December 12, 2016

I am still playing basketball with Elder Wilgar, he is so awesome. I hope that we can serve together sometime. It is actually sitting around -15 F or -28c now. Hey and sorry, but I opened one of the gifts, the one with the pictures. But I am really glad that I did, I haven't seen pictures of you guys in a long time. We get Christmas and New Year's off. We can also watch a disney movie. Wow it is warm back in Utah. And yes I am planning to face time you guys a little after lunch on Christmas day, we have all our meals booked on that day.

Hi - this is Elder Allred your son

Just sending you this picture because Ray looks just like Kiara and she is even the same age!

December 5, 2016 Elder Fisher

Sounds like things back home are just getting busier. Elder Fisher and I did manage to find someone last Monday. We haven't gotten in to teach him yet because he got called out to work the day that we were going to meet with him. This week we plan to pick him up and also another guy that is a potential investigator. Our zone goal is 4 for each companionship this transfer. The meals are pretty good, not too much different from back home. The only difference is the atmosphere that we are eating. Some houses are a whole lot more grimy then what others are. Some houses I have a hard time and have to be continually praying in my heart that I am not going to get sick from it, and so far I would have to say that I have been blessed. Elder Fisher likes to do things a little different when it comes to food. He likes to buy it all together instead of us buying our own stuff. I really didn't want to do it, and I still don't know what to think of it right now, but the only thing that got me leaning to his side to actually try it is that they say that the mission prepares you for your future life, and I think it is a good idea to get used to shopping with someone. I really don't know what to think of it though, after this transfer I will know what's good. 

I had a quite interesting week. So about 4 days ago we got a call from this native family. The dad, Malcome is a member and smokes weed but has a very strong testimony, his wife is a non-member, and his daughter, Heaven is one of our investigators. They don't live the best of lives but they are trying to be better. So we got a call from the wife and she told us that she would like us to come to her house right away and give a blessing to her daughter because she is seeing things, I won't go into too much detail but she was being told to do not so good of stuff. I didn't really know what to do so I told her that we would call President Summerfield because we don't have enough klicks(kilometers) to make it down to Sisika. After I got off the phone with her I called president Summerfield, who is over the branch, and told him. He said that he would take care of it, so he called them but they didn't answer. So yesterday we went to both the Siksika and the Strathmore ward and branch. Strathmore ward starts at 10 so right after sacrament we headed on over to Siksika because theirs starts at 12. We had a really good sacrament in the branch and shortly after, that native family wanted us to give Heaven a blessing and so we went into the branch president's office and President Summerfield gave her the blessing, while Elder Fisher and I stood in. It was my first experience that I have had that may or may not have been with an evil spirit. In the blessing he blessed that in the name of Jesus Christ it would go away so I have the feeling that it could have been. It's kind of weird to me because I wasn't nervous or anything, like I thought that I would have been. The spirit was so strong it was crazy. It just let me know just how strong the power of priesthood really is. 

Later that night we got to watch the christmas devotional with a pretty sweet family. Their son is less active but he shouldn't be. He has a little bit of OCD I think is what it is called. He hates to touch anything when he doesn't have his gloves on. He is a little bit of a germaphobe. There was one time that he shook someone's hand and had to wash his hands for a straight 8 hours. I feel bad for him. He has been going to college and has some final exams coming up and wanted a blessing, he wanted me to give it. This has been the first blessing that I have been able to give that I didn't really have to think of what to say, and I have given lots. The words just came, and I don't remember them all. I guess after giving blessings and getting used to it that you can become more in tune with the spirit. I am glad that I did. Well this is what my crazy week has consisted of. Love you lots and hope to talk to you more if you aren't busy. -Elder Allred  

I have to admit I opened the box last week I couldn't help it. I really like what was in it. The letters are awesome, very inspiring. The Hot chocolate was pretty cool. But the candy, what are you trying to do? Make me fat! haha It was really nice but can you please not send me candy next time, I am really trying to stay away from cavities and fatness. I like the christmas tree and the little nativity, I just hope that I don't get too much stuff that I am going to have to be carrying around. Thank you so much for thinking of me though, I love you a ton! How are things back home?

