Sister Craner with Lake Michigan in back
Elder Craner at the fountain in Grant's Park
The elevated train that we do not ride because of safety issues
Downers Grove station which is where we catch the safe train
Elder Craner waiting for the train and what else, he is playing with his phone
Mission Office NOT HOOTER!!! Ir's the building next to it.
This is our spacious bedroom. NO, there isn't anymore to the room
This is Sis Craner's bathroom, as you can see it is the largest room in the apartment.
This is the living room, dinning room and a portion of our kitchen.
The view from our Balcony
View of the living room from the front door
view from the alley, across the field to our apartment---
Hello family and friends,
Well, we are here! We are half way thru the second week and have located the Walmart, Ikea, Target, Great Cuts, or in my words “not so great cuts” pictures to follow, (where are you when I need you Clarissa). To continue with our finds, Sams and Costco, The Dollar Tree, Bed Bath and Beyond, DWS Shoes, Home Depot, the train into town, Savers ,Frys, Joann’s (Dads sorry) THE WRONG NEIGHBORHOOD. (lets just say we stuck out like a sore thumb, for example, our car was all one color and it was running but not fast enough for my comfort.) We did find the church which was in a neighborhood where the cares were all one color and running. We also found the temple, O’hare more eating establishments than my figure needs, the mission office, mission home and much to Dads sadness more shopping availability than I have time and money to experience. Oh ya our apartment. Our apartment is on the 4th floor and the parking garage is in the center of the complex. There are 2 towers (if you call 6 floors a tower). Each tower is a circle surrounding a swimming area which is located on the first floor. However, you have to be on the inside of the circle to view the swimming pool, otherwise your view is of a field or the back of a storehouse or a cemetery. We got the field. The apartment is about 1500 sq feet, of which about 750 sq feet are 2 bathrooms. Just kidding! But they are huge I would rather of had the space in the living area. I’m complaining???? The couple we met in the MTC that were also from Payson, have a spacious 600 sq ft apartment in that neighborhood you know “THE WRONG ONE”.
Since we have arrived, we have walked approximately 30 to 35 miles. This is not a joke!! We really have walked that far. We have joined the “Morton Arboretum” (Mr. Morton of Morton Salt fame bought half of the county and started planting trees. (sound familiar? He had a few more acres than I do. Lucky for you guys!) Anyway, when he bought the land, it was in the middle of nowhere. Now it is down town Downers Grove. I do not know when the family gave up control of the property, but the organization that takes care of it now is amazing. There are approximately 7000 acres with 16 miles of hiking trails, 9 miles of roads and 999,000,897,003,562,148, 555,145,537,890,658,315,092,111,222,333,444,555
Moquitos!!!!!!!!!!! All wanting my blood for breakfast. All kidding aside, it is beautiful and a delightful escape from………………….I really don’t need to escape from anything. It is beautiful here and the people are delightful and they even manage to quit staring at our missionary badges in time to keep from running into things.
But enough of our first impressions, Dad has been on the phone a considerable amount of time but not as much as we had thought. We had dinner with President and Sister Doll the first night in town and I whined about sitting around with nothing to do. Never, never, never tell a mission president you have concerns about having little or nothing to do, the next day I was out with the Sister Missionaries, had an assignment from the office staff and the Temple President called and asked me to be a ordinance worker. I’m afraid to go to the mission office or call or talk to President Doll. When will I have time to sew, shop, sightsee or constantly eat.
In all seriousness, the outing with the Sister missionaries was truly amazing. We knocked a few doors then went to an appointment complete with snarling, growling, white sharp teeth, barking, and total intimidation. The intimidation worked on me. (Oh me of little faith!) The Sisters were undaunted, silly me, of course, the cell phone. The Sisters pulled the old phone trick and called the investigator who yelled at the dog to shut up. Worked like a charm! This ignominious start gave way to a spiritual high. I can see how the Holy Spirit guides our thoughts, words, and love for our brothers and sisters who have not yet found the gospel of Jesus Christ. When we went in I was totally intimidated, not knowing what to say or do or even knowing what I could contribute to the meeting. So I simply sat and absorbed the spirit that surrounded us. I was introduced as a missionary that would be joining in on the discussion. That statement should have left me in a corner in the fetal position, but piece came over me as I prayed for strength and knowledge and the ability to love this investigator. Something must have changed in my countenance because the investigator said at my introduction; she is a loving and caring person. I can tell she loves everyone. It is obvious the Spirit was guiding me, because we all know and love I am not a sweet loving person (sometimes but not all the time). She must have continued to think I was a sweet person because she asked me to say closing prayer. The Lord lives and guides us as we go about His work.
On Sunday we went to church, The Church is true all over the world, even in Lombard where we live, or Naperville which is the stake we live in, or Wheaton which is the name of the ward which is the city where most of the ward members live, Illinois which is the state where everything related to this mission is located. It was delightful, if we closed our eyes we could have been home in Payson. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the same today, yesterday, tomorrow, and will be throughout all eternity. It is the perfect organization.
It’s the next night: We went into the city on the train, it was a delight! So much to see and do and EAT and so little time to do it. If we do not stop eating we are going to have to buy a bigger car to get home in. (Not for all the junk we have bought but for our new and enlarged bodies.) We will soon have to introduce ourselves as the new and enlarged Penny and Greg. Good thing we are walking 25 to 30 miles a week. We might have to double the mileage. Maybe we could get up at four and walk with a flashlight. Oh! But! McDonalds won’t yet be open for breakfast. Hmmm!!! We’ll have to think that through.
In answer to all your nagging questions, NO WE DO NOT CALL EACH OTHER ELDER AND SISTER NOR DO WE ACT LIKE WE DO. WE DO LIKE TO JOKE ABOUT IT, THOUGH.
