Different World

Hey everyone!

The last two weeks have been amazing. I feel so much joy and am loving life.

Our friend Jonuel was baptized on the 6th. He is so converted and told us how bad he wants to serve a mission. His baptism was in between conference sessions; he is powerful.

We have a few more families we are teaching that should be baptized here in the next couple of weeks, so hopefully all goes well with them. We have had some wonderful experiences lately; I'll share a few.

Cesar was a man who referred himself and told us he was having a hard time. He agreed to meet us at the church, and we could show him around. When he opened his car door, he asked me to grab his crutches for him and to help him up the stairs. He'd severely broken his leg the week before. I have felt that humble very few times. He drove 40 minutes to church on Sunday and loved it.

Gerald is the best friend of an active member. They're both 18 years old and just got here from Ecuador 5 days ago, and we went over to meet them. We invited him to be baptized, and without hesitation, he said yes. He came to church on Sunday and couldn't stop talking about his baptism and how excited he is.

Our friend Yajaira was found 2 weeks ago, and we set up general conference for her and her family. Her brother is an active member in the DR, so she knew a little bit about the church. She watched 3 whole sessions of conference and then she came to church this week as well. Without hesitation, she asked to be baptized on May 11th. We went over on Monday, and she told us a story. Her friends were asking and questioning her if she was really going to change religions. She said, "I already changed religions the moment they walked into my door."

I had an exchange with Elder Phillips last Monday. We let our companions take all of the lessons. We knocked doors all day long until 9:30. That night driving home caused me to reflect on the joy I feel. I feel as Ammon did when he said:

"35 Now have we not great reason to rejoice. Yea, I say unto you, there were never men that had so great reason to rejoice as we..."

Love you all. I love it here.

Elder Smythe









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