Week 27--Valentine's Week And A Few Pics

We sent Connor a package for Valentine's Day. Here are a few pics. It really is fun to have him in a place where we can send stuff to him regularly--one huge advantage of a state-side mission!!

 Red and Pink ties for V-Day 2016.

Another fun thing this week was an unexpected post on my Facebook wall from a friend and member of my home ward. He was in Modesto on a business trip and saw two Elders walking along the sidewalk. He stopped and asked them if they wanted a ride and they accepted. He asked if they knew Elder Hopkin and one of them said "yes". It was Elder Jones--Connor's last companion! Here are a couple of pictures Scott took with Elder Jones. It was so kind of him to think of sending them to me! He then went to Tracy, but didn't have quite the same luck finding Connor, although he did look for him as he was driving around. Maybe next time!

Scott and Elder Jones in Modesto 

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

"I just met Connor's last companion, Elder Jones, while I was in Modesto today. He had the best things to say about Connor! I looked for him in Tracy but no luck."

On Sunday night we got another picture of Connor with his companion, Elder Ashcraft! How I love random and unexpected pictures and texts (and Facebook posts).

Elder Hopkin and Elder Ashcraft 

Sunday, February 14, 2016 

Tracy, California

"Our family is here in Modesto to visit our daughter's mission (who was just released two weeks ago) and saw these two wonderful Elders in Tracy at Stake Conference. I think I kind of freaked Elder Hopkin out because I knew who he was and your name Jen from missionary moms group on Facebook. Anyway, happy Sunday!"

Can I say again how much I appreciate and love the thoughtfulness of others in taking and sending pics of Connor. Makes me feel a bit more connected somehow! And, it always makes me happy!!

Here is his letter for the week and a few more pictures that he sent along.

Hi Mom!!!!

Hahaha thank you! I really hope I'm not balding :) The other day we were at dinner with a family, and I mentioned that I was gaining weight and getting fat and they were like "What?! Are you trying to get kicked out? What are you talking about, stop!" and then I said that I was balding too and they just cracked up! But I was serious about it all! I don't know what they were laughing at :)

I'm glad you got that picture! Yah, a Sister that went home last transfer came to visit with her parents and her mom was like "Is one of you Elder Hopkin? I read your blog!" and it was really random and weird but cool :) So I hope you edit that thing carefully ;) But really, thank you so much for keeping that up! I did get your package, ON Valentine's Day! I loved it!!! I just sent you that picture of our ties! And holy cow, Elder Moreno LOVED his package! It made his day! Thank you so much for sending that to him! He actually lived in Orem, and he goes home this transfer and said he's gonna go visit you guys...we'll see but that would be fun :)

I think that's a good option to suggest that to President....but I don't know if I'm brave enough :) I'll sit on that one and think about it! That would make things pretty intense - but I would learn Spanish pretty quickly huh? I'm glad the other kids are working hard and having a good time - especially at ACT classes :) I just realized, I use a lot of smiley faces, huh? I had a dream the other night, where my mission president told me I needed to stop using so many emojis in my texts (I use them a decent amount, like when communicating with missionaries or members), and I wasn't sure if that was revelation through a dream, or something to not worry about :)

My week was ok! We had our fair share of dropped appointments. I'm pretty used to that though! We found another investigator, but I don't know how interested he really is. We have a couple investigators that we have planned appointments for soon, and a couple that are really busy over the next couple weeks. Abraham and Martha are still going strong! We're excited about them! I do continue to have new adventures and experiences. My district leader assignment is going pretty well! I always have been a people-pleaser, so I always worry if I'm doing enough of the right things, if they like me enough, etc... I need to get over that stuff though! Our last district meeting, we focused on personal revelation and I've just gained such a strong testimony lately that God gives us directions and answers to prayers. I've really tried to learn to listen to the Holy Ghost so I can understand God's will and do the right things, and while I have a lot to improve on, I've had some cool experiences. Kinda along with that, I've gained a strong testimony of scripture study, especially in the Book of Mormon. Just this morning, I started my studies with a prayer, and was reading in Ether 3, and went on this long scripture chain and just learned so much from the Spirit, and it was so amazing! The Lord always teaches us line upon line. Today I understood something a little better that I had studied and learned about months ago! He's always there to teach and direct us, as we ask Him in faith. Anyways, my district is doing great - they're all recovered and back to full force! We had a new addition; there was an emergency transfer somewhere and a really cool Elder (that had been my Zone Leader's companion when I first came to Tracy) is now in a tripanionship with the Northland Elders! Sot that's been fun!

