A pretty tough week! - 3/24/14

Hey everyone! What's up! Dad and Mom thanks for the amazing letters as usual!. Y’all are just the best! The pictures were awesome as well! Jacque  you sure are looking better and better every time I see a video. Keep it up! You too Jane!! That is a funny story about little Carter! haha Must run in the family haha! And that is cute about Sophie feeling so bad. They sure are some cuties! 

Well today sure is a big day! 8 Months baby! 1/3 done! That is pretty crazy! Especially because I am still in Algiers! I am loving it, but I think I am ready for a change. I have no idea what is going to happen next transfer. Either I am going to be leaving and Elder Jenson will take over the area or I will be staying because he is a visa waiter and may get his visa so I would probably train again in this area. Don't get me wrong I love this area, but it is starting to get a little old haha! Visiting the same members over and over again for 8 months! Oh well. I obviously have something to do here or else I wouldn't still be here you know? 

This week was super great, but soooooo very long haha! :) We had another week of 40 hours of service. It isn't even surprising anymore how much service we have. We had service every single day including Sunday. That I think is a new record or something. We had 4 moves this week. 2 of them went smoothly and fast, but the other 2 were horrible train wrecks!! So the first horrific move was a member of our branch. She is an older lady. And let’s just say she is a hoarder! She has crap everywhere in her house. There is only a little tiny walk way to get around in her house. So the reason it was a bad move is because 1. she didn't pack anything up at all so we had to do that. 2. She wants to keep all of her stuff because she thinks it is valuable when it honestly is just junk! She had a box of old milk cartons from 1970. Why in the world would you need that?? So Elder Jenson and I helped her out for 2 days just clearing stuff out. Alright now it is time for the good move haha.... So there is a recent convert up in the luling branch and she is moving to our branch. So we go up there and I had never met or seen this women before. She is like 300 pounds and is in a motorized cart. So we ask her what we can start moving and she said oh we aren't moving yet! You are going to help me clean my house.... Right then I was like shoot me in the face to Elder Jenson haha. So we went to the garage and guess what! She is also a hoarder except for about 30 times worse! So I grab a shovel and I just start shoveling her stuff into garbage bags. Luckily she was wanting to get rid of almost everything so we were able to do that super fast and put it out to the curb. Then when we were done with the garage she asked if we could clean out her old roommate’s room in the back. She warned us that this guy used to be a huge druggie and a big time smoker. She said his room was pretty bad. We weren't really thinking it would be that bad, but boy were we wrong.... All of us missionaries walked in and it was the most disgusting place I have ever been in. There were clothes everywhere. There were cigarette buds covering the ground. You honestly couldn't see the ground. and then to put the cherry on top there was dog and cat poop everywhere because this guy never let his dog out to go to the bathroom. Let's just say it was like walking into a war zone. So guess what we did... Yup we started cleaning. I was a little upset because we were called up there to go move. Not to clean up after this guy. It was almost unsafe to be in there! So I put on some gloves and grabbed a rake and a shovel and started doing work. It took about 2 hours to put a little dent into it. So it was a good experience I never ever want to experience again! So that was our 2 horrific moves! :) We have 3 this week we are helping with so keep me in your prayers that I don't die. 

We had some good times this week Elder Jenson and I. After that gross move we wanted to have some fun so we ended up having a sprinting competition. We would sprint about 70 yards. The first race I just destroyed! I killed him haha. Now the nex

t part I don't like too much... We raced again and he kicked my trash... So for the tie breaker we both lined up and we started and we were right next to each other the whole race and then at the end he pulled away... I was very upset! haha. It was a lot of fun though until the next morning when we both could not get out of bed because of the soreness. I still have got my competitive spirit that's for sure. It is okay though because I kicked his trash in a bike race the next day. :)

This week we had exchanges. I went over to the Westbank with Elder S. He is my district leader. We ended up having a great exchange, but some very interesting things happened. The first night we received a call from the sister missionaries. They asked if we could go and give a lady a blessing who was in the hospital. She has very bad cancer and I had given her a blessing about 3 weeks ago. She told us she was giving up. She can't eat and she can't move. It was so sad to see. Elder S. gave her a blessing and it was very strange. He pretty much told her she was going to die. I guess that is what she needed to hear. So there was that. And another thing I want to say about Elder S. is his driving. He is from New York and has never driven before his mission. He is the worst driver ever! He speeds up super-fast and then brakes so hard. Every time I ride with him it makes me sick. He ran over 3 curbs while we were with each other for 1 day. haha, but it is okay because I am still breathing! :)

Sister W. is the sweetest lady ever! She really is like my mom away from home. I am grateful for her. My shoulder bag was starting to rip really bad on the side and there was no way I could sew it up. It is actually the temple bag I had when I was home. The other shoulder bag was horrible. There was a metal piece that would dig into my back. So anyway I showed up to church a week ago and she came up to me smiling ear to ear and gave me a new bag. She went out and bought me a bag. She is so awesome. She loves us missionaries and she always loves to feed us. Last Sunday she cooked over 30 pounds of chicken for us. It was super nice haha! We haven't had too many dinner appointment lately. I have been doing pretty well on food though. I bought some good stuff. Elder Jenson loves McDonald’s and Wendy’s so we go there alot which I don't like at all! Oh well. 

So while we were out proselyting this past week we were headed over to Brother R. house. By the way he is doing really good still. But on our way we ran into some young black kids. There were like 10 of them and they came up to us and were asking if we were Jesus people. It is funny that is what we are called down here. And they asked us if we had any pictures. AKA Pass along cards. Luckily I had a bunch so I gave them all to them. Now every time we pass by they ask us for some. They are pretty cool and fun. 

Well I think that about sums up my week. It was a pretty tough week, but I made the most out of it. We had a lot of fun sharing the Gospel and seeing people. Like always my testimony is growing a lot. I love the Book of Mormon. It is such a great tool for us. I am trying to memorize more scriptures and also read the Bible. I am getting better. Elder Jenson and I are getting along well. We both have our flaws and we both get on each others nerves every now and again, but that is what happens when you are with someone for 24 hours a day every single day of the week. It is good though. Well y’all I love you very much! I miss y’all like crazy every single day. Keep up the good work at home and I will try to do the same out here in Louisiana. Love y’all!! 

Elder Smith!

( The Point ) 

Another great week filled with loving, serving, and teaching! - 3/17/14

What's up Y’all?  Happy Green Day! Thanks for that awesome green package mom. I am going to put all of that stuff on tonight and then I will take a picture and send it home when I can. I am glad your week was great. Sounds like it was full of a lot of card playing. That sounds like a blast. Thanks for all of the pictures! I can't believe how everyone is looking so different already. It is just crazy. Mom I am glad you are feeling better. A lot of prayers were sent to you from good ol Louisiana that is for sure! I can tell you are feeling better because you bought all of the kids’ books haha. Including me! Thanks, but I don't think I want to read that book for a few more years! I am not expecting any kids any time soon haha. :)

Well this week has been very interesting. It started out pretty slow, but then just picked up steam as it went on. It was another great week filled with loving, serving, and teaching. We had a lot of teaching to do this week. The most we have had together thus far. We are killing everyone in our district on lessons. We had 18 this week!! Not too shabby! We made it a huge point this week to see our less-active members. We really want to rescue as many people as we can because our branch is about to get a lot smaller. Down here about half of the members are in the military and about 5 of our strongest families are going to be moving this summer. It is just their time to get new orders and to move somewhere else. It is going to be rough on the branch. We are already hurting for membership. I think President Wall is informed with the situation because this past transfers we received another set of Missionaries for the branch. We now have 17 missionaries in the Westbank. There are so many of us. Without the missionaries in this branch it probably wouldn't be able to run. So that is nice for us to have such a huge role in the church down here.
Well Brother R. came to church again with us. He started this week out not very well, but finished really strongly. So at the beginning of this week we went over and saw him and we talked more about repentance which leads to baptism. He got a little upset with us while we were teaching him that. He said he feels like we are pushing him a lot, but both Elder Jenson and I feel like we aren't pushing him into baptism at all. We are just there trying to explain the doctrine more to him. So at the end of our lesson Brother R.  could tell both Elder Jenson and I were frustrated so he tried to make it all better by saying well I for sure have the 2 best teachers  the church could give me. I won't lie, but I was so frustrated. He says now he wants to wait to be baptized when he can walk. He said he would be able to walk like 2 weeks ago, but he still is not even close. So this week we are going to try and help him pick a good baptism day. I know he will be baptized, but it is just a matter of time now. But then yesterday at church we had a lesson with him while we were waiting for our ride home. We read Chapter 5 of the Book of Mormon because he was confused about it. As we were reading he understood it completely and he committed to read chapter 6 by Thursday. It is a small little commitment, but we both felt like it is the right one right now. He has not smoked since we had our talk. He is really doing well. Hopefully this week will be even better. I am staying positive and don't worry mom I will stay persistent! Haha

