Families are Forever

Craig's thoughts regarding the passing of his adoptive grandpa Robert

So I received a phone call Saturday night. I was hurt and wasn't sure what to say or how to act. I can't really remember pres. Jepson telling me anything but that grandpa (Robert) passed. I was shocked like everyone else and I almost cried as I was talking to pres. he asked if I was going to be ok and I said I would be. After we hung up I sat on my bed with my head in my pillow crying and pondering what was just told to me. Right now I am struggling to write you.... after a little while I gathered myself and wrote in my journal as my companions went to bed early. As I wrote I listened to comforting hymns/music and continued to ponder his life.

President Jepson asked me to read and ponder Moroni chapter 10 verses 7 and 32. If you'd like to do the same, the invitation is there. It brought comfort yet I was still teary eyed. I just wasn't sure what to think or do. And of course I pondered on how you all are doing and how you would've been reacting etc. I know/knew it was going to be and is hard to bear. For me right now it feels like a dream but that is because I am not there with you right now. If I was, I’m sure it wouldn't be a dream like feeling rather sadness and sorrow with everyone else. I know though that the Comforter (Holy Ghost) is with me (as you said he was/is with you and everyone else) and I’m able to keep calm.

Thank you for the details of all that occurred. I’m not sure if it is ironic or a coincidence that all of this happened this weekend because I was asked to speak in sacrament meeting yesterday on elder legrands article from gen conf. about redemption. I was 1 of 3 speakers and as I listened to the other 2 talks they were all about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His mission in coming to earth, suffering for us, hanging on the cross then being resurrected the 3rd day. It was interesting to me that the Atonement has 3 parts (I looked over it I think Saturday morning in PMG, lesson 2, plan of salvation). the 1st is Christ's suffering in the garden of gethsemane - there he learned what all of us are feeling right now and because of that He is able to "succor" (alma 7:11-12) us and help us "endure well" the new trials and hardships we all now have.

Those are here for us so we can strengthen our testimonies, learn of their love for us more deeply, and recognize that they do exist, that, as you said, families are forever. we are to become strengthened as a family unit as Satan attacks more forcefully and strategically the families of today so when he attacks at unexpected moments the family is prepared, strengthen and ready to fight him off, whether it be physically, mentally, spiritually we will fight him off with the help of our family. The 2nd is Christ's suffering and death on the cross - we all know that while He was hung He prayed and asked forgiveness for what the soldiers were doing because "they know not what they do." He then "gave up the ghost" and passed away unto Father in heaven where we all want to be and know that Robert is there right now continuing to serve faithfully as he continues his service to God.

I know he is also comforting you and the family as you endure this hardship. the 3rd part is the resurrection - after Christ was placed in the sepulcher and the stone rolled into place to cover the hole, His spirit and immortal body were reunited in 1 and appeared to many so they knew His mission was fulfilled and so they knew they would be able to have the same privilege if they keep His commandments. this is the time for us pray and ask for that strengthened testimony that families are and can be together forever, that the resurrection is real and that Christ is there comforting us through angels and Robert and the holy ghost. "Rejoice and be of good cheer" because Christ has suffered all things and as you go to Him in sincere prayer you will be blessed in some way.

I know I was blessed with comfort Saturday night. I know my testimony has been strengthened of the love of God and Christ and of the Atonement. I know they live! And I know Robert is still living. He is watching over you wishing to be there with you yet his duty to God has need of him elsewhere. His preparations here on earth have been affected greatly by you and your love support to him in all he did. He was great and always will be great in the hearts and minds of all who know him, especially those who know him best, his wife and children. Use this time to strengthen your testimony, strengthen each other, and grow in love and unity. Stand together as you are and do not let anything that comes get in your way.

I love you all and know you will be ok. I know you all have the strength and determination to endure to the end and stay faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ. You are the best family I could ask for! If I had gone any other way, I wouldn't be happy nor would I being doing well. You are my support and when times like this come, I feel it too. You are never alone. I love you all!!! Thank you for everything you have done, still do, and will do for me. Without you I’d be nowhere. Stay strong! May the spirit be with you always, especially this week to guide and comfort you in all the goes on!

Love Craig

Animal Lover

Craig with a members dog


a deer he saw while out working

Good morning!

Wow! It sounds like it was a pretty enjoyable week. I’m glad the ranch was fun and that the party went well. Could you send me a picture of the kids in the shirts??

I’m glad Brian and Hannah had a good trip. She’s feeling better from a week ago?. And with Stacie, if she's married when i get home, she's married. I can't do anything about it. Thank you for keeping me updated on whatever happens.

So for the release date. I need to talk to my mission president about it and see what he says (that'll happen at the beginning of November). Does mcc do summer school? That is one of the thoughts i had was start school in the summer so i can catch up on a little bit. I can ask pres. Jepson if i can get on mcc's website and check it out. In any regard, as you said, I’ll pray about it and make sure I’m ok to choose Feb instead of March. With the reflections books yes I’d like 3 of them if it is possible. There are 3 member families in this area I’d like to give them to. The transfer ends though i think the 2 week in November. If it's possible to have them here before then i appreciate it and if it's not possible don't worry about. Just save the money. None of the families know i want to give them the book. I haven't mentioned it to either of them anyway so it'd be a complete surprise. Thank you for everything you do!

