A crazy week of cambios

Hello everyone in the US, Chile, and possibly elsewhere!

I hope everyone had a good week! This was a crazy week for us here in Punata with a finish that NOBODY was expecting.

So, this week was Punata's anniversary, which means that the entire town was a huge freakin' party. So, that made the work here really hard this week. We really had to take advantage of the work we could do on Tuesday and Wednesday, because we did a little work on Thursday, and Friday we had to stay in the house because of all of the drinking and drunks around the city. Also, sadly, we weren't able to get any baptisms this week like we had wanted to. We really wanted to baptize Mario this past weekend, but we went to try to find him all week, and we literally could not find him once. Ok, so on Saturday we were determined to go find him, so we went as early as we could and just about one block away from his house we see him riding his bike away, so we tried to shout and whatnot, but we never got his attention. Sooooo, we went back in the afternoon, and his workshop was open, and his son answered and said he wasn't home. Then later we were tracting a little ways off and his son passes on a bike and says that his dad's at home. And this was about the time that he shuts his shop, so my companion and I practically ran to go see him, but again as we got there, just one block away, his shop door shut, so we lost the opportunity to talk for the entire week.

We were able to helpone of the companionships in our ward to have a baptism. It's been MONTHS since they've had baptisms, so they were really excited for the baptism. And it turned out to be one of the most spiritual experiences that I've had in my mission. This baptism was really cool because the girl who got baptized was truly converted so the entire thing was an awesome spiritual experience.

So, we got out changes, and I am out of Punata. But things were wacky this time because they are merging my area with the area of the other elders here in Punata because there isn't enough missionaries in the mission right now to fill the space. And Elder Blackwelder(who's the only one staying from our house) is training in now the largest area in the mission. It was really unexpected that that would have happened. My "kid" is going to work in the mission offices as one of the secretaries, which is really cool. I am headed to Sucre to be a District Leader over eight missionaries, so I'm freaking out about the responsablility, but I think I'll do well, cuz that's where the Lord needs me right now.

Dad- Wow, I want a po-boy....sooooo jealous. Have a great week!

Mom- That's cool that you saw an eclipse! And no, I did not gain a million pounds. Just two. Hahaha, have a great week!

Aly- You read that Bible! I tried once here, but I failed. Also, have a great week at work. Just listen to my music, and it'll just fly by!

Emi- Glad your school did well in track! And I know you'll do well on all of your  tests. Don't you worry! ;)

Next week I'll be writing from Sucre! Until next time!

-- 
AEA


Elder Craig

Birfday week! (received 5/14/12)

Hey everyone! 


Well, happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there! I hope you had a great day yesterday! This week was a TON better than the past week. It was more successful and rewarding than the last week.

So, my companion and I did a lot of work this week. We focused time into working mainly in Yacanahuyo and with the Crespo Family. Lately it has been rough for us to have investigators come to church, and now we are having our investigators come to church, but now the problem is that they come late to church. And the Area Presidency has declared that for the asistence to church to count towards the baptismal date, the investigators must participate in the Sacrament.....that means that even that we've had 5 or 6 investigators show up to church, we've had to report 0 investigators at church for two weeks in a row. That's been really frustrating for us, but we're really happy that they're even coming to church, which was a huge problem before. But, our investigators are progressing well now.

Ok, so you all probably wanna know what happened on my birthday. Well, it was a Tuesday, which for us here means that we travel to Cochabamba to go  to our District Meeting. So, we were in meetings all morning, and we got back to Cochabamba in the mid afternoon, so we had to go and start to work, because we had several investigators to go visit. So, at dinner that night we got to dinner, and there was a cake box on the table. Well, I thought it was a cake, so I gave everyone a hug and everything, and opened the box, which was full of corn and had a sign that said "The Cake is A Lie!" (it's a video game joke- Google it.), and we had a very good laugh about that. Then they brought out the cake and we sang Happy Birthday and then they wanted me to bite the cake, which is also a tradition here. And normally they smash your face into the cake, so I told everyone to get away from behind me and went in to bite the cake. Well, Elder Martinez flipped the table up and my face got completely enveloped in the cake. So it was a good night after all. Then the next day, a member family invited me over and they had another cake for me. AND that night at our Missionary Fellowship night, the ward had bought me ANOTHER cake. So, I got three cakes for my birthday! I don't feel like I'm 21, but here I am, 21 years old.

We also had our Zone Conference this past week. It was a good conference and all, but the weird thing was to see the sisters from my group go up and give their final testimonies. They're going home next week. Weird. I also had my bi-transfer interview with President Dyer, and we spent some time talking about how I'm going to finish my mission. Soooo.......You'll just have to wait and see. ;)

Family- It was great to see you yesterday and to be able to talk to you! I hope that you have a great week!

