November Pictures!

Lots of pictures from Elder Valentine! It seems like Christmas already!

Lots to Be Thankful For!

Dear Bispo Valentine,

That's how you'd say Bishop Valentine in Portuguese!

also, your name in Portuguese is "Estavão" which is just ridiculous. Mine is "Spencer." 

Haha this one time a whole year ago (crazy!) here in Porto, me and Elder Johnson talked to a Jehovah´s Witness in potential (like an investigator) and he asked us our names (since that's what they ask about God) but he wanted the "portuguese translation." So E. Johnson said "alexandre" (Alexander) and I said "Spencer" because there isn't a translation! Basically, names only translate if they are biblical, which mine is not (to my knowledge), so this guy threw a fit because I wouldn't translate my name for him. It was pretty funny! 

Mom's name, Linda, means "beautiful" in portuguese! That's neat, right?

Wow, that's a big list of grateful things for Spencer! How bout one of my own:

 - I'm so grateful that I can eat pastries and croissants every day whenever I want!

 - I'm so grateful that American milk doesn't make me want to throw up

 - I'm so grateful that my consecrated mind recites Portuguese scriptures when I sleep (according to E. Karthigeyan)

 - I'm so grateful that Dad hurt his knee so that I could show him who's the real man around town by carrying him

 - I'm so grateful that I have had a year and a few months to train my week stomach to face up to the horror of an eater that is my sister

 - I'm so grateful that it rains day in and day out in Portugal so that I can appreciate the weather in Utah more

 - I'm so grateful that my comps get switched often enough that no one has tried to kill Elder Valentine for singing hymns all day every day

 - I'm so grateful that I'm attractive, even when it attracts the gay men of Portugal (which are unfortunately not few in number)

But I sent a real one to mom, for things I am really grateful for! That last one has a couple stories that I'll tell you after the mission...

This is Spencer's reply to my crazy Thanksgiving email:

Haha when you talked about the indian who brought McDonald's I was confused and almost thought McDonalds was really old until I read the rest of the paragraph. That sounds like an awesome trip! So how is your whole work thing going? I still don't know what changed to make you travel so much!

You know, the office is kind of stressful sometimes, but I really am doing great. I love every opportunity I have to teach and I love seeing people change. And the office is a way I can help all of the missionaries in my mission focus on their work and not on the temporal stuff! And I talk to President probably more than 99% of the other missionaries in the mission, so it really is a blessing. I really am so grateful for a family who supports me and loves me and is glad I am serving a mission! 

I really liked your Bishop's letter to the members. You're such a good Bishop! You really are a blessing for a whole lot of people.

Okay gotta make like a baby and "head out!" I hope you got that one, it's funny. :) Love you dad! I loved hearing about your trip stuff and the Thanksgiving stuff and your Bishop stuff. I love stuff!

Love, Elder Valentine! 

What Do I Call This? Chinese Character Email!

I'm not sure what Elder Valentine was saying with his email title...something in Chinese! But here's the email from November 21

世界中の親愛なる人,

These last couple weeks have been awesome! We have found two big families, one Brazilian and one Portuguese, and I just love teaching families! Because that is what the gospel is all about. Families. Our goal as members of this church is not to just be baptized, or to live a good life, but really to finish worthy of an eternal family by living our covenants that we make with our Father in Heaven. The Portuguese family we found, Cardoso, Susana, João Pedro, Diogo, and one other son that I haven't met yet, have so much potential to be an eternal family! Do we sometimes take what we have for granted? Did you have a bad week last week, or maybe you are facing a big struggle in your life? Take hope in the fact that your family can truly be united for eternity! This trial is but a moment, and after we will all be united with our Heavenly Father. I love this doctrine of the gospel! I am so happy to have the opportunity to teach people the Plan of Salvation and show them the path they can take to an eternal family. We have only been able to teach these families once each, so we will see how it goes, but I have so much faith that their families will be blessed with the gospel. God truly loves us, and wants us all back! He wants YOU back! So listen to Him, for God said "if you will ask of me you shall receive; if you will knock it shall be opened unto you." 

Besides that, our house flooded this week! And we live on the second floor! We have a really bad rain storm a few days ago and we woke up to a lake in our kitchen. Our apartment was probably built like 2000 years ago by the Romans or something, and water came pouring through cracks in the ceiling. We had to put pots under the little streams of water coming out, and I felt like the wizard in the Sword in the Stone, that old cartoon, when his house gets caught in a similar situation. Suffice to say, we will be moving out of this house soon, especially since it is the same place where I got bed bugs a few weeks ago. :)

Have a good week all! Remember that God loves you and wants you to be His, with all of your family. But it counts on you, so go make it happen!

- Elder Valentine! 

P.S. 私は日本語は話せませんが、あなたはクールです。:)

Spencer and Dad Email - November 14

Hi Dad!

