Dear Mom,
This week has just soared by! Oh my gosh it's crazy. I'm loving this area! We have one person that passed a baptismal interview, Susan Lar, so she'll be baptized ASAP. So excited! The fruits of my labors, and the many blessings of the Lord.
So we got Elder McGahee back here in Van Nuys. Poor guy had to spend two weeks up in the desert where Danny is (but in a different companionship) because another missionary knocked himself out of commission longboarding on some hill up there (now they're officially banned...use common sense guys!). He's really fun! He's from northern Alabama and he's almost home (he leaves in November). Loads of fun so far! We have the shortest companionship in the entire mission, and Elder Sara from Utah is in our district too so we have the four shortest elders in the entire mission in the same district, three in one companionship. Feels weird, to be honest, to have another extra missionary tagging along. I love it though! We're gonna rock this place! He's really changed from what I heard because he was a bum to begin with, but he's a great missionary. He's really going to help Van Nuys 1st out a lot. So that basically means I'm probably going to go, because I have one transfer here more than Woods, and we all have been senior companions at one point in the mission field...so I'm just going to work my best and wait to see what happens. But, this work is going great right now!
This week was a blur! We did a lot of service for Bruce, an older member but he's a recent convert of two years. He needs a new pipeline for his gas, so we dug a trench for it. We have to finish it up this coming week, but not much else is left. We did have a great week though. We taught Susan several times this week with our ward missionaries (the two we took with us are sisters...really humble and loving sisters) and wow! They bonded. I think that Susan is just outgoing and loving so it makes it easier to become friends with members. She has fellowshippers galore, so she'll be active no doubt. And Saturday she passed the baptismal interview, so all we have to do is organize the program and BAM! 'Baptism, boom baby', as my zone leader Elder Boyce says. I'm so pumped for that!
We taught June Hinahon a short but blunt lesson, that we are here to help him find out for himself if the Gospel is true. We committed him to pray specifically to know whether the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith (or Joe Smith as McGahee says) is a prophet of God. He said, to my amazement and shame, 'well, I never had mentioned in a prayer those things', he thought a general prayer would work. Well, it hasn't, but it will help him receive an answer pronto. Their family has really grown close to us the missionaries, and I really love them to death. Their poor girl, Alyssa, is anemic and so they're praying hard so her test results will be fine. They took four vials of blood out of her, and June's member wife Jennifer said, 'I didn't even know she had that enough blood in her.' Surprised me too when I heard that. The members love us, and I love them so very much. Really great stuff going on down here.
We had two consecutive dinners with our really active less actives, the Lunas. Junior and Cindy, the parents, are so fun-loving and outgoing. We just clicked. We go over there Saturday and we just have a ball of a time, and we share a scripture to invite them to prepare for stake conference the following day (Sunday). They came to stake conference, which was great, and we went over for dinner some hours later. Cindy's mom, Sister Duggan (very active member), thanked us for caring about them when she called to tell us, she signed up for dinner this coming Monday (today). My goal, as is theirs, is to get them sealed for time and all eternity. Yes, Cindy and Junior were active most of their lives, but they settled for a civil marriage. The bishop who married them, Bishop Molen, is going through a tough time. His wife passed away a few weeks ago. When Cindy went to the funeral, she realized she must be sealed to her family. In come the missionaries! That would bring me so much more joy that I have now to see them go to the temple, and they're doing their best to do their part. But before I cry, just to sum up our lesson plan for them yesterday. We watched the Testaments movie with them...that movie is quite the tear-jerker for me. I realized in the movie how much family is so important in life. That movie is a testimony reminder for all members of the Church. I love the Testaments, because I know that Christ lives, he died, but He lives! He is my personal Savior. I just cry a lot during that movie, but at the end we had a great testimony mini-meeting. McGahee bore his witness of the Book of Mormon, and I committed them to read it daily as a family to strengthen themselves against the world. Woods shared his testimony, which was the last straw for me and I just let the tears flow, but I tried not to sob loudly. I'm such a baby! Ooohhh the Spirit was oozing through the walls of the home...it was really special. Even the active daughters were subdued a little. I know I was sent here for a reason. To activate the less actives and to find the elect. Why is God so merciful to me? I don't deserve it!
