Oh Transfers...

29 July 2013

Two weeks in a row...I'm on a roll!-Deb

Welllll last night we got transfer calls..... and once again I will be whitewash training. I just want to be with a companion for more than six weeks and in an area for like six months so i can really get into the work and get some stuff going. Maricopa has been awesome though. Only here for 4.5 months but it was really successful and I loved every second of it. This whole mission thing really teaches me how I need to align God's will with mine. I don't want to be transferred. I will miss Elder B. I will miss Maricopa, but I know that Heavenly Father has more in store somewhere else. Somewhere I need to be to learn and grow so I will go and do. Hopefully I will learn and do what I am supposed to do in the new area. And I will be training again. I do like training. It's fun. So far after I got trained I have been a trainer. I hope it continues like that because I really like new missionaries. They are so gung ho about the work and it us super fun.

As for N. he got baptized on Saturday. It was a really cool service. His girlfriend and her family made it down and the dad did the baptizing and confirming. The spirit was super strong during the confirmation. Really incredible. 

We also started teaching a 17 year old boy on Friday who has come to church 3 times with his friend. He accepted the baptismal date of Aug 3. So another baptism this weekend. Too bad I wont be there. oh well.

Aside from that it has been alot of trying to find. We got a few referrals so hopefully something good will come of those. 

On Friday we had a visit to make but since it is the end of the month we are almost out of miles for our car so we had to bike like 20 miles to go make this visit in what felt like the worst head wind of my life. It sucked so bad and my butt hurt soooo bad after that. but it was an adventure so it was good. We have been working with a lady that got excommunicated a few years ago and decided she wanted to come back to churhc. She is doing really good and is really working hard on doing whats right. She is still trying to quit smoking but that will come. What is even cooler is to see her 15 year old son getting really excited to start coming back to church and reading the scriptures and Preach My Gospel. It sounds like he is preparing for a mission now. Super cool. I am going to miss Copa'. 

How is all back home? Sounds like everything is going good. I hope you all are doing well.

Well I love you all and pray for you

Love

Elder Smith

We Keep It Poppin' Like a Needle in a New Balloon

22 July 2013

Well I haven't got the letter with the tweezers yet so I haven't heard what happened with the CRV! That looks crazy! I hope everyone is okay. Especially Brooklyn... and mom too :) Love you mom!!!

Well last week was pretty good. We have been teaching a lot of lessons because while we are tracting or street contacting we just start teaching adn people are usually willing to listen right on the spot and they have questions and stuff but when we try to set up appointments that is where the interest ends. Its weird.

Anyway so on Monday we were going to this house and there was a lizard on the door way arch thing but it was to high to grab so my instincts kicked in and i took my planner and threw it at the lizard and it came flying down in the air and i caught it and it was awesome. that was Monday's highlight. Tuesday was just tuesday. Wednesday we were walking to a few different houses and it is around 8:30 so it is dark and there arent any street lights in Maricopa because it just became an official city in 2008 and if its not a city there doesn't have to be street lights to it is really dark in the neighborhoods. So anyway we were walking and someone yelled at us but we looked around and couldn't see anyone and then they yelled again and we saw this big guy in the shadow smoking and he told us we needed some visibility. So we started talkin to him (his name is D.) and found out that he had this experience when he was younger that when he was leaving a bar a security guard came up to him and told him that he should leave and it would be in his best interest. so he left and then i guess something bad happened at the bar that night and D. told us that the security guard was Jesus. Interesting. Then he told us that he believed that with all the stem cell research going on that in the next 20 years people would be able to go to a Circle K and get a new heart for 20 bucks and be all better. Interesting guy. we have a lesson with him tomorrow. 

Thursday we had Zone Conference. We had training from the zls, the apes, and President and Sister Toone. They are from somewhere in UT. I think they have 8 kids. President is, as he says, "Five foot, twenty four inches." He is 7 feet tall. When we hug him its like hugging a tree. Crazy. But he is cool and chill and i think we are going to get along good. 

