Friday, December 10, 2010

Letter From the Mission President

Since Spencer is now serving on one of the outer islands and not able to communicate regularly with us his mission president sent mom and dad a letter to assure them that he is doing well. Here is the letter:

Dear Brother and Sister Norton,
I'm writing to inform you about your son. Right now Elder Norton is doing very well and is currently working in Marakei, an outer island apart from Tarawa. As you have probably realized, communication is limited when Elders are sent to serve in an outer island. However, we want to inform you that all is well, and your son is working very hard. I know and am very aware that Elders do not have the privilege of keeping in contact with thier families when they are serving in outer islands, and express my concern for you knowing how hard that might be. I want to assure you that their well being is our utmost priority. Your son is healthy, happy and is in very good condition. The Lord takes care of his Elders and I promise Elder Norton is bsing well taken care of.
Regarding communication with the Elders who get sent out to outer islands; we do keep in contact with them regularly. Once a week, the Elders communicate with the mission office by radio to report on how their week has been and if their are any need/concerns. There is also an airline company that flies out regularly, at least once a week, to each island. If there is any time we need to get ahold of them, there are definite means by which we can do so.
Serving on an outer island is a great opportunity and an amazing learning experience. There is a tremendous amount of responsibility for those who are sent out, and many blessings that await them as well. Only the trustworthy, hardworking, and obedient Elders have the opportunity to serve in this capacity. I am very confident in Elder Norton and know that the Lord has placed him in Marakei for a reason. I am proud of the work he has done so far, and look forward to the work he is yet to accomplish.
Sincerely,
President Shaw

Monday, November 22, 2010

Transfers


I just wanted to put a quick note on here to tell everyone that Spencer was transferred. He is now serving on one of the outer islands called Marakei. He will no longer be able to email and won't be able to call for Christmas. He should be able to make his Christmas call in January when he returns to Tarawa for Zone Conference. His companion is Kiribati, Elder Tiree. He said that he hopes to get a letter out but for now we don't know how well the mail will work and don't have an address for him so all letters should be sent to the mission home. Since he isn't going to be able to talk to anyone at Christmas and isn't sure he will get a letter out he says Merry Christmas to everyone. He says although he knows that this time of year will be hard he knows he is where he is supposed to be. He did get one Christmas package before he left so he will have something for Christmas. He also was supposed to be having a couple more baptisms before he left Tarawa. This will probably be an interesting experience for Spencer, from what we hear about the island there in not a lot of electricity and the lifestyle is pretty primitive so it will definitely be different for him but I think it will be neat for him. Though we don't know when or how he will be able to get letters, please keep writing and send the letters to the mission home address, he should at least get them in January, if we get a more direct address for him I will post it here.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Pictures!

Here are a few of the pictures that Spencer recently sent. It gives us just a little taste of some of the experiences he is having.


All loaded up in a truck headed to watch General Conference.


Spencer with some pigs.

They got stuck in some muck trying to take a short cut.


These blisters are from a little green fly whose pee is like acid. They've cleared up now but were pretty nasty.



The best tuna sandwich ever!




Rolling out tortillas with a vanilla bottle.





His socks hanging in the rain.



Their Well.



This is a Relief Society Meeting. Spencer says " Even in the bush of Tarawa the Relief Society has flowers and a table cloth.


Baby Octopus for dinner.



Spencer's first baptism.

WWII gun mount.

Christmas Island International Airport.

His name tags in the 2 languages.
In Honolulu.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Dear Family

Mauri mauri, its great hearing from you. I'm glad everyone seems to be doing well there and I hope it stays that way. I'm doing really well the week started out kind of crazy. There was an Elder here from Tonga who went home on Thursday. A bunch of people had big farewell dinners for him and invited all of the missionaries. I don't really enjoy them because a lot of the time they make everyone get up and talk, which I don't ever really like but its even harder when I don't really know the person and these kind of things always go really late. At one we had to play a game where the loser had to go in the middle and dance I almost had to do it but the other guy kind of cheated so they made him go instead. That's another reason I don't really enjoy them because there's usually something like that, But they were okay it was really cool to see how much the people here loved that Elder and how much he loved them.
We went to the airport Thursday morning to say goodbye to Elder Noa . On the same plane that he left on there where five new elders from America. One of them is the kid who worked at Jake's bank I haven't really had a chance to talk to him but it was cool talking to him at the airport for a little while. It's really weird to think I'm not one of the new guys anymore. On Saturday transfers happened Elder Green got moved to a new area and Elder Cole is training one of new Elders. His name is Elder Staley ,he's from Alaska. I'm sure he'll do great, but this morning he started getting sick and having to use the restroom a lot, if you get what I mean, it made me really grateful that I haven't had to many problems physically. I'm still with Elder Rameka which I'm really happy about, he's awesome.

