4/25/11

Date: Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:19:36 -0700
Subject: Another Week! AH!
From: samuel.crapo@myldsmail.net

Hello Family and Friends!



ANOTHER WEEK! YIKES!

I dont have any questions to answer this week... i wrote mom a
seperate email! Sorray! But it dont matter cuz you dont care. Admit
it.

Anyways Let me tell ya what happened this weeeeeeeeeeeek.....

So Monday 4-18-11
I sent some pictures! i think the only thing that happened on monday
is that some girls stole my camera and were watching videos so we hung
their stuff on the flag pole outside their church. Besides that all
we did was go to sister Leishmans and ate SO MUCH LASAGNA i thought i
was going to explode! its bad here haha everytime we are in a meal, i
eat so fast that they make me eat more, i think i need to slow down
because everytime i leave a house i feel stuffed to the max!


Then Tuesday 4-19-11
Today was probably our biggest service day. We went and hauled hay at
the omans, we sprayed weeds and mowed weeds, and leveled out horse
pens at the Knards Farm, (I'll send pictures of this) We helped
brother Moffat spread wood chips in his yard! man we did tons of
service!

Then We went and visited the Relief Society President, Sister Lewis,
We hooked her up with info because we are like her little errand boys
and she hooked us up with refferals! She's So cool.

While we were at her house there were tons of kids around on
skateboards and bikes because they were all at woodward for spring
break, it was pretty sweet.

And then we ate dinner at the Moffats! Their little girl holly is so
funny. She has her own language cuz she cant speak yet. But she's
cute and loves missionaries!

Then Wednesday 4-20-11
We went to the Chiropractor, and i get to go every week because he's
trying to fix my neck so that i dont get headaches anymore. The other
missionaries only get adjusted every other week! HAHA!

We did some shopping in the morning, sent some packages and mail and stuff.

We went to the Warings for lunch, and we got to talking on service
missions. I really want to serve a service mission. I'd be so much
better at it. haha. I think when i look for a job when i get home
it'll be like a Crisis Cleanup Crew. they can send me to places that
get devistated by disasters and i'll help clean it up. That would be
WICKED!!!!

We went over to sister Finely's House and did a little service in her
back yard. She has a big old gras hill in her back yard and the weeds
came to my knees. And she had a really good Weed Wacker but her lawn
mowers sucked, one sounded like it was going to blow up and a blade
was going to fly off and hit me in the face, and the other was.....
well you wanna hear a funny joke? (Electric lawnmower) Plugs in the
wall! JOKE!!!! so needless to say we had to stop and tell her we would
come back later in the week. and we did. But she had a WAY pretty
husky, i want a husky as a dog when i get home.

We went to Heavenlee's house and taught her about Chastity and the
word of wisdom. That went well. She gets baptized on Saturday the
30th! WOO HOO! my first baptism!

Then we ate dinner at the Mortenson's, They are a cool old couple.
They were born and raised in Utah, they went to Granite high. And
they were married by a general authority... i dont remember who?

Then we went to the holloways, and for some reason everytime i go
there we end up talking about movies, and that's all we end up talking
about! haha its sweeeeeet! they are awesome!

And then i looked in the area book and found out that me and Sister
Layne (The one where we have so many things in common, like her grand
daughter and Spencer Izatt) Me and her have the same birthday!!! man
me and this lady have so many things in common! she's SWEET!

Thursday 4-21-11
We played Basketball at 6 AM like somedays we do.

We went to district meeting and that was good.

I told my companion that pooping is pondering time hahahaha! its true
though, i come up with my best thoughts out there on the pot. and the
funny thing about saying this was that we went to a less actives house
and was talking about reading the scriptures and the lady we were with
(Sister Lewis) said that the best place to read is on the toilet, i
looked at my companion and couldnt stop laughing.... yeah... i told
you! Even the relief society president thinks so!

After sister Alvis' we went to wayne and nita's. talked with them a
bit, and messed with their dogs. they have 3 shnowzers!

Then we went back to the lewis' and had a TON of spaghetti! it was
great, but like i said i was filled to the max. the Lewis' are so
funny.

at the bottom of this page in my journal it says "It was a great day"
and it was, because i didnt feel like a trainee anymore... i'm a
missionary, new or old, we are all the same.

Then Friday 4-22-11
Today wasnt a good day :( I thought it would be because the day before
was awesome but i woke up Congested with a head ache :(

But we helped Loretta move her stuff to an apartment, she just got a
job at a lutheran school or something as a cafeteria lady haha

We had weekly planning on friday as well. It was.... cold. haha that's all.

We went to a golden hills FIESTA. It was ok, but we couldnt stay
long, we had an appointment. at the KINGS the kings are awesome! We
spoke about the Plan of Salvation. And it was so crazy because that's
what we had planned for the night, but before we could start teaching
they got a call from their daughter saying she had a miss carriage,
and that was like what lead our discussion. IT was like god telling
us there was no way we werent going to teach them the plan. IT was
sweet.

Then Saturday 4-23-11
We woke up and got ready to be at the church for heavenlee's
baptisimal interview. And she did great!

We went over to Sister Leishmans for breakfast like we always do for
saturday. She always makes good breakfast.

Then we went back to sister finely's and finished our yard work. I
got allergies way bad and that ruined my day. Made me so tired.

