Purple Keys, Milk-Offs, and Memorial Days

      Guess what!  Chicken.... Oh wait, I'm a missionary... can't really say that one... okay.

      Today is Memorial Day!  I am thinking of my family in Idaho going to the cemetaries this morning and seeing Grandma Henderson's grave and Gregg's, etc.  I think about Grandma every time I wear pink or bright green, and I think about her and Grandpa being mission presidents all the time, what it must have been like.  Thanks for the notes and the pictures this morning!  I wish I could jam with the cousins, and see all your faces... but no offense, I'd rather be here, because this is where I need to be, eh!?  I love the MTC.  Have I said that yet?  It's just so great and happiness is everywhere you turn, you can't miss it!

      So Shayla, you're stinkin' AMAZING!  You beat my mom in the hurdles!  After like 20 years!  Haha, that's so cool, I told my companions and they both think that's pretty sweet-sauce.  And I'll hold you to that letter-writing stuff, I love letters!  Tavia, the food here is good for the most part, it just gives you gas...haha...yep.  And sometimes it does feel like it's getting a bit old.  I don't know how they could change it though, they're trying to feed like MASS quantities of people, so home-cooked meals just aren't very practical here.  So I can't complain.  Tasha...The 'Burg' is like Rexburg, yeah?  And Shon, thanks for the very short message...and pictures... :) Love you all too!

      Be aware, the rest of this message will be largely scatter-brained and sorta crazy.  I apologize, but it'll be fun, right!?

      Alright, so guess what I had for dinner last night?  Half a bread-stick, half a banana, a sugar cookie, and 7 1/2 cups of milk.  Yeah, an Elder in our district challenged me to a 'milk-off' - I knew he'd gotten to 6 cups the last time he did a milk-off and I knew I could do at least six, so I nervously said alright, I'll do it...I'm pretty sure he let me win... BUT I WON! :)  Haha... the after-effects were not super comfortable...but I'd do it again (If I won) any day.  After all, our family does have a history of buying like 8 gallons a milk twice a week...right, Mom?  I should be used to lots of milk in my stomach!

     Once upon a time, a strange district was playing volleyball...The game had been pretty normal, until one moment, it all changed.  The volley ball came at Elder DeShazer in slow motion...it hit his arms, then his face, then his arms, then his face, then his arms, using all three of the teams touches...haha... he was helpless to do anything but stare in disbelief, as were the rest of his district.  His face was bleeding!  In Polish, this sentance would be phrased, 'DeShazer bled by the means of the volleyball.'  Yeah.  It was pretty epic. 

    Also, I told a story in Polish this week about how when I was young I stole bubble gum from a store.  Mom, tell me if I'm imagining this story - I remember stealing bubble gum from the old Turtle Reams and you saw me with it later, I remember being in a pick-up...and then we had to go back and you made me apologize to a superintendent of some sort...and I had to walk up a huge flight of stairs to do so...am I remembering any of that correctly?  Was that even me?  Oh, I have such a bad memory as it is, but remember when I was like five or four...nie dobry.  Um, yeah, it was fun to share the story though, and talk about the steps of repentance through it. 

     O.k. lets get to the good part:  This week I really have been trying to FEAST when I do my scripture study and not just NIBBLE.  I've really tried to go into my scripture study with a question, with a purpose, with a goal.  I want to be able to learn or feel something so strongly during my study that I want to share it with my companions!   So that's been a great help.  I can totally see the effects of the FEASTING on my daily life, I just have a better day.  It's amazing how something so simple can really help you.  I challenge every one of you to SHARE something you learned while you FEASTED this week.  And I challenge you to FEAST, not nibble.

     Also, yesterday in Relief Society, which is basically like devotional style with a lady speaking to us, Sister Janice M. Brady told us all about the lessons she's learned from her downsyndromed 28 year old daughter, who actually was sitting on the stand with her.  It was so great to hear this talk, the spirit was SO strong.  She told about a time when Annie, the down-syndromed girl, was watching her older sister prepare to get married.  Sister Brady was worried that Annie would feel left out, but Annie seemed really happy and just in-tune, knowing that what her sister was doing was really great.  Anny said to her mom one day, 'Mom, I get married like Sissy when Jesus comes."  She said it like a statement, not like a question.  It was SO COOL.  And I just felt the spirit so strong.  It also reminded me of Rachel, God loves her so much!  There was another story she told about Annie where Annie had had a really bad sickness and Sister Brady was up all night helping Annie.  Annie threw up a lot that night and they had to change her clothes and her bedding more than once.  At 2:00 A.M. they sat on a sofa waiting for Annie's bedding to dry in the dryer and both Mom and daughter were super exhausted.  Then Annie looked at her mom and touched her face with a shaky hand, she said to her mom, "I sorry.  I love you."  Sister Brady said she knew Annie was trying to thank her, but those were the words she knew how to use and that's what she said.  She applied it to the Atonement.  We all need to take time to curl up at the Savior's feet and simply say, "I'm Sorry.  I love you."  It was so great.  I cried a lot that meeting.

