A Tongan Transfer

Dear Family,

My new companion is Elder Tauteoli from West Valley, Ut. His parents are originally from Tonga. He's a great Elder. He played sports in high school (football, basketball, baseball). He's very disciplined, humble, and ready to work. So I'm really excited for this transfer. Our first day out I started praying for Elder Tauteoli as we were tracting, and I realized I couldn't remember how to say his name in my prayer :) But now I've finally got it down! (The vowels are pronounced like Cow, Hey, and Ravi(oli).) He's also got a great sense of humor, which is cool.

Also, we got a new car! It's a RED 2010 Corolla. It's the car the AP's were driving and it only has about 1200 miles on it. (The previous one had 55,000!). So I feel incredibly spoiled. It's a VERY nice car (nice interior, new car scent, etc...). It'll probably be the nicest car I drive for quite some time. So here I am doing missionary work full-time in the best mission in the world, being entertained by a greenie, and driving a beautiful new car. Can life get better? I submit that it cannot!! ....and it sure beats riding a stinky old horse! (no offense Mc-whatever-your-name-is). But I still would very much enjoy pictures of your new-found paradise :)

Some one recommended a book to me for when I get back. It's called "Pure Religion". Apparently it's about how the gospel is all about service, and stuff like that. They said it is very good. You might want to look it up.

We had a visit with our Ward Mission Leader the other day and he said something that really stuck me. He said, "Every member is a missionary whether they like it or not. We just need to teach them how to be more efficient missionaries." The prophets don't say "Every member SHOULD be a missionary." They say, "Every member IS a missionary." And it's so true! When we took upon ourselves the covenants of baptism, we accepted that responsibility. I've seen the impact that members have on other people quite a bit on my mission, for good or for bad. Mostly for good, which makes people more interested in what we have to say, but I did run into a lady who said that she's had some bad experiences with some of our members, and it's hard to argue with that, because it's only fair that people judge the church by what the people are like. That's why it's so important, for us a members of the one true church, to faithfully "stand as a witness of God at all times, in all things, and in all places." People are constantly watching us and as President Uchtdorf counseled, we need to be known for our love for God and our fellow men. We must always act like disciples of Christ, and be willing to share the gospel whenever we can. Children are the best examples of this. They are fearless! When they share the gospel, they are doing it out of love, and so it's not awkward, hesitant, or unclear. No wonder the scriptures say, "be like little children." They are our examples of what disciples of Christ are like, because their light of Christ is not tainted or dimmed with sin.

I testify to all of you that I know this Church is true! God is our loving Heavenly Father who is perfectly aware of each and every one of us. He sent His Son to suffer and die for us and to show us the way to return back to Him. The Book of Mormon is inspired of God. Joseph Smith restored the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and President Monson is the Lord's representative on the earth today! Listen to the words of our living prophets like everything depends on it, because it does! Listen to them like they're your guides through the most dangerous jungle in the world, and follow every word of command with exactness. I love you all and wish you a wonderful conference experience this weekend! (Strive your best to be worthy of the Spirit this week, because the Spirit is the master teacher).

Love,
Elder Craft


MIRACLE Stories:
Neal Kermas was our only investigator with a baptismal date, and we've trying to contact him all week, but because of his work, we haven't been able to. He had only been to church once, and we were under the impression that he was out of town and couldn't make it to church. Anyways, as I was greeting people before Sacrament Meeting, lo and behold, in walks Neal! He came completely on his own! Later we were able to teach the gospel principles class with Neal and one other investigator. We taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which was something they both needed, and it went well. It was quite miraculous!

Transfer day was pretty cool. After a quick planning session we went out to teach Jared Rubino for the second time. We taught him the Plan of Salvation, and it went well. Then we went tracting and were able to get into 2 doors and teach both of them a lesson. Neither ended up being solid, but we were blessed with valuable teaching experience. I can tell this transfer will be awesome! We were ITLing and came across a couple who were moving a washer and dryer up some apartment stairs. They said we arrived at just the right time. Afterwards, we ITLed them, taught a 5 min. Restoration lesson, left a Book of Mormon, and will be following up in a week. It was a miracle!