This was... a weird week. (7/27)

This week was super bizarre.  I don't really know why... we continue to have a great time here in Sisaket.  We really did try our hardest all week... and yet we felt like our efforts yielded few results as far as numbers or investigators found.  But... I trust that when we work hard :) we get an opportunity to learn patience, and then success will come :)  And I also very much so hope that people came closer to Christ as a result of our efforts :) so that's good.

This week.  Haha... we just had a million weird things happen to us.  I'll give you just a little taste test with a few little snippets from our week.

Last MONDAY we went to a family home evening at this sweet sister's house.  It was just really funny.  For some reason me and Sister Hughes got put at our own little table away from everyone else.  :)  We had fish stomach soup.  It just feels like spongy stuff.  Apparently it's a chinese dish.  Anyway.  We were so full.  Every meal feels like Thanksgiving when you eat at someone's house.  :)  But because we were sitting by ourselves... we may or may not have snuck a plate of rice back into the rice cooker and just split one plate between us.

TUESDAY.  We had a funny English class about Cowboys.  We told everyone to dress up like a cowboy.  Only one person and us missionaries did :)  But it was still fun.

WEDNESDAY.  Was the weirdest day of all.  Haha... we made a list of all of the very odd things that happened that day... the list would include.  Us learning about someone that was lying to us.  Ouch.  Us seeing someone throw up in a grocery store where we were eating lunch.  Ew.  (I personally didn't look.)  Us hearing a lot of really really weiiiiiiird religious beliefs of an investigators mom.  It was weird.  The list went on and on.  But.  It was an amusing day.  

SATURDAY.  This one isn't weird.  It's just awesome.  WE went to a less active woman's house who hasn't been to church in a very very long time.  There just happened to be an activity at the church.  A cake making activity.  We invited her to go.  She told us she'd follow us there, but she had to shower first.  Sooo... we just stood outside while she showered and then went all together to the activity.  It was a miracle.  

SUNDAY.  Was a really cool day.  Brother Moo got the gift of the Holy Ghost and is now a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  There was also a really special baptism.  That amazing sister I told you about a couple of weeks ago.  Well... her brother got baptized this week.  He has changed immensely.  Again, I see it manifest primarily in his smile :) There mother also came to church and was there for the baptism.  It was amazing.  

ALSO.  Later... we went to a member's house for dinner.  And Elder Angkham caught this lizard.  I was so scared when I heard about these in the MTC.  They're called Duke yeahs.  Haha... they can bit you and lock on.  Elder Angkham says that one time one bit his stomach.  It took him like an hour to get it off.  And it made him bleed and tore his shirt.  He also says he likes them.  He caught it with a string on a stick.  I don't know how... but somehow.  :)  Haha.  Great times.

There is nothing like being a missionary.  I wouldn't give it up for anything.  It is a joy to be here.  If you ever wonder if you should be a missionary.  I think you should :)  Jonathan.  You have to :)  It's already in vinyl on the wall.  I really do love it though.  I know it's true.  I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior.  I know that this is His church.  

I love you so much.  So so much.  

Have a wonderful week.

Love,

Sister Croft

What a special week. (7/20)

What a special special week.  Sometimes I am overwhelmed with the goodness of God.  :)  I feel close to you all as I think about Elder Croft and how he is now a missionary with me.  This week, kind of like that Derek got married, felt like a particularly special week.  This morning I feel like it is particularly special privilege to be a missionary.  I think God blessed with specific blessings this week.  God is so good.

