June 22, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

This past week has been an awesome week. My mission is about to come to a end.  I have come to love these people and Missouri. 

My mission has been a great learning experience for me. I have learn how to recognize the spirit more. That has blessed us. We have see tons of miracle that happened because we followed the prompting of the spirit. It is not always the easiest to follow some of the prompting. 

I have grown to love the Scriptures. They have brought me closer to my savior by reading about him and how the atonement can change our life. I love how there are so many missionary stories and examples. My favorite one is Ammon and how he goes and becomes a servant. He gains the trust of the people then teaches them.

I'm grateful for my savior Jesus Christ and his love for me. He loves us so much that he came to earth to atone for our sins and mistakes and to allow us to make it back to our Father.  This is the greatest message anyone can share with people. I have become closer to my Heavenly Father through prayer. I am so thankful that he was always there to listen to me and help me out.

I have see how the Lord is preparing the way for us. I see it in our investigators and especially in the Converts that I have help to come closer to Christ. He put people in our path and help members to become there friends and support. Members and there member missionary work has help the most. I have seen how there example has help them find the Truth. 

I have had a great mission. I hasn't been the easiest but it is sure worth it. I have grown is so many ways. I have had easy companions and hard ones to get along with. I have learned something from all of them. I sure have become more patient and loving to others.  I would recommend it to anyone.

Thanks for all that you have done for me. It might of been little but it sure has help me. Thanks for all you do for the missionaries where every you are. We couldn't do it with out the members. 

Love,

Elder Benjamin Allen

June 15, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

This week was a great week; tons of things just feel into place. 

Monday we had dinner with the Pattons. They gave us a referral for one of their closest neighbor’s.  We also had a great visit with Jackie and Jack.  They have started to read from the Book of Mormon. 

Tuesday we visited with Grace. She loves when we come in since she doesn't have many visitors.  We went to Ottervillle and were able to find people home and help them come closer to Christ. We had dinner with the Andersons.  They are a very nice family and so great to us. After dinner we were able to meet with Tom. We were able to set up an appointment with him. It was weird because most people don't like to set up appointment with us. 

Wednesday we helped clean the building with the Marshals. We had dinner with the Wilsons. It is nice to be able to have dinner with the Branch president and be able to talk about the work here in the area. 

Elder Allen and Elder Rogers

Thursday we had interviews with the mission president. It was great to be able to meet with them and talk about the work that is going on here.  While we were doing that we had District meeting. We also had lunch together. 

Friday we did service with the Protors. We pulled weeds and clean out around the bushes. I also help them install new lights. We then went out to California. We were able to talk to a lot of people. We had dinner with the Kirks.  Brother Kirks has been having health problems. It was a great visit and we talked about how service blesses everyone’s life. 

Saturday we went to the Hagstons. We had a great discussion about the purpose of sacrament meeting. We also visited a couple of other less active members. We also stop by some more Menionte stores, came away with another bag of candy. It had 126 bars, most protein bars. 

Sunday we had the opportunity to bless the sacrament again. We had a great lesson on covenants and how they help us grow and become better.  We found this real nice guy named Tod and left him with a Book of Mormon. 

I hope you all have a great week. Thanks for all you do.

Love,

Elder Benjamin Allen

June 8, 2015

Dear Family and Friends.

This past week was a week of Service.

Monday we tried a lady named Jackie. She wasn't feeling good so her son came out. We gave him a Book of Mormon and taught a short lesson 1.

Tuesday we visited an old lady named Lela. She has a caregiver and we were able to share a message with them. We also drove out to the middle of nowhere to try some people. We found a trail that everyone talks about. It's named Katty trail, it's an old railroad trail. There was a bathroom and that was nice. We stop by the Marshals and we talk with Brother Marshal about the Book of Mormon and what blessings come from reading it. We stop by the Parkers, Elder Roger split tons of wood for him. While we where there he opened up some of the hives he had. Some of the bees got mad. I was stung a couple times.

Wednesday we tracted into a 94-year-old lady that still lives by herself. She talked to us for a while. We had dinner with the Davidsons. They had to feed us at the church since they live out of the mission.

Thursday we went down to Versailles. We visit a couple of the Mennonite shops. We walked away with a bag of candy bars for $3.50.  We also visited couple of people at an assistant living place. We were at Wal-Mart getting dinner and ran into Sister Rayl.  I love it how we run into people that we are trying to see or need to see.

Friday we went to zone training. It was all about Ipads and how it should help the teaching. Most of the missionaries got Ipads. Us going home in a couple of weeks didn't. We also went on exchanges. We went to California. We had an awesome day. We meet a couple of new people.

Saturday we went to Versailles. We meet with James again, left him with a Book of Mormon this time. We also drove to Sedelia. We then went to Bryce and Amanda’s. We help him move a fish tank. We then shared a message with them. He was starting to install this wood flooring and we stayed to help. It went faster with 3 people plus I have installed it before. Latter he told us that it was an answer to his prayers.

