I'll be what I believe, October 31, 2022

Hello all! This is it. My final weekly email. I can't believe this day has come. It's kind of surreal actually. These next few days will be a lot of lasts. Today I had a last. My companion and I were shopping and a member "Hey Elders!" I won't have that opportunity to be greeted like that again on a pday. It hit me than. I only have a few days left. 

I had an exchange with Elder Holt and Elder Henrie this week. Great Elders. Worked hard and had great success. Miracles were seen. 

Our dear friend Emily was baptized this week. It was very special. Her husband baptized and confirmed her. She has been meeting with the missionaries for 5 years. Many members came to support and I could see the visible change in Emily. She desires to follow God and help her children come closer to Him. She knows how to do that.

My last Sunday as a missionary was yesterday. I always loved shaking everyone's hands. I will miss greeting everyone and having that personal interaction. In sacrament meeting the children had a primary presentation. The closing song was "I'll be what I believe." That has become one of my favorite songs. I am going to strive to be what I believe as I return home from my mission. 

My favorite scripture right now:  "3 And now, O my son [William], behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day." (Alma 36:3) Trust in the Lord.

Thank you all for being a part of my mission experience. It really means a lot. Thank you for the support you have given me these last 24 months. 

Love you all!!

Elder Spencer 

Angels, October 24, 2022

Hey everyone! I love you!

I love angels and I have had experiences this week with angels on both sides on the veil. I was studying and read this scripture: "...for they were treated as though they were angels sent from God..." (Alma 27:4) that really stuck out to me. Angels are sent from God today for people today. I was than guided to The Ministry of Angels By Elder J. Holland. In that talk he described that angels "come and minister, convey love and concern, gives attention, so good, so pure and manifest kindness and devotion." There have been people in my life who fit those descriptions. Many people.

I desire that the Spirit will impress upon your heart and mind an instance you have been ministered unto by an angel. 

Love you all!

Elder Spencer 

Into the Unknown, October 17, 2022

Hello everyone! I hope you all are well. 

An interesting week here. Elder Bunnell is preparing to go to Peru on the 31st and I am going home shortly afterwards. So this week we both just felt very unmotivated and tired. We had been going super hard the first weeks together and now we both will be leaving. That hit us this week and we had to hit the restart button. I began to get the fire back on Saturday so I was grateful for that. I also practiced gratitude a lot more this week. That helps so much. More than I think.

Leaving my mission and starting the next life changing event has brought many feelings. I am scared, excited and nervous all at the same time. It is just like when I started my mission. I just had to trust God at that time. So I am learning to trust Him and do all I can to learn and grow. 

Love yall! Elder Spencer 

Permanently In the Choir! October 10, 2022

Hello everyone! I love you all!

This week was super interesting. Elder Bunnell and I both went through tough nights where we were frustrated at each other and didn't talk to one another. I was first and then he was rhe next night haha. On the night I was feeling frustrated I had some things on my mind. I was feeling sad because I didn't want my mission to end. I love my mission so much. I love the people and the gospel. I love Jesus. I have had so many wonderful experiences and I was just not wanting it to end. I was also feeling very inadequate. Like I didn't know enough. While I was in this saddened state the Spirit led me to a song and a talk. The song line that stood out to me was "Jesus Listening can hear the songs I cannot sing." (Hymn 227, There is Sunshine in My Soul Today) Jesus knew what I was going through. The talk was "Songs Sung and Unsung" by Elder Holland. He quoted the hymn a lot in his talk and he said this" On those days when we feel a little out of tune, a little less than what we think we see or hear in others, I would ask us, especially the youth of the Church, to remember it is by divine design that not all the voices in God’s choir are the same. It takes variety—sopranos and altos, baritones and basses—to make rich music" I learned that my voice matters. I can make a difference. I am needed here right now. But I was still concerned about my mission being done soon. I than read this from the talk" Brothers and sisters, we live in a mortal world with many songs we cannot or do not yet sing. But I plead with each one of us to stay permanently and faithfully in the choir, where we will be able to savor forever that most precious anthem of all—“the song of redeeming love.” I can stay in the choir when I finish. I can always show I believe in Christ.

Love yall!

Elder Spencer 

Bearing His Name, October 3, 2022

Hello all! I love you all!

This week we saw many miracles. We had 8 different missionaries in our apartment through the week. It was amazing! We worked super hard in our area and it was great. God is so good and I love Him. 

As a missionary I bear Christ's name on my chest. My family name and His name on my name tag. In General Conference Elder Lund said "I don't have to wear the badge to bear His name." That struck me a lot. Pretty soon I won't be wearing the badge anymore, but I can still stand with Him. I can always choose Christ. 

