January 28, 2014

Family!!

This week was a struggle, but that’s ok.  You’re not always going to have blue skies on the mission.  Our investigator list went into the fire this week, and out came the jewels.  We had a lot of people either completely just drop us or just try not to answer our calls, notes, or door knockings.  We really figured out this week who is in it to win it, and who were the duds.  We meet a new guy named Jose Fernandez, and all I can say about him is he is a stud.  I really love this transfer.  We are working our tail ends off but it just been super fun with Elder Folsom.  He is a one of a kind person, and he is a person that is hard to come by.  He knows how to work and to work hard.  We just go at this big, huge redwood tree and try and cut it down.  It’s been fun, and if it’s my last transfer here it is all good.  We are working hard, and I will know I left the area good. 

This week was hard but we got lessons out of it.  We struggled for lessons but we made it work.  It was hard but I can't complain.  When nothing was going for us we would go get these super good Mexican popsicles.  Our ward mission leader blew us off twice.  He told us he would be there to come out with us on appointments, and they would come around, he wasn’t there, and he wouldn't answer our calls.  It was super frustrating, and that happened two nights in a row.  Luis Dena, the painter, is kicking butt and I love him.  He still has to come to church before he can be baptized, and we are working on it.  Hopefully he makes it before the 15th of February, but if not he will for sure be baptized next transfer.  He has some doubts about baptism but I know he knows that he has to do it.  He loves us, and I love him.  He is a one of a kind man, and I am blessed to meet him and learn from him.  Jose Fernandez is our new investigator, and he is a trip.  He is fun to be around.  We found him on the street and talked to him.  It’s crazy how the Lord works.  He was rounding up his dog, got him inside the gate, and then all of a sudden the dog booked it back out and ran to us.  I don't know how it happened, but the Lord works miracles.  We talked to him, and he invited us over.  He is in his 60's, and he has health problems.  He took some meds before we went over the first night, but we didn't know that, and he was tripping hard.  We thought he was drunk.  He was a trip, and it was a funny lesson.  He was giving us hugs, and at the end, in broken English, said, "I am happy!"   He had a picture of a naked lady on his wall.  We made sure that was gone when we came again.  On our next visit we gave him a blessing for his health and set a date for March 1st for baptism.  He was going to come to church as a cowboy but he didn't show up.  So he is so fun to be around, and I love him.  Gracie gave us the boot and told us she had no time for God, so that was a bummer.  We picked up Margarita again - the one Elder Mason and I were teaching before.  She seems like she is more prepared and ready for us now.  We walked a lot this week, and that was good for us.  Overall it was a great week thanks to my companion and just having him there to laugh off stupid things.  We are working hard together.

That was my week for you.  We are working hard together, and we hope to get Luis in the water.  It sounds like everything is good at home and everyone is in one piece.  Thanks for your letters this week, I enjoyed them as usual.  Oh, in your package when you send one could I get a new, small English version of “Preach My Gospel?”  Mine is almost on its last limb, and it’s going to wear out.  Also some of those school pencils that we always have.  I think that should do!  Thanks for everything and keep plugging away in everything you do.  I miss you guys tons, and give Beary a scratch for me!  Have an awesome week.  I love you guys!  You’re in my prayers!

With Love,

-Elder Smith 

 

January 21, 2014

Family!!

This week was a really good week as well.  Me and Elder Folsom are just trying to work hard and do everything we can to get this area as best as it can be.  This week was mostly just teaching and finding.  We had some pretty good lessons this week, and we have some investigators progressing pretty nicely lately.  I really enjoy Elder Folsom and everything he does.  He is such a solid missionary and doesn't care what it takes to talk to someone.  It has been fun out here in Canutillo, and it might be the last transfer I have here.  He is helping me reach my goal of one person baptized this transfer.  We are trying our hardest to find someone to baptize and work with.  We have definitely found some, and it is cool to see them progress.

We taught Luis Dena (painter, biker, and restorer of old cars) this week, and he is a stud.  I look forward to his lessons every week because he has so much potential in him.  He accepted baptism and a date.  We are shooting for Feb 15th with him, and I am praying and have faith he will make it.  From what he has told us he doesn't smoke, drink, or do anything of that nature.  It was cool because he answered a doubt he had himself.  We were talking about baptism, and he proceeded to tell us that he was baptized as a kid, but he stopped himself and said, "I never sinned as a baby so it doesn't work."  It was awesome, and teaching him has helped me gain a strong testimony to always open your mouth with anyone.  He was just fixing up his cars outside, and we could have walked by.  But we stopped, and it is amazing to see his growth.  I love him tons.  Our other baptismal date might be dropped.  It is with a guy we are pretty sure does drugs and is not fully into the gospel.  We always feel strange going over there and talking with him.  We still do, and nothing has happened because we have to give everyone a chance, but it’s just hard with him.  David, the guy we knocked into at 8, is progressing really awesome.  He loves the Book of Mormon and tells us that he knows and doesn't doubt Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ.  He is pretty awesome, and we enjoy his company.  He made us bean burritos last night and they were awesome.  He is a stud.  He also wants to come to church, which is a plus.  We didn't get anyone to church this week because of Stake Conference.  It was good and we went to the Spanish one, which was in the morning.  President and Sister Miller talked with a translator and it was good.  We had a guy from the 70s who spoke Spanish and it was also good.  They whole thing was done nicely from what I could understand of it.  I am doing good here and we are just working hard, and I am enjoying all the time I can have with Elder Folsom.  He is a great Elder, and I am learning a lot from him.  We work hard and just have fun. 

