Didn't I just talk to you

Dear Family,

Sorry for the delay.  It has just been a crazy day and I think this is the first time I've sat down except for a super interrupted personal study and travel time.  Sister Hopkins is getting transferred and so we have spent all of today getting ready.  We have barely enough time to squeeze in email.  I just want to take a few moments and say I am a true allred woman.  I packed all of sister Hopkins things by myself in less then 2 hours.  It is impressive.  I wish you could really understand.  Sister Hopkins and heath tried to help but I was just going so fast that it was better that they got out of the way.  Yeah me.  Its a good thing I'm on a mission because I have found that packing is a huge stress reliever. 

So I just loved talking to you all on Sunday.  It was so much fun.  President told us that this time around he actually did want us o only call our mothers house hold and to keep it in the time allotment the handbook say.  I was kind of bummed about that but I was so happy to talk to everyone.  Embarrassing moment-  I cried in Relief society on Sunday.  They were talking about the woman in the ward ad everything that they do for others.  I felt like I needed to that the sisters for everything that they have done for the sister missionaries, because I do feel like we have received a lot of nurturing from them especially sister Lessie.  Anyway I think because I was thinking a lot about home that day and mom, I just started crying in the middle of what I was saying.  Oh well- maybe that will score us some sympathy votes and we will get some referrals.

Monday was a pretty crazy day.  When I practically collapsed on the kitchen table during breakfast because I was so tired    Brother Lessie reminded me that It had been a pretty emotional last few days with phone calls home and transfer calls.  Not to mention we have pretty much not had a real p-day for the past 3 weeks, so my body was just exhausted.  I could feel it hard core.  But the joy of missionary work- even when you are completely drained you get to keep on working!  Anyway we all three were just dragging ourselves all day and then we had a lesson with a recent convert.  The 10 year old boy asked us why the church made us work all day everyday.  We talked about how we only had a small amount of time on our missions and we need to use it wisely.  But then as I was talking I remembered who tired I was that morning and how I had made it all day and it had actually been a great day.  I know without a doubt that the Lord was carrying me through yesterday.  I was absolutely wiped and things kept coming and we made it through.  I am so grateful for the lord for all of the support that he gives us.  It makes me think of that bible scripture where Christ says that the reason the man was sick was so show the power of the Lord.  I think the reason we keep on going is to show us the strength of the Lord.

Oh also on last night we had a lesson with the recent converts from Iran.  They are getting better with their English but we still need a translator for like everything.  I love teaching them because the spirit is so strong with them.  Also the the translator likes how I teach and after almost every sentence he says, "Wow.  You explained that beautifully."  Well that's always nice. 

OKay I have to go, and I can't think of anything else to write about.  I love you so much.  I am so grateful to have such an amazing family.  Liz what are you going to name the baby?

Sister Allred

Mother's Day is Coming!!!

Dear Family,

 

So this week has just been an adventure- like always.  I'm still feeling very split, Like I'm not really giving either wards enough attention but its not as bad as it was last week.  I feel like things have calmed down a bunch and we're getting into the grove of things.  I know that Heavenly Father is blessing us hard core and I am so grateful for that.  So I'm not sure if you could tell from my last email but I was a little bit stressed out last week.  I was pretty exhausted mentally.  Long story short- P-day was not as rejuvenating as I usually need it to be and I was nervous about the rest of the week. 

 

Well Wednesday morning and we were driving up to La Costa our car started acting really weird and making noises that it should not be making.   We started to get really worried because its a mission car and we don't want to ruin it.  The mission office told us to take it the the car dealership to get it looked at.  We spent all day at probably the nicest car dealerships I have ever been to.  At first both sister Heath and I were really stressed because our car was broken and we were spending a whole day out of both of our areas!  But about 3 hours into it rigth around the time the nice old man came and gave us warm chocolate chip cookies I had the thought that the Lord knew how stressed out we were and how were were trying, and he was giving us some time to relax.  I was so grateful.  I had to hold onto that thought however when the guys came back and told us that there was absolutely nothing wrong with the car and we couldn't hear the noise anymore.  We were not making the noise up!  I swear!  Sure I felt a little stupid- so we decided not to tell anyone.  I feel like it was a good solution.  Then that day we went on exchanges.  I went to Carlsbad and really enjoyed my time there.  We meant with some old less active ladies and I just loved them. 

