Last Letter from the Land Down Unda!

Hello World!

 It looks like another BEautiful day!

 Our week has been really great.  It's amazing that though our indicators aren't the best ever, we still taught, felt the spirit and worked hard.  The miracle of the week is from a new/former investigator, Sonya.  On Sunday night the Elders asked us how we were going and we said that we were finding all the time, they gave us a few ideas to receive new investigators and asked us to go through our area book again.  I didn't think much of it because I've gone through the area book a million times and I know most of the people mentioned there.  But we did as we were asked anyway.  We found one unlikely candidate and put her as a back-up, back-up.  Anyway everything else fell through and we went to see her.  She was sitting on her veranda as if she was waiting for us.  She welcomed us to sit with her and said, "I've been thinking about you and especially about the iron rod."  She then proceeded to tell us about how she was going.  It was like we never stopped teaching her.  Well.....this is just the start!  We began to teach her and since then we have seen her everyday with the exception of Sunday, she has read the introduction, the testimonies of the witnesses, Joseph Smith's testimony and 1Nephi 1 and 2.  She reads the Book of Mormon everyday, is praying alot and is receiving inspiration and answers to her prayers consistently.  Every day she sees us she has something wonderful to tell us.  

What is the most amazing thing ever is that she is a drug addict who really, really wants to turn from her old life, (We just read 1Nephi 2) with her this morning and she loved the parallels to her life.  She wants help and this morning was the first time she prayed with us, which is big considering we've taught her about 6times.  Our lessons with her are short and to the point, haha!  She can only stand about 30minutes and then she's done:)  She is amazing!  It is such a blessing to be able to teach her my last week here.

Today is the last day for me in the mission field and it is amazing.  The weather is stormy, just like it was when I landed nearly 18 months ago.  What a beautiful year and a half it has been.  I sincerely look forward to acquainting myself with everyone again.  

The Church is True!

Love, 

Sister Eldredge

LAST LETTER...remember to change!

Dear Family and Dearest Friends,

 

This week has been absolutely incredible.  Wow!!!  Six weeks ago I thought of the vision I wanted for this area.  We had or were dropping most of our investigators--what an annoying thing to do.... and we spent so much of our time finding.  PS!!!!!!!  You know how I told you that we have to contact 140 people in a week and that it's like climbing Mt. Everest....well GUESS WHAT!!! Miracles never cease when there is faith-last week we contacted 140 PEOPLE!!!!!!  Wahooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  My companion is hilarious-she said, "Seriously Sista Eldredge, don't you think we've talked to every person in Mt. Barker??" Our area has only about 10,000 people in it.  It was hilarious.  We saw like a million miracles.  We tracted last Monday and found a really great family, taught them the next day and now they're new investigators.  We met people from the US, which is an immediate connection and then they invited us back! 

 

I was asked to speak in our ward about what I've learned on a mission; did I already tell you that??  Well, it went off marvelously!  I spoke about faith, prayer and the Book of Mormon. 

 

I had the most AMAZING experience while I was cleaning the car last P-day.  Okay, so this is personal, but many of you know how much I've struggled on my mission.  It is definitely, hands down, the hardest experience I have ever had in my short 21 years of mortality. As a result, I have struggled to say, "Wow, I love my mission!" I always feel envious of missionaries who can say that. But in the last six weeks, with much prayer, I have had a change of heart and can say now, "Ï love my mission!!" As I was vacuuming our car, the Spirit told me, so clearly above the hum of the vacuum, "Sister Eldredge, it doesn't matter when you change, it just matters that you change." I nearly burst into tears. How true is that?  I reflected back on the last 18 months and thought of the sleepless nights, the tear-stained pillows, the urgent cries for help and the struggle of loving something that I was 'supposed' to just love; as I did so, I realized the reality of the Atonement and the absolute mercy of the Saviour and of my Heavenly Father.  He listened to me and was patient with me and then was merciful to change my heart and soften it to help me see that this has been the best 18 months for my life. 

