Mount Timpanogos Temple

Mount Timpanogos Temple

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Learning and loving, wishing I could be swimming.‏‏

Dear loving family,

Summer! That is crazy that another year of school has passed. I'm sure that you are all very happy. If you talk to Matthew on the phone please let him know that I love him and hope that he is doing flips over the wake. :) Summer continues here in Honduras but the rain is likely coming very soon. 

I feel honored and humbled to be called to train my new companion, Elder Ramirez, and serve those in my district. I have had to rely more on my Savior and pray more fervently and for this I am very grateful. On Sunday I interviewed a baptismal canidate for the first time. It was a great experience. She is an investigator of Elder Wilson and Elder Rodriguez. She is an older lady. She is the mom of Sister Susanna who was baptized a few months ago by Elder Reid and Elder Duran. I felt the spirit very strong during the interview. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to do interviews. It is the best! It strengthened my testimony so much to hear the story and reason for why she is making the decision to be baptized. Each person truly is a miracle. So far things are going well. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father is ready to listen always and I am so grateful for the guidance of the Holy Ghost. 

Right now we have three investigators who have a baptisimal date planned, have accepted, and are progressing (reading the Book of Mormon, going to Church, etc.) Brother Visente, Sister Josepha, and Alejandra. Alejandra lives with her grandma Sister Lobo. Her grandma is less active. We are trying to help them both. Alejandra is 9 yrs old just like Miriam and Abby! (for a little while longer) She is a great girl and has made her way to church alone for more than 2 months. Her baptism date is for this Saturday. Brother Visente has a baptism date for the 21st of June. He is an older man probably in his 50's. He is great! The Book of Mormon was really hard for him to accept at first but now he is reading. He has come twice to Church now! I really hope things continue to go well with him. Sister Josepha is really old! haha she is in her 80's! She is so special. We feel so happy when we are teaching her. She has some serious health problems with her bones and it's very hard for her to move around and to even sleep. She lives alone and hardly has the necessities in order to live. It is hard for her to hear and remember the things we teach but little by little she learns. On Friday we asked her if she remembered her baptism date and she answered "28 de Junio! No voy a olbidar(im not going to forget)" :) The past two weeks she has woken up early, and walked to church alone. She is always one of the first people to arrive! Her house is not very close to the church either! She is absolutely incredible. She has so much faith. She is so special to me and reminds me a lot of my great grandparents who have passed away. I love her and all those I am blessed to serve here. 

It just started pouring rain!! Tons!! Good thing I have plastic bags to put my books in! :) 

I love you all so much and hope you have the best first week of summer ever! Thank you so much for all of your emails and prayers. They mean so much. Even though you guys will probably be swimming everyday I think that I will be wet for more hours. ;) Keep reading the Book of Mormon everyday and going to the temple as often as you can. Remember that Heavenly Father always hears our prayers. I know He knows and loves us. I know Jesus Christ lives and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is His church and therefore the only true church on the Earth. 

Love Elder Conover

Soy un Padre!

(written 5/28/2014)

