Campos Novos--Week 77--Last Week!

Oiii

My last week in Campos Novos was amazing. I did not want my life as a missionary to end! We had the busiest week ever, and Sister Howell and I felt like because we were working our tails off, The Lord was blessing us immensely.
Here are some highlights from this week:

• On Pday Sister Howell and I did some last minute shopping (snacks and such) and we got our nails done. But the lady that did our nails, accidentally cut into my toe, and it made it infected, and swollen for a few days. I thought that I had an ingrown toenail, so Sister Barbosa helped me by digging in with a little knife. Which only made it worse, because I did not indeed have an ingrown toenail. Haha!
• We had lots of success with Lisiane and Julian. We taught them the restoration and the plan of Salvation. And they told us that they believe it! Lisiane said when we asked her if she prayed about the restoration, and she said she did. And she feels it's truth. 
• We also spent the week with Amanda trying to prepare her for Baptism. She was very hesitant. And was not sure if she wanted to give up worldly things. But in the end she decided that she wanted to make that commitment with Jesus Christ to be baptized. We had her baptism after church on Sunday, and it was the most amazing thing ever. It was 1.5 hours before we had to go to Floripa to finish our missions, so we really did go out with a Bang!
• We had a goodbye dinner with Simone and Jaison that week, and marked everything for their wedding date. 
• We also had the amazing opportunity of going to the local high school and talking about the church and our missions, and America, for an hour in front of 200 kids! It was amazing, and we definitely planted some good seeds there. 
• Sister Howell and I on our last Sunday were able to bear our testimonies on the last fast Sunday, and we both cried. And felt such sadness to be done with our missions. We took a 10 hour bus ride to Florianopolis, and made a contact on the bus.
• When we got there the elders were there waiting for us, and we went to the sisters house. We went to bed super late, organizing and packing. 
• That morning I woke up after only 2 hours of sleep, sick to my stomach, and threw up in the toilet, sister howell gave me lime water, and we took our ubers to the mission office where we had our last training. 
• We were called by our first names in the training which was so weird. 

I am writing this as I have been home from my mission for 4 months. And not a day passes that I don't miss it. That I don't miss the people, the place, serving The Lord. I know this is his church. This is the gospel of Jesus Christ. And my mission has prepared me for my life ahead of enduring to the end, and holding on to the Iron rod. 

Irmao Vilmor and Irma Carla

Amandas Baptism

Simone and Jaison

The Haitians

Gisa's Mission shower

Our high school presentation

"Perdi vontade de comer...e viver"

Simone's Parents house

Sister Barbosa, sacrificing sleep to help take out the ingrown toenail I didn't have.

Campos Novos, Week 76

OIIII

This week was super awesome, I can't believe that I am already on my last week on the mission! 

Here are some highlights: 

• ALANA WAS BAPTIZED! Amanda wasn't baptized this week, but we are going to work with her to get baptized this week before we finish our missions! But Alana ́s baptism was so so special. Lots of people came to support her, and she was so so excited, and said "If we want our mom to change, we have to change!" I love to see how the gospel has really changed their lives. She was so so excited to be baptized and to receive the gift of the Holy ghost. Amanda wore the dress I gave her to the baptism! (She hates dresses) and We could tell she was excited for her day to come.
• We went knocking doors yesterday in the Bairro that we had been avoiding the whole transfer (it's super far) but it was soo worth it because we found sooo many people ready to hear the gospel! I love knocking doors haha. We also were given beet cake which was a first! 
• One thing I love about the Oeste of Santa Catarina, is that these people are sooo loving and giving! They always open the gate for us and say, "I'll open it so that you guys can come back!" 

This will be the last email that I will send on the mission! I can not believe that my mission will be over in one week! It passes by way too fast. I am feeling a lot of mixed feelings, but all in all I am so so grateful for the opportunity that I had to serve my Heavenly Father as a missionary. I have learned and grown so much in this year and a half! This for sure was the hardest and best thing that I have ever done. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I had to meet so many amazing people, people that have changed my life forever. I have really gained a testimony that when we lose ourselves in the service of our fellow beings we are serving our God and find ourselves. I am grateful to have been able to grow my testimony, and love for my Savior, every day of my mission. I just wanted to leave y´all with my testimony that I know that Jesus Christ lives, he loves us, and he died for us. We are spirit children of our Heavenly Father., this is his church that was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith, who translated the Book of Mormon through the power of God. I know that we have a prophet that lives today, and that he is our guide to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father, and our Savior. I love you all, I love this gospel! 

See y´all soon!! 

Love, 

Sister Crofts

Missão Brasil Florianópolis (MELHOR MISSÃO NO MUNDO!) 

Alana's Baptism

Rita

Campos Novos, Week 75

Oiii all!! 

Wow I can't believe that I only have 2 weeks left and I will be done! 

I am more than a bit nervous for this next stage in life... what will I do without my Brazilians.... ahhh. 

But I am going to make the most of my time here, Sister Howell and I are eating lots of Açai, talking to as many people as possible, loving, serving, studying, and trying to be better everyday. 

