December 28, 2009

Note: There are pictures are at the bottom of this letter


HI FAMILY, friends, friends who are family, and everyone else,

This week has been pretty good, I’ll start from when I got to Colorado on Monday. So, I woke up at 3:30 that morning to get out of the MTC, drank a Mountain Dew (thanks Smiths & Bowmans) and got to the travel office for our 5 am departure. I met my flight group and got them all together at the airport, (I was flight leader) and we made it to the gate. We met these two really cool guys headed to Denver to see their buddy get married in the temple. And it was really funny because I was reading the Ensign yesterday and I opened up to the front page and they were right there. I think it’s the first page of talks, with President Monson, and there is a picture of 5 guys or so, sitting on a curb or something near the Conference Center, and the two guys we met were the two all the way on the left. They were pretty awesome guys and gave us some advice and what not. They were joking around with us and said “Well if they plane crashes, you get a one way ticket to the Celestial Kingdom,” I laughed.

Anyway, we got here, met President Ely (pronounced E- Lee) and his wife. They’re way nice, relaxed and cool. My President kinda looks, and definitely sounds like a guy from the movie, “A Series of Unfortunate Events”, the second guy that Count Olaf is, Gustavo, the snake guy, it’s so funny! Elder Hiatt, my companion, thinks so too, but apparently no one else gets it. Anyway, so we had orientation about bridging and funneling with the AP’s (Assistants to the President), they’re awesome, and then other stuff through which I tried not to sleep too much. We slept in the barracks downstairs in the mission home that night. When we woke up in the morning we had transfer meeting. I met Elder Hiatt, my companion, and he’s a way cool guy. I’m in the Arvada 2nd ward. We live with this couple in their basement, the Steifvaters (I’m not sure if the f and v are switched, in German it means step father?) and his dad is in the bishopric. Thane, the husband, is way cool, he’s a marine, and he doesn’t recruit, he is the one that filters and gets to tell the kids that they’re not good enough. Last night he showed us how to break someone’s neck in about half a second using this “Ti-Yu” move, he’s so cool. He also has a concealed weapons permit and packs a 45 everywhere he goes. Needless to say, I already told him when the Second Coming rolls around I’ll hook him up with food storage and he can protect our families :) If God needed a Samson or Porter Rockwell, I know who would be called. And his wife is cool too, she’s an engineer, but she’s kind of quiet, so I don’t know her too well. But, we’re never home anyway, DOING LA OBRA! (Doing the work)

So anyway, back to business. After transfer meeting we went to see this family named the Dachtlers (Dock-lers) who are really cool. Husband, Wife (7 months pregnant) and 3-year-old named Larry who is huge and indestructible. He’s bigger than some of my kindergarteners from the Y! I met the Shoemakers, an amazing family, and their daughter Natalie who was getting baptized on Saturday, the day after Christmas. So that was awesome, we went over the interview questions for baptism. The next day it snowed like crazy and it was not cool because we had to walk 2 hours to get to our first appointment. We had Wendy’s for lunch, and they gave me a free bowl of chili because they had forgotten to put it on my bill and the guy told me not to worry about it. So I thought that was cool. We tracted (knocked doors) in this older people street and everyone politely decided to slam the door on the Gospel. That was enthralling (major sarcasm) :) Then we went with Brother Shoemaker and Natalie to her interview.

Elder Aston is our District Leader, he is so cool. He used to be a leader singer/screamer in a band, so we talked about music which was fun. He looks like a prim and proper young Mormon Missionary, not someone who used to be in a band, and then I remembered, wait, so do I! haha! Umm, our appointment called and cancelled on us, and I’m not sure how many have cancelled one us at this point, I lost count after the first 5 or so. We met the Bishop, his last name is Haymon(d)? He has a brother named Mark who lives in Coatsville, does anyone know him? But he’s way cool. He wants us to do a lot of less active (LA) work, so we’ll see what happens. We have the largest less active percentage in the stake.

