Elder Brady Scott Cronk: 5/11/08

August 24, 2009

We had 3 baptisms yesterday at the MCRD. Usually we have other marine recruits
baptize eachother, but this time I got to do it. It was an experience. We
followed the pentecostal baptism, which is insane! "speaking in tongue", etc.
I taught a kid named Chris Patti. He was awesome. He came to church last Sunday
with one of his friends. I taught him and a group of other Recruits. But he
really got it. I asked him how it would affect him if what I said was true. He
told me that it would change his life. It would give him peace. He said he'd
been looking for the truth for most of his life, and he's tired of looking. So I
gave him 5 chapters to read in the Book of Mormon over the coarse of the week.
Well, when I got there yesterday he had read 3. So I asked him how he felt. He
told me that he felt like he wanted to be baptized. That he had felt the Holy
Ghost tell him this is the right thing. But he was a little scared. He wanted to
read more. So I read with him about the "Day of Pentecost" from Acts 2. 3,000
people were converted on the spot and baptized. He said he felt like that, so I
told him that I would give him 10 minutes to finish the other 2 chapters, and I
told him to pray and ponder how he feels. Then I left him. He motioned me over
10 or so minutes later, and I just walked over and sat down. I didn't say
anything, neither did he for a couple of seconds. Then, with tears in his eyes
he said " I've had a conversation with God. I've read the things that you've
wanted me to read. While I was pondering it felt like someone was sitting next
to me telling me that 'everything is going to be alright. What you are doing is
right'. So, I want to be baptized right now." I couldn't believe it. It was
awesome. I didn't teach him anything, he read from the Book of Mormon and he
prayed. The spirit converted him. Pretty Sweet! It'll be sad to leave all this
momma, I've had some awesome experiences.
I just hope that I can use these new spiritual experiences to bless the lives of
our family.

I love you. thanks for your support.

07/21/09

Mom:
This week at the MCRD I baptized a kid from Indiana. Tom Florence from Richmond. I think it'd be cool if I could go to church with him when I get home, or maybe you guys could. I've also been talking to the family of one recruit, who wants to get baptized on family day here in SD. I think he's going to get baptized in the ocean. Which'll be pretty sweet, especially if I get to do it. A couple of my investigators from Cottonwood ward were baptized in the ocean, but it wasn't until after I left and I wasnt able to go. I also met a kid at the MCRD who grew up FLDS(fundamentalist polygamists). Man, that poor kid. He was exiled at a young age and was living on his own. I'm just glad that he came to the LDS services when he joined the Marine corps. I asked him what his belief in God was, and he said he wasn't sure he had one. I asked him if he prayed and he said "No, because he wasn't sure anyone was listening on the other side". So I started teaching him about the Nature of God. Sometimes when I teach, I teach a principle in a way that I've never taught it before I actually learn something from my own teaching. It's then that I know that it wasn't me that is speaking. That happened at the MCRD with this kid.--- I asked him if he did believe in God, I asked him to describe who God was. He was He was our "Creator".Which is right, but when I started teaching him, I taught him about the difference between being our Creator, and him being our Father. As a creator, when we create something(ie. Pancakes, Sandcastles, Birthday Cards, build a house) we are happy with our creation but we don't LOVE our creation. We don't desire it's success, in fact we control everything our creation does. But as Father's to our own Children, we LOVE them. We want them to succeed, we want to help them, we guide them to reach a goal or a purpose. That is who God is, he is our Father... not just our Creator. So when we pray, we pray to our Father who loves us and cares for us, and wants to answer our prayers. Not just a Creator. Merely a Creator wouldn't care if we wanted to something, or needed something. I hope I explained it right, and it makes sense. I'm not going to go back over it. Point being= Families are important. We are put in families to show us as Humans how God really feels about us as his Children. WE get to see glimpses of "LOVE", but our love can't even compare to how he feels. A perfect LOVE for us. That's why satan attacks families. And why if we allow Gay Marriage it will take away all of the effect, all of the symbolism. Sorry tangent. It's all going to go into my book about the "Modern World's Corruption of the Word LOVE". I can't believe my baby Sister hopped on a plane and flew across the United States. That's insane.This last week India Company started boot camp. They began their 12 weeks of training. I go home at the same time as they do. INSANE!!!Oh yeah, and in our family ward. The San Diego 12th Ward. We are teaching some Sweet people. An engineer from Iran. A samoan Family. And really really nice young family, along with some other People. But I can see how people talk about how you finally start to get it towards the end of your mission. And then your sad to have to go home. That's where I'm at. I'm cruising! Puttin in some major work.anyways mom, Thank you so much for all you do. You're a great woman, and I love you.your son,brady

