February 24, 2014

Hey yal!

So really really good week! man it was awesome but 1st to answer your email!

So I'm super stoked to get track updates! Go get em sisters! Seriously go all out! Track will be fun! Meg's gonna average 100+ and I know you don't like my tips buttttttttttttt watch videos of throwers and analyze how they throw and such to help you with your form:) That's all I'll say the whole season I promise!! ok dang 1 more.... throw throw throw! best practice!

Jenna, sorry, got no help for ya on jumpin. pivot your foot and push off like your taking off to the moon! Practice high jump on a volleyball net and you should get your spikes down and high jump :) hahahaha

So that's my plan with the bike..... just use it here and sell her here to a missionary! Should work out perfectly if the Lord wills it so. Specially with all the sisters taking up the cars haha!

My ankle was getting really good then in a wrestling match I got it slammed on the corner of the bed frame and the pain all came back hahaha so the pain's still bad butttttttt I'm doin therapy and Sis. Carlson is on me too tellin me to keep on it haha. She's super loving and helping keep me from messing it up again! She's awesome!

ahhhh mom!!!! What are you doing talking about my release date!!!! haha don't get me more trunky than I am hahahaha the mission sends my travel papers home and such 2 transfers before I go home. so that'll be the official. haha don't remind me!! I love it out here toooo much!

So this week was boss! loved it!

So for my amazing district, we were down by tons # wise with our monthly goals and this past week was the last week to hit em. So we went ham! absolutely ham and it was awesome to see em stretch and we used our district meeting to make a plan on how to do it.... it was so cool to see everyone step up and use there strengths and really work hard for the others. Reminded me a little of Holland's talk, we are all enlisted the part where he's like...

"This is a life-and-death contest we are in, young men, so I am going to get in your face a little, nose to nose, with just enough fire in my voice to singe your eyebrows a little—the way coaches do when the game is close and victory means everything. . . . So we need young men already on the team to stay on it and stop dribbling out of bounds just when we need you to get in the game and play your hearts out! . . . .I ask for a stronger and more devoted voice, a voice not only against evil and him who is the personification of it, but a voice for good, a voice for the gospel, a voice for God. Brethren of all ages, unbind your tongues and watch your words work wonders in the lives of those “who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it.”

We all were pumped! We went ham and talked to everyone we could and it was amazing! I seriously loved last week and was so tired when Sunday night came round .....oh buddy my feet were dun. so dun... hahaha but it was worth it and my amazing district called down the powers of heaven and performed miracles in the lives of these people. It was inspiring and motivating!ahhhhhh love it !!! so much! So we're gonna have a super fun DM this week!

Plus just to add to awesomeness, my amazing Menlo Park zone.... where my heart is with those missionaries..... is leading the mission in baptisms like crazy! Their at 12 already this year! killlin it! So happy for them, it is amazing to see the work miracles in that zone! ahhh Do you realized how amazing these miracles are?!?!? its crazy! The Lord is so engaged in people lives. He is hastening his work.... He is moving his church forward and man we as members are about to be part of the steamroller or part of the pavement. That's how the work is moving. Hope we all are on that steamroller! I love this work. oh man it is so amazing! Can I just stay out here? Is that allowed?? haha I'd be totally OK with that. Its amazing out here. ahhhhhhhhhh love this. I can't even describe how amazing it is....how much I don't want to leave... how much it hurts my soul when people don't accept our message and how happy I am when someone makes a covenant with our Father in Heaven or renews them through the sacrament after 10 yrs of inactivity. Oh man. Its the best. Nothing can compare.... nothing.....zero. It is truly remarkable.

So have you ever had Boston Market?? oh buddy, sooo good!!! I almost ate a whole chicken lol and taters and yams like it was bomb! So delicious! Better than KFC by like a mile! haha so good!

Oh funny moment of the week! So we're at Cypress Senior Center and do kitchen duty and its super fun but they feed us lunch and we get those like school milk cartons right and so we found 2 weeks ago if we fold the top down we can smash em and they pop and its loud and super funny. Well Sonenstahl had the bomb idea of doing it with a full one! So we're like heck yes! and everyone ran and I stayed on the table and put a tray up to block if from me and looked around it to see it blow up and it blew up right into my face!! So funny! Got everywhere!! Man haven't laughed that hard since Ketywan.... it was hilarious! Covered in milk. all over so funny! Except we had an 1.5 hrs of dishes after and by the end I reeked!!! hahahaha so awesome though. loved it! We have so much fun together, its ridiculous haha so funny.

