June 20, 2016 - Going Home

Hermana Helmick and HermanaAllan

Exchanges with Hermana Lagunas

Hello family! I love you all so much!!!!!!!!! :) :) :) 

This week was pretty wonderful! It started a bit stressful because on Tuesday we had zone meeting and as sister training leaders we had to teach the whole zone.... I was so super nervous. I've never been very good at public speaking or being in front of groups of people and I was so worried I would mess up or make a fool of myself. But I prayed so hard beforehand that He would help me have the  Spirit to know what to say and do to help the missionaries in the zone. And the moment we stood up to teach, all of the nerves went away and everything went wonderfully. Then after the meeting, two missionaries came up to us and told us that we had answered their prayers and helped them know what to do with their investigators. It was such a cool experience. I know that God doesn't call the qualified but that He qualifies the called. It was such an amazing learning experience and I'm so grateful for these opportunities that I have to grow in ways I didn't think possible!

Then we had a cool little Spirit-guided miracle this week. We desperately needed new investigators but we weren't really sure where to go to find them. So we prayed and an area came into our minds very clearly. So we went their to contact for like 2 hours, but we didn't find anyone. We were a bit disappointed but we couldn't deny that the Lord needed us there. We had both felt it and had both thought of that specific area so we knew someone was there waiting for us. So we went back the next day and we found lots of new people with interest! :) I love that the Lord will also prepare His children and will guide us to them to bring them the blessings of the gospel.

Then, guess what?! I got to go back home to Aguas Buenas!!!! It was so weird being back there but it was so fun to walk those streets again and see some of the people that I had been working with when I was there. I worked with Hermana Lagunas from Mexico and we had a great time together! She is an iincredible missionary and just the sweetest! :) It was a bit rough climbing the infamous hills again, but it was fun at the same time. :)

I read the coolest talk this week called the 4th missionary by Lawrence E. Corbridge and I want to share a couple quotes from it. He said, "The realization of your amazing, astounding, and true potential happens only in the hands of the Lord. But you and only you can place yourselves in those masterful, loving hands."

"Just give it up. Surrender your will to Him. Unconditionally. Withold nothing. Turn it all over to Him; all of your desires, wishes, dreams, and hopes. Be true and faithful in your head and in your heart, not just in your behavior. Trust in Him. Trust Him who knows all things. Trust Him who has all power. Trust Him whose love for you is perfect. Trust Him, who alone suffered, paid, and atoned for your sins, and for your weaknesses as well. Trust Him that He will make of you, immeasurably more, than what you will ever, ever, in all eternity, make of yourself. He will create of you a masterpiece. You will create of you only a smudge. You will create an ordinary man. He will create a God."

The only thing we have to give to Him is our will. I know if we give it to Him we will become so much more than we ever knew we could be. We can put our trust in Him and He will lead us onward. Never forget the power that our loving Father in Heaven has to help you reach your divine potential. I know He is there and that He loves each and every one of us. He will never abandon us, but will carry us through the trials of life and help us learn and grow and become more like Him. 

I love you all so much and hope you have a wonderful week!!! And I hope you feel better soon mom! I'm so sorry you've been so sick... :( I love you all and am always praying for you. Love you! :)

--

~Hermana Allan

June 13, 2016 - The blessing of an unfair life

Sister Helmick and Sister Allan

Celebrating Nathan and Michelle's wedding from Puerto Rico

On Exchanges

Tan companions - must be in Puerto Rico :) 

Loving the Beach

I love this picture!

Practicing their musical number

Beautiful Puerto Rican beach

Thank you for sending me pics! Everything looks so beautiful and Nathan and Michelle look so happy! Congratulations!!!!!!!!!! I'm so glad everything turned out well and that you all enjoyed it so much. I love that we have the gospel and that we know that this isn't a temporary happiness, but an eternal joy that we can feel throughout our entire lives and through the eternities. I know that families can be forever and how exciting that Nathan and Michelle are just starting their own eternal family! :) CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! :) 

Monday was so much fun! As sister training leaders we get to plan a sisters activity for the zone so on Monday after emailing we drove around to different sight seeing places to pick a spot to do the sisters activity. We found this super fancy beach resort that was absolutely GORGEOUS! And then we also explored a natural reserve in Humacao that was equally gorgeous! I just love Puerto Rico so much and am so overwhelmed by the beauty of the world around us!