I also think that it is only when we are doing all that we can do, when he strengthens us and helps us. Grace can be a big subject. 

Bernadette is so sweet we need to go visit her again, it has been a little while. I have been working out every night but have slacked off in the mornings because of being so tired but I am going to start it back up this week. Elder Fisher has been sick so we haven't been up to much this week because we just stayed in a lot of the time. But it has been a pretty good week, yep it is nice! I just got a hoody today at costco. So now I have a coat that can break into two and a hoody. So I should be keeping warm. I am still in my baby area where I was born in the mission, Elder Davis went to down town Calgary.

November 28, 2016

My talk went great, things are going pretty good. We are going to be busy today because we are going to find some investigators today. So I am going to have to email you next week, or maybe later tonight. Sorry about that. Have a good week and I look forward to emailing you next week. -Elder Allred.  

I have a new companion named Elder Fisher.  He is very obedient which I love. He is going to make me a stronger missionary. He knows a whole lot about missionary work and I am learning from him every day. I kinda wish that he was my trainer when I cam out. Elder Davis was good but nothing compared to Elder Fisher. I am sure that I am going to get along with him really well. He loves to have a clean apartment, and mainly just follow all the rules that are little, like the ones that Elder Davis and I didn't follow too well like having a person back the car out of the parking lot. I really am going to and already love him. 

November 21, 2016

We got in with two of our investigators this week, so still a bit slow but we got quite a few way less actives to come back, which was good. Elder and Sister Anderson had to go home which was really sad. They had a son that was on a mission in Alaska. He has been out for 10 months and was having some really bad seasonal depression. Since it was getting darker and darker it just kept getting worse and worse. So now that they had to go home we are now over Strathmore and Siksika. We started meeting and going back with the people of the nation this Sunday. We met with Joy Yellowfly yesterday, she is a very sweet lady. I am going to have to keep in contact with her. She has had a rough life. It takes a little bit for the natives to warm up to you and get to know you but when they finally do and they can trust you they love you. She has just recently really warmed up to us and she told us some of the challenging things that have happened in her life.  She had a husband and she really liked him but he got in a car accident and died, so she got remarried to a drunk. She went to Edmonton to visit family for a week and when she came back she got on her doorstep and could smell what she thought was a dead dog or something. She walked in the door and it just kept getting worse. She worked her way through the kitchen and to the living room and found her second husband dead, with blood and white fluids running out of him. She said that it was so much worse then a dead animal. I was so grossed out but I just kept listening to her and she went on about how he was bloating and stuff. She walked out of there and never went in to get any of her stuff and so she had only like 5 changes of clothes for her and her few kids. Her aunt ended up helping her get back on her feet and find a new house and clothes. She went on telling us that she couldn't sleep during the night so she would sleep during the day, and she always had to have the light on whenever she was somewhere that it was dark, for like 4 years. (this happened in 2003) She said that it was during this time that she really turned to the lord for help and that is the reason she was converted to our gospel. After she told us the story she said to us, "I don't know why I just told you guys this." And then I had a scripture come into my head it was in Ether 12:27,

  "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they  may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble  themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."  In this scripture it really related to everything that she was going through and what she was talking about. She marked it so that she could read it again, and was pretty amazed that it was in the Book Of Mormon, she thanked us for it, and really wants us to come back soon. I really like the Book of Mormon and how it will bless our lives, and give us answers that we are looking for, or answers that we may really need in our lives. It truly will motivate us and bring us closer to our Savior Jesus Christ. 

I am sure that dad has to listen to lots of things like this just being the bishop and all. It is pretty crazy to know what some people go through in there lives. Just listening to everything that people tell us makes me have a greater understanding of just what he is going through, and why being a bishop can be so hard. Well hope that you are all having a good day! 

