Three Letters!

We received THREE letters from Elder Allred today, dating back to August 13. 

8/13/13

The MTC is still awesome! We got the chance to go to the temple this afternoon because it's our p-day. So cool! I had such a spiritual experience there today. We also had our Tuesday night devotional. That was in the Marriott Center and guess who was the speaker? It was Richard G. Scott! He talked about prayer and it touched me so powerfully. It set me on the course to do something that will help me grow so much this week. I look forward to growing closer to Christ and my Father in Heaven every day! 

Here's just some random stuff about the MTC: The food is delicious. I better not get used to it, because I don't think I'll be cooking three square meals a day in New York. We work for like 16 hours a day, so I'm always sleepy! Especially after lunch. The showers are terrible. They're either super hot or super cold. Elder Steiner and I are working well together. I love you guys. Stay strong! 

~Elder Allred 

8/20/13

It was so nice to be able to talk to everyone today! I can't believe that I'm finally on my way to New York. The MTC was awesome. We had a lot of classroom time, but I learned so much. In our last devotional on Sunday night, I really felt the Spirit. We sang Called to Serve, and about halfway through the song, everyone stood up. That gave me chills. It was so cool to see that many missionaries and made me realize what a big thing I'm part of now. After the devotional, we met as a district back in our classroom. We just wanted to have a little testimony meeting since most of the district left on Monday. My district at the MTC was amazing. I even teared up a little bit. Not quite as much as I did the night before I left. I'm going to miss the people I met at the MTC, but I look forward to those that I'll meet in New York! Being a ZL was such an amazing experience. I was able to connect with people through that calling in ways that I otherwise wouldn't have been able to. Most days at the MTC were so spiritual and amazing. Some days were a little stressful. I'm grateful for that. If this was an easy ride, I wouldn't grow any closer to Christ or help anyone else to. Tell Grandma Becca I said thank you. I love her so much! Keep telling me stories. I love to hear what's going on at home. Stay strong! 

~Elder Allred 

8/21/13

This mission field is great! President and Sister Morgan are super loving and welcoming. We stayed at the mission home the first night. Today we went to the Bronx. I didn't see the stadium, but my time will come. My first area is around the Danbury, Connecticut area in the Yorktown zone. My trainer is Elder Kroff from Montana, and he seems like someone I'll get along with really well. We live in Bethel in an apartment with two other Elders. One of them is from Italy, and his English can be a little hard to understand sometimes. I can tell I'm going to love it here. Can't wait to get started! 

~Elder Allred 

Meeting the Morgans

Dear Sister Carlson,

It was a pleasure for Sister Morgan and I to welcome your son upon his arrival in the New York New York North Mission. We were touched by his enthusiasm and sweet spirit. It is our desire to do all that is within our power to help him become the finest missionary possible during opportunity for service in New York. 

Elder Allred has now left the Mission Home and has been assigned to serve in the Newtown A1 with his companion, Elder Kroff. Since missionary transfers occur every six weeks in the mission, your missionary's address may change prior to you being notified. We ask that you send all correspondence to the mission office at 700 White Plains Road, Suite 315, Scarsdale, NY 10583. We will then forward or deliver any mail to him. The first few months in the field are critical to the success of a missionary. For that reason, we encourage you to make your weekly letter one that will lift and strengthen your missionary during this time. Positive, encouraging communication will be a great source of motivation throughout his mission. 

We are grateful to have your son with us. I enclose a picture we took with him at the mission home together. He is happy and very excited to be here. We look forward to getting to know him and serving with him. If you ever have need for urgent communication with him other than your weekly exchange of letters, please call me. 

With love and sincere appreciation, 

Thomas B. Morgan

Mission President 

**NOTE FROM MOM** It is amazing to me that Tyler's first area is the Newtown, Connecticut area. Ty's nephew Riken was born on December 14, 2012, the very day of the tragedy in Newtown. We picture Riken's spirit crossing paths with the spirits of the little ones from Newtown, so Ty being there is just one more manifestation to me that he is where he needs to be. 

Pictures!!!

Elder Allred spent time with the Arend family today, and Sister Arend was thoughtful enough to send photos to Mom. YAY!!!!! 

Mom is glad to know that Elder Allred is being fed, even on his first full day in the mission field. 

And that he hasn't lost any of his personality!!! 

THIS is a good day:) 

First Area... Bethel, Connecticut

Made it to New York! We stayed in Scarsdale last night at the mission home, which is way cool by the way! President and Sister Morgan were super welcoming and they're really nice. We went in to the Bronx this morning for a meeting, but that's all I've seen of the city. My first area is around the Danbury, Connecticut area. We live in a town called Bethel, and I can tell I'm gonna love it here. I wrote you a letter on the plane and I'll mail it as soon as I can! Just wanted to let you know that I'm doing well. Love you!

In the Big Apple!

