May 29, 2017

We had dinner with some of the coolest members, Paige and her sons, Sebastian and Benjamin. I love them so much. Paige is so great with her kids and loves the gospel. Her faith amazes me. This was our Monday night date. Ha. These boys are too cute ❤

ROCKFORD SISTERS DOMINATE ELDERS. 

I believe I told y'all last week about the salsa challenge ... whatever companionship got the most new investigators and people on date got salsa made by Elder Stewart-Chester (our district leader). Of course, we won. Free homemade salsa, and it's super spicy ha. Wooooo! and chips. We are pumped !!!! We got 6 new investigators And one on date in a week. #gameon #roadto1000 #dunkemall

I saw sister Jeffrey from Freeport. Also EVERYONE & their moms dog keeps telling me how cool my rain boots are. Or how ridiculous I look. I just smile and wave and laugh with them. Cause it's funny.

We played volleyball and had a BBQ with an hermana and family from the Spanish branch today as a Zone. We totally dominated. The nice part is that we got to wear pants finally. No more playing in a dress haha. That's tough. But mind you, we totally still dominated the Elders in dresses. You can only imagine how crazy it got this time. I kept digging the balls. Oh it was awesome. Sister Mühlestein was killing it too and the Hermana's. Everyone is just too good. 

WE ARE SPIRITUALLY AND PHYSICALLY FIT. #rockfordstrong #missionarypower

May 22, 2017

HAPPY LABRYTH DAY. The aliens have landed. 👽

I ran into Sister Reid from Freeport !

HAPPY 96th GG JANE !!!!! #missionaryangels

TORNADO HIDES SISTERS IN BATHTUB. 

FUNNY STORY: We have had a lot of crazy weather, but it's nothing new, because it's Illinois and that's what it likes to do. We were getting ready for bed and heard faint noises that we thought were probably tornado sirens. Sure enough,  they were!  Sister Mühlestein asked me what we should do. I said we'd probably be fine, but we could get our shelter ready just in case. So we grabbed a ton of snacks (I'm talking a TON, cause you can never have enough of those), blankets and pillows, water, and, of course, our Books of Mormon and Bibles. We kept hearing the sirens more and more, so we decided to get into the bathroom and, of course, brought a big mattress. To be sure, we were just about to have an awesome scripture study right there in the sheltered tub. Haha But then it was okay enough for us to just sit by the window and watch the cool storm go on and on. 

Later when the members heard that we didn't FOR REALS take shelter, they freaked out. Haha. Brother Provo kept saying, "well you're from Texas, so you will be fine. You know what its like to have tornados."  Everyone's been saying, "oh well, you're from Texas so ...this and that." haha. It's hilarious cause everyone thinks I'm so strong and cool, cause I'm from Texas. I just say, "well yeah, I've seen the storm chasers on the Twister movie, so we will be good." Don't worry...we are pros here. So we are good and still alive. Not even a scratch ha. 

I recently came across Alma 62:6 in my studies, and it's a new treasure I've found. I love it, because it reminded me that when we unite together we are sooo much stronger than on our own. When we unite with God and the gospel and our family and friends and companions and members, we are stronger than on our own. So let's choose to unite with good influences and not Satan, the bad. Just as President Thomas S. Monson says, "May we choose the harder right, than the easier wrong!" 

Y'all, oh my goodness .... I seriously love the Bible sooo much! I have been finding a Book of Mormon & Bible treasure daily, and it has been such a blessing. I have become more knowledgeable about the scriptures, and I have felt my spiritual armor really become stronger so I can have the strength and faith I desperately need to fight the daily battles. Especially as a missionary, cause we get bashed and rejected and persecuted  all the time. But I wouldn't take it back for anything, because I'm coming closer to Jesus Christ everytime. And the reading and pondering and studying the scriptures daily helps me to act more like Him, teach more like Him and become more like Him. Seriously this gospel is amazing. If you don't feel that way, please check it out. Pray about it. Just do it. It'll bless you forever. I promise. Cause it's blessed me. And this is only the beginning. 

Treasure from the Bible : Joshua 23: 8-11---> 

God fights for you.  He fights for me. For us all. Because he promised. We fought in the pre-mortal life, we fight now, but we can't do it alone.  We need God. God is the ultimate pro fighter. Never ever leave him. I want you to really ponder ....HOW DOES IT MAKE YOU FEEL TO KNOW THE LORD FIGHTS FOR YOU DAILY? 