It sounds like everything is in one piece at home.  That's good Tyler tackled the flu.  I heard the flu is crazy this year.  I am happy I haven't got sick.  It sounds like Mom is doing good in her new calling.  I knew see would do a great job like she has done in anything that comes her way.  I am happy Beary is in one piece and is kicking it.  I miss him tons.  That's crazy lacrosse starts soon.  Were you able to get my lacrosse jersey??  I hope so!  I don't think I need much.  If you could get me a new scripture mastery card thingy that would be great.  I will think and see if I need anything.  Thanks for all you do for me and just everything.  I miss you guys tons and I hope you have an awesome week!   You’re always in my prayers!  Take care and have an awesome week!

Con Amor,

-Elder Smith

January 14, 2014

Hey Family!

 

Just another week down in Canutillo.  Man, it was hard but a good week.  I saw the Lord’s hand a lot this week, and we experienced a lot of miracles.  It was crazy to say the least.  The Lord truly blesses missionaries who work their butts off.  We are also knocking a lot of doors lately which has been fun.  We are also talking to everyone we see, and there are a lot of crazy weird people out there.  I got a new companion, and it is definitely a blessing to me at this time.  He is from Dillon, Montana and is a rancher.  It is Elder Folsom, Donald's ranch hand.  He is a cool guy, and I like him a lot.  He knows how to work hard and is just nuts.  We have fun together but work our tail ends off.  We found 7 news this week, and that is crazy for Canutillo.  He is definitely helping me get one more push for this area till whenever I leave.  He is a stud and reminds me a lot of Scott sometimes.  It sounds like your week was good at home.  Mine was good as well.

 

One of the bummers this week was Jesus Luna gave us the shaft.  He told us when we tried teaching him that he was never going to convert from Catholic to Mormonism.  He also told us that we could stop by but he doesn't want us to covert him.  He turned out to be grumpy man, stuck in his ways and not open to changing.  It made me sad, but I realized it’s for the better.  He will see that us talking to him blessed his life and also that the priesthood works.  I was bummed about that one but, oh well, it’s life.  I don't really want to go back.  We found a lot of news.  We have this new guy named Luis, and he is a pretty cool dude.  He loves to ride road bikes, and he also is a painter.  He paints a lot and it’s crazy!  Let’s just say there are bikini babes next to Jesus.  I was trying so hard not to laugh but this guy just has painted pinup girls next to Jesus.  It’s a trip going to his house.  He asked us to play pool with him before we taught him.  We did and the lesson turned out to be awesome.  I see a lot of potential in him.  One of the coolest experiences was the first night with Elder Folsom.  We had nothing going for us, and it was just straight up a hard night.  We were knocking trailers and we were running into people who weren't interested at all. We run into a guy who straight up told us he was atheist and had a couple of drinks.  He wasn't all there to learn and didn't want to learn.  I was kind of frustrated and depressed that our night wasn't going well for us.  Elder Folsom was driving and wasn't familiar with the area.   He just went up a random street, parked the car and said we are knocking this trailer.  We both were just hoping and praying that someone would turn up behind this door.  I was dragging my heels because it was 8:15 and late.  We knocked this door and this guy opened it.  He told us to come in immediately, and it didn't really click with us.  We proceeded to give our door knock approach and in Spanish he told us again to come in.  We were stunned.  This guy proceeded to tell us that he was reading something on Facebook about God.  When he was done reading it we knocked, and he felt like he should let us in.  He is a super muscular guy from Honduras and has tattoos on his body.  We have had 2 awesome lessons with him and he is progressing nicely.  That was a cool experience.  We also had a weird experience at this apartment complex.  This whole week we have gone looking there for this lady named Barbara Lopez and she doesn't seem to exist.  But every time we go there we find someone who has heard about the church, really wants to talk to us, or is just interested.  It’s been crazy every time we go there.  We are getting our teaching pool up, and that's been good as well.  I also had to do a prayer circle with lesbians who were super old who were tripping balls in the middle of the street.  It was such a weird experience.  Those were the highlights of my week for ya.  I love Elder Folsom a lot, and we are doing work and having a lot of fun.

