Canada, September 20, 2021

This week I felt really close to home specifically my home country. 

At the beginning of the week I was really struggling with the work here in Ingram Mill. I felt really unmotivated to work and we did not have very many appointments at all which cause us to be in our apartment a lot or the church building. That was tough. I began to get ancy and just wanted to get out somewhere. Elder Jacks and I did drive around our area and identified some parks, coffee shops and a library where we could do our study so we can be around more people! We also called a ton of members and scheduled some visits for this week so that will be really nice! 

We had some training in Bentonville by the temple this week and that is when I felt close to Canada. Two of my missionary friend flew out to Canada (their original assignments) that morning. I was so happy for them to be able to go to their original call! While I was at the training I talked to a missionary who knew my cousins, the Halls from BC! Such a small world! Than I talked to a missionary from Arizona who played hockey and that made me really excited because I love that sport!! Finally the cherry on top, a elder I talked to said he was from Calgary Alberta! I was so surprised! Another missionary from Canada serving in Canada! I was so happy to meet another person from Canada let alone the same province! It was a tender mercy from the Lord that really helped me see just how much He is aware of me. He knew I was having a rough time with my missionary work so He sent me some love. It was pretty amazing.

Hope you all are doing well! Love you all! Elder Spencer

The Small Things, September 13, 2021

This week was sad. Our zone got a bunch of missionaries that were leaving. There were a lot of good missionaries in my zone that I will miss. However, now I have a good opportunity to meet many new missionaries and make even more friends. 🙂

We had a lesson with Laura and teaching wise we hit everything we needed to. But we lacked spiritual power and authority in our words. I didn't bear my testimony of the truth of what we were saying and we had no invitation or promised blessings. We just told her a bunch of information. She understood it, but I feel like she doesn't see how it can help her in her life right now. I think I am beginning to learn that it is very important to prepare well for lessons. Plan every part of the lesson out. Than after I have done my part the Spirit can take control.

Speaking of the Spirit and feeling it I am also learning that it is by the small and simple acts we do everyday that sanctify us and purify us. It is important to remember Christ and take in His name everyday. Not just when we suit up for church on Sunday. Thus the importance of daily prayer and scripture study become even more crucial. After all they are directions from our Father In Heaven (D&C 82:8-10) I am really trying to do better with the small things and help others do small things to feel the Spirit throughout the week.

One final thought. I have been reading the Book of Mormon again from the beginning. It is amazing to me how many chances Laman and Lemuel had to repent and follow Jesus Christ. Sometimes they did but in the end their hearts were hard because they didn't do the small things. Because they didn't pray and read the scriptures they didn't understand the prophecies or dreams the prophets had. So ask. If you don't understand ask. 

Love you all! Elder Spencer 

Springfield Permanent Resident, Sept 6, 2021

Hello everyone! I hope you have had a good one. 

I am staying in Springfield, MO and will complete the training of Elder Jacks. I am thankful for the opportunity I have to continue my service here, especially because of our friend Laura. We experienced two miracles with her this week

The Lord's hand is in the details of our lives and I saw that in Laura's life this week. There was a baptismal service this week for another ward and Laura was able to come. She was able to see what a baptism and confirmation was like and she is eager for her own. She sat quietly and soaked everything in. Elder Jacks and I gave her a tour of the church building afterwards and showed her the primary room where her kids would be going the next day. I think that helped her see the building to know where she would be going. We talked to her a little bit about the temple and family history work and she really loved that idea. Then came Sunday. Another miracle happened. Laura came in with her two kids, Caden and Emry. They sat down by a family with other kids and the ward was very helpful. They were kind to Laura and made her feel at ease. A brother got up to bear his testimony. I had noticed that before the meeting his wife had been talking to Laura. In all my 7 months here in Springfield I had never had a visit with this member family until 2 days earlier on Friday. In the visit with them we asked them to pray for our friend Laura because she is preparing for baptism. Well it turns out that Laura and this member family are long time friends who used to skydive together every week in Arkansas more than 10 years ago! They reunited and caught up with each other. It was amazing to see. The family helped Laura with bringing her kids to primary and sat by her during Sunday School! An instant fellow-shipper and friend to Laura; every missionaries dream. Caden and Emry really enjoyed colouring temples in primary and want to come back! It was an amazing day.

I love this gospel and I love the happiness it brings to people. I have felt the happiness this week.

Love you all, Elder Spencer

The Spirit, August 30th, 2021

Hello! What a wonderful week

Our friend Laura has accepted an invitation to be baptized. We had an incredible lesson with her over zoom with a member. We taught her about why we need the Book Of Mormon and a current prophet today. The thought about a living prophet on the earth excites her. She loved reading the Book Of Mormon this week and asked how she could teach her two kids (8 and 6) about the Book Of Mormon. The member came in clutch telling her about the Book Of Mormon videos and primary. She really loved that! We read about the remission of sins in Acts and explained how the prophet Alma felt when he received a remission of sins (see Alma 36:18-20) She said she would love to experience that. Elder Jacks invited her to be baptized to receive a remission of her sins. She said yes. As soon as this act of faith was preformed the Spirit filled her heart. She began to cry. She said "I have never felt this way before." The member said "I get to feel this way all the time and as you work towards being baptized and receive the Holy Ghost you can feel this way all the time as well." It was a moment of joy and gratitude. I testify that the Spirit is real. Joy, peace, and happiness are fruits of the Spirit. As we seek after that which is good, we can feel the Spirit. 

God loves you. He showed you His love be sending His Son Jesus Christ. Hope, healing and joy can come through Christ as we repent and exercise faith in Him.

I love you all. Elder Spencer