p-day #38

dear family,

Well, first things first, yesterday we had a baptism. :) Juan Andres Vargas Herrera is a new member of the ward Las avenidas. :) It was a really spiritual baptism, and as I watched his cute little self in his white clothes smile and walk with confidence knowing that he had made the right decision was the best feeling a missionary can feel. :) 

Teresa didn't end up being able to be baptized because she has some things to work out in her house. But it was really a miracle week for her anyways. We talked to her about the law of chastity and were really really frank with her because we want her to be prepared and we also want to make sure that she will always be able to participate in all the blessings that being baptized brings. And even though she wasn't able to be baptized, her life is changed. Because her boyfriend opened his eyes and realized what he would be losing if he walked away from her. He now wants to become a real family, married and all. This is what we have been praying for forever, and yesterday, as we talked to him at lunch, we told him that if he fixes his life, that he will be able to baptize his daughter next year. It hit him really hard, and this family is going to start seeing great changes. I am so grateful for the time that i have been able to spend with this family, and to be able to finally help them get to this point. :) the lord works in mysterious ways...

My birthday was really good. :) I stayed with Karla while Hna Friere and Hna Nielsen worked in our sector, since I wouldn't have been able to work as much as they can. So I spent some time sharing testimonies with Karla, and then we went to a lesson together with the two sisters. It was the perfect birthday present. I had brought with me the dvd of mormon messages that mom sent me for my birthday, and as we sat down, Hernan told us that he just had lost his excitement to learn because his friend died. I felt really strongly that I should show them one of the messages that was on the dvd. so we watched it, and the spirit that was there as it finished was INCREDIBLE. I bore testimony of the atonement of jesus christ, and the power of his sacrifice. that through him we will rise again and be perfect beings, without pain and sickness. He had decided that he didn't want to listen to us anymore, but after this lesson, he told us that he would pray to know if this is where he needs to be. I swear that he is going to be a future bishop. he has amazing faith.

Then yesterday at church, I just felt overwhelmed by the spirit. I have been trying my hardest to just keep working and to try and do what is both wise and prudent. But throughout the week, i've just felt really discouraged. why me? why do i have to be having these problems, to the point where i am probably going to have to come home? Hno Duran, one of the members, gave a talk about faith. and as i listened, it felt like he was talking directly to me. that i just have to trust in God, and that no matter what happens, it will be what is best. Throughout the day, i said lots of prayers, and finally, after praying so hard that the lord would heal me and that i would be able to continue working, but that i would know his will, i felt  peaceful when president called me and told me that he was probably going to be arranging a flight home this week. 

Without me knowing, the ward organized a party to say goodbye. And even though nothing was set in stone yet, I just felt like this was going to be the last time I would see these people. You never really know how many lives you touch when you are doing the work of the Lord... and how many people come to find a place in your heart. I never knew how many people i had touched. and i just feel so blessed to have been able to be a part of this ward. I love them all so much... and I am looking forward to the day when i will be able to come back and give them all a hug once again.

Only the Lord knows why these things are happening. Only the Lord knows what it means to me to have to leave my mission for a medical problem. But I keep praying, and I am keeping in my mind the words of an apostle, ¨Come what may and love it¨. There are always good things to come. And I just have to keep going in the faith of the lord. 

Maybe i'll be seeing you soon. According to president, maybe as early as tomorrow. 

Keep praying. I love you all so much.

Hermana spencer.

p-day #37

dear family and esteemed fans, :)

well... here ya are! the rattlesnake rapids... 

haha, just kidding. 

Another week has come and gone in the work. And it definitely wasn't my favorite week of the mission, that's for sure. :( Stupid back of mine. 