We went to brother Thomas' house and i just about fell asleep because
my eyes were so heavy from the allergies :(

After that we went to the Bethkey's as usual. They just bought pizza
because sister bethkey was out of town. But its so cool because i
taught their dog Max (the golden retriever in the pictures) how to
shake, that's something that he'll always remember and they'll always
remember me for teaching it to him! haha!

After that we went to brother moffats and helped him lay some wooden
railroad ties in his backyard!

Then Sunday 4-24-11 EASTER
We went to our 8 hours of church as usual. We taught the Salyers
family during the break in the middle. and we committed their kids to
being baptized so now we have 3 BAPTISMS COMING UP!!!!! AHHHHHH!!!
YESS!!!!!

We also sang in the choir, not by choice, they made us. And it was
ok. IT was entirely a music program so we sang a lot. I'm glad i took
choir haha not!

Then we went to the De Silvas for dinner and they made us easter
baskets and stuff. i'll post some pictures maybe! and then we stopped
at the Bennetts. Then we had to be in because District Leader Pulham
had to be in to take numbers! hahahahahaha! but it was a good easter i
guess? haha nah, it really was, i learned a lot.

Well that is it! Love you all and hope you are all safe. You're
always in my prayers! Ummmmmm..... i think that's it!

Peace out!!

Elder Crapo!

Pictures

Me and Max!

This is at the Bethkeys

So some YSA Girls took my camera into the girls bathroom and were watching videos and looking at pictures so we got pay back by taking their hoodies and put them on the flag pole.

This was us after we realized how anit climactic it was to put the hoodies on the flag pole because they just pulled them right off...

Elder Haynie and i are joining the circus.

This was from when we helped those people move their stuff.. haha that's a swingset! We dont take nothing apart!

I've never tried this before... so i tried it... it wasnt that great....

This is our zone picture... there were like a million cameras on a table set at 10 seconds haha so it didnt turn out so well, at least you can see me! :D

My talk on Parables

"So when me and elder pulham got our talks on parables, we wernt quite sure how we were going to fill up 20 minutes worth of time on parables.  So since i didnt know what to do? or what to say the first thing i did was i went straight to the Bible Dictionary and looked it up. and it says...

 

(Bible Dictionary: Parables: Definition 1.)

 

Reminds me of Oriental Masters or teachers.  LIke master Splinter from the Ninja Turtles or Mr. Miagi from the Karate Kid.

 

Usually when the students would ask a question, the teacher explains the answer thro a parable or story.  They are usually simple examples, but carry great meaning so that the student ends up teaching himself, making it easier for him to learn and understand.

 

LIke mr. Miagi, he taught the karate kid to wax cars, paint fences and sand floors.  The karate kid just about gave up because he didnt understand how any of these things could relate to karate.  But as the master explained, the boy understood that the motions he was making by doing these tasks, were actually training him in karate.

 

Just like the scriptures, we might be reading them and think "what does this have to do with me?".  If we take a look at it in a different drection or point of view we might find greater meaning.

 

One thing that i like about the definition of parables is where it says "to the dull and uninspired it is a mere story".  This is tru about the Bible and the Book of Mormon let alone parables.  If we arent searching for greater meaning or answers then all we are doing is reading a story and we arent getanything out of it.  All stories usually have some sort of symbolism or lesson to learn from them and i think that the stories wont be as meaningful unless we look for those things and apply ourselves to them.

 

The first thing that came to my head when i got this talk was my childhood, and remembering all the meaningful parables and stories i was told as a child.  One of the ones that stuck out to me most was "The boy who cried wolf"

 

(Everyone knows this story but i still shared it in my talk)

 

When i heard this story as a child, i didnt realize the valuble lesson it carried.  I didnt see how watching sheep had anything to do with me.  But the more i thought about it the more i could apply it to myself. So i knew from that point on, i wouldnt yell for help from my parents unless i really needed it.  And i would hate to be in a situation where i did need help and no one would come help me because they thought i was just kidding or being silly.

 

 My second thought when i recieved theis talk was the Primary.  I think primary uses tons of parables to explain the gospel to children.  The first thing that came to mind was the song "The wise man buildt his house upon the rock".  This song, being very simple and fun, also holds deep gospel truth.  It talks about a foolishman building his house upon the sands and when the rains came his house was washed away.  But the wise man built his house upon the rock and when the rains came, his house didnt budge.

 

When i break this song down and apply it to myself i realize the great gospel lesson that is being told.

 

So how i translated it was like this...

 

I am the men in the song, my house is my faith or testimony.  The rain in my life is sin or temptation.  And the rock in my life is the church.  So when i put this all together i learn that when i build my faith or testimony upon the foundation of the church, and the  sin and temptation come, i will be unshaken.  But if i dont have the church as my foundation, then it would be easy for sin and temptation to sweep away my faith and testimony.

 

So in just a small fun primary song, it teaches us great things about this gospel.

 

There are a lot of great and popular parables in the scriptures.  One of my favorites that i would like to share is the parable of the lost sheep. and it is in Matthew Chapter 18 VRS 12-14 and it says...

 

(Matthew 18:12-14)

 

Now that i have read this, apply yourself into the story.  The thing i like about this one is i can be the sheep or the sheperd.

 

Say i'm the shepherd andi lose one out of a hundred of my sheep, but that lost sheep represents someone who is seeking the gospel, or someone who once was a member but has fallen away.  Am i going to give up on that person and just be content with my ninety nine? I know god wouldnt give up on them so why should i?  I'd do whatever it took to bring that person to the gospel, and when we become members of this church, we all become shepherds and its our job to find those lost sheep and bring them to god.  And there are a lot of lost sheep.

