7/16/18: Cuando hace calor, me da mucho dolor

Split with Elder Hernandez 

Hola a todos! 

Another week that went by way to fast here in the Bronx! It's been a solid week though, and we had a cool miracle when Juan came to church! 

We gave Juan a blessing a month ago, and he has improved dramatically since then. He got to the point that he can come to church now! He went from getting hit by a car straight to his leg, to walking with us to the bus and off the bus to church. So cool! 

We also had a crazy night last night. We had like 3 lessons within 2 hours so we were literally just running from place to place, but on the upside we had an awesome lesson with a family, and also practiced the process of blessing the sacrament with our recent convert Mario!! He's going to the temple this Saturday as well to do baptisms for the first time before he goes back to Mexico!

Dope sunset #pollution!

I wanted to share really quickly something I found in my study this week. In Alma chapter 31, it is talking about how he and his companions are praying for strength from the Lord to push on with the work and receive his help in bringing their brethren to the knowledge of the truth. 

In verse 34 it says "O Lord, wilt thou grant unto us that we may have success in bringing them again unto thee in Christ." 

I can't count the number of times I, and every other missionary in the world, has prayed for that exact thing. As I have been out here I have come to realize that the hardest thing about the mission is helping these people come unto Christ. Constantly thinking about how we can improve as teachers, what they need as sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, and what He wants them to be asked and be taught. 

Elder Allen the cat whisperer

Then in verse 35 it explains why we desire that success, "Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee." 

It's truly because we know how much God loves each and every one of them. We know that He wants every child of his to return to His presence and the only way for that to happen is through receiving and accepting the restored gospel.

Our answer from the Lord comes in verse 38 when it reads, "And the Lord provided for them that they should hunger not, neither should they thirst; yea, and he also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Now this was according to the prayer of Alma; and this because he prayed in faith."

Bronx cats are clean I swear (Elder Gleed split)

I have seen that verse manifested in my mission so far. All of the things that make the mission difficult are all swallowed up in the joy that I feel in bringing these people to the knowledge of the Father's plan. I constantly ask myself, "what more can I do" to help these people come unto his son, Jesus Christ.

Love you all so much! Have a great week!

Elder Adam Ray Allen
New York City Mission
700 White Plains Rd Ste 315 Scarsdale, NY 10583