Elder Allen Week#6&7 Ay Ay Ay, this has been the craziest week of my life. But It's been absolutely awesome.

Nothing really happened at the CCM before I left. We left Monday at 1230pm and got to the airport. The flight was supposed to be at 430, but it was delayed, and then it was delayed again, and we left at 1030. Meaning that we got into Lima at 430 Am, went to a hotel for an hour, and got up for the day. But that's alright, Elder Humphreys and I were able to place our fist Libro de Mormon at the Airport, we were talking to two ladies for about an hour and a half with our broken Spanish. But hey, we got the message across I think. 

Tuesday was such a long and boring day. We had to go get our Visa and Immigration stuff done, and that took hours upon hours, but that's all right. We got to the Mission Home (Kind of, it's really just a chapel and the AP's casa is across the street) And chilled for the rest of the day. And then fit 25 people into a house made for 10 max. It was fun. 

Wednesday is when the real mission began. We had interviews with President Stauffer in the morning, had some Shwarma, and then got our Companions. 

My Trainer is Elder Vierra, he's in his 20th Month, He's from Uruguay, and he's awesome. I'm the first Gringo that he has trained, so it's been a little hard on him, but for the most part, this week has been fantastic. We are in the Zone Pachucutec, in the Area Mi Peru. I absolutely love it here. It's nothing like Utah that's for sure. There are some paved roads, but it's mostly dirt. About half of the area is really poor and up on the hill, and the other half is in the valley (Idk, it's still on the hill but lower?). The people here are so humble and willing to talk to you. It's fantastic. The only problem is often times, they aren't home when you come to the appointment. But that's just how it is here. Esta Bien. 

I had my first Baptism on Saturday. She's a 14-year-old girl named Milady (Idk how it's spelled in Spanish) And she's awesome. It was an awesome experience, and I can't wait to get the chance to baptize someone that I've actually taught. 

Do you remember the 21st night of September?

My zone is fantastic. The district leaders are so cool, and about half of us are Gringos. and 4 of us are all new Gringos. Elders Humphrys y Martin are in the Zone, and In my district is Elder Jones. I didn't get to know him too well at the CCM, but it's been awesome hanging out with him and being able to talk to someone in English. He's a great guy. I've got on splits twice now with Elder Alegre, Jones's companion because their Area is just being reopened. He's awesome. Truly Alegre. He's from Bolivia, and such a fun guy. 

There have been too many spiritual and crazy experiences too write even 5% of them. But being able to testify of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer has helped me so much. My own testimony has grown so so much. We can really rely on Him for anything. He knows us, and He loves us. I know that's true. And I promise in His name, if you share this message with someone that doesn't have this joy in their life, you will know it too. 

One crazy experience we had was last night, we were up on the hill( The hike up there is comparable to the Adam's Canyon switchbacks, it's not fun. But hey, I'm already lighter, I need the exercise.) and we were looking for the house of an old investigator. And we could not find it. Anywhere. We asked many people, and were about to give up but decided to knock one more random door and ask if they knew. A lady answered and immediately said come in! It's freezing out there! (It was) We had no idea what was going on. Turns out she's an Active member but goes to the wrong ward. And she knew where the house was. What a crazy world. 

One other thing my testimony has increased on is the gift of tounges. My Spanish was not great leaving the ccm, but after 5 days here, I can say pretty much everything I need to say. The Spanish isn't nearly perfect, and I don't know a lot of the tenses, but I can follow basically anything that is said. And I know that's not by my own crazy lucky skill. It's a blessing from God.

This week has been long and hard, but it's been awesome. I love it here. I love serving the Lord. I love the food (My pensionista is great), and I love the people.

Today was chill, we basically just played soccer. I'm terrible. For now. 

I love and miss you all so much, and I hope that all is going well at home. Thanks for everything!!

-Elder Allen

Elder Allen Week#4&5
Elder Allen Week#4 Buenos Dias! 

