Hello Family!

The snow has begun! This week it snowed about 3 inches one night. And now, that snow will be here until March! The snow plows here are crème' de la crème'. I was amazed at how fast they plow EVERYTHING. Sidewalks, parking lots, streets of course, and everyone’s driveways. It's just so normal over here and everyone knows what to do. Over in Washington school would have been closed for a week at least! But that’s how it is and it is really pretty now with the snow. I must say I do enjoy the first "real" snow.

This week has been really busy. We are teaching quite a bit and have a lot of people who are close to progressing. Also, we have started trying to give more church tours (like the Elders do there in WA) and that has been good. There is such a great feeling in the church when you walk in and it's like you can leave all the world behind when you walk in. It is so great to be a missionary. I get to meet so many different kinds of people and serve them and help them feel God's love for them through the Holy Ghost more than they ever have felt it before. The power of the spirit is real and it truly changes people’s lives!

Last night I had two meetings for an hour each so we didn't get to teach much that day, but I learned some cool stuff. It was just meetings with the ward mission leader and then the bishop here but I learned something great. We talked a lot about home teaching and visiting teaching. Growing up in the church, I had never really understood the importance of these programs. But last night it just hit me about how important they were and waht they did for wards. I felt kind of bad about how I hadn't given it much priority before. But after talking about it, it really is amazing...these programs we have in the church are just to help each other stay connected, fellowshipped and in touch with each other so we can help out. I decided that even if I didn't know the church was true (which I do!) I would still be a part of this church because of the love and genuine care the people have for each other. Who wouldn't want to be a part of a group like that?? So that’s just what I learned last night in some meetings.

Pictures: (thanks to my companion!) #1. Karl's baptism! Bro. Johnson from the ward was a great fellowshipper in the ward and he baptized him. That is Karl's son (little Karl). He is 4 and he loves primary.
#2. This is the Pilipino lady who is wonderful! Her name is Gloria. She had tons of lights and we helped her set them up in her yard. And I mean alllll over her yard! It was awesome.
#3. The fist snowwww! We were in at night getting ready for bed and we just looked out and there was an inch or so out! So we went and played for a few minutes and I struck a pose. I hope Carl is proud of me for that pose, because I know he is the pro at it!

**Minnesota Word of the week**
Unfortunately I'm out of time to do a word of the week...but next week there will be one! Sorry, I do apologize for the inconvenience...

Hope you all have a splendid week! I love you all!
Love,
Elder Spencer

From Our Missionary

Turkey time!: I am very excited for Thanksgiving. It feels weird because even though I am not going to be with you all for it, it still feels normal. Like this is just how it has always been. I don't know it's hard to explain but I think it is a great blessing to have. I am so very excited to play Turkey Bowl tomorrow morning. I went to a thrift store and bought cleats for $2.50 so I could be in the competition of the game. I wish I would have had you send me my football gloves, but I will have to do without those. Darn! But I am going up to Hudson WI to play with the zone leaders ward and I am pretty excited! Then we will go to a members home who is having a big feast. It will be splendid. Just so all of you know when you go around the table and say what you are thankful for...I am thankful for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, for the opportunity we have to be a family forever, and for you all as my family. THe saying that you don't know what you have until you lose it is very true. Since I've been gone I have noticed alot of things that I hadn't fully understood when I was home and one of those is how wonderful my family is and how much I love you. So Happy Thanksgiving I hope you all have a glorious feast and that they guys have a blast playing football! Take some pictures for me! :)

Weather: Well, it is still cold, but the weather has been quite nice here the past week. I was dreaming of a white Thanksgiving but it appears that we will not be having snow on the ground for it! When it has snowed it goes away by the afternoon. So not too much to report for that. I did survive one night this week with a wind chill of about 13 degrees. So it's getting colder some nights!

Study: At the request of Neil I will include a brief note on what something I have studied recently. The past couple days I have been studying the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The Atonement is something that I can always grow in, because I know I will never fully realize and understand what the Savior went through for me. Today I studied specifically the resurrection. It is awesome to me to comprehend living for eternity with a perfected body. It is even more awesome to me to realize that that is possible only because of Jesus Christ. He literally died and overcame death for me. He didn't have to do it or go through the pain he did. He could have stopped it. The soldiers and people even mocked him that he couldn't "save himself." But, he even died for them too. It has been very special as I have tried to re-apply the Atonement on a personal level the past few days. Christ is the ultimate example of being unselfish and loving. He made the ultimate sacrifice...for all of us. But again, it is important to focus on the living Christ and the wonderful opportunity we will all have to live forever as resurrected beings. It talks about the resurrection repeatedly in the New Testament and the Book of Mormon because (I believe) it is a doctrine not many focus on. IT is an amazing even to look forward to and as I keep focused on that eternal goal, the choices I make everyday begin to reflect that focus. I am so thankful for that knowledge!

Pictures: One picture is of a yard we were able to rake the leaves in. It was a beastly chore but we go through it. There are numerous piles of leaves that we raked. IT was pretty fun though. The last picture is of an awesome night we had eating dinner. Guillermo (who was baptized about 3 weeks ago) grilled us up some fantastic T-bone steaks! Ooooohhh yeahh!!!And that is my companion Elder Hansen. We were pretty excited. Two thumbs up for that night!

**Minnesota Word of the Week**
Minnesota Nice: This defines probably 80% of the people here. It describes the politeness of people who will smile and be nice, but really aren't remotely interested in what we are sharing. It was a term that the people here use all the time. Even though it says "nice"...people generally use it to describe not so "nice" experiences. It's pretty interesting...at least I think so! ;)

I love you all and hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Until next week, God bless!
With love,
Elder Spencer

HOMECOMING

Moms time in Bubble Land

As Neil already posted about our time together in Rexburg I must add my two sense. I also had a great time being in his world. He's doing great with good room mates, nice friends, great job, good ward, very nice clean apartment for a group of men, and happy with life. I so enjoyed my time with him. I always refer to Rexburg as "Bubble Land" because what other campus in the world lets kids prop open buildings doors and play in them at 11 p.m. and beyond. Or leave their house doors open with no care and keys in plain site! There is no other place in the world!
I realized it was my 30 anniversary as when I was dropped off there. Oh how far I have come in my life. When I arrived I spent the first two weeks crying almost non stop. I even moved apartments because I couldn't cope living with strangers. I met a girl from my stake on the street, hung on to her and begged to live in her apartment who had one spot opened. I really had no coping skills but knew I couldn't go home so worked through it. The blessings it brought in my life by staying. Meeting Darwin from his sister who lived next door, a great room mate (Teresa Loveland) who was my maid of Honor at our wedding. By the way after 25 years of only Christmas cards, we met for lunch while I was there. It seemed we had never been apart and talked for hours vowing we would do better to stay in contact. She is a professor at the university herself for the past 2 years. What a great person she was for helping me grow up in many ways. I sat there at the Les Schwab, because my rental car had a flat, and reflected on the growth in my life. Thirty years ago, no skills to now when I booked my own air ticket, rented a car in Boise and went to see my sister Shirley, drove to Rexburg 5 hours away, entertained myself and made my way around with no worry of fear in any way! I stayed with Jeff and Debbie Hochstrasser. They are dear friends from many years past and he was in the stake presidency when I served for almost 7 years as stake primary president. He challenged me to grow in many ways with that calling. They are gracious, lovely people. I loved the Rexburg temple! What a great spirit I felt from my ancestors who settled that town.
Most of all I loved seeing how Neil is nothing like I was. That's how I really knew I had grown as I tried hard to push my children to be able more to stand on their own and boy can he. Good job son! What fond memeories playing silly games late at night with happy people and dancing at a concert. We also had Lisa (Joels daughter) and Shavonne (Susans daughter) over for dinner Sunday. It was good to see them.
Thanks for the great time son! MOM

Older and still a Baller!