That's all for now! ¡Hasta luego!


-- 
AEA


Elder Craig

A TRYING WEEK (received 5/7/12)

Hello everyone!

Well, this was a pretty rough week for me to be completely honest with you all.

We started off the week doing even more service! Service is something that we've been doing a lot of lately because the mission president recieved revelation that that's what the mission needs to be doing right now to help boost the numbers of the mission. So, the first project of the week we went to a small town called Nasacara to help out the 2nd counselor of the ward harvest corn. Here, to do that they cut the stalks of corn down and put them into huge groups to take the corn off and then BURN the stalks. Soooo, we got to work cutting down the stalks. I don't know how the traditional american style is to cut down corn, but because this country is behind by several years, we used machetes! I had sooo much fun cutting the stalks down. We had contests to see who could cut down the most stalks in one slash, and I got second place with 4 in one awesome slash. It was a lot of fun and we're talking to the family to try and go help them again, because we cut a ton in a space of a couple of hours.

The second project was for a less active member. We went to another pueblito called Pampa Grande to help him cut alfalfa. Well, that wasn't as fun or easy as corn, but we still had fun. We got to feed these three massive milk cows  and two little bulls. It was cool, and we were able to help a lot, because this member has been less active for years now, and he's thinking of returning back to the Church, so we're really excited. And we also have plans for helping him out again on Wednesday, with the other two elders in our house, and we're going to learn to make artisan Bolivian bread, so this will be a fun day.

Ok, so on Friday, I was SICK SICK SICK all day long out of no where. I was, unfortunately,  in bed all day with diarrea and vomiting. That absolutely killed us this week for our work, because ALL of our lessons were for Friday, so missing that really destroyed us for the week.

But, on Saturday ( I was feeling MUCH better...power of the priesthood.) we spent all day helping the other missionaries prepare for a baptism they had that day of one of their investigators. The thing was that we had to get the water heated from this thing that heats the water up by gas.....that hasn't been used in about 10 months. So, I spent literally all that morning getting the heater to work, while the other pair went to Cochabamba to go pick up the clothing for the baptism. THEN, the jacuzzi that rotated the water and kept it warm BROKE and actually make the font overflow, which meant all of the warm water was gone. Plus the gas tank ran out of gas, so the option of re-heating the water was out. So we as missionaries said a prayer that all would go well with the baptism, and you know what? It did.

This week was dificult for me because we taught very few lessons this week, but all in all it was a good week because there was a successful baptism for the ward. And that's what really matters.

Dad- Guess there's lots of work for both of us, huh? I can't wait to talk to you on Sunday!

Mom- Nope. No Mexican food(or beans) here. Weird, I know, but that's how it is. Sunday!!!!!!!!

Aly- Bear Lake sounds amazing! I hope you have a great time! I can't wait for Sunday!

Emi- Just tell me about your week on Sunday!

Have a great week everyone!

--
AEA


Elder Craig(Now 21 years old!)

Destroying to build the kingdom! ;)

Hello everyone!

I hope you had a good week! This was a good week for me here in

Punata. It was with plenty of service again(said service was probably

the most fun that I've had in my mish, but more of that later.)

So, this week my companion and I have been working on our

investigators that are progressing more. One awesome thing was that we

got a reference from a member kind of by accident. He was talking to

us casually about a family that he knew that were listening to the

missionaries about a year ago, and we just asked casually where they

lived. Well, technically that counts as a reference from a member. So,

we went and contacted this family and taught two members. It turns out

that the youngest son has come to church almost every Sunday for

almost the past year because of friends that he likes to go to church

with. So, we've already put a baptismal date on him, and it seems like

things are looking really good for them.

Our investigator Pablo is doing REALLY well. He's been here every

Sunday for the past month, and he's getting ready to be baptized on

the 19th of May, so we're really happy on how he's progressing. Things

are going well with him.

Ok, so we had an amazing service project this week- WE GOT TO DEMOLISH

A HOUSE! IT was AWESOME! It was this really old adobe house that was

falling apart, so these members asked the ward to come help them out.

Well, the only members of the ward who came where the bishop and a few

other random members and the six elders from the ward. So, we took

pickaxes to the walls, and it all came tumblin' down! It was fun, but

we were FILTHY by the time it was all over.

Dad- Glad work's going well! Work hard, and have fun!

Mom- Sunday school, huh? Well, glad you got good kids to

teach..Blessings I guess. Have a great week!