Where to even begin.  Some amazing things that happened this week.  First.  A couple of weeks ago, or maybe not even that long, we had a sort of "unproductive day" as far as key indicators went... we had tried to accomplish good things but we'd gone home and cringed a little bit because of the 0 numbers that we had gotten etc.  Then when our district leader followed up with us he said "I guess God is blessing you for your obedience because someone named Deek called me... it was literally the last woman that we talked to before we raced on our bikes to get home.  We taught her for the first time this week and man... it was an incredible experience.  She told us a lot about her life and feelings and experiences.  She is one of the most prepared people that I have ever met in my life.  As she told us of her personal experiences I could very clearly see the hand of God in every part of her life.  She has a 7 year-old daughter is extraordinary to say the least.  Her daughter goes to a Catholic? school right now... and despite having a Buddhist family this little girl is full of so many questions about Christ.  She wants to know and understand and wants to be Christian.  A lot of very spiritual and special experiences have happened in this woman's life because of her daughter.  Oh my goodness.  It was an incredible lesson.  I want to tell you everything.  At the end of it Sister Hughes and I just looked at each other stunned because of all that this woman had experienced.  She even went so far to say that she felt like God is calling her.  And she feels close to him.  Buddhism has left her comforted in some moments... but also feeling there must be something better than this.  She is incredible.  It was amazing to be able to here just how specific her preparation had been.  God is so good.  I am so happy to be teaching this incredible family.  That was on the day that Elder Croft entered the MTC.  And that was a morning when I told God that we needed miracles, and we needed to find someone who was ready!

Another incredible miracle.  Brother Moo got baptized!  I wish each of you could see first hand the marvelous and personal transformation that takes place in people when they learn and apply the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We've all seen it... but I mean in these beautiful people I get to see.  Wowza.  He is so different than the first time I met him.  I met him in front of a 7/11.  I remember it :) one of my favorite differences in him is how much he smiles now.  I had this moment of joy one morning when were riding our bikes to the church to teach him... we passed by him waiting for us, he looked up from his laptop, grinned and waved.  Ahh.  I can't even tell you how happy that makes me.  After he interviewed we were kind of teasing him, and we said "Is Elder Lim scary?"  I love what he said.  "No... when you're already determined to be baptized and determined to keep the commandments you don't need to be afraid."  Before he left he also said... "tomorrow is my birthday!"  So cool.  He's amazing.  He has 3 kiddies and a wife.  We're working on getting the whole family here.  It's amazing to see how much Brother Moo was prepared as well.  He really was... he's read the new testament several times (which is weird for Thailand) and has kind of... always wanted this... and now he has it.  So wonderful.

Another cool thing.  Something I've learned about (and continue to learn about) as a missionary... is faith and miracles.  I've always had a little bit of an inner conflict... because I've had several leaders and people on my mission talk about faith and about miracles in a way that I couldn't quite agree with?  I'm not sure how to describe it.  We are taught to expect miracles.  And I do :)  I expect them and I see them.  But I've also had several people ask me before "Where is your faith Sister Croft?"  ... man I'm sorry I don't know how to describe this very well... and I'm still learning about it.  But... through some study, discussion, and experience, this week I feel like I've learned that God blesses us with miracles often, and we can see His hand clearly if we look for it.  I feel like we can ask for specific miracles, but that doesn't always mean that we will receive them.  God is in charge, it is on His time, and not on our time.  But when we have faith all things are possible that are expedient unto Him.  We pray for miracles all of the time.  Daily!  And we do receive them... sometimes they aren't the miracles that we want, but they are the miracles that God has prepared and they are much better than the ones that we ask for sometimes.  I dunno.  Just some thoughts that don't make very much sense when I try to type them out :)  

I love you all so very very much.  So very very much.  I hope this following week is incredible.  

Love,

Sister Croft

Brother Moo is four to the right from me in that picture :) 

Wow, I have the load of pajamas! I have SO much pajamas. (7/13)

This week the title of my email is brought to you by... myself.  Haha... Sister Hughes and I are often disturbed by the quality of sentences that pop out of our mouths these days... Ls and Rs are harder and harder to differentiate.  Annnnnd.  Then... sometimes in a moment of excitement a sentence like that will pop out of your mouth.

This week has been a really good week.  I love it here in Sisaket.  The members are incredible, our investigators are so awesome.  My companion is great!  And I just love being a missionary.  My heart is so full today!  Maybe it's because my little brother is LEAVING on a mission this week, and my heart is full of love for my family!  Maybe it's also because... I really do love being a missionary.  Sometimes it can be hard... but I'm grateful for all that God has done to change me and make me into a better instrument.  Oh.  I love being a missionary.  It is such a privilege.  

This week our investigators are doing pretty well.  We have one man who is working on sharing the gospel with his family, and also is SO close to quitting smoking.  Last night I called him right before bed and said.  Brother you call us if you are about to smoke okay?  :)  He said "Even at 2 AM?" (he works all through the night)  "Yep!"  I love it.  Something that makes me happy is the amount of time I see that man smiling when we teach him or when he goes to church.  As opposed to the amount of time he spent smiling when we first met him or taught him.  He is so awesome.

