December 12, 2011 SKYPE!!!!!!!

Family,

 

Guess what!?!?!?!? We get to Skype this Christmas!!!!!!!! I cannot wait to see you all!!!

 

And no I am not 'trunky' by any means. The only trunkiness I have is thinking about arranging everything for school and such. But even then I don't worry about that. I am focused on my mission right now, bringing souls unto Christ and working on becoming a better companion.

 

This has been an exciting week. Donna was baptized on Friday and we had our Mission Christmas party and Ward Christmas party this week. Another missionary, Elder Quezada, and I put together a rendition of Little Drummer Boy and we performed at both parties. We filmed it so I'll send pictures and videos soon. Elder Quezada took my place in Elko when I left so we have been friends ever since. Because of the many Christmas parties from various wards we have aquired a ton of food!!! We should be set for a few months with all we have.

 

Probably one of the most amazing expereinces of the week happened last night with an investigator named James. James is the boyfriend of Chariy who I met on Fremont St. one night. We began going by regularly for several weeks and we made some progress with them. Charity is of christian background and is fairly set in her ways. Plus her family is not supportive of our faith. James however, has never been baptized and is failing in his health. He wants to give his kids the right structure to be raised in should he pass. James has cancer. As a result he spent the last few months in the hospital for surgery. Once he got out we went back to see him. He is recovering well and said he read 3/4 of the Book of Mormon while he was in the hospital and believes it is the true word of God. Then he explained how he had researched the church on the internet...which contrary to popular belief is not a reliable source of information. Because of his research he encountered some concerns. These concerns were petty and the result of beligerant babbling and slander produced by those whose faith and testimony did not stand the test of trial. We addressed the best we could his concerns and left him with the admonition to ask God to help him find if this truly is His church. Instead he went back to the internet. But then he said he remembered what we asked him to do. So he prayed. He had the strong urge to study about the life of Joseph Smith. We visited him last night not knowing he had prayed or had studied this topic. His first question to us as we sat down was," When can someone get baptized?" You should have seen the look on our faces!!!! As it turns out, James, had studied Joseph Smith's life. We are not sure his sources but the Spirit showed him the truth. James is a 61 year old black man who has seen things I've only heard about regarding black, white relations. Not surprisingly this was one of the first concerns he voiced. However, after reading up on Joseph Smith, the Spirit taught him that Joseph Smith endured through many trials for something he was accused of fantasizing and fabricating. The Spirit taught James that Joseph Smith did not die in vain, that this is the true church, and that he was a prophet. He chose a day to be baptized and we will be working with him to achieve that goal. Moroni's promise is true (Moroni 10:4-5). I have seen it work over and over again not only for others but also myself.

 

I know this is the true Church. The gospel is the pathway to follow. It has only brought me happiness. True, sad things have happened in my life but as I live the gospel the saddness leaves and the happiness endures. It comes as a result of living the commandments and aligning my life with that of Christ. I am not perfect. And for that I am grateful because the only perfect man to walk this earth had to endure much more than I ever could. I am grateful for Christ and his atoning sacrifice and for all the faithful and loyal servants of our Heavenly Father who prophesied and preached of Him despite what persecution ensued. For their sacrifices I am grateful because through them the gospel has affected my own family and myself. I see what life is like without the gospel each and everyday as I watch from a distance those who reject our message. I see what changes the gospel can help make in the lives of those who humble themselves and learn of Christ and follow Him. He is our Saviour. He came to this world through humble means with a bold message to share. I know He lives!

 

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Elder Cronin

December 5, 2011 Diets are Made to be Broken

Family,

This week was full of wonderful events. We had the opportunity to eat lunch with one of our members who has a brick pizza oven in her backyard. She cooked for our whole zone. It was an awesome expereince seeing as how her son and the sons of other sisters there are serving missions right now. Sister Jensen was the hostess and she said she told her son she was feeding us and I echo his response, " Feed the missionaries! The only thing you could do better would be to have them teach someone in your home." That is a truthism.

Donna was supposed to be baptized this saturday but fell ill and had to go to the hospital. We have visited her a few times and she seems to be in good spirits. She has been the topic of many of our prayers as of late. Her plan is to be baptized once she is released from the hospital.

