise they kick the homeless people out into the cold, so
we did not want that! We played a ton of cards with 2 older guys there
and they really liked us, to the point where every time someone else
started cussing they would be like, "Woah!!! We got elders here watch
your mouths!!" We also had a few chances to talk about the gospel with
some of the people there. One of the guys there walked up and tried to
bible bash us, but we were able to calmly and kindly talk to him about
the purpose of missionary work and our church. After 4 hours of fun,
we changed into jeans and t-shirts. We went to a corn and cattle farm
with a member and helped make a shed inside of a barn! I didn't take
pictures but I will when we go back out.

I think one of my favorite parts of this week was seeing Naje and
Norien. They are getting baptized next Thursday on the 28th! We saw
them twice this week and they are progressing so fast, their sister
reads with them every night and they came to their second Sunday of
church! I've had lots of opportunities to be taught this week, we had
a zone conference (where all the missionaries from our "zone" or
certain area meet for some trainings). We were trained on how to teach
about repentance. In my own learning, I found so much comfort from the
full repentance process and understanding that I can overcome my sins
through my savior Jesus Christ. I found even more counsel from our
stake conference. We had our stake president and 4 general authorities
from Utah speak to us and it was amazing! I loved Elder Whitney L.
Clayton's thoughts on charity. True charity is attained when we ask
our father in heaven to grant us that attribute and when we put forth
a true effort to make it a part of our lives. I believe that to be he
case for anything we want to righteously attain in this life. If we
work for it and pray for it then Heavenly Father will not let our
efforts go unseen.

I love my savior and redeemer who lifts me up everyday and allows me
the chance to learn from my weaknesses. I can't imagine finding any
greater joy than to give someone the opportunity to make this gospel a
part of their lives. I know I am needed in Kentucky, right here right
now. I testify that the Book of Mormon is an additional witness to
Jesus Christ and we can find the greatest understanding of His
atonement and his life than any other book. Fight the good fight,
finish the race, keep the faith.

Much love,
Elder Crow

Kentucky. Is. Cold. 1/11/16

Hello everyone I hope your week has been amazing!
I realized it was already 2 so I thought I better get this out! This
week has been full of finding, but whatever I'm doing I know I'm doing
it for the Lord so that always brightens up my day. It was in the 50s
for most of this week and I was LOVING it...then yesterday it snowed
and it got really cold. Yesterday was 15 degrees, but it felt like 1
degrees because of wind chill (I'm not that smart the weather app just
told me). So we finally got some snow down in Kentucky, even though it
melted in the past 2 hours haha. Oh well, we definitely like biking in
the sunshine rather than an inch of snow. So I'm preparing myself for
winter, even though it's here, and I'm not prepared...uh oh. But rain
or shine there are people who need the gospel, and I'm gonna find em.
Just like I mentioned last week, there is no temptation we cannot
endure with Christ in our sights. I may have some tough days out here,
but no amount of cold or rejection can damper my mood unless I let it.
So I'm gonna put some sunshine in my soul; rain or shine, cold or hot,
night or day, I've got work to do.

"At all times, in all things, in all places" I have been called to
represent Jesus Christ. And whether you realize it or not, all of you
are doing the same thing (at least I hope you are). Just because most
of you don't have a tag on your chest doesn't mean you can't be an
example of Jesus Christ. I realize some people on my list are not
members of my church, but this still applies to you. You do NOT, I
repeat NOT, have to be a Mormon to live a Christlike life. The
commandments we are to live are the same for every person on the
earth. Happiness is promised to anyone and everyone who will strive to
follow the example of Jesus Christ. Not every second of every waking
moment, but we are promised blessings and aid from on high when we
most need it. I have seen these blessings in my own life. The gospel
is not always easy peasy lemon squeezy, but it is ALWAYS worth living
it (I will send another email soon with an analogy I thought of). I
have seen it in the lives of my own friends and family, and the people
I talk with every day.