Well, I'm still living up my glory days of football while in college! Yes I know that I'm not quite in the shape I was in high school, but we had a good week. I did give up tackle football, but I'm playing on two flag football teams here at school. This week we went 3-0. That's 3 wins, no losses if you didn't catch it. I scored at least once in everygame and ended the week with 3 interceptions. I even had a few tackles, I just can't help it sometimes. So that's my bragging moment for the week. Do you think I can consider myself a college athlete? NFL here I come! (I wish) I wish I had more to brag about, but that's about it for now. I love you guys. Have a great week.

I need some help!

For my English class I had to do an online project with something about what I am going into as a profession. I decided to make a professional blog about current events in the financial world. My blog has three purposes: to help show that I keep up with current events in the financial world (that's the part of my assignment), keep our family posted on market and economy situations, and most important, I want to hear from you guys about your thoughts and feelings about what's happening. I know you guys have an opinion and insights that I don't. Please comment in response to the questions I post. Let me know what you see in your lives and professions. Let out any frustrations you have, agree or disagree with what I write, and correct me on anything I have that could be better. The more participation I get on my content of my blog,  the better it will be. Also, you can post on your own blogs asking your friends to comment as well. Once again, the more comments the better. Whatever they have to say is better than nothing. You can put a link on your blog too if you want. I want to make this good and keep it up for a while. Thanks for all your help!

Visit financialinside.blogspot.com

On a more personal note, Mom was able to come visit me in Rexburg this week. It was a lot of fun to have her here. I'm glad she was able to see a little of my life here. School is really busy, but we had a good time and were able to do some funs things together. Some highlights were watching the movie Forever Strong and playing sardines in one of the buildings on campus friday night, going to a fiddle concert on Saturday, and of coarse eating well. Mom made the best roast dinner ever and it was a huge hit. Thanks so much for visiting and having a good time Mom. I love you all and wish you all could have been up here for a weekend. But it will have to wait for another time. 

Have a great day and I love you guys!

General Conference

Another great Conference Weekend has come and gone. I felt like the over all themes were Hope, Staying Strong Through Adversity, and Missionary Work. It was wonderful wasn't it?! One of my favorite talks was Lawrence E. Corbridge's talk on Saturday Afternoon. He talked about Jesus Christ being the Only Way. He bore a beautiful testimony. He said that Exhalation is "achievable by everyone, not because we are able but because [Christ] is." And life is hard, but the Gospel is not. Get on the path and never ever give up. There is only one way to happiness, it is through Jesus Christ. Every other way, any other way is madness.

I love how powerful his talk was. It made me feel uplifted and confident in my relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. If you'd like to watch it again click here.
What was your favorite?

HEY HEY GUYS!

So I'm writing to y'all this week by starting with an apology because I haven't written in a long time. Things are going well here at school. I feel older and more in control of things this semester. Maybe it's because all the girls in my ward are 18 years old, or because I have a "real job" while at school, or maybe because I feel like I have more life experiences now. I am so grateful for the life I have lived. We have a great family and I have great siblings and amazing parents. Looking back on everything that life has brought me, I realize I wouldn't change anything! I would change a few things that I have done or choices I've made, but lately I've seen how my decisions have taken me to where I am now. I am responsible for what has happened to me and can't blame any person or experience for anything negative in my life. I feel like I see life better as I get older and have more experiences. I look back and see how I learned a lot this last summer. I feel like an expert on certain subjects. When I give my opinion, people seem to listen more here at school. It's help my confidence because I feel more mature, professional and smarter. I am seeing how things I've learned at school can be used in other classes and in life. I feel so much better about where I'm going and feel I've been intrigued to learn more and get more involved. I love it when I feel challenged, but even better is when I feel that I can be original and go where I've never been before. I have felt that more lately. 

