Nov 24, 2014

This week has been very interesting. Lots of meetings and Great learning time.

Monday we spent time Emailing and then we had time to spend at the senior sisters place before dinner. Then we went over to Betty Smiths house and blessed their house.

Tuesday we had district meeting. Then we had District Leader Interviews. After lunch we went out to Horton to work. We were able to meet a few less active and see our investor out there. We were also able to visit the Bone Family and Brother Jessip. Then we traveled to Morrill to see the Sailors.

Wednesday we had time to start weekly planning. Then we saw Teresa and stopped by the assisted living home to see if we could do service this holiday time. Then we saw Jeremy and Josh. Then the sisters asked if we could give their investor in Horton a blessing because she is stopping smoking. We had a road trip before dinner. Then we had dinner with The Larsons. After dinner President Larson took us out to see people.

Thursday we finished weekly planning and then had lunch at the senior sister place. Then we went out in Hiawatha to find Rodney. We were not able to find him. Then we saw Norma and Teresa. Then we had a lesson with Jeramey’s parents. They fist only wanted to give the Book of Mormon back but we were able to share our message with them. Then we saw the Rasmussen and Jamie.

Friday we had time to contact former investors and see people before dinner. We saw Bryan and Julia. Also I had to talk to mission Medical coordinate about my ear. She asked how it was and then called back to say that I need to see the doctor today or I would have to go to the Urgent care in St Joe. So I talked to Brother Barns and he said it was good.  He also said the Urgent Care could would of not been able to do any thing. Then I informed Sister Chumbly about what the doctor said. It ended up that she didn't know that I had a hole in the ear. Then we had dinner with sister Mients. Then we had open mic night at the Daily Perk.

Saturday we stake conference. We ended up riding with the Larson down to Topeka. This was a great night. Elder Real of the 70 came and spoke to us. He and all of the other speakers talked about missionary work.  Elder Real also talked about our prayers. Are we saying morning prayers and family prayers and prayers with our wife or husband? Then we stayed the night with the Lake Shawnee Elders in Topeka.

Sunday we had another great meeting. We were able to hear from the Temple President and his wife. Then Elder Real talked more about Prayers. He described our relationship and the meaning of prayers. Then we rode home with the Larson back to Nebraska. Then we saw Teressa and the Rasmussen and Jamie.

I hope all of you have a great Thanksgiving. Thanks for all the Letters. I hope you all stay warm and dry. Thanks for every thing.

Love Elder Andrew Allen

Nov 17, 2014

This week has been long. Lots of meeting and driving and little time to teach people. 

Monday we had p-day. We washed our car and Played Frisbee at the church with the sisters. Then we went over to the Senior sisters before dinner and listened to Elder Riddle and Sister Gunderson and Sister Williams sing Christmas music. Then we had dinner. As we started to eat our investigator showed up 2 hours early. He ended up eating with us while we had a lesson with him. Rodney was found by the Sisters but they turned him over to us. 

Tuesday we had Zone Conference in Topeka. This was the Lawrence and Topeka Zones. There are about 50 missionaries in the two zones. We left Falls City by 6:30 to be in Topeka by 8. At 8 am we went and practiced our musical number. All 4 of us missionaries here in Hiawatha branch sang with Sister Heger playing the piano. Then at 9 am we started the zone conference. This meeting when to 5 Pm. One of the wards in Topeka provided a lunch for all of us. We had a great time of training from President Bell and The Aps and other Missionaries and Stake officers. Then we drove to Hiawatha and met with Rodney at the senior sister place. 

Wednesday we had weekly planning. After weekly planning we had time to see a few people here in Falls City before we left for Seneca. In Seneca we saw Courtney and we stopped by Alan’s house but he was not home. Then we went over to the McGiffans house to help them paint. We were painting their daughter’s room. They have a very old house with plaster walls. This was fun helping them paint. Then we had dinner and then saw Jenifer. Jenifer is a mom of 2 that is going though a divorcee. She recognized that we were a sign to help her as she is going though this change.  She is catholic but is willing to talk to us and read from the Book of Mormon. We almost hit a deer in the road driving back to Falls City.

