When It Matters Most

Hi everyone!

Another week quickly flew by. It felt long at some moments and short at others. The transfer officially ended, and another one started. I only have five more and want to do everything I can to work as hard as possible.

When I first got to Fort Smith, Elder Campbell and I were teaching a lady named Eloisa and her 9-year-old daughter, Jessie. Eloisa used to be a big drinker, smoker, jobless, and struggled with just about any problem you could name. Since she began to come to church and to work to get over all of these bad habits, her life has changed drastically. Her daughter was baptized a month and a half ago, and on Friday she had the opportunity to be baptized as well. As we were sitting outside after it was over, she looked at us and said, "I feel clean. I feel optimistic. We did it."

Nine weeks ago, Elder McAvoy and I were praying for a media referral that would be interested in being baptized. A day or two later, we found our friend Henry. He has a wife and an 8-year-old daughter who have been to church multiple times since. He has not missed a week since he submitted the referral. His wife and daughter decided that they needed more time, but Henry knew that he found the truth and was ready for it. His wife and daughter weren't even at his baptism on Sunday, but when he came out of the water, he just stood there. He stood there and stared at the water crying.

I have simply been focused lately on the love that Christ has for all of us. I know he loves us, and I know he loves you.

Elder Smythe





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