 

It was a really good week, and it sounds like your week was good as well and everyone is in one piece at home.  Thanks for all your emails this week.  It felt good to write you guys this week.  I hope you guys have an awesome week.  It sounds like Mother is kicking butt in her calling, and Tyler is luring in the ladies with some nice bait.  Haha, I miss you man.  That's awesome you got your learner’s driving permit and are listed as a female on it.  Have a wonderful week in school and everything you’re doing.  I love you guys tons and miss you more than ever.  You’re always in my prayers!

Love,

-Elder Smith

January 6, 2014

Hey Family,

 

You’re probably wondering why I am emailing on a Monday, and it is because we have transfers tomorrow.  I am staying in Canutillo, so that means I am going to have at least 5 transfers here.  I think that's nuts, but oh well.  I am going to be getting a new companion tomorrow around one o’clock.  I have no clue what he is going to be like.  I am excited for the change and at the same time I don't know if I am ready for it.   I liked Elder LaMunyon a lot.  We got along, and we had fun together.  It is going to be weird adjusting to a new companion, but that's alright. 

 

My week was good this week.  It was our best week here in Canutillo in two transfers.  It was a good note to end on for Elder LaMunyon, and it showed him that we worked hard here.  All our investigators are doing well, and we visited them all this week.  We had a cool experience with Gracie and her son David and I have no clue if I was crazy to do this.  On Friday we were trying to get ahold of her.  Her cell phone was off this whole week, and we wondered why.  We tried to stop by before, and her gate has been locked and everything.  She kind of dropped off the face of the earth, and it was weird.  So Friday came around, we stopped by, and it looked like she was home.  We went up and knocked on her door.  She came to the door and answered it.  She was very happy to see us.  She explained to us that her phone was off because she is running out of money, and her ex-husband isn't helping her out with anything.  She is the one caring for their child and everything.  She told us they had no food, they were just counting pennies, and Christmas put a damper on everything.  She told us to pray for her, and we set a return appointment for tomorrow.  I felt impressed on the porch to go get her some food.  Grandma and Grandpa Smith sent me some money for Christmas, so I was like we are going to get her something to eat.  We went to a local grocery store and me and my companion bought her some food and split the cost.  We then drove back to her house and rang the doorbell.  She broke down in front of us and was just crying.  She told us thank you a million times.  She asked how we paid for it because she knew that we just get by every month.  We told her it was some Christmas money we got.  She was very happy and really pleased.  She thanked us and gave us a big huge hug.  She later told us that all she had left was some chicken her neighbor gave her, some beans, and a half gallon of milk.  So we tried to get her back on her feet and gave her a push.  We told her that it was all out of love and we didn't want her to repay us or anything.  We shared a message with her and left with a prayer.  It was a really cool experience, and I am still wondering if it was crazy to go get her some food to get by for the week.  I love her a lot.  That was probably the coolest experience of our week.

 

Our other investigators are doing well.  Jesus Luna is still kicking it and fixing up furniture.  He is a stud and I am going to push to try and get him baptized this transfer.  I hope he will.  Our referral, Hector Aguilera, is on probation and can't cross into New Mexico, so he can't even come to Church till he gets everything worked out with the State of Texas.  So that will be interesting to see how everything works out with him.  We think he referred himself to the church media referral system so that was cool.  I am hoping he will progress or get off probation soon.  Chewy the wheelchair man is still kicking it as well.  He is kind of crazy because he is trapped into his house all day every day.  That was mostly our week.  We got 14 lessons this week which was spectacular, and I am just waiting to see who I get next.  I hope he is someone good and we get along.  I know that whoever it is, it is the person I need to be with.  It is who the Lord wants me to be with and to learn from and grow.  It’s crazy how fast this transfer went, and I am moving on to someone else.  I am excited to see what this transfer brings, and I hope that we get someone baptized this month.  I think I am entering into my last transfer in my greenie area, and it is serving me well here, but I am getting to the point of wanting to move on.  I think this transfer will be good, and it will be a good transfer to end off here.  I love you guys tons, and I miss you more than ever.  I hope your week is fantastic and I can't wait to hear about it.  Keep it steezy for me!!

Love,

-Elder Smith  

 

December 31, 2013

Hey Guys!
    

