November 4,2013 Less than a year left on his mission!

     Tuesday we had our first lesson with someone who checked yes to learn more from Los Angeles English (LAE). Unfortunately, we were unable to give her a church tour because of the BSA 100 year anniversary broadcast. So we taught her the restoration instead and that was a bit more difficult than we anticipated and we had an okay lesson. There are mixed feelings about the lesson the spirit was there and then there were other time where it was just awkward and we struggled to get thoughts out and we stepped on each others toes, However, the Spirit had it's moments where it was powerful and could be felt. However afterwords Elder Jenkins and i talked for a while. We came to the conclusion that like with everything in the world our stumbling block is pride whomever's it was was hindering our ability to teach as a companionship and progress together. We have set goals to be work better together and rely Mir on the Lord so we can do it His way and not ours.
Saturday we were expecting our first student at our new LAE location. However she didn't show. We are wondering if part of the reason that we aren't getting very many calls for the new location is because 1) they assume that it is Korean town because that is what old adds said and they already looked and/or 2) They don't recognize the new location as being super close to where they are. So we are going to do what we can to change that we are not sure how but we will.
Sunday Elder Jenkins and I had a good lesson with our investigator Meg and we were able to clear up any problems about previous lessons that we had taught and teach her the Gospel of Jesus Christ clearly and well. She her self brought up her concerns about baptism when we re-invited her. 1)She is living with her boyfriend 2) She wants to be financially stable before she starts to pay tithing and 3) she wants to be more sure before she commits to a date. Now the great thing is we have yet to teach any of the commandments but she wants to eventually be baptised and so we will continue to teach her to help her progress. Our goal is to get her to an English Ward in the near future we are working out logistics. She is planning on bringing more people to church with her in the future. 1) An actual Korean(who grew up in Ecuador and speaks Spanish fluently) and 2) another Mongolian friend who has conversational Korean.

 We also had a really good role play with some members about teaching the restoration. We learned many things about using the pamphlets and teaching simply. It was awesome to see us be able to explain things with pamphlets because we don't get the practice with natives a lot we many times aren't sure how to construct things and of the vocab but the pamphlets help with that because they have it all already. Our goal is to not let them become a crutch and to teach with our own words as well simply and powerfully and with the Spirit.
Elder Craner

P.S. Transfers are next week

화이팅!!!!!! (Again no idea what it says) 10/28/13

This week was crazy and I'm so grateful for it but also glad it is over so many splits!
Tuesday i went on splits with Elder Yoon of Korean A it went well. Unfortunately their appointment canceled and we weren't able to teach together. However, recently they told me that she has begun to read the Book of Mormon and i am super excited for them and the small steps that this lady is taking. I love Elder Yoon and i know he cares just in his own different way. 
Wednesday i went on splits with Elder Lee. Splits were great and i really enjoyed my time with him. We were able to do some member visits and teach a lesson. I watched Elder Lee teach simply and testify to an investigator and it was good.  We even had a good dinner with members. In which I was given the opportunity to be able to push myself linguistically and speak Korean and participate in the dinner conversation that was a huge step in my Korean progression. I also spoke some Russian with someone on splits that was a pleasant surprise and i forgot and remembered more than i thought i would. 
Thursday i was back in my area where Elder Jenkins and i were able to have a good weekly planning and discussion.
Friday we had a good district meeting in which with the little extra time we had we discussed what it is that everyone would like to get out of district meeting. The responses were surprisingly varied and good.
Saturday was a good day. We had interviews with our President and it was really good. We talked and discussed things and my future in the mission as well as answer some of my own questions. We also had Dinner with a member in which we were able to serve her by helping her cook the meal and talk about the gospel. I learned how to make Korean sushi(not actually sushi but still the easiest way to describe it to people) called 김법(Kimbop)

Sunday we had a very good day. We had two successful member visits. One in which we were able to strengthen and uplift them as well as invite them to read the scriptures everyday together. It was kind of weird because this guys is really really wealthy and from a different culture and here we are two middle class white guys inviting him to repent and become better. The other the great thing to come of it is that we received the permission to visit their LA(less active) son who lives near them. Which is really good because earlier in an effort to get to know everyone in the branch we already met him and had a meeting him.
The big miracle of the past week is that we were able to set up two appointments with a couple of our English class lessons. This is so exciting. The work is picking up! The branch is excited about the fireside (or at least we are going to do everything we can to help them be so). Good flyer's are going to be designed as well as effective referral cards for it. WE are going to take this thing and make it big!!!
On the personal side I'm doing good.I love the work and the people and can't wait to make God proud everyday