But even with a stupid lame back, we saw some incredible things happen. :) Alicia was confirmed yesterday, and she went to church all alone. I seriously love her so much. :) I'm so bummed that we had to miss it because I was in the house resting my back. :( But the members are continuing to talk with her and make her feel welcome, and we assigned her visiting teachers and home teachers in our meeting with our ward mission leader... I want her to feel like she has found her family, and I know that she's on the way there. :) Now our next step is to help with her geneology so that we can take her to the temple to be baptized for her parents, like she has always wanted. :)

Karla is now dating someone, and we've started teaching him as well. :) We did some practices with her so that she can know how to share her testimony and parts of the lessons when we are with him, and when she is alone with him. I'm so happy for her, that she's finally starting to date someone after 13 years. He's an awesome guy, and I really see potential in him as a member of the church. I told her that she cannot tell him she wants to marry him until he is baptized. She always laughs at me when I get all serious on her about him. But it's true. She is really really important and special to me, and I want her to have an eternal family, just like her heavenly father wants. So we gotta take the necessary steps now. I'll keep you updated on his progress in his investigation. :)

Pati, a recent convert who fell away because she didn't feel like anyone wanted her at church, came to our fhe last week. :) it was so happy to see her there. And the members told her that they missed her and that they wanted her to come to church on sunday and the next fhe... now it's our job to just help her remember how she feels about jesus christ, because that's the most important thing, and that's what we're good at. haha. 

On Saturday, we worked all day, which was actually a really bad idea in the end. but i was really happy with the results of our labors. :) we found 3 new investigators and all of the lessons were extremely spiritual. :) We taught Simon the plan of salvation, and as i bore testimony of the atonement, he just opened up and told us that he wants to change his life, and that he wants to be a better person, and that he feels like this is the place where he can learn how to do it. Marisol, who is one of our ward missionaries, shared how she came to know the gospel and how she knew it was true, and the spirit was like glistening. He went to church yesterday, and I was so mad that we couldn't be there with him. :( But he knew 3 members because we had taken members with us to every lesson, and so he knew people and could sit with them, and Mayra told us that he was even raising his hand and commenting in the gospel principles class. :) I am almost positive that he has received his answer by now, and I'm anxious for saturday to talk to him about when he'll be getting baptized. haha. The Lord truly has souls prepared to hear the gospel, who are hungry for it and who are just waiting until they hear our voices to join the fold on the savior. :) i love my job! haha. 

now, just pray for me that i'll be able to get out and do it this week. that's all i want for my birthday. and christmas... haha. 

have a wonderful week!

hermana spencer.

p-day # 36

dear family,

well, it was another INCREDIBLE week. :) I don't even know where to begin. haha.

So yesterday, we had the baptism of Alicia. I of course was stressed out as usual to make sure that everything was all taken care of and pretty... and when we finally started, I was almost mortified. We found out that 3 people had prepared the same talk, and that we had called a different person that our ward mission leader to give one of them. But Hna Soto got up there, with absolutely nothing prepared, and gave one of the most sincere and spiritual talks i've heard here in chile. :) Then, I sang a solo. and I wasn't nervous! I think for the first time in my life, actually. haha. And even though the music fell on the floor in the middle, and I couldn't see the words, no one even noticed, cause the whole ward was crying. :) The rest of the program was perfect, and when I talked with her after, she had tears in her eyes as she thanked me for fighting for her, and for helping her get to this point. She said she didn't have words to describe the beautiful feeling that had come over her after her baptism. :) I love her so much. I am so happy for her. :)

Then, last night we went on splits with 2 young women who are preparing to go on missions. I went with Mayra, who has already started her papers. She was baptized a little over a year ago, and while we were out working, she told me about how she had always wondered why all of the churches fought about doctrine, and didn't really know if God existed. But when the missionaries knocked on her door, and she came to church, she just felt so good. and she knew it was true. :)

We went to visit a family that we found last week, and I told her that she had to share her experience with them to help them feel the spirit and have a little idea of how their answers will come. It was one of the most incredible lessons of my mission. I swear this family... haha. I told you a little about them last week. They are from brazil, and have always been looking for the truth. Mariana asked me how revelation works, if only one man has the rights to receive it... and how we view tithing, if we go by what it says in the bible or ask random amounts... and if we baptize in water like jesus christ... my jaw was on the floor for like the whole lesson. haha. this family is SO prepared. They told us they believe the book of mormon is true, and that they are really excited to come to church this sunday and that they'll let us know if they receive an answer to get baptized the 23 of december. :) incredible.