Christmas Eve day we went to the Stake President’s for zone breakfast, it was way fun! We played bingo and I won $10 to Panda Express! There’s this guy named Elder Finn who is an absolute musical genius (he reminds me of Randy), at guitar, and piano. He just sat down and played some improv rendition of some Christmas song that blew everyone away. I met Elder Stafford, who was actually in my Calc 113 class, that was a funny coincidence. Then we went and met up with one of our recent converts at an AA club, he’s great, and he’s going to be teaching Doctrine Principles class, so that’s cool. We met some more less actives and more, and more, and then had dinner at the Davis’ they are a couple, and have a kid named Pascal, like the math guy, and I was like wow, I can respect that. So we ate a lot. Then we had a second dinner, at the Adair’s house and ate a lot, I was about to die, I was so full! They’re in the 4th ward, where Elder Hiatt used to be, and the husband, is like the Godfather, seriously. I walked into the kitchen and the first thing he says to me is “hey, put this in your mouth” and shoves this smoked roasted delicious ham into my face. He’s the man! I said thank you for having us over and all that, and he was like, “stop, don’t say thank you again” haha! And I was like, “yes sir!” But he’s way nice and I found out that his dad, Brother Adair, used to work with Grandma and Papa Allred in the temple. Also, there is a family in this ward with the last name Allred, and I cannot tell you how many times people asked me if I knew them or was related to them! Goodness sakes! But anyway, it was way fun!

Christmas morning I opened presents, thank you for all of them, it was awesome! We then went to breakfast at the Stake Center which was cool, we made a candy train, but I made a candy man, who was way awesome! Umm, then we went to the Carol’s house, he is our Ward Mission Leader, where I won Risk, we had a nerf gun fight which was really intense. I practiced songs 100, Baptism, and 103, When I Am Baptized, from the Children’s songbook for the baptism, the one is really hard. Then we went to Teinveri’s (Tinvry’s) and had dinner, which was way cool. Then I called you guys (family) of course. I really want to read Isaac’s book now more than you know, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

Next day, the 26th, we had district meeting, it was awesome. Elder Aston is probably the best District Leader ever. He wrote his own title of liberty (like Captain Moroni did in the Book of Mormon), which is probably one of the coolest things ever, this is what it says:

In the power of our heart we are the unfailing
In the strength of our soul there is no impossible
With our faith in Christ we consume the unconquerable
With passion in our ministry we destroy the chains of corruption
I am the captain of my soul
I am the master of my fate

Apparently the last two lines are from some poem, but I want to get that whole thing tattooed on my back… JUST KIDDING! But I think it is awesome!

They told us that our mission has grown 70-100% in the past year, which is because we have a lot of potential. But the percent of depressed and struggling missionaries has gone up too, because Satan doesn’t want us to keep growing. So that’s something to look forward to (sarcasm). Umm, Natalie was baptized! That was awesome! While they were getting changed back into dry clothes we got to share a message about the restoration.

Some scriptures I found are:

Ecclesiastes 4:11; Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

Jeremiah 4:5; Declare ye in Judah, and publish in Jerusalem; and say, Blow ye the trumpet in the land: cry, gather together, and say, Assemble yourselves, and let us go into the defenced cities.

Alma 60:35; And behold, if ye will not do this I come unto you speedily; for behold, God will not suffer that we should perish with hunger; therefore he will give unto us of your food, even if it must be by the sword. Now see that ye fulfil the word of God.

You can figure out what they apply too.

Sunday Natalie was confirmed , it was awesome! Sister Riplinger was a Mormon Tabernacle soloist, and she sang a song, it made me feel musically inept. We got blown off on two appointments, then we drove past a skate shop, a sports bar where football was on, and a bunch of girls. My thought was WHY?! Oh, and two half pipes at the skatepark, so apparently God wants to make sure I really really want to be here :)

Our Mission President gave us permission to watch a few movies so today we watched Silent Night, some movie about WW2 and Christmas. I fell asleep and we’re part of the way through It’s a Wonderful Life. We’re about to go watch Happy Feet and Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium. Elder Bryan can’t wait to see Natalie Portman in that movie, he’s so trunky (ready to go home already) and it’s his 2nd transfer haha! But anyway, I’m doing great, I love you all so much, I miss you like crazy, but I’m loving the work! It’s funny, t he time when I’m teaching or testifying or talking to people flies, and so do the days in general, but the little waits, and walking and whatnot, feels like eternity! Anyway I will press on. Also, music! Wahoo! Our Mission President has said we can listen to anything that is uplifting, and motivating.

Also, other scriptures I like are:

Ether 12:3-4 (The Book of Mormon) (I probably like this one the most,); For he did cry from the morning, even until the going down of the sun, exhorting the people to believe in God unto repentance lest they should be destroyed, saying unto them that by faith all things are fulfilled— 4 Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.

Alma 26:3 (The Book of Mormon) Behold, I answer for you; for our brethren, the Lamanites, were in darkness, yea, even in the darkest abyss, but behold, how many of them are brought to behold the marvelous light of God! And this is the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work.

