Highlights, March 11, 2024

This week was a much shorter week which was nice! Which means shorter email haha.

Some highlights:

- found 9 new people to teach: lots of people are coming home from summer vacations so we are having more éxito

- had a random man pull up to church, we visited with him today and gave him a book of mormon! He was so grateful and excited. We visited with him at a family home evening and he got lost, turned out we were running a little late, and he saw us and followed us. Afterwards he told us we were like angels guiding him to God. He is awesome and wants to be a part of this church little by little

- had some crazy horror stories told to us in a lesson, wish my spanish wasn't that good to understand haha.

- had zone conference and got to see alot of my friends I've made in the past 7 months.

- had an English class which was very entertaining to me. The teacher was trying ti explain the letter Y, and she asked if anyone knew the song YMCA, and me and my comp simultaneously broke out singing and doing the actions haha.

- sang in the choir in our barrio for church on Sunday, it was muy poderoso.

- a man on the side of the road sang us a song, here is the best clean translation I can give you: "watch out for me you ****, I'm the **** that will rob you, and hurt you, and take your money and **** you." And then he passed out. He had a very nice voice, very melodic and opposite of soothing. Oh my, it appears I have forgotten the opposite of soothing😂.

Spiritual thought: There is a scripture in Doctrine and Covenants that I like. A little bit of context first is that this is revelation from God to the prophet Joseph Smith in 1833 on how to build a temple in Kirkland. 

D&C 95:13 "Now here is wisdom, and the mind of the Lord—let the house be built, not after the manner of the world, for I give not unto you that ye shall live after the manner of the world." 

Basically it is saying that the temple is built after the manner of God and not after the manner of the world. It is going to contain and hold and be built upon the strength and teachings and los cuestiónes (the things *chilean translation*) of God. And not of the world, not of men's desires to gain power and money for themselves, not for the carnal mind etc. And we can apply this to our own homes. Let our homes be built, not after the manner of the world, but in a way that pleases God and invites Him into our homes. Some ways we can do this is: put up paintings of Christ, have scriptures more accessible, read and study the word with your family, create parts of the day where the whole family is there to bond and come closer, speak/think/act in a way that would bring more peace to yourself and in your relationships with your family, pray every night as a family.The list goes on.

Question of the week: What is one thing you can do to make your house less of the world and more inviting to God?

Love you all!

Elder Spencer

some fingers from Canada

Apparently these churro are from Spain

                                Eating burgers called la bendición with some gents from our barrio

Zone conference; power with the zone💪

God is a God of Miracles, March 6, 2024

Hola!

This week was longgg because of the two extra days. Who new that having two extra days of straight working would have such a big effect. But it was all worth it because I finally got to go to the temple after leaving Mexico in August.

The temple was incredible! We were a late with some problems from the metro, one of the Elders of 4 got on the metro but it was crowded and the doors closed leaving three of us on the platform and one in the train. You could see the betrayal in his eyes haha as the train rode off. We met him at the next station haha. Anyways so we were late for the temple session, but we were able to catch the next one with an hour wait. So we chilled, got some food, and such. Then went back and had an amazing spiritual experience!! In the temple in the celestial room I prayed that we'd have a miracle, that we'd find someone ready to accept us. *remember this for later*

~earlier this week~

This week we had stake conference. I had a hard time concentrating in the heat, the long meeting in a metal chair, all of it in spanish for 2 hours etc. So I decided to look through my carpeta, basically has names and addresses and people that were taught in the past etc. And I came across someone named Blanca who had a familiar last name. And it said she had a lot of progress in the past. I soon found out it was the mom of the girlfriend of a member in our ward. He is a really really cool guy and was sitting two rows away with his girlfriend. His name is Alexis by the way. So after the meeting I talk to him and we set up a family home evening for the following evening! Then we parted ways and met up 2 hours later because we had lunch with their family haha. We talked about what had happened in the past and what Blancas doubts were, etc. Anyways the following night we had a family home evening with the two families and it was amazing!! We talked about prophets and it was a very spiritual experience.

Back to Sunday during stake conference we received a reference (a person that wants to talk to us) and I sent a message telling him we were the missionaries etc. And he told us he went to our chapel but nobody was there (because all of us are at the stake center, different building). Anyways we set up a lesson for today Wednesday.

