Three's a.....Trio!

March 31, 2014

Hey Family!!!!!!!

Transfers have come and gone, and while Elder Powell and I are still together, we got a third companion. Elder Briseno.  He’s from the Los Angeles area and has been out for 4 months; a light green missionary.

We’re seeing a lot of miracles here in the great I.C. We have had some great things happen with the area. We’re finding a lot more people to teach, the hearts of the people are open and willing to learn more. We have a couple of really golden investigators.

There’s a lot of blessings that come from sacrifice.  We have sacrificed a lot.  Attitude and Effort are EVERYTHING!!

Sorry the Email is so short, but were off to baptize the city!!  We have a lot to do, and we are behind for the day.

Love you all and remember the Lord and all that he does for you!!!

Love,

Elder Spencer Allred

Transfers & Temples

March 24, 2014

HELLO FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!!

This week was AWESOME!!

The highlight of the week would definitely be the Temple. We got to go to the NauvooTemple. And I loved it!! The spirit was so strong there. While we were there, a couple from our ward was taking out their endowment for the first time, (They were LA) And are slowly coming back to church.  It was cool to see them come back, and to see the spirit come out from them. They literally shone with the spirit.

My companion and I really came away on a spiritual "high".  And it was sweet to have some cool experiences. The next day, (Sunday, Yesterday) we were in Ward Council and our Bishop gives us 2 referrals of Non-Members coming to church that day.  They are the daughter of a  LA, and her non-member boyfriend. Joshua and Jasmine, and they are SUPER solid. They kept telling us how their church is wrong and some of the reasons why ours is correct.  So yesterday, we got 2 Referrals, 2 Member Present Lessons, (We keep track of those) AND 2 New Investigators.  Both of them want to be Baptized :)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our Area is on FIRE!!  We have our ups and downs, but when we’re low, the Lord can lift us HIGH. We have a couple people getting ready to have baptism dates soon, one with a date, and a lot more potentials who want to learn more. J

Transfers are on Thursday. I don’t think either one of us will be transferred.  But I will keep y'all posted.

The Church is True!! Find a missionary opportunity this week.  The Lord sets one up for members.  NO SUCH THING AS COINCIDENCES!!

Love You All.

Elder Spencer Allred.

PS. For those preparing for missions from the Ward, I want to hear from you, and I hope to help answer any questions or concerns.  

Kiss Me, I'm Iowaish :)

March 17, 2014

HAPPY ST. PATTY's DAY!!!

First off, I LOVE MY MISSION!!! We are seeing a lot of miracles and blessings here in Iowa City.

My Companion, Elder Powell is from San Diego, and he LOVES the weather here... J well at least when it gets up to 60 degrees.

We have a lot of people we’re teaching and can’t wait for them to truly come unto Christ.

So this week has been really good for us; and for me personally. In one of the mission apartments, I came across Glenn Becks conversion story. And he really emphasizes Thomas Jefferson's quote:

"Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because, if there be one, he must more approve the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear."

I had heard that quote before, (probably from Dad), but I had forgotten it, this week has been a soul search for my companion and I.

When I was first assigned to Iowa City, my companion told me that the first 6 months is figuring out HOW to be a Missionary. The next 6 months is WHO we are personally. The third 6 months is trying to put the two together, then the last 6 months is really when a missionary can reach his full potential, really excel, and be the best missionary that they will be in these 2 years. (I suppose Sisters accomplish this in less time)

Well, here I am at 7 months.  And it’s true, the Devil really is working on us. But glory to God, Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven!  I LOVE my mission.

Helaman 5:

12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

2 Nephi 31:

20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

Mosiah 5:

15 Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen.

The Church is true, Jesus Christ is our Savior and OUR BEST FRIEND.  Joseph Smith is a prophet and was used to restore Christ’s church.  The Book of Mormon is true.  We invite all men to read and pray about it, Prove God and Question with Boldness.  He will confirm the truth of it.  Thomas S. Monson is the living Prophet today.

I love you all.

Elder Spencer D. Allred

Hey You Guys!!!

March 10, 2014

I’m such a Goonie. (get it? "Hey you guys...")

This week was really good for us.

We set a date with Zido for April 19.

Boni is doing great and we are still working with his parents to let him get baptized.

I LOVE IC!!  It is so cool to serve in Iowa City.  The area I’m in used to only get around 5 lessons a week, now we’re getting close to 15, the work is picking up.  The snow is melting and it is a whopping 55 degrees J SO WARM.

My companion is from San Diego, and can really testify that God has a sense of humor because, as of Saturday, this winter is the 3rd coldest winter that Iowa has ever seen.  But we all are doing really well.

We’re finding a lot more people from Africa, and they are too cool!  They all have super strong testimonies of God. One dude we were talking to was saying that "our church must be true if we’re out here in the cold, away from our families for two years."  We smiled and just said "YUP"   We have a scheduled appointment with him for every Saturday now J let’s pray he keeps them!

This is truly sacred ground.  I LOVE IOWA!!!  It truly is a wonderful time to be on a mission.  I LOVE my Mission!!

Please continue writing letters, I love to hear what is going on.

The church is true!! Thomas S. Monson is our loving prophet today and Jesus Christ stands as the head of this church.

I Love You ALL!!!

The church is true!!!!!!

Love, Elder Allred

It's not cold anymore, it's...

March 3, 2014

Hello Friends and Family!!

This week has been so good!! We have a new Investigator, Zido. And several progressing Investigators.

Zido, is a man from Congo, who just showed up to church, loved it so much that he kept coming back.  We taught him and asked if he wanted to be baptized, and his answer was "I was already planning on it".  He figured that he needed to in order to become a member!! :)

Boni is 16 and also from Congo, and he came to church yesterday and he fasted and prayed with us in order to know when he could get baptized. :)  Well... we haven’t met with him yet, but from what members told us, he LOVED Church.  In priest quorum they role played missionary work and he taught the bishop about the atonement.  The young men’s leader said that Boni testified that he knew the church was true and gave a powerful testimony of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon.  He is so solid!!

Saw Traci this week also :) That was cool to meet up with her again. J

We had a lot of cool miracles this week, granted the weather SUCKS.  This week they said this is projected to be the coldest winter on record.  It’s not cold anymore, it’s beyond that.  Its... well, we’re in Sub Zero temps. So you can judge.

BUT, I love being a missionary; I love the Lord and this Gospel.  IT’S ALL TRUE!!! I would not be out in this weather if it wasn’t!!

Love you all!

(Please send me letters) J

Elder Allred