Monday, March 17, 2014

Hello, How's it going?

Hmm Lets see if my mind will focus for a second...

This week was good, as always. Work is continuing to be slow with non-members but blowing up with less actives.

The youth these days are the greatest. I am totally inspired by them. 1- There was a Family History Fair at our stake center on Saturday and we popped in to some of the youth classes for a little bit. It got me so pumped to do more family history to take names to the temple. So mom, you are helping me when I get back. 2- This last week we got a call from a "Scott" he wanted us to come over on Sunday. We set an apt over the phone but had no idea who it was until we drove by his house later. We had randomly knocked on their door last week but no parents were home. So we went over yesterday for our "appointment". They just happened to be outside doing yard work. Scott said "hi" and then walked away. We were so confused but started talking to his mom, Colleen. We got to know her and found out they are a semi-active family and she is the most in-active. And Scott is the one that is always trying to get the whole family to church. We set an appointment to come back to help plant tulips and also start her on the "stop smoking program". She then said sometimes Scott will call the missionaries without her knowing. Yep, that's what happened this time too. Sneaky kid.

Update on Lucille- Well she came to the Relief Society activity this week! YAY! She even signed up to feed us the next day. Unfortunately she cancelled and was feeling too overwhelmed. We stopped by that day and she seemed okay but than started to get light headed and black out. We hurried and helped her to the couch and all was well. She is now out of town but hopefully we can meet up with her this week.

We had Zone Conference this week in Richfield! We were able to drive down there the night before because it is quite a ways away. So we got to stay with the sisters there. It was so fun! Zone Conference was weird with so many elders and not as many sisters. Way different than being in the St George area. But the training was super good and I'm excited to put it into practice.

Let me tell you about one of my favorite families- Cherrie, Justice, Kiara, and Ryker! They are a semi-active family. The kids were more so than the mom but she has been coming back because she knows she needs to be prepared spiritually when Justice goes on his mission. (In 3 years haha) But we have lessons with them about twice a week and they are just awesome. She is sooo motivated to get active and everyone else around her active. She has just turned in to the greatest missionary. This week she invited us over to their house for Kiara and Rykers birthdays (12 and 4) We watched the Testaments and ate pizza. What better way to spend your birthday then with the missionaries watching The Testaments? Haha I love their family.

Ok funny story! So the family we live with are about to have a baby in a few weeks. So they got the baby monitor out to prepare. One night when we came home we saw the 2 boys PJ (8) and Kash (6) playing with it. After planning we go into our bedroom and see it sitting there on my night stand facing my bed. Hahaha so I go to unplug it and PJ comes running in insisting I leave it. So we did. We get ready for bed and came up with a plan to just talk about ridiculous things that "happened" that day. So I just tilted it up so it was facing the sealing so they couldn't see us but just hear us. We talked all about our monkey and moose we saw that day. (and ate haha) Oh and our paint balling activity with the Relief Society President and of course had to mention when we met President Monson and how he got us tickets to conference. The next morning they came running downstairs asking us all these questions. It was so great! When their parents found out they made breakfast for us and made the kids apologize. It was pretty good. But I've been raised with 4 brothers. What else can you expect form them? Haha I love their family.

Well that's all for now. Oh and it snowed this week. What!? Yep, but it didn't really stick though but it is freezing!!!

Love you all! Don't forget about me! Just 6.5 months left!

~Sister Allen

107 S 1470 E STE 304

St George, UT 84790

March 10, 2014- Home of the turkeys!

Hello, How's it going??

So last Tuesday morning I headed up north on the transfer van- a van with about 11 missionaries. I always thought it would be fun to go on the transfer van, it was kinda anticlimactic but it was fun though because Sister Hollander (my daughter from Kaibab) was on the van too! So we got to catch up lots and got to hear about all the progress of those we taught together in Kaibab. I also got to see 2 of my favorite sisters on the way up- Sister Pene in Richfield and Sister Luebbert in Beaver. And we have Zone Conference this week so I will get to see them again woohoo!

Ok, Did you know that 90% of the turkeys for Thanksgiving come from Moroni, Utah? Yep, pretty cool huh. Except the fact that you can smell them everyday. But I think I've already gotten used to the smell.. I am now a Moronian or Sanpeteian, that's the county we are in.

We cover 4 different towns here. Moroni, Fountain Green, Wales, and Chester. So there are 5 wards, 1 stake and we cover it all. Reminds me of good ol, Kaibab except even smaller haha. About 1 month ago we had interviews with President and Sister Center (love them!!) President was asking what areas I had served in and I mentioned that I loved the small towns in the Kaibab stake. He said "You could have gone to a lot smaller town than Kanab." Haha I never thought I actually would but I am excited to be outbound again and just really focus on these people that I get to serve.

We are about 20 minutes from the Manti temple which means I will get to go there for our temple trip next month!!!!! Eeee so excited!

The people I have met so far are "mostly kind". Yesterday was testimony meeting and a girl gets up and says she likes her neighbors because they are "mostly kind." Hahaha everyone was laughing. It was good. But no I'm just kidding, they are amazing! 2 of the Relief Society Presidents have told us that we can just walk into their home at anytime and eat whatever we want or if we have want a ride to get ice cream or McDonalds they will take us. People are more than generous here!

We live in a basement of some members, Joe and Ricki, who are just awesome. They are a young couple with the 3 cutest kids ever. And she is due with another in less than 1 month now. The kids love hunting so we get along. Not that I know anything about hunting but I get to brag about my dad and brothers a bit. My first day here when I met PJ (8) he comes riding up on a four wheeler yelling "I caught a skunk!" Haha oh just wait, I am in a red neck town. If you look at some of my pictures below you will get it.

