August 25, 2014- Week 3 in Vista Hermosa!

Hola!

It was another great week! (Well, every week is a good week on the mish...but some are definitely better than others!)

We found another family!!!!!!!!!! Well, they were actually a reference but...same thing! They are the cutest little family ever, and I really hope that they get baptized! We met them for the first time on Saturday, and had a super good first lesson with them. Andres and Sara (the parents) told us that they want a religion that will help them to have a better marriage, a happier home and how to raise their kids to be great people and believe in God. They have two kids, Andres (8) and Abraham (4), and we can see that they would do anything to make them happy. We left them with a Restoration pamphelt and "The Family" proclamation and invited them to church. And they came!!! The kids just loved Primary, and in Gospel Principles, Sara and Andres were participating a lot, and it was the same in Relief Society and Priesthood. We went to ward counsel after church and everyone in there was like, "Who is this new family?!?!" But really though, in RS, Sara was answering questions like she has been a member her whole life! I don't know if anyone even really realized that they're investigators! We have another appointment with them on Thursday, and we're going to invite them to be baptized! So please send some extra prayers their way that day! 

We also had a really CRAZY 2nd lesson with Gabriela on Saturday! Normally during the 2nd visit, we explain about the Godhead and sometimes we begin the Restoration. (We usually have to spend a lot of time on the Godhead because everyone here thinks they're one person.) But we got there, and were about to start this lesson...but then, she started asking us a lot of questions about what is going to happen after this life. After 2 or 3 questions, we decided to forget the lesson we had planned and started teaching the Plan of Salvation. She ended up sharing some really personal stuff with us, about a certain family member dying a long time ago, and how she has never felt any peace about death since. The Catholic Church had told her that this family member was completely lost and that she would never see him again, and how he could never, ever get into heaven. We ended up teaching about resurrection, the Kingdoms of Glory and baptisms for the dead...all in the 2ND LESSON. But you know, even though it was crazy, and maybe WE thought it would be too much for her right now...I know it's exactly what she needed to hear. She needed to know that there is still so much hope, and that families can be together forever. And the really great part is that her husband was there too...and that he asked us to come back on Tuesday to teach their whole family. :) They are such a special family, and I know that we found them precisily when they needed to be found. 

We also invited 3 more people to be baptized this week! Ana (12), Abril (19) and Belen (13), all for September 14th! But seeing as none of them went to church yesterday.... - _ - We'll just have to see what we can do to help them keep progressing. And we have a lot of others that we weren't able to see this past week...so hopefully we can soon, and help them keep going as well! 

Funny story of the week: Hermana Traylor almost killed a dog. It's kinda hard to explain...it was kinda a "you had to be there" moment, but I'll do the best we can. First thing first, Hermana Traylor doesn't have a TON of patience, especially with things that annoy her. Little dogs for example. So we went to pass by for some investigators yesterday morning, and we entered into this little dog's "territory" He ran up to Hermana Traylor, barking obnoxiously and biting at her ankles. It kinda made her upset. So while I was about to grab a little stone to scare it away with, she grabbed the rock that was closest to her...which was a small boulder, bigger than the little dog. Her face was the priceless part. It was like she turned into a skinny, blonde Hulk, and she chucked the rock at the dog! Luckily she didn't hit it! But it definitely shook him up! I just had to laugh about it...really hard. Haha :) It just made me think of my last area...ahh, such good times.

 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3: 16-17) Another great part of this week was what I got to study in the Book of Mormon. I finished up Mosiah, and was able to study again the stories of Abinidi, Alma, Alma the Younger and the Sons of Mosiah. One thing that I have been REALLY trying to work on is seeing everyone as Heavenly Father sees them. Sometimes, I'll see someone in the combi, or in the street, or waiting for the bus and... I think to myself sometimes, "I don't know if they'd ever accept the Gospel".  And I let the opporitunity pass by, and later find myself wishing I had said something. But I liked reading those chapters because...maybe Abinidi saw all of King Noah's priests and maybe thought like I do for a moment, not knowing that Alma was ready to change and repent. Or maybe Alma and the members of the church looked at those sons and thought that they would NEVER change or do ANY good in their lives, not knowing that God can work miracles in absolutely anyone. And it really helped teach me the importance of not judging others and recognizing that the Spirit is more powerful than anything. It definitely helped me to get over myself and talk to everyone, because everyone deserves a chance to listen.

