The Weekly Report

     Hey everyone! So finally, the weather here is getting nicer. I wore a long-sleeved all day this week, and didn't sweat too much. It was still hot enough on Saturday to get a mosquito bite, which has never happened to me in November before. 

     So last Monday, after P-Day, we had dinner with this guy named Mark and his wife (courtesy of/ dinner with the English elders). They liked to kinda try to tell us why we are wrong, but they were still the nicest people! That was the first time I've had a good, home-cooked, American meal in so long! They prayed for our eyes to be opened haha. After all of that, we went to Houston for a mission temple trip. There were about 50 missionaries there; they're sending everyone through in parts. 

     The drive was awesome! I can't explain how funny the English elders are. Man, I love them. We got there pretty late that night. And we stayed with... get this... Elder Evan Huntsman, who went to Borah with me. He was a senior my sophomore year, and in my seminary class. That was pretty cool. We woke up at like 4:30 the next morning to go to the temple.

     I wish I could say this was my best time at the temple, but I was struggling with my patience. Let me explain. I had a wonderful time, and the Spirit was very strong. However, I wasn't receiving the revelation I thought I needed in the way I wanted. I learned humility this temple trip. It actually hit pretty hard. I love it!

     So lemme tell you about this weekend in Galvy. There was a festival called the Biker Rally. From Thursday night through Sunday, about 400,000 motorcycles came through. It was crazy! There were a lot of crazy stories. For example, a woman from a strip club got abducted. A couple people died at one point. The sister missionaries had to go home at about5:00 because they were too scared to ride bikes, and were being offered beer and to be taken home. Elder Rockhill and I were offered to be flashed. Yeah, it was a different weekend. 

     I wish I cared about motorcycles though haha. Elder Rockhill had a great time because he knows a lot about them, and grew up on them. He also knows a ton about cars. He can talk to anyone for a long time about cars because he knows what's in them, he knows what model is which, and he actually cares. I have like no car experience, so that really takes me out of the conversation. I wish I were more of an interesting person before my mission. All I really had going for me was choir/ music stuff. Elder Rockhill did like everything you can think of to talk about. It is really a plus. I told him I might steal some of his stories haha. 

     The work is a little slow right now. We're really trying to get this awesome 19 year old kid named Orbit on a mission. He's been praying about it. He needs to get active first haha. 

     After church yesterday, we had dinner at the Rabago's house (which we do every Sunday), and that was, as usual, fantastic. Afterwards, Elder Johnson and I gave the lesson. We watched a mormon message video about a guy who lost his whole family in a car accident. His faith and hope in God were truly incredible. After watching it, I shared the story of my Uncle Mark's family. I shared it from my cousin Greg's perspective. He lost his sister while they were both on missions, and his mom got cancer. He was given the option to return home twice, but stayed out with faith. I was crying the whole time I was sharing this... as was most everyone else. I am truly impressed by the faith of others. I know that Christ has suffered all our pains for us. I love my Savior, and know we can turn to him in our time of need. I love you all, and bear my testimony and witness that what I share is true. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

-Elder Spjute

Thank you, everyone!!!

So as for the title, it is obvious that I had a bit of a tough week last week, but this one was SO much better, and I'm so grateful for all of the prayers in my behalf! 

     I finished a journal! I started it the day I got my call, and I have learned so much since then! It is cool to see the difference! 

     So I was upset last week because Elder Rockhill signed us up to help someone move in on P-Day, and it took about 5 hours. But it was a good idea that yielded blessings :) We did a similar move today. If you can find ways to manage time, it is not a bad thing. It is service, which brings the Spirit. 

     Last Monday, Elders LeBlanc and Johnson had to go to the hospital to give a blessing to a 2 year old girl with severe burns on her body. It took a huge psychological toll on them both. The girls mom was a mess. I got to talk alone with Elder LeBlanc the next day, and found out that under his rough shell is a huge heart. I really love that guy! 

     On Wednesday, we had exchanges, which for me, happen about 5 times a transfer. I went to Kemah, and the Kemah Zone Leader came to Elder Rockhill. Kemah was AWESOME! The apartment has 4 spanish speaking missionaries; my companion's name was Elder Escobar. We stayed up 'til 12 just joking around; it was amazing! The next day, we spent about 5 hours in the hospital in Sugar Land because he had a check up due to some cancer he had before the mission. It is all fine now, but it was a good experience; and I drove all day :D I got to sing my heart out in the car with him! The bad thing about staying up til 12 though, is that I'm getting sick now. Not fun, but oh well! We are both struggling with difficult companions, and by the end of the day, we could both see the fruits of a well-working  companionship! 