 

Now say i was the lost sheep.  At times i have doubts and worries.  But god is the shepherd and i know god will always come help me when i stray a little because god cares about all his children and he will not let them fall away.

 

As i was studying parables i found that the most important thing you can do is to put yourself in the shoes of one of the characters in the story and see what lessons they learned to help you learn.

 

As missioaries this is the best way to help people best understand a scripture because if you can relate or apply to the scripture, then you're going to learn a lot more from it.  So as we read scriptures we usually ask questions like "How would you feel in this situation" or " what lesson do you think this person learned in this passage?".  Whe you ask people questions like these then they are able to apply themselves to it and basically teach themselves.

 

So i'd like to share with you my favorite scripture and its a little long but really good.  Its not nescisarilly a parable but if you translate it like you would a parable and put yourself into this scripture, then its going to have a greater impact on you.  So as i read just try and apply yourself to this scripture and see what you learn.

 

(2 Samuel 22:2-44)

 

I see so much strength in this scripture and as i translate it for myself it has an even greater meaning.

 

So i am the person in this scripture, and my enemies are sin, sadness or temptation.  And so when i feel like sin, sadness or temptation are bothering me or controlling my life, this scripture says to get down and pray.  And as long as i am a worthy son of god, then god will he my prayers and he will be so angry that wicked things such as sin, sadness or temptation are bothering me that he will give me the strength to destroy my enemies.  Now in the scripture it also says that god came out of the heavens riding the clouds, wtih smoke coming out of his nose and fire coming out of his mouth.  But when i pray i know this wont happen, but what it explains to me is the intensity of gods anger, if i am a worthy son of god then he will deliver me and strengthen me.  because i shouldnt be bothered by these things.

 

Now as i read that and you applied it to yourselves you might have come up with something completely different, and that's the cool thing about parables, is that the meaning isnt always the same, its up to you o apply it to yourself.

 

In seminary they used to tell us to not water skii the scriptures, to not just snorkle them either, but to deep sea dive the scriptures, get into them and find things you had never seen before. Find extra meaning, break apart these parables and apply yourselves into them. and like the definition of parables says "Parables can reveal the secrets and mysteries of the kingdom of heaven"

 

(share testimony)

 

 

 

I hope all who read this liked it... i didnt spell check or grammar check anything haha so if its hard to understand, then i'm sorry.  I was staring at the paper the whole time...

04/18/2011

---

Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2011 13:32:01 -0700
Subject: EMAIL EMAIL EMAIL!!!
From: samuel.crapo@myldsmail.net

Hello Family and Friends,

 

     Sounds like my family had a pretty stellar couple days down in Vegas! Not fair!  Its been an odd week here. But first QUESTIONS!!!

 

1. How are you?

   I'm fine! I'll get to my letter in a sec and tell you all about it.

2. Did you get my card explaining who Stanley Izatt is?

I have not gotten the card yet, its probably in the mailbox right now!

3. So who is in Sarah’s ward – the mother of the wife, or the mother of the mother – your letter was a little confusing?  Did you tell Sarah?

I said! it was the mother of the mother of the wife haha but anyways, she just  called her up and asked and then hung up, no biggy, but it was quite hilarious.  I send this email to sarah so i would expect she read it, maybe not... My letters are kinda long... But hey at least its all good reading!

4. Are you still in Tehachapi?  When does your companion leave?

Transfers were today, we got the call while we were at Monday Funday and they said that we are staying in Tehachapi, but Elder Pulham (My comp) is now District leader, WHICH BLOWS because now i have to go to the ghetto of Bakersfield for Exchanges all the time! This will be his last Transfer,  He's only got a 6 Weeks left

5. Have you heard from Logan – how is he doing?

Yes, i emailed logan, he emails me back, his letters are HILARIOUS. He's gonna try and send me Lava Lava's.

 

Oh I forgot to tell you guys haha on that package you sent me last week, it said TEHAPI on it hahaha Not Tehachapi haha you guys are so funny.  You're lucky the Retard Fed Ex man understood what it meant.

 

Alright Letter Time

 

So Last monday 4-11-11. 

At monday funday it was pretty funny, we were playing Sardines in the dark, and we were looking for Elder Pulham and he was standing on top of a table, well i found him, but someone grabbed the back of his legs and i was standing right in front of him and he bent over cuz he thought i was going to fall so he caught himself, but then his face hit my head. And it hurt me A LOT, but then he was like "Crapo, turn on the lights, i think i'm bleeding" hahaha! He broke his nose! Like that time i did on thanksgiving! It was so funny.  He's been snoring a lot lately...

 

Ummmm we got asked to speak on PARABLES and that i will explain when we get to sunday.

 

We cleaned out the fridge again, and cleaned up members tupperware.  That was exciting... our fridge gets full so fast! so we clean it out on a weekly basis haha.

 

haha this next bullet point in my journal says "Companion wakes up like a cowboy" its true though, EVERY single morning, he is yelling and screaming and singing saying "Good morning beautiful, how was your night? Mine was wonderful with you by my side...." EVERY MORNING, its killin me haha

 

Oh and if MUM would go to ross or something, keep on the look out for some snazy pants, maybe simon should do this... but size 33X34 probably impossible to find, but if you do, buy them and send them my way.  I kinda want a chocolate pair of pants, they let us wear those out here haha i want some!

