The witness of an Apostle of Jesus Christ

May 30, 2016

Well Hello there Family and Friends!

  This week flew by so fast here in Asahikawa. We started off the week
by going to Bistari bistari (BEE-STA-DEE), and ended it by going there. That place is amazing, and we are a little bit addicted. It is a Nepalese Naan and curry place, that 

I've probably written about before. On 

Saturday it was Tabehodi which means all youcan eat, and so we pounded it way hard. It'sspecial festival time for them so they
had it all buffet style, and we got 

chocolate chip Naan, pumpkin naan, dried 

fruit naan, and of course our favorite 

CHEESE naan, and also regular Naan. They hadall of the curry out and also this amazing
yogurt thing, that I dipped the dessert naaninto, and really was quite a delight. They 

also had a salad that all of you salad 

lovers would have died for. The salad had 

Shrimp, and Grapes, and apples, and lettuce, and carrots, and other 

stuff too! I should have gotten better pics, but I'll send what I've got.
 
  But, moving on to things that matter more. Elder Cook, and Elder
Stevenson, and Elder Gong, of the presidency of the Seventy, came to
our mission on Thursday, so we had a mission conference with all of
the missionaries in our mission (that almost never happens, even
though we are a rather small mission), and we heard them and their
wives speak for 2 solid hours. This was one of the most powerful
spiritual experiences that I have had in my life. For the first time
really ever, I had really prepared and done everything that I could to
prepare myself to receive revelation, and learn what I needed to learn
learn from these speakers. My testimony about personal preparation to
receive the messages of Prophets when we get to here from them, was
greatly increased. It is so important to prepare. I felt many many
things, some of which are very sacred to me. My perspective was
changed, and I really felt the love of My Heavenly Father. I know that
Jesus Christ lives; but I had never felt Jesus Christ so close as I
did there. Not only does Jesus Christ live, but he is so very close to
us, and is right there with us, no matter what. The Apostle's
witnesses of the Savior strengthened my testimony tremendously, and
helped me recognize how real The Savior is. I also bear testimony that
The Savior lives. He loves you. He Knows you; and you can know Him,
through growing spiritually. The Atonement is the most significant
event to ever occur, and it is the most personal and selfless act of
pure love. He knows you. He has suffered all things for you. I know
Him. I know his love. I know my Savior. If you don't know your Savior,
I challenge you to get on your knees, and ask for an experience that
will help you to know your Savior. I promise that you can feel of his
love, and the sweetness of his Atoning sacrifice. You can receive
forgiveness, and support, love, and understanding, no matter what is
happening in your life.
  This quote from PMG, has been on my mind a lot lately. "As your
understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ grows, your desire to
share the gospel will increase." Why is this? Because this is what our
gospel offers. There are many things that bring joy and reap great
rewards from membership in the Church, but the greatest blessing that
comes from being a member of the Church, is an understanding of the
greatest gift that man has and ever could be given. The Atonement of
Jesus Christ. The recognition of the Savior's ability to wash away
your sins. To have someone who knows perfectly what you are feeling,
and has gone through what you are going through, exactly and
perfectly. He suffered it so that we don't have to. The greater we
understand this gift, the greater our desire grows to share it,
because of the joy from and the love for this gift. The more we
understand and access the Atonement, the closer we will feel to our
Savior.
  "Our spiritual life is only as strong as our prayer life" -Elder
Kimball? This is a quote that my mission prep. Teacher at BYUI would
often quote. It has brought new meaning to my heart lately, as I have
been noticing my prayers, and how much I rely on Heavenly Father now,
compared to before the mission. It is so very true. Think about your
prayer life, and however strong that is, your spiritual life is surely
the same. Pray more deeply. Consult with your Heavenly Father about
everything, and seek to be in tune with the promptings of the spirit.
Through our prayers we show our Father in Heaven how much we trust
him, and how much faith we have in him. We can show him that we are
grateful for the gift of prayer by using it often. I think that it is
D&C that talks about "not wearying Heavenly Father with long, and
excessive words, but that we come to him often in prayer, meaningfully
instead" (It's something like that). It is so important that we always
ask for help. We show faith by looking to the Father and open up the
opportunity for him to bless and guide us. I invite you to work with
me on this, and try to more fully utilize the wonderful gift of
prayer.
 
I love you all, and can feel of your support and prayers. They mean so
much to me. Thank you. Thank you for your emails, and for the constant
love and encouragement. I am so grateful to know all of you. I feel so
blessed to be a Conover, to be from the Highland 22nd Ward, and to
have met and learned from each of you. You are a light to the world.
Let your light so shine.
 
Love,
コノバー長老
Elder Conover

I'm always getting paan here. Bakeries here are to die for.
Made French toast for the first time here!!! It was amazing!
This is plain naan, but it is also so good. コノバー・蝟償ｵ(ﾀ・楝・?ﾀｺ・蝟昭・閼偰ｷ)鹿蔗迪