     While he was doing stuff in the hospital, I read a talk called The 4th Missionary. OH MAN, mind blown! If I'm lucky and diligent, this could/will change my mission/life. It is all about being better than the bad first, lazy second, and un-desirable third missionaries. Be the 4th missionary who's will is the Lord's. So good! I could also see that take effect this week. 

     We had to come in early to the house on Halloween due to costumes and such. It was nice because we got to bed early :D I miss dressing up haha. I got to dedicate my first house that day! Well an apartment, but oh well! The less actives that live there were really grateful and so cool! On that same day, we had a zone meeting, in which I gave a training on inviting people to church. It went really well. I focused it on the missionary purpose. I got a ton of compliments. The English elders thought Elder Rockhill was kidding when he said I was giving a training. I love them a lot; we joke around so much! We have tons of fun with them! It is amazing! 

     Our investigator, Ivonne, came to church yesterday for her second time, so she'll probably be baptized soon. Woohoo! Blessings :D I have had such a good week! I have an analogy that relates to the work here. It's like bike riding. I think every time we ride our bikes, there is a head wind. It's so difficult, but it really strengthens you, and then, you can focus on other things when strong. I know the Lord has been merciful with me this week. I thank you all for your support! I love you all, and the church is true!

-Elder Spjute

Livin the Dream

     So the best thing about P-Day last week was singing with Elder Johnson (English). My mama sent a bunch of music, and I sang 'til it hurt! I know, I know, bad technique haha. It was so good though! He's a kosher singer, but that works for me :) 

     I've had a couple people ask me to tell about our investigators. We have no progressing investigators, sadly. Ivonne, who I've mentioned a few times, can't come to church due to work, so she isn't really going anywhere, and that is frustrating. An older lady named Mariester Villalobos can get baptized as soon as she gets to church, but her family who would drive her has to work most Sundays. There are two girls, Rosalinda and Lisbeth Marquez (12 and 14 y/o) who also could be baptized, but their parents are inactive, and that's tough. There are a few others, but none anywhere near baptism. We work a lot with less actives. 

     On Friday, I got to go on exchanges with Elder LeBlanc. That was great! I needed some time with someone else. I love Elder Rockhill, but occasionally he gets on my nerves. I can always improve on that though, that is a big fault of mine: impatience. Anyways, while on exchanges, we both got flat tires, so that was just dandy. We lost a bunch of time on that, but it was nice being able to talk to Elder LeBlanc when we were walking. 

     On Saturday, we had to fix Reverend Lawson's flat tire. He's this big, black, Pentecostal Reverend who hangs out with us a lot. We're trying to convert him haha. He bought us ice cream from an ice cream truck :) I felt like a little kid again. He's a funny guy. 

     So, ironically, yesterday, I gave a talk on patience haha. It went well, and I guess people liked it. I feel so nervous speaking in Spanish! But all is fine! 

     I hope everyone's week is great! I'm sorry this is short, but I hate to admit, I was in a bit of a foul mood this week. I'll keep working on it, but I wouldn't turn down a prayer or two! I love you all!

-Elder Spjute

Short Week

Well I know it sounds lame, but this week was rather uneventful. It has been like 5 days since last P-Day. I'm gonna start by giving an outline of a regular day. 6:30- up and out the door for a run. We come back after about 2 miles and finish with a bit of other exercise. 8:00- start personal studies for an hour. 9:00- start companionship studies. 10:00- start 12 week training (because I'm still new.) For this we watch movies, read Preach My Gospel, etc. 11:00 start language training.12:00- start lunch (or on Thursday, start weekly planning which takes about 3-4 hours). 1:00 out on bikes around Galveston, or in car around Texas City, Hitchcock, or La Marque. We have one hour for dinner whenever it is most effectively available. 9:00 (or 9:30 if we have lessons to teach)- in the house and starting planning for the next day. Once we finish planning for the next day, we change into regular clothes, and have personal time until we have to be in bed.10:30- lights off, which means in bed, or praying. 

     Every Thursday, we have dinner at 4:00 with Hna (hermana [sister]) Perez, the daughter of the lady I baptized. She always makes great food! I gave her mom a nice baptism picture with a frame. They put me up on the wall! We have dinner with the Rabago family (the husband is the president of our Lehi Branch) every Sunday. I love them! Sister Rabago sends pictures to my mom. She's like a mom-away-from-Mom. We eat at Cici's once or twice a week when we go to Texas City, La Marque, and Hitchcock.