The food here is so wonderful! At the beginning of my mission I thought white people food was very boring but now my opinion has changed. We rarely get the same thing twice. And with the holidays we get a lot of great food. Speaking of the Holidays,  Elder Reese and I decided to go on a 10 day diet from Dec1 - Dec 10 to make up for the glutony of Thanksgiving and prepare ourselves for Christmas. However, on day 2 I caught Elder Reese chugging from an A&W bottle! I continued on for the next couple of days. But then.........Mom's package arrived with the most delicious brownies I have ever tasted! So my diet has been ruined as well but with great food!!!

I love my new camera!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much! I cannot wait to put it to use. I think I am going to start using it for video journal entries and perhaps I can send those home.

Transfers are coming up on the 19th. Pray that I don't get transferred right before Christmas!!!!!!! I love the people here and would love to spend this holiday with them. But the Lord's will be done. To prepare for the CHristmas season I have been trying to develop my relationship with Christ even more. I have started by reading Jesus the Christ by James E Talmage. If you ever want to know Christ, this is an invaluable rescource of who He is!

The CHristmas Devotional last night was magnificent. I hope you all had the chance to see it.

Samuel plays the cello!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!? That is so cool!!!!!! That is one of my favorite instruments to listen to!

Myself and some other missionaries are putting together a rendition of Little Drummer Boy for our Mission Christmas Party. I hope to film it.

I love you all and wish you the merriest Christmas ever! I will miss you all this season but you are the greastest present I have. My family. In the words of the contemporary carol, "I'll be home [next] Christmas."

Love,

Elder Cronin

November 28, 2011 Tis the Season

Family!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!!! We surely did! And we are still eating the left overs. Big, high calorie meals! I have to eat as much as I can now because my companion and I have committed to going on a 10 day power diet starting the first of December. Mostly, it is to make up for how much we indulged over Thanksgiving and make room for Christmas. We'll see how things go.

Our Thanksgiving meal was delicious! Sister Patsy Wilson invited us and one of our investigators over that day. Sister Wilson is a well known cook here in the ward and even in the stake. All who know her know her tender heart and savory dishes! She has helped us with a few of our investigators so we have developed a relationship with her and her family. One time we were over there and her son was in from out of town. We had brought an investigator over for dinner that night. Sister Wilson's son is a member and when asked to say the prayer he started out by saying, "Dear Buddha....." I'm pretty sure my heart leaped out of my chest! Luckily, our investigator had been around other members before so he knew it was a joke. It did make me laugh I must admit because when I heard it, I thought of Octavia and her comment to Dad about the Buddha figurines we have.

Every time Thanksgiving rolls around I realize how ungrateful I have been throughout the year. I am grateful for so many things. When I feel shorted or uncomfortable it is usually because I have not taken the time to count my blessings. This is something I need to be more diligent about doing. 

So, we have been riding the bus every now and again and it has resulted in some very interesting experiences. We are easily recognized of course. On one occasion, we were approached by a homeless man who bore his testimony of the Book of Mormon. Said he wanted to learn more but had no home. Another man approached us and said he wanted to tell us what it is we believed in as he started out saying, "If I understand you all correctly you believe in some cosmic, zombie, Jew who is his own father, killed himself to save us from himself...." That's when we started ignoring him. He recognized that and walked off saying he had beat us at our own religion, mingled with some cuss words. It made for an exciting night.

Saturday we are baptizing Donna. She is a wonderful single lady who lives by herself with no family or friends. Her life was spiraling down and she got in touch with us. Since we have been going, we have seen a light in her grow each and every day. She loves reading and most of the principles stick. She is very active in coming to church activities and a very friendly lady. She has invited everyone she's talked to to her baptism. We are excited for her!

One of the goals our mission has is to bring the members into missionary work so that we are equally yoked in bringing souls to Christ. This ward we are in is a fairly old, demographically, ward yet they are dedicated to the gospel. We have a wonderful relationship with the members and they trust and respect us. It is a blessing for us.

The work here is not easy. It is a struggle each day to walk away with a smile from a conversation with someone who has just defaced our religion with slandering comments and rude remarks. Sometimes I don't smile. But I try. It has taken me the better part of 23 years to understand what it is that drives me and brings me true happiness. I cannot expect them to get the picture in just a 30 second street contact. But I know that if they would open their hearts and minds and plant a seed of faith that they could know. Often, I walk away from these conversations feeling I have wasted my time. But then we sit down with someone who has accepted an invitation for us to return and with the strength of the Spirit we testify of what we know to be true and invite them to ask God for their own answer of truth and they accept and they receive an answer. At that moment I realize that Basket Weaving Billy who hates Mormons was merely a means to an end. How could I appreciate the sweetness of the sincere prayer of an investigator if I had no nay-sayers to contrast and provide the black velvet for the diamond of a developing testimony? I could not. I know that there is opposition in all things. That opposition makes me smile. It is part of God's plan.

