Transfers and Tender Mercies -- November 25, 2013

HEY THERE, FAMILY!  It's been an AWESOME and very full week!

 

This past week, I was employed to sing AGAIN, but this time at Stake conference!  Thankfully it was a quartet, so it wasn't too scary.  At stake conference, the theme was "Hastening the Work of Salvation" (I think the church is starting to really emphasize that everywhere now).  It was an awesome experience!  The 40 or so missionaries from our stake were waiting in the lobbies on both sides of the chapel, and when the Stake President said "...called to serve" in his opening remarks, the organ started to play "Called to Serve" as all of us missionaries came in and funneled down the pews and sang.  It was kind of cheesy, but pretty cool!  There was so much power!  And lots of wet faces.  It's so fun being a missionary and having everyone love you ;)

 

GREAT NEWS!!  So B_____, the 9 year old we're teaching and will be baptizing on Dec 7th, is still on for baptism.  We got them to Stake conference, and her older 11 year-old sister, C____, who we used to teach came too.  C____ pulled us aside after Stake Conference and told us that she too wants to be baptized on Dec. 7th, but wants it to be a surprise for B_____, as Dec. 7th is Bri's birthday!  WE ARE SO EXCITED!!  C____ was actually how we started to teach B_____, then she decided to stop investigating, while B_____ really took off.  These past few weeks, C____ really has had a change of heart, come to B____'s lessons, participated, and been really, really happy!  Heavenly Father has really been working with her, and both B____ and C_____ will be such wonderful examples to their family.  This past week, Elder Phillips and I had the car, so we drove up to their trailer in a town called Fremont.  It really hurt my heart to see the bad environment they live in (total squalor, father who smokes/drinks/lounges around all day in the home and insults them).  It was amazing to me that they are somehow able to be so happy despite so much unhappiness at home.  I know they've been able to feel the difference of having the gospel in their lives.  Hopefully their mother will be soon to follow!

 

We got transfer calls this morning, and I'll be staying in Angola for another 6 weeks!  I'm pretty excited about it!  Now I'll be able to see C_____/B_____ baptized, and see the new senior couple come in.  We taught a really great lesson with W______ (the guy we found by the train tracks late one night) yesterday.  We talked about the Book of Mormon and Plan of Salvation. He gets it!  He's so fun to teach because he's our age, very teachable, asks great questions, and very open.  We're trying to get through to his girlfriend who thinks Mormons are polygamists ;)

 

More happy news!  We've been working really closely with a few less-actives (trying to get them to church; meeting with them/teaching them/getting them caught up to speed with the gospel).  B____, one that we've been working with since I've been here has been a member for 10 years but has yet to go to the temple.  We have brought it up in the past, and she wasn't thrilled with the idea. She's had a rough life, and is a single mother, but it has been such an amazing experience meeting with her at the church and at her house twice a week and reading from the scriptures with her, teaching her, and serving her.  She REALLY likes us and trusts us.  A few nights ago we got a text at midnight from her saying that she feels like she needs to go to the temple and start preparing for that!  We've been able to see the Spirit work in her and soften her heart, and grow her testimony.  She's basically like an investigator, so we started from ground one, but she has progressed so much!  Yay for re-activation!

 

Haha... so.... we were leaving a dinner appointment we had with a less-active member and we were running late to another appointment, so we STEPPED ON IT..... we MIGHT have gotten pulled over and ticketed.... Woops!  Lesson learned!  We started to use cruise control now (and NO I was not driving..)

 

I love this work!  You know what is one of the neatest things about being a missionary?  Testifying all day, every day of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and God's perfect plan for us.  Something so cool that I've noticed is that no matter who we're teaching, whenever we bear testimony with the Spirit, eyes lock, the focus is there, and you can SEE, I mean SEE the Spirit touch that person's heart. It is so special.  Even children can feel it.  And most of all, I can feel it, and it is such a cherished opportunity.

 

Keep C____ and B____ and W_____ in your prayers if you will!  The Adversary is real, and the last thing Satan wants is for 3 more people to get closer to Heavenly Father.

