Second Week in California!

Well this week has been really good! I write stuff down throughout the week so I am just going to go through this list.

 

Whenever missionaries come over to my apartment and see my family picture they always think I am younger than Ethan. It is pretty funny!

 

Could you tell me my balance on my 5/3 card every email?

 

If anyone really likes me they can get me a Halloween/Thanksgiving present! Money is cool lol

 

Me and Elder Dial are going to have a competition to see who gets the most presents for Christmas  So if anyone finds anything that they want to get me for Christmas write "CHRISTMAS" on the package and I will save it. Thanks!

 

We did lots of service this week which got into our teaching and finding time.  We helped multiple people move and did some yard work too.

 

We have been looking for a couch for our apartment for a while now and were driving past Goodwill and saw a 3 piece furniture set in their dumpster! To make a long story short we took the filthy couches to our apartment and set them on our porch and they got stolen. Anyway we have some other couches lined up anyway so hopefully we can get them today or tomorrow.

 

One of the English Elders got his $700 bike stolen yesterday at church.

 

I need to buy a Nerf gun for a zone activity that we are going to have on Halloween so I am trying to save up and get a good one lol

 

I went to Burlington Coat Factory and bought ties... I know I shouldn't have but they were sooooo cool! I got 4 and they were either 7.99 or 12.99.

 

I have been slipping up on the letters recently and will try and write a bunch today and get them out too.

 

We got 4 new investigators by knocking on doors which is really cool and 2 already have a baptismal date!

 

It has been a little cold so today we are going to Goodwill and I am wanting to find a sweater

 

I am also wanting to send pictures next week so I will try and take more this week.

 

We have an hour time limit here which sucks and I feel rushed but its cool though.

 

There is an Elder Romney in our mission and Elder Dial said I look like him but I saw a picture of him and I don't think so.

 

Hey mom can you send my white and black Nike zip up basketball shoes?

 

Elder Dial is really cool. We make fun of each other all the time and get along well.  He isn't as cool as Elder Beeston yet though. I don't remember how many siblings he has but he is the oldest. 

 

I don't have a mattress pad but my mattress is pretty new mom. I do have a blanket and found a comforter in my apartment too.

 

My Spanish is still really slow and its hard to contribute during lessons which sucks.  I can recite the first vision and that's what I do and explain some other simple parts of our lessons but I know it will come.

 

At church yesterday we had our Primary Program and the kids are Spanish Geniuses!! The songs were in Spanish too and that was cool.

 

We have a baptism coming up for an older lady soon but need to organize everything and then we have about 5 or 6 others who are on date and some are progressing. We are doing work and its fun but I can't wait to be able to understand more Spanish!

 

So how is everything going? Anything new happening? I still don't know my address to my apartment and it is only like a day later that I get my mail.  I will send the apartment address next week if I remember lol. Thanks for all the support I am getting it really helps!

 

Elder Allen

So as I read this I thought you didn't need more ties and could of used the money from buying them for the nerf gun. I have a problem with him not having a mattress pad and I think I'm going to send one!!!!  I don't know why it bothers me probably because I was raised with using them ALWAYS!  Thanks mom...I'm glad I was taught that.  I kinda got a little scared about the couch and the bike.  Where is this kid living???  I thought a great place. Cool how he was hearing the primary program on the same day!  I really liked that. So cool how he is seeing people join the church and we are too!!  I wonder if it because we have missionaries serving???  I BET!  About the money he wants he loves buying things & he is a great saver about it too.  I think he either was in the MTC so long he wants to shop or being in his first area he needs more things right now. He has been to a Walmart it shows on his debit too.  

California Finally!!!! 