Another really sweet moment this week was yesterday when one of the Elders' investigators got baptized.  Wow.  This sweet girl who got baptized is just a light.  Her name is Mooay She is the friend of another recent convert... and honestly I am so amazed by her.  Her faith and light are just so evident.  Yesterday she invited her older brother to come to church.  After sunday school she was talking to me and said "Do you think he can change sister?"  "I said he definitely could change.  She said she was nervous that he felt awkward at church.  And she just kept saying that she hoped he could change.  I was praying so hard for the both of them to feel the spirit at that baptismal service.  It was such a beautiful baptism, and as she bore her testimony, you could see that her brother's heart was softened.  He cried as he listened to her testimony, which was a sweet one, she talked about miracles, about all that God has done for her.  She talked about her personal vision for her family to be peaceful and unified through the gospel!  Her hopes for her brother.  I loved so much what she said.  She said... sometimes I don't even remember what I say in my prayers, but God never forgets a word.  I know that this is true.

I want to pray like that sweet sister, full of faith! And then watch what miracles follow as you pray faithfully.  This morning I studied all about God and his characteristics, because I want to truly know Him, I want to remember our relationship as I pray, and really work as I pray.  I am so grateful for all He has given me, and all He has made me.  I'm grateful that He tenderly listens to every one of my prayers, and then answers them perfectly, sometimes after a lot of laboring and after some time.  But always in a perfect way.  

Wow.  I can't believe what is going on at home this week.  I love you all more than I can tell you.  You will be in my prayers.  I have no idea what I did to deserve such an incredible family.  But I love you more than I can tell you!  And I am so glad to be sealed to you.

I LOVE YOU!  

I can't wait for this kid to wear a name badge too.  You're gonna be the best J.  I'm so excited for you and so proud of you.  I'll hug this computer. :)

Have the best week in the world.

Love,

Sister Croft

Opposition and faith

My dearest family.  I love you so much :)  It's weird that it was the 4th of July... I thought it was still winter in America.  Weird.  :)

Either while you read this email, for dramatic effect, :) or... after.  You need to listen to this song. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/music/2014/04?lang=eng&session=4&song=3&media=video#watch=video  Sister Hughes and I are obsessed with it.  It makes us want to rise out of our chairs and go to work!  Haha! 

It has been a good week.  I feel like it is such a privilege to be here as a missionary, representing the Savior here in Thailand.  My thoughts this morning are all about opposition and faith.  In my personal study today I read in Alma about a bunch of people who believed the missionaries and then were persecuted and driven out of the land for it!  I feel like in some ways... I can see some of that opposition to the truth right here in Sisaket.  I see recent converts being forced to stand up for what they believe in and I am grateful for their example of courage and goodness!  

Among a number of things that have happened this past week... there was one day when we taught a lesson to an investigator who came to church last week.  He brought his wife with him to his first lesson, and as we began, I wasn't expecting anything out of the ordinary.  After a brief introduction we asked if we could begin with a prayer.  This man's wife told us that she didn't want to have any part in our religion.  As we tried our best to explain prayer and help this lady she continued to tell us that she was here to tell us that they wouldn't be learning and that she wouldn't be doing any of this.  I was surprised by her angry response (not that I haven't seen an angry response before!)  She felt distressed that she was even inside of the church and she really did not want any part in a Christian religion.  Sister Hughes and I did all that we could.  We testified what we know to be true, and then left the choice up to her.  

