November 24, 2015 - The Ups and The Downs

Hello Family Eternal!

Well we had changes down here in the blessed land of Escuintla and Elder Smith received the first gringo of his whole mission! His name is Elder Wilkes. He’s from Utah and he’s one of my best friends from my mission. He is a stud. When I was in Linda Vista he was the district leader in Alamedas, the area right next to mine and he went to the same chapel as me for 3 months. We would hang out there on pdays and go to Walmart there. We were both training in that time. It is going to be a blast with him and we are going to baptize so many Chapines here in the time we have together. He has been in the mountains/capital his whole mission so the heat has been a little different here. Seriously it gets unbelievably hot here! But I’m used to it now and my sweat glands are accustomed.

Had a heartbreaker this past Saturday! We had EVERYTHING ready for the marriage of the Familia Caceres at 5 o’clock (room decorated, the marriage papers paid for and taken out, the lawyer, members there to support). And we waited. And we waited. And we waited. And they didn’t show up. I went on divisions with a member who has a car to go look for them (they live super far away) and I found the Hermana Sandra walking up the road with her 2 kids. She said that she was going to the marriage without her husband (as far as I know that’s impossible...) and that he had no intention of going. So we all climbed into the car and went to their house. I had a good 20 minute conversation with Charlie. Probably the most depressing 20 minutes of my entire life. He and she have had some problems recently and he didn’t feel he could make that step. It was sooo sad because I felt that he couldn’t listen to the Spirit and much less to me. I felt like one of my own kids had run away from home. But I saw him today working in Puerto and I’ll be seeing him tonight too so let’s see what happens! I know I’ll baptize them before I leave this place!

We had 12 people in church on Sunday. We brought a family there that Elder Wilkes and I found on our first day together on Friday. Lets just say that the 50-year-old man and the 3-year-old girl both brought a sippy cup full of coffee to sacrament meeting so we have a long long way to go there. We also had 5 people come that Elder Guzman and I had found last week. Good good people. Elder Wilkes and I will be baptizing Hermana Stacy this Thursday. She has been a dry miembro all her life (even graduated from seminary) and she is the one that Elder Guzman and I married to her husband 2 weeks ago. She is awesome and the husband is really turning around too. He has worked on Sundays all his life but just suddenly last week quit his job to come to church this Sunday. That is awesome to see!!! Love to see the changes in people. The atonement in action folks.

Well family, save some waves for me down in southern California and give all my crazy rowdy cousins there a big virtual hug! Don’t get security called again!

Love,

Elder Smith

November 17, 2015 - I believe in God as the Blind believe in the Sun

I saw that quote today on a minibus as Elder Guzman and I were traveling to Puerto San Jose this morning. I testify of the same! I know God lives, I know it! With all the miracles and awesome things that are happening right now I cannot deny it! And because I get to suffer for him at times I cannot deny the strength He provides me through the Atonement of His Son.

This past week we had Zone Conference de la Costa! I was thinking that the only Zone Conferences I have been to have been in the coast. Ha ha how I love the costa and my pueblo here. But anyway the zone conference was awesome. Elder Guzman and I got to speak and gave a little presentation on Honesty. They also talked about true intent. Think about the principles you live. Now ask yourself why were you obedient and true to those principles today. Sister Markham asked us all if we felt joy. I can truly and wholeheartedly say YES! I feel a ton of joy, in the good and the bad at times. The goal we have is that everyone can feel the same. It was a great zone conference. And dad I got your letter! Thank you! And thank you grandpa and grandma for the candy and the letter. The tootsie rolls were a huge hit at church!! Send me more!! And I also got my debit card, so we’re all good there.

The Family Caceres went to church this Sunday!! It was so awesome to see that wonderful family there that I seriously have grown to love so much. I would impart of my own soul for them, for they are dear unto me (1 Thessalonians 2:8). But I will send you all the picture of how we got to church. We went to the stake center on Sunday as a stake to watch the Guatemala conference. Elder Bednar, Elder Martino, Sister Marriot, and the area presidency spoke. Such great messages. Elder Bednar spoke about the transition from Faith, Sacrifice, and finally to Consecration. That is the disciples journey!!!

And by the way there are changes on Friday. But not yet for me because Elder Guzman is probably leaving. I have really come to love that big goofy guy. I’ve learned a lot from him. But he’s staying and elder smith will stay. I feel like I still have lots more work to do in the blessed earth of Golondrinas before I depart!

Funnies: I was preaching in a bus this past week and the bus did a gnarly u turn and I totally fell to the ground and almost fell out the door, but a wonderful woman grabbed me and Elder Smith is alive and accounted for. It was sooo funny. Imagine a big blonde gringo yelling at you in a bus and then that big blonde gringo just disappears out of nowhere. The entire bus was laughing at me (me included) and so I stood up and said ''Just like we all fall in life, Jesus lifts us and we get up!'' Probably one of the most classic moments of my whole mission.

Love you all dearly. You are so blessed for you obedience and love for the Savior. I can feel your prayers. They are always welcome.

L O V E

Elder Smith

November 10, 2015 - Another week in paradise

Hello Smith Family!

I enjoyed each of your letters and loved the experiences and the pictures. Thank you for the grateful turkey, that was so kind! Where was the BYU game played by the way? And Matthew......chuck a pumpkin in my honor buddy boy. They don’t have those here in abundance. And if you guys could wish a happy happy birthday to Grandpa and Michael from my part that would be great. Tell them I love them and pray for them often!

This week was fantastic and tiring and inspiring. We had all of our divisions and the normal stuff and on top of that we had to travel to the Capital for Leadership Council with President Markham in his house and then again to the capital to go to the house of the Lord. I love to see the Temple! Sister Markham made us a little Thanksgiving dinner/lunch that was awesome. Mashed papas to the max. I know that my mission president and his wife have been called of God. I have never known two people that can love to the extent that they do. I can just feel it. Very lucky to have them as my examples.

The temple was awesome. I have now gone to the temple with almost every companion. I went there just seeking peace and I found it. Sometimes there is just too much going on around me and I get caught up in the day to day. But the temple is such a wonderful place to hear the Spirit. I tried to pay double attention and I learned a ton as well. I look forward to attending the temple frequently with you mom and dad when I get home. How lucky we are in Sacramento to have a temple so close. I remember sitting on my paddleboard when I was 17 in the middle of Lake Natoma looking through the trees on the shore at the Captain Moroni and just feeling the Spirit so so strong and having a desire to go there....and then going over to bust some kids on a rope swing.

The Family Caceres are doing awesome. They couldn’t make it to church but this Sunday they will. They believe. Seriously they just soak in everything we say without blinking an eye. I wish I had that type of faith. I have never met people like them and I would definitely appreciate your continued prayers for them. A quick funny experience. ''So Brother Caceres, what did you learn from the pamphlet?''  ''Hmm. Well I learned that Elder Smith really was a prophet of the lord'' ''You mean Joseph Smith?'' ''Yeah Joseph Smith''.  I then testified to them that I was not a prophet. This last name really confuses people at times.

Well I just love you guys a ton. I pray that Jesus' love is always with you and that he can send you guys a little bit of mine too. He is my stronghold and my refuge. When we go to the temple, He is there too.

LOVE,

Elder Smith