Home safe.

I always knew that writing would just let me express my feelings. It has always just been a way out. You know, I never knew that I would come home early. I had dreamed so many times about the day that I would open my call to serve a mission. And when that day finally came, it was just crazy. I opened it just a little over a year ago, and that call would forever change my life. I was called to the Kenya to serve a 2 year mission. But I never knew that God had something else in plan for me. The following writings will come from my journal that I wrote as I was experiencing coming home.

April 25, 2017
Well after a entire day of waiting here I am. Sitting in the mission home. Very much might be the very last time here . To be totally honest with you I don't know if I will be back. I got results today that I will be going home. It will be hard but Im ready. There are a few things that I must face in going home. We are still waiting for the Flight plans but President Said I could be gone by next day meaning tomorrow night. So in less then 24 Hours I will be on a plane headed home...Im thinking about what happens when I go home. You know doing what is right is Hard. But  I think and feel and I will be ok. The next time I go to sleep will be in my own bed. I've been thinking about something tonight. There are so many things in life, I just did not see coming. The face2face being one of them. But when I hurt my ankle I think God said "Ok, what trial can we throw at Spencer." You know God knows, and always will know me. The emotions Grow Rapid as I think about the Past. If someone said I would be going home early when I first stared I would have said no way. 

April 26, 2017
This quote was placed in the place most needed. "If you are on the right path; It will always be uphill" -Elder Erying. You know this is not going to be a n easy task. Once again leaving everything behind. Going home starting a new. Let's just say that this path I am taking is uphill. I highly doubt though that I wont be leaving today. Well It is about 5:10, Wednesday I still don't know if I will be leaving today or not. The anticipation truly is going to be the death of me. My mind wonders and races as I think about the reunion that will come in the next few days. I never thought I would love or be addicted to reading. For in the last 5ish hours I have spent reading. Yester and today I have read and finished 2 amazing books. I guess IM doing so because I want the time of  just waiting to go as quickly as it can. I've been in the Mission home or not at work for just about a month now. Trying my best to cope with reality that God has another plan for me. Spending hours by yourself you kind of go Insane.

Well You could say that was indeed a Hard goodbye. But  I think I will return, I really don't know. But what I do know is that God is really in charge. The journey Home though is just simply a detour. I've been thinking just now about life. As I look around me I see people from all walks of life. A women with a nice head dress think, chewing gum. Two sisters ho are observing a little boy drink water from his cup. A girl that obviously is tired and doesn't like the seats. She lays on the dirty floor like she doesn't care. A white guy with long Brown Hair and tattoos on his arms listening to music or something. A pretty cute blond girl that obviously is a brunet but is pretty anyways. She has he legs crossed is wearing blue shoes and pink socks. And keeps looking at me. And then a dad, sitting in the back with his child laughing and tickling him. And then a white guy with brown curly hair walking out of the bathroom. He looks like Napoleon Dynamite.

April 27, 2017
The Plane is just floating above the horizon. Colors I've never dreamed of seeing span over the landscape. It's just about 5 o clock in the Moring here. I look around and everyone is asleep. It really Is a peaceful scene indeed. The man Next to me awake also. The sun is rising quickly as the cabin is slowly getting brighter. As I look thought the window at the horizon. The sunrises there and in my heart. Im going home. Really hasn't quite set in yet. The closer we get to Amsterdam the colors change. My heart feels empty. The memories of life fluid into my mind. I may very much be on a very long road, that seems to never end. At least I have this journal so  I can express my deepest of feelings. Im not ready to face my past. But It was something that must happen in our lives.....The time is slowly sleeping down.....

April 30, 2017
Well....Im home safe...Im still a missionary. I've been home for few days. The drama of life heats fast, as the family is coming together again after 3 years. Wow long 3 years and now we are back together. But....The drama of Engagements and an older brother with his wife moving out to North Carolina...So Here I sit on my chair in my living room. Im home...