There have been several moments when they reality of an opposing power to that of God's have been apparent to me.  I see opposition in the tears of a recent convert who's mother is now against her coming to church.  In a teacher's unfair punishment of courageous recently baptized youth, because they go to church!  And yet I know and am certain that there is a stronger power for good, and that we have no need to fear.  No unhallowed hand can stop this work.  This morning as I read in Alma I was glad to see the courage of righteous saints who did not fear what anyone could do to them, who strengthened and helped their brethren and sisters even when it wasn't easy or convenient.  I'm grateful for the courageous saints that I get to serve with here!  As I glanced through some conference talks this morning, I noticed similar messages.  Courage.  Faith.  Reliance on the Lord.  There are so many good things happening.  And person by person everyone will learn of the glad message!  :)  You guys.  This week we taught 2 younger girls on Wednesday.  They are 15.  On Saturday one of them gave me a call to let me know she had finished the Book of Mormon.  Amazing! :)  We can always have hope and faith because we are on the Lord's side.  Things will not always be easy.  That's for sure.  But we can rely on the Lord and have hope and faith!  Although contacting isn't always easy :)  last night I had a good time contacting.  On Sunday nights we go to this big long street with tons of people on it.  It's like a special market walking street.  Anyway... we do what I've told you we do!   We ask people if they want to go to church, if they want to be clean from their sins, if they want to be baptized.  I discovered a trick last night.  I was so much happier, and met more people... because I held the picture of baptism right next to my face!  The people couldn't avoid my eyes!  They couldn't avoid my "Hello!" or my smile :)  I saw many heads turn and wonder.  People stopped to know what it was!  I told Sister Hughes about it, and she said she'd learned that on Saturday!  She tried it after some things she'd read in the bible!  :)  So even though there is a lot of opposition.  This morning I feel like we have reason to smile!  Reason to have hope and faith!  We know what the outcome will be.  We know that there is opposition.  And yet we know that God will never leave us.  I find great comfort in binding covenants that I have made with Him.  We don't need to fear.  

I love you guys so much :)  You are the best family ever!  :)  I hope that you have a wonderful week this week.  

Love,

Sister Croft

These pictures... one of them is us at a Family Home Evening.  The sister sitting by Sister Hughes is now in the MTC.  She's coming back to Thailand to serve with us... in... a couple of weeks!  

The other one is a picture I used in a spiritual thought for facebook this week!  Temples and eternal families!  Hoorrrrray!! :)  I LOVE YOU guys.  Sorry you're on facebook :) 

I don't know what this week was (6/29)

To my deeeeeearest family.

I love you so much.

It sounds like you had another good week back in the good old land of America.  Speaking of which... it's almost the 4th of July.  That's weird.  Every month feels like... the same month to me!  

This week was good.  Sister Hughes and I had a momentous and streak breaking occasion.  This is the only time that we have not been to a transfers meeting.  We are both staying in Sisaket at least for a little bit longer.  This is also the first time that anyone has ever had to stay with me for more than 9 weeks.  Poor Sister Hughes.  :)  I on the other hand am really lucky :)  

It was a pretty good week here.  Overall... there were a lot of crazy things that happened.  A lot of people who didn't come to appointments, a lot of people who weren't home.  A lot of people who were sick.  Or all of their kids got sick.  Or they were out of town, etc.  But the week was a good one nonetheless.  Because we've been struggling to meet with so many people... Sister Hughes and I have really been trying to set goals for what we could do better.  Yesterday we did a special fast together to try to receive revelation about how we could change the way we find people to be more effective.  It's been kinda cool as we talked about it... Sister Hughes mentioned principles that stood out to her as she contacted.  Specific things that she noticed could change... and they were a lot of things that I was doing as I was trying to improve my own contacting.  Revelation works!  :)  I think that often times it's more subtle than I think it is.  The basic principles that we've been emphasizing are the same though.  Declaring repentance and entering the waters of baptism like it says in Doctrine and Covenants.  Wow.  I love being a missionary!

Despite the many many lessons and things that seemed to fall through this week, there were many wonderful miracles that occurred.  As I say so often... it seems that it was personal miracles for our incredible investigator Sister Prem!  She is the sweet investigator that we have been teaching for a little bit now.  She is a referral from a member here in Sisaket and teaching her has been such a privilege.  I talked about her last week.  And I'm sure a couple times before.  This week she got baptized!  On Monday night our District Leader got a call from the Zone Leaders telling us that Sister Prem wanted to be baptized.  She just moved to Ubon... as of like...Monday.  But they wanted to let us know that she was getting baptized!  We got permission to go to the baptism and that was certainly the highlight of the week.  She picked us up from the bus station and she was so excited.  She gave us a hug and we kept telling her how happy we were and she kept telling us how happy she was.  Some of the most sweet moments from the occasion.  She had already changed into her baptismal outfit and she looked down at her watch and said.  "15 more minutes.  And I'll be born again."  Her testimony was awesome.  She talked about how she hadn't believed in God or in Jesus Christ.  But as she read in the scriptures she learned that they were real!  I really have seen such an incredible change in her.  The doctrine of the gospel seem to be truly written on her heart.  She is awesome you guys!  Then later this week she came back to Sisaket for a wedding and she came to find us while we were inviting at the market.  She gave us these adorable pictures that she printed out for us of her baptism.  Oh my goodness.  She is the best.  What an amazing sister!

