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Lessons learned

After every transfer for the past year & a half I wrote down a FEW of the lessons I learned in those 6 weeks. LETS GO THROUGH EM SHALL WE???

Starting from the beginning!! 

Baby Sister Spangler!!!

Transfer 1 & 2

-Open your mouth & speak to all 

-Boldly testify what you know 

-Seek knowledge always 

-"Without the spirit ye shall not teach" 

-Service & love bring miracles 

-Daily personal study IS CRUCIAL 

-God>World 

-LISTEN!!! To God, the spirit, friends, everyone. 

-Failure is GOOD. Be proud when you fail. 

-FORGET YOURSELF & WORK 

Transfer 3 

-TRUE charity for yourself & for everyone around you is a necessity for a good life. 

-We have to put in effort to have the spirit with us STRONGLY. 

-Answers to prayer are dependent on your faith 

-The "WHY" behind your actions is the most important thing.

-Obedience brings happiness. 

-Your thoughts & your focus impact your life. 

Transfer 4 

-Think OUTSIDE the box 

-Put your focus on what's MOST important 

-Never treat ANYONE without love and patience. We ALL need it. 

-God loves me. 

-Everyone has agency. Act & don't be acted upon. 

-Carrots kill my frog 

-Personal revelation and the way God communicates with us is personal & different for everyone. 

Transfer 5 

-Pride KILLS!! The Spirit, good thoughts, all of it. 

-Create GENUINE connections with people. 

-Spirit of the law and letter of the law of a balance. 

-Diet & exercise affect our spirits 

-True conversion is apparent 

-Real intent matter most. 

-The priesthood power is real. 

-Listen to EVERY guideline/rule/council from the Prophet and Apostles! They are called by God. 

Transfer 6

-If you're not moving forward and continually growing you're regressing. 

-Open communication works wonders 

-Don't have a victim mentality! If you don't like it, CHANGE IT. 

-God always listens and is always there. 

-I am in control of my choices, life, & happiness! 

-Day to day actions are SO IMPORTANT. 

-Life & our progress go up & down! And that's OKAY!! 

-No one cares about sweat, acne, frizz, etc!!! Just ALWAYS be kind and outgoing no matter how you feel. 

-Be yourself in every situation. Do not change for anyone except God! 

Transfer 7 

-Don't forget about good, better, & best. 

-God knows what's best for me! In the long run...

-We need an eternal perspective. 

-I'm forever thankful for my parents 

-The gospel changes lives, if we let it. 

-It's GOOD when life is hard! That means lessons are being learned and blessings are coming. 

-Speaking up=having integrity. DO IT! 

Transfer 8 

-True friends are a BLESSING! Don't be afraid to tell them you love them. 

-Leaders aren't perfect, so don't be shocked when they make a mistake. 

-If you don't put God first, he will help you put him first! Usually in a painful way... 

-The home needs to be a place of refuge. 

-DON'T care about worldly praise!!!!! Not worth it & only brings sadness. 

-Lift others and you will be lifted. 

-We can only find true joy in the church. 

-Be confident and proud of yourself! Or act like it until you do. 

Transfer 9 

-A testimony has true power. 

-This really is GODS work & he will make things happen for you. 

-GO TO CHURCH EVERY WEEK. 

-Stress is pointless! I'm done stressing. 

-GET UP & DO (Don't just wish & wait or sit & plan forever.) 

-It is not our place to judge 

-Life is so fun & good. Have hope and be positive. 

Transfer 10

-Efficient & effective are two very different things. 

-Overcoming your fears takes time.

-Teaching the Gospel is my most favorite thing to do. 

-The Lord prepares and provides people just for you. 

-Following spiritual prompting only brings blessings. ALWAYS LISTEN. 

-"You cannot just do and think what others are doing and thinking." 

-LTP×3

-You always have something to teach AND something to learn! Know when to open your mouth and when to close it. 

-"High love & High expectations" will never fail you.

Transfer 11

-Faith & a good attitude are KEY.

-A simple testimony can soften a HARD heart 

-No one can take away your spiritual witness. 

-Most things are not worth fighting about. Get over it & don't dwell on it. 

-Humility solves ALL problems. 

-Praying for joy & energy WORKS. 

-You truly do become who you surround yourself with! CHOOSE WISELY!!

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST TRANSFER 12!!! 

The transfer that grew me and stretched me like nothing has EVER stretched me. 

-A true disciple of Christ is willing to be perfectly obedient to the father and to sacrifice ANYTHING he asks them to. 

-SO many people are so good and kind!!!! I love them. 

-All you have to do is extend the invitation! It's up to them if they accept it. 

-God is ALWAYS doing his part. Are you doing yours? 

-Don't change so man doesn't judge you! If you're doing God's will then who cares what they say?? 