I love being a missionary. That's all I can really say.

I love you all so much, and I hope you have a great week! Adios!

Love always,

Hermana Smith 

August 11, 2014- Week 2 in Vista Hermosa

Hey everyone! It was another beautiful week here in Atlixco! We had a couple of really cool experiences that I want to share with you guys :)

Experience #1: So during my first week, we were walking back home, and a woman stopped to give us a ride. (There are combis that we can take, but they don't pass by very often, and they're usually too full to pick us up.) We started talking to her about how we're missionaries, that we shared messages about Christ and His Gospel, and she asked us to come visit her! So we went last Thursday, and had one of the best first lessons that I've ever been in! Her name is Gabriela, is about 40 years old and has 3 kids. She was SO nice, and was completely willing to try anything we asked her. She explained to us that she was born in the Catholic Church, but after she had a few bad experiences growing up, she has been searching for the "right church" ever since. She gave a beautiful prayer at the end of the lesson, and told us that she would probably go to church with us. And she did!....except she got there a little early, only saw a couple people, got a little scared and decided to leave! So she told some members to tell us that when we come on Tuesday, she wants us to help her "feel more prepared so she can go with us next Sunday"! She's so cute :) Even though it was a bummer that she wasn't able to stay, I was seriously so impressed that she put in the effort. Sometimes as a missionary, that's all I want to ask for - just a little effort! We have a REALLY good feeling about her...and we're super excited to see how this next week goes!

Experience #2: A family of 4 contacted US on Friday. Super great huh?! They were attending a Christian church, but are looking to attend somewhere else. More than anything, the mom Marsela is concerned that her daughters (who are 14 and 16 years old) don't know anything about God. So we went and taught them on Saturday, and they seem really interested! They wanted to go to church, but they already had plans that morning, but said for sure they'll be going next Sunday :) They are super nice and I know that the Gospel will bless their lives.

Experience #3: Remember Minerva? Well, she brought a friend to our appointment last Tuesday! She said that she loved what we shared with her the week before, and wanted her friend to listen too. Look at her already being a missionary! :) Her friend seemed super interested too though! He lives in Puebla though, but we made sure to get his number and passed it on to the missionaries there. We're super excited about her :) We just need to get her to church!

Experience #4: This will explain the picture that I'm attaching. So we rode a combi to one of the areas that we have, and when we got there, the driver just told us that instead of paying 10 pesos for the ride, to go and buy him a Coke (which is also 10 pesos). So we went into the Oxxo (which is like 7-11 in Mexico) and bought him a coke. The thing is...I don't know if they have this in the US, but here, they have Cokes with names on them. So we searched and searched for a certain one...until we found it. Haha :) They we gave him a card too, and told him to contact us if he wanted to learn more :) He definitely got a good laugh out of it!

Guys...I can't believe that I'll be completing 9 MONTHS this Wednesday. It sure has gone by fast! A year ago yesterday, I went to the temple for the first time :) I've done a lot of thinking about it lately (especially since I miss going to the temple so much!) and I realized that really, my purpose as a missionary is to help others become converted, endowed and sealed in the temple as a family. It isn't just to get them to baptism, which is so important as well. But the Lord's work isn't to baptize others, it's to help Heavenly Father's children to live with Him again - in the Celestial Kingdom. And that requires them getting to the temple. It makes it just so much more important that I'm prepared as a missionary so I can help others reach that potential. I definitely have a lot to learn, but I'm hoping that I can do that for the people here. I have an eternal family, and they deserve one too :)

I love this work! I know that it is the Lord's work, and that He stands at the head of this Church, directing all of its affairs. I know that President Monson is a prophet, and we can receive revelation through his words, the words of the Apostles, and the words in the scriptures. I love the scriptures, and I love how they testify of Christ. And I know that there is so much power in prayer. I know that our Heavenly Father listens to every word, and that He knows us, loves us, and wants to help us. I know that this church is true, and I know that it is God's kingdom here on the earth today. So let's help it grow! :) I love you all so much, and I hope you have a fantastic week! 

Love always,

Hermana Smith

August 11, 2014- Hellooooooo Atlixco!

Good afternoon, everyone!

