Elder James Conder

January 23, 2012

2012-02-02T11:10:00.001-08:00

"Compose is the button I just pressed to start this email. If I was the Greatest orator, most poetic poet, master architect, I could never tell, touch, or design this life. I love being on a mission. I very much desire that I could be obedient to every one of Gods commandments and that I could always remember my relationship with God. He has blessed my life in many ways. I think that it is amazing to think that all blessings are based on obedience! I think of how often I mess up in a given day, yet God still blesses me. If I could be 100% obedient, that would be so amazing!

The blessings of life, Troy Julian Strachan baptized his brother this week. Around four months ago I was walking in Solomon's Food store talking in a fake english accent as we walked through the beverage section, a young man looked at us and said, are you missionaries? Yes, I responded in my fake accent. Four months later he is now a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, one of my good friends and he just baptized his brother! He is continually talking about how much this has changed his life.

Journal, It has as of late been a bad habit to miss writing in my journal one or two days out of the week. It has very much hindered the joy I have felt in the past few weeks. Writing in my journal is a great way to "remember how merciful the Lord has been unto the children of men". I get the chance to see every ray of sunlight throughout the day. I very strongly encourage everyone to write a journal.

I love you all.

Love,
Elder Conder"

January 16, 2012

2012-02-02T11:09:00.000-08:00

"DEAREST FAMILY & FRIENDS,
Elder Trumpet and I have been enjoying the life here in the Bahamas, but most of all our life on a mission. I don't think I articulate enough to detail to you the things I have done, and the way I feel. This week started off amazing as usual, P-day with a nice game of Golf. As the week progressed on we soon learned this would not be a normal week. Tuesday, we set up shop out front of a local food store where we met some amazing people. Wednesday we had district meeting. Thursday Miracle after Miracle. Friday,dinner at the one of the nicest restaurants on the island. Saturday, baptisms of Sister Cartright and Egdecombe. Sunday, conformations and amazing lessons.

I just looked at Elder Trumpet, we have a game of golf, monopoly and dinner today. Life is great. It is times like this you really have to, appreciate., give thanks and capture the moment so you can always remember these times.

Tuesday, we went to the food store and set up a little booth. We started talking to people and things seemed to be going very well. Then this man walked up and started calling us racest, he looks and me and goes why are you here if you hate black people. I thought to myself, this a great question. Why would I be here if that was true? The truth is, we all have one father and we are all equal. We have been commanded that we must not esteem one flesh above another. Sorry to go on this tangent, but God loves us all. My love extends to every human on this earth! Well the man continued to try to disturb us, I must admit it is hard to keep a cool, but we did and eventually he went away (as with all things you ignore). I felt sad that this man had distanced himself so far from the truth but my pains were soon swallowed up by the joy of being an instrument in the lords hands. That day we taught around 24 individuals. We met almost every person that walked in or out of the store. It was amazing, and a great testimony to me that if we will endure persecutions God will bless us.

Thursday, was the Miracle day. I wish I had time to show you all that happened, but I am going to focus on a specific event. 6:00pm was the baptism interview for Sister Cartright and Edgecombe. We were struggling to get the computer working. No matter what we did Skype would just not let us in. We tried and tried finally I stood up and said alright everyone let's say a prayer. I said the words Dear Heavenly Fath... when I heard Elder Trumpet say it worked. It is my testimony that God tests us each day and that he literally answers prayers.

Love,
Elder Conder"

January 9, 2012

2012-02-02T11:08:00.000-08:00

"Dear World,

What a week, there has been so much that has happened this week ! They say the more things change the more they stay the same. The Gospel holds true no matter where you are what you are doing or where you are going. The question I have been using most often as of late is, what is the most important thing you can do in life? Troy!!!!!!! IS NOW A MEMBER What an amazing baptism. I love this mission.

The more things change the more they stay the same. I love this quote. I love this gospel. The gospel of Jesus Christ is so perfect. As I asked people this question throughout the week, I received a very calming answer. Serve God. Amen, This is so true, serve god so that we can live with him again! I have been focusing my mind throughout this week on preparing myself to live with God again. Doing this has greatly enlarged my view on this life. I have been so happy because of it.

Troy is a member, he has been baptized and what a moment it was! I am trying to think of the best way to describe this experience, heavenly!!! A real touch of heaven. I loved being with Troy after his baptism. He was laying on his couch saying, I feel like I am drunk with the spirit. I was loving it, he is so funny. Then he got really serious and started to bare his testimony about the gospel, the way he felt, the spirit, and everything. I am so glad that I have been a tool in Heavenly Fathers plan. I do not glory in myself, but in what God has commanded me. I love being a missionary.

Brothers and sisters, I would really love to thank you for sending me your stories of success. Living the gospel is not always easy, but always worth it. I would like to tell you that the trees are green and the sky is blue when the gospel is in my life, that is my testimony and my life. I love you.

Love,

Elder Conder"

January 2, 2012

2012-01-17T18:40:00.000-08:00

Welcome to 2012,

Welcome to my life, there's no turning back, even while were here, "Tears for Fears." It is awesome to be here on Freeport, I am sending tons of pictures with this email. (Elora will post on Jamaicanjames.blogspot.com) I hope that will be the more secular part of my email. I would love to tell you a little more about some stories I deem as "the stories so often untold." There is a quote that I have to say before I get started. "Perhaps success isn't measured in dollars and gold, but in the stories so often untold." Everyday is Gods day on his mission. I love being here, to be able to do what he wants me to do is my greatest desire.

Going to lunch the other day we stopped by the ATM to snag some cash, to our dismay we found that is was closed, but what happened while we were there was amazing. We were stopped by a man begging for food and as Elder Trumpet and I looked at each other it seemed as if we both remembered " and ye will not suffer that the beggars putteth up his petition to you in vain." Well we gave him all we had. The restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ! As we finished I thought our work at the ATM was at an end. We were then called over by three girls, they wanted to know who Joseph Smith was, as we testified in front of that true value hardware store the spirit was strong. We invited them all to learn more. We set up a time to meet with them again. As we drove away Elder Trumpet and I talked about how wonderful this experience was. It is moments like this in life that I can say with all gravity of my heart, that all things testify there is a god, and by small and simple means are great things brought to pass. I love this mission. I love my companion. I love you. God bless

I have a family here on earth they are so good to me I want spend my life with them through all eternity. I hope you are preparing so I can spend my life with you. We are all family and I hope to live with all of you in eternity.

Love,

Elder Conder

December 26, 2011

2011-12-28T13:15:00.001-08:00

"Let me lay it on the line, probably one of the most epic Christmas eve's in the world! We started out like just another day, great lessons, hard work and progressed from there. We called our investigator and asked if we could come visit him. He said yeah, just meet me at the beach by my house. Sounds good! We pulled up and sat down on a bench spanning over the beach. We started talking about the gospel and he just started to bare a really powerful testimony of how much we have helped him and how far he has come. I think there are few that would have not been moved by that testimony. After the spirit poured over us for about 30 min. we went back to the car and there was some gospel rap playing in his car and he started dancing and we were all laughing. After that we went to his house and went Christmas Caroling! He, his, two brothers , Elder Trumpet and I got to our first house and they opened the door. We started singing and then we all just started laughing. It still touched them and they were stoked to see us. Then we moved through the rest of the night, it was Epic! I am going caroling every year for the rest of my life. I think that this Christmas has had a profound impact on the rest of my life.

I love serving a mission! Life is great and I got one of the greatest Gifts this Christmas! What? Talking to my family. I Love them so much let me just try and put it in words. 1 L Life would have been nothing without them 2 O My parents are the Ones I chose and I am confident the only ones that could ever raise me. 3 V they gave me the Vision of what I can become. 4 E Ever one of them bring something great to the table. Dad taught me how to work and love unconditionally. Mom taught me how to live life and dream big. Jessica taught me what it means to really share. Ragu taught me that life dreams can be met. Elora taught that perfection can be closely met in this life. Taylor, gave me a big push in life's giant swing. LOVE that is the easiest way to spell how much you mean to me!!!!

I want to tell you so much! I want to tell you everything and let you see how great this is here, but there is absolutely no way to do so. It would be an endless email. So to sum it up; I know that my Redeemer Lives. God is our Father and we are all brothers and sisters. The field is white already to harvest. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Love,

Elder Conder"

December 20, 2011

2011-12-28T13:14:00.001-08:00

"Last Christmas I was standing on top of an apartment with two of my favorite people, Elders Gardener and Tracy. I love and miss them both. We were looking over the scenic view of Ocho Rios Jamaica, what an experience. I will never forget that moment. I am so blessed to be here on Grand Bahamas this year. I am getting an early Christmas present this year, Elder Trumpet is coming for Christmas. I am going to finish my time on this island with him. I am super excited about this experience. It should be a really good time.

It's going to be a white Christmas this year. D&C 4:4, "the field is white already to harvest".

ITS a Christmas miracle, this Sunday was indeed a Christmas miracle! We had so many in attendance! It was great to see so many people out. This branch has really made some great progress, they are moving right along. The members are doing great. I would like to relate a story of one of our members, maybe two stories. The first story is about one of our sisters who has sparked a forest fire in hearts. We went on our way to see a new investigator who lived next door to a member. We invited our member to come teaching with us. She agreed so we went to her house and then walked to the neighbors. Well the neighbor wasn't home so our sister said, well there has got to be a reason why you are here. We sat down with her and began to teach her. She then related to us of how she had been thinking at length about her moral state when she was facing a challenge. She said this helped her to make the right choice. She then asked somewhat concerned, is it bad that I think about this all the time? No, we declared this is a great thing. This is a part of repenting. In the bible dictionary it defines repentance as a fresh view of ones self and the world. This is just what you have and a new view on life. I am so proud of her! She radiated the spirit as she bore her testimony. Then four days later at the Christmas party she came up to me and stated, I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet. I was so enlightened by this testimony and moved with hope. This was an honest testimony of an honest sister.

I love you all I hope this will be a good gift to you this Christmas,

I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior and redeemer of the world and that God loved his only begotten. I love you my brothers and sisters and pray for you often.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Love,

Elder Conder"

December 12, 2011

2011-12-28T13:13:00.001-08:00

"Merry Christmas,

We hold choir practice every Wednesday night at 7:00 P.M. it is always an awesome event. This week however was more than awesome. We started singing our Christmas hymn and then when we finished we started talking about our car and one thing lead to another and soon, everyone was just dying laughing. It was so fun Sis Cash had tears in her eyes she was laughing so hard. It was a great experience. I love serving a mission this is the most unique thing I have ever done in my whole life!

This week was chuck full of off the wall things Zone Leader Conference, fun times at mommies and spiritual lessons. For ZLC we headed over to the church and joined the Elders and Pres. over Skype.

F.H.E., ya, this week we had one of the funniest family home evenings ever. It all started out with two little girls running up and down and mom and dad trying to get them to sit still. We pulled out the hymn books and they started fighting over them. As we started to sing, something amazing happened. Singing Love at home, everyone settled down, the spirit was so strong, and seemed to come so fast. D&C 25: 12 For my soul adelighteth in the bsong of the cheart; yea, the dsong of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads. After we sang and got into the lesson we read a story on being nice to your brothers and sisters. We asked Julia (she is 8) if she would be nice to her sister Alia (4). She said yes, "I will but Alia is not always nice to me." Alia took this way serious and dramatized a facial expression and said " ohhh Okay, How About I climb up on the table and get you." We were instantly laughing and when we finally calmed down we started to finish the lessons and wrote notes to each other. After writing the notes everyone read theirs out loud and then Alia's dad said, Alia will you read yours? She politely said ya. A moment later she excitedly said, I want to read mine in the bathroom.

Love,

Elder Conder"

December 5, 2011

2011-12-28T13:12:00.001-08:00

"Whoops!

I have almost forgot to write my mass email, sorry. This week has been completed with one of the best Sundays on my mission. We have been teaching this awesome investigator. Our first lesson with him was filled by the spirit testifying. It was amazing, that was almost 2 months ago now. There have been many things in between, tons of trials, some will be detailed in his testimony that I will paraphrase. He came into the Church on Sunday asked Elder Roberts if he could bare his testimony, it went as follows. I have been meeting with the missionaries for about 2 months now, I have come to know that the priesthood authority has been restored to the earth. I wish to unite myself with this faith, but I am facing such big opposition. I am youth minister at my church now. I have been bombarded with this and that. About a week ago, I was allowed to watch a anti Mormon film. I wish that no one will ever watch this. I watched and was devastated. The Elders called me right after I watched it. I didn't know what to do. He then told us, I couldn't sleep. The Elders came by the next day, and prayed for me (gave him a blessing). I slept through the night. I know that was from God.

