1/31/12 to Mom

Mommma!!!!!
Hey mommy. What's up? Oh cool. Well bye.


JUST KIDDING!!! Tanner is better?!?! YES!!! I have been praying so hard for him!! I am so happy that he is better :) Tell his family hello for me. As for my own health, I am the most cautious elder you will find. Strictly out of thinking of you and the family, and being exactly obedient, I am very cautious. I also rely on the Lord very much when I have done all I can. But as for my health, don't you ever worry. The Lord will keep me safe, even if I do get sick. But I will truly be alright. 
By the way, will you tell Granny Fanny I miss her so much! I long for an italian dinner made by her hands!!  I do really miss her. I love her so much, and I crave a letter from her. I hope I am making her proud (but not prideful) and I want her to know that she set the example first. I'm just following her lead ;)
SD card - sent. It is on it's way and should be there very soon!! It is taped to the inside of some letters for you all. Enjoy those videos of me in the London airport haha! As for other pictures, only send 4 gb cards. Do you want me to send the 8 gb as soon as I get the new sd card you are sending? That could be a good system, send an sd card when I recieve one. Yes?
So I don't stay near Eldoret. I stay in Naitiri, next to Kitale. I actually will be in Eldoret this weekend for district conference but usually I email from Kitale. 
I wanna describe Naitiri tho. Ok very rural. Not the most rural, third only to an area known as Chulu and then the Masai Mara, both of which I could go to! But Naitiri is very very dusty. I wash clothes every night. No scrubbing board, just soap bleach and elbow grease. and water... But the houses we visit are mud huts. And they are evolving finally into making their personal homes with bricks they bake in homemade brick ovens. They have furniture, made at the local carpenter, from whom we had another bed made (a nice one, varnished and all) for the equivalent of 35 American dollars. Ya, cheap momma!! Most do not have electricity. The shops do, and our flat does, but running water and electricity are a no amongst the people. They literally dig wells that are about 50 feet deep at least, with their hands. DEEP wells for water, with their hands. These people are hard workers. They are incredibly humble and friendly. I will be taking many more pictures with them to send you ok? Man, the Lord has blessed me so much I wanna cry. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. The branch (it's a branch, not a ward) is very small. They have a lot to work on, and I feel the Lord has sent me here at this time to construct this branch into a fully functioning worship body. That is my focus, and in an interview with President Broadbent he said he is 100% behind me on that. Your natural organization genes are kicking in and I am using techniques I learned from you! We have plans, and the Lord will sustain me in them if they are right. If not, I will try again until the Lord has granted this branch power to be strong. The branch president is actually named President Sitati, and his father is Elder Sitati of the First quorum of the 70 haha! Really nice man, hilarious. As for washing machines tho, my collar has never been cleaner. I will wash my collar by hand for the rest of my life! It is so much better!! Other than that, my area has a local market. The women are so great and friendly, and the shop people are just nice. all of them. I always feel at home there. Literally at home :)
Is there anything else you wanna know about Natiri? I  would love to tell more :) maybe a few questions at a time tho... alot of questions kinda confuses me sometimes and I forget to answer some haha. 
You know how you said be exactly obedient? Well I am surely trying. Momma I loooove you so much. As I told Dad, we are on the verge of "time flying" and then it will be over too quickly. In an interview with President Broadbent he told me that he loved my psalm. You got that right? And what did you think of it? He also told me the Lord prepared me for this mission. And that he knows that great things must come from me. Man!! That felt great to hear that. Humbly, I will seek to be of greatest health, no matter what position or area I am in. I may go to Tanzania later on though.... I hope so. Rainy season is coming up here. Fruits galore, mud galore as well. President authorized me to get galoshes, and I will haha! 
Momma I love you. I am so happy out here. I can feel that the pain of being away is being lifted even as we patiently pleaded with the Savior that it would be. He loves you so much Mom, even more than me and that is saying something phenomenal. You are always in my prayers. And I have a surprise I am going to send you very soon! Woo!! Love you to death, keep your Spirit happy because our family needs positivity to thrive off of :) read the scriptures, let's all live the higher law together. If the Apostles, normal men doing extraordinary things through righteousness, can live it, why can't we? Well we can, and it begins with a decision. I decided. Your turn mom :)
OK BIG SURPRISE!!!! Elder and Sister Nevin, a couple out here, know Christine Page!! Their daughter, Connie Biggs, is friends with her in Colorado!!! Go visit the Pages for vacation sometime and meet Connie Biggs. I was hanging out with her parents, who are going home tomorrow. Cool huh? Totally a small world within the church. OH!! AND!! My companion, elder motaung, is from south africa. Guess who set him apart? Elder Laron Shumway!!!! And they told Elder Motaung to say hi and they love me if he ran into me. And then he ends up being my companion. WOW. The Lord loves me so much :) I love you momma. Be happy!! I used to trust in me to progress and learn and teach. Then I read in PMG page 42 or something... in chapter 4, and realized, "trust in Jesus Christ. Then there's no second thoughts as to whether or not it can be accomplished :)" I love you momma!!
With looooooove, Conrad (mimi napenda wewe - "I love you")