One thing that has made this week really good is that I'm finally starting remember a little bit of this language, still not much but some things. I think a big thing has been my attitude, I worked really hard to not let myself get discouraged and make myself talk and it been a lot better. One thing I found that kinda helped was a quote by Mark Twain. We were in the zone leaders van and this book of quotes for missionary's was there. I started glancing through it and I found this " Make it a point to do something every day that you don't want to do. This is the golden rule for acquiring the habit of doing your duty without pain." I've really tried to follow that advice and have found that its true.

Something that Elder Rameka and I did this week that was kind of fun was that the Primary President asked us to help the primary learn the actions for a song they where singing at a stake activity. Elder Rameka had taught some girls who where deaf and so they thought he must be good at sign language. He knows a bit but thankfully he knew that some of the sister missionary's knew the actions so they showed us. We met with the primary over a couple of days to teach them, it was fun to get to know some of the kids. On Sunday they had the primary program. It was cool, one of the songs they sang was the one we showed them. It was pretty funny to watch, they forgot a lot of the actions but they really did a great job. So, its been good. We have some great people we are teaching who are really ready to be baptised, it's been so cool watching people grow in their faith, it's the coolest feeling. Well to close tell everyone that I love them, thanks for all your prayers I know they help. Until next week ti a bo.

Love, Elder Norton

Email 10/10/10

Dear Norton Family,

How is everyone? I'm doing really well here. General conference was awesome the first two sessions were on Saturday afternoon and evening then priesthood and the Sunday sessions were all day Sunday. They showed it at Moroni since that's also our stake center so it was a ways away for our branch. The branch presidency arranged for a truck that could pick people up. That was really good because we got a lot of people to come that likely wouldn't have. We had quit a few investigators and recent converts there. The first day the Kiribati version wasn't working so I was a little worried that some people wouldn't come back on Sunday, but I think everyone came back and they had the Kiribati version working. It was really cool. All the talks were of course great I think my favorite was president Uchtdorfs talk in priesthood session. Mainly because I really needed to hear it, but they all were incredible.

I finally got all of your letters on Saturday, Thank you all I'm sorry I haven't sent more letters. Today I'm sending home a memory card with a letter explaining some of the pictures. I wanted to write more letters but really only had time for the one. I will try to get some out next week. One thing I could use is a list of birthdays so I can get things sent out before. To answer one question in your letter mom the only scriptures the church has translated into Kiribati so far is the Book of Mormon but they are translating the Doctrine and Covenants now, the Bible we use is a Protestant one because the church says the translation is good.

The work here is still going well, we have some great people we are teaching. I still can't contribute much in lessons but I'm working on trying to talk more. It's not easy but I'm trying to remember what I learned in conference and apply it. Even though it's hard and I can't do much yet I Love It. It's really good hearing from you. Let everyone in the family know that I love them all and say Mauri to the Lady's in the deli for me.

Love, Elder Norton

P.S. I think I may have found someone to give Matties letter to. I haven't asked her yet but she and some of her family speak really good English so i'll see about that.

Email 10/3/2010

Dear Family,

Mauri, ko aura? That is how are you in Kiribati. As always it's great hearing from you. First of a couple of things I forgot or didn't have time to write, I did get Emily's package thanks. It was really fun to get it and great to hear from your family. The other thing I didn't have time to write last week was that there is a sister who just left on her mission to Temple Square,so when you guys are down there keep an eye out for a Sister Ereti. I didn't know her very well but I met her a few times so she might remember me. You could meet someone from Kiribati.

I can't believe that its already October, oh Happy Birthday John, Erica, and Mattie. Sorry I haven't gotten any letters sent out to you. Time just seems to fly by so fast here, particularly on p-day, I will try and do better. Its good to hear that you're all enjoying conference we won't watch it till this coming Saturday and Sunday because of the time difference and the translation. I'm really exited to hear it.
To answer your questions we actually have a stove in our flat which has been really nice we have made pancakes a few times and tortillas. Elder Rameka has some easy recipes he got from one of the senior couples who used to be here, so that's been kinda fun. This week has been pretty good we had another baptism a girl named Tenebo. She's been waiting for ages to be baptized. First she moved and then stoped coming to church for a while,but we worked with her and she was really ready to be baptized. Other then that we have some really great people we are working with.

