Crawfish and an Eventful Week! - 6/17/16

Hey family! Sounds like another eventful week. I am so glad David's wedding went so well. I loved the videos and Stacy seems way legit! I can't believe D B is married now. That sucker would get married right after I leave! haha just kidding. Well my letter caption sure does discribe how I am feeling right now. I haven't teared up reading letters since my first month, but I sure was today reading about what happened to Shawn. First off Shawn is the man! Make sure to tell him that haha. But on Thursday I woke up and first thing I said to my companion is "man, my cousin is getting married today..." It was just in my thought the whole day. I said a little prayer for them that morning and then I tried to get to work so I wouldn't be homesick. I guess maybe since I was lost in the work helping others I was there in Spirit. I think I was eating some big ol burgers that night so maybe that has something to do with it.. Haha just kidding. That night was kind of rough just because I knew all of the family was together. Those are the best get togethers ever. I know those things do happen though. I have felt Spiritual impressions especially when I was in Algiers. It's almost like someone is there with you. When I would be on my bike and it would be miserably cold with wind in my face sometimes It just felt like someone was pushing me and helping me along the way. It just goes to show also how in tune you all were with the Spirit at the Temple. The Temple is a get away from this world. It lets our minds be at peace. The temples are a living testimony of the truthfulness of our church. Just think... The church spends millions and millions of dollars to build and maintain our temples. And there is absolutely no profit coming from them. No one would ever do that unless it is the true church of Christ. We need to always have the temple as our end goal. After all we can't get to the highest glory with out the temple. Oh man I just love the Temple. 

Thanks for all of the pictures of the wedding and of Denver and fathers day. I am glad everything went so smoothly this week for everyone. Those are all answers to prayers. I have tried something different lately. I try and look for all of the answers to my prayers and all of the blessings I get everyday. First off it is impossible to see all of your blessings, but you can become more in tune with seeing them. It is the small things like waking up every morning, getting home safely at night with all of the craziness of this world, and having a nice air conditioned house. haha I like that last one every night! But since I have done this it brings me to a new light that our Heavenly Father is everywhere around us. Guiding us to be better and to follow the right path. As we strive to always choose the right we are so blessed. When we look for these things our prayers become more meaningful and instead of always asking for things in our prayers we become more grateful. Just like Elder Uchtdorfs talk on the only attitude is gratitude. I love this. Well there is my little spiritual rampage that I felt I needed to write home. 

Well this week was a blur. We had stake conference and a member of the 70 came and spoke with us. The meetings were really good. President and sister Wall spoke for the last time and man I haven't felt the Spirit more strongly than when President speaks. He is such a good speaker. He was talking about what he does as a mission president and what he focuses on for the missionaries. He said there are 2 things he focuses on. 1 knowing God is our loving Heavenly Father. 2 learn to love the people and serve others. He gave the best stories with these 2 things. I for sure feel like I am learning both of these. I love people and I love serving. And I have been really looking for ways that Heavenly Father shows his love for me. The one I thought of today is my mom and dad. He must love me so much to give me the best parents in the world! And he must love you guys too for giving you guys me... haha just kidding! He shared Mathew chapter 18 about the Lord forgiving. You all should go read that and we all need to work on loving others even more and forgiving others. I am trying harder on this one. 

I think the highlight of my week was seeing Elder Andrews again. It has been 3 months since I have seen him. He is in my stake, but not my zone. He is my Step Brother in the mission. haha. I have never laughed so much in my life talking to him about all of our memories in the West Bank. I for sure have met some kids out here that will be some of the best friends for life. He is doing great and loving his mission. Elder Willis is going home in 3 weeks so we have been spending a lot of time with those Elders. He is going to be a great friend. I am going to be pretty sad in 3 weeks I think. And a little jealous haha. But I know my time will come to an end someday so I’m enjoying every minute.

So Dad Happy Fathers day!!! You are the BEST dad in the world!!! Thanks for everything you have done for me. All of the sacrifices and all of the pep talks. All the advice and all of the love you have shown for me. Thank you for always treating me with respect. and for treating mom with respect. You are the BEST! and I love you! I wasn't able to send you an email yesterday so I asked if Sister Maccarney could send a picture and a video. That was my first time having a crawfish boil and boy was it good and spicy! I have really started to love spicy food. Well I will send home a video of how you crack them to get the meat out. I ate probably 7 pounds myself. They cooked 2 huge bags of them. They have there own taste. It is like crab meat, but not the same taste. You will just have to try it for yourselves. I know some great places to get great crawfish so we will be set! It was such a good time. We just sat around and talked. Yes it was super hot and humid, but it wasn't raining. It was pretty windy. I think the nicest part about having the boil was she told us to come in clothes we could get dirty in! So it was nice not being in a shirt and tie and it is a good thing we weren't, because we got so messy!! It was crazy fun. 

