April 26, 2016 - ''Nothing Beats Baptizing''

That is the quote from my mission president that he said when he called me on the phone on Sunday night. He and Hermana Markham were able to attend the baptismal service on Sunday after stake conference. The M Family are 100% baptized. It was one of the most memorable moments of my mission, if not my life. I can’t describe how I felt. Maybe like Alma 29:9. It was such a long journey (they had investigated the church off and on for 20 years) and I am so grateful to be a part of it. Their son Selvin asked me to baptize him after he was interviewed so I was able to get dressed in white too. The room where the service was held was full to the brim because the ward has been waiting for this moment for a long, long time. Most members already thought they were members. Carolina, the wife, said the closing prayer at the end and it was the sweetest prayer I have ever heard. So sincere and so grateful. She was bawling her eyes out as she prayed. I hope you guys (mom and dad and family) will be able to meet them. Yesterday we had a family night with them and they began to talk about the 1st of May 2017, the day that their youngest child will turn 8 and the day that they will be able to enter into the temple as a family. They want me to come. I know that’s a little far off but Dad....you never took me to Europe.....

Basically that’s all I can remember from this week.

Stake Conference was also great. These leaders here in Chimal are really great. Animated and inspired. Literally the whole conference was focused on families and marriage (focus jake...focus...haha). Satan is attacking the family down here big time. One has to be always always on guard to not let him just come in and destroy everything, because I’ve seen it happen in every area I’ve been in. And on the positive side, there are also scores of families that are fighting to do their very best. Brigham Young said that if we are to find seats in the celestial kingdom, we will find that we must fight every day. And that’s what good families do. I think that’s what we do. I am so grateful to come from the family I come from. You guys are such an example to me.

I love my Savior. I heard the spirit whisper to me several times this week ''everything is going to be OK. don’t worry''. Those soft assurances help me tremendously. I know my Savior loves me. He has given me the most perfect of circumstances and I try my best every day to make the best out of them. He helps me along. Little by little I have been able to change who I am and recognize the magnitude of things I still must change. But with Him, I have come to learn that all is more than possible. Its easy. Because His burden is light.

I love you guys more than you can imagine. I can’t believe that the 8th of may will be my fourth and last call home.... but I am not holding anything back in these last 4ish months. I can’t. Because I know there are more families waiting for me and my companions. Pray that I will find them!

LOVE,

Elder Smith

April 19, 2016 - At Last

Wow dad I loved your email. It was a bit long but I read every line! I am so glad that everything turned out fine with Youth Conference, I said a few silent prayers for you and for the event during the week. I wish I could have been a part of it! That is such a choice experience I imagine for those youth that are to serve missions. Letting the Holy Spirit guide your words and mind in a teaching environment is exhilarating and now they have a little taste of what is to come. This week my companion and I have had quite a few experiences like that.

Kathryn you look so good in braces! Better than I did!

Mom, I just love you and you are the best mother ever and I love that you are quick to defend Gospel Truths. 

We baptized in Comalapa this last Sunday. I can now say that I have baptized in 7 of my 7 wards/branches I have been in. His name is Fernando Gonzalez and he’s 68 years old.  When we asked him when he wanted to get baptized he just told us ''Whenever you tell me!'' I love that! Sunday was pretty much insane because Elder Garcia went all the way to Comalapa at 7oclock in the morning and I stayed here with another member until 11 and then I headed out to Comalapa. But all in all it was a fulfilling experience.

I think I have mentioned the Monroy Family quite a few times in my letters but THEY ARE FINALLY GETTING BAPTIZED. That is why I named this letter ''AT LAST''. 2 Saturdays ago we had a literal spiritual battle lesson with them for more than an hour (I have never taught someone so long...) and it was the sweetest thing ever. But the man Selvin still was reluctant and denied the invitation to get baptized. We left the house so content and at peace, which was odd because Selvin was still as hard as a rock. But this last Tuesday we went to Comalapa and while we were there Carolina called us and said ''Elders, my husband wants to get baptized!'' I responded and said (in shock...) ''Seriously? That is so great. The Lord finally touched his heart!'' ''The Lord touched his heart and so did I'' she said, I thought that that was so funny. They will be baptized at 12:15 this Sunday after Stake Conference. They are so special to me. I gave one of the pictures of the Temple that you guys sent me and put the date on it that says 01 of May 2017. That is the date they can go to the temple. If its possible I want to go back to see them get married in the Temple. Mom and dad you would love them.

So that was the biggest miracle of the week. There are too many to count nowadays and but luckily my journal is getting full day after day! Elder Garcia and I are working hard and working smart. That is the best combination. All done with the spirit. I feel closer than ever to my Savior and rely on him when I most need him, which is all the time! All I want is to make Him happy and you guys too. I only have 5 months left and I have a lot left to do!

Love you guys to forever and back,

Elder Smith

April 12, 2016 - It just keeps getting better and better!

I think that if we have the goal to get better in something every single day, one day we will look back and not recognize who we were or where we were.

This last week was one of the best weeks of my mission and one of the most memorable. A couple of highlights:

We went to Comalapa as a zone and gave service at an old folks home. We cooked food, swept and mopped, cleaned windows, etc. Then we gathered all the older fellows into the kitchen and sang them a couple songs. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the zone too. An 80 year old lady broke mission rules and gave me a hug. Twice. But all is well!

We baptized Jonathon. Oh man that was the sweetest. Never gets old. He said last night during a family night ''I just felt new!'' and on Sunday night after the baptism ''the more I serve God, the better''. That is one convert that understands Mosiah 18:8-10!

We had 14 people at church! 11 people came to church in our home ward (the most we have had here here in Chimal is 5) and in Comalapa we had 3. The sweetest feeling ever for a missionary is having people in church. Super alegre. Jonathon’s whole family came and supported him and now are investigating the church. It is a large family.

To answer a couple questions......yes I got the package and have worn the brown shoes almost every day since I got them! And yes I teach in the house of members all the time. I have a goal to get a member in every lesson and to not knock doors at all and if possible to have every lesson in the house of a member. I do that to help the investigators progress and to stay after they get baptized. And its a whole lot more fun and fulfilling that way.

Dad, that plan for the youth conference looks awesome. I feel like we should do something like that here in Chimal. Its a strong stake with a lot of youth. Good luck with that dad and I will be praying for you!

Mom......yes that is bad to say that I’ll be home for this next primary program! Time is short...

Don’t have too much time today but know that I am taking advantage of every opportunity and learning as much as I can. I love my Savior and finding and baptizing his Chosen sheep. They are out there!

Love,

Elder Smith