Last time I told you I had to get glasses. I don't really enjoy  wearing them always, BUT  I need them because my eyes can't see complete on their own. I realized that wearing glasses  is like seeing with God's eyes. We CANNOT see others with love or see them in a good light without God's help. He helps us to better ourselves by working on our weaknesses and experiencing trials so we can fully see our brothers and sisters as He does and to feel about them the way our loving Heavenly Father does. I know I'm soooo incredibly far from this, but it's something I've definitely improved on my mission and hope to continue to do so. At times we have foggy spiritual glasses, but again with God's help we can clean them as we clean our inner vessels. I've seen one of the best ways to do this is by reading the Book of Mormon EVERYDAY for at least 20 minutes. And another thing I've been trying lately is to take President Nelson's challenge and study ALL the scriptures that it has concerning Jesus Christ under the Bible's topical guide and read, highlight, and ponder them. I'm still super far from finishing, but I'm really feeling myself become more like Christ because I'm actually studying about him. Just as one has to study to be an orthopedic surgeon or counselor or plumber, one MUST study the scriptures to know how to become more Christlike. I PROMISE that's the best way to do it! The TIME IS NOW. I challenge y'all do take President Nelson's challenge from general conference too! 

Miracles : 

• We went to get our nails done last week,  and I was sitting in the front waiting for my turn.  A lady was sitting next to me, telling me about her life and divorce and all she's been through. She told me she's dating a guy right now.  I felt impressed to ask if he treats her right, so I did (cause you always follow the spirit!) She hesitated and said, "well sometimes. I guess." I said, "well I know I just met you, but you so deserve better. Don't ever forget it."  She smiled super big, said thanks and she  really appreciated it. It made me happy to feel like I made a difference in her life. And hopefully she broke up with the jerk. 

• Mitch ...was biking down the street we were walking, so we waved him down, and he stopped. We got to teach him about the Book of Mormon right there. I was so pumped to teach him about Jesus Christ and the Americas. There's a catch though ...  he's a Lakers fan.  I told him we can still teach him. 
• Porshi (pronounced like car Porsche w/ an a) .... we met her and her mom, Dorothy, in the ghettos of town. They were sitting outside their house.  In that moment I thought of my sister Janee... I immediately loved her and wanted the best for her. I couldn't lose her. I yearned so badly for her to come to church and learn more about this gospel so her life could be better. I could feel of her hardships and trials just by looking in her eyes and talking with her. We got to teach them both about the gospel. It was a cool experience. We are still teaching them. We shall see how it goes. 
• Elder challenge ... Our district leader, Elder Stewart-Chester made a challenge to see how many in the district could get someone on date and how many NI we can get in a week. Sister Mühlestein and I are totally winning. All I gotta say is DON'T MESS WITH A TEXAN. AND DONT MESS WITH 2 DILIGENT & COMPETITIVE sisters (who both only have brothers). Haha. We of course are in the lead. I'll let you know next week who wins. 
• Mary .... holy cow y'all .... she referred herself, cause she wanted a Bible. We accidentally forgot the Bible the first lesson, but miraculously got to teach her the Restoration and established our purpose as missionaries. She listened and said she wanted to learn more. So we came back for a 2nd lesson, and she said she enjoyed the Book of Mormon. We said as she continues to read and learn she'll wanna follow Jesus Christ's example and be baptized.  Before we could even say anything else she responded, "well yes of course I wanna be baptized. I feel like July 2nd is a great day because it's my birthday." I have NEVER ONCE had someone ASK to be baptized. It was sooo cool because in 'Preach My Gospel' it says we as missionaries MUST teach in such a way that's simple enough that people will ASK to be baptized. I was sooo amazed. It finally happened. What I've just told you about has ALWAYS been a desire of mine, and it finally came true. 

God is sooo good. We gave her the Bible.  She said she's excited to come to church and keep reading and studying from both the Bible and Book of Mormon. I'm pretty sure our jaws both totally dropped in that lesson. Haha. We are still in shock. Haha. I'm soooo grateful to be apart of this great work and help people recognize a better way. 