So blessed! There's a RC that lives in Santa Clara ward and he is the manager at Red Robin in Saratoga and so when we go every like 2 weeks or so he always pays for us! We even tried payin him and he's like, nah well just give it to your waitress. Man, guy's so loving.

Oh had a good phone call with Lance King last night too! He's doing well in LV now working for Dell. He is such a cool guy! We'll see if I get to see him again! He's super chill and smart. Learned alot about the scriptures from him and about health and stuff. Remember he was the one that said milk was bad and I didn't drink milk for like 3 months. Yeah well, now I drink milk because its delicious with oatmeal! hahaha

Life is good out here! Love it so much! Love you all too!

-E. McAllister

February 18, 2014

Hey Yal,

 

This week was good. really really good. we usually never see the fruits of the weeks work til Sunday and this Sunday it was there. We had this PM family bring there dad 2 Sundays in a row! He's black and thinks we're a white church. He's cool. Like 4 less actives that we've been almost dragging to church finally came and loved it! So hopefully they keep coming! Plus we had a stake ward mission council meeting thing and it was cool to see all the success the other wards are having but! the best part was they were all whining and not doing much to work with the WC and Members but! our awesome WML and us kinda just smiled because we are working super hard and getting places! We're pushing family mission plans like no ones business and so good things are comin from that! the wards going up!

 

So Tim McFarland from SC ward came by and dropped off his fishing gear last week so we went fishing alllllllll day yesterday. it was sweet! Lexington reservoir off hwy 17. Just 1 bite though between the 6 of us but it was still a blast! and the weather was real good! The water levels down like 50-60ft so all the trout are down in the middle of the lake so it was expected but we were just happy to get our lines in the water! Actually been in contact with a lot of the SC ward haha... the Yuens are taken us out for Applebee's this week because we don't have any dinners. So that'll be nice getting to see them again! That was my favorite ward.......the members were the best and the work was mediocre but the members were fantastic. Loved it there. Hope the same here except the ave age here in Moorpark is like 65 haha! no youth really. oh well.

 

Thanks for the food! It was desperately needed! We ate it for our lunches hahaha

 

Man so jealous I'm not getting to watch America kick some trash! Heard a few results though..... like White didn't medal and such.

 

oh so big news!!!!!  Interviews with president last week!  He is ecstatic that I'm going to college! Then his next questions were.....how are you gonna pay for it and do you have wheels waiting for you back home?  He said he can get me wheels with a Utah title and plate when I get home. Man he is such a loving man! We also talked about why I was in Moorpark as well and even though I was happy to be done with being a ZL I still felt in the back of my mind "why did I get released" but he killed that thought and talked how great Menlo is and right now there #1 baptizing the mission! My people!!! haha and apparently hearing from the sisters, I got a shout out from him at stake conference up there. haha crazy president! He loves telling my story.... haha he's great! He asked if there was anyway I could get instate for my 1st year and I told him the research I did said no. But he mentioned something about trying to get a Utah license under Gmas address. Dunno if that's possible but that was his thought.  Life is so good here! Love it!

 

Oh other news! The guy from SC ward that makes bikes..... he says my bike's ready to go he just needs the money. So if yal feel good about that purchase, let me know to continue. If not he can just sell it to someone else.

 

2 Elders got hospitalized this week from rolling there car by taking a turn too fast.. Dunno where in the mish. but man scary. Rolled 3 times and they somehow managed to stay alive. Only by the Lord's Hand that's for sure.

 

Dunno what happened but other than Menlo being amazing the rest of the mission has hit a huge wall. We went from 20+ bap a week to maybe 4... pres isn't sure and so we are focusing on basics to hopefully start things up again!