He finished his testimony, I was in tears, How could he get through all of this? How? One word, "Remember". He remembered that first lesson. The spirit he felt and has never let go. D&C 6:22. Please read this and "remember".

I love you

Love,

Elder Conder"

November 21, 2011 Thanksgiving

2011-11-29T13:45:00.000-08:00

"Dear Family,

I have so much support from all of you, you have built me up so much this Monday with your Emails, pictures, smiles and experiences. I am in absolute joy right now reflecting on how much I love each one of you I really am so happy to hear from you this week. I love this work and hope it never stops. I really almost don't believe I have been out this long. Alex wow you are a strong man I am so amazed and have really been uplifted by your emails. You have become an effective advocate and messenger of truth. I love your emails because I feel the spirit as I read them. I also can't wait to here about all of your experiences in detail. Your areas the people.... I love missionary everything.

This family is amazing. This thanksgiving season I would like to take the time to express how grateful I am for that great man we all know and love and his wife, they are Grandma and Grandpa Hamilton. There legacy is one of the most amazing stories I have every heard. I am eternally grateful for there faith, sacrifice and love. I thank my heavenly father that I am part of the Hamilton family. We are so blessed to be able to gather together each holiday and enjoy each others company! Much like the thanksgiving table we all have our unique flavors, and added together we make the best meal! I would like to say thank you for your kind and loving support throughout all of my life. You have always been there form me. YOU are my Family

Alex,

I have always looked up to you. You really are a great example to me. I am so proud of you, and everytime I hear someone say Florida I instantly say, oh my cousin in serving there. I really want you to know that I am grateful for you.

Love,

Elder Conder

P.S. Remember that awesome tree house, and playing with Lego's, we are going to have some great times when I get home."

November 14, 2011 MAMMA MIA

2011-11-29T13:42:00.000-08:00

"Dear MOMMA DON"T YOU KNOW I LOVE YA,

Here on the mission there is tons of beauty and sweet serenity. I find it in the most simple things. I have come to this place surrounded by the bluest of the blue waters greenest of the green trees and freshest of the fresh air, yet I rarely find the overwhelming feelings of peace and love on the beach, or driving or the migrating song birds singing there tunes. It is true that I love these moments, but the best part of it all and the most enjoyable time is often in the quiet of a home. Teaching a lesson to a family, a young man, or anyone for that matter that is were the spirit is. When my heart is filled with charity life seems to be complete. I love being here on this mission and my heart has been filled this week. I love my brothers and sisters more and more each step I take.

The lords work is his work. Walking home from a lesson I was thinking, why would we have been brought to teach this one guy, a pastor of another church. No we didn't end up teaching his congregation, but the lord used that to put us in the right place at the right time. On our walk home a Blue car stopped in front of us. YES, I ride we said. Then I realized that it was Troy's car. Troy, wow that is awesome. We walked up to the car, and peered in. Edison! What ??? This was amazing, the two people we had tried to see that night. As we drove home I realized wait a second, we have an hour of walking time we just cut out so we drove with Troy and Edison. We then had time to teach them about the importance of reading the scriptures daily. Troy was having some serious doubts about the church, but after reading the seed of faith in Alma 32 they both committed to give it there all. To read everyday, pray and attend church. I was really a great blessing.

There have been so many great events this week I scarce can take it in. I love you all have a great week. Hard work always brings Blessings. You will never regret doing the right thing!

Love,

Elder Conder

November 7, 2011 I am Thankful for all of You Letters & Packages, Welcome Home Ben!

2011-11-29T13:37:00.000-08:00

"Thank you everyone for your emails this week. I have been so uplifted by them. I really appreciated you taking your time out to write those. Life really gets better with a little love from your loved ones. I am looking at a picture from one of the emails I got this week and well it seem surreal, Ben is home. My companion just asked me who is this, pointing to the picture of Ben. I told him that is one of the best men I have ever known. I often think of how much worse life would be without him. Ben I love you and I can't wait to see you again.

This week has been filled with good positive and uplifting experiences. From Billies BBQ on Monday, to the Sunday Honor roll parade. So many fun things have been happening. We also received some great spiritual experiences. Sacrament meeting was filled with the spirit as member after member went and boar testimony of the gospel.

On Monday we were invited by a very nice and also giant man to come to a BBQ, it was some of the best food I have had on the Island. Lobster soup, Chicken, Corn on the Cob, pork Dish after Dish it just kept coming. I love meeting people like this. They are so nice. I am so excited to share the gospel with them. I also got an awesome Halloween package from Elora. On Tuesday you will never guess who showed up at mommies house. Yup our new friend the pidgeon. He flew into the back room and then mommy caught him. That was so fun! Then on Wednesday Elder Roberts killed a bee, and put it on his tongue. Thursday after coming out of a great lesson with Troy our investigator with a baptismal date we saw, the stunt man. All and all it was a great week. I love being on a mission and having so many things happening all around everywhere we go, experience after experience.

This week I have also felt a deep love growing more and more for my brothers and sisters all around me. I have had the opportunity to call almost everyone in the branch and talk to them. I has been great. I hope that Heavenly Father can continue to help me move this work forward. I love you all so much.

Love,

Elder Conder"

October 31, 2011- One Year & One Week Later, GREAT WEEK!

2011-11-06T20:19:00.000-08:00

"I started this mission for Lord one year and 4 days ago today, it has been the best time of my life I love being a missionary. I have so many fond memories from the MTC with Elder TouTai to My first area and Meeting Maria Drydent for the first time on my first night, who later became the first baptism. What an incredible time in my life this is. I am so Excited to here about all of the adventures of Sister Toni Carter as she embarks on her mission soon. Their is nothing else like being a missionary on the Lords errand.

This week there were memorable moments right and left. I hope these pictures can offer a deeper description of these moments. (Elora has posted the pictures on Jamaicanjames.blogspot.com) The most highlightable moments this week have been........

Stick bug, we were walking into district meeting and Elder Roberts pointed at my pants and there he was, our new friend!

Rickys Birthday party. The pictures that go with this are the man in the birthday hat and the toast over the table. Ricky, or Bro Dickensen is an awesome man he teaches with us almost everyday and we were trying to throw him a party and well we ran out of money so that wasn't really working out so well. So we called Mommy/ Sister Pierr and within 4 Hrs. she made Lobster and Conch and rice and peas had everyone together and made brownies. I am pretty sure she is wonder women.

Branch choir is really becoming a hit. We started this two weeks ago and our numbers have now doubled. It is so fun just being with the members. I love them so much.

Year one Picture. The next is my one Year mark. That one was more of personal feelings and happiness I felt.

Saturday Holloween Party, that was a blast we had tons of people there! It was so fun to see everyone dressed up and having a good time. I was really surprised to see how many people actually dressed up and everyone was having a good time.

Well I wish I had more time to talk, but that's it for this week. I love you all so much. I want to send out again if you are considering a mission, Just DO it !!!!!. It will never be easy, but it will be worth it!

Love,

Elder Conder"

33 C Gold Coin Lane Apt# 5

Freeport Bahamas

October 24, 2011

2011-11-06T20:09:00.000-08:00

"The time comes when the bud blossoms and becomes the rose its sent to be.

Sounds poetic ooo nice.

Well the old saying goes, "We Didn't start the fire it was always burning since the worlds been turning."

Yup Great

A wise man once said, Where every man stands there was once a boy.

Sounds wise eh?

Ya those have nothing to do with this. I hope you liked it though. Ha ha, maybe I will try to tie them into my week. This week was really, and I know I have probably said this so much, one of the best weeks of the mission. Everything about this week went really well. Elder Roberts and I are pretty much best friends, We completely revamped our teaching by the spirit (by teaching people at the church and a few other things), We have some new amazing people that we are working with. We have had so many things happen this week that I don't think there are enough keys on this board to display them properly.

Guess how this week started out. ........ Op you guessed it , with Monday. Yup is started out just like any other week and in a lot of other ways it was like most every other week, but there were many tender mercies from the lord throughout the week. On Monday we had the opportunity to have 4 people put in our path. Each one lined up by heavenly father. They all add a spark and a fan to my kindling fire! When Tuesday came the fire was beginning to swell. More and more people where placed into our path and each brought there own light to my life and as our investigator accepted his date to be baptized the sparks cut and the fire roared in my heart filling my soul. I blazed with every lesson that proceeded. Within every eye that I gazed, a child of god is what I saw. I was filled with the gift of charity and my life seemed complete! I love my brothers and sisters here in this land and I will do whatever I can. If you are every thinking about a mission, Yes this is you to mom and dad, Do it!!!! These feelings, and this way of life, did not come all at once, but I could have never experienced this without being on the Lords errand. Once Again I would like to thank you for helping me get here. I love you all so much. Please have a good week.

Love,

Elder Conder"

October 17, 2011- Baptism This Week!!

2011-11-06T20:01:00.001-08:00

"Dear Friends And Family,

Thank you for all of your prayers, I have definitely have felt them this week. This was a great week. I was touched by the spirit as I sat in Zone Conference. We were uplifted as we listened to words specifically calibrated to help more fully devote ourselves to the service of the lord. It was truly taught by the spirit because the message went straight into my heart. Charity is a necessity in this life "though you have the gift of prophecy .... if ye have not charity your nothing".

This Sunday was great, with the baptism of our Sister Bula Baseden and I had the opportunity to speak in sacrament. I loved it. Bulas Baptism, was so great I love her so much. She has been taught for over 6 months, and the first missionary that taught her was my old companion in Ocho Rios, Elder Tracy. Bula is great she reads the Book of Mormon almost everyday, and she has only missed church once in the three months that I have been here. This Sunday we also had the baptism of Brother Clarence Cash a child of record. Clarence's Brother now wants to be baptized. He is 11 so he will be a convert baptism. I love serving in the lords work!!!

Love,

Elder Conder"

October 10, 2011- Read The Book of Mormon!

2011-11-06T19:57:00.000-08:00

"This week was great. Our Branch Pres. has issued out a Book of Mormon reading challenge to all the members. Read it by the end of the year. It has Caught on like a wildfire. I hope that you would take the challenge as well to read it by the end of the year. It has put such a refreshing tone on everything here, it has helped us so much. I know that it will help you a ton as well. I would love to hear your progress in your reading. Shoot me an email, a letter would be GREAT!

Love,

Elder Conder

P.s. I hope the pictures can speak for themselves.

I love you all!"

Elder Conder (98 cent us stamp)

33 C Gold Coin Ln Apt # 5

Freeport Bahamas

"My Life Has a Purpose"

2011-10-04T18:56:00.000-07:00

October 3, 2011

"My life is a gift; my life has a plan.
My life has a purpose; in heaven it began."
(my life is a gift, by Vanja Y. Watkins)

These simple words express greatly the way I feel right now. As they run through my head I can't help but think, how great the worth of a soul is in the eyes of God. I can't express in words the way I felt this Saturday listening to Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk this conference. I know without a doubt that I am of great worth in the site of God. He cares about me, me a tiny spec in all the world he has created. He answers my prayers, even if they are to "find a quarter on the side of the road", as another Genral athourity talked about. I am grateful for conference. I hope that you have all watched every session. It will greatly bless you with a happiness you wouldn't know before you do it.

In the subject of happiness, and conference. I received a letter today from my dad that read,

"Buddy, I mean elder Buddy, I thought I would share with you what happened today as we watched the last session of conference, do you remember the story that the Japanese 70 s guy was telling, about the missionaries confirming him after his baptism? Well your mom burst out into tears. She like me was so honored to know that our son was out there touching and saving souls, as these missionaries did many years ago. Keep up the good work. Love ya tons!!! And always love the people you're serving."

I can't help, but to connect this to a passage from Alma 27:

16 And it came to pass that as Ammon was going forth into the land, that he and his brethren met Alma, over in the aplace of which has been spoken; and behold, this was a joyful meeting.
17 Now the ajoy of Ammon was so great even that he was full; yea, he was swallowed up in the joy of his God, even to the bexhausting of his strength; and he fell cagain to the earth.
18 Now was not this aexceeding joy? Behold, this is joy which none receiveth save it be the truly penitent and humble seeker of bhappiness.
19 Now the joy of Alma in meeting his abrethren was truly great, and also the joy of Aaron, of Omner, and Himni; but behold their joy was not that to exceed their strength.

