Full Week of Activites Including An Apostle and Elder Prater's Birthday

 



We started out our week by attending a devotional featuring Elder Stevenson for members age 18-30 years old.  This devotional was sponsored by San Marcos Institute and we learned that there was an increase of 57,000 students enrolled in institute.  Hearing this and knowing that there was an increase from 56,000 missionaries in the end of the year 2021 to more than 72,000 missionaries in 2023 gives us some much hope for our rising generation.  

Elder Stevenson and his wife talked.  He told the story about meeting his wife at institute.  He also talked about having a relationship with Jesus Christ.  He showed the following pictures and talked about these different ways that we can become closer to Christ.  It was such a privilege to listen to an apostle of Jesus Christ and especially to hear bear his testimony of our living Savior. 

On Monday we celebrated Elder Prater's Birthday.  We had an early dinner with two other Senior missionary couples at Texas Roadhouse.  When we mentioned to the waiter that it was Elder Prater's birthday, he asked if he wanted to sit on the birthday saddle!  I had never heard of that!  But here is evidence that Elder Prater is willing to try anything!


Elder and Sister Spencer, ourselves and Sister and Elder Fowers

Monday evening we attended an Adult Family Home Evening.  We had a wonderful Christmas message and enjoyed a fun white elephant gift exchange.  We came home with a gift card to In-N-Out which made me very happy. 


This week at district meeting, we awarded the shiniest apartment award to Sister Campbell and Sister Bryant.  Not only was their apartment extra shining but it smelled good.  The competition was so close but the extra good aroma of their apartment is what made them the winners this transfer. 


                                                       Sister Campbell and Sister Bryant 

Soon after we received our mission call last year to the Newport Beach, California mission I saw an article in the Deseret News concerning the Newport Beach Christmas Boat parade and the church's boat entry.  I was very excited because as a child I had often seen this parade from our beach house and was looking forward to seeing it again as an adult.  I was also interested in seeing the church's boat entry.  The year the wait was finally over this week and my exceptions were met.  








The Stake President of San Marcos Stake likes to invite the missionaries serving in his stake over to a breakfast every couple of transfers.  His wife makes a lovely breakfast, everyone visits and than we gather together as he shares a message and asks how he can help the missionaries in our stake.  We always look forward to these breakfasts. 



Another highlight of the week was attending The Bethlehem Walk at our ward building, an event put on by a neighboring stake.  The whole cultural hall was turned into a market place like what might have been found in Bethlehem.  There was different craftsman trying to sell you their wares, including leatherworks, pottery, metal wares, scribe, spice market etc.  It was so well done.  Also present were Roman soldiers bullying the people, a ruler sitting on a throne, and an Inn with no room.  After passing through the city, you see shepherds, chickens and a donkey.  After turning a corner you experience a bright star in the sky and than suddenly a stable lights up and an angel testifies of the Savior as you are able to view Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.  I wish I had gotten more pictures but we were so immersed in the experience to think about pictures.   We were able to take a returning member and his nonmember wife and we all were so amazed at the evening, it was so well done.  







It was a very wonderful full week with so many activities that helped us ponder and think about our Savior.  It is a season of great joy. 

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