My wonderful family,
Honestly, time is just flying by! I can't believe another week has passed by.
I'm so glad you were able to listen to that speech! It's quite amazing and opened my eyes to a whole different perspective on grace and our Savior. I would just love a real letter! Something about getting handwritten letters just makes my day. And honestly, you could write about complete nonsense and I would enjoy it. But I really do enjoy hearing from you both so much. So, Sister Johnson told me how each Monday she is able to chat with her parents through email. I was thinking we could give it a try! We usually come and check email at 10am and I was thinking that maybe if we both got on at the same time we could chat while I email everyone else. And obviously I'll write a normal email for everyone to know whats going on. She said that she loves it and it's helped her, especially if she has had a bad week or is having a hard time. Anywho, let me know! (: This next week I am not sure when we'll be able to get on, we might possibly not have a chance to check emails too. We are going on a hike that they do a couple times a year at Crazy Horse! We bring 4 cans of food and $4 and we hike up to the arm of Crazy Horse! It's about a 6.5 mile hike and we are so excited! But that means we will be in Custer for the day and we aren't sure if they have a library there. But if they do, I definitely will get on and send you an email!
That's so fun Samantha Wight leaves soon. How crazy that its almost already October... I can't believe how time flies. The days seem so long but the weeks literally pass by so fast! It's so weird! It's awesome you are getting more missionaries!!! Invite them over and feed them!! That means a lot to them! Also, give them lots of referrels! Don't be afraid to do missionary work yourself! It's incredible how much of an influence us as members have on others! How did you all do with that challenge I gave you? Haha
Something that Sister Johnson and I are trying is to make sure our investigators have a true conversion to the gospel, so that they can know that when they go through trials and challenges, the gospel is there to help them overcome those, not something to stop believing in because things get hard and they want to go back to their normal life they were already accustomed to. It's very difficult putting myself in their situation given that I was raised in the church. But I try each and every day to put myself in their shoes so that I can try and get inspiration to know how I can help them and what I need to do to help them be taught by the spirit.
Oh no! Olivia got cut. That must have been terrifying for her! What a champ I'm sure she was through getting those stitches. I remember when I had to get stitches in my eye when I got it cut in basketball. Dad, remember that? Haha I can remember everyone being so worried because the back of my head was all bloody!!! Those were some good times. And some sweet battle wounds. I am so glad you sent the package! I hope it wasn't too expensive! I haven't received it yet but I'll keep an eye out for it!!! It is raining really hard today and I have no jacket haha. So I am so glad to hear that it was sent! I want to thank you both for all you have ever done for me. I know I have told you that a lot but I can't seem to really express my gratitude for what you have done for me. I recognize each and every day how blessed I am for you both and how wonderful my life truly is. It has been such a humbling experience to be here. The living situations aren't very ideal and I thank the Lord each and every day for what I have been blessed with. It is incredible how humble the people here are. I have seemed to notice that as I have gone around and met people here. They are grateful for what little they have and they survive. I think back to times where I thought I was going to die if I didn't have something,.... what a pathetic reaction to have. You both gave me so much when I would whine and argue and fight for it. I was such a selfish person growing up, having the cookie monster mindset, "I want cookie NOW!" No, that is the exact opposite of what I need to be and what we are to be in this life. I can really see a difference in myself as I've been on my mission. I am changing for the better and I am so blessed for this opportunity to be a servant of the Lord. There is no other place that I would rather be right now in my life. This is exactly where I am suppose to be. I pray each day that I can work as hard as possible to become the teacher the Lord wants me to be, to become the best missionary/servant of the Lord that I can be. Because honestly, I am nothing without Him. The work we are doing out here would be unsuccessful if we didn't have Him as our 3rd companion.
So, the work is slowly starting to pick up. We have been working hard to find new investigators! But it's been tough. Tracting isn't very affective but we don't have any really solid investigators or plans that we always end up tracting. We do have an investigator on date for baptism though for Nov 2! His name is Mervin! We are a bit worried though because he has been meeting with missionaries for a lot a years.... but we are hoping that he has finally realized that he believes in the gospel. He told us that he believed the Book of Mormon was true and so we asked what was holding him back from being baptized and he said that he didn't know! We committed him and he actually came to church on Sunday! We were so surprised and are hoping that as we help him prepare for baptism he will recognize that he truly does know that this church is true and that he is taking that first step of faith!
So, I sent a picture a while back of a girl named Amber who lived with Jess Sellers, remember? So she had been absolutely awesome and while she was here she came out to lessons with us which was so fun! But she left back to Arizona where she is from and it was so sad. But she gave Sister Johnson and I a present before she left.... Her mom makes jewelry and she gave us some absolutely adorable bracelets! And then she gave us $50.... WHAT?!? I know, I was so touched that she did that for us and it truly was such a thoughtful and meaningful gift. We wish she was still here and could be our 3rd companion haha.
So the town is super little here but the high school sports are a big deal! So every Friday night they have their football games and Sister Johnson and I absolutely LOVE IT. Although, we can't go to them... we drive really slow past the field so we can watch it a little. I miss high school sports... I realized. We can hear the loud speaker through the whole town and it brings back so many memories!
Well, I don't have much to write about but I just want you all to know that this gospel is so amazing. It is so wonderful to see the joy that it brings to the lives of our investigators. Plus the joy that you feel as you watch it change their lives is such an incredible feeling. Nothing beats that feeling. I am blessed to be a missionary and to be a part of the Lord hastening of the work. The world is becoming so evil and dark and I just know that we need to let as many of God's children know about His wonderful plan as possible. You all are amazing and I love you so much! Please oh please tell mckay to write me.................. I haven't heard from him and I have some things to send him! Anywho, keep living righteously and I promise as you do, you will be blessed tremendously. I know that I have seen those blessings as I strive each day to become more like Christ.
Know that you are all in my prayers! I hope you all have a great week! Love you all, infinity...... AND BEYOND (:
Sister Allen
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