Texas Greetings

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you for all  your notes and packages! This week was quite the haul with goodies from Aunt Betsy and fam--the cookies were delicious! As well as thank you to my family for their package of cookies, and temple names, among other things. Lastly thank you to the Zimmerman's for the brownies! I hope that Matt had a good first week of Summer Term and is settling well to the BYU environment. I'm sure he and Brent will have fun together.

I'm going to get fat with the lack of proper exercise, and all the goodies everyone gives me! I share them around and that makes everyone else happy too.

Special thanks to Jason for getting back to me and writing me about his experience. It's really nice to hear the missionary stories and it inspires and strengthens me.

I kept my eyes pealed this week and saw Elder Tietjen on Thursday, and saw Elder Hangen on Thursday and then again on Sunday as we waited to go in for the Fireside. Nice to talk to both of them. I also have met an Elder Berrie who moved into the Littleton ward a few years after we moved to Utah. He's a nice guy, learning Mandarin so he is in my same hall of classrooms, and I'm not positive were he is going anymore. Also seen a number of other friends from BYU and Lone Peak as would be expected.

So now for my week:

It was a good week. 'Nuff said... Monday through Friday were typical days with lots and lots of sitting, language study, and investigator teaching appointments. I'm blown away at how hard it can be to find the needs of the investigators and cater lessons to them. Not to mention the church keeps updating and adding new criteria. When mom and dad were on missions they memorized the lessons, now Preach My Gospel is out and they have asked that we not memorize, but are knowledgable about all the material, and the most recent thing a couple years ago was "The 8 Fundamentals" which should be testified about in every aspect of every lessons. I can't name all of them but they include Revelation from the Book of Mormon, Revelation through Prayer, Revelation through Church Attendance etc.... It's hard to make everything relate even if we role play in English so you can imagine how hard it is in Cantonese.

Sidenote: Elder Wu and I practiced passing the sacrament on Friday and Thursday evenings--There were 36 elders helping. 3 tables with bread and water with 4 elders behind each, and 8 people passing from each table. The room was broken into a front, middle, and back. I was in the middle group.

 I'll now go into detail about my weekend because I know all of you are dying to hear specifically about my weekend activities. :)

Saturday was great! All the mission presidents showed up throughout the day, and after Elder Wu and I practiced the Sacrament the two Cantonese districts were able to meet with President and Sister Hawks. (In Cantonese they areHaw Wuihjeung and Haw Ji-moui--President and Sister). The 11 Cantonese and 1 Mandarin  all went around, gave a quick introduction in English, then the Hawk's told us about them, talked about how grateful they were for us and already loved us, and then fielded a few questions interspersed with Pres. Hawks talking about a few mission experiences he had in Hong Kong. It got us all so pumped up to see some of the places he was talking about! Apparently there is a 10,000 Buddha temple up on one of the peaks that he said we HAD to do for a P-Day. This took the better part of an hour and then to close each of us bore a simple testimony in our mission language. It was a powerful, wonderful, strengthening experience and we all grew to love both of them.

On Sunday Elder Wu and I went to run through passing one more time, then prepare the sacrament and sit reverently in our assigned seats with the 34 others and wait until Sacrament started at 10. President and Sister Hawks actually sat in our assigned section so we were able to pass to them! The one Mandarin elder, Elder Bradley, was one of the bread breakers at my table so there was solid Hong Kong representation. I sat next to President and Sister McCune serving in Provo Utah and it was nice to talk to them. They pointed out some of the lesser known general authorities to us.

Sacrament passing went exactly as planned, and was so special! I was facing the front the whole time and made eye contact with atleast President Uchtdorf, not 100% sure about all the others. But on the stand were 13 of the 15--we missed Elder Hales, and Elder Packer. Also on the stand were tons of other Seventies. I think the whole presiding bishopbric was their as well. I couldn't possibly name everyone.

