August 6th 2012

Well this week has been good! On Thursday, there was another transfer. I am staying in the same area and still training my companion, but the only change is that I have been called to be the new district leader here. We are actually in a trio here until next week...elder nickel is with us until he heads back home next monday as he finishes his mission. It has been fun having three elders in the same house, but now I am always thinking of what it is going to be like when I am preparing to head back home next year! That is gonna be an adventure!

We didnt have a baptism this week, but we are working on trying to find more people to teach and prepare for baptism. This friday, we are going to have a big Fireside at a condo unit that the ward helped us plan to help us get more references. It is going to be about Families and I am the 'keynote speaker'. They put my name on the invitations and that I am visiting from the United States to talk to everyone, so they are all getting pretty excited and I am getting pretty nervous.....hahaha....we will see how it goes!

Anyway, things are pretty normal now. I have a lot more responsibilities now as the DL, but it is all good. Im pretty excited and grateful for this opportunity!

Love you all! Thanks for everything!

-Elder Spencer D. Eastwood

July 30th 2012

Well, I reached the 8 month mark today!!! (see the photo hehehe).

I cant believe that in just a few months I will have been gone for a year! It sure doesnt feel like that!

This week was interesting. For the past two months,  we have been living alone in our house, just one companionship of elders, but this week, two more elders got transferred to work in our area with us and live in our house. It is kinda cool, cause one of the elders was my trainer, Elder Nickel. He is going back home in two weeks and so he is really "trunky" hahaha and making everyone else trunky with him!!! 

We taught one of Gabriel's friends this week, her name is Gadia. The first lesson with her was AWESOME. We presented the Book of Mormon and she looked at it and told us that it "looked familiar to her". like she had already seen it before, but when we asked her, she swore she had never heard of it. She read it and prayed about it that night. she told me that at 2am the next morning, she woke up and couldnt get the Book out of her head. So she just kept reading. She said that she had the nicest feeling of peace come over her that she had never felt before. She knows that this Church is true. She accepted a baptismal date for the 11th. Then she said that absolutely she will go to church with us on Sunday, and she was there yesterday! She even brought one of her friends!! And her friend loved the church meetings. We will visit them again tonight. but it was SUCH  a blessing and an answer to my prayers to find this investigator! 

This week we worked a lot with the members inactives and helped to strenghthen the ward here. We also had the privelege to help with the Church's Helping Hands project in Brazil. It was a really rewarding experience.

Well, things are going great now! I LOVE my mission and am so grateful to be here, no matter how hard it is or gets.

You are all in my prayers. Love you!

-Elder Spencer Eastwood
Mosiah 25:24
Mosiah 18:9

July 23rd 2012

Hello my family and friends!!! How are you all this week? Im doing pretty well. Had a decent week this week, with one of the best experiences of my life! I'd like to share it with you:

We were recently given a reference for a young family. There is a single mom and she has four kids ranging from 9 to 14 years old. Her nine year old son recently suffered a dangerous fall, hit his head, and has become permanently brain damaged. At the same time that this happened, the young mother lost her job. We arrived at her doorstep on the same day that she and her son came home from the hospital. She proceeded to tell us that she had seen us a week ago at a busstop, wanted to talk to us, but we got on the bus before she could. Since that day, she had been praying for the Lord to send us to her again. And there we were on her doorstep! With tears in her eyes she explained her situation to us, to which we replied, "We know; we are here to help you." We administered to her young son and the next day he was already doing better. To help her and her family, we took her to the church where the Relief Society was having a 'bazar'. All the sisters in the ward brought clothes and other household items to donate to those in need. This young single mother was so touched to see the Spirit of charity touching the hearts of the ward members who offered her complete help. As we walked back to her house, carrying in our hands many bags of clothing, pots and pans, and food supplies that she had never dreamed of having, I was touched by the Spirit and I started to cry. For the first time in my life, I felt like I was truly doing something completely unselfishly. I was truly helping another child of God who was in need. I got to our house that night and my heart was filled with more love and happiness than I have ever experienced in my life. I will NEVER forget this experience. Every time we visit that family now, the little boy runs right up to me and gives me a 'bear hug' (which I taught him). This blessing could never have come to me had I not decided to serve a mission...for that, I am forever grateful to my family, my friends, my Church leaders, and all who supported and continue to support and pray for me while Im serving the Savior. Im reminded of the scripture: 2 Nephi 5:27


