Changes!

Hola Hola!

Changes! I am no longer in Lemón.... I am going to miss that place like crazy. We spent Tuesday saying goodbye to everyone who I have come to know and love there. It was really hard. That night we got the call. I have a new companion, Elder Sorenson. He's from Kearns, Utah and I am officially in Villa Vieja, in Zona Uyuca.

I am also now a District Leader! Elder Henry is in my district! And also Elder Christianson, the guy we met in the airport!

From what I have seen so far, this area is awesome!!! It is straight up a mountain! I hike up and down in between two different mountains all day long.

One is called Brisas de Oriente, and the other is Tierra Blanca. It is a lot of work hiking all day, but it's pretty amazing at the same time! It is situated between three other areas: Los Pinos, Villa Real, And Villa Nueva, and those are three of like the five areas in the mission where Gringos are not allowed to go because it is so dangerous...so my area is apparently pretty sketchy. But Elder Sorenson said nothing ever happens really. But, IT IS SOOO COLD HERE AT NIGHT! and the showers here are so freezing! I hate the cold! haha I had gotten way to used to the heat in Choluteca!

This Sunday was pretty interesting. We went to pick up this lady who got baptized like two weeks ago, but never was confirmed. But she didn't want to go. She was swearing and screaming!  So we left her house and said a prayer asking for a little bit of help. Then out of nowhere, the elder who was here last change called her because he felt like he needed to. He convinced her that she needed to go. And she was confirmed! I actually was part of the circle to confirm her, first time I have ever done that. God hears prayers!

You guys had an Apostle at Stake Conference!?!?!? Dang it! Why does that have to happen while I'm away on the mission? haha He could have waited like two years... but that is really cool! I'm glad you got that opportunity! That is really interesting that he spoke about his experience with assigning missionaries. I'm sure I will someday figure out the reason for me being here in Honduras. I'm just going to work hard until that happens!

I believe this church is true! I hope all of you out there can REALLY say that for yourselves. It is easy to say "I know the church is true" because it's easy to know something...I know 2+2=4, so I never have to think about that ever again. But to really believe in something is hard. It takes commitment, dedication, and mental exertion. Maybe its time for us to evaluate where we are really at in this moment. Alma 5:26.

I'm glad you are all doing OK! I hope you have a great time skiing today, skipping school! You planchers! haha

Love, Elder Smith

I Really Believe that the Lord is Leading This Work

Hola hola!!!

Happy Valentine's Day! A little late but it still counts. Here in Honduras it is called "La Día De Amor Y Amistad" (The Day of Love and Friendship) and it is way less of a deal. But I still hope it was a great day for all of you love birds back there in the States!

Today we went again to the Peña.

I was the only person left in the zone from the first group so it was the second time for me, but the first time for everyone else. It is crazy how fast everything changes! But it is awesome. I really love my zone! I'm sad that I am probably leaving. But at the same time I feel like its time for me to go. We'll find out for sure tomorrow.

If I go or if I stay, it doesn't really matter. I was a little bit hoping for a change last time. However, I am really grateful that I was able to stay here because I have really seen the fruits of all our hard work pay off! We have had baptisms each of the past three Saturdays. This Saturday we baptized Rixi and Oscar!

It was really awesome because Oscar's dad is a member, but really inactive. But when he saw his son get baptized I think something clicked in his head. I hope he is going to find his way back! I really believe that the Lord is leading this work. It's easy to see that He has helped me out personally a ton!

I'm glad to hear that life is good back home! Stefanie is a beast! Dad, I'm sorry that the season wasn't the best, but I know the effect you have had on your players will last much longer. I still remember my times out on the field, course and court!  Plus your JV team kicked butt anyway! Mom, I love the story about your romantic "date" with Dad, Stefanie, Rachel and George, haha that's awesome!

Go USA! I still haven't watched a single Olympic event yet! I probably won't. Snow sports seem kinda like a fantasy here because its so dang hot all the time! I'm SOO sunburned right now! But I still have a lot of patriotism.

One story.  Yesterday we decided to look for new investigators. We were walking to the area that we wanted to contact, and we passed a couple of kids that I had never seen before, which is weird because I've seen everyone in my area. So we knocked on a couple doors but nothing really too promising. Elder Arteaga gets frustrated pretty fast sometimes when contacting (with reason, its hard!) so we decided just to talk to people in the street. We saw this other girl that I had never seen before.  So we talked to her, her name was Gabriela. I asked her if she knew of anyone who would be interested in learning about Jesus Chirst. And she said, "Yeah, my dad!"  So she took us to her house, and there were the kids we had passed earlier! They were her little brothers and sisters! So we talked to the dad for awhile and he really wants to change his life and get away from some of the things that he has been doing! The only thing I can think is that God placed that man's children in our path yesterday so that we could help him come unto Christ!

I really believe that this church is true. I hope you guys all do too. But to believe in something takes work. It is not easy, but it is worth it! I love you all.

Elder Smith

P.S. I also gave a KILLER talk this Sunday! It was a great exclamation mark to my time here!

I Will Remember This Day For the Rest of My Life

Hola, Hola!

This week was an interesting one! Lots of good things, and a couple of bad things too! We´ll start with the bad to get them out of the way.

My camera was stolen!!! I am now cameraless...we are pretty sure we know who took it though, so I still have a little faith of getting it back. But there are a lot of memories in that little thing that mean a lot to me, so I´m praying I will be able to find it! Also, we were threatened at machete point to get out of this guys house! His wife was like, "Elders, come on in!"  But then he was like, "Don't even think about coming in here, you *!#@$%* dang Mormons!"  Haha, we decided to listen to the guy with the sword, so we left. It's kinda sad how strong of a grasp Satan has on the hearts of some people, that they can be so blinded to the truth...but it makes for some good stories sometimes too!

OK, now on to the good! Three of our investigators got baptized and confirmed this week!! I had the opportunity of baptizing two of them! They were my first baptisms, other than when Stefanie, Taelor and I went to the temple to do baptisms for the dead. But it was awesome! F******** is amazing and was so happy to be baptized! I will remember this day for the rest of my life.

We have two more baptisms planed for this weekend!  Seeing as how you guys praying for my investigators helped so much this last week, I figured I would ask you to do it again! 

I am seeing and feeling the Lord's help so much lately and I am so grateful for it. I just gotta keep being obedient and working hard! This is probably my last week in my first area, changes are a week from Wednesday. I want to leave this place knowing I did all I could for these people! Changes also means that some missionaries are going home. Elder Reyes and Hermana Estrada are both finishing their missions. Its crazy how little time it takes to become such good friends with people! I really feel like I have known them for my whole life! But after this week I might never see either one of them ever again. Crazy! But that's the mission I guess. 

Thanks for the messages, Dad and Stefanie! It's always good to hear from you guys! Stef, Brother Peck taught at the high school last year! He's a very good seminary teacher, you are lucky to be in his class. Keep working hard in school!  Dad, yeah we're working hard! I hope you start feeling better!

I love you guys! I hope you have a good week. Remember to read the scriptures and say your prayers! It helps a lot. The church is true! I believe that more and more every day. Thank you for your prayers, they really are felt. 

Love, Elder Smith

P.S. I didn't even know the Olympics were going on until today! haha That's kinda depressing...

We Had A Baptism!

Hola Hola!

So, big news! For the first time in my mission, the first two columns of my agenda dats sheet weren't 0 and 0!!! That's right, people! We had a baptism! (: His name is E****, he's eleven-years-old, and he is best friends with a couple of kids from the ward. So one day we started teaching him. We asked him to get baptized for the first time a long time ago, but his dad was really against it because he had already been baptized when he was a baby. But with a lot of prayers and fasting, a little biblical explaining, a bunch of faith and a little help from God, he got permission from his dad to get baptized! Elder Arteaga did it because it is my calling to make him the best missionary ever, and maybe if he gets in the habit of baptizing now it will just kinda stick, haha! I am really happy about it. He's a great kid. I can already see him passing the sacrament, preaching the gospel with a name tag on his chest, and entering in the temple to get sealed for eternity to his wife! Gosh, this church is true!