     We've been doing a lot of reactivation with less actives lately. We have some of the coolest less actives! I love so many of them! There are so many that have to work on Sunday though. Many are very lazy. Some are too prideful offended. Hispanic people can be very easily offended! But if they can tell you love them, it works out well. 

     Our favorite less active families include the Zarate's. They have a pitbull named Gringo who is just awesome! They have young men who come out with us occasionally. They have a lot of cool names in their family: Orbit, Edwin, Gardinia, Oliver, Audie. Then there's the Luevanos. He makes fun of me, but I've learned to love him. He really is funny. There are others, but these are just some of the funnest ones. 

     I wish I had more good stories from this week! Things are all going well. The new English elder here, Elder LeBlanc, who is "troubled" and has been disobedient on his mission, is really cool! He's definitely crazy, but I love him, and he's hilarious! We're doing well in Galveston. The work is a little slow though. I still appreciate the prayers and support in my behalf. I love you all so much!

-Elder Spjute

Finally P-day

    Yeah, 9 days in between P-Day is really hard. I was all out of clean clothes. We were almost out of food. It was chaotic haha. But nonetheless, I love it here so much! I've found especially this week that as I pray about specific people, I feel more connected with them, and can figure out how to help them most efficiently. I have been building a much stronger relationship with my Father in Heaven, and encourage everyone else to continue to do the same! 

     I'm almost finished with my second journal! This one I started the day after I opened my mission call. It is really cool to read through entries and see how far I've come. It is most inspiring when I can see the pattern of reliance on the Lord. As I put more in the Lord's hands, somehow, I am blessed more. You'd think it would be based on personal effort, but I testify that it is not! If we concentrate our efforts on our Savior, service, and relying on our Heavenly Father, things will more often work out. 

     I've heard a lot of people talk about the weather. Let me just tell you now that you are lucky not to have Galveston weather. We had like 2 days this week under 80 degrees. I'm still sweatin like a banshee! 

     So Elder Rockhill and I were told not to go to transfer meetings because the third companion we were going to get went to a different companionship. I was actually kinda bummed because that might have helped to relieve some of the two-man pressure. HOWEVER, I met the guy that would have been it on Sunday when we stayed the night in Houston in preparation for the meeting with a 70 named Elder Schwitzer the next day. The kid was a mess! His name is Elder Bets. He's so darn negative! I had previously prayed a little upset at why the transfer didn't go through. After meeting the guy, I've been praying with gratitude! May i never be that guy...

     So Elder Stoker got transferred from the English companionship, and that was really sad. His replacement is a big guy named Elder LeBlanc. He was a bit of a trouble missionary, so we were all a little scared, but he's actually really funny, and I've enjoyed him since he's been here. 

     Miracle!: After a fast by the zone for specific investigators, our investigator, Ivonne, got another co-worker so that she can come to church on Sundays now! So great! :D 

     I've grown to love Hispanic food. This could be to my downfall... I'll have to keep working out a lot! But man, real tamales are incredible! There's a Salvadorian dish called pupusas that are soooo good and so cheap at the restaurant that Ivonne works at. We get discounts :) 

     I've been really music and October trunky. I miss those things so much! I'm hoping this desire for a beautiful fall will pass soon haha. All in all though, I really love it here!

     We stayed the night Sunday at Elder Rockhill's old area in Houston. I got to see and hang out with Elder Sharp from the CCM. It was a good time! The next day was a Zone Conference with that 70. It was really inspiring. It helped me see the missionary work from a new, more Christ-centered perspective. 

     I hope everything is going well back home and wherever y'all are! I love you so much, and this gospel! The church is true! No doubt about it!

-Elder Spjute

Weekly Report

So this week was awesome! First off, I want to let everyone know that my P- Day next week will be on Wednesday, due to a meeting with a member of the quorum of the 70 on Monday. He's gonna talk to us for a while that day, so we'll be in Houston. Next, I wanted to thank everyone who has had a hand in my success out here. I feel very blessed, and know that I couldn't do this without your prayers. Keep 'em coming, please!

     Who loved conference!? I DID! It was incredible! My questions beforehand were on the subject of faith. I waited the whole weekend, and Elder Scott answered them all in the very last session! So cool. My favorite talk, however was Elder Christoffersen. So dang powerful! There were definitely a lot of good lessons learned this weekend. I encourage you all to reread the talks! Invite others to learn from them too! We got to watch the conference in the chapel. So cool!

