Elder Allen Week#10 Hola Familia y Amigos!

It's been an absolutely awesome week, and it started with Companion Exchanges on Monday. I left with Elder Alegre at 6, stayed at their casa (So much nicer than mine). It was fun to see another missionaries style, and how he works. We walked a ton. Up a huge hill. But it's all good, I need the exercise. 

Elder Viera and I found a great family that night. They're awesome. The Paralta. The father took the first lesson about a year ago, and it didn't go anywhere, but since then he was in a bad car crash and lost use of one arm. It's pretty sad, but it's helped him become more humble. He's still a little ify on the lessons, but his family is fantastic.I'm excited to see where that all goes. 

Wednesday was absolutely fantastic. After only 4 weeks in the field, I got to take my first trip to the temple. We had to get up at 3:40 am on the downside. But it was soooo worth it. I love the temple so much. It's my favorite place on earth to be. You can feel the spirit so strong, and I received so much revelation. Man, I can't wait to go back. That day we also had interviews and a devotional with Presidente Stauffer, and he is fantastic. Truly a servant of the Lord, and he understands and cares for all of his missionaries so much. Not to mention that he's a great teacher, and I learned a ton from him. 

The rest of the week has been kind of a blur, not going to lie. We gave three Priesthood blessings in the span of an hour, so that was fun. It's hard Spanish, but I got through it. 

I got to watch a few sessions of Conference, and I'm looking forward to being able to study it more. I got to watch with Elder Jones on Sunday, and after that, we went on splits for a bit. It was fun to be able to take the lead in the lessons, but it was hard. 

Sorry, I don't have a ton to write about this week, but of course, I'll finish with some spiritual thoughts. 

This week has been a little rough for Elder Viera, he doesn't want to go home. He dies in January. The thing he says he's going to miss the most is the power to be able to promise blessings in the name of Jesus Christ, and that got me thinking of how wonderful of a gift and responsibility that is. It's crazy that God would entrust something like that to a bunch of 18-year-olds, but I'm so thankful for it. It's built my testimony a lot so far. 

One of the thoughts of Presidente Stauffer was on Peace. In life, it's really hard to find peace of mind. When you just know that it's alright. It's hard to explain, but I testify that it's real, and one of the best places to find it is in the temple. But more often, we will have peace of conscience. A knowledge and trust in the Lord that it will all be okay. That doesn't mean that times won't be hard, but it means that we have a rock we can rely on. And I am so very grateful for that rock, My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Sorry, I didn't write much this week, but I love and miss you all! Have a great week! Study Conference!

Elder Allen

Attachments area

Elder Allen Week#9 First things first, 2 HOUR CHURCH!!! What!?!? I never thought that rumor would actually be a reality...

Second things second... That's about the only thing I got out of conference. Because of the Elections here, we couldn't use the chapel to watch conference, so we had to watch at the member's houses. Bad internet connection, loud children, and a few words in English then overdubbed by sophisticated Spanish does not make for a good learning environment. Luckily, I just downloaded the sessions in English. So next week I'll have a whole lot more to talk about I'm sure. 

Did I mention that I get to go to the temple on Wednesday?  Then on October 20th, The Prophet, President Russel M. Nelson is having a devotional with all the Lima missionaries on his way to the Arequipa Temple dedication? No? Well that's happening... hehe

The week was good. It went by really fast it felt like. 

Some drunk guys bought us some ritz and pulp, that was fun. barachos are funny. We contacted a guy, taught him a bit, to find out that He's a Buddhist, and said that even if we were right, he still wouldn't change. So that was fun. 

We went to one of the people we're teaching house, and he was super busy with his Jean making job. So we made Jeans with him for an hour. His name is Ciro, he's 21, and a really cool guy. He's not really progressing, unfortunately. 

I taught my first English class, that was fun. My lesson was planned around grammar, but what was really taught was Head Shoulders Knees and Toes, and pronunciation, so that's fun. 

Gerardo Valencia, who has been delaying baptism for two years, should be getting baptized this week. I'm not really sure though. He has a lot of doubts, but we're trying to teach him it's time to stop delaying and just take a step in the dark, to have that faith. The first time I heard him speak, I thought to myself, if I can understand him by the end of my mission I will have made good progress with my Spanish. He is so hard to understand. But hey, guess what?! I understand him now! A few weeks later! The gift of tounges is real everybody!

We went to a baptism for Camilla (Every girl under 15 here is named Camilla), who is a 9-year-old the other Companionship in the District taught. We were there 3 hours. She is terrified of water. And when she finally got under, It was only barely. And I mean barely. It was a miracle from God because if she didn't get under, I'm sure she wouldn't have tried again. But it's all good because her testimony after was so strong. She has a lot of faith for being so young. 

