October 7, 2010

Family,

I have finished the Book of Mormon! I finished on October 1, 2010. How are you all doing? I sent pictures to you on Monday let me know if you got them or not. I can't believe I have been here for 6 weeks already. Time flies by here especially when you lose yourself in the work. I can't wait to get out to Las Vegas and lose myself in this work. Not only does is help build God's kingdom but each day I feel it building me as well.

Did you all see me at conference?!!! The video is online at http://lds.org/video/gc/index.html?lang=eng&vid=621787340001&sid=prsPM. I have a close up around 1:49:XX during the closeing song Called to Serve at the very beginning. In the first song my companion, Elder Stant got a full head shot of just him for 5 seconds or so. So go check us out if you didn't see us. The experience was unreal. I've been to conference 4 times in the Conference Center and this experience was still so different. We sat literally 15 feet behind Thomas S. Monson. Since I'm so tall I was put in the very back so I got to sit right next to the organ pipes as the rang throughout our songs. We sang Hark All Ye Nations, Go Ye Messengers of Heaven, and Called to Serve in that order. This is what I took from singing those songs: A Nation cannot Hark without Messengers bringing them the word who have been Called to Serve.

I hope you alle njoyed conference as much as I did. It was such a confirmation to me that I am doing the right thing as I heard talk after talk related to the importance of missionary work. Mom, Dad, thanks for preparing and encouraging me to take this journey.

This week has been great. I am still striving to speak only spanish. My spanish has become better as a result. Or so I thought until I met a missionary from Vegas who is a native Spanish speaker and I couldn't understand a thing he said. Looks like I need to kick my studying into overdrive.

Hows life in the ATL? Its starting to get cold here but not too bad. I've got plenty of warm clothes so no need to worry. I'll get you my address for LV soon. I should be leaving here on the 26 of October but that is not verified yet so I'll keep you updated.

Rachel left for Vegas today to compete in the Rachel McGlish Fitness Competition so please keep her in you prayers.

Love,

Elder Cronin