     If there's anything I love about the mission, it's the INSPIRATION that just goes from person to person.  Inspire someone today, would you?  Motivate them.  Give them a reason to move on today!  The gospel is in OUR hands, it's OUR time, and it's pretty awesome.  An Elder in our district read us something - I'm not sure what it's called or where to find it, and I was going to tell you where it was but didn't remember... it's in the Book of Mormon or D&C I think - It's the statements talking about how Joseph Smith sealed the Book of Mormon and D&C with his blood.  "He lived for glory and died for glory" it said - how cool is that!  Are you living for glory and dying for glory?  What are you doing with your time!?  Joseph smith did more for this earth than anyone save Christ - it also said that in there.  It was so cool and the spirit was so strong then as well.

     I just know the church is true.  I know that the Book of Mormon is true.  I know that the pioneers did SO much for us!  We just need to prove ourselves too.  And do it with our families and with love.  I hope that you all have a superb Memorial Day!  And that you give everyone hugs for me... yup, hugs!

     O.k. well there was more I was going to say, but I don't have time, we'll have to send out some letters.  I LOVE YOU ALL!  Stay safe while driving, be good, say your prayers.  Love ya!

- Sister Amber Allen

There Once Was A Girl Who Spoke English...

    Good Evening!  We've procrastinated our e-mailing time and now will have to e-mail a bit into our dinner time...haha...but I'm okay with that.  It's great to be able to say hello to you all again!  HI!!!!!!

     First off, it's HYRUM's birthday this week, so Happy Birthday Hyrum!  Are you excited to be five?!

    Also, sounds like Dad, Gregg, Nathan, and the gang are out in MA building a ropes course.  It's awesome that Nathan saw some of the Elders I knew from District G in our Branch this morning at the airport!  They are great Elders.  One of their group went home early because his brother died recently.  It's a really sad story, and he's not going to come back for a while because of it.  I know that those Elders are growing from the experience, but are also pretty heart-broken.  You get really close to eachother really fast here at the MTC, so I'm sure they felt like they were loosing a brother too. 

     So, speaking of Brycen, and who ever else is with Dad building the ropes course, guess who randomly has gym time at the same time as my district!  The one and only Elder Collin Hale!  Yeah!  It was way cool to see him, I went over and shook his hand, he said he didn't know I was serving a mission.  It's fun to see him around.  He's gunna be a great missionary. He already bore his testimony to me in his language yesterday, and he's only been here three days.  That's dedication, I don't think I was that good by then!

    Gregg!  I have met two guys who knew you from SVU.  One is Elder Ledford, he's in my Branch!  So I get to see him every Sunday at least and it was fun cuz I got to be there for some introductions and he was like, 'Aren't you Gregg's sister?  I met you when you came to Virginia!'  And I felt bad that I hadn't recognized him at first.  He was the one with the knee brace I think, and the one who printed out the brackets for us that one night.  He says you know all about his caffine needs...haha...the MTC doesn't offer caffinated drinks so he's having a hard time :).  Also I met an Elder Chandler who says he knows you too.  COOL!

    Anyways, it's a small-small world, as they say!  And I really love it!

    A couple fun things from this week, first of all on Wednesday night after watching all the new Elders and Sisters arrive (which is SO FUN to see, by the way) we were in our rooms getting ready for bed and the FIRE ALARM goes off.  Yeah, so like the whole building evacuated, and a ton of us streamed out the doors.  There wasn't really a fire, it was just some girl on our floor had burnt her popcorn in the microwave and it stunk up the whole buildling... the smell didn't go away for quite some time, probably half way through the next day.  But it was a fun experience.  Especially for the people who were taking a shower at the time!  Haha, glad that wasn't me!  We have two new girls in our room, Sister Iaccarina and Sister Legro.  Sister Iaccarina is from Italy!  She has a cool accent.  It was pretty funny when the fire alarm went off, the two new girls were like, 'does this happen often?' and we had to say, nope this is the first time, it just happened to be your first day at the MTC!

    Well, I've been called as the music coordinator for our Branch.  It's not really a 'calling' they just call it an 'assignment' here at the MTC.  But I'm in charge of finding someone to play the hymns and I pick the hymns as well.  I am supposed to get to sacrament meeting early and hand out the hymn books. I love my calling.  Thing is, there aren't very many people who play the piano and lead.  SO... expecially to my brothers.... If you are a young man within the reach of these words, PLEASE learn to play the piano and lead music.  It's so helpful and such a great talent you can share with others.  Also learn how to sing parts, it's so great to hear the Elders sing and sing well!

    We have sacrament meeting at 8:00 A.M. on Sundays and we don't have meetings right after that, it's really interesting.  We kind of have a Sunday-School type of deal which is called District Meeting, each companionship prepares a five minute lesson and we discuss and talk about those things with just our district.  This Sunday we had a district meeting that was really awesome.  When Starszy Skolmoski and Starszy Rittmanic talked about the Sacrament and how we really need to work harder to make it more meaningful, I felt the spirit so strongly.  Something that seems to happen alot here at the MTC is I realize how weak I am and how I really need to do so much better in SO many areas.  I could do much better at focusing on my Savior during the Sacrament.  Someone mentioned imagining if it was Christ who was passing the Sacrament to you, and that really brought new perspective for me.