Wednesday comes along slowly, and we go to the temple. I pray for a miracle. And we eat some empanadas and completos. We talk to our families. We rest a bit. And then we call up Alexis our member friend from Monday and ask if he can come with us to this lesson in the evening. And he says "sipo mi bro" and meets us there. We knock on the door once... nothing. Knock again... nothing. (By the way when I say knock I mean yell "ALO" just so you can picture this better). And then we don't knock a third time because we forgot to. Instead I send a text saying we are here. And in .2 seconds the door opens and is standing Christian the reference. He invites us in, we hit it off, chill guy. Tells us his girlfriend of two years is a member of our church and that he's been going with her a little bit here and there for a year. And he wants to marry her, and sees thay she's truly converted to this religion and he wants to as well for his own self. So we teach him lesson 3 (the gospel of Christ: faith, repentance, baptism, gift of the Holy Ghost and endure to the end). And he is participating, asking questions and listening! It's great! And at the end me and my comp look at each other, the Holy Ghost's presence was in the room testifying of the truth. And we tell Christian that he has the faith to be baptized. And he got so excited and told us how he felt so ready to make covenants! So we made a goal for March 23rd. And we will continue to help him grow in his knowledge. This experience strengthened my testimony about the power of prayer, and that God is a God of miracles. 

Spiritual thought: my scripture of the week I chose was Ephesians 6:6 "6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart." I love this scripture because it served as a reminder for why I'm here. I'm not here to please my parents, or to please my friends and family, leaders, teachers, coaches, the people here, or even myself. I am here to serve Christ and God. In spanish the end of the scripture says "haciendo con ánimo la voluntad de Dios." Meaning doing the will of God with motivation. Or in the English, doing it from the heart. I'm here to serve God and to please God. And this goes for any of you in work or school or callings in church. Do your work and do it well, not to people please, but to please the one who created you and gave you these talents. People will notice this and will appreciate your work. But keep the focus of your heart on God. And he will bless you!

Question of the week: What is a miracle you've seen in your life these past couple weeks?

Love you all!

Elder Spencer

                                                         

                                                                                                Temple!!

            Raman at mall Independencia

                                                A waffle pop, reminded me of beaver tails

Trunky shop

Plaza de Armas

Intercambio I forgot to mention

Me with Matias (younger brother of Alexis)

Patricio, February 26, 2024

Hola todos!

We had transfers this week, Elder Dominguez left and in came Elder Sorensen. He is from Idaho! Cool guy. Big football player.

This week we passed by a friend named Patricio, he is an older fellow and can't walk to well. Anyways we asked if he'd come to church with us and he told us no, that he was busy with things around the house. We all kind of sat there in silence until we suddenly turned and asked for a blessing of strength. About a week ago he was very sick and asked for a blessing of health, and the next day he was healthy. So he knew the power of blessings. Anyways my comp gave the blessing and immediately afterwards he turned and looked at us and told us firmly with tears in his eyes that he was going to come to church the next day. Told us to come pick him up in a car at 9:30. And that he just needed to go to come closer to Christ!

That evening we are calling members to see if they can bring us and Patricio. But nobody could! Until I felt impressed to ask a member who has recently been coming back slowly to church who's name is Elvis. And he said sure. So that was a blessing in itself. 

During church Patricio would sit silently through the hymns because he can't see very well. Until the very last hymn that had a repetitive chorus and he decided to send it and join in what he learned on the spot! It was awesome! Afterwards he smiled and said he loved it! And Elvis was pretty excited too and told us if we had a lesson that week to invite him. And to call if we needed a ride for Patricio as well! And kept thanking us for giving him the opportunity to serve. 

Other highlights

- got to play the trumpet at a members house

- lots of people have been coming up to talk to us because my comp is now a 6 foot 4 inch massive defensive line football player gringo missionary. It's pretty awesome

- we've been having qualquier fresh fruit and it's so good! There is one called tuna and it was interesting.

Spiritual thought: the scripture I focused on this past week was Mosiah 4:9 "Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend." I've grown to love this scripture because it shows the omnipotence and power of God. This all powerful God who created everything and comprehends everything loves us. Loves you and knows you personally. He cares about you and wants you to learn and grow and one day come to him to live with him. One day inherit all that he has! To finally comprehend all that he can comprehend to have all wisdom and all power. This is what God has in store for us, waiting for the obedient for those that choose to follow him. 

