December 25th, 2017

Merry CHRISTmas everyone!! What a wonderful time of year. This week we had our mission Christmas party, and the theme was "The Living Christ", which is a document that the First Presidency and the Quorum of the 12 Apostles came out with 18 years ago about their testimonies of Jesus Christ's life. We were asked a month ago to memorize the document by Christmas. I thought it was impossible, but we did it, and I am happy I did. It talked so much about Jesus Christ, and it carries such a strong spirit with it. My favorite line from it is, "He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world". Jesus Christ is my Hope, and he can be everybody's if we look to him.

I love the families that we are teaching so much. A man from one of the families we are teaching is on date to be baptized, but his wife does not want to meet with us. He does not want to split the family up, but he wants to be baptized. We have been praying hard to know what to do and we felt like having him be baptized is the best way to help his wife to be prepared to meet with missionaries.

Whenever we introduce someone to the gospel or talk about it with them, we call it a contact, and my favorite contact this week was the person who was cutting my hair. He asked if I was working that day, and I said yes. He asked me what do I do. I told him I was a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christs of Latter Day Saints. He asked what does that entail. We are called to be missionaries to teach people about Jesus Christ. We had a good conversation. Not everyone is ready to hear the message of the restored gospel, but it is Important to plant seeds by sharing beliefs, serving them, and being an example of a disciple of Christ. 

It was so nice to have church on a Christmas Eve. It was wonderful to take the sacrament and to ponder the Atonement of Jesus Christ. A quote that I keep on hearing this week is, "There could not have been Christmas if there was not Easter". What I think that means is, Jesus Christ lived for us, so he could die for us. I am so grateful for my Savior, and I am learning more about him each day. Have a beautiful holiday season.

Elder Spurgeon 

Monday, December 18th 2017

This week has definitely been the most chaotic week of my life, and I think you will see why. My companion has had a history of kidney problems. He has had a couple of surgeries. But this week, it seems that the problems came back. We went to a doctors appointment on Friday so he could get a sonogram. We found out that he has a urinary tract infection. We were scared that he had some sort of blockage.  We went to another Doctors appointment, and scheduled a CAT scan to see if there was a blockage. He asked me to give him a blessing that night. The next day he was in a lot of pain. We stayed in and at about 9:30 pm, the pain got so bad. We called our mission presidents wife, because she is the person we go to for any medical purposes. She did not answer. So I took him to the hospital. I figured that was what I was going to do anyway. I grabbed all his medication because he has like 8, and drove to the hospital. It was the first time I drove in a while. It did not help that it was dark and rainy. I also did not have time to adjust the seat in the car, and if you have seen any pictures of me and my companion, he is bigger than me. So I was barely able to touch the pedals. I am actually not supposed to drive. We got to the hospital and he just starts vomiting his life out. We finally got him in a room, and they gave him some morphine. Let me tell you, that is some strong stuff, because he felt amazing. He got a CAT scan and it seems like there is no blockage. He got some more medication, and we are going to have a follow up visit. We got home at about 2:30 am. Turns out he has a intense urinary infection, and the serious pain he was feeling was the bacteria that traveled to his kidney. He will be alright, and back up before you know it. 

At one of the appointments we went to, Elder C. needed to tell the doctor the reason for his previous kidney surgeries. He did not know, he got permission to call his mom. While he was on the phone with her, the nurse came over to me and asked if I was a Mormon. "Yes I am". She went on about how our decision about serving a mission was a mistake. She said, us being out here is ruining our family relations back home, and we were too young to have made that big of a choice and a rational decision, and we should rethink our decision, and she walked away. "Well, thank you lady for pretty much reciting my reverse testimony, because I know I made the right decision to be out here serving the Lord, and there is nothing better I could be doing right now that will bring me closer to my family, and that will bless my family back home, and my own future family." 

This week we were at a dinner with a family, and they told us they have to leave soon because they were going to see the lights at the visitor center, and watch the bells. They asked if we have seen the lights yet, and we said not yet, but we are only allowed to go if we take a non-member or a less active. They said, my sister who lives with us is less active. We all went to see the lights and watch the bells. It was really cool, and the bells were amazing. Turns out, the people we were having dinner with knew one of my good friends back home, Elder Tyler Bailey, who is now serving in the Copenhagen, Denmark mission. 

A really cool experience we had this week was we were teaching a lesson to a girl in high school, who we have been meeting with for a while now.  She had some concerns on prayer. She said she has never prayed before, and she is afraid to because she might not get an answer, and she said if she didn't get an answer, she was afraid she would be to sad to keep on praying. We talked about faith, and how if we exercise a particle of faith, it will grow. We also assured her that Heavenly Father always answers prayers, just not always at the time we hope. We made a deal with her, if we pray first then she will say a prayer after we do. She said she would, and she did. She said she felt comfortable, and like someone is listening. We helped her realize that that was an answer to her prayer. This is the scripture we used to help her exercise her faith. 

Alma 32: 28

28 Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.

This whole week has been amazing as I look back on it, and I appreciate every experience I have had. There is no doubt in my mind that this is the work of the lord. I love my Savior Jesus Christ, and try to live my life like his. As we do, we will be filled with so much joy. I Love You All. 

Elder Spurgeon 

Monday, December 11th, 2017

First transfer into the mission and I have already had life-changing experiences. I have really been thinking this week about how serving a mission will change my life, FOREVER. Let me use this scripture to help me explain myself. 

D&C 18

15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!

