Another Great Week

Dear Family,

I LOVED all of your emails this week.  Love love love them.  It has been a pretty interesting week.  A lot of our appointments fell threw and sister Bean was super sick, so it was really different, but it was still an awesome week.  My favorite part by far was getting my package from Eve and the boys. 

We had transfers on Tuesday and all of the companionships in our district had to go except for us.  We knew that I would be staying with Sister Bean because the new training program is a 12 week program.  It is almost guaranteed that next transfer one of us will get transferred. I choose not to think about that.  Anyway, Tuesday night we called out district leader to see who was in our new district, which was awesome because Sister bean knew a couple of the Elders and that was really fun.  True I didn't know them myself, but that didn't really matter.  It was still super cool.  Okay back on topic, Elder Haderly our district leader told us we both had mail and I had a package.  I basically could think of nothing else for the the rest of the night, because I had to wait until the next morning's district meeting to get it.  I was so excited to get a package from Eve, and all of the letters.  It was so much fun.  Honestly it just made my day. 

It was also super cool because a couple weeks before I had requested a copy of my patriarchal blessing. I haven't been able to find it for a couple months now and the thought kept coming back to me to get it.  Then during conference I just kept thinking about my blessing.  So I finally asked President how to get it and requested a copy.  I was so amazed at how much it talked about missionary work and I had never even noticed it.  It talked about how I would bring the saving ordinances to many and through my example many would accept the gospel of Christ and others would be strengthened.  I felt a little silly reading it and wondering how in the world I ever thought I wasn't supposed to go on a mission. 

Today has already been a really fun day.  Last night we got a call from the assistance and they told us we were invited to come to a zone leader council, (usually sisters don't go to those, you know, cause we are not zone leaders) we are kind of excited about it.  Today we had to go to Target for our shopping needs and we just thought, "Well why not look at the clothes."  There were rows and rows of 75% off clearance items and it was a lot of fun looking at the clothes.  I got a sweater and a $5 shirt which was awesome.  It makes me laugh because, it was just something different which is fun every now and then. 

It's been a good week and  we are excited for the next week.  I love hearing from everyone and I'll talk to you later. 

Sister Allred

Ps I've attached some pictures.  There is my first district and the zone leaders in front, then the journal Liz made me and then all of the cool stuff in the package eve sent me

**Note from Deborah: For some reason Tressa put the pictures in a word document and I am still trying to figure out how to get them formated to beable to post on the blog. They are coming!

It's been a crazy week

Dear Family,

 

It has been an awesome week!  We have continued to work and I'm seeing a lot of progress happening in out area.  We have been getting a couple of referrals from members which is exciting and we also had a woman come up to us on Sunday and say that she wanted to get baptized, Her mom is already a member and both want us to start teaching their family.  She has some mental handicaps and so we need to talk to the bishop to proceed further but it is really exciting and shocking. 

 

We have also been working hard with the less actives and a lot express tons of desire to come back to church and start making changes in their life.  Sunday we had a less active walk into the church building, just because she wanted to come and pray.  No one had seen her for a couple years and she was so friendly.  It was a good day on Sunday. 

 

Saturday we went over to the Peck family.  They are getting sealed tomorrow and we just wanted to check up on them. Another interesting thing I learned about in this ward is we have a real author.  Rachel you should check out "Paranormalcy"  by kiersten White.  She was out of town yesterday because she was in Denver doing a book signing. 

 

We also had some specific council from the president this week which was awesome.  We have a less active who wants to come back but has studied the word of wisdom and doesn't think green tea is bad.  She said it was confirmed by her bishop and so we were a little confused.  We sent a text message explaining the situation to president cook and then went to our dinner appointment.  When we got out we had a reply text that said, "The bishop is wrong!"  and then a voicemail saying we have official statements explaining that hot drinks means tea and coffee.  Green tea comes from a tea plant.  It says on the package.  "Sure there may be good things about it but there are bad things about it to!  What is bad about green tea?  Well, the Lord says don't drink it.  so it just comes down to whether or not you sustain the living prophet today!"  We could hear on the message that president cook was laughing and himself and we were laughing to because we just thought, "really?  that is what we are supposed to tell our less active who is planning on going to japan to study the tea ceremony!"  Oh missionary work is awesome.  But really that is what it comes down to .  We may not have a good reason for why we do things but it all come down to faith, and putting our trust in the Lord. 

 

That is really all I can think about this week.  I live you all and am glad to hear you are doing good.  I'll send you another letter today.

 

Love Sister Allred

This was a Great Week

Dear Family,

 

I had a really good week, but once again I'm not exactly sure how it got to be Tuesday again. I'm also really excited about this week because we already have a ton of set appointments that we have been trying to set up for a while!

