Last week with Hakala!‏

It was an interesting one here... There are times when I miss family and other loved peoples so much it hurts, and this week had quite a few days of that. But I'm growing to love the Dine like they're my own! It's weird seeing bilagaanas (white people) around here actually... The work has been fantastic! There's nothing that can turn people's lives around faster than the gospel of Jesus Christ! Case study: My first week here, Elder Hakala and I walk up to an old trailer, with this lady smoking outside, looking, to be honest, like her life was dark and down. Her name is Christina, we've been teaching her since then, and now there's a light in her eyes every time we're able to teach her! Last lesson we had with her, she tells us that she knows that she needs to be baptized! This gospel brings so much joy... everything we do, every commandment we've been given, every principle and ordinance of the gospel that we have the privilege of inviting people to live, they're all designed by a loving Heavenly Father to bring us joy, to strengthen the bonds of family, and to ensure that we'll have our families forever! He's given us the opportunity here to take the steps to becoming more like him! How fantastic is that?! So to sum it up, this week was a bit like 2 Nephi 4; It's hard, but I know why I'm here! I know how much the gospel and the atonement of Jesus Christ can change people's lives! I'm coming to know, more and more, the love that He has for every one of His children. I'm beginning to see them, at least in part, as He does--not just for who they are, but for whom they can become! Oh! We got transfer news Saturday, I'll be staying in Kayenta for the next 7 weeks (woot woot! :)), being step-trained by an Elder Moe-shawn (sp?) who's been out here for about 7 months or something... Should be good! There's so much work to be done here, and I'm excited to be taking a larger role in that, now that I'll be the elder who's been in Kayenta longer (it's a little nerve-wracking tbh, seeing as how I get lost all the time, but should be good!)

Oh! Went to the sand dunes last P-day, somehow someone dropped my camera into the sand annnd now it's just about dead. So until we resuscitate it, pictures won't be coming for a while...

Hagonet! 

Elder Kraus

Service and Old Shumas‏

Ya'at'eeh!

We got a ton of different opportunities for service this week! For yards here, people generally just have a ton of big weeds EVERYWHERE! So we got to help a ton of people clear their yards while teaching them, it was great :) We also got to clear a lot of trees out from around Rosie's trailer--I swear that woman has the greenest thumb in the world! She has the greatest garden I've seen anywhere on the Rez :) So we're teaching Rosie's daughter, Barbara, and Thursday we head up to go teach, when suddenly it starts downpouring! We sprint to the door, soaked, and as soon as we get inside, 90-something-year-old Rosie comes sprinting in after us, speaking in Navajo about the rain and laughing! So that was awesome :) It was a great lesson too, Barbara wants to be baptized and we'll be giving her a date this week :) Hopefully by July of next year, the entire family will be able to be sealed together :) This gospel rocks! Nothing brings more joy then getting to serve and act as a representative of Jesus Christ :) Transfers are next week! I'm going to miss Elder Hakala like crazy, we've been able to work so hard and well together here... But the work will move forward! :)

Have a great week everyone!!!

Hagonet,

Elder Kraus

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ERIN!!!

P.P.S. Fantastic quote of the week: "Those who shine as lights in the world have no need to seek the spotlight"

Love you all!! :)

RAIN!!!!!

Ya'at'eeh everyone! 

This week was fantastic, as always! 

Monday: Went up a washed out riverbed today! Every few feet we'd sink down in the mud down to our waists! Quicksand is a very real thing. Teaching in the evening went super well! 

Tuesday: Awesome lessons with Troy and Coleman at the start of the day! Coleman reads the scriptures more than most members! And Troy is one of the most happy people I've met :) We went and cleared some tree's off of Troy's grandma's land! Her name is Rosie, and she is the sweetest old lady ever! Bit of a rougher end to the day, but we got things ready to set up a booth at the flea market for Wednesday!

Wednesday: Flea market went pretty well today! We got to talk to a ton of people about our message! Not too many lived in Kayenta, so we got a lot of referrals for the other elders :) We went street tracting when one of our appointments fell through. We met with an awesome family, who told us about how they used NAC (Native American Church, peyote ceremonies and stuff) to heal themselves or something... We still were able to share a good message with them though :) There were so many rez dogs out on the road though! I'm getting better at scaring them away with a rock when they charge us. That and using Elder Hakala as a shield ;)

Thursday: Awesome district meeting on using the Book of Mormon more effectively in our teaching. Our ENTIRE message rests on the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. If you're not spending time every day studying it, do so now! Read it together as families. Read it alone. Just make sure to read it! There's not another book on the earth that will make you happier, bring your family closer together, or bring you closer to Christ. Also SO MUCH RAIN! Driving is interesting when the dirt roads turn to mud roads with mini lakes all over them.