Elder Allred woke up at 2:30 AM on Tuesday, August 20, 2013 in preparation for leaving the MTC and flying out to New York. He was able to call Mom from the airport in Salt Lake City, Ashli and Dad from his layover at the airport in Detroit. Zack made the rounds between Ephraim and Nephi and got to talk to Elder Allred TWICE on Tuesday:) 

Ashli and Mom tracked his progress on "www.flightstats.com" a great website that Mom found through other missionary moms. 

Elder Allred LOVED his time in the MTC and said "I feel bad, but I hardly ever think about you guys during the day. Sorry!" Mom was SO glad to hear that. The biggest worry in the beginning is that he'll be homesick and sad, and it was such a comfort to hear that he hasn't been feeling that way at all. 

He and his companion, Elder Steiner, were MTC zone leaders for three districts, a total of 28 missionaries. Elder Allred liked to address his zone in a Scottish accent, and his companion reports that Elder Allred even started using the accent for his nightly prayers. This surprised us, as he has always been kind of quiet and shy in front of groups of people.  

 He was able to attend the Provo temple on Tuesday, August 13, and hopes that he gets to do some sessions in the Manhattan temple, located on the top three floors of a skyscraper in the heart of the city. 

He said the food in the MTC was great. He loved getting letters and packages from everyone, but especially liked the package containing the chips and dip, as that one reminded him of home the most. (OK, so he DID think about home ONCE in a while!) He ate a few of the brownies he got on Monday, but left the rest of them for his zone to finish up after he flew out. 

Elder Allred apologized for not having much time to write letters in the MTC, but loved reading what everyone had to say in the letters and "dearelders" he got while he was there. He loved hearing from Ashli that one day while Riken was watching "Wreck in Ralph", the movie paused. Riken then crawled over and pushed "Play" on the X-box. He likes hearing what is going on at home, and asked if the Yankees got rid of A-Rod yet. Sadly, we had to report that we are still carrying the gazillion dollar weight on our shoulders, but that he did homer against the Red Sox on Sunday. 

You can write to him at: 

Elder Tyler Layne Allred

New York New York North Mission

700 White Plains Rd. Ste 315

Scarsdale, NY 10583

Last day at the MTC!

 I don't have a lot of time to write, but I'll write you a letter when I'm on the plane to New York. Just wanted to let you know I'm doing well. Love you! Talk to ya tomorrow:)

First Email

I love the MTC! I have been getting all your letters and I got the package this morning. Thank you so much! It's so nice to hear that things are going good back at home. I know it can be tough at times but I promise it will be worth it. The power of prayer is so amazing. No matter what we face in life, we can just know that our Father in Heaven is there and that he loves us. I sent you a letter on Thursday so hopefully that got to you. If not, I'll tell you again that my companion is named Elder Steiner. He's really cool and we work so well together! He's from Ogden, Utah! We actually got called to be the zone leaders and started on Sunday. That has already been a great experience in serving others. This experience has helped me grow so much already. I love being a missionary! I'm gonna send you another letter today, so whenever that gets to you you'll be able to know more about what's been going on here.  I'm sorry I don't have much time to write. Just know that I am doing really well. Stay strong! Love you. 

Love, 

Elder Allred 

The First Day

The first day at the MTC has been so awesome! Everyone is super positive. When we first got here we went straight to a classroom. We had two teachers and they were both way young. They were so helpful though. They had me tell a little bit about myself and how I think God has prepared me to be here. It was so cool to be able to share that. 

Today (THURSDAY) was pretty hectic. I felt like I was just walking around, trying to learn, and having a hard time remembering much. We did a really cool thing today. We went into a room with like 50 missionaries, and there was a guy in there that was an investigator. We all just taught him like we would in the mission field. It was a really cool and spiritual experience. 

My first companion is Elder Steiner. He's actually a pretty cool dude. He's from Ogden. 

My district and my zone is so cool! There is one zone leader that went to Snow. His name is Elder Harris. There are so many people at the MTC. In my first orientation meeting, there were probably over 200 new missionaries, and that's only about half of what came in today. It's so cool to look at everyone and know that we're here for the same purpose. 

So, overall, it was such a good first day. I love it here already. I'm sure it will have its challenges, but I can already tell it's going to be an amazing and spiritual experience. I'm so glad I'm here. I love the gospel. 

~Elder Allred

 Elder Allred entered the Provo MTC on August 7, 2013. He was greeted by Elder Crowther as he began his journey serving the Lord and the people of New York New York. Saying goodbye to 8 month old nephew Riken was difficult, but Tyler valiantly stepped  into the work and will do great things in the mission field. 

Elder Allred with his sister Ashli Brown, mom Tina Carlson, brother Zack Allred and dad Kurt Allred.

Mom  is a bit concerned about the look of consternation on Elder Allred's face, but Elder Crowther walked over to the truck before we pulled away and assured Mom that Elder Allred is where he needs to be, he is in good hands, and they will take good care of her boy.