 

We had dinner on Sunday with the Alikahni family.  I'm not sure if you remember them (or if I'm spelling there name right)  but they were the first people that I ever set a baptismal date with, and then we like never met with them again.  Well the La Costa missionaries are still working with them and we got to have dinner with them and some members on Sunday.  It was really interesting seeing the difference in them.  They have not been actively taught for a while, but the husband who has been trying a little harder seems lighter and happier.  The wife who was never really interested seems exactly the same.  I really enjoyed my time with them and if everything goes well we will start teaching them on a regular basis again.  Of course I have no idea what is going to be happening at transfers next week.  We have been talking a little bit to president and the more we talk the more we have absolutely no idea what is going to be happening.  I don't even think he is going to end up happening. 

 

We haven't been teaching a ton which is not all that great but we have been trying. We have been working hard at finding and I think things are going to pick up.  I we have a bunch of potentials that we have been working on we are going to start teaching soon.  I really do believe that missionaries are meant to teach.  We get to have the spirit with us all the time but I can notice a difference when I spend a whole day teaching as opposed to a whole day going and checking on people but not really getting anywhere.  It just feels so much better. 

 

We got to go the temple today and that was amazing!  It was probably one of my favorite times being at the temple ever. I went to the temple with a purpose this time.  I had somethings that I wanted to learn and I didn't find all of my answers but I found what I needed.  I am so grateful to be able to go and learn and feel the spirit so strongly. 

 

Well I love you!  I'm so excited to talk to everyone on Sunday!  Yeah!

 

Love Sister Allred

2 companions--2 wards. It's an adventure

Dear Family,

 

I'm tired.   That about sums it up.  I'm just tired and last week seems like an eternity ago.  So Wednesday was our first day being a trio.  We got to the apt at 8pm and helped sister hopkins finish packing and cleaning up a little bit.  Then we went to district meeting in La Costa.  At district meeting sister Heath asked for a blessing because she wasn't feeling very good.  She actually was feeling terrible and when we went back to Del Mar for lunch she crashed and literally could not get up until 6am the next morning.   We really think the blessing helped because normally she can't sleep when she is sick but sleep was absolutely what she needed.  Luckily we were in a trio because sister Hopkins and I went out to work while sister Lessie stayed with Sister Heath.  She is doing much better now.  Thank goodness.

 

It has been a bit of a struggle trying to adjust to being in a trio: especially covering 2 wards at opposite ends of the stake.  We have really been trying to give equal amount of attention to both wards and go out on splits as much as possible.  I've thought a lot about trios this week.  I think there is a reason that the Lord ordained his servants to go out 2 by 2.  It is more natural and it just feels better.  This week I have been able to work alone with both of my companions individually and as a trio.  It doesn't matter which sister I'm with it feels better as 2.  Oh well.  We are doing good.  Its still an adjustment but we are trying to make it work as smoothly as possible and I think that we are doing a pretty good job. 

 

So this week we have had a lot of interesting lessons.  We had a lesson with an investigator who knows its true but wont commit.  She has a lot of reasons why she wont commit but she also talked about who she knows of a member in our ward who is a total hypocrite and is not doing thing that he is supposed to.  I don't know all of the details nor do I want to, but I was heartbroken to hear it.  I didn't really know what to say about it.  I frankly agreed with her on some of her points.  I've been praying about what to say when something like that comes up again. 

 

We also taught a Law of Chastity lesson to a 40 year old man.  It started out as one of the most awkward lessons ever!  Reason being:  we were already a little nervous to teach law of chastity (knowing that with this particular person we had to be very clear) to a 40 year old man.  Then his mother sat in on the lesson, and then to make matters worse right as we started his mothers cousin got there and she sat down on the lesson.  It started out so awkward and luckily about 5 minutes into the lesson both mother and cousin quietly excused themselves from the room.  After that it actually was a really nice lesson where we felt the spirit.  It was great. 

