CRAZY WEEK and MAX GETS BAPTIZED!

Man! Sorry to put off emailing you till Saturday again. We have been booked every single day. I’m starting to realize that Pdays are probably gonna continue to disappear until it’s non existent.

This week has been super wild. But, before I get into that I just wanted to tell you all how much I love you! Thank you for the great emails and funny stories. 

But thank you for all the updates and details. I’m glad life is going on and all is well! I’ve been thinking about Chan a lot I hope he's ok! Keep up the good work buddy!

So where to start....probably Sunday is a good place! It was great! we were able to get everything prepared for Max’s baptism! He did awesome! He asked me to baptize him which was great. It was good to get back in the water. Even though he's a big kid. He reminds me alot of Alex cus he's only 10 but super strong and he always gives me bear hugs and picks me up off the ground haha! He's super funny, but super special to us! The baptism was very touching for his mom and she is so grateful for this second chance to be reactivated in the gospel. She will definitely stick around.

So then Monday rolls around and we had a crazy day in the office. Mondays are always our biggest office days. We get there usually about 9 or 10 and have devotional with President and Hna Trayner and the rest of the office staff (Sr. missionaries). They are all great! I’ve come really close to a lot of them, unfortunately most will go home before I do. But we spend time in the office and got out late to work. Tuesday was our last full work day for the next 2 weeks and we got a lot done. Found some great new people to hit our 24! Then at about 9 that night we started the 2 1/2 hour drive up to Robstown where we stayed the night so we could be in Corpus the following day for conference. I loved being in Robstown again. And I’m so excited cus 2 more of the members of the Abrego family are getting baptized, as well as Natalie and another guy me and Elder Rodriguez found. SUPER cool. And the Abregos, Sabrina, Ysassis and everyone are all active and doing great!

So the next day we had a great conference and trained to 2 zones about baptizing complete families. Then that evening we went out to Olive Garden and then on the way home the Cavasos (my favorite members in Robstown) and Sabring took us out to ice cream! Haha we got back to Mcallen after midnight...Needless to say we were really tired. Thursday we had an exchange with the Harlingen zone leaders, some of my really good buds! Then TODAY we went to Brownsville for another conference. SUPER CRAZY! Pres and Sis Trayner are giving their die-ing testimonies and it was weird because Elder Stevens gave his too, because he goes home before the next conferences. I’m feeling a little older now.....

But ALL is well! We will have 4 baptism this week, which will be great! Everyone is coming to the Aguas families baptism! The whole office staff and President, so it will be great! They’re so stoked and have a big dinner prepared afterwards! Once again I’ll be baptizing the biggest kid, Matthew, who is like 5'11" and 260 lbs. Wish me luck. HAHA!

But man I am just so happy to be here. I know that all these blessings and miracles we have seen come from our Heavenly Father. He's so great. He really cares, and I’m grateful for him.

But that’s a wrap up of my week. Next week we have conferences and trainings everyday until Pres. Maluenda comes on Friday. ¡HIJOLE!  We are pretty nervous, to be honest. But, like Chan always says "It'll all buff out!"..... I hope.

I love you all!

Take Care!  Elder Smith

P.S. Mom, the Trayner’s homecoming won’t be until August 25th. That’s all we know so far. It’s been put off because of all the departing missionaries in their ward.

Max's Baptism

Late night in Corpus

A FATHERS DAY TRIBUTE

I think out of everyone, MY Father is the one that deserves a shout out! He has done more for me than I could ever repay, or even keep track of.

I can’t remember a single time when he hasn’t been there, and not only there, but involved. From every sports event, to scout camp, to foolish purchase, to bad date, to bad idea, from every scheme, to bad desision, to business, and beyond, he has ALWAYS been there. . . . Constant and caring.

I don’t know many Dad’s that will rush home from work in there nice ‘court suit’ to pick up a bucket of dirty, water logged baseballs and take their boy out to practice his baseball swing, in near 100 degree weather. That’s a dad! :)

Now that I think about it, he did alot of crazy things in that nice ‘court suit’ of his. I remember one time my lawn costomer came out and saw that my dad had stopped and come to help me mow his lawn, in his suit :) Mr. Harlan told me, “I’m gonna take a picture of this! It’s not everyday you get such a big time lawyer to mow your lawn!”

My Dad taught me evrything! He taugh me how to work, how to have fun, how to be a man, how to treat my Mother, how to play ball, how to love the Gospel, how to serve, how to love God.

I think it’s safe to say that the missionary and person I am today is a direct result of being the son of Curtis Smith.

Happy Fathers Day DAD!

Love Elder Smith