July 18, 2016 Nerf Shenanigans and Chick-Fil-A

Hello everyone,

Or sayonara as they say in Canada. Haha man I have so much to talk about it's been a crazy week! We had to go to Lexington twice this week for meetings and we had planning sessions/meetings every other morning! The Lord has been blessing us as long as we've been obedient to Him and to the mission rules, He can't bless us if we don't do anything! On Wednesday we went to Lexington fro a new missionary training, but I think it was really an Elder Crow training haha I learned so much! A sister from our ward, Sister Harper, she's a sweet 'ol Southern lady and she told us to call her Mama Harper, I love the South! Then we went to Lexington for another meeting on Friday, and afterwards we went to Chick-Fil-A for lunch; it was the first time in 6 months I'd had some Chick-Fil-A and I was so happy! Haha and as for the "Nerf Shenanigans" you see in the title: we had some elders stay at our apartment before we went to Lexington on Friday because it's a really long drive for them. One of them brought a couple Nerf guns and he had modified some darts to put thumb tacks in them! And all night long he would randomly shoot us and it didn't feel too good! So we quickly put a stop to that!

Anyways, I was reading a talk this week by Dieter F. Uchtdorf called "Forget Me Not"; now he addresses the women of the church in this talk but forget that detail because it was a good talk ok! This week was kinda tough and I was trying to find how to better be patient with myself and my personal growth as a missionary; because missionary work isn't all rainbows and baptisms. I would highly encourage any ladies who are too hard on themselves (and you insecure men as well) to look through this talk. The first point I noticed was this: "God is fully aware that you and I are not perfect...God is also fully aware that the people you think are perfect are not." I have a terrible habit of comparing myself to other missionaries, and often times many of us will compare our strengths and weaknesses to the strengths and weaknesses of others. This needs to stop. Now. Heavenly Father does not want you to be your own critic, leave that to Satan. When we focus on our weaknesses and our mistakes we often quickly forget our strengths and our successes; more importantly, we often remember our trials before we remember our blessings.

Many of us are "endlessly compassionate and patient with the weaknesses of others. Please remember also to be compassionate and patient with yourself." Don't set your standards to reach the world's 1st place podium, reach for the love and support of a loving Heavenly Father, who is always beyond happy and proud when He sees us try. Would you rather find 100 compliments and successes in today's world or would you rather have 1 prayer answered and know that you are loved? Heavenly Father doesn't become our eternal judge until judgment day, right now He is our #1 supporter and He loves us so much. Don't ever forget it. You'll always be special in someone's eyes. Because you're unique, no 2 of you have the same eyelids as the other (terrible example but go with it).

I love all y'all so much,

Elder Crow

London>Lexington

2016 May 16 Elder Crow was on exchanges with Elder Chandler so Zachary made him scrambled eggs and pancakes

2016 May 16 LtoR Elder Parks and Elder Crow planted a dogwood tree for someone

Dear Everyone,

Hello! I hope you are all doing wonderful and I hope your week was fanstantastic! This week was packed with spiritual awesomeness! On Wednesday we went to Lexington to hear from Elder Kopsichke of the Seventy. For those of you who don't know what that is, it is a man who is called and ordained just like the Seventy men Christ called to preach the gospel in Luke Ch.10 . So we got to hear from a modern-day member of the Seventy and his wife. They are from Germany but they speak great English and they are great! Lexington was meh, I like small towns better than a jam-packed crowded city. I learned so much from Elder and Sister Kopischke I can't put it all in one email, I am still reviewing the notes I took! But while I listened to them speak, I couldn't help but feel the love and the spirit that radiated from the 2 wonderful individuals. It is amazing to me that everything in Christ's original church is back, He may not have had any buildings but the organization is completely restored today! I am beyond blessed to have this gospel in my life, and to share it with everyone I see. Something Elder Kopischke shared really stuck out to me. He told us that each one of us made choices in the life before this that determined where we are now. And we chose our families! So stop for a moment one of these days and just look at the ones you love so much and thank Heavenly Father for what you have. Every one of us have blessings we often forget about.

