So....What a week is sounds like there in I.F. Sounds like a good way to kick off the summer with a bunch of chores and new projects. Just don’t work yourselves too hard! Especially the kids. Take them to Lava or something haha! Dad I’m super excited to see your new project and I better get some update pictures every week! I’m starting to notice a trend of all my deepest desires coming true after I leave..(the new dog, the hot tub....Just don’t buy a Jeep haha, that would be the last straw!!!HAHA) But I’m glad all is well and especially with Chan. What a stud!
So I have had a pretty great week here. But I’ll start with the beginning haha because ever since I got here I have had a really bad cough. And I couldn’t get rid of it so finally I had to swing in to the doctor and apparently had "mild bronchitis." Whatever that is? haha So I got some medicine but still it’s not really going away, but I have been coughing all week. It’s super annoying especially in really spiritual, important lessons or in contacts. I’m just like hacking up a lung! And all the Moms in the branch are getting mad at me because I won’t do anything to get rid of it, but I have been trying! But I’m feeling fine now, but this week has just been so packed full!
So first off, the Hernandez family, Lizbeth (mom) Alejandra (16) Andrea(9) Alejandro(7) And Amanda (4), are all doing soooo well! Alejandra went to girls camp this week, so that was pretty stressful making sure she got off and felt comfortable and all was well! SHE LOVED IT! And Lizbeth PASSED her interview and will be baptized next Sunday!!!!!! And we are working with Alejandra every night this week to get her ready for her interview on Thursday so she can be baptized with her mom! Man, they are my favorite, you would LOVE them! They have changed so much just since I’ve been here and have been so patient with me and Elder Jackson. But we are really close with them and they are definitely a family we were supposed to be with. So it’s crunch time this week to get them through!!!
Things are looking so good in our area and we have so many people we are working with and others coming up on there dates but the other family we were working with is hitting some little speed bumps and are kinda having some doubts. But they will be ok! Especially the mom (Aurora) who is really old and very, very sick. She wants to be baptized soo bad, but is just super sick, like almost on her last weeks and she won’t go to the hospital, so we are teaching her as fast as we can and trying to see what we can do for her because she just tells us that she knows she’s gonna go and she knows that baptism is what the Lord wants her to do before she goes back to see Him. We are really worried about her but she is the sweetest old lady and I really hope that she will be able to get better and be able to be baptized. She just cries the whole time we are there and is so sick and so sad and just wants to do what her Heavenly Father wants from her. I hope you will all keep her in your prayers because she really needs them. But what comfort it gives to know that no matter what happens she will accept the gospel someday soon, and that all will be ok. The Lord will make it all up in the end.
Being a missionary I have really seen the way the gospel effects people. The blessings it brings and really the comfort and happiness. But even more, I’ve seen the emptiness of those that don’t have it and really just how many of our brothers and sisters come into this world and leave it without ever having that empty spot filled. Without ever knowing. And just the pain of really not ever finding what brings us true joy. And I can’t wait to see the gospel fill the empty spaces of these people. And really to change their nature, and put a smile on their face. I know that only through the gospel of Jesus Christ and through his church, can we ever fill that whole. And I know with all my heart that, that is the very reason I’m here. I LOVE being a missionary and being able to see these people change their lives.. I LOVE these people and I know that I was supposed to be here at this time with these people. I love you all and pray that you have an awesome week.
Take care and until next week,
Love
Elder Smith