March 2, 2009

Hey dad,the weather out here is really nice. El Cajon is going to start getting hot pretty soon though. It's more inland, and so it doesnt get that coastal breeze. So, I'm kind of bracing for that heat wave. I've been lucky thus far with my areas. I was in the desert during the winter, and I was right on the coast during the summer, then they moved me back out for another winter, so hopefully I'll end up on a coast here pretty soon. But more than likely, since elder thompson has been here longer than me, he'll be leaving, and I'll be training a new zone leader here in El Cajon.I met a kid yesterday at the MCRD who was from Columbus, IN. He went to columbus east high school. They won the 5a state championship in '06, my senior year. He was the starting inside linebacker. We talked for a bunch, I hardly got anything accomplished other than that at the MCRD. He graduates boot camp this week, and our church puts on a big luncheon on Thursday, that I go to. He's going to bring his family along so I can meet them. He also said that there is a kid from Seeger in his platoon. So, he's going to bring him and his family on thursday. it was really cool for me to find someone from indiana.

The Marine Base

Brady and his missionary companion, Elder Thompson, have recently been given a new assignment working on the San Diego marine base. It means a little extra work, but huge rewards as they get to know these amazine and brave men and women. Here is part of an email from Brady on
02/16/09

hey mom,I really can't even describe how awesome it was to be on the marine base. It made for a pretty long day though: we woke up at 530, we started church at 7 30, left at 10 40, drove really fast to our ward which is a ways away, then we had church at 11, and an hour and half priesthood meeting after that. we had appointments all the way up to 5 30, which is where we went to a baptism. It was crazy, but I enjoyed it. the Marine branch was everything you'd expect from marines, instead of white shirts and ties, everyone was in full on camo. when one of the brethren got up and gave their talks, they would say "good morning recruits", and then in unison the recruits said "good morning SIR". It was awesome. when they passed the sacrament they did abrupt turns and marched.We talked with them a bunch. found out who they were, found out there stories. It was crazy, they are our peers, we are the same age as them.Some of them are return missionaries. It just felt different in that little auditorium. the spirit was definately strong. They were so brave. they just go through so much. We related really well, but just on totally opposite ends of the spectrum. they're away from their families with no communication, they have a bunch of rules, they have "battle buddies" or companions. it was amazing. Alot of them were less active before they came to the MCRD. they either go to church on sunday morning, or spend the time with their drill instructor. It's an easy choice.we started church with a normal sacrament meeting, there were 2 marine testimonies(extremely touching) and then 2 civilian talks. After that, we divided up in this giant auditorium for priesthood meeting. there are 12 counselors to the Branch President. There has to be, there's only so much time alotted for church, so priesthood blessings, priesthood ordinations, confirmations all have to be done during the same time. so there are people in the corner, in closets, and then in the back all of the non members come back and go with individual missionaries. We had 12 non members there so we did a bunch of teaching, it was so much fun. All we were doing was teaching, we committed like 4 people to get baptized. all we do is teach the lessons fast, and then baptize.It's crazy, its a missionaries dream. It's going to be a lot of fun!

