Subject: Another sister! They already outnumbered us!
So, how did the marriage go? Any grave errors? Congratulations to the newly weds! ... Wow that´s so weird. Scott´s married. Well, at least I´ve got one more sister to give me some dating tips for when I come back from the mission.
Well, since everyone is in the mood of giving gifts and presents because of the wedding, let´s not forget another important date coming up. That's right! My "slump day!" I'll hit a year and and half this Sunday.
Packages welcome.
This last weekend was our stake conference. Even though it was in a chapel farther away, we were still able to get 9 investigators there in only 4 trips. Elder Soares of the First Quorum of the Seventy (conselor in the Brazil Area Presidency) presided and gave an amazing talk on faith. Our mission presidente and his wife (Presidente and Sister Richardson) also spoke at the conference. "He speaks the same way you do Elder Allred," noted one investigator. I think my lower voice makes my accent a little stronger.
Carnaval is a Brazilian holiday that come from some Latin words meaning "party of the flesh" (meaning not your typical Holy Ghost-inviting experience). Presidente said that for the 5 days of carnaval we´ll probably have to stay in our houses from 2 pm on to avoid both spiritual and physical danger. This wasn't a problem last year because I was in Mauá (up in the hills), but now we are right on the beach in the center of town. I don't know how we´ll get any teaching in this next week.
Teaching Pool (Please remember these people in your prayers):
-Ricardo (dad, 35), Ingridy(daughter, 15, and Richard(son, 6): Ricardo is separated from his first wife (which wasn´t really a wife, legally speaking), and now we have to help him understand a little better the law of chastity to prepare for baptism. He´s already given up coffee (we had to wrestle him for the coffee two weeks ago) and only smoked one cigarrette on Monday (that´s down from 2 packs/day). His goal is no more. Ingridy is ready for baptism, but we´ll wait until her dad's ready to baptize her.
-Maria de Lourdes (single, ~65): She went to church for the first time on Sunday and has been one week without coffee. She'll be baptized on March 1st.
-Valéria (mom, single, ~35), Dawid (16), Critiane (Recent Convert, 15), and Adrielly (13): Valéria is finally ready to give up the cigarrettes now that we did a detailed explanation of the charactaristics of a life in spirit prison. David and Adrielly just need to get a little firmer on church attendence before we'll let the get baptized. We're working on getting them to seminary.
-Talita (recent convert): Only member in her family.
-Bianca (kind of single, 23): We're helping her get the strength to break up with her drug-addicted boyfriend to aviod all temptation to not stay completely virtuous.. She´s been without coffee for 3 weeks now.
-Amorim (step-dad, 27), Cristiane(mom, 36), and Edcarlos(14): Edcarlos is firm. He's already been going to seminary. He´s going to be baptized this Sunday. We had a very serious talk with Amorim last night to help him understand the importance of marriage. He and Cristiane kind of have a complicated situation that only miracles can solve. Luckily we've got some miracle-providing angels ministering in our area.
-Renato (less-active), Claudeci (less-active), and Bruna (20, not baptized yet): We´ll help them firm up again.
Love you all!
Goodbye for now!
--
Elder Jason Morgan Allred
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
February 24, 2009
Subject: Captivity
Due to wickedness in Babylon, the Elders wait captive in their own apartment...
Day 1 in captivity-
Saturday. Good thing we bought ice-cream to get us through this. We had to retreat back home at 3pm according to some safety rules in place in our zone during Carnival.
Day 2-
Sunday. We´ve been liberated to go to church and then eat lunch at a members house. Talita and Cristiane were confirmed members of the church and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. At lunch, the member cuple advised us to eat quickly to return home before 2pm. Despite difficulties, we were able to take 6 investigators to church (which means they weren´t out partying all night with the rest of Babylon!). During this time, the church sends away the youth on a camping trip to keep them of the roads and away from the TV.