Question of the week (yes or no edition, so really it's more of an invitation haha): will you pray this week to God and ask if you are his child and if he loves you? And then wait and feel His response.

Have a fantastic week everyone! 

Take care!

Love Elder Spencer

Me and Elder Sorensen

Cooked up fried chicken rice and fried peppers and onions

            Chilled with Elder Carlson for 2 hours for cambios while waiting for our new comps🔥

Elder Dominguez saying goodbye to Elvis and Gemena

Traffic vibes

I forgot to mention there was a massive massive plastic factory fire in our area! About 2 min by car away from our house. It was huge and literally turned day to night with the thick black smoke. Made me really appreciate the firefighters. Fun fact: all the firefighters down here are volunteers.

Alma the Younger and a baptism! February 19, 2024

Wena Todos!

This was the last full week of transfers, I'll most likely stay and my Mexican comp, Elder Dominguez will probably leave, but who knows. I've loved having a latino comp and speaking Spanish majority of the time! I often wonder if one of you guys back home heard me talking to another gringo missionary if you'd be confused about our English haha. There are some latinos that speak English and they like talking to me but literally I forget everything, it's kind of funny, I just phrase things in spanish with English words if that makes sense haha. 

_____

This week I saw the effect and power of the Holy Ghost. I witnessed the Holy Ghost:

- Bear witness of the Father (God) and the Son (Jesus Christ); John 15:26

- Reveals and testifies of the truth; 2 Nephi 32:4-5

- Sanctify and cleanses; 3 Nephi 27:19-20

- Ratify and seal as the Holy Spirit of promise; Ephesians 1:13-14

1. Bears witness:

We were in a lesson with some members who haven't been coming to church for a while, the husband is wanting to come back and his wife  doesn't. And during the lesson she kept going on about how cruel God is and how much he doesn't love us, that he uses anti love, and just talked and talked mocking him and his plan of happiness for us. It was wild. I felt sick that someone could talk about God like this. I never knew the power of words could be that physically strong. So I excised myself and went to the bathroom and said a prayer. A prayer for strength, encouragement, the Holy Ghost and faith. A scripture came to my mind afterwards that I took strength from; Alma 60:28 "Yea, behold I do not fear your power nor your authority, but it is my God whom I fear." And I went back out and we kept discussing. When it came to the point in the lesson to talk about Joseph Smith and the first vision it was my turn to take over. And when I said the words of the first vision (that I learned in spanish way back with district 15F) and I could feel myself boldly testifying of God the Father and His son Jesus Christ. And I could see in her face the Holy Ghost witnessing of the Father and of the Son. We are changing their hearts bit by bit.

2. Reveals and testifies of truth:

We were in a lesson with another couple, he is an inactive member amd she actually just got baptized this Saturday!! More on that later. Anyways we were going over the commandments with them, such as the Law of Chastity, the Law of Tithing and the Word of Wisdom etc. And there were two distinct ways I saw the Spirit acting here. The first: for her I could see her eagerly learning and understanding. The Spirit was testifying and revealing the truth to her! And the second: her husband kept squirming uncomfortably as he has not been keeping some of the commandments, and the Spirit was reminding him and testifying of the truths he had forgotten! It was incredible to witness!

3. Sanctify and cleanses:

This was one of the most incredible experiences on the mission thus far. The title of the email was named in part for this. "Alma the younger", this makes sense for those that know the story, and for those that don't I'll give a quick recap. So Alma and the sons of the king at the time, went around preaching that God is false and you can do whatever you want. Leading the people to wickedness and to forget their God. And after a bit of this, an Angel came and stopped them in their path and commanded them to stop. Alma immediately fell to the ground, weak and unable to move, couldn't even talk. He was like this for three days or so and during this time his soul was at war, feeling the chains of hell and at the same time the redeeming power of Christ. And he called on the name of Christ and was converted and saved and was able to move and talk again and went on to be a fabulous missionary. Correcting his errors and bring the people back unto God. 