Then on Wednesday we had the Mission Leadership Conference which is a meeting for all the zone leaders and sister training leaders with President Boucher and his wife at the mission home. It was so much fun and very spiritual and uplifting. Hermana Helmick and I along with the two zone leaders did a musical number which turned out really well! It was such a wonderful experience!

Then I had my first exchange as a sister training leader which was also super wonderful! I was a bit nervous at first, but the sister I was with it amazing and she helped me out a lot. She is absolutely wonderful. She hasn't had very much success at all on her mission but she has so much faith and is always so positive and just keeps on working hard. She's such a great example to me and I'm so grateful that I have this opportunity to learn from so many wonderful missionaries! 

Also, something kind of funny happened this week... So when we visit people here, most people offer us a drink with some crackers or some sort of snack thing. and this week we were visiting a less active who left to get us something and when she came out she gave each of us half of a block of cheese. That was it. She literally just took out an entire block, cut it in half, and gave that to us to eat. It was the strangest thing, but I guess that's just the culture. :) And needless to say, we felt pretty sick afterwards for eating so much cheese....

Ready for our miracle of the week? On Sunday night we were really close to our house but we still had one more hour to work and we didn't know what to do. So we said a prayer but still couldn't think of anything specific. But we both felt strongly that we just needed to keep walking and keep working. So without knowing what we were going to do, we started walking and when we got to the end of the street we both felt like we needed to turn right. So we did and headed our way was a young couple with their baby. As we passed we introduced ourselves, gave them our number, wrote down their address and then kept on going. Well, long story short, we visited them twice this week and they are already reading in the Book of Mormon, praying together, and they want to be baptized! Unfortunately they couldn't come to church because they woke up really sick but I know they will next week. It was such a miracle and I know the Lord was blessing us for trying to be obedient and for working until the very end. This couple also needs to get married before they get baptized which may take a bit of work, but I believe in a God of miracles and I know He will help us be able to help them make that decision. Many prayers would be greatly appreciated! Their names are M. and A. Thanks! :)

Also, one day we were contacting and we found two guys on the side of the road. We taught them a little bit about the restoration and then invited them to church and guess what? they came! :) Usually we have to drag people to church and it usually doesn't happen until a couple weeks of teaching them, but they were simply a random contact in the street and they came! It was a huge miracle! 

I read a talk this morning from Elder Dale G. Renlund that I absolutely love! He talks about how if life were fair, we wouldn't be able to be resurrected and we wouldn't be able to repent and we wouldn't be able to become like our Father in Heaven. Because Jesus Christ lived the most unfair life. He was the most perfect person, but He also suffered more than anyone will ever have to suffer. So if life were fair, He wouldn't have done what He did, and we wouldn't have the wonderful blessing of the Atonement in our lives. So even though life is hard, and unfair, I'm grateful that it is. Because we have the Atonement. We have the Lord on our side. And we have the "hope of a better world" here and in the life to come. (Ether 12:4). I'm so grateful for the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ. For the chance He has given us to repent, progress, and be perfected through him. 

I love you all so so very much and hope you had a wonderful week and that you have another wonderful week this week! :)  And way to go Heidi for driving to Colorado and not dying! :) :) I love you all!!!!!!!!

--

~Hermana Allan

June 6, 2016 - I found Zion!

Sister Allan was able to see Sister Jacobsen, her MTC companion

I guess they ran out of sunblock??? :(

First sunday together as companions. Sisters Helmick and Allan

Happy to be companions!