 Well I have lots to talk about! I am in a library right now and I have a 1 hour time limit. First off the field is way more different that the MTC! Also the Spanish is so much more hard to understand. We have taught quite a few lessons and I just sit there because it is so hard to follow in Spanish.  When we got off the plane we met President Smart and were taken to the mission office where we had some field orientation.  After that we went to the mission home and got our new companions and ate dinner. I am in the Moreno Valley Stake and cover everything west of a street called Parris.  Elder Beeston got sent to the desert and I was told your Spanish gets really good out there. I got paired with Elder Dial who is really cool.  We are getting along really well. He is a type 1 diabetic and has a pump. He was diagnosed when he was 16 and doesn't do to good right now with it.  I have been testing a little more here and I have been pretty good. Our apartment is HUGE!! It isn't super nice but we have a kitchen, living room, study room, bedroom, and we also get our own closet and bathroom with showers. I cleaned my bathroom and now understand why it is so nice to have a clean bathroom! We are cleaning the apartment today and then I will take pictures of it. Elder Dial speaks really good spanish but he doesn't speak it much with me and I am going to ask him to start so I can learn more.  I had pizza for my first meal with a member which was dumb but I ate it.  I had some great mexican food at another house though. It was homemade re fried beans and rice and these peppers filled with cheese and they are really good!  I also had homemade orchata and it was awesome! We ate dinner at a baby shower too and they had some orchata stuff but it had strawberry stuff with it. I got the recipe for it. Church yesterday was crazy! I had to pass sacrament and they do it a lot more different than we do. I didn't have to introduce myself in sacrament either.  In all the classes I couldn't understand anything because it was all in Spanish.

Well now I am going to write about some stuff that I need or noticed

I need some more church socks of colors that will match my pants and also my black Nike socks.

If anyone wants to send me something money would be good because I don't have much, groceries are expensive! So that means you can send food too. I would prefer healthy food too because I don't want to gain a bunch of weight.

My first day here I saw a shooting and the Crime Scene Unit was everwhere and the cops blocked a street off too.

I want some more of our honey! and could you put it in a squeeze bottle too?

I also want some of those red pocket scriptures so I don't have to cary around my big english ones. So if you could send those soon that would be cool. See if they come with old and new testament along with D&C. Thanks

When could I get more contacts? I am not sure if I have my perscription here.

I loved the greenie package! A lot!

Is Ethan reading the Book of Mormon I sent him?

I need a good picture of the Rooster because there is a member who paints pictures for the missionaries.

See if there are Spanish Hymn CDS

Whats the Laundry Soap recipe?

I got all the bedding I need thanks for the concern mom lol

I also don't know my appt address and I am not sure how many letters I will be able to send, I am way busy.

Thanks for all your support and everything you do for me. I love You!

Elder Allen

Men in Black

OHIO STATE 

 Elder Allen and all the Elders going to Riverside with him!!

Evan has taken a lot of pictures of the Mountains

His MTC badge

I asked him what it is used for and he said each week he gets $6.00 put on there to buy things he needs.

 Not sure which
Elder this is???

 Elder Allen & Elder Beeson

 Elder Allen with Elders who were leaving form his zone!

 Don't you like the way he combed his hair here????

I'm leaving on a Jetplane!

Well its my last day in the MTC and I am so pumped to get out of here! I said bye to my investigator who is a paid actor and got a picture with him which was really cool! I also said bye to my favorite teacher Hermano Hale. I learned so much from him and am glad I had him.  I say bye to my other teacher tonight.  I am sending a bunch of pictures home today and some shorter letter because I have to pack. I packed all my Spanish books in a box and am going to ship them to California so I don't have to worry about weight on the plane ride.  I also am the flight leader and we have 16 Elders going to California but I am not sure if they are all going to Riverside. I am getting up around 4 or 4:30 and then our flight leaves at 8 or 8:30 and we fly to Ontario. Remember the time change too! Now since there are so many elders in our group we won't be able to make super long calls, maybe 15 to 20 minutes. Plus I want to give out a Book of Mormon and some pass along cards in the airport so I'll need some time for that too. I am so excited to talk to you and Mom you can save the crying for afterwards, ok!

It is so crazy that the church got broken into! So did they take the TV or no? I am reading and speaking Spanish it is still a little difficult but I am catching on as I practice. I got a Spanish "Book of Mormon Stories" book in the bookstore with pictures and it really helps because the Spanish is a little easier.  I have no idea what is going to happen when we get there and I am a little nervous about it. I am still excited though!