President Monson spoke for 1.5 hours and I got a few notes. Unfortunately they didn't want the Elders to bring in note pads so I just wrote in my planner. He spoke specifically to the Mission presidents obviously, but had great one liners for all like, "Show How is more important than Tell How." Or he showed a picture of one of his missionaries who had a wonderful smile and described how this missionary never had any positions of leadership, but his motto was, "I am happy." Lots of things I just can't convey very well over this... Great meeting though and such an honor and privilege. I saw Presient and Sister Budge from a distance so I know that they didn't see me but it was cool to see them. I went up and said hello to President and Sister Moon from our stake presidency in Alpine--they are going to Cambodia.

Wish I had time to say more but I'm already a few minutes over my allotted time--It will be a little easier in the mission when I have an hour instead of 30 minutes.

Hope all is well, that dad is keeping off the weight, you aren't dying of the heat, and that Sterling and Grace enjoy their EFY's. Love you all, and thank you for your prayers. I've needed them.

Sincerely,

Elder Spencer Siebach 

Happy Father's Day!

Dearest Families and friends,

I tell you what, it has been quite the week! But first things first, Happy Father's day to all men, especially my dad. I'm just sorry it's after the fact... But it sounds like you guys had a great day. That is wonderful news about Jason! Tell him to DearElder me back haha. Obviously if he sends it today I won't be able to respond for another week, but I'm always wanting to know how things are for him--you all as well :) As an update, the Elder in my Zone who was possibly going to go home for surgery has now been cleared to go to Hong Kong! So he and that district will be leaving a week from today. My companion, Elder Wu, will also be leaving with them. He found this out on Wednesday and since then I have been working in a Tri-panionship with the two other Elders in my District--Elders Parker and Allen. It was a rough start considering I didn't know where they were in teaching their investigators and I literally had to pop right into the middle of a lesson that they were giving. It's weird to not have Elder Wu as a companion anymore, but I still see him plenty since the two Cantonese districts stick together like glue. In two weeks another wave of 5 Cantonese missionaries will come into the MTC. It's hard to believe that I am starting week 5 today. I mentioned last week that I saw my mission president at the temple, and this week all the Mission presidents come in and have seminars. I think including mission presidents and their wives, we're supposed to have something like 500 or 600 missionaries. Typically it seems like most weeks we have hovered around the high 300s to low 400s so it will feel a little cramped I imagine. 

On Tuesday I was teaching a lesson to my investigator A-Hei and when I got back the sister missionaries who were in the classroom conducting their Comp. study said that I needed to go down to the main building room 114. Just so y'all know, if you get called to the main building, its usually something bad, and if its room 119 it means someone in your family has died or you are being reassigned to a different mission. Needless to say, those first moments were a little tense for me. Turns out I was ushered down to speak with the MTC president, President Brown. I thought for sure I was in trouble until I saw the pleasant smile on his face. He ushered me into his office while my companion waited outside. We then had a pleasant conversation about a wonderful Siebach family that had lived in Gloversville shortly before he went on his mission to New York. He asked me about my relation and proudly said that Ralph Siebach was my grandfather. He said the Siebach's were legends in the church in that part, and that they had made waves in Pittsburgh area too. He then asked my companion to come in and after discussing our missions he asked if we would be a part of a special sacrament meeting this coming Sunday for the mission presidents, their wives, and numerous apostles (possibly prophet)! He asked specifically if we would help pass the Sacrament. WHAT A GREAT EXPERIENCE! I am so looking forward to it! Since then I have thought a lot about the power of a good name and feel truly inspired by predecessors on both sides who are amazing examples of righteousness and integrity. Subsequently I have been thinking about my name and Leslie Young, the Spencers, and the Siebachs--both sides of the family covered. So thank you parents, grandparents, and so on who strive to be the best they can be.

I want to thank all the people who have written me this week. I have loved reading the letters and appreciate your prayers and thoughts. I will try to get back to you as soon as possible whether that is today or next week I'm not sure. Missionary work doesn't give much time from breaks, even on P-day.

