HOLY SMOKES FAMILY!
I can’t believe you got a new dog, that’s SO exciting! I can’t believe you got away with that Dad! Well, I like the name, as well, and I think it is very fitting for him. Black Bart...I like it and I hope you can mail me some more pictures because it’s hard to see pictures on my email. First I saw that picture of Bart and Blake and I was freaking out in the library!! And then I saw that picture of Addi in her makeup, and I just started bawling! I can’t believe how old and pretty she looks and i just about died. I’m so proud of her and how great of a dancer she is. And more importantly, just how great of a girl she is. And Alex was looking handsome as always. And Chan, I absolutely loved your email and I hope you find “the girl”. She is out there somewhere. I pray for the success of your search every morning and night. (no joke) And Mom, I love you and hope you will let the dog stay. I want you to love that puppy to death because I’m not there to do it. I love to hear that you are all so happy and it just overwhelms me every time I hear from you and get to remember just how good I have it. I love you all so much!
So Mom, I did get that package from Jenny Brown, and I already sent a thank you letter. Tell them thank you and that I love them! Grandpa and Grandma and Papa and Grammy, I love you all so much!! And the Rammells and Ydes!! And everyone else! Thank you for everything.
So this was the first week of my second transfer! I can’t believe how fast the first one went! And so I thought it would be good to just tell you a little about the Texas Mcallen Mission. First off, ties are IT down here. There is tie “drug trafficking” at every meeting and even President participates. So our P-days are spent playing soccer, which I love now, and then cruising the podegas and shops, bargaining with the people for cheap packs of ties. Ted Bakers, Xmi’s, and Burberry’s. Its crazy how much of a disease it is down here! haha. It’s pretty funny. This mission loves ties and it loves baptizing.
And so that brings me to the investigator updates. We have this family set for April first. I think this is the family I told you about, Mom. They are coming to church every week and progressing and just doing so well. So if all goes well, they will be baptized them on the 1st. Such a great family!!! We are also pretty disappointed because we have so many great people, but we just can’t get them all the way to their date. Missionary work is so hard, but we’re getting better everyday and the Lord has blessed us.
But other than that, things are just great here. It’s getting super hot now and I can only imagine what it will be like this summer. Everyone just tells me I’m in for quite a cooking. But, bring it on! I’m stoked for this summer. We got a little taste of what it will be like last night as we walked down a street with smoke coming from both sides from carne asada, kids out in the street playing soccer, and beautiful warm weather. It’s weird to think how much different it is there! haha!
I love these people. I love being here in Texas. I love their food and their sports and just everything. But nothing brings more joy than seeing them change their lives for Christ, and to watch them better themselves and choose the right. I can’t explain the way I feel when I see that look on their face when they get that first glimpse of heaven. And I want them there with us after this life. Like Aunt Nene told me, "We have to do everything to get there....We don’t want any empty seats." And I want these people there with me, and they will be one day. We all will be!
I love you very much family and sometimes it feels like I’m so dang far away from you all. But this will seem like just a moment, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I love you all, I hope you do everything you can to fill those seats. Have a great week, have fun, play hard, be safe, and love everyday!
Until next week,
Love elder Smith