You asked last week how I was doing - I'm doing alright! Like I've said before, I really don't think I could ever just be super sad and depressed and stuff like some missionaries, but sometimes it's still hard! It's been a really difficult proselyting switch from before the office to now. I feel like every week passes and I just didn't have the time I wanted to work and teach. It's already november! And by the time we leave the office it's already super dark. Haha I don't see the sun anymore! But yeah, it's been really strange. I get along alright with Elder Yoder, but this is the first time in my mission since training that I am not technically the Senior Comp, and he doesn't really listen to me or like to hear my suggestions on stuff. I never say anything negative to or about him, it's just like stuff when we'll be working or office issues, but it's been hard. Now, I'll stop talking about it because I'm really doing fine; it's just weird and I've been struggling to get out of these kinds of stressed and frustrated feelings that I get by working. We found a really awesome brazilian family on Sunday! They are from the "assembly of God" I think it's called in English, and they got here in Portugal a few months ago, and they were super interested in the Book of Mormon! And we have an appointment with that guy Virgílio tonight and we'll teach him the Plan of Salvation, and invite him to be baptized, and we'll see how it goes! I really love teaching! I get the best feeling when people understand or have more questions to understand, because it means they want to get closer to God. And I love that!

The bed bugs are gone, fortunately! Haha I didn't realize that I hadn't told you guys - Elder and Sister Roque (who are the office couple who are brazilian and awesome) took our mattresses and had them burned, got us new ones, and had an exterminator de buggify our house! So it's all good! Haha I thought is was a little much, but I haven't had any bites, so I can't complain! 

what I miss about Utah/America - I miss American food so much. Like homeade hamburgers and mashed potatoes and campfire hotdogs and breakfast burritos and milk and pot roast. And roomy houses are nice too! Everything in Portugal is small and squishy, and nobody has room for anything! And grass. There is like no grass here! Besides that, just non-missionary stuff like walking slow for no reason and relaxing after eating a meal. That never happens on the mission, haha!

That would be awesome if you could be partners with the Plymouth society! I understand better how important it is to have good records because here they don't have as many good records, and it makes genealogy harder. 

I didn't know that that is a problem in the church to have more faithful women than men, but now that you say it it is actually the case here too - the relief society is really big in my ward, and last week they joined the high priests group and the Elders quorum together and released the Elders quorum president because there aren't enough men. Strange! What do you think about it? What do you think needs to happen or what can we do as faithful priesthood holders to change? 

I wrote about Trump in mom's email. I'd like to hear your thoughts if you guys are comfortable with it!

I like to think eternally when I realize that this time on Earth really just isn't enough! It makes me happy to know that I will have the opportunity to progress eternally, depending on what I do here. 

Okay love you Dad! Thanks for your email! 

Love, Elder Valentine!

Elder V to Mommy V Again, November 14

Hi mom!

Haha I forgot to say that Bishop Vanderley is not actually my bishop, he's the bishop of Porto 2 (I'm in Porto 1) But he works here in the office for President Amorim so it's lots of fun! He's from São Tomé e Principe. 

You should send a picture of the bridal shower cake! Haha I saved all of your cake pictures and sometimes I like to look at them because they are so awesome.

That stinks that you got sick again! It could have been from the aliens in that movie! Does your stomach still hurt from the surgery? Or is this the only side effect? I'll make sure to pray lots for you. At least you'll be all the way better by the time I get home! :)

You know, not like you guys have to, or even do it until it's close to me getting back, but you should make a list of good movies/other stuff for when I get back, so that we can party! I already have a request if I haven't said it yet - when I get back home, since it will be July 4th, you guys should save all of the yummy american food that I will be missing out on that day (I think missionaries normally return at like 10PM so I'll totally miss July 4th!) and I've been craving real chocolate chip cookies and GOOD milk my whole mission, so yeah. Haha this was a trunky paragraph, sorry! :)

Anna had sadie Hawkins? Is that like a girls choice dance? I didn't ever have that dance at Northridge. Did she have fun? You guys are so cool to have the dinner at home! I always thought it was a lot of fun to do a dinner like that. Haha I guess I could just ask her about it, but I'm sure it's different from a mom's perspective too!

Oh yeah, Trump won. I heard about that! Apparently (Really apparently, since I haven't heard anything but what portugal and my office comps have to offer) lots of people (like other moms and stuff) are happier with him than Clinton! My friend Jacob Jackson made a good point and said that the best we can do is pray for him, because he'll be the leader of our nation and should be influenced for good and righteousness as much as we can help him be! If you have any thoughts on the situation, I've been in the dark and wouldn't mind hearing your thoughts! And Dad's too!

Wow, Christmas is coming up so fast! I can't believe it! I've been in the office since the 1st of August! That's nuts! I think it will be fun for you guys to go and have dinner with the Braeggers (did I spell that right?). Grandma Folkman told me that Zach is living in Brigham or something and that he's working down here with Uncle Mark. That's neat! 

That's a really awesome quote. I remember hearing the Portuguese version and the English is better. :) I think that's the best way that I work, actually - when I see the blessings and good things God has given me through the Gospel, it makes me want to share it even more! Those are good days, when I can have that attitude!

My computer is being lame and won't let me send pictures! :( I'll figure it out.

