Thanksgiving Day, 2010

Family,

Happy Thanksgiving! I am most thankful for those who helped me get to where I am today! Thank you all!

Vegas was a blast. My companion got to baptize a family he worked with before while we were down there. I was able to watch and it was an amazing spiritual experience. It was Spanish service so I was able to practice my Spanish quite a bit. Elder Stant was there too! We got to catch up a bit and he seems to be doing great!

The Vegas missionary life is much more fast paced than what we have here in Elko. I really enjoy it down there too. So if and when I get transferred down to the valley I'm ready for it. For example on average we probably contact 2-3 people per day here in Elko. In the valley missionaries get about 20-30 contacts in one day. 

While we were in Vegas we got to hear from Elder Bowen of the 70. He put alot of things into perspective for me. He said something that I will always remember because it is something that I have always been taught. He said, " When you know who you are, you act differently." 
Dad used to always tell me before I'd go out with friends or away form the house, "Remember who you are." Truthfully I used to think that just meant to remember that I am a Cronin. And coming from a town where the name Cronin is rarely unheard of, I thought that just meant to not do anything to embarrass our family. As I have grown up I realize what Dad really meant. Sure, on the surface it was so that when someone looked in the paper they didn't read negative headlines about our family, but ultimately to remember who I am was to remember what I had been taught. Because that is what made me who I was. To go back on the things I had been taught would be to forget who I am. Part of what I had been taught is that I am a child of God. And in being as such I have certain responsibilities and expectations. To go against those or to forget who I am would be to deny my relationship with God. And ultimately deny his existence. Long story short. As I remember who I am, I act differently.

So far we have hit a nightly low of -13 F. And my companion and I shoveled snow last night in 0 F! My nose hairs were frozen! We survived the north western blizzard that hit Salt Lake. I don't know if you all heard about that but it dumped about 8 inches of snow in about 1 hour or so. Good Times!

We already had a Thanksgiving breakfast from the Sargeants and are headed to a 3 Oclock appointment for dinner that includes sledding! Then we  have another dinner around 6! Both dinners we will have investigators there with us! I'll be eating my fair share of Thanksgiving dinners today, wish me luck!!!!

So speaking of investigators, let me give you a little synopsis of how things are going here. The English work is showing us more success than Spanish work here. But that is just a result of the population and population density of each culture. We do most all of our work through member referrals and lessons with them present. So far we have 3 people set for baptism before Jan. 1st. Don't count these chickens before they hatch. I'll let y'all know who keeps their commitments. But all three are progressing successfully as of right now. 

I love you all, and wish you the best Turkey Day ever! Eat your hearts out and enjoy the presence of family. I wish I could be there the Lord needs me here. 

Love,

Elder Cronin