Love,

Elder Cronin

Riding the Deuce

The Clark Family

Volleyball!!!

November 21, 2011 City of Neon

Family,

 

Life is great. I'm a missionary!!! I have no complaints. The ward members treat us so wonderfully. We are fed each night and they are great meals. Some members even accept some last minute lunch appointments with us when we're in the area. I love the members here and their desires to participate in missionary work.

 

As I sat in church on Sunday, I realized the likelihood of me leaving this area at the end of this transfer. When I first came to this area I had no love for it. But I have since dedicated my whole heart to it. To leave it will be sad and heartbreaking. To leave the Slightings will be as well. But I will go where the Lord will have me and I will work my hardest here before I leave. Just to put things into perspective, I have attended this ward longer than I have attended anywhere continuously since I graduated high school.

 

We are very busy these days with the area and with the zone. Last Thursday we took all the missionaries down to Fremont Street and sang and talked to everyone we could. The new missionaries took a moment to get adjusted and work up the courage to talk to people. Eventually they did and they did it well!!! There were a few people who were rude to us but what can we expect? However, there were quite a few people who actually stopped and talked to us. Some even sang with us. This Thursday we are having a mission-wide Turkey Bowl! And on Dec 7 we are having a Mission Christmas Party! President and Sister Neider are keeping themselves busy.

 

Not too much else is happening here in the City of Neon. God still directs this work and we see his hand every day. Alma 26:12 comes to mind.

 

I know this is Christ's restored church here on this earth. And that he is the Christ. And that in and only through him may we return to live with our Heavenly Father. I know the purpose of life! The gospel of Jesus Christ has taught it to me. I am beginning to understand more about who I am. I am a son of God. I am a son of two loving, dedicated, and charitable parents. I am a missionary. I am a disciple of Christ. Oh, and I'm a Mormon!

 

Love,

Elder Cronin

November 14, 2011 A Testimony

Family,

I cannot believe we are halfway through November already. 2012 is almost here! But before we get there we must celebrate Thanksgiving and think of and share all the things for which we are grateful. I have noticed much more on my mission than at any other time in my life the lack of emphasis on Thanksgiving. Lights are already up for Christmas. Music is already tuned to the Christmas genre. And our minds seems to be more impressed with what we want than what we already have. I am grateful for so many things in my life it would take all my time to share them with you. However there is one that I share with others on a daily basis. That is my family. If only the world could understand the importance of a happy family or any family for that matter. I realized something the other day that blew my mind. I am not sure the exact statistics but from the many situations I have seen on my mission, the relationships, the homes, I have come to this conclusion: The concept of marriage is lost outside of those who know and understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Too often today are couples living together with no commitment. The only thing that suggests a commitment should be made is the birth of a child out of wedlock but even then, society does not seem to require that. Does the world believe in falling in love anymore and expressing that love by expressing a desire to spend the rest of their life with that individual? I have not seen this very much. That may seem like a generalization and perhaps it is, regardless, it is my perspective and what I have seen and it saddens me. It is sad to see a family who is happy, but the parents have no legal or heavenly bond between them. It saddens me because I have experienced the blessings of this type of household where the mother and father are legally married in this life and are sealed together for eternity. It makes the disagreements seem so small and the future so bright! Each day I share with people how my family has been a blessing to me and I come up with something new each day. I do not want a temporary family, I want a forever family. And I am tremendously grateful to be a part of a forever family.

I might have told you last week but I am starting the Book of Mormon over again in Spanish and English. With each chapter there is not doubt that this book is true. Countless times I have heard the sad attempts of the defacing efforts of others to undermine the Book of Mormon. They just have not read it! Any man who reads that book with the intent to know if it is of God and not merely an invention of man with realize with certainty that it is true. Anyone who does not know it is true has either not read it or has read it with the wrong intentions. We are humans and we are intelligent we can take any truth and rationalize its invalidity. However, that rationalization can only last so long until the truth comes back more boldly and apparent than before. I can understand that there are those out there who fear reading the book because of what it will entail for them and their lives if they find out it is true. The truth shall set you free, I think it was once said. And there is no bondage that I feel in knowing the Book of Mormon is true and that it came through the graces of God to our hands today. There is only freedom.