So we're going on a spiritual high leaving the appointment, and we go visit a less active, Betsy Miller. She couldn't go to church, but her sister was called to the stake Primary presidency and was going to pick her up. But, she cut her hand bad and it's her writing hand. Poor woman. We stopped by to see how she was doing. She's so loving and so kind, and I just have learned to love her like a sister. We chatted a little, joked around, and had a good, warm time. Time for a scripture! I share Enos, how he felt consoled at the end of his life to go to His Maker. And I told her it was her goal to return to God's presence, but to be sealed with her sister (good ole' Sister Tribble). And she felt touched, as did I (I had tears welling up in my eyes...oh man), and it was a great spiritual experience. Elder McGahee and Woods shared their witness also...I love the trio! We're too good now! And I mentioned to her that she's changed. She said, I don't feel like I changed, and so Woods pounced on that. He shared Alma 5:26, talking about the change in your hearts, and he pointed out it is gradual and that we need to look back with a time period in mind...how was I six months ago....how was I a year ago...? She said, even a year ago my life has changed a lot. She said that she realized she can't rely on herself anymore, but that she needed to prepare herself spiritually. Wow, a great evening! I didn't deserve it!
My converts Alberto and Yadira are doing well, and Alberto is almost done with the Book of Mormon because he's reading in Ether right now. I'm so proud of him! Or, as Bruce said, excited for him (because pride isn't a good word to describe this enthusiasm!).
Stake conference was great! Just that spiritual boost we needed! It did get boring when they talked about Proposition 8 again, but the members need to step up. Pres. Jex, the stake president, called the members out with Joshua 24:15, 'as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.' He told all my donate means (or money) to the cause and that now is the time to canvass communities to push the cause forth. If it doesn't pass here, it will lead to serious moral problems in the future. I hope it'll pass. I really hope that the members here pick up the ball and move with it. They're too lazy it seems, but I know that this will get them moving, that great giant to start trouncing the enemy. I took a lot from stake conference, and I loved it! I love meetings now, more and more. Just great spiritual highs! It also helped Pres. and Sis. Goodrich were there, and they bore their witness of missionary work and of the Spirit. Pres. Goodrich admitted he had no idea what member missionary work meant until he came out here. He said, 'all we have to do is invite, invite, and invite.' We don't need to sift through our friends to see who'd be most receptive to the Gospel. We must share it with everyone. The most unlikely accept the Gospel, when the most likely to accept it show little interest and reject it. It's that simple! Wow! Sis. Goodrich bore her testimony of the Holy Ghost, of how it has helped her in her life, and how he truly exists. I love the Lord!
I know the Church is true. There is no other greater Church nor doctrine. Jesus came to pay for my sins, He did that, then died. He rose on the third day, and He lives again! He loves us so, and to show that love He has for us He has given us a loving and caring modern-day prophet, Thomas S. Monson. I know Pres. Monson is a prophet of God. I know the Book of Mormon can answer any question we have. I know it is the word of God. As Elder Woods said, we can learn from every single verse in the Book of Mormon, and I know that to be true. I do not doubt God loves us still, and he revealeth his secrets to his servants the prophets.
I love you all. I hope all is well in Zion! My thoughts are with you, and I miss you so. Stay safe, will ya?
Love,
Spencer
Friday, October 24, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
September 2, 2008
Dear Mom,
Yesterday was the best p-day ever! I got to sleep a lot...and it was the best for me! I was very energized and I hope it'll last the week. This area has a tendency to wear missionaries out a little, if they work. The work is picking up so fast, we barely have time to eat lunch and dinner! Busy busy busy! Such is the life right now!
This week was super busy! Highlight reel! Brought to you by...
Gatorade, is it in You?
Now back to the show.
Gotcha!
