Week 27

What an awesome week!!!!!! The time is speeding up everyday! I can't believe it is already Monday again! The weather has been rainy!!! but it is supposed to get cold again. 

So we saw miracles again this week! We hit standards, and our Zone leaders are bribing our zone with a pizza party for the next zone training if we can hit them as a zone this week! I requested diet coke and they said if we hit standards we can have diet coke- haha deal. They are pretty funny. 

L and the girls are doing awesomely! we only have tithing to teach them next! They are such sweet girls and I just love them! L is progressing well, and seeing the girls being baptizxed will help heven more! ON friday morning we got a call from Jim Anderson who was a missionary here 40 years ago! He was in toronto and drove up and took us out to lunch at a very fancy restaurant here! He is in the mission presidency of the Las Vegas West missoin- he knows spencer marks! Small world! It was so cool. He had spent the previous evening iwth president scott- and it sounds like he is very excited about what is happening up here in bracebridge! I"m secretly hoping he shows up for the baptisms up here! we will see.  there are miracles! We also found A. We had talked to him on the street a week ago or so, and we texted him to come to church- and he did! then we met with him yesterday, and he wanted to meet again today! he is looking to change his life around. He moved down from Sudbury to just start new, and what better place to start than bracebridge and finding the gospel?! 

I love bracebridge! The people here are wonderful, and the Lord is sure hastening his work! 

I'll send pictures of the baptism next week! 

You are all great! 

Sister Allred

Week 26

It has absolutely been a miracle week! We exceeded standards, which is unheard of here! When we first got here they had like 2 member presence a week (lessons teaching investigators that a member comes to) ...if that, and we got 7 last week! The Lord is blessing us so much! 

L. and her girls and boyfriend's girls came to church on sunday. As I sat there I was just overwhelmed with joy. I love her daughters, they draw me pictures and always give me hugs, especially H. She is such a sweet little girl, her faith is incredible and wants to be baptized so bad, but she doesn't turn 8 until April, so L. wants to wait and be baptized with her. The faith of a child. She is just the funniest little girl. But as I sat in sacrament meeting with H next to me I just thought about how this gospel is for everyone! And it is such a miracle when they want it, and they are making changes. The Lord loves all his children. They stayed for the second hour as well, I was teaching Gospel Principles (I made a deal with sister b that I would teach if she bought me a diet coke...win win for me...Because I like teaching, and I like diet coke ahah) L was the only investigator there so I ditched the actual lesson and I taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ: faith, repentance, baptism, HOly Ghost, endurin gto the end. At the end L made the comment about how her faith has changed since Sister B. and I have gotten here. She was so sweet, and her last name is A____, and so she said how she was so excited when my name was Allred and she felt like we were like Sisters. I know I"m supposed to be here in Bracebridge. I've been praying that I"ll be able to stay and see L and little H baptized. I would be more than happy to stay until April. I love it here. 

There are definitely some days that are hard...those days were we have NO appointments. We have tracted most of Bracebridge and with the weather getting colder few people are out on the streets, so sometimes it is really hard to make good use of our time. Tracted makes you feel like you are doing something, but it isn't super productive. Though we have found one person tracting since we got here who we have actually taught a lesson. His name is D, he is in his late 20s, early 30s and is a bachelor. He is really cool. He is just looking for answers and wants to find peace and happiness. He is planning on coming to the sports night on wednesday, so that will be great to get him socially invovled :) 

I love not seeing other missionairies here. haha I am so anti-social. I love socializing with members, but I'm totally happy to just be here in Bracebridge away from other missionairies :). A lot of the time with missionairies it is almost like being back in highschool. I like having district meeting over the phone. doesn't bother me at all! Sister B definitely doesn't like it as much, she likes the socializing. I suppose I'm just more like Dad :) 

It has just started to get really cold....I might be wearing my pajamas under my dress rigth now :) haha 

OH and we are teaching this other man, K...he believes in Aliens :) All very funny, but he really does want to know the truth! 

I love the Christmas season, and I'm looking more and more forward to that Skype session! It will be so good to see your faces! 

I love you all! 

Sister Allred

Week 25

Thank heaven's we are both staying in Bracebridge :) Sister B. will have to endure another 6 weeks of me :) muahaha no, we love each other. This past week was good! the weather is cold.....last night we were out and about and i had my scarf up to my eyeballs and a tuque on haha...and it was only like -2. I"m in trouble when -20 starts! I"m going to be trying really hard to get into houses! haha I would like to do a brief example of how most of mine and sister balderson's conversations go....

me: dang....that meal was good

b: ...yeah, but my stretchy skirts are losing their stretch...

me: mine too.....it's fine...all of this is just extra warmth for the cold...

b: besides...we haven't hit our 6 months mark to go home...

me: oh yeah...that 6 months to sexy will do us good....and if it doesn't....it should magically come off when we get home........right?....

that is the majority of our convos here in bracebridge...we get fed every night! and mostly by old ladies who love to feed us sweets and really yummmy things! YOu just can't understand unlesss you've been on a mission...you just have to sacrifice yourself and have that second helping when they offer it. So no poking fun at me when I get home! haha Good thing I'll be hiding out in Vanderhoof for a good while after the mission! 