That's a really nice story about Ethan! Thank you (to all the family) for all your prayers! They help more than you know! Thank you also for those thoughts from Grandma and Grandpa! That's fun that they got to give their talks! I wish I could have been there - I'm sure they have some incredible stories! And that scripture - Isaiah 41:10 - dang I love that one!!! It's SO GOOD!!! Thanks for reminding me of it! :)

To close, 2 things. One: last night we had this delicious meal at a member's home and I got super full and then she pulled out our Valentine's Day surprise dessert - a HUGE cupcake! I was so grateful but ahhh I ate the whole thing and almost died!! So know that I'm taken care of - too much :) Also, I've been sharing a lot lately a few verses from Alma 36 - verses 12 and 17-21. I think it's so beautiful the contrast between his shame and guilty torment, and the light and joy that Jesus Christ gives him. He remembered that his father had taught him about Christ (a good reminder to us to always be teaching of Christ so others can remember Him and His mercy), and then as soon as he cried out for mercy with a repentant heart, he felt the peace and joy that only Jesus can give. I know He can and will forgive our sins and make us clean so we can live with our Father again.

I love you so much!!! Thank you thank you thank you for everything!!! Let me know if there's anything in particular that I can pray for, for you and/or the family! I LOVE YOU!!!!!

Love,
Elder Connor Hopkin :)

 Elder Ashcraft, Elder Moreno, Elder Hopkin--they are all wearing their V-Day ties that we sent to them in their packages!!  Fun!

Monday, February 15, 2016

Elder Hopkin and Elder Torres

Monday, February 15, 2016

Week 26

Hi Mom!!!!!! :):)

It's so good to hear from you!! I'm glad everyone is nice and busy! :) Thank you for praying and fasting for me and my investigators! I fast for you and the family every month, and I pray for you every day!! This week with the investigators was a little slow, but not too bad. We had minimal lessons, just cause people were sick/busy. We had a great lesson though, with Corinna and Leivinna, a mom and her daughter. I don't know if I told you this, but a couple weeks ago we were tracting before an appointment, and Corinna called us over and said "My daughter has been asking me questions about God, and I don't really know how to answer them...can you come teach us?" and we were like "Nope!" Haha, just kidding, we were SO excited, and we've had a couple good lessons with them. They were going to come to church yesterday, but a family problem came up; but they're so nice and we're excited to keep teaching them! We had a good lesson with another investigator that has depression, and it was really cool as we read in the Book of Mormon with her and helped her feel Jesus' love for her. She has a hard time accepting that God and Jesus really exist, but from the things she says, her heart just wants so much for them to be real. She's a little stubborn and hasn't accepted to pray - yet. But once she does, I just know she'll feel God's love and be so accepting of the rest of our message. Yesterday, we actually had a former investigator come to church! She's really silly, cause she really loves the church, and even told us "If I had heard about this church 20 years ago, I probably would have joined" but she's too comfortable in her Catholic practices. But we're hoping if she keeps coming to church and reading the stuff we give her (we don't teach her but we visit her occasionally), she'll eventually realize the change is worth it. She's so sweet and we've really come to be super good friends with her! As far as our district goes, we had another Sister get sick, one fall off her bike and pass out, and an Elder crash on his bike pretty bad! They're all doing ok luckily - but it's been interesting! :) That's so true what you said about how we can't find the answers for other people - they have to be the ones to find out for themselves. But once they make that commitment, the Lord always answers! That's a good reminder that I need to be constantly praying for people's hearts to be softened!

Those are really cool thoughts with all that symbolism! I love Lehi's vision! I especially appreciate and love sharing with members the verse where Lehi says the fruit was so desirable and delicious, and all he wanted was to share that with his family. We're all one big family - God's family - and we need to have charity and love others and desire their eternal happiness! That's cool though how you contrast the tree of life with the great and spacious building! This weird part of me deep down almost thinks the great and spacious building sounds kinda fun and cool - but really the fruit is the end goal that brings so much joy and happiness - the exact opposite of what the building brings! And it really is so desirable and incredible! And thank you for your testimony of the Book of Mormon! I've come to love that Book so much over the last several months! It really does bring so much peace and direction into our lives, and brings us closer to God! I've been learning a lot about personal revelation lately. God is so good and always answers our prayers! I find myself doubting that He will this time, or next time, but He always does when I exercise faith and ask! Not only does He give us revelation, but also blessings! We were trying to get our mail the other day, and the lock would not open! So after about 5 minutes of struggling, feeling pretty silly about praying for such a trivial thing, we prayed that He would open it. And about 10 seconds later, the we turned the key and the lock opened! It was really cool :) Anyways, tangent aside, reading in the Book of Mormon brings so much opportunity for personal revelation, and it's so amazing! I read the beginning of Doctrine and Covenants 138 today, and President Smith goes through the same situation - he ponders over the scriptures, remembering the Savior and His sacrifice (like Moroni suggests we do in Moroni chapter 10), and his mind is opened up line upon line by the Spirit. I thought that was such a good example of how God speaks to us!