Friday: Even more rain! We had an appointment out of the town part of Kayenta today, out on a dirt road and up this big hill! The truck was sliding everywhere, but we got it under control. Missed my family and loved ones quite a bit more today than usual, but I know why I'm here! I'm giving up time with those I love for 2 years so families out here can be together forever! I'm lucky to be here :)

Saturday/Sunday: I'm out of time, but this weekend was incredible! We got to meet with and teach so many families! The gospel of Jesus Christ is on the Earth again!!!! We've been provided with a way to be with our families forever, to overcome sin, and to change to become the men and women God knows and wants and helps us to be! How incredible is that?

Until next week!

Love you all!

Elder Kraus

Dine Bazaad and Zone Conference‏

Ya'at'eeh!

This week was fantastic, as always!

Sunsets we always get!

Tuesday: Exhanges in Monument Valley! We were walking to a house, when we hear Gamali! Gamali! (It means Mormon or Missionary, translated literally it means God Mumbler). We walk over and there are these 2 guys in a shade hut, one was the drunkest I've ever seen! We had a really good conversation with them though, and a return appointment! One was on the placement program, both were homeless... Life can be pretty hard for the people here. We said a prayer with them and they both felt a lot better!

Wednesday: Zone Conference! It was on the atonement, absolutely fantastic! We also went over how the transistion to the new mission president, President Adams, is going to go! I got assigned as the driver so as to better learn Kayenta, we're driving a Nissan Frontier :) Then we had splits! I went out with a member and Troy, the most all star investigator ever! What type of investigator has a strong enough testimony to come teaching with the missionaries?! Troy does :) I've never met someone so ready to be baptized!

Thursday: Today was the last day of school here! That means that alllll of the middle schoolers entering high school had promotion parties today, so most of our appointments fell through. We got to visit and fellowship at one or two though! I finally got to taste some mutton, it's so good!

Friday: We got to see Coleman again today! He's committed to overcoming his addiction, and he's just about ready to be baptized! Other than that, we met and talked with a ton of people!

Saturday: What a day! We got to go visit Troy's home today, he lives way out in the deeper Rez, with a big sheep pen and everything around :) Most of our other appointments fell through today... We were visiting people, when we walked up to this trailer and a huge bear dog came and bit me! No puncture though, so we're good ;) Now I keep my dog killing rock with me, just in case. Also had an awesome lesson with the Mariano Family! They rock :)

Sunday: 10 investigators showed up to church! Elder Hakala and I got to speak in sacrament meeting in first ward today! I went up, and completely blanked on everything I was going to say! So I just talked about the blessings of temples. Temples are the end goal of conversion! The blessings we can get from them are more powerful and numerous than we can count! Elder Hakala's talk was brilliant; he was the closing speaker, so he had to speak for like 25 minutes! Then we got to visit Troy's old shuma, literally the sweetest old lady I've ever met, she only speaks Navajo but still comes to church every week! We're teaching her and her daughter (who's acting as a translator, I'm not that good yet ;)), who also wants to get baptized! She's about your age mom :) So that rocked! We have an opportunity to clear some trees off of her land later this week :)

Monday: Now it's Monday! Elder Hakala and I went for a run to the weight room this morning, the first time I've been able to go for a pain free run in over 2 years! I'm pumped for this week, teaching this gospel and serving these people is the best blessing I've ever had in my life :) He lives. The power of the Atonement can change everyone into so much more than they are! His restored gospel is on the earth again!

Hagonet!

P.S. Read Ted. R. Callister's talk on Identity and Destiny! It's incredible what our potential is!

HOME & TRANSPORTATION

Loving Life!!

Black Mesa Hike Pictures!‏

Here are some pictures from the hike we took Monday! Most incredible view I've ever had in my life! Elder Hakala is my handstand buddy ;)

Ya'at'eeh! First Week in the Field!‏

Ya'at'eeh everyone!

This first week has been incredible! We flew into Durango from Denver on Monday, then stayed at the AP's house Monday night! I got assigned to Elder Hakala in Kayenta Arizona on Tuesday, then we set up camp and went to work! This is Elder Hakala's last transfer, but that doesn't stop him from working like a tank! (He's 1/4 Alaska native, so cool right?) We wake up early every morning to get a good workout in, and then we teach and serve all day after studies! Here are some highlights from the week:

Wednesday: We went to the Flea Market to scope out a place to set up a booth sometime next week! Should be a great opportunity to share our message with a lot of people :) There are so many Rez Dogs here! Literally everywhere we go. We went up to a trailer and found a momma with tons of puppies! :) Also got a chance to teach an amazing couple, Jimmie and Virginia. The things people have went through out here... It's amazing how strong people here can be :) Also met a couple of drunks! Today was interesting for sure...

Thursday: First District meeting! We got to meet with this incredible guy named Coleman. He's on date to be baptized, he just needs to get over some Word of Wisdom issues. He's read all of the Book of Mormon, and is speeding through the Bible! Absolutely brilliant. We also brought brother Thinn out teaching with us. He taught in Navajo, relating a ton of Navajo traditions to the Book of Mormon! It's incredible how many prophecies there are in the Book of Mormon about the Navajo People.

