The Church is True!

Hola Hola!

What happened this week? Jaja, sometimes I get to the computer and I really can't remember ANYTHING! But then poco a poco it all comes back. I feel like I give you guys the wrong representation of what really happens in the mission, because you just hear about all the cool things, all the baptisms, all the crazy stories! In reality, it's a ton of work. I work so hard! I spend HOURS in the streets, walking all over the place, knocking on doors, trying to figure out what it is these people need to hear. It's not easy. It's a grind sometimes. But it's so worth it. And it's helped me change a whole lot!

That being said, there were some pretty cool things that happened this week too. We painted a house BRIGHT yellow, jaja, it is such a brilliant color! All the houses here are super bright!  Green, pink, yellow, you name it. It was super fun! Then we painted our faces the colors of our countries! And ate pizza!

This morning we all wrote our testimonies and letters of encouragement. Found a box made out of wood, and put them, and other little things into the box, along with El Libro De Mormón. Then we climbed a mountain in our area and dug a hole. We covered the hole with a GIANT rock, and said a prayer over the rock! It was like Moroni with the plates of gold.  It was a really spiritual experience!

We also went to the temple with our investigators today. That always rocks! We had a family come, Laura y Sabino. I have a lot of faith in them! If you guys could pray for them that would be great! We also have a baptism planned for this Saturday, a guy named Cesar. He is awesome! But he is going to need some prayers too. The people you pray for get baptized! So will you please add them to your list?

That's all from me this week. Be good! The church is true!

-Elder Smith

P.S.: Honduras is beautiful!

One Year

Hola Hola!

Wow! It's been a whole year. That was fast! I can't even believe how fast the time has gone. If this next year goes by this fast again I'm going to be really sad! Don't get me wrong, I want to see you guys. I love and miss you so much. But I have so much more work to do down here. And I haven't changed enough... I'm not the person God needs me to be yet. I now know how short a year really is. Wow, jaja, major reflection in just a couple lines!

This week we had some house problems. Thursday morning our dueño showed up with some guys to spray for bugs, and we were like, "Ok, no problem, we'll just shut all the windows and stay inside for about half an hour until you are finished." But he was like, "No, we are going to spray INSIDE the house, you guys gotta leave for an hour." Our house still stinks like poison! It's terrible! Plus, because we had about three minutes to prepare, a lot of things were left out, like my corn flakes! My liahona, my red and white pajama pants, and a lot of other things!! It has been frustrating! And then yesterday we ran out of water! Here in Honduras there isn't a water supply system underground. So to have water you have to pay these giant trucks that drive around with water in tanks to fill up your cisterna. So we are without water right now... There are some times that I really miss the States! jaja

But on a good note, we had another baptism! A 15-year-old girl named Vivian. She has been coming to church with us for about three months, but her mom isn't really a big supporter of religion. But this week we finally convinced her that Vivian was ready to make this choice for herself. When her mom told us that, we had to fight to NOT cheer and run around locos! Then at her baptism there wasn't enough water in the church... for the same problem... we ended up filling up buckets and carrying them up the stairs to the baptismal font. And she had to be baptized sitting down so she could get completely under the water. But it worked out, and yesterday she was confirmed! Another miracle.

I really like what Maggie wrote about Grandpa Smith. I feel the same way about him, he died when I was really young and I didn't know him well. But I have felt him helping me out a few times… before the mission mostly.  Him specifically, I don't know how I knew it was him, but he is a big reason for why I am here. I can't wait to give him a big hug someday.

Sounds like you guys are enjoying your summer to the fullest! Congrats to Chris and his new wife! And I wish I could have seen you guys flip over in the canoe! That's so funny! And ATTA BOY CALEB!! I'm so happy for you man!! Latin America is the best place in the world. You are going to learn so much out here. Good luck!

Well, that's all from me today. I love you guys! I hope this next year brings more success and more change. When God is in control change is good! And right now change is good. 

-Elder Smith

It Always Works Out

Hola Hola!

I love the last sentence of your first paragraph, Mom! You wrote, "It was stressful, but we made it!" talking about running through the airport to catch your flight. I feel like that is my life right now. Every day we fight out here to get things done that seem impossible! We knock on a door, start talking and expect peoples lives to completely change... from the way they are living their family life, to the things they drink in the morning with breakfast. It is super stressful! But It always works out. I don't understand it. We can have a baptism planned, and EVERYTHING will go wrong, but about an hour later the person is baptized and it all just works out. That is one of the craziest things I have learned out here in the mission.

This week has been a really good one! Workwise it was a little down, but still a great week. On Tuesday we had interviews with the new mission president, President Bowler and his wife. He is a really impressive guy! And his wife is sooo loving. It was really easy to connect with them. I don't know if that is because they are American, or because they are here by revelation. Hermana Bowler doesn't speak Spanish at all! And Presidente is trying to pick it back up after forty years of not speaking it since he got back from his mission. But I'm really excited to see the direction that the mission goes this next year!

The day after that we went to the temple. Not with investigators, just to go in and do a session.  It was just my second time this year. It was amazing! I received some revelation and felt the spirit very strongly. I love that place!

And to top it all off, Lilliam was baptized! She didn't let her dad come...but It was a great service.

I love Lilliam so much! Her life was a MESS when we met her. But now she has her feet underneath her, and has been so blessed. We had asked her to be baptized about a hundred times and she always said no, jaja, it almost became an inside joke. But I will never forget when she quietly asked us if she could be baptized. She's awesome!

I am so glad to be here serving the Lord! I have grown so much out here. I was called to help these people out, but really they have helped me out a whole lot more. Weird how that works.

Love, Elder Smith

It was Elder Dalgo's birthday and some members invited us to eat!

Proud to Be An American

Hola Hola!

Happy 4th of July! It took me until the day before, but I remembered. I love the USA! We really do live in such a blessed country.  We had dinner with some members and before we started to eat I sang the National Anthem. It was a proud moment for me! I said, "I'm proud to be an American!" and my comp (from El Salvador) got mad at me. He said that ALL of North, Central and South America is "America"…we are ALL Americans! Jaja, we might be a little bit prideful in that aspect.

You guys are in Chicago! That's awesome! I am a little sad that I'm missing out on that.  But I hope you are all having a great time. Tell everyone that I say hi! I have always loved Smith family reunions. They are the best! Eat some deep dish pizza for me, jaja.

That story about the freezer is super funny! I can imagine dad opening the freezer door and shutting it super fast! Wanna know something funny? I don't think I've used a freezer in all my time here! I have never bought food that had to be frozen, and I don't think any of my comps have either. Freezers just aren't used that much, except to make these natural popsicles called charamuscas which are delicious!

 (Had to google them and post a picture...)

This week we are working with this lady named Lilian.  She is 33 years old and she is going to get baptized this Saturday. The thing is, she doesn't want us to tell anyone! Not even her dad who is a member.  So will you please say a few prayers for her?  Pray that she will open her heart to letting her father come and baptize her.

Today we are going to play volleyball in the training facility for Olympic athletes of Honduras. It is called Villa Olímpica. I'm super pumped, #1: because I love volleyball!  And #2: because this place is supposed to be awesome! Should be really fun!

Well, I love you all a whole lot. I miss you and hope you are having a great time at the reunion.  Keep running Stefanie! Keep reading the scriptures everybody! Read DyC:138. It's about the Spirit World and it's amazing.

Love, Elder Smith