Sunday was great. It was my last fast and testimony meeting. It was good. We taught primary again it was on the Holy Ghost. We did the wave with the kids because there you need more that one person. It is the same with us, we need the Holy Ghost.   We went out to California again. We had an awesome lesson with Isabella. We found her a couple of weeks ago. We taught her a lesson and it went great.  We also contacted a referral and set up a time to come back and teach her.

It was a great week. Hope you all have a great week. Thanks for all you do for me and the other missionaries.

Love,

Elder Allen

June 1, 2015

Dear Family and Friends,

This past week was a very spiritual week for us here in Tipton. 

Tuesday we went to the Temple with Brother Allain. We were able to do two sessions. It took most of the day driving and being there. I'm grateful for how close we live from the Mesa Temple.  We had dinner with the Parkers. They shared with us how they are sharing the gospel with their family. 

 

Elder Rogers and Elder Allen

Wednesday we did service for this old lady name Maxine.  She had us pull weeds and old flowers.  She is a sweet lady. She invited us to come with her and her son to Bobbios. It was a pizza buffet here in Tipton.  We also help at the nutrition Center; we clean the floor and help clean up for the day.  We were able to have dinner with Maxine. The pizza was awesome and great bonding time with them.  All the missionaries were pulled in close to the mission office. We sleep over with the Blue Springs Elders. 

Thursday was a great mission conference. We had Elder Clark and Brother Davidson come to train us with digital devices. We didn't get the I pads yet. Elder Clark was awesome. He gave us tons of advice for after the mission.  They said that these I pads are going to help us become better with all technology. It will help us be more effective after the mission. Elder Clark said that the greatest filter is our heart.  It is tons better that any filter or setting they can put on the I pads.  Elder Clark did most of the day’s trainings. I love going to missionary conferences.

Friday we caught up with all the stuff we didn't do earlier in the week.  We had weekly planning. We then went to California. We were able to find a couple of people. We gave them Books of Mormon.  For our dinnertime we played Frisbee golf at the park.  We also visited Brother Hubbard, we learned about his reactivation story. We were able to share a scripture to encourage him.

Saturday there was a Tipton wide yard sale.  We walked around and talked to the people selling things and everyone else. We also went to Versailles. We visited the Rayls. It was a interesting visit because their son Zaden was have tons of little seizures.

Sunday we had the opportunity to bless the sacrament. We also taught about the priesthood. Brother Hubard's wife that isn't a member was there. We were able to help her understand the priesthood.  We also went to California. We visited a couple of members in the middle of no where. We drove on some pretty roads. We also did some more finding and contacting referrals.

It was a great week. I hope you all had a great week. Thanks for all you do for me and the other missionaries.

Love,

Elder Benjamin Allen

May 25, 2015

                                                                                                               

Dear Family and friends,

This past week was a great week for us here in the Missouri Independence Mission.  Still lots of rain and mud.

Monday we meet with Jackie.  She is a lady that we found last week. She talked us for a while and confessed that last week she told us that she had called herself an atheist so we would leave. It didn't work.  We still talked to her and even came back and gave her a Book of Mormon. She is really Christian and enjoys when we come over and talk about Christ. 

Tuesday we had dinner with Andy and Amanda. They are a couple that we meet with a couple of weeks ago. They are the ones that invited a couple, which they are friends with. It turns out that he is there minister at the southern Baptist church. They feed us an awesome meal. This time we just invited them to read the Book of Mormon. We also got transfer calls and Elder Cluster will be going to Independence.

Wednesday we prepared for transfers. Elder Cluster packed and we went around saying good bye to people.

Elder Cluster and Elder Allen

Thursday we went to transfers. There were so many missionaries at the transfer meeting. I think it was the largest that I have been to. My new companion is Elder Rodgers. He is from Portland, Oregon.  We also got our tiwi unit replaced. It now works properly.  We had a great meeting with the senior sisters.

Friday we went to California. We had a great day finding people. We talked to a few people that were home that aren't usually home then. We also walked around the park that is almost a lake.  We also meet with Adam; he was having a large bon fire.  They were burning their shed.

Saturday we drove past the Rayls place and they were outside doing yard work. We stop and help.  Spent most of the afternoon with them. It was a great bonding time for us.  We also meet with Shawn. I was able to leave him with a movie to watch later.

Sunday we had the potluck after church.  We also help in primary again and talked about the gift of the Holy Ghost.  It was a great, lots of good food. We had a great meeting with Maxine and have an appointment to come back and do some gardening with her.

The branch is doing good. We are trying to get our investigators to progress. The problem is they are just so busy. I think it is Satan trying to slow down the missionary work.

Thanks for all you do. Have a great week.

Love,

Elder Benjamin Allen

May 18, 2015

Dear Family and friends,

This past week was a very rainy for us. I think it rained everyday this week.