Elder Cronk and other missionaries from his district played football on Thanksgiving day! It looks like they all took it pretty seriously...even a few of them are wearing cleats. Elder Cronk said in an email that he was more sore after that game then when he played in highschool. Later, the Elders had an arm wrestling contest. The next day, Elder Cronk had a flare up with his thorasic outlet syndrome and ended up in the hospital. He had angioplasty to open up his damaged veins. He also met with a thorasic specialist. An MRI is scheduled for the 11th of Dec.

LDS church targeted for Prop 8 passing in California

Catholic Bishop Decries Religious Bigotry Against Mormons
Catholic Bishop Decries Religious Bigotry Against MormonsSACRAMENTO 7 November 2008 (This news release was issued by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento) The following statement was released today by Bishop William Weigand, head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento and former Bishop of Salt Lake City, in response to attacks on (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) for supporting California’s Proposition 8, defending the traditional definition of marriage: “Catholics stand in solidarity with our Mormon brothers and sisters in support of traditional marriage — the union of one man and one woman — that has been the major building block of Western Civilization for millennia. “The ProtectMarriage coalition, which led the successful campaign to pass Proposition 8, was an historic alliance of people from every faith and ethnicity. LDS were included — but so were Catholics and Jews, Evangelicals and Orthodox, African-Americans and Latinos, Asians and Anglos.“Bigoted attacks on Mormons for the part they played in our coalition are shameful and ignore the reality that Mormon voters were only a small part of the groundswell that supported Proposition 8.“As the former bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, I can attest to the fact that followers of the Mormon faith are a good and generous people with a long history of commitment to family and giving to community causes.“I personally decry the bigotry recently exhibited towards the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — coming from the opponents of Proposition 8, who ironically, have called those of us supporting traditional marriage intolerant.“I call upon the supporters of same-sex marriage to live by their own words — and to refrain from discrimination against religion and to exercise tolerance for those who differ from them. I call upon them to accept the will of the people of California in the passage of Proposition 8.”

Here is a statement provided by our church regarding the situation in California over prop 8.

"It is disturbing that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is being singled out for speaking up as part of its democratic right in a free election.Members of the Church in California and millions of others from every faith, ethnicity and political affiliation who voted for Proposition 8 exercised the most sacrosanct and individual rights in the United States — that of free expression and voting.While those who disagree with our position on Proposition 8 have the right to make their feelings known, it is wrong to target the Church and its sacred places of worship for being part of the democratic process.Once again, we call on those involved in the debate over same-sex marriage to act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility towards each other. No one on either side of the question should be vilified, harassed or subject to erroneous information. "

November 10, 2008

(exerpts from email)
Elder Aiono is getting transferred tomorrow to start up a Samoan branch, and elder Kalamafoni already is in the Tongan branch, but my other buddy Elder Gau is moving into our apartment, which is cool. We have a nice little brotherhood in our apartment. We have a good time together. One of the kids I was teaching in my last area got baptized yesterday, and he wanted me to come be apart of it, so I got permission and went. It was really cool. Pearla and Jorge are getting married this friday, then I think getting baptized this sunday. It's awesome to see it all come together. And here in El Cajon, we are teaching an IRAQI engineer that had to get displaced because his whole family was killed by iraqi militants. But, he came to church yesterday, and checked out a bunch of books from the church library, he is sooo smart, and is just soaking up the literature. He is still in the process of re-translating the Book of Mormon to Arabic. He just isnt looking at the spiritual picture. He just thinks it all makes sense. He does not have a real spiritual witness, which makes it more obvious that you can not just see or feel things to be converted, but that you need to be spiritually converted. Our minds will believe anything, and latch onto that idea. Then with that opinion we become stubborn and immoveable. but if we open our hearts and search with our souls... true convincing and knowledge is gained.

I ate dinner with Uncle Joe and Aunt Rosie on Saturday, and I'm going to try and have Christmas with them. They only live 3 minutes north of our mission border. I think I could get it done.

