I wasn't ever home sick at all, but I was a little sad waking up that morning and realizing it was a little different, but it wasn't necessarily a bad thing at all. What kind of phone did Sawyer get? How is everyone? I'm doing really well here.
Today we had a HUGE nerf war again, and we actually waited till everyone was out of the building, and we played this awesome nerf game where two people escorted "hostages" and there were kamikazies and assassins with the nerf guns and things, and it was such a blast. We played for literally about an hour and a half, and we didn't even realize it.
The temple is closed so we have a big chunk of time to fill, and it was hilarious. I've also got some other funny things that happened this week. I got really good at "fake throwing up" on people, and I have been putting that skill to good use, and it's pretty funny to see the reactions.
I think instead of typing everything out, i'll just send you a copy of my Christmas schedule, since it'd take way too long to type. But I saw Ben on Wednesday, bad news is he's in a completely different building and things so I haven't seen him since, but I made sure to know what room he's in, so i'll go visit him sometime before I leave. We'll probably get our travel plans on Thursday, and i'm so excited. Tomorrow we've got a new district coming in, with 12 Elders, it's a big district. Me and Rogers always shine their shoes for them the first night and get to know them, so i'm looking forward to that tomorrow night, it should be a lot of fun. It's getting a lot better being a Zone Leader, it's not as stressfull anymore and we're having a lot of fun. I think people are getting really attached to us though, and it's going to be really hard to leave in 2 weeks.
I've been really trying to help people out, and it's working to help me be a better person, and it helps others gain more confidence. We took a lot of pictures the last few weeks, and i'll try to get those developed. I had printed about 50 last week but something with the machine went wrong and it didn't work, so now the next time I print them they're be like 100. I'm still trying to figure out the videos, because we have a ton of different ones eating the pies, and Harry Potter beans and stuff, and they're hilarious, so i'm thinking of just sending the whole card home instead, and having all of you just look at those, and just buy few more memory cards here. They have every size, and they're pretty inexpensive so i'm not worried about it. I'll let you know what i'm doing.
Ties- I'm good on ties right now too, I have been trading so i'm staying fresh on those. MP3- Just put like some Mo-Tab on there, and if you would, please put Franco Devita on there, and all the spanish songs dad showed me. I want so show the guys all the songs i've been singing. (Like Sera, Te Amo, Inconditional, Solo Importas Tu, and all those) I think it'll be hilarious to sing. Most of them know the whole thing of Te Amo, so I need to show them what they're missing haha. Oh also, will you make sure people know I leave January 9th, and if they have anymore letters or anything to send me, make sure they know it has to get here before then so I dont' have mail coming after I leave.
So if anyone asks, just have them give it pre-stamped and everything to you and you can do that.
Advice of the week: Be the Leader that people look up to you because they WANT to, not because they HAVE TO. I've actually been making a lot of cool quotes and i've received some cool inspiration on a lot of awesome phrases and things i've been writing them all down. I'll have to take a picture of them and send them to you.
I'm doing really well. I don't know if there is anything else to say as of yet. I'll send you my christmas day stuff and that'll be fun to hear about. And I'll probably write you some journal incerpts in there so you can hear some other funny things. Thanks for everything for Christmas, i'll explain that more in those letters, but they were all amazing and I loved it so much. I Love you all so much, and hope all is well, thanks again. Talk to you later.
Friday, December 30, 2011
December 25, 2011
I'm pretty sure this is the first Christmas we haven't all been together since little baby Sawyer was born. As I look back at the Christmas's we've had, I realized the ones I remember most aren't because of which gifts I've given, or what presents I've received, but the experiences we had.
We have spent Christmas with Papa and Gigi, some with Grandma and Grandpa. one year we drove 18 hours to Oklahoma to spend it with Blayne and Kim. We've had a Costa Rican Christmas at midnight with Xotchil and her family, and also the Blanco's. We have been in a different country for Christmas when we went to Guatemala.
As a family we have shared our Christmases with many different people in many different places. This Christmas I have the opportunity to share it with my temporary family, my companion, my zone, y district, all my teachers and my Branch Presidency here at the MTC. Next year I'll share my Christmas with the wonderful people of Argentina. Over the next two years, at least for me, I'm pretty sure I'll be be able to say I've had more non traditional Christmas's in my life than the "regular ones", but in our family we never have just a regular Christmas.
Though we've had some extraordinary experiences, the one thing that has stayed the same is we've always had each other. No matter where we were, that has stayed the same, we've always had each other. No matter where we were we made experiences and those we'll never forget.
This Christmas is special one and we'll all grow closer to the Savior through it. I know that Jesus Christ is our Eternal Savior. He is the entire center of our Plan from Heavenly Father, and he is always with us. We can speak to him through one of the greatest gifts he could ever give each one of us, which is prayer. I have a tremendous testimony that God really listens to us and hears our desires. We can call out to him whenever we are in need, and he is just waiting to send down comfort.
Prayer is the whole reason our Church is restored on this day, all because a 14 year old boy had the courage to reach out to our Heavenly Father through his faith, and by a single prayer the father and his son appeared to him. I know Joseph Smith is a prophet, and I know that the Book of Mormon was translated with the miraculous power of God. I strongly encourage all of you to exercise this amazing power and gift each and throughout every single day. And expecially during this special Christmas we can have as a family. I love you all so very much and I want you to know how special each of you are to me. Thanks for all our experiences, and being such a strong support to each other.
Love Elder Quynton Allsup
We have spent Christmas with Papa and Gigi, some with Grandma and Grandpa. one year we drove 18 hours to Oklahoma to spend it with Blayne and Kim. We've had a Costa Rican Christmas at midnight with Xotchil and her family, and also the Blanco's. We have been in a different country for Christmas when we went to Guatemala.
As a family we have shared our Christmases with many different people in many different places. This Christmas I have the opportunity to share it with my temporary family, my companion, my zone, y district, all my teachers and my Branch Presidency here at the MTC. Next year I'll share my Christmas with the wonderful people of Argentina. Over the next two years, at least for me, I'm pretty sure I'll be be able to say I've had more non traditional Christmas's in my life than the "regular ones", but in our family we never have just a regular Christmas.
Though we've had some extraordinary experiences, the one thing that has stayed the same is we've always had each other. No matter where we were, that has stayed the same, we've always had each other. No matter where we were we made experiences and those we'll never forget.
This Christmas is special one and we'll all grow closer to the Savior through it. I know that Jesus Christ is our Eternal Savior. He is the entire center of our Plan from Heavenly Father, and he is always with us. We can speak to him through one of the greatest gifts he could ever give each one of us, which is prayer. I have a tremendous testimony that God really listens to us and hears our desires. We can call out to him whenever we are in need, and he is just waiting to send down comfort.
Prayer is the whole reason our Church is restored on this day, all because a 14 year old boy had the courage to reach out to our Heavenly Father through his faith, and by a single prayer the father and his son appeared to him. I know Joseph Smith is a prophet, and I know that the Book of Mormon was translated with the miraculous power of God. I strongly encourage all of you to exercise this amazing power and gift each and throughout every single day. And expecially during this special Christmas we can have as a family. I love you all so very much and I want you to know how special each of you are to me. Thanks for all our experiences, and being such a strong support to each other.
Love Elder Quynton Allsup
December 13, 2011
I'm meeting with the Argentine consulate today and my planned departure date is January 9th 2012. I get to call from the airport, let me know if you are still thinking of sending a phone or phone card.
Its cool to see how our companionship is working out so efficient. There is an elder in here that is really starting to irritate me. He's a super know it all , one-upper and always talks about his home and girlfriend and all of us are just ignoring it now.
Tean and Tance, bring a portfolio to keep your letters in. It really helps a lot. Also come up with a address book ( a little one) that is loaded with all your addresses, or have people sign it and fill it out at your farewell.
We ate the Harry Potter every flavor jelly beans on Sunday. I'll send you the video, its pretty funny. We all had such a great time with them. It was an awesome experience to feel like we were just hanging out for once. On Sunday we got to hear from the BYU men's choir, they were so good. They were fun to listen to, they shared a story of a man who only baptized one person on his mission in the Netherlands. from that in just 60 years 21 missions have been served through the generations, and he thought he wasn't a good missionary. It was cool. Brandon Doman's older brother is in my Branch Presidency and he played with Steve Young's championship team, it is cool to hear his stories.
Advice of the week, Worrying doesn't solve tomorrow's problems, it only drains today's energy. Elder Taai (the one from the island) is doing well. He is being arranged a nice package, I play basketball with him alot. It's getting a little tedious around here, The Spanish is coming great and Elder Rogers and I will be teaching the next lesson.
Zone leader stuff is going well. Had to settle a few more problems this week, but I feel we'll be blessed for being obedient. I've had a few dreams where Spanish is involved a little bit, not all of it but its still cool.
Its cool to see how our companionship is working out so efficient. There is an elder in here that is really starting to irritate me. He's a super know it all , one-upper and always talks about his home and girlfriend and all of us are just ignoring it now.
Tean and Tance, bring a portfolio to keep your letters in. It really helps a lot. Also come up with a address book ( a little one) that is loaded with all your addresses, or have people sign it and fill it out at your farewell.
We ate the Harry Potter every flavor jelly beans on Sunday. I'll send you the video, its pretty funny. We all had such a great time with them. It was an awesome experience to feel like we were just hanging out for once. On Sunday we got to hear from the BYU men's choir, they were so good. They were fun to listen to, they shared a story of a man who only baptized one person on his mission in the Netherlands. from that in just 60 years 21 missions have been served through the generations, and he thought he wasn't a good missionary. It was cool. Brandon Doman's older brother is in my Branch Presidency and he played with Steve Young's championship team, it is cool to hear his stories.
Advice of the week, Worrying doesn't solve tomorrow's problems, it only drains today's energy. Elder Taai (the one from the island) is doing well. He is being arranged a nice package, I play basketball with him alot. It's getting a little tedious around here, The Spanish is coming great and Elder Rogers and I will be teaching the next lesson.
Zone leader stuff is going well. Had to settle a few more problems this week, but I feel we'll be blessed for being obedient. I've had a few dreams where Spanish is involved a little bit, not all of it but its still cool.
December 25
I decided to email both of you since I didn't know i'd be able to be writing on Christmas, so i wanted to make sure you got it, and I know dad always has his phone to tell him when he got an email.
But my plan is to write right now and then use the rest of my time later today and you can respond and we can have a little bit of a conversation. So I just wanted to kind of outline the schedule for you, and then i'll just write you in MUCH more detail because SO much has happened between last night and even right now which is 12:38 pm, but it's been an amazing day and last night was too.
So i'll just write a little bit of what happened, and then you'll get a much more descriptive letter or email either later today or tuesday or something. or send you my notes either tuesday or later today or something, but this has been such an amazing experience. We just got to have sacrament meeting with 2210 missionaries, and David A. Bednar of the 12 was actually there too, and I couldn't help but think it was probably either close to, or the biggest sacrament meeting in the world, at least for today. Then we got to hear an hour and a half long talk by him and it only felt like 10 minutes because it was so awesome. I don't think i've ever felt the spirit so strongly, I hope you all got my package today and were able to open it, and I hope Charli's made it to her as well.
Oh and after the sacrament with him I saw Jena Erlebach and we talked for a little while, and took a few pictures, i'll send you those when i can. I hope everyone liked what they got, I know it wasn't much but I wanted to do something for you here at the MTC. I opened all my gifts today I am so excited to go to Argentina.
This morning was really mixed, because I was so excited for Christmas, but opening all those awesome, and perfect gifts was really hard, and I couldn't help but start crying for a little while, not because I was sad or wanted to come home or anything, but because I realized how much I love all of you, and how much it meant that you'd take so much time and preparation to send me some of those awesome things. I can't wait to start playing with all those things, and later this week i'll try to send you the videos of all the nerf wars and things we've had. It's actually really ironic, about two weeks ago I was going to ask you to send me an airplane lego because another elder in our district had one and it was so much fun to play with, but then I thought, I don't want them wasting their time getting me a little toy, and then look what I got this morning! It was crazy! And I can't wait to play with it all. So hopefully you get this soon, I know you're probably at church now, but try to respond as soon as you can and maybe I can have time to hear a few stories and what everyone got, I love you all, Merry Christmas!!
But my plan is to write right now and then use the rest of my time later today and you can respond and we can have a little bit of a conversation. So I just wanted to kind of outline the schedule for you, and then i'll just write you in MUCH more detail because SO much has happened between last night and even right now which is 12:38 pm, but it's been an amazing day and last night was too.
So i'll just write a little bit of what happened, and then you'll get a much more descriptive letter or email either later today or tuesday or something. or send you my notes either tuesday or later today or something, but this has been such an amazing experience. We just got to have sacrament meeting with 2210 missionaries, and David A. Bednar of the 12 was actually there too, and I couldn't help but think it was probably either close to, or the biggest sacrament meeting in the world, at least for today. Then we got to hear an hour and a half long talk by him and it only felt like 10 minutes because it was so awesome. I don't think i've ever felt the spirit so strongly, I hope you all got my package today and were able to open it, and I hope Charli's made it to her as well.
Oh and after the sacrament with him I saw Jena Erlebach and we talked for a little while, and took a few pictures, i'll send you those when i can. I hope everyone liked what they got, I know it wasn't much but I wanted to do something for you here at the MTC. I opened all my gifts today I am so excited to go to Argentina.
This morning was really mixed, because I was so excited for Christmas, but opening all those awesome, and perfect gifts was really hard, and I couldn't help but start crying for a little while, not because I was sad or wanted to come home or anything, but because I realized how much I love all of you, and how much it meant that you'd take so much time and preparation to send me some of those awesome things. I can't wait to start playing with all those things, and later this week i'll try to send you the videos of all the nerf wars and things we've had. It's actually really ironic, about two weeks ago I was going to ask you to send me an airplane lego because another elder in our district had one and it was so much fun to play with, but then I thought, I don't want them wasting their time getting me a little toy, and then look what I got this morning! It was crazy! And I can't wait to play with it all. So hopefully you get this soon, I know you're probably at church now, but try to respond as soon as you can and maybe I can have time to hear a few stories and what everyone got, I love you all, Merry Christmas!!
Early November
My companions name is Elder Rogers, He's from Modesto California and he seems great. Everyone in my district is actually going to Resistencia and its 4 companionships of Elders. Believe it or not but I really love all of them. Its weird, it seems like i've known them my whole life.
Im having fun and staying safe. Im super busy. Keep praying and blessings will come "with obedience comes blessings, with exact obedience comes miracles"
Im having fun and staying safe. Im super busy. Keep praying and blessings will come "with obedience comes blessings, with exact obedience comes miracles"
Early November
The MTC is Great. I've had a lot of cool experiences already, and I pray for each of you everyday. I have a true testimony of prayer and I know it works. I have been a little sick the past few days, throwing up, and I haven't thrown up in like 3 years. I am great now. My P-days are on Tuesday so that is when I will write/email. Please send pictures and packages.
I cant wait for Tean and Tance to experience the MTC. Its so spiritual and nice to only focus on learning a language and teaching the gospel. We have a fake investigator and we have been teaching in spanish. We treat it like its real. I start saying words and phrases in spanish I didn't even know I had in my mind. I'm really happy here. We always pray and get treated so well. Do you have any questions for me?
I cant wait for Tean and Tance to experience the MTC. Its so spiritual and nice to only focus on learning a language and teaching the gospel. We have a fake investigator and we have been teaching in spanish. We treat it like its real. I start saying words and phrases in spanish I didn't even know I had in my mind. I'm really happy here. We always pray and get treated so well. Do you have any questions for me?
Early November, 2011
Dad - and rest of Family,
I want you all to know how proud I am to be an Allsup. Dad, I want you to know how proud I am to be your son. I can't tell you how much I've learned from you, especially about training my mind and teaching myself to think. I realized how important goals are, and that if I train my conscience to want something, my my body and actions will follow.
Me and Elder rogers made a lot of goals this week that he didn't believe we could accomplish realistically, so I shared with him those things you taught me and he couldn't believe how much they've worked. To see how far far we have com in absolutely stunning. We work better, learn faster and have more fun. We don't get frustrated as easy and are progressing because of what you have taught me.
You also taught me to be specific with my goals. I'll send you a picture of our Goal Sheet, its so awesome to see our progress. My Spanish is coming along great, I love learning the language. I can almost understand everything our teachers says, and if I have a question I use your advice and write it down and ask later.
Tance, How is school? Im glad you enjoy and are doing well in football. Thanks for being such a good brother and keeping the family cheerful.
Tean, You can do anything that is important to you. I know ho
w strong you are and when you want something,, you get it. Always know you can talk to me whenever you want, and always talk to the Lord, no matter what.
Mom, thanks for all the vitamins and stuff you sent with me. I didn't think I would use it but I have, You knew best! I love you!
Sawyer, check your email, I sent you one.
I want all of you to know I pray for each of you every night by name and I am proud to be in this family.
I love you
Elder Allsup
I want you all to know how proud I am to be an Allsup. Dad, I want you to know how proud I am to be your son. I can't tell you how much I've learned from you, especially about training my mind and teaching myself to think. I realized how important goals are, and that if I train my conscience to want something, my my body and actions will follow.
Me and Elder rogers made a lot of goals this week that he didn't believe we could accomplish realistically, so I shared with him those things you taught me and he couldn't believe how much they've worked. To see how far far we have com in absolutely stunning. We work better, learn faster and have more fun. We don't get frustrated as easy and are progressing because of what you have taught me.
You also taught me to be specific with my goals. I'll send you a picture of our Goal Sheet, its so awesome to see our progress. My Spanish is coming along great, I love learning the language. I can almost understand everything our teachers says, and if I have a question I use your advice and write it down and ask later.
Tance, How is school? Im glad you enjoy and are doing well in football. Thanks for being such a good brother and keeping the family cheerful.
Tean, You can do anything that is important to you. I know ho
w strong you are and when you want something,, you get it. Always know you can talk to me whenever you want, and always talk to the Lord, no matter what.
Mom, thanks for all the vitamins and stuff you sent with me. I didn't think I would use it but I have, You knew best! I love you!
Sawyer, check your email, I sent you one.
I want all of you to know I pray for each of you every night by name and I am proud to be in this family.
I love you
Elder Allsup
Does Evil Exist?
Does Evil Exist? The university professor challenged his students with this question. Did God create everything that exists?
A Student bravely replied "yes, he did!" "God created everything? The professor asked. "yes sir", the student replied. The professor answered, "if God created everything, then God created evil since evil exists, and according to the principal that our works define who we are then God is evil:. The student became quiet before such an answer.
The professor was quite pleased with himself and boasted to the students that he had proven once more that the Christian faith was a myth. Another student raised his hand and said, "Can I ask you a question, professor?" "Of Course", replied the professor. The student stood up and asked, "Professor does cold exist?" "What kind of question is this? Of course it exists. Have you never been cold?" The students snickered at the young man's question. The young man replied, "in fact sir, cold does not exist. According to the laws of physics, what we consider cold is in reality the absence of heat. Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-460 degrees F) is the total absence of heat; all matter becomes inert and incapable of reaction in that temperature. cold does not exist. We have created this word to describe how we feel if we have no heat. The student continued. "professor, does darkness exist?" the professor responded, "of course it does". The student replied, "once again you are wrong sir, darkness does not exist either. Darkness is in reality the absence of light. Light we can study, but not darkness. In fact we can use Newton's prism to break white light into many colors and study the various wave lenghts of each color. You cannot measure darkness. A simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it. How can you know how dark a certain space is? You measure the amount of light present. Isn't this correct? Darkness is a term used by man to describe what happens when there is no light present."
Finally the yon man asked the professor. "Sir, does evil exist" Now uncertain, the professor responded, "of course, as I have already said. We see it every day. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil."
To this the student replied, " Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is not like faith, or love that exist just as does light and heat. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light."
The professor sat down. The young man's name --Albert Einstein
A Student bravely replied "yes, he did!" "God created everything? The professor asked. "yes sir", the student replied. The professor answered, "if God created everything, then God created evil since evil exists, and according to the principal that our works define who we are then God is evil:. The student became quiet before such an answer.
The professor was quite pleased with himself and boasted to the students that he had proven once more that the Christian faith was a myth. Another student raised his hand and said, "Can I ask you a question, professor?" "Of Course", replied the professor. The student stood up and asked, "Professor does cold exist?" "What kind of question is this? Of course it exists. Have you never been cold?" The students snickered at the young man's question. The young man replied, "in fact sir, cold does not exist. According to the laws of physics, what we consider cold is in reality the absence of heat. Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-460 degrees F) is the total absence of heat; all matter becomes inert and incapable of reaction in that temperature. cold does not exist. We have created this word to describe how we feel if we have no heat. The student continued. "professor, does darkness exist?" the professor responded, "of course it does". The student replied, "once again you are wrong sir, darkness does not exist either. Darkness is in reality the absence of light. Light we can study, but not darkness. In fact we can use Newton's prism to break white light into many colors and study the various wave lenghts of each color. You cannot measure darkness. A simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it. How can you know how dark a certain space is? You measure the amount of light present. Isn't this correct? Darkness is a term used by man to describe what happens when there is no light present."
Finally the yon man asked the professor. "Sir, does evil exist" Now uncertain, the professor responded, "of course, as I have already said. We see it every day. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil."
To this the student replied, " Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is not like faith, or love that exist just as does light and heat. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light."
The professor sat down. The young man's name --Albert Einstein
Friday, December 23, 2011
December 20, 2011
Just another week here at the MTC getting excited for Christmas and to open all the presents and things you've gotten me. I can't wait! Thanks for doing all that. Oh and make sure you send all packages to get here before Friday, the mail room closes on either friday or saturday, so Hopefully that's not a problem. I won't open any presents until Christmas I promise.
I am just staring at that Pizza Bender until I get back to the room, I can't wait for it, thank you so much. That's funny that you saw Charli and her Family at Italian Village, more run ins are at that place than anywhere on the earth I swear.
Our plan for CHristmas seems fun so far, we don't know details but the ouline looks good. It looks like we have about 2 hours in the morning to open presents and have some fun. Thanks for the package yesterday with all the cheese and snacks, we were able to skip dinner because we all had so much stuff to eat, which was really fun to do and relax. The dart guns, I just can't explain how much fun we've had with those, I;ve got some pictures i'll send that are really funny, and you should have seen how many darts we went through. I kid you not, today we had a war that was probably close to an hour long of just runnign around shooting darts. Everyone said it's definitely going to be one of the most memorable times in the MTC. It was really needed to have a break, so thank you so much for that. It was the most fun we've had this whole 7 weeks, and it was really needed. I'm still finding darts all over the place, and they're in places I still don't know how they got there.
I found out Ben won't be in my Zone which kinda sucks, but it's not a big deal, i'm sure i'll see him a lot while we're here for a few weeks together. It's crazy how fast it's gone, and he's already going to be here! My bag seems like it's doing good, and I think it'll work just fine, and if not i'll find a way to work it out or something, i'm not worried.
Did you share my letters at Christmas party? This last week was pretty normal, not a whole lot of extraordinary things happened at all, just getting excited for Christmas. On Saturday one of the Elders in my district had Surgery and he's in his bed for a few days, so I spend a good 6 hours just in the room with him, and it was really nice. I took a nap, which you can't ever do, and I was able to get a lot of stuff done. This has been a crazy P-Day though, i've had a lot to do. And they closed the temple the next few weeks, so we might not be able to go before we leave. I hope we do, but we'll see.
How is everything else going? THanks again for all the packages, it's a really great feeling knowing you have one waiting to be opened when you get back to the room, it's really exciting. The spanish is going good, it's been a little frustrating lately thought, because I feel like I should know more by now, but I think it's just like dad said, and my mind is just comprehending it more to make it more natural , and more comfortable. Hopefully It's not too hot down in Argentina, because it's sure not snowing at all here, and it's going to be a crazy adjustement. We will probably get our travel plans either this Thursday or next Thursday, so that's something to look forward too.
Anyways I hope everything goes well, and as of right now I don't think I need anything. Maybe start looking for a place to get like 20-30 CTR rings for cheap as possible as i'm about to start preparing to pack up and head out. Other than that though i'm preparing a list to send to you before I go with some things. Thanks for everything, I love you all, and I hope you can feel my prayers! I can write on Christmas so hopefully i'll hear from you by then. Have a great Christmas, I know I will, and I love you all. Merry Christmas.
I am just staring at that Pizza Bender until I get back to the room, I can't wait for it, thank you so much. That's funny that you saw Charli and her Family at Italian Village, more run ins are at that place than anywhere on the earth I swear.
Our plan for CHristmas seems fun so far, we don't know details but the ouline looks good. It looks like we have about 2 hours in the morning to open presents and have some fun. Thanks for the package yesterday with all the cheese and snacks, we were able to skip dinner because we all had so much stuff to eat, which was really fun to do and relax. The dart guns, I just can't explain how much fun we've had with those, I;ve got some pictures i'll send that are really funny, and you should have seen how many darts we went through. I kid you not, today we had a war that was probably close to an hour long of just runnign around shooting darts. Everyone said it's definitely going to be one of the most memorable times in the MTC. It was really needed to have a break, so thank you so much for that. It was the most fun we've had this whole 7 weeks, and it was really needed. I'm still finding darts all over the place, and they're in places I still don't know how they got there.
I found out Ben won't be in my Zone which kinda sucks, but it's not a big deal, i'm sure i'll see him a lot while we're here for a few weeks together. It's crazy how fast it's gone, and he's already going to be here! My bag seems like it's doing good, and I think it'll work just fine, and if not i'll find a way to work it out or something, i'm not worried.
Did you share my letters at Christmas party? This last week was pretty normal, not a whole lot of extraordinary things happened at all, just getting excited for Christmas. On Saturday one of the Elders in my district had Surgery and he's in his bed for a few days, so I spend a good 6 hours just in the room with him, and it was really nice. I took a nap, which you can't ever do, and I was able to get a lot of stuff done. This has been a crazy P-Day though, i've had a lot to do. And they closed the temple the next few weeks, so we might not be able to go before we leave. I hope we do, but we'll see.
