“If ye have desires to serve God, ye are called to the work.”

Hey momma how are you this fine Monday afternoon?;) And yes Conference was amazing for me as well. Also yes it was still amazing in Spanish. It helped me to realize that it doesn’t matter what language it’s in, it’s still as powerful if we let it be.:) Story: (the following took place in Spanish...;) haha) I was talking to our mamita before conference and telling her how it was lame that I couldn’t listen to conference in English. Claudia said: Why? You can understand Spanish can’t you? I said: Well yes.. but.. it’s not the same to not hear the apostles voice... Claudia said: Elder, I haven’t ever heard the apostles voice in their talks...This experience stuck out to me a lot. Many Latinos never have heard the voice of the prophet and still listen to conference and get the same from it. Although I would have liked to listen in English, it doesn’t matter because well like an apostle said in conference: the language of the gospel is universal. So I went into conference with a better mindset after this and had an amazing time. I understood almost everything and I received a ton of guidance and things I needed from the spirit!:) so the moral of the story is: The language of the spirit and gospel is universal but what isn’t is our attitude. We have to have the right attitude to receive and listen to the guidance of the spirit.:)

Things are going great here in Quellón. Jaime is progressing awesomely! This week we taught him about the priesthood and the dutys of the calling.:) So it was great! Unfortunately he couldn’t come to conference but we are going to share a talk with him and watch it with him this week.:) so that will be great!:) Also I can’t remember if I have used Alma 42 in the mission but I had the feeling to use that with Jaime as well so we are going to share that with him this week..) And actually a couple other investigators as well. Also this last week we had zone meeting and talked about the new Easter initiative which is #PrinceOfPeace or Honoring the Prince of Peace Jesus Christ. We have already been doing a lot of contacts with that so we will see how that goes.:)

Conference was bomb. I have like 11 pages of notes and that’s with listening in Spanish so I’m surprised I had as much notes, but it was great and there was a lot I loved. I loved Elder Sabin’s talk and his reference to the Force! Actually in Uchtdorf’s talk I was waiting the whole time for him to make a reference to the force and how darkness comes from fear, like Anakin.. haha. I was thinking about Star Wars a lot after Sabin’s quote...;) haha just think about it...;)

Elder Uchtdorf - "It is true that fear can have a powerful influence over our actions and behavior. But that influence tends to be temporary and shallow. Fear rarely has the power to change our hearts, and it will never transform us into people who love what is right and who want to obey Heavenly Father."

-"As we fill our hearts with the love of Christ, we will awaken with a renewed spiritual freshness and we will walk joyfully, confidently, awake, and alive in the light and glory of our beloved Savior, Jesus Christ."

Also Pres. Nelson - "True disciples of Jesus Christ are willing to stand out, speak up, and be different from people of the world. They are undaunted, devoted, and courageous...  when we do, our doubts and fears flee."

That is such an amazing promise at the end. That’s why I shared it with you again because when we stand up, our doubts and fears not only leave but flee, they run away!!;)

Elder Bednar - ''A missionary is not called to a place; rather, he or she is called to serve. … “If ye have desires to serve God, ye are called to the work” [D&C 4:3].

I also really like this last one because I realized why I had some of the problems I had before the mission, because I wasn’t fully focused on the three points of the next quote.

 - "we should give balanced emphasis to all three elements of the Lord’s pattern of preparation and progression for faithful sons of God: priesthood, temple, mission. All three require us to love being and remaining worthy. Be worthy. Stay worthy.''

Sorry I know that’s a lot but I have a ton I really liked from conference and things that really stuck out to me but these are the few that I’ll share with you today.:) I love this gospel and I know it’s true. We are all part of God’s plan and Jesus Christ died and rose the third day so that we can repent and become even as he, the wonderful mighty, yet humble, Prince of Peace.

It sounds like you had a great week!:) I hope you have a great day and can’t wait to hear back!!:) love you to infinity and beyond!!:) 

Love,

Elder Shawners Spencer

PS also my comp reached his year mark this past week!!:)

This is Anastasia - she's his favorite baby there!! :)

Elder Gonzales getting ready to burn his shirt for his 1 year mark!