tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58852133627771580622024-02-21T09:19:17.505-07:00sister a in californiyaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09413123121897286647noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885213362777158062.post-30034524593686936762016-03-07T14:19:00.001-07:002016-03-07T14:19:49.161-07:00California, I love you so.<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As hard as I try, I don't think this email will even come close to express how full my heart is right now. Can't really believe that this is it and I'll be home <a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://0" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0">Wednesday night</a>. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I won't turn this into a novel, but just wanted to share one last time with all how grateful I am for each of you and how supportive you have all been to me the past 17 months. It's amazing to look back at my first day in the MTC, first day in the field and now. There's still so much that I need to learn and understand but I'll always be thankful for this life-changing experience. I know that I'll still have trials and challenges but I know that the experiences that I've had-the good and the bad, none of them have been wasted and that the Lord will use all of these things I've learned for what he has in store.</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There's so much that I want to say, I've been feeling so peaceful and calm this week until I woke up this morning and now I'm a nervous wreck to see you all so soon. My mind is all over the place but I know that it's time for me to come home, I know that it's time for this next chapter and I can't wait for it.</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I love my mission so much. I'm thankful for every area I've worked in, companion, investigator, member and nonmember that I've had the opportunity to meet and cross paths with. All the tears and laughter. Prayers of gratitude and prayers of desperation offered to a loving Heavenly Father. I know that I am his child. I know the gospel is true. I know that Joseph Smith really did see the Father and His son, Jesus Christ. We have a prophet on the earth who leads and guides us so that we can return safely home. I know that as we keep the commandments, we will be happy and we will stay on the path. I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know that He atoned for each of us for everything. Not just our sins and transgressions but our pains, insecurities, weaknesses, worries, doubts and fears and everything in between. It's through him that we can become a better version of ourselves, we will find the best parts of ourselves as we follow him and let Him make of us what he needs. If I only learned that on my mission, that would be enough. I love him and I'm thankful for this opportunity to serve as one of his representatives full time, to wear his name on my chest and to say that with confidence. He has been with me every step of the way and I'm thankful that He has become a personal friend with whom I share a close relationship with and want to live my life better because of what he has done for me. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I love you all, thank you for the kind and encouraging words, especially these past few weeks. I will see you soon!</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">All my love, for the last time,</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sister Kelly Allen </span></div></div><p class="AppleTemporaryEdgeToEdgeParagraphElement" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; height: 427px; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1px;"><img src="cid:43C54E3C-BE66-4FB5-B566-7CE9AAF5C48B" alt="43C54E3C-BE66-4FB5-B566-7CE9AAF5C48B" style="width: 320px; left: 0px; right: 0px; position: absolute;"></p>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03795799763345983922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885213362777158062.post-29721130920726559322016-02-29T14:58:00.001-07:002016-02-29T14:58:53.444-07:00And then there was one.<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">holy moly. how is it leap day? how is it almost march? how is it that i'm coming home next week? my mind is all over the place. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here's my word dump from the week, I apologize in advanced if it's scattered. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://0" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0">Monday night</a> we were planning on another lesson with Anthony but it fell through, instead we were able to go over to a family's house that have been struggling the past few months and did family home evening with them. They have the most darling kids, I'll miss them! <a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://1" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1">Monday night</a> it started to settle in that I was down to 2 weeks, to which Sister Munns (that darling girl, I love her so) asked me what I really wanted to do this week. I told her that all I wanted was to serve those around us. We've already established several times, the people in mountain house aren't too crazy about us, but that doesn't mean we can't serve! Despite not getting to teach or talk to a lot of people, we could come home at the end of the each day knowing we'd done our best, served and talked with everyone we could. </span></font></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Thursday Sister Palmer came out and worked with us for a few hours. I'm always a little nervous when she spends a few hours with us. We weren't planning on her in our area and one of our lessons fell through so when she got there we told her we didn't have very many people to try and instead went contacting at the park. It's gorgeous right now, I love this time of year. While we were with sister Palmer, we tried a less active part member family. We've gone by a few times and the non-member wife has answered and reluctantly told us a good time to come back and then cancels that morning. When we knocked on the door, their son answered the door and told us his parents weren't home. We were still outside deciding where to try next when they both pulled up and invited us inside! The wife hit it off right away with sister palmer, especially when she found out that Sister palmer was catholic before she joined the church. We had a really great discussion and were able to set up a time to come back and start doing practice lessons for their two younger sons that she would like to get baptized when they turn 8. So hey, not too shabby! Sister palmer is such a special person, we're so thankful that she was with us to make that connection with his wife in a way we wouldn't have been able to. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm looking over my planner at what we did the rest of the week...not a whole lot to report on. Sunday we had ward conference, we have the most incredible stake president. By far my favorite that I've had on my mission. We were waiting for sacrament meeting to start and there still weren't very many members there, when he came over to talk with us for a few minutes. When he asked us if we were having any teaching opportunities we told him we had some, but not a lot. He told us to remember that the efforts we make don't go unnoticed and are never wasted. Sometimes it feels like we don't do a whole lot and people ignore us but it can take a long time for some people. He told us that missionaries in one of the other zones started working with a less active part member family and that they'd gotten baptized the night before. Turns out the older brother (husband? can't remember which one) was in young men's with our stake president when he was a leader and that it had been 13 or so years but ended up baptizing the rest of his family. I don't have all of the details but how cool, right? It was a tender mercy to talk with him and how understanding he was. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The members in our ward keep asking me how many days left and how I'm feeling. I spent a few minutes on Saturday and talked with one of our ward missionaries who served in Germany. I asked her how she felt when she was almost done with her mission. Her answer? Tired. I was really, really tired and knew that it was time to come home and move onto the next chapter. So I feel more comfortable with a week left to say that I'm looking forward to this next chapter. Of course I'm going to miss this and will always be so thankful for how I've learned and grown in so many ways but I know it's time to move forward to what the Lord has waiting for me. We have a zone meeting on Thursday and I've been asked to bear my testimony. I'm sure I'll be a wreck. I'll probably spend some time next week with some final thoughts, but I'll go ahead and say now how grateful I am for the last 17 months. The ups and downs, good and bad. Joys and trials. I can't really put into words all the thoughts in my head, the happiness and peace I feel bubbling over. Thank you dear family and friends for your constant love and support. I'm looking forward to my last week and giving this my all. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I wish you all a happy and safe week. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Love to you all!</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sister Allen </span></div></div><p x-apple-mail="wrapper" class="AppleTemporaryEdgeToEdgeParagraphElement" style="height: 426.666656px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1px;"><img src="cid:33828F10-7810-48A6-AC37-DFC3E6F7F67A" id="33828F10-7810-48A6-AC37-DFC3E6F7F67A" border="0" width="100%" style="width: 320px; left: 0px; right: 0px; position: absolute;"></p><p x-apple-mail="wrapper" class="AppleTemporaryEdgeToEdgeParagraphElement" style="height: 426.666656px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1px;"><img src="cid:83870A9E-5927-4C57-8E61-F3F7AC05E3A9" id="83870A9E-5927-4C57-8E61-F3F7AC05E3A9" border="0" width="100%" style="width: 320px; left: 0px; right: 0px; position: absolute;"></p><p x-apple-mail="wrapper" class="AppleTemporaryEdgeToEdgeParagraphElement" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; height: 426.666687px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1px;"><img src="cid:9F6CC2D9-257F-4BB3-87DB-70288AEA86CB" id="9F6CC2D9-257F-4BB3-87DB-70288AEA86CB" border="0" width="100%" style="width: 320px; left: 0px; right: 0px; position: absolute;"></p>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03795799763345983922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885213362777158062.post-45920254442340492712016-02-17T14:36:00.001-07:002016-02-17T14:36:51.621-07:00A week without mascara and other happenings in Mountain House<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Just as a side note, I haven't eaten anything this morning, so I'll try my best to sound as uplifting as possible and keep the exaggerations to a minimum. Anyway, this week! </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://0" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0">Monday morning</a>, we were running a few minutes behind and our ride was at our apartment to take us to the church so I could use the computer to do my plan (do we remember what that is? Should I explain again?) and I didn't have a chance to put mascara on. I brought it with me but it just never happened...and then I didn't put it on for the rest of the week. I know it sounds weird, and probably stupid to admit but it was kind of thrilling to not put it on for a week. I'm telling myself my lashes are longer because I didn't wear anything on them for several days. HA, I doubt that. </span></font></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After emailing and running errands we went on a bike ride in our neighborhood. I love California in the "winter" it was in the 70s all week. I have a few pictures. We've also been encouraged to be wearing our helmets as a mission. The area is so small and there aren't any busy roads (we have 2 intersections that have stoplights) so helmets weren't really a priority until they reinforced that this week. So happy about that...just another reason to avoid those Mormon sister missionaries on their bikes with their skirts AND HELMETS. Losers. But we love Jesus, which is why we do it. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://1" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1">Monday night</a> we had another lesson with Anthony. That's the only night we can meet with him so it was great talking and discussing with him. He's been reading in the Book of Mormon so we're going back tonight to answer some of his questions about the chapters he's read. </span></font></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The youth put on a dance to fund raise so we got to help decorate for that this week. We talked with one of the miamaids, Savannah, who is friends with Cameron, that girl we talked about a few weeks ago. Again, she's only in mountain house a few days a week. She told Savannah that she wants to meet with us sometime soon. So we're keeping her in our prayers.</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sunday we had a regional stake conference which was great. Missed taking the sacrament, but we heard from 2 elders in the 70, Sister Oscarson, and Elder Renlund. Made me excited for general conference in a few months! They had some great messages. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So, that's about it for this week. Sister Munns and I are happy and well, we love this work, we love the savior and representing him...even when people don't want to look at us...or breathe the same air as us. It's okay because we'll find the ones who do! And appreciate every opportunity we are given to serve, find, teach and share our testimonies! This gospel is too wonderful to keep to ourselves and we know everyone needs it in their lives. Hope everyone has a great week! And hopefully I get to eat a taco or something really, really soon. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I love you all!</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sister Allen </span></div></div><p x-apple-mail="wrapper" class="AppleTemporaryEdgeToEdgeParagraphElement" style="height: 426.666656px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1px;"><img src="cid:06EEC3E9-A392-41E8-97D9-504D6BC6CEB0" id="06EEC3E9-A392-41E8-97D9-504D6BC6CEB0" border="0" width="100%" style="width: 320px; left: 0px; right: 0px; position: absolute;"></p><p x-apple-mail="wrapper" class="AppleTemporaryEdgeToEdgeParagraphElement" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; height: 426.666656px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1px;"><img src="cid:D0E6223E-0B6F-47BC-B316-06C6269F9842" id="D0E6223E-0B6F-47BC-B316-06C6269F9842" border="0" width="100%" style="width: 320px; left: 0px; right: 0px; position: absolute;"></p>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03795799763345983922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885213362777158062.post-73256511294407584952016-02-08T15:22:00.001-07:002016-02-08T15:22:23.849-07:00What's the Super Bowl?<div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I heard that the Broncos won and that Coldplay performed. Woo. Holidays and major sporting events don't really exist on the mission so way to go for them!</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This week was pretty quiet, so not a whole lot to report on. I was sick last weekend and poor Sister Munns was sick both Tuesday and Wednesday. We got in touch with Cameron who is going to school in a different part of the stake but comes back to Mountain House couple days a week to be with her dad, so keep it in your prayers that we'll be able to set something up with her this week. On both Friday and Saturday we had some unexpected interviews with President we had to go down to the office for. Nothing to worry about, we're fine just a few kinks that needed to be worked out. I'm coming to realize as the days and weeks go, how this transfer is turning into my refiner's fire. Oh the refining. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Last week I mentioned my plan, but didn't go into too much detail so I'll explain now. Over the past few months we've been told about a new program from the church for missionaries. There will be an activity for missionaries to do before they enter the field, an activity halfway, and then 6 activities missionaries are to complete during their last transfer (so an activity for each week). And when I first heard about these activities, I thought it would be a one or two question thing that you answer. Hoo boy, was I wrong. It's very detailed, very thought out and so inspired. The six activities include: Remember and become; my vision and goals; continuing discipleship; self-reliance; dating and temple marriage and my plan. It's more time consuming than I thought it would so I usually come to the family history center on Monday to work on this for studies and spend time on Thursdays when we're at the church for district meeting. I don't really tell people that I'm going home in the next month until they ask me how long I've been out. It's the same reaction every time. "So sisters, how long have you been out again?" Sister Munns will tell them almost 5 months. I will awkwardly pause, "um a little over 16 months" They look at me, remember that ours are only 18 months. Their eyes get big, "OH! So you're about to go home!" And from that point start grilling me with questions about my plans for after the mission, if I'm writing anyone etc. Then they continue to give you tons and tons of advice and counsel about what I need to do when I get home, mostly dealing with marriage. Problem is that it's NEVER the same advice. Sometimes they tell you to jump right into dating, while others tell you to take your time and to go have adventures. When they find out I'm not writing anyone that start hinting at sons on missions or cousins or nephews. NO THANK YOU. Some couples tell me about how they got engaged after dating for 3 weeks and then others tell me about couples they know after 35 years of marriage the husband or wife joined a cult and they got divorced. WHY WOULD YOU TELL ME THAT. At this point I'm kind of hyperventilating because I just want to think and focus on being a full-time missionary while I still can. Please?! I appreciate the words of wisdom and I'll apply it or at least take it into consideration when I get home, but hearing all of this advice makes me realize how little I know about life and love and finance and ah. My brain can't handle it. So I'll just stay in my little missionary bubble, stay under this rock, continue to do my plan which is the counsel and advice from prophets, seers, and revelators that I really need to be focusing on right now and take this one day at a time. So yes, that is my plan. It's great. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We had an interesting lesson with our investigator Anthony on Monday. We went to go over to read with his family that are active members in the ward, we didn't realize he was home so he came out from his bedroom as we're reading from the chapters they'd stopped at. 2nd Nephi during the Isaiah chapters...our worst nightmare. He sat down on the couch as we're reading from chapter 23 starting in verse 16, "Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled and their wives ravished....how do you even explain that?! Thankfully, we also read chapter 25 where Nephi breaks it down and simplifies things and reminds us that it all comes back to Christ and his atonement (see verse 26). We had a great discussion and answered some of his questions and set up a return appointment for tonight. So even though it started a little awkward, turned out to be okay. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I wish there was more to report on but again, this week was slower so we're looking forward to the start of a new week. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hope that everyone has a great week!