Aly- Just have fun this week! No angry parents this week!(I hope) Kuv ya!

Emi- Bummer that you didn't make it to state...But you got one more

shot(next year!), so don't get bummed. And I like reading Isaiah too,

it's fun.

That's all for now!

--

AEA

Elder Craig

Finally a baptism!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello everyone!

I hope that everyone had a great week! My week was pretty good out here in Punata.

So, the first thing is....I finally had a baptism! Our investigator Alex Guzman was baptized on Saturday, and I was given the privilege to perform the ordinance(If that's how you spell that word....my spelling is getting worse and worse.) It was a very special moment for me. We had spent the day preparing for the baptism, with the usual of filling up the font and cleaning and such. Well, the bishop did not give us the keys for the water heater(here there is no hot water valve, just cold mountain water.), so I had to baptize in freeeeeezing cold water. Luckily, we had the only baptism of the day, so I spent maybe two minutes max in that water. A tough thing for Alex was that his mom decided last minute that she wasn't going to come to the baptism, which was something that he was really hoping for. But, his youngest sister came, plus the family who lives next door to him(who were the ones that passed the reference to us a few months ago.), so he had some great support. Plus my District Leader and I played and sung a spanish version of "Come thou fount", which really brought the Spirit into the service. While we were changing in the bathroom, I asked him(across stalls) how he felt, and he said that he felt really clean, like he had been born again. The Spirit in that moment testified to me that he had really repented and that that baptism was valid in our Father's eyes. It was a great experience.

On Sunday we finally had an investigator come to church that we've been really working hard to have come to church, Mario! He literally hobbled into the church on a cane, and was immediately greeted by the Bishop and his wife, who are his friends. He had the priviledge to help him around the church all morning. He really enjoyed the meetings, so we are really hoping that he keeps coming on Sundays.

Well, the exchanges have come again, and I am staying in Punata for another month and a half. That will mean that I have been in every area of my mission a total of six months each! Which means when I leave here next month, I will almost have five months until I come home...Time really flies, doesn't it?

Dad- Congrats on Trainer of the Year! I think I can give you that too, because you've totally helped me out out here. Hey, have fun in Hawai'i, relax, and I really hope you get that job. I wanna see lots of pics! Have a very amazing birthday! I love you!

Mom-Thanks for the pic! I used a hand scythe to cut the alfafa. And the bull was huge, calm, and very hungry. I'm glad you had fun on Easter. And about the letter...don't worry, I'll be ready this time. ;) Have a fun, safe time in Maui, and I wanna see lots of pics when you get back! I love you!

Aly-Thanks for the pictures! Yes, I will Skype call again, don't worry. Don't worry about mean people, we can't help them (I deal with a TON of them out here.), just smile, and they can't do anything about the problem. I'm proud of your weight loss! Have a great amazing week!

Emi- I'm sorry that you' had a bad meet....things'll get better. Just think, the next missionary homecoming will be MINE. Just saying.....Hey, and I want lots of pictures of you and the Picketts this week, ok?

That's all for now!

--

AEA

Elder Craig

Conference weekend- A week of miracles- Happy April! (sent April 2)

Why hello!

Well, I hope you all back home had a great week! Mine was sort of tough(we didn't teach a lot of lessons this week), but it was amazing. I also hope that you all enjoyed General Conference! It was awesome (as usual).

Ok, so for the first time in Bolivian history, we were able to watch Conference in our own chapel. That means that we didn't have to make the hour long trip to the Stake Center to go watch...we just had to walk ten minutes on foot to get there. But, it started out really rough. We got to the church to set everything up and there was no electricity. Apparently the electric company thought that it was a fantastic idea to cut the electricity so that they could do maintenance work. So, we set everything up just hoping that the power would come on sometime before the conference started. Well, it didn't. It finally came on at the end of the first session during President Eyring's talk, which means that we lost the entire first session thanks to the power company. But from then on we were able to enjoy the talks and the amazing music. If you didn't get to watch Conference, just click here to read the talks.

So, on Friday, the four of us in Punata headed to Nasacara (which is waaaaaayyyyyyyyyy in the heck out in the country side)(another side note: I have some awesome pics, but this dumb computer isn't reading my memory reader....you'll have to wait until next week.) to do some service for an investigator. Well, that project fell through, so we ended up cutting alfalfa to feed a massive bull. Then we went to go visit this investigator's mother(who lives even farther out there.) who has terrible arthritis, and so we were asked to give a blessing of health. Well, for those of you who don't know, when we bless someone with a blessing of health, we first anoint them with olive oil that has been consecrated( or made holy). Well, I had used all of my oil a couple of weeks ago, and nobody else had their oil vials. So, Elder Blackwelder told me to go get my vial out of my backpack. When I brought it out, I opened it and tilted the vial just barely, and a clear big drop of oil came out. Mind you, I had run out two weeks before and had not refilled it. I am totally convinced that the Lord sent us there just for that. I can't explain how there was oil in my vial, but there was!