We have three more baptisms planned for this weekend, a girl named S******, her brother D*****, and an old lady named F*********. I love S****** so much! She reminds me so much of you, Stefanie!  She's a really cute girl and that usually means trouble for girls down here in Honduras. So we're trying to get her away from the ugly things of this world before they ruin her life! Her brother D***** quit drinking coffee the very first time we told him it was bad and hasn't had another sip since! He's so pilas! And F********* is this sixty eight year old widow who has outlived two of her three kids. When we shared with her the message of the Plan of Salvation she started crying because her pastor had told her that she would never see her husband or kids again. I have a ton of love for each one of them and I would really appreciate a few extra prayers for them this week! (:

I also went to Tegus again this week to take out my residency. I am now officially a legal resident of Honduras! (: But the three hour bus ride there and back is not worth it.  But I saw Elder Glassett while I was there, I love that guy! I also got to see almost all of the Elders from my group! I really think there is something special about our little group. My zone leader, Elder Elggren went with me to take out his residency as well, and he gave a Captain Moroni-like speech on the bus ride back! haha He is a great missionary and I hope I can do as much for this country and people as he has!

Ok, that's about it for this week! Gosh dang it, Broncos! Good work on the court, Dad! Stefanie, good luck at nationals! Rachel and George keep being the best newly married couple ever! And Mom, keep being the best Primary president anyone could ask for! You helped me turn out alright, so the more influence you have on those kids the better!

Love, Elder Smith

Six Months

Hola Hola!!!

P-day got changed to today because there was an emergency meeting for all of the zone and district leaders...not an acceptable reason in my opinion...but what can you do sometimes, ya know?? Sorry to keep you waiting yesterday!

...It's been about 30 minutes since I wrote that paragraph up there...I got distracted looking at my blog for the first time! haha It looks good, Mom! Good work! 

Anyway, this week has been pretty good. I have officially completed six months of my mission. Woah! Where the heck did that go? I still feel so new, but at the same time I am so comfortable walking up to people's doors, knocking, and in a new language giving a brief summary of the most important message that anyone could ever receive; how Christ has re-established his true church on the earth today through a prophet named Joseph Smith, and then asking them if they would like to learn more.

This week my estaca (stake) had a mini-CCM (MTC) for the youth. They had asked the zone leaders to help, but because they had to go to Tegus for a meeting, it fell to us. But it was soo cool! Elder Arteaga and I explained the importance of district meetings and how we use them to help us find solutions to their problems. So we gave them each an investigator scenario to work with. We used our own investigators but changed their names, hoping that maybe we would actually get some good ideas from them, and we really did! They helped us and other people out a lot without even really knowing it! I know these kids are going to be good missionaries! 

Stefanie, thank you for that spiritual thought!! (Never postpone a prompting.~Thomas S. Monson) I have actually been thinking a lot about Thomas S. Monson this week. We watched a movie about his life called "On The Lords Errand" with one of our investigators. President Monson is truly an amazing man and I have no doubt that he is a prophet of God! I think you were led to share that thought with me! Way to be spiritually in-tune! You are already ready to be a missionary! (:

Sounds like life is moving along back in the USA too! Stefanie with braces! Vocal Point Concert! Super Bowl! haha Stay strong Rachel! I am cheering for the Broncos with you! (Even though you are only a fake Broncos fan...) Nobody here really cares about the Super Bowl... haha first time I won't watch it in my life!

Keep working hard! Remember that we are supposed to be happy! Take some time to think about what makes you truly happy this week and then just decide to follow or do whatever it is that you are inspired to come up with! (:

I know the church is true! I know if we let God help us with our lives more we will be a whole lot happier and more successful. I know that because I have seen it in my own life. But what good is that to you guys? I encourage you to let God lead the way in every aspect of your life this week. Invite him through prayer to guide you. And then at the end of this week review what has happened.

Love Elder Smith

Surprise Temple Trip

Hola Hola!

THIS WEEK WAS AWESOME!!! It started off with a surprise temple trip. Right after we got done writing last week we got a call from the APs saying, "Hey guess what, you guys get to go to the temple tomorrow!!!"  Best news ever! I love that place. Earlier in the week I had decided to fast so I could get a little help with this crazy adventure I'm on right now, and I got it. It was such a great experience! 