I love you all
Love-brady

September 26, 2008

Mamma Cronk,

I thoroughly enjoyed your informative letter. It is good to get some insight on all of your lives. I have not been very good at correspoding, and being informative. In fact, Alecia re-sent me her address because she thought I'd lost it. Apparently, I was not writing her enough, or at all. I've just been so incredibly busy. I've been training and I want or I have to spend as much time as I can studying or guiding my rookie companion. Not necessarily to help him out, I just don't want him messing anything up or saying something stupid while we're teaching:) It has been a lot of fun. He is my mission"son". When you first come in the mission you are "born". Whoever your trainer is, is your "father", your follow-up trainer (2nd companion) is your "step-father". So, we have mission "fathers", "grandfathers", "great-grandfathers" and so forth. Obviously, there are no mission "mothers" (not for elders). Nobody can replace a man's mother:) Then, when your'e going home from your mission, you "die". Pretty funny, huh?!

I heard a nasty rumor that I might become a zone leader. By the time you get his, you will probably already know. I hope I don't, which is funny because it's every pure-hearted-Utah/Idaho-boys dream to be a zone leader.

I pray for you guys everyday, and in the temple. I can't wait to go to the temple with you when I get home. I've learned so much stuff. We'll have to go like once a month, you and I. Than, eventually the whole family:)! You just keep being faithful, and the Lord will bless you!

Love, your son elder Brady Cronk

Note: On the day I received Brady's letter, I also got the following email:

well family,I got transfered. I am now a zone leader in el cajon. it is a city just a tad east of SD city. I am still in the same general area though. I was pretty surprised to be called a zone leader. in fact when the mission president called me... after he told me I'm like " uh, president this is elder cronk.... I think you have the wrong number". he laughed. he said I am a bulldog and I will get the job done. hilarious.congrats on the game everyone. well I hope you all have a good week.I can't even tell you how busy I am, its crazy. the time is flying. its soo much fun oh yeah, and I am moving into a new apartment. with my homeboy elder aino, and my companion is awesome. he is the only other king of cool out here. president packer would laugh if he knew we were zone leaders.oh, and our apartment has a weightroom.... oh babylovebrady

August 4, 2008 (exerpts from Brady)

Also, we’ve been teaching another family. Their names are Pearla and Jorge, Jackie, Giovani and Ashley. Pearla and Jorge are the parents. Jorge’s family are members in Mexico. They have a good base. We met them at McDonald’s. I ran into McDonald’s to go to the bathroom, and when we were finished Elder Keeler was helping me back out of our parking spot and we saw them walking. We thought, “Should we talk to them?’ So, we re-parked the car and we went and talked to them. Now, we are teaching them. We’ve taught them almost everything and they want to get baptized. And, it all stems from me having a small bladder.

August 11, 2008 (exerpts from Brady)

Hey, what’s up family? We had some pretty cool experiences this week. We just left a lesson and this woman drives up next to us and ask us if we are teaching the Book of Mormon. We said, “Yeah, Do you want one?” She said yes, and we had a great discussion with her. She’s a gospel lady. We also taught her fifteen year old daughter. We took with us a young man who is twenty and planning on serving a mission.

Another thing is that we have a family that we are teaching that plan to be baptized on the 31st. We took our primary president (the person at church in charge of the young children) with us, because they have some kids that are going to be in primary. She asked them what they feel when the missionaries are with them. The wife said she feels calm and everything just goes to the side and she feels really happy. Then she told us about this dream that she had, where it was Elder Keeler and I. We were with her, talking with her and there was this really bright light. She said she felt really happy and joyful. She said when she woke up, she was just happy the entire day. She said she felt like the dream was real, that she could touch and feel and hear and see. She said it was amazing. The family is really converted. They are an awesome family. We’ve just had a really good time teaching them. It’s been a good experience.

