August 12, 2011

Family,

 

Another week come and gone. It feels like I was just at this computer an hour ago telling you all about my weeks expereinces from 7 days ago. However, the date has changed and it seems by the measurement of time it really has been a whole week. I am so excited to hear that everyone is doing well with school and work and such. Everyone is in my prayers to have a great school year.

 

This week we have been working on teaching the 6 people who are set to be baptized on the 27th of August. Some of them have some problems we'll need to work out like addictions and living arrangements but they are all accepting the Gospel as if they had heard it before. The other day my companion and I were on our way to one of our investigator's homes and we found a blood trail on the sidewalk. So we followed it for about 20 minutes but it did not end anywhere interesting. We felt like detectives.

 

With one family we are teaching we taught them the Plan of Salvation by drawing out each step on their refrigerator in erasable marker. They said they are going to leave it on there so they can be constantly reminded of it. However, the manager of their complex was not happy to see the drawing on the fridge but our investigator took the opportunity to explain to her what it was and said it would do her well to learn it. Then she left the matter alone.

 

We went to contact a referral the other day in this trailer park for seniors and an older Caucasian man was outside his house across the street staring at us. We got out of the car and he very politely said that we could just move right along because we are not welcome in that neighborhood. We accepted his comment and politely responded with our gratitude for his having informed us. We walked towards the home of our referral and he shouted out saying she was not home. We looked in the driveway and there was a car so we again r thanks and proceeded towards the house once more. At this point I was on the steps and my companion was still in the street next to the car. The gentleman turned irate and because yelling all sorts of obscenities including racial slurs about white people.  would be lying if I said it did not make me laugh. Then I walked up to the door and knocked on it and as I did so the older man yelled some more as he ran up to my companion. I jump off the steps stood next to Elder Aaron as this man approached us. Then perhaps as an intimidation tactic, I'm still not quite sure, he pulled his upper false teeth out and continued the racial comments with physical threats. Our referral turned out not to be at home so we got in the car and drove off as he dialled 911. It was a bad day for him. But it gave us a great experience to write home about.

 

Today we hiked Mount Charleston and luckily there were no dead bodies this time. In fact the feelings were quite the opposite. I took a moment to sit down and listen. Sadly the hustle and bustle of the city was still audible just not a loud. However, the Spirit was very strong. I felt my mind was clear and I could focus on whatever I wanted to. That is a rare occasion here in Vegas. The adversary is constantly clouding the mind with distractions. Nevertheless, I am grateful to be serving here in Las Vegas. When I look out over the city I think to myself, "This is my city." That thought drives my desire to share with the inhabitants therein the gospel of Jesus Christ. The treasures of the atonement are innumerable. If only the world could understand how to find them. Each day we bare testimony, read scriptures, share experiences and explain the gospel. And each day we chip away at the amount of seeds we were sent here to plant. If you were to ask me what motivates me to wake up in the morning, study, and expose myself to the blistering sun each day, I would have to tell you that it is a desire to share the powers of the Atonement with those who do not know or understand them. I know that the atonement can heal us in each and every way. Alma 7 teaches us that the atonement is not only for the sinner but also the griever and the mourner and whoever else has an "infirmity." With such a powerful healing ointment I know that there is no trial too great or burden to heavy for us to have to bear on our own without the help of the Savior. "Come unto me all of you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." I know that Christ allows us to live in this world and not become of it through a heap of burdens from sin or sorrow. I know that he was sent here to give us the way, truth, and the light. I am so grateful for that because without such guidance daily decisions would be indifferent because we would have no vision and therefore have no need for incremental progression. What kind of life is that? It is one that leads to nowhere, fast and irresponsibly. Jesus is the Christ and I am his disciple.

 

Love,

Elder Cronin

The Plan of Salvation taught resourcefully!!