Monday, July 30, 2012

Metaphor


Hello!
Can we all stop and say a prayer thanking our Father in Heaven for the miracles He works everyday? Thanks. Mom, I am glad you are alive. I seriously almost cried when I heard about the accident. God really does protect missionaries AND their families. I hope you recover well and always wear a seat belt. :)
Good news! With the move to Collingwood, we now use the Branch Clerk's office for email and now my letters won't be so rushed, at least until transfers. YAY! Transfers are coming up next week and I am dying. Pray for the missionaries involved and for my President. This is going to be a stressful week for everyone.
The work is going well. We are almost transitioned into the Stayner area. We spend Tuesdays, Thursdays and sometimes Saturdays in Midland and then the rest of the week in Stayner. We also split Sundays. So fun. We do a ton of driving...Collingwood is an hour away from Midland so we drive a ton. All the time. We listen to a lot of music and have depleted our selection of conference talks. :( Lame. We are now in the process of finding people to teach. Its hard. Teaching is fun. Getting rejected is not. Someone is prepared somewhere, I just haven't found them yet.
Our investigators are doing well. Jacqueline has been to church TWICE and is really enjoying it. She is SOOOO close to being baptized, she just needs to tell her parents and pick a date. Pray that she'll have that courage and inspiration when the time comes. John is doing awesome! I love that man, in all his one toothed glory. He is stubborn and sarcastic and resistant to change but our God is a God of miracles and someday John will make his decision. He came to church again seems to be making progress. Pray for a miracle because that is what he needs. With Denise and Alysha (mostly Denise) there has been some drama that isn't really mine to share, just know that everything will work out and that everything happens for a reason.
So thats basically it. I am loving mission life. It gets easier as time goes by but even then it is still hard work. I want to share with you a little metaphor (I think. I guess that 4 on the AP test really was a fluke) that I have been using recently. I think I came up with it but I am sure it has been used before. Anyways.....Life is like climbing a mountain. As we climb there will be times when the view is awesome and in all reality we could stop there and be content. But as we keep climbing, the view only gets better. There are times when it is hard and clouds cover our vision. We could stop and quit or say we have gone far enough but as we keep climbing and endure to the end, we are blessed more and more. So even when times are tough, when then the way is steep and you vision is clouded, keep climbing. Have faith, repent, renew your covenants, follow the guidance of the Holy Ghost and when we reach the end of our mountain, the view will be worth every moment on the trail. Work hard and always remember that we aren't in this alone. Christ will carry you if you ask Him. I love you all and I am so grateful to have had the friendships and relationships that have made me who I am today. Have fun at Wicked and at the Family Reunion. Tell everyone hello, I love them very much and that I am glad we are related. Keep the faith and do good things!
Love,
Elder E. Smith
P.S. Mom and Emma: Just send the letters to me and I'll give them to them. Sorry I am so bad at addressing concerns when I should. My B.
P.P.S. The random picture of Moroni 7 is just proof that there are hidden meanings in the Book of Mormon. This one blew my mind. A loonie to anyone who can find another. :)
Canada Fact of the Week: Canadians are passionate. Passionate about hockey. Passionate about beer. But the thing they are most passionate about is their Tim Horton's coffee. I'm serious. There are Tim Horton's EVERYWHERE. They are almost as bad as churches in Utah. They are so addicted that when construction interferes with Timmy's they have signs explaining how to get to the drive through. No joke. I'll take a picture next time.
P.P.P.S. Dallin: I am so sorry but I can only email family. Its dumb and I know you are basically family but they have asked us not to. Exact obedience brings exact blessings. Remember that one. I'll write you a snail mail if you give me your address. (I can't remember it) Also congrats on the papers going in! You are going to be an awesome missionary! I think you'll go to Portugal or Denver....Yeah. I have good feelings about those. Good luck!
Luvs!

Monday, July 23, 2012

First Baptism!


