Email from Sister Simpson

Dear Brother and Sister Crofts,

Sister Crofts has arrived here in Halifax safe and sound. It was very fun to meet her. We are so happy to have her in this mission and look forward to working with her. She is serving in Halifax with Sister Olson who is a great missionary and they should enjoy serving together. We hope that she will love everything about missionary work and that it will be a great experience for her.
Canada Halifax is beautiful and a wonderful place to serve the Lord.
Love, Sister Simpson

It's me again

Dear Family,

I just got my call to my first area!! I am serving in the Halifax south area, Nova Scotia!! My companion is Sister Olsen and I am super excited to meet her!! My zone leaders are Elder Bench and Elder Prince, and my disctrict leader is Elder Miller!!! I get to go to the temple once a week and I am just super super excited! I start my missionary work in about an hour and I am super excited!!!! Oh one more thing will you send me another driving record. They can't find mine and I really want to be able to drive someday. Thanks

Love,

Sista Crofts

Oh Canada

Dear Family,

So guess what I am totally in Canada and I love it!! Today I am super tired because last night our flight got delayed and we didn't get to Halifax until 12:00 A.M.!! and I didn't get to sleep until about one and I woke up at 6:40 so yeah I am super tired. Oh and today I we went to the Halifax temple and it was so cool! I was falling asleep the whole time but it was super good!!!! My mission president and his wife are also way cool and the wife makes some super good food. Its is really cold here but not to bad, I hope that I get use to it soon. I saw the ocean today and some of down town Dartmouth. I think that I am really going to like it here. I still don't know who my companion is, but in couple hours I will and I am excited! Sorry that this email is so crazy but I am just a little out of it. I love all of you and I am so excited to tell you more!! Have a great day and I will write you later. I love you all!!!!!

Leaving the MTC

Ashley was able to call home this morning and let us know that she was flying out at 8:30am. She was going to have a four hour layover in New York. She wouldn't arrive at Halifax until 10pm Halifax time. They had gotten up at 4am to get ready.
Ashley called from New York and said they had arrived safely. She said there was a lot of turbulence and she got air sick and threw up in the bag. She had a good sense of humor about it. She flew into the JKF New York airport. There is 7 terminals there and only 2 in SLC. It said it was huge. They found where they needed to be and she said the plane was tiny that they were going to be flying to Canada in.
I finally received a letter today with pictures of her at the MTC to put on her blog. My scanner is broken so I will have to work on figuring out to get the pictures on the blog. I guess I will have to have someone email them to me.
Happy day with two phone calls and a letter with pictures!!!

Last email from the MTC. Off to Canada on Tuesday

Dear Family,

Thank you so much for the letters!! I love them so much and it really made me happy that all of you wrote one!! Happy day!! So how is Bob?? I hope he is ok. Dad I am glad to hear that your job is getting better that makes me happy. :) So mom the story of you and the toilet paper was so funny!! My compaion and I laughed really hard. Hey I was wondering if you could tell me the weather in Halifax?? I am really glad that all of my doctors appointments and things aren't messing anything up. I think that it is really funny that the one time I really leave I cause so much drama with doctors and things. Oh one more thing last night I stepped on my glasses and totally flattend them. :s So today I went to get them fixed and the lady broken them so now they are getting fixed but not until Wednesday so they might call you for information of something. Okay so I just want you to know that me and Elder Hunington are really good buds I am so glad we are cousins. We are on the same schedule so I get to see him all the time. He is a good egg. Oh and I found Elder DeVictoria so that was fun. Physical therapy is going well so that is good today was my last time going, but he gave me an exercise program I can do in the field.

So about missionary work I am still learning so much, but I don't even feel prepared to go out in the real world. You all know how hard I am on myself. But I truly love this gospel and I know that my purpose it to invite others to come unto Christ so that is exactly what I am going to do!! Tuesday the 23rd is when I leave at 5 in the A.M. I am super stoked!! Sorry that this letter it all over the place, but I am trying to hurry!! Jordan just so you know I am going to write you a letter so be expecting one!!! By the way I loved your letter.

So in my disctrict I act like the mom I am always trying to get everyone to be quiet and focus. :) its kind of funny.
Today was my first time in the Provo Temple and it was so awesome!! Dad I am excited for the day when you and mom can go in together!! it is so cool!!
The funniest thing happend today. I had an appointment with the physical therapist and so I had to be at the shuttle at 11:30 well we saw it drive up and then drive away so you know me. I Started running after it!! We finally caught up to the driver and jumped in the van. It was really funny!! I can only imagine people watching two sisters running out of the MTC jumping in a van and driving away. It made me laugh!! Well I am doing really well. I am super excited to finally get out in the field and start the real work!! Can you believe that I have been gone for almost three weeks!! Time is flying by here!!
OH mom I am super excited to see my blog someday!! Thanks for doing that you rock!! YOu asked what song I would like and to be honest I am not even sure. The only music I can listen to here is myself singing. And thats hymns most of the time. So you can just choose a song for me :)
by the way thank you for the shorts and socks I am so greatful for them. I wish though that you were going to be here to help me pack. Cause you remember last time. :s Well My time is almost up so I better go. I love all of you so much! Thank you for all your support and love it makes all the difference. Oh and don't send anything else to the MTC cause I am going to CANADA!!!!!
Well remember to choose the right and I will talk to you all later, cause I get to call from the airport in New York so keep your phones on!!
Love you!!

