September 17, 2010

Family!

 

Thanks for the goodies! So this week has been really exciting. In two days I will be half way done with the MTC and ready for the field. Mom thanks for sharing that dream with me that is amazing! It brought a warm confirmation to my heart that he has accepted those ordinances. It is amazing to be able to attend the temple every week. I have now made it a habit to pray and personally reflect while in the celestial room and my experiences are amazing. I am learning how to learn if that makes sense and learning the importance of goals and obedience. I ran into Elder James the night I got here and have a few times since then. He is having a blast and is an amazing individual. Also I just saw Elder Baumgart (sp?) the other day and he is loving it here. Overall there is now way to hate the MTC unless you just don't want to be here. The power of this place is the Spirit and when you aren't feeling the Spirit its a huge difference.

 

Okay I know you've been waiting for this so here it is: My favorite scripture, D&C 90:11

 

I am, we missionaries are, a fullfilment of this prophecy and how proud I am to be a part of this work. 2 years won"t be enough time for me to do all the work that is needed. But the work will continue.

 

I wrote Olivia and Samuel a letter so they should be expecting one. I love you all and pray for you all every night.

 

 

Love,

 

Elder Cronin

Greetings From Provo!!

Mom,

 

I ran out of time last Thursday and couldn't write a letter to Olivia and Samuel so I will today. I will let you know my favorite scripture by the end of today I keep forgetting to think of one. Yes I can only e-mail immediate family but feel free to post my experiences I share with you on my blog. Did Dad and Callie get my letters?

 

So I've been here two weeks and a day now. It seems like you all dropped me off just yesterday. Time is flying by! This past week has been great. We were able to hear from Elder Snow who used to be the mission president for the Jackson, MS mission he had alot of advice about choices. Its funny how much I've learbned of myself from being here. One priciple we are always taught here and have been taught our entire lives is obedience. It just seems more tangable as a missionary. But the principle is still the same. If you are obedient to the Lord's will and the rules you will be blessed. This priciple has made me realize that I have always tended towards not following the rules. But the truth is that it feels so much better to actually obey them because then you never have to worry about anything especially as a missionary because that leaves time for me to focus on improving my testimony and teaching skills. Anyways, that's my mini sermon for this week.

 

I got your package! Thanks for the water bottle I need to be drinking more water. I'm playing soccer everyday for 45 minutes and I'm getting really good. We lost an Elder in our district because he was homesick and just wasn't ready to be here so his companion joined my companionship. His name is Elder Green and he's from Bristol, England. He has a wicked cool accent. Everyone loves it. He's serving in The Dominican Replublic and leaves for a South American MTC next week.

 

The Spirit is the real driving force behind my studies and my motivation. When I'm not feeling it I strive to figure out how I can. Oftentimes that leads to changing the subject of a conversation or praying but there is nothing like the feeling of comfort and truth of which the Spirit testifies.

 

So the way we are organized here is first in Districts, Zones, then Branches. No wards or stakes. We dont hold callings other than Zone or District Leader.

 

We are constantly teaching here in roleplay situations and it is really helpful. There is one lady here who was engaged to a guy studying to be a Baptist preacher and she converted and served a mission. So her perspective is quite interesting. She committed to baptism the first time she met with the missionaries after having told them she wouldn't read the Book of Mormon or pray about Joseph Smith to know if the restoration was in fact true. Crazy!

 

Anyways I think that will be all for now. If you could give me the kid's e-mail addreses I'll be able to email them each week as well. I love you all and take care. Remember that the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion and through it we can answer any question we might have and be comforted I can tell you that from experinece. In fact today as I sat in the celestial room I recieved an answer to a question I had as I read the Book of Mormon. So I can testify of its power. Pray often. I pray for you all every night and I hope those prayers are answered. And keep building your testimonies. Its a powerful weapon we have against the advesary.

 

Love,

 

Elder Cronin

Life in the MTC - Elder Cronin Style!!

I've never been inside the MTC nor do I know all the correct 'lingo', but I am going to do my best to let you all know what Elder Cronin is up to in these pictures. If you know more than I do, please comment. He seems to be having a great time!!

Can you make it a 'High and Tight' please?? She looks like she knows what she is doing!

My personal favorite!!! Just enjoying life........

Elder Cronin's going back in time with correspondance. Callie and Dad just got their first typed letters. It brings back memories of the 'olden days'!!

Hangin' at the crib with the Elders

What a nice, neat desk...your mother must have taught you well :)

Mmmmmm...reminds me of a cake I once ate!! Dear Sister Jonkmon made the most delicious red velvet cake that resembled (perfectly) this tag!!

Elder Cronin with his District. These young men are all learning to speak Spanish for their calls, but they are not all going to the same mission. They will serve all over the world to different Spanish speaking people.

The MTC is right across the street (or so) from the Provo Temple. The Elders attend weekly.

Elder Stant and Elder Cronin reminding us where they are!!!

Hummm......I need a caption for this one!!

