Hey fam!!
Dang, it seems like time is really beginning to fly here and I am sure it is the same at home. Things here are really starting to look up as for the work and that makes me super happy. It seems like I have kind of hit a little bit of a dry spell in my mission with investigators and things. But this upcoming week on Wednesday we have a baptism.
We have had kind of an interesting week so far, though. This past week we got an interesting phone call from our investigator, Sam. She had finally told her mom that she was going to be baptized and her mom was not very happy. She even tried to anti her by telling her all of these things and saying that we believe we could become God's. Which I guess isn't completely a false statement, but at her level of understanding that was kind of a weird thing to hear. Luckily her friend in the ward, Brother Memmott was able to help answer her questions even before we could get to her house to help explain. She is super solid and is scheduled to be baptized on October 26!!! It was really neat because yesterday in our gospel principles class she even bore her testimony of how she had come to know that these things are true and she comes every week, which is awesome. We do have a couple of big commandments left to teach her, like Word of Wisdom and Law of Tithing. which I think she is going to have a struggle with, but I know that she will be able to over come those struggles. God doesn't give us commandments that we can't keep. Sometimes they are tough to keep, but he won't ever give us ones we can't.
On another note, yesterday was a really neat sacrament meeting. We had a primary program and all of the little kids had their part and it was really neat. But there is a young boy in our ward who is 8 years old and has been battling a rare form of cancer for 4 years. He only has a 15% chance of living. He looks so frail and so tired and could barely walk to the pulpit to say his part. But he stood up and told of how Jesus Christ had gone through all of the pain and struggles with him and his family the past four years. I tell you what the whole chapel was just in tears. It was so heart wrenching to see him up there struggling to survive. I know, though that the Atonement will carry him through, no matter what happens. I am so grateful for that because without it that situation would be much harder to look at.
On some other notes, we are finding new investigators as well. We have had two people call and give us referrals of their friends this week. They had the appointment set up, they just called and invited us to come and teach the lessons! I love when that happens!! Finding in Mesquite Nevada is sometimes a little tough especially when you only have one real ward and then a singles Branch. I feel for the missionaries in our stake they have a tough job! haha
As for life here in the mission field, though and things that are going on with me - Dad, you asked about a transfer. I sure as HECK hope not! haha I don't have any idea of course because it is all up to the Lord and President Ahlander, but I think I will be here until January... I hope... I honestly don't even want to think about it I love this place way to much. My companion is awesome! He is a super good guy from Manhattan, Kansas. He is a little older - he is 23 years old, but he and I get along really well. Just a super down to earth guy and his dad is an engineer for CAT Tractors and stuff. He is super smart with the gospel and knows a ton, so I feel like I am learning a lot from him. I am really loving the area right now and I finally just feel like I am at home in my mission. I know the people in the ward, we are getting referrals, things are just really good. The Lord has definitely blessed me so much right now. I can see His hand in all of this and I am just so grateful for the opportunity to be here. Don't get me wrong, there are still struggles and things aren't perfect, but it is good:) haha
Also tomorrow us and the Assistants are headed up to Panaca for district meeting!! So we get to drive through my favorite place Enterprise, Utah. It is just a small farming town a lot like St. Anthony. So I love seeing all the crops and things. Hopefully they will be digging potatoes when we go through so I can see a few diggers!
But I better get going. We have a lot to do today, I hope that everyone is safe and that you're enjoying the spuds! Only one more week:) haha I act sometimes like I am glad I am not there putting in long hours... but deep down I kinda miss it. There sure are a lot of really good memories of digging spuds!!
Mom I hope you had an awesome birthday!! You're the best! Hopefully you got the letter I sent you. If not, it should be there sometime today. I am so grateful for you and all the things you have done for me. I hope that you got to do something special for that day! Thanks so much for everything, I love you so much.
Remember to keep studying the scriptures everyday and to pray always. I see now more than ever how important the simple things really are, those are the things that are going to keep us spiritually safe in these trying times. I love you all so much and thanks for all of the support and your prayers. I know that I wouldn't be here were it not for the prayers of all of you. Have a good week and I will talk to you soon!!
Love
Elder Crapo
PS Give Hayes a hug from his uncle Brax!!
Sunday, April 13, 2014
October 7, 2013; Baby Hayes, Learning from trials, General Conference
Hey fam!!
Dang it sounds like this week has been a pretty eventful week and that we have been super blessed!! I am super excited about the baby and I am so glad that I got to see pictures of him. So crazy to me that I have a brand new nephew that I won't even see for quite a while!! I am so grateful though that the baby and that Mandi are doing ok. As for Foster and tipping the truck - over stuff happens, right?! We all have to mess up every once in a while or we would never learn. I will never forget this one time when I was out running the swather.....I was still pretty little - probably 10 or so. But I remember it was the one that we used to pull behind the tractor. And Coy had got on me because I kept leaving like a strip of hay right when I started to cut and this one time I turned around I left a big old strip so I tried to back it up and when I did I Jack knifed it pretty good haha. I learned that day how to back up and I also learned to slow down a little and just do it right the first time. Funny how that works sometimes. It seems like that is how it is in life, too. We make mistakes, but those mistakes make us look back and then we can learn from them and move on.
