July 28, 2014 Emails and pics and poetry

 Jumping out of bed today!!! ;) 

Me and my kid! ;)  

 

 Another pic with my comp!

all us four in the house! ;)

Unforgettable moments in Bolivia:

In poem

1. The widows mite in action-
by: hermana alford
Have you ever got to thinking,
of the life that others are living?
Have you ever stopped to watch
as all others laugh and talk...
Have you ever listened to the beggers´ singing,
the song of sorrow it is ringing...
My eyes did sting, and my heart did break
as of her sorrow i did partake.
the feeble legs of one so sweet
the worn out hands, the broken feet
Her small dear voice calling out
and asking, begging as others shout.
The cry was lost, fallen on deaf ears...
and in her eyes i saw her fears
as one by one the all passed by...
Avoiding the look... not wanting to catch her eye.
Yet oh how sweet, and oh how nice
a little boy with not but 10 cents and a smile
walked up close, all shy and kind
and from the crowd of uninterested what do we find?
A man-sized courage, a true dear heart
Ready to share, to compart
no greater man yet have i seen
no closer to the widows mite have been
as that little 5 year old boy
 who found that true gift, to give another true joy.
And oh how i teared up,
the moment to sweet to give up!
What greatness to be learned!
What blessing to be earned!
Let us be as that little guy!
And never let such moments pass us by!
May we be as that little tike,
and give always the widows mite!

2, The love of my brother
Aso by hermana alford
the great love, the love of a child
the care of a brother for his brother
passing flowers beneath the gate..
tears being shed by the little one,
and the elder trying to console
As his own eyes water and tears roll down
oh dear child, locked out of his home
alone on the street, for an innocent
act of his baby brother
no more than 5 years old them both..
they taught a dear lesson to me..
a lesson of real love...
the love of my savior..
my older brother, who suffered for my acts
and even as his tears fell...
he does his best to console me and mine.

3. Come to Serve
 By ME! ;)
I heard her story, her trials and sufferings
i came to serve her... yet what can i do?
What words of wisdom have ig,
to soothe the hurts of years gone by?
my life is not like hers... My trials not the same...
her eyes are shining, tears close to fall.
and this is when the spirit rises in my soul.
This is my call, to make others whole.
Can´t do it on my own.. but pray
I pray to God to give me His words
to soothe her heart, comfort her tears
God is Great, Greater than my fears
and so i hear her story,
and he takes away her sufferings
 this is my mission...
I Came to Serve.

My fave scripture is and always will be Moroni 1:3
I remember till now when you shared that scripture with me. It was when Popo passed away. You told me that that scripture had always been his favorite as he could put his name in it
,And I, Moroni (alecia) , will not deny the Christ; wherefore, I wanderwhithersoever I can for the safety of mine own life.
This became my life long mantra... i alecia jean alford... will not deny the christ! no matter what the circumstance may be. Thus, i must always share my testimony! Because if i dont, it would be the same as denying him to hold my tongue... this is what made me always want to get up in testimony meetings, this is what made me come on my mission.. this is what makes me get up every morning now!

July 21, 2014 Emails and pictures!!!! She is having a great time!

Rolando was baptised and confirmed this week end!!! ;) so happy!!!

headed up to tunari! ( the mountain )

the mountains from a distance!

walking in the snow... this was an unplanned shot.. but i kind of like it!

This was such a fun pday!!! so much craziness! haha!!!

Me at tunari, sitting in the snow!!
MY BUT IS SO COLD IN THIS PIC!!! HAHAHA!

snow and water!

My compa and i at the mountain!!!

Look at all that snow!!! ;) way cool!

hey mom!
i have to tell you.. i have never had a better week in all my life... we have worked SO HARD!!! And i have been blessed to see the fruits of that work! We had 6 investigators at church today... all four of my converts, and all the rescews i have had in this area as well as a few less actives we are working with right now... all in all, there were over twenty people at church this sunday... all whom i have taught or worked with. I felt so much love, and so blessed for having had this call here in the floresta area... i almost cried! rolando was baptised (sent a pic by the way) and confirmed... we went up the mountain today! and i made it to 13 months in the mission! i am just feeling great! anyway, we will soon be going to the temple with rolando and ariana! and i am so very happy for that fact!!!! woohooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;) how could a person be more happy??? i think more happiness would break a person! haha! anyway, i am glad you are all doing well! we also had a lesson on baptism in relief society this sunday! and ariana sitting next to us all happy! hma roxana presented us to her nephew and his girlfriend... and they want to be baptised!!! we havent placed a date yet... but they both came to church for the first time this sunday! and the whole l.... family was so content!!! ;) anyway, i am really thrilled right now.. my health is fine... and life is good! ;) finished 1nephi again!!! wanted to share something with you and dad...  in chapter 11 of 1 nephi... the spirit of God teaches nephi!! He showes us the perfect and divine way to teach! i thought it was pretty fabulous!!! in verse 2 it says: And the Spirit said unto me: Behold, what desirest thou? In preach my gospel... it teaches us that we must always teach with questions.. and here, the holy ghost does the same! i am sure that he must have been one of the main authors of preach my gospel, because he truly is a perfect teacher! and in vs 10 he makes the same question yet again: 10 And he said unto me: What desirest thou? it is highly important this particular question! with children, investigators, husband, wife, students and the like... we must know what it is they wish for... to be able to relate to them and serve them! Often times, as teachers, we become so focused on ourselves.. that we never even ask a question.. we just go on and on and on in our own mind track... and often never make a difference.. we must teach with the spirit! and to teach with the spirit, we must teach AS the spirit! great way to learn how.. reading this chapter! love you mom! with all my heart!
love
hma alford