The next miracle that happened to us happened during General Conference. We have this investigator Alex Gúzman who has a baptismal date for this coming saturday, and he need to attend church just one more time to complete the mission's rule about investigators attending church(they need 3). Well, he didn't make it to the first three sessions, so inbetween sessions, we ran to his house to see if he was there. So, his mom answered and said that he was not home, that he had gone to his grandmother's home in Yacanahuyo. I about freaked, so we got his number and tried calling him, but he didn't answer. So, we just went to the session, usinga member's cellphone to try and get in contact with him. When we did finally get in contact, we said that he might or might not come, so I about freaked again. But, during Elder Perry's talk, my companion and I got the strong impression that we needed to pray. So, we got up and left and found a small classroom that was open. I offered a prayer asking God to help Alex come to church that day if it was His will, and we just left it all to him. So we re-entered the Conference, and about ten minutes later, the member whose phone we had used told us that Alex had just called her and said that he was outside. We ran outside and saw him still about a block and a half away running to get to the Church. I just about cried my face off. I know that God really answers out prayers and that miracles come from being obediant to Him and having faith.

Dad- Have a good week. I hope you're ready for that break that you need!

Mom- Yes, I will get a pill called "The Bomb" right before I come home which cleans the system out. And about quechua, I now have a Book of Mormon in Quechua, and we are trying to use more and more  phrases in our conversations. Conference rocked, ¿NO? Have a great week!

Aly- Hope work is going well for you and that you're having lots of fun!

Emi- Hey, hope you're doing great, and I can't wait to hear from you next week!

Until next week!

Happy April!

-- 

AEA

Elder Craig

A good busy week

Hey everyone!

I hope that you all had a good week! Mine was good until Sunday, in the which I got pretty sick, but a little more about that later.

So, this week my companion and I have been working a lot in Yacanahuyo, which is a nieghborhood about 20 minutes from our house(but its still technically Punata.). But something really funny that happened is that we went deeper and deeper into Yacanahuyo, just exploring to see how it is, and we got lost. Yup, I admit it. we got lost. But, luckily, we were able to find a back road that took us  right back to where we needed to be, and is also a faster route for us to get to Yacanahuyo. So, it seems that getting lost is not that bad  when you're opening new areas of your area. It actually really helped us a lot. 

Alright, so a funny contact that we went through this week. We were in Yacanahuyo knocking doors, and in one house a little boy answered, so we asked him to go get his mom. He did, and we did an amazing contact, testifying and everything. Well, she just looked straight at us and, in Quechua, told us that she didn't understand a word that we had said. So, that made us totally see that we need to learn Quechua fast if we really wanted to do more contacting in that area. I've been studying a bit of Quechua, but for us Elders in Punata, slowly but surely, we are seeing the great need to learn that language. The thing is, a lot of people speak the language, but the thing is that they do not read it. So, getting a Book of Mormon in Quechua to give to them is not the best idea. It would only help us so we could learn the scriptures in Quechua.

Also, we learned that everybody and their dog is family out there. That's good for us because we can use the members out there to go and teach their family members. How ever, apparently, it's been tried before, but it's been a couple of years since they last tried, so we're gearing up to try again.

Here in Punata we're planning a bunch of activities to get the ward excited in the ward mission work...all leading up to a big activity in May- "Un luau, estilo Boliviano"( A luau, Bolivian style). So, we're really excited for it. Wish us luck.

And last night I got pretty sick...along with my companion and our district leader. Diahreea(however you spell it...I suck at spelling.)...love it!

Oh, and by the way, we did find Waldo this week...and we taught him! Hhahaha....you guys are funny.

Dad- The weights are made of cement...we added water bottles to make it harder... Have a great week!

Mom- Yes, time is flying, but that's ok...it needs to. And no, Mario didn't go to church, unfortunately. I love you!

Aly- Hey, animo! It'll be fun....I think. Just enjoy it! Luv ya!

Emi- Sorry about being sick....I know what that's like. Just eat your veggies and listen to dad, and you'll be better soon.

that's all for now!

-- 

AEA

Elder Craig

Hard work + Play makes Elder Craig a good missionary!

Hello, hello, hola!

Well, I hope you all back home had a grrrrrrrrreat week! This was a good week for us here with some really awesome/cool/weird experiences.