Other than that, this week has been jam-packed with walking. Yes walking. On Saturday I was working with a missionary from another area and with a young man who works with us on Tuesdays and Saturdays. So I was the only 1 of the 3 who knew London so the entire day's work and plans were leaning on me. We probably walked over 5 miles in just a couple hours haha. I don't know how much they appreciated me after that but we got to talk to a ton of people and even though most of them weren't interested I know we still did everything I could to offer them this amazing message about Jesus Christ.

Quite honestly I was able to apply something that I myself taught about during a meeting in church yesterday. I gave a talk about adversity and I was able to personally testify of the Lord's helping my family through each one of my dad's deployments overseas. I realized that I have kinda switched spots with my dad. I am the one wearing the uniform, working in a foreign country, doing crazy things I never would have thought of, serving a mission. Is it hard? Yes. Is it challenging? In every way possible. Are there days that just beat me to my knees? You better believe it. But as I walked away from a conversation with a rude man a thought came to my mind, "You are not alone, I am here." So is this difficult, challenging, taxing mission worth it? There isn't a thing on this earth that can make me believe otherwise. I pray that each one of you will be able to recognize that even in the toughest times and in the darkest times of your life YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Every trial and temptation, every hardship and adversity is worth it. Because then we will do everything we can to appreciate and work for the days filled with smiles, blessings and happiness.

May God bless every one of you with a wonderful week,

Elder Crow

Dear Mom,

I greatly enjoyed my Sunday as well, I actually got to speak in sacrament meeting! For the first time on my mission, almost a year out, and this is the 1st time I've ever been asked to speak so I was super happy. I just love giving talks and teaching lessons. So I was quite new to the church's policy about praying for my talk topic, but I did so and felt inspired to speak on adversity. I walked up to the pulpit ready to use the book the Danielsons gave me and True to the Faith and a ton of scriptures and general conference talks, but I only ended up using 2 general conference quotes and speaking from my heart the rest of the 10 minutes I had. I was overcome with emotion as I recalled our family's hardships during dad's deployments, it was touching to share it in my talk but it really made me realize just how much Heavenly Father loves us for looking out for us so much during those years. I can't imagine how you did it, it must have been so hard. But I'm glad you did it, it made us all stronger.

Something else that happened this week was Elder Kopischke of the 70 and his wife came to the GKLM!! We had 3 of the 6 zones in the mission in 1 stake center, I saw some old friends but almost everyone I know is in the other half of the mission haha! I was so thoroughly impressed with Elder Kopischke's knowledge of the scriptures, his ability to teach by the Spirit, and how much love radiated from him. I took 4 pages of notes and it is so hard to soak everything in from what he shared with us, our zone conference was 6 hours long (with lunch). At the very end, Elder Kopischke opened it up to us missionaries for questions. That very morning, the Holy Ghost prompted me to think of a question I would ask Elder Kopsichke if he asked for questions. I thought he would just speak the whole time but nevertheless I thought one up. So I kept trying to raise my hand but other missionaries kept beating me to it! Finally, Elder Kopischke said, "Ok, President Brough do you think I could take 1 more question before we wrap this up?" And President Brough said, "Absolutely, and I know the missionary who asks this question is the best missionary in the mission!" I knew he was joking, that's just President Brough, but now I felt really awkward raising my hand. But I wanted to have my question answered so bad my hand shot up after he said it. I felt so red when every single missionary in the chapel turned around to see who had raised their hand, I am not even close to being the best missionary in the mission! But I asked Elder Kopsichke,"How do you feel we can best invite the Spirit into every aspect of missionary work?" And his answer seemed to me the answer to anything we want the Holy Ghost invited to," 1)Be as obedient as you can, 2)Be as pure as possible, 3)Plan as effectively as you can, and 4)Work as hard as you can." I felt the Spirit fall upon me as this servant of the Lord looked so intently into my eyes and spoke with such love, there is no doubt in my mind that he is a man of God.

Afterwards, I thanked him and Sister Kopischke for coming, then I thanked President and Sister Brough for their trainings. Sister Brough was the last one I spoke to, she shook my hand and said, "Oh thank you so much for coming. We love you so much Elder Crow, we hear such wonderful things about you from other missionaries!" Once again I think this is the part of the Lord's calling old people to preach the gospel where age interferes with wisdom, haha I'm kidding. But her words touched my heart and I couldn't help but be grateful for such an amazing blessing to be serving in Kentcuky.

