My week was really good. Alright so I know all of you are just dying to hear about transfers! Well Wednesday rolls around and we get picked up from our place at 7am to drive all the way up to Baton Rouge. We got there and we had an hour meeting and then we were all brought into the Chapel and separated on both sides of the room. Then President got up and started talking to us and then he started to name off the companions. He started with my zone first. The New Orleans Zone. First to go was Elder S.. He got moved to Downtown. Just right across the river. So he will be working in downtown probably for the rest of his mission. He was really happy and excited. Then next President Called Algiers (where I am at) Then he said... " Serving in Algiers with Elder Smith is going to be......... Elder W.!" So I stand up and look around for him to see who he is. I look over and he looks just like Eric Porter from our ward! haha He is 6'1 and a really cool kid. I really like him. We have a lot of the same interests. He played Basketball, Baseball, and football. He is going to be playing basketball for a school when he gets home. He is a Baller! He is really chill. I think we are going to work really well with each other. I told him that I am wanting to work really hard this transfer and he agreed. So there you go! Now you have it. Elder W. is my new companion. He is from Heber Arizona which is like 2 hours away from Scottsdale. Really cool! So my week has been GREAT! I am happy for a change. I think it is going to work out really well! Mom all of your prayers have been answered! haha Thanks for praying for me!
Alright so some cool things that happened this week. First off we had 21 hours of service this week so another week full of service! We built a fence for sister B. and we mowed a couple lawns like usual. Sister M. is doing really well. She did not attend church this week though.. That was really hard. We have not had an opportunity to talk to her about baptism for a couple weeks.. We are really wanting to this week. I just really want to make sure that the Spirit is there with us when we ask her again. Because last time it was soo strong. So that is what I am working on really hard this week. I have devoted all of my studies on helping me to be able to have the opportunity to give her the Baptismal question. That is my goal for this week. We are going to go over there this week with someone from the high council to talk with her about her concerns. It is all going to work out. I can see how Heavenly Father has helped her out so much this past couple of months.
So a couple of months ago when I first got here I set a goal to be the friendliest missionary I could be and to talk to everyone. I have thought to myself of the challenge that dad gave me when I was starting high school. His challenge was "talk to everyone and befriend everyone". Especially the person that is all alone. I have really taken this challenge and put it to heart. I wont lie though it has been pretty hard because some of the people down here are pretty different! haha So yesterday I noticed that all of my work is starting to pay off. When I first got here people would kind of say hi and then get on there way, but now I notice people are starting to open up with me and to really have a good conversation with me. The members and less active people that we see really seem to like me. It is true when president Wall said we are the bringers of HOPE. So that has been something cool I have reflected on this past week.
This week has been a tough week for teaching. We had some things fall through and a couple of the people we are working with didn't come through with their commitments. That really just breaks my heart. It is hard when all of our lives we have known the truth and then when you talk to someone and they use their agency to choose the other way you just kind of want to ring there necks! haha. Don't worry though I wont! :) One thing I have been trying to do to help me out is think of one thing everyday that I am thankful for and one thing that helps make me happy. Everyday I think of my My AWESOME AMAZING FAMILY. You guys really are the best and so supportive of me! You guys always give me the extra push that I need to make it through the day! Thank you for that! Well I can't believe it is already November! Just think... Soon it is going to be Christmas and we are going to be able to talk! I am so excited for that day!!
Well I am sorry this letter is kind of all over the place. Not a whole lot happened this week. It was pretty slow with transfers and getting everything unpacked for my new companion. I was talking to Elder A. this morning about our missions. It is funny because on some missions people talk a lot about all of the really cool things that happened like baptisms and all of that stuff, but then with us we find so much joy in the little things just like when an investigator comes to church. Or when we give a lot of service! It is what I have come to love though! A mission is not about the big things. It is about the little things that add up to be big. I love my mission. It has been the hardest thing I have ever done. I have come to find out who I really am and how I am a son of God. I love being the person who gives hope to people. I always want to be that person. I love my older brother, Jesus Christ and how he died for me. He knew I was not going to be perfect so he decided to help me and all of us out. I make mistakes everyday, but because of him I can be made clean again and keep on pushen on. I am so greatful for this Gospel. It does change peoples lives. I testify of that. It brings in the knowledge and hope we need in this life. If you take a step back and look at the big picture this life really is only but a small moment. We need to make sure we live it to the best of our abilities and to live the commandments. And as we do that we will be blessed and be able to return and live with our Heavenly Father again. I may not be teaching a 100 lessons a week, but that is okay. I have realized that the most important converts in this church is ourselves. I love this work! I love the Challenge it is! I love how humbling it is! I love how much I am growing!
Well I hope all is well back home! I pray for each and everyone of you everyday. I miss you all very much! I love hearing all of the stories of what is going on back home. Well I hope this letter got my point across. I am doing great out here. I am glad this past week is over though! It was TOO long for me haha! Well I hope you all have a great week this week. Mom and dad I hope you are doing great! Jen and Dave I hope all is well and I hope the little girls are doing great! I love hearing the updates on all of them! Tell them I love them very much and miss them a lot! Ryan and Dan I love you guys! Keep up the good work and tell your families hi for me! And that I love them too!! You all are amazing! Well I love you all and I hope you all have a great week!
Love Elder Smith!
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