I had the feeling that we should visit this lady named E****** the next day. So we went, and we talked about her life and her family. She opened up with us a little bit and told us how she and her husband had been novios (sweethearts) since esquela, which is like elementary school, and they have been in love their whole lives. But he started drinking a couple of years ago, and now she feels like she doesn't even know him anymore. That is so sad to me! It just shows how important the Word of Wisdom is. Not just for us, but for those who we love too! God is pretty smart. It's probably a good idea to listen to what he tells us to do.   

The next day I went on divisions with my District Leader, Elder Reyes. He is the best Elder I've ever met. I really look up to him so much. He finishes his mission in one month from today so he's been around the block a few times. He's from Boston, but his parents are both Guatemalteco so he's Latin too. Anyway, while we were working I could really just feel and see how much love he had for everyone that we taught! It was incredible. He has helped me more than a few times and I really feel like the help I was asking for in the temple was given to me through the day that I got to work with Elder Reyes. 

I'm really sorry that Stef injured her shoulder. But I'm so proud of her for being tough and going through with the dance competition and trying her best anyway. That's my sister! (: I'm actually teaching a little girl named Stefany right now! Cute little girl. Every time I say her name I think about you, Stefanie! 

I have definitely felt the effect of my family's help in our "Hour Of Power".  It is honestly like plugging into a power source for that hour! I can feel the spirit so strong and I really want to thank you all for that. 

Today we got to play soccer! We only get to play one p-day each month...and it was rico! I love soccer! I decided that I will know who to marry when I would rather spend time with her than play soccer. It has been a good day!

I'm so proud of my cousin Maggie. Way to get your mission call! You are going to be a great missionary! Anybody else who gets their call, let me know. I love missions! 

That's all for today. I love you all! Keep working hard at whatever you're doing. I know the best thing you can do in any situation is to have the spirit. 

Love Elder Smith

P.S. Bronco Nation!!! 

P.P.S.  Look what I ate--it's a crab!  Like a whole crab.  I was eating soup and then, whoa, there were like three crabs in there that I didn't see...haha they were so good!!

Hour of Power

Hola Hola!

So the coolest thing ever happened to me on my birthday. My cocinera (cook lady) had a little party for me, and it was really nice. We had cake and baleadas, and then everyone went around in a circle and gave me some advice or something like that. When we got to the abuelita (grandmother) she asked if she could give me a traditional Honduran mother's blessing! It was strangely similar to a real blessing...you decide if that is a coincidence or not. But it was such a great honor for her to do that for me and I really felt like a part of their family in that moment! It was awesome!

This week we had changes!!! But Elder Arteaga and I are still comps. And still in Limon B. But Elder Clawson who was one of my good buddies and our ZL got changed. Missions are the weirdest things ever! I was talking to Elder Clawson as he was packing his stuff before he left and it was such a bittersweet moment. We have been in the same zone for my whole mission and now he's just gone!  That's how missions are. You come into a place, knowing casi nobody. You make great friends, and then you get a phone call one day and they just leave. I might never see him again. This really is a weird phase of life. 

But the next day Elder Vellver came, he is from Mexico and he has already become a great friend of mine. All of this is part of mission life! I love it! We are all going through this crazy time together, helping other people come to Christ, changing lives and then trusting in the Lord that He will help them do it on their own after we leave. 

We had district meeting last week, and we started doing this thing called "Hour Of Power".  Every day at 5:00 each companionship says a prayer. We are all in our separate areas but we come together and lend each other our faith through this prayer. The idea is that a combined, sincere effort will bring more blessings and more help from our Heavenly Father to our investigators. I would like to invite everyone who reads this to join us in doing this! But only if you are going to do it with real faith! If you aren't going to exert yourself with your heart and mind through prayer for this hour then please do not participate because you could hinder the effectiveness our Hour of Power. But if you are willing to put in one hour of focusing on the Lord, asking for him to bless us, our investigators, or people who you would like to share the gospel with then please join in! The more people we have exerting faith in this moment, the more miracles we are going to see! 

I'm glad everything is going so well back at home! Mom, keep tearing it up primary style! Good work out on the court, Dad! Stefanie you rock, keep practicing your tumbling, don't get comfortable with where you are. Rachel and George, way to be married! Keep working hard on that! 

I love you all!

Elder Smith

The Best Year of My Life

Hola Hola!! 

