1997 Bulls

Hey everyone,

We've had a really good two weeks here.

Our friend Yajaira is doing awesome. Since she got baptized three weeks ago, she has been bringing people to church and can't wait to go to the temple. She brought her 20-year-old daughter to church on Sunday. We were able to have a lesson with her right after. We didn't even really have to teach. Her daughter asked us if she could be baptized in two weeks.

We have a sweet family of four that we are teaching as well. They are from Puerto Rico, and we found them a month ago. We briefly talked to the mom at the door for a couple of minutes, got her phone number, and then left. We tried to go back, and we tried calling her a few times. She reached out and said that she was dealing with a lot, was really depressed, and simply couldn't meet with us. We decided to go over that evening. When we got there, she was sitting outside waiting for her groceries. She told us that she had been abandoned by her husband a month earlier and was doubting everything. Because she happened to be outside that day, we were able to get into their home and teach the grandma, the mom, and 2 kids. They are going to be baptized on Saturday and can't wait.

We found our friend Omar the other day. He is from the Dominican Republic. He actually married a Marshallese lady. He approached us and let us know of his desire to be baptized and follow Christ. He is currently working Sundays, but he already let his boss know he won't be able to anymore. He is offering his friends $100 this Sunday to take his shift so he can bring his wife and 3 kids to church.

Can't believe this is the final stretch. Doing my best to make one last push.

I have received lots of peace from the last words of the lonely but unshaken prophet, Ether. "Whether the Lord wills that I should be translated, or that I suffer the will of the Lord in the flesh, it mattereth not, if it so be that I am saved in the kingdom of God..."

Focus on what matters most,
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