Elder Allen week#13 Buenas Tardes!

How was everyone's week? Mine was great! not much changed. Knocking doors on Halloween, throwback to life at home haha. Made it to my first Cambios (transfers)! Yeah, nothing changed. Same companion, Elder Viera, same Area, Mi Peru, and same district. But its all good! I love it here! One of my ZL's, Elder Acarapi, is the new assistant now so that rocks. But yeah, that's pretty much it for cambios. 

Annnd only 2 1/2 months late, I got my package that was supposed to arrive to the ccm but never did! Nice surprise though! 

We've got a baptismal interview for Familia Nieto tonight, and they should be getting baptized this weekend. So that rocks! Super excited for that. Naomi, single mom of 4. Carla, 11; Aron, 9; Chewy (Jesus) 4; and Diago, 4 months. All from different fathers. They've progressed a lot in the 6 weeks I've known them, I'm really excited for them. 

A crazy guy in the ward tried telling me that the Internet is the anti-Christ haha. 

Jose Henry is 18, and super shy. We contacted his Dad, (Gonsales Familie), but Jose was the only one that came to church. But that's alright because I think he's going to progress fast! Excited for that too!

An Evangelist Pastor stopped us in the middle of the lesson and asked us why we don't walk with people of color...Everyone here is a person of color to me lol. 

Familia Huancari is doing good, the father, Walter, is having a bit of a difficult time. He's been a Catholic for his whole life, and it's hard to change something this big. But he's slowly seeing the church is a good thing, and I think he definitely knows what we are saying is from God. 

Yeah sorry that the Email is a little short and a little choppy this week, but yeah it's been a good week. I'm doing good. Loving the mission. The Spanish is coming along great. I basically understand everything, I just need to work on the grammar. My companion is a bit of an interesting guy, but his heart is in the right place. Love being out here!

And for the Spiritual thoughts of the week-- 

Do you do prayers or do you Pray? There is a very big difference. Do you just say some pretty words every night and morning because you know you're supposed to, or do you really get down on your knees and talk to our Father in Heaven. Do you ask Him for help? Do you pray for forgiveness? Do you thank Him? And most importantly, do you do it with a sincere heart and real intention? Think about it. And change what you need to. I promise that Praying is a whole lot better than doing prayers. 

And the other for the week, Revelation is in the Information. It's one of my Companions favorite phrases. Very rarely will we get this great vision or Idea that pops into our head. We need to put in our part. Do the research, try out a few things, make a plan. And take that plan to our Father in Prayer. If you feel like it's right after that, that's how you know what you need to do. And that's really what Revelation is. Guidance from God. 

Elder Allen Week#12 Hola! Que tal Amigos y Familia!

It's been a good week of pretty much complete rejection! Tue-Fri was basically the same day x4. Got up, got ready, studied, had lunch, and proselytized until 10, with little to no success. But that's just the missionary life, and as Sister Nelson said to the missionaries last week, it'll just prepare us for the rejection of dating when we get home! But in reality, the week wasn't as bad as that makes it sound, Saturday made it all better. 

But first, my unimportant remarks of the week! First of all, it drives me crazy that people think that there is a difference between American and British English. Every time I try to talk to anyone they say they only know British English...it's kind of funny really. They think it's like them and Spain with their weird vosotros form jajaja.

But yeah, Saturday was great. One of the first days I've really felt like what I was doing was making a difference. First of all, I had splits with Elder Jones for the Morning hours. He's a gringo with the same time as me, and he's not super confident in his Spanish abilities, so it was fun to take the lead in teaching and contacting for once. Then the afternoon was the best part of the week. We didn't have much else planned other than contacting and finding, because we didn't have a ton of people we could visit. The first miracle of the day was Family Gonsales. 

We contacted Jose outside his house, shared a quick message with him, and asked if we could come in and share more with his family, and he willingly let us in. We were expecting him and his wife and maybe a kid or something, but soon enough the whole family was gathered. Jose, his Wife, and 2 kids, 14&18. Iris, the sister of Jose. And Teodora, the mother of Jose. Plus a great-grandmother that couldn't hear a thing (And was probably very confused on why there was a gringo and an Uruguayan in her house) and like five other kids, not at baptism age. Their Father, Husband, and Grandfather had just passed away 5 months ago, and you could feel how much they needed this message, and how much hope they had by the end of it. 