Last Tuesday President Malm of the Seventy spoke to us in a missionary devotional and talked about Faith, Works, and Desire and making sure those all matched up if we expect to be effective, converted missionaries. I love the devotionals so much! My district typically sits in a corner on the floor and face a podium in the middle and another awesome experience for me is singing the prelude hymns with 2500 other missionaries all neatly dressed and getting ready to head out. Yesterday our Sunday fireside speaker was Sister Sheri Dew and she talked about receiving and remembering spiritual gifts. I wish I could write out notable quotes but I don't have the time. It was a great devotional though and after we watched "Mountain of the Lord" which was about the SLC Temple--pretty good.

Since the old Cantonese district is leaving next week they were released from their callings and those have come upon our Cantonese district because we are going to be here 7 more weeks and it's much more efficient to make the long-lasters fulfill callings so that you don't have to change every three weeks for state-siders. I'm not sure if I mentioned or not that our zone is about 45 missionaries and they are all speaking English except our two Cantonese districts. I am not my District's District Leader and Elder Allen and Elder Parker are the Zone leaders. One of our sisters, Sister Heaton, is the Cooridinating Sister. That makes 4 out of the 5 members of my district in meetings together which has the potential to be awkward during ward counsel since they are right there. Luckily we haven't had any problems in our district to report on.

By the way, I am taking lots of pictures with friends, my district, and other happenings, but their is no way to upload onto a computer so I will sent the card home at some point and just ask that you download the pictures and then send it back out.

Another story: When you stay here for this long you have to find things to look forward to and do each day. So each evening we smell a Ponderosa Pine tree which smells like Cream Soda and Monday is P-Day, Tuesday is Super-fly Tuesday so we dress in suits, Wednesday is "Sahn Yuhk" day (which translates to 'fresh meat') as well as Where's-My-Tie-Wednesday. For this day we all pitch in a tie to a community pot and its luck of the draw to see which one you will wear that day (just can't be your own) Thursday is Tag Touch so when we greet eachother its a handshake and a chest bump against the other Elders Tag, Friday is now Frosty Friday because their is an Elder in our district, Elder Frost, whom we love because he is so genuine, and happy. So we try to be as happy and pleasant as him. Unfortunately he leaves next week for North Carolina so we'll have to restructure that. We're still coming up with ideas for Saturday and Sunday if you have anything clever/missionary appropriate. :)

Anyway, I'm now overtime so thank you for your prayers and letters. Keep in touch! I'll keep an eye out for Elder Tietjen and Hangen. Have a good week.

Love,

Elder Spencer Siebach

Week 3

Hey! It's me again.

Just wrapped up week 3 and heading into week 4. I've now been here longer than any of the English elders. Few thoughts that I had this week that I want to share with y'all. Firstly, Lehi receives the plates (which have a history of his forefathers) and his next two children are named Joseph and Jacob...House of Israel reference maybe? And hoping that they would remember the names of their forefathers. In 2 Nephi 5:23 it talks about the cursing that comes upon the Lamanites and their skin of blackness. Made me wonder if maybe Nephite dissenters would receive a skin of blackness. When Alma meets Ammoron at Helam would Ammoron have been cursed? Lastly, In Jacob 7 we hear the story of Sherem. It says that he came in among the people (from out of town) and became expert in their language. Makes me think that maybe he had to learn their language. Where would he have come from? The Jaredites? The people of Zarahemla? Anyway, just some thoughts I've been having as I've read this week. Answers would be appreciated if anyone can shed any light on these.

One evening at dinner this week I sat by a companionship of missionaries who had just come into the MTC this last week. Both from Utah, both headed to St. Louis. What was interesting to me was that one elder, Elder D'Wart, had a suit on, a vest under that, a pocketwatch, and he had fashioned out of chainmail a tie for himself. It was bizarre. The knot was brass, and the long part of the tie was silver. It was all I could do to keep from laughing at him!

I'm not sure if my family ever knew the Hunsakers when we lived in Tokyo. But I knew their son, Morgan, and I ran into him this week. He's been here two weeks, actually lives on my same residence floor and hall, and is going to Bangkok, Thailand. His family now lives in Hong Kong so he wants me to look them up when I get there. It was great to see him especially since it's been 7 years since I have. There are a lot of people from my BYU ward here as well and it's fun to bump into them on pretty much a daily basis!