Thursday we had a mission Conference. This was in Emporia, KS. Elder Gregory A. Schwitzer of the 70 came and talked to us. It was a 3 1/2 hour drive to Emporia because we stopped in Lawrence to pick up a set of elders that did not have a car. When we got there, there were only about 30 people but when we started there was about 150. We were able to personally shake Elder Schwitzer hand before we started. We had President Bell and Sister Bell speak then we had Sister Schwitzer then Elder Schwitzer. This was great to learn from him. He talked about using the Book of Mormon to help our members and non Members come unto Christ. He told us lots of cool facts that are in the Book of Mormon that help prove that Joseph Smith translated it instead of writing it. This meeting was very nice. He told us lots of stories and made lots of jokes during the meeting. Then after the meeting he sat down and talked to all the Zone Leaders and Aps. How nice would it be to talk one on one with a member of the 70. Then we had dinner there in the church building. Then we left for Falls City. 

Friday was district meeting. I saw the doctor in Sabetha. He said my ear looks better but there is still a hole in it. It might take 3 months to heal. Then we had district meeting in Hiawatha. Our district is Us Elders and The Sisters and the Senior Sisters. Elder Riddle is the District Leader. Then we had a few lessons in Falls City before dinner. After dinner we were asked to play at the local coffee shop in Hiawatha. Every Friday they have an open mic night were people come and play. It ended up no one came but Elder Riddle and Sister Gunderson and Sister Williams still played and sung. We were able to talked to the lady that was working at the shop. We found out she had friend that are members in Alaska.

First Snow

Saturday it snowed. We saw the Rasmussen and Tristan and Austin and others. We shoveled people’s walkways for them. Then we had a movie night at the church building. We ended up snow blowing the church parking lot before the movie. We had 4 non-Members there with about 15 other members. 

Sunday we had church. It was very small because of the snow. We then were able to find 2 new people in here in Falls City and able to see Teresa and Tristan. 

This week has been very cold. In the 15-30 rage all week. We got about 1 inch of snow. Thanks for all the letters. Hope you all stay warm this week.

Love,

Elder Andrew Allen. 

Nov 10, 2014

This week has been great. We have had lots of driving and were able to see lots of less active members. 

Monday we had time to do thing at the senior sister place before dinner. We washed our car and when shopping and even helped the senior sisters get their new table. Then we had dinner and then we were able to then try a few less actives on the way home. 

Elder Riddle

Tuesday we had district meeting. District meeting was on preparing and working with our investigators. We then had district lunch and went to Falls City to try all of our investigators. We indeed up being dropped by lots of them. Then we had dinner with the Rasmussens. It was Brother Rasmussen birthday. We also were able to finish the dog pin and get it all ready for the dogs. 

Wednesday I had a doctors appointment with the ENT in Topeka. He said I have another hole in the Ear Drum and there is also Bacteria in the ear because of the fluid in the outer ear. Then on the way home from Topeka we stopped in Horton and Whiting to see Less Actives. We ended up finding a new investigator at a house of a less active that moved.  Then we had dinner with the McGiffan Family in Seneca and then had a nice drive home. 

Thursday we had time to weekly plan and to update our area book and Ward Roster. Then we went down to Horton to see Jamie our new investigator but she was not home. But we ended up finding a new investigator and also talking with a member that works every Sunday. Then we had dinner in Sabetha with the Wheeler Family. 

Friday we were in Lawrence for the day. We had zone training in Lawrence, which is 2 hours from Falls City. We had great training on how to use the skills and talents we have and our testimony of the Book of Mormon more with our investigators. We then had Zone Lunch and left for Hiawatha. In Hiawatha we were able to see Maryann and Routy Bushes and others. Then we had dinner. Then we tried to go to the Daily Perk which has an open mic night for people to sing. Elder Riddle and the sisters were planning on singing but they ended up closing early because of the cold.  So we ended up going to the senior sister place and having a show at their place with a family from the Branch. 

