September 14, 2015

Well it was a great week! We found some new investigators and two of them accepted baptism but we are going to have to work hard to help them progress.  We really need to find more people and I am ready to work like a slave this week! Haha  Elder Avila and I will be staying together for at least one more change! Time to bring the miracles! 

Speaking of miracles.... looks like I didn’t have the faith necessary to have the miracle of making a part of the choir.  I got a letter today saying "elder rejection" in the title haha.  It was worth the effort and I thought of mom as she is going to read this letter saying "Really?! He didn’t make it?! But he sings so well!" haha So.... maybe next time! 

So the other day we were knocking some doors and came across a woman that was VERY “evangelica.”  We started to talk with her about Christ but as soon as we mentioned the Book of Mormon she started to tell us that we were teaching apostasy.  Well.... we gave our testimonies and kept moving on.  It was a tough contact and hurt a little bit but the thought came to my head after "come what may and love it".  It is tough being rejected at times but I love the way I feel knowing that I have done my part in inviting others to come unto Christ. 

I really like Nephi’s example in 2 Nephi 4.  Even though he was a prophet, he had hard moments and felt really week.  He understood that to be spiritually self-reliant he had to be less reliant on his self and look for more of God´s help.  I have seen in my mission that the moments that I feel my best are when I feel like I depend more upon the Lord.  I also like Alma 5:45-46.  Even though he was a prophet and had seen an angel in the moment of his conversion, he needed to "fast and pray" often so that he could have the spirit so that he could come to know the truth of the gospel.  I hope that helps!!!

Not too much has happened this week! But I am learning a lot and loving the ride! 

Love,

Elder Crofts

Humberto's house for food. He sent this picture to Elder Crofts Family

Mission Leadership conference with President & Sister Diaz

Leadership conference photo from the new mission blog

Got Chick'n....well...sure do!

Well I finally got the pictures from Elder Choez. 

This was our lovely service project a few weeks ago!

If you want to read or reread the rooster killing story it was on the August 10th blog post

In the bus!

One of Mom's lovely BBQ chicken pizzas!

We had some rain so the road to our service project was a little muddy

Our service project was laying down some tile

Sorry Dad, I know you hate "ugly pictures"  but Elder Avila isn't too great for taking normal pics and it looks like I have been a little bit of a conformist. Haha.

Thanks so much Alicia! We are going to bust this bad boy open today!

September 7, 2015

Howdy there!

WELL HELLO! 

This week Elder Viñas from the area came to our mission.  We had a conference with him with four other zones and it was great!  I learned a lot about the importance of goals and having a vision for ourselves and the things we want to do.  He said that “the numbers and the results aren’t important.  The important thing is that we are learning and getting better.  That is why a goal can’t exist without a vision and neither exists if we don’t have a plan."  He said "so the number of baptisms for the week was zero... well at it they got baptized". haha *(If anyone can understand what this means or possesses a Urim and Thummim to translate this sentence please call Bobby's family).  I realized that a lot of times I get so upset with myself for not achieving what I feel like I should be that I forget to learn as I got and I don’t enjoy the work.  I feel like these last few days I really have had the spirit with me stronger and I feel like the Lord is happy with the effort I am giving.  

Elder Avila had a doctor’s appointment and it doesn’t look like it is anything serious.  The doctor gave Elder Avila a prescription and also the suggestion of an x-ray.  When Elder Avila saw what the price of the x-ray would be I think he regretted ever having talked with the mission nurse. haha so instead of setting an appointment to do it we walked out. Since that time I haven’t heard any complaining about his knee. haha

Yesterday as I took the sacrament I was really praying and fasting for a spiritual experience and for the "vision" that I needed to start to set some good goals.  I reread the baptismal questions and gave myself a mini interview with myself and God.  I really felt the spirit and really felt like I was renewing the covenants that I have made.  It was much needed and I feel better than I have in a while.  God is really so loving and so willing to help us but a lot of times we never overcome the first obstacle to get to Him: ourselves.  I love to take the sacrament and it is just a bummer that we only do it once a week because like it teaches us in 3 Nephi 18 it really "fills" us every time that we worthily take it.  I love you guys and I hope that this Sunday can be a special experience as you renew your covenants! Thanks for everything.

Love,

Elder Crofts

The 3 women that were baptized after Elder Goulding and I contacted them a few months ago! :)

We got together as a zone last week to play soccer!

I ask Elder Avila to take a picture and he always uses it as an excuse for an ugly selfie. Enjoy! Haha

The number 8 "Vidal" crew

The zone with Elder Perreira showing off his freshly shaved head on the far left.

All of our district

Service project with Elder Puefua. Let's go PAINTIN!

Sebastian served his mission in Idaho and speaks English really well!

Tacos with Charlie. YUM!