The Cramer Family

Taken on the iPhone, so forgive the quality. But just a quick shot to show how much Gavin LOVES WALL-E! His aunt and uncle, who haven’t seen the movie, have fallen asleep, his brother is leaning back, fighting the drowsies, there is a cute dog waiting to be played with on the couch, and Gavin LEANS IN to watch a movie he’s seen One hundred, thousand, million times! Now how do I get that kind of brand loyalty when it comes time to do the dishes?

Well another week has gone by, and we have figured out the ward, and the area a little better. It is actually really cool to be in a new area, and both missionaries, brand new to the area. We are both really excited about the work, so it it really cool to see. We are still working hard on those letters that were sent out, and we had some missionaries come to help us with that. I never thought I would have not enough time to do doors, but it has been amazing. For example, tuesday got let in three times, wednesday two times, and again two times yesterday. It is unreal. So we set out to doors and we get let in, and arent making too much progress through the 500 letters. But it is way good. My companion is a stud. We push each other and work real hard together. We get along really well too. He played baseball for UVSC, and we definitely would have been buddies at home. So it is a little bit of a change, and I know we are going to tear it up out here. Alot went down this week, on tuesday, we went up to mission home to hear a fireside that they put on there, and I got to meet an investigator we found in Bremen, and take him up there. It was sweet. Torston is a stud, and I know he has a testimony, but he has some fear for the church, so this was a good intermediate step for him to take. We also had some good times, trying to find addresses, streets, cities, it was a blast. We are trying to visit, or just figure out all the addresses, and contacts the other missionaries left behind. So everything is going great here, we are working hard, and making the best of the time we got here. Love you all, and take it easy.
Elder Cramer

“The good word of God with which we must nourish is the simple doctrine of the gospel.”

Well I got to make this one short. Thanks everyone for the emails, and all. Thanks. The week went well again. We had a teaching conference in Hamburg, and we got to see president again. I am suppose to say hi to jack for him. So….Hi. I dont know if I told you last time, but last sunday a lady called the wrong number one time, elder mcdaniel answered it, and then she called again I answered it. She had heard of the church, and we made an appointment at the church. She was really excited, she is actually the sister of a wife of a member. but the member is inactive, actually wants to pull his records out.. but it is cool. We met again wednesday, and she was really excited to come to church on sunday. Her little girl, got sick and she wasnt able to make it. But the thing was, she actually called. AMAZING. that doesnt happen too often.. A lot of people say they will come, but they dont, and dont call either. so that was cool. We have another appointment with her, and a member from the ward is coming as a joint teach, and I think they will get along really well. Everything is good over here. Summer hasnt really come, but I have learned to love the changing weather. I hope the reunion was good, and dad had fun in DC.. Well times almost up, sorry if I forgot anything, but I love you all and thanks for the prayers.
Elder Cramer

2 Nephi 25:26

Another amazing week, with a lot that went on. It is awesome to hear from everyone, and to hear that everyone is enjoying there summer vacation. Well saturday was the first day since elder mcdaniel got here that it has been sunny the whole day. It was really nice. A little

We had zone conference this last week, and we got to meet the new mission president. I had met him so it sortof took the suprise out. Just playing, it was a really good meeting. I am excited for him as a mission president. I extended a hello from Jack Welch, and he accepted it warmly, and during his thema he gave props to him as a person, and missionary. The conference was in Bremen, so it was cool to see my old city again. Things are going really well here. This transfer has been extended two weeks to make it a two month transfer. The president interviewed all of us, and said he didnt like the co-senior setup, so I think something will happen here in the next couple of weeks. I dont even care, there are some people who think that is everything. This is my mission, only between me and the Lord, I shouldnt care what other people think. naja. This week we had some really cool experiences, obviously not as cool as Steve Clark, but still cool. (he is one excited animal) Last monday, after our pday was over, we decided to go out and do some doors. We did doors for about 2 hours, and right as my companion said “this street definitely wasnt inspired” we got let in. I love my companion, he says things so honestly, and most of the time he really doesnt even mean it. But we got let in, taught the man a first, but we were EVERYWHERE. We got out, and started walking home, and talked about what we did wrong, what we could have done better. We used our companionship study the next morning to work it out, and it was good. Latter that day we had the opportunity to do some more doors, and the first klingel, we got let in. We taught a Russian women, and here two kids, it went soooo much better this time. So two days in a row we got let in. Things are definitely going good. Well that is about it, hope all is well there. Glad Grandmas birthday went well, and glad they had fun in New York. Big cities are definitely something to see. Hamburg zum beispiel.

Elder Cramer

p.s. we just got this “introduction to the church” video, and Brett Browns dad has his picture in there. Sortof funny that I am here watching that, and seeing my friends dad. wierd.