We had a transfer high of three member presents. Quite an accomplishment here because everyone is so busy and is working all week, and they were legitimate MP's. Pretty sweet lessons this past week. So Tuesday and Wednesday mornings Woods and I dug a trench for this member, Bruce Sayler. He has to get another oil line underground because he's been without gas for about two months. So we're giving all the time we can spare to help him...but he has to get some extra help or it'll take another week or so. And his mother, who is as old as grandma, is a bit pushy to say the least. He's funny because he says he doesn't like being treated as if he were a ten year-old...but he's accepted it by now. We actually helped him this morning just now, so it's been a learning experience for me. Dig a trench, dig under roots and how to correctly use a pickaxe. Pretty sweet stuff.
Sunday was absolutely spiritual. We had a semi-good testimony meeting, some of our oddball members went up there and did their thing. I couldn't look behind me because there were some normal members sitting behind me and they were trying not to laugh very hard. But, we had six investigators to church, as well as a less active family (the Lunas) and Betsy Miller. I was so happy! I was very glad to see them all there! Betsy did ask me, 'So she (one of the oddballs) usually does that, right?' Yup. She felt a bit uneasy, but she is willing to put feelings aside and to go to church. Her goal is to go to the temple and be sealed with her sister, and I really feel it'll come soon as soon as she becomes consistent with church. The Lunas promised us a week ago they'd go to church, and there they were! Super awkward moment when their teenage daughters came out of nowhere and gave me a hug...so awkward! Ahh! Couldn't react in time so I lost. I got two hugs. So great! We went to a baptismal service of someone I met in the ZL's ward and interviewed for baptism (interviews are so cool!) and our investigator Crystal came. She loved it...she was a bundle of emotions but she kept herself calm. I felt like an inferior missionary there. We had our ZL's, and our AP's who both served as ZL's in this ward. And Woods, my comp. Just amazing missionaries. Super spiritual and it just reminded me of the success I have seen before, and how great I felt. Super motivating! We went to dinner with the Sanders, who are nice and cool at the same time. Not odd at all. It was a great Sunday.
Saturday was busy as heck! Unusual but really good! One of our investigators that dropped us a month ago finally invited us back, and she had two of her daughters there. Good ole' Donna Caballero. We had their neighbors, the Espinosas, who are members (really strong testimonies too). It was a very impromptu Plan of Salvation lesson, but it was simple and spiritual. Powerful. I felt the Spirit and the Spirit really enlightened this family. It made sense, they said, how Adam and Eve did a good thing for us (2nd Nephi chapter 2 is the best scripture on the Fall!). Oh yeah, Betsy during Sunday School pointed out she loves the Book of Mormon because we read the Bible a little, kind of confusing. We ran to another place, then another to teach Susan. Ran into a sticky situation because we taught some commandments then reviewed the baptismal questions...then the Word of Wisdom came up so we went into that (led by the Spirit). She likes...green tea. Not that bad, but still. At first she didn't like the idea of switching to herbal tea. Then Woods went into the blessings of keeping this law, and she's like 'Ok I'll do it if I get blessings.' Wow, that was...easy? Dinner and then off to visit Shenice with Sister Dutton (just a fabulous member). Shenice was tired, as were we, but we hung in there...and I loved the spiritual experiences that Sis. Dutton shared. It made Woods point out, afterwards, that we need to be more personal in the majority of our lessons...that's what we're missing! She put a viewpoint on the Gospel regarding the Plan of Salvation. God will put us where we are comfortable at the end of this life. She said she doesn't like change, but she knows she wants to be comfortable in God's presence in the next life. I was like, 'hmm, would I be comfortable in God's presence? Nope.' I learned a lot from her. It was her first time teaming up with missionaries, and she loved it!
Friday was hectic. District meeting, before that a goal setting meeting (ZDM) with the other DL's and ZL's...then I had to go up to Santa Clarita to drop the other elders Sara and Tayler off at the office to get their car (finally got a car). It was weird being back in my old stomping grounds....strange indeed!
