O'wee'boww'ummm, Kun'i y’oo'

June 16, 2014

Kwa'unn' Familia y Amigos,

How is everyone doing? How's the World Cup? Is America going to win?  Well I can tell you what, most of the people here in Washington are rooting for Mexico and waving their flags loud and proud. Tracking while the World Cup is in progress is the greatest and worst thing for a missionary. Everyone is at home which makes it easy to find them, but unfortunately soccer is more entertaining than two white guys at your door:) Walking through the streets you can hear the Mariachi music pumping and hear "HIJOLE" being screamed.  

My week here in Othello has been wonderful.  We've been blessed to find several new investigators who are prepared to receive the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  I've learned that through the power of specific prayers, we can receive specific answers.  A lot of changes and a change of heart need to made here in Othello, but with faith and real intent hard things become changeable.  My companion and I have noticed ourselves coming closer to Christ as we strive to achieve exact obedience. The work is truly hastening, and I am a witness of that every day.  

My companion and I are adjusting very well the the Ashtons house.  They have a basketball arcade machine that is very entertaining.  We play "horse" every single day! Also, the family owns a farm and has the connections to get us cherries almost every day. Washington Cherries are the greatest things I've ever tasted.  I was never a fan of cherries, but now I have a slight addiction.

Also this week we had the opportunity to take Brother Serna out with us a couple of times.  Brother Serna is my favorite member I've met on my mission.  He is such a kind and sincere man that needs to find himself a "pina"!  This Sunday, he noticed I didn't have a CTR ring and decided to give me his. I was beyond grateful and super appreciative to be given such a thoughtful gift.  

I love you all so very much and hope you have a great week! Stay cool and share the gospel with everyone.  

Love always,

Elder Smith

First Week of My Third Transfer in the Mission

June 9, 2014

Hello loved ones,

How was everyone's week? I hope you are all enjoying the beginning of a great summer vacation. The weather is hopefully beautiful in all parts of the world.  The weather here in Washington is getting a little bit toasty therefore the air conditioning is essential.  For a missionary, summer means bringing out the short sleeve shirts and walking as minimally as possible.  Thank goodness our companionship has a car.  Hopefully this doesn't affect my weight....not walking and always consuming mexican food. Uh oh. 

Speaking of our companionship, I received a new companion this week.  My new companions name is Elder Chadwick. Elder Chadwick is from American Fork, Utah. Who would've guessed, a missionary from Utah!  He is a super nice guy and we're already getting along great! Elder Chadwick enjoys sports and is a huge fan of Star Wars.  He has been on his mission for 22 1/2 and I will probably kill him.  Before you freak out, the term to "kill a missionary" is used when a missionary is leaving their mission. Therefore, if I am his companion when he finishes his mission, I will kill him. Also, we recently moved houses.  We were recently living by ourselves in an apartment which I loved.  However, we are now living with the Ashton Family which are very sweet older members. It's an extremely nice house so I'm not going to complain. Sometimes I really think and appreciate the fact that I'm serving my mission in the United States.  We get a little bit spoiled.  

This week, we had the privilege to listen to Brother Ridd.  Brother Ridd spoke in this last general conference, giving a powerful talk and testimony.  For the WKM Missionaries, he spoke to us about true intent and the doctrine of Christ.  He spoke about how true intent and love are directly correlated. This is something that has struck me as an essential characteristic a missionary must possess.  Love is the essence of this gospel.  I've enjoyed feeling others love for me and expressing my love towards them on the mission.  

The work here in Othello is going to progress, I HAVE FAITH!  However, Spanish work is going to get slow because the World Cup is about to begin.  Actually, this may mean that they'll all be in their houses!  SWEET!  I'm really starting to adjust to the spanish culture and I love it.  For example, I had a rare dish called menudo this week. Menudo is cow stomach, pretty cool huh?  Well, it wasn't. I have never eaten something so strange and un appetizing in my entire life.  I was essentially eating the fat inside of a cows stomach.  However, it was well worth the experience and I'm glad I licked my plate clean.

