Malonlelei! Na'e Fa'ale'i au

Yes, if you were wondering, that is Tongan.  I am learning Tongan from Sister Fisi.  Well, if "learning Tongan" counts as saying, "Hi, I was born in Tonga."  Haha.  Who knows where the Tongan conversation would go from there, but I can start it at least! Anyway.

It has been another wonderful week in the Promised Land (Orlando -- American Fork is still 'Zion,' don't worry)!  We had a bunch of fun stuff going on.  The first one was a meeting for trainers and trainees on Friday.  I was really feeling the Spirit that morning, and I was super into what President and Sister Berry were saying.  They talked to the trainees about how a mission takes weaknesses of yours and turns them into strengths.  I was smiling and nodding, and President called me out.  He said, "Sister Allred is agreeing, and I am going to put her on the spot here for a minute.  Right after she came out, when she was still a new missionary, I was talking to her and she said, "President, am I ever going to be able to speak Spanish? It is just so hard!"  But now, if you were to hear Sister Allred speak Spanish, she sounds like a native."  I don't know how President knows about my Spanish now (I blame Sister Clare. :)), but it was really special for me to hear that from my mission President.  I always remember what Dad told me in one of his letters about his mission president - he asked me if I loved him and looked up to him and wanted to be a better missionary because of him.  I definitely feel that way about President and Sister Berry.  I know that part of the reason I was sent here at this time was to be with them.  President is so kind and gentle and very loving and powerful.  I trust in him as my leader and as my friend.  I am very grateful for him and the influence of righteous leaders.

We were able to meet with J. a couple days ago for the first time since his baptism.  It was the best thing ever. We sat down and talked to him about how he felt and how things had been going.  He said that the baptism was great, but the best thing about it was getting the Holy Ghost.  He shared with us an experience on how he had felt the blessings of it during the week.  He tells us about things that he ponders during work about the gospel.  During the lesson, he said, "But the greatest blessing of all is being able to baptize my son."  Right now, Jo is only 6.  But to hear that declaration of faith and trust from J. moved us all almost to tears.  He is preparing. He is preparing now to raise two good boys in the gospel.  He is preparing to receive the Aaronic priesthood, receive a calling, and do baptisms for the dead.  The difference in him is absolutely amazing. J. is a simple man in a great way.  He is not flashy or outspoken, just humble and hardworking.  We asked him what changed in him between the elders teaching him before and him deciding to be baptized.  He said, "I have been asking myself the same question!"  We laughed, and said, "Well, it was something! And we're glad it happened!"  J's conversion was not the lights turning on, it was a sunrise.  We all are not sure quite how it happened, but we are sure that the Spirit was guiding it.  I love him, and I love the Spirit.

I love being in a trio.  I think it is way more fun than just one companion.  We love it and it will be so hard to go back!  Something exciting is always going on between the three of us.  And we have 3x the ideas/revelation!

Florida is the best.  It is part of me now.  I love it so much.  We got to watch the Fort Lauderdale Temple dedication on Sunday, and it was wonderful.  They talked about Florida and the South-Floridian Saints (I counted Central-Floridian Saints also :)), and I am pretty sure that every time President Uchtdorf or one of the other speakers said the word "Florida," tears came to my eyes.  I love this land.  I love these people.  I love the trees and the clouds and the apartment complexes and the Walmarts and the accents and the fancy tires on old cars and the lizards and the temple and the wards and the rain and everything.  President Uchtdorf said as part of his talk, "Harriet this morning said to me, "Don't worry about your accent - everyone in Florida has an accent!"" Everyone laughed, because it is true.  I just can't even explain it.  I love it.  And the Lord loves his people here.  Whether they are true-southern Floridians or first-generationers from Uzbekistan or Sri Lanka.  I love the people here too.  I love it I love it I love it.

I also love the Book of Mormon so much lately.  I was contemplating how I gained my testimony of the Book of Mormon this week, and it really filled me with the Spirit.  I know the Book of Mormon is true because my life began to change when I really started reading it.  I changed as a person.  I became happier, I became more loving, I became more spiritual, I became more obedient, I became a better person.  I would stop halfway through a chapter to help wash the dishes or play with the kids as the Spirit directed.  I realized what was important and who I really am.  I gained confidence and purpose, and that has lasted with me and shaped who I am and the decisions I make.  I know that it is real, and the power in the Book is hard to explain but it is there.  We invite everyone in the world to try it out and see if it changes them too.  I want to invite you to recapture the vision of the Book of Mormon in your lives.  Why? Because you are my parents and siblings, and I want you to be happy.  The Book of Mormon makes me happy. :)  What a happy message we have, and what a clear way we have been given to access all the happiness God has for us.  I love it!

Thanks, as always, for the awesome letters and the many prayers.  I love you all so much and am excited to talk to you on Sunday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love, Hermana Allred (Or you can start calling me Tokoua Allred.... haha)