Ethan!!!!! You finally passed a test, I mean the test! What job are you thinking of doing in the Marines? Working on airplanes and helicopters would be so awesome! Do you like the shirt I sent you? or the Book of Mormon? I hope you try and read it.

Hey mom I need you to forward my emails and inform my teacher of my blog. His email is hno.hale@gmail.com Thanks! Also Elder Beestons mom's email is azbeeston@yahoo.com did you write it right last time?

I need to go pack but I love all of you and love the support you give me while I am out here!

Elder Allen

His flight made it to California and he was going to his new area today!  I will find out where and who his new companion is on Monday in his next email.  He was so excited when we got to talk to him today.  He tried to hand out a BOM in the airport but 2 out of the 3 they tried were already members and the other one said no he didn't want it.  I can't wait to hear all about his new area and the mission president and see him on the mission blog!  So many things to wait for!

For all of you that might wonder????  I kept it all under control until I had to say good bye to him and then I did cry at work today with my sisters.  Luckily I work with family!  

Last Full week in the MTC!!!!

 Hey how is everyone? I am ready to get out of here and into California! Conference was amazing! My favorite talk was Elder Hollands during Sunday morning session. I got my travel plans and found out that I will be leaving October 16th and my plane leaves at 8 something in the morning.  I have to be on the bus at 5 though.  So on the 16th I will call you so everyone needs to stay home from school!.  I am buying a phone card too so it won't be expensive at all. I will be able to send an email on Monday though so lookout for that one right before I leave. I need a new one of those double sided ZIG markers (pure yellow) mine is about dead and I really like it. So I don't know if you can buy them at wal mart or not.  I fixed Ethan's tie too, I sewed it myself! The loop on the back was broken.  I have traded a bunch of ties too and got some really cool looking ones. I plan on sending some of the extra ones that I don't want here home. Dad and Papa, did you like the talk about Bees and Honey? I thought it was cool. About piano and what President Monson said, I might pick it up or I might not IDK. The MTC Elders didn't sing during the priesthood session some other group did, so I wasn't there.  I still have most of my money so I am going to use that here to get my stuff dry cleaned. Is 2 dollars for one tie to get dry cleaned pretty average or is it expensive, send me an answer really fast please. I got my triple combination and put it in to get my name on it before I leave. The picture are awesome!! I miss my chickens and Mazie!!! I also love all the buckeyes and everything else that was in there. I love all that I get from everyone. All the Elders in my district are so jealous of all the mail I get! I am going to send a couple packages home before I leave and 1 will have Ethan's Birthday present in it! You better like it! Anyway I have a lot to do today, like laundry, another haircut, getting packages and dry cleaning around, and buying anything else I might need from the bookstore. Well, I love all who are supporting me while I am out here serving our Heavenly Father and I pray for all my friends and family back home, in Spanish! How cool is that. I have to go. Bye!

 

Love,

Elder Allen

 

p.s. GO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

6-0 WOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I sent him a few pictures of him when he was baptized.  One of him and Scott and one of him and his family.  I was looking through pictures and saw them and thought it would be nice to have them to show the people he is teaching what he looked like on his baptism day!  I just sent him a greenie package today and it will be waiting for him when he gets to the mission home.  There is a missionary blog for his mission that the mission pres. wife does and he will make it in there this month the blog address is:  riversidecaliforniamission.blogspot.com  

His new address will be:     Elder Evan Robert Allen

                                           California Riverside Mission 

                                           5900 Grand Avenue

                                           Riverside, CA 92504

If you are going to send him a letter by mail you can start sending it to this address soon.

For  all those who might want to know he has sent in his absentee ballot for voting he got to vote!

Elder Allen and some of his Friends!

 I think this Elder (above) is the other diabetic. 

I think these are the Elders in that district that left the MTC that he really liked!