Other thoughts... haha... you guys.  I'm still not a perfect missionary.  It's funny because when I first went into the MTC I think I thought I would be if I tried really hard.  :) but I'm not.  I've had a couple of moments this week that were hard for me.  Hard for my pride :) haha... I've had many things confirm to me this week that my Thai is not where it should be.  I've had moments were I just felt weak.  And yet even after many blows to my pride... I feel a great gratitude for all that I've experienced thus far.  I hung a couple of pictures up on my wall this week and they just make me so happy.  There is Brother Bom.  Who... as I saw on facebook... recently baptized his mom!  There is my adorable Sister Gunging.  My Thai little sister :) and the picture that Sister Prem gave me.  There are also lots of people that I don't have printed pictures of... and I just feel so grateful.  It's true.  My Thai is pretty weak sometimes.  But... there is goal setting.  And there are language study plans.  And there is the miracle that I can even speak any Thai!  And that I get to be here... it's true that I'm not a perfect teacher.  Annnnd.  Many other weaknesses that don't need to be listed.  And yet... miracles are still possible, and the Lord can work through the weak and the imperfect.  I love being a missionary so much.  It is the best calling in the world.  I cannot imagine my life without it.  If you're ever feeling down :) just remember the good news of the gospel! :)  And go share it with someone! :)

I love you so much!  Have a great week.

Love,

Sister Croft

P.S. Pictures.  Sister Prem's gift to me.  :) 

Just some pictures on my wall that make me happy!

Heaven and Earth.(6/22)

My dear dear family.  I love you so much.  It sounds like it was a beautiful week and I'm so happy!

This week was a really good one for us in Sisaket.  I'm a little sad that this week is transfer week.  Ahhh transfers.  I'm always a little bit wary when I know that the call could very well come and something will change in our district or in my companionship.  Buuuut.  I suppose change is good :) and that's how a lot of growth happens.  But we honestly have been so blessed here in Sisaket.  We have seen many miracles and much growth happen.

Honestly a lot of my thoughts from this week... I don't even know where to put them... and it's only just now that they're all coming together.  I feel like we've experienced a lot of miracles this week, and my thoughts this morning are that... heaven and earth are more connected than I ever realize.  

I think I've said it a million times but it's my belief that a lot of the miracles that happen in our lives and in the lives of our investigators are personal.  They occur as we kneel to pray, or as our investigators do.  They happen when we study the scriptures, and as a result of our faithful actions receive personal revelation and witnesses of truth.  This week it's been cool to teach a couple of different investigators and to really try to help them with their concerns.  Man the people we are teaching are incredible.  One sister in particular... is so amazing.  Sister Hughes and I often talk about what a privilege it is to teach her.  Her faith is incredible and the change that we've seen in her is apparent.  We've taught her several times this week and tried our best to help her overcome her concerns... and while I feel like inspired words have been shared and the spirit has been felt, I know that the things that will happen to help her are personal miracles.  I think that heaven is a lot closer than we think sometimes.  I'm so grateful for the many things that witness that to me today!  Think of it, we have prayer.  We have temples.  We have the scriptures.  There are angels around us.  I wish I knew just how many times things have happened as a result of both our efforts on earth, and those on the other side.  I'm sure it's much more of a group effort than I realize.  But again... I'm glad for moments of clarity when I know that the Atonement, the change in ourselves, and the work that we do is for much more than this life.  

This sweet sister's concerns echo a lot of concerns that I've had for myself in my own life... so it's been interesting to try to help her, and almost feel like I'm helping myself too! :)  It takes faith to make and keep covenants :) and it takes faith in the promise that our weaknesses will be made strengths through the Atonement of Christ.  I feel like... even though I'm not a perfect missionary I've been able to see some of those changes in myself!  