I invite you to Choose Him. Start with a prayer and reading your scriptures.

Elder Spencer 

Finish Strong! September 26, 2022

Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well! 

I am determined to do all I can to help others and invite them to come to Jesus as a missionary. My companion Elder Bunnell is focused and works hard. I am excited! He reminds me a lot of my old companion Elder Buhman! He looks like him and acts like him. It's pretty crazy. 

We set some goals and made some plans for our work this transfer. Those things are important. It is how we can grow. How we stay diligent. 

I got to talk to Elder Cruze one last time before he flew home this week. He came out 6 weeks before I did. He was in my first district. I love him and will miss him. He has the gift of a still small voice. 

I love you all! Elder Spencer 

I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go, September 19, 2022

Transfer news! I am staying in Metfield Ward for my last transfer. I am excited to work hard and finish strong.

Today I had a wonderful Spiritual experience. I was sitting in the back of a car while we were driving to a members house to say goodbye before my companion leaves. We had the windows rolled down and I had my hand out the window enjoying the wind rushing by. The sun was shining and we were going up and down the hills of Bella Vista. We were listening so some music when the song changed to "I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go." (Hymn 270 in the hymn book) It was a male singing a solo. The man singing sounded exactly like the elder who was sitting in front of me in the car. I began to sing along to the song and closed my eyes. I payed attention to the words and felt joy. This line stood out to me: "There's surely somewhere a lowly place in earth's harvest fields so wide where I may labor through life's short day for Jesus, the Crucified. So trusting my all to thy tender care, and knowing thou lovest me, I'll do thy will with a heart sincere: I'll be what you want me to be." My mission has felt short. I am trying to trust and love God. Trying to put my will into His. To become. 

I love you. I know miracles happen every single day. 

Elder Spencer 

Receiving Answers, September 12, 2022

Hello all! This week was okay. That is how I would describe it. It's just been a tough week. I am imperfect and was distracted this week. I didn't fulfill my missionary purpose. 

I feel sad because I just want my friends to feel joy. Everlasting joy. Rejection is never easy. It is difficult. I sometimes get sad and discouraged when it doesn't turn out how I imagined it. That is how I felt this week. It felt like all our plans and goals where just not happening. I felt like I failed the people, the Lord and the zone. But it is not about me. It is about God and His great work. His will. His design. His plan. I am but a mere instrument. I am of the dust. Trying to listen and obey my Heavenly King. Diligence and expecting miracles are going to be my focus points the next two weeks. I do find comfort in the scriptures. No one listened to Lehi (1 Nephi 1:20). One person listened to Abinadi (Mosiah 17:2-4). People even left Jesus's side (John 6:66-69, John 18: 2-5). So that definitely helps a lot!

On the upside I had two very specific answers in the scriptures that answered concerns a friend had. It was a miracle. So if you have a concern or question, read the scriptures. Pray and than read. Answers will come. 

Love y'all.

Elder Spencer 

Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy, September 5, 2022

Hello all! This week was rough. But an amazing miracle happened.

I was on an exchange with Elder Smith. I love him so much. He is a good friend and helped me out a lot when I was in the Fort Smith Stake the second time. He is a very good singer and piano player so we have similarities there. We were in the apartment getting ready for the day and I was feeling down. It had been a tough past few days and I didn't feel like doing missionary work. I didn't feel the Spirit. As I was moping about my sorry state at my desk I heard two songs sung by Elder Smith. The first was "A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief" (hymn 29) that song has special significance for me because I was in the jail that song was sung in before Joseph Smith was killed. I also memorized the words to that hymn in my second area. The second hymn was Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy (hymn 335) I sung that song when the Sherwood Park Alberta stake was formed. Than 4 missionaries sang that song when the Edmonton YSA stake was formed. So it just made me so happy. God's mercy definitely beamed Brightly on me at that time. 

This week was tough because we were rejected. People didn't want to keep commitments. Commitments that I know will bring them joy. I felt frustrated and saddened by this. Sometimes I just wish I could thunder it into people. But all I can do is invite. Than it is up to their choice and God.

Love you all,

Elder Spencer 

God is a God of Miracles, August 29, 2022

I can barely begin to describe how special and amazing this week was. I love being a missionary so much! I love serving the Lord. I love seeing the light turn on in people. I love sacred music. 

