Merry Christmas!
Monday December 29, 2008
ear Family and Friends,
nother year has come and gone. How time flies! So much has happened in this last year. It was a year ago that I was spending Christmas with my family. We all had a wonderful Christmas together—spending time with family and friends, and taking time to reflect upon the birth, life, mission, atonement, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
year ago today, I was in Denver, Colorado with my friend Scott Smith as one of our best friends, Kyle Hair, was married for time and all eternity to Stephanie Rhule. It was such a sweet experience to be with such a dear friend on one of the most important days of his life, and to reflect on the eternal blessings that are made possible through the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
started off 2008 with an adventurous time in the Denver Airport trying to get back to Provo. Scott had lost his wallet, and because of the delay that caused, we missed our 6:30 a.m. flight (by minutes) and spent the whole day exploring, playing, and trying to sleep in the Denver airport. Finally, we were able to get a flight at 9:30 p.m. and made it back to our apartments around midnight. Fun memories!
inter semester went fairly well for me. I took a computer class where I learned, a little better than before, some of my web site designing abilities and a number of my personal limitations. I took a preparation for marriage course where I learned many things that, as I implement them into my life, will hopefully help me become a better person for the girl I will someday marry. I took a leadership course, where I continued to learn about effective communication, individual development, and how to assess and meet the needs of those around me. I took a course exploring the doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which was a thoroughly invigorating and enlightening class. It helped me look at and understand better how the gospel, in its fullness, really does bless and change lives on a fundamental level. I also retook a professional family history research class, which I had failed the previous semester due to a lack of getting up to the Family History Library in Salt Lake. Grade-wise I did pretty well, except for the family history class, which I, for the same reasons, got a D-.
ther than school, winter semester was a fun time for me. I continued to build good relationships with the boys in my building, and with those in my ward, as well as with my fellow Resident Assistants (RAs). I love my job as an RA. I feel like I am able, in a small way, to help individuals as they embark on their college experience. In my ward, I was the Sunday school president, and as such I had the privilege of working with some fine teachers, and helping them improve their gospel teaching. I was also able to teach a family history class, which was a very rewarding experience for me.
s spring term was about to begin, I was uncertain as to whether or not I had passed my family history class, and I decided that regardless of how I did, I wanted to do better. I knew that I was capable of better work, so I stayed at school for spring term to take the class again. I’m glad that I did. I learned so much more about family history research as I went through the course the third time than I had the previous two times. I also learned the importance of working as a team to accomplish the seemingly impossible. With the time restraints we had, none of us in the class could have accomplished, on our own, what we were able to do as a team. I was reminded that working hard, and working to help others along their way, is an important part of life—even in a competitive school environment. Further, I was able to meet and build solid friendships with some of my classmates that I would have missed out on otherwise—friendships that have changed and improved my life.
n church I was called to be the ward choir director. This was a challenging, fun, and spiritual experience for me throughout the summer. Through choir I was able to develop some of my musical skills, and help others do the same. I was also able to act as an instrument, in the hands of God, to invite the Spirit into our meetings, and into the lives of those who sang, and those listened. I realized, again, that when I give my all, God steps in and performs miracles.
ummer term brought new adventures. I began an internship at the Family History Library in Salt Lake, in addition to my part-time job. I found myself out the door at about 6:00 a.m. almost every morning, and not getting home until around 11:00 p.m. Between work, and the four hours of traveling to and from Salt Lake on most days, my schedule was full. But I was happy. I was having some of the best times of my life. I was learning so much in every aspect of my life, and I felt like I was making a difference in people’s lives. I learned that I love being in a library, and I really love helping people. I also gained confidence in my abilities as a genealogist. For the first time in my life I realized that I really do know what I’m doing, and that I can do a good job at it. As busy as I was with my obligations at the Library and at BYU, I still found time to go on dates, build new friendships, cultivate old ones, and magnify my church callings. The experiences I had, in my internship, with friends, at work, and with my Savior, have had a profound effect on my life. It was a good summer, a very good summer indeed.