I just want you all to know that I love you and am so Grateful for everything that you all do. I hope you all have a wonderful week. 

Love, Neil

Change in life is constant

These past two weeks my heart has been full of the emotion of how life is constantly changing. I so enjoyed having everyone home for over a week, except the Steve and Jeremy who only got two days, and seeing how they have all changed and grown. Of course the wonderful, fun, grandchildren are always changing but everyone else grows also. I couldn't be happier as a mother to see their growth but I don't like the change of them living away and I not get to see their growth all the time. Time is a crazy thing and I wish I could control it more, especially when they are all here. I wish I could spend time only how I wish instead of having to do responsibilities also. Such is my life though. I don't know what I'd change to change that.
The other change of sending Dean off. Going to the MTC couldn't get any better for a mother on one hand because you wouldn't want them any other place then there at that time. Yet on the other hand, your heart aches to walk away from them and not get to hear their voice for so long. I am so proud of him though and once again, wouldn't change that.
But the change this week of hearing my sister Shirley has terminal cancer is a new change my heart is having a hard time with. As hard of a time as I am having, I can't comprehend her emotions of the biggest change of all in leaving this earth life. We all will get our turn and once again, don't get to choose how that change happens, when or where. It just comes. She is doing it with grace, love and laughter so far and I love her for trying so hard. I've been through the change with my mom and dad going, but this will be different. Once again, I get to learn how to be grateful for the change because all I can do is change my heart not the situation.
I love you all, Margaret or MOM

Last blog!

Okay Family,
My last blog before I drive to the MTC and report innnnnn oh about 1 hour and 45 minutes! It is crazy, and very exciting! I would like to thank you all for the love and support you have given me these past few weeks. It was great having you all in town and getting to spend time with you. I don't know if I will get to blog, I don't think I will be able to. Soooo this is my last (short but sweet) post for a little while :) I love you all and hope you will keep me posted on all of your doings. Just so you have it on here my mission home address for packages and letters until I get a real address to send out will be:

Elder Dean Spencer
Minnesota Minneapolis Mission
5931 W 96th St
Bloomington, MN 55438

I love you all very much and you will all be in my thoughts and prayers! Until we meet again...
-Elder Spencer

Almost Home

This week I'm going to the East Coast for the first time in my life. I'm excited to see New York. I feel like there is a new challenge in my life. I love a new challenge! It has been great to be here in SLC for the summer, but I want something more. I feel I can do more and shouldn't shun away from the challenge. I love the feeling of being pushed to become more, being the underdog or being outside my comfort zone. I feel this is the challenge I've been looking for.

I can't wait to come home and see you all. I'm glad we can all spend some time together before Dean goes on his mission. See you all next weekend!

Our 100th Post!

We've made it to post 100! Yeah, Spencer Family! Lets go for 1,000!

Mom is in the blog world

O.K. how long has the family had this great thing and I haven't taken the time to participate? One of my goals for this summer was to "blog" so here I am. I'm in Deans space because I came in from a presidency meeting and saw his computer up in the living room. I loved seeing everyones pictures and read the updates and said to myself, "Come on Margaret, nows the perfect time with the house to yourself and the computer all set up!" Here it goes....
My life is in a great place right now! This is the most quiet, restful, no stress summer I have had my whole life I think. I have no memory of not being in charge of some big event in the summer through church work of girls camp, scout camps or football camps and for that fact the craziness of having little children all home and keeping them happy and entertained some how. Carl is gone most of the time, I passed off Big Blue football club in January, and my church calling is steady and pleasent. I did my vacationing in May with going to see Delee, playing in Arizona with friends, and chior tour with Carl to Canada and San Francisco. With my girl friends we did this thing called twenty wishes. Not goals or dreams but wishes. One of my wishes was to get into blogging (now I've done it) another was to get my front tooth replaced and I get that done on Tuesday, another to read a classic which I'm reading Dickens "Great Expectations". I'm ejoying my garden more then ever before because I have time to tend it more instead of it being just another thing I'm not getting done. I haven't made any progress though on my wish for Darwin and I to take dance lessons. Maybe this fall.
I'm excited for all of my children to come home in August! I love you guys and love being together with everyone!
I'm now going to go eat left over wedding cake from my friends daughter wedding I helped with last night. I love you all. A word from the real mother Margaret

1 month from today!

