4/22/13 Madison, SD

We got a couple e-mails from Elder Kevin Criman on Monday!

E-mail 1: Ya this was the perfect email. Thank you so much for emailing me. I love reading your stuff. my new P days are on Monday. 
My address is 1017 n summit #13 Madison, South Dakota 57042. On letters i guess we are now asked to put the full name, Elder Kevin Criman because there are so many missionaries now.
I love talking to you and Tim. I really hope Jon is doing well too. I sent a letter home today so hopefully it will be there in a couple days. 
Love you so much, talk to you soon. 

E-mail 2: Hahahaha Jon your email made me laugh pretty hard, jajaja, really? Que fantastico! I am doing so well here in Madison South Dakota. I am speaking English but I have taught one family in Spanish and that was really cool. But the rest of the time is in English. I can't wait to receive your letter and to hear from you all. Sorry if my emails aren't all that descriptive  but my letter in the mail is even more so. 
MY companion, Elder Bell sleeps really hard so he has only heard me talk a couple times, but that is good that I don't wake him up. 
Tell me anything and everything, I love hearing about people back home, and all my friends. Let me know of all your progress and how the baby is doing. 
And Jon, I too was actually sad not to go to Casper. I was kind of hoping I was, but that's ok. The person I need to find is in Madison, so look out here I come. jajaja

E-mail 3:My new mailing address is  1017 N Summit #13 Madison, South Dakota 57042
If you don't want to send it to the mission home and send it right to me that is just what you can do with this new address. I hear if you want to send packages or anything don't use ups or fed x. They would also like you to Put Elder Kevin Criman because there are so many missionaries now it is easier to have the full name.

This past week has been so awesome, I have learned so much and have stayed plenty busy. I will for sure send you a post card of where I am. It is such an awesome experience to walk into someones home, get to know them and just to share a spiritual thought with them. We have a couple investigators and I talk about them more in my letter that I sent to you today. But a huge part of my mission is trying to get less actives to come back to church, they could be a ward, but because there are so few people that regularly attend church it is only a Branch. I absolutely love the people. I love being able to make them laugh and to bring the spirit into their homes. My companion, Elder Bell, and I get along really well and work really well with each other. This area that I cover is so big but there really isn't that many people here, it is all farmland and everyone is spread out pretty far. We have a car and drive from home to home if it is not a home that is in the heart of this city where most of the people live.

It has been snowing and breezy up here but nothing i can't handle, Utah did me well. haha Dad you thought Wyoming was bare and ugly, come up here, haha. 

A spiritual thought that we shared a couple times this week is D&C 84:88. God is always encircled about us as if a personal body guard and we have angels to bear us up. How awesome is that? God will never fail us if we are faithful and true to his commandments and will help us through any trails that come our way. I know that God deeply loves every single one of us and because of Jesus Christ it is possible to return to him. 

Mothers day is coming up and there is a family that we are teaching, because the future husband to this family is our investigator, the mom and kids are already fully active. But anyways, they will let me skype home during mothers day using their computer or whatever they have. I can talk for 45 minutes, I am so excited! That airport call wasn't nearly long enough. It's weird to think that i have already been here in South Dakota for 7 days and on my mission for 54 great days serving the lord. I am not afraid to talk to anybody but love sharing the gospel to everyone i run into. This Church is true and always will be. 

I love you all and hope to hear from you soon!

Mission President and His Wife

We got an e-mail from Elder Criman's mission president with this picture and saying that he arrived safely! Still no word on where he is serving, but we should hear from him soon! If I squint I think their tags say President and Sister Anderson, but I'll ask my mom tonight for sure. :)

