A LITTLE SHOUT OUT TO ALL MY OTHER MAMAS

Hello everyone!

So great to hear from all of you in your emails this week. I’m so glad you had a great weekend as well! I was thinking about all of you on Friday, knowing that you were probably freezing your buns off during the Cinco de Mayo party. But I know that rain or shine, the Smith crew always knows how to party. It was great to see the pictures of some of the family and those ones of Jay and Art especially, haha! I love them! Man, I have been so worried about the McKenzie’s and they will be in my prayers. They are such a great family and I’m super glad they had the chance to come to the party before things got worse. But on the other hand, what a blessing that they are strong in the gospel and can feel the comfort that it brings us. Please tell them I love them and am praying for them.

So, it sounds like Alex is doing great in ball! I’m so stoked about him and have pretty set plans to not go to school after my mission and just live off the money he will make from the MLB. haha I better get a baseball update from him soon. And from Addi as well about how everything is going! And it sounds like Chan is a regular pain in the butt salesman now! Haha and that’s good! I think that’s a requirement to be a good salesman. Haha just kidding, but I’m super glad that all is going well and that you are having success. Just don’t put off your search for the big catch, buddy! I know she will come!

Wow, so this was quite a week. I can’t believe the time is going so fast and that Mothers Day is so soon. But mom you can expect a 2 minute call on Friday for us to set up a time to call either Saturday or Sunday so think about when you want it to be. Just take into account I have church from 9 until 2, so we will find sometime to do it! And I’m sorry about the money being taken off my debit! I’m trying to be thrifty! But as well I’ll be sending a package today, so hopefully it gets home by Saturday! And hopefully it’s ok that I got ya a little something!

Well, things here are good. I can’t believe how hot and humid it’s getting out here and it’s only gonna get hotter haha! The humidity takes some getting used to but nothing we can’t handle. You just gotta get used to sweating all the time haha! But I love it here and am starting to get that fear of being transferred, so we will see what happens.

We have been seeing a lot of miracles this last week. We found 2 part member, less active families who all are interested in coming back. So between them, there are 7 people who aren’t baptized, so we have some great things coming up. The Lord has really blessed us here and I’m so grateful for that. Without his help, we wouldn’t have anything going for us. But me and Elder Pallo are starting to teach a little better together and things are starting to flow. He’s a great elder and I’ve learned a lot from him already. But I’m so excited for this week and the great things we have to come.

So to finish up, I wanted to give a little shout out to all my moms, just in case I don’t get to tell any of you before next Sunday. Grandma Smith, Grammy Clark, Renee, Aunt Nene, Sister Hart, and all my other mommas,  I love you all so much and am so grateful for every one of you. I hope you have a wonderful Mothers Day! And Mom, you already know this, but you’re my hero :) And I love you very very much! And I will talk to you on Friday!

So that’s about it for this week. I hope you all know I love you and I pray for all of you. I’m grateful for your support and I can feel your prayers. Keep up all the good work and be safe. Until next week,

Love Elder Smith

106 DEGREES - HIGH MARK SO FAR!

Hello family! 

Man, I can’t believe it’s already almost May! And Mom I know you’re getting trunky for the call but I haven’t heard anything about it yet haha! But don’t you worry I couldn’t ever forget your number. Anytime something goes wrong, it runs through my head haha! But it sounds like all is well! Man Chan I’ve been praying hard for you and I know you are gonna start tearing it up! Just keep working hard but make sure your having fun too! And Dad I was looking through the pictures of your ties, haha and they look good! I’ve become an expert on brands. But I always say, it’s all about the face of the wearer haha! And you will make them look good! And thanks for your wonderful emails. I’m glad you are loving your calling Dad and you get to be around so many great kids. And I’m glad you haven’t slowed down on the partying! Addi I hope all is well with dance, it sounds like you had a good convention! And Alex you better tear it up in your game this weekend! Love you! I’ll be cheering for you!

Man, so this week it really heated up. 106 degrees is the high mark so far and everyone still says it’s nothing. But I’m loving it! haha I’m getting a great tan! So things are going pretty well here. Sometimes me and my comp don’t gel too well when it comes to the contacting because he is really slow to answer sometimes (which is usually good) But a lot of times the people we talk to feel awkward and act like we are robots. And that is not me. No one wants to listen to a robot and these people need to know that we have something different. And I just like people to know me, instead of a stiff missionary. So we are kinda different, but we still get along. And he is a super good missionary and I’m learning a lot! But that’s one thing I don’t ever wanna do is be a robot because then God wouldn’t have made us, us! But he’s a great missionary and we go on a lot of splits, which it really good! I get to work with a lot of different missionaries and I learn a lot!

