Congreso - Post 3

A miracle happened this week!  We found Maria!  

So here's the back story.  While we were in the MTC our Teacher, Hermano Call, had us create our dream investigator.  I created a woman named Maria.  The description I wrote for her was this: 

How met: Friend of a member who was referred to us.  

Needs:  Single mother who needs guidance and comfort.  She is trying her best and has strong faith. She needs strength and to know about the atonement, that families can be together forever, and that she can do all things through Christ.  

Our teacher told us that if we had the faith we would find our dream investigator.  And this week we did!

We were at the door of a less-active member's house to have a lesson but he wasn't home.  I was a little frustrated because that seemed to be the theme for our appointments.  We were about to leave when a motorcycle zoomed by and the woman riding on the back yelled ¨Hermanas!¨ The motorcycle pulled over on the other side of the road and the woman motioned for us to come over, so we did.  She was a member from another ward and asked us if we knew her friend Maria who lives in ward area.  We didn't so this woman shared with us that her friend Maria has met with the Hermanas before and asked us to visit Maria.  Then she whipped out her phone and called Maria and made an appointment for us the following day.  We talked to Maria on the phone and told her how excited we were to meet her and she was very excited too :)  

The next day we went to her house and met with her and she is exactly the dream investigator I made  up in the MTC!  We were able to talk to her about the Libro de Mormon (Book of Mormon). She has read it and has a testimony of its truthfulness!  In the past, she wasn't able to attend church because of work (which is the problem for pretty much everybody here in the city); However, right now she doesn't have a job and is able to come to church with us and is looking for a  job that will allow her to come to church every week.  It was such an amazing lesson.  We sang Nearer my God to Thee and talked about how God. He is always there and we can get closer or further from Him just by the choices we make. She has such a strong desire to become closer to Him.  Maria set a baptismal date and we are teaching her all the lessons.  She is like a dream come true!

Miracles happen everyday we just need to recognize them.  They aren't always as obvious as a woman yelling at us on a motorcycle, but they do happen.  Waking up everyday is a miracle.  The Lord truly does send us tender mercies and miracles.  Another example - we live in the same apartment building as the Sister Training Leaders and yesterday morning we did exchanges with them - I was with Hermana Dunn.  We walked to an appointment with a less-active member passing by a river and I felt like I was back home for just a moment.  I felt like I was looking over the sound in the Outer Banks so I took a moment to enjoy it.  The member we visited also had a dog who was a rottweiler that looked just like Chester (the dog we had while I was growing up).  thile I was petting the dog, she looked at me and put her paw on my lap just like chester used to do.  I just smiled because it was something so small and yet it was a tender mercy of the Lord. 

Something else awesome!  I finished reading the Book of Mormon this morning that I started reading in the MTC with the topics.  Ohmylanta I have learned so much!  And I started reading a new copy this morning marking a new set of topics -  I'm excited to learn even more!  Why have I never studied with a topic before?  It makes it so much more meaningful and fruitful :)

I am loving it here.  They work may not always be perfect like I want it to be but I´m doing what my Heavenly Father wants me to be doing and I´m doing the best that I can.  I love the work. I love the people.  I love my mission.  I love this Gospel with all my heart.  Everytime I feel down, I just read my mission scripture again and remember why I´m here (Alma 29:9-10).

I Love You ALL  <3

Hermana Allison Scarlett

From A Good Samaritan

Post from Mom - I received this email along with pictures this week and thought it was worth sharing.  It is a comfort to hear from others about your child.  Another tender mercy from the Lord!

Dear Parents,

I have attached pictures of the missionaries (elders and sisters) that we were fortunate to travel with from Atlanta to Buenos Aires on November 4th.  My husband and I along with our 17 year old son were heading to Rosario to pick up our son Elder Peter Welsh who was completing his mission on November 5th.  It was such a delight to travel with these enthusiastic missionaries as they made their way to Argentina.  I'm sure that you heard from your son/daughter that our plane was delayed for nearly 2 hours while we were all on board.  Those missionaries did not waste any time using their enthusiasm and language skills to share the gospel and their spirit with their neighboring passengers.  It was a beautiful site to see and a wonderful way for us to start our trip.  You should be very proud.

I'm sorry this has taken me so long to get these pictures sent off.  I intended to do it while we were in Argentina, but my access to the internet was not as consistent as I would have liked, and our son kept us on the run the whole time we were there.  I have about 50 pictures taken by me and my son at the airport and on the plane (and one at the Buenos Aires Temple).  Some are blurry, but I'm sending them anyways because, as a mom, I know that even a blurry picture of your missionary is a treasure.  

I am happy to have my son home, but I am going to miss his wonderful emails and the blessings that come from having a missionary serving.  Enjoy your next 16-22 months.  They are priceless.