The language is still coming really slow a big part of the problem is that's it hard for me to not be shy and just talk to people. Elder Rameka has been great though there are times when pushes me to speak which is good but he doesn't push to far. The other thing that is hard is not comparing myself to others.But really its been a good week. Thanks for finding that CD when you send a box if you could also send some band aids. That's all I can think of that I kind of need ,you really don't need worry about it, just whenever. One other thing , from what I've been told its alright if other family members email me I probably won't be able email everyone back just because of time but I'm pretty sure you can write me. I will try to get some pictures sent home soon I haven't taken as many pictures as I should have but there are still quit a few. Well I hope everyone keeps doing well there. I'm sorry this email is so random I never know how to say the things I want to. I love you all so much and thank you for your prayers and support.

Love, Elder Norton

Friday, October 15, 2010

Letter 9/20/2010

Spencer sent a letter a couple of weeks ago telling about his first weeks in Kiribati and the journey there. He started with thier time n Hawaii. When they got to Hawaii. they stayed with some Elders there. Spencer went with one set of Elders to the Bishops house for dinner and then they went to visit a familyin a place called the KTP. They said it is basically the ghetto of Honalulu and there are no white people there, everyone is Polynesian or Micronesian. The only white peopl allowed to go there are the missionaries. As they went in and waited for the family to gather he saw mice running across the floor and said it was very humbling. The family was from Chook in Micronesia so he couldn't understand anything they said. One of the Elders was from Chook so he taught them and Spencer said it was a really cool experience. They left for Fiji the next day at noon. They on Air Pacific, they call themselves the world's friendliest airline and Spencer said it was true. They got a hot meal, drinks and a sandwich later. They stopped on Christmas Island, the airport was only two tiny buildings, then flew on to Fiji. They stayed the night there and left early the next morning for Tarawa. There was a Senior missionary on the flight with him on his way to Tarawa to do missionary work. The airport there was not much bigger than the one on Christmas Island. The Zone Leaders weren't at the airport so they went with the senior missionary to Moroni, the church school where the senior missionaries stay, until the zone leaders got there. They took them back to there flat and a kid brought them some coconuts so they got to drink their first coconuts. He said it was okay. They had lunch with the Phipens, they ate little meatloaves that tasted a lot like Grandma Norton's meatballs so he really liked that. Then they talked with President and Sister Shaw on the computers. The Elders said they might be able to do that on Christmas instead of calling. They went on splits with the ZL's and then met there trainers. They had dinner with a lady they call aunty Fahteli. She teaches at Moroni and spoke english really well. She had a lot of food and it was all good. The next day they had an orientaion with the Zone Leaders. They took them to Batio, the "big city" of Tarawa. The area was just divided so they are in the west half. He shares a flat with his companion and two other missionaries. It is one of the nicer flats in the mission but there is no running water. Their drinking water is rainwater that they filter, for everything else they go out to the well, showers are a bucket and a little cup. He said he hasn't had a problem with any of the conditions there but it does make him appreciate all of the things we take for granted at home. They have a drink called kaevethatthey get from coconut trees that he said is really gross but it is important to their culture so everyone gives it to them. He always drinks it even though he doesnt like it since it is so important to them. He says the people are very kind, welcoming, and patient when he doesn;t understand. He talked about his first baptism, Kakai, and even though he messed up and felt really bad her mom was the first one to come up to him and tell him thank you. He told an experience that they had with some girls they are teaching that had a hard time coming to church. One week these 4 girls said they would come to church and didn't come. The next sunday the Elder's came to their house to walk with them. They were all ready to go but on the way to church one of the girls disappeared because she felt like her clothes were not good enough. But the other 3 came as well as Atuti so they had a really good day. It sounds like he is doing really well and enjoying his mission so far.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Email 9/18/2010

Sorry to everyone who checks this blog for updates on Spencer, I haven't been very good at keeping it up. This is the first of three emails and one letter that I need to get on here. I promise to try to be better and to not keep getting that far behind.