Doctrine & Covenants 123: 11-15;
11 And also it is an imperative duty that we owe to all the rising generation, and to all the pure in heart—
12 For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are ablinded by the subtle bcraftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to cdeceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they dknow not where to find it—
13 Therefore, that we should waste and awear out our lives in bringing to light all the bhidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven—
14 These should then be attended to with great aearnestness.
15 Let no man count them as small things; for there is much which lieth in futurity, pertaining to the saints, which depends upon these things.

The Standard of Truth by Joseph Smith Jr; The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear; till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.

I would like one of those to go on my missionary plaque that will hang in the hall at church, but there are more that I like too, I will try to figure it out in the next week or so.

Anyway, that’s enough for now, send me emails, I have plenty of time to read them.

I LOVE YOU
BYE

Elder Allred

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Our whole family was able to be together via conference calling from 3 different states to talk with Jonathan when he was able to call on Christmas day. Missionaries call home generally 2 times a year, once on Christmas, and once on Mother's Day. He sounds really good, and "just like a missionary." He is happy and working hard! He is currently serving in Arvada Colorado. He said it's cold, and that walking in the snow isn't too much fun, but he'll make it thanks to warm clothes and hand/feet warmers. He asked that we keep the real mail coming since he can only check his email once a week, on Mondays, his "p-day" or preparation day, when he does his laundry and other odds and ends. Feel free to write him anytime, he LOVES mail of any sort, even just a quick note so he knows you're thinking about him. He sounds excited to be there, to be working hard, and serving the Lord.

Here are pictures that we were emailed by the family that held the Christmas Eve day brunch at their house for the Missionaries! Jonathan said he will be sending a memory card of pictures home soon; so keep checking back because there will be more pictures to come soon :) These are the first pictures we've seen of Jonathan with his missionary tag on, he looks great, our Elder Allred. We are so proud of him! Enjoy!

December 15, 2009

So here is round two of emails!

HI FAMILY! It’s me, Jonathan, horray for email.
Sooo here we go, I’m not going to go through everything, just some key points. For the most part it’s been the MTC… bad food, lots of Spirit, some weirdos, no girls, and getting spiritually and physically buff. I’m exercising, wahoo!

So, I want to start out with my Spanish spiritual experience. We were in the Referral Center one night, and my teacher got a chat… but it turned out to be in Spanish. So I decided I’d give it a whirl. So it winds up being this guy, Adrian Poblet, who lives in Argentina. He had run into the missionaries there, who shared the Book of Mormon with him, and he gave them his information, but they never contacted him from his information. We were talking, and he’s a great guy who knows that there is more to life, he said that the missionaries made him happy and that he feels really empty right now and wants that happiness. I told him that hew as a son of God, and he said he definitely felt that, and that God wanted him to be happy, and he said he believed that too. So I got his current info and I’m currently trying to make sure that the missionaries go see him, though it’s been a couple days. We’ve been emailing and he says that the missionaries haven’t come yet, which stinks, but apparently it takes some time for referrals to get there. But anyway, the rest of the time we talked about how the Spirit can bring happiness and purpose to his life, and he asked how to get the spirit before I talk to the missionaries. I told him to pray and ask God for peace and happiness, and to read the Bible, about Jesus teaching the people, he said he would definitely. We talked for like 1 ½ hours and it was the greatest conversation I’ve ever had. He said he felt the spirit just by chatting about it (text chat) and that I helped him. I assured him that all my help came from God and he felt it did too. And at the end he gave me “un gran abrazo” (a big hug). We’re becoming really good friends and have been keeping in contact since. After that experience I literally came to love this man that I’ve never met before, and I’m so grateful that I was able to remember enough Spanish to get my points and message across. I know that if that’s all I ever needed to learn Spanish for, then it’s worth it. Also, we talked about how to find a church nearest him, and I think he’s going to go on Sunday because he really is just antsy to see the missionaries, it’s awesome! And it was all in Espanol! So awesome!

