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.
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