Family,
I have lived with my companion Elder Aaron for the past 18 weeks and served with him for the past 8. And it has now come to the last days of his mission. At the onset of our companionship I set out to learn from him in his seasoned state. I have learned from him that it is important to make decisions, to show love, remain obedient, remain humble, and have fun. It is sad seeing him go. Especially when I think that in less than a year I will be doing the same. But it is amazing to see a child of God return home to begin the rest of his life applying what he has learned thus far.
I think that is the most exciting part about the future. Applying what we learned in the past. At the same time those are the saddest moments. When we do not apply what we have learned. Life is full of opportunities to progress and it is up to us to take them. I am grateful to look back at the last year of my mission and say that I have taken those opportunities without regret. Looking forward into my mission I pray for many more of those opportunities.
So this past week has been filled with experiences that epitomize our area. One night we went to a families home and when we arrived there were 4 cop cars outside in their complex. The flashing lights added a nice ambiance to the dimming sky. We got a call from this family earlier that day as well. The mother who is diabetic took her medicine without any food and her sugar dropped really low. She called to tell us she was fading but had not sustenance in her home, her humble home. We rushed over with a couple of bottles of soda and assisted her as she slowly sipped from the 24oz Shasta bottle. She started to come out of a hazy appearance and we offered her a blessing. She sat on the floor and said she was ready. We put our hands on her head and administered the blessing. However, when we took our hands off she fell back into the dresser and then to the ground. We laid her on her side and a few minutes later she came around. Of course we were all shocked. usually a blessing of health works the opposite way. But then she began to explain to us that often when she receives blessings she passes out. If we had known that before we could have prevented a knot on the back of her head from when she hit the dresser.
We are teaching this other lady who is not a member but her husband is. She struggles with smoking and wants to quit and be baptized. We taught her the word of wisdom and explained to her that she has to quit 7 days before her baptism. However, we stopped by on Sunday and she had smoked half a cigarette before we got there. She did not come right out with it. We had to pry a little. And when we shared with her that we needed to push her baptism back a week she was devastated. I felt like saying, "Actually for you we can make an exception, it was just half a cigarette." But I knew that if she could depart form her desire to smoke 7 days before she was baptized that day of her baptism would be that much better, that much more spiritual. So I shared that with her. Despite her devastation to having failed, in her words, she understood the goal. She is working hard still and should be baptized here soon.
Tony and Camillia were baptized on Saturday. I'll send pictures on Monday. Tony had his interview on Wednesday to receive the priesthood so he can baptize his daughter hopefully this next weekend. He loves the community the gospel provides for him as a single parent and his daughter Viola. Camillia is doing wonderful as well she loves the hymns. Her favorites are God Be With You TIll We Meet Again and I Believe in Christ.
Oh and before I forget to tell you all. I met some distant cousins of ours!! Their last name is Clark. The family begins with the older Sister Clark or "Nana" whose maiden name is Cronin. She is Casper Carl and Mattie Cronin's daughter I believe. I met her daughters who live in the ward I am serving in, Gateway. They were at transfer conference last transfer and asked me where I was from. After about a minute or two we realized we were both related to Doc and thus related to one another. They said Doc took care of Mattie in her last days. The name sounds so familiar to me. And I remember going with Doc to a few Elderly women when I was younger. So maybe one of them was her. You'll have to share that with them. What a small world!
Well the work continues. And my testimony continues to grow. I know many things. A younger man asked me yesterday if I knew for sure that Thomas S. Monson was a prophet. Little did he know that earlier that day my testimony of him had been reaffirmed and I bore strong testimony to him that nothing could take away my faith and belief that he is the Lord's servant called as a prophet to lead and guide the people here on Earth. I know that our testimonies will pierce the souls of those that will listen and entice them to change and to follow Christ. I have seen it happen with my own eyes. The most powerful tool I carry with me each day is my testimony and not a day goes by that I am not sharpening it.
I love you all. And cannot wait for my letters to arrive on Mondays so they can be a part of Family Home Evening. Follow the Prophet.
Love,
Elder Cronin
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