Ok, so we have this investigator here in Punata named Mario. He's a funny old man who hates the Catholic church (apologies for any Catholics reading this...it's him, not me.), but really wants to join the church  because he likes it a lot, and is really starting to read the Book of Mormon and gain a testimony of it. Well, we went on Friday to go visit him and he told us that he had a potential problem for going to church on Sunday. He, in a work accident, cut his toe open, and, well, his foot got infected, and the doctors were telling him that he would have to be checked into the hospital to possibly cut at least his toenail off. Well, we offered to give him a blessing. He accepted and I got to bless him. The next day we were passing by a shop and saw him there and my companion and I said hi and asked how he was. He said that he had gone to the doctor the night before and the doctor had told him the his foot was well enough to not have to check him into the hospital or have to do a operation. 

Next, my companion and I were trying to decide what to do one day( because we had our appointment, and the two backup plans all fall through.), so my companion was like, "Let's go see Waldo!"(An inactive member). So, I was like ok, so we went(accompanied by a member) and we didn't find Waldo, but we find his mom. We ended up talking to his mom for an hour explaining how the Gospel could help her in her life. Well, this lady is practically dying. In the past 8 months, she has lost around 20 kilos in weight(and she isn't obese). So, we also offered to give her a blessing and we taught her the message of the Restauration. She accepted the blessing and then afterwards said that she felt like she needed to be baptized in the Church, because her husband and oldest son are members. But, she wants to wait for her husband to return from Argentina before baptizing. So, we're going to see where that goes.

Finally, yesterday, we were in a member's home to teach a lesson when the craziest thing happened. The hermana whose home we were in, started teaching this investigator all about the Restoration, the Plan of Salvation, and a few other things ALL IN QUECHUA. My companion and I were completely lost during the whole thing. I understood a few words here and there, but most of the time we were just lost. It had to be the funnies thing that happened to us this week.

Dad- Hope you have a great week! Good luck with the job search.

Mom- Thanks for the pics! I can't believe how grown-up Emi looks....I feel old.

Aly. Well, Enjoy the quiet time in the office, because Spring Break always (sadly) comes to an end. Have a good week!

Emi- Hope you had an AMAZING birthday! I like the pics of your concert too. You look like a waiter in your tux. ;P

That's all for now!

-- 

AEA

Elder Craig

Finding a purpose in me... (3-12-2012)

Hello!

I hope that everyone had a good week this week. Things here in Punata are getting busy busy but things are going good this week.

So, my companion and I had a good week this week. We spent a loth of time traveling this week. We have a very big area, and in our mission, we don't have bikes. So, my feet are becoming my most used form of transportation right now. So, for me right now, the blessings of following the Word of Wisdom are real handy right now. It's just like even when we walk 6 kilometers to go try and contact an old investigator, and then walk back without teaching ANYTHING, I still seem to have the energy to keep walking.

On Wednesday, my companion and I were invited to a member's home in a neighborhood called Yacanhuyo(That took me forever to figure out how to pronounce....), and she took us to the home of a friend of hers that has said that he's always wanted to talk to the missionaries, but for some reason, they've never stopped to talk to him.(I'm thinking because of the sign that's over his door that has alcoholic drinks on it.) So, we went and talked to him. His name is Pablo Billarroel, and he's currently unemployed because he worked for about 30 years as a waiter for special events, but now with his age, the companies aren't contracting him anymore so they can hire younger men to do the work. So, he stays at home living off of government funds that he qualifies for....but the money is almost nothing. It's about $40 a month. So, he's really looking for comfort in his life in this time. So, my companion and I have been teaching him, but there's another challenge- Hermano Pablo can't read. So, everything we teach him is coming from us. Myt companion and I are searching really hard to find a way so he can develop his own testimony.

We are also teaching another young man(i wanted to use a spanish word there, joven, which means someone young, which is how they describe people here.) named Jhonaton. He's had the missionaries passing by his house for 15 years, but has recently started really listening to us with intent to try to find out the truth. It's been an interesting journey with him, because with Jhonaton(this is not a misspell, it's Bolivian spelling.), I'm encountering situations that I've never encountered before when teaching the Gospel. But the cool thing is that he's really progressing to try to find out the truth of these things.

As a trainer, I have access to a DVD player and the District DVD's, which are DVDs that were filmed in real teaching situations in missions in the states. And they've really had an impact on me and my companion as I use them to teach him how to teach certain lessons. Plus, it's helping me to really know my purpose out here. I'm really starting to feel how little time that I have left here, and I don't want to waste a moment that could use to really help the Bolivian people. I feel like there's a reawakening in me. I like it... :)

Dad- Wow, that's a pretty big move to resign, but I know it's for the best. You have my prayers and support, even from the middle of the Andies. Have a great week!

