Doctor's Orders

On Tuesday, I woke up feeling absolutely awful, so I slept in for a while and then we went to the Mission Doctor. I felt much better at that time, and the doctor gave me some medicine and told me I could work! YES!! I would have hated staying at home, I felt much better and we had a ton of appointments, so this was a huge blessing from God to me, and I hope for those we visited. It was hard, but I felt so much happier working than staying at home. I love being a missionary!

This week, we have been contacting and what surprised me is that almost everyday, we contacted a member that had somehow lost touch with the church. I didn't know them, but we would ask if they knew the church, and they would say, 'Yeah, I was baptized (so many years ago)' It was really amazing how God placed us in their paths, and vice versa, really a very strong testimony to me that God knows and loves each of us and wants us to be happy! God is so Good!

We've also had to leave some investigators this week, people who like to listen, but don't want to change. Cool story, we were going to leave one investigator, he really just wanted to argue. I was thinking about it, praying really hard to know what we should do, and I felt prompted to visit him one more time. I really didn't want to if I'm honest, I would much rather have visited someone that would listen to our message and do something about it, but we went. 

When we arrived, we found he wasn't there, but his daughter who had just moved in a few days prior, invited us in. She listened attentively and invited us to come back. Had we not returned, we probably would never have found her, but again, God knows each of us PERSONALLY, our needs, our desires, how we can be happy, and He sent us there to visit that woman because this is something that she NEEDS, and that CAN make her happy. How grateful I am for a Father in Heaven who knows and loves me, and each of you!!

This week coming, we celebrate not just one, but TWO wonderful people! First, the studliest of studs, the clutchiest of the clutch, the fastest of people who are really fast, the one and only, JACooooooooooob CONNORRRRRRRRR!!! This man among men is just about the coolest guy around. Good looking, athletic, loving, and the epiphany of awesome, he's got it all. I love this kid so much and I'm so lucky to have him as my brother! Happy Birthday, 16 YEAR OLD. That's right ladies, he's dateable! You better get in line now though, it's already probably a few miles long. And he's only got two years before his mission! LIMITED TIME OFFER!! TAKE ADVANTAGE NOW!! 

11 And [Jacob] was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding...
12 Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people.
 13 Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ...

The second person, and by no means lesser than my younger brother. My sister Julie also has her birthday this week, turning 21!! She's equally wonderful, funny, and such the nicest sister named Julie ever! I have a ton of fun memories when we would play together as kids and I love having her as my sister!! 

 17 A friend loveth at all times...

Happy Birthdays! I love you all! Have a great week! 

Elder Connor

P.S. Sorry I haven't sent pictures recently, the computers have had trouble, but here they are!!

1. (left to right) Elder Pacheco (my brother), Elder Jimenez (my father), me, Elder Castillo (my son!!) 
2. (left to right) Elder Kleinman (an elder from my generation), me, my son, and Elder Zabriskie (Elder Kleinman's son!)
3. We have a momma bird in our cactus!!
4. The burgers we made a few weeks ago. So. Good. 

In Which Joseph is a Chef, a Boss, and a Birthday Shouter-Outer

First off, we celebrate yet another wonderful woman of valor (I know, my family's full of them), my sister Heather!! Heather is GREAT because she is an awesome teacher! I remember when she taught me piano and I am so very thankful that she did so! She is also GREAT because she knows how to have fun! Also, she is super strong because she likes to climb mountains all the time. Annnnd she's funny and takes care of my mission blog. I apologize for my ward's behavior, but we won't be having a ward party in your favor this weekend...but I will just party all week to try to even it out. Love you Heather! 

This week, my zone leader told me I got letters!...and then proceeded to forget to give them to me until yesterday haha. Shout out to Sister Rickel and my sister, Nicole, who's serving her mission in Washington State! 

I also made french toast this week! I didn't have the recipe, but I kinda just threw everything together, mixed it up, and it was delicious! I mean, I guess it's kinda tough to mess up french toast, but whatever, I feel cool. 

Last week was transfers (cambios), and both Elder Roura and Elder Brewer left! I was so sad! Our new elders are Elder Olivos, who trained Elder Brewer, and Elder Long. They're both pretty fun, we quote movies together, and they're pretty boss teachers. 

Thursday, I had to be in charge of everything; weekly planning, what we would do when plans fell through (and the did) and reporting to the mission leader. It was kinda tough, but it was good practice and I learned a lot! 

This week was pretty tough as far as lessons go, almost every time we went to someone's house, they either weren't there, or just didn't have time or whatever. As a result, we only had 6 all week. That was very sad for me, BUT we did a lot more contacting! One of the english speaking guys I mentioned last week, Roman Telles, stopped us again and told us when we could teach him. We didn't even have to ask! He's working really hard on setting up his new store, so he won't be available for a couple weeks, but after that, he's really excited to meet with us!

GENERAL CONFERENCE. Oh my goodness, how I love conference! I don't think I've ever been so pumped to hear the prophets speak. A little bit of this might be the fact that I could listen in English, but other than that, I was super excited!! And it did not disappoint! For those of you who don't know, General Conference happens twice a year, the first saturday and sunday of April and the first saturday and sunday of October. During this wonderful time, the leaders of our church, those who have been called of God as prophets in our time, speak to us, teach us, and help us understand better the will and word of God. IT is a wonderful time when we can feel the Spirit and gain a greater understanding on God's will for us! Here are some of my favorite quotes (I don't have time to look up the real ones, so these are just my notes. Sorry for paraphrasing); 

• When we think someone needs to pay for their sins, we must remember Someone already has (Christ) - Elder Boyd K. Packer, Saturday morning

• Salvation is not the result of divine whim, but similarly is not achieved by divine will alone; we must ACT! - Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Saturday morning 

• A testimony of the church is the MOST IMPORTANT thing we can gain in this life - President Deiter F. Uchtdorf, Saturday morning

• No sign outside the chapel building that says 'your testimony must be this tall to enter', all are welcome!! - President Deiter F. Uchtdorf, Saturday morning

•  

I have more, but that's what I liked from the first session. I'll send more from the later sessions in the following weeks!

Also, I finished the Isaiah chapters in 2 Nephi this week! Here's one verse from them that I'd like to share, found in 2 Nephi 16:9; 

'And he said: Go and tell this people—Hear ye indeed, but they understood not; and see ye indeed, but they perceived not.'

I really like this, especially in light of Conference this past weekend. Many times, we hear the prophets word, but do not understand them, or seek to do so. Many times we see miracles happen or experience blessings, and then put them off as mere luck, or coincidence, or even skill. But this is wrong! When we hear the voice of the prophet speak, when we hear the Spirit whisper to our hearts (and it whispers to ALL OF US), we need to heed their words! If we don't understand them, we can ask for help through prayer and then, through diligent study. God expects us to ACT, not just sit around waiting for an answer. Given this, I really encourage all of you to study out the words of the prophets, both those of ancient times and the modern days. As we do so, we will gain a greater understanding of who God is and His infinite, never-ending, incredible love for each of us. 

I love you all, have a great week! 

Elder Connor

Me, Elder De La Cruz, and Elder Kleinman! They're also in my generation, really great elders!

1. A kid in my stake, Israel. He's pretty awesome, I've played some fun soccer games against him haha.

1. Me and the Stake President's son, Immanuel. Ladies, he's an RM of 22 years old, single, and willing to learn English! 

1. Elder Frederich and I. He came in at the same time as me from the Mexico MTC. He's a total stud and an awesome missionary!