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
Monday, June 13, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Eating, Sleeping and Dreaming Missionary Work
Dear Family,
Thanks for all the emails and support this week. I'm glad to know that everyone's doing much better as far as sicknesses go. It sounds like it was pretty intense for a little while.
Sorry there's not too much that I have to write this week. Not too much exciting or note worthy happened. I did have that leadership training in Bloomington from President and Sister Howell that was very edifiying, uplifting, and spritiual as always. It really opened my eyes to ways that I can improve myself as a missionary and help the other Elders in my district to do the same. I'm excited to be able to share what I learned for our next district meeting. Hopefully this time I won't be as nervous because it's not my first one and I have a lot more material to teach on this time. That always helps. haha The funny part is that now I have all this that I want to teach and I'm excited for we won't be having district meeting this week. Go figure right? Last week we didn't have it because of the training and now this week we're having another specialized training from President Howell. I think he's trying to do all of these trainings because he has less than a month left! That's so crazy! It's going to be weird to see the changes and experience the transition between President Howell and President Clemens. President Howell keeps making the analogy of relay racing and handing off the baton. Not slowing down at all. I don't think that we will. The one problem I can see is that President Howell's a U of U grad and President Clemens BYU so there's one obstacle that we'll have to get around, but I think it shouldn't be too difficult ;). haha It was really cool at the training because I got to end the 7 month search that I've had my whole mission. . . I found Elder Dillon Pilcher haha. He's the other missionary out here from good old H-Town and he was at the training last week. He saw me and once he figured out who I was he came over to say hi and we talked for awhile during lunch. The funny part was that he kept saying how different I looked and I had to remind him that's becasue #1 the last time he saw me and I saw him I was a sophomore and #2 i also had longer hair back then that was never parted. haha It was way cool to get to see and talk to him though about his mission so far as one of the few Caran (?) Elders. Too bad I found him and now he goes home at the beginning of August. haha We did get to take a picture though so I'll be attaching that for those of you who have no idea what or who I'm talking about you can at least put a name to the confusion now. hahaha
We did have Micheal and Tony's baptismal interviews Friday and they passed! So we're super excited and looking forward to their baptisms here soon. It would have been this Saturday but Tony has to work in the morning when the bishopbric wanted to schedule it and has to work the Sunday after so he wouldn't be confirmed even if we did do it that day. It's nothing too major but those are just some of the obstacles that Satan's trying to throw our way to do all that he can to stop this amazing step they're taking. Too bad for him we've got the better power on our side :).
The weather has been heating up here too. At least in the high 80's for the most part, and I fell for you with the humidity Nick! Just this morning as we were going out to bike here to the library we walked out side into what felt like some blanket of water I guess is the best way I could describe it. It wasn't as bad as walking out into a wall but close.
Oh here's a funny story for you guys. So as most of you know I talk in my sleep, among other weird subconscious things that I do. Well Elder Hatch found that out this past week too. He said I woke him up a few nights ago in the middle of the night from it. Now that would be normal and what I expected to hear, but then he said that i rolled up into like a fetal postition on the bed and said, "Alright lets pray. . . . I'll say it. . . " and I went on from there. he said that I offered a pretty good prayer about Tony, Micheal, and Joe some of our investigators and even closed with Amen and everything. haha Now I not only have dreams about missionary work I guess I do it while I sleep haha. Lets just hope it's only prayers and I don't start "sleep tracting". I don't think that's be good for anyone involved.
Now to answer some questions/make some comments.
Tom: Well was surprised to hear both of the stories you told me. I think you're one of the only people I know that's ever been sucker punched by a mission president. Or I guess ex-mission president but still. You do know that President Howell comes home soon and probably has some built up stress from the past 3 years so I'd stay clear of him ;) hahahaha JK. I'm glad to hear that you're both doing ok and recovering and that you're working toward that great day on August 20th!! That's way exciting! I look forward to the news and pictures from that.