So, thank you so much for sending Elder Moreno a package! He goes home in 4 weeks!! It's crazy!!! And this will be perfect for a going-away present! And thank you for sending me one! Oh, and can you please tell Angie thank you for the one she sent me a while ago? I got it and LOVED it and I'm so grateful for her!!

Thank you for loving me so much! :) Haha I hope that doesn't sound weird, but I just can always know that you love me, and it means more than you know! Thank you for your beautiful emails and everything you do for me!! I'm so blessed!! :) Thanks for all your sacrifice and faith and kindness and example and love! I really look up to and admire you! I'll be excited for next Monday! I love you SO MUCH!!! :)

Love,
Elder Connor Hopkin :)

Week 25--6 Months Out/The Sister Missionary Mark!

Well, this week--Friday, the 29th, marked 6 months--1/4 of the way through the mission. We call it the Sister Missionary Mark--basically he has as much time left as the sister missionaries have all together.  

Hi Mom!!!!

That sounds like a super exciting week!! Dang I hate the idea of missing out on stuff like that, but oh well :) I'm glad Dad had a good time and got home safely! Katy sent me a picture of you guys with her at her call opening and it was super good to see you :) Aww I'm just a little jealous that she's going Spanish-speaking! She's gonna do an incredible job in Iowa though! That's super exciting!! And I am soooo glad that Grandpa and Grandma are safe and happy in their home and it's so crazy that they're already BACK!! That's so nuts!!

So this week...it was good! Nothing too too special, but plenty of good stuff :) So I'm enjoying the opportunity I have to serve as a district leader! In the Missionary Handbook, it says that leadership positions are opportunities to develop greater love and to learn, and I've already seen that! I was praying a few nights ago about my district and just felt so much love for each one of them, and I had just a tiny taste of how God feels for them, and it was super special! I love being put in a position where I get to serve more. It adds a little extra stuff to do and holy cow I feel inadequate a lot, but it's been good. I led a district meeting on Thursday and it was soooo scary but I got through it :) No new investigators this week, but we did get the chance to spend more time with Abraham and Martha and DANG THEY ARE SO COOL!!!! :) Elder Jones and I street contacted Abraham a couple months ago, and we finally got to meet with him a couple weeks ago, and he and his wife are just so prepared! He's like, gonna be a bishop in a couple years or something :) They are incredible! We haven't even taught the Word of Wisdom yet, and he was telling us how he had a party with friends and didn't drink any alcohol, even though it was super hard! And he brought up tithing and asked us how he can start paying...Elder Ashcraft said he's "humbled" to be teaching them, and I totally agree. Super cool! We had a couple of other lessons this week, with super cool investigators; the biggest problem with all three of them though, is that they like evidence and proof. Apparently there's a verse in Jeremiah that says not to trust your own heart, and they all brought up that when we asked them to pray about it. But all of them have committed to try reading and praying, and they're all really just searching for the truth - which we happen to have :) So that was all pretty good this week!

So right before this email we had a hot dog eating contest....ugh... 6 hot dogs in about 10 minutes. The winner ate 8. 67 cents for a pack of 8. I don't feel too good :) Just so you know :)

Hm....I feel like there's more to say but I don't know what. This morning I was reading in Preach My Gospel chapter 4, which talks about recognizing the Spirit. Right at the very beginning, it talks about how God is so anxious and willing to help us and support us, and we just need to be worthy and ask. I found that to be true when I was deciding whether to go on my mission this year or next. I was so worried that I wouldn't receive an answer, but I read the scripture that says to ask, seek and knock, and it will be given. I've been trying to learn more how to receive personal revelation, and I have a strong testimony that God really does answer our prayers. The Holy Ghost is so incredible, and we're promised that we can have Him with us. I've also studied and learned a lot about the importance of love over the last week (and my whole mission - that's kinda my mission theme) :) The greatest commandment is to love God, and as we remember His mercy and love towards us, we'll feel a stronger sense of love to Him, like King Benjamin talks about. And as we love and serve Him, we learn to love others. I feel like Christ's greatest attribute was charity, and I want so bad to have it! :) Anyways... :)

Oh, I wanted to ask you, were you ever able to send that package to Elder Moreno? He hasn't said anything about it, and I don't wanna ask him, so I was curious! But he's been such a good friend and leader to me, so thank you for doing that!