Story to Jared:Oh, love your story! got one for you too! Today, i went to a mountain named tunari... which was all covered in snow! and i was trying to walk down a hill full of snow today, when all of a sudden i was no longer walking! i was sledding!!! Hahahaha!!! My hiny got all wet too! and my companion died laughing!!! ;) fun moment i just thought i would share         

July 14, 2014 Alecia's emails and pics

in a trufi!

the jello desert again! yum!!

yum!!!! that was one fabulous desert!!! ;)

ARIANA!!! ;)

ARIANAS BAPTISM!!!!!!!!

the whole ward supported her!!!
I HAVE NEVER SEEN A BAPTISM SO FULL OF PEOPLE TO SHOW SUPPORT AS I DID THIS SATURDAY!arianas family couldnt come... and so a million people showed up! this is only the half of it in this pic!!! the room was so full, that people had to be standing up in the back, because there was no more room to put the chairs!!!! This, was a true miracle. the lord answered our prayers, that the room would be full of people to support her in this moment... in her testimony ariana said, ´i know that this church is true, i know my family may not be here... but here in this room full of new faces and kind people, i have found a new family... a family who will support me in all times!´ she needed them... more than the members will ever know..  I WILL EVER BE GRATEFUL... AND I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT MOMENT, AS I LOOKED AROUND ME, TO FIND THE ROOM BURSTING WITH PEOPLE!
 

trying to get to the waterfall in pairumani!

Another pic of pairumani!

roasting at pairumani!

arent they just too cute???

A GANG OF STREET DOGS!!! THATS KIND OF SCARY!!! LOL!

ICE CREAM!!! YUM! ;)

the view from our house! 

Hey mom!!! i am so thrilled right now! we have another baptism coming up! his name is ro...... and just came out of nowhere! we have only taught him twice... but he already received all the lessons with other missionaries in april... actually had a baptism date and everything, but didnt go through with it.. then all of a sudden he calls the elders in our ward and says he wants to be baptised this saturday!!! WOW!!! Anyway, i am so very tired right now.. we have been literally running from one side of the world to the other all week.. we plan on doing absolutely nothing today.. we are going to print some pics, eat lunch and nap! ;) and then we have a Family home evening night with ariana and two families!! so excited! anyway, thats what we are up to lately! mom, i know that the lord is pleased with your service... he knew it would stretch you, but that you had much to give in this time... do your best, and leave the lord the rest... yep, elder rennie wrote me! he sure does love you guys! and who wouldnt? lol! the girls room looks GREAT! I LOVE IT!! ;) Sounds to me like you are all doing great! the garden, the room, and so on! not perfect obviously, but i am happy to know you are all doing well! As for the guinea pig, of course he is worried.. i could very likely eat the poor thing! lol! anyway, i love you mom... i am so very happy right now i could just sing!! and i do on a regular basis by the way!!! lol! as for the practical stuff.. i have to admit i was a bit sad to hear about my scholarships...but i am not worried.. sometimes the lord opens a door.. and sometimes he closes it.. but it is all for our good.. i will pray about it and hope to be able to accept whatever comes. sounds like a pretty awesome offer actually, with russel... but we will figure it out... love you mom!
keep up the faith!
hma alford

July 7, 2014 Alecia's Email and pics

 

Last conference with president and sister dyer! 

hahaha! they got dressed up to say good bye! 

saying good bye to president and sister dyer

so, yall remember i said i ate guinea pig right??? Couldnt resist the pic!!!! hahaahahaha!!!!! ;)

(Ok, is it just me or is that poor Guinea Pig have a UhOh face!)

just a pretty pic i like!!! ;) my comp took it for me!

A.....!!! ;)

in a truffy!

FREEEEEDOOOOOMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!! LOL!!!!!

4th of July in Bolivia!!!! ;)
 

Alecia's Email to me:

Hi mom! i am so very full of love and joy and gratitude at the moment.. i have been reading my journals lately... and i have seen such a change in these last few weeks! The Lord has truly sent me through a number of trials, or the refining fire as you might say! And now, i am incredibly thankful for it all! AND SO VERY READY TO SEE HIS HANDS IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS AS WELL!!! I have never felt so blessed in my life mom! when i think about it, i cant help but cry a bit from pure joy! ;) i cant wait to send you pics of her baptism! we are also going to go out  to eat with her today! ;) she really is and will be a great friend for the eternities! ;) anyway, this week has been crazy!!!! full of hard work, the fourth of july!!! ;) and all kinds of good stuff! i am really hoping to be able to get to the post office at some point today, and send a letter and some cds of music! i have started up a new project for all of you! i am so excited! ;) i have begun writing personal special letters to each and every one of you! bethany will be the first to get there, and then Krystal... i am so excited! these letters are ¨special¨because i am writing each one with special prayers for the person to whom i am writing, with all the inspiration of a loving sister, daughter, and missionary!!! And, they are going to be rather incredible if i do say so myself!!! ;) anyway, thats the news down here! We also found an incredible new family to teach!!! ;) we are calling them the miracle family!!! lol! (family g.) and they are truly prepared for the gospel!!! Their son has just left on the mission in columbia! and they want to get to know the church that meant so much to their son that he would leave everything behind for!!! PRAY FOR THEM PRETTY PLEASE!!!! M..... is slowing down in his progress, i am just praying that i will be able to accept what comes, whether he is baptised or not... anyway, thats whats up down here! ;) working hard, with ups and downs, but mostly ups right about now!!!! so happy mom! i just dont know how to contain it!!! sounds like all is well up there as well! keep being awesome mom! God is changing lives through you! i love you bunches and bunches!
love
hma alford
oh, as for the new president! hes great! hope to send a pic soon!

June 30, 2014 Alecia's Declaration of Faith!

I DECLARE BEFORE THE NATIONS... AND ALL PEOPLE EVERYWHERE, MY FIRM TESTIMONY OF CHRIST. I KNOW HE LIVES, EVEN TO THIS DAY; I KNOW HE LOVES ALL HIS BROTHERS AND SISTERS. HE TRULY DID DIE FOR ALL OF US! TO MAKE THE IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE AND THE IMPERFECT HUMANS WE ARE, CAN NOW RETURN UNTO THE PRESENCE OF OUR FATHER. I KNOW HE SPEAKS TO US THROUGH PROPHETS.. HE HAS ALWAYS DONE SO, EVEN FROM THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE EARTH.. AND HE WILL ALWAYS DO SO. HE DOES NOT CHANGE AND HE DOES NOT LIE. HE HAS YET AGAIN CALLED A PROPHET. HE HAS RESTORED HIS TRUTH UPON THE EARTH... HE HAS YET AGAIN ESTABLISHED HIS CHURCH, AND ITS NAME IS THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS. AND IT IS THE ONLY TRUE CHURCH IN ALL THE WORLD. CHRIST LIVES, AND HE SPEAKS TO HIS PROPHETS EVEN NOW! IT IS A BOLD DECLARATION, I KNOW, BUT I DECLARE TO ALL THE WORLD THAT I KNOW THIS TO BE TRUE. HOW? BY PERSONAL REVELATION THROUGH GOD. BY ACCEPTING HIS CHALLENGE ADN COMMANDMENT, ¨ASK AND YE SHALL RECIEVE.¨ THIS IS THE ONLY WAY. THIS IS THE ONLY RELIGION, AS TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THAT WILL ALWAYS INVITE ALL TO ASK GOD HIMSELF IF THE CHURCH IS TRUE.. UP TILL NOW, OTHERS HAVE ONLY EVER TOLD ME, READ THE SCRIPTURES, AND DECIDE FOR YOURSELF... THAT IS NOT HOW IT WORKS!!! I INVITE ALL PEOPLE EVERY WHERE TO DO AS I HAVE DONE, AND ASK GOD WHICH OF ALL THE CHURCHES IS TRUE.. YOU WILL RECIEVE AN ANSWER... GOD HIMSELF HAS PROMISED IT...
IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN.


hma alford

June 30, 2014 Email and pics

ROASTING HOT DOGS!!!!!!!! SO FLIPPING HAPPY!!!! ;)

 roasted marshmallows!!! YAAAAA!!!!! 

the tunnel! :)

WATERFALL IN PAIRUMANI!
 

 Me INSIDE of the waterfall! that was cold! haha! but SO worth the pic!!!
WE WENT TO THE MOUNTAIN PAIRUMANI!

pairumani pic!

sitting on the cliff! 

HEY EVERYBODY! HERE I AM AT PAIRUMANI THIS MORNING! ;)

Place holder for picture

jesus and the bishop! the day of his baptism!
JESUS´S BAPTISM!

Mom’s Email June 30, 2014
hey mom!
this week has been truly incredible! president and sister dyer are back in the states! Our new president is President Hansen!!! wow! thats wierd! J.... was baptised... and wow was that awesome! A..... has been officially converted.. just needs to be dipped in the water thats all! Im not even kidding mom... seeing her, and how quickly she has accepted the gospel.. has lifted my hopes, and i feel blessed to have been chosen by God to find her and help her come unto Christ! anyway! we are growing as a ward and doing the best we can to do the will of the Lord TOGETHER! I am truly happy... with all my heart! anyway... as for the family home evening night! i love the vision board idea! this scripture came to my mind as i read your letter.. maybe you can share it on my part.. The lord asks us to place him above all things.. before riches or cars or ipads or boyfriends and the like! Then, as we do so, he will bless us.
18 But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.
 19 And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtainriches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to dogood—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberatethe captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.
jacob 2

love you mom! haha! its still blue!