Week 40 - Short on time...AGAIN!!

Gosh Dang, I had so many happy things I wanted to write about to day, but
we're out of time now.

Here's an excerpt from my letter to President.

I'm so grateful for this last week. I don't know what it is, but something
finally clicked in my heart and mind. Perhaps it's just a renewed zeal, due
to hard news from home. I want to do everything I can to allow Heavenly
Father to bless my family in the ways they need right now. Whatever it is,
I'm grateful. I believe I finally understand how to gain a passion and joy
in striving for obedience, rather than enduring. I've been so frustrated
for so long, I just didn't understand how to make obedience my strive, when
I didn't feel the conviction of my calling. Certain things just weren't a
big deal to me, and I didn't know how to make myself care about things I
just didn't feel in my heart. As I've focussed more on increasing the light
of Christ in my life, rather than just staying away from darkness ("best
way to overcome darkness is an increase of light.."), I've come to better
understand the love and charity talked about in Moroni 7. I've felt that
"joy" that has been so talked about my whole mission, that only comes from
being obedient. When we start to feel the strength and LOVE that comes from
allowing the Atonement of Jesus Christ to change our natures, obedience
begins to be our strive. We crave it, because we start to feel spiritual
growth. It's not that I was striving for disobedience before, I just didn't
feel happy about following the little rules (headphones, music, etc.) that
didn't make sense to me. Though I was following them begrudgingly. This
week I craved my scriptures, and I didn't mind the little things. I felt
GROWTH, for the first time in a long time. I started to understand the law
of consecration.

I absolutely loved zone conference, and have felt a greater understanding
of my role here as one of the Lord's missionaries. I have feared less, and
been more confident in the message we share. I have heard the words, that
our message is the most important thing these people will ever hear, but
now I feel it in my heart.

Our current progressing investigators are Allison, Shemithia, Natoya, and
Emma. We hope to have the last three on bap. date very soon. We had a cool
experience the other night. It was about 7:30, and we were walking back to
our car. We stopped and offered to help three women unloading a moving van,
and they actually let us! We were able to have lots of friendly
conversation. They offered to take us out to dinner after, where we were
able to share the Book of Mormon with them, and talk to them about why we
were out here. It was really neat! We are going to take each of them a Book
of Mormon this week, and plan to share the first lesson.

Use your judgement as far as what goes out in the weekly/blog. I'm not sure
if any of it makes sense, but it really was a good week. :)

I love you both so much.
Love Teirs

Week 39 - I never knew hell could be so pretty..

Well... We've officially been finding for 7 weeks straight. We meet people here and there (literally no one answers their doors), but the conversation usually ends pretty quick when we "get to the good stuff." We're trying really hard to find opportunities to serve people. We've felt strongly that service is going to be the best way to love and teach these people. "Service softens hearts."

It's blasted hot. And so humid I can't tell if I'm sweating or swimming most of the time. The air is just so thick, it's hard to breathe! But the plants are out of this world. 

There are little geckos everywhere! Reminds me of the Lake Powell days,

chasing lizards all over the red rocks :) ssss'cccuuuutte!

Look at this magnolia flower the size of my head! I never knew hell could be so pretty...

Sister Terry gave me this shirt!!! Best thing ever. I'm not sure you can

fully appreciate the Southernness going on here, unless you've lived in the

South. I love her so much. She was just called to be our STL, and am so

glad we get to serve around each other again! 

Sister Wright (my comp) is also incredible, and one of the funniest people I know. Laughter is the
best way to get through the tough days, and I'm grateful Sis. Wright supplies so much of it.

There are good things I want to share, but I just haven't had the time or
the mind to write about them.. I'm so sorry.

One thing I do want to share is something President Sainsbury shared at
stake conference on Sunday. "It's our inadequacies that drive us to our
knees. And it is there that we find the faith to move forward."

You and I and every person that ever was has felt inadequate at one point
or another. Whether it be school or career or parenthood or just wanting to
help those we love, but not knowing how. Some sever trials may break our
heart, and stretch us beyond our capabilities. But it is there, in those
broken places, that the light of Christ can enter in, if we so choose. And
we ALWAYS have a choice. Faith is a choice.

I have found that in times of need, the scriptures can *tell* us what we
need to do, and the Holy Ghost can help us *understand, *and *show* us what
we need to do. The spirit can be felt on every page of the Book of Mormon.
In every sentence, in every word. Heavenly Father knows us by name. He
loves us. We had no doubt of this is the pre-mortal, and we now have the
opportunity to regain that knowledge. Trials are part of that process.
Trust in the constant care of the Lord. As Sister Wright said this week
"When we feel like we can't do it, we can't. But HE can."

I love you all so much more than words.
Love Sister Smith

Week 37 - "Ponder on the beauty of the earth made clean again..."

