ASL es major

Dear Familia,
>
> Como estas!! (Tu form is strange...)
>
> Deeeeear mother, you did WHAT!?!?!?! Que en el MUNDO were you doing??
> I am sorry that you can't do anything with a broken elbow. You're in
> my prayers.
>
> Evz, You got asked to WHAT!?!?!?! Holy cow. My little brotha is
> growing up. Do you hold her hand? jajajaja, oh evz, you kill me.
>
> Errrn, Gracias por las fotos! Fotoz of the week is where its at! I
> will try and send one hoy, but who knows if this will work! Also, that
> is way way WAY cool with NFYC Brother and Sister Doman! I love them!
>
> Dad, How was seeing all of your family? I am SOOOoooOOOOOOOO thrilled
> about Teresa's son Billy!! He was at Dixie and got BAPTISED?! This
> makes me so happy! Seriously. Way to go member missionaries at Dixie
> State!
>
> The obra aqui is going well... mas o menos! None of our investigators
> showed up to church... JUST COME TO CHURCH! Blaaah! They will! But
> with time.
>
> This week a family in our ward were able to go to the Temple to be
> sealed for time and all eternity! Really awesome! We didn't go to the
> temple or anything, but they wanted us to go to their house for dinner
> last Thursday. We show up and the 2 missionaries that taught them
> (that had already gone home) were also there. It wasn't as strange for
> me because I didn't know them before, but Hermana Jones was pretty
> weirded out. And Elder Lancheros. They are all so awesome! La familia
> Castro! Its Hermano y Hermana Castro, and then their daughter Vianna
> (7 years). I just love this little girl! She always will find me and
> give me a giant hug! So cute. And she always remembers that I have
> estickers on me!
>
> Hermana Juana Mata is so funny. She is the recent convert that we
> teach how to read every week. She is so cute! She is this old lady
> from El Salvador, and doesn't have any teeth, so it is SO hard for me
> to understand what she says.. It's alright, because I still love her.
> And her two grand-daughters, Emily (3) and Elizabeth (5). These two
> little girls are the exact same size. So funny!! They always remember
> my estickers as well :D I was sitting next to Juana in Sacrament
> meeting, and her phone on full blast goes off.... And then at the end
> of Sacrament someone elses phone goes off. Just leave your phone at
> home for 3 hours! I promise you can live without it for 3 hours! Jaja,
> oh Juana. Hermana Monica Franco (also a recent convert)is feeding us
> on Miercoles..... I am a little scared as to what she is planning of
> feeding us. Jajaja. Bless her alma.
>
> La familia Gonzalez... Yeah I'm going to have to get back to you on
> them because we are super confused by them. They won't come to church,
> but then Sunday before church we went and stopped by one of her
> neighbors house, and Marta Gonzalez was outside and waved us down and
> was like "I really want to come to church, but we just have to be on
> the same page." But we are possitive that its the mother that is
> holding everyone back?? We have no idea.
>
> La familia Leos. Darn it. He is so awesome! Last week we went over to
> teach their family, and he had started reading el Libro de Mormon from
> the begining (like even the testimony's of the 3 witnesses), and he
> was seriously on fire, ready to get baptised and everything! Then we
> went back on Friday, and his "esposa" was like "SOMOS CATOLICA!"
> Yikes. They were arguing back and forth with Hermana Jones y Yo still
> there...Ricardo was like "No, I am not catholic!" She doesn't want to
> mix a religion in their household, which is understandable, but still.
> And then they didn't show up to church. We have little to no idea what
> we're going to do with them. I just pray, pray, and then pray some
> more for them.
>
> Cecilia Sanchez didn't show up to church either. Man oh man. Sorry
> this e-mail doesn't have that great of news about our investigators..
> jajaja,
> but I do NOT get discouraged! I just get more determined!
>
> A good thing that happened this week (besides the awesome familia
> Castro), is that we have some investigators - Rosa and Juan. Rosa is
> Juan's grandmother, and Rosa speaks Spanish. Juan is deaf, and can
> read lips a little bit, but knows American Sign Language. We were
> praying that we would find someone that would be able to help us out.
> And then at the Dinner for the familia Castro, we ran into one of the
> members named Hemma, that used to be in the ward, but now goes to the
> singles ward. Way cool member! She's a returned missionary and she is
> just awesome! She speaks Spanish, English, AND AMERICAN SIGN
> LANGUAGE!! I tell you. God hears and answers our prayers and I know
> that to be true con todo de mi corazon! Hemma is going to come with us
> to teach Juan so that she can they translate what we are saying from
> Spanish, to English, to ASL. So cool!
>
> Okay family, I hope all y'all are doing fine and dandy! If I were any
> more dandy, I'd be a lion! Love you all so much, and thank you all for
> everything you do!
>
> Con MUCHISIMO amor,
> Hermana Spencer

Oh, Samuel....