 

Now Tuesday 11-12-11

We had a pretty good day mapped out, and we had just planned our lessons, and then we got a call from both our morning appointments and they cancelled.

 

So then we went to Brother Cables house with the Tehachapi ward elders and helped kill everything in his backyard.  It was just a little service so no biggy.  But he took us out to a sandwhich shop and got sandwhiches the size of my face, they were pretty good.

 

Then since we were still in our service clothes we went to Sister Moores in the Golden Hills ward and did some service there, that went well, i trimmed her hedges, they look way nice now!

 

Then later that night we went to visit with the Kings and Heavenly... They are all awesome.

 

Then Wednesday 4-13-11

I forgot to tell you something funny that happened to me on Sunday.  Theres this family in the ward we went to see a while ago, and their son just got back off his mission a year ago, and he's addicted to WOW... and i told him i used to play but he doesnt understand that i lost interest, he thinks its impossible for someone to loose interest in that game, so he always stares at me and nudges me... egh. But anyways, his mom came up to me after Sacrament and was like "Please help me.  Its all he does, that game is running his life" haha i told her there was nothing i could do.... he's a lost cause.

 

We went to the Chiropractor Brother Schall, Made me feel great! haha

 

Went to Wayne Massey's house and dug trenches out in Stallion Springs.  He lives at the bottom of a hill so when it rains, the water collects in his yard haha. So we gave him a hand.  He's the Active Investigator we have haha he just needs to quit smoking.  He asked for a calling in the church...

 

We ate dinner with Bishop Munsons family and we ate Artichokes, which were pretty tasty.  Never had one before so it was a new experience.  And they want our recipe for YORKSHIRE PUDDINGS. so if you could send me the recipe mum that'd be cool. 

 

After Dinnerwe went on splits with the bishop and i went with brother Stewart.  It went pretty well.  We went and saw a family that has been inactive for 25 years and they want their kids to be baptized haha.  Its pretty sweet.  We started the discussions with them this sunday.  When i was getting out of the bishops car though the other night i scraped my head on the door and gave myself a huge cut on my dome :( it was not fun. And we went to go see a "Less active" but all the lights were off, so we knocked lightly, i was afraid they were asleep but it was only 8:30 PM but a guy came to the door and he was in bed... haha i felt bad.  But i asked if we could come visit him... and he said "well... yeah, i'll see you at church" so i guess this guy was a memeber? And somebody had told us he was LA... so... it was a waste.

 

Then Thursday 4-14-11

We had to move our Weekly planning to this day because we had Zone Council on friday.   Me and my companion were getting frustrated with each other, because he kept asking me on EVERY single person we go see "What do you want to do with them?" and before this he had told me he hates it when his companion says i dont know... well i didnt know and couldnt say so... so he was getting pissed, and i was getting pissed... 

 

We took a break in the middle and ate burgers at the Warings.  I didnt talk a whole lot there either because i was frustrated and my comp just kept talking and talking and talking with them.  I was losing patience.

 

We went back to the church and finished our planning and then worked on this list that a sister in the church gave us of a wole bunch of less active people and she wanted us to find out the status on them... so we did.

 

Then we went to the Bennetts and ate dinner with them, homemade Tacos.  it was tasty. After that we did some calf tying on a dummy.  It was pretty cool, i'm getting there, but Elder Pulham is pretty dang fast.

 

After that we went to the holloways and talked a whole bunch.  It got late so we left, and as i was waiting for cars to pass the street so i could cross, i saw a cat bolt out and get cruched right in front of me haha it was so sick! The cat was like squirming on the ground and stuff after. haha poor little dude.

 

Then Friday 4-15-11

I wasnt in a good mood when i woke up, you know, because of being frustrated the day before, and Elder Pulham is singing again in the morning haha

 

But then we went to Zone Council in Bakersfield and they made us do this thing where we right down things that make us feel loved, and things that bug us and after we wrote them down we had to share them with our companions. So that changed my attitude a lot.

 

After the meeting, we ate at a place called Root Beer King, it was way tasty. 

 

We went home and got ready for the day and ALL of our appointments cancelled! And we had like 5! it was going to be a good day. i was getting so angry haha god has a sense of humor cuz he's messing with me right now.

 

So we went to an investigators house and talked to him, but we ended up being there for like 2 hours.... man!

 

But then we left and got some toxic belch and went back to the apartment to work on our Parables talks.

 

Then Saturday 4-16-11

We ate breakfast at the Leishmans as usual.  We Mowed their lawn and cleaned their yard.  Then we went to a YSA girls house to help her pack up her things so she can move to UTAH. and then we went to the church to clean it but they were already done.  And then we helped a couple move out of a house into a new house so it was a big service day. 

 

Then we went and Visited Tyler And Travis (Recent Converts) (little boys) and they are way cool.  On the way their i spoke on the recorder that Pulham sends home to Shelby haha! it was pretty sweet.

 

We then went to The Bethkeys for dinner.  As usual on ever saturday... It was pretty gooooood. Burgers and fries! And i love their dog, Max, i'm trying to train him to do tricks but he's just a big ol sack of love so he just ends up jumping on you so you can pet him. haha.  On our way back i was dying of laughter in the car because elder haynie was talking like Mickey Mouse, and he can sound just like him. 

 

When we got back to the apartment, Elder Pulham showed me a whole bunch of pictures of back home, it was pretty cool.  His and Shelby's Ropin pictures are pretty sweet.