Buenas tardes familia!
I hope that all of you are still having a great week! Emily I hope you had a blast at Lagoon today and the Twins with field day! I hope that all of you are enjoying life and all we have to be grateful for.
I cannot really explain my emotions right now with words but I will do my best. Monday night we found out that my companion Elder Flores along with Elder Reid, and Elder Perez all were being transferred. Normally three aren't changed all at once but that's how it went. It was sad to hear that my companion and the others were going to be transferred but I always know it's what Heavenly Father wants.
We have been organizing a Ward activity and last night we had the activity. It was awesome! The theme was The Plan of Salvation. We all started in the presence of our Heavenly Father (chapel) and then we came to Earth; to represent our Earth life we had a bunch of different rooms set up in the church with different activities the people could choose to do. Video games, movie, church magazines, fusbol, checkers, and soccer outside. We explained to them that they would be judged for their actions on the "earth". After an hour or so we shut off all the lights except for the chapel and moved everyone into the chapel, we skipped a few things in the plan but at the end the chapel represented our judgment before Heavenly Father. We rewarded the people who went and spent their time learning and studying the word of God with cookies and explained to everyone that it's good to have joy in this life but we also need to give time to our Heavenly Father. Miriam and her son Christopher by the way were 2 of the people who went to the church magazine room for the whole time. :) The acitvity was a lot of fun and I hope that the members and investigators who came now understand The Plan of Salvation a little bit better.
Afterwards we went to Miriam's house with Christopher so that Elder Flores could say goodbye before he left. We gave Miriam 2 photos from her baptism with notes written on the back and shared with her how much she means to us. She too shared a powerful testimony and one of the greatest "pump up speeches" I have ever heard in my life. :) She told us that she will never forget the day that we first showed up at her house. She told us to keep looking for people who need what we have just like she needed. As we were about to leave Christopher said he wanted to say something. He started crying and told us how grateful he is that we came into the life of his family and that they needed us. We all gave each other a big group hug and by this time all were crying. We all felt the spirit so strong, I felt like we were in the Celestial Kingdom. I'm quite sure that Christopher has recieved an answer and that he very soon will be making the covenant of baptism. We are still trying to work out what Ward he is going to go to but either way he is gaining a very powerful testimony as he continues to read the Book of Mormon and talk with his Mom and other members. I felt like we were surrounded by angels last night. I cannont express the joy and gratitude I feel to know Miriam and Christopher, and be blessed enough to share the Gospel with them. All the rejections, all the trials, all the sadness and anger are beyond worth it because of Miriam and her family.
This morning we had the transfer meeting. We heard some wonderful testimonies and listened to a beautiful musical number and listened to a message from President Klein about Faith, Hope, and Charity. He taught us that we need faith in Jesus Christ, we can have hope for all the blessings we and others will recieve if we obey with exactness, and charity is serving others. He told us if we do these things we will have Power, Miracles, and the companionship of the Holy Ghost. After we listened to where everyone was being changed and who are our new companions. This is the part where I can't really express how I feel... honestly quite unexpectadly President Klein has called me to train Elder Ramirez from Bolivia! I did not think I would be training because I didn't go to the trainer's meeting this last change so that was very exciting to hear but very out of the blue. Everyone was so nice and pumped that I now have my first "son". He had just a few minutes before shared at the pulpit where he is from in English with the other new missionaries. Little did I know that I would be his new companion! I have been called to serve as district leader here in Jazmines as well. All I can say is that I will be praying harder than I ever have and that I will need all of your prayers and faith. I'm not sure how I will do it but like Nephi I know that Heavenly Father doesn't command us to do anything that we cannot do. I know that with the guidance of the Holy Ghost I can do it. My companion is great! I know that we will share so many great experiences together. I am so excited and blessed to continue serving in this area. Please keep my companion especially in your prayers as he is beginning his mission.
I love you all so much and please share any advice with me you have or extended relatives or anyone who reads this to help me serve the best I can. Have a great last two days of school! :) The mission is quite the adventure. I am so grateful and happy to be here. I know this is the work of God.
Love Elder Conover

Transfer week!

(written 5/26/2014)




Dear loving family,

Thank you so much for each of your emails. Today for time I only can write the family email but on Wednesday I should be able to write to each one of you.

I am so happy to hear that things are going so well and that you all are enjoying your last week of school, the warm weather, and spending time as a family. I am so grateful that you and I are healthy and strong physically and spiritually. 

Last Wednesday we had the multi-zone conference with President Klein. It was incredible! I don't know if you guys have seen the new short video the Church made about Christ's resurection, It is amazing. I felt the spirit so strong and I know that everything is possible because Jesus Christ died for us and was resurrected. The conference really got my companion and I fired up. :) We have been trying more to really teach with the Spirit which is the only true way to teach. Elder Flores and I from when we first started teaching together until now have learned and grown so much. Now much of the time when we finish a lesson and are walking along the dirt road talking we can truly look back and say "that was a powerful lesson". Like it says in D&C I have during many lessons been edified along with the person we are teaching. I am so grateful for the power of the Holy Ghost and so happy that with His companionship everything will work out how Heavenly Father wants it to. 