(Knocking So Many Doors) 

So in your package you asked me to tell y’all what kind of a trainer I am. Well I wanted to train Elder Jenson how I wanted to be trained. I wanted to do some things different than Elder S. So I try to be the best example I can and it works because Elder Jenson just does the same thing. I love to have fun too. So if we are not having a great day I will say hey lets go to the gas station and grab a soda and some peach rings. I also really think it is important that Elder Jenson learns how to make decisions so a lot of the time I ask him what he wants to do. This I think is good because it makes him feel important too and that he can have an influence on this area too. I have surprisingly been very dedicated to the training program called the first 12 weeks. We have completed every check mark thus far. I feel like I am doing a pretty good job. I know for me the first part of the mission was tough so I try and make it so it is not as difficult while having fun and working hard.
Well that is about it for this week. Church was great yesterday. We talked a lot about the sacrament. I am so thankful for the Sacrament.

PS I was supposed to go play golf today with the zone leaders, but it was too cold... Darn weather!! haha Love y’all!!
PS I was supposed to go play golf today with the zone leaders, but it was too cold... Darn weather!! haha Love y’all!!

Alright so this week we were able to go out with a member and see a bunch of people. His name is Brother S. He is a great guy. He is super smart. Before we went out to see people he wanted to take us somewhere. So we drove to the park and he told us to look up in the trees. So we did and we saw a huge nest and next to it was a Bald Eagle! So there are 2 of them down here. He said he has been documenting them as they are having a chick right now. So that was pretty cool. Then we went out and saw some people. We went into this ladies house and man..... She was a hoarder. Her little house was just full of nasty stuff. She had 2 dogs that looked like rats and they just went to the bathroom wherever they wanted. There was crap all over the place. Both Elder Jenson and I stepped in dog poop. You've got to love these southern Louisiana people! It was nasty!

Then on our service day we went to Sister M. house and mowed her lawn. Yes that is right. We are already starting to mow again. This week was like a perfect temp. It was about 70. So we rolled up to her house and I look and guess who is mowing her lawn? She was! So I stopped her and took over for her. She is such a sweet lady. We then went on a walk with her dogs. She came with us and we just talked. Mom she is so excited for when y’all to come down here. She wants us to come back during Mardi Gras. It is pretty funny. She is doing a lot better.

Dad you are going to have to keep me posted on march madness. There is a member down here that has been giving us some updates haha. I am happy out here and I am striving to be the best I can be. My testimony is growing every day and I am loving the work. I love y’all and I hope you have a great week!! :) PS check the mailbox this week momma! 

Love y’all!

