April 8, 2013

Did you forget to attach the picture? I didn't get one, but it's alright. :) I greatly enjoyed General Conference too. Lots of great talks and I took many notes. We have many more sisters now, lat transfer we only had like 5 new sisters, but this next transfer I think there are 24 coming in. That number, we've been told is going to stay constant for a while. Before they haven't had sisters in leadership positions, but they are now organizing a Zone Leader Conference where they are going to talk about implementing it. That is a big change.

I also love this gospel! I do not plan on wavering like many of the return missionaries. I put too much effort in becoming who I am to waste it all and destroy what I built up. I feel bad every time I think about that. I served with a missionary that was like that, was not fun.... I learned from it though. It seemed there was absolutely no progression on his part. But thank goodness God made a way for us to get work done.

This week went great! We didn't get that many lessons in, but we did get 3 solid new investigators. We have lots of people to teach now. We have a for sure baptism this Thursday. And we are weeks away from having another baptism ready for a family we've been working with.

We had a funny experience. We were trying to find this hidden baseball field to tract around it, but couldn't find it for a while. We asked a few people, and there was a particular person we talked to on the corner of an intersection. His name was Brother Andrews, he was a lead minister of another church. Sounds bad right? We didn't argue, only discussed. We would've walked away after the first 30 minutes after we found he wasn't interested, but we felt the Spirit, so we stayed. He talked to us about many things, and he was a good teacher. He helped be to listed better, and to think in tense situations. He was kind enough to stop and listen to our points and was very reasonable. After about 50 minutes of talking, a younger lady pulled up and got out. I only saw the head motion of my comp as he looked at her. The conversation stopped as my comp asked her what she needed. I looked and noticed her standing next to me. She said, "Y'all are the missionaries right? I've been less-active and my husband isn't a member and we would like y'all to visit us. I saw you and had to stop and ask." You could imagine the look of the minister's face. I got the information from her and got to know her a little more, and she is way cool. My companion continued to speak with bro Andrews. I really think, besides learning from Bro Andrews, that we were prompted to stay there just so she could see us and stop to invite us. We ended up staying and talking to him a bit more. It all went well, he really taught us to study diligently and connect bridges. We are now doing so, and it's helping he was right, probably not to the effect he wanted though... :)

Many good things are happening, and we are being blessed. Our mission has 85 baptisms scheduled now, and hopefully they all will be followed through with. The stone continues to roll.

I love y'all, good to hear from you as always. I didn't tell you this previously, but I "out grew" the new suit you bought me.... But happy news! I fit in it again!! :D Miracles just continue to happen! haha

I'll talk to you next week!

March 25, 2013

Oh, I thought I did. Well it's

4141 15th street apt #323

Panama City FL, 32401

Good thing things are good! That's weird that Dallon got his call. Every time I hear his name I think of little dallon passing the sacrament! I heard from Dad that gretchen was a little bummed about staying in the states, but to be called to independance is awesome! That is a cool mission, she could be the one to influence the building of the temple, who knows?!

Things are still going well, still working on our investigators, moved back their dates again, but they are progressing still! I absolutely love the work, and now I understand the workings of the spirit like never before! So all those things I heard from everybody is true, but it makes a huge difference experiencing it. A big change, I don't know if I told y'all, but we can now email friends, priesthood leaders, and recent converts. But don't throw out that information to just anybody, I still don't have enough time to email all! :) But the church is true, and God still loves all his children. I found a new appreciation for our savior's sacrifice, and now that easter is coming up, it's going to be strengthened even more!

Love all y'all lots, and I'm continually praying for you. Stay safe!

April 1, 2013

No way! Brother Adams died? He was my favorite... Brother Wilson too, he was always one that I remember seeing go to church in his wheelchair... The ward isn't going to be the same without them. I said the same thing when the Willard's moved.

Well, I'm glad that Cade had a good birthday. I know it's late, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY CADE ! ! Sorry I didn't send anything. What was the "coolest hat" like?

I think the Brazilians are trying to marry off one of their daughters to americans, and that's why they brought two of their other daughters!... :) haha. By the way, there is a Brazilian in our ward. What is "hello, good to see you" in portuguese?