As for investigators N. is still good for the 27th. We sat down with his mom and addressed her concerns which was more that N. was just doing this for his gf. She is just worried that he is going to get baptized and then not follow through. Which I am glad that she is worried about that because hopefully she will push him to go to church functions and such. N's gf and family are coming down from UT for the baptism and the dad is doing the baptizing. gonna be awesome. 

That is pretty much it for this week. good week. Looks like mom and brooke had an adventure. looking forward to hearing about that. Love you all and hope you are doing wonderful!!

Love

Elder Smith

15 July 2013

Whats goin on in the Tri Cities? Looks like you guys are having a ton of fun! The only downside for you is that AZ is way better!  Man working with Elder B. is so much fun and we work so well togethter that when we are teaching everything just flows. Contention really is Satan's way. I've noticed the difference when you go into a lesson with not the greatest of feelings toward your companion and the lesson is just ehh. But when you are on the same page and get along everything really does just flow and the spirit is there soooo much more strong.  We don't have a ton going on right now. 

N. is still looking good to get baptized on the 27th. His gf and her family are coming down for the baptism and her dad is going to do it. That should be really exciting. Aside from that we have been doing a ton of different finding ideas. We are organizing a church tour and made flyers and handouts and everything so hopefully that will be successful and there will be a good turn out. We also have been doing a fair amount of tracting. Not alot of people are outside right now considering it is 110+ almost everyday so we have been going to them. It has actually been going better than I thought. I like tracting :)

Yesterday I realized how cool it is to let your tongue be loosed and let the spirit direct what you say. David A Bednar gave a talk addressing worries about whether thoughts are of the spirit or not and he said, "Don't worry about it." That is something I am working on. We talked to a guy yesterday and taught him about the restoration. He brought up some concerns and without hesitation I just started talking not really knowing what I was saying and he totally understood and we scheduled another lesson with him. Super cool experience. I love being on a mission and seeing all these miracles happen all the time. I don't know how people live without the gospel in their lives. It truly is amazing.

 Well Im glad you all had an awesome week! I love you all!!!!

Love

Elder Smith

Fresh to the death like we're drowning in Febreeze

8 July 2013

This week was LEGIT. Sister K. got baptized and confirmed this weekend. It was awesome. One of the best baptisms I have ever attended. The spirit was super strong and awesome. So that was a treat. 

N. was supposed to get baptized on July 13 but didn't get to church on Sunday so that is kind of frustrating because he says he wants to be baptized and all but just isn't coming to church. Really cool kid though. He is 15 or maybe 16 (when we asked him he said he forgot so he would ask his mom) but his gf lives in UT and is a member and so at first we thought he was just a victim of the 14th chapter of Preach my Gospel, "Flirt to Convert." After talking to him a few times we found out that may be part of it but he really does want to change and is a good kid. Our WML Bro B. was a teacher at the middle school and now principal but is really surprised to see how much he has changed in the last year or two. He is a great kid!

We are also working with a lady that got excommunicated a few years ago and wants to come back to church. After we read a chapter of the Book of Mormon she had a bunch of thoughts about how baptism should be later than the age of 8 so that people can mess up and then just be baptized later and BAM. Clean. So everything addressed back to her testimony of the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. One awesome thing is that she has a super strong testimony of the priesthood and that is way cool to see. I love being able to help people build their testimony through the Holy Ghost testifying to them and telling them of truths. 

Oh we also called M. this week who has pretty much turned into an eternal investigator. Anyway we went over to her house to give her a blessing because life has been hard for her. So we sit down and she starts talking to us about how hard her life is and how she would much rather be on the cross and doing what Christ did because that is nothing compared to what she was going through. So we sat there and the spirit just told me to interrupt her and I literally told her to stop talking and that she didn't know what she was talking about. After I explained what Christ did and how He knows exactly what we are going through and what He did is FAR harder than anything we will ever go through. After I was kind of worried about what she would say but she didn't really say anything and then changed the subject. She wasn't mad or anything because I know that the Holy Ghost testified to her of the truthfulness of the atonement. Really cool to see.