So I will be reporting to the MTC one month from today! It is coming up really fast, and I feel like I have so much I want to do with so little time to do it in. I am excited most for seeing and having the entire family here for a couple days. It will be so great! The other day I came across this funny video I had from the trip to Utah. We went to go visit the new house Ter and Jer are living in now and we played in the yard for a bit. The boys ran through the sprinkler, Paul ran a little too fast, and Sam just stood there and let the water hit him in the face. It was funny even though it is short!

Pictures from the trip!

The beginning
It all looked the same for a while...
So we had to build and follow the cairns
The few. The proud. The Spencer's.
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Here are some of the pictures hope you enjoy! Sorry for being a blog hog, but i thought it would be okay to not make a slide show and just put them up. :)

It's been too long

I finally decided to just post a blog about what I'm up to. With limited internet at home its been a bummer...dial up just doesn't allow for much to happen. I have been meaning to put up some pictures from the trip to St. George we took a month ago, and i will do sometime when i get home because right now i am eating lunch at work...how cool is that?! I am eating a delicious PB & J if you were wondering. Anyway, speaking of work, i love it! it is a challenging job, with long hours from the commute, but i really enjoy it. It's so fun getting to work with the same people everyday because you really get to know them. I have had some interesting conversations about my mission, mormons, my scar on my arm and becoming a surgeon with people. And, another cool thing is that when im done for the day, I don't smell like a Porta-potty or blow dirt out of my nose (even though i loved working on your house last summer Aunt Kathy!).

Thank you to all of you for your support and excitement about my mission call. I can't wait to go be a Minnesotan for 2 years! And I am even more excited to see you for my farewell, which is coming up fast. I will be on the road to the MTC in 38 days. I am excited, nervous, happy, anxious, ready to just leave for there next week sometimes, other times i get sad thinking about leaving, but most of all i am feeling the spirit the most i have ever felt it in my life. It really is quite the experience!

Another great experience i had last week was going through the temple. I went with Mom and Dad and Aunt Karol and Uncle Joel were there too, and the Daybells. It was absolutely incredible and mom and i already went again on Tuesday. I love it and I can't wait for the chance to go with our whole family! We really are going to be together forever and that is so awesome. Hope you are all doing well. I hope to post some pictures SOON. Love you all so much!
:)

What's up you all!

Hey, Hey to everyone! This week I've been thinking a lot about how wonderful life really is. I think that as we go through life we can loose sight of all we have when we think so much about all that we don't. It is a great blessing to be ambitious and always want more, but I am realizing more the true joys in life lie in how we are able to enjoy what we are given in our current circumstances, instead of always wanting something else. I know my life has truly been blessed.

Here in Utah, things are going well. My internship is going pretty good. I'm learning more about what I want to do when I finish school. I also see that I have a lot more to learn as well. It's so great that I had this chance to be here this summer. The singles ward is good, but I going to start going to the new ward in Sandy. Partly because of gas prices, partly because of trying something new. My golf game is improving, but I'm still not that good. I don't think it matters how athletic you are in golf, it still won't make you any better when you start.

I'm excited to come home for a while and to have everyone home too. It's going to be sweet to see you all. Hope you all have a great week! Love you all and Word to you Mother.

Summer Jobs

we've been busy getting settled into our new place and enjoying the summertime

the boys helping Uncle Neil wash his car

having some watermelon after saving the day (yes, Sam is wearing a cape)...this is the walkway from the driveway to our basement

do you think Grandma would be proud of my muddy gardening gloves? it took me 3 days, but the garden is planted and weeded