Dear Everyone,
Haha I'm running out of fun clever ways to start off these emails each week. This week was definitely busy and chaotic in a sense. I spent all my time trying to pack up not only my stuff but Elder Haupt was having to pack up his stuff to move the few miles down to the Southern end of the ward. We had to try to divide up supplies and the Area Book into North and South again. Amid all this we were trying to figure out the final details so that Elder Haupt would have a place to live and trying to see these investigators that I've grown to love. We didn't get to see all of them but we did see a few people. I don't know what it is but the last couple moves of mine haven't been as easy as they could be. Most of the time transfers are just you packing up and getting your stuff out and on to your new place. Oh well we got it all done so that's what's important haha. We do transfers here a couple different ways depending on where you serve. Almost everyone in the mission that's being transferred will meet at the mission home on transfer days to meet their new companion. You can either get there in your own car if you're close or what I've done every time is get a ride with a member there. Once you're ready to leave the mission home and get to your new area you will ride with the member that brought the missionary that you're replacing typically or with a member that is taking missionaries to your area. The only time it is different usually is of you're heading South to the Rochester Zone or North to Duluth. South isn't that different. You just ride with the other group of missionaries going down in a members van that they have and your luggage goes on a trailer. The ones going North are the only ones that have to ride a bus. They catch a Greyhound from the mission home, so they have to weigh their bags and make sure they're not over 50 lbs and all that fun stuff. For that reason I'm not particularly excited to ever be moved up there. Transfers are usually pretty smooth and easy though so I'd tell a certain worried friend of ours not to worry about it because the Zone Leaders coordinate everything out here really smoothly. :) It's funny what Lance said about being with your companion more than your wife because that's something we've talked about a few times out here. Realistically you are with your companion about 23 hrs of the day. You definitely learn to cooperative and survive together haha. Either that or it can be the longest 6 weeks of your life. We get our money each month or MSF ( Missionary Support Fund) automatically from Salt Lake at the beginning of each month. They give you a debit card when you come out that is directly connected to that account so it's nothing complicated either. These are good questions but I would tell them not to worry about it again. Kevin should have his own personal account to use for things that MSF doesn't cover like I do but not to worry. Everything will be taken care of haha. I actually got my boots for free from some members in my first area. They had some used ones that fit that they just gave to me so it saved me some money. Mine are some Thinsulate boots. I don't know the specific name but Thinsulate is the brand and typically the best brand to get. I wouldn't worry about getting any specific ones before coming out unless he finds some really good ones he wants to use. Most missionaries I know have gotten theirs out here when they get to their first area. His trainer and the members will know the best place and kind to get some. Hopefully he can just luck out like I did. I hope that answers a couple of the major questions.
Sorry I don't have much time today but as for me here in the Eden Prairie ward it's going really well. The ward is huge and really nice and loves the missionaries. I actually live in the city of Chaska and we cover Chaska, Chanhassen, and a little part of Eden Prairie. Elder White just refers to it as the Garden of Eden. haha He's so funny and we get along really well. He's from Sandy and went to Alta High. I actually found out that Elder Bennett from my last district is in my district again, so that should be fun. To answer Mom's question no I am not District Leader again. I guess I didn't cut it the last time haha jk. They switch them up usually at transfers.
I wish I had more details to talk about with you to make this a little longer, but that's about it for this week. I'm trying to learn this new area where I swear there's not one straight road and all of them have the most random names haha. Like we live on Walnut St. right next to Yellowbrick Rd. I'm not even kidding. haha Thanks for all the letters and support this week. I love you all and look forward to talking to you again! Hopefully I can send some pictures next week.
Love, Elder Craft
Showing posts with label Brooklyn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brooklyn. Show all posts
Monday, September 12, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
You can take the missionary out of the hood, but . . .
Hey Craft Family,
I'm glad to hear that everyone had a good somewhat boring Labor Day, or as it's more importantly known Hooper Tomato Days! haha Yesterday for me was good. I got all the other P-Day stuff done except for the emailing of course. We were allowed to email at a member's home, so even though we live with the Paynters we ran out of time before we could come write to you.
Not only was yesterday Labor Day but it was also Transfer Calls. We got a call at about 7:45. It was a little earlier than expected. Elder Haupt had to come knock on the bathroom door and tell me we were getting a call. Luckily I had just gotten out of the shower so I could hear and talk to President. They ended up splitting the ward into Shingle Creek North and Shingle Creek South again just like it was before I got here. Elder Haupt and I thought that we were going to stay together and go to the South part of the ward or that one would stay North and the other go South. We were both wrong kind of. Elder Haupt is going to the South part with another Elder being transferred in and they're going to bring 2 new missionaries in here to the North. One of the missionaries coming here is the one whose dad works with President Christensen and who I played soccer against in high school and then played on the same team with down in Las Vegas that last time I went, Elder Tate Baxter. He's coming here and going to be District Leader too. As for me I am leaving "The Hood" and headed south to a suburb of Minneapolis called Eden Prairie. Apparently it's the biggest and one of the strongest wards in the mission, so I'm excited. It's going to be a little difficult trying to learn who everyone is, but I usually do pretty good with names so we'll see. I'm sad to leave the Paynters and this area. I wish Elder Haupt and I could have stayed together to finish helping all the investigators we're working with, but I know the ward and investigators here are in good hands. The work only going to increase and I can't wait to hear about all these people I know now getting baptized in the near future. It's been great to serve here for the time that I have. Shingle Creek is amazing and it's own kind of unique. There's never going to be another area like it that's for sure haha.
Along with transfer calls yesterday we also had the chance to go to "the great Minnesota get together" (a.k.a. the state fair). The fair here is huge! I've never seen people go so crazy or get so excited over a fair before. People started talking about it back on the Fourth of July and how they couldn't wait for the fair. It's 10 days long and yesterday was the last day. Elm Creek Elders got 3 free tickets from someone in their ward. We got permission to go because it was over in St. Paul and decided we'd all just split the cost of the fourth ticket. There's an express bus station they set up for it in our area, so we all just met up, rode our bikes to the station, and hopped on the bus to go. It was insane how many people were there! I was talking to a lady on the bus who said that on average all the other days the fair had 120,000+ people and because of the no school no work holiday yesterday there was even more than that. It wasn't really surprising with the amount of people that were there that we ran into about a dozen or so members that were from wards all over the metro and up metro area. A couple came running over to us and gave us $20 to split because they said we needed to have fun and buy some of the food there. It was cool to see all the members go crazy to see us. We were all trying to imagine what it would have been like to have the same scenario in Utah and decided that we probably wouldn't have been able to even walk around having to stop and talk to members the whole time. On the other hand we probably wouldn't have paid for anything either haha. We did get a lot of funny looks from people because we were in proselyting clothes at the state fair. We heard a few nicknames amid the stares. "Geek Squad", "Jesus People", and "Israelites" were some of the best ones that I heard haha. The thing that the fair is know for is the crazy food that is all either on a stick or deep fried. We had some deep fried Wisconsin Cheese Curds, some terriyaki ostrich, a deep fried twinkie, and this small container of warm, fresh-baked, chocolate chip cookies that we each ate with the never ending milk bar that they had. It was so cool and definitely an experience. I think in my container I had 15 cookies and probably a third gallon of milk haha. So between all of that we sure got our fat and sugars for the week. Just in case any of you are wondering the ostrich was very very lean but really good, the twinkie was amazing and filled with cholesterol, and the cookies were very fresh and very rich haha. There were a couple other things we thought about trying but knew that if we did diabetes would be setting in shortly after. They had chocolate covered bacon, deep fried snickers, and deep fried alligator that were all on the list to try but didn't quite make it. It was really fun to just kind of get out and experience that all together since our district's being disbanded with transfers. I took some pictures that hopefully I can attach to this so you can see what it was like and who these other Elders I've been serving with are.
As far as the missionary work here goes JV came to church again Sunday and to the best of our knowledge has been smoke free for 7 days now! He's getting baptized hopefully sometime at the end of this month so that I can maybe come back to see that since I won't be too extremely far away. We talked to Joe, one of the other investigators that I may have mentioned before, the other day about going to seminary. We were in our coordination meeting on Sunday and trying to think about who would be a good fellowshipper for him. Then the thought came to me, "seminary". He's a senior this year and they had the kickoff meeting for seminary Sunday night and the seminary teacher was our joint teacher for the evening. We called and talked to him about going to the meeting bu the was baby sitting his cousins, so we went over with the joint teacher and talked to him about seminary ad how great it is. He wasn't sure at first but he said us coming over really convinced him. He's going to try it for the first day tomorrow. I hope he enjoys it and continues to go. The tough part is that it is early morning and starts at 6 a.m. at the church, but he has the faith that the blessings of it are true and willingness to go. I think he could end up being baptized this month too. Unfortunately I won't be around to know for sure, but we'll see what happens.
Sorry there's not too much more to add. It sounds like Mom and Dad ran into a lot of people at Tomato Days. Tell Cassie I said hi and congratulations. You can also mention a nice thanks for not sending her wedding announcement haha JK. As for Kevin and advice for him I'd say tell him to get that coat that I did from Mr. Mac. It works amazingly well. That's what I used all winter and just layered underneath it. I also had a nice home spun hammock to use around my entire neck and torso, but I think the coat works great by itself too ;) haha. Then he won't have to worry about having to buy one out here. This is also just some side advice that I'd give to both him and Brady or anyone else preparing and buying things for a mission. Buy black Nike tube socks and use those as your dress socks. They're a lot more comfortable and durable than the gold toe or any other thin dress socks. Plus with those you can use them for P-Day stuff too. I'm glad to hear that my pictures could help you with your talk on missionary work in primary mom. We went into primary in Sunday so the kids could all give us little cards saying thanks for being our missionaries. I'm happy to hear that you had enough to say that you went over time too. Instead of just something like, "missionaries are great. This is one that I think used to live in our house" haha ;).
I hope that all is going well and everyone's doing just fantastic! I can't wait to hear about Brady's trip and Kat and Tom's sealing in a few weeks. I love and miss you guys and can't wait to hear from you again!
Love, Elder Craft
I'm glad to hear that everyone had a good somewhat boring Labor Day, or as it's more importantly known Hooper Tomato Days! haha Yesterday for me was good. I got all the other P-Day stuff done except for the emailing of course. We were allowed to email at a member's home, so even though we live with the Paynters we ran out of time before we could come write to you.
Not only was yesterday Labor Day but it was also Transfer Calls. We got a call at about 7:45. It was a little earlier than expected. Elder Haupt had to come knock on the bathroom door and tell me we were getting a call. Luckily I had just gotten out of the shower so I could hear and talk to President. They ended up splitting the ward into Shingle Creek North and Shingle Creek South again just like it was before I got here. Elder Haupt and I thought that we were going to stay together and go to the South part of the ward or that one would stay North and the other go South. We were both wrong kind of. Elder Haupt is going to the South part with another Elder being transferred in and they're going to bring 2 new missionaries in here to the North. One of the missionaries coming here is the one whose dad works with President Christensen and who I played soccer against in high school and then played on the same team with down in Las Vegas that last time I went, Elder Tate Baxter. He's coming here and going to be District Leader too. As for me I am leaving "The Hood" and headed south to a suburb of Minneapolis called Eden Prairie. Apparently it's the biggest and one of the strongest wards in the mission, so I'm excited. It's going to be a little difficult trying to learn who everyone is, but I usually do pretty good with names so we'll see. I'm sad to leave the Paynters and this area. I wish Elder Haupt and I could have stayed together to finish helping all the investigators we're working with, but I know the ward and investigators here are in good hands. The work only going to increase and I can't wait to hear about all these people I know now getting baptized in the near future. It's been great to serve here for the time that I have. Shingle Creek is amazing and it's own kind of unique. There's never going to be another area like it that's for sure haha.
Along with transfer calls yesterday we also had the chance to go to "the great Minnesota get together" (a.k.a. the state fair). The fair here is huge! I've never seen people go so crazy or get so excited over a fair before. People started talking about it back on the Fourth of July and how they couldn't wait for the fair. It's 10 days long and yesterday was the last day. Elm Creek Elders got 3 free tickets from someone in their ward. We got permission to go because it was over in St. Paul and decided we'd all just split the cost of the fourth ticket. There's an express bus station they set up for it in our area, so we all just met up, rode our bikes to the station, and hopped on the bus to go. It was insane how many people were there! I was talking to a lady on the bus who said that on average all the other days the fair had 120,000+ people and because of the no school no work holiday yesterday there was even more than that. It wasn't really surprising with the amount of people that were there that we ran into about a dozen or so members that were from wards all over the metro and up metro area. A couple came running over to us and gave us $20 to split because they said we needed to have fun and buy some of the food there. It was cool to see all the members go crazy to see us. We were all trying to imagine what it would have been like to have the same scenario in Utah and decided that we probably wouldn't have been able to even walk around having to stop and talk to members the whole time. On the other hand we probably wouldn't have paid for anything either haha. We did get a lot of funny looks from people because we were in proselyting clothes at the state fair. We heard a few nicknames amid the stares. "Geek Squad", "Jesus People", and "Israelites" were some of the best ones that I heard haha. The thing that the fair is know for is the crazy food that is all either on a stick or deep fried. We had some deep fried Wisconsin Cheese Curds, some terriyaki ostrich, a deep fried twinkie, and this small container of warm, fresh-baked, chocolate chip cookies that we each ate with the never ending milk bar that they had. It was so cool and definitely an experience. I think in my container I had 15 cookies and probably a third gallon of milk haha. So between all of that we sure got our fat and sugars for the week. Just in case any of you are wondering the ostrich was very very lean but really good, the twinkie was amazing and filled with cholesterol, and the cookies were very fresh and very rich haha. There were a couple other things we thought about trying but knew that if we did diabetes would be setting in shortly after. They had chocolate covered bacon, deep fried snickers, and deep fried alligator that were all on the list to try but didn't quite make it. It was really fun to just kind of get out and experience that all together since our district's being disbanded with transfers. I took some pictures that hopefully I can attach to this so you can see what it was like and who these other Elders I've been serving with are.
