Dear Family,
I'm very sorry to hear about Katie Marie's accident, but I am also extremely grateful that the Lord blessed her in the way that He did. I will definitely be praying for her and all of you. I testify that the Lord does watch over us individually, and that through the trials of life, we can learn and grow. I'm very grateful for the power of the Priesthood. I testify that it's a real power. Prayer is also a passport to great spiritual power. How blessed we are to have the fullness of the gospel on the earth! I love you all and hope you have a great week full of miracles, gratitude, love, and the Spirit!
MIRACLE Stories:
Liz Vigil, who had the miraculous experience at church, met with us again last Monday night. This time we had 2 fellowshipping families there. We started the lesson by watching a talk by Pres. Uchtdorf: The Way of a Disciple, and the Spirit was super strong. It seemed like everything he said was perfect for Liz. After that we testified and began teaching about the baptismal covenant. She had a couple of her past concerns come up again, and the cool thing was that the members did most of the teaching and resolving. Because they knew her well, they knew how to help her understand. Then when the time was right, all we had to do was invite, and she accepted a date for April 9th!! (I should write a song about it!) It was such a cool experience to see her make a 180 degree turn. Our testimony about the importance of effective fellowship has been greatly strengthened.
P.S. A member suggested to me the other day that I name one of my daughters "Star," and I think I just might. What do you think?
Love,
Elder Craft
Monday, March 28, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Harvest the investigators
Dear Mom,
You want me to get up all by myself and teach 33 young women? You've got to be kidding me. I think I'd rather build a boat and sail to Jerusalem. On second thought, I'd rather just stay here and be a missionary. (Just kidding, I'd love to look like a fool in the service of the Lord).
As far as the garden, you could assign the boys their own plant to take care of. They could learn a lot of gospel principles that way. Maybe they could even compete with each other. When I get home, I'd gladly take on the task of helping you with it.
I'll have to think about my homecoming topic a little bit and then let you know.
Thought for the week: When we stop having challenges, we stop growing. Life is always going to full of trials of one kind or another (even now I have to go to the bathroom really bad but am struggling to finish this email). Success and happiness doesn't come when we stop having trials, but as we learn to react to them in the way that Christ would. "Come what may and love it!"
MIRACLE Stories:
Liz Vigil started off pretty stubborn and had many concerns, but was willing to listen. Her son was recently baptized in the YSA ward, and she works with a member of our ward. They're really good friends, and Liz finally agreed to meet with us missionaries. The first couple of discussions were all over the place, and we didn't seem to be making much progress. We all struggled just to be heard, and it seemed to be a small "war of words." But as she continued to meet with us, the time came when she committed to coming to church. We didn't get to talk to her much at church, but we taught her the Plan of Salvation the next day, and she was a different person! In the past, she always wanted to talk and really struggled to listen, but this time she listened intently and was very receptive. Later we found out that on her way to church she was frustrated and decided to come just this once, and that she would never come to church or meet with us again. However, as she sat through all 3 hrs. of church, she felt the Spirit so strongly that she cried through much of Sacrament meeting and Sunday School. She loved each of the talks and lessons and felt like all her questions were answered. Before she had a lot of concerns about Joseph Smith, but after church she told her friend, "I think I can start to believe this Joseph Smith thing." After church, she also felt like she had so much more energy and excitement than she usually does on a Sunday. The next day during our lesson with her, the Spirit was very strong. Before when we talked about baptism, she was very against it, because she had been baptized before, but this time when we invited her, she said that she wanted to pray about it more. She said, "I'm not saying 'no'; I'm just not saying 'yes' yet" (key word: yet). We definitely saw a miraculous change in Liz, and it was all because she came to church! It strengthened my testimony of a quote by Elder Quentin L. Cook: "Harvest the investigators going to Sacrament meeting. They are your most likely candidates for baptism." If we can just get investigators to Sacrament meeting, the Spirit will work miracles in their conversion process.
You want me to get up all by myself and teach 33 young women? You've got to be kidding me. I think I'd rather build a boat and sail to Jerusalem. On second thought, I'd rather just stay here and be a missionary. (Just kidding, I'd love to look like a fool in the service of the Lord).
