So first off my email is late because yesterday when we started to email, there was a Brown Out, or the electricity went off, so we got permission to email today....

This week was packed full of miracles while teaching lessons.  Me and Elder Guia are starting to figure out how to better connect and what to do to be guided by the spirit to have miracles in lessons everyday!!!! One thing to start is talking way too much, i realized that was one of my problems and we have made it a goal to make it more of a gospel conversation so the spirit can teach them truly what they need to hear, sometimes from their own mouth......  which has been AMAZING!!!!  President also taught us in Zone Conference TONS of things which we are applying now, and it truly is working!!! Our investigators have had a different response this week, and I feel its cuz we are trying our best to let the Spirit guide the lesson, which is the only way to teach...

So one miracle was with our investigator, sister Rose Biag.  We visited her on Wednesday afternoon and taught her, but truly we didn't really teach, we asked questions to start and because of that she told us that she had come to know for herself that the Book of Mormon was true through prayer.  She also told us of a dream she had about 2 months ago, before we visited her.  She told us that she entered into a church, but she didn't know where, as she entered it was dark, but then she saw people in white waiting to shake hands at the door before she entered.  When she entered the room began to lighten, and it became very bright, where she heard singing, and the sacrament was passed too in her dream.  While she told us this the spirit was so strong.  Then she told us that when we came and visited her the first time, thats when she remembered her dream again, because of the people in white shaking hands;)  Then we testified that it truly was an answer from God, and that He loves her.  It was one of the most powerful lessons of my mission for sure, and I know that Miracles are REAL!!!

We also had one investigator, Sister Veronica who bore her testimony in Sacrament Meeting on Sunday!! She is 14 years old and is reading the Book of Mormon like crazy, she is at least in the middle of Alma right now, and she marks it all up.... She testified of the Book of Mormon and how she came to know it is true through prayer also, wow that was such a cool thing to see!!!

Also if you want to read about an amazing group of people read Alma 24!!! I have been studying that for the past couple of days and these people went from a people that only wanted to kill Nephites, to a people who would not even lift up a sword against an enemy coming to kill them.  They did this to not let their swords become stained again, they laid down their weapons(sins) and HID them away, DEEP in the earth, something we should all strive to do with sin.  Are we giving up our "Weapons of War" every day??"  And they did this as a Testimony to God at the last day. And what will be our Testimony to God at the Last Day?? something to think about:)

Thanks for all the emails and prayers!!!

LOVE, Elder Alldredge

 

Kyle finally got a camera and just in time for some amazing pictures of his zone and area!

We are glad this structure is sturdier than it looks!

Here in the mission so many things happen that I had no idea before I got here.  There are meetings, every week, and a lot of them sometimes, something I didn’t even think of before.  It’s crazy that I am really used to all the weird things now that happen in the Philippines from drunk people always trying to talk to me in English to fitting 3 of us American missionaries in a trike that might be like a 3 by 3 foot side car, ya it’s that smallJ One of my struggles now is realizing again how weird/SO COOL/different things really are here in my area, and here in the Philippines.  But I truly love it here, and I am figuring out every day how to love it more, by being more exactly obedient and working even harder, its still a work in progress, and I know that’s not ever gonna stop, but one thing I know now better than ever is that God sees the desires of our heart, and if we follow His Will the  best we can, or in other words obey what he says with full effort, we will be happy, and I am experiencing that every day, and that is a Miracle in my life.

We had MLC with President Johnson this week and it was another AMAZING meeting!!  It always is just so inspiring and pushes me to do better!!  We also had a member missionary work meeting in our District for all the auxiliaries and Branch Presidencies and me and Elder Guia.  President Johnson taught all about how we can unite and become one with members, it was SO COOL!!!  There really is no other better way, only through the members.  What would happen if everyone in all of our wards started praying for those missionary opportunities? I think there is more that all of us can do, me included to help out missionaries, or help members to fulfill our responsibilities to spread the gospel…

We also found a Former Investigator and his name is Jerwin.  The member pointed us to his house and he is 15 years old, even though he seems like he is 18.  But the first thing he said to me was Elder pasensya hindi pa ako nagsimba.  Or that he has not yet gone to church, and he was super sorry about it, and will on SundayJ  then as we shared to him, we felt that he really has a desire and we are excited to help him to come to church, and gain his own testimony, there are blessings and miracles every day!!! I testifyJJ

Then we had a good Thanksgiving Feast at the Santos family, with mashed potatoes, a chicken, and spaghetti, it was a good time, and I was full, the must on ThanksgivingJ We also shared to that family and went around and all talked about what we are thankful for, so cool, so spiritual!!!  

We had a Feast of food/words of Christ/and miracles this week, good stuff!!!

Hope Ya'll had a Happy Thanksgiving!!! And Christmas is next!!! WHAT?!?!?

LOVE, Elder Alldredge

"The Batch" - Their term for Missionaries that came into the mission together.  They are together here for a Mission Leadership Council.

