WELCOME PRESIDENT MALUENDA AND FAMILY

6/28/13

Hi Mom and Dad and family :)

Wow what a day. We just stopped at the office and I wanted to tell you I love you and that I will email tomorrow if we can find time. President Maluenda is incredible!! I felt something really special about him and his wife. He has 4 beautiful kids with him and 2 others who didn't come. I love them already... and they don’t speak much English, especially Hermana Maluenda. You will LOVE them. Tonight we went out with the Trayners (Pres. Hna. and Zach) for a bitter sweet dinner. I will miss them so much. We will take them to the airport in the morning and then will go over to the mission home to teach President Maluenda about the mission program. It’s so crazy but I love it.  And I got SO excited to hear that Colt got called as an AP. What a boss! I’m so proud of him. I emailed him just barely, but tell his family I love them! I’ll email tomorrow but take care and tty soon!

Love Elder Smith

6/29/13

Oh man I’ve got so much to tell you all! First off, thanks again for the pictures and emails and everything! You guys are the best. These past few days have been super crazy! I dunno where to start but I’ll start with the baptism last Sunday!

It was a really great service and it really touched me. The parents of the Aguas family were so excited for the baptisms of their little girls and are so happy to be back in the church. Its been about 8 years but now they are bound and determined to get to the temple. It was sad because at the service the dad got up and started to cry and just said how bad he felt for not being worthy enough to baptize his daughters and then he promised everyone that one day he would be a worthy priesthood holder. They are a really special family. As well the young man Matthew who has pretty much been adopted by their family was super excited for baptism. The parents only speak Spanish and him English but they love him. And we found out his uncle is a stake president up in Michigan. He was sure happy to hear about the baptism. Now we are working on getting his family. But it was great. He asked me to baptize him and I pulled an Alma and pretty much went completely under myself haha but it was great! The Trayners and the whole office staff were there and it was a good way to send the Trayners out.

It was kinda hard because we had a family of 2 that fell off and another one that was getting baptized this Sunday that moved back to Monterrey suddenly. It was hard but luckily we still have another baptism this Sunday to welcome the Maluendas!

So this week was crazy with the last zone conferences! Then we had a first companionship training! We got to see a bunch of our buds that are training and then we went out to lunch with the Trayners. Then Friday came... It was nuts!!! We got everything ready to pick the Maluendas up at the airport at 12:30. We rushed over with the Trayners and got there just in time for them to walk out. Pte. Maluenda is like 6 3! Super tall! He's got a super sweet wife and a beautiful family. He has a 16 year old daughter (she's like 6 feet tall), a 15 year old daughter, an 11 year old son, and an 8 year old daughter. They are super great. We got their bags loaded up and took them back to the mission office for a luncheon with the senior office missionaries. It was great. We then took them to the mission home to show them around.The kids were going crazy and picked their rooms and then hit the sack pretty hard haha. They were so tired. We left them and the Trayners to talk a little about their responsibilities and me and Elder Munsey went out to work for a bit. We then went to help the Trayners with their bags and got them checked into the hotel. It was weird, President Trayner didn’t have his tag on and sister Trayner called him Steve!! But we went and got them checked into their hotel and then President said, "Ok Elders, whatcha got goin on tonight?" It was about 8 and we said "Nothing set." He said, "Ok! lets go to dinner, ONE LAST TIME!” We got some Chinese food and when we finished we gave President Maluenda a call. We only speak Spanish with him, haha. He is excited, but a bit nervous. We made plans to meet with him Saturday and then got to bed. This morning we got to the hotel at 10ish to take the Trayners to the airport. They were nervous but excited, joking the whole way there, just like President does. We got them checked in, said our sad goodbyes and put them on the plane. It felt so weird. . . . and lonely, to be honest.