Highlights! So Gye, our English student, bought us iced coffee on Wednesday so we taught the Word of Wisdom (kind of a recurring theme here, eh?) and she apologized...then she gave it to her neighbors that night. Really great woman, really open to us. Mike didn't get the title of liberty scripture we gave him, but when we explained it he really liked it. He was all gung-ho about it. Pretty sweet when you understand the words and apply them! June's daughter was sick again, she's anemic...poor little girl...so we couldn't meet with him last week. And meeting with Crystal, Enrique and Franky was out of hand! I got distracted because they were asking questions at the same time...really disconcerting. But, we answered their questions to the best of our abilities and left something to read so we won't have to answer the rest of their questions. Super busy week! Lots of fun though!
By the way, Elder Raleigh is with me again...he was in my first district ever! What a riot he is...haha it's so fun being around him. We do joke around TOO much it's sort of a problem when one is trying to get to bed. Good kid though. He's almost done, that is so crazy! The greenie (now in his second transfer) is so much happier now his trainer is gone...we're having a blast over here!
Yesterday was pretty sweet. So after we visit the Lunas and express how happy we were to see them at church, we went contacting. I felt prompted to stop the car at a road close to the apartment and to contact there. We contacted there the night before, but we went on the other side of the street. Rejected here and there, until we keep walking down the sidewalk and see a black man walking up to us. I asked Woods, 'Hey is he walking away or towards us?' He said, 'His arms are swinging towards us so he's walking towards us.' Good analysis Woods. We start to talk to him about the Restoration, and he just stands there in awe. Overwhelmed, but he realized he was missing a prophet. He said, 'well if it's true I'm missing something then.' Really open man (he was black too...really awesome!). The Spirit was working through us, and it really touched him when Elder Woods shared the First Vision with him, and it was just what the Spirit needed to prick this man's heart. He was excited and a bit amazed at our message. The only problem is he lives in Ventura, out of our mission, and we couldn't get his phone number. But it was a great contact! Oh man! Mind-blowing! Just because I parked the car on the street unplanned. He took our card, and went his way with our telephone number written on it. I just hope he calls us, and we'll get him to the right people. Wow...a great contact. We ended up praying to thank the Lord for his kindness in letting us be strengthened by that contact. I was in shock for a little bit. Wow!
Time really flies...when one works. I know the Lord sent me here to prepare someone...I just don't know who. We'll see what happens though, I'm super excited. I know something big will happen here, but I must be patient. I love my district, and I love my mission leaders. There's no one better!
I'm happy all is well back home. I love you all, and stay safe.
Love,
Spencer
P.S. Woods' birthday is in October..? So if you have any ideas of what a missionary would need, could you send him a card and maybe a little package? Thanks mom! I just can't get away from him...it's against the rules to get a surprise gift for you comp (jk! but almost impossible without him knowing).
Yesterday was the best p-day ever! I got to sleep a lot...and it was the best for me! I was very energized and I hope it'll last the week. This area has a tendency to wear missionaries out a little, if they work. The work is picking up so fast, we barely have time to eat lunch and dinner! Busy busy busy! Such is the life right now!
This week was super busy! Highlight reel! Brought to you by...
Gatorade, is it in You?
Now back to the show.
Gotcha!
We had a transfer high of three member presents. Quite an accomplishment here because everyone is so busy and is working all week, and they were legitimate MP's. Pretty sweet lessons this past week. So Tuesday and Wednesday mornings Woods and I dug a trench for this member, Bruce Sayler. He has to get another oil line underground because he's been without gas for about two months. So we're giving all the time we can spare to help him...but he has to get some extra help or it'll take another week or so. And his mother, who is as old as grandma, is a bit pushy to say the least. He's funny because he says he doesn't like being treated as if he were a ten year-old...but he's accepted it by now. We actually helped him this morning just now, so it's been a learning experience for me. Dig a trench, dig under roots and how to correctly use a pickaxe. Pretty sweet stuff.
