At 9:30 p.m. tonight our day came to an end on this amazing Sabbath day!

October 13, 2013

Dearest Family,

 

    At 9:30 p.m.  tonight our day came to an end on this amazing Sabbath day!  We left home this morning at 7:30 a.m. Came home twice, just long enough to eat lunch & supper, then leave again.  Attended Sacrament meeting in a ward where 3 high school youth were sustained as Family history Consultants, they then each talked about their experiences in FH, testifying of the amazing way it made them feel & how it had helped them be closer to their Heavenly Father. A returning missionary also talked of how it had helped in the mission he served in.  We then helped in a youth class in that same ward.

    From there we went to the Cowley wards, with lunch in between.  These were adult classes, all were excited about the work, each class was on a different lesson.  Thoughts & inspiration come when it is needed as we teach & help the brothers & sisters in these classes.

    Next it was a Ward Sacrament Meeting in Lovell, Bro Croft had been asked to speak about FH in todays Church! And guess who one of the other speakers was?   Ethan talked about his mission & they both did great.  After the meeting a young man, a return missionary, home for the weekend from NW College, came up to Bro Croft & ask,  I’m been thinking, I need to learn about FH & how to do it, can you help me?  So off to the the FHC we went, & spent about an hour with him.  As he prepared to leave he shared his thoughts – Every time I hear someone speak about FH,  I have such a good feeling.  I have felt the spirit here as I have worked. It is so great!   While he was there he reserved several names for temple ordinances which he will be able to do, since he is already endowed.

    Tonight, we opened the FHC at 6:00, there were patrons & other consultants there to help.  We had been asked to speak at the planning meeting for YM-YW Youth Conference Pioneer Trek at Martins Cove in June of 2014.  They have decided that in preparation for this they want to have  youth, learn about there ancestors, their stories, & take at least one ancestor to the temple.  As we have studied, prayed & prepared for this, we have been guided to those things that we should present. We feel so very blessed!

    The past week we also had the blessing of attending the monthly Bishops/Stake Prescy mtg sharing info about the “To Turn the Hearts” program & the “My Family Stories” lesson which the Bishops are to present to their wards.  Again we witnessed many miracles happen as the Holy Ghost is bearing witness to this great work!

 

Each day we pray that the farmers and ranchers will be able to harvest their crops as the rain and snow continues to come down nearly every day. The weather this year was so dry then the rain/snow hit and has been with us for over a month now. Here at the house over 3.5” of moisture so far, the ground is soft every where. The mountains and foothills are white in all directions around the valley again today!

 

We attended the LHS homecoming pep rally on Thursday evening to support all the youth we work with in FH! It helps us stay in touch with them and know we enjoy what they are doing! Anytime we are at a public activity we have people ask us about helping them with FH. The football game was on Friday evening and we watched Lovell play a hard fought game against Thermop and win in the end. (on TV from the comforts of our warm home)

 

The FH work is being hastened so much by the Lord in our stake it’s hard to keep up with all we need to do to help those desiring help. We have many wonderful FH consultants including the new youth ones to help! We’re grateful so many of the ward leaders, including the HP Grp leaders have also been trained and can be helpers as well! For example on Wednesday evening we had two youth groups from the Lovell First and Second wards doing FH. There was 9 YM in one room and 12 YW in the other room being helped by FH consultants, youth leaders and youth consultants as they enjoyed doing family search and indexing!

 

Each week we say to each other can it get any better than this? And the next week is even a more awesome spiritual adventure! ! !

 

We Love you all, may God bless

CTR

Bro and Sister Croft

 

This week has been a feast of new & exciting information!

October 6, 2013

 

Dearest family,

    This week has been a feast of new & exciting information!  Wednesday was our FH consultant meeting. The topic was Indexing, given by one of the Stake indexing coordinators, then we extended the meeting and presented info to the group on the Family History- Family Stories lesson which we shared with all of you in our letter last week!  We now have three Youth Consultants in one of our wards in the Stake & they were able to come. It was an enjoyable evening.

    Our Friday was an at home day, It was a 4 hour Webinar from SLC about Indexing & changes coming in the next months.  It was great to hear the exciting things coming which will only make it better.  Both family search and indexing will be browser based by mid 2014. Family search is already that way. This means that all computers and tablets will be able to be used but not smart phones. Their format is just too small for effective use.  Also in the future there will be only an A reader and a reviewer not a A and B reader plus an arbitrator like now. This will increase the amount of names indexed by 50%. There was a panel discussion by 2 HC men and 2 Stake Indexing Coordinators (all from different stakes) of their successful indexing projects. Their stakes did from  3 to 6 million names this last year.