Well as for the rest of you I hope that everything's going well and that I can hear from you soon. Thanks again for all the love support and prayers! I love and miss you guys and will continue to pray that things continue to go well in Utah and Virginia. . .and Idaho too I guess ;) haha.
Love,
Alex (Elder Craft)
Thanks for all the emails and support this week. I'm glad to know that everyone's doing much better as far as sicknesses go. It sounds like it was pretty intense for a little while.
Sorry there's not too much that I have to write this week. Not too much exciting or note worthy happened. I did have that leadership training in Bloomington from President and Sister Howell that was very edifiying, uplifting, and spritiual as always. It really opened my eyes to ways that I can improve myself as a missionary and help the other Elders in my district to do the same. I'm excited to be able to share what I learned for our next district meeting. Hopefully this time I won't be as nervous because it's not my first one and I have a lot more material to teach on this time. That always helps. haha The funny part is that now I have all this that I want to teach and I'm excited for we won't be having district meeting this week. Go figure right? Last week we didn't have it because of the training and now this week we're having another specialized training from President Howell. I think he's trying to do all of these trainings because he has less than a month left! That's so crazy! It's going to be weird to see the changes and experience the transition between President Howell and President Clemens. President Howell keeps making the analogy of relay racing and handing off the baton. Not slowing down at all. I don't think that we will. The one problem I can see is that President Howell's a U of U grad and President Clemens BYU so there's one obstacle that we'll have to get around, but I think it shouldn't be too difficult ;). haha It was really cool at the training because I got to end the 7 month search that I've had my whole mission. . . I found Elder Dillon Pilcher haha. He's the other missionary out here from good old H-Town and he was at the training last week. He saw me and once he figured out who I was he came over to say hi and we talked for awhile during lunch. The funny part was that he kept saying how different I looked and I had to remind him that's becasue #1 the last time he saw me and I saw him I was a sophomore and #2 i also had longer hair back then that was never parted. haha It was way cool to get to see and talk to him though about his mission so far as one of the few Caran (?) Elders. Too bad I found him and now he goes home at the beginning of August. haha We did get to take a picture though so I'll be attaching that for those of you who have no idea what or who I'm talking about you can at least put a name to the confusion now. hahaha
We did have Micheal and Tony's baptismal interviews Friday and they passed! So we're super excited and looking forward to their baptisms here soon. It would have been this Saturday but Tony has to work in the morning when the bishopbric wanted to schedule it and has to work the Sunday after so he wouldn't be confirmed even if we did do it that day. It's nothing too major but those are just some of the obstacles that Satan's trying to throw our way to do all that he can to stop this amazing step they're taking. Too bad for him we've got the better power on our side :).
The weather has been heating up here too. At least in the high 80's for the most part, and I fell for you with the humidity Nick! Just this morning as we were going out to bike here to the library we walked out side into what felt like some blanket of water I guess is the best way I could describe it. It wasn't as bad as walking out into a wall but close.
Oh here's a funny story for you guys. So as most of you know I talk in my sleep, among other weird subconscious things that I do. Well Elder Hatch found that out this past week too. He said I woke him up a few nights ago in the middle of the night from it. Now that would be normal and what I expected to hear, but then he said that i rolled up into like a fetal postition on the bed and said, "Alright lets pray. . . . I'll say it. . . " and I went on from there. he said that I offered a pretty good prayer about Tony, Micheal, and Joe some of our investigators and even closed with Amen and everything. haha Now I not only have dreams about missionary work I guess I do it while I sleep haha. Lets just hope it's only prayers and I don't start "sleep tracting". I don't think that's be good for anyone involved.
Now to answer some questions/make some comments.
Tom: Well was surprised to hear both of the stories you told me. I think you're one of the only people I know that's ever been sucker punched by a mission president. Or I guess ex-mission president but still. You do know that President Howell comes home soon and probably has some built up stress from the past 3 years so I'd stay clear of him ;) hahahaha JK. I'm glad to hear that you're both doing ok and recovering and that you're working toward that great day on August 20th!! That's way exciting! I look forward to the news and pictures from that.