 

Then Sunday 4-17-11

We had like 4-5 Investigators show up to church, it was nuts! and then me and elder pulham had to give our talks, i'm debating whether to type it in here or not...

 

We started our discussions with that mans kids. and while we were doing that we didnt get any lunch.... so it was a long day. 

 

We went to the Johnsons and played with their kids as usual, they are so dang funny. 

 

And then we Visited the Kings and talked with them forever and we stayed quite a while.

 

Then i remembered what you should send me also.  Send some Protien, i think i left some at home, and send my Creatine.  Randy Bennett used to do some body building and he's gonna thicken me up haha so send that stuff too!

 

Anyways that was my week... i think i'll send my talk... seperate? To sarah maybe? Its not amazing or anyting... But you guys might like it.

 

Anyways i love you all and i miss you all.  I cant believe i've been out over 2 months now... Its going by tooooooo fast.  But i dont really wanna come home haha cuz then i have to start thinking about marriage, and a job... i like it out here.. its easier! :D But i 'll see you in 22 Months! PEACE OUT MY HOMIES!

04/11/11

Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2011 15:23:35 -0700
Subject: Hello hello Hello!
From: samuel.crapo@myldsmail.net

Hello Family Friends and everyone else reading this email!

 

Its been another awesome week out in Tehachapi and there are going to be some very interesting things in this email! So get ready for awesomeness! But first i must answer my mothers questions!

 

 Did you get the package?

Yes i finally got the package on.... Friday 4-8-11.. It kinda took a while because the Retard Fed ex man was a liar.  He came and left a note saying he had stopped by.  So i called him.  He said he could be by at 10:30 AM and we usually leave around 10 so it was cool to wait the extra 30 mins.  He didnt show up till 1. and we left at 11.  Dirty scum bag haha but i left a not saying leave it on the ground.  I got home later and he put another note over my not saying he'd missed me again.  So i called and called and called and guess what. No answer.  Funny... huh?  Anyways i signed a little paper to make sure he did leave it at the door so he wasnt liable for theft or damamge and i got it friday.  The package was great everything i needed.  I'm wearing the shoes right now. Everyone thinks they are sweet.  And the Army bag is SICK!!! i love it! The George Q. Cannon book is pretty sweet so far.  I'm just wonder where the rest of it is? I'm almost done! there are only like 3 months worth of Journals in this book haha where's the rest?  And thank you for the candy! I ate one bag that day i got it.  And i already have the tie you sent.  But since i have two, maybe i'll trade it in for a cool one ;) But as for sending packages, just use US postal Service.  We have an office in town and they leave you with a slip and i can pick it up where as fed ex is out in Bakersfield and it takes forever to get packages! So USPS! :D thanks! :D
 
Did we find the right pair of shoes and book?
Yes and Yes 

I see in a photo you are wearing short sleeve shirts – how warm is it??
 Ummm... The weather is good somedays... other days its been cold.  Right now its cool, but i still wear long sleeve.  The shirts i bought are way nice, keep me warm when its cold and keeps me cool when its hot.  But its worked out pretty good so far.  The weather is usually just warm with wind. That's why there are wind mills up here!

Our tax return has arrived – we will call Pam and find out where yours is (not really a question!)
 I want my money! haha

Do you have enough short sleeve shirts?
 Dress shirts or Regular shirts? Cuz i'm doing way good on both... I think i have the perfect amount of everything out here.

Are your clothes washing up and lasting OK?  Let us know when you need replacements.
 They are doing great... one of my shirts had a tear in the seam and one has an ink stain, everything else is perfect!  And if not, i use my little tailor kit and fix it, cuz i'm a pro like that.

How much longer do you have in Tehachapi?
 I dont know how much longer i have here? this will be the last week of my first transfer... So me and my comp will stay together probably until he goes home... But ya never know? As for staying in Tehachapi? I Hope i stay here for a 5 more months.  I love this place, it is so nice.  I love the people too!

Do you like California now over Florida?

Hmmmm Florida still sounds WAY nicer... Who knows maybe i'll get sent to Santa Barbara and then i'll change my mind, i still think its too cold up here! haha i need heat to stay alive!

 

NOW! For my letter!

 

So Monday 4-4-11 Monday funday was gooooooood....

We went to Dinner At omingos and some lady kept staring at us and smiling and waving haha.  And she eventually got up and spoke with us, she was like "So what's up with the matching costumes?" haha this lady was so wasted, it was so funny.  And we told her all about what we were and what we do, and she still said the funniest things because of how wasted she was she said stuff like "Can you drink?" we said no, and she was like "You cant Drink!?!? Holy S***! OOOPS! You dont swear either do you?" hahaha She was like "You guys should get a drink, get loose, have fun, we wont tell" we just sat there laughing and she said "Give me a card or something i want to talk to you guys sometime" So we gave her a pass along card.  Man i was dying! It was so funny!

 

And besides that we went and taught Heavenly Tithing, with oreo cookies! it was pretty sweet!

 

Then Tuesday 4-5-11 

Me and my companion went over to Brother and Sister Moffats, helped them line a fence with chicken wire.  It was pretty cool i guess? We took our sunday clothes and i forgot a tie so i had to borrow one of brother moffats. 

 

I had been having bad headaches, and i went to the chiropractor, because he is in our ward and gives us free adjustments, and he massaged a part of my head and i felt cured! My head aches are starting to go away! Its bomb!