Anyways I didn't get knocked unconscious for three days or anything, or even for a moment. We were at a members house, another couple, they aren't married and it's a really wild situation that I won't get into. Anyways she doesn't want to get married because her pareja has an addiction to something. And these members always call the missionaries angels (you can see where this is going) and this time we felt we need to be direct and firm with them but con amor (with love, that is what I wrote on our lesson plan before we started). It was a powerful lesson. Highlights: yelling between the couple, shame, peace, tears of all sorts, a blessing, strongly worded scriptures and more. It was a rollercoaster! I want to focus on the blessing part. The man asked us to give him a blessing of strength as he had felt he'd been smacked by God to correct his addiction. And the blessing was very powerful, so specifically worded that I knew God was speaking through my companion as my companion wasn't aware of some of the small facts he mentioned. After the blessing the man sat in the chair for a moment. He slowly stood up and was shaky. He fell into the arms of my comp in an embrace, and shortly after fell into my arms. Then he stood off to the side. And suddenly just kinda fell and leaned heavily against the door. And said that he felt physically weak, that he felt disabled, that he was having a hard time speaking. And then he was quiet just kinda standing there in shock. I could see a war in his eyes. And then a sudden smile burst out on his face and he said that he is ready to change, that he would start immediately in getting rid of his addiction, they walked us home and he kept shouting for joy and praising God. I warned him to never forget this moment, and to always hold on to it to give him strength. It was marvelous to witness.

4. Ratify and seal as the Holy Spirit of promise:

This came at the baptism of our friend Leonor! The baptism was very special, lots of family and friends came to support her, a lizard in the font wanted to support her as well, but we removed it from the water before she showed up. And the next day during church she received the gift of the Holy Ghost. And I could feel the Spirit confirming God's pleasure and ratifying the covenant. And I know Leonor could feel it to based of her unshakable smile!

_____

Other highlights:

- I got to play piano in church again for the first time in a month!

- A youth in our ward got set apart as a missionary on Sunday and now his cousin wants to learn the gospel! The new missionary will be serving in Argentina! So Elder Ingo and Elder Ellsworth, if a Chilean missionary pulls up in the next couple transfers from Santiago let me know! 

- And that cousin I just mentioned, we just had an amazing lesson with him, he walked in and said "I am ready and excited to learn and listen to the words of God." He asked qualquier question to understand. He learned quickly. Super attentive. His heart has been prepared by God for this.

- Already mentioned the lizard in the font

- Got to explore downtown Santiago today at Mall Independencia to buy my comp a new suit

- and my favourite moment was right before church started, like .3 seconds before. Leonor hadn't showed up yet. But then she did with .3 seconds! Now is the time for you to remember that scene in Nacho Libre when he is in the middle of fighting Ramses and his pinned under his foot about to give up. But he looks to the entrance of the fighting arena and he sees a solo nun walk in, and as she keeps walking in there are qualquier orphans that walk in after her cheering on Nacho and he finds the strength to win! And for those of you how haven't seen Nacho Libre, I am disappointed... go watch it. Anyways it was like that, she walked in and all I could see was her, but then followed her husband, her daughter and boyfriend and a couple more people! It was epic. 

_____

Spiritual thought: this week I listened to a talk titled My Heart Pondereth Them Continually By Devin G. Durrant. It was a very meaningful talk! He extended a couple invitations, one was to save a bit of money each week, and imagine how much that would grow in 6 months a year 5 years. And the second invitation is to pick a scripture each week to ponder. You put the scripture in a place you can constantly see and each time you see it you think about it and ponder its meaning. By the end of the week you will pretty much have it memorized in mind and the meaning inscribed on your heart. Think of the strength knowledge and revelation you will receive in 6 months a year 5 years!! I challenge all of you to do this with me, choose a scripture tonight, if you don't no where to find access to scriptures shoot me an email and I'll tell you to go to the Gospel Library app, it has the scriptures there! And now I spoiled the need for you to send me an email haha. Send one anyways. Feel free to ask me what scripture I selected this week and some of my takeaways so far, but be prepared to share the one you selected as well!

Question of the week: How have you seen the hand of the Holy Ghost this week?

I love you all! Take care!

Elder Spencer

Cat in the bag

dog

another dog

sunset

cleaning the font

Spoiler alert for the scripture challenge, this may or may not be my scripture of the week that I turned into a sick background for my phone. First take not of the scripture, then take note of the oilers colours

gecko lizard in the font

Jesus

Ran into my old comp elder Shell and my old roommate and good bro Elder Quist at the mall today!! Lifted my spirits to see them!

bautismo

Elder Spencer

Mercy and Justice, February 12th, 2024

Hola a todos! 

