Hey Fam!

 

This has been such a good week. And it has flown so stinkin' fast. We went to Iowa City on Thursday for a Zone Conference and most of my old companions were there. It was so fun to see them and know that I have friends throughout the mission.  I got myself wrapped into a competition with an Elder on who has the better Paisley Tie collection. SO if ya'll want to help me with that, I wont complain. :)

 

On Friday we get word that the ward is going on a Temple trip, so we made a last minute call to President. He said that we are doing great work in Quincy and to have fun at the Temple :D IT WAS SO COOL!  The Nauvoo Temple is now doing sessions at 7 at night, and there was only 20 people in the session so it went a lot faster.  There was a point when it was just me and my companion in the Temple room. SO COOL! The spirit was so strong there.

 

On Saturday we had the Baptism of R N.  His wife has been a member her whole life, and out of the 10 years they've been married. He finally decided to take a serious look at the church.  It was such a good baptism. They had family fly in from California and Utah just to be here for him. 

 

We are seeing a lot of success here in Quincy, yet none of it can be claimed ours.  God has blessed us in so many ways. We find a lot of people, and I think thats because we dont have a car.  We are the only area in the Zone to not have a car, so we are constantly talking to people.  We trust in the Lord in all we do.

 

We were talking to a friend of ours and he keeps telling us that we live in a fantasy world if we think we can pray and all will be fine.  But thats one thing I've learned out here.  The world would separate life and Religion.  But my Life IS my Religion. And will continue to be after my Mission.  I have come to really believe that NOTHING in this world is because of us.  After studying the Book of Mormon, that is something it teaches.  We have to give everything to the Lord.  The reason we can share Gospel at work or in School, is because the Lord already gave that to us.  And if we do good, NOTHING bad will come of it.  If an invitation is out of love and genuine concern, it will always be accepted out of love.  They may not accept the invitation but they will know it came from a love. 

 

Thanks for everything you all have done for me.  I love you ALL!!

Keep Praying for the Missionaries to teach more and the members to help find more.  We have yet another week of 20 lessons. IT CAN BE DONE!

 

Love,

Elder Spencer Allred

 

HEY!! YA'LL!!

I'm Happier than a Tornada in a Trailer Park!

So we got our transfer calls last Monday. And both Elder Deeds and I are staying here in Quincy IL!!!

Were both super excited for this next transfer. Rob asked Elder Deeds to baptize him this Saturday. We have a ton of great things planned for the next 5 weeks.  Robs getting baptized on the 20. We found a New Investigator, Kevin. He's dropped cigarettes and wants to move his baptismal date to the 4 of Oct.

Things are going great for us. We are truly being blessed in our area. The Success just comes. I truly have gained the testimony of giving it all to the Lord.  Our Days really do consist of trusting the Lord and following His promptings. I really feel connected to the story of the Sons of Mosiah.  I've had some hard areas and companions. But if we bare with patience our trials and continue to do what we are supposed to success WILL come.  I watched an area that was not known for success turn around and start to flourish, then I got transferred. Now Im in an area that is the best in the Mission ;) All my area have been the best in the Mission. The Lord has given us our success and continues to bless our area.

Im loving my Mission!  Quincy is so great!  And I've learned and have grown so much.

Thanks for all the support and friendship from all of you!

Love, Elder Allred

Analogies I have Learned this Past Week

Hello  Friends and Family!

 

This has been yet another great week for us. Taught 26 lessons! So I probably need to explain that. Our Mission President has said that if a Missionary companionship can teach 20 lessons a week, more success will come. 20 lessons a week is what is known as a Standard of Excellence.  If we reach 20 lessons, we know that we are doing what we are supposed to and that the Lord is blessing us. :) MAN I LOVE MY JOB!!!

 

We are finding a lot more people to teach, and we are teaching a lot more towards commitment.  Faith is not strengthened until it is put into practice.  We are struggling with having people keep commitments, but that is where sorting the wheat from the tares comes into play.  This week our focus is on sorting out the Investigators we have.  Last night we counted, we have 18 investigators, 8 of which have a date that they are solid for, 5 are new within the last 2 weeks and the rest of them are the ones that we are focusing our efforts on their progression and eventually separate.  It's hard dropping people that we have grown to love.  It's the same story of why I am on my mission.  We separate ourselves because we love them.  We drop people because we love them and trust he Lord that He will keep them in His hands.  We don't want to set people up for failure. So we refine them, and if they're not quite ready. We let them sit a little bit longer.

 

The Refiners Fire is one of my favorite analogies. I always learn something new when studying it.  Basically, Silver is first cut as a raw material, CLEANSED through fire, then cooled through a process. The same can be said with us.  We are a Natural Material. We are raw matter that God has created, then He refines us through fire, Trials.  However he does not give us our trials, rather he ALLOWS them to happen. We have our agency, either we can go through trial ourselves OR we can turn to him.  Eventually we come out of the fire cleaner than when we went in.  The cool part I really like is this,  How does the Refiner know when the Silver is ready? The Refiner knows that the Silver is Pure when He can see his reflection in the Silver.  How does the Lord know when we are ready? When HE can see himself with US.  SO COOL!!  SO WE know when we take the Sacrament we promise to take His name upon us. Not just promise to remember Him, but ot ACT like Him.  To essentially BE like Him.    

