Hello family!
Man, I can’t believe it’s already almost May! And Mom I know you’re getting trunky for the call but I haven’t heard anything about it yet haha! But don’t you worry I couldn’t ever forget your number. Anytime something goes wrong, it runs through my head haha! But it sounds like all is well! Man Chan I’ve been praying hard for you and I know you are gonna start tearing it up! Just keep working hard but make sure your having fun too! And Dad I was looking through the pictures of your ties, haha and they look good! I’ve become an expert on brands. But I always say, it’s all about the face of the wearer haha! And you will make them look good! And thanks for your wonderful emails. I’m glad you are loving your calling Dad and you get to be around so many great kids. And I’m glad you haven’t slowed down on the partying! Addi I hope all is well with dance, it sounds like you had a good convention! And Alex you better tear it up in your game this weekend! Love you! I’ll be cheering for you!
Man, so this week it really heated up. 106 degrees is the high mark so far and everyone still says it’s nothing. But I’m loving it! haha I’m getting a great tan! So things are going pretty well here. Sometimes me and my comp don’t gel too well when it comes to the contacting because he is really slow to answer sometimes (which is usually good) But a lot of times the people we talk to feel awkward and act like we are robots. And that is not me. No one wants to listen to a robot and these people need to know that we have something different. And I just like people to know me, instead of a stiff missionary. So we are kinda different, but we still get along. And he is a super good missionary and I’m learning a lot! But that’s one thing I don’t ever wanna do is be a robot because then God wouldn’t have made us, us! But he’s a great missionary and we go on a lot of splits, which it really good! I get to work with a lot of different missionaries and I learn a lot!
But one thing is certain, and that is I just love these people so much. There are so many families that I’ve gotten to know so much better these last 2 weeks because Elder Pallo doesn’t speak a ton in Spanish (even though he still speaks well). And he is still getting to know our area. So, I have really been blessed to get to know the people here a lot better. It makes me sad that there are so many people that could never get to know these people because of the language barrier and I feel like I have had a whole new world opened up for me. What a blessing!
But other than that, not much has happened this week. We have been low in the teaching pool so we have been looking for new people to teach and have found some great people. We found a super sweet girl names Maritza, who is a young single mom who is super bomb. We’ve got another lesson tonight with her so I’ll keep you updated. But it’s just WORK! And I love it. So I will keep you updated on all of our peeps and as well send some pictures so you have a better idea of lo que esta pasando.
So, quick funny story before I go...Last night at about 8:45 we got out of a lesson and there on the side of the road was a MASSIVE TOAD! And immediately my cabin fever kicked in and I jumped off my bike and grabbed it! I was so stoked about the great catch and all of the sudden this thing just starts peeing all over me! I didn’t know they could hold that much water! And Elder Pallo was laughing his head off so I just chuck this toad and am freaking out haha! My hands were dry and it just starts burning, haha and so we had an emergency hand wash on the side of the road! So hopefully I won’t get warts! HAHA!
So that’s it for this week! Sorry I always forget what I want to tell you because there is so much that goes on! But just know that things here are going well! There is always a crime scene or high speed chase or border patrol races but despite all of that, here in Rio Bravo, we have some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met. And I think it’s pretty neat that the Lord brought me all the way down here, to be part of this. Even if it’s only for a short time. I love you all and I hope you have a great week! Be safe and I’ll talk to you soon. Until next week-
Love, Elder Payton Smith
