Elder Todd Cronin: September 19, 2011

Family,

This world is so small and the church makes it even smaller. One of the high councilors of the East stake spoke on Sunday. His name is Brother Anderson and he is from Biloxi. He says he knows many Cronin's. Then when I called Sallie Mae my loan officer turned out to be the brother of one of my favorite missionaries here in the mission! Crazy! I am sad to hear about Roosevelt. I would have loved the opportunity to see him again but I know that he is being ministered to as we speak. And to hear that Grannie is doing well is a blessing to me. I was reminded of her the other day as we were driving through our area on exchanges. As missionaries we talk to everyone. And as we drove we saw two men standing outside at their van. One older and one younger. We stopped and talked to them and as it turns out they are father and son and both members of the church. They invited us in to say hello to the older man's mother. As we walked in we could feel a strong spirit. We made it back to the bedroom and on the bed laid an old, frail, snow-white hair lady. She is a covert of less than a year. She comes from a prominent family within the church, the Levitt's. But apparently her branch was the branch that did not join back in the days of Joseph Smith. She remained on the bed and beckoned us over. It reminded me of visits to Grannie and how her mood would brighten up when she had company. It seems the Lord guided us there that day to bring a little extra light into her home. As we stood in the room it was amazing to notice that 4 generations of Levitt's stood there with us. Sister Levitt, her son, grandson, and great grandson. It was like viewing a living family tree. I could feel the Spirit of Elijah as I took note of our circumstances.

We finally had interviews this past Wednesday. They were cancelled from two weeks ago because Sister Neider, our mission president's wife, fell ill with kidney stones. That's what the tap water will do to you out here. I had awaited that opportunity sit down face to face with President and get to know him a little more and him me. The interview went wonderfully. He is such a loving man and has a strong Love for the work. He is still adjusting but is doing wonderful. I also took the opportunity to sit and talk with Sister Neider. She magnifies her calling. I feel a motherly love from her and a deep concern for the success of my mission. Then she said something that I have heard only two other times in my mission but wish to hear it more often. She said, "If your mother were sitting where I am now she would tell you this.." And then she proceeded to speak from the Spirit doubtless. I know that because she said some things that I know Mom would love to say and share with me if she were here. She also mentioned to me that my companion is vessel to answer the prayers of family back home. And Elder Reese is answering those prayers. He is a great companion. We have had a lot of great times here in Gateway Ward.

I have developed some amazing friendships here on the mission that I am sure will last for eternity. One of those relationships is with Lisa and Thomas Russell. They are a vibrant and spunky couple in there late 40s and fifties. About the same age as Mom and Dad. However, they are newlyweds and Lisa is a newly baptized member. She was one of the first to get baptized when I came here to Gateway Ward. They have treated me like a son and I will forever remember their charity. Each person I have taught has a special place in my heart as well. I was thinking the other day of how lucky I am and will be to stay in touch with these people and perhaps cross paths with them again in the future. This is a blessing I would not otherwise realize if I had not served a mission. I am blessed. Right now we are teaching three people who will be baptized on Saturday. Viola, Shannon, and Kimberly. Viola is the daughter of Tony who we baptized a few weeks ago. We had a difficult time teaching her but she is coming around and our teaching skills are as well. Shannon had a bout with smoking but has since quit and is ready. And Kimberly is an interesting story. We met her one night as we walked home form our area with our bikes that had flats. Companionship unity! She walked and talked with us for about 3 blocks and then came to church the next day and hasn't missed a Sunday since. She is a quick learner and is eager to repent and be baptized. In fact she texted us one night and told us how excited she was to be baptized. The funny thing is that we had never talked about baptism with her to that point. The Lord works in mysterious ways.

We are so very busy here in Gateway Ward. Our ward mission leader is the best! His name is Brother Hall and is a letter-carrier by trade. He is dedicated to nurturing these people we meet and teach. Often that nurturing leads to physical nurturing through offering rides or the occasional financial help. It is amazing to see him magnify his calling. Our bishop is amazing as well. Bishop England. His job is tough in our ward because there are many who need welfare support. And they ask often. But he follows the ways of the Lord and does what he can to help them out. All in all our ward is amazing! It is very dynamic and my opinion of it has grown more Christ-like I feel since I first got here.

I have a strong testimony that as we strive to become more like Christ we can overcome many of the challenges we face. To become more like him it takes an effort of prayer, reading, and going to church. This is the foundation for any testimony of Christ. I had the thought this week about my relationship with Christ. Often times we fill our lives with pictures, songs, and other forms of media that depict or glorify another human being. There is nothing mortally wrong with this. Especially when that person is a relative or a close friend. For example, sometimes we cover a pin board with pictures of friends, or place a picture of our favorite musician as the background for one of our oh so common electronic devices. Or perhaps we dedicate our ears to a particular artist for a few days, even weeks. Actions like this. I was impressed to think of the reasoning behind such actions and I came to this conclusion. We do things like that because we have or desire a relationship to the people, music, or media involved. And again there is not a mortal flaw in this but perhaps we can change our focus. I know I need to. And that focus would be on Christ. When I compare the relationship I have with friends, family, media to what I have with Christ often times he is overshadowed by my worldly relationships. But I know that if I build my relationship with him first then the relationships that come thereafter with be that much more sincere and healthy. I know that he is my Savior and that I can draw closer to Him as I read the Book of Mormon, the highly understudied keystone of our religion.

The Book of Mormon is the word of God!!! In the words of Elder Holland,"No righteous man can or would write such a book." It has come forth through the power of God. I know because its principles lead me to do good. And have lead me to leave behind an old less satisfying life and start a new one.

Love,

Elder Cronin