Well I hope everyone has a great week and applies the sunscreen.  Stay classy San Diego:)

Love Always,

Elder Smith

Last Week of Second Transfer

June 2, 2014

Hello Family and Friends!

I hope everyone had a great week and are getting those bathing suits, sunscreen, and sunglasses ready for a hot summer!  I can't believe summer is just a couple of days away, time flies by so incredibly fast. We received exciting summer news here in the Washington, Kennewick Mission because we received our transfer calls!  Transfer calls go out to all missionaries and tell us if we will be moving areas!

Fortunately, I will be staying right where I'm at in Othello, Washington.  I couldn't be more grateful to serve here for at least one more transfer.  However, both of my other companions are getting transferred to other others in Washington. Elder Hansen will be moving to Brooster, Washington and Elder Ribeiro will be going to Mattawa, Washington.  I've really enjoyed the time I've spent with these two missionaries.  We've had several memorable moments and spiritual ones as well.  However, I look forward to receiving my new companion Elder Chadwick! Elder Chadwick has been on his mission for about 20 months and is an amazing missionary. 

Also, this week we put one of our investigators back on date!  Natalio is hopefully going to get baptized the 20th of this month.  The rest of our investigators are slowly progressing and will continue as they strive to live the gospel of Christ.  That's probably the thing I love most about my mission.  As I help others grow and build to Christ, I notice myself continually progressing with my investigators.  Also, I've really come to love all of the members here in Othello.  As I progress in my Spanish and can hold a conversation, I'm finally getting to become close and rely on the members.  One member in particular is named Brother Serna.  Brother Serna is a spiritual, sociable, and crazy man.  He is a one of those members that is fully committed to the missionary work and will come out with us every single day!  It's so incredible to know that some people are so committed to helping others come unto Christ and receive the restored gospel.  

Like always, we also had several opportunities to do service.  I honestly don't think I've ever picked so many weeds in my life! Also, we got to mow a huge lawn this week:)  They are putting us to work and I love it!

Well I hope everyone has a great week, Ill be sending you an email all about my new companion next week!  I love you guys!

Love Always,

Elder Smith 

Last Week of My Transfer

May 26, 2014

Family and Friends,

How's everything going for everyone at home?  I hope everyone is enjoying the weather and getting ready for a nice hot summer season.  The weather is already starting to warm up here in Washington and I assume the same for everyone else as well.  Summer truly is a beautiful time of the year when we have time to get together with family and simply relax.  Although I can't relax, I love to know that everyone at home is having a wonderful time.

I say it every single week, but I can't lie.  MY WEEK WAS GREAT!  It started off with a dairy tour at a local members dairy farm.  I have never in my life seen so many cows. We even almost got to see the miracle of life a couple of times at the maternity barn haha.  Also at the dairy, I got to milk my first cow and squirt the milk into my mouth. It sounds extremely disgusting, but you have to do it for the experience right?  In addition, I had a baby cow suck on my thumb which felt strange.  Let's just say I took a long shower after the dairy tour. 

The ride home from the dairy tour wasn't as exciting.  I was riding with the AP's back to our apartment and I felt a little sick.  *Keep in mind they drive a brand new 2014 truck*  Well, I kind of threw up in the car.  Luckily, I made it out of the car just in time, but it was one of the most embarrassing moments of my life.  You have to have embarrassing moments to make memorable moments right?:)

I'm thoroughly convinced that the city of Othello, Washington has the cutest kids I have ever met in my entire life.  For example, this little boy named Omar is awesome.  I taught him how to say, "I am a child of God."  Every time he sees me he now says, "I am a child of God." Also, I decided to show a group of Mixteco kids some magic tricks that I know.  I did a trick in which I was "levitating."  One of the kids cussed and screamed, "***** That fool is flying homie."  Memorable moments like these always make me smile.

The other memorable moments in my mission involve the spiritual moments.  We have been blessed with several new investigators and people who are prepared to  hear the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Although we don't have anybody on date for baptism, we are trying our best and that's all the Lord asks.  It's going to get pretty crazy around here in the Mixteco work because there are several roomers that the area might get all rearranged.  Transfers are going to be absolutely crazy.  

