Making A Difference Day by Day...

Serving On the Lord's Team

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Elder Conklin is currently serving in San Andres Tuxtla and although he won't admit it, it is pretty much the garden spot of the Veracruz mission.  It is in the southern part of his mission and is located in jungle covered hills, lakes and waterfalls.  But what Elder Conklin writes most about is the wonderful and humble people that he has the blessing to teach.  Missionary work in Mexico is very fruitful although just like anywhere, there are plenty of challenges to overcome in doing the work.  A candidate for baptism throughout the Mexico area must attend church a minimum of 5 times, be several weeks clean of whatever word of wisdom issue that they are overcoming and of course be married.  The missionaries must be sure that all candidates are ready and are truly converted and ready to covenant to live the gospel.   While the rate of baptizing has slowed in Mexico, the retention rate of new members is increasing, which is the whole point of conversion.  

Letter from Elder Conklin
Hola!!!!!!!!  

Wow.  It was so good to see and hear from you this week. I really liked hearing what's going on with everyone and that you are all doing good.   Everyone seems the same!  But its weird how different everything is back home now that I am accustomed to a different way of life. Thank you all so much for all your love and support and your prayers. Its really helped me. 

This week we had a lot to do.  A lot of appointments fell through for because of Christmas but we could still find a couple of people to teach. Right now we are teaching a lady named Naomí who is incredible.  We found her contacting looking for less actives.  She has so many questions that just blow me away.  AHH dad I'm sure you understand how it feels when after looking for awhile you find someone who just understands and is excited to progress; people called escogidos (elect). In Predicad Mi Evangelio (Preach My Gospel)... in chapter 9 it talkes about how to find people to teach.  I like it a lot because it has helped me to know that there are people waiting for the missionaries and that they have been prepared to recieve the gospel.  The hard part is finding them.  Its tough but fun and always worth the work.  Ahh I would have liked to have talked a little more to you all about the people here. Next time in May I will take advantage of it more.  I am always just so rushed in the time I have to write you.  I feel like I don't get to really fill you all in.  So this tomorrow is New Years. I love you all so much and wish you a Happy New Year!!!! 

Yikes i ran out of time!!!!!!!! Next week I'll fill you all in a bit more on whats going on. I'm glad that you got to see Elder Eastmond!!! He wrote me and said that you were all so nice so thanks for going to see him and support him.  I hope it was a good experience.

Happy Birthday Elder Conklin

           
Elder Conklin is celebrating his 21st birthday in Veracruz, Mexico.  San Andreas Tuxtlas is where he is currently serving.  Check out his last email....

I had a great birthday here last week and after pday ended it turned out to be even more special because my companion and I found a family and 2 other new investigators.  It was a nice little gift!!  I was happy.  This evening we are going to sing in a park downtown, everyone is super excited and finally ready to sing after practicing for two weeks, almost everyday.... so I think we are prepared!! Hopefully the weather will cooperate and all will work in our favor. The members are helping us a lot to notify everyone...they even put an ad in the newspaper and a truck with a big megaphone was driving around advertising the event.  I hope that this opportunity to sing for the community tonight will have a positive influence on all and we will be able to touch many lives through the spirit of song.  Yesterday we had a meeting with our Presidente Trevino.  He came to LosTuxtlas to talk to all the Elders about baptizing.  Right now the mission is in a slump and so we are trying to climb our way out and just complete our duty here and find those that are ready to be baptized.  He said that it all depends on our "attitude." If we always have a good attitude and are always focused on what we need to do we will be able to have more success.

I'm officially blogging and loving this opportunity to share Elder Conklin's experiences in Mexico with all of you out there...I love my missionary and know he is working hard doing the Lord's work.