Week 93- Member Missionary Work

Friends and Family,

This has been a great week. We were trying to figure out how to find more people to teach, and we asked for some suggestions from some of the members. We were able to meet with one member. He gave us some great advice and got each of us very excited. I'm happy to try it out.

We have been asking for referrals a lot more, and inviting the members to act. It's exciting. It feels like we are just recruiting more people to help with the work. We received a great referral out of the blue yesterday. I'm really excited to contact them and get to know them. It's a family, so it would be very neat to see them get closer to Christ. 

Super neat thing as well, we went to a bible study at a smaller non denominational church. The pastor was sick and lost her voice, so we joked around before it started and said we should preach instead. Haha. But when it was starting, before she got up to preach, she said the Holy Ghost confirmed that we should preach. Our preaching style was different than anyone there was used to. I was pretty nervous, but we talked about charity, being a disciple of Christ, and threw in baptism, repentance, and other things. It turned out great! They were so happy that we preached. They really liked seeing young men doing something like that. It was a pretty neat experience. The Spirit was there.

We are also working with a less active member who wants to come back. His name is Walter. I really enjoy working with people that already have a desire to come to church. There are still some things that are holding him back, and we will have to work with him on it. A great guy though. Really excited to work with him.

Love y'all, Have an amazing week!

-Elder Chandler Allen

Week 92- Easter Week

Friends and Family,

This week has been great. We had a really good Easter Sunday. We were able to attend a Baptist church. It was enjoyable. It was great to see how they worshiped. It helped me understand them a little more. At times, I could feel the Spirit, especially during some of the songs. Our church was refreshing as well. It's always nice to partake of the sacrament. I was able to bless it this week, so that was special.

We are starting to work more and more with some part member families, so that's nice. They are opening up to us. We are also working with a less active family. They are great and making progress. We are starting to invite them to make bigger commitments.

We are trying to focus on finding. We asked some of the ward members, particularly return missionaries, how they were able to find through the members. If any of y'all have good ideas, please let me know. We are trying our best to find those that are interested.

Another neat thing. It hit me this morning that God is all knowing, and that he will answer any question of ours as we asked. I prayed right before studies to know what His vision of this area is and how we can find more people to teach. I randomly opened Preach My Gospel, and got exactly what I needed. It was the page on applying the Spirit to our missionary work, and how to receive revelation for our area. It talked about how it's all about whether or not we are humble enough to seek God's guidance. It was great.

I love y'all. Have a great week!

-Elder Chandler All

Week 91- Sunburns Doing Service

Friends and Family,

This was a great week. Saturday, we were able to do some service at the community garden. It was a lot of hard work, but it was fun doing it. Before we did it, I had the thought to put sunscreen on, but I didn't because I thought my arms were already tan and wouldn't get sunburnt. I guess not. Haha. They stink pretty bad now. I learned my lesson. Sunscreen from here on out. haha.

We are going to start meeting up with one man named Calvin. He's a really nice guy. He plays in the band at some church's. He's really open to us. We are excited to share the gospel with him.

There are a couple other people that have some interest. We are going follow back up with them. We will see where it goes. 

I think most of our finding efforts this week will be through the members. I'm sure we will be able to receive some good referrals for us to try. Keep praying for us to find those interested!

Love y'all! Have a great week!

-Elder Chandler Allen

Week 90- A TEMPLE!!!!

Friends and Family,

We are getting a temple!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wooh! I can't tell you how happy I am. When I heard Saratoga Springs is getting a temple, I couldn't help but shout for joy!!!! I bet the members whose house we were watching conference at thought I was crazy. It was amazing. It still makes me really happy to think about it. I can't wait to get home and see the building of it. It will be amazing!

This week was pretty good. We contacted a lot of less active members, inviting them to watch conference. I hope it helped. I think we will be following up with them this week.

There was a crazy storm last night. It was keeping me up. Just lots of rain and lightning. Pretty crazy!

Conference was really good for me though. I think it gave me a better sense of direction in my life that God wants me to take, and helped me envision what I want to accomplish in my life. I love how it can be so personal to each of us, even though they are talking to such a wide variety of people. Pretty neat. 

One of the things I liked the most was President Uchtdorfs talk on Sunday Morning. Love of God and men cast out all fear. I really liked how he talked about how fear is not a good motive because it doesn't lead to lasting change, so it really isn't the best thing to help with repentance and growing closer to God. I really liked how he provided a solution to that problem. I am going to work on Loving God by learning of Him and trying to emulate Him.

What a conference!

Love y'all! Stay safe!!

-Elder Chandler Allen