It's crazy to me that I've already been out here a month! It feels so much longer, and so much shorter at the same time. This week was awesome! We've definitely got into a groove this past month, and not much new happens every day. It's just the same schedule- Wake up, get ready, eat, class, eat, class, eat, devotional/class, go to bed. It's not like its a bad schedule, it's just a little repetitive, and I'm ready for a change of pace. But I am going to miss my time here at the Mexico CCM. 

And here's the sad news of the week, four members of my district, my best friends, my family, are leaving on Monday. Nobody knows why, but yesterday we find a note on the door and Hma. Kim & Boyd, and Elders Nebecker & Phillips are heading out. We're pretty sure they're going to the Peru CCM for the week, but it's really sad. 4 of my favorite people are going to leave, and class is going to be so weird without them. It's going to be a long week. *Note for my friends soon to go on missions, get tight with your district, because they'll be some of your best friends for life. 

It is crazy that I'm already off to Peru in a week and a half. I feel so ready, and not ready at all. My Spanish has improved exponentially over the past month, but I still don't feel like I know enough. I'm really really good at saying what I know how to say and what I use a lot, but the grammar and the words I don't use often aren't really sticking with me. I'll get there though. I testify that the Gift of Tounges is real, because I took 2 and 1/2 years of Spanish, and didn't learn anything. And I'm a month into the CCM, and I'm a good enough speaker to get around. Long ways to improve though. 

My week was awesome, lots and lots of cool and spiritual experiences. We had our first TRC, which is where actual people come into the Arena (CCM) and we get to give them a short lesson. That was a lot of fun, I could actually understand what the lady was saying. My teaching skills have also greatly improved here, and Elder Humphreys and I give consistently good lessons, so that's awesome. 

The week honestly has just blended in together. On Sunday I was able to give Hma. Kim a blessing and everyone felt the spirit so strong, it was awesome. The new gym time activity is Volleyball, and every game I play I get better so that rocks. We played with the zone for like 2 hours this morning, it was tons of fun. I've officially been a part of my fist Tie Trade on the mission, got a sweet new floral tie from elder Tescher (He's the other District in our house, also going to Lima West, that district is tons of fun). Also, Go Cougs! Glad to hear that we started off on a good foot this season. Speaking of the Cougars, a guy in my zone, Elder Erickson has a full ride to play basketball at BYU, so I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot of him on the court in a few years here.

As always, I could write books about all the Spiritual experiences of my week. But two of my favorites and ones that all of you can and should do are watch Elder Hollands Testimony: The Book of Mormon is the Word of God, and Elder Bednar's missionary address called the Character of Christ. The second one is a bit longer, but if you get a chance, please please please go watch it. He talks about how Christ turns outward when the rest of us turn inward, and that's how we need to strive to be in life. We can not afford to have our testimony planted in the good works of the church or the apostles. We can't have a testimony of these worldly things because when something in them changes, your testimony is tried. We all need to have a testimony, for ourselves, that Jesus is the Christ, He is our Savior and Redeemer. Once we know that, we will never fall away from the gospel of Christ. Build upon his rock. Elder Hollands testimony is just so powerful and reminds us of the truth of all these things. Please go watch those videos. I promise that they will help your testimony grow. 

Other than that, not much has gone on this week. I'm ready to get out into the real world. It started feeling real when we found out that some of us are already leaving. As a reminder, please keep sending emails and letters! I love hearing from you all! I miss you all at home so much, and I'm thankful for your prayers and words of encouragement, but if you really want to help, get involved in the work! Make a Mormon.org profile, talk to an inactive or a nonmember friend, invite them to church, invite them to come unto Christ. I promise if you do, your testimony will grow as well. 

Love you and Miss you all so much! Sorry, my photos haven't been sending, the computer comes up with a new problem every week. This week the files are "too large". Hopefully, I can get it to work down in Peru.

Also, just fyi, our district group email is called Los Toros de Los Pantanos in case anyone was interested haha. Hasta Luego!

-Elder Allen

Elder Allen Week #5
Buenos Dias! This is it, everybody! My last 4 Days at the MTC, and then I'm off to Peru! 

