Dear Mom,
I'd use the Northridge address because he'll stay and I'll probably go. He'd love it though. He gets on my nerves sometimes, only because I'm really stressed and he's a voice of reason. Which irritates me, but it helps me become a better person.
Good ole' Houston mission. It's super hot down there...she'll just love that. Haha, almost as bad as going to Phillipines.
Well, Kristy went super sister missionary, but I hope Scott will stick around. Either way, it's not a disaster. As Elder Woods said, there's a lot more fishes in the sea. No biggie, I'm not worried at all.
Highlights of the week!
So I'm trying to think straight...I'll have to backtrack a bit. So today we helped a member in a neighboring ward paint his bedrooms because he has to move asap so we did that. I did it begrudgingly because it's my p-day and I can't recoup the time 'lost' of three hours. So there goes the rest of my p-day. I had to do it, but I didn't want to. Woods said, 'what would Jesus do?' and went onto lecture me about attitude and stuff. He told me to stop whining and I was going to punch his lights out. Thank goodness for patience, but I really feel he feels he's a superior person over me. I hate 'holier-than-thou' missionaries. He's a good guy though. I just was really irritated that the other missionaries were really pushing me to do something I really didn't want to do. I felt good when I got there, but I was a bit miffed because the other guys were pushing to spend even more time. So there goes three hours. Way to go. I hate being district leader and having to do stuff like that. It really wears out my patience.
So that's today. Yesterday was really busy. We went to church and stuff, then went home to eat lunch. We assumed that our zone leaders were having their baptism because they told us that it was going to happen. But, we get there and there is no one there! The font isn't filled up and the baptism is scheduled in forty-five minutes. Way to go zone leaders! Way to tell us that you canceled it! So they felt bad and came to help us out, and we got a local member to open it up and fill it for us. So the service started late and went alright considering the circumstances. One of the other elders that got us to paint told me, 'it was a bit disorganized.' Well, of course it is if you had to go through all this stuff on the day of the baptism. It was a great and spiritual service. Our members gave heart-warming and honest talks. They expressed so much gratitude for the gospel and how it's helped them in their lives. I was touched and really glad they could spend their time with us in that way. So I was happy leaving the baptism. We went to dinner, had a great time there. Then we went to the super amazing Luna family and watched the Restoration DVD with them. Oh man, I love the Church media! It is simple, and brings the Spirit in an instant. During the movie I was thinking, how could I show that faith that Joseph had? It's incredible to think a fourteen year old boy received so important an answer. I keep remembering the part in the movie where the narrator says something along the lines of, 'how many great gifts would our Father in Heaven give us if we only ask?' I can't help to think of Dad and of you, of all that you've sacrificed for me. A beautiful Sabbath day.
Saturday was...interesting. I ate (the night before) a dish that contained four habanero peppers...so I was in and out of the bathroom most of the morning. But we did go and try to talk to some people and find our investigators. No luck, but we had a blast at our ward's BBQ party later that evening. I'll have to send you pictures, because Woods and I got mummy wrapped by toilet paper, and we played wiffle ball. This pregnant member hit the ball so me, being the catcher, picked up the ball to relay it to first. We already gave her the free base (she's eight months pregnant!) but she started to walk quickly. I pick up the ball and look up and PLOP! She dropped to the ground so fast! We couldn't decide whether to laugh or feel bad...she rolls over and starts laughing out loud. That was the signal so we laughed even harder. We had a presentation to give at the BBQ and we did that, and went on our way. One of our members fed us dinner, even after the BBQ, and that filled us up way good. Sister Milner, Susan's fellowshipper. They gave us so much food, and sent even more home with us! But, we had an enjoyable time talking to her and her mother about their lives, their homeland (the Phillipines)...it was a very good dinner appointment. I couldn't move the rest of the evening though.
