!HOLA!

Man I love you guys! Such great emails!  Addi, you look too stinking old! And so beautiful on your first day of school !:) Alex, you’ve got some sweet shoes man and are looking fresh as always! Chan, you look really happy in all the pictures haha. I can tell you’ve been reenergized by the female interaction up at school. And Mom and Dad you guys are the best! I love reading your emails and it’s a treat to hear from you every week. It sounds like a great week getting back into school and work and all that fun stuff. So glad you are all loving it. And that’s super cool that Elder Stevens saw Brother Traynors brother. Haha man I love Elder Stevens. He is a stud!

So I feel like I just emailed you all yesterday, but here I am again. I wanted to say hello to Grandpa and Grandma and Papa and Grammy. I haven’t been so good at writing anyone lately, so I feel bad. And as well, all the family and the Rammells! AND JAY!!! Love you all! Your all so great and I’m sorry I haven’t written! I’ll write soon!!!

So this week was SOOOOO great! We worked our butts of this week. haha This was probably the fastest week of my mission for sure cause we just had so much going on. We are working with the members here a lot and it has been super great. It’s amazing how easy the work gets when you work with willing and loving members. We have focused so much on just getting to know them and their families and now we can’t keep them away! haha. I have met so many amazing families and I feel like that blessing that President Goodman gave me paid off because this week I fell in love with so many of our members. And the referrals and success just naturally came. We met a man through one of my favorite families the Perales family. And we all instantly hit it off with him. After our first 2 days of teaching him he had read like 25 pages in the BOM and he made it to church yesterday, and it’s like we don’t have to do anything but show up and teach haha! Well we do a little more than that...but the Pereles are just taking care of everything else haha and it’s been great. But the Lord has just blessed us so much. I really feel like I’m finally figuring out how this work is supposed to go and that’s when you put it in the members hands and more importantly in the Lord’s hands. I feel like in your mission, right when you figure things out, they change or you get moved.  Haha so pray I stay here! And pray for Gaston! That’s his name! I’ve been singing the song from Beauty and the Beast about how “nobody fights like Gaston” haha!

The elders in my district are all doing so well and the Lord is blessing us a ton. I just feel super blessed to be in this area now. I feel like we are starting to connect with the members and with the branch.

We are all so excited and happy.

So I want you all to know that I love you so much. I’m sorry for such a short email haha. I took a long time emailing President, but I hope all is well. Remember I love you all and that I’m freaked out how fast time is going, so you better not take advantage of it.

Have a wonderful week family and I will hear from you very very soon!!!

LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

ANOTHER WEEK IN SAN BENITO

Thank you for your emails! They were all so good! I’m glad everyone is back safely and doing well. Especially you Chan. Good work! I’m super proud of you. Now you gotta go find a wife to spend all that money. Otherwise you won’t know what to do with it! Haha And it looks like a fun trip to the cabin! Glad you had fun. Man Dad that’s crazy that Taysom played! Elder Hill is pretty good friends with him and he said that Taysom is like the most freak athlete on the team and that he wouldn’t be surprised if he started soon. That’s super cool.  It’s crazy that it’s already that time of year again. My favorite time of the year. Football and Fall and Cool evenings. Unfortunately, I won’t have any of those this year haha! It’s stinking hot here! In the middle of my area there is a Jr. high and they have football practice everyday after school, when we drive by. Man, I wouldn’t mind dressing down, haha, even in this heat!

Things have been going pretty well here. I’m feeling more and more at home. It’s sad because the Elders before me never worked with the members, so we are going to meet all of them for the first time. Some missionaries just miss the whole boat that, that’s how the work gets done. But as well, that’s where those great relationships come because I’m already  falling in love with these members here. And word already leaked about my birthday and so some members are making me menudo for my birthday. I’ll let you look up what it is, but let’s just say it’s not very good haha! But as well they are making Idaho potatoes to compensate! haha! I can hardly believe that September came around so fast.. I keep telling the elders that the first quarter of life is already over. How sad haha!! Just kidding, but I have been thinking about Sister Hart.. I feel so bad that I won’t get to visit her this year, but I’m gonna send something good for her!