So, I am officailly in Atlixco, Ward Vista Hermosa! And I am absolutely loving it.  :)

My companion is Hermana Traylor. She just finished her training (her "mom" is Hermana Jones, from the MTC!) and she is the cutest. She is from Richmond, Virginia, is 20 years old, and probably THE funniest person I have ever met. I seriously laugh so hard I cry almost every single day. She is super spunky, and really knows who she is, which I love. It's good that we can be completly real with each other, and I know that she's always going to tell me what she thinks, or what I can do better. She definitely misses Hermana Jones a lot... not that I blame her! But I know that we're going to become really good friends. :)

This area... oh my goodness, it's like a night and day difference from Cholula. We live on this giant hill that over looks ALL of Atlixco, and it is so beautiful. And the people are SO nice and SO receptive. We have 5 baptismal dates right now, 3 of which we set on Saturday :) Their names are Raul, Mayra, Samantha, Miriam and Cati. Raul and Mayra have been taking the lessons for a while (their 3 daughters got baptized 2 weeks ago) but...they're not willing to get married or seperated. :/  But we're hoping they'll change their minds soon. The other three are a mother and her two daughters. They also have been listening for a while, but weren't progressing. But we went back this last week, and they had read the Restoration pamphlet, and want to get baptized! But...they didn't go to church yesterday...so hopefully they'll stick with it!

We also have like 1,234,203 other investigators....just kidding, but seriously, Hermana Jones and Traylor were really just going to town. They are amazing! We have to do a lot of visits this week to see who is really interested, which is wonderful, but I'm hoping we'll find some more people that are prepared :) We contacted two people in particular this week that we are 99.9999% will get baptized. Their names are Minerva and Gracy. We contacted them on different days in combis, but we feel SO good about them. Minerva is a Christian, and thinks that the Restoration is really interesting! She's going to pray about it, and we're going to see her again on Wednesday. And Gracy, we contacted as she was leaving the combi with a million bags and two little kids, and we offered to carry her bags to her house for her. We got talking, she invited us in, and told us that about 10 years ago, she listened to missionaries, but after her mom found out, they weren't ever able to visit again. But now, she's really excited to listen to our message again, and I think she is going progress. :) 

I think the thing I have loved most about this week is being able to feel like I'm fufilling my purpose as a missionary. The last few weeks made it a bit more difficult to feel like that. But now, we've been able to teach, find, and invite all the time, and I feel like I'm an instrument in the Lord's hands again. I know that this area will still have its challenges, but I know that my other areas have helped prepare me for what is going to come. There's this quote by Elder Holland that I absolutely love, that has really helped me change my perspective about things like that.  “The past is to be learned from but not lived in. We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the ashes. And when we have learned what we need to learn and have brought with us the best that we have experienced, then we look ahead and remember that faith is always pointed toward the future”  Faith is always pointed towards the future. I know that's true. We can't truly have faith if we don't have hope for a better tomorrow. And really, that's what the Gospel is all about - hope for a better tomorrow. Things aren't easy, but they can always be made better through faith in the Atonement of Christ.  

Thank you for all of you prayers, help and letters! And I hope you all have a fantastic week! LOVE Y'ALL!

Love always,

Hermana Smith

Photos

-My first picture with Hermanita Traylor (Why are all of my American companions SOO much taller than me?!)

- Hermana Jones :)

- Us sitting in the park :)

August 4, 2014- Last Day in Ameyal!

Well, it's official: We definitely have transfers tomorrow! It will be exciting to see where we go next!

This week was good and also pretty different! No worries, we didn't end up in a different area for 1/2 the week, but Hermana Slack ended up staying with us for 3 days! Her companion has been having some health problems and hasn't been able to work very much, so President put her with us for a few days so she could continue her training. It was super fun being with her :) 

Something super awesome that happened this week is that Hermano Juan received the Aaronic Priesthood! We have been working super hard with their family since I got here, and Hermana Rookstool started working with them when SHE got here 4 1/2 Months ago. When they first started visiting, Juan didn't even want to talk or look at them! He wanted absolutely nothing to do with the church after they stopped attending several years ago, back when all of their daughters were teenagers. But we have been able to see him grow in so many ways. Yesterday, they were able to start taking the sacrament again, and he received the Priesthood :) Next week, he will bless the sacrament for the first time :) Yesterday, we talked to him, and he told us that they "have never been better" and that every day they "learn and change more". I know that the Lord can change peoples hearts, even the ones who seem impossible. :)