I would like to share one of my new favorite scriptures in The Book of Mormon.  It's very simple, but it has so much significance.  In 2 Nephi 26:24 it reads,"He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world;for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him."  I especially love the end of this scripture, "he may draw all men unto him."  How incredibly powerful.  How beautiful is it to know that Christ's atoning sacrifice not only saves us, but is an invitation to come unto him.  Before my mission, I didn't realize that everything revolves around Jesus Christ.  He is the center of essentially everything we teach.  The opportunity I've had to come closer to him has been life changing.  I know that as we come closer to Christ, we will feel a light illuminate inside ourselves that we haven't recognized before. I love him and I know he loves all of us.    

I hope everyone has a great week. 

With great love,

Elder Smith

Week Four of My Second Transfer

Familia y Amigos,

Que Paso? Como Estan Todo!? Les Extrano Mucho!

I hope everyone had an amazing Mother's Day and gave appreciation to all of the extraordinary mothers out there. For my mothers day I had the opportunity to skype with my mother and the rest of my family.  It was emotional, but heartwarming to see my family is doing well.  However, we could only talk for one hour which was pretty difficult.  At the end of the conversation it was almost impossible to push the "end call" button.

My week in the mission has passed incredibly fast (yet again) and was full of several amazing experiences.  We had the chance to pick weeds twice this week.  Although this may not sound too appealing, it's always nice to take your mind off missionary work and do semi-worldly things.  Also, we got fed so well from the members this week.  I love how Hispanics eat meat with almost every meal.  Every time we have a dinner with a member, they always make sure we have at least two or three plates of food.  However, you will always get that occasional off the wall meal that you have to find a way to scarf down.  For example, yesterday we had a meal that started off well, but didn't have the best ending.  Mexicans absolutely love "Helote" or sweet corn in English.  The family we went too decided to add an extra little kick to the sweet corn.  They LAYERED mayonnaise upon mayonnaise onto the corn with tons of chile sauce.  I had to get that baby down so I simply closed my eyes and imagined I was eating an ice-cream. The joys of being a missionary:)

Our investigators are doing well and all of the prayers are definitely helping.  We had some stellar lessons with Natalio this week and learned a couple of new phrases in Mixteco. He is still on the journey to baptism on the 30th of this month. YAY!

Missionary work was kind of slow this week due to the several people that didn't want to answer their doors.  It's always a tad bit disappointing when you have high hoped for a lesson with an investigator and they don't show up or forget.  However, this is where fervent prayer and faith comes into play for a missionary.  The power of prayer is truly a remarkable gift given to us from God.  Our Father in Heaven wants to lead us and guide us, which can be accomplished by offering a sincere prayer.  We can pray at any moment and in any situation.  It may sound a little strange, but I have found that praying in the shower in the morning is a good place for me.  When we open our hearts with faith, I know that every child of God can receive comfort and counsel.  

Desire--->Faith--->Change of Heart--->Miracles

"Faith is the power, obedience is the price, love is the motive, the spirit is the key, Jesus Christ is the reason," President Ware.

As we accomplish a desire to follow Jesus Christ, we will be led and guided to a life full of happiness and unfathomable experiences.  I've noticed that as we continue our lives, we must always strive to obtain more faith. "Life isn't about the breaths we take, it's about the moments that take our breath away."  Moments that these are achievable through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I love you all so much and keep you in my prayers every day.  I hope all is well and you all have an awesome week.  

Love you with all my heart,

Elder Smith

First Week of May

HEY HEY HEY!

O'ee'bow'um?  I hope everyone's week was absolutely fantastic.  Our week in Othello, Washington has been one of the best yet!  The work is BLOWING UP! It's pretty incredible that time is flying by so rapidly as well.  It feels like just yesterday I was sitting and writing an email back home!

