some excitement here that’s been going on.... we finally had our "white Christmas" a day late and 2 - 21/2 feet of snow falling in. i have some pictures I’ll send next week; it’s made driving an harder task than normal so all you over there in Arizona, be glad for not getting snow!!! It’s been fun though. We couldn't get out on Monday so we are emailing today. The roads went from 5 lanes to 3, if that and what’s worse is the snow plows haven’t come down our street yet. It’s been fun shoveling snow every morning!
Anyway Christmas went well. We had 3 lessons but i don’t remember if we ate somewhere or not. We enjoyed the time though to visit with family and teach investigators.
The temple went well. Our plans were changed a bit when we found out the schedules were different from week days to weekends - we got through a Spanish session and some sealing’s in English. We weren’t really allowed to take pictures and i forgot my camera at the house anyway - we were in a big rush to get out on time. We took public transportation meaning trains and it was probably about an hour of figuring everything out and travels when we got to the temple. We walked about 3 blocks and the temple is on a corner. It’s super small and has many levels. It’s pretty cool. I also saw a sister from my MTC district at the temple (we walked outside of the temple into the foyer and she and her comp were outside talking to people). It was weird but cool at the same time. Elders, well, we ran into many of them but we originally started off with 4 - there were probably 20 at the temple that morning.
Enjoy your week off and the time to relax and hang out with the kids etc. i need to get going and next week I’ll send home pictures. Gemma i love you and am glad you had a good Christmas!
I love you all. Thank you for the package you sent me. I definitely am glad to have the snacks! Be safe and have a great week!
Love Craig
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
short one
buenas tardes a todos!!!
so ya a quick letter from me saying i read your letter. ill call between 1-3 your time. I’m not sure exactly what time but expect it. I can only talk to everyone for about 45 minutes is what President Bahr has told us so we'll use time to the max.
Grandma Lloyd and Roberts both sent me a card - thank you for taking care of that for me. Thank you for the updates and I’ll be praying for Julie and tanner specifically.
I went to the temple but we'll talk about that on Saturday so this is the email for the week.
My comp's name is Elder Wilkins - he's moved all over the country/world but he actually has his parents in Peoria right now so times for us are the same. :) cool huh? We get along great.
Love you all! Have a great week! We’ll talk on sat!!!
Love Craig
so ya a quick letter from me saying i read your letter. ill call between 1-3 your time. I’m not sure exactly what time but expect it. I can only talk to everyone for about 45 minutes is what President Bahr has told us so we'll use time to the max.
Grandma Lloyd and Roberts both sent me a card - thank you for taking care of that for me. Thank you for the updates and I’ll be praying for Julie and tanner specifically.
I went to the temple but we'll talk about that on Saturday so this is the email for the week.
My comp's name is Elder Wilkins - he's moved all over the country/world but he actually has his parents in Peoria right now so times for us are the same. :) cool huh? We get along great.
Love you all! Have a great week! We’ll talk on sat!!!
Love Craig
Monday, December 13, 2010
Almost Christmas
Good afternoon!!!
So that sounds like a crazy week! Work is the same for you by thesounds of it. And the parties went well I’m assuming. Were Travis andtiffany married in the temple? I’m glad the ward party went well. It’scrazy they both ended up on the same night.
I didn’t realize golden corral did breakfast as well but that’s good mydad was able to do something. That’s cool that ammom celebrated hisb-day on the same day as tanner too. It makes for easier planning Iguess?
Yes it'd be better for the money to go to you b/c I doubt I can cashchecks out here. I’d ask Luke about that one. She doesn't have toworry about that at all either. Grandma Lloyd sent me a card and I gotthat today. It was very sweet of her to do that. Thank you Grandma! So I only sent one package with my ipod, the gift(s) for tanner, gemma and Emily.
Monica is definitely prepared. She should be baptized this Sunday butmy new comp wants to wait b/c he wants to make sure she can come tochurch faithfully so we'll see what happens. We think we'll go to thetemple the week of Christmas but we'll see what happens. That daybecomes our p-day also so you might get a letter 2 times in oneweek.... sorry I can’t be more specific.
