Pondering.

Hola everybody!

Well, I've been on my mission for about six months.  I have served in one area (Woodstock New Brunswick). I've worked with three companions now and I have loved every bit of it.

Transfers are this week and I just found out that I will have the opportunity to continue my service right here in Woodstock! I took some time to just pondered my experience thus far in Woodstock. There has been lots of growth in all areas. The Houlton branch is increasing in size on a regular basis. It seems there is aways a chance of snow in these parts this time of year.  One thing that you can count on is any sort of weather and the people here stay home. It seems as though people are growing spiritually! It's really neat! Umm... well, that's all that comes to mind this morning:) 

Remember...Don't let the world create you, go create your world:)

Love,

Elder Craig

Yes, we are experiencing cold weather. No worries, I'm staying warm!

A letter email sent to my folks from the Mission President...

Dear Brother and Sister Craig,

As you have probably heard there is a snow storm currently affecting most areas of our mission. It has just started but weather forecasters are predicting it will be a bad one with quite a bit of snow and high winds. At this point very little snow has fallen but in anticipation of the storm, schools have been cancelled, doctors offices closes and non essential travel restricted.

Our missionaries live in nice apartments, most have 4 wheel vehicles of some sort and are prepared for such weather conditions.

Of course as the storm develops we will ask them to stay at home and use the telephone to do their missionary work. We have a well developed means of communication through the Internet and telephones to keep in touch with them all.

It is important to note that the worst of the storm will be in the New York and Boston areas where snow falls are predicted to be in the 1-3 foot level with winds gusting up to 65 miles per hour. It is not anticipated that weather in Atlantic Canada will be as severe.

As the situation unfolds we will keep you posted of any developments. The safety and security of the missionaries is our highest priority.

It is of interest that this storm coincides with our transfer week and will undoubtedly affect the arrival of our new missionaries today. As these storms usually only last a day or two we are hopeful it will not impact those missionaries who will be travelling home this Friday.

Best regards,

President Brian D. Leavitt

Self-Reflection and Guidance.

Hello...

This weeks was great! We got to go on exchanges with the Zone Leaders. Exchanges are the best! It's so much fun to see how other missionaries perform. You learn some things you should improve on as well as things that you shouldn't do;)

Leadership inside of the mission is very interesting.  It keeps things rolling on and helps missionaries BE MOTIVATED! As a District Leader right now, I get to, in some way, deliver guidance from the Mission President to other missionaries. I do this weekly in a meeting with seven other missionaries. It's quite humbling to be apart of the teaching/learning process. It got me thinking about revelation. It's such a neat concept and I'm so grateful for the role that revelation plays in my life, especially in district meetings!

Each person in this world has different needs and concerns. Everyone wants those concerns or needs to be met or resolved. The fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ can and will do that if you  allow it. Let me expound a bit... It doesn't matter what you are feeling or what you have experienced or done in your past, every person in this world is searching.  Some of us have stumbled upon the gospel, seen parts of its power, and lost touch with what it can do for us personally. I repeat...The fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ can and will do that if you allow it. There are others of us that have not yet experienced in any way the power that comes from the Atonement (when understood properly). I would invite you to exercise a particle of faith and watch the growth that comes from it!

The last thing that comes to my mind is those of us who simply go through the motions; we see it as a good thing, so we do it.  Unfortunately, it's only a matter of time before it gets old than we desensitize ourselves to what we need and we start to slip. We must be quick to restrengthen our testimony, share it often, and look for ways to serve in the gospel.

This week I've done a bit of studying on visions, not the kind like when you see something, but the kind that is created. Most of the time we go day to day creating visions unconsciously. The kind of vision I'm referring to can be a single statement that lends  powerfully or non-powerfully to the way we create and/or experience life. When you are on a mission you live, eat, and sleep visions! I've come to understand that if I want something then I have to go create it. Life doesn't always hand it to you on a silver platter;). It's been neat to see the powerful and sometimes non-powerful results that are created because of my vision. Now I don't wake up in the morning and say, "Today is going to be slow and worthless." (example of a non powerful vision), but if I'm not present to what I would like the day to be like I could fall into the trap of opposition or idleness and this is the adversaries play ground! I have to take time to self-reflect and seek guidance from the Spirit as I create my vision of life. We can see how the Savior did this on occasion when he went into the wilderness. This was a time of self-reflection and guidance. I believe we all need this!  Seek to understand what you want in life, make a VISION, stay true to it, and allow the Savior to build you up. 

Love,
Elder Craig

Seeing Tender Mercies.

Hello everybody! I hope all is well.

I have had a pretty good week.   We have seen quite a few tender mercies this week.  One occurred while communicating to a lady via Facebook.  She was having a tough time in her life! After testifying to her how the gospel can pull anyone out of anything (It truly can!  I've seen some pretty wild things occur over the past few months and it's amazing), she declined and said, "Not right now, I need a  lot more help than you can give me!" Well after receiving this news we had to jet over to a lesson. The person we were going to teach happens to be this lady's landlord.  He lives in the downstairs apartment and she lives upstairs.  Well anyway, we teach him and as we are walking out, guess who needs help carrying in loads of groceries?! Our lovely friend who I've been referring to as "the lady". We had a great chat and Alma 32'd her! Now all we have to do is water that seed everyday and we will see opportunity!

That's just one thing that's occurred. There's a few more, but I'll just share one more.  The landlord has a care taker.  It's a long story...basically he can't live by himself, but he owns an apartment complex (#peopleofwoodstock). His caretaker is awesome!  We have taught her most of the lessons and she has accepted them.  Her common law spouse is someone we have been trying to teach. We brought Keith along with us to a lesson we set up and low and behold the caretaker's spouse wants to learn more!  He's pretty into it.  THANKS KEITH! YOU MADE IT HAPPEN!

There is great power in having a member come to lessons!  So, members...If you want to be member missionaries...Here is what you can do: Ask the missionaries if you can go to lessons with them. It's easy!  They do all the work and you bring a well needed spirit to the meeting! :)

Elder Thompson (My new companion) is doing great! We are both working hard and having tons of fun!

Love you all!

ps: Matt, thanks for the message!  It means a lot!

pss: Kelli, thank you so much for your message too!

It's good to hear from you all!!!

Love,
Elder Craig

Well, look at what we have here... a new addition to the family!  Looks like I've been replaced by a four-legged, floppy-eared, fur ball of fun.