Sunday was absolutely spiritual. We had a semi-good testimony meeting, some of our oddball members went up there and did their thing. I couldn't look behind me because there were some normal members sitting behind me and they were trying not to laugh very hard. But, we had six investigators to church, as well as a less active family (the Lunas) and Betsy Miller. I was so happy! I was very glad to see them all there! Betsy did ask me, 'So she (one of the oddballs) usually does that, right?' Yup. She felt a bit uneasy, but she is willing to put feelings aside and to go to church. Her goal is to go to the temple and be sealed with her sister, and I really feel it'll come soon as soon as she becomes consistent with church. The Lunas promised us a week ago they'd go to church, and there they were! Super awkward moment when their teenage daughters came out of nowhere and gave me a hug...so awkward! Ahh! Couldn't react in time so I lost. I got two hugs. So great! We went to a baptismal service of someone I met in the ZL's ward and interviewed for baptism (interviews are so cool!) and our investigator Crystal came. She loved it...she was a bundle of emotions but she kept herself calm. I felt like an inferior missionary there. We had our ZL's, and our AP's who both served as ZL's in this ward. And Woods, my comp. Just amazing missionaries. Super spiritual and it just reminded me of the success I have seen before, and how great I felt. Super motivating! We went to dinner with the Sanders, who are nice and cool at the same time. Not odd at all. It was a great Sunday.
Saturday was busy as heck! Unusual but really good! One of our investigators that dropped us a month ago finally invited us back, and she had two of her daughters there. Good ole' Donna Caballero. We had their neighbors, the Espinosas, who are members (really strong testimonies too). It was a very impromptu Plan of Salvation lesson, but it was simple and spiritual. Powerful. I felt the Spirit and the Spirit really enlightened this family. It made sense, they said, how Adam and Eve did a good thing for us (2nd Nephi chapter 2 is the best scripture on the Fall!). Oh yeah, Betsy during Sunday School pointed out she loves the Book of Mormon because we read the Bible a little, kind of confusing. We ran to another place, then another to teach Susan. Ran into a sticky situation because we taught some commandments then reviewed the baptismal questions...then the Word of Wisdom came up so we went into that (led by the Spirit). She likes...green tea. Not that bad, but still. At first she didn't like the idea of switching to herbal tea. Then Woods went into the blessings of keeping this law, and she's like 'Ok I'll do it if I get blessings.' Wow, that was...easy? Dinner and then off to visit Shenice with Sister Dutton (just a fabulous member). Shenice was tired, as were we, but we hung in there...and I loved the spiritual experiences that Sis. Dutton shared. It made Woods point out, afterwards, that we need to be more personal in the majority of our lessons...that's what we're missing! She put a viewpoint on the Gospel regarding the Plan of Salvation. God will put us where we are comfortable at the end of this life. She said she doesn't like change, but she knows she wants to be comfortable in God's presence in the next life. I was like, 'hmm, would I be comfortable in God's presence? Nope.' I learned a lot from her. It was her first time teaming up with missionaries, and she loved it!
Friday was hectic. District meeting, before that a goal setting meeting (ZDM) with the other DL's and ZL's...then I had to go up to Santa Clarita to drop the other elders Sara and Tayler off at the office to get their car (finally got a car). It was weird being back in my old stomping grounds....strange indeed!
Highlights! So Gye, our English student, bought us iced coffee on Wednesday so we taught the Word of Wisdom (kind of a recurring theme here, eh?) and she apologized...then she gave it to her neighbors that night. Really great woman, really open to us. Mike didn't get the title of liberty scripture we gave him, but when we explained it he really liked it. He was all gung-ho about it. Pretty sweet when you understand the words and apply them! June's daughter was sick again, she's anemic...poor little girl...so we couldn't meet with him last week. And meeting with Crystal, Enrique and Franky was out of hand! I got distracted because they were asking questions at the same time...really disconcerting. But, we answered their questions to the best of our abilities and left something to read so we won't have to answer the rest of their questions. Super busy week! Lots of fun though!
By the way, Elder Raleigh is with me again...he was in my first district ever! What a riot he is...haha it's so fun being around him. We do joke around TOO much it's sort of a problem when one is trying to get to bed. Good kid though. He's almost done, that is so crazy! The greenie (now in his second transfer) is so much happier now his trainer is gone...we're having a blast over here!