We had stake conference this week. For the Saturday evening session I was part of a missionary choir. We sang a missionary melody (4 songs combined into one.) I got choked up when I sang "I hope they call me on a mission, when I have grown a foot or two. I hope by than I will be ready, to preach and teach and work as missionaries do." I realized I am that missionary. I have grown a foot or two. I just felt so much gratitude for the Lord and the many experiences I have had on my mission. I will be sad when it is over. 

The Stake conference miracles kept coming. On Sunday Brother Levin was sustained to be ordained to the office of an elder. He will be able to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and that will be glorious. His wife and two children will be able to be baptized and confirmed by him. What a blessing. 

Joel and Sabrina who we paused teaching 2 weeks ago have been staying in contact with members. We have not made contact because we wanted them to reach out to us. The Elders Quorum President said we should fast for them. We us and some ward members did on Sunday. Than the miracle. 14 minutes after Stake Conference started Joel texted us asking if the meeting was being recorded. We told him it wasn't. Than Sabrina texted saying they were watching it!! Woohoo! We were so excited! They watched the whole thing and literally every talk was meant exactly for them. It was amazing. Than after we were asking them what their favorite part was and stuff and Joel said: Any day you guys can come over this week? We said yes of course! So we are going on Thursday for dinner and a lesson!! What a miracle.

I love yall and this gospel. Have a great week!

Elder Spencer 

                                                

Miracles, August 22, 2022

Hello everyone! At this point, just expect me to email around this time 😄it is becoming a habit.

This week was special. I had the wonderful experience of feeling the Spirit testify through me when I taught. I feel like this happens the most or the strongest when I prepare well. In this case, Elder Lewis and I were teaching a workshop for some new missionaries. It was a wonderful experience. I just felt so energized and excited afterwards! I felt happy and joyful! God is so good.

That night we had a lesson with Sister Linares with the Zebleys. It was nice. She opened up a lot about her feelings and her past experiences. She has a pretty insane background. It could be written in a book one day. We talked about Obedience, baptism and the sacrament. We read from the Book of Mormon and the Bible. It was perfect. She set a goal to work towards baptism on October 8! Please pray for Emily! 

Excitement about the temple is growing here. Everyone is talking about it. A ton of people want to know what it is and what happens inside. We invite many people each week to come to the open house when it is completed! If you have questions about the temple just reach out to me! Or you can read about it at churchofjesuschrist.org 

Love you all! Elder Spencer 

Pause, August 15, 2022

Hello all! I am sorry I am getting this out so late. I don't like it when I do that because it will be short and brief. Not that my others are particularly long but I just have less time to write.

This week I felt weary and tired but also energized and pumped! I realized today when I was with some other missionaries that I was making the choice to be tired and weary. I was slowing myself down by choosing to. Freedom of choice is very powerful. 

Speaking of choosing to do something here is a neat experience I had this week with a Spiritual prompting: Elder Lewis and I were sitting at a park just beginning our 1 hour study session. About 15 minutes in the Spirit whispered to me that we needed to go and visit Joel and Sabrina. I ignored it at first justifying that we had just started our study and we could just go later. But the Spirit nouged me again, Go visit Joel and Sabrina. So I obeyed. I told Elder Lewis and he quickly agreed. We packed up our things and drove to their home. We knocked on their door and proceeded to have a very important conversation with them. They have been struggling to know what path they need to take. Joel struggles to keep commitments, like praying or reading the scriptures, but still wants to meet and learn. Sabrina on the other hand prays and reads but she isn't sure if this is the path she wants to take. So we told them we would come back when they feel they want to commit to the invitations we extend to them. It actually felt really good to just say that and have it openly out there. It was an honest real life talk. Please pray for Joel and Sabrina! 

Being a missionary is definitely hard sometimes. It isn't easy. It is hard to talk to people all day and put yourself out there. It is hard to focus on what matters most instead of being distracted or taking an easier route. But it is the way. It is how it needs to be done. There was only one way for Jesus to follow the Father's will. 

Love you all, Elder Spencer

Crab Salad Sandwich (Thanks Elder Rivera's Dad)

                                                                Zoom meeting attire 

It's been Awhile! August 8, 2022

Good afternoon! At least from Bentonville Arkansas it's the afternoon! 1:58pm! I trust all is well with y'all. Hope you are safe and happy!

This week we met with Lisa, the Levins and Joel and Sabrina! It has been 3-4 weeks since we have meet with them all. Several of them got sick, others had new jobs they were starting etc. So it was just a miracle we finally got to see them all this week! They are all doing good and are still wanting to learn more and progress. So that is a huge blessing. Going that long without some spiritual experiences can be very hard. 