Friday was busy as heck. District meeting then BOOM BOOM BOOM running from appointment to appointment. Mike testified to us about how this message is so good, people are asking, 'is there a catch? is this for real?' It was pretty sweet to hear him testify of how great this message is. Pretty sweet, I could say. We did get to see Susan and prep the program for Sunday, and saw one of our other members, Bruce (the one we've helped with the pipeline). Really jolly old man. Never a serious moment around him. And we went to a member of a different ward that knew McGahee when he was here last and fed me 'devil's shrimp' which was super hot and spicy. Thus, it is the famous four habanero dish. A busy day indeed!
Thursday was another weekly planning day. Not much happened. We got stuck in an appointment teaching the Lunas and got to Betsy's late...only to find she invited her sister and her husband over too! The Luna girls, just to say, were sapped of energy because they just finished a soccer game. So it was a good lesson, but they were tired. The Restoration does have a lot of doctrine stuff...man I can see how it's hard to accept it all. But, being late made me feel even worse! But, we had an enjoyable dinner, and even better time just chatting and laughing and joking...our less actives are way cooler than our actives! Woods goes and shares a spiritual thought on charity, and I felt good because the Spirit was there, accompanying us along the way. We are too blessed, to be honest.
Wednesday was exchanges, and boy it was so fun! I was in Northridge and my zonie Boyce and I got along so well. He's awesome. We went contacting for several hours by CSUN, got free lunch at the Institute building and went contacting again. We get home and crash from exhaustion for an hour. Off again to teach people! Manny, who is having some commandments issues, was really enthusiastic BUT doesn't really get it the first time around. A fun-filled but spiritual lesson for sure. We zoomed around and eventually had dinner with the Kilgrows of Northridge 1st. Fun couple, and they invited another sister from the ward Georgia Reed. A fun group of older people. They are great! We have a good dinner, good steak and potatoes. Even better was our spiritual thought. We go into the family room and we start telling stories of how members found people to baptize. Not just people, but families to come to the church. Just incredible! The Spirit was there and filled the room as well as our hearts. I felt prompted to share some stories as well as my own testimony of member missionary work. The best story was shared by Boyce. One day, a couple was going out to eat dinner. The wife and husband were talking about missionary work and what the elders shared with them a few days before. The wife pipes up, 'let's go to ___ restaurant.' The husband, usually fixed on where they go for dinner, agrees and they turn around. They sit down and the waitress comes over. 'Do you know anything about the Mormon church?' was her question to this member couple. Coincidence? I know it wasn't. Eventually the members had the missionaries teach them, and they were baptized. Talk about a motivating story. I was excited after hearing that! It was amazing! We left on cloud nine, and Boyce put his fist out so we could do the famous 'pound'. 'Yeah, gimme some of that!' said Boyce. Lots of fun, and full of the Spirit. We talked to a referral at his work, and set up a different time to visit. Our last appointment fell through because the investigator (who was going to be baptized yesterday) couldn't make it- her grandma was in the hospital. So we taught their ward missionary and went home. Good day...but I'm so tired from this work.
Tuesday was another weekly planning day since we were so busy the week before. We ended up contacting and then going out to eat at TGI Friday's courtesty of Woods and member's money for dinner. Delicious fajitas...then we went to member's houses to check up on them. McGahee knows the area well, so we went to visit some of his old members in Northridge. That was our day.
So that's the week in a nutshell!
I love missionary work. I get super stressed, but also super relieved. It's a roller coaster ride sometimes because nothing goes according to plan. Never. And it causes stress because I don't like it that way...but it teaches me more patience, if I can bear it. I love being here, and I am just hoping to see what President will say tomorrow during interviews...and I'll let you know what he hints next week!
Who says you can't baptize in English work? I got one in three transfers! More than I got in my first four transfers in Spanish work! Psssh....the Lord blesses according to desire and attitude (as well as work ethic).
I'm learning a lot being a district leader, especially today. Don't stress...be patient, and sacrifice. I am not here to do my will, but my Father's. It's so frustrating sometimes, but it's learning to submit willfully and patiently to a higher power's will. What would Jesus do? Do service. What would He do? Be obedient. What would He do? Love all those around him. I admit I've grown somewhat, but patience is still coming. I have a lot to learn and to do.
Love you all...talk to you later!
Love,
Spencer
Friday, November 21, 2008
Saturday, November 1, 2008
September 15, 2008
Dear Mom,
I'm happy you enjoyed the birthday card. I loved it so I guessed you would like it too. Perfectly described the Irvine home.
So sweet! Houston Spanish speaking! Which mission? I have an acquaintance from the Y that went over there to the South mission...he's a pretty cool guy named Chris Ah Sue. I knew him through a few people over there. Sweet! My Spanish is getting a bit rusty due to not a heavy use of it, but that comes with the territory. I still can speak better than most of the Spanish elders but it's frustrating when you feel you're losing a little. Even study can't really make up for the speaking...but oh well. Hopefully President will move me to Spanish soon. I really hope Mike will shape up and get it done because the further he pushes it the harder it is to go. Oh well. His call. Gotta get your priorities straight. This way I won't see him until two years after I get back.
Yeah, people told me that USC beat Ohio State, BYU crushed and humiliated UCLA (yes!) and Maryland squeaked by Cal. Another season missed...oh well. I'm saving souls out here!
This week went by super fast! We did go to the temple this week as our quarterly trips down to the LA temple and it was very peaceful and sublime. I love the temple. But, our workload went down a little, we could've done better. We just had to help some members out with stuff here and there. The usual. I got a parking ticket for 55 bucks so I had to pay that (the sign was hidden by a tree limb and a huge SUV...oh well). Frustrating. I was angry at my comp and myself and the other two that were in the car. But, you gotta obey the law. I went on exchanges this past Wednesday and it was a bit tiring and frustrating. We did find some less actives, they're on a long path to re-activation for sure. I met the ward mission leader in that area and I just wish that he was my WML. A dinner with a normal family (for once) and we had a blast over there. My districtmate Elder Decker made so much fun of the oldest daughter because the family was just teasing her about another youth in the ward...fun stuff. But, I was able to gauge the area a little and to help him realize that it may be hard, but it's worth it. Areas go through phases, you just have to work through it. They have a lot of work to find right now, poor guys.
So Thursday was our temple trip and we had a delicious and mouth-watering chili dinner. Followed by a super spiritual lesson with Betsy Miller, who is one of our golden less actives. We not only bore our testimonies of the Gospel, but we also committed her to continue to do what is right and come to church. All I can remember is the presence of the Spirit, of how it filled the room. I'm looking forward someday to go to her sealing between her and her really jovial and active sister Sister Tribble from a neighboring ward. Wow...such great blessings!
Our Friday was busy as heck too. We read the chapter 27 of 3rd Nephi with her, and it made sense to her. Just to strengthen her as she prepares for baptism. The following day we watched Finding Faith in Christ, and she really loved it. She was touched by her own testimony which was strengthened by the presence of the Spirit. I love the part in that movie when Martha looks at Jesus Christ, a grateful and humble gaze at her Savior for raising her brother from the dead. Just a great weekend. I conducted another baptismal interview for the zone leaders, one of many! Tallin M., with an Armenian last name I can't pronounce or spell. She's been investigating for a long time. Her mom is a member, her dad isn't. So she didn't start applying what she was learning until about a year ago...and as soon as I walked into her house to do the interview I felt, 'she's ready. Interview her. She's ready.' So we got it done, and I just enjoyed that enthusiasm she has. We joked around to start, just to make her feel comfortable and to trust me a little bit. Her testimony was simple, but that's how it should be. She bore her testimony of the Atonement, of how she didn't understand much of it before the missionaries came to teach her. She made the common point, how could Jesus do that for a complete stranger? Yes, he knew us before, but still. Incredible! She talked about other missionaries that came to teach her (an Elder Orme came all the way down from Ridgecrest, about 3 hours or more away, to baptize her) and of how she enjoyed their spirits and testimonies. We joked around a little and I was really uplifted by it. I love interviewing candidates because it reminds me of how precious the Gospel really is. Wow. So I was on a spiritual high.