Yesterday was pretty sweet. So after we visit the Lunas and express how happy we were to see them at church, we went contacting. I felt prompted to stop the car at a road close to the apartment and to contact there. We contacted there the night before, but we went on the other side of the street. Rejected here and there, until we keep walking down the sidewalk and see a black man walking up to us. I asked Woods, 'Hey is he walking away or towards us?' He said, 'His arms are swinging towards us so he's walking towards us.' Good analysis Woods. We start to talk to him about the Restoration, and he just stands there in awe. Overwhelmed, but he realized he was missing a prophet. He said, 'well if it's true I'm missing something then.' Really open man (he was black too...really awesome!). The Spirit was working through us, and it really touched him when Elder Woods shared the First Vision with him, and it was just what the Spirit needed to prick this man's heart. He was excited and a bit amazed at our message. The only problem is he lives in Ventura, out of our mission, and we couldn't get his phone number. But it was a great contact! Oh man! Mind-blowing! Just because I parked the car on the street unplanned. He took our card, and went his way with our telephone number written on it. I just hope he calls us, and we'll get him to the right people. Wow...a great contact. We ended up praying to thank the Lord for his kindness in letting us be strengthened by that contact. I was in shock for a little bit. Wow!
Time really flies...when one works. I know the Lord sent me here to prepare someone...I just don't know who. We'll see what happens though, I'm super excited. I know something big will happen here, but I must be patient. I love my district, and I love my mission leaders. There's no one better!
I'm happy all is well back home. I love you all, and stay safe.
Love,
Spencer
P.S. Woods' birthday is in October..? So if you have any ideas of what a missionary would need, could you send him a card and maybe a little package? Thanks mom! I just can't get away from him...it's against the rules to get a surprise gift for you comp (jk! but almost impossible without him knowing).
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
August 25, 2008
Dear Mom,
Busy week indeed. I am swamped with a lot of work and not too much time to do it all! I am dead tired. At least I'm not in a really rough area because work is just falling into our laps right now. But, it's stressful at the same time. My companion is dealing with my stress and he's the best one for me right now. The ward is getting excited about the work, and I'm feeling that this place is about to burst!
This past week my good ole' ZL Boyce was alone yet again. His comp, for the second straight transfer in a row, became the new AP. So he was living out of a suitcase for the past five days, poor guy. He said it's been a great few days, but the worst. He's just out of his rhythym because he's been in at least five companionships in the last five days. Poor guy. But, we had some great time with him! He's so awesome! Busy week though!
Not even a single day without rest! So reverse order! Yesterday was busy as heck, the last day of the transfer. Church, Mike, Susan, Gye, and June came to church. Four! Sweet! We had a good meeting with our ward mission leader and I was a bit agitated by his attitude...let's let the missionaries do everything. We had a stern talk with him, and I don't think we're on the same page. Something's got to give here. A weird and crazy member from the other ward asked us for a blessing so we gave him one...but he's a bit looney. But, we had a good lesson in Elder's Quorum based on Elder Holland's recent General Conference talk, 'My Words...Never Cease'. Our Elder's Quorum President Bro. Bunce is a religion teacher at a local college, and it was a great lesson! Everyone is an RM and were shooting out scripture after scripture about how the Bible really isn't correct and yet...it is true. We all shared in the Spirit, and it was just great! We went to pick up our Boyce, went to find a referral (not home of course) and to a baptismal service at the stake center, of someone that I taught in the home of the stake president (I was SO nervous to go there that day!). It was very spiritual, a bit odd due to the interesting layout of the program....but it was a beautiful service. We gave the missionary moment, a.k.a. the Restoration lesson. It was a great service! We zipped over to an investigator's house, Monica Escobido and her daughter Christina...they're so cool! We lost track of them for about six weeks, and now that the summer is dying down they have time. So awesome! We taught them a quick Restoration lesson and we were out! To dinner! Really cool members, the Playsteads. He can cook a mean tri-tip, as well as steak of any kind. Absolutely delicious. Shared a thought, went to take the Sherman Oaks elders home (Boyce took them to our place cuz he gave them the car for the weekend)...and they didn't show up. They went contacting for almost two hours...lame! And then Woods' recent converts came to see how we're doing and delayed us even more! So basically, we get home at 9:45 due to all this. I'm stressed, tired, mad...but Woods calmed me down because I was just beat. I was out so fast!