As my mother and I joined together watching conference, spiritually speaking, her joy was exceeding. If you read this months issue of the Liahona/ensign you will find an article entitled precious promises of The Book of Mormon. There is in this the promise found just a chapter later in Alma, by President Monson, that the Book of Mormon brings "incomprehensible joy". This joy has come into the life of my family. Please let General Conference and The Book of Mormon do the same to you. And when you have "felt to sing the song of Redeeming love" share it with others!!!! I testify from my experiences just this week alone, that this will bring you "incomprehensible joy". This I do in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Love,
Elder Conder"

September 26, 2011

2011-10-04T18:47:00.001-07:00

"Hey there!

This week has been a week of expansive spiritual growth. I was thinking, while driving home from a very disappointing lesson, of how this is the only thing in my life that will never change. In this world of changing values I can rest assured that if I endure I will gain peace and comfort in this life and in the next. I love this hope that entered my heart. I was filled at that moment with hope in Jesus Christ that through him I can live with our Father in heaven again.

We also had one of the most spiritual lessons ever this week! I love missionary work.

Love,
Elder Conder"

September 18, 2011

2011-10-04T18:42:00.000-07:00

"Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This week that has taken on a whole new meaning,for the term ' Brothers and Sisters.' I Love the fact that I get to call you my brother and sister.

I love this gospel, I love my mission. This week was great. It was Elder Roberts B Day on the 15th. One of our members threw a big party for Elder Roberts...... she is so great. I love her so much I included some pictures.

President Hendricks came this weekend it was so amazing to have him this week. He is an amazing man.We just had the mission president here talking about it. The First Presidency has asked us to read 365 days straight for the commemoration. I am really excited. I hope that everyone takes that challenge. That would be so great. I love the thought of everyone reading everyday. That would be great. I have been thinking so much lately about progression towards Heavenly Father. It is so great to help someone even if it is the tiniest little step to get closer to our Heavenly Father.

My progression is going really slow at this time, well I guess I should say it seems so through my eyes. I am trying hard, but it seems that all am doing is just building patience. I was talking to the Mission President about it. although I don't recall all the advice he gave me, I would like to say that I felt as though I have moved a mountain in my life. . I want you to know, that I know, that by small and simple things great things are brought to pass. If we read every day there is no telling how much this would effect the world. Your righteous and virtuous choices have blessed my life thank you so much.

Love,
Elder Conder"

September 5, 2011

2011-09-08T15:46:00.000-07:00

"Hello EVERYONE!

Well this week started out really well with one of the best preparation days on my mission, a nice nap, and then I looked at some pictures and thanked God for all the good times that I have had, it was probably one of the most relaxing days on my mission. I am sorry to those that I should have replied to your letters in that time so I hope to make that up this P day and next. I am so grateful for your letters!!! I love reading them very much!!!!

During this week and last we have been really trying to work on our teaching and it has been going really well especially towards the end of this week. We focused a lot of our efforts on finding this week and by Sunday, President Kanakoa(our branch president) told Elder Roberts he looked about three shades darker. It is so awesome to find people

! We had some great first lessons. Brother Bethal's lesson was really one that stood out to me. We knocked almost every door in this apartment complex not a single door opened and then we walked around back and started knocking on those doors, nothing, finally we saw a door that was already open. We looked inside to see him sitting on the couch watching family guy. So we asked his name and started small talk, "oh you watch family guy ...." ha-ha he was like you can come in and watch it. So we stepped and started talking to him about the church and his relationship with Heavenly Father. He told us that his dad is a pastor and a little about his life. I don't remember to much of what happened, then all I know is, it was taught by the hand of the lord and the direction of the spirit, we taught the restoration to him. By the end he said, I believe everything you said is true. It was amazing to have the spirit direct us in asking inspired questions listening and teach the doctrine. And no we didn't watch family guy with him haha !

We had a similar experience with a lady that told us after the lesson that she had been praying and believes that we are her answers to her prayers. I was so happy after that lesson that I literally shouted yes!!!!!!!!!!!!! after we had walked a safe distance from the house.

This week we had also been working with some less actives and it was amazing this sunday to see almost everyone of them at church.

Welcome, welcome sabbath morning. This Sunday was so amazing! I loved it so much We came in and started getting the Sacrament ready. While doing this my heart started to fill with joy as members walked in. Then as church neared the start, boom! Bro Cooper walked in, then I spotted Sister Kemp, Then as my smile threatened taring and my face and started hurting from it, the Evans family walked in, and I will admit that I started to tear up. It was so amazing to see them. Then Bro Evans took me aside and told me that the note we left meant a lot to them!

Love,

Elder Conder

P.s. "YOUR ALL AWESOME" Elder Kurt Randle"

August 29, 2011

2011-09-08T15:40:00.000-07:00

"HELLO IRENE,

"Here I am rock you like a hurricane", yes my first experience with a hurricane this week. We went to one of our members house Tuesday morning to go do service for him and he was like, do you have all of your stuff and we looked at him, a little puzzled. "No not yet" he is like you have to go now to get it!!!

This Hurricane is going to be serious. I am thinking holy cow man this must be a big deal. He is like I want you to go shopping before you come back here so, we got back in the car and headed to the store. We approached and there were hundreds of cars and when we went inside it was a mad house, People running into each other, it was almost like a movie that we were in. We got what we needed and then jumped into the line. The line was an 1 1/2hr.'s long, so we waited and waited while people ran and grabbed and sat in line. Then the power went out in the store, it stayed out for a little under 5 minutes and when it came on everyone was clapping. It was such a cool experience I will never forget. I love serving! We ended up spending the night at the church and the next day and the next night. It was really fun to be there, and after waiting for the hurricane we found out that it changed the direction and the only thing that happened here was some wind and rain.

Well Family and friends I love you all very much and I can't wait to hear from you all again.

Love,

Elder Conder

P.s. Tell my Grandma Happy Birthday if you see her. and Kyle happy birthday yesterday."

The Power of Prayer!

2011-08-26T15:11:00.000-07:00

This is an email my mom received from the mission presidents wife about hurricane Irene! Pretty amazing!!

"Dear Sister Conder,

I spoke to Elder Conder this evening about 7:00 p.m. Bahamas time. Freeport missed the center of the storm. Irene had turned to the east when it left Nassau and so Freeport experienced just the outer edge of the hurricane. All the missionaries in Jamaica had prayed for the Elders in Turks and Caicos, Nassau and Freeport that the storm would weaken or not hit those areas with the core of the hurricane. We were blessed with an answer to those prayers.

Elder Conder is well and the church was not damaged by the storm. They slept there last night and spent today at the church. There is a generator there so they did have power most of today. They had prepared their 72-hour emergency supply of water and food. The branch president in Freeport is originally from Hawaii so he contacted the missionaries as soon as he knew they were in the hurricane's path.

The Freeport Elders have been very obedient during this time. We have been able to remain in contact with them in the morning and evening for the last couple of days. According to the news, Hurricane Irene has left the Bahamas and is headed towards the eastern seaboard of the United States. There may be more rain but no storm danger for the Bahamas.

Elder Conder is a wonderful, obedient missionary. I enjoy being with him - and worrying about him for the last few days. Please be assured all is well with him and his companion.

Thanks for sending your son. He is a blessing to this mission.

With appreciation,

Sister Hendricks"

HELLO I Love You Won't You Tell Me Your Name

2011-08-24T12:14:00.000-07:00

August 22, 2011

"Hello Friends and families and respected readers,

I hope you love these pictures and they are worth a 1,000 words for you because these are some of the coolest most priceless events that have unfolded in my life. I have a deep gratitude for this sacred calling. I am loving it and for anyone considering a mission the answer is yes! If you asked Nike they might even say "just do it". The mission is the greatest thing ever!!!! I wish I could explain how good it would be for you to go if you have the chance!!!! I also would like to let you know how much your neighbor needs you. I have been your neighbor at sometime in my life, whether it was living in the room next to you, down the street or 1,000's of miles away, you have left something with me that has helped me, I want you all to know I am thankful for your positive impacts in my life and say that if you can't serve a full time mission serve a full time life, always help others to come unto Christ.
I love you all.

Love,
Elder Conder"

Dear Loved Ones,

2011-08-15T13:42:00.000-07:00

"I am sitting in this library trying to decide what to write about. I am so excited right now, why well I am going to be hopping on an airplane on Thursday to go to Nassau our Neighboring island. It is zone conference and Elder Vines of the area presidency is going to be there! I can't wait. I love zone Conference it is a great opportunity to learn and grow as a missionary. Plus being an off island zone leader has a challange that most other zones don't , we can go on trade offs with our missionaries to see how they are doing. This is going to be an awesome opportunity to go see how they are doing in their teaching. This will also be great because Elder Roberts and I have made a goal to start refining our teaching even more in the coming week so that we can be more effective and this zone conference should be just what we need to do so.

I am so grateful for these opportunities they are always placed right in line by Heavenly Father. President Hendricks said that he can't wait to ask God how he gets all of his children right were they need to be. I am grateful that Heavenly Father has got this zone conference when it will benefit us most as missionaries. I am loving serving a mission. It has really shown me and lead me to know my master, even the savior Jesus Christ and my father in heaven. How does a man know his master whom he has not served? I don't know why before my mission I didn't realize that if I didn't do anything heavenly father asked, I wouldn't have faith. I am grateful for this knowledge now, and the faith and testimony that has been cultivated in me. I love the lord and I love my mission and I love all of you very much, you must know as I tell people everyday, my friends and my family helped me get on my mission. I could not have done it with out your example.

Love,
Elder Conder"

Elder James Conder
33 C Gold Coin Lane Apt. 5
Freeport Bahamas
(98 cent us stamp)

HERE WE GO!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-08-12T09:45:00.000-07:00

August 8, 2011

"Well I just clicked on the [Compose Mail], button and here I am ready to compose a little letter to my Friends and family. Wow, lots o stuff is happening on the home front mission calls (Toni) and good times. That is so great I would really like everyone to know text toni CONGRATULATIONS FROM elder conder and yourself. DO IT NOW. If you are still reading and haven't done it yet shame. If you feel like you told her Congrats do it again. and if you are still reading I think you might want to stop and text her now.

I would just like to take a second out and let you all know how proud I am of Toni Cater. What an amazing girl. Toni has been one of the best friends I have ever had. She has always been a great example to me of how to love life. The way is charity, the pure love of Christ. I have never ever heard of a time when Toni was not willing to help someone out no matter what it was or who it was! She is always there. She radiates joy and happiness I know that her mission President and everyone she meets on her mission is going to be positively influenced by her.

Why YES I WOULD LIKE A DOUGHNUT. mmm doesn't that just sound great. Okay sorry Enough with my random desires for a doughnut, which side note, my mom rarely eats and she has a shirt to prove it. I almost don't believe it..... maybe she left the crumbs on the shirt or maybe the memory in my heart of us going to get doughnuts at lest twice a week in the summer. Which ever one it was I love her. This week in Freeport...... Pretty great we had a really big rain storm Saturday it was really beautiful. This week Elder Roberts brought out the big guns, yup the new visual aid in our teaching. His parents sent him this mini church made of blocks and it is amazing. We used it with a really cool family that we are working with and you could just see the change in her attitude towards us and the church and they saw how through Joseph Smith the Church was rebuilt. It was so amazing I really am greatful for the opportunity that I have to see people understand and feel the spirit testify to them that our message is true. It has been amazing to see how the gospel can effect lives. As Toni goes out to serve she will literally change the world. The effects her love and devotion to the people and the gospel will span generations and time. I love her and she has been recommended and one worthy to represent the church and to carry the message of the savior to the world I love her and all missionaries for expressing there love to all mankind by leaving behind all personal affairs and devoting all there time and attention to serving the Lord!

Love,
Elder Conder"

New address
Elder James Craig Conder
33C Gold Coin Lane, Apt. 5
Freeport, Bahamas
(98 cents us postage)

OR you can still use Dearelder.com James for FREEEEEE click on the Jamaica Kingston mission!

My Mom is Great, and My Dad could Beat Up your Dad!

2011-08-03T14:51:00.000-07:00

August 1, 2011
"To my love(which is you if you are reading this),

HERE I AM, I AM HERE. Yup you might have guessed I am here in the Bahamas(AKA the place were the spirit of the lord has called me to serve.) I love this place it is so amazing. Beauty + Trees + great people + the gospel + Elder Roberts+ Life + the bahamas + a great branch = This great area that I have been called to! It was so amazing as I Stepped my feet on the tarmac (or the runway) and boarded a tiny airplane. I watched as the lines flew by and then I was off the ground, and the wheels pulled back in with a thud. As we flew through the sky lightning danced and I couldn't help but to sing How Great Thou Art I have never seen lighting so close and not be able to hear it. I was almost in a dream as I floated to the place were I have been called to serve. I am so greatful for everything my heavenly father has given me. We started our descent onto the Island and I got and overview of the port with Giant cranes loading cargo ships.