So we have had a pretty great week but we’ve struggled with flakey people. It’s tough because my area is just soooo poor and either people don’t have a car or they have to work at the Pulga (flea market) on Sundays and so church is tough. There’s a lot of urgency and maybe even anxiety when you just start from nothing and you start going but continue to lose people. But we know there are people here waiting. It’s just all part of the hunt, I guess haha.

But it’s so good to hear from all of you. I love hearing of all my friends that are out serving. I’m so proud of all of them. It just strengthens my testimony to be reminded how big the church really is and really all the support that we have as missionaries. Especially me. I’m so lucky to have such a wonderful and supportive family. SO thank you all so much!

I just wanted to tell you a pretty cool story real fast. We received a referral for a family that lives clear out in the middle of nowhere. So we headed clear out there on our bikes because we were out of miles. We got to this house and the Dad was just leaving. He was a pretty big, brawny looking guy, haha.  Didn’t really want to talk at all and just wanted us to leave. But we started talking to him and something just clicked. A total change of heart and he let us in and called his whole family. They had a beautiful family. He said he was actually leaving out of town for work right when we pulled up, but felt like he should spare a few minutes to sit with us. Said he didn’t really know why he felt it. So we got to know him and asked questions and they were the sweetest family. Especially the dad, who started asking really good questions. And the more we talked, the more he just had this puzzled look on his face. He kept saying, "I’ve never thought about that, but it makes sense." Everything was just clicking and the Spirit was so strong. Then he looked at me and asked, "Does this make you happy?"  And I was like, well yeah! That’s why I’m here, haha! And he said, “I can just see it in your faces.. I know there’s something different.” Man the Spirit was soo dang strong. He had to leave for work so we didn’t have time for a lesson but we knelt down and left a blessing on his home and family. He was crying after the prayer and we got up to leave. As Elder Merica went to shake his hand, he handed him a big wad of money. And Elder Merica didn’t really know what to say haha...because all this was in Spanish. I told him we couldn’t take the money. And it was alot! haha But we left and Elder Merica was like "Why did he try to give me money?” Haha I was like I don’t, but we gotta do it more often haha!

So many funny, cool experiences that just rock my world and strengthen my testimony.. As I look back, the experiences I’ve had out here are starting to change the way I act and feel towards people and towards myself. It’s crazy how you just get molded, even when you can’t really feel it. But I’m so grateful for those experiences.

Well I better go, but I love you all and pray you have a good week!!! Love YOU!!!

Love Elder Smith 

HERE IN SAN BENITO

Hello Family,

Thank you so much for your emails and pictures. I am super, super impressed with the new hot tub setup. Looks pretty good Mom and Dad! But I’m was super sick looking at that picture and realizing how big Addi is! She is stinkin’ tall!! But I’m so glad to hear that all is well with Aunt Camy. Tell her I’m thinking and praying for her and I love her and her family. As well that’s crazy that Justin is already back. Before you know it, Garrett will be back to! I was just thinking about that the other night, haha. Pretty crazy. So Chan, it sounds like your doing so well. Just finish up this last week and then go home! Haha! I’ll be praying for you, bud. And as well I wanted to tell the grandparents and Jay Hi! Love You!

So San Benito.....San Benito is the neighbor area to my old one. We split the country road that the Hernandez family lives on, but I can’t go see them. We are in the Harlingen Zone, so we don’t ever see anyone from Brownsville. My area is a lot alike to my other one as far as the country area. But in town it’s really, really old and run down. There’s not any "nicer areas" here but I love it cause it seems that people are a little more humble. When I got in they had just had 2 baptisms but didn’t have any other investigators, so this week we began the search and it was a GREAT WEEK! My companions name is even whiter than mine. His name is Elder Merica. He’s from Utah and is literally like a Jonny Merrill in missionary form, haha. Super, super funny kid. I like it because he’s got that same sense of humor and Jordan, Jonny and Tyler and that group. I’m convinced they knew each other in the pre-existence. He’s been out about 4 transfers and he’s a great missionary. Doesn’t speak really any Spanish, but we are working on it! My district is just a four man district and we all live together. We all cover our own Spanish Branch and then all the missionaries in Harlingen cover the English one which is in Harlingen.