Dear Family,
My week has gone really well here. I got your package mom, it was awesome, thank you so much. The president brought it with him, he's here for zone conference. I guess Emily's package wasn't there yet but thank you for sending one. Packages come from the Marshall's whenever the plane flies between or when the president comes so I'm not sure when things will get here. There are about 40-50 active members in our branch, the ones I've met have been awesome. Hopefully with four of us in the branch that number will go up. Our housing is actually pretty good. I talked about it in the letter I sent last week but one thing has changed, in the letter I said that we had no running water but our tanks got filled the other day so now we can, we haven't really used it because with four in the house it would go pretty fast so we still shower with the bucket of well water but it's really not bad. The food so far has been pretty good, so far I've eaten tuna, flying fish, chicken, breadfruit, a ton of rice and a lot of other stuff I can't count. The weirdest thing has been octopus, you have to squeeze out the little beak before you eat it and it has a very rubbery texture, but really the people here always give the missionaries the best that they have. It makes me feel kind of bad sometimes but the people love the missionaries. We've gotten free bus rides and free pictures just because we're missionaries. The members here are awesome. So we have zone conference on Wednesday, Elder Hamula of the Seventy comes tomorrow so that will be cool, everyone says he's awesome. I met with the president for the first time, he seems like an awesome guy, I'm excited to work with him. The work has been going well, Atuti should be baptized this week so I'm really excited about that. So, I'm doing great, I love you all and hope everyone keeps doing well.
Love, Elder Norton

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Pictures from the MTC

Here are a few pictures Spencer sent from the MTC.

Classic map shot



Spencer's Companion Elder Green.






The whole District.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Email 9/11/10

Dear Family,
I'm doing great here on Tarawa. First off to answer your questions Kakai is a girl. She's really cool, we had dinner with her family last Sunday. They're all really great her uncle just got released as a counselor in the branch presidency. I guess that answers your other question, we just have a branch in our area but hopefully it will soon be a ward.The members we have are awesome they feed us all the time and are really good about finding us people to teach. I don't really know how to describe Tarawa, it's hot all the time, They call the towns here villages. They are all mostly really small and they just kind of flow into each other, but my area is really spread out it's like small pockets of houses quite some distance apart. There are a few people here who speak English but even if they're really good they are to shy to use it. The language is going really slowly but I'm working at it and Elder Rameka has been really great at working with me. I've already had a ton of cool and interesting experiences. I wish I was fast enough to write them all here but I'll be sending a letter probably on Wednesday. It's been hard to find time to write so its taken me a while. I'm glad to hear that everyone doing well, tell Matthew Durrant congratulations from me that's awesome. I'm not sure what to write all the interesting stuff is in the letter I wrote. Like I said I'm doing really well. We have some great people we're teaching, there's one kid named Atuti who's been awesome. We met him just this week and he already has a baptismal date. He came to church on Sunday so I'm way exited about him. Well I'm sorry this is so short I hope you all continue to do well I love you all and thank you for all your prayers in my behalf.


Love, Elder Norton

Monday, September 6, 2010

Email 09/05/10

Here Is the latest Email from Spencer, we received it on the 5th even though he sent it on the 6th. It's crazy to think that he is a day ahead of us.

Dear Family,
I don't really know where to begin, when we got here we stayed with the zone leaders Elders Vinici and Green, Elder Green is white but he jokes and tells everyone that he and the Elder Green who came with me are brothers. After we met them they took us to the Phipens they are a senior couple who I guess kind of stand in for the Mission President in Kiribati. After we met with them we talked with the Mission President on skype. He will be coming in a couple of weeks so I will meet him then. My area is a part of Tarawa called Temwaiku. My trainers name is Elder Rameka he is from New Zealand, so far he has been really cool.

I had my first baptism already, an 8 year old named Kakai. They wanted the Elders to do it so they asked me. I had to say it in Kiribati so I had to do it a couple of times but it was really cool. The people here are incredible. They are so kind and welcoming ,they feed the Elders almost every night. The Elders say that we don't really go out tracting here, we usually always have lessons lined up because the members are really good about finding people for us to teach. I know this is all really random but I'm just so slow. If you send a package send it to the mission home address, if your sending a letter you can send it to P.O. Box 217 Bikenbeu, Tarawa Kiribati.
I'm doing really well ,I'll try to get a letter out that has more info. I love you all and hope you all are doing well

Love, Elder Norton

P.S. I forgot to say mauri that means hi and ti a bo which means goodbye the ti makes an s sound.