This week,I was able to do a lot of reflecting about the last 6 weeks. Even though they stretched me in ways that I didn't think possible, they made it so I had more room to grow. My testimony has been strengthened every single day, and for that, I am grateful. I'm definitely never going to forget Ameyal 2! Even though we didn't see any baptisms, we only ended up with one investigator, had unexpected trials and we walked a lot... it was worth it. And I know that it all comes down to the effort we put in. There is a quote that I really like, from Sister Linda S. Reeves, which says, "When all is said and done, what will matter to our Heavenly Father will be how well we have kept our covenants and how much we have tried to follow the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ." And that's what we did our best to do, and for that, I can leave this area with peace and gratitud in my heart for how much the Lord blessed us while we were here.

I love all of you so much! And I hope you all have a great week!!! :) 

Love Always,

Hermana Smith

Photos: 

- Hna Rookstool and I with our sticks...we walked with them everywhere!

- Sunrise from our house

- The GIANT NASTY beetle that was in our house!!!!!!!!

July 28, 2014- I'm not really sure how to start this... but Week 5 in Ameyal!

Hey!

This week was a crazy one! But really all that I can say is that we spent half the week in Ameyal and the other half with the sister leaders in Cholula. We had a small problem come up in our area, and President thought it would be best to get us out of the area for a few days. We will be going back today for wekk 6, but we know for sure that we will both be having transfers next week. It was a really good experience though - to be with Hermanas Rangel and Villa here in Cholula. We had quite a few good experiences, and more than anything, it helped us to get back our enthusiasm for the work. 

One experience happened Friday night. We spent most of the time contacting for the hermanas as they went to appointments. That night, we saw a woman in the park, watching her kids ride their bikes around. We introduced ourselves, asked if we could talk with her and her family one day in their home, and she surprised us by saying "Well, I've got time now, if you'd like!" Her name was Irma and it was an amazing experience. We asked her about her beliefs, and she started to tell us about how her 15 year old son refuses to believe in ANYTHING, and how it got worse when her dad passed away last week, and when 3 other relatives of hers passed away about a month ago. So, obviously, we started to talk about the plan of salvation, and when we told her that we believe in a life after this, where we can be together as families, she just started to cry. The Spirit was so sweet in that moment, as she asked me again, "Is there really a life after this, and I can be with everyone I love?" We told her that yes, as we do the things that God has commanded us to do. She was so excited. We asked when we could visit, but...of course, her husband is also athiest like her son, and won't let her listen to anyone about religion. But she asked us to give her ALL of the pamphlets that we have and a Book of Mormon that she can read when he isn't there, haha. This experience helped us a lot to know that there are prepared people everywhere...we just have to find them. And I really hope that one day, her husband's heart will be softened, and she can investigate the church more. 

We were also able to attend a baptism on Saturday :) Those are always wonderful. 

Then last night, a family that was baptized two weeks ago asked us to come to a family home evening with them. When the four of us got there, the father asked if we could just have a testimony meeting, and share spiritual experiences. It was so wonderful. When Salvador asked me to share a spiritual experience, one came to my mind that I had forgotten about, something that had happened shortly before I received my call. As I talked about it, I was able to realize just how much that experience, the one I had forgotten about, really changed me in that moment, and how it has helped me ever since. It was a really great hour that we all shared together, one that I think we all really needed. 

All in all, I am quite sad that things aren't going the way that we had hoped here in Ameyal. But, I know that there is a purpose to everything, and I hope that in this next week, we can do the best we can to bring people unto Christ. This morning, I was reading in 2 Nephi 28, and I came upon verse 30, which says, "For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts and lend an ear to my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom" The Lord is teaching us, little by little. And we're learning, little by little. And the people in Ameyal are preparing...little by little.

Thank you for everything! I love you all so much! Have a fantastic week!

Love always,

Hermana Smith 

July 21, 2014- Week 4 in Ameyal!

Good Afternoon!

First thing first, I can't believe I completed 8 MONTHS in the mission yesterday! WHAAAAT?!?!?! Haha

So...this week was another patience-developer! We are still in the process of finding... but the good news is that it has hardly rained at all this week! So we've been able to spend a lot more time out and looking and contacting in the streets! I know the Lord is definitely teaching us some things here, so I'm grateful for every moment. :) 

I guess I should tell you about the dogs...

So two weeks ago, we were attacked 3 different times in one day by large groups of dogs - we're talking like 6 dogs or more here. After the 3rd time and bursting into tears on the side of the road, we finally called President and asked him what more we could do. We were already carrying around giant sticks and picking up rocks when they came running, but none of that fazes them. He told us to go buy super-duty pepper spray! He's a funny one, President Stellmon :) But we did it! It did help us feel better...until Wednesday, when we actually had to use it. :/ Let's just say that the dogs here are SUPER determined and really want to eat sister missionaries. That's what we think anyway. Good news is that...we only have 2 more weeks in the transfer and I'll be super surprised if President keeps us here for more... so we just have to get through the next two weeks alive and then we're good! Please pray for us! :)

This week, we had one pretty awesome lesson :) Hermana Rookstool and her first companion helped to reactivate a couple here in the ward. Their names are Rita and Juan and they are super great :) The thing is... their four married daughters are all inactive, and they want to help them get to church again. This week, we went to visit Rita and for the first time, all four of the daughters (and all their kids) were there! And we happened to prepare a lesson about keeping the Sabbath Day Holy :) But it was really cool because we could tell that the Spirit got them all thinking hard about why they need to go to church. It's hard because none of their husbands are members...but we can tell that now, they really want to go. We're hoping to hear some good news from Rita about them in the next coming weeks :)

Funny story for the week! So on Wednesday, our district leader asked me to teach the class at the district meeting, about teaching people, not lessons. I prepared this super awesome object lesson that involved fruit. The fruits represented different people and their receptiveness to the Gospel. :) Anyway, so the point was that they were trying to break the different fruits with just their hands. (I had a cherry, a banana and an apple). The first two were easy, but the apple is kinda hard, obviously. :P (But I had a knife ready to cut it, which would have represented things like inspired questions, listening, etc.) Anywho...Elder Hafan, an Elder in our district, destroyed my object lesson - literally. He got up, grabbed the apple, said "Well, I like apples!", put it on the desk...then started smashing it to bits with his fist! I don't know how long I just stood there in shock. (Looks like instead of helping the hard-hearted to soften their hearts...we can just force it out of them?) It was pretty funny though :) Not what I had hoped, but we all got a good laugh out of it.

Well, that's really all for this week :P Not much happened...but hopefully next Monday will be a bit better! I love you all so much, and I hope y'all have a great week!!!! 

Love always,

Hermana Smith

Pictures:

- Beautiful Puebla/Cholula!

- The Volcanos :) The one of the left is Popo - the one that is actually active :P Our area is actually pretty close to it...I'll try to get a better picture this week :)

- Hermana Rookstool and I :)

Quote of the Week: 

"There is no age barrier when it comes to Christlike service. … As we look beyond our differences in age, culture, and circumstance to nurture and serve one another, we will be filled with the pure love of Christ and the inspiration which leads us to know when and whom to serve."

- Bonnie L. Oscarson, YW General President

July 14, 2014- Week 3 in Ameyal!

Hello!

We managed to contact 40 PEOPLE in the street this week! May not seem like many...but it really is here! We were so happy that the Lord put that many people in our path! The hard part is that only 1 family said yes out of all of the people we talked to...but it's a family of 8! And 3 of the kids are old enough to be baptized! We have an appointment with them tonight at 7, so PLEASE send some quick prayers our way so that they can accept to learn more! The children are absolutely adorable... there are 3 boys and 3 girls, just like my family :) Every time we pass by their house, they run out, yelling "Hermanas! Hermanas!" We know that if it wasn't for them, the parents probably wouldn't even give us a second glance. But the kids want us to visit so badly, that they said we could :) Thank goodness for little kids!

This week, we also had an amazing zone conference, definitely the best one that I've been to since I started my mission! The Spirit was just so strong...and I left feeling SO motivated. I know that was definitely one of the reasons why we were able to do so much more this week - we realized that we needed to have more faith. I'm not going to lie...I'm pretty sure that this week was the hardest week of my mission so far. But I know that the Lord isn't going to abandon us. I know that everything is going to work out. 

