Family,

 

Today marks exactly one year in the mission field!!!!! That is nuts!!! It seems like it was yesterday that I was packing my things away at Carol's house half nervous and half excited. This time last year I entered into a world that exceeded my expectations. I feel it only appropriate that as I commemorate this first year I share with you some highlights and memories.

 

I remember being set apart and then hearing the first rules of being a missionary from my stake president in Salt Lake. He said, "No swimming, no dating, no dancing." Simple enough.

 

In the MTC I was studying Spanish and I had two companions and one of them was from England. One night I remember having a dream where I was speaking Spanish, a mile-stone for those who learn a new language, and then all the sudden my dream switched and I was speaking in a British accent. Apparently I have the gift of tongues.

 

For the first time ever I was able to watch General Conference from a different perspective in October of 2010. While I had attended previous sessions in the conference center before, this time I was blessed with the opportunity to sing in the MTC Choir during the general priesthood session and subsequently watch General Conference looking out into the congregation. An experience I will never forget.

 

My first hours in the mission field consisted of dinner at a member's home. I now serve in the same zone where I ate dinner that night with Sister Augustin, a cook from one of the casinos. We had a traditional Hispanic meal followed by cheesecake. Unforgettable.

 

On 11 January 2011, I left my first area, Elko. I felt as if my heart was being torn out as I drove off. The Sargents had given us room and board, Bishop Esplin had been an avid supporter of missionary work, and the Lord had placed many noble souls in our path. I was sad to leave.

 

2 May 2011 I was transferred out of the mission office, an assignment that taught me many valuable lessons and built my testimony tremendously of the Atonement. The transfer resulted in my service in the Monte Bello Ward, my first Spanish ward! I was beyond excited. For the next 2 months I would eat very well.

 

My first day in the Spanish ward I answered a phone call while my companion was in the restroom. The Hispanic lady on the other line asked in her native language to speak with my companion. I responded with the best Spanish I could muster and tried to tell her he was busy. She asked me why he was busy and quite taken aback as to her question. I replied and told her he was in the restroom. She then proceeded with a voice of concern to ask me why my companion was 'busy' in the bathroom. Again I thought to myself, "why is this lady so concerned with what my companion is doing in the restroom." At that point I realized that rather than telling her he was 'busy' I said he was 'worried,' a difference of a prefix between the words, ocupado=busy and preocupado=worried. We shared a laugh.

 

One day in Monte Bello we decided to hike Sunrise Mountain and shortly after we started we found a dead body.

 

One night in Monte Bello we ate 3 dinners. A result of being in the right place at the right time you might say. My companion, coincidentally, threw-up three times later that night. Coincidence...I think not.

 

4 July 2011 there were more lights added to the valley of Las Vegas as its citizens celebrated their freedom. Looking out at the city reminded me of the importance of this labor of love.

 

Around the same time our Mission President was released as he finished up his 3 years and we are graced by the presence of President Neider, a former member of the General Young Mens Presidency. He bears his new mantle of responsibility well and with a heart full of love.

 

Days later I was transferred to a different zone but only had to switch rooms in the apartment where I formerly resided. I was not expecting what was to come next. East Stake was my new home and Freemont Street my new stomping ground. I entered into a world I did not know existed. Freemont comes alive at 6pm. That is when we begin our most effective hours of work each day. But it is now my home. I love the people.

 

Big Mama taught me that every human being is a child of God. A lesson I will never forget.

 

To this point the Lord had directed us to many souls to bring unto him. A matriarch in a two generation home invited us to teach her the gospel. The HR director for one of the most wealthy corporations in Nevada recognized a need for change in his life and let us in to share a Christmas message. A Bulgarian sister came to sacrament meeting after a series of visions and in broken English expressed her desire to be baptized. A young mother with the support of her less-active husband saw a need for strong values in her home and invited us over for family home evening. A young boy just over the age of baptism studied astutely and built his testimony as he met with us. A young man just under the age to serve a mission called us one night to ask how to arrange discussions with the missionaries. Another young man went to seminary with his friend and found peace and order in his otherwise tumultuous day. An older man, recovered alcoholic, and father of 6 kids humbly listened to the message of the restored Gospel. An ambitious daughter of an older sister in the church recognized the need for God in her life and asked, "What makes Mormons different." A young girl saw the blessings of the gospel and patiently was through our appointments. A man lost in life, financially sound, yet morally displaced, prayed to God for direction and seconds later we knocked on his door. A family searched for a feeling of belonging and sound doctrine and started attending our church, they were taught for over a year by numerous sets of missionaries. An older spunky woman falls in love and is reminded of her mother's baptism into the church as she marries a member. Each of these children of God began by making small commitments and eventually were baptized and confirmed members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

 

With many others I have had the pleasure of sharing my testimony, in hopes of planting a seed that will one day produce the sweetest fruit.

 

One year down, one to go as a full-time, set apart missionary, and eternity to go as a child of God and bearer of truth and light.

Thank you all for your support and prayers. They have been felt and answered. May the Lord bless each and everyone of you and may he help you realize your potential.