This week our investigators really didn't make much progress. One is probably going to drop us. It is so hard. I know something will happen. I know we will be led to someone who has been prepared. This is my test right now in my life and I know I need it for something else down the road. That is what missions are for. I know I have been converted in the lord. I know he lives and he loves me. I want to be as Christ like as I possibly can.

Well I think that about sums up our week. We did an 8 miler on Saturday and 4 this morning. We are going to be doing a half pretty soon. I am excited and I love the exercise. It gets me motivated for the day! I would encourage all of you back home to exercise! After all it is in the word of wisdom to keep our bodies healthy! 

Well I love you all so much! I hope you have a great week and I am already looking forward to next week’s emails. I miss you all and keep up the good work. Remember we are the light of the world so lets keep shining with our examples to others! I love you guys!

Elder Smith

Happy Being A Missionary! - 6/10/14

Hey there family! How are you guys doing? Sounds like you are having a lot of fun up there in Denver! My comp is from there in castle rock and he said there have been like 8 tornado's in the past couple of days? So if that is true be safe. Jacque keep up the good work and keep killin it! I was able to see a little bit of the French open the other day at Chili's and it reminded me of you and how you and Jane are going to be out there one day. Hopefully I'll be sitting up there next to your mom and dad watching you win Wimbledon!! Mom I loved all of the pictures you sent this week. You all look so great. We have one good looking family. it's especially good looking when I'm not there! haha just kiddin. So best of state looked like it was great as ever. That is sweet Savannah was there! She is a pretty cute girl that is for sure! Dad you still are rockin that tuxedo! I wish the mission would change the rules so we could wear shorts with our shirt and ties! That would be soo nice. And last but not least. Boston, Carter, Drey, & Bri all looked so funny jumping into the pool. I can't believe it is already that time of year in Utah. You guys better get my baby mastercraft out of hibernation and go up for me! I am excited you are going to start the remodeling. I was thinking about that the other night and how sweet that is going to be. Man we have been so blessed!!

Well I hope the rest of the family is doing great. Dad good job in all of the golf tournaments. Keep chipping in for those eagles! And whenever you see Boyd or Daniel Summerhayes again tell them hello from me and thank Daniel for the awesome message he gave me. That is pretty sweet that 2 people from the PGA tour are so close to our family. They are so awesome and I am glad Boyds tournament turned out so well. I am excited to play in it when I'm home. Well tell the rest of the family hello from me! And that I love them.

Well this week has been a great week. It was finally busy again. We did a lot of splits with our ward mission leader and our high priest group leader. We were able to go out with them a few times and everytime we were able to see some new people. A lot of less actives and also some new investigators. So that is kind of funny you set a goal mom and dad for the 24th of July because about a week and a half ago I set some goals myself. I wanted to have 2 new investigators by last Saturday and guess what! We have 2 new investigators. Then I set a baptism goal for the last Saturday of June. I am going to work very hard for that date. I know the Lord has people prepared here in Gonzales. And as long as I am doing my best and giving it 110% he will make up for the rest. I pray for little opportunities to share the gospel with people and everyday in the most random places I run into someone and give them a pass along card or a little message. We always need to be examples because we never know who is watching. So yes I like that date for the 24th. I will strive my best to have a few before then! :) 

Well this morning has been a very early one like usual. We woke up at 4 and went running. Today was our easy day. We just ran 4, but last Saturday was 7. We are building up 1 mile every week on Saturdays. So we have a few members who go running with us. Pres Perilloux picks us up every time and he is just the best. Then Brother Lambeth he runs too and he is soooo in to it. He sets up water stations for us and gives us all post work out drinks and leads us all in streching. It is so funny then another brother comes with us too, but he just hurt himself. Brother Spear is his name and he is the tech guy. He has all of the newest stuff! So I am officially in training for a half marathon. 13.1 and hopefully I will be here for when the race is. We will be able to get permission to go and run hopefully and wear some church shirt. That would be pretty sweet huh! I'm setting goals out here for when I'm back home to do a half, a triathalon, the ragnar, and hopefully a marathon with Jen and dave. Talk about perfect people to train with! Well anyway don't think I am getting distracted by running. I am just trying to get back into shape. We get back before 6 usually so we are on time for our studies and such. Then today since it is p-day we went disc golfing and then after he took us to breakfast at cracker barrel. It was soo good! I am back down to 165. I want to get to 160 by my year mark. 