1/31/12 To Dad

Daddio,
Anyway, no new bishop? Dangit.... hahah just kidding. I love Bishop Dance so much. That guy is inspired big time. Tell him not to die until i get home ok? I miss him... Man! Being sick is becoming a blessing isn't it?! Maybe you have worms!! Hooray!! Please get better, but keep up the weight loss!! You and I are seriously climbing Long's Peak. I already day dream (when travelling) of getting to the peak, and saying a prayer to the Lord after seeing His marvelous Earth from a new point of view. Oh yeah, oh........ yeah. 
As for my needs, how is the family? Like, as a cohesive collective whole, are they well? I want them to be well, and I need to know. Individually, I feel progression from everybody. But I need to know! As for hand carved toothpicks, this is hilarious. Because around my area everybody does that as a past time ahahahahahahaha they carve toothpicks then sit in the shade and chew on them. hahaha so I'm good in that lil' department, but other needs... wouldn't mind some sunflower seeds ;) Or actually, something you personally carve out of wood. Doesn't have to be grand, but I wanna give it to a kid in the branch or something. Tafadhali? (please)
Dad, I can feel myself changing. It is almost a tangible change that I can feel! As I obey, I just feel natural. When I slip, I course correct asap and get back to the basics. I was inspired with your words the other day - "Your integrity is worth more than anything. Never sacrifice it." And I never, never will. I am becoming a man in the Lord!! Humbly, I will progress, be it God's will. Do you read the scriptures every day? And have you read Jesus the Christ? Wow, intense book. I'm so dang happy, and I can literally feel that we (the family, you, and I) are on the verge of the stage of "time flying". Prep for takeoff... Oh as I was riding a matatu, I felt inspired to speak to my neighbor. He was in the Kenyan Navy and he has stayed at Lackland Airforce base!! Haha!! Crazy huh? We talked in broken Swahili and Bukusu for a bit, and I shared much about the Gospel. He was intently listening. So were the other 3 or 4 guys around :) Man, I hope you are happy, cuz I grow happier by the second!!Especially with Matt. 19:29 in mind. WOOT!! 
Love you to death Dad, keep trekking, and might I suggest - write down goals. M. Russell Ballard stressed that goals equal forward movement. Prayerfully set them, and do it!! Love you forever Daddy.
With loooove, Conrad

