Subject: I'm not so think as you dumb I am
Protea Glen is coming alive, life on mission is full of disappointment and great joy, Usually you have to pass through lots of disappointment to find the joy, but when the joy comes it makes it all worth it. I'm nearing the end of my time here in Protea Glen, Things have been a battle the last couple of months, trying to find poeple and get them to commit to the gospel and change their lives, Its been tough but I think things are finally rolling. This past week Keneilwe got an answer to her prayers and asked to be baptized. We found a great young family who have been looking for a church and haven't found one that makes them happy and now they are excited to hear the message of the restoration. We also tracted into a lady who came to church and found out she has two neices who are very active. They hadn't seen each other in like two years, now she is excited to come back to church and to learn more about it. Oh and Kgomotso passed her baptismal interview and is getting baptized on sunday :D So life is moving forward here! Its a shame I'll have to leave in two weeks but that's life... Just as soon and you love something its ripped out of your hands ;) So I'll just have to go love somewhere else. But I'm glad I'll be able to leave the area prospering for my companion, and he is only going to make it burn brighter, it's his first area and he knows how to keep the ball rolling!
So, this morning I was out teaching my companion how to do backflips on the back lawn and all of a sudden I'm soaked and I hear laughing from the upstairs window, Well... I broke my old track record and I was up there with a bottle of water in about .45 seconds and I had both of them wrestled to the ground and all wet :D good times, there's never a dull moment at our flat. We then made about two loaves of bread worth of french toast and the four of us had a feast. I also made some amazing maple syrup (thanks dad/mom). Alright well thanks for everything :) hope all is well
Love, Elder Brian Spencer
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Nathan's email from October 21
Well well well.
This week was fantastic in my new area. It's true not knowing any of the roads can be a bit troublesome, but this area is amazing. The ward is so active and there's so many people that are ready for the gospel here. I have a story today that dims all others, I think. I'll try to do it justice, but truly it was a miracle.
So I arrived in Ubirajara this last week and my comp said that we had a young man who had been coming to church for a good while and still was never taught or baptised. So Wednesday afternoon we visited him and his mother. His parents are pretty indifferent about religion, the mom likes and listens while the father keeps his life busy with other things. We taught him the first lesson and invited him to be baptized this same Sunday. He accepted and was very excited. We had him read the Book of Mormon and pray to make sure this was the decision for him. He did so and Thursday we moved on to teach him the plan of salvation and the commandments. All was smooth sailing and Saturday he had his interview and passed with flying colors. But what happens is Saturday night we talk to the member family who are friends with the young man and his family. Well, the dad says please wait on the baptism, we want to get things ready and make sure its really, really special for him, and of course we were like sure, sure that's awesome. So we had plans to just re-mark for another Saturday or Sunday. But that night we get home and our zone leaders say wait you should do it tomorrow, and we were like no we'll wait. Well we couldn't come to a decision so elder de Paula and I decided to say a prayer about the situation. We both prayed individually and the spirit in our little room was so strong, we knew it had to be tomorrow. We arrived at church the next day, made a few phone calls and all was well, we called Windson (the young man to be baptised) and he said him and his parents would come. We called the member family because the father would do the baptism, he was really upset with us but said he would (he asked us to wait more time), so now we're here at the chapel before church (stake conference) waiting for our investigators to come. As the minutes pass, the sensations in my stomach become more and more...sensational. The member family comes and saves seats for them, church starts still no sign. 5 after the hour... 10 after the hour. with agony we stop waiting and enter the chapel. We sit in the back as the choir sings the first song. The opening prayer is given and I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn to see 4 angels dressed in the form of people I know and love. They had arrived with smiles on their faces! Quickly the father of the member family helps them to their seats in the front and the meeting begins. Holy smokes what an amazing meeting it was. To make it all the better President Richardson was there, our mission president, and he spoke. The spirit was so strong and this amazing family was sitting together drinking in every word and feeling. But this is just beginning to start the joy of the story! After the meeting president came up and said he would stay for our baptism, wow. So we start throwing people out of the chapel to get ready for the baptism. I spoke with the young women's leader and she said her girls and the young men would sing a special musical, president said he would give a message and off we went.