At the beginning of the week, we had a lesson and the guy we were teaching was obviously not ready for the message of the restoration of the gospel, and honestly, it made me kind of sad. Later in the day, we had an investigator come and play basketball with us and other ward members, and he had a good time, and that made my day better, but something that really brightened up my day was, I walked into the gym, and saw the baptism font. It calmed me down and reminded me of my purpose. The rest of the night was pretty awesome, even though I made a fool of myself at basketball.  

Every time it's personal study, I get so excited because I get to study the scriptures, especially the Book Of Mormon. It was something I always knew I needed to do and enjoyed doing sometimes, but now I love doing it. I also love Preach my Gospel. Missionaries are given so many great tools to help them fulfill their purpose.  

Something this week that made me really sad is my companion in the MTC went home. The only thing we can do is our best. Something that made me really happy this week was we taught a family the plan of salvation. There two young boys were just baptized, and the mom was baptized years ago, and now we are working on the dad. We brought up baptism a couple times, but have not committed him yet. We also had a member present, which really helped with the spirit that was unmistakably there. 

There is a man that we are teaching but his wife is not sitting in on the lessons. In fact, I have never seen her before, but she used to sit in on the lessons, and both husband and wife were on date for baptism. We saw her at the store the other day. It was nice to introduce myself to her, and hopefully, she will sit in with us again. 

A cool experience we had this week as we were sitting in stake conference my companion leaned over to me and said he had a feeling we had needed to tract a certain area that night. After he told me, I got the feeling too. We went to the area and tracked around for an hour, and on our way back to the car with little success, we saw a guy on the other side of the street. We went over and started talking to him. He was interested in our message and gave us his information so we could teach his young family. It was a great experience to have the prompting and follow it. 

This week there have been so many random times where I have felt super happy and excited about serving a mission and just about knowing of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and being a member of this church, and I know that's the holy ghost continually testifying of the truth of this gospel to me. Pray for prompting and then don't hesitate to follow them. I love learning about that from President Monson. 

This week I went to dinner with our ward Relief Society Presidency and we went around and talked about our family traditions around Christmas time, and when it got to me I said we watch Mr. Kruger's Christmas each year. In the MTC everyone said that serving a mission will bless your family back home, and I hope you are able to see that. See you guys on Christmas!

Love you all.

Elder Spurgeon 

Monday, December 4th, 2017

Happy December Everyone! This week has been awesome and exciting, mixed with a bit of weirdness. We were at a gas station and a man filling his car yells to us, "Are you guys the Mormon missionaries?" I approached the man and said yes we are. He explained to me that 8 years ago, some missionaries helped him to overcome his alcohol and marijuana addiction, and he has never been more grateful. He has never been a member and did not express interest in becoming one. He was so grateful for all the missionaries but was not interested in their message. I hope one day he runs into another set of missionaries and is ready to hear the messages. 

One night while we were knocking doors, a family from Nigeria let us in. They had a lot of questions about our faith, so we went over the Articles of Faith with them. We pulled out The Book Of Mormon to give them a free copy and they seemed afraid of it. They said we have given them enough information for them to study and then make a decision. We asked the lady to say the closing prayer, and oh my, it was the most fascinating prayer I have ever sat through. While out here on my mission, I have learned that different people pray very differently. Some people don't know how to pray, and it is a cool experience to hear them pray for the very first time. Even though everyone prays differently, Heavenly father hears all of his children's prayers. 

One of the things that make me the happiest is when investigators follow up on the commitments you give to them. The reason you give commitments is to help them build their faith in Jesus Christ,  whether that be reading The Book of Mormon and praying, or going to church. It is also really important to have members present at your lessons with investigators. It is awesome when members come with you and bear testimony.

We run into a lot of people when knocking doors. Pizza delivery guys, Chinese delivery guys, UPS guys, the owners of the house, and Jehovas Witnesses. It is actually really cool to run into them, and it is fun to talk to them. You can connect with them. It's funny with food delivery people because you knock on a door and people don't answer, then the food delivery guy comes and knocks on the door, and your like, "Good luck," then they answer the door and you're like, "WHAT??"

On Sunday we walked into the chapel and saw the family that we invited to church. YESSS!!! I was so happy to see them there. I was glad they were able to make it to fast and testimony meeting, and hear the wonderful testimonies that were given. Sadly they were not able to make it to the last two hours but I was so excited to see them there for sacrament meeting. 

I would like to share a scripture that has been I my mind lately. 

Romans 1:16

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

We should not be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ or being members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Here is another scripture to help me explain myself. 

Matthew 5: 14-16

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

I guess what I am trying to say is live what you know is true, and don't be afraid to share that truth with others who don't know. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christs holds the truth, and they can be found in the Book of Mormon. Love you all and keep your lights shinning. 

GUESS WHAT! There is a lady in my ward named sister Willis, and I told her I lived in the Tri-Cities, and she said do you know Karen and Terri?  And I said, BROTHER MILHAM???? Turns out they are related. What a small world. 

It's funny. When I tell people my name is Elder Spurgeon, they are surprised I am an Elder in my church at such a young age. It's like "Yep, I'm pretty special."

We had our ward Christmas party, and it was themed A Night in Bethlehem. You had to dress up. Luckily I found a tie with camels on it in the apartment. 

At dinner last night, Brother Palomo said welcome to dinner, tonight we will be having vegan ribs. He was kidding and started laughing. He said our faces were priceless. 

We went over to dinner to a sisters house a few days ago and she shared her conversion story. It was so cool. She said she drove past the Temple and felt drawn to it. She went in the visitors center and got a Book Of Mormon and read the whole thing that night. She had missionaries come over and they gave her the Doctrine and Covenants, she read the whole thing that night. She begged to be baptized. It was a great story. 

Love you,

Elder Spurgeon