Thank you for always sending me such amazing spiritual thoughts!! That is such a good scripture passage! I read that as part of a list from Preach My Gospel, and that along with other Book of Mormon chapters has helped me understand the Atonement so much better, and really appreciate just how essential it is. I know I keep saying this, but without Jesus and His Atonement, there would be no hope!! And He has given us this gospel so we can access that mercy and love. And all those thoughts from Brother Millet's lesson are super cool!

So, I just love you a LOT!!! I miss you lots! And I love you lots too!! Thank you so much for everything!!! Thank you for your example and your testimony and all you've done for me! You're such a GOOD MOM!! I probably say that a lot but it's just so true! I love you!!

Love,
Elder Connor Hopkin

Hot dog eating contest--February 1, 2016

Week 24--No Transfers, New Responsibilities, And A Laundry Adventure

Here is Connor's letter for the week of January 18-24th. Sounds like he's having all kinds of adventures--which is a pretty good description of what a mission is--an adventure. It certainly gives a few good stories to tell for years to come. I love seeing the growth and progress he is making in responding to change and unexpected experiences. I am proud of him for it!


Hi Mom!!!!! :):)

So! It was a pretty good/crazy week! :) I was actually going to just copy my journal entry for Monday and email it to you, cause it was such a unique day...but I forgot my journal :/ Anyways, the summary is this: After emailing, we went to dinner, then had an awesome lesson with this couple that basically asked us what they need to do to be baptized!! We had a couple of other really good contacts that day, and then! We do our laundry at this laundromat in our apartment complex, and we had to leave our clothes in the dryer to come email, then we went straight to dinner and our lesson, and so our clothes were there for hours. So we went to get them....and they were gone!! Yay!! There were clothes in the dryer we had been using, so we waited there until that person came to get his clothes. He arrived, and we started to ask him if he knew anything...and he was deaf! So we had an interesting time communicating with him and realized he didn't know anything about it. We prayed, and then searched around. Finally, we saw one of our socks outside the laundromat. Then we found another one about 20 feet away. I connected a line between the two, and it pointed....straight to the dumpster!! :) So we went dumpster diving at 10 pm getting our juicy clothes so we could wash them in the morning! It was actually super exciting! :)

So that was my Monday! :) We had a really good work week, and that was super nice! We found those two investigators that I mentioned already, and had a good lesson with Mary, and found several other investigators! It's so interesting how they're all from different walks of life, but they ALL need the gospel! It's been exciting trying to teach them the way they need though - we have a couple investigators that are just SUPER smart and know the Bible in and out and teaching them is so fun but exhausting! Without our members and the Spirit, they would have eaten us alive :) They're all actually interested though, it's not like they're trying to Bible-bash or anything. And then we have the investigators that don't work, do drugs, and are so humble and teachable. It's so interesting!

So, a pretty good week! I'm sure I'm missing something important, but I can't think of it right now :( We had transfer calls last night! I'm staying with Elder Ashcraft (thank goodness!) and I was called as a District Leader. I'm super nervous but really excited for the learning opportunity! I just KNOW I'm going to have some really embarrassing and humbling experiences....but oh well right? It's good for me! :) I'm so glad I'm still with Elder Ashcraft - he's fantastic, and it would have been sad for one of us to leave the area with the progress happening right now. It's all pretty overwhelming but I'm happy about it :)

Dang! 6 months this week....it's crazy! It seems so fast...but there's so much left! I don't know what to think about it. It's crazy that I'll end up being in this area for nearly 6 months! Unless I stay even longer after this transfer! Hahaha I love you calling it the Sister Missionary Mark! That's so weird that the Sisters coming in tomorrow will be going home the same time as me!

