Elder Todd Cronin: March 10, 2011

Family,

Everything is going great!! Ashley and Eric will be baptized on 19th and Violet will be baptized on the 26th! They are all in the same ward so needless to say that ward is stoked about missionary work. We work with members often. In fact in the 9+ lessons we have taught those three investigators combined a member has been to each one. Their testimonies are wonderful and very powerful in a lesson. It's so wonderful to hear that temple work is a priority in your lives. One of my goals when I get off my mission is to go to the temple weekly and spend a few hours on Saturdays doing family history. It's something I wish I would have done more of before.

This week was filled with all sorts of excitement. Fast and testimony meetings are always a treat. Entertaining and spiritual at the same time. This past Sunday Ashley's husband Mark was ordained to the office of a Priest. This is so exciting because it means he can now baptize his wife! Working with members for us entails Member Missionary Lessons. These are lesson plans that Elder Holt and myself have come up with and the members love them. So most of our evenings are filled with member appointments. The idea is that this push will lead to families inviting someone to learn about the Restored Gospel. We are asking each family to set a goal of bringing one soul to Christ this year. While we may not see the fruits of our labors, future missionaries will come into an area whose members are excited for missionary work.

We bike quite frequently and when we do I truly feel like a missionary! Plus, it's much easier to talk to people on the streets when they don't see you pull the car over in front of them and hop out to talk to them :) And not everyone likes, us but when we are riding down the street a little down because of rejection or something it always lightens out spirits when people honk and wave to us! It's exhilarating.
All in all, the mission is amazing. My assignment is wonderful. And my companion is great. I see myself growing each day and at such a rapid pace. President Christensen made a very inspired comment to me the other day regarding this progression. He said,"Elder Cronin, I don't think you have changed much since you first came to the Nevada Las Vegas Mission. What is changing is the way you see things. You are beginning to see things the way they really are." This is so true. Personally, I am not changing but I am seeing things the way they really are. And my vision becomes clearer each day.

I know that what I am doing is the Lord's work and I know that His church has been restored. If I didn't not know of these things with surety, I would not be here today.

I love you all,
Elder Cronin