August 12th, 2012 Letter

Dear Family,
   Guess what?! I hit my 6-month last Wednesday and I burned a tie. Don't worry mom, it was a disgusting one that I found here (she wasn't the only one that said "Whaaa!?" about the tie burning). Boy the time sure flies here (not here!).
   These past few weeks have been very stressful. We have been working super hard and getting into some interesting situations with investigators. We had a 3rd and final lesson with George and Beasgott last week. They were the anti-people. I didn't say anything that lesson because it was pointless. We are also working with this family who has a daughter who wants to be baptized, but her parents won't let her. We have a lesson in a few days where we can try and help them realize our church is good. I'm going to be counting on the Spirit 100% in that lesson.
   This other investigator, Jim, is pretty solid. We have taught him twice now and he has felt the Spirit. He just needs to read the Book of Mormon now and pray to find out whether or not it's all really true. Same situation with this girl Keidence and her sister Kama. We had one lesson with them and they felt the Spirit. They just want to be totally sure before they move on it though. We are teaching a whole bunch of other people, but they are not as exciting at the moment.
   Do you guys remember Bill & Joy from my previous area? They got baptized yesterday and it was so exciting!
   I have learned the past few weeks how much I really rely on the Spirit to help me as a missionary. You may not know this, but I am a bit shy (Nooo...really??!). And I have a hard time describing things, so teaching lessons are hard. I have humbled myself to know that I rely on the Spirit to help me teach, and He does! I have said many amazing things during lessons that I thought I would never say! And today I spoke in church and it went great! I wasn't nervous and I knew what to say the whole time because God was speaking through me. I have also gained a strong testimony in prayer. When we went to this families house where the girl wants to be baptized and her parents won't let her, i was super scared to go to that house and confront the mother. But I prayed, and we prayed as a companionship and we went and knocked on their door and set up one lesson that we already had that went okay and we have another set up. The Lord heard our prayers and answered them.

Brittany: Thank you for writing me! You must be crazy because I don't remember the whole grass thing. That shooting is way too horrible, I'm glad I don't watch the news anymore. How was Nauvoo? Meet any cute girls that coule write me? KIDDING...but did you? Have fun!

Mom: I don't remember if I wrote you for that letter you sent me a while ago, but oh well. You had a super busy summer and now soon to be a super busy fall. by the time you start to relax again, I will be home...HA! Have fun!

Dad:...I mean...Bishop, Hey. There is a Snap Fitness here in North Ogden, thought you should know...What is Zack Alldredge's address? I would like to write him. Have fun!

Everyone else: Have fun!...and write me...

I love you all! See you on the other side!

Love,
Elder Connell

P.S. I need stamps (Okay, big boy, that's nice ;))