As far as the missionary work here goes JV came to church again Sunday and to the best of our knowledge has been smoke free for 7 days now! He's getting baptized hopefully sometime at the end of this month so that I can maybe come back to see that since I won't be too extremely far away. We talked to Joe, one of the other investigators that I may have mentioned before, the other day about going to seminary. We were in our coordination meeting on Sunday and trying to think about who would be a good fellowshipper for him. Then the thought came to me, "seminary". He's a senior this year and they had the kickoff meeting for seminary Sunday night and the seminary teacher was our joint teacher for the evening. We called and talked to him about going to the meeting bu the was baby sitting his cousins, so we went over with the joint teacher and talked to him about seminary ad how great it is. He wasn't sure at first but he said us coming over really convinced him. He's going to try it for the first day tomorrow. I hope he enjoys it and continues to go. The tough part is that it is early morning and starts at 6 a.m. at the church, but he has the faith that the blessings of it are true and willingness to go. I think he could end up being baptized this month too. Unfortunately I won't be around to know for sure, but we'll see what happens.
Sorry there's not too much more to add. It sounds like Mom and Dad ran into a lot of people at Tomato Days. Tell Cassie I said hi and congratulations. You can also mention a nice thanks for not sending her wedding announcement haha JK. As for Kevin and advice for him I'd say tell him to get that coat that I did from Mr. Mac. It works amazingly well. That's what I used all winter and just layered underneath it. I also had a nice home spun hammock to use around my entire neck and torso, but I think the coat works great by itself too ;) haha. Then he won't have to worry about having to buy one out here. This is also just some side advice that I'd give to both him and Brady or anyone else preparing and buying things for a mission. Buy black Nike tube socks and use those as your dress socks. They're a lot more comfortable and durable than the gold toe or any other thin dress socks. Plus with those you can use them for P-Day stuff too. I'm glad to hear that my pictures could help you with your talk on missionary work in primary mom. We went into primary in Sunday so the kids could all give us little cards saying thanks for being our missionaries. I'm happy to hear that you had enough to say that you went over time too. Instead of just something like, "missionaries are great. This is one that I think used to live in our house" haha ;).
I hope that all is going well and everyone's doing just fantastic! I can't wait to hear about Brady's trip and Kat and Tom's sealing in a few weeks. I love and miss you guys and can't wait to hear from you again!
Love, Elder Craft
Monday, August 29, 2011
Sorry, Mom. I forgot your birthday.
Hello Everyone,
Are you surprised to get an email that's actually a Monday? haha Now you won't have to wonder in suspense over the next 48 hours waiting for something to come. Since I know that's what all of you do. Once Monday hit at 12:01 everyone turns their computers on and anxiously awaits to email to come. haha JK
Thank you for the emails and pictures from all of you! I know it must have taken some time to do that. Especially from Brady. From what I hear it seems like everyone is doing well. I'm glad to hear Mom's back from Idaho to fix whatever may have happened to the house haha. Only bad part about Mom not being in Idaho is not only that Camie's on her own with those kids now, but I sent your birthday present up there that Camie and Brock will probably get today or tomorrow haha. Sorry I thought you'd be there for at least this week. Just know that I didn't forget about you Mom. :)
This week in the Shingle Creek has been good. We haven't had too many things to report on, but all in all it was good. President Clements came to our District Meeting along with the Zone Leaders so it added a little bit more to our little band of missionaries. It was a great experience to be able to have him counsel with us and give good insight on what we should do to work with our investigators, and to also hear what he had to say on the training I gave on "The Role of the Book of Mormon" and how to use it more effectively in our teaching. President Clements is so great! He's always so loving, encouraging, and willing to help with anything. We also had an amazing answer to prayer come at church yesterday. I can't remember if I've mentioned to you before that we have two deaf investigators that we're working with. Russ, who I've talked about before, has just been so frustrated trying to understand, comprehend, and communicate about all he's been learning recently. Then JV is this awesome guy who's been meeting with missionaries for awhile. His sister, brother, and one of his "baby mommas" are all members of our church. He's been watching the Book of Mormon and knows a lot about what's in there. We haven't been able to meet with him as much recently because he's been gone and his phone has been off so we couldn't text him. This past couple of weeks we've been able to go over and see him. We reviewed the Restoration with him because he already knew all of it and has a testimony of it. We didn't have to teach him hardly anything about it. The Word of Wisdom has been his struggle for awhile that he's been working on (just like Russ. Anyone guess where I'm going with this?. . ) . So at church yesterday both JV and Russ came. We introduced them afterwards and it was like a train took off from there. They stood and talked (signed) for 15-20 minutes after sacrament meeting in the chapel. Once we were able to get them into Gospel Principles they just continued from there. They had their own conversation while Elder Haupt and I taught the class and the interpreter that was in there for them just watched them talk. After class they didn't even go into priesthood but rather just stood outside in the hall and talked the whole time. There's another less-active woman in our ward that has recently been coming back really strong who is also deaf that showed up yesterday and talked with them in the hall during priesthood too. After church we walked around before our coordination meeting to see where they went and they were still talking down at another part of the church. Sister Fish told us that Russ is really excited now to see the struggles that both she and JV have are just like his; that they're both deaf; and they've been able to overcome these challenges through prayer, scripture study, and coming to church just like we talked to him about . We have the Book of Mormon on ASL that we've been telling Russ about and after talking to JV and seeing how much it helped him he really wants to get it to start watching. He told us that he understands alot more now and the interpreter told us she'll have to talk to us later about the conversation that Russ and JV had in Gospel Principles. From what I could catch in between teaching and based on what few signs I do know I caught a general idea of Russ asking JV about the Word of Wisdom and Law of Chastity and without even knowing it JV was testifying of what it was, how it will help him, and how he can find strength to overcome. Sister Kirkham, who was the interpreter, said that JV was basically converting Russ right there at church! It was so amazing and like I said a miracle and answer to prayer that the Lord provided for us.
I hope to hear again from you all soon. Once again thanks for all the emails, pictures, love, and support you guys show to me. Keep praying for me because as that story goes to show the Lord provides miracles in all sorts of ways to accomplish his purposes. I love and miss you guys and am always praying for you.
Love, Elder Craft
Are you surprised to get an email that's actually a Monday? haha Now you won't have to wonder in suspense over the next 48 hours waiting for something to come. Since I know that's what all of you do. Once Monday hit at 12:01 everyone turns their computers on and anxiously awaits to email to come. haha JK
Thank you for the emails and pictures from all of you! I know it must have taken some time to do that. Especially from Brady. From what I hear it seems like everyone is doing well. I'm glad to hear Mom's back from Idaho to fix whatever may have happened to the house haha. Only bad part about Mom not being in Idaho is not only that Camie's on her own with those kids now, but I sent your birthday present up there that Camie and Brock will probably get today or tomorrow haha. Sorry I thought you'd be there for at least this week. Just know that I didn't forget about you Mom. :)
This week in the Shingle Creek has been good. We haven't had too many things to report on, but all in all it was good. President Clements came to our District Meeting along with the Zone Leaders so it added a little bit more to our little band of missionaries. It was a great experience to be able to have him counsel with us and give good insight on what we should do to work with our investigators, and to also hear what he had to say on the training I gave on "The Role of the Book of Mormon" and how to use it more effectively in our teaching. President Clements is so great! He's always so loving, encouraging, and willing to help with anything. We also had an amazing answer to prayer come at church yesterday. I can't remember if I've mentioned to you before that we have two deaf investigators that we're working with. Russ, who I've talked about before, has just been so frustrated trying to understand, comprehend, and communicate about all he's been learning recently. Then JV is this awesome guy who's been meeting with missionaries for awhile. His sister, brother, and one of his "baby mommas" are all members of our church. He's been watching the Book of Mormon and knows a lot about what's in there. We haven't been able to meet with him as much recently because he's been gone and his phone has been off so we couldn't text him. This past couple of weeks we've been able to go over and see him. We reviewed the Restoration with him because he already knew all of it and has a testimony of it. We didn't have to teach him hardly anything about it. The Word of Wisdom has been his struggle for awhile that he's been working on (just like Russ. Anyone guess where I'm going with this?. . ) . So at church yesterday both JV and Russ came. We introduced them afterwards and it was like a train took off from there. They stood and talked (signed) for 15-20 minutes after sacrament meeting in the chapel. Once we were able to get them into Gospel Principles they just continued from there. They had their own conversation while Elder Haupt and I taught the class and the interpreter that was in there for them just watched them talk. After class they didn't even go into priesthood but rather just stood outside in the hall and talked the whole time. There's another less-active woman in our ward that has recently been coming back really strong who is also deaf that showed up yesterday and talked with them in the hall during priesthood too. After church we walked around before our coordination meeting to see where they went and they were still talking down at another part of the church. Sister Fish told us that Russ is really excited now to see the struggles that both she and JV have are just like his; that they're both deaf; and they've been able to overcome these challenges through prayer, scripture study, and coming to church just like we talked to him about . We have the Book of Mormon on ASL that we've been telling Russ about and after talking to JV and seeing how much it helped him he really wants to get it to start watching. He told us that he understands alot more now and the interpreter told us she'll have to talk to us later about the conversation that Russ and JV had in Gospel Principles. From what I could catch in between teaching and based on what few signs I do know I caught a general idea of Russ asking JV about the Word of Wisdom and Law of Chastity and without even knowing it JV was testifying of what it was, how it will help him, and how he can find strength to overcome. Sister Kirkham, who was the interpreter, said that JV was basically converting Russ right there at church! It was so amazing and like I said a miracle and answer to prayer that the Lord provided for us.
I hope to hear again from you all soon. Once again thanks for all the emails, pictures, love, and support you guys show to me. Keep praying for me because as that story goes to show the Lord provides miracles in all sorts of ways to accomplish his purposes. I love and miss you guys and am always praying for you.
Love, Elder Craft
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Temple Trip
Hey Family!
I will just apologize now for this email being not on a Monday like usual, and for possibly being a little shorter too. We went to the temple as a zone this morning, so that's why P-Day has been moved to today. It was amazing to be able to go with a group of about 18 Elders and Sisters and spend that time together in the House of the Lord. It felt like the MTC all over again because our session was full of missionaries. I think that's due in part to the fact that the St. Paul temple here is about 1/3 the size of the Ogden temple, so it can fill up with people really fast haha. I love it though! A temple is a temple and I'm so thankful to be as close as I am and to have one in my mission for that matter. I know some of my friends in other missions aren't that lucky and I really feel blessed to have one I can go to. Every time I have gone it makes me feel so blessed and lucky to have all of you as the family that I do! I love and appreciate all of you and the knowledge we have of restored priesthood power and a plan that our Heavenly Father has for us to all be together for eternity! That's the greatest peace, joy, and knowledge that I have in this life!
As for this week here in the big "S Creezy" it hasn't been anything to insane. We're still working with Russ and trying to help him progress. He's doing well and taking baby steps. He just gets so frustrated because he can't communicate with anyone at church or even at his house. He told the interpreter in our last lesson that they are way to slow for him and he can't even understand most of what happens at church. I'm just glad that we do have as many people in our ward that know ASL as we do because the lessons would go a lot more slowly if we had to write everything out . We've only had to do that once when we stopped by to see just how things were going and he wanted to talk more. It's crazy though how real the gifts of the spirit are. There's times that he doesn't even sign to us and just talks and we can understand him. No one else can even the interpreters sometimes but Elder Haupt and I can. We're just hoping that he doesn't get so frustrated that he just gives up completely. Not much to report on Micheal this week. Slowly but surely we'll get him to the font haha. One of our other investigators that I might have talked about John Mays up and moved without any warning in typical North Minneapolis fashion. We had a lesson Saturday and when we went to stop by a few days later his sister told us he'd moved out after our appointment Saturday back to his dad's but they don't know what that address is and he has no phone number now. We've had a few investigators move on us like this and it's tough to try and track them down again. We at least have a one block area that it's narrowed down to, so we're confident that with the spirit we can find him.
That sounds like a crazy week for everyone back home! Little Raylee's officially here! That's so exciting and less than one year after Brandt too. That's crazy! Good luck Camie and Brock haha. No i'm jk. I'm excited to hear that she's doing well and to see the pictures of her that I did. She sure looks cute. It looks like Brandt had a good birthday party Monday too. That picture that Mom sent of him eating his panda bear cake was hilarious! He looks just zoned out totally in love with the chocolate he's eating. I liked the Boston hat on the bear too haha.
Well sorry that I have to cut this so short today. Because we went to the temple we don't have much time to finish all the other P-Day stuff that we have to. From what I've heard everyone seems happy and healthy and I'm happy to hear it. I love and miss you all and look forward to talking to you again on the first normal P-Day in a while on Monday. I'll keep you in my prayers and talk to you in 4 days haha.
Love, Elder Craft
I will just apologize now for this email being not on a Monday like usual, and for possibly being a little shorter too. We went to the temple as a zone this morning, so that's why P-Day has been moved to today. It was amazing to be able to go with a group of about 18 Elders and Sisters and spend that time together in the House of the Lord. It felt like the MTC all over again because our session was full of missionaries. I think that's due in part to the fact that the St. Paul temple here is about 1/3 the size of the Ogden temple, so it can fill up with people really fast haha. I love it though! A temple is a temple and I'm so thankful to be as close as I am and to have one in my mission for that matter. I know some of my friends in other missions aren't that lucky and I really feel blessed to have one I can go to. Every time I have gone it makes me feel so blessed and lucky to have all of you as the family that I do! I love and appreciate all of you and the knowledge we have of restored priesthood power and a plan that our Heavenly Father has for us to all be together for eternity! That's the greatest peace, joy, and knowledge that I have in this life!