-We ALL have the potential to become like God. Treat people like it. 

This is just a teeny tiny itty bitty baby snippet of the  impact my mission has had on me. 

The Fat Boy

one last time! 

OH Louisiana how I love you.

Here is my love note to Louisiana. 

In haiku form! It's only fitting. 

"Louisiana 

Wow! A five syllable state! 

You are just too good" 

I hope everyone is snapping after that poetry slam. 

I have genuinely started writing this email 13 different times and every time I SCRAP IT. 

I physically can't write in one little email how DRASTICALLY my mission has altered my life. 

I wish I could have held you guys in my pocket so you could have experienced everything I was so privileged to experience. 

The Louisiana, Baton Rouge Mission is my home. 

-SISTER SPANGLER 

rick wellington

Layla Pulufana is the definition of meek & humble & also shy... the start of our lesson was us attempting to get ANYTHING more than a shrug & an "I don't know" out of her. 

After some MAJOR prying & digging she admitted that she just didn't see the point in prayer and she had stopped praying AGES ago. 

As she talked about high school I was TRANSPORTED back into my high school days. 

I love those moments when I can POWERFULLY feel the love that God has for one of His sons and daughters. 

God LOVES Layla Pulufana. A LOT. 

So we told her!! We told her everything I wish I had been able to grasp in high school. 

That God IS there. That He WANTS to hear from her. 

In the end she asked us if she could say the closing prayer. (sobbing)

That whole room changed when she started praying. 

God was listening and she knew He was listening. 

Robin Hayes is my hero & role model. 

You know when you're already 15 mins late to the Saturday session of stake conference but you HAVE to buy a $300 purse that will match your outfit because you accidentally grabbed your brown purse BUT YOU'RE WEARING BLACK?!?!? 

Robin knows. 

You know when you're 30 mins late to the Saturday session of stake conference but you HAVE to get some authentic Italian cuisine before you go in???? 

Robin knows. 

She also knows how to get in & get out with NO reservation at a "reservation only" restaurant. 

Incredible. 

And in the end?? You make it to stake conference with a box of canolis waiting for you at the end. 

Let's go Robin LETS GO!! 

ALSO I need to know WHO picked "called to serve" as our closing hymn. 

I JUST WANNA TALK TO EM!!!!! 

Was actually a blubbering BABY for both verses. 

Could barely see the hymn book. 

I would be lost without my mission. 

It means more to me than anything. 

WHO wants to hear my new LIFE motto????? 

Helaman 3:35 

"Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God."

Did you actually read the whole verse? 

Stronger & stronger in HUMILITY.

Firmer & firmer in FAITH.

FILLING their souls with joy & consolation.

To the PURIFYING & sanctification of their hearts. 

LITERALLY WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT?!?! 

Striving to exemplify this verse until the day I die. 

Dropped my phone in a sink filled with water! 

Also dropped my charger in a sink filled with water! 

My phone now refuses to charge past 30%. 

kachiga. 

Also locked ourselves OUT of our apartment & our keys INSIDE the apartment!  A dream scenario. 

BUT good ole Tam came to our rescue in no time. 

Annual health & safety day in the LBRM is quite the ride. 10am-6pm of mission wide zooms & deep cleaning your apartments?! RIVETING. 

Sister Brown: "do you believe in aliens?" 

Sister Nwobi: "oh yeah, there are definitely more wet rocks out there growing creatures on it."

My comp calls me Bryan...makes me miss Davis. 

Exchanges with Sister Mower were A. DREAM. 

That's all I have to say about that. 

Kidding I have lots more to say about that. 

You know when it's DUMPING rain and freezing cold, but you BOTH just LOVE LOVE LOVE being a missionary and sharing the gospel????? SO you don't even feel it??? And it's just a day of pure bliss??? And joy???? That was that day. 

Quote of the day was "I'm legit on cloud 9 right now" 

Yakob called us & begged to meet with us so he could get his own Book of Mormon THAT NIGHT. 

I love that. 

Exchanges with Sister Bailey in Alexandria!!! 

Full circle moment since my FIRST ever exchange was there. 

WENT BACK TO MONROE FOR 2 WHOLE DAYS & I WAS SOBBING. MY TRUE HOME. I love Monroe with everything in me. 

2 different old men bear hugged me & kissed my forehead this week. Umm. So sorry president!! 

update:

I don't feel bad anymore because he made me conduct zone conference. 

Visited our friends Nik & June Leoso this week. 

The most precious polynesian couple. 

June recently suffered from a stroke and no longer has the ability to communicate or take care of her own basic human needs. 

I silently wept as Nik sang "one day at a time" to her. 

It was heart wrenching and heart warming all at the same time. 

