Hey family!
Thank you all for the emails and letters! Your emails always just make my week! Mom, I loved the letter and all the pictures! It was great to see some pictures of what’s going on, and of little Bart! I loved the pictures of Addi’s dance competition and Alex’s birthday as well! So Before I get started, I wanted to say hello to the grandparents and that I’m so sorry I haven’t written in a while, I feel really bad, but I will as soon as I can! I was going to ask if you could all write a letter with your testimonies or some experiences, or something like that, I would really love that! Also, Mom I was going to ask if you could send me a Mormon Messages dvd in my package, that would be great!!! And you can be expecting a letter of a crazy experience I had if I can get it written. I probably shouldn’t email it, haha but you’ll hear from me soon!
So it sounds like all is well at home and you had a great St. Patty’s Day. I feel bad, but I didn’t even know that I missed it. No one celebrates that down here and it just came and went! Haha - sad. But it’s better sometimes to just not even realize it, haha! I hope you all had a blast with the O'Rammells and everyone! Sounds like Chan is up to his shinanigans still haha! That’s my boy. And Alex, I’m glad to hear you’re liking scouts and doing well in everything! Dad I loved your email and that talk you shared! Thank you. And Mom, as always, thank you for everything, and not killing the dog. Just promise me you won’t leave Blake out of anything! She’s still my baby!
So this week was interesting! Lots of fun stuff! Lots of carne asada! Lots of new people to teach and lots of sun! I am getting super dark all ready and people are always asking if I’m accustom to the sun! Haha and I’m only gonna get darker! It’s great to be able to enjoy the beautiful weather and be on our bikes, especially when everyone wants to feed you and give you paletas (kinda like popsickles)! We teach a lot of the workers at the paleteria, between us missionaries, so we get a pretty good discount haha! The members here are so great and they take really good care of us. Most only the Spanish ones feed us and the English ones know that that’s not their place haha! But this week was super great! A little rougher during the week because of spring break here, but it was still great! The Cardenas family was out of town, but we set 2 more b.d.s and had them at church. We’re getting better at getting people to church,because we’ve struggled!
It’s funny but with me and Elders Stevens being so young, it’s just trial and error! But we decided that the things we could control is our work ethic and being in tune with the Spirit. We’ve been doing a purification challenge, which has been tough. I’ve realized that I’ve got a lot to change but its really good! You should all try it. Write down some things that keep you from feeling the Spirit, then fast to start the challenge and I can promise you will feel the Spirit more every day! It’s amazing how when we put in the effort the Lord can do wonders for us. He can really help us reach our potential!
But other than that, all is well. Just taking it one day at a time. This is starting to feel like my only life here, but I promised I would never shut out you guys and the great memories I have. That’s what has prepared me for this! I am amazed everyday at how much the Lord has blessed us. And how much he prepares us and really just how well he knows and loves us. I feel closer to him than ever and I pray that all of you do as well. I love being here in Texas. I love the people here and I love this work. I pray that you can all strive to be better and let Heavenly Father help you reach your potential. Even though I think I’ve got a pretty dang perfect family! I love you all and hope you have a great week! Take care! Until next week!
Love Elder Smith
