Para Todos

Hello everyone!
Time is flying, and we had another good week. I love Elder Hess and wish I was as prepared as he was at such a young age in the mission. We had zone conferences this week, and it was great.

Had a couple of awesome experiences this week. I was in Rogers with Elder Fife last week on an exchange, and we found this Venezuelan family that had just gotten here 2 weeks prior. They fed us lunch, and we taught them and invited them to church. They immediately accepted the invite, and I told the Spanish Elders there. I stayed in touch with her, and she told me how much she and her family loved church, and they all want to be baptized in a few weeks.

Last night around 8:30, we went to a lesson with this tiny family we have been teaching. They are also from Venezuela and have not been here long. They have been to church every week since arriving and have fallen in love. They said, "Even if we have to walk, we will be at church every Sunday." As we were teaching them last night, the little 8-year-old girl, who speaks no English, told us that she is ready to be baptized. She said she loved Christ because he suffered "para todos." The whole family will be baptized on December 31st. God is in all of the details.

"And they who remain shall also be quickened; nevertheless, they shall return again to their own place, to enjoy that which they are willing to receive because they were not willing to enjoy that which they might have received." Happiness is a choice. Choose Christ.

I am cherishing every single moment. I only have 8 months left. Time is flying.
Love you all,
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