Getting Settled

Hello all!! 

I'm having the BEST time ever training right now!!! I'm currently in a tri companionship with Elder Miller and Elder Stout both of whom are going to Lansing with me!! I love them both and we are getting along super well and the three of us are very motivated to accumulate more knowledge of the gospel and we are all good at pushing each other to be better teachers and preachers. 

Elder Miller is 21 from Reno Nevada and I actually knew him back in high school because we threw discus together in several track meets. We have a lot in common and hes a smart nice guy. Elder Stout is 19 also from Logan Utah and hes a little interesting but hes super smart and a very patient dude and nice as well. The 3 of us do an excellent job working together and I wouldn't want any other companionship right now. We never get lost on this huge campus and we enjoy exercising and volunteering in front of our peers during classes for examples of different mission work as well as supporting each other, as well as holding each other accountable to better ourselves. 

I'm studying the Book of Mormon and the Holy Bible as well as other LDS excerpts much closer then I've ever before with the exception of my awesome mission prep class which really helped developed my skills to find success at the MTC. There are missionaries from all over the world here and so many different missions that my fellow Elders and Sisters will be embarking to. I had a conversation with an Elder companionship the other day and they were both going to the Micronesian islands and another group of sisters going to Sri Lanka and it's super cool to hear about they're experiences and preparation!! I'm working so hard and living the classroom life and I love learning new things.

 I was appointed to be a Senior companion in my group and a first counselor to the Branch leader who is Elder Thomson from my residency going to Oklahoma. He is super smart and cool and I'm happy to have callings to help my fellow elders out. It feels like I've been here for ten days already and I'm really stoked and eager to get out to Northern Michigan and start sharing the good word. I miss my friends and family back home but I'm thriving out here and doing excellent!!

 I hope everyone is doing well and in my studies a scripture that has been bringing me happiness and keeping me motivated is in the Book of Mormon; Mosiah 24:14, "And I will also eas the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you can not feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses of me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the lord God do visit my people in their afflictions." I simply cant wait to share that message with the people of Michigan and I'm happy to do so with all of you as well!!

 Love you all.

PS... The food at the MTC is amazing and there are plenty of healthy choices that are yummy and won't make you gain too much wait.

PSS... A morning run in a mini Utah blizzard is a good way to wake you up every morning and prepare you for the bitter cold where I'm going.

I LOVE YOU ALL,

Elder Connolly(: