November 24, 2011
Hey FAMILY!!!
Sounds like Mexico is a blast! I hope you are all having fun and being safe! No sting ray stings or broken bones!! So I have a bunch of thank you’s and I hope I don’t forget anyone!! Thank you Clark family for the package, it was awesome!!! And thank you for all the letters inside, it is SO good to hear from you and I love you all and hope all is well! Thank you Rammell family for the cocoa bean cupcakes for Thanksgiving. They were absolutely delicious! Thank you my family for the big package I have been snacking every night. Eating junk food always makes things better! Thank you Grandpa and Grandma for the letters! Thank you to the Ydes and their ‘dear elders’ and updates about Colter. Thank you for all the ‘dear elders’ they are the best and I hope you keep them coming! Maybe instead of emails just send big ‘dear elders’ every week so I can have more time to read them and more time to email you!!! But little emails are fine!!!
So Spanish class is what takes up most of my days. Spanish and then personal study. Spanish is so hard but they just force you into situations where you just gotta know it! We taught Brandon 3 times and got a baptismal commitment (fake investigator) and now are teaching a man named Roberto. We teach almost every day and I can speak quite a bit of crappy American Spanish, but there’s just a long ways to go. I love praying and bearing my testimony in Spanish. I’m convinced Heavenly Father listens a little closer when it’s in Spanish!!HAHA!
So my district is great. I have some amazing new friends. Elder Miedle is a convert of 2 years and a little bit of a rebel, but we are working on him. He’s from Nashville and has been to Kieth Urban’s house!! Elder Buys is from Texas and used to live in Mcallen and is a great kid and we get along really well. He is going to BYUI after the mish, as well. Elder Jones is from Missouri and is a ton of fun. Elder Wilde is from Kaysville UT and is like twins with Kevin Meek. Those 4 are going to Colorado. My companion is Elder Hernandez. He is a great kid! Tons of fun, but he definitely tests my patience, every single day. He makes us late for everything and sometimes I have to get after him, but it’s good for me! And I really enjoy working with him and he has a great Spirit about him. Elder Eggli and Elder Loser are the other 2 going to Mcallen and they are unique, but I love ‘em!They are both from Utah and are great examples to me.
This week we got to hear from Elder D. Todd Christofferson and Elder Nelson and it was great! We got great seats because I sang in the choir, believe it or not! haha So there’s just a run down on what’s been going on. I hope I don’t forget too much, but this timed email thing stresses me out!
But seeing as it is Thanksgiving, I want to focus on what I’m thankful for. Sometimes I wonder why Heavenly Father has blessed me so much, when a lot of times I don’t deserve it at all. It’s hard for me to think about because 2 years ago Elder Loser lost his dad to cancer, and when Elder Jones was 6 he was in a car accident and lost his mom and older brother. His dad is in the Navy, so was overseas for that and when he got his call and came to the MTC. My companion has turretts and a hard time with a lot of things. Elder Wilde has a heart condition, so he can’t workout or play sports (even tho he is a studly kid). And Elder Miedle is a convert and his family doesn’t support his mission at all. He came out here with no support. Everyone in my district has such hard lives and such hard trials, yet everyone has the strongest testimonies, and SO much faith to leave their families to serve a mission. Then I think of my wonderful family. All of you so close, so happy and healthy and so supportive of me. I have been so blessed and sometimes I question what I have done to deserve it. So I want you all to know that today and everyday...I am so grateful for you. For the impact you have had on my life. For all your love and support. I love you all so much. I pray for you all every night and I can feel all of your prayers. So today, don’t miss me or feel bad I’m not there. GO HAVE FUN! Eat some extra turkey for me. But I’m supposed to be out here. I have never made a better decision in all my life. I have become so close to my Heavenly Father and if it weren’t for Him, I couldn’t do this. I know without a doubt in my mind that this church is true. This work is so important and I am so lucky to be part of it. Family, our Heavenly Father answers our prayers. I have experienced it. He is their always. I am so grateful for Him and how He has blessed me. I’m grateful for all of you and love you all so much.
Mom and Dad, Thank you. Thank you for everything you have done for me, and everything you have given me. You are my heroes. I love you both so much and hope you have an absolutely great day!
Until next week,
Love, Elder Smith
