This week has been so amazing full of uplifting insight for me to
study deeper and things to improve in my life!
I have learned so much this week and am loving every second I have to
serve the lord! Something I am realizing is how fast the work does go
if you are focused on the work and not home! At first I had a hard
time with this, and sometimes I still do! But, as I focus on the
people and what I can do to help them I am realizing that's days feels
like hours, weeks feel like days and months feel like weeks! As I am
starting to realize the love I have for the people here and for mymission I don't know how great the time flying is! Haha
I hope all of you had a great week and here is how my week went!
Week of September 28-October 4 2015
Monday:
So today was awesome! So I had a lot of time to email my family and
write a few letters, and when we went shopping at Walmart today I had
some Birthday money that I went and bought a nice foam pillow and a
new actual nice iPad case! So I bought me a new iPad case because my
other one is falling apart, and I don't want my iPad to get hurt at
all. Then I bought the pillow, because I have been just tossing and
turning at night! I still get good sleep, but I just wake up still
very tired and my neck is sore! So thanks for those who helped me buy
my gifts! Also we went to the stake center and played sports with all
of the missionaries in the stake! It was packed and way fun!
After that most of our night consisted of us checking up on Hermano
Peña and Hermana Peña.. Hermana Peña returned home this morning from
New York and wanted to tell us some cool things and also Hermano
Peña's sister was in town and she speaks Spanish! She isn't a member
and I feel we definitely planted an amazing seed to help her find
interest in our church! That was kind of what our day consisted of and
then after planning tonight we had a dude perfect fever hit us and so
we made this video!! However we have to try over and over again to
actually get the ball in! And tonight we are focusing in only speaking
Spanish! It is awesome!
Tuesday:
So today was a really fun day for us! We were able go and give service today at the food bank and we only sorted giant boxes of oranges! It was they greatest smell in the world and I am hoping we can do that every time! Now I am so sore and tired, but it was such a great day! So after that we went to this pizza place and had some crazy awesome pizza! As we went to our lessons tonight we were studying vocab in the bus the whole way and it is helping so much!!! I was able to really teach well tonight and I loved it! We taught Hennessy and Mesmerize and then went over to Guadalupe's house to eat dinner and it was amazing! We had meat soaked in chili negro and with rice! It was amazingly good and not spicy, and to top it all off she makes her own juice mixes! For instance she took a cantaloupe tonight and blended it up, added water and sugar and it was the healthiest and tastiest juice I have had in a long time! Everything juice wise in Spanish is called agua de melon. Pretty much just saying melon water or strawberry water and it is so good! So we taught her and her husband tonight about the importance of the sabbath day! The one thing I really am starting to take to heart is the fact that Sunday's are made for you! Our Heavenly Father gave you one full day to learn more and be close to him and all you have to do is keep it holy by sending the best signs to him! How can you show God a good sign? It was an amazing day and now that we have planned we are having some fun by playing pig in the house with my hoop!! Haha what a great opportunity to serve the lord!
Wednesday:
Today was a longer day for me, but I loved it! So we had the opportunity to have district meeting today at the stake center and it was really amazing! Elder Hornberger did a great job on teaching us how to use members more in our lessons and he gave me the great opportunity to help our district see the importance of the Book of Mormon when contacting people! I had a lot of compliments from my district, and they really boosted my confidence in Spanish! I was still very shaky, but I love my district, because all of them want to help me become the best that I can be! They are like another family! So my role play went really well and I feel like one of the most important things I learned from the role play is to focus my thoughts on one topic and tell people why I feel the way I do about the Book of Mormon! Also this was the last time we will be learning from Elder Hornberger, because he leaves the end of this transfer. So we taught Jhonny Garcia, a recent convert, about Alma 38 and watched the talk by president Uchtdorf given to the women's conference. The lesson was very amazing and I learned so much even hearing that talk in Spanish! I for sure need to take more pictures so I can remember the moments I have with the people here, but it is sometimes hard for me to remember and do! So I will work on it! What a good day for me!
Thursday:
So today was a really good day! I have been trying to change the way I study the Book of Mormon to make it meaningful. I have been writing down what I learn in this note book. However, I feel like after I finish reading the Book of Mormon in 2 weeks I want to change and instead of writing what is in each chapter, write my thoughts and feelings about the book and mark things I want to improve in my life! So that is my new goal for the Book of Mormon! Also I really am starting to like the idea of talking in front of people after the mission, so I am studying how I can teach even better for now in the mission and later after the mission! So today was really hard for us to use Spanish with the people we talked too, because usually we speak English to Erica and her family, however I realize that my main purpose here is not to learn a language. My main purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ! And as I do that the language will be given to me!
So today we listed to an amazing talk that hit me so hard and I want to share it with you! It is a talk given by Thomas S. Monson in April of 1983 called "Anonymous!"
There were a few quotes that he stated that really hit me and I also want to share them with you!
Rings and jewelry are not gifts, giving of yourself is a gift."
