Opposition In All Things

Hi everyone! Just a quick update because I struggle with this, but I'm still in Springfield, Missouri. Transfers are next week, so we'll see what happens.

This week was one of the hardest of my mission. We began the week with 13 people on date, but quickly fell to 2. Satan worked hard. However, we did have the baptism for the sweetest family: Adriana, Paul, and Asella were all baptized. It was such a special moment. Their entire family are members, and they are from Samoa. Their mom and grandma drove 3 hours from Independence, Missouri to speak at the baptism of their oldest daughter after all these years. They spoke in Samoan. It was amazing. Our 1st counselor in the mission presidency was there to speak. When he talked, he said the Holy Ghost brought to remembrance words he knew. He gave the first part of his talk in Samoan too. It was a moment I will NEVER forget.

I had exchanges with Elder Holland, who played basketball at Skyridge. I heckled him for 4 years and had no idea who he was. We had an amazing day. We prayed to know where to go and randomly chose a house in our area. When we got there, we were able to find her, and set up an appointment. 5 days later, she has read the entire Book of Mormon and absolutely loved it.

I studied "The Imperfect Harvest" by President Stanfill again this week. When he mentions that there was another conversation that Christ and Peter had that showed the love Christ had for Peter and for us, I started to think about these moments where I have 'stepped out of the boat' and had to rely on Christ. Something dawned on me: We do that every day. Every day the adversary comes at us with everything he's got. Christ makes up the difference every second, of every day, for eternity. Let Jesus Christ lift us.

I love and miss all of you so much,

Elder Smythe