Linda Vista!

I got transferred to Linda Vista 1 in the zone Amatitlan! It is so 100% different from my last area. I am freezing to death and there are hills here. But it is so pretty and amazing with a view of the beautiful Lago Amatitlan...look it up! It is a ward here with a ton of support from the members. Only 2 days here and I can already tell. They are amazing and so eager to help out! My companion is Elder Hernandez from...Honduras!! My third hondureño! I am training him in his second change. He is so awesome and ready to work! He can walk really fast already so that is a plus too.

Apostle Elder Anderson. WOW! He spoke to us in Spanish yesterday. He knows 4 languages! He's a genius! He spoke to us about the role of the atonement in missionary work. How it works in us as missionaries and how important it is in the lives of those we teach. He taught us about teaching Exact Principles to the lamanites here in Guatemala. Especially about tithing. Sister Anderson told a story about tithing that was quite moving. Maybe its on the internet or something. I was really inspired by him and received answers to the questions that are in my soul. He had all of us missionaries (3 missions:  Guatemala City East, South, and Central) shake his hand one by one. I will never wash this hand again! I already broke that promise but it was a sweet experience. I was able to see Ryan Mcfadyen! He is the zone leader where we had the meeting (Mantufar?) and is doing really well. I snuck up behind him and gave him a big hug. Made that day all the more better.

Thank you for the package! Reeses Puff cereal is ALWAYS welcome in Guatemala. That was so delicious. And for the notes too. I sent you (mom and dad) a letter each so maybe that will get there next year. Packages are so awesome.

I am so excited for this new challenge in a new area! It will be awesome to start to learn how to work with a full fledged ward and to baptize like crazy. We dont have anyone promising right now, but there are always miracles.

Love you guys!

Elder Smith

Elder Smith & Elder Martinez in Santa Lucia

P-day fun

P-day

 Saying good bye to the good families of Santa Lucia

Saying good bye to the good families in Santa Lucia

New companion, Elder Hernandez 

Old Santa Lucia Zone

March 10, 2015 - The Last???

What a week! I can never remember what happened to me during my week when I sit down at the computer but I will try to drum up some things to talk about. Oh first of all, Mom, can you thank the Kimball’s for the valentines package? That was awesome. Tell them that my companion blew up all the balloons and spilled the glitter all over my apartment if you would like to call it that! Packages are great; it’s like Christmas!

This week we killed our bodies. We have 5 main areas where we have investigators and people to teach, all really far from the house and from each other. And currently we have people in every area to teach so we had to run EVERYWHERE. I have honestly never been so tired in my whole life, Matt even swim doesn’t compare. But its so enriching to come back to the hut at night knowing in my soul that I sacrificed a small part of myself so that someone else can have the Chance. I mentioned last week about the man that went to church without even being taught. He is so pilas! He received an answer that Jose Smith was a prophet like THAT and he and his wife accepted a date to be married for the 21st. I love teaching chosens. They love, live and accept the truth. Teaching families is something I haven’t done much of because of the Safra but miracles come.

This week we did service for the branch, working for the welfare program farm! It reminded me of your garden dad. You would have loved it! They worked us hard and I sweat like a pig (learned today that pigs don’t sweat) and then I drank papaya juice. It is sweet to see how the Church blesses the lives of many. They are helping them to help themselves. That’s what the gospel is all about! Change the man and he changes the environment.

Look up 2 NE 27:23. One of my favorites of this week. Also many prophecies of 2 NE 29 are fulfilled every day here! A bible! A Bible! We have already got a bible!

I can’t believe this is the last week of the change. And that I could and is more than likely that I am leaving. I am a bit nervous but I know that all I have learned in Rio will help me. 

Thank you Mom and Dad and Matthew and Kathryn for being there for me. You 4 are the first ones on my prayer roll every night. Dad, be safe in India. Kathryn you are so pilas! Keep developing your testimony and make a promise with Heavenly Father that you will read every night! (Mom and Dad teach her what a covenant is!!) You will be an awesome missionary. Love each of you to the moon and then further. Have a wonderful week!

Do the little things.

Elder Smith

March 3, 2015 - Marchin on…its March?

Familia mia!!!

Still here in Rio Santiago, still seeing miracles every day! We had nine people come to church on Sunday, a record for Elder Smith! Two families came to church and also many other miracles. Every week with Elder Martinez we have increased the church attendance. Nothing happens with the work unless someone has the faith and the courage to go to church. It is one of the most pivotal factors that goes into missionary work. Without it, no one can repent and be baptized. Everything hinges on it! We had a pretty cool experience. We went to the house of an investigator we have just started to teach and his brother answered the door. We had woken him up and he told us that his bro wasn’t there. We invited him to church that would start 40 minutes later and left, thinking nothing of it, because this same situation happens every Sunday. But we were sitting in sacrament meeting listening to the testimonies and he walked right on in dressed up super nice! That is such an act of faith and he showed it. We went on to visit him later that day. He closed our visit with a prayer and said ''thank you for sending me these two answers to all my prayers''. What a powerful moment and a reminder that NO EFFORT IS IN VAIN. How often we think that something so small will have no effect or will offend or will affect a relationship. But it is just the opposite! That is how the Lord works His Work. I challenge each of you to invite one person to church this week! Help the missionaries!

I was reading this week in 2 NE 25. One part touched my heart. In verse 20 I think it speaks of the two analogies of the Israelites and a powerful declaration about our own salvation. It came to my mind the image of Moses piercing the rock and the water flowing out. The Savior was pierced, smitten, and bruised. He is our Rock. Even our rock that was broken, so that his saving water would flow out. I learn every day something new about the Savior. I learned this week that what we offer is NOT just another burden or thing to do on Sundays. It is a SOLUTION to a PROBLEM that we naturally have as fallen beings. It is the answer to all the hurt, grief, pain, and suffering that exists. I don’t have much time here but I’ve seen so many people suffer that it’s unreal. Poverty and pride has an effect on this people and I have seen people change and others continue on doing the same. The saving water is our Lord and Savior Jesus Cristo and his atonement. It is difficult to put in words how my perspective of it has changed. It is pure love.

I think I forgot to tell you that Elder Anderson is coming in 2 weeks, one day after changes, on the 18th! That will be sweet and we are trying to sanctify and prepare ourselves for when he comes.

I want each of you to know that I love you. One goal that Elder Martinez has is to say le or les amamos to all our contacts and investigators and members and converts. I don’t think I said it enough before, but from Guatemala a little bit south of you guys, I say I LOVE YOU. Not many are lucky enough to have a family as incredible as you 4. 

Elder Smeeet

Response to a question regarding his health:

HEALTH:  I am doing good. I have been blessed physically really I have. HF knows that I need to give it my all here every single day, so He has blest me with health and energy to run every single day. I don’t think you guys will know until I come home in a long long time how hard I am working, but its an offering I have learned to love to give. And there is always more to give and ability to run faster but THANKS ETERNALLY FOR INSTILLING A DESIRE TO WORK. One time I ate a raccoon so the food is good. No complaints.