I truly can't describe this baptism meeting and give it justice. The spirit was so strong, the baptism was perfect, the bishop spoke and it was the closest thing to ammon teaching the king and converting the whole household. He spoke to Windson and his parents about the value of family and the importance of being a good son. He said to the parents that being baptised wouldn't take away their son from them but just make him a better man. The tears were flowing and after the closing prayer President Richardson went to the parents and testified of the spirit that had been in the meeting. The mom broke down. Then without a speck of doubt he promised he would return for their baptisms in a few weeks. The parents said thank you and as you can see, two parents because of the example of one son and the power of the spirit were converted to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
This was the most powerful baptism I have yet had on the mission, I hope I will have more because I know that this young man will do everything he can to serve a mission and that his parents will be baptised. I know the gospel is true, I know Christ died so we may feel this joy of eternal salvation. I know that the power of the spirit is the power to turn any heart unto God.
This baptism was only the start of what is happening in this ward. Just in the one week we've been here we've found about 6 other people that are so ready for the gospel, they were excited to hear our message and to visit the church. I'm so grateful for this opportunity and I can't wait to see what happens in this new area. Thank you all for your love and support, hope you all have a fantastic week!
Love Elder Spencer
This week was fantastic in my new area. It's true not knowing any of the roads can be a bit troublesome, but this area is amazing. The ward is so active and there's so many people that are ready for the gospel here. I have a story today that dims all others, I think. I'll try to do it justice, but truly it was a miracle.
So I arrived in Ubirajara this last week and my comp said that we had a young man who had been coming to church for a good while and still was never taught or baptised. So Wednesday afternoon we visited him and his mother. His parents are pretty indifferent about religion, the mom likes and listens while the father keeps his life busy with other things. We taught him the first lesson and invited him to be baptized this same Sunday. He accepted and was very excited. We had him read the Book of Mormon and pray to make sure this was the decision for him. He did so and Thursday we moved on to teach him the plan of salvation and the commandments. All was smooth sailing and Saturday he had his interview and passed with flying colors. But what happens is Saturday night we talk to the member family who are friends with the young man and his family. Well, the dad says please wait on the baptism, we want to get things ready and make sure its really, really special for him, and of course we were like sure, sure that's awesome. So we had plans to just re-mark for another Saturday or Sunday. But that night we get home and our zone leaders say wait you should do it tomorrow, and we were like no we'll wait. Well we couldn't come to a decision so elder de Paula and I decided to say a prayer about the situation. We both prayed individually and the spirit in our little room was so strong, we knew it had to be tomorrow. We arrived at church the next day, made a few phone calls and all was well, we called Windson (the young man to be baptised) and he said him and his parents would come. We called the member family because the father would do the baptism, he was really upset with us but said he would (he asked us to wait more time), so now we're here at the chapel before church (stake conference) waiting for our investigators to come. As the minutes pass, the sensations in my stomach become more and more...sensational. The member family comes and saves seats for them, church starts still no sign. 5 after the hour... 10 after the hour. with agony we stop waiting and enter the chapel. We sit in the back as the choir sings the first song. The opening prayer is given and I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn to see 4 angels dressed in the form of people I know and love. They had arrived with smiles on their faces! Quickly the father of the member family helps them to their seats in the front and the meeting begins. Holy smokes what an amazing meeting it was. To make it all the better President Richardson was there, our mission president, and he spoke. The spirit was so strong and this amazing family was sitting together drinking in every word and feeling. But this is just beginning to start the joy of the story! After the meeting president came up and said he would stay for our baptism, wow. So we start throwing people out of the chapel to get ready for the baptism. I spoke with the young women's leader and she said her girls and the young men would sing a special musical, president said he would give a message and off we went.
I truly can't describe this baptism meeting and give it justice. The spirit was so strong, the baptism was perfect, the bishop spoke and it was the closest thing to ammon teaching the king and converting the whole household. He spoke to Windson and his parents about the value of family and the importance of being a good son. He said to the parents that being baptised wouldn't take away their son from them but just make him a better man. The tears were flowing and after the closing prayer President Richardson went to the parents and testified of the spirit that had been in the meeting. The mom broke down. Then without a speck of doubt he promised he would return for their baptisms in a few weeks. The parents said thank you and as you can see, two parents because of the example of one son and the power of the spirit were converted to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
This was the most powerful baptism I have yet had on the mission, I hope I will have more because I know that this young man will do everything he can to serve a mission and that his parents will be baptised. I know the gospel is true, I know Christ died so we may feel this joy of eternal salvation. I know that the power of the spirit is the power to turn any heart unto God.
This baptism was only the start of what is happening in this ward. Just in the one week we've been here we've found about 6 other people that are so ready for the gospel, they were excited to hear our message and to visit the church. I'm so grateful for this opportunity and I can't wait to see what happens in this new area. Thank you all for your love and support, hope you all have a fantastic week!
