A very interesting Monday....3/30/14

Hello they’re my awesome family! I am sorry it has taken me a lot longer to write y’all today, but lets just say I have been extremely busy. So this past Thursday we had a member pass away. She was suffering from cancer for about 8 years. So the funeral was this morning. Elder Croker (senior missionary) conducted the meeting. It was at a catholic meetinghouse so it was a very different funeral. The viewing was from 9-11 and then we had the main meeting at 11. So on Sunday Elder Croker asked me if I would dedicate the grave. He said he thought I would be the best for that. So after the meeting we all lined up in the big line and it was funny, but they treat the pastors really well down here so they had Elder Croker line up right behind the Hurst. The family was even behind us so that was pretty cool I guess haha. So we got to the cemetery and there were probably 250 plus people and Elder Croker announced what we do as an LDS church with graves and announced my name and said I was a missionary. Then I got up and did it. I won’t lie, but I was pretty nervous. After the blessing the family came up to me and thanked me. It was a really cool experience. People were surprised that a young man like me was giving the blessing. So I felt pretty cool haha. Then afterward sister Walker took us all to a pizza place called Moes. It is such a great place to get pizza! It was a good morning. Defiantly a different one.

Well anyway how are y’all?? Sounds like y’all had a great week as usual. I am glad. I am glad you were able to go to Arizona and play some golf dad and enjoy the good weather. We have been having some crazy weather here lately. On Thursday night it started raining and it seriously was like a hurricane rain with crazy winds that night. It was hard to sleep. 1. Because of the crazy rain. 2. Because Elder Andrews and Elder Hale came and spent the night at our place. It was a lot of fun. Then on Friday we woke up and it wasn't too bad of weather so we got ready and went out to do service and all of a sudden it was a complete down pour again. We had flash flood warnings all over. It rained the hardest I have ever seen. Over by the library there was about a foot of water so we decided to have some fun and go ride through it and walk around in it. It was some good fun. Then we got a phone call and my district leader (the horrible driver one) said that the car just stopped working.. Well turned out that he flooded the engine... So the van is gone for a little bit so we have no form of transportation except for members. All the members have been giving him a rough time for that one haha. He stopped in the middle of a huge puddle. Oh well.

(Biking in Flood) 

Well the work has been going really well this past week. We were able to get into contact with some members that I still had not met since I have been here. One of those ladies was sister Hubble. I only knew her from church because she is a strong member, but then I found out she lived in our area. She wanted to feed us so we started our trek to go out to her house. It was really far away. Then all of a sudden Elder Jensen’s peddle fell right off of his bike... So we were in a pickle. We didn't know what to do when we looked over and saw someone working on the rail road. We went over and asked him if he had any tools. He first said no then asked if we were Mormon missionaries. We told him yes and he said man that is just too funny. He told us that he grew up with Dallon H Oaks and his family. He went to school with them and knew their family really well. He then told us how he doesn't believe in coincidences and how the Church has been brought up to him a lot lately and then all of a sudden 2 missionaries just show up and ask for some help. We ended up talking for about 20 minutes then he said yeah I do have some tools and helped us out and gave us some water. He was such a great guy. I asked if we could come by some other time to teach him. But just my luck he lives in Mississippi haha. Oh well! We have him a card and he said he is going to look into the church and call the missionaries. It was awesome. Then we went over to Sister Hubbles house and she made us a huge turkey dinner. It was so great! She is an awesome lady and she actually is a cardiovascular nurse. So I was able to talk a lot to her about that job and get advice and see kind of what I would be dealing with if I became a doctor in that field. She thinks that would be an awesome job. So do I. I would love to be able to help people. So that day was a great success.

We had something kind of funny happen this past week as well. We visit this guy who lives in an old folks home. To go in we have to call him on their microphone thing out front. He told us he was sick and we couldn't come in. So we walked away and then we both turned to each other and said.. Hey we should just do a lesson through the microphone. So we turned around and Elder Jenson gave a little spiritual thought. It was pretty funny, but hey we are getting work done haha!!

This week the Zone leaders came and spent the night at our place. They were on exchanges with the Spanish elders. The whole time they were begging me to come and play golf with them and the assistants this morning. I really wanted to, but we couldn't figure out a ride or anything, but I think it wasn't meant to be because of the Funeral today. So I told them we could next week. Word I guess is getting out that I play and all the missionaries want to go and play haha. I live pretty close to the TPC Louisiana and I am trying to get on and play there with a member. Brother Walker said he would take me if I am still here next transfer when he comes home from being off shore. That would be awesome. We have also started to play tennis! We got some racquets from the church and we went last P-Day and we are planning on going today. I went and bought some sweet grips haha. I actually am not too bad. I remember the swings Dave taught me and my serves were really good actually. Where was that during the season?? Oh well.

I received some emails today from some other Elders out here. One was Elder Borget asking if I would want to be companions with him haha. And then the other was from Elder Willis. He said this past week he saw an ad for Getaway today in a magazine down here. That was pretty crazy!

Well that is about it for my week. We only had 14 hours of service this week. We had 13 lessons I believe. Brother R. came to church again, but he is not really progressing. He loves coming to church, but he doesn't want to get baptized yet. Oh yeah and something awesome happened on Sunday. I sat down and looked over to my right and guess who I saw?? SISTER M.!!! She came to church for the first time in like 6 months. I ran over and said hello and she said she wanted to surprise me and come to church. She is so cute. She was also at the funeral today. She was really good friends with the sister that past.

Well I am doing great out here in Algiers. I have no Idea what is going to happen for transfers. I have 2 more weeks here for sure. I don't mind either way. I know if I leave that I will miss this area, but I also know that if I leave that I will be happy as well. Well my testimony is growing. I have been reading Alma this past week. And I Love in chapter 17 where it is talking about the Sons of Mosiah and how they are such great missionaries. I love in verse 13 where it says they separated themselves and departed one from another, trusting in the Lord that they should meet again at the close of their harvest.   That is true for today as well. I have left y’all and we are separated, but we will be reunited again really soon at the close of the harvest. Thanks for y’all

For your support and love. Mom and Dad y’all are just awesome! I love you both so much. Thanks for the great letters of encouragement and all the quotes. You both are the best. Yup it's true... I have the best family by far! haha Well I love y’all and y’all have a great week!

Love Elder Smith!

PS Here’s some answers to your questions: with my Sundays we get to church at 9 and have sacrament. I have only given 1 talk, but I feel like I am going to be giving one soon before I leave. I have bore my testimony a few times as well. Then for second hour we either go to Gospel Principles with our investigators or go with Brother Neil and teach his class with him. Then we head to priesthood which I have had to teach a few times. Then after Elder Jenson and I go back to our place instead of staying at the other missionary’s apartments. It is so much nicer. We study and take a little nap then go out and do missionary work. Or go to the Church again to have dinner with Sister Walker. So that is my Sunday schedule. Pretty relaxed.

Any other questions? haha