Hard, solid, fun, intense, lots of walking, and overbursting joy might just about sum up this week:)  So first off i had one of my dream experiences since i was a kid happen to me, it was so SWEET!!! So i saw a 20ish year old guy playing basketball at the plaza, and he was all alone just shooting some hoops.  Then I totally remembered my dream as a kid, to play against a person on my mission, in proselyting clothes, beat him, then teach him because I won... so that was the thinking in my head:)  It didn't exactly work out like that but we went over to him and just started talking to him, shooting hoops with him, for a couple of minutes while introducing ourselves.  I didn't get to play him;) but he did let us teach him... so there we were sitting on the steps next to the basketball court teaching how the Plan of God for him will change his life if he truly follows God's will, and of course a lot more things that we taught, but it was AWESOME!!! I seriously felt like it was a dream come true for me...:) Now he hasn't came to church yet, we are still working on helping him out, but ya i'd like to call it a miracle!!!

I was able to do a baptismal interview for someone for the first time in my mission on Saturday.  It was an amazing experience, and I won't forget it, this man was so repented, so changed and so so so ready to be baptized. I now more fully understand this scripture, the one that will truly see if someone is ready to take this step to follow Jesus Christ their whole life.

All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church. -D&C 20:37

I saw this in this man and I am so thankful for the Savior and the Atonement to make this possible.

On sunday we had 5 investigators at church which was so amazing!!!  We had huge help from 2 members, who literally picked up all 5 Investigators, (see how big of an impact a member can have:) but it was super cool to see.  Especially one of them Sister Rose Biag who is a mom and 31 years old.  We have taught her a couple times, and we really see big potential in her, because she is one person who really has humbled herself before God, she is ready to do his will. Right now she just needs our prayers and her to pray sincerely and get an answer, i know it will come to her.  

One more thing i have seen this week is the impact of the Johnson's method of personal study.  Johnson because thats our mission president, President Johnson.  And it is really to just write what feelings, inspiration, personal revelation, impressions, or ideas that we have while we are reading, and it really makes personal study so much more meaningful, then you also have a notebook to look back on all of our personal revelation, its such a cool thing, i would suggest that to anyone:)

Well thanks for all the emails and prayers palagi!!!

LOVE, Elder Alldredge

This week was so unexpected but so exciting and fun, and I learned a TON this week!!! It was super unexpected because after having been told by President Johnson that Elder Sauro wouldn't transfer until December, HE GOT TRANSFERRED!!! We were so surprised, but also excited for the new opportunities, and i know that it is totally inspired because my new companion is so cool!! He is Elder Guia from Cebu and he is 3 months older than me in the mission.  And let me tell you he has so much advice and he is such a good teacher and spiritual person! One of the first things he asked me was "ifthe Spirit was guiding me everyday."  I know I am guided by the Spirit but it really helps me to ask myself this question, now we ask this everyday, after every lesson, and i can tell you that evaluating really works to improve.  Like i said last week in my email about my interview with President Johnson, this can help in any thing we are trying to improve at.  So ya I'm thankful for my new companion:)

On Saturday we experienced MEMBER MISSIONARY WORK to probably the fullest i have seen in my entire mission!! We had some 2 youth/ysa work with us and they totally helped out the work in Palayan for about the 2 hours they were with us.  FIrst we visited 2 referrals from them and taught them as new investigators.  Then we went to their referrals from 2 weeks ago and taught them about the importance of the Book of Mormon.  Then we visited a Part Member family and they fellowshipped the sister that is 16 years old.  After that they saw a sister that they had seen the day before and we talked to her and they really helped us gain a trust with this investigator. After that they wanted to work more so they came with us to help one of our other investigators feel more welcome at church.It was amazing to see their spirit of missionary work!!!!  Then on Sunday they picked up 3 investigators and brought them to church with them.  We are thankful for ALL members that help and let me tell you,.... Member Missionary Work is the only way to fully do this work, i know that is the Lord's way, because that is the only right way after all, His way...

A nanay bore her testimony on Sunday and it really strenthened my testimony.  She talked about the power of Priesthood Blessings.  She is maybe 80 years old, and sometimes she has health troubles, but especially lately, the past month have been really hard for her to keep moving and going.  Earlier in October we got a call that she needed a blessing so we went and blessed her.  She then came to church that sunday telling us about how she felt great the next morning and was able to walk just fine.  Then about 2 weeks later we get another call that her knees have stiffened up again and she can't walk at all, so we went the next morning and gave her a blessing, that she would be able to come to church on Sunday.  And that is EXACTLY what happened!!!! She testified that the power of God is true and was evident in the effect of those blessings.  Not because of us but because of the Priesthood power that is real!  Such a MIRACLE!!!! 

another miracle i typed and forgot to send with it:)

So sorry for such a short email, we are super short on time, but just know that I love you all, and I know without a doubt that this is the Lord's work, and I am happy to say that I am happy to do this work.