I have thought a lot about that this week and I feel like I have been learning a lot in all of my personal study time and in the things I have been reading. I feel like the Lord is really trying to teach me something right now concerning what kind of a person he needs me to be. It is always interesting that he puts us through certain trials and he gives us the chance to make mistakes. Then he uses that to teach us! It makes me think of a Scripture in D&C 136: 31 " My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom." It is kind of crazy you get to see all of the people that we teach go through all of these trials but when they cling to the gospel when they come through they are completely different people. That is our purpose here in life - to become who God needs us to become.
For instance we are teaching this lady right now who comes from a background of very LDS people. So much so that her uncle was Elder Faust. She was raised in the gospel and she knows what is right. But something must have happened in her life and she turned away from the teachings of the Gospel and lost all faith in Jesus Christ. She turned to a TV show where they went and Ghost hunted and searched for exactly opposite of what they wanted. But there must have been a reason for her to go through that - what I am not totally sure yet. But hopefully here in the next few weeks as we teach her and her boyfriend we will have more to that story!
Conference was so awesome! I am just kind of bummed out that it is all over. As Bill told you we did have an investigator there and she really enjoyed it. She has a baptismal date of October 26 and we are really excited about that. She is doing super good and is really catching the vision I think. The cool part of the whole thing is the reason that she started to investigate was all because of the people she worked with and the example that they were to her.
Other than that, not too much is happening here in Mesquite. We have awesome members as you know, like Bill who is just the best. I love that man so much and he does so much for me and all of the missionaries in the zone. He is just one of those guys who the whole town knows and everyone wants to be around. I am super excited for you to meet him and I love everyday that I get to be out here. It is crazy how just over a year ago I wasn't even totally sure if I wanted to come on a mission. I know that the mission is the best thing I could have ever done. I feel so much closer to my Father in Heaven than I have ever felt before in my whole life. And to hear that He is watching over you while I am gone is just another testimony to me that He is real and that He does know each and every one of us. Just keep doing everything that we can to share the gospel and always be in service to other people and the Lord will bless us! One thing we talked about in MLC was what really is a blessing? Sometimes we look at trials or things as punishment, or that maybe we did something wrong. As I thought about it, sometimes trials are blessings because they give us opportunity to grow and become more like our Father in Heaven.
I am so excited to hear that everyone is doing good. I know God watches out for all of us everyday. I know the first thought is that you're all being blessed because of my service, but I really think it is the other way around. I am in an awesome area with an awesome companion living with Bill!! haha I am pretty sure that I am being blessed because you're all living by faith in the trials he allows you to go through. I love you all so much and I hope you have another awesome week!! Stay Safe!! I love you!\
Elder Crapo
PS Give Hayes a kiss from Uncle Brax:)
Dang it sounds like this week has been a pretty eventful week and that we have been super blessed!! I am super excited about the baby and I am so glad that I got to see pictures of him. So crazy to me that I have a brand new nephew that I won't even see for quite a while!! I am so grateful though that the baby and that Mandi are doing ok. As for Foster and tipping the truck - over stuff happens, right?! We all have to mess up every once in a while or we would never learn. I will never forget this one time when I was out running the swather.....I was still pretty little - probably 10 or so. But I remember it was the one that we used to pull behind the tractor. And Coy had got on me because I kept leaving like a strip of hay right when I started to cut and this one time I turned around I left a big old strip so I tried to back it up and when I did I Jack knifed it pretty good haha. I learned that day how to back up and I also learned to slow down a little and just do it right the first time. Funny how that works sometimes. It seems like that is how it is in life, too. We make mistakes, but those mistakes make us look back and then we can learn from them and move on.
I have thought a lot about that this week and I feel like I have been learning a lot in all of my personal study time and in the things I have been reading. I feel like the Lord is really trying to teach me something right now concerning what kind of a person he needs me to be. It is always interesting that he puts us through certain trials and he gives us the chance to make mistakes. Then he uses that to teach us! It makes me think of a Scripture in D&C 136: 31 " My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom." It is kind of crazy you get to see all of the people that we teach go through all of these trials but when they cling to the gospel when they come through they are completely different people. That is our purpose here in life - to become who God needs us to become.
For instance we are teaching this lady right now who comes from a background of very LDS people. So much so that her uncle was Elder Faust. She was raised in the gospel and she knows what is right. But something must have happened in her life and she turned away from the teachings of the Gospel and lost all faith in Jesus Christ. She turned to a TV show where they went and Ghost hunted and searched for exactly opposite of what they wanted. But there must have been a reason for her to go through that - what I am not totally sure yet. But hopefully here in the next few weeks as we teach her and her boyfriend we will have more to that story!
Conference was so awesome! I am just kind of bummed out that it is all over. As Bill told you we did have an investigator there and she really enjoyed it. She has a baptismal date of October 26 and we are really excited about that. She is doing super good and is really catching the vision I think. The cool part of the whole thing is the reason that she started to investigate was all because of the people she worked with and the example that they were to her.