There is a lot of excitement going on over there. Over here there is a lot too! We now know our investigator is finally ready to be baptized! They are awesome, now we just need to wait two weeks, and strengthen them! The family we are working with, not so much, but they are still great people. Progress! We are helping a guy who has been away from the gospel for years, and he is helping us out so much. He is going to introduce us to some rugby players on Air Force's national rugby team! I don't exactly know when yet. I will also have y'all know that I lost five pounds, and now am at a constant 215!

This past transfer has really been hard, but definitely worth it. I have made a lot of improvements, and really feel the Spirit working through us.

Quick story, we helped a single mom with 3 kids move, and we needed a truck. We called people a couple days prior, but no success. But the day before, I pondered who could help us. I thought of a less-active man, who is usually gone. But I had the strongest feeling that he would be there that morning before we needed help. I didn't worry, and I knew I had a confirmation. Sure enough we drove to the house he was staying at, and as we drove down the street (he stayed in the last house on the street) we saw a shirtless man walk across, and I was thinking, NO WAY! He was there, and we talked to him, but his truck already had stuff in it... But we ended up getting a call 10 minutes prior from a member asking if we still needed a truck, so it turned out to be a miracle anyway! God watches out for us! She was an investigator at one point and she was super thankful for the help, she said we saved her many tears!

The Church is still true! And I can't wait to hear what's going to happen in General Conference, so exciting!

Love you lots! And I'll talk to you later!

Elder Smith

March 18, 2013

Yep, drags on at lightning speed! Only a couple of weeks until transfers hit and I have 5 more transfers left! But whose counting? :) I hope I get a wedding invitation, even though I can't come. You absolutely need to talk Ashton into dressing dwight in a tux and lead him down the isle with the ring! That would be awesome! haha. People are just shuffling out on missions aren't they? I have managed to avoid serving in areas with brand new missionaries. Not that I don't want to serve with them, it's just happens. It's weird to think that they look up to us, just as I looked up to the more experienced missionaries when I was green.

This week went pretty slow, but much improvement with investigators, don't ask me how... we had 7 gators at church, which was awesome. We taught a lesson yesterday to a man who doesn't have much of a religious background, he is a non practicing catholic. We had one lesson and learned that he didn't have that close of a relationship with God, so this last one we focused on just prayer and receiving answers. He was real appreciative of the information, and committed to kneel and pray everyday. He is progressing fast, and I love his honesty and character. When he says he'll do it, he does. We later learned that he is a manager over 150 people in a big business, and one of those people is actually in our ward! I always wondered why he acted a little peculiar... it was because he was respectful, and chose his words carefully. He is accustomed to talking with big important people, it's ironic that he isn't accustomed to talking with God... :)

Something cool that happened this week, we had a talent/road show last saturday. We invited lots of people, and actually a few showed up! It was real good, we had less-active members attend also, and it helped them get to know more people in the ward. Many people performed, and they were all fun to watch. The sisters from a neighboring area performed, Elder Harrer performed a song he wrote, which is amazing, people filmed him, I wouldn't be surprised if it was on youtube. I...set up the mike and chair for him! :)

Sprimg break is here, and I've already seen some guys dance on a wall outside Mcdonalds. We aren't even near the beach.... Some of these college kids... bless their hearts...

It's always good to hear from you, and hope planning goes well! Love y'all!

March 11, 2013

I am speechless.... haha, That is exciting! Real clever idea! I am so happy for him, it's weird to think that he is going to get married... When I read that I'm going to have a new sister-in-law, I just smiled from ear to ear! I wish I had news that is as great as that, so my email isn't boring, but I don't... Ashton takes the cake on this one! I love the pictures too, her look is priceless. I guess I'll get to know her a lot more when I get home, I know they will visit after they move to Minnesota. But just reading the beginning of her blog tells me she is an exciting person. (deep breath) My little Ashton is all grown up now.... haha, Jk.

Well I'll give you some news, we can email family, friends, recent converts, and priesthood leaders. We also got another hour to write and email. About the work, everything is coming together now. A family we haven't been able to teach in a while is back taking lessons again. We have a baptism this saturday, if all goes well. We have three new, good investigators! And a couple funny stories!