We played volleyball again! It is so much fun. THough I get made fun of all the time for being so short. The bishop is the instigator of all those comments! haha Good thing I've built up a whole lot of resistance to those comments! Bring it on! hahaha 

So we ALMOST hit standards this past week! We are now teaching L's boyfriend's daughers!!! they are so cute!  So they are there every other week with them then spend the other time with their mom. But last night we got an awesome text from L. telling us they found a cool book of mormon app that reads to them! So they are all reading the Book of Mormomn together and it's just going to be great! The girls have baptismal dates for Nobember 24th!!!!!!! We are so excited! Miracles are happening!  :) 

We finally took down the American flag in our apartmnet :) it only took us 6 weeks! haha our district leader has begged us for it...but we said we won't have it hanging in any apartment lol...all joking of course lol.  nah we love america.......just have to look really really deep. 

Annie Bannie got to meet Ben and Britney Fuller (My ward mission leader and just super awesome people) at the temple in florida! that was awesome! Anyways, 

I sure love you all! The work is going forward! I love this ward and I love this area and I love being a missionary, and I love the gospel!!!!

:) 

Lover, 

Sister Allred

Week 24

Holy Cow. Time just seems to go faster and faster! Next Sunday we get transfer calls! it's crazy! I can't believe I"ve bben here for 5 weeks already! This f\past week was a litttle frustrating, but a learning experience. i don't know if you all read Charlie's emails but I feel a little like him! We are optimistic in the Lord but it is frustrating when people feel the Holy Ghost and then turn away from it! We did A LOT of tracting this past week. WE had to bundle up and stick it out. I use a handy dandy trick of using a golf ball to knock on doors so I don't have to take off my gloves at every door :) On Wednesday we found a family that is so prepared. THey let us in and we shared the Restoration...as the mom read Moroni's promise she began to tear up and the spirit was there so strongly! She invited us back for dinner on saturday, we weren't able to get a hold of her so we just dropped by on friday to give her an invitation to the relief society activity that is coming up, then she told us that she doesn't want to get confused and that she just needs a little time. She has been going to a baptist bible study, and we are pretty sure she got Antied. SO SAD! we even warned her that Satan would do everything he could from keeping them from finding the truth. It's frustrating when they are so close but won't heed the promptings of the spirit! ...we even got disinvited to Dinner. First time I've ever been disinvited to dinner. 

The first week days mostly involved tracting. We have gotten a few new investigators from tracting, but they quickly change their minds. Member missionary work is the way to go! Those people need friends! Then on Saturday we helped out at a wedding in the kitchen- I'm happy to say I never Ever EVER want a reception. Open houses all the way.....on and on a very side note...i happened to glance at Kelly Clarkson's wedding bouquet on a tabloid....I loved her bouquet and colors...pretty much what I want....not that I"m thinking about marriage....it's just the topic of like every Ensign that is in our apartment....so i sometimes study about it...it's fine. haha 

Hmm...L. is coming along, we haven't been able to meet with her more than once a week though, BUT we are working with her boyfriends daughters and they are going to come to Young Women's on Tuesday :) Yipee! There is lots of promise there. 

Well, life is good. I loved the emails this week :) You are all awesome! Muah! 

Sister Allred

Week 23

Hola family and friends :) 

Another week in the life of a missionary! Sometimes I laugh to myself and have to pinch myself to make sure that I am actually in Ontario and I'm actually a missionary. It's a weird/surreal feeling. The weather has turned cold! It has been raining the last couple of days and oh boy, it just chills you through and through! I've been studying the New Testament as of late along with the Seminary New Testament student's manual (which is a big help!) and it is amazing! I'm currently in Romans. So fantastic! go read romans 4-6! That is what I studied this morning and I understand the Atonement and the Fall so much better! ATTENTION: I need a question answered- can you have children in the terrestial world? like have MORE babies. It's been racking my brains. or can you only actually have kids in the celestial world:? 

