We haven't gotten a letter from Spencer for a long time, but we did get a call tonight from the father of a friend of one of the missionaries (Elder Maisey) who served with Spencer for three days on Tarawa. He wrote in his letter just one little blurb about Spencer. He wrote that Elder Marks is "very obedient" and a "hard worker."
If we had to choose some news out of Tarawa, this is exactly what we would have asked for--nothing will bring the blessings and protection of the Lord like being obedient and working hard. It's been tough for us not hearing from Spencer, but we feel like the Lord has given us a tender mercy today in sending us word halfway around the world that our son is being obedient and working hard.
(Elder Maisey also told his friend that another elder ate a fish that had not been prepared properly and that he almost died. He said if you get sick out there, there's no rescue. "You just die." Yeah, not such a happy message there.)
He also sent us this picture from Elder Macey. I think it was taken in Tarawa while Spencer was waiting for his boat to Tarawa Ieta, but we're not sure.