Week 59: Moses Lake

 

Heeeeeeey family! 

Update time: I'm in my 13th month as a missionary, I'm in Moses Lake, and I'm loving it!

Moses Lake is great! Mostly because of the people -- the town itself, especially in the dead of winter, is a bit dead. No matter, I still love it. And they're building a temple here! My favorite question to ask members during our visits is what their reaction was when it was announced. Mostly gasps, screams, and tears. So much faith, so much love. 😄 

Covid-wise, ML isn't too bad. We're able to visit and teach in person as long as we wear a mask. I'm really happy about that because I crave human connection. 

We're quarantined for the next little bit because of another covid scare. I'm not too worried though. Should only be another couple days if a test comes back negative, which I'm sure it will. 🙄😁 

What a time to be a missionary. This is a pioneering time and its miraculous to not only see but to be in the trenches actually digging and moving things forward to. We're taking our Facebook page through some major renovations that should help grow its popularity. 

I got to speak in Sacrament meeting yesterday. They asked me to speak on Saturday, so yes -- that phenomenon of missionaries being asked to speak at the last minute does happen. For one day of prep, I thought it turned out well. (We all really only do one day of prep, don't we?) I spoke of the story of Elijah and the widow in 1Kings 17:8-16. This story illustrates an aspect of the Atonement and our relationship with the Savior. If we give our lives with an act of faith we are given eternal life in return. Parallel to how the woman gave her last meal (in effect, her life) in an act of faith (and trust in the word of the prophet), and was rewarded meal and oil until the famine (that Elijah caused by the way, much like how God gives us trials for our shaping and growth) was finished. This is what we do as missionaries too. We invite the members and investigators to act in faith and give their lives to Christ, and find the reward of their efforts. 

I hope you are all well.

Service, Love, and Truth

Elder Craig

Week 52: The One Year Mark

Dearest Peoples,

Many greetings and apologies for not writing in a PHAT minute, but I'm here. 

I had three months with Elder Gibbons as my companion in Wenatchee, and we made lots of videos and projects, both with my artsy-fartsy skills and Elder Gibbons' amazing guitaring skills. We went on many adventures. 

My companion now is Elder Jones. He's reassigned from the Philippines and had been a missionary for about a year and a half. I'm still here in Wenatchee and this week is my one year mark of being in my mission!

It's unique to hit a year on my mission and New Years around the same time. It makes it easy to reflect on the past year because I've recorded it heavily and it's all been as a missionary. Some of the greatest lessons I've learned on my mission are to take things one day at a time, to use Christlike love as a lubricant for all situations, and that true friends can come from the unlikeliest of places. Regardless of the many struggles and difficulties I've had over this year, I can see the hand of the Lord in the midst of all of them as He uses them to shape me into who He wants me to be. I have super loved the first half of my mission and I know this next year is going to be just as amazing. 

Much love and prayers to you all.

Service, Love, and Truth

Elder Craig

Week 43: It's Been a Minute

Dear familia! 

I know, I know, it's been six months, two cities, and three companions since my last update... I apologize, things have been wild.

First, I spent another transfer in Yakima with Elder Powell. He was reassigned from Brazil and was lots of fun. We played a lot of Spikeball and ate a lot of ice cream. At the end of August I was transferred to Wenatchee. 

Wenatchee (referred to as We-nasty by jealous non-locals) is a beautiful town on the Columbia River. My first companion here was Elder Deyo. He is from Florida and baked a lot. I also lived with the Elders who head the technology in the zone so we got to work on some fun Facebook content together! 

In this transfer I'm still in Wenatchee, still in the same ward. My companion is Elder Gibbons. He was reassigned from Japan! He was there for a year and a half so he knows a lot about Japan and missionary work, so that's great! I'm also living with my trainer, Elder Jervoso, and his companion, which brings back a lot of memories! 

Last week and the week before we went on some beautiful hikes in the area, thankfully just before a freezing cold front moved into the valley. We had snow on Friday! 

That's all for now, I love you all! 