 

In one week, I will have 6 months left........... what?!?!? In one week Lavelua will be in New Zealand..... in one week I'm  gonna be wiggin out! haha time is going by 2 2 fast! Its already been 5 weeks in this area. can you believe that?!? That's ridiculous! Time is way to fast. Its slipping outta my hands like sand.

 

Sonenstahls a boss.... we are like total bromance status I think is was its called. haha we are having a blast talkin huntin, fishin and of course doing mish work too ;) It is an absolute blast out here! If the weather was a little warmer and we get the needed rain it would literally be Zion. Well besides all the libs and commis other than that yes Zion! hahahaha There's a sister from Anchorage  and she reminds me of Meg a lot cause she acts like a guy..... its hilarious to watch her call out everyone when they're being lil girls. Its hilarious and she's super patriotic so we got 4 patriots in the zone right now! and we're bringing more to the knowledge or it! haha Speaking of America, saw a movie working in the library that talks about Mormons and the director says what she found is that the American dream of the 50s is the Mormon dream and that the Mormons are the most American of any religion. Put a huge grin on my face hahahaha

 

Lovin my mission! Its so good! The ward is still comin round. Work is still forming. and president is still a jokester. Thanks so much for all the prayers and help you send my way! Its so perfectly timed I'm not sure how ya do it! but seems whenever I need something or a good push in the back end something from yal comes and does it! Thanks thanks thanks! Love yal so much!

 

-E. McAllister

February 10, 2014

Hey Yal!

Man that is so sad to hear about Ashleigh..... she was so cool. I hope her families takin it well. Man that is crazy.... the Lord has need for her for the work of Salvation on the other side...

ahhhhhhhhhh I'm going to college!!!!!!! what???!??!?!?!? that's insane!!! i love too how it said i wasn't smart enough for the major i picked haha but I'm still in!!!! heck yes!!!!! soooo happppyyyyy. texted like 20 mish that go there as soon as i read it!!! heck yes!!!! so excited!!

Meg your a stud way to go! and Man ready to rock Utah State together?!?!? heck yes!!

Love this family ward! Its hard but that's OK.... we make due and sometimes starve hahaha but its all good. So Cali has been in a huge drought this year. Least amount of rain in like 151 yrs or something. The Catholics are fasting, the Hindus are praying and this Fast Sunday the area 70 over Cali set for our fast for rain....... the rain came. what?!? How cool! Its been pouring buckets since too. So we are definitely being blessed by God and he definitely is answering our prayers! So cool to see the hand of God in our lives. That also means we get soaked! haha alot! Luckily that north face jacket and my backpack are water proof and work awesomely! haha so I'm stayin mostly dry.

So we gave talks yesterday for sac meeting and it went pretty well. Our dinner calender tells the tale! We went from 2 a week to like 4 so we doubled! So that means we are slowly winning their trust and love and support!! So exciting. We have this ward loving us. People just come up and talk for like 15 min to us about anything and everything. They love us! if only they would love missionary work and help us out! That's OK they are busy i guess. well its not really OK, but in there minds it is!

So cool seeing an Apostle of Christ. Man he left an Apostolic blessing on the mission and us and you could just feel the power behind it. So cool. He's alot shorter than I'd think, but he has one heck of a handshake haha must be all that Spirit he has with him. One thing cool is he testified he knew the Saviors Voice.... that's insane!!  President Watkins is letting his emotions get to him alot lately. Seems like now every time he talks, he breaks down. He used to never do that. I guess its just cause he's getting to the end of his ropes.... so mad he leaves 6 weeks before me..... oh well.  Love him so much! He is a fantastic guy and really perfect for this group of missionaries. We are the #1 mission in the work..... we're told by literally everyone in the leadership that comes to us. So I'm starting to believe it. E. Cook was blown away by all that we do and most of his remarks were thanking us for it.  So cool! CTR...... Chosen To Represent! haha love it here.

Glad you enjoyed that MM.... here's another..... its E. Bednar's on Light. soooo goood! 

So last week we had a super good week! We worked so hard and man the work is takin off! From what the ward council tells us, we are making friends with inactives that HT and VT couldn't dream of making. So we are totally blessed that were able to get into those homes and teach and testify of the Savior and Prophecy blessings to them if they commit to the things Heavenly Father has asked of them.