 

Oh and heart break of the week.  We had a couple lessons set up with investigators and potential investigators that we were really really excited about.  They all fell threw.  It was really sad.  Our teaching pool is dwindling.  But that's okay we are still going out and plugging along. And when this happens we really are able to focus on the miracles and how the Lord is blessing you.  We had a non member come to the "empty Nester's" FHE last night.  He is so sweet and it was a bit of a miracle that he came.  Yeah!

 

Sunday was a really nice experience.  I went with sister Hopkins down to La Costa for church.  I really didn't expect a lot of people to remember me- but actually quite a few did.  Also because it was 5th Sunday- 3rd hour was devoted to missionary work.  That morning in personal study sister hopkins said, "Oh and by the way sister Allred- we have to give 7 minute talks on Member missionary work."  Thanks for the heads up sister Hopkins.  Honestly it wasn't a big deal but it was a really weird experience standing in front of my old ward. I felt a lot of love for these people.  It was so good to be back with them.  It made me really happy yesterday because a woman from La Costa was telling to me about what the bishop had said.   He said that he loved seeing the change in me from being a completely new missionary to now.  He was happy with the growth.  It just made me feel so good.  I really appreciated hearing that from the bishop. 

 

It has been an absolutely exhausting week.  Lots of ups and lots of downs.  I'm grateful for the blessings.  I loved hearing from you and I'm so sorry to hear about the cars.  That stinks!

 

Oh I'm probably not going to be able to write a letter this week.  We have to clean the La Costa Apartment.  Okay so this is where I'm really not Christlike.  I DON'T EVEN LIVE IN THAT APARTMENT!!  I don't particularly want to clean it if I don't even live in it, and we are probably missing district activity because of it.  Ugh!!  Okay- now I have to focus on blessings and miracles again.  Blessings- lots of blessings. 

 

I love you so much. 

 

Sister Allred

Another week in Del Mar (With Pictures!)

Dear Family,

 

It was great to hear from you!  This has been such a crazy week, I don't even know where to start.  Exchanges were pretty intense.  After the stink we made we were put with some sisters that needed help in a specific area.  The leaders made it very clear that they wanted us to go and help them.  I tried my hardest, but I don't think I actually made a lasting change.  The sister that I was put with is a really good sister. She has so many skills. We did get to the area and do some really good work so that was nice.  I was exhausted by the end of the exchange.  Both sister Heath and I were thrilled to be back together and maybe a little slap happy.  I will say I had probably one of the most unsatisfying meals every on the exchange. I was starving by dinner because I hadn't eaten at lunch because I was so nervous.  Anyway for dinner we had luke warm mac and cheese, cold corn cold asparagus and some old slices of pineapple.  There wasn't even enough to fill up on.  Oh well, I still had fun. 

 

We had a really great lesson with one of our investigators.  She is historically really hard to reach and is well on her way to becoming an eternigator.  Well we had a spiritual inventory to really help her figure out exactly what she was looking for and how her relationship with god was.  It was so good.  She even said that she felt like she made some progress.  On the other hand I might be counting my chickens before they hatch because she rescheduled the appt we had set for yesterday.  Either way one of the things I love the most about being on a mission is feeling the spirit so strongly.  I love bearing my testimony and knowing that the things I am saying are true.  It makes everything so worth while. 

 

We found 2 new investigators this week.  Last Tuesday one of the elders started talking to this woman about the church.  She was really interested and actually liked the fact that we don't allow just anyone into the temple.  She said that she doesn't allow riffraff into her house so why would God want riffraff in his house.  Anyway, we got involved in the conversation and after about an hour of talking we found ourselves standing outside the library holding hands (per her request) saying a pray to help strengthen her.  From the outside and inside perspective it looked super weird.  We are excited to teach her and a little nervous.  She scares me a little.

 

Our second investigator is this guy named Rob.  He is someone that sister Heath contacted and gave the Book of Mormon before I got here and we have been trying to follow up for a while now.  Anyway on Sunday we stopped by and he was home.  He invited us in to play some cards with his friends.  When he told me it was uno I said yes immediately.  We came in and played Uno, and as I was sitting I was mentally reviewing the white handbook.  I'm pretty sure we weren't breaking any rules...pretty sure.  Well we played a round of uno and I won!  As my reward we sat and talked about the church for a little while. He is pretty honest that he doesn't have a strong belief in God but he is willing to learn more.  I like this guy.  Again from an outsiders perspective it might look a little weird for us to be sitting at a table with 3 middle aged people alcohol in abundance playing uno.  The things I do to get investigators.