Meeting my new companion was something I will never forget I walked out of a tiny airport to see a white car with two Elders leaning up agianst it and when they saw me they came and gave me a hug and put my stuff in the car and we were off. I love Elder Roberts he is an awesome companion. So supportive in everything. He is from Marshalli Islands where he lived until he was 7 then he moved to Portland Oregon. He is so great super funny loves listening to the Lion King soundtrack and he is so supportive to the branch.

Bahamas is so much different from Jamaica, it is crazy. I feel as though I have started a whole new mission. It's pretty awesome. It feels like I am serving stateside now. Knocking on doors(that was weird to do for the first time), being in a car, talking to our zone on skype. It is crazy. I love being here. I am about to drive on the left hand side of the road for the first time when I am done here I hope I don't crash.

Well everyone I really do love you all I am so glad that you are all still writting me I thought you might of forgot about me by now. Sadly today I don have time to write most of you back. I love you all so much. And if you can please go to the temple for me and let me know ,I miss the temple so much. Toni I hear you are getting your Call this week!!!! that is so Awesome!

Love

Elder Conder
ps I love you"

Elder Conder is transferred to the Bahamas! -July 25, 2011

2011-08-03T14:48:00.000-07:00

Today I had a wonderful surprise, James called me from the Miami airport!!!!!! I was so surprised!!!!!!! No he is not coming home, even though he planned on playing a little practical joke on me....... I already knew because I called a random phone number I had missed and the man who answered told me he had just met one of the coolest, kindest, and every other nice thing you can think of young man named Elder Conder. He explained to me he had bumped into him at the Miami airport and had let Elder Conder use his cell phone to make a phone call home. He said your missionary is one happy kid, and you should be way proud of him. I told him he just made my day, or I mean year.... Ha ha .. anyway awhile later my phone rings with a collect call from Elder Conder, I was so dang excited I forgot that collect calls cost ALOT of money, ha ha. I hear James saying Mom, and I am in heaven!!!!!!!! I just love this kid. So we get to chat for a bit, he is on his way to being transferred to the Bahamas, Freeport. So he said I am now free to travel to Jamaica. Thanks James. Taylor got to talk with him a minute. Taylor asked if he held any position and James said he is a zone leader instead of a district leader now. I guess that is a good thing, because Taylor goes "alright " So anyway I am thankful he is safe and on his way to The Bahamas, and I have been there so I at least know what it looks like. He also mentioned how GREAT America is, and he loved being home for a few short hours. We have such an amazing country!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He wanted McDonalds so bad, I hope we did not keep him from going and getting a hamburger. When we asked him what has been the most important thing he has learned so far, he immediately said obedience. He said he can't even describe in words how happy you can be if you are obedient. Well I love you all and take care. I will let you know next week his new address.

Love Becky

Weekly letter Dun Dun dun dun (Jamaica)

2011-07-12T13:26:00.000-07:00

" "Some say when it rains it pours and knocking doesn't open doors. Cant you see...... That all our efforts are ignored. Cant you see...... Well cant you see that everything that we do effects more than just me and you. In eternity... and even if it was just that boy that you knew.. you know that he grew to you..... YOU will see that one day you'll send him off and he will be... Become a man after that two year plan...."

Yes I am writing a song! Haha I hope you enjoy the lyrics.

This week went by so fast. We have pretty much driven around the whole island of Jamaica, we went to training to Kingston, but we had to go to Port Antonio first. It was really fun and cool to see so much of the island. When we got to Kingston I was reunited with my brothers (Elder Toutia And Elder Snelson).

It was so cool to see them again, definitily an Alma 17:2 Experience. I love them so much they are great missionaries and they work so hard. I got the opportunity to go on a trade off with Elder Snelson after training and we taught a lady named Sandrine. She accepted a baptismal date and to read The Book Of Mormon everyday. President Hendricks drove us back to Montego Bay on Thursday and did our baptismal interviews. It was pretty cool to be with him for so long. The normal way home was under going construction, and it allowed us to go through some of the most breathtaking views of my life!

Well when we got home there were many preparations to be made since we had been gone all week and we had 3 baptisms to do on Sunday. So we got straight back to work. We nearly didn't even have enough time to fill the font. Sunday morning came by the font was full And we were getting dressed in a full suit of white. I preformed Sister Nardia Curtis's, President Hendricks did Brother Paul Williams, and Elder Sorensen did Sister Amelia Foskins. I raised my right hand to the square, and I will never for get it. I can't even begin to explain the joy of being a missionary.

I Know that this is the Restored Gospel Of Jesus Christ. Through Joseph Smith the Lord Restored his Priesthood authority and it is on the earth now never to be taken away again.

I love you all

Love,
Elder Conder"

July 5, 2011- SOMETIMES IT RAINS BUT I CAN'T WAIT TILL IT POURS

2011-07-12T13:20:00.001-07:00

"Dear Everyone,

In beginning this letter I don't know where to begin. I Guess since it is the fourth of July God Bless Jamaica Woops I mean America.

Heavenly Father really must love us, There are so many awesome things that happened this week. Let's start
with Wednesday and see if we can move forward from there.
Wednesdays are district meetings, District meeting is when we as missionaries get to learn how to be better missionaries. Ours or pretty interesting though because well, for one I am the one that is to teach it (Ya I am not very good at teaching), and two, it is normally just Elder Trumpet, Elder and Sister Sorensen and I. As Tuesday morning rolled around I found out that President Hendricks was going to be attending. I was way scared I was thinking what am I supposed to teach President Hendricks this guy is the mission president. So as I was thinking pondering and looking through all the options, It just kind of fell on me, talk about Loving your mission today. So I prayed and asked if it was right, and I got the confirmation so I moved forward with it. Wednesday came it was 10:00 and we were getting started. We went through talking about why we loved our missions and great experiences we have had and how someone has shown us love. I reflected back to the time when Elder Randle had shown me love by leaving little notes around the apartment. The spirit was there with us as we proceeded with our meeting, and nearly everyone had broken down in tears sharing their experiences of love. When the end came we sang, because I have been given much. I couldn't sing through as the spirit told me, I have been sheltered fed by thy good care. I ELDER CONDER HAVING been born of goodly Parents. I love my mom and dad so much I have been blessed with the best parents in the world.

After District Meeting President Hendricks interviewed me and gave me a challenge to start having a connection with Heavenly father when I pray at night. Taking that challenge I have been rewarded. I Struggled for a bit, but Friday night I found my self surrounded by the spirit. I can promise as you strive for this you will find very similar results.

Saturday service project, Food For the Poor and The Church came together and had a very awesome service project Saturday. They handed out wheelchairs called rough riders and trained people to fit others for wheelchairs. They plan to give out 500 by years end. Elder Trumpet and I have the opportunity to help By transporting people in and out of there cars and into there chairs. One of the first people there in the morning was a young boy named Brandon. As he came in you could just feel the excitement and love. He rolled out of the Church in his new wheel chair, with a Giant smile Saying THANK YOU THANK YOU BYE BYE. I love Brandon he is a great example to me. There was another girl there regretfully I cant remember her name, but we had a great time. Her and I raced around her in here new wheelchair. It was so Awesome!

Fast and testimony meeting, Wow wow wow, Mervin Mckenzie the father of the family we just baptized went up and bore his testimony. He told his conversion story. I am going to attempt to write what I remember of it. He stood up tall at the pulpit and said, I used to go to he seventh day Adventist church as a child then my grandma died and I was all alone and I stopped going to church. I came home from work one day and my stepson Duane had the missionaries over. I snuck behind the house and got on the roof. As I was sitting there something just kept telling me to go down there. So I went down. I was thinking what are these two doing here? They are telling me I need to get baptized and married. So I said if Nicky is ready then I am ready. They set a Date for the wedding. ON fathers day (he started to cry here) I Has the coolest experience of my life. I baptized my son. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.
I was so unbelievably happy. I love my mission. I love all OF you that have helped make this possible.

Love,
Elder Conder"

June 27, 2011

2011-07-12T13:16:00.000-07:00

"Hey everyone,

I Have been sitting down every week now with these wonderful letters and packages, I was sitting here thinking how I am going to do this I almost feel overwhelmed trying to consider how to thank you all. I really love all of you so much. I think these two simple words say it best, THANK YOU.

This week in Montego bay have been super awesome. I love this area so much. We have a big increase in member participation. They have been helping us in our efforts to invite others to come unto Christ. Some of our star members are, well all of our members are super awesome!! We had a couple from California visit church this Sunday. The man introduced himself in priesthood and said, I have been in my ward at home 10 years and I feel just as at home here as I do back home. That is just one of the awesome examples of how great our branch is. As we talked about this and our other experiences at church, I thought, when I go home I want to help my ward be just like this branch. I will be that person that walks in with a giant smile and shaking everyones hands, even that same person as Elder Trumpet is. He really brings happiness with him everywhere, he is such and effective missionary. I really am greatful to have learned the importance of a smile from him.
Boom, I got the pictures of everyone with there Jamaica T-shirts on just recently, and wow you guys look great. That video is wow wow wow. I loved seeing you and I hope you are repping your shirts with pride.

Love,
Elder Conder"

June 20, 2011

2011-07-12T13:13:00.000-07:00

"Dear awesome people out there,

Happy fathers day, Man I don't know of many fathers day events that are greater than the event that is about to unfold in this letter. So Prepare your imaginations to start envisioning this. We wake up 5:45 start preparing to get to the church by seven. We get there and turn on the font, and listen to the water fall in the font as we read from our scriptures. The spirit filled the room. We walked outside and saw Paul and his dad, Mervin, with huge smiles plastered on there faces. They got there clothes, put them on and sat in the sacrament hall. We proceed with the service. As Mervin walked his son to the font I couldn't help, but think of my dad and what a cool fathers day present this was. Mervin having just been baptized and given the priesthood last week now baptizing his son. This would have never happened without the unfailing love of my two fathers Corey Conder and my Father in heaven. My dad has taken so much out of his life and given it to me. Last night I was writing in my journal and seemingly to a trip through my childhood remembering all the things that my dad has done for me. Some big ones that stuck out were all the great gifts he gave to me from my first motorcycle to my first car or the time he spent teaching me to ride to teaching me to be a man. I love him so much. I just got a picture in the mail for my birthday package. The picture was of us at Larry H. Miller race track with his friend Clarke. Woops I got distracted by some pictures of Ben and I don't know were I was going with that but is was great to see my dad again. I LOVE MY DAD. AND Mervin for standing up and being a dad. I love you all Please tell your dad thankyou from me for putting you into life and even into my life!

Love,
Elder Conder

P.s. Mom you are pretty cool Too HAha"

June 13, 2011

2011-07-12T13:09:00.000-07:00

"Duh Dewey,

I don't even know where to begin. Where does one start to put together a tapestry of blessings from his father in heaven, and viewed only through my eyes. I boast not of myself, but of God (Alma 25) I was sitting in the chapel waiting to see the bride walk into her wedding, her soon to be husband saying a prayer under his breath. Such a scene I have never laid my eyes. I was looking at a life change, and Elder Trumpet and I have been seeing it play out step by step. Up till this point as they prepared themselves to live as God commands, this was there step of faith. I picked up the Book of Mormon and turned to where I left off my reading the day prior, Alma 25. As I started to read I Immediately saw that god had prepared for me to read that at this time. I read of Amuleck rejoicing in the success that they had among the Lamanites. We have had much successes and my heart was full of joy. I would not trade that moment for anything in life. I am so greatful to be here! That god would allow me to come here at this time. There is something that Machi's Dad told me "a mission isn't easy" I have to paraphrase the last part, But it is worth it!!! I have been reflecting on that over and over. Some days it is hard and is almost never easy, but it is always worth it. The next day WE had the opportunity to Baptize Nicky and Mervin and there Daughter Felicia. There are few Experiences that match this event!!!!

Well I am Almost out of time, but I love you so much, everyone of you. It is going to be wonderful to see you all soon. This mission is flying past. I just want to tell you all that I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that there are always answers to your questions inside. I have had many answered. I really love the hour I get to study each day, I don't know what I would do without it. I know that obedience is literally the first law and if you are obedient everything will work. I love you once again.

Love Elder Conder"PO Box 2316
Kingston 8
Jamaica

Weddings and such. . .