 

I know the same is true for all of us.  Do you know that if you're struggling with a personal weakness, forgiveness, charity, understanding, love; whatever it may be, we only need pray and ask for a change of heart and the Lord will grant us that desire? A change of heart is the whole point of the Book of Mormon, it is the thesis, it is the plot line, it is the entire book.  Our natural man is the enemy to God, it is our hardness that distances us away from an all-loving Creator.  For me, I knew that, I understood it, but maybe I was trying to make a point.  It was pride that got in the way.  I don't know if Uncle Mike reads these emails, much less if he remembers a conversation we had a few months before my mission. 

 

We stood at the door frame and he said two things, "Allyse, when you give your talk (my farewell talk) just talk to them like you would if you were one-on-one." Okay, great, I thought, that's good advice, then he said, almost as I was leaving, "Ï can't wait to see how you will change when you get back in 18 months." When he said that my brain said, "What?  I don't need to change. I'm already good.  I know what I want, and I already have a strong testimony. I don't need anything else.  I'll just give the people what I have."  We all know the hymn, "Pride ruled my will...." That described me in the moment.  Little did I know how little I did know. 

 

Well, Uncle Mike, I want you to know, as well as everyone else, that I have changed.  In many ways I feel like a completely different person than I was 18 months ago.  I am nowhere near perfect like I seemed to think I was last year. I understand a little bit more about my weaknesses and imperfections. I understand a little bit more about my relationship with the Saviour, and I understand just a little bit more about the Atonement. 

 

Our roles throughout our life change.  My roles look like this:

 

Full-Time Missionary

Released

Full-Time Daughter and Sister

Full-Time Employee

Full-Time Student

Full-Time Wife

Full-TIme Mother

Full-TIme Eternal Companion

 

But though each stage in life gives me and us a different role, one role always, always stays the same: We are Children of God.  I am a daughter of God.  I know more of my identity because I have had the greatest privilege ever of wearing my name, Sister Eldredge, by His name, Jesus Christ.  I wear this badge with joy, honor, and gratitude.  I have come to learn, dear family, the importance of sacrifice, the joy of the gospel, how to have charity, how to live a consecrated live, and how to keep covenants.  I know that we aren't perfect.  We live in a fallen world without perfection, but perfection, completeness, is something we will attain when the full grace of the Atonement is given to us, after the Resurrection.   So my point: Change.  We must change to be like our Heavenly Father. Change is the only way this is possible.  And some changes are "easy" like the decision to go on a mission, but some change is hard, like giving up our natural man to attain a new man in Christ. 

 

I testify that such a change is worth it.  Is it hard?  Yes.  Does it require massive sacrifice?  Yes.  Sometimes we must be humble enough to ask Heavenly Father to change us, to change our hearts.

 

P.S. Just another tid-bit: service is essential for Salvation.

The End:)

 

I love you all!  and......I WILL SEE YOU SOON!!!!!

Love always,

Sister Eldredge

The happiest Missionary.

Second to Last Letter

Dear Family and Friends,

I email you this morning with tender feelings.  This is the last full, normal week of my mission.  My heart is brim with emotion as my mission closes to an end in the next two weeks.  Every day is a turn of emotions, every hour it is different.  The beginning of this week was very challenging.  Overcoming doubt and discouragement, a real sadness that comes from recognizing that staying here in Adelaide isn't a possibility, that my mission won't last forever.  Since the beginning of this transfer I have felt things for my service here that I have never felt on my mission before.  I don't want it to end. 

Before I left, as some of you know, Grandpa Whiting gave me a blessing in which he said that when it came my turn to leave, that I would not want to.  Up until now I have wondered how that could be true.  I have wanted to escape many of the hardships and challenges that I have experienced here in Australia, wanted to move on and upward, counted down the days, sometimes the hours, of endurance.  But now, as the finish line grows nearer and the beat of the drum intensifies, I can honestly say, I don't want to come back.  I don't want to get on the plane that says, Arrive SLC 12:50pm Wednesday 8 October. 

Yesterday I was asked to speak in our Sacrament Meeting.  I was given 5-7minutes to share with everyone what I have learned in the last 18months of full time service to Heavenly Father.  As I sat on the stand and looked at the faces, I was amazed at my love for these people.  This ward is my ward, this family is my family and I feel love for them in a way I didn't expect.  I thought to myself, "It's okay Sister Eldredge, one day you can just come back and see them." But it's not as easy as just visiting a ward in the States, or in a neighboring county; it is on another continent.  Some of these people I'm not sure if I will ever meet again.