Kathi Welsh
Bakersfield, CA

Congreso - Post 2

Missionary Work is Hard.  

Hermana Scarlett and Hermana Mowry (Trainer)
in front of El Congresso - The Congress Building

It seems like nobody here wants to talk to us or has time for us.  We make appointments and most of them fall through.  None of the people we teach are progressing.  I feel like we´re working in circles and we´re not going anywhere or getting anything done.  I´m here to help people find peace and joy and happiness and comfort through Jesus Christ and his restored Gospel.  I only want to give them the greatest gift God has given his children. I want to help people feel the immense love he has for them, no matter their situation.  Heavenly Father loves his children and wants nothing more than for us to come back to him.  My job is to help them with that.  To help them do the things they need to do in order to return back to our Heavenly Father.  That´s hard to do when nobody is listening to you or answering you and letting you into their homes to share a message that can help them eternally.  I am working everyday to grow and act in faith when I talk to people.  I pray everyday to be able to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit and do what my Heavenly Father needs me to do in order to help His children.  It´s hard.  We fasted Friday and Saturday to find someone and to receive revelation on what we should do.  

I just heard Elder Jeffery R. Holland speak!

On Saturday we had a huge meeting.  All 3 of the Buenos Aires Missions and the missionaries in the Buenos Aires MTC were there.  Elder Jeffrey Holland, one of the 12 apostles, came to speak to us.  I´ve always wanted to see Elder Jeffrey R. Holland in person!  It was an amazing experience and I received a lot of confirmation, answers, and revelation.  He spoke to us about personal conversion and how important it is for EVERY MEMBER to have a strong personal conversion to the Gospel, to Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. If we realize that we are LITERALLY Children of our Heavenly Father and have faith in His Gospel, living righteously to will come naturally. When we are truly converted, we will not be able to, nor want to turn away from Him.  

Elder Holland said ¨I cannot promise you [as a missionary] one single baptism or one single convert.  Actually I can promise you one convert, and that is yourself.¨ No matter how hard this mission is and how many people reject me and how frustrated I get when our investigators aren't progressing, I always have one progressing convert, I always have one who is keeping their covenants with their heavenly father, one who has the desire to do what is right, and that is myself.  It doesn´t matter what happens to those around me because I have a personal conversion to this Gospel.  I know without a doubt that it is true.  I know that I can always turn to my Heavenly Father and he will help me, because he loves me.

I am so grateful for this difficult time and opportunity because Heavenly Father is refining me and making me into the person He needs in order to serve Him and His children.

As for all the questions about mail and packages, My companion said it takes about a month for mail to get here and vice versa.  If you´re expecting a letter from me, you´ll get it, it´s just gonna take a while:)  As for things to send in packages, pancake mix, candy, peanut butter, nutella, velveeta mac n cheese, grits, brownie mix, cake mix.  Just any food that is delicious and will last 1 month in a box would be amazing!  

I love and miss you all  :) Ciao!

Hermana Alllison Scarlett

Keys to our apartment - they look sooooo cool!

Congreso - Post 1

Hola amigos y familia!

SO Today is my seventh day in Argentina (November 12, 2013)!  I am really enjoying myself.  The first 2 days were really rough but once we started getting to work I was fine.  I am really enjoying being surrounded by Spanish.  Everyone I talk to says I speak pretty well.  But my problem is that It is hard to understand what everyone is saying!! They all speak so fast!

SO A miracle happened my third day here.  We were buying something in a store and a young man walked in behind us.  We were there for a while and he saw our name tags and asked us if we were from a church, we said yes, and the next words out of his mouth were "Puedo ser bautizado?" which means "Can I be baptized?"  All I could say was "SI! SI!"  I had no idea what else he said except that his name is Joseph.  My companion, Hermana Mowry was able to talk to him more while I just stood there in shock, but extremely happy.  First, because I understood his first full sentence, and second because someone just walked up to us and asked to be baptized!  I´m betting that doesn't happen very often.  Sad thing though, he doesn't live in our area, but he works in our area, and he works a lot.  So we gave the reference to our zone leaders and we visited him at his work and I gave him a Book of Mormon and was able to explain to him what it was.  He is so ready to accept and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  

We have been visiting several other people but none of them are progressing and keeping commitments.  We also visit a lot of members who are not actively attending church.  We have two members that come with us to lessons a lot.  Hermano Prado is a short Peruvian man and he is so funny and nice.  He tries to help me speak and understand what´s going on.  Yesterday we had a member named Valentin come with us and he´s from Bolivia and I like talking to him because he talks much slower than everyone else, so I can pretty much follow what he´s saying.  I held a whole conversation with him in Spanish! It Was Awesome!