I have definitely seen it in the lives of the Carter family. If I
haven't mentioned them before, they're an amazing family! Sister
Carter and her daughter, Natavia, are starting to come back to church.
Natavia is awesome; she did her personal progress all the years she
didn't come to church, she reads the scriptures with her 2 brothers
(who are investigating the church), and she made a diagram of the plan
of salvation! Her 2 brothers, Naje and Norien, are working to be
baptized on January 28th and they came to their first day of church
yesterday! I think the experience was so much better because it
sounded like no one was going to come to church that day, but when I
turned around after sacrament meeting was over, they were there and I
was even more grateful that the Lord let me wait to see he joy of
having someone at church. And they love our lessons. I asked Naje if
he wanted to go to the youth fireside (like a short church service
with speakers for youth 12-18 and parents), but he said "No I'd rather
have a lesson with you guys!" Ahhhh God is good and I know He is
watching out for me and my family. Nothing could make me want to do
anything else with my life right now, I get to experience so much joy
sharing the happiness Christ has given me with others!

I hope you all have an amazing week and make an effort to make Christ
more central in your life,
Much love,
Elder Crow

Snowy Sunday Morning 

The Hoop 1/18/16

Hopefully this works out, my iPad has been going nuts today but I'll try to send this last email. 

The parable of the Hoops:

We recently got a new basketball hoop in the gym at our church building, but only one hoop. Today I would like to use these 2 hoops as an example of the standards of the world and the standards Jesus Christ has asked us to follow.

This basketball hoop has been here for years. It is a reliable hoop and it is a bit wider than the newer one.

This is the new hoop. It looks nice and you'd automatically want to play a game with a hoop this nice.

Now I want you all to ask yourselves a question: WHICH HOOP WOULD YOU USE?

Now I will make a comparison of these 2 basketball hoops. The latter hoop I would like to the enticing so of the world, and in essence, Satan himself. You may be questioning this claim, but let me explain. The adversary has had time to develop his knowledge of mankind and he knows how to carefully deceive our minds and slowly dim the light of Christ which burns in our hearts. He has slowly worked his way from blatant lies and temptations, to subtle deceptions and white lies. He puts something that is appealing to the natural man in us all, in this case a new basketball hoop. There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the hoop. It's brand new, has a fresh net, and a shiny rim what's not to like?! But we will find, when we cast our lots with that which seems more appealing to our carnal state, that it is very difficult to make a shot and the ball seems to never go in. So is it with those who choose to rely upon the power of that fallen angel, even lucifer, there is no eternal reward or blessing for relying on a master whose only desire is to see us unhappy. Following the standards of the world may at times bring us joy, but the happiness found in these carnal things cannot keep us happy long enough. Sooner or later, we will be drained of what we though was true happiness and we will again turn to the things of this world to bring us temporary joy.

Now on to the first and older basketball hoop. This I would like to compare to the standards that God sets before us. This hoop has been used for many years, its net is worn and its rim rusty and old. It doesn't seem as good as the other hoop, but it is in all reality a much better hoop. It looks used because it has been used. There have been many years of use and abuse on this hoop, but it is still the same. Just as the hands of Christ are used daily. Almost daily he reaches down to raise us up and pull us from whatever hole we have fallen into. The hands of Christ look used because they are STILL used. When we take our chances with the Lord, everything will work out for the best. For following the standards of the church, and in essence the standards of our Savior, we may be ridiculed mocked and laughed to scorn. But it will all be worth it in the end. Never forget, though the path may seem to rugged and dangerous, there is nothing we cannot accomplish by letting the Lord work His will in our lives.