Miracle #2 was Family Huancari.  This story is awesome. The other day we were knocking doors and started talking to a woman, who seemed to know an awful lot of what we were talking about, turns out she's a super inactive member and her husband and kids aren't members. So we set up a time we could come back and teach the whole family. The day and time come, we ring the doorbell (Surprisingly it actually works) And a man looks down on us from his 3rd-floor porch. It was the husband, and he wasn't having it. Oh well, we were used to rejection. During the interaction with the husband, I see his neighbor, also on his 3rd-floor porch. He watched the whole thing go down. When the husband left, I just looked up at this other guy and basically just say hey, do you want to hear this message? And he says yeah sure and comes downstairs. I didn't think it would actually work haha. But yeah, his name is Walter, and we talk for a minute and find out he has been having a kind of rough patch with his marriage. We ask if we can come in and share with his family, and he said yeah! We taught lesson 1 to him, his wife, and daughter. At the end of the lesson, we ask him to say the closing prayer and pray for his wife in specific. You could feel the joy, forgiveness, and love that was in the room. It rocked. 

And this is a lesson on the timing of the Lord. Practically nothing for a week, and then 9 Souls in one day. If you just trust in the Lord, keep pushing on in faith, the blessings He has promised you will come forth. They always will. 

So yeah, the Week was great! And to top it off, yesterday our best friend here in Mi Peru, Devie, and recent convert age 25 opened his mission call! He's going to Mexico! The mission right under Arizona. I'm so happy for him, he's going to be a great missionary. 

As always, I like to finish with a spiritual thought. For district meeting this week we talked about the Atonement. We looked at the classic painting of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. What a great love our Savior has for us. How much he suffered for me, "a soul so rebellious and proud as mine". Don't let that gift go unused. Repent, learn to rely on our Savior and Redeemer. Everything is easier after that. Homework- look at that painting, ponder it, and read Alma 7:11-13. And remember that the Savior loves you. Chao! Remember to pay your tithing! Love you all!

Elder Allen

Elder Allen Week#11

I saw the Prophet this week! Well kind of. Not really actually. Due to a series of unfortunate seating arrangements in a stake center, and a poorly placed wall, I never actually did see President Nelson. A bit disappointing. But I hear I got a cameo on his Peru Ministry tour video so that rocks. And all said and done, It doesn't really matter I didn't see him, because I heard his voice, and definitely felt his spirit. He really is a Prophet of God. 

Not much really happened in a stuff we did sense this week. But the revelation I received and the amount I have grown, changed, and improved has been absolutely incredible. It started out with my first Zone Conference on Thursday, and it was absolutely awesome. Throughout the day, I could feel my testimony growing, and my desire, my fuego, for the work burning. These past 5 weeks have been awesome, and I have loved the work, but until now I didn't really feel that purpose, I didn't really know why I was here. But that's what I found this past week. I realized that what I do here and now, the way I spend my time, can and will have an impact on the eternities. Converting 1 soul doesn't just save them, it saves their children, it saves their ancestors. There are 1000s of people on the other side just waiting for one of their posterity to find the gospel, so they can have the chance to feel this infinite joy. My testimony on this work is truly stronger than ever. And I know that anyone that truly gives themselves to the Lord will see His hand in their lives, and will be blessed far more than anything we sacrifice. 

Small break before more spiritual stuff, It's funny how much everyone hates Chile. Sorry, Dad. And go Peru! Once again, sorry dad (Futbol). And speaking of futbol, that's what we did for PDay today, and my legs are killing me. And I am most definitely a gringo.

And thus we arrive to the visit of the Prophet. There is honestly way too much to write, I couldn't do it if I had all day. The messages of the Area President, and Elder Stevenson, were fantastic, and I learned a ton, but I'll focus on the prophet for now. His message was centered around 3rd Nephi, and I learned so much about this book, and about our Savior because of it. First of all, our teaching as missionaries should be focused on the same things focused on in Ch 11- Baptism, Doctrine, and no Contention. Ch 12- Be ye therefore Perfect is impossible until we are resurrected. If you compare this verse to his same sermon in the Bible, you will notice that in the holy land he only says be ye therefore perfect as my Father is, but in 3rd Nephi, it's also as I am. Meaning, we will never be perfect in this life. It's okay to make mistakes. But we should always strive to be better. Ch 15- The Americas are the inherited lands of the houses of Joseph, and we know from their promises that this is really where the gathering of Israel is going to take place. Ch 16- super bacan, there are other other sheep. And I really want to read their record of the Savior. Ch 23- Study Isaiah. Ch 27- What the Gospel is. And the Gospel is the Atonement. The Gospel IS Jesus Christ. If we turn to Him, we will be saved. 

That's obviously a very rough summary of what I learned, but what I felt is so much more important. He really is our living prophet, and we need to follow his words. Christ really is our Savior. He wants us to be happy, to have eternal Joy.

But yeah, to say the least, it was a great week. I love you all, I'm praying for you, and I miss you. Thanks for everything!

Elder Allen

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

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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

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