Journey to the Islands

On Monday mom waited anxiously by the phone all morning in anticipation of Spencer's call. He called around 9:30 The phone kept disconnecting so after a couple of calls he finally went to another phone and was able to get through. He was pretty Emotional about leaving to an unknown place and knowing he wouldn't see us for two years ,but I think that's normal. He told us that he would be going to the Kiribati Islands and that is where he will be serving. He will be learning the native language there. He flew to Honolulu and someone from the mission there picked them up from the airport since their layover was over 24hrs. The Next day He called from the airport in Honolulu .He said that some senior missionaries picked them up and and took them to the Elders apartment where they would be staying for the night. Spencer and the other missionaries went with the Elders to teach a lesson. The Elders taught in marshallese and that kinda freaked Spencer out. After his call they all flew to Fiji and from there he and his companion flew to Tarawa.

When he arrived in Tarawa he sent this Email letting us know he arrived safe.

Dear Family,
I have arrived in Tarawa safely. This is where I will be serving. I don't think I have a lot of time right now but my p-day will be on Monday. I have not met my companion yet. Kiribati is beautiful but very different, the language is crazy but I hope I will able to get it eventually.Well I love you all and hope that you all are doing great.

Love, Elder Norton

Letter 8/27/10

Spencer sent us a letter just before leaving the MTC. It was pretty basic he didn't really say much that was new. He got himselt a nice new haircut, and has had a bad cold, Most of his district has been sick.He says thanks for all the letters "it is always good to hear from home" Elder Holland came to speak and it was really good. He also told us he would be calling from the airport so to be ready on monday.

He also included a few pictures from the MTC, However we still need to scan them in so they will be coming shortly.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Here is some of Spencer's Latest email.

Dear Family
Thanks for the email and the letters, and thanks Sam for the picture everyone who's seen it has been very impressed. I'm doing alright here I've had a bad cold since Sunday but I'm feeling better now. The MTC has had its ups and downs yesterday was really bad I was feeling like I just couldn't do it but this morning has been better. I got Erica's letter which helped. As much as I want to get out of the MTC I'm starting to wish I had more time to get ready for the field,but I guess wishing isn't going to help. We had Elder Holland come and talk to us on Wednesday he was incredible. He pointed out some things all missionaries need to do better in. I just cant believe I'm leaving on Monday I'm exited but super nervous. Well I hope everyone is doing good, I miss you all ,oh happy birthday Paige sorry I missed it. Mom could you send me a list of birthdays.
Love, Elder Norton

Spencer also sent a letter recently.

In his letter he wrote about a Devotional where Elder Gonzales and his wife spoke. Sister Gonzales told the missionaries in her talk "Don't worry about what you can do or what you can't do, because this work is not about you." Spencer said this really helped him and he is trying to follow her advice. He had his first appointment last Wed. he said it went better then he expected. Teaching is still hard for him but he is trying hard to get involved in the discussion and push himself out of his comfort zone.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Email 8/20/10

Here is Spencer's Latest Email. He just got his flight schedule which looks long but fun. I can't believe he's leaving the MTC in just a week!


Dear Family,
Thanks Mom for sending my razor I'm sorry I forgot so much stuff. I got a package from Emily which was fun. Thanks Throndsons for all your support. To answer your questions Elder Green is going to the Marshall Islands too. Everyone else in our district is going to Australia except one who is going to New Zealand. I have not had a chance to talk much with the missionary's from the Marshall Islands. We got our travel itinerary today we leave on the 30Th, we go to Honolulu at 11:40 am and we arrive at 2:20 pm, then we leave on the 31st at 12 pm for Fiji and arrive at 6:40 pm on the 1st, then leave on the 2ND at 5 am and arrive in Tarawa , Kiribati at 8 am on the second. Things here are good, there are still bad days and I still don't feel very confident teaching but its getting better. Well I'm sorry this is so short but love you all.

Love, Elder Norton

Here are a few of the sights Spencer might see on his way.

Honolulu Airport


Landing in Fiji



View of Tarawa,Kiribati



Kiribati Airport

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Entering the MTC

Here are a few pictures from when Spencer entered the MTC.


Ready to go.






See you in TwoYears!








Letter from Elder Norton 08/14/10

In addition to the email that Spencer sent last Saturday he also mailed a letter that was received this week. Some of the letter was a repeat of what he sent in his email but it was longer and gave more detail. Here are some of the new things he told us.

First a little more about his companion. Like the email said his name is Elder Green. His mother is Tongan and his Dad is from America. He told Spencer that you wouldn't even know that his Dad was related to him. His Dad served his mission in the Marshall Islands years ago so his companion already knows a lot about the Marshall Islands.