 

I feel like this week I have really embarrassed my uncoolness.  Lets be honest it has always been with me but it has really shown this week.  For example, this week an elder in my district gave everyone mini preach my gospels.  I freaked out I thought it was so cool.  Sure everyone else freaked out but still it made me realize how weird missionaries actually are.  Then on Saturday we ran out of the house in our pajamas to help sister Lessie unload her car.  Both sister Heath and I stepped on Snails in our bare feet.  It was SO gross!  Of course it would happen to us.  The weird things always happen to us. On Sunday we went to check on a less active and her daughter answered the door.  We had a great conversation and then the daughter pulled out the snake.  I hate snakes but I sucked it up and held it.  After giving is back I then started talking about why I hate snakes.  Yeah I definitely lost some cool points with that little freak out.  But seriously!  Snakes are awful.  And then to rap it all up, I was telling sister Heath about the time I was afraid I would have to stage kiss Matt Decaro in peter Pan.  In response Sister heath told me any guy would be lucky to have me.  I'm gorgeous and so that makes up for my dorkiness. Thanks sister Heath.  That is super sweet. 

 

Okay so the big news is that I am going into a trio tomorrow.  Our Visa sister finally got a her visa so we will be working in La costa and delmar for the rest of the transfer. 

Sorry I ran out of time and had to send the email before the computer shut off.  Yeah I am going back to La costa and I am so excited about that.  That was my greenie area and I loved it there.  Although I'm a little nervous about being in a trio.  I think I'm just scared of the unknown and I love sister heath and don't really want to share her for another 3 weeks.  Oh well.  I guess I'll suck it up again and I'm sure that it will be great. 

 

Anyway I need to go, but I love you all so much.  I miss everyone and I'm so glad to hear that you are all doing well. 

 

Love Sister Allred

 

New Companion in the trio!

She looks pretty scared!

 

Meetings and the Spirit

Dear Family,

 

Okay!  I have been having such a head ache with these computers!  I do not like them one bit!  And the elder next to me wont stop talking to me!  Anyway, It was great to hear from everyone.  I wish that I could have been there at the wedding and now that Liz and mark are home.  The pictures were beautiful. 

 

It has been a really different missionary week.  Wednesday and Thursday we went to an all day leadership training.  Only about half the sisters got to go to the training.  Lesson learned- squeaky wheel gets the oil because both sister Heath and I got to go.  It was great because I got to see both Sister Christensen and sister Gittins.  It was so much fun and exhausting!  I learned so many cool things.  I love president Cook and its just amazing to sit and listen to him talk.  The practices were amazing.  We focused in asking inspired questions and really using the scriptures.  I am realizing that all to often I just read a scripture at the people I'm teaching and then I go on with my preaching.  I'm focusing on actually helping the people I teach have a spiritual experience and teach themselves through the questions that I ask. 

 

Thursday, President lead a discussion on how we can help improve sister exchanges. It was really really tense, because I realized that everyone is having a problem with sister exchanges.  As soon as the sisters were able to voice their opinions we voiced them, loudly.  It was nice to know that I was not the only one having problems and that President actually wanted to fix the process.  Again, the squeaky wheel gets the oil.  Only in the mission president expects those squeaky wheels to then go out and help the other wheels that maybe are not as squeaky.  We are going on exchanges tomorrow and another one next week.  We have to go out and teach how an exchange is supposed to go.  Pray for me. 

 

Then on Saturday we got another amazing experience! Elder Nelson came to our mission and all of the missionaries got to shake his hand (They are very soft hands) and then listen to him speak to us.  It was amazing.  I felt like I heard a lot of really good things.  Things to help me personally and as a missionary.  The best thing was the feeling in the meeting.  I just felt peaceful.  I felt so good and I know that I was experiencing the peace that I promise people so often that they can have.  It was amazing.  Especially when he blessed us, with health and with wisdom.  He also blessed our families and I know that so many missionaries needed to hear that. 