Patience Is a Virtue Vs. Insanity

Many, many, many years ago, I was taught a very important principle. That I never new would take years to conquer. As a young boy, I didn't have a lot of patience. I was often hypocritical to others because I would tell them that Patience is Virtue, but I really didn't have it myself. Just a few weeks ago, I was once again tested on this point. I was playing soccer with a group of Kenyans, and I hurt my ankle. I fact it took me out of the game, which I didn't like in the first place. Well after several tests, doctor visits, x-rays, and a MRI. I got a result that I had a torn tendon, a contusion on a bone in the ankle, and effusion. It has not looked good for me at all actually. Its been about 4 weeks. I went to the doctor this week, and he said to me that I must start putting partial weight on it. In two weeks I should be able to put full. But in trying such, it caused a lot of pain. So now what?? What am I supposed to do. Well In Kenya, as a missionary, you walk everywhere. So all I have been doing is sitting in the mission office, doing things that missionaries don't do. I'm a very active person. For those who know me, they know that I can't stand just sitting around doing nothing. I must be out doing something. I you could say that Patience is something that I have really learned these past weeks. We have a mission president, who kind of makes the final call, of what will happen with me. But I still have not heard word from him. So I have slowly slipped into insanity. When you lapse into insanity, your mind goes places that it has never been before. Your body seems to break down. You have a longing for peace, but it just can not be found. You yearn for comfort but you can't find it. It truly is the hardest thing that I have done. That of just sitting around trying to cope with it all. May I add though, that I have been able to cope. There has been times where I have wanted to just punch a wall or something. But I have not because I know that God has been teaching me a lesson. A lesson about patience, much like the one President Uchdorf was taught. He said:

"When I was 10 years old, my family became refugees in a new land. I had always been a good student in school—that is, until we arrived in West Germany. There, my educational experience was a significantly different one. The geography we studied in my school was new to me. The history we studied was also very different. Before, I had been learning Russian as a second language; now, it was English. This was hard for me. Indeed, there were moments when I truly believed my tongue simply was not made to speak English.

Because so much of the curriculum was new and strange to me, I fell behind. For the first time in my life, I began to wonder if I was simply not smart enough for school.

Fortunately I had a teacher who taught me to be patient. He taught me that steady and consistent work—patient persistence—would help me to learn.

Over time, difficult subjects became clearer—even English. Slowly I began to see that if I applied myself consistently, I could learn. It didn’t come quickly, but with patience, it did come.

From that experience, I learned that patience was far more than simply waiting for something to happen—patience required actively working toward worthwhile goals and not getting discouraged when results didn’t appear instantly or without effort."

So Yes Patience is far more than simply aiting for something to happen. I know that to be true. I know that God directs us when we are patience. Just remember this: God cannot steer a parked car.

2 Years LATER

      Words may often not describe the way that you feel about a certain thing or a certain person. But I guess that is pretty natural. In fact no words can describe what true or eternal love is. I just often wonder why people get so caught up in it. When you love someone, I guess it can come easy for some, and hard for others. For me I think it is easy to find fault in people. But for me it is easy to love someone, cause I first look for the good. Its kinda funny though how when we love our heart is full. But when our hearts are broken they get torn and bruised. And healing takes so long. I have been through many relationships where I have realized this principle. That at the end of each relationship it takes time to heal. My first came when I was a sophomore in High school. Living the dream with a junior girl who loved me for me. She took me in and cared for me. She took my heart and my hand and we ran together. When I was with her I felt alive. I felt like I could do anything. I felt truly happy. We were together for a long time too...and then the unexpected happened. And she decided that I was not good enough for her. She left me alone in the rain, sitting there in the road...I was broken, I was bruised, I was torn. When It came time to mend my broken heart. The scares are still there, yes. But I never knew it would take long. Well before I knew it, I decided I just needed to move on. I needed to take the time I lost and give it someone else. Well I did. My junior year was different. I decided first off that I wouldn't fall in love again, because well, it hurt too much. But..what do expect when you are too swift to fall in love again. Like I said, I fall too fast. So I did. This girl was different though. I truly felt a new life. She cared for me. She supported me. She loved me...And then something happened inside of me. Instead of being heart broken I changed. I noticed a liking to a new girl. I noticed that I may be happier with this other one. So the heart break was given to another this time. I was truly heart broken myself by what I did. But I knew that it was the right thing.
     Well my senior year whirls around the corner, and that is when I truly realize a new. I see that this girl is totally different. The true love of my life. We go on the first date...which actually wasn't supposed to be a date, and it went so well. I believe that we go fishing. And at the same time I was gaining a liking to her. I was loosing the liking to the other. There truly is something unique about this girl that I went on the date with....Wow what a change happened. So after dealing the heart break to someone else. I fall so hard for this new girl. She is everything I need. Everything I ever wanted. She is everyone combined. She is the One...I don't know why but time was not on our side. We did like everything together. Time seemed to accelerate, as we neared graduation. We talked so much about the future. She knew that I would be going on a mission for 2 years and she would be going to school. So yes we were going our separate ways. We both knew it would be hard. But we put our trust in the Lord. So over the summer, I dated many girls. I finally was able to get around. That was the best thing in the world getting around. I have options now, when I return and will be looking for an eternal companion.
      About 3 weeks ago, I received and email from this girl. She informed me about somethings and that she had totally moved on. I was once again heart broken but this time in a different way. I knew that she had moved on and that we were not meant to be. I knew that we had put our trust in the Lord and that everything is going to work out the way it needed to.
      So love comes in many different ways. But when the true love comes, that is when you need to dedicate yourself to it. I regret a few things from my high school years. But I know that God is watching over me, and directing me in everything I do.