Love Elder Spencer
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Brian's email from October 13
Subject: Hade Bafuarto [haw-day ba-fway-to]
African Languages are so cool! I can't say that I can really speak any of them but I can communicate slightly. People love it when a white guy tries to speak their native tongue. So life here in Africa is going very well. We have a baptism coming up and hopefully some more will follow. I realized I haven't really told you about most of our investigators, We teach a lot of people and our teaching pool is always turning over, we usually find 5-10 people a week and drop about 5-9 a week! But I'll just let you know some the our solid investigators; We are teaching Kgomotso Kolwa, she is an incredibly stalwart youth who bears her testimony every month and is a great example to the other young women, she is getting baptized on the 26th of this month. We are also teaching Kenielwe Kgaladi, She is 22 and is recovering from a serious injury that she got in January. She was in a hospital bed for 6 months and is now teaching herself to walk and talk and such again. She has shown a lot of faith as we have taught her and she has a testimony. But we kinda have to take things slow cause she can't do a lot of things on her own, like come to church. So we are starting to teach her mother too. She is now praying about baptism. We are also teaching a man named Ben Mangali, wow... This guy, I don't know what to say about him, I get nervous and excited every time I get to go see him cause he is like an Apostle. He is a member of the reformed Seventh Day Adventist and has studied the bible for forty years now. I think he might be a pastor for their church BUT he has always been in a search for truth and is VERY humble. He has investigated and thrown out many churches that he doesn't agree with, such as the Jehovah's Witness and Roman Catholics and many others but he told us he has never had a chance to investigate our beliefs. So we have now taught him about the Restoration and the Book of Mormon, he is now studying the book of Mormon (probably very thoroughly) and we are going to teach him about the Plan of Salvation. But he has told us that he has been very impressed so far and is very anxious to learn more. I'm excited to keep working with him.
Lets see who else... oh there is Ellen Ndobe, she is very interested and we shared with her about he Plan of Salvation last time. She came to part of conference last week and wants to visit our church.
and there is Lettie Rahube, and Winnie Zinyawu and Lindiwe Ramabela and Johanna Boshomane and the Thulo family and Tentandi... The list goes on and on, but it is incredible to be doing this great work. The Lord has blessed us with many people to teach and I feel so privileged to bring this great gift to so many people. Every single one of these people I've mentioned I've had the opportunity to see the spirit light up their understanding and bless their lives. This truly is the Lords work :D
I also wanted to apologize to anyone who has written me and hasn't got a response, I've responded to almost every letter I've received, so odds are the wonderful postal system lost it and I never got it. Packages seem to be the same way :s Thank you for trying lol :D
Love, Elder Brian Spencer
African Languages are so cool! I can't say that I can really speak any of them but I can communicate slightly. People love it when a white guy tries to speak their native tongue. So life here in Africa is going very well. We have a baptism coming up and hopefully some more will follow. I realized I haven't really told you about most of our investigators, We teach a lot of people and our teaching pool is always turning over, we usually find 5-10 people a week and drop about 5-9 a week! But I'll just let you know some the our solid investigators; We are teaching Kgomotso Kolwa, she is an incredibly stalwart youth who bears her testimony every month and is a great example to the other young women, she is getting baptized on the 26th of this month. We are also teaching Kenielwe Kgaladi, She is 22 and is recovering from a serious injury that she got in January. She was in a hospital bed for 6 months and is now teaching herself to walk and talk and such again. She has shown a lot of faith as we have taught her and she has a testimony. But we kinda have to take things slow cause she can't do a lot of things on her own, like come to church. So we are starting to teach her mother too. She is now praying about baptism. We are also teaching a man named Ben Mangali, wow... This guy, I don't know what to say about him, I get nervous and excited every time I get to go see him cause he is like an Apostle. He is a member of the reformed Seventh Day Adventist and has studied the bible for forty years now. I think he might be a pastor for their church BUT he has always been in a search for truth and is VERY humble. He has investigated and thrown out many churches that he doesn't agree with, such as the Jehovah's Witness and Roman Catholics and many others but he told us he has never had a chance to investigate our beliefs. So we have now taught him about the Restoration and the Book of Mormon, he is now studying the book of Mormon (probably very thoroughly) and we are going to teach him about the Plan of Salvation. But he has told us that he has been very impressed so far and is very anxious to learn more. I'm excited to keep working with him.