love,

Ash

Dear Family,

thank you so much for the letter and the email!! At the moment I really like letter because I only have 30 min to write and I really would rather spend more time reading what you have to say. Anyways How are you doing mom?? I hope you are feeling better! Also how is aunt MaryBeth?? That is so scary!! I hope she is ok. What you told me about pinch is so funny!! He is crazy! I was thinking that you could make Jordan and her class rice and orange chicken!! But I don't really know.
Dad,
Thank you so much for the letter it really ment a lot. I just love you!! How is the new job going!!! I hope that you love it! Just so you know I am doing so well!
Okay so I am sure that all of you are dieing to hear about my exciting life here in the M.T.C. so here it is:
Mom thanks for calling the doctor but it has been quite the hassle! I went to the doctor and I waited for him for over 40 min and then he sent me to a doctor to get an x-ray!! Which I told him that I didn't need but he made me go. Of course my lungs are fine :) finally I got my z-pack and I am feeling a little better everyday. Oh so you now how when I go to the doctor I tell them everything that is going wrong. Well I have been haveing so knee pain and I just thought I would meniton it. But that was a bad idea. Because they are so over protective of their missionaries so he made me go to an orthopedic and see what was wrong. I figured it was just some inflamation, and i was totally right! But I got to see an x-ray of my knee which was way cool! And mom I am so sorry!! I didn't want to go to any of these doctors but I guess its always better safe than sorry right? So now I am going to a physical therapist today at three. Is that okay?? I am really sorry!!! But it has been quite the adventure. This week I was called an elder twice!!! I guess that means I should wear my hair down more often :) Oh so I got my stuff for my flight and I am so excited!! I am the "travel Leader" which pretty much means that I have to make sure we all get to Canada in one piece. We leave at 5 a.m. which isn't bad and we get to stop in New York and then board another plan which will be fun!
The M.T.C. meals are way good and I feel really blessed for the food that we have to eat. Thank you for paying your tithing!!
Family I just wanted to tell you that I am learing so much!! I feel overwhelmed most of the time, but it is going well!! We have had some opportunities to teach and I am getting more and more comfortable with teaching!! I still have a lot to learn, but really who doesn't!! This week I got a blessing because of my knee and stuff and it really comforted me. I am doing really well and I can hardly believe that I have been here over a week! Days go by so slow!! But weeks go by way fast!! I love this gospel and I know with out a doubt it is true!! I know that Jesus Chirst is my Savior and I am so greatful for His sacrifice for me and for all you!! May God be with you till we meet again!! I love you all!!

Love,
sister Crofts

P.s. Jordan where are you?? I want to hear what is going on in your life!!
P.s.s. Mom I need more athletic socks and I was wondering if you could send me my pair of red shorts? They are in my yellow drawers. I think that is all that I need, but if there is anything else I will let you know. LOVE YOU!!

Phone call from the MTC

I received a phone call from the MTC today letting me know that Sister Crofts had been having some knee problems. They are sending her to an orthopedic surgeon for an evaluation. They said they would let Ashley e-mail us after talking to the surgeon. I am looking forward to the email. I'm not sure when her appointment will be. She will be doing a lot of walking in the mission field so they just want her to be 100% before sending her out.

Ashley's first e-mail :)

Dear Family,

How are you?? mom thank you so much for the letter it made me feel so good. And I was thankful because I didn't look like a "Loser Missionary." Anyways, just so you know I am doing so well!! I love it here a the MTC and I am learning so much! But of course I have a lot to learn. The days are really long here, but I just think about you mom and then I don't even think about complaining. :) Well I don't even know where to start. I really love my companion. Her name is Sister Hamblin and we are going to the same mission which is awesome. We get a get along really well and I am so greatful for that. I only have 30 min. to write in so I am trying to hurry really fast.
Jordan,
How are you? How is school? Just so you know I love your guts!! Thank you so coming with us when we guys dropped me off. I am really greatful for that. Remember who you are and keep me up dated!!Oh and I am not getting fat yet :)

Dad,
How are you? How is the new job going?? I bet they just love you! I know that I do!! Thats for sure. thank you so much for all that you do for me and continue to do for me. your the greatest!!
Well family I don't really know what else to say except I am loving it here and I am really trying to work my hardest. I am doing pretty good, but mom I am getting that blasted cough back, so I was wondering if you could possibly send me a z-pack?? I just don't want to get sick thats all. But other than that I am healthy as a horse. :) I love you all!! Have a wonderful week!!!!!
Love,
Sister Crofts

Letter from MTC with Ashley's address

Dear family of Ashley Lynn Crofts,

We are pleased to inform you that your missionary has been safely checked in at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. We thank you for supporting your missionary and know that your family will be blessed as a result.

Your missionary's mailing address while at the MTC is:
Ashley Lynn Crofts
MTC Mailbox # 325
CAN-HAL 0223
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

Please note the following items:

1. Your missionary's service began today. Please do not arrange or request visits with your missionary, including meetings at the temple or in proximity to the MTC.

2. All missionary mail must come through the US Mail or commercial delivery services. Hand delivered items will NOT be accepted. Do not send pizzas, fast foods, ice-cream, or any items that will spoil if they are not refrigerated within 24 hours. Missionaries are not called out of class to receive packages, nor do they have access to a refrigerator.

3. Communicate with your missionary weekly through letters sent to the above address or through the email account that the missionary will set up within the first two weeks. This account is to be used by immediate family only. Telephone calls for missionaries cannot be accepted. Your missionary will correspond with you on his/her first preparation day.

4. Families and friends should not plan to visit missionaries departing to their field of labor at the airport or MTC.

Should you need to communicate with the MTC call 801-422-2602. Do not reply to this email.

Sincerely,

Provo MTC Presidency

MTC drop off day

Today was the drop off day for Ashley to the MTC. Thank heavens a friend of mine told me to park across the street and walk over and take a picture of her in front of the MTC sign and to say our good byes there. You only get a brief moment to say good by when you drive into the MTC.