Week 15: RIP Slidell, Hello Mendenhall!

We got some transfer news this Sunday and boy, was I shook! Turns out WE ARE BOTH LEAVING SLIDELL!!!! How crazy is that?!  Sister Strobelt is going to Baton Rouge and is going to be training another new missionary! I'm real excited for her, but so sad we aren't going to be together another transfer! But I got the news that I'm going to be going to Mendenhall, MS, a tiny little town 50 or so miles south of Jackson. I'll be working in a branch, which will be different, for sure, but I'm excited for the change. Also found out that I'm training a new missionary too! I'm so stoked, so nervous, and so ready to head out to MS now that I know! Its been extremely humbling knowing that the Lord and President have enough faith in me to train, because man I feel so inadequate! Guess it'll just be an adventure for Sister Glenn (my little greenie) and I! We pick up our new comps tomorrow and we are so excited!!

So since we were all anticipating transfer calls, this week turned into another week for goodbyes! So this weekend was packed with goodbyes and all that fun stuff. But  we also did some exchanges with the Sisters in Bogalusa, LA and it was really fun! I always love doing exchanges because it seriously helps me so much. You learn from every sister you are with and I could use all the learning I can get to be better and grow! That's honestly one of the best parts of the whole mission, learning and growing and becoming better! So I'm really glad that exchanges got to help me with some of that this week! I'm getting more and more confident as a missionary each day and especially each exchange!

I really don't have to words to express what Slidell has meant to me these past 3 months. We have been going around and saying goodbye to everyone, and it just hits you how much this place feels like home! Everyone here just takes you in like family and it's the most loving place I think I have ever been. I'm really so sad to leave the people here. But I am also really excited to switch it up for a few transfers and train! I actually really like change, so it'll be really interesting to see what little ol Mendenhall has in store for me! 

We had weekly Book of Mormon studies here in Slidell with a recent convert, Susan and it was always a hoot and a half! It was so fun reading the Book of Mormon with some of our friends in the ward! This past week, we read one of my favorite scriptures in the Book of Mormon in 3 Nephi 27: 14. Christ is speaking to the Nephites about how He was crucified for us and lifted on the cross. He says "...that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father..." and MAN! That verse just hits me every time! Christ was crucified and suffered in the garden so we could be lifted up! I read that, and I guess I just pictured our Savior and our Heavenly Father literally picking us up when we fall. When we fall because of trials, hard times, sin, loss, pain or anything. That brings so much peace to me, knowing that Christ is lifting me up each time I fall down.

I love Jesus Christ soooo much! I love His gospel, I love the Book of Mormon, and I love knowing He is there to support and pick us up at any and all times! I love Slidell with all my heart! And I love all of you! Thanks for all the love and support yall send, it means the world!

Love Sister Crouch

1. Our girl Dede!!! Gonna miss her

2. One of the hardest goodbyes... Mr.Jefferson has stolen our hearts 

3. Hian wanted to do a silly face haha. That's my attempt lol

4. Another one of the hardest goodbyes... we really love Mr. Comfy

5. Home away from home with the Kirby family 

6. Exchanges!

7. Lunch with my District

Lots of Goodbyes