Elder Smith

Developing Patience! - 3/10/14

What's up Y'all! How y'all makin out? Mom sounds like it has been a rough past couple of weeks. I am sorry to hear that. That is just crazy. I am so happy Grandpa is feeling better too. Hey no more getting sick alright? haha. Dad take good care of mom like you always do alright? Keep me updated on how you are feeling and what else happens. I love you mom!  Thanks for all of the pictures again this week. I just can't believe how grown up the little ones are getting. Jacque looks like a 16 year old already... It is just crazy. We sure are going to have to fight off all of the boys when those little ones get older huh Dave! Oh mom thank you so much for this past package! The Frozen soundtrack has already probably been played 100 times! I can't wait to see it when I get back. And those healthy snacks have been a life saver! We have not been able to go to the store for about 2 weeks. We have been staying in our own area instead of staying over at the other Elders place. It has been good because we have been able to work our area more and work a lot with Brother R.  Well I am glad the family is doing so great. Jen good job on doing awesome on TV as you always do. I am glad Dan and Ryan are doing so great. Hopefully little brielle will start feeling better. Brit what's up! Dave sounds like all of the Tennis is going great. That is awesome. Keep up the good work all you little ones. Dad the letter you sent me this week thank you so much. That really helped me out. It is crazy how the mission is like a roller coaster. One day you are at the very top and then all of a sudden the next day you are at the bottom. This week sure has been a crazy up and down week. Mostly up though! :)  So first off it was Mardi Gras on Tuesday. Which was awesome because that was our P-Day because of transfer week. We went with Brother P.  and brother N.  to Rex parade in downtown. Unfortunately it was freezing. It was 38 degrees with rain the whole time. We froze!! We stayed for about 2 hours and saw about 10 floats and got some sweet beads. I ended up giving most of mine away to the Nielsens little kids. It was a lot of fun. When we come back down here after the mission we should try and go to Mardi Gras. It really is so awesome and really family oriented. All of the crazy stuff just happens on Bourbon Street so uptown is a great place to watch and catch a bunch of beads. I'll send some pictures.

 Alright so now to our great week of teaching and giving a bunch of blessings. First off we went over to Sister M.  house to walk her dogs and be with her for alittle bit and she has not been feeling good at all. She is in a lot of pain. All of her joints are starting to swell up and it hurts her to sit and walk. So us taking her dogs on a walk she was so happy to get them out of the house for a little bit. We walk them up and down the canal. So quick little side note. Brother Neil used to train dogs so he has given me a lot of advice to train and get dogs to behave. I  have been training sister M.  dogs and they are improving so much. I can't wait until I get home because I for sure am getting a dog. I have been thinking about a lab or something. Alright back to the story of sister M. We had been over there about 3 weeks ago and we asked her if she wanted a blessing to start feeling better and she said no. She didn't want one at all. Then when we were over there and after we took her dogs for a walk she asked me if I would give her a blessing... It was such an awesome experience because she really had a lot of faith that it would work. So we rode our bikes home really quick to change into our church clothes because I think it is better if we do it that way. We then asked if Brother Neil if he could come with us so we could enter in her house. He was right over to pick us up and we went over and Elder J.  annointed with the oil and I sealed the anointing and gave her a blessing. I felt the Spirit so strongly. All I remember about the blessing is I felt the Spirit so strongly. She needed to hear something from Heavenly Father and I know she did. Afterward Brother Neil helped her with her dogs even more with training them and showing her how to get them to do things. It was pretty funny because he asked if he could do something and she said sure. He all of a sudden just yelled SHHHHHHHH. to the dogs and they all started freaking out and he then did something and they all stopped barking and he was able to tell which one was the most troublesome. It was cool. It was great because she now gained another friend with brother Neil. He is going to start going over with us and we are going to help her with different things. Time heals everything and showing love changes peoples hearts. She still didn't come to church, but I know she felt the Spirit. 

