Hey everyone! How is everything? That's a broad question now that I think about it haha. There really isnt much that has changed. Today is my 5 weeks today. I dont really know what to say. Nothing changed as far as stuff that I have done. The spirit is as strong as ever and it is helping me out a lot. I hope everything with everyone is going good! I kind of forgot what it was like to be on the outside and having so much open time. P-day is a good reminder of what its like and I feel so un-productive. Anyone that is having a hard time...keep your head up. Life is hard sometimes but we got to learn how to pick ourselves up. You can accomplish anything with the help of Christ, just pray and ask for his help. Dont blame things on other people for your actions. Write in your journal of things that you did and things that you learned. I have 3 journals, 1 to write what I did and experienced that day, another that each page is different topics (patience, afflictions, prayer) and a list of scriptures for each on, and my last journal is for something I learned each day of my mission and cool quotes I hear. It is so much fun to hear what you had to say during your hard times and how easy it would have been to over come them if you just sat down, breathed and thought about what you could do to over come them. Smile everyone :)
Elder Braden M. Spence
p.s. I thought of something that changed, I am the new District Leader for our District :) Basically I just get more meetings haha
(Editors note: SORRY for being so late to post this! He writes on Wednesdays and I kind of had a baby this week... so here it is a little tardy, wont happen again! He also sent some pictures in the mail that I can scan in and post soon as well)
Friday, March 25, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Awesome Week
Hey everyone! It has been a pretty normal week. Same studying, eating and sleeping! haha. I have been eating a lot of soup and salads here...you would think that after working at Olive Garden I would get sick of it. They have tons of different salads here! They throw a lot of random things in it with a variety or different dressings so it isn't so bad.
I want to thank everyone for everything they have done for me. I have got packages from my family and Trisha which was awesome because i got stamps from a lot of them and snacks, ties, and (4) 14oz bottles of regular mountain dew from Trisha :) it was awesome week. I got a lot of good advice from everyone that is helping me out a lot in my mission and in life. Today is the 12th year my mom has passed on from this life to the next. I say the next because I know for assurety that there is a next life and I will see her again. To everyone that has lost a parent, sibling, family member or friend...you will see them again. We are put on this life to experience emotions of life; joy and sorrow, good and bad. We are here to gain a greater knowledge of life and follow the commandments of God in this life if we choose (our agency). Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world so that we can have the opportunity to have a change of heart (repentance) and if we endure to the end, we can have Eternal Life with our family, Christ, and God. I will see my mom again. You will have trials in this life! It is not easy but with the companionship of the Holy Ghost (received as a gift by being baptized by immersion) life can be easier. My heart sorrows for the loss of a good life, but I am who i am because she passed! For every trial can be a potential blessing if you simply have faith until the end.
Those who trust in the Lord having PERFECT faith, shall obtain the kingdom of God. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that who so believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16. Prayer, faith, and obedience are essential to inheriting His kingdom.
Yo se que Jesuscristo vive! El es mi salvador y redentor, mi ejemplo y mi hermano. El Evangelio Restaurado es en la mundo hoy. La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias es la Iglesia de Dios. Tenemos una profeta en la tierra hoy y el reciban revelation mediante el Espiritu Santo. Yo se que el Libro de Mormon es un otro testamento de Jesucristo. Mediante fe en Jesucristo, el arrenpentimiento, el bautismo, recepcion del don del Espiritu Santo y perseverar hasta el fin, somos la oportunidad ser con nuestro familias por eternidad. Amo Jesucristo y mi Dios, y estoy muy muy agradecido por la oportunidad comportir mi testimonio con los gentes de Mexico y ser un misionero de Cristo. Dios nos ama y El es con nosotros simpre! Soy un hijo de Dios y yo se que mediente el Expiacion puedo reciban perdon por me pecados. Testifico de Su amor. Siento mi mama's amor todo dia aqui. El don del lenguas es verdadero. Te amo con todo me corazon. Buenos Dias!
Elder Spence
I want to thank everyone for everything they have done for me. I have got packages from my family and Trisha which was awesome because i got stamps from a lot of them and snacks, ties, and (4) 14oz bottles of regular mountain dew from Trisha :) it was awesome week. I got a lot of good advice from everyone that is helping me out a lot in my mission and in life. Today is the 12th year my mom has passed on from this life to the next. I say the next because I know for assurety that there is a next life and I will see her again. To everyone that has lost a parent, sibling, family member or friend...you will see them again. We are put on this life to experience emotions of life; joy and sorrow, good and bad. We are here to gain a greater knowledge of life and follow the commandments of God in this life if we choose (our agency). Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world so that we can have the opportunity to have a change of heart (repentance) and if we endure to the end, we can have Eternal Life with our family, Christ, and God. I will see my mom again. You will have trials in this life! It is not easy but with the companionship of the Holy Ghost (received as a gift by being baptized by immersion) life can be easier. My heart sorrows for the loss of a good life, but I am who i am because she passed! For every trial can be a potential blessing if you simply have faith until the end.