Other than that, not too much is happening here in Mesquite. We have awesome members as you know, like Bill who is just the best. I love that man so much and he does so much for me and all of the missionaries in the zone. He is just one of those guys who the whole town knows and everyone wants to be around. I am super excited for you to meet him and I love everyday that I get to be out here. It is crazy how just over a year ago I wasn't even totally sure if I wanted to come on a mission. I know that the mission is the best thing I could have ever done. I feel so much closer to my Father in Heaven than I have ever felt before in my whole life. And to hear that He is watching over you while I am gone is just another testimony to me that He is real and that He does know each and every one of us. Just keep doing everything that we can to share the gospel and always be in service to other people and the Lord will bless us! One thing we talked about in MLC was what really is a blessing? Sometimes we look at trials or things as punishment, or that maybe we did something wrong. As I thought about it, sometimes trials are blessings because they give us opportunity to grow and become more like our Father in Heaven.
I am so excited to hear that everyone is doing good. I know God watches out for all of us everyday. I know the first thought is that you're all being blessed because of my service, but I really think it is the other way around. I am in an awesome area with an awesome companion living with Bill!! haha I am pretty sure that I am being blessed because you're all living by faith in the trials he allows you to go through. I love you all so much and I hope you have another awesome week!! Stay Safe!! I love you!\
Elder Crapo
PS Give Hayes a kiss from Uncle Brax:)
September 30, 2013; Zone changes, Breaking glass bottles, Virgin Valley High Homecoming
Hey fam!!
Dad, I agree. Where do the weeks go?? Things in Mesquite are going really well. I am loving the area more than ever right now and my new companion is awesome. His name is Elder Seljestad and he is from Manhattan, Kansas. He is a really good guy and we are getting along great! This week we have done a ton and really been meeting a ton of the people. I finally feel like I know almost everyone in the ward and most of the less actives in the ward. Now we just need to pick up the pace a little and start meeting with a ton of them.
Our zone has had a really good change up and the new members of the zone seem to be doing awesome! It was a much needed change because I was hated by some of the last zone members. I am so grateful for Bill because it was tough to have to be the bad guy all the time, but it has really worked out for the best. I am honestly falling in love with the area and the people here. I know I say I feel like I am at home in all of my areas I have served in, but this is one place I really love. The weather has finally made a turn for the better and we are enjoying mid 80's most of the time and 60's at night. So when I get up in the mornings and go for a run it is the best feeling ever.
I did get a letter this week from President Chandler that was inspired by Heavenly Father for sure. I have been trying to decide what I can do as a leader to be better and to help the missionaries in my zone more. Just as I was praying for ideas the answer came through the talk that he sent me. I will have to read it to you someday, but he talked about enthusiasm and I need to just be more excited about what I am doing. Sometimes I just get into the work and for me, I find satisfaction in just working my butt off and doing my job. I am slowly coming to understand that sometimes it isn't all about me... Can you believe that?? haha I am finding that sometimes you have to take time out of your day to just love the missionaries you serve around and really make them feel your love for them. I honestly am enjoying every day here and the people are so awesome.
We have also been spending a ton of time with Bill going out and meeting all of his non member friends that he knows in the ward. He knows more than half of the town. So we have been going out and just meeting everyone that he knows and spending time with them. He also has been coming to lessons and just being awesome. I love him so much he really has become more like family than anyone else on the mission.
Also last week after I emailed you we were getting ready for transfers and we found out that one of our companionships had driven way way over their mileage that they get for the month. So I was frustrated as heck. When we went back to Bill's house we were talking and I remember that he said when his wife used to make him mad he would go down to the river and break glass bottles. So I went into Bill and I was like hey lets go break some glass bottles!! So we went outside and spent like an hour breaking old glass bottles... I haven't ever felt so good so fast hahaha. It has become my new stress reliever and it works awesome. So when the rookie drivers start giving you troubles, Coy, just go get some old coke bottles and just smash the heck out of them with rocks:) I promise it will make you feel better.
This week was also homecoming for Virgin Valley high school!!! Go Bulldogs! It was pretty cool that the people really got stoked for the big game just like everyone used to back at home. And we even got to walk in the parade with this big banner that Bill made for us. It was really cool and a good way to be out in the community with the people.
We even had the chance to take some of our recent converts to a family history class and I was super impressed. The things you can do on family tree are unreal! It was really neat to see all the things that you can do and the different ways that you can find your ancestors.
But things here are just plugging along. I am super excited for the the upcoming General Conference. It really has become my favorite time of the year! I hope and pray that everyone stays safe this upcoming week and that the weather stays good so that we can get all of the spuds dug!!
I love you guys and I will talk to you soon!!! Thanks again for all that you do!
Love,
Elder Crapo
Dad, I agree. Where do the weeks go?? Things in Mesquite are going really well. I am loving the area more than ever right now and my new companion is awesome. His name is Elder Seljestad and he is from Manhattan, Kansas. He is a really good guy and we are getting along great! This week we have done a ton and really been meeting a ton of the people. I finally feel like I know almost everyone in the ward and most of the less actives in the ward. Now we just need to pick up the pace a little and start meeting with a ton of them.