My time here at the Mexico CCM has been fantastic. I've met some of my best friends in my entire life, I get to see a beautiful sunrise every morning, I've been able to begin to learn Spanish, but most importantly I've come to grow closer to the Savior. I'm excited for my friends that will soon enter the MTC, but I wish you English speakers would have to stay in for 6 weeks instead of 3 because these 6 weeks have been fantastic. 

This week has been a lot of leaving to the field prep- tons of seminars and going over what we've already learned. But it's helped a lot. Got my flight plans, a 5-pound Spanish review book, a filter water bottle (now I have 2 haha). And most importantly, we got our colored dots!!! We're officially old! On Sunday night we said goodbye to the 4 that left early, and that was sad. Class is weird without them. But that's alright because we'll bee soon to follow. 

The days are starting to blend together, and I honestly don't remember most of the week. But as our teacher Hermano Galloso pointed out, it's important to stay excited about the work. The habits you make in the MTC will stick with you in the Field. But yeah, more volleyball, trying to take cabinets off the hinges, etc. 

Even though it hasn't necessarily been exciting, it has been a really spiritual week, and that's been awesome. We had Elder Pindrick (?) of the 70 come and speak to us, and that was really good. It was about using the Atonement in our lives, and how it can help us in all things. A girl had a comment about the symbolism of Olive Oil that I really liked. In Christ's time, everyone relied on olive oil for nearly everything, food, light, etc. But the process to make it involves putting the Olive under immense amounts of pressure. It's similar to Christ and His Atonement, because of that pain and suffering that Christ endured for us, we have a source of Light. I really liked that. 

I've started to read Jesus the Christ, and man is that book big. But it is awesome. There's so much insight, and it has already helped me strengthened my testimony on the Savior. I recommend. 

Yeah, there's not much more to write. Packing has been stressful, but I think it'll all work out. Next time I email, It'll be from Peru! I'm excited to get down there and to really start making a change, and bring people to our Savior and Redeemer. But I'm also thankful for my experiences at the CCM. And I'm looking forward to the challenges that are to come. I hope I'll have a baptism to write about in my next email haha. 

Love you all! Please keep sending Emails! When I get to Peru, I'll be able to print them out and read them! Stay Safe, and have a good week!

-Elder Allen

Elder Allen Week#3 Hola Amigos y Familia!

This was probably the most spiritual week of my entire life. On Thursday we were able to go to the temple again (got to see the old video, that was fun), and it was awesome! Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to go again while I'm here. On Friday, Elder Bednar came and gave one of the best devotionals that I have ever listened to. I could write a book about it. It was awesome. He didn't actually prepare a talk or anything like that. He led a discussion. The topic was mostly directed to Faith, and what Faith is. And all in all, he taught that faith leads to action, that with faith you can find the answers to your own questions. In that way, he taught everybody exactly what they need to know. He taught us that we don't necessarily need other people to answer our questions, because if we have the faith and put in the work, we will receive the revelation that we need to answer it ourselves. 

A quote from Pres. Bennett that I really liked is "If faith isn't moving those mountains, grab a shovel and start moving some dirt". It's important to do whatever the Lord asks of us. 

The other reoccurring theme of the week was the Restoration. In Bednar's devotional, he told us that the gospel is not restored (preterit tense), But that it is being restored (Imperfect/progressive idk). There is still so much that God has yet to reveal for us, and we have been told by many prophets that these next years that are leading up to the coming of Christ will have some of the greatest miracles God has ever worked. I don't know about you guys, but I'm excited for that. We also watched Joseph Smith, the prophet of the restoration, and had a discussion on him. I gained such a stronger testimony that he is a prophet of God. In the Doctrine and Covenants, it says that Joseph did more for the building up of the Kingdom of God on Earth than any other man, save Jesus. And I believe it. We also learned more about Emma Smith, and how even though she fell away from the church in the end of her life, that she still did so much to help build the kingdom. I love learning about the early days of the church. So many great people and prophets. 

Other than the feast of spiritual knowledge, the week hasn't been anything crazy. We're kind of just getting into the schedule now. I'm halfway done with my time at the CCM! That's crazy! We started playing a game called Guess the Latino- There are two teams in the district, and one person from both teams is the Latino who can only speak Spanish. You have to guess the other teams, so everyone just speaks Spanish so they cant find out. It's honestly so much fun. Some guys in my district picked a flower and planted it in a Mtn Dew can and put it in their room, so that's pretty awesome. Also, our anthem is Ye Elders of Isreal by the Lower Lights. 