As for this week here in the big "S Creezy" it hasn't been anything to insane. We're still working with Russ and trying to help him progress. He's doing well and taking baby steps. He just gets so frustrated because he can't communicate with anyone at church or even at his house. He told the interpreter in our last lesson that they are way to slow for him and he can't even understand most of what happens at church. I'm just glad that we do have as many people in our ward that know ASL as we do because the lessons would go a lot more slowly if we had to write everything out . We've only had to do that once when we stopped by to see just how things were going and he wanted to talk more. It's crazy though how real the gifts of the spirit are. There's times that he doesn't even sign to us and just talks and we can understand him. No one else can even the interpreters sometimes but Elder Haupt and I can. We're just hoping that he doesn't get so frustrated that he just gives up completely. Not much to report on Micheal this week. Slowly but surely we'll get him to the font haha. One of our other investigators that I might have talked about John Mays up and moved without any warning in typical North Minneapolis fashion. We had a lesson Saturday and when we went to stop by a few days later his sister told us he'd moved out after our appointment Saturday back to his dad's but they don't know what that address is and he has no phone number now. We've had a few investigators move on us like this and it's tough to try and track them down again. We at least have a one block area that it's narrowed down to, so we're confident that with the spirit we can find him.
That sounds like a crazy week for everyone back home! Little Raylee's officially here! That's so exciting and less than one year after Brandt too. That's crazy! Good luck Camie and Brock haha. No i'm jk. I'm excited to hear that she's doing well and to see the pictures of her that I did. She sure looks cute. It looks like Brandt had a good birthday party Monday too. That picture that Mom sent of him eating his panda bear cake was hilarious! He looks just zoned out totally in love with the chocolate he's eating. I liked the Boston hat on the bear too haha.
Well sorry that I have to cut this so short today. Because we went to the temple we don't have much time to finish all the other P-Day stuff that we have to. From what I've heard everyone seems happy and healthy and I'm happy to hear it. I love and miss you all and look forward to talking to you again on the first normal P-Day in a while on Monday. I'll keep you in my prayers and talk to you in 4 days haha.
Love, Elder Craft
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Another Zone Conference
Hey Craft Family and Friends!
Sorry that I wasn't able to email you all yesterday. We had Zone Conference on a Monday again, so P-Day was pushed to today. I think they purposely schedule it on Mondays to see how well we as missionaries are at either planning or surviving or possibly both haha. Planning to see if we actually do plan ahead and have enough food that we're not eating any last grains of rice or something on Monday because all our food supply was rationed just for a weeks time. Then surviving for those missionaries who might actually do that haha. I'm jk Zone Conference was great! I think I say that every time but I just love when Zone Conference rolls around every few months! I feel so motivated and spiritually uplifted to go out and conquer all of Minnesota haha. It's great to be able to just be around a large group of missionaries that are all going through the same sort of things you are and have such great experiences and testimonies to learn from. Yesterday President Clements gave a fantastic training on overcoming investigators concerns and feeling true love for those we serve and teach along with a true love for the Gospel. Especially what's taught in The Book of Mormon. I really do love it! We never seem to have enough time to just sit and read from The Book or Mormon during study time. We do a lot of lesson plans of planning for people throughout the day trying to help resolve concerns and teach to their needs, so it is good and I love being able to study and learn for the time I do. I've just learned so much so far that I can't even believe and I know that I'm not even close to knowing as much as I would like. So much to learn and apply and so little time to do it haha. It was great at Zone Conference for a couple other reasons too. We had a 3 Zone combined conference and as a result there were a lot of missionaries that were there. Including Elder Judkins, Elder Russell, and my old District Leader down in Kasson, Elder Nelson. It's always fun to be able to see missionaries you know and talk to them again, so I had the chance to do that with a lot of them yesterday. It was funny cause Elder Baxter the one I played against from Layton was there too, so as Elder Judkins and I were talking he walked up. It was like a Region 1 soccer reunion haha. Elder Haupt was like, "man I swear you've played everyone in soccer" haha. The tradition here in the MMM is to have all new missionaries come up to the front after lunch that have come out since the last Zone Conference and people can raise their hands to tell facts they know about each one. Once there's not any more hands the trainer gets to come up and introduce and fill in anything else about him. So with Elder Haupt I went up and to start it off I said, "yes he is a cyclist like you all know, but a lot of people have asked about his wrist. So for those of you who don't know we actually took the training wheels off his bike last week and now you can see what happened". haha It's a good thing he's a good sport and just kind of goes with my sarcastic sense of humor haha. It's always a good time to see what random facts come up about missionaries. I'm pretty sure with most of the "facts" missionaries blurt out it's like a game of "2 truths and 1 lie" type thing. Just judging by the faces of the missionaries it's said about and from my own experience haha.
As for Elder Haupt and his injuries we had to go to the Dr. last week by order of Salt Lake and found out from the Dr. that he had "a crack in his radius". He didn't know whether it was broken or if it was just his growth plate that never fused together. Now he's been wearing this carbon fiber type splint for the past week that's just held in place with an ACE bandage and only has to wear it for a few more days. I guess to put it simply he's doing fine and his bike didn't have hardly any damage either, so we were lucky.
Thank you soo much for your letters and emails! I really appreciate it from all of you! It means a lot because I know how busy your civilian lives are haha. Don't feel bad if you don't write every week though. I know that it doesn't mean you love me any less, so don't feel guilty like you have to write me. Just whenever you have a chance is nice. You know where I am for the next few months too so there's no rush! ;) haha
Just to kind of answer or respond to some things you all asked or said:
Mom and Dad: That's really cool about the talk you got to hear on prayer Mom. It really is such a powerful thing that I'm trying to work on as well. I know that it is a communication tool that we have been to graciously given by our loving Father in Heaven that wants to hear from us and help us. I've seen it personally and with other missionaries and people. The last district meeting I did was actually on prayer. I appreciated the testimony you sent too Mom. Thank you. That's too bad to hear about Camie's almost big event. That has to be frustrating. but I'm sure there's a reason why. That probably doesn't help her much with pain or frustrating but it's all I have to offer haha. The friend you ran into Dad was Tyler Smith. You can tell him too that I never heard back from either him or Mitch since I wrote them in the MTC. I don't know what happened but I look forward to talking to him. He's so funny! I love that guy! Thanks for Tavan's address too. I'll be sure to write him a Wilkommen lettern. ;)
Nick and Tati: Thanks so much for the email! I really enjoy hearing from you guys and now knowing that nothing too crazy has happened I guess. Anytime I hear about anyone going to or that's been to DC at all I always talk about you guys. I just have one question, so what is it that you are doing at your internship exactly? Is it basically exactly what it sounds like something for Human Rights? I'm just kind of curious ha.
Kat and Tom: That sounds like a ton of fun for you two kids! Lagoon and Seven Peaks back to back in one week. You just lived every 6th graders dream! haha jk that really does sound like a lot of fun. I'm glad you had a good time and liked the new rides. Did you go on the giant half pipe at Seven Peaks? I think it's called Boomerang or something like that? It was pretty intense when I went on it a few years ago. Good luck with the sealing plans and everything. I hope it all works out for you. I'll keep praying that it does. Regardless it sounds like your trip is going to be amazing! Those pictures looked sweet! Maybe in a few years when you do go back I'll have to tag along and try to unthaw from this next winter here. haha ;) My address here is 4709 76th Ave. N. Brooklyn Park, MN 55443. You don't really have to send me anything, but if you insist on trying this new packing method I guess I can't stop you ;) haha Thanks you guys are the best!
Well thanks again for all you guys do for me! All your support, love, and prayers are definitely felt and appreciated! I love this Gospel and the blessing it brings to my life and to all of us as an eternal family! You're the greatest and I love and miss you! I can't wait to hear from you again.
Love, Elder Alex Craft
Sorry that I wasn't able to email you all yesterday. We had Zone Conference on a Monday again, so P-Day was pushed to today. I think they purposely schedule it on Mondays to see how well we as missionaries are at either planning or surviving or possibly both haha. Planning to see if we actually do plan ahead and have enough food that we're not eating any last grains of rice or something on Monday because all our food supply was rationed just for a weeks time. Then surviving for those missionaries who might actually do that haha. I'm jk Zone Conference was great! I think I say that every time but I just love when Zone Conference rolls around every few months! I feel so motivated and spiritually uplifted to go out and conquer all of Minnesota haha. It's great to be able to just be around a large group of missionaries that are all going through the same sort of things you are and have such great experiences and testimonies to learn from. Yesterday President Clements gave a fantastic training on overcoming investigators concerns and feeling true love for those we serve and teach along with a true love for the Gospel. Especially what's taught in The Book of Mormon. I really do love it! We never seem to have enough time to just sit and read from The Book or Mormon during study time. We do a lot of lesson plans of planning for people throughout the day trying to help resolve concerns and teach to their needs, so it is good and I love being able to study and learn for the time I do. I've just learned so much so far that I can't even believe and I know that I'm not even close to knowing as much as I would like. So much to learn and apply and so little time to do it haha. It was great at Zone Conference for a couple other reasons too. We had a 3 Zone combined conference and as a result there were a lot of missionaries that were there. Including Elder Judkins, Elder Russell, and my old District Leader down in Kasson, Elder Nelson. It's always fun to be able to see missionaries you know and talk to them again, so I had the chance to do that with a lot of them yesterday. It was funny cause Elder Baxter the one I played against from Layton was there too, so as Elder Judkins and I were talking he walked up. It was like a Region 1 soccer reunion haha. Elder Haupt was like, "man I swear you've played everyone in soccer" haha. The tradition here in the MMM is to have all new missionaries come up to the front after lunch that have come out since the last Zone Conference and people can raise their hands to tell facts they know about each one. Once there's not any more hands the trainer gets to come up and introduce and fill in anything else about him. So with Elder Haupt I went up and to start it off I said, "yes he is a cyclist like you all know, but a lot of people have asked about his wrist. So for those of you who don't know we actually took the training wheels off his bike last week and now you can see what happened". haha It's a good thing he's a good sport and just kind of goes with my sarcastic sense of humor haha. It's always a good time to see what random facts come up about missionaries. I'm pretty sure with most of the "facts" missionaries blurt out it's like a game of "2 truths and 1 lie" type thing. Just judging by the faces of the missionaries it's said about and from my own experience haha.
As for Elder Haupt and his injuries we had to go to the Dr. last week by order of Salt Lake and found out from the Dr. that he had "a crack in his radius". He didn't know whether it was broken or if it was just his growth plate that never fused together. Now he's been wearing this carbon fiber type splint for the past week that's just held in place with an ACE bandage and only has to wear it for a few more days. I guess to put it simply he's doing fine and his bike didn't have hardly any damage either, so we were lucky.
Thank you soo much for your letters and emails! I really appreciate it from all of you! It means a lot because I know how busy your civilian lives are haha. Don't feel bad if you don't write every week though. I know that it doesn't mean you love me any less, so don't feel guilty like you have to write me. Just whenever you have a chance is nice. You know where I am for the next few months too so there's no rush! ;) haha
Just to kind of answer or respond to some things you all asked or said:
Mom and Dad: That's really cool about the talk you got to hear on prayer Mom. It really is such a powerful thing that I'm trying to work on as well. I know that it is a communication tool that we have been to graciously given by our loving Father in Heaven that wants to hear from us and help us. I've seen it personally and with other missionaries and people. The last district meeting I did was actually on prayer. I appreciated the testimony you sent too Mom. Thank you. That's too bad to hear about Camie's almost big event. That has to be frustrating. but I'm sure there's a reason why. That probably doesn't help her much with pain or frustrating but it's all I have to offer haha. The friend you ran into Dad was Tyler Smith. You can tell him too that I never heard back from either him or Mitch since I wrote them in the MTC. I don't know what happened but I look forward to talking to him. He's so funny! I love that guy! Thanks for Tavan's address too. I'll be sure to write him a Wilkommen lettern. ;)
Nick and Tati: Thanks so much for the email! I really enjoy hearing from you guys and now knowing that nothing too crazy has happened I guess. Anytime I hear about anyone going to or that's been to DC at all I always talk about you guys. I just have one question, so what is it that you are doing at your internship exactly? Is it basically exactly what it sounds like something for Human Rights? I'm just kind of curious ha.
Kat and Tom: That sounds like a ton of fun for you two kids! Lagoon and Seven Peaks back to back in one week. You just lived every 6th graders dream! haha jk that really does sound like a lot of fun. I'm glad you had a good time and liked the new rides. Did you go on the giant half pipe at Seven Peaks? I think it's called Boomerang or something like that? It was pretty intense when I went on it a few years ago. Good luck with the sealing plans and everything. I hope it all works out for you. I'll keep praying that it does. Regardless it sounds like your trip is going to be amazing! Those pictures looked sweet! Maybe in a few years when you do go back I'll have to tag along and try to unthaw from this next winter here. haha ;) My address here is 4709 76th Ave. N. Brooklyn Park, MN 55443. You don't really have to send me anything, but if you insist on trying this new packing method I guess I can't stop you ;) haha Thanks you guys are the best!
Well thanks again for all you guys do for me! All your support, love, and prayers are definitely felt and appreciated! I love this Gospel and the blessing it brings to my life and to all of us as an eternal family! You're the greatest and I love and miss you! I can't wait to hear from you again.
Love, Elder Alex Craft
Monday, August 8, 2011
Learning to Interpret the Signs
Dear Crafts,
I hope that everything is going well for all you there. Elder Haupt and I had a good week. We were able to meet with Russ, our deaf investigator, again last week and he came to church. He wants to learn so bad but feels overwhelmed that he can't take it all in at once. We had a lesson in Gospel Principles yesterday all about Family Responsibilities and how the family unit is suppose to work and function together. He got a little upset. Not so much at the teacher or any of us just more so with trying to understand how that could work. It just made him think about his own childhood and the situation he was in with all the trials and things he went through. He got up and left in the middle of class and went outside to calm down. We found him after class a few minutes later coming back in from outside for priesthood. He told us in the easiest sign language possible that he just need a cigarette to calm down haha. I just kind of thought to myself, "well I know what lesson we need to teach next" and that "I guess it's not the worst thing he could do at church" haha. It's just interesting working with these sort of situations. Like I said he's a great guy he just has some things to learn, but I have faith he will overcome these struggles. Sorry that was kind of a random story but I get a lot of those in a week haha. This lesson this week and the one last week on the blessings of Eternal Families made me really think about you guys back home. I really am just so thankful for the blessing that you all are in my life. Mom and Dad have done an amazing job of making our family the way that it is. I really appreciate and am grateful for the opportunity I've had to grow up with loving parents and siblings I can trust with a foundation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for me to build my own life upon. It makes me realize how great this work we are doing is in helping others realize the same blessings they can have in their own lives. That firm foundation they can have. One that if they build upon " they cannot fall". So I just thought I would tell you all how thankful I am for each one of you and the blessings of peace, comfort, joy, and love that you've brought into my life.