 

Love,

Elder Cronin

-- 

"But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you from bondage" Mosiah 7:33

He's Half Way There!!!

Well, yesterday was Todd's official half-way day!! He has had quite a year and I'm sure this next year will bring many more memorable experiences. I'm adding a countdown to the blog, although I know Todd is not anxious to finish what he's doing, I am anxious to see him again!!! Over the years, I have heard countless people who have served missions talk about how they would have loved to continue their missionary work for much longer than 2 years! But, everyone needs to come home at some point and move on to the next phase in their lives. I hope you enjoy this next letter from Todd. He recaps his experiences over the past year, most of which can be found detailed in previous letters. Thanks so much to all of you for your love and support for Todd!!

August 19, 2011 Home is Where Your Heart is

Family,

 

If home is where your heart is then Las Vegas is my home. My heart is in this valley and filled with a desire to get to know it even more. The people, places, smells and sounds are all familiar to me and depict this city so well. Before my mission Dad and I came out here for a few days. We spent some time on the strip and out in Parumph. I can remember flying into the city and only seeing rock and sand until the strip popped up out of no where. I remember telling Dad while we descended into Macarren International Airport that it did not look like anyone lived out here. After a few days in Las Vegas I understood why the population was so concentrated around the spectacle of the Strip. Entertainment, lights, sounds, cars, and sin. It was all at your fingertips here in Las Vegas. When I got my mission call my brain pulsed with the irremovable thought, "Sin City."

 

As this city has become my home I have realized one thing for sure: the title "Sin City" is Lucifer's plainly pathetic attempt at distracting God's children. That nickname applies to only a 2 mile stretch in the center of the city. While there is no denying that Satan's minions are busy working out here their target audience grows smaller and smaller by the day. There are so many righteous Latter-Day Saints and God fearing, family loving people out here!

 

When President Neider was going through his 3 day training in the MTC Elder Perry approached him, took him aside, and told him that Las Vegas is very important to the Church, and not to break anything! I'm certain it was said with love and concern, but it shows that despite Satan's claim to the city, the Lord loves His people there. I have come to see the importance of this valley to the world. I feel blessed to serve in a city that is known world-wide for its decadence. I feel like the Lord has placed me on the front lines. It was scary at first because I was not well prepared to fight so hard in such an intense battle. However, the Lord protected me as he showed me how to wear His armor, use His sword, and gird up my loins as I push forward into this battle field. Regret, there is none. Victory, there is plenty. Both personally and in the lives of others.

 

Las Vegas truly is the 'Fertile Land.' This place is ripe with missionary work both for the members and the full-time missionaries. I am thrilled to be starting another transfer here in Gateway Ward in the East Stake once again. This time we have another missionary with us. Elder Reese joined our forces as Elder Aaron prepares to go home on the 3rd of September. So now we are rolling three deep in the ghetto of Las Vegas, a.k.a. Freemont Street. When I get a chance to tour the mission with my family it will be a cultural experience for them as I introduce them to all the characters I have met here. I can see it now. Walking down Freemont Street we'll see some vagrant on the street that cannot keep an appointment with us but is quick to remember names. And he'll shout out my name and I"ll give him a big hug and introduce my family. We are all God's children. This is what I have learned here.

 

So there was a long drawn out expression of my feelings about Vegas. Not much detail involved but I hope you can grasp my perspective. I love my mission. My Heavenly Father blessed me with this opportunity and it has saved my life. I've been eating fish that others have caught my whole life. Now I am learning how to fish. It feels good to have the net casted. I love the children of our Heavenly Father. I know that He lives and that we can overcome the effects of the Fall of Adam and Eve through our Savior Jesus Christ. I have faith in him and that he will come again. My faith is not dead, because it is filled with works!

 

Love,

Elder Cronin

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!!

August 5, 2011

Family!

 

I cannot believe your summer is already over!!! I feel sorry for you all and 105 degree heat. I'm sure that heat is worse than what we have considering the humidity difference. The highest we've had so far has been 118. But if you stay hydrated the weather really is not that bad.

 

I got a package form Carol today with 3 Zatarain recipe boxes: Red Beans and Rice, Jambalaya, and Hush Puppies!!! I'm going to make it tonight!! It is wonderful to hear that everyone is doing well. Carol gave me a report on her family and mentioned some other members and their travels. It seems everyone is out traveling this time of year.

 

Everything is going great here in the Nevada Las Vegas Mission. Things are changing with the new President. So far those changes have included the announcement of each companionship receiving a portable DVD player to be used in the apartment only for training purposes, a new vision of getting the members to work with the missionaries, and some rumors about us being able to watch 17 Miracles!

 

I am getting along really well with my companion. He is going home soon so today he received his travel itinerary for his departure. AHHH!! It is a blessing to serve with a seasoned missionary. I have learned much. He is fairly quiet and I am outspoken so we make a great teaching companionship. He will mention a principle with solemnity and at times I try for an Elder Holland approach to testify with a thunderous tone. Okay, so its not quite that dramatic but I think you get the picture.