My companion, Elder Wu, may be leaving with the other Hong Kong district in 2 weeks. He is fluent in Cantonese and could probably do more work out in the field. I will be sad to see him go, but if he does it will leave Elder Allen, Elder Parker, and I in a tri-panionship.

In the older Cantonese district there is an Elder Templin whom we fasted for this week. A few months back he tweaked his ankle and its still in pretty rough shape. At the doctors this week they said that he had torn some of his tendons in his heel and something about how there was muscle rubbing in between his joints. He says he feels fine most of the time and it doesn't hurt to walk. He is trying to get the go-ahead to head out to Hong Kong and get surgery after the mission. If he gets surgery now it will be 6 months to a year before he will fully recover, and he's 24 so a mission might not be in the cards after that. Hopefully all will be well there.

My branch president, President Miller, was released this Sunday. The MTC president, President Brown, sat in our Sacrament service so that was really cool! I didn't know President Miller well but he still made a favorable impact and I am sad to see him gone. One interesting thing is that the first night I got here I was interviewed by him and he recognized my last name. Turns out he was also the Branch president for Sam Siebach when he was going through!

Speaking of Siebachs, a couple weeks ago I sat down to lunch with my district and unknowingly sat next to Sister Siebach! I don't remember where she is going, just that she is Spanish-speaking, and one of Henry's grandchildren I believe.

Yesterday I got to listen to Music and the Spoken word. It was so nice! I loved being able to at least hear some music while i'm here! Hopefully I'll be able to listen each week. I made it a goal for myself to one day be in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I don't know how it's going to work out, but I guess I'll be living in Utah for at least some portion of my adult life for it to happen.

I teach just about every day while here in the MTC and have two investigators, A-hei and Kim. However, on Saturdays I get to go share a lesson in the TRC. These volunteers at the TRC are Cantonese speaking ward members and my object is to teach them a short lesson, this week was on prayer, and to work on my conversational speaking and carrying on a conversation. This week Elder Wu did almost all of the talking because I don't really know much outside of gospel terms. It was still really fun to talk with the volunteers. Many of them had served missions in Hong Kong or were from Hong Kong.

My two investigators are doing great and Elder Wu and I have committed them to read and pray daily. We'll see this evening how they are doing. This week our goals are to invite them to church and extend baptismal commitments. Wish us luck. We will also be focusing on learning how to teach the second lesson on the plan of Salvation.

This morning my Hong Kong zone (11 of us) got to go to the temple. It was a great experience for all of us, and guess who we bumped into in the changing room! President Hawks! We chatted with them for a few minutes but they had to rush to get to their Language Tutor. They looked so happy and nice! I can't wait to work with them! They will be coming by our two districts this next Saturday to speak with us! I'll be in their first district that they welcome to Hong Kong. Something I feel kind of proud of!

Great week, and learned a lot. I also want to thank my parents for promptly taking care of all my needs and sending a CD player, headphones, and food! Its great to get letters from everyone. However I don't get mail on Saturday or Sunday so make sure you send it before so that I can read and respond today (Monday).

I love and am thinking of all of you! Thank you for your prayers. I feel their influence and heaven knows I need it.

Love,

Elder Spencer Siebach

MTC Photos

About to get dropped off at the front door of the MTC. Thanks Aunt Jenny!

At long last!!! 

Spencer with MTC companion: Elder Wu from CA

With Grandma Beus in the MTC! How cool is that??

G & G Beus are heading off to the Fukuoka Japan mission.

Leih Houh Mah?

Dearest follwers,

As should be expected, it was another busy week in the MTC. I did get two packages; one from the Tietjens and one from my family so thank you very much! For the plaque that will hang in the lobby at church, my favorite scripture is D&C 112:10. I appreciate the many letters that I have gotten from friends and family via DearElder, they really brighten my day! I'm sorry to hear about the Zimmerman's loss, but I do know that there is a special spot set aside for Christian in the kingdom of our Lord. I'm so so so happy for Jason! It was all I could think about on Saturday! I wish I had been there to witness that special event. Best decision of his life :)  I shared his story with my district and they were all very impressed by his readiness to receive the gospel and his character. We want to be more like Jason in our humility and love.