Como están? Espero que muy bien! Como fue la semana? El musical,  Oklahoma? Todo bien? Divertido? Chévere? Bakan? Qué bueno.

Earlier this week we were out doing contacts. That is when we are out walking in the heat knocking doors and talking to people. Anyways we were walking down a street and a truck turned down, so we stepped off to the side to let him pass. And the guy stops right beside us and rolls down his window and starts speaking pretty decent English. Tells us he lived in New York for 30 years and recently returned back to Chile 3 years ago. And that soon he is going to return to the states for reasons I won't mention. Anyways brother tells us that he wants to meet with us before he leaves, could be to practice English before he heads back. But the cool thing is, about 2 weeks ago I called him along with other people and was one of the few that responded, and the phone call reminded him of us. So that was a little miracle this week! 

On Wednesday we had our interviews with our mission president. When I got in the room, he sat me down and started by saying the gringo missionaries that have more then 6 months in the mission will have their interviews in spanish. So I had to only speak Spanish, but he responded in English. I feel like things went pretty well. We talked about mercy and justice a lot. He said if mercy overpowers justice, like if there is too much mercy, then bad things will happen. And he didn't say this but the same goes the opposite way. Too much justice and little mercy... bad things will happen. So we need to find the right balance, and the way to do that is follow the promptings of the spirit to know when to use justice and when to use mercy. (And of course using both aspects with love). We talked about how I'm more of a timid person, so when I start being more justice like people will be more open to listen and take it seriously. So I'll put that to the test this week. To see all this mercy and justice we looked at the example of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. There are countless times where we see him being merciful, and that is often an image we create him to be in our minds. But sometimes we fail to see the justice side of him. He came at a time when the Law of Moses was in full swing. And he came to put an end to that law and establish the new and everlasting law. So he had to be radical, he had to catch the attention of everyone, he had to be strong and powerful and grounded. We are talking about our Creator, the Master of the wind and seas, the Son of the Living God. Not only about the Meek Shepherd, the Humble Teacher and the Advocate with the Father. Both sides are equally important, and both things, justice and mercy, are a part of Gods very nature. So that is giving me motivation to be less timid as I'm striving to be like Jesus and God. Anyways after our interview I ask the other gringo missionaries who've just passed six months if their interviews were in Spanish... and nope I was the only one. I was getting tested apparently. So who knows if I passed or not haha. 

It still amazes to this day how much people trust and confide in 18-22 year old young men.

- a 56 year old guy got dumped by his girlfriend and is asking us advice.

- a older couple is struggling with the idea of marriage and is asking us for advice.

- a mother concerned for her daughters salvation asks us to help.

- an old man sick and close to dying asks what he needs to do to feel safe and secure in passing from this life to the next

- and more.

It's just proof to me that the gospel of Christ can help everyone in qualquier situations! It can be applied to so many aspects of life, it's incredible.

I went on an intercambio with Elder Cayulef, he is from Argentina. I went to his area and it was nice to have someone else lead out for a change. It was a pretty eventful exchange, when we were coming home at night there were qualquier firetruck and firemen right near the house a couple houses down, a roof had collapsed. And then later that evening (they live with two other elder) one of the Elders fell and cut right above his eye and on the opposite side if his face near the hair line. He need stitches in both. So that was wild! 

Spiritual thought: so we were in a friends house and they had their TV on. And an ad for the new iPhone or something and at the end of the ad it said you can find peace through the phone. It makes me sad that the world is finding artificial means to obtain peace. There is no lasting peace in worldly things. We read in Isaiah 9:6 that "6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace. He is also the Son of God which would make God the King of Peace. Entonces, through them we are actually able to obtain peace. Through music that praises them, through scripture that prophecies of Christ and worship them, through prayer to give thanks, through acting on Christ's infinite Atonement, and more! These are ways to find peace in this world of turmoil.

Question of the week: how can you better turn to Christ foe peace when you feel tempted to look for worldly sources?

I love you all! Have a great week!

Elder Spencer

Look there are lawns and driveways and no walls!