</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Love, </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sister Allen</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeVQWITVyZdHMREes2I_PbJWkOlbEEx9dz-o_wWqTd_ZPtuuvEOiJux2jmAR1esEgsMtjBsdAZ5X_glXZtlSk6VJtwjEZT5Nhl3Tv6ysTuaUPimvsxsC2RxvB9TlO9dNboKDHyNUrt56Z/s640/blogger-image-30267968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeVQWITVyZdHMREes2I_PbJWkOlbEEx9dz-o_wWqTd_ZPtuuvEOiJux2jmAR1esEgsMtjBsdAZ5X_glXZtlSk6VJtwjEZT5Nhl3Tv6ysTuaUPimvsxsC2RxvB9TlO9dNboKDHyNUrt56Z/s640/blogger-image-30267968.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03795799763345983922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885213362777158062.post-4916917527874277572016-02-01T13:38:00.001-07:002016-02-01T13:38:35.721-07:00<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hello everyone! Happy February! Can't believe it was new years just a few weeks ago. This week it was warmer, like in the 60s then yesterday was so cold, rainy and windy. All of my 3 favorite things when biking full time...</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sister Munns and I had an interesting week...and I'm about to be really honest. Ready? </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I was pretty heart broken about staying in our area and to be released as a sister training leader. It's probably pitiful to admit that I cried and cried <a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://1" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1">Sunday night</a>. I know that it might seem selfish but I loved being a sister training leader. I loved working with these sisters the past 7-8 months. I loved seeing them grow and progress. I loved the opportunity to work so closely and be trusted by my mission president and his wife and to have such a good relationship with him. I loved getting to work with other leaders from around the mission, making some of the best friends I've had that I wouldn't have made otherwise. So to find out that for my last transfer, (when let's be real, staying focused can be pretty challenging especially with this new My Plan they have, I'll talk more about that later) I would be staying in our teeny tiny you could bike the whole thing at a leisurely pace in 20 minutes area was kind of a bummer. I felt ungrateful and so disappointed in myself all week that I couldn't just get over this. Just accept things they way they were and move on. I know plenty of missionaries, current leaders who would give ANYTHING to be released from their position so that they could work full time in their area during their last transfer and here I was crying about being released and not being grateful for the fact that I still had six weeks. I still had six weeks to serve as a representative of Christ. I couldn't just be grateful for the time I had left and enjoy it. Our sister training leaders (Sister Neeley who is my soul sister) and Sister Winn who I also love, gave us a ride home after dropping our car off at the mission office on Tuesday. I know it isn't true, but I felt like I was being punished. Last transfer was really hard for me in a lot of ways. I loved working with Sister Munns but I felt like there was so much more I should have done to help her and the few sisters I had stewardship over. I should have done more in our area, the list goes on. So when they dropped us off in our area that's as far away you can get and still be in the mission, it felt like they kind of abandoned us. Like, "Well good luck sisters! Fend for yourselves! Watch out for snakes and spiders, stay dry in all the rain we're getting. Bye!" And we all know I'm just exaggerating. But it was a long week. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But you wanna know what I've learned? It's okay. I'm still a human being. I have feelings. I can be disappointed about change when it isn't something that you're expecting. And yes I want to be better at being more go with the flow and accepting of the Lord's plan for me, but it takes time. Yes it's important to be humble and submissive and patient. But we're not perfect. And isn't that the whole point of this earthly experience? To learn and grow? It takes time to gain these Christlike attributes. As much as I want to accept things like that, it takes time to adjust and wouldn't you know it that means I have to be patient with myself. Especially when I'm going back to proselyting full time-only to have to adjust to returned missionary life in just a few short weeks. Am I blowing this out of proportion and being slightly dramatic about this? Yeah, probably. But we all have our own challenges and this has just added to the list of challenges I'm facing as I prepare to go home. But I know that all things are for my good and the Lord doesn't waste any of these experiences. And this has been an incredible learning opportunity for me. I've become my own worst enemy throughout all of this but it's given me another experience that's strengthened my testimony of the atonement and taking the sacrament. It was such a relief almost to take the sacrament yesterday. Despite being kind of a brat and ungrateful to know how perfectly loving and forgiving the savior is. That I can take this last week and move forward. I'm thankful and humbled that the Lord allows us to have hard things happen in our lives so that in the end they will help us grow and become so much more. </span></div><div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></div></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Thankfully I had some time to pray and reflect how I can make this a great transfer. I recognize and everyone tells you how fast this last transfer will go and I know that I need to make each day count. Work hard and enjoy it while I still can. And because of that, despite a nasty day in bed on Friday with the flu we've seen some incredible miracles this week. On Wednesday we decided to try one of the streets in our area that has several potential investigators. Our member that lives on the same street had given us a family's name as a referral on new years. We had tried several times but they never answered. The same member was outside while her boys were playing outside, we talked with her for a few minutes then went over to her neighbor's door to see if they were home. As we're walking over and knocking on the door, we hear behind us our neighbor talking to someone in a car that's driving by. We don't hear what they asked in the car but we hear our member say "Oh...that's just the missionaries from our house..." turns out it was this family driving home as we were standing at their door. I wanted to die I was so embarrassed. We weren't really sure what to do so we just awkwardly left because they were still talking. We were a few streets over, trying a different less active family when the same car drives by. I, myself didn't want to make eye contact so in that moment I was really fascinated by my shoelaces while Sister Munns was bold enough to turn and wave. The lady calls us from her car to come talk with her. Are you kidding? Turns out that she's in the process of a messy divorce, she would see us at the door but thought we were delivering her the divorce papers or something so she never answered. But when she was talking with our member a few minutes ago, her daughter in the car, named Cameron says that she wants to meet with us. I guess Cameron has several friends with the girls in our ward and has gone to a few activities. She has an 11 year old brother, Jacob that watched general conference and plays with several of the younger boys in our ward. We've told a few of the families and neighbors who are members and they're really excited for these two kids and are wanting to be involved in their lessons. We're going over on Wednesday, we haven't even met these kids but we both know they're ready to have the gospel in their lives and we're really excited. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Over the last few months that I've served here, there's a family we've been trying to work with. Their last name is really long and to be respectful I'll just call them the K family. The mom and dad have been less active on and off throughout their lives. Their son and his wife who isn't a member live with them and they have 3 younger kids. We've had dinner there a few times and the kids love when we're there. 2 weeks ago, their "aunt" not sure if she's really the aunt but close family friend who is also a member but hasn't come to church for a long time, came by herself with one of the kids. Then the next week she brought all 3. They loved primary and she really enjoyed gospel doctrine. <a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://8" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="8">Saturday night</a>we were planning when our relief society president randomly texted us about this family and that she's really good friends with these kids' mom and that she thinks she could be ready to start learning more about the church. Our relief society president brought the kids to church this Sunday, one of them is turning 8 this year and wants to get baptized. We haven't had the chance to go over and see the family and talk with his wife but we're keeping them in our prayers. Sister Munns and I are really hoping to find a family this transfer, so please keep both Cameron and Jacob and the "K" family in your prayers as well. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> Each area has its own challenges and we've been really struggling to boost the member missionary work here. But we have been working with our ward missionaries to make short visits with members and going into homes during the later evenings of our night to pray and do family scripture study and it's been so great. Seriously. We read with a family last night in 2nd Nephi chapter 2 where Lehi is teaching about the plan of salvation. Their two youngest kids like to show off whenever we're around but as soon as we all started to read, the spirit was so strong. We're looking forward to continue to spend a few minutes each night with different families in the ward and are thankful for the support from our ward council. I'm so thankful for the bishop and ward mission leader we have here. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm sure that there's more but I'm about out of time. So thanks for your patience everybody. Even when you're almost finished as a full-time missionary it's humbling to remember i still have a wayyyyys to go and a lot to learn. But it all works out, things keep going and there's always something to be thankful for. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hope everyone has a great week! </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Love, </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sister Allen </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This is how sister munns and I feel about biking in the cold. Just kidding, we love being missionaries. We happy. </span></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoqQfJtZcyVsztl1ZGX-MPKFfbEeH1DKlvzq6N2RcG5aVs4bDKB2UQ-C6LgSg6nU9V0genfC-cnArcyouZsXA2gd3M0X9biUAlCrC1p8GDSi775CYQ4BzK521drH0V05_YYAxw3QxbFuL/s640/blogger-image--887897170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoqQfJtZcyVsztl1ZGX-MPKFfbEeH1DKlvzq6N2RcG5aVs4bDKB2UQ-C6LgSg6nU9V0genfC-cnArcyouZsXA2gd3M0X9biUAlCrC1p8GDSi775CYQ4BzK521drH0V05_YYAxw3QxbFuL/s640/blogger-image--887897170.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJ-cyL7ivHjn4tcFzKwfLeUtwMP51QtU2cvQwgbUTh3yJ6AADibyRr14OkY2q08aqBlRrqjcIZMvnDqOXOH3r-WzsT1QXmu0z9kPGDAPyYG4d4BzQCzvnZLkqRvEtuQXH3UDJSd7ppGQS/s640/blogger-image--1840914904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJ-cyL7ivHjn4tcFzKwfLeUtwMP51QtU2cvQwgbUTh3yJ6AADibyRr14OkY2q08aqBlRrqjcIZMvnDqOXOH3r-WzsT1QXmu0z9kPGDAPyYG4d4BzQCzvnZLkqRvEtuQXH3UDJSd7ppGQS/s640/blogger-image--1840914904.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03795799763345983922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885213362777158062.post-29959907095904254202016-01-18T21:48:00.001-07:002016-01-18T21:48:42.914-07:00Is it January? Or mid-April?<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hello everyone! </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It's been in the 50s-60s this week. California, you are unreal! We go out biking during the day and in the evening and it's so nice out! Most of the time people don't talk to us, but just being outside feels great and gives us all the more reason to keep biking in our area. But besides the warm weather, we had a great week. It's been one of those weeks where my heart feels so full of gratitude, I don't really know how else to put it. But the conversations I've had with others. Personal revelation I've received. Principles and new things I've learned from studying and the scriptures. Our meetings in church. Answers to prayers. The list just goes on and on. The Lord is so aware of each of us in such personal ways.</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We had zone conference on Tuesday, it's always fun being with the other missionaries and learning together. Right after I switched with a sister for an exchange. Sister Munns and her companion for the night taught our investigator Anthony that night and had a great lesson. They were planning on teaching Gospel of Jesus Christ, but ended up having a great discussion on the Book of Mormon and the Atonement. He has a lot of questions and looks at things from a very logical point but he's keeping his commitments so he'll get there! On a random note, the other day we were trying some potential and former investigators. As we rode by we saw this older Chinese man doing kung fu in the parking lot. It's just us riding by...and him in the zone...Hey how are ya, can we talk to you about Jesus? He didn't even blink. I swear I have seen it all on my mission. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Since Thursday, I'd kept thinking about the sister I had gone on exchanges with the previous day. I kept getting promptings to go see them but there was always something, some dumb reason not to go down to Modesto. <a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://2" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="2">Saturday morning</a> was hard for me. We didn't have any set plans for the day and I felt really unmotivated to get out, lame and selfish I know but I'm only human. After studies I knelt down and prayed asking to please give me an opportunity to serve someone that day; stop thinking about selfish and self-centered me and help someone else. A few minutes later these sisters zone leaders called me that they had given one a blessing just a few minutes ago. That was the last prompting that I needed to get in the car and go. They weren't expecting us but I took the one sister I'd been thinking about over the past few days and took her to taco bell (I was hungry and wanted a taco!) and we talked for a while. She opened up about some of the things she's been struggling with, not that I can make it all better and solve her problems, but it's nice to know that you're heard and that someone cares for you and will listen. On our drive back I was thinking, feeling so humbled by that experience. The spirit kept prompting me goooo seeee theeemmm I felt him say over and over again. Sometimes he only gives you just one prompting or impression and if you don't take it then someone else will do it and you lost your chance. But I was extended such mercy with this, it felt like. "Come on Sister Allen, here it is AGAIN on a silver platter go see your sisters! They need you! I'm not telling you again!" So not only did he keep giving me those promptings to see these sisters, when in the past whenever I receive those I act on them immediately; but he also answered my prayer immediately and it was a testimony-builder for me that he really does know me. I asked, please give me a way to stop thinking about myself, and my petty challenges and worrying about going home, and give me a way to serve someone else today. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. And then my phone rang. Seriously? Those things don't just happen by chance. He knows me, he knows what I need. And even though I was being kind of a punk I asked for a way to get out of my own head and help someone else and there it was. I know it sounds small, but it's those little things, those answers in small and simple ways that touch my heart and remind me how true all of this is. How incredible the gospel is, how our savior lives and loves each of us. He knows us individually and has felt every single thing that we have. Each broken heart, ounce of regret or remorse, the inadequacies, weaknesses and self doubt. All of it. It ceases to amaze me how someone can love each of us so much to do that for us. The other night we were reading from the Book of Mormon with a family that is getting sealed in a few weeks, and the wife asked us how do we do this? When it's so hard and you face so much rejection. We said it is hard, but to see people's lives change out here and back home and your own life change in so many ways, makes it so worth it. And then I think of our selfless and loving apostles and prophet that serve all day every day, and they just ask me to do 18 months. So I can give 18 months. Some days are better than others but all he asks is that we do our best. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So there are my thoughts from my deep well. It's been a humbling week as I said earlier. I'm having kind of a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that I only have 7 weeks left...we find out about transfers this weekend. I'm curious to see if I'll stay here in mountain house or if they'll move me one last time. Oh the suspense! The drama! Tune in next week for more! Just kidding, but yes, I'll let you all know next week. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Until then, thank you all for the kind and uplifting emails. You are all so wonderful. Have a great week!</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Love, </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sister Allen </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><p class="AppleTemporaryEdgeToEdgeParagraphElement" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; height: 427px; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1px;"><img src="cid:3E6A58CC-FD14-42D6-98EF-AAB24C6FC754" alt="3E6A58CC-FD14-42D6-98EF-AAB24C6FC754" style="width: 320px; left: 0px; right: 0px; position: absolute;"></p>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03795799763345983922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885213362777158062.post-74771935882123045662016-01-04T20:08:00.001-07:002016-01-04T20:08:52.440-07:00<div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hello everyone! And happy new year! Can't really believe that it's 2016. On Friday I couldn't help but look through my journals from the past year, I've probably said this already (but this is my email so I'll say what I want!) but I remember being back in east sac with Sister Kandare sitting in the car in tears asking her and myself how the heck was I supposed to do this for another 14 months...and somehow the year has come and gone. Fun to re-read journal entries and look through pictures. Oh memory lane. As I've thought about what I wanted to write about from this past week, I've noticed how scattered my thoughts and the range of topics are. So are you ready for a wordy and ranty (is that a word? Probably not) letter? Okay, here we go. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'll start with our area, we recently either dropped most of our investigators or they dropped us. There were a few that I could tell weren't really progressing, when we asked them if they had a desire to learn more they all basically said no. So that's always hard, especially when you come into the area with a solid teaching pool and over time it gets smaller and smaller. We're trying to work with our members; set up appointments, teach a principle from preach my gospel etc. I love the ward but we've been getting kind of a push back from them over the past few weeks. We know that they like us but when it comes to sharing the gospel there are really only a few families that seem to want to help us but a lot of them are pretty focused on their own lives. And I totally get it, especially with how many young families with small children there are. But it's hard for us at the same time. We really need to find families and we know they're here. So please keep it in your prayers we'll find them and that we can know what we need to do to help this area. I'm thankful for an awesome ward mission leader and bishop who are very supportive and want to help us. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This week I attended several trainings and meetings in preparation for zone training on Thursday. We focused a lot on distractions and how we can be more focused and think less of ourselves and what holds us back and think more about serving the people here and remember who it is we represent. President was pretty bold about a lot of the things he said. Definitely something I needed to hear. I attended two zone trainings, one in Manteca for the zone we're in and also in Modesto where some of the sisters I work with are. President was at both of our trainings and asked the leadership to debrief afterwards. He asked us both times what we learned and we shared some of the thoughts and insights that we had. There was a different spirit about the second training we went to, both of them were good and I learned something from both trainings but the second one especially. When he asked me what I learned I said, maybe this is too honest to say but I learned that I'm thankful for the distractions that I have because they help me to remember that I'm far from perfect but I'm not expected to be either. And that the distractions I have help me to rely on the Lord and his atonement and to repent daily. Because I'm learning that repentance doesn't have to be some huge complicated process. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sunday was both really good and bad. Hard for different reasons so I asked my ward mission leader for a blessing to stay focused the last few months that I'm here, and the the testimonies that were shared and the lesson in gospel principles were just for me. And just what I needed. I've been feeling like a complete failure this week. With our area, and challenges with sisters I've just felt like I'm failing and can't do anything right no matter how hard I try to do what I need to do. But yesterday, during my blessing especially I felt so peaceful. And received the confirmation that yes he loves me. And to just keep going. I was going to add more, but I don't really have the words to do that. So we're just holding on. Keep us in your prayers. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Thanks everyone for the fun pictures and emails, it's always so great to hear from you. Have a great week. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Love, </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sister Allen </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_oT3Ih7pwhvzwzNifF83K0izmGuyzN0YKdKuLKhbmWayHAl8yZcnko8_rO71IpCwF2CCfZoObMhsHeVSMMKkKbAKWApvRsfTRppyfmclITVhYNPBm8XZlQ7DvmnotO50-Oav0TKzoKAyj/s640/blogger-image--432128388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_oT3Ih7pwhvzwzNifF83K0izmGuyzN0YKdKuLKhbmWayHAl8yZcnko8_rO71IpCwF2CCfZoObMhsHeVSMMKkKbAKWApvRsfTRppyfmclITVhYNPBm8XZlQ7DvmnotO50-Oav0TKzoKAyj/s640/blogger-image--432128388.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03795799763345983922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885213362777158062.post-88208703289850644132015-12-28T15:46:00.001-07:002015-12-28T15:46:15.222-07:00It was Christmas, so why not?<div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Totally kidding. Promise. I hope everyone had a great Christmas and enjoyed time with loved family and friends. There was much rejoicing in the land in our little apartment as I ate a bowl of Reese's Puffs for breakfast, given to me by my beloved Sister Neeley. It just isn't Christmas morning without a bowl of cereal aka straight sugar that will rot your teeth off, but it's christmas morning so who really cares? </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sister Munns and I had a great day, spent time with different families. Everyone here is so generous and had the nicest gifts and meals prepared for us. Missionaries are spoiled rotten here...but it was nice to enjoy the day with different families when we couldn't be with our own. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The work has kind of slowed down with the holidays, so we are looking forward to 2016 and for things to pick back up. But we're thinking positive! Sister Munns is doing great. She didn't have the best training experience so there's been a lot that she's working on to be better, but she's doing awesome. I'm really proud of her and thankful that we get to be companions. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">That's really about it...thankful for all of you! Talking on Christmas was the highlight of the day! Thankful to still have a few more months to be here, working, blessing the lives of others and serving the Lord. This has been the best experience, so grateful to be here. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Happy new year everyone! </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Love, </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sister Allen </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLfw7klqBb3A6ozpKrNvqzNLaYu7cBdfbLcTQ3TBxoVajlTVGJzJ-n2RDuqYT49UQdGAefO-kICetGWj4ANHQ8h875q-IfxAt_DveXPyaruxBHDQHhX738OMXdqfzF7dwSUsPSDF15G8t/s640/blogger-image--1994795778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLfw7klqBb3A6ozpKrNvqzNLaYu7cBdfbLcTQ3TBxoVajlTVGJzJ-n2RDuqYT49UQdGAefO-kICetGWj4ANHQ8h875q-IfxAt_DveXPyaruxBHDQHhX738OMXdqfzF7dwSUsPSDF15G8t/s640/blogger-image--1994795778.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03795799763345983922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885213362777158062.post-46941562838120084142015-12-14T16:09:00.001-07:002015-12-14T16:09:16.263-07:00"It's those girls again! Why do they keep coming?"<div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Story of my life. Besides small children getting freaked out about us trying to see their less active mother for the third time...I love being a missionary. It's crazy how fast the time is flying and that Christmas is almost here! This week was good, sadly not a whole lot to report on. Lots of exchanges with other sisters...yeah nothing really else to add besides that. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We found out about transfers <a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://0" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0">Saturday night</a>: Sister Neeley is leaving the area and I'm staying with Sister Munns. She just finished training up in Galt, I've been her sister training leader the two transfers that she's been out but it should be fun! I'll still be a sister training leader but on my own this time but not as many sisters, it'll be nice to have more time to work in our area. We already have a lot of appointments set for the week with our ward council and some activities lined up with our relief society president and the young women that we're wanting to find through. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The work has slowed down the past few weeks with how busy we've been with so many sisters, but with less sisters and more time to work in the area we're hoping things will pick up. Please keep us in your prayers! </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Thank you all for the fun updates from this past week, glad to hear everyone is doing well! I hope you have a great week, thank you for all that you do and the love & encouragement you offer me. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Love to you all, </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sister Allen </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-oP1gJZj_jMc9KTaytopj1xhdx3IdTwW4HYAz4pZnX4fiRlQrJIRWMan7JeCxy20tU4hmNHg6-oCJGZnoGK5Rp3SoUe2trMH04XWY51qZF2e3y9OR4ivueuD2IV9OtIDK9C1IDJ-Eesy/s640/blogger-image-1085061221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-oP1gJZj_jMc9KTaytopj1xhdx3IdTwW4HYAz4pZnX4fiRlQrJIRWMan7JeCxy20tU4hmNHg6-oCJGZnoGK5Rp3SoUe2trMH04XWY51qZF2e3y9OR4ivueuD2IV9OtIDK9C1IDJ-Eesy/s640/blogger-image-1085061221.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03795799763345983922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885213362777158062.post-39925802960592981332015-11-30T14:47:00.001-07:002015-11-30T14:48:22.633-07:00Who invited them?<div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Where to begin, where to begin. I'm so unfocused right now... I'll probably sound like a crazy person, so just bear with me. So, hello!</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Thanksgiving was so much fun! We got to spend the whole day with different families and had a total blast. We went to several different homes where there were non-members; it cracks me up to walk into a house where non-members are, not expecting mormon missionaries to walk through the door and their entire demeanor changes. They're laughing and having a good time, they see us and just like that their faces drop and it's blank stares, like who they heck invited them? Yes, we love it. We were invited over to one house for dessert and I asked for a slice of the pecan pie that looked delicious, the sister says to me "oh you might not want to eat that..." and I ask why? and tells me "they put some bourbon in it, it'll burn going down" I decided it'd be better if I didn't eat it and went with pumpkin instead haha. We found out that other missionaries didn't have very many appointments or places to be for Thanksgiving, so we were so thankful to have set up several places to be so that we stayed happy and busy all day. We ate so much through out the day, more than I have probably my entire mission. I've discovered expanding stomach and being able to eat more than you would like is definitely a gift from the spirit to missionaries. We were both so done with food by the end of the day. We had a backseat full of leftovers...it was crazy. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On Tuesday we attended a mission leadership council and set baptismal goals missionary/month. I won't say the number and I'll be honest the council was hard to follow everyone's comments were all over the place but we all ended up giving a number by the end of the meeting that made me want to cry. I thought to myself, I can't do that! None of our investigators want to get baptized, we have sisters all over the mission, I just can't do it and settled on a number lower but still looked and felt okay. Thankfully on Friday we attended several other meetings (the zone leaders and sister training leaders bring back to the rest of the missionaries what was discussed during that meeting earlier that week) as we were discussing with these other missionaries, Sister Neeley and I were given the motivation we both needed that despite working with sisters and our area slowing down we will find people to teach. I was given the not so subtle poke from the spirit that I needed to have more faith. Trust in the Lord and in his hand as he works in our area, despite not getting to work there all the time. Good things will happen, and if we don't achieve the goal or that number we have set we can know that we tried and did everything we could. So Sister Neeley and I are really looking forward to December and working in Mountain House. The church just launched a new video: A Savior is Born. It's powerful, I loved the video from last year so much, He is the Gift, we're excited to use the cards we've been given and to share this video with those around us. You should too! </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Monique came to church on Sunday! We were supposed to have a lesson with her on Saturday but it didn't end up working out. Sacrament meeting went really well; towards the end I leaned over to my companion and asked if she thought we should change the gospel principles lesson for the second hour. We texted our ward mission leader before sacrament meeting ended and he said he would take care of it. I guess after he went up to the teacher and asked if we could change the lesson. She told him to give her 5 minutes and she would have a lesson. We've been going through the gospel principles manual and the next lesson was about judgement day...definitely important, we all need to know about it but maybe not the most appropriate thing to share and discuss while an investigator is there and has questions/concerns with more basic things. Instead the lesson was about prayer; something Monique has been struggling with. The way she explains to us she says God has already given me everything I need so why would I need to ask for more? We try to explain that yes we can offer and we should give prayers of thanksgiving, but it's also important and critical that we ask questions with a sincere desire to have them answered but that really only comes through prayer. It was an excellent lesson, we're thankful for that sister who was willing to change the lesson at such short notice and for it going exactly the way it needed to. Please keep Monique in your prayers! </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I need to get going, again sorry for being a crazy person and how scrambled this email is, I'm happy and doing great. Thank you for all your fun emails! I'm thankful for you all! Here are a few pictures from thanksgiving having too much fun drinking our sparkling cider. And preparation day playing football. I actually participated AND scored a touchdown. Who are we kidding, no I didn't, I just stood there. But at least I was there, right? </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Have a great week,</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sister Allen </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CNdGDrr19vAorZFokyit-ZDBDdy2h1PgVc7ulEeIr8j5vAUSGi9bg6qJ6pxbzz_YiFBKK1OvAOke5CUP5Y_kB9L2bPnbge8wI7QlK7xaAGDLLPq2lDW5Yon9GzXr_x7CziwoMmmKECun/s640/blogger-image-205615166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CNdGDrr19vAorZFokyit-ZDBDdy2h1PgVc7ulEeIr8j5vAUSGi9bg6qJ6pxbzz_YiFBKK1OvAOke5CUP5Y_kB9L2bPnbge8wI7QlK7xaAGDLLPq2lDW5Yon9GzXr_x7CziwoMmmKECun/s640/blogger-image-205615166.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhix0WKqhH_T4fuJG20P2M_a_tX5Y5OqGr__nnAnYl5LlQU3tON-ywfak45U3V6d9W2kKBV41pRcVRQD528wpGCPF2SoBktTIrujlQmt3tIfFSjoLS8LV7Vzm46FccyRpSG4PS1KpsXuMbz/s640/blogger-image--1690476403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhix0WKqhH_T4fuJG20P2M_a_tX5Y5OqGr__nnAnYl5LlQU3tON-ywfak45U3V6d9W2kKBV41pRcVRQD528wpGCPF2SoBktTIrujlQmt3tIfFSjoLS8LV7Vzm46FccyRpSG4PS1KpsXuMbz/s640/blogger-image--1690476403.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></span></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03795799763345983922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885213362777158062.post-71835022785452280412015-11-30T14:44:00.001-07:002015-11-30T14:44:21.384-07:00Who invited them?<div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Where to begin, where to begin. I'm so unfocused right now... I'll probably sound like a crazy person, so just bear with me. So, hello!</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Thanksgiving was so much fun! We got to spend the whole day with different families and had a total blast. We went to several different homes where there were non-members; it cracks me up to walk into a house where non-members are, not expecting mormon missionaries to walk through the door and their entire demeanor changes. They're laughing and having a good time, they see us and just like that their faces drop and it's blank stares, like who they heck invited them? Yes, we love it. We were invited over to one house for dessert and I asked for a slice of the pecan pie that looked delicious, the sister says to me "oh you might not want to eat that..." and I ask why? and tells me "they put some bourbon in it, it'll burn going down" I decided it'd be better if I didn't eat it and went with pumpkin instead haha. We found out that other missionaries didn't have very many appointments or places to be for Thanksgiving, so we were so thankful to have set up several places to be so that we stayed happy and busy all day. We ate so much through out the day, more than I have probably my entire mission. I've discovered expanding stomach and being able to eat more than you would like is definitely a gift from the spirit to missionaries. We were both so done with food by the end of the day. We had a backseat full of leftovers...it was crazy. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On Tuesday we attended a mission leadership council and set baptismal goals missionary/month. I won't say the number and I'll be honest the council was hard to follow everyone's comments were all over the place but we all ended up giving a number by the end of the meeting that made me want to cry. I thought to myself, I can't do that! None of our investigators want to get baptized, we have sisters all over the mission, I just can't do it and settled on a number lower but still looked and felt okay. Thankfully on Friday we attended several other meetings (the zone leaders and sister training leaders bring back to the rest of the missionaries what was discussed during that meeting earlier that week) as we were discussing with these other missionaries, Sister Neeley and I were given the motivation we both needed that despite working with sisters and our area slowing down we will find people to teach. I was given the not so subtle poke from the spirit that I needed to have more faith. Trust in the Lord and in his hand as he works in our area, despite not getting to work there all the time. Good things will happen, and if we don't achieve the goal or that number we have set we can know that we tried and did everything we could. So Sister Neeley and I are really looking forward to December and working in Mountain House. The church just launched a new video: A Savior is Born. It's powerful, I loved the video from last year so much, He is the Gift, we're excited to use the cards we've been given and to share this video with those around us. You should too! </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Monique came to church on Sunday! We were supposed to have a lesson with her on Saturday but it didn't end up working out. Sacrament meeting went really well; towards the end I leaned over to my companion and asked if she thought we should change the gospel principles lesson for the second hour. We texted our ward mission leader before sacrament meeting ended and he said he would take care of it. I guess after he went up to the teacher and asked if we could change the lesson. She told him to give her 5 minutes and she would have a lesson. We've been going through the gospel principles manual and the next lesson was about judgement day...definitely important, we all need to know about it but maybe not the most appropriate thing to share and discuss while an investigator is there and has questions/concerns with more basic things. Instead the lesson was about prayer; something Monique has been struggling with. The way she explains to us she says God has already given me everything I need so why would I need to ask for more? We try to explain that yes we can offer and we should give prayers of thanksgiving, but it's also important and critical that we ask questions with a sincere desire to have them answered but that really only comes through prayer. It was an excellent lesson, we're thankful for that sister who was willing to change the lesson at such short notice and for it going exactly the way it needed to. Please keep Monique in your prayers! </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I need to get going, again sorry for being a crazy person and how scrambled this email is, I'm happy and doing great. Thank you for all your fun emails! I'm thankful for you all! Here are a few pictures from thanksgiving having too much fun drinking our sparkling cider. And preparation day playing football. I actually participated AND scored a touchdown. Who are we kidding, no I didn't, I just stood there. But at least I was there, right? </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Have a great week,</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sister Allen </span></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03795799763345983922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885213362777158062.post-21255632615063616352015-11-23T14:18:00.001-07:002015-11-30T11:50:53.693-07:00Be of good cheer<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hello dear family and loved ones,</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm pretty sure i ask this every week but how is it Monday again? I swear every morning as I'm getting ready for the day I think to myself how is it already Wednesday...how is it already Thursday...and here I am again, how is it Monday? The week flies. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I asked Sister Neeley a minute ago how she started her email to her family for this week. She says, "this week's been a pretty hard week for me, not gonna lie". So yes, this week has been hard for several different reasons. At the moment all of our investigators are either MIA or have told us they want to continue learning but aren't ready to commit to baptism anytime soon. We went over for a lesson with David and when we had gone by a few days before he had told us he had several questions so we were pretty excited. We knew that we wanted to invite him to be baptized that night, so we're sitting there and talking when the temple comes up. THE TEMPLE. We were really excited; DeAnne is asking how about the endowment and how to get a recommend so I asked David if getting sealed was something they were wanting to do. He pauses and says no, not really. To be honest I'm not really interested in converting anytime soon. I don't like the commitment and having to go to church every sunday. We were crushed. We finished the lesson, he does want to keep meeting and learning but as he said, isn't ready to convert, at least not now. By the time we finished it was time to get back home and we were really bummed. Here is this golden family: he's showing interest, she's starting to come back to church, it's perfect. But it just isn't the Lord's time for this family right now. Sister Neeley was so sad. But we know that things will work for this family in the right time; they feel the spirit when we're there and we know the Lord is working with them. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We've spent several days working with sisters in other parts of the mission; on Thursday we were in Galt, Saturday we were wayyyy up at the top of the mission in one of our sister's area in this teeny town. It takes us almost 2 hours to get there and then that same amount of time to get back so that took up the whole day. Then Sunday was an off day, those are the worst. We didn't have ward council before church like we typically do so that gave us an hour or so to go out in our area and work but everyone was so rude. We were on one of the paths by our house and saw a dog wandering around. We called the number on the collar and let the owner know that we'd found the dog and she says over the phone, "put the dog down, he knows where to go" whoops...sorry. Thankfully we were able to head back home and go to church and take the sacrament which made all (or at least some) the difference. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Some of the elders came by to our apartment last night to help with Sister Neeley's bike and I was talking with our zone leaders about our week. I know that my companion has been pretty discouraged about our area and I had been concerned about some of our sisters in the mission that morning. I've said it before, but it's been stressful and difficult at times trying to find the balance between our area and these sisters. Especially when our area was doing so great a few weeks ago and things haven't been going so well since we became companions when we have to leave a lot of the times to work with our sisters. We set goals in faith that we'll find all of these investigators and invite people to be baptized, but this week it just didn't happen. And at times you feel kind of crappy, we're supposed to teach people, right? But when you have sisters all over the mission who need help or when their district/zone leaders are calling us about concerns, they come first. I was telling the elders some of these things from the week and one of them reminded me that even though we haven't been to teach non-members very much, we've been getting hands-on experiences ministering and teaching these sisters. We're helping them fulfill their purpose so that they can be worthy and ready for the people the Lord puts in their path. I was talking more with Sister Neeley about all of this last night as we were getting ready for bed. I knew she was feeling down and I knew exactly what she was feeling and knew where she was at. It is frustrating. You want to teach, you want to baptize. Worthy and righteous things to desire for a missionary. But it's the Lord's work, not ours. We have to yield our hearts and let his timing and will replace ours. I told my companion that I remembered sitting in the car with my companion once when I'd been out at 4 months, in tears asking myself how I was supposed to do this for another 14 months. We weren't teaching or baptizing and this was harder than I had ever imagined. But you get through it, those hard days pass. And in the end, the Lord is so much more concerned about who we are becoming; how we are loving and serving his children than he does what our numbers look like or how many people we are teaching. Yes he wants us to teach and for them to join the church, we know that. But it's in his time and in his way. I love how comforting it is to read in the scriptures during Christ's ministry he often told the people "be of good cheer" it's all going to work out. I was reading that this morning and the thoughts came to mind, He will provide. Those prepared people and families will come. Just do your best everyday, serve the sisters we work with, serve your companion and help her find the peace she needs as she experiences this for the first time. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So despite a difficult week, I feel calm and know that everything will be just fine. We'll work with our sisters, we'll work in our area. We'll be where the Lord needs us to be and know that that is what is best. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Several of you have asked about Thanksgiving, we'll be with several families in the ward and we're so excited to spend time with them! I wanted to add a cute list of things I'm thankful for which is probably cheesy to do, but I'm sure everyone and their dog is doing the same thing all over facebook and instagram so who the heck cares, I'm doing it! </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In no particular order I'm thankful for:</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sister Neeley; my beautiful, wonderful incredible family; studying the gospel everyday; wearing my name tag; taking the sacrament; all of the friends I've made on my mission, both in Sacramento and Modesto; cereal; morning runs; prayer; laughter; mission memories & experiences; President and Sister Palmer; pretty leaves; chapstick; homemade jam; general conference reports.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The list goes on and on and on. I am so thankful everyday and especially this time of year for the countless blessings the Lord gives me. I hope everyone has a safe and fun holiday. Eat lots of pie, and do some shopping at 3 in the morning for me as well!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Have the best week,</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sister Allen </span><br />
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03795799763345983922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885213362777158062.post-85300802769918720102015-11-16T20:37:00.001-07:002015-11-30T11:44:13.658-07:00Hey Soul Sister (aka Sister Neeley)<div class="gmail_default">
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Well this week's email won't be as exciting as last week's, I'll be honest, but Sister Neeley and I had a great week. I'm not really quite sure where to start...just kidding yes I do. I'll start off with saying I absolutely love my companion. We have so much fun together. We could be companions the rest of my mission and I would be just fine. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://1" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">Monday night to Tuesday</a> we had an exchange with some of our sisters. Sister Neeley stayed in the area while I left. They taught Cody (the guy we met last week) while I was gone for the day and she said that it was a great lesson. He told us that he really wanted to come to church and read the Book of Mormon. He told us that he'd have his step-mom call us sometime this week to give her approval about coming to church but we never heard from her. We know that he walks around the park everyday so we're going to try him again <a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://2" x-apple-data-detectors-result="2" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">tomorrow</a> to see how things are going. </span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Wednesday we had an unplanned mission leadership council that we went to. It's always great being with President & Sister Palmer and the other leaders in the mission. Sister Neeley and I wanted to stop by some of our sisters that live closer to the mission office while we were there but realized we wouldn't have enough time to make it back in time for our dinner with a less-active family that invited us over. The family was so nice and welcoming, a little stiff at first but the end everyone was having a good time and enjoyed feeling the spirit in their home for the first time in a while. After dinner we were supposed to have a meeting again with David and DeAnne but she called saying that she'd been held up at the office and that we would have to reschedule. The sisters that lived back by the mission office were on my mind during dinner and we were trying to figure out where we needed to be for the rest of the evening. Something that President has grilled in my mind since the mission split is that we should act on every worthy impression. Especially as leaders, he tells us we shouldn't doubt any impressions we receive. Sister Neeley is doing a great job balancing and understanding the new responsibilities that we share. When she told me that she had also been thinking about those sisters, I knew that we had to go. I could tell that she was hesitant to go all the way out there instead of staying in our own area but as soon as we got there and started talking with the sisters, we immediately knew why we were there. One of the sisters had been struggling with a few personal things, she didn't go into too much detail but was having a hard time knowing what to do and needed help but didn't know where to find it or how to ask. On the way home, Sister Neeley was so excited and felt so peaceful about following that impression. Even if it hadn't meant a lot to those sisters (even though it really did) it meant a lot to both of us as well and for Sister Neeley to gain confidence in those small, simple promptings that the Lord gives us when He needs us to be somewhere ministering those we steward. I know that that sounds kind of intense, but with the meeting we had attended earlier that day it became clear just how much the Lord expects of those who he has called as leaders and the ways we need to help and serve those we've been called to. Not only the people in our area but the other missionaries as well. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On Thursday we spent most of the day up in Lodi with the other missionaries. We're going back this week to train during district meeting. We noticed several issues of concern with the sisters we had gone on exchanges and brought those to their other leaders attention and asked if they would be okay with us going back on Friday to weekly plan with them and address some of the other issues we'd noticed. <a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://6" x-apple-data-detectors-result="6" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">Thursday night</a> we had a great lesson with Anthony. He lives with his aunt and uncle who are members. In the past the uncle had made it seem like we shouldn't ask Anthony if he wanted to take the lessons and not to push him too much. Anthony admitted that a lot of people from other churches had tried pushing him into their church before which really turned him off but said he'd always been drawn to the LDS church and asked us if we would teach him the lesson. We taught him the restoration; probably the most in-depth, detailed lesson of the Restoration I've taught...he had so many questions and really wants to know. He's not ready to set a firm date yet, wants to take all of the lessons first before deciding he wants to get baptized but we're hoping as he continues to read and pray he'll act in faith and choose a date. Someone to definitely keep in your prayers!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Friday we were finishing up our studies when Sister Palmer texted us asking if she and President could come visit us and asked for our address. No big deal, just my mission president in our teeny tiny one bedroom apartment! Good thing it was tidy! Even though it was a surprise to have them there it was great being with them, I love any and all opportunities we get to be with them. They sat in on a part of our weekly planning for this week; lesson's we'll teach, goals we set etc. It ended up turning into a discussion about some of the needs and concerns with our sisters. <a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://8" x-apple-data-detectors-result="8" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors="true">Thursday night</a> several sets of sisters and district leaders called us about several different things. We're staying afloat but I find myself having a hard time balancing when to step in to help and when to step back so that these sisters (most of them have only been out 6-12 weeks) can learn to be self reliant and problem solve on their own. We told Sister Palmer we were going back to visit with those sisters to plan with them and she asked if she could come with us. I wished we had taken pictures with her while we were driving there. She's so much fun and we had a great time talking in the car. We made an agreement that what was said in the car-stayed in the car. She had some great insights about our callings and life in general. The time with those sisters was very productive. We were able to address the concerns we had and with Sister Palmer there it was even better. They've both only been out one transfer and this transfer are finishing their training with each other and are facing some challenges without having someone to look to as an example. Preach My Gospel and the Missionary Handbook have all of the answers but it's a different experience to have a great trainer who's leading and guiding you along the way. We were glad that went well and that we could help them. Serving all of these sisters has its challenges but I'm so grateful for the leadership experiences I'm having. I'm learning loooots of patience and humility, so it's probably a good thing I have this calling. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Saturday we went and did studies with a different set of sisters; 4 of them are living together and have a stressful apartment set up. Let me tell you this: It's a two bedroom, two bath apartment with a really nice open living room as well but one room has been making them "sick" so that they've quarantined the room so all 4 of them crammed their beds in the living area and the other room while the other one remains empty. I don't understand it...Anyway, after studies we went back to our area where we had a ward activity in the park. Cody was supposed to be there but he didn't show up (again, we'll have to try and talk with him this week). Our investigator Monique was there and we had a lesson with her later that day that went well. After dinner we went and stopped by David and DeAnne's. We have a lesson with them this week and he told us that he's been reading the Book of Mormon and has questions! We're looking forward to our meeting with them; both of them are the nicest. You can tell that they both sincerely want to know these things for themselves. After, we went and stopped by to see one of our investigators, Michael. His wife is a member but he isn't. His wife is the choir director so we go over on Saturday nights to practice quickly for the song we'll sing at church because they have choir during our studies on Sunday. I have to tell you the coolest experience though; when Michael came in and we were sitting there talking I had this thought and feeling "I know you." Nothing weird or creepy but it was like a lightbulb. I already know you. I didn't tell this to him of course, but it was kind of crazy to think and know that we've already met before. We went through the baptismal questions and he knows that everything EVERYTHING is true except knowing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God...in most cases it's usually the other way around, right? Problems with the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith or the word of wisdom. Nope, he's good with all of that. It's Jesus Christ he doesn't know about. So we're working with him on that one to gain a testimony for himself. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Time to get going but we're excited for this week and the lessons and fun we have planned! Crazy how quickly this month is going by! Other missionaries are starting to ask me when I'm going home or how much I have left, it's so bizarre to met to tell them I've been out over a year...can't believe how quickly that time is coming, but I still have a few more months to enjoy so I'm taking advantage of them while I still can. I hope that everyone has a great week. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Love, </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sister Allen </span></div>