    Also, drumroll please....guess who came to Devotional THIS WEEK!  Elder L. Tom Perry!  He's so tall!  And he gave a great talk.  I really liked the first part of it because it was a story and lots more entertaining.  He talked about how this young pioneer boy had gone to live with a family friend for a year to help with a farm or learn a trade, something like that.  He was sitting in the room alone and noticed an old man sitting in the corner.  He didn't know the man's name, and he didn't know the name of the man he was staying with either.  The story started out pretty creepy...haha...anyways, then eventually, the next day the boy talks to the old man again and finds out that this man is Martin Harris!  Martin Harris stands up straight (he's usually kind of hobbling I guess with a cane) and with power testifies to this younger boy about the gold plates, angels, hearing God's voice, and how he's been commanded to testify.  The story was pretty cool.  I just know that we all must testify.  And I wish I could testify with that much power and authority.

     I keep saying 'I wish' too much I think.  I need to do less wishing and more working!  I also need to be more patient!  Patience is SO important!  I'm not going to become a saint overnight.  I am not going to be perfect at Polish overnight, either.  Everything will be alright, and I'm going to work harder!

    One more thing...our district has decided to speak our language from here on out.  If we know a word in polish we're supposed to say it.  It's hard to remember to do and I find myself talking in English WAY too much.  However, I'm working on it.  So there once was a girl who spoke English...NOW I'm going to speak POLISH!  It's gunna be BOSS.  I'm stoked.

     Thanks again for all your prayers and love.  I'm grateful every day for my family because I really don't know what else would motivate me so strongly to be good.  I picture your faces and all my worries seem to just not be that big a deal anymore.  I picture your faces and I have a reason to make it to the celestial Kingdom.  It's really great. I'm so blessed to have such an amazing family.  I LOVE YA!  and my friends too, of course.  Keep up the good work, God loves you!

- Siostra Amber Allen

    Among other things, my warts are gone, we played a lot more beach volleyball this week and less basketball, I played with some snails Sister Ostler and I found on the sidewalk, the trees and flowers here at the MTC are beautiful, and once again, I really do love our district.

   

Polkadots, Trucks, and Gyros

 Good Afternoon!  The sun is shining, and I am happy again, what about you?  If you're not happy, have you thought about Christ yet today?  If not, I challenge you to do so, He's the BEST bet at making you happy, I promise it! 

    Alright, once again I have so much to say...and so little time, so here goes.

    First off... there was this one time I was walking up hill towards this one temple and I saw this one truck... and I was like, NO WAY...no it can't be... and I started to walk away...but then I looked closer and I was all like, 'Sister Ostler, I think that's my truck!' and we walked over there and sure enough...there was a wooden tailgate with my old name in it (now my name is Siostra Allen)!  HAHA!  I couldn't believe it.  That was pretty funny dad, you're great.

   Second thing I wanted to mention was the food this week.  I ate a gyro for lunch the other day and it was like someone had killed me and I went to heaven... It was SO YUMMY!  Can't tell you how yummy... and have I told you about the grahm cracker ice cream and the sugar cookies here?  Delicious!  Anyways, the food isn't really all that bad.  Sometimes they don't have anything on the menu that I particularly like but for the most part it is quite yummy.  The Tomato Basil soup, the wraps, etc. I also found LEMONADE this week... i think it was this week... time really mushes together and I appologize in advance if I repeat anything I've already included in previous e-mails/ letters to you!

   O.k. so I just want to share a bunch of stories that have been shared with me that I LOVED:

   The story of the Butterfly:  There once was a small boy who went hiking with his dad.  They found a cucoon and a butterfly inside struggling to get out.  The boy really wanted to help the butterfly so he asked his dad to help the little thing.  Well the dad said they could cut open the cucoon but as soon as they'd done so, the butterfly fell to the ground, dead.  The little boy was so sad!  Then the dad explained that in order for the butterfly to survive, it must struggle to open it's cuccoon.  The nutrients won't get to it's wings if it doesn't struggle, and the wings won't dry out either, if they aren't worked out.  If you don't let the butterfly struggle, it's wings are damp and they don't have any nutrients and they just die.  The moral of the story - God lets us struggle for a REASON.  We only become who we are meant to become through our STRUGGLES.  So be grateful for them, and learn what you are supposed to learn from them!