And time is seriously broken. I've been here 3 weeks, but it somehow feels like 2 days and 2 years all at once. It's going so fast, but also so slow. It's really weird. 

There's honestly not much more to write except a little more about my district. My Companion is Elder Humphreys, and He's the District Leader. He's a fun guy, reminds me a lot of Dallin. Except he's from Texas, so yeah. You can imagine. I room with Elder Brown and Elder Manning, and they're tons of fun. Elder Nebecker and Phillips are pretty much Sean and Gus from psych, Phillips even tap dances so yeah. Despain and Peterson are awesome. Martin is a super funny guy, and Rockwood had longer hair than me before he came out. Hermana Boyd and I have like the same personality, but we're also like the completely opposite person, and Hermana Kim and I have this ongoing joke that we're related (She's Vietnamese (But actually Californian)) Because I found out that my Sweedish ancestors were also Kims. It's really hard to put these people into one line, it doesn't feel right. They're my best friends now, and they're all so unique and awesome people. I wish you all could meet them. 

The CCM is awesome. Three great meals a day, awesome teachers. We live legit the farthest from anything you can get, in casa 35. We're the oldest district in our zone now, so that's pretty weird. We're on week 4 now, it's crazy how fast (and slow) time has gone.

A few last things:

Go to https://www.missionarypackagemx.com and write me a letter. It's free, I can get them and read them any day of the week, and that way I'll have more time to respond and stuff while emailing. Pleaseeeeeeeeee  I want to hear from you guys. My district is 13F and mission is Peru Lima West (and if you know Spanish, write me in Spanish)

and lastly, I found a golden scripture. 1st Corinthians 11:14 - Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?-- When I get roasted by the Bible

I love you all so much! Sorry that the photos didn't work last week, I'll try and get them to all work now. If you want to hear more spiritual experiences from my week write me a letter and I'll get back to you, because I have a ton. Miss you all, hope all is going well at home! Til next week! Remember that God loves you!

-Elder Allen 

Elder Allen Week#2 It's been an awesome week! After I emailed last week we took the crazy bus ride to the Mexico City Temple and did a session. And unbelievably, as I walked out into the lobby, I see Bishop Cook talking to the Hermanas in my District. So that was a lot of fun, and it reminds me of the many talks that say there are no coincidences. (I get to go to the temple again in an hour!!)

This week hasn't been as jam-packed as last week, but its sure been awesome. I have learned so much. How to be a better teacher, how to ask better questions, how to speak a bit more Spanish. I feel like I’m struggling a bit with the language, but when I look back on myself from 2 weeks ago, the growth has been absolutely incredible. I love the Spanish language. 

Besides the daily classes and devotionals, I've been able to get closer and closer to my amazing district. I learned how to throw a water bottle lid and I’m also the bomb at ultimate Frisbee.  I found out the hard way that my allergy meds are drowsy when I took one at 7 am and proceeded to fall asleep all throughout my morning classes.

Although I've only been here 2 weeks, it feels like an eternity and a day all at once. My District is 11 of my best friends in the world, and I've had so much Deja Vu this past week that I'm convinced I defiantly knew them all before. 

I miss you all so much, and I'm thankful for all the support I’ve been getting from back home. My last thought will be a scripture that I memorized this week.

John 14:6

Jesus le dice: yo soy el camino, y la verdad, ya la vida: nadie viene al Padre, sino por mi.

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 

Christ is the way. The only way. Turn unto Him, and He will lead you and guide you. 

I love you all, and I love being down here at the Mexico City CCM! (It rains like crazy down here it's awesome!)

Elder Allen

Elder Allen Week#1 Hey everyone! It´s been a crazy week! My keyboard is in Spanish so this will not be punctuated correctly sorry. 

