I haven’t seen Adelide here yet

Family

 

Report from the week:   As far as Spanish - Elder Morris has 1000 flash cards and we have been learning 100 words every day. We are getting them down, but every day is harder because we have to review those from the previous days. I learn more Spanish outside of class than in because we mainly focus on the gospel in class. 

 

I was stoked to get your reference to the scripture in Acts because I had read through it for the first time this week. I really enjoy reading new stories and scriptures that I haven't delved into in the past; good thing I still have quite a bit of material left.

 

We teach a lesson each week to members so that we can practice more than just the first lessons. This week I chose to do it on the metaphor of rocks in the scriptures because this has been something I have been thinking about.  There is one reference to Nephi and his brothers hiding in the cavity of a rock. Ether hides in a cavity of a rock several times. Christ said Peter was the rock of the church.  We are told to build our houses on rocks, and Joseph Smith said that he was a rough stone rolling. Rock is an easy reference to understand and everyone on the earth can relate.  Rocks can create beautiful scenery and some of the wonders of the world. Some rock is easily eroded while other's, after having been placed under extreme pressure, are elevated to a more durable solid form. In this lesson we discussed how the church, scriptures, and the Grace of God are the rock that will never be broken or destroyed by any oncoming force. It can be the base of reliability by which we can shape our lives.  The member asked me what my rock was outside of the gospel. I said my family and I got to relate a little about the people I love most. Three days after this lesson we had a fireside and the speaker’s message was based on the topic of rocks. I thought that was pretty great. One story he used was of a family that he was friends with that had made a ton of money but then lost it all in the 08 crash. They were forced to move to California and could only afford a tiny home.  The father was placed under stress to provide for his family and took up construction. But, he stood up to the pressures and became great at this 2nd career. They once again made a good living and now are using their money to go on mission after mission.    

There are little pranks going on throughout our district - which is pretty great. Yesterday we got a hold of our neighbors’ room keys.  Then last night we woke up at three in the morning and went into their room and put an alarm clock in one of their drawers. The draws have a metal latch on them and we can lock them with combination locks that they gave us on the first day. So we hooked on one of ours and left their room. As we were going back to our room we heard the alarm go off and saw the light turn on. I laughed and told Morris (my co-conspirator) that I bet Dean thought it was morning.  Then we heard Dean yell with a slightly incoherent voice "are you kidding me! It is 3 in the morning!" Morris and I started to crack up listening to Dean's stream of Mormon swear words - demanding to know why we were awake.  In the morning when we were laughing about it, he was a little sheepish :)  We did the same to the room across the hall and they couldn’t get the drawer open. We all tried in vain to keep straight faces when they asked if it was us.      

 

I have seen Claire Sorenson several times but I haven’t seen Adelide here yet. Some of the elders have gained up to twenty pounds.  I have gained 2 pounds (hopefully of muscle more than fat cause we have been working out a bit). But really with only a half an hour of exercise, I am just grateful I haven't blimped out.

 

I got to go but I still be lovin the fam and can’t wait to talk to y’all from the airport.

Speen

Spencer's Mission President