One part that I loved about the conference was when we talked about commitments. In order to have a commitment, there has to be a what, how and why. And obviously, the why is the most important part. We talked a lot about our own personal desires as missionaries - why we committed to come out here, why we contact people on the street, why we decide to be obedient, etc. And as I thought about it...I realized that it is, and should be, because we love the Lord, and we love our fellow brother and sisters. To go along with that, I have started studying the New Testament this week, and I have learned a lot about Jesus Christ and His disciples.

Sometimes, I feel like it's impossible to change. Sometimes I feel like I'm just stuck in my way of living, unable to change routines, change my thoughts, and especially change my desires. But something that I have learned from studying and applying the Atonement is that Christ can change ANYONE. He took a group of fishermen and made them into apostles and some of the greatest missionaries this world will ever see. He turned them into His representatives and His servants. He changed their desires and their whole outlook on life. And I know that we can do the same for us. If we aren't doing things for the right reasons, we can change. If we find others who have lived their whole lives contrary to the commandments of God, I know that He can change them. Christ's love and influence is infinite and perfect. It can do amazing things to the hearts of God's children, members and non-members alike. 

“If ye love me, keep my commandments,” Jesus said. So we have neighbors to bless, children to protect, the poor to lift up, and the truth to defend. We have wrongs to make right, truths to share, and good to do. In short, we have a life of devoted discipleship to give in demonstrating our love of the Lord. We can’t quit and we can’t go back. After an encounter with the living Son of the living God, nothing is ever again to be as it was before. The Crucifixion, Atonement, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ mark the beginning of a Christian life, not the end of it. It was this truth, this reality, that allowed a handful of Galilean fishermen-turned-again-Apostles without “a single synagogue or sword” to leave those nets a second time and go on to shape the history of the world in which we now live."

-Jeffrey R. Holland-

...If you know someone that maybe isn't living the Gospel, or doesn't know about the Gospel...please do them the favor and share something with them this week. It may not be easy. It may not be comfortable. But I know that it will make even a small difference in their lives. We are disciples of Jesus Christ, and I know that He can give us the courage and words if all we do is ask for His help. We are His disciples, and He can make us capable. So that's my little challenge for this week :) 

Also, I am SO grateful for my companion. This week was hard for both of us...but we have been able to keep each other happy and positive. I know that if she wasn't as amazing as she is, this would sure be a lot harder! :) 

All in all, Ameyal is an adventure. But it's one that I love :) Thank you for all of your prayers, and I love all of you so much! Have a great week!

Love always,

Hermana Smith

PS - Congrats to my brother and sister in law...I'm an aunt again! :) 

PSS - Waffles with Nutella. I love American food. :) 

July 7, 2014- Ameyal: Week #2!

Guys. This week went by SOOOO fast! Ahhh!

So, it was another crazy week here in Ameyal. Tuesday and Wednesday...Hermana Rookstool was sick :( It was so sad. I hope we don't have too many more problems with sicknesses... I feel like every single transfer, there is something though!! But it was ok, because we were able to study a lot more Spanish and learn more about each other. And we figured out that we have a LOT in common. It really helped us to grow closer together. 

Then on Thursday... we met our new Mission President!!!! President Stellmon and his wife, Hermana Stellmon :) To say the least...they are so great! I love them already! I'll tell a little bit about them so y'all can get to know them too :) President Stellmon and Hermana Stellmon were friends all growing up, because their families were friends. They started dating in high school, he went on his mission to Boliva, she wrote him the whole time and they got engaged the day after he came home!!! So crazy right?!?! They are from Idaho (not sure what part) and have (I think) 6 kids. :) But they are super awesome. They are both super funny and very humble. I know that they're going to do great things for the mission :) 

On Friday/part of Saturday, we had intercambios with the sister training leaders here in Cholula. I ended up going to the city of Cholula with Hermana Rangel, who is great :) Oh, Happy 4th of July! I almost forgot about it on Friday, but weirdly enough, Hermana Rangel kept reminding me. :P So, we bought Tacos Arabes to celebrate and I played the Star Spangled Banner ON THE FLUTE!!!! Because Hermana Rangel brought her's with her to the mission!!!  I'm not gonna lie, it sounded awful after not having played for 7 months, but it was still wonderful :) 

