Week 49- A Greater Zeal

Friends and Family,

This week was pretty good. We have been doing a lot of finding, and luckily we have been getting a couple return appointments. When Elder Kapishka came, he promised us that baptisms would quadruple if we get members to our appointments no later than the second lesson with investigators. What a promise. We are striving to do that. I know it will work.

I was feeling a bit discouraged this week because it seemed the work in the area wasn't progressing much despite our efforts. Luckily a member fed us yesterday and shared some miracles from his mission that inspired and motivated us to work harder. He said that the number of baptisms in his mission quadrupled in 3 years. It was all about the attitude they had for the work, and the goals they set. We went tracting after that and are going to go back to 4 of those people. What a blessing. I really needed that. He gave us some great advice.

I love y'all!

-Elder Chandler Allen

Week 48- Conference After Conference

Friends and Family,

This week was great. We had a mission conference with Elder Kapishka and Elder Blueth. Many great things were shared. One that stood out to me was to find more rules and follow them. Haha. It sounds a little crazy, but if we are constantly trying to find new ideas in Preach My Gospel that will help us feel the Spirit and help with the work, it will positively affect the work.

We also had Stake Conference with Elder Kapishka and Elder Gillenwater. They had some great talks on be Lights to the world. We should ask ourselves, do we shine with Christ's light always? Is it evident enough for our friends to recognize it within us? Being and example is one of the greatest forms of missionary work.

Doug, the investigator took us to Catholic Mass. He toured us around the church a little bit. I enjoyed learning more about Catholicism. I think it will help me to relate better to other Catholics I run into.

I also went on exchanges with Elder Urvina. He has a true enthusiasm for the work. I got along really well with him. He is a great friend!

Love y'all!

-Elder Chandler Allen

Week 47- How Bad Can It Be?

Friends and Family,

I can't believe how hard it rains!!!! Haha. We had a couple rain storms this weekend and it was like a shower. One day, we just ran from the car to our apartment, and we were still drenched. It would be fun more than anything if we weren't in our church clothes. Haha.

We gave a bible to a lady who requested it this week, and she read the whole pamphlet that we gave her along with it in just a day. We were super excited when we came back and talked about it. We are planning to see her this week, so we will see how it turns out.

Me and Elder Holdaway are having a lot of fun together and growing closer. I enjoy when we just talk openly with each other. He is a good kid, and I'm glad I get to train him, although he's pretty knowledgeable already.

We also learned about hurricane preparedness this week, which was fun. It's already that season again. I feel a lot more prepared now though since I have a 72 hr kit all ready to go.
Love y'all, enjoy the summer!!!

Love, Elder Chandler Allen

Week 46- Scripture Power

Friends and family,

This week has been good. As I was sending out our Book of Mormon scripture to our investigators last night, I realized that I needed to apply what I was teaching others to my own life. I was sending 2 Nephi 32:3 which says the scriptures will tell you all things that you need to do. I realized that I needed help knowing how to train Elder Holdaway. So I opened up to a chapter in Alma and found a great story about mentors giving advice to mentees. I know you can apply all scripture to your life.

We had a good week. We found a couple of people from tracting, but when we tried back, all of them didn't answer. Bummer deal. Oh well. We still felt like we did our best. We just can't stop trying.

I hope y'all are enjoying the summer break! Congrats to all those who graduated. Can't wait to see where y'all go in life. It will be far for sure. 

Love y'all!

-Elder Chandler Allen 

Week 45- A New Adventure

Friends and Family,

This week has been a new adventure. I took over the area after being here one transfer. I'm training for my first time. My new companions name is Elder Holdaway. He is a great missionary who is super excited to do the work. He's adjusting pretty well. He says it's tough getting used to the mission life, but I know it will come quick. It just helps me think about when I was being trained and what I liked in my trainer.

We are now on bikes 2 out of the 7 days in the week. Haha. We biked for the first time in this area on Friday. It was kinda fun at first. Haha. It was pretty hot though, and I forgot water. Ooops. I'm not doing that again. Luckily a family in the ward invited us over that night, and that really lifted our Spirits. I'm glad they are Spiritually in tune, because that was just what we needed.

We were able to go to a baptism of an 8 year old this Saturday and even share the restoration video and a message on the Holy Ghost. There were some non-members attending, and I'm sure they felt the Spirit. I'm glad they were invited and we had that opportunity to teach them. Those are special occasions.

I love my new companion. We have similar interests, and we enjoy working hard together. He's a trooper. I look up to him for coming out here and sacrificing his time.

Love yall!

-Elder Chandler Allen

Week 44- Wow....

Friends and Family,

This has been a good week. Yesterday was great. We visited the Fletcher's, a less active family. The Spirit was so strong there. The grandma was especially touched. Hopefully that inspired them to come to church. They are such a wonderful family and have very strong kids who love the gospel.

We also contacted a referral from the sisters. His name is Jeremiah. He seemed really interested, and we just got to know him even more. It was great! We plan to teach him about the plan of salvation and what we need to do to make it to Heaven. 

Wow!!! Elder Johnson is getting transfered!!! But he is only going a couple miles away to LSU, which is technically in this area already. haha. We are now in a car share. So we will split the time we have the car with the LSU elders. I don't know who my new companion is yet, but we will see.

I'm excited to take over the area. It will be a fun time with my new companion whoever it may be!

Love y'all, hope y'all are getting ready for summer!

Love, Elder Chandler Allen
Yummy Cheesecake made by the famous Doug!

Elder Johnson and Elder Allen doing service for Doug. Of course food is involved after.

Week 43- Long Week with a Great Ending

Friends and Family,

This week was great. We were super busy with two meetings, two exchanges, and lots of other fun stuff. Then we ended it all with Mother's Day and I got to talk with my wonderful family.

The Spirit was very strong at our zone training meeting. I was very nervous because we had to instruct, but we didn't have a whole lot of time to prepare since me and Elder Johnson were on exchanges. But the Spirit certainly lead our discussions, and by the end everyone was very excited and inspired. 

We had another great experience. We were prompted to tract a specific street, and we decided to go and try it. When we got there, we realized that it was a lot of nice houses. Usually it's a lot more difficult to get return appointments in nicer neighborhood because they are content with what they have. Well we went down one side, then started heading back on the other side towards our car at the end of the street. A couple houses before we were about to finish, we ran into a man named Peter. We just asked him some questions and he opened up to us a lot and just kept talking. We talked for a long time. He already has a firm understanding of Prayer and that Heavenly Father loves him. He even walked us to our car. He wants us to come back this week. We are very excited and blessed. I know the Lord lead us there.

I really enjoyed seeing my family again. I miss them! But they motivated me and inspired me to do even better. I love them and I love you all. Have a great week.

-Elder Chandler Allen

Baton Rouge Mission President and his wife and all the zone leaders, sister training leaders, and assistants to the president.