Here are some highlights from this week: 

• This week was amazing. We worked our tails off, and on Sunday night after I prayed for my investigators, I always like to pray for a "Surprise" in church. And there is always a surprise. This time it was a big one, 18 investigators at church, and in total 70 people in the branch!!! I am so grateful to be able to help the Lord in his work, and that Sister Howell and I can help this branch to grow! 
• As all of you know Valentine's day was this last week, so sister Howell and I woke up early to make french toast, with fruit and caramel sauce, and heart attack the other sisters' door. Then we woke them up and surprised them! It was the best, when we came back to our apt at night we were surprised to see that the other sisters made a valentine's surprise for us! A chique dinner. It was the best. Best valentines day yet!
• This week we marked the wedding of Simone and Jaison for the 20th of March!!! We are so excited for them.
• We taught Alana and Amanda about commandments this week and are preparing them for their baptism! Please pray that everything will go well with their baptism this week. 
• We are also preparing Rita,and another couple that we are teaching (Valdir and Terezinha) They are making lots of changes in their lives to follow Christ, please pray for them!

In the spirit of Valentine's day, I just wanted to say that I love you all, I am grateful for your support. I know that our Savior Jesus Christ lives, and loves us all so much. He loved us enough to suffer and die for us. We need to pray every day to be filled with this pure love that he has for us. Which is charity. My challenge for you guys this week is to study about charity, how you can develop this Christ like attribute. Read Moroni 7. 

I love you all!! Have a great week! 

Sister Crofts

Campos Novos, Week 74

This week was the best! I can't believe that my mission is passing by so quickly!! 

Just wanted to send a quick email about my week! Here is what happened:

•  We went on splits this week, I went with sister Barbosa and it was the best we met a lot of awesome people. I love that the Lord puts the right people in the right place at the right time. 
• We had mission tour (got only 1 hour of sleep) which was really emotional, and wonderful. Elder Costa (70) came and talked to us a lot about obedience, and grace. How to find more, teach better, and baptize more! At the end, I was conducting the music and it hit me really hard that my mission was almost over, so I cried super hard after with sister Howell. Sister Costa went and talked to us and said, "don't worry, this is just the start of your mission, the next part is way better!"
• We are helping Simone and Jaison get  married, and are almost done with the papers!! super exciting! 
• We had another miracle this week with Amanda, (Alana's sister) we visited them on ´Friday and Amanda said, " I did what you guys asked me...I prayed and asked if it was true. I prayed the first time, and didn´t receive and answer. But I knew I didn't pray with faith. I prayed the second time and... I received my answer. It was a peace in my heart. A really strong happiness, and a feeling in my heart I couldn't explain." Alana said, "Yeah! that's how it feels!!" We invited them to be baptized, and Alana accepted, Amanda didn't know. On Sunday after church she said she wants to be baptized! 

Love being a missionary! Sorry I don't have much time to respond to your emails. Love you all!!! This week my challenge to you all is to read D&C 138. 

Love, 

Sister Crofts

Mission Zone Conference

President's Birthday

Campos Novos, Week 73

Hey all! This week was soo great, there were a few bumps in the road (literally) but God worked his miracles like always. I love being a missionary! 

Here is what happened:

• So on Monday we went to a new Bairro that we have never worked in! Boa vista, we knocked doors, and met this awesome family Evanir, Alana, Amanda, Alan, and Aline haha! We taught them, then met some other cool people. But to go home we had to cross the highway in the dark and cross a patch of tall grass haha. When we were running across the grass I misstepped and fell, scraping up my left leg pretty bad. It was pretty funny, but I passed the whole week having people stare at my leg and ask me what I did haha!
• We had another cold week with lots of rain! Which was refreshing, but I am kind of confused if Campos Novos wants it to be winter or summer... 
• We are teaching this super cute old couple, Valdir and Terezinha, and we have to teach them pretty slowly, every lesson is about a very simple principle. But they are the best, and have a faith that is very strong! We set a date for baptism with them (the 15th of February) please pray that all will go well. 
• We are teaching an awesome lady named Rita, who is trying to stop smoking and drinking coffee. She has already cut in half the coffee and cigarettes! She is shy, but also feels like she received and answer about the restoration! Miracles!
• Simone and Jaison accepted to be baptized, and to get married, so now we are helping them with the papers and everything! I love them so much, and love to see the union, and peace in their home now!
• We have been having a ton of success with English class, this last one had more Haitians, and lots more people showed up! We had a great time, and after made a ton of contacts with Haitians, they are the best, super humble and open, and faithful!
• On Sunday sister Howell and I walked to pick up Alana and Amanda, and they had another friend with them (their mom couldn't come because Aline has special needs) they LOVED church.  Alana during testimony meeting said, "I read the book of Mormon, and prayed, and got my answer, I felt it in my mind and in my heart, I feel it´s true. God talks to me." MIRACLE! We are so excited to teach these girls tonight!

On a different note, I wanted to invite all of you to share the gospel where you are too! Through family history, and share your testimony about the Book of Mormon with a neighbor this week. Pray for opportunities to serve and to share the gospel, and God will definitely bless you with the people that are prepared. Like the sons of Mosiah, we need to show God we are open to be his instruments! 

Love you all!!!

Sister Crofts 

Missão Brasil Florianópolis

Simone and Jaison

Ouch!

Crazy Sisters!