Last Skype Call Coming Up!!

Hey Family,

So my Skype call will be on the 24th which is Friday night for you guys. I am thinking 9 am here which should be 6 pm there correct??? Anyway that is the only day I can Skype (hahaha) although we will just be finalizing plans...lol haha.

So the departing devotional had me and 1 other elder that came to Bacolod from the MTC.  We are going home together as well so he was at the devotional and then all the missionaries of the December batch.  :)  It was great and we got alot of RM (returned missionary) advice from President and Sister Barredo. :)

 

I can't believe I am down to just 7 days left in the Philippines.:)  It's so crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I guess we will discuss and finalize everything at the skype call. 9am Saturday (Filipino time).  I hope we can figure this out with no problems like last time... hahaha  I will be on my email just in case you can't figure out the computer again and to make sure we have no problems.  :)

 

Anyway not too much going on here. I am just saying my good byes. The ward is throwing me a party, and I am just packing hahahaa. CRAZY TO THINK IT IS THAT CLOSE... hahaha

 

Anyway I love you all and I will talk to you on friday night:)

Love,

Elder Evans

PS. Email me if you have any problems:)

Departing Devotional and Stuff! :)

Dear Family,

It was a great week as I was able to go to Bacolod and be a part of the departing devotionals. It was really fun and very informative.  The devotionals were about how to take what we have learned and accomplished here and to use them when we get back home.

This week was just like any other. We worked throughout the week with no progressing investigators.  Our candidate that we are waiting to confirm didn't come to church. So next week if she isn't confirmed we have to baptize her again.  :(   I don't get why she got baptized if she doesn't have a desire to be confirmed.  But, that is her choice.  The good and the bad of having free agency.  :)

Mom:  Yes, please make an appt. for me with the dentist because that is exactly what I need.  Maybe they can fix my retainer too.

Dad:  Should I go back to Ralphs and work or should I apply to work with you? I'm trying to figure out what to do about a job.

There is nothing new here. Sorry, but today I have really nothing to report.  So hope all is well with everyone and I will talk to you soon. I still do not have details about the skype call yet but most likely next Monday I will get the details.

Love,

Elder Evans

29 Days!!

Dear Family,

This past week we didnt have anything special.

I am so sad that I missed Thanksgiving but I will be home right after Christmas!! :) I had a good start of the week. I was healthy at the beginning and then on Friday I got a fever and got sick again.  But it's alright I am all better today. :) haha

 

Not much happened. I will give you skyping details when I get them.. haha but yes I will be skyping. :)

 

Not much really to report this week. We were at the house mostly cause I was sick.. hahah

Love ya all.

Elder Evans

35 Days and Counting!!

Dear Family,

So this week ended fantastic. I got my travel plans and I can not believe how fast 2 years has gone. :) I love you all so much.

 

Nicolas no matter the score of the ACT at least you took it. Good for you brah!!! Meaghen, Congrats on your advancement in gymnastics:) I hope you are just as good in golf so we can have a friendly competition between you, me, Nicolas and dad. :)

 

So Nicolas I heard from a close source of mine.. you are in my room. I hate to break it to ya but if the rumor is true... You won't be there in 35 days. :) hahaha  Yes ladies and gentlemen... THAT IS THE COUNT.  Just 35 DAYS left of my 2 year journey here in the Philippines. :)  I am happy to be coming home soon,  but at the same time I wish I could stay.  To everyone who has supported me and helped me on this journey I thank you from the bottom of my heart. :) 

 

The middle of the week was not good because I was sick from Thursday to Saturday.  To make things worse our sister that was baptized was not confirmed because she didn't come to church. :(  That's the worst feeling in the world.  She was ok with the baptism but being confirmed scares her. JAJAJA

Not much else happened.  If I didn't mention last week I had the pleasure and opportunity to meet Bishop Waddell and Elder Robins of the Presidency of the 70. :) I have been so blessed over my life to meet apostles either here on the mission, at Dodger games, or in random places in Utah. I have been so blessed and no words can explain how I feel when I talk to them. :)

This mission has taught me so much.  I can see so many changes in my life from what I was 2 years ago,  spiritually and mentally. :)  I am so glad I decided to serve. :)  The Philippines is amazing and I hope to  have the chance to return someday!!!  :)

Love,

Elder Evans

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Hello Family,

Had a great week and everything is great..... (especially because the Lakers won...hahaha).  We had a baptism of Sister Gemma Rose Montebon on Saturday.  She was a referal from one of our memebers and we have been working with her for 4 weeks.