Anyway, Thursday we did our first service project, I got to clean the bathrooms (thank you Mom for all your preparations) and I did a fantastic job, and I got done so quickly that I got to clean some glass doors and chalkboards, so it was pretty fun actually. Umm, in class I’m the top student leader in the pen spinning competition. Our teacher taught us how to spin pens in our hand. It give me something to do all the time when my hands are bored. In personal study, I’m doing a lot of church history and Joseph Smith history study, and it’s awesome. I’m awful at remembering dates, but the spirit is helping me to get them down, so that is awesome. And Sunday night we got to watch the Joseph Smith movie, which I’ve only seen once, and it was the most powerful thing I’ve ever seen. Everyone should see it. And at the end, the last text that goes across the screen is, “Shall we not go forth in so great a work?” And I thought, yes we definitely should. So I was tearing up after the movie was over because I felt the spirit so strong. We’ve been teaching a lot of “investigators” (people that come volunteer and come in so we can practice teaching the lessons) and it’s amazing to feel the love that teaching the gospel brings to my life. It’s just… amazing. Umm, Sunday I got to play piano in Priesthood, Eric I played hymn 100 and 142, our classic songs we used to play, I laughed remembering that. Umm, then in sacrament meeting, everyone had been asked to prepare a talk and then they just pick two people, you don’t know who it will be, and I got picked to go right after one of our Zone Leaders. I gave my talk on fasting, which I thought was pretty good. I talked about Jesus’ example and how we can help people through fast offerings and then to be of a cheery countenance, it made me appreciate the power of fasting. Also on Sunday the gates to the temple grounds were closed, and almost everyone went up to be by the temple, tons of people, to the field right across the street. I met these Spanish Elders from California and South America and what not. It was the firs time they’ve seen snow, so I helped them roll this huge snowball down the hill and it was like 7 feet tall, but looked like a roll of turf, you know what I mean? But it was really fun because they were like “who is the Spanish speaking gringo?” And they all said my Spanish was pretty good, so I felt good and they opened up. They’re going to Salt Lake temple square, and London. It was funny to hear them be nervous about English, they were great guys.

Uhh, Monday we ran Family Home Evening and we did the armor of God. My companions and I did the shield of faith, but they got sick, so I did it by myself… and I did a pretty good job, to be humble about it haha. Then, we got to go to a health and safety meeting where the Brother teaching it looked like Bob Barker, don’t worry I took pictures, it was really funny. Oh, I got the package from Melissa/Ben/Nettina/Matt, and the Slaugh’s donuts. Thank you so much, it was so nice, because one of the districts going to Ecuador and Columbia and Paraguay were leaving last night so we all had a party. And they gave me all their extra Spanish stuff, so that was awesome. I guess I was the only one in my district that was close with them, because we would just talk in Spanish and joke about stuff and everyone else was confused. My thought was… I hate English haha. And I got Elder Card’s old Spanish-english dictionary, he wrote Elder tarejeta on it, I laughed (tarejeta = card in Spanish), he’s Orson’s nephew. Uhhh

Let’s see, we went to find Matt’s “plates” (notes he had left in a ceiling tile from when he was in the MTC) and found that someone else had taken them and made one of their own… we took it, and now are making a better one with our “commandments” of how to not be a dork and be a good missionary, we’re writing it on one of the extra work out bands we have so it’s like a scroll, and we’ll “seal that up for the next generation.” I found out there’s a million secret places in very room where old missionaries stash stuff, in closets, old outlet things, it’s crazy!

I got my flight plans! I leave at like 8:20 from the airport, and I get to wake up at like… 4 am, fun! Anyway, I love you all; God is real He lives and loves us.
Jesus will always catch us, everyone read Ephesians 6:10-18? About the Armor of God! Until later!

Elder Allred

December 8, 2009

This was hand written by Jonathan, we got it in the mail on Saturday. He wrote it on the 8th of December though. Enjoy!

December 8, 2009

Dear Fam,

So its 9:40 and I’m writing right before bed. I hope you guys got my email, I sent it with like 3 seconds left before it logged me off. So, my email was kinda like an overview, but I wanted you to know I’m having one of the most spiritual experiences of my life. I hope I got some of that across. So, because it’s fresh in my mind I’ll tell you a little bit about the rest of today and some thoughts I’ve had. So, tonight’s devotional was by President Claudio R.M. Costa from the Presidency of the 70. He’s like the best speaker ever. Wait…

Befoooooore that… We went to the Referral Center. It’s where we make calls and chat online with people, like LDS.org and mormon.com, chats are with MTC elders, and all of the pass along card numbers are ours. So we went there learned how to do everything, and then he was like ok, start making calls. And I was so scared. First call answering machine, YAY! Haha! Second call I was calling back some lady who got a Bible, and checking on her. I got as far as “I’m from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I was…” Click! I was just like what, she hung up?! But then we all laughed it off. We all had some good experiences and it was awesome to feel the spirit and talk to real people.

