merry CHRISTmas Dec 16, 2019, 2:56 PM

 Guys yo, this week was awesome!! It was like the most trying week I've had in awhile but when I got thinking about it and talking with some loved ones, I realized that sometimes the lord has to try our faith, he sometimes has to try our loyalty. It's been really interesting to see the way he's done it this time. Were working so hard to be honest. I feel like I've gotten to the point in my mission where everything I do, means more to me. I remember seeing the missionary that trained me, he was so focused and everything meant so much to him. I feel like I've gotten to that point and it kind of feels like the Spiderman quote "With much power comes much responsibility" That quote kind of got real for me this week and it's been really cool. 

This week something else got really real for me as well, a while ago, the prophet (the living prophet Russel M Nelson) spoke about repentance and how important it is that not only we do it, but that we invite others to do it as well. So this week me and my companion put that goal, to really invite others to follow Jesus Christ and repent, and be baptized. It was really special to see the influence of the Holy Ghost in the lessons we taught. 

A really cool experience that we had this week was with a new family that we started teaching, we had contacted them like 2 weeks ago but this week we felt like it was time to go and visit them, so we went. We found the dad and the daughter. We shared the message of the resurrection with them and it was a very powerful lesson. When the time to invite them to be baptized came, everything got really silent, and we invited them. They both said yes.... We talked about it a bit more and then got to the Book or Mormon (otro testamento de Jesucristo). The dad got really upset about it all because like anyone else, he was raised with just the Bible. He didn't feel the need for another book of scripture to compliment the Bible. We explained it a little bit and we both testified of the blessings of this book. At the end of the day he accepted it and let us leave a copy in his house. We then went back in 2 days and the dad wasn't there but we found the mom and the daughter. They had both read the chapter that we left them and wow, let me tell ya that the spirit was so strong and I was able to see the miracle and power of testimony, and the Spirit. 

I'm stoked for Christmas and I hope you are as well. I hope that all goes well for you, but more than that, I hope you can focus on the real purpose of this time of year. I know that we all say that, but one thing I've really been able to realize is that he needs to be the center of our lives. Not just of Christmas, but of our lives. 

Sure love you so much!! Have a great week!!

Elder Allred 

YO DIJE WHAX Mon, Nov 25, 2019, 11:16 AM

 

This week was a great week!! I hope the pictures came through earlier today. Honestly it was a week of miracles. We had a baptism of part of a family that 2 of the kids were already members, and this week the mom and the other kid were able to get baptized. It was really special. We also had been teaching a 15 year old guy who wasn't sure for a LONG time. This week he chose to follow our Savior and be baptized. 

The experiences that one has on the mission are so unexplainable. Like I feel like in just saying everyday stuff but wow ill tell you what, this isn't everyday stuff. Its incredible being able to serve Lhe lord and his children. 

I'm doing a lot better "en cuanto a mi salud" went to the hospital this week but were all good now. Thanks for your prayers. I sure love you!!!

Elder Allred 

LLEGO LA MURALLA Mon, Nov 11, 2019, 3:40 PM

 I would've loved to send pics this week because it was a great week, but i forgot my adapter for my camera so it's gonna have to wait... SORRRRRRRRY haha. 

This week was so awesome!! Honestly it was great!! I finished studying the New Testament. That was awesome, because I had never read it before. It was a great experience, and I was able to get to know my Savior better. 

Another great part of this week was that we were able to have the baptism of the Guevara Family. It was so cool!! Sad for a second because on of the daughters got super sick the day of so she did not get baptized with her family. But were gonna do all we can so that she can do it this week and take the first step to being with her family forever. 

I think that's one of my favorite parts of the mission, and actually when i opened my mission call i said that i was gonna leave my family for 2 years to help other families be together for time and all eternity. (I think thats what its called in english ahah) but it's been a really special experience. I know that the Authority that was restored by the Prophet Joseph Smith is really on the earth. I've been a witness that it actually exists and its literally Gods power that he has restored in our days.

So this week im gonna start a 40 day fast, (dont stress im putting on a ton of weight so no worries haha) nah i'm not gonna fast from food, but the things that are keeping me from being 100% focused. Im stoked. I'll let you know how its going next week. Sure love you guys!!! 

Have a great week!!