But the best part was the things I learned with Hermana Rangel. We talked a lot about the area I'm in...and we talked a lot about what it means to be a successful missionary. And I realized that...in a very short amount of time, I'm going to be coming back home to all of you. And I don't want to leave with any regrets. And so...even though we still don't have people to teach...I'm ok. Because I know that I'm doing everything I can do to be the servant God needs me to be at this time. This really is a beautiful opportunity that I have right now - to take an area that has nothing, and do everything we can to transform it into a "field that is ready to harvest". Right now...we are just gospel seed planters. But we are going to be the best gospel seed planters Mexico has ever seen, haha! I really am grateful for this area. I'm grateful for my companion and her faith and diligence. And I'm especially grateful for the testimony that I have about this church and gospel. I finished the Book of Mormon this week, in Spanish. And it was an experience that is going to be in my heart forever. I know for a surety that the Book of Mormon is true, and that my Savior lives. There is nothing in this world that can take that testimony away from me. :)

I love all of you so much! And I hope you all have a great week! You're always in my prayers :)

Love always,

Hermana Smith

PS - so the pictures. The two other sisters are Hermanas Prieto and Slack :) They are the other sisters in serving in Ameyal. And the others...are from last monday and today! We ate banana splits...and then we had to do it again for week 2! It's becoming an addiction!!!!! D: So sorry if I come home looking like a bowling ball. We can blame it on Cholula!

June 30, 2014- Welcome to Cholula!

Hey everyone!

Well, I'm going to start this out with a few "fun" facts about my new area...haha.

Zona Cholula - Barrio Ameyal

• We live in the middle of a giant mountain farm. Everyone here either raises animals, grows corn or makes bricks.
• It rains every day. I'll tell my fun story a bit later :)
• Because it rains every day, it is SUPER green...and also SUPER DUPER muddy. I kinda feel like I'm camping.
• This ward was the first ward here in the state of PUEBLA. It's a blessing...and kind of a curse.
• The pigs, goats and cows that live across the street from our house snore really loud at night.
• Around 6.00 every morning, the drunk man downstairs starts making up songs. 
• The dogs here are vicious. And super scary. I'll tell about that fun little story too.
• Our area is HUGE. We have 6 little pueblitos in our area that are all super spread out...and have I mentioned that no one lives here??
• It's so cold here. The first 2 days I really thought I was going to freeze to death. They say it never snows, but I'm not too sure...
• My comp is amazing! Her name is Hermana Rookstool (and she's American if you can't tell, haha!) She's from American Fork, and she just finished her training. Thank goodness she trained here though, or we would be super lost all the time!
• We have 0 Baptismal Dates, 0 Progressing Investigators, 0 Other Investigators and 0 People that want to listen

Well...what do y'all think? :)

I'll start from the beginning. Cambios. On Tuesday, we went to Puebla, found out President Reeves would be leaving 2 DAYS after, and I got my new companion. :) She's super cute and funny. She's 19, goes to BYU too (whoo!) and has 3 months here in the field. We hitched a ride with our district to Cholula (where I thought our area was...) and another memeber picked us up. and then we started driving. and driving. Further and further into the mountains. And then we took this little tiny dirt road and then we got to our house. I like the house, it's really colorful and cute. We then went to ward council...and no one talked to us. they didn't ask us anything about how the work was going and it was kinda weird. 

Then Wednesday, we had our district meeting - 6 hermanas and 2 elders :) then after that...we started walking. and walking. and walking. My companion knows of 10 less actives in our area (and they've almost reactivated 6 of them) and we don't have anyone to teach. 

And on Friday, we spent 3 hours "contacting" which consisted of walking around for 3 hours without stopping and talking to only 3 people (because there isn't anyone who lives here.) and everytime I see a person, I get SO excited...and then my comp always tells me that they're already a member. -_- It's a little bit like Utah here. 

Saturday was super fun because all of the other days, it only rained during the night. But Saturday was a bit special! We were about 1 miles from our house (and about 2 miles from the nearest person that we could visit.) And then came part of a tropical storm. It started out slowly...and then out of no where came down POURING. And we just started running for our house. We were in the middle of a dirt road and it got a lot more difficult when the water got about 6 inches high. We ran into the house laughing and freaking out because we were soaked, covered in mud, and our scriptures were soaked...but it was definitely an experience to remember :) 

And yesterday, we almost died! We were walking back to our house last night, and we had to go a different way to avoid a group of drunks....but then we ran into a pack of 7 very angry dogs. we picked up some rocks, which usually does the trick and scares them off, but these ones decided that wasn't scary enough, and started running towards us! we started running in the other direction until they stopped following, but really we were stuck. we spent a coulple minutes trying to decided which route would be worse, when a young man came up to us, and offered to help us get pass the dogs. He told us that as soon as we could just to start running so we started toward them again, and when they went to attack the man, we just took off running, yelling "gracias!" behind us! When we got to the bottom of the hill we looked back, the young man was walking away, so at least he's ok and didn't die for our sake!

