If Ye Had the Chance to be a Missionary....would Ye?

Haha me and Sister Brooks have been using the old "would ye" joke like crazy.  It is especially appropriate for this lucky Irish day, I suppose.

Mom, I am going to address this right off the bat lest we have another 'bone' to pick. :)  I loved the package!!!!!!!!!! I was itching for the mail all week and was so excited to see pictures and laugh and eat sour nerds and mint M&M's.  You are the best.  And please thank Aunt Sarah for me, I have already been rubbing the rock like crazy. :)  I have the three gnome/hobbit/onedirection wig picture and the Les Mis family picture ready to hang up by my bed.  Classic. 

 ...if ye had the chance to send a hobbit to yer missionary....... would ye?  

(Sidenote:  this needs to be said in an Irish accent, like from the movie Brave, it is a family joke :))

This has been such a happy week.  I have been doing so well.  Things really are just the best.  The investigator family that we met on Lindsey's wedding day is the coolest family of all time.  We actually ran into the wife, M, working during the week on accident!!  It was awesome.  We were able to meet with G. (dad) and F. (mother-in-law) on Tuesday, and then on Friday we went back to teach the whole family.  They loved the Plan of Salvation, and the Spirit is always present when we teach them.  G. said to us on Friday, "You know, you have been telling me to read the Book of Mormon and I keep saying 'Sure, yeah, I will...' but it hasn't been something important.  But now, I feel something telling me, "Do it. Ask about it."  And so I will.  I really will."  We are so excited to talk to him this week about how it went.  We are teaching M. and F. tonight (they have opposite work schedules, so we can only meet with them all together on M's days off).  They weren't able to come to church yesterday, but please pray for them that we can help them progress and get a baptismal date this week.  They are the best.  It makes me so happy to be teaching a family.  It makes all the hard things worth it. :)

We are also teaching J, a single father from Mexico.  He has several doubts about baptism that we have been able to find out about and address, but please pray for him too that he can have the desires and the knowledge he needs to come to church and be baptized.  Thanks!!

.....If ye had the chance to pray for some Latino Floridians....... would ye?

LIFE IS THE BEST!!!  Sometimes, I just get so excited to be the best person ever and know everything and do good things all the time.  It will happen someday, but we can always start today! :)

We are constantly finding people who need us.  A lot of time, they speak English and we pass them on, but we are fortunate to be the answer to a lot of people's prayers.  It is cool to see.  Some people are mean and don't like us and don't want anything to do with us, but then their next-door neighbor will almost be in tears because they are so grateful and in awe that we came.  I guess that's how life is.  Not all of life is going to boost you up and appreciate you and tell you 'good job' or 'keep going,' but it is all worth it for the moments that do.  The moments when you are someone's angel.  

I read something in 1 Nephi that I liked this morning.  It was from Isaiah, and said (paraphrasing), "In the shadow of thy hand, thou madest me a polished shaft and put me in your quiver."  I loved that image - The Lord in all His knowledge and majesty being in charge- holding the bow, wearing the quiver, seeing the target.  In the shadow of our adversity, we become polished and straight - able to do the work of the Lord.  We become worthy and righteous and willing.  He then takes us and puts all His arrows in the quiver and waits for the right moment - where He takes us out, aims, and shoots.  All missionaries have a target to reach.  The straighter we are, the surer we fly.  The Lord shoots all His companionships to different targets, but they are all important.  In the end, if we do our best, we will hit the target right on the nose.  And it isn't because of us.  All of the glory will duly go to the Archer.  He provides us with the momentum, the force, the background, and the ability to achieve His righteous goals.  And I love that.  I love being the arrow with my companion and being able to strike right to the core of people with the Spirit and because of the Lord.  It is sad when people know and feel it but then reject it.  But we always know we hit the mark by giving them the choice; that is what we are out here to do.

..... If ye had the chance to be likened to an arrow....... would ye?

I had some great revelation this week, just thinking about life and souls and the Atonement.  I have come to notice that the more I learn about Heavenly Father and His glorious gospel, the more I realize how simple and logical everything is.  Well, in such a profound way. :)  I love the simple truths we have to offer to every chosen member of the House of Israel who is waiting to be found.  His elect are out there and waiting!  Let's talk about one of them, shall we?

His name is M.  M. was baptized back in August.  He is in his early 20's and Mexican.  He was converted in a remarkable way to the gospel, and now he is never looking back!  It takes about 15 minutes to drive from M's house to the church.  Yesterday, he rode his bike.  Not a 7-speed missionary bike, one of those tiny stunt bikes for skate parks.  I think he does that quite often 

because he doesn't have a car.  This week, we are teaching him how to do genealogy so he can get baptized next month for his dad, who passed away last year.  He is excited to get his patriarchal blessing soon.  He is serving in the Young Men's presidency of our ward.  He is preparing to serve a mission.  We are always in awe of his testimony and the things he is going to do.  How cool to be a part of his conversion in such a different way than it is with investigators.  I didn't teach him before or see him be baptized or start in the church, but I can help him to accomplish all of these goals that will affect his life forever and many others.  So cool!  

.......If ye had the chance to ride a neon green stunt bike to church........ would ye?

Family, I love you.  So much.  Thanks for everything, even the nasty Pazookie sibling card (you deceived me with the sibling quote on the back!!!).  You make me smile. :)  Keep going strong in everything; I still pray for you every night!

Love, Sister Kara Allred

p.s. Boys - today I am going to an indoor soccer field with my district called "la liga."  Yep, me playing soccer.  Thought you would like to know. :)

..................................If ye had the chance to run around an indoor soccer field like a chicken with it's head cut off.......... would ye?