On Saturday we had two baptisms! It's been rough with the other four who were going to be baptised also but it was so happy to have the baptism of Kevin and Dian. :) Kevin in 10 yrs old and has been coming to church now for more than 2 months. He has wanted to be baptised for a long time. We pushed his baptism date until Saturday so that we could teach him the lessons clearly before. Practically the whole ward knows him which is great! His uncle Jose who we baptised March 29th baptised him! It was so special. I was blessed to be able to baptise Dian. She is married to Lehi who is a member. She possibly has been the easiest investigator I have ever taught. haha Every lesson that we taught she accepted very cheerfully and has a strong goal of getting married in the temple with her husband Lehi. She has definitely been prepared by Heavenly Father, we are just blessed enough to be the missionaries who shared the message and helped her to make changes in her life. 

On Sunday Miriam gave a talk on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It was amazing! I still remember vividly the day she let us into her house. February 28th. It is miraculous how fast a person can change and grow in 3 months. Not to mention that she has also been called as Relief Society secretary. Her adult son Christopher has also come to church twice now. He is reading the Book of Mormon and is almost finished with 2nd nephi!  It is the happiest thing in the World to see the fruits of our labors. Christopher lives in another Ward but may come to this ward to be with his Mom. He also has a car and that has helped Miriam a lot getting to and from Church. 

Eggs! Nice job Miriam and Abby with your egg drop and puppet show! I remember those great activities! Speaking of eggs... we also on Tuesday organized a small activity in the Church and sold baleadas to help a couple raise funds to get their papers for marriage. Elder Wilson showed us earlier that day that pressing on the pointed ends of an egg with all your strength was impossible to break the egg. We did it at the activity and told people that they could try to break the egg for 2 lempiras and if they did they would win 100 L. We raised over one hundred but Chrisotopher, Miriam's son, I don't know how broke the egg! My companion and I paid him the 100 but he graciously donated it to the cause. Elder Reid also broke one after. Give it a try! :) The thing is that you can't slide or move your hands just press on the points with the palms of your two hands and use all of your strength. :) 

I love you all so much! My companion and I are anxious to hear who is being transferred tonight. He is almost positive that he is going to be transferred. He probably will because he has 6 months here. This week is going to be interesting.. I think I will be here for another change but we will see how it goes! Have an awesome day and I will talk to you on Wednesday! :)

Adios!!!!!!!!!!

The one thing we can give: Our will.


(written 5/19/2014)


Dear beautiful family,

Hola!! Thank you for all of your emails. I love reading them so much. You all are incredible and doing so many wonderful things in your life. Keep it up! :)
Today we climbed the mountain to an awesome waterfall and pool of water. I wanted to swim very badly. :) It was an intense hike. I will send some pictures. It is so beautiful here. It really is the jungle. After we all went to Pizza Hut. Other than being short on time, today has been a lot of fun.