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03795799763345983922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885213362777158062.post-83831272337310305122015-11-09T15:15:00.001-07:002015-11-09T15:15:13.238-07:00Meet my best friend, Sister Neeley<div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm going to be annoying and just go ahead and say it: I have the best companion and the best area in the whole mission. There, I've said it. I must have done something right (or maybe something wrong?) to be in this awesome area with my new companion. She's from Pennsylvania and has been out for 2 transfers now. Our area is really small and consists of 5 "villages." That sounds kinda 1800s creepy, but it's just 5 different neighborhoods. They look little Potemkin villages with these perfect houses lined up along the streets. The ward split back in June, it used to be huge but now that we cover just the villages the area is a lot smaller so we bike full time and I love it! We're sister training leaders over 12 sisters throughout the mission again this transfer, so we have a car we use to get to them, P-day and meetings but when we work in our area we're biking and it's been a blast. I crashed and ran into a bush on my first night, it was bound to happen at some point on my mission. I'm just glad it was in the dark and no one was around. There are a lot of punk teenagers that live in the area that like to chase us and yell things as we ride by. I'm not a huge fan of those kids, but hey at least they aren't dogs so I'm not complaining! We're teaching quite a few people right now that have been found all from biking and street-contacting. I love it. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We live in a non-member's "casita" I'd never heard of such a thing but it's this tiny apartment attached to their house with a separate entrance. Sister Neeley and I are having a ton of fun together so we don't mind that's is small. Halloween was still hot, but once we hit November it's been chilly during the mornings and in the evenings, especially on bike. I'm glad the heat is behind us and am more than happy to wear boots,coats and scarves, I'd choose fall over summer any day. It's rained a few times as well, we're hoping we'll continue to receive more.</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My first night we went over to Amy's for dinner. She and her husband have been married for a year or so now but they dated on and off for a long time. She joined the church while they were dating but stopped going when they broke up and since getting back together and married she's started attending church more regularly. She's been struggling to know if she has a testimony of the church and of the book of Mormon because she feels like she never receives answers. She said she never really "feels" anything, but she wants to know these things for herself. We've offered to start reading in the Book of Mormon with them once a week which is where we'll be tonight so that she can start to gain a testimony and recognize the spirit working with her as she receives answers and impressions on her own.</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">David is in a part member family; I guess the missionaries who were in the area before kept trying to meet his wife, DeAnne who hasn't gone to church for over 30 years but they never got in. A few weeks ago they tried again and David answered the door. His wife's family is really active in the church and has sent missionaries over several times through the years and it's always turned him off but something was different this time as they bore their testimonies and he said he'd be willing to listen. The ward here is awesome where the members ask us if they can go out to teach with us, when it's always been us practically on our knees begging members to come to a lesson. We went over <a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://1" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1">Wednesday night</a> with the bishop's wife and had a great lesson. DeAnne's sister, Stephanie who has been living with them who also hasn't been to church in a long time was there as well. We were planning to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ (faith, repentance, baptism, holy ghost, endure to the end) but instead, Stephanie was telling us about how their dad had passed away and got emotional how they had called someone from the church to come over and give him a blessing and he passed away peacefully. She said it had been a long time since she had felt the spirit and always knew the church was true but she's always had a job and that's taken a lot of her time. I don't even remember what we taught or shared but the spirit was so strong. We invited David to attend church with us again but he had to work but DeAnne said that she would come. David is such a great guy, they both are. He always says how good he feels when we're there, and that he knows what we share with them is true.</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Friday was a really busy day with several meetings we had to attend and we went to stop by some of our sisters that live in our zone so we were late riding over to dinner. As we were on one of the trails, we met Cody. He's 23 and walks around the park everyday so we asked if we could come back the next day to teach him. We had a good lesson with him though, we think he might have some mental illnesses but we're not quite sure. We didn't feel the spirit warning us or telling us he was dangerous or anything, but we have another lesson with him on Tuesday so we'll see how it goes. He has a lot of questions but needs light, happiness and peace in his life right now, lucky for him though we have just the cure :) </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> <a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://4" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="4">Saturday morning</a> we went and taught Monique with one of our members; her dad was in our area book but he recently passed away and she's had a lot of questions about religion, her purpose in life etc. She wants to get baptized but wants to make sure this is the right church for her and it feels like the right thing to do. We're still teaching the lessons with her and keeping her committed to reading the Book of Mormon and praying. Sister Neeley always tells our investigators to ask specific questions because the Lord will give us specific answers, so we're looking forward to continue teaching and meeting with her. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On Sunday, DeAnne came to church! We called and left her a voicemail but we were excited when she came in and stayed all 3 hours. We were asked to teach in gospel principles, we kept it basic but the spirit was strong. Then in relief society, the bishop's wife, Sister Ross (who had come to the lesson with us) taught in relief society. We had the "Feed my Sheep" lesson from President Benson. Sister Ross shared that she knew she needed to step it up and think more about other people, the other sheep in her life and shared how much she had enjoyed coming to the lesson with us and how it gave her the motivation she needed to re-focus on other people in her life. After she shared, DeAnne raised her hand and shared how much she had felt the spirit during our lesson. She's been a member her whole life but hasn't been in a long time and while we were in Relief Society she realized that she's been a lost sheep for a long time now. She hasn't had much interest in coming back to church, but something softening with her husband it's been what she's been needing in her life as well without recognizing it. Sister Neelely and I were humbled and so grateful to hear about that lesson from their perspective and not just ours; yes we're teaching David for the first time, but it's like the first time for DeAnne as well to be hearing and remembering these thing she grew up learning. We're looking forward to continue working with the both of them. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There are a few other people that we're working with that I haven't had the chance to meet with, but it's a great area and I'm excited to continue working here. It's been amazing to look back and see how the Lord originally split the ward in June and then the mission split in July...clearly there are people and families who are ready and waiting to receive the gospel that they needed their own missionaries in the ward. We're determined to find them and work as hard as we can. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Like I said, we have 12 sisters who are all over the misison; there seems to always be a few that need extra love and support during the transfer so with our area and helping with these sisters we'll be staying pretty busy. At our meeting on Friday with President and Sister Palmer, one of the things that was shared and I'd heard it before but it really resonated with me this time, while we are working with the Lord's missionaries, He is working in our area. I'm going to rely and trust on that this transfer with how much we'll have to spend away from the area as we help some of these sisters, but I know that he's so involved in the work and is looking after it even and especially when we aren't there. During the meeting, we split off into groups and had a few minutes to be with President and Sister Palmer and they told us that we were assigned as leaders because we are trusted by the Lord. We are all loved, but few are trusted. I know that I want and need to continue to be worthy of that trust, one thing that Sister Neeley and I will be working on this transfer is seeking more ways to be obedient. It's sad but something you see a lot with missionaries; some try to find more excuses and ways to bend the rules rather than look for ways to be obedient. I know that I still have a few months left, but it goes by so fast and I don't want to look back on my mission and wish that I could have worked harder or regretted some of the choices I had made. I know I'm not perfect but I know the Lord blesses those who are obedient to his commandments and find happiness in them. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'd better get going, thank you all for the emails and updating me with how things are going in your lives. I feel so full and so blessed to have such incredible family and friends in my life. I hope you all have a great week, we're looking forward to a good one here in Manteca. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://7" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="7">Until Monday</a>. </span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Love, Sister Allen </span></div></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03795799763345983922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885213362777158062.post-9178805807858603892015-11-02T14:06:00.001-07:002015-11-02T14:06:26.062-07:00N is for...<div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">November! New transfer! New zone! New companion! New Area!</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">That's right people, a new transfer has begun! I guess the week has been pretty stressful for President, in the past we have found out about our transfers <a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://0" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0">Saturday night</a> or <a dir="ltr" href="x-apple-data-detectors://1" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1">Sunday morning</a> but we didn't find out until around 8 last night. Sister Maukeni is training up in the Lodi zone, I'm getting transferred to the Manteca zone with Sister Neeley! I'll send a picture of her with the email of us and our matching CTR rings haha. She's been out for 2 transfers now but I'm so excited to work with her. She's an awesome misisonary. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But we had a good week in the YSA. It's probably selfish to say but I feel like this transfer my companion and I were there for our sisters and the YSA and the members were for me. Once I got over being an awkward sister missionary it was fun to get to know the members better and serve with them. The assistants will be in the YSA now so I'm sure the branch will be just fine. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We had a zone meeting this week and took a few pictures, hope that you enjoy. For Halloween we were asked to keep it spiritually uplifting. Most missionaries stayed in working on their area books or studying; our district decided to get together at the church for a "district church evening" we all brought treats, sang some hymns then went around sharing and discussing favorite stories or chapters in the scriptures. It turned into a discussion about how we all received the answer and made the decision to come out on our missions. We get to hear from our sisters but it was a cool experience to hear from the elders and how they got here. Sharing my own experiences, it was solidifying of how much God loves me, who he knows me by name and has a specific plan just for me and everything that has led up to being here.</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was a special opportunity to start the month of November by fasting and to recommit myself to this work and being focused on the present. It's easy to start getting casual and let little thing slip as you get closer to getting home, but I need to remember that I still have time left to learn and grow, to make a difference and to help others come closer to Christ. I feel strongly that my companion and I will get to baptize this transfer and I'm excited for who the Lord has prepared for us as we strive to do all that we can to be worthy of these people.</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sorry that this one is short, but I hope that everyone has a great week! Looking forward to a great week and sharing more with you next time. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I love you all!</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sister Allen </span></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03795799763345983922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885213362777158062.post-37430313181413366132015-10-26T15:21:00.001-06:002015-10-26T15:21:04.593-06:00Happy Halloween!<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font>I'm gonna be the first to admit that holidays on the mission are always super weird. The world around us is centered on the festivities of that day but mission life is like groundhog day, it's always the same and especially difficult on those days when everyone is out and about with family and friends. So in honor of Halloween this weekend; I hope everyone watches Hocus Pocus for me, knocks on doors (to get candy, not investigators!), fills a pillowcase of candy and inhales that sweet smell of candy and eat a cavity's worth of reese's peanut butter cups. Thank you. 🍫🍭🍬</font><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But this week has been great for Sister Maukeni and I. <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://0" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0">On Monday night</a> we were given permission to leave our zone so that we could go to the pumpkin patch in one of the other zones. We had already gone to a pumpkin patch a few weeks ago but it was fun to go with our YSA. It felt more like a carnival with all of the people there and the different activities to choose from. We weren't planning on doing the corn maze or haunted house but our branch presiden't wife is a charmer and was able to get us into the haunted house without having to pay. I would have been perfectly fine not going in but everyone else was going and I got dragged into going. I hate, I repeat hate anything haunted (even when they end up not being haunted and pretty stupid) but thankfully the haunted house wasn't scary at all. I was walking with one of the YSA and she told me that if you pretend to be a secret agent and shoot guns at them when they pop up on you it helps to not feel as scared. My companion was taking a few pictures and she managed to snap one of me in the house. It reminded me of the days when we went to the beach and Cooper would play house of the dead at the arcade, shooting away at the zombies as they got closer. But it was fun, I'm glad we were able to go. It's starting to get chilly in the mornings and at night, California is still struggling with this whole "fall season" thing, maybe in November things will cool down more. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="x-apple-data-detectors://1" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1">Tuesday morning</a> we had a meeting with the other sister training leaders, mission president, his wife and the assistants. They were having a new missionary meeting later that day and wanted to discuss with us some of the needs or concerns we've been having recently with our sisters. All of the sisters we steward between the 4 of us are either training or being trained so there were quite a few things to discuss. It was a really good meeting and brought a lot of clarity and assurance that I had been needing. I'm not sure if the other sisters had been feeling the same that I was when I wrote my email last week but it gave the peace that I needed knowing that we're doing the best we can and helping them the best ways we know how. We had to attend a few more leadership meetings and went back to the mission office to pick something up. While we were there, president asked us to talk with for a few minutes in his office to tell us about the new missionary meeting they had just had. Some of our sisters came up and their housing situation. They've been living with the bishop for one of the wards and they need the sisters to find a new place to live because they have family coming in soon. We have a housing coordinator that helps find missionaries new apartments but I guess it wasn't much of a priority so president asked us to go up to their area (almost an hour away) to start looking for apartments for these sisters...President and Sister Palmer went up again on Saturday so hopefully we'll find a place for these sisters soon. I never thought I'd have to apartment hunt on my mission, but it was fun. </span></font></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Wednesday we got to work with some of our sisters that are in our same zone and went out biking. It was so much fun and it's been great to watch some of these sisters who have progressed so much from their first day in the field to almost a transfer later. They're talking with people, taking the lead during lessons, having productive studies etc it's been so great to see how much they've improved. One of the things that we discussed in our meeting <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://2" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="2">Tuesday morning</a> was how these sisters need help in their teaching and that we as the sister training leaders can and should be participating in trainings, so Thursday we went up to Lodi to have studies with some of our sisters and attended their district meeting as well and were able to train. That went really well, it's something we'd like to do with all of our sisters. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Saturday we had a fun relief society activity carving pumpkins, I'm a failure of a carver but it was nice to be with some of the sisters from the branch. We delivered the pumpkins and little goody bags to others in the branch. We've been trying to contact potential YSA members that have records in other wards in the stake. We went to go contact one, his mom answers the door, "Sisters! What a surprise!" We walk in and her husband comes to shake our hands and introduces himself as President Marshall. My companion and I both asked ourselves ...president for what? Young men? Elders quorum? Nope turns out he was the stake president ha! He thought we were there to talk with him. Really nice guy though, his son who we were trying to meet is at BYU. We wished we could have stayed longer but we had to leave and they had grandkids with them. Sunday was great, president and sister palmer actually came to our branch for sacrament meeting, it was nice to have them there. The talks and lessons were especially good this week, that's something I'm loving about the YSA. Even though it's small, the spirit is really strong and we have some incredible members who have returned from missions and have such solid testimonies. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Anyway, I better get going there are several other missionaries here waiting to email. But hope that you all have a good week and get to do something fun for Halloween!</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Love you all!</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sister Allen </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><p x-apple-mail="wrapper" class="AppleTemporaryEdgeToEdgeParagraphElement" style="height: 240.000015px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1px;"><img src="cid:A4DAE132-7FB5-470D-BB2B-CD6C470CEBF7" id="A4DAE132-7FB5-470D-BB2B-CD6C470CEBF7" border="0" width="100%" style="width: 320px; left: 0px; right: 0px; position: absolute;"></p><p x-apple-mail="wrapper" class="AppleTemporaryEdgeToEdgeParagraphElement" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; height: 213.333344px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1px;"><img src="cid:33B6E20E-44B9-4800-9ED4-6D33475B09FA" id="33B6E20E-44B9-4800-9ED4-6D33475B09FA" border="0" width="100%" style="width: 320px; left: 0px; right: 0px; position: absolute;"></p>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03795799763345983922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885213362777158062.post-70027490726663448262015-10-19T15:18:00.001-06:002015-10-19T15:18:24.815-06:00Answers will come<div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the week goes by so fast. Some of the conversations I had with people earlier in the week honestly feel like a month ago. This week has been good, challenging mentally and spiritually, but good. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Monday we were planning on going hiking but that fell through so we ended up spending the day with the other sister training leaders here in Modesto. <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://0" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0">Monday night</a> we did a speed "friendshipping" for family home evening which was fun. One of the questions we were asked was to share a Christmas memory and the one that came to mind first was sitting on the steps Christmas morning and dad teasing us that Santa hadn't come that night but then telling us one by one we could go start opening presents. Oh the happy memories our family has that are so cherished! </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">That night we went up to Galt to begin an exchange. I was with one sister who goes home at the end of this transfer. She's had a hard mission and has really struggled emotionally and mentally. She and her companion live with 2 other sisters at the same house and they are crammed into one room with all 4 beds and all 4 desks so it's hard to have a personal conversation and have that time to talk and discern where the missionary is at and how you can help them. It was hard to feel the spirit and have a private conversation and talk with her about what she really needs right now before going home. At the end of the exchange I was driving home feeling really discouraged wishing that I could have said or done things differently. I worried that some of the things that I had said to this sister (while the other 2 sisters were still there) were taken the wrong way. Isn't that the worst? When you want to have a positive experience with someone and it doesn't go the way you hoped it would? We're there as sister training leaders to go into their area and help them and I felt like I'd completely screwed it up and failed. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Then on Wednesday we had our zone conference which was great. President feels strongly that we as missionaries need to apply the counsel from President Uchtdorf and get back to the basics and keep things simple. Even as missionaries it's easy to make our discipleship and missionary work complicated so it was a great discussion about how we can apply that. We also discussed the role of our companionship studies, the principle of finding and helping our investigators understand the importance of partaking of the sacrament and why that ordinance is so sacred. I was feeling good after that meeting even though a part of me still felt bad about the exchange from the previous day. I felt the spirit remind me I can always improve but we're doing our best. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But that good feeling pretty much all went down the drain when we had a quick zone leadership meeting afterwards. Our zone has been struggling finding solid investigators and people who are prepared and ready to receive the gospel. My companion and I both expressed at different times that we both need to have more faith about our area. With so many sisters all over the mission our time and thoughts have been focused on them. However small it's important we follow any and ALL impressions we receive from the spirit. If that's going up for a surprise visit, doing studies with them, an extra exchange or work in their area for a few hours, whatever prompting we get we follow it even if nothing really happens or changes. So despite trying our best to help these sisters, we're failing to work in our area and strengthen the branch. It's been a difficult thing to balance, helping them in their area and help their companionship versus us in our area and in our companionship even when we're promised that the Lord will make the adjustment in our area when we put our sisters first.</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> After <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://1" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1">dinner on Wednesday night</a> we drove to Tracy to do another exchange with some of our sisters. On our drive there, two different sisters called about some concerns that had come up. We told them that we would work something out after our exchange but I texted their district leader (who we report back to) that they had called. When I got back to my area with the sister who was with me for the next day, I called him and he could tell that I was flustered over the phone and asked what was going on. I didn't go into much detail but that I felt like I wasn't doing anything right. We're trying so hard to help these sisters and I was still wishing I could have changed how the previous exchange had gone and feeling discouraged we were hardly getting to work in our area. We talked for a few minutes and he was able to say some things that helped. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The next day the sister I was with who has only been out with for a month completely broke down about the things she's been struggling with. I reached over to give her a hug and she held on for at least 10 minutes desperate for someone to talk to her and really hear her. My heart broke as she talked about how much she missed home and questioned why she had even decided to come on a mission. We spent some time talking and even listing out WHY she was on her mission and what she could be doing to help her companionship but also how she could be helping herself. I remember being where she was, feeling so new and so overwhelmed with everything we face and feeling like I didn't have a clue. I encouraged her that it does get better, we're never the picture perfect missionary and we're constantly improving and we never have it all but that initial adjustment to being a missionary does pass. We talked more as I was driving her back to her area, reviewing what we had talked about and some of the things I would follow up with her in the next few days. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Later that night after we had switched back, my companion and I were talking about the exchange and something we both thought (and maybe this is a cop out) but maybe the Lord hasn't provided us with investigators and assigned us to the YSA where not much is going on so that we can spend that time focusing on these sisters. From day one on the mission we are told over and over again that our purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the holy ghost and enduring to the end. We know that we're here for all kinds of people: the non-members, the less-actives, our companions, our families, ourselves. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But what if right now we're here to help these sisters have faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement. And help them repent, and understand the sacrament to renew baptismal covenants and feel the spirit and endure to the end. Is that allowed? To not be helping your actual area but instead the sisters we steward? It's something that's been on my mind constantly and I've struggled to find the answer. But one thing that president shared with us during zone conference was found in Alma 5:45-46. (I've been studying and reading Alma 5 throughout the transfer, all you ponderizers go read Alma 5! It is so powerful) Alma is sharing with the people the things he knows to be true and he asks them "how do ye suppose that I know of their surety? behold, I say unto you that they are made known unto me by the holy spirit of God. I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself". So even though it's been an internal conflict I've been debating whether or not if I'm doing the right thing for our area and these sisters, I know I'll get the answer I need. And I know that I'm not a perfect leader, I'm still going to make mistakes and wish that I could do things differently, but oh am I grateful for all of these learning and growing experiences that the Lord is kind enough to extend to me. During his last remarks at conference president said, "The Lord loves you too much to let you joy ride through your mission" and isn't that so true for life? He loves us too much to let us joy ride through life and not have hard, sometimes painful and uncomfortable experiences. He wants us to be prepared to meet him when that day comes and this is the time given to us to prepare. <br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So those are the thoughts from the deep well of Sister Allen. I don't have all the answers I need right now but I do know that they will come. I know that they will for all things. Maybe not in the way or in the time we want them to, but in the way we need them to. I'm so grateful for this gospel and for the atonement that helps us along the way to be become better people. </span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Thank you always for the fun emails and letters in the mail, they are appreciated more than you know. I am doing my best to write back everyone soon. I hope you all have a great week!</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Love to you all!</span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_default"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sister Allen </span></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03795799763345983922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885213362777158062.post-32362772343812155002015-10-18T20:26:00.001-06:002015-10-18T20:26:40.392-06:00Is ponderize a hashtag now?DEAR EVERYONE:<br /><br />
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I feel like all of my emails start the same way every time "happy <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1321515928" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ"><span style="color: #222222;">monday</span></span></span>" or "hello everyone" I need to be more creative but for now Happy <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1321515929" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ"><span style="color: #222222;">Monday</span></span></span> and hello everyone will just have to work!</div>
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Sister Maukeni and I had a fun week here, busy with exchanges mostly. On Mondays we attend the FHE with the YSA and we had a game night which was fun. A member, Genny took us to a corn maze as well and I bought myself a little pumpkin for my desk. A few weeks ago things were starting to cool down but then it warmed up again so it doesn't feel like fall at all. The corn maze only took us about an hour to do when it could have taken a lot longer, there was an entrance and an exit to go in and if you came out the exit instead of through the entrance again that's how you know you had done it a correct way. By the end we were all pretty hot and thirsty and happy to see a way out, we were more excited when we saw we actually left through the exit sign! Although it doesn't feel or look much like fall it was fun to go and do that and at least pretend. </div>
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On Tuesday we went and worked in some of our sisters area for a few hours. As we were starting to drive away our car started making this clunk clunk clunk sound and turns out we had a flat tire. So I got to change one for the very first time! Technically, the elders we called supervised because I didn't have the upper arm strength to do the car jack by myself, so pitiful. But I did manage to take the tire on and off by myself, and I knew to take the screws? lugs? (I'm not even sure what they're called because I know nothing about cars) you know, those things, in the star formation.The elders were quite impressed. They requested (demanded) we make them cookies for coming to help us in our time of need. We planned to go to Pep Boys that night but we ended up going the next day. While we were waiting for our car, we sat at one of the tables in front of Sonic next door. It's in a rougher part of Modesto so there are quite a few homeless people wandering around, they call them tweakers here cause they're always on drugs haha. Anyway, while we're sitting there this lady comes over to Sonic and starts rummaging through the trashcans looking for food. She was probably there for 10 minutes or so talking to herself and was pretty pleased when she found some onion rings and a half eaten cheeseburger that she took a huge bite out of as she was walking away...sick nasty. I've seen people in Sacramento digging through trash looking for bottles to exchange for money but never digging through the trash for food to eat. A few minutes later she was screaming, and I mean screaming about how bad she needed a cigarette. I wasn't quite sure what to think. Pity? Disgust? Compassion? It makes me so sad that there are so many people around the world desperate for food, desperate for shelter, but it's sad to see when people have put themselves into these conditions when they've become so addicted to drugs or alcohol and there's not a whole lot that we can do for them. Anyway, just a random story from the week, gotta love missionary life. </div>
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Wednesday we had an exchange with some of our sisters. For the most part they are doing well. Some are having a hard time adjusting to missionary life or to training new sisters but it's been fun to spend time with them. Sometimes when we feel prompted we'll just show up and see how they're doing, it gives us the opportunity to see what's really going on when we aren't around and to talk and get to know them better. I've had some sister training leaders that I was with only on the one exchange but after that never saw them again, so we try our best to go and see the sisters, work in their area and are trying to do at least 2 exchanges with each companionship. </div>
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Thursday we received several calls from Sister Palmer and district leaders about some different things that were happening that needed to be addressed, so on Friday we spent the morning and afternoon with some of the sisters doing studies with them, role-plays and helping them with some of the challenges they've been having with teaching or with their area. After spending a few hours there we drove back down to Modesto where we had the chance to talk with President and Sister Palmer. We weren't planning on it, but everyone in the office had left so it was just the four of us. It was such a relief to have that time to talk openly and express some of the frustrations we had and talk in more detail about what was really going on with some of the companionships. I told President I felt bad that i was complaining and he told me, "you're not complaining. There is a difference between complaining and being honest and giving the facts. We owe it to the Lord to speak honestly and I need to know what's really going on here." I love President. I remember other friends talking about their mission presidents with so much respect and I totally get it now, now that I've been able to get to know the both of them on a more personal level. He's very honest and says it like it is, it's nice not feeling the need to sugar-coat anything and to put everything out on the table. Sister Maukeni teased in the car the other day that we're probably the most disliked sisters in the mission, which could be true. It's not easy to be corrected by your leaders but something we have to do in a kind and tactful way and help them understand the principle behind rules or commandments that we have as missionaries. Not just do what we say but to really understand the why behind it. </div>
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The stake is huge but sadly we haven't been teaching a lot of people; we work with several less actives and have been making some good progress there. A few weeks ago the relief society president sent us an email of all the names that are in the age range to attend YSA. The list is over 167 pages...so we're working through that. A lot of them have turned out to be married or are off on missions or at school. It's kind of a little game to see who will be on the other side of the door we're knocking. Are they mormon? Are they active? Does the YSA still live there? It's funny when one of the parents will answer the door and say, sorry sisters they're off at school or sorry sisters they're on a mission as well. We've been making some progress and know that there will be more as we continue to work through it. So although we aren't teaching a lot of people now, we know that as we keep working hard and do our best to serve these sisters, the Lord will provide as He always does. We're doing all of these exchanges and going on visits for the sisters but if they don't gain or learn something while we steward them, I know I will and how much it's helped me try to be a better leader and to be more like Christ. I'm no where close to leading as He does, but I'm trying to do what I can to help these sisters and my companion. I'm so grateful for her. We've been having so much fun together and she's always so calm! Even when she's frustrated or feeling overwhelmed she manages to always stay calm and grounded, definitely something I need so I'm thankful she's helping me with that! </div>
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<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1321515930" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ"><span style="color: #222222;">Sunday</span></span></span> was a great day, it's nice to have such a quiet sacrament meeting and have that time to ponder and think about the Savior. Several of you have asked if my companion and I are doing the "ponderize" thing, we haven't really gotten into it yet just with spending time during studies focused on other material but something I'd like to spend more time when I get home! Glad that everyone is enjoying that though. We downloaded a few of the talks to my flashdrive so we listen to those in the car. I am so excited for the talks to come out to study them all.I was telling my sister, Emily that I need to start a list of the many things I've learned and loved most on my mission and reading/studying the scriptures is at the top. I was always so bad at reading and studying my scriptures but I get so excited to sit down and study each morning. So many good things to learn and apply into our lives and those we're teaching. </div>
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We have zone conference this week, which will be great, so we're looking forward to that and several exchanges and time with the sisters this week. Thanks so much everyone for your emails. It's great to hear from all of you. Hope you have a great week!</div>
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Love, </div>
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Sister Allen </div>
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Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03795799763345983922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885213362777158062.post-49331398052221517942015-09-28T13:03:00.001-06:002015-09-28T13:03:43.850-06:00Modesto: They call it meth, death and auto theftHello from Modesto!<br />
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This week has been great, a whirlwind and crazy but great. Tuesday was an adventure trying to pack all of my things and all of Sister Amos' things in our chevy cruze...by some miracle we got everything to fit and we were off to Modesto. She's serving in Oakdale with a new sister she's training, so we dropped off her things at their apartment, then moved my things into my new apartment and then took both Sister Amos and Sister Porter (who will be training 2 new spanish sisters in a nearby zone) to the office. In the Fresno and now Modesto mission they have a farewell testimony meeting that night; where the missionaries that are leaving bear their testimonies and the new missionaries and their trainers attend. Other members and investigators can attend as well. Because our apartment is a minute away from the mission office we stopped by at the end to bring a few more things to Sister Porter. With 20ish new missionaries sending everyone off in the right car with their luggage and bikes was straight madness. The assistants and senior couples were running all over the place trying to get everyone settled and on their way. The first week of the transfer is always so busy.<br />