 

Lisa Russell, our recent convert that was baptized 2 Saturdays ago, spoke in church this past Sunday! Her testimony was amazing! And her delivery of it was as if she had been a member her whole life. I was also blessed with an invitation from Tony last Sunday to attend his Spanish Ward where he would be speaking. I was blown away by his talk. In the last Ensign there is a story about some firefighters and their lack of desire to search out the right direction. As the story unfolds the captain of another group of firefighters finds them and chastises them for not helping to put out the firs and shows them the way. I was filled with so much joy and gratitude when Tony shared his feelings on this story and related it to his life as he described how Elder Holt and myself were the captain coming to tell him,"What are you doing just sitting there?" He speaks with conviction and power. And even though he has only been baptised for a month he has found 3 people for the missionaries to teach and teaches with them! We need more Tony and Lisa's. I must say that each of them have strengthened my testimony and shown me that I can be better.

 

This past week was a fairly uneventful week. I got my bike tuned up. I had let some Elders borrow it because of problems with their own bikes. However, those problems seemed to be user related and transferred to my bike in the form of broken spokes, pedals, and popped tubes. So I fixed everything up and took a good lesson from all of that.

 

Time is not slowing down nor is it staying at a steady pace. Rather, it is flying by! I have one year left of my mission! Can you believe that?? I have been out here for a year. It seems like yesterday I was enjoying the 'all you can eat buffet' of the MTC and freezing my toes off in Elko. By the way, if you want to pray for something specific for me, pray that I go back to serve in Elko before my mission ends. I miss Elko. And truthfully, I miss all my areas and the people in them. They are like one big family. And really that is what they have been for me while on my mission. They have given me food, clothes, money, love, encouragement, reprimand, praise, and their testimonies. Like any good family would. On that note, thanks to all of you who are family and friends and are in support of the Lord's work. I have felt your prayers and have been blessed. I thank you with sincerity and gladness in my heart.

 

I love this work and the Lord's children.

Love,

Elder Cronin

Book of Mormon Bottle Cap?

My Freemont Experience

Does this plate look familiar, mom?!

A Very Humbling Experience - July 28, 2011

Family,

 

I had a magnificent week. One of the best. It started with a humbling experience on Saturday.

 

I have been struggling to keep my mind free of judgement and criticism here in this area as we listen to the woes and trials of many people who are addicts, broke, obese, and a plethora of other unsightly struggles. I must confess that these thoughts of judgement are horrible to have! Definitely not Christ-like. Especially when the first thought in my mind after I ask someone on the street if they would be interested in having us in there home for a discussion is, "I doubt you even have a home, and if you do I doubt I want to be in it." I know I'm horrible. But I am trying to change. The first step of that change came Saturday at 2pm as my companion, a recent convert, and myself went to teach Big Mama (She told us this is her name, I did not come up with it, but it is appropriate) for the first time. I was the first to walk into this studio where Big Mama lived and my eyes immediately went to the single mattress on which she sat so that I could give her a smile and a hand shake. However, as I took a short breath before greeting her the McDonalds I had just scarfed down just about came back up in what would have been a not-so-Happy-Meal. My body wanted to run out of that tiny room that now held four people but my Spirit constrained all the strength I had. At that point I could only feel the Spirit, I was not really listening. I declined a seat, as there were none left, and chose to stand. The putrid smell of her room truly hindered my concentration and my state of mind deafened my ears to the Spirit. After some introductory remarks Big Mama invited me to take a seat on her box of Depends that she ensured me would hold my weight. Everywhere I looked in the apartment was some sort of creepy crawly creature except for this box, so I took the seat. The smell was worse at the lower altitude. I held my breath between phrases as we fought through the beginning of the message of the Restoration. As I began to share the first principle of that lesson, God is Our Loving Heavenly Father, my heart was filled with love. At that moment, the smell did not seem so bad as the Spirit told me that even Big Mama is a child of God and deserves to know how to return home. I put my comfort aside and promised my Heavenly Father that I would focus on what she needed rather than myself. I left that lesson and took a breath of fresh air from the hallway that smelled like wet cigarettes but tasted like fresh oxygen comparably. My Spirit had already taken that breath of fresh air and I felt the love of my Heavenly Father in the form of Charity stronger than ever before. At that moment it was clear to me that it did not matter the smell, size, status, location, habit, addiction, or struggle, we are all God's children and deserve to know how to return home. 

 

Later that night we helped Lisa make her first steps back home as her Husband baptized her after almost a lifetime of living in the shadow of the Gospel but never feeling its comfort. I have never witnessed a more spiritual baptism. The weekend was topped off with a 'Why I Believe' fireside arranged by missionaries and lead by recent converts and their conversion stories. We brought two of our investigators and they, as well as I, marvelled as the Samoan Choir from our Samoan branch here in Vegas sang for us. I went to sleep that night with the best of thoughts and feelings. And was ready for another week.

 

On another note. Elder Stant, my MTC companion, and I had the chance to serve together for one day on exchanges. He was the other Elder with us at Big Mama's.

 

Happy Birthday Mom! 

Love,

Elder Cronin 

 

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