Hello family! Thank you all so much for your emails this week! I felt the Spirit so strongly as I read them and I'm overwhelmed with gratitude and love for each and every one of you. I love you so much and I'm so grateful that we can be together for eternity! :)

This week was a roller coaster of emotions, but in the end, it was really good. :) Monday was soooo hard. I decided that I really hate goodbyes. We went and said goodbye to A. the recent convert and we were just bawling. It was rough.... but I'm grateful that he has gained such a strong testimony of the gospel and that he has the determination to keep pushing on. 

And can I just say, I absolutely LOVE Guayama! It's the best!!! It's funny because I went from Aguas Buenas which has nothing, to Cabo Rojo which has a little bit more, and now Guayama which is basically just like the states. Guayama is huge and we live right next to a mall! And the ward is incredible. The members are super willing to come with us in lessons and they actually fulfill their callings and do their home and visiting teaching, it's incredible.  I feel so blessed to be here in Guayama. I don't know what i did to deserve this, but I'm super excited to be able to work here. The only problem is that they haven't had baptisms here for a really long time.... but we've already made quite a few changes so I think we'll be able to start having more baptisms. And I quickly found out why all the missionaries gain weight here. We eat with members every lunch and dinner! Just imagine a large plate full of rice, beans, and fried meat twice a day.... We're trying to change that though because sometimes it seems like it's getting in the way with our proselyting so hopefully we can minimize it a bit. But I really do just love this area! :)

And my companion is wonderful!!!! She's from Virginia and this is her last transfer in the mission. We were at BYU at the same time but she only did one semester and then left on her mission. We get along really well and I'm super excited for this transfer with her! 

We're teaching a mom named E. and her daughter N. and they are so cute! They've had a TON of problems this week but everytime we ask them how they're doing the little girl says "thanks to the comfort of the Book of Mormon, we're feeling better." How cute is that? :) They found them right before transfers so they've only known missionaries for a week but they already love it and are progressing so much. But Satan is definitely attacking them because they've had so many family issues and I know that's going to hinder their progress a bit... Many prayers for them would be much appreciated! :) 

Also, we're teaching a man named H. He really likes learning about the gospel but has never been to sure about baptism. But the best part is that HE CAME TO CHURCH!!!! YAY!!! And he loved it! :) And after church we called him and asked him how it was and he said "I know I need to be baptized and I'm going to be. I just need to prepare myself first, but I will be baptized." It was incredible. The bad part is that he wants a lot of time to "be prepared" but at least he has the desire now. It was such a miracle! 

Church was wonderful and I'm super grateful because once again, I'm the only one in the ward that can play the piano. I'm so grateful that the Lord is giving me so many opportunities to share my talents and help others feel the Spirit through music. :)

On Wednesday, because I am the only new STL this transfer, Hermana Boucher came over and gave me my own personal STL training. But it was really super nice and I'm super excited to be able to work with the sisters in the zone. I've been fighting lots of feelings of inadequacy and anxiety this week but I've also learned a ton to help me with this. One day I was feeling super stressed so I opened my "Adjusting to Missionary life" book and the first thing I read was "You represent Jesus Christ, not yourself." I had gotten too focused on my own weaknesses and had forgotten what I'm here to do. Yes, I know I'm inadequate, but the Lord has called me and has given me the Holy Ghost to be able to do all that He needs me to do. It stresses me out getting to know so many people and knowing that I'm going to have to teach the entire zone at zone meetings, because I don't have a very outgoing, social personality or very good public speaking skills, but I know that that's not what's important. What makes a good leader is if they have the Spirit with them and if they follow the impressions they receive. I know the Lord will help me with this and I'm super excited for all that He is going to teach me and who I'm going to become through this opportunity as STL. 