       So now TWO YEARS LATER, I miss loving someone. I miss the feel of having someone in my arms. I can't wait for that day again. Where I can find my true love. where we can be together forever.

What does water Taste like?

      The audience cheering from the other side of the curtain. The anticipation to open up a letter. The sweat rolling down you cheek as you wait for the gun to blow. The time spent outside a loved one's room, as you wait for the news from the doctor. All of us have been through this time, where we seem to have heavy heart. But the Heavy Heart that I would like to talk about today is something different. Something that seems to be natural for all humans. That heavy heart that comes from when you love someone so much. The heavy heart that comes when you look across the restaurant dinner table at her, and her beauty just seems to shine like the sun. But I guess my words may be cheezy in a way. I was explaining to a friend the other day about the difference between true love, and Eternal love. Now True love is when yes you truly love this other person. Eternal love though is the love that you have that you know will last forever. A heavy heart though comes through the deepest of feelings that you may very much have for this other person. But you can't explain them. Its like trying to explain what the taste of Water. It just taste like water. You can't explain what the taste of water is. So love is just like this. When you have a love for someone you just can't explain its of the deepest of feelings.

        This is very much the Love that I found when I met a certain someone. She came into my life when I least expected it. She became a part of me and my life. She was that girl I could look at across the table and think in my head that I want to be with her for eternity. The real question is does she feel the same way? She totally does.  She explains things a lot better then me. But when it comes to us, the only word that we have come up with is "different". But that's the thing; It is so hard to explain. When I think about our love, or the love that we have, it really is that eternal love. I not only love her for her beautiful physical appearance. But also because of her beautiful personality that makes me super happy. One amazing thing is she is always in tune with what I need. Even though I am away from her and she is going to school back at home, she sends me emails in the week on things she thinks I've needed. And it is exactly what I need to her. And that's not rocket science people!

One thing is that when we first decided to start this, we didn't know what was going to happen. I was deciding to return to being a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and she was going to be going to collage at a local collage. So we both decided to pray about it. That very week, we both had confirmations that we should date. And that was what we did. We never would have thought it would have come to this point. Every time I think about the future with her, It feels 100 percent right. I see myself growing old with her. Holding her when she is sad, or when she needs me the most. I feel it is my responsibility to make her happy. And that is exactly what I plan on doing.

