Short and Sweet May 10, 2022

Hello all! Today was our P-Day because we got to go to the temple! 

Because of that I don't have very much time to write this as we have 6 hours of driving today. So I apologize in advance advance those of you who have written me or reached out I won't have very much time to read and reply reply your emails! I will get back to you as soon as I can! 

This week flew by, we had an exchange yesterday and every place we went to we saw a really neat miracle! One was when our friend Mike said he knew we were gonna come by today before we came! We ended up having a super great lesson! 

The temple was great, very peaceful! If you haven't been in awhile I invite you to go. If you want to learn more about temples just let me know! 

Hope you all have a great week! 

Elder Spencer 

Two Exchanges and Exciting Times! May 2, 2022

Hello everyone! Hope all is going well with all of you! Spring has begun to come out here in Champaign and it is really nice! 

This week flew by once again. Started off with a great miracle in our lesson with Shannon Monday. We were talking with him and invited him to be baptized, he said the classic "I've already been baptized" but we talked a bit more and he was like well I wasn't baptized by the proper authority so yes I want to be baptized! It was so cool, he is on date for June so that will be exciting! 

We had exchanges with the Rantoul Elders. I went to Rantoul and got to be with my second son Elder Johnson!! It was super great, I loved serving with him again. We had some great lessons with people and we just caught up with each other and shared good memories! 

We then worked hard Thursday and got ready for our St.Louis trip. We went down Friday moring, had MLC which was super awesome, learned lots and found things that we can improve and take to our zone! 

Then we went on exchanges with the AP's. That was fun. We stayed in St.Louis the rest of Friday and most of Saturday. We walked the streets and talked to as many people as we could! We met a super awesome lady named Olivia, she is so ready for the gospel and it was cool to talk with someone who wants to learn! 

On our way home from St.Louis we stopped by Blue Springs Cafe where they sell foot high pies. It was a cool experience eating at a mid-western cafe on the side of the freeway, it was good food, and the pie was a foot high and tasted great! 

Church yesterday was great, my spiritual thought comes from church. 

There was a brother that bore his testimony and gave a cool analogy. He talked about a son and his mom. There was a door in a house that was really hard to open and the little boy was on one side and couldn't turn the handle. He grabbed it and held on and cried and yelled but couldn't get it open. The mom on the other side was trying to calm the boy down and tell him to let go so she could open the door. 

He then went on to compare us to the little boy and God to the mom. In life we sometimes hold on to worry, stress, and sin. God tells us to let go and give it to Him. I've found that when we give our pains and worries to God He will take them and give us peace and love in return. It takes continues faith building and repenting but God is a God of mercy and wants to forgive! 

Love you all!

Elder Spencer 

Warm Weather April 25, 2022

Hey everyone! The weather here is getting warmer, the trees are blooming it is feeling more and more like spring! 

Started this week on exchanges I went with a great Elder and we had a good time teaching and finding. We taught our friend Denise who is preparing for baptism and it was super powerful! She has a strong desire to progress, it is just tough getting in contact with her sometimes. We do our best though! 

I noticed throughout the week little promptings that added up to bigger things. For example on that happened just yesterday. In the morning I felt that we should go and visit a member family up in a certain part of our area. 

We went up there knocked the door and they weren't home. Odd, but we were up there for a reason. We were driving and I remembered our friend Komi who lives up there. We were able to stop by and teach him a great lesson. 

But it didn't end there. We went to knock a door we had a record for. We parked outside her house and Elder Peterson said we need to move, so we drove up a few houses and then parked. I felt awkward about it all but we got out went and knocked the lady's door she answered but was busy. As we were walking back we felt that we should knock one of the doors we parked outside of and we met Roger! 

Roger cool, we didn't have time right then for a lesson but he said we could come back next week so that was exciting! As we were leaving we felt that Roger was the reason we went up to visit that family.

That was a pretty big highlight of the week, hope you are all doing well! 

Elder Spencer 

Zone Conference and Davinci April 18, 2022

Hey everyone this week was pretty good! 

We started off the week going down to O'Fallon, IL for our zone conference which was pretty good. Felt that there were lots of things I needed to improve upon which will help me grow lots. 

Did lots of contacting and attempted lessons this weel, lots fell through but that's the life sometimes. 

Got to go on exchanges this week in YSA, that was loads of fun! I went to their area and me and the Elder there talked to lots of people! We both were hesitant at first but we built on each others confidence and we ended up talking to lots of people got a few people who are interested so that was great! 