So my new comp has moved around a bit but his parents are now inPeoria AZ which is quite ironic. Calling shouldn’t' be too hard though.I’ll make sure it all works out. 1-2 as time should work out fine. Mycomp though was dropped as a zl and placed with me... he is exactlyobedient which is good even though it might bother me a little. Thedifference maker though is he is very very smart. An example he got aperfect score on the act without studying. Smart right? He confoundspeople when they ask him questions (not investigators but othermissionaries) and tells them to go to such and such chapters in the bomor bible. I am the designated driver; he doesn't have a license. It’scrazy driving here and luckily we haven't had any snow storms yet butwe have had signs of snow. It was raining all day yesterday and thismorning. We’ll see if we get snow from it. Funny story, it hit 50degrees and we both were saying that it was a warm day..... :)
With the sweater I don't think it has to be a v-neck so whateverworks. I don't know if you already bought one or not but maybe the oneyou buy can have a color to it, not just solid black.... if youalready bought it and sent it, don't worry about getting another one.I have plenty of warmth with the one you're sending to get me throughthe winter.
I think I’m 2 hours ahead of you so that time frame should work fine.Again, I’ll make sure it works out. :) The time is flying by! I’ve been gone almost a year and to me itdoesn't seem like it has been that long..... I don't know about youand the rest of the family.
this past week has been fun and it'llonly get better. I love you all and thank you for everything!! Foryour support and willingness to help me be comfortable while I’m gone.I keep you all in my prayers everyday and hope you all have a greatweek!! Let me know if there is anything I can do for you. Have a greatweek!
love Craig
PS
Rob and Julie a special thanks to you for everything. you have been my parents for thepast 4 years if not longer and have been my support for me being outhere. it really means a lot me to me and I don't know how to give itback, if I can... thank you for your love and help in getting me out here to serve.
So that sounds like a crazy week! Work is the same for you by thesounds of it. And the parties went well I’m assuming. Were Travis andtiffany married in the temple? I’m glad the ward party went well. It’scrazy they both ended up on the same night.
I didn’t realize golden corral did breakfast as well but that’s good mydad was able to do something. That’s cool that ammom celebrated hisb-day on the same day as tanner too. It makes for easier planning Iguess?
Yes it'd be better for the money to go to you b/c I doubt I can cashchecks out here. I’d ask Luke about that one. She doesn't have toworry about that at all either. Grandma Lloyd sent me a card and I gotthat today. It was very sweet of her to do that. Thank you Grandma! So I only sent one package with my ipod, the gift(s) for tanner, gemma and Emily.
Monica is definitely prepared. She should be baptized this Sunday butmy new comp wants to wait b/c he wants to make sure she can come tochurch faithfully so we'll see what happens. We think we'll go to thetemple the week of Christmas but we'll see what happens. That daybecomes our p-day also so you might get a letter 2 times in oneweek.... sorry I can’t be more specific.
So my new comp has moved around a bit but his parents are now inPeoria AZ which is quite ironic. Calling shouldn’t' be too hard though.I’ll make sure it all works out. 1-2 as time should work out fine. Mycomp though was dropped as a zl and placed with me... he is exactlyobedient which is good even though it might bother me a little. Thedifference maker though is he is very very smart. An example he got aperfect score on the act without studying. Smart right? He confoundspeople when they ask him questions (not investigators but othermissionaries) and tells them to go to such and such chapters in the bomor bible. I am the designated driver; he doesn't have a license. It’scrazy driving here and luckily we haven't had any snow storms yet butwe have had signs of snow. It was raining all day yesterday and thismorning. We’ll see if we get snow from it. Funny story, it hit 50degrees and we both were saying that it was a warm day..... :)
With the sweater I don't think it has to be a v-neck so whateverworks. I don't know if you already bought one or not but maybe the oneyou buy can have a color to it, not just solid black.... if youalready bought it and sent it, don't worry about getting another one.I have plenty of warmth with the one you're sending to get me throughthe winter.
