May 27, 2014

This week has been Great.

Monday we had P-Day. We spent time in Great Bend emailing and shopping and sending letters.

Tuesday we had district meeting in Hays. Before District Meeting we went to thrift shops with sister McCowan. We were able to find some cheap things. We then had lunch and left to go back to Great Bend. Then we went over to see Judy Stemm. Then we had dinner with the Relief Society sisters. Then we did some service for the church by picking up trash around the church building.  Elder Gonzalez found a $50 in the trash.

Wednesday we went to Lyons and worked all day with Brother Solie. Brother Solie is in the bishopric in the ward. We only were able to get in to 3 doors all day. One house was the ward mission leader and one was the Tervino house and then an investigator in Lyons.

Thursday we worked in Great Bend. We had weekly planning and visiting former investigators.   Then the Perez's family dropped off food for dinner. We had lots of lessons with people on their doorsteps.

Friday we went out to Larned. It rained all day when we were walking. We were able to meet the family that we talked to last week. Had a great lesson with Jacob and Charmin, which moved from Empora. Then we had dinner with the McMillans.

 

Elder Andrew Allen, Ayanna, Elder Howell

Saturday we had Ayanna baptism at 11am. We also had breakfast and studies with Brother MCMillan while we filled the Baptismal font. The Baptism was great. Then we went to Sister McCowan antics shop and did service at her house. We also went out to eat with her in Great Bend. That night we had sports night at the church building. While leaving the church building we had a great time taking pictures of the sunset.

 

Great Bend night sky

Sunday we had church. Ayanna was confirmed a member. We had a few investigators at church and had a great time at church. Then we went out to contact former Investigators out of the Area book. We first saw John Link. When we got to his house he was not there but he pulled up with his father and friend. The Father and friend are president and vice president in a motorcycle club that goes in to party to help the bikers find God in their life. We had a nice conversation with them also an interesting prayer. The Siefkes feed us dinner and then we went over to see Judy and Judy. We talked about the importance of coming to church and Baptism.

Monday we had P-Day in Salina. The zone leaders gave us more miles to drive up there. We spent the whole day with the zone. We played Nerf and basketball and soccer. This was fun to spend time with other missionaries than the ones in Great Bend.

Tuesday we had interviews with President Bell. I was the first one in the Salina Zone. This was nice to talk to him and see what I can do to help me on my mission. Then we had district meeting and District Lunch.

This week has been nice. We had some rain and wind and lots of sun. Thanks for the letters and mail.

Love,

Elder Andrew Allen. 

May 19, 2014

This week has been Great. We have traveled and have had a fun time in the Great Bend Ward.

Monday we had P-day and spent time at the music shop in Great Bend. In the Music shop we played the instruments and had a nice time talking to the owners.

Tuesday Elder Jacobson came down to do exchanges with me in Great Bend. Elder Jacobson and I helped perform a church tour for Judy Harmon and her husband to be Alex. We found Judy last week when we went to her house because of a referral for her Grandmother Judy Stemm.  Judy Harmon takes care of her grandmother and her son Clifford. Judy was very prepared for us to teach. The only thing holding her back is marriage and church attendance. Her husband doesn't care that they have to get married.  Elder Jacobson interviewed Ayanna for baptism and we had dinner with the Trevino family.  We also had lots of finding people to teach.

Wednesday we had a zone specialized training in Salina. Brother Voss was able to drive us up to Salina and back. President Bell and the AP were there to do the training.  During this zone training a missionary, Elder Stopper, dressed up as Fearless Finder super hero. This training was a about finding the people the Lord has prepared for us to teach. President Bell talked about every missionary in Great Bend. Elder Acosta and Grow about their shoes, Elder Howell about him being need in Great Bend and having to get an emergency transferred and Elder Allen (me) for being sleepy in the meeting. This was a fun meeting. Then we had weekly planning and saw Judy and Judy and Alex. Taught them about the Plan of Salvation. The Spanish Elders called to tell us they need a ride because someone stole their bikes and left a broken bike for them. They filed a police report and left the station with the descriptions of the bikes. We had a church service project to clean the inside of the church building and trim the plants outside.

 

Great Bend Sunset

Thursday we worked in Lyons.  Before we left we were able to visit with the Judys. We taught them about word of wisdom and Law of Chastity. Then we left to Lyons. We visited less actives and found a new investigator and had fun finding people.  The MacArthur and the Berkheimer families were able to feed us.

Friday we were able to work in Larned. Sister Douglas took us out to eat in Great Bend. Then we rode to Lared with Sister Douglas. We helped Sister Douglas with her clothesline. Then we went out walking to contact old investigators and find the prepared people. We tried one family 4 times and every time they told us to come back in 15 min. Every time we went out we found a new investigator during the time we waited. We had dinner with the Heinlein family and then dessert with the McMillans on the way back to Great Bend.

Saturday worked Hoisington. No one talked to us all day. Everyone told us they were cationic and they had already met with missionaries. Then we went and played sports with the Spanish Elders and their investigators.

 

Wheat field

Sunday we had Church. Ayanna and Crystal and Cristina all came to church. The Judy's were not able to come because Alex was working. Then during the Rest Hymn Janessa MacArthur passed out because her lungs could not get enough air because of her allergies and coughing. Elder Howell, Brother Schied and I carried her out to the car and gave her a blessing. Then we spent time in primary and Young Mens. Then we saw the Judy's. Had dinner with the Carltons out in Larned. They invited the McMillan and a less active family. This was nice dinner.