Well... it's been a good week. I was feeling kind of bummed last Sunday, because we knocked on SO MANY doors all week, and had only a handful of people answer, and even less let us stay. But then I went to church, and sitting in sacrament to my left was Rick, an older man the AP's just baptized. He has experienced miracles in his life in the short time since that day, including reconnecting with his son after 10+ years. In front of him was Norma who, after 5 months of searching and praying and searching and praying some more, and battling opposition from her family, finally entered the waters of baptism on Saturday :) It was such a sweet day. Then sitting right next to me was Allison, who isn't even a member yet, but stands up every fast Sunday and testifies of the truthfulness of this Gospel. Yesterday her message was about the opposition she has faced as she's begun this journey, and how it only confirms to her that the devil doesn't want her to baptized because this is the truth. I am so amazed and humbled by the strength and determination of these people. I'm so grateful for the gift of having personal witness from the Holy Ghost, that when the "conversation of those in the great and spacious building"  are directed our way, we don't have to doubt what we know for ourselves. (Quote from Stand Up Inside and Be All In by Gary B. Sabin - April 2017 GC)

I love the storms here... everything is so fresh after.

We got caught in a storm after district meeting last week, and since tracting wasn't exactly ideal, we went mall contacting with the Hermanas. Sister Beck, got struck by lightning last spring.. while out walking with an umbrella. She's fine :) but we avoid such activities now.

I may have bought these glasses... 

You can't imagine how many people are willing to talk to you when you look like a wizard. Also, I think they're cute.

President and Sister Sainsbury have asked us to talk to 20 people every day, aside from those we're teaching. Even if we can't teach a lesson, or bring the gospel up, just to talk to people and let them feel the light and see our tags. I really love this challenge, because it's a much more natural way of contacting people for me. I'm still so uncomfortable with knocking on peoples doors.. it just feels forced. But I love talking to people out and about, and almost always get a chance to tell them why we're here, and invite them to know more. People are much friendlier when they can tell you're being sincere and are a normal human being.

One of our ward friends, Betty, has this (pic of Bob Marley) hanging in her house. She said her brother took this photo at what would be Marley's last concert. So cool! I couldn't get a good picture of it without reflection... :/ Anyway Betty is amazing. She's in her 50's and has studied all over the world. She's from Zambia I think, but lived in New York most of her life, and has the coolest accent. 

Hey, guess what I'm ALMOST HALF WAAYYYY!!

We went on a hike today, after having 5 vials of blood drawn at the doc this morning.. Heh. But I SURVIVED. And it was way nice. I miss the mountains so much. There's just nothing like the smell of dirt, the feel of rock, and the sound of trees and running water. It just gets in my soul and heals all the junk put there by long days and mean people.

We ran back in to the Jamaicans last night, and now have an appointment to
teach the first lesson this week :) Which is pretty great, since we forgot
to get their info last time. Miracles!

To be continued.... 

I love you all so much!

Sister Smith

Week 36 - Almost 1/2 Way!

Hola,

Not a lot going on here.. a lot of the same stuff everyday. Knocked lots of doors, and talked to some people. Most are nice, but end the convo asap. Unless they're fresh out of church, or bible study. Then they're all fired up and looking for a fight. Ok ok.. they're not all crazy.

 

We've had the opportunity to do lots of service lately, which is the best thing ever.

Saturday we volunteered 

to serve pie at the Hoover Day
celebration.. look at that thing.

Yes, this is a big apple pie!!

It was Sister Trepanier's birthday, so we threw a surprise party on exchanges

Got to meet the sweetest little girl, who's been baptized for a year now.

She reminded me of Morgan so much. Except she doesn't have an aversion for

human hugs :) 

I found this guy in our bathroom just before hopping in the shower.

The man right of my empty share is John.  He was just baptized at 71 years

old :) sweetest most humble guy I've ever met.

Some days are just rough!
Just kidding... We helped with woman we met tracting move, and she sent us home with a box of "goodies". Fortunately the Holy Ghost had our backs, and knocked this out of the box as we were taking it inside.

Allison is still doing really well, but having to be patient with her family. She's waiting to be baptized for a few months so they can't give her any crap. But the other night Allison needed a Priesthood blessing, and felt impressed to tell her mom about it after. She said it was the first time her mom was nice about anything to do with the church. She said it seemed to really soften her moms heart to hear about one of the blessings of the Restored Gospel. She's going to keep following the promptings of the spirit, and hope that her baptism won't have to wait for months after all...

Sorry there isn't much excitement to report!

I love you guys!
Xo Teirs

Week 35 - Jamaica Mon!! "...two ways to age in this world."

HEEEEYYYY Mon!!!

So the other day we were tracting these apartments, and saw a bunch of people trying to move stuff so we offered to help. THEY WERE JAMAICAN. Didn't know that until they started speaking. Seriously the best day ever.

Me: Do ya'll need any help?

Richardo (Jamaican #1): Yes...

Me: (blank stare)

Richardo: you ok?

Me: Yes... are you? *little people in brain start panicking* (his accent
was too freaking cool to function, and no one actually lets us help when we
ask.)

Brotha Gregory Jones (Jamaican #2): Ahh.. Latter-Day Saints, ya?

Me: Yeah! How did you know?

Gregory: I see your name tag mon... There are a lot of you in Jamaica, they
are all the same as you.

Richardo: No one offers to help like that

Gregory: They are all the same all over the world 💚

Me: We are all brothers and sisters right?