Those who trust in the Lord having PERFECT faith, shall obtain the kingdom of God. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that who so believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16. Prayer, faith, and obedience are essential to inheriting His kingdom.
Yo se que Jesuscristo vive! El es mi salvador y redentor, mi ejemplo y mi hermano. El Evangelio Restaurado es en la mundo hoy. La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias es la Iglesia de Dios. Tenemos una profeta en la tierra hoy y el reciban revelation mediante el Espiritu Santo. Yo se que el Libro de Mormon es un otro testamento de Jesucristo. Mediante fe en Jesucristo, el arrenpentimiento, el bautismo, recepcion del don del Espiritu Santo y perseverar hasta el fin, somos la oportunidad ser con nuestro familias por eternidad. Amo Jesucristo y mi Dios, y estoy muy muy agradecido por la oportunidad comportir mi testimonio con los gentes de Mexico y ser un misionero de Cristo. Dios nos ama y El es con nosotros simpre! Soy un hijo de Dios y yo se que mediente el Expiacion puedo reciban perdon por me pecados. Testifico de Su amor. Siento mi mama's amor todo dia aqui. El don del lenguas es verdadero. Te amo con todo me corazon. Buenos Dias!
Elder Spence
Friday, March 11, 2011
Cool Story and Request
So a quick little cool story, Sister Daines (wife of Robert Daines who is the Provo Temple President) told a true story of a boy who had bone cancer. Two years of therapy only ended up in his am being amputated. He loved the Savior and knew He loved him in return. There was a reunion for his family and he wanted to go bear his testimony to his family and cousins. They put a hospital bed in the cultural center of the church building so he could be there. His family saw and heard his testimony often. Soon after he died, he and his Grandpa appeared to his dad in a dream. He was saying he was in Heaven and that his is doing just fine! He said that everyone was running around getting ready for the Second coming of Christ. Everyone was happy and so was he but it was just so busy! This story made me cry. I know this is the true church and I know with all my heart that Christ will come again. We need to prepare just as they are preparing in Heaven. Pray, Read the Bible and Book of Mormon, Keep the Commandments, Repent and change your life if necessary, so that we can live with Jesus Christ, God, and our families forever. Oh and if you're ever in Provo...drop of a regular mountain dew for me haha de-caffinated just isn't the same. I don't need to be awake more, it's just something I want. Like when Jordan wanted peanut butter in chili or venezueala haha.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
DearElder.com Me!
Hey everyone,
I heard from a couple of you but not enough! Send me something on dearelder.com! It doesn't take that long and it always makes my day. (and it's FREE!) Nothing has changed here, study all day and sleep at night. only thing different is I am wearing jeans which feel amazing cause I only wear them once a week. I honestly don't know what to say this week. The only thing I can think of is don't waste time! You can accomplish more if you set goals and keep yourself active! I miss home but I don't want to go home right now. I love what I am doing because it makes me happy! I know that it's because I am doing service! Help those in need. Buy a hamburger at McDonalds and give it to someone on the street. Don't look for recognition in the things that you do, just do it because you know it will make their life easier! I commit everyone whose eyes read this blog, that tonight before you brush your teeth, put a jolly rancher in your mouth and don't stop praying till it is gone. Do not put it on your tongue because it will go by too quick! Kind of haha. But do it, God gave you life, you can pray to show your gratitude! Pray to know what you can do to grow closer to him and I promise you he will answer you. Remember we are on His time, not our own. blessings come to the patient and the diligent. Blessings come to those with open heart and are willing to do His will.
Love with all the love I have,
Elder Spence
Monday, March 7, 2011
First lesson taught, IN SPANISH!
Hey Everyone!
It was so awesome hearing from you! Everything here is going real well. It's hard trying to know so much not only in the gospel, but in Spanish at the same time. I am learning the First Vision before I know it in Spanish. We (my companion and I) taught the 1st lesson in Preach My Gospel all in Spanish. It's crazy we have been here 2 1/2 weeks and already doing that. I guess (from what I hear) that most foreign language districts don't do it till their 5th week.
Some of the other missionaries heard that we were in some fast-track thing, I am not sure. But I just heard the feedback from the pretend investigator we taught and she was really impressed with our Spanish and "couldn't believe we were only in our second week!"
