October 17, 2016 Apostles and Transfers

Hey everybody,

This week wasn't very eventful until the weekend, then things got poppin' lockin' and polka dottin'! On Saturday we had Elder Stevenson, one of the 12 Apostles, and Elder Uceda, a member of the quorum of the 70, come speak to the whole mission. I had an awesome time seeing past companions and mission friends, so many of those guys have changed my life! But it was even cooler to hear from a modern-day Apostle. Elder Stevenson is a funny guy and a powerful speaker, the Spirit was in the room the whole meeting and it was very peaceful; not overpowering, no one was passing out or getting put into spiritual comas, but it was awesome.

Something that Elder Stevenson spoke about that I really liked was when he brought up a section from Preach My Gospel called "A Successful Missionary". In it, and this is the part he talked about, he said that we don't have to measure our success based on numbers or because of how great other missionaries are doing, you can know you are doing good if you feel the Spirit. It's that simple. We, not just missionaries, make these huge expectations for ourselves that we feel we have to accomplish in order to be someone. But the Lord's expectations are much simpler than ours. In the words of Elder Bednar, "If today you are a little better than you were yesterday, than that's enough."

Oh and we got transfer news! Elder Clark is heading out to Western Kentucky and I will be staying in Beaumont. My new companion is Elder Conlin, I don't know him too well but I'm excited to meet him!

God Bless,

Elder Crow

MTC Reunion 2/1/16

My last day with Elder Stanley in E-Town

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 

MTC 8/13/15

Hello all you beautiful people, 

Sorry about no email last week today is my only P-Day (Preparation Day) and we went to the Provo temple for endowments today. Holy cow I have so much to say but I don't have a whole lot of time! Big thanks to Sister Davis for taking me to the MTC, we had some picture difficulties, but I think we worked it out! They had us go through the MTC and go to different Brothers and Sisters who gave us books, pamphlets, papers, etc. 10 minutes after I got to the MTC, I had a class! I have 2 teachers: Brother Norris (not related to Chuck Norris) and Brother Doane (like "dome" with a n) and they are some of the most spiritual people I've ever been taught by! I met my district 5 minutes after I got to the MTC, I'll put their names and some pictures in my next email. 

I quickly learned that the MTC is work, work, WORK; with very little play. We have a 16 hour day every day, we wake up at 6:30 and don't go back to our residence hall until 9:30; lights out at 10:30. We have 2 3-hour classes most days, so everyone gets fried pretty fast. I don't know what my Canadian family was talking about when they told me about the food, because it is the best cafeteria food I've ever had; and it's all you can eat (and they usually have doughnuts)!!! 

My MTC companion is Elder Stanley and he is such an amazing Elder! Me and him hit it off so fast and we are a great companionship! We have 3 investigators right now called TRC investigators, most of them are converts (recent or long ago) who act like an investigator again. It's easy being able to talk about religion and doctrine in Sunday School, but it is much harder to relate it to someone who may or may not be willing to hear what you have to say. 

But I have an amazing experience to share. One of my investigators is named Lisa and she is investigating the church because she doesn't think her son should've joined the church. Yesterday was our second lesson with her and our entire 25 minutes was devoted to helping her know that God really does exist and that he is there for her. We were doing our best to invite her to pray, but she was very hesitant. I felt prompted to share with her the experience I had at Camp Helaman and how I overcame my doubts. I bore my witness to her that God really does love us and we can speak to him, and we were both tearing up while I shared my story. She was still reluctant afterwards, she told us that we couldn't promise her that God would speak to her because He'd never spoken to her. Elder Stanley sat up straight and said, "LISA, I TESTIFY TO YOU THAT IF YOU PRAY, GOD WILL ANSWER YOU!!!" and I have never felt the spirit testify to someone so boldly. Lisa started to pray aloud, but once she finished saying "Dear Heavenly Father..." she started crying. Her prayer only consisted of her asking him to be there, just like King Lamoni's father did, and thanking him for sending her to the missionaries but I have never heard such a powerful prayer; nor have I ever felt the Holy Ghost manifest himself in a prayer like he did then. We all knelt there bawling our eyes out, and we left Lisa a few minutes later. 

I absolutely love this gospel and I can't imagine being anywhere else right now. I love serving The Lord and wearing the name Jesus Christ over my heart every day, it is such a blessing. Whether they accept me or not, I will preach this gospel to the people of Kentucky with a fire they've NEVER seen! God lives, he truly does answer prayers Jesus is our savior and redeemer, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is God's true church on the earth today. Before we left Lisa, she asked us who we were. We answered, " We are representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and we are servants to The Lord our God". That is why I am out here.

Much love,

Elder Crow