FINAL EMAIL

Hello.

I really don't know what to write... 

2 years ago, it was my 3rd day in the Missionary Training Center. I still wasn't too sure about this whole "mission" thing. I never could have imagined how much I'd come to love the four-corners area, and the people who live here. Here a couple of things I've come to know these last 2 years: 

1. God lives, and He is literally the Father of our Spirits. I've felt his love for me and for those around me, more than I can explain. 

2. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, actually came to the Earth to provide the way, through his example, teachings, and suffering, for all of us, His brothers and sisters, to become like Him, and to return to live with God as part of His family after this life.

3. That way to return to God, along with the power to seal families together for eternity, was lost for a really long time. Great news: it's been brought back. There is a Prophet on the Earth, with power and authority from God, who teaches us exactly what God would have us know and do to be truly happy in this life.

4. I've come to know, more than just about anything else, of the power Jesus Christ has to change lives. He's changed my nature, and I've been privileged to be a part of that process for others while I've been here. 

My mission has been a miracle. I wouldn't trade the last two years for anything. If you have any questions about anything, especially the Gospel of Jesus Christ, please just shoot me an email. Here, orgarrett.l.kraus@gmail.com

Love you all, see you soon,

Elder Kraus

Pictures: My first P-Day in the Field, with Elder Hakala (my trainer), and my last P-day in the field, at the same place, on the same hike.

MLC pictures- Another Grand Week!!

Interviews and a Zone Conference coming up this week! Followed by Zone Training next week! There is so much happening here! Annnnd I'm singing for Zone Conference. No idea what I'm going to do. Should be interesting!

Staying In Tuba CIty ;)!!!!

Hello all!! Guess who's staying in Tuba City for another 6 weeks! Woot!

Here's pictures of the trailer.

WHAT A WEEK!

Goood morning!

This week was quite the grand one! I neglected recording a whole lot this week, sooo you get to experience Elder Kraus through the typed word once again this week.

This was one of the most event-filled weeks of the mission.

Monday-- Left for MLC amidst some light snow; got into town during the evening; had some Serious Texas BBQ (so good!), then went and did some missionary work with THE Elder Tollefson and his new companion, Elder Henderson. Twas a great time.

Tuesday: MLC! Went great; found out some of the information regarding a new church-wide missionary schedule change. Drove to Kayenta and began exchanges there! Taught the Mariano family (haven't seen them since October of 2015). 

Wednesday: Full day of exchanges in Kayenta! Taught a lot of wonderful people, found some old formers. Twas a grand day. Loved the opportunity to work with Elder Lee. He's going places :) Pulled back into Tuba City Wednesday night. Oh! Also found out about all of the new schedule changes! So excited to be implementing it all :)

Thursday: Spectacular day of missionary work; good to be back in the area. Started off the day with some wood chopping in Coalmine; did some reactivation work whilst there. Came back to Tuba to teach Bobby and Daisy (Ward missionaries and returning LA's), when their buddy Cly Whiskers (seriously) came in looking for some food. Sooo now we're teaching him! :) Was also able to find and teach a part member family with our ward mission leader--they're super promising, and the father prayed for the first time at the end of the lesson! Woo!!

Friday: Also a wonderful day; taught Thomas, someone we love to take out teaching with us, some of the basics of PMG that we applied later in the week. Then, some wonderful members invited their non-member relatives over, and now we're teaching them!

Saturday: Today flew by; most notable lesson of the day was with Garrett and his family; they live in pretty abject poverty (no running water or electricity), but they've been learning more about and loving the Gospel!! They've been practicing family prayer all of this week, and have really been seeing the blessings. Taught them more about the Book of Mormon and committed them to read it as a family.

Sunday: Today was wonderful, albeit not as wonderful as we had originally hoped. Quite a few of the families we had taught this week, who had committed to come to church, were unable to make it. That being said, we were able to teach people all day, and it was stellar. 

Thank you for your prayers and fasts on behalf of the missionary work here. Miracles are happening here because of your faith.

I love you all!!

Elder Kraus

14.3

Curious about the subject line? I've all but run completely run out of witty one-liners, so this references that this email is covering Transfer 14, week 3. Woo!

This week was fan-flipping-tastic. In every way :)

Highlight of the week: our lesson with Josie and her family. Talk about a desire to come closer to the Savior. Wow. We've taught her all about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and she's preparing to be baptized on the 31st of December. This week, we began to cover some of the commandments that we live as members of the church. The first one we went over with them was the Word of Wisdom (the Lord's law of health for us--ways to keep our body and spirit healthy. see Word of Wisdom). This is generally a pretty tough one for people to start to live. Josie expressed that she'd been drinking coffee daily for many years. We started to talk to her about the process of overcoming habits and addictions, when she cut us off and explained: "I'm ready to give it up today; it won't be a problem. I'm just glad I know." You should have seen mine and Elder Tollefson's jaws drop. Every lesson with her since then has been remarkably similar. It's been wonderful having the opportunity to be with her as she learns more about the Gospel. 

Apart from that, the week has been excellent! Too many things to type about, so we'll leave it at that story :)

OH!! If you'd like a Christmas Card from my companion and I, please email me your address ASAP. 

That'll be all. Have a jolly week, and remember the reason for the season (hint: it's Jesus Christ)

Elder Kraus

New War Wagon!! And other happenings...

How do I even describe this week... It's been a while, but here's some highlights:

We were able to have a phenomenal lesson with an individual named Jonathan. He's investigating the church as a result of the interactions he's had with the mormon high-schoolers whom he teaches. We taught him and his family all about the importance of families and baptism. He's planning on coming to church this Sunday, and yeah! Life is grand in terms of teaching :) 5 investigators came to church this past Sunday! Wooo!! 

Other happenings...

Mission Leadership Council for quite a while on Tuesday, which was grand... hoping to see some good changes in the mission as a result.

Exchanges with Elder Trottier on Wednesday; that went well!

Trained at District meeting Thursday...

Friday was packed with lessons! Brought out fantastic members, got food poisoning (conquered it and lost a couple of lbs too ;)) and got everything ready for the Stake missionary meeting Sunday.

Saturday was a Mini-MTC all day!! Twas great being able to train prospective missionaries--couldn't get Bryant off my mind when working with them all... Any progress with your decision? :) Then we had the ward party, which so many people came to! That was fantastic!

Sunday we had Stake Vitality, which the Stake President finally came to!! Missionary-member relations are improving across the board, and great things are happening in Farmington. 

I love this work; I love this gospel. :) 

Stay wonderful, and go to Mormon.org!!

Oh! And the title line... we got a little change in mission vehicle.... 2017 V6 Toyota Tacoma, complete with backup camera and GoPro mount. It'll be rough transitioning to normal vehicles again someday...

Anywho, love you all!!

have a wonderful week.

Elder Kraus

Transfers!

Hello all, loved ones,

This week was an interesting one!

Charlene's got a renewed desire to progress toward baptism :D

Hector is progressing extremely quickly, and changing as a result :D

Annddddd transfer news! 

Elder Tollefson and I are...

Staying together :D

Staying in Farmington :D

Getting transferred to the 7th Ward!! We're so so sooo sad to be leaving 1st ward; they're our family (seriously just about broke down when asked to bear our testimonies). That being said, we know 7th ward is where we need to be, and we're anticipating miracles.

This is the Lord's work, so why not? :)

Challenge for the week:

Go to Christmas.mormon.org on the 25 of November. Get pumped. Do the thing, share with as many people as you can. Light the World with His light :)

Love you all, Happy Thanksgiving!!

Elder Kraus