Hello Family!
So good to hear from you. Sounds like a great week and I’m glad to hear everyone is happy and safe. My heart just hurt when I heard about Jeremie... It just makes me so sad. I will have his family in my prayers.
So I loved your emails this week. I laughed when Dad’s was labeled "bald guy" haha I knew immediately that it was Alex. What a jokester! And Mom and Dad, I hope you’re driving safe to Sun Valley. I was actually just thinking about that about a week ago and about bowling with Grandpa and Grandma. Such sweet memories. Have a great time and please be safe.
So, what a week! So I got the news and I can’t remember if I told you, but Brother Pimentel finally received permission from the First Presidency and was baptized! I was sooo excited when I heard and so heartsick that I couldn’t be there to see it. What a great guy.
So this week not much happened. We had training all day from Tuesday to Thursday in Mcallen, so we hardly had any time to work. Which already drove me crazy, but then on Thursday, President told me I had to come Friday too, because he has called me to serve as a District Leader. The words from President Hinckley rang in my ear, "Just think of the chance the Lord took when he called you" haha! But the good news is he told me that he was pretty sure I would finish training Elder Hill so, fingers crossed, I stay in Villa Nueva. I’m way to attached to the people here to leave so soon. But we will find out this weekend what’s going on and if I will be staying here for sure or not.
So this week I have thought a lot about why I am here. We always receive challenges from our leaders and at leadership training there was one challenge and that was to kneel down and figure out between me and God, why I am here. I really thought hard about that. Sometimes we get good at sharing the gospel, teaching, planning, and then doing it all over the next day, without taking thought for why we really are doing it. There are many reasons to serve a mission: Because you want to make up for your mistakes, change your life, for your parents, for you girlfriend (not recommended) and just flat out because you know it’s right. So as I thought about that question, I thought of the reasons that I am here. I’m here because I know that is what God expects of me. I’m here because it’s the least I can do to show my gratitude. I do it because I love the Lord and I love my brothers and sisters. But as I went to church yesterday, I had the answer confirmed. As I saw the Hernandez family there. . . Lizbeth trying to figure out how to fill out a tithing form, and Andrea and Alejandra fighting during Sacrament meeting, and Amanda crushing her Fruit Loops into the carpet of the chapel, and Alejandro sitting backwards and upside down on his chair. And I realized that that’s why I am here! Because I see OUR family haha! And I know that if it makes me THAT happy, I can’t imagine how happy it makes our Father in Heaven to see those families there together. To see the changes they make in their lives and to be willing to be there and be ok with not knowing everything. I just can’t wait till that little family makes it to the temple..... because those are the goals I have for them, and those are the goals that we are going to help them shoot for.
I have been so blessed to have a family like that. A family that has the same goal. And I know it makes our Father in Heaven so happy. I love you all so much and am so grateful for all of you. Chan, Alex, and Addi, I love you all and am grateful for your example. And Mom and Dad, Ya saben :) Thanks for everything.
Until next week,
Love Elder Payton Clark Smith