I'm sure you had a fantastic time being a single parent for a week! :) That really is cool that he got to travel there and represent the Church in that way - and I really do agree that you're a huge part of that by taking care of things at home and supporting him with that! He wouldn't be able to do anything that he does without your love and support and work! I'm glad that Makaeli and Bryn and Ethan are having fun with everything! That dating sounds intense! She better be careful! ;) That's fun about the Stake Presidency! President Vaughn will do an amazing job! That's interesting that Elder Runia talked about distractions - that's been a theme that President Palmer has emphasized a lot lately - getting rid of distractions that keep us from fulfilling our purpose! That's really cool! And holy cow isn't the Book of Mormon just so good?? I've really come to love and appreciate it even more on my mission - if there's ever a doubt that I have, I just remember how true the Book of Mormon is, and that helps me hold on until more understanding comes. That's why it's such a keystone for us!

That's super cool that they got to have the morningside with Elder Holland! Luckies!! :) It is cool how missionary work is progressing so much in these latter days! I remember an EFY lesson I had, where the teacher pointed out that all of the previous dispensations had their duties and responsibilities, and they have provided such a foundation for us through the scriptures and such. And it's our responsibility in this dispensation to gather Israel and do missionary work and especially do temple work so all can have the chance to receive salvation. That's what we're here for!

I'm glad you think it's a good thing that I'm not too stressed! :) I had a couple moments this last week where I did, but overall it really has been so much better. I think I see a few potentially stressful situations in my future, but I'll take it as it comes I guess! :) Thank you for all your prayers! And the reminder to rely on the Lord! I just always hope I can do enough myself to qualify for His help, you know? But He helps me do even that! It's so unfair - we're so blessed :) I'm just so grateful for the Atonement and the strength and power that comes from it. I'm so grateful to Him for His sacrifice for me and all of us, and I KNOW that because of Him, we can receive forgiveness for our sins. We can live with our Heavenly Father again, because His plan is perfect!

I love you so so so much!! Thank you for your email and just EVERYTHING!! I'm so blessed to be your son! I love your emails every week - I always always look forward to them! And they're always perfect! I always pray for you! There's an amazing section in Preach My Gospel called "No Effort Is Wasted" - and I think it's so applicable to motherhood! I know you get discouraged or sad every once in a while cause I can't even imagine how hard it is to be a mother! But everything you do means so much, and it doesn't miss its mark. You're such an amazing Mom and I love you and miss you so much!!

Love,
Elder Connor Hopkin

Week 23

We got a couple of pictures this week from members in the area where Connor is serving. They came in on different days, from different people. I sure am grateful for those who send us these pictures. It makes me feel more connected somehow. I have added quotes from the texts also--I love what they members there have to say about Elder Hopkin and Elder Ashcraft.

 Elder Ashcraft, Elder Hopkin, Sister Baker

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

"We love taking care of them here in Tracy. They are both very dedicated and love the Lord and the people here."

Elder Hopkin and Elder Ashcraft

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

"Hello Mothers. Had your sons here for dinner. Sounds like they are having lots of success and are working very diligently. Your Elders are great young men."

Here is Connor's letter this week:

Hi Mom!!!! :):):)

Week 24! Dang! That's crazy! Yesterday, I was in ward council, and before the meeting started it came up that I had been in this area for 4 months - it was nuts to think about! And, with my training assignment, I'm guessing that I'll stay here with Elder Ashcraft for another transfer to total about 5 and a half months. That's a long time! It's been such a perfect ward to be in for so long though; it's been such a blessing! And, I've gotten to the point where I tell people I've been out 6 months - what?! It's insane :) I can already see how I'll look back on my mission with gratitude and fondness; even though it's hard sometimes, I'm learning so much that I know is really going to bless my life - and already has!

That sounds like a good week! Dad emailed saying you've had a couple crazy days - is everything all good? Anything specific I can pray for? That's super exciting for Dad going to Singapore! That for some reason reminds me of how you let me go to Israel instead of going yourself...I don't think I ever really thanked you enough for that, but I've realized just how incredible that was and how much I should be grateful for that opportunity. So thank you....about 2 years late :) Anyways, that was random... :) And that's super cool about Makaeli!! I think I mentioned, there's a girl in our ward that plays the organ, and I was so jealous cause she's really good - then I talked to her about it yesterday and she doesn't use the pedals...so tell Makaeli that's something to be proud of! It's not an easy thing!