여러분 안녕하세오? (I have no idea what this says) 10/21/13

     This week has been good.Tuesday I had splits with Elder Kempton. It was really good and I'm excited for them.It was fun because we all lived together and at one time were even companions as a trio. It also seems that they have been trying hard hard to come up with ideas that would help spur there area into action Elder Kempton is a very dedicated missionary who desires to be 100% obedient. I admire this Elder a lot.

     Wednesday Elder Jenkins and i had a long talk about ideas and what else we could do for our area. It helped prepare us for Thursday where we realized some other things that we need to do such as figuring out how we can get everyone's information and help those of all interest levels. We realized that Olivia Prochazka a member of out branch served her mission on temple square and she will know exactly what to do and how to do it. So we had dinner with her and discussed things. She suggested we make a card and give it to everyone as they walk in just like at the LA Visitor Center. So now we are off to dry and draw some stuff up. (President Hong said on        Sunday that he wants this big and that he wants to make a splash and that he won't disappoint and our BML (Branch Mission Leader) is all behind it as well)

     Friday i watched something awesome. We carpool with the Chinese B to District Meeting and on our way to PVRO (Palos Verdes Regional Orchestra) after DM we stopped by Taco Bell to get some lunch and i watched Elder Burr, who is constantly studying Chinese and trying to learn it say something loudly to me (i don't speak any Chinese but sometimes i think that he thinks i do) and a lady across the aisle look up startled. He noticed this and started speaking his Chinese with her. It was awesome to see him kick off the conversation and then Elder Bowman and Elder Yang come in and help him have a really good conversation with this lady. Although she didn't take a book of Mormon (because she didn't want to set it to the side and disrespect it) she did leave away with a commitment to go to Mormon.org. Elder Burr is an inspiration to me and all because of his enthusiasm and love both for the language and ALL people around him. I've seen him make contacts with all sorts of people. That fire is something i need and have begun to seek after.

     Saturday Elder Jenkins and i went and checked out our new English Class location. We liked the way some things are done there and we are excited to be working there. We know that it will be huge resource for us as we expand and talk to the Koreans in Gardena to find the elect. As for our other English class we have several returning students but we are struggling to turn them into investigators. We have some ideas but so far nothing is turning out. However we will get them because these people are awesome and i love them. Saturday night we had a wonderful ward activity in witch a member brought a friend to and we had great language practice learned a few new words and understood a little more. The friend although he is strong catholic has a greater appreciation of our church now and we hope that he will keep coming to our activities and we will work with him there.

     Sunday we had a good church meeting. However the two important things is that a family offered to have us come over and role play lessons with us so we can get the practice and have them correct our Korean. To which their was a lot of correction but it was fun and strengthening for all of us. We will improve and use this time wisely as in all things. The other great thing is that we were able to eat dinner with a wonderful Korean family that we have been trying to eat dinner with since forever. It was amazing and boosted our relationship with them. We are slowly little by little becoming part of this branch and they love us for it. Missionary work is on the up and up as well and with this fireside on the 17th of November We are going to blow them out of the water with how fast the branch will grow.

     On the personal end of things. Life is good. These past couple nights before i pray. i have started to meditate and just let go off my fears and frustrations and other things by offering them to God and putting them upon my altar of sacrifice for him and i have noticed a difference in me. Both in my nightly prayers and in the following day. It is wonderful it is like a super personal talk with God in which i am doing some spiritual spring cleaning.

Elder Craner

 LOBSTER! It was kind of weird but good. Chinese cook things weird but it was still good and I love  the mission

Us at my birthday dinner with My companion the blond. Elder Bergeson (the one who looks Mexican but is actually half Taiwanese  and the other white guy is Elder Bowman They are Chinese B or at least they were until Elder Burr came and he made them a trio.

Our traditional Korean tea party. It was only flowers and tasted weird.