July 21, 2011

Family,

 

My new Ward, the Gateway Ward, borders my old area and I never thought I would have culture shock by just crossing the street. But this area is a whole new world! We cover all the way up to the northern most part of the Strip. So now I can say that I went to the Strip on my mission! Really not too proud to say that cause its a rough place. The first few days were really tough for me to get used to. Mostly just because of the condition of the people we are teaching and talking to and the condition of their homes. The majority of our contacts don't have jobs and are struggling to survive off of whatever they can get from the government. Sadly, it seems that money is all they care about, however little they have. It reminds me of the pride cycles we see in the Book of Mormon and how civilizations would prosper and then become prideful and fall. I'm sure in those societies there were people who even after the fall focused on money because of their pride rather than humbling themselves and worshipping the one true God. Unfortunatly for some, money is their god.

 

There are many opportiunities here for me to speak Spanish and I try to take advantage of each one. And as a Zone Leader we go on exchanges with each of the companionships we are over, aside form the Sisters. In total, we have 9 companionships under our stewardship. Three of those are in Spanish Wards. And yesterday I had the opportunity to go on exchanges and spend the day in the Spanish Ward. I was with an Elder who does not speak any English so it was a fun day for me. Not to mention we were on bikes and he killed me literally with the amount of biking we did. I am so out of shape.

 

Exchanges is one of the perks of being a Zone Leader I believe. It gives us the opportunity to get to know the missionaries in the zone and also to see more of the mission. Oh and I don't know if I told you but Elder Stant, my MTC companion is in this zone! So, Saturday we have exchanges with him and I'll be serving with him! Personally, I feel like this assignement is less stressful than being a District Leader, but ask me if I still feel that way in a few weeks :)

 

I absolutley love my companion! He is very humble and since he is near the end of his mission he is an amazing teacher and I have already learned much from the way he does the Lord's work. He is a country boy from Western New York and we have a lot in common like our love for fast cars and big trucks and the way black people dance.  We have been confounding a lot of false doctrine lately too. For example, Christ died of old age, he was born into the catholic church, Mormons are racist, and the list goes on. But this is why we are here. To spread the truth.

 

We are having a baptism this weekend. Her name is Lisa Russel. She has a very sweet heart and has grown up around the church but never thought she needed to join until she recently marries her husband Tom who is a strong member of the church. We are also teaching a man named Brad aka "Bird Man." He's an older white man who is a former Hells Angel and still has his silver cross. He has shared with us some intense stories and experiences. He taught us how to make hooch, an alcoholic drink made in jail. He has spent 10 years of his life in jail unfortunatly. But, he is very humble and is set to be baptized in the beginning of August. Also, we are teaching Eric, a middle aged man who was robbed at gun point and was shot in the leg with birdshot at point blank range. He is confined to a wheel chair and has more titanium in his leg than bone but wants to be baptized. So like I said, it is a whole new world here.

 

Life is great Family! I am enjoying my mission even more with each day. Thank you so much for the support through your letters and prayers, it really means a lot to me. If you are expecting a letter from me and have not yet recieved it tell my Mom or write me again because I lose track sometimes of who I need to write. I love you all and wish you the best in your endeavors!

 

Love,

Elder Cronin

 

"If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God.." James 1:5