4-25-11

Hey Family!

Happy Easter to you too! I realized as I was studying on Saturday morning that I never have read all the way through the resurrection story in the Bible, so on Saturday, I did it! And I read it using Jesus the Christ as well. What a powerful story. It's so neat that Mary goes to the tomb and there's nothing but an angel who tells her "Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen..."

How beautiful those words, no? Unfortunately it seems Mary didn't understand what the angel had said, says James E. Talmage. But to the rest, those must have been such comforting words. Had Jesus Christ simply lied to rest for all eternity it would have shown one of two things.

1. He failed to complete the atonement

2. He was just a good man.

But he rose again, and He conquered death for all of us. It was a really great Easter Day.

Alisalin, our newest investigator, loves church! She told me last night on the phone that she knows the Book of Mormon to be true and that she knows Joseph Smith to have been a prophet. We are going to shoot for the 7th of May for her baptismal date. She's such a great lady, she has literally just been waiting for this opportunity, I don't know how she wasn't found before.

With Abraham and Isaac you have to remember that everything back then was in a similitude of the Only Begotten of the Father. God was showing Abraham what it takes to be able to freely give up your own son. So that Abraham could understand what the Father has to go through. As we learn in the Book of Mormon, the people on that side of the earth were very incredulous, very wicked, they needed the law of moses to be so rigid because they couldn't figure it out any other way, and they still messed up a lot! But, since Christ has left the Holy Ghost with us, we have a "spirit of the law" type of situation in our lives which is a lot easier to live with and a lot less animal killing. PETA is happy about that I think.

The cars sound awesome! Except the Mustang, Convertible? Is it pink, too? Converts are girls cars hahaha. We live up the street from a BMW dealer, so we accidentally walk through quite often.

Hopefully Megg will be well, I'll be praying.

4-18-11

Hey family!

You're going to think this is really stupid, but I read through all your e-mails and then I was studying spanish and lost track of time... and now I remembered "OH NO! I didn't write them back!" So here's a quick update!

Member referrals are the best! A member from the Groton ward introduced us to his girlfriend, Alisalin, she is dominican and she is so great! We had a great lesson with her last week and the tears started flowing, the spirit was really strong. She came to church and loved it, so I think we're going to set up a baptismal date with her this week.

The trees are getting green finally, and so that means pollen is in town, it's a downer :( But I love the spring! It's pretty warm today, about 60 degrees!

Anyway, love you!!

Elder Conner Allred

4-11-11

Hey family:

Well it's been a good week! I had my first district meeting and I felt like it went really well! The other elders were attentive and the spirit was definitely there so I felt like things went well. President Pehrson pulled me aside last night at a mission concert we had and he let me know how much he trusts in me and how he believes I have "great leadership skills." It really does feel good to hear those words from him. Not only because of his calling, but because of his profession as well! I hope he realizes though, that when he speaks to us he really is speaking for the Lord. It is such a grand calling, I feel like the missionaries understand that -- that he speaks for Christ. But it's so hard to get our investigators to understand that when we speak... we ALSO speak for Christ.

In district meeting we talked about our purpose and focused on love. Love is so important to missionary work. If we love the people we are teaching, we will desire their salvation. That I may be able to love everyone I meet and work with is my prayer.

I have 4 companionships in my district: Norwich, Groton, Waterford, and us (New London). They are all english and we're the only spanish elders. I really enjoy being able to work with each of these elders. It's great! Basically I'm just the go to guy if they have questions and then I collect numbers. Snore! But the exciting part of my "job" is to conduct district meeting and go on 24 hour exchanges.

Funny, your diet is the opposite of mine! I've been trying to gain weight for the past three weeks... I have officially put on one whole pound. STUPID.

Rosa fell off the planet. We have no idea where she went.

Anyway, I love you all and pray for you.

-Love,

Elder Conner Allred

April 4, 2011

Family,

Conference was great! I especially liked how direct President Monson was, it's refreshing! I loved that he talked about taking the Lord's name in vain. It drives me insane out here because hispanics (yes, even members) tell me "Well Elder, you have to understand, it's our culture." I just want to scream -- but I don't -- "Well! It's culture now-a-days to fornicate and do drugs! But you don't see that as an excuse for sin there!" I did tell that to someone once, and I think using the spirit, it works haha. I think one of my favorite talks was given by Elder Packer about the Sabbath day, though. That is one message that everyone in our branch needs to hear -- too bad they don't go to church in order to hear it!

Not a whole lot went on this week because of conference. We did get a chance to clean up the apartment on Friday because we had deep cleaning and then we taught a few lessons and we continue on!

Well, I'm not getting transferred luckily! Yay!

I too have been watching my weight etc. But more trying to gain it. We started working out twice a day. Once in the morning and then at night after daily planning during our free time. So hopefully I can get something out of that.

love you all!

-Elder Conner Allred