Well as for the rest of you I hope that everything's going well and that I can hear from you soon. Thanks again for all the love support and prayers! I love and miss you guys and will continue to pray that things continue to go well in Utah and Virginia. . .and Idaho too I guess ;) haha.
Love,
Alex (Elder 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
Monday, May 2, 2011
Preparing for Mother's Day
Hello Crafts,
All I have to say first is wow! I couldn't believe the news about Osama Bin Laden when mom told it to me. That's crazy! On a happier note though I'm glad to see that there were no new accidents to report on this week. That's always good! Everyone just keep doing what we learned in drivers ed and it should be fine! haha jk ;)
Well May is officially here now, so I'm just waiting, like it sounds like you guys are too, for the flowers that are promised from all the snow and thunder showers. We're just barely starting to get the buds on most of the trees to come in. When we woke up this morning we were going to go running, but we wussed out when we saw that the air temperature itself was only 23 degrees. We're just building more character I guess. haha I can't believe it's still this cold and it's almost Mother's Day!
Speaking of Mother's Day. I know that you guys had some questions about this whole Skype call next week, and I've been thinking maybe I'll just make a regular phone call and not let you guys see my face haha. I mean getting to see me already might just take away the whole surprise and suspense of seeing me for the first time at the end of 2 years haha. ;) JK So I'm going to be using Brother Josephson's account and webcam that they have at their house since it's already set up. His account name is russjjo, and I think he should have that 5.0 software because he's pretty up to date with his computer and stuff like that. If there is a problem for some reason and we can't get through I'll just give you a quick call to see what's going on since I'm allowed to. I'm going to try and make the call around 3 pm here so it will be 2 pm there you guys out west and 4 pm for Nick I guess. I hope that time works for everyone. I thought it should give everyone enough time to get home from church and get everything done before. Hopefully. Thanks for the heads up about the package too. I'll be looking for it.
So it was a pretty good day at church here for us. It'd was fast and testimony meeting like usual for the first Sunday of the month. The awesome part about it is that our investigator Eddy that we' haven't really gotten to see much recently came to sacrament meeting with his 2 boys! We were so excited when we got to visit him last week and invited him to church and he said he could come because he had the weekend off! It was even better that he actually did make it there. He was the first investigator the missionaries have had to church in over 6 months I think if not much longer. So it was good for the members to see that we are working and teaching people. We were kinda nervous to bring him to fast and testimony meeting though because you never know what the members might "have a testimony of". haha Especially in the Kasson branch. Luckily the testimonies were all good with nothing to scary, blasphemes, or deep doctrine brought up. Probably cause we were just praying for the simple testimonies the whole time. haha Either way we were just pumped that he was able to come. It was kinda funny he asked if there was an offering plate they were going to pass around at the end because he's grown up Catholic. I explained to him briefly about what tithing was that he'd heard a few people's testimonies of and he seemed to understand it. He even grabbed a tithing envelope on his way out the door. So like I said it was a good day at church! Unfortunately later in the day it wasn't as good. Wouldn't you know that after we'd seen that great miracle with Eddy that Satan has to throw us for a loop and we got a text from one of our other really solid investigators saying he wanted to just "sit tight where he's at" and he "doesn't want to waste our time". Even though we were really sad and disappointed I know that the Lord will continue to bless us with people that are searching and need the gospel in their lives. We'll just have to keep tracting and looking a little harder to kind them that's all. haha
It's crazy to think about the guys I know that will be coming home off their missions soon. Like Mom had mentioned there's Jordan Bowden, Landon Parker ina couple weeks, KC John in June, Tyler Grange in July, and Jared Rose around that same time in the fall along with Tanner Wayment. It's just weird to me now that I'm out here immersed in missionary work to think about them going home. haha
Well that's all I really have to share that's new here in Kasson. I'm just waiting for this myth of summer to show up that I keep hearing about just like you guys. I hope everything's going well and good luck to Brady and Natalie finishing school and everyone else with finals or that are just starting. I love you guys and can't wait to talk to you next week!