 

So some of the highlights--  I got a letter from Nicole (Aidan's new nanny) this week which was so exciting!   She said everything was going well and gave me some exciting news about the family.  It was great and absolutely a highlight but it did make me really miss home this week.  It was really interesting because even though I really miss Aidan, i felt comfortable in thinking "I'm not his nanny anymore.  He is going to be fine."

 

I had a Vegan meal this week, which was actually pretty great.  It wasn't until after the meal that I started to wonder about what exactly I had eaten, because we had a stir fry and I know there was no meat, but now I'm wondering what were those chunks of food that I had just assumed were meat when I was eating it.  It was questionable but it was really good.

 

We stopped by a family in our ward to get a referral the mom had mentioned and we were invited to join their family Home Evening.  For our activity we played don't eat the prophet.  The most exciting part was when the 5 year old took his turn and ate so many chocolate chips he started drooling chocolate.  Then he couldn't chew and then he threw up.  It was kind of gross, but absolutely one of the most eventful FHE activities I've gone to in a long time. 

 

We made a meal for the mission president and his wife for interviews and they sent us a thank you card.  It was addressed to Sister Frijoles (sister bean) and sister Todorojo (Me).  We saw President Cook again on Sunday and he commented on our names.  I'm not sure if he made it up, but we could just tell he thought it was the funniest thing in the world!.  I think I have a new nickname.

 

And that takes me to the most exciting thing about this week.  On Saturday we got a call from the YSA bishop who was working with a family that we were infrequently teaching.  He called and said the Dad had watched a video of Thomas S Monson and knew without a doubt he was a prophet.  We went over on Saturday evening and the husband told his wife "When you watch this video, if you don't feel anything I'll get you a psychologist because something is wrong with you!"  Anyway om Sunday there was a YSA event specifically for bringing non members.  Sister Bean and I were really worried because we were really only expecting this family, and they were really late!  We stood outside the building doing what Sister bean calls the missionary wait, and were pretty bummed out because we thought if anyone comes it is only going to be the dad.  Then all of a sudden the entire family family drove up!  At the end of the event we were able to set up 4 baptismal dates!  HOLY COW!  I am super excited.  I know there is still a ton of work left to do to help get the family ready but I'm really excited about this. 

 

I loved hearing from everyone.  I love you,

 

Sister Allred

Conference = Christmas

Dear Family,

I can't believe it is already a P-day.  SO Weird!  This week has gone by so fast and I can't believe I'm starting my 5th week in the Field and I'm almost done with my first transfer.  Sister Bean records her mission by what planner she is on.  She pulled out her bag of planners and said it was the first time she realized she was on the downward slide to the end of her mission.  It doesn't seem like I'll ever have 13 planners, and I am kind of scared that it's going to happen in a flash.

Conference was in a word, AWESOME!  We had to go to the stake center and on Saturday we woke up and we were just so excited.  We got up and tried to figure out what we should do for the rest of the morning until we had to leave, when we got a call from the district leader asking us where we were because conference was starting in 2 minutes.  We freaked out and rushed into the car.  My bad.  When we were trying to figure out when conference was I added an hour instead of subtracted so we were planning on being at the Stake center at 11am instead of 9.  Not my finest moment,  but the stake center was really close so we were only a little late.  During the sessions our zone leaders wanted us to do a tracting blitz on some apartments near the stake center.  Sister Bean and I were a little nervous about it and that was when we realized Sister Bean forgot her name tag, we both forgot our lunch and we had a unconfirmed appointment back in La Costa.  The sisters of La Costa we not on the ball at all, but we absolutely loved conference.

I can't really say which talk was the best because they were al so good and I got a ton of promptings from them, but looking back at my notes I realized that those promptings really didn't have to much to do with the subjects of the talk.  They we're still really personal and awesome.  I got thoughts on how to be a better teacher, a better mom, and a better missionary.  I think I learned a little bit more about why the Lord called me to be a missionary which was something I have been wondering.  I knew I was called for a purpose but now I feel like I know a little bit more of what that purpose is and I am so grateful to be out here.

I did have to laugh during conference because is was basically only the missionaries who came to the stake center.  Through out the week we notice people trying to avoid us, and then as we sat in a big group of elders I noticed there was a huge circle of space around sister Bean and I.  I started to wonder if I smelled or something but Sister Bean just told me it was the sister missionary cooties. Who knew?

I love you and miss you,

Sister Allred

I got my camera charger and a ton of letters this which which really makes the week amazing so thanks!

Has it already been a Week?