So this week we had dinner appointments most nights. This week we have dinner appointments every night. So we are getting fed. Oh I have an awesome miracle that happened to us today!! So early this morning when we got home I heard a knock on the door. I went to the front door and no one was there. So I disregarded it. Then about 10 minutes later I heard another knock and I went to the front door and again no one was there. So I was thinking it was the other elders playing a prank on us. But then I went and checked the back door and guess who it was!!! The air conditioning guy!!! Man were my prayers answered. I havent told you guys, but our ac has been broken for the past 2 months. We get home at night and our apartment is 85 degrees and by 10:30 when we go to bed it is still like 82. So my sleep has been horrible lately because of it. I wake up in a pool of sweat! It's gross. So I am going to sleep great tonight!!! So you can tell it is summer here and boy is is hot and humid. This morning running it was like 85 and 84% humidity. You just sweat here. It is horrible. I miss the dry heat. Today it will probably be 95ish. It is just crazy. It is like walking outside and getting smothered with a wet warm blanket. So be glad you have some cold weather right now in Denver! Send some my way!! :)

On Saturday there were 2 kid baptisms and we helped with that. On Friday we went up to Baton Rouge for ZTM (zone training meeting) Then we helped with some service!! So you will love the service we did. We went to this members house and he had some shovels out and a huge pile of dirt and asked if we would move his dirt 10 yards a crossed a fence... That was some of the hardest work of my life. I have never sweat so much either. No wonder I am loosing weight! I'll send home some pictures. I got attacked by a bunch of red ants... My legs kill today still haha!! These are the memories right?

Well I think that about sums up my week. I have really been studying lately about eternal families. We are so blessed to be able to have eternal families. There are those steps we do have to take like helping one another out and getting to the temple. That is something almost everyone I have ever met out here doesn't know about. They think they will just be with there families forever so it is our job to tell them how we are able to be eternal. I love this priciple because it brings us closer as a family. Because we all have to work together for it. I am thankful for my testimony I have of the Book of Mormon. It has brought so much knowledge and peace in my life. We need to always keep the temple in our sights and if we do that we will never be led astray. I love you all soo much and I hope you have just an amazing week!! Soak up the sun and I'll do the same!! I love you guys!!

Love your missionary,

Elder Smith

PS mom thank you for the best package ever this week!!! I love all of the fruit. And those seeds are the bomb.com! I love ya

 ( Hey this is our ZONE!!

The Best lookin' Zone in the mission!

No, we can't have one serious picture. )

The Rain Came Down and the Floods Came Up! - 6/2/14

Hey family! How are you all doing? Sounds like a great week you all had. That is good the weather is starting to get better for you. Hey it is about that time to get the boat out! You guys will have to have some fun on that for me! Sounds like all of the kids love the pool. That is good it is getting some good use. I sure do miss swimming even though I pretty much am swimming everyday down here with all of the rain and sweat! haha Pretty gross. That is pretty cool that Candace spent some time over here in Algiers. She knows what it is like so hopefully I have done a good job not scaring you mom :) I have some good stories about that area and when we all come back I will have to show you some of the freaky places. We are going to have some fun times!

So on Thursday I hooked you up pretty well with pictures from members huh. I haven't asked people for a while and I hope you enjoyed them. The man that called you is named Gerbert Sierra. He is a hispanic guy that became a member in February. He is a cool guy. He was the one who suggested calling you. I was sitting on the couch next to him listening the whole time to your voice. That is funny it was right during Jane's Graduation.

I can't believe it has been a whole school year. We sure are coming up on the year mark really soon. It is crazy we are already in June. Then we are on the home stretch. I'm excited! I miss you guys. Well I hope you have another great exciting week. Dad go kick some booty in those school district golf tournaments! You guys better win a couple this year. The GAT boys need to represent! Hey speaking of GAT I have talked to a lot of members out here about our company and hopefully you will see the sales from Louisiana go up! If so you will know that is your little kid who has only worked a tiny bit in shipping! Maybe I’m ready for the big leagues when I get back. Who knows? Hey dad keep working on that book of yours and those sweet ideas! You sure are great at that stuff. Hopefully I’ll be able to do what you have done when I get older. You and mom are my hero’s! I love you guys!

