Tuesday, November 27, 2012

November 21, 2012

Dear Family and Friends,  Our daughter, Sarah and John and girls came to India to visit in October. We visited the India Gate which is a memorial for all those who lost their lives in WW 1. We went to Agra to see the Taj Mahal and Red Fort. We were so glad that they came because we are being transferred from India on Dec. 11th. The consulate is not giving anymore missionary Indian Visas for now. Some senior couples are still getting employment / volunteer visas, but since we had missionary visas--they cannot be renewed in January for another year. We are going to the Singapore--Malaysia Mission until next December 2013. We are so sad to leave the good saints here in India. I guess the Lord has more plans for us in East Malaysia. We are getting ready by organizing and packing what we can and sending back what we do not need. Another couple from Canada will be taking our place.
Brenda's Father passed away October 7th from pancreatic cancer. We flew from India to attend his funeral Oct 27th. All of our children were there to celebrate the life of their grandfather. We were able to also spend Halloween with our family who came. We have been busy here helping with the YSA and seminary programs. Clark has been getting the attendance rolls complete in the Dwarka Branch. We have been speaking on district assignments, going to Girl's Camp, and fellowshipping the members here. We love the wonderful people here in India.

Warm Regards, Elder and Sister Crookston. 

Friday, November 16, 2012

New Crookston Cousins

Jo Lynne Harline says:  Last Sunday Uncle Lynn & Aunt Melva, at Joe's invitation, came to our ward Sacrament Mtg. to listen to Zach & Trish Crookston speak, then afterward we introduced them to each other and enjoyed a good visit. Zach grew up in South Jordan, was born in Logan, now works for a law firm in Ogden after getting a degree in Sociology at U. of U. He & Trish have a baby boy Ben. We're glad to have them in our ward! Zach is Joe's 2nd cousin twice removed.  A couple of weeks ago Joe dug into his Crookston genealogy and photocopied Robert Crookston, Sr.'s biography, and gave the copy to our new Crookston cousins just after we met them, then in her talk, Trish read part of Robert's testimony. Zach's father: Mike, his grandpa: James, his great-grandpa: Carlton "Carl" Crookston, brother of Grandpa Byron Crookston. This reminded me of Wendy's & Lisa's experience when a Crookston cousin moved to Yuma. You never know where cousins will pop up! 

Jo Lynne lives in Ogden, Utah.