Weekly Update -- June 20th, 2016

Hello everyone,

Let's see. Changes. I'm in the San Nicholas stake with a few missionaries that I new before including Elder Martinez from Escobedo, Elder Ng from other aquantences, Elder Bandy from Salinas Victoria and a really good buddy Elder Frank also from Escobedo. I'm really excited for this change and for the time with my new companion Elder Juarez from México city. He has 5 months in the mission and makes being District leader really easy. When he first arrived to this area (FRAUSTRO) there were just 30ish members attending Church, taking into account that a LOT of members here are less-active. Now there are about 60-70 in attendance. He really has an electric personality and isn't afraid to be direct with people to 'make a change in their lives' even when first getting to know them.

What else can I say... Hope you all are enjoying your start to summer vacation, because here it's starting to heat up a bit again. I enjoy it because it'll be the last time I go through the Canicula, or the heatwave, here. Not thinking too much about that, I want to challenge you to really use this 'down time' well. How about reading the Book of Mormon from cover to cover before going back to the usual schedule? I'm in Mosiah 26 right now starting in February, but to give myself some credit, I am reading in spanish and making a lot of notes on how we are converted and keeping track of the geographical goings. How about it? Who will read the entire Book of Mormon this summer? I promise you that when you do, you WILL learn something new that will open your eyes just a bit more and your testimony of the Church will grow even more. Thank you for all of your prayers and for your continued dedication to the Lord. Love you all!

-Elder Allgaier

A bit of our area -- Fraustro

 A glimpse of the changes

A member who owns a car shop let me take a picture of his tool shed

And his shop...

Compechanas!

Elder Juarez and I in changes/transfers

 Pday fútbol with a few Elders from  zona San Nicholas

 You don't know how to iron a shirt until you've ironed a shirt like this...or on a tiny, round kitchen table!

Weekly update -- June 13th, 2016

Hello everyone!

Well, the time has come for changes. Last night the zone leaders called to let me know my new area will be Frotas, or something like that (can't really remember, but next week will be better) in the San Nicholas stake, which just happens to be right next to the Anahuac stake where I have been all of my mission except for this area! I'm really excited that they let me keep being District Leader, even though I don't know anything about who is in it, which will be very different from these last 3 months where we were all friends beforehand.

I've been really blessed to work in this niche of the Lord's vineyard these past 4 and a half months and have grown to love so many of the people here. I now understand what it means to expand one's capacity to love. Sandra and her family will always have a special place in my heart. It was very rewarding to see them confirmed yesterday and progressing one step closer to eternal life. Christian, the 12 year old son of the VERY less active family now has a baptismal date for next Sunday, just about breaking my heart when he asked if I could baptize him because it won't be possible now. In any case, Elder Chan will do it and the same day, Christian will be the first in his family to receive the Aaronic Priesthood. Just think of the blessings!! A new investigator, Irma, also came for the first time to Church yesterday, so the work continues on as I leave.

I could name so many people who have become very close friends of mine here. Bishop Hernandez, Hna. Juanita, McCoy, Hno. Torres, Hno. Ferreira, the Contreras family, Hna. Imelda, Arturito, Hna. Lucy, Hno. Brigham, Hna. Micol, Hna. America, Cristian, Jorge, Camila, Brenda, Superabuela, etc... I try to keep close to me the example of my Dad, especially reviewing the day in my head at night. I am so blessed to be here at this point in my life right now. I am so blessed to be able to participate in the work my Dad took part in in Montreal and the work my Heavenly Father treasures so dearly. I invite you to watch one of my favorite Church videos here... https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/topics/fathers?lang=eng and thank your father today. Thanks for everything and I'll talk to you next time in San Nico! 

-Elder Allgaier

Awesome convert of the ZLs (Zone Leaders) who grew up in North Carolina, Everuardo, I'm going to miss him, but we plan on going to the temple with them in Utah in a year when we're at BYU

Fabiolia, a recent convert who has gone on visits with us saturdays and is planning on serving a mission soon (and her Mom)

Hna. Juanita with two ex-missionaries making gorditas

Imelda and her 1 year old daughter Ivonna, her son is Arturo who I was able to baptize a month or so ago

 Picture of Elder Greenwood ZL at a service project this past Friday

another at the service project

Waiting for changes last night

Weekly Update -- June 6th, 2016

Hello everyone!

I can't believe how great this past week has been and I like to remember the scripture in 2 Nephi 4:19 to illustrate it. Nephi talks about his joy being cut short by recognizing how short he falls from the glory of Heavenly Father, NEVERTHELESS, he knows in WHOM he has trusted. Love that scripture and I don't interpret it as pesemistic, because we are nothing compared to the glory of God, but we become better by recognizing how we can improve, excercising faith in the Atonement, trusting in the Spirit and divine guidance.

This past Sunday Sandra, Fatima and Alondra entered the waters of baptism and Elder Chan baptized the Mom and I was able to perform the ordinance for the two daughters! We're both super happy for them and for the chance we had to be a part of their lives. Their extended family has also showed interest in coming to Church and listening to the missionaries. Plus, we still need to talk to the Dad who works crazy hours as a taxi driver. We're not done working by a long shot with them!

I invite all of you to read the scripture 2 Nephi 4:19 this week and ponderize it (if you remember the invitation from two general conferences ago). I think it's a great reminder of who we receive power from. When I am tempted to work a little less or be a little less obedient, I ask myself in who I'm confiding. Is it Heavenly Father or nerves? Heavenly Father or weariness? Heavenly Father or homesickness? Heavenly Father or the adversary? I love you all and thank you for all of your prayers. Have a great week!

-Elder Allgaier

Baptism picture!

Prebaptism picture

How my name turned out on the baptism program

State pride, our neighbor Jose who is part of a big family in the Church, the Sevillas,

Add caption

Emanuel, the son of the primary president and Bishop's second counselor

Emanuel's family after the baptism, the Contreras'

Ward night activity singing 'called to serve'

Same activity showing pictures and experiences of return missionaries in the ward including missionaries from Brazil, Mexico city and Guatemala.

We saw Herby on the way to lunch one day