2011-06-11T14:31:00.000-07:00

"This transfer is vast approaching its end and I can't believe its almost been six weeks now and our family that we have been working with is approaching there wedding and baptism! Wow is all I can say, this is one of the coolest things ever. This family is going to be MARRIED and hopefully one day sealed in the temple. Speaking of being married MY SISTER IS MARRIED wow wow wow! Jessica and Raghu are perfect for each other. You have to check out there pictures, you can't find any cuter, I give you ....... well that doesn't matter because you can't. Ragu looks freaking awesome in his outfit, and Jessica is beautifully elegant.

I was thinking about how we found the family to teach. We pretty much just walked into them. It seems this transfer we have had people placed in our path left and right. I love it. This sunday was one of my favorite. On some Sundays I just get this smile that is impossible to wash away as one after another enters through the door. It got so bad this week that my face was twiching because it was so sore. I Guess to much of a good thing can be a bad thing haha, Nah keep em coming, and I will keep smiling!!!! It is a amazing feeling I hope to feel the rest of my life.

Well my friends that is about it for times sake, but I love ya. I have a special request from you. I want you to email my mom your b- day and and other important dates so that I can know them. Thank you!

Love,
Elder Conder"

Baptisms Are Up!

2011-06-11T14:21:00.000-07:00

Sorry guys! This email is from May 30th!! I've been slacking . . .
"Hello Elder Conder here,

Baptisms are up, yup thats right another person has accepted the invitation to come unto Christ. Peter was baptized May 28th at the font at the church. Peter is so awesome, and one of the most prepared people I have ever taught on my mission. He has been friends with our branch president for pretty much his whole life. They are best of friends. Peter is awesome, everything about him is way cool. From his hair to his personality to his testimony. There is nothing that could have stood in his way of being baptized.

This week was so much fun, we were teaching peter at his sisters restraunt in the market so we stopped and took some pictures.

Well I am out of time this week. I love you all Very MUCH.

PS I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

Give my sister a GIANT hug at her wedding this Friday !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elder Conder"

PO Box 2316
Kingston 8
Jamaica

Wag whon World?

2011-05-23T11:20:00.000-07:00

"Wag whon World?

Elder Conder Here,

Well Well Well, thank you all so much for the wonderful birthday! I had one of the best birthdays ever! Tons of cards letters emails. Thankyou all. I am really stoked to hear from all of you.

As Jamaican tradition dictates I did get floured on my birthday, it was pretty funny and felt rather peculiar because the flour was taken out of the freezer and was really cold. I hope you like the pictures I attached. That is not all that happened on my birthday, we went out to lunch. We ate at a Chinese's restaurant, or as they say here Chinny restaurant. I was so goooooodd! I loved it. I also got to teach district meeting. That was really fun. Its always funny to teach it because I am the youngest missionary. We went out teaching and had some good lessons with some great investigators. We also got to go to Tastee's, a patty place, with amazing french fries. While at Tastee's we got a round of mountain dews just like old times. Then to top off the wonderful day, Sister Sorensen made some amazing cake, It was so good I licked my plate clean. It was so amazing!

Well the family that we are teaching is doing great, theyre wedding got put back one week because we will be attending a funeral that week of the wife of our former branch president. I never thought I would be planning a wedding here in Jamaica. It is hard. I feel for my mom she had to plan Elora's and now Jessica's. It a good thing I am going to give her a five year break. The wedding is going to be really simple as asked by the couple; cake, marriage officer, family and branch members that want to come. The branch is putting in lots of support in decorating. President Lee is giving the 75% off the rings. So this is going to be great!

I really love doing this work here!!!! I hope that all that are preparing(and you know who you are), are getting excited to go because it truly is the best two years!!

I Love you,

Elder Conder"

Happy 20th Elder Conder!!!!

2011-05-18T10:12:00.000-07:00

"Well Well Well, what a week! We have had some great experiences this week. The story actually starts a little in week before this week. When Elder trumpet and I were walking into Canterbury, a young man named Duane stepped out of the zinc gate of his house. He almosted walked into me, so we started talking to him and then we met his family. I will send a picture of them. they are so cool we have been teaching them ever sense this day. Its amazing the things that we do effect everyone. I am so thankful to know that I am on the lords path by finding the people who are prepared.

The family consists of Mervin the Baby Father, Nicky the mom, Duane, Falecia, Danice, Paul, and random others that show up sometimes. Mervin and Nicky have lived together for 14 Years and are still not married and within this week and half period of hearing the gospel there family has began to make some drastic changes in there lives. They attended church with us this week. After church yesterday we sat down with Mervin, and talked with him and he asked how long do I have to go to church before I get Baptized? We responded and told him that he would have to get married first. We are now wedding planners helping Mervin and Nicky prepare to get baptized on June Forth! We are so excited for this! I can't even think of how great heavenly father thinks this is. There lives are completely changing. There kids are now going to have a father and mother, and they will hopefully one day make it to the temple to be sealed together. I can't image the impact this will have on there kids as they see there parents get married I hope that this will prevent them from shacking up in the future.

Everything we do with the family seems to just fall right in place. The Sorensens came teaching with us and connected really well with them. they helped them see what they can be as a great couple in the gospel.

Well now that you got the good news I thought I would let you know we have another baptism on the 28th this guys name is Peter. Peter is pretty amazing. He has been through it all it seems in his life. As he struggles with the effects from disobedience to the Word of Wisdom he wishes he would have accepted the gospel sooner. He was so sold that when we invited him to be baptized on our fist visit with him last week he said "of Course" as if to say, was that really a question!

Well the weather is dreadfully hot, but God keeps us moving. I love it here very much.

Well I love you All Very much!

Love Elder Conder"

ELDER JAMES CRAIG CONDER TURNS 20 today, MAY 18th !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Drop him a note !!!! He has not recieved any mail in awhile :)

PO box 2316
Kingston 8
Jamaica
(98 cent stamp)

May 9, 2011

2011-05-11T08:36:00.000-07:00

"Dear friends and family,

Well as you might all know yesterday was mothers day! I got to call home. It was so heart wrenchingly good to see my wonderful family again. Bragging time about the fam. I have the two best sisters in the world WOW WOW I love them so much. My dad is freaking amazing, still riding motorcycles! The best for last my mom, haha, probably, yes definitely the best mom ever she is truly great. She has done so much awesome stuff in my life. I can't wait to talk to them again.

I have a new companion everyone, he is super awesome his name is Elder Trumpet. Check the blog for his pic.Wow this guy is incredible I am so stoked to serve with him this transfer. He works so hard and really tries so hard.

This week I thought it might be fun to put my letter to the mission Presdent in here.

We have been working hard these first few days of this transfer to build our teaching pool, and things are looking good for this month. There have been some new investigators that we have found such as Nicky, a mother of 4 wonderful children. We have had a great lesson with her. She Came to Church this Sunday and says she will be back next week with her kids. I Have very high hopes for this family they are really great, our fine Sister Scott has been making a nice turn around and is praying today to know if getting babtized on the 28th is right for her.

Our recent converts are getting closer to getting themselves back at church. We have one Jhonny, that we had a way cool lesson with after we walked with him to the church. He says that he will be there this Sunday.

The less active work is going well, we are going to pick this up alot, and try to find tons of part member families.

That is our work in a nut shell.

Love,

Elder Conder"

Hello!

2011-05-09T11:47:00.000-07:00

"Dear Friends & Family
Here I am here in Jamaica still alive and kicking. I am so stoked to be here on this mission. Its seems so crazy that I ever lived at home, I can't even picture what that is like. Transfers are happening right now. Elder Randle Got shipped off to the Cayman Islands today. That was really sucky I am going to miss him so much. HE was such a good companion. I will Be serving with Elder Trumpet next. I am pretty excited about that, because I have been on trade offs with him and he is super nice and fun to be around.

Life is flying by I can't believe it, Elder Randle is gone. I am sitting here in High gate with Elder Ferin tell Wednesday. Elder Randle was So fun to be around in our 12 weeks of serving together there was never a dull moment. Whether it was walking up a giant mountain to get to Terry Ann's house, or planning, Elder Randle was always making me laugh. We worked very hard together, and it was rewarding to come home, plan and talk about the day. I Remember right after conference we listened to Richard G Scott's( I think thats the right one) talk and he started leaving me notes around the house.

Elder Trumpet and Elder Conder the Next Epic Transfer Begins, Coming soon to theaters near you. Elder Trumpet is fromCanada and is really good at soccer. .. .... . . .
WEEEEEEELLLLLLLLL I AM SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW!!! I JUST READ THAT MY SISTER GRADUATED WITH HIGHEST HONORS. & MY OTHER SISTER IS GETTING MARRIED! I AM SO STOKED FOR BOTH OF THEM! the pictures are awesome that my mom sent me! I would hope they get sent with this email, or put it on the blog Woops I got to excited about Elora Graduating that I for got to Finish the Email. (sent in a different email)
Well Everyone I love you Very much.

LOVE,
Elder Conder"

Six Month Mark!!

2011-04-27T19:37:00.000-07:00

ATTENTION everyone!! James has reached his 6 month mark. . . WOOHOO!!!

April 26, 2011

"Happy Easter Everyone,

This week went by way to fast. I can't believe it is already Tuesday. Guess What? YUP you guessed it, we had another baptism this week ! It was so cool! I am so stoked to be a part of this marvelous work that is going forth among the children of men. The baptism was Winnie and Cassans. Winnie's grandpa is president Lee, and Cassan is a child of record. They are both great. If I can get my computer to work I will send you a picture.

Easter was so awesome namely yesterday. It was Easter Monday, and at the church we had Easter Family fun day. It was so cool to see all the members coming together and truly fellowshipping. They had sack races, bun eating contest, 100 meter dash, dance contests, and tons of other awesome things. I enjoyed it so much and everyone else did as well. It is truly something cool to see all these people come together and do something great. I love serving a mission. I am so thankful I get to do this!

We Had been walking all Day and it was 8:40 and we were starving as we approached the gate to our investigators house. the gate lead up a giant hill and we were determined to get there. As we approached the top we looked back and there in the soccer field behind us was ....... haha ,Giant Rasta fest! We had a good laugh and treked on only to find that they weren't home. I guess sometimes you get your blessings in ways you wouldn't think of. Ours was we got to see Rasta Fest. I was really interesting, and something I will probably never see again.

Our investigators are all doing really well, we are working with a few new ones, and our old ones have moved to America for some reason. We also met a lady that works at the Canyons ski resort. We picked a cherry tree this week as well.

All in all this was a great week!

Love,

Elder James Conder"

Elder James Craig Conder

PO Box 2316

Kingston 8

Jamaica

Lessons on the Role of the Family for Jamaican Moms

2011-04-18T12:16:00.000-07:00

March 18, 2011
"This week in Jamaica,

Well, I had another experience of awesome people in my life helping me in my missionary work! This time it was my Aunt Laura, who had the strength to raise some awesome boys. In church we were on the lesson of The role of Families, and as you might know, in this soiciety most kids are raised by the mothers. I had the opportunity to tell about my Aunt Laura and how strong and well she had raised her kids pretty much on her own. I am confident that for just a few things that I shared about her, they all had a renewed hope for raising there children.

Well sorry that is all I have time for today..............

I love you all very much.

Love Elder Conder

P.s. Rasta just walked into the shop " I have COME TO TALK TO THE BOSS""

April 11, 2011

2011-04-11T16:45:00.000-07:00

"Hello My loves at home or abroad on the land or the sea,

   I feel that I would like to take a bit of time to say thank you once again for everything that you are doing for me on the other fronts of the field. Namely at this time Elora for keeping up the blog, Big Up your Self( patiwa for good job/ thank you/ what ever you want it to mean) Also Jessica at this time. Let me just let you in on a little secret JESSICA is great at writing letters! I love reading them so much! I know that you are all doing so much, thank you all. Okay Just a few more shout outs Kyle Taylor and friends thank you for visiting my mom. MY Dad, I would like to tell the story of why, so I think I will start a new paragraph.

    Oh here it is a new paragraph, haha, anyway we were out proselyting in this area called West Green Meadows, we walked up to this giant house and started talking to this guy at first we he seemed pretty turned off to see us, but then we got talking about what he does for work and I told him of how I use to work with my dad doing the same stuff. We were able to continue to talk with him and eventually set up a return appointment. Not only has my dad helped me in providing me with this awesome opportunity to relate with this guy in work, but this week has been greatly physically draining. I would not been able to handle it as well without having these experiences with my dad in the past of working till you literally have nothing left!! He has truly made this mission possible for me in so many ways. I am so greatful for him! I would have to Echo and add on to the words of the prophets about getting married. It is ordained of god. If had not had my dad and mom I hate to think were I would be now!