 Alright now with Brother R..... I am very frustrated.. So this week we saw him 3 different times and taught him the main stuff that can be very awkward to teach. We started off reviewing the word of wisdom with him. We asked if he has a problem with that and he said no, but he smokes whenever he can find one. He doesn't have money to buy them which is good, but he still tries to get them. We asked him when the last time he got some and  he said 3 days ago. And guess who gave them to him........ A less active member..... This less active member helped him out and took him to a food bank to go get some food and on the way back this member started smoking and Brother R.  asked if he could have one. The member ended up giving him 3 of them.. So when we went over this he said "Well why are y'all telling me I can't smoke when your members smoke." So that put a damper on things".  Then the next day we talked about the Law of Chastity.... That is an awkward lesson not going to lie! haha. He had a hard time with it and we both think he didn't really like it. He got pretty defensive so we tried to lighten it up and help him understand. He really loves the temple pictures and he wants to go there and that is going to be his huge motivation. We committed him to live both of those laws and he said yes, but he doesn't feel ready to get baptized. And he can't because he has to be 2 weeks clean without smoking. So unfortunatly we have to push the baptism back. It is really sad.  He doesn't feel ready he told us. We are trying to stay positive with him and help him and he knows that, but he has a few problems. So that was kind of a bummer this week. I know he will get it though. I am staying positive! :)  This week we had 13 lessons. Not to bad for us! Only 6 service hours so it was really slow with the service hours. We have been doing a lot of street contacting and store contacting. We have found like 10 people this week, but about 8 of them don't live in our area so we have been giving out referrals like crazy. We are looking for more people to teach. We already have seen our efforts progress. We have found 3 less active people this past week. I love it. Our area is starting to come alive! Slowly, but surely.  My district has 2 new people. One sister from Farmington. And an elder P.  from Toolee utah. Or however you spell it haha! I am now the last person in my district that was here when I first got here. I am an old dude out here in Algiers. I like it though because I have been able to grow really close to the members. I love teaching and being an example to others. Last night it was about 8 at night and we have to be in at 8:30 on Sundays and I had no clue what to do. So we came back to our apartment and noticed there were some black kids outside. So we ran in and got the football and played pass for the remainder of the night and showed those kids that we are just normal people. We had a great time playing street football in the Ghetto! haha This week has flown by and Elder J. and I have been getting along really well. I am loving it out here. I know me being out here is not only blessing me, but all of y'all back home. Mom I hope you get feeling better this week and I am very proud of you for your faith in turning to Dad and  and Daniel for a Priesthood blessing. Isn't it so awesome having worthy Priesthood holders in our family who are able to do that amazing thing. I know blessings work. They are Spirit led and it is a little revelation between you and your Heavenly Father. My Testimony has grown so much this week by the power of Priesthood blessings. I gave 4 blessings this week and each one made me feel closer to my Savior. I love the Book of Mormon and the great examples of Missionary work in them and the personal revelation you can gain from them. I know Thomas S. Monson is a living Prophet of God today and he is Leading us in the right direction. I am so greatful for Joseph Smith. If you have a testimony of Him and the Work he did under the direction of Heavenly Father and Christ then you will know this Gospel is True. Missionary work is real and it blesses families. I know Christ lives and he will come down and walk among us again one day. I love  y'all so much and I am so happy for the knowledge we have that we will be able to live together all of us again after this life.  Well y'all I love you very much and have a great week. Mom get feeling better and y'all are always in my thoughts and prayers. Keep up the great work back home. Don't worry about me out here I am doing great. I love the work and I love the Lord. I am trying my best to be the best, but that is impossible because no one is perfect and we all with come up short, but we have the Savior to make up the rest and he loves us so much! I love y'all!! Love Elder Nickalaka PS. hey have y'all heard from those people up in Park City the ones you gave the Book of Mormon to? PSS. Hey dad yes I have been in contact with Boyder. He is doing great he said! And go hit them straight for me out on the course! Love ya!

                                Having some fun moving a family in! 

Transfers Are In And Guess Where I'm Going??? - 3/3/14

What's up y’all! Well I told you I would be emailing you tomorrow, but turns out it is Mardi gras so everything will be shut down! I am going to be going to a parade tomorrow, but don't worry! It is a good one. Family oriented! Sister P. sent a picture to y’all last night with all of the beads they got from one parade. I am excited. I will take a bunch of pictures. It is crazy down here right now. There have been nonstop parades for 2 weeks. Every day and night there has been something so I am excited to finally see one.

Alright so about Transfers I will not know anything until 6:30 tonight.... So I will try and figure out a way to let y’all know what is happening, but I would imagine I will be staying here and finish training Elder Jenson. I am hoping so because we are so close to having our first baptism with Brother R. He is committed to have his baptism on the 15th of this month. It will be a really special baptism because he is in a wheel chair so we are thinking we both might have to get in the font with him. That would be so awesome! And then it is also special because I have been working with him for 7 months. He came to church again this past week and we finished teaching him the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Word of Wisdom. He does not drink, but whenever he can get a smoke in he said he does. He told us though he would be willing to stop so we will really hit that one hard when we see him next. 