So first off I am an awful son and didn't give you my address. I am so sorry for the distress. It wasnt' really my fault because we didn't know our postal code last week and that is kind of important. Hahaha. So here it is: 592 Cameron Street Apt. #6 Collingwood, ON L9Y 2J3. I am truly sorry for the confusion. I have some distressing (to me) news. So Elder Stark (Mission Vehicle Coordinator) called me last week and asked about the driving record and kept saying that they needed me driving by next transfer....cryptic I know. Then on top of all that, we got wind from our zone leaders that 80 of the 90 companionships are changing at this next transfer.....GAH! I'm not ready for that yet! So I'm freaking out a bit but trying to keep calm about it. We'll see what happens come August 5th. 
I am also sad I missed Becky, Brad and Brian! Tell them I say hello.
On to my week. My week was different. It started with the move which as we all know is super stressful and super tiring. To add to that, the first night in the new place was SCORCHING. The place hadn't been air conditioned for who knows how long and it made for a long, sweaty night. But we have a little window unit that is super good and we are nice and cool now. Its is a nice place and I am getting used to it pretty quick. On Tuesday we had exchanges with our Zone Leaders. I was with Elder Jameson. HE is a STELLAR missionary and I learned soooooo much. It was funny because he has three weeks left and I was three weeks out. On exact opposites of our missions. I want to be him when I grow up :) Wednesday was weird. I woke up feeling sick plus I was tired plus that was when we got the call about transfers and I was dealing with that and all this just made me want to go upstairs, crawl into mom and dad's bed and cry until it was over. It was my first real homesick day. Anyway boo hoo, woe-is-me blah blah I'm over it. Some letters from Megan and Dad and a startlingly specific pep talk from a 2009 Ensign and I was right as rain. Tender mercies come from the random-est places. :) The rest of the week is kind of a blur to Sunday. 
Oh boy was that a great day or what. The baptism went soooo well, minus the font only having hot water....its like our old apartment is haunting us. We solved that with buckets and buckets of cold water from the custodial closet and everything was fine. Denise's face coming out of the water was incredible. I don't think it is possible to smile any bigger. Alysha was scared to go in the water because it was kind hot and then when I baptized her leg popped up and we had to do it again. Just like when I was baptized. I told her that afterwards and she thought it was cute. Hahaha. Leave it to a twelve year old girl. :) It was such a good day and to add to the joy of the baptism, John AND Jacqueline came to church and then stayed to watch the baptism!! It was so awesome and they both had great experiences. Now Jacqueline is set to be baptized on the 5th of August probably! WE are so excited! 
This week was so good and I am still so happy to be on a mission! I love getting letters and emails from home and I love to hear that you are all doing well. Keep up the good work and do good things! 

Elder Smith.

Things to read: Once again the Ensign. I picked one up from 2009 and it basically said,"Elder Smith, Do this and you will feel better." Article after article applied directly to me. I almost cried. So please, take advantage of this opportunity. :)
Canada Fact: Tests and Grades are called Exams and Marks. Weird. Also College is University, High School is either Secondary School or Collegiate Institute and Elementary is Public School.....So weird. 

Luvs!

Monday, July 16, 2012

Two Baptisms and a Funeral. (Also a new apartment)


