Tuesday, April 24, 2012

HOLA HOLA COMO ESTAMOS


Hello Family!

Man, it’s crazy how the time goes. Some weeks I feel like Monday comes every other day and sometimes it feels like it’s been weeks since I’ve been able to speak with you! So, before I start my email, I wanna thank Chandler for the package! I loved it and I love all of the stories you sent. They were super good. And as well, thank you all for your emails. I always love to hear from you and I’m glad everything is going well. Alex keep tearing it up in baseball and Addi in dance. And Chan, I hope that all goes well in Cali and that you can "convert" some people. Just remember; bear testimony and promise blessing. That almost always works haha. . . almost.  And just know that when your skin is sizzling in the sun, you can be sure that mine is sizzling just the same. And Dad, it sounds like you are the best looking guy in town, which was already established, but in the case that you are looking for ties, find the brand "Ted Baker".  They are highly coveted and I could see you pulling one off! haha! Love ya Dad! And Mom, Man.... Mom, I just miss ya :) Ya sabes 
So this week was a pretty crazy week. I got a new companion Elder Pallo. Spanish name....white kid. Haha He is from Oregon and is a pretty cool kid. We get along and teach pretty well together. We are getting to know each other and it’s gonna be great. He is our district leader and so we are a lot more busy, but I’m liking the way we are working together and I’m getting some advice from an Elder that’s been out a little bit longer. He’s been out 16 months.  But this week has been good. It feels almost as if we have started from scratch after Brother Mercado. I’ve realized that the best missionaries are consistent missionaries. Ones that can baptize every week, rather than only every month. But things are looking great. Brother Mercado’s wife and daughter are coming to church now and involved in things and I’m sure they will come around and be baptized in this coming month. But other than that, there’s a lot of new great people and we are super excited.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to confirm Brother Mercado, which was a super cool experience. He is doing so well and has such a strong testimony. I just feel like a proud parent and can’t believe that my little boy is growing up.. haha.  

So, funny/embarrassing story for the week: A little member girl named Vivi Pena was getting baptized yesterday and they asked me to baptize her. haha So I was excited about that and she was just all smiles when she got to church yesterday. But when we started filling the font, we realized that the hot water didn’t work. So we weren’t sure if we were gonna do the baptism, but she checked the water and decided to be brave and said she could do it. So, we did it in the ice cold water.  And so gringo - Elder Smith takes her in the water and baptizes her. But, little did I know I for got an "y" or an "and" in English. Which, in my defense, is pretty easy to miss. So, she took the plunge and then I had to do it again! So I’ve got a little 8 year old shivering to death as I fumble to get the prayer right. Finally I do and we get it right. I felt pretty dumb, but nonetheless, she got baptized. And it’s one we won’t forget. Even though I want to haha!  But other than that, things are good here. Sometimes it’s easy to fall into a slump when your in the same area. Especially when Elder Stevens left because we were life brothers, haha But we just keep moving forward. Being a missionary is a fairly, bipolar job! haha But I’ll take it as it comes. So family I need to get going, I’m about out of time, but I hope you know I love you all. I’m proud of all of you. Be safe and be smart...And take care :)
Until next week

les amo,
Elder Smith