How is everything else going? THanks again for all the packages, it's a really great feeling knowing you have one waiting to be opened when you get back to the room, it's really exciting. The spanish is going good, it's been a little frustrating lately thought, because I feel like I should know more by now, but I think it's just like dad said, and my mind is just comprehending it more to make it more natural , and more comfortable. Hopefully It's not too hot down in Argentina, because it's sure not snowing at all here, and it's going to be a crazy adjustement. We will probably get our travel plans either this Thursday or next Thursday, so that's something to look forward too.
Anyways I hope everything goes well, and as of right now I don't think I need anything. Maybe start looking for a place to get like 20-30 CTR rings for cheap as possible as i'm about to start preparing to pack up and head out. Other than that though i'm preparing a list to send to you before I go with some things. Thanks for everything, I love you all, and I hope you can feel my prayers! I can write on Christmas so hopefully i'll hear from you by then. Have a great Christmas, I know I will, and I love you all. Merry Christmas.
December 13, 2011
Hey, i've already written a letter to you that i'll send later today, so most of those answers and what I wanted to say will be in that, but to give a brief summary:
I'm glad they had fun at the ball, and the greenhouse looks great! I'm glad he's getting help from everyone, i've prayed that the greenhouse would go up smoothely every night. I am really hoping Ben will be in my zone, so I can be with him all the time, but we'll see. Hopefully i'll see him a lot even if he isn't, but i'm pretty sure he'll be in my zone because we receive a new distrcit the day he comes in. So my companion sent some pictures home of us, and his family knows a friend, and that friend was looking at the pictures, and comes to find out I went to school with him, and it is crazy all the connections that we find here. I can randomely start talking to someone and there will be a connection somehow. Yesterday was a rough day for me. There have been a lot of people acting up in our zone, one Elder imparticular that i've not been getting along with at all, and he's been such a terror and it's really getting on my nerves. But we're trying!
Those pictures are all great! It makes me wish I could be there. Tell everyone I love them, thanks for everything. Con Amor, Elder Allsup
I'm glad they had fun at the ball, and the greenhouse looks great! I'm glad he's getting help from everyone, i've prayed that the greenhouse would go up smoothely every night. I am really hoping Ben will be in my zone, so I can be with him all the time, but we'll see. Hopefully i'll see him a lot even if he isn't, but i'm pretty sure he'll be in my zone because we receive a new distrcit the day he comes in. So my companion sent some pictures home of us, and his family knows a friend, and that friend was looking at the pictures, and comes to find out I went to school with him, and it is crazy all the connections that we find here. I can randomely start talking to someone and there will be a connection somehow. Yesterday was a rough day for me. There have been a lot of people acting up in our zone, one Elder imparticular that i've not been getting along with at all, and he's been such a terror and it's really getting on my nerves. But we're trying!
Those pictures are all great! It makes me wish I could be there. Tell everyone I love them, thanks for everything. Con Amor, Elder Allsup
November 29, 2011
Hey Everyone.
Mom- I forgot to tell you your cookies were amazing and people loved them, and i actually used them for Currency to get things from them!
You all should start watchign some of those "I'm a mormon" videos, they're really cool look up Stan Checketts, Erick Lund, Brandon FLowers, Paora Winitana, Alex Boye, and Kevin Fedderson to start off, they're really inspiring and uplifting. I bought a pen two weeks ago, and it's completely out because i've written so much, it's amazing, and i'm glad you've taught me to write everything down, it helps a lot.
Earlier this week Elder Rogers fell back on his chair and ripped a little bit of his suit, and I couldn't stop laughing it was so funny! And that package was amazing! When Elder Hein saw the football he said "Tell your mom I love her" haha and the pie was literally the best thing we've eaten so far, and it was so good! We're saving the summer sausage for a great event, because i can't help but want to savor the moment of it!
Thanks for sending the license,(pilot license) i didn't think i'd want to see it but it was so cool to see the final accomplishment! Everyone was really proud and thought it was really cool. Some of the Elders after eating the pie came up and genuinely thanked me because it reminded them of home and it meant a lot to them. The flavors were both perfect, and the pie was actually still cold! Really cold!
On Tuesday we got to hear from D. Todd Christofferson of the 12 apostles! It was amazing! He served in my exact same mission too! and guess who his mission president was? Richard G. Scott! Look at all these apostles going to Resistencia! For thanksgiving we woke up, (got to sleep in a whole half hour more until 7 am) and ate breakfast which was really good. Then we were able to hear from Russell M. Nelson, also of the12 apostles! We were about 20 feet away from each of them when they spoke, too. it was so cool! Then we made 8,000 First aid kits for Sudan kids, and it was cool because it was similar to when we did it at Grandma's house, and we all actually were human converyor belts moving boxes.