Teresa, Alicia's daughter, is having a rough time right now. her not husband told her last week that they were over. and then he came back and told her he can't live without her. she wants to get baptized so bad... and we felt like we should invite her to be baptized for the 9th of december. And when we were talking with her yesterday, we asked her what's she's plannnig on doing. She told us that she told Jose that she's getting baptized, with or without him. She's trying to kick him out of the house, because she knows that's what she needs to do. I am just in awe at her faith. And I am so excited to finally help her be baptized. She needs lots of prayers though... :) i love her so much!

Hna Duran, our mamita, made us thanksgiving dinner for lunch on friday. :) i was so happy. She's so dang cute. And she even saved me cranberry to eat with my turkey. I don't think i've ever been so happy to eat turkey and mashed potatoes in my life. haha. I am so grateful to be in this ward. :)

Well, that's all the time I have today. But I am doing so so well. :) I feel like I am growing every single day, and that my testimony is being strengthened every minute. I am so grateful to Joseph Smith for his perseverance and love for his father in heaven and savior. And I love Jesus Christ so much. He is my best friend. And my strength. I am so grateful to be authorized to teach people about him. There is truly nothing more fulfilling or happy than this work. i love being a missionary. :) This is the church of God. I have no doubt in my mind. :)

have a wonderful week, okay?

muah!

hermana spencer.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

dear family,

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!!!!

permiso... haha. So it was just an incredible week. I'm exhausted, sunburned, sore and happier than i have ever been ever. haha. Such is the life of a missionary. :)

So... first of all, Alicia who is going to be baptized on Sunday (AH!) is just the perfect woman ever! She's in the middle of the picture with the family. :) So, last week, we went by on Wednesday to give her the second to last of the two lessons we needed to finish up. And when we walked in, the environment was just really gloomy and sad. We found out that Teresa's daughter, Pia, who was born 3 months early, is like 6 months behind in her development. She's a year old, and by now should be crawling, standing, and even talking a little. She's going to need some therapy to be able to catch her up or she'll be behind forever. Teresa was just heartbroken. :( And exasperated. she didn't know where to even start looking for the kind of therapist that does this kind of stuff. So we told her that we would start a fast with her on saturday so that she would be able to find a doctor and that Pia would get better quickly.

Then we finished up the lessons in the next 2 days, and on sunday we went to pick them up to take them to church with us. Teresa's husband wasn't ready to go, and he didn't want to come. (he's a less active member, but they're not for real married, so she has just been waiting so that she will be able to get baptized.) But she was like, well i'm going and im taking the kids with me. so she got all of the kids ready to go, and when we got there, they all just looked so beautiful and i was just beaming. As we walked to church, and I held both of her little kids' hands, I was just bursting with joy. I don't remember a time when i was that happy in my entire life. Just to be able to know that this family is going to be eternal. yeah, Jose is going to take some more work. But they know what they want. And we are the tools to be able to give it to them.

Then, we passed by later to take a picture to be able to put in the program for Alicia's baptism, and they told us that the kids LOVED primary and that they never wanted to leave and are so excited to go back next week. :) And then, the most incredible part of the story... Teresa told us that she found an old friend in our ward named valeska that she knew from years ago. Valeska has a son who was born 3 months early, and has the same problems as pia. so she gave teresa all of the information she needed and all of the doctors she needed. I started to cry. It was just so incredible to know that Heavenly Father had answered our fervent prayers. We hadn't even finished our fast when our prayer was answered. I love this family so much, and I am going to do everything possible to help them become an eternal family. I have never been more committed to someone in my life. haha. ah. i love being a missionary. :) pray for them for us, will you? The Chandia family.