Saturday was cool! A sweet member present lesson with Susan Lar! A fellow Filipino, Raquel Milner, brought her mom there too...they got along so well! I felt the Spirit as Sis. Milner bore her witness of baptism and it's importance, and Susan was really listening. It was really cool to see she was truly interested in what a fellow Filipino was saying...wow! We went around trying to find people the rest of the day...typical Saturday. But, it was very productive! Oh yeah! We had a baptismal interview that night too, and we got home late at like 10 pm due to it...so I interviewed a kid I met before on exchanges, Darwin, and he was so excited for baptism! He knew it all, piece of cake. He was bit tired from a tubing trip that day, but he recalled it all very well. And bore his testimony, he was ready! I promised him I'll see his baptism, and he was like YEAH. Really excited. One of Boyce's investigators fed us cake (they were teaching her while I was doing the interview). So sweet! Busy day!
Friday was nuts! District meeting, dropped Boyce off again to the other elders, we had our lessons and BAM! we're done. Crazy fast. Mike really loves hearing the lessons and I really feel he wants to change. He is just waiting on a record label deal to come through so he could work regular hours. Gye was sad to hear we had transfers coming up so at the end she prayed so we both could stay. She's awesome.
Thursday...no idea what happened really except for Susan Lar...she told us we were a bit bold when Woods said, 'you will be baptized on [this date]'. Hilarious. She was like 'Oh my gosh! You already decided a date!' She didn't understand us at first, but she accepted it. So funny! Just the expression on her face was priceless. Wednesday I went on exchanges with Elder Cotter, who is super trunky and ready to go home. Not a good exchange, but I got to sit back and relax a little...not good though the way he wanted to. Oh well, he's home! Tuesday, no idea what happened. Just a blurry day of the mission.
That was my week!
So we're getting a new companion, to be a trio. Elder McGahee of Alabama, who's about to end his mission. Good kid, it'll be fun with him!
Another transfer as DL. I guess President wants me to kill myself here ;-) The work is progressing! I love this work!
I got the chance to talk to 'my' recent converts up in Santa Clarita, and they're doing great! Good ole' Alberto and Yadira are doing great...going to church still, reading the Book of Mormon, and even going to support new recently baptized converts...I'm so proud of them! I'm excited for them! The Jaimes are moving to Canyon Country, on the other side of the valley up there and they're doing fine also. The mom told me she didn't like the baptismal photo I sent them because she looked too fat in it. Haha! I couldn't stop from laughing. She's so funny! But all is well...and I miss them so! Seeing them progress has really boosted my testimony as well as changed my outlook on the mission and my potential as the Lord's anointed servant.
I hope all is well...talk to you soon!
Love,
Spencer
Busy week indeed. I am swamped with a lot of work and not too much time to do it all! I am dead tired. At least I'm not in a really rough area because work is just falling into our laps right now. But, it's stressful at the same time. My companion is dealing with my stress and he's the best one for me right now. The ward is getting excited about the work, and I'm feeling that this place is about to burst!
This past week my good ole' ZL Boyce was alone yet again. His comp, for the second straight transfer in a row, became the new AP. So he was living out of a suitcase for the past five days, poor guy. He said it's been a great few days, but the worst. He's just out of his rhythym because he's been in at least five companionships in the last five days. Poor guy. But, we had some great time with him! He's so awesome! Busy week though!