Afterwards we came to the office and got down to business with President Maluenda. He is super inspired. He definitely set some strong expectations of us. I know he will push us to be a lot better, and we gave him the run down. It’s scary to be the only ones that know whats going on, but he is picking it up really fast. He will be just what this mission needs. We love him. So here we are writing our emails really fast before we go out to work. PDays a thing of the past. . .at least for this week haha!

I love you all! Wish us luck!

Love Elder Smith

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  

THE TRAYNERS GOOD BYE ZONE CONFERENCES

Man, sorry I’m running a day late on my email! Things are getting crazy here haha!

First off, thank you so much for all your emails and the pictures! I’m so glad you are all doing well and it made me really happy to know that Chan gets to come home for the 4th. I hope you enjoy it! I have a feeling that my life will be a little bit more hectic this 4th of July than it was last one, when i just had to sit in the house and study! We’ll see if Sister Maluenda will throw us a Chileano party haha!

I’m so glad, as well, to here the grandparents are doing well! Tell them all hi and that I love them! I feel a lot of guilt for not writing them but I haven’t written a single letter in this area... But I think about them ALL the time! Please tell them how much I love them. And please tell Papa that he is one of my heros. Spending time around President Trayner makes me feel a lot of pride knowing that my Papa was a mission president, too. What a stud! I’m glad Gpas heart is ok! Let’s be honest, he's as strong as an ox! I hope the pacemaker can keep up with him! haha!

So this week was crazy, crazy! The Trayner’s good bye zone conferences have started and we are all over the place. It’s nice to have so much responsibility and I am learning a lot. There’s a lot that doesn't get voiced, but it’s just expected that it gets done. I’m growing a lot. We have had to put together trainings, agendas, new areas, week transfers, and just about everything in between but President Trayner is great and helps us a lot. It will be tough when he leaves.

But the best news is what’s going on in our area. Despite the little time we have to work, we have seen a lot of miracles.. We actually set a pretty crazy goal about 3 weeks ago to Baptize 24 people here in this area by the time Elder Munsey goes home. In the Book of Mormon, Alma baptized 204 in the Waters of Mormon. . . Why not 24 here? We want to baptize every week starting this Sunday and we really need all your prayers. We have a PM baptism coming up this weekend and then 4 the following weekend. We have at least one or more people set up every Sunday for the next month after that so we are gonna get it done! PLEASE PRAY FOR US!

We are working with a lot of part member families. M. Garcia (a 10 yr. old who's mom is a member) is getting baptized Sunday. The Aguas family have 2 little girls (Andrea and Jessica) then a friend (Matthew) who all get interviewed tomorrow to all be baptized on the 23rd and as well a man named Gilberto, will be baptized the 23rd. Please pray for them. We are working with 2 other families, the Trevino family and the Lara family who should be baptized in July! I LOVE THEM! This area has already won my heart big time.. I don’t ever wanna leave.

So besides all of that I wanted to tell you quickly about zone conference in Laredo yesterday. We drove up late Thursday night and stayed with the Zone Leaders, Elder Sanchez and Elder Stott. It was cool because I got to see Elder Sanchez again. I love that kid. And Elder Stott is a good friend too and actually was trained by Elder Munsey. But we stayed there and got to bed at like 2 then woke up early the next morning for conference. It went super well. We then went out to dinner with the Trayners. I donno if I told you this but their son Zach got home from his mission about 3 weeks ago and is always with us. He's a super cool kid. But we 5 went out to dinner and then we stayed the night again. We went and checked out downtown this morning for P-day then drove home. It was a pretty great trip. Super good to be in Laredo again.. It’s been over a year! Can you believe that?

So anyways that’s just a little update on what’s going on down here. We have our weeks packed with zone conferences then the Trayners leave on the 28th. That’s when the craziness begins. I’m not sure when their homecoming is though. I’ll ask them and let you know.

But I LOVE being a TMM missionary. It’s the greatest mission in the world and I am so blessed to be here.

That’s it for this week.

Cuidense!

BYE!

