Stephanie posted something on your Wall and wrote:
"Hey stacy you might want to share on spencers blog about Dear Elder http://www.facebook.com/l/9b694;elder.com , because you write an e-mail and they send it as a letter, which is easier than E-mailing due to the time limit he has on the computer! Any way I thought people might want to know! It is really easy to use"
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Letter
Sent: 10/29/2009 8:35:44 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time
Subj: Hello Again
I don't always get to email twice in a week but because this is our first time emailing and because we have service on our P-day we got to email again. Um as far as the athletic shoes and book bag go there aren't any here to buy for myself, so if you could I would really appreciate you sending them, and i did like the one from Mr. Mac. other than that we get a discount at the book store so i'll only spend around 20-50 dollars on spanish books lamenations and laundry supplies. but i will have to dry clean my suit-because its winter attire already i have to wear my suit all the time for these three weeks. so i will have to get that dry cleaned and its 7 dollars a time and only includes one pair of pants each time :( so you can reimburse for that stuff and that would work fine. also i forgot to get the stamps you had for me before i came in so i only have enough to send two letters and one is in the mail. plus i dont have the addresses of the people who gave me cards before leaving. all of the cards are in the smaller blue bin on top of all the gray ones in my room if you want to know whick addresses to sen me. Unfortunately Kurt Torsak is not in my district but we will probably be on the plane together on the way to Lima!
Say thanks to stacey for me for updating the blog and sending ther picture of Kaleia and Luke to me! Feel free to forward any part of my emails.
Dad congrats on the Free Milkshake lol and thanks for keeping in touch. I look forward to your notes and emails. I got a letter from Stephanie and Jamie adn that was awesome! I the emails are bieng forwarded to them as well. If, they are, Thank you Stephanie and Jamie.
I unfortunately wont be able to read anymore of your emails until next tuesday, but am grateful for your support.
yesterday I got to place my first Book of Mormon, through the RC, but you will hear more about that in the letter I sent you.
I love you all soo much and know that this gospel is true. I know that Christ's church as been restored on the earth and that it holds the answers people are seeking. I am in the right place and am so excited!
Buena suerte! Les amo! Para Siempre Dios esta' con vos hast ver!(roughly translated-god be with you til we meet again).
Humbly,
Elder Spencer M. Fogleman
P.S. I hope grandma is doing well with her cancer testing and you can let Omi and Grandpa Ron know I don't have much down time, but am really busy! lol Shaun and Shayla I love YOU!!
Subj: Hello Again
I don't always get to email twice in a week but because this is our first time emailing and because we have service on our P-day we got to email again. Um as far as the athletic shoes and book bag go there aren't any here to buy for myself, so if you could I would really appreciate you sending them, and i did like the one from Mr. Mac. other than that we get a discount at the book store so i'll only spend around 20-50 dollars on spanish books lamenations and laundry supplies. but i will have to dry clean my suit-because its winter attire already i have to wear my suit all the time for these three weeks. so i will have to get that dry cleaned and its 7 dollars a time and only includes one pair of pants each time :( so you can reimburse for that stuff and that would work fine. also i forgot to get the stamps you had for me before i came in so i only have enough to send two letters and one is in the mail. plus i dont have the addresses of the people who gave me cards before leaving. all of the cards are in the smaller blue bin on top of all the gray ones in my room if you want to know whick addresses to sen me. Unfortunately Kurt Torsak is not in my district but we will probably be on the plane together on the way to Lima!
Say thanks to stacey for me for updating the blog and sending ther picture of Kaleia and Luke to me! Feel free to forward any part of my emails.
Dad congrats on the Free Milkshake lol and thanks for keeping in touch. I look forward to your notes and emails. I got a letter from Stephanie and Jamie adn that was awesome! I the emails are bieng forwarded to them as well. If, they are, Thank you Stephanie and Jamie.
I unfortunately wont be able to read anymore of your emails until next tuesday, but am grateful for your support.
yesterday I got to place my first Book of Mormon, through the RC, but you will hear more about that in the letter I sent you.
I love you all soo much and know that this gospel is true. I know that Christ's church as been restored on the earth and that it holds the answers people are seeking. I am in the right place and am so excited!
Buena suerte! Les amo! Para Siempre Dios esta' con vos hast ver!(roughly translated-god be with you til we meet again).
Humbly,
Elder Spencer M. Fogleman
P.S. I hope grandma is doing well with her cancer testing and you can let Omi and Grandpa Ron know I don't have much down time, but am really busy! lol Shaun and Shayla I love YOU!!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Letter #1!
Hola mi familia!
I'm finally getting to write to you! First and foremost I want you to know that I love and miss you! The MTC has been great-I cant believe I have been here less than a week though bc I'm starting to forget that I had a life before the MTC or what it was like. The food's been decent, nothing compared to your cooking mom, and my body is finally adjusting to it. My district is amazing all the guys have bonded so well. I am no longer excited to leave for Peru in 3 weeks bc it means saying goodbye. I am in a tri-MANionship, as we call it, meaning i have two companions. both are going to Lima, East in three weeks as well. They, Elders Shock and Porter are really cool and really chill elders.
