Dear Family,
It is Monday morning and finally time to write home :) It seems weird to have been here for 5 days and not being able to write home until Preparation Day, but the time has gone quickly and now it is time.
I imagine that Katelyn, Clay, and Des are practicing their piano and getting ready for school, and Dad and Mom are fixing breakfast. I am half way done with my laundry and also just about ready to go get breakfast.
Mom, before I forget to tell you, our bathrooms do have single units for showers and they have curtains ;) Didn't want to forget and tell you that!
My Companion is Sister Chatwin from St. George UT and is a wonderful example to me. We have a lot of similarities and differences, but we get along great! She is easy to talk with and we have learned lots about each other. She is 23 and has an older brother and a younger sister. Dad do you know any Chatwins? Her dad grew up in Springville and is just a year older than you. I had to laugh at her reaction when I started telling about how I have grown up on a ranch and she thought we had milk cows... I told her we have chickens and beef cows :)
My teachers are all so wonderful! Sister Elsworth is from London and has a great British accent and an even better testimony that what she is teaching us is true. Her lessons are great and I am learning so much. Brother Tominaga is from Blackfoot and has been fishing in Chesterfield! He knows a few of the people I know from Blackfoot and I was so excited when I heard that! He knew Scott Larsen and his family and also some people from High School since we both graduated in '08. He has been home for about two months and still had the spirit with him so much. Brother Hale, from California, is also a great teacher. He helps a lot when we are doing our "mock" teaching and helps us to find deep conflicts instead of surface conflicts that our investigators have. I am still focusing a lot on how to dig deeper and find more out about our mock investigators. It is difficult, but a good challenge.
Another connection I have found is in my Branch Presidency. Brother R. Shermann Robinson, from American Fork, is our first counselor. Dad, he owns Lehi Roller Mills. When he was greeting me he saw my name asked were I was from. I said Chesterfield Idaho, and then said I had moved from Springville, Ut. (I have grown to realize that when some people ask where I was from with a certain look on their face, that I say both places. Then they usually get a big smile on their face and say they know Grandpa or you Dad. :) I get a big smile on my face too!) Then he asked who my Grandpa was, and he said he knew Grandpa Crandall and his boys. He said he knew you the best. So exciting to find those connections!
The other members of the Branch Presidency are President Fisher and Brother Garr. All of these men are great in the gospel and their wives are amazing. Each Sunday we are asked to prepare a 3-5 minute talk on a given subject and then they call 2-3 missionaries to give their talks.
Relief Society was wonderful yesterday! Sister Rosemary Wixom, the General Primary President, spoke to us! She did a marvelous job and helped me feel like I am a really important part in the missionary plan. She said, "The power of the Holy Ghost will give us our talent, the smile of angels will give us our looks, and the divine work we are doing will give us our personality." Really made me feel beautiful and loved. Now I need to put my faith towards the Lord and keep working diligently!
My time is about up and I need to get breakfast, so I will write you snail mail and describe some more that I have done.
I love you all so much and know that you are doing well!
Love,
Sister Crandall
***Deanna here, Stephanie's oldest sister for those just joining us. :) She asked me to maintain her blog with updates for friends and family, so we hope you enjoy! I know she will enjoy receiving letters throughout her mission, so feel free to write at any time. :) I'd also be happy to share any comments you leave, if you'd like me to (accessing her blog or Facebook is not within the mission rules). She has limited time on the computer to email, as well as read emails, so it is best if you can write actual letters and mail them. Thanks!***