Thanks for all your encouragement and support ! I appreciate it from all y'all, especially this last "leg" of my "race" !!!!   Y'all get going on that Topical Guide challenge from President Nelson! Lemme know how it goes :) 

Love  

Siostra Karigan Ällowitz 

May 15, 2017

Me and Hermana Alexander ❤❤❤

Sister Griffin ❤

Sister Mühlestein & Sister Griffin ❤

I saw Sister Kearney from Freeport !!!!

My awesome Zone!

ALCAPONES LEIR : SNEAK PEEK.

We have is investigator, Craig. This is what he texted us this week
after our church tour with him. He's quite the character. I'll tell
you more about him later. Haha.

BESTIES!

Hello everyone , just wanted to say THANKS to all the moms in my life! There are soooo many of you who have touched my life for the best, in more ways than you know. Never ever forget how powerful your influence can be upon people. I am who I am today partly because of your help as great mother's to me. So muchas gracias !!!! 

This morning, Sister Mühlestein, I and the hermana's got to go to 
Al Capones Lair.  

It was in downtown Rockford, and they're tearing it down soon. The man showing us the place said when they bought the old bank they didn't know Al Capones Lair was there. It reminded me of the super old Batman movies with the Penguin and their secret hide out. 

I found out I "get to" wear glasses ALL the time...which is good cause some kids don't even get to wear them haha. It's been such a blessing, cause I was struggling with so many migraines and headaches and now they're gone. #blessings

We were talking to the eye doc lady, and she read my chart.   She  said," Karigan--wait Karigan is your name? Oh I love that!"

Me: "oh thanks.  I got it for my birthday." 

Eye doc lady (laughs) "Why couldn't you have been in here a year ago when I had my baby?" 

Haha it was sooo funny. Then she saw we were missionaries and said she's met missionaries before,  " Are you from Utah too?" When I told her I'm from Texas, she was super pumped. Everyone thinks all missionaries are from Utah-- but NOPE, NOT ME! Haha. 

During District Meeting I got to help with a role play by teaching with one of the Hermana's in Spanish. It was so cool.  My Spanish is coming along.  Kimmer & Kieran,  ya better watch out, haha. 

Ok y'all I had a BIG AHA moment this week. How cool is it that I get to serve where Joseph Smith died fighting for all I'm fighting for now on my mission too. 

He fought soooo hard for all of us to have this gospel, to have the Book of Mormon and temples and so many other things. He loved great and died great. 

He fought courageously for such a great cause and I'm honored to follow in his footsteps here in this mission. This really is the best mission in the kingdom because of the fact Joseph Smith & so many others walked the VERY paths I walk. 

" Illinois must atone for the blood of that man" 

So MLC (Missionary Leadership Council) is a meeting that President Griffin, the Assistants, the training assistants, zone leaders, and sister training leaders go to. It's a meeting full of people who have usually been out pretty long in the mission. (But it's starting to become younger and younger leadership.) We sometimes get to train at, but I don't really want to.  PSYCH, Sister Mühlestein and I did train, and it went super well. We got to talk about the Book of Mormon, and it was awesome. I was just super super nervous because all of the leaders were gonna be there and that's who we were training but again it went well. We role played a LOT before and God really helped calm my nerves through the Holy Ghost. Man, I'm just soooo grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost.   I have NO idea what I'd do without the Holy Ghost. He's my right hand. 

Miracles : 

• today as we approached an isle while grocery shopping this lady says, "hi Sisters".  We both were so shocked. She said she just talked to some other missionaries (probably  the Hermana's) and she's straight from Moscow, Russia. SAVANNAH TOTALLY THOUGHT OF YOU :)
• finally met David.  He said he was simply curious at first, but then he struggled to learn. Other Sisters he met turned to a spot in the Book of Mormon,  and he said that made a HUGE difference for him. I know the smallest things we say or do so make a positive impact on people's lives.  I've seen it. 
• Sister Mühlestein made homemade Alfredo ! #browniepoints 
• In the same day, 2 ppl spoke Latin and I got to relate since I took it in high school 
• We found 4 new investigators this week! And our our goal was 2. God is sooo good! 