Happy New Year!!!!! Holy cow, I can't believe it's already 2014! Ya se fue Un ano mas, y Ya viene una otra oportunidad para mejorar nuestro vidas y nuestro relaciones con nuestro padre celestial. Estoy muy agradecido por este tiempo que tengo para servir como misionero en Honduras! (Translation:  It is a new year, and another chance to improve our lives and our relationships with our Heavenly Father. I am very grateful for this time I have to serve as a missionary in Honduras!)

So I was laying in my bed on New Year's Eve, thinking back on this past year and I was just so overwhelmed with gratitude. This last year of my life was WITHOUT A DOUBT the best year of my life. No other year even comes close! This year I submitted my mission papers, got my call, won state, graduated from high school, went to Alaska, had the best summer ever, lived in Mexico for a month and a half (aka the MTC), and have been serving in Honduras for the past four months. It has been amazing! 

I couldn't sleep that night, partially because of all the fireworks that were going off...Honduras gets pretty crazy on New Years! But also because I was just so happy! I knelt down and prayed and I really just felt so much love! (: Missions rock! haha That day I was finalizing my goals for this year, and my number one goal is to have the best year of my life once again. Wouldn't it be great if at the end of every year of our lives we could look back and say, "Wow, that was without a doubt the best year of my life!!!" That's what I´m trying to do.  

Oh yeah, And now its my birthday. haha Here's a picture! 

Mom, you have no idea how narcissistic I felt while hanging my own birthday banner. (Editor's note...I sent him a birthday package filled with decorations including the banner, streamers, hats, noisemakers and balloons.) I was laughing to myself and said "Happy birthday to me!!", sarcastically of course...haha. But I knew this picture would make you happy so here it is! I'm officially 19!  It doesn't really feel like a birthday to me... just another day in the mish.  

I'm glad everything is going so well for you guys!! I'm sorry to hear about Tami! I'll say a few extra prayers for her. Thanks for all your birthday wishes! You guys are the best and thank you for the prayers, they are felt. Let me know if you have any advice for me! There are a lot of you who know a lot more than me! I'm always looking for ways to take the short cut and not have to go through more trials and hard times. Let me know!

I hope you all have a great year and come closer to the Lord! (:

Love, Elder Smith

There are murals all over the place here! It's awesome!

This looks like a ton of money!!! haha But its really only about 200 dollars...for the rent and for my money to live on for the month!

Happy New Year

Hola Hola!

This is weird.... I feel like I just talked to you guys or something... haha oh yeah, that's right, I did! (: 

Christmas in the mission rocks! Talking to my family was honestly so refreshing! It was a little weird at first! I was like, "Whoa, they really do exist!" But that went away after about three seconds and I was just really grateful for the chance to talk to my family! haha You all looked so good and sounded really good too! What a great present for Christmas!

It sounds like you guys have been having a really busy week, and a really busy Christmas break! I remember the good old days with all of our entire family at Grandma's house for Christmas! I miss those days! I'm glad those traditions didn't die with me going on a mission. haha I was a little worried that all you would be able to talk about was how much you missed me! (; But I guess that you guys were able to break through the depression and enjoy your time together!

So I got a package today! That box you sent with the family from Utah found its way to me clear down here in Honduras!  The son had served in a couple of areas down here in Choluteca, he and his parents were visiting for Christmas and were here today. So we took a picture together with the package that they carried all the way to Honduras just for me! haha

The day after Christmas I saw the craziest car crash ever! Elder Arteaga and I were walking, about to cross this street, when a truck and a taxi hit each other. They just kinda scraped each other, and it wasn't too bad at first. But the truck over-corrected trying to regain control and ended up rolling like three times right there in front of us! It was like an action movie! So we ran over to the truck thinking for sure this guy was dead. But he was just fine! A little shaken up obviously, bumps and bruises, but no broken bones or anything! It probably didn't seem like it to him, but I think it was a miracle! That guy should be dead, but he is still alive and with his family today! 

Well I love you all! I hope you have a great new year and that we can all work together to make it the best year this world has ever seen!!

Love Elder Smith

Feliz Navidad!

Hola Hola!!!