    The story of the sand box.  Our choir leader in the MTC told us this story of his mom when he was a small boy.  He was a mamma's boy and loved being at home.  He said kindergarten was fun, but being at school all day for first grade was super hard for him.  He would make it to about 11:00 A.M. and then he would get so homesick he would throw up and really be litterally sick.  This went on for a few months I think he said and then the principal called him and his mother in and said maybe he should just wait until the next year to come back to first grade.  The mom asked the principal if she could have a few minutes with her son.  So the principal leaves and she asks him, what can I do for you?  If there is anything I can do to make it so you'll stay at school, I'll do it.  Then the little boy told his mom that right outside the window of his classroom there was a sand box.  If his mom would just sit in the sandbox, everytime he'd get homesick he'd look out the window and see his mom and everything would be alright.  She DID IT!  Haha... every day for like 3 months, she sat in his sandbox for what is that...like 6 hours a day.  Ever since then he's done anything his mother asked him and tried to be the best kid he could be!  haha, WHAT A MOM!  The selfless sacrifice our moms give us is so great and we should always be so appreciative!  (And what a silly MTC Choir conductor - he's awesome :))

     The story of the Restaurant... A man spoke to us a while back about how he and his family went to Olive Garden and sat down to order food, looked at the menu for a while, you know, and then the waitress comes out and instead of taking their order, she says, 'I bring you your food now.'  The family is all confused, because they didn't even order!  Then this woman brings out a salad and in her heavy accent she sayd, 'It's a beautifuly salad, no?'   Haha, the way he told it was so funny.  Turns out they make really good friends with this lady - she's older and from Italy I think.  The family loved going there just to visit their friend.  They went there for birthdays.  Then one day one of his daughters died in a car accident and they contacted this waitress to tell her about it and she cried with them because she knew this girl so well.  It was just such a great story about friendship.  I wish that everywhere you go you'd make a friend.  And be sincere about it!  Speaking of friends, I made about eight new ones at the temple this morning, two sweet old ladies a younger sister who has been back from her mission to SPAIN for a year an a half (I asked her if she knew Cheris, she said no), and the five people who I did initiatories for.  I learned this morning that that's one thing that I love the temple for - MAKING FRIENDS!!!  That's what it's all about, everyone getting back to God because we LOVE eachother!

     Alright, well, I want you to do some things for me.  My brothers, I want you to look up a guy named Paora on Mormon.org, watch his video.  SO COOL.  And mom, you should watch Jane Clayson Johnson's video as well as type in 'Polkadots' - I want to be a 'Nutter' like her someday!  Did you all watch the Spoken Word on Mother's day?  We are able to watch that here and it was SO good!  Makes me want to be a mom!  Hey but I still want to be a missionary right now, I'll get to the mom stuff later!

     OH!  We had another apostle this last week, Elder Christofferson came and spoke!  AND my old choir teacher was the organist for Tuesday's devotional and I got to go say hello.  The Spirit was so strong when Elder Christofferson came into the room, I felt really blessed.

     What do we know about our cousin Josh Allen?  Where is he, have you talked to him?

     My right hand's pinky is worn out from writing so much :)

     I've got five minute left, and I just want to give you some District Pride, I hope that's alright.

     Elder Bokinski - he's our new District Leader, he lead us in setting District Goals last night and it's gunna be GREAT.  He's an awesome leader, a bit OCD :) but I enjoy him in our district, he's awesome.

     Elder Register - he is Elder Bokinski's companion.  He is an only child and he has a testimony like I've never seen, he's so strong!  I'm grateful for his influence and humble attitude in our district.  He's got a cool southern accent :)

     Elder DeShazer - he draws dragons.  He is really funny, and has a strong testimony.  Comes from a big family - bigger than mine, if I remember right.  And his dad died of cancer a few years ago.  This Elder is so strong, and I admire him.

     Elder Ressler - he is a great big brother, I can just tell.  He loves his little sisters, which is so awesome.  I'm grateful for his example.  Everyone says he's going to be a good public speaker, I can definitely see it.

    Elder Raines - He is one of our Zone Leaders and he's pretty funny too.  He's a good leader, as well, and has a great attitude towards life.  He's always suggesting testimony meetings and stuff.  He draws well and I'm learning how to write my name graffitti style from his example.

    Elder Jesperson - He went to Timpview, he's got red hair, and he's really tall.  He's quiet most the time, but when he speaks, it's always a good time.  He knows how to say the word fanny-pack in polish.  It means (litterally translated) small bag worn about the hips.

    Elder Skomolski - his family is from Poland, but he's from America.  He's a bit older than the other elders, but not much.  He's smart, very smart, and likes to talk alot.  We're grateful for him in our district too, great guy.

    Elder Rittmanic - He also went to Timpview and played football and sang in the choir there.  He was our district leader, he's pretty great, funny, big blonde guy.  He and Bokinski like to scare me.

    Well the church is true!  Love ya!

- Siostra Allen

Spelling Tests

  GUESS WHAT!  I apparently have been spelling my name wrong for quite some time...yes, SISTER in Polish is spelled SIOSTRA, the "SI" makes a 'SH' sound, and you really pronounce it 'SHOW-STRAH'...so i think that means my blog is wrong, I've been spelling it wrong on letters, and I even put it on my new polish scriptures...HA!  But you just have to laugh at yourself, right?  And KEEP MOVING FORWARD! ( I think it would probably be a bad idea to change the blog address as of now because people have it written down...but if you really wanted to you could change it and somehow get the word out... Anyways, enough about that!)