Lets see who else... oh there is Ellen Ndobe, she is very interested and we shared with her about he Plan of Salvation last time. She came to part of conference last week and wants to visit our church.
and there is Lettie Rahube, and Winnie Zinyawu and Lindiwe Ramabela and Johanna Boshomane and the Thulo family and Tentandi... The list goes on and on, but it is incredible to be doing this great work. The Lord has blessed us with many people to teach and I feel so privileged to bring this great gift to so many people. Every single one of these people I've mentioned I've had the opportunity to see the spirit light up their understanding and bless their lives. This truly is the Lords work :D
I also wanted to apologize to anyone who has written me and hasn't got a response, I've responded to almost every letter I've received, so odds are the wonderful postal system lost it and I never got it. Packages seem to be the same way :s Thank you for trying lol :D
Love, Elder Brian Spencer
Nathan's email from October 14
Subject:Feliz Dias das Crianças!
Although everyday seems to be in some way day of the children, the Brazilians feel it a necessary to celebrate and have a party for any occasion. So whereas us Americans only receive mothers day and fathers day, they celebrate children's day! It's like Christmas for them. My companion and I were invited to teach a family and we arrive to like 20 people and lots and lots of candy. It was pretty fun I'll admit, but the best part was when they had everyone sit down and listen to the missionaries share a message about Jesus :D So at the end of the message the oldest sister who organized the festivity says that they've all looked through churches trying to find one that makes sense and what do you have it, two missionaries show up to your party, they all want in together for the truth and the unity it will bring their families. I'm really excited for this family (it's not just a family its grandma, grandpa, 5 children, and all their children have 5 children... they like 5). Well actually, to clarify a little we taught Lucimara, one of the 5 children, and her family and the rest of the family saw the change in her life and how happy she is, so through her great example she is helping the rest of her family enjoy the blessings of the gospel. But wait on the details because we've only talked with them once. With the lords help I'm sure all will go right.
So onto news for you all. Yesterday night my companion receives a phone call. Elder Bailey is flying home for medical reasons and will be away for at least 8 weeks. I'm taking his place (which is in Ubiajara, still in my same district) and Elder De Paula is my companion. I'm already here and halfway unpacked. It all happened so quickly. An older fellow who helps out the missionaries is coming to be my companions companion until transfers lol. I'm sure all will go well, but as for me I haven't the foggiest as of what's in my new area, Elder De Paula said we've got a young man who will be baptised this weekend, that's wonderful news, but aside from this I'm at a loss so I'll have to fill you all in next week.
And now I must share my thanks to all who contributed to the wonderful package I received last week! It was so so so great to hear from you all and your testimonies and encouragement. The best part is reading your letters and its like the movies when the guy (or girl) opens a letter and the voice of the other is reading it. It's so fun to read cause it's so YOU! But I have to admit for the funniest people award that goes hands down to the Rasmussen family lol, I don't stop laughing until 5 minutes after I read whatever it is they decide to write about. But I love you all and I'm so grateful for your love and concern for me and all the missionaries. Hope you all have a fantastic week and fantabulous weekend!
Elder Nate Spencer
Although everyday seems to be in some way day of the children, the Brazilians feel it a necessary to celebrate and have a party for any occasion. So whereas us Americans only receive mothers day and fathers day, they celebrate children's day! It's like Christmas for them. My companion and I were invited to teach a family and we arrive to like 20 people and lots and lots of candy. It was pretty fun I'll admit, but the best part was when they had everyone sit down and listen to the missionaries share a message about Jesus :D So at the end of the message the oldest sister who organized the festivity says that they've all looked through churches trying to find one that makes sense and what do you have it, two missionaries show up to your party, they all want in together for the truth and the unity it will bring their families. I'm really excited for this family (it's not just a family its grandma, grandpa, 5 children, and all their children have 5 children... they like 5). Well actually, to clarify a little we taught Lucimara, one of the 5 children, and her family and the rest of the family saw the change in her life and how happy she is, so through her great example she is helping the rest of her family enjoy the blessings of the gospel. But wait on the details because we've only talked with them once. With the lords help I'm sure all will go right.
So onto news for you all. Yesterday night my companion receives a phone call. Elder Bailey is flying home for medical reasons and will be away for at least 8 weeks. I'm taking his place (which is in Ubiajara, still in my same district) and Elder De Paula is my companion. I'm already here and halfway unpacked. It all happened so quickly. An older fellow who helps out the missionaries is coming to be my companions companion until transfers lol. I'm sure all will go well, but as for me I haven't the foggiest as of what's in my new area, Elder De Paula said we've got a young man who will be baptised this weekend, that's wonderful news, but aside from this I'm at a loss so I'll have to fill you all in next week.