What a week! Busy busy busy busy. Where to start....Well last week a recent convert in the branch passed away, Bob Waller. I don't know if I've talked about him so yet but he was an incredible man. Just an example: He had been completely deaf in his left ear for years and years then had a dream that when he was baptized he would get his hearing back. So he basically decided he would and when he came up out of the water he could hear again!! What a miracle! He was super nice and funny and he will be missed. Pray for his family. His wife Anne and son Scott are taking it pretty hard. They aren't members so they don't have the benefit of knowing that it will work out. We are so lucky! So his funeral was on Saturday. It was good and Elder Kenning and I sang O My Father with some of the branch members. It was a tender moment for sure. We've been working with Denise and Alysha all week and they are all set for baptism. Alysha asked me to baptize her and Denise asked me to confirm her. What an exciting opportunity! I love being a missionary! So that is happening on Sunday and should be great.  Jacqueline is doing well too. She still needs to tell her uber Catholic parents that she wants to join. She told us in our last lesson that she is going to be baptized, it is just a matter of when. She is so close but it is a really hard thing. Pray for her. Oh yeah! The reason for all the busy is that we're moving! Officially. Today. We were told Wednesday moring that we wouldn't move until September then got a call that afternoon that we needed to be in our new apartment ASAP and that meant today. Awesome. You know how much fun moving is so you can probably relate to how stressful this week has been. Especially when we are moving not only our personal stuff but all of the missionary furniture etc. Three years of missionaries living there has made the process long and exciting to say the least. I inherited some neat stuff though so its all worth it. A hair clipper and some sweet high tops. Woo! What an exciting week!
This week I have noticed a change in myself. It is so neat to see the growth in myself as I help others grow. I noticed that my motives for a lot of things has changed. I want to write home so I can tell you all about the work and how much the gospel blesses lives. I want to share the Spirit I am feeling with the ones I love. It isn't just about an exchange of information it is about helping each other to salvation. That is what this life is all about. It is helping those around us to reach the same goal. It isn't a race against others. It is a race against sin and we are all on a team. So I would encourage you this week to lift those around you. Reach out and serve someone and make their burden lighter. I can testify to you that as you do that, as you lift the burdens of others, your own will become lighter. Strive everyday to help others more than you help yourself and you will be surprised at the results. I love you all and I hope you are having a wonderful week! Keep the faith and do good things!
Elder Smith!
P.S. I include the pictures that I said I would last time sorry. The castle looking thing is the library in Midland. Such a cool building! Across the street is the restaurant where a man was beaten to death a week ago....scary. What a world eh? Also included is a picture of my crazy companion in a member's dog cage. What a nut! And pictures of my sunshine package! What a joy that was! It was so nice to get some sunshine in the midst of all the stress! (we had enough real sunshine. 36 and humid on Saturday. Woof!) Thanks to everyone who contributed letters and stuff. It was awesome!
P.P.S. Thanks to everyone who sends letters. Especially Grandma Smith and Katie, Connor and Emmaline. I feel more connected to the family than I did when I was at home. Haha. BTW Katie: That thought from Ether about our trials getting us where God wants us? GOLDEN! Applied perfectly to our investigators. You rock!
Things to Read. "Mercy is given to the Merciful" b y Pres. Uchtdorf, D&C 64:33, The Ensign. :)
Canada Weird: Milk is in bags! Apparently it saves on waste....nutty




Luvs!

Monday, July 9, 2012

Independence Day and Canada


HELLO Family and especially My wonderful mother!
I love you all so much it's not even funny. True story. I want to start off today's email by reminding you all that God is your Heavenly FATHER. He created you and he knows you sooooooo well. So well. He knows how you feel and what you think and the way you specific mind works. He uses that knowledge and His infinite love for you to bless you in ways sometimes only you can understand. Example #1: When I arrived in Canada the weather was unusually cool. This was a blessing for me because heat and I don't really get along. the random spurt of nice weather continued until I felt comfortable with being on a mission and then it started to heat up, when I could deal with that without dealing with missing home or thoughts of inadequacy. Such a blessing for me but it might have been just a coincidence for someone else. Example #2: This one has two parts. Last Sunday we went to church and Sis. Kinsman's daughter and granddaughter were there. Neither of them are members but both had a great experience. On the Fourth of July Elder Kenning and I went to the Kinsman's for a dinner appointment and they were there with Sis K and we got the opportunity to talk with them and teach them the Gospel of Jesus Christ. By the end of the lesson they were in tears and agreed to be baptized on the 22nd. They are so excited to be baptized and learn more and it is so awesome. Denise (Sis K's daughter) shared with us this experience: Four or five years ago her life had taken a turn for the worst. In the tumult and stress of everything she developed a ganglion (?) cyst on her hand. She told us how it had always reminded her of the sadness and depression she experience at the time but hadn't gotten it removed. After church on Sunday she went to the hospital with her daughter for a routine check up and the doctor offered to remove it right then and there. She told us this was a blessing in her life because as she found this gospel and the happiness it brings and how baptism can wash away the sins and sorrows of our past, this constant reminder of these things was removed. She now feels clean and able to move on with her life and be baptized. Such a cool thing. God blessed her in a way that only made sense to her. In that same way God gave me a miraculous day on the Fourth of July. On a day when I could have been sad and mopey about missing my family, He gave me a miracle to take my thoughts away from home and focus on the work. That was such a blessing for me and tells me how much my Father in Heaven cares. My testimony of this gospel and the blessings it brings grows everyday. Helping others come unto Christ brings me closer to him as well. I know that you can have this feeling too as you help those around you and teach by example. Thank God everyday for the blessings you have because of this gospel. 
Suggestions for things to read: Our Search for Happiness. Seriously my new favorite book. This Year it's a Weed, Pull It. From the last page of the July 2011 Ensign. The Ensign! I kick myself in the pants everyday for not taking advantage of that precious resource. I am inspired every time I pick it up. Do so often.
Introducing: Weekly Nuggets of Canadian Stuff! This segment of the letter will tell you about Canadians and how weird things are. Here in Canada, Smarties are called Rockets and what they call Smarties are weird Nestle M&Ms. Ha. Canadians.
I love you all. Do good things!
Elder Smith