Psalm of Conrad

Mommy :)
Dangit I miss you too!! I don't care how long I’m out here, that will  never change. I still think about and pray multiple times daily for you and the family. I love you Mom, more than I can put in words by far!!
As for service, nothing huge yet. We walk or take pikis everywhere and I am still in training so our days are a bit short, or rather the appointments are limited because of time and that fact that they are so far apart. But I have a story! I had been praying for investigators last week, and on Thursday when we went out, a guy named Nolden at a shop became very interested. Then a guy named John who is usually drunk found us and we really connected. Then we went back home for a bit, and when we went out we randomly found a guy on an obscure route we don't usually take. His name is Werangai. He wants to learn everything, and even wants us to teach some others he knows. Then we met a Quaker priest named Moses, and we are going to follow up with him soon. The Lord blessed me BIG TIME that Thursday. He really is watching out for me in every way.
TANNER!!!! Oh my gosh!!!! I will pray super dang hard for him!!! We should fast for him as well!! Send me an update of his status in your next weekly email please ok?
Sister Mortensen - that touches my heart. I will write her for sure! It takes a while to get home but I will send one asap ok?
DEBIT CARD WORKS!!  By the way, I have a surprise for you all :) I may send them home or I may bring them in 22 months. Can you believe that I am nearing the 2 month mark? Time is really going to start flying momma :)
Laundry - all me. It’s ok tho, it isn't too bad. Extra garments, nah. I will be good for a while.
As for the emails, ya it's all good. I type fast....ish... :)
Ok cool things now. At one house we went to, I noticed a small white flower, very beautiful and it sparkled in the sunlight. I’ll take a pic sometime when we go again. But guess what? They smelled just like the perfume that you really like. Crazy huh?! It brought you close to my heart and I kept smelling them! haha it made my day. God's tender mercies huh?
Go to Isaiah 62:2, and think of the temple. Cool huh?
Can i get some piano music maybe? I want 3 pieces real bad. Jesu joy of man's desiring. that organ piece called "fanfare", and moonlight sonata, if it is convenient, otherwise, no stress :)
Oh and I encourage you to read alma 26. Focus on verse 16. That is really how I feel. Especially because the elders from a few miles away that stay in our flat had 7 baptisms this Sunday. Elder Munyoro asked me to give a talk on baptism and the holy ghost. The Holy Ghost really spoke thru me and I began to feel it! I spoke from the heart based on preparation and my former dreariness I had felt that day was totally wiped away as the Holy Ghost filled me :)
THERE'S NO MCDONALD'S IN KENYA!!!!!!!!!
So since I got here I have obviously been lonely at times. At these times I have drawn close to the Savior. And man, my testimony of Him is blossoming. He is becoming my greatest friend and I love Him! I wrote a psalm about him, here it is:

One was sent into the world,
Aware of duties giv'n Him.
"Agency," said He, "give them,
let them choose fate, be great or grim."

With hope that saved be siblings all,
He knew that some would not return,
But never faltered, never rested,
Every second still He yearned.

For we His brothers, sisters too,
As held the highest in His sight,
Are worth the labor He put forth,
Laboring in greatest might.

Exemplary adn merciful,
Miracles and charity,
Peace and love, the Son of God,
Loved in true sincerity.

Inevit'bly, Gethsemane
Would call Him forth to take our sins,
And whilst He always had a choice,
He suffered, there our souls to win.

O, how indebted, how diseased,
I tremble in my filthy soul,
When thinking of that sweetest Lamb
Whose pain and agony was full!

O Greatest Brother, so thou art,
How can i claim to love thee so,
When then i sin, against the light,
Make undeserved pain to grow!

When in my sorrow, in my fear,
Happiness seems ne'er to be,
I think of what thou truly didst,
And suddenly, my sorrow flees!

That act of love, of selflessness,
Redeemed me from such bitter pain,
I ponder and concludeth this-
"O Savior, thou hast love unfeigned!"

Made whole again, I'm comforted,
amidst the loneliness of Earth,
I think of thee, here by my side,
And know - i have recieved new birth!

Let trials come, I know they will,
And still i know that thou dost care!
For in the 4th watch thou didst come,
Arrive, and help my burdens bear!

My joy exceeds my pain by far!
Like Alma, how i feel renewed!
With new desire kindling
To follow perfect, follow true.

To all who wonder, question still,
a place in heart for doubt they give,
I add these words to Joseph Smith's,
To all of Earth and Heav'n, "He lives!"

What do you think? Feel free to share it with anybody, but don't give me too much credit. The Holy Ghost wrote it thru me. Those are truly the feelings of my heart. Mom I know God is my Father, and He is so near me. Literally He is watching and protecting me. So is the Savior, and they, with the Holy Ghost, are my greatest sources of comfort out here. When I am down, they are there :)
I sleep with the blanket you made me every night. And guess what? Now that the little kids in the branch know I am not going to eat them, they love to play with me! They are so cute and funny. They don't speak English, but I am learning to speak Kiswahili.