Easter Sunday was pretty solid church was great and we had our friend Davinci attend. He was a referall from Saturday said he was looking for things to do around Champaign so we invited him to church. He came, and even got there an hour early! We gave him a church tour and he really enjoyed it! 

Well that's about all for now, 

Elder Spencer 

Choices and Long Days April 11, 2022

Hey everyone! 

This week was tiring, mentally and emotionally. Lots of things came up and choices had to be made. Lots of times I over think things or struggle to know what to do especially leading out the area. However at the end of each day this week everything turned out to be ok. During the day though it was stress and a sruggle at times to stay positive but we got through it! 

We had a few great lessons this week, one in particular that I'll mention. We taught a man named Adegboyega. We went into it knowing that he has lightly bashed with missionaires in the past but we ended up having a great spirit filled lesson with him. Elder Peterson and I looked at each other when we were done and said, "That was not us leading that lesson" It was all God! 

We got to get outside a bit and do some service one of the days this week, that is always nice to get some fresh air! 

We had many days this week that did not go according to what we had planned at all but they always worked out. It is neat to see the hand of the Lord in all things. 

I felt peace this week in studying the scriptures and also in fervent prayer to our Heavenly Father. Listening to General Conference talks as well has helped me focus on what is most important through the good and bad days: Jesus Christ. 

I've felt His love even if very faintly but it is there right when I seem to need it. 

I can promise that our Heavenly Father is very aware of each and every single one of you and He loves you!! 

I hope you all have a great week!! 

Elder Spencer 

The Ghetto Arch and General Conference! April 5, 2022

Hi one and all! I hope you are all doing well! 

This week was kind of wild! Lots happened and it was good. Started off with some exchanges with the Tuscola Elders, those were great. We were able to set up lots of lessons for this week during that exchange so it was nice to do a bunch of that. 

We had an in-person MLC this week again on Friday. Down to St. Louis. MLC was super amazing, and learned a lot about how we can help the work move forward. We talked about consecration and how to be more dedicated missionaries. 

On the way home from transfers we stopped by the ghetto arch and took some pictures, see below! Haha it was fun. 

General Conference was amazing! There was so much to take in, if you haven't watched it I encourage you to do so! 

I'd love to hear what something was that stuck out to you all from the Conference!! 

A couple things that struck me were from the Prophet Russell M. Nelson. He invited us to build positive spiritual momentum. I'm excited to grow my own momentum in learning about the Savior and following through on promptings. Another thing the Prophet invited us to do was to let go of anger/conflict in our hearts and to seek forgiveness. It is something I've tried to do over the last bit and it has already helped a ton! The Prophet is truly inspired! I encourage you to all heed his words! 

We had a wonderful experience Sunday evening. I was feeling pretty stressed out and tired, lots of stuff happened, Conference was great but a little overwhelming. So 7:45pm rolled around and we were contacting some of our friends and all of a sudden I had a prompting that we needed to go visit one of our friends. Funny thing was we had just called her twice and she didn't answer so I was like "really we need to visit her?" So I get up and tell Elder Peterson we need to go visit Denise. 

So we whip out and go to her place, we walk up to her apartment complex which is one of those locked ones but a resident let us in since he was just getting there. We walked in and then got into an elevator and the same resident who let us into the building ended up in the elevator with us going to the same floor. We started talking to him, his name is Mark. We got out of the elevator and ended up having a 45min conversation with him about God and miracles. He said multiple times that God was in the details of us meeting. He ended up not being interested in a message but the conversation left us all smiling and uplifted! It was wonderful! 

I hope you are all well!! 

Elder Spencer   

A Baptism and Another Trio? Mar 28, 2022

Hi family and friends! I hope you are doing well, staying safe and happy! 

This week was really really crazy. Probably the most stressed I've ever been but also the most peace I have ever felt. Weird how those can exist in the same week but here we go! 

Started off this week with exchanges. I stayed in our area and served with a stud of an Elder. We worked hard and had a really cool experience finding. So we knocked on a dot of someone who we have taught previously and he didn't answer. I turned around to go back to the car but looked up and saw this lady standing by her door. My past self would have just gone back to the car and drove off but this time I felt we needed to go talk to her. So off we went and ended up having a great conversation and gave her a Book of Mormon! So that was awesome! 

Wednesday we had a Zoom Zone Conference which was amazing. I learned the importance of talking WITH everyone not TO everyone. Big difference there so that is something I've been trying to work on. 

