Elder Neel: 5/15/23

 

The end of the best era

Spencer Neel <spencer.neel@missionary.org>

Hello my friends and family!! How are you all!? I have missed you all like crazy and it’s been a bit since I’ve given you some updates. Life is crazy, fun, and amazing all at the same time and I love it. I am thankful and humble to be a representative of our Savior Jesus Christ and play a little part in His wonderful and magnificent work. This truly is His work and I know it because of how I see it work in people’s lives. God is so good all the time. 

I’ve got some news for y’all! It’s the end of the best era ever and I am leaving Lubbock. The Quaker Heights area will always have a special place in my heart and I will never forget how my life has changed because of the people here. My next chapter starts in Roswell, New Mexico!! I am going to serve in the Spanish branch out there and it is the Borendo area. I am so excited to stay in Spanish and continue meeting so many amazing people. I am sad to leave the home I’ve made here in Lubbock but I know the Lord is having me go to Roswell for a reason. I am ready. It’s a little scary and nerve racking to start over again, with relationship with friends, members, getting used to the area, and more. But the thing I know most is that it is going to be so worth it. If any of you need or want my new address send me a message and I’ll get it to you! 

There have been a lot of lasts this week but they make me a lot more grateful for the things God has blessed me with. Last district council, last time of service at the Food Bank, last singing at the Old Folks home, last time seeing member’s and friend’s, last sacrament meeting, english class, P-day in Lubbock, and the list goes on. But what that means is that there are a lot of firsts coming! Firsts, like I said before, can be scary but after time we can look back and just see how good it’s really been. I challenge all of you to look back at your past first’s and see where you’re at now. And then trust that the first’s that are coming up right now and going to be just as good! The only way to have amazing memories is to go make them first.

We’ve been in a little bit of a drought with teaching our friends or new people. But this week we decided to drive to Brownfield and stop by our friend Martin. We’ve only talked to him over the phone and have progressed a bit with him. We knocked and he was working on changing out his water softener. He invited us in and it turned out he really needed us there! He poured out so many feelings and thoughts he’s been going through and we were able to listen and give him comfort. We helped him see his feelings were valid and that he was actually doing really good. It’s crazy how much people open up to missionaries but I am humbly thankful when they do because we have an amazing way of potential help for them if they want it. It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ! We gave Martin a Book of Mormon and testified of how he can find peace in this book and we promised him problems would stop following him if he read.

 There is power in reading the Book of Mormon. It’s changing our friends lives. If you want something to change, read the Book of Mormon. If you are seeking and wanting an answer, read the Book of Mormon. If you think the heavens are closed and God is far away, read the Book of Mormon. If you feel like you aren’t loved and you’ll never be good enough, read the Book of Mormon. If you are feeling like you can’t overcome something or just want to feel peace, read the Book of Mormon. I promise the Book of Mormon is what you need right now. Go read and just see how things change. That’s how confident I am! I love you all so much. I miss everyone, especially those I don't hear much from or don't see much. Just know you are in my prayers. Go have an amazing week and until next week, 

Elder Neel