Momma, I love you. Time will fly. Cling to the Savior and be thankful for the support our incredible family provides. Eternity is not far away, and 2 years is not long. Talk to you soon (Mother’s day!) and I love you forever.
Love, Your Son Conraddie :)

Dad!
Dad, you are the best Father I could ask for. I really and truly use things You taught me EVERY DAY of my mission!! God is shaping me into the man He wants me to be, and I have my basis from you. Thru eternity, you were my first and lasting example :) as for my worthiness, yes. I am staying as worthy as I can possibly be. When the other elders are breaking a rule or two - no. I am doing my absolute best to be exactly obedient to the white handbook and to what you have taught me. Rules are a must, and I would never challenge my Father on Earth or in Heaven by breaking rules. Like Gordon B. Hinckley said - Permissiveness never produced greatness. Likewise, disobedience never produced a Saint. I am able to give Priesthood blessings wherever I need to. I don’t say any of this to brag, but to reassure and praise my God for His mercy to me, His son. I have given 2 healing blessings to Elders out here so far. Both were solemn. 
As you know, I have been strengthening my relation with Father and Jesus Christ. And especially seeking and striving for the leadership of the Holy Ghost. and today, as I gave the second of 2 healing blessings, I literally felt the holy Ghost speaking thru me. I finally recognized Him!!! This, I feel, is god's direct answer to prayer, for I prayed that He would help me recognize and work with the Holy Spirit!  Anyway, I gave the blessing and just cried as I did because I knew Heavenly Father was right next to me, giving me the words. It was incredible. I then went into a room alone and thanked Him, and I have never felt Him so close. Even now, He is watching me. It is so comforting :)
Dad, we will be together soon enough. Can you see how fast the weeks fly by? Let me tell you - fast. DUH!! Look up this talk by Holland "An Ensign to the Nations". And guess what? WE can live like the apostles!! We can live the "Higher law" as taught by Jesus Christ and as mentioned in the white missionary handbook!!
Questions: Read Matthew 22:14 with JST too, What is the wedding garment? And read John 21 whole chapter. Look at verses 17 and 25. Doesn't that sound so real? It is a testimony that a man really wrote those words! One who actually knew Jesus. That is so cool to me!
I also bought some orange marmalade at the store. just cuz it reminded me of you. I don't even like it that much haha!
Well I love you dad. you are my bestest buddy. You are always my dad, for eternity and I love you with all that I am.
Love your Sonny boy, Conrad

Letter to Young Men's President

The Young Men's President in our ward wrote to Conrad and this is Conrad's response.

Brother Barnes!!!!
Man!! Itis good to hear from you!! Excuse the grammatical errors please i am typing fast. But thank you for your testimony. Preach on my friend. I am feeling the same way, and that confirmation that the Lord is there for real, and that prayer works is becoming known to me. I have given a few blessings out here and i am finally, thru the grace of Almighty God, recognizing the Spirit and learning to follow. 4 times already, the power was out, and the power of God thru prayer turned the power on. Insane huh? 4 times!! Thank you brother barnes, i love you and hold you in highest respect. I can see you were and are still a real live missionary - what every man hopes to be.
As for my fellow young men - OH YEAH!! You guys better be spiritually ripped by the time i get back. Just because i left doesn't mean i don't think of you. i love you all so much, and i want you to know this- the Savior of the world is more than on object in a book we worship, or a name we say. He was a man, like Brother Barnes. He loved each of you as He suffered for you. He is nearer than you would ever imagine. I plead with you, follow the counsel i gave my brother Benjamin - seek to gain an undying relatuionship with the Savior. He is the only one who can be with you when you are in a foreign African nation, sitting in a mud hut, teaching a toothless man who speaks Bukusu and no english. Ya, He is real. That i know. 
i love you all, thank you President Barnes. Please tell Jacob to write me. preferably not email, a letter. i love him so much, he is my best friend and i want to hear from him too. Love you guys,
Conrad!

