When life gets crazy, don't forget the basics.

October 9, 2017

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has been a great week of learning and growth. It is
definitely a different experience than normal missionary life being
here in the mission home. I have a really strong desire to be
effective, and to really do what the Lord wants us to do. General
Conference really helped me to refocus, and set my priorities
straight. Sometimes it can be easy with so much going on and with
sometimes less structure to forget about the most important basics. Or
maybe not forget, but not give them the necessary energy and
diligence. I am finding that as I really prioritize sleep, studying
and learning from the Book of Mormon, praying from my heart with real
diligence, and eating balanced and healthy meals, I can feel the calm
and at peace, even when there is stress and imperfections. I feel that
if I am strong in these simple and basic things, I have the strength
that I need for anything that could happen. I am able to trust in the
Lord, trust in you, trust in my companion, and trust in myself. I feel
balanced able to do what God wants me to do. This has helped me
greatly, and is really a great thing that I plan to remember and apply
for the rest of my life as well. Nothing can replace the basic daily
acts of faith that are so essential to our spirituality.


We have been working really well with the ward here are trying to find
some new people, and also help current people to get into the homes of
members and develop relationships that will bless them for the rest of
their lives.

So much has happened, and is happening that it's overwhelming to try
to explain, but General Conference was an especially big highlight. It
really helped me to recognize what I need, and what God wants and how
to help people that we were struggling with how to help. I love the
deep messages and thought out spiritual language. General conference
is truly a miracle every 6 months.


We had our monthly Missionary leadership council meeting and President
proposed that we take the Sacrament during our meeting, and so on
Thursday night Takamasa choro and I prepared the Sacrament, and
president asked that we bless it, which was a really wonderful
opportunity, because I haven't heard the Sacrament in English, and
haven't blessed the sacrament myself in English in a very long time.
President said that he would be the deacon and pass the Sacrament,
which was very powerful to witness. I felt my relationship to Jesus
Christ strengthen, and I know that Christ really did suffer for us. I
know that we can be made whole through Him. I know that because of
Jesus Christ, everything can work out. That is the hope that we offer
to the world. Please share this great hope with your friends, and with
your family whether they are members of the Church or not, just share
your testimony, lift, encourage, and seek for ways to bless the lives
of those around you and I promise that you will be so very happy. I
know that as we recognize that all things are from God, and through
Christ we will learn to Glorify Him and to be a pencil in His hand,
doing His work, because we choose to. I love you and ask that you
remember How much God loves you, no matter what.

Love,

Elder Conover


First members that we met from Toyohira!!! I love them!!
Second: mission leadership council pictures! So many wonderful friends.