Well life is good here. The heat sucks but all else is well. thank you for the package. Oh I meant to ask for another pair of tweezers. Some how mine fell out and are gone and they always come in handy!! Thanks for everything and all the support!! 

Love
Elder Smith

It's been awhile since I've updated, but here's the highlights of what's happening in the ATM (Arizona Tempe Mission)

1 July 2013

Oh family what a week.  Super duper hot. I  don't think I have ever sweat soooo much. everything is just sweaty all the time. its super fun. the up side is that people feel bad and let you in for some water and you can talk to them that way. So the work is going really good. Sis K. is getting baptized this week by her husband and it is gonna be ballin'. And we have another kid on date for the 13 of July. He is a good kid that has made some really cool changes for a kid his age. He is 15 and wants to change his life in many different ways. The only problem is that he is 15 and forgets about appointments and stuff. But that is okay. we are just going to keep working with him and making sure we keep in touch with him alot. Besides that we dont have a ton of other investigators. We have been doing alot of work with less actives, but the ward that we were doing all that work in got taken from us so now we only cover two wards. Kind of a bummer but its going to be good for the ward because with conflicting church times they will now be able to get the missionaries more and have the work they deserve. 

We went out scorpion hunting with a member last week and caught these huge fat scorpions. they are legit. I will send pictures. They are so big that they eat the lizards. CRAZY. And also last night was the first Haboob (dust storm). It was pretty cool but wasnt to bad. but EVERYTHING is dusty now. so that was interesting.

Glad to see everything back home is going good. I hope all is going well and that you are all looking for missionary oppurtunities. They are everywhere!!

Love 

Elder Smith 

24 June 2013

What a good week. Transfers was this week as you know. I got a brand new greenie :) His name is Elder B. He is from Cheney!! And he is AWESOME. We get along great. Its gonna be an awesome transfer. So anyway this week has been great. Elder B. is a great missionary and is going to do great as he learns the mission life and learns the lessons and everything. So we had this one lesson with this lady that we taught when I was in a trio. At the end of the first lesson that happened in April we invited her (Sis K) to be baptized. She said that she had already been baptized. At three months out I didn't really know what to say but the other two elders I was with kind of didn't handle it to great. They told her it wasn't really valid and didn't mean anything. Well that didn't sit well with Sis K because even a baptism done without the priesthood is still a big commitment to some people and it really meant a lot to her when she got baptized. So she didn't have us back for a while. Well about two weeks ago we were blessed to have another lesson with her and this time it went wonderfully. When she brought up that she had been baptized we told her how that must have been a wonderful experience and how it is still a great commitment to follow the Lord but explained that the priesthood authority is still necessary. She understood. Her and her husband (a member) came to the broadcast and at the end her husband thanked us for our persistence and she asked when she could be baptized. This just shows how the Lord is preparing people everyday. Even if their first experience with missionaries isn't great they still know in their hearts that something is missing. So that was my spiritual thought for the week. 

Now a funny thought. So Elder B and I were walking/tracting and we came upon a little baby lizard. So we proceeded to catch it. Once we caught it we didn't know what to do with it so I put it in a little pouch in my backpack to take home and raise and feed and stuff. This was about 6:30. So we kept tracting and then went to our lesson at 8. We went in a talked to the family. As they got up to go get their scrips I reached in my backpack to get mine. Well somehow the lizard had got out of the little pouch and into the main part. So when I pulled my scrips out, out came the lizard too. Well the family came back so I just used my back pack and feet to hide it. We teach our lesson and they commit to come to church. So I put my scriptures back in my bag and the lizard is still sitting right between my feet and backpack. The father came over to shake our hands and walk us out. When i get up i strategically place my feet to continue hiding it and on my first step i used my foot to shove it under the couch. And off we went. So now our pet lizard is in this families house. I hope they dont mind to much :) 

Dad that is awesome that you got to go to all the cool church places and almost meet my boy J R Holland!!! Me and him are tight!! And mom the room looks nice and girly... 