Day 3-
Monday. It´s so hot. Water is in short supply (actually, we have an endless supply, but that fact doesn't really fit into the type of literary atmosphere I'm trying to create with my captivity story). We were able to stay on the streets until 6pm. Cristiane, the newest member of the ward, informed us that she turned down a part time job that she was offered to work on Sunday. It may seem like a little thing to us, but she would have earned R$40. That amount is more than 4 times her mother´s daily wage, and her mother is the soul bread winner of a family of 4 that lives in the poorest home I've seen. She needed to have a lot of faith to turn down that job.
Day 4-
Tuesday. P-day. Today should be the last day of confinement. I tried to pass the time reading. I'm sure I've read every Ensign from the past 5 years, along with the entire mission library, and the entire standard works. I also spent the time writing a few letters, only to find out that the post office has been shut down during these days of wickedness.
Well, we fight to build Zion in the middle of all this Babylon junk.
--
Elder Jason Morgan Allred.
Due to wickedness in Babylon, the Elders wait captive in their own apartment...
Day 1 in captivity-
Saturday. Good thing we bought ice-cream to get us through this. We had to retreat back home at 3pm according to some safety rules in place in our zone during Carnival.
Day 2-
Sunday. We´ve been liberated to go to church and then eat lunch at a members house. Talita and Cristiane were confirmed members of the church and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. At lunch, the member cuple advised us to eat quickly to return home before 2pm. Despite difficulties, we were able to take 6 investigators to church (which means they weren´t out partying all night with the rest of Babylon!). During this time, the church sends away the youth on a camping trip to keep them of the roads and away from the TV.
Day 3-
Monday. It´s so hot. Water is in short supply (actually, we have an endless supply, but that fact doesn't really fit into the type of literary atmosphere I'm trying to create with my captivity story). We were able to stay on the streets until 6pm. Cristiane, the newest member of the ward, informed us that she turned down a part time job that she was offered to work on Sunday. It may seem like a little thing to us, but she would have earned R$40. That amount is more than 4 times her mother´s daily wage, and her mother is the soul bread winner of a family of 4 that lives in the poorest home I've seen. She needed to have a lot of faith to turn down that job.
Day 4-
Tuesday. P-day. Today should be the last day of confinement. I tried to pass the time reading. I'm sure I've read every Ensign from the past 5 years, along with the entire mission library, and the entire standard works. I also spent the time writing a few letters, only to find out that the post office has been shut down during these days of wickedness.
Well, we fight to build Zion in the middle of all this Babylon junk.
--
Elder Jason Morgan Allred.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Feb 3, 2009
Elder Jason Allred's Letter:
Subject: Zone Conference!
Hello everybody!
We had zone conference this last Wednesday. Sister talked about how miracles happen according to our faith, obedience, and diligence. And then President talked about how our faith is always tested and how the evidence of our faith is our works.
We´re helping Cristiane and Talita get ready for baptism this next Sunday. They´re pretty firm.
We did a mission fast on Sunday for help to find those who are being prepared by the angels.
This is one of my most favorite missionary talks:
Anyone who does any kind of missionary work will have occasion to ask, Why is this so hard? Why doesn't it go better? Why can't our success be more rapid? Why aren't there more people joining the Church? It is the truth. We believe in angels. We trust in miracles. Why don't people just flock to the font? Why isn't the only risk in missionary work that of pneumonia from being soaking wet all day and all night in the baptismal font?
You will have occasion to ask those questions. I have thought about this a great deal. I offer this as my personal feeling. I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are The Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, and He is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him? It seems to me that missionaries and mission leaders have to spend at least a few moments in Gethsemane. Missionaries and mission leaders have to take at least a step or two toward the summit of Calvary.
Now, please don't misunderstand. I'm not talking about anything anywhere near what Christ experienced. That would be presumptuous and sacrilegious. But I believe that missionaries and investigators, to come to the truth, to come to salvation, to know something of this price that has been paid, will have to pay a token of that same price.
For that reason I don't believe missionary work has ever been easy, nor that conversion is, nor that retention is, nor that continued faithfulness is. I believe it is supposed to require some effort, something from the depths of our soul.
