CARNE ASADA, GRASSHOPPERS, & FIESTAS

Ok, so last week I felt so bad that my email was so short and I spent all my time talking about investigators and I didn’t even get a fraction of that typed. So this week I’m gonna talk a little more about just the stand-out moments of the week and comment on your emails!

So, first off I loved all your emails! I’m glad Dad finished the tile and I’m so glad I’m gonna get some of you and Nae’s cookies, Mom! And I am sooo stoked for you to go to the Lady A concert! Take some pics for me! And sounds like my girl T did well (at the Grammys)! The other day I went to help move furniture because of a flood in a member’s house and we went into the daughter’s room to move stuff and it was packed with T Swift posters and I was going crazy! Satan was throwing his best at me, haha! And Addi I’m so happy you have a dance competition. You are going to do great! Alex I’m glad you’re loving school buddy and I hope you are loving every minute. And Chan, holy smokes boy, you are going crazy with this whole dating thing!! I loved your email and I am writing you a letter today, but keep the details coming. I want a part in the decisions! HA AH They all look like they’ve got great testimonies:)

So this week had so many ups and downs! We started the week last Monday night with my first carne asada and holy smokes it was amazing!!! And for the appetizer, Salsa baked grasshoppers! They eat those things like candy and it’s just a plastic bag of brown grasshoppers...legs and all. And apparently mine wasn’t cooked enough because I got a little squeeze of guts when I bit into it!! But they all thought it was just so funny haha!! I’ll send pics!

But this week has been so rainy and cold and I had to borrow a rain jacket, but I have to go buy one today at Walmart. I hope that’s ok! I feel bad spending money, believe it or not! Big change haha! But that night we had carne asada, the first counselor asked if I could give a talk this Sunday... In SPANISH! haha I was kinda like, "Are you sure??" Haha But I thought it would be a good way to introduce myself to everyone that doesn’t know me...Lets just say, they all know me now!:) There are like 75-100 people in the Spanish Branch so it’s pretty good sized! So my topic was the Spirit and I studied a few days to prepare a 6 minute talk. That’s all, just 6 minutes, no big deal. So I got there yesterday and I was the 3rd speaker. First one goes, takes 3 minutes (youth speaker) 2nd one goes...TAKES 5 STINKING MINUTES! And he was the other adult speaker! So now it’s my turn. Mr. Gringo, who has been in the field 3 weeks and I have to talk for 24 minutes!! Haha the counselor leaned over and said in Spanish, “Try to make it long.” HAHA!  So let’s just say I nailed it as best as I could. Haha It was definitely a good experience for me and I guess you could say that everyone knows me now. Whether it’s in a good way or a bad one, I don’t know. But they know me, nonetheless.

  

So on Saturday we had a FIESTA and it was in the chapel! There was a Spanish DJ and dancing and food and it was awesome! We had a bunch of investigators there and they had a blast. I can’t tell you how much I LOVE just walking around and trying to talk to these people and have them teach me and laugh when I try to talk. They are all so fun and love that I try so hard, but fail haha! I LOVE the Spanish people though. I feel like I’m their little 2 year old that’s learning to speak and they just baby me haha! And all the Spanish mommas like force me to eat and when I don’t, they get mad! At the fiesta they are like, "NO MORE TALKING! EAT!" in their assertive momma Spanish! Haha I love it!

Other than that family, all is well! I love getting chased by dogs and riding home in the cold rain, knowing that all is well. I love the food and I love the people. My legs and buns are looking nice and fit from the killer bike riding and I love my comp. Everything is just perfect.. This week will be tough, however. My comp Elder Stevens’ father has cancer and will probably pass in the next few days, so he got to call to say his goodbyes. I have never met a stronger kid. Everyday he puts on a smile and goes to work, not ever thinking about himself. I love the kid to death and hope you will keep him and his family in your prayers. I don’t think I could handle it like he is. It makes me grateful everyday for all of you. I think and pray about you everyday and am so so grateful for you. I hope you know I love you all so much and I hope that all is well, con la familia Smith. Take care, be safe, have a wonderful week and always know that I love you all. 

Until next week family, Love

Elder Smith

GREAT LESSON - STOLEN BIKE LIGHT!

Hey family! 