The Sacrament has become so real to me. sooo real. I Love every Sunday because I get to feel the Spirit of Repentace and change to become more like Christ. I love it. so good! 

Sonenstahl is a champ..... literally best comp I've had. Well Ketywan was super awesome too so idk its a toss up! but seriously we are rockin it here and loving every second of it! So much fun and man I'm just loving it here yal. Pres is gonna have to get a crowbar to pry me outta this ward. It ain't happenin. haha I've learned on my mission and seeing other missionaries that you can focus on the negatives and let em eat you alive and keep you in the dumps.... ooooorrrr you can look just at the positives and drive em home and be so happy and love the moment and boom way better and happier and healthier too haha love it so much! 

You guys are amazing! Love yal so much! Keep up all that you do. Don't stop prayin for me. I'm a weak servant and need every prayer I can get to strengthen me and help me to have the Spirit with me.

love yal so much!

Go Aggies!

-E. Mc

February 3, 2014

hey yal!

 

So glad to hear from yal! Love the great things going on at home!

 

So I got to email twice because we can do Mormon.org time and lds.org time researching talks and such and I just decided to check my email and saw yours so I quickly replied and got back to work haha. Its been super cold here too. like freezing....... not happy about that with full bike. Its like too warm to wear jacket but at the same time its to cold when the wind blows to not wear one. Its that weird middle ground and so I usually pick the jacket and so I get super sweaty haha oh well I'm on a  bike..... members should know that's what'll happen! hahaha

 

E. Sonenstahl is from Minnesota and his parents are converts so he's the 1st mish in his fambam.  He's hilarious. Two rednecks in a house and man we have a blast! We're thinkin about buyin a duckblind and using that as our desks hahahaha ..... would be so funny when president comes to inspect our apartments haha we'll see what happens.

 

Lots of challenges with this ward. We barely have enough priesthood to be a ward I think. Our Elders quorum is like 7 literally and HP is around 10. Everyone's just inactive and are hostile too. So we're workin with little to nothing and little to no help from the members including dinners..... we have maybe 3 a week... bikes plus no food = hard haha. I've dropped almost 10 LBs.  The zone is slowly getting better but the ZLs are still not being even reasonable.... let alone not using common sense. But that OK, we just listen and obey. You're only as good of a leader as you are a follower! So I'm earnin my stripes. Heard Menlo Park.... my beloved zone where my heart still lies..... is completely different. E. Barber took my place up there (the one I was with in Santa Clara who I didn't get along with) and he's trashing it.... but they're #1 in baptizing so far this year so maybe he's doing good.

 

Man I just love it here! cept on Sunday when a member showed the video Hark All Ye Nations on hastening the work site and I almost cried because my mission is almost over!!! not cool! I have these mental battles where I start to be like man I'm gonna miss this when I'm gone but then I'm like no I'm not gone yet so work! Its really hard but I'm loving the ability I have to see the goal and go for it.  This week we taught Javier 2 times! and he's well on his way to baptism.....so excited for that!

 

Oh my ankle..... hahaha torn ligament. Hangin by a thread and he can't do anything about it. So I gotta be super careful and he gave me a few PT exercises to do to help strengthen the muscles around it to take the stress off the ligament. Not fun! but I'm still pluggin along!

 

E. Cook of the 12 is coming Saturday. That'll be sweet..... he is a good speaker!

 

Love bein a DL and teaching a small group every week.... that's alotta fun and cool to see how the Lord knows them and knows what I should teach to help em out.

 

Thank you for the cookies..... I ate em that day. Like within 2 hrs hahaha ...they were so dang good.

 

I'm loving every second of it here.  Satan can't knock my happiness down or even blemish it! The work is moving forward whether the members want in or not. They gotta step up or step aside for the work of the Lord will go forward and I'm so happy to be a part of it! Gosh I love it.... love love love it! Every hr, every minute.... well except for waking up.... that's probably the worst part of the day haha but once I'm over that hill, its smooth sailing!!

 

Love yal so much! Have a super fantastic week! and watch Daily Bread and Light on mormonchannel.org. both 3 part Mormon messages. Ones by Christofferson, the other Bednar. They are fantastic!  Have a good week!

 

-E.McAllister