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!

IT WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY MISSION, SO FAR!

Hello family! 

Man I’ve been so excited to tell you all about this week! So, really fast I wanted to say I loved the pictures of the cabin trip and to see that Bart is in the pond! Please do me a favor and make sure you take Blake too! She lives for that pond. And Chan, sounds like you’re doing super well. Keep it up and I love you! And that’s soo crazy that Taylor Stosich gets home sooo soon. Man, I hate how this goes soo fast.

So, the weekly update for this week: This was the most up and down week I have had my whole mission! So here’s how it goes. Me and Elder Hill found a ton of people this week. The Lord just put them in our path, wherever we went. We had Saul and his 2 sisters (the fruit stand people). And the Crocket girls (rappers from Orange County, TX) and their friend and then like 5 others. And so they were all progressing super well. Received spiritual confirmations and all and we thought they were all set for church. So long story short, Saul’s Mom straight up tells us she forbids her kids to go to church and we were not happy. So we had a Spanish throw-down in the fruit stand (spiritually speaking) and she felt the Spirit so strong and was like crying. But she still forbid them to go and so we lost those 3 and were super sad about it. Then the Crockets don’t show up when they said they were on their way. So we find out their Mom (a member) and their Dad took them to some random other church with a choir and band (which they love) and the kids all fell in love with it...so they said. So they all dropped us. Even the mom! And we didn’t understand because they had received spiritual confirmations..So they were gone as well.... And NOBODY showed up at church.

So we were just like wiped out from the day. But finally at 5:00 PM we got to the church and got dressed in white for Andrea’s baptism. I have never been so proud of someone. She was so sweet and nervous and excited.  And the Spanish branch of Casa Linda was so sweet. They filled that room, packed. They all tried so hard to do their talks and songs and everything super simply, so she could understand it. They even had their kids write their talks out in English and tried their best to read it for her. They all just love her so much and she was so happy to be the center of all the love and attention. I dont think she’s ever felt that before. So finally we got into the water and she didn’t even hesitate. She had the biggest smile on her face and it was even bigger when she came out.  She just did so great. I was so proud! And when I came out after getting dressed she signed something to me. And it was a sign we always practiced that meant "clean". It was the highlight of my mission so far.

So last night we finally finished planning, and I couldn’t handle another up or down. I was just spiritually wiped. We got ready for bed and heard our phone ring. It was a text from the younger Crocket girl who we had told to pray about the Book of Mormon if she really wanted to know what to do.  We didn’t know what to expect........ the text said, "I know the Book of Mormon is true. I want to get baptized :)" We don’t know what to think or what the parents will say. But all we know is that the Lord really touched her heart. And he can work miracles.  And we are really excited and nervous to see what happens there.

Every night I thank my Heavenly Father for this time he has given me. I’ve been so blessed to be around these people, and I wouldn’t take it back for ANYTHING. Not a single thing! I love you all so much. Thank you for everything you do and I pray that you all have a wonderful week. Pray for the Crocket family please, that all their hearts may be softened. And please take care. LOVE YOU!

Elder Smith

IT'S A BOY!

On Tuesday, July 10th, I welcomed my first son into the mission. He came in at about 6'5" and 220 lbs. of PURE STUD! Elder Hill is from Salt Lake and played tight end at BYU and put aside a full ride scholarship to come on his mission. He makes me look like a shrimp, but I couldn’t have asked for a better companion. We had the most amazing week and saw so many miracles. We are ALOT alike and are always on the same page. The only thing I can’t figure out is President Trayner says he can only put one guapo, "handsome" in each companionship. But I don’t know about this companionship haha! It’s close!  Just kidding!

So before I tell you about more of our week, I wanted to tell you that the hot tub project looks like its going great! And Alex I loved your email, buddy. And I can’t believe you let Mom beat you at an arm wrestle!!!!!!! Haha But I still love you! And Mom I did get the backpack, thank you sooo much! But I haven’t got the shirts yet.  And I wanted to tell Logan that I am sooooo proud of him! What a great kid! He is going to be an amazing missionary.

