A day in the life of a missionary in Chile

 Tender mercies... I think would be the patience that I have been able to develop. Through studying my patriartichal blessing  I am able to ask myself, "am i doing all I can to bring to pass the blessings in my partriartichal blessing" and I am able to start to see it happen in my life.

 

oh just a delivery  donkey selling milk cartons

 Elder Spencer loves his MATTE

 Well a bus took a wrong turn evidently

 Elder Spencer's Mission President will be released  July 1

 Santiago, Chile Temple

 how do I respond to the spirit? ... Most of the time it is just like the first Idea that comes to my mind. And like Elder Bednar says, to find out we must act... so alot of times its in a situation, like, "where should we go to contact?" and we end up going to the first place that comes to mind, and find a woman, who needs help carrying groceries, and things like that. But there was one time where I felt like I was not succeding at anything. We had 1 investigator, no one was coming to church, and I felt like I wasnt doing anything... and I remember praying and asking for help, And for the fist time in my life I heard, "Ryan, I will always help you because I love you, you just have to ask" and from that moment on, I feel like I have been more intune to the spirit, and what The lord wants me to do.

This missionary loves the work he does!

Gospel Lesson i learned... I watched a video from Elder Holland, talking about why a mission was so hard... and he said "your mission is hard, because Salvation was never, and will never be an easy experience. For us to gain salvation, we must pass through at least a little of what the savior passed through." We can also take that in our lives. Life is hard. But its because the price for salvation was never and easy experience.

 What did we do for a member this week.... i told you about that family whos grandma is in the hospital dying of cancer... everyday, when we walk past their house we stop by, and put a little note, with a scripture or a note on it, to let them know that we are praying for them, and care about them.

 How did my prayers affect my work... we have really been struggling to find new investigatores... so we have been praying to find some new ones. So through my prayers i have had the energy and the desires to work and to contact. and then see results.

I think I do know how much you love me, and I can feel the influence of your prayers!!!

 we had a great time Skyping with Elder Spencer on Mother's Day

 4generations

 Elder Spencer and Elder Johnson at a parade

 a "we love you " message form the other roomates!

 the new pension

 a long awaited package finally arrived months later

 a game of ping pong and the first night in the new pension ..the key broke!

How do I stay happy... I think that no matter what happens i will stay happy, 1)because I saw how much it helped Josh on his mission, and 2)we HAVE the best message in the entire world. We are just sharing it. If people dont want it, we still have it, and can enjoy the blessings that it brings to our lives.

A Happy Missionary

What strengthened my testimony this week, would have to be my personal studies. I have really learned to study, and not just read, but really study, and learn. And it seems that everyday, I learn something that I am able to use in a contact, or a lesson. It really strengthened my testimony that the Lord will put the words into our mouths, but we must first treasure them up in our minds and we do that by studying.

 the time when you run out of bowls...eat out of the bag....

 heading to the Chilean Walmart store

 making pizza

 not sure how to describe this ....

 a friendly living spider

 phew its dead now !

 just happened to stop by a birthday celebration....

its getting Chilly in Chile

 Cozy study time

 Elder Spencer and Elder Johnson

" The most important thing that you can have in a lesson is the spirit. Then Use the spirit to ask inspired questions. and then LISTEN." Elder Ryan Spencer

Life of a greenie :)

A True Disciple

"I am only 18 years old, I am not mature, I am learning a new language, I dont know all the things that I could, But One thing that I do know, is that the Book of Mormon is true. And because I know that, all the other things will fall into place. "

 Elder Spencer with a  house mate Elder Salas-Tapia

Elder "Hipster " Spencer

ELDER SALAS-TAPIA

" favorite Doctrine to teach, the Atonement. I have put in a lot of effort in studying and understanding the Atonement, and I have begun to understand it soooo much more, and what effect it can have in our lives

 favorite things about Elder Johnson.( my Companion )... he is soooo funny!!! He has the best attitude I have ever seen. And he loves everyone!

The most important thing that I am trying to teach Elder Johnson, is that we don't know everything, but if we are worthy, and willing, the Lord will use us to perform miracles. He has promised us Angles on our left and our right, to help us. But we need to get out and work.

My spanish is ok, I think we are the only pension in the mission of just gringos... but we try to speak as much spanish as we can. DONT STOP THE PRAYERS!!!

Favorite meal... well we didn't get lunch this week, but I made a pot of rice, and put an egg in it.... IT was amazing!!! hahaha..

Thank you so much for all of your support. One thing that I decided while watching Meet the Mormons, is that I don't want to be just a missionary. I want to be a disciple  of Christ, that through me, he can and will perform miracles. This is my goal, 

I love you all!!!!"

Leading, Guiding, Learning , Changing

 Hanging out at the bus stop with Bishop's family and kids

 Piano Man

Santa Lucia

 We had zone class in the morning, and it was really amazing. One of the things that really hit me was when we talked about or Golden Investigator, and all of the attributes that they would have, and all that stuff, then Elder Burnham said, that We are the Lords Investigators, he is teaching us... are we being who we want to receive as missionaries? It hit me really hard. I had to change some things that I was doing. As a 18 Year old boy, i know this might come as a shock to you, but I have not reached my full maturity... and sometimes... I get a little crazy... But I realized that I am a missionary of FULL TIME! not just from 10 to 10, now there is nothing wrong with having fun, but with reason.

 We had a New missionary Meeting... and I am 100 percent positive that those meetings are better for the trainers then they are for the trainees... But, President talked about pride, and again, things needed to be changed in my life... But they were changed and I have learned...

 

But that was my week, full of ups and downs. But never a moment that I would trade, The easter that is here is a lot like at home, Eggs, and chocolate, and very little talk about Jesus, But all that will change shortly, All will come to know of the lord and savior Jesus Christ. I am so greatful that I can serve him. I am so greatful for his atoning sacrifice, that allows me to keep on trying. We are as we learned, Just sinners, who keep on trying. This life is a life to learn, to make mistakes, to repent, and to keep trying. I am so greatful for all of the examples that I have had in my life. From the sport heroes, to my brothers. To my loving parents, who have done their best to teach me the right ways. I am So very greatful for a Dad, who, Is a Dad, a friend, who loves me and cares for me. I am so very greatful for a Mom, who is so much more than just the only woman in the house. For a mother who, sometimes on her own makes our house a home, who cares for scrapped knees, who can take on the boys, who forgives easy, and loves long. Thank you. You are the best I could ask for. 

Love, 

Elder Ryan Spencer!!!!:)

 Pday Gang

 Two by Two

From sun up to sun down searching for those needing the message of the restored gospel

another week of experiences...

 Zone Conference
 After the first rain storm of the season , no smog for a little while

The new missionaries with their Trainers  Ryan's new companion is Elder Johnson a gringo from Hawaii :)who is full of no experience and a great attitude !

"Something great that I learned this week, I KNOW SPANISH!!!!! i can talk to people and understand them!!!!! I have been able to learn how to lead. I used to always follow, but now its my time to lead. my time to put my faith in God, and get to work.

 A scripture that helped me. Is mosiah, 5:2 it is where King Benjaman is talking to his city, and the spirit is super strong, and they all have a change of heart. But what I love most about it, is earlier, King Benjaman was talking about how he was just  like everyone else. He was humble, and through his humility and his obdedience he was able to have the holy ghost bear witness to his people, to bring to pass a change of heart. Just like what I can do as well."