But one thing is certain, and that is I just love these people so much. There are so many families that I’ve gotten to know so much better these last 2 weeks because Elder Pallo doesn’t speak a ton in Spanish (even though he still speaks well). And he is still getting to know our area. So, I have really been blessed to get to know the people here a lot better. It makes me sad that there are so many people that could never get to know these people because of the language barrier and I feel like I have had a whole new world opened up for me. What a blessing!

But other than that, not much has happened this week. We have been low in the teaching pool so we have been looking for new people to teach and have found some great people. We found a super sweet girl names Maritza, who is a young single mom who is super bomb. We’ve got another lesson tonight with her so I’ll keep you updated. But it’s just WORK! And I love it. So I will keep you updated on all of our peeps and as well send some pictures so you have a better idea of lo que esta pasando.

So, quick funny story before I go...Last night at about 8:45 we got out of a lesson and there on the side of the road was a MASSIVE TOAD! And immediately my cabin fever kicked in and I jumped off my bike and grabbed it! I was so stoked about the great catch and all of the sudden this thing just starts peeing all over me! I didn’t know they could hold that much water! And Elder Pallo was laughing his head off so I just chuck this toad and am freaking out haha! My hands were dry and it just starts burning, haha and so we had an emergency hand wash on the side of the road! So hopefully I won’t get warts! HAHA!

So that’s it for this week! Sorry I always forget what I want to tell you because there is so much that goes on! But just know that things here are going well! There is always a crime scene or high speed chase or border patrol races but despite all of that, here in Rio Bravo, we have some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met. And I think it’s pretty neat that the Lord brought me all the way down here, to be part of this. Even if it’s only for a short time. I love you all and I hope you have a great week! Be safe and I’ll talk to you soon. Until next week-

Love, Elder Payton Smith

HOLA HOLA COMO ESTAMOS

Hello Family!

Man, it’s crazy how the time goes. Some weeks I feel like Monday comes every other day and sometimes it feels like it’s been weeks since I’ve been able to speak with you! So, before I start my email, I wanna thank Chandler for the package! I loved it and I love all of the stories you sent. They were super good. And as well, thank you all for your emails. I always love to hear from you and I’m glad everything is going well. Alex keep tearing it up in baseball and Addi in dance. And Chan, I hope that all goes well in Cali and that you can "convert" some people. Just remember; bear testimony and promise blessing. That almost always works haha. . . almost.  And just know that when your skin is sizzling in the sun, you can be sure that mine is sizzling just the same. And Dad, it sounds like you are the best looking guy in town, which was already established, but in the case that you are looking for ties, find the brand "Ted Baker".  They are highly coveted and I could see you pulling one off! haha! Love ya Dad! And Mom, Man.... Mom, I just miss ya :) Ya sabes 

So this week was a pretty crazy week. I got a new companion Elder Pallo. Spanish name....white kid. Haha He is from Oregon and is a pretty cool kid. We get along and teach pretty well together. We are getting to know each other and it’s gonna be great. He is our district leader and so we are a lot more busy, but I’m liking the way we are working together and I’m getting some advice from an Elder that’s been out a little bit longer. He’s been out 16 months.  But this week has been good. It feels almost as if we have started from scratch after Brother Mercado. I’ve realized that the best missionaries are consistent missionaries. Ones that can baptize every week, rather than only every month. But things are looking great. Brother Mercado’s wife and daughter are coming to church now and involved in things and I’m sure they will come around and be baptized in this coming month. But other than that, there’s a lot of new great people and we are super excited.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to confirm Brother Mercado, which was a super cool experience. He is doing so well and has such a strong testimony. I just feel like a proud parent and can’t believe that my little boy is growing up.. haha.  