Saturday was super busy and long. We went to the mission office to get some things done and got back in time to watch FFIC with Susan at 3. We helped Bruce Sayler, a really funny old man, dig the last stretch of his trench to reach the gas line hook-up. So we dig it and find out we didn't reach the hook-up at all, just a part of the old pipe. We were looking for the new pipe. So Woods ends up digging a little more under the asphalt of the driveway and found it. So McGahee and I took turns to pound the asphalt to break it up so we could hook it up at a later time. And, on top of that, we found a huge 'rock' in the middle of the trench. We were like...uh...that's a big rock. Woods dug some more...and more...then Bruce's son comes over (visiting from Oregon) and said, 'oh, that's an old concrete fencepost'. So Woods dug about a foot and a half to begin with, then dug about 3-4 feet more to get to the bottom of it. That concrete thing must've been there since the turn of the century. So McGahee had me help him lift it, but I couldn't get a grip so he basically dead lifted it. And we got some funny pictures out of it so I'll have to send you some of them later. Crazy work.
Sunday went well...except I still don't like the WML but whatever we're getting a new one soon. We went to Tallin's baptism and I really felt the Spirit there. A convert went up there and bore his testimony, of how an Elder Carter shared his testimony and he saw that light of Christ up there in his eyes...and it made him change. He said it was great for him. Off of that spiritual high, we go to a member's house to eat dinner and wow! The Spirit was there as we taught our short message, of not quenching the Spirit within us and continue to follow His guide. We passed by some less actives, the Togiola's and Luna's...and had not only a fun time but a spiritual moment. They both want to be sealed, so we're here to help them get there. Together Forever is a cheesy movie, but it really helped me remember how precious that gift is to be sealed for all time and eternity. Wow. Thanks Mom, thanks Dad for that gift. Just a great spiritual week.
That was my week, in short. But I love the work, and I love these people.
I hope all is 'swell' back home. I love you all.
Love,
Spencer
I'm happy you enjoyed the birthday card. I loved it so I guessed you would like it too. Perfectly described the Irvine home.
So sweet! Houston Spanish speaking! Which mission? I have an acquaintance from the Y that went over there to the South mission...he's a pretty cool guy named Chris Ah Sue. I knew him through a few people over there. Sweet! My Spanish is getting a bit rusty due to not a heavy use of it, but that comes with the territory. I still can speak better than most of the Spanish elders but it's frustrating when you feel you're losing a little. Even study can't really make up for the speaking...but oh well. Hopefully President will move me to Spanish soon. I really hope Mike will shape up and get it done because the further he pushes it the harder it is to go. Oh well. His call. Gotta get your priorities straight. This way I won't see him until two years after I get back.
Yeah, people told me that USC beat Ohio State, BYU crushed and humiliated UCLA (yes!) and Maryland squeaked by Cal. Another season missed...oh well. I'm saving souls out here!
This week went by super fast! We did go to the temple this week as our quarterly trips down to the LA temple and it was very peaceful and sublime. I love the temple. But, our workload went down a little, we could've done better. We just had to help some members out with stuff here and there. The usual. I got a parking ticket for 55 bucks so I had to pay that (the sign was hidden by a tree limb and a huge SUV...oh well). Frustrating. I was angry at my comp and myself and the other two that were in the car. But, you gotta obey the law. I went on exchanges this past Wednesday and it was a bit tiring and frustrating. We did find some less actives, they're on a long path to re-activation for sure. I met the ward mission leader in that area and I just wish that he was my WML. A dinner with a normal family (for once) and we had a blast over there. My districtmate Elder Decker made so much fun of the oldest daughter because the family was just teasing her about another youth in the ward...fun stuff. But, I was able to gauge the area a little and to help him realize that it may be hard, but it's worth it. Areas go through phases, you just have to work through it. They have a lot of work to find right now, poor guys.
