Smythe, Jackson PT

Another spiritually uplifting week here in Springfield. We had a baptism yesterday for our friend named Kevin. He has been going through a really hard time with his wife. Most of the ward knows, but there is something bigger going on, and he doesn't know it. He had a broken heart and a contrite spirit. He weighs over 550 pounds and was extremely nervous about being baptized. We had 3 people in the font with him. A moment I will never forget was being on the side of the font and watching the 5 of us say a prayer for special help before the ordinance. The baptism went perfectly, and the spirit was stronger than most other times I have ever felt it in my entire life. We got a media referral, which usually never leads to anything. We followed through and got an appointment with them. They told us they were deaf, and we managed to find an interpreter. Meeting this family of 5 and teaching them the Restoration of The Church while someone signed it for me was sacred. They felt the spirit ...

Happy Father's Day to every dad that reads this. I am grateful for my dad, and for all of the special role models that I have had in my life.  We had another good week here in Springfield. We had two baptisms. The first one was for Jessica. She moved out of her home and to a completely different city so that she could be living alone and be ready for her baptism. It was a special moment to see her faith and example on how to act on that faith.  On Saturday morning, we drove down to Bentonville for the temple open house. Kirk came with us, along with a few other of our friends. Seeing the temple was a sacred and special experience, and I cannot wait to be able to go a lot more once I am home. We drove back to Springfield, and two hours later, Kirk was baptized. It was a spiritual moment, and he is an amazing disciple of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am loving life. Nothing better than this.  Miss you all, Elder Smythe 

One of the longest, yet best, weeks of the mission.  We had the opportunity to drive to Bentonville on Thursday night. Friday morning, for the first time ever, the whole mission gathered together. When Elder Bednar walked into the room, everyone stood. The building was silent. The spirit and light that illuminated this man as he walked to the pulpit is something I will never forget. For 3 hours, he let us talk to him and ask him whatever questions we wanted. Life-changing experience.  We had 2 amazing families come to church yesterday for their first and second time. They can't wait for their baptisms here in the next few weeks.  All is well with Kirk. His baptism is going to be this Saturday. We taught him the other day, and we watched a talk from President Nelson. Kirk said the closing prayer and said, "Thank you for my baptism next week. I am so excited. Thank you for President Nelson and his ability to enlighten us today. Thank you for these missionaries and the fello...

Had another good weekend. Faced a lot of pretty cruel rejection, but it fuels me.  We have been teaching this family of 6 for a couple of weeks now. We have been trying to get them to get to church, because their baptismal date is a couple of weeks away. We went over to teach a lesson, and ended up sharing a video with them. The spirit flooded the room. Their mom (who's a single mom of 5) closed us with a prayer. As she was praying, she said "Heavenly Father, thank you for this opportunity to have the missionaries over to teach my kids and help them be baptized. Thank you for giving me the best opportunity of my life and something I have needed for a long time." To see them walk into church on Sunday was so special.  Living the dream these days. Love you all,  Elder Smythe