I can't wait to head to Honduras!

Zone Hermanas:  They "keep the Elders in line"

Hola Famila!

Sometimes the days go slow but the weeks feel like a day. I'm so glad to hear that everything is going good with you and the baby. I'm sure you cant wait to have Cannon! I am anxious everyday wondering if he has come. You and Cannon are both in my prayers continually. I'm glad you can feel my prayers. Oh football sounds so fun, I'm glad the weather is good. Its great here also! I miss Grandpa. I love him. I really miss the mountains and the beautiful place where we live. That's awesome you had your "team" paint Cannon's room! It sounds great! 

 

I can´t wait to head to Honduras! I cannot believe I have almost finished my time here at the CCM. I will most likely be leaving either Sunday night or Monday afternoon but we don't find out until later this week. I'm pretty sure I get to email you when I know my travel plans probably on Friday. :) Every week I learn so much here. This week I watched some of the Bible videos. Have you guys watched those?! They are so powerful and inspiring. A talk by Elder Holland and other things this week have made me realize that so many missionaries and leaders in past dispensations and in our dispensation have died because they knew we would not fail in this dispensation and that Jesus would come again and rule in full power and glory. I have been thinking about the great missionaries like Paul, Abinadi, Ammon, and so many others who were willing to give up all they had even their lives for this Gospel. I know that Christ's church will never fail again. These missionaries have made me want to a better missionary and I am ready to sacrifice more than I ever have in my life. My testimony of the Savior is so much stronger than it's ever been. I am so grateful to have been born into the Gospel. Thank you Mom and Dad for living righteously and raising me in the way you did. I love you all! Stay strong and pray always.

 

Love Elder Conover 

Elder Ramirez from Chicago

District Leader, Elder Smith's, Birthday

God blesses those who obey and do their best

American Fork High School Elders!

Elder Harmon, a good friend from high school

Hola Familia!

Elder Mchesney, a former opponent on the football field
from Lone Peak.  They both agree that now they're on
the same team.

I´m grateful to hear that baby Cannon hasn´t come yet. [Heidi was put on partial bedrest last week for signs of preterm labor-trying to hold out for at least 2 more weeks!] I mean I'm super excited for him to come, just not early. I was worried all week thinking he could have been born and I wouldn´t have even known! I have been praying hard for you Mom and for the baby. Others have also been praying for you both. Elder Christopherson is always so nice and keeps you and the baby in our companionship prayers. I hope you are getting along ok. I´m sure its super hard. Mom and Dad your willingness to obey and love the Lord is and always will be one of my greatest blessings.

I´ve heard some rumors about some crazy stuff happening back in the U.S government!? What exactly is going on? Its so weird not being connected. If you notice money being taken out of my bank account its because yesterday I bought a couple ties and some food from the store here. This week will be more than usual because I also ordered a customized Mexico soccer jersey from one of the Hermanos who work at the Tienda. It will be here on Friday! It cost about $35 US dollars which is very cheap for a customized jersey. Hopefully that's all ok.



Life keeps getting better here at the CCM! I´m learning so much. Preach My Gospel is amazing and is so inspired. We are learning the most beautiful and powerful ways to teach investigators. We prepare what we would like to teach but once we are with the investigator we completely rely on the Spirit and almost every time we teach something that we did not prepare. 1st, we ask inspired questions, 2nd, we pause and really listen to the investigator, 3rd, we discern from the Spirit and teach what the investigator needs specifically. I'm starting to really enjoy teaching lessons! It is so awesome! I can´t wait to teach the people of Honduras. I'm pumped right now!:) Miracles are occurring in my life. One example is Heavenly Father is helping me learning the language. :) Hermano Osorio promised Elder Christopherson and I that if we read from El Libro de Mormon out loud and in our minds a lot more that we would be blessed to learn the language faster. I bear witness that Heavenly Father blesses those who obey and do their best. I am being showered with blessings from God. When we are teaching lessons the words come more easily by the spirit and we are able to teach. I know I still have a loooong way to go but I am getting better everyday. At first I didn't even know if I would be able to learn this language. Just like in 9th Grade, haha but I know now that with Heavenly Father's help and the Holy Ghost I will be able to speak all that God would have me say.