 

We had dinner at the Andersons, and they were way cool.  Their kids are so funny and cute.  The dad looks like a lion, he's got long hair and a beard and its all blonde so he looks like a stinkin lion its so cool.  But as we were there we were eating with the wifes mother, and she said her mother lives down in Vernal LAPOINT!!!! and so she called her mom up and said, Do you know Sarah Searle, and she said Oh yeah, we're in the same ward hahaha... CRAZY! the lady i think is the president of the Relief Society? So i'm not sure on the name? But she knows sarah i guess, even in the same ward! Small world!

 

We also went to Grandma Moores house, she took our numbers down and is going to call our mothers to tell them how we are doing.  And she is also making our mothers kitchen towls that hang from the handles of the drawers in the kitchen. She's so nice haha.  So if you get a call from "Grandma" just know that's Sister Moore. 

 

Wednesday 4-6-11

This day was kind of an overkill.  We had Zone Training! So we got up around 5AM and went to Bakersfield and we didnt get home till like 5:30 PM.... MAN! it was so nuts! Took forever! But I learned a lot of useful stuff.

 

The Truck got some Rhino Lining so now we are ready to haul stuff... i dont know why it was important to get that. we dont haul anything usually. 

 

I went out and bought Pasta Roni. (sorry vannessa) she used to make it for me all the time and she said she'd send me some. But i just couldnt wait.  The stuff is SO GOOD! its like Angel Hair Parmesan! SO GOOD.

 

Ummmm we visited the Holloways, and their little boy can Say "Elder Crapo" Its Coool! he didnt do it in front of me, but he's a smart little guy! They also bought a house so they are getting out of the attic of their parents house and moving into a nice house out in Stallion Springs! Woot Woot! So happy for them! They deserve the best!

 

And this day was the day that my package came and i wasnt home.. :(

 

Thursday 4-7-11

We went to the Laynes (I know their grand daughter, maybe great grand daughter i dont remember?) And she made home made mexican, burritos, tacos, the works! It was SOOOO good.  And then when we got to talking she said that she remembered a missionary by the name of IZATT! and i said hey i'm related to Izatts! and she said, well they were From WYHOMING! and i was like YEAH! that's where they live, and she got all excited and said she'd look up the names, but she said it was a long time ago and he's been married twice, but he came back to visit them and brought his first wife and their names are STANLEY and MOANA IZATT. So if i'm related to them, give me a hollar so i can let her know.

 

We also talked to Brother Layne and he has some Amazing war stories.  Like he said (WII) he was in one of those big metal tank things that come out of the ocean and onto the land, and the men run out and they get slaughtered like Cattle, he was in one, and there were bodies for a mile, just floating in the water, and he was like this is stupid! So he went to his captain and said, "You open that door right now and let me out" and the captain said no so brother Layne took out his gun and put it under the Captains Chin and  said "Open it NOW" and he did, and he got off with like 20 other guys, and he walked along the Coral and looked back and saw like all the people in the tank get killed, and then he fell off the coral and sunk to the bottom because of all his gear, so he held his breath and walked until he could get his head out of the water for air, he said he was so scared he was going to die.  He also said, he saw a group of guys looking at one guy, and his arm had been blown off and all the guy were just watching, and he was like what the! and he jumped over to the guy and stuck two fingers into the guys arteries and saved his life! it was way cool!

 

The weather this day was Foggy and Haily, it was so cool, it was like being on an airplane and flying into a cloud, you could see clouds come into the land and make it so you couldnt see. 

 

Oh and i had a question.  Did you cancel my Golds Gym membership and did i ever get a missionary plaque? that hangs at the church? If so i have a scripture you can put up there!

 

Friday 4-8-11

This was the day my package came! WOO HOO!!!! Loved it!

 

This night, the other missionaries were giving each other haircuts, and while Elder Haynie had his shirt off i ran up to him with a trimmer and shaved a smiley face into his chest hair, it was so dang funny.. He was like, i dont care, its not like anyone will see it haha!

 

We had weekly planning friday, and it actually went pretty smoothly and quickly.

 

Elder Haynie had a tie i have been wanting ever since i saw it... and freaking Elder Pulham traded him two ties for it! and elder Pulham has been wearing it and shoving it in my face! haha i am so upset.... not really.

 

We went and saw Randy Bennet. and he told us a way funny story about how he once roped a Coyote on his horse. haha he said he snuck up behind it, roped it, and dragged it across a field and it was BOUNCING all over the place haha rag doll.  Think of Red Dead Redeption, roping a person and dragging them on a horse, yeah well this is what it was like for a coyote, i was laughing so hard, he said as soon as he stopped the coyote bit his brand new lasso and cut it and walked off with the loop still around its neck!

 

Oh the green tie that i'm missing that i really want might be in the mini! check under the seats and in the back, i recall having to change in there once right after work, and so the tie might be in there so check for me please and let me know!

 

oh and i also had a good idea with building credit.  I wanna get a credit card and buy my groceries on it, then take the money off my mission card and send it home so you can pay it off for me, so that when i get home i can buy a motorcycle with ease! sound good?

 

Now Saturday 4-9-11

We woke up and did 4 months worth of book work because we were behind and needed to fix it. 

 

That day i got 3 letters one from mom (Easter Card) thank you very much.  One from Andrea Wood which was great, sent me a nice little update and message. and one frome Vannessa which are alwasy nice.

 

We went to wayne and nitas and mopped their floors because wayne has been having back pain.