Saturday we had time to see Teresa and Tristan and Bryan here in Falls City. Then we had dinner with Sister Meints in Reserve. Talked about individual mission plans and working with her children to come to church. Then we saw the Rasmussen family and invited them to church. Then we had a lesson with the sisters at the Larson house to teach one of their investigators, Sam. This was a great lesson and nice to have a member family that is already a friend with the investigator. 

Sunday we had the branch Primary program and lots of less actives at church. We had the Rasmussen family and Maryann and The Sailors all at church this week. Then after church we were able to find a new family to teach and also see the Rasmussen new dogs. Also we saw Tristan and Bryan. 

This week we been able to meet lots of people and also have great training in Lawrence. Hope all of you are doing well and having a nice November. This week we are being told that there will be snow. Hope all of you stay dry and warm.

Love,

Elder Allen

November 3, 2014

This week has been very fast and lots of things happening. 

Monday we emailed and we washed the car and went shopping. Then we went over to the senior sister place for rest of the day and had dinner with them. 

Tuesday we had district meeting at the Hiawatha building and district lunch. Then we came back to Falls City to see Austin and Tristan and others. Then we had dinner with the Larsons. The sisters taught about studying the Christ like attributes and how that can help us when we do our missionary work.  Then we were able to see the Rasmussen family. 

Elder Riddle, Elder Allen, Sister Williams, Sister Gunderson

Wednesday we had weekly planning. Then we went out to Seneca for our branch party.  On the way we saw Sister Smith and Brother Kelly in Sabetha. Then in Seneca we saw Alan and Jenifer. Then we helped the McGiffan family setup a few things before the party.  The party was lots of fun and we had 3 non-member families come to the party with a few less actives. 

Thursday we were able to see the Meyers. They are a older couple and we tried to help them find more of their ancestors but were not able to find to many yet. We were also able to see Katie, Teresa and Norma Then we meet with Colton and JT and then had some time for finding. Then we went down to Hiawatha to help the sisters move their bed and spray for bugs in their house. Sister Williams was having bug bites.   They thought it was from spiders under their beds. We were able to clean up all the food and junk under their beds and get the spiders killed. Then we had dinner with the senior sister. 

Friday we help a member move and had time to contact less actives. We also had dinner with Sister Meints in Hiawatha and then watched the 100 year parade in Hiawatha. We sat next to the Rasmussen and the Senior Sisters and the young Sisters. Not many people talk to you when there is candy and a Holiday involved 

Saturday we went to Humbolt and Rulo with the Senior Sisters. We found lots of member moved but we were able to talk to a 92 year old member that remembers every thing and still reads out of the Book Of Mormon. It is great to see that when you get old you can still read and pray and seek revelation through the Book Of Mormon. We were also able to see Alan Kelly who is a Native American from the Iowa Tribe here in Kansas and Nebraska. We learned a lot from him about the protection of Indian graves and artifacts. 

Sunday we had a small meeting. But we did have a few less actives there. Then we had a great lesson on family history in Elders quorum and great Branch Council meeting. Then we saw Teresa and Jamie and the Rasmussen after dinner. 

This week has been great. I hope all of you had a great Holiday and stayed safe. thanks for the mail and letters.

Love,

Elder Andrew Allen

October 27, 2014

This week has been great. We have had lots of exciting thing happen and lots of meeting people.

Monday we had time to wash our car and the sister’s car at the church building. We then went over to the senior sister’s house to dinner and talk and play instruments and sing.  Then we had time to see the Rasmussen’s. 

Tuesday we had district meeting. Then we had district lunch. Then us elders and young sisters went to a nursing home and sang to the old people.  This was a lot of fun. We sang some primary songs and some hymns. Then we came back to Falls City and had time to contact some potential investigators and then have dinner with the Larson’s. Then had time to go out and find people. 