You guys the people over here are awesome!  Investigators are working on quitting smoking.  They're praying, studying and learning.  They're just inspiring :) and they make me so happy.  I feel like God has opened many doors in this area.  :)  It's amazing to be able to be here.  I can't believe God helped me learn Thai, and that He's supported me every day so far!  :)  Wow the blessings are amazing.  

I love you so very much.  Have a wonderful week.

Love,

Sister Croft

P.S.  Some pictures from this week.  My bowling score.  I'm still bad.  :)

This picture cannot accurately capture the amount of bugs that were at this family home evening activity.  It was disgusting and insane.  You can only imagine my excitement when my district members said "Sister Croft.  We're taking a district picture!!  Get over here.  Oh my goodness.  There were way more bugs than are visible in this picture.  Haha... maybe you'll get the idea from my face.  Nasty. 

This weeeeek.(6/15)

This week.  I dunno what to say :) HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!!!  It sounds like it has been a wonderful wonderful week at the Croft House.  And this week will be a wonderful one as well.  

This week has been a good one is Sisaket :)  It's started getting really rainy already.  Sister Hughes and I have decided that maybe we should buy raincoats, we realized... we didn't HAVE to get soaking wet all the time if we did!  We'll look for some today maybe :)  I think the best activity to do when it's raining is go to visit less actives, they often let you in in the rain!  So in some ways... the rain is a blessing!  

Other fun facts.  This week we saw fireflies.  And also... Three scorpions in one day.  Wow!  They look so scary.  

Anyway... one of the highlights of our week this week was Zone Conference.  This week we traveled to Ubon for zone conference and had a wonderful time.  President Senior is incredible and we learned a lot about the Godhead, and also about Repentance.  It was inspiring as always.

This week Sister Hughes and I felt so blessed on Sunday.  Several of our investigators came to church... one of them, a new investigator!  Brought his wife and his son.  Wow!  What a happy moment.  I have the chance to sit on the stand (because I'm the pianist) and this past Sunday I was just overwhelmed with gratitude as I looked out on the faces of these Thai saints.  Our investigators.  All of these incredible people... I feel so blessed to get to see their conversion take place.  To see at least a part of the changes that they make each day.  It's inspiring!

The picture attached is one of the sweet girls that got baptized this week.  Her name is Gee!  

Sorry this email has nothing in it :)  I don't know what to say this week for some reason :)  I love you all so much!  I am so grateful to be in Thailand!  I still have many moments where I think "Why can I understand what these people are saying?" or... where do these people come from?  Our efforts are certainly magnified... because I know that we couldn't do anything without the Lord.  Sometimes it's scary to think of my own inadequacies, and the importance of the work.  But I know that somehow... God uses the weak to do miracles!  He can strengthen us.  It's a joy to be able to testify of the grace of the Atonement.  We are children of God, and so we can change.  We can be forgiven.  We really do have a Savior, Jesus Christ.  

I love you all so much.  I hope that you have an incredible week!  I'm sure that you will!

Love,

Sister Croft

This other picture.  Is Sister Hughes (current companion) Sister Painter (old companion) and...two of the most incredible people on the earth!  President and Sister Senior!   

6/8

Dearest Family,

It sounds like you had a great week this last week.  I'm so happy that it was good :)

As for this week... I don't have an incredible amount of things to share.  Our investigators are doing pretty well... we've had to drop some... but others are progressing and it's really awesome to see the change in them. 

We had a really wonderful lesson with one of our investigators this week.  Man she is awesome.  She is a little bit nervous about accepting a date :) buuuuuut.  I am touched by her testimony and her desires.  She has quit drinking coffee as well as drinking alcohol.  This week we were teaching her the Plan of Salvation.  One of the most touching moments I've ever experienced in a lesson... we were explaining and testifying about the Savior's centrality in the Plan of Salvation.  We read some verses in Mosiah, and bore testimony of them.  She read through them again and then she said "It's amazing that He didn't do anything wrong and yet He was willing to take all of that upon Him."  She began to cry and I knew that the spirit was bearing testimony to her of a beautiful truth.  Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.  She came to church the Sunday and was able to see a baptism.  I know she wants to get baptized!