So before I get into my email, thank you for all the letters you sent me! It was so good to hear from all of you! I’m not as spoiled with letters here as I was in the MTC and a letter is such a tender mercy! haha! Thank you to Grandpa and Grandma and Papa and Grammy for your letters and the money. You always do too much for me! I’ll have letters headed your way as soon as I can! Oh and Alex I will have a birthday package coming your way. I bought your present the other day! Hope you like it! And Dad, I can’t wait to see the tile job! I know it wasn’t the same without me there to laugh at your tapestry of frustration, but I’m sure you didn’t get much help from Chan either, judging from the 24 pictures he sent me from all his dates! haha Man that kid’s just a lady killer! And sounds like Alex is growing into one, too! And Addi, I loved your letter hunny, thank you so much! I miss ya!

      

So this week I saw the all time highs and the all time lows. First off, this week we had training, so we missed out on so much work time, so a lot of our investigators had a hard time because we weren’t able to spend as much time with them. But It’s funny how every good thing gets matched with a bad. We go and have a bomb lesson with Julio and we are just floating, until we get back to our bikes and our lights are stolen haha! (Sorry mom that was that charge on my card). Or we are riding our bikes out in the cold rain, but some random lady gives us a mexican burger on the corner. That’s a tender mercy! But every time something goes wrong Heavenly Father just gives us a little something to keep us going! It’s definitely an exciting way to live. I’m am getting very comfortable with my bike. haha And she’s definitely getting a lot of use! I haven’t named her yet, mom, but this week I think she’ll have earned a name.

But first off is Julio. He is our most solid investigator right now. He is such a stellar kid and has come so far. His Baptism is on the 25th, which is coming right up and he is so excited and ready. He’s made some huge changes in his life and I’m so proud of him. He says he really wants to be a missionary when he turns 19, so that’s our next goal after baptism haha! I love this kid!

But the real let down this week was our lesson with Juan and Samantha. They just weren’t ready to make those leaps of faith and quit his job and get married. They just aren’t quite ready right now and it broke my heart. I love that family and they like begged to take us out to dinner still and to have us stop by everyday for a water, but their house is out of the way and we just had to tell them that we have to spend our time with people who are willing to progress and make changes. They had a hard time understanding why just because they couldn’t get married, we couldn’t come by anymore and it was tough for me too. But we have to be out looking for those that the Lord has prepared. I was so heartbroken for this family. I felt like I had just got dumped! haha It was rough. But I know that one day they will be ready. It’s funny because Juan was saying how he never thought he could have such a quick bond to "White Folks"  haha! It was pretty funny. But I just love all these people here and they are all so sweet and selfless. They are always giving, even when they don’t have anything. And it really makes me realized how blessed we all are.

But family, I better wrap up, I’m out of time! But I hope you feel like you’re a little filled in. The work here is really moving forward and it’s so awesome to be a part of. I love you all so much and I hope you have a great week! Hope to hear from you soon! Until next week. 

Love Elder Smith

"A LOT OF TIMES, THE ONLY WAY I COMMUNICATE IS WITH A SMILE!"

Family! 

Man I have sooooo much to tell you and not much email time! This is been, hands down, the craziest, absolute hardest, week of my life! But at the same time, it has been one of the happiest weeks of my life! I was called to the Laredo Rio Bravo Area, which is like ALL Spanish! It is crazy! Baptism my fire for sure! haha!  And the number one area for stolen bikes in the country! We actually do have a lot of investigators that speak English though, which isn’t very common. I can see Mexico from the front door of my apartment. We are like 2 streets from the river, haha. My apartment is pretty nice, too. All the missionaries say it’s by far the nicest one here! 

As far as my companion, he is the BIGGEST stud! Elder Stevens is his name and he is from California. He has only been out 3 months, and just got done being trained and now he is training! But we are already way tight! He is the hardest worker and way funny and we have a ton of fun. Everyone calls us the "bebitos" or little babies haha! Because we are the youngest companionship in the mission! I’ll tell you a little more about all the success we had this week at the end! As far as Spanish...hard. A lot of times the only way I communicate is with a smile haha! I spend most dinner appointments getting laughed at and trying to learn and ask questions, but I LOVE IT! I already am sooo in love with some of these people! They think it’s so funny when I try to talk and say nice things because they speak a lot differently than people in the MTC. We always go to dinner and have AMAZING food, then just try to have a lesson, but it turns into Spanish class, haha, but I’m learning! 

