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