Then we got a little nap time, but we just played football in the hall instead, and it was so much fun with the little football you sent, thank you so much. Then we got a brown bag sack dinner which was... eh.... and then we had a great thanksgivbing program which consisted of first singing "Over the River and Through the Woods" which was funny to hear hundreds of Elders sing their little hearts out too. Then we had a funny skit people got to volunteer in, and she had us think of something we were thankful for relating to a hymn, and then we'd sing the first verse... Let me just tell you, the music here is abosolutely amazing. Hundreds of men singing is the greatest thing i've ever heard, and I love it every single time. After that some convert missionaries shared their stories, which was cool to hear, and then we each got a big bag of kettlecorn and they let us watch 17 Miracles! It was such a great movie! I loved it and the spirit was so strong. The atmosphere the apostles brought was so fun, and hilarous, and just a great experience!
On sunday me and Elder Rogers got called in by the Branch President, so we immediately think we're in trouble for launghing things in the hall with our rubber bands, or for playing football or something, but he actually asked us....... TO BE THE NEW ZONE LEADERS! It's so awesome! We're in charge of 5 districts right now. Just me and my companion! And it was a huge testimony builder to know the Lord was preparing me to serve in bigger places. We are staying really humble, because it's not a matter of being better than anyone, and we know we're there because we are really good at serving others. But it's a great opportunity for me and we're really excited. Each night we have to do "rounds" in our whole building, which means we're actually in charge of about 500 Elders, and to make sure everyoen is in bed on time with Lights out and things. When he sat us down, he said it wasn't even a question. Each of the branch presidency knew from day one we were special, he actually said all this stuff, and it was really really amazing.
We actually learned soem cool facts about Argentina today, People in Singapore, which is known to be one of the hottest missions, have a saying that the elders say whenever they're hot and sweaty they say "At least we're not in Resistencia!" Hahaha they really say it! I've heard it now from many people! Also WILLY OU SEND ME MY FLAG PLEASE! Or at least one exactly like it? We found out the flag is the way it is because the people of Argentina can always see their flag in the sky (White for clouds, blue for sky, and sun for sun.) which is cool to think about. Also they have a saying down there "La Bella de Sur" which means beauty of the south, and they always hit elbows instead of handhske. Later that night we got to watch Testaments, which reminded me when you MADE us watch that a few years ago, and we were all whining and crying and complaining because we didn't want to watch some stupid church video and we had so much better things to do, and i remember that night the spirit touched me more than any other single moment of my entire life, and we all started crying and we had a big family hug, and mom said "This is what the spirit feels like" and i'll remember it forever. I love you all and i'm working hard, I can really feel all your prayers at night.
P.S. Since we're Zone leaders now, we'll actually be Zone LEaders for the next 5 weeks, which is a record for our Zone, and that means if Ben comes to my zone which is a sure possibility, i'll be able to take care of him. I love you guys so much, stay strong, stay spiritual, and remember you can ALWAYS pray. And i'm praying for each of you and your specific lives every single night. Ciao! (They say that in Argentina because they're better than everyone!
P.S.S. we have some funny spanish sayings in our district that we made up:Le gusta lo que ve? (You like what you see?) and Bueno, bueno, bueno, que tenemos aqui? (Well, well, well what do we have here?) and we call eachother chistadors which means jokesters, but I don't think that's a real word or saying hahaha.
P.S.S.S.S i'm WAY over on my email time, I love you guys, remember to serve others! Personal Advice for the week: We become what we think about most. An apostle said that to us on Tuesday!
Mom- I forgot to tell you your cookies were amazing and people loved them, and i actually used them for Currency to get things from them!
You all should start watchign some of those "I'm a mormon" videos, they're really cool look up Stan Checketts, Erick Lund, Brandon FLowers, Paora Winitana, Alex Boye, and Kevin Fedderson to start off, they're really inspiring and uplifting. I bought a pen two weeks ago, and it's completely out because i've written so much, it's amazing, and i'm glad you've taught me to write everything down, it helps a lot.
Earlier this week Elder Rogers fell back on his chair and ripped a little bit of his suit, and I couldn't stop laughing it was so funny! And that package was amazing! When Elder Hein saw the football he said "Tell your mom I love her" haha and the pie was literally the best thing we've eaten so far, and it was so good! We're saving the summer sausage for a great event, because i can't help but want to savor the moment of it!
Thanks for sending the license,(pilot license) i didn't think i'd want to see it but it was so cool to see the final accomplishment! Everyone was really proud and thought it was really cool. Some of the Elders after eating the pie came up and genuinely thanked me because it reminded them of home and it meant a lot to them. The flavors were both perfect, and the pie was actually still cold! Really cold!
On Tuesday we got to hear from D. Todd Christofferson of the 12 apostles! It was amazing! He served in my exact same mission too! and guess who his mission president was? Richard G. Scott! Look at all these apostles going to Resistencia! For thanksgiving we woke up, (got to sleep in a whole half hour more until 7 am) and ate breakfast which was really good. Then we were able to hear from Russell M. Nelson, also of the12 apostles! We were about 20 feet away from each of them when they spoke, too. it was so cool! Then we made 8,000 First aid kits for Sudan kids, and it was cool because it was similar to when we did it at Grandma's house, and we all actually were human converyor belts moving boxes.
Then we got a little nap time, but we just played football in the hall instead, and it was so much fun with the little football you sent, thank you so much. Then we got a brown bag sack dinner which was... eh.... and then we had a great thanksgivbing program which consisted of first singing "Over the River and Through the Woods" which was funny to hear hundreds of Elders sing their little hearts out too. Then we had a funny skit people got to volunteer in, and she had us think of something we were thankful for relating to a hymn, and then we'd sing the first verse... Let me just tell you, the music here is abosolutely amazing. Hundreds of men singing is the greatest thing i've ever heard, and I love it every single time. After that some convert missionaries shared their stories, which was cool to hear, and then we each got a big bag of kettlecorn and they let us watch 17 Miracles! It was such a great movie! I loved it and the spirit was so strong. The atmosphere the apostles brought was so fun, and hilarous, and just a great experience!