Wednesday we started the day off with weekly planning and studies. During weekly planning we sorted the area book and found 42 investigators that had not been dropped or taught. This was great to see that there are people that have met with missionaries than just need a visit.  Then we went to cheek addresses of less actives that we have not met in town. We were able to meet a few more and also found a few that have moved. This led us to find a new investigator. Then we had dinner and met a lady at the park that heard of Mormons but had never talked to us. She took a Book of Mormon and said she would read it. Then as we were walking to see other Brother Rasmussen called us and asked for help building a fence for his dog.  We were able to get the post in and the top bar done on the chain-link fence.  

Thursday we finished the area book. We have found out that the last 6 months before I got to the area that the area book had never been updated. Lots of work for us to do. We were able to talk to lots of people in town that we found last week. Then we had dinner with the Rasmussen and finished the fence. We continued on working on it with the light from the flashlight.  We were able to get the chain-link attached. 

Friday we drove down to Topeka.  Saw the ENT doctor and they preformed a hearing test and looked at the left ear. There is still a hole in the left ear and I have lost some hearing in the left ear from the hole.  They said to come back in 3 months and they will look at it and if it is not all the way closed up it might have to be surgically repaired.  Then we stopped by the Stake Center in Topeka to get more copies of the Book of Mormon from the Zone Leaders. It ended up that the Topeka zone was having a meeting and we interrupted their meeting. About 3 weeks ago they split the Topeka zone in half and made the Topeka  and  Lawrence  zone.  We ended up going to the Lawrence zone but we still do big meetings with both zones. Then we had lunch in Horton half way back to our branch. We then spent the rest of the day contacting less active in the tiny towns on the way back to Hiawatha. We were able to meet about 10 new families and have dinner with a less active that we have never met. This was very nice to have a family offer to feed you when they don't know you but they know you are member of the church. We were also able to see the McGiffan family in Seneca and Brian and his wife Courtney. We invited them to our branch party this next week in Seneca.  It sounds like they will be coming to the branch party. Then we ended up stopping at the sister’s house to drop off a CD and talk about their week. As we were talking a cop pulled up and asked if every thing was all right. It ended up being the landlady of the senior sister place. As she make her rounds every night she all ways stops to see if the sisters are all right. 

Saturday we were able to have great lesson with Austin and Tristan and Teresa. Then we helped Brother Rasmussen finish his fence and start repairing the old wood fence. He ended up using a chain saw to cup the plywood. Then we had dinner with sister Mients and saw a few other less actives. 

Sunday we had church. President Bell ended up showing up for our church. They were on their way home from Nauvoo.  President Bell had a Mission President seminar where Elder Perry trained them for 4 day. This was great to have the mission president at church with you. It ended up that Elder Riddle and Sister Chapman and Sister Williams all spoke and left time for president Bell to also speak. President Bell spoke about how we have 6 missionaries in the branch and there are people prepared to come to church and people that will come back to church. This is what the branch really needed to hear, it will grow and we will see miracles in the Hiawatha area. I am very grateful for President Bell and his love and how he showed up for church.  Then we had a branch potluck and also had dinner with Teresa and her mother Norma. 

This week has been great. Thanks for the package and all the mail. Have a great week and stay safe. 

Love Elder Andrew Allen

October 20, 2014

This week has been long. Lots of driving and lots of thing to do. 

Monday we spent time at the senior sister’s house with the sisters. We played games and wrote in every ones transfer books and had dinner with the senior sisters. 

Elder Pasquale, Elder Allen, Sister Chapman, Sister Murphey, Sister Browning, Sister Gunderson

Tuesday Elder Pasquale had time to pack and then we said by to several members in the branch. We traveled to Sabbath and Seneca and Hiawatha. Lots of traveling but we were able to have lots of lessons and have a great day. 

Wednesday we went to Wichita. Elder Pasquale is getting transferred to Ballot, Kansas. We left at 8 am from Nebraska and got to the mission office in time for lunch and the transfer meeting. The new missionaries were late because their flight got delayed. So President and Sister Bell left in the Transfer meeting to get the new missionaries. So Elder Arend ran the meeting by himself. My new companion is Elder Riddle from Wyoming but came out from Utah.  We had an oil change done on our car in Wichita. Then we left for Falls City.  Stopped by the Senior Sister house to say hi and had talk with them. Then we made it home. 

