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

Week 81- Elder Golden's Visit

Friends and Family,

This week was great! We had a seventy come visit our mission. Elder Golden, who is from South Africa, and his wife came to our stake conference and our mission zone conference. It was amazing! He has so much knowledge, and his understanding is so deep and covers a lot of doctrine. It's really neat to hear him speak. Plus he's a captivating speaker. It was just a really good weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed.

On Sunday, we had a little time to do some finding, and we were able to meet a couple of people. It was great! We tried to talk with everyone. When we were heading home, there was some people just sitting outside. I had some fear about talking with them, because from a distance, they seemed kinda serious, and I was just thinking we would be late if we talked with them, but we just did it anyway... and it totally worked out! They were both so nice and open. The man was asking all about our missions and stuff. Super nice people. We will see them this weekend, so that will be nice. 

It's just been a really good week. We got a new senior couple, the Pixton's fed us, and Elder Golden came, along with Elder Blueth, an area Seventy. he talked on how our personal righteousness determined our faith. He's very loving and nice.

This has been a good week!

-Elder Chandler Allen

Week 80- Trio Week

Friends and Family,

This week was great! We have had a good week full of hard work and fun. It's enjoyable being in a companionship with Elder Castillo and Elder Otterstrum. I look up to Elder Otterstrum. I feel he is a great missionary. He works hard and has an enjoyable time doing it. One of my favorite companions. It was a great trio. Two great companions makes the work enjoyable and we are able to support and push each other more. We have been working both Houma and Thibodaux this past weekend or so, but at transfers, Elder Otterstrum will get a new companion, and Elder Castillo and I will go back to just working Thibodaux. That will be fun. 

We were able to tract a couple apt complexes, finding some new PIs that are interested. Some are students going to Nichols. The Spirit is leading us to the right people right now. Those that are open. So hopefully they keep the commitments.
Last night, we tracted into a young couple that just moved in. Really nice and we made a good connection with them. The Houma Elders will follow up with them.
We are being more bold and loving at the same time. It's enjoyable. I don't feel bad about being straight forward and simple because I love the people I'm teaching that much. We were able to promise an investigator couple in the name of Christ that if they got married and baptized, that God would provide their financial needs. The Spirit was so strong. It was just such an enjoyable week. We worked hard, felt the Spirit, and had a lot of fun. I'm loving it right now!

I love y'all. I'm excited to stay in my area with my companion. We are going to keep doing our best. I'm excited! Love y'all!

-Elder Chandler Allen

Week 79- Exchanges with a CAR!!!

Friends and Family,

We went on exchanges at the beginning of the week, and it was so nice to have a car again. haha. Walking and biking can wear you out, but I will happily continue doing it I guess. Haha.

Exchanges were fun. I was with Elder Long. He is very nice and happy, and he loves engines and cars. Pretty neat. He taught me a thing or two.

We had a neat experience. We felt like we should knock on this one house. The man who opened the door seemed super familiar to me, like I had seen him at a restaurant before and he had stood out to me. We started talking about the Restoration, and he said that he knew some members and that he had remembered me from somewhere as well. Really nice guy. Pretty busy, so we will try back again randomly.

They assigned the new mission President this week. His name is Ross Varner. He is in commercial real estate and played for BYU football a while back. President Hansen said they were a great couple. I'm excited, although I will only be with them for a couple weeks.

It's been a good week, and I'm excited for an even better one.

Love, y'all!

Week 78- Hot and Cold

Friends and Family,

This week, the weather has been a little crazy. At the beginning, it was pretty warm, probably in the lower 70's, then one night we went to bed, and the next morning, it was freezing! Haha. I guessed it snowed up in Northern Louisiana. It didn't here, but there was some ice. It's alright though. I feel it warming up already though.

We were able to meet with a couple people this week. Kevin is a really nice and quiet guy. We shared the Restoration with him, and it all made sense. At the end he prayed, saying that he needed that in his life right now and he asked if it was true, even telling God that he needed to read and ponder the pamphlet he received. Just a good lesson and it boosted our confidence.

We also met another guy again. He was a friend of one of the members. His name is Malick. Super nice and driven guy. He respects what we do, and also his friend who's a member, so he's open to listening to us. Really neat!

There's an awesome member of the ward here. Super amazing conversion story. He just sent in his papers to leave on a mission. His name is Donald. Super strong testimony and he is not afraid to share it. One of those kids who you can tell he has the Spirit from how loving his eyes are. Pray for him. We are excited to see where they send him!

Love Y'all!

-Elder Chandler Allen

Week 77- New Year? What?!

Haha, Friends and Family,

I can't believe it is a New Year. It's so great! When I realized it was a New Year, I felt accomplished for some reason, like I had just survived another year of my life. Haha. It was honestly fun to think about that and all that has happened and what will happen in the future.

I love my companion Elder Castillo. He's a great story teller and has some fun stories. Haha. 

Yesterday was great. I decided to make a goal to pray with faith, believing it would happen. I prayed we would be led to the right people to talk to and we were! We would just get a feeling that we should knock on a specific door or try some apartments, and we were able to teach two lessons, one of them setting up a return appointment. The Lord is very merciful to us when we humble ourselves.

I love y'all and know y'all will do great with New Year Resolutions!

Love, Elder Chandler Allen