So Laredo supposedly has the ONLY hill in Texas! Haha maybe a little exaggeration, but it’s pretty flat everywhere else! But everyday we have to truck up the hill on our bikes to get to appointments because we’re clear down at the bottom  of the hill in Santa Rita or "The Dirty South" so my buns and thighs are definitely feeling it! That one speed bike is really testing me and mis nalgas (butt cheeks). You can edit that mom :) But it’s great!!

So Church....Oh man pretty overwhelming. All the people that know me like to laugh at me and talk really fast to me to see that look on my face. But it gets us dinner dates because I give them a good laugh! But they all love when I have to introduce myself in church. But we have 6 hours of church, English Branch and Spanish. But after Spanish Branch my brain is ready to explode! But I sat by the Cantera family who I just love, so it was ok! I’ll talk about them next!

So about this week, first off this area has only had one baptism in the last 3 months. Since me and Elder Stevens have been here, we have set 6 baptismal dates!!! We can hardly believe that the Lord has blessed us with so much success already! Like everyday we have been lead to so many people who are so prepared! I don’t even know why we have been so blessed to be part of so many miracles, but i am sooo grateful!!!! Most of our baptismal dates have some serious problems to work through, but it can be done. Haha! Maybe I can talk about our Lesbian investigator in a letter sometime soon!! 

But the Cantera Family (who is my favorite and have a little girl Melanie that wants to meet Addi) are not married because he has to get a divorce across the border, then get married before baptism. But an awesome family. And the family that we have been really working with a lot is Samantha and Juan, who speak English. Samantha was a previous investigator, but the missionaries could never meet Juan because he was always at work. They are both about 20 or 22 and have a 2 year old. But one night we had an appointment and Elder Stevens was like I think we need to go stop by Samantha’s. So we rode up and JAUN was there!!!! Turns out that they were just talking about how he wanted to meet us and how that day he really wished we could come and there we were! By the end of that little meeting in there dirt driveway, out in front of the trailer, he had set a baptismal date, decided to quit his job so he could come to church, and decided that they would get married so they could be baptized. He kept saying to us "There’s something about you guys. You just bring a good feeling. How can I get this feeling more?" SOOO AMAZING! The Lord has blessed us so much. For a couple of greenies, we are pretty lucky to be able to be instruments of our Heavenly Father.

So family, there is so much more to tell and so much more on my mind, but I just don’t have enough time. But if nothing else, I just want you to know how much I love and miss you. Every time I have a different momma make my dinner, I think of MOM. Or when I see the Cantera kids, I think of Addi and Alex. Every time we have Brother Martinez cook us up some steak, I miss dad! And every time I think of the word GIRLS, I’m always thinking of Casanova, I mean Chan! Haha I’m so glad you all are doing so well! I hope the grandparents are well and tell Grandpa to get feeling better. I’m worried about him!!! Tell them all I love them and that I’ll send letters soon! 

Family, I’m so lucky to be apart of this work. It’s so hard. The hardest thing I’ve ever done. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything because I know that it is true. And I know the Lord wants me here in Laredo. I hope you all  have a wonderful week and always remember how much I love you! Until next week, Love

Elder Smith

MTC=SPIRITUAL TWO-A-DAYS!

1/19/12

Que triste! (that sad)

It’s my last MTC email! I can hardly believe that time has gone soo fast! 10 weeks over already and I think I may be more nervous for this than I was to come to the MTC! As far as travel plans, I have to wake up early enough to be at the airport at around 6 AM and my flight is at 8:10. So I will probably call then if I can, but if not I have from 11:55 to 1:40 before my flight from Dallas to McAllen! I hope I’ll be able to find enough time to have a good talk but I’m gonna be tripping out! I seriously do not even know what to expect. There is going to be so much going on that day. I will be staying in one of the missionaries’ apartments Monday night and then I think I get my trainer Tuesday, is what it sounds like. And I’m kinda freaking out about meeting my mission president.  A lot of first impressions! haha. Hopefully it all goes well. You can tell Art that I’m going to start throwing up the Longhorns in every picture now!

