Monday, April 27, 2015

Greetings from Parkersburg/Vienna!

April 20, 2015


Dear Family,

Man, this week has been awesome! I'm sorry that my last few e-mails have just given you the surface details. So here's one with more details to make up for it.

This week was awesome because we ended up finding a couple more potential investigators and teaching a new investigator about the restoration. I can't say that it was as amazing as the one that Max taught recently, but I'm grateful to be able to at least share the message with someone. As for the potential investigators, we found them when Elder Jacklin (one of the Charleston Zone Leaders) came down to the Parkersburg North area (it consists of the northern part of Parkersburg and Vienna) for an exchange. At first, I was worried about the exchange because I was still struggling to find my way around the area. However, we ended up inviting a lot of people to learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ as we walked around doing our best to find the people we had originally planned to see. As a result, we got three potential investigators and one new investigator. It was awesome! I also enjoyed my time with Elder Jacklin. I hope I get to work with him again soon.

There is also a story that I want to share with you. I meant to share this in my last email. While we were at the library studying on mormon.org, there was this one guy who was having some problems with the computer he was using. As the librarian staff tried to help him, he was just being so rude to them. I don't remember exactly what he said to them, I do remember feeling sorry for the librarians. When the man finally left, I felt prompted by the Spirit to write small thank-you notes on the #BecauseHeLives cards and give them to the staff. As I gave them the cards, I told them that my companion and I were really grateful to them for letting us use the computers to e-mail home and study on mormon.org. To be honest, I almost couldn't hold back the tears as I expressed my gratitude to them. Even if they aren't interested in learning about the gospel, I hope they always know that there are people who appreciate what they do. I'm very grateful for that opportunity because it was one of the few moments when I truly felt like I was representing our Savior Jesus Christ.

Now, you may be wondering when I'm going to send you pictures. Unfortunately, the computer is not registering my camera, so I may have to just send you the SD card through mail, along with some other stuff that I want to send back home. Don't worry, you will get pictures soon.

Well, I think that's everything. I hope things continue to go well in good ole Spokane, Washington. I'll write again. Also, I can't wait until I get to Skype home on Mother's Day. I think I still have the Skype info that I used during Christmas, but could you just send me the info again just in case? Please and thank you. I love you all and miss you all. 

Hurrah for Israel!

Love, 

Elder Michael Alley

P.S. Do you know what Morgan Curtiss's address is? She sent me a letter with a question on it but I accidentally threw away the envelope. Could you send me her address so that I can send a letter to her? Please and thank you. Take care. 

Monday, April 20, 2015

Still Alive and Kicking

April 20, 2015

Dear Family,

First of all, I just want thank you and everyone else who has taken the the time to write and/or e-mail me. You have no idea how much I appreciate your words of encouragement and updates. I can always feel the love and support from everyone back home. I definitely needed it because this was a very slow week for missionary work.

I will admit that my first official week here in the Parkersburg North area was a little rough. Don't worry, it's nothing serious. It's just that for some reason, we can't seem to reach our investigators, potential investigators or even a few former investigators. The result is either they're not home or they are not interested in learning. The other hard part is figuring out how to get around this town. Let's just say that I'm really missing those straight, wide roads from back home ;). Oh well, it is what it is. Would you all keep me in your prayers that I'll get this town figured out. Please and thank you :)

Now as for the questions:

1) Elder McMullin calls it an apartment but it looks and feels like a house to me. It's a two floor building that used to house four missionaries but now it's now just Elder McMullin and I who live there. Which is sweet because there are two separate bathrooms and showers for us to use. Awesome!

2) I can't wait to binge watch Doctor Who when I get home.

3) I did have some problems with my myldsmail account a few weeks ago but not anymore.

4) The name of the ward is the Parkersburg Ward and it is bigger than the Martin Ward.

5) While we do have families who sign up to feed us missionaries, but so far none of them are like the Bentleys where we have a close relationship. Oh well, I had feeling that would be the case when I left Martin, Kentucky.

6) I have a two-hour time limit on this computer. Back in Martin, there was no time limit.

Well, I think that's everything. I wish I could write more but, like I said, I got a two-hour time limit. I'll make sure to give you more details the next time I e-mail. Take care y'all. I love you all and miss you all. Hurrah for Israel!

Love,

Elder Michael Alley

Note From Elder Alley's Mom: I Google mapped his address and
this is where he's living. Looks like a pretty sweet set up!


