A Baptism and Seeing an Old Friend (posted by mom)

I feel more blessed with investigators and opportunities than I have at any other time on my mission. I find myself having to decide between two opportunities to share the gospel rather than working all day for just a few chances to sit down to teach someone.

This week we had a baptism. He is so good. He is into science (a chemist) and it was difficult for him to believe in God and the restored gospel: but now he believes! He didn't see any miracles, but his change of heart has truly been a miracle. It was wonderful to see him humbly and diligently feast on the word of God. He told me, "Elder Huang, recently I've been taking a lot more time to study. In the scriptures it says that we need to believe first then only can God confirm our faith (Ether 12:6). So I've decided to believe." Because of this his testimony did come. I am so excited for him.

Another special event was a girl I knew when I was an exchange student in Taiwan came to visit me this past sunday with her fiance. They are planning to get married in the temple. It was fun to see them again and hear about their exciting plans for the future.

Thank you for all your prayers. The church is true.
Missionary work is great!

Love, Elder Spencer Harris

A Surprise Visit (posted by mom)

The President YANG FAMILY visited the Gang Shan ward this Sunday!!!! They are just as amazing as I remember them!! It was so good to see them!! They brought me a bunch of food. Enough breakfast for the next 3-4 weeks! I felt their love and they conveyed the love of my family to me. It was a fun experience. Wow! It was really good to see and talk to them! (Spencer stayed with the Yang Family when he was an exchange student in Taiwan a few years ago.)

My companion is great. I learn so much from him. He studies the language really diligently, he adds new investigators like he has been doing it his whole life. He has taught me some important things to win the hearts of people. He is always really good at getting to know investigators. We work hard, and it feels good.

Today we cleaned the apartment of a member in a neighboring ward. He is crippled and has a hard time cleaning. In two hours we still got a lot done. I love that kind of service project. I learned a lot from him. This man has years of church material and a stack of scriptures that were marked up like crazy. It was inspiring.

Love, Elder Spencer Harris

The Land of Milk & Honey (posted by mom)

We were blessed with a lot of people at church. Probably the most special part was that our recent convert's family all came to church. This week we found a teaching record that had the name of our recent convert's sister on it. We invited her to church. In the process we started visiting our recent convert more often and met his parents. They are super nice. Our first request for the parents to come to church was denied, but we asked again the second time and they agreed. On Sunday the whole family showed up.

One of this ward's strengths is friendshipping and fellowshipping. If we get the investigators to church, they will do the rest.

Yesterday, we were introduced to a family who's father died a little over a year ago. We had a good opportunity to meet them and share the hope of the gospel.

It's nice, right now we have several willing investigators who are progressing.

Missionary work is amazing. Love, Elder Spencer Harris

Greetings from Gang Shan (posted by mom)

It was a good week in GangShan we added many new investigators and met some neat people.

There ward here in GangShan is so good. There are 5-6 returned missionaries. They are really unified and striving to strengthen the ward and it's members so they can eventually build a chapel.

My companion's name is Elder Wheeler. He is from Idaho Falls, he is a convert of three years!! He is the first member in his family and gave up a lot to come out on a mission. We are working hard to build this area.

It's cold, but we have jackets and make sure to stay warm. The apartment here in GangShan is really nice too.

Love, Elder Spencer Harris

Transfer to GangShan (posted by mom)

Today I've spent most of the day moving!! I am now in Gangshan in Gaoxiong. It is kind of like DouLiu--a small town with surrounding areas that we take care of. Although being new I am a district leader with a full district.

The other day I thought about the time I've spent in Douliu. I had one of those tender mercies this week. - - it was a clear recollection of my time in Douliu. I felt God’s love for the people there, and of His love for me – I felt His approval of the work we did there. I am grateful for my time in Douliu. While there I developed a greater understanding of God - - His timing is perfect and He has a plan for each of us. In that moment I also had the realization I still have a lot of work left to do and much is still expected.

Last week my companions and I worked really hard and added 113 investigators. (That includes Huwei's and Douliu's adds--we spent time in both places and strived to build both areas.)

I'm excited for this new place and new people. I'm excited for this new start in this new year. My new companion seems to really want to do the right things and work hard. We've already talked about goals we want to work toward as a companionship.

I hear good things about the ward here. I also see many families on the street. I am excited to serve here in Gangshan.

Love, Elder Spencer Harris