My Last Email

Hey Everyone,

Well, this will be my last email to all of you. I cannot believe that my mission has come and gone. I don’t know where the time has gone.

I have truly come to love the people of Idaho. It has been the honor of my life to serve here with so many great friends, and help those that the Lord has chosen. I will be forever grateful for the memories and experiences that I have had here on my mission.

If there is anything that I have learned while here, it is this:

God, our Father lives. He loves us enough to make a way for us to become like Him. He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to set forth the perfect example of how to become like Him. While here on Earth, Christ not only taught us how to change from our imperfections, but suffered and died to make this overwhelming task possible. After hundreds of years of being lost through greed and corruption, God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ were merciful enough to reach out to us again and restore the authority and gospel truths necessary to become like Him through the chosen prophet Joseph Smith.

I have a strong witness and knowledge that Christ’s church is on the Earth today, with His power here to direct it and carry out the required ordinances of salvation. This same knowledge can be made know to any man if he humbly asks God in the name of Christ, with faith and sincerity, simply if this is true. All that actually pursue this course always gain the same witness that I leave you today.

I praise my Father for the life he has given me, and will ever be in the service of His Son.

“Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.”

-3 Nephi 5:13

Look forward to seeing you all soon!

Love,

Elder Allen

More Baptisms & My Last Week in Idaho

Hey Everyone,

It has been a good week. On Saturday,  we had another baptism. We were able to have  the ward lined up to help with the new member discussions. Everything is rolling smoothly. I’m pleased Elder Harris learns the area and people.

It is sad that I won’t be able to see Mike get baptized. Originally we planned his baptism for this Saturday, but unfortunately he will be in Boise. Now it is scheduled for the following Tuesday. He is still making the right step though. We saw miracles as he willingly accepted the new commandments we taught him this last week. The elect accept the gospel and truly make all the sacrifices necessary to be baptized. He is definitely one of those.

I love all of you!

EA

ViviLnk

An Exciting (Busy) Week

Hey Everyone,

It has been another great week. I have learned eternal truths, striven to better myself, and felt the inspiring love of the Savior. Thank you all for helping me have experiences I will never forget.

We had a baptism this last week. We have another one on Saturday. Plus, we just set a date, October 14,  with Mike, a 25 year old air-force guy,  we have been teaching a couple of months. He has come so far, it is awesome to see him progress. The work is picking up here. I love this area, and it will be sad to leave.

I miss you all, and hope you all have a great day!

love

EA

Modern Day Miracles

Hey Everyone,

It has been another success filled week. We had a miracle: We were driving and we got a text that our investigator with a date would like to be baptized 2 weeks early! We didn’t think that he would be ready, but they insisted and he passed the interview on Saturday.

Also, we saw success come from working with members. I remember right before a dinner, we prayed for inspiration to help share a message with a member family, to have them invite their friends to hear our message. We ended up sharing a message based on love being the center piece of the gospel, and how we show our love and faith when we invite. Two days later, they called us telling us that they talked with their neighbors (who have lived in Soda Springs for over 30 years and never met with missionaries) and invited them to hear the message. They accepted, and we will be teaching them in the members home! You never know who is being prepared.

Thanks for all that you do.

Love,

EA

A Phenomenal Week

Hey Everyone,

This has been a phenomenal week.  I have a new companion, Elder Harris. He is from Long Bech, California. We work well together. Also, we have been working as hard as we can.   As a result of our efforts, we are seeing some great results. Members are more willing to work with us. We are being invited to all ward councils We are seeing people come to church and almost more referrals than we can handle, etc. It truly is going phenomenally.

This week, we will have an exchange with the YSA elders. I am looking forward to seeing their progress and learning from them.

I’ve got a great calling and assignment, I couldn’t ask for anything more.

My spiritual progression has increased as well as I put the Book of Mormon as a priority in my own life. It really does work. Something that I’ve been working on is having more sincere prayers, and when I do, I can literally see the difference.

The Steed family and Tobias families are doing great and are both progressing along well.

I love you all

EA

ViviLnk

Another Week Without an Email

No group email this week. He did answer my questions and send a picture. I guess I should be grateful.

He says he is doing well.  His companion, Elder Denton goes home this week. His new companion is Elder Harris from California. I hope next week he will write more.

No Email This Week

For some reason, Drew didn’t write this week. He sent a few pictures and answered my questions. It will be a long week until his next P-day. 

A Dream Situation

Hey Everyone,

The work here is going so well. We have found another person that wants to get baptized.  This has been so busy. I love this area. I feel a deep and special connection with all of my investigators. I have never related so well with my investigators as I have in this area. When you combine my connections with Elder Denton’s skills in utilizing the members it become a dream situation. I am happy the ward is welcoming our investigators.

I’d like to share a story this week which demonstrates our ability to reach and connect with our investigators. We go and teach this man named Mike on Saturday. He has come to church twice before this visit. It was always because we committed him to do it, more like an obligation rather than desire. Elder Denton and I were talking about the lesson before hand in the car. The last couple of times, it seemed like we were teaching lessons not teaching him. We both agreed that we didn’t really know too well. So we spent the first half hour getting to know him. He soon revealed his concerns and we able to teach accordingly. We left him with a commitment to read and pray about the Book of Mormon daily, which he gladly accepted. Then we extended a church invite, instead of commitment. He was there early the next morning. We are going to  teach him more often. The members invited him to a service project, which he said he would love to go to. It is a huge blessing.

I hope everyone has a great week!

Love,

EA

ViviLnk

E

Total Eclipse & Hard Work

Hey Everyone,

 

This past week flew by. I cant believe how fast the time of my mission is running out. Elder Denton and I are using the time we have left to the fullest.

 

This week, I went on exchanges with both Elder Kanahele and Elder Curtis. They both helped me learn more about showing sincerity and concern for the people that surround us. That has been one of the things that I am working on. They are both great examples of this. 

 

We saw four investigators make it to church yesterday. It was nice to see the ward receive them and welcome them. 

 

The work is going really well. To give you an idea, we have on average 6 lessons set every day, and one day last week we had 12 appointments set up! It is crazy busy here. The Tobias’, Becksteads, Prices, and Steeds are preparing for their baptism in September.  We have a lot more potential investigators in works. This is the busiest I have been on my mission since my first area  (Ashton & Island Park). The Lord is certainly preparing a lot of people. 

 

We hiked up the side of a mountain to see the eclipse today. It took about an hour and a half. The eclipse was an incredible experience. It was phenomenal! At the top, we found a road. We  followed it till we found some hikers (who happened to also be mormons). They offered to take us down in polaris razors!  It turned out to be a really fun trip

 

Thanks a lot for the prayers and support. 

 

love

 

EA

Enjoy More Fully the Sunlight

Hey Everyone,

Last week, we had a very spiritual zone conference with a lot of good trainings and preparations. The part that I took away the most from was when we were discussing lesson plans. Elder Denton and I have been able to teach together and see great results in committing our investigators to repent.

I went on exchanges with Elder Gilman and Weber. It was really fun to be with those Elders. Elder Weber is 27. He was a great example of dedication and sincerity.

Elder Denton has been one of my favorite companions so far. We are working hard and having fun. I couldn’t ask for anything more. One goal I set this past week was to stop complaining. I tend to whine or complain about little things, but in reality, I have nothing to complain about! I have the dream situation as a missionary.  I am continuing to progress every day. I need to take President Hinckley’s advice and stop seeking out the storms of life and enjoy more fully the sunlight,  peaceful times and blessings.

Thanks for everything,

EA