 

Another Cool analogy is the Sun and the Moon.  Which light do we want to be?  Although the Full Moon is really bright.... FALSE.  The Moon has NO light to it.  The Moon simply REFLECTS light. Light from the Sun. The SUN is the Source of ALL Light.  It Radiates Light, It IS Light.  So when Christ tells us to let our Light Shine.  He is NOT telling us to Reflect light but to Radiate Light. Do not simply live on Borrowed Light.  We are Refined when we Radiate HIS Light.  When Christ sees that we are Radiating Him.  Dont Reflect, RADIATE!

 

The Gospel should be preached at ALL times. And if necessary, we should use words.  We let our lights shine so that other see our good works and Glorify God.  We are refined to Radiate.

 

The Church IS true!  I see the blessings of this Gospel EACH Day!  I am learning each day more about myself, my loved ones, and My Savior.  I am not Earning Heaven, I am Learning Heaven.  I am Learning more and more about WHO I am born to be.  Not WHAT I am supposed to be. 

 

I love you ALL!! Thanks For EVERYTHING! AND DONT BE AFRAID TO EMAIL!!!!!!!!!!:) 

RISE AND SHOUT!!!!!!  41-7  KEEP IT UP!!!!

The Flood

Friends and Family,

This has been a crazy week for us. It's gone by so fast!

Monday was the worst P-Day ever! We did absolutely nothing.  And I ran out of paper and Envelopes so I couldnt write letters. But it seriously wasn't fun, P-day ends at 6 and normally we have lessons filled to the brim on Mondays.  But we didn't then. So off to finding we go.  After not finding anyone interested, we went back home.  We then saw K and B, they live 3 houses down from us. And had a GREAT Lesson with them.  Their son S is also really interested in learning more. 

Tuesday we have service at the YMCA, it's an alright service, yard work for 2 hours, but it needs to be done.  Then our day was filled with lessons.  And it really set the tone for the week.

Wed-Sunday we were non stop teaching it seemed. We taught 27 lessons this week, which is HUGE!! Were finding a ton of people to teach.  We have 8 people on date, and I wan to ask you to pray for them specifically.  All of them are solid but they still need help.

RN- Sep. 20

K and B N- Sep 20

A Family (A family of 5) - Oct 4

Theres also N who wants to be a member just cant give up some stuff.  Please pray for his heart to be softened.

I really love Quincy! The weather has started to be better. And I really love the people here.  It's funny, a lot of the ward members here remind me of several people from the home ward.

On Sunday we had a combined meeting talking about Elder Bednars talk on the Modern Technology. ( https://www.lds.org/prophets-and-apostles/unto-all-the-world/to-sweep-the-earth-as-with-a-flood?lang=eng ) If you havent yet, I would invite you to listen or read this and STUDY it.  It's not very often an Apostle "Exhorts" us to do something. And this is direct revelation from God to US for the World.  We would be wise to follow it.  :) As a Missionary, we LOVE Media Referrals, and This is a great way to share the Gospel in an easy way. And to Refer the Missionaries to friends.  Missionary experiences are great. If you want to be a better Member, or Strengthen your Testimony of the Savior.  The BEST way is to share the Gospel. 

I could go on and on about the reasons and blessings of sharing the Gospel.  But as a Missionary and a Watchman called of God, The best reason why we need to share the Gospel is because God has said so.  The Nike slogan fits well.  "Just Do It".

Thanks so much for all of your support!!

Labor day through off our groove a little bit. But ALL IS WELL IN QUINCY!!!

Love You ALL

Elder Spencer Allred

Humidity is not fun!

Hey Friends and Family!!

 

First off, Thanks for all the support and Love you have given me.  You all have truly helped me become the missionary I am now.

 

This week was on fire for us!  We are constantly teaching and finding people.  We have 9 people on a Baptismal Date for next transfer. And all of them have expressed their excitement for that date.  We are helping them overcome some addictions, but as they turn their will to the Lord they WILL succeed!!! 

 

Im in a full time Walking area, no car. But despite the 90 degree weather, Plus the 80% Humidity, We are being blessed.  If God gave blessings for every sweat drop, I would be SUPER Blessed.  But I am blessed, by more than I could ever hope.  I love being a Missionary!  I love the people here in Quincy. We walk a lot around the Ghetto areas and nothing but the love of the people exist. I'm also starting to find a new love for the game of Baseball.  Everyone watches it here. I am probably the Only Nationals fan out here in the ocean of Cardinals, but all is well because from what I've heard The Nationals are the #1 Team this year :) #GONATS!! 