If He could come forward in the night, kneel down, fall on His face, bleed from every pore, and cry, "Abba, Father (Papa), if this cup can pass, let it pass," 16 then little wonder that salvation is not a whimsical or easy thing for us. If you wonder if there isn't an easier way, you should remember you are not the first one to ask that. Someone a lot greater and a lot grander asked a long time ago if there wasn't an easier way.
The Atonement will carry the missionaries perhaps even more importantly than it will carry the investigators. When you struggle, when you are rejected, when you are spit upon and cast out and made a hiss and a byword, you are standing with the best life this world has ever known, the only pure and perfect life ever lived. You have reason to stand tall and be grateful that the Living Son of the Living God knows all about your sorrows and afflictions. The only way to salvation is through Gethsemane and on to Calvary. The only way to eternity is through Him—the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Jeffrey R. Holland, "Missionary Work and the Atonement," Ensign, Mar 2001, 8
Goodbye for now!
--
Elder Allred
Subject: Zone Conference!
Hello everybody!
We had zone conference this last Wednesday. Sister talked about how miracles happen according to our faith, obedience, and diligence. And then President talked about how our faith is always tested and how the evidence of our faith is our works.
We´re helping Cristiane and Talita get ready for baptism this next Sunday. They´re pretty firm.
We did a mission fast on Sunday for help to find those who are being prepared by the angels.
This is one of my most favorite missionary talks:
Anyone who does any kind of missionary work will have occasion to ask, Why is this so hard? Why doesn't it go better? Why can't our success be more rapid? Why aren't there more people joining the Church? It is the truth. We believe in angels. We trust in miracles. Why don't people just flock to the font? Why isn't the only risk in missionary work that of pneumonia from being soaking wet all day and all night in the baptismal font?
You will have occasion to ask those questions. I have thought about this a great deal. I offer this as my personal feeling. I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are The Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, and He is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him? It seems to me that missionaries and mission leaders have to spend at least a few moments in Gethsemane. Missionaries and mission leaders have to take at least a step or two toward the summit of Calvary.
Now, please don't misunderstand. I'm not talking about anything anywhere near what Christ experienced. That would be presumptuous and sacrilegious. But I believe that missionaries and investigators, to come to the truth, to come to salvation, to know something of this price that has been paid, will have to pay a token of that same price.
For that reason I don't believe missionary work has ever been easy, nor that conversion is, nor that retention is, nor that continued faithfulness is. I believe it is supposed to require some effort, something from the depths of our soul.
If He could come forward in the night, kneel down, fall on His face, bleed from every pore, and cry, "Abba, Father (Papa), if this cup can pass, let it pass," 16 then little wonder that salvation is not a whimsical or easy thing for us. If you wonder if there isn't an easier way, you should remember you are not the first one to ask that. Someone a lot greater and a lot grander asked a long time ago if there wasn't an easier way.
The Atonement will carry the missionaries perhaps even more importantly than it will carry the investigators. When you struggle, when you are rejected, when you are spit upon and cast out and made a hiss and a byword, you are standing with the best life this world has ever known, the only pure and perfect life ever lived. You have reason to stand tall and be grateful that the Living Son of the Living God knows all about your sorrows and afflictions. The only way to salvation is through Gethsemane and on to Calvary. The only way to eternity is through Him—the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Jeffrey R. Holland, "Missionary Work and the Atonement," Ensign, Mar 2001, 8
Goodbye for now!
--
Elder Allred
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
January 27, 2009
Hello Everybody (including my older brother and *cough cough* fiancé)!
So, I know I´m always the last one to know.
I wouldn´t have even mind knowing about it second hand in stead of first hand. But fourth hand is kind of pushing it.
Scott (in Rexburg, Idaho) called Grandma Allred (by telephone).
Grandma Allred (in Wyoming) wrote Elder Ryan Allred (by Pony Express).
Ryan Allred (in California) emailed the family (by computer).
Dad (in Rexburg) fowarded Ryan´s email to me (in Brazil).
And that´s how I find out that Scott´s enganged, 14 days later. I wouldn´t have been any more surprised if I would have found out that he actually already got married ten months ago and that I´m already an uncle. Well, Scott, you´re too late to make me an uncle before I get home. At least you´d better be - I only have 7 months left.
