Alison's email October 24, 2012

Hey Family,
I was able to hear Conner singing, he did so good. I loved it thank you for sharing that with me. I know yesterday we were on the bikes for 3 hours riding around the city doing finding work because our 6 lessons fell through. But it was good exercise and I think if I was not in the shape I am I probably would be have a hard time.
  Oh and do not worry about the bikes haha, my bike needs a new seat because it is always falling off, but mom I just laugh about it when it falls. I think if I laugh things off I feel ten times better and I do not have to worry about things as much. Oh yes we have been taking the bus like crazy this last week. It takes us on bus to get to surrounding cities sometimes an hour or just 45 minutes. But yes, and we were riding our bikes two days ago and we passed the most beautiful place. The country houses for the rich. But the funny thing was we had to ride past the goats and all the farm animals. I feel like I am constantly exploring this city. Yes mom I am taking pictures, but we are only allowed to take them on Pdays, at least that is what my Mission President has said, so on Pdays I take as many as humanly possible.
  We get to see Rosa tomorrow, so I will tell you how that goes because I am hoping she does not have any other crazy part of her religion. Well we are hoping, you know all those baptisms that I said we were going to set well they did not happen but we have at least 2 with them. Oh I think I remember telling you about Tina, well she went to another baptism and right after she turns to Helen our other investigator and said I want that I want that. I want to be baptized in this church. HAHA I love her, she is like a little child at times.
  I am glad you were able to hear from the missionary who baptized you. I hope that the people I baptize will not forget it and I hope I will not. Anyway, what I realized yesterday is the power of just singing a song can truly help me. I was riding my bike and after 60 or so people had rejected the message I just sang a hymn to myself and it just started to make me smile. My companion started crying because of how hard it was and I told her what I did, that singing can help she did it and the remaining 2 hours of work went by smoother. It was just nice that I was able to help her in a small way since she always does so much for me. The other day we were talking to this lady and she said that she would just look at the website because of how nice we had been to her and she could see the light of christ in our eyes and not a minute later we were talking to another women and she said she could see the light of christ in our eyes. I guess that was a nice little pick me up.
  Well I think I am starting to like being out here, I know it is hard because they do not think it is important, it is hard talking to the athiests but I know this is what God would want me to do. I love you all and hope that everything is still well.

Love

Ally  

MOM and DAD
I still had a little bit of time and I wanted to just tell you a little about what I have learned so far on my mission. First is to continue the extra five miles even when you know that you have not had an success, to continue to try and eventually it will all work out despite how you feel. Second to have patience beyond description. I mean I am wanting to teach and so many people are rejecting the teachings that I know are true and sometimes I just wish they would get it. Next in the patience line of thought is to be patient with my companion. I mean we all have flaws, but I need to just let a few things slide and now let them bother me or this mission will not be a fun experience for me. Third to just love the people despite how they treat you, despite what they say because people can be truly rude. Yesterday a young woman with her dog was mocking us, it was actually funny because she was talking bad to us to her dog and I am like yes the dog truly understands you. Fourth to pray every second of the day, I mean in my mind or out loud, but it has helped. Fifth to just be happy, people are more willing to talk to you when you are happy. Sixth that everything takes time, I want things to happen now and then I want things now and it is not my time. There are so much more and when I think of them I will tell you, but there are a few.

Love

Ally