SPENCER TIPPETTS: Hello from Oulu

PROGRESSION LINE UPON LINE

Thoughts after arriving at the MTC: "It's been super awesome hearing about all the mission calls everyone is getting! The work is moving faster and faster every day! It becomes more and more apparent when you see 1,000 missionaries come in every Wednesday!"

Thoughts after leaving the MTC: "It’s a testimony just knowing that the church is right. The things that we’ve learned are true and real. The way I talk about the gospel now is different. The gospel is something that requires action and action is what God wants. It is real. This is what the world needs and I am engaged in the Lord’s work!"

Thoughts after 18 months: “I feel like I can handle anything now! I've learned how I will have a burning witness of the restored church until the day I die. That will be done by constantly seeking out answers to my questions.”

Thoughts after 24 months: "..."

Monday, May 19, 2014

Hello from Oulu

It was a wonderful Mother's Day getting to Skype with Spencer. He was happy and seemed to be doing really well. He sounds very busy but that is definitely a good thing! Enjoy!

Dear Family & Friends,

Well, we just got back from ordering train tickets. I will be on a train for 18 hours this week! I will also be visiting every city in the Kuopio district in 2 days! I will sleep over in kuopio tonight. Do splits in Joensuu and then do a distict meeting in Savonlinna on Wednesday! Crazy!

Skype yesterday was sweet! Its never long enough! We were talking about how we always feel bad after because we didnt say all the things that we should have.

My birthday was... well? It was a red day yesterday so we couldnt do any work. We called the sisters and asked if they had the stuff to make a cake and they asked if we would just want a slice of cake. We said sure and then they asked us why we needed the cake. We said that it was because it was the only fun thing we could do on my birthday. So, I did get some cake!! Haha it wouldnt be official without it!

We are going to go get chinese food after this so that will be a good celebration. Then because we dont have time today, next week we will go to a viking resturaunt! When you all come we will eat there for sure! They have ox sausage... awesome! Last time I went I had Reindeer and Reindeer heart!

I am loving my mission. I remember towards the beggining leadership was something that really interested me. Obviously it still does because I enjoy it but since I have become a leader my view has changed. Every young missionary aspires to be AP and if that was ever true it was true for me. But as leaders our number 1 priority is our proselyting area. Thats because there literally is nothing more important than the work we do. Sure its cool to be in charge and have extra privileges and what not but the real priviledge is to be a missionary and to bring people into the restored gospel. There is no greater call than this. There isn't anything better one could do with there life than spread this knowledge. This however is not limited to just those who wear name tags. All members of the church have been called.

Want to set a goal? Lets all rescue 1 this week. Lets find 1 person each, whether they are innactive or non member, and bring them with us to church. Pray every day not for me or the missionaries to succeed but pray that we can all find at least 1 who will sit next to us in church. I'll be doing the same! Let me know how it goes in next weeks letter! (BTW this isnt just for my family, this is for anybody who reads this!)

I love you all!

Vanhin Tippetts

A few Pictures from our Mother's Day Skype. It was his birthday so we held up a banner when he first came on.