Another experience Spencer wrote about in his letter was on the first day when they were Reading off the places where the new missionaries were from he heard them say the Marshall Islands. There are two missionaries from the Marshall Islands In the MTC right know. Spencer and his companion were able to speak to them for a few minutes. He said that neither one speaks very good English, One of them prayed in a group meeting and he prayed in Marshallese. Spencer said that it was like nothing he had ever heard before, that scared him pretty bad.

Like he said in his email the first two days were tough but he is doing really well. he writes that while he knows it will still be really hard sometimes, he is tyring to keep himself focused on why he is there and leave the rest up to the Lord.

We are excited to hear more. Hopefully we'll get an email tomorrow.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

First Email

Well yesterday Mom and Dad received their first email from Spencer aka Elder Norton. Sounds like he is doing good.


Dear Family
I got both packages, thanks a ton Mom for sending them. My P day will be on Friday from now on. I am doing well,the first two days were really hard but yesterday something changed and I actually think I can do it now. My companions name is Elder Green from West Jordon and he's been awesome. My teachers have been really good, I'm learning a ton. The real emphasise has been about learning how to be good teacher, how to approach people, get to know them, and teach to their needs. Classes have been really good. I got Moms e-mail, so thanks Mom. I'm really slow with this so it will be really short. Thanks Kelly for the letter it really helped. I hope you all are doing well, I love you all so much.

Love, Elder Norton

I know I'm being a total hypocrite when I say this, but please write him. I know getting letters from family and friends will really mean a lot, especially on the tough days.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Off To Serve the Lord


Yesterday evening Spencer was set apart as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Everyone in the family was able to be there as well as the Bishop and the Stake President who set him apart. This morning he finished some last minute packing and got himself ready to go to the MTC. Most of us said our goodbyes at the house before they left, Mom, Dad, Sam, Hyrum, Molly, and Mattie rode down with him. You no longer go into the MTC with the missionaries so they pretty much just dropped him off and, after a couple of hugs, watched him walk away. I didn't go to the MTC, I just said goodbye at the house but I think everyone was already pretty emotional. Having been on a mission it brought back a lot of memories of what that first day felt like. It is a rough day, the next couple of days will probably be hard as everything starts to sink in and he starts to adjust to life as a missionary. The first day is a day filled with so many emotions because you are excited, but you are also scared and nervous about what lies ahead. I have no doubt that Spencer will do great, but as someone who has been where he is now, I know that he can probably use all the support he can get so I added his addresses to the side of the blog. He will only be in the MTC for 3 weeks so if you want to send him a letter there it is probably best to do it soon. As soon as I know his departure date I will put it on here so that everyone will know.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Farewell Talk

Sunday was Spencer's last Sunday before leaving for the MTC so he got to speak in sacrament meeting. His topic was the teachings of the prophet Joseph Smith which is a lot to try to put into one talk but he did a great job. He focused on the Book of Mormon & personal revelation.Dad was supposed to speak with him but due to a super fun trip to the emergency room until 3am (he had kidney stones, but is doing fine now) he decided to opt out and John stepped in. John also did a good job & both Mom and Dad bore their testimonies at the end. A lot of family and friends were able to come to support him and we had a nice get together after church. We are all really happy that Spencer chose to serve a mission. We know that it was a decision he really thought and prayed about. He will be a great missionary and we are excited for the wonderful experiences he will have in the Marshall Islands.

Thank you for all of the support that everyone has shown Spencer as he has prepared to leave on his mission.

Going to the Temple


On July 17th Spencer went to the Jordan River Temple to recieve his Endowments before leaving on his mission. A lot of his family were able to attend with him. Afterwards the whole family were able to get together to spend time together and celebrate this milestone in his life.

Monday, May 10, 2010

The Call

On Wednesday May 5, 2010, Spencer received his mission call. He was called to serve in the Marshall Islands Majuro Mission. He reports to the MTC in Provo on August 11th. It is an English speaking mission so he will be in the MTC for 3 weeks before heading to the Marshall Islands. From the map that was sent with his call it looks like his mission covers The Marshall Islands as well as Kiribati, another group of islands, and the island nation of Nauru. I wanted to start this blog so that Spencer's family and friends would be able to know how he was doing on his mission and be able to follow his experiences as a missionary in the Marshall Islands. Since he doesn't leave until August there will probably not be many posts until then but hopefully once he leaves we will be able to update everyone regularly on how he is doing.