In expressing some of my feelings to President Cater he said, "Sister Eldredge, you will have to leave the comfort of the Pre-Earth Life so that you can experience mortality and all of the other saving ordinances to enable you to Return."  How true that is.  Many times when we knock on the doors, or talk to people in the streets, teach them in their homes etc...I wonder to myself, "Was this what it was like the first time?  Did we have to go and share with our pre-earth brothers and sisters the Plan of Salvation in hopes that maybe they would change their mind and change sides?" I think we did.  I'm sure I've been to some of the places I've physically been before.  I'm sure I've met and talked to the people I have here before.  My greatest disappointment though is that this time they seem to be choosing another path.  They are comfortable in their apathy, and they lack the desire to commit; thus they struggle in their fight for life, literally. 

I spoke yesterday of three simple things that have changed my mission and my life.

1. Faith, in the Saviour Jesus Christ

2. Prayer, the connection to Heaven

3. The Book of Mormon, the key to conversion.

At the end of my talk I said, Ïn the last 18months I have been in the Refiner's Fire, it has been hot, and it has been hard.  A few months ago I may have traded this experience, but now I can honestly say I would never trade it for anything; because I have come to know the Refiner.  He is real. He loves us.  He is there to strengthen the feable knees.  It is Him to whom we will return.

Brothers and Sisters and my family-I know that this work is true.  It is the most important work on the face of the Earth because it binds families together.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.--Sister Allyse Eldredge

Happy Day...all is Well!

Dear Family,

Last week I asked President about the scripture in 3Nephi 13 where it states that 'Sufficient is the day unto the evil thereof' and this is his response back to me.  I thought that you might gain some insights about it as well.  Plus his response reminded me of you Dad:)

3 Ne 13:34 Sufficient is the day unto the evil thereof

The word, "evil," is used in this phrase to mean the troublesome, annoying, problems of everyday life. In the Matthew version, it reads, sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. In other words, every day brings enough problems that we don't need to waste our time worrying about the problems of tomorrow or the next day. We should live in the present and concern ourselves with today's issues. Within reason, we are to live life one day at a time.

Next, we should review how the text was changed for the Nephi version. It reads, sufficient is the day unto the evil thereof. Notice that the placement of the words, "is" and "unto" are switched. This approach is more optimistic. It focuses on the sufficiency of the day not the sufficiency of the evil. In other words, the Lord provides us with enough time and means to effectively deal with all of our problems. The key for us is to learn to live life without worrying about every pothole in the road.

This is such practical advice! Some have perfected worrying to a science. Others have fashioned it into an art form. Yet, worrying doesn't solve any problems. It just raises blood pressure, hardens arteries, and shortens lifespans. In the eternal scheme of things, the small things are not worth the sweat and tears we waste on them.

Our week has been fantastic!  We have really really focused on finding 20people a day and we have exceeded the 20contacts three times this week!  It has been fantastic.  It has been a big struggle of faith for Sister Goisisi and a matter of courage and just doing it for me.  I know that we can find people to teach by talking to everyone, but it is hard for me to muster up the courage to talk to them.  But that's okay, fear on the alter!  And we have seen great success!  We found 124contacts and 16potentials with a few return appointments.  My faith has increased 10fold because we really made that a focus of our week.  Every day our question was, who are we going to contact today.  I feel like, because we committed ourselves to it that, oddly, I know how to do it now.  It's difficult, but so worth it. 

The Question: What degree of spirituality are you choosing?

I hope I am choosing the highest degree.  I was wondering about something though-what's the balance between being a missionary and being able to get to know my companion, still being consecrated yet being okay with talking about things not necessarily missionary connected.  I guess I answered my own question the other day because I felt the Spirit say to me, "Change the subject, Sister Eldredge." We can get to know our companions by talking about every day things, but I guess the Spirit will tell us when we are coming close to or have over stepped our boundaries.  I was really grateful for that insight to the Holy Ghost this week.   With regards to that question though, I guess we try to live as Celestial as we can to be worthy to receive what Heavenly Father has for us. 

I just read something from Elder Jones that really hit a home run with me this week-I think, as we apply it to our interactions with others, especially our family our relationships will be improved and strengthened.