Yes I am still at the Cypress house and it is ballin'!! Well I love you all so much!!!!

Elder Smith 

17 June 2013

Well we got transfer calls last night/ this morning and I got the call to train again :) and I will be staying in 'Copa. Thank goodness. I didn't want to whitewash train again. So yeah we will see on Wednesday who the comp is and everything like that. Um other than that not much news about me. Some of the people we are working with are going through some hard stuff. The E. family that just got baptized is definitely being tried. Well now that they have been baptized the advisary is working hard. But she has been super faithful and knows that without the help of our Heavenly Father she wont be able to make it.

Along with that we have been working with a less active family named the B's. Within the last few months the parents have separated and the dad has gone off. For a while it looked like things might get better but the husband never figured things out and just two days ago said he was going to start dating other women and didn't believe the church was true. So far that he said he wants his records removed from the church. The family is very sad but they continue to read their scripts and pray. We gave Sis B. a blessing on Saturday and it was really neat to feel the spirit come so strong because of her faith in the power and authority of the priesthood.

So this week has been hard for the people we have been working with. All in all I have come to realize that pride is no good. Pride is what is causing all the contention and heartache. So I am going to make sure that I am never prideful, which is not always easy especially in the mission field when you think you know what you are doing and don't want to take any suggestions. I am going to do my best to learn from my new greenie comp and we are going to make a powerhouse of a team and baptize all of Maricopa and in a few months when you don't see it on a map you will know that the whole city got translated :)

Love you all so much!

Elder Smith

3 June 2013

Oh what a week. The E. family got baptized which was awesome. They have been the most prepared family I have ever seen. Incredible. Elder J. got to baptize M. and A., 12 and 10, and I was privileged to baptize P. The spirit at baptisms is truly amazing. And then on Sunday I was blessed to confirm M. which was truly amazing. I was really nervous to do it but when I started talking the words just flowed and everything went great. It was one of the best weekends on the mission so far.

Aside from that we had a lot of cancellations this week. But we did have some good street contacts. There were these three little kids probably around 12 making these dirt jumps and so we went to talk to them. The whole time we were talking they were taking turns hitting the jumps and so when one of them told us we should try I couldn't resist. Plus I had to impress these kids so they would come to church. So I go back to get some speed and as I am riding up to the jump I can tell I dont have enough speed but I was to close to do anything about it so I just went for it. There was a gap in between the jump and the landing and I didnt have enough speed and my back wheel hit the bump and my butt ate the seat and it hurt super bad and I almost went over the handle bars. It was scary but the kids thought it was awesome so all is well. And then they said they would come to church and talk to one of their LDS friends and ask about mutual and stuff like that so it was totally worth it.

That is really all that happened this week. The J. family moved away and we might start teaching another family of 6 so that would be awesome. We helped them move and two of their kids have been reading the BOM. Will tell you more next week.

Well I love you all and hope all is going well. Sorry to hear about Chris losing to Emma but Im not surprised. Some one needs to destroy that little girl in ping pong. I wish I could have but it will have to be someone else.

I love you all!!

Elder Smith

A screen shot of our Mother's Day Skype.  Marshall and his companion.

26 April 2013

So about everything this week. Well when we started in the new area Elder J. and I were not super busy. But it has been really neat to see how through hard work and diligence the area is really starting to move along. We had some good lessons this week.