August 12, 2008 (exerpts from Brady)

I am pretty sure I'm staying in this area. the mission president loves the change that has happened in this "dead area". He's really cool. Not to spoil next weeks voice recording, but last night we had a family home evening with our investigators Pearla and Jorge( the ones with the dream), we took our RS president and Primary president. After the lesson on faith, Jorge called his family in mexico who had gathered together only for that occasion. The phone was passed around to everyone, and they were speaking in spanish. Everyone was crying except Keeler and I, because we didnt know what was going on. Finally they told us how happy their family was, and that they confessed to having been fasting and praying for Pearla and Jorge to meet the missionaries, they begged our RS pres not to leave their family and to make sure they got baptized, because it was the best thing that had happened to them. I talked with one of them for a couple minutes, in broken spanish. It was Jorge's sister, she was crying and she said "gracias, gracias hermano" . It was really awesome. Then Pearla told us about her side of the story for when we met them. She said that Jorge's family had told them to look for us, and learn about the church. She saw us come out of McDonalds, get in our car and back out. She was soo sad. They had had a bad day, and then when they saw us we were leaving. Then, she said she couldnt believe her eyes, but we pulled back in... got out, and approached them to talk. She was soo happy. I just think its awesome, because I remember vividly the feeling I had, that I had to pull back in and go talk to that family. It was incredible. Everyone was crying. It's pretty awesome to see how the Lord works miracles through small and simple things. I know that He can work miracles in our family also, if we just hold strong, and continue to exercise our faith! I love you mom, have a good week.
Brady

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Recent Pictures from Brady

A HUGE pizza!

Elder Cronk at Padre Stadium

Excerpts From Letters (March-April)

Dear Family,I am listening to Irish folk hymns. I really like them. Everyday brings something new tot ry and put to the test. I am going to go on an all juice diet this week. I am really scared about gaining weight. I've been playing different sports out here too. I have been craving to play some baseball. I atleast enjoyed a little football before I left to tide me over during football season, but my body knows it's baseball now. I'm going to see if I can't find a glove at a thrift store, unless you guys can send me mine out here:) I think my companion could throw me some ground balls. We throw during lunch sometimes, then a bunch on p-day. I've been making lots of banana bread. I enjoy cooking. There are 700 less actives in our ward. We went to this address, because that's all these people are (names/ addresses). We don't know them. We went to this address, and it was a nursing home. We could have turned around, but we went in. We found this 85-year old woman, who came down here from up north to be with her husband in the nursing home. Her husband died a year ago, she has no family around. But her records were moved down here. She has wanted to get a hold of the bishop to get a temple recommend, so she can get sealed to her non-member husband. She has been waiting 65 years to do it. We found her, and she is progressing towards that. It's so cool. She was so happy to see us. It's awesome being a part of peoples' lives.

Uplifting Message from Elder Cronk

Mom was feeling a little down recently, missing her oldest son. This is what Brady wrote."Dearest Mother,I have wondered when the realization of this task would set in on you. It happens to me daily. I just think about what I'm missing out on, and the people who I miss and how much I love them. I think about it a lot. What gives me strength is the thought of the Savior when He entered the Garden of Gethsemane. He left his closest friends at the bottom of the hill, and it's when He got there that I t hink He realized his task. Because, he fell to the ground. He was not kneeling. He fell flat on his face, and began to cry. He must have been so scared because he asked his Father if there was another way. He followed that by saying, 'Nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done.' And then Heavenly Father sent an angel to comfort Jesus. The task Christ had was way harder than anything you or I could possibly endure. In Alma 7:11, it says He would take on the pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind. So for everyone, the part that makes me feel bad (other than the fact that He suffered my sins also), is that His friends fell asleep. He was suffering for all of mankind, and His best friends could not stay awake and pray for Him. Mom, President Hinckley said that it won't be easy, but it will be worth it. What we are gong through is nothing compared to what Christ did for the World!!!