Speaking of freedom, we recently celebrated Veterans Day. Thanks to all who have served and are serving. The religious freedom we enjoy cleared the way for the Restoration of the gospel to take place here in the USA.

We had a baptism on Saturday! His name is Oscar. He found us. We first ran into him on the street but then by his own accord he showed up to church one day. We began teaching him and he wanted to be baptized but then he disappeared for a minute. He came back to church and asked us that day how he could prepare himself to be baptized! We caught our breath and shared with him a few things that would have to happen. His baptism was very powerful. See, Oscar was one of those souls who had already been baptized. And he shied away from baptism because of this. Most of our efforts with him were directed towards helping him understand the importance of authority. An ice-cream truck driver cannot pull you over and give you a ticket (unless Pat is driving) but a Highway patrol-man surely can. Why? Well, who has the authority? Exactly. God is no different. If we are to be baptized as was Christ, why would we not do as he did and be baptized by a person who hold the authority to perform the baptism? Christ walked nearly 70 miles to reach John the Baptist. Why did he not ask his neighbor or someone who was closer in distance to save the trip? Yes, he is Christ, and yes he is the Son of God, but even still he needed someone who has the authority to perform his baptism. Somehow this has been lost in translation for the world. But through prayer ans study Oscar came to know that he needed to be baptized by proper authority. At his baptism he stood and bore his testimony. The spirit was so very strong and told each of us that he had done the right thing. Our next step is to get him out to share his testimony with others that we teach.

You asked about my host family. Their name is the Slightings. And here is them in a nutshell:

Brother and Sister Slighting are both returned missionaries and BYU grads. They are the parents to four young kids, 2 turtles, a few fish, several chickens, a rabbit, a dog named Rufus who whimpers when you pet him, and 4 missionaries who life above their garage :)  Sister Slighting is a stay-at-home mother who holds a Spanish class for her kids once a week. She is very practical and charitable. She has an open door policy with the missionaries so we chat often. She feeds us every now and again and sees our presence as a blessing. She is a great mother. And a great example to us missionaries of the kind of woman we need to find after our missions. Brother Slighting is an avid BYU fan and opposed to all Utes. Including me. He does it with love though. A few years ago he walked in on his son stabbing a picture of a U of U football player. He trains them young :) Brother Slighting is, despite his disdain for the stomping grounds of the Lord's prophets, an exemplary husband. He yields to his wife and leads his family very well. He is the counselor in the Bishopric in his ward and the Spirit is very strong when you are around him. He loves his wife and it is obvious. They have 2 boys and two girls. They are great kids. They love learning and participating in church activities. And they love the missionaries.

We could not ask for a better host family. They are a blessing to us. They go to Utah often so I hope to cross paths with them again after my mission.

So I have typed so much my hands are sore. The church is true and I bid you all adieu.

Love,

Elder Cronin

November 7, 2011 Transfers

Family!

Transfers are tomorrow!!!!! We found out today that Elder Reese and I are staying together for another 6 weeks! We are looking forward to a new transfer. We will be staying these six weeks still in the house with the Slightings. Sister Slightings just made a big breakfast for out Zone this morning so we could announce Stay-Gos. Only 3 people in our Zone are being transferred. And of those remaining 4 will be here in the zone 6 months, including myself, by the end of the transfer.

I have finished the Book of Mormon in Spanish, and yes it is still true. And I just finished the Doctrine and Covenants as well. I have learned so very much about my Savior and about the Spanish language in reading these two books. I am beginning again the Book of Mormon, reading it this time in both English and Spanish. In my English copy I am marking by topic and looking for patterns in the nature of God and prophets and anything else that I come across. In my Spanish copy I am highlighting words that I do not know and looking up their definition as I read aloud each word. I am hoping that this will expand my vocabulary. It is amazing the strength I feel as I read intently and with focus in the mornings as apposed to those mornings when I am merely looking a the words. I am hoping that my focus on the scriptures will bring more understanding to me as pertaining to the principles of the gospel.

We just had stake conference yesterday. I have only attended 2 stake conferences since beginning my mission. they are a wonderful opportunity to hear from our leaders who are receiving instruction from their stewards. The spirit of Revelation is powerful and present in those meetings.

