Conference Changed Me!

October 7, 2012

Dear Family,

Conference was awesome!  I was able to watch all the sessions.  We watched all the sessions except for the last one at the church.  I really enjoy watching conference at the church because there are no distractions and I can feel the Spirit so strongly.  The announcement made by President Monson was very surprising but I think it is a great thing.  At first, when I heard this I thought, why are they changing the age now?  I felt that the age should have been changed long ago but then I thought to myself how I could be done with my mission if this had happened a couple of years ago.  I was a little frustrated because I would've loved to go on a mission right after high school but then I thought about all the things that I learned in that first year of college that I wouldn't have learned if I came directly out on a mission.  Because of college I know how to study better and now that I am on a mission I have figured out better ways to study that will help me be more proficient.  I feel that I learned many lessons in the first year of college and I feel blessed that I was able to have that year of college to learn about myself better.   

Conference changed me!  I have been having so many questions lately and with this conference I could feel a burning within me and I could feel myself changing.  I could feel my testimony grow and I can truly say that I have gained a deeper conversion than ever before in my life.   The topics that were touched on were what I needed to hear and the spirit that those men brought let me know that this is the true church, the Lords Kingdom reestablished on the earth.  I am grateful to be a missionary to be able to give of myself fully to the furthering of the work.  I know that the Prophet receives revelation for everyone and knows what's best and what will bring us happiness.  Conference was a blessing that changed my life and I would hope changed the lives of many others.  It is not every day that we get to hear from a real life prophet of God.  

Things are going well.  I feel that I never have any time to do anything because I am either studying to teach district meeting or working with Elder Lozano in the training program and trying to practice Spanish.  It has been hard trying to balance all these things but I am learning a lot.  This week we will be without a car so we either have to walk or ask people for rides.  I am also dealing with a cold.  At least I think it is a cold.  We had a lesson with this lady the other day and she had three cats and when I came out of her house I was having horrible allergies.  From that point on I have had a stuffy nose and a sore throat.  Hopefully it goes away soon. 

We tried really hard to have Sambo watch conference with us at a member’s house but she couldn't because she had to go to her son’s football game.   We did have a lesson with her on Friday though and we watched some mormon.org videos that had some of the apostles talking so they would know who the apostles were.  The videos were all very good and by the end Sambo was crying and I asked her if Thomas S. Monson could be a prophet and she said yes, but kind of under her breath.  The best part was at the end of the lesson when she offered the closing prayer for the first time.  It was a great prayer too.  I really pray that she will accept the gospel.

Sam is Rebecca’s son and he came and watched conference with us at a member’s house.  He said he enjoyed it but didn't understand much of it, maybe because of a language issue.  I don't think Rebecca understood really any of it either because Sam can speak better English than her.  I told her to go and listen to conference in Cambodian when she got home because they have it in Cambodian on lds.org.   We had a fun time though.  We watched the last session of conference and ate some good sandwiches at the Whitney's house.  He is a Jockey and only 5'1 107lbs.  Can you believe that!  Crazy!

We teach a lot in Spanish but none of our Spanish speaking investigators seem to be progressing and no one comes to church.     

I called the Kenley the other day and they are doing really well.  Elder Rivas is working hard and will send me letters every now and again.   

I just wrote a letter to the Kramer's this week.  Kevin has been passing the sacrament and is getting ready to receive the Melchizedek priesthood.  Kim is teaching primary.  They really love church according to the Kenley's.   

Love you,

Elder Mouritsen

PS.  I have included some pictures.  Rebecca on a bike.  She is still a kid at heart.  Me and Elder Lozano.