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There are 4 sister training leaders, my companion and I cover 12 english sisters, and the other sister training leaders are covering 14 sisters so the four of us will be staying busy busy going on exchanges several times a week. They give us extra funds because we do so much traveling and hardly get to be and work in our own areas and attend several leadership meetings. Our misison president just loves the sisters and wants us to do and be all that we can to better serve these sisters. He's always telling us to act on every good impression, so even if that means driving all the way up to Galt (like an hour away) to go be there. He emphasized the importance to minister the way Christ would: not just with a text or a voicemail but to be there at their doorstep. I've been loving reading in the New Testament reading about Christ's ministry. I've found it interesting that in the 4 gospels it often mentions that a great crowd or multitude followed him. He was WITH the people, mingling and talking with them, with his perfectly collected and confident yet humble presence. He wasn't getting stressed or dashing to appointment to appointment but taking the time to be and talk with the people knowing that that what was most important. While we'll be very busy, it'll be a great opportunity to learn how to lead and serve more the way Christ would.<br />
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Alright family, my companion, Sister Maukeni is the best. We are having so much fun together. We've both expressed to one another the gratitude we have to be in this companionship. She's been a STL for almost 9 months and was really ready to be done, and I was under the impression that I would train but we both prayed before we got assigned to serve together to be blessed with companions that we would be where the Lord needed us and if it was His will to be with companions that we could have fun with while still enjoy working. Hallelujah he answered that prayer! I really loved Lodi but those transfers were difficult for different reasons but we've both said how we feel like we're gaining speed and momentum again as missionaries: being obedient and diligent, getting out there, working hard, talking with everyone and laughing along the way. I'm just a happy camper to be her companion, honestly she's great. I've found out that she spent most of her childhood years in New Zealand (so she has a stronger accent from there) but submitted her papers from Samoa, her family has moved to Australia since she's been gone and goes home in January. I think with reaching my year mark I realized I really only have 6-7 months left. And while that sounds like a lot, I know it's going to go by so quickly and I want to take advantage of every opportunity I can to be better. To love and serve more. I'm sure it sounds cheesy but I don't want to regret anything while I'm out here serving. I'm so happy to have a companion who is on the same page that I am and wants to work hard and stay focused just as much as I do.<br />
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Because we steward over 12 sisters that are all over the mission, and in order to go on exchanges with all of them twice this transfer we realized we needed to start right now. We felt like we needed to exchange with a set that live in another zone as they train on Friday. The trainer struggles with a lot of anxiety and comes from a negative background so she has a lot of challenges. She was NOT happy about her new area, new apartment or having to ride on bikes and looked for every opportunity that she could to be negative and complain. It made me so thankful that I was raised and made the decision to be positive and optimistic. Let's be happy people! Especially us as missionaries, come on. Yeah it's hard but think about the work we are doing, that alone should have us celebrating. I know we look completely ridiculous on bikes but it's fun and a great way to talk to people. I get a sweet farmer's tan, I look so dumb. My arms are tan but everything else is still pretty fair, haha what are ya gonna do? And then a lady we were talking with just stares at me and asks, "How old are you? You look like you're 17..." I'm not really sure how to react when people ask how old I am and then find out I'm 22, I just laugh and say I'm short. They tell me to embrace looking young which I guess is good haha.<br />
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The YSA branch is great! We cover the whole stake so we do a lot of driving but the branch is very small like 20 or 30 maybe, especially now that everyone has gone back to school so we do a lot of work with less actives. Sacrament meeting is silent and takes about 5 minutes but it's great to have a few minutes of quiet time to focus on the Savior and our covenants. I've discovered unless you're a girl, married or you wear a missionary tag i do not know how to talk to you. aka men. So awkward. I seriously have no idea how to start a conversation anymore. But Sister Maukeni told me she and Sister Porter felt the same way their first Sunday so it'll get better. We go to family home evening on Mondays so hopefully that'll help to so i'm not so weird talking with people my own age. Oh the joy.<br />
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The branch has activities quite frequently so it's fun getting to spend time with all of the sisters, a lot of them are returned missionaries so it's been great talking with them about their missions and the advice they give to us is the best. On Saturday night we were invited to one of the branch presidency's homes to eat pizza and watch the women's session of conference. I hope all you sisters got to watch it! If not, repent and go watch it online! The talks were incredible and it got all of us so excited for conference this weekend. And we're getting 3 new apostles, can you believe it! The elders quorum president has his own house so he offered for us and other members of the branch to come on Sunday so we'll be watching it there.<br />
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That's about all for now, I'm happy and doing well. I love it here! Happy to be apart of the Lord's work in trying to do anything and all I can to serve these sisters and those in my area. Hope you all have a great week. Enjoy conference! It'll be fun to think while listening to one speak that we're all connected during that time ❤<br />
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Love to you all,<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09413123121897286647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885213362777158062.post-6101863968520728272015-09-21T12:56:00.000-06:002015-09-28T13:01:20.311-06:00Ch-ch-ch-changes! Isn't that the name of a song or something?How is it already Monday? These weeks go by faster and faster! Anyway, hello! Can you believe that this week fall officially begins? I'm sure everyone's facebook and instagram feeds are starting to fill with pictures of pumpkins, leaves, and sweaters with lots of #sweaterweather haha. Enjoy it for us, here in Cali things are still pretty warm. Yesterday it was 100 but hopefully within the next week it will start to cool down. For my sake, pray that it does!<br />
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This week also marks my year since I entered the MTC...I blinked and a year has come and gone. I think I mentioned this to Cooper the other day, but I remember before I came out thinking to myself, "how the heck am I going to go all of 2015" but this year has gone by so quickly. Thankful that I still have a good amount of time left!<br />
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We had an okay week here. Nothing too much to report on, we felt like we needed to go on one last exchange with the sisters in Galt with all of the challenges that they've had this transfer. We've been concerned about one in particular who told my companion while they were together how unhappy she's been. Missions are not easy! But it breaks my heart when if you take away the issues or differences you have with companions, discouragement in the area and aren't content or feel peaceful with what you've been called to do and who you represent. The assistants called on Wednesday night to let us know the sisters would have quick interviews with President on Thursday at the office. On the drive back afterwards I started feeling really sick and ended up spending the rest of the night and most of Friday in bed, I guess my body had just had it. Thankfully sleeping it off did the job and I was able to go out to work the rest of the weekend. We even went out on bikes on Saturday! We also had a surprise visitor on Friday night...WHITNEY WILSON! The guy she's been dating the past few weeks served his mission in Fresno before it split so they flew out for the weekend to visit people from his mission and they stopped by for a few minutes. It was so much fun seeing her and catching up for a little. I love that girl and miss her a ton.<br />
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Sunday we got the calls about our transfers, so many changes! We've been told the past 6 weeks all of the sisters would be training but I was surprised when I found out that I won't be training, instead I'll continue as a sister training leader and am being transferred to the North Modesto zone covering the young single adult ward with another sister who has been a sister training the past few transfers. Her name is Sister Maukeni from Samoa and she has about 3 transfers left. The two of us and another companionship in a different zone are the only sister training leaders over the rest of the companionships and trios which will be between 11-13 sets...one companionship of sisters are both coming straight from the MTC without a trainer! So even though we won't be training one sister, we'll be helping out a lot with all of these new ones. I wasn't really expecting this one, but I'm very excited to be in a new area, I've wanted to serve in a YSA ward just to see what it's like so I'm sure things will be very interesting the next six weeks. Sister Amos will be training in a new area and two new sisters will be in this ward. We spent some time last night and will visit a few more families tonight, it's been so bittersweet getting to know these incredible and faithful families and having to say goodbye to the ones you've grown close to is always hard.<br />
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Okay now don't mind me rambling while I write this novel. But on Thursday when we went in for our interviews, President asked all of the sisters to ponder how we can gain more spiritual self-confidence and view ourselves more the way the Lord does, something we as sisters (and people in general) all struggle with and how he and the rest of the leadership in the mission can be helping. My thoughts immediately went to the general conference address last year "approaching the throne of god with confidence" that has some great principles we can apply into our lives to gain more spiritual confidence. But my mind has been a stream of deep thoughts on the subject over the past few days. It seemed like all of the conversations I had with people focused on just that: spiritual self confidence. Mom sent me the most incredible article written recently that my mind has kept going back to, the mantra and theme throughout the article is something I've thought about constantly: When in all of eternity will this matter? The writer has a daughter on a mission in Africa who went to get her hair trimmed but instead a huge amount was hacked off. Instead of freaking out, that was what she said, "oh well. When in all of eternity will this matter?" What wisdom. This sister has seen so much sadness on her mission with the difficulties and poverty the people face there so when you take a step back, and look at things with an eternal perspective, instead of freaking out and crying about it she's asked is my haircut really worth getting upset about?So I've had to ask myself this same question when I've found my thoughts turning inwards, worrying and nitpicking about how I look or worrying too much about myself, this is what really matters and something I need to remember when the transfer brings challenges or the sisters aren't getting along or whatever it might be...<br />
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Then in ward council the bishop brought up a similar question: how can we provide opportunities for the youth (and all of us, really) to be serving and turning outwards to others rather than focusing on ourselves? A member of the ward council made a valid point: when we think less about ourselves, the happier we become. And we find more of a true sense of self, belonging and value because we aren't focusing on our flaws, weaknesses and insecurities although we all have them; instead we are reaching out and thinking of how we can help other people. And wasn't that exactly how Jesus Christ was? Never, ever, ever was he worrying about his hair or the clothes he was wearing or what other people thought of him, heck no. He was serving others, always loving, teaching and knew exactly who he was and didn't need a single person to tell him otherwise. I'm not sure if any of these thoughts connect or make any sense at all, but to me as I've been pondering the topic of spiritual self-confidence these are the ways we (I'm speaking for the sisters and mainly for myself) can see myself/ourselves more how the lord does: keep things with that eternal perspective. Instead of getting in a huff or annoyed about the new blemish or challenges with the sisters, I need to ask myself that question: when in all of eternity will this matter? And just taking the minute to ask myself that question I'll know that most of the things I'd typically overthink and worry about won't matter. Smile and move on. Then second, to stop thinking and comparing myself to other sisters, other members instead find a way to love more and serve someone that's around me. I know that spiritual self-confidence is a journey but I know that it's something the Lord wants for each of us. To know who we really are, not to get worried and frantic about the small things that really don't matter and know who we can become.<br />
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Like I said, I'm not sure if any of these connect, or really go back to the original topic of spiritual confidence at all, just a few of my thoughts and definitely something I'll continue to ponder but with all of the changes happening here over the next six weeks, something the Lord has made clear I need to work on and remember what really matters.<br />
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Side note, a sister and I have the same CTR ring and took a picture, she's so cute. I love her.<br />
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Happy fall and have a great week!<br />
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Love,<br />
Sister Allen<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09413123121897286647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885213362777158062.post-35155673196615116702015-09-14T12:48:00.001-06:002015-09-14T12:48:16.127-06:00that one time victor got baptized<div class="gmail_default" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
Wow what a week! Victor got baptized on Saturday! It was his birthday that day as well and when we asked him what time he wanted the service he was like, what's the earliest we can do it? So cute. I attached a photo with us, our bishop who baptized him and Melissa who was the one to first invite him to seminary. Our mission president feels strongly that at a baptismal service they should be invited to bear their testimony. When Victor was interviewed by president last week he asked Victor if he'd like to do that and he was all for it. So after the talks he got up there and read his testimony. You could tell he was really nervous but that testimony really was the best part. He expressed that at an early age he had been wanting to know where he could find more purpose and peace in his life and it was later through his friends at school that were members of the church who seemed to be so much happier and peaceful. When he was invited to attend seminary, start reading scriptures and say prayers he knew that this was what he was looking for. Victor had asked us to get him a triple combination so we gave that to him on Saturday with our testimonies on the inside and he came to church with it. So stinkin' cute, I can't get over how happy and clean he looked. He was confirmed a member and given the spirit by Brother Crum who has been to a few of the lessons with us and was ordained as a priest as well! We're excited to continue meeting with on Sundays to review the lessons with him. </div>
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So that was the main thing from this week, yay for him. There have been some pretty bad fires and some of the missionaries and members had to be evacuated. Please keep them in your prayers. </div>
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After we came home from the baptism, the members we live with were cleaning out their garage and asked if we wanted to go for a ride in their 1928 ford something with a corvette engine. They're in their 80s and hysterical. </div>
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The ward had a variety show on Saturday night which was very entertaining. We have some really great members so it was fun to spend some time with them. Victor played his clarinet! </div>
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It's been ridiculously hot here...113 degrees if you can believe it. Some of the members have fall wreathes and decorations put up so I'm praying that these decorations will send some cooler fall- weather vibes our way. </div>
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There are several older brothers in the ward that treat me like a granddaughter, I die everytime talking with them. "Commheree Sister Allen!" And they'll reach for my hand and hold it the way grandpas do or reach for a hug (as I try to tell them I can't really hug them) or to pat my cheek. I went up to a one that I hadn't talked with before and he kept reaching for my hand and saying "don't you have the prettiest face? Just the prettiest face...." Thank you brother. They crack me up. </div>
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On Tuesday we attended an all sister meeting with President, his wife and the assistants. It'll sure be interesting to see how everything comes together with the sisters coming in and some of the sisters who are really struggling right now. It's going to be a good week here, not a whole lot going on but we have a few people we're working with but always on the look out for more. Thank you so so much for your love and prayers especially for his baptism. Hope everyone has a great week!</div>
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Until Monday, </div>
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Sister Allen</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09413123121897286647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885213362777158062.post-66262353864186950982015-09-07T12:48:00.000-06:002015-09-14T12:49:28.726-06:00labor day!<div class="gmail_default" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
Oh the memories of labor day weekend...the anticipation of starting school the next day; putting together the perfect first day outfit and going to the store to buy our favorite sack lunch foods (lunchables anyone?). I hope that it is a relaxing and enjoyable day for you all. I'm loving the pictures and fun updates on everyone so thank you!</div>