Love, Elder Allred

We wake up every morning except for sunday and work out with Brother Cealey (Adam403-921-4622) 

November 14, 2016

They call prairie dogs gophers here! I ate octopus for the first time this week, It was breaded and to tell you the truth I would eat that any day over mushrooms. It tasted all right, it was just the tentacles and legs that were a little hard to chew through, if you know what I mean.

Today I was actually thinking about the priesthood. I was thinking about how much Christ really does love us, and how much he gives us. It took me back to an experience that I had at home. I was playing ball during one of my gaps in my schedule and the bell rang so I had to hurry to class, so I gave my ball to one of my friends and told him to keep it until I see him again, and he said okay. Well when class got out and I found him he had given the ball to someone else! I was pretty frustrated. But I decided getting mad at him wouldn't do anything so I just found the other person and got my ball. While I was thinking of this I couldn't help but think of relating it to some of the people that have fallen away from the church and how Christ has given us the priesthood knowing that the people that hold the priesthood are going to mess up sometimes. But as you know Christ will still love us even when we do what is not always right, and when we ask for forgiveness he will always forgive us. I don't know if this will help you with your talk but this is just what I was thinking this morning while driving with the zone leaders driving to the mall. 

That is cool that Travis made the team! I am so excited for him. I am sure that he will do great, but just tell him do go all out, even if it is tiring and he feels like he is going to fall over. It is hard but when you go hard, when it is hard, that is when you will make the best improvements. Also tell him to not let ANYONE push him around. If he has this mentality then he will be the best on the floor. I want to see an all star when I get back.

So I also made a poem, I don't know if it is actually legit because I didn't really pay too much attention when I was in school about poems, but I hope its good. I was just a little bored last night. 

P-day eve

Tis the night before P-day

when all through the house,

not an elder was stirring, not even a mouse,

all suits were hung on the rack with care, 

with hopes that p-day soon would be there, 

with my companion and I both snug in our beds,

while visions of basketball danced in our heads.

Tis the night before P-day

when thoughts of emailing our families come to mind,

oh how I miss my mother, for she was so kind,

she helped me with school, which helped a great deal,

wow, the debt I owe her, especially the meals, 

my family is so great, and hope they are doing well,

but all that I can do is wait, for time will tell.

What a day, what a week it has been

for this is the day that Davis turns 10 (months)

Tis the night before P-day 

thinking about the gospel and Christ like a knife,

my dad told me there are no fence sitters in this life,

for it is through Christ's Atonement we can be cleansed from sin,

with all hopes that we may follow him, 

What pains he must, and had to have born,

and it is crazy, because it was all for me and you he was torn.

Well it is getting late 

I can not wait 

Wilgar (zone leader) and I ballin it up is so great 

college basketball team I hope we make 

again I hope that all is well

for I truly do love you all!

-Your son and big bro, Elder Allred 

November 7, 2016

This is what a chinook looks like and why we have been having 65 degree weather! A chinook is some warm air that comes from the west and it comes up over the mountains and over to us. It has been around 65 degrees Fahrenheit here it is crazy. 

I ate all of it, the whole omelet it was so good. I am excited for Travis I hope that he works hard in the off season as well as in the season. Something cool that members have done for me is that they sometimes invite us over for food. The Quist's are an older couple, they are the ones who emailed you guys. They are so cool. It is fun when they take pictures of us and send them back to our families. So you will have to tell me what happens with Travis and if or I mean when he makes the team!!!  

4 egg omelet

October 31, 2016

Here is what my week was like...

I was in the store today and noticed that they sell tim tams all over that place I should have sent you guys some, but I guess that you can still get them in the stores down in the states, just not as much. I really like how you said that the Lord works in amazing ways all the time because it is so true. I have met several people that are just not quite ready for the gospel now but in the future will be. Josh the crazy one, is one of those investigators that just are not ready yet but I believe that he will be later on in the future when he decides to read the Book of Mormon. Sondra is a good example of one of those people who just were not ready 3 years ago but now is on date to be baptized. It is neat how people can hate the church and then completely change. And talking about Sondra being on date, we got this kid that is 10 years old on date. His mom is the body builder that I think I mentioned to you. It's awesome, and I bet that we can get 2 more on date to be baptized in the next few weeks. 