Remember Him every day,

Much love,

Elder Crow

Sent from my iPad

New Year

🎉🎉Happy New Year everyone🎉🎉 wow I hope you had an awesome New
Years Eve and enjoyed some time with friends and family!! We were
gonna play basketball for most of the night, but we come to the church
and what do we see? A New Years Eve balloon releaser thingy that was
no taller than 5' 6 me!! So we couldn't shoot the ball without getting
it stuck, so yeah that didn't happen. We just watched LDS videos for 2
1/2 hours...kinda different from the huge New Year's Eve dance I'm
used to. But it's always nice to be around other missionaries and to
get to know each other a little bit more. This week has included a lot
of learning on my part. I think it's practically impossible not to
grow and become more like Jesus Christ when you are truly devoting all
of your time and effort to helping people learn more about Him! I'm
very thankful that I've grown out of the old me and felt my faith
growing. Heavenly Father always wants us to become more like Him, and
that means we will have to do everything we can 24/7 to strengthen our
foundation in Christ(Philippians 4:13). The Lord always prepares a way
for us to accomplish those things He asks us to do, why wouldn't God
want us to do His will and His work? Like it says in 1 Corinthians
10:13 "but God...will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are
able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye
may be able to bear it." I testify that this scripture rings true even
hundreds and hundreds of years have passed since its writing. Heavenly
Father doesn't ask or command us to do anything that He will not help
us accomplish, whatever the task may be God will provide. I was
recently reading through my mission call (the paper that tells me
where I will serve my mission) and I realized how important this
calling is. I don't have it with me so I couldn't quote it, but it
talks about how each missionary has been found worthy and able to
serve the Lord and IF they rely on Him He will strengthen them while
they go about doing this great work. Now, no where did I ever read
that this would be easy, that I am entitled to baptize hundreds of
people, or that every moment of my mission would be picture-perfect. I
didn't believe any of that before, but it hit me so hard that
missionary work is a blessing when I see it as a blessing. I don't
think it's much different from anything else in life. We can choose if
something will be a blessing in our lives, or we can make it
miserable. We may not control everything but we can control our
attitude. I thought of a story when I said that's:

There once were 2 buckets sitting on the edge of a well,
One bucket looked at the other with a frown and said," All I do every day
Is go down and come up and go down and come up, but no matter how many
times I come up full I always go down empty!" The other bucket looked
at him with a smile and said," Huh, that's funny. All I do every day
is go down and come up and go down and come up, but no matter how many
times I go down empty I always come up full!"

(Thank you Danielsons for the story book I LOVE it) Our perspective
changes everything, so why make life cloudy and gloomy when we could
make it sunny and happy? That's my invitation to you, focus on the
good in life, light up the sky with your sunny smile, and count your
blessings; we always have blessing sin our lives we never even think
about! Heavenly Father blesses us with so much every day, take some
time to think about what he's done for you and your family!

I love you all soooo much,
Turn your storms into sunshine,
Much love,

Elder Crow

Dear Mom,

You did win the snow run, or race or whatever. Haha I read your email last night and while we were doing studies our ward mission leader texted "Dress warm and be safe...it's snowing". Looked outside and their were some pretty hard flurries coming down and I was like "Heck yeah we got some snow!!!" But the flurries ended after an hour and now it is sunny and probably in the 40s...Kentucky. I'm thinking about sending Elder Gehring a video asking why Russia stole all the snow (in a Russian accent of course) haha. It warmed my heart to see the little ones out in the now making the usual teeny snowman, their smiles melt my heart! Tell them I love them and I look at their pictures on my wall every day. Also I need Aunt Louise's address so I can send her a thank you letter, threw away the box already whoops! This fast Sunday held a lot of comfort and guidance for me. I was beating myself up again and the work was really hard this week, we are struggling to find people to teach and I always think it's because there is something I am not using in my missionary work. So for the past 2 days I have been doing my personal studies on faith and humility. I realized that, yes, I probably could do a better job relying on the Lord and trusting in Him. But, I learned something from God, and your email helped a bit. I read your comment "your children are making a difference" and I read your words about how whether or not I know it I am doing what I can. That put a big grin on my face and tears in my eyes, you always know exactly what to say and when to say it. I guess it's just your motherly intuition haha. This fast Sunday put even more truth and power behind your kind words. Fasting thins the veil to a point when Heavenly Father could answer the most simple and sincere prayer, if it is in accordance with His will and will help us through whatever we stand in need of. Something I read during my studies on faith came into affect during fast&testimony meeting. Although it may be 9 am, one of the greatest ways to have an increase in our faith is to hear another bear their witness of our Savior and their knowledge of this gospel, but something I forgot is that we can have our own faith built upon when we strive to build up others! In other words: BEAR YOUR TESTIMONY!!! I smiled as this thought came to my mind during sacrament meeting, and I did get up on the stand and bear my humble witness of Jesus Christ, His restored gospel upon the earth, and everything that has brought me to a greater knowledge of my Heavenly Father and His plan for me. I know He loves me. I know He has a divine purpose for me and every person on the earth. Even to those who feel they are not loved or cared for there is always someone we can rely on and that is the grace and mercy of Christ the Lord. Even to those who do not believe in Him, God still loves each one of us. That truth will never cease to be true, not now not ever. God bless you mom, for loving me enough to build me up and prepare me for what I'm doing right now. You are continuing to lift and support your sisters and I know they recognize he shining daughter of God you are, you are a beacon to all who see you.