My first week with Elder Karr was pretty good.
On Friday, we went to a council meeting in São Paulo. In started at 10am, which means we have to be there by 9:30. Before hand, we had to catch a van to the suburb of the city to pick something up from some other Elders and then take a bus up to São Paulo, and then a subway to the church. So, we woke up at 5:30am and left at 6:30am. I think lack of sleep can play a part in motion sickness. :) I was able to signal to the first bus driver to get the door open before the explosion. On the second bus, I came prepared with a sack. :) Once more, using amazing coordenation and skill, no one had to dry-clean any clothes. One lesson I´ve learned on my mission: I´m going to try really hard to not get a job that makes me deal with a lot of early morning transit.
Goodbye for now!
Elder Jason Morgan Allred.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
January 20, 2009
Subject: The water leaked out and lowered about a foot, but we got them under.
Hello Everybody!
Hooray!
João Paulo, Gizele, Paulo Roberto and Schimichael were baptized. It was a really anticipated event because they´ve been coming to church every Sunday for almost 2 months. They´re really integrated. We announced the baptism the Sunday before. Throughout the week we reminded members at every opportunity. I spent the entire morning on Saturday calling members reminding them of the baptism. Thus, we were expecting a lot of people at the baptism. Unfortunately, the only members that were there were the bishopric, 2 of our recent converts, and a couple sisters. Thankfully, everyone that didn´t make it to the baptism was able to congratulate him after the confirmation.
Throughout these past couple days since the baptism, about 10 of the single mothers in the ward have had with us the following conversation:
"Elders, I met João Paulo, the man that was baptized. He seems that a great guy. Why didn´t his wife get baptized? Are you teaching her as well?"
"Actually, he´s single."
"Really?" *sudden spark of interest from the single sister* "How old is he?"
"30 years-old"
"Did his wife pass away?"
"No, he´s dovorced"
"And he kept the kids? He must be a dedicated father. Why don´t you schedule a Family Home Evening with him at my house so his kids can get to know mine?"
Too bad I wont be on the mission a year from now to see the temple sealing.
Elder G. Santos was transfered. He only stayed here one transfer. He´ll probably go home here in two weeks to finish college. He did 3 and a half years of college before the mission, so he only has one more semester. The college only gave him a two year wait, but because his call delayed, he´ll have to return to school at the beginning of February in stead of April. President put him in a trio with a companionship that´s having some problems to help them out for these 2 more weeks that he´ll be on the mission.
My new companion is Elder Karr! Yep, the same Elder Karr (the professioanl singer) that was living in the same house as me when I was in Parque das Bandeiras (Park of the Flags).
President decided to reduce the number of zones on the mission. Before, the city (São Vicente) had two zones, corresponding to the two stakes - São Vicente and Serra do Mar. Now, the two zones have combined to include both of the stakes in the city. My last area was in Serra do Mar stake and my current area is in São Vicente stake. Now they both are part of the same zone. That´s probably why President transfered Elder Karr here so we can better work with the two stakes.
Well, Goodbye for now!
--
Elder Jason Morgan Allred
Hello Everybody!
Hooray!
João Paulo, Gizele, Paulo Roberto and Schimichael were baptized. It was a really anticipated event because they´ve been coming to church every Sunday for almost 2 months. They´re really integrated. We announced the baptism the Sunday before. Throughout the week we reminded members at every opportunity. I spent the entire morning on Saturday calling members reminding them of the baptism. Thus, we were expecting a lot of people at the baptism. Unfortunately, the only members that were there were the bishopric, 2 of our recent converts, and a couple sisters. Thankfully, everyone that didn´t make it to the baptism was able to congratulate him after the confirmation.
Throughout these past couple days since the baptism, about 10 of the single mothers in the ward have had with us the following conversation:
"Elders, I met João Paulo, the man that was baptized. He seems that a great guy. Why didn´t his wife get baptized? Are you teaching her as well?"
"Actually, he´s single."
"Really?" *sudden spark of interest from the single sister* "How old is he?"
