The Power of the Spirit

This week is gonna be shortish. I'll see you all soon enough anyway =p

I'll share one experience/miracle though.
We felt impressed to work with Felicina again this week. She's been on and off date and on and off the shelf for 5 months now. She's got a pretty rough home life: just as an example, one time we pulled up and the cops pulled up right behind us.. blocking us in so we couldn't leave while they talked to her uncles. I think they were drunk and fighting, but I'm not sure. Anway.... On Thursday, we decided to have a lesson with her, focusing on the temple not just on baptism. It was going great! For the first time in a while, a bunch of her family members were sitting in. We were sitting in a circle, showing them pictures of the temple. Then, while Sister Jenkins was teaching, her uncle Felix walked up. I've always felt Felix was ready to learn, but the problem is he's always drunk. He walked away then came back with his Book of Mormon and a stool, and sat behind everyone. I noticed a bunch of sticky notes in his Book of Mormon- He's been reading it!! Then he cut off Sister Jenkins and said, "Now, Sisters...." and proceeded to ask us about the restoration, which I realized part way through he meant resurrection. I told him we were happy to answer his questions at another time, and we could give him some passages in the Book of Mormon that would help. Sister Jenkins continued while I wrote down Alma 40-42 on a pass along card. Then I stood up to give it to him, because he looked ready to interrupt the lesson again. I stood in front of him, and he began to ask me questions again. I cut him off and said, "Felix, I have a question for you." "Yes?" I looked him directly in the eyes and said, "Are you sober right now?" He looked down and said, "No... I'm sorry" I said,more or less, "Then I cannot teach you. I want to help you find answers to your questions, but I cannot because you cannot feel the Spirit. I know this Book will change your life, but you have to read it when you are sober." 

He  said, "I understand. I can see it in your eyes, I know you think I'm not a good person." 

"No, your Heavenly Father loves you so much. And you have great potential. I know Jesus Christ loves you too, because I can feel it. All the questions you have, Heavenly Father is waiting to answer them. This Gospel, this Book, will answer all your questions. You just have to be sober when you read it."  He looked me in the eye and said, "Thank you, Sister. Thank you." He shook my hand. I implored him once again to read the Book of Mormon again. 

This is one of the times on my mission I could really feel the Spirit speaking through me. I felt so much love for this broken old man who stood in front of me, and I knew that our Savior just wanted to heal him. He just needs to come unto Him. I truly am blessed to be in this mission, inviting all to come unto Christ, "That [He] might heal them". (See 3 Nephi 9 somethin)

Meanwhile, Sister Jenkins kept teaching Felicina, and she's back on date and seems set this time, with her eyes on the Temple!

Oh! Ok, so last Sunday we opened up the translation equipment and found a bunch of corroded batteries..... It was terrible. But we got a couple to work, so we could still translate. After Church we threw all the batteries away. Then yesterday at church, we put new batteries in.... and the transmitter wouldn't turn on. We tried again. Still nothing. We said a prayer. Still nothing. Then, I remembered a talk from General Conference about praying for what you can do to help the problems you face, instead of praying for Heavenly Father to fix them. I had a thought to gently hit the transmitter by the antennae, so I did. And it turned on!! And worked great! Prayer works!! Listen to the promptings you receive!!! 

This week I've also been praying with a notebook by me so I can write down impressions. I encourage you all to do that as well. It's completely changed my prayers!!! I've learned so much more about how I receive personal revelation. Thank you, President Nelson for the counsel!!

So much for a short email......

Love you all, have an excellent week, and read your Book of Mormon every day!!!

Love,
Sister Springer

Sister Springer

April 2018 MLC

Sisters Dinner with the McCormicks (Senior Military Couple)

Sisters Pokipala, Springer, Jenkins, Jones

Trainers and Trainees: Top: Sister Jones, Pokipala, Springer Bottom: Sisters Dalton, Stapley, Jenkins

Intake(from the MTC): Elder Robertson, Sisters jones, Pokipala, Springer

Happy Easter!!!

Fuhuo Jie Kuaile!!!

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter! I did!! This week was crazy, but awesome!

There was a huuuuge fire this week on the mountain. Luckily no one was hurt though. 