Sounds like the project will be a blast! Where is the retention park? And is it just a ward thing or an entire stake or multiple stake thing? I’ll miss that opportunity greatly.

So this past week was fun. There was a wedding for 2 members in the ward (they married each other) on Saturday. A Spanish sister and an English brother. They didn't marry in the temple so the ceremony was held in the chapel then a dinner afterward. Lots of people there and great food. We have 2 investigators who are ready for baptism however one of them has autism and we're not sure how sever it is. We know something’s but she seems like she'll understand everything and be able to be baptized. We’re hoping and praying that she is accountable. The other is jean. We know she is ready but she's not sure if she is. We’re praying for her too. We have some awesome potential investigators some of the members are working with before they ask us to teach them but they are close to being ready. The members are doing awesome and i love serving with them. I love the area and if/when i leave I’ll be sad but i know testimonies will have been strengthened.

I love you all. Thank you for everything. I enjoy the letters and pictures/drawings from the kids etc. i know the gospel brings true happiness! It is the only way to an enjoyable life. It is the only way to endure through challenges and trials and come out on top. It is the pure love of Christ. I love you all. Thank you for everything!! Have a great week! Stay cool and safe.

Love Craig

All is well

Good afternoon!

Surprisingly i have a 2nd chance to email home!! I was pretty excited when i found out. We just finished with district meeting and we are on an exchange. The elder who is with us for the exchange hasn't emailed yet (the library they go to was closed yesterday) so we are doing it right now!

I’m glad the wedding went well! I’m sorry to hear Hannah wasn't feeling too well. She’ll be in my prayers. And I’m glad a cold front went through. It’s been in the higher 70s lately and it’s hot. I don’t like it! Ha-ha

Sounds like everything else went well. I say hi to all of them too. What’s the deal with Stacie??? i haven't heard anything until you said it's possible she'll be married soon.... how long has she been dating?

The trio is wonderful! I am really enjoying it, more than i thought i would be. It’s been crazy for the first 2 weeks. We had service the day after transfers as well as general conference that weekend. The next week we had zone meeting and zone conference (the difference is the meeting is just my zone; the conference is multiple zones). We also had an exchange last week and more service!! We went out Sunday after church to help out and it wasn’t too productive then we found another home that hasn't been touched since the flood and needs a ton of help so we found another project for Sunday. Whether we go out and help I’m not sure if we'll be called on so we'll see what happens there. I did get the package!! Thank you for everything! The shaver/razor works great! I’m using it and it works well! Thank you for getting that for me. Consider it an early Christmas gift (I’m not asking for anything because I’ll be home right after and the same for my birthday - don’t' buy me anything for those 2 "occasions"). And yesterday i asked for 2 reflections of Christ books; may i ask for 1 more??

All is going well. Happy and peaceful. Thanks for everything! I love you all! Have a great week!

Love Craig

sorry its a little late

Good morning and happy October!

(Only joking) please don't remind me of how much time i lack before going home..... Ha-ha. I know Christmas is close.... that means time for me to be out here goes shortly after. It will be a sad thing yet joyful as we are able to see one another once again.

I loved General Conference this past weekend and the spiritual feast it truly was. I loved elder Holland’s discourse (some English words no longer sound correct to me so i use the English translation from Spanish) during priesthood session. It was amazing! And of course President Monson's humorous attitude Saturday. We went to the chapel and watched all 5 sessions there. Jean went to both sessions on Saturday and the 2nd session on Sunday. I couldn't get my 2 companions to stick with me in trying to get her to go to the Sunday morning session and miss her church..... I was saddened too because everything that was said Sunday morning was meant for Jean!!! And she missed it, as i knew was going to happen if she didn't go. On the bright side though, she thoroughly enjoyed and loved everything else she watched and heard. I’m ecstatic that she came for the sessions she did and i know it'll help her know our church is the only true church as she continues to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it and prophets etc. I’m glad the kids were able to listen and keep still as conference was on.

As far as a conf. ensign we do get them but it is one per companionship. I’d like to have my personal when they come out if possible. I enjoy making markings as a kind of journal within the ensign itself. I’ll always remember what i was feeling and thinking that made me mark what i do (and i have a study journal next to the ensign anyway so I’ll write things out in that too). Thank you!!! And yes, it was a spiritual battery recharge.

So i have 2 companions now, a trio!! Elders Peterson and heath are my new companions; I’ve served around both of them before and know them decently. Elder heath is English and elder Peterson speaks Spanish.... I’m not sure what the Lord has in store for us but we'll find out soon enough. Elder Peterson goes home in December and elder heath sometime next year (long after me). They are great elders and we will do well this transfer. I’m going to learn and grow a ton being and serving with them. Elder heath hasn't been around too many Spanish areas.... i think this is his 2nd.

The package wasn't in time for transfers but yes it is here. I’ll pick it up on Wednesday b/c we have zone conference. Thank you for sending it!! And by the way, Tanner - my favorite colors are red, blue, green, and orange. Have fun bud! I love you!

I too know President Monson is the prophet today. The Book of Mormon is true and is what testifies of that. Christ lives and "loves us too." It is through His example that we learn and grow and become the sons and daughters Heavenly Father wants us to become. He will give us the trials so we reach that. He will also give us the blessings as we keep His commandments. In all things He is looking for ways to bless us and as you said Rob, He'll do anything to help us be happy. We will always be indebted to him.

Have a great week! I love you all! Thank you for everything!