Thank you for praying for me and my investigators!! And putting us on the prayer role!! That's so helpful! I've felt pretty...not-so-stressed lately. Of course, plenty of obvious stress that comes with a mission. But I've felt pretty good about things lately. I don't know if that means I'm not being hard enough on myself, or if it's just a big blessing! Probably a little of both? I hope I'm being hard enough on myself... :) But I've definitely seen and felt the blessings from your prayers! And I'm so jealous that you get to go to the temple!! Ahhhh! A mission is like, the time that you most need the temple, and when you're just starting to appreciate how beautiful it is and...we can't go!! It's ok though :)

So this week! We found a few new investigators! One of them, we had found about a month and a half ago, and one of them about 3 and a half months ago - and we finally got lessons with them!! They're all super cool and really great! One of them keeps telling me she wants to set me up with her daughters.... I don't know how to respond to it, but I don't mind the compliment :) One of the guys is suuuper cool! We got in, and asked to start the lesson with a prayer, and he was like "Can I say it??" and we were like "uh....ok!" and he said our opening prayer! That made me a little nervous, but he ended up being sincerely interested! We asked him if he would get baptized when he finds that the Book of Mormon is true and he said "Well, yah! I wouldn't be genuine if I didn't! I really just want to follow Christ, and if this is it, then of course!" Basically the perfect answer :) So we're excited about that! So thanks for the prayers because we all really need them! :)

So...my Mission President is so inspired!! We had a Zone Conference recently, and just the things that he's doing with our mission are so incredible! He's really teaching a higher law. He does a lot of things that make us receive personal revelation and figure things out ourselves line upon line by relying on the Lord (namely, having missionaries train after their first transfer :) ). It's been so good for me, cause I'm so reliant on people telling me what to do sometimes. He also has emphasized the importance of counselling together. Instead of him getting up and teaching us, he has everybody participate and add in their two cents that they've been taught by the Spirit, and it's powerful! He really understands how the Lord wants us to learn and grown and decide things, and it's rubbing off to a lot of our leaders, and then to us. So that's kinda what I've learned recently, if that makes any sense :)

So yah! I think that's it for now! That situation with the money is SUPER COOL!!! Thank you for sharing that with me! Sometimes, I don't have as much faith in my prayers as I should, cause I almost just assume that what I'm asking for isn't God's will. But a lot of times, it is! That's a really cool experience!!

Thank you so much for everything! I love you so much and just THANK YOU for all you do! Thanks for your email and your love and your thoughts and you! :) I'm excited for next Monday already :) I love you!!

Love,

Elder Connor Hopkin

Week 22

Hello Mom!!!!! :):):)

It's Monday again huh?! :) It's so good to hear from you! Dang I love you :)

Well, things were pretty good this week! I don't think I've had a perfect week, nor a perfectly bad week, so things are normal I guess :) Lots of things that made our schedule unexpectedly weird, but nothing that was too crazy! On Wednesday, we had a great day of proselyting planned, then our Zone Leader needed someone to help him drive 2 cars down to Modesto (about a 30 minute drive), then he had to take care of some things on the way back up, and we got to proselyte not nearly as much as we had hoped. And just other things like that that ruined our plans...but nothing bad! :) It's super weird and funny, cause in situations like that, I absolutely love a break, you know? I love being lazy sometimes...but I just get this pit in my stomach that disappears the second I'm able to get out and work. I appreciated that situation on Wednesday cause it reminded me how good it feels to work :) I had a lot of really good learning opportunities this week that I really appreciated! On Tuesday, we had a meeting specifically for trainers and their companions. On Thursday, we had an awesome District Meeting; I also went on an exchange with my Zone Leader Elder Moreno, and he imparted a lot of wisdom to me :) And on Saturday and Sunday, we had a wonderful Stake Conference with an Area Seventy - Elder Pimentel - where we learned about prayer and other things. If you don't mind me sharing a few highlights from Stake Conference: 1) Elder Pimentel talked about how there are two types of prayer. He said we can pray to know things, and we can pray to change things. He talked about how when we pray to change things, we either receive the blessing according to the Lord's will, or we have to pray for strength to be patient if His will isn't the same as our request. He also said that an amazing thing of prayer is that we can "pray to change things" for others. It was really cool! 2) There is a returning less active man that is in my ward that spoke. He talked about little "dots on his spiritual road map" that led him back to the church. He has been back for a little over 2 years, and about 6 weeks ago, he received his endowments, and a couple weeks later was sealed in the temple. He's such an incredible example to me of how the gospel can change lives. He carries the Spirit with him and just seems so happy. His main point was that Satan wants to tell us that we can't get where we want from where we are right now. But because of Jesus Christ, we can get anywhere (specifically Salvation) from where we are. 3) Elder Pimentel also gave his "Pimentel Theory" that you less likely to fall off the cliff if you're not standing close to the edge. He talked about building fences that keep us from breaking commandments and receiving the consequences. Anyways....that was a lot of words! I hope those were a little of worth....sorry :)