As far as anything new there's not too much to report on. Micheal is still doing well. Unfortunately he didn't come to church yesterday, but because he has been to church about 13 times now he is still scheduled to be baptized on the 20th if he comes to church next week. We'll keep praying and definitely keep our fingers crossed for him.
There were some pretty exciting stories from yesterday that I could tell. They both were last night and the one happened when Elder Haupt and I were going down an overpass sidewalk. We were picking up speed going down and about half way down his feet slipped off his pedals or something to that effect happened and caused his bike to turn right in front of mine. He went over the bike on the sidewalk and slid about 20 feet. Luckily I had swerved just out of the way of his bike and past him, but by the time I'd hit my brakes and come to a stop, after my 20 foot skid, he was getting up out of the gutter on the side walk to pick up his bike. He got some nasty road rash on the back of his left hand and shoulder. His shirt and slacks got shredded up pretty good, and his helmets cracked on the side where he hit. For how bad it could have been though he's pretty lucky. I felt bad that he was hurt but I just told him I'm so glad he didn't some how take me out on his way down and make it a 2 man bike pile up, or that I didn't hit him and make things worse for both of us. He's a little sore today but doing fine. We have to go to the doctor as a rule of the mission to get him checked out today, but all in all we know the Lord knows, loves, and protects His missionaries. The next story is better haha. After his wreck we got his bike up and just walked the short half mile to the Elm Creek Elder's apartment. Luckily we were just on the edge of our area down the street from their apartment, and even better they were home so we could clean up his cuts. After we were finished and going to head home we went down to our bikes that were locked on the fence right next to theirs and Elder Turner's seat was gone haha. All 4 of our bikes were there locked up, but only his seat was gone. We could not believe that someone honestly stole a bike seat haha. We laughed pretty hard at that, so it helped add a little humor to the night at Elder Turner's expense. It made me realize too why we do lock up our helmets down in North Minne. Sometimes I wonder about people and the reasons they do things that they do.
Well I think that that's all as for the update from here in "The Hood" haha. I love and miss all of you and can't wait to hear from you again. Hopefully there's more stories and things to report on next week.
Love, Elder Craft
I hope that everything is going well for all you there. Elder Haupt and I had a good week. We were able to meet with Russ, our deaf investigator, again last week and he came to church. He wants to learn so bad but feels overwhelmed that he can't take it all in at once. We had a lesson in Gospel Principles yesterday all about Family Responsibilities and how the family unit is suppose to work and function together. He got a little upset. Not so much at the teacher or any of us just more so with trying to understand how that could work. It just made him think about his own childhood and the situation he was in with all the trials and things he went through. He got up and left in the middle of class and went outside to calm down. We found him after class a few minutes later coming back in from outside for priesthood. He told us in the easiest sign language possible that he just need a cigarette to calm down haha. I just kind of thought to myself, "well I know what lesson we need to teach next" and that "I guess it's not the worst thing he could do at church" haha. It's just interesting working with these sort of situations. Like I said he's a great guy he just has some things to learn, but I have faith he will overcome these struggles. Sorry that was kind of a random story but I get a lot of those in a week haha. This lesson this week and the one last week on the blessings of Eternal Families made me really think about you guys back home. I really am just so thankful for the blessing that you all are in my life. Mom and Dad have done an amazing job of making our family the way that it is. I really appreciate and am grateful for the opportunity I've had to grow up with loving parents and siblings I can trust with a foundation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for me to build my own life upon. It makes me realize how great this work we are doing is in helping others realize the same blessings they can have in their own lives. That firm foundation they can have. One that if they build upon " they cannot fall". So I just thought I would tell you all how thankful I am for each one of you and the blessings of peace, comfort, joy, and love that you've brought into my life.
As far as anything new there's not too much to report on. Micheal is still doing well. Unfortunately he didn't come to church yesterday, but because he has been to church about 13 times now he is still scheduled to be baptized on the 20th if he comes to church next week. We'll keep praying and definitely keep our fingers crossed for him.
There were some pretty exciting stories from yesterday that I could tell. They both were last night and the one happened when Elder Haupt and I were going down an overpass sidewalk. We were picking up speed going down and about half way down his feet slipped off his pedals or something to that effect happened and caused his bike to turn right in front of mine. He went over the bike on the sidewalk and slid about 20 feet. Luckily I had swerved just out of the way of his bike and past him, but by the time I'd hit my brakes and come to a stop, after my 20 foot skid, he was getting up out of the gutter on the side walk to pick up his bike. He got some nasty road rash on the back of his left hand and shoulder. His shirt and slacks got shredded up pretty good, and his helmets cracked on the side where he hit. For how bad it could have been though he's pretty lucky. I felt bad that he was hurt but I just told him I'm so glad he didn't some how take me out on his way down and make it a 2 man bike pile up, or that I didn't hit him and make things worse for both of us. He's a little sore today but doing fine. We have to go to the doctor as a rule of the mission to get him checked out today, but all in all we know the Lord knows, loves, and protects His missionaries. The next story is better haha. After his wreck we got his bike up and just walked the short half mile to the Elm Creek Elder's apartment. Luckily we were just on the edge of our area down the street from their apartment, and even better they were home so we could clean up his cuts. After we were finished and going to head home we went down to our bikes that were locked on the fence right next to theirs and Elder Turner's seat was gone haha. All 4 of our bikes were there locked up, but only his seat was gone. We could not believe that someone honestly stole a bike seat haha. We laughed pretty hard at that, so it helped add a little humor to the night at Elder Turner's expense. It made me realize too why we do lock up our helmets down in North Minne. Sometimes I wonder about people and the reasons they do things that they do.
Well I think that that's all as for the update from here in "The Hood" haha. I love and miss all of you and can't wait to hear from you again. Hopefully there's more stories and things to report on next week.
Love, Elder Craft
Monday, August 1, 2011
A Little Stability
Hey Everyone,
I'm glad to hear that everyone at home is doing well. This week for us was great. Transfer calls were this morning and for the first transfer of my mission I am keeping the same companion. Elder Haupt and I already knew that though because this new training out line is 12 weeks long. It wasn't any real surprise to us not getting a call this morning, but we are excited to keep up the hard work and seeing the blessings of the Lord here in The Hood haha. I did get one change this morning with transfers. There's now a set of Sister missionaries in our district. So now instead of just us four Elders we have two Sisters as well. It will be pretty cool I think. I haven't been in a district with Sisters yet on my mission. What's cool too is that all three of us companionships here consist of a trainer and trainee. Plus, Sister Daniel is the Sister that came out with me from my MTC district. That's basically all the news I have for now though at least about changes with transfers haha.
I told you all about a couple new investigators last week Russ and Pierre, so I figured I'd give you a little update on them from this week. Russ is still doing great and he came to church again yesterday. He has a lot of questions that we're trying hard to answer for him as he's trying to learn. He's great and always really excited to see us. He was asked a couple funny questions yesterday to the interpreter about us. One was if we were the prophets which really isn't too crazy for him to think because he's learning all about what a prophet even is. The next one that made us laugh was why we weren't married yet. haha He's just a funny guy. As for Pierre. . .man he was one interesting character. We met with him 4 times total last week that probably combined was 9 hrs total. What started last week as a lot of questions turned into a quiz on our scriptural references each time we went. He wanted answers and we'd give them to him, most with a Bible reference in fact, but nothing sufficed. He wanted firm evidence about our relationship with God and Jesus Christ, the origin of The Book of Mormon, and Joseph Smith's First Vision. Things that can't all be provided and proved through just Bible reference. That makes the entire definition of Faith obsolete. We even had a lesson at the mission home with President Clements on Friday so that he could help teach and see what we were talking about first hand. We were so excited about Pierre, but by the end of the week we realized that it might not be the best investment of time to continue to work with him. I'm glad that I got to know and meet him. He's a great guy and it was a great experience both for my testimony and knowledge to grow in. Next time I run into another Evangelical type personality I'll know what to expect.
We had an amazing miracle on Wednesday. Micheal, who I've mentioned before, text us and said that he had decided on a date and wants to be baptized on the 20th of August! We were amazed because we haven't been pushing or really meeting with him to much, but the Lord and the Spirit can work wonders within people. We met with him Friday and his whole countenance has changed. He was so happy talking about being excited to be baptized! It was nothing short of a miracle that came as an answer to much fasting and many prayers. Thanks everyone for the prayers and support because we were able to see the fruits of that labor this past week.
We're really excited to continue in the work and miracles that we've seen here. They're all around us and August is going to be ab amazing month! What is kind of weird for me is that this Wednesday Elder Blume, my trainer, will be going home. He's the first companion of mine to go home and it's weird to think that he'll be headed back to Utah. He's a great missionary that taught me alot. If you ever run into a Joshua Blume from American Fork that's him haha. Elder Pilcher is going home this Wednesday too so the MMM will only have one Hooperite for a little while. That is until Elder Mead comes on up to the land of 10,000 lakes, windchill, and extreme heat index haha.
I love you all so much and once again thank you for all the love, support, and prayers given on my behalf. You guys are great! I'm glad to hear about the good news for you Kat! Congratulations!! And I look forward to more good news from Camie and Brock here in a few weeks. I can't wait to hear from you all again. Sorry it's not too long, but there will be more miracles to report on next week :).
Love, Elder Craft
Monday, July 11, 2011
New President
Hello Everybody! haha
Thank you so much for all the support and letters from everyone this week! I really love and appreciate it.
That's so awesome that you were able to meet the Howells, Mom and Dad. They are amazing people! It's funny about Sister Howell how Mom had mentioned she was emotional but just kept on through it because that's exactly how her trainings would go. Tears or no tears she always had something great to say and teach us and it always came through haha. It was definitely sad to see them go, but after meeting President and Sister Clements this week I agree with what President Howell said, "things are only going to get better". President Clements is so great! He's so great and has that same genuine care and love that President Howell did. He has a good sense of humor as well. We have our interviews with him this week, so I'm excited to get to know him even better. Sister Clements is super nice too and I'm looking forward to the next little while that we have to spend here in this part of the Lord's vineyard working together.
That's so crazy about Mitch! I couldn't believe when I read the Philippines and then to have it be the exact same mission as Brady. That's incredible! That's so weird to think that Mitch will be leaving on his mission after I've been out for over a year! That's so crazy! He's probably hating the fact that his birthday's so late. Brady could in all reality have his call about the same time that Mitch leaves.
Sounds like things back home are as exciting as ever for everyone. Brady and Natalie sound like they're having fun on those adventures of theirs. Is Natalie going to be up in Idaho until the baby's born?
As far as here in the grand old MMM things are going to amazing!! Elder Haupt has faith like you wouldn't believe. Our faith and the hard work we're putting in have definitely been manifest in the miracles of the past week. Yesterday when we had to call in the numbers for the week we realized that we had almost doubled the amount of lessons from last week (that's not really so impressive because we didn't do so good at all last week haha). The real miracle was that we were able to pick up 7 new investigators because of those lessons we had been teaching! The Lord is preparing people all around us and this week we were priveleged enough to work hard, talk to everyone, and find them! We are always looking for those humble people to teach and they are either in humble circumstances or compelled to be humble by some other way, and down in "The Hood" is where the humble people are. I have a testimony of contacting and working down in North Minneapolis (just before 8:30-9 pm though jk haha). Those people down there are always wanting to hear about Jesus and willing and wanting to pray with us! It's great! That's where most of our new investigators came from. Even though it's the Southern part of our area the extra miles on the bike just build character haha. Being able to see these people grow in their faith of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice make it all worth it. Now we just have to figure out how to get all these humble people without cars to church and we'll be good haha. We can only carry so many on our handlebars jk ;). We've set a goal this week of teaching at least 20 lessons and I know the Lord will provide those people to teach and the appointments we have with all these new people to be solid. We got close last week and I've done it before in Menomonie so Elder Haupt and I are going to be working like it all depends on us and praying like it all depends on the Lord!
Kind of as a side note to answer your question Dad yes I am still the District Leader and Training at the same time. It's great! I love these Elders in my district. Elder Haupt and Elder Turner both came out together and Elder Bennett just finished as a trainee and moved into the position as trainer. It's pretty funny now being the "oldest" missionary in the district. If you take all the other Elders time out in the field and combine it I've still been out longer. I never thought I'd be able to say that haha. We joke about that all the time.
Well I hope that all of you are still doing well and having a great time wherever you're at haha. I love and miss you all! I'm praying for you always and can't wait to hear from you again!
Love, Elder Craft
Thank you so much for all the support and letters from everyone this week! I really love and appreciate it.
That's so awesome that you were able to meet the Howells, Mom and Dad. They are amazing people! It's funny about Sister Howell how Mom had mentioned she was emotional but just kept on through it because that's exactly how her trainings would go. Tears or no tears she always had something great to say and teach us and it always came through haha. It was definitely sad to see them go, but after meeting President and Sister Clements this week I agree with what President Howell said, "things are only going to get better". President Clements is so great! He's so great and has that same genuine care and love that President Howell did. He has a good sense of humor as well. We have our interviews with him this week, so I'm excited to get to know him even better. Sister Clements is super nice too and I'm looking forward to the next little while that we have to spend here in this part of the Lord's vineyard working together.
That's so crazy about Mitch! I couldn't believe when I read the Philippines and then to have it be the exact same mission as Brady. That's incredible! That's so weird to think that Mitch will be leaving on his mission after I've been out for over a year! That's so crazy! He's probably hating the fact that his birthday's so late. Brady could in all reality have his call about the same time that Mitch leaves.
Sounds like things back home are as exciting as ever for everyone. Brady and Natalie sound like they're having fun on those adventures of theirs. Is Natalie going to be up in Idaho until the baby's born?