 

We were stopped by the police a couple of nights ago.  They told us to get out of the area because it was 9 at night, and they were afraid that we might get jumped.   My companion perked up and said he must have underestimated that ghetto because he's from San Jose.  The cops gave him a blank stare then told us to hurry home before trouble comes.  Well,  It was nice of them to care so much for us missionaries, But really we dont have a fear of the ghetto.  Im packing a knife :)  But the Badge really does help, and not to mention the leagues of Angels that walk with us on a daily basis.  :) I LOVE MY JOB!!

 

The Humidity really isn't fun though, but I've had the weirdest feeling here in Quincy.  I know I'm going to revisit Waverly, I.C, and Knoxville.  But for some reason, I really feel more at home here in Quincy. I dont think I'd have a problem moving back here, But thats a conversation for another day. 

I love it here, I hope that had been an obvious factor.  Love is so key to a missionaries work.  Love is a guiding power.  I work because I love. 

And I love you guys! Thanks for Everything, Every conversation we've had I can pull something out of and use it in my Missionary work!!

 

LOVE YOU!!
TTFN
Elder  Spencer Allred

Hey All!

Hey Friends and Family! 

How is everything going?? 

I heard that there was a little Allred Family Reunion, thanks for the Invite!  Its the thought that counts ;)  Thats one thing I've learned a lot this week, the importance of families. 

I count you all as family, not just blood relation, but I truly have learned something from everyone. And really, because we are ALL Children of God, we ARE Family.

We're on week 3 of the transfer, and we feel really good.  Were teaching a lot of great people and love watching them grow.  BUT, It was a hectic week.  A lot of tears and laughs. 

We saw the effects of a wife scared about the possibility of having another kid, and helped her through her stress.  She's 19 and Her Husband is 22.  It really is sad to see their family situation. They have 1 kid, and are barely making it through.  She turns out to not be pregnant so that was a relief to her.  I still say that she ate too much of the steak I cooked for them on Friday Night.  (Thanks Dad for teaching me how to season the Steak just right!) 

We helped out a family with the surprising news of a father passing away unexpectedly.  The A family, Trevor and Jana have 4 Daughters, the oldest being 14 and the youngest being 7.  Trevor's father passed away on Friday Night.  He is still in shock because of it. 

This Week.  Family. The Beginnings and the Ends.  It really got me thinking of the Questions: 1) Where did we come from? 2) Why are we here? 3) Where are we going?

Of course as a missionary we teach the answers to these questions everyday.  We have a LOVING Heavenly Father who we lived with before this life.  We came here to Earth to prepare to live with Him again, an with that we received our Bodies.  After this life we go back to the Spirit world and continue to learn more and Then we are judged and CHOOSE to live with Him again. I have learned a very valuable lesson, " Heaven will not be heaven for those who have not chosen to be heavenly." 

This has been a really good week for us. Family is such an Important thing, I love you guys.
You are my Family. :)

The things we teach as Missionaries ARE TRUE!! The Restoration has happened.  And the Bible AND the Book of Mormon Testify of it, each other, and OUR SAVIOR!!

HE LIVES
I love you ALL,
Elder Spencer Allred

Halfway to Quincy

Hey Everyone!!!

This was such a great week for us!

We've been working really hard and seeing a lot of success.

 I'm Starting to realize why I left Knoxville so fast and came to Quincy.  My previous 3 areas were areas that there was really no Member Help.  I.C had the Missionary fire, but they didn't know how to use it.  So I feel like the first part of my mission was helping Members see the importance of Missionary work.  In Knoxville, the Members clicked and the Area Exploded.  The Baptism dates we set in Knoxville have gotten moved up to this month because the people are so prepared!! The 6 weeks I was there with my Companions, we saw success in that area. We saw the vineyard grow and flourish.  Now they're going to start having to harvest.  When I came to Quincy, I felt a little upset that I was unable to finish what we started in Knoxville. But the Quincy Ward is on top of things.  Everything the Mission is pushing for is happening in Quincy.  We have Ward Council twice a month.  The members are volunteering themselves to help us.  We don't ask for members help, we don't need to.  They willingly go out of their way to help us.
 Numbers are not important, but they are...  They keep us honest.  Elder D and I are killing it in Quincy.  we taught 23 lessons last week, and Elder Deeds says that's a slow week for us.  We're teaching a lot of people.  We have an appointment tonight with the A Family.  A family of 6, 5 of which are over the age of 8.  Bro. A has read the Book of Mormon 4 times and knows it's true, Sister A wants to give up tea and coffee so that she can get baptized ASAP.  We haven't even taught them the first lesson.  Members of the ward has them over for dinner every Saturday night and they teach them and answer their questions.

The Members here are so great! Week 2 here we come!

This week I will also be hitting my YEAR mark.  We call it HUMP DAY!!  Time has gone by CRAZY Fast!  A year ago today I was packing, saying my Goodbyes, and going to Texas Roadhouse with 2 really great Friends.  Time has flown.  I spent one year of my Mission building my wings and helping others do the same.  Now it's time to fly.  I look forward to applying what I know now to the next year of my Mission, and for Eternity!!

 I Love You ALL!!
 Semper Fidelis!!!
 Elder Allred

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."