This week was really hot! Yesterday, I drank almost 3 liters of water and I was still almost dying. I had the privelege to baptize another person this weekend. What a blessing it is to hold the priesthood! I also thought you would be interested to know that the Bishop in the ward I am serving has called me to be the new Gospel Principles teacher! Awesome!

Well, until next week! I know that this Church is true. Jesus Christ lives and He is our Savior and Redeemer.

Love, 
Elder Spencer D. Eastwood
2 Nephi 2:11-13
Alma 5:14-15

july 16th 2012

Hello my family!!! How are you all this week??

Im doing quite splendidly. A little sore from all the walking Ive done, but, today is Pday, so I can rest and relax!! This week was hotter than normal, but we got a lot of work done.
I will share an experience with you:
The other night, we had spent the whole day knocking on doors, with little to no luck. People werent home, they wouldnt let us in, or we were even yelled and sworn at by 
a Baptist minister. Suffice it to say, I was a little discouraged. My companion still doesnt understand much Portuguese, so he wasnt as discouraged. I will be honest and tell you that
I wanted to head back to the house early. It was about 8:30, so we still had some time to work. We were walking down a dark and dusty street with no name. I offered a prayer in my head
for Heavenly Father's help. As we walked past a house, I felt the strongest impression that we needed to stop and go back. I told my comp this and we turned around and headed back.
I was led to a house that had no lights on, and looked empty. I knocked on the door and my comp told me we were wasting our time. But I stayed there. I knocked again. Nothing. 
I knocked a third time. Still nothing. Then, just as I was about to leave, even more discouraged, the door opened and a young woman holding a little baby answered. She must have
about 24 years. I explained who we are and testified that we are true representatives of Jesus Christ, and without saying anything, she let us into the house. The lesson was one of the
most spiritual that Ive already given! 

It was a testimony building experience, because 1) The lord answered my prayer and 2) I was led by the Spirit. I felt like Nephi in 1 Nephi 4:6 when he said that he was "led by the Spirit, not
knowing beforehand the things [he] should do." That has happened a lot on my mission and Im sure it will happen more.

This weekend we had two baptisms, Stefany and Mariajulia, who are relatives to members and are only 8 years old. They asked me to baptize them! What a privelege that was for me. The experiences Ive had with 
little children here have made it clear to me that I should be a pediatrician when I get home, so that is what I will be studying for! 

Im SO Grateful for my mission. I love it, love it, love it!!! Thanks for all your love, prayers and support. I still need it :)

Love, Elder Spencer Eastwood

Moroni 7:41-42, 45

July 9th 2012

Well, this week flew by faster than ever!!!!! I remember when I first arrived on the mission, dad would always tell me "Make use of this time because it will be gone before you know it!". i didnt really believe it because I was having so many difficulties at the start, but now, I just want to try to keep all this time and memories that Im making!

As I said last week (sorry the blog email didnt work out, i hope you got it again), I have been called to be a trainer. Im training a new missionary named Elder Caballero, he is from paraguay and speaks Spanish! It is a little difficult, because he is still learning portuguese, so sometimes we dont communicate very well. The interesting thing is that he knows Elder Josh Quinn from our ward! He said that he talked with Elder Quinn on many occasions and that he is doing VERY well. Training is an interesting experience, because I passed many weeks since I was being trained. Now, I have to slow my pace down and help a new missionary learn the ropes of how to be a missionary! It is sometimes very stressful and I am doing a lot more teaching then normal. I lay down on my bed at night and just fall right to sleep. The only trouble we have is that he has some struggles being obedient, but Im helping him see the importance of this.

