Dad, I sent you the address but if you didn't get it it's right here:
This is the new address for the postal box in El Paso, Texas.
1410 Gail Borden Suite B-4
El Paso, Texas 79935
*Do not send any more packages to the old addresses, because starting November 1st, they will cease to exist.
** Make sure your parents follow the following format when they send you packages:
In the TO box have them write: MISSION: _____(YOUR NAME)____
Sample:
Sample:
I got that today so it's the right one.
But this week I had some cool experiences. My first is I fasted this week to try and get a little bit of help with Spanish and right after I ended my fast, I went to teach an old couple, Manuel and Olga. And they are soo sweet, I love them to death. But once I got there Manuel said that I wasn't his friend because in the lessons I was really quiet, mainly because I can't really understand him when he doesn't have his teeth in which is most of the time.. But he said he wanted to help me learn Spanish! What a blessing to have help during lessons. Every time I got to their house he makes me tell him a story in Spanish and helps me when I need it. What an awesome guy and an answer to my prayers.
The other thing that was cool is because we have this one investigator whose name is Alberto and he is 17 and speaks really good English so I love teaching him. I get along with him really well and have been through some of the things he has gone through like getting ready to graduate high school and dealing with the ACT and all the stresses of that. But he wants to get baptized soon which is awesome, but his dad is really strict and wants him to wait so that's frustrating. But the cool part is that we went outside wth him to talk and he said that he is having a hard past two months and needed help so I showed him a scripture and told him about how I have been dealing with leaving home for two years and it looked like it really helped him.
My spiritual thought is what I shared with Alberto found in Jacob 4:7 [Nevertheless, the Lord God showeth us our weakness that we may know that it is by his grace, and his great condescensions unto the children of men, that we have power to do these things.] This scritpure says to me that we can't do everything alone and that we need to realize how much we rely on the grace of God in all things and how much he is with us even though things may be really hard. But I love you all so much and miss you tons and hope you all have a good week. And look for the Grace of God in all things.
Love,
Elder St John
Picture of Elders Gonzales and Moya making tortillas.
Oh Spencer, my heart is so full when I read about your experiences. I love that you know from whom your blessings come and are willing to sacrifice to receive those blessings. I love that Heavenly Father is so mindful of you and that you recognize His love for you and that He answers your prayers. It indeed is through the grace of the Lord God that you will have power to give great service to the people in Mexico. I love you so very much.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading about the 2000 stripling warriors in the Book of Mormon, and they remind me so much of missionaries. There are so many great words of wisdom in this story, but here is one of my favorite verses: "And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted." So much in life depends on our obedience and observing the commandments with "exactness" like these 2000 young men did! You'd think I'd be old enough to be better at this, but I'm trying to refocus my time and energy in being more obendient and exact in keeping the commandments. Anyway, you are in such a great time and place where you get to devote 100% of your time doing what Grandpa Mangum always taught--serving or preparing to serve. We are praying for you here and know you will be a wonderful missionary. Both Katelyn and Mason talked a lot about how hard it was to learn Spanish at the beginning their missions, but look at them now! With work and perseverence, speaking Spanish will become natural to you in no time. I love you a lot Spencer, and am so excited for the next two years!!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Julie (and Tom too)