Momma!!!
Ahhh i am so happy to always see emails from you. Has it seemed like a long time for me? Ha, YES!!!! It feels like three months too. But now the time is beginning to fly and i think it will fly by for me and for you.
My companion is Elder Vincent Motaung. He is from South Africa, and he is from the Sutu tribe. He is about two or three or four inches shorter than me, he likes to eat, and he is awesome. We get along so well, and he is training me greatly, especially how to bargain with the piki drivers (we don't have a piki, we hitch a ride). He is very nice, can teach very well, very funny, makes people laugh, has a great personality, and speaks pretty good Kiswahili where i lack. I am being trained well, and he says i am progressing great.
The village is tiny. But there are many people and lots of kids. We can't give anything away so don't worry about sending stuff for them unless i ask specifically for maybe a kid in the branch. But that's so sweet!! Aw!
In our flat we have food. I always find food to eat and i always take my doxicycline. We have electricity, a fridge, running water (we have to purify), we wash by hand, i sleep well at night, and as soon as i can i am going to buy cleaning supplies and clean up the place a little - LEAH STYLE!!! Oh ya, some deep cleaning in p-day. Food tho, it's fine! We eat alot of spaghetti and ugali (maize cakes) and chapati (pita, kinda) and beans. And rice and mince. It's all good mama, staying healthy :)
A typical day: Up at 6:30, workout, get dressed, breakfast, study personal for one hour, companion study one hour, two if we are training, get out and find people to teach or go to appointments (we walk alot and i will be getting pics for you to see of the INCREDIBLE scenery here! It is so beautiful. Huge fields of sunflowers :) and beautiful mountain ranges). We arrive home at around seven cuz we can't be out after dark. Shower, study more, journal (every day), bedtime!! It's nice and the day goes by fast.
You all should always read each other's emails if you want, cuz sometimes i put in community stuff into one person's. Like this!
6 things I have learned so far:
1. You, Conrad, are establishing a foundation whereby you can structure the rest of your life.
2. Obey. Obey, obey, obey. And just see the blessings.
3. Daily direct your thoughts and attention to this sacred Gospel.
4. Constantly direct your thoughts toward the Savior.
5. Love your family. Have charity first for them, then for all.
6. It is not, nor will it ever be, about us. It's always about them.
Music!! So guess what? I played for the mission tour and all the district meetings and stuff, and Sister Beecher is going to give me her whole collection of acquired music when she goes! She loves me and i am also given a responsibility. My branch, the Naitiri branch, doesn't have a keyboard. Nobody played!! But sister Broadbent is getting me one, with the charge that i have to give lessons as part of my weekly schedule!! AWESOME HUH?!?!?! So i am shooting for teaching at least 3 people by the time i leave Naitiri.


When i get back, i want to go to a Mormon Tabernacle Choir concert. Please!!
Here's some spiritual candy now. In my patriarcahal blessing it says something completely related to this time: "...and know you are truly blessed to be part of a family that have the blessings of eternal marriage and family. These are the things that will bring you the greatest happiness throughout all eternity." And is that not true? It is. My patriarchal blessing is fulfilling even as i am righteous :)
I asked Sister Cook before she left what would be the most comforting thing i can tell my mother is. She smiled, and thought, and said, "Tell her you're happy, you're healthy, and you are being safe." So here it goes. truthfully, i am happy, i am healthy, and i am being safe :) I love you mom. Time flies when you're having fun!! Onward, ever onward. Oh and read verse 3 of "How Firm a Foundation". That is God talking to YOU.
Your loving, happy son,
Conrad

Daddio!
Guess what? I asked President Broadbent what the most conforting thing to hear as a father was and he said, "Tell him you're happy, healthy, and you have the Spirit." I am happy, i am healthy, and i have the Spirit. Truly, and IT FEELS GREAT!!!
Man, i miss you dad. But guess what, you are always with me because i am your son. I even tell people stories about my dad :) 
I told mom, but when i get back - MOTAB CONCERT!! PLEEEEEASE!!
Check out that patriarchal blessing thing too that i sent mom ok?
Here's some spiritual stuff i learned recently.
Go to Hebrews 12:6-7, and 9. Hahaha that is what an earthly father does too! Share with ben and dan :)
Also, as i have been trying to develop charity for all, i have noticed something. Stereotyping is a noxious weed. We all HAVE to eliminate the very concept from our minds or we will never have charity. I am not singling you out, i am telling our whole family cuz it is so hard. I just want us all to progress together. We as missionaries are commanded in the White Handbook to "live the higher law" as taught by Jesus Christ. And i thought, as i listened to Elder Cook of the Seventy (again), The General Authorities live the higher law all the time. So why can't we? We as a family can live the higher law that Jesus Christ taught. The Bretheren and Jesus Christ teach us with the expectation that we will accomplish what they tell us. We can do it!! I know that for a fact, or else we wouldn't be commanded that!  Dad, you have been my role model. You taught me the value of work and of the Gospel and it is invaluable out here. I don't get tired! 
Also, out here there is some crazy cool souveniers. I want to send stuff home to you but it is expensive. should i just carry it home in my suitcase instead? What do you think?
Dad i think about you all the time.  I am totally planning on climbing Long's Peak in two years. We will do it together :)
I love you so much Dad, we are never far as Priesthood holding father and son.
Your loving son,
Conrad