So thank you for all the dear elders! They have kept me going and I hope that when I’m in Texas I’ll get a lot of letters from you all. They really can make a whole week! Oh and some other great news, I saw Elder Szypkowski from CANADA! Gave him a big hug! haha He wanted me to tell Chan and the whole family hello! And his older brother just had his first daughter! It’s cool to see so many great kids that I know from random places!

Well, to finish up, I have to share my testimony of the MTC! haha No time in my life have I ever done something so hard. Most people just let the MTC fly under the radar, like it’s no big deal! But it’s KIND OF A BIG DEAL! And all my English Elders, I love you all but there seriously is a huge difference between being here 3 weeks and being here 10 weeks! This place changes from a school to your home. I have watched 3 sets of English Elders next door to me come and go and I seriously feel like an old Grandpa here. The food here, has been my greatest enemy. haha!  The teachers here, have made a huge impact.  And I have made some amazing friends. The Elders in my district are like brothers to me. No time in my life have I ever progressed and changed so much, so rapidly as I have here. I’ve never felt like I have had more responsibility and purpose than I do right now and it makes me so happy. I love being a missionary! If I had to describe the MTC, I would say, “It’s where God stretches you and stretches you, until you’re almost to your limit and you’re just about to snap, until you feel like you just can’t do it anymore. Then he eases the pressure and gives you just a little something to keep you going. He’s stretching us and molding us to be the missionaries we need to be. It’s just our SPIRITUAL TWO-A-DAYS.” 

This truly is an amazing place. I have no doubt that the Lord keeps a close eye on this little campus and I have no doubt that there are not many other places that he would rather be! I am so grateful for my opportunity to be part of this. I am sooo stoked to leave for Texas.  And I’m so stoked to talk to you family! I miss you all like crazy! I hope you know I love you all and I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and wait for my call! 

Until Monday, Love Elder Smith

FOR THE FIRST TIME, MY SPANISH IS BETTER THAN BOSTON MURDOCH'S!

December 15, 2012

HOLA FAMILIA! 

Man, I loved all the pictures you emailed me! Looks like you had a great Birthday Dad. I really hope you did! And I hope you liked my package, I know it wasn’t much at all but it was all I could get!! I hope you know how much I love ya and how grateful I am for your example. Especially the example you set for your sons by serving a worthy mission. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful example to always look to.

So there is gonna be a Christmas package headed your way hopefully! Oh and looks like the 4 stooges (Chan, Matt, Zack & Jon) are having fun! Haha and I really appreciate the updates and pictures about girls, Chan (sucker)! It’s the closest I can get to being part of your life, haha and I am counting on you to keep me updated with all the dating and friends and everything! 

Ok well, before I get into my email, I have to say my thank you’s:

Thank you for all the dear elders once again, they always make my day!

Thank you to the Stewarts for the package. Thank you to the Ydes for the updates and thank you to Aunt Gloria and the Beazers for the letters! I’m gonna write them today! Oh and before I forget, tell the grandparents and Jay Hello for me and that I love them! And thank you Grandpa for the letter, I LOVED it and am writing you back soon! And tell the Rammels and all the family hi as well! And Colt..I miss that kid and it sounds like he’s doing great!

Well this was a great week! First off, I saw Elder Boston Murdoch and it was amazing to see someone I knew haha! He is doing great and for the first time since our high school Spanish class we had together, I can speak more Spanish then he can! We have ‘English Fast’ days where the whole day we can’t speak any English and we are just forced to learn to speak as best we can! We continue to teach everyday and even though it’s frustrating, it’s coming along slowly, but surely. Spanish is THE hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, but it is also the most humbling thing to speak with someone who doesn’t know ANY English and try to share a message with them in their own language. Even if it’s broken. I’ve realized that the Lord doesn’t care how good our Spanish is, he only cares about our message and our ability to allow the Spirit to teach. But man, there is just so much that happens and I always feel bad that you aren’t here to experience it with me. So many ups and downs and goods and bads and experiences that just make you wanna cry and some that make you feel like you can do anything! I guess its all part of the process.

