Burgers and Transfers

Sorry everybody, but I'm almost out of time, so I'll have to make this quick!

This week was the last week of the cycle before transfers, so we had a little District party. One of the Elders in my District, Elder Celis, is an awesome cook, truly amazing what he can do. He made us some hamburgers, and you might think, why wouldn't you go gourmet if this guy is so good? But let me tell you, you've never had burgers like this; he bought some yummy meat, mashed it up, and mixed it with onions and cilantro to make the patties, then we put on onion rings, avocado, tomato, lettuce, bacon, cheese, and some sort of mayo-chili mix. Soooooo good, why can't the States have burgers this good (or good burgers period...?)? He also made a really yummy strawberry drink and a cookie cake, just...gah so good! After eating, we played a Church Doctrine/History game, he's actually suuuuuper knowledgeable when it comes to the scriptures and such. Lots of fun, Mormon Missionaries party hard. 

During this week, we've been trying to be better about teaching people in every moment; in their houses, the streets, public transportation, everywhere. We also have been traveling more to the other pueblo, Zula, in our area. It's really small and not very many members live there, but I've been wanting to go more often because I know there are people there to teach! 

One day, we were there and we contacted this old man in the street. He started trying to argue with us, and all of a sudden, I began to understand something. The thought came to me that this man, was really truly a son of God who God loves and really really wants to return home. I don't think I've ever worked so hard in a contact to get an appointment. I told him exactly what I had just thought, that God loves him and wants him to listen to our message. I then gave him a Book of Mormon and explained it a bit. After I handed him the book, he looked at me, and said, 'Can you come by on this day at this time?' I was stunned. His demeanor completely changed. I don't know if he will be there waiting, but I pray for that almost every night. 

Another cool Zula experience. We found another dog that followed us for about 45 minutes as we walked from appointment to appointment, not finding anybody. We really began to like this little puppy and were not excited to leave it. As we were walking to get on some public transportation to go back to San Pablo, the dog ran up to this man on the sidewalk. He looked homeless, had no shoes, ragged clothes, all that stuff. The puppy sniffed him and then sat next to him, completely forgetting us. The man seemed a lot happier after that. Good dog. 

TRANSFERS!! Elder Antonio is the only one in my district that's leaving. He's going to open a completely new area AND train at the same time! He has one transfer less than I do, and already he's gonna train! He's such an awesome missionary, he'll make a great missionary father for some greenie missionary! I'm staying, waiting to receive....my OWN son!! YES! I'm going to be a father!! I'm super excited for this opportunity, and very humbled by the trust God has placed in me to help shape the rest of this young missionary's mission. A little nervous yes, I still find it hard to get around my area, but very excited! In other transfer news, Elder Jimenez, my trainer/father, goes home tomorrow. Insane man, he'll get to know his grandson before he goes! I'll be sure to get some pics. 

I love you all! Have a great week!

Elder Connor

A Week of Miracles

This week, I had the opportunity to speak with a lot of people with different religious backgrounds and ideas. Not that this is unusual, it happens everyday, but I had some rather profound experiences, all of which made me realize how many people there are that just don't know the truth. I want to share a few simple truths in this email. 

1. We still need prophets- This is something that some people don't know! but it's true, prophets are ESSENTIAL to God's work. If we didn't have prophets, it'd be like being in class without a teacher or a textbook. Or the internet. We just have to figure it all out ourselves, and while we may make some good advances, we can't hope to reach the same understanding as we could with their guidance. Amos 3:7; 'Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.' NOTHING. That's how important prophets are. Not just anyone can be a prophet though, they must be worthy Priesthood men whom God has called to guide His church (one guy tried to tell us that he wasa prophet this week. Pretty sure he was drunk.)
2. If we have prophets, revelation persists in these days. What happened after Christ died? Did He stop leading His church? Of course not! Ephesians2:20; 'And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner.' Christ still leads His church and directs His prophets, AS WELL AS HIS PEOPLE. We can all receive revelation for ourselves. That is what our message is all about! We as missionaries are humans, and we have the ability to lie. We could. Not saying that we do (because we don't) but we have that option. Our invitation is not to trust us or our word, but to trust God. Ask Him if it's true. Because God CANNOT lie. He can't do it. He WON'T do it. It's not in His nature, as a perfect being. 
3. Another thing that is important; The Bible is imperfect. It is not a perfect book. It is extremely useful and contains much of God's word, but after the death of Christ and His apostles, many people changed things in the Bible. Over the past 2000 years, much has become distorted and corrupted. Isaiah 24:5; 'The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.' Things have changed, and for that reason, God in His immense and perfect love for His children, has given us the Book of Mormon. This Book has not been defiled as the Word of God. It have only one translation, dont by the first Prophet of this time, Joseph Smith. He did not write it. He translated by the Gift and Power of the Holy Ghost, given to him by God. It contains the fulness and plenitude of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and is a perfect Book. 

These are the things, among many others, of which we teach and testify. Basic principles of the Gospel that I KNOW that so many people do not. If you do not yet know these principles for yourself, please please please follow the steps to gaining this knowledge; 

1. read the Book of Mormon
2. I mean read read it. Study it out. 
3. Pray about it, with a sincere desire to know. 

You may not receive your answer right away, maybe not even for weeks after, but if you continue to do so, you WILL know that these things are true. I thought I knew when I was a kid, but really, I just knew that everyone else knew. When I learned for myself, I was 16, just two years ago, and it has changed my life in so many, unimaginable and wonderful ways. 

I'm sorry this email isn't very much of an update, but that's what I'm gonna talk about now. As of last week, (week 15) we had 4 investigators, and no one was progressing. This week, we found 15 new people to teach, 6 of whom have baptismal dates, and 9 of whom pertain to two different families. One of them was a street contact, and all the others were references from members. The one street contact has cousins who are super faithful members and who all served missions. Basically, the effect the members have had on this work in one week has been astounding. Were it not for the members working with us, we would probably be at the same spot we were last week. I feel so blessed to be a part of this great work of inviting souls to come unto Christ. 

Other news, we had a trio day with Elder Cory! It was fun, I made him speak spanish so he'd learn haha. Good stuff. 

I love you all! Have a great week! 

Elder Connor

1. An origami dress shirt a ward sister missionary taught me how to make
2. Close up (it has my name tag!!)
3. We had a pizza party!