Week Seven

Hey family and friends! I hope all of you had an amazing week like I did! It is so crazy to think that one family reunion is over! I was so busy I didn't even have any time to think about missing out on all the fun! I am loving my mission so much and have learned so many things that have already changed my life so much. I would not change where I am right now for anything. 

So I missed a birthday last week and that was my grandma GrannaMay!! Sorry I missed it, but I hope you had an amazing week and thank you for being one of my amazing grandmas! Also this week is my Grandpa Oliphants birth day! Happy birthday grandpa, and thank you for everything you have taught me and for loving me! 

 So here is what happened to me this week!

Monday: 

Holy cow today was a crazy day!! You would think that preparation day would be a more relaxed day, and then you realize that it takes a lot to prepare for a full week. And of course you want to go and play sports with the other missionaries as well. We were running all over the place, but had so much fun getting to know the other missionaries better. After p-day we went with a member named Hermano White.(Cameron White) he was very nice and tried his hardest with the Spanish that he did know. He returned from serving in Las Vegas about 7 months ago and is like a walking Book of Mormon and bible. He knows so much doctrine and has amazing insight that really helped me tonight! One thing we were talking about is members coming out and being missionaries as well, and he stated, "Discipleship is not a spectator sport!" I love that. It shows that if you are really a true disciple of Christ you don't sit and watch people pass you by, you get up and make a difference in them as they pass by. We were able to teach 2 people and have a really good conversation on helping become even better missionaries!! Today was an amazing Day!!

Tuesday:

So today was so cool! In my studies I found some amazing things on faith that really helped my investigators. "Faith is a principle of action and of power, and by it one can command the elements, heal the sick, and influence any number of circumstances when occasion warrants." And "Where there is true faith there are miracles, visions, dreams, healings, and all the gifts of God that He gives to His saints." Really faith is simple when we remember it is an action, and we have to act before we see the miracles! We had our last day together at service at the Tarrant Food Bank before Hermana Jensen goes home! It was so much fun and we served for close to 4 hours. I have noticed when I am having fun that time flies by not only serving at service project, but serving the Lord as well!! So Hermana Jensen and Hermana Ford have probably helped me just as much as my companion when it comes to the language, and confidence in speaking the language. I am going to miss their funny comp unity and the help from Hermana Jensen, but at least Hermana Ford will be staying!! This picture of our district is just after our service, and the blond sits is the one that is leaving.

I am so grateful for the impact of my first district! And on the way out of the service Hermana Jensen gave everyone a note with her feelings about them on it. One thing she put on mine that I love so much is, "you speak Spanish so well you don't even know! I can not believe this is only your first transfer in the field." I don't write this to brag, I write it to show you how she lifts me up, and how with the Lord we truly can do all things!! This afternoon we taught Hennessy again, and are just trying to get her to attend church, so she can be baptized! It was an amazing day!

Wednesday:

Today was a good, but brain frying day for me!! We had a lot of time contacting in the hot Texas sun, and didn't have a lot of success when it comes to numbers. However, the lady I wrote about earlier who we met on the street and didn't catch that we were speaking Spanish to her, ya we found her house while contacting, and had a short, but good lesson with her. Also after dinner with our zone leaders we went to a Robert and Bertha Nerios house and taught them a little bit about what we believe. Sadly, they were very closed about changing religions, or even thinking that there is another book that is true. The hard part about it was that they were so set in their ways, however they pray like the sister missionaries taught them too, not how the Catholics do. So we are very confused as to what they really believe. It was really hard to think of what to say to help them, but I am glad I went to talk to them because it shows where I can improve my studies for the week to help others understand. So yes today was a long day, but I love finding the best in even the hardest of days!

Thursday:

Today started out a little slow for us. We had the amazing opportunity to have weekly planning today. We were able to learn a lot from one another as we planned and thought of new things, however, the time for me is the hardest part. If you didn't know, I have a very hard time sitting for long periods of time. I love just getting out and moving. So as we finished up it was so nice to get out and get moving! We went contacting for about an hour and had a goal of two good lessons, but today sped up really fast when we ended that hour with 4 really good contact lessons with commitments. The people we contact never seem super super interested, but we know that for some people it just takes time to get that interest. For dinner Bishop Picon and his wife made it and dropped it off. It was breakfast tacos that were so amazing!! After dinner we set out to teach Hennessy and her cousin and aunt. Sadly, they were not able to be taught and so we decided to just do some more contacting. It was a lot slower, but we found one man who we taught a little bit too. It made me feel good knowing that this man was a Latino that grew up with Spanish, and it is still hard for him to speak it. I don't mean it in a negative way for him, but I could understand him a little better! So really all in all it was a successful day and I loved it!