Teet or totter break (how do you spell that?)

Bus ride

Guapos

Ice cream after lunch with Kay, Spencer, Pippert and Cayulef (Pippert was the one that got stiches) 

Completos with Pablo and Elián

                                                                                    What the dog doing?

Peaches, February 5th, 2024

This week was slow in the work, didn't have much success in finding people to teach, lots of lessons canceled. But I was able to maintain my motivation so I say that was a win! 

I'm starting to love the smell of peaches. Right by the gate of our apartment is a peach tree that we pass under, and it smells heavenly. Everytime we leave in the morning and come back at night I look forward to the moment of closing my eyes as I smell the peaches. They are going to be ripe soon so I'm very excited to eat some!

I've been missing home this week a little bit because of the performance this weekend of Oklahoma! I really wish I could be there for that and be on stage acting singing and dancing with very close friends! Good luck to everyone that is participating in that! I want to see lots of photos and videos! Break a leg eh? And for those not participating you should go see it! It'll be amazing lots of fun music, costumes, one of my best friends in a perm. It'll be fantastic!!

    Back to Estrella Sur, the most interesting thing this week was having intercambios with Elder Plane on Tuesday! That was a lot of fun, a lot of our lessons canceled so we were able to spend more time walking and talking. I got to talk in english mainly for the first time in a while which was very weird. I was finally able to express some problems that had been building up in me, he gave me some good insights which was awesome! 

The heat has been getting brutal this week getting up to high 30's some days, with the air quality always in unhealthy, amd the UV index around 9-11. Yes mum don't worry I'm wearing sun screen. I'm getting a nice tan from it all, more freckles and a constant desire for agua. I usually like the heat but being outside walking in it for 4-6 hours isn't the most fun haha. 

    More seriously about heat, on the coast about an hour and a half away from me, in Viña del Mar there are huge huge wild fires in the city and surrounding areas. Please keep them in your prayers thank you :). 

    Also please keep in your prayers Fernando, Leonor and their daughter Pia. As he is in the hospital from a huge accident. They need comfort and peace. 

Spiritual thought: Alma 39:10

"10 And I command you to take it upon you to counsel with your elder brothers in your undertakings; for behold, thou art in thy youth, and ye stand in need to be nourished by your brothers. And give heed to their counsel."

I really love this verse as I have 4 brothers I can turn to for counsel. I believe this is something super important for us to do! Even if you don't have siblings turn to friends or trusted family or anyone. To be able to be lifted up and nourished by them. And in turn they will come to you. And together you will be edified, unified and have a better relationship! 

Question of the week: Will you reach out to a sibling or trusted family or friend and counsel with them and be nourished by them and heed them? ¿Sí o no?

Sorry for the non eventful email, hopefully next weeks will be better.

Have a great week! And good luck Stage Eaters!

Intercambio with Elder Plane

Dominguez

The ferria

A funny sign that says "More icy then the heart of the toxic"

Ant man

The Estrella sur gang

Breaking in and Biggest Dog #3, January 29, 2024

And another week has gone by!

How was everyone's week? Some of you are finishing up exams, others are getting ready for musicals, others are living life or whatever adults do at the end of January! Let me know I'd love to hear about how everyone is doing! 

Well for me this week started out with me breaking into an old lady's house and ended with 3 big dogs attacking us! And throughout that was rather uneventful sadly. Well besides two baptismal dates, intercambios and zone conference. But other then that it was boring. Actually we did have some really good burgers 1 hour and 2 buses away from our house and some inactive members contacted us.

So yes I did break into an old lady's home, yes it was easy, no I didn't steal anything, no it wasn't a dare, yes the house was really nice, yes she is our neighbour, and yes I did have permission from her. We came home from working and she was standing at her door with all her groceries and couldn't open her front door. And we asked if she needed help, she said yes yes, please break through the back window and come and open the door. So I did the only reasonable thing I could do and opened the window instead of breaking it, and climbed on through, walked through her very clean and organized house, ate some of the food on the counter (just kidding) and opened the door and helped her carry in her groceries!

The next day we had a lesson with two of our friends, Leonor and her daughter Pia. We talked about the gospel of Jesus Christ, had a powerful lesson and I asked if being baptized called their attention and they both said yes! They will be baptized February 11. (Took me a while to spell february haha). I am super pumped for them! 

