( Elder Smith - New Orleans Skyline )
Hello Family!
How is everyone doing?? I have had a great week down here in Louisiana! It has been a busy week that is for sure! Well I am going to get right into it!
When I finished my email to y'all last Monday we went over to New Orleans! It was so much fun! We took a boat across the river and we ended up right in the Down Town area. We are not allowed in the French Quarter or Bourbon Street. We are allowed to go to the French Market! There are so many cool little fun things there. That is going to be where I get all of my Christmas Gifts! ;) We then went over and I bought a huge praline! It was so good! Then I went over and got a beignets or however you spell it! It was super good. I'm sorry, but they are by far better than the ones we had at home! haha just kidding! We than rode down main street and did some sightseeing. It was a really great day! I loved it. I really love New Orleans.
After our Pday ended we had a couple of appointments set up. We have 4 investigators, 9 PI's potential investigators, like 20 or so less active, and a bunch of members. With our mission it is a little different than what I had expected. Our motto is Love Serve and Teach. Notice how teach is the last on that list. What our mission president really wants is for us to love the people and serve them that way they will come back to church. We teach a lot of less actives. Most of our visits are to them. We still have investigators and we still teach them, but we do a lot of service too. We mow a couple of lawns and weed some gardens. This week we are putting up a fence. I always thought that a mission consisted of just teaching. It does, but also to love and serve the people. My companion and I are going to work really hard to do this. It’s nice we really work well together. He hasn't got on my nerves yet! :) That is always a good thing!
So something really cool happened this week. There was a baptism. The 2 English missionaries in West Bank had a baptism. I was able to attend and help with giving the blessing. It was one of the most spiritual things ever. His name was Derek. I have never seen someone look so happy in my life. After he was baptized he had a light about him. It was so great! When we were giving the blessing I felt the Spirit work through me. It was such a great feeling. It is so cool to know that us as missionaries are vessels and the Lord works through us with his Holy Spirit! It is so great to know we are not alone. We always have the Savior on our side. That is such a great feeling! I have already had a lot of cool experiences like that. Our lessons have been going really well. I have taught a couple and given a whole lot of spiritual thoughts!
Well I am still doing good on my weight haha! I haven’t gained too much! Last night the Walker Family feed us again and I had jambalaya for the first time! It was sooo good... She also made a really good dessert that was incredible! I am going to be getting all of these recipes so I can make them for you all when I get back! The Walkers are great people. I really love them so much. They have been so kind and loving. They keep us missionaries feed really well! So the other English missionaries that are in West Bank are 2 of the coolest kids I know. One is named Elder … and the other is named Elder …. Elder …and I have become really good friends. He has only been out here for 3 months so he is a new kid too! He lives in California, but he is not a surfer! haha who knew that someone from California is not a surfer? He is a great kid and has a really strong testimony. I hope one day I can serve with him. Well Elder … (Spanish elder in Algiers) has had a pretty tough first couple of weeks. He has had 4 flat tires... he is a funny kid. My bike has been great! Hopefully it continues to be great! My bottom is not hurting anymore from all of the riding which is a huge plus! We still ride a lot every day. We go to the church a couple of times a week for different meetings and things like that. It is one of the longest rides. It takes forever! The only positive about the ride is I pass by a really sweet looking country club! I really want to play it one day! My biking skills are increasing a lot. I am pro at riding with no hands! haha “I can ride my bike with no handle bars”... I sing that song as I’m riding! :) It is fun. The members down here are so nice and really loving. Our branch president loves to golf so he told me he would take me one of these days. It is going to be so much fun! Oh yeah we got an older couple in our area now! Elder and Sister …. They are from Idaho. They are really nice and sweet people.
Well I was chased by my first dog this week. It was huge too! It was a big mean weener dog.. Haha it was so small that its own legs couldn't keep up with it. We thought that was pretty funny.
Well I am running out of things to say. I'm sorry that this letter is so jumpy! I am struggling with my writing today. Well I just want you all to know my testimony has been strengthened a lot. I know that prayer works. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I am so thankful for it. I know that the savior died for us and we can live with our father in heaven once more. I am so thankful for all of you back home supporting me and for all of the prayers. I know they are helping me. Well I love you all. If you have any questions about my mission just ask. It is hard to put everything into a letter when you are being timed. So Hopefully I did a good job! Well I love you all! Tell everyone hi for me! I am doing great out here so don't worry about me! Mom and Dad I love you both. Thanks for all you do. And the rest of the family I love you too!
Well until next week!
Love you all! -Elder Smith
( Cool Pic Of Skyline )
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