I had a very special spiritual experience this week! We had a lesson with a lady who just wanted to argue. She just did. She said that "no man can see God and live." That statement is accurate. It does say that in the Bible. (Ex. 33:20) However I also knew people have seen God and lived. (Gen. 5:22,24, Gen 32: 30) So I was pondering on when Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ and lived (JSH 1: 16-20) as I was thus pondering I said a prayer asking God how it was possible for this to happen. The Spirit told me. So I asked where I could find an answer. The Spirit guided me to John 14: 21 which reads: "21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." What a miracle that was. God immediately answered my prayer. I invite each of you to pray this week! God will answer.

With Love, Elder Spencer 

                                                                    Foxes in Bella Vista

Power Out, August 1, 2022

Power was a common theme this week for me!

First of all I have been thinking about and studying about Priesthood Power and how one can obtain more. One way is through obedience. Christ was exactly obedient to the will of the Father and He was therefore able to complete the Atonement (Matt. 26:39) Something so complex to understand in its entirety. 

Gratitude also brings power. It shows you can't rely on yourself. It shows you how much you have been given. It helps you become humble and submit to serve. You see others differently. You see in a small way how God sees them. 

Our power went out this week in our apartment. No power for 2 hours. The Spirit taught me during those two hours. Here are some of the impressions I received.

•Am I physically prepared if the power was out for 2 weeks? Enough food and water?

•Just like we weren't expecting the power to go out we won't know when Jesus is going to come again

•Am I spiritually prepared if Christ came today? (Romans 13:11-14, Alma 5:26-40)

•Repentance is everything 

I learned another valuable lesson about the dear Sisters in the church and the role we play in working together in the work. My companion and I were trying to plan a meeting with three Sister missionaries. There was an issue that we were trying to solve but no matter what we tried we could not seem to find a solution. During this moment I realized one of the Sisters had not said a word for the entire duration of the meeting. I asked her if she had any impressions. She did. As she shared the Spirit testified to all of us present that this was the answer to our problem. It was a miracle. How grateful I am for the Spirit and worthy instruments who follow its whispers. 

Much love!

Elder Spencer 

Me wearing a scarf a member made for me!

Tuna Melts 

                                                                                Snail 

Obedience, July 25, 2022

Good afternoon everyone! It's a good day! I got to play the piano while three wonderful missionaries sang. It was so great! Very uplifting! I love sacred music.

I have always been an obedient soul but this week I am beginning to learn why it is so important to follow the commandments of God. Just as I said last week, you can be free as you keep the commandments. This week I also learned, one gains a witness of the truthfulness of something as the try the word. (John 7:17) One example I have seen in my own life is following God's law of health (Doctrine and Covenants 89, the Word of Wisdom) As I have lived that I have been blessed with health and knowledge. Another example is following the command to keep the Sabbath day holy. As I have gone to church and strived to serve others on this day I have been rejuvenated and lifted. I have felt God's love for me and witnessed Him. 

Obedience takes faith. You have to believe that the promised blessings will actually happen. 

I just want to bear my testimony that obedience is central to everything you do. The good and the bad in this life hinges on weather we are obedient or not. We can build trust with God as we are obedient to Him. So take courage and follow Him. He followed the Father's will so we can follow His through the Spirit. 

Joel and Sabrina were able to come to a baptism! That was special. Lots of lessons canceled but it's okay! God had a different plan for us. 

Love you all! Elder Spencer

-A stick bug!

You can be free! July 18, 2022

Hello everyone! 

This week was just so wonderful! I am beginning to understand how keeping Gods commandments actually makes us free. It is an interesting thought because many people view them as restrictions or rules that limit, but I have started to learn that they are actually laws to give us more freedom!

Here are some scriptures I found on freedom that comes from keeping the commandments:

-Book Of Mormon

   -1 Nephi 2:2-4 (page 3)

   -Mosiah 5:8 (page 158)

   -Mosiah 15:8 (page 176)

-Doctrine and Covenants 82:10 (this one is very interesting when you think about bonds)

-Holy Bible

     -John 7:17

     - Matt. 7:24-27

I am just giving y'all the references because I don't want to take away the excitement of reading the scriptures on your own! I invite you all to read these scriptures and ponder how being obedient to God's commandments bring more freedom!

