This is from his first area, but I realized that I didn't have a picture of his second companionship. Elder Tanavasu has finished his mission now. Caylen said he would come and visit, but we're still waiting. Elder Hansen was a great companion, too and is now in the Iowa DesMoines Mission. It was a great part of his mission.

Third Area--Pittsfield, IL

Elder Craven was just transferred from Pekin which is a town he loved and really had a great companion, Elder Bell. They had good success and there were some wonderful members who took very good care of them.

With this move he is now in Pittsfield which is even a smaller town! I got a surprise telephone call last Sunday from Brother Hibbert. He said that Caylen was in his house right then and that Caylen told him that his mom had served a mission in Taiwan. Sister Hibbert is from Taiwan. I talked Chinese with her for 15-20 minutes and it was so fun!! She told me that both the elders bore their testimonies that morning. We pray that the Lord will bless them to help the Pittsfield Branch grow while they are there.

With this move, we now know that he will be in the St. Louis, Missouri Mission as of July 1st. His new address is: 112 1/2 East Perry Street, Pittsfield, IL 62363 (it is an apartment above a mechanics shop--he says it's pretty scary)

New Area--Pekin, Illinois

Elder Craven has survived the long, cold Illinois winter! He loved living in Pontiac and since he has received his first transfer, he has really missed the wonderful people and the family type feeling of a small town and small branch. He also had great companions while he was there.

He is in Pekin, Illinois now with a new companion, Elder Guymon and was called as District Leader to a small district of four. They are all great elders.

Pontiac has beautiful sunsets but it sure gets cold when the sun goes down. Lately its cold when the sun is up!!! He is still smiling and loves the Lord.

Corn fields are everywhere in Illinois. Sometimes they are the only thing that will listen:)

This is Elder Rosequist, Caylens trainer and firs companion.

Christmas Call!!

We heard from Caylen tonight! In fact each of us talked to him for about a half an hour. He has a new companion, Elder Tanavasu. They "hit it off" really well from the start! Elder Tanavasu is at the end of his mission and will be going home in the next month or so. Even though it is -15 degrees and they fight 30-40 mile per hour winds, they are biking and tracking all through the town of Pontiac. He reported that they tracted three straight days this week and never got one call back. It's kind of sad that everyone is so busy at Christmas time, that they don't want to hear about Christ. He doesn't sound discouraged at all, just very interested in the investigators they have and very interested in learning about the gospel.

He talked to Dad and expressed his concern and love for all of the youth in our ward and the leaders. He wanted us to encourage them to live the gospel, not taking it for granted and to do what is right.

He must be eating well, since he reports that he has gained ten pounds. His new companion is about 300 pounds, so he probably still looks a little thin by comparison!