4-12-13

This week has been so awesome, weird, and long and the same time I have felt the spirit and revelation more than I ever have and conference was a great part of that. The 6 Hermanas in my district left for Chile Monday morning, so now it is just us three Elders in my district. One Sunday the Hermanas asked us to give them all a blessing. It was a great experience to give blessings. Us three Elders each gave 2 blessings, because there were 6 girls. Tuesday we went to Salt Lake and that was just pure fantastic to be able to see real people outside of the MTC Haha. The Assistant Consulate signed my papers so now I'm just waiting for my visa. While we were waiting for the bus to take us back, my companions and I ran into a person who has read the Book of Mormon 597 times. He reads it from cover to cover every 8 days by reading 30 chapters a day. He started in 1993ish and is still going. How great is that?
Then we were sitting on a bench and a couple came  up to us, so we asked them how they were doing. They said, "Good, but I wish you Elders looked more busy." That was a stab to the heart, because they thought we were slacking off and wasting the Lord's time. I explained to them we were meeting with the consulate and were now waiting for the bus. They understood and went on with their day after we had talked with them for a while. But I never want that feeling again as if I am slacking off. I am going to work hard everyday.
The week was long, because we had to find out THursday where we are being relocated. I found out I am going to South Dakota Rapid city and my companions, Oklahoma City. We are all so excited to serve, but we won't find out if we are speaking spanish or not until we talk with our Mission President. Spanish or not, I will study spanish everyday, so I can be prepared for Argentina when I get to go there. I'm just making a "pit stop" Haha. I will be packing my bags soon and that is so weird, because this MTC stay has just flown by.
-Elder Criman

We are so proud of our Elder and can't wait for his next letter!!!-Kristen

General Conference Letter

It was nice to finally hear conference this Saturday, because I am usually at work. So I thought I would share a few things that stood out to me. I loved all of it, because the spirit was so strong, especially during their testimonies when they say they are a special witness.
-M. Russell Ballard ( Saturday Morning)
He started talking about how everyone is special and can bless this world in a unique way. That reminded me of the saying, " You can count how many seeds are in an apple, but you can't count the number of apples in a seed." I think that's cool, because unless you love someone enough to let them grow you will never see your/their full potential.
He also said that men and women are very equal in authority and importance. That went well with what Sister Dalton said Saturday Morning. She said women provide life, but men provide the needs and necessities of life. I love how they both made us feel of great importance.
-President Henry B. Eyring (Saturday Morning)
Everyone got something different from his talk than I did, but it's just a witness to me that personal revelation happens everywhere and everyday.
He was talking about how when we seek God we will find him already seeking and searching for us. When we knock we receive. The reason we receive is because he is already behind the door ready to answer when we knock. When he opens the door we are blessed with more blessings than we can imagine, but we have to knock, because he can't just open the door if there is no one there knocking for blessings and ready to receive it. There are days that are just bad and all you want to do is crawl right back in bed. If we cry out to God, knock and ask for help. The reason why you knock on any door is, because you have already walked up the driveway and/or pathway Christ has laid for us and follow in his footsteps and keep his commandments we are entitled to more blessing we can even dream of. When we knock and receive, don't just leave and come back again when you need help; this is foolish and selfish.
God is not a repair man. Cry unto the Lord with thankful hearts throughout the day, but more importantly, knock and abide with Christ. Live as Christ would live and serve as Christ would serve. To abide with Christ is to be as Christ. And where does Christ abide? In Heaven and in the hearts of Man. So to serve and abide with Christ we serve our fellow man, just as Christ served. Christ died so we may all live; so let's all live for Christ.
I love how President Eyring ended with his testimony, "I am a witness of his resurrection  I know God lives, I'm a witness of the risen Savior."
Let's all return to God with words, "I've done my best." (Dad)
and hear the words for our Lord God and King, "Well done my well and faithful servant."
-President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (Priesthood Session)
I love how he said, "God doesn't make commandments so we fail... as sons [and daughters] we are heirs to all that God has." When we follow Christ we will be transferred into more than we can imagine. He said that we must all join the choir of joy and spread peace to all the world. "We are loved, wanted, needed, and important to God!" Then Suday morning he said something that provoked me with th statement that we need to teach with a spirit that echos in the hearts of man. It doesn't matter where I go, I'm not here to travel or learn a language. I'm here to serve God!
-President Thomas S. Monson (Sunday Afternoon)
While listening to his awesome talk I pictured God in front of me and preaching. BEST THING EVER!!!
He said, "TRUST IN THE LORD." with such boldness and that we should only "Weep for a night, but joy in the morning." But one thing he said I will always remember, "Take advantage that God answers every prayer!" This struck me to the heart, because it is soooo true. I've realized that before my mission and continue to see it happen everyday on my mission.