Much love,

Happy New Year,

Elder Crow

Humility is a Gift 12/28/15

Hello everyone,
Sorry for getting this out so late the wifi at the church is broke.
Well I hope you all had an amazing Christmas and took time to remember
our savior and spend time with your families. Our Christmas Eve was
spent with the Dales...there are 3 Dale families. It is not physically
possible for it to be quiet when you are around the Dales haha. But it
was fun to spend time with all of them, and they gave all 4 of us
missionaries $45 of gift cards!! ...to Buffalo Wild Wings. Haha but we
were grateful. Opened up our packages for Christmas and I got so much
food I love it! And thank you to my Aunt Louise and mother for the
great sweaters, my sisters for the thoughtful pictures, and to my ward
family back home for their family Christmas cards. But of course, the
best gift I got was the chance to talk to my family for the first time
while on my mission. I honestly thought I would be bawling but I was
so happy I couldn't stop smiling! It made my heart melt to see my
beautiful baby sisters and my amazing parents (and Miss Kim). It felt
like the longest 45 mins-1 hour ever and it made my day, I don't think
I will ever stop loving my family! I count my family among my greatest
blessings, I couldn't be more grateful for them being out here serving
the Lord. And how grateful I am for a gospel-centered family, I can't
count how many broken families I have seen on my mission; single moms
or dads, siblings living in different states, fights being the only
form of talking...I just love my family soooooo much.

Well, this week has been pretty crazy weather wise. For the last 3 or
4 days, I have worn a short sleeve shirt cause it's been in the high
60s, loving it!!! But Kentucky gave me a nice rein-action  of home and
rained the past 2 days, and I've been reminded of the Lord's care for
his servants. Every time Elder Haws and I have stepped outside to bike
in the sheets of rain coming down, it seems to let up a little bit so
we can stay safe and still find people to talk to (but they all think
we're crazy). I don't have too much to say about this last week, but
God has given me many opportunities to grow in my patience and
humility. I'm so grateful that missionaries aren't spoon-fed
investigators or anything like that, everything we as missionaries
accomplish comes from constant work work work. And right now, I'll be
honest, the work is going kinda slow here in E-Toen. But I don't have
any room to complain, Heavenly Father blesses me snd Elder Haws so
much. I'm blessed to have someone who cares enough about me to make me
work for what I want, who gives me chances to grow and come closer to
Him every day.

I think so many people look at attributes like charity, humility,
diligence and so forth as something that is already part of someone's
personality. But something I have come to understand is that every
desirable Christlike attribute in the world can be obtained. When we
sincerely want to become more like our Savior, all we have to do is
pray and work. Pray to Heavenly Father that He will give you
opportunities to develop a certain characteristic, He will recognize
our desire to change and will help us along the way. But we will not
automatically be more loving, more willing to serve, more forgiving;
it take time. God will give us many opportunities to DEVELOP these
attributes through small or big experiences every day, and we have to
take advantage of them. Elder Haws and I have had a lot of chances
this week to become more humble, patient, and trusting in the Lord. I
can look back and see that I have done what I can to be more humble
and I have been given that gift. If we want to be more like Jesus
Christ, we have to put forth the effort. That is what I'm inviting
everyone to do here on Kentucky, and that's what the other 85,000
soldiers in God's army are doing. Take the opportunity this week to
ponder what you can do to be more like your Savior, then pray and
study to find how you can develop that attribute, then work to make
that attribute a part of your nature.

I love you all and stay strong in the Lord,
Much love,
Elder Crow


My amazing sister Rebekah drew all of 
this on my Christmas package, isn't she
amazing!!!




This is a tank in E-Town, and I am 
holding the word of God on top of it. 
Best tank ever.