      I'm on my third week here at the MTC and it's so crazy how fast time flies.  Some people have said time goes slow in the MTC, I have had the completely opposite experience.  I feel like I don't have enough time... and I just can't believe we've almost hit three weeks!  This week has probably been the hardest of the three weeks for me.  I was sorta sick for at least one evening, pretty out of it, and then I've just been sort of emotional and overwhelmed with my inadequacies.  I worry about too many things, and then I worry about worrying.  My companion and I talked about how we think too much... not sure if she's thinking too much the same way I'm thinking too much, but I definitely need to just stop thinking about MYSELF! 

     There are so many good people here, I think I want to just give you some sketches of people I've gotten to know here at the MTC.

     Brother Broadbent is our teacher, he served his mission in Poland and I believe he's been back for about four years now, or so.  He is from Arizona and he is now married with a baby boy.  He married a girl who also served her mission in Poland - HOW COOL IS THAT!  Brother Broadbent is amazing.  I can tell he's a hard worker, and he would be a GREAT facilitator at the Ropes Course.  I would have mentioned it to him, but he's moving to Idaho to work real soon.  He leaves shortly after we leave the MTC.  He's been teaching for about four years and I think all the missionaries in Poland know him.  He's a great teacher, and I know all the Elders look up to him SO much.  I hope I can have as strong a testimony and as strong Polish as he does some day.  Great guy.

     Elder Tongan. - Some random Elder we met at lunch, and then every time he'd see us he'd just shake our hands or say hello and just be so happy to see us!  What a friendly guy!  I admire people who are so genuinely FUN!  He left already - it's crazy that people come in and out of here while we are still here, but it's a fun feeling, reminds you that there's life beyond the MTC :)

     Siostra Holmgren - she sleeps on the top bunk of my bunk bed and she's leaving to Poland next week!  She and Siostra Peterson were here long before I was and they are really great.  Siostra Holmgren made Siostra Peterson's bed yesterday morning and it was inspiring and I just admire her a lot.  Sometimes she can be really quiet, but I know her testimony is burning strong. 

     O.k. quick funny story...So my companions and I were working on TALL, language learning, and we were getting too tired, so we decided to go for a quick walk to get our blood going.  Siostra Howells told Siostra Ostler to race me to the bottom of the stairs.  O. was sort of reluctant but I had already started down the stairs.  H. said 'Siostra Allen's going to beat you!' and then O. started down the stairs full speed.  I started running down the stairs, and suddenly I hear a screechy noise from up above.  O. had fallen on her ankle and sprained it!  I felt bad, and kind of walked back up to see if she was okay.  She sat down on the floor at the bottom of the stairs and H. was watching from up above.  I thought that O. was really just not feeling good and that she kind of laid down on the floor.  Turns out, H. had seen people pass out before and hurried to come downstairs to tell me that O. had just passed out.  I was incredulous, like, no, she's just joking, just closing her eyes!  I probably said, 'Huh, Siostra Ostler, you're just faking it, right?' but she didn't respond too well... and her eyes were closed...haha... she really did pass out!  It was so weird.  But we all started laughing after a while, when she came to, and it was just so funny.  Her ankle didn't swell too bad, and she thought it was weird she had fainted too, but golly gee! :) I'm glad I don't pass out often!

     My favorite things... WASHING MY FACE AT NIGHT!  It feels SO good to just put water on my face and feeling the coolness or hotness of it... either one works, really.  It's nice and relaxing.  THE SUGAR COOKIES in the lunchroom - SO GOOD.  Our ELDERS, they're hilarious.  I was a bit worried about hanging out with a bunch of 19 year old boys, but they suprise me with their comments sometimes.  Haha, and they help me lighten up.  "CALM DOWN Siostra Allen, it's not a big deal!"  One of them said that to me this week.  Yeah, we're pretty tight I guess... and I need to lighten up.  They really do help me, and we as sisters help them, it's pretty cool how it all works out.  I need to not worry as much, and have more faith!  Another favorite thing was BRAT RUSHTON's stories!  Man, he's so good at getting a point across, it's hillarious.

      Accomplishments and Spiritual upliftment this week -- well I was able to go to a workshop this week where we really got it nailed into us to be obedient.  To leave EVERYTHING behind, not just what we physically left behind for the mission.  Then randomly we were supposed to bring up a lesson to teach one of our companions, something to help them come unto Christ, something they could 'do better.'  At this point, I was hit with this wave of, 'who am I to teach a lesson!  We just talked about being completely obedient and leaving it all behind, and I just am NOT PERFECT... how can I tell anyone to do anything!'  I cried...and couldn't stop for a minute... haha... the spirit was strong, and God chastens those he loves, though, right?!  I guess that wasn't really an accomplishment, but it was a great lesson learned... I need to be better!  An accomplishment, though, we got to teach a lesson to an "investegator" (one of our teachers acting as a Polish investigator) and I memorized some sentances on Joseph Smith and the Restoration.  It went so well and I remembered the words I wanted to remember, and it was just GREAT!  I love it when I can speak good Polish!  I can't wait to get to "Ninja status Polish" - as Brat Rushton put it.