Feliz Navidad! I can't believe that it's already Christmas! There are a couple of big milestones you hit while you're serving a mission, and apparently your first Christmas is one of them! So tomorrow is Christmas here in Honduras. People celebrate Christmas on the 24th, haha, so today is kinda like Christmas Eve! And then the next day is real Christmas and I get to talk with my family!!!! I'm pretty excited for that! The bishop is letting us use the church's wifi, and we are borrowing a couple of computers from some members too! It's going to be great! I can't wait to hear from all of you!

Sounds like things are going really well for all of you!  Congratulations Stef on your new calling!!! Work hard and try to magnify your calling! And Dad with the Lehi basketball team haha that's sweet! Keep up the good work! Mom with your chime choir! That was always the best sounding musical piece of any program! And that's awesome that you guys got to see Margaret and her family! Tell them I say hi when you see them, ok!

This week is a little weird! A lot of the members are out of town, visiting family and stuff. But pretty much everyone else has invited us over to eat tamales and tarretas which are kinda like french toast! Oh my gosh everything is so rico!!! haha Christmas down here is something different though. IT IS SO HOT!!!  It just keeps getting hotter and hotter every day, there have been some winds that have been helping a little, but its insane!

Anyway, I just want to remind you all that there is a deeper meaning to this time of year than just the presents and the trees and the snow and the candy. I think it is kind of amazing that the whole world pretty much has come together in creating the best holiday in the world, in memory of the birth of our Savior! At times the true meaning gets lost, but that's really what it is! People are more open to the spirit right now, and everyone is just happier! I love it! Try to find an opportunity to share the gospel with someone through this door that is automatically opened by this time of year! (: 

Love you a lot! Talk to you soon!! (:

-Elder Smith

The More the Storm, the More the Strength

Hola, Hola! 

What a week! I'm going to start with a story. So we are teaching this really old guy named Bonifasio! I mean OLD!! He's 88 and just crazy! He can never remember what we have taught him the day before or anything. But he likes to talk to us. On Friday we went over there, and we went over the First Vision with him. We got to the part where we show the picture of Joseph Smith while he was praying, with Christ and Heavenly Father appearing to him. So my comp said, "So, Joseph Smith decided to ask God which of the churches was true. And this is a picture of his experience (pointing to God and Jesus).  Bonifasio, who do you think these people are?"  He thought about it and looked at us, then said with a face completely serious, "I'm pretty sure that they are the Jehovah´s Witnesses."  haha It was so funny! We both could not stop laughing! It was hilarious! Here we are, two Mormon missionaries, teaching about the first vision, and this guy thinks that it was the Jehovah´s Witnesses who appeared to Joseph Smith when he prayed! Haha it was great!

Also this week we had our Christmas party! We drove up to Tegus this Thursday and had a little program with all the final testimonies of all the elders that are going home this change! The spirit was very strong! Then we had a little dinner, and sang some songs. President gave us all a little gift with a cool little fold out card with all of the faces of all the missionaries in the mission right now. And then we got to play soccer! It was great!

Besides that it was really a non-eventful week. We worked hard and tried to follow the spirit. But anyway, I'm going to get back to my story about Bonifasio.

So, it was super funny! Probably one of the funniest moments of my mission. But then when we went back to his house on Saturday he was super mad at us. This old guy who could never remember what we had talked about the day before, couldn't tell who we were, or even which church we represented, but he remembered that we had laughed at his answer. He told us to leave and that he didn't respect us. We spent probably 30 minutes begging for forgiveness from this old man, but in the end he told us to leave. This has been hurting me! I have been thinking about this a lot. Was it a sin for me to laugh at that comment? Because I couldn't have held it in. I have been repenting of it every day in my prayers, but it doesn't feel like it is going away. I don't know if it was a sin or if it was just an unfortunate thing that happened.

Later that day we were with our ZLs because they live down the street. Elder Elgreen could tell that I was upset and shared a poem with me. It's called Good Timbers. This is a part of it: 

Good timber does not grow with ease,

The stronger the wind, the stronger the trees,

The further the sky, the greater the length, 

The more the storm, the more the strength.

By sun and cold and rain and snow

In trees and and men good timbers grow

Where thickest lie the forest growth,

We find the partiarchs of both

And they hold counsel with the stars
Whose broken branches show the scars

Of many winds and of much strife,

This is the common law of life.