Well mom I must say I think this has been one of the best letters you have sent me. Thank you so much for all of the inspiring quotes and letting me know what is up at home and how you and everyone are doing. That is my favorite part. David sent me out a letter and he said his favorite thing was knowing what was going on back home and I am the same way. We truly must be brothers or something! Crazy he is getting married... Good for him. Man time sure is flying by. I can't believe Taylor Ford is home... That went by so fast. Well it will come fast thats is for sure. Good for Jake for baptizing that family. He is such a Stud. Bridger wrote me today saying they are going to be having some baptisms by the end of this month. Crazy how the work is progressing so fast.

Well mom and dad I am glad y’all made it home safe and sound. Sounds like y’all had a great time in Florida. Hey I did receive your post card and it was the same one, but I loved it! There actually is a little story behind that. So it was Friday and we went out to lunch with Sister W. with all of the missionaries and we had a great time. Then that night we went over to another member’s house to just hang out and eat pizza for Elder V. and Elder S. going home party. They are going home this week. Elder S. told me he is going to come and find y’all and say hello! ha-ha anyways that night we got home and I was having a horrible night. I was super homesick and just didn't feel great. So to help me get filling better Elder J.and I went to our gym to go get a quick work out session in, but before that we went to our mail box and to my surprise there was a little postcard from my momma. It is crazy how much you lifted my spirit. I know it was Heavenly Father and you that was lifting me up and helping me out. So after  we went to go work out I just sat outside on a lawn chair and just looked up at the stars and thought about home, but I wasn't homesick I just felt the spirit so strongly and was comforted. Then to top it off I saw a Shooting Star (which I thought was impossible because of how bright it is down here). That just topped the night off and I knew I could make it through another day. So thank you mom for being Spirit led and sending me that little note. You are the best mom in the world! And dad I know you probably told mom to go and get a card so you are the best dad in the world! haha. 

Well this week nothing really special happened. We had 15 lessons which were the best we have had in a while. We only had 24 hours of service. It was just a solid week and we were able to have a lot of fun and teach a lot. We were able to see a lot of less active members which I hadn't seen since the beginning of the mish. So that was cool. I have been studying lately the importance of planning. Planning is such an important part in missionary work and also in the church. If you think about it Heavenly Father really believes in planning because he has a plan for all of us. So we need to be really diligent in our planning. I have seen so many great things happen because of a great planning session. We plan every night for the next day and then once a week we have a Weekly Planning session. 

Well I am sorry this letter is kind of all over the place, but I am kind of out of it with Transfers and everything. I hate not knowing the unexpected. That is something I am working on is taking the step of Faith into the Darkness. Everything happens for a reason and I know that when I am serving the Lord he will always watch out for me and give me what I need to progress in this life. Well I know this is the true church. I know The Atonement to be real. I feel it every day. I know it is the reason I am able to keep on going. I love the work and I love this area. I am going to be sad if I have to leave, but I doubt I will be leaving. Well I love y’all so much. Mom whenever I get into a bad funk I think to myself of the quotes you always would say to me. “Remember who you are and what you stand for”,  “Enjoy the journey”, and “Return with Honor”! I can't wait for the last one that is for sure haha! Well y’all Happy Mardi Gras and have a great week!! 

Love Elder Smith!!

Transfers are in and guess what I am doing???? Alright so yesterday we had a cool thing happen. We went to church and were able to be in a class that Brother N. was teaching and it was great... Now that I am done wasting time and building up a little bit of suspense.... I AM STAYING HERE IN ALGIERS WITH ELDER J.!!!! :) I am super happy about it! We get along so well with each other and this next transfer is going to ROCK!!! :) Man I am so happy right now. So the way they told us this time is we had a huge conference with our zone. The Zone Leaders then just started saying who should pack their bags. It was pretty fun! Our two names were not mentioned.  We both let out a little scream for joy! haha So that means I will be staying at the same apartment with Elder J. for at least 6 weeks more. Miracles do happen! haha :) Love y’all!