I believe with all of my heart that my mission has saved my life. It has provided me with the proper tools and knowledge to enjoy a successful probation here on this Earth. I know that it is from the gospel and example of Jesus Christ that I have this opportunity and ultimately through the great wisdom of my Heavenly Father. I do not blink at the trials in my life with that formerly common thought of ,"Why?" I understand now that from any trial springs forth new found wisdom and blessings and faith. And for this reason I ask ,"How?" How can I take my circumstance and overcome the trial, avoid the heartache, and ultimatley do what my Heavenly Father would have me do. I have realized that my desires have not always been the Lord's and that to find true happiness I must make my desires his. WIth that in mind let me tell you of an experience I had this past week:

At the beginning of the week we had an appointment scheduled with an investigator who we had recently talked to on the street. This would be our first visit to her house. We took down her adress and other inportant information and bid farwell until the appointment. The night of the appointment my companion and I entered the apartment complex and I verbally confirmed the apartment for which we would search, "215," I said. My companion agreed, and we began looking at the numbers on the doors. Eventually, we found 211, then 212, and subsequently 213. When we reached this door knowing we were heading in the right direction, I realized I had proclaimed the wrong apartment number. At this point, 215 did not seem right. Normally, I would at this point, as I have done many times in these situations, pulled out my planner and looked for the right number. However, as I reached for my planner, I received the strongest impression not to check the apartment number and to knock on 215 anyways. There was a moment's hesitation, and then I proceeded to knock the door. The lady who opened the door said that her husband was a memebr of the church and that she would love to have us over. We swapped information and she closed the door. I was beyond words for what had just happened. But, I did not question the way of the Lord. We knocked on her door for a reason. Normally, I would have verified the number and went for the target door skipping over the mistaken one; however, this night the Spirit directed we do otherwise.

God has a hand in this work and we see it everyday. We see it in the roads we feel we ought not go down, the smiles from compelte strangers, the dogs who seem to quite when we come by, the people with whom we share the message of the Restored Gospel. Christ lives! The atonement is real and is available for our use if only we will follow our Heavenly Father with full purpose of heart.

I love this work, this calling, this title, this responsibility.

Love,

Elder Cronin

October 31, 2011 Happy Halloween

Family,

It is so wonderful to hear of all your adventures. Everyone is growing up. I truly wish I could be there. I remember what a thrill it was to have family and friend supporting me in the stands and in the audiences as I grew up and nutured my talents. However, there is nowhere else I'd rather be than here in the ghetto of Las Vegas bearing testimony to those who despise me for my youth, criticize me for my faith, and ignore me because fo their pride. Because admist all of them are those who we call the elect, the ones who are humble and open minded and ready to change.

One of those people is me. My mission has exposed every one of my weaknesses to me. I think they give us two years to serve so that we can see these weaknesses and overcome them. Any shorter time would not be sufficient.

We start week 6 today of the transfer. And for those of you who are not mission savy that means we only have one wek until I could be transferred to another area or be told to say another 6 weeks. I would be happy with either outcome. I want to go where the Lord will send me. There is nothing that brings me more joy than knowing that I am working for the Lord in his way.

I am at a point in my mission right now where everything seems normal that I do as a missionary. At the beginning of my mission the routines seemed non-routine. Talking to random people about the Gospel is natural now. Leaving commitments with others and following up is second nature. And studying and applying is instinct. My vision now is to enhance my performance in these areas and others.

Yesterday I had a very interesting experience. I am not very confrontational here on my mission. Especially when it comes to things that happen in the streets. However, yesterday I had a confrontation with a gentleman. Contention is of the Devil so I know that I acted out of line when a man told me he would pray that I gain understanding and then asked how old I was. I told him my age and he responded with his age which was roughly twice as much. Before he could say anything else these words came out of my mouth, "That may be true sir but we have twice as much intelligence at this moment than you." He was taken aback and then quited some Bible verse and said that the man who calls himself wise is unwise. I washed that around in my mind all day and realized my words were out of line. However, later that same night we were speaking to one of our investigators. He explained his excitement to begin meeting with us citing his reasoning he said, "I may be twice your age but you all have much more knowledge about this stuff than I do." His humility humbled me. Ironic, no. There are many lessons like this that I have learned in the field.

The 26th marked my first year in the actual mission here. It was an interesting day. It made me think about my progress. I looked at notes and journal entries form the past year and realized how much my understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ has grown. And how many wonderful habits I have formed and how many bad habits I have kicked. My mission has been very therapeutic in this aspect for me as well.

Family I love each and everyone of you. Go share your testimony with someone it will brighten their day!

Love,

Elder Cronin