Home Sweet American Fork

Hello Family!

A couple fun/random notes.  We decorate our planners here every transfer, usually with pictures we cut out from the Ensign (.... haha, classic missionary).  This transfer, I proudly taped a picture of my missionary hero from Denver Colorado on the back.   I will send a picture.  I love to show people and tell them about my dad and his mission.  Thanks, Dad.  I love you.

Second note, we received three referrals from a member this week...... who found these referrals out tracting.  All by himself.  Just knocking doors and telling people about the gospel.  Haha to each their own, I suppose!

This week has been awesome!  Tuesday we had our transfer meeting, and all the trainers got together first for a meeting.  They brought in the new missionaries, and we knew that there were only 2 Hermanas, but we didn't know who spoke Spanish and who didn't.  Later in the meeting, Hermana Fisi (the other Spanish trainer) leaned over to me and pointed out the two she thought were the Hermanas.  I looked at them and said, "Wait, I know her!  I am like 90% sure she is from American Fork!"  And then I knew we were going to be together!  Haha lo and behold, my new companion is Hermana Aleen Day from good ole' American Fork Utah.  Haha she graduated the year before me, and we both recognized each other but I don't think we officially met or anything.  She did marching band and was actually one of the girls that was lifeflighted from the bus crash.  I love her so much!!!  She teaches very powerfully and with the Spirit (even in Spanish) and has a lot of faith and good ideas.  I am excited to get to work with her still and see what the Lord will help us with these next few transfers.

Let's just give a little example here of the faith that Sister Day has to pull down miracles from heaven.  Her first day we had a few teaching appointments that fell through, so we were trying to find a potential investigator in this complex instead.  We talked to an older man who was taking his trash out, and he told us we could go inside to talk to his wife.  We then met A. from Puerto Rico, and talked all about Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon, all of that.  Haha I am not sure that I have actually been able to go inside and teach a lesson to someone who wants to meet with the Spanish missionaries, so it was such a miracle!  We are trying to work hard, be better teachers, speak Spanish together, and keep on top of everything.  It is pretty exciting!

Speaking of exciting.  Big things are happening here in the Orlando region!  Elder Nelson (.... yes, THE Elder Nelson) is coming for our mission conference on Saturday.  We get to listen to him all morning and meet him before the meeting!!!  Best day ever.  Also, rumor has it that Elder Perry is coming for our stake conference the week after.  Haha me and Sister Day are going to try and convince Elder Nelson to stay for K's baptism...... that would be the coolest!

Right, the baptism!  For technical reasons, we decided to move the baptism to next week.  So I don't have pictures/the story yet, but K is still as ready as can be and excited for Sunday.  We are too!!  I love her and her amazing, faith-filled family.

I have been loving LOVING the ward lately.  I have been here for enough time that I really feel like they are my family.  Plus, finally my personality comes through, even in Spanish.  We laugh and tell stories and talk about missionary work and their lives and Spanish and it is the best.  We had lunch with the Bishop and his wife yesterday, and the Bishop was talking about the difference he has noticed in the ward since the Hermanas came.  He said that the spirit in the ward changed, and that all the young women are so excited to go on missions.  I love to be here and be part of this essential work.  SIsters are no more important than Elders, but there are different things that each of us can do.  I am grateful to bring that new spirit to the wards where I serve.  

The people here are amazing.  I was sitting in sacrament meeting thinking about all the people I love here and my heart was full.  I love getting to talk to so many people and see a tiny glimpse into their lives.  Missionary work is super hard, but it is also the best.  Spanish is super hard, but it is also the best.  :)  The gospel is the best!!!!  I am glad to be a part of this.  Thanks for always being there for me.  I know it is true!

(So we can be learning from Preach my Gospel every time we do the dishes!)

Love, Hermana Allred