Jan 27, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

This week was an interesting week. The weather was warming up until today, it is like 9 degrees.   We went to the hospital almost every day. There are so many people getting sick.

Elder Englund is doing a little better. We still spent a lot of time inside. When we did get out the plans that we had for those times worked. We were able to see the people that we wanted to see.

This week we were able to meet with Gene two times this week. He is 93 and it is hard for him to quit drinking coffee. We read with him from the Book of Mormon about baptism and why we need to be baptized by one holding the correct authority given from God. We talked about the Priesthood and why it is only given to men. We went over the Articles of Faith. During these lessons he felt the spirit very strong and even started to cry because he wants to feel it more.

We were able to meet with Philomena and she is about ready for baptism. She says that she feels that she is recovered from having a baby and that she feels ready to be baptized. We just need to pick a date that works with her.

We went to the Dinnings and taught Shannah some more about the Gospel.   We learned that she is now staying here until March and is wanting to move here. She just loves the people here and how nice they are to her. She committed to come to Church this next week.

Church was great. Sacrament meeting was on Fasting and Fast Offerings.  We had the Stake President come and attend church with our ward.  He brought a little Card with the things that we should be doing every day, week, Month, and Year. He wants everyone that can read to have one that they look at daily. We have a young woman in the ward that just had her papers sent in to receive a mission call.

This week I have finished Helaman and now am in 3rd Nephi. I have enjoyed the extra time to be able to read more out of the scriptures. I am doing great and love all of you. Thanks for the letters and emails. I hope you are doing well and staying healthy.

Love,

Elder Benjamin Allen

I received the journal from Grandma and the candy from you thank you.

It sounds like Brother Lambright gave you the same presentation that he gave to the young singles in the stake that we attended just before we left. He told lots of stories that I enjoyed hearing. He showed us pictures of the temple up to that week. It was awesome.

Jan 21, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

This week was a rough week. We weren't able to do lots of missionary work.

Monday we went shopping and played basketball with the 2nd ward Elders. Sister Harmen was sick and spent most of Sunday night in the hospital so they didn't come. We had dinner with the Eddingtons and then had FHE with them. That was fun to participate in.

Tuesday we had interviews with President Keyes and with Sister Keyes. While we were waiting for our time for interviews, the District Leaders gave some trainings. I learned lots from them.  The interview process lasted for 5 hours.  After that we had dinner with the Farnsworths that we live with. It was nice to be able to have dinner with them.  After dinner we went to the hospital to give Sister Hessler a blessing.  We almost got lost in the hospital trying to get out.

Wednesday Elder Englund wasn't feeling to well and had a hard time sleeping so we didn't leave the house until 3.  We then tried to see some people and we tried to get a quote to fix the dent on the car. We had dinner with the Nielsons, Bro Nielson is our ward mission leader. It was a great dinner and their family is so nice.

Thursday we went down to Liberty so Elder Englund could go to an LDS Doctor. We were a little early for our appointment so we stopped by the Temple and took pictures.  We were at the doctors office for a long time. The Doctor decided that Elder Englund has depression and that it is affecting his health and sleeping problems. He was given medication to try to help him sleep and help with his depression.  When we got back, we had dinner with the Farnsworths and the Sister Missionaries.  We were able to see Bro. Stocket, our mail is still going to their place.

Jan 2014

Kansas City Temple

Friday Elder Englund slept for 17 hours. The pills he took to help him sleep worked.  I had dinner with the Farnsworths again since we didn't have a dinner appointment. After that we got a call from the Dinnings inviting us over for pancakes and to meet Madie's friends that are non members.

Saturday while Elder Englund was in bed I helped the Farnsworths clean and finish taking down the Christmas lights.  In the evening we meet with Deebie. Then drove into Kansas to go to Wathena to try to see some members. We weren't able to find anyone home.

Sunday we had church and the Bishopric all spoke on the attributes of Christ. We didn't have any of our investigators come to church. We had dinner dropped off, it was Chile and corn bread. We then went over to the Dinnigs and meet Shannaha's boy friend and talked about what we do and why we are sacrificing 2 years to be a missionary.

I hope all of you have a great week. I love you all.

Love

Elder Benjamin Allen

Yesterday Monday. The library was closed so we drove down to the stake center to be with all the missionaries in both zones. There were lots of missionaries. I was surprised on how many Sister missionaries there are in the stake. There were lots of games being played. There were basketball and volleyball and card games. We had dinner with the Ottingers we had Chicken cordon blue.  We also went to the hospital to give a member’s grandma a blessing.

Jan 13, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

We had an interesting week.  Elder Englund and Sister Harman were both sick. The weather was very cold the being of the week and warm this part of the week.