 

I love you!

 

Elder Jason Allred

 

Pictures:

1 - SNOW!

2 - Our stellar district.  I love them!

 

Another week in the Promised Lance -- November 18, 2013

WOW. This week was long, intense, but great!  SO MUCH HAPPENED!

 

We found a perfect little duplex for the senior couple coming!  Most of our energies have been focused on that since they will be here in about 9 days, and there was seemingly NOTHING for rent in Angola.  Heavenly Father really blessed us with a choice find, so we were able to walk through and secure a place less than a mile away from our apartment and from the church.  We are SO excited for the couple coming!

 

I made the mistake of saying that I enjoyed singing to the branch musical director, so... we had to sing a special musical number for Sacrament meeting yesterday!  It was scary, but actually pretty fun!  We also both gave talks, AND taught Primary :)  Oh, the joys of serving in a tiny branch!  It was a LOT do, pretty last-minute, but Heavenly Father really helped us do all we needed to do!  Serving others really is fun!

 

On Monday night, we got a call late that we needed to rush to the Nursing home to give a member in our branch a blessing.  His wife, has been fighting for life for 8 years and was on her way out, so he needed some comfort.  It was so special being able to use the Priesthood to share Heavenly Father's love with this son of God.  The next morning, his wife slipped away peacefully.  We spent a lot of time this week helping to prepare for the funeral which was held on Saturday.  Saturday morning, we got a frantic call that the person who was supposed to be singing at the funeral service bailed, so they begged me specifically to sing in his place!  I was so scared!  With four hours notice, and fasting that day, I was NOT prepared to sing at a funeral in front of all those people, but I didn't want to let them down.  Thankfully, Elder Phillips offered to sing with me so that some of the pressure would be off.  Thank goodness!  The funeral was lovely, and many people came up to us afterwards and thanked us for bringing the spirit with our music. It was actually pretty neat being able to help out in that unexpected, unplanned way.

 

We had a finding miracle this week!  We are supposed to be out until 9pm each and every night. This is pretty hard with it getting dark at 5;30 and it being so cold, but Elder Phillips and I have committed to never go in early!  One night, it was 8:40pm, cold, windy, and of course super dark, but a young man named "W_____" approached us as we crossed the train tracks asking, "aren't you guys the Mormon missionaries?  I think I want to be a Mormon!"  WHOA.  Haha we were a little skeptical about it, but got his info, and told him we'd come teach him the next day.  The next day came, and we went and taught the Restoration. He is so funny!  He loves to give "high fives" and was impressed with our message.  Halfway through the lesson, his Mom came out and so did his little brother, and they both listened in to what was being taught.  His mom is super nice, and used to be a member (she thinks she's not anymore...?) but LOVES the Book of Mormon and was basically teaching William with us. We're so grateful for this blessing and plan on going back to share more with William and his family!

 

B_____, the 9 year old we're teaching, IS SO FLIPPIN GOLDEN.  Holy moly she keeps all of her commitments and EVEN INVITES AND BRINGS HER LITTLE FRIENDS TO CHURCH AND ACTIVITY DAYS!  Yesterday, we taught her, her two unbaptized siblings (who agreed to be taught by us now!!) and her friend that she brought to church named Hailie.  I was blown away!  This little girl is SO PREPARED and is already a perfect little member missionary!  Her family has a lot of potential that we're trying to harvest, too, through service and teaching.  I think as soon as Brianna is baptized, her two siblings and mother will follow closely behind!  We're so excited for the many opportunities that await us there :)

 

This gospel is SO true.  When I was preparing my talk on Gratitude and Thanksgiving, I was overwhelmed with such deep gratitude for this Gospel.  Do we know and understand what we have as members of this church?  Do we remember that we are partakers of the Priesthood? Do we realize what it means to be sons and daughters of God?  It is my prayer that we will be ever more aware and ever more grateful for the priceless gift of the Restored Gospel in our own lives, and do our part to share that gift with others.

 

I love you!