 

Besides the meeting we have been having a crazy week.  We are trying to find people to teach and the people that we did have weren't even meeting with us and so we dropped them.  It seems  a little like 2 steps back but I still think it was the right thing to do.  We have had a lot of really MEAN contacts.  Many Russian people have said rude things and one started yelling in sister heath face that he does not speak English.  I think if that happens again she might start yelling back.  Along with the really mean contacts we have had some really great conversations.  We have been able to testify of Jesus Christ and that always feels good.  We have been able to offer words of comfort and that has been what has kept us going. 

 

Okay I'm running out of time.  I hate these computers!  I love you so much.  I can't wait to hear from you next week.

 

Sister allred

Transfers can be sad days!

Hello Del Mar. I'm Back!

Dear Family,

Well apparently you already know where I am now.  I was a little surprised but honestly I should have known better to think that you would sit quietly waiting for me to tell you where I was.  Silly me.

Well I'm in the Del Mar B ward in the Del Mar zone.  I served in Del Mar before when I was in La Costa.  It is actually great to be back.  I love it. We are a lot closer to the ocean which is pretty cool.  We share the ward with the zone leaders and they have the actual ocean side but we get to go there when we visit some of the single sisters in the ward.  We have Rancho Santa Fe in our part.  Rancho Santa Fe is fancy.  Super super fancy.  Its a pretty affluent area with a lot of interesting people in our ward.  We have ex vogue model, many millionaires and Millionaires who write books about being millionaires.  The lady who drove us home from transfer meeting was a back up singer for gladice knight and dated elder bednar when she was in high school.  You know- the norm.  (Actually this lady has a single son in Baltimore and Deborah- I think you two should meet.  Just sayin') 

We live with members.  They are wonderful.  They have two cats that Sister Heath hates but I love.  They love me two, but I think its getting a little ridiculous.  I was going to the bathroom this morning and one of the cats opened the bathroom door and started begging for some attention.  Is it too much to ask for a little privacy? 

I think I'm going to really like it here.  I know that I was pretty upset about being transferred but once the transfer actually happened it was kind of like- well of course I'm supposed to be in Del Mar.  Where else would I be?  Del Mar is different from the humble Vista.  Member work is key.  Sister Heath and I have been doing a lot of contacting and I am remembering that people can actually be pretty rude!  I think I have pulled out some of my best contacting skills and its been rough.  but  on the other had there are some really great people to.  We knocked on the  wrong door at 8:30 last night and this guy answered.  He is Agnostic and was not interested, but after talking to him for a while he told us to hold on for a sec and he went to go see if he had any brownies for us.  They weren't out of the oven yet, but it was definitely the thought that counts. 

We do have a few investigators, but they are always so busy.  I think that is one of the devils biggest snares for people in Del Mar- they are really good people, they are just so busy.  We also picked up two new investigators this week.  They are really sweet.  Lucy and Garro- I'm just a little nervous that Garro is never going to stop talking long enough for us to teach him the gospel.  Our first lesson we tried to leave and I ask if we could say a pray- Garro started talking about I don't know what and 10 minutes later his wife finally had to interrupt him and say, "I think she wanted to pray!"  It was pretty funny.  I'm excited to be here in Del Mar.  Sister Heath and I have already had some crazy experiences.  We had a 25 minutes long conversation with a man who only spoke Russian. Each time we tried to say goodbye he kept talking and I think trying to read Sister Heaths palm.  Not sure- He spoke Russian.  Also when we tried to get this guy we found on the street to come with us so he could translate.  When we were trying to set up a time he asked sister heath out instead.  It was a little awkward and I think we lost our translator.  That's what happens when you  have a beautiful companion. 

It's been a crazy week.  I'll write you a letter.  I love you!

Sister Allred

Emotional Roller Coaster

Dear Family,

I can't promise any other letters this week because...  I'm getting transferred.  This is crazy.  All transfer long everyone said that no one was getting transferred.  Sister Cook said it was going to be so small that they would have it in their living room.  LIES!  At least for the sisters there are at least 4 companionships getting transferred.  4 out of 8.  That is not small in my book, and I'm pretty nervous.  It has taken me 3 days to be able to say that I really do believe this is the will of the Lord and that I am supposed to be transferred.  I literally have no idea where I might be going.  I am going to miss Vista and Sister Christensen so much.  Saturday night when we found out I was getting transferred we were just laying in our beds and she told me I was her different friend.  She has never had a friend like me and we need to be friends forever.  I absolutely agree. Anyway, I'm pretty much all packed but I just don't know what today is going to be like.  Oh my goodness!