Hola Familia!

How is every lil thing? Texas is great. Its about 60 degrees here
every day. Me ENCANTA!!!! I am very sleep all of the time, but I love
it!!!!!!!

Texas, and all of the people here are actually reminding me a ton of
when we lived in Florida. Its funny how these things can be brought
back to your rememberance! I love it. The food - I learned how to make
flutas, and very yummy salsa. And weird thing is, I've actually lost
weight...? I'm confused about that one.

This week was really good!! We were knocking doors one night and ran
into a family of four - The Castillo Family. They are awesome. They
have a lot of really good questions and boy oh boy, the Dad, Gerardo
knows his bible really well! He took the Book of Mormon very well
actually, a lot better than what I was thinking. What I like about the
Castillo family is that they let you talk. And when you testify to
them they say very supportive things about Christ's church. I know
that the Mom feels the spirit! You can just tell when you look in her
eyes! This family will probably take some time, but I just love them!

We also taught Jose and his wife Alejandra Castro. Now, Jose. He
believes that 9 years ago a witch cast a spell on him and that he has
been cursed by him ever since....... (at least that is what I
understood. this was all in spanish.) But we talked to him about
prayer, and repentance, and that he can become clean. He has a true
desire to be baptised. Also: I guess about 20 years ago he was taught
by missionaries!!! So cool!

Ricardo Leos and his "wife" we found out are not casado!!
NOOOooooOOOOooo!... It's okay. Ricardo likes it enough that I think
that he will want to still be married to his "esposa" and still be
baptised. They've lived together for 11 years- since they've had
Maria, their 11 year old daughter! Maria is so funny. Maria can speak
english, but I make her talk to me in Spanish. She loves church, and
is really excited to be baptised!

La familia Gonzalez. The Noche de Hogar fell through last minute. That
was sad. I really think that is what they need, but they just are
afraid to act. Then they didn't come to church again, so I'm not
really sure what will happen. They are the best family ever. I just
wish that they would come to church! Rubi the 7 year old daughter is
the greatest example. Hermana Jones and I made these paper flowers for
Marta (the mother) because her sister had just passed away. On each of
the flowers we wrote scriptures of comfort. Both in the Book of
Mormon, and the Bible. Anyways, Rubi and Marta were reading some of
the scriptures, and Rubi was like, "one more, mama!" They are such a
sweet family, and I have no doubt in my mind that someday they will be
baptised. Just am not sure when that day will be.

Elder Duncan from the seventy came and spoke wilth us for a Mission
Conference! It was soo good! Wow. I learned so much from him. He
started the meeting asking us to ask ourselves what we would like to
learn from the spirit today. My two questions were:
- How can I be a more faithful and a more diligent missionary?
- What is is that I need to teach my future children?
Do you know what he focused on during most of the meeting?
Love, and Charity.
This one subject answered both of my questions. I can be more faithful
and diligent by loving the people, and by having the same vision for
them that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for them. And I can
teach my future children to Love One Another, and Christ has loved
them - by giving them that same love. (sorry I realize the redundance
of that last sentence. Just take it for what it is.) I can see the
eternal worth of people, and it makes me so sad when I see the people
not doing these simple things like reading their scriptures, and going
to church. I can imagine that this is how Heavenly Father feels when
He sees one of his children make a small wrong decision. Or when he
can see how close we are to making the right decision, but then we
don't have the faith to act! I just want to show these people their
eternal worth, and just how much Heavenly Father loves them!

In the middle of the conference:

President durrant likes to make up songs.
The song has four verses, and the last verse is very much like the first three!!

I'm in Heaven,
I'm in Heaven,
In the Texas Dallas Mission
I'm in Heaven.

Then Sister Durrant stands up
"And my version of the song goes.... I'm in Heaven, 'cause I've got Devin"
bajajajajaja! Oh, President and Sister Durrant are so great!

okay funny story of the week:
Hermana Jessica Jones (from Idaho Falls, mom) and I were knocking, and
we talk to everyone that we see! So we see this kid who is about 15
years old. His name is Samuel. Looks about 5 feet tall, and had this
saweeet mexi-pre-teen-stache goin' on.
We gave him a pass along card - with the # he can call to get the
Finding Faith in Jesus Christ video on it. Anyways, as we shake his
hand goodbye he says in ENGLISH "you 2 are preeety...." and they
slyfully puts his arm on my shoulder like he was giving me an awkward
side hug.
I'M SORRY WHAT???
jajajajaja, I can laugh about it now, but at that moment I was like --
Hermana Jones, please save me!!!
So great. I'm glad that I can get complements when I'm on a MISSION
and when I DON'T get ready for the day. So cool!