Wednesday night we got some news. Our Mission President called us as we were driving to a lesson and asked: "You Elders sitting down?" Our hearts both dropped we knew something big was about to happen. Turns out some stuff went down in the mission and they had to do some emergency transfers. Elder Gross was asked to pack his stuff and be ready to leave by Friday afternoon and I was told my new companion would be coming up Thursday morning since we were having interviews with President Bell. That was a shock, many emotions. Elder Gross had only been here 5 weeks and now he was getting transferred! 

Thursday our new companion arrived. Elder Peterson. He is from Riverton, Utah and has been a missionary for 25 months! (Long story if you want details just fire me an email.) He has only been in the MSLM for 2 months though so it's been fun catching him up to speed with how we work as a mission. 

After President Interviews and Zone Council President Bell interviewed Delores for baptism and she passed. Our President said it was the most special interview he has ever done. It was amazing. 

So originally Elder Gross was going to leave Friday afternoon but President Bell gave him permission to stay until Sunday so he could be a part of Delores' baptism and confirmation. 

So we lived the trio life for a few days which was super fun I love being in trios. 

Saturday was a special day. We got the font filled after a scary incident. The font didn't have enough hot water to fill up with a continuous stream so we had to fill it up for a little wait for it to heat up again and then fill it up again. So it was stressful but we got it all the way full. 

Then we had a wonderful service, some talks and music and then the baptism of Delores. It was such a special moment. Elder Gross and I both got in with her because she has mobility issues so that was neat. She was so happy and the Spirit was very strong. 

Sunday was special as well, it was our Ward Conference so the Stake Presidency was there and Delores was confirmed. Also very spirit filled and special. She is so amazing and I am excited to see her progression. 

Sunday, after church Elder Gross left to St.Louis and Elder Peterson and I got to work. I am excited to work with Elder Peterson he is a great Elder. 

I am so excited for General Conference this weekend! I invite you all to think of and write down questions you have. I promise as you do that you will find answers as you listen to the Prophets and Apostles we have living here on the earth today. 

This is the best work on the earth! Elder Spencer 

Answers to a Prayer Mar 21, 2022

Hello everyone! How are you all? I'd love to hear from you! 

This week was crazy! We were running around teaching, finding having meetings and enjoying the warm sunshine! 

We taught Delores a couple times and she is so awesome!! She also came to church on Sunday which was super great! We are excited for her baptism this weekend! Pray for her and that all goes well this upcoming week! 

We got to help a member fix his fence that blew down this past windstorm we had. It was fun. Great to be outside and work hard! 

We got to go on exchanges with the Assistants this week, I had lots of fun with the Elder I was with. He had served up here awhile ago and we taught some people that he had found and one that he had baptized so it was super fun to see those reunions and to work hard with him! 

I've been thinking about how powerful prayer is lately, it seems to be something I write about a decent amount but I had a really neat experience receiving an answer to prayer yesterday. We had some issues arise with Delores' baptism and I was feeling quite stressed about the situation. I thought about things I had been studying throughout the past few days. About baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost (coincidence, I think not). And then took my thoughts to our loving Father in Heaven in prayer. As I prayed I did my best to listen and to open my heart and mind to the Spirit. I received answers which I wrote down so I wouldn't forget. I still felt little uneasy even after getting answers, and quite honestly didn't know if those were the answers that would fix the problem. However as we tackled the first thing I felt prompted to do we saw very quickly an answer to our problem. It was a testimony to me that we get answers by study and by faith! 

Sorry for that brick of text, if you read it all give yourself a pat on the back! Love you all! 

Elder Spencer 

You're not Gonna Wanna Miss This One! Mar 14, 2022

Hi everybody, I hope you are all doing well! 

This week was crazy, went by so fast and felt like we did so much yet so little. 

We started off with exchanges with the Effingham Elders and it was super fun. I was able to go with Elder Storment, my old comp and it was super fun!! We reconnected and reminessed on the good old days but also had some great lessons and finding opportunities working together. Also on our exchange we caught a mouse. We discovered we had one a few days earlier, bought a trap on P-Day and nabbed him. It was quite the experience! 

