New Apartment in Manchester, Missouri

Elder Craven's Mom isn't too great at the Blog stuff, so this is catching up. Since the February post, he moved to Florrissant, MO. That was after he had really enjoyed Warrenton. He met some of the greatest people there, too. He thought he would be in Florrisant for a while and had Elder Hatch for a companion. They really worked well together and was having wonderful success and loving it, so he was really surprised only to be there for one transfer period.

He was moved to Ballwin and it's been a hard move with much more difficult work. Also, he was so concerned about many of his investigators that he had to leave. The word we got today was that after some serious prayer, they have decided to refocus their efforts in finding investigators through the members. They really feel good about this direction. He is moving (within the same area) and this is his new address:

Elder Caylen Craven

816 Apt. B Westbrooke Village Dr.
Manchester, MO 63021

We are grateful he is there and not in Joplin (which is south of him) where there was an F4 tornado and there has been a death toll of over 400 people so far. That was pretty close to where we lived in Oklahoma--pretty devastating. We pray for those people.

"Pay Day" for Elder Craven

This is a picture of Caylen with Sister Cunningham who has been such a blessing to him! She was his "mom" in Moberly and made his birthday and Thanksgiving and Christmas all wonderful and nursed him through a couple of things and drove them everywhere. She's the angel you pray your son has on his mission! We love her!!

Elder Craven has a new companion again. He continues to be in Warrenton, MO with Elder Kadleck who he really likes and they are doing some great things!

One sad thing that happened is that one of the members made a very insensitive comment that really discouraged one of their investigators. They have had some really wonderful investigators that are progressing well. He has also found out that four of the people he taught that were baptized are also planning on temple sealings soon. That is a real pay day for missionaries!!

February 3, 2011

Hey all!!! For those of you who don't know, Cay has been transfered to Warrenton, Missouri, where he is in a tri (that means he has TWO companions (as if one wasn't enough!!!)) with Elder Waymont and Elder Burrows. If I remember right, Elder Waymont was his companion in Moberly as well. He misses Moberly a lot, but is also really enjoying where he is and who he is with now. Well, he was until the big snow storm this week. They have spent the last several days shoveling snow off cars, driveways and sidewalks for the community. His favorite kind of service, as I recall ;)

They were even featured in the local news, (Here's the link: http://www.kmov.com/video/featured-videos/Snow-report-Steve-Templeton-115131754.html) however, as he says "a REALLY BIG snowstorm in Missouri=an average snowstorm in Utah." It didn't look average to me. His new address is 745 Craig Rd. Ste. 306, Creve Coeur, MO 6314 for anyone interested. We love you all and he really loves to get your letters.

Love, Nat

New Area-Warrenton, Missouri

Elder Craven just got a new assignment. He received it on Christmas Day which he was enjoying spending with the wonderful family he has been living with for four months, the Cunninghams. He really loved Moberly and was sad to leave that area, but reports that he thinks he will end up really liking this new area.

He is currently in Warrenton, MO and his new companions are Elder Wayment who was his last Zone Leader, and Elder Burrows. They are living in a very small apartment with another companionship--so five Elders in a one bedroom apartment. He says it's "quite a party". He also said that he thinks they have pretty overwhelmed the ward. There are more missionaries in PEC meeting than other leaders. They have been asking the missionaries to speak in church a lot, so he thinks the ward should be getting the message about missionary work.

I guess that at least currently he feels like Missouri is pretty "cold and dark and gray". Utah is looking better to him because even with the cold and snow, their are green pine trees and beautiful things.

We got a letter from the ward mission leader, Brother Ridgeway, who reported that Elder Craven is a natural leader that understands his calling. What a blessing it is to serve the Lord!

Christmas 2010

Elder Craven had a wonderful Christmas with the Cunningham Family who have been SOOO good to him for four months (his birthday, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas)! However, that night he got a transfer. He has so loved working in Moberly and has grown quite close to some wonderful investigators there and will really miss them.

So far all we know is that he is keeping Elder Hatch for a companion and they have really enjoyed working together. They will be opening a new area and have an added companion making a tri-panionship. We wish him the best in this new area.

A New Mission, Transfer and Catch Up on the News

Yea!!! My wonderful nephew just came and FINALLY helped me figure out how to update this. Sorry I'm so computer impaired.

As of July 1st, Elder Craven is officially in the St. Louis, Missouri Mission. Currently, he is in Moberly, Missouri with Elder Hatch. He is living in the basement of an awesome member who takes such good care of them! He said he hasn't cooked a meal since he got there.

This is a picture of the Heyder Family who were so great to Caylen in Pittsfield. He has met so many wonderful people on his mission.

Just last Saturday, he was able to go back to Pittsfield to participate in the baptism of Ryan Skirvin who he has loved working with.

The cold weather and holidays are coming soon, but he has a great attitude and is (according to the last letter) "trying to keep the Spirit, be myself and teach the gospel".