Ok, so last week I felt so bad that my email was so short and I spent all my time talking about investigators and I didn’t even get a fraction of that typed. So this week I’m gonna talk a little more about just the stand-out moments of the week and comment on your emails!
So, first off I loved all your emails! I’m glad Dad finished the tile and I’m so glad I’m gonna get some of you and Nae’s cookies, Mom! And I am sooo stoked for you to go to the Lady A concert! Take some pics for me! And sounds like my girl T did well (at the Grammys)! The other day I went to help move furniture because of a flood in a member’s house and we went into the daughter’s room to move stuff and it was packed with T Swift posters and I was going crazy! Satan was throwing his best at me, haha! And Addi I’m so happy you have a dance competition. You are going to do great! Alex I’m glad you’re loving school buddy and I hope you are loving every minute. And Chan, holy smokes boy, you are going crazy with this whole dating thing!! I loved your email and I am writing you a letter today, but keep the details coming. I want a part in the decisions! HA AH They all look like they’ve got great testimonies:)
So this week had so many ups and downs! We started the week last Monday night with my first carne asada and holy smokes it was amazing!!! And for the appetizer, Salsa baked grasshoppers! They eat those things like candy and it’s just a plastic bag of brown grasshoppers...legs and all. And apparently mine wasn’t cooked enough because I got a little squeeze of guts when I bit into it!! But they all thought it was just so funny haha!! I’ll send pics!
But this week has been so rainy and cold and I had to borrow a rain jacket, but I have to go buy one today at Walmart. I hope that’s ok! I feel bad spending money, believe it or not! Big change haha! But that night we had carne asada, the first counselor asked if I could give a talk this Sunday... In SPANISH! haha I was kinda like, "Are you sure??" Haha But I thought it would be a good way to introduce myself to everyone that doesn’t know me...Lets just say, they all know me now!:) There are like 75-100 people in the Spanish Branch so it’s pretty good sized! So my topic was the Spirit and I studied a few days to prepare a 6 minute talk. That’s all, just 6 minutes, no big deal. So I got there yesterday and I was the 3rd speaker. First one goes, takes 3 minutes (youth speaker) 2nd one goes...TAKES 5 STINKING MINUTES! And he was the other adult speaker! So now it’s my turn. Mr. Gringo, who has been in the field 3 weeks and I have to talk for 24 minutes!! Haha the counselor leaned over and said in Spanish, “Try to make it long.” HAHA! So let’s just say I nailed it as best as I could. Haha It was definitely a good experience for me and I guess you could say that everyone knows me now. Whether it’s in a good way or a bad one, I don’t know. But they know me, nonetheless.
So on Saturday we had a FIESTA and it was in the chapel! There was a Spanish DJ and dancing and food and it was awesome! We had a bunch of investigators there and they had a blast. I can’t tell you how much I LOVE just walking around and trying to talk to these people and have them teach me and laugh when I try to talk. They are all so fun and love that I try so hard, but fail haha! I LOVE the Spanish people though. I feel like I’m their little 2 year old that’s learning to speak and they just baby me haha! And all the Spanish mommas like force me to eat and when I don’t, they get mad! At the fiesta they are like, "NO MORE TALKING! EAT!" in their assertive momma Spanish! Haha I love it!
Other than that family, all is well! I love getting chased by dogs and riding home in the cold rain, knowing that all is well. I love the food and I love the people. My legs and buns are looking nice and fit from the killer bike riding and I love my comp. Everything is just perfect.. This week will be tough, however. My comp Elder Stevens’ father has cancer and will probably pass in the next few days, so he got to call to say his goodbyes. I have never met a stronger kid. Everyday he puts on a smile and goes to work, not ever thinking about himself. I love the kid to death and hope you will keep him and his family in your prayers. I don’t think I could handle it like he is. It makes me grateful everyday for all of you. I think and pray about you everyday and am so so grateful for you. I hope you know I love you all so much and I hope that all is well, con la familia Smith. Take care, be safe, have a wonderful week and always know that I love you all.
Until next week family, Love
Elder Smith
