August 18, 2014

Yes I am in Ark City. Last week on Saturday I was called by the AP telling me that I was moving to Arkansas City. Elder MacArthur was not getting along with Elder Nicholes so President Bell was praying and was told to move me here and Elder MacArthur to Wellington.  So I have spent a week here in Ark City.

Monday we emailed and shopped and then drove to Wichita to the Mission Office. President Bell pulled me into his office to talk to me and we had a great talk about what I am here for and how I can help the branch. Then we talked to the AP and drove back to Ark City.

Tuesday we had district meeting in Ark. In the District we have 2 sets of missionaries. Us, the Elders and the sister Missionaries in our Branch.  Sister Call and Sister Cramer. Sister Call is the same Call that was in the MTC with Benjamin and I. This is fun to be around her again. After District meeting we went to lunch and worked for a few hours. Then we drove back up to Wichita because the District Leaders in the Derby Zone had a PPIs with President Bell and The AP and Zone Leaders. So Elder Nicholes had to be up there. I was with the other companions in the chapel playing the piano and talking. Then Elder Ives talked to Elder Nicholes and I about what he wanted us to do to help us get things done.

Wednesday we had weekly planning then we had time to visit people. We were able to see some of the investigators and less actives.

Thursday we time to coordinate with the sister about our goal for the area. We meet at Braum's in Winfield. The sister Missionaries live in Winfield which is about 20 min From Ark city. When we were ready to cheek out for our Ice Cream a member came up and paid it for us. He doesn't have the ability to have us at his house that often so he took this time to help feed us. This was very nice. Then we meet with the Branch President at his house. President Gott had us over to give us a list of names to see for him. Then we had a home teaching and Visiting Teaching meeting. The Branch is redoing the routes.

Elder Allen and Elder Nicholes

This week on Thursday we were looking to find a new investigator. We knocked on a door of a less active and no one was home so we got into the car and asked Heavenly Father to help us find someone prepared. Then we started to drive to another house of a less active. On the way we passed a guy walking. We felt impressed to stop and talk to him. We did. His name is Cody. We talked to him and read Ether 12:27 with him and it hit him hard. He said that he would love to look into this and we could come back on Saturday to his house.

Then on Saturday we were out with brother McCaslIn trying people. We tried all the people we had planned for this time. We then stopped in at Cody’s house. It ended up that Cody was not there but we talked to his dad, Ham. Ham was working on his truck and took time to talk with us.  He seemed interested. Also  we shared with him the same scripture and left him with a Book of Mormon. That night he talked to his son about the missionaries and about the Book of Mormon. Ham also recognized our team up that we took out with us. Brother Mccaslin had met Ham but they cannot figure out were it was.   This was a great few lessons.

Friday we had time to visit people in Ark and Winfield. We then had a lesson with Aaron, a Recent Convert and had Brother England come out with us. That was a great Lesson. Then we had dinner at the England's house. Then we went out to the Priesthood activity at the bowling ally. There were 11 of us from our branch. This was a great night. We were all having fun with each other. To change things up I bowled the second game with my left hand. I got a score of 37. This was lots of fun.

Saturday we were able to find people and contact our investigators and see less actives. The city police captain came out with us for a team up. Brother McCaslin was able to go out with us for a few hours. Then we had time to invite people out to church.

Sunday we had church. This week it was very small. Lots of people were out of town. But we still had church. We then had dinner at the Lyman family house. They invited us and the Englands and the missionaries. This was a large group of people.  Both the Englands and The Lyman are new to this area.

Thanks for all the mail and emails. Hope all of you are having fun at school. Thanks for everything.

Elder Andrew Allen.

As for the shower curtain picture … this one was long past that point (washing). The whole apartment is that dirty. I have had to do lots of cleaning this last 10 days. The house has not been cleaned in the last 6 months. I am great full you taught me how to clean and work hard. Thanks for every thing.

It is an Apartment. It is all right place. It is lot smaller then the place in Wellington and it only has a window unit ac. It gets really hot in there when we cook. Other than that it is nice to have a apartment to sleep in.  We are in a Branch. There is about 80 active people and we are growing.

August 11, 2014

This week has been a very interesting week. I am now in Arkansas City.

Monday we had time to email and then we went over to the Sudekums and talked with them and then went out to visit Sister Gregert. Then we had dinner with Bishop Porter and bishop came out with us after dinner. We were able to see a few members of the ward.

Tuesday we had to take the car into the body shop and then we rode with the senior couple to Wichita for district meeting. Then we had time to stop by the mission office on the way back to Wellington. Then we stopped in Bell Plain and saw some members and then had dinner.

Wednesday we had time to work with the Sudekums. We went down to Anthony and tried everyone that lives down in that neck of the woods. We were able to have a great time and meet several members that have not been seen in several years. Then we had dinner with Sister Mock and had cake because it was Elder Sudekums Birthday. And we had the Scripture study class.

 

Elder De Jong, Elder Allen, Sister and Brother Sudekums

Thursday we had time to get ready for the movie night and prepare the building for the ward movie night. Then we had dinner with the Stamps and then saw Sister Shaw.

