July 7, 2014

This week has been great.

This last month, our mission we able to have 41 baptisms.  The Kansas Wichita Mission could never get over the bar of 32 baptisms until June. We did not make our goal but we were able to see lots of miracles and have many on date for July. In July, our goal is 75 baptisms because we as a mission are now working on finding elect families and help families progress in the gospel. The Mission council really believes if we are exactly obedient and creative in missionary work we will find these families and be able to have 75 baptisms.

Monday we had p-day in Wichita.  Played basketball and had fun as a Wichita zone. Then we had dinner with the Johnson family.

Tuesday we had Zone Conference. This started at 8 AM with Car inspections. We did not have to have our car inspected because we have a rental. We still had to help inspect all of the other mission cars. We left our house at 7AM to be at the 29th building. We had a great trainings and testimonies. We had time to role-play and then here from the missionaries that are going home these next few weeks. Then we went on exchanges with our district leader. I stayed in Wichita and went with Elder Cristales to the Spanish branch in Wichita. Elder De Leon went to Wellington with Elder Shaeffer.  We were able to help a family in Spanish branch move a few things.

The senior couple moved in to our ward. They moved from Concordia in the Salina stake to Wellington. They like their apartment and we are looking forward to their help in the ward. They are the Sudekums from Michigan and have been out for 11 months and love being missionaries.

Wednesday we were able to work with the Spanish branch. It was difficult to teach in Spanish but we only taught a few English lessons. We had dinner with their less active branch leader. Then we had to go to the church building for branch interviews.  

Thursday we had district meeting in Wichita. Before District meeting we exchanged back and then had District meeting. In Wellington we were able to see some of our investigators and members. Then we saw the Senior Couple and had time to talk about our plan for the ward.

Friday we had weekly planning and were able to see lots of people before dinner with Sister Heacok. Sister Heacok invited us to her family party. She and us were the only members there. There were several nice people that we had opportunity to talk to. There was also lots of drinking and smoking but we were able to meet lots of people. Then we went to the Lawrence's to attend their party at their pond. We had a great time watching the teen age boys play with fire works. We were not able to see lots of fireworks because we had to be in by 9 PM.

Saturday we did lots of driving to small towns.

Sunday we had church. Sacrament meeting was very interesting because we did not have bread for the sacrament and when the bread got there it was very late. Then Elder Shaeffer got relocated from Ward Mission Leader to Elders Quorum first councilor and Elder Sudekum was called to be our Ward Mission Leader. Then we then went to Harper to see less actives and potential investigators.

We have a large ward out here in Wellington. We include lots of small towns and people that live in the country. We have 13 priesthood holders that are active and only 25 children form 18 to 0 in the ward that are active. We drive lots to meetings and to the other towns. We have driven 3000 miles from the time I came into the ward. It is very nice to have a rental car because we don't have a mile allotment but we are asked to use it wisely but still use it to our advantage. If we were to drive from the east side of our ward to the West side it would take about 2 hours drive.

What I have learned in the last year.

What is the most significant thing that you have learned? I am able to recognize the promptings of the spirit and act on them

What is the most fun thing you have done? Being able to work at the zoo in Topeka each week and have fun helping in the community.  Also helping Matt Davis in Topeka with his house and pigs.

What is the most spiritual experience that you have had? Being to be able to baptize and help conform new members into the church. It is great to help investigators make it to baptism and be able then to become members.

What is the greatest thing you can do to make the next year even better? It is to work hard each day and be exactly obedient to the rules so I can have the Spirit with me always and be able to help others enter the waters of baptism.

Love Elder Andrew Allen