The weeks are flying by for me. It's very interesting how the days and weeks are here and then they are history. I feel like it was just yesterday that I was in Sonaguera with my first companion Elder Suazo. I am trying hard to make the most out of my time here.
I'm not sure what is happening but many of our investigators are not coming to Church or still haven't come for the first time. It's been really frustrating. Another thing that has been rough is when we plan the hour we are going to visit someone and then they aren't there when we arrive. Sadly Maryvelle, Norma, Gloria, and Stephany are not going to be baptized this Saturday as we had planned. Dian and Kevin will be. The problem was only Maryvelle went to Church and we haven't been able to find them in their house even though we call and visit them everyday. Stephany doesnt want to listen anymore because "we ask so many questions". We were only really insistent with them because we were trying to get them all prepared for this Saturday. She is also going to her other Church so that may be the more real reason. The others we just need to teach a few more things and they need to go to church! Other than this things are going great here! :) I still have a lot of hope for these people and know that the true gospel of Jesus Christ will change their lives.
 Tuesday we are doing a ward activity and selling baleadas to raise money so that Renae and Marixa can get their papers so they can get married. They have been going to Church for almost a year now! It has been quite the process for us, the past missionaries, and the members. Hopefully soon they can get married!
Wednesday we have a multi zone conference. I am looking forward to it. We are studying a talk called "Be the 4th missionary" and everyone is preparing a 5 min talk. President Klein will choose a few to share their talk. This talk definetly makes it on my top 10 list of favorite talks. It is amazing. I am learning so much. It has changed my way of thinking. It is changing who I am. One of the things that I have learned is that we really only have one thing we can give to the Lord, our WILL. Everything else he can give and take from us. Our desire and willingness to do what Heavenly Father wants us to do is the greatest gift we can give to Him. Many times in my life I have lived the gospel, kept the commandments etc. because I knew that it's what I needed to do but not with a true desire to do what Heavenly Father wants me to do. This obviously is better than not living the gospel or keeping the commandments at all but I am learning that true hapiness comes when we WANT to do His will. Having charity, humbling ourselves before our Maker and DESIRING to follow Jesus Christ makes all the difference between only going through the motions. I believe it's the only way we will be able to endure to the end.
I wish that I could write to each one of you. I'm really sorry that I can't. My time is over and we need to get to work! :) Next Monday is half pday so I will be writing in the morning around 9:00 or 10:00. I love you all so much! Have the best week in the world!
Love Elder Conover

I love you all!

(written 5/12/2014)


Dear my beloved family,

Thank you so much for the best time ever yesterday! It was so wonderful to be able to Skype and see each one of you. It meant so much. Each one of you mean more than the World to me. I felt the spirit so strong. I feel so much love for you and am so grateful for your courage and love across the miles. 

Saturday was great! Henry L. was baptized. I think I told you last week but he was the man that we came across the Sunday that great grandma Hicks passed away. A special tender mercy that he was baptized and confirmed mother's day weekend in memory of her. (at least that's how I think of it.) The other missionaries also baptized a man named Ever. They are both 25yrs old. The ward also had the baptism of Marjory at the same time. It was a beautiful service. Jonothan Flores is 17 yrs old and he baptized Henry. He is such a great young man and is always so helpful visiting people with us. He will be an awesome missionary. I thought my camera was robbed but Sunday morning I found it still in my back pack in a pocket I didn'






t check. It was a sad/scary experience but also special as I had to "check" my faith in Heavenly Father and think about what really matters. 

Today we had a zone p-day! We played soccer in the burning heat on the cement court, and watched the movie Monsters University! It was great to finally see it! :) I really like my zone and am building great friendships. 

I love you all so much and wish that at this very moment I could see and talk to you again. Time flies though. I need to take advantage of every second that I have. We all should. Have a great week! I am so happy to call you my family. 

Love Elder Conover

Pics: Service project, including finding a tarantula; grasshopper on front porch; baptisms!

BEST FAMILY IN THE WORLD!

(Written 5/5/2014)

Buenas tardes familia! Como estan?! 

Thank you soooooooooo much for the package!:) I received it last Tuesday but I waited until last night to open it. You did it!;) haha I recieved it early! I also recieved the card from Dad, Aunt Hilarie and their familiy, and both sets of Grandparents! Thank you so much for everything you sent and most of all for each of your kind cards. I have the best family in the World! You all are so loving and supportive. I felt your love so strong last night. I love you!! My Birthday was awesome! 