 

Love, Jason

 

PS - Sorry for no pictures this week!  It was a little crazy...

I love my mother! (November 11, 2013)

(A note sent to Jason's mother :) )

MOM!  Did you know that I love you?  Because I do :)

 

YOUR PACKAGE CAME ON HALLOWEEN, AND IT MADE MY LIFE!  No joke, I actually started crying when Elder Phillips was in the bathroom because I was so overcome with gratitude and love and happiness!  I have the best mother EVER!  It was SO thoughtful of you!  I hope you know that I keep all of the little letters/notes/stickes you send.  They fill me with such joy.  It made Elder Phillips really happy, too, so thank you so much for including something for him, too!  (I'm including a picture of me with your package in this email, so i hope it comes through!)

 

 

5 MONTHS! -- November 11, 2013

Family!  What a crazy week!  But a good one :)  CAN YOU BELIEVE IT'S BEEN 5 MONTHS ALREADY? Goodness, It's gone by pretty dang fast!  It seems like just yesterday I was entering the MTC as a sweaty, nervous mess.

 

Angola is great!  We have some great news!  Angola is getting a set of Senior missionaries in two weeks!!  We are SO excited and grateful.  This is a REAL answer to prayers, because even though Elder Phillips and I LOVE it hear, Angola has had the reputation as "outer darkness" or "the Abyss"... Work is pretty slow at the moment, but we're capitalizing on the potential here.  It will be SO wonderful seeing Angola go from "Outer Darkness" to the "Promised Land" with the arrival of the Senior couple.  The Dayton branch received a senior couple 20 months ago, and while the couple was there, the branch more than doubled!  We look forward to working hand-in-hand with another set of missionaries here in the coming weeks!  Woo!

 

Because the senior couple is coming pretty soon, we received the assignment to find and secure a place for them to stay, which has been our main focus this week.  There is NOTHING for rent in Angola, but we know that the Lord will provide a way to find something for them in time!  We have few leads, and one of the perks of living in a small town is that everyone knows everyone, so the branch members are calling in favors with people to help us out.  It has been pretty stressful and time consuming, but we know this miracle will really help Angola!

 

We taught a few really great lessons this week!  B______, our most progressing investigator, will be getting baptized on Dec. 9th!  She has been so fun to work with, and we've had a lot of fun teaching her, because teaching children is VERY different from teaching adults.  We really had to think outside of the box for lessons, and did a lot of fun object lessons to help her grasp gospel principles.  This past week, we taught her about the importance of following the prophet.  Aunt Linda sent me some glow sticks, so we set up an obstacle course in the church gym and had them go through the maze in the dark with only their glow stick (or "conscience") to lead the way.  It was a little hard for them, but they made it through.  Then, we had them do it again with a larger glow stick (or "prayer") it still took them a while, but they made it through.  Finally, we had her do it again, but with a flashlight (the "prophet").  She was able to quickly and easily navigate through the darkness and into the light on the other side, exclaiming, "it's so much easier with the prophet!!".  It has been so fun and rewarding teaching her, and this time, her two non-baptized siblings, and non-member mother came to the lesson and participated and LOVED IT!  We hope that Brianna's example and faith will continue to be a light to her family, and a gateway to get them taught, too!

 

We've really been trying to find more people to teach... the pictures this week are some pretty sites in the towns and parks in our area.  We got to take some pretty pictures as we were out finding (sorry they're a little blurry... my camera is pretty old!).  Similar to Ohio, there are TONS of churches, and most of the "hoosiers" here are pretty dead-set in their ways, so it's difficult to find new investigators.  We have tried to fast more frequently to find new people to teach, which hasn't borne fruit yet, but I know that often times, "[We] receive no witness until after the trial of [our] faith."  We've been able to get back into contact with some formers/potential investigators though, and continue to really reach out to less-actives and serve members.  I just made Heather's banana bread (SO GOOD!) so we'll be taking that with us to some less-actives after dinner tonight.