     So my BIG challenge for EVERYONE this week: go see the movie Meet The Mormons in theaters on the 10th. I've had the special opportunity to see it with 4 different zones in a zone meeting this Tuesday! It was amazing! You must show this to everyone! It is for all people! It shows the lives of 6 different LDS people, and is really incredible. 

     Later that Tuesday, i got a flat on my bike, and this guy rides by on a bike with a pump on the front! What a deal! He was from Guatemala, and said he'd meet with us. That is definitely a miracle :) 

     I went on exchanges this week with Elder Johnson, the other English Elder. He's the funniest guy out here. We had such a blast! He also cooks like a boss. We had a great time! We put our bikes in 1st gear and pedaled like crazy. Everyone who drove by giggled a little. Felt great! 

     We had a zone fast this week for a bunch of different investigators with problems. It was definitely a Spiritual experience. I highly encourage those to anyone who needs a little help, or just needs to get closer to Heavenly Father. 

     After our fast, we went to the temple!!! Elder Rockhill and I went with investigator Ivonne, her sister/recent convert Nathaly, and their mom. It felt like a family road trip! It's nice being able to understand more and more Spanish. I love it a lot! That was such a Spiritual high! Nathaly was able to be baptized for her grandmother. Poor Ivonne had to wait in the car, but it was worth it! We just gotta get her baptized, then we can go again with her! We got home an hour and 15 minutes late, repented, and slept hard before conference.

     I'm very grateful for all of the families that feed us here! I'm trying not to put on weight haha. The moral of the story is, be generous and loving, and it will come back to bless you! Yesterday, the coolest guy, Hno. Tellez, took us to Sugar Land, and we got to go to a friend of Elder Rockhill's baptism. Great people here! I keep praying for people to see the importance of this work!

     We had transfer calls this morning. Elder Stoker (English) is leaving. So sad. I'm really sure that Elder Rockhill is about to become ZL. I gotta go. I love you all tons! The church is true!

-Elder Spjute

Elder Spjute's district on the ferry

Houston temple

We're with investigator Ivonne (skinny), her sister Nathaly (recent convert), and their mom Hna. Idiaquez. So cool!

Baptism Week + pictures

 This week has been ridiculous! I've grown so much! I continue to love Galveston more and more. Though there are challenges, it is always worth it. For example, last night, we went walking and had one lesson. The whole night. It was a rough night, but the important thing is that we were kind to all that we talked to. We are continuing to strive to be more like Christ. That is our goal in life, to become more Christ-like. 

     We had exchanges this week. Elder Rockhill stayed in Galveston and worked with ZL Elder Hudson, who had to give baptismal interviews to a couple people! I went to a town called Kemah, where I worked with Elder Post. He's only been out a transfer longer than me. He was awesome! I learned a lot about how to speak up and just show energy! 

     He also encouraged me to talk to Elder Rockhill about what I needed to to let me speak up. I needed that because once again, we skipped comp inventory. But I said what needed to be said, and he thanked me, and promised to try to help me more. I love Elder Rockhill, and we are still trying to work together! 

      One really cool experience while exchanging: we talked to a guy who didn't believe in God. I, being dumb, listened a little harder than I should have, and felt the Spirit slip away. I prayed for it to return as I knew it could, and the Lord answered. The song Danny Boy as sung by Vocal Point came on in the car. By the third verse, I was choking back tears. I know that my Father in Heaven is there and loves me!

     Funny story #1 there's a little girl who is the daughter of an investigator we were teaching who was dancing in the background to What Does The Fox Say. I could barely contain the laughter. Little Hispanic girls are the cutest things! Funny story #2 On Tuesday, Hermano Idiaquez (this same investigators step dad, and our branch elder's quorum president) asked Elder Rockhill if when a pregnant woman is baptized, does the baby get baptized as well? Pretty dumb question, right? Then, this morning, we went to teach Ivonne, this investigator, and she wasn't there. We called her, and she was in la clinica; she said she was sick. Then, my all-but-intelligent comp asked her if she'd be sick all day. She said no! It all made sense... she was pregnan!!! We called to confirm, and her step dad told us she wasn't, but man did we laugh about it. 

     I got a baptism! It was the old heart attack lady :) I performed the ordinance. It was a wonderful and spiritual experience! I love this gospel, purely want to help people right now! I love you all, and with you the best,

-Elder Spjute

The first is riding home from the hospital. The second is at Johnathon's 3rd birthday party. He is a recent convert's son

First is our Zone Idol stage with 2 of 3 judges on the right. The second is a restaurant on Seawall that we get free food at because the owners are lds. From left to right is Elders Stoker, Johnson, and Rockhill.

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