Funny moments : 

• We had a lesson set up with an investigators in a members home, and he canceled on us.  We told the members and they said "well, aren't you still coming? You can still come  for dinner." We had just finished dinner, but felt we needed to go and help uplift and encourage this family with a message haha. We told them we were sorry we didn't realize they wanted us to come for dinner too, and they thought we were crazy that we didn't just assume. We were laughing so hard that night. Oh my haha! It could've been worse .... one time I've had 3 dinners 😳 no bueno!  

I recently read this story and it really hit me : 

“It’s true, isn’t it? Then what else matters?”

I met a naval officer from a distant nation, a brilliant young man who had been brought to the United States for advanced training. Some of his associates in the United States Navy, whose behavior had attracted him, shared with him at his request their religious beliefs. He was not a Christian, but he was interested. They told him of the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem, who gave his life for all mankind. They told him of the appearance of God, the Eternal Father, and the resurrected Lord to the boy Joseph Smith. They spoke of modern prophets. They taught him the gospel of the Master. The Spirit touched his heart, and he was baptized.

He was introduced to me just before he was to return to his native land. We spoke of these things, and then I said: “Your people are not Christians. What will happen when you return home a Christian, and, more particularly, a Mormon Christian?”

His face clouded, and he replied, “My family will be disappointed. They may cast me out and regard me as dead. As for my future and my career, all opportunity may be foreclosed against me.”

I asked, “Are you willing to pay so great a price for the gospel?”

His dark eyes, moistened by tears, shone from his handsome brown face as he answered, “It’s true, isn’t it?”

Ashamed at having asked the question, I responded, “Yes, it’s true.”

To which he replied, “Then what else matters?”

These are questions I should like to leave with you: “It’s true, isn’t it? Then what else really matters?”

-- 

I can testify what this says IS TRUE.  If the gospel is true then what else really matters ???? NOTHING.  Whatever happens to me on my mission like rejection and people being rude--WHO CARES--Jesus Christ walked this lonely path and so can I. He was rejected and so am I.... how cool is that to be standing shoulder to shoulder with the GREATEST ONE WHO EVER LIVED???  Lemme give you the answer ...So cool ! 

I have been able to fight for this gospel truth with the strength of God for the last 18 months. He has given me miraculous strength and mighty power. I know it's all him. 

Keep fighting cause time is running out.  I feel sooo much the urgency of this great work MORE than I EVER have before in my ENTIRE LIFE. I feel like I still have sooo many more people to "fight"  for,  people to meet, lessons to learn. So I'm seriously soaking in EVERYTHING God wants and needs me to learn and do. 

I wonder if this is how it's gonna feel when Jesus Christ comes again. Ahhhhh, I just wanna be prepared to meet him. I DON'T wanna procrastinate, and I wanna be ready. 

I've been ponderizing scrips everyday--one from the Bible and one from the Book of Mormon, and it's become such a blessing to me. I've seen such a difference in my life as I've done that. They are treasures to me. Here's one I found this week: 

Alma 56:56 

56 But behold, to my great joy, there had not one soul of them fallen to the earth; yea, and they had fought as if with the strength of God; yea, never were men known to have fought with such miraculous strength; and with such mighty power did they fall upon the Lamanites, that they did frighten them; and for this cause did the Lamanites deliver themselves up as prisoners of war.

I'm grateful to be able to teach & testify of Jesus Christ for 18 months. 

And I'm grateful to be in Rockford. I love it here. The people are my people. 

Illinois is the land of my people. 

Love Hermana Allowitz 

May 8, 2017

Lol. Our district leader, Elder Stewart-Chester had this up for district meeting this week. We really couldn't get into district meeting without doing this. We were both so nervous but we made it in. Later he told us because  of the role play we did, he has FULL confidence in our proselyting abilities and noticed we both have a lot of experience haha. "Whoosh". It's cool that others can voice our strengths, and it helps people so much. Something I learned from this is how IMPORTANT IT IS as humans that we voice positive things we feel and notice about others. It helps them way more than we think. So I wanna invite y'all to go this week to voice good things to people when you see it or notice it. Follow the promoting of the Holy Ghost to lift and encourage and inspire others. It only takes a few minutes. 