We had the coolest thing happen this week!! So, earlier this month the Elders knocked on a door and it was a Chinese guy. He didn't speak much English, so they called us and we talked to him. It sounded like he wasn't super interested though, so we told him if he ever wanted to learn more just give us a call. On a whim (ok, actually the Spirit), I saved his number in our phone as "Chinese Guy the Elders found on 3/14". Then on Thursday afternoon I was talking to a member, and the phone rang. It was him. I answered and he wanted to know where our church was. I told him where, and when in started, and he said he would come on Sunday. Sunday came, and he and his adorable family showed up to church!! He and his wife have 3 kids, the oldest is 8 and the youngest is just a baby. Despite our translating equipment having difficulties, they stayed for all of sacrament meeting, and Chinese class. They they stayed and talked to our recent convert, Anbby! Turns out they are from the same province in China. They want us to come visit them. We'll take Anbby on Tuesday. I'm so excited! God is so great!! 

We had Easter Dinner with the Igisaiar family, and the Conner family. We are so spoiled!! 

Sorry this email is so short. I'll upload pics next week, too. Love you all so much!! I can't wait to see conference this weekend. Also, going to Guam this week again. Last time before I go home. So weird......

Love you all!!!! Have an excellent week! Stay safe, keep reading the Book of Mormon. 

Oh, quick miracle. Ya'll know how I get super car sick when reading in the car? Yeah, doesn't happen when I read the Book of Mormon. At all. I love the Book of Mormon! Same thing with Jesus the Christ. I was on the part where He suffers in Gethsamane, is judged, scourged, and crucified, and is in the Spirit World (not quite to the Resurrection) on Easter. It was extra powerful. I love this Gospel!!!

Sister Springer

Service, hikes, and new friends!

Hey all! It's been a great week!

Last Monday we went to Old Man by the Sea (the real one). It was so pretty! Then today we went with some of the youth to forbidden island and the hidden grotto. We went last year too. It's probably the hardest hike I've been on here, but also one of my favorites. It's just so pretty!! And ends in a cave. Next time I come to Saipan it'll be nice to end that hike in a swim..... but not now!! Matthew took my camera with him underwater though. It was in a cave, so kinda too dark to see very well, but still pretty. 

On Friday all the missionaries went to Bishop's house and helped them clear out their bike track they have in the middle of the jungle, and clear some more space for a garden. Plus I got to week and help Sister Winegarner (Bishop's wife) plant some passionfruit! Passionfruit is soooooo yummy!! Can't wait til she has some more ripe ones!! We were all super hot and sweaty afterwards. She bought us pizza though, it was very good!

This week we walked a bunch. We found so many amazing people! I'm running out of time to tell you about them all, but Brian and Janice and Janice's mom, Elsa, are soooo cool!! I love them already!! They've had some family struggles in the past, and are looking for a good church. They had only lived in that apartment for a few days when we found them. So cute ^^ They came to church on Sunday and loved it!

We also met Nica. She's so sweet! She told us she felt something really strong when we told her were missionaries, specifically for Jesus Christ. She's excited to learn. Her boyfriend had a heart attack and stroke a couple weaks ago, and is in Guam recovering. He is barely talking and can hardly move his fingers. 

I was studying up on the Spirit of Sacrifice/being a consecrated missionary this week. I ready D&C 24:9, then 7-8. It's so true! The Lord really gives you strength you wouldn't otherwise have as you are doing His Work, whether as a missionary or fulfilling your calling.  One time Elder Ieru asked me how I never get tired. (That's not true, there are plenty of nights I can hardly keep my eyes open before falling on my bed). But I know that our calling gives us more strength than is normally possible, especially as we push forward and put our own needs aside and focus on those around us. I think I am beginning to grasp the true meaning of the Spirit of Sacrifice. I encourage all of you to look for ways that you can sacrifice your own desires and serve those around you: whether in your family or in your work, with your friends, your neighbors, or even strangers. 

I love you all so much! I hope you have an excellent week! Stay safe, and keep reading the scriptures and saying your prayers every day! He hears you, and there are answers. 

Love from Saipan,

Sister Springer