We have a baptism planned for next saturday....remember Hugo? Our recent convert? His sister has decided she wants to get baptized! Soon, we will convert their whole family! We also had the blessing of finding two more families, who live in very humble houses. The light that we brought into their homes was visible on their faces as we testified of the truthfulness of this message.

Well, my hair is getting long, I should probably get it cut. Im still losing weight cause we walk so much. I make smoothies every morning for breakfast with fresh fruits from Brazil! Today was pineapple, strawberry, and mango....what will it be tomorrow??? I got a package from Gma Joyce this week (thanks grandma, I loved it!). Thank you all so much for the love and the prayers you offer for me! I have felt those prayers and am most grateful for them!

Love,
Elder Spencer D. Eastwood

Mosiah 27:35-37
Hymns #140, "Did you Think To Pray?"

July 2nd 2012

Hey everyone back home!!!

Doin' well here in Goiânia! There were some changes this week...my companion, Elder Chandler got transferred and now he is my zone leader. Pres. Prieto called me and told me that he has decided I will be training one of the new missionaries that arrives tomorrow. I am excited!!! My first time as a trainer! So this past weekend Ive been staying with some of the other missionaries that are completing their 2 years and going back home today. It has been a good experience, because each one of them has shared with me their experiences from the mission and also shared advice with me on how to make the most out of my 2 years. Ive learned a lot and Im grateful that Heavenly Father gave me this opportunity!

The language is very well, I very rarely have any trouble and sometimes I even forget English words! It is so funny when I do that, because Ive spoke English all my life hahaha. Anyway, the work is good. I fasted yesterday to ask for help in finding more people to teach because it is really hard to not have many appointments. Then, last night, we found a new family with 6 people!!! And three of them have already been to the church! It was a straight-up miracle! Im so grateful that God answered my prayers.

Well, it is still hot as heck here. IT is getting to be kind of windy though, which is good! I get my new greenie on Wednesday and Im REALLY excited and Im grateful that Pres. Prieto trusts me with the responsibility of training a new missionary. He told me that the influence of a good trainer will be with the missionary for the rest of his mission. 

So that is about all for this week....nothing majorly exciting! Hope all is well back home!

Love, 
Elder Spencer D. Eastwood
D&C 122:7-9

In Portuguese this car says "i miss my mom!" Spencer saw it while walking and sent a picture cause it is true!:)

June 25th 2012

Hello everyone! How has this week been? For me, it was alright. It was
hot (as always) and it seemed to pass a little slower than recent
weeks. Probably because we are always just knocking on doors, trying
to find more people to teach. I dont have any idea why it is so hard
for us to find people that are actually interested in what we have! We
always find people, but they never continue past the first visit. So
things are a little difficult right now. If I could ask for one favor,
it would be to pray that we may be able to find more people to teach,
people that will actually progress through the lessons with us.

This week was fun though, last pday we played soccer with our zone.
Wednesday night we had an activity playing volleyball with the youth
in the ward (the other three elders were the 'coaches' and i was the
cheerleader). We also had a member family ask us to take a picture and
give them a copy so they could remember us. So, we took an awesome
picture of us four in front of the church...then at the picture place,
we decided to make it into a huge banner. We surprised them with it
and now it is hanging in their family room. I sent you pictures of us
with it, it was really funny!

Anyway, that is about all that has happened this week....Im sorry that
I dont have many interesting stories this week. I hope that all is
well at home!! Love you all so much!

-Elder Spencer D. Eastwood
Moroni 10:32-33
Always remember!!!:
"No misfortune is so bad that whining about it won't make it worse."
-Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

June 18th 2012 (:

Good morning everyone!!! This week has been a really good one. had one more baptism! it was a really special baptism, we had TONS of members there and everyone was so happy and excited to be there supporting Gabriel. Afterwards we had a party and it was really fun. one of the best days of my mission so far! I am so grateful that I am here in this ward, the members are awesome and the youth just love to be with the missionaries (by the way, im speaking in church next sunday).