One more story:
I think that my favorite part of the week was in coordination meeting
actually, with the ward mission leader, Hermano Madrano. In our
district we have 2 Elders, Hna. Jones and I, and then a set of Senior
Missionaries. Hermano y Hermana Bagley (love them!) Anyways, Hermana
Bagley does not speak any spanish. So in coordination meeting Hermano
Madrano ended the meeting with his testimony in English. Holy cow! The
spirit just swept into the room. The all of us sisters in the room
were just crying our little eyes out! I know EXACTLY how it is trying
to testify to someone in a language that you've never learned before.
Anyways. I love the ward I am serving in - Rowlett 3rd! Best Bishop,
Best ward mission leader! Awesome!

Anyway family (and frenz), know how much I love you! I pray for you every day!

Te amo muchisisisisimo!
Hermana [e]Spencer

p.s. y'all should send me like a picture of the week or something! Just an idear

Rowlet Norte

FAMILY!!!

 

Oh. My. Goooooodnesss!!! I love y'all so so so much! Texas is way different than what I was expecting, but is just way awesome! President Durrant is very persistant on wanting the Spanish Missionaries use their Spanish, so I do not teach anything in English. All Spanish! Woooot Woooot!!

 

So as you can see, my very first area is Rowlett Norte! We have the best bishop ever, and the people are SO loving!

Okay, So this week has been kind of crazy.

 

We got to Texas and the very first thing we did was went to the mission home, had a testimony meeting, and some food, and then some missionaries came and got us, and we went out and taught with them! It was way fun!!! I love tocando las puertas!!

Then that night I stayed with the English sisters that live with members and had some blue bell ice cream. I guess that stuff is famous here. Then Brother Hales gave us mini Preach My Gospels! In Spanish, and they are so cute!!!

 

The next morning we had this orientation meeting thing about a whole bunch of reglas... that was kind of long, but then at the end of the meeting all of the trainers showed up, and from the second that I saw Hermana Jones I just knew she was my nueva companiera! She is awesome!!! I love her so much. So glad that she can speak Spanish, because I do still struggle. We loaded everything up in el carro (no bikes for this transfer), and headed straight to our apartment. I really love our apartment, as fun as it is... las cucarachas like it as well! jaja! We also live next door to some burrachos, and pit bulls, and all sorts of fun people! I just love it. I seriously just soak it up.

 

So then we went to a few appointments, which went really well, and then went and did some door contacting. I guess about 90% of the people we teach, we find from door contacts. I always know which houses the hispanics live in. There are a few clues to look for, which include but are not limited to:

- zillions of frogs on the doorstep

- billions of cars in front of the house

- Christmas lights are still up, and are still lit

- sometimes a virgin mary outside the house (with Christmas lights around it as well)

 

Oh, I love it. The foooooooooood too!!! YUM! I get fed tamales, carne asada, and tortillas! So good.

 

A lot of the people that we teach are either from Mexico, or El Salvador. They are all really cool!

 

So we are teaching this family, the Gonzales family, and they are all so awesome! They have the cutest kids, and are just loving all that we teach them. (p.s. mom, thanks for all the stickers you've sent! I give them out to all the the kids, and they love it!) The only thing is that they don't like church - they said it was becuase we don't talk enough about Christ, but I think they just came on a bad Sunday that they talked about the importance of being on time to church... we taught them about how its the spirit that is the teacher and invited them to church again. And at the end of the apt, the daughter prayed that they would be able to go to church, but then they weren't there yesterday... Esta bien.  Hermana Alverez (the Bishops wife) went over there yesterday and invited them to Noche de hogar! I think this is just what they need, and so we are excited about tonight!!!

 

Church yesterday was kind of a doozy for me. I didin't understand anything of what was going on. Except for in releif society when they had me introduce myself... "Soy Hermana Spencer..... Soy de Utah..." jajaja. Oh, bless my alma. But I love releif society. Every sister greets eachother with a kiss. love it. We have to watch out for the Hermanos because sometimes, they'll getcha! The awesome part about church was that we had Ricardo Leos and his 11 year old daughter Maria show up at church! It was way sweet!! They both have baptism dates set, but we may have to move it back so we can teach them all that they need to be taught (we are really hoping that Ricardo and his wife/girlfriend are married!) I think they are, but we still havn't asked them...... should be interesting.

 

Okay, well family! I love y'all so much! I can really feel all of your prayers, and I pray for you each every day as well :) LOVE YOU!!

 

Hermana eSpencer (this is how they all pronounce mi nombre. jajaja)