Tuesday, August 19, 2014

August 12, 2014


Hey Family!

This week was a pretty good week, kind of crazy but good.   I am just chilling in a library in ABQ typing away right now.   I am up in Albuquerque now just living the dream, and I am loving it.  I am so happy to be serving in ABQ.  It’s super green because the Rio Grande is just right there going through the city.  I am out in the South Valley area of Albuquerque, so I am in the countryside and part of the city.  Our ward is the Rio Grande Ward, and it’s part of the Los Lunes Stake. Our ward boundaries go into downtown, and the Rio Grande North Elders cover that.  We are in Rio Grande South.  They closed the West area this transfer, so we are picking up half of that area, and it’s pretty tight.  We have a big area though, but I like it.  There are just tons and tons of houses out here.  We also have our classy trailer parks the size of Mt. Everest.  They are gnarly.  I have to say it’s my first area that has had tons of houses and trailers.  It’s a big change from the desert to city life and straight green, but it’s awesome. The people are just nuts, and it reminds of Breaking Bad a lot out here.   My new companion is Elder Millet.  He is from Seattle Washington.  I like him, and I think we will get some work done out here.  I have been missing Chappy, but I love the new change.  The handle on one of my suitcases busted on the way up.  I guess I put too much weight in the huge one.  My English scriptures got smashed a little, but they are fine.  It was a crazy drive, but I am safe and sound in ABQ.

This week was pretty good, like I said above.  Monday was crazy.  I was going around saying goodbye to people.  Sadly, the Marrero family wasn't home, so I didn't get to say goodbye to them.  That bummed me out.  I had a cool miracle when we were saying goodbye.  I really wanted to say goodbye to Presidente Ramirez and tell him thanks for everything and our chats in his shop.  I knew he would be out in his shop, so I probably wouldn't be able to say goodbye to him.  I had this strong voice say, "Go See Presidente."  I was like what the heck we will just knock the door if we have too.  So we took off to his house, and he was outside.  It caught me off guard because I was expecting to knock the door and not get a response.  They were having a birthday party, and it was awesome.  We talked to him for a while and then we took a photo.  I love him to death, and I hope he comes back.  It was a cool experience because the Lord knew my desires to say goodbye, and he provided a miracle.  It was a cool thing that happened.  Tuesday rolled around, and I just packed all morning.  We gave a blessing to a member before I left.  Then Cesar Medina gave me a Chaparral license plate and thanked me.  It was cool.  I then drove all day and got to ABQ around 6.  We had a transfer meeting in El Paso at 10 and then at 1 at Cruces.  By the time we got to Albuquerque it was late.  It was a long drive, but it was good.  We then hurried and dropped my bags off at our place and went working that night.  Oh - also we share our house with 2 other elders, and our house is huge.  It’s pretty rad.  My bed sucks, but that's all right.  I am driving my favorite car ever - a silver Nissan Frontier - and I am stoked about that.  It just brings back memories.  I am happy to have that.  This week was kind of slow because I was just trying to get used to the area and the other area that we picked up.  We had this super awkward lesson Sunday night in the area we picked up.  There were Sisters in the West area before they closed it, and they were teaching this 16 year old girl.  We went over there Sunday to introduce ourselves and to get to know her.  It was just weird.  I don't know how to describe it, but it was so awkward.  I was trying not to laugh.  You got these 19 year old dudes meeting with a 16 year old girl trying to teach her.  It almost felt like a date.  It was funny, and she is crazy beyond belief.  So hopefully she will get baptized.  She told us she wants to but she wants to come to church first, so that was cool.  It’s nice to be in area that you can go contacting in the streets.  I am loving that.  We have been meeting some crazy people, but it’s all good.  We went by this inactive member’s house last night, and she told us she wasn't interested in the church anymore.  We kept on pushing to get in the door, but she wouldn't let us come in.  She told us she had a change of mind and didn't want religion anymore.  It kind of hit me, and I thought a lot about it last night.  I realized that you’re giving up on the Savior and his gospel.  You’re not doing the last thing he taught, and that was to endure to the end no matter how you like it.  The Savior endured, and we must endure no matter how hard it is.  I was just thinking about how easy it is to give up, but you can't - no matter how hard it is.  I like the ward as well out here.  It’s the first ward I have served, in so it’s a different change, but I like it.  We have a lot of less-actives, so I guess Chaparral prepared me for that.  I like it a lot out here, and that's my week in a nutshell for ya!

It sounds like everyone is in one piece at home.  That's a cool story about Ella’s dress.  I loved that, and I wish I was at Ella's blessing.  I can't wait to see her.  It sounds like football is in full gear.  Tyler keep being yourself and show your moves out there.  I miss you guys tons, and sorry for the email that jumped around a lot.  I hope Holley doesn't fall more and get cut up.  Thanks for everything you do for me!  I miss you guys tons!  Have a wonderful week, and you’re always in my prayers! 

Con Amor,

-Elder Smith

P.S My New Address

Elder Weston Smith

2015 Gun Club Road SW

Albuquerque, New Mexico
87105


Love ya!

 

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