Side notes. So the camaraderie here is just so awesome. I’m gonna say it might be better than BYU (maybe it’s just my outlook) but my companions… well I love them for who they are. But we’re all like buddies and brothers. I was just hanging out with our Spanish speaking boys (Elders), they leave next Monday, I’m gonna miss them even though we only had a little while together. One of them, Elder Card, guess who he’s the nephew of... yea, Orson Scott Card! And Elder Jones, going to Provo tomorrow, is Vai Sikahema’s nephew, so cool! So yea, my zone leader behind me Elder Randall is the man. But yea, it’s awesome to all be brothers in the Priesthood.

So, yea President Costa is awesome. Brazil man. He’s so dedicated, he told us the story of his conversion, how he read the Joseph Smith history in one hour straight, then went to the missionaries the next day and demanded to be baptized. The next day!!! There is more to the story, but it was awesome. We got there 5 minutes late and somehow got 5th row comfy seats with the Branch Presidents. So awesome! He (President Costa) talked about preparing and planning and how important it is that we do it, with the spirit. He also talked about having a backup plan and other missionary tools. He definitely looked right at me at one point (the guy in front of me left and I was so close it was easier to listen to his voice than the speaker/microphone) when he said I/we need to put ourselves in the hands of the spirit. His talk was just great, then we had a district meeting and talked about it. Our Branch President told us to learn the Joseph Smith story and dates and start of the church, so that’s what I’m gonna do. Ummm, the spirit is definitely here, it’s like spiritual steroids, how it’s here 24/7. I have a lot to learn and not a lot of time, though I feel like I’ve been here forever. Alma is my favorite book in the Book of Mormon, I wish I could have read it more when I had time.

The food is ok, but they give us too much haha! My favorite so far has been the salmon. I’m trying to do what you taught me by sharing the Savior’s message with God’s children. I love you! Talk to you in a week!

Elder Allred (Jonathan)

December 8, 2009

HI FAMILY!
I’m in the MTC and it’s crazy! I already feel naked without my name tags on. It’s kind of weird, looking in the mirror, I’m like woah I’m a missionary!
So let me start at the beginning.

So 12/2 I woke up at Nettina’s after seeing family and friends the night before. Nettina and Matt took me out to Chili’s for lunch and then they dropped me off. I got out of the car and then was assigned a host (another missionary who had been there for a while) and off I went, very fast. It was crazy, they have a whole missionary assembly line set up, here do this, here do that, next take a picture, fill out this form, put this on, smile, talk to this person, and now we will just throw your stuff in your room and get to class! I live in building 12M, my district is 15C, and my branch president is President Cherrington, apparently he teaches some business classes at BYU? I’m not sure. Whatever, he’s a good guy, kind of has a dry sense of humor, but whatever. So, I got to class, Oh whoops, I have class in 12M and I live in 8M, my room is on the top floor. And my companions, I have two, are Elder Durdin from Albany Georgia, he plays the guitar and played a show with a band called “Between the buried and me” which is crazy because I know who they are! He was in a band called “The Operation” so we’ve been talking about music and what not. He’s our district leader, and oh yea, I’m senior companion. My other companion is Elder Riskin from Modesto California, he’s like 6’6 or something ridiculous like that, I feel small… still. Then the rest of my district is awesome! Elder Fox from Phoenix, think’s he’s rocky, I call him Santiago Zorro. Then Elder Machaely, sounds like Mc Kaley, from VA, he lives like 2 ½ hours from us. Then Elder Misback (sounds like Ms. Bach like composer) is from Orem, UT and Elder Onley is from everywhere. They’re all pretty awesome guys and we’ve definitely become brothers and best friends in the past couple of days, we also have 2 sister missionaries in our district named Sister Bistline (bice line) and Sister Basset who is from Houston and knows Kimberly and Lauren Allred, our cousins, crazy! I saw Greg Low, from the stake back at home, twice now in the bookstore, he’s doing great, we talked about the Phillies and the Eagles. I also saw John Holland and Dan Maguire from May Hall that I lived in at BYU, they’re doing good! Brent, you might know Diver Corrles, he’s one of my zone leaders, the other two are Elder Randall, he is awesome and is the happiest guy I’ve ever met, and Elder Myrick. So that’s people in the MTC. The MTC is one of the weirdest, best, worst, places ever. The first day we were told not to call anyone dude or guy, our MTC president said “there are no guys or dudes at the MTC, they’re all at home dating your girlfriends” which I thought was hilarious! I’m the only Elder from PA that came in on my day, so I got to stand up and represent PA. Then to dinner, then we had a large group meeting (LGM) where I got put on the spot and almost died when our “investigators” asked me a question. It was amazing to think that was like a week ago, it feels like a year! But my thoughts from that night, when I couldn’t sleep were… wow, here goes! And I have to have the spirit, or I’m just not gonna make it or do well. There is a good quote from Preach My Gospel that fits really well, that’s like, no matter what wisdom or knowledge you posses without the spirit you will fail.