Today I was finally able to get to the temple! I was so antsy all week as I thought about being able to get away from the MTC compound and feeling the Spirit in the temple.  I finished the Book of Mormon yesterday morning and decided to take Moroni's promise. I don't think I have ever really taken his challenge. I prayed and felt that I didn't get an answer. I reflected on the many miracles and spiritual times I have felt while reading in the scriptures (namely Hel 3:35 and D&C112:10), and decided that my question about the truthfulness had already been answered. Nonetheless, I went to the temple and had that question in my heart and had an amazing experience with personal revelation. I was sitting there contemplating my question and believe it or not, I had a Cantonese phrase pop into my mind. And it was the only thing that I could think about our repeat for 3 minutes. It was, "Ngoh jidou Moyihmunging haih Sahn ge syutwah." This phrase means, "I know The Book of Mormon is the word of God." Right there in the temple the Lord answered my prayer with my own knowledge. I have a testimony of this book, I had a testimony of this book, but this experience was a strength to me.

Yesterday I got up in my Sacrament meeting and bore my simple testimony in Cantonese. I can't say everything that I want to, but I can say a lot and I felt the truthfulness of my words. I have again started The Book of Mormon and I am halfway through 1st Nephi--hope to be done with it before I leave the MTC.

My first investigator, Pauline, whom I taught 5 times and almost got to commit to baptism, turned out to be my team teacher posing as an investigator! I couldn't believe it! we were all laughing. It's now different to hear her speak English and have to address her as Sister Tai.

This week in Cantonese we learned how to ask and respond to questions of location, where to meet with a potential investigator, and answer 'why' questions. The language it very "caveman-ish" and completely different structure from English. Kinda hard for me to remember the placement of words when I'm on the spot. I'm sure I sound like a pre-schooler.

Everyday this week for volleyball my district went out to the fields and played volleyball. We go at the same time as the Bulgarian elders and we therefore call it the Bulgarian Beatdown! We're surprisingly good players and I'm learning a lot from my district mates, some of whom played in high school.

This next week I get two new investigators. There names are A-Heih and Kim. I suspect that they are actually my two team teachers posing as people from different backgrounds so that we can learn to tailor our lessons to different types of people. I'd go into my detail about them but I am low on time. Normally teachers don't have to pose as investigators because there are many MTC volunteers or even non-members willing to come, but when there are 11 Cantonese missionaries in the MTC we learn that supplies are low in Cantonese speakers within Provo and surrounding cities.

We have incredible devotionals on Sundays and Tuesdays and those are real strengths to me. I love to hear what they have to say as well as the change that it brings in a rather mundane weekly schedule.

I'm a little surprised that I function as well as I do because I never get even the 8 hours of sleep. It takes a long time for me to fall asleep each night. Mondays our temple session is at 6:30 so we have to be up early, Tuesday we have gym at 6:05, and Wednesday we have service for 1.5 hours starting at 6:10. But I know that the Lord must have a hand in it because there is no way I would have been able to do this high school.

A few things I need: A water bottle (Maybe just the one that I used for tennis), headphones and a CD player. Because Cantonese is so tonal I get to use recordings of people's pronounciation to work on my own. So I need my own set of headphones and even just a cheap CD player. It only has to last for the next 9 weeks or so.

I was on Mormon.org this week (One of the few sites allowed) and saw that Brother Mike Lohner as well as Bishop Johnson have video profiles! That was cool! I've been watching the 5 profiles of Cantonese speakers and feel like they are my best friends though I don't know them or what they are saying. The sights around Hong Kong are amazing from their videos! I cannot wait!

I appreciated dad's message to me that talked about the miracle of my life. It really strengthened me and made me remember that the Lord has a purpose for me though I may not know what it is completely.

This week I studied the doctrine of Christ in my personal study. A notable chapter is 2 Nephi 31. I also taught this to my investigator.

A thought from the devotional yesterday, "Miracles are not unnatural events, but rather manifestations of God's love and power."( I don't have the exact words but I will look it up and share it later).

Have a great week!

Love,

Elder L. Spencer Siebach