I also got to go on splits with hna nielsen this week. :) it was one of the best days i've had on my mission. It was a really needed night for both of us, because we talked about all of the trials and struggles we've had so far on our missions, but also we talked about the ways that we've grown and the strengths that we've discovered within ourselves. She told me that if I could only see the missionary that I am, I wouldn't be worried about if I'm doing my job. she always makes me feel so good. .) And then as we both shared our testimonies, we just realized how incredible it is to be here on missions. She helped me realize, once again, how incredible this work is. And how much I truly love it. And how much I love my savior. I was so grateful to have had the chance to be with her for a day. I hope we get to do it again. :)

 

 

We found 2 incredible new investigators this week. Mariana and Rodolfo are a family that moved here from brazil about a year ago, and they've been contacted by the missioanries a few times, but they could never get ahold of them again. The questions they asked us were like the ones written in preach my gospel, and as we shared the message of the restoration with them, and asked them questions about what they are searching for and if they've ever wondered why there are so many churches on earth, they just ate it. I've never seen someone so hungry to know the truth. We invited them to be baptized, and they said that they would. :) And they were so excited to start reading the book of mormon. :) the only bummre is that they didn't end up coming to church yesterday. but we have another appointment with them on wednesday, so we'll help them. :)

And then simon, who was a street contact about 3 weeks ago. I actually didn't remember his face at all. But our plans fell through, so we went to pass by his house to see if he was there. before asking if we could come in, he buzzed us up. and we taught the restoration to him too. the spirit just flooded the room as we started to talk about joseph smith. and when i invited him to be baptized, he was so sure that that was what he wanted to do. we told him that if he reads the book of mormon, he will find the answer to his question of if this church is true. he told us that ever since we talked to him the first time, he has been anxious to continue investigating because he feels like this is the right path. I left the lesson absolutely awestruck. He even said a perfect closing prayer. wow... the lord truly prepares people for his gospel. we just have to be diligent in searching for them. :)

we also did a service project to help someone build a house this week... well, we started to anyways. it crumbled in the earthquake, so we just cleaned up all the trash in the dirt and tried to smooth our the floor and stuff. Then we found out that he doesnt really own it... so we couldn't stay and help him actually start building the house. i was so bummed. i have been waiting my whole mission to be able to build a house. haha. it felt like fake service. oh well. i love helping people. so even if it was fake, i still felt good. haha.

anyways, those were the great events of the week. :) I hope you enjoyed them. I did. We're working crazy hard here. And just seeing miracle after miracle. Our ward is increasing, our investigators are progressing, our less actives are trusting us and starting to come back to church... I just love being a part of this work! haha.

sorry that your week won't be as cool as mine... but enjoy it anyways. eat lots of stuffing for me. and gravy. that doesn't exist here... haha. i love you all so much!

happy thanksgiving. :)

hermana spencer.

ps, i also got to see hermana fuentes this week. :)

p-day # 34

dear family,

So... it was an awesome week. :) I feel like my testimony is growing so much and that I am becoming a better missionary every day. As we have been studying Preach My Gospel together, we have been focusing on the questions that everyone here asks us, or the typical excuses that we hear in our contacts. And as we studied about the restoration of the gospel through Joseph Smith, I was just blown away at how incredible it is that we have the same church that jesus christ organized when he was here on the earth. There are no other churches on earth that have a prophet and 12 apostles. there are no other churches that have temples who do work for the dead. there are no other churches that have the authority to confer the holy ghost to those who have been baptized. and we do. we have all of these things. and it is all because the lord prepared his people to receive his gospel again, thanks to a 14 year old boy and his innocent undying faith. I am so grateful to be a member of the church of God. To have received a witness that I am part of his kingdom here on earth, and to have the chance to help others receive the truth once again. :) we gotta find those lost sheep, baby!

So one of our investigators, Alicia, who has been back and forth with her decision to be baptized since I got here FINALLY told us why she's been so indecisive. She told us that she knows she needs to be baptized, but that she's scared that if she saves herself, that she won't be able to be with her family forever, and she would rather perish with her family that be saved alone. I was so happy when i was able to tell her that she, through her efforts and faith, can be baptized for her loved ones who have passed away and can be sealed to her husband for eternity, but that the first step is her own baptism. she accepted a date in 3 weeks, and yesterday, she came to church as happy as a camper. :) The spirit was so strong in the lesson as we invited her to be baptized and she, after 25 years of having missionaries in her house, told us that she wants that more than anything. ah. i love the gospel!