As far as here in the grand old MMM things are going to amazing!! Elder Haupt has faith like you wouldn't believe. Our faith and the hard work we're putting in have definitely been manifest in the miracles of the past week. Yesterday when we had to call in the numbers for the week we realized that we had almost doubled the amount of lessons from last week (that's not really so impressive because we didn't do so good at all last week haha). The real miracle was that we were able to pick up 7 new investigators because of those lessons we had been teaching! The Lord is preparing people all around us and this week we were priveleged enough to work hard, talk to everyone, and find them! We are always looking for those humble people to teach and they are either in humble circumstances or compelled to be humble by some other way, and down in "The Hood" is where the humble people are. I have a testimony of contacting and working down in North Minneapolis (just before 8:30-9 pm though jk haha). Those people down there are always wanting to hear about Jesus and willing and wanting to pray with us! It's great! That's where most of our new investigators came from. Even though it's the Southern part of our area the extra miles on the bike just build character haha. Being able to see these people grow in their faith of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice make it all worth it. Now we just have to figure out how to get all these humble people without cars to church and we'll be good haha. We can only carry so many on our handlebars jk ;). We've set a goal this week of teaching at least 20 lessons and I know the Lord will provide those people to teach and the appointments we have with all these new people to be solid. We got close last week and I've done it before in Menomonie so Elder Haupt and I are going to be working like it all depends on us and praying like it all depends on the Lord!
Kind of as a side note to answer your question Dad yes I am still the District Leader and Training at the same time. It's great! I love these Elders in my district. Elder Haupt and Elder Turner both came out together and Elder Bennett just finished as a trainee and moved into the position as trainer. It's pretty funny now being the "oldest" missionary in the district. If you take all the other Elders time out in the field and combine it I've still been out longer. I never thought I'd be able to say that haha. We joke about that all the time.
Well I hope that all of you are still doing well and having a great time wherever you're at haha. I love and miss you all! I'm praying for you always and can't wait to hear from you again!
Love, Elder Craft
Monday, June 20, 2011
It's a Boy!
Dear Family,
I'm glad to hear from what Mom was able to tell me that everyone's doing well. I'm a little confused as to what this award scarf thing is that Brady got but I guess when you're out of the loop that's what happens haha. I hope that everyone was able to have a good Father's Day. I'm glad that you like the card Dad. I hope all goes well with you traveling and everything this week. The Father's Day for us was just the same as everyday in case anyone was wondering haha. We did get transfer calls last night which was a little different because those usually come on the Monday morning before transfers, but President Howell's leaving so he kind of does what he wants. Unfortunately for us our phone has really been acting up recently. It turns itself off and won't let us turn it back on until it decides. It's really frustrating and was even more so yesterday. It shut off as we were leaving to bike to church and we couldn't get it back on until we got home after church and our coordination meeting. When we did finally get it to work we had a missed call from President Howell for me to call him back. Only problem is that he didn't answer when I did. I wish that I could express the amount of stress that that dumb phone put us under yesterday. I was ready to throw it down the street and make it "give up the ghost" haha. We just had to leave for a couple appointments we had from the day before when we were tracting. Elder Hatch and I started praying in our hearts that it would turn back on just to call President Howell and our dinner appointment who'd also called earlier. All I have to say is that the Lord provides those tender mercies and answers prayers. Even the small seemingly insignificant ones because we got it turned back on. We had another missed call from President Howell but because our phone was running on the spirit this time I called him back and got to talk with him. He asked me how my obedience and companionship study was going. I told him pretty good and his exact response was, "well we're going to have to try and make it even better. I want you to train one of those new missionaries coming in Elder". I'm now going to be training for the next 2 transfers (3 months) with this new missionary that comes in on Wednesday. He'll be my companion that I'll have had the longest and Shingle Creek will be the longest area I'll be in. I'm excited to be able to help this new missionary with the start of his mission. Sorry that was kind of a long story just about a malfunctioning phone but like I said it was alot of added stress and problems for us at the most inconvenient of times. Isn't that how it always is though? haha Like you've probably already all figured out Elder Hatch by default is now leaving and being transferred for the first time in his 4 1/2 months out. He's going to North Branch which is only about 40 miles north and a little East of here. From what I've heard it's a great area he's really going to love. I'm really glad I got the opportunity to learn and grow with him through all the different experiences we've had the past 6 weeks. It's a little sad the our district couldn't stay together because we all really like each other but the Lord knows what he's doing. Elder Kingston is moving North of Elder hatch a ways up to a place called Askov for the last 6 weeks of his mission. He's going to the U right when he gets home and said he wants to go up to Hooper to visit my family. So if you have an Elder Joey Kingston from LA who's going to the University of Utah show up on the front step one day to say hi you'll know why. haha Elder Bennett is still going to be here with me from our district for the next 2 transfers too because he's training also. It's going to be interesting now being the "oldest" missionary in our district . We'll have to 2 new Greenies and Elder Bennett who just finished his 3 months of being trained by Elder Kingston. President Clements will be coming in this week I think with the new missionaries. I hope you were able to get the forward of when and where President and Sister Howell will be speaking. It's weird to have them go but I'm excited to get to know and help President Clements any way I can now.
As for any new news here on the work Micheal is still working towards being baptized. We met with him a couple times last week. He's been taught everything, interviewed, and read The Book of Mormon. He's so ready but like he told us last week he's the only one holding himself back. He's nervous to mess up again once he is baptized, so it's a legitimate concern. We are just trying to encourage and assure him that he is ready without him feeling pushed or unsure about getting baptized at all. I have faith that he will be baptized in the next few weeks it's just a matter of him feeling ready and confident.
That's about all for the exciting and new information here. I have one more question that Brady might be able to answer. KC John should be either home or coming home this month and I was just curious when his homecoming was or will be? I'm glad to hear that all is well and I hope that everyone will continue to be blessed and watch over. I pray for you all always. I love and miss you and can't wait to hear from you again!
Love, Elder Alex Craft
I'm glad to hear from what Mom was able to tell me that everyone's doing well. I'm a little confused as to what this award scarf thing is that Brady got but I guess when you're out of the loop that's what happens haha. I hope that everyone was able to have a good Father's Day. I'm glad that you like the card Dad. I hope all goes well with you traveling and everything this week. The Father's Day for us was just the same as everyday in case anyone was wondering haha. We did get transfer calls last night which was a little different because those usually come on the Monday morning before transfers, but President Howell's leaving so he kind of does what he wants. Unfortunately for us our phone has really been acting up recently. It turns itself off and won't let us turn it back on until it decides. It's really frustrating and was even more so yesterday. It shut off as we were leaving to bike to church and we couldn't get it back on until we got home after church and our coordination meeting. When we did finally get it to work we had a missed call from President Howell for me to call him back. Only problem is that he didn't answer when I did. I wish that I could express the amount of stress that that dumb phone put us under yesterday. I was ready to throw it down the street and make it "give up the ghost" haha. We just had to leave for a couple appointments we had from the day before when we were tracting. Elder Hatch and I started praying in our hearts that it would turn back on just to call President Howell and our dinner appointment who'd also called earlier. All I have to say is that the Lord provides those tender mercies and answers prayers. Even the small seemingly insignificant ones because we got it turned back on. We had another missed call from President Howell but because our phone was running on the spirit this time I called him back and got to talk with him. He asked me how my obedience and companionship study was going. I told him pretty good and his exact response was, "well we're going to have to try and make it even better. I want you to train one of those new missionaries coming in Elder". I'm now going to be training for the next 2 transfers (3 months) with this new missionary that comes in on Wednesday. He'll be my companion that I'll have had the longest and Shingle Creek will be the longest area I'll be in. I'm excited to be able to help this new missionary with the start of his mission. Sorry that was kind of a long story just about a malfunctioning phone but like I said it was alot of added stress and problems for us at the most inconvenient of times. Isn't that how it always is though? haha Like you've probably already all figured out Elder Hatch by default is now leaving and being transferred for the first time in his 4 1/2 months out. He's going to North Branch which is only about 40 miles north and a little East of here. From what I've heard it's a great area he's really going to love. I'm really glad I got the opportunity to learn and grow with him through all the different experiences we've had the past 6 weeks. It's a little sad the our district couldn't stay together because we all really like each other but the Lord knows what he's doing. Elder Kingston is moving North of Elder hatch a ways up to a place called Askov for the last 6 weeks of his mission. He's going to the U right when he gets home and said he wants to go up to Hooper to visit my family. So if you have an Elder Joey Kingston from LA who's going to the University of Utah show up on the front step one day to say hi you'll know why. haha Elder Bennett is still going to be here with me from our district for the next 2 transfers too because he's training also. It's going to be interesting now being the "oldest" missionary in our district . We'll have to 2 new Greenies and Elder Bennett who just finished his 3 months of being trained by Elder Kingston. President Clements will be coming in this week I think with the new missionaries. I hope you were able to get the forward of when and where President and Sister Howell will be speaking. It's weird to have them go but I'm excited to get to know and help President Clements any way I can now.
As for any new news here on the work Micheal is still working towards being baptized. We met with him a couple times last week. He's been taught everything, interviewed, and read The Book of Mormon. He's so ready but like he told us last week he's the only one holding himself back. He's nervous to mess up again once he is baptized, so it's a legitimate concern. We are just trying to encourage and assure him that he is ready without him feeling pushed or unsure about getting baptized at all. I have faith that he will be baptized in the next few weeks it's just a matter of him feeling ready and confident.
That's about all for the exciting and new information here. I have one more question that Brady might be able to answer. KC John should be either home or coming home this month and I was just curious when his homecoming was or will be? I'm glad to hear that all is well and I hope that everyone will continue to be blessed and watch over. I pray for you all always. I love and miss you and can't wait to hear from you again!
Love, Elder Alex Craft
Monday, June 13, 2011
From 0 to 130 in Less Than 90 Days!
Dear Crafts,
I'm so glad to hear that everything's going well with all you guys! This week for me has been a little crazy but very good as well.
To start it off we had a training from President and Sister Howell this past Tuesday mostly talking about the transition of mission presidents and finishing strong and continuing the success for President Clemens. Basically the same stuff that they've been talking about for the past few weeks. It's crazy in 2 weeks they'll be getting all the stuff ready to go back to Utah. I think if I remember right Dad or Mom had mentioned something about going to their homecoming. So after the training when they were talking to all of us I mentioned that to them and they said that they look forward to meeting you if you end up making it down there. That's pretty weird for me to think about that you could be meeting my mission president that I've spent the past 7 months with. The training was good but we had a real shock come after. Like usual Elder Hatch and I rode our bikes there but it was early in the morning so there was nothing out of the ordinary. When we walked outside afterwards it felt like going into an oven! It was 103 degrees out with 98% humidity all day! The breeze that was blowing was just hot air and the ride from the church to our apartment just drenched me in sweat. It was pretty gross. It seriously felt like we were cooking the whole rest of the day riding around. Apparently that was a record day for the Twin Cities. It hasn't been that hot in like 25 years here let alone this early into the summer. We not only set that record but the Twin Cities was also the hottest spot in the country for that day! I don't ever really wish for the winter but that day I was just amazed that at one point a few months ago I was almost 130 degrees colder! Minnesota's just crazy!
The baptism we had Saturday was amazing! Tony was the one who ended up getting baptized. He was so ready! He's going to be an amazing disciple of Jesus Christ and member of the church for the rest of his life. He wanted a member, our Ward Mission Leader, Brother Doolittle to baptize him. It was a really great baptismal service and his mom even came. Hopefully we'll get to talk with her about that soon and see what questions she might have. They even had me to the chorister for the baptism. Luckily for me "How Firm a Foundation" is in 4/4 and "Come Follow Me" in 3/4 so I didn't have too much trouble haha. Yesterday I had the honor of confirming Tony a member of the church and bestowing the gift of the Holy Ghost upon him. I was a little nervous but it went over really well I thought. I don't remember much of what was said but I do know that it was longer than 5 seconds so the Lord put the thoughts and words in my mind of what to say. It was a busy day at church for me though because not only did I get to confirm Tony, but I was also asked to give a 10-15 minute talk on The Plan of Salvation in sacrament meeting. It was a little stressful trying to cover all the points and things that there are in that without leaving any one event out or short changing anything. Every point is just so important I felt like I was rambling on pretty fast connecting the different points and scriptures like crazy. All in all it went well and was a great day at church that we don't get to experience every week.
It's transfer time again next Monday, so we'll see what happens. Who knows it could be companion #6 haha. I don't have any predictions because all the times I have I've been wrong haha. It will be interesting to find out for sure.
Today's only going to be a 1/2 P-Day for me because our district is scheduled to get to go to the temple Thursday! I'm so excited! It's been so long and we actually have the opportunity to go here in this mission, so we decided to take advantage of it. The day we go to the temple becomes our P-Day for the week. Only problem is that we're out of groceries and our laundry needs to be done so we can have clothes the rest of the week haha. Plus I figured if Mom didn't get an email until later on Thursday the mission office would be getting a call haha.
I guess I'll just start to answer some questions people asked and things they said from the emails I got.
Mom: I did hear about Cassie!! That's so crazy! I didn't know it was Bryce Cooke though! I got a letter that told me about 4 girls I graduated with that are married and 3 including Cassie that are engaged! That's just to nuts to me. All I have to say is that most of them didn't surprise me. I'm just hoping that Cassie sends me an invitation at least haha.
Camie: That's so good that this year it's going better for you with this little girl. Don't worry about not writing me. I just like the letters here and there. I hope Brock got the package I sent and it wasn't damaged. I'll bet Brandt looks adorable almost crawling around with all his teeth in that snaggle tooth smile of his haha.