As far as the garden, you could assign the boys their own plant to take care of. They could learn a lot of gospel principles that way. Maybe they could even compete with each other. When I get home, I'd gladly take on the task of helping you with it.
I'll have to think about my homecoming topic a little bit and then let you know.
Thought for the week: When we stop having challenges, we stop growing. Life is always going to full of trials of one kind or another (even now I have to go to the bathroom really bad but am struggling to finish this email). Success and happiness doesn't come when we stop having trials, but as we learn to react to them in the way that Christ would. "Come what may and love it!"
MIRACLE Stories:
Liz Vigil started off pretty stubborn and had many concerns, but was willing to listen. Her son was recently baptized in the YSA ward, and she works with a member of our ward. They're really good friends, and Liz finally agreed to meet with us missionaries. The first couple of discussions were all over the place, and we didn't seem to be making much progress. We all struggled just to be heard, and it seemed to be a small "war of words." But as she continued to meet with us, the time came when she committed to coming to church. We didn't get to talk to her much at church, but we taught her the Plan of Salvation the next day, and she was a different person! In the past, she always wanted to talk and really struggled to listen, but this time she listened intently and was very receptive. Later we found out that on her way to church she was frustrated and decided to come just this once, and that she would never come to church or meet with us again. However, as she sat through all 3 hrs. of church, she felt the Spirit so strongly that she cried through much of Sacrament meeting and Sunday School. She loved each of the talks and lessons and felt like all her questions were answered. Before she had a lot of concerns about Joseph Smith, but after church she told her friend, "I think I can start to believe this Joseph Smith thing." After church, she also felt like she had so much more energy and excitement than she usually does on a Sunday. The next day during our lesson with her, the Spirit was very strong. Before when we talked about baptism, she was very against it, because she had been baptized before, but this time when we invited her, she said that she wanted to pray about it more. She said, "I'm not saying 'no'; I'm just not saying 'yes' yet" (key word: yet). We definitely saw a miraculous change in Liz, and it was all because she came to church! It strengthened my testimony of a quote by Elder Quentin L. Cook: "Harvest the investigators going to Sacrament meeting. They are your most likely candidates for baptism." If we can just get investigators to Sacrament meeting, the Spirit will work miracles in their conversion process.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Secret Spinach Smoothie
Dear Family,
Can you believe I only have 2 months left?!! Time just keeps going faster and faster! This transfer is already half way over. Before you know it, I'll be home again, and all of us will be wishing I was still a missionary :)
So it's kind of funny: my secret spinach smoothie has been discovered by a few couples in the ward and every time the wife is always intrigued and thinks it's a great idea, but the husband is always disgusted and vows that he will never try it. It's a funny pattern that I've noticed.
I can't remember: Did I ask about housing this fall? How does that work? Am I gonna have to live on the streets? Or is there a way to get it worked out now? If you could find out, that would be awesome!!
Dad, there's a lot of great scriptures and stories about faith! A favorite talk of mine is: "Seek learning by faith" -Elder Bednar. Maybe that will be a good supplement to your study. By the way, thank you for reminding me of those great gifts taught by Pres. Hinckley. I can honestly say that I have felt each of those gifts take on much more meaning for me because of my mission. Congratulations on the new calling. You'll do great! I've definitely learned how essential it is to have effective gospel teachers in the kingdom. It makes a huge difference! Also, there is ALWAYS room for improvement, when it comes to teaching. It's a very important skill to continually develop. I can't wait to come home and learn more from you and the talents that God has given you. I love you tons!
Mom, thank you for sending Papa's funeral program. It looks very well done. I love you so much and hope you are doing well and have an awesome week!
Love,
Elder Craft
Can you believe I only have 2 months left?!! Time just keeps going faster and faster! This transfer is already half way over. Before you know it, I'll be home again, and all of us will be wishing I was still a missionary :)
So it's kind of funny: my secret spinach smoothie has been discovered by a few couples in the ward and every time the wife is always intrigued and thinks it's a great idea, but the husband is always disgusted and vows that he will never try it. It's a funny pattern that I've noticed.
I can't remember: Did I ask about housing this fall? How does that work? Am I gonna have to live on the streets? Or is there a way to get it worked out now? If you could find out, that would be awesome!!