Monday was the First P-day here so we drove to the stake Center out of the zone and met with the Elders and Sisters from both zones in the stake. We played games and had a fun time. After dinner we couldn’t go out in the cold weather so we went to the Dinnings hoping that Shannah was there. She wasn't but we were able to talk with them about missionary work and how they can help the missionary work grow.

Missouri River

Tuesday we went to the post office so I could send a package home. While we were in line we were able to talk with the people in line about the gospel and we also talked to the postman about what we do as missionaries. We tried to see people but not having too much luck. We were able to see the Stcokets. He is finally home from the hospital.  He is doing better but just still recovering.

Wednesday Elder Englund didn't fell good. He didn't sleep at all during the night so we stayed in before and after District meeting. This was the first District meeting after being transfer to this area. We had a great training on how we should do studies. We had dinner with the Christians and they live outside of St Joe so in was a fun drive on a dirt road to their house. They fed us spaghetti and home made cookies.  When we left they sent us home with some food that they thought we could use. It was so nice of them to do that for us.

Thursday Elder Englund still didn't sleep so we stayed in most of the day. We were able to teach Debbie about prophets. She has a hard time remembering what prophets are.  We had dinner with the Burns and they have two very large dogs that came in at the end. Elder Englund was scared of them.  We saw the Concades and helped them move some stuff.  

Friday we had Brother and Sister Haws come to inspect the place and to have companion study with us. It went well and they are very nice and had lots to say to help us be better missionaries.  We went out to Savannah.  It is like 10 miles outside of St Joe. We went out there to see some less actives and potential investigators. We were able to talk with the Rudels and invite them to church. We tried to see some people but most were not living there anymore.  We had dinner with the Hales and they were babysitting another family, in the ward, kids and there were like 12 kids that were all younger than 12. Lots of things happened during dinner.

Saturday we only went out for dinner and after. Before dinner I was able to write my talk for Sunday on missionary work. We had dinner with the Buckleins. Then we drove out to Savannah again to try to see more people.

Sunday we had ward council in bishop's office. There were so many people in that room and it was so hot in there. After that we had church and the sisters and us spoke.  Sister Harman spoke first. Elder Englund spoke second. Then all the returned missionaries and us all sung, “Called to serve”. Then Sister Thompson spoke and I was the last to speak. All the talks were awesome and they covered so many different parts of missionary work. We had two of our investigators come to church. After church we meet with the Bishop and went over what we did the last week and what we could do this week.  We had dinner with the Voclaels. It was a great dinner. We learned that the new mission president coming in June is going to be President Best.

I hope you all are doing great. Thanks for the letters and the update on everything. I love all of you and hope you have a great week.

Love,

Elder Benjamin Allen

Here is a picture of me next to the Missouri River.

Jan 6, 2014

Dear Family and Friends

We had an interesting week with New Years and everything else happening this week.

Monday was Pday and we went shopping and played basketball. After dinner we helped Forance move into Vero's place. That was fun since they both live in apartments. We did a lot of hauling up and down stairs. Vero's place was very full with two or three of everything in the small apartment.

Tuesday we were able to see Angelo and while we were there we gave Angelo's wife Fay a blessing. Right before we were about to leave our house I had the thought to check to see if I had my vile of oil. It turns out that it wasn't in my bag but in my suit coat. I am glad that I looked and listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost since we needed it to be able to then give Fay a blessing.  A member took us out to eat for lunch at Famous Daves with the Elders in the Second Ward. We had an Okay day; we weren't able to find everyone home. We went over to the Dinning’s and played games and had dinner and celebrated New Years with them until 9pm. Shannah (Sister Dinning’s coworker) came over and we talked with her a little about the church and about her.  We had to go in at 9 even that it was New Year’s Eve.

Wednesday Elder Englund was sick; he was up all night and day in the bathroom.  We don't know if it was what he ate or he just got the stomach flew.  I was able to clean and organize and update records while we stayed home.  It snowed like 3 inches in the morning and evening.

Thursday Elder Englund was still not felling well. We didn't go out much.  We had dinner with the Millers. They are very nice; they both have stake callings and don't get the chance that often to attend our ward.  After Dinner we went and saw the Concades. They are an old couple that we go and see since they don't make it to church every time since they are just getting old. While we were there they gave us both a pocketknife. It was so nice of them to give us both a knife.

Friday We Had Zone Training!!    In this Zone we only have one Zone Leader, Elder Moss.  He gave the whole training.  He taught us lots of great information. He taught us what the purpose of Companion Study is and how to do it effectively. In this Zone we have 3 Sister Missionary companionships and 5 sets of Elders and two senior Sisters. One of the Senior sister is Sister Angle and she is from Mesa AZ and is also from the Mesa Central Stake.   After zone training we went on exchanges with the Elders from Maryville. I went with Elder Vaughn to Maryville and Elder Englund and Elder Prex stayed here.  Maryville is a branch and is even farther up North. It is even colder up there. We tried lots of people not many were home.  All the college students are away still.  We had dinner with a family that is the newest members in the branch at Gallques.  They live like 30 minutes farther out and it was an interesting drive there and back, since there was lots of black ice.

