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!!