Skyping on Christmas

12/24/15
Hello everyone,
I got permission to email you to confirm what time we are skyping. We
will try to shoot for 4:30 or 5 pm your time. It's a bit of a mess,
but the members we are eating with said we can make any time work.
Love you all soooooooo much and I can't wait to talk to you!!!

Much love,
Elder Crow




Saying goodbye on Christmas, love my eternal family whether I'm there or 3,000 miles away!!

A Savior 12/22/15

My dear friends and family it is so wonderful to be writing you all once again,

First off, I'd like to give a BIG late birthday shoutout to my amazing dad for this past Friday, I love ya dad and k can't wait to talk to you soon! And on the family note, congratulations to my cousin Lani and her fiancé, they're getting sealed probably as I type this out (sealing is when a man and woman are sealed together for time and all eternity, not just till death do we part).

If you were all grieving over no email yesterday it is because today is preparation day (p-day). Yesterday I wan in Indiana for a 4 zone Christmas party! President Brough gave an amazing training on enduring to the end. He talked about how we need to be a Nephi or a Sam rather than a Laman or Lemuel (those references are to 2 righteous brother Nephi and Sam, and 2 wicked brothers Laman and Lemuel in the Book of Mormon). Because if you think about it, Laman and Lemuel DID go on missions. They crossed the seas, they suffered in the wilderness, they went back to get the brass plates from Laban (wicked ruler). The only difference between these 2 wicked brothers and righteous brothers was that Nephi and Sam served how you are supposed to serve: with all your heart, might, mind, and strength to give your all to Heavenly Father. 

Anyways, I have a quick experience I'd like to share with you. So our investigators Nakia and Melissa were all set to be baptized this week, and Elder Haws and I were super excited because it's been one of those rough weeks. This Sunday was the last week they had to come to church to get baptized, but the member who picks them up for church had some bad news for us. They talked to their grandma and she told them they were going into this too fast and they shouldn't be baptized. We were really upset, but we forgot about it during church services, the spirit gave us a lot of peace that day and it was much needed. So yesterday we went to see them for an appointment we had scheduled with them. But they came out, told us that the church isn't for them and it isn't the answer to their prayers they're looking for. If I was the same person I was almost 5 months ago, I would've been ticked. But Elder Haws and I looked at each other, and we realized we were t mad at all. In fact, we felt really happy for some reason! We thought about it for the second, and I realized what it was. The pure love of Jesus Christ, His unconditional charity, had filled our hearts and given us comfort even in a huge missionary letdown.

But because of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ we don't have to endure any of that. During this time of the year we remember His birth, and the church's Christmas campaign is even called "A Savior is Born", but we should not forget that A Savior LIVES!!! He suffered for each on of us and because of His sacrifice He knows perfectly what we are going through so He can help us through our trials and afflictions. Because if Him there doesn't have to be any more pain, sorrow, loneliness, anger, or anything the adversary will place into our lives. Whenever we feel lost and alone, it is because we have not taken the time to turn to our Father in Heaven. Even if we feel we have done everything we can, we have not done everything if we have not called for Heaven's aid. Please don't forget the miracle of God's only begotten son coming to the earth during this Christmas season, and never forget the miracle of His life and His teachings. With God by our side and the love and faith of each one of us combined in unity, we could walk through Hell and back. There is nothing He cannot help us through, please check out these videos below and enjoy some nice holiday music, and if you want more go to Christmas.mormon.org

I love you all so much, enjoy your families and enjoy this Christmas season and God bless you all!!!