It is crazy I just talked to you on Wednesday, but it feels like I talked to you a while ago, and I don't know why.  It was good to see all your awesome faces, and it made me wish I was there to fit in, but it’s all good - I am off on adventure.  It was fun to hear all your voices, and it seems like everyone is the same for the most part.  Mr. Ty McFly now has a deep voice and is probably getting the ladies by just saying “Hi.”  Also, he probably has some muscles going on and that's probably making them drop too.  Haha, I miss you man a lot and having hang out sessions with you.  Ruthy, I don't think they could have picked a finer woman to lead the Relief Society.  Your kind, loving, and chatty nature will make all the women love you.  You have a great personality that the ladies need.  You'll do great things for the Relief Society, and you'll work your butt off.  I don't have suggestions for counselors.  I know you'll figure them out, and just pray.  God is just a kneel away and is just waiting for you to "Phone Home" like E.T. did.  I know prayer works, and I promise you will find your counselors, and this calling for you is from God.  You will do great mom, and don't stress about it.  I know you are going to stress but just take a breather and you will do fine.  I love you lots, and I wish I was at home to see the progress you make with the Relief Society.  They are in for a real treat!!  Dad what's in store for you?  Are you still the temple prep teacher or did you get the boot?  I think you need to get called as Scoutmaster again and go running with that for another 5 years. Haha!  

 

My week was good, I am doing good, so that's good.  The phone call gave me a boost and I just loved laughing with you guys.  You guys are so funny, and I miss just sitting there and laughing at everything you guys do.  From just talking about life, to a major award winning trouting season, to Sean's beard that looks like what's his name on The Hangover.  I am also really excited for Sean and Andrea and their baby girl.  That is going to be a good addition to the Smith home and I can't wait to hang with her and play with her.  That's going to be a great time.  But back to our week - it was pretty good.  We got to see Jesus Luna and share a quick scripture with him.  We also stopped by Gracie's house one more time in the week and told her “Hello.”  I think that was Sunday night when the Cowboy game was on and, oh my, did I want to kill Cowboy fans.  They are disgusting.  But on the bright side and I am super excited Mr. Rodgers is back in action kicking butt and taking names.  That's awesome they won, and I am happy they did.  I don't really know what else to talk to you about.  I pretty much told you my week on Wednesday.  We had three lessons with members present this week.  We reached our goal, and we were thrilled.  We also got a new investigator named Hector Aguilera, and he seems really promising.  He was a referral from the Zone Leaders.  We were in Westway where he lives and we had nothing going on.  We were praying to find someone, and like 2 minutes later the phone rang and we got him.  We haven't seen him yet, but he sounds great on the phone and he really wants to change his life.  I am excited to work with him, and I hope he gets baptized before I leave this area so I will have a baptism in this area.  I think that's all for this week.  It was hard but you just have to work at it and not give up.  I love being a missionary, and it is a great blessing and calling God gives us.  I love New Mexico/Texas.

 

I hope you guys have a great week ahead of you and a Happy New Year!  I love you guys tons and thanks for the shirts of the Packers and the Ducks.  They are awesome and the Duck one is super nice along with the Packer one.  The Packer one is being worn today, and I am going to be wearing it with pride.  The text books are helping me a lot so thanks for that and everything you guys do for me!  Happy Birthday Wendy this week.  I hope it’s a great one!  I miss you guys and love you tons!

 

Love,

-Elder Smith

December 24, 2013

Hey Family!

Sorry this is probably going to be a shorter letter today.  I am going to be talking to you tomorrow so I can tell you pretty much all I am going to write today.  It was good to hear from you all this week.  It sounds like it is cold in Utah.  If you can believe it we got to 78 down here in Texas.  We got to take off our sweaters and that was nuts.  We have to wear a suit jacket or sweaters if it gets below 75.  My dome has no hair on it.  I will have to tell you about that tomorrow.  You can see the scar on my head from the drum accident pretty dang well.  It is funny.  I also had to buy a beanie at Pac Suns so I used my personal card so don't be alarmed by that.  I hope that was ok.  Thanks for all the presents that you guys have sent me.  I don't know what to do with them.  I just have them in the box waiting for Christmas.  Thanks for all you do for me.  I truly appreciate it.  It means a lot to me, and I miss you guys a lot this Christmas season.  I am going to tell you about all our investigators tomorrow.  I am not really positive what time I am going to Face-time,  you might get a call beforehand.  Sorry to make it short today.  We are on a timed computer and it is super stupid.  But just know that I love you guys tons, and you will see me and hear from me tomorrow.  You don't know how excited I am to see you guys and the bone eater and the wonderful house I miss a lot.  I am excited to hear about your Christmas and how everything is going.  I know the Savior lives.  He died for us and was born for us.  This Christmas season is truly about the Savior and spending time with your family.  I know this gospel is true without a doubt.  It is the only true church today, and the Book of Mormon is another testimony of Jesus Christ.  Just know how much I love you, and I am looking forward to tomorrow.  I am excited to see all your faces.  I love you tons, and I am sorry for the short letter, but you will hear a lot from me tomorrow.  Have a wonderful Christmas Eve and Merry Christmas!  I love you guys a lot!!

 Love,

-Elder Smith