 In DC 121 there is a part where it says, "Reproving betimes with sharpness." But often we forget the 9other Christ like attributes that precede that instruction.  In order to call to repentance, or suggest an improvement we must have a bank account that is full so that the possible deduction doesn't cause the other party to draw away from us.  I have learned this throughout my mission, but especially this transfer.  When I got the call to train I was so grateful and very apprehensive that I would fall into similar unhealthy habits that I had previous companions.  I was really worried about it, especially when we had our Train the Trainers meeting and President Carter pointed this out to us.

Over the next day before Sister Goisisi arrived I pondered and thought and studied about the instruction given to Joesph in this section.  I wanted to be more perfect and complete.  I asked President Carter for a blessing, and explained my desires and worries to him.  He gave me a beautiful blessing and all of the worries left.  I know that it is because of this that this transfer has been so opposite to every other transfer thus far.

Anyway....I'm rambling on....the point is that before  you can reprove betimes (which , PS means at the RIGHT time, not in the heat of the moment, and not when you feel like it, but when the Spirit prompts you to) with sharpness (which, bytheway doesn't mean with daggers or rudeness, it means clarity) you must first show and develop the first 9 qualities, as shown in the verses above.  

A hilarious story from this week...oh boy.  So everyone knows that I love the movie, "7th Avenue Irregulars"...okay I think that's what it's called.  Remember the crazy lady that things the preacher likes her?  I think her name is Claire... (wow, how embarrassing to not know the basics of one of my favorite shows...eye roll...) well, guess what?  I met her this week!  Okay, not her exactly, but seriously there was lady who looked exactly like her, the hair, the hat, the long nails, the bright lipstick....It was hilarious!  My companion made fun of me for how I contacted her, I said,

 "Wow!  I really like your hat!"

She got out of the car and with a flip of her hair, said, Ï have like a million of them."

It was a diva moment for sure!  It was sooo hilarious.  We really had to keep ourselves together to talk to her about the gospel!  Anyway, she accepted a card and has a Book of Mormon already. Sweet!  Hopefully she'll get baptized! 

Anyway, enough for now!  The Church is true!

Love,
Sister Eldredge

p.s. Have a GREAT week!!

I forgot one thing...

Thank you everyone so much for the letters and notes and packages you have sent me for the last 18months.  They have been so wonderful and have really encouraged me though out the weeks.  But seeing I have three weeks left and mail takes a million years to get here, is it okay if you don't send anything after this Friday? I want to make sure I get your notes, but after this Friday with travel time etc...I won't be here to recieve any more mail:)

Love you!!
Sister Eldredge

The World is Awakening!

Dear Everyone,    This week has been pretty good.  We had some great lessons with our investigators and we really worked on following the Spirit.  It was great to see my companion develop her sensitivity to the spirit.  Because of her we had great success in doing small things.  For example, we went tracting to an area that previous missionaries had tracted.  I told her that but she said we should go anyway.  The last house that we knocked on was a part member family.  I had met the wife about three months ago at her in-laws.  She told me they were moving, but didn't seem keen to tell us where.  She allowed us in and we chatted about her and her family. Though she isn't interested now, at least we have a record for future missionaries to find their family again.    We have also been blessed to teach people and not lessons.  It has been a wonderful experience to be inspiried about the needs of our investigators and then to be able to deliver what they need.  We spoke to one girl about light and darkness.  She is only 14 but has seen and been through what most adults never would dream of.  She spoke of someone trying to harm her in her sleep and how she was scared of her room.  Though, because she has been surrounded with darkness for her entire life, it is "comfortable" to her.  While that is really heartbreaking, she has a light in her eyes and a soft heart that easily recognizes the truth.  Throughout the entire lesson we spoke of the Holy Ghost and the light of the Saviour.  She resisted the invitation to allow us to bless her home three or four times.  Sister Goisisi and I taught the doctrine, but until we actually used the Book of Mormon she wouldn't allow us pray that the spirits would leave.  Moroni 7 came to mine about good and evil gifts. When we read that, it discerned her needs and it was more powerful that a two edged sword.  Something clicked for her and when we asked her again if we could say a prayer she said yes.  While we prayed, and dismissed the evil influences in her home, the power of darkness was very, very real.  In my mind's eye I could see, hear, and sense the darkness.  But, my heart was calm as we dismissed, in the name of the Saviour, the powers of Satan. They weren't happy to leave, but left because the Saviour is more powerful. It seemed like an eternity, but it was very clear when they were gone.  Though not as extreme, I understand more about what Joesph Smith felt like when he prayed to Heavenly Father about his question.  At the end of the prayer, this girl said that at first she felt really nervous and scared, but that after she felt really peaceful and calm.    I am so grateful for the power of the Priesthood and the reality of the Atonement.  I know that the Gospel is true and that the Saviour is more powerful than any dark thing.    The Gospel is true, the Book of Mormon is the word of Heavenly Father and our Families can be together forever,   Love Always, Sister Eldredge