    We love General conference! Saturday started with a funeral at 9am, then General Conference. We had Ben Martins over for Chicken & noodles on Saturday evening &  then listened to the General Priesthood Meeting.  And guess what? It was a first for me!   We all enjoyed it so much!   Sunday was wonderful, also!   Allen & Amber called this A.M. to see if we minded if they came over.  Their van is in the shop, Allen is forloughed because of the Govt shutdown. Hope it gets resolved shortly. They squished into their pickup, brought their roast, we added a few things  & had a wonderful day together.  Hadn’t seen them since Big Sky!

    It has been a rainy, blustery week, went to Powell one day to do a little shopping, get adjusted, spend time at the Fike’s,  & see Symphony’s volleyball game.  They had lots of bugs at their house & it was snowy & miserable so we came home, maybe another day. Well our first killing frost hit on Friday night 20’F such a long fall this year! We did our final lawn mowing this week when we had some apts cancel. We also got another inch of rain vs all the snow around us. The mtns are very white with up to 30” in the higher elevations. Bighorn lake has risen almost 4 ft in the past 3 wks with all the runoff.

    Our visits in homes was great &  we had several people at the Public Library. Our time in the FHC was busy & productive. This evening we were able to meet with the new Youth Consultants also. Each week is different & we are so grateful for the Lord’s help in all we do!

 

We love you all, thanks for your prayers & CTR, 

  Bro & Sis Croft

Today was a spiritual high!

September 29, 2013

Dearest Family,

    Each week, it’s great to write and bring everyone up to date!  A normal week, anyway it started that way, the public library, indexing, FHC Tuesday, our morning in Cowley with several patrons to help, and a house call or two.

    It was great to have Bill & Kathy come on Thursday.   Kathy & I worked on FH and corrected the Shoopman line.  What a spiritual experience that was!   We were able to find censuses and other documentation which helped us. It was a special blessing to do this and have it all turn out perfectly!  On Friday we went to Billings Temple! Friday evening Trina & Trista had dinner with us!     Bill and Kathy went home on Saturday morning....we had a wonderful time together!

    The first frost of the fall occurred Friday night too, didn’t hurt much here. There is fresh snow on all the mtn tops around us! There was a herd of 10 mule deer here just before they left. We finished our pDay items on Saturday too then went to the burial of Daisy Sessions in Byron at 4pm. She is Uncle Newell Sessions (Gdpa Alvins youngest brother) wife, they lived in Thermopolis most of their life. We enjoyed visiting with the family. Dad and Mom were always close to Daisy and Newell. Rena and Janet attended the Gen Rel Soc Mtg tonight.

    As usual our Sunday was another great day!!!!!   Today was a spiritual high!  The Lovell 1st ward, the one we normally attend right now, had a great Testimony meeting, with 6 youth testifying of the influence which FH had had in their lives.   Also some of the adults also testified about FH.  Our youth SS class also was excited about it, and were wishing for more temple excursion, “when we have an excursion planned it motivates me to work harder to find names—“.  Then for the 5th Sunday lesson, the Bishop presented the “Family Stories Lesson” which comes from the brethern in SLC. The adults, YM & YW were all there, with everyone participating. The youth shared their experiences and responded in the discussions, along with parents and youth acknowledging how it was affecting their lives. The spirit bore testimony to this great work!  Another Bishop in Cowley also taught this lesson and it, too, was a spiritual feast!  The members are excited to write and share their stories!  See link below on Family Stories.  https://www.lds.org/callings/temple-and-family-history/sunday-lesson?lang=eng

    We were also invited by the stake presidency to give presentations in the Stake Bishops meeting and in a Stake High council Meeting.  Prayers are answered. We feel so blessed to be a part of this great work!  We witness every week the hand of the Lord in it & are amazed! 

  CTR & we love you all! 

 Bro & Sis Croft

From Tonga and Mexico City

Nate in Tonga

Tchae in Mexico City

Today was a great one!

September 22, 2013

Dearest Family,

    Happy Birthday, Krysta!  Well, time flies so quickly! 

