"There are no true endings in His plan"

Another transfer in the England London Mission, and the results are in...

Well, loved ones this will be my last email from across the pond. Tomorrow morning I'll be leaving this beautiful, culture filled country, and these amazing people who will always be imprinted on my heart. It honestly feels just like yesterday that I stepped off the plane onto British soil, but it's been a full 18 months! Time flies when you're doing the Lord's work! They have been some of the most stretching, joyful, difficult, spectacular, and life changing months of my entire life. I wouldn't change a moment of it!  My mission has changed me in ways that I never expected, and the Lord has taught me things that I couldn't have learned in any other way! I've also learned so much more about the Saviour and His perfect love for us. I have no doubt that He lives today, and He knows & loves us! I feel so much gratitude for my God and the blessings he has poured down on me these last 18 months. 

Backtracking a little bit however, I wanted to tell you one last miracle story. This miracle has a name, and it's actually a person. This persons name is M---! I've shared a bit about M--- in my last few emails, but I wanted to share his full story because it is amazing!

So M--- was walking along Exhibition Road exactly 6 weeks ago when he felt prompted by the Spirit to come inside the chapel. Later he told us that he felt drawn by the statue of Christ in the window, but was running late to a meeting and quickly passed by the church. Later that evening however, as he passed the Hyde Park Chapel again he said that he felt that same strong prompting once again to enter the chapel. So he did! And then he stayed for around 5 hours taking a tour of the Visitors Center and being introduced the gospel of Jesus Christ. The last 6 weeks of teaching him have been an absolute joy! He is one of God's elect children, and has been being prepared for a very long time! On Saturday I was able to watch as he entered into the waters of baptism, and started his personal journey towards eternal life. :) He described it as "buying a ticket for the most amazing journey you can ever imagine..." Because baptism really is just a beginning, just as my mission has been a beginning. Although I'm heart broken to be leaving these people that I love, and this place that has become my second home I know that God has a plan for me. I have faith that this is just the beginning of something even more special! After all...

"In His plan there are no true endings, only everlasting beginnings." -Dieter F. Uchtodorf

I love this gospel with all my heart, and I KNOW this it is true. I know with a certainty, because I have felt it confirmed to me again and again as I've served the Lord this year and a half. I've seen as the doctrine of Christ has literally changed lives, and as it's changed mine. Our Saviour lives, God answers prayers, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is their church restored to the earth again. I'm so very thankful for a modern day prophet, and for the words of Christ found in the scriptures! It is true friends. It really is! :) And my heart it full as I start this new beginning, and as this chapter of my life comes to a close. 

I love you all and I'll see you soon! Thanks for your prayers! They mean more than you'll ever know. 

Hopefully this email makes it to you before I do. ;)

For the last time..

Love, Sister Rebekah Croft 

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Though the British don't tend to celebrate Thanksgiving, it being an American holiday and all, Rebekah and the other Hyde Park Chapel Visitors Centre missionaries had a traditional feast together. 

It also looks like the Visitors Centre is doing their live nativity again this Christmas. Rebekah was sad to miss it last year when she was in Canterbury, so I'm sure she was really excited that they put it back up right before she came home. I was sent this picture of Rebekah being Mary from a ward member in London. 

Heaven on Earth

Well, where did the time go? I can't believe this is the last week of my mission... That's absolute craziness!! I've still got a lot to do here though. :) As for this last week however, so much happened.

The best part of my week was going to the house of the Lord! :) That's right, I finally got to go to the London Temple! And it was absolutely glorious! When they say London though, they actually mean about 1.5 hours away from the city in the green countryside part of England. It was a gorgeous area, and the temple itself was even more beautiful! Going inside the temple was something else though. It was like a breath of fresh air, and warmth and peace washed over me all at once. I don't care what anyone says...18 months is a long time without going to the temple! I hadn't fully forgotten the special Spirit of the temple, but it was an incredible thing to go once again and feel it full force as a missionary of the Lord. The temple truly is a sacred place where we can be that much closer to Heaven. My heart is full! 

Sister Zeng and I taught a lot of lessons this week! :) Each person is so completely different from the other though. We are teaching people from Trinidad, Russia, England, Albania, China, St. Lucia, and the Philippines. And that doesn't even count the people we are teaching online. This gospel really is for everyone! It changes lives all around the globe, and also right here in London.