I love you all very much,

Elder James C. Conder

P.S. Have a good week"

March 04, 2011 around 2:30 pm

2011-04-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

"Hello everyone from Elder Randle and I, we are just sitting here writing the weekly letter. What a week this week, I had the best thing ever happen, I got to go visit my first area. I threw in some pictures of it, I hope you enjoy them! We also this week, as I hope everyone of you did, got to watch conference it was soooooo good. We also got to just be missionaries which is one thing I love very much.
I guess we could start with High Gate. I love this place so much, it was so cool to see everyone up there and just experience that whole place again. I saw one family I knew, there name is the Allens and they have been coming to church for 2 weeks now and say they never want to leave. I saw Maria the girl I baptized and she and her mom are still reading there scriptures and coming to church just about every week. I am so thankful for this experience it is close to indescribable the way I felt seeing them again. I would say that Alma 17:2 was a little bit of it. My joy was so great as I saw each person run up to me and shake my hand. Truly a good time.

General Conference was awesome as a missionary, this was my first one as a missionary and it was outstanding. I love the new energy and drive I recieve each talk! The messages shown through as we went out and taught. We walked up to a lady's house we had been teaching for awhile and she declined our visit, but elder Randle hung in there and taught her a very brief lesson. We set up a return a point as she seemed to have a new confidence in us and herself. I am very excited for the next lesson with her!!!

It seems as though on a mission everyday is a miracle, because it is. Everything that happens is all Around miracles. I LOVE being a missionary. I urge everyone to start preparing now!

Ha ha My mom has requested I explain the pics I sent. I will do my best, I cant remember all the ones I sent

- me in the jungle with sugar cane

- Dirty drain I fixed with a hanger @ the High gate house

- guys in the truck Brother Allen's work crew he owns a saw mill

- sunset on the way home aka mo bay

- me with my guitar

- Elder Randle man of action all around awesome

- rainy days on the mission

Love,

Elder conder

P.s. I Love you"

Different Strokes For Different Folks!

2011-03-28T13:25:00.000-07:00

"Hello everyone I hope you are all doing well. This week has been a rather exceptional week. We have had some great lessons lately. I am enjoying our lessons lately, we have ran into some awesome investigators. We got to sleep over at the Sorensens, why? Well haha that's a funny story some dewy dropped the keys, that might have been me. We got to go to Pointe, and saw a way cool investigator and view, it was like a dream. Oh I almost forgot we killed some chickens on Monday. Tuesday was also pretty cool. We helped lift cement onto a roof.

This week has been so great. This week has also been great because I have gained this re vamped love for Elder Randle my companion! He I are awesome together!

I am going to title this, hopefully very appropriately

-Different strokes for different folks-

Monday March 28, 2011 2:00 PMish

Well let get started. Saturday night we walked up or rather walked into one of our investigators in conversation with his girl that is a friend. We said hi and we were like we better get out of here, then she started asking who we were and we said we are the missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Then she said are you guys "normans" we said nope (aware that she was referring to us) we are from the church of Jesus ..... and then we proceeded to talk to her about you guessed it. Its whats on every missionaries mind, FOOD. She offered to cook us a meal. Rather reluctantly we said YESSSSSS!!!! HaHa. We set it up for the next day.

Sunday came around and we went over to the house and got some very very good chicken. So as we were finishing up the food she starts talking about "normans" again. She goes those Normans are always walking around just like you guys. So I asked Yeah do they were name tags to. She says ya and they don't even use the bible, and they aren't very good. I sad man I really like them they are way good and very nice. Elder Randle and I were almost bursting into tears laughing at this time and she goes what are you laughing about? They don't use the bible. So I pulled a bible out and asked if she had ever seen one reading a bible. she said no I haven't. I said are you sure you haven't I think you might be looking at one. She said "no" they don't use the bible. Elder Randle and I were laughing saying, are you sure you have never seen one with a bible? She Said NO, they only use there book the book of Norman. So I got mine out and put it on my bible, and said who put this here? She looks at it pauses sits on the couch are you normans? We said we are Mormons. That is just our nick name we are really the church of Jesus ..... Then we had a lesson with her answering all her questions and correcting her misconceptions about the church.

This was a pretty funny experience, but also one that we both learned from. Sometimes you really got to take a different approach for different people. I think this was one experience I wont forget and one she wont either because we are now teaching her the gospel along with her friend!!!!
well that's it that's all for this week

Love you all Very much! "BIG UP YOUR SELF'S" (Jamaican term of Good Job)

Love,
Elder Conder"

March 21, 2011

2011-03-23T08:54:00.000-07:00

"Dear you and you and you,

How are you all you doing, first of all? I am Just sitting here in Mo-bay about to recap some of the great thing that have happened this week.

whats new this week

- We went to Kingston to go do some driving stuff for Elder Randle. It was so beautiful if you look on a map you might get a small idea of how long we were in the car for. It seemed like we were forever from home, but it felt good to come back to Montego Bay and again start teaching. I am so glad to be back !
- Baptism this week! Brother Jordan Anthony Smith. It was so awesome, Elder Randle baptized him and I confirmed him. That was way awesome !!!! I am so happy I got to do that. I also got to be the witness of his baptism.
- We just ate at Wendy's very good!
- Other than that it has been a pretty normal week here. I love serving a mission I can't believe I have such a cool opportunity to serve.

What has Elder Conder Been doing this transfer ???
this transfer has gone by so fast it is crazy.
- Investigators of focus
Melissa- An awesome lady that lives in a place called Canterbury, she has been coming to church for 3 weeks now
Sis Smith- She was a Jehovah's Witness and she has been to church three times now! She is also moving to Maine next month.
Marlin, Mark and Ricardo- Three awesome guys that are somehow related and they are working together to come to church !!

Well that is it for this week love you all I hope you all are still awesome and enjoy the pics !!!!!

LOVE Elder Conder"

To the world I have to say, what a GREAT day!

2011-03-21T08:45:00.000-07:00

March 14, 2011

"Dear Everyone,

This week in Mo Bay, I don't know where to begin. This week has been quite amazing, well I guess we will go with the bad first because it is the shortest. Marlin and Ricardo didn't come to church. This week we had an opportunity to go to a place called the Yacht Club It was so cool, a restraunt/yacht club .... Sister and Elder Sorensen have their family down here, So they went with the landlord to this place. Our landlord is sister Rose, she is one of the nicest people ever. She reminds me of a female Elder Savio haha. We had Lobster as we looked over the ocean. It was so amazing. That was on Thursday, and then on Friday we walked up to our investigators house and we got up to there veranda and there sat two Rastas just bagging up their weed to go out and sell. There was so much weed sitting on the veranda and they were just sitting there like it was nothing.

I guess that is how it is here in Jamaica! Sunday I stepped my foot back in America as Pres. Lee invited us to dinner we had steak and mashed potatoes, they were so good. Today was awesome !!!! I opened my letters from all of you!!! thank you so much I really appreciated that!!!!!!! It was so cool to here from you. I am so stoked! I heard to Awesome things today!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope people don't mind me sharing, but Allyssa Has a temple recommend! and Morgan Jennings is now Elder Jennings and is back in Argentina! I was so happy to here that!

well everyone sorry this is so short but I love you All!

Love,
Elder Conder"

"Weekly up date to keep you up to date"

2011-03-08T09:32:00.000-08:00

"Dear everyone one of you my loved ones,

I would like to start you out by letting you know something. That something is, that I love each one of you and I love hearing from you so much! I can't believe you are still writing me! I thought you might forget about me! Well Ya, I just wanted you to know that I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH.
Here is some more news that you might find interesting and uplifting. I am still alive, I don't know if you remember, but I love you very much! Jamaica is way awesome we are almost headed into to Mango season here which is awesome, because Mango's are very good and everywhere!
We have been having a really great week here in Mont-ego Bay not only with our investigators but mostly all around.

THIS WEEK IN THE BAY
Monday the 28th
Beautiful sunshine Bird feeding sactuary/ someones backyard turn tourist trap. was way cool I will try to attach a pic.

Tuesday
Great day of sweating drinking water and proselyting. Really the best in life for The JKM (Jamaica kingston Mission)

Wednesday
District meeting and Margaritaville/ rip off villllllll MY meal was my whole weeks supply of food soooo luckily we got fed this week !!!!!!!

Thursday same as Tuesday

Friday
Super Planning! and Friday night activity (played soccer)

Saturday
Same as Tuesday

Sunday
FAST and TESTIMONY meeting! this was awesome a 99 year old member and sea man/ pirate boar, an awesome testimony and compared the gospel to an anchor he said " I never go to see with out my anchor, anchor yourself with the gospel"

Today well who knows whats going to happen next!!! but I can't wait to see!

LOVE GOD your father and keep his commandments

LOVE you LOVER
Elder James Conder
P.S.
I love you all
P.s.s.
I love you Mom and dad"

WOW. That sucks!!

"HELLO WORLD"

2011-02-28T12:41:00.000-08:00

Let me just say, I LOVE JAMES!!!

"THIS WEEK in Montego BAY. It has been a great week here I love this work so much I am so thankful to everyone that has helped me get to this point in my life so far, which is everyone of you! I am so glad that I have known each one of you and I am glad to hear from you each week and know that you are doing well. This week I was thinking about my cousin Daxton, and his wonderful example in my life. For those of you that don't know Daxton he is an awesome guy and you better meet him soon, or you are missing something great in life. Daxton has always had an amazing ability to do anything he puts his mind to it! I have been trying to apply this to my life as a missionary and improving myself (there is a lot to be done!) so moral of the story go meet Daxton and as they say in jamaica "BIG UP HIM" or give him a compliment.

Well hmmm I don't really know where to start? What would be the coolest to tell you about, I guess I will go with what I love. The people, Marlin one of our investigators is going to get married to his baby mother. Marlin, Ricardo and Mark Came to church this week! it was so cool to get to see them come. Well I am going to feed some humming birds so I got to go.

I hope you Enjoy these pictures! LOVE ELDER CONDER

PS I love seeing pics so feel free to send some"

Letters, Packages, and "INSYNC" :)

2011-02-24T16:28:00.000-08:00

"Hello Everyone,

Great to here from you all this week. It was a great week here in Jamaica. Yes I am still in Jamaica. some times I forget where I am and how different it is here, but then you look up at the Green land scape and then at a rasta smoking ganga and you are quickly reminded that yes you are in Jamaica. I love it here so much and yes to my mothers question I do have a washing machine. One of the only missionaries with on here. Also we are the only one that I know of with at microwave. SO Elder Randle and I Have been enjoying some wonderful popcorn. Side note the music in the back ground while I am writting this letter is INSYNC so ya Pretty ..... there is how ever a rasta from new york that is claming to be a rapper. SO ya this is deffinitly a micoscopical glimsps into jamaica.

Lets get off that subject know and talk about something way cooler, the investigators that we are working with (fill free to write back if you have any stories and such that might help them.) Right know we have a great familly of boys that we are working with. there names are Marlin, Racardo, Mark and every once in awhile Some more. We have taught them the restoration for the past to times and then we watched the restoration DVD with them. They all enjoyed it. Racardo AND Marlin prayed and they both know that it is the true church, but marlin is really attached to his old church (the song in the back ground just changed to the titanic sound track my heart will go on) then we shared the scripture from D&C about what greater witness can you have then from god.

five min sign just came up!! AAHH I LOVE YOU ALL VERY MUCH. thanks for the emails and letters! AND PACKAGES (Maybe, PLease haha)

LOVE

ELDER CONDER"

SO . . . sending packages to Jamaica is pretty darn pricey! If you ever want to send James something let me (Elora) know. Taylor is working for Fedex and so he can ship things for 1/2 the price! Pretty exciting, I know... Oh the magnificent benefits of a part-time, graveyard shift job!!

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures!!!

2011-02-16T19:57:00.000-08:00

Still Alive and Kicking!!

2011-02-16T13:02:00.000-08:00

"Well here I am still alive and kicking. Montego Bay is crazy.Why? Because I feel like I am back in America compared to where I was before. Well I guess I should correct that statement, I feel like I am in America when I am In KFC and Pizza Hut. Ha Ha because well, despite seeing the occasional white person this is definitely still Jam Rock. I really enjoy it here. There are tons of great investigators that we are working with!The branch here is so amazing. They actually have a pretty nice building here, and the members are even nicer. I love them!

