Members on Members on Members (Increasing member missionary work across the board!)‏

Hello everyone!! :)

This week has been so good!! We had the opportunity to have a meeting with President Johnson and our Ward Mission Leader to discuss how the Durango First Ward can start implementing what's known as Phase 2 to help all progress towards the temple (through the Ward Council and members). Then Sunday, Brother Cooper kick-started it in Ward Council. Twas wonderful!! Pumped to see what happens in the next couple of weeks... I say this all the time, but the members in Durango astound me all the time with their desires to do missionary work. I love serving here so much! The church is true. Christ lives. There's no better way to have lasting joy in this life and the next than following Him, through living His Gospel. That's what we have the blessing to share. The Book of Mormon shares how the Gospel of Jesus Christ was taught and lived here, in America. It, along with the Bible, shows us the love of God for all of His Children.

I love you all!! 

Have a wonderful week :)

Elder Kraus

Andrew's Baptism!!! :D Super Service and Hiking Adventures‏

Hello loved ones!!!

Sooo these past few days have been absolutely insane. Let's start with the week's highlight: his name?

Andrew Lindbloom.

Andrew is somewhat of a legend. I've had the blessing of teaching him since I first came to Durango in November. He's been steadily learning and living the Gospel for such a long time (he's literally been a full tithe-payer for over a year) and this past week, (the 4th, to be exact :)), he was finally baptized. The spirit there was indescribable. People like Andrew remind us every time the absolute joy that comes from living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Andrew included on his baptismal program the following words from Boyd K. Packer:

"If we could only understand

All we have heard and seen,

We'd know there is no greater gift

Than those two words-- "Washed clean!""

I know that that statement is true. There's nothing that brings greater peace or consolation than the knowledge that, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and through the Ordinances and Covenants of His Gospel, we can become clean. Clean from our mistakes, and comforted through the mistakes of others. All that is unfair in this life will be made right through Christ. I love that!

On a slightly less serious note, Andrew makes the greatest Reuben (king of sandwiches) that I've ever had. Ever. If you're ever in Durango, go to Bart's Deli (across from Walmart). It will be one of the greatest food choices you've ever made. :)

In other news, transfers happened! Annnnd (drum roll please) I'm staying in Durango! :D this'll be 9 months here... I've been blessed with 2 of the greatest areas in the mission (Kayenta and here), and I hope never to leave.

Anywho, it's been a long time since I've sent any pictures, sooo here's pictures of some of the adventures from the last few weeks! We hiked with the Red Mancos District last week in Vallecito, and the Cortez District this week in Mesa Verde! At the risk of sounding somewhat elitist, I must say we have the most beautiful Zone in the mission. And this last Saturday, before the baptism, we got the opportunity to help Brother Monie clear some ENORMOUS trees off of his property. We're not able to use power-tools, but that didn't stop us from being the greatest lifters and clearers of logs and brush there ever was! Enjoy the pictures :) 

Exchanges, Meetings, Memorial Day, and other general craziness‏

Hello hello!! :)

So this week flew by so quick.

Last Tuesday, had an exchange with Elder Thalman in Farmington. Twas wonderful seeing how to better help those in my area to improve and come closer to Christ. After that, went straight into an exchange with Elder Erikson in Red Mesa. It's interesting to see just how much of a difference in culture can exist in communities less than an hour away. Even with those differences though, we are all children of God, with the same basic needs, wants, problems, and weaknesses. What's incredible to see is just how universal the Gospel and Atonement of Jesus Christ are in meeting life's challenges and transforming them into areas of growth and progression :)

Saturday, Andrew got interviewed for baptism (passed with flying colors, of course :))-- He has come such a long way in his life to reach this point, and we couldn't be more excited for him!! 

We've been in the process of developing a plan with our Ward Mission Leader, to supplement efforts of the ward council to reach out and rescue those who may have fallen away. We'll be helping the members to take responsibility for the social conversion of those we've been teaching, and it seems like it's just going to be wonderful :)

Also had the opportunity to test run the new pamphlets this week and present them at a meeting in Farmington yesterday. My favorite one is entitled Families and Temples. This is essentially the "Why" of the Gospel. God loves you. You are literally His child, and were a part of His family before you came to Earth. He's provided a way to be happy in this life, to have the most joy in our own families, and a way to bind your family together forever. That way is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, found in His church. There is no better way to have lasting joy or peace. That's our message. Simple. Wonderful. True. And the greatest part is, this isn't something we expect anyone to accept on the merits of our word alone. You can know for yourself. 

Out of time today, but I love you all! Please email or write if you have any questions!!

Elder Kraus

P.O. Box 4252

Durango, CO 81302