Our zone has had a really good change up and the new members of the zone seem to be doing awesome! It was a much needed change because I was hated by some of the last zone members. I am so grateful for Bill because it was tough to have to be the bad guy all the time, but it has really worked out for the best. I am honestly falling in love with the area and the people here. I know I say I feel like I am at home in all of my areas I have served in, but this is one place I really love. The weather has finally made a turn for the better and we are enjoying mid 80's most of the time and 60's at night. So when I get up in the mornings and go for a run it is the best feeling ever.
I did get a letter this week from President Chandler that was inspired by Heavenly Father for sure. I have been trying to decide what I can do as a leader to be better and to help the missionaries in my zone more. Just as I was praying for ideas the answer came through the talk that he sent me. I will have to read it to you someday, but he talked about enthusiasm and I need to just be more excited about what I am doing. Sometimes I just get into the work and for me, I find satisfaction in just working my butt off and doing my job. I am slowly coming to understand that sometimes it isn't all about me... Can you believe that?? haha I am finding that sometimes you have to take time out of your day to just love the missionaries you serve around and really make them feel your love for them. I honestly am enjoying every day here and the people are so awesome.
We have also been spending a ton of time with Bill going out and meeting all of his non member friends that he knows in the ward. He knows more than half of the town. So we have been going out and just meeting everyone that he knows and spending time with them. He also has been coming to lessons and just being awesome. I love him so much he really has become more like family than anyone else on the mission.
Also last week after I emailed you we were getting ready for transfers and we found out that one of our companionships had driven way way over their mileage that they get for the month. So I was frustrated as heck. When we went back to Bill's house we were talking and I remember that he said when his wife used to make him mad he would go down to the river and break glass bottles. So I went into Bill and I was like hey lets go break some glass bottles!! So we went outside and spent like an hour breaking old glass bottles... I haven't ever felt so good so fast hahaha. It has become my new stress reliever and it works awesome. So when the rookie drivers start giving you troubles, Coy, just go get some old coke bottles and just smash the heck out of them with rocks:) I promise it will make you feel better.
This week was also homecoming for Virgin Valley high school!!! Go Bulldogs! It was pretty cool that the people really got stoked for the big game just like everyone used to back at home. And we even got to walk in the parade with this big banner that Bill made for us. It was really cool and a good way to be out in the community with the people.
We even had the chance to take some of our recent converts to a family history class and I was super impressed. The things you can do on family tree are unreal! It was really neat to see all the things that you can do and the different ways that you can find your ancestors.
But things here are just plugging along. I am super excited for the the upcoming General Conference. It really has become my favorite time of the year! I hope and pray that everyone stays safe this upcoming week and that the weather stays good so that we can get all of the spuds dug!!
I love you guys and I will talk to you soon!!! Thanks again for all that you do!
Love,
Elder Crapo
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
September 23, 2013 Elder Kredt getting a transfer, New Companion, Elder Seljested
Hey fam!!
Dang, sounds like things are going pretty good for everyone at home! It has been a crazy week and things have been going insane here! I can't believe how fast time is just rolling by and the changes that are happening here in the mission. Elder Kredt and I got some pretty crazy news this week that we were not expecting. He is actually going to be getting transfered back to Vegas for his last six weeks and I will be getting a new companion. Elder Kredt is going to be working in the office and doing technical support for the senior couples because they are getting behind a little bit right now. So that is going to be a pretty cool opportunity for him. I am going to be getting a guy named Elder Seljested and he is from Kansas from what I hear. I honestly haven't met him yet so we will see tonight what he is like! It is always an adventure to get a new companion. You have to completely change up the style to take in what he does and what you do to make it all work. But it is good to learn how to adjust to others and to just work hard no matter what.
Right now things in our area are doing much, much better! This 40 day fast thing is really kicking into gear. There was a lady that a member brought last week to church and her name is Sam. We were able to meet with her and teach her for the first time, which was awesome. We had a really good lesson and she has committed to meet with us again this week. She wants to read the Book of Mormon and she seems really interested and has a soft heart right now. This fast has been a huge blessing to the missionaries here in the stake. We have found several new less active members who we will start working with and they are being prepared to go to the temple. The Lord truly is preparing the hearts of the people here.
As for the Elders in our zone, everyone seems to be doing alright. It is probably time for change. It is going to be very interesting because the entire leadership except for me, is changing this transfer. We are getting 4 new district Leaders and my companion is a new zone leader, as well. So I am sure that there will be some training involved, but it will be good because I know 3 of the district leaders and they are really solid Elders.
Things in Mesquite are finally changing this week. We are only supposed to be in the 80's which is going to be awesome!! It seems like it has changed literally overnight! Last week we were still tipping in the 100 degree range and now we are down to 80 or so. I am really hoping that Nevada isn't just playing with my mind and that it is actually going to start cooling down now. It is definitely time.
But I hope all is well. Sorry I don't have too much to report on as to how things are going. It has been a pretty crazy morning. We have had some issues with some of the Elders and their driving… Fun, fun right??:) haha You just gotta keep on keeping on, is what I have decided. It is good to learn all of these skills and be put under pressure sometimes because I am sure life at home is much worse.
