Last week's adventures.

October 23, 2017

Hello Again!
Okay so I am going to try to make up for the last couple weeks, so
this first email will be last weeks email.

Monday 10/16
Monday night we had a "mini" volleyball activity with some older
ladies and a member, and the missionaries. It was really fun. Haha but
I got way to into it. Everyone told me to take it easy and not go as
hard in one of the games, and so I did, and we ended up being down
6-0. (Play to 11.) so then we started working hard and it got to be
6-6, then it went back and forth, and to me, I couldn't help but get
super into it! Haha so then I kind of became the laughing stock, and
the missionaries couldn't understand why I cared so much. Anyway, we
actually ended up losing after several deuces. (I kept my composure
pretty good with that though. Don't worry. ;))


Tuesday 10/17
Zone Conference. (See other email.)
This was our first conference, and it went pretty good! I have decided
that Zone conferences are kind of like running a musical. Five nights
where you preform, and 5 different kinds of energy. So it was like
opening night; just in the morning. Adrenaline, a bit nervous, and
slightly underprepared, first time really doing it.
That night we had a sign language class that some of our members, and
investigators go to. It is really cool to learn some Japanese sign
language.

Wednesday 10/18
Today we got fed by a member at this curry and naan restaurant. It was
so amazing. I love those places here in Japan so much.
Today we also were able to have kind of part of our pday in a way, and
we went to round 1 with Kasey (Mission president's 18 year old
daughter), her 2 friends Lev and Daniel, and the sister missionaries
as well. Round 1 is kind of like a big play place. They have bowling
as like half of the building and then the other half of the building
is all kinds of full size sports, mini sports, arcade sports, roller
blading, batting cages, mini golf, ping pong, pool, massage chairs,
mechanical bull, etc. it was really fun, and we were able to teach lev
and Daniel about church and they committed to come on Sunday! (They
were planning on coming, but then accidentally slept in Sunday morning
and didn't come.:/)


Thursday 10/19
Today we had zone conference in Kotoni, the other zone in Sapporo.
Just like second night, we fixed the little kinks, things went more
smooth, we still had adrenaline and were still on our toes, and it was
a really good zone conference.
Tonight we had english class, which I still hadn't been to here, but a
new family came, and I was able to exchange Facebook with him, and
have been able to start teaching him and his family a little bit
through Facebook! This family is super awesome! The Yoneta family! I
really think that they are prepared to receive the gospel, and I am
really excited to see them progress.



Friday 10/20
This was a really cool day. I have been able to recently reconnect
with shuichi, who was a Japanese foreign exchange student in my house
for a week, and then came back a year later and went on a vacation
with my family as well. Now that we can use Facebook, I decided that I
should reach out to him and so I did, and he was very surprised to
know that I was in Japan, and was even more surprised that I could
write to him in Japanese.
He still couldn't really speak too much English, which surprised me
because he is so smart! He is going to Osaka university which is
probably the 3rd best university in Japan. We ended up being able to
do a video call on line today. It was so cool. We were able to also
have him invite his friend to participate, and after talking about the
time that we had with him in Utah, and with my family, and asking him
if he remembered the temple, and Jospeh Smith and church, and prayer,
(he remembered all of it.) Then we taught them the message of the
restoration, and about Joseph Smith's experience. It was really
wonderful. They listened to every word, and to bring the spirit before
we shared Jospeh Smith's words, we played the song Jospeh Smith's
first Prayer (In english) and then recited Joseph Smith's words. At
the end I gave them an example of prayer, and then they both gave
prayers right then. It was so awesome! I love it when people pray for
the first time! We committed them really strongly to pray that night
before they sleep, speak out loud and ask if what we had shared with
them was true, and if Joseph Smith's experience was real. Such a
tender mercy, I really feel like one of the reasons why I may have
come to Japan is for him. We are hoping to get them in touch with the
missionaries there soon as well.


We realized that we have to do a splits tomorrow otherwise we would
not be able to do them all, and so I came to Kotoni tonight, and get
to go on splits with Elder Graham tomorrow! I love splits, and I
really love working and being with Elder Graham!