My favorite people of the week would have to be Louis and Francis. Louis is Venezuelan, and is working here, and trying to raise enough money to get his wife and 2 kids here as well. I'm sure you've all heard about the financial crisis in Venezuela, so yeah, there are a lot of them here. But they're so humble, so ready for the gospel. Especially Louis. He's got so much faith in our Savior. And Francis is a friend of Davie, he's awesome. He's a little bit of a character, and he was in a gunfight a few months ago. 6 bullet holes. He's pretty cool. A lot of things he'll have to change, but I think he can do it, he has a lot of faith as well. 

As always, I'll leave with some spiritual thoughts. 

First thing I learned this week was from Jesus the Christ chapter 3 notes, Judgement is based on circumstances. And that hit me hard. A lot of people in this world don't know where the light is, and they can't be judged as harshly because of that. That's a Just God. But, I and a lot of you are very privileged people. Good families, sufficient money, and the knowledge of the Gospel. I take this information to mean that we, I, have to be a lot better. I have some serious things that I need to change if I want to stand before my God guilt free.

I've also been studying what it means to serve with all my Heart. And what I've concluded, is that its the deepest desires, and intentions of your heart. There are a lot of factors that change how we act and who we are in certain situations, but the heart manifests itself in the small things. In the exact obedience. And the only way to change your heart is to develop a real and personal relation with the Lord Jesus Christ, and that is done by using His gift to us, the Atonement.

One last thing, Spiritual Gifts are real. And If we want more, we need to use and develop the ones we have. But also, we need to show gratitude for the ones that we have. Which means we have to know what they are. And I'm very, very bad at recognizing the things I am good at. So if you're like me, really think and give thanks for what you have. Ask someone what your gifts are if that helps. 

I know it's very out of my nature, but I really haven't been taking any photos. It's really pretty here with the lights at night, but it's too sketchy to go take some photos. Lo Siento. 

And wow! It's been a crazy week back at home! Congrats to Cam and Sav! And to Aaron and Colton! 

I love you guys with all my heart and soul, and I'm praying for every one of you. I love hearing from you! Keep it up! Hasta la Proxima Semana! 

Elder Allen

Elder Allen Week#8 Buenas! Que Tal? How's everyone doing at home or wherever in the world you are?

I'm doing fantastic, I really do love it here. Friday was our first training day, and it was fun to get to know president Stauffer a little bit more and to see my CCM friends again. Remember- Be an Aguila. Also, my zone was compared to Mordor. So that's nice. 

Zone Conference always rocks, I love my zone, a ton of great missionaries and fun people. We actually got a working microwave, so that rocks. Also, the running joke is that the gringos are actually from Cahamarica, a place in Peru with German ancestry, so that's fun. 

Not much really happened this week. I mean stuff happened, but it doesn't really feel that significant. I feel like I've been out here for ages. It feels like a second home. The streets of Peru are crazy. Our modes of transportation are Motos- A 3 wheeled taxi thing; Cumbi (Idk how to spell it)- A van that squeezes in 20 people who are all the right height for it except for me and the other gringos; and Bus- where the drivers don't stop for anything. It's awesome, I actually love it. It's always loud here. And the same song is playing constantly. I did hear some Muse once, so that was fun. Elections are on Sunday, so the campaigning has been crazy. Can't wait till that's over. (Side note, the timing of the election sucks because General Conference is that day, and it's a law that you can't have meetings that day. So I might not get to watch conference on Sunday. Which means it's delayed for another week, which means no sacrament for two weeks. Yeesh)

The food here is fantastic, My pensionista is a great cook. The plate is huge though. And I have to finish it all. But that basically feeds me for the day, so that's nice. 

My emails in the CCM were about what happened in the week because that's what was happening. But now that I'm out in the field, teaching people, helping others come unto Christ, my priorities are different. The whole week has been a blur. But I remember the people, and I remember the spirit I felt with them throughout the week. So most of my emails for the next two years will be people-centered, because its basically the same stuff every day. 

I have found my first Golden Investigator. Her name is Maria-Luisa. She found the Areanas missionaries and literally asked to be taught. We taught her lesson 1 on Saturday, and she came to church on Sunday. She's a single Mom of one, and she's awesome. I'm really excited for her.

Licet is a 20-year old that we have talked to a couple of times. She's really busy with school and work and doesn't really know what she believes. I think this message will help her a lot. 

There are so many more fantastic people that I'm teaching right now, and I really wish I had the time to write about them all. Now for some members-

David is a 25-year-old convert that is working on his mission papers right now. He's a moto driver and a huge help to us missionaries. I love the guy. 

Our pensionista family is the Medinas, and they are fantastic. Half active, half not. They're so fun and nice to be around. The 2&3-year-olds nicknames are China and Chino. That's fun. 

I don't have much more time, but I want to leave with a couple of thoughts and a couple scriptures that have really helped me this week. First of all, we're all going to go through hard times in our life. Every one of us. And the secret to getting through it is to rely on our Savior. And if you are struggling with anything, do what our Savior would do, and serve someone else. It'll help, I promise. Go read Mosiah 24:14, and Jacob 5:72. My favorite scriptures of the week. 

I love you all, and miss you all so much! Hold to the rod! I'll catch you all next week!

Elder Allen