Mom- Yes, I feel old now, thank you.That sucks that hula stopped, but there's a reason for everything, right? And while you are going to spring, I'm headed to winter. Love ya!

Aly- Enjoy your spring "break" ! Love ya!

Emi- Sorry you're sick little sis buuuuutttttt...........................HAPPY FREAKING BIRTHDAY ON SATURDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have a great week every1!!!!!!

-- 

AEA

Elder Craig

I got a greenie!

Hey everyone back in AMERICA!( And Chile...., y Argentina....)!!!!!

I hope that everyone back home had a great week! Mine was a great week here in Punata!

Ok, so this week I started training a brand new missionary, Elder Gòmez. He's from Bogota, Colombia(which is really funny, because my trainer is from Colombia as well.). So, the story as to how he became "Elder Craig's kid":

I got to the trainer's training session on Wednesday, and we went through four hours of training to become trainers. Well, then the President called in the newbies to announce their trainers right in front of everyone( just to make it really nerve racking for everyone). So, I got originally paired with an Elder Castro, from Bolivia. Problem? Yeah, he was from my first ward/area here in Bolivia(which was Petrolero, by the way), which would mean that he would be serving in the same stake that he's from, which isn't generally allowes, at all.(note: Elder Castro's in Cochabamba waitng a visa to go serve in Venezuela, and I met him over a year ago.) So, we talked to President Dyer and explained the situation. So, he switched my companion for another greenie, Elder Gomez, and that's how we got to be our now explosive pair.

Elder Gomez is a great missionary, and he has lots of desires to work. But, he's also a huge movies/ video game fan, which makes him just as big as a dork as I am. So, we spend a lot of time laughing together when I'm not teaching him a principle, or having companionship study. I'm really humbled that I get to train such a cool and awesome missionary. I really want to help him start his mission off well so he can have lots of success and be really happy on his mission.

We've spent a lot of time this past week searching out old investigators and former investigators, to start teaching them again, and we are having lots of success. We especially wanted to contact a couple that we found a teaching record for that for some unknown reason stopped listening to the missionaries. Well, yesterday, we went out in search of them, because we knew the general area that they live in. Well, we found a member on that street who pointed us right out to them. We knocked on their door, and the "wife"(they aren't married yet, but they still act like they are) answered the door and said "Hey Elders! It's about time!". So, we have an appointment with them this week! I'm super excited. Things are looking up here in Punata!

Dad- Soft snow isn't the best....but at least you have snow! I would kill for some. And learning church instrumentals on the guitar helps me keep my skills up thankfully. I feel like things are looking up for you in the big search! Have a great week!

Mom- That's practically my schedule! And with Sara getting married..... that's super weird, but whatever. Plus I send my love and support to Tio Paul and Jen(cuz that's all I can give, lol.) How's the french? We could totally have a french/quechua conversation and not understand each other, hahaha! Have a great week!

Aly- I know that work's super crazy, but that's life right? And with voice lessons, well, I'll have to write a duet for us when I get home! ;) U R G8 2! (That just happened, too!) Luve ya!

Emi- My apologies. Well, track's going to get better, and remember, when running is easier, you are faster! Have an awesome week!

T-t-t-t-t-t-hat's all folks!(Porky Pig imitation.)

--

AEA

Elder Craig

p.s. Pic 1 with Elder Gomez, Pic 2 with Elder Castro.

Well, this is the week of transfers again!

Hey everyone!

Hope you all had a good week this past week! To be honest, this week wasn't good for me here. So, this will be a different letter this week, because the work was practically zero this week.

But, first, to clear something up, the baptisms that happened this week were not ours, they were from the other companionship, but I still did all I could to help out. I was asked to play a guitar piece, which I did( Reference the 1st pic). And on top of that, the President and his wife showed up for the service as well, unannounced, as they usually do. And, the baptism went really well for them. But, the sad part was that yesterday only one of the two baptisms showed up to be confirmed. So, the other missionaries are worried, because if he doesn't go this upcoming Sunday, they will have to repeat the baptism.