  Well this week has been full! I keep a note card in my planner and write on it what I want to say in my email so here it goes

I need cash for dry cleaning, my suit needs it bad.  They don't take credit or debit so thats why I need cash. Thanks

I can't chew gum while on my mission so mints are the way to go if you want me to have fresh breath. Thanks

Could someone send me a lighter? I need one to burn fuzzies of my scripture ribbons and my clothes.  Thanks

We got a new district this week. They are going to Mexico and Columbia.  Elder Beeston and I took them on a tour around the MTC on Thursday as one of our duties as Zone Leaders.

A district that I really liked left last night.  Some are going to Chile and others are going around the USA.  I got their information though so I can stay in touch with them.

I can't wait to get my Triple combination! I am putting my scripture stickers in my Spanish Scriptures though because I think I will use them more in the field and I want to use them more when I get back home. Thanks Caltons they look great in my scriptures!

This week I haven't gotten a lot of mail.  I used to lead the district with the most mail but not anymore.  How about everyone who reads this gets on dearelder.com 4 nights this week and writes me a paragraph, then I will get thousands of letters! Thanks...if you do it lol

On my classroom floor some empty room are getting painted and I smelled paint and was reminded immediately of painting with Grandpa, Shannon, Jenny, and Mom.  I told Elder Beeston this and he said thats a little weird but I guess I like the smell of paint now lol 

I leave October 16 and I should get travel plans sometime this week.

I weigh 188, with clothes on mind you, so I am staying about at the weight I want.

Hey Rudi how about in your next package you try and get some MTDEW Baja Blast from Taco Bell and send that to me, one of my friends is craving it, and I want to remember TBell too.

This was my first Sunday being a zone leader and I got our whole zone to wear purple ties that day and we looked so cool.  I sit on the stand with the Branch Presidency and Elder Beeston so I could see purple on everyone and it was super cool.

WHERE ARE PICTURES OF MAZIE AND MY CHICKENS?????

I saw Kyle Bennett last week and on my way into a devotional.  He says Italian is easy to learn and that he is enjoying it in here.

I can't believe OSU beat Michigan State by 1 point!!  My branch president, President Stone, is like the coolest guy ever he is hilarious.  He hates OSU because he is from south Carolina and likes the southern teams.  Anyway every Sunday he comes and pokes his head in my room and says he is going to have another crappy day because OSU won.  He keeps me updated and I really like him.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH Mom that is so funny you backed into the garage door! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAH

I am not sure about choir or if I ll be able to get in because there haven't been any announcements for try outs.  So I guess look for me but I doubt Ill be in there.

So Ethan HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Are you gonna cry? How does being 18 feel? Are you gonna go vote for OBAMA? I wouldn't if I were you. What did you get for your birthday? Will you write me sometime soon, I miss ya bro! I have a package in the works so you will get it a little late. I heard you have been doing better in school and that you might graduate after all! I am so proud! Did you pass the marines test yet? WRITE ME PLEASE!!! How about during conference everyone writes me something and then send it to me ! 

Well I love and miss all of you, gotta go

Elder Allen

Dear Mom & Dad,

Don't have much time the earthquake sirens just went off & everyone is running out of the building!
Ok I am back. My pen got lost in the chaos so I'm using this pen.  Well my roommates beds are destroyed because the ceiling fell on them.  WHAT WAS THAT!!!
Whoa! I just fought a wild TIGER!!  He broke my blue pen so I'm using this one.  He gave me a hair cut but I gave him the ol'1...2...and he just went to sleep.
That pen ran out of ink so I came across this pen.  So how has it been going at home?  I am missing it a little bit.  I am learning a ton of Spanish!  I actually don't have a lot of time because I have class in 20 mins and need to get ready.
Keep writing me please and send me a package or two.  I love packages.  

Love ya!
Elder Allen

P.S. I found my original black pen!


OK as a mom I hated this letter and thought this was a waste of his time and mine!!!!!!  As I read I was like WHAT????  He likes writing stories!  

Hope you all enjoyed it!