Relationships are like rivers, they are rocky at first but eventually they fill with smooth sand

Saying Goodbye... when it hurts, it shows the time spent together has been filled with Love.

People ask us all the time, "How do you do it? How do you send your child to a foreign country in such troubled times?"
I really think the answer can be better understood if we consider leaving our Heavenly Parents to continue our progress here on Earth. Long ago each of us decided we would leave the comfort of our Heavenly Estate to come down to this Earth. We said goodbye to our Parents and Siblings, knowing we could only connect through prayer. We knew we were going to a place filled with temptations, struggles, sickness, and every manner of filth, but we understood these things were for our benefit, to finally have an opportunity to feel pain and sorrow so we really know Happiness and Joy. It is very clear to us that a Mission is an amazing opportunity to continue this learning experience. We also know that this exact time in Connor's life allow him the best chance to focus on Spiritual matters. He is healthy, doesn't have the complications of relationships, no children to care for, minimal finances to consider, and most worldly desires are minimized. All of these "distractions" are blessings he will experience in full flavor when he returns. Right now Connor gets to connect with individuals, to visit, serve, and teach a message of Hope. The People Connor is visiting with are his siblings, other children of the same Heavenly Parents that chose to come down to this Earth to feel, smell, see, hear, and taste all that Father has created. Yes, we miss him. Yes, we wish it wasn't $200 to send a simple box of healthy snacks. Yes, we wish we could give him a hug, but we have Faith the experience will inspire growth. We have Faith all will be well...

Partial Notes Sent Home from Connor 3/14:

Sent to Cannon:

My little buddy,

I have not seen any of the animals yet, but I want to!!! As soon as I do I will send you a picture!!!  I am still in Blantyre, it is always hot!!! I am always sweating and the people in the mini-buses smell like BO!!! It is awesome!!! This week I started teaching a little boy named Alex. His parents are not members but he has been coming to primary for awhile now and is old enough to be baptized. I think he is 10 or 11. Maybe 9, I need to ask him. What I wanted to say is that he reminds me of you. He is super sweet and kind and very smart!!! It made me very happy to teach him because I felt like I was talking to you!!! I miss you!!! I hope you know how much I miss you!!!! Ke go reta!!!!! A Malawian guy gavce me a chichewa name. It is Mwayi. It is because my name is too hard. The name means lucky or fortunate. I love you!!!

Love,

Elder ConCon

Sent to Kelly:

Hello Amayi,

Mattise is doing really well! He is excited because I have been able to teach everyone in sign including a new investigator. He is actually astonished because about a week ago he said I knew no sign language but now I can teach a lesson!!! I know the only reason for this progression is the Spirit, there is no other explanation. I was reading about the gifts of the Spirit in D&C 46:9-31. I was just thinking about the gifts we are freely given, as long as we are worthy we may use them. A verse that struck me was D&C 46:30. If we ask or pray in the Spirit we will be told what to say and it will be done as we ask it! It says it is because we are praying according to Gods will. It increases my testimony about having enough humility to place Gods will before ours. Often times I find my own wants and desires getting in the way of Gods plan for me. I must continually realize that he truly knows best and the only thing I need to know is that I should trust him! If something as simple as an appointment bounce, a job falls through, anything is to make us grow and become better afterwards. The sooner I can realize this the easier life will become. I have also found the importance of having the Spirit. EVERYTHING I do should be towards feeling the Spirit better. EVERYTHING I think should be towards that continual progression towards the Spirit. Revelation is communication between man and God. I teach about it all day long but I need to practice what I preach. I need to seek the Spirit so that I can receive counsel from God. Gracious is doing well, we have been visiting him. I know the gospel can help him and his family tremendously. I still do not know where the man who left is, but the wife found residence with a friend until she has enough money to go back to her village. I love my companion. I have found that you can truly appreciate someone for all of their differences. I know that as we continue to grow together we will also grow stronger in the Spirit. Relationships are like rivers, they are rocky at first but eventually they fill with smooth sand. I have been acting as a Senior Companion, making all the plans, introducing investigators, leading in teaching, but we work well together and have a few baptisms lined up soon. Hopefully by the end of this month, or the beginning of the next! I really did enjoy singing and playing guitar, I found the environment very comforting and the family is super loving. Elder Mabe and I are very excited for the coming packages! Thank you so much! FedEx is so expensive!!! That is crazy!!! 

It is nice to hear that it is raining at home, here when it rains it is like a thunderstorm with tons of thunder. I love it! I love that you are putting so much effort into the primary!!! I recently heard a talk about a primary teacher. She talked about how hard it was and how she was always in tears afterwards because it was not working. She prayed for advice and found her answer. She was told that she was making all the lessons about herself and that she needed to focus on the children. She hearkened to this counsel and found the connection. She got on her knees and would greet the children by name and talked about everything with them. I enjoyed this because it reminded me of you. About the selfless love you posses and how you share it with others. About the charity you have and the joy I see in you when you are able to serve those who are in need! It inspires me now and has been an example to me my whole life. I am beyond grateful for you Mom. I love you more than anything. 

Konda,

Elder Hollingsworth