Another wonderful moment... this week Sister Fon got baptized (it's like... phone.) She is amazing too... wow... what an example of quiet... goodness!  She's just amazing!  She is actually the girlfriend of another investigator of ours.  I think I told you about how he just brought her to the church and didn't tell her where they were going.  Suddenly she was sitting in a room with a couple of Americans learning about Jesus Christ.  What a great boyfriend she has!  Haha... She was a little shy and nervous about coming to church... but as soon as she came (and actually probably long before that!) I feel like she had a desire to do the right thing, and to follow God.  Both of these sweet sisters (the one above and Sister Fon) I feel like have had this little nervousness about whether or not they could do it... but... a desire to follow God nonetheless.  I feel like as we let our own nervousness about our own inadequacies go... and choose to bind ourselves to the Lord.  That's when we can really grow and change!  I love a little object lesson that my seminary teacher showed us in high school.  I think of it often.  "I the Lord am bound when ye do what I say, but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise."  I remember our seminary teacher taking a pencil.  And asking someone to snap it.  Of course.  It snapped easily.  Then he bound that pencil to a metal baseball bat.  Now try to snap it!  I know that there is real power in our covenants.  And that we can trust in the Lord to help us in our weaknesses as we make covenants with Him.  As long as we are faithful to those sacred promises we will have strength and help from on high.  Just as we aren't perfect when we make our baptismal covenant... we aren't perfect as we make other covenants with God.  But we become more perfect as we keep and remember those sacred covenants.  

Anyway.  Sister Fon is amazing.  I watched her quietly help the members with food and with the dishes.  I heard her sweet testimony :) and I am so happy for her!  Hopefully her boyfriend is soon to follow! :)

I hope that you guys have a wonderful week this week!  It's going to be a wonderful one at the Croft house.  :)  I love you so much!

Love,

Sister Croft

P.S. Other miracles that happened... that youth group.  Is so awesome!  Sometimes I forget how giggly it is to be their age :)  Buuut.  They are so great.  A good handful of them got baptized yesterday.  I'm pretty sure I heard the testimony of a future leader in there.  That picture of me in a field by a palm tree is out by where they live.  These girls wake up.  Put on skirts... and then ride for about 45 minutes in the back of a pickup truck to come to church!  They're super awesome.  So is their teacher... who first wanted us to teach them!  After church they asked me to play the piano for them... and then asked if they could braid my hair :)  they're so cute!    

What kind of a week was this?(6/1)

It was kind of a weird one.  I dunno why! :)  Here are some things that happened and some little moments from the week:

Last Monday we went to Ubon.  Why?  Because my district wanted to eat at Sizzlers.  Haha.  So... we went to Sizzlers.  Rode this train to get there.  And then we enjoyed a salad bar at sizzlers.  Nice.

Another moment: we ran into Sister Boom at the store we were contacting at one day.  She was buying a watch.  She is so funny!  Kind of like Mom's sisters she always wants to shower us with gifts.  Literally... we say "Hi Sister Boom!  How are you?"  "I'm good.  Do you want a watch?" Hahaha. When we said she didn't need to... she proceeded to try to take us to Swenson's(an icecream place... it's from California? Maybe San Francisco? I think.).  And then when we said she didn't need to... she just bought us a bunch of food instead.  Ahhhh.  She is so generous and one of the most awesome people I've ever met.  I love it.  :)  I don't think I could starve in Sisaket if I tried! :)  The members here are the sweetest.  

Other things that happened this week.  At some point this week we had to go save the Elders.  They locked their bikes together somewhere really far away and left their keys in their house.  So.  We had to hop on our bikes.  Bike to their house.  Break in (not really break in... but get in!) and find the keys.  And then bike to the really far away place to give it to them.  Nice.  :)  Oh Elders :)

This Sunday it rained so hard.  We got all ready for church and then heard pounding outside.  Opened the windows.  And nice.  It was pouring rain.  One of our investigators called us.  Our conversation went like this.  

Him: "Sister it's raining"

Me: "I know!"

Him:" Are you at the church yet?"

Me: "Nope.  We're just going to go"

Him: "Okay.  I'm gonna try and go too."  