So, funny/embarrassing story for the week: A little member girl named Vivi Pena was getting baptized yesterday and they asked me to baptize her. haha So I was excited about that and she was just all smiles when she got to church yesterday. But when we started filling the font, we realized that the hot water didn’t work. So we weren’t sure if we were gonna do the baptism, but she checked the water and decided to be brave and said she could do it. So, we did it in the ice cold water.  And so gringo - Elder Smith takes her in the water and baptizes her. But, little did I know I for got an "y" or an "and" in English. Which, in my defense, is pretty easy to miss. So, she took the plunge and then I had to do it again! So I’ve got a little 8 year old shivering to death as I fumble to get the prayer right. Finally I do and we get it right. I felt pretty dumb, but nonetheless, she got baptized. And it’s one we won’t forget. Even though I want to haha!  But other than that, things are good here. Sometimes it’s easy to fall into a slump when your in the same area. Especially when Elder Stevens left because we were life brothers, haha But we just keep moving forward. Being a missionary is a fairly, bipolar job! haha But I’ll take it as it comes. So family I need to get going, I’m about out of time, but I hope you know I love you all. I’m proud of all of you. Be safe and be smart...And take care :)

Until next week

les amo,

Elder Smith

"NO BETTER SOUND THAN THE WATER FILLING THE FONT"

Hello family! 

I loved all your emails and I’ve been soooo excited to email you! I loved the funny “Payton moments” haha I’m surprised those teachers still remember me!  But I feel so sad for the McKenzie family. That is so hard. Tell them they will always be in my prayers. They are an amazing family. As well Dad, Elder Resendez was an awesome missionary. He is a legend here in Laredo and all these elders here freaked when I told them because he trained 2 Elders here. Tell him Elder Duncan and Elder Wilson say hi! And Chan, good luck with everything buddy! I’m worried about ya going to Cali, so please be safe!

 This weekend was the best weekend ever! I will just start on Friday with Brother Mercado showing up with his huge, nonmember family to be married to his sweet wife. Such an awesome night and then Saturday, our other investigator Brother Pimentel (who can’t get baptized until he sends his papers to the First Presidency to get approved) was married to his wife, a member. Two weddings and I could just see the countenance of these people change as they were able to begin living a commandment of their Heavenly Father and prepare for baptism. And the Spanish wedding had a huge dance and lovey dovey music and it was quite a party! I’ll have to send pictures! So the weddings we soooo great and I was so happy, but really it came down to Sunday. Brother Mercado’s baptism was scheduled for 5:00 p.m. and of course Satan, in his usual way, was right there trying to stop it. So, that morning we had to go rake a tired Brother Mercado out of bed, because he had been sick and hadn’t slept. But we got him up and to church and were still running all over getting programs and practicing a missionary musical number and cleaning the font. It was crazy, crazy!

But in Sacrament Meeting Brother Mercado was really feeling the Spirit and got up to bear his testimony and I was freaking out because he’s a pretty shy guy! But he got up there and just rocked it. I was bawling because he bore a way strong testimony and then thanked me and Elder Stevens from the pulpit and it was just the best. But I can tell you, there was no better sound and no better feeling than hearing that water filling up the font.  And the look on Brother Mercado’s face as he came out in his big-boy whites. We had an amazing program and then my good friend Manuel Mercado was baptized. I was super emotional, haha I was just so proud and so happy and just felt like I’ve never felt before. I love him so much and I can’t explain how it felt to see him change and take this step. Me and the other missionaries sang the children’s song "When I Am Baptized" and I couldn’t even look at Brother Mercado because he had tears streaming down his face. What an awesome day!

So, after the baptism and working a few hours, we got back to the apartment so Elder Steven’s could pack. I’m so sad he is leaving, but I know that we were supposed to be here together to find Brother Mercado and to baptize him. He leaves tomorrow morning, so I’d say he went out with a bang!

But family, I can’t describe to you how much I love being a missionary. I decided if I had to give up 2 years just to see only one baptism, it would be worth it. SO WORTH IT!  I love being here in Laredo and I love these people sooo much. Thank you so much for your prayers and for your love. I know with all my heart that the Lord wants me here.  And that there are specific people waiting for me still, and I can’t wait to hit the pavement and find them! I love you all so much family and I pray that you will all have a great day! Be safe, take care, and wish me luck with my new comp!

Until next week,

Love Elder Smith

BROTHER MERCADO IS GETTING BAPTIZED!

Holy Smokes! I’m running behind on time because I was enjoying all your emails so much! So I have sooo much great news I just want to tell you all of it!