Elder Smith

18 MISSIONARIES GO HOME, INCLUDING ELDER PORTER

Sounds like the summer fun has begun! Glad to see that the spud nut tradition is still going strong. That’s definitely a “wicked tradition of my fathers” haha ;) But I like it! It’s crazy to hear of all the change happening back there at home. Hannah sent me all her graduation pictures and it’s hard to believe that they are all graduating. Greyden is not old enough for a mission!!! I hope all is well especially with Chan! He's a trooper! Hope your doing great Chan! Love you!

So things have been great here in The Waters! Another crazy week of transfers! Man things just go 100 miles an hour at transfers. We are up late with President and waking up early to run from here to Brownsville to Harlingen and everywhere in between!

We had a great Sunday with 6 people at church and are seeing a bunch of success with part member families! Me and Elder Rodriguez found a great PM family and set BD’s with all and they all came to church which was great. We, as well, had a cool experience this week with a man who had fallen off but called us and told us that he finally got and answer that this was the church for him. So we've got a lot of baptisms coming up on the 16 and 23! PRAY FOR US!

Monday we picked up 14 new missionaries, oriented them, fed them a great big dinner at the Trayner’s and took them back to the man cave (our house) to get a few hours of shut eye. We went back to President’s to finish up transfers and were up early the next morning to set it all in motion. It’s funny cus everyone meets at the office (La Vista chapel) and everyone wants to chat and hug and talk but we are running all over getting everyone in there places. We then had to drive down to Brownsville to drop off some bags. I got to see my Papi Elder Stevens. I love that kid. Then we headed back for the exiting missionaries dinner...That was hard! Elder Porter was leaving along with a ton of my best friends in the mission. 18 were leaving and it was SUPER fun having dinner with them all. Then me and Elder Munsey took 8 of our best buddies and went and got frosties at Wendy's then headed back to sleep at our house.

We didn't get any sleep.. We stayed up super late talking about old stories and didn't get much sleep. We woke up early and got them to breakfast and the airport to send home. It was hard to say goodbye to my buddies, but they are moving on! Elder Porter definitely will be a good friend after the mission.

After we sent them off, we hit it hard and had some great lessons to get our peeps ready for church! It is SUPER CRAZY here!

Today was nice, it was the first real PDay we had and some Sr. Missionaries, the Neil's,  took us to Red Robin. IT WAS AMAZING! There’s only one in the whole mission. What a blessing, eh!?:) Besides that, all is well!

I love it here and can’t imagine missionary work any other way than in The Waters haha!

Love you guys! 

Elder Smith

. . . I HAVE REALIZED THAT I CAN'T DO SQUAT WITHOUT HIS HELP.

Good to hear from everyone and to hear about Grandpa’s birthday! Happy Birthday Grandpa! I loved the pic of him and dad. What a bunch of handsome brutes!

And Mom, I have to apologize I’m sooo bad! I have had your Mother’s Day package ready since February but still haven't sent it! Forgive me! I need to get it done!!!!

This week has been real great, but has gone by super fast! It was full of good news and some mas o menos news but I’ll fill you  in, right!

So we started off on Monday, we were all over the place with President Trayner all day, picking up new elders from the airport, going out for a quick lunch, back to the mission home for more training, preparing for President Maluenda, going to the bank, organizing, giving trainings, preparing. We didn't get to work at all in our area. We have been working with a part member family that came to church again and another couple who has been progressing really well. We knew that going into this week we had to find some new families to get to church so we have really been focusing on that and Monday was frustrating cus we just wanted to get out and work.

Tuesday we trained the new district leaders that will begin next transfer on Tuesday, one of which was Elder Hobbs. He's doing great. I’m super proud of him. We then got a few good hours of work in that night and found some cool people. Wednesday was a pretty good day of work. Thursday was MLC (mission leadership council) a super busy day..... Running everywhere getting things set up, doing role plays and trainings. We have to get graphs and movies and examples and it’s just super wild. Finally we finished and got all the ZL’s cars checked and got to start an exchange with the Robstown ZLs, Elder Rodrigues and Elder Martinez. They gave me the good news that N. Ysassi was finally let off of the problems that she had and will be baptized the 9th!!!