Busy at work keeping in touch with his family.

We are ready for the world!!!! Bring on the Espanol!

Good weather...good companions......good works!!!

A Few More Pre-MTC Pictures

Families are Forever!!!

SVU Reunion

Visiting with good friends one last time before checking in!!

Our First FULL LENGTH Letter!!

I have often heard it said that blessings come to the whole family when a young man or woman decides to serve a mission. I can attest to the truthfulness of that. While I know that I have been blessed throughout my life with good health, great children, a loving husband, and a very overworked guardian angel :), I have never had such a lengthy period of obvious Heavenly driven direction as I have in the past 6-8 months. And through it all, the biggest thing I have learned is that I am not in charge (ha ha). Life is not a check-list that has to be complete, but a time to learn to let God lead us. Here is our first full-length letter - enjoy!!

Family,

 

Thank you for your letters. We are only allowed to write on P days which is Thursdays for me. That's why you haven't heard from me yet. I was able to send home my address information a couple of days ago I hope you received it.

 

My life has changed already. I'm learning so much here and loving every minute of it I haven't had a bad moment yet and I'm picking up the language very quickly. The Spirit is so strong here. If I had known how the MTC would make me feel I would have gone on my mission immediately. I have already had some pretty powerful testimony building moments. The most spectacular of them so far has been the Tuesday night devotional address from Elder Hinckley of the Seventy, President Hinckley's son. For starters when I closed my eyes he sounded just like his dad and that was unreal. Also he talked about alot of things I needed to hear just about the course of my life. One thing that really stuck out was him saying that we should always find ourselves saying, "I'm glad I did, not I wish I had." And I'm so glad to be on my mission right now. Sometimes its a bit euphoric and I find myself wondering how I got here but all that matters is that I am here.

 

I can already tell in just a week of being here that this will benefit me for the rest of my life. I wrote Rachel today and told her she should serve a mission. It would be amazing if she did. I could only imagine how strong we could be if we both had this training.

 

Alot of Elders are struggling with the MTC because they are homesick or dont like the discipline. MY district members are in shock that I'm loving this place so much but I keep telling them that I was blessed in many ways before I served my mission in order for me to feel this way. I'm glad its not a struggle becasue if it were I wouldn't be able to focus on being a good missionary as much as I am now.

 

The language is coming easy, so easy. I'm already praying and bearing my testimony and dreaming in Spanish! In fact one of my roommates is from England and I had a dream the other night where I was speaking in Spanish and English with a British accent! Too funny.

 

My companion's name is Elder Stant he's from VA Beach and went to SVU! What are the odds. ha ha.

I went to the temple today to do ordinance work and I ran into coach Don Chamberlain, the SVU basketball coach I tried out for back in the day. He's a temple worker here at the Provo temple.

 

I love you all and am glad you are doing well. Keep up the hard work in football Samuel. Remember the harder you work the greater your reward.

Callie and Olivia I love you all tremendously. Aim for a returned missionary when you decide to get married these Elders are the most amazing people in the world I love each and everyone of these Elders I meet, they are doing a great work.

 

Family, let me tell you this. I have never read the Book of Mormon cover to cover but I can tell you that it is true. I know that through the power of the priesthood we will once again return to live with Heavenly Father and that if we have any questions regarding our lives or the lives of others those answers can be found within the pages of the Book of Mormon. Do your best to read when you feel prompted to. And listen to those promptings. The world may be in turmoil but your heart can be at peace long enough to hear the still small voice of the Spirit. Listen. I'm telling you I've never felt the Spirit as strong as I do here and it saddens me that I didn't care to have this feeling earlier in my life. The Gospel is true and so is this Church.

 

I love you all and wish you well

Love Elder Cronin

 

P.S. Dear Elder works perfectly! I can only read e-mails on Thursdays but I can read Dear -Elders any day. Also I need a watter bottle they don't sell any here do if you could send one that'd be great! thanks!

Well, I took care of the water bottle (along with some goodies for him to share with the other Elders)!! I think he is off to a great start. Hopefully some pictures will be coming in the mail soon!!

Hey, Todd!

Saw the pictures from SLC......what a beautiful time for you as you continue Life's journey!! I wish I could communicate in Spanish!!
Much love to you...................Grandma

Our First Letter!

I'm happy to say that we received our first letter from Elder Cronin and he is doing just fine. It's short and sweet, and all that I needed to know at this time. Apparently, his Branch President wants to make sure his family was told the basics. So, here is his letter!!

My companion: Elder Stant from VA Beach, VA
My address: 2005 North 900 E Provo, UT 84604
My mailbox: 199
Quick note to family:
Hello All!
   The MTC is wonderful. The spirit here is so strong and the language is coming easy. The food is plenty and the weather is gorgeous. I'll send pictures soon. I should be able to email you on the 28th.
  Love, Elder Cronin


Yes, it's short but hopefully more will come in the future! His preparation day is on Thursdays so maybe today we will hear more!