Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Safely There

According to the Delta web-site (my best friend for the last 12 hours!!!), Craig's flight safely arrived in Athens at 11:00am local time (4:00am here). What a blessing to know that he is safely there. He still did not know what area he would be serving in so he may still have some traveling to do today unless he is serving right in Athens. I am sure jet-lag will also consume him for the next several days, but he will be so busy and excited that hopefully he will adjust quickly!

I am anxious to hear from him, which may be in the next day or two, or it may be Monday, but I know that the Lord is watching over him and the mission President and his wife will treat him as their own. Will update you on the specifics when I have them.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

The Influence of the Spirit

I found this in some items here at home, I believe Craig brought it home from a youth fireside, but it certainly applies to each of us, hope you find it as inspiring as I did:

When You Have the Spirit
You feel happy and calm.
You feel full of light.
Your mind is clear.
Your bosom burns with love for the Lord and for others.
You feel generous.
No one can offend you.
You are very forgiving and kind.
You are confident in what you do.
You do not mind anyone seeing what you are doing.
You feel outgoing and anxious to be with others (especially family members).
You are glad when others succeed.
You want to make others happy, even those opposed to you.
You bring out the best and say the best about others.
You gladly and willingly perform Church work.
You feel like praying and reading the scriptures.
You wish you could keep all the Lord's commandments.
You feel you have control of your appetites, and emotions: food and sleep in moderation, sexual restraint, recreation that is wholesome and moderate, controlled speech, and no anger.
You feel a deep desire to help others-usually in a way no one else will know about.
You speak and think only good about others.
You feel sorrow when others have problems and sincerely desire to help them.
You realize that your thoughts and your actions are open to God.


A quote from Joseph Fielding Smith:
"When a man has a manifestation of the Holy Ghost, it leaves an indelible impression on the soul, one that is not easily erased. It is spirit speaking to spirit, and it comes with convincing force."

Craig is officially in the air and headed for Athens. It looks as if they are about 20 minutes into the flight, pretty much on time. Pray for their safe flight and a beautiful reception to the country all 14 will call home for the next 22 months!

Sunday, October 14, 2007

The Time to Travel is Here

I feel like it has been such a long time since I have written. Things have been going very well for Craig and his 13 Greece Athens Mission buddies. They have been working incredibly hard to continue to perfect their Greek and their teaching style. Six of the fourteen were stricken with Influenza A two weeks ago and were quarantined from the remainder of the MTC. Craig was unfortunately one of those who was ill. If you have never had true influenza you cannot appreciate how terrible it makes one feel. Total body aches, fever, cough, congestion, headaches, the whole nine yards. Craig said they were all on medications and symptomatic treatment to be well for travel. Thankfully all have now recuperated and are ready for the trip.

The day of departure is Tuesday, October 16. They are expected to arrive in Atlanta on Tuesday at 2:10pm from Salt Lake City and they depart at 4:50pm on a direct flight to Athens. They will arrive in Athens at 10:50am local time on Wednesday, October 17, which will be 3:50am here. The truly wonderful part abut all of this is that Craig may be allowed to call home while waiting around in the airport on Tuesday! I cannot tell you how excited I am to talk with him and hear his voice! I am planning to be here at home anxiously waiting for the phone to ring. He cannot be sure until that day if he will be permitted to call but all indications are that he should be allowed.

I cannot tell you the peace that I feel about his mission and the journey he is about to take. His love of God and his love of the Church just radiates from him. Craig is so anxious to share his testimony with the people of Greece and I know that the Lord is preparing someone, or perhaps many people, to receive the message of His love. I tell Craig all the time what a wonderful missionary he is going to be, and I know this not only in my heart, but in the reassurances that I get every time I pray. The peace that comes over me, it just can't be described, it is beautiful.

I promise not to wait so long in between posts from this point forward. I know there will be many new and exciting stories to tell about life in Greece, the people, the country, his new companion, and I can't wait to share it all with each of you! I have posted Craig's new address, which is the main mission address and they will forward his mail. Once he is settled in an area, he may have a local address that can be used also, but that will change each time he is transferred, so I will keep updating as necessary! Thank you again for all of the wonderful letters and e-mails of support you have sent Craig, and for your prayers of love, comfort, and support. They mean more than you will every know!

Love from here!
Craig's Family