Friday:

So today in companionship study we read in chapter 4 or PMG about pray often and in Chapter 1 about  pray to know the truth through the Holy Ghost. As I read these I got some amazing insight on prayer and its importance. In the guide to the scriptures it talks about prayer. God has blessing that he wants to give us, he is just waiting for us to communicate with him and ask. Also, we can't change his will for us, but we can have help with the everyday trials!

After our studies today we had to run across town to east side and grad our dinner from a member who had to work, so we picked it up early. As we were waiting under a bus stop shade area by the street a big water semi drove by slowly. I was just looking at the cool images that it showed on the side of the truck, but the driver thought different. He stopped his truck in the middle of the road, ran over to U.S. And gave us two of his biggest water-bottles he sold and said, "excuse me chief, I could see you eyeing this water truck like you were thirsty and I just happened to have two cold ones for you and your buddy!" I thanked him for his kindness and he jumped back in his truck while cars were honking at him to get out of the road. People like him are how I know that I am where I am supposed to be. Yes the work can be hard and people can be rude, but there are always angels in even the scariest and evilest of places.

So we didn't have a lot of success as far as lessons went for today. All of our appointments fell through last second, however we had a dinner appointment with the sweetest old lady named Hermana Aviña. She has the most amazing experience with joining the church. She made amazing food, but we had to sit outside and eat, because we didn't have any other man around. It was really cute though, as we ate she used her little fly swatted and waved it across our food for about an hour telling us about her life. She has some amazing faith and knows that God will help her. We may not have taught a lot of people, but I sure learned a lot from her and how I can increase my faith in my Heavenly Father and his son.

 

 

Saturday:

Today was a very hot and Humid day, but it was a really good day as well. I was able to really start to understand that not everyday is a perfect day for teaching people. For instance, today we had people open there door and talk to us for a second, but no one was interested in our message. Our service for a less active member, Erica, fell through after we got all the way across town to her house. Then we contacted some more and no one would open for us. It really was hard for me to knock and knock and knock. However, I know God gives us these trials to learn and I believe he is not only teaching patience, but he is making me humble. I have been praying so hard to find a new investigator that has real interest, but I know we will only find him or her when God is ready. So I will keep praying and doing all I can to find him. Today I had a quote stuck in my head that was mentioned to me by Jazmine Priggemire that said, "remember that your joy will be great with only one soul, even if that soul is just you!" That doesn't mean don't work hard, that means don't get down when the hearts are heard, just keep trying! So that is my new goal, always find the positive in each day!!

 

Sunday:

I always love Sundays! Today I was able to really understand the language a lot!! Also in my whole mission I have never actually had an investigator come to church. Well today was the first day of I hope and pray lots more days like it! We had an investigator named Yedith come by surprise to church! She loved it, and she even had input for the lesson and it was dead on! I went to priesthood, and the teacher asked me to share an experience on the spot, and I was able to speak clearly! I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father who helps me through everything I have!! Also this picture is a picture of me with a more recent convert named Sunny. He is very blind and can only see shadows, but he can tell when it is me he is looking at, and he calls me little boy! He is a very sweet old man that just likes to make people feel special! I am glad I got to meet him and get to know him!!

 

Also the quote I heard today was amazing!! It is all I can think about. I know it can help anyone who puts it to use. "Church is like a Hospital where you can go each week and be healed from your daily battles." So go! If you haven't been to church in a while think about how badly wounded you really are and how the Lord can heal you!

      

  I hope that something I said or that happened to me with help you through this week! 

Everyone is so important in this life and I hope and pray that each of you will serve those around you and help even those who you may not need it. Becoming like God is not easy, but as we strive everyday, we can become new, we can become a disciple of Christ. 

Thank you all so much for you love and support!! I love you all and pray for you all the time!! Have a great week!!

Through Christ we can do all things! (Alma 26:12)

Con Amor,

Elder Spendlove