Thursday we went over to help Norma, Teresa’s mom. We were going to help her put down her new flooring in her kitchen but we ended up putting plywood down first. Then we had time to go out to Sabbath for dinner. We had dinner with the Wheeler Family.

Friday we had district meeting in Hiawatha. Then we had time to visit with President Larson and other members out here in Falls City. Then we had a lesson with the Rasmussen family. We were able to answer some questions Brother Rasmussen had about baptism and the requirements.  Then we saw Austin and Julia

Saturday we went over and finished the flooring at Norma’s. We cut the laminate to fit the kitchen and cut the baseboards. Then we went out to Seneca. We were able to talk to Alan. We were able to talk to people before dinner with the McGiffan family. 

Sunday we had lots of people come. The Rasmussen and Brother Jessip and others came to church this week. We also had a great lesson in Gospel Doctrine Class and had a mini party after church to celebrate our oldest member’s birthday. Then we had time to see Teresa and Austin and others here in Falls City. 

This week has been great. Thanks for all the Emails and Mail. Hope Every one is doing well and having a great fall. Thanks for Every thing.

Love,

Elder Andrew Allen.

Oct 13, 2014

This week has been fast and lots of excitement.

Monday we to the ENT in Topeka. Had a Zone P-Day in Topeka.  We had lunch as a zone then played volleyball and talked. Then we drove back to Topeka.  Had dinner with Teresa Lewis and her nonmember mom.

Tuesday we had district meeting in Hiawatha. We had great time training on the gospel of Jesus Christ. Then we had a district lunch and had time to see some investigators and Less Actives. We saw the Rasmussen and had a lesson with Austin at the Larson’s.

Wednesday we had time to weekly plan and prepare for transfers. Then we were able to see Jamie, a less active with the Sisters and then we had time to see Teresa and her son Blake. Then we had dinner with Sister Meints in Reserve, Kansas. Then we had a lesson with Austin and Tristan.

Thursday we had time to go to the city office building and see if they needed service. Because of all the rain and cold weather they didn't have things for us to do. Then we went to Seneca.  We tracked about half the town. We were able to see Brian and Courtney Carpenter Family. Courtney had time to read from the Book of Mormon and we set a return appointment for Sunday. We were also able to see Allan.  Then we had dinner in Sabbath with the Wheeler Family.  Then we drove home. 

Friday we started out the day in Sabbath at the Hospital for a follow-up visit with the ENT. I still have a hole in the Eardrum but it looks like it is healing. Then we had a Zone Training in Topeka. We were late because of the Appointment in Sabbath. We were able to have training on becoming challenging missionaries and improving our lessons with Active Members.  Then we had lunch. Then we watched the movie “Meet the Mormons.” This was lots of fun but the video was slow because of the church Internet speed. It was great to see other peoples life in other countries than the US. Then we drove home. On the way we saw brother Gibson and then the Bone Family and had a lesson with the Rasmussen family.

Saturday we had time to tract in Falls City and visit Everest, Kansas. In Everest we have the Jessip Family and Sister Niocie. We had diner with the Jessip family and did some service for them. We had a great lesson with them and found out why they were not able to make it to church.  The Carpenters sent us a text message dropping us.   It was very sad to see a family that was very prepared and not want to meet with us. I was hopping that on my mission I would be able to help a family to baptism. 

Sunday we had Fast and testimony meeting. We had a small group this Sunday. It was a great meeting. Then we had branch Counsel after Church. Then we went with President Larson out to the Taylor house. Then we had dinner. We had time to update our area book because Elder Pasquale was sick. 

This week we have had lots of interesting people talk to us. 

1 Guy told us that God is dead.

2 Guy opened up and told us we were wrong. 

3 Lady was Breast-feeding when she opened the door. 

4 Several people sent out their children to talk to us. 

5 Lady drove away when we knocked on her door.

Thank you for all the mail and Emails. I truly miss all of you but know that this is the best place for me right now.  Thanks for everything. 

Elder Andrew Allen