We went to the funeral of Elder Walker on Saturday. We took a bus ride there with the members of Montego Bay and had a wonderful opportunity to bond with them. Elder Randle and I pretended to be there tour guides for the ride and we all had a wonderful time. Just to let you know funerals here are like giant parties, but Elder walkers was really toned down. They normally are where everyone goes to get drunk. One Guy came to us after and said this is the nicest funeral I have been to. He was talking about how reverent it was. We had another VERY unexpected thing that we got to do at the funeral, that was to help bury the body. It was very interesting I will try to get a picture of it sent home so you can see what its like because it is nothing like doing it in America. It was very nice though despite getting our nicest Shoes filled with cement, I Felt great happiness and a great honor as I helped mix the cement.

I love all of you Very much. I am sorry we haven't heard much as missionaries about Elder Walkers sister. Just keep her in your prayers

Love,
Elder Conder"

Jamaican T-Shirt Night!

2011-02-10T19:52:00.000-08:00

James sent a box of random Jamaican shirts home for all of his friends. So on Wednesday night all of his friends came over to pick out a shirt. It was so much fun!! We LOVE all his friends and the great support they have been to him! Thank you all!

Oh yeah. . . and we spent the night in James room, with all his stuff! Thanks for the shirts Elder Conder!

James First Transfer! Montego Bay!!

2011-02-07T14:56:00.000-08:00

"Hello Everyone,

I am Very glad I have wonderful opportunity this week, I am also sad, and have felt great love from heavenly father, this thing that I get to do, is provide a summary of the High Gate Area. Why Do I get to do this? This question also answers why I am sad to do this. I am Being transferred to Montego Bay. I am very sad to do this, but I have great hope because I have felt heavenly fathers love for me and the members of the branch here.

This area is my first. I have put my heart and all I have into this area and have felt the love of heavenly father. When I got here to Jamaica I was taken off the airplane put in a car driven on the opposite side of a dirty dark road to the mission presidents house where I instantly felt the spirit that resides there. I was served dinner and met a few missionaries. Then it was off to bed. We woke up At 6:30 Took our last hot showers and were sent to our areas. The ride to my area was much like my imagination being in the cargo area of a plane in severe turbulence. When I got there Great Joy filled my heart as a breath in the fresh air of the mountains of Jamaica, I felt I was home as still do. This place is my home and holds a special spot in my heart. I wont ever forget these members here.

When I got here there were rumors going around that this was a terrible area, but I can say with all energy of my heart that this is now one of the best areas. I am not saying that it was us (the missionaries) that made this area something better than it was before. It was obedience to the lords commandments and faithful members. I am so proud of them. They have stayed the way in the face of great trial. From the start they would sit with about 16 members in the congregation, but the members didn't let this discourage them the stuck it out and now this week there were 39 members in the congregation. The Branch Has had a lot of people coming back and I am sure that this trend will not stop. I have hope for this branch and I know that Elder Kartchner is strong enough to take on this responsibility while training a new missionary. He now has to fill the role that I leave he is the first counselor in the branch, and one of the best missionaries I have ever met.

Elder Kartchner is one of the greatest missionaries ever! Think about it the lord saw fight to stick him with Elder James Craig Conder ha ha. I am positive that it would be hard to be my companion. ha ha He is amazing and I am so great full that I can leave this area in his hands. I have had the opportunity to know many noble and great ones and Elder Kartchner is one of them

I am Attaching a bunch of pictures of the mission so far I hope you like them."

HONOR

2011-02-02T12:08:00.001-08:00

James spent his time writing to his Dad this week so his weekly letter is short. Hmmmm let us ponder this........

Weekly letter............

"HONOR thy FATHER and THY MOTHER and thank god that you have a family no matter what! IF YOU have a father and a mother living even near to each other this is a great blessing! I PROMISE that Chastity is and Eternal MARRiage are VERY important !!!!!!!!

               Love Elder James Conder"

GOD HAS A PLAN

2011-01-25T20:18:00.000-08:00

"Dear Friends and family,

An emergency transfer for Elder Walker in to the spirit world. As you probably all know, Elder Walker serving in this mission has moved on to the spirit world, and completed his mortal life. I express sadness for his sister the last member of his family, after what would seem untimely deaths of her father and mother and now brother. I can tell you that she is a strong women of 16 years of age as she stood tall today at his memorial service were a young women s medallion. I am very greatfull as I am sure she is for all of your prayers and support. I am also in deep gratitude for this wonderful plan of salvation the lord has for us.
There was if you didn't gather already a memorial service for Elder Walker today in Spanish town. We were privlieged to here from many people at this service including, but not limited to President Hendricks (the mission president), his wife Sister Hendricks, Elder Colmen (a member of the seventy) and his wife. There remarks were brief, but to the point, Elder walker is counting his service as a missionary in the spirit world. His death is one that seems untimely, but we need not morn that we wont see him, he has emergency transferred to a new area in the mission.
Elder Colmen shared some powerful comparisons to the life of Elder walker and all missionaries to the people of The Book of Mormon. Alma chapter 24 Chapter heading The Lamanites (people of Jamaica) come against the people of anti-nephi-lehis(members of the church Elder Walker in specific) rejoice in Christ and are visited by angles- they chose death rather than to defend themselves- more lamites(Jamaicans) are converted. The other day a Rasta man came up to us and said condolences for Elder walker.
GOD HAS A PLAN.

Love,

Elder Conder"

Weekly letter do do do do doooooo (or something like that!)

2011-01-18T11:53:00.000-08:00

This has been one of my favorite letters from James yet!!

"Hmmmm What to tell you Hmmm HMM HMM,

Well here it goes. . .

the other night AKA Saturday night, we had the most amazing lesson I have ever had in my whole life. One of the coolest experiences ever. We taught this guy named Bro. Henry. the spirit was so strong there! It testified the truth of every word to this man. I asked can you feel the spirit and he was like yes and then he goes, but I wont get baptized in a pool. I was like what the, so I asked would Robbins bay work (the place we always have baptisms)? He sat there for a second scratched his head and then said ya that will work. haha we didn't even have to ask him if he wanted to be baptized. then ............ He didn't show up for church haha. I love Jamaica. I think he still wants to be baptized but it rained. which is like having 4 feet of snow fall for the people here, so that is probably why he didn't show.

Other wonderful events form the week, we had zone confrence this week. This is were all the missionaries come together to here and talk with the mission president. Just to let you know Pres. Henderick is one of the most awe inspiring people ever. He know the answer to any question! Also I talk to him about TEMPLE MARRIAGE BUMP BUM BAAAAA DE DALLL DEEEEEEE, well something that is very interesting by not being married in the temple you are separated from your spouse after you die, and you deny the right to become like god. Or in other words you are only able to be come a servant in his kingdom. Pretty Crazy for more information turn to D&C 132, I believe that is the right section. So what does that mean? Well if your not get there soon! and if you are not old enough or worthy or thought it is not a big deal like me in the past, Prepare for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! well I think that is the most random tangent ever, but I though it might be interesting for you (being whoever reads this) to think about.

Well Have a wonderful week you are all in my prayers! always and once again thank you for everything you do.

LOVE Elder COnder"

Your Secret Admirer

2011-01-11T21:16:00.000-08:00

"MOM,

You are wild that is all I have to say. It so wonderful to here from you each week things at home sound like the are going really well. It makes my heart so happy to here you are doing so well, even bearing your testimony in church that is so cool. I bet everyone was deeply moved by it.
   I got you beef jerky on Christmas it was so good!!! I LOVE that you sent three, because that is when I was in my three some companionship. The jerky was so good!
   My feelings now as a missionary serving here in Highgate, I love the work and as long as I am doing it I am dead happy! Dead coming from being tired and happy form seeing the work move. I know that we are not supposed to focus on numbers, but to give you and Idea of this last week our goal of lessons taught was 27, we taught 59. We are trying our best as much as we can and this we we will try to improve our quality of lessons. It has already started today during companionship study time. We practiced introducing The Book Of Mormon. This was something elder Kartchner had learned in leadership training.

the branch this week. I just copied this from my letter to President Hendricks

Another wonderful week here in Highgate. Each week we see more and more growth in the branch here. It is certainly not fast growth by any means, but it is growing well. We were blessed to hear 2 members speak this week. Bro. Grantston was one of those speakers. Every week seems as though we have a wonderful talk on missionary work directed at the members(without it being assigned to them). we saw this week, the fruits of some of these talks as to people we had never seen before, walked into church. The branch is making progress every week.
I thought you might want to know a little about that.

To everyone,

THE Support is STRONG, I feel your prayers for the missionaries it is wonderful. Thank you so much. I can't tell you enough how much each prayer means to another person here in Jamaica. It is hard to be a member in a place that is filled with Drugs..... I am not going to even start that list. Just know that your prayers are helping someone in need.
The weekly review, lets see what has happened this week. It started off good and Ended good. we have been working a lot with new investigators, Trying to find someone who is ready. We have found a few, and we are working with them very closely.
   Church was pretty wild this week.It Is something else to start church here. To put it this way, for those of you that know me I have done a lot of crazy(border line dumb) adrenaline rushing stuff, but waiting to see if your investigators will show is much more nerve racking then any of it. We started our Church meeting With less then 10 people in the chapel. Then the congregation grew to 12 that took the sacrament and then all the sudden we had 36 people in there. Haha, must say that my spirit was weighing heavily at the start and then by the end I was, well there is no better way to put it then stoked!

A Word to the Members and future/off the mission me,

YOU ARE MISSIONARIES, It is sad to say that missionaries aren't the people who are to find people to teach we as members are missionaries and FINDERS. I have never taken this call seriously until I guess when I got this call(to be a full time missionary), but prophets have said that our personal missionary work effects greatly on our eternal life. WE as members of the church have the full and everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ. So please, as the the old song goes"we are all enlisted tell the conflict is over happy are we." SHARE THE GOSPEL.

I love all of you so much. I am very happy that I know each of you. You have all helped me in some way that the other couldn't I am thank full for YOU.

                                LOVE,

(your secret admirer) Elder Conder "

"Getting Lost in The Work!"

2011-01-05T10:47:00.001-08:00

"Mom its so wonderful to here from you and from everyone the picture were so awesome! The family sounds like they are doing great keep up the good work!

Getting lost in the work!

    Prior to this time in my life I have thought that I was trying very hard to be a good servant of the lords, but recent events have lead me to believe that there was a lot more I could have been doing I regret ever thinking that I was working hard. I have a new companion his name is Elder Kartchner. there is something great that happens when you have on of the best companions ever! he helps you! Elder Kartchner has helped me get lost in the work; by one being willing to go the extra mile, setting a great example and so much more!
    In this missionary service I have noticed something, submitting to my father in heaven is the single greatest part of the work! I love coming home tired from running(yes literally running) so that we can make it in on time after teach our last person for the day! I feel so well after that. while I am running is another story, haha
   lets stop there and let me simply say this. please get lost! please wont you just get lost. why? because once you have more to do then is possible in a given day you truly know how much that day is worth. get lost in the work of the lord. let me change that expression please lose the world. look at god and his children. lets come together and do the work. it wont be easy just like running home after walking all day, but it will be rewarding when you make it! I promise. I love you and I have learned more full this week as members you have the responsibility to be bring other to this knowledge of the gospel.
love elder conder

mom please edit this!
because it is horribly written

I love you mom and dad tell the rest of the family I love them to

Just tell everyone I am doing good the branch is growing and the members are getting better and better everyday! I love my new companion and I am greatfull to be counted as the lord servant. "

Christmas Call!

2011-01-05T10:40:00.000-08:00

Well we got to talk to James using Skype on Christmas Day! Unfortunately he could only see us, we never got it to work so that we could see him :( ... But it was still awesome! Mom carried the computer around and gave him and the other missionaries with him a tour of our house. I (Elora) took the computer momentarily and dropped the phone, which made us loose our connection. When we called back the senior missionary told us, "oh don't worry that is what we call a dropped call, we get them all the time here in Jamaica." Little does she know, the call was LITTERALLY dropped! It was lots of fun talking to him! He is doing SO good and having tons of fun! He wasn't even sad he was missing Christmas, he asked us all to open one present and our stockings while we were talking to him so he could watch and that was good enough for him! He sends his love to everyone and wants everyone to know he's doing good and is very happy!

dec 20 9:36 am

2010-12-25T01:25:00.000-08:00

"Dear MOM,

Elder Ashton just got Emergancy transfered to be a zone leader on the other side of the island, he is way happy about it. This now leaves me in quite an intresting spot. I now live in Ocho Rios, but I still go to High Gate. It is so awesome because I work in 2 areas I am a fill in first consler at high gate, I am learning from the zone leaders here in ochi and from the senior couple. But is is also really sucky because I pretty much lose 2 hours driving everyday and I don't really have my full attention on High Gate.