So this week Sister Dalton the General Young Women’s President spoke to us and she did a very good job. She spoke about the gifts God has given us to prepare us and help us on our missions. And about relying on the Lord. The Lord has been preparing us throughout our lives to be missionaries and I know he blesses us with the things that we are going to need to be successful, but we have had so many great speakers and I love hearing their messages.

Ok, well I know this was a shorter email, there is just so much to say and so little time. But family, I want you all to know how much I love you!

Alex, I better hear from you boy, I wanna know about what girls have been checking you out and I wanna hear about school and friends and who you have been whoopin’ up on in Madden!!

Addi Girl, I better hear from you too!! I miss you missy!! I wanna hear about your program and friends and school and everything! And what you and your brother are getting for Christmas!!

Chan, Thank you for being my most faithful dear elder-er. You know as well as anyone how much they mean and how much they help! Keep them coming and live it up with your friends at byui. I’ve met an Elder here that has become a really good friend of mine that already went there for a year and wants to room when we are back, haha. But it’s such a fun exciting thing, so enjoy it and keep me updated.

Mom and Dad, Thank you for all your messages and everything. I had one last favor to ask. I have committed to finish the Book of Mormon before I leave the mtc and I don’t wanna be that naggy missionary that tries to straighten up his family haha but I’ve got a challenge for you! As a family, just read a little bit,, at least once a day whether it’s the morning or at night. Since I’ve been here I’ve really realized how much we benefit from it! It is such a blessing and I have come to love it even more than I did before my mission! 

But thank you for everything everyday I am more and more grateful for the support I have from home. I have THE MOST AMAZING family and I hope you know that! I love and miss you all so much and hope you have a wonderful and exciting week! Take care, be safe family!

Love Elder Smith

I'M SO BLESSED TO HAVE SUCH GREAT FRIENDS ALSO SERVING!

1/12/12

Hey family!

Man this week was a great week! First off, Mom and Dad thank you for the package! I can’t believe Addi sent that Taylor Swift calender!!! I had to take my permanent marker and cover her up! But I left on the wrapping so I can read Addi’s message on there! I loved it, Addi girl! THANK YOU! Thank you for the ties and for the jeans! I’m sorry to say those jeans weren’t even close to fitting and they were my favorite ones before I left! Haha I’ve gained 10 lbs. here! But no worries, I can get some out in the field. Thank you sooo much! The good news is they opened a new weight room when I got here, so we aren’t getting too out of shape haha! But I can’t wait to get out and get on a bike, cause I have never eaten this unhealthy before!!! And I loved that family picture! Thank you sooo much! Second, thank you for all the dear elders! Family, Rammells, and Ydes! You’re the best! Sounds like Colt is doing well! I loved his email! He’s such a stud! oh and p.s. Alex I have a letter headed your way buddy! And Chan, I hope you’re loving all those chicas up at BYUI! I better get more updates boy! And Addi, I better hear from you!

So I am like 12 days away from heading to Texas! It’s crazy! Haha The Spanish is really coming along and all of our teachers say that our district is pretty advanced. But I am still SOO nervous to have to speak with natives all the time! Yes, I’ll admit it, I’m nervous! But what better way to learn right? It’s hard to have a message that is so important to you that you want to share with others, yet because of the language barrier it’s so hard. But that has really pushed me to work harder. I love how here it’s not just "learn Spanish for 10 weeks" but it’s learn to teach the gospel. And the fact that you have to do it in Spanish is just a little side note haha!  It’s such an exciting thing though, so many crazy emotions going around but it is going to be such an adventure!

So we got a new teacher last Wednesday named Hmno. Bulloch and he is so sweet! He has been back for a few months and is a skier and played DB in high school and is just the best. I meet so many people here that I just love and I don’t no how I feel about all this goodbye stuff! But I better get used to it! haha! When you learn to love someone through the gospel, it really is a different relationship. I just can’t wait to fall in love with the people I am going to teach.

So anyways, I’m soooo glad to hear that you have been reading everyday! It’s such a great things to have the Book of Mormon and I truly have gained such a strong testimony of it since I’ve been here. I’m almost done with 3 Nephi and I am about to finish my goal of finishing it before I leave for Texas and I honestly have learned so much. The lesson we taught in TRC this week was how to receive personal revelation through the Book of Mormon and I know without a doubt that it happens! SO keep reading!