Hope everything is good with everyone. I love and miss you all. Things haven't changed much at all. I am exhausted. I was sick (still a little) and it made it hard to continue studying. To all those that aren't a part of the LDS faith, I know that God knows each and every one of his children (everyone) individually. He knows our strengths and weakness's and He can and will help you through your trials if you simply have faith in Him. I make a challenge to all those that have doubt that there is a God and Jesus Christ, to all those that feel He isn't with them, to all those that have lost "hope", to all those whose life is too hard, and to all those that feel it is too late to come back. If you pray with a sincere heart with an open and clear mind, then you will receive an answer, you will receive guidance, and happiness in yours and your family's life. For those of the LDS faith, Trust in Him. Remember the promises of Christ, and become once again as a little child; innocent, meek, humble love of Christ and willing to obey.
Love Elder Spence
It was so awesome hearing from you! Everything here is going real well. It's hard trying to know so much not only in the gospel, but in Spanish at the same time. I am learning the First Vision before I know it in Spanish. We (my companion and I) taught the 1st lesson in Preach My Gospel all in Spanish. It's crazy we have been here 2 1/2 weeks and already doing that. I guess (from what I hear) that most foreign language districts don't do it till their 5th week.
Some of the other missionaries heard that we were in some fast-track thing, I am not sure. But I just heard the feedback from the pretend investigator we taught and she was really impressed with our Spanish and "couldn't believe we were only in our second week!"
Hope everything is good with everyone. I love and miss you all. Things haven't changed much at all. I am exhausted. I was sick (still a little) and it made it hard to continue studying. To all those that aren't a part of the LDS faith, I know that God knows each and every one of his children (everyone) individually. He knows our strengths and weakness's and He can and will help you through your trials if you simply have faith in Him. I make a challenge to all those that have doubt that there is a God and Jesus Christ, to all those that feel He isn't with them, to all those that have lost "hope", to all those whose life is too hard, and to all those that feel it is too late to come back. If you pray with a sincere heart with an open and clear mind, then you will receive an answer, you will receive guidance, and happiness in yours and your family's life. For those of the LDS faith, Trust in Him. Remember the promises of Christ, and become once again as a little child; innocent, meek, humble love of Christ and willing to obey.
Love Elder Spence
Saturday, March 5, 2011
MTC Pictures
Elder Spence and Elder Peter Williams, a friend from Medford, OR
Elder Spence and Elder Ransom
Elder Spence at the Provo, Utah Temple
Elder Spence and his District in the MTC Left to Right: Elder Johnson, Barrow ,Templin, Cowan, Valenzuela, Spence, Howell, Ransom. Everyone is going to Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico except Elder Templin, Cowan, and Johnson going to Mexico City.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
How Could a Man Poem
Thanks everyone for all your emails. Seeing as how I only have half an hour I can't email most of you back but it is nice to come to a full email box. Wednesdays are my p-day and I check my email around 10 and print them off and email in between 12 and 4 MST. I am so busy it's crazy! I would love to get letters from anyone that is willing, but when you do, please send another stamp so I can send it back. Stamps are the only thing I need, especially when I go to Mexico. Spanish is going really well I am learning a lot! I miss home but I wouldn't trade anything to go back right now. I want to start off by something that has grown to be very important to me.
How could a Man?
How could a man be persicuted and beaten be so FAITHFUL?
How could a man be imprisoned and cut off from his family for so long be so OBEDIENT?
How could a man starved for days with nothing to eat but "mormon flesh" and sometimes poison to drink still LOVE so much?
How could a man being mocked, spit on, tar and feathered be so HUMBLE as to not ask for mercy from God?
How could a man being driven from city to city all over the states, forced to build and re-build homes have so much CHARITY in his life?
How could a man lose so many of his own children, family, and friends to the hands of the Lord be so REVERENT as to never take the Lords name in vain?
How could a man that has been ripped of his earthly possessions, only to be broken, burned, and smashed by mobs in the middle of the night be so HONEST as to obey the laws of the land?
How could a man that has translated a book by the grace of God so perfectly, perform so many miracles and help so many people, "lie", run from mobs for trying to bring people closer to God and go through so many trials, tribulations, persecutions, illnesses, tragedies, and afflictions not be a prophet of God? IT...IS...NOT...POSSIBLE!
Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of the Living God who loves and knows us so perfectly. He translated the Book of Mormon and restored Jesus Christs' church so we have the chance to be with our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and our earthly family for time and all eternity, if we are obedient to his commandments, baptized for the remission of your sins by those who have the authority, repented of their sins, and persevere to the end. Feel the love of your Savior and pray and read the Book of Mormon to know if the things I have said and the words it contains are true. I love you! God loves you!
I wrote this in my journal after a fireside on Tuesday. I felt that I should share that with everyone so everyone knows that I know these things to be true. That is my spiritual message for this time. Thank you for everything. I would much rather have things sent to dearelder.com if you're not my immediate family. At least till I leave to Mexico. Thank you for your support please keep in touch, it makes my day!
Love Elder Spence
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