Friday we had zone training in Wichita. We left at 8 Am and were up in Wichita until 1:30. Then we drove back to Wellington and set up the chairs and projector for the movie night. Then we went to pick up the car. When we got there you could still see the hail damage so we left it to have them work on it more. Then we had dinner and started the popcorn. We had 32 members there. 5 of them are less active in the ward.  Even the bishop came. In the beginning he didn't want to be there but after the video he truly liked it. We showed “17 Miracles.”

Saturday we the Aps called and told me I was getting transferred to Arkansas City. The set of missionaries were not getting a long so I was sent to be with Elder Nicholes. This was an interesting day of packing and unpacking and moving.

Sunday we had church in the Arkansas City branch. It was good because we had lots of people there. Then we had dinner with the England family in Winfield. Then we saw a few Spanish people.

Thanks for every thing.

Love,

Elder Allen

Picture is of the Sudekums and Elder de Jong and Elder Allen. 

August 4, 2014

This week has been great. Lots of service in the ward. 

Monday we went to the zoo in Wichita with the Sudekums. It was lots of fun to see the animals and walk around at the zoo. Then we had dinner with the Porter family and had time to go home and pack for our move on Friday. 

Tuesday we had district meeting in Wichita. After lunch Sister Sudekum needed to go shopping at the mall in Wichita so Elder de Jong and I went in to hand out Books of Mormon. The Mall police asked us to follow them because we were breaking rules in the Mall. We talked to the assistant manager and she told us that we could not solicit in the mall.  So we ended up waiting for the Sudekums to finish. Then we had scripture study class with Sister Mock and the Sudekums. We ended up talking because we were the only ones that showed up.

Wednesday we helped Suzi Trotter move all of her stuff into a trailer. She is a less active that is moving out west because she got a job teaching in Ness City Kansas. So we spent 6 hours helping at the Trotters place. Then we had time to start cleaning the church building. The Sudekums and us volunteered to help clean the church building that has not been cleaned in 5 months. 

Thursday we spent the whole day at the church building. We were able to get the building presentable for church tours and for the ward movie night this next Friday. Then we had dinner with the Brundages and had s’mores with their grandchildren. 

Friday we moved to Wellington. We have a nice apartment and nice stuff from the mission office. We had time to unpack and then we went down south with the Sudekums to Caldwells.   The summer county fair was happening and we were able to see the animals and also talk to a few people. 

Saturday we had exchanges with our District and Zone Leaders.  I went with Elder Swenson and Elder de Jong went with Elder de Loen and Elder Nerdin. We found 8 new investigators and 4 of them were on date for baptism in 2 hours. We can truly see the Lord preparing people down here to hear the gospel. Then we had lunch with them and went out to Bell Plain. 

Sunday we had church and lots of comments about the building and about how the sacrament was passed. When we were cleaning the Building we rearranged the chairs in the chapel to look like a normal chapel and not like a school auditorium room. And we worked with the deacons to help pass the sacrament with 4 deacons instead of 2. This was great to see the ward change and see good come out of change. Then we had dinner with the Taylor family. They have a fun family. They also have lots of stories from Mexico. 

Thanks for every thing.

Love,

Elder Andrew Allen

July 28, 2014

This week has been great. We have had fun and transfers and service. 

Monday we had dinner with the Laurences. We were able to help him load a cow into his trailer so he could take it next door to have it mate with the neighbors animals. We had fun helping him. 

Tuesday Elder Shaeffer packed and got ready to leave. When Elder Shaffer was packing I cleaned the house and got things ready for Elder De Jong. Then we went to Wellington and saw a few people and then we home to get a few things for the rest of the night. When Elder Shaeffer was at the end of town a cop pulled him over and he got a $170 dollar ticket for going 43 in a 20 mile zone. Then we had dinner with Sister Mock and attended her scripture study class.

Elder Shaffer and Elder Allen

Wednesday we had time to clean house again and then drive to Wichita. In Wichita we had a music talent show and then the transfer devotional. President Bell has a rap he sang and other missionaries preformed. We also had lunch and left back to Wellington. We then mowed the Maxwell’s lawn and had dinner with the Maxwells. Then we had time to meet with the Sudekums.

Thursday we helped Brother Brundage take down the ceiling in their garage. Then we helped a less active find out why his electrical wasn't working in his new trailer. It ended up that the neutral wire was broken from the power pole to the house. The city came and fixed it when we were there. Then we had dinner with the Rinehart family. Then we saw other less actives.

Friday we visited people in Anthony and Harper. Had no luck catching people home in Harper.   Then we went to Anthony and found lots of people home. We were able to see Suzi Trotter. When we got there she explained how she wanted a blessing for her back and before her move. This was nice to be able to see someone that needed our help. Then we had dinner with Sister Boese. Sister Boese is active but her husband in not a member. We had a great time with them and getting to know him and learning about his experiences with the church.

Saturday we did some electrical for Brother Brundage. We then time to visit less actives out in the middle of no where.  It ended up being no house were the GPS put us. Then we went to dinner with the Taylor family and had coordination meeting with the senior couple.