I barley even remember last Tuesday.  I'm pretty sure it was good.  We have been working a lot with Jeremy.  He got baptised Yesterday and it was a beautiful baptism although super stressful! 

Oh but before I talk about that!  We got 105 contacts this week!  Actually this has been an awesome week!  Wednesday we made the commitment to get 2 contacts an hour.  It was a huge mind game because we made a goal of 10 contacts a day.  but the commitment for 2 contacts an hour and the weekly hope for 101 contacts.  Our math was screwy but it helped and we got 105 contacts.  Also we had a lot of really good conversations and meaningful contacts.  We were walking up to one woman and sister Christensen said, "Say Obama in this contact."  She didn't think I would do it, and I didn't think I would do it.  But then when I introduced my self I said, "We are from the D.C. area.  You know where president obama is, and we are out here serving our mission teaching about Jesus Christ and..."  I was super proud of myself and we had a really good conversation after that.  Sister Christensen had to walk ahead a little bit because she was laughing.  Yeah me!  Oh this was last week but we talked to a neighbor of a less active that we work with.  He was really nice and said he was moving but would look up the church when he settled down in his new place.  Then we went to our lesson and they said he was their best neighbor.  Three of his rooms he is growing a TON of pot.  and as a house warming gift he gave them a bag of his best pot.  This was one of the best neighborhoods in our area!  It was so funny. 

Also on Wednesday we were invited to a special goodbye lunch a member was throwing for Elder Free.  He serves with me in the YSA ward, the only reason we were invited was because the wife was nervous being in a room full of men.  Nothing says danger like a husband and a room full of missionaries.  Anyway the lunch was adorable!  The brother was so sweet and just loved Elder Free.  It was a little weird.  He had each of the missionaries take turns blessing the food, and when he was saying goodbye to Elder Free he broke into spontaneous prayer. It was Hilarious when we all figured out what he was doing and quickly bowed our heads and folded our arms.  It was SO CUTE! 

Friday we had a visa sister follow us around while her trainer went to a meeting.  That is when we heard that one sister was getting transferred and the fear that I might get transferred started.  The Visa sister is supposed to go to Portugal but is waiting for her visa.  She had only been out about 2 days and so we decided to throw her into the lions den and do some contacting in a highly populated center.  I was actually impressed with her.  She did a super good job. 

Saturday was Conference.  I think Saturday was the best day because I could really focus on the talks.  Jeremy had his baptismal interview and he passed!  We sat outside the room like nervous mamas wondering what was going on.  I was so happy when they said he passed. 

Saturday we got the call that I was being transferred.  It was a serious blindside because I really didn't think it would happen.  There were a lot of tears that night and even more on Sunday.  I know that Conference helped me out a ton and I am grateful for the thoughts and promptings that I had during the sessions.  One of the Elders told me transfers were cool because you knew that you were exactly where the Lord wanted you to be.  That thought also helped.  Sunday We had my last lesson with the mieures and I started pretty much sobbing when I was baring my testimony.  I didn't really expect that.  Mike said he thought I would get transferred because sister Christensen and I were getting too comfortable together.  Fine!  Take away my joy!

Monday was a super crazy and full day.  We had a ton of lessons that I wish I had time to tell you about and some pretty funny contacts.  Then we had the baptism.  4 people got baptized that night.  The YSA elders had someone and then the Fallbrook elders had 2 sisters getting baptized into our ward as well.  It was hug! and really good.  Only one of the sisters couldn't get off of work on time so we went ahead with Mateo and Jeremy's baptism and then waited until about 9:45 to baptise the sisters.  We didn't get home until 10:50.  It was insane.  I got to say goodbye to a lot of people in the YSA ward.  Including a girl that I have been working with for a while.  I absolutely love her.  She is so amazing and I was grateful to get to know her. 

Okay I think that is it for today.  I love you and miss you!

Love Sister Allred