So I have mentioned M. before. Super nice lady, Jewish, and is really developing a lot of faith in Christ. Well she had these two cats that were like 20 years old and she loved them more than people.  Well on Thursday night one of them died in her arms and she was devastated. She called us crying and told us our lesson for Friday evening was off.  So we were kind of bummed but knew she would need some time. Well Friday morning she called and said she wanted to meet in the evening. So we went over there and she was still super upset.  Told us she wouldn't be able to sit through a lesson or anything so before we left we offered her a blessing. She was also planning on putting down her other cat the next day because it had cancer and was really sick.  So we gave her the blessing and left. Saturday morning she called and wanted us to go to the vet with her to put the second cat down. So we met her there and she was hysterical. I have never seen someone so upset. Ever. She really loved those cats.  So after about an hour and a half at the vets it was all over and she told us she was to upset to go to church the next day so we shouldn't be expecting her. Well out of the blue she walked into gospel principles. She then went on to share what happened to her.  She said when she got home from the vet she was no longer sad. She said she knew what had happened was supposed to happen and wasn't upset anymore. She said she was fine, and knew that the only reason she felt that way was because of the blessing and the comfort the Holy Ghost was providing her. It was so cool to see her recognize the blessings of the gospel and the peace that is found in it.

That was about all that happened this week. We found some new investigators and I will tell you how things go with them next week. Also we have transfers on Wednesday and usually they make calls on Sunday night but th

ey didn't. President said that this Pday everyone has to stay in their house from 2-6 and clean and prepare the area books as if they are going to be White washed so we dont know what is happening. this is the transfer where it is pretty much determined which mission you will be in. We will see what happens tonight. As for the call we are allowed to Skype but we don't really know where we will be so it will be a toss up. if you could send me haydens skype account information that would be good. I don't really know what will be going on so just be on your toes. I will probably call around 9:30 so make sure to be home at that time. haha just kidding. I'll make sure that you guys are home but do be on your toes and have haydens laptop open on skype and everything.

Well I love you all and hope for the best. I am excited to talk to you and see you all next weekend!!

Love

Elder Smith

A few baptisms, a new area and look who's a trainer! It's Elder Smith 4.0

18 March 2013

Another week has flown by and I don't even know where the time has gone. We had another dinner with A. and the food was great and the family that came was great and the spirit from the lesson was great but she still wont commit to being baptized. She says she has a testimony of the church and that it is true but i cant imagine anyone has a real testimony and wont be baptized. i dont know. Just my thoughts. So she says not now. That was a bummer. I mean Holland says that when our investigators wont keep commitments or dont want to be baptized we will be devastated but i didn't feel that way until now. I want for her so much to be baptized because i know that she will be so much more happy with the fulness in her life. The fulness of this gospel brings eternal happiness that cant really be achieved anywhere else. We just don't know what else to do. So hopefully with time missionaries will be able to come back and she will be ready :)

Also this week D. had her third back surgery. She has to stop smoking by yesterday so I pray everyday that she will be able to stay off the cigs and prepare herself for baptism. Her son is doing great though. B. has such a strong testimony for a 10 year old boy and knows so much about the scriptures for only being in the church for 3 weeks now. It is amazing to see how the spirit can teach way better than any missionaries.

Right now we don't have any other investigators. We are searching everyday and trying to get the members help.

Elder D. (in our district) and I were on exchanges on Thursday and we were riding along and decided to play the trust game. its where you ride your bike next to each other and then grab the other persons handle bar with your close hand and then let go of your outside hand. Well so we got close together and grabbed each others handles and then let go of our outside hand. And to both of our surprise it didnt work at all. We ate asphalt. We were both okay though. Just a little scrape but both good. It was pretty funny. :)

Well that is all that has happened down here. It sounds like you are gonna have a brand new house by that time I get home :) One thing I dont miss is cleaning up Macys barf. That is so cool to hear about Masons call! EXCITING! And wish Kaylee luck for me!! Excitng to hear all the calls and everyone leaving.

