Hey Crafts!
It sounds like I don't even need to talk to you this week or send any sort of updates. You've already heard from two families from two different wards out here and gotten all the exciting news from them. haha jk So as you may have heard or guessed it was kind of a crazy week for me here. Unfortunately, Elder Parry did end up going home on Wednesday morning. He had some medical issues he had been battling since he came out on his mission. Last Monday after our appointment with his Dr. he and President Clements talked about Elder Parry's situation and decided he would be best to be medically released and try to fix what it was at home. There's little likely hood of him coming back, so it is kind of sad but he has something else he can accomplish and do back home. It was tough to see him go, but it's what was best and will help him the most. That is the reason I was with the Assistants from Wednesday through Saturday and thought I might possibly be there the next 5 weeks of the transfer. President wasn't sure where I would go and because our area borders the Assistants we were going to see how managing both of them together would go. We had a Christmas miracle come through for us in the Eden Prairie ward though. I'm not sure if I told you originally that I came to Eden Prairie to replace a missionary who had gone home due to medical complications and was having surgery to try and fix it. Through his communication the past couple months to President Clements and what he had told some members he kept in contact with here he wasn't going to come back. Even if he did get medical clearance it was just going to be way to hard to say good-bye again. Everyone loved him here in the ward and most of the missionaries did too. We actually came out together. He was in a different district but it was still hard to see him come home and not come back. That is until Elder Pope called President on Tuesday and said he knows he needs to come back. HE had the ok from the Dr. and wanted to be out here. So on Saturday that's why the Neilsons saw me at the airport with the Assistants picking up my new companion Elder Pope who would be coming back to the ward I'm currently in and that he left almost 4 months ago. It was nothing short of a Christmas miracle to have things work out like the way that they did! Everyone at church was pretty confused not to see Elder Parry, but once they saw Elder Pope he was welcomed like some sort of conquering hero. Everyone was way excited to see him and he's way excited to be here again. We get along really well and now with both of us having the same sort of drive and desire there are going to be even more miracles this transfer! I'm way excited to see what's going to happen. The whole ward is too. As far as the Cardons go that was pretty crazy! While I was in Bloomington we decided to stop by some members and teach them Friday night. The Cardons were one we decide to try and see. Right when we walked in Sister Cardon didn't really think anything of it with the two normal missionaries Elder Crepeau and Elder Lo walking in front of me. Then she told me later she saw this tall blonde missionary bringing up the rear. She was told by Tara Manning that she was to look for a tall blonde missionary from Hooper with the name Elder Craft. "You can't miss him" is what she was told. Right when I got through the door and started to take off my shoes she looked right at my name tag and said, "Elder Craft I've been looking for you!" That's the one and only time I think that's going to happen on my mission haha. Any investigator or person I would talk to tracting have tell me that would be phenomenal. haha She then told me she was originally from Hooper and talked about how she grew up on 5500 in the 2nd Ward. We connected a few ties like that I went to High School and have hung out with her younger brother Bo, before finding out the reason she knew I was there and to "look for me". Her husband in the other room told me< "wait a minute you're from Hooper? I'm from West Warren. Craft? Do you have any siblings?" So the conversation turned to him knowing Nick and saying they had a lot of classes together and he remembered Nick was on the soccer team and he even brought up the story of the fight he got into in one of the games when "Sugar went sour" haha. It was pretty awesome! And all of this took place in the first 5-10 minutes of being there leaving the Assistants stunned and kind of left in the dust haha. It was very unexpected but really funny. I still can't believe all the connections that have all the sudden come out of the wood work since I've been here in Eden Prairie. All the emails, pictures, and videos you guys get sent it feels like I'm not even really on a mission haha JK. That's my abbreviated story to answer a few questions people had. The best part is that what ever doesn't make sense we can talk about on Sunday and clear it all up. haha
Now for the Skype on Sunday like I told you before we'll be doing it at Brother Murray's but I think it will be sometime after dinner. Sorry to totally throw a wrench in your operation of doing it and scheduling it for 2, but Elder Pope's parents have late church and won't be able to do it until like 3:30 or 4 Idaho time. So I think what would work best for us is doing it after dinner at about 6 p.m. here so 5 p.m. for you guys. Sorry again to mess it all up. I hope that that can work for you guys. If not you could contact Brother Murray and he'll relate the message I'm sure. His Skype account it: ------------- and his email is -----------@-------.com. I hope it all works out and his computer's good enough to where you all can see me and not the still images like last time haha.
Thanks also for the packages! I got them from the Neilson's after dinner last nigh. I had no idea and neither did they that the little one was for them until I opened it haha. I'll give it to them the next time I see them. I really liked the Christmas card that you guys sent too. We all look so good! haha JK I was surprised that was the picture you picked for me, but it was a good one. I do have Christmas cards I was going to send last week but Target was having some problems to where I could only get them this week. Sorry you'll be getting them like right before Christmas. Just kind of as a disclaimer as well they were to best Target had to offer so don't be too critical haha.
Well I hope that helps to answer all your questions and clear up some confusion. Just know I'm doing great back in Eden Prairie! We got our Christmas Presents for the ward yesterday at church. All I have to say is that I was amazed by the amount of stuff the ward gave to us. I'll attach some pictures so you can see. I love you all and can't wait to talk to you Sunday!!
Love, Elder Craft
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