High Gate is amazing the members there are the best. There were three that spoke this sunday and one of the three was Maria the twelve yeard girl I baptized all the speakers did so well. I love High Gate!

Well there wasn't to many way cool spiritual experiances that happend this week, but in the mits of this transfering thing. I have seen parts of jamaica that not many people have. It was amazing!

My new companions are Elders Tracy and Gardner they are super amazing elders. They work so hard I love it so much. We are always teaching and on the move it is great! They are also super funny!

well that is it thats all for the week. Other than a shout out to all my girls there are 2 lovely Elder here that are about to head home that you could write! Probably the coolest Jamaican Missionaries I know so............. there Emails are

- justin.gardner@myldsmail.com

- conner.tracy@myldsmail.com

mom tell lexi She should Write elder tracy and jade to write elder gardner

but give the shout out to all haha

Love your son,

Elder Conder

P.s. you are the best mom thanks for doing all of this for me. p.s. I did really under stand the christmas present? what am I to do?

Love you Dad!"

Q&A Email

2010-12-25T01:21:00.000-08:00

James tends not to answer any questions you ask him. SO, mom made a "fill-in-the-blank" question and answer email in hopes of getting some answers from him! Here is what we got. . .

"How is the girl you baptized?

she is doing so amazing. I am trying to get her mom to do Family night with her.

- suggestion start having family night with dad and kyle toni and allyssa and the crew please that would be so cool!

What does your apartment look like?

well walk down stairs look in my bathroom that is the size of the kitchen, and add cuboards. living quarters are the size of the up stairs spare bed room, and the bath room is the size of the half bath up stairs + a shower. now you have the dementions strip everything out of the rooms and make them concrete. there is our place in a nut shell. The view is to die for I wake up to the sunrise every morning OVER THE BLUE MOUNTAINS. BEautiful is defined here

Are you sleeping at night, and are you adjusting to the heat?

haha yes and yes I get a little cold even!

Did you open your christmas cheer?

what? haha

How do you like Elder Ashton, and what is his first name?

Michael

What is Elder Ashtons address?

Canterbury DR. highland Utah 84003

What have you been eating?

Mac and CheeeeEEEeSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEEEE with hamburger in it. everything I eat here is pretty dang good!

Jerk- best style of Chicken ever(the jerk shack is nothing like it here maybe go there and see if they have jerk)

Do you have a bike?

I do and I haven't ridden it. The roads in our area is like driving up Tibble fork with a 100 more pot wholes per mile

Did you get your beef jerky, was it good?

No I still haven't got it I am crossing my fingers it will make it!

Do you need anything?

Just your love

How are your shoes and socks treating your feet?

amazing

Are your pants nice and cool?

Duh

Have you used your umbrella?

DUH Dewy( literally its DEwy consistently here)

Do you feel safe?

Yes

Have you been doing a lot of assignments at church, if so what???

Elder Ashton is the first councilor! but the members are Improving and really stepping up to the plate!

Have you been receiving a lot of mail from friends and family?

not to much but i love when i get it!

Has your 400 dollars been enough?

yesss most definitely

Did you get to watch the First Presidency Christmas message, it last night? Yes"

Monday November 29, 2010 9:00 am 'ish'

2010-12-25T01:10:00.000-08:00

"Yesterday and the day before were the two best days of my mission and of most of my life! I will start with Saturday; I had the opportunity to step in to the waters of baptism with Maria Nadina-Nacola Hetey! I love this girl and she has now entered the gate to the straight and narrow path, at the end of her journey in life is no longer bleak she knows that she has the opportunity to live with her heavenly father now. and she is on her way. she is going to try to read the book of Mormon all the way through in six weeks!

Sunday, we were on our way to meet with a man named Donavon we found him here on the main road of high gate! a couple of days ago. We were walking on the road asking were he lived and his neighbors lead us to his house, in the bush(aka the jungle) so as we walked by this house, we saw his house. His house and majority of the houses remind me of the shanty towns in the book cry the beloved country. there were about 15 people inside this house watching t.v., when we walked up. then we yelled for Donavon( you yell into houses here rather then knock. its a lot like the savio's in that respect) Well we we did this tons of kids from the age of 1- 18 were pushed out side there house and the parents locked themselves inside. So I am sitting here like okay what heck they must have really not wanted to talk to us! Well as i am thinking this about five little kids are all standing around me and my comp is up teaching the older ones, so what are you to do when tons of little kids are surrounding you, with tattered cloths and giant smiles. duh ask them what there names are and what they like to do. I did just that. turns out they love singing and reading. so I told them to sing me a song! they promptly got in formation and sure enough I was being sung Jesus take the wheel by 6 of the cutest little Jamaicans on earth in there tattered cloths, in the jungle! It was awesome I still can't wipe the smile off my face! So I appointed the oldest girl (she was about 10-12) to be the leader and we sang I am a child of god together. You know how awesome and heart wrenching the primary program is? times it by the movie notebook and any other cute thing like that and it still wont compare to these kids singing I am a child of god with me and having them all sit in am semi circle reading scripture in the mud and dirt on the jungles floor! I wish you all could see this! Oh wait you Can i videoed it haha! You just have to wait two years before you get to see it! I looooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

ooooooooooooooooooooooooovvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Jamaica and every one here they are so awesome!
i only have five mins please read MOSIAH 3:19"

Don't worry, I looked it up for you!

"For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father."

First word from Jamaica. . .

2010-12-25T01:04:00.000-08:00

"Dear Utah residents and People that are not in Jamaica,

Forgive me for having pride in my new country, but I must say that this is one of the most beautiful place ever! I am in the area of High gate right now! it is a mountainous community with as small town. I would say that this is the best area in Jamaica. We have been given a special responsibility here to save the branch. As one could easily see from the reputation of smoking MJ all the time it is hard to find worthy Priesthood holders here and as of right now we don't have a branch presidency. This Sunday we had a very big turn out at church it was so amazing to see all of the people we have visited this week come to renew there covenants. I have a great love for the people here they are so nice and willing to serve others! so when I see them doing these things that are going to bless there lives I can't help but to smile! I Have never felt so happy. I love these people so much!

My companion is Elder Ashton he is so awesome he is training me! His family lives right down the road from our house, and is also friends with some of my friends including; Elder Noah Newburt, Baily Martin (the sister of Jordan martin) and he knows Rory( surprising no everyone knows Rory haha). It is a small world

We have been helping Maria, a 12 year old girl, make her way to baptism. She is going to be baptized on the 26th of this month! I am so excited for her. This is going to bless her life so much! Maria is the smartest, nicest, best, hardest working twelve year old in the world. I wish that you could all meet her. We are helping about 7 of gods children come unto Christ each with there own story and challenges, I love each and everyone of them. I now couldn't image my life with out these people and these experiences.

I would tell you more about what the area looks like but I don't need to because you can just google earth it. once again it is called high gate.

WERE would I be with out my mom, dad, sisters, brother in laws(soon to be ragu), friends and there families, the man sitting next to me, and the father above? I might aswell be no were thank you for being in my life I love you write me, dear elder is free and you can now email me. love you

love
elder conder"

November 17, 2010- James arrives in Jamaica!

2010-12-25T00:59:00.000-08:00

"Dear Brother and Sister Conder,

We are happy to let you know your son arrived safely in Kingston, Jamaica. He is in good spirits and arrived anxious to become involved in the great work being done here. When he arrived we met him at the airport and brought him to the mission home where he spent his first night. We helped him with banking and immigration matters and then provided training and orientation.

He was interviewed and met his trainer, Elder Ashton. They then went to their area where they began the work he came here to do. Your son will be serving in Highgate. As parents we can appreciate your concern for him and his welfare and felt you would like to know he is safe and doing fine.

We want to thank you for raising such a fine son and for your support for him while he is here. Your support for the next few weeks while he may experience some homesickness will be very important. The work is really beginning to blossom here in Jamaica and the people are warm and friendly. We are confident he will have a special experience. We can assure you we will do everything we can to help him grow and develop and are confident his testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ will increase. Through his mission experiences he will draw closer to our Savior. We are so grateful to have him here.

We will appreciate your continued support. Please feel free to contact us if we can be of assistance. We will be sending another email soon with a picture of him at the mission home. The assistants were busy with transfers today and will be off-island for a few days and they have the picture.

Gratefully,

President and Sister Hendricks"

Second MTC Email

2010-12-25T00:55:00.000-08:00

"Wow here his another race with time.

Dear friends and family,

I would first like to thank you for all the letters and packages!!!!!!!! iiiiiii love getting letters and hearing how you're life is going! I am sending a package home right after i am done on the computer! be ready bbbbbeeee readyyy uhhhhh huh oh ya its really not going to be that cool.

Well in the past week I have given two blessings. it is amazing the power of them! it has strengthened my testimony so much.

I got my flight plans, I leave on nov. 16th so fam have you're phones ready! because they told me to call you at the airport. Its so crazy how short of time I have here I need to learn so much more! I am how ever so excited to get out and teach. I bought three books of mormon to give out on my flight! i hope there are those there willing to receive them! I am also very excited to get out of the cold! I am so thank full I am going so were warm.

I got the halloween pictures! they are so awesome! elora you're pumpkin looks sweet! i miss mally mal

misssssyyyyyyysssss fammmmillllly

thank you soooo much! !!! for the letters treats and gooodddddddddiess I love you so much! I can't even tell you how happy that made me and everyone in my district they loved the cookies! and I loved the letters. You're family is so amazing! daxton. I told my district (group of 8 boys i spend almost all my time with allll about how awesome you are, and about all you're talents, and how you are going to be such a goood missionary! bradon thats sweet you beat my dad keep it up and maybe you could beat me in two years at rainbow road. jada you are sweet thanks for the letter. I still can't wipe the smile off my face from the dozens of letters! You are all so awesome!

love elder conder!"

First MTC Email

2010-12-24T10:24:00.000-08:00

"Here it is the final count down. I feel like i am in the world minis again racing! this clock is scaring me so bad. they could have at least not made the 30 minute cout down clock red and flashing!

Mom, dad, Jess, Elora, Taylor, Ragu, everyone one in the real world,

Wow the mtc here I am. I have been here a week now! It is so awesome thespirit and angels really do hang out here. It is awesome all the emotionsyou feel when you are here! love for you're family and love for you comp.love for you're friends love for every single person that you meet. I guessyou could say that I love it here! My companion elder toutai (said toe tie)is one of the nicest people in this hole mtc. he got here on the same day asme, and the next day he was made distirict leader! he leads us an army of 8 men tranning for battle agianst the adversary. He says high to everyone hemeets always has a smile on his face. he has brought are district togetherin a way un seen by many of the leaders here at the mtc. It is funny thatthey would call me as his senior companion. because I am in no way ready?,you could say to be a senior comp. I am pretty sure they just did that togive me some experience.

Look back to the first paragraph. you remember how I said there were angels here? My knee is feeling good but it is very weak. I was playing some volleyball or basketball durning gym time. Sorry I can't remember which Iwas playing. I jumped up to get the ball and as I came down I knew this wasthe end of my mtc experience because my knee was about to fold in half thewrong way. as I was thinking this my knee was pushed up! and kept in place.I was saved from having severe knee problems! here at the mtc which wouldhave resulted in me being sent home on medical leave! Maricals are real! as
glenn beck said "live you're life so that when the time comes you can demand them." for i the lord am bound when ye do what Say. D&C 82:10.

MOM,
I have decided to devote this week to being more diligent, as we choose christ like attributes to work on. You're dillegence in preparing me forthis mission has prepared me to be one of the temprolly preparedmissionaries here. I Have EVERYTHING I NEED THANK YOU SOOOOOOOO MUCH AND IFYOU SEND ANYTHINING ELSE MAKE IT ENOUGH FOR EIGHT. You know have 8 childrenbecause we have 8 members in our district and they are alll my brotherss!!!

LOve you allll lllllll soooooo muuch,

elder Conder"

Merry Christmas Mom!

2010-12-24T10:06:00.000-08:00

This blog is in honor of Elder Conder and is dedicated to Mom, who misses precious terribly. . . may this blog get you through the next two years! ;) Even though we miss James, there is no other place in the world we would rather have him be right now. He is so happy and there is no where he would rather be either!

We love you Mom! Merry Christmas!

Love,
Elora and Taylor