It was such a great week. A lot of things have changed for me in the last couple of hours, but I am going to try and be calm so this can be a good letter. :)
First off, it is transfer day! And I am being transferred! To the Windy Ridge ward, speaking Spanish. My companion is a native speaker, which I am grateful for. I am also nervous to be making such changes so fast! The good news is, I am in the same zone as before so I am not moving too far. Wish me suerte! (luck)
Second, I need to write about "S". He has been such a miracle. We have met with him every day this week. His testimony is strong, and he has said many times that nothing can keep him from going to church. It was amazing to work very hard and then be blessed with an investigator who was so ready for the gospel. We have been working hard to plan his baptism for Saturday also. He has told us how meeting with us and reading the "Mormon Book" make him so happy. He has made changes in his life that bring him closer to the Savior, which is amazing to see. Yesterday, we taught him the law of tithing. Since "S" is on disability because of his voice, he gets limited money a month and his sister handles all of his finances. He said he would talk to her about the whole ten percent thing. We testified, prayed a lot, and handed it over to the Lord. Unfortunately, this morning we got a text from "S" saying that he talked to his sisters about it and they don't think he should go through with any of it. He asked us if we wanted our books back and that he couldn't meet with us anymore and wouldn't be getting baptized. That was quite devastating, but we are trying to see him tonight to see what is up. Please pray for him and us. We will hope that he will get baptized still. Either way, the Lord will provide and take care of him. It is hard to see someone you care about make such a sudden drop.
A cool experience about "S" though. Since he talks through a machine, it can be difficult to understand him. Every single lesson we teach with him, I can't understand the first sentence he says. I then pray silently and quickly for the gift of tongues, after which I have no problem for the rest of the lesson. He is so easy to understand after that that I forget I need the gift of tongues until our next lesson! It is amazing. I didn't think the gift of tongues would apply that way, but it does and I know that that is a real gift from God.
So, if you go to Korea on your mission, you teach Koreans. If you go to Russia, you teach Russians. If you go to Chile, you teach Chileans. If you are Hna. Allred in Orlando, you teach Iranians and Guyanans. Haha those are our two investigators. "R" fed us Iranian food and gave me this huge, beautiful candle. I loved that.
I am excited to start teaching in another area!! I will let you know next week how the Spanish work is going. My challenge this week is to memorize one of your favorite scriptures. That is such a strength to have in a time of need.
Thanks for your letters and I love you all! The Lord is in charge of us here in Orlando and is in charge of you in American Fork! He will lead us to the right paths and give us power to do what we need to do. Love you!
Love, Hermana Allred
*An email we recieved from a couple living in Kara's area. Kara refers to Sister S as her "missionary mom" She says they take great care of the missionaries! We are thankful for them.
Dear Brother and Sister Allred,
We just wanted to let you know how much we have loved having Sister Allred serving in our ward. We are so sad to lose her already but know that she will be a huge blessing to whatever area gets her. She is so sweet and though she likes to claim that she doesn't know anything because she's "new" she is an amazing teacher and has a deep and powerful testimony.
It has been a privilege to sit in with her teaching investigators because she brings a spirit that is stronger than any "textbook answer." She is a hard worker and has gracefully adapted to Florida humidity. She is so willing to serve and has worked diligently to get to know everyone in the ward and confidently spreads the gospel with everyone she meets. She has been a joy to have here.
We know that she loves her family tremendously. You should be so proud of the good example she is setting for her younger siblings. I know that she told you that she met our daughter while in the MTC and that has made me feel extra connected to Sister Allred. I love having a daughter out in the mission field but if I ever need a mother/daughter moment I can count on Sister Allred to cheer me up.
Thank you for sharing your daughter with us. She is incredible and we love her dearly.
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