The love that Nik and the Savior have for June is APPARENT when you walk into her hospital room. 

Also the Savior's love for Nik as he takes care of her.

As we sat with them, one of the Book of Mormon videos kept replaying over & over again in my head. 

When Christ visits the people in America and takes the time to heal each & every one of them. 

His love is PALPABLE and their gratitude and RELIEF is so powerful. 

I cannot wait for the day when we are all healed. 

Every pain, sickness, disease, illness, & heart ache will be GONE. 

You will be made whole. 

Your family will be made whole. 

All because of Christ. 

I love him. 

-SISTER... Splanger? Searling?? Spanglet???

(anything but Spangler apparently.)

are there strawberries on that???

A new friend came to church!! He was super interested in my conversion story & thought I had RECENTLY converted!?!

When I asked why he got super embarrassed... THE MAN THOUGHT MY LIGHT PINK HOOP EARRINGS WERE MY EARLOBES THAT HAD BEEN STRETCHED FROM GAGES.

HORRIFYINGLY ENOUGH!!!!!! he is not the only person who said that that day. 

Will be running over those earrings immediately. 

Currently I sound like an 85 year old man who has smoked their entire life!!! 

The shock on people's faces when I start talking NEEDS to be documented. 

My throat is SHREDDED & in the MIDDLE of a lesson my body decided to have a coughing ATTACK!!!!! 

I ran to their bathroom where I proceeded to gag and then DRY HEAVE over & over again!! 

Walked back out looking GREEN & then red once I realized how thin their walls are!!! 

A full on Christmas lights show! You're welcome Stortenbeckers!! 

Weekly planning turned into monthly planning after president asked us to go on MULTIPLE exchanges with all the sisters in the zone. AN EXCHANGE OR 2 EVERY WEEK next month? YES PLEASE. 

February is boutta go crazy. & so am I.. 

Amanda & Tiffany are really trying to FATTEN ME UP over here!!!!!!

Opened my front door to find grocery bags FILLED with my favorite snacks. 

The Bennion family literally holds my heart in their hands. 

It only took my entire mission, but my dream since the MTC came true. I got to be companions with SISTER GARDNER for an entire day. 

I've never met a more angelic person. 

If you guys need a good cry, do it around Sister Gardner & she will tickle your back the ENTIRE time. What more could you ask for?????????? 

"you're the good stuff gardy" 

This week I hit a level of gratitude I've never hit before. I've been OVERCOME with gratitude for the LITERAL shining angels that are in my life. 

I HOPE they all know how overwhelmingly I love them. 

Been thinking a LOT about this little story from my friends weekly! (thx scott) 

"a small boy was trying to lift a heavy stone, but couldn’t budge it. 

His father, watching very interestedly, said, “Are you sure you’re using ALL of YOUR strength?” 

“Yes, I am!” the boy cried. 

“No, you’re not,” said the father. “You haven’t asked me to help you.”" -Paul H. Dunn 

The father's strength IS the little boy's strength. So it is with us & God. 

Genesis 18:14 "is anything too hard for the Lord?" 

NOPE & THAT'S PRETTY COOL BECAUSE HIS STRENGTH IS OUR STRENGTH. 

SOOO is anything too hard for you?? 

-SISTER SPANGLER

A happy 4 mph

A thought I've had MULTIPLE times this week: I'm so thankful I'm not allergic to peanuts. 

Watched a SIX MONTH OLD purple nurple his dad. 

Leesville is a place where only the most kind & wonderful people are allowed to live. 

EVERYONE here is angelic & very very southern. 

My dream! My home! I love Louisiana. 

Got my year long pass onto the Fort Polk army base!! Flashbacks to Maryland every time I go. 

Had to leave the Jackson zone with something to remember me by!! Got a lil creative with 5 packs of hot dogs, string, & some tape.... 

Just some thoughts that have been SWIRLING around in my brain lately. 

Thoughts I've been desperately trying to apply. 

Luke 6:32-33

"For if ye love them which love you, WHAT THANK HAVE YE? for sinners also love those that love them. 

And if ye do good to them which do good to you, WHAT THANK HAVE YE? for sinners also do even the same." 

It is so so easy to love the people who love you! 

It is so easy to be kind to the people who are kind to you! 

That brings God joy, but if you want to IMPRESS God... 

LOVE THOSE WHO DON'T LOVE YOU. 

Be filled with CHARITY & PATIENCE for people who refuse to give you the same. 

Picture God personally thanking you for being the one who was willing to love His son or His daughter when no one else would. 

What thank have ye in that situation???? A LOT. 

ANOTHA! 

"faith forged in the furnace of trials and tears is marked by trust and testimony." 

FAITH that is FORGED IN THE FURNACE of trials & tears. 