I really learned some interesting things this week. I really learned how I don't want to finish the mission. It's awful to have a companion who doesn't want to work at all for the companion who wants to work, because nothing gets done whatsoever, and I do not want to do that for my last companion(in 8 months). Also, I've learned lots and lots of patience, because it's requiered a lot of patience for me this week dealing with my very trunky (homesick) companion, and all of his missionary buddies who've all magically popped in to see their good ol' pal off. And lastly I know now what I need to do to get success here....and that's for me to know, and you all back home to see the results. ;)

Well, transfers are here and I have my results........it's a boy!!! I am one of 25 missionaries that are going to train brand spankin' new missionaries, fresh out of the MTC. I don't know who my "child" is yet, I get to find out on Wednesday. But the exciting thing for me is I finally get to help out more in the mission, something that I've been waiting very patiently to do for a looong time.

I'm sorry that this letter is so short this week. I promise that next week will be full of more of my explosive, exciting adventures here in Bolivia!

Also, the second pic is why Bolivian traffic is so horrible(the street light is showing red and green at the same time, if you can't see it)

Dad- Hey, I know Alaska isn't great, but I think it's the start of an uphill turn for you! And I'm super sorry that the season is coming to an end so soon...but just think, next season, I'll be home to rock it with you! And plus, Hawai'i is an awesome way to finish any season!

Mom-Glad your king cake turned out so well, sounds like it was delicious! My companion did leave today, so I'm technically alone, but I'm with the other two in the house until Wednesday. Yoga sounds nice (Yes readers, I like yoga.), so it'll be fun for you. And with the ID, if you go in consistantly, it takes 3 months to get it, but because of my work, it's taken 1 year and 4 months to get it.

Aly- Yes, 2 Nephi 9 is a great chapter, I just read it the other day. Orientation will be fine, no matter what happens, I promise! And with voice lessons, well, I guess I'll have to write a song so we can sing a duet when I get home. ;)

Emi-It's about time you've written! ;) And yay for track, I guess. And yes, your birthday will be celebrated by me here, with lots of green! :)

Have a good one y'all!

-- 
AEA

Elder Craig

Viva Carnival!

Hello everyone!

I hope that everyone had a great week this past week! Ok, so technically this title(which I stole from my mom's email title) is for this upcoming week that we are technically in right now, but whatever! [Mom note: I spelled it the correct way in Spanish: Carnaval]

This week was a tiring week, but I am finally going to have a legal Bolivian ID! I literally spent all day Wednesday in Cochabamba just sitting around waiting to have my picture taken and get my fingerprints printed. It was a super boring day, but there was a really cool thing that happen while I was waiting. The migrations department is in the downtown of Cochabamba, and is next to this modern plaza called the Plaza Colon. Well, my companion and I were sitting there and we were approached by a missionary from the Baptist Church! And he was gringo! It's super rare to find another american here in Bolivia (other than the missionaries that I already know), so it was pretty cool. Well, this guy comes up to me and my companion, and asks us to teach him about the Church and answer a BUNCH of questions that he had about the Church's doctrine. It was a really cool experience to be able to teach and testify to another church's missionary about church, but for some reason it was really tough for me to teach in English. This guy didn't speak a lick of Spanish, which makes me really curious on how in the world that he even survives down here. And after we had to go I finally got all the stuff done I needed to for my ID, which for me is like "Finally! Now I don't have to explain to cops why I don't have an ID!" Yes, the police is real dumb and corrupt down here. But, anyways, I was super excited until they told me that it would be another MONTH until I got the actual ID....and they don't even give you a paper one or anything to hold until the ID gets to me. They make it WAYYYY too hard down here to get a legal ID. I think they want to scare as many people off as possible.

We also went and visited another village here in Bolivia this week. We went to a town called Pocoata( Po co-ata), which is a teeny tiny town south of Punata. We went with the ward to have a picnic lunch and to visit some members there. It's super pretty in the country-side, like it almost blows my mind. I honestly never would have guessed that it looked that good, because before I was here in Punata, all I knew of Cochabamba was the big city, which is big and brown and super dry. But, just go another hour south, and it's green, more humid, and a heck of a lot prettier. And we had a really good time down there. And I attached a pic of me drinking out of a coconut shell, in which they traditionally serve chicha, which is a corn liquor, but we were drinking a nice hot peach juice from it. Don't worry. ;)

My companion and I finally have a bunch of baptismal dates! we've been working hard to try and get a baptism before he goes home in 8 days, but it doesn't look like it's in the cards, which is a real shame, because I really wanted to have a baptism with him. But, we've been making up for that by  setting up for me when he leaves, so I can get a few baptisms with my next companion.

Dad- well,sounds like it was fun. Thanks for the advice...I really appreciate it!

Mom- Well, but a King Cake then! Those are some funny stories from your childhood! Happy Mardi Gras!

Aly- Sounds freaky, but I'm glad you made it home safe! Have a good week!

Emi-Hi! Have a good week!

