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!