Well I love you all and miss you dearly, but not enough to come home :)

Love

Elder Smith 4.0 

25 March 2013

 

Sunday in Bridlegate ward the meeting was completely focused on missionary work. Elder DeGraw, Bro Ogburn (Ward Mission Leader), Bro Barren(Convert), and I spoke.  I spoke on member missionary work. There is a quote in Preach My Gospel from Joseph Smith that says, "The greatest and most important duty is to preach the gospel." I thought that was really cool because it is so simple and direct.

Oh yeah and transfers. So from 9 to 9:30 President makes calls for anyone that is going to be a new district leader, zone leader, AP or trainer. And then from 9:30 to 10:30 the AP's make the calls to the zl's and tell them who is going and who is staying. I live with the Zl's so i get all the news first hand. So I got a call at 9:15....I am training a new Elder. And I also got news that I am moving to a new area. So when you are training and moving it means you are also white washing. So yeah at 3 months out I am whitewash training. In my case they should call it yellow-wash training because I am peeing my pants!!! I AM SO NERVOUS. New elder and new area?!! AHHH I guess i am just going to do what ever i want because i don't know how the area does it and the new elder wont have many set ways yet. This is gonna be a fun transfer i guess. Make the most of it and do my very best. That is all i can do. I guess that's why i liked Kamiakin so much. Their motto fits me perfect, 'Be the best you can be' Thats what I am going to do.

So just tell me everything that is going on. I guess i care about everything. But i love hearing of everything that is going on!!

I love you all!!

Elder Smith 4.0

1 April 2013

Well this week didn't go as expected. I was supposed to be whitewash training but something happened to my comp in the MTC and he didn't make it down to AZ. So now I am in Maricopa with the elders that cover the wards I am going to cover. We are in a trio.  I was really worried at first because sometimes trios don't work out to well, but so far everything has been really good and we all get along great. I will be getting a new comp in about another week from the MTC. I am excited to be training but also nervous.

I don't really have much to report investigator wise because I don't know any of the investigators in the area yet. I did however get to go back to Gilbert on Saturday night and baptize D. The baptism went really well and I am excited for what the Lord has in store for her and her family.

So about emailing. You can go ahead and give it out. We have the same amount of time. I will write my email to you guys first and then any other time I have can go to everyone else. Not like that many people will write me anyways but that's okay.

Well I love you guys all and hope everything is going well in Kennewick!

Love

Elder Smith 4.0

8 April 2013

 

So this week has been really good.  We got a referral on Monday that we went and taught on Thursday and he is on date to get baptized on the 27 of April. I'm really excited for him but a little bummed because he is not going to be in my area. Its okay though, as long as people are coming unto Christ it doesn't matter who teaches and whatever. Um we taught a lot of lessons this week and the work is really progressing in this area.  I'm supposed to be getting my new greenie this week on Wednesday. I'm excited to start training but also really nervous to take over part of the area and be taking the reigns in every situation. Should be a good learning opportunity for me.  It will really show me what i need to work and improve on. Umm what else happened this week. We had a baptismal interview for a lady the other elders had been teaching before i got here so that was cool.  Im just always excited for people to come unto Christ and get baptized. There really is no greater decision to be made. Its awesome.

Conference was really good. I really liked Quentin L Cooks talk on Saturday about preaching about Christ. He then went on to talk about how following Christs teachings will bring great peace into anyone's life. Then I thought about what Emma tells me, "Preach peace" really that is what I am trying to do. This message is completely centered on Jesus Christ and teaching others about Him will bring great peace. So that is exactly what i am to do. Preach Peace.

So yeah its been good around here. Just takin' it day by day working hard in the moment. Excited to get the new comp and take over the area. OH also i will be moving across town so i will be using a new address. it is   45175 W Cypress Ln, Maricopa 85139. The house is SUPER nice. 4 bedroom house for just me and another missionary. Its exciting. 

Well I hope Hayden paid close attention to L Whitney Claytons talk on what makes a successful marrige! HA! Actually Christian should probably make sure he rereads that talk in a few weeks! AHAH Well I love you guys and know that the church is true!

