Parents!

So this past week has been pretty hectic. It's been a little difficult because since we are pink washing we are having to in a way start fresh. The elders didn't really leave us with very many investigators and they haven't really kept up with the area book. Church yesterday was quite interesting... there were probably only about 10 to 15 people there. Our relief society had about 5 sisters. It was very different than what I am use to. Because of that, there are a lot of less actives. We have been trying to meet all of them and help bring them back but we probably have only talked to 2 or maybe 3 families our of the 40 that are here in Hot Springs. Our Ward(Branch) has families from Hot Springs, Edgemont, and Custer. Plus some other little towns around here.. But since we only have a certain amount of miles each month we haven't had a chance to really go visit those in Edgemont and Custer. Can you believe that there are 40 less active families here in hot springs? And there are another 30 or so less actives in Custer! Crazy... Our branch would be huge if we didn't have as many less actives! That's why we need to go out and bring them back! So we have a LOT of work to do.
 
Sometimes it gets really hard. The mix of not having people to teach yet and not having a lot of members makes things hard and makes it so we aren't sure exactly what to do. We've been tracting a lot! But its been good.
 
I didn't realize how different and hard this would be. At times I doubt if this is what I truly want to be doing for the next year and a half and I get down but the little things makes it worth it. Yesterday we got to meet and teach a less active and she was adorable! We taught her about prayer and it went really well. You can see that she was actually thinking about what we were sharing! The spirit was definitely there! But that definitely gave us a spiritual high and now I know what people say when those little moments make up for all the hard ones! I just need to always remember that as long as I am working hard and being exactly obedient the Lord will bless us. Well, time is running short but I am so glad I am able to be out here and spreading the gospel. The happiness it brings to your life is incredible and everyone deserves to know it!
 
I love you all so much and can't wait to hear from you soon. Keep us in your prayers! They truly do help! Miss you and hope you all have a great week! (Mom, good luck with school! You can do it(: )
 
Love,
Sister Allen

Well hello (:
 
I made it to good ole South Dakota! I'm in my new area, Hot Springs. My companion is Sister Johnson and we get along great! She has taught me so much already. We served in the Library today, counting receipts! Oh joy (: Well, I don't have much time to talk today, just letting you know I made it safe! Hot springs is a super small town and super cute! We should have a good time here. We are pink washing, which means there use to be Elders here and now we are replacing them. Oh how wonderful! Haha, I'm excited for it and we can't wait to get started. I'll send a picture of my new companion and I when I get the chance. Probably monday when I have my pday! 
 
Well, I love and miss you but I'm having a great time out here serving the Lord. This gospel is so true and I learn each and every day the reason why I decided to serve. This is such an amazing experience and I am blessed to be able to do it. I will talk to you soon! Love you (:
 
Love,
Sister Allen

We got a phone call from Abby at 8:00 this morning from the Salt Lake City, Utah airport.  She is traveling with 29 Elders and 10 Sisters heading for Rapid City, South Dakota.  She is so very excited as are we!

Oh my wonderful parents, 
 
I am so glad to hear from you. I am excited to meet my mission president and his wife! Monday will be the day! We leave the MTC at 4:30 in the morning and head to the airport. Crazy I only have 2 days left here in the MTC. It's been such a great experience. I have really grown to love my district and the Elders and Sisters in it. It will definitely be hard to leave them. My companion and I actually don't get along too well which is sad. We don't ever really have the spirit with us and most of the time we switch companions with the other 2 sisters. It's frustrating sometimes to the other sisters and myself just because she just leaves with another sister and leaves me and the other sister together. I love the sister I'm left with but its frustrating because they're breaking the rules and we want to be exactly obedient so we can have the spirit with us at all times. Its definitely a challenge and I know that it's to better myself and help me develop patience but its hard. 

The new missionaries came this past wednesday and they are so adorable! They are all going to be great missionaries! I love being in the presence of missionaries that are so excited to do the work. When I get home I probably am going to try and work here at the MTC, its such an amazing work environment. MOM! I'm so sorry you got lost going back to Shay's!!! But I'm glad it didnt take you very long to figure it out and get back. I can't believe how fast time flies! This past sunday I was able to watch a devotional from Elder Bednar about the "Character of Christ." If you get the chance to watch it, I recommend it! It is one of the most inspirational talks I have ever heard. It definitely changed my whole mindset and thought process of serving a mission. I had doubts of whether or not this was truly what I wanted to do and I was doubting my abilities and that talk completely erased them and gave me hope to better myself and to become more like Christ. He talked about times when Christ was showing his character. When he was being temped by the serpant 3 times on the mountain, tempting him to deny himself, at the end he says to send an angel to John who had been suffering at that time. Then Bednar talked about when Christ was holding the cross, Peter cut off the ear of one of the Guards and Christ healed his ear. And then on the cross when he was dying he said to forgive them, they know not what they do. All throughout Christ's life, he turns out when the natural man would turn in. When we go through something so hard and overcome it, we turn in and want others to essentially pity us, but the character of Christ turns out when we would turn in. I just loved it. ALSO on tuesday we had the opportunity to hear from Elder Richard G. Scott. Such an amazing experience to be in the presence on an apostle! He talked about missionary work and how important prayer is. It was so powerful. He showed us such love and you could really feel it! I am blessed to have been able to experience that.

