Week 42: Self Isolation... more like self isoLAMEtion #nothingcanstopthiswork

It's safe to say that this has been the weirdest week of my whole mission. Like all the other missionaries across the globe, sister Craddock and I are also quarantined for the time being which has been very interesting! I'll admit, it's been less than ideal, but I've decided to turn the 2 weeks inside into a spiritual bootcamp that makes my faith grow instead of 2 weeks that shake my faith. Because of that, I have seen the tender mercies of the Lord all around me everyday! That's been a huge miracle for me!

In all reality, quarantine has been pretty boring. But to enlighten yall on what these two sisters have been up to, we have:

-learned how to shuffle cards like a true Vegas dealer (bridge and all)

-learned how to do the cup song using an actual cup

-reenacted scripture stories using kinetic sand, and creative sets on the kitchen table (s/o to the Sherman's for letting us borrow their sand!)

-learned how to crochet a long chain of yarn...still cant turn it into anything yet though haha. Stay tuned!

-have listened to 25 chapters of Saints in 48 hours...I'm actually officially obsessed with church history!

-sang primary bops while doing the cup song cup beat. Pretty legendary.

-have studied our booties off! 

-have become professional directors and producers of goofy videos that make us die laughing 

-have walked around our neighborhood more than I walked around BYU campus

And that's really about it. It's been interesting to try and fill our time and also ENJOY our time, but everyday we have miracles! Sometimes that miracle is just that we found something to laugh at or that we found joy! It's definitely an interesting time to be a missionary!

I've been focusing my studies this week on faith, because I really need it right now! As I was reading in the Bible dictionary, I read a super cool line about faith. It says "Where there is true faith there are miracles, visions, dreams, healings, and all the gifts of God that He gives to His saints." Sometimes the miracles aren't that our trials disappear or that covid19 is suddenly cured and life goes back to how it was (even though that would be a pretty cool miracle). Sometimes our miracles are that we came out from trials and hard times stronger than we went into them or enduring them with joy! The Joseph Smith translation for the scripture Hebrews 11:40 says "God having provided better things for them through their sufferings, for without sufferings they could not be made perfect." Sometimes trials and hard times are better for us in the long run than a miraculous solution or deliverance. Trust the Master Creator, trust that His plan is perfect for you and this work. Nothing can frustrate His work or His plan. Keep having faith and find the miracles that happen! 

I'm really grateful for the peace that the gospel brings! I've felt the peace and comfort of the Holy Ghost this whole week as our mission is changing. I'm grateful to have another experience to grow my faith! The world is in our Father in Heaven's hands! He's got this. I love Him and I'm grateful for that knowledge! I love yall! Have a great week, stay healthy and happy.

Love, Sister Crouch

1. Social distancing who? 

2. In honor of Vegas being shut down...

3. My favorite covid meme.

4. Please enjoy the product of our boredom ;)