Halloween Parties And Taking Ls

Back at it again baby definitely a little bit of a trying week but I'm here for it. Also shout out to Noah they cruised state again so W there. 

 

Last Monday we taught our friends Arlenys, Jahyda, and Noeme. They're probably our 3 most promising investigators. We brought our branch president and his wife with us and they were so clutch. Lesson went so well and the spirit was so strong. We are asking them to be baptized tonight most likely so hopefully it all works out...

 

Wednesday we had District Council and it was good again my district is so awesome. There's a donut place here called Hurts that we went to after, and man is it dangerous. It's like $5 for a donut but they're so good so I'm dropping a bag here every time. Being a Spanish missionary finally hit me.... We ate dinner at a member's house for dinner and oh man I have no idea what that food was but holy cow. Some of the grossest stuff I have ever looked at and eaten. 

 

Thursday I had exchanges with Elder Gannen, who's our Spanish District Leader. So intimidating. Luckily we all 4 did service for the first part of the day. But then me and him did our own thing and it was just tough. The highlight was we knocked on this guy's door and he happened to speak English but he said that the missionaries had come by tons and he always said no but tonight he thought he should let us in. We talked to him for a while. He complimented us a ton, saying how proud he was of us and how what we're doing is right, and the LDS church does so many good things. It ended with him saying "Ever since I was 11 years old, I have gotten goosebumps when I know things to be true. I have goosebumps all over. I'll take that book of yours Jackson." SO SICK. Highlight of a rough day :)

 

Friday wasn't too eventful but we ate with the other elders in our district at a members food truck and they were huge college football fans which was a tender mercy to get the rundown:)

 

Saturday was so tough. And so weird. We had planned it all week. We have the 5 guys from the trailer park who were progressing, but kind of stalled. We said that we were going to be bold and straight up ask them about a date for baptism. Well, my companion gave the spiel with the questions and then popped the big question. Slowly and surely, our hearts were broken when 1 by 1 each of the 5 said no. So deflating. We had dinner with an inactive member tonight and we knew it was a Halloween thing but we showed up and it was a full costume party...so funny. Got force fed the grosset dessert too. Sweet potato dessert is not the move...

 

Haha I know that this probably isn't the most successful or happy email. But there were so many amazing moments this week. We got so many people closer to baptism :)  One of the constant highlights is my studies every morning. Growing closer to Christ is so amazing. One thing I love is seeing The Lord's hand in my life in all of the small things. There's nothing I love more than missionary work and serving Christ. 

 

My thought this week is in 1 Nephi 21:15-16:

"15....yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel.

16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me."

 

Christ knows each and every one of us so personally and he will never forget us. He will always stand by us in our darkest times, and lowest moments. He will be there in our lightest and happiest ones too. Don't ever forget that. 

 

I love all of you guys so much, email me!

 

Elder Smythe








Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Nothing Changes, If Nothing Changes.

Image
Hello! I will do better at writing next week. I know the Savior lives, and I know He loves us. We had the baptism of our friend Rey. He is over 70 years old and made the decision and sacrifice to be there. He lost his wife over 30 years ago, and both of his parents passed away. He repeatedly says to us how he is doing this for his grandchildren and for an opportunity to see his family again one day. The spirit in the room was undeniable. Our friend Lewis has been taught for over two years. He finally made the decision and will be baptized on the 25th. He was tired of things not changing and is making the decision to change and feel truly happy. I have been learning so much the last few weeks. I have loved every second of being here. I love my companion. I love my area. I love the Lord. "Savior, may I learn to love Thee, Walk the path that Thou hast shown, Pause to help and lift another, Finding strength beyond my own. Savior, may I learn to love Thee— Lord, I would follow Thee....
Read more

Merry Christmas

Image
Hello everyone! I don't have a lot of time today, but here's a quick update. Henry and his 8-year-old daughter should be baptized this Sunday, so keep them in your prayers. Christmas was a lot of fun. It's a special experience on the mission. It caused me to reflect a lot on my mission and my faith in Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for my Savior and His example. I am so thankful for my mission; there is nothing as good as this. The scriptures say: "For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receives not the gift?" To receive something is an action. Do we show our gratitude for Christ by receiving His great gift? Do we act and do as He asks us to do? If we want to be truly happy, we must act and do all that lies in our power. Love, Elder Smythe
Read more

The Master Healer

Image
We were blessed with so many special experiences this week. I am loving my mission so much and wouldn't change this for the world.  We taught Daniela and Yaneli again and shared an inspirational message which had Daniela in tears. Yaneli (8 years old) asked if she could say the closing prayer. She needed help, and I whispered all the words to her. I looked up to see tears streaming down her father's face. Spirit flooded the room. Our investigators fed us Easter dinner. I have never felt so inadequate when I saw them putting the table together and setting everything up in their tiny trailer, giving us everything they had. Such a touching moment to be with them. We met an older lady named Martha. She has been alone for some time now, spending a lot of her life in abusive relationships. She kept asking us if our church and our message could heal her. "Can I be healed?" With confidence, I know that Jesus Christ, the Master Healer of the world, rose again the 3rd day. He w...
Read more