All in all...there's a lot of work to do here. And the Lord definitely put us here for a reason, and we're going to figure it out! We decided that no matter what happens, we're still going to be 100% obedient and give the Lord everything we have. Hermana Rookstool shared a quote with me this morning from Elder Perry's talk this conference. He said: "Strong, proactive obedience is anything but weak or passive. It is the means by which we declare our faith in God and qualify ourselves to receive the powers of heaven. Obedience is a choice. It is a choice between our own limited knowledge and power and God’s unlimited wisdom and omnipotence. According to the lesson my grandfather gave to me, it is a choice to sense the spiritual bit in our mouths and follow the driver’s lead." I know that through our constant obedience and faith, we're going to see the influence of heaven in this area and in our lives. 

Thank you for all of your love and prayers :) You all are in my hearts, and I hope you have a great week this week!! I LOVE YOU!!!

Love always,

Hermana Smith

June 23, 3014- Last Week in Tehuacan

Hey :)

Well, as y'all read in the subject line...week 24 in Tehuacan was my last week here. Tomorrow, we'll be heading to Puebla, and we'll see where I go next! Our new mission president is also coming this Thursday...I think that they officially take over July 10, but it'll be good getting to know them these next few weeks (and year!) 

The highlight of this week was definitely Rosita's baptism!! It was a bit complicated because she's 75: She had to sit in a chair, Elder Pendleton tried to baptize her 2 times, then we decided that Elder Ramirez needed to jump in there too to help, and the 3rd time, it was good :) Thank goodness we thought to bring the other baptismal suit! But it was absolutely beautiful. And she was just smiling and smiling as she left the baptismal font. It was such a great moment :)

This week, we have also been teaching Marina's aunt and cousins. They're pretty great :) I know that they're going to be baptized, and I hope that I get to hear about it soon! It's been really cool to see how involved Marina wants to be involved in the teaching! During one of the lessons, her aunt asked us why we don't drink coffee, and Marina just started talking about the Word of Wisdom - how it's a commandment, and not good for our bodies, etc. It was awesome! She has been super involved in all of the ward activities, Karla and Daniel love YW and the Primary, and even the baby is more happy at church :) It's been great seeing this change in her and her family.

There's a part of this month's ensign that I want to share. It's from Elder Holland, from a CES Devotional that he gave in 2012. This week, we had an experience with an investigator, who asked us, "What's the point of trying to be a good person when everyone else is bad, and yet I have more trials than they do?" It's a question we get a lot. And sometimes...I don't know how to answer. Sometimes I have to see all of the things that these people have to go through...and sometimes I wonder myself. But...when I read this message, it brought a lot of peace to my heart. This life is an independent journey. Yes, we need the help and influence of others. Yes, we need to look outside ourselves and help others...but what it comes down to is what we've done, how we've lived the Gospel, how we've represented our Savior during our time here. 

"When He comes, I so want to be caught living the gospel. I want to be surprised right in the act of spreading the faith and doing something good. I want the Savior to say to me: “Jeffrey, I recognize you not by your title but by your life, the way you are trying to live and the standards you are trying to defend. I see the integrity of your heart. I know you have tried to make things better first and foremost by being better yourself and then by declaring my word and defending my gospel to others in the most compassionate way you could.”

He will certainly add: “I know you weren’t always successful with your own sins and with the circumstances of others, but I believe you honestly tried. I believe in your heart you truly loved me.”

I want to have something like that encounter someday as I want nothing else in this mortal life. And I want it for you. I want it for us all. “Israel,Israel, God is calling” - calling us to live the gospel of Jesus Christ personally in small ways and large ways, to reach out to those who may not look or dress or behave quite as we do, and then (where we can) to go beyond that to serve in the widest community we can address."

I love Puebla. I love the people here. I'm hoping that this next part of my journey has been as great as the first :) Thank you for your letters and prayers, and know that I pray for all of you, every day. Have a great week! :) 

Love always,

Hermana Smith