Week 12: Officially Quarantined

Connor and Elder Williamson

Well, we're officially in Quentin Quarantino!

We teach over the phone, we meet over Facebook, and we visit over Zoom. What a unique time!

We get lots of time, and an hour+ everyday, to go outside. We go to parks, lakes, grassy fields, and hikes. We throw paper airplanes on windy days and take our shoes off on warm days. Nature is a centering and rejuvenating force.

We are teaching some really great people right now! We're teaching a young family, a sweet older lady, and a man with lots of questions. All over the phone! It's definitely not what I thought I'd be doing six months ago. But I'm learning a lot and gaining lots of insight and perspective of what we can really do with technology.

Unfortunately, we've had about a dozen missionaries from our mission go home for health reasons. We are all very sad for them and pray for them a lot. I've had many friends around the world head home - some temporarily and some for good, for health and safety reasons. I feel blessed that I am able to stay here in Washington. I'm so grateful that I have been called to the work at this incredible time. The fact that I get to stay is a privilege and it makes me want to serve twice as hard as before!

I'm so excited for General Conference! The opportunity to hear from God's chosen servants is always something to look forward to but especially at this time of chaos and turmoil, I feel extra anxious to hear what they have to say to us.

Hugs and love,
Elder Craig

Week 11: Pseudo-Quarantine

 Quarantine Preppin'

Hello, everyone!

I'm sure you - and everyone else - is wondering what's happening in the mission, with so many missions quarantining and sending missionaries home. So here's all the information we have:

• My companion and I call it "Pseudo-quarantine." We are suspending door-to-door tracting and street contacting. 
• We are putting a big focus on working with members and online work. (If you see a sudden surge of Facebook posts from me, now you know why.)
• About a dozen missionaries are unfortunately leaving our mission due to health concerns that put them at higher risk of COVID-19. (I say "unfortunately," but fortunately they are being kept safe.)
• The mission is still open and the work continues to move forward. My heart goes out to all who return early or are reassigned on their missions. Unexpected turns of events are tough. 

Elder Williamson and I are teaching some new people this week, which is exciting. We're working on teaching over video calls and phone conversations. It's not what I expected when I started my mission but I'm so glad we have the technology to continue God's work!

This week was supposed to be Zone Conference and the mission temple trip, however, as you might imagine, those will not be happening.

I love this area and how secluded it is. The sunsets are beautiful and Elder Williamson and I have a favorite park we go to during out "fresh-air time" hour. (I say favorite park ... it's the only park for miles).

I sometimes feel like I have to take care of the rest of the world and it's craziness, but then I remember my sphere of influence is right here and this is what I proactively work on--Coulee Dam and Facebook.

With technology as advanced as it is and right at our fingertips, while we do face a big trial, we also have a mighty big opportunity. So take the opportunities when you see them!

Love and hugs!
Elder Craig

Connor found this photo on the ward's Facebook page, from years past. That Elder on the right? That's Elder Trent Peterson. He is now married to Katie's sister. About 8 years ago, Connor's uncle served in the same ward/area that Connor is serving in. It's the smallest of worlds. 

Week 9: Canada & Spokane

Connor's area: Grand Coulee

This week is transfers! Elder Jervoso is getting transferred out and I'm getting a new companion and staying in Coulee Dam!

We had back-to-back exchanges this week with other Elders so we were out of Coulee for a few days! I got to see the northern most part of the mission and glanced at Canada!

Sing it with me: Oh, Canadaaaaa...

I also left the mission boundaries this week! Don't worry, it wasn't against the rules, we went to the Spokane Temple with some recent converts. The Spirit was very strong and peaceful there.

I had a wonderful, spiritual experience this week. There is a family we meet with regularly - the dad and children were baptized already and the mom is still searching. She said she "felt hesitant" about getting baptized. When I got bold and simply asked her if she felt the gospel was true, she said, "Oh, yes." I then shared Mosiah 18 and we talked about believing and being willing to make covenants to love the Lord and love others. The Spirit was there and it was a powerful moment.

I gave a talk in church yesterday. I spoke on Elder Uchtdorf's talk Your Great Adventure. My favorite part is when he says we don't have to live the Gospel perfectly, but that we should live it intentionally. I think that's where grace comes in. When the intentions lead to intentional actions. Then after all we can do, grace makes up the rest.

Love and hugs to you all,
~Elder Craig

Week 8: Guns & Dog Bites

Hey Fam. Ya'll are beautiful and I miss you.

This week we knocked on the door of a man holding a rifle while he asked us, "Who's there?!" So, it wasn't exactly having "a gun pulled on me," but ... it was the most Jason Bourne moment of my mission so far. Also, Elder Jervoso got bit by a dog this week.

I don't have any real good stories this week. (Unless you count the dog bite. Which I do.) We had two exchanges and both went well. We have two more this week. Being the district leader, Elder Jervoso does a good number of exchanges with the missionaries in our district. I'm always glad to meet other missionaries and see their areas and how they work. I learn something from each one of them. I'm also glad to get back together with Elder Jervoso. And not just because he makes me pork menudo.

We went bowling as a district on our prep-day. It was lots of fun. There are many different personalities in the district - but bowling really unites the masses, you know? No? Well, it does in chilly northern Washington in March.

The Missionary department released a video this week of Elder Uchtdorf and Elder Nielson talking about missionaries being more "normal" or natural in their interactions with people. They had clips of good examples and bad examples, all staged of course. Some were reeeeeeally cringe-y, which I think was what they were trying to show, so I guess that means they did a good job producing them. Anyway after it was done I lead a short discussion on sincerity and how we can have more of it in our teaching.

The time sure does fly here. It feels like yesterday was Friday and the day before was last Sunday.

This next week we are taking a temple trip to Spokane and I'll be giving a talk in church on Sunday (foreshadowing).

Love and hugs.

Elder Craig