 

And then we ate at the Bethkeyes and their daughter is visiting from BYUI on spring break so it was pretty fun to meet her, they also made some way good mexican food.

 

and now Sunday 4-10-11

We held a Fireside tonight, led by us, the missionaries.  And we helped people invite people to come to church activities and church and stuff.  It went way good.  We had about 60 people show up and we all did role playing and  stuff.  Everyone loved it. Me and Elder Snarr did an example Role Play for  people to know what to do and in our role play we were two work people on lunch break, and i called him Snarrlton, haha thats what his companion calls him. its so funny. 

 

Fasting gave me a huge head ache! All Day! and today as well :(

 

But then we broke the fast with the YSA In a trailer park, but the house we went into was like HUGE, way bigger inside then it looks outside.  I was way impressed, looks like a modern little home. haha

 

So that is it! man that was such a long letter! I'm sorry! haha but there are a lot of good things that happened!  I miss you all and i cant believe that i've been out almost 2 months now... its going by toooooo fast! haha Love you all! Cant wait to hear from you next week!

 

Love

Elder Crapo!

Pictures

4/4/11

Date: Mon, 4 Apr 2011 13:07:24 -0700
Subject: Pizza's Here
From: samuel.crapo@myldsmail.net

Hello! Everyone!

 

This is Elder Samuel Reporting!

 

Its been yet another week! Crazy! Its goin by too fast! And first i must answer mothers questions!

 

#1. How are you?  Is your health good – did you get what your companion had?

       My health is getting better, i cough from time to time, throat is a little sore, but i cant complain because its nice and warm here! Woo Hoo!

#2. Did you enjoy Conference (I thought it was excellent) – and where did you watch it?

      I did like conference, i watched it at the church.  I'll talk more about that in my email.

#3. Have you been able to go out on appointments now?

       Yes, we've actually been going to appointments anyways... haha dont tell! There's work to be done!

#4. Is the haircut you gave yourself growing out or did you go and get it professionally cut?

     It is just growing out and looks fine now, i just think i did it too short to begin with... oh well.

#5. Do you have your budget worked out for this month – and the right amount this time?

      No, we'll see how well i do? We get emails but they take forever to get to us and tell us what we have in our account so i just spend until i cant spend no more haha!

#6. Have you had snow this week like us?

      No snow, it was a little chilly on saturday, but we still had a BBQ :D

#7. How many member meals do you get?

      We get fed pretty well, and if we dont then we just go out to get food with the other missionairies.  Its call it Man-Date. haha

 

Alright, well i'm glad to hear everything is going well at home.  That's crazy that your job is goin gone mom! But i'm sure with your britishness people will want you to work for them quickly.  And Scott.  Its about time, congrats.  I was thinking about what i'm going to do when i get home.  haha i have a pretty good outline and i'll tell you what it is later.  General conference helped with my outline.  Man you guys need me at home huh? I would have kept you all awake!

 

So lets get down to business here, oh, i got a email from logan, it was so dang funny, he was talking about watching movies on the flight, and then getting a boiled pigs head like his first night there or something? I was laughing so hard, you should try to get him to send you his weekly email.  They crack me up. 

 

So i left off at Tuesday 3-29-11 and the things that happened there... was, me and my companion were driving down the street and we came to an intersection and some lady's dog jumped out of her CAR!!! in the middle of the intersection and it was like the bussiest intersection in town! and this dog was limping a bit from falling out and then was dodging cars left and right.  The stupid lady was driving like an idiot in the intersection, she didnt even get out, just yelled out her window, i thought that dog was a goner.  Ummm we did some tracting that day, wasnt very fruitful.  Got a lot of people who didnt want to talk, and some people were like trying to prank us or something? And we heard them yelling on the inside, cuss words and stuff and then we saw a hand pop out of the shades of the window and it was holding a video camera, so we just left, but then they came outside and started acting funny, like yelling like a bunch of retard savages...  cracked me up! haha stupid people!  We also taught the same little girl with a baptism date, her name is Heavenly, she's a cute little girl and she's progressing really well.  and then after that we helped some people pack up their house for service work that day, they were moving like 2 miles away haha so it was pretty simple.

 

Then on Wednesay 3-30-11  i dont really remember what happened that day, but what i wrote down in my journal was that we went to a house and we were told there was going to be tons of people there and they wanted us to leave a message,  thing was that these people all had  different religious beliefs and stuff and we basically just watched them duke it out haha, we tried to share a message and people were getting angry at each other and ended up leaving and stuff... it got way out of hand, when me and my companion got in the truck, we were just like " What the heck just happened in there?" haha it was way crazy.

