On Behalf of Elder Spencer....

My mom and I thought that starting a blog to post all of Ryan's pictures and letters would be a fun and easy way to catch everyone up on his mission. So here we go...

Ryan left for Belem Brazil on February 10th and stayed in the CTM (Brazilian MTC) for about two months. He was recently transferred to his mission in Belem (pronounced Belang) roughly two weeks ago. But thats enough of me trying to tell you about his mission. I'll let his letters and pictures tell the story.

This the first email we recieved from the mission telling us of Ryan's safe arrival.

Date: Wed, 13 Feb 2008 10:45:43 -0700>

Dear Parents,


We are happy to send the good news that your missionary has arrived safely at> the Brazil MTC. What a great joy and privilege it is to greet each missionary> as they come through the front door of the MTC for the first time.> > They now have companions and are settled into their rooms. They are assigned> to a district with capable and caring instructors for language and lesson study.> The branch presidents and their wives, who are usually a senior missionary> couple or mature Brazilian couple, will soon give them a second greeting. These> couples are rewarded in their callings through the love they always develop as> they embrace and watch over the missionaries.> > The MTC has a full time live-in physician to care for their health needs. He> is assisted by his able wife.> > We are also happy to report that the Cafeteria food is abundant and very good.> > Your missionary will be able to e-mail home on Preparation Day after a morning> at the Temple. This will be either Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on> individual assignments.> > Important information is attached for communicating with your missionary> through letters and other mail while at the MTC. Your missionary's mailbox # is> 38 and their district is 7 B. Too many packages are arriving after the> missionary has left to the field, so we ask that you send a package only in the> first 4 weeks and after that send any packages to his or her mission home.> > We are also parents of children who have served as missionaries. And we have> been missionaries who have left family. Please know that we are mindful of you> and know of your love for your missionary.> > Your very important young person is about to make an eternal difference in the> lives of others. We hope you will be encouraged and comforted by this quote by> President Lorenzo Snow: “There is no mortal man that is so much interested in> the success of an elder [sister] when he is preaching the gospel as the Lord> that sent him to preach to the people who are the Lord’s children.”> > Please accept our love,> > President and Sister Woodward> Brazil MTC


These are the pictures Ryan sent of the CTM. Ryan apparently being attacked by a Brazilian reptile.



Ryan called this the smallest track he ever ran.

We are all of course very proud of Ryan's decision to serve a mission for the church for 2 years and hope you all enjoy reading about his experiances!
Lisa

Also here are a few pictures from the sunday before he left. Speaking at his farewell was his brother in Law Derrick Webb and Ryan!