Dear Family,

It's been another great week but not too much happened and so I'm trying to remember what stood out.  Umm...We are having so much fun with the members.  Sister Bean is a missionary that believes 100% in working with the members.  Which is pretty awesome.  I am meeting so many members that are fantastic.  Last night we had dinner with a family young family with 6 kids.  Talking with the mom about her mission and watching the dad with the kids was so much fun.  I saw what I want my family to look like when I am older.  Sister Bean just told me not to covet other people's families, but if i needed her help stealing the kids then she would do it.  It was pretty funny but I'm not exactly sure if she knew what I meant. 

We have a goal of teaching 20 lessons and when we were counting up our numbers Saturday night and realized that we were only at 14 lessons.  We really wanted to reach our goal and the Lord really pulled through for us because on Sunday we taught 7 lessons.  Okay I feel like I should clarify that they were all member lessons. But our mission wants us to count them in the total lesson column and we were able to make a lot of really nice bonds members we hadn't met yet.  It was a crazy night.  We had dinner at 5, and when we got to the family's house they were rushing around and told us dinner wouldn't be ready until 5:30.  We had to leave at 5:45. It was a fantastic gourmet meal but kind of hard to appreciate when we are wolfing it down.  Then we went rushing around to the member lessons we had set up, and were about 10 minutes late to almost all of them. That was a little stressful but I was able to feel the spirit with each family we met with. 

Earlier that day we got to go into Young Women's and talk about how the Lord has prepared us for our missions, and future service in the church.  It was pretty weird being back in young women's but I had so much fun talking to them. What was even cooler was that I got to talk to some of the young women afterwards that they really felt the spirit and were excited about missionary work. One Laural asked if she could go out with us one night.  Sister Bean and I really feel that the Lord put sisters in this ward for a reason.  They have never had sisters and I think it is a really good thing that we are here right now.

We finally met with an investigator family that we had been trying to meet with since the night we got to the area.  We were super worried because in the area book it said they really didn't want to even talk with the missionaries and they were much friendlier to the one fellowshipper that they had. Our first meeting with them went much longer then we had expected and they were so happy to talk to us.  It was kind of hard to get the dad to stop talking so we could leave.  We were able to make a friendship as well as talk about the gospel and really understand what they were looking for.  That was a great night. 

We have been working with some ladies Vicky and Devota that the elders found before we came.  They are moving to the Midwest and so we really have just been helping them pack up.  They left yesterday and so we spent a good bit of time helping them move.  It was kind of sad because we really didn't get to teach them much, but I was really happy that I could help and relieve a lot of stress for them.

On Saturday we got to go to the Women Conference. I was sitting there right before it started and thinking about if my family was watching to the conference too. It was a big comfort to me, and then the conference was so fantastic.  I had a couple questions about missionary work that I thought of before the conference and every talk address all of my questions it was such a cool experience. I know that the Lord knows the thought of our hearts.  I know that he wants to tells us things and help us answer our questions, but he needs us to ask.  I am gaining such a strong testimony that if we prepare the Lord will give us so much. 

 I love you all and I know that the Lord loves you all.  I'm praying for you and I know that he is there for us.

Enjoying the Journey,

Love Sister Allred

One more week, Many more adventures

***A Note from the Editor: I am sorry I am such a slacker and haven't posted for a week. Here are is Tressa's email from Last week. Her written letter will come shortly.***

 

 

Dear family,

 

I can't tell you how excited that it's Tuesday.  I do really good up until Sunday and then all I want to do is check my  mail and tell you what has been going on lately.  I got the letter that Liz sent me and that was great! 

 

This has been a crazy week.  I think we have more of a handle on our area now and we have met A LOT of members.  We even have a girl that could become a progressing investigator.  You can totally see how the Lord has prepared her to hear the missionaries.  She was actually a referral and she actually flagged down the missionaries, asking for a Book of Mormon.  That's pretty cool.

 

We had 2 meetings this week and they took up the whole day so it was a bit of a weird week.  The first meeting was fun and I learned a lot, the second meeting was for the new missionaries and their trainers.  I was actually pretty excited to see my MTC elders.  It was almost like I was seeing long time friends or something.  Sister Bean and I worked on how sometimes I'm a little stiff around people and so during that meeting I tried really hard to just be myself and relax.  I honestly think the Elders did not know how to handle me.  They were totally thrown off, which made it great, but on the other hand I thought was I really so stuck up in the MTC? 

 

I was caught off guard during the training because President Cook had us go around and describe the companionship study that we had for the morning before.  I couldn't exactly remember what we did so I just started describing one study that we had earlier that week.  Sister Bean had me work on the first vision.  She made me memorize it and then we worked on delivery.  She told me not to go onto the next word until prompted to by the Holy Ghost.  It was pretty awesome in our practice.  But then President Cook asks me to give him the first vision.

