3-28-11

Herro famiry!:

Well this week was pretty cool! Elder Zwick came and gave us a great mission conference and talked to us about our conventants that we made in the temple and what the definition of consecration and sacrifice is for a missionary, since we don't have much we can really sacrifice anymore! He spoke to us about our sacrifice of time -- time is what we can give to the Lord. It's really the only thing we have left to give. Using the Lord's time wisely was the main topic of conversation and it really made me reflect. My whole mission it has been hard to completely surrender my will to the Father as Jesus Christ did. I still find myself being selfish and saying "but, I want this thing to be MINE." I think it's a lack of trust in the Lord that I have to work on. If I trust the Lord enough, I will know that when I give all things to Him, He in reality will give me everything back... one hundred fold. The story of Job is a great example of this.

Transfers are coming up this week and we'll find out what is going to happen on Sunday. I am not too nervous, I am pretty sure I'm going to stick around!

This week we didn't get a chance to meet with Rosa Liriano, unfortunately. She was in the hospital with her daughter who just had a baby but we did have a chance to speak to Rosa's niece about the Book of Mormon. It was a little difficult because she has the mind of Nehor (Alma chapter 1). Basically you can do whatever you want and you're all set if you're a good person for the most part. I was a little frustrated, but I pushed through it and it ended up being a really good exchange! We are going to go check up on her soon and see if she read the chapter we gave her.

Conference is coming up! Superbowl for missionaries!

Not much else to add this week! I love you all!

-Elder Conner Allred

(Mom, tell Brinlee to check her e-mail!)

3-21-11

Hey fam!


The weather got above 70 for the first time last week and it was really nice. Got to walk around without suit jackets!

Marcela I believe has decided that the gospel is too hard to live, she told us to come over and then when we called to confirm she had her "friend" over and told us she was going to be with him. So we told her if she wants to continue she can call us -- she hasn't -- can't say I am not surprised. Magali, we haven't been able to contact, but we did recieve a blessing this week.

We were going through some former investigators and found a lady named Rosa Liriano. She is from the D.R. and took the lessons about 2 years ago. She kind of fell off the planet when one of the missionaries didn't keep up her info and then she went off on vacation for 3 months. She's back and we went over and in our first lesson we set a baptismal date with her for the 23rd of April. She told us that she knows the church is true and that she already has a testimony of the Book of Mormon so it will just be getting things together! She has been to church before, but apparently no one knows who she is -- which is a bummer since the branch presidents son has gone to her house to teach her before and she knows his name!

Elder Zqiegkckswck will be coming this week. (I'm not sure how to spell his name) We are going to have a mission-wide conference on Wed so that should be very enlightening! We're doing great and we are healthy and happy! I hope everyone at home is doing well and keep in mind that my prayers are with each of you. I love you.

-Elder Conner Allred

3-14-11

Family!

Again somewhat of a slow week in New London but we did find a new investigator! Her name is Magali and she is from Ecuador -- she seems like a great person and shows a lot of potential so we will see how everything works out. Marcela, our peruvian investigator is also progressing and she said that next time we meet she wants to set a date! Only problem I see though is that she told us she feels "normal" when we're over. So I'm a little frustrated because I feel like I've felt the spirit as does Elder Walkenhorst so we just need to figure out what she needs to get her sure answer.

My birthday went well, we just taught some lessons and went tracting. Woo haha. Then the family Nunez made me a cake! I had a few cakes actually so it went really well!

We are setting up a family home evening activity for about two weeks from now to teach everyone in the branch how to properly have family home evening. We'll see how that goes! I have a feeling it will just be a party, but I'm fine with thtat haha.

Not too much else is going on to be honest, sorry this letter is boring! I got the package thank you so much!!

I love you all!!!! remember to always read the Book of Mormon. Stay close to it, apply it's teachings in your lives and as I tell people each day, it will bless your life. I love you!

-Elder Conner Allred

Cuidado! Brinlee ya esta conduciendo un coche.

3-7-11

Family:

Not too much going on lately! Well, there's always something going on, but nothing too different is what I mean to say. Marcela is progressing little by little. We met with her again this week and she did a little of her reading. She has interesting questions but she is starting to trust more in the Book of Mormon. We asked her "Why do you want to learn more about this?" and she explained that if it's the word of God she would like it to lead and guide her life as well as the lives of her future family. Good answer!! We're pretty excited to see where this goes. We have an appointment with her on Wed. and we're bringing a member named Elvis Erazo, he's awesome! He's from the english ward but came to the branch to add some priesthood, he's now the secretary -- he's a great member.

Less actives are still hard but fun to deal with. We continue with them and hope to get as many active as we can.

I'm quite content to tell you all the truth. It's getting warm and we're just a bunch of happy missionaries.

I love you all!!