I think I’m 2 hours ahead of you so that time frame should work fine.Again, I’ll make sure it works out. :) The time is flying by! I’ve been gone almost a year and to me itdoesn't seem like it has been that long..... I don't know about youand the rest of the family.
this past week has been fun and it'llonly get better. I love you all and thank you for everything!! Foryour support and willingness to help me be comfortable while I’m gone.I keep you all in my prayers everyday and hope you all have a greatweek!! Let me know if there is anything I can do for you. Have a greatweek!
love Craig
PS
Rob and Julie a special thanks to you for everything. you have been my parents for thepast 4 years if not longer and have been my support for me being outhere. it really means a lot me to me and I don't know how to give itback, if I can... thank you for your love and help in getting me out here to serve.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Hola
Happy birthday Gemma and Tanner!!! I hope you have a great week!!
so happy December!! Christmas day is coming - phone calling is near. We’ll see what happens with time etc. Thanksgiving was fun, and Christmas will not be the same, in terms of eating dinner...... we've had 2 members already ask us to come over so we are, and that is all. We’ll visit others but we will not eat more than 2. And I’m sorry I ate so much at home.... I’ll pay you back somehow.
Well today is the 2nd day it has been snowing. The first was thanksgiving for a few hours. I think today could be all day long. The temps have not gone above 52 degrees if they've even hit 50 degrees. Right now outside its 32 or within a degree or 2 of that. it's crazy. We played as missionaries and we had members/less actives and investigators there. It was great!! haha that’s awesome the ward got together for the game.
I remember when I was still with my trainer we gave a blessing or 2. I wanted to do the anointing though because I was fearful.... I wish I wasn’t and I’m learning to just follow the promptings I receive. yesterday I was able to confirm Marisol a member of the church and give her the Holy Ghost - our bishop told me I could do it in English if I felt more comfortable but I think it was better for Marisol b/c she doesn't understand Spanish as well. I did it in English yet I wish I would've done it in Spanish. Like you said, it really forces you to rely on the spirit and I love that feeling.
So for transfers, I will be staying in the Newark/oranges area but my companion is leaving. So I’ll have a new comp and when it comes to driving, President Bahr chooses who drives. The past weeks my comp drove and now that he is being transferred I think I’ll be the "appointed driver". most, if not, all, of the church vehicles have a "black box" - I don't know if you know what that is but this "box" regulates how fast you can drive and the way you drive etc. when someone speeds it says "speeding violation" and you have 10 seconds to slow down. If you don’t the church finds out which means Pres. Bahr finds out etc. its that way for everything. the "box" gets so annoying that if there is ever a reason to unplug it and we have permission to do so, we leave it unplugged as long as possible.
With the tithing I’ll send it home. What would you say is the easiest way to do it?
Did you get my package? If so, was everything ok inside? Well tanner and gemma are a year older, well gemma is today, and tanner is on Saturday, right? I can’t believe it. They are growing so old!! haha I love the kids. I’m sorry to hear the cards lost, but glad you were able to enjoy really good food!! Brother Hahl, the mission prep instructor informed me of the "sagging sports teams" in az. it’s sad they aren’t doing that great now.
So we had 2 great experiences this past week - 2 investigators received their answers, at least one did for sure and the other really felt the spirit. Monica, the first investigator, was saying the closing prayer and started to ask what happened to me, and had burst into tears. Luckily the Lord had everything planned out and we had a sister member there who was able to comfort her through the prayer. Afterwards she looked at us and stared and asked us to explain what happened. She said in the prayer she knew we would explain to her what happened. She said she "felt cold then warm" in a way she has never felt before. The spirit was so strong there. Yolanda, our other investigator, also gave the closing prayer - she too started to cry b/c of the love she has for her family, kids and the spirit touched her. She said she will be baptized when she know the church is true. She is definitely ready and prepared.
I’m excited for this month!!! We are allowed to go to the Manhattan temple one day this month - we choose the day - and probably snap a few pictures here and there. It’ll be a blast!!! We have a "brunch" in the mission home sometime this month as well and the best, of course, is calling home. For now we have 2 phones so it shouldn't be too hard to arrange a time that is best for everyone at home.
I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church. I’ve realized here more and more how blessed we really are to have the gospel already in our lives from when we are born. I see so many young men that are sad that enjoy the worldly things that they are not building that true happiness they desire so much. We took one young man out with us and when we dropped him off he asked us to take him out again, soon. He allowed to spirit to touch his heart and has desires to continue feeling the spirit!! Read the scriptures daily, pray daily and always have a prayer in your heart, and always always let everyone know how much you love them, whoever that may be. And always share your testimony, whenever possible. It’ll touch someone’s life somewhere on the way.
I love you all and thank you for everything!!! I’m praying for everyone all the time and personally I am learning and growing I hope I am different when I call. I’ll let you be the judge of that. If I can do anything for anyone please let me know. I hope everyone stays healthy and are able to enjoy this wonderful season!! Have a great week!