      Last night we got to watch the Joseph Smith video and I was reminded of how much faith that man had.  He was pack-full of faith!  I can't believe how much faith he had!  I once again realized that it's so TRUE!  And I got so excited, if even for five minutes, that I'm doing the right thing!  I also was able to bear my testimony yesterday about the Atonement and I could tell that it touched hearts and made sense!  I loved how I felt too, knowing that what I said was true for me.  The feelings of the Spirit are real.  The Savior really did die for us.  For me.  And I've got to pay him back as much as I can!  I just love it when I get in the zone and feel that.  I wish it was more constant sometimes, but I am SO grateful that it at least comes!  Stay strong, keep reading the Book of Mormon, and really THINK about your Savior, okay?  Think about what he did for you! 

      AND!  Happy Mother's Day this week Mom!  I love ya!  You are the best!  And have probably done more for me than pretty much anyone I know.

     Love ya all!

- Siostra Amber Allen

 

The MTC is a Powerhouse for the Spirit!

        Aaaaaaahhhhh!!!!  Hey everyone!  It''s e-mail time at the MTC!  I''m excited to say hi to everyone again!

        First off, THANKS so much for the notes and everything for my birthday, I had one GREAT day!  Especially thanks to Mom for the cheesecake.  It was more delicious than ever!  Also, it was cool to get notes from people at basketball, glad they were cool enough to ask you for a key!  YAY basketball!  I''ve been balling it up myself here at the good ol' MTC!  We've had a good time, getting bruises, giving a few, you know!  My companion drains threes like a beast!  We also got to go to the fields for the first time the other day during gym time and played sand volleyball with most of our district, it was a BLAST!

       To Spencer, Happy Birthday on Wednesday, right?  Hope your day is fantastic!  I LOVE YOU!  Nathan says you get to go Home Teaching!

       To Sasha, I heard you were GORGEOUS in the pageant the other night, in YELLOW!  Can I see some pictures?  Please!?  Congrats, and you ARE gorgeous!

       To Laura and Sterling, I heard you saw SARAH!  What in the heebie-geebies!  NO FAIR! :) Hey but I love ya and congrats as well.

        Alright, more about my experiences... um... SO MUCH TO SAY! 

       Well!  Tuesday night devotional we had...drum roll please... Russel M. Nelson!  An apostle spoke to us!  It was exciting having everyone stand when he walked in.  I was tired during his talk, but afterwards we had a discussion on it and I was amazed at how much everyone around me learned from it in their own ways.  We shared what we had learned and I learned about 100% more from the people around me than I had just listening to the talk.  I guess I should have been paying a bit more attention.  These people here at the MTC amaze me every DAY!  There are so many strong testimonies and so many amazing stories.  Everyone's lives are so different!  On Sunday a girl bore her testimony and talked about her conversion story.  She moved from Mexico when she was smaller and her dad is the preacher to this new church he started.  She was always confused why he could be a preacher and then come home and beat his wife and children.  It sounded pretty crazy.  Then one night when she was partying (after her parents got divorced, and her dad moved to Mexico to start his church there - leaving his family) hard, she randomly met this Mormon boy who I guess started helping her come to know the truth.  The elders in that area had been really downhearted because they hadn't had much success.  They fasted and prayed and the very next day this girl came to church and started taking the discussions!  WOW!  The church is true, and it's so amazing!  I could see how much the gospel meant to her.  It is such a contrast from the world out there, and when you live in Provo and Rexburg... haha I just don't think I got to see that contrast as much!  But it's great to see it here!  To hear about the good news the gospel brings!

        I have been gaining a testimony of role playing.  Here at the MTC we do a lot of role playing, where you pretend to be an investegator and a companionship from your district gives you a lesson, or you teach a fake investegator.  Just the other day, I was teaching a Starszy (that means Elder in Polish) and I talked to him about the gospel, I was supposed to commit him to baptism.  He put up the come back that he felt happy already, happy where he was.  It took me a second to think about what my response would be because I've always been afraid of that, what would I say to someone who is just comfortable where they are!  Then a thought came into my head, and I'm telling you it wasn't ME who thought it.  It was the Spirit for sure, and it just said, 'think of a story you can tell him to illustrate that he can be happier, he just doesn't know it.' So I asked him to wait while I thought, then I related a story and explained that even though he may be comfortable and happy, he may not know that he COULD be happier!  This elder in my district started to tear up a bit and after the fact told me that I'd just said everything to him that he'd always wanted to say to his father but didn't know how!  I was amazed.  And I totally felt the Spirit!  I just know that if you can feel the spirit, if the Holy Ghost can teach you things while you are ROLE PLAYING in the MTC, how much more will he talk to you in the field!  I also learned the value of silence.  It's okay to be quiet for a minute before you speak!  You'll sound more profound that way, I think :)

        I saw Greta Ballif! (An 8th Ward Friend)  She's in the Finnish room right next door to me!  It's amazing that I get to see her face every day.  She's so amazing!  She's the oldest of nine, I think, and I feel like we have a few things in common, it'll be good to bounce ideas around with her and see her smiling face.