o top it off, just as summer term was coming to a close, I was able to travel home for a weekend and participate in the marriage of my dear sister, Emmer, to her husband Jim MacKillop. They were sealed for time and all eternity, by virtue of Holy Priesthood of God, in the Oakland California Temple. Sitting in that sealing room, acting as a witness, was one of the most sacred and special moments of my life, and I will treasure those memories, and the feelings I felt forever. Shortly after their wedding, my brother, Olin, also got engaged, and will be sealed to Jentry Barton this coming February in the San Diego Temple—yet another joyous occasion to look forward to.
his last fall semester has also been a growing time for me. I took a family history class that explores different career options in the field that was very enlightening. I took University Chorale, and loved the chance I had to sing and develop my vocal skills a little better than before. I took a finance class that was very helpful and instructive, in preparing me for the real world, and in managing my money. I took, again, a student leadership development class, which continues to provide me with new insights into life and how I can make a difference in the lives of others. I also took a religion course from my long-time hero Susan Easton Black that covered the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1844 into the twentieth century. Grades are yet to be posted, but I feel pretty good about most of my classes.
y friends Scott, Kyle, Stephanie, and I joined a bowling league on campus, and we all thoroughly enjoyed that experience. While I improved my bowling skills significantly, I was still the third worst bowler in the league, but that’s okay because bowling wasn’t my primary reason for being there. I continued to build my friendships with these three dear friends.
am still working as a Resident Assistant in Wyview Park (apartment style, single student on-campus housing). I love my job, and I love working with, helping, and learning from those I strive to serve. I have developed many good friendships, and I look forward to continuing this service in the coming months.
was able to spend this last Thanksgiving with my sister, Emmer, and her husband Jim. I loved that experience, as I was able to get to know my brother-in-law better, and to spend time with their newly formed family up in Rexburg Idaho. Good times were had by all.
o part of the reason this “letter” has come so late, is because over the last few days I have been going through and reading my journal entries for this past year. That was a very edifying experience for me. The one thing that stood out the most as I read and reflected on this past year was this: That under-girding and overarching all that has happened to me during this last year, God has been there. I have had some wonderful times this year, and I’ve had some very trying times, but through it all, good or bad, God has been there. I know that He lives. I have a Heavenly Father, the creator of the universe, a being with all power, who cares about me—Spencer Fields—as an individual. He has sustained me, encouraged me, and made more of my life than I could ever hope to do on my own. He has given me a loving family who supports me in all that I do. He has raised up friends in my life who have helped me become a better person. In times of discouragement He has sent angels to comfort me, and has dried my tears. He has given me hope when all around me seemed dark. He has poured out tender and simple mercies daily that have reminded me that He has not left me alone. I bear my humble witness that Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago, is the Son of God. He is my Redeemer and Savior. He died, but rose again—breaking the bands of death. He is real. He is my friend. Through Him I may be forgiven of my sins, and become like Him. After death I will live again. My family relationships will continue beyond the grave. He has done so much for me. I want to live my life in such a way to show Him how much I love Him.
ow it is a few days after Christmas. I have loved being home and spending time with my mom and brother, and my other extended family, whom I love. I’m excited for this coming year; 2009 promises to be an exciting time of change. My brother will be married in February. I’ll likely have surgery to remove the cataracts from my eyes, which have been making it harder for me to see over the last year. I’ll be graduating from Brigham Young University with a BA in Family History, as well as a computing minor. And I’ll be looking for full-time employment. The Lord alone knows what other changes await, and only time will tell. But I’m excited for the coming year. I'm excited for the people I'll be able to interact with. I'm excited for all the changes that are coming just around the corner. For all the good and bad that may await me this coming year, I know that God will be with me, and, because of that, I know that my future is bright.
hope that all is well with you and yours. May God be with you throughout this coming year, I humbly pray.
With love,
Spencer Fields :o)
If you are interested, I put together a slideshow of pictures from this last year. It lasts about 11 minutes. I hope you enjoy it!