Japan!

April 11, 2016

Dear family and friends. This week has been full of many very awesome
experiences. I am learning a lot, and being tested, and pushed in many
wonderful ways. We had our first ZTM and zone activity last Monday and
Tuesday. It was awesome. I got to see other missionaries, and I got to
see Graham choro, from my doki! (Your doki are the people you came
into the mission with, and were in the MTC with.) It was so good to
see Graham choro, and be able to just be reminded of good friends that
I still have, and that there are still people other than my companion,
who speak English. haha. I love being here and feeling the love of the
people here. At ZTM we learned a lot, and our zone leaders are such
awesome Elders! They are so fun, and so good. At the end of the
meeting they sat the three of us that were new in the front and had us
introduce ourselves, and then they all lined up and threw all of these
presents at us!! (cool snacks and treats, a tie, some "Fashion
Glasses", an awesome Japanese pen..things like that.

This is a picture of us with all of our stuff, and with our trainers behind us. Yabutani choro, is the Elder on the left. He is one of my most favorite elders in the mission. So sweet and kind. I've been tight with him since he came into the MTC, he is also a part of my doki, but since he is nihonjin, I actually have been in the mission aka: MTC for 6 more weeks than him. After Zone training meeting, we went to a sushi place as a district!! It was so cool! I tried sushi salmon, squid, sea trout, octopus, shrimp and tuna! Most of it was way good, but I think I will just start to like it even more as time goes on.

After we ate all of that we started walking to the bus stop, now just my companion and I and the sisters in our area, Uehara Shimai and Omura shimai. I was talking to Omura Shimai about my family, and showing her all of these pictures of my family and stuff, and like a half mile of walking after I showed her the first small one that I had that was kind of blurry, but could go in my wallet, she realized that we had dropped it and didn't have it anymore. I wasn't worried about it and was sort of thinking oh well, but she was like super concerned, and we started backtracking to look for it, even though I wasn't worried about it. We walked back a ways, and realized that it was pretty windy, and that we weren't going to be able to find it..and then sweet Omura Shimai, started to cry!! It was the saddest thing ever! It was truly touching to see how apologetic and sincerely sorry someone could be over something so small. She knew that I had 3 different bigger versions of the same picture, but she still felt so horrible, and for all I know I could have dropped it! It was so special to really experience the specialness of Japanese culture, and how polite, and kind they really are. She felt so completely terrible, and didn't know how to make it right, that she just started totally crying! It was shocking to me, but very nice, and made me think a lot. I want to be more like that when I get home, in the way that I treat and respect other people. On Wednesday we went to a Rojin Home (old folks home) and talked to these three old ladies for about an hour and a half. I sang a ton of hymns, and it really was spiritually edifying to sing a lot and to learn and grow through the lyrics of hymns. I miss english hymns sometimes, haha. But I was singing in English, because they could feel it and hear it, they just couldn't understand the words. It was a cool experience, and even though I'm sure they forgot in five minutes, I know that they felt the spirit. We really took serious the task of not letting anyone become a tally against us as someone that you could have talked to, but didn't. (A zone conference commitment) We found one really nice guy, that we said Hi to, but I kept on talking to him, and then he said that we could come back sometime and talk to him about the gospel! We visited a nice less active member, and shared a thought with them, and then we talked to this guy who was shoveling his snow behind his house, and we went up and talked to him, and helped him shovel his snow for a little bit! It was fun to be able to shovel snow! It feels like it's been a while! He wasn't interested, but it's people like that that maybe need to run into missionaries many times, in order to become interested. It is just an honor to be a part of God's plan for these people. We kept on walking, and found a man walking out of his house, and he kind of approached us, and said that he used to come to Ekaiwa, like 40 years ago! Crazy! But we talked to him for a while, and he was going to come to Ekaiwa (English Class) the next day, It was so cool! Then we taught this cool guy at the church, post baptism lessons. I was supposed to take charge, and it was really hard, but good! There are a lot of things that push you hard on the mission, most of them are language based, but it is good, because it is making me grow. Straight from there the Minamide fufu (Basically the Holman's of our ward here.) picked us up from the church and we went to their house for FHE. It was really just a Goch (Member Meal) where they shared some cool videos about missionary work in Japan. The food was so good! Holy Cow I ate so much! The Minami de fufu are so nice and so sweet, some of the greatest members. They remind me a lot of Brother and sister Holman! Such great people, are in all places in the World. While we were pounding food I just joked to Elder Sheidt, that Hess Choro and Graham choro were almost undoubtedly knocking on doors in that moment, and we were eating like a Kings. haha we cracked up. The Sisters in our area are so funny. They are so nice and sweet, and it is fun to have them around at things like this dinner. Culture is so different here, but it is so kind and respectful, I love it.