"30 years-old"
"Did his wife pass away?"
"No, he´s dovorced"
"And he kept the kids? He must be a dedicated father. Why don´t you schedule a Family Home Evening with him at my house so his kids can get to know mine?"
Too bad I wont be on the mission a year from now to see the temple sealing.
Elder G. Santos was transfered. He only stayed here one transfer. He´ll probably go home here in two weeks to finish college. He did 3 and a half years of college before the mission, so he only has one more semester. The college only gave him a two year wait, but because his call delayed, he´ll have to return to school at the beginning of February in stead of April. President put him in a trio with a companionship that´s having some problems to help them out for these 2 more weeks that he´ll be on the mission.
My new companion is Elder Karr! Yep, the same Elder Karr (the professioanl singer) that was living in the same house as me when I was in Parque das Bandeiras (Park of the Flags).
President decided to reduce the number of zones on the mission. Before, the city (São Vicente) had two zones, corresponding to the two stakes - São Vicente and Serra do Mar. Now, the two zones have combined to include both of the stakes in the city. My last area was in Serra do Mar stake and my current area is in São Vicente stake. Now they both are part of the same zone. That´s probably why President transfered Elder Karr here so we can better work with the two stakes.
Well, Goodbye for now!
--
Elder Jason Morgan Allred
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Jan. 6, 2009
Subject: 2009!
Hello Everybody!
Our apartment is pretty close to the beach, where thousands of people passed the New Year eating, drinking, being merry, and putting off fireworks. We went to bed at 10:30 like normal. And, amazingly, the fireworks only woke me up once at 11:40. Luckily I was able to fall back asleep quickly and pass the new year dreaming of a white Christmas just like the ones I used to know (which by the way, my next Christmas most likely will be white).
These last two weeks were extremely difficult in regards to missionary work. Because our city is a tourist town, most of the people that were here don´t even live here.
Ex:
"... we would like to pass by your house this week, explain a little more about the Book of Mormon, and leave one with you as a gift."
"That would be wonderful! I´ve always wanted to know more about your church!"
"Do you live around here?"
"Kind of. Actually, we're from Amazonia, on the other side of the equator. I hope making a 12 hour flight across country to our house isn´t out of the way for you guys. But I heard that Mormons are rich, so it shouldn´t be to big of a problem for you guys."
It seems that all the really interested poeple happen to live out of our area. Also, during the holidays, the people that live here like to rent out their houses for tourists. So, we've been out of touch with over half of our investigators for the last 2 weeks.
João Paulo and Antônio were our only investigators that made it to church on Sunday. João Paulo is really prepared for his baptism on the 17th. He was really prepared to receive the gospel, so he never has doubts about what we teach him. Antônio, on the other hand, is a lawyer, and has to have a good explanation for everything that is said at church. Ironically, both of the times that he was at church, the lesson in Gopsel Principles mentioned man´s potential to become like Heavenly Father. We had an awesome lesson at his house last night to answer his questions, and he´s feeling the truth. All of his doctrinal questions were easy to answer. But his questions about LDS custums were all little more difficult. "In testimony meeting, why did everyone get up there and bear the same testimony that they know the Church is true, etc...? In a court of law, you only need additional testimonies if the fact is disputed. But it seems that everyone in your church agrees that it´s the true church, so what´s the point in everyone giving testimony of the same thing? And why in the world did that one lady bear testimony of her husband? I didn´t come to church to hear how special someone else´s spouse is." :)
We taught the first lesson to our Stake President Renato Barbosa on Saturday. He said that it was the first time he had received the lesson since Preach My Gospel came out. He got pretty excited to help us with missionary work in the stake.
Goodbye for now!
--
Elder Jason Morgan Allred
Hello Everybody!
Our apartment is pretty close to the beach, where thousands of people passed the New Year eating, drinking, being merry, and putting off fireworks. We went to bed at 10:30 like normal. And, amazingly, the fireworks only woke me up once at 11:40. Luckily I was able to fall back asleep quickly and pass the new year dreaming of a white Christmas just like the ones I used to know (which by the way, my next Christmas most likely will be white).