Brady: Thank you for the letter! That's so funny you have the exact same job as Scott and Shae. Did Sidne hook you up with that? Do you ever see her there? I'm so glad that you're starting to experience this new thing in your life known in the real world as responsibility ;) hahahaha. I'm so glad that you loved youth conference and gained such a great testimony from that! That's what happens every time you go to firesides and study from the scriptures and Preach My Gospel like you talked about. That's why I told you you need to do all that now to help prepare for that mission. It's not that far away and once you get out here into the field too all you have is your testimony to rely on. There's a line in PMG that's so true and says something to the effect of "every man in life is backed up to the wall of his faith and it's there that he must make his stand". You can have all the knowledge in the world but it's your testimony that will stay firm and be all that you have to stand on at times. So yeah you are doing a good things dating around, but my advice would be don't focus on that part before your mission. Focus on learning and growing on your testimony to prepare all that you can spiritually to come out and serve the Lord. Girls will come and go and there will probably be new ones to date by the time you get home, but a mission is only 2 years that you get to spend once in your life serving the Lord. Focus on that and the Lord will bless you from your service the rest of your life. I know you probably know that and are doing that already, but I just felt like I should give you any advice to help you that I can. And if you're worried about Leah and those other girls being all lonely before you get home just remember I'll be home about 8 months after you leave, so they can survive until then. I'll be here to help out with that ;) hahaha jk.
Well I hope that everyone's doing great and that I get to hear from you guys soon! I look forward to getting your letters this week. I love and miss you all and will continue to pray for you.
Love, Elder Alex Craft
I'm so glad to hear that everything's going well with all you guys! This week for me has been a little crazy but very good as well.
To start it off we had a training from President and Sister Howell this past Tuesday mostly talking about the transition of mission presidents and finishing strong and continuing the success for President Clemens. Basically the same stuff that they've been talking about for the past few weeks. It's crazy in 2 weeks they'll be getting all the stuff ready to go back to Utah. I think if I remember right Dad or Mom had mentioned something about going to their homecoming. So after the training when they were talking to all of us I mentioned that to them and they said that they look forward to meeting you if you end up making it down there. That's pretty weird for me to think about that you could be meeting my mission president that I've spent the past 7 months with. The training was good but we had a real shock come after. Like usual Elder Hatch and I rode our bikes there but it was early in the morning so there was nothing out of the ordinary. When we walked outside afterwards it felt like going into an oven! It was 103 degrees out with 98% humidity all day! The breeze that was blowing was just hot air and the ride from the church to our apartment just drenched me in sweat. It was pretty gross. It seriously felt like we were cooking the whole rest of the day riding around. Apparently that was a record day for the Twin Cities. It hasn't been that hot in like 25 years here let alone this early into the summer. We not only set that record but the Twin Cities was also the hottest spot in the country for that day! I don't ever really wish for the winter but that day I was just amazed that at one point a few months ago I was almost 130 degrees colder! Minnesota's just crazy!
The baptism we had Saturday was amazing! Tony was the one who ended up getting baptized. He was so ready! He's going to be an amazing disciple of Jesus Christ and member of the church for the rest of his life. He wanted a member, our Ward Mission Leader, Brother Doolittle to baptize him. It was a really great baptismal service and his mom even came. Hopefully we'll get to talk with her about that soon and see what questions she might have. They even had me to the chorister for the baptism. Luckily for me "How Firm a Foundation" is in 4/4 and "Come Follow Me" in 3/4 so I didn't have too much trouble haha. Yesterday I had the honor of confirming Tony a member of the church and bestowing the gift of the Holy Ghost upon him. I was a little nervous but it went over really well I thought. I don't remember much of what was said but I do know that it was longer than 5 seconds so the Lord put the thoughts and words in my mind of what to say. It was a busy day at church for me though because not only did I get to confirm Tony, but I was also asked to give a 10-15 minute talk on The Plan of Salvation in sacrament meeting. It was a little stressful trying to cover all the points and things that there are in that without leaving any one event out or short changing anything. Every point is just so important I felt like I was rambling on pretty fast connecting the different points and scriptures like crazy. All in all it went well and was a great day at church that we don't get to experience every week.
It's transfer time again next Monday, so we'll see what happens. Who knows it could be companion #6 haha. I don't have any predictions because all the times I have I've been wrong haha. It will be interesting to find out for sure.
Today's only going to be a 1/2 P-Day for me because our district is scheduled to get to go to the temple Thursday! I'm so excited! It's been so long and we actually have the opportunity to go here in this mission, so we decided to take advantage of it. The day we go to the temple becomes our P-Day for the week. Only problem is that we're out of groceries and our laundry needs to be done so we can have clothes the rest of the week haha. Plus I figured if Mom didn't get an email until later on Thursday the mission office would be getting a call haha.
I guess I'll just start to answer some questions people asked and things they said from the emails I got.
Mom: I did hear about Cassie!! That's so crazy! I didn't know it was Bryce Cooke though! I got a letter that told me about 4 girls I graduated with that are married and 3 including Cassie that are engaged! That's just to nuts to me. All I have to say is that most of them didn't surprise me. I'm just hoping that Cassie sends me an invitation at least haha.
Camie: That's so good that this year it's going better for you with this little girl. Don't worry about not writing me. I just like the letters here and there. I hope Brock got the package I sent and it wasn't damaged. I'll bet Brandt looks adorable almost crawling around with all his teeth in that snaggle tooth smile of his haha.
Brady: Thank you for the letter! That's so funny you have the exact same job as Scott and Shae. Did Sidne hook you up with that? Do you ever see her there? I'm so glad that you're starting to experience this new thing in your life known in the real world as responsibility ;) hahahaha. I'm so glad that you loved youth conference and gained such a great testimony from that! That's what happens every time you go to firesides and study from the scriptures and Preach My Gospel like you talked about. That's why I told you you need to do all that now to help prepare for that mission. It's not that far away and once you get out here into the field too all you have is your testimony to rely on. There's a line in PMG that's so true and says something to the effect of "every man in life is backed up to the wall of his faith and it's there that he must make his stand". You can have all the knowledge in the world but it's your testimony that will stay firm and be all that you have to stand on at times. So yeah you are doing a good things dating around, but my advice would be don't focus on that part before your mission. Focus on learning and growing on your testimony to prepare all that you can spiritually to come out and serve the Lord. Girls will come and go and there will probably be new ones to date by the time you get home, but a mission is only 2 years that you get to spend once in your life serving the Lord. Focus on that and the Lord will bless you from your service the rest of your life. I know you probably know that and are doing that already, but I just felt like I should give you any advice to help you that I can. And if you're worried about Leah and those other girls being all lonely before you get home just remember I'll be home about 8 months after you leave, so they can survive until then. I'll be here to help out with that ;) hahaha jk.
Well I hope that everyone's doing great and that I get to hear from you guys soon! I look forward to getting your letters this week. I love and miss you all and will continue to pray for you.
Love, Elder Alex Craft
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Memorial Day
Hey Crafts,
Sorry this letter is late again this week. Because of the Memorial Day holiday all the libraries were closed, so we had to wait until today to be able to come email.
I'm glad to hear that everyone is doing fairly well minus a couple sick people. I'm sorry to hear about that and I'll be praying for a quick recovery for you guys. The weather sounds so crazy still in Utah! I know that there are examples in the scriptures of the Lord causing crazy storms and trials in places when the righteous are gone, so I think that's why all this happened after I left that great state. ;) haha I can't believe the amount of moisture that you guys are getting and going to have once the snow does melt. The crazy part is that it was almost 30 degrees warmer here in Minnesota yesterday than in Utah. I think it's only fair though considering that most of the winter you guys were probably 30 degrees warmer than I was. haha Hopefully you do get a break sometime though or it could cause some serious problems.
That's great that Grandma is all moved in now and closer to the temple and family history center. Not to mention closer to both her sons too. I hope that she gets settled in and does enjoy it. It sounds like she should from what information I've heard about this new apartment.
I knew that Tavan would do great! I wrote him last week so hopefully I get one more letter from him before he goes into the MTC so I can have that address. Chance sounds like he's going to give all of us a run for our money with the way he's growing haha. I'm glad that there were alot of people there to support Tavan. Thanks for the picture from the farewell. It was good to see alot of familiar faces I haven't talked to in a while. Has Mitch gotten his mission call yet? I haven't heard from him in about 7 months haha, so I'm a little behind in that information. How many of those guys are planning to go on missions that were at Tavan's? I hope that most of them are. It's crazy that you can work for 3 months and then start on your papers Brady! You can have your call in 6 months! Look out Mexico here he comes! ;) hahahaha That's insane! I'm excited to hear that you might be getting a job too. It sounds like it's something you'll be getting paid for that we've had plenty of experience of doing. I guess you can thank Mom for all those hours in the summer preparing you with experience to be an expert at pulling weeds haha ;). It's a tough call about school but working to earn enough money is not a bad route to take. It's up to you but I know that you'll make the right choice. If you need any advice on mission prep or things to prepare for and buy when it gets closer just let me know and I can tell you from my own recent experience and those of other missionaries. I'm just excited cause I know you'll make a great missionary!!
Things here in Shingle Creek are still going well. Being district leader in the field is a whole lot different than it was when I was in the MTC. Our district is way cool though. I love working with these Elders that I am. There can be times when it's a struggle but that's true with any district anywhere. It just comes as a phase of missionary work. I have a leadership training I have to go to down in Bloomington at the mission home for basically all day tomorrow. I'm excited to be able to get some training so that I can be more effective as a missionary and a leader here for those around me. It's funny that Mom mentioned stress because even though it is a tough job full of stress being on a mission and then having to be an example and leader for those around me I think that student government was such a blessing in preparing me for just that. I'm glad that I went through some of the crazy times and stress that I did. I feel like I can use and apply that experience to me now and it makes things seem not so bad. Kash 4 Kids and assemblies make District Meetings seem like nothing haha.
Our 2 investigators, Micheal and Tony, that I've talked about before are still doing great! We are hopefully going to have their interviews at the end of this week and their baptisms a week from then. Just one example of how great they are is that Micheal, like I think I'd mentioned before, wants to finish the Book of Mormon before he's baptized and was in Alma ch. 23 last Monday. Last night when we talked with him and checked to see how his reading was going he said he was a few chapters through Helaman and working on finishing that today! Elder Hatch and I have some serious catching up to do during lunch to finish that with him like we promised we would haha. I'm so glad that I've been able to be here and really watch not only Micheal but Tony as well accept the Gospel and Book of Mormon into their lives like they have. It's so cool to hear things like when Micheal told us he's just been "glued to The Book of Mormon" and he "can't put it down". This Gospel really has power to change people's hearts like Alma talks about.
Sorry there's not really much more exciting or crazy information to share with all of you this week. I hope that you all are doing well still or are starting to feel better for those others. I love you all so much and prayer for you always. Thanks for all the love, support prayers, and advice you give to me. I hope to talk to you soon and that next week I won't disappoint you with no email on Monday again haha.
Love, Elder Alex Craft
Sorry this letter is late again this week. Because of the Memorial Day holiday all the libraries were closed, so we had to wait until today to be able to come email.
I'm glad to hear that everyone is doing fairly well minus a couple sick people. I'm sorry to hear about that and I'll be praying for a quick recovery for you guys. The weather sounds so crazy still in Utah! I know that there are examples in the scriptures of the Lord causing crazy storms and trials in places when the righteous are gone, so I think that's why all this happened after I left that great state. ;) haha I can't believe the amount of moisture that you guys are getting and going to have once the snow does melt. The crazy part is that it was almost 30 degrees warmer here in Minnesota yesterday than in Utah. I think it's only fair though considering that most of the winter you guys were probably 30 degrees warmer than I was. haha Hopefully you do get a break sometime though or it could cause some serious problems.
That's great that Grandma is all moved in now and closer to the temple and family history center. Not to mention closer to both her sons too. I hope that she gets settled in and does enjoy it. It sounds like she should from what information I've heard about this new apartment.
I knew that Tavan would do great! I wrote him last week so hopefully I get one more letter from him before he goes into the MTC so I can have that address. Chance sounds like he's going to give all of us a run for our money with the way he's growing haha. I'm glad that there were alot of people there to support Tavan. Thanks for the picture from the farewell. It was good to see alot of familiar faces I haven't talked to in a while. Has Mitch gotten his mission call yet? I haven't heard from him in about 7 months haha, so I'm a little behind in that information. How many of those guys are planning to go on missions that were at Tavan's? I hope that most of them are. It's crazy that you can work for 3 months and then start on your papers Brady! You can have your call in 6 months! Look out Mexico here he comes! ;) hahahaha That's insane! I'm excited to hear that you might be getting a job too. It sounds like it's something you'll be getting paid for that we've had plenty of experience of doing. I guess you can thank Mom for all those hours in the summer preparing you with experience to be an expert at pulling weeds haha ;). It's a tough call about school but working to earn enough money is not a bad route to take. It's up to you but I know that you'll make the right choice. If you need any advice on mission prep or things to prepare for and buy when it gets closer just let me know and I can tell you from my own recent experience and those of other missionaries. I'm just excited cause I know you'll make a great missionary!!
Things here in Shingle Creek are still going well. Being district leader in the field is a whole lot different than it was when I was in the MTC. Our district is way cool though. I love working with these Elders that I am. There can be times when it's a struggle but that's true with any district anywhere. It just comes as a phase of missionary work. I have a leadership training I have to go to down in Bloomington at the mission home for basically all day tomorrow. I'm excited to be able to get some training so that I can be more effective as a missionary and a leader here for those around me. It's funny that Mom mentioned stress because even though it is a tough job full of stress being on a mission and then having to be an example and leader for those around me I think that student government was such a blessing in preparing me for just that. I'm glad that I went through some of the crazy times and stress that I did. I feel like I can use and apply that experience to me now and it makes things seem not so bad. Kash 4 Kids and assemblies make District Meetings seem like nothing haha.
Our 2 investigators, Micheal and Tony, that I've talked about before are still doing great! We are hopefully going to have their interviews at the end of this week and their baptisms a week from then. Just one example of how great they are is that Micheal, like I think I'd mentioned before, wants to finish the Book of Mormon before he's baptized and was in Alma ch. 23 last Monday. Last night when we talked with him and checked to see how his reading was going he said he was a few chapters through Helaman and working on finishing that today! Elder Hatch and I have some serious catching up to do during lunch to finish that with him like we promised we would haha. I'm so glad that I've been able to be here and really watch not only Micheal but Tony as well accept the Gospel and Book of Mormon into their lives like they have. It's so cool to hear things like when Micheal told us he's just been "glued to The Book of Mormon" and he "can't put it down". This Gospel really has power to change people's hearts like Alma talks about.
