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."

                                                    
                                                           A New picture of Elder Allred