 I don't know if this is just a wind that I'm supposed to get through, but this poem is very true. I'm going to use this experience to grow! I think that is part of the purpose of going on a mission, to make mistakes and grow from them! I would like some advice on what to do, or some feedback. What do you guys think?

Anyway, I hope you all have a great week! I love you all!

Love, Elder Smith

I Have Had My Eyes Opened!

Hola, Hola!

Oh my gosh, missions are so much harder when you have to make all the decisions every day! I am so grateful for Elder Glassett and everything that he did for me! I didn't realize how hard it is. I have had my eyes opened! But I think I'm adjusting to it pretty well.

We have been working super hard! We have knocked on a lot of doors in the past week! Most people here in Honduras don't like turning away people who are preaching the Palabra de Dios (word of God). So we get into most houses. And we are starting to have some success! We met this guy named Jose. He's about 17 and he is super concerned with things of God. He got in a car crash a little while back and has problems with his leg and hip now, so we shared with him the Plan of Salvacion and how he can have a perfect body again after this life.  He seemed to like that! He's ready to receive the gospel!

My Spanish has also gotten like 20 times better in just these short few days that I have spent with Elder Arteaga! He has been helping me a ton! Plus, I have felt help from heaven. There have been times when I can remember some little rule, or I will remember what I read in El Libro de Mormon, and times when I can speak really well! It is really cool. I think that this change is the time that I need to grow the most so far out of all my time in the mish! But that also means that it is going to be really hard! I have a quote on the back of my agenda that says, "Self Is created, not found." And that is what I have been working on for the past couple of weeks. 

Anyway this week I went on divisions with Elder Clawson. He is from Arizona and he is a stud! We had to go secure a paper for a wedding (because they can't do that over the internet here in Honduras so we have to go and physically pick up all of our papers...) But it was in this little village like three hours by bus into the mountains called Concepción de Maria. The bus ride sucked! But when we finally got there it was such a cool little pueblo!!

After that we drove back and went to this little place called Monte Carlo to do some interviews for baptisms. This little pueblo had NO light, NO running water, their houses were made out of sticks, mud, and cardboard. But they were so happy! I was so overwhelmed by how happy they were with how little they had! I will never forget that little place. 

Anyway, sounds like everything is going well!! Dad's team is winning! GO LEHI! Stefanie is a champ running the whole school play! That sucks that Real Salt Lake lost, but they had a great season.

I was able to watch the First Presidency Christmas devotional! And the whole time I was listening to the words that the prophet and apostles were saying I was thinking about how my family was watching the same thing at the same moment that I was! (: I was glad I was able to enjoy that with you even though we are far away. We watched it in a member's house and she cooked us a really nice meal and it was just a really good evening! When Elder Nelson talked about the Savior I felt the spirit so strongly! I love this time of year! 

Anyway, I love you so much! Hope you all have a great week! 

Love, Elder Smith

Big Week and a New Companion

Hola Hola!

It's been a pretty big week for me...changes were this last week... I'm no longer with Elder Glassett, I'm Comp Mayor (I don´t know how to say that in English...) I'm with a Latin, and I AM TRAINING!!!!! Oh my gosh!!!! 

My new companion's name is Elder Arteaga, he is from Ecuador.

He's a really cool guy! Super nice, a little interesting, but overall we are going to get along very well I think! But he speaks absolutely no English! Well, except the words racoon, monkey, I am beautiful, and a few others that he has asked me about. But we can only communicate in Spanish! My Spanish has already gotten a lot better I feel like! I still make a lot of mistakes but the gift of tongues is freaking real!

It's strange being in charge of what we do now. I used to just kinda wait for Elder Glassett to tell us where we were going, but now I have to make plans and remember people's names a whole lot better, and decide where we are going to contact, and who we are going to ask to help us and stuff like that! It's definitely weird! but also a very good learning experience and I'm glad I am getting it early in my mission! It will help me a lot.

The night we heard about changes we had a little family night at the house of our cocinera (cook lady) and they all expressed their love for the four of us who had been there, Elders Glassett, Pau'u, Moran and me and they all said that we are family and if we ever visit, we would be welcome there and it was honestly such a spiritual moment. The kid Ricardo broke down and said how we had been really good examples for him and how he wants to serve a mission now and it was very, very spiritual! I felt so much love from these people! It was amazing! I will never forget that night.