There was a man that we met several weeks ago and taught a little, and he said we could teach him more. He's been super busy, but we were finally able to meet with him on Saturday! We taught him and his girlfriend, and they were very receptive! We could have improved a lot in our teaching, but I think it went well. We're super excited about them; I think they're truly prepared - especially him. I'll keep you updated :) Mary is back on the radar! We're hoping to meet with her soon and help her start progressing again. Circumstances are better now, and she's still interested in being baptized, so we're excited for that too! And that's the update! :)

I'm glad it was a good week! That's so crazy about Makaeli! It's so weird to think that she's gonna graduate before I even get home! Ahhh!! That's super exciting though! It's cool that she's growing so much :) And that's awesome about Bryn's and Ethan's plays! Thanks for keeping me updated! :) So, his name is actually Elder Moreno...just so you know :) And thank you SO MUCH for working on that! I haven't told him that I asked you, so it'll be a nice surprise! :) He's the shorter one from the pictures. I'd guess he'd be a large for a shirt. For snacks....I'm not sure :) Dang it! Thanks again for doing that, that'll be such a blessing for him!

Thank you for your thoughts - as always! :) It was really cool for me to see a man in our ward whose father died a few weeks ago, and he and his family were just so calm with the whole situation. He explained in a testimony meeting how he finds so much peace in the Plan of Salvation. It really is an incredible truth that we have. Thanks for your ideas on the Book of Mormon and the tree of life! I need to study that chapter! It really is such an amazing story of the love and peace that we can feel as we push through the hard times. Jesus Christ fills us with so much happiness, and we have the opportunity to partake of that. And we need to share it! :)

Elder Moreno talked to me on our exchange about how leaders need to lift up all those that are around them. We as members of the Church are leaders to those around us, and we have a light that comes from the Holy Ghost. That Spirit will help us as we turn outwards to focus on and help others, and I love the feeling that comes when you focus on someone else and help them. That's what we are called to do, and we are given the power to do so. You're an incredible example of this, but it's something that I've been working on over the last few days, so I wanted to share it with you! :)

Everything is well! I'm so glad everything is good back home! Thanks for your emails and all your love!! You're THE BEST!!! I pray for you constantly! Thank you for everything you have always done for me! I LOVE YOU so much!!!!!

Love,
Elder Connor Hopkin

Week 21--Starting 2016--Hit The 5-Month Mark

In the area where Connor is serving, there is a member who keeps in pretty good touch with me by sending random texts of pictures with Connor and his companion at the food court. My guess is that they treat the missionaries with a meal out every month. I received another one of those texts on Saturday, January 2--right around dinner time. I love them every time!

Saturday, January 2, 2016  Tracy, California

I love the glass of chocolate milk and the empty salad plate. Looks like they had a great dinner. 

This week marks 5 months of Connor being on his mission. I came to the realization that it goes very slowly--and the reason why is that I think of him several times every day. I pray for him in the morning, throughout the day, at night, and, as a family, we pray for him at every meal and in our family prayers. But, as I look back, five months is a fairly significant amount of time, and in hindsight has gone pretty quickly. I am anticipating that this is how it will go. Each day will pass slowly, each week a bit faster and the months, maybe a little faster. By the end of January he will be 1/4 of the way through--and that is pretty weird to think about. His letter from this last week follows:


Hi Mom!!!! :)

How's it going?!? I realized on Sunday that you guys had 9:00 church and was super happy for you and felt super bad for the kids :) We just got moved to 1:00, which is actually perfect timing because it lets us get our three hours of study in the morning, then lunch, then we can get to church a little early! And then we don't have to wait too long after for dinner either :) So my week was pretty good! Plenty of ups and downs as usual! We actually got in contact with Ken, that investigator that was going to be baptized! He wasn't trying at all to avoid us, but he had been super busy and had been going back and forth to a place with bad reception. So we met with him again and set him to another date..and lost contact again. So! :) Not a lot of headway there yet, but we do know that he still wants to get baptized! He just has a super crazy life and is having difficulty finding time for other things - namely the church :) There was another investigator that had dropped us over text several weeks ago, but we decided to stop by and see what was up, and she acted like she had never dropped us! She's also really busy and has a hard time meeting with us...but at least there's more hope there than we had thought! We found another guy that's SUPER solid!!....and he's literally about 30 feet out of our boundaries...so the other missionaries got a really good referral :) We've had a lot of people tell us that we could come share our message sometime, so our potential investigators list is filling up - but we have a hard time getting them to answer the door or set up specific appointments. We hopefully have a few lined up for this week though! So that's the report :) Elder Ashcraft is fantastic! I feel like we both really care about not having any conflict, and getting along with each other, so that's been super nice! He puts up with some annoying things of mine, and I'm super grateful for that :)