So awesome.  Needless to say.  We arrived SOAKING wet.  I had panda eyes.  I was wearing the thickest skirt I own.  I was literally wet until we went back outside at around 3.  My fingers looked like raisins all the way till Relief Society.  Annnnnd.  I left a huge wet spot on the bench at the front of the sacrament room (I play the piano... so I sit on the stand.)  Nice. :) 

This week I've had a little bit of a cold.  Last night while we were inviting... I kept losing my voice.  There were literally times when I like... tried to talk and could only get a couple of sounds to come out.  Haha... and then I'd just drink a little water and pray for a voice.  :)  I squeaked out "Do you want to go to church?" And other such things hundreds of times... and by some miracle found a couple of people that are interested in the Book of Mormon! :)  Of course of all of the people to stop :) they were Christian!  So... I tried SO hard to explain in short the Restoration.  Haha... you know how when you're sick sometimes your voice is kind of random?  Sometimes I swear things were like... coming out with the wrong tones because I had no control over my voice :) But.  I'm so grateful that they stopped despite my croaking along!  I love it! :)

As far as our investigators this week.  We've been working a lot with resolving concerns, and trying to decide how to best proceed with helping these people.  It's so hard when you have to drop people.  It's so hard when they have obstacles keeping them from the blessings of the gospel.  We had a good handful of sad moments.  For example after church the same investigator that called me in the morning told us that he was moving, and that he'd be leaving on Monday.  Ahhh... unfortunately he's going somewhere with no church.  It's really sad when things like that happen.  But I know that I still have so much to be grateful for.  

I am grateful for every step of faith taken by our investigators.  I'm grateful for the chance to get to teach them these things... even if sometimes they don't accept it right now.  I'm grateful for one of our investigators who is recognizing the spirit in her own life.  I dunno.  I've been trying to be more grateful... and one night this week as I lay in bed falling asleep... I just felt so grateful for all that I have been able to experience up to this point in my life.  I feel blessed beyond description.  With each of YOU! :) With the friends that I have.  With all of the experiences I've had up to this point.  Before my mission and on it.  I am so grateful to be a missionary.  

I love you! :) I hope you have a good week :) Have fun in Disneyland!! :)

Love, 

Sister Croft

Hello. (5/25)

Have I ever told you about how people shout HELL-O at us when we ride our bikes down the streets?  I think it's happened every day of the mission.  HELLO.  Where you go?  HELLO.  How are YOU?  Hello.  I love you.  It never ceases to make me laugh.

Anyway.  This week was a really good one.  We had a chance to visit some less actives.  To teach our investigators and to see one of them get baptized!  It's so exciting.  The change in people is one of the best things about being a missionary.  This week I was again, stunned, by the faithfulness of our investigators as they've made changes in their lives.  Oh my goodness.  It brings me so much joy!  I can't even describe it to you! :)  Hooray!  We taught a quick lesson right before we had to go home on Saturday night.  He's a new investigator, part of his lesson was learning about the Sabbath day, and he told us he had to work tomorrow... and then the next morning a little bit before 9 o'clock he walked into the doors of the church.  What?  He had changed his work even with such short notice!  I am so amazed by the willingness of people to change themselves.  I personally am inspired by their desires to follow God.

I'm sorry... I don't really have anything to say this week for some reason!  We're teaching a very large group of youth right now.  They live kind of far... but we've had the chance to teach them several times... and they traveled out and came to church this past Sunday!  It was a full meeting!  Really awesome.  

Also.  We bought a microwave this week!  Hooray!  We can eat warm food! :)  Sister Hughes carried it home on the back of her bike.  The Thai people are ingenious at tying things on to things.  It's true!

Finally... the baptism of Brother King.  I was so proud of him.  He's the tall Thai guy in those pictures.  His testimony was so awesome.  Hooray! :)  He brought a friend with him to learn too.  (We've had a surprising amount of investigator referrals!  It's way cool... right now we're teaching 3... another person that was brought by another investigator.  Is a 15 year old.  Yesterday I called him to follow up with him... and he's read 65 pages in the Book of Mormon.  JUST met him.  He's incredible.  Haha... he sounded so happy when he told me about how much he likes it.  AMAZING.) What a wonderful day.  This week had a lot of happy days for families and individuals.  

I love you all!  Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Sister Croft                                                Pictures:  The Youth Group.

Brother King's baptism