I love her because:

1. She knows what to say at the right time.
2. She is kind.
3. She is loving.
4. She likes Coke. ;)
5. She works hard.
6. We have similar goals.
7. She is in tune with the Spirit.
8. She knows that God loves her.
9. She keeps me sane.
10. She has a cute personality.
11. She makes me happy.
12. She expresses her feelings to me.
13. She trusts me.
14. She has style.
15. She has amazing leadership skills.
16. She lets me make decisions often.
17. She allows me to be me.
18. She lets me geek out about soccer.
19. She loves country music.
20. She has a lot of faith.
21. She loves to read, so it makes up for my fault to not liking to read.
22. She has an awesome family.
23. She is family oriented.
24. She cares about her family.
25. She cares about her friends.
26. She cares about me.
27. She lets me drive.
28. She knows I love Mt. Dew
29. She is a good kisser 😙
30. She respects her parents.
31. She knows the truth of the Gospel.
32. Even though she gets sick often she pushes through.
33. She endures.
34. She is an example to me.
35. She has a great sense of humor!
36. She is beautiful.
37. She isn't afraid of being herself.
38. She is smart-even though she doesn't think so.
39. She keeps a smile on my face.
40. She supports me.
41. She allows me to do what I feel is the right thing.
42. She corrects me if I need correcting which is often.
43. She likes ikea.
44. She likes holding my hand he much has I like holding hers.
45. She isn't afraid to tell me that she misses me.
46. She is open to seeing the good.
47. She inspires me to be better.
48. Her experiences have helped me in my life.
49. She allows me to love her fully.
50. We both want to be great parents.
51. She wants to be great mother. Like I want to be a good father.
52. Her nurturing character is the bomb!
53. She keeps me on the right path.
54. She helps me see the good in people.
55. She lets me geek out about things I love.
56. She wants to raise a family in the Church.
57. She is preparing to be a great wife.
58. She has her head on straight.
59. She is good with money.
60. She is not afraid to ask for help.
61. She is optimistic.
62. The way she deals with issues.
63. She works like she needs to get something done.
64. She likes Chocolate.
65. She will eat ice cream with me.
66. She likes the outdoors.
67. She loves dogs.
68. She never gives up.
69. She has so much faith.
70. She lets me be me around her.
71. She doesn't put on a mask when I'm with her.
72. She fell as hard as I did.
73. Keeps me on my toes.
74. Takes people in like they're family.
75. Loves the scriptures.
76. Loves God.
77. She knows that change can be good.
78. She sings like an angel.
79. She lets me sing...even though I can't haha
80. She will do things with me that I like to do.
81. She loves sunsets.
82. She loves the mountains.
83. She loves Idaho.
84. She knows me well enough to make fun of me when needed.
85. We can be ourselves around each other.
86. She keeps me guessing...keeps things interesting
87. She lets me talk about my childhood.
88. She loves my family.
89. She knows my sister is amazing!
90. She cares about my family.
91. She isn't afraid of telling me she that she loves me.
92. She wants a Christ-centered home.
93. She I'm a cowboy at heart.
94. She is my southern girl.
95. She has been through so much, but still stays strong.
96. She has amazing mother qualities.
97. She is everything hope to be and more.
98. She is one of best thing that has ever happened to me.
99. She is very quirky.
100. She knows I can be "a boy" most of the time but loves me anyways.
101. She allows me to pursue my goals.
102. She lets me take her out.
103. She sends me notes on email a few times a week.

Well the list can go on and on. I once heard it said that true love is manifested in the deep down feelings that you have fore a certain someone. I defiantly have found something special. I want to hold on to it forever. And I know it can last forever, as i put God first.

I love you sweetheart!

