Allison Jo Glanzer: My Assignment on the Square is the Square

I learned of our plans for Halloween. I have always found it interesting when girls do that scream thing a lot when they are with other girls. I have always inwardly groaned when they participate in such acts. As Pres. Risenmay told us, "The buildings close at 5pm and the Square at 6pm. Our dinner will be catered by Olive Garden-,"

"ooooooo ahhh (other excited high pitched girl sounds)"

"We have preview and approved, just for this occasion, only this once, to watch 'The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe."

"AHHHH. EEEE! (other such sounds from these sisters of glee and excitement)"

"And we will be providing you all with popcorn." That sent them over the top. I am glad to see the girls from all countries have the same happy reactions to things. I did not participate in sounding my excitement. It will be an enjoyable evening. Now, if he had told us we could change into pants, the whole group wouldn't have been able to out match my enthusiasm for the event.

Yesterday, being the 28th of October, was by far the best personal study I have ever had. 17ish more months to have even more awesome ones! But two highlights from it. I was reading in Preach My Gospel about the "Authority of Your Calling." There were a list of things we can do and should do with scriptures that talk about it. In the Book of Mormon, Alma 8:22, Alma is doing his missionary thing, goes to Amulek's house, asks him if he will feed him, a servant of the Lord. Sure, says Amulek. Alma blessed Amulek's house. That is where offering a blessing of the home comes from! I never knew! I had just thought it was a thing that missionaries just did. And then In Doctrine and Covenants 75:19 "And in whatsoever house ye enter, and they receive you, leave your blessing upon that house." Well. There it is again! So awesome how it all just connects.

Then there was an activity to study a picture of Jesus and His apostles, read in The Bible, John 15:1-16. I did not because I was nearing the end of my study, but I read 15:14-16.

14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known

unto you.

16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

I want to be Jesus' friend! I am a friend of the Lord because I know what he does and why I am commanded to do it! He chose me, I chose to listen and follow! And what I ask for, I will get. And what I ask for is for the missionaries out in the proselyting field to follow up with the referrals I have sent out! (Though I know that there may be some things I don't know about, but when people from two weeks ago still haven't been contacted... come on elders and sister) But 'Faith without works is dead' (James 2:17-18). We are allowed to contact the mission office and inquire about the referrals.

On Tuesday and Wednesday I had exchanges with our district leader. Tuesday, I was with Sister Sanchez, the district leader. She is in charge of three companionships in the Zone. There are eight zones I think. We were taking a rather rude Australian couple on a tour. We had explained that with the History we explain, we will be talking about some beliefs of the church. The two go together, that's how it goes! But near the end the woman very aggressively, stance and all, somewhat in S. Sanchez’s face, tells Sis. Sanchez they are atheists and are just interested in the history. But S. Sanchez smiles and continues on with the tour. What a great missionary she is!

Wednesday, with S. Tuttle, the companion of S. Sanchez (S. Da Luz's turn to be with her), was super fun! She got to see pictures of a lady that had just gotten baptized that she had contacted originally over the phone. One of the elder missionaries in the picture was in the MTC at the same time as me! That was cool to see him.

S. Tuttle is in her 2nd transfer, but when she was in the MTC she was in Branch 34 with the Williams, Johnsons, and Mays and she also had S. Seegmiller as a teacher, like me! But that day there was next to no one on the Square! But as we looked at what we did during the day, we actually talked to a lot of people. And I physically handed my third Book of Mormon out! It fills me with glee! Inwardly, I am like the outwardness of the sisters as we were told the Halloween plans.

In those two days on exchanges, I felt and noticed myself grow more confident in sharing the gospel on the tours. It feels nice to be confident.

I saw one apostle, from afar, during my short time here. President Rasband. I didn't realize it was him until S. Da Luz had said specifically it was him. I knew he looked familiar.

My Assignment on the Square is the Square. I spend most of my time on Temple Square or in the Teaching Center. I got my iPad, but I don't really use it much except for when we plan and for companionship study if we are not at home. But the Planner App is super cool! I wish all missions were iPad missions. We get to watch the progress of the people we send out to their local missionaries! And it tells us when the locals have contacted them. But not every mission is an iPad mission. Bummer. And I like the written better than the iPad too. Maybe it will grow on me.

I don't know if I am allowed to tell you all where I am living, but I am about five minute walk from the mission home, which is the basement of the South Visitor Center. There are two sets of apartments we sisters live in. Mine is referred to as the terrestrial or telestial apartments, where the other building is celestial. But I am glad for my living conditions. They are still nice.

S. Sanchez and I took a Spanish tour of two member families. The daughter of one went into the MTC this past Wednesday! She is going to serve in the Idaho VC So I was really excited to tell her a bunch of stuff about the MTC and tips and all that Jazz. So great. I was really excited and she listened. Also, she knew a sister that I had done Visitor Center Training with!

I got a package from KT, my beloved eldest sister. Such a nice surprise! She wrote a little note, "A Halloween treat."

I had talked to a mom with a three-week-old baby. Made me think of my new nephew and various other people that have had babies in the last few months, like the Portwoods, and who are due soon, like the Gill's granddaughter (who is like now if she hasn't had it) and Charity McCormick (I don't think she is due soon). All of these people and babies. I think since I am not allowed to hold kids, it makes me more excited to see them. A 6 year old girl referred her grandma to us, can't wait to call and say. "Hi!....... Your granddaughter said you'd want to talk to us?" Children, so precious.

I also met a member of the church from Cordoba, Argentina! I could barely understand him because he was talking so quiet. But he told a story that sounded really familiar. A missionary down in his area was knocking doors, and came to a woman's house. She wasn't going to let him in because she said he was a spy for his country. He reaches into his pocket to get the phone and said “Okay, let me just contact the president.” She goes, “Okay, come in come in. But that could happen in any country, right?

My mom had her birthday on the 26th, but she didn't tell anyone, the snake. So if you see her, tell her happy birthday.

Seems like I was just typing. But because of this earlier p-day, the next wont be until the 7th of November! Oh my! Just like when I first got here from the MTC, forever and a day until next I type.

But wow. A lot happened in these few days! I don't see how some missionaries can write so little! I hope they are keeping great journals!

Peace out y'all!

Sister Allison Jo Glanzer