13 mile bike ride with the brakes on! Dec 7, 2020

It is December everyone! Time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. He is the reason for the season. He is the greatest gift we could ever receive this year and every year to come. His sacrifice is infinite.

Elder Decker and I had bikes this week! We car share with the language Elders in Clarksville. So we had an appointment with a less active Sister in Lamar which is five miles of rolling hills away. In a car, no sweat. On a bike, more difficult. On a bike with brakes that are rubbing against the tire, very very difficult. My situation on this 10 mile round trip was the latter. I did not know how Elder Decker could be so far in front of me. I was peddling as hard has I could but my bike just had no glide and I was not getting anywhere. The hills did not make it any easier. I was sore and tired. To make matters worse I had a vest, and a  jacket on along with a bulky shoulder bag. To say the least I felt pretty burdened. 

But as a was riding up a hill by myself (elder Decker was way ahead of me) a few songs popped into my head. "I'm Trying to be like Jesus" first came to mind. Jesus Christ carried the heaviest burden of all. He carried the sins of the world not a small shoulder bag. Than, "The Spirit of God." The pioneers had to cross mountains in snow and ice on foot, not hills in beautiful weather with a bike. Finally, "A Poor Wafaring man of Grief." Joseph Smith died for the message of the Gospel shortly after this hymn was sung. Surely I could deliver the message of the Gospel to this dear sister in Lamar. All in all, I was able to take courage and strength from these songs and I endured to the appointment. (The other three miles was to the church after our appointment. A member at the church was able to identify the brake that was rubbing and causing our great problem)

Now, I am not comparing my biking trial to the handcart companies, Joseph Smith's martyrdom, or Jesus Christs Atonement because nothing is greater than those in magnitude to suffering, but I am saying I was able to draw strength from their examples. I was able to push myself to the limit because they pushed themselves to the limit. 

So when you are feeling down or that you can't go on, remember Jesus Christ felt that. He asked His burden to be taken from Him as well. But Jesus found strength in His love for YOU. He bled for YOU. He died for YOU. So this Christmas season, take five minutes to ponder about His sacrifice. He gave us the greatest gift: the Atonement. 

I love you all, Elder Spencer

Pictures:

Slow Cooker Breakfast Cassrole

Our tree flew off the trailer on the way to the parade! No one was hurt!

At the end of our 13 mile bike ride

 Our Lighttheworld float for Clarksville annual Christmas parade!

I just gotta quarantine! Nov 30, 2020

Hello all! Happy Thanksgiving for those of you in the United States! Sorry True North Strong and Free. No Thanksgiving in November for you. Yours was in October 🇨🇦🇨🇦

I was sick this week. No fun at all. Elder Decker and I had to isolate until I was told to go to the hospital to get checked out. Strep throat: Positive. Covid: Negative. I am so grateful I did not have Covid. The Pharmacy gave me some antibiotics for my throat! It is feeling better already. So take it from me. Stay safe. Be smart. I sometimes am still not very smart (especially with other missionaries) with being Covid safe, but just try your best! 

Because we had to isolate, we got food brought to our door from ward members! Our fridge is literally full! God really does look after our temporal needs as we do His work! He is mindful of you. Your desires and dreams. He will help you. 

I invite you all to visit lighttheworld.org 

This website has a calendar that has activities you can do each day to help spread the Light of Christ this Christmas season. It starts tomorrow so get ready!

Love you all, Elder Spencer

Our ten pound bag of rice! (Stanley Cup anyone?)

Amazing Thanksgiving food!

Reading the big bible 

A little taste of home

I'm gonna battle, gonna fight, win or lose I'm going to be alright! Nov 23, 2020

Well this is it! I am in Arkansas! 

My flights were great. All on time, and I got to meet some neat people. When I landed in Fayetteville, some missionaries picked up me and one other elder. We drove to a church where all the other new missionaries were. We met our President and his wife. We had a wonderful meal and had an orientation. That night I slept in the mission home with all the new elders. 

In the morning we had a transfer loop! We all piled into vans and drove around to different churches to get dropped off and meet our trainers! I was dropped off on the first stop and I met my trainer and three other language elders in our same area. (Clarksville is where I am currently serving. It is right near Fort Smith Arkansas) My trainers name is Elder Decker! What a great guy! He is about my height and he is from Missouri! (Not too far away from his home town!) We have gotten along well together and we have had some great companion studies. We are both new to the area so we are just trying to learn about the people here and get to know the members of the Clarksville ward. 

Elder Decker and I had a neat experience this week. In fact you could say it was a miracle. One evening we were driving to pick up the language Elders to bring them back to their apartment (we share a car.) While driving we received a call from a member of the ward. He asked if we could go to the hospital to give a sister a blessing. She is in her second battle with cancer and was in a lot of pain. We said "of course we could" and headed to the hospital. We arrived there and went to her room. I have never given a blessing before so Elder Decker had to pull up the format for me so I could remember. My friends, as soon as I began the spirit took over. I spoke the words that came to my mind and my eyes wept. I could feel strongly the love God had for His child. It was truly amazing. God works with His children. He knows you and is there for you.