Love, Alex
All I have to say first is wow! I couldn't believe the news about Osama Bin Laden when mom told it to me. That's crazy! On a happier note though I'm glad to see that there were no new accidents to report on this week. That's always good! Everyone just keep doing what we learned in drivers ed and it should be fine! haha jk ;)
Well May is officially here now, so I'm just waiting, like it sounds like you guys are too, for the flowers that are promised from all the snow and thunder showers. We're just barely starting to get the buds on most of the trees to come in. When we woke up this morning we were going to go running, but we wussed out when we saw that the air temperature itself was only 23 degrees. We're just building more character I guess. haha I can't believe it's still this cold and it's almost Mother's Day!
Speaking of Mother's Day. I know that you guys had some questions about this whole Skype call next week, and I've been thinking maybe I'll just make a regular phone call and not let you guys see my face haha. I mean getting to see me already might just take away the whole surprise and suspense of seeing me for the first time at the end of 2 years haha. ;) JK So I'm going to be using Brother Josephson's account and webcam that they have at their house since it's already set up. His account name is russjjo, and I think he should have that 5.0 software because he's pretty up to date with his computer and stuff like that. If there is a problem for some reason and we can't get through I'll just give you a quick call to see what's going on since I'm allowed to. I'm going to try and make the call around 3 pm here so it will be 2 pm there you guys out west and 4 pm for Nick I guess. I hope that time works for everyone. I thought it should give everyone enough time to get home from church and get everything done before. Hopefully. Thanks for the heads up about the package too. I'll be looking for it.
So it was a pretty good day at church here for us. It'd was fast and testimony meeting like usual for the first Sunday of the month. The awesome part about it is that our investigator Eddy that we' haven't really gotten to see much recently came to sacrament meeting with his 2 boys! We were so excited when we got to visit him last week and invited him to church and he said he could come because he had the weekend off! It was even better that he actually did make it there. He was the first investigator the missionaries have had to church in over 6 months I think if not much longer. So it was good for the members to see that we are working and teaching people. We were kinda nervous to bring him to fast and testimony meeting though because you never know what the members might "have a testimony of". haha Especially in the Kasson branch. Luckily the testimonies were all good with nothing to scary, blasphemes, or deep doctrine brought up. Probably cause we were just praying for the simple testimonies the whole time. haha Either way we were just pumped that he was able to come. It was kinda funny he asked if there was an offering plate they were going to pass around at the end because he's grown up Catholic. I explained to him briefly about what tithing was that he'd heard a few people's testimonies of and he seemed to understand it. He even grabbed a tithing envelope on his way out the door. So like I said it was a good day at church! Unfortunately later in the day it wasn't as good. Wouldn't you know that after we'd seen that great miracle with Eddy that Satan has to throw us for a loop and we got a text from one of our other really solid investigators saying he wanted to just "sit tight where he's at" and he "doesn't want to waste our time". Even though we were really sad and disappointed I know that the Lord will continue to bless us with people that are searching and need the gospel in their lives. We'll just have to keep tracting and looking a little harder to kind them that's all. haha
It's crazy to think about the guys I know that will be coming home off their missions soon. Like Mom had mentioned there's Jordan Bowden, Landon Parker ina couple weeks, KC John in June, Tyler Grange in July, and Jared Rose around that same time in the fall along with Tanner Wayment. It's just weird to me now that I'm out here immersed in missionary work to think about them going home. haha
Well that's all I really have to share that's new here in Kasson. I'm just waiting for this myth of summer to show up that I keep hearing about just like you guys. I hope everything's going well and good luck to Brady and Natalie finishing school and everyone else with finals or that are just starting. I love you guys and can't wait to talk to you next week!
Love, Alex
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