Ok, so day two, felt like the longest day of my life, and there were three times when I thought I couldn’t do it. I learned a ton, it’s really hard feeling emotionally attached to every person and feeling the spirit 24/7, it is awesome and it’s the way we have to teach, but it takes a lot out of you. I learned that God absolutely loves me, everyone I know, and everyone I will meet, and that I have an obligation to them to go and help them. Sorry my thoughts are so scattered, my fingers are dying! So I learned a lot about asking for the spirit if we need it. 3 Nephi 27:28-29. I also got the swine flu vaccine.

Ok, day three, seriously was a huge change of pace, from almost dying and feeling like I couldn’t do it to the day flying by and actually understanding all of it. Our teachers are sister Stroud and brother Wildman, they’re really awesome. I had so many experiences where I felt the spirit giving me the words to say and specific things that stuck out to me, it was nuts! Elder Durden got sick so we gave him a blessing and it was one of the best experiences ever, I had no idea what to say, but I said some stuff and then I don’t even remember what I was saying, it was coming from somewhere else and things that didn’t have to do with his illness, but I know that it is what he needed to hear. We also played some basketball, apparently I learned a lot on the “streets” of PA, or else everyone else is awful at playing basketball. My thought from that day was pray always, you can’t do it without the Lord, so you better just get him on your side. My brown shoes also came today, still no black shoes Mom, I have no idea where they are.

So I need to start summarizing, maybe I’ll underline things next week, I’m just going through my journal and it’s not working. I wish I read my scriptures better because in one week I’ve learned to love them so much and I just wish I could read them all day, but I don’t have enough time! There is so much to do and so much to study and practice. In some of my personal study I’m studying the Articles of Faith in Spanish. Oh yea, acronyms and the MTC run rampant, they have an acronym for everything.

Sunday I think it started snowing, and Elder Durden had never seen snow before so that was pretty cool. They put up lights kind of like Longwood here, not as many or as intensely, but it made me feel like I was home. I didn’t get to bear my testimony because one of the districts going to Provo was leaving, so they took up most of the time and I didn’t want to hog it. We watched the first Presidency devotional which was awesome, I loved it. And it was so hot where we were, it was like being in a sauna in the top of the bleachers. Afterwards we got to watch The Testaments, which is one of my favorites, and I felt the spirit so strong. Yesterday I was so tired, but I just kinda pushed on. Exciting news, we had a large group meeting, and Randy, your mission president taught me, Brother Little Field? He is awesome! And I asked him if he knew you and he said yea, tell him I said hi! He gave a great lesson, it was probably my favorite. Also, other companionships in my district are going to Risbind Australia, so we’ve been talking to all these Ausie people and saying “how ya dingo” a lot.

Ok there was a ton more stuff I wanted to say, but I’m going to take the last 2 minutes and just tell you guys what I’ve learned. And we went to the temple today, it was awesome, I’m learning a lot more now, it’s great.

It's not our time we're on, it's the Lords time, which makes it sacred, yea it's a lot to do all day every day, but with His help we can make it. I've realized that prayer is so essential, that we need to pray always to have the spirit, because with out the spirit we can't teach anyone. I've learned to love everyone because God loves them and they are all His children. I've learned that the spirit will give you what you need to say even though you have no idea what's going on or where it’s coming from. Lastly, I've learned that, if you don't know what to do, or you are struggling, just put your shoulder to the wheel and get moving.

I love you all so much
Everyone feel free to dear elder me every day (send letters through dearelder.com)
Hopefully my letters get better
EJ (Elder Jonathan Allred)

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If you have any questions about references Jonathan makes that you may not understand please visit http://mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/basic-beliefs/glossary to look up specific terms, or lds.org or feel free to contact me (Nettina) or anyone else in the Allred Clan :) The first Presidency devotional that he talks about can be viewed or listened to here, it is lots of Christmas songs and talks/guidance in this Christmas season from our Prophet and his counselors. Enjoy!