Sorry there's not really much more exciting or crazy information to share with all of you this week. I hope that you all are doing well still or are starting to feel better for those others. I love you all so much and prayer for you always. Thanks for all the love, support prayers, and advice you give to me. I hope to talk to you soon and that next week I won't disappoint you with no email on Monday again haha.
Love, Elder Alex Craft
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Tornado!
Hey Family,
Sorry to scare everyone with the late email. We had Zone Conference yesterday and so they moved P-Day for this week to today. As for the tornado that you've been hearing and wondering about the destruction here was not nearly as bad as in Missouri that's for sure. We have church at 11 and after the block we usually go on the stage in the gym to have our weekly missionary coordination meeting with the Ward Mission Leader. We had to sit on the stage for a few minutes at the end of the Maple Grove's sacrament meeting because they went a little over time. As we were sitting there we heard the tornado sirens go off but didn't think anything of it. Down in Kasson the tornado siren was right on Main St. a couple blocks from where we lived and was always going off because they were testing it. I'd heard that yes this is the top of "Tornado Alley" here in the Twin Cities, but that tornadoes only rarely hit in Minnesota at all and that when they do it's usually in the South more like the Kasson area in the rural parts of the state. Even when I was there the members said it only happens where a tornado touches down once a year maybe and never really does any damage with it being mostly fields down there. That's some of the reason I didn't think much of it. Then right before sacrament meeting ended the Bishop got up and said the the sirens were going off and that everyone needed to move to the hallways away from windows because they'd reported funnel clouds beginning to form. Our Ward Mission Leader said that the people here "like to think there are tornadoes all the time" and that they "freak out about it like this every time and it's kind of annoying after 5 years". So we went on with our meeting while everyone cleared out to the hall. Once we went out to go get on our bikes is when we saw how black the sky really was and the torrential downpour that was taking place outside. We've had some crazy thunder storms the past week, which I think are because I now have the privilege of biking ;) haha, but I've never seen that much rain at once in my life. Luckily we started to see it pass and kind of head North of us. We waited for the brunt of the rain to pass and once we could see the sun down south getting brighter we took off for the appointment we had across our area. We got wet but nothing too bad, but once we were out biking through it I got to see how much rain really fell as we tried to wade through 6 inch puddles. One intersection we went through was completely flooded with about 7 inches of water that came up to the peddles on my bike. I started to think that was a pretty crazy storm, but didn't consider that a tornado had actually hit. It was later that night after we got home that we were told that it had touched down on James and 33rd in North Minne. Just 9 blocks South of our area and about 13 blocks South of where our Ward Mission Leader lives. Before we'd been told about the tornado that night we were out on the porch planning for yesterday and watching the crazy thunder storm with the lightening just like Mom had described that was almost constantly going across the sky lie a spider web. I just kept thinking that these were some intense storms they get here in Minnesota. As you've already learned from the news probably there were 2 people killed, but all the missionaries are fine. Like I said it's nothing like what hit in Missouri. It is still devastating that people did lose their lives, but it could have been much worse. We talked with President Howell yesterday and President Paynter this morning and the stake is going to help in the clean up efforts. We haven't been able to do anything so far because they've had to make it safe for volunteers to go in first. They will need them later this week so we will most likely be spending a few hours in some "Mormon Helping Hands" shirts to help move trees and debris. I hope that that was able to answer all your questions and reassure especially Mom that yes I am alright and have been this whole time. We still have power but like I said sorry that I scared you not emailing. Dang Zone Conference and the inevitable timing of that ;) haha.
On a lighter note the Zone Conference was really great! The inspiration and motivation the comes as a result is so amazing. President Howell taught us more about The Role of the Holy Ghost and gave his training on that. It really helped me to see the power and blessing that personal revelation is for each of us. We're all entitled to that direct communication from our Father in Heaven because we are all his children. He wants to speak to us. We don't have to think of revelation coming to us like a a pedigree chart starting with the prophet and filtering down through the apostles, area authorities, bishops and then to us. It's diractly to us for a reason. We all get thoughts and ideas and promptings but the really powerful thing for me that I'm going to be applying here is that once we recieve that thought we need to "ponder it in our hearts" and see if it feels good. If it does go for it. If it doesn't change something until it feels good. It's just that simple. Through having the spirit speak to our minds and then to our hearts we can confirm that revelation and be divinely led and inspired throughout our lives. That's so amazing! Like I said I loved that part of Zone Conference and wanted to share it with you.
Even with the recent destruction things here are going well. My first District Meeting went fairly well I thought on working with members to do missionary work and the exchange with the Zone Leaders after was good too. Also, we didn't all die with "the end of the world on May 21st", so that's really good haha. I was laughing when we were out talking to people and they would ask us about that. I wonder what the preacher (false prophet) in California was thinking Sunday morning when he woke up. Something along the lines of "well I guess I wasn't one of the righteous lifted up at the last days", "missed my chance", or "better luck next time" haha. That whole thing just made me laugh. Our investigators Micheal and Tony that I was talking about before are still doing well and working to be baptized in June. Micheal talked about last night when we taught him about that priesthood that even he could go on a mission after he got the priesthood? We told him yes and bore testimony on the blessings that would come but tried not to overwhelm him with too much. We told him once he's baptized and wants to still do that he should talk to Bishop Macdonald and he'd help him out with that. That would be so legit if he went on a mission though. I think I mentioned before that he wants to finish The Book of Mormon before he's baptized and is in Alma ch. 23 now. So we told him that we would start there and read everyday so that we could finish it at the same time. He really liked that idea so we'll see how we do. We can't exactly fall through on a challenge like that haha.
That's so crazy that Brady's graduated now! How does is feel Brady? Sounds like you had a pretty crazy week! Oh good old Toad's was there to throw a wild graduation party for you I'm sure. I'm so glad I didn't have to work that! 2 of those shifts was enough for me haha. Don't worry about not getting a letter to me Mom I totally understand. Don't feel bad or obligated that I have to get one each week. I did write you guys though so I hope you get it sometime soon. If not let me know and I'll write another one. I'm glad that everyone seems to be doing well and that I haven't heard of any tornadoes out that way. Once again I'm doing great here in the hood of Minneapolis and the tornado didn't carry us away on our bikes like the Wizard of Oz. I miss you guys and can't wait to hear from you again.
Sorry to scare everyone with the late email. We had Zone Conference yesterday and so they moved P-Day for this week to today. As for the tornado that you've been hearing and wondering about the destruction here was not nearly as bad as in Missouri that's for sure. We have church at 11 and after the block we usually go on the stage in the gym to have our weekly missionary coordination meeting with the Ward Mission Leader. We had to sit on the stage for a few minutes at the end of the Maple Grove's sacrament meeting because they went a little over time. As we were sitting there we heard the tornado sirens go off but didn't think anything of it. Down in Kasson the tornado siren was right on Main St. a couple blocks from where we lived and was always going off because they were testing it. I'd heard that yes this is the top of "Tornado Alley" here in the Twin Cities, but that tornadoes only rarely hit in Minnesota at all and that when they do it's usually in the South more like the Kasson area in the rural parts of the state. Even when I was there the members said it only happens where a tornado touches down once a year maybe and never really does any damage with it being mostly fields down there. That's some of the reason I didn't think much of it. Then right before sacrament meeting ended the Bishop got up and said the the sirens were going off and that everyone needed to move to the hallways away from windows because they'd reported funnel clouds beginning to form. Our Ward Mission Leader said that the people here "like to think there are tornadoes all the time" and that they "freak out about it like this every time and it's kind of annoying after 5 years". So we went on with our meeting while everyone cleared out to the hall. Once we went out to go get on our bikes is when we saw how black the sky really was and the torrential downpour that was taking place outside. We've had some crazy thunder storms the past week, which I think are because I now have the privilege of biking ;) haha, but I've never seen that much rain at once in my life. Luckily we started to see it pass and kind of head North of us. We waited for the brunt of the rain to pass and once we could see the sun down south getting brighter we took off for the appointment we had across our area. We got wet but nothing too bad, but once we were out biking through it I got to see how much rain really fell as we tried to wade through 6 inch puddles. One intersection we went through was completely flooded with about 7 inches of water that came up to the peddles on my bike. I started to think that was a pretty crazy storm, but didn't consider that a tornado had actually hit. It was later that night after we got home that we were told that it had touched down on James and 33rd in North Minne. Just 9 blocks South of our area and about 13 blocks South of where our Ward Mission Leader lives. Before we'd been told about the tornado that night we were out on the porch planning for yesterday and watching the crazy thunder storm with the lightening just like Mom had described that was almost constantly going across the sky lie a spider web. I just kept thinking that these were some intense storms they get here in Minnesota. As you've already learned from the news probably there were 2 people killed, but all the missionaries are fine. Like I said it's nothing like what hit in Missouri. It is still devastating that people did lose their lives, but it could have been much worse. We talked with President Howell yesterday and President Paynter this morning and the stake is going to help in the clean up efforts. We haven't been able to do anything so far because they've had to make it safe for volunteers to go in first. They will need them later this week so we will most likely be spending a few hours in some "Mormon Helping Hands" shirts to help move trees and debris. I hope that that was able to answer all your questions and reassure especially Mom that yes I am alright and have been this whole time. We still have power but like I said sorry that I scared you not emailing. Dang Zone Conference and the inevitable timing of that ;) haha.
On a lighter note the Zone Conference was really great! The inspiration and motivation the comes as a result is so amazing. President Howell taught us more about The Role of the Holy Ghost and gave his training on that. It really helped me to see the power and blessing that personal revelation is for each of us. We're all entitled to that direct communication from our Father in Heaven because we are all his children. He wants to speak to us. We don't have to think of revelation coming to us like a a pedigree chart starting with the prophet and filtering down through the apostles, area authorities, bishops and then to us. It's diractly to us for a reason. We all get thoughts and ideas and promptings but the really powerful thing for me that I'm going to be applying here is that once we recieve that thought we need to "ponder it in our hearts" and see if it feels good. If it does go for it. If it doesn't change something until it feels good. It's just that simple. Through having the spirit speak to our minds and then to our hearts we can confirm that revelation and be divinely led and inspired throughout our lives. That's so amazing! Like I said I loved that part of Zone Conference and wanted to share it with you.
Even with the recent destruction things here are going well. My first District Meeting went fairly well I thought on working with members to do missionary work and the exchange with the Zone Leaders after was good too. Also, we didn't all die with "the end of the world on May 21st", so that's really good haha. I was laughing when we were out talking to people and they would ask us about that. I wonder what the preacher (false prophet) in California was thinking Sunday morning when he woke up. Something along the lines of "well I guess I wasn't one of the righteous lifted up at the last days", "missed my chance", or "better luck next time" haha. That whole thing just made me laugh. Our investigators Micheal and Tony that I was talking about before are still doing well and working to be baptized in June. Micheal talked about last night when we taught him about that priesthood that even he could go on a mission after he got the priesthood? We told him yes and bore testimony on the blessings that would come but tried not to overwhelm him with too much. We told him once he's baptized and wants to still do that he should talk to Bishop Macdonald and he'd help him out with that. That would be so legit if he went on a mission though. I think I mentioned before that he wants to finish The Book of Mormon before he's baptized and is in Alma ch. 23 now. So we told him that we would start there and read everyday so that we could finish it at the same time. He really liked that idea so we'll see how we do. We can't exactly fall through on a challenge like that haha.
That's so crazy that Brady's graduated now! How does is feel Brady? Sounds like you had a pretty crazy week! Oh good old Toad's was there to throw a wild graduation party for you I'm sure. I'm so glad I didn't have to work that! 2 of those shifts was enough for me haha. Don't worry about not getting a letter to me Mom I totally understand. Don't feel bad or obligated that I have to get one each week. I did write you guys though so I hope you get it sometime soon. If not let me know and I'll write another one. I'm glad that everyone seems to be doing well and that I haven't heard of any tornadoes out that way. Once again I'm doing great here in the hood of Minneapolis and the tornado didn't carry us away on our bikes like the Wizard of Oz. I miss you guys and can't wait to hear from you again.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Home Sweet Home . . . Again
Crafts! What's up with y'all?!
haha JK I figured that I'd give you a little bit of a taste of what new foreign language I get to learn now. From now on until I get transferred I'll be learning and speaking Ebonics here in the Shingle Creek area of Brooklyn Center/Brooklyn Park/ North Minneapolis. haha
That was a crazy last week of having to pack all of our belongings along with everything else in the apartment that I just moved into 2 months ago! Not to mention we had to coordinate how to get everything from our place in Kasson to the new area in Preston, and get our stuff to Bloomington for tranfers. It makes for some crazy days that's for sure.
This area really is sweet though! I love it here! We live in the basement of the Stake President's house. His name's President Paynter of the Anoka Stake that we're in. His wife lives there too but I haven't gotten to meet her yet. Even though I hit my head on the low ceiling down there twice this morning it's a great place. Elder Hatch is a really good missionary too. He's from "the hood of Idaho" is what he called it. I guess it's a suburb of Boise named Caldwell. So he's my first companion since Elder Lewis in the MTC that's not from Utah. He's really funny and pretty corky but I'm looking forward to serving with him. The ward here is awesome too!! I don't know if I mentioned before but I'd met some of the members here when I was serving with Elder Katoa. Because this used to be his old area, and he actually lived in the Paynter's house too, we went back for a baptism of one of the people he was teaching before he left. It's kind of cool to now be in the area where 2 of my companions, Elder Blume and Katoa, have served.
The ward that I am now in is the Shingle Creek Ward and there's 2 other wards that meet in the Anoka stake center with us too. There's 4 wards in the stake I guess, but luckily we meet at that building just a mile or 2 up the street from us. It's weird for me to be back in a ward and see "oh yeah that's how things are suppose to be done" haha. No, I'm kidding, but it really is weird to be serving in a larger ward. It's going to take a little longer to get to know everyone's names than it did in Kasson that's for sure haha.