Well now I guess you might want to hear about my week. It was a very slow week. Like the slowest I've ever had with the work. Everything was falling through. We still had dinner every night at members’ homes, but no one to come with us so we could teach. We are really pushing to teach our investigators in members’ homes. That way they already have a friend when they go to church. It has been pretty good thus far. This week is going to be a lot better. I have set some goals that I really like and I feel are very good. They will help us be able to teach more and maybe even fill up the font by the end of this month! How sweet would that be? But mom you are right. It is not all about the baptizing. It is about loving and serving the people. That is how you are able to teach them. 

So starting out this past week it was transfers. So we did our normal proselyting on Monday and then had P-Day on Tuesday. That is one of the hardest days for me. But as you know from my last letter we went to the Hansen’s and ate some good burgers and played a game. Then Tuesday we had a little bit of rain. Well you know the primary song the rains came down and the floods went up? Well let’s just say that song is sooo true. We had 16 inches of rain in like 4 hours. It was a straight downpour the whole day. We had to drive up to Baton Rouge in the storm. We were driving on the freeway 20 mph. You couldn't go any faster because the windshield wipers would not work that fast. They would probably fly off! Then came the floods. All of the canals were overflowing. A lot of houses flooded all around us. All of the water just started to make its own path wherever it wanted to go. It was so crazy, but I loved it. I love the rain! (Now I just need a girl to go dancing in the rain with right? haha just kidding!!) But it really was so crazy we were not able to go out and do much of anything. It was pretty dangerous. It continued to rain for the next day or 2. So guess what comes after rain? Did you guess it? HUMIDITY!! It is only like 85, but it feels like 185. It's like you are stepping into the steam shower. So that was fun and exciting. 

Then on Saturday our ward mission went up to our ward mission leaders ranch. He has like 190 acres with a man-made lake. It is in Mississippi. We all went up there to have a ward council meeting and to help everyone get motivated to get back into the groove of missionary work. I had a lot of fun. I can now say I have been to Mississippi and I have learned how to herd like 100 cows and calf. We did some fishing and went riding around on his Mule. We need to invest in a razor or one of those 4 people utility vehicles. They are so much fun! We were driving through puddles and in some deep mud. I'll send some pictures. So that was a really good day and kind of a nice day to really build good relationships with our ward council. After all we are still trying to get on all of their good sides. I think they are starting to like us again! :) 

On Sunday we had a great day. Church started at 1:00 and of course it was fast and testimony meeting. The whole time I was just thinking of my family back home. You guys really are the best family ever. Thank you so much for all of the prayers in my behave. And thank you for the group fast for me. I know the Lord is going to bless us all with missionary opportunities. Hey if you guys have not checked out mormon.org or mormonchannel.org you should go on there. You should make profiles and watch all of the Mormon messages. They are a great Spiritual lift up and a great family night message. I love them so much and use them as often as possible because they truly do bring the Spirit in so strongly. 

Today has been a very crazy/busy day already. I woke up at 3:50 and went for a 4 mile run with Brother Perilloux and Brother Lambeth and us 4 missionaries. It was a really good run. Jen and Dave I am getting better and maybe when I get back I can train with you guys! I've been running at about a 7:45-8:45 minute miles. Not too bad. I have lost about 10 pounds since I have been here in Gonzales. Which is amazing since we get fed every single night! We are the first missionaries to get fed this much ever here in Gonzales. So we must be doing something right huh? ;) Then after our 4 mile run we went and played disc golf up in Baton Rouge. I still am not that great. I shot a 68 and Brother Perilloux shot a 61. I want to beat him one day. Then after that we came home and showered really fast then Brother Perilloux asked if I would go with him to get some running shoes since he thinks I am a master runner haha. Boy is he wrong! ;) So we got him some nice Brooks. Then he took us to a Mexican restraunt so we just blew our great work out his morning! Got to love missionary life styles right? I miss eating all of your great healthy food mom. Just to let you know in advance I am going to be a complete health freak when I get home! Oh well. This week we are running 2 miles on Tues, Thurs, Fri, and then on Wed it will be 4, and then on Saturday it will be 7. Brother Perilloux wants me to do a half marathon with him. I am going to try and do it, but don't worry it is not affecting my missionary work. After all it gets me up on time that is for sure!! :)

Well that is pretty much my week. It has been a good one. I am excited for this week. We have some appointments with 2 new investigators we got this past week. They both seem really golden. I am doing great though! No need to worry about me. I love it out here. I love the life style and I love the way it is making me be a better person. Well you all have a great week! I love you all very much! Be safe and don’t forget to pray!

Love Elder Smith