joy

My lovelies!!!!!

This week was absolutely marvelous :))  A lot of miracles were seen, people were visited, things were done, and my love for the mission just grew even more.  The sun finally came out again and it's so warm!!!!  People are nicer and happier and so am I.

Something Hermana Taggart and I have started this week is a "joy journal."  It has truly opened my eyes to how often I feel joy.  Not just any joy; true, indescribable joy.  This week during stake conference, I had a moment of perfect joy.  First off, we were in the San Fernando building-my second home :') We were singing "All creatures of our God and King" and during the chorus I genuinely felt like I was in heaven.  I was surrounded by so many people I loved (Hermana Taggart, Rosa, Rocio, Lorenzo, Andi, Robert, and other members of the ward I just adore) and tears came to my eyes because of the immense happiness that I felt.  Speaking of which, I GOT TO SEE ALL MY SAN FERNANDO FRIENDS and it was one of the coolest experiences ever to see Lorenzo, Andi and Robert and how much they have progressed.  Andi hugged me and kissed me a million times and kept thanking me over and over for not giving up on her and helping her find this.  It was so special.  I also got to see Chani and Mayka and a lot of members that I haven't seen in forever. ((Photos attached))

This week, we went to visit Yolanda, a woman in our ward that's been in the hospital for the past 7 months.  Long story short, her boyfriend of like 4 years shot her mom, her, and himself.  It's really a brutal story but she actually ended up surviving.  She's been hospitalized for so long because her intestines basically exploded and it's been a really long recovery process.  She is so so so insanely positive even though she is really skinny and really not in a fun position.  I love visiting her because she is just proof that God exists and is working miracles among his people.  We talked to her for a long time and shared a message using one of my favorites- Alma 26:12

"Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever."  We talked about how wonderful it was that we don't have to rely on our strength, God is truly there to work miracles!!!!!  We can boast in the strength of the almighty, all powerful God because he will never abandon us.  He will lift us and strengthen us and guide in times of trial and need.  I don't think I have ever so strong felt the presence of the spirit in my life.  It was like the room was filled with angels.  I know that God loves us and it really doesn't matter where we are or what we've done, he will always manifest his love.  I am so incredibly grateful that I get to be a missionary and help lonely, lost people feel his love literally lifting them up out of the holes of darkness they were trapped in.  God's love is REAL.  I've felt it so many times this week.

This week, I hit one year of being in the mission field.  1 year!!!!!!  It's actually crazy because I got to be with my whole group ((doing residency)).  I slept in the same bed I slept in 1 year ago on the first day in the field.  I tried to remember all the thoughts and fears and expectations and I couldn't help but be so happy with the decision I've made to serve a mission.  I never thought I would be so happy or grow so much, but here I am!!!!! 

All my love,

XOXO,

Hermana Spangler

PS if anyone feels like writing me, here's my address:

Spain Malaga Mission
Hermana Ginger Spangler

AV. Jesús Santos Rein N°2, 1°C

EDIF. Ofisol, Fuengirola

29640 Malaga

Spain