March 7, 2016

This week seriously felt like a million years. I looked at pictures on my camera trying to remember if I sent them home last Monday only to realize they were taken 5 days earlier....

Unfortunately we had to drop some people who weren't progressing and who weren't ready to make changes in their life. Sometimes I just want to shake them and scream, "CAN'T YOU SEE HOW THIS WILL BLESS YOU?!" But I don’t. The Lord will just keep preparing them; they'll be ready for the gospel someday.

Three Generations
Sister Wheeler (Left) was trained by Sister King (Middle),
who was trained by Sister Liebelt (Right)
Tehachapi, California, March 2016

We had Mission Leadership Conference on Wednesday in Tehachapi, which will always remind me of Roscoe, Pennsylvania, with all the trains and tiny stores in a tiny town. It was extremely intense this month, but awesome! We COMPLETELY changed our mission’s action plan and focus, and the spirit was so strong when we were counseling that I know for a fact we'll see miracles! I've already seen a difference; we're teaching better and finding the elect! Plus all my companions but one were there, so it was like a party!

  

Four of Allie's Five Companions, All Together!
MLC, Tehachapi, California, March 2016

 We had exchanged with Hermana's Williamson and Perry, which was interesting. This is the first time we've been on exchanges with Spanish speakers and it was SO NICE because we got to teach everyone :D . Never before have I been able to go confidently up to someone speaking Spanish and walk away knowing they got to hear the restoration. And Sister Williamson is from MARYLAND! And it was her 20th BIRTHDAY! And she went to BYU!!! It was a blast, we found some really cool people :D .

The baptism of Olga and Fabian

Bakersfield, CA, March 2016

But the best thing of all was the fact that OLGA AND FABIAN GOT BAPTIZED!! They’ve been patiently waiting forever to get baptized and they were glowing afterwards. Their dad is a non-member who only speaks Spanish, but went up to the members who could actually talk to them and told them how he wanted to be baptized. He was crying when we sang "I am a Child of God" even though he didn't fully understand the words. For some reason, lots of Spanish speakers want to come to English wards to learn the language and that’s the case here. So we're a bit confused as to what to do, but it’s exciting! We know that they can all be a family forever.

The baptism of Olga and Fabian

Bakersfield, CA, March 2016

The baptismal font leaked so they got baptized in like a foot of water, they literally had to lay down on the bottom of the font and then brought back up, it’s a good thing they’re skinny little kids.

It’s funny, South Bakersfield, where I live, smells like cow manure, and the rest of Bakersfield smells like onions.

Fast and testimony meeting was freaking fantastic. We got a new Relief Society presidency and everyone was bawling the whole time about how the gospel changes lives, it was pretty intense. But it's just another testament to the truthfulness of the gospel!

Things are going great in the Shire, I love you're all, and loving it here as well!! 

3 Lbs of Cookie Dough,
a gift from a member
Bakersfield, CA, March 2016