Long Beach Elders who lived in the same Casa:  Peterson,
Conover, Voigt, and Mate.  Eric said they are hilarious!
"Each one of them are characters. There could be an LDS
movie like Best 2 Years made about these three."

I cannot believe I have been here for 4 weeks! It seems like just yesterday that I got here. Time is flying by! Only two weeks more and I'm heading to Honduras!!!:) We get to hear great devotionals here on Sunday afternoons and Tuesday nights. Last Tuesday night we watched a recorded broadcast of a talk given by Elder Holland to the missionaries at the Provo MTC. It was super powerful. I think that the Church needs to start an NFL football team that doesn't play on Sunday and he should be the coach. hahaha just kidding! But he really pounded some things into us. Then on Sunday we watched another broadcast, a great talk given by Elder Christofferson. Both of them spoke about us having an apostolic calling like them and that we are companions with them. They gave me a new perspective about my calling. Elder Christofferson among other things taught us what he wishes he would have done better on his mission. #1 Be more focused, #2 Earn the trust of the members, #3 Yield heart to God. He taught us that we need to have a change of heart and be able to say to God "I want what you want". We must give our hearts to God. Such a simple but powerful way of living. He told us we never need to be afraid to put our trust in God. He told us the Joy of Christ will swallow up any tribulation. He bore his testimony of the reality that this is the Lords work and that we don´t have to do it alone. He told us that by binding ourself to God through the Holy Ghost and obeying His words All would be well. I felt a part of God's love as he said "We are all loved and cared for by God as if we were His only child." The spirit was so strong and I know his words are true.

Each week Elder Christopherson and I like to help the new missionaries who arrive. It's a blast! Last week I helped an Elder from Hawaii who has only been a member for a year and a 1/2! He is a great example to me. Elder Streeter and I did a Crossfit on Friday. It was good! We did 21-15-9 of Thrusters and Pull-ups. Dad will know about that one!;) haha I hope all is well with each of you and the family as a whole. I know that all will be well if we bind ourselves to God. I am starting to feel a lot of enthusiasm for this work and I cannot wait for the adventures that are right around the corner. Until next week. Hopefully Cannon comes on a Tuesday. I love you all!

Love Elder Conover

P.S How are the Cougars doing? Hows the weather, I hear its pretty cold? How are soccer and the other activities going? How´s school going for everyone?

This trio toilet papered the Long Beach Elders' room before they left

Classroom with Hermanas who are "study machines"!

The District

The link below is to a fantastic blog created by Eric's Honduras Mission President's wife. Not only does she share information specific to Honduras, her information is helpful for any missionaries (and their families!) preparing to enter the field. I am so thankful for Sister Klein! 

http://themissionpresidentswife.blogspot.com/

Week 3!

Elders Christopherson, Conover, Ashton, and Bird, Eric's roommates

Hola Familia!

My week has been great! Thank you for your prayers and thoughts. I also think and pray for you guys!:) General Conference was incredible! Before conference I wrote down around 12 questions I wanted answered and either by the words that were said or the spirit, every one of my questions was answered more than once. I know that God speaks through his servants. I KNOW that President Monson is God's prophet on the Earth today. I feel truly blessed to be a missionary at this time. 80,000 plus missionaries and 15 million members! Missionary work truly is the greatest thing I could ever be apart of and like what was said more than once during conference, sharing the gospel is the most important duty that all of us have. I know that as you share the gospel back at home Heavenly Father will bless you in all areas of your life. Did you see the video and pictures of the Mexio MTC?! The picture of the classroom is the exact room I study in! Today we went to the temple and I did the whole session in Spanish! It was intense! 

I am very happy with my little brothers name, Cannon! I mentioned to Dad in my email to him last week that Cannon can help "cannon" us all back to Heavenly Father. I know that he is a special boy and I'm so excited for his birth. I wish that I could be there to help. I and others here will keep you in our prayers. I'm grateful that you have support like Sis. Olson [I told him of her generous offer to help paint the baby's room] there to help out. 

