Week 85- Let's Move a Bear

Friends and Family,

This week has been quite eventful. haha. We were able to move our Stake Presidents stuffed bear into his home. It was huge and heavy. He shot it up in Alaska a couple years ago, and it took him this long to get it delivered down here. haha. When they delivered it, we weren't sure how to get it through the door because it was really wide. It took about 5-6 people to carry it and wiggle it through the door, but we finally got it in and it looks awesome. haha. It might scare his grandkids now though.

We were able to get to know the members of the ward a lot more this week. Especially the leaders. They are all really nice. Grateful to serve here. We taught Priscilla this week as well. I'm glad we met her at this time in her life. She had read some of the Book of Mormon and the Bible and had lots of questions. It was good. She will write those down, and it will be fun learning with her, helping her gain the basic knowledge of the gospel. It will be good. We will see her this week.

Mardi Gras is tomorrow. It has already been a little crazy. haha. They had the parade up in Thibodaux last night, and so we heard music blaring all day. It just gets a little crazy when the parades happen. We may go to one tonight. We will see. 

Hope y'all have a great week!

Love, Elder Chandler Allen

Week 84- A Week With a Car!

Friends and Family,

We finally got a car!!! Wooh. So happy. We were able to contact some referrals with it, and they were all open to us coming back. It was great! One of them doesn't have a whole lot of religious knowledge, so you could tell that what we shared was all new to him. You could tell that it was something good for him to hear. It was something delightful to him. It was really neat to see that.

We also met a lady named J while contacting. She is very nice and Spiritually in tune. I know she will receive and answer that it's true. Great lady.

Mardi Gras is coming up. They have already had a couple of parades. It's fun being down here for that. We will go to one. It should be really fun.

Sometimes, It gets stressful here when we don't have a lot to do during the day. I always feel like I need to be doing something, which is right, but I get stressed out about it. Elder Castillo is helping me relax and still get things done. I'm grateful he is helping me do that. It will help me be happier.

Love y'all!

-Elder Chandler Allen

Week 83- Up and Running

Friends and Family,

This week has been great. The first part was still tough, getting over a lot of opposition. I was getting down on myself because we weren't getting as much down as I would have liked to get done. But finally towards the end of the week it changed. Me and the other Elder Allen went on exchanges and it was really good. We found someone else to teach, taught a guy that has a lot of potential, and we were able to visit with a part member family that we were meaning to see forever, but never had a way to get out there. I just felt good afterwards and felt like we had worked hard, but more important, that the Spirit was with us doing the work. I loved it. So that encouraged me a lot, and these past couple days have been great. I feel really good when we try talking with just about everyone as we are walking from appointment to appointment. I enjoy meeting new people and sharing my testimony. You feel happy when you try your best. I'm still not perfect. I get pointers from Elder Castillo all the time, and I mess up a lot in our lessons still, but I hope to improve continually.

One guy I'm really excited to see is Carson. He is really smart, and works over here in Thibodaux. He feels that most his life he has been focused on his profession, and has put off his relationship with God. He really liked all that we taught him, and the Spirit was there. It was a great lesson. We are going back Wednesday. Can't wait! 

It has just been a great week. I'm very grateful for that. Something that keeps coming to me is that opposition is necessary in life, and in the end, that is what will bring us so much joy. I'm so happy for that. I know it's true. I may face even greater opposition in the future, but I shouldn't fear. It's to help me grow, and I can get through it as I learn to rely on Christ. Continually becoming humble.

Love, y'all!

-Elder Chandler Allen

Week 82- Longer Walk = Stronger Legs

Friends and family,
This week has been pretty good. We've been walking a lot because we don't have a car. I'm always drained by the time we are done walking. haha. I better be getting stronger from this. haha.
With walking, we are able to contact people on the streets though, so that's fun. I enjoy that, especially as I get to know new people. There was one man who seemed really nice and open to new concepts. We are going to call him next week when he gets back from his trip.
We are hoping to contact people on the college campus here. Most of the time, students are really open to the message, and this is the perfect time in their lives to bring them into the gospel. It establishes a pattern for the rest of their lives.
Other than that, the week has been pretty slow. It will pick up this week!
Love yall,
Elder Chandler Allen