There are some things I need. It turns out they don't give a book bag so it's been kinda a pain to carry everything around. If there's anyway to get one to me that would be great! If your feeling generous i could also use new athletic shoes-the mesh in mine ripped which means the shoe lost its integrity or support. A tie rack would also be really convenient and any money because they do give us a lot from the bookstore but not everything we need. If you want you could send me a check-they can cash them here for you-or put it into my account-i have my debit card. If you can't i totally understand, i have enough to get by on-it would just be nice. I hope you posted my address on facebook-i would love to hear from friends. also a new pic of me in my missionary attire as the profile pic would be great!
I will try and answer ur questions but i have a limited time online. Mom dont worry i am doing great-i dont know what u felt my first night bc i was asleep-tho i didnt sleep well and dreamed of home so that may have something to do with it. I hope your are feeling better now.I just got back from the temple and the spirit is so strong in the temple as a set apart missionary wearing the black name tag. Thanx for the notes of encouragement dad. I have seen melissa a couple of times but not Carl. Give my congrats to Shaun on the victory and my wishes of luck for next week. Sunday was interesting bc it was almost all in Spanish, which we have been praying in since the second day! by the fourth day we have been contacting in spanish but i dont feel quite comfortable in the language.We have 11 elders in our district bc of our tir-MANionship and our whole zone sang God be with you till we meet again in spanish to the elders of District C who left this morning. We might be hearing from an apostle tonight-ill keep you informed. and i havnt met the person working my old position yet.
Im not in the district of that elder we met at brick oven and will have to fill you in on our daily schedule some other time bc im running out of time, but at 3:30 i was in class! Im in class a lot! :)
Gracias familia. I love you! Buena suerte y God be with you til we meet again. Tell shayla I love her.
Humbly,
Elder Spencer M. Fogleman
Monday, October 26, 2009
Then and NOW
Spencer's current mailing address is...
Spencer Michael Fogleman
MTC Mailbox # 195 PER-LIME
1222 2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Facebook Friends
For those of you on Facebook: Spencer's mom put together a wonderful picture book of his final days...
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/readmessage.php?t=1160770706133
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/readmessage.php?t=1160770706133
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Spencer's Farewell Luncheon
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2009
Here are pictures from the fairwell luncheon this past Sunday. Spencer...Elder Fogleman gave a great talk in church that morning and at 12:30 was set apart as a missionary.
What exactly does it mean when we are “set apart” for a Church calling?
Ronald D. Maines, “I Have a Question,” Ensign, Feb. 1992, 51
Ronald D. Maines, Sunday School teacher, Franklin Ward, Oakton Virginia Stake.
Among the great blessings the Lord has extended to his people is the “privilege of organizing themselves according to [his] laws.” (D&C 51:15.) One of the heavenly patterns the Lord has revealed for this purpose is the calling and setting apart of worthy members to labor in the Church.
Those who hold divinely delegated authority issue a call to us on behalf of the Lord. This action is sustained by the common consent of the local Church membership. Then, through a priesthood blessing, we are set apart from the world to focus our time and talents on a specific labor for the Lord.
In previous dispensations, when God’s followers were called to serve the Lord, they were also set apart to fulfill their service. Through Moses, for example, the Lord set Joshua apart to lead the children of Israel into Canaan. Note how well the pattern established anciently matches the practice in the Church today:
“The Lord said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua … and lay thine hand upon him;
“And set him … before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight.” (Num. 27:18–19.)
In the early Christian church, Barnabas and Saul were set apart for missionary work. (See Acts 13:2–3.) Earlier, the Apostles had set apart Stephen and six others to oversee assistance to the widows and other needy members. (See Acts 6:1–6.)
In our dispensation, we again enjoy the blessings accompanying this ordinance. As a priesthood ordinance, the action of setting an individual apart involves divine power, promise, and holiness. It is a special event which may be accompanied by an outpouring of the Spirit. As with other gospel ordinances, the inspiration attending this ordinance may deepen our understanding, elevate our spirits, remind us of our possibilities, and motivate us to a higher, richer quality of life.
We receive an investiture of authority from the Lord when we are set apart. We can thereafter act as the Lord’s authorized agents and carry out his errands with his approval: “Wherefore, as ye are agents, ye are on the Lord’s errand; and whatever ye do according to the will of the Lord is the Lord’s business.” (D&C 64:29.) The Lord has admonished, however, that our authority to act on his behalf and to receive revelation pertaining to our callings is strictly circumscribed by the specific office of our calling. (See D&C 43:2–7.) Thus, one must never assume more authority than lies within the bounds of his or her own calling.
When we are set apart, we also receive the right to obtain knowledge and revelation to accomplish our assigned tasks. We prepare our minds to receive that counsel by following the commandments, praying, studying, and pondering the duties of our callings. As we do so, it is our privilege to enjoy knowledge that, as Joseph Smith described it, “shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile.” (D&C 121:42.) We may experience a flow of ideas that can guide us, help us develop plans and solve problems, and give us a clear, proper vision of our tasks.