    Today was a great one! Sacrament Mtg with Ethan Croft & Ben Cuch speaking, then in the afternoon, we heard Guy Jones was speaking! They were each a spiritual feast! Three Sunday School classes: a youth class & two adult ones! One sister had been adding lots of photos & stories to the tree! It was great to see her enjoying this part of the program. Another ward had an open workshop & I was able to help a brother! Sunday evening was also busy in the FHC. Had 9 people who spent time tonight working, asking questions, & seeking for loved ones. Bro Croft has continued to share the Sunday, Family Stories Family History lesson with HP Group leaders.  We will be helping with this presentation in two wards next Sunday!  The work continues to move along!

    FHE this week was with a family, husband, wife, adult son, & husband’s retired brother! We did indexing & all enjoyed it so very much!  Today they shared with us that they were continuing to work on it & are enjoying! Retired brother was talking to a neighbor who has time on his hands & would also enjoy it!  We talked to him, but he needs to do some upgrading on his computer.

    Wednesday was our day to cover the FHC in the morning! We arrived to find them spraying for bugs in the building. We were able to open up the building, but Dad decided not to take a chance, so he came home. Sister Nazer & I stayed. We each had a patron to work with, so that was good. Wednesday evening, we were scheduled to help a Laurels group do indexing in Cowley, only to find the power off when we arrived. They decided to come to Lovell instead!  Sure enjoyed working with them. They learn so quickly & do a great job!

    We’ve been in several other homes, just helping them get into the grove of working on FH again! Our new consulting time on Thursday mornings in Cowley will be busy this week! With the harvest on and our highway under construction we have to be extra careful driving. We use several alternate routes to get to our appointments.

    We had a fun morning of fishing at the Lake, 8 fish, kept 3 nice catfish,  Had two trips to Powell this week, thanks Dak for adjusting us! Bro Croft also had an LDS Scholarship Committee Meeting with the new NW College President. She is very excited about what the LDS families and students do for NWC!  We attended the funeral of Doyle Moncur, plus going to the first half of the Lovell vs Lyman football game. We enjoyed the game and seeing Whitney and Kaitlyn dance as part of the LHS Dance Team at half time.

     Many things are prayed over in our home as well as in yours.  Several months ago, we found it necessary to upgrade my computer then Mid-week I dropped it.  When It came back on, the moniter was blinking terribly & the mouse pointer caused the blinking to come & go!!!!!   It was awful!  I prayed over it in my personal prayers, & I am sure Bro Croft did also!  We feel so blessed & thankful that by Sunday it was back to normal, working correctly, without any problem.

We love you all and appreciate your prayers in our behalf!   CTR

        Bro and Sister Croft

Where do I begin? This has been an amazing week!

Sept 15, 2013

 

Dearest Family,

    Where do I begin?   This has been an amazing week! We have had our normal activities, then many extra’s added in.   I worked at the Blood draw two mornings, 6:30 to 10:00 a.m. Was also able to do part of my visiting teaching. One of our sister’s had surgery, so took bread & chicken & noodles to her. Wednesday was a study day, reviewing many things on the computer & I studied the pedigree’s of several people I help. One amazing discovery on LDS.org was a “Family Stories FH lesson”.   It is to be taught by the Bishop in a combined lesson with RS, Priesthood, & YM-YW. It has the most amazing short videos & is so inspiring.  There is a new booklet to be used by each ward member to do some stories and their family tree called “My Family – Stories that bring us together! What a sweet spirit we felt as we have studied it & used some of the videos for training!   

    Thursday pm, we had an appt with a FHConsultant, JM, to continue her training, we felt inspired to call RL, a nonmember, who exclaimed, “I was just praying for your help, I’ll be right down” so, we had two to help! The Sister Missionaries dropped in, they were waiting for transportation for Sister Taylor, who was returning home after a successful mission.  She is a convert of 3 years. Sister NeVille had helped her prepare her grandmothers name for temple ordinances on Wed.  She & I found a great aunt she could also do.  On Friday, before leaving for home, she went to the Billings Temple and was baptized for both!  The NeVilles happened to be there when she completed this and shared in the joy which she felt!   She told them, “now there are three in her family who were members of the church!”  President Meacum, Billings Montana Mission President, also shared this experience with everyone at Stake Conference today, & expressed the joy which she felt!