So for the New Year's, we actually had an incredible Zone Training! We discussed removing distractions from our missionary lives, and the importance of baptism. One Sister tied it all together perfectly by asking "Is this distraction worth someone not receiving the blessings of the Gospel?" It was super cool, and really motivated me to focus a bit more on my purpose. In my immense inadequacy, I do feel like I've improved just a little in being a little more dedicated, and keeping the right perspective on the work I'm doing here. But I've still got too many things distracting me....I hope over the next 19 months I can get rid of those :) Anyways, that really set the tone for the New Years! To answer your question about my goals for the new year: yes and no :) I've never been super good about setting specific goals, but I have decided to focus on one specific Christlike attribute from Chapter 6 in Preach My Gospel every week/couple of weeks/month (we'll see :) ). It was super cool how my companion brought up the thought about a week ago that he wants to become what God wants him to be, not what he wants to be. So I've really been trying to focus on that! I think that really applies with that awesome quote you shared! God knows what we should be and how we can achieve that. We don't know anything - but we still insist on changing how we want to! So we just need to let Him take over!

Anyways! Sorry, that probably sounded super preachy! I'm reading over that and thinking it doesn't really sound like myself....but that's what came out and I'm too lazy to fix it ;) Also, on New Year day, we went to a party at a member's house that was super fun! Don't worry, there were non-members there, and we didn't spend too long! But it was fun :) That is SO crazy that Grandma and Grandpa are coming home soon! I've told them this before, but I always really looked up to them for making that sacrifice, and it was an incredible example as I decided to come out! They're pretty amazing :) 

That is SO cool that you're trying to make the Sabbath even better! To be honest, I've always really looked up to you and how you acted on Sundays! You were such a perfect example of diligently going to church, and participating in your callings, and serving (through making dinner for us, and helping others too!)! I don't really have anything to add! I just love how you said you want to "focus more and serve more". I think that's a beautiful perspective on the Sabbath Day - a day to remember and focus on God, and show our love for Him by serving others. I think also, in Preach My Gospel, it specifically says that good activities on Sunday are ones that are centered on the family. You've always tried to make Sunday a family day, which I really appreciate, but I just thought it was something I could remind of :) By the way, thank you SOOOO much for updating my blog every week! That really means so much to me! I'm super excited for when I can take a look at it; it's going to be really special for me to get on it myself and remember all the emails and pictures and stories. THANK YOU! :)

I didn't think your thoughts were all over the place at all! They made perfect sense and were super helpful for me! I don't think I'll EVER figure out the balance between improving and changing, and being patient and not worrying. UGH! :) Every time you remind me of it though, it helps it make just a little more sense! Thank you for your prayers and everything you do!! I hope my emails show and tell you enough how much I appreciate, and love, and respect, and admire, and look up to, and love, and like, and love you :) You're seriously the BEST!!! :)

So......I have a favor to ask of you.... I hope it's ok! My Zone Leader, Elder Moreno, is going home in a few months, and we've become really good friends! And he's from Mexico and doesn't get many packages. A couple times, he's kinda jokingly told me to ask you to send him a package, cause he sees how many I get from you :) And while I think it's mostly a joke, I know he'd really appreciate a little something. Would that be ok, if you maybe just put together a little one for him? That would mean a lot to him! He really likes spicy stuff, and camo things. Just to give a couple ideas :) You could just send it to the regular address, and just address it to Elder Moreno, and it would get to him!

Thanks again for the thoughts in your email! Your ideas always seem to line up perfectly with what I'm struggling with - I always look forward so much (maybe just a little too much :) ) to your emails! Thanks for being so incredible!! I love you SO MUCH!!!! I'll talk to you next week! THANK YOU!!! :)

Love,
Elder Connor Hopkin :)