So like I ALWAYS SAY .... 1,2,3....GO AND DO....1 Nephi 3:7 :) 

Sister Mühlestein & I are back together!! And now we are taking over Rockford 2nd ward! I am soooo pumped !!! #doubketrouble #tendermercy

The ward already had me pray in sacrament meeting, and I'll be giving a talk in a couple weeks 😂 Bishop Holden is so funny. He said this will be like my "farewell talk". 

Hermana Gowens ❤#del sur la campana (hopefully my Spanish is right here 😂) 

Sister Hatch is so wonderful!!! 

Madi, oh Madi is so amazing ! She's so kind and is gonna be a fantastic missionary one day. I know it. Madi is a precious treasure in this world...you won't find many teenagers like her.

And this is Fernanda. She's Sis. Almonds 7 (almost 8) yr old grandaughter. She's been helping me w/ my Spanish & I help with her English and gospel stuff. She's so amazing. We've been teaching her, and she's totally gonna get baptized. I know her example will re-activate her inactive dad (and mom whose not a member). I have high hopes for their family!

Sister Salmond & Brother Wilson.
Sister Salmond always ALWAYS w/out fail gave us donuts every Sunday cause she works at a fresh bakery. ANYONE who knows me knows that is bad 😂😂😂😁
And Brother Wilson makes the BEST smoked BBQ anything! And he even has Texas BBQ sauce to go with it. He knows what's up! He's hilarious. He kinda reminds me of Buddy the Elf and Jack Black combined.... and that's a good thing, trust me 😂

Sister Smith from Naperville! HOLY COW 🐮 THIS WOMAN IS AMAZING! She made me pumpkin chocolate chip cookies before I got transferred AND has done sooo much more for me than just feeding me delicious food. She's definetly an angel and a kindred spirit. #tendermercy #Godlovesme #2ndmom

Remember a couple weeks back I told you about the guy Sister Ward and
I found in Pontiac? The one we were totally inspired to talk to...the
one who had just returned from talking to his probation officer?
Well here he is...Steven.

This is Sarah, my investigator from Naperville whose on date for July 15. I KNOW she's gonna be baptized soon. She's seriously so amazing! She's definetly a HUGE role model to me.

A Freeport trip wouldn't be real without THE BEST ICE CREAM ON EARTH!!!!

LITTLE CUBS FIELD ... look familiar? #freeportflashback #tendermercy

Post baptism!

Pics from Freeport flashback!
Sister Rosenwinge...southern belles back together.

Someone was saying something ridiculous ... probably some Texas "joke" or, no, it was probably a "getting old/you're going home" kinda joke...which FYI, is not actually funny 😑

We all served in good ol' Freeport & finally got to go back. And even crazier .... we ALL started off our missions here too. Everyone was so surprised to see us back. It was so cool!

Brother Mulnix is still the ward mission leader, and he's doing awesome. Probably one of the funniest people I've ever met!

Judy & her kids! Dea just got baptized. They're awesome. This family has been through SO MUCH, but they're still going strong. They inspire me!

Hey y'all! from good ol' Rockford! It feels sooo good to be back in the corn hood/boonies with my corn people! I've loved my mission so much but the Rockford and Peoria stakes have definitely  been my favorite ! 

I am so grateful for the lessons I'm continuing to learn. I know God sends us to ppl when they need us most and God sends people to us when we need them most.  I'm grateful for the promptings of the Holy Ghost in my life, because they have led me and my companions to people who we never would've met otherwise. And so many people NEED the peace and happiness, help and reassurance, healing and power the gospel brings. I'm so happy to have the honor and responsibility to bring that to others lives because it brings soooo much happiness into my heart. My heart could seriously burst right now with how happy it is. It's like a bunch of fire crackers inside just wanting to burst because life is so good right now. God is seriously soooo good y'all.  I cannot even begin to tell you how happy I am! Missions are the best. Definitely the best thing I've ever chosen to do! LIKE EVER!!!! FOR REALS!!!! 

For example , here are some miracles that'll give you just a glimpse of how amazing this great work is...