Friday: I've been finding the time to learn Navajo in the mornings before personal study! We're allowed 30 minutes a day, but with how busy we are teaching people, it's been hard trying to find a time to fit it in. We got to do quite a bit of service today! We dug around this guys house so he could lay some grass down. Grass is incredibly rare on the Rez, so that was really cool :) Also got hit by my first dirt devil during a lesson! We were teaching this woman outside when we looked over and saw a mini tornado of sand come in! Sand and wind hurts! It was super good though :)

Saturday: We got to teach a bull rider named Heston today! He's preparing to be baptized, and the faith with which he's willing to keep the commandments is incredible! His wife is a member, and they have this adorable child, Weston. They taught us about some awesome Navajo traditions-- the person to make a baby laugh for the first time cooks the entire family dinner and they have a party! And they grow out a baby's hair until they first begin to talk, because the length of hair is their knowledge! So cool! I'm definitely doing these things when I'm older. We taught Coleman again today! He lives in an old hogan about 3 miles outside of Kayenta on this dirt road. We walk in and see his old Shuma in the corner making a basket, his little brother making something with a knife, and Coleman jamming out on the guitar! He's been playing for years, but learned by ear. He's so good! We got the chance to teach him about temples and family history! He's pretty pumped :)

Sunday: Sundays are so good here! Kayenta covers two wards, so we get to go to both! Ten of our investigators showed up to church! Troy, a man we committed to be baptized on Saturday, went to both meetings with one of his member friends. This gospel has changed his life so much. I've never seen someone as happy at church as he was! We went tracting in the Old Trailer courts after church, when we felt prompted to walk up to a house. The people there were like Oh good! You're here! There was a really old member inside who'd been praying for the missionaries to come and give her a blessing! So cool!

Monday: We got to hike Black Mesa today! Brother Singer told us so many stories and taught us so much about Dine Bizaad (Navajo Language) He's such a cool guy! Now I'm on exhanges in Monument Valley until Zone meeting on Wednesday, we live in an RV in Monument Valley and a trailer type of thing in Kayenta!

Well, that's all the time I have for this week, but life here is fantastic! The restored gospel of Jesus Christ is on the earth again! He lives! 

Hagonet!

Elder Kraus

Only P-Day at the MTC!‏

Hi everyone!

Elder Blazzard and I at the world map!

  The MTC is going so great! Life here is so busy! It feels like it's been over a month here, but it's fantastic. Lets see... Wednesday, I got here, then immediately orientation started! I met my district, and we learned and studied and role played until 9:30, then a weeee bit o'time before bed to write in the journal before lights out time. How is the journal writing going? :) My companion is fantastic! He's a giant, spiritually and physically. Elder Blazzard is 6'6" of pure spiritual light (I'm 5'6" btw). Apart from that.... Thursday, we had a little time for breakfast, then immediately got into more teaching and roleplaying and studying! I've never felt the spirit as strongly as I have here (except for maybe the temple, we got the opportunity to go today, and may I just say, Ahhhmazing :)). Thursday night we met the branch presidency for our zone, and then we got callings! I was called as the District Leader for my district, which is comprised of 4 elders going to Farmington, 4 sisters going to Calgary Canada (One of them, Sister Joe, is actually from Farmington! It's been fantastic getting to know her, she's taught me and Elder Blazzard some Navajo, and told us alll about teaching with the missionaries there!). It's been quite the experience getting to serve them all. I know there's no way I could do it on my own; I testify that the enabling power of the atonement is very real. Friday and Saturday were a bit of a blur, but I do remember the spirit Elder Blazzard and I felt as we got the opportunity to bless some sisters on Friday... I don't have much time to express, but I know this gospel is true! Sunday, Elder B and I got the chance to watch Elder Bednar's talk on the character of Christ... We can become more like him as our entire beings are focused on the service of others! Christ was perfectly selfless, and I know that, although I won't be able to achieve even close to that level of selflessness in this lifetime, the atonement can help us to be so much more than we could be on our own. I love this gospel. i know He lives. 

The district flies from Salt Lake to Denver, and then from Denver to Durango on Monday! From there, we'll drive to Farmington! It's impossible to put into words how excited I and everyone are! 

Ummm..... I think that's all I've got for this week! 

Shout out to the Redd family for the awesome care package! and Shoutout to Aspen and Rachel for the cupcakes! You two are my favorite :) 

Remember, Dear elder is awesome! :) And I'll be out of the MTC this time next week, so I'll update my address when I know what it is!

Sincerely,

Elder Kraus

Elder Blazzard and Dupen from my District

Elder Peahopa and I, He's going to Calgary Canada

Farmington Elders in our District!

                                                        

Tribute to My Brother Dustan!

Dustan doing a  flag

Missionaries going to Farmington on the 18th!