Anyways, We spoke in sacrament meeting yesterday...then taught a bit of gospel principles...then taught relief society...boy, I am tired of hearing my voice. I"ll attach my talk. The Bishop got up after and said that it was a good thing I could get away with being so Bold haha. IT comes with being 5'2'' :) OH and so last week I had Annie send me a super yummy cookie recipe which I then made and brought to volleyball (the way to the priesthood's hearts is through their stomachs) so inorder for them to like us we brought cookies...anyways that was all fine and dandy- they loved them...then yesterday we drop by a member referral just intime for afternoon tea (they are Brits) and she says "I hear you make good cookies". hahah I was like holy cow we are in a small town! We love playing volleyball! We had like 20+ men there! most of which were less actives and non-members! we get teased alot...okay let me rephrase that...(because sister b. can actually play volleyball) I get teased alot...for being so short haha I can't block a spike for the life of me! haha but I brought cookies so they put up with me :) 

Another funny story of the week- we were tracting...out in the middle of nowhere where everyone has super scary dogs. and we go up to this one house and there is a dog sitting outside...so we are deciding if it is nice or mean...and THEN the bishop calls...he asks where we are and what we are doing, so I say "OH just deciding if this dog is nice or mean"...and THEN the dog became the devil embodied by a german sheperd....and he snarled and had his tail between his legs and had his back all arched...yup he was ready to tear us apart...and all this happened while I was on the phone with the bishop so we had to really calmly (more in a frenzy) backed away. We decided those people were just going to have to wait for salvation. 

But we had some miracles happen this week too! A less active has been coming to church and she came to the movie night we had on Saturday AND she is going to have us over for dinner this Wednesday :) She is wonderful and I just love her! She just needed a little push in the right direction :) And she is hopefully going to help us with getting our other investigators out to church :) We haven't been able to see L. lately which is sad- we really need to see her more often in order for her to progress- they live in the boonies! All in All things are wonderful here :) Miracles are going to happen and ARE happening! All in the Lord's timing. We did set up a little display  in the foyer with books of mormon and such- took us way longer than it should have because it needed to be perfect...we bought a table cloth and printed off a cool meme from LDS.org (they have them for ALL the General Conference talks they are awesome!) check it out. Anyways....I love it here. I never want to leave...even if things are a little slow...I love the town, I love the ward, and I love being isolated from all the other missionairies :) haha I don't know if that is a good thing but it makes my anti-social behaviour really easy to handle :) 

I love you allll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Week 22

Well after a lovely Thanksgiving, I feel like Tina from Napolean Dynamite....I seriously need to stop eating. no more pie, no more ice cream, no more second helpings, no more ice cream with maple syrup....I need to go on a rabbit diet- if a rabbit can eat it..then I can eat it. haha When I come back the size of a whale...don't laugh at me, just have a gym pass ready to go for me :) and maybe a pair of sweat pants. haha so......fat....... but to make this more spiritual...as Nephi said "let your soul delight in fatness" (2 Nephi 9:51). 

My birthday was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We went shopping with the bishop's wife, and his sister and their kids. it was a lot of fun :) I bought some scarves and hair thingys. Then they had us for dinner and we ate lots, and had pie :) they also bought me birthday gifts :) sticky notes, some socks...etc . definitely a good birthday! They are wonderful. 

On friday we had zone training and skills and interviews. we had to drive 2.5 hours to sudbury and then we stayed at an elders apartment- don't worry the elders all stayed at "the ice castle" which is just a huge apartment where they have their man parties. It was all a little odd to stay in an elders apartment...but they had good food in the fridge so that made us happy... though it reminded me of seven brides for seven brothers- only those who know me well will know what part I"m talking about- watch the movie and you'll know. The awkward part was the day after when we were home and we were notified that Sister B. had left one of her bras there.......Oh sister B....a memory of a goldfish that one....she had burnt hard boiled eggs...twice now.....slowly beginning to remember how to drive home...and we are always calling members to see if her sweater was left behind. But the elders put it in a bag and then put it in a box and labelled DANGER so it should be safe. 

I can't believe that Halloween is almost here...and then before we know it will be Christmas! I'm looking forward to getting to skype! OH I get to speak next Sunday- I"ll send the talk I'll be typing it up today. Hopefully it goes well! 

OH THANK YOU FOR ALL THE BIRTHDAY GIFTS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ellen and Kirtons, I got them and LOVE THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THey are all being put to good use :) yay for being 20. 

Sunday was awesome! L. came to church with her Boyfriend! It was so exciting! and his mom came too with her non member husband! They are our most solid investigators. At Zone Training I just realized I just need to be bolder and invite people to be taught more. I love it here in Bracebridge. I would be happy to spend the rest of my mission here. I will cry when I have to go back to the city. I don't even like to think about it. I'm going to work on persuading president and the Lord in letting me stay atleast till summer :) 

Love you all! 