I saw many miracles this week! God is so good. Here is one:

Elder Lewis and I were walking down the street to to see a friend down the road. Out of the corner of our eye we saw a young man washing his car. We went up to him a stuck up a conversation. We asked him if he believed in God. He said he did and that he actually met with missionaries before about 5 years ago. Recently he has been working a lot and hasn't given very much time for God. We asked him if he would like to give more time for God (implying that we could come back and have an appointment.) He said sure, just his soap down and asked what we wanted to share. I was astonished! We just jumped right into the Restoration lesson. Right there on his driveway. He listened intently the whole time. My companion recited Joseph SMith's experience with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in a grove of trees behind his home. After hearing that we asked Mason how he felt . He said it sounds like a "crazy experience but I felt peace." We all felt the Spirit and we invited him to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. The next day we had a church tour with him and he liked it. He is going to try to get work off on Sundays so he can come to church as well! 

Joel and Sabrina are doing well. Sabrina prayed for the first time in many years on our lesson on Tuesday. That was special. Joel hurt his lower back so he couldn't come to church. We gave him a blessing afterwards in his home. That was a special experience. He felt relaxed and calm.

Love you all!

Elder Spencer 

Joel and Sabrina and Goodbye Elder Thomas! July 11, 2022

Hello everyone! This week was a mix of happy and sad.

To start off with the happy! We had a few great lessons with Joel and Sabrina! They are progressing and wanting to learn as much as they can. We had a lesson with them on Tuesday and we talked about how you don't need to know everything to make a choice. Faith will always be required. Than action. We read from the Book of Mormon in Alma chapter 32 where it says you need only believe. That conforted Joel and Sabrina a lot because they felt like they needed to know everything, when most of what they are learning is new information. We invited them to take a step of faith and set a goal of when they want to be baptized. They said August 18th! I am so happy for them. It was a joyous day! They came to church yesterday. The talks were exactly what they needed to hear as well. It is amazing how the Spirit works. 

The sad news is Elder Thomas went home this week. He was a good companion and a good friend. I miss him and the zone misses him. He worked hard and really helped a lot of missionaries here. He definently left a mark. I am grateful for the time I had to serve with him. 

I had an exchange with Elder Sodenkamp this week! He is a great missionary and I love him! We did role plays the entire day! In the car, in the apartment, while walking down the road. It was cool! Definitely an eye opener for me. 

I love yall and hope you are well! 

Elder Spencer

Judi's Here?! July 4, 2022

Hello! Sorry this will be short but I will tell you a miracle!

On Saturday we were walking around inviting all to hear a message about Jesus Christ. I all of a sudden had the prompting to walk 20 minutes east to a lady named Judi. We had stopped by there a few weeks ago and found out she came to our church years ago. So we walked over and invited her to church! We'll Sunday rolls around, and my companion runs up to me. Judi is here, Judi is here. I was amazed. It was a miracle. We sat by her and sung some American songs. She said it brought back a bunch of memories for her. It was a sweet experience. 

Joel and Sabrina also came to church!! Their atheist son Austin than decided to come last minute!! After the meeting he said "everyone here is so happy!" He wants to come again next week! It was truly a glorious Sunday!!

I love you all! God bless you! Elder Spencer 

                Canada Day Baby!

Trio life

The Temple, June 27, 2022

Hello everyone!! 

This week was incredible! Elder Thomas and I worked hard and were super bold! We made this commitment with each other that if one of us starts a conversation with someone the other has to ask if we can share a message! It was super great! A few people let us share scriptures with them! 

We had two incredible lessons with Joel and Sabrina this week! They are so special ❤🙂we met at their house on Tuesday and as soon as we walked in we could feel the Spirit! She had a few questions for us like" What does a church service look like?" We explained that we have a prayer, song, partake of the sacrament, have a few speakers and than close with a song and prayer. They asked about church organization and such. Her second question was "How long does it take to join the church?" We were flabbergasted! She said she knows she will have to stop drinking coffee and tea but she wants to learn more! 

We had a second lesson with them at the church and a couple in our congregation! They hit off really well and became fast friends. We showed them the building and discussed the various rooms and people that meet. We ended in the chapel and talked about the sacrament and that is helps us remember Christ and baptism. Through that gate we can recieve the Spirit. We testified that the Spirit is the greatest gift we can have. 

The next day, Saturday, we had a special and sacred opportunity to go to the Kansas City Temple! It was incredible. My companion had a friend going for the first time! She was able to be baptized for her grandma who passed away and another member was able to be baptized for her son who committed suicide a few years ago. It was a very tender experience and we all felt much love!!

Transfer news: I am staying and receiving Elder Louis! I have met him twice before and he seems like a great missionary! I am excited to work with him! Elder Thomas will be with us for 5 days until he flies home July 6th.

Happy Canada day on Friday my fellow Canadians!! 🇨🇦 🍁 🇨🇦 🍁 

Love, Elder Spencer