So, where to even start! From the minute Elder Hill got here, we got right to work and he is a hard worker! And his Spanish is pretty good for a greeny, so we didn’t really get slowed down at all. The work here actually sped up! We found like crazy and saw so many miracles. The Lord blessed us sooo much. From the first lesson Elder Hill won over Andrea and she did super well this week. So she had her interview yesterday and passed with flying colors! Man what a relief. I was in the interview with our ZL and her and we used the white board and everything and I was sooo, soo proud of her. I was like emotional because she has come sooo far and is sooo ready!! So she will be baptized next Sunday.

As well, there is a part member family we are working with that has 2 girls who are 15 and 17 that aren’t members and neither is the Dad, and the brother is inactive. But the Mom is active and we finally set baptismal dates with the girls and got them to church! The coolest part is the brother and the girls are like professional rappers and music makers and they are making a rap about us haha! We will see how that goes!

As well, we are teaching a kid who works in a fruit stand out in the middle of nowhere and it has been the coolest thing. We sit on fruit boxes and contact everyone who comes to buy fruit from him! haha It works out pretty nicely!

But we just saw so many amazing things this week and I am so stoked for these next two transfers.

The whole training thing is so good for me. I learn more than Elder Hill does, I’m pretty sure! haha. But he is super good and always wants advice and is just doing super well right now. He has a very strong testimony because he is a convert. He has a brother, 2 years older and a sister, 2 years younger and when he was 12 they were baptized. His Dad isn’t a member, but is super supportive. And he has been active ever since. Such a great example to me. I know we are going to see miracles here and I am so excited.

But other than that, there is not much to say! I love you all so much and I will send pictures soon! If you could send that memory card back, I’ll switch ya! Love you all and hope you have a great week!

Until next week,

Love Elder Smith

ANOTHER WEEK DOWN IN BROWN-TOWN!

Hello family! 

Such great emails and pictures this week! I loved to see everyone in the pictures and that the fun still goes on without me and Chan! So glad to see the Grandmas and as well the Rammell family! And the pizza looks delicious! I laughed when I read the email about the “Showdown at Sundown” and before I read the results I knew Caroline would win. She always wins! Rain or shine, pregnant or not. But I’m glad that Hailey beat Sean haha!! So great to hear about the fourth and that all was well. Our fourth got pooped on a little bit because we got called in early and had to study from 7 till 930. But we still had fun studying!! But I’m glad all is well and that your still, keeping on!

So this week was kind of a harder week for us here. Andrea had her interview and did perfectly. But our District Leader felt that she just didn’t really understand the Atonement well enough. I was completely behind his decision and so we moved her date back and went back to work with her. She really is the most darling girl and has changed my mission. She has taught me patience, and how to teach simply and powerfully. President told us that teaching a deaf 9 year old is the equivalent of teaching a 6 year old. So it definitely has been a test. I love teaching her and I know she will be baptized soon. Just keep praying for her.

A funny story about the lesson we did to help her understand baptism; I took my bed sheets and wrote baptism in big letters and we hung it up like it was the water. We then took a whole stack of sticky notes and filled out each one with a sin (9 year old appropriate). Then we stuck them all over her sister. (Well we let them stick them, haha!) Then we "baptized” Alejandra behind the baptism blanket to get rid of the sin sticky notes. Haha! It was super ridiculous and extreme but she finally understood it and it got her super excited!  Maybe not the most solid idea Elder Smith has had, but she finally got it! But we will get even more creative this week so we can keep her interest and get her to pass that interview.

We had a tough week finding, but another great week at church. And it won’t help to have a couple of crazy days these next 2 or 3 days when we get my “new boy” settled in. But I know we will find and baptize and I’m soo excited to be here in Villa Nueva and I could spend the rest of my mission here!

So to finish my email I was talking to Elder Jackson about the way my mission has changed me and about the 'passions' I have gained on my mission.

1. Mexican Food

2. Soccer

3. Pineapple

All things that I have come to love haha. But the greatest passion I have received on my mission is for the Book of Mormon. I know that Joseph’s words are true when he said that a man could come closer to God by reading it, than by any other book. I know with all my heart, that it is true. I can feel it with every page I read and every time I testify of it. I love the Book of Mormon and it is where I have found my testimony and my relationship with my Heavenly Father. And I know without it, we would be nothing. I would invite all of you to search for a passion of the Book of Mormon. Read it every day. Pray about it. Think about it. Apply it to you. Enjoy it. Its so true :)

I love you all and I pray you have a great week. You are all so great and I’m proud and grateful for all of you. Take care and have a wonderful week!

Love Elder Smith