Saturday 10/21
Splits with Elder Graham. We were able to teach the first vision a lot
this morning, and find a lot of new investigators. It was really
awesome. I love just going out and sharing the gospel with people. It
was so fun to be with Elder Graham. We were also able to play tennis
with some random kids that were playing at a court for a little bit,
which was super fun!
I was able to talk with one of my favorite missionaries, Elder Saito
about really meeting his potential, and really doing what is necessary
to not just be in the called category, but to make it into the chosen
as well. "Many are called, but few are chosen." We have to choose to
follow God and to be obedient, and to really be converted and
consecrated or we won't, even if we are called, be able to be chosen.
We talked about living a spiritual lifestyle, and about how the
missionary schedule really helps us live a lifestyle that will give us
the best sensitivity to the Spirit.
Then we had a little English class, and a sports activity, which a lot
of people came to, and it was a little bit crazy, but really fun, and
hopefully good for the investigators there.



Sunday 10/22
Today we had church, and it was a really awesome meeting. I really
love the members here. Daniel and Lev didn't come to church, and
neither did our other newer investigator that said that she would
come, so that was unfortunate. It was kind of a normal Sunday day, we
were able to do some normal teaching and finding and felt the Spirit
of missionary work. We also are working really hard to work with the
members.



Monday 10/23
Today we woke up and after doing a little bit of preparing for the
week we started the drive to Kushiro a little before 1pm. It was
really fun driving with President and sister McClure. We planned a
fireside that is this Sunday, and talked about a lot of different
things, and they shared some really wonderful experiences with us. We
got to Kushiro at 4:30 pm, and drive through some pretty good snow as
we passed through the mountains, so that was awesome!
We got there, and got to participate in their Zone activity their as
president started interviews. I was able to play ping pong with a lot
of elders who I haven't played with for a long time, or with who I've
always wanted to play. We slept in Kushiro apartment tonight with 17
missionaries. Lol. So every inch of room in he whole apartment besides
the bathroom was used for sleeping. It is my first time coming to this
region of Hokkaido! I have been everywhere else, but I have never been
to the eastern side, it was a cool feeling! Kind of feels like
Northern California, the redwoods area, kind of feeling, but I still
don't really know either place too well.




That is what has happened this week! It has been crazy, wonderful,
slightly stressful and very much a growing and learning experience. I
love missionary work. I love this gospel.
Love,
コノバー長老
Elder Conover

Video!

October 16, 2017

Dear Family and Friends,

I hope that you have a fantastic week! I love being a missionary, and
I know that this work is God's.

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.

New Assignment: Assistant to the President

October 2, 2017

Dear Family and Friends,

Hello! I am sorry that I have not written well these last couple
weeks. SO much has been happening! I got food poisoning from eating
raw chicken last Saturday, and I experienced more pain from everything
that that caused than I can remember ever feeling before. It made me
really humble and really helped me to understand that God has all
power, and I am completely powerless without God. Everything that I am
is only because of God. I went to the bathroom about 35 times that
night. I also showered at least 5 times. I only could sleep for about
3 hours total, and that time was a miracle answer to my desperate
prayer.  On Sunday I was still suffering from having to go to the
bathroom every 15-20 minutes, and having sharp dagger like feelings as
I walk from the aftermath of having gone to the bathroom so many
times. I was sitting on the toilet of an awesome member's home that we
were eating dinner with, and my phone rang and it was President
McClure! He told me that he wanted me to become his new Assistant, and
talked to me for a while about that. I thought that if I were to be
called then it would be before 3pm, but he called me at 5:30, and so I
wasn't expecting it to come at all.


From that I packed got out the next day, Pday and we first went to an
all you can eat meat and salad bar place with our English class
student who is such a homie, but has no interest in the gospel
unfortunately. We ate some really good stuff there, but every time I
ate anything I had to go to the bathroom, and so I didn't have the
desire to eat to much, which is really too bad.

Then we went to the church got last things together, met a member who
came to say goodbye, and then I got on the train to come to Atsubetsu,
to the mission home. President McClure handed me the new transfer
schedule, and then we had a really fun family home evening with the
missionaries that could bring investigators in Sapporo. Elder Kikuchi
also came with the Yokoishi family, and so I was able to say goodbye
to the yokoishi family, and to some of the awesome kids in eniwa, so
that made me really happy. I love the yokoishi family, and especially
yokoishi papa so so much. I am so grateful for them and the joy that
their conversion has been to me. I can't wait for the mom and the
older two brothers to also get baptized, when they decide that they're
ready. Yokoishi mom is like a member, and comes to church every week,
so she will be baptized sooner or later.