Thank you so much for the package mom and for the letter. As for fast food restaurants around here, there isn't too much. haha We have a Jack in the Box, a Subway, and 2 McDonalds. Oh and a Taco Bell that they just put in a few months ago. That has been the big news of Mesquite for a while haha. But thank you for all that you do for me and for the prayers that come my way. I feel them each day.
As for what Stratton said from my letter- that is very, very true! haha This is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. But it is weird, because I wouldn't trade it for anything. A mission isn't a gloomy thing or something that sucks, it just tests you and pushes you to see how far you can go. It really is like they say "The Best 2 Years!" haha
I love you guys and hope that everyone stays off the roads by Crapo Farms for a few days...;) haha I am sure the kids will do fine. Just tell them to be safe and to enjoy the long nights. I would really give a lot to be back digging spuds, so enjoy it! I made some of the best memories of my life there and can't wait to do it all again. Thanks again for all you do! Ill talk to you soon!
Love,
Elder Crapo
September 16, 2013 Lots of meetings and Exchanges this week! Atonement quotes
Hey fam!!
Well, sounds like things are going really well at home and harvest is about to begin! I can't believe that all the kids are going to be driving truck this year! That is crazy to me. But I guess that I was younger than that when I started driving all that stuff, so I am sure that they will be able to do it. I am glad that you got to talk to Bill, Mom. He is such a good man and I am learning a ton from him about how to live life. I haven't ever met a more generous person. He would seriously give you the shirt off his back. He is so awesome and he and I are really close.
As for the rain, we have recieved a little here, but nothing like they are receiving in Colorado from what we hear. We have got a little and it is pretty awesome. I love the rain in Nevada because you only get it like once a year. The only crappy part is that it does flood. But since we are in town we really don't feel the affects of that too much. The Elders in Beaver Dam Arizona that are in our zone got flooded out and they couldn't get back to their house. So they came and had to stay the night at our place. So that was kind of interesting!
As for this week, our lives have been absolutely crazy. I feel like we have just been running from meeting to meeting with exchanges in the middle and then driving all the rest of the time. It has been pretty cool, though and we've had some really neat experiences. Elder Anderson and Elder Callister gave some really awesome talks. It was crazy that both missions were there, I even got to see Ethan Gilstrap, which was really cool. We took a picture together and I have it on my camera. I will send it to you next week.
I also got to go on exchanges with Elder Gray from Washington. He is the kid who went to high school with the Anderson clan from Washington. He is a super cool dude and it is nice to be able to talk farm with someone for a little bit.
Then on Friday we had exchanges with the Assistants and I got to go back into Vegas for the day, which was different. I can't believe how foreign it was to me. I mean it was right next to one of my old areas, but just how dirty it was and just the city. I don't know. It really threw me off. I am just getting way to used to good old Mesquite.
We had a really neat experience yesterday with the 40 day fast here in the Mesquite 7th ward. One of our councilors told us that he had a person who he worked with at work who had been asking questions and she really wanted to learn more. Well, luckily we had gone over to his home like the week before and we gave him the Restoration pamphlet and committed him to read over it and be prepared to give it away. The next week the opportunity came to him and he was prepared. He said that he tried to answer her questions the best he could and then he referred her to the pamphlet we had given him. Then yesterday while at church she walked in and really enjoyed it and we have a lesson set up with her Thursday at 1!!! So we are really excited for that because it would be her and her son. So fasting really does work and the Lord truly is preparing the hearts of the people here.
Things definitely are different here in Mesquite as far as how fast the work goes. It has really taken some getting used to, but I am really starting to love it here. People are really difficult to find and we have to lean on the members to help us find their friends, which I am sure is a lot like home for the missionaries. But we are having some really good success and the whole idea of the wards having 3 people who are assigned to help them get back into activity is exactly what we are doing too!! We just have to keep working hard and let the Lord take over.
Lastly, I wanted to leave you with my favorite quote I have memorized this week. It is from C.S. Lewis and Elder Holland quoted it in his address in the Ensign this month... "I do not believe that all those who choose a wrong road perish, but their rescue consists of being put back on the right road. A (mathematical) sum (incorrectly worked) can be put right. But only by going back till you find the error and then working it afresh from that point. Never simply by going on." I really liked that just because we are out here to help people come back to Christ and help them repent. The only way we can do that is by helping them find what it is in their life that is going amiss and then help them use the Atonement to change. Elder Oaks said in a talk that he gave called The Lords Way, "The Repenting sinner must suffer for his sins, but this suffering has a different purpose than punishment or payment. Its purpose is change." I know that through the Atonement we can change our lives and become new. You should all read the talk entitled "His Grace is Sufficient" by Brad Wilcox. It is in the Ensign this month and it is AMAZING. I have read it a million times before, but this time it really helped me. But I have to get going. I love you all so much and hope that you have a good week!!!
Love,
Elder Crapo
Elder Crapo
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
September 9, 2013 Going on Splits, training, Caliente and Panaca
Dear fam!