        It is Elder Peter Johnson's last full day in the MTC today!  I can't believe it!  He told me last week, I think, that he may not be able to go to New Zealand because of a new law passed there, and I'm praying that he'll still get to go!  Right now he's going to head to California instead of New Zealand and hopefully they'll still get to go there!  What an amazing kid.  I got to take a picture with him and his companion, Elder Taylor today.  They did their "sign" - right hand in the sign-language 'Y' - like hang loose, you know?   And I didn't know of a "sign" from Poland, but then my companion, Soistra Ostler reminded me that the Polish people stick their thumbs inside their fists as a sign of good luck - kinda like we cross our first and second fingers?  COOL!

        O.k. I have 8 minutes left... One funny story...

        On our way to the temple, we got like almost all the way there and realized that two of the three of us didn't have our recommends... Guess who had theirs?  ME!  Haha, usually I'm the forgetfull one, but I had my recommend.  Well, we ran all the way back to our residence to get the other sister's temple recommends and then turned right around and went back.  A lady at the temple said, ýou must be a missionary!  You just have that glow!  And when she wasn't looking I was all like, 'YES!' I've been waiting for so long for this!  I really am SO excited to be a missionary, almost every second!  Sometimes I just get giddy.  Sister Ostler is worse than me though, haha and makes me more giddy! 

        Well, folks, I want to leave you with a small testimony in Polish, we'll see what I can do alright?

 

       Wiem źe kościoł jest prawdziwy!  Wiem źe Jezus Chrystus jest Odkupicielem!  To świadectwo mi pomaga źyć radośnie!

    

       Thanks again for your prayers and I love you!  The church is true!  I'm having the time of my life!  And I learn so much each day!  If I think of something else to say, I'll have to write a letter tonight!

       Lots of love,

               Soistra Amber Allen

  

I'm A MISSIONARY... For REALS!

       MY BROTHER IS GOING ON A MISSION TO BRAZIL!!!!  Sweet, Congrats Gregg! 

        O.k. on to boring stuff from Soistra Allen:

        Well, hello everyone!  I can't believe that I'm here, I have to keep touching my name tag to make sure I'm not dreaming (and slapping myself to make sure I stay awake... I've been SUPER tired like 24/7 here, must be the Spirit) - and I LOVE IT.  I'm not sure what to tell you about first, or where to start, because there's SO much to say!  I'll start with my companions.

        Yes, I didn't typo - I have TWO companions! Soistra Howells and Soistra Ostler.  Soistra Howells' family lives here in Utah and yet she's lived ALL over the world - Netherlands, Hawaii, Texas, etc. for her dad's job.  She is really kind hearted and has a sister kind of like mine!  Hi RACHEL!  Soistra Ostler is from Utah as well, comes from a family of four kids, and both her parents own their own businesses.  She played soccer in college...yah!  We all seem to like to laugh, and have fun, so I've been laughing quite a bit (more than I thought I would be, for sure! haha :) yup) while I've been in the MTC.  Our district has 8 elders, and the three of us sisters.  All of us are learning Polish, two of the Elders are going to England, Polish speaking.  I LOVE our district already.  I feel like I already knew these people and I love them.  No offense, but they're my new family for right now!  I love that we can bouy each other up and have a good time and work hard!  That's what you should be doing at home too!  Treat eachother good, work hard, play hard, and SMILE LOTS!

         I will try to tell you more about our Elders as the time goes on, I'd really like to share with you about at least one person I've met each week and something that I've learned from them.  There's SO much to learn.  I wish all of you would meet someone new and learn from them, here there are opportunities EVERYWHERE to do so.  Along with meeting new people, I've seen some familiar faces as well.  I've seen Elder Peter Johnson!  Elder Phillip Thiabeau (spelling?)!  And a girl from my ward when I lived in Regency.  The first day I was here I also saw Brother Sullivan (- who later told me where Gregg was going on his mission!  I'm really spoiled here, and it's great...thanks everyone!) and Sister Nanette Lamb as well as Genie Lamb.  The girl who helped me with my bags the first day was named Amber as well!  And she was wearing Pink just like me!  And our cameras were both red.  She was awesome!  And so kind!  It seems like most people here are kind, though!

        O.k. I want to share some funny/embarrassing stories, and then some more spiritual ones!  Funny: Soistra Howells put whipping cream on her roll thinking it was butter (the butter here looks really fake and nasty - but the food is really actually alright.  Don't be worried).  An Elder at gym (I got to play BASKETBALL!  Twice already!  SO FUN!) asked me my name and I slipped and said 'Amber' - ooops!  It does actually feel weird to be called 'Amber' anymore, I don't feel like an Amber... just a Soistra Allen!!!   We're supposed to call each other by 'Elder _______' or 'Sister ________'  We're not allowed to say 'guys' and we've been working on that.  Surprisingly it's been kinda hard!  We put the washer soap in the fabric softener hole and that was funny - we had to fish it out with a sock.  An Elder Allen sits across from us at meal time sometimes and one day he just randomly started talking to me from accross two tables.  It was hilarious.  He all animatedly goes 'Sister Allen, hello!' and he said 'where are you from?' and I answered, and then I asked him where he's from.  After that, he said something like, 'you'd think we'd be related, but we're not.'  And I was all, 'yup, but we both have blonde hair and blue eyes!' and he said, 'YEAH, and we're both Freaking Beautiful!' REALLY loud... haha that's way out of place here, and it was SO funny.  My whole table busted out laughing, and his district too.  It was just really great. I'm sure I turned red in the face, haha but it was so funny.