I am so glad that Mckenzie and the kids made it safe!!! That is going to be so fun for you! And thats great my boots and contacts arrived! I can't wait to see them!!!!

So later today we get to go to the temple and I CANT WAIT! I have been dying to go and am blessed we are able to. Since the temple has been closed, we are the first missionaries to go! I can't wait! I'm going to try and send pictures to you but it didnt work this last week! But i'll try. Im so glad i was able to talk with you both and I love you all so much. I appreciate the support and love from each and every one of you and can't wait to hear from you again. Remember to keep doing the little things, studying the scriptures, praying, taking advantage of the atonement, and enduring to the end. By doing so, you will be strengthened in all different aspects. I love you all so much. I am grateful for this opportunity I have to serve and can't wait to finally get out there! Keep strengthening that testimony of yours!

Love,
Sister Allen

Hello my lovelies!
 
I am alive!!! I have survived my first 3 days in the MTC. Things have been pretty hectic. It's been really good so far though. It's challenging and hard at times and I get very overwhelmed but I am pushing forward and trying to better myself as a missionary. I will be sending a picture, the sister on the right is my companion Sister Bird. She is an absolute sweetheart! The other girl is just another sister we ran into that has the same last name as Sister Bird and had a companion named Sister Allen, so she insisted on taking a picture! Haha. We are living with two other sisters, Sister Evans and Sister Lamb. I adore them! We just have the best time together.
 
The first day was really fun, we had a dot on our badges which indicated that we were new and so EVERYONE and their mom said, "Welcome to the MTC Sisters!" when we walked past. It was nice but super overwhelming. That first night we went into a classroom where they had an actor and we, as missionaries, had an pportunity to act like we were in the room with them, talking and teaching them. It was crazy how much love and compassion I had for them instantly, without even knowing them. I have a feeling that's how it's going to be out in the field.
 
I'll give you a little run down of what we do each day. So we wake up somewhere between 5 am to 6:30 am, depending on what the other sisters in my room do (my companion loves to wake up at 5 so she has a lot of time to get ready, plus she wants to prepare herself for when we are in South Dakota... I did that the first night and have slept until 6 or 6:30 the last 2 nights haha, 5 is way too early for me!) then we get ready and head to breakfast. We have Classroom instruction after that and that usually takes a good couple hours where we're talking and preparing lessons and role playing situations. We are in one classroom all day pretty much and we are in class with our district. In our district we have 4 sisters and 6 elders. Three districts make up our branch. Sister Bird and I are preparing to teach an "investigator" today named Eric. We're pretty nervous but have faith that if we just invite the spirit and follow the promptings we get, we'll be directed to say whatever he needs to hear. This "investigator" is just our teacher who is acting. Next week on tuesday is when we are actually going to start teaching investigators that come here to be taught or are acting. I'll let you know how that goes this next week.  One of the girls we are teaching is from Portland!!! That's fun (:
 
So, my companion and I were called to be Sister Training Leaders starting this next week. Basically our job is to help all the incoming Sisters feel welcome and help train them on specific things. We have a meeting on sundaythat will train us on our calling. I ALSO was called as the travel leader? So pretty much I am in charge of all of the missionaries heading to South Dakota and I am responsible for them making the bus to the airport and actually making the flight to South Dakota. What a huge responsibility! We have about 39 missionaries going to South Dakota, 10 Sisters and 29 Elders. That's quite the group if ya ask me! But that should be a great leadrning experience haha.
 
Oh boy, I sure do miss you guys. Things are a lot different than I expected. It's sometimes hard having somenoe with you 24/7... I live up the times I have alone, aka going to the bathroom and showering... haha. But it's a good experience and I know its for my own protection to always have someone with me. I'm learning more about myself and my weaknesses. AndI have a lot of things that I need to work on but I know that its something I can do with the help from my Savior. I have recognized how much I need to trust in the Lord and just have faith in why I made this decision and why I wanted to serve to Lord. Things are hard sometimes and I get frustrated at myself for not always staying positive. I have seen so many blessings already though for my decision to come and I am excited to go out and serve. Please please please have family write me and friends! It truly is gold here... I want to hear ALL about whats going on at home! Mckenzie flies in today with the kiddos doesn't she? That is going to be having them there. Well, tell Corbin I say hello! We're going to the temple this next week and I'm excited for the video! Thank you for all your support. OH did you get my letter?! I sent it a couple days ago so you should be getting it! Well, time isnt on my side so I will have to end this but please know that I love you all so much. I know this is the direction I am suppose to go in my life right now and I can't wait to get out in the field and actually start serving.
 