We had lots of great lessons this week but I wanted to highlight one in particular with our friend Dolores. She is so amazing. We taught her a couple times this week. First lesson we talked a lot about her smoking, she was doing about 4 a day still and wants to quit so bad. She's been doing it for about 50 years so it is very hard to kick. We talked about the Priesthood and blessings we offered to give her one and she said yes. We gave her one and dunked her cigarettes in milk, a cool trick Elder Gross knows. We left her and when we came back a couple days later we had a cool experience. So we had promised her that after the blessing any cigarette would taste absolutely horrible, it was a bold promise. But we found out that after we left she had bought another pack and smoked one from it, unaltered and all and she said it tasted nasty.  She then tried the ones dipped in milk and they were even worse! It was so cool. She kept asking "how?", "how?". The only explanation I have is that it was God. It makes no sense how those cigarettes tasted nasty, especially the fresh one she tried. I know that God is real. 

For P-day today we got to go onto the College Football stadium and played some football and spikeball, it was really fun!! 

The weather is getting nice so we've gone outside lots and are talking with everyone we can. The members in our ward continue to help out so much and are getting easier to work with more and more. I really love it here in Champaign, IL!! 

Love you all!  Elder Spencer 

Couple Road Trips and a Flat Tire, Mar 7, 2022

Hi everyone! This week flew by again. I say it every time but it's true! 

Started out the week by going down to St.Louis for MLC, a 9 hour day of driving and having a meeting. I enjoyed it though. Elder Gross and I jammed out to some (approved) tunes. Learned lots in MLC and then came back home. 

We had a few great lessons this week. Elder Gross and I are getting used to teaching with one another so it's been pretty great. We taught Elizabeth again. We actually had dinner with a family and they invited Elizabeth. She came and it was great. We ate some good food and had an awesome lesson. Elizabeth said she has learned so much in just this short amount of time more than her whole life in her earlier church. The Book of Mormon is powerful, it teaches and helps us to come closer to Heavenly Father.

Friday we drove to Springfield, IL for a Zone Conference. That was an awesome Conference. I learned lots about faith and why it's important and how we grow it. Something I've seen time and time again is when I follow little promptings even if I think they are dumb or insignificant they end up helping someone else in ways I would've never thought possible. 

Saturday we had exchanges with the YSA Elders. I went to their area which meant we went to campus again. It was way warmer this time around which made it so enjoyable. We were pretty bold in talking to people and trying our best to share messages about Christ. Overall it was a great week! 

Yesterday the pressure in one of our tires went down, it had happened like 3 other times this week, so we went and got it filled up. Elder Gross then noticed a nail sticking out of the tire. He pulled it out and we then proceeded to take off the tire and stick on our donut. Luckily we were able to take it into a shop this morning so now we have 4 new tires! yay! :) 

Today we had our zone activity and it was super fun. We've got a stellar group of Elders and Sisters and we played some volleyball and then had root beer floats. It was a blast!

Hope you are all doing well! 

Elder Spencer  

Some pics as promised 

Down to a Two-Man Again! Feb 28, 2022

Well hello everyone!! This week was absolutely insane so let's get right into it! 

Started off by saying goodbye to Elders Davis, Olson and Jensen. That was tough, they are all awesome missionaries and I'm gonna miss serving with them for sure! 

Got my new companion, Elder Gross (pronounced Graws). He is from Mountain View, Wyoming! He grew up on a ranch and loved it and he has been super fun to work with so far! 

He has been out just a couple months longer than me so he has lots of experience under his belt and he speaks just a little spanish so that has been fun with our friends who speak spanish. 

We had tons of awesome lessons this week. I could write for days about what happened but I'll keep it short! We taught the Peruvian family of 4, Dolores, Elizabeth and lots of members! They all went pretty well. Elder Gross and I have started to be unified. It'll take time but it'll be great! 

We had an amazing miracle. We had 8 people we are teaching come to church this week. It was crazy! The Peruvian family came, Elizabeth and her two sons and our friend Paula who we just met this week. It was crazy helping them meet members and make connections. It all worked out and they all loved it! I am super excited to keep working with all these individuals! 

One thing that has been on my mind as of late is faith. One train of thought I've had is that if we aren't doing something to grow our faith. Our faith will decrease. We can never have our faith at a stand still it always will be increasing or decreasing. Even if it is only increasing a little bit or decreasing by a little bit it is still happening. That was cool for me to realize, it takes effort and work to grow faith. Some of the best ways to do it are to read the scriptures, pray and keep the commandments. When I've done these things I have seen changes in me that have helped me come closer to Christ and it has made me happy! 

Anyways, Love you all! 

(Sorry I don't have any pics, I'll try to get some for next time!)