Also I wanted to share this scripture with you guys: 2 Nephi 28:24 that says "Wo be unto him that is at ease in Zion!" I really like this because we must never get too content with where we are in life. There is always something more we can learn and do and we need to be working hard every single day to continue learning and growing and becoming more like our Savior. Make an effort to learn something new each day and then after some time you'll be able to look back and see how far you've come and how your small learning experiences have turned into a large change in the way you live and in who you are and you will be much happier! Keep going and keep progressing! Never stop! :) 

Congratulations Christopher on going through the temple!!!!! And I can't wait to see all the wedding pictures next week! Please send me all! :) Thanks for sending me the invitation! It's so stinking cute. And to answer your question mom, yes we can wear maxi skirts now! I don't really remember which ones I left at home but maybe if you think they're cute and that I would be able to use them I guess you could send them. Either way is good. Another good thing about being here in Guayama is that there are 4 sisters so I have lots of people to borrow clothes from. :) 

I love you all so so very much and I hope you have so much fun with the wedding and everything this week! You'll be in my prayers! Love you so much! 

--

~Hermana Allan

May 30, 2016 - An Eternity in Cabo Rojo

1st experience eating crab and loved it

Hello family! It was so good to see all those pictures this week! Graduation seemed like so much fun! And Bendito Nathan... Love it. :) congratulations Christopher!!! 

This week was another wonderful week! :) on Monday we went to an investigators house and they were eating crabs. They gave us some so I can now say I've eaten crab. And guess what? I loved it! It was so good! They gave us the entire crab and we had to peel it open to take out the meat. It was probably one of the weirdest things I've done, but it was so good. Also, I had a really cool experience with those investigators. They have tons of questions about the Book of Mormon and this time they asked about the gold plates and where are they now. It has always scared me to get that question because it's something that takes a lot of faith to accept. But as I was thinking about how I could answer it in a round about way, something that President Boucher had told me came to my mind. He had said, "be bold sister Allan. This has eternal importance." After thinking of that, I told the investigators directly that Joseph smith gave them to an angel who has them still today. After a brief pause, one of them basically bore his testimony to us of the importance of having faith and of asking God to know if these things are true. It was incredible. I realized that it's our job to present the gospel clearly and boldly and if we do, the spirit will bless others with understanding and will help them feel and know that these things are true. It was such a huge testimony building experience for me.

Then we did a fun service project for an investigator. We built a water system on her house that collects rain water to use for her bathroom and laundry because she cant afford the water bills. It was fun cutting wood, hammering, building, etc. I don't really know why I enjoyed it so much, but I did. :) and even better, it works, :)

Another cool experience from this week is that on Thursday night we realized that we didn't have any new investigators yet. So we set aside some time on Friday to contact and find new ones and then we set a goal that we would find three. So we started contacting and we found one right off the bat. But then we kept going and weren't having very much luck. It was just about time to go home but we had a feeling to contact one more house so we did. But guess what, they weren't interested. But right as we started walking back a son and his dad pulled up into the house across the street and I had a distinct thought in my head "contact them. They're the ones." We went over to talk to them and they were super interested! It was incredible because we wouldn't have found them had we not stopped to contact that last house. It was a huge miracle and we met our goal! :)

Then we had an absolutely wonderful sacrament meeting on Sunday. It was a missionary Sunday so Hermana curneal and I spoke and one of the elders spoke and everything just fit together wonderfully. The spirit was so strong, it was amazing. And that night we had a fireside about prayer and that was equally amazing. It was so powerful and exactly what I needed especially right before transfer calls.....

That leads me to transfers... And guess what?I'm staying in Cabo Rojo! Haha, just kidding. :) wouldn't that have been funny. :) but no. Actually president called me last night and asked me to be a sister training leader in Guayama! I'm super excited but way super nervous too. I've been feeling pretty overwhelmed and inadequate ever since he called me. But I have to keep reminding myself that God called me. He sees something in me that I can share with others and I just hope and pray that I can do all He needs me to do. It's going to be fun because Aguas buenas is one of the areas I'll be doing exchanges in as STL. :) it's also the area where all the sisters gain lots of weight..... you may be rolling me off the plane. :) my companion will be Hermana helmick who is from Virginia. She was Hermana stevens comp right before me and I already know her really well so I am super excited to be comps with her! 

So thats it! There ends my stay in Cabo rojo. I'm really sad to leave after being here for so long but I know it'll all be ok. I'm so grateful for the time I've had here and feel so blessed to have been given such a wonderful and miraculous last transfer here. And sorry that I don't really have a spiritual thought today but we had some computer problems so now I don't have time to do one, but I'll be sure to put it in next week. Just now that I love you so much!!!! I know this church is true and that God is our loving father in heaven and that His son Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. 