Sister Allred

OH and all you missionairies- check out the story in preach my gospel that talks about the Stoneman family...yup...had dinner with her and her family...no big deal. Good thing this mission is the best one out there  :) 

Week 21

What a wonderful week it has been. The leaves are quickly falling and the ground is covered with the glow of orange, yellow and red. The weather has turned cool and we have had to bundle up a little more. THe tights and scarves have been pulled out! All week I was looking forward to General Conference. Some days go by slow, others faster, but we have gotten to know just about all the ward members and all their family relations (which resembles that of Vanderhoof- everyone is related). We have been receiving many member referrals and are trying to get the ball moving even faster. Last Sunday I received the strong impression that we can have at least two baptisms- strong baptisms, here by Christmas. They have only had one in the whole year, and have not seen the convert since the baptism. With the members helping us the Lord is going to be able to trust the ward enough, and we will see miracles! 

I love the feeling that comes after General Conference. It always brings a renewed sense of  motivation and peace. I loved the talks about missionary work, especially Elder Uchtdorf's talk. Why wouldn't anyone want to be a member of the church? But the talk that touched me the most was definitely Elder Holland's as he talked about depression and those who struggle with such disabling trials. I have been blessed to be able to overcome that most days, but there are those days that are a little harder. I know that the Lord is mindful of all of us, and he knows our limits and when we are doing our very best! I just love General COnference. I especially reflected on the General COnference just a year ago. I can remember what I was wearing and what I was doing when the announcement was made that the age had been lowered for sister missionairies- I was making my 19th birthday cake- what a wonderful present it was to have the opportunity to go on a mission! 

I woke up this morning and opened mom and dad's package- I loved it! but more than anything I was looking forward to emails :) I love hearing from everyone and getting pictures and videos! 

The bishop's wife is feeding us lunch and then we are going  shopping and having a girls day with a bunch of the younger ladies in the ward :) and then the ward mission leader is feeding us tonight at his home- So a special birthday it definitely will be! 

I love you all so much! 

Oh and I woke up on Sunday morning and decided I wanted bangs...since I usually get my hair done for my birhtday...I figured i'd do it myself- so I did! pictures to follow! 

I Love you all! 

Sister Sarah Allred

Week 20

Well. I would be absolutely lying if I said I didn't love it here. I'm telling President to leave me here until the end of my mission :). They are going to have to have someone come up here and physically take me inorder to make me leave. The fall colours are beautiful. The reds are brilliant, it looks like there is a fire blazing, and what is more is that that is all reflected in the lakes and many rivers! We cover a huge area! Huntsville, Bracebridge, and Gravenhurst and many, many, many more town inbetween. When we came up on Tuesday I didn't realize how much I love the country...I do not like the city...I just love the country! People here are nicer, there is FRESH air, and everyone just moves a little slower! It is a little stressful trying to remember areas and names and also showing results from our work- but the Lord has certainly been in it! We have found 10 new investigators just since Wednesday! Being the only sisters in the Zone we definitely can't just "blend in" with the scenery. We are being noticed and looked to.

The ward is absolutely amazing here. I have NEVER EVER been in a ward that has such wondeful leadership and motivated people. The ward is small, it has shrunk in the last few years as 8 large families moved out of the area, but they are such good people. The bishop, Bishop Jenner, is only 29 years old! But he has so much motivation and works so hard. We visited with him on Tuesday night before we even got to our apartment (we didn't get home till about 9:30), and the ward mission leader, Brother Fuller,  (the bishop's brother-in-law) is so on top of things. They actually get  how things are suppose to work- the missionairies are here to support the ward in THEIR missionary work. He organizes members to go teaching with us, and dinner meals, and is always up to date on what we are doing. They want to double the size of the ward- so that there is a ward in Huntsville as well as in Bracebridge. I know that it is possible! Again, I don't want to leave. ever.

Tell Terri Anne that I have found her new favourite vacation spot. She would love it here! The little town and shops are to die for!

Sister B. is my new companion, she is from McGrath, Alberta. We get along well! She is really sweet, and has been out for 7 months now.

On Saturday morning, we helped some of the bretheren split wood. Earlier they had called to see if "the sisters" could handle it...well I assured them we could! So we proved ourselves to the bretheren of our sweet wood splitting skills and wood stacking skills, then we did some finding (found 3 new investigators) then had to go home and clean up and prove ourselves to the Relief Society sisters in our more spiritual skills at the Relief Society activity before the broadcast. All in a days work! I must admit I could have stayed and split wood all day long if I could have! It felt so good to do some physical labour!

I feel right at home here :)

The Broadcast was a real treat! Longest I've sat in front of a TV in 5 months! haha It was wonderful! President Monson's was so good, though I thought he looked quite tired. Keep him in your prayers!

We live in a really old house/apartment! haha I don't think our heat works...we will have to get that figured out! the bathtub is actually metal rather than that plastic stuff! it's pretty awesome.