February 26th, 2014

Hello, How's it going?

Life is pretty great isn't it!? Hmm where do I even start.. I hit my 10 month mark! No we aren't going to talk about that. That just freaks me out! I'm still a greenie!

Well, Andy got baptized!!!!! I was a huge stress ball, as I am every baptism I have had but it all worked out. It was a small, simple baptism but just perfect for him. He is now an official member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! He just has such a simple, yet powerful testimony! And hey I finally got to baptize someone with big tattoos. I don't know why but that has been a mission dream of mine. Well I do know why.. I just love it because you can visually see the power of the atonement! I love that you can see how he was and to know of he has now become. I can not wait til he goes through the temple to yet again so him all dressed in white. My favorite thing ever!

And this weekend, I will get to witness another dressed in white enter into the waters of baptism- Pat! I talked all about his story last week and I just can not wait!!! He had his baptism interview and is all ready to go! So expect more pictures next week.

As for Lisa.. She was supposed to get baptized this upcoming Saturday too but we haven't been able to see her as much as we'd like and she still needs some time. But she's still super solid so no worries :)

Did you know that Utah missions are the best? Yep, it's true. We are just so spoiled beyond belief. All of us Visitors Center sisters got a free cleaning and check up at the dentist this last week, we have people pay for our meals when we go out, or our groceries at Walmart. People are always saying hi and asking if there is anything they can do for us. Pretty much we are like celebrities here. I Just wanted to throw that little shout out to the dentistry and always remember peoples generosity here.

We will get our transfer calls this Saturday and I'm kinda freaking out a bit, as always. But I also know that our mission president is truly inspired so I have full faith and trust in Him. It's just the fear of the unknown. So next week when I get on I will know where I will be for the next 6 weeks. And who knows when my Pday will be next week so Mom, be looking out Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday.

I had the BEST day of my entire life this last Monday. The St George Temple is currently closed for cleaning so we got the opportunity to give some service and help clean it. It was just a win win situation. The best ever! So Sister Phagwah, Sister Achambault, Sister Nicholls, and Sister Garcia and I all went together. We were able to dust some of the sealing rooms and we sung hymns as we did. I never knew I could have such an amazing experience cleaning the temple while there were drills and all sorts of noises going on but still the most peaceful feeling. After we were done we also got to get a tour of the whole temple. We got to go in some very special rooms where I know that the savior has walked himself. I know that the temples we have across the world are truly the House of the Lord. It just makes me think of how we will feel when we can reunite with our Heavenly Father and Christ again! I love this gospel! I love this plan that our Heavenly Father has given us for our benefit. Everything is for us! No matter what challenges or hard times we have He has done this all for us. 

Our mission has decided to give us a scripture or something to memorize each week so here is last weeks: THE STANDARD OF TRUTH - Joseph Smith (Wentworth letter)

"The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly and independent , till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done."

I just love this gospel and love this time I have to serve everyone!!!!!! And of course, I love you all! Thanks for all your prayers and support!

~Sister Allen

107 S 1470 E STE 304

St George, UT 84790

February 19, 2014- Perfect work, perfect gospel

Hello, How's it going?

I love my life as a missionary! Have I ever mentioned that? Well, I do! 

I was super nervous to be in a trio, but I absolutely love my new companion, Sister Archambault. I love the fire that the new missionaries have! She is just so excited to be out here in the field and she truly knows her purpose as a missionary. She has been a great addition to the companionship. We get a long really well and have fun! She is kinda shy but I am breaking her out of her shell ;)

I hope you all had a good Valentines Day. We spent it doing the Lords work of course and serving at the Visitors Center and it couldn't have been better. We delivered cookies to all our bishops that day and got to know them even more. It is hard having multiple wards and splitting it with the the Visitors Center but hey it works! The picture attached is of me and my companions all in pink on Valentines Day! Companionship unity :)

Well Andy is good to go for this Saturday!!!!!! There has been some confusion with his baptism but it is all figured out and this Saturday he will be baptized!!! Unfortunately he has decided to switch his records to his girlfriends ward after he is baptized so we won't be doing the recent convert lessons with him but I have truly enjoyed this time we have had to prepare him for baptism. It just really has made me so much closer to our Heavenly Father and realized how much people are just ready all around us.