We also have the right to receive special strength of body and spirit. As we seek this strength, we must also gird ourselves for the work. Having been set apart for the work of the Lord, we must, in a manner of speaking, set ourselves apart from the world to the work of the Lord’s kingdom. By being set apart, we promise to consecrate a portion of our time and talents to magnify our callings.
It should be noted that only those who preside over priesthood quorums receive keys when set apart. Therefore, the word keys is to be used only when setting apart these officers and not when setting apart counselors, high councilors, leaders in auxiliary organizations, or teachers in any organization. (See Bulletin 1990–1, p. 1.)
The fruits of devotion to the Lord and sacrifice for his kingdom are delicious. By consecrating our abilities and time to the Lord, we not only improve the quality of the lives of those whom we serve, but we too are changed. A calling to serve in the Church, with the privileges and responsibilities conferred on us when we are set apart, is an opportunity for God to create in us a more Christlike mind, a purer heart, and a nobler spirit. All that he requires is our willingness to serve faithfully.
Here are pictures from the fairwell luncheon this past Sunday. Spencer...Elder Fogleman gave a great talk in church that morning and at 12:30 was set apart as a missionary.
What exactly does it mean when we are “set apart” for a Church calling?
Ronald D. Maines, “I Have a Question,” Ensign, Feb. 1992, 51
Ronald D. Maines, Sunday School teacher, Franklin Ward, Oakton Virginia Stake.
Among the great blessings the Lord has extended to his people is the “privilege of organizing themselves according to [his] laws.” (D&C 51:15.) One of the heavenly patterns the Lord has revealed for this purpose is the calling and setting apart of worthy members to labor in the Church.
Those who hold divinely delegated authority issue a call to us on behalf of the Lord. This action is sustained by the common consent of the local Church membership. Then, through a priesthood blessing, we are set apart from the world to focus our time and talents on a specific labor for the Lord.
In previous dispensations, when God’s followers were called to serve the Lord, they were also set apart to fulfill their service. Through Moses, for example, the Lord set Joshua apart to lead the children of Israel into Canaan. Note how well the pattern established anciently matches the practice in the Church today:
“The Lord said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua … and lay thine hand upon him;
“And set him … before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight.” (Num. 27:18–19.)
In the early Christian church, Barnabas and Saul were set apart for missionary work. (See Acts 13:2–3.) Earlier, the Apostles had set apart Stephen and six others to oversee assistance to the widows and other needy members. (See Acts 6:1–6.)
In our dispensation, we again enjoy the blessings accompanying this ordinance. As a priesthood ordinance, the action of setting an individual apart involves divine power, promise, and holiness. It is a special event which may be accompanied by an outpouring of the Spirit. As with other gospel ordinances, the inspiration attending this ordinance may deepen our understanding, elevate our spirits, remind us of our possibilities, and motivate us to a higher, richer quality of life.
We receive an investiture of authority from the Lord when we are set apart. We can thereafter act as the Lord’s authorized agents and carry out his errands with his approval: “Wherefore, as ye are agents, ye are on the Lord’s errand; and whatever ye do according to the will of the Lord is the Lord’s business.” (D&C 64:29.) The Lord has admonished, however, that our authority to act on his behalf and to receive revelation pertaining to our callings is strictly circumscribed by the specific office of our calling. (See D&C 43:2–7.) Thus, one must never assume more authority than lies within the bounds of his or her own calling.
When we are set apart, we also receive the right to obtain knowledge and revelation to accomplish our assigned tasks. We prepare our minds to receive that counsel by following the commandments, praying, studying, and pondering the duties of our callings. As we do so, it is our privilege to enjoy knowledge that, as Joseph Smith described it, “shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile.” (D&C 121:42.) We may experience a flow of ideas that can guide us, help us develop plans and solve problems, and give us a clear, proper vision of our tasks.
We also have the right to receive special strength of body and spirit. As we seek this strength, we must also gird ourselves for the work. Having been set apart for the work of the Lord, we must, in a manner of speaking, set ourselves apart from the world to the work of the Lord’s kingdom. By being set apart, we promise to consecrate a portion of our time and talents to magnify our callings.
It should be noted that only those who preside over priesthood quorums receive keys when set apart. Therefore, the word keys is to be used only when setting apart these officers and not when setting apart counselors, high councilors, leaders in auxiliary organizations, or teachers in any organization. (See Bulletin 1990–1, p. 1.)
The fruits of devotion to the Lord and sacrifice for his kingdom are delicious. By consecrating our abilities and time to the Lord, we not only improve the quality of the lives of those whom we serve, but we too are changed. A calling to serve in the Church, with the privileges and responsibilities conferred on us when we are set apart, is an opportunity for God to create in us a more Christlike mind, a purer heart, and a nobler spirit. All that he requires is our willingness to serve faithfully.
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