• Brandy 

Holy cow. She's amazing. She's the girlfriend of a super inactive member whose super hostile towards the church. It's sad because she has the strongest testimony of Joseph Smith,  Jesus Christ, and KNOWS it's all true. She's had the missionary lessons (who knows  how many times) and I'm pretty sure she knows the gospel better than me. She wants to get baptized soon bad, but can't because she needs to get married first (she and her boyfriend are living together, but he won't marry her). She is just trying to be patient and wait, cause she doesn't wanna break her family apart. We had such a powerful lesson with her and her daughter Stephanie. Holy cow, even Stephanie (age 8) knows the gospel better than me 😂.  I hope she is totally gonna change her fathers heart.

• Jim 

Amazing miracle...he came to church. He's been looking forward to it for awhile, but hasn't had a Sunday off in YEARS.  He FINALLY got Sunday's off.  He told his workers not to even bother calling him in, because he won't be answering his phone, cause Sunday's are important for him, and so he can go to church. I'm soooo blown away! He LOVED church yesterday & felt really welcomed. He felt peace, which he said he hasn't felt in YEARS. We invited him to be baptized and HE SAID YES!!!!   He said Yes at first meeting with us simply because he was curious, but now he's MORE than interested. He is SERIOUSLY thinking about becoming a member. 🙀 did your jaw just drop too ? I hope so, cause this is A MIRACLE!!! 

Gonna be baptized! 

• Delphine 

She's an 80 yr old woman who reads the Bible  and other churchy books. She's inspired me to read and study more about the Bible. My comp, Sis. Mühlestein, has too.  Theyre  awesome. Seriously Delphine asks some of the most thoughtful provoking, inspired questions I've ever heard. They're hard ones, but they help me grow and learn--which is what I need. So this is good ... don't worry y'all, an 80 yr old woman is keeping me on my toes.... no need to fear. 

**** CRAZY. COOL STORY:

CRAIG: BROKEN CAR WASH LEADS SISTERS TO THE ELECT.   Today we were going to get our car cleaned at the $3 car wash (cause we are missionaries and ain't got no $$$). But when we got there, it was closed. We were like WILLIS YOUVE GOT TO BE JOKING RIGHT? But no need to fear, because there's another one (a little more $ but not too bad ) right next to Target. We will go to target, then to the car wash. 😂😂  [**RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU HAVE A TARGET ADDICTION ** -- ha , jk don't do that silly. You'll look super funny raising your hand while looking at your smart phone or computer screen and people will think you're crazy. Haha it's ok, all good people are :)] Anyway, the storal of the mory is.... when we were walking back to get into our car at the car wash, one of the workers asked if we were Jehovah's Witnesses.  [if I had a dollar for EVERY TIME ppl think that's who we are, I'd be rich!] and we obviously said "NO" WILLIS.  He kept asking more questions and said he's been looking for a church home and asked for the church address and our number. We got his number and will be calling to set up a lesson and let him know about church. 

His name is Craig. So basically the real storal of the mory is ....

It was a MIRACLE the other car wash was closed. I have such a STRONG testimony that God places us where we need to be at the VERY time we NEED to be there. I KNOW there's no such thing as coincidences. I know God has his hand in every part of our lives. 

I seriously LOVE the Bible and Book of Mormon so much !!! They're life lines and guides to us if we take the time to sincerely read and ponder their wonderful treasures. Our beloved prophet, Thomas S. Monson, gave a wonderful talk this last conference in April about the Book of Mormon & the importance of reading it DAILY and pondering it. He's getting old, and I'm not sure how much longer he will  be with us, but I KNOW (especially since his days are numbered) the fact he gave a talk about the Book of Mormon is SO IMPORTANT!!!! The prophet said it , and most importantly God has said it!!! So LISTEN UP please. 

I wanna invite all of y'all to go and listen and read his talk again. Then make a Book of Mormon game plan to read and ponder it daily.

I can promise it'll change your life forever, because it's changed mine.  I honestly didn't really enjoying reading the Book of Mormon pre mission, but my heart has changed and I LOVE IT. I turn to it for everything, cause that's where I know my answers from God are gonna come from. I KNOW when you're feeling low, the scriptures are the BEST place to turn. Because I've felt so low at times, but every time I turn to the scriptures, the Lord brings me HIGHER. 

I KNOW the scriptures have the power to do that for you too. 

You just gotta have the faith, desire, and make the time. 

It's never EVER too late. Start today. Start now. NO EXCUSES. 

Love Seester Karigan Ällowitz