Brady has been transferred from Brawley to San Diego

Elder Cronk in downtown San Diego

February 4, 2008 An Audio Message From Brady

CONTENT: Family--- I just thought I'd say hello and tell you guys I'm doing okay. I'm going to tell you a little story about some of the things I've been doing. Well, we ride our bikes around and try to find people to talk to. Sometimes we run into someone that has actually been prepared to hear what we have to say. Two weeks ago we ran into this mom with her kids at the bus stop, and we gave her a card and we talked to her. She said we could come back. We went back once and her little son was outside playing. They live in the projects in Brawley. They are really, really poor. But, they are a really nice family. We went out and we talked to her son Anthony, who is six. He asked us for another card, because his mom wanted another one.He said his mom had a headache and couldn't talk to us right now. So, we came back the next day and she wasn't there, and we came back yesterday and she opened the door for us. We went inside this house, this little bitty thing, and there was no furniture. Just a kitchen, and an empty living room. So, we asked them if we could talk to them a little bit about our church. So, she gathered together her five children, ranging from four or five all the way to thirteen. They sat reverently on the floor and they listened. They listened to Elder Cline and I talk to them. We taught them about the restoration of the gospel and how much Jesus Christ loves us. Right in the middle of it, the little guy, Anthony asked us, "Can you guys pray for us?" So, after we were done, we knelt down on our knees and we prayed. It was sooo cool to see how much effect we can have on people's lives. We are going to go back. We are going to teach them about the plan of salvation, and how their families can be together forever.Also, there is this couple Benny and Marty. Marty gets extremely scared. She didn't have a good life before. We see how the restored gospel is helping her in her life. Now, she wants to get baptized. She came to church and made it through all three hours. Well, actually she didn't make it, becuase she left mid-way through Sunday school and we had to chase her down. But, we brought her back in and she sat through sunday school, and she told us that either she and Benny were going to get married, or Benny was moving out. She wants to be baptized that bad, and it is just awesome. It is neat to see the affect the gospel has on people. I'm just really glad I chose to go on a mission, even though it sucks being away from you guys. I love you guys so much, but I wouldn't sacrifice this for anything. I love it, it's great. I miss you guys. I'll talk to you later. See you!

January 31, 2008 Letter to the Paper

Hello Everyone,If it wasn't for the few people who actually read and enjoy my letters, I would stop writing them. I have gotten some letters from people who enjoy reading them, so I will continue to write when I can. I can be my self-proclaimed "epistle of Brady Cronk." My parents do not get a chance to read these before they are published, so this is non-parental filtered content. But parents and role models are who I want to talk about.I know that being a parent, a teacher, a coach or any other person a kid would have to listen to would be hard. I don't know this because I am any one of those things. I know that we kids put on a pretty good front about the fact that we are not listening. Let me tell you what, I thought I had everything figured out. I didn't. I still don't. I can not tell you how many times I have been thinking about something or remembering one of my many mistakes, and I remember that my Dad told me about that. Or, if I would have listened to Coach Moore, I would have been way better off. Everyday I apply something I have been taught by one of those people who thought I was not listening. I don't remember listening, but it still there. If I was not 2,000 miles away in the desert, I would not say this. I want to say thanks to everyone who hleped me become who I am. Just know that you may not see results right away, but somewhere down the road we kids will see how smart you old timers actually are. When that day comes, just like in 1 Corinthians 13:11, we will know what we have to do. I love and miss you all. Feel free to write me with questions or complaints.Sincerely,Elder Brady Cronk