Thanks for all the emails!!!
Love, Elder Alldredge

District or Zone Meeting?  He is still using pictures from Elder Sauro, so we do not get explanations.  Buy a camera already!!

Great pictures with families in the area.  Elder Sauro got transferred so I am sure he was saying goodbye to all of them.

Halloween in the Philippines... It is not even close to the American way of things, but its still crazy and there is a TON of people every where, especially near the cemetery.  That is Halloween for them more like a Family Reunion/Memorial Day at the cemetery.  So we weren't able to go out on Halloween night to trick or treat:( jokelang!! But we were able to teach lots of people this week which was awesome!! 

This week might have been one of the very busiest weeks of my entire mission!!  We literally had places to go every day of the week!! On Tuesday morning we left early and went to Tarlac where we had a meeting with President Johnson and the AP's about our zone.  It was super helpful and we are super stoked to get the Zone pumped up and working smart while hard.  Also President Johnson gave us some chocolate and we all ate and told stories with President, it was a good Halloween day:)  

Then after that meeting I got to go on exchanges with the AP's in our mission.  But it was super special and so fun for me and my companion because he was my companion in the MTC!!!! Me and Elder Zacchilli worked hard but it was so fun to tell stories and to really see the improvement in both of us, in confidence, in Tagalog, and basically everything.  The last time we worked together was in that area back in our training for about two hours, so lets just say lots has changed since then:) I learned a TON from him, and it was probably the funnest exchange of my mission!!! its not every day you get to work with your MTC companion!!!

I also went on exchanges with a district leader in our zone and it was so fun! and in that one day we had 7 New Investigators!! Also I saw the only other area with a beach!! But i got no pictures....:(i still haven't been able to get a camera, but i will get one this week, don't worry:)

So it was a crazy fast week again, because we were all over the place, from Dingalan at the dagat to Tarlac with President Johnson.

Also on Sunday President Johnson came to church here in Palayan Branch. Then afterwards he interviewed our zone, it was such a solid interview and I learned mostly about improving, the key is to always be evaluating myself, my work, my obedience, and then identify specific places where I am struggling and make goals and plans to improve in that specific area. And this can literally apply to every aspect of our lives!! I really think if everyone did this we would be able to live up to our potential a lot better, to improve all the time, regularly to really see the changes.  But also if we only do that we will fail, the most important thing in improvement is faith in Jesus Christ, because without him we will never come to our potential, without him we won't even get close!! But with him and only through him, trusting in his plan for me and giving our will to every thing that he knows is best for us, that is how we can all improve, and become more like our Savior Jesus Christ.

Love ya'll!! 

Thanks for all the emails and prayers!!

Elder Alldredge

 

P-Day with Elder Sauro and the District Leader for splits

Its been a solid week like always, especially because we had a BAPTISM!!!! Sister Jessica was baptized on Saturday and it was a super spiritual baptism.  She was super ready, so I was able to baptize her.  Then she came to church on Sunday and received the Holy Ghost. We are now trying to work with her and her husband to gain a big desire to go to the temple in a year, it really is the goal of the branch, but I feel like now I can see more of the big picture in missionary work, I feel like before I was just trying to help everyone to be baptized. But now I know that they need that enduring Faith in Jesus Christ, they need to Repent, and one thing that President Johnson is really stressing with us is that they need to be having personal revelatory experiences in their studies of the Book of Mormon, they need to be converted to that, to understand why it is important, and be reading everyday.  Just like all of us need to be doing, its crazy how big of a difference you can see in an investigator, when they are truly reading the Book of Momon.  I have truly come to love the Book of Mormon here on the mission.  I look forward to Personal Study every day, and its never long enough.  So thats my challenge to everyone, make this hour or 30 minutes or 15 minutes, the very best minutes of your day, study and answer your questions and doubts, and you will see a change in you.  Thats really what this life is about, Change, changing to follow Jesus Christ, to become more like him, through living the gospel and serving everyone around us. Ok so i just realized I just went on a big rant about the Book of Mormon, lets just say I know that book is true and there is converting power from reading and praying about it.

We had exchanges in Kalikid this week, and I was able to work with my ka-bahay Elder Galia, we were seriously laughing the whole time, telling stories about when we were ka-bahay, he is such a funny Elder, but its crazy to see how much we have both changed in over 6 months. 

Other than that we are really having some success in finding and having progressing investigators in our area, we found 6 this week, and 9 the week before.  President Johnson has really been teaching us how to do this affectively and its working, our whole zone really is finding a TON of investigators these past couple of weeks, and I know that the success is coming to the Bongaler Zone.  

Thanks for all the emails and prayers!!!

Love ya'll!!!

Elder Alldredge

Jessica Pascua - New member!

Great support for Jessica!

We had a little Halloween Party and 2 investigators came!