Dad, there's a lot of great scriptures and stories about faith! A favorite talk of mine is: "Seek learning by faith" -Elder Bednar. Maybe that will be a good supplement to your study. By the way, thank you for reminding me of those great gifts taught by Pres. Hinckley. I can honestly say that I have felt each of those gifts take on much more meaning for me because of my mission. Congratulations on the new calling. You'll do great! I've definitely learned how essential it is to have effective gospel teachers in the kingdom. It makes a huge difference! Also, there is ALWAYS room for improvement, when it comes to teaching. It's a very important skill to continually develop. I can't wait to come home and learn more from you and the talents that God has given you. I love you tons!
Mom, thank you for sending Papa's funeral program. It looks very well done. I love you so much and hope you are doing well and have an awesome week!
Love,
Elder Craft
Monday, March 7, 2011
Make Every Moment Count
Dear Family,
Time just won't slow down will it?! Good thing we get to live for eternity because life just doesn't give us enough time to do all that needs to be done! Life as a missionary is very busy, and I'm sure it only gets better :) I've come to know more than ever the importance of focusing on priorities. I guess that's my thought for the week: "Make every moment count." And how do we accomplish that? Live the gospel the very best you can. As we turn our lives completely over to the Lord, He'll bring us much more success and happiness than we ever could on our own. Don't stress if you don't get to everything that you expected, just be patient and diligent. Simply do what the Lord wants you to do, and be the person the Lord wants you to be. Only then will you live with no regrets.
Dear Mom,
I'm sorry to hear about your sickness. I hope and pray that you'll be fully recovered soon!
I think that's a great idea about my birthday (especially if Benson has done what I expect he has done). I really don't need anything else on my mission (except more time, but I don't suppose you can get that for me, can you?).
I don't remember hearing that Kristen Judd is going on a mission! That's pretty exciting.
I'm in the spot that I've heard from others is the best place in the mission: junior zone leader :) I get to teach and serve other missionaries, but if something goes wrong, I can blame Elder Barzee! He's a great missionary and will go home in August.
As far as my homecoming talk, it doesn't matter to me when I do it--just whenever the Bishop would like me. After May 13th, my schedule is pretty open :) Is there a certain topic that he has in mind?
Dear Dad,
It's always good to hear from you about all the exciting adventures you go on with the goats! I can't wait to meet my substitutes :)
How is work going? Are you staying healthy? Anyways, I just wanted to say thank you for your wonderful love and support spiritually, emotionally, financially, etc... I love you so much and wish you the best week ever!
Love,
Elder Craft
Time just won't slow down will it?! Good thing we get to live for eternity because life just doesn't give us enough time to do all that needs to be done! Life as a missionary is very busy, and I'm sure it only gets better :) I've come to know more than ever the importance of focusing on priorities. I guess that's my thought for the week: "Make every moment count." And how do we accomplish that? Live the gospel the very best you can. As we turn our lives completely over to the Lord, He'll bring us much more success and happiness than we ever could on our own. Don't stress if you don't get to everything that you expected, just be patient and diligent. Simply do what the Lord wants you to do, and be the person the Lord wants you to be. Only then will you live with no regrets.
Dear Mom,
I'm sorry to hear about your sickness. I hope and pray that you'll be fully recovered soon!
I think that's a great idea about my birthday (especially if Benson has done what I expect he has done). I really don't need anything else on my mission (except more time, but I don't suppose you can get that for me, can you?).
I don't remember hearing that Kristen Judd is going on a mission! That's pretty exciting.
I'm in the spot that I've heard from others is the best place in the mission: junior zone leader :) I get to teach and serve other missionaries, but if something goes wrong, I can blame Elder Barzee! He's a great missionary and will go home in August.
As far as my homecoming talk, it doesn't matter to me when I do it--just whenever the Bishop would like me. After May 13th, my schedule is pretty open :) Is there a certain topic that he has in mind?
Dear Dad,
It's always good to hear from you about all the exciting adventures you go on with the goats! I can't wait to meet my substitutes :)
How is work going? Are you staying healthy? Anyways, I just wanted to say thank you for your wonderful love and support spiritually, emotionally, financially, etc... I love you so much and wish you the best week ever!
Love,
Elder Craft
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