Dang sounds like it has been kind of a crazy week at home. I am glad that Taia is ok and that it is only an ACL tear. I love you, Taia keep your head up! Keep being good the Lord will take care of you if you'll just keep doing what is right. I know it will all work out.
As for things here in good old Mesquite, things are pretty crazy here as well. This past week we had to go into Vegas to MLC and we got to talk about the mission and how things are going. Then the next day we got up and we did our weekly planning and started our two hour drive to Panaca Nevada!!! We got to go on exchanges and I went with the Elders that cover Caliante and Panaca. And Elder Kredt went with the Elders in Alamo. It was really cool and fun time. But I wont lie, I was ready to get back to Mesquite and be here in my own bed haha. This whole sleeping on couches or on the floor isn't always the most comfy. It makes me super tired to haha but it keeps things interesting!!
While we were on exchanges though we had a really neat experience. We were planning on meeting a member of their Bishopric and when we got there his daughter had a non member friend who they invited to stay and take the lesson that we were going to teach. It was really cool. He stayed and we were able to share the first lesson with him. It was good to get back into teaching because lately it seems like we are either doing things for the zone, going on exchanges or going to meetings in Vegas. I actually really enjoy all of that stuff, it just felt good to be back in the seat of just teaching and helping this guy out. He seemed really solid and he had a lot of questions.
Also while we were in Caliante, we met this guy that a member took us to and we were just talking to him on his doorstep. He was talking to all of us and I was just looking at him trying to get a reading for who the guy was. He was talking about all of the crazy things that are going on in the world and how we as young men need to be self reliant. And like mid sentence he stopped and looked at me and he, "goes your a guy who studies a lot. I can really tell... whats on your mind??" And I was able to talk to him about King Benjamin and his sermon and how right after when his son Mosiah takes over the Kingdom he talks about how he wanted his people to be self reliant as well. And that he talks about how he labored with his people because he didn't want to be a burden to them. It was a really neat experience just because the things that I have been studying really came in handy haha!! And it gave me a pretty good laugh too, because all of you know how much I studied back at home...... NONE!!! haha The mission really does work miracles!!!!
Now as for my area, things are still kind of the same since we haven't had too much time to work in it. But one thing I am finding is I am really falling in love with this place. I like it here so much and I think that is mostly because of Bill, the guy that we live with. He and I have really hit it off. It is so cool. He is like my best friend. I honestly am not sure that I want to ever leave his house. I would love living here for the next like 7 months haha. He is so awesome and one of the best things is we are the same size of pants and so he was going to give a bunch of these basically brand new church pants to the DI. But instead he gave them to me! haha He loves it because now he says he knows he can give stuff to me and I can use it. You should add Bill on Facebook his name is Bill Lee and I am sure he would love to keep you posted on how life is here. He will definitely want to meet you guys at some point. He has been housing missionaries for like 30 years, so he has some experience with us haha He is just the best guy ever!!
But I am going to get going. I am doing really good. I hope that you're all enjoying school and that everything is going OK. I love you so much, Taia! Just keep doing what you're doing and everything is going to work out for the best! I am super proud of you and all that you have done!
I love you all and I will talk to you next week!!
Love,
Elder Crapo
Dang sounds like it has been kind of a crazy week at home. I am glad that Taia is ok and that it is only an ACL tear. I love you, Taia keep your head up! Keep being good the Lord will take care of you if you'll just keep doing what is right. I know it will all work out.
As for things here in good old Mesquite, things are pretty crazy here as well. This past week we had to go into Vegas to MLC and we got to talk about the mission and how things are going. Then the next day we got up and we did our weekly planning and started our two hour drive to Panaca Nevada!!! We got to go on exchanges and I went with the Elders that cover Caliante and Panaca. And Elder Kredt went with the Elders in Alamo. It was really cool and fun time. But I wont lie, I was ready to get back to Mesquite and be here in my own bed haha. This whole sleeping on couches or on the floor isn't always the most comfy. It makes me super tired to haha but it keeps things interesting!!
While we were on exchanges though we had a really neat experience. We were planning on meeting a member of their Bishopric and when we got there his daughter had a non member friend who they invited to stay and take the lesson that we were going to teach. It was really cool. He stayed and we were able to share the first lesson with him. It was good to get back into teaching because lately it seems like we are either doing things for the zone, going on exchanges or going to meetings in Vegas. I actually really enjoy all of that stuff, it just felt good to be back in the seat of just teaching and helping this guy out. He seemed really solid and he had a lot of questions.
Also while we were in Caliante, we met this guy that a member took us to and we were just talking to him on his doorstep. He was talking to all of us and I was just looking at him trying to get a reading for who the guy was. He was talking about all of the crazy things that are going on in the world and how we as young men need to be self reliant. And like mid sentence he stopped and looked at me and he, "goes your a guy who studies a lot. I can really tell... whats on your mind??" And I was able to talk to him about King Benjamin and his sermon and how right after when his son Mosiah takes over the Kingdom he talks about how he wanted his people to be self reliant as well. And that he talks about how he labored with his people because he didn't want to be a burden to them. It was a really neat experience just because the things that I have been studying really came in handy haha!! And it gave me a pretty good laugh too, because all of you know how much I studied back at home...... NONE!!! haha The mission really does work miracles!!!!