And now I must share my thanks to all who contributed to the wonderful package I received last week! It was so so so great to hear from you all and your testimonies and encouragement. The best part is reading your letters and its like the movies when the guy (or girl) opens a letter and the voice of the other is reading it. It's so fun to read cause it's so YOU! But I have to admit for the funniest people award that goes hands down to the Rasmussen family lol, I don't stop laughing until 5 minutes after I read whatever it is they decide to write about. But I love you all and I'm so grateful for your love and concern for me and all the missionaries. Hope you all have a fantastic week and fantabulous weekend!
Elder Nate Spencer
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Brian's email from October 6
Subject: When in Rome?
Isn't President Monson the best!? haha. After he announced the temple in Rome he gives a little pause for effect... But that is awesome! I'm excited to see what the architecture of a Roman temple, They certainly have a bit of competition in that area.
So conference was amazing! All the the talks were phenomenal, I wish all of my investigators and everyone in the world could just listen to conference. We did have a couple come and watch part of a session, and they really enjoyed it. Elder Jeffery R Holland gave a powerful talk on Angels, Bednar made prayer foolproof, Ballard explained the Works of God in this last dispensation, Wirthlin spoke of the importance of humor and not taking offence, President Monson spoke of inevitable change in all of our lives, Uchdorf taught of the power of Faith, Hope, and Charity, Eyring counseled us to be unified as a family, as a church and as a people. And so many other great talks, We are truly blessed to be led by God in these days.
So I hear the Jeffery R. Holland is coming to South Africa! I love being a missionary, in August I got to meet Elder Russell M. Nelsen and now Holland! I'm really excited and almost a bit nervous :s but I'll keep you updated on how it goes, I think he is coming next week sometime.
Well, the work here is going very well, Kgomotso is now on Baptism date for the 26 of Oct, and she is very excited. She is 15 and has been coming to church since she was in Primary. Why she wasn't baptized earlier I don't know. Her mom is less active but her extended family makes sure she comes to church every week. We also have a couple others who are progressing, but I'll save their stories for another day. Thank you for your prayers and love!
Love elder Brian Spencer
Isn't President Monson the best!? haha. After he announced the temple in Rome he gives a little pause for effect... But that is awesome! I'm excited to see what the architecture of a Roman temple, They certainly have a bit of competition in that area.
So conference was amazing! All the the talks were phenomenal, I wish all of my investigators and everyone in the world could just listen to conference. We did have a couple come and watch part of a session, and they really enjoyed it. Elder Jeffery R Holland gave a powerful talk on Angels, Bednar made prayer foolproof, Ballard explained the Works of God in this last dispensation, Wirthlin spoke of the importance of humor and not taking offence, President Monson spoke of inevitable change in all of our lives, Uchdorf taught of the power of Faith, Hope, and Charity, Eyring counseled us to be unified as a family, as a church and as a people. And so many other great talks, We are truly blessed to be led by God in these days.
So I hear the Jeffery R. Holland is coming to South Africa! I love being a missionary, in August I got to meet Elder Russell M. Nelsen and now Holland! I'm really excited and almost a bit nervous :s but I'll keep you updated on how it goes, I think he is coming next week sometime.
Well, the work here is going very well, Kgomotso is now on Baptism date for the 26 of Oct, and she is very excited. She is 15 and has been coming to church since she was in Primary. Why she wasn't baptized earlier I don't know. Her mom is less active but her extended family makes sure she comes to church every week. We also have a couple others who are progressing, but I'll save their stories for another day. Thank you for your prayers and love!
Love elder Brian Spencer
Nathan's email from October 7
Subject: Conferencia geral!!!
Wowy, well Brian laid down the line with the most awesomest conference ever, I don't know if it really truly was better than ever before or if just being on the mission opens up your eyes and ears a bit more, but either way it was fantastic.
So my dear love brasil, how are you? Brasil is fantastic, movin along as always and in constant supply of the Lords elect. I don't believe I've shared the Lords wonderful blessing by way of investigators for awhile so I'll share some stories.
