Durango for another 6 weeks!!‏

Hello all! 

First things first, I'll be staying in Durango for another 6 weeks with Elder Longino! Woot! We'll be getting another companion as well; yay for tripanionships! 

This week was a little less event-filled than normal; missionary work is progressing and progressing well! :) Worldwide missionary devotional this past Wednesday was Ahhhhhhmazing. Focus on the Doctrine of Christ. It's the basics. Faith in God and in His Son, Jesus Christ, leads us to trust that through the Atonement of Christ, we can overcome our sins and mistakes and become better everyday. Because Faith is a principle of Action and Power, it leads to repentance (i.e. CHANGE). It's through the process of Repentance that we become more like Christ, and experience lasting joy. Baptism (and renewing the promises of baptism every week through the sacrament) is the way we promise God that we'll strive to follow Christ, and to live the way He's shown us (the manner of happiness). We're given the Gift of the Holy Ghost to guide us on this path, to teach us how we can become more like Him, to enable us to do so, to comfort us when we or others fall, etc. etc. 

And THIS is what we have the opportunity, as members, as missionaries, to share with other people. Because of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the way back to God is on the earth!! Because of the Plan of Salvation, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ (Central to that plan), we know why we're here, and what is possible because of Christ (Eternal Families, Eternal Life, a fulness of joy, ya know, all the good stuff :)). The Gospel, and the doctrine, of Christ, show's us the How. This is how we make the most of the time we've been given. This is how we progress and make it back to Him. This is why I'm here. Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I have been called of Him to declare His word among His people that they might have everlasting life. That call is extended to you as well. Don't be afraid to invite those you love to church. From there, just let the missionaries know your friends are there and we'll handle the scary part ;)

In other news, we got to give our buddy Mike a haircut! Doesn't look half bad either.

Annnnd get ready for a TON of pictures. I ran out of time last week, so here they come :)

First 3: Mikkeeee!!!! (Don't worry, Elizabeth's are coming next)

Elder Kraus