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An Inspiration to the Ward
The first time I met Craig was at our ward FHE hike to the Y at the beginning of spring term 2008. As we were all meeting together in front of the multipurpose building, getting ready to say a prayer and head out to the hike, I watched as Craig carried around a whole backpack of water bottles and gave them to those that didn't have one. He wanted to make sure that everyone was taken care of for the hike. I rode with him and one other ward member in the car up to the mountain and we got to know each other. We had taken several of the same science classes and had similar career goals and so we had a great chat about school. Since it was the first week of the term, I didn't know too many people in the ward very well, so I ended up coming down the mountain by myself just listening to music and enjoying the beautiful view. Craig caught up to me and started talking with me and a couple others as we headed back down the trail. We ended up talking and laughing the whole way down and had a great time. As is customary, he had to crack a joke about his hand, and said to some of the girls who were nervous about walking down the steep slope, "Would you like to hold my hand?" Then he shot off his hand in their direction and let it fall into the dirt. It was absolutely hilarious. His kindness, friendship, and sense of humor completely made my day and made the Hike to the Y a very memorable event. Since then, I've had several chances to talk to him and have been quite inspired by his constant optimism, selflessness, and friendship. I enjoyed his stand-up comedy at ward prayer a few weeks ago and enjoyed having him in my FHE group. I will miss him greatly, but I know that the Lord has a great plan for him and surely needs a bit of his sense of humor and goodwill to spread to those who have passed on as well.
--Danielle Crane
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Down deep inside of oneself - I think most of us have an idea of what we would really like to be like. A friend recently asked - What would the world be like if we really had the faith to believe and trust to truly live as Christ did ?
Craig was able to truly be true to his highest self --- he perhaps needed his handicap to have an added challenge. He seemed to have normal living
down to a science.
One could not be around Elder Decker without being affected by his warm loving helpful cheery ways. His eyes were full of the light of Christ.
Serving with him ( my husband was the mission president of the Neuquen, Argentina Mission) ---
we enjoyed the great respect he showed for our callings. We couldn't have asked for a better missionary to lead out in the far flung challenging corners of the mission -- totally trustable with whatever assignment he was given.
Argentina was a difficult mission governmentarily -- so the Americans chosen to go there needed to be of the highest caliber. He definitely was that.
We had to be in Banff, Canada for a family wedding at the time of the funeral, so spent last night having dinner with his parents to get caught up. What a delightful evening !! We laughed and cried and truly enjoyed the spirit of the occasion.
His father was given his "peace" within a short time that all was as it should be, that Craig would be representing their family well on the other side of the veil. As his mother agonized a little while longer -- she too --- had that terror of guilt wiped from her. One minute it was there --- another minute it had disappeared.
It was a great lesson to me once again -- of how the Atonement works. The impossible made possible.
Yes, the world has been darkened by his passing --- but he helped to brighten so many of our candles -- so in the long run he actually left the world many times more greatly illuminated !!!
May his beautiful example and the words we share with each other --- grow those seeds that he planted so powerfully within us -- with each memory.
That we may go and live likewise ---
We love you Elder Decker !!!!!!!
Sister Jo Anna Mackay Stewart
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