Portobello Road this evening! :)

More pictures of the temple!

I love this Senior couple to bits!!

Friends and family, have a wonderful wonderful week! Sorry this email was a tad scattered, but you'll get one more next week. Love you all! Enjoy the snow and have a great thanksgiving! 

Love, Sister Rebekah Croft 

Always Remember

Hi everyone! Cheerio! Hope the last few days have been grand. :) It hasn't been that long because of the P-Day switch, but a ton has happened since last Wednesday. 

To start off on a spiritual step though, I just wanted to talk about remembrance. This last Friday was Remembrance Day here in the UK, and so that word "Remember" has been on my mind a lot. Part of the tradition is having red poppies all over the city. Whether it be a pin, a bracelet, a wreath, or a sticker, as you walk through the streets of London you're continuously seeing flashes of red. The point of this is to remember those who have given their lives in the service of their country, and to honor their service. On Friday and Sunday they even dedicate 2 minutes starting @ 11:00 am to complete silence so that everyone can have the chance to ponder and remember those men and women, and the service they gave. It's inspiring, and it's incredible! I love it. :) Remember is a word we hear a lot though, at least it is if you go to church every Sunday. As I took the sacrament yesterday these words stood out to me: "In Remembrance of the body of thy Son...",  "In Remembrance of the blood of thy Son...", and "Always Remember Him...". It made me really ponder on how well I've been remembering the One. My Saviour & your Saviour, my Lord & your Lord. Jesus Christ. Every week we promise to ALWAYS remember Him! How are you doing? Well it's not easy with the world banging and pounding on the door, but I hope that I can continue to pay attention to the "still, small", but also powerful knock of Jesus Christ, and fulfill my promise weekly to remember Him always. 

Sister Zeng and I took a trip to China Town this morning to buy ingredients for Hot Pot (aka really hot, and spicy traditional Chinese food). Wow, was it delicious!!

M--- is doing well! Honestly, he really is one of God's elect. I'm pretty sure he answers my prayers more than we answer his. He's amazing!

Our friend Ben. He's always on time to appointments. ;)

We found Croft House! Home sweet home... well, almost. ;)

Last little heads up. #LIGHTtheWORLD is coming soon! I know it sounds crazy... but Christmas is coming soon. I just saw this year's video, and it is beyond inspiring! Gives me chills just thinking about it. So keep your eyes and ears open. It's going to be an amazing Christmas season full of service, and becoming more like the Saviour! 

Family and friends have a wonderful week! Love you all!!

-Sister Rebekah Croft 

The Lord's Work is Defying Gravity

Sweet family and friends! 

Hi, how has your week been? It feels like it's been a while since I've last emailed. We switched our P-Day's because today a few other Sisters and I are going to the musical Wicked!! Honestly, I could not be more excited! Granted, we had to wake up at 5:30 this morning, and travel to the Apollo Theatre to wait in line for 3 hours in the cold rain and wind to get tickets. It's all going to be worth it tonight though. :) I can't wait! 

Going to Wicked isn't the only exciting thing that has happened this week though. It is the Lord's work after all. It's always exhilarating! The entire mission had a huge change this week. Paper area books and planners are a thing of the past, and everything is slowly being switched over to the iPad. It figures it would happen the last month of my mission. ;) Nah, but in all honestly, it's an amazing thing to be a part of the Lord hastening his work! He continues to guide and direct and it is inspiring to watch and participate. 

More photos to come...but Wicked here we come! :)

Last Friday I had my last Zone Meeting. It was full of emotions, and I got to give my departing testimony. Oh how I love these missionaries from all around the world, and oh how I love the Hyde Park Zone! We've seen a ton of miracles, and continue to see them daily!

This is M---. I taught him for a very long time in Hyde Park 1st ward. Because of some family issues he hasn't been able to be baptised yet although he wants to. He's the jolliest English man I've ever met though! :) He dropped by the chapel this week to give us all Almond Joy's! 

I love these Sisters so much! Or, Wo Ai Ni as Sister Zeng and I say each night. 

Have a fantastic week all! Keep warm! I don't know how cold it is back home, but here in London it is absolutely freezing. The weather finally switched to full winter mode. Anyways, love you all! 

Love, Sister Croft