I love you all so much!!! I hope you have an absolutely wonderful week! 

-- 

~Hermana Allan

May 23, 2016 - The Work of Eternity

at a ward party

Happy Day!

Sisters Allan and Curneal

District activity on Pday - Cave Diving

Caving

Add caption

Wow, so many things to tell you this week! First, Monday was the best p-day I have ever have. We went cave diving for like 4 hours. It was so fun!!! And these were legit caves. It wasn't just walking into a large cave and that's it, but these were tiny spaces so we were crawling, climbing, squeezing in between rocks and everything. It was so much fun!

Also, I found my all time favorite food. It's called gyro pastalone. Pastalone is like lasagna but instead of pasta, it's amarillos (fried bananas) and then the gyro part is that instead of ground beef, it's lamb. It was sooooo amazingly good. I'll attempt to make it for you guys when I get home. :)

I never thought I would see the day when we would be allowed to wear pants! I don't think I will though because it is sooooo stinking hot so I'll think I'll stick with the skirt and I'll be sure to slather on the bug spray. :) 

This week we had a really cool experience. One day we felt prompted to go to a specific urbanization but we weren't really sure why, but we went anyways. Turns out that there had been a major car accident and one of the drivers had passed away leaving behind a 9 year old daughter and his 18 year old wife and many beloved family and friends. The Lord had guided us to that area and He placed many people in our path who had been effected by the accident and who needed comfort and peace and we were able to help them out and teach them about the plan of salvation. It was an incredible experience. Many times we don't know or understand what's happening in others' lives, but there are so many people crying out to God for help and guidance and we (having received the blessing of the fulness of the gospel) have the wonderful opportunity to be the Lord's hands and find those wandering sheep, those broken and torn apart souls, those hearts in need of mending. "because I have been given much I too must give." We've been blessed to know the truth, so now our responsibility is to share it with others and lead them home. 

also you should go look up this song and listen to it. It made me cry because it explains mission life so well. "The hardest thing I ever loved to do" by Nashville Tribute Band. It's wonderful. 

Also, dad I have a question for you. We met an investigator this week who has Colon cancer and she has had missionaries visit her in the past and she loves it and basically already knows it's true but she can't come to church because she doesn't ever leave her house. she's embarassed about her condition and is worried that something unexpected will happen with the bag. Do you have any advice that I could give her that would help her overcome that fear and come to church? Thanks! :)

This week I've been thinking a lot about the blessings in the scriptures that are promised to those who accept the gospel. I love what it says in 2 Nephi about Zion and what we'll be able to enjoy if we live worthy to enter in Zion.

   

2 Nephi 8: 3, 11 For the Lord shall comfort Zion, he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden,and her desert like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody.

 11 Therefore, the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy and holiness shall be upon their heads; and they shall obtain gladness and joy; sorrow and mourning shall flee away.

Doesn't that sound wonderful? Joy, gladness, holiness, thanksgiving, no sorrow or mourning. What if people understood these blessings? What if they understood the significance of the message we share? What if we could grasp the eternal promises that are awaiting the righteous and faithful? Would we come running? Would people be begging us to get baptized? I think so. If we could fully comprehend how happy, how joyful, how blessed we could be in the eternities, we would do absolutely anything to reach it. God has prepared mansions for us in heaven and we have been promised that all will be ours if we simply lay down our nets and follow Him and be fishers of men. Our sacrifices here on earth are nothing when compared to the greatness of the blessings we will receive. May we follow Him and be worthy of the glorious reward He has prepared for us. One day we can be made perfect and live in perfect peace and rest. One day we can reach eternal life and receive exaltation. One day we can live with Him again.

I love you all so much!!! Thank you for everything and I hope all goes well with wedding planning and graduation and school and work and everything! :) I LOVE YOU!!!!!!! :) 

--

~Hermana Allan