This whole intercity is a lot different than the little old college town of Menomonie and the rural farming communities of Kasson, but it is sweet. Riding my bike everywhere has been a definite adjustment. I thought my legs were going to fall off Thursday morning going to see a potential investigator a few miles away, and the downpour of rain wasn't making things any easier that's for sure haha. It is getting easier biking each day and I'm excited to help strengthen my legs back up and get in shape cause all my pushups I do each morning don't really help my legs much ;). haha The investigators we have are so awesome too! We have 2 with a baptismal date set for June named Joe and Tony. Joe's a 17 year old kid who loves soccer from Liberia who I haven't gotten to teach yet, and Tony's around 26 I think. His parents immigrated from Vietnam during the war and he grew up Buddhist, but he told us he never really believed it anyway. When he was younger his Mom got really sick and when she was in the hospital he tried all the fasting and Buddhist prayers but nothing worked. Then he said he just had the idea come to his head to pray so he did without even really knowing what he was doing. Once he prayed she started to get better and was eventually released from the hospital. That's when he told us that he started to turn towards Christianity. That story was pretty amazing to me and now after meeting with the missionaries he's super solid and wants to get dunked. One of the other investigators I got to teach already is Micheal. He's 21 and is a way sweet guy with dreads. He'd make Jex pretty jealous cause he's been doing his for about 5 years and he has the whole Bob Marley look going for sure. He lives in North Minne and has had some struggles before, but he's been coming to church for awhile and had a date set for baptism this past Saturday, but he pushed it back because he didn't feel ready. He asks great questions and really wants to understand, so hopefully we get to teach him a couple more times this week and we can set another baptismal date for him to work towards. He got to go with us last night along with a kid from our ward named Hector Murillo to a President's Fireside at the mission home. We had a member give us a ride, but I was excited that I actually had the opportunity to go to one. I used to hear all about them but only missionaries in the cities are permitted to go and you have to bring an investigator, less active, or recently converted member with you. They had 3 recent converts give their conversion stories and testimonies with President Howell speaking at the end. Two of the speakers were a couple, John and Kathy Menion (?), who we all heard there conversion story from President Christensen the night I was set apart. I'm not sure if you remember but they're the ones who stopped at Temple Square on a whim during a trip to California. They met the sister missionaries there and eventually met with Elder Baxter, who I played soccer with and President Christensen works with his dad. They were introduced The Book of Mormon and later baptized because of how they felt seeing the statue of Christ in the visitors center and reading from The Book of Mormon. Their testimonies were amazing. So you'll have to tell President Christensen that I met those people he told us the story about being prepared in Minnesota for me. I told them about it after and they were amazed that I'd heard about it in Utah and that it was inspiring to hear how the Lord really does prepare people like them. It was really cool for Micheal to hear as an investigator and Hector because he just moved back after going to BYU-Idaho for a year and is preparing for his mission. He's a way cool kid that's convert himself and he and his younger sister who was baptized in December are the only members in his family. He even went out Joint Teaching with us 2 days last week, and because he doesn't have a car or license he biked everywhere with us. Like I said this area's so sweet and a lot more diverse than anywhere I've ever lived haha. We have a bunch of Africans in our ward and some recent converts and a couple people we're teaching too. I'm looking forward to getting to continue to help these people and work with the ward. Along with getting Lance Armstrong Quads too! haha
So I guess in other news I got a nice surprise when I got to the mission home for transfers on Wednesday. President Howell neglected to tell me about a minor detail of my new area. I'm now the District Leader here. That caught me totally off guard. I found out from the Assistants when one told me he was excited to see the great leadership he knows I'm going to bring to the area. I'm kinda nervous to have to do the District Meetings now and report on all the other things too. I'm excited for the opportunity that I have to serve the Elders around me now, but I just hope I can fulfill all the responsibility.
Now this week I do actually have something for some other people to write on here. haha
Dad: I hope that you were able to get my package I sent last week. Sorry it was kind of early, but transfers made things a little crazy! Especially having to pack up my whole apartment I just moved into and all my own stuff too. That would be cool if you guys did do a newsletter article. That'd let everyone know so you wouldn't have to tell the same things over and over again. I haven't gotten a newsletter if that's what you were asking, but just ask and questions you might need and hopefully I can answer them for you. I hope that I've given you enough information to write something haha.
Mom: I'm going to try and answer your questions and concerns from that Ensign article in my letter today because I'm running out of time here haha. Sorry you'll have to wait a few days for an answer.
Kat and Tom: CONGRATS KAT!!!! Nice job on your classes! That must feel good to be all done now, and now you two are headed to Hawaii?! That's so cool! I hope you guys enjoy it.
Well I think that's all or now. Good luck with graduation Brady and the end of school Natalie. I hope all is well with everyone else and I look forward to any sweet new news for next week. I love you guys and pray for you always! Thanks for the love and support! I can't wait to talk to you again.
Love, Alex (Elder Craft)
haha JK I figured that I'd give you a little bit of a taste of what new foreign language I get to learn now. From now on until I get transferred I'll be learning and speaking Ebonics here in the Shingle Creek area of Brooklyn Center/Brooklyn Park/ North Minneapolis. haha
That was a crazy last week of having to pack all of our belongings along with everything else in the apartment that I just moved into 2 months ago! Not to mention we had to coordinate how to get everything from our place in Kasson to the new area in Preston, and get our stuff to Bloomington for tranfers. It makes for some crazy days that's for sure.
This area really is sweet though! I love it here! We live in the basement of the Stake President's house. His name's President Paynter of the Anoka Stake that we're in. His wife lives there too but I haven't gotten to meet her yet. Even though I hit my head on the low ceiling down there twice this morning it's a great place. Elder Hatch is a really good missionary too. He's from "the hood of Idaho" is what he called it. I guess it's a suburb of Boise named Caldwell. So he's my first companion since Elder Lewis in the MTC that's not from Utah. He's really funny and pretty corky but I'm looking forward to serving with him. The ward here is awesome too!! I don't know if I mentioned before but I'd met some of the members here when I was serving with Elder Katoa. Because this used to be his old area, and he actually lived in the Paynter's house too, we went back for a baptism of one of the people he was teaching before he left. It's kind of cool to now be in the area where 2 of my companions, Elder Blume and Katoa, have served.
The ward that I am now in is the Shingle Creek Ward and there's 2 other wards that meet in the Anoka stake center with us too. There's 4 wards in the stake I guess, but luckily we meet at that building just a mile or 2 up the street from us. It's weird for me to be back in a ward and see "oh yeah that's how things are suppose to be done" haha. No, I'm kidding, but it really is weird to be serving in a larger ward. It's going to take a little longer to get to know everyone's names than it did in Kasson that's for sure haha.
This whole intercity is a lot different than the little old college town of Menomonie and the rural farming communities of Kasson, but it is sweet. Riding my bike everywhere has been a definite adjustment. I thought my legs were going to fall off Thursday morning going to see a potential investigator a few miles away, and the downpour of rain wasn't making things any easier that's for sure haha. It is getting easier biking each day and I'm excited to help strengthen my legs back up and get in shape cause all my pushups I do each morning don't really help my legs much ;). haha The investigators we have are so awesome too! We have 2 with a baptismal date set for June named Joe and Tony. Joe's a 17 year old kid who loves soccer from Liberia who I haven't gotten to teach yet, and Tony's around 26 I think. His parents immigrated from Vietnam during the war and he grew up Buddhist, but he told us he never really believed it anyway. When he was younger his Mom got really sick and when she was in the hospital he tried all the fasting and Buddhist prayers but nothing worked. Then he said he just had the idea come to his head to pray so he did without even really knowing what he was doing. Once he prayed she started to get better and was eventually released from the hospital. That's when he told us that he started to turn towards Christianity. That story was pretty amazing to me and now after meeting with the missionaries he's super solid and wants to get dunked. One of the other investigators I got to teach already is Micheal. He's 21 and is a way sweet guy with dreads. He'd make Jex pretty jealous cause he's been doing his for about 5 years and he has the whole Bob Marley look going for sure. He lives in North Minne and has had some struggles before, but he's been coming to church for awhile and had a date set for baptism this past Saturday, but he pushed it back because he didn't feel ready. He asks great questions and really wants to understand, so hopefully we get to teach him a couple more times this week and we can set another baptismal date for him to work towards. He got to go with us last night along with a kid from our ward named Hector Murillo to a President's Fireside at the mission home. We had a member give us a ride, but I was excited that I actually had the opportunity to go to one. I used to hear all about them but only missionaries in the cities are permitted to go and you have to bring an investigator, less active, or recently converted member with you. They had 3 recent converts give their conversion stories and testimonies with President Howell speaking at the end. Two of the speakers were a couple, John and Kathy Menion (?), who we all heard there conversion story from President Christensen the night I was set apart. I'm not sure if you remember but they're the ones who stopped at Temple Square on a whim during a trip to California. They met the sister missionaries there and eventually met with Elder Baxter, who I played soccer with and President Christensen works with his dad. They were introduced The Book of Mormon and later baptized because of how they felt seeing the statue of Christ in the visitors center and reading from The Book of Mormon. Their testimonies were amazing. So you'll have to tell President Christensen that I met those people he told us the story about being prepared in Minnesota for me. I told them about it after and they were amazed that I'd heard about it in Utah and that it was inspiring to hear how the Lord really does prepare people like them. It was really cool for Micheal to hear as an investigator and Hector because he just moved back after going to BYU-Idaho for a year and is preparing for his mission. He's a way cool kid that's convert himself and he and his younger sister who was baptized in December are the only members in his family. He even went out Joint Teaching with us 2 days last week, and because he doesn't have a car or license he biked everywhere with us. Like I said this area's so sweet and a lot more diverse than anywhere I've ever lived haha. We have a bunch of Africans in our ward and some recent converts and a couple people we're teaching too. I'm looking forward to getting to continue to help these people and work with the ward. Along with getting Lance Armstrong Quads too! haha
So I guess in other news I got a nice surprise when I got to the mission home for transfers on Wednesday. President Howell neglected to tell me about a minor detail of my new area. I'm now the District Leader here. That caught me totally off guard. I found out from the Assistants when one told me he was excited to see the great leadership he knows I'm going to bring to the area. I'm kinda nervous to have to do the District Meetings now and report on all the other things too. I'm excited for the opportunity that I have to serve the Elders around me now, but I just hope I can fulfill all the responsibility.
Now this week I do actually have something for some other people to write on here. haha
Dad: I hope that you were able to get my package I sent last week. Sorry it was kind of early, but transfers made things a little crazy! Especially having to pack up my whole apartment I just moved into and all my own stuff too. That would be cool if you guys did do a newsletter article. That'd let everyone know so you wouldn't have to tell the same things over and over again. I haven't gotten a newsletter if that's what you were asking, but just ask and questions you might need and hopefully I can answer them for you. I hope that I've given you enough information to write something haha.
Mom: I'm going to try and answer your questions and concerns from that Ensign article in my letter today because I'm running out of time here haha. Sorry you'll have to wait a few days for an answer.
Kat and Tom: CONGRATS KAT!!!! Nice job on your classes! That must feel good to be all done now, and now you two are headed to Hawaii?! That's so cool! I hope you guys enjoy it.
Well I think that's all or now. Good luck with graduation Brady and the end of school Natalie. I hope all is well with everyone else and I look forward to any sweet new news for next week. I love you guys and pray for you always! Thanks for the love and support! I can't wait to talk to you again.
Love, Alex (Elder Craft)
Monday, May 9, 2011
Closing Down Kasson . . . On to Brooklyn Center/Brooklyn Park
Crafts,
Man that was so sweet yesterday!! I was a little frustrated that the camera I was on wouldn't work that well, but it wasn't exactly the nicest camera either. At least I got to use one though and see everyone. I was very grateful for that!! Maybe someday we can Skype each week Mom but I wouldn't get your hopes up haha.
Well today has been a crazy pouring thunderstorm all morning! It's pretty intense! What did I tell you about the weather yesterday Kat? haha The curse lives on. But like I said yesterday it was transfer calls this morning. Despite what I thought and said yesterday about this area apparently the Lord has other plans for it. Elder Judkins and I are both leaving. They're pulling missionaries out of Kasson for probably 9 months to a year is what President Howell said, but it won't be his decision by that time anyway. We were both kind of sad because we've been trying so hard and the members are working to really try and build the kingdom in that area too. President Howell told us that we were doing amazing things and was really proud of what we had accomplished there. It just happens to smaller areas sometimes. We'll have to see what happens in that area over the remainder of my mission and see if they do open it back up. We are sad that we can't teach Eddy anymore or some of the potential investigators that we had been working with. Oh well like I said it's in the Lord's hands and he will provide a way for them to receive and accept the gospel into their lives. Now comes the fun part over the next couple days of not only packing up our luggage but cleaning out the whole apartment. They're going to be taking our supplies and stuff to the a new area in the Rochester Zone that they're opening called Preston. That area will probably get our car too. In case you hadn't guessed unfortunately Elder Judkins and I are not staying together for this next transfer. That makes 5 new companions for 5 transfers for me. We'll see if this next companion is from Utah too. haha Remember how we actually joked about me going to a bike area for the summer? Well that's exactly what happened! I'm headed up to the North Shingle Creek Ward. That's where Elder Katoa came to Menomonie from. It's North Minneapolis and the area covers the large cities of Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park. So I'll be right next to downtown and everyone knows this area in the mission as "The Hood" haha. So it's a good thing I grew up in the metropolis of Hooper, Utah. I should fit right in ;). I'm excited though. I've been there once for a baptism that Elder Katoa had us go back to of a guy that he was teaching, so I've met some of the members there too. It should be really good. My companions name is Elder Hatch who's been out 3 months and has been trained that whole time in Brooklyn Center/Brooklyn Park. As for Elder Judkins he's staying down in Southern Minnesota. His new area is Albert Lea and should be really good for him. He's a good missionary that I'm glad I was able to serve with and tell stories about our high school soccer games too haha.
Sorry there's not much else to write. Thanks for the love support and prayers from you guys though. It's helped me out a lot! I really loved being able to just see all you and talk to you yesterday. I'm glad that I can keep you informed enough that not everyone had to ask a ton of questions. I'm going to try and attach some pictures and get some other ones sent, Natalie haha. I hope everyone's doing well still from yesterday. I can't wait to hear from you guys again.
Love, Elder Alexander James Craft
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