I have a challenge for everyone back home and I would love to hear the results throughout my mission.
1. Pay Attention. Everyone has needs in this life, it is our job to serve them as the Savior would.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf said in priesthood session, "One hand we carry oil and bread in the next." Pay attention to what people need and how we can serve them and help them to continue to grow in testimony.
2. Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words. Go Forward in Faith and don't have any regrets.
3.Find at least one person a week and Bear Your Testimony to that person. Share anything that the spirit has born testimony to you, an answer to a prayer, or sprititual thought from a scripture.
4. Write Down the blessings you see and the miracles God has given you and will give you everyday.

I am/will be doing this for the next two years to strengthen my personal testimony and to incite others to Christ. I will be your strength in the field if you will be my strength at home. Thank you all so much for the love and support you have and will give me. I couldn't Do this without you all. I know if you will keep these commitments you will realize how much God blesses you everyday, I know I have. God is truly amazing!!!
I love him and this gospel. I know I am right where God wants me to be. I love you all so much.
Dios Bendice Ustedes!!!!
Elder Criman

First Mission!

Thank you all so much for the packages. Paula sent me a package too. I love all the pictures and I look at them every night because the they are on my desk where i write in my journal. I will try to write her a thank you card but I don't have a lot of time because I am leaving Monday morning to my new mission! This week has been very great and I have enjoyed it a lot. I have a list of what I did coming in the mail.

We got our new assignments in the mail, My companions are both called to Oklahoma City! I'm so excited for them. Well you are probably wondering where I am going. I have been called to serve, for the first part of my mission, in South Dakota Rapid City. I am so excited, this will be sweet to say that I have served two missions, one in the states and one in Argentina when my Visa comes. I am able to call home whenever now. When and what time tonight or tomorrow night would be better? What number should I call? I will check my email again tonight to see what you say. I only have a five minute call available for me here in the MTC then I can call when I am at the airport next week on Monday. So make sure that you answer any weird phone number. I am leaving the MTC at 6 AM in the morning on Monday and my flight is leaving 9:43 AM. This is all so very exciting and this is going to be so awesome. I can't wait to get into the field and start teaching investigators. I'm not sure if it is in spanish or not, it is up to my mission president.  I am interested to see how my packing goes and hoping it is under weight. If it is not the right weight, I will send some stuff home so its no big. I'm loving life and have loved being a missionary. This is all so excited and it is so crazy how fast life is coming. The MTC stay has flown by in time.  I hope all is going well and I will talk with you either tonight or tomorrow night, just let me know. I love you all!

Elder Criman

-We are so excited to hear where in the mission Elder Criman will be called! Casper, WY is in the mission, but Rapid City is one of the biggest missions in the United States, it would still be great to have him serve in the city where my in-laws live and where I went to school. I couldn't be more proud of him and so happy that he's finally going out in the field.- Kristen