Monday, April 13, 2015

I Made It!

April 13, 2015

Dear Family,

1) My new companion is Elder McMullin. He is from Boise, Idaho and he has been out for over a year now. He came out on his mission after graduating from high school. Yes, he does have siblings. I think he has four. He is also the district leader of this area. 

2) No, I didn't know that MomMom was baptized here! That's awesome! Maybe I'll get to baptize someone here as well.

3) Yes, we do have some investigators here.

4) Yes, Elder Barney stayed in Martin. His new companion is Elder Larson.

5) Yes, I have taken pictures of the new apartment. I'll send them to you as soon as possible.

6) No, I'm going to keep the SD card. Surprisingly, I still got plenty of picture space on that card. I'll send it you when I'm about to run out of room or if for some reason I decide to send it sooner.

Man, what a week! I got to tell you, my first official transfer out of an area felt a lot like my departure week for the M.T.C.. One moment I was in my familiar area with my friends and doing the usual business. Then before I knew it, I'm shipped out to somewhere else and as soon as I get there I have to get right back to work. Yowza. I'll admit that once I'm done with this mission, I am not going to miss the transfer weeks. Why? I just hate change. Oh well, it is what it is.

Mom and Aubrey, I'm really glad that you had a fun spring break. I'm also glad that you sent me the pictures of Adam. He is adorable in those pics. Next time you two get to hang out with the cousins, uncles, and aunts, be sure to tell them "hi" for me.

I wish I could tell everything that has happened so far, but unfortunately, the computers that I'm now using have a time limit so you may be getting shorter e-mails from me. Sorry about that. I want you to know that I love you all and I miss you all. I'll write again soon.

Love,

Elder Michael Alley 

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Big Changes!

Elder Alley's last few days in Martin, Kentucky
He was definitely well fed there.
He's going to miss this area...
and all the great people there!
Proof that Elder Alley is actually taking pictures. (Now we just need him
to send them our way!) Most of the pics on this blog have been from
Sister Bentley. :)
Looks like the Easter Bunny found Elder Alley
FYI: No children were harmed in the taking of these pictures. ;)
Practicing their martial arts skills 
Look at that concentration
Some of the amazing people he had the privilege of getting to know


April 8, 2015

Dear Family,

Well, as the title says, there some big changes coming our way. The news: I am being transferred to Parkersburg, West Virginia! My new companion will be Elder McMullen. Elder Barney has told me some good things about him, so I'm interested in seeing how this companionship will work out. Wish me luck. I have to admit, I already knew that I would be the one transferred even before we got the news. It just just made sense since I've been in Martin, Kentucky for 1/4 of my mission. I'll also admit that I had some mixed feelings about the news. I'm glad to finally go somewhere new (being in the same area for so long has made me ready for a change) but at the same time I'll miss the friends that I've made here in Martin, like the Winns and the Bentleys to name a few. In fact, just a few days ago I was crying in the bathroom at the thought of leaving. I thought to myself, "Why am I sad? Isn't this what I wanted? Don't I want to see other areas of the mission?" Elder Barney came to comfort me and told me that this is what happens when a missionary puts his heart and soul into an area. You always feel sad when you have to leave your friends behind. Even though I didn't get to baptize anyone or get a lot of investigators, I am proud of the work that Elder Barney and I have done here and I'm grateful for the people of Martin in being patient with me as I worked through my growth process as a missionary. Thank you Martin, Kentucky.

I also want to give a shout to our two future missionaries. I want to wish good luck to both Anika for the Washington Kennewick Mission and Kellie for the Massachusetts Boston Mission. Go bring them heaven you two!

Mom and Aubrey, I'm really happy that you two got to go to General Conference. I hope you continue to get more missionary blessings like that. My first General Conference as a missionary was amazing because two of our investigators came to the church building to watch the session with us! We even gave them a tour of the church building before the session! It was amazing! I was so excited to have them hear words of the Lord's modern-day Prophets, Seers, and Revelators. They really enjoyed hearing the General Authorities talk about marriage and families. I really hope they change their minds and join the church soon. When I heard that there will be a temple in Bangkok, Thailand, I thought, "Wow! Ashley is going to be stoked when she get this news!" I'm glad to hear that she did.

Well, that's all folks. I need to wrap up and finish packing. I'll write to you again soon. I love you all and miss you all. Hurrah for Israel!

Love,

Elder Michael Alley