Doesn't that sound like POWERFUL faith?? I want that kind of faith. A HIGHER level of faith. Brother of Jared typa faith! 

That also sounds like the most painful thing ever. Furnace of trials?? And tears??? 

No thank you. 

The question is... what do I REALLY want? 

Am I willing to be tossed in a painful furnace to gain that faith? Or would I rather be plucked out as soon as the flames make me sweat a lil? 

Do I want the faith and the pain that comes to gain it? Or do I want comfort?? And no growth??? 

I WANT THE FAITH. 

I don't want the trials and I don't want the tears. 

But I will go through it if it means I come out of it all living a little more like Christ. 

I'm thankful that God puts me in places where I get to deliberately CHOOSE to respond like Christ. 

Where I get to actively USE & STRETCH my faith and trust in Him and His plan. 

I love my Savior and I so badly want him to think of me as a disciple he can always rely on. 

Channeling my inner Melissa Spangler. 

-SISTER SPANGLER

frug

Dear Diary, 

Sorry I've been ignoring you for 3 weeks. 

Knocked on our friend's door and his teenage son peeked through the window at us, 2 seconds later we hear, "DAD, there's some little girl wearing a backpack at the door??" 

Please buy our girl scout cookies!! I'm tryna make my troop proud. 

Asked a witch if she wanted a pamphlet about Jesus! 

She did not. 

Met Ginger at the mall & helped her as she had a panic attack. Two days later she met us at the church with her husband and daughter where they were all taught the restoration. It was POWERFUL. Nobody could deny the spirit that filled that room. 

THE perfect time to gag & do the stanky leg is while you are being mauled to death by the most massive swarm of fire ants. I've seen it first hand. 

The elders made us RACOON gumbo!! 

Turns out they actually CAUGHT the coon in a trap, drowned it, cooked it, & then fed it to our whole zone. 

I'm horrified. 

So was president when the ZL's tattled on them....... 

Ran into a man named Marlon! He was TOO busy to talk to us and RAN past us. 30 mins later this man DRIVES up to us and said he'd been SEARCHING for us ever since he ignored us the first time. 

He LOVED the book of mormon & apologized for failing God's test the first time we walked by. 

LaRyan came to church again!! He LOVED IT. 

Prepared a 10 minute talk & had 20 seconds to share it... #3rdspeakerthings

Sister Frasure and I both wet our pants...and the kitchen floor while waiting to surprise Sister Williams for her shark themed birthday party. 

Like actually. I'm not kidding. We needed a mop. 

Told Sister Andersen I love Abinadi, Alma, & Alma the younger. 

Her response????? "Kiss, marry, kill? Go." 

Absolutely not. 

Best part of institute with the YSA? 

When the teacher said, "open up to Luke 2"

AND ONE KID SAYS "Luke?? whose Luke?? when are we getting our records??" 

I screamed & cried. 

If you get that reference I LOVE you. 

WITNESSED A BAPTISM TO REMEMBER. 

Meg was fully dunked in the water & then lifted up! Unfortunately her weave was not lifted up and Elder Godfrey turned around with a sopping wet weave in his hand looking like a LOST puppy. 

I'M MOVING TO LEESVILLE!

BACK TO LOUISIANA!!!!!!! 

Gonna be comps with Sister Nwobi!!! 

Mosiah 23-26 is filled with GEMS. 

Here's a couple of em...

Pray without ceasing 

Give thanks in ALL things 

Forgive your neighbors trespasses

Repent daily 

Submit cheerfully & with patience to all the will of the Lord. 

Pour out thanks unto God 

Be of good comfort 

Have an eternal perspective 

Have faith that the Lord will strengthen you

I've been PRAYING to become something more than I am currently. 

Basically "more holiness give me" has been on repeat.

If I want to do/ achieve ANY of those things listed above or in that song... I've realized it ALL starts with HUMILITY BABY. 

I have a firm belief that pretty much ALL problems stem from pride. 

Insecurities? PRIDE 

Fear of failure? PRIDE 

Companionship problems? PRIDE

Comparison? PRIDE 

We CANNOT overcome this world without first overcoming PRIDE. 

LISTEN TO MY NEW MOTTOS FROM AMANDA: 

"Challenging moments are GOOD. When they come before you knee-jerk react, evaluate "who do I want to be?" and if that is a disciple of Christ then seek to know how a humble disciple would respond and try to follow with as much exactness to that as possible, repenting when you find yourself lacking." 

AND 

"Do not just react in the way that no one will blame you for. React in the way that will inspire others, call them to higher ground, and God will be proud of."

I'm obsessed with these & her. 

Choose to live higher & holier!!!! Choose to react like the Savior in all things. Choose to become MORE than the natural man. 

lem. 

I mean SISTER SPANGLER.