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It's been a good week for Sister Amos and I. Monday was such a good day, everyone sent the kindest emails, pictures, care packages. The Lord and his tender mercies are too good. I've been having a hard time these past few weeks; trying to be strong, trying to be put together but I'll be honest that it's been hard to have a companion so different than you, that struggles with her health that needs extra rest and to go at a slower pace than you'd like. It's been challenging to steward and lead over a trio that is a complete nightmare- constantly having problems with one another and knowing that as much as we try, as many exchanges that we go on, the only way they will be able to solve the problems they have is with each other. So despite the challenges, it's given me the time to self-reflect on what's really important and what matters most. I was debating a few days ago what was more important: pushing my companion so that we could go out and work despite her not feeling well and struggling to keep up OR serve her, give her the patience and love that she really needs right now and find peace that the Lord understands both of our limitations...I think it's pretty clear which is better of the two options. Yes, this is his work, and yes we are his instruments to carry out the work, but he cares about us as individuals as much as he does about the work for his other children. And he's probably exercising that same patience (if not more) with ME that I'm trying to offer her so who am I to not give that same patience and love and mercy for her as well as these other sisters? Or to at least try my best. And through all of this it's given me the opportunity to get to know my savior better; to really know him and not just know about him. To learn not only about what he did but WHO he is and his perfect example of compassion, reverence, and love for all of us and how we can try to emulate his character. So in the end it all works out and will all be okay, right?</div>
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Victor is doing awesome. We took him to a baptism on Tuesday and he loved it. We were so glad that we could take him to see what the baptism was like before his on Saturday. He had his baptismal interview with our mission president yesterday that I was pretty nervous about. But it went great! No problems at all! Victor has had the speakers and the hymns he wants to sing for his baptism picked out for a few weeks so it's safe to say he's ready and excited! Please keep him in your prayers that all will go well this week and weekend without any bumps along the way. </div>
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We have a meeting tomorrow with president for all the sisters since we will all be training in the next two weeks. We're curious to see how it will all come together but I'm really looking forward to this opportunity to be with a new sister and to learn from this experience as I learned so much during my training. </div>
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Well that's about it for now, hope that everyone has a happy and safe week.</div>
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Until next week, </div>
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Sister Allen</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09413123121897286647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885213362777158062.post-37570150746745900072015-08-31T15:34:00.001-06:002015-08-31T15:34:28.179-06:00to modesto! again and again and again<div class="gmail_default" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
Hey, it's Monday already!</div>
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Well this week has been a blur. On Monday during studies one of the assistants called and asked if I would come down and practice for a musical number we'd be having for the mission conference that Thursday. One of the sisters and I drove down to Modesto to practice an arrangement with two other elders Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd. It's our president's favorite hymn and the arrangement was beautiful. Fun to be a part of the quartet and sing a little acapella as well! :) </div>
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Then on Tuesday we went down to Modesto again for a mission leadership council, went straight back to the zone to discuss the things that we had talked about and then went straight back down to Modesto for another appointment that afternoon. </div>
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On Wednesday some of the sisters in the trio weren't feeling very well so sister amos and i went up to their area so that she could stay with them (she's also not been feeling the best these past few months) while I worked with Sister Pisa. Their district leader has called a few times concerned about the trio so it was good to have that time with her and talk about a few things and give her some time to vent (oh how we sisters need to vent sometimes...). That night we went to young women/men and were able to talk with Victor. That kid is solid! He told us about the scripture reading he's been doing in the book of mormon and asked us to get him a triple combination! There was a youth fireside on Saturday so we set a time to meet with him before. </div>
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Thursday was the misison conference with Elder Hamula and we all had such a great time. He's a pretty bold guy, just lays down the law and says it like it is. Talked with us about how the Lord desires our hearts and how we can change it which led us into a discussion of grace and how through the Lord's grace and atonement we can change and live up to the potential that we all have. After lunch we all came back and discussed the work and how we can be improving as missionaries to find, teach, baptize more. If you know me, you know that really stresses me out but it was motivating to be reminded that while we're all good missionaries we can still improve and that the work is hastening with people that are ready and prepared for the gospel. Our mission president had told us at the meeting we had on Tuesday that Elder Hamula would be selecting about 10 missionaries to talk with after the meeting to interview them and hear their thoughts on the meetings. During lunch, president came up to me and told me that I'd be one of the missionaries to talk with Elder Hamula...no big deal...just interviewing with a general authority...but it went well! Nicest guy! It was fun talking with him and telling him I was from the DC area where he served as mission president. He told me that we'd be having another mission leadership council the next day to discuss more about the work and the changes that were necessary to make. So the next day we went to Modest again (so that's FIVE trips in one week to the office) where he was pretty bold telling us we needed to put behind us these challenges and "mission drama" behind us. To stop being so focused on who we are (fresno vs sacramento missionaries) and focus more on who we represent and his work and what really matters. Hopefully with him saying that, we really can put all of these petty issues behind us and move on; we both came from great missions but that really doesn't matter anymore. </div>
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He spent some time emphasizing how we should be working with the members and in our ward council to seek out those in the ward that still need to receive saving ordinances (taking the sacrament, endowment, sealing etc). So after the meeting on Friday, during our planning sister amos and i went through our area book and made three separate lists: one for perspective elders, less actives and part member families. When we saw how large each of the lists were it was a little overwhelming to see all of those names; but gave us renewed hope that there is still a LOT of work that needs to be done in the ward. We took this to our ward mission leader and ward council who are all on board to help. So the first step is to go through all of these names and find either their visiting/home teacher or someone from the ward that they know who can introduce us or better go over with us to their home so that it isn't the typical routine of just us going to their door "hi...we're the missionaries in the ward..." which they've probably heard a million times before. We know that there will still be members and families that just really aren't interested right now but we've got the faith there are bound to be a few people that will benefit from this. So we're excited that this gives us something to work with. The young men's president feels really strongly that we need to be having more members going out with us, so we're going to try to have a sister and brother if possible take us out once or twice a week. </div>
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On Saturday we were supposed to have a lesson with Victor before a youth fireside but he was running late so we ended up waiting until after church. While we were waiting we were with his friend Melissa and she told us that while they've been talking and discussing some of the scriptures she brought up the law of chastity and homosexuality since we haven't been able to finish that up with him yet. I guess while they were talking he told her that his "tendencies" aren't the way that they used to be...so I guess the law of chastity won't be as much of an issue as we thought. The lesson on Sunday went really well, and instead of the 19th he's praying about the 12th- his birthday! Please continue to keep him in your prayers that he'll receive an answer that the 12th is the day he should be baptized. We're really excited for him and he's doing so well. It's been great to watch him get so involved with the youth, I almost feel like his parent that he doesn't want anyone to see him with because he's always with the other young men and women haha. So we're excited to see how this goes.</div>
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Anyway, sorry for the rambling. Crazy how fast the weeks are going, can't believe tomorrow marks the first day of September! Bring on the cooler weather and the rain because i'm over this California heat! :) Hope everyone has a great week! </div>
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Love to you all,</div>
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Sister Allen </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09413123121897286647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885213362777158062.post-45223613977977384102015-08-24T15:33:00.000-06:002015-08-31T15:33:45.163-06:00life is beautiful!<div class="gmail_default" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
Hello, hello!</div>
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Guess what today is? My 11 month mark! Crazy how quickly the time flies. Thanks for all of the fun emails from this week! Hearing about everyone's lives and how things are going sure makes this sister's heart happy.</div>
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so only a few things to update about. Sister Amos and I made several trips down to the mission office this week, so lots of driving (we live about 35 minutes away). I attached a picture, we really LOVE traffic.</div>
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We had our first exchange on Wednesday. We steward a trio that serve in Galt in our zone that isn't doing too well. Combining missionaries from two different missions has been far more challenging than we all anticipated. Sister Pisa has been serving in Galt for almost 6 months now and is companions with two sisters that were from the Fresno mission. Both sisters only have 2 transfers left so it's been a challenge for Sister Pisa being out only 9 months but leading the area and being companions with not just one but two sisters from a different mission that have a very different way of working. She's not the best at communicating with companions and opening up or discussing issues so it's been hard for all of them to try and work with the spirit when they won't talk to each other. So Sister Pisa decided that she wanted to talk with our mission president, her district leader (also from Fresno who has a very dominating personality and passion for the work) didn't want her to go but she asked us to take her anyway. So while Sister Amos and I took Sister Pisa down to Modesto the other two sisters felt that they needed to talk with their district leader about some things, we still don't know what happened with that. But they seem to be doing better! </div>
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Victor couldn't find a ride to church so he wasn't able to come yesterday but we were in opening exercises for young women when Melissa, Victor's friend that introduced us tells everyone, "and Victor's baptism is on the 19th! So everyone be there!" We didn't even know he'd picked a date! So looks like Victor's getting baptized in less than a month. We've still got quite a bit to teach him but Melissa told us that he knows the church's standing about gay marriage which she said he's okay with. Please keep him in your prayers that we can meet with him this weekend to keep teaching him before then. </div>
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While we were in young women's the lesson was on dating. The teacher asked if they'd all plan a group date by Christmas. One girl who's extremely shy says, "No! I can't do that! That doesn't give me enough time!" Haha definitely one of my favorite lines from the week. Then the other day we were at a member's house and their 4 year old was coloring a letter "o" page and he came over to show me. He says "hey sister, look at my o page!" and I said "you're using an orange crayon. What letter does that start with?" And this kid is stylin, like I didn't know 4 year olds could look so stylish but he sure does with his cool hair and his little outfits. So he just looks at me, raises an eyebrow and says looking at the page then looking at his orange crayon and just says "oh...you know." Oh man I about died, those little personalities slay me.</div>
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We helped a sister out in her yard this weekend, one that I've grown especially close to. She's only been a member for about 2 years but you'd never guess, it's like she's been a member her whole life. She has a really unhappy marriage but they're both older so he doesn't really have anywhere to go. While we were weeding together she reminded us how important it is to find a good spouse to take us to the temple ya da ya da. And even though she won't be sealed in this life she looks forward to being sealed in the next life, which none of us really know how that will work. So she just says, in the mean time there are flowers to plant; fruit to pick; books to read; clothes to sew and people to see. And I though to myself I need to be more like Bonnie. She could choose to be unhappy and grumpy about life and her circumstances, making everyone around her unhappy as well; but instead she chooses to be positive and finds the beauty in life. I know that missionary life is very different than regular life and while it can be monotonous there's really so much beauty and simplicity to find in everyday. I wish I could punch Satan in the face-especially last week, but when you focus on finding the beauty around you and engulf yourselves in the gospel and service of others it's amazing to see how much richer and happier life is. </div>
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So anyway, just dipping into my deep well of thoughts. Looking forward to this week and what the Lord has in store. Hope everyone has a good one as well!</div>
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All my love, </div>
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Sister Allen </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09413123121897286647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5885213362777158062.post-15292778069585284542015-08-17T15:29:00.000-06:002015-08-31T15:32:19.407-06:00and so another week begins<div class="gmail_default" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 1; word-spacing: 0px;">
And so another week begins. I swear the weeks and transfers go by faster and faster. I can't believe it's been almost 11 months. Make it stop! </div>
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It was hard saying goodbye to Sister Wilson and the members were sad to see her go. Sister Amos and I had a good week though! On the real, it's been super hot but we're managing! She has a brown belt in tae kwno do so while she's out there on the lawn doing her thing for exercise I get to run around the member's lawn. I've never been happier. Shout out to my main lady Sister Kandare for helping me appreciate running in the mornings. Tuesday night we had a great lesson with a part member family. The dad isn't a member but the mom and her two teenage daughters are very active. Funny story; the sister is from Argentina but she actually served her mission in the DC south mission and the springfield ward was her first area! I rambled off a few names of the members that have lived there for a long time and she remembered some! The dinner went well, that was probably the first time that I'd had dinner with a part member family that the non-member actually stayed with us for the meal AND the lesson. I'm so used to this awkward tension where the non member is there but isn't too thrilled that the missionaries are there. He came to our ward camp out this weekend and he ward is well aware of this brother, we all know (and he knows too) that'll get baptized at some point when he's ready. But such a great guy and family man. </div>
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Hayle came back from a rehab center that helps with depression and she was so much happier, amazing the difference. Just really hoping that it'll stick. One of our recent converts, Jim, has a wife, Evita that had a similar experience as Hayle. Joined as the only member in her family as a teenager, didn't come for several years but when she came back to church found out how much joy and happiness is found in living and loving the gospel. Evita was recently called to be the miamaid advisor in young women's, perfect since Hayle is 14 so we're trying to find a way to get Hayle over to Evita's home and to open up and trust her. She's very closed off to adults, especially the leaders in the ward. </div>
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I'm not sure if I wrote much the other week about the woman Katrina that came into the church about two weeks ago. She works for pep boys where we get our cars serviced and I guess a few months ago, sisters were talking to her about our purpose in life, eternal families etc. Her 18 year old daughter had just died and was feeling so angry at god and had so many questions about life and death. So about two weeks ago she went to the church, thankfully one of the clerks was there and he called us with her information. We met with her on tuesday at church where she just sobbed and sobbed. I've never taught someone who just sobbed for like 45 minutes. We were able to share more with her from the bible and book of mormon about life and what happens when we die. She's interested in learning more but doesn't have the best work schedule. So we're hoping to find a time to continue meeting with her this week. </div>
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We had a ward camp out on Friday night that Victor came to. I made a s'more and it was the best thing on this planet. A member gave us all a ride and the second he got there he ditched us to go hang out with the other teenagers, perfect. Haha so glad that he's feeling comfortable and at home. We were all ready to teach the rest of plan of salvation and discuss the law of chastity with him but he didn't show up to church yesterday. Not sure why but hoping to get in touch with him today. </div>
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All in all, it's been a good week. Looking forward to starting exchanges this week with the other sisters and staying happy and busy. Thanks for the fun emails and pictures from everyone and keeping me posted! </div>
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Hope you all have a safe and happy week!</div>
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Love to you all, </div>
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Sister Allen </div>
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