There's No Place Like Craig, There's No Place Like Craig,

{Mom's note: I think this first photo is Elder Darcey in the background. Now, back to this week's missive.}


Oh, Right. Like if I had magic shoes I'd go to Kansas.

Dear family and friends,


Here's a native joke. It tells a lot about the natives.

The Tlingit went to Ketchikan and started a Fishery

The Tsimshian went to Ketchikan and started a Cannery

The Haida went to Ketchikan and started a Fight

I jokes.

It's good to be back on Prince of Wales (does that make us POWs?) This week has passed in a blur. We were in Juneau for most of our week for Zone conference, which was awesome. We then got stranded in Sitka for two hours when our plane started leaking fuel. we got into Ketchikan just in time to get on the Airport ferry (Ketchikan's airport is on an island; in order to get to the city proper you have to take a ferry there) and wave at our ferry as it started sailing back to Craig. Since the ferry only runs once a day, we had to wait till the next day to get home.

I promised that I would talk about Wicked, so here I go.

In the musical, there's the one song "Defying Gravity". It's an awesome song, but I just recently related it to the gospel. Picture Elphaba as an investigator to the church. Everyone around her is trying to bring her back down, but she's "defying gravity, and no one's going to bring her down". She finally realizes that even if it means going against the grain and the world, she has to do what's right.

Anyway, that's my thought on that.

I can't really tell you about the work this week. We've been out of our area the entire week. The only news we heard was that apparently, the Jehovah's Witnesses were out in force on the island. As the saying goes, "When the Mormons are away, the 'J-Dubs' will play" (I jokes).

Juneau was nice, but not as nice as PoW. The weather everywhere in the southeast has been heavenly.

I love you all. Talk to you later.

Love from the breakup-has-come-with-a-vengeance-North,

Elder DArcey

Ketchikan Again, Go Figure!

Dear All,

I heard about Cami's flight plans. For her to go thousands of miles takes four hours. For us in Craig to get to Ketchikan, it also takes four hours. The only difference is that Ketchikan is only 69 miles away, give or take. Go figure, right?

Anyway, I am again in Ketchikan, after a grueling three hour ferry ride. Why have I left my area for the second time in two weeks? Well, it's because Zone conference is fast approaching, and we are headed to Juneau tomorrow. So, unfortunately, we actually haven't been in our area long enough to actually do anything there. In addition, we won't be in our area all this week, either, because we won't get back to Craig until (hopefully) Saturday, but maybe (Hopefully not) next Monday.

Despite all that, We had a lesson with an investigator a few days ago, which he said (he's been meeting with the missionaries for over a year) was the best lesson he's ever had. He's usually not our investigator, because he lives up in Hoonah, but whenever his job brings him to Craig, he's ours. We read and explained 2nephi 31 with him, which took an hour and a half, but was amazing. The spirit was truly there, because there's no way we could have worked in such great harmony otherwise. Elder Denison related the entire doctrine of Christ to bowling. And Guess what? We found later that our investigator is a absurdly good bowler. (contrast with my last bowling score; 5, with 19 gutter balls in a row). It was awesome.

I got a package from the Occidental Sister Darcey, which has been in the mail since Dec 22 of 2011. It contained one of my new favorite ties ever. Thanks lots, Sister Darcey. I also have a list of questions that I shall answer to the benefit of all.

1. The schedule stays the same regardless of the sun. We still keep 6:30-10:30 hours. We don't come in earlier or later, regardless of anything.

2. My companion is a turkey (that one's for you, Sister Darcey). Everyone else can take from that what they wish. (from the movie 1776, everybody else). I would also describe him as a Dr. Bunsen. He plays the Ukulele. Really well.

3. My favorite scripture today is all of Mosiah, from King Benjamin to Abinadi.

4. I don't know how long it takes to get mail; Shorter than you'd think, though. I see my Mission President less often, although I saw him last week, and this week as well. Craig is very far (MOM please look this up) from Ketchikan.

[Craig is 55 air miles from Ketchikan]

I'M OUT of time this week, because we have a lesson. I'll see you next week, in which I'll talk about Avatar part two, and Wicked.

Elder DArcey

Transfer Day and I'm in Ketchikan --Connecting Any Dots Yet?

HA. Just kidding. I am still in Klawok, but I'm writing from Ketchikan, but it's because one of the Elders here is leaving, and we need to stay with the other Elder until he gets his new companion. So we'll be here until Wednesday. My PoW is staying the same; Elder Denison and I will be together for another transfer.

President and Sister Beesley came down here along with the Juneau Zone Leaders. We had awesome interviews along with President Beesley giving an awesome fireside about his time in the Air Force and being the chief test pilot for the new F-35, along with over 50 other types of aircraft. It was awesome; he related it all to the gospel.

This week (and last week) has taught me a lot about exact obedience. When we do the right thing; not "almost" the right thing, but the right thing, we get instantly blessed. Mosiah 2:24. We've been trying that out, and let me tell you, it works.

I don't want to make people feel guilty, especially since it's probably a problem on my side, but I haven't received anything from my immediate (even more immediate than you, cousins ;) ) family since I got down to Prince of Wales. I wouldn't be worried, except that you said you were sending a package? That is the only cause for my concern.

The work progresses. We're working hard on getting new investigators, which is slightly difficult when there's only 3000 people on the entire island. We're mostly working with Less-actives, though we have a couple investigators. One has been on date for baptism, but can't get up and get to church, which is a problem. we've done everything from calling to coming over that morning and cooking breakfast. Nothing works. It's all up to him now; either he chooses or not, we've done all we can.

This is all. We've both been feeling a cold virus that's swept the entire island, but my "fortress of immunity" (copywrite that) is staving it off. After all, "No [unsterilized] hand can stop the work from progressing", right?

Love from the Can't-decide-if-it's-winter-or-spring North,

Elder Darcey