"Best friends are people you know you don’t need to talk to every single day. You don’t even need to talk to each other for weeks, but when you do, it’s like you never stopped talking." 

 I am a firm believer that every person you meet play a roll in your life.
I met 5 girls about a year and a half ago. All of us but one was from Utah the other was from Idaho. I consider these girls my BEST FRIENDS.
I felt like I have known them my entire life.

Cheyenne: She is one of the most caring people I know. she always has a big smile on her face. She is easy going. She has the best taste in music. Cheyenne is a great listener I remember one Sunday we sat in my room and talked for hours! she always looks at the positive in people. I admirer that about her.

Sheridan: She can make you laugh even if you want to cry. She is kind, she loves the New York Yankees more than life its self. She always is down for some kind of an adventure. between our weekly hot chocolate runs or simply just hanging out in Greenwich talking about life. She has the best personality!

Amy: My favorite sister missionary, Always gives the best advice. She is confident and doesn't take crap from anyone. Amy was my visiting teacher she is the main reason I was semi active. she would call me on Sundays and tell me I had 30mins to be ready for church and come and pick me up. Amy is a great example of "don't judge a book by its cover" and if anyone knows her you know what I'm talking about.

Jenna: Always has been there for me to lean on. I met her 2 weeks after moving to Nyc at that point I had been kicked out and really uncertain about the whole nanny thing, She gave me comfort and told me not to give up. As I was preparing for a mission a bunch of things kept bringing me down. She was the person who simply reminded me of my worth and how important I was, and that I would make a great missionary. She told me that she knew I was suppose to go on a mission. She is one of the strongest people I know. She knows what she wants and goes for it and doesn't stop until she gets it.

Kristin: She is my partner in crime. I know I can count on her, She is always there for me to vent to. She isn't afraid to speak her mind or let you know where she stands. I honestly don't know how I would have survived living in NYC with out her. She is my shopping partner. She would be the first person I would call if I need help hiding a body. She got me addicted to the band Parachute and I'm so happy she did!


I'm So grateful for each one of these girls. I'm extremely lucky to have such great friends!
I'm so happy I got to see kris chey and sher last weekend.
I wish Jenna and Amy could have been there!!

Going Going Gone!

2012 has been an interesting year to say the least.

This year started off amazing! I rang in the new year in Time Square with 3 of my Best Friends and 

about 1 million strangers. It was a night I will never forget. 

I moved back to Utah when I moved I really had no reason for moving just a feeling that I need to be home.

about a month later my family experienced betrayal that Shattered all our hearts.

It completely tore apart our extend family.

I remember many nights where my family cried together.

I remember writing a missionary to tell him what had happened and how heart broken he was.  

As time went on the situation just got worse to the point where we finally had to cut certain people out of our life's. It was hard but we didn't want anymore drama.

Looking back this is why I needed to move home Heavenly Father knew I need to be close to my family when this would happen.

 I went to Dallas with my mom and sister during the summer we had a blast. Dallas is one of my favorite city's (besides NYC of course) I love the weather. I love the shopping, I love the people. I would move there if I could! 

Back October of 2011 I had started talking to my bishop in New York about serving a mission, not a lot of people knew I was even thinking about going. I had a Very powerful missionary experience and I knew that I wanted to serve a mission. After I moved home and the "DRAMA" went down I put my mission on hold.

Finally in June I told my family and friends I wanted to go on a mission. 

Every little thing I felt was holding me back. I really had to trust in the lord and tell my self that it was on his timing not mine. 

November 23 2012 I went to the post office and picked up a large white envelop addressed to 

Sister Lauren Markel Crandall. That entire day I was so happy and excited. I remember looking at the envelop and thinking inside this envelop is a sheet of paper that will tell me where ill be serving the lord for 18 months yes I kinda freaked out. 

Later that night my amazing friends and family gathered to watch me open my call. 

Houston Texas Spanish Speaking!!!

I was so excited! My love for Texas and my want to learn a language all came together! 

This year has had its Highs and Lows but I'm so grateful for every experience I have had in this last year. I learned how to trust my Heavenly Father and with his help and love I became a better person. I know that everything happens for a reason. We just have to remember there is a reason why bad things happen to good people. We have to remember by trusting and having faith things will work out.

2013 is going to be an amazing year! 

TEXAS HERE I COME!!!!

Dec. 14 2012 Newtown CT

 

 

 

 twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
they were filled wit

h such joy, they didn't know what to say.
they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"this is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."
when what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
and as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."
then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"come now my children, let me show you around."
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA

 

 

 

Missionary Blog

I have made a new blog for my mission! Follow IT! :) 

http://sistermarkelcrandall.blogspot.com//

 My mom is going to be a peach and update it when I leave with Pictures and my letters!