Not even a single day without rest! So reverse order! Yesterday was busy as heck, the last day of the transfer. Church, Mike, Susan, Gye, and June came to church. Four! Sweet! We had a good meeting with our ward mission leader and I was a bit agitated by his attitude...let's let the missionaries do everything. We had a stern talk with him, and I don't think we're on the same page. Something's got to give here. A weird and crazy member from the other ward asked us for a blessing so we gave him one...but he's a bit looney. But, we had a good lesson in Elder's Quorum based on Elder Holland's recent General Conference talk, 'My Words...Never Cease'. Our Elder's Quorum President Bro. Bunce is a religion teacher at a local college, and it was a great lesson! Everyone is an RM and were shooting out scripture after scripture about how the Bible really isn't correct and yet...it is true. We all shared in the Spirit, and it was just great! We went to pick up our Boyce, went to find a referral (not home of course) and to a baptismal service at the stake center, of someone that I taught in the home of the stake president (I was SO nervous to go there that day!). It was very spiritual, a bit odd due to the interesting layout of the program....but it was a beautiful service. We gave the missionary moment, a.k.a. the Restoration lesson. It was a great service! We zipped over to an investigator's house, Monica Escobido and her daughter Christina...they're so cool! We lost track of them for about six weeks, and now that the summer is dying down they have time. So awesome! We taught them a quick Restoration lesson and we were out! To dinner! Really cool members, the Playsteads. He can cook a mean tri-tip, as well as steak of any kind. Absolutely delicious. Shared a thought, went to take the Sherman Oaks elders home (Boyce took them to our place cuz he gave them the car for the weekend)...and they didn't show up. They went contacting for almost two hours...lame! And then Woods' recent converts came to see how we're doing and delayed us even more! So basically, we get home at 9:45 due to all this. I'm stressed, tired, mad...but Woods calmed me down because I was just beat. I was out so fast!
Saturday was cool! A sweet member present lesson with Susan Lar! A fellow Filipino, Raquel Milner, brought her mom there too...they got along so well! I felt the Spirit as Sis. Milner bore her witness of baptism and it's importance, and Susan was really listening. It was really cool to see she was truly interested in what a fellow Filipino was saying...wow! We went around trying to find people the rest of the day...typical Saturday. But, it was very productive! Oh yeah! We had a baptismal interview that night too, and we got home late at like 10 pm due to it...so I interviewed a kid I met before on exchanges, Darwin, and he was so excited for baptism! He knew it all, piece of cake. He was bit tired from a tubing trip that day, but he recalled it all very well. And bore his testimony, he was ready! I promised him I'll see his baptism, and he was like YEAH. Really excited. One of Boyce's investigators fed us cake (they were teaching her while I was doing the interview). So sweet! Busy day!
Friday was nuts! District meeting, dropped Boyce off again to the other elders, we had our lessons and BAM! we're done. Crazy fast. Mike really loves hearing the lessons and I really feel he wants to change. He is just waiting on a record label deal to come through so he could work regular hours. Gye was sad to hear we had transfers coming up so at the end she prayed so we both could stay. She's awesome.
Thursday...no idea what happened really except for Susan Lar...she told us we were a bit bold when Woods said, 'you will be baptized on [this date]'. Hilarious. She was like 'Oh my gosh! You already decided a date!' She didn't understand us at first, but she accepted it. So funny! Just the expression on her face was priceless. Wednesday I went on exchanges with Elder Cotter, who is super trunky and ready to go home. Not a good exchange, but I got to sit back and relax a little...not good though the way he wanted to. Oh well, he's home! Tuesday, no idea what happened. Just a blurry day of the mission.
That was my week!
So we're getting a new companion, to be a trio. Elder McGahee of Alabama, who's about to end his mission. Good kid, it'll be fun with him!
Another transfer as DL. I guess President wants me to kill myself here ;-) The work is progressing! I love this work!
I got the chance to talk to 'my' recent converts up in Santa Clarita, and they're doing great! Good ole' Alberto and Yadira are doing great...going to church still, reading the Book of Mormon, and even going to support new recently baptized converts...I'm so proud of them! I'm excited for them! The Jaimes are moving to Canyon Country, on the other side of the valley up there and they're doing fine also. The mom told me she didn't like the baptismal photo I sent them because she looked too fat in it. Haha! I couldn't stop from laughing. She's so funny! But all is well...and I miss them so! Seeing them progress has really boosted my testimony as well as changed my outlook on the mission and my potential as the Lord's anointed servant.
I hope all is well...talk to you soon!
Love,
Spencer
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