One question as well. I remember in elementary school being taught that I was related to William Bradford (the pilgrim) and wondering if I am wrong, and if it is true how am I related? Thanks.

And a happy independence day to you!!! Well the day was not to out of ordinary. My companion had a bad headache, and I listened to motab, sounds of Glory. And an appointment with a “former” member. Church was amazing again, and we had a break the fast “pot luck”. It was really cool. I love this ward. I know we will see a lot of success if we work well with the ward. This week was also really good with the work and all. We had a zone activity on tuesday, we greeted the new mission president, sang to him, and left, then we went back to the stake house and saw the film “Luther” together. It was really cool to see the story, and everything behind that man, I dont know how much of it was true, but still a good movie. I have know idea, was that in America? I think that he was definitely an inspired man in a way. He prepared the way for religous freedom. He never wanted that people named, or started a church in his name. He just knew what they were doing wasnt right. I am sure he understands it all now. We had also a tausch, (eric called them divisions) with our zone leader, and it was a great opportunity for Elder McDaniel. He has been a little down lately, not liking the city or the ward (his last city, and ward were “bigger, and better”) So during the tausch he worked with the zone leader, and they got let in, taught a good first. Then after lunch, he worked with the other missionary, and they got let in, then after those missionaries left, we did some more doors, and WE got let in together. That probably doesnt sound that cool, but consider the fact that in the last 4 and a half months I have only been let in twice, and he got let in 3 times in one day! It was amazing. We took a step in the right direction after that day. It was good to hear from Eric, I hope his baptism goes well. We are trying to get one of our investigators ready for baptism for the 24 of July, but he works alot, and it is hard for him to find time to meet with us, and come to church. I hope Mom and Dad, and Tammy have fun in New York. Somewhere where I want to visit, when I get back. Are the boys going with? I cant believe Ryan and Tyson are already back, it just seems like yesterday that Tiffany was in sacrament reading about Jesus. I am sure they have both grown up alot, it probably happens just the last year of the mission . That is cool that you went and sung those songs with Grandma, those are some of my favorite songs, I dont know how you spell patriotic, but those are the songs. We sang them for our 4th of July district meeting, and you really feel the spirit. I hope Grandma is donig well, when is her birthday? How old is TJ brinton now? And I do remember playing mini golf with him at mulligans. I hope all is well, and that everyone is enjoying the weather, and what not. I love the rain here, it rains at least everyday!
thanks for the prayers
Elder Cramer

And two little bittes, if someone is sending a package soon,my black ken griffey jr. baseball glove, says brian visentin on it (husband of non-member from dominican republic, wants to play) and some JOY soap (a member wants it to make bubbles for the primary, an guess it is better there, or something.

CHURCH WAS AMAZING. it was definately one of the coolest sundays yet. The theme for sacrament was mission work, so obviously the Ward Mission Leader, my companion, and I got to talk. So that was alright, but the amazing part was the people that were there. Two new, strong active families have moved into the ward, an investigator was there, and a WHOLE inactive family that we have been working really hard with. AMAZING. The mom of the family had been on a mission,(she is from chili, and on a mission there) and hasnt been to church in over 20 years, but she decided to come! It was really cool to see. Lets hope she becomes active now. I love this ward. We ate at a member couples house, and it was great. The ward has its problems, but I think they are slowing overcoming them. My new companion is named Elder McDaniel, probably already said. He is from Logan, Utah, and this is already his 4th city. He has been out just a transfer longer then me, so we are co-seniors(The answer to your question Dad). It actually is not a big deal at all, because even as a junior you have pretty much the same say in what you do. But he seems pretty stoked that he is senior. Good. We get along pretty good, he has some great ideas, and a vision of what he thinks. So its cool. Definitely always smiling. just found out how to really spell definitely, great. We set a baptismal date for one of our investigators, July 24, not bad. He is from Nepal, and there is some language problems sometimes (we talk in english) but its cool still. The new mission president comes tomorrow, and we are going to greet him at the airport,(zone activity) so it will be cool to see him. The work is going pretty good, we were over 30 again at church, at my comp is excited to work. Hope mom and Dad had fun at Simon and G-funk, as a called them at college. I dont know if you ever knew that, but I listened to them quite a bit at college. Got to love “bridge over troubled water”. Tell Elizabeth and Shion sp? congratulations for me. and Mandy jean too. Love you all, and thanks for the prayers.