The woman on the far right is Miname de Shimai, and her husband is the one taking the picture. The other lady is just a friend they are fellowshipping, and then those are the sisters, and my companion and I. So I had been coordinating a lot of stuff with bikes, and trying to figure out what the best thing to do was, and I talked to one of our AP's, and worked it out with him that I would buy his bike. He told me it was Specialized brand, (They don't really have that here, it was ordered special in XL size, because they don't really have that either.) haha but I worked it out with him, and it came!I think AJ would be proud. It has 29er wheels, disk hydrolic brakes, and is pretty sick! I can't wait to ride it everywhere! This week we taught this new Investigator that I hadn't met. He is so nihonjin poi! haha We taught this guy guy pretty much the whole restoration lesson, just standing outside his Gankon. He was really interesting looking. He is balding a lot, but had long hair going down from the back of his head! he was wearing these blue Dickies looking work pants, with an interesting 80's looking sweater shirt, and then was wearing these pink slipper things, that literally looked like a more casual version of like a Cinderella slipper. It was so awesome, and funny. Such a great unique look, like nothing I have ever seen before! We taught Ekaiwa again on Friday. The people here are so kind, it is so admirable. I learn so much from each person that I encounter with about how to be more christ like, even though the people here have never even heard of Jesus Christ. Owahara shimai and Oumura shimai are having us sing this song in Sacrament meeting, and it is so funny because Owahara shimai sings very very loud, and so I am always debating between matching her, or just singing normal loud. haha. I love being in Japan. The Japanese language is very challenging, but I am working hard, and am always learning things. I felt the spirit so strong at general conference. I have a lot that I need to work on, but I have an incredible Savior, who can redeem me and give me a remission of my sins. I felt so much love for my family, and am so grateful to be a Conover. I miss you and love you so much. I wish that we could go to a temple more on our missions. I am so grateful that I will get to go at all, make sure and take advantage of how close the temple is, and use it. The blessings of the temple are absolutely necessary in order to be spiritually safe in these modern days. We are so blessed to be able to here from prophets of God so often. I wish that I had listened to and paid closer attention to Conferences in the past. It is such a great blessing to have Prophets that speak to us. It was so cool that during the 1 hour break that we had in between the two sessions, the members and us as missionaries all ate food in the cultural hall. The Minami de fufu brought us food again! They goched us on Thursday, and then gave us dinner on saturday night, and then brought us food for lunch today! They are seriously so nice, sweet and thoughtful. It is so awesome to have members like them in a ward. After conference was all over we went to the apartment for like 5 minutes and then went back to the church where we were getting picked up for an FHE. This FHE was awesome! It was with this really sweet family. A mom, and her two kids, and also this other woman, that we don't really know, but she seems to be the Mom's really good friend. We got there and really just talked and hung out for a while they prepared the food. Then we made these cool little ravioli things:


We put the green stuff inside the wrap thing, and then sealed it with a little bit of water. They put Wasabi, into four of them. 4 out of like 35. It is this funny Japanese game where you basically know that there are some that have wasabi in them, but you all just eat and hope you don't get one. I was eating carefully, and then I tasted something strong, and was like uh oh..but it waste too bad..and then I chewed more, and all of a sudden the strongest tasting thing of my life just overcame me, and shot up into my nose, and made my eyes start watering like crazy! It was so strong, and so powerful! I chugged some ginger ale, and was okay again, but wow. And then I kept on eating, and somehow ate another one!! This one did not have nearly as much, but once I detected it at all I basically just swallowed it all without having chewed very much. It was nasty. But the pockets were really good otherwise! After dinner we had a very long lesson by the Mom's friend, who told like 6 mission stories, and really had a lot to talk about about her mission. It was cool, but kind of long, and she talks so fast, it's not even funny. Even Shidt choro only understands like 60% of what she says. After that ended we ate many really good Japanese candies and treats. It was way good. It was a very fun night, and the kids in that family are so cute and kind. It is really cool to see the spirit of good Japanese member families. They are so full of light, and so humble and loving. I love you all so much. I am so grateful to be your friend, son and brother. I know that we can live with our families forever. I know that I am redeemed through and because of my Savior's personal and infinite Atonement for me. Trust in the Lord. Lately I've had this inspiration about working hard and doing your best. "Think about whatever you are doing, and make sure that it is good, and of God, if it is, do it to the best of your ability, and put it all out there. Exert all of your mental, physical, and spiritual strength into every minute of what you are doing, and do only that. If you are sleeping sleep. If you are eating, eat. If you are studying, study as hard as you possibly can. If you are reading, focus and read with all of your energy. If you are serving, serve, with your whole heart. Give everything, in every moment, of whatever you are doing. Make each moment full of purpose, and I promise you will be happy. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.