Monday we had dinner with the Sutfflebeens. Just before we had gotten there the oldest son named Logan cut his arm on some glass.  We went tracting and found three people that were interested and willing for us to come back. The very interesting thing is that it is three houses in a row.

Tuesday, we went to the nutrition place and peeled more potatoes. We went to the town of Smithton. We went tracting and found a guy named Tom. It was the last house that we were going to try before heading for dinner. He just moved in and is working for the ROTC at the High School. He was in the Army and his leader was a member that he trusts and looks up to. We had dinner with the Andersons. They live in the middle of nowhere. They raise goats and hay. We got to help feed the baby goats.

Wednesday we had the last district meeting for the Transfer. When we got back to Tipton we went out to find more people to teach. We found Seth. He told us that he had read the Book of Mormon before and would like to read it again. We had dinner with the Wilsons. They fixed us a whole authentic Hawaiian meal. It was awesome!

Thursday we went the Thrift store in Versailles. There is a less active that lives outside the mission working there. We walked away with 12 ties. We had a great day for more finding. We did talk to Kyle, the husband of a member. We meet an Rlds lady also.

Friday we got a call from the nutrition place wanting our help moving boxes around. We went over to help and had to arrange all the food by expiration date. They had a new policy where they can't use expired food.  They sent us home with lots of fibber bars and granola bars.  We went to a town called Clarksburg. We hadn't ever been there. It has a population of about 300. We talked to a few people. One was a high school student that runs cross-country. Most of the roads in the town are dirt and very muddy at this time.

Saturday we went down to the Hagstons. We went with Brother Davidson, he has a truck that makes it in and out easier. The parent were the only ones home so we talked to just them. We talk about the Temple and about starting their Family history.  We did make it out without having to push. We had Justin come out with us again. He is leaving/ moving to another state. We tried tons of people with him most weren't home. We saw this turtle that was in the road. A car tire hit him and sent him shooting to the other side of the road. We went over to see if he was okay. He was! Just all scuffed up. When we got back to our place for dinner we found a bunny on our porch. We caught him with a plastic bucket. We did let him go after petting him. There was an event happening here called a tractor pull, where people pull a sled with weight. We drove past it and found Tom parking cars. We got out and talk to him.

Sunday we had Church. We help with primary again. We all sung missionary songs like “I hope they call me on a mission”. We meet with Brandon, he's the one that flagged us down a couple of weeks ago. He thinks he is a member but we can't find his membership information. He had a goal to quit smoking.  We had dinner with the Pattons. We meet with the Taylor and read 2 Nephi 4 with them.

It was an awesome week. Lots of finding so I hope we will be able to teach more in the coming up weeks. This week is transfers. I think I will be staying in Tipton, but I don't know. It will be my last transfers. Thanks for all you all do. Have a great week.

Love,

Elder Benjamin Allen

May 11, 2015

Dear family and friends,

This past week was a good week for us. It is very muddy here in Missouri with all the rain we have gotten.  

Monday, All the missionaries in the zone met up to spend some time together. We tried to go bowling but wasn't open. We did go to the Beards and played some pool. 

Tuesday we went to Otterville. We did some service with Brother Parker. We help him with cutting down some trees. Brother Parker is a beekeeper. We got all suited up and help him open some beehives and inspect them. Didn't get any pictures but was super fun. In the evening we saw John and read some form the Book of Mormon with him. We also meet with Kittery and her husband. They are nice and willing to study about our church. 

Wednesday we spent the day in Tiption. We were trying a person close to our house. On our way there we had this man yell at us to come back. It turns out to be a less active that recognized us. He just moved in and was surprised to see us. I hope we will be able to help him become active again. We also were tracting and met a couple that seems interested; it was the last house we knocked on before dinner. We also visited Makalalha she wasn't home so we talked with everyone else there. They have a new person renting the basement. We got to talk to her and talk about Missionary work and what we do. Then a family, the Hagstons, stop by. We have been working to help them to become active. It was great timing.  

Thursday we went down to the bottom of our area. We spent the day with Justin and tried to visit a whole bunch of people with him. It was great to be able to use him. 

Friday we had Zone training. It was good, lots of good things taught. We went to another good BBQ place. We also went on exchanges. I went with Elder Arnison to Carrollton. We had a good afternoon there. We walked the whole evening and talked to a few interested people. The town is super small that you can be anywhere in less than 15 minutes. It is their biggest town to work in. 

Saturday we exchanged back and went down to Versailles. It rained most of the trip. We did get to do some finding and found a guy named Matt. We meet with Shawn and talk about how people can over come smoking with the Lord.  We stop by Celo and Wades and they were finishing moving out and were able to help a little bit. Sad that they are moving out of the area. 

Sunday was Mothers day!! Church was all about mothers. We got to Skype home which was supper fun.  We stop by the Wasmens and they were having dinner. We stayed and answered tons of Questions plus talked about the priesthood and where we got it. Super awesome because we both had our line of Authority and used them. 

Thanks for being awesome! Have a great week. 

Love, Elder Benjamin Allen