Sunday we had church and meetings. Church was small and no investors. We also had a mission Presidents devotional in Newton, Kansas. The senior couple took us up to Newton and it ended up that President Bell was not able to make it. It ended up being regular devotional for recent converts.  We ended up get home at 10:30 pm after a long day.

This week has been great. Elder De Jong is from Utah and is Spanish speaking and came from Park City. He has been out for 6 months and went to the Mexico MTC. Thanks for all the Mail and Emails.

Love Elder Andrew Allen.

 

Elder Allen, Elder Leon, Elder Shaffer, Elder Cristales

Picture is of the Spanish Elders in Wichita and Wellington Elders.

July 21, 2014

I am staying in the Wellington Ward. We are going to be moving to Wellington to be closer to our investigators and the members. We will also save lots of miles every week because we don't have to drive from Argonia to Wellington 4 or 5 days each week.  My new companion is Elder De Jong.

Monday we had some excitement at the Stake Center. The fire alarm went off. The fire department came and said it was a malfunction or a miss reading of a sensor up in the air handler room. After all was done we could continue on our day.

Tuesday we had a district meeting in Wichita. Elder De Leon gave a great training and they gave us time to take a room and pray for 10 min about what we need to do to help our area and our self become a better missionary. Then we went out to Harper and had dinner with Sister Mock and then had scripture study class.

rental car

Wednesday we took time to update the area book and get every thing ready for transfers. Then we got a call from the car dealership. They were calling because our car was fixed and we could pick it up. We ended up taking time to clean it at the church building and have it nice to turn it back in. We ended up putting 2800 miles on it in about 28 days. It was very nice to have the rental car when they had to order and fix the front axel. Then we had dinner with the Rinehart family. Then after dinner Brother Rinehart and his daughter came out with us. We had a great lesson with them. During the lesson Melody, which is 10, told the first vision story all by herself to our investigator Ryan. 

Thursday we went to Harper. In the total time of the day we got stuck 3 times got lost once and had a dirty car. We were able to see 5 less active families’ and be able to see several potential investigators. Then we had dinner with the Brundages. This was the last time they could feed Elder Shaeffer and one of the last times we could eat with them before we move.

Friday we had a fun day. Help Brother Brundage remodel his garage. We took out their mudroom to make it so they could park 3 cars in their Garage. This was lots of fun.  Worked on the Area Book and had dinner with Sister Heacok. Then we went over to the Sudekum to talk about the Ward list. We went over all of the members and talked about each of them. This was great to learn about less actives that Elder Shaeffer knew before he left.

Saturday we went down south with Elder and Sister Sudekum and tried all of the less actives down there. We did not have lots of luck seeing them but we did find someone that likes family history. The senior couple is planning on helping him with his family history and then teaching him the lessons. Had dinner with the Taylor family. Then had coordination meeting with the ward mission leader. Elder Sudekum is a great ward mission leader.

Sunday we had church and then time to see people. Went out with Brother Johnson to give a blessing and was able to see one of the recent converts. Had dinner at our place.

This has been a long week. I am looking forward to my new companion. Thanks for all the Emails ands letters.

Love,

Elder Andrew Allen.

July 14, 2014

This week was Great. We had lots of time visiting less actives and talking to people at the Wheat Field Festival.

Monday we had P-day with the Missionaries up in Wichita. We have a rental car so we don't have miles to worry about. We played basketball and Volleyball. Then we had dinner with the Porter Family. Then Bishop Porter was able to come out with us to visit some people. We were able to see Ashley and teach her the first lesson. We also put her on date for July 26th. Bishop Porter was a great team up.

Tuesday we had district meeting in Wichita. We then went to Bell Plane and Harper. In Harper we had dinner with Sister Mock. Then we were able to go out on a team up with her to visit several less actives in Anthony. Had a great lesson  with the Could family.

Wednesday we had weekly planning and then went over to mow for the Maxwell's. Then we went over to the festival and talked to people. And were able to see more of our potential investigators in Wellington.

Thursday we had Zone Training in Wichita. After zone training we were able to see people again in Bell Plane. Then we had dinner with Billy Slate. Then Billy came out with us as a team up. We were able to see lots of people with him. He is a great member that has a strong testimony.

Friday we had time to work on our area book. Then we went out to work and try people and meet people visiting for the Wheat Field Days. Then we had Pizza with Brother Brundage.

Saturday we went to the Arts and Craft show and talked to people we meet. We have had many people want to learn more. We then had dinner with the Taylor Family. They just moved back into our ward from Mexico and they have 5 kids that doubled our primary.  Then we had correlation meeting with the Sudekums. Elder Sudekums did a great job of talking notes and will be a great Ward Mission Leader. This meeting was very helpful. It went very long but it has been the best I have ever had.

Sunday we had church. We had about 65 people there this Sunday. We then had a lesson with Sister Erickson and had lunch from the Porters. The Porters fixed us some hotdogs and Hamburgers from some meat in their Freezer. Then we had a great night.

We also found out that we are moving to Wellington at the end of the month. I am happy about this because we will not travel as much each week.

Thanks for everything.

Elder Andrew Allen.

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