Love Craig
so happy December!! Christmas day is coming - phone calling is near. We’ll see what happens with time etc. Thanksgiving was fun, and Christmas will not be the same, in terms of eating dinner...... we've had 2 members already ask us to come over so we are, and that is all. We’ll visit others but we will not eat more than 2. And I’m sorry I ate so much at home.... I’ll pay you back somehow.
Well today is the 2nd day it has been snowing. The first was thanksgiving for a few hours. I think today could be all day long. The temps have not gone above 52 degrees if they've even hit 50 degrees. Right now outside its 32 or within a degree or 2 of that. it's crazy. We played as missionaries and we had members/less actives and investigators there. It was great!! haha that’s awesome the ward got together for the game.
I remember when I was still with my trainer we gave a blessing or 2. I wanted to do the anointing though because I was fearful.... I wish I wasn’t and I’m learning to just follow the promptings I receive. yesterday I was able to confirm Marisol a member of the church and give her the Holy Ghost - our bishop told me I could do it in English if I felt more comfortable but I think it was better for Marisol b/c she doesn't understand Spanish as well. I did it in English yet I wish I would've done it in Spanish. Like you said, it really forces you to rely on the spirit and I love that feeling.
So for transfers, I will be staying in the Newark/oranges area but my companion is leaving. So I’ll have a new comp and when it comes to driving, President Bahr chooses who drives. The past weeks my comp drove and now that he is being transferred I think I’ll be the "appointed driver". most, if not, all, of the church vehicles have a "black box" - I don't know if you know what that is but this "box" regulates how fast you can drive and the way you drive etc. when someone speeds it says "speeding violation" and you have 10 seconds to slow down. If you don’t the church finds out which means Pres. Bahr finds out etc. its that way for everything. the "box" gets so annoying that if there is ever a reason to unplug it and we have permission to do so, we leave it unplugged as long as possible.
With the tithing I’ll send it home. What would you say is the easiest way to do it?
Did you get my package? If so, was everything ok inside? Well tanner and gemma are a year older, well gemma is today, and tanner is on Saturday, right? I can’t believe it. They are growing so old!! haha I love the kids. I’m sorry to hear the cards lost, but glad you were able to enjoy really good food!! Brother Hahl, the mission prep instructor informed me of the "sagging sports teams" in az. it’s sad they aren’t doing that great now.
So we had 2 great experiences this past week - 2 investigators received their answers, at least one did for sure and the other really felt the spirit. Monica, the first investigator, was saying the closing prayer and started to ask what happened to me, and had burst into tears. Luckily the Lord had everything planned out and we had a sister member there who was able to comfort her through the prayer. Afterwards she looked at us and stared and asked us to explain what happened. She said in the prayer she knew we would explain to her what happened. She said she "felt cold then warm" in a way she has never felt before. The spirit was so strong there. Yolanda, our other investigator, also gave the closing prayer - she too started to cry b/c of the love she has for her family, kids and the spirit touched her. She said she will be baptized when she know the church is true. She is definitely ready and prepared.
I’m excited for this month!!! We are allowed to go to the Manhattan temple one day this month - we choose the day - and probably snap a few pictures here and there. It’ll be a blast!!! We have a "brunch" in the mission home sometime this month as well and the best, of course, is calling home. For now we have 2 phones so it shouldn't be too hard to arrange a time that is best for everyone at home.
I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church. I’ve realized here more and more how blessed we really are to have the gospel already in our lives from when we are born. I see so many young men that are sad that enjoy the worldly things that they are not building that true happiness they desire so much. We took one young man out with us and when we dropped him off he asked us to take him out again, soon. He allowed to spirit to touch his heart and has desires to continue feeling the spirit!! Read the scriptures daily, pray daily and always have a prayer in your heart, and always always let everyone know how much you love them, whoever that may be. And always share your testimony, whenever possible. It’ll touch someone’s life somewhere on the way.
I love you all and thank you for everything!!! I’m praying for everyone all the time and personally I am learning and growing I hope I am different when I call. I’ll let you be the judge of that. If I can do anything for anyone please let me know. I hope everyone stays healthy and are able to enjoy this wonderful season!! Have a great week!
Love Craig
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