Today we pretty much just have email.....sleep......rest. :)  We do have baptisms that are scheduled for the next Saturdays!!!!  I love this area so much. :)  I don't know if I ever told you my companion's name since the last transfer.  His name is Elder Bagion and he is from Zambales, which is in the Philippines.  He has been in the field for 7 months and we get along great.  I can't believe I used to be that new.  Time flies when you're having fun.

Sorry this is short but nothing much new here.

Love you all,
Elder Evans

Happy Halloween!!

Dear Family,

This past week we had a baptism of sister Maria Terres Ninal and it was the best. I am so glad that she got baptized and she has so much faith and love for the gospel.  It was great to baptize a future leader of the church.

Elder Ibis transfers today. I was so sad when I found out but it is ok because God has a plan for all. My new companion is Elder Bagion. I have not met him yet and I don't know where he is coming from because I am still with Elder Ibis right now hahah.

Nothing else really big happened except transfers. I am still in Fabrica and I hope that I stay here as my last area.

It is crazy to know that Ryan Wardle is that old and giving a talking in church already haha. I hope Nicolas did well on the SAT and the ACT. I hated those tests and I am so glad it is over hahah.

I am glad to hear that there are converts there in the Mint Canyon ward. From a missionary viewpoint make sure she has a friend and a calling ASAP so that she stays strong because with the trials she will
face with her family she will need a lot of friends in the Church.

Nothing else is new. Just working, planning and thinking about the family.

 Love you all and miss you loads.

 Palangga ko kamu(I love you all)

-Elder Evans

Just Routine!!

Dear Family,

This week was great,,, We have a baptism next week and an investigator that wants to serve a mission and we have only taught him 3 times....WOW. I may be training a new missionary next week but we will have to wait and find out:)

Monday: We did nothing but sleep and email.. hahah

Tuesday: District meeting, Working in Jerusalem.  Not in Israel but one of our areas. hahaha :)

Wednesday: I was on exchanges with an elder/missionary in the Paraiso area.  **Mommy note:  Exchanges are when they "exchange" or switch companions for the day and work together.**

Thursday: We interviewed our candidate for baptism.  Whenever we have an investigator who has accepted the invitation to baptism we get to do an interview with them to see how they have progressed and to see if they are really ready to accept the gospel.

Friday: Nothing special.

Saturday: Same ol', same ol'.

Sunday: It was the 3rd Sunday of the month and that means missionaries give the talks in Sacrament meeting. I spoke about the sacrament ordinance and its importance of taking it each week to renew our covenants and promises with the Lord.

Sorry that I haven't been sending pictures.  The computuer shop we go to doesn't read my card.  So I guess you will just have to wait.  I'm really sorry about that.

Love,
-Elder Evans

General Conference Weekend

Dear Family,

This past week has been pretty good to say the least. I loved General Conference, there was a lot of amazing talks.

The baptism is not going to go through quite yet because he hasn't gone to church the past 2 weeks. He is a father and the only one of his family who is not a member. Very humble and will be baptized very soon.

I am so sorry about your back mom and I hope you are feeling better. I am so glad that Nicolas is getting involved with the less active priests in the ward... It helps the missionaries out a ton.  You have no idea.

Meaghen you will have some kinks in your game if you haven't practiced for a while, but don't get frustrated.  That will only make your swing worse.  Take it from someone who missed the school playoffs for 2 straight years. :) 

General Conference was so great and I learned so much and too many notes that I can share on an email. I worry for President Monson.  He didn't look so good during his talks but I am praying for him and his health.

Sorry for the short email but we have a lot of things to do today.

I love you all so much.

Love,

Elder Evans

Every Little Bit is Appreciated!

Dear Family,

 

Not much to report here. We have a baptism the week after General Conference on the 15th. :) The area is so great and I hope that this is my last area. I love this area so much and will really be sad if I transfer, again. 

 

Not much else is going on.. It is General Conference weekend and I am super excited for this conference.  I love to listen to Pres. Renlund and Pres. Holland.  :)

So this email is short.  There isn't really all that much to report. I slipped down a huge hill on Friday and my whole back was all muddy because it rained. Hahaha  I thought you would think that was something adventurous to share.  :)

Anyway I will share more info if anything happens.

 

Love,

Elder Evans

Isn't It Ironic! :)

Dear Family,

I miss you all so much and I want to wish you all a Happy Birthday who have a birthday in September!!!! I cant wait for General Conference. Here in the Philippines it is October 8 and 9. Its my last General Conference as a missionary it is crazy. SO please dont tell me anything until October 10

I didn't really have anything crazy this week. Because my companion is Zone Leader we had exchanges with the other Zone leader and it was like a flash to the past as I was on exchanges with an american Elder who is 6 weeks into his mission and he is still learning the language and it made me think... "Is that really what I sounded like with Elder Wade?" hahah.