An Update from Brady

Last week, we received a phone call from the mission president's wife stating that Brady was suffering from some tooth pain. We were told that he would be making an appointment with a local dentist. On Friday, we received another message from her stating he had visited the dentist, but was referred to a specialist, because he was in need of an immediate root canal. He was told he could not even wait until next week. It needed to be handled that day. They were able to find a specialist that would take Brady in Yuma, Arizona. When Brady arrived at his appointment, he realized that the specialist was also LDS. The specialist offered to do the root canal for free. Brady was very touched by his kindness. The specialist also explained that while he is on his mission, he is not to use prescription pain reliever, so Brady was sent home without any. Here is Brady's account of the day."I began my root canal Friday with a trip into the country with Brother Nuckles to check some of his fields. (He is a big farmer.) When we got out there, his workers were not doing what they were supposed to, so he ripped the English speaking workers, then in Spanish, ripped the Spanish speaking ones. Watching him talk about the 'stupid idiot driving the tractor' reminded me of Dad. It was so hilarious. Then we drove through the desert and saw miles of sand, and border patrol. It was a cool experience. When I got to the drs office, he would not give me nitrus, because he said there had to be a mission rule against that, so I watched him stick the big needles in my mouth and saw him pulling out my nerves. He did numb me up, but still. Before that though, he turned off the music. He said Elders don't get to lsiten to music. Then, after it was over he wouldn't give me any drugs. But he did do the surgery for free. Honestly, I was not in too much pain, and when I got back, I immediately went out to work. I am glad I did too. We were blessed in the last couple of days with some pretty awesome spiritual experiences."

A Missionary Experience

17 Jan 2008Elder Cline and I get along very well, and we have been getting things moving here in Brawley. In a matter of 10 days the Lord has blessed us with some awesome miracles. One, on Monday we were riding to the Escobars for Family Home Evening. We usually take the same route, but this time we took a different route. We came across two lone people walking. We stopped and talked with them. They inivited us over. We went there on Tuesday and taught them the first lesson. A great lesson. We go by last night, teach them again. We find out that the woman was molested for years as a child. She has depression and panic attacks. She hardly ever comes out of her house. Well, on Monday she was so tired of being couped up that she and her man went on a walk. It took a lot of courage. We found her three miles from her apartment, on the bad side of town. It is crazy. She said she's never let any missionaries in her house, but we are different. Last night was cold, but they left their door open becuase they were so excited we were coming over. She talked about the feeling she gets when she rides by the San Diego Temple. She said that since we came over the first time, she has never been so happy. It is so cool. If only everyone could have this much positive affect on someone's life. The Lord prepares these people. This woman does not even know the happiness she can have. It is aweesome!

Hello Everyone

I trust everyone had a good holiday experience. Mine was most definitely different from a traditional Cronk Christmas. First of all, it was different because I am a long way from my family and friends. Also, because instead of ham and mashed potatoes, I had lots of beans, rice and cheese. I also ate quite a few tamales. A tamale is corn meal mixed with lard, put with meat and wrapped in a corn husk. It is apparently some sort of Mexican tradition. Everyone we saw around Christmas time wanted to give us some tamales.There are lots of things that remain the same though. People's hearts seem to soften at this time of year. Whether it was bein spent in the deserts of southern California, or the snowy prairies of Indiana, this Christmas was a special one for me. Instead of focusing on which movie, or game I was going to get, I was most excited by the sounds of loved ones' voices. Christmas and Mother's Day are the only two times in the year that I will talk to my family over the phone. Everyone says you don't know what you have until you lose it. Well, I tell you that is exactly right. I did not care about any packags as much as I cared about the love in my families' voices.Not only did I feel my familes love, I thought more about what Christmas is really about. That is the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, and that is what I am trying to share with people, a knowledge of His existence and his plan for us. Because of these thoughts it makes it easier for me to be away from the people that I love, even if it is for two years. I have the greatest gift of all, and I think everyone should have it. I am not sure why it takes a mouthy, sarcastic, redhead from Warren County to give it to these people, but does a fat, white haired, bearded man in a red jump suit riding in a sleigh make more sense? I don't know. Think about it. I miss you all! Happy Holidays!Elder Brady CronkBrawley, California

Elder Dunnet and Elder Cronk

The Escobar Family

This nice family is one of Brady's favorites. He spends Monday nights at their house having good family fun.

Fun with Sister Whittle

This young lady is Sister Whittle. Brady has related a lot of respect for her. She's raised ten children on her own. Five of her sons also served missions. The three other young men in the picture are also missionaries serving in the Brawley area along with Brady.