Saturday Elder Vaughn and I help a family move in.  They came from California and came with a full size Semi. We were able to get everything in their house and storage container.  It was very cold out but with lots of help it went fast. We then drove back to St Joe to exchange back.  We tried lots of people many of them didn't answer. That evening it started to snow again. We got like 2 inches of snow.

Sunday while we were doing studies we got a call from Angelo wanting us to help him shovel the snow on the driveway of his neighbor. We went over there and did that for them. We went to church and only had one investigator that came. Shannah, she had come with the Dinning family.  The Dinning’s kids had invited her to come with them and she did. It was so nice to have church start at 12:30.  All 4 of us missionaries were asked to speak in church next week.  We had dinner with the Hatches. After that we got a call from President informing us that for the next 2 days that we are not allowed to tract or be outside. He doesn't want us to get frostbite with it being so cold. We are only allowed to see members and go to the appointments that we already have set up. He wants us to spend as little time outside as possible.

  

I had a great week and New Years and hope that you did also. I hope that you all are staying warm. I love you all and miss you all.

Love

Elder Benjamin Allen

Dec. 30, 2013

Dear Family And Friends,

This week was an interesting week. Lots of things happened this week.

Monday was P-day and no one came to the Church building so it was just Elder Englund and myself playing Basketball and Writing letters.  We also had the house to our selves for the week since the Farnsworths went to see their family in Texas.

Tuesday was the day before Christmas and no one wanted to talk with us, they were to busy trying to get everything done. We tried lots of unknown people and lots of formers.

Wednesday was Christmas. The Sisters and us had breakfast with the Nelsons in the ward. Bro Nelson is our Ward Mission Leader.  After Breakfast we all were able to Skype our families.  It was great to be able to Skype my family including my brother Andrew. It was awesome to talk with my family and see the change that has taken place in everyone lives. We had Christmas dinner with the Dinning family. We went over and helped prepare all the food and things needed for dinner. Sister Dinning invited her boss named Shannah Over for dinner since she is here in St Joe without her family and friends.  It was an awesome dinner. After dinner we played games and talked about the bible and what it meant for Shannah and what it meant to us. We also had a snowball fight in the backyard. It was the Sisters and the Elders and the Dinnings Kids. It was lots of fun.

Thursday we met with Gene. He is a 93 year old man. We taught him about how he would receive his answer if the church was true. We were able to put him on baptismal date for the 18th of January.  He has 4 generations of his family living with him. We were able to see some people on the lists that were unknown. We had our first dinner with a member. We had it with the Burns. While we were eating the next-door neighbor had backed into our car. There is now a big dent in the rear passenger side.  He was nice enough to tell us and give us all of his information.  We then drove thought Krug Park. The city decorates it with tons of lights and you stay in your car and drive the route. It was fun, they have tons of unique light signs and statues.

Friday we were able to talk to some more people and we were able to teach Deebe about prophets and committed her to come to Church.  We taught Faith and Vero the second new member lesson. Today it got hotter and all the snow is melting.

Saturday we had to come to the library and fill out a report about the accident on Thursday. It took hours to fill in all the information and also fill it out on paper.  We did some service.

Sunday we had meetings starting at 7 for us which was early. We had Church at 9 and it was on Fasting and what we need to do while fasting.  We had one investigator come to church, which was Deebe.  Sister Dinning taught Gospel Principals and it was on Exaltation.  This ward is small and there aren't lot that come every week. If they would all come we could have another ward here in St Joe.   We meet with the bishop and reported on our week and received names of people to see.  We had dinner with the Dinnings again this week. They are a great family and so willing to help us Missionaries out.

I hope you all had a great Christmas and thanks for all the gifts. I love all of you and miss you all lots.

Love,

Elder Benjamin Allen

Dec 23, 2013

Dear Family and Friends,

This has been an interesting week.

Monday we went shopping. While we were driving we saw a large car accident with many cars. We went to Lee Summit to be with all of the other Elders and Sisters in the Stake. Everyone was there. It was fun.

Tuesday we went on exchanges with the other elders in the ward. I stayed in my area and had Elder Smith with me. We biked a lot and were able to see some people. We had dinner with the Strubs. While we were there we were talking about lots of deep doctrine since they are both history people. That evening we got the transfer calls. I learned that I was going to St Joseph 1st ward and serving with Elder Englund.  Elder Bittion is also leaving.