I'm feeling the Spirit more  and more here and the language gets better everyday. I really gained a strong testimony this conference from Elder Eyring's talk that Heavenly Father has a specific plan for each one of us to make it back Home to Him. The first counselor of the presidency here at the CCM gave a great talk Sunday morning and taught that all of us have the potential to be Kings and Queens and each have our own Princes and Princesses. I know that this is the plan of HAPPINESS. Always remember who´s Kingdom we belong to and what our destiny is. Decisions really do determine destiny. I have had little moments where the gift of tongues truly has helped me say what I needed to say, it's amazing. I know Jesus Christ lives. We watched The Testaments Sunday night and I received a strong spiritual witness that Jesus Christ really does live again, and that He is perfect, and that He knows each one of us, and that He will come again. He is the WAY. Through Him we come to God. That is why I'm out here on a mission to bring people to Christ so that through Him they can return to God and become a King or Queen like Him. This is my testimony. En el nombre de Jesu Cristo Amen.

Please tell Brother Golden and Ben Robison thank you for their letters. They meant a lot. 

Mexico City!

Hermano Osorio, "Diego"

The first picture is Hermono Osorio and I. He teaches us in the mornings. He hardly speaks any English at all and has helped me learn so much about the Gospel and the Language. He is also one of our investigators "Diego". The second picture is Hermono Florez. He teaches us in the afternoons. He speaks a little more English but we speak very little English during lessons. He is our other investigator "Mario". Both of these men are incredible teachers. I couldn't ask for anything better than them. Everything we learn helps us fulfill our purpose to bring others to Christ. I have grown to love these men very much. They are so patient and loving to me. They rock! :)

Hermano Florez, "Mario"

 Look at Pedro on the yellow bike with Pegs!!:) haha I took these pictures driving home from the temple today. We couldn't quite figure out why all the police with shields were lined up on both sides of the road. Outside of the CCM it is a new world. While I'm here at the CCM I hardly remember I'm in one of the biggest most dangerous cities in the World. It's fun driving to the temple and back. You see some cool stuff and many things that are very humbling.

Love Elder Conover

This Week from Elder Conover!

I have edited a lot from this letter because it was family stuff, but thought you might enjoy a little of his advice to a couple of  his siblings-it's a great blessing to have a big brother serving a mission!  

To send a FREE letter on dearelder.com (sounds like the preferred way), it's easiest to open a free account then look under the "pouch" tab.  That's where I finally found the Mexico MTC.  Thanks so much for your love and support for our missionary!  I know he feels your love and prayers.

It looks like they are enjoying the food!  I wonder if it will be as bountiful in Honduras...

Not sure what this is all about, but it looks like fun:)

Eric's companion is the oldest of 10 children!  What a beautiful family!

Hola Famila!

 

I cant wait for the baby to come! You are an inspiration and example of someone who truly never gives up even when enduring so much pain. Thank you for your courageuos and powerful example. It inspires me to work harder and murmur less out here. I love you mom! Thanks for bringing a new brother into the family. :)

 

Abby: That is so awesome you are working so hard on the Articles of Faith! You are doing great! The 4th Article of Faith is very similar to the statement in PMG pg. 1 "Your Purpose". I almost have it memorized in Spanish! :) Ya im excited to teach people about the articles of faith! I love you Abs! Keep up the good work! Love Elder Eric

 

Matthew: Keep working hard at school! I have a lot of hard class time here also. haha History is very important because if we dont learn from the past we will make the same mistakes again. That goes for U.S. history, World History etc., and the history of the Church (BOM, Bible, and other Scriptures). Keep working hard. You are a very smart person. Here is some advice for life and mission prep: Memorize the missionary purpose on pg.1  of PMG and strive to live that purpose, specifically invite others to come unto Christ by the example you set. I would also during your personal study each day study PMG. It is awesome! It will help you in your life right now and on your mission. Always strive to  have the Holy Ghost with you. He will be a great companion during difficult times. Matthew the most important thing you can do right now is live worthy so you can always have the spirit with you and at any moment be able to use your priesthood. I love you! You and A.J. are the best brothers I could ever ask for. Keep me posted. Love you bro. Stay Strong! With much respect, Elder Conover

 

Elder Dickson and Elder Winkel in my district just brought me the letter you sent me! Finally! Thank you so much for your kind and uplifting words. Abby the plane was big! I miss you guys so much and it truly was the hardest thing Ive ever had to do leaving you. I know without a doubt this is where I need to be though. It does rain quite a bit here twins. If Jesus is crying Miriam than its happy-sad! You girls mean the world to me and I wish so badly I could play with you but think of all the little children in Honduras that dont know they can be with their family forever. It will be worth every tear and heartache. I promise you! Love you tons!  