Love

Elder Smith

15 April 2013

 

So the day has finally come when I get to go to the mission home and pick up the new greenie. Gosh it seems like transfers was just last week but really it was almost a month ago. Holy Cow time flies when you're in a trio.  Well we had another baptism this week. Although I only taught her once, no matter who it is there is always a special feeling at a baptism. This week kind of sucked for lessons.  I think we had about 20 lessons planned and fell through this week. It really become tiring when you plan and study for all these different lessons and then an hour before you go a call or text comes in saying that they are at work or not feeling well or just busy. It seems like everyone in the whole world is to busy. I hope that is something I never do. Become to 'busy' to fulfill a calling or something like that. 

We did have a few lessons though. We taught M. She started meeting with the missionaries a few months ago. Before that she was a practicing Jew.  Its amazing to see that now she has a belief in Jesus Christ.  She wants to be baptized but it will take some time considering all she is going through. She has been in a fair amount of surgeries in the last few months and is on a lot of meds and wants to get off them. The only problem is that to not take she meds she uses smoking as her crutch. She has cut back to about 2 cigs a day which is pretty good. She is the nicest lady though. She bought us a big box of otter pops that rocked! 

That is about all that is going on this week. In about 3 hours I will be senior comp and starting work in the new area. I think I was pretty blessed to get to have come to Maricopa and meet all the Ward Mission Leaders and everyone before I have to take over. My nerves have definitly calmed. Im really excited to train. I think it is going to be a wonderful experiance. The new house is super nice and big and awesome. I gave you the address in the last email and i hope there is some mail waiting for me ;) 

To Mason: Dude so exciting!! Ah you are gonna love the SLC mission. It is going to be like Gilbert here. Members everywhere and they will just give you money and buy you stuff all the time. I don't think i paid for a single fast food meal for three months i was in Gilbert!!

I love you all and hope all is going well!!

Love 

Elder Smith

Later that morning we got this email...

 

So Thursday we had Zone conference and President tld me my comp would be here today. Last night we moved a bunch of stuff to the new house and i found a ride into Tempe to get the new guy. literally an hour ago we got a call from the AP's saying he didn't come. So i will continue to be in a trio. :(

22 April 2013

Soooo this week has been good and bad. On Wednesday it was our Zone temple day so that is always a great way to start the day. The Mesa Temple is beautiful and always a good experience. Then right after that I went to the mission home and picked up Elder J. Finally. So we drove around Tempe getting him a bike and other supplies he didn't have. He is technically a greenie but kind of not. He served a trial mission in the Provo mission for two transfers. Then after that went through the MTC and now is here. President asked me to train him but there isn't a ton of training to do because he has already been in the field. But we still do training hour and go over some stuff. I mean we can all use the extra help. He is from Orem UT. He likes to program computers and take pictures of stuff. We don't have a ton in common so the house is kind of quiet at nights. Besides that I don't foresee any arguments so all should be good. He did get called to the Gilbert mission though so he will be transferred either this transfer or the next. That would be weird if it were this transfer because he would have only been in Copa for two weeks. We will see.

That was the good of the week. The bad is that the weekend was supposed to be packed with lessons but within the hour of the lesson each one cancelled. I think we had 6 lessons set up and they all fell through and then no one came to church.  This has to be the most draining work I have ever done. So the last few days we have spent a lot of time walking and talking to people. I think within the last three days we walked about 20 miles which is only because all of our lessons fell through. It happens though. Just gotta keep your head up and do all that you can. So yeah that was pretty much the week. 

We are going to go Lazer tagging today :) should be a good pday. Oh and what about Christian? When is he going to get married. Yesterday we were talking to this RM of about a month and we learned that he was engaged already. Then his fiancee walked up and he puts his arm around her like some sort of trophy and says," This is what you win.' she didn't look very happy. So don't do that Christian. haha i couldn't help but laugh.

Well I love you all and hope everything in Kennewick is going good!!

Love

Elder Smith