Now as for my area, things are still kind of the same since we haven't had too much time to work in it. But one thing I am finding is I am really falling in love with this place. I like it here so much and I think that is mostly because of Bill, the guy that we live with. He and I have really hit it off. It is so cool. He is like my best friend. I honestly am not sure that I want to ever leave his house. I would love living here for the next like 7 months haha. He is so awesome and one of the best things is we are the same size of pants and so he was going to give a bunch of these basically brand new church pants to the DI. But instead he gave them to me! haha He loves it because now he says he knows he can give stuff to me and I can use it. You should add Bill on Facebook his name is Bill Lee and I am sure he would love to keep you posted on how life is here. He will definitely want to meet you guys at some point. He has been housing missionaries for like 30 years, so he has some experience with us haha He is just the best guy ever!!
But I am going to get going. I am doing really good. I hope that you're all enjoying school and that everything is going OK. I love you so much, Taia! Just keep doing what you're doing and everything is going to work out for the best! I am super proud of you and all that you have done!
I love you all and I will talk to you next week!!
Love,
Elder Crapo
September 2, 2013 40 Day Fast, Living with Bill Lee and a Baptism set
Hey fam!!
It is good to hear from you and to hear that everyone is safe from the ride up to move the cows. It is fun to hear those stories but stinks to know that we are losing cows! Wes, that is legit you got put on the board of directors! What all does that mean you have to do?? haha Do you get to travel or anything like that for it?
Things this week have been pretty good here in Mesquite. I really, really like it here. It is a super good break from Las Vegas and the big city. This place really feels like home to me. Tons of members everywhere and a lot of cool people. Everyone knows everyone. And people actually wave when they drive by! Missionary work is a little different here, though than it is in Vegas. You can't just go tract because people here already know about the church, because pretty much everyone has a neighbor who is a member. It all really comes through less active work and from member referrals. But I am enjoying the people and trying to adjust to the different way of missionary work.
This past week I got to go on exchanges in Logandale and that was quite the experience. Logandale is much like Saint Anthony, only a little bigger because it has a Mcdonald's. It is kind of weird how the towns are set up down here, especially the smaller ones like Logandale. It seems like no one cares to pave the roads out here and so they just do like farm roads. They bust out through the sage brush and then put a street sign up. It is pretty crazy haha. I actually really enjoyed Logandale, though. The people were cool and the Elders that I was on exchanges with are doing some good work. They do live in kind of a sketchy trailer, though. We saw a camel spider in the living room while we were planning and so that really made me want to sleep in that place haha. Then I found out that they had killed a snake that was like 5 feet long and they decided that they wanted to put it in a bottle and then freeze it... and you know how much I HATE snakes! I seriously couldn't stop thinking about that dumb thing all night! haha But it was all good and I enjoyed the place. The only thing about Nevada that stinks is that it is so stinking hot!!! It is still in the hundreds and has been since like early June. I feel like it is time to start cooling down haha.'
As for things in our area, we just set a person with a baptism date for September 21 and he seems like he is pretty excited and will be ready for that date. His name is Gavin and he is 9 years old. His family has been inactive for a few years and they are just starting to come back to church. The biggest problem is that his Dad is the football coach here for the Virgin Valley Bulldogs and they have practice everyday and Gavin is also playing football and has practice everyday. So that makes meeting with them kind of hard to do sometimes. We are also working with our Young Single Adult Ward a little more and hopefully here in the next week or so we can get some new people coming to that. Yesterday, because it was Labor Day weekend we were really sparse in numbers. Our branch has about 30 active members and we are hoping to at least double that before November when Elder Kredt goes home. So we have plenty of work that we can be out doing.
We also talked to a member of our branch Presidency today and he is the Golf Pro over at the Falcon Ridge golf course. And he told us we could come over any P-day and golf on the course for free!! So I am pretty sure next week I am going to hit him up on that deal. I may have to beg Elder Kredt. haha But I think eventually I can get him to go, just so we can be outside and enjoy the 100 degree weather:) Gotta love Nevada!!!
As for our living arrangement that you were asking about..... Elder Kredt and I don't live alone. We live with a guy named Bill Lee. He is super cool and I love to talk to him. He has been a Bishop and Stake President and now he is retired and owns a bunch of property all over Mesquite. He is a widower and so I think having us there is a comfort to his family just knowing that he isn't alone all the time. But his kids live just down the street and they are a really cool family, too. His son in-law I think is going to come up to Idaho and buy a trailer load of potatoes from us! haha I will let you know next week for sure, because this week they are up at their cabin enjoying the nice weather haha. But he wants to come down and bring a trailer and then haul them back to this huge storage that he has that is refrigerated so that he can give them away to people here in the community. The people here are so giving. It is awesome! We come home and their is fresh baked bread on our counter from some of the members and people are always watching out for us, which is nice. We are even getting them excited to do missionary work! The 40 day fast is finally starting to take off and people are starting to have cool experiences already, which makes us really excited! We have had to do a little pushing, but with our ward Mission Leader's help, it has really picked up.