       Spiritual Stories:  Alright, well, the first day we got here we talked to three people as a group of about 30 missionaries.  We weren't told if they were real investegators or not, but I think two of them were, and one was acting (he had too many props).  The spirit was so strong as we testified to these people of what we knew.  The one man I could tell had built some walls and even though he said he was open to new ideas, he wasn't open to changing his mind... we would raise our hand to answer his questions and he would speak to us.  It was a really unique experience - like giving a lesson, but from 30 missionaries instead of two.  Anyways, that was the first time I really felt the spirit SUPER strong and KNEW this is what I'm here for, to get people like him to SEE what I see!  To help him FEEL what I feel.  It was great, expecially on the first day.

      Also, on Saturday the 11 of us in our district watched a talk by Elder Holland in our classroom.  It was so, SO good.  That man is BOSS.  I cried through parts of it.  At the end, one of our Elders, Elder Raines, suggested we have a testimony meeting.  And although we were supposed to be having language study, it just felt right, and even though it was a random suggestion, we went along with it.  All 11 of us bore our testimony.  And thinking about it even now gives me goose bumps.  It was AMAZING.  The spirit was there so strong.  Our elders have such interesting stories to share and such strong testimonies.  It makes me SO grateful to see such strong men. 

     Anyways, I only have 30 minutes to check e-mail.  That time is almost up.  I just wanted to say that I love you guys!  The church is true!  Keep up the good work and just have fun, life is meant to be JOYFUL. O.k.?

     Love ya!

- Soistra Allen

p.s. Nathan!  How was Prom!?

p.p.s. THERE's SO MUCH MORE TO SAY!  But tata for now!

Amber was set apart last night. Lights were out by 10:30 and on by 6:30am. Children stayed home from school and we had breakfast together. Amber did her last minute packing.We loaded up in the big white family van and headed to the MTC. We had to pull over several times to let firetrucks pass. Its a good thing Amber told us 12:30 for her arrival time, but really it was 12:40. We were early! 9 year old James was sitting in front and the man greeting us talked to James and asked him if he was ready to start his mission! Benjamin pointed to the very back of the van to where Amber was sitting! We got a bright pink sticky paper on our windshield and took a left and passed several vehicles and came to a vacant spot along the curb #22 . We all got out, and each one gave her hug, and I tried to take lots of pictures. Then 2 missionaries took her luggage and off she went!!!!! No crying...... yet. James said he was waiting for his mother to blast out crying! Nathan said, lets party! So we went to Maceys for ice cream.

 

                                                           

Testimony

"Testimony isn't something you have today, and you are going to have always.  

A testimony is fragile.  

It is as hard to hold as a moonbeam.  

It is something you have to recapture...

Every day of your life." - President Harold B. Lee

        I've found that out the hard way a few times in this lifetime.  It's not a pretty thing, to feel as though your testimony isn't stronger than a moonbeam.  But all I know is that you and I have got to hold on to that moonbeam and make it more of a rock, immovable, strong.  But it's a rock you've gotta roll everyday to make it stronger.  It's a living thing, something you've got to really feed with faith and prayers and diligence.  

        I feel as though I ought to share some of my testimony here, that I know that families can be together forever.  It only seems natural and right!  I know that God's creations are all around us, the mountains, the birds, the rivers, nature is a testimony in and of itself.  I know that the Book of Mormon is true.  I know that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ in the grove of trees.  I know that Jesus will come again, that He suffered and died for us, and that because of Him we will be resurrected, all of us.  I know that missionary work is of the Lord and that I get to be a participant in one of the greatest, if not THE greatest movements on this Earth in these the Latter Days.  I know that President Monson is our prophet today, as quarky and fun as he is, he holds the keys!  I love this gospel!  I have and I always will.  Believe.  Please believe!

        So What:  Please share your testimony sometime soon, it will strengthen it!  I promise!

Once Again!

           Once again I finished reading the Book of Mormon today!  I think this may have been the fastest I've ever read it.  I started January first and have finished it just this morning.  I'm so grateful for this book and for the characters in it.  Characters with character!
           I also watched one of the new videos of Christ's life this morning on lds.org.  What an amazing man.  I was able to feel the Spirit and think of all Christ has done for me and it is oh so much!  I think one of my favorite lines from this movie clip is the one which says, "The cup which my father hath given me - shall I not drink it?"  I think we need to be more submissive to our Heavenly Father.  If there are trials in our lives, we shouldn't run from them, but face them as the Savior did!  Trust our Father in Heaven that everything will be alright.  If you want to watch it, click on the link below:

http://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/the-savior-suffers-in-gethsemane?lang=eng

          So What:  Be more submissive.  AND if you haven't read the Book of Mormon, I challenge you to do that!  Much love!   -- Amber Allen

Invited. :)