Love love love you and I will talk to you soon!!
 
xoxo,
Sister Allen

Hello my lovelies,

     So here I am, writing to you my last words before I am set apart as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. So crazy, it's here already. Boy has time flown! But I'm ready. Physically, mentally, and emotionally ready. Which doesn't surprise me because "Heavenly Father is so smart." A saying my sweet mom lives by. Anywho, I just wanted you all to know how much I love this gospel. I know it is true with all of my heart. I testify to you all, that if you read the Book of Mormon and sincerely pray about the contents inside of it, you will be touched by the spirit of the Holy Ghost and know for yourself the truth of it. 
     I know that Joseph Smith is a true prophet and was specially prepared for the calling he was given; to restore this gospel back onto the earth. I know that if we follow the words of the prophets that are found in the scriptures as well as the words from our living Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, and the Apostles, we will be able to understand how we need to live our lives so that we are able to endure to the end and return back to live with our Father in Heaven. I am so grateful for my family and friends for being such amazing examples in this gospel and just life in general. It has made a world of a difference and to this day I look back and am strengthened by the testimonies you all have borne to me.
     This gospel has brought me such joy and happiness, a joy and happiness that is so different than any worldly thing has ever given me. And let me tell you, I have had SO much joy from Soccer and Oreos in my lifetime (; But it's so different. The joy that comes from this gospel is indescribable. It is such a blessing to be a part of it and I am grateful for the knowledge I have gained through personal scripture study and prayer. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." James 1:5
     I want to thank each and everyone of you for the impact you have had on my life. I believe that people come into your life for a reason, whatever reason that may be. And we are brought into each others lives at the perfect time. It's incredible how perfect sometimes. But it is all because of our Father in Heaven, He knows us all personally; our wants, needs, desires, passions, joys, dislikes, dreams, goals, trials, hardships, pains, sorrows... everything. And He loves us SO much. So so much. And He wants us to be happy. And He knows how we can achieve true happiness, even eternal life. (That is something that I don't really think anyone can comprehend... but I sure can't wait for it because it sounds amazing.) But all we need to do is trust in Him and have faith that everything that is suppose to happen, will happen, in the Lord's time. Faith in the Lord is also faith in His timing. And whatever we go through is to strengthen us and make us better. 
     I am so grateful for the atonement. I'm nowhere near perfect, I make a lot of mistakes, and no matter how hard I try to do everything right, I will continue to make a lot of mistakes. But with the knowledge and sacrifice our elder brother did for us, we are able to repent of our sins and be forgiven. And it is amazing that we continually can be forgiven through the atonement as we continually strive each and every day to be perfect beings like our Father in Heaven. That is such a blessing in my life and I am so grateful for that.
     I have recognized the Lord's hand every day in my life and am so blessed to know that my Father in Heaven loves me so much. I am blessed to know that He gave His only begotten Son to atone for my sins and die for me so that I am able to partake of mortality and be given a chance to return back to my Heavenly Father. And that applies for each and every one of us. He atoned for all of our sins and died for each and every one of us so that we are given that opportunity to live on this earth and to return back to our Heavenly Father. What a sacrifice that might have been. And knowing He did it for me and each and every one of you is such a touching thought. 
     I love this gospel so much, it has been the only part of my life that never changes. A midst the trials and challenges we are faced with in this life, I am grateful to know that through the Lord, I can be strengthened to overcome anything thrown in my way. I am grateful to know that no matter what I am dealt with, It is something that will strengthen myself physically, mentally, and emotionally. 
     I know that this mission is going to be hard. It is going to be so hard. Probably the most challenging thing I will ever have to go through, but I know that with the Lord and His constant strength and protection and with His constant companionship, I will be able to do things that I would have never been able to accomplish without Him. I will be able to touch others lives in ways that only through the Lord can be done. I am just a servant in the Lords hands. And having that knowledge gives me comfort and peace which drives my passion and excitement to go out and talk to as many people as I can. I can't wait to share this happiness with anyone and everyone I come in contact with and I am blessed to be given this opportunity. 
     I love you all so much and I am going to miss you all so dearly but I know that what I am doing is going to be amazing. I am excited to serve and can't wait to get out there! Don't forget to write me, I'd love to hear how you all are doing. But always always remember, "If you are lonely, please know you can find comfort. If you are discouraged, please know you can find hope. If you are poor in spirit, please know you can be strengthened. If you feel you are broken, please know you can be mended" Jeffrey R. Holland. And that can all be done through our savior, Jesus Christ.
     "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever." Alma 26:12

Well, wish me luck..... (: the gospel is true and I sure do love you!

-Sister Abigail Allen