Also, yesterday we were waiting outside of McDonalds (Yes they haves those! And Subways too!) for Hermano Prado to meet up with us. My Companion had just given away a pamphlet then turned to me and said "It´s your turn."   CRAP!  Who do I talk to?  Everyone is walking so quickly!  Then this man and woman walked by with a beautiful Golden Retriever. The man went into McDonalds and the woman was just standing there with her dog waiting.  SO I went over and started talking to her with her about her dog, pet the dog and then introduced myself as a missionary. I then gave her a pamphlet about the Restoration and described what it was and what we believe.  She seemed curious and wanted to know more so we got their number, address, and a appointment to visit them and share our message.  I´m so excited to see them again!  Missionary Work is awesome!

SO yeah I am really enjoying meeting all the people and getting to know them and the area.  I´m in Congresso which Is pretty much the middle of  the Capital, Casa Rosada, where the Presidenta (woman president) lives. The Congreso Building and the Obelisque (which looks like the Washington Monument) are ALL in my area! Que Chevre!

I am learning a lot.  I love having so much study time in my schedule.  I'm still reading the Book of Mormon with the three subjects and I am learning so much about faith!  I just finished Alma with all of the war chapters and I always thought the war chapters were the worst.  I mean what can you learn about the gospel in the war chapters?  But they are filled with people acting on faith and being delivered.  The 2000 stripling warriors had so much faith that the Lord would deliver, that not a single one was killed.  There were so many times that people thought there was no way they would be able to fight and get out of bondage, but they fought for their liberty and the liberty of their families with all of their Faith in God  - and He provided a way for them, every time.  I have underlined the phrase "according to their faith" so many times in the Book of Mormon.  It is not enough just to ask God and then continue on with whatever.  We need to have faith that he will answer us and give us what we need, and he will.  He will help us "According to our Faith"

I am so grateful for the Gospel and how much peace and happiness it brings into my crazy life and I´m so excited to continue the work of salvation and share the Gospel with everyone.

Hermana Allison Scarlett

Arrived in Argentina!

This post is written by Mom from bits and pieces of emails and phone calls during Allison's travels to Argentina.

Monday November 4th

Leaving the MTC - Before the sun is up!!!!

• Early morning - got up, packed last minute things, said our goodbyes and boarded a bus for the hour long drive from Provo to the Salt Lake City Airport.
• At Airport was checking in luggage and her large bag was overweight by 4 lbs. Attendant suggested she remove 4 lbs of things and put them in her carry-on bag.  The only things she could easily remove was a t-shirt and pair of pants, hardly 4 lbs, but she repacked those in her carry on then hefted the large suitcase back on the scale - 50 lbs. even!!! Tender mercy and savings of $75!!!
• Group (30 missionaries flying together all the way to Argentina).  Allison cannot get her phone card to work while attempting to call me.  Nice man (we called him an angel) offered Allison his phone to use to call home.  Nice light chat - Sara and Johnny came out of class to talk with her too!  
• I got home at 4:30 expecting call number 2 from Allison around 5pm.  5pm, no call.  5:30pm, no call. 6pm, no call.  Began to fear that a second call wouldn't happen for some unknown reason.  6:20 my phone rings and I hear Allison "Mom?!?!?" I answer that it was me and she began to cry.  The group boards their plane in SLC and sit for an hour before it is announce there are engine problems and another plane will be required for the flight.  By the time they get in the air, almost 2 hours of their layover was gone.  They arrive in Atlanta and realize their connecting flight is on the opposite side of the airport. The group runs through the airport (8 sisters and 22 elders), pass the only BoJangles in the airport without stopping for seasoned fries, and get to their gate with just under an hour before take off.  Allison looks for a pay phone to call home - there are none in that concourse.  A nice woman (we called her an angel too) walked up and offered Allison the use of her phone - thus the tears were tears of joy and gratitude.  This call was much shorter so the other missionaries could use the phone to call their families.  At 7:40pm, Allison's flight left for Buenos Aires Argentina.

Tuesday November 5th

• Flight arrived in Buenos Aires at 6:55am.  All but six of the group continued on to their missions via connecting flights, trains or bus rides. Most of the group went to Mendoza and the rest to Rosario (I think).  
• That afternoon, I received this note via email:  

Dear Family,

We are thrilled to report that your daughter, Sister Scarlett, has finally arrived safely in her mission this morning here in Buenos Aires.  She was picked up at the airport, and after a brief tour of Buenos Aires was brought to the mission home for a luncheon, followed by an interview with the President.  You should expect to hear from your missionary on her next P-day which will be Monday, November 11^th.  Thank you for your prayers and support. 