I am enjoying my time here and I miss you all. Stay safe and remember that God is with you, even "on your left and on your right." (D and C 84:88)

Love, Elder Spencer

Calling home:

Elder Decker!

Elder Spencer, Nov 18, 2020

We are so glad your missionary arrived here in the Arkansas Bentonville Mission. Here is a picture of their arrival with President and Sister Strong. Enjoy!

 

God loves you! Nov 14, 2020

Another day, but not another dollar haha. Missionary work is free of cost. In fact, I pay to be on a mission. For most this makes little sense. Why would I give up two years of my life, when I could use those years to work or go to school. The answer: God is our loving Heavenly Father. We are His children.  He loves us and wants the best for us. I know this to be true and I want other people to know it too. So that is why I am a missionary. 

This week, Elder Perkins and I had a wonderful time in our TRC's! We were able to have follow up lessons with everyone we taught last week. It was neat to see their progress even after only one week! It was a little sad to tell them that we won't be able to teach them again, because on Wednesday, Elder Perkins and I fly out. 

As a district we had a really cool impression. In a devotional, a speaker challenged missionaries to kneel when you pray. It shows God the respect He deserves. SO as a district we took that to heart (or to knees haha.) For each prayer we had in class we would all kneel down. It was a powerful feeling. It was like we were all united and together even though we are all over the West Coast in geographical location. It was wonderful. 

I know Jesus Christ lives and loves you.

See ya in Arkansas! Elder Spencer    

District Pics:

Let it snow, snow, and TRC's! Nov 7, 2020

Hello my friends! What a great day this is! A new youth song just got released about missionary work and it is so good! Listening to it on repeat!! I will send a link out for it if you want to listen to this fantastic song. 

I woke up this morning to a winter wonderland. The snow is so beautiful on the branches of the trees. The world is quiet and the snow is untouched. I love it.

MTC this week: so amazing! I learned something new everyday, like how to stay safe while using technology, how to make an effective commitment, and how to laugh. (I am just joking about that last one, but honestly, I laugh so much) Lots of smiles from all the missionaries in my district. We just can't help it. We know we have a message of happiness and joy to share to the whole world. The message of Jesus Christ. He died so we can live again. He died so we can be forgiven of the things we do wrong. We are human. We will fail, but with Jesus Christ we can try again, and again, and again. 

My district: We call our district the Fire District because we light up each other with testimony and the Spirit. But this week the Fire District got burned. In the MTC we learn lessons and then practice teaching what we learn to real people! These practice appointments are called TRC's (Teaching Resource Center I think.) TRC's can be stressful, especially when you are just learning material and it is with complete strangers. I was nervous when Elder Perkins (my companion) and I had two scheduled for the week but than our teacher challenged us. A challenge that initially burned but turned into a glowing ember of joy! He challenged us to do five TRC's a week!! Ahhhhh. We were all freaking out. FIVE! He is just kidding right?!?! No he was not. Grudgingly Elder Perkins scheduled two more appointments which only put us at four, but that is beside the point. During comp study we prayed to feel love towards these people so we could find out how to best help these people. I won't go into details on each one, but I will tell you that the Spirit was felt during each lesson. Our work was not in vain. 

Elder Perkins and I were able to reschedule each person for a second lesson this week! I am excited to meet with them again. 

"I'm trying to be like Jesus, I'm following in His way. I'm trying to love as He did, in all that I do and say.... love one another as Jesus loves you, try to show kindness in all that you do, be gentle and loving in deed and in thought, for these are the things Jesus taught." (I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus, children's Songbook, pg. 78) Be kind today. Look for the hands you can lift up. Smile. 

Jesus Christ loves you, and I love you.

Elder Spencer

 With the real Elders!

Canadian boys in majority American districts

More chocolate milk!

Wearing a button up shirt, tie and dress pants all day actually isn't that bad! Oct 31, 2020

Hello everyone!

What a week it has been! On Tuesday, October 27th, I was set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. While I am a missionary I set myself apart from the things of the world (Imagine Dragons, The Edmonton Oilers, Nacho Libre... ) and focus my attention on God and the work He needs me to do, which is to invite others to come unto Christ. 

For those of you who do not know I am being trained online from my home. Normally, I would fly to Provo, Utah and train in the Missionary Training Center (MTC) with hundreds of other missionaries just like me! Because of Covid, all the training takes place over Zoom! Each missionary is assigned to a district based on the language they are learning. I am in the world's best district with nine other wonderful Elders and Sisters!! We take two classes a day as a district; one in the morning and one in the afternoon. We learn so much and I love it. 

Each missionary as a companion. Someone to help you stay accountable, safe and productive. My comp. is Elder Perkins! What a guy! He has a love for this gospel and I love him already. He is from Utah, so I can relate well with him, because I was born in that state! We laugh together, pray together, and work together to bring others unto Christ. 

Did I explain the MTC process well enough? Email me if you have any questions on how the process works!!

I am grateful for Jesus Christ. He lives and loves you. He knows what troubles you are going through. He will help you as you turn to Him through prayer.

Love you guys, Elder Spencer

On a walk with my best friend!

This MTC has cereal too!

Chocolate milk woot woot!

My online set up!

My District!!

My boy, Elder Perkins!!