Heavy Shoes

The music was loud, my heart was bounding, my brain...well not in the game. Ear phones in my ears to try to focus my thoughts. I have done this millions of time, but this time it was different. It was different because I actually had something to loose. Putting on my spikes that day was a vigorous process. They seemed like 50 extra pounds to carry. I tried to shake off my nerves but it seemed that they just wanted to overpower my consciousness. The walk to the bull pit seemed like the longest trek of my life. Step by step, my nerves grew too excessive to bear. Checking in was the easy part. Waiting to be called to go to the start line, I thought to myself, can I really do this? My thoughts wonder. I think of all the hours of practice that was expended for this one race. I think about all the times during those practices where I wanted to give up. Giving up seemed like so easy back then, but I remembered a quote from a well known athlete Muhammad Ali; "I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion'" I knew that I could be that one. The one to triumph over the other competitors. My spikes still heavy, my mind still competing, my muscles stiff, I walked to the start line. Set up my blocks, and do a few practices starts. The other runners the same. Still nervous, and feeling a little sick, I say a quick prayer to see if I can get my mind fixed on the race. Now it was time. Time to race, time to run, and time to win. I was ready. "On your mark"............."Set"......Gun shot.......I fling out of my blocks, keeping low, pump my arms and my legs. My whole running career on the line, I speed down the track. Running as fast I know how, not thinking about anything but the finish line. I get distracted by the runner right by me. Wait am I not supposed to be faster then him? I lengthen my stride and pass him, and then the others. Last 100 meters come quickly has I go around the last turn. As I turn the corner, I see the crowd in the corner of my eye. The cheers now come from all direction. My coach yelling, my friends yelling, my family yelling. This was it. Last 50 meters, my legs now drained from energy, I tell myself, this is it! I lay back a little bit and then lengthen my stride once again and heave forward toward the finish line...... The race is now over. The runners wasted from the run. We congratulate each other and walk off the track. I have never ran like that. This race was different. Why? Because I ran fast, I ran well, I ran like a champion. What a race. Sitting and waiting for the results is the hardest part of a track meet. Putting on my sweats, and jacket I go sit in the bleachers, where all my friends congratulate me on the victory. I don't know if I was victor or not. There were 5 other runners in my heat. I thought to my self, maybe I did win. Sitting and waiting for the results, I close my eyes and recollect what had happened. I have never ran like that before. What a race!! The anticipation now killing me, my friends run up to and say, "Dude the results are up!". What??? That was quick. I run with them to the result board and look at the board...Tears of joy almost slide down my cheek as I read the result board. I had done it. I had won. I had triumphed over the other competitors. I was number 1. Never felt the way I felt at that time. The joy that came from my heart was unthinkable. Wow what a race, I thought as I walked away. All my hard work had payed off. It truly did. I promised myself from that day on that I would work harder every day. That I wouldn't quit. That I can live like a champion only after the victory.

So this memory re-told. The experience I had that day changed my life. You know I didn't do much of track after that. But I still worked hard in all things that I did. Slacking off was not an option. Because in the words of Colin Powell: "There is no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure." And in the words of me...If there were to be a formula to success it would Hard work+Self motivation=Success. So Never give up! Keep going! Be strong! Work Hard! Success is just around the corner for those who do these things!

           

The story that changed my life!

A lot of people wonder why we often feels so alone but this one story taught me a very important lesson. So as you read this think about what it means to you.

"One night I dreamed a dream.

As I was walking along the beach with my lord.

Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.

For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,

One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me, 

I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,

especially at the very lowest and saddest times, 

there was only on set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it. 

"Lord, you said once I decided to follow you, 

You'd walk with me all the way. 

But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,

there was only one set of footprints. 

I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you. 

Never, ever, during your trials and testing's.

When you saw only one set of footprints,

It was then that I carried you."

This story brings tears to my eyes every time I read it. It is such an amazing truth, that Our Savior and Redeemer is there to carry us through our trials. Don't forget that! One of my favorites hymns is called "I know that my Redeemer lives". The words of the first verse goes like this:

I know that my Redeemer lives. 

What comfort this sweet sentence gives!

He lives, he lives, who once was dead.

He lives, my ever-living Head.

He lives to bless me with His Love. 

He lives to plead for me above. 

He lives my hungry soul to feed.

He lives to bless in time of need. 

So Yes I know that my Redeemer lives. I know that with all my heart. And my prayer today is that everyone can know that eternal truth. 

The Call of a life time

You know you don't know how much you miss home until you are gone from it for over 6 months. About 7ish months ago, on August 22, 2016, I left home. Only to return on August 28, 2018. 2 years seems like a long time. But now that it is April, I have realized that it really isn't. As a missionary, I have been spit at, almost ran over my a car 3 times. I've been high. I've been low.  Every second of every day is dedicated to the service of the Lord. And I really love it. There was a time of my life, where I really didn't know where life was taking me. I was a young teenager, just being crazy. I kinda had a friend group and then I would loose it. My life has totally been a blessing. I have seen the good and I have seen the bad. Here in Kenya, the people are poor. Living in a 1st world place and coming to a 3 world, it is a change. But I have learned to love every second of it. So just know that one call to serve can change your entire life.