It’s been kinda a tough week with leaving my old area and coming in with nobody to teach, but I feel like we have got the ball rolling. After the first 2 days we hadn’t found anyone and we were working hard but just nothing was going. We had a meeting and so we went to Harlingen to meet the Branch President. I asked him for a blessing just to kinda get a relationship with him and start off on the right foot and man, he said exactly what I needed to hear. I had, had those feelings of missing my other area and wondering if I could fall in love with this new one and in the blessing he said, "Elder Smith, the Lord knows that you have loved many people on your mission...But I bless you at this time, with the ability to love these people more than you have loved before." And at that moment I felt like I kinda checked into San Benito for good.

We began to find some great people and get to know more members and I have already received so much love and support from them. I’m so excited to serve with them, especially in the Spanish Branch. I may be kinda biased but I play favorites with Spanish branches. And I already am starting to feel at home. I may search for a Spanish Branch in I.F. when I get home, haha! But I love it because now I get to be part of the Priesthood Exec. meetings in the branch with all the presidents and leaders of the branch. And I would like to bear my testimony that, the church is the same no matter where you go. And no matter what language or area, they are just as random and unfocused as any others, haha!

SO San Benito is really warming up to me and we have a lot of great people now. I just keep praying for our success and for that love, but i feel it coming quickly!!!

It’s such an amazing time in the mission. I feel when the tides change so to speak, and I start looking forward instead of back. When a shirt and tie are called "normal clothes", and I feel more naked without my tag then I did without my cell phone. This is just life. I feel like I don’t know any different, haha. But it’s a pretty good life I’de say.  And such a blessing to be here in San Benito.

I love you all so much and a pray for all of you day and night. I love you all a bunch and I’m so grateful for everything you do! Take care this week. Kids have fun at school. And I will hear from you soon. Take care :)

Love, Elder Smith

NOS VEMOS BROWNTOWN!

Such great emails family! Thank you so much, I appreciated all of your stories and pictures. Chandler.....I’ll let it slide this week :) But just this week! Haha, man I loved Alex’s story about Bart! That’s super funny. It brought back memories of Bailey sleeping out on that Lazy Boy. And I’m glad that Mom and Dad and the Rammells had fun in Sun Valley! I got your post cards and I loved them. Especially Renee’s horse joke. haha We all laughed pretty hard. And Addi’s letter was so sweet! Thanks hunny!

So on Friday we got transfer calls. I was shocked and felt like I got my heart ripped in half when I heard that I would not be finishing training Elder Hill or staying. Tomorrow I am being transferred to San Benito. It’s about 20 minutes north of Brownsville. I couldn’t believe it! We were all shocked because we thought for sure I would be staying. But I guess the Lord has other plans. Even though I feel like the kid that had the fire cracker blow up prematurely in his hand. It has been a tough couple of days. A lot of tears already...and I’m not looking forward to tonight. Tonight the branch is throwing a little party in the church for my going away so it will be tough to say goodbye. Now I know what Chan meant when he said it’s almost worse than leaving home. (I put the "almost" in just for you Mom :)) But I have had a pretty hard time with it. I love this area and these people so much that it won’t be easy. But I’m gonna be positive because I know the Lord has someone else waiting for me. But Brownsville has a big piece of my heart.

So this week was a pretty great week. We found a lot and taught a lot. Probably one of the best weeks here, of course right when I’m about to leave. But there are a lot of great people that will be baptized in September that hopefully I can come back to see. We had quite a freaky incident with the Hernandez family because we went out there for a lesson and Lizbeth had just cut her foot open really bad, and it was pretty gruesome. But there’s no one else that lives out by them because they are in the middle of nowhere so we kinda had to scramble and play doctor and get it closed up. I was pretty woozy by the end because you know I don’t like blood much. But we got it taken care of finally and got Presidente de la Llata out there and a doctor in our branch as well. It was bad enough to go to the hospital but she couldn’t go, so the branch was taking care of her. Luckily we’ve got some doctors in the branch. But that took up almost all of our night being there with her and keeping her calm until we got some help out there. But that night we had half the branch there with my injured recent convert, and I saw how protected she felt and it was just amazing. They couldn’t even fit half that branch in their little house. But I could tell it was the first time that she just felt like they all had her back.

But I kinda realized that night, I reached the pinnacle of just LOVE. Just so much love for all those people there and for the Hernandez family. And realizing how hard it would be to leave haha. And having to write out "I’m leaving" on the white board for Andrea. She just shook her head and said “nope”! That’s what I felt like saying when I was told, but I didn’t! But that family is in such good hands with the branch and with Elder Hill. So I’m not worrying too much.