 

Haha, so... I've been able to successfully dodge the bullet of giving a talk in church somehow, but I'll be singing next Sunday during sacrament meeting!  Yikes!  Hope that goes well... I'd almost rather give a talk haha

 

This work is God's work!  It is hard work, and there are certainly times of doubt and hardship, but Heavenly Father always buoys you up and encourages you to keep going. I love the Gospel!  I love the peace and hope and JOY that comes with it. 

 

Heavenly Father knows you and loves you!  The Gospel is for everyone, so DON'T HOG IT!  GO SHARE!!

 

Love forever,
Elder Jason Allred

 

 

November 4, 2013

Oi familia!  This week was BUSY but oh so good!  We got a TON done, and many things happened!  Here are some of the highlights of my week:

 

- We are teaching up a storm!  We taught 23 lessons this week!  That's 22 more than the week before I came!  YES!  We're staying as busy as possible, teaching investigators, less-actives, and members!  It's the best!

 

-We've been teaching C___, our most progressing investigator a lot recently, but.... He failed to show up to church. Again.  So we have to drop him :(  We're pretty bummed that he can't get himself up and going, but at the same time, there has to be commitment on both ends for this to work, so we'll be taking a break from him.

 

- B______, the 19 year old Pagan girl reached out to us this week, and we met and taught an AWESOME Plan of Salvation lesson with her.  It was really touching.  There were tears all around, and the Spirit was really there!  Her grandma just passed away, so she's feeling a little anger towards God.  It was really special being able to share with her how I was able to keep my faith and love for Heavenly Father despite my father passing away too, and bearing witness of God's perfect plan of happiness for our children.

 

- On Halloween, we had a ROCKIN' Zone Conference and got some really good inspiration for Angola.  We had to be in by 6:30 that night, so we listened to General Conference talks and made cake.  THIS PLACE IS GOING TO BLOW UP!  We're so excited for all of the potential here.  The members are starting to get excited to do missionary work, and we're trying to encourage them as we teach them, and have them come teach with us.  I've discovered that our little branch is... pretty disfunctional actually, but they really love missionaries and we have a few "visionaries" who are trying to re-vamp ward programs/tear down the cliques/hasten missionary work, which is GREAT! The trouble is that most of our members are converts themselves, so many of them are not familiar with how to lead/teach/delegate/etc.  We're working on it though, and already seeing so much progress!

 

- There are a TON of less-actives here, and some are really nice, while others... hahaha it's great!  We're trying pretty hard to reach out to them, because we need all the members and talents we can get!  It is a real challenge trying to help less-actives re-discover their flame of faith, but it is special seeing the Spirit work within them as we teach them and serve them.

 

- We bought rakes from Walmart so that we have a good excuse to go up and talk to people! We figured that if we just went up and started serving them, they might open up to us better.  We'll see how that turns out. ;)

 

- B______, the 9 year old daughter of an inactive part-member family that we're teaching, is getting baptized!!  She is SO fun to teach!  She really 'gets' the Gospel.  She is reverent and focused during lessons, and LOVES the missionaries!  She is such a sweetie!  She'll be getting baptized on her birthday in the beginning of December!  I hope I'm around for that.

 

There's certainly never a dull moment as a missionary!  If you're doing it right, missionary work really is a joy!  All you have to think about for 2 whole years is serving the Lord.  You learn so much!  Being a missionary has really helped me see what it must be like for Heavenly Father when WE don't keep our commitments to Him.  It is SO frustrating when you pray for, think about, and plan wonderful things for people, and they either don't show, or choose not to act on what you have to offer them.  It must really break Heavenly Father's heart when we, His children, choose not to keep His commandments, and choose not to act on the priceless gift He has offered to us.

 

I know this Gospel is true!  I know it because it has changed me, and I'm seeing it change those who we teach for the better.  His plan is SO simple.  Heavenly Father loves you and is there for YOU!