    When we arrived home at 5:00 pm, there was a message from a High Priest Group Leader whom we had been trying to meet with for 6 months, wanting to meet.  We returned his call. He and his wife wanted to meet at 6:30pm. He is beginning to catch the vision of this great work and will inspire & direct his ward.  We met with another HP Group leader this afternoon, & he, too, is catching the vision!

     In addition, Stake Conference was amazing!  President Jordan, Temple Pres, said, “Family History will improve your whole life” speaking of all aspects of it bringing the Holy Ghost into our lives. Elder Rhodes of the 70 quoted President Hunter, “We need to receive both halves of the blessing”  To continue, he stated that to increase the influence & presence  of the Holy Ghost in our lives, we can 1st: do Family History & 2nd: improve our marriages. He also reminded us that if we have more names than we can do in our temple file, to immediately release them so that those waiting can receive the blessings.   Then on Sunday, he read the quotes of Elder Scott & Elder Bednar where they promised “that the youth and adults will be protected against the influence of the advisary by doing this work”   Aren’t we all in need of this protection?!. 

    Bro Croft felt inspired this a.m. early to call a certain Bishop. After trying several times, he called one of his counselors who replied, Bishop has been trying to call you?  When the Bishop was reached, he proceeded to express what he wanted to do in his ward for a 5th Sunday Lesson this month. Bro Croft asked him to go to his computer into LDS.org , there in the FH section  was “Family Stories FH lesson”.  a new lesson just released this week that was exactly what he desired! They both shared their spiritual witness of this great work & the Lord’s hand in it!  About 30 minutes later another ward’s first councilor called with the same request. Some days its hard to believe what we experience as the Lord moves this work forward in our stake! We are so grateful to be a small part of this awesome experience with our saints here! We witness this FH work (all areas eg: indexing, photo & stories, genealogy, oral history, journaling, Family search/FTree)  are true and blesses all who do it!!!!

 

We love you all  & CTR

 

Bro & Sis Croft

 

They are all making Family History!

September 8, 2013

Dearest Family,

    This week seemed much like the last, only a little slower!  Holidays  & end of the season canning does that to our family history work!  Several people were ill or remembered sporting events with family! They are all making Family History!

    Dad was busy keeping up with new info, reviewing video’s etc.   I’ve had time to do some research, solving some puzzles on several lines.   JQ had an ancester who had several wives, but I wasn’t sure how it all fit together.  With the Lord’s help, I was able to put each family together.  It is so great how all the sources online help.  We also have contact with a Croft relative in Ohio who had offered to help with something when she is in SLC later this month.   Have been studying Hannah Boyd, wife of Henry B. Croft, & will see if she can help a little with that! Her line comes thru his second wife.

 

     We enjoyed half of a football game & Whitney & Kaitlyn dancing on Friday. Had a beautiful fall day for fishing on Friday a.m. fresh cat fish on the table again!  Happy Birthday, Darece!  Joy, Kaitlyn, Whitney & I  joined her for stuffed Tomatoes that day!  yummmmmm

 

    Wednesday evening was our monthly FH Consultant Training Meeting!  There is an amazing Primary video which we showed! I’ll try to include the link for all to see. Just click on it & pray it works. The second link gives more details from the FS Blog on how to involve the Primary children plus has the video link too! We have worked with children in our stake like this young man plus have some grd children doing the same!

https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/watch/primary-auxiliary-training/2013/04&vid=2321572042001?lang=eng

 

https://familysearch.org/blog/en/influence-primary-children-ward/?ET_CID=45372659&ET_RID=gbob@tctwest.net

 

    Our Sunday was great! The highlight today was attending a sacrament meeting where JN spoke. JN has been a FHConsultant for about 3 years. She has blossomed during this time, her testimony growing by leaps & bounds. Feeling the spirit as one works on FH has an amazing effect on people. Her sweet testimony is a very special example of it. We have watched her confidence grow, her knowledge increase over these past years. She loves to help people in the FHC, Public Library, & where ever she may be! And she will continue to grow as she continues to serve!

 

    We are finishing up most of the FH classes we have been helping with, There were open workshops in most today.  That is a great time working one on one with people. We have Stake conference, then General conference, so new classes will start in October.  We are also trying an outreach time.  We will be going to Cowley every Thursday A.M. for two hours, for people to come to the church & work on FH, much like coming to the FHC in Lovell.   It will be exciting to see what happens!

 

    We pray you each have a wonderful week!   We love you all so very much & CTR   Bro & Sis Croft