These last two weeks were extremely difficult in regards to missionary work. Because our city is a tourist town, most of the people that were here don´t even live here.
Ex:
"... we would like to pass by your house this week, explain a little more about the Book of Mormon, and leave one with you as a gift."
"That would be wonderful! I´ve always wanted to know more about your church!"
"Do you live around here?"
"Kind of. Actually, we're from Amazonia, on the other side of the equator. I hope making a 12 hour flight across country to our house isn´t out of the way for you guys. But I heard that Mormons are rich, so it shouldn´t be to big of a problem for you guys."
It seems that all the really interested poeple happen to live out of our area. Also, during the holidays, the people that live here like to rent out their houses for tourists. So, we've been out of touch with over half of our investigators for the last 2 weeks.
João Paulo and Antônio were our only investigators that made it to church on Sunday. João Paulo is really prepared for his baptism on the 17th. He was really prepared to receive the gospel, so he never has doubts about what we teach him. Antônio, on the other hand, is a lawyer, and has to have a good explanation for everything that is said at church. Ironically, both of the times that he was at church, the lesson in Gopsel Principles mentioned man´s potential to become like Heavenly Father. We had an awesome lesson at his house last night to answer his questions, and he´s feeling the truth. All of his doctrinal questions were easy to answer. But his questions about LDS custums were all little more difficult. "In testimony meeting, why did everyone get up there and bear the same testimony that they know the Church is true, etc...? In a court of law, you only need additional testimonies if the fact is disputed. But it seems that everyone in your church agrees that it´s the true church, so what´s the point in everyone giving testimony of the same thing? And why in the world did that one lady bear testimony of her husband? I didn´t come to church to hear how special someone else´s spouse is." :)
We taught the first lesson to our Stake President Renato Barbosa on Saturday. He said that it was the first time he had received the lesson since Preach My Gospel came out. He got pretty excited to help us with missionary work in the stake.
Goodbye for now!
--
Elder Jason Morgan Allred
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
12-16-08
Subject: 9 days!
Hello Everybody!
Let's see how much I can fit into this email. I've been trying to get a lot done. President is having us make zone plans and goals for the new transfer so I´ve been getting those typed up and emailed.
On Friday, we went up to São Paulo again. This time it was to President´s house for a council meeting. President taught us a lot about helping our investigators repent before being baptized. He quoted a few parts from the church handbook that says that the best way to show repentance is righteous action over a long period of time.
This Sunday, Elivira came to church for the third time. She´s planning on her baptism this coming Sunday. She's made it over 3 weeks without drinking coffee! In fact, everyone in the house has succussfully made the switch to hot chocolate.
Desidério came to church for the first time. He said that next time he´ll be sure to come in a tie to be more prepared for his baptism next month.
We´ll do the final presentations of "Another Christmas Story" this week end in São Bernardo and Riberão Pires.
This week we´re going to try to get in a meeting with Stake President Renato to consider creating a branch in the stake.
Thanks for everything!
Goodbye for now!
--
Elder Jason Morgan Allred
Hello Everybody!
Let's see how much I can fit into this email. I've been trying to get a lot done. President is having us make zone plans and goals for the new transfer so I´ve been getting those typed up and emailed.
On Friday, we went up to São Paulo again. This time it was to President´s house for a council meeting. President taught us a lot about helping our investigators repent before being baptized. He quoted a few parts from the church handbook that says that the best way to show repentance is righteous action over a long period of time.
This Sunday, Elivira came to church for the third time. She´s planning on her baptism this coming Sunday. She's made it over 3 weeks without drinking coffee! In fact, everyone in the house has succussfully made the switch to hot chocolate.
Desidério came to church for the first time. He said that next time he´ll be sure to come in a tie to be more prepared for his baptism next month.
We´ll do the final presentations of "Another Christmas Story" this week end in São Bernardo and Riberão Pires.
This week we´re going to try to get in a meeting with Stake President Renato to consider creating a branch in the stake.
Thanks for everything!
Goodbye for now!
--
Elder Jason Morgan Allred
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