Gregory: Respect

Richardo: Ya mon.. oh! Sorry.. we call everyone mon (😂)

I seriously died, I was so happy. Sister Wright and I found ourselves
hanging out with about 20 Jamaicans for the next hour, just moving all of
their stuff between these three apartments. They come here to work, because
the economy in Jamaica is so poor. They told us how much they love "their
rock," but how terrible conditions are. All the women sounded just like
Calypso from Pirates.. I know, that probably makes me sound like a very
uncultured western American.. But you know how much I love Calypso. It was
seriously one of my favorite experiences of the mission so far.

Mom was at their "Rock"?!

Chontal (Calypso): You much visit our rock, you will love it there.

Little did I know, my mom was visiting their "Rock"!

Gregory walked us to our car when all the moving was done. He told us he
had a wife and 4 children back in Jamaica, which was shocking because he
looked no older than 25! When he told us he was 42, we asked what kept him
looking so young. He left us with this wisdom:

"There are two ways to age in this world. From the inside out, or the outside in. If you let wickedness and evil live inside of you, you deteriorate from the inside out. When your heart is pure you do not age. Everything we do here on earth is because the Almighty allowed us to. If He treated us the way we treat Him, none of us would be here. God be with you."

I gave a talk in sacrament meeting yesterday, about how the light of Christ is what sets the truth apart from the counterfeits of the world. It made me think of what Brotha Jones had said, about the Latter-Day Saints being the same all over the world. True, we were wearing tags. But He also mentioned
that he recognized who we were because of the way we offered to help. Because of the way we treated them.

I love the words of our Living Prophet Thomas S. Monson:

My brothers and sisters, our opportunities to shine surround us each day,

in whatever circumstance we find ourselves. As we follow the example of the

Savior, ours will be the opportunity to be a light in the lives of others,

whether they be our own family members and friends, our co-workers, mere

acquaintances, or total strangers.

To each of you, I say that you are a son or daughter of our Heavenly

Father. You have come from His presence to live on this earth for a season,

to reflect the Savior’s love and teachings, and to bravely let your light

shine for all to see. When that season on earth has ended, if you have done

your part, yours will be the glorious blessing of returning to live with

Him forever.

How reassuring are the Savior’s words: “I am the light of the world: he

that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

Of Him I testify. He is our Savior and Redeemer, our Advocate with the Father. 

He is our Exemplar and our strength. He is “the light which shineth in darkness.”

That each of us within the sound of my voice may pledge to follow Him, thus

becoming a shining light to the world, is my prayer in His holy name, even

Jesus Christ the Lord, amen. (Be an Example and a Light, Oct. Conference

2015)

I love you all! And miss you like crazy. Xoxo Sis Smith

This is a spider the Elders found in their apartment. We had a funeral for
it. I know... missionaries are messed up.

Merica

Walmart is saving our companionship

Week 34 - Easter is Coming!

Hi!

So the other day we went to visit this member named Margery. She had a
brain injury when she was young, and has many mental illnesses as a result.
She is very sweet and kind and childlike, but a little misunderstood at
times. I didn't know any of this about her when I first met her, but felt
an impression to get to know her, and to go spend time with her. So we made
an appointment and went to her home last week. Ok.. first of all, she's freaking amazing. Somehow guitar playing got brought up, and she told me she played. Because I could tell there was something a little off, I wasn't sure what to expect. But she went and brought out the most beautiful acoustic I've ever seen, and started playing. SHE. WAS. AMAZING. I don't
even know what the song was, but she sang and played it to us, and just shredded. I was so blown away! She gave me the guitar, and I felt sheepish
playing what I could remember of the easiest version of Hallelujah. She sang it with me with no hesitations.
During our discussion, she expressed some concerns and we were able to answer her questions. Most of which were about how she could share the gospel better, and help people. All she wanted to know was how to help people learn about the Gospel, and feel the happiness she felt. I was brought to tears! She has such an innocent desire to do her best in this life, and to help others do theirs. What an example she has become to me.
I'm sure that is why Heavenly Father wanted us to meet with her. So she
could teach us.

Disastrous transfer days have become my new favorite tradition :) we
realized our bike rack was broken only as we were headed out the door. We
had to track down the nearest Elders to borrow theirs. Once back to our own
apartment to pick up Sister Mathis's bike, we realized we didn't have the
straps to the rack. So Elders Krupa and Featherstone drove them to us, and
helped us finally get on the road. By the time we made it to transfers we
were about 40 minutes late, but made it just in time for the big switch!

Sister Wright is awesome. She's a hard worker, and we both love blue ICEEs

Blue tongues are the best part.

It's the simple joys...

Only in the South will you find someone's 

weave growing out of the sidewalk

The Last Breakfast, with our favorite spanish sisters!

Zone Training shenanigans

Graffiti in the South gets pretty wild

Don't ask me what I'm wearing.. I don't even know anymore.

Store contacting.. I don't know why no one talks to us

 















I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter week. Be sure to watch the Prince of
Peace vid on mormon.org. It's beautiful. Watch the Principles of Peace after too!

Easter in the south

I love you all so much!

Easter in the south

Easter in the south

Love Sister Smith