Today's mail.......April 5, 2012


I sent you a letter with more detail but I will just quickly tell you about it. This week was fantastic, but a little different than we all might have thought. This last Tuesday we had our fingerprints taken and that was done here in the MTC, they said that my roommates and I will be going to Salt Lake this Tuesday. We wont be talking to the actual consulate but rather the assistent, so this may take longer than we all thought. They told us that this coming Thursday we will find out where we are being relocated. So I'm here in the MTC for another week, haha. Im not sure what is going to happen but I will for sure let you all know as soon as I can. I hope I will be able to call home and let you all know about my flight plans soon.
Some spiritual thoughts that have stuck out to me this week during some devotionals that we have on Sunday and Saturday:
 It takes the elect to gather the elect. Ask the Lord to show you who you are. Ask the Lord to torture you in the language of the spirit. 
We are all very precious to our Father in Heaven and when we realize how important we are, we can help other people realize just how important they are too. If we are unsure who we are we can ask God to show us. He will show us through miracles how precious we are to him. But we have to be ready to receive the answer, if we are too busy and preoccupied with something than we might miss our chance to hear the spirit or see what the Lord has done for us. The most important language is the Language of the Spirit. This is a language we must all learn, but we can't unless we seek for God's help. He, and Jesus Christ are our ultimate teachers. When we can speak the Language of the spirit we are more open to revelation and it becomes easier to serve God's children. Without the spirit there is no possible way to fully convert the investigator. They have to feel the comfort from our message and that comfort comes from the comforter, which is the Holy Spirit. 
Something that really comforted me this week was this, "On a day of doubt and when you are in the slumbs, picture your family kneeling alongside their bed and saying a prayer for you." I know that everyone in our family is prayed for and when I saw this image in my mind it brought great comfort to my soul. I know that everyone around the world is cared for and is prayed about often. In every prayer it is God that is the receiver of that prayer. We are all involved in conversation with Our Lord and How great is that to know that we always have someone praying for us. Thank you all so much for your love and I will talk with you soon, hopefully bringing you news on when I am leaving to the field. God Bless you all and know that I pray for each of you. When times get tough, remember that God is only a knees length away.
This is a mighty work that we are all involved in; it is the Lords work; the work of God. Christ is our Savior  God and King. He saved us all and died that we may all live with him again someday with eternal families. God is mindful of all of us, has a plan for all of us, and a purpose for each of us to fulfill. This church is true and will never falter. Talk to you soon. 
Elder Criman.

Mom's view.....
We are so anxious for what lies ahead for Kevin.  He still doesn't know where or when he is going, but is trying very hard to keep his spirits high.  I get tired just thinking about all that he is doing.  I know that the MTC has a tight schedule from early morning to night.  Everyday our family prays for him.  We pray that he continues to be obedient, shares his positive attitude with those around him, and continues to learn the Spanish language.  Learning a foreign language has got to be tough, but with the Lord's help he can do it.
Now, I can't wait for his next letter.

Easter at the MTC

Captain Moroni

Kevin's MTC District

This picture is random.....this was Kevin's first care package to the MTC

The sister missionaries in Kevin's district in front of the Provo Temple

I loved getting these pictures forwarded from Sister Phelps. 

 Kevin is surrounded by wonderful missionaries.

Friday, March 29, 2013

So good news!!! After I sent the letter today I got something in the mail, any guesses?????? It’s a paper to tell me when to meet in the traveling office so I can meet with the Argentina Consulate. So excited. It sounds like that next week I will be getting more finger printings done on April 2nd, then on April 9th my roommates and I will be meeting with the Argentina Consulate in Salt Lake City from 9am to 1pm. So excited that there is a huge chance I will be getting my Visa. This church is true, the book is blue, and God loves you.

Haha.If I am relocated or if I get my visa, what is the best night to call you and what time? I’m not sure. How are we going to do airport calls too? Won't you be at work and or school? Let me know your ideas through dear elder. I love you all and am so grateful to be in this family of ours.

 Life is way good. Mom, totally fine that you forgot the pictures but i am excited that they are now on their way. I can't wait!

This Sunday we learned about the spirit and its importance. 2Nephi 31 and the first verse of the next few chapters are so powerful. Also, look up in the bible dictionary for the word Spirit. It says, "A Spirit can live without the body, but the body cannot live without the Spirit." I thought that was really inspiring. It is so important that we are all worthy. IF we don’t teach with the spirit we can't teach about the spirit. The spirit is such a fantastic gift that we all have. Every Friday when I go to the temple at 6:30 in the morning I can feel the spirit very strongly, I love it. I love this gospel and everything that it has to give.

Something interesting, this Sunday we are having a general authority come and teach us because it is Easter Sunday. My roommates and I have been chosen to help pass the sacrament. It is a rare occasion because the whole MTC will be taking the sacrament at the same time, doesn't happen very often. So I am very grateful to have this opportunity. Loving life and learning tons every day.

I've had a couple conversations in sleep with my roommates and talk about random stuff, so they tell me, haha. The MTC is an amazing place. Thank you all for your love and support, and all the gifts. I couldn't do this without you! I love you all and hope all is going well. Let me know how everything is going and keep me updated. I love you all.

• Elder Criman