Nothing really happened this week. I love Elder Ibis and I hope he is my last companion. He is so much fun and I have not been stressed yet with him. I love my time here in Fabrica ward even though I'm only 2 weeks into the area! I cant believe how fast my 2 years have gone and I cant believe how close I am to the end hahaha lol. 

I love you all so much and I hope everyone is having a great week. I miss you all terribly. I am really sorry that my emails are so short but nothing is really new hahah.

Love,

ELder Evans 

Nothing New but Time is Moving Fast!

Dear Family,

This past week if I didn't already tell you.. I am back in the North in the Cadiz Zone. I am having a blast here in Fabrica and hope that it is my last area.

Mom, you keep sharing all the new families moving into our ward.  I feel like at my homecoming talk it will feel more like an area transfer then a homecoming. hehe.

I was struggling a couple weeks ago but now I am fine. I am loving every second of my mission but my mission is drawing to a close way to fast.

Not much else is happening over here. One of the brown towls I came with got ripped and torn so I only have 1 left... just wanted to give you the heads up...

Nothing else new here... I hope all is well

Love,

ELder Evans

I'm on the move, again?!?

Dear Family,

 

This past week was a good week but it ended on a bummer.  I say that because I got transferred... AGAIN.  I am back in the Cadiz zone in the Fabrica area. My new companion is Elder Ibis and we were in the same zone before so I know him pretty well.  :)

 

I am glad to hear Nicolas is taking after me in the projects department at school.  I hated working in groups.  And I hope Meaghen did well at TPC. That is a really hard course to play if you are a beginner.

 

I don't have any new pictures for you at the moment but I am sure I will have more soon. I don't really have anything else new to report other than having transfers every 6 weeks. That has happened to me in each of my last 3 areas.  Not fun packing up and moving all the time especially when you are just starting to know everybody in the area. :)

 

I hope all is well with the family and I miss you all.  :)

 

Love,

Elder Evans

Short and Getting Shorter!! :)

**Mommy note:  I sent kind of a list email this week and he pretty much just responded to the list.  I am sure a lot more happened this week, but I guess he is super busy with his mission winding down.  :)***

Motivational Refridgerator

Mom:  We celebrated Grandpa's birthday today.  Had a good time and enjoyed Meaghen's specialty cake for Grandpa--Chocolate/ Coconut Cream cake.

Spencer:  I hope Grandpa had a good birthday and Aunt Julie, too. hahah Yep, I remembered them both! hahah

Mom:  Jon Gilson says "Hi".  He misses you and is excited to see you when you get back.

Spencer::  I miss Jon so much tell him Hi back for me.  :)

Mom:  Your dad and brother had church basketball Thursday and the young men did an awesome job and won their game.

Spencer:  I cant wait to come back and play basketball.  :)  Anyway nothing new happened this week. Progressing area and hoping baptisms will come soon. :)

I love you all so much!!!! I am downloading photos now.:) 

Love,

Elder Evans

Fun after church in Oringao

No longer a Teenager!! :)

Dear Family,

Thank you all for the birthday wishes. They mean alot. I can't wait for that big celebration that you talked about mom, when I get home.  :)  I am finally not a teenager anymore. That makes me so happy to know that. hahaha. One more year and I am completely legal of everything. hhahaa (jk dont worry.)

This week was good. I love my new companion and I love this area. We have a few progressing investigators which will soon be baptized... we just need to teach them.. they already come to church every week. :)

I miss youth basketball but I am glad to know that I can officially play with the big boys when I return :)  **Mommy note:  I emailed Spencer about the youth at church starting basketball this past week.***

Thank you mom for your reply about my question about Eve... That really helps and I always love to hear testimonies that always strengthens mine.  :)

Nothing really new here.. the days are counting down and I only have 4 months left to teach and be with these great people. :0 CRAZY RIGHT!  I really need to get to work.

Well I gotta go and celebrate with members. Birthdays on a Pday are amazing!

Love,

Elder Evans

New Companion, New Start!

Dear Family,

Picture from the beach

 I am glad to hear that Nicolas has the YC member position. **Mom note: This is a position in church where the youth are in leadership roles and are in charge of dances/ Youth Conferences and activities.** I remember when I was the young men's YC member for the ward.  It was fun and the dances arent as bad as he thinks. I would know and so should he having been in ASB so..hahahaha

Tree growing in the middle of the ocean

Meaghen may be following in my footsteps soon. I was Deacon and Teacher quorum president. Have her be ready lol.