As well we had a super fun service project on Saturday where we gave out 900 free backpacks and it was super fun. We had all the branches and wards in Brownsville together and it was a huge project and huge success. I put a picture on my email of it. But a great way to end my week here.

But other than that, not too much happened this week. I am just so grateful and humbled to have been able to serve here and I have learned so so much. I hope that you will all be able to be with me for a Sunday in the Casa Linda Branch someday. It’s quite a treat:) haha! So family I hope all is well and that you enjoy these last few weeks of summer. Live it up. Be safe. And remember that I love you! And you can wait for my email from San BENITO Next week! Love you!

Love Elder Smith

"JUST THINK OF THE CHANCE THE LORD TOOK WHEN HE CALLED ME"

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

RIPPING OFF BUMPERS & KARATE KICKING DOGS

Hello family!! 

Man what great emails you all sent! I’m so glad you all had fun this week with your trips. Looks like all the cousins had fun at Lagoon! I’m glad you got to ride the Wicked! That was my favorite! And Dad, those pictures you sent were amazing. I’m so glad you had a fun and safe time. I always laugh at those “del fuego” jokes haha! But I loved the pictures from the reunion and of Aunt Nene. Man I love her!  As well, I hoped you enjoyed the concert. Elder Hill shares my love for country music, so we were both pretty excited for you! And Mom, I’m sorry I dropped a lot of money on my card. I ordered a new English triple from Deseret! Love you! And I love hearing about that investigator there!! Keep helping with her!!!

So what a week..... I have so many crazy things to tell you, but I’ll start with Tuesday. We took a rode trip up to McAllen for first comp training, which is for the trainers and new missionaries. There I got to see Elder Stevens and Elder Breshears and Elder Barrionuevo and all my buds from Laredo. It was awesome. It was a good way to start off the week, but it put us a little behind and we had a lot of work to do. Man we worked hard this week. And it doesn’t help that we wake up super early to work out then play tennis! haha But we were just worn out. Things were going really well and we found a lot of new people.  And a new family of 4 that we set BD’s with! So on Thursday we have our second lesson with them and we are on our way down Rben M. Torres, which is a pretty busy street. We go through a green light and there is a stop up in traffic so we stop and right when we come to a stop we just get drilled from behind. We didn’t know what happened, so we ended up getting out and seeing that a big Expedition with a lawn mower trailer had ran full speed into a little Ranger truck, which then hit us! Luckily no one was hurt, but our little Ford Fusion got destroyed! haha. So Mom, no worries, we are just FINE! So we ended up getting the police there and got it all figured out. So we were pretty shaken up from that and we missed our lesson!! AH! It was the worst! We got the car a little fixed up and tore off the bumper so it was drivable. Elder Rios, the car guy, said we have to drive it until tomorrow when we I go back to McAllen for training and we can switch it out haha.

So anyways, we were pretty shaken up from that and so we drive out to Olmito, which is a little town where the fruit stand is. We get out to walk down the street to our appointment and we walk past this house and all the sudden hear dogs going nuts and we turn around and they come darting out of this driveway and they were BIG! Like 2 really big Hound dogs! They were going nuts and came right at us. I didn’t know what to say, haha so i just yelled "HEY!" and when the one came at me I gave him the Karate Kid and gave him a super strong right foot to the nose. It was a good kick, haha I could have kicked a 40 yarder with that. Colter would have been proud. So after I kicked it, they backed off and we slowly walked backwards to our appointment. By the time we got there, we were just like shaking and so worn out. We couldn’t believe how much stuff had been thrown at us that day haha! But we made it home alive and slept very well haha!!

So we ended the week yesterday with 2 of those 4 new BD’s coming to church and loving it. They felt so welcome and made such good friends. The young man whose name is Victor was a little uncomfortable at first but after a whole day of pats on the back and people welcoming him he finally just relaxed. They left very happy and we are excited to get back over there this week to help them start progressing.