Service, Love, and Truth
Elder Craig

*Editor's Note: Hello, this is Connor's dad. Thank you for checking in on Elder Craig! Just to let everyone know, with COVID and missions in general changing, we are blessed to talk to Elder Connor Craig every week -- on Sundays and Mondays, time permitting. We speak so frequently that he rarely writes letters or emails. As his family, we are fine with that, because we get to hear directly from his mouth weekly -- but we understand that means that many of you who love Connor do NOT get an update. As a family, we apologize. Please feel free to call or text us anytime. You should know that Elder Craig is doing well. He loves the Savior, loves His gospel, and loves missionary work. He has learned to navigate these strange pandemic times, and while it is sometimes frustrating, he's a creative guy and finds ways to accomplish the work. He is also learning a great deal about how his mind works and how to use his talents. He is learning about loving others and the joy of serving others. We are proud of him. Your prayers and emails/letters are always a blessing to him. 

Week 26: Service, Art, and Counsel

Connor, with comp Elder Jolley, plus roommates

Dear Family,

Welcome to Yakistan. Or Crackima as it's also lovingly nicknamed. Yakima is known for three things: Apples, COVID-19 ... and COVID-19. Soooooo yeah, were still on heavy lock-down.

What we can do is service though, and we do quite a lot of that. From moving families into the ward to cleaning out backyards to helping out the Salvation army, we do a ton of service, which is nice. Aside from service we make phone calls, have Zoom meetings with members and make content for the WYM Facebook page.

I've been in Yakima for almost a month now and I'm navigating this new environment well, but for the first couple weeks it was pretty rough. I experienced a lot of mood swings and some really dark days. Days when the sun shone on the earth but not in my life. Those days made functioning hard. I struggled to eat well, to study, and to find motivation to do anything. After having several of those days in a row I decided to talk to one of the mission counselors about it. We've worked together (over Zoom) to help me navigate better. This quarantine is rough and missionary life looks different - perhaps more than it ever has before. I don't think we need to suffer more than necessary (if we can help it), and my experience has taught me that reaching out to others is a great way to get some help on your side.

I'm the unofficial barber of the Yakima Zone, which makes for good social interaction; everyone needs a haircut. Well, all Elders do. I've done 37 haircuts now. I'm getting better and better.

I'm working on finding new ways to do missionary work, mostly though art and crafts because that's what I'm good at and there's a lot of that on Facebook so it has potential to be a great thing.

My Spanish is coming along well. (thanks Duolingo!!!) Yo necesito usar mi celular para cartas! 😁😁😁

Welp, that's about it, we aren't really teaching anyone right now, so pray for creativity to flow and new people to be found!

Love and hugs,
Elder Craig

Week 22: Yakima!

Connor and the Ward Mission Leader in Coulee Dam

Dear family, 

Here it is, June 8th, my five month mark! I've been a missionary for longer than I worked at N.O.E. Bullet Moulds! 

After four months in Coulee Dam, President Jackman decided it was best that I see different sides of the mission. So Friday morning I packed my bags and headed south. Now I'm in Yakima, Washington. The heart of the city! Yakima is the biggest city in the mission, but as far as big cities go, it's pretty small; welcome to central Washington. 

I have new companion and roommates! My new companion is Elder Jolley. He's from American Fork and is a cool guy. He served for eight months in the Mexico City South Mission and then got reassigned to the Washington Yakima Mission after going home to isolate. He's really good at the Kendama! Like,... really good. My other roommates are Elder Smack and Elder Price. Elder Smack is an original WYM missionary and Elder Price was reassigned from Costa Rica about three weeks ago. They're both really cool and living in a four-pan is a ton of fun. Because I'm the only English speaking missionary in the apartment, I'm considering picking up a little Spanish this transfer. That should be fun. 

The area I'm assigned to was previously covered by Sisters, and at one point both Elder Jervoso and Elder Williamson served in this same area. Small mission! The biggest shock in moving has been having so many missionaries everywhere. I went from having other Elders an hour north and an hour south to having some under the same roof, literally next door, and a host of others in a five mile radius. So many missionaries! 

Even with missionaries closer, we don't see many or do much outside. Quarantine still exists and is still very much in the WYM. Rumor has it Yakima county might be the last county in America to open up again. Last week Washington had 200 new cases of Corona and 110 of them were in Yakima, so... nice timing, right? 

It's all okay though, I have plenty to do. Between learning Spanish and memorizing church proclamations, there are still things we can do to teach others and improve myself. Still, quarantine is rough. I miss the scenery and rural feel of Coulee Dam, I miss teaching people, and I miss feeling normal. The world is in absolute chaos and I feel the responsibility as a missionary and a human being to spread light and joy in the world. (Please note: We are all missionaries and human beings! We can all do our part!) 

"Brethren [and Sisters], pray for us." (1 Thes 5:25)

Service, Love, and Truth

Elder Craig

P.S. The couch in the Elders' apartment is leather ... and quickly unraveling. It's "peeling," and Connor is taking some creative liberties. 