So exciting things are happening up here in Washington East! We have an investigator Pat. I think I've just mentioned him once before. Well he started meeting with the sisters back in September. Married to an active member, Meg, who is just awesome! Well we have been working with him ever since I got in this area (2+ months) and about 2-3 weeks ago we went over to their home and we felt impressed to share Ether 12:6- "And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." I went on to explain about my decision to serve a mission. When I got the answer to serve a mission I did not feel peace about it at all. I was terrified really. That peaceful and calm feeling (confirmation from the Holy Ghost) really did not come until I made that step to show my faith and meet with the Stake President to start my papers. Heavenly Father needs to see our faith sometimes. We need to act. It was awesome because he then related it to him as well. They had just gotten back from Hawaii and he related it to him picking out sunglasses. It's something he wants but he has to act upon it and just do it! I don't know, he related it to himself better than I can explain. haha. We promised him that if he, rather than asking Heavenly Father, but told Heavenly Father that he was going to be baptized then the peace and calmness would come. He seemed a little unsure but agreed because it was something he had never thought about. Well we saw them Valentines Day and he wouldn't give us an answer. He said that if he was going to get baptized he would want to let Meg know in a romantic, sentimental way and not have us find out the same time. Well I took that as he was getting baptized. But we agreed to wait it out til he gave us his answer. Sunday we were at the door greeting people and Pat walked in with the biggest smile I have ever seen!!! I said "So?" He smiled. I asked again "So?" and he replied "Yes." I said "Whhhaaatttttt!?" He said "The first Saturday in March." Of course me being a missionary I know all the Saturdays dates and knew it would be March 1st. Well to make this long story shorter. He is now on date for next Saturday March 1st!!!!! Literally like one of the highlights of my mission. His wife then walked in with maybe even a bigger smile than Pat! Pat let the boys walk in the room with a picture of Christ and tell her that "Daddy is getting baptized!" The stinking cutest ever. I can not wait til this family can go into the temple to be sealed for time and all eternity. And then Pat can baptize their oldest son in just 2-3 years! I love this work! It is so perfect. This gospel is so perfect. It changes peoples lives! And it has truly changed my life. I could not be more grateful for this gospel!!!!!

Here is a mormon message I just love! http://www.mormonchannel.org/youth-videos?v=2816242049001

Love you all! And I hope you always remember how much our Father in Heaven loves you!

~Sister Allen

Sister Charlotte Nicholls

Good Morning!
I thought I'd share this photo with you that my daughter emailed us:-
This is what she said:-
Sister Summer Allen - she is my absolute favouritest! I love her SO MUCH and want to be comps with her so bad! She's from AZ and is so easy-going and care-free and beautiful. I love being around her!

February 12th, 2014

Hello, How's it going?

Missionary life is crazy, you know that? In a good way of course. Always something to keep life exciting... So we got a baby today! Yep, I'm training again.. Well for at least 3 weeks. Then who knows what the transfer calls will be. She just came in this morning so mid-transfer. Not sure why but that's okay :) Her name is Sister Archambault and she is from Canada, but was called french speaking for all our frenchie buses! Don't know too much about her because we literally just picked her up 2 hours ago. But she seems awesome! I'm kinda nervous to be in a trio but I guess the Lord knows we can do this.

We met with Andy yesterday and he had his baptism interview!!!!!! He is all set to go for next Saturday, the 22nd! Let me just tell you.. It cracks me up when we teach him because he is just so ready like he is willing to obey any commandment without any questions. It kind of boggles my mind how open and prepared he is. But I couldn't be more thankful for the Lord putting him on our path and the path of his awesome fellowshippers, the Ahquins! Which by the way, love their family! The best missionaries and just people ever!

