August 12, 2013

Hey everyone... I dont really have time to email today because Elder Hughes and I have been chosen to train a new Elder! and we have to go pick him up in a little bit. CRAZY huh? 4 months out and I'm training someone? haha scary. Im pumped for it though... it'll be fun.

On thursday, we spoke at a fireside to try and get the members more excited for missionary work. it was fun. We spoke for about 30 minutes each and I think it went well. We did a lot of service this week too. cleaning yards and what not. I love it. I was told I have to speak sunday... So I was all prepared and then Pres. told me that he wants the new missionary in the branch ( my comp) to speak... so I just gave him my talk and he spoke.. haha whatever.

We went over to David's house (main investigator) to check up on him.... he told us he drank... so now insttead of getting baptizedthis saturday... it'll be at least two weeks... awesome. we told him if he isn't clean by the 31st.. we have to stop coming over. so hopefully that scared some sense into him, eh? Alright well I gotta go... I'll have more next week... promise. Love you all. -Elder "trainer" Alston.

August 5, 2013

Hey everyone! Transfers were today! Elder Peterson went Zone leader out west in Benson. I'm staying in Los Reales for a while longer. my new companion is Elder Hughes. He's... Different.  He's about 5'4" and 130 pounds. and he's not the most outgoing, fun person I'll ever meet. haha but what can I do? We are completely opposite so we'll see how it goes. But we'll have to make it work for at least another 6 weeks. oh well!

This past week felt like about a day. So I'll try to remember what happened... President Killpack told every other district in the mission that Los Reales went from the worst, to the best in one transfer. crazy huh? our district taught 483 lessons last month. 129 of which were member present lessons. and we found 87 new investigators.

We went over to one of our main investigators' house Sunday after they came to church. Raquel (mom) Ramon(dad) Ramon(son) and Emily (daughter). We taught a really good lesson, and after.. we set the 24th of August for their baptismal date. They are all super solid and Raquel already talks and acts mormon. It's awesome. When I first got here, We were only taking to Raquel, and she wasn't even that into listening to us. And her husband would interupt us to talk about his church. Until we got him to sit down and listen to us. It's crazy how fast people change.

The other baptismal date we have is David. He's getting baptised on the 17th! We have been working with him for a really long time (since before I got here). He is super excited to be making this change in his life.

On saturday, we were doing service in somebody's yard, and their neighbor came over and started asking questions. We set up a return appointment for the following morning. So Sunday morning we went over and taught her the first lesson. She seems super interested but unfortunately, she's white.. therefore we can't teach her. So we will probably have to hand her off this week.

Friday we got a brand new Truck. So of course we had to go see how it did in the mud... now she looks like a real truck should. haha

Tuesday we had a zone-wide exchange. I got Elder George, who, at the time, was Elder Hughes comp! He came into my area and we worked our tails off. It was a "finding day" so pretty much all we did all day was tract. Our goal was 5 new investigators. We had 4 with about 10 minutes left in the day. So I pulled over, Elder George said a prayer, and we both pointed at the same street.. we started walking down the street, and I picked out a house. so as we got closer, we realized the woman was out in her yard...we wouldnt even have to knock! haha so as we started talking with her, I told her about the book of mormon, asked if we could come back and teach her more, and set a return appointment. 5 new investigators that day. goal met. Prayer works. unfortunately we havent been able to meet with her again.... she's never home. we'll keep trying though!

I think thats everything exciting that happened this week. It's pretty much a blur week to week. days feel like weeks, weeks feel like days. It messes with your head. haha it pretty much feels like i'm emailing every other day.

feel free to write me! I like getting mail! ;) my mom has my address, you can just ask her for it if you want it. And if you don't... We aren't friends and I don't want to talk to you anyway.. LOVE YOU:)

            -Elder Alston

July 29, 2013

hey everyone! this week was another hot one! we havent gotten another good monsoon since the last.

 We tried to go see Pedro again this week but everyday, he didnt answer his door. We'll keep trying. on thursday we were riding down a street when a pack of six dogs came around the corner and started coming head on with us. we both took out our knives and prepared for battle. but when the dogs got within 10 feet of us, they turned and went the other way. I guess we are just that intimidating... haha

We had the opportunity to take the branch president out with us on saturday and sunday night. He is great. We have reactivated one family and we are getting close with three others. Its crazy to see how this change in our branch is bringing so many people back!

   On friday we had a grweat lesson with a guy named Derek. We taught him the plan of salvation and as soon as I said we could live with our family forever, he broke down crying and told us that his mom died. I let him know that I knew he would see her again. I told him about Tyler and Millie. And together, we cried. Unfortunately, he doesnt speak spanish, so we have to pass him off to the english elders.

  Our district just set a mission record! 1st ever district to reach Standards of excellence(20 lessons, 2 people progressing, 2 at church, 5 member present lessons, and 3 new investigtors. in a week)  as a whole! It's a pretty good feeling!

 I think that's all I have this week! OH! next week is transfers so I might be emailing monday or tuesday... or both. haha we'll see. Ill let you know what happens with transfers too! love you all! -Elder Alston

July 15, 2013

Taylor did not send an email this week...just pictures!

Ellis Foster, the man we gave a blessing(not the one of passing) in the VA hospital going home!

sweet sunsets!

Sunday night putt tournament 

July 22, 2013

hey everyone! this week was good. we were told that it was the best week Los Reales has ever had. In the history of the mission! our district alone had 98 lessons. Elder Peterson and I had 30. We had a really good finding week. We found 5 new investigators and taught 11 lessons on thursday. then on friday we found 3 more. (that doesnt typically happen...) haha. so sitting in church yesterday, while a talk was being given, the 1st counselor asked me to speak on missionary work.... OH GREAT... haha so I just took my scriptures up there and shot from the hip. It went dead silent while I was speaking... so I either said something really meaningful, or I just butchered every word. haha kinda like other side of heaven. except nobody laughed at me. yet.

  one of our new investigators, Pedro, was working on his car when we first walked up, so I started talking to him about cars. then we got into the fuirst lesson. (the restoration) and we taught him the whole thing right there in his driveway. when I invited him to take a copy of the book of mormon, he immidiately said yes and told us to come back and keep teaching him. so now we have 16 investigators, and 5 or so less active families in our area that we get to work with. We have our work cut out for us. but Thats what we're called to do. work.

  on our bike ride home on saturday night, we were just cruising down the road when this guy just started booking it out from behind a bush. straight at us. he was looking like he was getting ready to tackle Elder Peterson off his bike, so I started to slow down, took my right hand off, made a fist, and got ready to deck the guy. as soon as I was about to swing, He yelled.. oh sorry I thought you were someone else!!...  haha so the lesson of the day is, dont do drugs. or you'll end up like that guy! hiding behind bushes waiting for people to ride passed on bikes!

  then we were almost home, and We saw a snake, so of course, play with it right? haha elder peterson kicked it becasue he thought it was dead. it wasnt. haha it coiled up so fast. I've never seen my companion move that fast! I got a pretty good laugh out of it though! haha

 ok I think thats all. I love you! thank you for  the prayers and support! they're much needed!

-Elder Alston

the snake

road runner

monsoon tracting

we taught nursery...Elder Peterson loves it