But that is about it for me! Things are going really well, hopefully you got the letter I sent you from our trip with the assistants to Caliante. We are going to be making the trip again this week so maybe I will run into your friend, mom! I have exchanges there on Thursday and Friday. Plus we have to run into Vegas on Wednesday for MLC, so this week is going to be jammed pack with driving and meetings. But that always makes for a really quick week!
Let me know if there is anything I can do for you guys! I hope that you have a fun 4 wheeler ride today and that everyone stays safe! Thanks for all that you guys do! I love you so much!!
Love,
Elder Crapo
It is good to hear from you and to hear that everyone is safe from the ride up to move the cows. It is fun to hear those stories but stinks to know that we are losing cows! Wes, that is legit you got put on the board of directors! What all does that mean you have to do?? haha Do you get to travel or anything like that for it?
Things this week have been pretty good here in Mesquite. I really, really like it here. It is a super good break from Las Vegas and the big city. This place really feels like home to me. Tons of members everywhere and a lot of cool people. Everyone knows everyone. And people actually wave when they drive by! Missionary work is a little different here, though than it is in Vegas. You can't just go tract because people here already know about the church, because pretty much everyone has a neighbor who is a member. It all really comes through less active work and from member referrals. But I am enjoying the people and trying to adjust to the different way of missionary work.
This past week I got to go on exchanges in Logandale and that was quite the experience. Logandale is much like Saint Anthony, only a little bigger because it has a Mcdonald's. It is kind of weird how the towns are set up down here, especially the smaller ones like Logandale. It seems like no one cares to pave the roads out here and so they just do like farm roads. They bust out through the sage brush and then put a street sign up. It is pretty crazy haha. I actually really enjoyed Logandale, though. The people were cool and the Elders that I was on exchanges with are doing some good work. They do live in kind of a sketchy trailer, though. We saw a camel spider in the living room while we were planning and so that really made me want to sleep in that place haha. Then I found out that they had killed a snake that was like 5 feet long and they decided that they wanted to put it in a bottle and then freeze it... and you know how much I HATE snakes! I seriously couldn't stop thinking about that dumb thing all night! haha But it was all good and I enjoyed the place. The only thing about Nevada that stinks is that it is so stinking hot!!! It is still in the hundreds and has been since like early June. I feel like it is time to start cooling down haha.'
As for things in our area, we just set a person with a baptism date for September 21 and he seems like he is pretty excited and will be ready for that date. His name is Gavin and he is 9 years old. His family has been inactive for a few years and they are just starting to come back to church. The biggest problem is that his Dad is the football coach here for the Virgin Valley Bulldogs and they have practice everyday and Gavin is also playing football and has practice everyday. So that makes meeting with them kind of hard to do sometimes. We are also working with our Young Single Adult Ward a little more and hopefully here in the next week or so we can get some new people coming to that. Yesterday, because it was Labor Day weekend we were really sparse in numbers. Our branch has about 30 active members and we are hoping to at least double that before November when Elder Kredt goes home. So we have plenty of work that we can be out doing.
We also talked to a member of our branch Presidency today and he is the Golf Pro over at the Falcon Ridge golf course. And he told us we could come over any P-day and golf on the course for free!! So I am pretty sure next week I am going to hit him up on that deal. I may have to beg Elder Kredt. haha But I think eventually I can get him to go, just so we can be outside and enjoy the 100 degree weather:) Gotta love Nevada!!!
As for our living arrangement that you were asking about..... Elder Kredt and I don't live alone. We live with a guy named Bill Lee. He is super cool and I love to talk to him. He has been a Bishop and Stake President and now he is retired and owns a bunch of property all over Mesquite. He is a widower and so I think having us there is a comfort to his family just knowing that he isn't alone all the time. But his kids live just down the street and they are a really cool family, too. His son in-law I think is going to come up to Idaho and buy a trailer load of potatoes from us! haha I will let you know next week for sure, because this week they are up at their cabin enjoying the nice weather haha. But he wants to come down and bring a trailer and then haul them back to this huge storage that he has that is refrigerated so that he can give them away to people here in the community. The people here are so giving. It is awesome! We come home and their is fresh baked bread on our counter from some of the members and people are always watching out for us, which is nice. We are even getting them excited to do missionary work! The 40 day fast is finally starting to take off and people are starting to have cool experiences already, which makes us really excited! We have had to do a little pushing, but with our ward Mission Leader's help, it has really picked up.
But that is about it for me! Things are going really well, hopefully you got the letter I sent you from our trip with the assistants to Caliante. We are going to be making the trip again this week so maybe I will run into your friend, mom! I have exchanges there on Thursday and Friday. Plus we have to run into Vegas on Wednesday for MLC, so this week is going to be jammed pack with driving and meetings. But that always makes for a really quick week!
Let me know if there is anything I can do for you guys! I hope that you have a fun 4 wheeler ride today and that everyone stays safe! Thanks for all that you guys do! I love you so much!!
Love,
Elder Crapo
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