August 3, 1009

Ryan's Letter:

Subject: Is the gas pedal the one on the left, or was it the right pedal?


Good Morning Everyone!
I am pretty much really excited right now. I found out this week that I am being transfered back to Rocklin! Rocklin was the zone that I served the first 6 months of my mission. My new companion is Elder Spear from who knows where, but I am pumped to serve with him. The only downside is that I am in a car area now; I haven't driven in forever!
Plus it is soo hard to talk to people when you drive because you're going to fast. And I have noticed that since I have spent soo much time on a bike, that I get carsick very easily now. But it will all work out.
We had interviews with President Pendleton this past week and I loved it like I always do. He always knows what help we need even before we tell him. I have been reassured many times that he really was called and is directed by our Heavenly Father. My favorite part was the chance I had to talk to Sister Pendleton while Elder Hansen was in his interview. It was his first time so he took longer than normal, giving me plenty of time to chat with Sister Pendleton. I took the oppurtunity to ask her about one of our investigators who I had been struggling with. I told her the story about Johnny that I believe I told you last week or the week before. She asked me two questions and then told me excactly what we needed to teach him. We have spent the past weeks praying and studying and then praying some more, but we really didn't know what to do. Just as she told me what to teach him, the spirit entered the room and I knew without a doubt that she was right. Unfortunately now I want have the chance to be there for the next lesson.
After that our conversation turned more to the casual side and we began talking about life in general. We talked about member missionary work, the comforts of being a missionary, and the struggles we face. Eventually our conversation turned towards the Atonement and examples in her life. She shared a story with my that is so simple but so true. Once, when they lived on a lot of property, they had about an acre of grass that needed to be mowed regularly. Gernerally President Pendleton did it but on this occasion she decided to surprise him. She pulled out the lawn mower and went to work going up and down the lawn until she had covered the entire field. Just as she finished, she realized that she had forgotten to lower the blade that actually cuts the grass! All of her efforts had been completely wasted! She had gone through all of the right motions and done everything she needed to do, but without the help of the blades, it was useless. It's the same with each of us. We can go through the motions of this life, and do a pretty good job, but with out the Atonement in every aspect of life, nothing is truly accomplished. Just as the story of the brother of Jared. The rocks were nothing but rocks, until they were touched by the savior. And we are nothing but men and women, until we allow the Savior to touch our lives.
You have to realize that Sister Pendleton is the sweetest person I have ever met. She wouldn't do anything to displease her Heavenly Father and wants nothing more than to help others come to Him. But after she told me that story she was so embarrassed that she nearly started to cry, but she was smiling the whole time. It is so great to be surrounded by such great people.
Anyway, I love you all. Have fun visiting Dan and Sorena. I'm pretty jealous that I can't go, but remember I'm still on a mission. Mwahaha!

Love ya!
Elder Allred