"A bell is not a bell till you ring it, a song is not a song till you sing it, and love in your heart was not put there to stay, love isn't love until you give it away!"
Both of these are talking about serving others without asking for even recognition in return and how it is true love as we do these things. As I have given service in the mission field I have seen a difference in my attitude. I don't look for people to recognize me and now I never want the recognition, because I know that Heavenly Father knows what I am doing and that is all that matters to me!
So after listening to that talk we went and ate dinner with Hermano Peña. We ate pizza, and he was in a really bad mood, because they were switching him from his steroids to other medication and his blood sugar was crazy high. I was a little scared at first walking in and hearing him yelling and being agitated, but realized that I would be the same if my blood sugar was over 500! Other than that he is able to walk around well again! We also went and taught Nemesis, a daughter of Erica. She is a very inactive member and doesn't know if the Book of Mormon is true anymore. We taught her the first lesson and really helped her to understand how she can find out! We invited her to fin out for herself and hope and pray everyday in the deactivation of the whole family! And something I like about reactivation is that there is no number to record how many you helped, only Heavenly Father will know!
So we needed to get some money to get a ride home on the bus, because our passes expired yesterday, so we went to Walmart and bought some ice cream. As we were walking out there was a little boy with curly hair about Berkley's age of 2 and he was sad, as he passed by I smiled and just waved at him and it was so cute and made me feel a love for my nieces and nephews more as he got a huge grin on his face and waved back! His grandma looked at me with a thanking smile as she walked away and I knew somehow I planted a better seed in her heart of our church!!
So we are now just eating ice cream and listening to more talks as we get ready for bed. It was an amazing day and I felt an amazing happiness today.
Wow today was a really fast day! So today after all of our amazing studies we took some time to call some referrals and set up appointments and then we went out contacting some people that we had in mind. As we get about three fourths of the way there elder Schuhmacher's front tire popped on him and right then I knew that satan was trying his hardest to stop us from helping people! However, the weather today was definitely different. I could feel the coolness in the air and it was a scary but good feeling! It is scary to me, because if it feels that good right now it is going to be very cold here! So we walked for quite a few miles to one more house to see if we could have any luck! As I was walking I had the thought pop into my head, " there is a reason for everything that happens" and I know God had a reason for that tire popping. So as we knocked the sons of this lady opened the door and let us in. There was a lady sitting on a couch and and it was really cool to see her just open up to us! She said she already read the pamphlet and she wants us to wait to give the first lesson with her mom who will be moving in with her next week. I see a lot of potential and she was a talker! We sat and listened to her and answered her questions for about 45 min and then we decided that we had to go and fix elder Schuhmacher's tire. We went to wait at a bus stop and a random man walked up to us and thanked us for being who we are. He said, " I am not a Mormon and am not sure I want to be one right now, but I thank you so much for your example and your dedication." And he walked away! It was so nice to hear that and then we had a member pull up and give us a ride so we didn't have to take the bus! At Walmart we bought and fixed his tire and headed to a dinner with Erica and her family! It was an amazing dinner and she seems so much happier with he family! She wouldn't stop thanking us for helping her and we had to keep telling her it was God! To then we rushed home! It was an amazing day full of happiness and love!!
Saturday:
Wow what an amazing day it was today. I really feel that I have felt the spirit crazily today! I had the amazing opportunity to go and watch General conference with a group of missionaries at the altamesa stake center. Something that really helped strengthen my testimony of God is that there was 4 different languages being spoken in the chapel today! There was Spanish headsets, a ASL tv playing the conference, the English and the spirit! It was an amazing experience being able to sit at the feet of amazing prophets and teachers called of God and to add on to all that I am a missionary. A talk I heard in the MTC stated, "never think you are worthless as a missionary, when the leaders are sustained at conference listening to the wording and you will catch where you fit in." As everyone sustains the prophet and apostles they also sustain you as a missionary! This gives me so much confidence and it really was felt tonight as I rose my hand for all of the apostles and the prophet called of God. I wish I had the time to type all the thoughts of session today, but I am afraid I would bore you with all my words, so I will only share brief quotes from different talks!
"Tell a man there is a million stars in the sky and he will believe you, tell a man there is wet paint on the walls and he will touch it before he believes you."
1. Are you making discipleship complicated? It should be simple enough that children should understand it.
When the gospel isn't working for you, step back and simplify.
2. Start where you are now.
Are weaknesses can help us if we rely on God.
God will take you as you are.
"Exaltation is our Goal, and Discipleship is our Journey."
-Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"Like clay in a potters wheel we must be centered in Christ so that he can successfully mold us into what we need to be."
-Richard J. Maynes
"It will all work out"
"What is your heart condition today?"
-Neill F. Marriot
"Fly right through the gathering storms of the last days."
"If you are there for the lord, he will be there for you."
"You don't marry perfect, you marry potential!"
-Robert D. Hales
And the ones I want to leave with are from Jeffery R. Holland.
