Adventures From New Orleans! - 5/26/15

Hey family! Happy Memorial Day! I know we don't have too many people
in our family who are in the military, but thanks to those of you who
are. We live in a great country. It is cool to look at the big picture
and see how God works. Just think the restoration couldn't have
happened any other place. It happened here because of freedom of
religion. And now today we are still able to worship how we want. It
is cool to see how God has a plan for everything.

Well mom and dad it sounds like you both are back out to another great
adventure! I am glad you and dad are able to travel and support Jacs
and Jane in their tennis. Take some pictures and send me some videos.
Tell those 2 good luck! I want to go to one of those camps one day and
watch.

The Disneyland trip looked and heard awesome! I'm excited to see the
new Electrical Parade. I used to watch that so much it is ridiculous!
:) And man that is crazy about Ryan having to go to the Hospital. I am
glad everything worked out good. That sounds painful! Next trip to
Cali we need to break the tradition of someone going to the hospital.
That isn't a good tradition haha! :) I am glad you all are safe and
sound and doing so great. I am excited to join you all in a few
months! :)

Well this week was very eventful! First off I bring good news. On
Thursday I went up to Alexandria to my doctors appointment and
everything came back negative! So that is good! They didn't see
anything out of the normal in my EEG and my MRI. The diagnosis was
vascular tension headaches. So that was some pretty good news. Then
that night I was able to go and see some of the families I grew close
with. We had dinner at the Burchs. I loved being there again! The
Mangums came over as well. I loved being back with my little homies.
(the Burchs kids) Tylan, Bralyn, and Jordan. I was pretty excited that
they remembered our secret handshakes. I love that family. Then later
on that night we met up with the Hansens from Derrider. They drove an
hour to come take us out. It was great to see them again! :) Then we
spent the night there in my old apartment. It was a nice little trip!
:) Oh so I saw Heavenly Fathers hand in my life on our drive up there
to Alexandria. We left Thursday morning and we were on time and
everything, but in my mind I thought we were 45 minutes late.. I was
stressing out so my foot got some led on it.. I was following this
truck driving inbetween Baton Rouge and New Orleans and out of the
blue a cop got out of his car and walked into the middle of the median
and pointed directly at the truck in front of us and then right at us
and told us to pull over... My heart just sunk. I thought crap I am
going to be late for sure now.. Well the cop pulled up behind the
truck and gave him a ticket. So we said a little prayer asking to help
us get through this swiftly. So after the truck got his ticket he
pulled away and the cop started driving towards us when all of a
sudden he just turned around and went back to his spot.. I didn't know
what to do.. So I sat there for another minute and then decided to
drive away. And so he let us off! :) And we made our appointment on
time with me driving the speed limit the rest of the way up there
haha. So God does answer prayers! :)

Then the rest of the week was great! We have really been focusing on
our areabook and going through old records and visiting those people.
We have had 2 return appointments so far. Then we have been tracting
and talking to as many people as we can to find new people to teach. I
know we are going to find some people. We had a cool lesson at the
Bible study we go to every friday night. It was a question and answer
thing and we were able to chime in what the churchs stance and belief
is about different questions. I am thankful for my personal study and
the holy ghost for bringing back things to my remembrance. I have
learned so much out here it is awesome. I love the scriptures!

Sunday was a good day. Elder Romero gave a talk and did a good job.
Then Brother Johnson (A baptist preacher who converted a few years
ago) got up and spoke. It was awesome! The ward is pretty cool. Elder
Romero and I get along so great! Yesterday for P-Day we went to the
tramp park and had a good time. Don't worry mom I am not doing flips
or anything like that. I am smarter than that. And when I jump on
tramps it hurts my calf's to where I can't run. Then after we went to
downtown. We just walked around the city and went and had some
beignets.. I caved and ate 3.. I was pretty mad at myself because
after we had a dinner appointment and they fed us pizza and ice
cream.. It was a bad day for eating healthy. I am so excited to be
able to control what I eat when i am home. Then this morning the
Becnals called and wanted us to come over and eat some Kouign Amann
pastries... They were the best ever! Then I ate a sugar cookie at our
interviews. I am struggling with eating healthy these past 2 days and
I am feeling it haha!

Speaking of interviews they went great! I got my new temple recommend.
I am now excited to go to the temple a bunch when I get back. Every
week. But the interview with President went really good. We had a good
chat about the area and my companion and my mission. It is crazy that
this is my last interview with him until the mission home when I go
home. It is all starting to hit me. But I am not letting it affect me.
I am doing great out here! We are trying our best to work hard. And we
are having a great time while doing it. I am happy. I am enjoying
these last 2 months. They are going to go by fast.

Well that about wraps up my week. I know the church is true! I know
the Book is Blue! And I'll see you in 2(months)!! I love you all! Have
a great safe week and enjoy the good weather in Florida mom and dad!
It is hot and humid!!

Love you all!
Elder Smith

Great Mother's Day! - 5/11/15

Hey family! Long time no talk hey? Yesterday was a much needed day. I loved being able to see you all and talk to you all. I love you guys soo much! Thanks for being the best family I could ever ask for. You all look so happy and healthy! We have got one fit family that is for sure! I love it.

Well today I am going to keep this really short and simple. I am doing great! After our phone call we had a few missionaries come over to our apartment. Elder Andrews and Hale came over for a sleep over. We had a great night. I slept like a baby! Now today we have Zone P-Day and are going to a trampoline place. It should be pretty fun! Then this week we are going to be doing a lot of finding! We need to get some new people to start teaching. I am excited and motivated. So Is my companion. Thanks for your words of wisdom to me yesterday. I will talk all of your advice and apply for these last 2 1/2 months. I am excited!