To start out, our gator has a mean dog named Sadie. She just had puppies and is very protective, she is also a chain dog. When she is outside, she is real mean. After talking to a lady, we started walking toward our gator's mobile home. I told Elder Harrer that I saw Muriah, the owner, call sadie a few times and didn't see her go in. He thought the opposite, but was still cautious. He slowly walked around the vehicles keeping an eye out for the devil dog. By the way, this dog is mostly black, and it was night time. He walked and got about ten feet from their truck and a series of wild barks came from the side of it. I saw a flash of black run into Elder Harrer, and he stumbled back as he swung his new scripture case toward the dog. Needless to say he died....

So that is my cool story! Jk, the dog bit his case and put five holes in it. He hurried back and the dog stayed in it's protective circle. By the way the dog is super nice when it is inside.

But this same family, and also another family we are working with attempted to come to stake conference, but ended up going to the wrong building. They went to one that we sold to a baptist church, and they walked in, sat down and then ended up leaving as soon as they found that it wasn't the right church! Real funny people! But the work is going good, and all is well!

Love all y'all! Have a great week!

March 4, 2013

There is lots that is happening over there! That is exciting, I hope Ashton gets engaged, that will be awesome! But it takes prayer and fasting, and faith, have him talk to Dad about the email he just sent me, it was a good one! I hope that New Orleans didn't set Coree back from her progression, there was a family here that Elder Harrer and his old companion were teaching, and were progressing very well, but they went to Mardi Gras and when they came back they said they weren't interested anymore.... very sad, but they will come back as they realize that God won't give up on them! ;) I wish I could watch ESPN and see that shot, that stinks for bountiful, they try so hard! haha. Sorry I still root for Viewmont even though we don't have very many good sports teams....

But Elder Harrer is the senior comp, and is doing most of the planning and organizing, I am his helper! I'm going to do half the work now that I am caught up with the area. He may be senior companion, but that just means he makes final decisions.

We have a baptism coming up maybe this week, most likely the next. She is so ready too! They have come a long way and it's exciting to see the progression as always! But today is nice and cool, we are wearing our fancy sweaters, might I say GQ status? :) and we are going to go feed goats today! just one fun p-day activity! Nothing much has happened this week, we are still trying hard to get another family back to progressing to a BCD. They fell off the bandwagon, but were at church yesterday!

I think this news will make you happy, so I will tell you.... I got a letter from Jackie again, haha, It was sent to Eufaula and I got it late. So she is writing me again!

Anyway, has Jorgan become famous yet? Who is the next missionary leaving? and has Casey gotten over the Beiber faze yet? haha, I'm so glad to see that Beiber isn't in spell check! But thanks for the news! I love y'all and keep up the good work!

February 25, 2013

Well, how I got so many ties? First from elders who are getting rid of them, second from gifts from cool members, and third the thrift stores! Alabama has lots of good thrift stores, and whenever I see a cool tie for cheap I am tempted to buy it! I'm not going to be buying anymore ties, I am alright with the amount right now and so I am going to refuse the temptation. Callaway is great, temperature is awesome, but for the past half week it's been raining. I like it though. We have Callaway and Panama City in our area. Not Panama City Beach, just Panama City. It is tons bigger than Ozark, population wise. We are right close to the Gulf, but we don't see it too often. I already love serving with Elder Harrer, it may seem weird that we are together, but this area needs a lot of help, and there are plenty of other Elders that can train. He has prepared the area really well though, this is his fourth transfer, so he's coming up on six months here. And yes I did request him!

I think saying goodbye is one of the hardest things, because you make lots of close friends, and if you don't tell them you are leaving, some of them get mad! haha. But I was able to call some people and get pictures with others. It was good!

We are working with a couple families, and several other investigators. We have 7 BCDs, that's a lot, and satan is working real hard on all of them. I can see the huge change they are going through, and I've only been here for 5 days! We have already had some awesome experiences.

So who are the Taggart's? Is Sally the lady you work with at Bountiful? It sounds familiar, but can't see a face. And why did Tag's parents name him after their last name? Very interesting.... :)

Well y'all don't have to worry about me, we are staying in a high class apartment, and the members give us food plus the meals they feed us, and also a member takes us shopping the first of every month. I was excited to hear that! I am really going to enjoy being here, if we could get the members more involved it would be perfect!

I'll take some pictures for y'all, hopefully they will show the place well. Love y'all and I pray for you everyday! And we'll just have to have patience with Ashton, he'll make the right choice!