The next day I went on intercambios with Elder Carenio! He is a peruvian from... well Peru. We were in the same zone in my first month in Chile and it was awesome to get back together! He is literally so awesome and funny and wholesome! He helped me restore my animo (motivation), as I have been struggling a little bit with my companion right now. We enjoyed some pizza, had some great lessons, and some good laughs. Good times.

We also had zone conference where I got to see my Valle de Azapa boys, Elder Plane and Elder Carlson, it was good times! We learned qualquier cosas about how to schedule our days and weeks better, how to set better goals, how to have better plans etc to work with more force and strength! It was great!

We had some really good burgers for lunch on Saturday, the member lives about an hour and two buses away, in a valley of some big hills, the neighbourhood there is very spectacular and green! And clean, and a lot of them didn't have huge gates and fences but had lawns, felt like I was actually in Provo Utah is the best place I can match it to. We were 10 min early so we decided to climb the hill a little bit, in which we found out was actually private property and technically we weren't allowed to do that... oops.

This week we had two inactive couples contact us to visit them! They are both young couples in their 20's. One of them, the guy, wanted a blessing of strength for his kick boxing fights. (Shout out to my friend who does kickboxing! So cool!) So we did that and had a lesson with them, we are going to have Once, dinner, with them this week! He wants to come back to the church, her not so much. And the other couple, we went over yesterday and ate some fuego pizza, got to know them, the dog peed on my leg, the cat clawed my pants and drank some juice! They are an awesome couple and I am grateful they reached out to us!

Tonight we were leaving a Noche de Hogar, translates to night of home, but the actual terminology in english is Family Home Evening. Basically when a family gets together and shares the gospel, and we were invited! We had some good food as well! I recommend trying cream cheese block in a bowl with soy sauce poured over it and eating that with crackers! So delicious! Anyways we left and who was waiting for us? Big Dog #1, Bigger Dog #2 and a special appearance, featuring Biggest Dog #3. Boy is Biggest Dog #3 BIG. (Hmm the word big looks weird now to me, that ever happen to any of you?). Anyways they start running at us barking. So we do what any Canadian and Mexican in Chile do while being charged at by dogs. We pull a charge of our own and start running at the dogs. It was pretty awesome! It was like a movie scene! And usually dogs at this point would get scared and stop their charge. Well #1 and #2 stopped. But #3 is just a different breed and kept coming not caring his backup singers dipped. Absolute menace. So we start doing the hokey pokey, Alabama stomp, swing your partner round and round, hollerin and hootin thing that any Canadian and Mexican would do in Chile. And that also didn't work. So the next thing was grab the nearest rock and threaten to throw it! That one always works! So we looked around for rocks while stompin and clappin and there are 0 rocks around, so we grab the nearest piece if air by our feet and threaten to through our atmospheric pressurized air and it worked! Huzzah! Hurray! 

Spiritual thought: In a talk in 1993 by Spencer J. Condie titled "A Mighty Change of Heart" he quoted President Benson a former prophet.

"President Benson has said, “Pride is concerned with who is right. Humility is concerned with what is right.” When we humble ourselves, the Spirit will always tell us what is right."

This is a valuable lesson to learn in all of our relationships, our relationship with God, family, friends, spouses etc! Often we get caught up with being right, not caring what is right as says in the quote. I can remember countless arguments between me and my brothers, I don't remember what we would be arguing about, but all I remember was a furious passion to be right not actually caring whay was right. Thinking that what is right is being right. But that is not the case. It is hard to let go of the pride and be humble, seeing what is right and not concerning myself with who is right. In a different dynamic from my furious passion, here in the mission I've had to humble myself to know what is right by God. Not leaning on my desires to be right and do what I want. But to let go of that and learn what is right. And most importantly, act on what is right! It is very difficult, the natural man is an enemy to God for this very reason.

Question of the week: How can you incorporate this teaching in your life and relationships? 

Talk about it as families, siblings and spouses. Keep it in mind when your with friends.

Love you all!

Elder Spencer

Intercambio with Carenio, eating pizza and drinking Dr. Pepper which is very hard to find in Chile. Was one of my first times drinking it.

Zone Conference

The illegal hill we climbed and its view, and the greenery in the valley or whatever it is called.