just do it for the lord

HELLO ALL MY LOVELY PEOPLE-

I did it!!!!!  I have officially been in the beautiful country of Spain for a whole year!!!! I was making a list the other day of all the things I have learned in this past year and it's incredible to see how much I've grown.

Here are just a few things I've learned:

1. Heavenly Father is SO merciful.  He doesn't give us second chances, he gives us a first chance over again.  It doesn't matter what we've done or thought or neglected doing, he always lets us try again.  He lets us mess up, learn from our mistakes, and become better from them.

2. God doesn't like it when we are comfortable.  Trials are sometimes evidence that  He feels we are prepared to grow.  To get from where we are to where he wants us to be requires stretching.

3. Patience really is a virtue.  When you think you have patience, God is really good at sending you someone or something that makes you reevaluate yourself and the patience you thought you had.   I think that goes with about every other Christlike attribute: charity, humility, faith, etc.

4. Christ paved the way before me, he's tested the ground and felt it all but in reality, he's also with me in every single step.  I found a quote a while ago that says this: "It is as if the judge in that great courtroom in heaven, unwilling to ask anyone but himself to bear the burdens of the guilty, takes off his judicial robes and comes down to earth to bear their stripes personally.  Christ is as our merciful judge is as beautiful and wonderful a concept as that of Christ as our counselor, mediator, and advocate."  Christ really did it all for us.  For the very purpose of being able to help us because he has gone through the EXACT same thing.

This may or may not have been the most difficult week of my mission.  We went by to visit our dear Maria and she had her neighbor tell us that she didn't want to hear anything anymore ):  Apparently she had done a lot of thinking about tithing and came to the conclusion that we were trying to steal her money.  We've tried calling her but she has made it very clear that she doesn't want us to come back.  It was really really hard for me and Hermana Højholdt and a lot of tears were shed.  It's heartbreaking because we came to love her and care for her and we know how much this will bless her and she has just decided not to listen.  I don't think she will ever be able to deny the things she has felt or the miracles she has seen, but I guess she just wasn't ready.  Keep her in your prayers though!!!  You never know what will happen in the future.

While it was incredibly difficult, it actually turned out to be one of the most rewarding weeks ever!!!!!  Let me tell you why: Right after getting rejected by Maria, we really just wanted to sit in piso and cry for 10 hours but we just decided that going out and working would probably make us feel better.  Whenever we don't have the animo to work, our motto is "Let's do it for the lord."  And that puts us right back on our feet :)) We didn't really know where to go but we felt we needed to visit some less actives, Nani and Israel.  Let me tell you a little about them.  Nani is an older lady and she lives with her son, Israel.  Israel has some mental disabilities but is able to communicate, read, walk, and do everything perfectly, just a little bit slower.  They are so sweet and so so special.  They haven't been to church in over a year, for lots of excuses, but they finally came last week!!!!!!  Ah, it was the happiest moment of my life :):):)  The changes we have seen in them are actually incredible. When we first started visiting them, Nani was bitter and angry at God and didn't ever want to open up and now she is radiant and happy and able to notice every single blessing that God gives her.  I love the peace and happiness that the gospel can provide.  Anyways, we felt like we needed to go visit them and it was so so good. Nani wasn't feeling good and of course, neither were we, so we decided to talk about the sacrament and the healing power of the atonement and just being able to testify and talk about all those things made us feel SO much better.  Nani said, "I don't know why you decided to come by tonight ((we usually go on Tuesdays)) but I feel so much better after having talked with you." God is just so good :')

Also, Rocia and Rosa are still on fire!!!!  They came to church on Sunday and loved the whole thing :-) We visited them a few times this week and they are doing so good with their reading and praying and they have been getting really really excited about their baptism!!!  Especially Rocio-she prays about it like 12 times a day and always asks us questions and tells us everything she's thinking, I love it.

I just love you all more than I can say.  Missionary work is the best, you guys should all try it out!!!!!!  You don't have to have a name tag to be a missionary :)) BUT, if you're still able to do that whole name tag thing, come join us-we need all the help we can get.

Besitos,

Hermana Spangler

PS I spent a really nice amount of time last week writing emails to everyone under the sun and I found out that none of them sent and all of them got deleted, so I may never get that time back & if you never receive an email from me, IM SO SORRY, I tried.  Just know I love you all lots :-)

PSS we may or may not be going to Gibraltar next week, so if I don't email next week, that's where I'll be.

"tengo la memoria de un pimiento" -rocio

ALL THE PEOPLE I LOVE THE MOST-

Well, I have officially hit the second decade of my life!!!!!!!  I think the mission has made life speed up a lot faster than I would like it to.  As soon as the alarm went off, Hermana Højholdt started singing happy birthday to me in Danish ((something my dad would do)) and then made me Danish pancakes!!!!  We made little mug cakes and I put candles in there, and got to blow them out, so that was fun :))  On Sunday, we made a GIANT pot of potato soup ((something my mom always does for me)) and ate with the elders and they made some yummy fried ice cream.  It was my first and last birthday celebrated as a missionary and overall, it was pretty great :-)

Okay, but enough about me, let's talk about some of my favorite people!!!!

So, Maria finally came to church!!!!!  And, of course, she loved it.  The members were so good and met her and talked to her and took care of her-we barely did anything!! She needs some extra prayers right now because she still can't cut out coffee but she's still strongly SET on being baptized the 11th :))

We're also teaching a 9 year old girl named Aroa.  Her parents are members but she didn't get baptized at 8 because they went less active for some time.  However, the dad is coming back to church and she wants to get baptized now!!!!  They only have time on Sunday's so we basically just do one lesson where we squeeze like 6 different lessons into it because she basically already knows everything.  Yesterday we taught the plan of salvation with the word of wisdom, the law of chastity, tithing, and follow the prophet.  It went SO good.  She just loves everything and her dad is always in the lessons and helps out a lot.  ALSO, yesterday, her cousin Manuela (also 9) was in the lesson and she's not a member.  She had a ton of really good questions and she asked if she could have her own pamphlets!!!!  So maybe we'll see some miracles with her :))  She has a baptismal date for the 18th of February-keep her in your prayers!!

Rosa and Rocio are progressing so so well :))  We have been teaching them and reading with them and they really understand everything.  Rocio literally loves praying and loves reading and LOVES coming to church.  Rocio’s prayers always go something like this: "Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day and thank you that we can be here today with Højholdt and Splanter ((that's how she says my name)) Please help us to know that what we are reading is true and if we should get baptized.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen" SHES SO CUTE IT HURTS ME.  I seriously love them so so much.  They are still working towards February 18th as well so they need your prayers too!!!

After a hard transfer of working and finding, God is finally letting us see the benefits of our work out here in Jerez.  I'm really grateful for the mission and for all the miracles I see every day.

I love you guys so much!!!!!!!   Thanks for all the birthday wishes and videos and cards, I really really appreciated it all :-)

Hermana Spangler

believing Christ

MY PEOPLE-

This might be the one of the most uneventful emails of my whole mission so I apologize before you read it.  We have interviews with president today and some other things so I'll just write a quick one.

This week, Rosa and Rocio came to church!!!!!!!!!!!  In all of my time here, that is the first time we've had anyone come to church.  We went over to their house and they were all cute and dressed up and then we walked in the freeeeeezing cold all the way to the church.  It was so fun and they loved it!!!  After primary, we asked Rocio what she learned and she basically taught us the whole story of the first vision and when Joseph smith translated the Book of Mormon.  And then she said, "I remembered everything from when you taught me last week." :):):):):))) I was just beaming.  We have a cita with them on Tuesday so I'll let you guys know how that goes.

We also have new little girl we are teaching named Aroa.  She's 9 and her dad is a member and she wants to get baptized!!!!  We taught her on Sunday and she basically already knows everything so we're just gonna go through all the lessons and see what she remembers.  She wants to get baptized as soon as possible.   We didn't set a date yet because they want to do it in our cita on Friday with her mom, so we'll see how that goes.

Also, Maria is doing really great!!!!!  She's VERY set on her baptismal date and has been telling the whole entire world.  She's really excited :))  Keep her in your prayers!!!

I've been studying one of my favorite talks recently and I want to share with all of you, I attached it.  (READ IT.  IT’S SO GOOD)  I know without a doubt that Christ is our brother and our Savior and He is the only way that we can make it back to live with our Heavenly Father.

I love you all!!!!!  Really, I do.

Hermana Spangler

there is sunshine in my soul today

MY DEAREST LOVED ONES-

This was one of those uphill/downhill every single day weeks but the ups DEFINITELY outweigh the downs so I feel blessed once again to get to tell you all a little bit about what happened.

The downside mostly consisted of Hermana Højholdt being super sick and me having an almost broken foot-which kinda put a stop on a few days of work this week.  But of course, Heavenly Father was really merciful and kept the miracles raining down.  I've found myself noticing that I feel his mercy and love even on the days where we are just walking and walking in the cold and not seeing any success.  I think it's just a miracle in itself that I get to walk the streets of this beautiful country with my companion and the savior at my side.

We are teaching a woman (Rosa) and her daughter (Rocio) right now.  They are the most PRECIOUS people I have ever come in contact with.  We started teaching them at first because Rocio needed help with English but they turned out to be GOLDEN investigators.  We spend a half hour or so reviewing Rocio's homework and making up songs and drawing things to help her ((the teacher side of me really shines through)).  Then they get super excited and ask, "Can you share a message with us

now?"  And we all come together in their warm little living room and share a message.  The spirit is always SO sweet and I can feel the savior and his love so present in every lesson.  One time, we were teaching, and Rosa told us that she had lost 2 babies to miscarriages.  We promised her that they would still be her babies and that one day she would be able to hold them in her arms again.  The spirit confirmed all of our words and then Rocio said, "Wait, so does that mean when I die, my mom will still be my mom?"  We told her that yes of course they could be a forever family, and then it was like a movie moment and they got so happy and Rocio hugged her and I don't think my heart has ever smiled so big :)))))  THEN, the second time we went by (2 days later), Rocio said, "I read the first chapter of the Book of Mormon.  I didn't really know what to do so I just read in the pamphlet on how to pray, said a prayer, read the chapter, and prayed again afterwards.  It made me feel really good inside." !!!!!!!!  SHE’S TEN.  I wish someone recorded the reactions of Hermana Højholdt and I-we were both smiling so big our cheeks almost fell off.  She said a really sweet prayer at the end of the meeting as well :') They couldn't come to church this week because they were out of town but they are really excited to come soon!!!!