Much love,

Elder Crow

My masterpiece in a member's home, representing the Crow's Nest

Street contacted Santa, oh yes we did 

12 Days of Christmas December 6 - Tiffany Alvord #ASaviorIsBorn.
https://www.mormon.org/christmas/tiffany-alvord

12 Days of Christmas December 10 - David Archuleta #ASaviorIsBorn.
https://www.mormon.org/christmas/david-archuleta 

The fourth transfer of Elder Crow 12/14/15

Good morning to all of you!
This week has been a whirlwind of emotions and missionary work! This
last week was the week before we get transfer calls. A transfer is a
6-week time period of where a missionary is serving, but this transfer
was only 5 weeks because the church doesn't fly missionaries home
during the week of Christmas. But Elder Haws and I didn't let this
distract us. Elder Haws is such an amazing missionary and he's always
working me harder than the day before, I love it! We are always doing
something to serve, lift, or teach like Christ did and I wouldn't have
it any other way. We have been instructed to serve in our areas like
we are going to "die" here, in other words we should be serving like
there is no end to the missionary work we should serve with all our
heart, might, mind and strength. Saturday was brutal though. We were
still working as hard as we could, but we live right next to the zone
leaders and they know where everyone is going/staying before anyone
else does. So they would call us or drive by and mess with us, saying
something like, "It's been good knowin ya Elder Crow!" And they would
hang up or drive away without another word! It was driving me nuts
it's almost like the spirit of jokiness from DuPont Washington has
been instilled in these missionaries! But the Lord has a will for all
of us and I know whether I would've left or stayed in my area it would
have been His will. But Elder Haws and I are staying in E-Town for
another 7 weeks so I like that part of he Lord's will haha! I love
this town and the people here and I wasn't quite ready to leave yet.

I don't know if I've mentioned them in my past emails but we have 2
super golden ("perfect") investigators named Melissa and Nakia. They
are sisters and they have been meeting with us for almost 3 weeks now,
and their baptism date is set for December 26!!! They have come to
church twice, they live the word of wisdom and the law of chastity,
and they LOVE the members! They look forward to every lesson we have
with them and they are always working on the commitments we leave with
them. Now, lest you think we are spoon-fed our missionary work here in
E-Town let me tell you something. Every single person Elder Haws and I
are teaching right now has been found by street contacting, even Nakia
and Melissa. When we as missionaries want to find people to teach, it
isn't as simple as asking and waiting for them to come to us. Finding
people to teach is hard work; it is constantly praying for guidance,
having faith that Heavenly Father will bless us according to our
faith, and working our tails off (like that Mormon stereotype joke?)!
The Lord blesses us when we show Him our desire to follow His will, it
is constantly putting our words and our faith to ACTION rather than
just give Him lip service.

As a missionary and servant of Jesus Christ, I will only bring my
brothers and sisters unto Christ when I work. Work defines everything
we do and it forces us to give every ounce of faith, strength, and
love we have to this gospel. Based on what the Lord has asked of me, I
have developed a motto I strive to live every day of my life and I
hope will remain a part of my life for as long as I live: GET UP, GET
OUT, AND GO TO WORK. I have had people laugh and joke at my call to
serve here in Kentucky and I don't give a lick about what they have to
say about it. I love Kentucky with all my heart and I wouldn't want to
be anywhere else in the world, I am needed here and I know that
without a doubt in my mind. The Lord needs me in Kentucky just much as
he needs my bros serving in Massachusetts, Russia, Florida, Iowa,
Paraguay, Argentina, Australia, and everywhere else in the world. I
have been called and prepared to serve the the Great Kentucky
Louisville Mission and I will thank my Heavenly Father for this call
to serve as long as I live. The work is very hard and there are
moments where i just feel so overwhelmed, but that is when I need to
put my trust in Jesus Christ. Then I get up, get out, and go to work.

Thank you all for your love and support, and shout out to the Gehrings
and the Danielsons for their gifts/letters they sent me I loved
them!!!

Much love,
Elder Crow

The sunset while we were eating at a 
member's home

After we got transfer calls

12/715

Dear mom,

In answer to your Christmas question I'm not entirely sure! For now, maybe a sweater I could wear when it gets real cold and some of dad's thermals that fit me( I think I've worn his Ls before. Actually, what would really make my mission would be a handwritten letter from everyone and maybe a couple pictures from Rachel and Leah; and somehow find a way to email pictures and videos, both dad and Rebekah haven't been successful! Try talking to some tech guru who knows how to send it via Apple, not Google.

Thank you so much for all you do. I love you so much for everything you've done for me, both on my mission and before! You've always been there for me and you've put so much effort into raising me and making sure I'm ok. I don't have much time left to talk but thank you so much for constantly checking up on me and writing me. I am always looking for your emails to come, it is much anticipated on my part.