Wednesday we exchanged back in the morning. Elder Horne and I went biking lots so I could say good bye. We saw David R. and while we were there I got to ride in his electric wheel chair. It is tradition for the leaving Elders to do donuts in his chair.  We were able to see the Biggs. Sister Biggs just started to go back to work since she couldn't with the broken arm.  I was hard to say good-bye to everyone but I was excited to go serve in a different area.   I had lots to pack. I didn't realize that I have so much stuff.

Thursday we couldn't find a ride to transfers so we all piled in the Ford Fusion with Elder Bitton's and my stuff on our laps and in the trunk.  There was only like 25 Missionaries being transferred.  We all meet at the church building next to the Visitor Center. Elder Englund and his companion had a member named Angelo drive them down.  We picked up our mail and packages and all left for our new areas.  Angelo took us to Krispy Cream’s to get some donuts. They weren't hot :(  It took us about 2 hours to drive to our area. We live with members in the ward named the Farnsworth’s.  This ward also got some sisters. There is Sister Thompson and she is training a new sister named ? We took the car in to the ford shop to get the door handle fixed.  It took them hours to do that.  

Friday it started to get cold.  We had to take the purple ford in to get the oil changed.  We went to the Stuckets and used his hydraulic wood splitter and split wood for him. We split wood for them for like 2 hours.  We also had dinner with them.

Saturday it started to rain and that rain started to freeze.  We tired to see people but no one was home. We had the ward party that evening and when we arrived at the party they shut the cars down. The ward party was nice and lots of nice people. When we got home at 8 we played in the snow for some time. We had like 4 inches when we went in for the night.  That night it snowed like 5 more inches.

Sunday Church was canceled and we still couldn't drive. We were even told to stay home. We slept and watched the approved movies.

I am having Tons of fun here. I hope you all are doing well. I miss all of you and love you.

Love,

Elder Benjamin Allen

Dec 16, 2013

                                                                                                                        Dec 16, 2013

Dear Family and Friends,

We had an interesting week. We had lots to do this week.

Tuesday we talked to lots of people. We are still trying to meet every one in the ward and see all the less active people. We also were preparing for the Christmas mission conference.

Wednesday was the Christmas Mission conference. The whole mission was there, even all of the senior missionaries. We had training from President and Sister Keyes and from the APs. It was on using our time wisely and what to do after dark and what is good, better, and best. We also had Sister Keyes talk to us about making 72 hour kits. They have supplied part of the items need us to get the rest. We had lunch and then a whole mission picture. There were 10 rows with 30 about in each row. Salt Lake sent a Senior Sister missionary to take the picture. After the picture we had a musical program where each zone had time to perform something.  Our zone sang the primary song the Sheppard’s carol. We also had President Keyes read the book that he had written. It was an awesome day. 

Thursday we had weekly planning and then went and saw more people that were down in the bottom of our area.  We had dinner with the Wimmers. After dinner we went With Bro Gray to teach Shirley and Martino. We taught them about tithing and fasting. Martino had tons of questions and most of them were things that we usual don't teach since they are very deep subjects.  

Friday we had freezing rain. The office grounded the cars and we couldn't drive them until the ice had melted. The other Elders had dropped off stuff and were at our place when we received the call about the cars being shut down for the day. We just did our studies and walk to Bro Hamm to do some service for him. The sidewalks and road were very slick.   We were finally able to start to drive at 3pm. We meet with Shirley and Martino and went over the baptism interview questions. We also planned the baptismal program. Shirley wanted me to baptize her and to have Bro. Condie baptize Martino.

Saturday we had more freezing rain. We had the baptismal interview and it went well. We waited the rest of the day for the exterminator to come. He never came. We finally had to leave and fill the font. The baptism went well, we had lots of people come. The spirit was very Strong there. I baptized Shirley and it only took one dunk. It was awesome that I was  able to baptize Shirley.   After the baptism we had the ward party. It went great. We, the missionaries, help a lot preparing the tables and helping set up. We even had investigators come to dinner. After dinner the ward put on a talent show. It was funny. We even stayed and help clean up and clean the building for Sunday. 

Shirley and Martino Baptism

Shirley and Martino Family

Sunday Elder Horne conferred both Shirley and Martino. I was able to also stand in the circle for that. I even helped pass the sacrament. After Church We took Bebe with us to see Michael O. Bebe is from Nigeria and is from the same tribe as Michael and his wife. We had a great lesson with them. We had dinner with the Cunnighams and had cabbage ham soup. It was good. We then saw the Turks and some other people.

This week was interesting but great. It was awesome that we had a baptism. I love all you. I hope that all of you have a great Christmas.

Love,

Elder Benjamin Allen

Ps: Transfers is on this Thursday. We don't figure out who is leaving until Tuesday night.