Random Fact: I have lots of ties and socks right now! I have received a bunch of ties from members/missionaries and I have like 45! Haha they're not all awesome ties though - chinese stores are a big thing here (they are all really run by chinese people) and so I have like 8 ties that cost €3 or less. It's pretty funny! And all of my socks are in good condition. I don't have any holes in any of them! Also, Elder is a name here (they spell it Helder) and so most of the time people will be confused and say "both of your names are Elder??" It's pretty funny. Apparently there was also a TV show where someone says "oi Elder!" that was pretty popular, so we here "oi Elder!" about 80 times a day from random kids and teenagers. 

Okay, well I love ya! Have a good week mom! :) Sorry I couldn't get pictures in! I don't know what's up.

Love, Elder Valentine!

Elder V to Daddy V - Reply to "A Week at Home"

Hi Dad!

I did get to read your email and see all the pictures. It is all so amazing! I loved the pictures because I have been reading Jesus the Christ and James E. Talmage explains a lot of the topography and geography of the Lord's ministry, and sometimes it helps me visualize or imagine the scriptures better to see where it happened. Your trip sounds really amazing! I know that it was probably stressful sometimes, but I'm learning on the mission that the best times to remember are a lot of times the busiest or most stressful! 

Oh! You didn't watch Young Frankenstein?? I was counting on you guys watching it in my honor! I have mentioned it as a family tradition to the elders in my house. 

I hadn't heard that there were more Meet the Mormons segments - that's awesome! Was it pretty short or basically a new movie? I definitely wish we had more youth. There is a total of 2 young men and 1 young women (or woman haha)! 

Haha that's a funny prophet joke. I've got a Mormon one for ya - How many Mormon's does it take to screw in a lightbulb? 5 - one to screw in the lightbulb, one to preside, two to say the prayers, and one to bring the refreshments.

But on the serious part, I have thought a bit about your job in the church, and I remember one time that you said that one of the things you love about your job is that most of your meetings begin with a prayer. How sweet! Also, I like your job because it's the Lord's work - He won't let something bad happen to the business if it will slow down His work, so you can have faith that as you do your job and live the Gospel and fulfill your calling etc. that you will have real success at work! I like that. 

Haha yeah you big tough guy not getting sick! I bet it was just because you traveled so much and stayed out of the house!

More trips! Wow!

Answer to question - I think that the most important thing about the gifts of the Spirit is remembering the fact that, without God, we would be nothing. God gives us gifts for the benefit of others, so if we are striving to serve others with the gifts we are given, He will make those gifts/talents bigger in our lives. For example, I bet Amanda is going to get better with her music abilities quickly because she is writing LDS music now. Like I said, God gives us gifts to serve, and they can be huge parts of our lives if we use them how He wants. I see people who are dedicated to the Gospel, and people who are not, and I see the difference in "progression" in their lives. Family, social, personal, whatever - people who really live the gospel seem to be able to do more or serve better, but it's not because they are just special, but they dedicated themselves to God and God blessed them with more, because they used it well! It's like the parable of the pounds. Christ will give more to him who has a lot, because that man will use that "more" better! And those who don't use what they have don't progress, and get what they have taken away. That's just a little thought! 

Okay! Love you dad! Gotta go! You're awesome! Be safe on your trips!

Love, Elder Valentine!

Elder V to Mommy V - Reply to "What a Week" email

Hi mom!

I can't believe that everyone got sick! That's crazy! Did Dad just not get sick because he has been gone on trips? How are you feeling now? Has your snoring gone away? Haha it's a little bit funny but mostly just sad! I agree - being sick is just no fun! My least favorite thing is being burned, then being sick. I'll pray for the family to be feeling better!

Halloween sounds like a lot of fun! I took some pictures of my halloween costume - Elder Yoder  - but I can't find my camera! I don't know where I put it. I've been running around so much and getting home late every day and leaving early so much that I haven't even had time to look! Haha I'll have a lot of really crazy memories of being in the office, for sure!

The lesson with Virgílio was good! There is a cultural thing here that is hard for missionary work. It's that people will literally talk over each other so much that two people can be "talking" to each other but they are both talking at the same time, the whole time! That's not even a joke! They just interrupt and talk FOREVER. Virgílio is a little like that, haha. I have had to learn to draw the line of patience and just teaching. Preach My Gospel says that sometimes people will dominate a conversation and that we need to learn to handle the situation and teach effectively, which is super important in this country! So yeah, it was a good lesson, we just didn't get to teach as much as we wanted. We will keep teaching him and helping him with the stuff I talked about in the big email!

I'll try to take more pictures. I'm sorry! It's just never something I think about until Pday and then the week is already over!

Elder Wait is from Boston. He already graduated as an Architect with his Bachelors, I think! I don't know if he gets a lot of packages or anything. I'll ask him, discreetly, if he does or not and if he needs anything. Thanks mom!

I love big letters! I always read your and Dad's letters, no matter the length, and frankly letters from the family are better anyway! So write as much as you want!

And because of that, I'm sorry my letters have been short lately!

I love that scripture! God is so good!

Well, I gotta write Dad and I'll see if I can write the fam anymore. I love you mom! :)

Love, Elder Valentine!