A couple of weeks ago we met a young father named Antionio, he has 2 daughters Aline (11) and Tatiane (6), his wife passed away a year ago from a brain aneurism and she was a member (inactive from what I got out of it) but he wasn't familiar with the church (that's why I figure she was inactive). Well what happens is he's searching for answers to life and also to the dreams hes been having. Well Elder Regis and I (I was on division with another missionary not my comp) knocked on the door to find him waiting and open to our message. We shared the first message with him about the restoration of the gospel and asked him to pray to know that Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon are true, he said he would, but continued to relate his history about his wife and these dreams. We then related to him about the plan of salvation and how we can live as families forever, giving him the pamphlet about the plan of salvation, and marked as well 1 Nephi chapter 8 about Lehi's dream. (his dreams were unique and very similar to the plan of salvation with lots of symbolism, very interesting) well we marked to speak with him a couple of days later and come to find he had read the pamphlet and the chapters marked and he felt and understood his purpose more so than ever before in his life. He accepted to come to church bringing both his daughters and is now preparing for baptism the 18 of October. I know the Lord had and has his hand in the work here. This man was searching for truth and direction and the Lord sends his word. 'Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you'.
And the second, Elder Santana and I found yesterday afternoon while contacting some references we received. Her name is Elinete, she saw the ad on the telivision for a dvd about Jesus Christ. She tried calling and didn't get through, but showing her faith she tried once again later that day and it came through for her. What a blessing, we came to her home and she expressed her desires to understand truth. She said actually "there comes a time when you just need to know what's the truth" she was born catholic but found the inconsistancey of its teachings, visited many other churches but never felt right about them, so she resulted to just be part of a prayer group. This situation is where the miracle comes, after our message we ask here how she feels, and she said something eternally important "I've been searching for things to feel right, for a church that speaks of Christ and God. I feel something different right now, something right".
I know the Holy Ghost truly is the great testifier of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. There is a purpose for him being 3rd only to God the Eternal Father and his Son Jesus Christ, it is because he and only he has the power to convert a child of God. I know the gospel is true, I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and I know that this is the path and there is no other path by which man can be saved. Thank you all for your love and support. I hope you all have a fantastic week.
love
Elder Nate Spencer
Wowy, well Brian laid down the line with the most awesomest conference ever, I don't know if it really truly was better than ever before or if just being on the mission opens up your eyes and ears a bit more, but either way it was fantastic.
So my dear love brasil, how are you? Brasil is fantastic, movin along as always and in constant supply of the Lords elect. I don't believe I've shared the Lords wonderful blessing by way of investigators for awhile so I'll share some stories.
A couple of weeks ago we met a young father named Antionio, he has 2 daughters Aline (11) and Tatiane (6), his wife passed away a year ago from a brain aneurism and she was a member (inactive from what I got out of it) but he wasn't familiar with the church (that's why I figure she was inactive). Well what happens is he's searching for answers to life and also to the dreams hes been having. Well Elder Regis and I (I was on division with another missionary not my comp) knocked on the door to find him waiting and open to our message. We shared the first message with him about the restoration of the gospel and asked him to pray to know that Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon are true, he said he would, but continued to relate his history about his wife and these dreams. We then related to him about the plan of salvation and how we can live as families forever, giving him the pamphlet about the plan of salvation, and marked as well 1 Nephi chapter 8 about Lehi's dream. (his dreams were unique and very similar to the plan of salvation with lots of symbolism, very interesting) well we marked to speak with him a couple of days later and come to find he had read the pamphlet and the chapters marked and he felt and understood his purpose more so than ever before in his life. He accepted to come to church bringing both his daughters and is now preparing for baptism the 18 of October. I know the Lord had and has his hand in the work here. This man was searching for truth and direction and the Lord sends his word. 'Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you'.
And the second, Elder Santana and I found yesterday afternoon while contacting some references we received. Her name is Elinete, she saw the ad on the telivision for a dvd about Jesus Christ. She tried calling and didn't get through, but showing her faith she tried once again later that day and it came through for her. What a blessing, we came to her home and she expressed her desires to understand truth. She said actually "there comes a time when you just need to know what's the truth" she was born catholic but found the inconsistancey of its teachings, visited many other churches but never felt right about them, so she resulted to just be part of a prayer group. This situation is where the miracle comes, after our message we ask here how she feels, and she said something eternally important "I've been searching for things to feel right, for a church that speaks of Christ and God. I feel something different right now, something right".
I know the Holy Ghost truly is the great testifier of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. There is a purpose for him being 3rd only to God the Eternal Father and his Son Jesus Christ, it is because he and only he has the power to convert a child of God. I know the gospel is true, I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and I know that this is the path and there is no other path by which man can be saved. Thank you all for your love and support. I hope you all have a fantastic week.
love
Elder Nate Spencer
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