That's it for now!

--

AEA

Elder Craig

And Carnival begins!

Hello everyone!

I hope that everyone had a great week! 

This week for me was a pretty good week. Things here in Punata are slowly, but surely getting better for the work of the Lord. Also, this past week, Carnival officially began, which means water balloons have officially started to fly towards us on the streets here in Punata.

But, first off, this week we have officially started to contact references that we've received(finally!) from members. We went with one member to go teach her cousin and her cousin's kids. Well, we went and the lesson went really well. We taught her about the Restoration of the Gospel, and then we challenged her and her kids to be baptized. The mom said yes immediately, and then afterwards her kids both said yes as well! We finally have baptismal dates for the 26th of this month. They are a really good family, too. The husband of this hermana gave her permission to listen to us, so we don't really have to deal with that obstacle which normally would be a problem. Plus, her daughter really likes going to church. The only real obstacle is her mother-in-law(aren't they always?), because she's the owner of the house that they live in , and she takes the kids to her church on Sundays. But, we can get over that pretty quickly, I think.

Next, we went and taught an older man named Mario, who found the church years and years ago in Argentina. Apparently he assisted there for nine months and then stopped because he started moving around a whole bunch. But, he says he really likes the Church a lot more than the Catholic Church for a number of reasons. So, that's a pretty decent place to start with him, I think. And we'll see how everything goes with that.

Well, Carnival has started here, and that means groups of kids roaming the streets with bags of water balloons....and we are huge targets with our white shirts, ties, and name tags. Yes, we've been attacked several times already. But, don't worry, I'm ok, and it'll all go down next week during the official two days of Carnival.

Dad- That blows that Cert 3 fell through, but as I learned recently, "there are no failures, just feedback." That's really helped me out here. Have a good week!

Mom- Well, I'm not the only gringo still waiting for my X-mas package, so I still have hope.

Aly-Sounds like your week was good though.And don't worry, things can only get better from here!

Emi- you used the quechua perfectly! And I know junior year is boring(it was my worst year in high school), but it'll be done soon!

Have a great week y'all!
-- 
AEA

Elder Craig

p.s. Sara Pickett- Congrats on the engagement! I hope you don't get married before I get home!  ;)

  

Imanayakasanki! Ñoqa kani Elder Craig.... ¿Imasutiki?......GO GIANTS! (Feb 6, 2012)

Hello family and friends!

I hope everyone had a great week! This week was a good, but tough week here in Punata. 

So, this week we hit the road running with going to contact the less-actives and inactives using an "updated" ward directory. I say "updated" because it really isn't. It's the most current that the ward has. Well, my companion and I spent 2 whole days just going and looking for these members. It turns out the 99% of them do not live in Punata anymore, and 75% of those live outside of the country now. So, it has become super tough for us to find these people. I also went over part of the directory with the Young Men's President, and he pointed out a bunch of members that had DIED within the past 3 years that were still registered in the ward (I don't know anything about how they do ward directories, but I am pretty sure that the dead members belong on another list.) But, we have gotten some success from going to visit members. We have contacted a bunch of people this past week.

We also as a mission had a fast this past Sunday to recieve inspiration to find news, and to find news. Well, Saturday was uneventful, but Sunday, a member brought her cousin and her cousin's kids to church....and they live right in the middle of our area! My companion and I are super excited, because we feel that this is someone who we can have finally make real progression towards baptism. We've been fighting hard these past few weeks looking for people who can really accept the Gospel in their lives, and we feel that this is what we've been waiting for. So, I think that this will be a good investigator for us. 

This week we also had our bi-exchange zone conference with the Mission President. It was a good conference all in all, and I got to watch my companion give his last testimony. Here, it's a tradition for the missionaries that are leaving to bear their testimonies at their last zone conference. My companion did so, and while he did it quoted Bob Marley. He's pretty cool.

Well, that's all for now.

Dad- Good luck with your Cert 3 this week! You never know, this could be the week!

Mom- I have 9 months left, btw. I think you just want me to stay longer.... ;) Oh, and about the packages, I'm still waiting for yours, and I got Lee's in December. And about you not knowing who played in the Super Bowl, I had the same reaction as Dad and Emi....all of the gringo missionaries have been talking about it for weeks!

Aly- Nice job on the article- That's you putting your degree to work , right? You know, just have fun while you work, and it won't be boring! Have a good week!

Emi- Saw your prom pic, you look nice! I told you that you'd get a date! Hope you gave a great week!

Sorry that this is late....the MyLDSMail server crashed, so we had to wait and come back to send our letters.

Tinkuna kama!

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AEA

Elder Craig