 

I recommend you guys try using dearelder.com I actually get those the same day or very next day from when you write them! Family and friends should all use dearelder then I can read them through the week and respond on Tuesday.  Gracias! I love your hand written letters (and pictures) also so if you want you could do both but the quickest way for me to hear from you is dearelder. This mail stuff is crazy, I wish that it came faster! Thank you so much for all your words and support. :) .

 

Elder Nathan Hubert, Eric's friend since 1st grade!

The second week here at the CCM flew by! Way faster than the first week. My district rocks! Our district leader is super awesome and we are getting to be good friends. His name is Elder Smith. He is from Gilbert Arizona. Its so cool how all of us are unique but we are united in the same cause so we are becoming best friends very fast. Im starting to like the food quite a bit. Good to hear you are having good food there like always also. haha I explained in Miriams note more about the food. Today has been really great! We woke up printed off our emails, did personal study, ate breakfast, got a haircut! Then went to our Casa and finally had time to clean up and get things more organized! I have never been more happy about cleaning! haha I also shined my shoes, went to the Tienda, and finally got to do a legit Crossfit! It felt so good! Then we got dressed again in a shirt and tie and went to lunch because even on Pday when you eat at the Comidor you wear mission attire. It has been great having some more leisure time to get some things done. We go to the temple every other week so today we had way more time than last week. After emailing we are going to play sports! Im pumped! In Dads email I talked more about the sports we play. Its a lot of fun! Its so cool having a bunch of other missionaries from American Fork High here! Its hilarious the hispanics and others say that Utah is the "Mormon Factory" hahaha Guess who else showed up here last wednesday! Nathan Hubert! I had no clue he was going be here at the same time as me! Hes a great guy! I didnt have time to tell you guys last week but Elder J----- in my district ended up going home the first week because of anxiety and other stuff. He is going to serve a stay at home mission. Its to bad but I hope that he will still have a good experience. He was one of the Elders who was going to go to the temple with us before I left but he got sick. Keep him in your prayers. Because Elder J------ left, Elder Smith (district leader, baseball player and all around athlete), and Elder Streeter (Wrestler, MMA fighter, did crossfit with me today), and Elder J---'s companion Elder Campbell ( Basketball, and soccer player, G from Richfield UT) are a trio companionship. They are hilarious! I love them! They decided last night to sleep on the roof of our casa! haha So they took three extra mattresses we have out of our casa lifted them onto the roof by standing on a trash can and slept there all night. They said it got super cold. Oh they are characters! Yesterday me and my companion Elder Christopherson ( actually the oldest of 10 kids, 6 natural and 4 adopted, we always sing together and he is very good at harmonizing, he did musical theatre all four years at high school and used to do water polo!) started teaching our second "investigator" Mario. Its really cool because the situation of the investigator, the lesson we share and the spirit we bring are all very real. But the investigator was our first investigator Ignacio who now is our afternoon teacher and our second investigator so he can teach us and give us feedback. I hope that made sense. haha  It really is brilliant, and definitely directed by Christ through the Prophet the way they teach us Español and the lessons here at the CCM. I love you all sooooo much! I also miss you like crazy! Although at times its hard here at the CCM, im starting to really enjoy it! :) I know the language will come it may just take me a little longer than my brilliant companion and the hermanas in my district, actually everyone but they are all helping me and my teachers are superb! Everyday I get better thanks to Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ,  the Holy Ghost, and the service and prayers of others. I have found more joy here as I serve and help others. Like when the new Elders get here! Its so fun because I get to serve and make friends. Always remember the God you serve and the ultimate sacrifice and service Jesus Christ gave to each one of us. God is King! I know Jesus Christ lives and atoned for the sins of the World. There are angels all around us. The Church is true! God loves you and I love you.

 

-Love Elder Conover