6/9/21: We're on the Mountain Now

 Hello everyone,

Another week in the MTC and I feel I've become that much more prepared to serve. At the same time, I feel there's so much more to do and I'm nowhere near prepared enough! Truly humbling, but I find confidence knowing that through the Lord my efforts will be multiplied, just like the fives loaves and fished (Matthew 14: 13-21).

I failed to mention in my last email but I received my reassignment, Reno Nevada mission! A tad different than Bolivia but same in that the people need the gospel there just as much. Interestingly, Nevada have roughly the same number of members as Bolivia, so I guess they're completely different. I've been praying to find purpose in my reassignment as my thoughts so fixated on Bolivia, but my stake president/ mission president, President Kelly, reassured me that the reassignments were in fact chosen by an apostle. It's comforting to know this and gives me confidence to know that there where I need to be.

Anyways this week I think I can say I truly in the thick of the MTC. I had a thought relating to mountain climbing to demonstrate that. On every occasion I've been about to go moutaineering, there's a long approach that starts distant from the mountain. You see the peak in the distance and think how will you ever get there. Gradually, you get closer and closer with every step, the incline gets steeper and steeper and you have to pull over more and more tools to help you continue (krampons, ice axe, ropes, etc.) For me in this climb, I always reach a point where I look around at my environment and think appratiativly "ok, we're really on the mountain now!" In a similar moment my companion and I were laboring over a lesson plan for a teaching experience that same day. We were working to know the best lesson to share, what invitations to extend and how we would phrase gospel ideas simply all in a language we were just now learning. In my exaughstion and focus I took a step back, look at my environment and thought "Were really on the mountain now." This meaning that like a trip to the mountains, I've been anticipating a mission for my whole life. When working hard at something that is righteous but difficult, I think its important to take a step back and appreciate the moment your in. I want to remember to be grateful for the struggle too because the work is what makes the journey so amazing. Maybe Im getting too philosophical, but I thought it was a fun thought.

That being said the work is picking up but its important in our development as missionaries. Our distract is growing closer because of it as wells as me and my companion. Grammy, Buddy and Rhonda have been nothing but amazing companions and Im so glad I can do the MTC with them. 

Talk to you all soon!

Elder Allen

(Here's a topic i plan to study this week, I encourage everyone to look into it and Ill email my thoughts out. Please email me yours!)

Gospel Topic of the Week: Condesention of Christ
Reasources: 1 Nephi 11, Jesus the Christ chapter 3 and Mosiah 3


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