"Behold the Mother"
"No love comes closer other than the selfless love of a mother to her son."
A mother sufferers long, is kind, beareth all things, endureth, and Neves faileth.
"Not only do they bare us, but they bare with us."
"As you feel like sinning think of Jesus Christ and your Mother. Don't hurt them!"
And lastly
"Let there be 2 messianic figures in your life. The Lord and your Mother."
Now don't get me wrong, my dad is so important to me too, but my mom is one that deserves so much for all she has done for me. Mom publicly I thank you for your love you have shown me for over 19 years, for raising me in the hardest of time and teaching correct principles. You helped me realize the importance of personal prayer by coming every night to my room to pray with me. You pray for me on your own and everyday stress to make sure I have my every need. You have waited up for me as I stay out late and stress to make sure I make good choices, but most of all you are there for me when I need comfort, or someone to talk to. I thank you for all that you have and will do. As Elder Holland says, Behold my Mother! I could not ask for anything more. Thank you mom! Dad, I also want you to realize the role you played in my life. You are my hero and have been since day one. You provide for the family and make sure we have the food necessary to survive, but for me it was more than that. Everyday that I took your truck around town there would be random people who would honk or wave at me, random people come up to me and say is Merlin your dad? You have always shown me how to serve others before worrying about yourself. My response to those people would always be yes, yes that's my dad, but not until now do I realize that you are not only my hero, but many peoples hero. Thank you for showing me how I can touch others through words and actions. I Elder Spendlove have been born of Goodly parents of the Lord!
Sunday:
Wow just another wonderful and uplifting day being able to hear and learn at the feet of our seasoned brethren in the gospel. So today we had a ward missionary council with our ward mission leader, and it was very hard for me to get my ideas out for what I thought would help our barrio to get more members in the church and active again. I felt very restricted, and not because I didn't know what to say, it was more the fact that every time I tried to express myself elder Schuhmacher would take over. I love my companion so much and I figure that he just doesn't realize that I am talking. Sooner or later I will help him understand! So as I sat during the whole meeting not saying anything knowing my companion would finish my sentences I could feel the spirit telling me to share my idea! I just held it in and that is when Hermana Mangleson, who must have been watching me closely said, "Elder Spendlove, you have been very quiet. Is there something you have felt you would like to share?" And I knew what she was talking about so I shared it and I know it will help our ward a lot if they really focus on the purpose and meaning!
So General Conference today was amazing! I learned so much, however I feel the main messages were hope on the atonement, mothers and women of the church.
I loved every talk and am so excited to learn and hear more about the new apostles that we have! I know that they are called of God and will do an amazing! I was however, very concerned for president Monson. He was about to pass out or something and he did not look good. All of he missionaries could not focus as they saw him tipping over and all we could do was pray for him to get through his talk! I am so grateful for a prophet today who guides our church by listening to Jesus Christ. So my favorite quotes for today were,
"I may never be able to stand in or feel the shoes of those amazing men, but I will stand on their shoulders as they support me!" More a weird one, but I love the concept of the 3 that past away supporting him.
-Rasband
"Don't focus on what you can't do, focus on what you can do!"
-Stevens
"To effectively serve others let us see them through our heavenly fathers eyes."
-Renlund
"We need women who have a bedrock understanding of Jesus Christ."
-Nielson
"Repentance is individual, but fellowship is on the members!"
-Christopherson
"Scriptures are like friends that we can rely on in times of need. What is your verse?"
-Durrant
"Don't be to critical of the barrier, it is only keeping you from being devoured."
-Cetch
"The Saviors atonement doesn't leave tracks of traces, what is healed stays healed."
-Hanies
"When you can't do what you have always done, you only do what matters most."
-Bednar
That was just a few of the things I learned, but most of all I learned that families are essential to Gods plan. It is so important to find a wife that wants the important things in life and to find that you have to live the gospel. I have recommitted myself to the gospel of Jesus Christ and want to make myself a better priesthood holder and man for my future wife and family, because they deserve it.
So that was my amazing week all summed up and I hope that something I said will help you through your week! Know that I love each of you and can feel your prayers for me! I wan to leave you with a scripture I was studying this morning in 3 Nephi 3:25 which states, "And they did Fortify themselves against their enemies; and they did dwell in one land and in one body, and they did fear the words which had been spoken by Lachoneus, insomuch that they did repent of all of their sins; and they did put their prayers unto the lord their God, that he would deliver them in the time that their enemies should come down against them to battle." The things I learned from this verse changed my thoughts on a lot of things! I really want to share my thoughts, but feel if I leave it for you all to study then it will help you all to find new insight to your everyday life. So I challenge you all to study that verse in the context and see what you come up with!
I love you all and hope you have the best week! And always remember you are worthy to change!
My Ponderizing Scripture for this week: "Have ye spiritually been born of God? Have you receive his image in your countenance? Have you experienced a mighty change in your hearts?" (Alma 5:14)
Con Amor,
Elder Spendlove
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