 

Then on Thursday 3-31-11.  It was District Meeting down in Bakersfield... That was fun. They made me give a talk on hope.  And i think it went pretty well.  It was way hot that day, like in the 80's! HAHA! it was so nice, we went tracting.  Thing is i wasnt feeling 100% so it just wasnt the same... We had already eaten at a members house and we went to the Clarks which is a WAY awesome part memeber family, and they always give us food.  And it was MIGHTY TASTY! It was big meatballs in a tangy pineapple sauce over rice, mum makes it from time to time. it was gooooooood.  I also found out that Elder Pulhams Shelby looked me up and found my blog, she finds all the stuff that he doesnt tell her through me haha! So if you're reading this Shelby! WASSUP!  I got a frisbee on this day too! I found it in the other  missionaries closet and they said i could have it, i was so happy! i forgot to get a frisbee and i didnt want to have to buy one, so this one is MINE! ummm if there is anything you guys could send me, i could use some Zyrtec because my allergies have been buggin just a little bit, and my crest white strips! i left them in the bathroom and i have tons of study time when i could throw them on and whiten up a bit ya know? so Next package, include that stuff :D  Oh and the sickest thing ever happened, we were walking around tracting and we could smell poo in the air, and it was strong! And so we go around a corner and there is this big old septic truck pumping the stuff out of the ground in the apartments next to us, and it was BAD, and then some guy comes over to us, and talks to us for like 20 minutes about life and stuff, and we were down wind from this poop truck and i almost lost my cookies all over this guy, i guess he couldnt smell it, he was kind of old... but MAN it was so bad! i swear i could taste it!

 

The Friday 4-1-11 We had weekly planning, and usually this isnt bad but for some reason, me and my companion couldnt focus and it took ALLLLLL DAY!!!! it was driving me nuts! and then we went to dinner at the Bennets! It was Randy Bennets birthday! And we ate steaks the size of my torso! I eat so many good steaks out here because everyone is cowboys, or everyon knows cowboys and gets hook ups on meat, and its so good!  And then on friday i also realized something, Elder Pulham is really good at seeing people strengths before their weaknesess.. and its something i need to work on because as we discuss appointments and stuff i talk about people weaknesses and he whips out all the good things about him, so our conversations get no where until i focus on their strengths too, its something i can tell he's developed while being out here, he's a way good missionary.  Cares about people more than getting a message across ya know? And thats how people learn to trust and like us.

 

Then Saturday 4-2-11 was general conference.  and between the morning and afternoon sessions we had a BBQ which was way cool, we invited some Less Actives and Recent Converts and Investigators and stuff, and we had a good time making food and eating food. Our plan was to nab them and get them to stay for the next session but most of them bailed haha.  Then later that night we went to the De Silvas house,  They are an awesome family who make us amazing food, and their daughters come to monday funday and stuff like that.  But we're good friends with them and it was the dad's birthday, so they had lots of people there playing games, eating food, cake, kareoke, which we narrowly escaped ;) but it was way cool.  They are an awesome family. 

 

Then Sunday! 4-3-11 was the next session of General Conference.  After conference though i wanted to go home, haha like all the talks were about getting married and service work and stuff and i didnt have any drive to do missionary work because there werent any talks on missionary work, i was too distracted on what i was going to do when i got home, so then we went out and did a little contacting and had dinner with the Johnsons, they are an awesome family, and we played some games and stuff with them.  They love missionaries, especially their kids.  And one of their little girls is like 8 her name is Abbie, she's so mature for her age its so funny me and her were talking forever, but the whole family is awesome and made us a way good meal.  Also i dont know if you remember my choir teacher mum, but did you see the three guys singing a solo together in the second session? Well the guy on the far left was my choir teacher haha he had been trying out for the MoTab when i was in choir and got in when i graduated, he's pro! He's already doing solos and stuff.  I guess you guys werent paying attention to the MTC thing because i was there for sure! haha right behind the reporter lady! I said hi to her! haha.  Then later sunday night we went to the kings and they are so awesome, the guy is like a retired firman who used to be mormon but then had his info taken out of the church, and now we are teaching him and his wife and it was  so cool last night to see him remember and see his testimony because you can tell he believes, but his wife is just not so sure you know? But they are learning together and they are awesome!  And sometimes when we go to appointmets my companion will tell me to leave the spiritual thought, and i wont be ready, so i'll share my favorite scripture, and this was one i found in high school and its really cool, but i had never read the whole chapter and then when i did, i read it to my comp and we lit that thing up with highlighter markings, its so good, Next family home evening i want you guys to read it and imagine the imagery going on in the scripture its SO GOOD. and the message is so good. Bottom line... "Dont mess with gods childeren" haha anyways the scripture is 2 Samuel 22.  My favorite vrs are 33 but read the whole chapter!  its amazing..  The only thing i missed about conference was the garden work we used to do during it, and then suehiro after the priesthood session, so dad since you should have an email coming up for me soon, how about you tell me what you got :D haha see how easy it is to write me? 

 

So, so far my plans when i get home... I am first going to find a job, something that pays at least $10+ p/h.  And then i'm going to get my Triumph Bonneville.  Its only about $6,000 and that is CHEAP for a motorcycle, let alone a new one.  Then after that Marriage or school, i cant decide which one first... Probably school.  Because i dont want to be broke when i'm married and i want a deccent job when i'm married to support a family and i want to live it up a little bit after my mission haha.  But one of the first things i'm going to do once i get my motorcycle, is to drive back to Cali, and visit for a week or two.  That's what elder pulham is going to do, probably within a week of leaving... He said if he doesnt do it that soon then he'll never get to do it... Like Simon and Gary did.  Except imma be cruisin on a motorcycle! haha

 

Well i hope you like this insanely long email.... Its funny i type way fast here compared to the other missionaries, and sometimes i'll type there emails for them so that we arent here as long.  They hunt and peck here haha takes them forever! anyways i'll try and send sarah more pictures to post, i didnt take a whole bunch this week.  But i hope you are all safe, and i love you!

 

LOVE

Elder Crapo!

 

Lots of people call me Elder Creepo, or Elder Cappo, and best of all Elder CRAP-O.... gotta love it.  BYE!