As well a family that we had taught (the ladies) made some changes and are now going to get baptized. Super cool news!

I found out that Margie Y. went into surgery Tuesday and I got to call her and check up on her. She's doing great. She made me so proud. She has been called as the first counselor in the Relief Society :) I love her and her family.

We had a wonderful exchange (they are always crazy) but all the ZLs want to find out what the AP life is like haha!? They all just wanna come hang out at the office. Little do they know we actually have to do work here. haha punks. But I love them!

So today we went and hit up the pulga (the flea market). It’s always fun to bargain now that we can actually speak Spanish. We were joking that no Hispanic can handle white Mormon charm haha! We got some great deals:) And then we went to the mall and I got a beautiful gray suit. Thank you so much for letting me do that! I love it! I may have to buy a new tie to go with it:)

But that about sums up the crazy week that we had! And this next week will be another back buster with 8 new missionaries coming in and 17 going out including all my buddies. Then we start zone conferences and will travel the mission and then President Maluenda comes. Pray for us haha! We are in pretty deep.

It’s humbling...I really have realized that I cant do squat without HIS help. He's always watching over us. I love you guys!

Take care this week and be safe! Love Elder Smith

A BAPTISM AND A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE. . . . BROWNSVILLE!

Wow! So great to hear your emails. I am gonna be feeling real sick about Art this week. What a difference he has made in my life. I’m glad everyone is doing well and I hope Mom and Dad are over their colds and are back on their feet. Even though I know you never got off them. It’s good to see Coach Guza. I have been thinking about him lately and decided I’m gonna baptize him when I get home. He’s prepared. I just never pushed hard enough before my mission. He will be a ward mission leader one day, mark my words.

So I hope Chan is doing well and that he knows that I understand how busy he is. I love you buddy. Keep up the good work. Echele ganas. Glad to see you enjoyed your prom, Mom and Dad. You were the best lookin’ ones there. And I love that old green tux. Speaking of that, I went and tried on suits today, but I decided to wait to make sure I get the right one. But don’t worry, I’ll get it done.

So this week was wonderful. I’ll start with the miracle baptism we had on Sunday. We threw it  together and got L. Cruz baptized.  He was sooo nervous, but it went great. President and Hna. Trayner came to the baptism and enjoyed it.

This week has been crazy with a training on Tuesday for all the new missionaries and their trainers. It was cool because Elder Porter is a trainer, so I got to see him and as well Elder Hobbs is training, so I have a new grandson. It’s weird to think that Elder Porter is done in 2 weeks. He is expecting some pizza from the oven, as well as Elder Stevens haha! It was super good and after that we got some good work done in “The Waters”. 

But the week got really amazing on Wednesday night. I got to take a trip down memory lane and went on an exchange in Brownsville with Elder Stevens. He’s been a zone leader forever and it was a blast being with him. I worried that it would be weird because last time we were together, he was training me and now I was going to train him, but we had a blast together and did some work. We found a ton of people and set a bunch of BD’s with them. We had a wonderful day and it was cool to see how much different of missionaries and people we are. A lot of progression, luckily haha :)

But the best part was Thursday afternoon when we went over to the Crockets house to visit the girls. Man! It was sooo good to see them and they are doing great. They are super funny and when I called them they were freaking out. Haha there’s no better feeling than seeing your RCs, and the crazy part is in a week it will have been a year ago that I got to Brownsville for my first day!! Crazy right?? Freaks me out...

But it was a wonderfully crazy week. I love the TMM. It’s the best. I never wanna leave!

But I love you all so much and I pray for you everyday! Please be safe and happy and know how much I love you!

Take care!

Elder Smith

Payton Smith Lawn Care - Procrastinating lawns since 2001!
                                                        Somethings never change!