Tell Jane she is in my prayers. That sounds really tough.. Our missions are completely different. On the bright side though she is in Brazil! And she is going to learn so much! She will learn a new language and grow so much in the Gospel. Heavenly Father will never place before us a trial that we can not over come. It is a great time to learn and to put our full trust in Him. That is where the Atonement comes into play. I know she will rise out of this. She is going to start loving it! I am soo excited for her!

Well Family I know this is really short today, but I have no clue what to write haha. I love you all so much. Thanks again for everything. Thanks for all of the prayers. I know I wouldn't be this far with out all of you. Talk to you in just 7 days! Love you!

Elder Smith

I'm Getting Transferred! - 4/28/15

Hey there family! So some shocking news from Louisiana. I am getting transferred! And I didn't even see it comin. We got the call last night at 6 while we were at a baseball game. Pretty much this whole zone is getting transferred. We have about 5 go homes and then about 1 person from from each companionship getting transferred. They are shutting down a few areas due to all the missionaries going home this transfer. There are about 20 missionaries going home tomorrow.  Pretty crazy! I am really sad to leave this area because I have grown to love all of these people and all the missionaries. I am especially sad because Frances Prettyman (our investigator) is getting baptized this Saturday. She passed her interview and everything. She was very sad to hear I was getting transferred as well. We also have another investigator R. L. who came to church for the second time and is going to be getting baptized in the next 2 weeks probably. It is sad because I was here when we found them both. I met R. through tracting while on exchanges and then Frances was a member referral. It is okay though.  If for some reason I get transferred close I am going to for sure go to the Baptisms! A ton of members have been very sad about me getting transferred. Especially Sister Burch and the Sanders family. I love both of those families so much. I am going up there tonight to say goodbye to them both. But on the bright side I get to see a new area!

This week has been one of the best weeks to end this transfer. It started off by having some incredible lessons with our investigators Frances and R. Then Wednesday we went on a Split exchange Elder Brimhall and I. He went to Leesville and I went to Deridder with Elder Olsen and Elder Simmons. Elder Olsen and I started off our missions together down in NOLA and the Elder Simmons came in to my district down in Houma. I love both of these missionaries!! Then to top it off the Hansens (The awesome family that lived in Gonzales) lives up there in Derridder so we met up with them and spent most of the day with them! They took us out to dinner and it was soo good. Then after we went with the Youth to play Disc Golf. It was so much fun then after we went back to the Hansens and just talked. I truly love that family. I promised them I would come back and visit them and go golfing with Brother Hansen. It was probably the best exchange thus far.

Then we came home on Thursday to a busy day of missionary work. We found a new investigator that is Solid! I give him a month or 2 and he will be baptized. Then that night we went to Zach and Cameron Sanders high school Baseball game. It was their championship game for their Region. They have won the past 6 years in a row and they won again. They are ranked number 1 in the whole state! We have been going to their games to support them and help them decide to go on a mission. Thru it all we have gained their trust and they really like us. I am going over there tonight to tell them goodbye. I know for sure one of them is going on a mission. I just need to talk to the other one and help him a little more. I really believe I was called to this area for those 2 boys. They are like my brothers. I just hope they have been able to see that a mission is so worth it and they can have a ton of fun while doing it. They are the best examples to me of living your faith. Everyone else in that school knows exactly how they stand when it come to their morals. All my nieces and nephews do what they do. Live your religion. Don't be afraid of it and think you may not be cool if you do. These two boys are both in the Student Council, most popular, most athletic, and just the best kids. 

Then the rest of the week went on. We had a Stake service project on Saturday. All of the missionaries came down. I loved that part! It was a ton of fun. Even though it rained the whole entire day. We had a good time cleaning up a cemetery. Then Sunday we had 2 investigators come and a less-active we have really been working with for 2 transfers for her first time in awhile. It was a great Sunday full of a lot of hard work. One thing is for sure that I know without a doubt in my mind I have left this place better then when I have found it. I have for sure worked the very hardest as well. It has been the best. I just love everyone here. Then after church we went to the Whites home. They are the ones who sent you that picture. I love that family! They introduced me to Candied Jalapenos. I will have to find some and let you all taste one. I have really come to love spicy food since being here. It is great!  

Then on Monday we did some service again. We went to Goodwill and helped out there then we went to Sister Williams house and helped dig a ditch.. I almost got bit by a Water Moccasin. It was a freaky looking Snake. I still hate snakes! Then that night we went by and taught R. L. That is when he said he wants to join our church. I know it is going to happen sooner than later. After we went to Zach and Camerons first state playoff game. They destroyed! It was a ton of fun then after we went and had the interview for Frances to be baptized. It was a great night. Then today we have had volleyball and then Bro Green cooked us up some Gumbo. Best Gumbo of my mission so far. And now we are just emailing. It was a great week!

Well that about wraps up the week. I am doing great. It sounds like you all are doing great as well. Mom that is so crazy you got my trunky papers (Flight itinerary!) I am looking forward to that day. Hey we only have 1 more P-Day until mother’s day!! I am looking forward to seeing you all. I miss you all a lot and am excited to just talk. Hey I hit 21 months this past week. Pretty crazy. Don't worry I  am not trunking out, but I am for sure getting excited!! Well mom and dad be safe on your trip! The pictures look amazing! I want to go there one day. Family I love you all! Keep up the good work! Thank you for all of the prayers. You are the best! Love you!

Elder Smith

ps How did Jen do in the Boston??

pss I went in for just an MRI on Friday. I haven't found out any results yet. I don't know how long it is going to be especially because I am now getting transferred. Who knows we will see!