Thursday didn't even feel like Thanksgiving at all to me!!! I actually kind of forgot that it was Thanksgiving because so much was going on! Change day, going up to Tegucigalpa, getting a new comp, about a million things happened, I didn't have time to think about it! But it sounds like you guys had a great little family get together! I miss all my little cousins! You guys rock! But just think, I only have one more thanksgiving away from you guys! (;

Well, I love you guys a lot! I hope you all have a good week! Pretty soon we will get to talk on the phone! (: I´m excited for Christmas for that reason!!! 

Love Elder Smith!

P.S. I got a Christmas package! We now have a little arbolito (tree) sitting in our living room!!! haha We have a bunch of Christmas spirit in our house! 

I Made It Through The Elections!!

Hola Hola!!

First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHEL!!! YOU ARE SO OLD!!! haha I hope it was a great one! 

 I made it through the elections!!! After three long days locked up in my house, about a million push ups, endless reading hours, one huge card tower, all of my laundry cleaned, a billion throws against the wall with my bouncy ball, a ton of food, like five naps, and a whole lot of being really bored I'm finally free again!!! And honestly things were super tranquilo down here in the south anyway... stupid elections wasting the Lord's time. But I guess a little descansito (resting) wasn't really that bad. I'm very excited to get to work though, that is for sure.

In other news, I'm going to miss Thanksgiving so much!!!! I didn't realize how much I loved that holiday until now! I think the plan is to go to KFC down here so we can at least be eating some kind of bird. But even though it won't be the same feast, I'm still using this time to be extra grateful for the things that I have, and I encourage everyone else to do the same, and be a little more expressive of your thanks in your prayers to our Heavenly Father!

I hit my four-month mark on Sunday! This is crazy, it feels like I just barely left for the MTC, and I'm already done with one sixth of my mish... it makes me realize that we have such a great responsibility to fulfill, and such a short time to do it.

"You gotta GO NOW!" I remember Dad yelling that to me in the middle of cross country races. It was crazy how I could be in the middle of the biggest crowd of parents and coaches, and everyone would be yelling their own advice to their own runners. But I could always pick out Dad's voice. And it would always help me push a little bit harder, and run a little faster. I think that is what the Lord is doing to all of us now. We live in a world with a lot of crazy stuff going on, but if we listen to the right voices we will be able to find that strength to push a little harder. 

I'm glad you are all doing OK, and I hope you all have a great week! I'll be thinking of you guys in St. George this Thursday!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Love, Elder Smith

P.S. haha I'm totally getting facial hair!!!! Check it out! This is after five days! I was locked up so no rules were broken...

(Mom, I leave full discretion to you over whether you should put this up or not cause I'm kinda in my garments...)

Election Week

WE GOT TO PLAY SOCCER TODAY!!!!! IT WAS GLORIOUS!!! IT HAD BEEN LIKE 3 MONTHS SINCE I HAD PLAYED SOCCER! Do you know how hard that has been for me?? And holy crap, my touch needs some work! haha 

Soccer had been banned from our mission because some Elder broke his foot, but after a whole lot of missionaries asked and prayed for it to be brought back, President Hernandez finally cracked! Plus, the kid who broke his foot is back in the mission and is now my zone leader so he's obviously doing alright... anyway, he was the one who told us that it is back! haha

We also received some info on what's going to happen this week. So, as I'm sure you don't know, this week is elections for Honduras, which means that there is a whole lot of excitement going on. President had a conference with the Area Presidency who said that the Mission Department is pretty worried about us. So we aren't allowed to leave our houses at all on Saturday through Monday. So I won't be able to write until at least Tuesday next week! And we have to buy at least five days' worth of food and water just in case things get really crazy! We also went over our mission evacuation plan just in case we have to get 200 missionaries out of the country as fast as possible...... it is apparently kind of a big deal...but don't worry mom...I'll probably be fine (; haha

Anyway sounds like things are moving right along back at home! I can't believe that basketball season is already starting up! And so many people are getting their mission calls! That's awesome. I'm glad Stefanie is doing so well.  But I can still tumble better than her. haha Sounds like everything is going great! I love you all.

Love Elder Smith