But first off, I’m so glad you are all doing well! Alex, it sounds like you had a good time at the movies with Brady, eh?? And Addi is dancing it up. Good work hunny. And Chan. . . I approve!  And Mom and Dad, I love your guts and thank you so much for everything!

So, the good news . . . . . Brother Mercado, our super stellar investigator, got interviewed yesterday and has been found worthy to be baptized next Sunday! He and his wife surprised us with buying their wedding license this past Thursday! So we have a wedding this Friday and then he’s getting baptized! Man I can’t even explain in words how much I love Brother Mercado and how much he has changed! He is so excited and so ready! So keep him in your prayers so that all may be well and that he can be baptized this Sunday! I don’t know if I’ve ever been so excited for anything! And when we were preparing him for the interview the only problem he had was that he didn’t have a testimony of President  Monson, because he wasn’t able to watch conference because he was out of town. So I gave him the Mormon Message DVD and had him watch the one by President Monson and then pray. Needless to say, our Heavenly Father gave him a very definite answer :)  So the sad part is that Elder Stevens is getting transferred 2 days after the baptism. He is going down to Mcallen to be a district leader already. What a stud!  I am getting a new companion who will be the new D.L. here. I’m super excited for change and for Elder Stevens, but it’s also pretty sad that he is leaving. But at least he will get to see our work pay off this Sunday!

So, it sounds like you had an awesome Easter this year. Easter is a lot different when you’re a missionary. ALOT DIFFERENT! I just loved the Spirit we felt throughout the day and to see everyone so focused on our Savior. As well I got the Easter package you sent and I loved it, thank you so much. Me and Elder Stevens loved the ties you sent and we were looking fresh at church with them. As well I was able to use all the eggs and candy last night for a FHE with the Reyna family. We used the wooden eggs and drew faces on them and then used them to do some "Egg Bowling". We had a blast. I’ll send some pictures! But we had a great time and as well got to watch the Mormon Messages with them! I love being a missionary, especially on Easter.

So, to close this short and hopefully sweet email, I wanted to let you all know that I have a testimony of my Savior, and everyday when I get dressed, I am so humble to be able to put on a tag with his name on it. It’s because of him that I am here, and that I am who I am. And it’s through His love and atoning sacrifice that we can all be together. I love Him very much and have never felt Him so close. I am so blessed to represent Him and His church and we are all so blessed to know Him, because there are too many people that don’t.  And that’s why we are here. I pray that you will always remember how much I love you, and how sweet life really is. I love you all, take care, be safe, be smart, and enjoy everyday.

Until next week,

Love Elder Smith

HELLO FROM SUNNY LAREDO!

4/2/12

Hey family! 

Man your emails were so great! I loved the stories and the pictures, too! I always love to see everyone in pictures, because it doesn’t make me feel so far away! So first things first! I am sooooooooo EXCITED for Logan! You have to call him and tell him right now that he will love it there and that I am super excited for him! And Dad, I did get my bike and it has been the biggest blessing! Man, it has lightened the load a lot, so thank you SO MUCH for helping me get that figured out! Oh and before I forget, I want to send a shout out and an “I love you to JAY!!! And the Sister HART, if you could call her! I miss them and hope they know that they are in my prayers! And I haven’t got my package yet but I should get it Friday when the zone leaders bring the mail from Mcallen! THANK YOU!

So it sounds like you all had a great week at the cabin and watching conference. How lucky we are to have a LIVING Prophet on the earth. One we can hear from so often! I absolutely ate up conference this weekend. I’ve got about 20 things I want to do better and questions that I got answered! There were sooo many great talks that I can’t even pick one that was my favorite. I really really enjoyed Elder Holland’s though. I love how he is just blunt and in your face! I always learn a lot from him.  And as well, as conference came to a close I really loved President Monson’s testimony. Man I was in tears thinking that I had to wait 6 more months to hear from him again! And I was in tears because I have been missing so much by not listening to every word of conference before my mission! Man what a great weekend! We were fed well in between sessions, too, by the Spanish members, of course. They always take care of us.