I have a confession to make and it involves an addiction I have.  I'm becoming addicted to MISSIONARY WORK!  As the Spanish has been progressing, I have been becoming more involved in teaching and it is an absolute blast.  Also, as I have learned more about the scriptures I notice missionary work to be not as stressful. The Book of Mormon has this amazing ability to provide energy and guidance throughout the day.  

As a greenie, I get several privileges. For example, this week my companions and I drove down to Kennewick to have a training on the Doctrine of Christ. Wow! What an amazing spiritual experience.  Our Mission President and AP's gave training's that have truly helped me come closer to Christ over this past week.  By coming closer to Christ, I can more fully feel the spirit during my day to day missionary work.  As a missionary, I have also learned the necessity of prayer in all of our lives.  When we reach out to our Father in Heaven with sincerity and true intent, we will truly receive an answer of peace.  

We have been truly blessed to witness several miracles this week.  We put another one of our investigators on date which is always a pleasure to witness.  Also, Natalio came to church this week and is coming closer to Christ.  Natalio bore his testimony yesterday in one of our lessons and I almost started crying!  He is on date to get baptized the 30th of this month and I'm praying that he can continue progressing.  

The life in our apartment has been pretty exciting as well.  This week we decided to move some furniture and make an indoor soccer field.  Our whole apartment is now converted into a soccer field besides our bedroom. Everyday when we wake up at 6:30 a.m. we have the opportunity to play some soccer for about 30 minutes.  Also, we have become fans of the card game Phase 10.  We play this right before we go to bed to temporarily get our minds off missionary work.   It's always a good time with my companions and I.  

I love you all so much and can't wait to skype you next week for Mother's Day!  It's going to be an amazing 30-40 mins.  Can you believe they're only giving me that much time to talk to my Mom! How horrible right?  However, I am grateful for any opportunity I have to see my family and actually talk to them back and forth, even if it is only in front of a computer screen.  I hope you all have a wonderful week filled with happiness. 

Les Quiero,

Elder Smith

Three Months Completed Already! What?!

Family and Friends,

How great a time it is to be serving a mission for The Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter Day Saints.  I've received several emails from my friends who recently received their mission calls. The Lord is hastening the work and it is evident by the success of missionaries all around the world.  I came across an interesting verse in the Bible this week in regards to missionary work.  In Jeremiah 1:10 it reads, "See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down..." What a motivation this scripture has been.  I read this everyday before leaving the house to remind myself to "throw down." hehe
I've had several blessings come my way this week.  The first blessing I received was my new companion Elder Ribeiro!  We now have three people in our companionship.  Elder Ribeiro is from Brazil and is a super nice person.  Before he came on his mission, he only knew Portuguese.  However, he now speaks English, Spanish, and soon enough Mixteco.  We are both soccer fans and always talk about the World Cup coming up.  The World Cup is actually taking place in the city he lives in.  He is kind of upset he can't attend. This week we were also pleased to find 6 new investigators! Hopefully, they can continue to progress in the gospel and come to a knowledge of its truth.  Natalio (One of our investigators) is now on date for baptism:) This is the first time we've put someone on date since my mission, therefore I am ecstatic.
We had a couple of interesting experiences this past week as well.  The first occurred when I got invited to my first Mexican Birthday Party.  IT WAS AWESOME!  The Hispanic culture really knows how to have a good time.  They served us a large plate of goat which they had recently killed themselves. Nothing like a fresh meal!  Also this week, we had the opportunity to tear down an entire house for a service project.  I don't think I've ever had so much fun in my life!  I was in charge of the sledgehammer, which I wasn't going to complain about.  We had about 20 people there smashing anything they could.  Even the older men were having a blast kicking down doors, breaking glass, etc.
I would like to thank all of my friends and loved ones who are always supporting me at home.  I enjoy receiving emails every week of the exciting things happening.  I wish I could be there for them, but a mission is the place for me right now!  I LOVE MY MISSION AND I LOVE YOU GUYS! I hope you have a wonderful week filled with happiness and joy:)
"Preach the gospel at all times, when necessary use words." St. Francis of Assissi.
Love always and forever,
Elder Smith