Anywho... I got a new companion today! I am kinda excited because my previous companion and I had a tough connection. My new companion's name is Elder Fernandez and I do not know, as of now, where he is from but that's ok. 

I am excited to get to work with my new companion knowing that the time is far spent and I have only 4 months remaining...:0

Anyway... I love you alll and nothing new to report:)

Thanks,

Elder Evans

Mom's Dropping the Ball, But I Love Her Still! :)

Mom note:  I started this blog post and then something caused me to pause/step away for a moment and then forgot that I never sent it.  Sorry to all family and friends that have been reading Spencer's blog faithfully!! :)

District Photo at training meeting

*****Email from 8/07/16**********
Dear Family,

I can't believe Meaghen is in 9th grade. I hope she enjoys it.  I loved high school and I know she will too.

Farewell photo for Elder Clayton
 (white guy in the middle)

Yes Kabankalan sounds familiar because I went there every Monday for P-Day when I was in Tuyom. I am back in the South and I have been assigned in all the south zones in the mission. hahaha

But nothing really is new. The area is not city at all. Nice branch. Love the people.

Baptism of Maycee the day before
I transferred to Kabankalan

Anyway don't worry about me I am doing good out here. :)

Anyway I love you. I am downloading new pics too.

Love,

Elder Evans

August 14, 2016

Dear Family,

Me and ward Mission Leader

So I have to give mom a little "what's up"?  I was told you didn't update the blog last week.  Make sure you do it this week or I will only be emailing G&G Evans!! hahah  :)

It sounded like stake conference was a good one so sad that I missed it:) I also have been getting emails about the elections... IS DONALD TRUMP REALLY THAT BAD...? Anyway, not much has happened this week so that is why I am asking about politics. LOL :)   

District Training meeting

I am feeling some "out of my comfort zone" becasue the area I am in is really bukid (Ilango for country/forrest land) and I dont do well in bukid or mountain areas. :)  I do much better in the city.

Me and my companion have been working together to be better together and we worked it out in companionship inventory. ***Mom note:  Companionship inventory is when they take a look at what is working with their companionship and what is not.  And what they can do to fix the things that are not working.***

Things are good here and I will update you when I get info about my return date.  :)

Sorry for the short email but thats it hahah

Pic at the beach

Love,

Elder Evans

Transfer to Kabankalan

Me and Elder Shumway who is from Hawaii

Dear Family,

Me and JunJun Pobolador reunited from my first area

I am glad to know that the fire is out and our house is safe:)  The firemen did such an amazing job and I am also glad you guys had a fun time in Utah and I can't wait to see them next year. I can't believe its been that fast already:)

Our baptism went through  and I love her so much:) She is so strong in the gospel and I know because of her testimony at her baptism.:)

Anyway I also transferred this week. AGAIN.. I know so fast right.  I am now in Kabankalan which is in the south with Elder Codera:)

I love the rivers and water here

Thats all for this week. I hope you all are ok and I love you so much:)

Love,

Elder Evans

A New Companion and Baptism!

Chillin by the river waiting for our baptismal candidate

Dear family,

This past week was great. I met Elder Ardern of the Quorum of the Seventy and I have now officially met the whole Area Presidency of the Philippines.

Elder Dio transferred yesterday so my new companion in the Victorias 1st ward is Elder Deumantay. He goes home in October so we are really good friends :)

 I Love it here in Victorias 1st ward.:)

I am starting to worry about going back to school and how to register and stuff.  My mission president and I talked about it and he helped me feel a little better. hahah  but that's the only stressful thing going on right now:)

Selfie after the baptism

We have a baptism on the 30th so I am super excited about that:)

Not much else to report. I saw the movie Zootopia at a members house and I thought it was the funniest thing ever.:)

Love,

Elder Evans

Fitting Right In!

3 brothers from Tuyom who are now serving
as short term missionaries

***Mommy note:  This email is from last Monday, July 11th.  I was unable to post it last Monday and then the week flew by and I realized I never posted it.  Sorry to all those that follow.  This Monday, hopefully, will be posted on time. ***

Dear Family,

This past week was a good week although we ran into a couple of problems with our tike driver. He always drove us to are farthest area but he began to be upset because we stopped the service because he was getting to expensive.

Happy birthday Elder Perandos! He is in the red.

Everything is good though.  We have personal interviews with President this week so I will share that to see what to do for transportation.