Elder Allred

¿CUALES SON NUESTROS EXPECTATIVAS? Mon, Nov 4, 2019, 2:56 PM

 ¿CUALES SON NUESTROS EXPECTATIVAS?

       So that's the question we've been thinking a lot about lately. (what are our expectations?) not sure if it makes as much sense in English as it does in Spanish. But nonetheless, we've been thinking a ton about it this week. The thing about this question is that its not only, what are they, but also, what are we gonna do to get things done and reach our goals. It's been a week of reflection and HARD WORK. 

       What we've done this week is that we've set goals like reading a conference talk every night, had a daily conversation with the people that are progressing, called a companionship everyday to help them "resolver sus dificultades" not sure how to say that correctly in english... Things are going super well. 

       One of the coolest parts of this week was that we had a baptism of a girl who has her whole family in the church. But her mom and sisters were less active (they weren't going to church) anyways they came back and the daughter got baptized this week, it was a great experience. 

       This week we're gonna have the great opportunity to baptize a family of 4 and we literally are so stoked, and so are they. They have progressed so much and ill tell you what its been amazing to see how the gospel of Jesus Christ has changed their lives. Its a mom and her 3 kids. It's been really special to teach them, without getting 2 personal it's been really special to me because they are in a similar situation (not the same but similar) that I was in 11 years or so ago. The mom is doing all she can for her kids, and its helped me see how much the gospel changed my life. In the times where I wasn't really going to church I didn't see many blessings like I wanted to see. But what I've come to know is that while we live the gospel and keep the commandments, we are blessed and what's so cool is to see the light of Christ in their faces. (while I'm writing this, I'm realizing that it's really unorganized but it's what I feel haha)

       Were working hard to get the members trust because when I got here... We didn't really have it, and any return missionary knows that without the members, there's not many ways to have the level of success that we want. 

       It's been a good week and maybe the best part was that I was able to finish the Book of Mormon again, just in case you don't know, the Book of Mormon isn't our bible. It's different. But they both testify of Jesus Christ. I've come to know that both of them are the "palabra de Dios" The Book of Mormon is another testament of Christ. It's an account of the old inhabitants of the Americas. From 600bc-400ac. In this book we find that Jesus Christ himself came to the Americas to teach his gospel and establish his church just like he did in Jerusalem, and the other places in the Bible. The Book of Mormon and the Bible work together and with the both of them we come to know more about our savior. That's a really brief explanation but I've come to know that the book is true. All because of a simple prayer that I offered about 4 years ago, from that time forward my life has changed. 

       Anyways I sure love you guys hope your week was full of spiritual experiences. The mission has honestly changed me, and it's so awesome. 

Elder Allred 

Fasting Oct 28, 2019, 4:44 PM

 This has been one of the best weeks in a long time. So here in my new area its a party. I honestly dont know where to start. My companion is a tank. Were literally out here lighting things up in our area (not actually lighting things up haha just an expression) but its going so well!!

We live on a fourth floor and our room is pretty pituco cuz sometimes we have to have other missionaries over for emergencies. The lady that makes our food is so awesome!! She calls us "hijitos" and it cracks me up. She cooks such good food.... and SO MUCH FOOD.... @eldertagge haha. But its been sweet. Here in our zone theres 5 companionships. Us the zone leaders, the asistents, the secretaries, and 2 other companionships. So its been a party. 

The people were teaching are so awesome!! Were teaching a few families that are progressing so fast. The coolest thing that happened this week was that we decided to fast for the people were teaching that have a goal to be baptized, and we felt so strongly that even thought we havent seen the results yet. The lord is gonna help us out. Its been a great week and were working so hard to get things done. 

I sure love you guys hope you all have a great week!!!

Elder Allred 

AMAUTAS Mon, Oct 21, 2019, 2:49 PM

 So guys I don't have a lot of time, but I'm headed out to a ward called LOS AMAUTAS!!! I'm gonna be there with an Elder named Elder Vargas from Lima. Were gonna be the Zone Leaders of a zone called Chiclayo Peru. Anyways its gonna be a good time. Sure love you all and ill talk to you guys next week!! 

Love you guys Oct 14, 2019, 4:58 PM

 So this week was kinda wild. But it was soooooo good!! We had a bunch of stuff to get done but it was a really good week with a lot of learning experiences!! I recorded a voice recording because i knew i wasnt gonna have a lot of time so theres that haha. 

Elder Allred