This is a "peeling leather" (new art form) illustration of Abraham and Sarah and their posterity 

that Connor created on their couch.

Week 18: Podcasts, Quarantine & Love

Hi family!!

Update on the haps of Coulee Dam, Washington!

We're still quarantined. The stay-at-home order has been extended to May 31st so... that's fun... not. It's not fun. But it's okay because there are perks to quarantine! Namely, we've listened to some great podcasts as a mission! David Butler, Emily Freeman, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Meg Johnson, Brad Wilcox, and John and Jean Groeberg! If you want to listen to any you can find them on the LDS Living podcast.

We had Zone Conference this week (all over Zoom) with some guest speakers for the kick-off and finale firesides. Hank Smith and John Bytheway both Zoomed in and we had great discussions about Tender Mercies and Keeping our Focus on Christ. My favorite takeaways were when Brother Smith said, "We don't get our meaning from where we are in the Lord's vineyard, but from who we are." This means that either missionary, Relief Society president, nursery leader, or high-councilman, it's who we are and how we serve that pleases God, not what our calling is.

Brother Bytheway said many great things. One of my favorites being when he said people often leave the temple and say, "Well, back to the real world." But this is false. What happens in the temple and the world it belongs to is what is real. This fallen world is a temporary one and what is permanent is what is real. That touched me because I've found myself saying that as I've left the temple in the past. But he's right, this world can and will burn and fall apart and be ravaged by war and disaster, but what we do in the temple, that is real. That is what matters.

We're teaching a young lady who is very excited to attend church! Haha, so are we. She has many strong beliefs in God which is great. Updates on her later, hopefully!

I usually listen to a General Conference talk every morning while I make breakfast. The other day this stood out to me, "Love without service is like faith without works; it's dead." -- Jose L. Alonso. Love is more than just something you feel, it's something you do. You do it by sacrificing comfort or effort for others; you do it through compliments, and communicating and being a peace-maker. Lasting love doesn't just happen, it is earned through our efforts.

I love you all.
Elder Craig

Week 15: Speakers and Yard Work

Dear Fan Club [I mean family],

This week was pretty smooth. We've been teaching people over phone calls and having many Zoom meetings. The work moved forward at the speed of WiFi!

As a mission we tuned into the YouTube Live Fireside with Hank Smith, John Bytheway, and Meg Johnson. It was very touching and super insightful. My biggest takeaways were when one of them (I think it was Meg Johnson) said that gratitude is the greatest weapon against sadness, despair, fear, depression, and negativity. Truly, gratitude is a life-changing power that we can choose to have.

I also loved when one of them (I think it was Hank Smith) talked about what happy people do. He said happy people surround themselves with happy people, try to be happy, have deep conversations, listen to happy music, exercise, take time to unplug, get enough sleep, meditate, pray, and spend money on other people. These things, especially unplugging, are things I'm going to work on and I think we all should too. (Not that you're not happy,... I mean, no, yes; I do think you're happy... Okay, you're happy!... Geez...)

My favorite thing that John Bytheway said (besides his Barney Fife impression) was when he illustrated what to do when trials come. 1 Nephi 11:17 I know that God loveth His children, nevertheless I do not know the meaning of all things. Nephi starts with what he does know. Goes back to his foundation. And then he can tackle any question or doubt or trial of faith. We can do this too.

We also listened to a podcast with Scott O'Neil talking about basketball and his conversion. (For those of you who, like me, don't know who Scott O'Neil is, he's the CEO of the 76ers... apparently he's a big deal, pardon my ignorance, Scotty.) These are some thoughts I had while listening to the podcast: Life is long. People say it's short, but it's long. It is meant to be enjoyed and experienced; not endured, not suffered through, not survived. Give things time -- tough decisions that need to be made, bridges that need to be built, healing that needs to take place, projects that need to be completed, places that need to be seen, and words that need to be said -- because there is enough time. But don't let a moment slip by that could be spent loving, giving, sharing, cherishing, and being with the people you love. It was a good podcast.

Spring is coming and service is happening. We did three hours of yard work on Saturday and it felt AMAZING. The sun on my neck, the dirt on my hands, the sweat on my brow and the blood on my finger (wait, what??), nature has this way of rejuvenating the soul.

Have a great week and hopefully this pandemic thing wraps up soon.

Love and hugs,
Elder Craig