Luchador Missionary

Would you open the door if this was knocking? All work and no play is not Brady, so here he is having a little fun!

Missionary Feet

Elder Cronk spends hours a day walking.

Scripture Study from Elder Cronk

Brady has given the Cronk family weekly scripture assignments. He wants us to figure out what these scriptures mean. I thought some of you might enjoy looking these scriptures up in the Bible and following along with his "assignments". Mom: Romans 8:24-25Dad: Jeremiah 3:4Ethan: Hebrews 13:1Kenna: Proverbs 14:6-7

A Letter Submitted to the Local Paper

Hello Everyone---I do not know if you know, or even if you care, but I am in Southern California. I am in a city called Brawley, located about 100 feet below sea level in the middle of the desert. This area is the site that filmed the movie, "Independence Day" with Will Smith. As you can guess, it is pretty hot in the daytime. But, the nights are gorgeous. I am just a little north of the Mexican border, and 80% of this city is Hispanic. It makes it fairly difficult to communicate. I did take three years of Spanish and, surprisingly I retained some of that language. I see border patrol officers everyday. Because of the lack of rain, people put manure in their yards. The whole city stinks. Then, every night everyone is out watering their yard. It is a big football area, and they are just starting the playoffs. It is pretty exciting. I am a pretty big football fan.But, that is not why I am here. I am here to help people know about Jesus Christ, and to understand about His gospel. I am also here to gain experiences that will make me a better man and prepare me for the rest of my life. I have already had some good experiences. The people here are not extremely friendly. I often get 1-fingered waves, and if that means the same in Spanish as it does in English, it is not a friendly gesture.So, when you see those guys in your area, be nice. Remember they are thousands of miles from their families and friends. They are already experiencing trials.I love and miss all of you.Sincerely,Brady Cronk

A Thankful Missionary

21 Nov. 2007Hey Family---Just thought I would tell you Happy Thanksgiving. This will come to you maybe on Saturday. I miss you guys. Even though I am a long way away, I am with you in spirit. I wanted to tell you , also, what I am thankful for. I am thankful for: My family-Mom and Dad, you guys raised me from a mistake until now. You did it starting with nothing. You've worked your way up, and against all odds have stayed married for like 20 years. I am thankful for your perserverance. I am thankful for your love. I am very thankful for the way that you raised me. I am thankful for your support. Just keep going. Endure to the end.
Ethan: I am thankful that you are my brother. I am thankful that you've always had my back, no matter how wrong I was. I am thankful that you put me in my place when I thought I was tough. I am thankful that I spent two of the finest years of my life playing football with you, while our Dad was coaching, out little sister was hydrating us, and our mom was our biggest fan. I am thankful that you are my best friend, and my brother, and that when I get home you will still be there, and we can wear out our days hanging out. I love you man!Makenna: I am very thankful you are my little sister. I am thankful that you are smarter and more athletic than I am. Because I want to watch you when I get back. I am thankful that you were the water girl. I am thankful that you are such a good person. Honest, true, humble, caring, etc. I don't have to worry about you. I do worry abut the boys. I am thankful that you will be my sister for ever, and we can all hang out. I love you sweety.I am thankful for my grandparents, aunts, uncles, my cousins. We are all so close. I am thankful for my coaches who helped teach me life lessons. Also, I am thankful for my sports experiences, good and bad. I am thankful for Alecia. For her love and care, and support. I am thankful for your support of her support and inviting her to family things. I am thankful for my friends and their parents who have helped raise me also-Flooks, Maroska's, Akers and Hensley's. I am thankful for the decision to go on a mission. I am thankful for the knowledge I have gained, and the experiences I am having. There are great families here in Brawley that I love. I am thankful that Jesus died for my sins. So that I can repent and return to the Kingdom of God when I die. I am thankful to know that I can return to be with God, but that I also can be with my family for eternity. I am thankful for more, but my hand hurts. I love you all! Happy Thanksgiving!Love, Elder Cronk

Elder Brady Scott Cronk