The first day was a whirlwind, there were so many missionaries on my flight. We actually set the record for the most new people in one week. The flight was long, but it was fun to talk to all the missionaries. The bus ride to the CCM was insane! there are no traffic laws in Mexico, it´s pretty awesome actually. The city is beautiful, I wish I got some better pictures. When we got to the MTC we got all our stuff, our nametag, our companion, and our room assignment. My house, I'm not even kidding, is the absolute farthest from anything that you can get it. I need the exercise tho lol. 

This past week has felt so long but also so short. I'm already so close to my district and Companion so its weird to think that I've only known them for a week. My companion is Elder Humphreys, and he's pretty much a stereotypical Texan, and also a genius. I love the guy.  My district is a party. They're all going to Peru Lima west except for Hermana Boyd, who is going to south. My roommates are a blast, Elder Brown gave me like two cans of mtn dew here and that stuff is basically gold in the mtc. We have a lot of fun here, but we also work really hard. I wish I could better explain everyone to you guys, they're some of my favorite people in the world. A thought that Hermana Kim gave really struck true with me, that we all knew each other before in the pre-earth life, and we finally get to meet each other. It rocks. It's going to be hard splitting up with them in 5 weeks. 

My teachers are awesome. Our morning teacher is Hermana Rodrigez, and shes really funny and cool, she teaches us a lot of good stuff. Our evening teacher is maybe one of the coolest guys I've ever met. His name is Hermano Galloso, and hes only been here at the ccm for 2 months ish, but the advice and words of wisdom he has for us is incredible. I don't know the story, but he must have been in a fire at some point in his life. He's missing a hand and his other is missing all his fingers. It was a bit intimidating at first, but he's honestly one of the greatest guys I've ever met. So humble, and such a good outlook on the world. I've learned a lot from them already. 

ELDER BEDNAR IS COMING ON THE 25!!!!

Also, there's this epidemic going around the MTC, like 30% of everyone got it. It was not pretty, luckily it's on the tail end tho and my district has stayed healthy. 

I want to tell you about my good friend Elder Shavkpish. I only knew him for 6 days, but he was the happiest guy that you'll ever meet. He acted like everyone was his best friend, and he was so nice and happy. We all need to be like him. 

But of course, the best part of the MTC is the spiritual high. I have come closer to my Savior Jesus Christ in these past 9 days than I ever thought I would. We've had amazing devotionals, reminding us to listen to the prophets, to love everyone and our companion. Hermano Galloso shared Alma 14 8 with us and asked us if we were willing to die for the Book of Mormon. If we were willing to let those we love die for the Book of Mormon. It really provoked some deep thought. But I know that this Gospel is the most important thing on this earth. There is nothing more important then the Love our Savior has for us. So if we need to die for the gospel, so be it. But when we decide we will die for it, we need to start living for it. To live like its the most important thing to us. There have been so many more spiritual moments, that I could spend hours writing about it. I testify that God knows and loves us, He knows why Me and My companion were put together, He knows what we need to be do to be better. Rely on Christ. I came to the realization that I often think that I need to do all I can, and then and only then will I rely on Christ and his Atonement. But that's just not true. We can and should rely on Him now and always. 

My other thought is on spiritual gifts and especially the gift of tounges. No matter how hard you pray, you are not going to just become good at a language. You need to put in the work for it, and Christ will help you the rest of the way. The Spanish has felt hard. But to think of how much I have progressed in this last week alone is incredible. Pray for spiritual gifts, but work for them too. 

There is so much more I could and would write if I had time. I love my Companion, My District, The CCM, but most importantly my Savior Jesus Christ. 

I miss you all a ton, keep pressing forward and endure to the end. Con amor de donde le CCM!

Off to the Mexico City Temple!

-Elder Allen

Out of Context Quotes

Companion--to--the district leader

Emotional Support Alpacas

you have no culture, you're from Utah

yeah, this epidemic is killing my stomach. That's just the food!

It's a diamond! Nope, that's a triangle

Bright pink blanket + panflute = not a good first impression

¡Salud!

CCM District F

Elder Allen & Elder Humphrey's

Mexico CCM August 8, 2018 Arrivals

Elder Allen at the Mexico CCM