So as far as my friends here, Elder Mills is doing great! Love having him around! Elder Petersen is great as well. I see him a few times a week! I saw Elder Andrus twice and he’s looking great! He’s in my same dorms just a floor up and he says all is well! Elder Murdoch is an old pro here now as well! I’m so blessed to have such great friends who are serving as well! They set great examples for all of us and it always makes my day to see one of them!

So family...Like always I’m sorry for the rambling email! So much to say and so little time! But hopefully I’m keeping you somewhat updated! Missions are the best! I can hardly wait to get to Texas. I know that the experiences I have had here, as well as the ones through out my life have prepared me specifically for those people. I am so happy to be here. I LOVE being a missionary. I love you all so much and hope you know that you are all in my prayers!

Mom, Dad, Chan, Al, Addi-girl, I love you all so much! Have a wonderful week and I’ll talk to you soon! 

Love Elder Smith

Elder Hernandez says my Spanish is better in my sleep!

January 5, 2012

So first order of business, Addi Ihope you got my birthday letter! I hope it wasn’t too late but I hope you had a wonderful birthday! I love you a bunch and it looks like you had a very fun Smurf birthday! Everyone of my missionary friends here says happy birthday! Love you hun!

Mom, thank you so much for getting that stuff sent to me! I feel bad asking for more stuff! I just wanna be ready because my time here in the MTC is short. I do leave on the 23rd by the way! We have 10 weeks instead of 9 because of Thanksgiving. Just an extra week of practice, I guess!

So sounds like the kitchen tile is coming along. And dad I don’t think I mentioned this but I’m so stoked for you to go see Lady Antebellum in concert! suerte perro!  Alex, I hope your having fun and waxing up those skiis for Kelley’s! And Mom, thank you so much for everything. I have the best Mom ever and I sent you a letter that should arrive any day if it hasn’t already! And Mom and Dad, both of you, I can’t tell you thank you enough for all that you do for me, and all of the support. I LOVE YOU BOTH A TON! And Chan, I’ll have a separate email for you!

Shout out’s real fast! Grandparents -  I love you! And to all the family HELLO! And that’s awesome that Tyler (Fielding) got his call! Tell him congrats and to write me! And please call the Ydes and tell them again how grateful I am for their dear elders and the packages they sent me for Christmas! Man, they are the best! And say hello to all mis amigos that are still around and the families of all those who are in the field.

So this week was crazy!! So yesterday in the TRC we taught this lady who moved here from Argentina! She had to little boys with her in the TRC, which is unheard of. They were 3 and 5 and were running wild all over the place! And the room we were teaching, was packed with toys. So we started the lesson and they were screaming and laughing, so she sent them out in the hall and right when I started talking, we heard a big collision and they both ran in crying and ones mouth was bleeding. So we continue teaching her with a bleeding child on her lap... I can handle that right? Wrong! Not even 2 seconds later the younger one runs in, trips on my companions scriptures and bashes his face on the edge of the table and then takes a header to the ground. So then we taught this poor lady, with 2 bleeding, crying, children on her lap. Needless to say, I didn’t feel the Spirit quite as strong during that lesson, and we only taught doctrine for about 4 minutes of the 50 we were in there. So there’s my crazy story for the week and trust me, that’s about as crazy as it gets here.  Haha And one other funny story: I’ve been talking in my sleep since I got here and having crazy dreams and keeping my companions up. But last night Elder Hernandez told me I basically gave the whole first half of the Restoration in my sleep! In Spanish!  And he also informed me that I speak better Spanish in my sleep haha! But other than that, not much different going on here. The weeks just fly. A one hour meeting is child’s play now!  And I’m swiftly approaching my adventure to Texas. I can hardly wait to get out there. I do love the MTC though. I have learned a ton and I have absolutely fallen in love with my teachers. Hrmno. Rasmussen is my main teacher who just got back from Christmas break yesterday. But I have no doubt that he will be a very dear friend for a long time.  

Well family, other than that, there is not much to say. I’m about to enter the old folks stage here at the MTC. This is week # 8 and part of me feels like I got here last week. And part of me feels like I was born here haha! But just know that all is well, I’m happy, I love this work, I love the gospel, I love you all. I hope you all have a fabulous week!

Until next week, Love elder smith