 

Love,

Elder Jason Allred

 

PICTURES:

1. We went to a member's house for dinner who had a farm, and I reeeeeally wanted to hold a chicken.  Farms are FUN!

 

2. Me trying to make the same face as the chicken... It's harder than you think!

 

3. Halloween!  Elder Phillips and I got some fun things from someone special that day in the mail ;)

 

4. Oh the things you'll find in Angola.... 

Flakes -- October 28, 2013

Hello family!  It has been a VERY busy week, but a great one! 

It has been SO COLD here in Angola!  We had our first snow already, and some kind branch members have lent me an overcoat to use while I'm here, since I was expecting to be in Brazil by now :)

We really did our best to teach as much as possible!  There is something worldwide for missionaries called "The Standard of Excellence" which sets goals for how much we should be teaching/how many investigators come to church etc.  Angola in the past has been open, then closed, then re-opened because of it's minimal growth, but Elder Phillips and I are really trying to teach teach teach!  One of our Mission President's favorite quotes is, "There is no such thing as a dry area. Just dry missionaries", so we're taking that to heart and doing our best to fill our time meaningfully!

We had  A BUNCH  of appointments set up this week including a chapel tour!  We were so excited to teach these people that Heavenly Father has prepared.  BUT, SIX of them flaked!  Last-minute literally 6 appointments cancelled on us!  There are few things more frustrating than planning for hours for specific people with specific needs, then having them flake out last minute... We even made breakfast and took it over to an investigator to get them to church on time.  Didn't work out haha... Satan is really trying to slow down progression here... We are NOT getting discouraged though!  We were able to stay busy, and make some more solid return appointments, and most importantly, TEACH people!  We're trying to do some more less-active work and a lot of finding.

On a brighter note, we got C___ on date for baptism for November 23rd!  He's shown a higher commitment level and desire to make appropriate changes in his life, so we're meeting with him twice/week and helping him overcome a few things. Twink wanted us to come by, so we did, but she was sick, so we left her with a Book of Mormon, and a Finding Faith in Christ DVD.  We'll be going back later to check in. 

We had the car this week (we share with another set of Elders) so we got out to the outskirts of our area some!  It was really fun!  There's a lot of "Hoosier" pride in Indiana, but no one can really tell us what a "hoosier" is....  They all say the word "wash" pronounced like "worsh" which always makes me laugh.  I FINALLY FOUND A COMPUTER THAT WILL UPLOAD PICTURES, so I'll send some pictures of Angola and the country.  It's really pretty!

When you're not out trying to contact and teach people as a missionary, you're either asleep or you're studying.  We get the privilege of studying a lot which has proved to be a precious gift.  What really stuck out to me in my personal studies was Alma 37:45-46:

45 And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.

46 O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever.

The way to eternal life is PREPARED for us.  It is so simple.  All we have to do is keep the commandments, and listen to our Heavenly Father's loving guidance.  The scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, are for us in our day.  Just as the Liahona guided Lehi and his family through the wilderness, the scriptures are our guide and compass in our time.  They lay out so clearly for us the way to return to our Father in Heaven.  Time and time again we are presented with examples of faithful obedience that lead to prosperous times and joy, juxtaposed with examples of pride and turmoil and despair.  The difference?  Keeping the simple commandments that Heavenly Father has given us for our HAPPINESS.  It's all there for us to see.  It is laid out and prepared.  Just as it says in Alma, the way is "easy". 

I have such testimony that the way truly is prepared for all of God's children. It is simple.  Heavenly Father designed His plan for us to succeed.  I'm so grateful that I have the opportunity to share with others my testimony of the Gospel and show them how the way has been "...prepared for them".

There is so much joy and happiness in following the commandments and emulating Christ.  I love you all so very, very much!  Let us all press on, and remember that the way is indeed prepared for us, and that we have been given the tools we need to succeed!

Love always,
Elder Jason Allred

PICTURES:

1. The back of our apartment... Looks a little sketch, right?  I love it!

 

2. The heart of Angola (right outside our apartment)

3. CORN!

 

4. A view of city center at night (you can kind of see our apartment's front)

5. More corn!  The trees are pretty, too.  This is where we are most of the time! 

 

Oct 21, 2013--GOOD OL' ANGOLA

HELLO FAMILY!  My my my, this week was a little crazy, but GREAT!  I got transferred to Angola, Indiana, and it is SO DIFFERENT!