But we have had a pretty crazy week this week! We had some incredible thunder and lightning storms! And we got hailed on that night pretty bad! And then believe it or not the next day it was 97 degrees! But that lightning storm made me think of that night we spent on the Rammell’s patio watching the storm. It seems like only a moment ago. But as for the heat, it’s getting pretty intense. Everyone always makes fun of how dark I am already and it’s only gonna get darker!! But I love it and I’m pretty used to just being sweaty haha!

So as for our investigators here, they sure are great.  Always keeping us on our toes and like to take us as high as they can before we hit the down drop. Like Brother Mercado who had a date for last month but couldn’t get married. But he reset his date and wants to get baptized on the 15th so he can do it just in case Elder Stevens leaves. I’ve got faith in him.  We are going with them to get the marriage license tomorrow! So keep him in your prayers. The Lord has definitely humbled me, but we will just keep working hard and it’ll come together!

Well family, that’s all the time I have for today! I always love sitting down and having a few minutes to tell you EVERYTHING that I can about what’s going on, but still I feel that it’s not even a part of it. But really what I want you all to know is I love you, and I’m working as hard as I can. I pray for all of you and for your safety and happiness. And hope you have a wonderful week. I’m pretty dang lucky to have such a great family behind me. :) Take care! Until next week!

Love, Elder Payton Clark Smith

ANOTHER WEEK UNDER THE SUN

Hey family!

Thank you all for the emails and letters! Your emails always just make my week! Mom, I loved the letter and all the pictures! It was great to see some pictures of what’s going on, and of little Bart! I loved the pictures of Addi’s dance competition and Alex’s birthday as well! So Before I get started, I wanted to say hello to the grandparents and that I’m so sorry I haven’t written in a while, I feel really bad, but I will as soon as I can! I was going to ask if you could all write a letter with your testimonies or some experiences, or something like that, I would really love that! Also, Mom I was going to ask if you could send me a Mormon Messages dvd in my package, that would be great!!! And you can be expecting a letter of a crazy experience I had if I can get it written. I probably shouldn’t email it, haha but you’ll hear from me soon!

So it sounds like all is well at home and you had a great St. Patty’s Day. I feel bad, but I didn’t even know that I missed it. No one celebrates that down here and it just came and went! Haha - sad. But it’s better sometimes to just not even realize it, haha! I hope you all had a blast with the O'Rammells and everyone! Sounds like Chan is up to his shinanigans still haha! That’s my boy.  And Alex, I’m glad to hear you’re liking scouts and doing well in everything! Dad I loved your email and that talk you shared! Thank you. And Mom, as always, thank you for everything, and not killing the dog. Just promise me you won’t leave Blake out of anything! She’s still my baby!

So this week was interesting! Lots of fun stuff! Lots of carne asada! Lots of  new people to teach and lots of sun! I am getting super dark all ready and people are always asking if I’m accustom to the sun! Haha and I’m only gonna get darker! It’s great to be able to enjoy the beautiful weather and be on our bikes, especially when everyone wants to feed you and give you paletas (kinda like popsickles)! We teach a lot of the workers at the paleteria, between us missionaries, so we get a pretty good discount haha! The members here are so great and they take really good care of us. Most only the Spanish ones feed us and the English ones know that that’s not their place haha! But this week was super great! A little rougher during the week because of spring break here, but it was still great! The Cardenas family was out of town, but we set 2 more b.d.s and had them at church. We’re getting better at getting people to church,because we’ve struggled!

It’s funny but with me and Elders Stevens being so young, it’s just trial and error! But we decided that the things we could control is our work ethic and being in tune with the Spirit. We’ve been doing a purification challenge, which has been tough. I’ve realized that I’ve got a lot to change but its really good! You should all try it. Write down some things that keep you from feeling the Spirit, then fast to start the challenge and I can promise you will feel the Spirit more every day! It’s amazing how when we put in the effort the Lord can do wonders for us. He can really help us reach our potential!

But other than that, all is well. Just taking it one day at a time. This is starting to feel like my only life here, but I promised I would never shut out you guys and the great memories I have. That’s what has prepared me for this! I am amazed everyday at how much the Lord has blessed us. And how much he prepares us and really just how well he knows and loves us. I feel closer to him than ever and I pray that all of you do as well. I love being here in Texas. I love the people here and I love this work. I pray that you can all strive to be better and let Heavenly Father help you reach your potential. Even though I think I’ve got a pretty dang perfect family! I love you all and hope you have a great week! Take care! Until next week!

Love Elder Smith