August 31, 2014

Dear Family:

 

Mum: Question- can you send me a few of the girls camp songs?  If it is possible to also have the music attached that would be great.  Songs that are fun, not necessarily LDS.  Thanks!

 

The spiritual highlight of my week would be a LA lesson we had last night. Her story is long and complicated, but as we spoke about the Book of Mormon we were able to really understand her. She is reading it for the 'historical content'. We taught her the importance of reading the Book of Mormon, not for the historical content, but also for the actual understanding of coming closer to the Saviour. It was incredible. For myself I really felt like the Spirit was speaking through me as we were able to call her gently to repentance, to stop procrastinating her salvation. It made a difference to her. I think for the first time ever she actually felt what we were saying. Until yesterday we were just talking. I think she will start to really change now. It was such a miracle.

 

Transfers were this past week and it was fantastic!!!  President has given me the greatest opportunity to be able to train for my last transfer.  I am so blessed!  My Companion is Sister Goisisi from Sydney; she's 27 and totally on fire!  She is so ready to go and is different than all of my other companions.  We have totally smashed it this week and are really looking forward to this coming week to make a huge difference. 

 

We had Arriver's Training this past Saturday with all of the new missionaries and President  Carter; it is such a blessing to be able to be sitting at his feet and learning the doctrine of the gospel.  This time he talked about our thoughts and actions.  He said something really interesting- "We can't change our feelings."  That was new--I didn't think about that.  He said though, "But you can change your thoughts.  Thoughts create your feelings and feelings create your world."  I really liked that.  He taught us about putting positive thoughts into our head and letting virtue garnish them so that we could change our circumstances.  I really needed to hear that.  It's true.  What a blessing to have such a specific training.

 

Fiona is doing well, though if you could keep her and her family (the Synnott family ((pronounced Sennate) in your prayers that would be greatly appreciated. 

 

Thank you so much for your love and prayers,

Love always,

Sister Eldredge

Happy, Happy, Happy!!!

August 20, 2014

GOOD AFTERNOON!

Okay Family, first things first.... HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOTHER DEAR,  HAPPY DAYS WILL COME TO YOU ALL YEAR,  IF I HAD A WISH THAN IT WOULD BE.... A HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM ME TO YOU!!! I think your birthday is this week...so happy birthday:) There will be a card in the mail soon, but it will probably get there in a few weeks:)  Kyler! Get better soon.  Hospitals aren't happy places-tell Britney to be careful what she feeds you:)  hehe, just kidding Brit, you're a good cook.  But really, I hope you get feeling better soon! Crandall-remember the law and don't let people hang out of your car:) hehe:) Dally- Keep drawing!  Caleb!  Congrats on recieving your Endowment.  What a blessing. Taylor!  I'm so happy for you!!!!!  I have friends who serve in Washington.  And I'm sooo happy that you don't have to wait for a visa! Mum....guess what!?  Jess and Hannah are serving missions!  I didn't know that!   Sorry that I forgot to tell you that we went to the temple this morning.  We went to the temple.  This week has been huge, but I answered all of your individual emails so I don't have time for a general epistle as such.  But things are going well.  Transfers are on Monday...I wouldn't mind moving:) Oh yeah!  If you are looking for good music, download the EFY from 2013 and 2014, it's really, really good!  Don't worry family, the Church is true! Remember to be happy and enjoy the little joys like a smile, or a happy song. Love you all! TTYL, Sister Eldredge