But the one thing that Victor kept asking during testimony meeting was, "why do they keep saying ‘the one true church’? I heard you Elders say that the other day too?"  And we hadn’t taught the Restoration or anything about that because we only had had one lesson. We had only touched on it a little. But I began to listen as every testimony ended with "I know this church is true." I tried to explain it to him and beat around the bush, but he just didn’t understand. So I began to think really hard about that bold claim. THE TRUE CHURCH and I eventually came to the conclusion that...it’s that simple... and we shouldn’t be afraid to say it without the sugar coating.

We should never be afraid of the bold claim that this is Christ’s church, and that we know it. And that’s why we are here and that’s what makes us.  And I know for a fact that this is IT!  And we are so blessed to be a part of it. We have seen so many miracles and so many blessing because of it. And everyone of those strengthens my testimony that this is HIS work, and how lucky are we to be apart of it.

I love all of you so much and a thank you all for your great emails and letter. You’re the best. Take care this week and enjoy these last days of summer!!

Until next week, 

Love,

Elder Smith

OBRA MISIONAL

OK family that’s messed up! Haha! Elder Hill was making fun of me for freaking out about that Jeep. Haha All my companions know I’m a freak about them because I pick out every one that we pass. And everyday we pass about 6 car lots haha! 

Man, your emails were soo good! Sounds like Dad is busy, as always, and Mom is holding things together. Chandler is killing it in California and the kids are just living it up. I know that Dad has mowed an enumerable amount of lawns with us and has never ever complained. But Dad you need to know that I remember everyone of those lawns you helped with, and we all know how hard you work just to be able to come home and help us with everything that we’ve got going on. You really are the best! And Mom, I loved your story about going to the class with the missionaries. Please keep going with them. It really does make the biggest difference when members are just easy to get ahold of and always willing. (Like I know you guys are). So I wanted to say thank you for the package Mom and I’m loving having new shirts. THANKS! Tell Stuart Happy Birthday and that I love him! As well, tell the Rammells and grandparents hi! I Love them all and hope they are all well!!

Man, Mom and Dad you were right when you said, “the more you’ve got going on and harder you’re working, the faster time goes.” But that stinks as a missionary, because you want to work hard but the time just disappears when you do. This week went by so fast I can’t even believe it. Haha I feel like Elder Hill evens us out because he still feels like the weeks are years. But he is doing super great! We get along all the time and are always laughing and having fun together, but he is a super focused missionary too and we have the most spiritual lessons. Things have been great. It’s super funny being with him because sometimes I feel that people let us in just because they are intimidated, haha. And he nearly takes out every ceiling fan when we walk in. But we are both hoping we are here in Villa Nueva for a long time.

We have had a couple struggles this week with parents. The Crocket’s dad has made the decision for the family that they will not come to our church. It’s tough for the family, but at the same time they don’t question what he says, ever because he’s a pretty "persuasive" guy with them. Which makes us feel bad that they are kinda afraid of him. So basically we started fresh this week as far as people to teach, but we had a great week. Found a lot of great new people and had our branch movie night and Obra Misional activity that we have planed for the last month. That got a lot of things going and it has been great. Sometimes it’s hard to go through times like this without having many to teach but I’ve found that as long as you’re obedient and show the Lord you’re not gonna slow down, he begins to put them where they need to be so we can find them.  And it definitely helps to have such a great branch and we have got a lot of work going with them as well!

So yesterday Andrea received the Holy Ghost and it was so sweet.  Pretty sure she was waiting to see a ghost or something crazy because that was one of the harder things to teach her haha! But she made it out alright and there were no ghost sightings.  Brother Castillo of the bishopric confirmed her and I sat in a chair across from her because she was kinda nervous. haha But she did great and had that big smile on her face. That family is so dang special to me! They are just so sweet and I wish I could be here when little Alejandro gets baptized in January, but chances are I probably won’t. But they are doing super great!

So other than that, not much happened this week. Things are just so crazy busy and sometimes it’s hard to remember what happened the week before, but I want you all to know that I love you and I’m grateful for all your emails. Sorry mine is so short! But today Alex gets a special shout out because I haven’t heard from him in a few weeks! But I love you Alex and hope your doing well! You’re my boy and although I meet many Alejandro’s out here, you’re THE  "one and only" ALEJANDRO! And I’m gonna get some letters going today for all of you. But I hope all is well and you have a great and safe weeks. Have fun on your trips and vacations and love everyday! Love you! 

Until next week,

Love Elder Smith!