This was a great week. Thanks for all the mail and prayers. I like all the work Elder Howell and I have been able to do here in the Great Bend Ward.

Love,

Elder Andrew Allen.

May 12, 2014

This week has been interesting. Lots of odd stuff happened.

Monday morning the APs called and told Elder Nelson that he was leaving to go to Wichita. We went by and said bye to members in the ward. Then Elder Nelson packed and got ready. We had dinner with the Sheffield family.

Tuesday we drove down to Wichita. Elder Nelson needed to be in the office at 12 pm so we left about 9:30. I had to stay in Wichita until my new Companion, Elder Howell, came from Topeka. Elder Howell got to ride the Gray Hound from Topeka to Great Bend by himself because he was the only missionary coming from Topeka. During this time I helped the Elders and Sisters in the Mission Office. They put me to work laminating and sorting things. Finally at 2:30 Elder Pack and Howell made it to the Mission Office. Talked to Elder Pack for a bit then dropped of a bike rack to a set of missionaries on the way home. Then we stopped in Lyon to see our ward mission leader and to do some tracting. Then we had dinner with the Siefkes.  Then we went to see the Trevino family.

Wednesday I went to the doctor and was told that I have high blood pressure and high pulse.  We spent a long time at the Doctor office.  Then we went over to the Tervinos to help Brandon paint their shed.  Then we started weekly planning.   Then we had dinner with the Berkheimers in Great Bend.  Then we went over to Cristina and Crystal’s to have a lesson with them. We reviewed the baptismal questions with Ayanna and talked with them about the baptism. Then we talked to the Audits about all the commitment we left them with over the last two transfers.

Roll of duct tape.

Thursday we finished weekly planning. After that we went out walking to find people and contact some referrals. We had little luck finding people home. Then we had dinner with the Bates and tried names from the Area Book.

Friday we had Zone Training in Salina. It ended up that we had to drive our selves to Salina so we could get Elder Howells bike. Zone training is a lot smaller because they split our zone a week ago. We went from about 36 missionaries to 20 in our zone.  The Zone Leaders talked a lot about inspired questions and how we can learn a lot from inspired questions.  Then they told us about a new rule from Elder Pack the car coordinator. The church went back to only having one designated driver per companionship. The nice thing is that I am the one allowed to drive the car. Then we got back to Great Bend and found 3 new investigators. We received a referral from Mormon.org that ended up being a family wanting to learn more. They are a nice family. Both of their names are Judy.

Saturday we spent time walking and contacting less actives and former investigators. We also went to Hosington to work. Then we had dinner with the Curtis family. Deiah Curtis was having a Graduation party and food and invited us to come and eat and meet some of her friends.  Then we had a lesson with the Judy's.  And then one with Jim and Shea and Brother Crone.

Sunday we had church. Had 2 investigators at church. Elder Acosta was sick. We also had lots of less actives come to church.  Then we went to the Sheffield family so Elder Howell could Skype his family at 4pm then we went out to the Curtis family so I could Skype home. During the Skype we had 2 tornadoes touch down and half inch hale and lots of rain. First tornado was two blocks away from the house on the left then the second was on the other side of the trees next to the neighbor’s house on the right. But I was still able to talk to my family. We were there until 9 PM.

This week was lots of talking to investigators and finding people. Thanks for the prayers and letters.

Love,

Elder Andrew Allen

May 5, 2014

This week has been great. Lots of news today.

Monday we had dinner with the McMillan's.  They live in Larned. After dinner we went to the Larned State Hospital. One of the members in the Hays Ward got a hold of us and asked us to give a blessing to a resident there. This state hospital has many parts to it. There is a prison and a mental ward and other groups there. We had to go through an hour class in 30 min to be able to walk in to the buildings. This was fun, even the state clergy personal asked us to come back and teach the members there. A wonderful day and we got home late.

Tuesday was our day of finding old investigators. We were able to ride our bikes and had a wonderful day. Then we had dinner with the Trevino family.

Wednesday we had transfers. All 4 of us missionaries stayed in Great Bend. We had weekly planning. After Lunch we went out to Saint John. Saw land sharks and lots of less actives.  We also had a lesson with Cristal and family.  

Thursday we had lots of our appointment fall through.  We were able to have dinner with the Hudson family in Pony Rock. The Hudsons are a fun family. We were able to get a new set of rules that brother Hudson created for the game Risk.  After dinner we had a lesson with Jim and Shea.

Friday we had a mission wide Fast. President Bell asked us to fast for miracles in May. We even had district meeting. The Zone Leaders came and visited our District Meeting. After Distinct Meeting we helped Cristal and Brandon with their garage.   They are scraping and painting.

Saturday we went to Lyons to work with our Ward Missionary Leader. Brother Berkheimer took us to visit less actives and investigators. Then we had dinner with the Berkheimers and sister Hickling. After dinner we went out to visit with the Curtis family.

Sunday we had church. Lots of members came. Then we had dinner with the Solie Family. Brother Solie fixed a wonderful dinner for us. Then we had a lesson with Brandon and JR.

Monday Morning the APs called and told Elder Nelson he is leaving to go to Wichita. We have been going to lots of members and saying bye to them. I am going to miss Elder Nelson and don’t know who my next companion is.

Thanks for al the mail.

Love Elder Andrew Allen