Her daughter Teresa is also investigating, but since FOREVER has known that the church is true and has been waiting to be baptized until her not husband decides it's time to get married. This week, we had a family night with all of them and played memory with some of the commandments. It was one of my favorite lessons that I've ever had on my mission, and as her not husband bore his testimony about the prophets (he's a less active member of like 15 years), once again the spirit was so strong. I love this family so much! and I can hardly wait until they can get married so that they can be sealed! We're searching for every possible way to help them move up the date of their wedding. haha.

The Vargas family, who is a less active family we are working with because Juan Andres, the 10 year old son, is preparing to be baptized, is progressing so much. :) Helaman, who is 20, decided that he doesn't like the way his life is and that he wants it to be in harmony with the gospel again. so one day, he just broke up with his girlfriend of 2 years, started reading the book of mormon every day, is teaching his little brother what he learns... and he told us that he's maybe thinking about a mission. :) AH!!! haha.

Fernando Huanquilen, who is evangelist, is so closed. :( this week, we read 3rd Nephi 11 with him and his wife Maria Cecilia, and as we testified of how much our savior loves us and how he sacrificed his life for each one of us, the spirit was crazy strong. Both of us testified that the spirit only witnesses of truth, and that it cannot witness of things that don't come from god... and he was almost in tears because the spirit was so strong! but then, it was like his eyes were darkened, and he started trying to prove us wrong with his bible again. ugh. We know that he felt the spirit! It is frustrating when they have the truth right in their hands, but they are too hard hearted to accept it. :( We're still praying a TON that he will pray and feel that it is true.

then yesterday, we went on splits with our ward missionaries. :) I was really nervous to be out doing missionary work without a companion who has had a little training at least... but it was so awesome. .) It just amazes me that if we are working hard, that we will find the people who need our help in every moment. :) We are trying hard to focus on reactivating these less active members. This week, we're starting english classes and ward family night. If anyone has any ideas for what we could do as a ward, I would love to hear them. .)

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! And I love my companion so much. :) I am so grateful to be a part of such a great work. If I were not here, I don't know how this sector would be, and my goal is to help it become stronger than it was when I came. And that can only happen through hard work and lots of prayers. haha.

 

 

have a wonderful week family. :) muah!

hermana spencer.

p-day # 33

dear family and lovely fans,

well, it was another incredible week here in Las Avenidas. :) We had a baptism, taught 29 lessons, contacted 135 people, and found 12 new investigators. The Lord is truly blessing us here, and I feel so satisfied. When we put in more than our all, He gives us the strength to work and then gives us the blessings for our sacrifices. :)

Andrea was FINALLY baptized. haha. On Monday of last week, we went to talk to her about changing her date again because she didn't come to church last week. We told her that she has to take this seriously, and that until she comes to church 3 times in a row she couldn't be baptized. well, obviously she was crushed. :( We were too, and when we got back to our apartment that night, we both just felt really bad. :( So we prayed about it, and then talked to our district leader... and realized that we were toying with the designs of God by changing her date. So we called her, organized everything, and yesterday, she was baptized. :) It was one of the most beautiful moments of my mission so far. Although I was stressed out to the max, and freaking out because we thought there was no water in the font ten minutes before it started, and there weren't very many members there to support her, when her grandma started giving her talk, tears came to my eyes. We fought so hard for this girl to realize how much she loves her Father in Heaven. And to finally see her in white, so excited to take this gigantic step was overwhelming. She said the water was freezing cold, but that she just felt like a clean sheet, that she had started a new life. The musical number and talk from her 13 year old cousin brought the spirit even stronger, and as she bore her testimony, I just beamed. I love her so much. :) This has been such a long fight, but she has finally made it and she is changing her family for her courage. :) These kids down here I swear... haha.