Love, Elder Conover 

First week in the field!!

April 4, 2016 





I am officially in Japan. It has been a great experience full of
 trials and joys, hard work and patience. The language is not easy, the
work is hard. We have taught 8 lessons, found two investigators, and I
have met the ward, and experienced some of the food, and a little bit
of the different culture that Japan has. It is still pretty cold here,
but apparently the snow melted in my area 2 days before I came. My
area is in a city called Suehiro, but it is very annoying because the
areas where we actually do most of our work in, (Where most of our
investigators are) is an hour away. There are three areas that we work
in mainly, and they are all a 1 hour walk away in any direction. Which
is why hopefully we will get bikes this week! I am trying to figure
out my bike situation, but hopefully I will be getting a bike that is
very nice, from one of the Aps that is about to go home, which he got
from an elder that was 6'6 and already went home, I will buy it from
him, but it is a nice specialized bike that I will be so pumped if I
can get. 


The food here is great! I have not eaten sushi yet, but even
the bread here is amazing! I am learning a lot about what it actually
means to be a missionary, and to be with just your companion for days
on end without talking to anybody else in english, is very difficult
at times. My trainer is only on transfer 6, which is extremely young
to be training, and is very rare, but he is doing a good job, and he
is capable of doing it. The only thing that is frustrating at times is
how set he is in doing what has always been done in each area by other
missionaries that were above him. It might be easier, but that doesn't
mean it is the most effective. I went to my first daiso today! It's
basically a glorified dollar store. It is so awesome! They have like
everything! It's crazy how much stuff they have that would be like 10
bucks in America! It is very fun. I am learning that you have to
really rely on The Lord while you are on the mission, that is part of
what makes missions so rewarding. Without the strength from the Lord
and from the Spirit, we would not be able to be missionaries, not only
would we physically and emotionally be too overwhelmed, we would have
no success at all, without the spirit. I love being a missionary, even
though at times it is hard. Life is not about easy, you don't get good
things out of life without working hard, and going through hard
things. Always remember that the Savior loves you and is watching out
for you. He has a plan for you, and you just need to align your will
with his. Don't fight it. Submit your will to his, for this is the way
to become happy.


I hope you all enjoy General Conference. Remember that you get out of
it what you put into it. We are so blessed to be able to hear from the
prophets of God. We do not get to watch it until next week here, but I
will be able to watch it in English fortunately. I love you all so
much, keep working hard, and never give up. The Savior loves you, and
his hands are always open, waiting for you to take them.
Love, Elder Conover

If you want to read more specific about my experience, below is one
of my first Journal entries:


4/01/16


Today was a great day! It was my first real day in the mission field!
We woke up, I did some push ups and situps while studying Japanese
words, and then showered and got ready for the day. We ate some really
good granola, that is apparently super expensive, but it is soo good!!
We then did personal study, where I learned a lot about
sanctification, and really changing myself to have my desire be to do
exactly what God wants me to do. We then started companionship study,
which is two hours while I am being trained. We talked about what we
learned, and did a few different types of learning activities but
mostly studied what we were going to need to study and do for the next
12 weeks. There is so much to learn, but it is all so good. There is
something called an Alma O Taylor award, which is this award that you
get for doing various missionary work tasks, such as, Talk to 100
people, or get this many referrals from members, many things like
that. It is a lot to handle, but I want to get it really fast. Anyway
after learning and studying for those two hours, we then did language
study, I learned 18 new words today. and will try to learn 20 new
words tomorrow. Anyway then we went ate lunch, Elder Shidt made curry,
which was way good, but took a very long time to cook the rice, and so
we started eating at 12:52, and had to leave the appt, at 1. We rushed
through it, and barely made it. We then walked an hour away to this
other area where we were trying to visit with these other
investigators; the Barber, and this nice lady, whose mom has been in
the hospital. The barber totally blew us off, and wouldn't let us even
have 2 minutes to share a message with him. The lady was not home, and
so then we defaulted to Housing. For a while all we heard was "Kekko
desu" or nobody was answering, then we knocked on this next door, and
this guy who was way nice and cool, who used to be a science teacher
answered, and his dog jumped out, this way nice small lady in the
tramp dog. The dog was very cute. We then talked to him for a while
about his hobbies, and about what we were all about. We gave him one
of the BOM that I got from Hombu! He accepted it, but asked, "How
much" it's free! He says that he is Buddhist, but he is willing to
hear our message, he isn't a way serious Buddhist. He asked if we
could come by next week and teach him, and we were like, "Oh Sweet!"
So we will teach him next week! He is my first Kudosha! It is way
cool! The next house was the same thing with this other awesome lady
who has been to akaiwa! We talked to her for a little while and then
pretty much just walked back and grabbed some food at a convenience store,
which was way good. The breads here are way cool! I ate this chocolate
chip, chrystalysed. sugar bread that was awesome, and then I ate this
bread that was like a PBJ without any crusts, but inside was way good
pudding like stuff, that was caramel and butter based! It was way
good. I then taught Akaiwa. It was way fun, I taught about 10 Japanese
people how to pronunciate, and expanded their vocab. We then came
home. I am so unbelievably tired. We walked so much. I am so grateful
that we are getting bikes. Things that are hard to me about the
mission, are things that are just the mission culture, and no one
really with authority, decided to either do, or do not do. I love
being a missionary though. I just don't believe in doing that which
isn't working, or doing things, just because that's what missionaries
do, or what this mission does, when that is not what we are being
asked to do by our mission president. I want to aways work hard, and
change mission culture.
 

Going to Japan!

March 25, 2016

Hello everyone! I'm heading to Nihon!! First time ever leaving the

country!! I am so excited to be able to start to actually be a
missionary in the field! I can't wait to teach the Nihonjin and help
them see how Christ can help them in their lives. As a missionary and
as a member of the church we need to remember that when we put our
focus on Jesus Christ, all aspects of our life would improve far more
then they would otherwise. If you want to improve in anything in life,
noon gospel or gospel related, I promise that if you will put your
focus on the savior, spend time learning about the savior, you will
see miracles happen in your life. I love being a missionary, and I
can't wait to do everything in my power to bring souls unto Christ. We
have such a special work to do. 

God remembers his people. 2 Nephi
29:7, talks about the Isles of the sea, and the fact that God will not
forget his people. It is so cool because the "Isles of the sea" is
Japan!!! They are an isle of the sea, literally!! It is a really cool
scripture to the members of Japan. I know that through Christ we will
be able to share the gospel with the world and will be able to find
the people that are prepared to meet Christ. I love Jesus Christ. We
must always rely on him. I love you all and want you all to grow and
progress, because I know that the gospel is what will make you
happier. Please read 2 Nephi chapter 9. I am praying for you!
Love, Elder Conover

Sekyoshi no Jinsei yo! 2

March 18, 2016


Hello Everyone!  

I do not have much time left today, but I have some very important things I want to talk about. I have put my focus as a missionary on My Savior, Jesus Christ, and have been studying and thinking about him as my number one priority, and miracles have happened. If you want to change something in your life, study the Savior, really try to increase your understanding of Jesus, and I promise you that it will change. We have to rely on the Savior in order to change. Without the Savior changing becomes a very difficult roundabout process. With the savior it is direct and precise. My Japanese has improved miraculously as I have studied the Savior, and tried to think about others instead of myself. If your life is unhappy, it's because your concerned about your own life. Look outward. When you are struggling the most look outward and see what people are going through around you. The savior did this the best, as he always put the needs of others above himself. My Japanese has shot through the roof the past couple weeks as my focus has been first on the Savior, and because of that second on others and then maybe third on Japanese, and yet my command of the Japanese language has completely changed. I promise you that you can change. I promise you that as you look outward and focus on helping others you will change. Study the Savior. Come to know the savior, and you will come to understand yourself. Remember the savior always and think about him when you make any choice or decision. He is their for us, and we can rely on him always. 

I leave for Japan on Monday the 28th of March! I am very Excited! I love you all so much. Keep up the good work and remember to remember the Savior. 

Love, Elder Conover