Last thing. This morning, we had a senior couple come and inspect our apartment. They were both greatly impressed at how clean we kept our apartment and in my mind I was like," Yeah! Every hour of cleaning at home was worth it! Thanks mom, all the nagging paid off!" Haha I love you so much and I hope everything is going well for you. I can feel the strength your prayers give me and it means so much to have a loving family back home.

Much love,

Elder Crow 

2016 May 2 Mother's Day makes up for the poison ivy

Afternoon y'all, how's things?

Everything has been great here in London! I found out on Saturday Elder Parks and I will be serving together another 6 weeks, so we will work together about 4 1/2 months total! Heavenly Father obviously has more for me to do, just waiting to figure out what it is! Man, the work has been crazy this week, we were really praying to find someone new to teach this week. We have been talking to well over 100 people a week and it was just not making a difference, so we turned to the Lord in prayer. And he answered! We met a woman named Casey Marcum who is very humble and looking to get back in church, and we were able to share a message with her about Christ's restored church. It is a huge blessing to be able to share what I love and know to be true with so many people every day for these 2 years of my life. I don't think anyone has a better job than me!

Well, since I won't be able to send out an email on Mother's Day I will give a big 'ol shouout from Kentucky to my awesome momma!! This past Sunday was her birthday, so if any of you are reading this with a shocked face then wish her a happy belated birthday! It is strange not being with my family for all of the big holidays and birthdays but I'm a bit preoccupied ;). It's crazy to think that this time last year, I was getting myself up early to make breakfast for mom and wishing her a happy birthday. I miss you mom, hope you know how much I love you!

It's good to know I have been blessed with such a wonderful family here; we are all part of a big Heavenly family and God is a God of organization, which is why we have families here on the earth. I like to think that Heavenly Father let me choose who I would spend my earthly life with while we were still living with him, but I think He put a blindfold on my when I was picking siblings 'cause I have no idea how the brother to sister ratio of 1:4 happened. He's definitely got a plan a bit different than mine, which is good because if I had a say in anything the world would probably be burning.

I was sitting in church yesterday thinking of mom (since I actually did remember her birthday) and the blessing she has been to me. I thought of how she raised me and everything she taught me, and it blew me back for a second to think about how I've used everything she taught me. The words of an old primary hymn rang in my head, "It shouldn't be hard to sit very still, And think about Jesus, his cross on the hill, And all that he suffered and did for me; It shouldn't be hard to sit quietly. It shouldn't be hard even though I am small, to think about Jesus, not hard at all." And as I thought about how my amazing mother taught me to follow the Savior's example, I thought of my own verse to add, "It isn't too hard to stand strong and tall, to witness of Jesus and give Him my all, since He bled and died and suffered such pain, it isn't too hard to remember His name. It isn't that hard even though I fell small, to live like the Savior, not hard at all." I'm grateful to be sharing the gospel with so many people out here, my mom and dad have raised me and helped me become who I am today. I can't take much credit for being where I am, I'm just blessed to serve my God and to give Him my all.

God bless everyone and Happy Mother's Day (Don't leave the Mother's Day breakfast dishes in the sink for mom to clean, bad idea!!!),

Elder Crow

This was us tearing down some vines and ivy for a member, if you zoom in on my face you will get the laugh of a lifetime

But then this happened so don’t laugh (it was poison ivy)

We helped the same member and her son stack a big ‘ol wood pile

The boy with us is Billy, he is coming to work with us every Tuesday and Saturday now

A woman we talked to a couple days ago gave us $100 in Walmart

We went to Mellow Mushroom for district lunch on Friday, some of the best pizza I've ever had 

Took some picture with a few of the cars, wish you could see my face better because I killed it! LtoR  Elder Smith, Elder Crow, Elder Chandler, Sister France, Sister Kocherhans, Sister Ruprect, Sister Achee, Elder James, Elder Parks, and Elder Champ