We found 2 new people, Hernan and Nivian, who are super interested in learning where the true church of God is. The spirit was incredibly strong in our first lesson, and they were asking questions like the ones scripted in Preach my Gospel. haha. There are truly people prepared everywhere to hear the gospel. We just have to take out the trash talking to everyone in order to be able to find them. haha.

We are praying our hearts out that this ward will continue to grow every week. When I got here, there were about 40 people coming, but now we have over 70. :) yesterday, there was not an empty seat in the chapel... haha. We just gotta keep working with the less actives! haha. Man is there a lot of work to do here!

Well, that's all I have time to tell you today, but know that I am doing super well, working as hard as I can, talking to everyone, eating less, and sleeping like a rock. :) The mission is incredible. I am so grateful to be a carrier of this message to the people who don't have any knowledge of it. There is absolutely nothing that compares to this work. :)

I love you guys! Have a wonderful week. :)

p-day # 32

dear family and devoted fans,

well, my first week of training is over, and i could not be happier. :) I have the greatest companion ever. She is such a hard worker and she has such a great sense of humor that we laugh ALL DAY LONG!!! We have an event of the day every day... Thursday it was that she invited a schitzophrenic woman to be baptized but didn't realize she was schitzophrenic... haha. And yesterday it was when a contact told her that he doesn't respect spaniards because they invaded chile a million years ago and killed a bunch of people in the name of christ... to which she responded, "well, i wasn't there. so you should listen to our message." haha.

Our ward is doing fantastic. We have two moms here: Hna Duran and Hna Molina, and both of them are always calling us to make sure that we're eating and that we are safe in our house at night. I love them. :) Michelle got confirmed yesterday, and it was so beautiful. .) I was crying of course, because I'm always crying. haha. There was just such a sweet spirit and as her grandpa blessed her to be a guide for her family back to the temple, it just hit me that she has changed the course of her family for the better. :) Ah. I love the gospel, and I love being a missionary. :)

Andrea didn't come to church yesterday, so she won't be getting baptized on sunday. :( It's so sad that these people who are so prepared for the gospel and so prepared to be baptized don't understand the importance of complying with their commitments, and so we're going to talk to her about it again, but this time with the condition that she has to come to church 3 weeks in a row before she can have a date to be baptized again. I am goign to be praying really hard for her to make the decision to take this seriously.

But... we have 2 other people who are so strong and preparing for their baptisms. one of them is juan andres, who is 9 and a son of a less active family. the other day, we were teaching him the plan of salvation, and when we explained that only the people who have been baptized into the church of jesus christ o latter day saints can live in the celestial kingdom with heavenly father. and he said "then i need to be a member right now." haha. it was so sweet. :) and before i had finished the baptismal invitation, he said yes. haha. we are so excited for him. it just makes me so happy that these children are changing their families. because of his desires to be baptized, his mom is now coming to church again and his brother is reading the book of mormon with them. :)

then teresa, who has been an investigator for like 5 years now because she's not married, came to church yesterday. it was the coolest lesson ever! we had prayed before to know what to say... and we went from the beginning of the restoration to the importance of baptism to the gift of the holy ghost... and when we had talked about the gift of the holy ghost and how we can be guided in all of our decisions in our lives and feel comfort and peace always, she said... "that's it. i'm going to church tomorrow." she has had every bad experience in the church, but she came yesterday. :) and she said that she felt so good and that she is going to come every week, and that she is going to talk to her boyfriend about getting married right away so that she can get baptized. she's sick of waiting. :) it was such a miracle. :) ah.

i seriously am so grateful that heavenly father has given me this opportunity to be a part of this marvelous work. through my efforts, he is working his miracles. And when I work hard, the blessins and miracles multiply. This week was amazing. :) and I know that it was because of our diligence and faith and prayers. :) The Lord truly is waiting to bless us when we do what he asks of us, we just need to do our part. He loves us so much, and he wants us to be happy. Never ever forget that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass, and that every challenge we go through brings even greater blessings. :)

muah! i love you all! have a wonderful week. :)
hermana spencer.