I love you so much have a great week and love the Lord,

Elder Crow

Your future is as bright as your faith 12/7/15

Hello you gorgeous children of God that I cannot see,
It is so wonderful to have the blessings that technology provides us today and I'm so grateful I don't have to rely on a library for my emails haha. This week has been filled to the brim with work, challenges, discouragement, and blessings. Notice that only one of those things holds self evident happiness, although working hard as one of the Lord's missionaries is something I count among my blessings every day. My mission could be looked upon by others as boring, too much work, scary, or just plain stupid. But there isn't a thing this world can throw at me that would make this experience any less spiritual or amazing than it already is. Serving the Lord every day, 7 days a week, 12 months a year, 700 days of my time on this earth is something I will treasure now and into the eternities. Although the work is trying, the emotions spike every once in a while, and my legs never get a biking break Elder Haws and I LOVE IT!!! Heavenly Father has seen our efforts, He has heard our prayers, He has watched our faithful service, and He has blessed us. This week, we found 7 new investigators and 5 of them have baptism dates!! I know that it is because of never-ending work, EXACT obedience to the Lord, and constantly exercising our faith. I was working with one of my favorite members this week, Chris Loesevitz, and we were teaching a family with 2 less active members and 2 boys that haven't been baptized. While I was teaching them the restoration, one of the boys who is 12 just flat out said, "I wanna be baptized mamma!" And I could hardly keep from jumping up and down with joy! The Lord prepares His children to hear this glorious message!

That brings me to the title of my email this week. I have been listening to a young single adult devotional or a talk every morning while I work out. This past week I listened to a devotional by Bishop Gérald J. Caussé titled "We Are The Architects of Our Own Happiness" and I couldn't get enough of that talk!! Every person reading this email PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go read it sometime this week, I can promise you the spirit of God will help you discover a way to bring more peace and happiness into your life! One section of Bishop Caussé's talk is titled "Your future is as bright as your faith" and I think that defines the key to happiness. We all expect happiness to walk right up to us and slap us in the face but that's not how it works. Happiness and everything else we want to find in this life can only be found through diligent seeking. One of the key factors to finding here things is faith itself. We must believe that there truly is a way to find happiness, peace, joy in this life otherwise we will never find it. Put your trust in God and know that all this are carried out according to His will, don't ever forget that your life is part of His divine plan made just for you! Every choice we make decides whether or not we gain access to the blessings of His plan, and whether or not we even enjoy those things Heavenly Father places in our lives.

I shall end this email by expounding a story unto y'all. It was a glorious Wednesday afternoon and Elder Haws and yours truly had just returned from an incredibly awesome district meeting. We had lunch (I ate a salad for the first time on my mission, yes Elder Haws converted me to healthier eating) and had changed out of our suits, and the fire of missionary work was apparent in our countenances which still have a tint of green to them. We mounted our bicycular vehicles and rode off into the cold December air. We got to the top of a hill and I stopped for a moment. I realized my tire was quite flat, but we were going to contact a member referral so I thought nothing of it. We began our descent down the very large hill to get to this referral, and I relaxed. Elder Haws tough me how to ride and steer my bike down a hill with no hands, so I casually rode down the hill still with my flat tire. When I began to turn, calamity struck. My flat tire couldn't take the sharp turn and my entire bike folded out from beneath me and I slid very hard for a good 10 feet or more down the street, almost hitting a brick mailbox (because rich people like brick mailboxes for some reason). I wept some manly tears and then I begrudgingly started back to the apartment. Our whole day's plans were ruined, but it turned out all right because we had some great lessons going out to teach with members.   

That is all I have for you, I hope all y'all have an amazing week and make your future brighter with the light of your faith,

Elder Crow

Fixing a flat after a bad wreck

Elder Haws and I discovered Swiss Miss hot cocoa, the best stuff on the earth!!!

Elder Haws got me to start eating healthy...

Met this man, Deacon, street contacting. He is an ordained minister for his 

chapter in The Sons of God motorcycle club. Apparently they are international

now, he's super cool!

When you're a missionary, you're broke, you see $1 foot long French bread, and it expires in 2 days. Challenge accepted

This is how Elder Haws and I ride down hills, sleep well mom haha