 

I honestly did not expect it at all, and I started in the middle on the vision.  I stopped myself and President Cook told me to tell him what I would say to work into it. So there I was giving the restoration to my mission President in front of a whole bunch of people! I did not expect it and I did not like it one bit. No not at all.  But I did make him cry.

 

We got the new relief society book on Sunday and I  love it.  I've already read 2 ensigns our search for happiness and our heritage, and so to have new reading material is great.  Although now that Sister Bean and I are getting closer and closer I usually spend my lunch hour talking instead of reading.  Oh! another thing I ate.  I am eating a ton of mushrooms.  I do think the Lord took pity on me when he sent we to California.   The fish was okay and I probably would say that I maybe possibly over react at home to the thought of eating fish.  But I still don't like it.

 

One of the ward missionaries made this introductory flier of sister Bean and I and we both put that we like potatoes and pasta.  We have had potatoes or pasta and every dinner appointment since, except for the time that they took us to a Mexican restaurant.  We've had some really awesome experiences with the members here.  They are super excited to have sisters and I really think that there are families we can help members and nonmembers.  Its been great. 

 

I love all of you so much and miss you a bunch.  I have been learning a lot about the spirit and relying on it to prompt me when to talk.  It was so goo to hear from everyone and I'll write everyone today. 

 

Enjoying the Journey,

 

Sister Allred

This is not the California I remember!

Dear Family,

I get a FULL HOUR on the computer!  Do you know how cool that is?  I don't feel like I have to speed read!  It's awesome. Oh and let me just say, Carlsbad is nothing like Victorville.  Nothing.  Carlsbad is very very pretty.

This week has been pretty crazy. After I called home we had to board pretty quickly.  Really being a travel leader was fine.  We are all big kids after and everyone could handle themselves except for Elder Hemelgarn who was over weight and tried to bring a Swiss army pocket knife in his carry on.  It's true.  Also the ride was only an hour so that was great.

We got to San Diego and were picked up by the APs and President and Sister Cook.  It was all going super fast as we got in the car, and drove up the the mission home and took pictures and had something to eat.  I would like to say that we were fed breakfast burritos.  Yes, with egg.  And I ate it until I was full.  Okay, I'll say it.  "GO ME!"  Then President Cook had to do interviews and so for the first time since he has been president he let the new missionaries take a nap.  I had been up since 2 AM and so I absolutely loved it.  Then we had some training and went to the transfer meeting and got my companion.

I really like sister Bean.  It was pretty funny because when President Cook put us in companionships he told the group something fun about us.  When he got to me he said, "Sister Bean you are going to have to be careful with Sister Allred, because she can get a little wild and crazy."  Everyone in my district looked confused including myself because never once did I get wild and crazy in the MTC.  Once I sort of started to dance in my seat a little and that threw everyone for a loop.  But then President Cook said "In Idaho when she gets bored she sets up a pool in her kitchen and goes swimming."  I had briefly mentioned that in my interview because I totally blanked when he asked me what my hobbies were.  Take that Elders, I do more then just read and study.  Ha!

I'm assigned to work in the La Costa ward Del Mar area.  We are still in Carlsbad, but it's the southern part of the mission.  We were white washed into the area (which means both the missionaries are transferred in to the area) and there haven't been sisters here for a really long time.  It's been hard being white washed into your first area because, ordinarily when white washed you have no idea what you are doing, but because I'm new, I really have no idea what I'm doing.  I just kind of wander around asking if people want to hear the gospel.

Actually I really haven't talked to nonmember.  It's mostly been members and less actives.  Sister Bean really believes in working with the members and hates tracking.  We have done it a couple times and I've have people refuse to shake my hand and slowly start to back away from me and I introduce myself.  One night we went downstairs to our neighbor to ask for wax paper, and she said she debated opening the door or not.  Wow.  Okay.  Thanks for telling me you want to avoid me like the plague.  Can I have some wax paper?

Thursday was fun because we had a couple appointments set up and then we had that huge black out.  I don''t know if you saw, but apparently it like went into Mexico it was so huge.  Sister Bean and I didn't really know what to do and so we just went to our appointment, but they had completely forgotten about us.  Then we just started driving around the rich gated communities because, hey they're open so why not?  It was pretty fun until we realized our phone was on silent and the district leaders had called to tell us to be home a half hour ago.  That was not fun, but also pretty funny.

Holy cow that went fast.  I think I might have missed a few dear elders because I'm not sure if I got Eldon's and Deborah's last letter.  But I'm going to a training tomorrow and might get something then.  I love you and love the work that I'm doing.  I know that this is the true church and that testimony gets reconfirmed everyday I am here.  I miss you all.

Love,

Sister Allred

also did not get Daniel's address and I need Eldon's