Elder Cramer

Mormon,
The newest greeting here in North Germany, the word passes as “good morning” We say it, and they respond with the usual morgen back. Amazing. Well the bad news is, someones going home, good news, its not me. (Thanks Jeff) My companion is leaving in two weeks, and is being transfered to fill a spot until someone comes from Switzerland. So that means I am getting Elder McDaniels. He is a transfer older than me, I had met him in the MTC. it will be interesting. Everything is going really well. Elder Oswald is leaving, and his companion is getting a brand new missionary. The week went really well, had alot of good appointments, and even had someone call us, and ask us to teach him. Doesnt happen too often, will see what comes out of it. Not too many adventures to report, sad to hear about reagan. Glad to hear everyone is healthy and active, and having lots of fun over there. The movie sounding cool, Dad talking to Elder Tom Perry, the baby showers everything. Glad Jeff and Bob are enjoying there summer. Love you all.
Elder Cramer

p.s. Mom, not sure if you didnt get it last time or what, but if you could send the recipe for eggs all a golden rod, that would be amazing. Thanks again Mommy for everything. Love you.
That was good to read Elder Mcphies letter, sounds like he is loving it there. The church is so true!

whats up whats up!

so we are already a week it to june. crazy. The time is just flying. I am absolutely loving it here. Elder Thorsen and I had a killer week. We got alot done, met with some cool people, and we had 2 people at church. Our branch president is pretty excited, and we are working with him pretty well, so I think things are going to start picking up here pretty soon. Sounds like everyone is having a good time with there summer break. Jeff, great job on the 4.0. Bob, sounds like you torn it up too. Hope you had fun at lagoon. Dad, That is quite the bike ride, out to point of the mountain and back. We had some pretty good bike rides this week too. Glad Grandma is doing good, tell her I love her.

So we were at some referrals house, and we had to bike to a village, 4 villages over. We looked at the map, and decided it would be “smart” just to take the side roads, and ride straight there. We see a small road on the map, with now name, that would eventually lead us to our destination. So we start riding, we came to a field, apple crops, surrounding by a barb wire fence. There is a road, with a gate that was swung open. We figure, the road is on the map, it has to be ok to go through there. I start heading in, along this dirt road, we peddle for a while, and come to a bend in the road, we hear a tractor, getting close, we round the bend, and ended up in some sand, no longer able to peddle. We turn back. As we are riding past the rows of crops, we here the tractor getting even closer. We peddle a little faster. It gets a little closer. we passed one long row of crops, seeing the tractor coming toward us, with a dust cloud at his wheels. We peddle ALOT faster. I round the corner about to leave to gate, and of course, my chain falls off. I hope of, throw it back on, and we rode off into the sunset. maybe not the sunset part, but it was for sure an adventure. We ended up finding another way, and arriving to our appointment, with time to spare. Maybe not so “smart”. naja. what can you do.

Well, we are of to see the city, maybe some ww2 memorial, or the big graveyard here, with america, british, and german soldiers. we will see.

Love you all. keep it good.
E Craemer

be like moroni! I’ll give a price to someone, if they can figure out what I am talking about.

p.s. Mom, do you have the recipe for eggs all a golden rod? that would be sweet to have.

I thought it was funny when jay leno asked simple questions, and no one knows the answer, but it is even funnier when we do it, and it is in person. So yesterday we had a little time right before church, and we went around the city asking people what Easter was. Man. I would say about 70% said that is was because the easter bunny comes. We had some other good interesting remarks. Part of our easter sunday we went and took part of a catholic service. Our church is so true!! It was actually really interesting to see. The main guy (father?) sung everything, they did alot of hail maries, and we all shook hands. It was actually really cool to see, here in Germany, a land with so much religious history. I have been to that church now twice, which means I am just as active, as the majority of the members, (Christmas and Easter) we also got to see a service in the evangalish cathedral,for karfreitag, not sure what that is in english. It felt just really dark, and cold. Our church was really good, my companion had a talk, and forgot his sheet, so he winged it, did alright. But then we got to see a women from bremerhaven get baptized. I have see a couple now, and am just waiting to put on the hometown whites myself. The work is going really good here, one of our investigators had a date for next week, but he forgot to come to church, so that will have to be pushed back a little bit. mal sehen. We had easter dinner at our bishops house. He is great, really excited man. His daughter is actually on a mission at temple square, so if you are ever there, ask for sister fritzch. I actually met here at the MTC, think I already said that. It is actually a holiday today, so we are going to go and work, while people are home. so have a nice day, all sounds good.
Elder Cramer

Anita- I talked to my bishop yesterday about the geneology, he is really big into it here in Germany. He was way excited to see some of those names and places. He said he knows alot about Oldenburg. He wants to be in coorespondance. He gave me his email address, but it is in my other suit coat. He said if you gave specific dates, and what not, he would be more than glad to help. I will give the email address for him next week. He has already done some for me, just because my name was German, and found a coat of arms of some sort for Cramer. Danke schoen.

So it turns out the Elder Waldrip, was really good friends with Barbara. We didnt find this out for 3 months, until he was about to get transfered, he happened to see a picture she had sent me. So we wrote her together. Thats about it.