Also, we have an investigator named Maria that is working towards baptism on her birthday!!!!   We had a really good lesson together where we read 3 Nephi 11 and talked about the importance of baptism.  Maria is an 80 year old woman who just loves Christ and LOVES the Book of Mormon.  She's already in Alma 45 :)) When I invited her to be baptized she answered before I could even finish!!!!  It went like this: Me-"Maria, will you follow the example of Jesus Chr---" Maria-"UNTIL I DIE"

Me((a little shocked))-"oh great!!! Will you be baptized on February 11th?" Maria-"yes!!! I was born that day, I think it only make sense to be spiritually reborn on the same day" :):):):):):):):):):):):):) <<this was me and Hermana Højholdt

All I can say is that I love my Heavenly Father.  I love Jesus Christ.  I love this church and I LOVE being a missionary. ((Alma 36:24-25))  Also, Lorenzo, Andi, and Robert were baptized and confirmed this week :)) The hermanas in San Fernando were telling me that the service was absolutely perfect and I just feel so blessed to have been a part in their conversion.  It's really beautiful to be able to watch God’s hand

touch everyone's life out here and I love having a front row seat.  Take the time to look for his hand in your life, I promise you'll see it!!!!

All my love,

Hermana Spangler

building 2, fourth floor

QUERIDO PEOPLE-

Can you believe we are already in 2017?!!!  I am still in shock with how quickly it passed by.  I have been doing a lot of self-evaluation lately and I realized that there are a lot of things I want to change and improve in this upcoming year.  A Spain tradition is to eat 12 grapes in the first 12 seconds of the new year.  I've attached a nice video of us doing it with the elders ((at 10, because we couldn't be out that late)) enjoy :-)

This week, Hermana Højholdt and I had a REAL miracle.  We had plans to stop by a few people but no one was home.  On the way to one of the people, we passed by an apartment building and I thought, "we should knock this building."  I was about to say it to Hermana Højholdt and she turned to me and said, "I think we need to knock over here."  I told her I had just received the same impression so we went for it.  We

started with the first building and the door was open!!!!!  That never happens so we went right in.  We got up to the 11th floor and then I felt really strongly that we actually needed to go to building 2.  I said, "I don't know why, but I think we need to go to building 2."  Hermana Højholdt turned to me and said, "I was just about to say the same thing."  IMPRESSIONS ARE SO COOL.  So as we were leaving the first

building, we tried to find something to hold the door open just in case building 2 wasn't opened.  Hermana Højholdt decided that we should show FULL faith and just head over there.  The most basic truth of the mission is "if God wants you to go in there, he'll open it for you."  We got to building 2 and of course, it was open :)) There were 11 floors in this building too so we started knocking.

This is where I feel like I'm retelling President Uchtdorf's talk from last conference ((lds.org, general conference, oct 2016, fourth floor, last door.  READ IT))  After knocking the 11th floor, no one would listen.  We then knocked the 10th floor, and got all "no's."  The 9^th floor happened to be the same.  We got all "no's" UNTIL we reached the 4th floor.  Building 2, floor 4, door C was the whole reason that

Heavenly Father prompted us to knock this building.  We knocked the door and a little girl came out ((about 8 or 9)), we asked if her parents were home and she left for a second to go get her dad.  He came up to us and we started telling him about the message we shared.  He told us that he didn't believe in Christ but that the rest of his family did.  THEN, he invited us in!!!  ((which never happens))  Unfortunately, there were no women home so we couldn't go in but it's okay because we just showed them all the new Christmas video at the doorstep.  It was such a beautiful moment- I don't know how to describe it.  The spirit was so sweet as we testified of Jesus Christ and his birth and death and the truth that because of him, families can be together forever.  They loved the video and loved everything :")  They said they would love to have us come back so we will DEFINITELY be back.  Not a single other person in the building told us they wanted anything and I fully believe that God sent us to that building to find that specific family.

Also, GUESS WHAT?!!!  Remember Lorenzo, Andi, and Robert??  THEY ARE GETTING BAPTIZED ON SATURDAY!!!!!!  I have never in my life been so so happy :))  They're also getting baptized with a woman that Hermana Bailey and I contacted, her name is Maria del Mar.  I am so so excited for all of them to take this big step.

I'm heading to Malaga again today to go to consejo, so I'll let you guys know how that goes :)) HAPPY NEW YEAR - take some time soon to make new goals for 2017.

Philippians 3:13-14

I love love love you all!!!!!

XOXO,

Hermana Spangler

Our album cover: Harvey and the boys feat. the SHEs ((we were having a little too much fun))