We are still having some trouble finding new people to teach...the days pass really slowly because all we do are knocking on doors and trying to find new people. The good thing is that all the people we have baptized are staying firm in the church. we are trying hard to work better with the members and every Wednesday night we have an activity with all the youth and members that are at the chapel;

Well, enjoy the pictures i sent! Im sorry for the short email this week....Hmmm... what more can i say? Things have been cooling down this week, but it is still hot as heck here. It is starting to get windier too! Oh and the youth in the ward all know that I love U2 so at the party saturday night, they had a huge speaker system and were playing U2 and laughing as they watched me sing and dance along to it. Also, i cut my hair...it is the shortest it has ever been and i think it is the best looking that Ive ever had it!

Love you! Thanks for all the prayers and support!

-Elder spencer eastwood

June 4th 2012

Hello everyone!!!

This week was a great week...really busy and it flew by. Three nights
in a row, we literally had to run to our house to get inside by 9:30!

We also had three baptisms this week. One, an 18 year old guy named
Hugo, and two 10 year old kids named Agda and Felipe. They were
baptized by their grandpa who, along with his wife is the only member
of his family that has joined the church. He was baptized over 30
years ago and he paid out of his own pocket to buy the land to build
the chapel here for the ward!

After their baptism, I had one of the sweetest moments of my mission.
Both of the kids ran right up to me and gave me a big hug. I will
never forget that! Their grandpa, the next day at the testimony
meeting said that he was so grateful for the missionaries and that
"The elders in our ward are angels that God has sent to us to bless
our lives." How awesome!

We are still working hard opening a new area and we have to ride the
bus A LOT and it is killing us money-wise. But it is all good. I am
doing really well now...my leg is completely healed and I am really
happy. The time is starting to fly by too!

I love you all!

-Elder Spencer D. Eastwood
Alma 34:40-41

May 28th 2012

Hello everyone! This week was a great week! We are doing really well in our new area...lots of new doors to knock on and people to teach. We have two baptisms marked already for this coming Saturday! The ward here is great...and everyone is so happy to have elders in the ward. Yesterday, they had us bear our testimonies and everyone was really happy to have us there. 

On Thursday, Elder Stanley G Ellis of the Seventy of the Church came to our mission conference. It was really cool! One of the highlights of my mission so far! He talked a lot about prayer and faith. He also gave us suggestions on how to receive personal revelation and how to follow the promptings of the spirit. It was really cool cause the next day, we were teaching a lesson and the guy said he just couldnt believe that Jesus Christ appeared in the Americas because it doesnt say that he did in the Bible. The thought just popped into my head to ask him "How do you know that Jesus even appeared in Jerusalem?". I just kind of blurted it out. He answered "Because I read the Bible." Then I bore a powerful testimony of the Book of Mormon and told him he has to exert his faith and read it to know that Jesus Christ appeared in the Americas. Without reading it, he wouldnt know it, just like he wouldnt know that Christ really was in Jerusalem without reading it in the Bible.

This week, there was a group of new missionaries that arrived and Pres. didnt have enough trainers, so for this week Ive been training a new missionary from Brazil. He will be staying just until wednesday and then I will be staying with my regular companion, Elder Chandler from Elk Grove, California.

I cant believe how much better Ive gotten with the language! I keep looking back on how much I struggled and how discouraged I was and Im like, Spencer, why did you feel like that?? Look at how well you are doing now! It is really awesome to be able to speak a different language :)

Mom, I got the package with the picture book in it and it is PERFECT! Fits perfectly in my bag and had a lot of pics I didnt already have with me! Thanks for the Easter candy too! Cadbury eggs are AWESOME!

Well, that is about all for this week....the pictures I sent are from the conference with the Seventy, me eating a grilled cheese sandwich (yes, it is true), and a poster for the U2 360 tour I found walking around in the city!!!

Love you! Talk to you next week!

-Elder Spencer D. Eastwood

Mosiah 27:36-37