This past week we also had been slacking off on daily planning just because we would talk about it and know what we had planned for the next day, but we decided to do it, and we filled our day more than what it was before. We filled in the gaps by stopping by to visit some of our investigators who wouldn't answer their phone, and we got 4 member present lessons in one day. It was crazy! Some things just seem to be a little much, but we are told to do them for a reason. 

I am still playing lots of basketball and this Thursday we are going to go have a ball night with the zone leaders and we are trying to get lots of non-members to it. So far me and Elder Davis have one non-member going to go to it, he is a black kid that is my age. We are also going to try to get another black kid to come that I have played ball with before. 

Elder Davis and I have been working out with a member in our ward every morning. We wake up at 5:45 to go. He has a little gym set up in his basement. On Wednesday I decided that I was just going to run on the treadmill the whole time and burn off some stored calories. I ended up running on it until we had to go for 30 min, and went a little over 3 miles. My legs were burning, but I wasn't breathing hard at all. My heart rate was sitting around 105, it was funny. It has to be with the air being thicker here. I just bought a ton of vegetables and squash for this next couple of weeks in order to stay in shape. I bought a couple of squash from costco and didn't know how to cook them but I remembered when you and mom would cook them you would cut them in two and set them on a cookie sheet, so that is what I did. I then turned the oven up to 375 and left it there until I could stick a fork through it, it ended up being about 40 min to cook but now I know how to do that. It is quite the experience being out her and having to cook for myself. I have learned a lot. And today I got some spaghetti and the kind that is your favorite (dad's). It should be great.

I also had a good experience yesterday when Elder Davis and a couple of other missionaries wanted to go to p-day eve and watch a movie with some other missionaries in our zones pad, which is something that is not allowed but lots of missionaries do. We had enough kilometers for the month to do it but I knew that it was wrong and that I would be very mad at myself because I would have let myself down, I would have let you guys down, and most of all I would have put my Heavenly Father down. And so I told Elder Davis that I wasn't going to do it, and that I was sorry. I felt bad last night but today I am so glad that I made that decision. I know that the decisions that we make now will affect us later on in life, this life and the life to come. I would just like to encourage all of you to make good choices no matter if you think that things will be okay, and that it will all turn out good in the end. What you do now is very important because it is all part of the plan. As you all do this you will be blessed. 

Love, Elder Allred 

P.S. I will be on and off a bit today so email me if you can. Tell everyone Happy Halloween for me!!

The sweater is a bit too big.. but it is good. The cake is very good, so is Grandpa's cake they are almost all gone. Everything is about gone. I hope that this doesn't get me fat. I will be blaming you guys.. haha. Tell everyone that everything was very good, and that I didn't even need frosting for Grandpa's cake. I seriously can't wait to open the box that says to open on December 1st, and why December 1st?

I almost weigh 200 pounds it's scary, but I can still dunk pretty good, actually better than what I could back home. Right now I am 197, next week might be the week that I hit it. I am just continuing to exercise as much as I can to not get fat.

October 24, 2016

Thanks! I can't wait to get the stuff that you guys sent me. Tell Grandma and Grandpa Angus thanks for sending Elder Davis's package. I have had a pretty good day today. Elder Wilgar, one of our zone leaders who is really good at basketball, and I have been going through some of the drills that Thurl has shown me. It was a pretty good work out. I have been able to play some full court basketball which has been great! I am so glad that I was sent to this mission, it has fit me so well. The Lord really knew what he was doing when he sent me here. I know that in the white handbook it says no full court basketball, I could never get why it was a rule, so Elder Wilgar and I called President Miles and asked him why it was a rule and he said, "You know elders I don't know, the only thing that I can think of is that some people might feel a little left out because they aren't able to keep up." So if everyone is down for playing full court then we go for it. I have also been able to play some full court with some non members and its funny because Canadians are not as good as what people are down in the states. 

