Lots of Pictures!!!

Elder Kevin Criman sent a lot of pictures today! But most of them don't have an explanation. I'm hoping he will explain in the letter we get this week.

A gallon of water on Elder Bell's bed.

Bell wet my bed.

Dean Hansen

Sleeping Quarters

Dean preparing for picture

Elder Steven Bell

Had an egg.

Wild Turkey

MTC

Argentina

Criman, Bendicot, and Masters

Brandon Master, Nathan Israelsen, Brock Lawrence, and Criman

Elder Brock Lawrence

Classroom Door

Classroom

District Pictures

Holden Means

Hosting

Israelsen Criman Masters

Lots of missionaries at the temple!

Maestra

Maestro

Maestro

Elder Matt Wager

Elder Matt Wager and his Companion

MTC Pictures

Packing

Provo Temple

Residence

Temple Walk

Like I said I'm hoping for some explanation of some of these.

5/6/2013

To Jon and Kristen-
Oh no, that is no fun at all. I am so sorry that they have been getting sick. I hope that you don't get sick because you are preg preg and need not to be sick. I am so glad that Michael is growing up and that he and Tim get along. that is so exciting that you are having a girl, she will be my little princess and I hope she will be potty trained when i get back, haha. Goo Jon, that is so sick tight dop, dog. I would love to camping with you all, that will be weird not to do with the family for two years. Oh well, I'm on a campout with the Lord. haha. Ya I'm trying to write letters that are more meaningful because it was hard to write super well when the MTC is so repetitive. I miss Kyle a lot, I wish i could watch him grow up through high school but i pray for you all every day and i know that he will do great. I love you so much Kristen and i think of you very often. You are the best. 
 This past week was very spiritual. It's amazing how the Lord never ceases to guide us by His holy Spirit.  As we tracked this past week we didn't have any success but we are showing our dedication to the Lord. I say, one closed door is one step closer to the door that will open and is meant for you.  Being  a missionary is fantastic and having Elder Bell as a trainer is fantastic. The spirit has directed us to several homes this past week and we had an opportunity to give a blessing to a person in the home. Her husband is forgetting her name and will probably die within a year. She asked us to give a priesthood blessing for comfort and for guidance. One should never be hesitant to use the power of the Priesthood, for that is why it is given to man, to bless the children of the most high and holy God. Being worthy is also another important and key Characteristic when giving blessings. Elder Bell has showed me what it means to be worthy and to follow the rules of the mission. When we were asked to give the blessing I was honored and proud to be a servant of and for the Lord. The power of love in that room was unmistakable and can not be denied. I promise as a missionary set apart for the Lord, that we as Elders and Sisters are called of God and performing the work that He has laid before us. The field is white and we are here to harvest. With the power of God and the testimony that is born in  2 Nephi 22, I will Praise God in all that I do and will Preach his Gospel and not be ashamed. He is my King and Savior of the world. I will forever Serve Him as a humble servant! This church is true and will never cease to be so. Christ is the light of the world that will lead us to exaltation. Glory be to God, and always! 

4/29/2013

To Jon and Kristen-
It was so much fun to receive your letter in the mail the other day. Tim and Michael are so cute and growing fast, santa vaca. Tim sure knows how to smile for the cameras doesn't he? It still amazes me that Michael is starting to walk, that is so weird. ..... By the way, did you get a new car? the pictures of the boys sitting in the car seats looked like they were in a van or something. That is so awesome if you got a new car. Did the red one just completely die? I am absolutely loving the mission field! the MTC was great but the field is the best. I actually get to see people and visit a whole lot of them in their homes. I am so happy to hear from you and I hope that you continue to do well but that you don't over do yourself being pregnant and everything. You are such an awesome mom. Talk to you soon


To Mom-

The drive to my new area was pretty long, but it didn't bother me too much because I was asleep for more than half of it. haha. My Companion, Elder Bell, has been in Madison for almost 4 months. The apartment is a good size for two people, I took pictures of it and will post them on an email hopefully soon. I vacuum and clean everyday, the other day I was like oh my gosh what has my mom done to me. haha but I love it. I always clean the sink after I spit in it and I try to be as clean as possible. We don't have a dish washer so we wash everything by hand and that doesn't bother me at all. We clean it right as we are done using it and thank goodness that Elder Bell is not messy because I would go nuts. Our apartment is pretty Clean so no need to worry there. I don't think I need anything yet, besides for the recipe for your chicken caseral thing with broccoli, crutans, cheese, and cream of chicken. I want to make that, haha. Church is so awesome, even though it isn't as big as ours back home. Because it is kind of small, but yesterday so many people showed up to church it was awesome, but when we sing the hymns it isn't as loud and really quiet. I miss hearing people sing as a big congregation  We have taught about 12 lessons this past week that started and ended with a prayer and then that's not counting all the lessons that just ended with a prayer. For almost all of these lessons we have a member of the church with us, when we have a member it helps the lesson go so much smoother and the spirit is stronger. With having a member come with us to lessons it helps the less active or investigator know that they have a friend in the church and that is super important. oh si, yo hablo espanol cada dia y me gusta la idioma muy mucho. yo aprendo mas todos los dias con el ayuda de mi compinero. Elder Bell es un gran Copo y es muy chistoso. I love your questions so keep them coming. Have you hear anything from Justin Kelson? Is he ok? I love you so much and I can't wait to talk to you all on mothers day. I wrote a letter throughout the week of all my events and i sent it today. so I hope it is detailed enough but if I left something out that is confusing let me know. It is about 8 pages so I hope it is good. I love you so much mom and I think of all of you everyday and your spirit is always bringing me peace because i know that all of you are praying for me. You are the bestest mom ever. I love you this much [----------------:)-------------------------] Talk to you all soon,

Elder Criman

To Dad-

Holy cow, that is a lot of boys, but that is so cool that you got to go camping with them all. I remember the good ol' days camping with you and the scouts. Best experiences with friends ever. I am so excited for Kyle to do One acts, wish him luck for me and give him a wedgy. He is going to do so great. I am so happy that he had a chance to go to prom. Did he have a good group? Dates are so much fun and a great learning experience, I'm glad he opened up and went on the date because for a while I know he wasn't planning on going on one. oh si, yo hablo espanol cada dia y me gusta la idioma muy mucho. yo aprendo mas todos los dias con el ayuda de mi compinero. Elder Bell es un gran Copo y es muy chistoso. I speak spanish all the time and I can't wait for the chance to speak everyday but I am grateful for where I am and how the Lord has blessed my life.  I come the library to write my emails home and they give us an hour on the computer. The librarians really like us because we come over here on Wednesdays and give service. I ran a mile today when I woke up, there is a track for the campus that is a block away and we can use it if it is not already occupied  The sun is finally shinning up here in SD and it is so much fun to talk with everyone. We walk a couple times but we mostly drive because everything is so spread out, but because of the nice weather we are going to be walking more and more, and no i don't have a bike. That is so awesome that they are all practicing to use Preach My Gospel, the more they do that the easier and quicker they will come to love their mission, because in lessons you don't read a script but you teach from the spirit that helps you remember what you have studied. Ya i realized my emails were a little short so to help with the info about my  mission i wrote a really good letter this week for the family, i hope you like it.

I am so happy and am loving the people i serve up here in madison, I can't wait to talk to you again. I love you so much and am grateful for your spirit that i can feel everyday. I know the family prays for me because i can feel all of your love. I hope school is treating you well and i will talk to you soon.

Your son, the Missionary,

Elder Criman