President and Sister Ayre

Hermana Scarlett with President and Sister Ayre
The morning she arrived in Buenos Aires

Wednesday November 6th

• Unexpectedly, Allison sent out a short email to a few family members. She shared:

I´m in Argentina!  It didn't hit me until I got my trainer and left the mission house.  It´s so different here. My area is called Congresso and it´s all in the city. I´ve been here a day and haven't even taught anyone yet.  It´s not at all what I thought it would be like.  Everything looks old, people drive like maniacs, our apartment isn't what I thought it would be like.  Where am I?  Thank goodness my trainer speaks english. I am struggling but I know I can do this.  Heavenly Father doesn't give us anything we can´t handle without his help.  I just need to get to work and trust in my Heavenly Father and I know I can do this.  Please encourage everyone to send mail - its the best. I LOVE YOU!

Hermana Allison Scarlett

So the rest of the week, we've been praying for her quick acclimation to her new home for 18 months.  It was heartening to hear, after her culture shock statements, that she knows

she can do this with the help of her Heavenly Father.  What a strong and faithful woman of God!

MTC-Last Post!

I'm going to Argentina!!

So this is my last post from the USA!  Argentina, here I come - I'm so excited!!!  Last Monday morning another district left for the mission field.  Hermana Hickman and I woke up at 4AM to take Hermana Cattich to where she needed to be and say goodbye.  I sure miss them but they are doing amazing things and my turn is next!

Lumber sniffing :)

Tuesday night we went over to the Main Campus for a large group devotional (Which was awesome).  So I hope everybody knows how much I love the smell of wood and lumber, and if you don't, now you do :)  There was some lumber outside the entrance to where the devotional was so I sniffed it and Elder Taylor was like "You love the smell of lumber?! I do too!" So we just stood there for a couple minutes smelling the lumber. Awesome!  Before the devotional we saw Elder George and his companion and talked with them and then they told us they were getting 12 new hermanas on wednesday and had no idea what to do!  They've been looking for sister training leaders to help them so they asked my companion and I to help them.  We were more than willing!  After the devotional on our way out I heard two elders yell "Cousin!" So I turned around and there were these two giants of Elders just looking at me and smiling.  I was SO CONFUSED!  I said "I don't know you or who you are."  They explained that they were in my cousin's district (Elder George). Then we rode a school bus back to West Campus!  It was my first time being on a real school bus!  So we photographed the special moment.  

Riding my first School Bus!

Wednesday We got to host the new missionaries coming to West Campus and I got to host Sarah Edwards! She went to SVU with me and we worked at Jonzzey's together.  She is so nice and we were excited to see each other again. That night we helped Elder (Steven) George's zone with their new hermanas.  We pretty much organized their orientation meeting for them because they had no idea what to do, then we took everyone on a tour of campus.  The we took the hermanas back to their apartment and had some hermana-hermana time and answered some of their questions.  It was so fun to serve and help another zone and spend some time with my cousin, Elder George. That night I learned that Elder George's whole district calls me cousin, which explained Tuesday night's incident with the two giant elders.  So now I have two zones full of new cousins!  

Thursday We had in-field orientation since we are leaving on Monday It was fun and entertaining but very long. We learned a lot and made me feel a little more ready to go to Argentina.  Something really cool.  Since it was Halloween our bus driver who took us to and from west campus was wearing a fox costume!  Totally made me think of the music video "What does the fox say?" - totally made my day!

In-field training in preparation for going to Argentina!

Friday we went to the temple.  I love the temple! This morning was the last time I will be going to the temple in the USA for 18 months!  It was my favorite temple day yet.  I received so much peace and comfort that I needed before heading to the mission field.  I was comforted and I know that I'm ready to go.  I may not know every trick in the book or and expert at Spanish but it's time for me to go and serve Heavenly Father's Children in Buenos Aires Argentina.  When we left the temple there were two old men protesting outside of the temple.  They were yelling at us that we needed to run away as fast as we could from the Mormon Church.  I wanted to talk to them and share with them my testimony but I knew they wouldn't listen to what I had to say, so I just wished them a good day and continued on my way.  It's so sad that people feel like they had to tear other people down just because they don't believe in the same things or are different.  We are all children of our Heavenly Father and he loves us and wants him to return back to live with him.  Why can't we just all respect each other and show love for each other?  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints doesn't attack other people because they aren't members.  We lift everyone up and serve and help others because that's what Christ would have done.  We need to love everyone and serve each other and lift each other up.  Its called charity, the pure love of Christ.  

Well I guess that is it from the MTC.  Not sure when my next post will be since I don't know when my preparation day will be in Argentina.  (Editorial Comment - Preparation day is a designated day during the week in which missionaries take care of house keeping chores, write letters home, do laundry, etc. so the rest of the week they can focus on their missionary labors.)  So......... hasta luego and vaya con Dios!   Hermana Allison Scarlett

Missionary Bear from my SVU family - He will be sharing my mission experience with me.
Here he is doing group study with my district. Watch for more pictures of him!