Sondra is still on date, but we ended up moving her date to December because of the convenience for the family. Her grandson is going to baptize her and we have been calling him and updating him on how things are going there. He is a pretty sweet guy, he is going to BYU right now and is getting married in December as well. All of our other investigators are just kind of floating around which stinks. We are going to have to find some more which shouldn't be that hard as long as we rely on the Lord. 

It is too bad that I am going to miss the pumpkin throwing contest that sounds really fun. You will have to send me some videos not just pictures. Tell Travis that he has to get that D up to a B because he can't waste a year of not having the experience. I want him to be the number one scorer, defender, and rebounded for Union if not the state. 

I am staying pretty warm, it is funny because every once and a while Elder Anderson will let us look at his phone so that we can see what the weather is like back home. And so far it is the same if not a little colder in Roosevelt. It's funny because all of the Canadians say, "You guys are going to experience the coldest winter of your lives, and I'm like no I won't. It's funny, they are so proud of it. Well what else has been going on back home? I hope that you guys are having a fun time. It feels like a blur since I last saw you. It really is weird, it is also weird having to stay with a dude 24 hours every day. But keep up all the good work, and have a great week! 

Love, Elder Allred

October 17, 2016

This week has been great, we finally got Sondra on date and we are thinking that a couple more of our investigators will get on date soon. We might have to drop Josh though because he just gets crazier and crazier, it is kind of discouraging but we will just have to find some more and get some better ones to teach. Well hope that you are having a nice time. I sent you guys a letter for the first time, idk when you will get it. I found out that a member in the ward is going to Salt Lake and so I just bought about $40 of chocolate to send down with them! One of them is imported from Belgium, I haven't tried that one yet, but I bet it is good. I got some for you guys and some for grandma Jonna. I don't know how you will divy it up though.  I am thinking that Grandma could pick it up for you and somehow get it to you guys. Her name is Sister Lamay, her number is 403-813-2445. She will be in Salt lake Saturday sometime. Well thank you so much for the pictures and everything. I really would like that voice recording of Arika asking if you are picking me up though. It would be so funny.  
Arika looks like she has changed a ton!

October 10, 2016

We were at Drumheller, a little city that has the 5th largest dinosaur museum in the world. Get exercising it makes you feel better during the day. I know because I am trying to do 100 push ups in the morning and night as well as 1,500 jump ropes at night and morning. and then just little stuff in between like squats and curls and core stuff. Its better to get jacked then to get fat is what I have decided, and it will be either one or the other because of how much I am eating during the day. It kinda stinks but It will be awesome. I weigh 195 now, that means I have gained 19 pounds since I last saw you. It is hard for me to believe but kinda cool also. Have fun picking apples and have a good week I miss you and the rest of the family, I love you guys. 

Love, Elder Allred 

October 2, 2016

Allred Family,

My name is Cory Nelson, I am the ward mission leader for the Strathmore Ward where your son is currently serving.  I have had the opportunity to spend quite a bit of time with Elder Allred over the last few months and I have been very grateful for his spirit and desire to serve.  I have 4 sons of my own and love to have the missionaries in our home.  Your son has set a great example for my boys.  We are working hard to put a few pounds on him but he is working hard to keep it off.  I am grateful for all that you have done to prepare him to serve here.  He is a great young man and is working hard and changing lives here in Strathmore.

Have a wonderful day

Cory

Update: Sondra is awesome, I can tell she loves us. She really wants to get baptized now but she has promised her grandson that he could do it so when she visits the states which is going to be soon I am hoping that she gets it done. She is going down because that grandson is getting married. The crazy guy is doing great, he is starting to read the Book of Mormon.