Transfers were conveniently held in Centerville, so that was nice, but Angola was about a 4 hour drive!  My new companion, Elder Phillips, is really nice, hard-working, and FUN. We work hard and have a good time in the process!

Here are some fun facts about Angola, Indiana:

- There are over 100 natural lakes in the area

- It is an OLD town...  I'd say it's dying. Lots of old buildings, and old people!  But it's pretty.

- There are a TON of farms!  Mostly soybeans and corn, which make for very pretty pictures! 

- This is the BOONIES of Indiana.  Just a hop, skip, and a jump away from both Ohio, and Michigan. 

- Our area is as far north as the mission goes

- There are quite a few Amish communities in our area which is pretty cool!  We see them around town sometimes...

- There are 40 active members in Angola.  Yes. 40!  Our little branch is quite the change from the sprawling Centerville Ward where we typically had about 300 at church each week.  Out of the 40 members, there are about 8 youth, and most everyone else is aged 60+... :) It's fun!

- Angola was just re-opened for missionary work, and the work is pretty slow at the moment.  I was shocked when Elder Phillips told me they taught only ONE lesson the week before I came!  We'll be fixing that!

I LOVE Angola!  I love being in the "boonies" with farms and animals and members who are a little rough around the edges :)  It's very refreshing, and there certainly is never a dull moment!

After our 4 hour excursion from Centerville to Angola, I was able to unpack a little bit, then we hit the town!  We live in the heart of Angola, the very center of downtown called the "Square".  Our apartment is ironically on top of a bar!  It's fun though, because it feels like a NYC kind of apartment.  Haha...  There are tons of trailers, and a few homeless people, too!  We have a car, and cover the town of Angola, and about 7 surrounding little towns.  It's pretty huge!  The members here feed us REALLY well! I'm worried that now that I'm in a car area, I'll start packing on the pounds!  YUM!

We do a TON of service for members and less-actives.  The majority of our service has been manual labor, like roofing and cleaning out barns.  It feels so good to serve, and it's fun having the opportunity to serve so much.

Our investigators are an interesting bunch!  We're teaching a bi-polar, schizophrenic named "C___" who is 28 and needs the Gospel.  He loves the missionaries, and we're working on a baptismal date for him.  We're also teaching a Pagan girl named "B____", yes, that is her real name, and she is Pagan.  She's 19, has already been addicted to drugs, had a child, cleaned up, and now is looking for hope in her life while she lives alone and is trying to finish up high school.  Like I said, pretty different, right?  It's awesome!  It is really a different experience teaching someone who doesn't have a Christian background.  The others that we're teaching are children from less-active/part-member families.  Two super sweet and willing 8 year old girls named "B____" and "B_____".  It is so hopeful teaching them, because they love meeting with us!  Ironically, the 8-year-olds are the ones keeping their commitments all by themselves with no parental support.  Yikes!  I hope that they can get baptized soon and be an example for their parents in their homes. 

We already had a little miracle!  One afternoon, we were walking by and spotted two of our former investigators, who we said hello to and kept walking.  As we walked down the street a ways, some lady hollered at us and invited us to "come eat supper" with her and her family.  SWEET!  Her name is "Twink", and it turns out that the two formers we said hello to were her brother and his wife!  Small world.  We had chili and met her whole family and extended family!  They told us to come back and share a message sometime!  WOOHOO!  It was so random, and so fun being invited in by a total stranger to be "part" of her family for the evening and invited back.  We're pumped for the potential there.

I have some fun pictures, but the computers here at this library will not allow picture sharing... :( I'll print them at Walmart and mail them to you!)

I LOVE MY FAMILY! :)  GO OUT AND SHARE THE GOSPEL!

Love, Elder Jason Allred

PS - MY NEW MAILING ADDRESS IS (for letters only):

40 N Public Square

Angola, IN 46703

Packages go to:

1240 N 155 W

Angola, IN 46703