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Elder Smith's first email from the field

Hello Dearest Family and Friends!
I want to start off this weeks letter by saying that God answers prayers! Due to the great Canadian holiday of Canada Day, our P day was moved from its regularly scheduled Monday to Tuesday (today). That's all fine and dandy except we didn't hear about that until Sunday night....As you could imagine, I was more than a little bummed. The work is hard and the days are long and I was very much looking forward to a day to unwind, relax a bit and hear from family and to let you know how I was doing. I knew it was going to be difficult to go an extra day  before P day so I prayed for strength and focus so I could still be an effective missionary even though I was very distracted. My prayers were answered. Every experience I had yesterday reaffirmed my purpose as a missionary and taught me a lesson that I needed to know. The best was our dinner appointment with the Crowell family. The husband is a convert who fell away and has since come back and brought his wife, her mom and her mom's foster son into the church. Three baptisms and three souls brought to Christ all because of this man. They are so strong and so excited about the missionary work. He bore us his testimony about the difference missionaries make in the lives of others and how grateful he is for the missionaries that taught him and for my companion for teaching his wife and the others in his family. The Spirit was sooooo strong and it really helped me realize that I can make a difference and that it is all worth it. It was exactly what I needed that day. So yeah. God is good. :) So my area is a little complex. My companion and I are currently living in Midland, Ontario, Canada. It is a gorgeous port town on the banks of the Georgian Bay. We serve the town of Midland and the surrounding area including the towns of Penatanguishene ( its French, everyone just calls it Penatang), Victoria Harbor and Wabashene. Neat names. We also cover another area just west of us called the Stayner area. I don't know it very well because we mainly serve in Midland. BUT, come the end of July/beginning of August we will be moving to the Stayner area to the city of Collingwood and a Senior Couple will move to Midland. So everything is kinda up in the air. We are not even sure when we will be moving for sure. Just as I get to know everyone, grow to love the investigators, and really love the area we'll be moving and I'll start all over. Awesome. :) I love it here. The people are very Canadian. The only thing they love more than smoking is talking. Everyone smokes like a chimney and can talk for hours. It is ridiculous! The members are great and most people are very nice. My first experience in the mission was exciting. We left the mission home and took care of paperwork etc at the office then we headed out to the area. We pulled into town and before I could blink we were pulling up to an investigators home. I hadn't even unpacked or seen where I was living and I was already teaching. I was terrified. The man we taught's name is John and he is very Canadian. He has one good tooth on the top and a scraggly white beard. He talks exactly like you'd expect him to and he has a GIANT wolf/husky hybrid. It was awesome. I said hello then was completely silent the rest of the time. Hahaha. Its tough to be a missionary. It went well and I survived. My companion and I mostly visit members and new converts but we have a few investigators. John, who has been investigating for a year; Peter, he is from Germany and is too smart and analytic to teach hahaha; and Jacquleine who is awesome and has a testimony of the book of Mormon but hasn't told her parents about us yet and is worried they wouldn't approve. So pray for them and hope for a miracle! :) I'm doing great and I'm loving being a missionary. I'd love to hear from anyone really so I know you're still alive. Hahaha. I'm going to attach some picture of stuff sooooo yeah. I love you all and remember to do good things!
Oh. My companion's name is Elder Kenning and he is great! I love him! He is from Bountiful and he is just great. There are pictures of him attached. 
Also. I have a new favorite book.Our Search for Happiness. Read it. seriously. it will change your life!
Love, Elder Smith