Church went really great. My companion and I went to Christian's (one of our investigators) house before the meeting started and invited him to come to Church with us. He did not want to go but he told us if his friend Osmi went he would go. Osmi is neighbors with Christian and is a less active member. We have been trying to activate Osmi for months. They are both in their 20s. We walked to Osmis house with Christian and told Osmi that Chiristian was willing to go if he went. We reminded him of many other reasons he should be going to Church. Osmi thought for a few minutes and FINALLY told us he would get ready and go with us! I am so happy that Osmi made the right decision and helped his friend visit the Church for the first time. I hope very much that they both felt the sprit and will continue to be faithful. We are going to visit them tonight. 































My companion and all the missionaries in our district were so nice the whole day wishing me a happy birthday and spreading the word. Elder Reed, our district leader, Saturday night asked the Martinez family (a great family who we used to eat lunch with) if they could buy a cake for my birthday. After Church Elder Reed told me that all 6 of us missionaries needed to go to their house and check on Brother Martinez because he hasn't gone to Church for two weeks and no one knows where he is. I believed every word. When we got to the house Brother Martinez was there and we all gave him a hug and told him it was great to see him. Sister Martinez invited the 6 of us to eat lunch. Then Elder Reed told us to break our fast as companionships. Elder Flores and I broke our fast in one of the bedrooms. When we came out into the family room everyone burst into song singing "Happy Birthday to you" On the kitchen counter there was an awesome cake that said Feliz CumpleaƱo Elder Conover. I thanked them all and blew out the candle. (Don't worry I made a great wish). We all sat down and ate delicious cake called Tres leche then we ate awesome tacos! :) What an awesome surprise. They all did so good keeping it a secret. Super well played by Elder Reed. I had no clue. It was really special and meant a lot to me. In the afternoon we had divisions. I worked with Elder Pernillo in his area and Elder Reed worked with Elder Flores in our area. The reason for the change was because Elder Reed interviewed Henry yesterday for his baptism this Saturday!:) Henry was the guy we met the Sunday afternoon that Great grandma Hicks died. That first lesson with him was so spiritual. After weeks of learning, working, and teaching with Henry this Saturday is his baptism. 

Evey Sunday night we give Elder Reed our numbers for the week. This last week was one of the very best weeks of my whole mission. We taught 50 lessons, had 15 investigators in sacrament meeting and we have 10 investigators with a baptism date. I am learning that hard work means everything and using our time wisely. Things are going great!:) I saved the best for last and opened my package! It was so fun opening it and reading your cards, looking at the pictures and opening the presents. Nice job Miriam and Abby with the origami! You guys are great! Thank you for all the gifts and letters, protein powder (perfect timing, I had just ran out a few days ago) granola bars, and candy. It was a joyous day filled with love and gratitude. 

I am going to name the investigators we have with a baptism date so that you can please pray for them.

Christian and Jonothan: Brothers, 12 and 13 years old. Their parents aren't married.

Gloria and Stephany: Single mom and daughter. Miriam has been a powerful missionary with them. 

Henry: 25 yr old man, Priesthood!

Maryvell and Norma: Also single mom and daughter

Dian: Husband is member. Has been coming to church before we started teaching her. First lesson: "I would like to know about baptism". Accepted baptism date first lesson.

Alejandra: 10 yrs old. Lives with her grandparents who are less active. 

Kevin: 10 yrs old. Cousin and lives in the same house with Jose, Oscar and Carlos. Has been coming to church for months and goes to church now with a white shirt and tie. :) 

I wish that I could share more about each one of them but I dont have time! Please pray that my companion and I can find more men to teach who are being prepared by Heavenly Father. We are trying but it is hard. I know that Heavenly Father has people prepared though. Wow! President Juchau! When I read your words that he has been called as Stake President I felt a great joy and the spirit run through my body. I love President Scoresby and Bishop Juchau so much. Please tell them both that I am so grateful for them and love them. I love you all so much and am so happy that we will get to talk this Sunday!!! I am so pumped!:) Thanks for all of your love and support! Have a great week and see you soon!

Love Elder Conover