I'm pretty sure everyone here is either a "Christensen" or a "Cook" which makes it super confusing but I guess you got a 50/50 chance of getting it right. It is always hard at first to figure everything out and who is who but I will catch one. You wouldn't think a small town would be so confusing.

The work seems to have been a little slow around here lately with non-members but we are teaching a lot of in-actives. I was kinda bummed when I found out that we do a lot of in-active work. In the past when I have tried to reactivate members it just has been super hard. In-actives all seem to be super unmotivated and lazy! But there is a lot here that are wanting to come back to church and asking us to teach them the lessons again. I specifically want to talk about one we met last night, Lucille.

Have you ever known that you were in the exact place at an exact time that God wanted/needed you to be. That was us last night and probably one of the highlights of my mission so far. We decided to go stop by Larry and Lucille, who have been in-active about 15 years. But just lived here in Moroni 5/6 years. Right as we walked in we were welcomed with big smiles and the sweetest lady ever, Lucille! Turns out they haven't gone to church more than 2 or 3 times since they have lived here but Lucille went that day! We had no idea she had gone, no idea who she even was. She had even talked to the bishop yesterday about meeting with us. She has really bad anxiety problems but decided she needs to overcome it so her and Larry can be sealed. That is her goal right now. She was raised in the church but really doesn't remember a lot. She asked us if we would be willing to teach her the lessons! Uh YES! Anyways, I'll make this shorter. But we sat for a while and really got to know her, like her whole life story. She told us she felt completely comfortable with us and now claims us as part of her family. My heart just melted! It was just amazing to testify that God knows her and is completely aware of her. He knew that we needed to stop by last night because today her anxiety might have kicked up again and she might not have called us. We have made all these plans for lessons, cleaning her home, and even baking cookies with her. She is just the sweetest. She has the real intent to come back to the gospel and to enter in the temple to be with her family for eternity!

I hope you all now that God is aware of you also. He knows our needs, wants, desires and will do anything to make us happy. That's what this gospel is for- to make us happy. I know that as we are continually trying every single day to come closer to our Heavenly Father that He will bless us with what we need.

Here is an amazing video on lds.org that shows this as well. Please watch it :)

https://www.lds.org/prophets-and-apostles/unto-all-the-world/an-incredible-meeting-an-answered-prayer?cid=HPFR030714548&im=true&lang=eng

I love you all and hope you have a great week!

~Sister Allen

You can still send things to my mission office.

They will forward everything to me.

107 S 1470 E STE 304
St George, UT 84790

Sister Allan has just arrived in our area, and we can already tell what an asset she will be in our little community. Sister Diaz has already been such a blessing to us and is doing such a wonderful job of taking the reigns, so to speak. We hope they both stay for a long time! They both have such a happy disposition and are sure and steady in their testimonies which is easily felt by those whom they come in contact. We had the privilege to be taught a lesson by them about the Restoration and and reflect on our feelings about different aspects of it. The Spirit was so strong as we contemplated things like the Godhead and their roles, Joseph (the boy praying in the sacred grove and the prophet), the gifts of the Book of Mormon and the Gospel. Our children even opened up to them so I know they have been given spiritual gifts that reach into others’ hearts. We love these Sisters and really appreciate their efforts in helping us as members fulfill our duty to share these sweet messages with those around us!

Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful Daughters with us – although we are in Utah, we actually face unique challenges in keeping Gospel standards and commandments here, especially in our smaller communities. Progression in this valley will and has happened because of the efforts of great missionaries like Sister Diaz and Allen. We are so happy to have their wonderful influence among us!

Have a super-duper day!

Love, the Stuart Smith Family

March 3, 2014- Moroni Bound

Hello, How's it going?

So sad news, I forgot my old planner at our apartment so I don't even know what happened this last week... Life as a missionary.. Every day runs in to each other!

But exciting news, Pat is now a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! It was such an amazing baptism! Like literally perfect. It should have been on "The District". There was so much member support and the spirit was so strong. His kids kept saying "Daddy's getting baptized!" Everyone was just so happy! Then Sunday was his confirmation and also fast and testimony meeting. Him and his wife, Megan, both bore their testimonies! Oh my gosh! The BEST thing ever! I'm sure everyone in that room had tears in their eyes. I can not wait for the day when we can all meet in the temple again for their sealing! Agh, I love this gospel.

Transfer call: I am going outbound again! Ya its crazy ans pretty rare but I am excited! I know it was truly inspired. So I am going to a town named Moroni. Yep, if you didn't know that I was in Utah.. You know now. Haha I love it. So Moroni is about 3 and a half hours from St George.. It almost reaches our mission border. Which also means I will also be only 1 hour south of Provo/Orem. Yep, insane! But I am really excited for this new adventure. Oh and my companions name is Sister Diaz. She is a full-proselyting sister and we actually came out together but have never served around each other. Oh and Sister Phagwah will be staying here in Washington East and Sister Archambault will be going to a different area here in St George. I'm sad to leave them and the Visitors Center and just the headquarters of our mission but I am excited and ready for this new adventure!!!!!!!

Well I am so scatter brained and that pretty much is my week summed up. I'm sure I will have lots of exciting things next week!

Picture explanations:
Last Pday at Dixie Rock
Pat and his family and us missionaries at his baptism :)
James (our eternigator) wrote a poem for me.. Ah I'm gonna miss him!

Love you all!

~Sister Allen
107 S 1470 E STE 304
St George, UT 84790

 Oh and a random picture at the Visitors Center and a typical truck in Utah.. Haha love it!

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!