Pictures

Elder Deppe, from Germany. Craig describes him as "the funniest German I've ever met".
Elder Steinvourte, from Holland. Craig says that his English is "perfect". He is classics major in Europe, just like Craig so they "get along great". Craig says that the two of them "love to make fun of modern Greek" and they help each other out understanding the modern grammar as opposed to ancient grammar.
Elder Almundsun, from Norway. They decided to see how they would look with a "mega-part".

"Elder Steinvourte being himself"

No explanation required!!

Elder Heller, he is from Germany. Craig said that they were practicing to be ushers for the devotional that evening.
Elder Long, Craig says he has lived all over the world. His parents are Italian. Craig says he is the prankster of the group. He likes to put the alarm clock in the ceiling set for 2:00 am, "the Brits didn't appreciate that".
Elder Ence, Craig describes him as "one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. He left the MTC already for Lithuania.

Elder Forbes from Norway. He and Craig have become great friends.

Elder Burgon and Elder Mansfield from England. Craig says they are "absolutely hilarious".

Elder Mansfield with his "game face".

Craig's companion Elder MePhee from Texas.

Elder Mansfield

Elder Heller, he is from Germany. Craig says that they have become pretty good friends.
Elder Carlberg from Sweden, Craig says he is a Swedish equivalent of a Navy Seal graduate.

Elder Mansfield being himself.

Elder Steinvourte, Elder Schmaal, and Craig. Craig writes that Elder Schmaal is absolutely hilarious, he doesn't speak much English but he still tries to talk 400 miles an hour.


We received a letter yesterday from Craig and he sent all of the pictures that he had taken of the other missionaries in the group going to Greece. It is great to see how much fun they have despite the hard work and long days they put in at the MTC. An instant reminder that they are still 19 year old young men after all.

San Francisco Was Great

We received an e-mail from Craig today. His trip to San Francisco went very well. He and his companion went with two older couples who will also be traveling to Greece. They were each interviewed briefly. It was Craig's first opportunity to speak Greek to a native. He felt that it went very well. The man who interviewed him also liked that he knew Ancient Greek. They ate fish and chips at Fisherman's Wharf and they walked along the wharf and watched the seals and seagulls.

Craig said it is so different being a missionary and walking along the street. He described that some people walked up to them and talked to them like they had known them forever and others acted like they were the devil incarnate. Interesting how we treat others especially when we don't know or understand. My prayer is that everyone my son will come in contact while on his mission will respect him and his faith. I know, however, that will not likely happen, and that breaks my heart. These missionaries are such awesome young men and women who just want to share something so good, so beautiful. Pray that those approached by Craig and missionaries around the world will open their hearts and their minds to God's word and His love, and that they will be kind to these young men and women. Craig's story also makes me examine myself and my reaction to others when approached by them. I will pray that I am more tolerant and open to their words. Perhaps they just have a job to do, maybe they are hungry and are asking for some spare change, or maybe it is a person that could change me and my life forever, just like the missionaries who first visited our home ultimately did for Craig. I promise to be more tolerant.

He's Doing Great

It was a great day because we actually received two different letters today from Craig. One envelope had letters for each of enclosed, and the other was a short update. His update was to let us know that he will be traveling on Wednesday, September 5 to San Francisco to the Greek Consulate. He and his companion are required to pick up their Visas in person so they will be taking a day trip there and returning in the evening. He said they are providing them with money for lunch also. He said it was a nice surprise that they will be permitted to go. I am sure it will be a nice little break from the hard work he has been putting in at the MTC.

I am amazed by all that he has been doing since arriving at the MTC. Early last week he had to give a 15 minute talk in Greek and on Saturday he and his companion had to give a 45 minute talk. They are no longer allowed to communicate in the classroom in anything but the Greek language. I cannot believe that after only three weeks he is already prepared for this, it just amazes me. Again, how great God is for giving him the knowledge and the confidence to meet these challenges head on, and loving every single minute of the experience!

Our family unfortunately had some difficult news to deliver to Craig last week. David's grandmother, Grandma Ho Ho as we all so lovingly called her, passed away. She was blessed with 93 years and she truly blessed all of us. Craig loved visiting her (she spent the last several months of her life at St. Andrew's Health Care in Batesville). When he was a senior at Oldenburg Academy he would visit her several times a week, and again visited often this summer while he was home. She too was very proud of the mission he was to serve and the two of them had many wonderful conversations. We called the MTC and they called Craig to the Mission President's office and delivered the news to him. He said that he was sad and it was difficult at first but he said that he knows without a doubt that Grandma is happy, well, and in good hands. He also said, "The Lord looks after all of his children and gives the same love back ten fold of what they showed in this life. And I know we all can agree that Grandma's love for us and the Lord was awesome. I know she is okay." What a comfort those words were for us and for his Grandma and Grandpa Meister to read. He is an amazing young man!

He has mentioned so many times that letters and cards from home mean so much to him. He said "It is so nice to get mail." The time all of you have taken to drop him a note or card mean so much to him and so much to us. Your prayers have been a tremendous comfort and have made this transition for him and for our family go very smoothly. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!