Then on Tuesday I worked with Akamatsu choro and takamasa choro and we
did some training and ran som errands, called some members, and
visited an investigator family that Akamatsu choro wanted to say good
bye to. It was so fun.
On Tuesday night we went to the airport to pick up the new
missionaries! We were picking up 10 new missionaries, but they weren't
on the flight that they were supposed to be on, and so it was a major
struggle and stress, we prayed and were calling salt lake, and trying
to figure out what was happening, and then they came on the flight
that was an hour later. How that was just able to happen is something
that we still don't understand. We still went to go eat ramen with
them, and we ate this amazing katsu ramen. It was soo good. One of the
best ramen I've ever had in Japan. We had a fun ride in the car with
Akamatsu choro driving, me next to him, Takamasa choro back one and
then 5 new missionaries. We talked about what it means to be a
missionary, and asked them why they decided to come and it was really
awesome to listen to their testimonies and feel their faith.
That night we got them all into bed and then went home, and finally
were able to go to sleep.

Wednesday:
Today we ate an awesome French toast breakfast with the new
missionaries, and that was so fun! Then we had training during the
morning, and and we also got to give a little bit of training which
was really fun. I love working with new missionaries. We took the new
missionaries to their first sushi restaurant, and they loved it! It
was so fun. It is so awesome how new missionaries are so obsessed and
amazed by sushi here in Japan. It really is so good. I am going to
take more advantage of it, and eat it more before my time is up. Then
we went and took the new missionaries back to meet their trainers! It
was super fun watching them all meet their new companions and see
where they were going. It is so crazy that it was a year and a half
ago that I came to Japan and met my companion for the first time!
After they met their trainers everybody went proselyting for about an
hour and a half! Elder Takamasa and I also went out and were able to
give out 3 book of Mormons, find 3 new investigators, 3 phone numbers,
and 3 return appointments. It was so fun to feel the fire of the new
missionaries, and we also got so pumped and had really high faith and
a high goal to meet two people that we could make a return appointment
with, and God helped us to exceed that goal! Very great blessing. Then
we had more training from President, and talked about changing the
culture of our mission, which is really something that has been
changing a lot, especially with a new mission president. I have
learned a lot about choosing to be obedient, because I want to be
obedient, vs. being obedient because I have to be. The law of Moses
vs. the high law of Christ. It is really important that we obey
because we choose to.


That night we had a really good dinner and then a bit more training,
where we got to share our comments as well, so I talked about changing
the culture of the great missionaries in our mission, and not just the
lower end. Sometimes we don't think that we are a part of the problem,
but really we need to always be thinking about what God wants and how
his work can progress the most, and not ever think that we have it
figured it out, because whatever we have figured out, will always be
OUR way, which does not mean that it is God's way.
We had a really awesome testimony meeting where almost everybody bore
strong testimonies, and the spirit was so strong. I love missionaries.

Thursday was an awesome day. We ate breakfast with the trainers and
the new missionaries, which was so delicious again. The McClure's
bought the real maple syrup from Costco and so it was so amazing to
have that for the first time in forever!
Then after handling some business stuff the trainers and their new
companions started heading out to their areas.

The missionaries that were going home came in on Thursday afternoon,
and we had a really fun sukiyaki dinner, which is where you basically
cook steak in sauce with veggies, Japanese noodles, mushrooms, and
tofu all together. It is a very classy meal in Japan and pretty
expensive, so it was really fun and tasted so good! It was so fun to
be with my douki of sisters that I came to Japan with: Sister hirata
and kaiazaki! Then we had a wonderful testimony meeting with them, and
it was bitter sweet to think that they would soon no longer be
missionaries, but we are excited for them to move forward, and get
married and things like that! The sisters going home are age 26 and 28
or 29, so they are already farther along in life, and will do so many
awesome things in the world.

President pulled us over and told us about some of the things going on
in the mission, and it was a great learning experience. He talked
about how he has had people hate him before, and that unfortunately
that is always a part of leadership, someone will be unhappy, because
of something, and all you can do is validate their feelings, and hope
that they will forgive you, but you can't let it eat you up that they
may not like you, even if you feel like you didn't do anything unfair.
President McClure is so full of love, and it is such a blessing to
learn from him.

Friday we ate breakfast with the missionaries flying home, and then
sent them off to the airport, and finally the transfer week was over.
It was a great transfer week. Friday and Saturday I learned a lot, we
went to my beloved Toyohira to get my license translated to start the
process of me getting my Japanese license!



And I'll have to write about Saturday and Sunday in next weeks letter.

I am so grateful for you and your support!! I love you!

Random pics from the last couple weeks:
1. Awesome activity in Eniwa
2. Some of our friends at the festival.
3. Yesterday Elder Takamasa and I right before we got our haircuts.
4. An awesome karate video.