April Showers

Things are going well. We have had a couple more baptisms for our friends Olga and Jamie. They are amazing and have had so many converting experiences.

Elder Johnson and I are working hard and seeing so many miracles. We are teaching some really prepared people. We should have a baptism this week and hopefully a couple more in April.

Our friend Josue is 19 years old. A week and a half ago, he reached out to us and asked if he could come to church and meet with us. We met with him late that evening. His whole family lives with him, and none of them go to church. We asked what it was he was looking for, or why he decided to reach out. He said to us, "I want to change. I want to be an example for my sisters, my mom, my friends, and for myself. I can't keep living this way." He has come to church by himself the last 2 weeks. He can't wait to be baptized on the 27th of April.

We had the whole zone stay in Springdale the other day. I was with Elder Romney all day knocking doors. Towards the end of the day, we prayed for a family of 5 with two kids who would be able to get baptized. A couple of minutes later, one of the Elders called us and told me to start speaking Spanish. They had found this Venezuelan family who recently got here. We talked on the phone, and then yesterday we went and taught them. They got here 8 days ago and are looking for more. When we told him about church, he told me the same thing Henry told me 5 months ago. "I don't care where it is, I will walk." The dad, mom, and 2 kids above 8 years old all want to be baptized on the 27th as well.

"31 And it came to pass that they did break forth, all as one, in singing, and praising their God for the great thing which he had done for them."

Life is so good. I know Christ is the Messiah.

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