Favorite Scripture

"Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life." (3 Nephi 5:13)

Monday, January 12, 2015

Last Letter

Hellllllllooooooooo!

Well another week has come and gone, today is a special day because it's the last time that I'll be writing home.

I can't believe how fast my mission here in Africa has passed.  I still remember September of 2012 when I opened my call and saw Benin Cotonou and saying I had no idea how to say that.  Then time continued to pass and I read blogs, saw pictures trying to imagine the world I was going into. To this day I still think I had no idea what I was going into. Benin definitely isn't that place with lions and animals and all that cool stuff. Then the mission began, the MTC flew and then I arrived in my first area. I still remember the humidity slapping me in the face when I got off the plane.  Wow things were hard at first: adapting to the culture, learning French, and being so far away from home.  But I think the thing I learned best at the beginning of my mission is that it doesn't matter that my family is far away, I made a new one here. I may be different but that doesn't matter they love me for who I am!  As time continued to pass I came to love this place even if it was
difficult.  I think about the time that has passed and the people that have touched me.  I feel like I was a real instrument in the hand of the Lord.  Now as my mission has come to an end I am seeing the fruits of my labors, I see the true conversion of people.  It's so amazing. I'm so thankful for the opportunity that I had to serve here, it taught me so much about myself.  I can't really express all my feelings but we can talk about that later. I love you and can't wait to see you next week!

Avec amour,

Elder Allred

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Just pictures

These pictures were shared Christmas Eve on Facebook by Griffin Hales. Thanks for sharing.


















One of My Best Weeks

Helllllllllllllllllooooooooooooooooo!

Well another week has left us!  And now a new one is upon us, I'm trying to change it up a little bit haha.  Well this past week was one of the best of all of my mission.  So Tuesday we just had a little bit of teaching to do and that went well.  Wednesday we were at the church most of the day getting ready for our Christmas party on Thursday.  So on Thursday we had our Mission Christmas Party.

At 6 in the morning we went to the Church to leave for our service project.  I thought we were going to go to a school and clean or something....we actually went to an Orfinage (orphanage).  So my job was to put corn on my back and put it in a better place.  Then we put it in barrels.  I was really touched by all the kids.  They were all so nice. I felt so bad for all of them.  But I realized how important this little service was because I was also serving my father in heaven, Matt 25;40 (And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.)  Then we continued with the rest of the party.  All and all is was good.

Saturday was the baptism.  We had 3. We baptized Victor, Alexis and Akoss.  I was so happy for all of these people because they were finally able to achieve their goals.  All and all it was a great week. I love you and can't wait to see you soon!

Avec amour,

Elder Joseph D. Allred II





Monday, December 15, 2014

Preparing for Baptisms

Hellllllooooooooooooo!

Well I can't believe that another has passed, things just keep going faster and faster.  So this past week was really good!  We were able to teach a good number of lessons.  We had a really great lesson with Alexice.  So we have been teaching him for a while now and we have been talking about his baptism for a while also. so on Wednesday we asked him what day would you want to do you baptism and he said it has to be before the end of December.  And then he looked at his phone and
said, I have to be baptized the 20th!  So we said ok, Things are looking good for him.  It's crazy that he will finally be baptized!  We will also be baptizing Victor this week!  Wow a lot of work to be done.  Please pray for these people!  Thanks!  Anyway but there wasn't a lot of other exciting things this week.  I cut my hand when I went African on a coconut haha but that's about it.  Anyway lots of exciting things coming.  I love you and miss you!

Avec amour,

Elder Joseph D. Allred II



Monday, December 8, 2014

Uncle JD

Helllllooooooooo!

Well another week has come and gone! Ok so this week wasn't really that exciting!  This was the last week for Elder Hales so we had a bit of running around with him.  A lot of goodbye dinners.  It was
interesting seeing him leave this morning.  Elder Hales was the first person that met in the MTC going to the same mission as me, and now he is going home. Crazy how time flies! So the person that replaced him is Elder Marurai!  He is Tahitian.  I've known him for a while; he is a super awesome dude.

So we were able to see most of our investigators this week.  We were able to fix a baptismal date with one of our investigators.  But he wasn't at church yesterday so I need some prayers....his name is Victor.  Yesterday in Church I got to teach the lesson in the investigators class.  I taught about the law of chastity.  It was really great because I feel like I helped people understand what being chaste is.  I had really good participation during the lesson.

OH ya so I'm now in the last 6 weeks of my mission. Weird.  I love you and miss you!

Avec amour,

Elder Joseph D. Allred II

Elder Allred became an uncle on December 6, 2014 - Jude Robert Stromberg



Monday, December 1, 2014

Another Baptism

Hellllllllllllllllllloooooooooooo!

Well another week down the drain....it's getting scary how fast time is going!  Well we had another good week this week!  I got to do another split in the other area this week and it went better than the last week's split. We were able to see a lot of people.

Wednesday came the big surprise of the week; I went to the eye doctor.  The week before last I had been having some problems in one of my eyes so Sr. Morin decided I should go see the doctor....well it turns out I had an eye infection.  I hope I never get one of those again....it was terrible.  I have medicine and I'm not having any problems now!  So all is good!

The rest of the week went by really well.  Thursday we had a little Thanksgiving in Africa...it was pretty awesome.  Saturday we had a baptism.  Cecile.  It was really awesome to finally see her get baptized.  She had been an investigator for almost a year now. It's really odd the way things work out sometimes.  All and all things are progressing well.  I love you and miss you!

Avec amour,

Elder Joseph D. Allred II