The first week

Spencer had a great first week. He absolutely loves the MTC. He was able to see one of his best friend from Bakersfield on his first day. We are so happy they found each other!

Elder Van Dyke and Elder Toomer

Elder Hassell - Spencer's MTC Companion

The Zone

 Studying - or posing?

 Spencer's Zone was able to go to the Provo temple one day. It is so great that the temple is across the street from him for a few weeks.

And here is what he wrote:

I love the MTC. I already had the chance to teach a real investigator.His name is Jose. He is a boxer from Los Angeles. We taught him about how families can be together forever. My companion, Elder Hassell is cool. My whole district is cool. I had the opportunity to be apart in two blessings already for sisters in our district. It was a really neat experience. I also had the opportunity to watch this talk by Bednar. It can only be seen in the MTC. People said it is life-changing but I didn't really believe them at first. But wow! It was. What a talk. One part in his talk, he talked about this Relief Society President who just found out her only daughter died. The daughter was in a really bad car accident and the mom is single. She called Bednar up when he was a bishop and asked if he could identify the 3 girls in the car accident not knowing at the time that her daughter was dead. When Bednar found out, He told the Mom of the deceased daughter. Instead of crying and complaining, she asked if the other moms were ok. Then on the day of her daughters funeral, an angry young woman complained she didn't get food when she was sick. on the way to her daughters funeral, the mother stopped at the angry womans house and gave her food. How Christlike is that! There is way more to the talk and it would take hours for me to explain it. But anyways, I just went to the temple this morning to do initiatories.

He also emailed about his IV (he thinks its strange to have to do it in front of so many people, but it has to be done) and he asked for treats (typical Spencer). I feel so much better about him being away after hearing from him.

The First 2 Emails

Any missionary mom will tell you that those weekly emails are the best thing ever! We actually got 3 emails from Spencer in the first week. We know it will only be weekly from now on, but I love that we were blessed with some extra words from our missionary.

The first one we received was just a couple of hours after we dropped Spencer off. What a relief to hear from him:

Hey! I'm here at the MTC as you know. I love you guys so much and will keep in touch as much as I can. Talk to you

soon.

-Elder Toomer

The second was a couple of days later:

Hey! The MTC is great! am learning so much and am very comfortable in teaching investigators. We literally start

teaching investigators the second day. My companion is Elder Hassell. We are very good at teaching investigators.

My companion and I have already taught two investigators. They are just our teachers but they feel real. It isn't that

hard then I thought to teach a 30 minute lesson. Tomorrow we teach real investigators. I can't wait for that. I have

met so many Elders and Sisters and have made friends with so many. I will send pictures later and I want to let you

guys know that I love you! I will talk to you soon. 

- Elder Toomer

Saying Goodbye for Two Years

I am not going to lie - dropping Spencer off at the MTC was one of THE hardest, yet most rewarding things I have ever done. It is really difficult to say goodbye, knowing we won't see each other for such a long time, but, I could also see how happy and excited Spencer was to be leaving to serve the Lord in Denver. I am so grateful for this wonderful young man and his incredible testimony of the Gospel. And I am grateful we were able to snag some last pictures of this cute guy for awhile.

Pepper is 14 years old. Watching Spencer say goodbye to her was really hard knowing she might not be here when he comes home.

 We stopped at BYU to say goodbye to Kaylee,

and Sam,

and Luke,

and Brother Schafer (one of THE best Young Men's Presidents around).

 We were able to spend the night at Chris and Christy's. So glad we could see all of them.

Christy wanted to give Spencer a proper send off with bubbles in the front yard

 We spent a little time across the street from the MTC at the Provo temple grounds.

And then the goodbye's at the curb. It was probably a good thing that they only give you a few minutes before the missionaries are off. 

Open House

September 3rd was a crazy, busy day, but I wouldn't have changed it for the world. Spencer gave his farewell talk in sacrament meeting (Maddie also spoke). Right after church, he was set apart as a missionary and that evening, we held an open house in his honor. We are so very grateful for all the support from family and friends who made this time so special for our missionary!

Cousins - at least the ones I remembered to take pictures of

Spencer and Colby - the 2 oldest Toomer cousins

The Open House - It was a packed house! We love the many people who came to say goodbye for 2 years to Spencer and those who were there in spirit.We had cakes, avalanche bars, brookies, Costco cookies, and tie shaped sugar cookies.

Anyone who knows my dad, knows this is the best picture I could get (he does NOT like the camera)

Soccer friends - Randy, Russell, and Bradley

Jeff and Chad - typical picture of them together

The Phippens came from Visalia on the right night to see Spencer off

Finally A Missionary

Spencer was set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on September 3rd by the First Counselor in the Stake Presidency, President Schafer. He received a special blessing of health throughout his entire mission. We know without a doubt that he will be an amazing missionary!

 Bishop White

President Schafer