So Thursday was our temple trip and we had a delicious and mouth-watering chili dinner. Followed by a super spiritual lesson with Betsy Miller, who is one of our golden less actives. We not only bore our testimonies of the Gospel, but we also committed her to continue to do what is right and come to church. All I can remember is the presence of the Spirit, of how it filled the room. I'm looking forward someday to go to her sealing between her and her really jovial and active sister Sister Tribble from a neighboring ward. Wow...such great blessings!
Our Friday was busy as heck too. We read the chapter 27 of 3rd Nephi with her, and it made sense to her. Just to strengthen her as she prepares for baptism. The following day we watched Finding Faith in Christ, and she really loved it. She was touched by her own testimony which was strengthened by the presence of the Spirit. I love the part in that movie when Martha looks at Jesus Christ, a grateful and humble gaze at her Savior for raising her brother from the dead. Just a great weekend. I conducted another baptismal interview for the zone leaders, one of many! Tallin M., with an Armenian last name I can't pronounce or spell. She's been investigating for a long time. Her mom is a member, her dad isn't. So she didn't start applying what she was learning until about a year ago...and as soon as I walked into her house to do the interview I felt, 'she's ready. Interview her. She's ready.' So we got it done, and I just enjoyed that enthusiasm she has. We joked around to start, just to make her feel comfortable and to trust me a little bit. Her testimony was simple, but that's how it should be. She bore her testimony of the Atonement, of how she didn't understand much of it before the missionaries came to teach her. She made the common point, how could Jesus do that for a complete stranger? Yes, he knew us before, but still. Incredible! She talked about other missionaries that came to teach her (an Elder Orme came all the way down from Ridgecrest, about 3 hours or more away, to baptize her) and of how she enjoyed their spirits and testimonies. We joked around a little and I was really uplifted by it. I love interviewing candidates because it reminds me of how precious the Gospel really is. Wow. So I was on a spiritual high.
Saturday was super busy and long. We went to the mission office to get some things done and got back in time to watch FFIC with Susan at 3. We helped Bruce Sayler, a really funny old man, dig the last stretch of his trench to reach the gas line hook-up. So we dig it and find out we didn't reach the hook-up at all, just a part of the old pipe. We were looking for the new pipe. So Woods ends up digging a little more under the asphalt of the driveway and found it. So McGahee and I took turns to pound the asphalt to break it up so we could hook it up at a later time. And, on top of that, we found a huge 'rock' in the middle of the trench. We were like...uh...that's a big rock. Woods dug some more...and more...then Bruce's son comes over (visiting from Oregon) and said, 'oh, that's an old concrete fencepost'. So Woods dug about a foot and a half to begin with, then dug about 3-4 feet more to get to the bottom of it. That concrete thing must've been there since the turn of the century. So McGahee had me help him lift it, but I couldn't get a grip so he basically dead lifted it. And we got some funny pictures out of it so I'll have to send you some of them later. Crazy work.
Sunday went well...except I still don't like the WML but whatever we're getting a new one soon. We went to Tallin's baptism and I really felt the Spirit there. A convert went up there and bore his testimony, of how an Elder Carter shared his testimony and he saw that light of Christ up there in his eyes...and it made him change. He said it was great for him. Off of that spiritual high, we go to a member's house to eat dinner and wow! The Spirit was there as we taught our short message, of not quenching the Spirit within us and continue to follow His guide. We passed by some less actives, the Togiola's and Luna's...and had not only a fun time but a spiritual moment. They both want to be sealed, so we're here to help them get there. Together Forever is a cheesy movie, but it really helped me remember how precious that gift is to be sealed for all time and eternity. Wow. Thanks Mom, thanks Dad for that gift. Just a great spiritual week.
That was my week, in short. But I love the work, and I love these people.
I hope all is 'swell' back home. I love you all.
Love,
Spencer
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