Funny times: Saturday we went to the Beehive Home, it's a retirement home here in our area. We went to visit a potential investigator, Barbara. Right when we walked in though there was about 5 or 6 people in the front room so we stopped and talked with them. I met a man named Lynn Olive and he is 97 years old and a crack up! Here are my 2 favorite quotes from him: "I'm probably going to fall in love with you." and "I might have to start polygamy again." Needless to say.. I was dying!! Hahaha so funny and Sister Phagwah was talking to another lady so she totally missed it. 

Scary times: So every night Sister Phagwah and I have bedtime stories. As we lay in bed falling asleep we will ask a random question like "What did you do for your 16th birthday?" or "How did your parents meet?" Just random things.. Anyways, last week she decided to tell me a story of when her sister was on her mission in the West Indies and how they thought one night that someone was trying to break into their apartment because they heard a big loud noise. Well silly Sister Phagwah.. Next thing you know we are both screaming and freaking out and then Sister Phagwah jumps in my bed. Haha what then followed was us checking our apartment with my little flashlight to make sure no one was in there. Of course, no one was. We had just psyched ourselves out.

Exciting times: We (all the VC sisters) went to Jacob Hamblin's home for a tour. Which was super fun! because we always promote it but none of us had been before. Jacob Hamblin is a great man and such a great example of faith and dedication to the church.

We got 2 referrals last week that are super solid. One was for the Howe family and as we contacted them the dad answers the door saying "You know I have lived here a while and never had missionaries knock on my door. Come in." Well he was the only one home so of course, we couldn't go in but we were able to set up a return appointment and he even said he would feed us dinner! Well he then had to go out of town so we had to reschedule but that's okay. The next referral was a media referral meaning by text message through mormon.org. Her name is Macy and we called her and left a message and she actually called back!!!!! She sounded super excited and we were able to set up a time to meet with her.

Things are just continuing to pick up here in Washington East and I feel blessed beyond belief!

Well have a good week and love you all!

February 5, 2014- Another in the waters of baptism

Hello, How's it going?

Okay great and exciting news! Third time really is the charm.. After planning and cancelling Naomi's baptism twice she was finally baptized this last Saturday, February 1st!! Her brother, Anthony didn't end up feeling ready or really having the desire so he wasn't baptized. And the dad (big Anthony) would still not sit in on our lessons but this baptism has worked miracles! As I was talking at the baptism Big Anthony had tears in his eyes! And if you see the pictures he is a big man, and definitely not a softy. Afterwards, Tamara (mom) said she had never seen him like that. And Little Anthony was just so happy. He had a smile the whole time!! The next day Naomi was confirmed in church and it also happened to be fast and testimony meeting. So Tamara got up and it was so sweet. She also said that little Anthony said he now wants to get baptized! Miracles, I tell ya. Now if we could get Big Anthony to join us.

Andy is still doing great! And still on date for February 22nd!!!! He is just so solid, I don't even know what to say. Oh did I tell you he used to be a Christian Preacher? Yaaa he's really smart with the bible and knows it so well! Kinda intimidating but he's so open and ready it doesn't even matter. It just adds to the lessons!

Ok Lisa so we picked up her 2 sons as new investigators! Did I mention that last week? Don't remember... Well they came to church on Sunday! Which Lisa usually goes but her boys are kinda off and on! We had another lesson with them yesterday and put her on date for March 1st!!!!!! Seriously my mind is blown at how ready all these people around us are! The boys are not sure yet but praying about it! Her husband, Darren, didn't sit in on the lesson again :( Hopefully soon we will be able to teach him too! But we know that it might be similar to Naomi... They might just have to wait til they feel the spirit of her baptism an see that as an example for them. Lisa feels it'll probably go that way too..

On Sunday we had a man come up to us and say something along the lines of: "Hi just wanted to introduce myself. I want to take the lessons and get baptized." Then 2 minutes later.. Another man came up and said "Hi. I'm a member but my son and wife are not. I think my son is ready for lessons and to get baptized." Uhhh where do these people come from?

The Lord shows us miracle every single day. Look for them and you will find them.

Gotta go, Love you all so much!!!!