Week 14 - Pumpkin kisses and Harvest wishes.. Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Hope you all enjoy your holiday, and find lots to be thankful for! We'll be spending the day with Bishop's wonderful family (his parents included), and are so grateful. We've been told to expect lots of delicious southern thanksgiving food. Speaking of, ever seen a turkey-vulture?? I thought they were a mythical southern creature. But they're REAL. Saw my first one while driving in the back country, to the town of Vina (population:356). They're terrifying angels of death. Google it. Hoping they're not going to be on the menu..

Transfers are coming up.. We'll find out Saturday what our fate is for the next six weeks. I'm not sure what I'm hoping for honestly! I'm not sure how much longer I can stay sane in the Bay.. But I also know I will be devastated to leave the people I've grown to love so much. The members here really are like family now, and there are a few investigators it seems impossible to leave!

We met a guy named Wayne the other day.. funniest guy I've ever met. I think he's about 56, and has the craziest stories. He says "the good Lord has saved his life more times than he deserves." One of my favorite stories is when he got too drunk at a motorcycle club, and kissed his buddies girlfriend. He says 9 bikers drug him out of the bar, and he was pretty sure that was the end. But "Queen B" (biker chick) came bustin' out and told them he was with her, and that they better not kill him. Haha! And then he finished simply with, "I drink every day." He says he knows he's got a lot of changing to do, but when he gets to heaven he hopes Jesus will al least let him be "the wheel greaser." (for Jesus' chariot)... Wayne used to build motorcycles. Oh man, he's crazy, but has such a good heart. I love him. A few days later we went to visit Ivelina, a sweet old women we've been teaching about the Book of Mormon. She's seriously the sweetest lady on the planet. We walk in her front room, and there is Wayne sitting on the couch!! He about spit his tobacco out. Ivelina is his mother! Bless her.. I just love them both so much.

Another funny kid we met is 10 yr old Skyland.. We were standing outside one of our investigators apartments trying to have a discussion with her about the peace that comes from reading the scriptures. She's in high school, and has had a hard week with rude kids. Anyway, all of the sudden this little red headed kid comes around the corner carrying a 2 liter bottle of Mountain Dew, and some uncooked noodles to munch on. He joins our conversation for a bit and suddenly says "stay right here!"...He leaves for a few minutes and this is the next thing we see:

​Him toting a DEAR HEAD in a tiny red wagon.. DAhahah! We lost it. He proceeded to make several trips to his apartment, each time returning with the skull of something dead. At one point 15 yr old Carry (investigator) told Skyland he better stay away from smoking, drinking, and doing drugs, and he says "Aw man I don't need none of that stuff. All I want is a chopper and a jacked up truck!" 

God bless the South. I love these people so much. Most of them come from very hard living, and I hope so badly they can see how GOOD they are. How much Heavenly Father loves them and is aware of them.

We had a really great stake conference. A lot of the messages were about living the Gospel whole heartedly. How important it is to have the blessings that come from having both feet in. I feel that this is a universal principal. Whether it be living the Gospel of Jesus Christ, missionary work, career/school/passions. There is power that comes from giving it our all. And especially in keeping God a part of the equation. Have I already shared this pic with you? Sister Baird showed this to me, and I love it!:

Sister Sainsbury spoke at the conference, and at one point had all the missionaries in the meeting stand. There were about 30 of us in that stake. She said these are some of Helaman's army.. they are here to help. They want to get to know you, and work with you in finding those the Lord has prepared. It was a really powerful moment. I'm so grateful to be among these people. I love this work, even when I hate it.

I love you all so much more than I can say. So THANKFUL for all I've been blessed with.

Love Sister Smith

P.S.

Ford Family!!

I GOT THE PACKAGE!! Oh my heck, that photo album was the best thing ever!!
Thank you so much for putting that together for me! I love it. The selfies
are hilarious, and the cookies were delicious. It was so good to hear a
little bit from everyone.

I think my favorite scriptures right now are Alma 30:44 (not the whole
thing) "...All things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all‍
things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the
planets‍ which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme
Creator." and of course John 8:32 "And ye shall know the truth, and the
truth shall make you free." From my farewell talk.. Which of those do you
think is best?

I'm the one that is thankful Mom! I'm so thankful for your example, and you
and Dad's support through SO much.. including this mission. Even after all
I've put you guys through. I am always looking for strength out here from
what you and Dad have taught me. I'm so glad you still love the pillow. The
moon and stars have been beautiful out here lately, and I always find
comfort in thinking that my family are all under the same stars at the same
time.

I love you all so much!