I am loving my second time with Elder Dio and I am loving this area so much. I have such a strong love for this ward and it will only get stronger as I continue to work in this area.:)

I am glad that everyone is healthy and good. I hope Meaghen continues with golf so when I come home we can have a good family competition.:)

I love you all and I can't believe how fast time is flying:) Not much happened this week. I got to meet Elder McWhorter's parents and we had a great 3 days together because they speak english hhaah. They say I am welcome to come over whenever I am in town:)  That is so great..when the Yeates get sick of me, I got somewhere to go hahah.

Anyway I love you and can't wait to talk to you next week.

Exchanges with Elder Pajarin. He is the finance elder.
I wanna be in the office...... Air-con 24-7.

Tell Dad I have seen highlights of the Lakers summer league because some members had it on at their houses and I am super excited to watch Allstar brake since I will be home for that.  That is so crazy to think about hahaha.

Love,

Elder Evans

It's a Small World

Aunt Julie's ward has 3 return missionaries from Bacolod

Dear Family,

I know all 3 of the returned missionaries in Aunt Julie's ward. They are... Left-Elder Martinez, Middle Elder McWorter, and Elder Farie.

Selfie at the waterfall

They were all great missionaries and actually Elder McWorter is here revisiting his old areas with his family and guess what..... his dad grew up in the cool little old town of Canyon Country. I thought it was totally awesome how we have the same childhood city although it is totally changed hahah. 

So the baptism we had was a young man Adrian Flor Abelario and he was taught by Elder Dio and Elder Kim and I baptized him. It was a fun baptism and he is such a humble young man.

I am kinda getting the feel to the area. I somehow get a better relationship with the people faster than the area itself.. weird hahah.

I can't believe how fast things are going here and it only gets faster.

I finally am downloading some more pictures.. sorry it took so long but I am finally situated hahah.

Baptism of Adrian

I have learned a valuable lesson of " LET NATURE TAKE ITS COURSE." I say that because my in-grown toenail, from my eyes, is 100% healed.  :) YAY

Anyway not much else is new. I love you all and hope all is well.:)

Love,

Elder Evans

Still Settling into New Area

Dear Family,

First I want to tell Maxwell congratulations!  I am so proud of his accomplishment of the Arrow of Light.

I hope Meaghen had fun at girls camp, and I am glad to hear that Nicolas is following my footsteps in cleaning. LOL.  As everyone knows I love to keep everything nice and tidy. ( aka. The garage). Anyway, I hope all is good and I know that I haven't sent pictures in a long time... I will try to send some next week when I have more time. These past two Mondays have been really hectic getting situated into my new area. 

I also had a baptism this past week and I will send pictures when I can and I hope that you are all doing well.

I love you all and I cant wait to hear from you soon.

Love,

Elder Evans

Short Time in Colonia Divina

Dear Dad, 

HaPpY FaThEr'S DaY.  I love you so much.!!!!! :)

Dear Family,

This past week was a good week. My companion was Elder Shumway.  He is from Hawaii. It was a great week with  him but I transferred after only 6 weeks in Colonia Divina. I was really happy to be transferred. This area was really difficult with no progress no matter what we did. 

So I am now in Victorious Ward... That is in Cadiz. My new companion is Elder Dio. Do you remember him? From Tuyom. My 3rd companion. I am so happy to be with him again because I had so much fun with him last time.

Meaghen--Those cupcakes look so good but you might want to stay in the kitchen because when I get home I will beat you in golf. HAHAHA

I am glad that everyone had a good time in Carlsbad and that there were no car accidents hahaha. 

I hope Nicolas is excited to be a senior. Let him know that senior year should be fun but to also take it seriously. You only get one senior year in high school but you still need to do the best. I love him too much to let him mess up his future plans. hahaha

Anyway talk to you next week.

Love,

Elder Evans

Normal Week and Transfers

Dear Family,

This past week was a normal week. Normal lessons and everything.  We had zone training this week and as usual I hade a lot of inspiration to use in my area. Everything was going great and then....

****************** WAIT FOR IT *************************

Elder Dela cruz transfered. (I made the gap for suspense.. hahaha.)  I miss him. He was one of my favorite companions. We never fought and we always had a strong unity in lessons. :(  I dont know who my new companion is. I will let you know next week after I meet him.

I am happy to hear that everyone is enjoying their summer vacation.. Here in the Philippines TODAY was the first day of school.. hahaha

Not much more to report other than transfers... I love being District leader. This position is not used for recognition but I seem to understand people's problems more clearly for some reason. :)

The members in the branch are good but the less active members are still hard to help. I can't tell what is keeping them from church because all of the active members are really sweet and kind.

I love you all and hope all is well there in the heat..hahah

Love,

Elder Evans