On sunday me and Elder Rogers got called in by the Branch President, so we immediately think we're in trouble for launghing things in the hall with our rubber bands, or for playing football or something, but he actually asked us....... TO BE THE NEW ZONE LEADERS! It's so awesome! We're in charge of 5 districts right now. Just me and my companion! And it was a huge testimony builder to know the Lord was preparing me to serve in bigger places. We are staying really humble, because it's not a matter of being better than anyone, and we know we're there because we are really good at serving others. But it's a great opportunity for me and we're really excited. Each night we have to do "rounds" in our whole building, which means we're actually in charge of about 500 Elders, and to make sure everyoen is in bed on time with Lights out and things. When he sat us down, he said it wasn't even a question. Each of the branch presidency knew from day one we were special, he actually said all this stuff, and it was really really amazing.
We actually learned soem cool facts about Argentina today, People in Singapore, which is known to be one of the hottest missions, have a saying that the elders say whenever they're hot and sweaty they say "At least we're not in Resistencia!" Hahaha they really say it! I've heard it now from many people! Also WILLY OU SEND ME MY FLAG PLEASE! Or at least one exactly like it? We found out the flag is the way it is because the people of Argentina can always see their flag in the sky (White for clouds, blue for sky, and sun for sun.) which is cool to think about. Also they have a saying down there "La Bella de Sur" which means beauty of the south, and they always hit elbows instead of handhske. Later that night we got to watch Testaments, which reminded me when you MADE us watch that a few years ago, and we were all whining and crying and complaining because we didn't want to watch some stupid church video and we had so much better things to do, and i remember that night the spirit touched me more than any other single moment of my entire life, and we all started crying and we had a big family hug, and mom said "This is what the spirit feels like" and i'll remember it forever. I love you all and i'm working hard, I can really feel all your prayers at night.
P.S. Since we're Zone leaders now, we'll actually be Zone LEaders for the next 5 weeks, which is a record for our Zone, and that means if Ben comes to my zone which is a sure possibility, i'll be able to take care of him. I love you guys so much, stay strong, stay spiritual, and remember you can ALWAYS pray. And i'm praying for each of you and your specific lives every single night. Ciao! (They say that in Argentina because they're better than everyone!
P.S.S. we have some funny spanish sayings in our district that we made up:Le gusta lo que ve? (You like what you see?) and Bueno, bueno, bueno, que tenemos aqui? (Well, well, well what do we have here?) and we call eachother chistadors which means jokesters, but I don't think that's a real word or saying hahaha.
P.S.S.S.S i'm WAY over on my email time, I love you guys, remember to serve others! Personal Advice for the week: We become what we think about most. An apostle said that to us on Tuesday!
First Letter
November 12, 2011
Yeah I see Rylan a lot, he's in my same zone which is cool. We have taught a fake investigator 3 times and pure spanish and even though it's broken, he still understands us and the spirit is present. Me and my companion are the only ones to have had him commit to baptism already! It's pretty cool. I love my companion. Oh my P-Day is Tuesday so that's the only day I can email and write letters, so don't worry if you haven't gotten a response right away.
Things are going good. I'm making a list for Tean to know before he comes here, which will help him a lot. I hope that everything is going good! I love you all, thanks for keeping my in your prayers, and thanks for being there! Food is good here, i've been a little sick the last few days, but i'm pretty sure i'm over it now.
Our district is fun! We're all going to Resistencia, which is really rare, but it's great! It's amazing how fast my testimony is growing here, and it's amazing how much i've learned already. I love you all, and I can't wait to hear back! You are an amazing family and I am so glad we're all sealed to eachother.
Love Elder Allsup(P.S. Tell each of the kids to write me an individual letter so I can write them, i've only got 30 mins of email time but I can write letters all day long, so I can write basically an unlimited amount of hand written ones.) LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Yeah I see Rylan a lot, he's in my same zone which is cool. We have taught a fake investigator 3 times and pure spanish and even though it's broken, he still understands us and the spirit is present. Me and my companion are the only ones to have had him commit to baptism already! It's pretty cool. I love my companion. Oh my P-Day is Tuesday so that's the only day I can email and write letters, so don't worry if you haven't gotten a response right away.
Things are going good. I'm making a list for Tean to know before he comes here, which will help him a lot. I hope that everything is going good! I love you all, thanks for keeping my in your prayers, and thanks for being there! Food is good here, i've been a little sick the last few days, but i'm pretty sure i'm over it now.
Our district is fun! We're all going to Resistencia, which is really rare, but it's great! It's amazing how fast my testimony is growing here, and it's amazing how much i've learned already. I love you all, and I can't wait to hear back! You are an amazing family and I am so glad we're all sealed to eachother.
Love Elder Allsup(P.S. Tell each of the kids to write me an individual letter so I can write them, i've only got 30 mins of email time but I can write letters all day long, so I can write basically an unlimited amount of hand written ones.) LOVE YOU ALL!!!
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